PUBLIC LIBRARY

Southland Times, Issue 25309, 12 June 1935, Page 8

PUBLIC LIBRARY

STEPS TO POPULARIZE RESERVATION SYSTEM TO BE DISCONTINUED • DEPOSIT SCHEME As steps towards* further popularizing the Municipal Library, the City Council at its meeting last night adopted the following clause brought down by the Baths and Library Committee:— Having received a report from the Chief Librarian following that officer’s conference with the Town Clerk, regarding suggestions for further popularizing the library by introducing a deposit system and payment for taking out each book. Recommend (a) that quite apart from the present system, which is to continue in operation, a person may deposit the sum of 2/- and take out a book (fiction only) on payment of 3d. On a similar basis additional books may be obtained, the deposit or deposits to be returnable on application by the subscriber when he desires to terminate his membership. This system to come into operation on July 1, 1935. (b), that the practice of reserving books be discontinued as from July 1, 1935. First Part Adopted.

The first recommendation was adopted without comment, but considerable discussion took place on the question whether or not the reservation of books should be discontinued. In moving the adoption of the committee’s first recommendation, Councillor G. J. Reed said that the clause spoke for itself. The new system was simply an alternative one. Councillor W. G. Tait seconded the motion, which was carried. . , Referring to the suggested discontinuance of the reservation system, Councillor Reed said that the matter was one of policy. A few years ago he had been instrumental in discontinuing the reservations but after a year a new council had turned it down. Councillor J. H. Tattersfield: Hear, hear. Councillor Reed said he considered the second recommendation in the clause should go back to the committee in order that it might have an opportunity of fully discussing all aspects of it with the librarian. No harm could be done in sending it back. He had heard it stated that the discontinuance would cause considerable trouble and he would like to see it further considered by the committee.

Councillor J. R. Hanan: I do not think the matter should go back to the committee. There is a strong public prejudice against reservations. I shall move the adoption of the clause.

The view that the reservation system caused considerable discontent was expressed by Councillor A. W. Jones. “Last year we obtained only £24 10/in reservation revenue, so really the matter is hardly worth bothering about,” he said. Councillor E. J. McLachlan moved an amendment that the clause should be sent back for further consideration.

In seconding this, Councillor Tait said he was not necessarily against discontinuing reservations, but he did not see, in view of what Councillor Reed had stated, where it could cause harm were the recommendation sent back. “In the Know.” “I am going to support the committee’s recommendation,” said Councillor Tattersfield. “Two or three members of my family are consistent subscribers to the library and nothing annoys me more than to find reservations are often eight or nine deep. It seems that a few are ‘in the know’ as regards what books are coming in and they get in ahead. That is not a fair deal. The library has been experiencing a lot of opposition from the small lending book clubs that are springing up and I think we should popularize our institution. But I do not think I shall get a fair deal while reservations are allowed.”

Councillor Dorman: That is why I left the Public Library. There were so many reservations ahead of me that I often had to go and buy the particular book I wanted. In many cities the libraries are free. I always feel that those subscribers either on the telephone or conveniently situated, reap the advantage of the* reservation system. Every one should be on the same footing. “I am, and always have been, rather opposed to the reservation of books, but at the present juncture I am going to support the clause being sent back,” stated Councillor Reed. “The matter needs consideration as j hasty action might lose us a number of subscribers. It has been suggested to me by the staff—and they are in the position to know—that a misuse of the library books may creep in. If there are no reservations, a man with a book may tell his friend when he is going to take, it back and so it is passed on from one ‘person to another. The remedy, therefore, may be worse than the disease.”

Continuing, Councillor Reed emphasized that reservations were made only when there were two. copies of the particular book. One copy was set aside and the other put into general circulation. As regards the actual amount involved, there were about 2000 reservations last year, so there must be a fair number of subscribers reserving. All and sundry—those who were sufficiently interested—would reserve. Councillor Tattersfield: They’re in the know. Further Consideration Urged. Councillor Reed: They can’t be because all the titles are prominently placed on a display board just inside the library door. I think we should give the matter more consideration. Councillor Hanan said it had to be admitted that the library was steadily falling back in the number of both city and country subscribers. Reservations had previously been abolished, but still the library returns had gone down. A fair amount of the success achieved by private libraries was due to the violent prejudice of the public against the reservation system. “We should endeavour to popularize our library and should pay heed to the public demand,” he said.

The amendment that the clause be referred back for further consideration was put to the meeting and declared lost on the casting vote of the Mayor, the voting, on a division, being, as follows:

For.—Councillors Grieve, Ritchie, Tait, Service, McLauchlan and Reed.

' Against.—Councillors Tattersfield, Dorman, Hanan, Jones, Denham and the Mayor.

Councillor Ritchie, when the Mayor gave his casting vote against the amendment, interjected: “You are throwing your weight about to-night, your Worship.” Councillor Reed: It is a pity you did not wait till Councillor Scott was here.

Councillor Tattersfield: Why should you say that? That is not a fair thing to say.

The motion was then put to the vote and carried.