LIBRARY READING ROOM

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23205, 19 May 1945, Page 4

LIBRARY READING ROOM

Protests Against Sunday Closing The Timaru Labour Representation Committee and the Timaru branch of the New Zealand Labour Party have written to the Timaru Borough Council protesting against the recent closing of the readingroom at the Timaru Public Library on Sundays. “I am directed by resolution of the Labour Representation Committee,” wrote the secretary (Mr J. Oliver), “to forward to you a most emphatic protest against the decision of the Library Committee to curtail further the availability of the amenities by that institution by the closing of the reading room on Sundays. “The reasons advanced, that is, the question of cost, and the poor attendance of the public are, in the estimation of this committee, totally inadequate. The library is the property of the ratepayers, arid within reason, the service it provides should be available to the public at any time. Sunday afternoon is one period when the library-minded person should have access to the newspapers, journals, and books of reference, which are available.

“Whether the public attends in greater or smaller numbers should not be the concern of the Library Committee. Their job should be to provide the service and make it available to a public, which, in the final analysis, foots the bill. I trust that the Library Committee will see fit to reconsider its decision.”

Mrs D. Newlands, honorary secretary of the Timaru branch of the New Zealand Labour Party, wrote: “We feel that the reasons advanced for closing the library were totally inadequate. We feel that the Library Committee has a duty to the reading public, and it is our considered opinion that the further curtailment of the library amenities is a retrograde step.” The letters will be considered by the Council at the meeting on Monday evening.