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Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 126, 30 May 1931, Page 7

MORE READERS

UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

ACCOMMODATION DIFFICULTY

An expansion of the Victoria University College Library and an increase in its usage was referred to with gratification in the annual report of the Professorial Board adopted at the meeting of the College Council on Thursday. The following data was presented, showing a comparison of 1914 figures with those of 1929 (in parentheses): — Books purchased, 240 (804); cost, £211 (£724); .number of borrowers, 46 (392); number of books borrowed, 636 (4651). With the greatly increased attendance of readers in the reading room, the report stated that it was now difficult to accommodate those seeking admission. The average attendance in the reading room at 8 p.m. in September, October, and November last year was 89. "Additional shelving (approximately 1000 feet) has been added to prevent overcrowding of the shelves," adds the report. "This has been arranged in the form of bays, and forms a handsome addition to the library. At the present rate of accession there should bo sufficient shelving for at least seven or eight years. But the accommodation of readers presents a difficulty yet to be overcome." The number of books entered as accessions last year was 24,664. This does not include books withdrawn or kept in class libraries or unbound periodicals. During the year 782 volumes were added to the library, at a cost of £717 2s 9d. Of this sum £234 was spent on periodicals —including Tear Books, annual reports, and digests, etc. This year volumes were received from the Carnegie Trust, from the New Zealand and other Governments, from learned societies, from the Physics Department of the college, and from various donors, while a number of exchanges were made with the General Assembly Library.