LIBRARY NEEDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 117, 19 May 1936, Page 11

LIBRARY NEEDS.

NOT ENOUGH BOOKS.

" CONDITION VERY POOR."

ACCOMMODATION WANTS,

"The only tiling which prevented even better returns than those noted is the inability to supply a greater number of books," stated the chief librarian, Mr. John Barr, in his annual report presented to the Auckland City Council last night. "The funds available ata not sufficient to meet the reasonable demands of borrowers, especially in the children's sections. In the latter months of the year a distinct falling-off in the circulation of juvenile books was observed, due to the fact that few new books could be purchased owing to the book fund having been largely expended.

"The condition of all books is very poor, and the stock of the children's section is deplorable. The books have in many cases gone beyond further repair. " Inadequate accommodation at certain libraries also contributes toward retarding the normal progress which the libraries could make. This is most noticeable at the central library, where conditions are almost hopeless. The marvel is that, despite the handicaps., especially in the lending department, any advance at all is possible.

"To observe borrowers at busy periods —say between 12 and 2 daily or on a Friday afternoon or Saturday morning —getting in each other's way in an endeavour to secure a book is to realise how patient and long suffering they are. Grafton, Point Chevalier and Tamaki also suffer from restricted accommodation, and steps should be taken to give these libraries relief from the congestion that exists."

In his report Mr. Barr recorded the constantly increasing use that wa? being made of this public service. The combined figures for home reading and reference within the central library building was greater than that of the previous year, amounting to 1,083,291 volumes. Increased circulation was recorded at all the libraries except the Leys Institute, Grey Lynn and the schools division. The increase at the central library was considerable, there having beeen issued 1.3,870 volumes more than in the previous year. The greatest increase among the branches was at lamaki, where 3442 more volumes were circulated during the year.