LIBRARIAN RETIRES

Evening Star, Issue 19272, 10 June 1926, Page 14

LIBRARIAN RETIRES

MR BASTINGS HONORED A meeting of members of tho Dunedin Athenaeum was held last evening to bid farewell to Mr Bastings on his retirement from the position of librarian, and to make a presentation in token of appreciation of his services whilst in that position. The Chairman of the committee, in reviewing Mr Hastings’s career as librarian, stated that he retired after twenty-five years’ service, during which time he had been unremitting in his attention to the interests of the institute and to the demands of subscribers. He hod always been ready to give advice and assistance in the selection of books, and his' wide knowledge of Looks had Been of groat help to members. The financial position before and after Mr Bastings’s appointment at the Athenaeum was quoted, and it was shown that a great and satisfactory improvement in this department .bad characterised his control. This happy result had been duo to his energy and resource, and to the excellent recommendations for popularising the institution and increasing the membership which he had made to tho committee. Important among these had been the issue of concession tickets to families, tiiis now fcoing the largest source of income from subscriptions. The educational aspect of tho institute was one which Mr Bastings always had in view, and concrete expression of it was given in 1907, when, at his suggestion, the committee resolved that tickets of membership he awarded for competition in tho principal primary and secondary scuoois or Dunedin. Snob a step had a two-fold advantage : first, to the prize-winners, who were thereby induosd to form the excellent habit of good reading; and, secondly, to tho Athenaeum, which from these prize-winners gained many iSubscribing members. Since tho inception of the scheme over 400 tickets had been awarded, and many of tho winners had remained as subscribers. Mr Bastings had also made other efforts to, popularise tlio Athomcum, amongst which were mentioned his contribution of ‘ Library Notes ’ Tor several years to the * Otago Daily Times,’ in -which he dealt with notable books added to the library. His work in reclassifying tho library, according to the Brown system, was also referred to, as at the time it was carried out it was a pioneer work, there being only one other library in New Zealand then with an efficient system of classification. In concluding, tho chairman presented Mr Ba-stings, on behalf of tho members of the Athcnmura, with a wallet of banknotes, and expressed the hope that he and Mrs Bastings would have health and happiness in the future to enjoy his years of retirement. Other speakers were Mr Salmond and Mr Morrell. Mr Salmond, who had been a member of the comuittee throughout the whole of Mr Hastings’s term of office, referred to tho excellent relations that had always existed between Mr Bastings and the committee, _ and stressed particularly Mr Hastings’s careful management of the financial side of the institute.

Mr Morrell spoke as a private member, and referred to the excellent relations that had existed between MiBastings and tho subscribers. He especially praised tho prizes awarded to the schools.

Mr Bastings, in reply, expressed his thanks for the appreciative remarks made about him and his work, and for tho present which accompanied them. lie stated that his task as librarian had been a labor of love, and that he was glad to be able to say that his relations with tho subscribers had, with a few exceptions inevitable with so many subscribers over so long a time, been most friendly and harmonious. He added that _it had heen'a pleasure to work with his staff, who had always been loyal and competent in their'duties. Before concluding tho meeting a feuwords of welcome were expressed to the new librarian, Mr Greenwood.