PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 28, 16 January 1912, Page 5

PUBLIC LIBRARY.

PERMANENT LIBRARIAN TO BE

APPOINTED

ALTERATIONS DISCUSSED

It was to be regretted that Councillor Paget, who has been the prime mover in the matter of library accommodation . and improvement, was unable to ho present at the meeting of the Borough Council last night, when the report of the Library Committee was discussed. It read as follows: —

Your Committee heg to recommend alterations to the Library and reading room as follows:—Library.—That Library bo enlarged by extending to the southern wall of the reading room, and including tho fireplace; that a table supplied with various magazines and illustrated papers together Avith ! hc necessary chairs he placed in the Library for the use of subscribers; that a permanent librarian bo engaged at a salary of £4O per annum. Tins would mean an additional.cost in salary to the Council of £2O per nn■imn. which your committee consider would ho more than provided for by additional subscriptions, the subscriptions at present amount to less than £lO per annum. Reading Room.— That the present stands for papers be done away Avith, tallies to lie substituted; provide more chairs; filed papers to be hung on the Aval]; wall Hands to he provided for illustrated weeklies and the smaller dailies. Cost of Alterations.—That an estimate ho obtained of the cost of above alterations.

The Alayor said that although he was a member of the committee, lie was not responsible in any way for the report, as lie luuL not known (if the meeting being held. "He moved that the clauses dealiiig Abith the! alterations in the buikl.ng lie held over until such tinny as next year’s estirm ates come down. He did’not think they were justified in spending such money until it was especially provided’ for. Cr. King asked avlio were the members avlio drafted tho report. Cr. Luavsoh replied tnat Cr. Paget and himself were the only ones avlio attended tne meeting. He emphasised the fact that it was only an estimate that Avas asked foiu Tf the scheme they proposed Avas carried cut, he thought it would be very beneficial. The space would be sufficient if the papers wore ming oh the wail. Tne flown Clerk -stated that beyond question the library was out of date. I t was absolutely necessary that something should bo done to make the library and reading-room more popular. A permanent librarian was essential. At present they would find the place “higgcldey-piggcldy.” He and his ass’stant spout a lot of time in dealing with the'matter, but they had plenty of other work to do.

The Alayor stated that it Avould cost something to get an estimate, and again remarked that the question should be deferred till it could be gone fully into at the proper time. Cr. King said the Avould never be popular unless they.got more books. They were mostly; ten-year-olds. What feiv new books there Avere would be out for mouths before subscribers could get a-look at them. , The 'Town Clerk:- The subscriptions are insufficient to get more. ; -. i : The Alayor then added.to his mo>t'on, making the first three clausefTto I>3 held over until the Council could go into the - matter properly. . \C|r, • Morisoft .Remarked " that liq thquglit if a permanent librarian were appointed there Avould be no need for extensions, flflie library Avas not half full. At the same time far too many books were out. It required very careful! supervision.-' 'would-'.strongly urge the Council- to act in the direction of obtaining the service of a person Avhose sole duty Avould be to look after the library. flflie motion Avas carried. ; ?,r..{ inofr.B siL . ■■qs bin ■ dr, ;;i