PUBLIC LIBRARY ALTERATIONS

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25859, 19 July 1949, Page 3

PUBLIC LIBRARY ALTERATIONS

WORK TO BE DONE IN SECTIONS LOAN APPLICATION DEFERRED tiie libraries committee is of the opinion that there may be no great difficulty iu having a loan application granted, it has reconsidered its previous plans and has decid’d not to carry out the entire Public Library alterations forthwith. The intention is to have the alterations carried out on a sectional basis, thereby over? coming any immediate necessity to anply for a loan,” said a report to the Christchurch City Council last evening. “The improvements and alterations will be put into operation in the order considered most necessarv to the general advantage of the library. One of the first works listed is roof repairs. Work on the sectional basis will commence in the children's library’ which is to be situated in part of the present reading room.” The Department of Internal Affairs had been asked whether the library extensions came within the scope of the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act. The following replv was received:—

t ? rm "recreation’ has not been defined; but judging from the general tenor of the act it is probable that it relates more to active recreational activities rather than passive. On the °ther the of the act are so wide that it has necessarily been, given a liberal interpretation and it may well be that library’ facilities come within the scope of the act. The point has not been considered previously, but this department would be prepared to accept the view that iibrap’ facilities are a social activity ra- ... ™ the recreation of the people. , however, on a loan proposition the council would have to satisiv th-’ lenoer, the Loans Board and Trea=urv the council would be well advised to ,„°l ain a !e B si opinion before proceedmg with an application for authority io raise a loan.”

Cr. G. D. Griffiths said the single positive proposal to repair the roof a cig change from the comprescheme mentioned earlier. C J- /• E. Tait said the committee intended to use some funds in hand and oiace annual building requirements on the estimates. A small loan might h=» necessary. 6