GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY. REPORT OF THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1933.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1933 Session I, H-32

H.—32

1933. NEW ZEALAND.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY. REPORT OF THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1933.

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

To the Chairman of the Joint Library Committee. Sir,— I have the honour to report on the operations of the General Assembly Library for the year 1932-33. Accessions. During the year 2,176 volumes were added to the collection from all sources, as compared with 3,142 in the year 1931-32, 3,136 in 1930-31, 2,906 in 1929-30, 2,153 in 1928-29, 2,270 in 1927-28, 2,162 in 1926-27, and 1,501 in 1925-26. The total number of accessions to the end of the financial year was 130,250. The book stock, however, is many thousands short of this number on account of withdrawals through loss, dilapidation, or gifts. We have taken every opportunity to fill up gaps in old sets, and have been particularly fortunate in the year just ended in procuring from various sources many volumes of old official papers required to make good such gaps. Stocktaking. During the recess stock was taken in three small classes—namely, 100 (Philosophy), 200 (Religion and Mythology), and 400 (Philology). Considerable difficulty was experienced owing to the fact that many books in the original stock of the library had not been given numbers in the accession register, and others had been numbered more than once —slips which were almost inevitable in reaccessioning the stock after the publication of the printed catalogue. Binding. As in previous years, the money available under this head has been fully expended. We could with advantage have spent a good deal more. The dilapidation of books through lending out of the library is considerable, and if we are to maintain the book stock and keep the books in a proper condition for future use we will have to pay more attention to rebinding or replacing. Moreover, as an economy measure in 1921 it was unfortunately decided to suspend the binding of a great number of official publications from various British dominions. It is very important that a parliamentary library should be fully equipped with the official records of all other parliaments in the Empire. We have, therefore, been devoting much time to collating and binding these loose papers. While lying about unbound many had gone astray, and it is proving a matter of considerable difficulty to fill up the gaps thus caused. I hope that the binding of these important documents will never again be allowed to lapse, and that as we return to normal times we shall be able, as a matter of course, to bind and preserve the gazettes, debates, and parliamentary papers of, at any rate, all the British dominions. Donations. During the year gifts were made to the Library by His Excellency the Governor-General, Mrs. P. S. McLean, Messrs. John W. Rose, H. W. Kinney, A. P. Looker, H. F. Arendtz, H. S. Cordery, the Norwegian Consul, the Henry E. Huntington Library, H. M. Trade Commissioner, the Carnegie Corporation, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, and the Windsor Public Library (Canada). Reference and Research. There has again been a considerable increase in the work of the Library under the heads of reference and research. The investigations made at the request of members of Parliament steadily increase in volume, and every effort is made to meet this demand more and more efficiently. In addition, throughout the year University students and other research workers have been engaged constantly in the Library, and a great variety of requests for information, involving research on the part of the staff, has been received by post and from other sources.

H.—32

Staff. Mγ. A. D. Mclntosh, M.A., returned in July from his tour of study abroad. The greater part of the year was passed in America, where he spent some time in the Library of Congress. He afterwards proceeded to Great Britain and spent two or three months vifsiting libraries there. Mr. Mclntosh has submitted a valuable report upon his studies and observations, and I have no doubt that the Library will benefit to the full from his experience. During the year Mr. A. W. Dunninghain, 8.A., was appointed Assistant Librarian to the Wellington Public Library. From that position he was recently selected to control the Public Library in Dunedin. Recess Privileges. The number of persons who had the privilege of using the Library during the recess was 1,238. Thi.s represents an increase of 50 per cent, on the number during the previous recess. In this connection I feel that it will be necessary for the Committee to consider seriously the wear-and-tear on the book stock. In addition to being a parliamentary reference library, the General Assembly Library has the character of a national collection, and it should be adding every year to its stock of books for permanent preservation. In the early stages of its history it seems to have been possible to use a much more elaborate binding than we can afford now. The number of persons using the Library was also very much less. Consequently, the older stock is, on the whole, in an excellent state of preservation—as would be expected in a national collection. In recent years the new books added to the library have been subjected to excessive wear-and-tear. Many books which are scarcely twelve months old are already in such a condition that there is little hope of their surviving to become part of a permanent collection. In view of the reduction of our book-buying vote this is a very serious matter, and calls for some decision as to the ultimate direction which the policy of the Library should take. Archives. Steady progress, though not rapid, is being made in connection with the organization of the archives. A considerable quantity of papers has been transferred from Government Departments during the year, and they are being weeded and arranged as opportunity offers. In this connection a considerable expenditure will be necessary for binding when the financial position is easier. Library Committees. During the financial year the following meetings of the various Library Committees were held : Legislative Council, 1 ; House of Representatives, 1 ; Joint Library Committee, 1 ; Selection Subcommittee, 1. I have again to record my warm appreciation of the very efficient work done by the Library staff during the year. Shortness of staff threw upon every member calls for additional work and initiative, which were adequately responded to. I also appreciate very much the helpful co-operation of the Library Committee. The balance-sheet for the year, with the Auditor's certificate, is attached. I have, &c, G. H. SCHOLEFIELD, — Chief Librarian.

LIBRARY FUND ACCOUNT. Statement for Year ended 31st March, 1933. Receipt*. £ s. d. Expenditure. To Balance .. .. .. .. 508 19 5 By Purchase of books and periodicals— £ s. d. Annual grant .. .. .. 750 0 0 United Kingdom .. .. .. 730 !> 3 Private Bill fees .. .. .. 75 0 0 I'nitcd States of America .. .. Bβ l> .'i Refunds, lost books, &c. .. .. 3 3 6 New Zealand .. .. .. 289 2 4 Australia .. .. .. 22 L' r> South Africa, *o. .. .. .. 2 8 0 Insurance .. .. .. .. .'>■"> 0 0 Bank charge and cheque-book .. .. 1 10 0 Petty expenses .. .. .. 0 7 4 £ s. d. Balance, Bank of New Zealand 217 Lβ 6 Less cheque unpresented .. 17 10 0 200 6 5 Less debit balance, petty cash .. .. 0 5 1 20(1 1 4 £1,337 2 11 I £1,337 2 11 G. H. SCHOLEFIELD, Chief Librarian. Examined and found correct.—G. F. C. Campbell, Controller and Auditor-General.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (410 copies), £2 ss.

Price 3d.]

By Authority : G. H. Loney, Government Printer.—Wellington.

2