ST. KILDA PUBLIC LIBRARY

Evening Star, Issue 18884, 7 March 1925, Page 4

ST. KILDA PUBLIC LIBRARY

The tenth annual report of the St. Hilda Puiblic Library states that the number of subscribers at the close of the year totalled 98, ns against 106 for last year—a decrease of eight. During the past year 198 new books of fiction were added to the shelves, being an increase of twenty over 1923 year." The total number of volumes available for subscribers use is now 1,913. During the year 6,000 books wore issued to subscribers. The whole of the books on the shelves were carefully gone over by a special committee appointed. Old and worn books were destroyed and a large number of the ibclterpreserved volumes by standard authors were rebound. The committee issued a. number of cards for displaying in shop windows to draw the public’s attention to the fact that St. Hilda has an up-to-date library in its midst, and also to the fact that all the income is used solely for the purchase of new books. The committee again thanks the Borough Council lor its annua! contribution, also for the free use of the hall and lighting, and acknowledges the ready assistance given at all times of the mayor, councillors, and town dork. Thanks are due to Air T. K. Sidey, AI.P-, for annual donation, and to Air v\. Thompson for gifts of books. Special thanks are due to Air Beattie and Mr* Al'Cracken an bon. librarians for tbo thorough manner in which they carried out their duties; to the president and committee for regular attendance and keen interest taken in the welfare of the library; to Mrs Notman for the ready assistance in taking the secretary’s f>osition when she is compelled to be out of Dunedin; and to the shopkeepers for displaying the cards in their window’s. The services rendered to tire library by the bon. secretary and treasurer (Airs E. E. Laing) call for special comment. TTte many duties imposed upon Airs Laing are always cheerfully carried out and with despatch. The subscribers are indeed fortunate in having such an able bon. secretary. While the progress of the library it constant and steady, the committee feds that the membership should bo much larger than it is, for the fact, is beyond dispute that St. Hilda residents have an up-to-date library in their midst with a reasonable subscription fee.