PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 73, 20 December 1918, Page 6

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

! .-....,■ —4 REVISES' AND BOOKS' FUMIGATED. Concerning wha.t had been done in the [unicipal libraries in. connection with ie'epidemic, the Public Librarian (Mr. . Baillie) reported to last evening's *etmg of the City Council:— ;"I have to report that in accordance ith instructions the libraries were psed owing to the epidemic on Novemix If. The opportunity was taken to iye the rooms a thorough cleansing— poks were fumigated,jepairaL when ?cessary, dilapidated books were reject- };' and with nil newspapers, excepting lose which are bound for reference, ere sent to the destructor.' Everything as clean for reopening on Saturday last, lost of (he woodwork was revarriished. |have pleasure in stating that no memer' of tho staff was laid up, but all orked well at the 'spring cleaning.' wo assistants, Misses Zohrab.and Bag-'' Ht, assisted as volunteer nurses at the Wellington College hospital, while Miss [ayward assisted in private nursing. p. v view of the satisfaction experienced y. the public on the reopening, I eugest that in future the libraries be closed jeh year for a week for a general clean p. The fanlights over the two main bors, which were fixed, have been al?red so that they may be opened. This 'ill be a great help in ventilating the eneral reading room. A formalin lamp las procured, and a portion of the basolent arranged as a fumigating cliamer, so that all books earning from inpcted houses may be thoroughly fumihted.; All books that have been reurned since Ihe. reopening have been so reated." iOn the effect of Saturday afternoon losing-of the library the Chief Librar|tn reported :—"I have to report that the pial period for Saturday afternon closng has expired. The concession has jeen appreciated by myself and assist.nts. and apparently not been objected p by any of the subscribers, for I lave not had one complaint. I and the jssistants are duly, gratified to the comjiittee for having met. our wishes. I bay stale that the Dunedin Public Library followed the example of this liirary, and the librarian of the Auckland Public Library, who thought* the concession nas. uncalled for, is now seeking o obtain permission to also follow our Ctnrnple." I-The Libraries Committee recommended ihat the council make the proposal a. permanent one for the lending branch. : The reports were adopted. ?