THE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24715, 18 September 1941, Page 5

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY

;1. ...r;-.- xo^i^'Eorrbi? Sir —A fair amount is being done in the wav of alterations and renovations at the Public Library. The library is a ratepayers' institution, financed out of rates, and is under the control ot our representatives, the City Council. The Library Committee of the council has no doubt approved of the structural alterations and obtained the councils consent thereto. These alterations may be very necessary, and certainly seem to give more shelving room. There is a fair amount of adverse criticism by the ladies concerning the rearrangement of the women's magazine section but as the alterations are still incomplete, comment may be premature There is, however, one matter that is causing considerable annoyance, and that is the removal of important books from the reference library to a downstairs portion of the general magazine and lending library. The works removed include the Statutes of New Zealand and expensive legal, accountancy and other publications, all of which must be. and are, classed as books of reference. These valuable books have been carefully looked after and are at present in perfect condition but it is doubtful if they will remain so if left in their new position. I would suggest to each member of the council's Library Committee that

he visit the library, take from the shelves the Municipal Corporations Act, 1920. and then, in a cramped area, first find a vacant chair at any table, remove some of the magazines from their position, sit down. and. without taking any notice of the incessant traffic in and out and around him, concentrate on the Act. When he gets a headache he can put the Statute under his arm. rearrange the magazines on the table, then walk upstairs to the reference library, which, he will find, is a large, well-ventilated room, with proper library desks (always cleared and ready for use), and still more important, he will get what is one of the first essentials of a reference librarypeace and quietness. If it is still decided to leave these valuable books in the lending library, they should be classed as "lending books," so that they may be taken home and studied in peace. There are printed slips on some tables, and among them are the following words:—" Books with white labels are for reference." As few are likely to see the slips, let alone read them, there is going to be bother. Generally, members of any council remain in office for a limited period, and members of the Library Committee really only reach the stage of fully knowing librarv conditions when they drop out. I would suggest that there be attached to the council's Library Committee (in an advisory capacity) two responsible citizens, such as a sound business man, a legal man, or an editor from the local papers, but in any case let them be men of education and ability, who know their job. We must remember that we are not the only pebbles on the beach; we have opposition, and one does not like to hear the present talk of "swelling the* ranks of the opposition." I have no doubt the rearrangements are well meant, and to a degree are very good, but after all it is the ratepayers who are to be catered for, and their ideas should at least be given a respectful hearing. "Men may come and men may go, but ratepayers go on for ever." —I am, etc., A City Ratepayer. September 16.