MUNICIPAL LIBRARY

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 September 1924, Page 8

MUNICIPAL LIBRARY

IMPROVEMENTS SUGGESTED. To consider suggestions for the improvement of the Municipal Library, a special sub-committee consisting of Crs, G. R. Harker and F. A. Kitchingham was set up at a recent meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council, and at last evening’s meeting presented their report, which was adopted without comment. Many alterations are suggested, and it is proposed first to improve the library and then raise the subscription so as to relieve the present' burden on the ratepayers. “Owing to the reduction made during the war period in the number of books purchased each month,” states the report, “the library has got into a lamentable condition; many hundreds of books filthy beyond description arid useless owing to many of the pages being missing are stored in cupboards; the taking of these books from the shelves has reduced the number available for subscribers to such an extent that practically no books are left on the shelves. In this connection it f must, however, be remembered that as a rule 800 books are in the hands of subscribers. The whole of the books stored as mentioned above should be destroyed, and, indeed, many of the books still on the shelves deserve the same fate.

The average number of subscribers » 400; the subscriptions and fines paid for 1923-24 was £l6l 5s Id, the library rate collectible for 1923-24 was £176 5s 2d, making a total revenue of ' £337 10s 3d. The expenditure for 1923-24 was £458 18s 3d, an excess over revenue-of £l2l Bs, which had to be met out of the general rate. “In view of the present cost of ordinary novels, mainly, those at 6s each, we consider the ordinary subscription of 5s per year, which entitles the subscriber always to have out one book or magazine, and the double subscription of 10s,' which enables the subscribers always to have out three books or magazines, is much too low and that apart from the moneys levied .on them in the library rate, the ratepayers should not be called on to contribute anything further. We recommend that the subscription be increased to 5s half-yearly, such increase to commence on October 1, 1924; this fee to entitle the subscriber to have out one book or magazine at a time with the right to take out an additional book or magazine on payment of 3d for each book or magazine taken out. Of course, subscribers whose subscriptions are paid for the current year would not be subject to the increase till their year expires. Even this increased subscription will leave a slight deficiency on the year’s working, but we recommend a trial for twelve months. “The present arrangement of the library room is not satisfactory as the librarian cannot exercise sufficient supervision over the two magazine rooms upstairs, but at the present time nothing can be done to improve

matters. “The need for a reference (noncirculating) library has been frequently pointed out, and we recommend that the room occupied by the librarian be used for this purpose. A few shelves and a table will complete the equipment required apart from books. The latest edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica should be procured unless a new edition is likely to be issued in the near future; any works of a suitable nature should be transferred from the circulating department; as many works as possible relating to New Zealand itself (history, flora, fauna, industries, developments, etc.) should be acquired; and, of course, works of the kflind generally kept in reference libraries should from time to time be bought; part of the library funds should each year be devoted to extending this library. “The number of novels purchased each month should be increased from 12 to 20; before the War the number purchased monthly was from 24 to 36. The Nineteenth Century and Round Table magazines shoult) be procured as representing the more serious type of periodical. Duplicates of the following magazines should be obtained, viz., “Strand,” “Grand,” “PearSon,” “Windsor,” “Nash,” “Royal,” “Londbn/”’ “Scientific American,” “Munsey’s,” “Women at Home. ' “Cassill’s,” and London “Daily Mirror.” The librarian has submitted a list of books which in the interests

of the circulating department should be replaced forthwith. These books total about 1300. but it is impossible ' even with the expected increase of revenue to buy these at once; we recommend that alternative tenders for the 400 novels set out in the list attached be called: —(a) For the supply of the books in good cloth covers and stout good quality paper editions; (b) for the indenting of the books on a commission basis. In view of the shortage of books ijj the library the books offered privately (90 books at a total cost of £7 9s) should be bought. As soon as z the books to be replaced are bought no further second-hand modern novels should be bought. At the same time the Committee would ask residents who have surplus novels on hand to give them to the circulating department, and the Corporation . would always be grateful for works would help to improve the reference library. We draw attention to the fact that a children’s section has been inaugurated, and that gifts of books for such section would also be appreciated. We recommend that the card system as detailed by Mr E. J. Bell, librarian of the Canterbury Public Libr.' ’.y, Christchurch, be adopted for the purpose of keeping a record of the books taken out. The cost would be' approximately J3lO, but the system is the best devised and would amply repay the cost. The following papers should be obtained for the newspaper room“ Sydney Telegraph” and the “Manawatu Times.” Quotations should be obtained for rebinding' in two volumes and for Webster’s new When the books become dirty arid the binding broken, it is posible to have them rebound and cleaned in London. Mr E. J. Bell states that the books are sent m England in boxes, and each book is made practically a.s good as new with library binding at a cost of 2s 6d per book. We recommend that the librarian, when opportunity arises, select 100 books, and that a trial of the system be made. The books can be rebound but not cleaned in New Zealand; in any case the cost of rebinding in New Zealand is prohibitive. At the present time, we are informed, a considerable time frequently elapses between the date when new books are procurable in the centres ‘ and when they reach the local sup- • pliers; we trus 4 that the local suppliers will endeavour to avoid com- 1 plaints by subscribers in this direc- ! Hon. We have to tender our thanks to Mr Bell for information supplied to 8 us through .the librarian, and Mr H. H. Allison for assistance rendered to 1 us.” s • c 1