CAVERSHAM PUBLIC LIBEARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9117, 16 May 1891, Page 4

CAVERSHAM PUBLIC LIBEARY.

» ■ The annual meeting of the subscribers to tho Caversham Public Library was held in the library room on Tuesday evening. Mr R. Rutherford was voted to the chair. The retiring committee presented the annual report, of which the following are the chief clauses:— Shortly after the committee assumed office, the secretary carefully went through the books and prepared a numerical list of all the books then in the library, or which could in any way be traced. This list showed that, whilst 1238 volumes could be accounted for, there were 79 books missing, of which no trace' were obtainable. Some of these missing books are volumes out of a set by an author, and have frequently been asked for. Tha committee and the subscribers are iadebted to Miss Rutherford for having prepared a catalogue of the books, arranged according to the authors.' This catalogue has been of great service in giving information to the members as to whether any particular book by an author belongs to the library, and, if so, by reference to the register i to find out whether it is in the library or in circulation. During the year the committee purchased about 240 books at a cost of £44 16s Bd. These books have been marked with the stamp of the library, numbered, and put into circulation, so that there are now about 1480 volumes available for circulation. Amongst these books there are works of history, biography, theology, sociology, philosophy, science, fiction, travels, and adventure, general essays, &c, so that, on the whole, the tastes of all readers can be catered for to a certain extent. Many works by most of the well-known authors are now either on the shelves, or else are in actual circulation. Some authors—such, for instance, as Jales Verne, Edna Lyall, J. M. Barrie, Rider Haggard, Annie Swan, and many others—have been well inquired for, and the books by those authors have been well circulated. For the heavier class of books not very much inquiry has been made, although we have a few members whose reading is as much for mental instruction as for amusement. Since the library was opened a year ago, 96 subscribers' names have been entered on the books. Of this number, another 21 have ceased to be subscribers. This is owing largely to the summer months being lest suitable for reading than the winter. Some said they would join again when the dark evenings came round. At the present time there are on the books 2 life members, 24 annual subscribers, 48 half • yearly subscribers, 1 free member from tho Benevolent Institution —making a total of 75 members of all descriptions. That the library has increased in favour duriDg the year is shown by the fact that in June last there were 60 members of all descriptions on the books; whereas at the present time there are, as above stated, 75, being an increase of 15 members, or at the rate of 25 per cent. This number the committee hope soon to see very considerably increased. It is a source of satisfaction to the committee to see so many young people join the library, and to continue subscribers. It is hoped that by keeping a fair supply of books most suitable and interesting to them the membership in this direction will be very largely increased. The library has been open to the public on 50 Friday evenings—that is, on every Friday evening during the year with the exception of Boxing Day and Good Friday. On many evenings the room has been uncomfortably crowded, whilst on even the most unfavourable the attendance has been very good. Although at times there has been a considerable crush, no steps have been taken, nor at present deemed desirable, to prevent it, 83 the crush has been very largely caused by the young people looking at the books and talking about them to their ompanions before making their selection for the week. During the year 2053 volumes have been issued to the subscribers. This gives an average of 41 per night, during which the library has been open, and of 20 3 volumes during the year to each subscriber. As several subscribers have taken out only two, three, or four volumes during the whole year, these figures show that with many the library has been very popular. The room has been fitted up with some extra shelves, and a desk, lamps, fender, &c. have D6en provided. The room is now fairly convenient for the purpose, but if many more books are procured the shelving will again have to be increased. The treasurer has prepared a balance sheet of the income and expenditure for the year. This shows that there is now a balance in hand, after paying all expenses, of £41 11s 6d, besides which the annual subscriptions are now due. The committee conclude by saying: "We cannot close this report without expressing our indebtedness to Mr Ford for his invaluable services as secretary, Bnd to the Misses Rutherford and Mr Robert W. Rutherford for their kindly and self-denying action in giving up their Friday evenings to act as librarians." The report aud balance sheet were adopted. The following gentlemen were elected as the Committee of Management for the ensuing year Rgy D. Dutton, Messrs R. Rutherford, J Tennant, C. Frye, T. H. Gill, G. Methven, and G. Nutting. Mr R. W. Rutherford was reelected treasurer, and Mr C. Ford secretary for the ensuing year. There was a lengthy discussion <m the matters brought before the meeting, which wtt« brought to a close hy a vote of thanks to the chairman.

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