Library Hours

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 138, 8 March 1945, Page 6

Library Hours

.Sir, —May I make an appeal through your columns to the library committee of the city council on behalf of the students in this city? I am a visitor to Wellington, and last evening visited the Public Library. There were a good many people, obviously students, and mostly young, in the reference and technical departments. I was surprised when, sharp at 8 p.m., they all had to depart. On the steps outside I heard remarks like “It’s a rotten shame we have to go so soon.” “I came without my dinner to get in some reading,” etc. Have you ever thought of these young people, who work all day, have a hasty meal, then rush from perhaps distant parts of the city, to get, perhaps, an hour of study before the doors close? I do not mean the university students; they have their own library, but the less fortunate ones who are aiming at more education and advancement, and have nothing to help them but the books in the Public Library. Would it not be possible to keep the reference rooms open another hour at least? I know war conditions make difficulties, but students have to make and manage the world of the future, and surely it is our privilege and duty to help them to more knowledge, and perhaps even wisdom, in this simple way. Three or four librarians would have to be put on at extra nay. Surely that could be managed even in wartime.— I am. etc., E. NORAH SAMPSON. Wellington, March 7.