CITY'S LIBRARIES

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 139, 13 June 1924, Page 7

CITY'S LIBRARIES

THREE YEARS' OPERATIONS SUBSTANTIAL WCREASE IN US§ OF BOOKS

Tha work accomplished at- the municipal libraries sine* 1921 was reviewed in a report presentedl to the City Council last night by the Libraries Committee, together with a comparative .return, showing the number of books handled, both for reference and for home reading.

A substantial increase -was ehown in. the issue of books, ■ chiefly duo to the school collections. The Central Library, in Wakefield street, has more than regained the decrease in 1922-1923: A slight decrease (2 per cent.) has been shown at Newtown, but the issues are improving again. Brooklyn has . also shown a small decrease, but it is anticipated that under the proposed increased hours pf opening there will be a satisfactory increase in the number of books used. The Karori Library is making steady progress. COMPLAINT OF CONGESTION.' The aggregate number of subscribers has dropped very slightly, but this is more than made up by-the increase in the revenue received for "extra books." Many subscribers, apparently, pay for "extra books" in preference to taking an- extra subscription. This, the committee points out, is to the council's advantage.^ ■ The number of such books issued during the year amounted to over 70,000 volumes, bringing in a revenue of £880. The revenue from rent for the Newtown Hall amounted to £279. This has been a great help to the library account. The hall has become a verypopular institution for social functions. The purchase of books ■ for the reference room has steadily decreased, owing solely to the want of; room and shelving in that-' department. Even the stack-room, for reserve books has how. become overcrowded. .?The. committee is well aware of this congestion," states the report, " "and no doubt will extend relief as soon as possible. The reputation of a.public library largely rests on an up-to-date reference collection o£ books. The same trouble ■ exists in practically all the departments of the Central Library. It had been hoped that the Technical School classes would have been withdrawn before this from the Mercer street building, and that we should have had it at' our disposal- for the' purpose of using the ground floor as a general news read, ing room." ■: ....

The books for the blind, which the committee received from the National Library for the Blind, are being well ■used, and .the committee tender thanks to Mr. Kuskop for making the collection known and in assisting in the distribution of the books. The books have been kept six months longer than the terms supposed to be sufficient for perusal bufc the demand is not yet 'satisfied.: it is pointed out that, reading by fingers ia slower than by eyes. The chief librarian (Mr. Herbert Baillie) acknowledges in his report the good service and loyalty of all members in the service, and also thanks the Libraries Committee for its support and consideration.

The books issued for home reading totalled 395,009 in 1921-1922, 394,693 in i 922-1923, and 437,749 in 1923-1924 During the past year 157,777 of the num. ber of books issued for home reading have been circulated through the school lending scheme. Books added to the Central Library in 1923-1924 totalled 5590, as compared with 4883 in 1922-1923,----and 4165 in the previous year. Subscribers are declining; they were 4323 in 1922, 4165 in 1923, and 4024 during the year just closed. The revenue, however, shows a satisfactory increase from, year to yeau —from £2752 to £2946 in 1922-1923, ancj in the past twelve months to £3147.