DEARER BOOKS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 179, 27 April 1931, Page 8

DEARER BOOKS

Position of Libraries Librnrans from the chief municipal public libraries conferred in Wellington last week on matters concerning the increased prices charged for books, chiefly owing to the adverse rate of exchange. While the librarians were here a conference was held with representatives of the Booksellers’ Association, and a free and amicable discussion took place with satisfactory results all round. Certain readjustments were agreed upon as only fair, and reasonable. Those within the Libraries’ Association of New Zealand are to continue to receive 12$ per cent, discount,, while outside libraries will receive 7$ per cent, discount. In referrng to the matter, Mr. J. Norrie, chief librarian, stated that the library fees to the public would not be affected in Wellington, and, ho did not think, elsewhere. While there was a possibility of the curtailment of library grants by municipalities, he was not disposed to think that libraries would suffer by reason'of a falling off in subscribers. At times like the present, people were more apt to curtail on other recreations and turn to the libraries as the cheapest and best means of mental refreshment. That was borne out by the figures for the year ended March 31 last. During that year 627,128 books were issued from the municipal libraries of Wellington—a new record. This was 113,196 additional to those issued during the precedng year. When it was known that a thousand books per day were issued at the central library it would be realised that they were doing just as much work as was possible in the existing premises.