URGENT UPDATE: The North Sydney Council is set to introduce fees for private tutors using public libraries, a move aimed at curbing the overwhelming presence of commercial tutoring services in these community spaces. This proposal, backed by Mayor Zoe Baker, comes amid a surge in demand for tutoring as Australian students increasingly seek additional academic support.
Residents have raised concerns that libraries are becoming “clogged” with private tutoring sessions, particularly during peak hours after school and leading up to the Higher School Certificate (HSC) exams. Marianne De Souza, chair of a local community group, emphasized the urgent need for regulation. “It’s become a free-for-all,” she stated, adding that the influx of tutoring groups is preventing other library patrons from enjoying the facilities.
The potential introduction of mandatory bookings and fees is seen as a necessary step to ensure that libraries remain accessible to all. Mayor Baker stated that the high concentration of educational institutions in the area, with ten schools within a 500-metre radius of the main library, has made these public facilities attractive for tutoring. “We have one main library which is being loved to death,” Baker remarked.
The tutoring industry in Australia is booming, valued at an astonishing $2 billion, and this growth highlights the urgent need to balance the needs of private tutors with those of the general public utilizing library services. As pressure mounts on the council to manage these facilities effectively, the new fee proposal is likely to be a pivotal topic in upcoming council meetings.
Authorities confirm that if passed, this initiative could reshape how libraries operate, ensuring they serve their intended purpose as community hubs rather than commercial spaces. Residents and library users are encouraged to voice their opinions as discussions unfold.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the North Sydney Council prepares to address the growing demand for tutoring while maintaining public access to library resources.
