GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY. REPORT OF THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1916-17.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1917 Session I, H-32

TT.— 32.

1917. NEW ZEALAND.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY. REPORT OF THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1916-17.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by leave.

The Chief Librarian to the Chairman op the Joint Library Committee. Sir,— I have the honour to submit the following report for the year 1916-17 : — Recks s Library Committee. The Recess Library Committee, under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Sir William Hall-Jones, K.C.M.G., M.L.C., held four meetings during the recess. Lists of books suggested for order Were brought before the Committee by the Chief Librarian and duly considered. Recess Privileges. The numbers of permits issued to non-members during the recess was 560, as against 360 in 1915-16, the increase being due no doubt to the unusual length of the recess. The number of volumes issued to ordinary recess-privilege holders was 9,004, as against 3,591 in the recess of 1915-16. As usual no fiction was issued save to persons on the full-privileged list (the members of the Governor-General's staff, the Judges, and the officers of the House). I have no reason to complain of the treatment of the books by the privilege-holders. Additions to Library. The Accessions List for the year 1916-17 shows that between the Ist July, 1916, and the 16th June, 1917, the Dumber of catalogued accessions was 3,099, a total somewhat lower than that of last year, when, however, the list was swollen by the inclusion of the Monro Collection, and of a number of American official publications whioh had not been previously catalogued. The new books added during the year include many publications of exceptional interest and permanent value. Specially important additions have been made in the departments of sociology and technology, whilst the department of war literature will be found well up to date. The Staff. There have been no changes in the staff arrangements during the year. Stock-taking. In accordance with the scheme outlined in my report for the year 1.913, under whioh stocktaking proceeds every recess, different classes being dealt with each year, stock was taken of two classes, The classes dealt with during the recess were Nos. 600 (applied sciences, useful arts, i.e.) and 800 (general literature, poetry, belles lettres, ifcc). The following is the result : — Missing at Stock-taking. 1913. 1017. Class 600 ... ... ... ... ... 48 21. Class 800 ... ... ... ... ... 106 44 Totals ... ... ... ... 154 65 The above figures show that whereas 154 volumes were reported as missing in 1913, 65 volumes were unaccounted for in 191.7, 89 volumes having been recovered in the intervening period. The result is even better than the figures would appear to indicate, as during the four years between the stock-taking of these two classes 317 volumes have been added to the 600 class and 465 volumes to the 800 class", a total of 782 new books. Loss of Periodicals. I regret to have to direct attention to the increasing loss, which goes on each successive session, in the magazines and periodicals. Despite the fact that each magazine bears a plainly printed label, " Not to be taken out of the Library." copies of certain magazines, reviews, and

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newspapers continue to be removed from the Library and are not returned. The result is that when the files come to be collated for binding purposes it becomes necessary to replace the missing numbers, delay and expense thus being caused. Owing to the paper-shortage, publishers seldom keep a stock of back numbers, and in certain cases it has been found impossible to obtain duplicates of the missing periodicals, the result being that the bound volumes will be incomplete. Kven where duplicate copies are available, a, greatly enhanced price has often to be paid. I would earnestly appeal to all who use the Library during the session to assist me in preserving the files intaot. The Space Question. The necessity for the provision of increased shelving accommodation has been repeatedly mentioned of late years in my reports. It is with great pleasure that I have now to report that arrangements have been made whereby the offices now occupied by the Valuation Department in the old Parliamentary Buildings will be handed over to the Library Committee probably some time in October next. The Minister of Internal Affairs has taken a personal interest in the matter, and the thanks of all who are interested in the progress of the Library are due to that gentleman. Later on I propose to submit to the Committee a scheme for the utilization of the extra accommodation which will be made available. Miscellaneous. Copies of the Library rules, with lists of persons on the full and sessional privileges, have been circulated. The issue of monthly lists of the new books added to the Library has been continued. The Library orders for books and periodicals purchased in London have, as usual, received every attention from Messrs. Sotheran and Co. and Messrs. Street and Co. I have to tender my thanks to the Chairman of the Joint Library Committee, Mr. G. J. Anderson, M.P., and to the Chairman of the Recess Library Committee, the Hon. Sir William Hall-Jones, K.C.M.G., M.L.C., each, of whom has been unsparing of time and trouble in his control of Library matters during the year; also to the High Commissioner and the members of his staff for the promptness of his and their attention to such Library business as is transacted in London. Library Account. In an appendix will be found the Library balance-sheet for the year ended 31st March, 1917, with a copy of the Auditor's certificate. I. have, &c, Charles Wilson, Chief Librarian.

APPENDIX, Balance-sheet for the Year ended 31st March, 1917. Receipts. . Expenditure. 1010. £ s. d. Books and periodicals purchased in (treat £ s. d. Mar. 31. Balanoe brought forward .. 700 3 0 Britain .. .. .. .. 243 ]f> 4 Aug. i:i. Treasury, annual grant .. litlll 0 0 i Books, &0., purohased in New Zealand .. 203 3 1.1 Sept. lit. Treasury, Private Bill fees .. 25 0 0 ' American periodicals .. .. .. II 8 (i 1017. Portrait, Hon. W. ltolleston . . .. 5 5 0 Mar. 30. Stamps, imprest, refund .. 15 0 0 Sundry small accounts .. .. 7 0 4 . Fire insurance .. .. .. 18 0 0 Stamp imprest .. .. .. 15 0 0 Balance at Bank of New Zealand, 31st March, 1017 .. . . 746 0 11 £1,340 3 0 £1,340 3 0 Copy of Auditor's Certificate. The account for the period from Ist April, 1916, to the 31st March, 1917, has been examined and found correct. Bank-certificate produced in support of balance shown in cash-book and in bank pass-book. R. J. Collins, 17th August, 1917. Controller and Auditor-General. Note.—The balance shown at the end of the financial year (.£746 9s. Ild.) will probably be expended in meeting current accounts ami commitments before the receipt of this year's grant. Charles Wilson, Chief Librarian.

Approximate Vast of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (650 copies), £1 IBs.

Authority: Marcus F. Marks. Government Printer, Wellington. 1917

Price 3d.]