OTAKI LIBRARY

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11708, 21 December 1923, Page 6

OTAKI LIBRARY

TO BE TAKEN OVER BY BOROUGH COUNCIL.

(Special to “N.Z. Times.”) At the last meeting of the Otaki Borough Council a letter was read from the Otaki Library Committee, asking that the council take over the library as from January Ist, 1924. It was suggested that subscribers who had paid in advance should be allowed to complete the term of their subscription under the council’s management free of further payment. A letter was also received from Mr Norgrove making application for the position of librarian and enclosing re. ferences from the chairman of the library committee. The Mayor pointed out that the com. mittee had made an offer to the counoil that it would hand over asset® and about £IOO in cash, and that no conditions had been imposed. He furthei added that the books numbered over 2000, but of these 500 or 600 would havo to be thrown out as useless, leaves being missing or hooks out of date. The only place available, as far as he knew, was the shop at the corner of Waerenga road, which was now leased by Mr Sievers, and which could be secured for £1 per week. Mr Norgrove, he stated, had offered to look after the books at 10s per week.

Councillor Cockrell pointed out that there would be no reading-room. Councillor O’Rourke moved that the building suggested be secured for the balance of Mr Sievers’s lease (about 15 months) at £1 per week, and that Mr Norgrove be appointed librarian.— Agreed to. The clerk was instructed to attend to the removal of the books, while on Councillor Cockrell’s suggestion it was decided to insure the books and furniture for £2OO.