BOOKS IN DEMAND

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22553, 10 April 1943, Page 4

BOOKS IN DEMAND

Libraries Essential To Democracy Expansion In Timaru Necessary “Thirty-five years ago the Borough Councillors, more farsighted than perhaps was usual, made the Timaru Public Library free to all citizens of Timaru,” says the librarian (Miss A. K. Elliot) in her annual report to the Library Committee of the Timaru Borough Council. “It has been said that the richest asset and the final support of the State is the citizen, that the best conservation is his continual growth in mental power, character and civic spirit. "Public libraries are essential to a democracy because reading and study promote these great ends,” Miss Elliot continues. "Libraries should provide generous opportunities to all for richer understanding of contemporary life, for mastery of circumstances, and for greater social and civic usefulness. In the 35 years of library growth, the people of Timaru have become libraryminded and perhaps realise what a valuable asset they have in their library—not the building—but its contents. The people make use of its contents, not just for recreational reading, but, as has been said, for their greater enrichment as well. “Thirty years ago 46,006 books were issued for the year. Books issued to-day number 305,228. In the original children’s room (practically just a few shelves) 6357 books were issued—in 1935 when the new room was opened 28,158 books went out. For this year, the children’s room accounts for 71.897 books circulated. In the small office downstairs, where books have been issued for the last two years, 25,616 books have gone out from this small room—more than one year’s issues for the whole library in the past. Surely from all this, the need for expansion is obvious, especially if the library is to be of future values. Statistics again—the total Increase in reading for the three war years, 66,897. Lack of Room a Hindrance “In considering rehabilitation schemes, it must be borne in mind that the library serves more than 10,000 persons—the weekly average is at least 4000 persons, and in the children’s room, 3000, and if we are to have any vision for the future, surely it can be seen that as Timaru grows, as our soldiers come back, the library must grow too. The contents are growing every year; the demand for reading is growing, but expansion, that vital need in a library, is hindered and

cramped for lack of room. The reference room, badly in need of extension, loses its value because of cramped conditions, valuable books being housed in the basement. The literature section, so carefully built up by the previous librarian making it second to none in New Zealand, is in danger of being spoiled for want of space. At present books are in comparatively short supply, but when peace comes, and books are again plentiful, space will be even more urgently needed. “Let the Council plan for the future as did that Council of 1908—but plan for a building worthy of its contents—worthy of the asset that those contents are to the citizens of Timaru. That which is and will be most used by most citizens should have first consideration in any scheme. Plan for those coming back —plan for those citizens of the future, whose education these days is giving them more and more the desire for reading—for that rich understanding of contemporary life. Plan on a large scale, not just for Timaru, but for all South Canterbury—a war memorial that will be for the distant future as well as for the present—a cultural centre which will be the very core of our civic life—a living memorial growing more vital as the years grow, so that the people of South Canterbury can say of this Council as was said of the Council of 1908—they planned well and truly for the future.” Service to Camps Through the war library service nine military camps were supplied with books and magazines, more than 3000 books from the Timaru library being issued, the report continues. The books were in charge of a welfare officer who had regular hours for issuing them and the numbers taken out by soldiers were as follows: Two weeks in June 55, July 243, August 342, September 437, October 501, a total of 1578. The staff of the Timaru Public Library handled some 10,000 books for the various camps. Plans are being made for the extension of the hospital service, the number issued by the staff being 3270. The junior country library service is working well and through it the library is receiving the benefit of some 200 excellent books for circulation. Books distributed numbered 1945. Those issued to 136 children from rural schools attending manual training classes numbered 4596.

Classes from the four primary schools in Timaru payed 429 visits during the year, and during those visits 4270 books were issued for project work, the number of projects having been done during that time totalling 1486.

A busy yedr of inquiries was experienced, the loan method proving of great use, 105 valuable books being obtained from other libraries. The general trend of Inquiries was mainly technical, while several technical magazines were requested.

In the downstairs office, the year was extremely busy, the issues each month being 1300. This downstairs library for persons finding the stairs a handicap, is run efficiently by the deputylibrarian, Miss Grandi, who with her knowledge of books and her keenness to be of help at all times, has made of this crowded, congested space, a veritable storehouse of wisdom for the people, the report concludes. More than 25 years’ of service to readers has given tlie deputy-librarian a wide knowledge and a keen vision of what is needed, and as she has seen the library grow,' so has she seen tire need for expansion, and it. is to be hoped that in the near future, Miss Grandi will see a library worthy of her work

Polish Women to Work With R.A.F. Polish women refugees now in Africa arc being trained to work as mechanics with the RAF.. states a message from Nairobi. The first batch of Polish women has arrived in Nairobi.