ASHBURTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23043, 11 June 1940, Page 4

ASHBURTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

RECOMMENDATION TO BOROUGH COUNCIL The Ashburton Public Library in its present situation was most unsuitable for the subscribers, and should be transferred to a suitable shop in the business area of the town, stated a recommendation from the library committee presented to the Ashburton Borough Council last evening. A survey of the library made after an inspection was presented by Mr E. J. Bell, librarian of the Canterbury Public Library. Among a number of suggestions made by Mr Bell was one that the council should lease a shop in the business area, and operate the library from there, closing down' the present library. Mr Bell said that the stock of books was not attractive, and there were too many old volumes on the shelves. To attract people library buildings in other centres were being modernised. Dr. J. Connor said that the library was costing the council about £1 for each subscriber. Under the new scheme it would pay for itself. The reading room would remain in its present position, stated the Mayor (Dr. G. I. Miller), who presided. The report was adopted. The financial statement showed that receipts since last meeting totalled £3056 9s fid, the chief items being rents £65, water supply and abattoir fees £7B each, heavy traffic fees £734, drivers’ licences £237, and auctioneers' licences £lls.