HAMILTON LIBRARY.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16818, 9 June 1926, Page 8

HAMILTON LIBRARY.

A PROGRESSIVE YEAR. ANNUAL MEETING. Material progress was made by the Hamilton Public Library during the •■ both in the issue of books, the increase in subscribers and additions 1.0 the shelves. Last, night the annual meeting was held, when His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. R. Fow) presided. There was a fair attendance. In his annual report the chairman, Mr C. J. W. Barton, said ho had pleasure in slating that the affairs of the Library continued in a sound condition financially and appeared to give, satisfaction to those interested. The committee must lake it that the continued absence, of subscribers from the, annual meetings or the institution was really tantamount to a vote of confidence in its management. Tbe lending department had been well catered for during the last 12 months. The complelc works of a number of standard authors bad been added to the shelves, and it was 10 be hoped that this policy would be continued. Modern literature had also been provided as published and as funds and opportunity offered. The reference library had been added to and was slowly attaining (be proportions tbe committee had in view. In all 194 books had been added during the year, making a total of 1109. The reading room, judging by the number of frequenters, appeared to sustain its popularity. Tho magazine table was also well supplied with most of the better class publications of England and America. The young people's literature was now housed in a separate room and was being kept up to requirements. It was highly necessary, said Mr Barton, that a system of heating the various departments should be undertaken at once, as during the winter months tho building became very damp and Ihe books suffered in consequence. The com- j mittee had a scheme in view and hoped to have it installed shortly. The ' necessary finance was now being ar- I ranged for. The committee desired to place on record its appreciation of Ihe services rendered by Ihc chief librarian, Miss Manning, and her assistant. Miss Hencry, whose faithful services went, so far in the smooth working of the institution. The committee also thanked the various persons who had donated books, etc., to the library during the year. The chairman said the total number of books in the library was 8208, and comprised the followin;: Reference 1109 , general 1759, fiction 4-117, children 857. The number of new books added during the year was 1870. The subscribers totalled— Adults 545, children 91, making a total of G 39, an increase of 41. The balance-sheet showed subscriptions received £-'i72, against £440 last year. The expenditure on books, etc.,; was £SBB 3s sd, against £SGO Ms 5d Ihc previous year. The number of books issued during the year totalled 81,964, made up as follows: Fiction 7<i,o2S, general 2960, children -1970, magazines, etc. 09, daily papers 42. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Tho three retiring urmbcrs of the committee, Messrs Geo. K. Sinclair, E. G. Johnson and E. 11. Boncham, were re-elected Mr C. J. W Barton was re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. Mr J. Pcnniket asked if certain volumes in fhc lcfercncc library, which could not be regarded strictly as reference works, could not be i laced in, the circulating branch. Mr E. G. Johnson, wl.o lias largely been responsible for the building up of the reference library, opposed the suggestion, as he, considered a reference library should not comprise merely strictly reference works. His idea was to build up complelc seclions of standard works for reference—sections that would remain unbroken, although (here might be a duplication of these books in the circulating brancli. They could never build up and keep intact complete eeclions in a circulating library. Mr Barton mentioned, however, that the committee had recently decided to put certain of ihe volumes in Ihe .reference section inlo circulation. ; A suggestion was made by Mr Sin- : clair that in certain special cases rcI ference works might be lent out on a j substantial deposit being paid as , guarantee of their return in good condition. The committee will consider this.