Big Story-hour Attendance Poses Problems For Library

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 13 May 1961, Page 2

Big Story-hour Attendance Poses Problems For Library

Story-hour sessions in the children’s department of the Canterbury Public Library have been almost too popular so far during the holidays. In the over - six - years group there have been more than 60 attending and as many as 25 under that age. “The sessions really have been exceptionally well attended," said the children’s librarian yesterday. Although they are pleased to see the children, the large numbers are creating a problem for the staff. For the “under-fives” story books with pictures are frequently used and the reader often finds it very difficult to show all her listeners the illustrations and keep the story going at the same time. Less than 12 in a group is the ideal for this, they say. They are also finding the older groups too large and would prefer numbers that would enable them to give more individual attention. “Next year I think it will be necessary to plan for a closer control of the numbers,” said the librarian. “We think these sessions have perhaps the greatest value for children who do not have opportunities for using the library as members.” Turns At Reading At present there are eight members of the staff taking turns at reading to the children, and there is also a steady stream of young borrowers from 10 a.m. on through the day. The busiest days this week have been last Monday and

Tuesday and on one of these days 1200 books were taken out of the library. This figure is close to the record for the children’s department which had an exceptionally busy day during children's book week last August and on the Tuesday after last Easter. At those times about 1500 books were issued.

During the school terms the department is quiet during the day and prepares to meet a rush after 4 p.m. It has taken a considerable amount of reorganisation to cope with the steady flow these holidays. Since the beginning of the holidays there have been many children asking to be enrolled as members. This is apparently usual in both the adults’ and children’s departments at this time of the year where enrolment numbers increase from now till Labour week-end and ease off toward Christmas.

In the meantime, children are still lining up for storyhour. Many are brought by their mothers who seize an hour from their busy day to do the shopping for the family and then return to collect the children. Those are the lucky ones. No more children are being accepted for the story-hour these holidays. There are already as many as can be accommodated.