CITY LIBRARIES

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 260, 3 August 1928, Page 13

CITY LIBRARIES

MR. J. NORRIE REPORTS TO COUNCIL PROPOSED EXTENSION TO SUBURBS FINANCIAL HANDICAPS A comprehensive report concerning the city’s libraries has been submitted to the City Council by the Chief Librarian, Mr. <J. Norrie. The principal features of tlie report deal witii the questions of a new central library, and the extension of branch libraries in tlie various suburbs. Sir. Norrie also refers to the financial side of his department.

Mr.'J. Norrie, the chief city librarian, has submitted his report upon tlie city libraries to the library committee, and copies were circulated amongst the city councillors last night. Consideration of the report has been deferred to the next meeting of the committee. It is an exhaustive report, of which the following is a summary:— The City Council libraries are the Central, Newtown, Brooklyn, Karori, and one at Ngaio administered by a committee of local residents, states Mr. Norrie. The income is derived • from rates and subscriptions. The council has power to levy a rate not exceeding a penny in the £1 on the annual value, which would produce £5746. The city rates on unimproved value, and the present rate of IG-200tlis of a penny in the £1; produces £4991, but the Act provides that the amount which may be raised in this- way must approximate to the amount permitted on the annual value. On the unimproved value the maximum would therefore be 26-200ths of a penny. The revenue from subscriptions last year was £3398, which with the maximum rating would give an income of £12,138. Last year's expenditure, £5792, was not likely to decrease, and the revenue was insufficient to- administer and develop the' library service efficiently. Out of Date. In a city of the size and importance of Wellington, with a population of over .100,009. people, the central library building was wholly inadequate and out of date. The present building was erected in 1892; the population had increased greatly during the past 36 years, and the library could not possibly function - successfully under existing conditions. The report then deals with structural alterations required, additional assistance in busy hours, children’s library, requirements of students and reference library, accommodation and furnishings for chief librarian, the weeding out of books which are of no service nor value! hot water apparatus, -and cleaning facilities, etc. The New:town and branch libraries with their various requirements are dealt with at length. The desirability of bringing all readers within at least a mile of the nearest library, and the need of libraries in all suburbs are referred to. Libraries for Suburbs. The first district to be considered, reports Mr. Norrie, Should be Kilbirnie. While not exactly in a central position, the site suggested by the Eastern Suburban Citizens’ League—that at the rear of the Kilbirnie Bost Office—was quite suitable. On this site could be built an up-to-date branch library which would serve the residents of that part of the city. Northland might be the next district to be served; and branches should afterwards be placed at Miramar, Wadestown, Moruington-Vogell )wn, Thorndon, Island Bay, Khandallah. Seatoun, Hataitai and Lyall Bay, in an order to be decided upon according to requirements. It is recommended that a scheme of branch libraries along these lines should be adopted. Purchase of Books. Following a review of the present system, the following recommendations are made regarding the purchase of books in the future:—(l) That novels be bought locally as .t present; (2) that general books (travel, biography, history, literature, and certain books on sociology and science) be bought from subscription libraries and secondhand booksellers at Home; (3) that general books not specified in the preceding paragraph be indented through local booksellers, and supplied to. the libraries at English published prices, plus 10 per cent. Central Library Site. The following is a resume of the conclusions and recommendations made: — 1. As the present library rate of 16-20Qd. is insufficient to administer the libraries successfully, it is* suggested that the rate be increased. The maximum which can be levied is 2G-200d. 2. The libraries being of a nonrevenue producing character, and the rate’being necessarily limited, consideration should be given to the exemption of the department from rates and rent. : The third recommendation .deals with proposed structural alterations internally, remodelling of newsroom, children’s room, weeding out of books, etc., and quarters. 4. The hall at Newtown Library should be altered to accommodate a children’s library, storage space, and a room for the bookbinders’ department. <

5. A site should be selected for a neAV library at Brooklyn and a new building erected at a suitable opportunity ; the' premises of the old Karori Municipal Chambers should be reconstructed and made capable of holding an up-to-date library. . A new central library should be erected on the site iioaa- occupied by the sub-station and tramwrys power house and that it contain lending, reference, commercial, and magazine departments, Avith accommodation for reserve book store, administration offices, storage, heating work, and staff rooms, and quarters for cleaners and caretakers. Seven and eight deal with minor changes, 9 with branch libraries already mentioned; 10 and 11 with exchange of books by borrowers and purchase of nCAA’ books, and 12 Avith the co-operation of all libraries, referred to in another column.