THE PUBLIC LIBEARY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11546, 31 March 1903, Page 5

THE PUBLIC LIBEARY.

EXTENDING ITS USEFULNESS.

A good deal of attention was given by tho Board of Governors of Canterbury College at their meeting yesterday, to the question of extending the usefulness of the Public Library. In accordance with recommendations of the Mueeum and Library Committee, it was decided to write to Mr Carnegie, giving him the history of the institution, mid advising him of its position, and to ask for a sum of £10,000 to be spent in connection with the Library. A subcommittee, consisting of the Chairman and Mesers Beswick and Russell, was appointed to draw up and forward tho application. In accordance with the came report, it was decided that arrangements be made for the opening of the Public Library to country .subscribers, whose books can be delivered by railway to any railway station within 75 miles of Christthurch. 'tioiis adopted in connection witli,Jtne new scheme provide that each subscriber shall pay in advance the sum of £3 3s per annum, or £1 Is per quarter. A subscriber shall then be entitled to a. parcel of four books fverv two weeks. Inclusive of the days of delivery and retUrn, twenty-one days will b; , allowed for tho return of any parcel of books, und if the library should happen to be clotird on the day of return, the next day will be included in the period ullon-td. -A* system uf fines, starting at ;• minimum penalty of one shilling per week for tile lirst two weektf, wits established in uiiSl* of iion-ieiurn at the due time. .Mr U. \V. Russell wtuted that he did not think any otlter library in New Zealand had attempted such n scheme. It was hoped that after a while v supply of small boxes would be obtained, in which to forward tlio books. ■ A member slated that the system was carried out wit h much eucceta in "Sydney. Anotlier stated that in Switzerland, to the best of his belief, the books were transmitted free of charge. Mr Russell moved—"That the gallery of the reading-room be furnished with papers, magazines, etc., and be opened for the uso of ladies only." The mover stated that this had always been contemplate when tho large reading-room was erected. Everybody had an equal right to use tie present room, und occasionally persons might be found there with whom one might not care to come into too close contact. Personally he had never seen more than two or three ladies using the reading-room, while there were often seventy, eighty, and even a hundred men there. He was sure "many ladies would appreciate a room to themselves, where they would have more privacy than was afforded at present. The newspapers of the colony were not kept in the magazine room at all, and even ladies who subscribed to the library could not see them without going into tlw publio readingroom. Mr Russell suggested that the resolution bo referred on to the Mueeum and Library Committee, and that they should be asked to furnish an estimate for furnishing the gullery and supplying it with papers, and submit the matter to the Board again when its financial aspect had been ascertained. At the Chairman's suggestion, Mr Ruesell agreed to alter his proposal so as to refer the matter at once to the committee before-mentioned for consideration. Mr Montgomery seconded Che motion thus amended, which was passed unanimously.