NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE

Chronicle (Levin), 15 December 1947, Page 3

NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE

DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL Cr. H. L. Noiris, chairman of the library committee of the Shannon Borough Council, enthuSiastically outlined to members of the council at their' meeting last week, the beneflts which the town would derive if the National Library Service was incorporated with the local public library. Cr. Norris, said that it would be a good thing for the town, as the books offere'd were of a high quality, including almost every subject as well as fiction. The Mayor, Mr. D. A. Fitzgerald, endorsed Cr. Norris' remarks, and stated that he was very interested in the matter "and had made enquiries from Palmerston North regarding the scheme. Mr. Fitzgerald went on to state that the depot for the whole of the North Islan'd - was to be in Palmerston North and this should place Shannon in the position to obtain a good selection of books. The Mayor advised that about £120 per year was quoted as the possible expenditure. This would include librarian's fees, but in his opnion these duties could be carried out by a committee on a voluntary basis. "Under the scheme the library must be free," stated Mr. Fitzgerald, "but a charge of 6d per book could be made on the fiction novels." There would be a total of 200 books changed every four months, and this would give a variety of reading matefial to the public of the whole district, concluded the Mayor. Cr. C. M. Cronquest, the other member of the library committee, stated that it was a matter which would have to be entered into carefully, and asked what control the council would have over the books. Cr. Norris replied that a representative was prepared to visit Shannon and place the whole matter before the council. Cr. Cronquest said that he felt a circular should be sent out in an endeavour to obtain the feeling of the public. Cr. Cronquest went on to state that although 200 books were received, 120 of these were of a non-fictional nature while 60 were fiction. The public might not favour this as many of the present subscribers preferred a light novel in preference to educational literature. Cr. H. Aitchison said that he supported Cr. Cronquest, and asked that a person who knew something of the scheme should put the position before the council, as it was neceSsary that the ratepayers know the approximate cost to th^m. - , Cr. Aitchison stated that . there .were: a' number of serious prbblems facing the Council at pre'seiit, such as the water supply ahd streets, which should have first cohsideration. The council should look before it leapt, concluded Cr. Aitchison. The Mayor agreed with Cr. Aitchison, but stated that most of the administrative work in connection with the running of the library could be done wth a voluntary committee. Mr. Fitzgerald said that it was hoped that the council could get the co-operation of the outside districts, .such as Mangaore and the Horowhenua County Council, to join in making it a district library. The town clerk, Mr. J. T. Bovis', stated that in the past the council had been unable to -purchase new books owing to the high price, and had obtained a number of second hand books from Wellington- from time to time to replace and enlarge the existing library. The present library would be too small to house the books if it was decided to enter into the national scheme, and some alterations would have to be made. Some method of fire prevention would also have to be adopted to safeguard the volumes under loan. On Cr. Cronquest's suggestion the matter was left over until a more suitable date, when the council would arrange to have a representative of the service outline the scheme.