FRANKTON LIBRARY

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19599, 11 June 1935, Page 7

FRANKTON LIBRARY

A SUCCESSFUL YEAR.

INOREASED SUBSCRIBERS.

MORE VOLUMES READ.

Another progressive year was redewed at the twelfth annual meeting of the Frank ton Library Committee last evening. The chairman, Mr A. Denz, presided. Also present were. Messrs. D. D. Wilson, E. Pointon, J. Jebson, and 13. Martini (secretary). An apology for absence was received from Mr A- G. Sanford. “I am pleased to say our library is increasingly popular and our subscribers become more numerous eacn year,” stated the chairman's report. “The number of volumes borrowed this year totalled 42,748, an increase of nearly 2000 on last year, a true indication of the appreciation of the subscribers of the facilities offered them in the library. As a result of the Borough Council reverting to allowing us a subsidy of £3OO per annum we have been enabled to increase our purchase the books, the number purchased during the year being 533 volumes. The demand for nOn-Ac tion literature is still maintained and we bavo endeavoured to satisfy this demand by considerably increasing this section. “The request made at the last annual meeting that the number of magazines supplied be increased has been thoroughly discussed by the committee, and it has been found that until there are more funds available for this purpose the request cannot be acceded tp In the meantime- Through Judicious purchasing and caroful attention given financial matters the year has ended Very satisfactorily indeed. 1 would like to thank Miss Shelton and her assistant, Miss Davey, for their efficient and painstaking work during the year. '• “In conclusion, I express my thanks to the members of the committee for their close co-operation with me and for their unfailing attention to the business of tho library during the past year. I must also thank Mr H. Altken, who undertook the auditing of the accounts and balance sheet.” The financial statement showed that subscriptions totalled £202, the total income being £2oG. The balance sheet disclosed receipts amounting to £612 and a balance at the bank of £lO4. The report and balance sheet were adopted. , Mr Wilson referred to the loyalty and efficiency of the staff and the cooperation of the committee. He also paid a tribute to the chairman for his services. One of the best compliments to the. committee was the large number of Hamilton subscribers, he said. Librarian’s Report. The librarian, Miss D.' B. Shelton, reported that the number of volumes borrowed during the year exceeded all previous records, being 1729 more than the previous year and totalling 42,748. Extra books at 2d each totalled 5077, which was 844 more than last year and an addition of!£7 to income.. In the non-fletion andjuvenlle sections also there was a marked increase in the numbers borrowed. Non-flction (totalled 2046, exceeding last year’s issue by 445, and juvenile Action totalled 2223, with an increase of 791. Additions to the lending department were as follows: Fiction 389, non-lictlon 84, juvenile Action „GO. In the non-Action section there was a steadily increasing demand for books of travel, adventure and biography. During the year parcels of used (books had been forwarded to relief camps at Arohena and To Kawa.

A resolution was passed 'Congratulating tho librarian on her report and work for the year; 'throe retiring members of "the committee— Mossrs Wilson, Polnton and Martini —were unanimously re-elected. Several suggestions for improving the library service, contained in a letter from Mr P. G. Allsop, were referred to the incoming committee. Mr Denz pointed out that many children had no opportunity for obtaining books, and he proposed a soheme of free lending. It might be possible to distribute the books through the sohools.

v After discussing ways and means It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the chairman to confer with Mr A. S. Gllffc, headmaster of the frankton School.