To whom it may concern,

We, the members of the Penrith City Library Writing Group, are deeply disappointed by the recent decision of the council to discontinue active support for our Group. We are equally disappointed and disheartened by the decision to not run Pride Month events at Penrith City Library.

We understand that the formal reason provided for the decision on our Group is so that Library funding may be focused in other areas worthy of attention. However, we respectfully assert that this funding should not be diverted away from groups still ongoing in their effective service of other valuable and under-resourced niches within the community.

Our Group has been a valuable resource for the community by providing a safe and inclusive space for writers of diverse backgrounds including: members of the LGBTQIA+ community; CALD individuals; those with disabilities; a wide range of ages; and different levels of education and socioeconomic status for almost two years. It is precisely because we are diverse individuals brought together by our shared passion for writing that our Group fosters a safe and inclusive space to share those aspects at every monthly meeting.

Despite this, we are aware of claims that the Group has not been wholly focused on the agenda of writing, and that disgruntled individuals have made complaints to that effect. These claims run counter to the extent of diversity we have gotten to know of our members from the inception of our Group. As a result, some members have expressed concerns that these baseless sentiments have unduly influenced the decision to discontinue support for the Penrith City Library Writing Group.

In fact, we feel as if we have been set up to fail. There has been a distinct lack of consistency in the Library’s approach to management of the Group. For example, we are given to understand that it was the Library’s wish for the Group to consist of a flat structure, rather than be facilitated by a particular individual. Yet, the Library continued to approach Michael Stoneburner as the Group’s primary contact rather than raising issues with the whole group directly. 

Similarly, Library staff members have been invited to attend the Group on no less than three occasions in the last several months but have not done so. In fact, prior to the announcement that the Group was being placed under review for six months in December 2023, Library staff only attended one Group meeting: the 2023 Pride Presentation Evening. As a result, many members feel as if we have been judged before decision-making staff have gotten a chance to know us as a Group. 

We are equally disappointed by the lack of Pride Month events this year; we are additionally concerned by the reluctance to publicly support or deliver inclusive programming. While we understand the desire to protect Library staff, LGBTQIA+ library patrons, and members of the wider public from queerphobic protests and harassment, a space cannot assert itself to be safe and welcoming to all by failing to stand with vulnerable members of the community against hatred and intolerance.

We urge you to consider the message the Library’s lack of Pride events this year sends to the community; in particular, its queer members and the individuals who harass them. We encourage the Library to reconsider its position on these issues so that it can actively work towards creating a truly inclusive and welcoming environment for all by visibly standing against hatred and bigotry.

Due to the decisions outlined above, we no longer feel safe at nor supported by the Library. As a Group, we have arrived at the decision to cease utilising Library premises for meetings as of Monday 1st July 2024. We wish to thank the Library for the use of your space over the last 22 months, and wish you the best of luck in future community engagement endeavours.

Regards,

Story Stones (fka Penrith City Library Writing Group)