Lower Hutt Library

Hutt News, Volume XII, Issue 23, 24 November 1948, Page 7

Lower Hutt Library

v CRITICISM BY COUNCILLOR

MORE ECONOMY URGED

The cost of the Municipal Library to the ratepayers was again criticised by Councillor F. Lonsdale at Monday night's meeting of the Lower Hutt City Council. Councillor Lonsdale said that he

ished to make it clear that he was

::ot against the free issue of cultural j and educational books and maga- • ines, but he was interested in seeing that the library was run as economically as possible, and he thought that :uore attention could be given to its commercial side. Rental of hooks brought in only £1250 a year, which he thought could be increased by the issue of more "best sellers." The Council was giving the library a subsidy of £6316 a year, and he thought tills could be reduced if the same attention was paid to the commercial side as to the cultural side. Already this year £599 had been spent on the repair of books, which was very uneconomical. There were six commercial libraries in the city, and he was sure that none was taking less than the municipal library, with a smaller staff.

"If we had less system and a little more economy it would be better," said Councillor Lonsdale. He hoped it wc.uld be possible to wipe out the subsidy eventually.

Different Function Councillor JE. P. Rothwell, chairman of the library committee, said that the function of a municipal library was entirely distinct from that of a book club, which was there to make a The librarian's last report showed that during October about 8000 free books were made available to residents. The National Library Service considered that books of cultural and educational value should be made available to everyone. Thousands of lighter books were issued at a rental fee. When they came to books of cultural value he thought the Council, like other Councils,'should make a contribution to the library., He did not think, the vote of £6816 was too much.

As to the staffing of the library, said Mr. Rothwell, he would have a full discussion with the librarian to see if there was #ny economical waste. The points raised by councillors would be considered by the library committee, which would present a report to the Council.