"DARK AND DINGY"

Chronicle (Levin), 28 September 1948, Page 4

"DARK AND DINGY"

Council Recognises Need To Improve Library

Improved lighfing for. the interior of the Levin Public Library and the reduction in height of some of the book cases wfll be two matters which will be investigate'd by the Levin Borough Council. Cr. A. J.'H. Allen raised the issue last night by deploring the "dark and dingy" atmosphere of the iibrary. and recommending that a skylight window or fluorescent lighting be installe'd. He also suggested the addition of another bookcase and the lowering of some of the.bOPsk cases in front of the shelves to ailow more light. The inside of the library, was "very, Very dark" and it was hard to see even with 'the lights on, sai'd Cr. Allen. It was a dreary place for the staff to work in. The Sun never penetrated .the building and he recOmmended the installation of a skylight window immediately above the main desk. He thought that these improvements would cost in the vicinity of £20. Mr. Burdekin: It should be pulled down and re-erected. We've just had repairs made. We're just dickering around instead of making one job of it. Since the termination of the system of allowing "reservations of books and the institution of a charge for new books, about £2 a week had been coming in, said Cr. Allen. Mr. Burdekin: It is nice to hear something good. In regard to the installation of a skylight Window, the town clerk, Mr. H. L. Jenkins, said that the fact that the roof was a tiled one. made this impracticable. It was then mentioned by Mr. Jenkins that fluorescent lighting might solve the trouble. In this he was strongly supported by Cr. Allen. That was a very happy suggestion said the Mayor. It would certainly give the library a different and improved appearance. On the motion of Cr. Allen, it was decided that improvements be investigated and that a quote be sought for the installation of fluorescent lighting.