Inflation hits reading

Press, 1 April 1980, Page 6

Inflation hits reading

f -Borrowing a new book from the popular-books section of the Canterbury Public; Library will probably cost 30c from May. The cost at present is 25c. Christchurch City Council cultural committee members also decided yesterday that the rental for a popular book in basic stock, and for a : magazine, would rise from 15. c to 20c “Even a Mills and Boon romance costs about $lO now,” said the City Librarian (Mr J. D. Stringleman) commenting on rising prices. The rental of new records and cassettes can be expected to rise from 45c to 50c, and picture rentals are likely to rise 10 per cent, as are record and picture subscriptions. '/ Hanging banners may

adorn the central stairwell of the new library. Library planners thought first about a mural, but most walls in the library at Oxford Terrace and Gloucester Street will be covered by books, or be glazed. A sculpture has also been ruled out.

But the stairwell, lit by a skylight and, containing escalators, was not being used. Brgiht banners, similar to those now hanging in the New Zealand. Embassy in Washington, D.C., were considered. The banners were made by Downstage scenery and costume makers in Wellington. ' The - Christchurch : City Council’s cultural committee agreed yesterday . 'that banners were 4 a good idea, bringing bright colours into the library. Banners might

[cost about $lO,OOO. They might attract a Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council subsidy, and part of the cost could come from money allocated for library furnishings. Sir Terence McCombs said banners could wear out, and require cleaning. A piece of sculpture would be more permanent. That permanence was one argument against sculpture since the sculpture style' of today might not be- acceptable in the - future / “A sculpture can-' date,” said Cr D. F. Caygill. “It is desirable to have flexibility in the design.” The director of the Robert McDougall Art : Gallery (Dr T. L. R. Wilson) said there were no banners in New Zealand of the scale and quality proposed. . . ..