Hoon Hay Library May Seek Paid Assistants

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31211, 8 November 1966, Page 12

Hoon Hay Library May Seek Paid Assistants

The City Council may be asked to provide paid assistants for suburban libraries.

The Hoon Hay Children’s Library Committee decided at a meeting that if staffing problems now faced by the library were not solved the request would be made. During its first six months more than 28,000 issues were made by the library. The 40 man-hours a week required to run the library had been provided by volunteers, as at other suburban libraries.

The Christchurch system of voluntary libraries was unusual, and it might be necessary to change in the future, Cr. H. G. Hay told the meeting. The council was not unmindful of costs, but would

be prepared to consider proposals, Cr. Hay said. The experience of other suburban libraries indicated that the opening of an adult library in Hoon Hay should not be for two or three years, Cr. Hay said. He recommended that some of the library’s problems be discussed with “more enlightened” libraries, such as Mairehau and Burwood. The problem of staffing was discussed after Cr. Hay left to attend another meeting.

The committee decided to seek the professional advice of the central library staff, and form a sub-committee to consult the central staff on the most effective ways to run the library. If no improvement is made the council will be asked for assistance.