HAMILTON LIBRARY

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19606, 19 June 1935, Page 9

HAMILTON LIBRARY

BUSY YEAR REVIEWED. SUBSCRIBERS WELL SERVED. TASTE OF READERS CHANGING. A successful and busy year of service In the interests of the reading ptublic was reviewed at the annual meeting of the Hamilton Library Committee last evening. The chairman, Mr H. D. Caro, presided. Also present were: Miss M. Serancke, Miss B. Manning (librarian), and Messrs B. C. Lowry, G. K. Sinclair, J. C. Ross, S. B. Sims, 11. M. Baker, H. Mercer, ■E. A. Butt, H. L. Takle and E. H. Boneham (eecretary-treasurer). The report and ’ balance sheet, which w T ere recently published, were adopted. ■Mr Lowry pointed out that although the number of fiction books issued during tho year was almost the same as In the preceding year the books classified as general literature had increased from 6865 to 9581. Moreover, 440 new' books dealing with general literature had been added to the shelves, compared with 272 in 1934.

Mr Mercer observed that it was clear that the general pufolio was taking a deeper Interest in books other than fiction. There seemed to be a definite swing over to literature of a geneial type, a tendency which should b 8 highly commended. Mr Sinclair, one of the selectors, reported generally on the Improvements effeoted during the year, and assured the meeting that any weak spots pointed out by subscribers had been remedied wherever possible. It was desirable, he said, that the issue of volumes to schools should be confined to Standards 5 and 6, where a good foundation conld be laid before the children entered secondary schools. The charge for extra books had been reduced from 3d to 2d, a move which had encouraged more reading, and which had resulted in only a negligible reduction in revenue under that heading. Charge for New Boo.ks. Miss Serancke expressed the opinion that subscribers should be allowed to borrow new books without any extra charge. She had received complaints that new books required were never on the shelves. Mr Boneham replied that any new hooks went on to the shelves, and w'ere not allowed to be reserved until they were returned. He emphasised that there was no special charge for reserving new books but only a charge of 3d for reserving any books, new or old.

■ Miss Serancke took exception to the committee's polioy of imposing an extra charge - for reserving books, and the matter was referred to the committee for discussion. Messrs E. A. Butt and H. M. Baker w'ere unanimously re-elected subscribers' representatives. ■ On behalf of the is yarious schools who had .foenefltecL;ffQm- the.j-commit-tee's scheme of distribution to the schools, Mr Baker expressed appreciation. He ; .sald a splendid type of books was being distributed and the schools .were well pleased with the results. Mr Caro remarked that , Hamilton w f as exceptionally fortunate in possessing such an efficient librarian as Miss Manning and such suitable assistants. The library was also well served by •Mr Sinclair, who was able to devote all his time and attention to Its requirements.

Miss Manning, her staff, and Mr Slncluir were made the subjects of a hearty vote of thanks.