The library service was rocked in April by the news that this year’s budget would cut its book allowance by two thirds.

The budget for new books was slashed from $158,000 to $50,000, to be spread across the libraries at Forster, Tea Gardens, Bulahdelah, Nabiac and Stroud.

But Mr Jones praised two bookshops and a café for filling some of the funding void.

Forster’s Angus and Robertson and the Great Lakes Bookshop at Tuncurry will donate 10 per cent of takings from customers who show library cards, and Shots of Happy (Forster) has pledged 20 per cent.

“I certainly can say the money raised will go directly to the library’s collection,” Mr Jones said.

“It’s a really tough budget this year, and these kinds of contributions are going to be vital. They’re not just icing. They’re actually a core ingredient for us.”

Great Lakes Bookshop’s Kate Dixon said the library’s plight was close to her heart.

“I just love books, and [the library’s] funding has been slashed to the billy-o,” she said.

The donations follow a $1000 contribution in May by Forster couple Bryan and Diana Baker, and a corporate injection for the Tea Gardens branch.

Abigroup, whose contractors have been working on Pacific Highway upgrades more than two years, pledged $1000. The company’s Mark Vella said the donation was recognition of the library’s role as a sanctuary for workers’ children and families.

“It’s wonderful to see Abigroup put something back into the community that they’ve become such a part of,” Mr Jones said. “The donation is really important to the library, with the real winners being the parents and children of Tea Gardens.”