Hastings Library

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 104, 4 May 1937, Page 2

Hastings Library

LESS PETTY-THTEVING TAKES PLACE HASTINGS, May 3. “It is pleasing to report that tliero has been a lessening of petty-thieving from the reading-room, as stolen newspapers during the past year numbered 20, as against five periodicals and 89 newspapers th© previous year,” said the Assistant-Librarian, Aliss E. Morgan, in the annual report of the Publio Library to the Hastings Borough Council. The report states that in addition to books being rebound by printing firms, extra help was obtained in the library at intervals, for the purpose of mending books in disrepair, with the result that the books at present are in good condition, so adding much to the attractive appearance of the shelves. During the year provision was made for visitors to the town to become subscribers on the deposit system, and this remedied a long-felt need. An arrangement was entered into with the Hastings High School, wherebj* it obtains from the library 150 books, the school having the right to return th© books at any time and have them replaced, so keeping the stock up to 150. For this privilege the school pays £ls a year. The following statistics were included, the figures for the previous year being given for comparison : 1935-36 1936-37. Subscribers 1116 1498 Receipts £514 £7Ol Overdue notices 149 121 Extra books £133 £232 Sales £7 £9 Fines £6 £8 Ordered books .. £o £5 Books purchased 1629 2123 Books on shelves 5759 7366 Discarded books 469 521 “The year can be characterised as one of very progressive advancement,’’ stated Miss Alorgan ‘‘lt is now 16 years since Aliss Al. A. Steele was appointed as a selector of books for the Children’s Library, and many thanks Rre due to her for her valuable help during this period. Aliss Oxenham and the Rev. Father Stewart also helped for the first six months of the year, but they have now left tho town. ■■rhe chairman, Cr T. Falconer, arranged by means of window displays to bring before th© public the variety »n tho range of books lected for the library, aud thanks aro duo to him for the time and energy he has devoted to the affairs of the library. Subscribers frequently make satisfied comments on the reading matter provided for them.’*