THE WELLINGTON ATHENÆUM— FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3803, 13 May 1873, Page 3

THE WELLINGTON ATHENÆUM— FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE INDEPENDENT. g IRj _I am induced to address to you these remarks on the present management and position of the Athenaeum in the hope that they may lead to some improvement therein ; and, further, to submit for the consideration of our municipal and provincial heads whether the time has not arrived when* they might take steps for the establishment of a free public library. A few years ago the Athenseum was t. comparatively a well-managed and useful institution, but it would seem that while we are surrounded on all sides by the signs of progress— a progress the Athenreum might have been expected to share —it has on the contrary fallen further and further behind. Some two years ago a new committee took the management, and were to do great things in the way of improvement. The library and readingroom were shut for some weaks, various alterations were made in the premises, and a number of the books were catalogued. Whether fhe committee were exhausted by this effort I do not know, but they have never got further ; they seem, in fact, to have deserted their post, and left the librarian, without counsel, control, or assistance, to do the best he can. And what have been the results of their negligence ? There have been no books added to the library during the last two years, and few have been bound or repaired, so that a large number of the books most in demand are in a sadly tattered and dirty state from constant use. In the reading-room, during the same period, the supply of magazines has been very irregular, and during the last Bix months may be said to have stopped altogether. For years, too, none of the magazines have been bound ; and thus much that, after lying on the table for a couple of months, used to afford excellent reading to those of the members who preferred to peruse them in volumes, is practically lost. The present reading-room is further open to the objection of being inconveniently small. The large middle room was designed for the reading-room, and should, I think, for a week after the arrival of the English mail, be strictly appropriated to its original purpose ; but the exigencies of the institution hare necessitated its being let for concerts, dancing classes, meetings, or indeed anything that would bring in a little money. This is a sad state of things to exist in the Athenaeum and Mechanics' Institute of Wellington, the capital of the colony and the chief town of the province. Is it right that it should continue? If not, •what can be done to impart fresh life and usefulness to the institution ? In the first place, I venture to suggest that the members and those gentlemen vrhd have from its first formation taken an interest in the institute, and some of whom, I believe, are still supposed to remain in honorary connection with it, should meet and consider the best means of placing it in a sound financial position, and elect a committee who would really attend to their duties.^ 2nd. As it is the only institution of the kind in Wellington, and calculated if rightly managed to be of much service to residents of the city — and further as a place where many strangers passing through Wellington naturally repair to spend an hour or two — it would seem that both the Provincial Council and Borough Council might fairly consider that in devoting to it a little of the public money they would be applying it to a really useful public purpose. This indeed has been recognised in many instances, and in Wellington itself. In Canterbury, within the last week or ten days, a proposition was submitted by his Honor the Superintendent to the Provincial Council for the establishment of a Free Public Library there, which will doubtless be worthy of the public men and public spirit of that province. If the governing bodies of Wellington city and province could see their way to do thia, it would be better than merely assisting the Athenseum, desirable and necessary as that is. The province has placed a good elementary education within reach of every child in it ; and if it further provided a public library, to which classes might be added as occasion arose, it would not only afford to scholars a means of carrying on their education after leaving school, but would render a service to many adults who were not privileged in their youth to have the means of education so freely afforded to the j present rising ; generation. And there does not seem to be any insuperable difficulty in the way of expense. It was rumored at one time that the Provincial Council were disposed to hand over their own library on certain conditions to the Athenaeum. If it were, we would have in these two collections united the nucleus of a good public library, while no better or more central site could be got for such an institution than the present site of the Athenaeum. Of course, it would reqviire a little self-denial on the part of the Council to give up their library ; but considering the short time that body is actually in session, and the small number of its members resident within such a distance of Wellington as to permit their vising it throughout the year (while of these a number have access to the General Assembly Library) — considering this, the Council will probably not permit personal convenience, or even what to some might seem dignity, to stand in the way of what they see to be for the public good. The subject seems worthy, the consideration of our provincial and civic leaders ; and if my communication contribute in any degree to procure it this consideration, or to bring about any improvement in the fortunes and management of the Athenaeum, I shall not have taken up your space in tain. — I am, &c, Subscriber. Wellington, May 12th, 1873.