THE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2088, 14 January 1908, Page 1

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY

ANNUAL MEETING OF SUBSCRIBERS. The .annual mooting of the subscribers ol' the. Turanganui Public Library was hold last evening, wli(>n Mr. L. Symes prosided over a fair attendance. The chairman apologised for the absence ol Mr. E. T. jMorgan. Tho committee reported that tho library was making steady progress, membership having increased from •175 to 50G during tlm year. The number of books was 5G05, as against 5182 at tho beginning of tho year. During tho past three years over 10U0. now books had been placed on the shelves, including many valuable books of reference. Tho committed would bo pleased to see subscribers taking nioro advantage of tho 'reference room. Eurther donations to this room would bo welcomed. During Abo year a chess club had been established, and it afforded a great deal of pleasuro to those who had enjoyed tho privilege of membership. Receipts from all sources amounted to £447 5s 2d for tho year, including the Government subsidy £l7 Is 2d. Tile expenditure amounted to £4ll 19s 4d, leaving a credit balance of £5 5s lOd. Among', the receipts shown in the balance-sheet appeared the sum of 3d received from tho ool-leotion-box in tho free reading room. As frequenters of this room were supplied with a great many papers, most of which had to be paid for by the Library, the donations received show it great lack of liberality on tlie part of those who were continually making use of the room. Tho committee considered Unit unless some reasonable amount was donated by the public using the room, tho question of closing it, except to subscribers, and abandoning the Government subsidy, should lie considered.

The Chairman referred to the lack of support by the public. A lost men should be public-spirited enough to desire to help towards it, but it said little for those who contributed nothing. He moved tho adoption of the report.

Dr. Buckeridge seconded. The Chairman said there was a distinct- loss on the reading-room, but- they would not mind if they were unable la pay, but it was not that class which made the greatest use of the room.

Mr. Stock suggested that a small charge should be made, aiicl thus tho library could bo kept open all day. Air. Day said that tho moment a charge was made the Government grant would have to bo- forfeited. Alany came to tlie room, not loafers, and they should he catered for, but it seemed to hipr that tho local bodies had a responsibility in the matter. AVl)at would the place be without a reading-room V He contended that they had a fair claim upon tho Borough and County Councils for a .small subsidy, as their ratepayers used the room. If this was done, tho room would l have to be improved, for it was sometimes difficult to find a required paper. This was not the fault of the librarian, but the public. It would be expensive to get separato tables, but the papers could he placed apart and notices of names put up. * A thing that struck him was that the matter of new books, although very necessary, was somewhat overdone. He had an expert opinion that if more than five new books were purchased per week, they were buying trash. Gisborne topped the list of places, with the number of subscribers. It was a compliment to the management that no other town of this size could got so many members and hold them. Ho suggested that duplicate copies of novels should be procured and after a certain period they were out of date. Half the books should perhaps be sold, as they were too old, and they took up the room. The reading was confined to 1000 books or less. 1 lie questioned if there was any serious attempt to increase membership. Ho suggested that it should be made worth the librarian’s while to get all possible new members. ■Air. G. Grant stated that tlie. classics must be retained, although they were not greatly read. Others were in accord with this. Tlie Chairman 'explained that they wanted to make the library _ attractive, and they did not want it to go forth that they wanted poor people to contribute.

The report was adopted. Tho election of officers 'resulted as follows: —President, Ah-.. G. Grant; vice-president, Air. E. T. Morgan; committee, Messrs. G. Matthewson, H. J. Day, F. T. Morgan, AY. J. Hawley, G. Stock,- A. Cuthbert, A. L. Muir;, auditors, Messrs. 11. AI. Porter and AV. A. O’Meara. Tho Chairman moved that a vote of thanks be accorded the retiring officers.—Seconded by Air. Matthewson, and carried.

Air. Day suggested that the Borough and County Councils he asked for a subsidy, as a boon to their own ratepayers. It was thought that the Borough and County subsidy would give those bodies no controlling power. Air. Day referred to privilege tickets. Every member of a library could get them, and when a stranger came to the place any member could make one out and allow the visitor the use, of tho institution _ for a month. This was found to increase tho membership largely, for if a stranger came to stay ho was certain to become a member. With increased membership it would be possible to get another librarian. At >a- meeting of tlie committee, held after the annual meeting, Mr. W. J. Hawley was re-appointed secretary and treasurer, ail'd Aliss Betwe, librarian. ■ Alessrs. Day. Stock, and'' Cuthbert were appointed to the book eommitteo.