LIBRARIES WANTED

Evening Post, Issue 56, 7 March 1934, Page 5

LIBRARIES WANTED

DEPUTATIONS' REQUESTS ISLAND BAY FIRST , Deputations representing the residents ,of the; Kharidallah district and the Island Bay, ' Ohiro Bay, and Houghton Bay . areas • waited upon the libraries committee of , the City Council yesterday afternoon with, requests that branch libraries :should be established in - their localities. The chairman Vof ■ the "committee, Councillor W.-.J. Gaudin, said4hat the committee was- sympathetic, but the question ; was one of finance. However, the representations would be fully considered. Councillor Gaudin indicated that the committee .had: long been of the opinion that Island Bay -had first claim on the council • when further branch library facilities wcre'being con* sidered.. . . ...,.'■.. On behalf :of the Khandallah residents, Mr., H., A. Heron said, they realised that accommodation was a main problem. The Kbandallah hall was not suitable for' several reasons,; but nearby a room measuring '20 by 30 feet could be secured-at: a rental of 10s _a week, and possibly a lower rental if taken for a term. He and Mr. M. S. Galloway referred 'to the expense to residents of travelling to'JSTgaio by bus to change, books, and 'said- that there were probably 1500.readers in:the,district, ..so thati.a, ..bianch .library, should be well patronised and should pay its way. ; .' .'"-■: .:'.. ' ■■ '.■ .'■.;/ . •' ■ ' Councillor 'Chapman' asked a whether the Khandallah residents would; be willing -to • supply—voluntary- assistance in a library for, say, twelvemonths. That had not been considered, said Mr. Heron, but. if that .was. all\that was stopping the establishment of a library it could-be "arranged; without^ doubt. Mr. Gaudin asked: whether the, position .would • be'."nVet: if a• library, was established'in, suchS a position as .to serve both Ngaio'and Khandallah. The committee. Tvas>restficted"in~its finance, not only regarding the establishment of libraries' but .'also for : maintenance. Councillor Brindlo mentioned the sclfhelp of Vogeltown residents, in running their own library with books from the city libraries. Mr. Galloway said that he thought a central library-might well serve both districts. The : people of Khandallah had shown.a ready,willingness to help: themselves, as in the matter of baths and fire brigade,- and .they. would show the same spirit' in regard to library facilities. %•' ■: - ! Councillor Gaudin said that the committee had' not so far. considered the renting of premises for library purposes. Eecently branches had been opened, .but in. both- cases halls, were available..- :. •"":'■.-■'•.•■■■ : : ISLAND BAY'S CLAIM. Mr. O. Jl Howarth, headmaster 'of the Island Bay School; said that inquiries among the children hadj shown that few were ;able'to avail'tlienisclves of the city or^Newtpwn' library, facilities. The district thad. a population of between 6000 andi 7000 and .the people felt that -they had -a just. claim -f or the'establishment^of;ia' branch-Mibrary in ;a central imposition.. " . / Mr. E.-J.; Smith, •.presiderit/ofj the Home:and.:Scnobi'Assbciation,Vsaid that the library phad,' been\ talked .o£ ; for years, and- alreccnt'meeting.-iiad'passed a resolutibai -.that >,. the::council;. should now be askedvt'o.'iproyide'ar branch. - If a branch - : was: established they -would prefer-a , selection-:of:"good literature rather, than. ■mereVy^a! mass of fiction. Mr. H. Norman said that the 'ratepayers paid -the library rate but; niany could not afford to travel to the city or to .'Newtown to avail themselves;of the library, facilities. • ' ';; ■. Councillor;"Gaudin Vsaid '.that it. was the policy "of! the-council to "establish branch "libraries'- -waere ■ possible,. -but finance was all imp or taut. '. - ■■-,■■ In- reply: to; Councillor, McKeen, who had introduced' this .deputation,; Councillor Gaudin ■stated that' the committee was .of the: opinion . that Island :Bay should • hav.e first, claim -when- more branch libraries-:were being.provided.