BRANCH LIBRARIES

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 121, 17 February 1944, Page 3

BRANCH LIBRARIES

Poll Of Ratepayers To Be Taken A poll of Wellington ratepayers is to bo taken in May this year for branch libraries to be erected and located as follows. the, total amount being £-”0.000: Island Bay, £C>000: Brooklyn. £0000; Northland (including site). £0000; Ngaio. £5000: Khandallah (including site); £7OOO. Decision to this effect was imide by tie Wellington City Council last night. Cr. W. H. Stevens asked if the revenue would suffice to pay the interest. ' Cr. W. ,T. Gaudiu replied that branch libraries paid and justified their existence. Further, the erection of these libraries would fulfil the council's policy. There were now six branch, libraries. Cr. J. D. Sievwright objected on the grounds that there was a first-class central library which most persons passed close to when visiting the city ; further, there was a war on. “I think that, in view of modern transport and the palatial library-building we have ill the city, this is downright, unjustifiable extravagance,” said Cr. B. 11. Nimnio. Cr. IV. Appleton: I am a.niazed at these objections. If there is one thing we can provide it is libraries. I know the use made of the existing suburban libraries, which are self-supporting. Many people do not want to come into town to change their books. The mayor supported the provision of books at convenient places. “We made this promise six years ago,” said Cr. M. F. Duckie. Because of their distance from the city it was impossible for suburban residents to obtain the full benefit of the central library, toward which they contributed, he said.