MUNICIPAL LIBRARY.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 6, 28 June 1928, Page 6

MUNICIPAL LIBRARY.

Sir, —Your correspondent "A Traveller" in lust issue has many complaints to make as to the conduct of our Public .Library, but if he had travelled a bit more lie could easily have found many similar institutions in a far worse state than is ours. It is true that there are many of the volumes that are much the worse for wear —a healthy sign of long and frequent usage in many subscribers hands. No doubt, as time goes on, and subscribers increase, many oil these old friends will be replaced with new copies, and in. the meanwhile your correspondent might in all fairness have noted that the librarian has in numberless cases affected such repairs as are possible. J(Vr the two years I have been a subscriber I have beon both surprised and pleased to iiml the number of new books—well chosen books at that— which have been added to the shelves, and the judicious care exercised in. issuing these to subscribers. It is not reasonable to expect that any one subscriber should be given the privilege of taking all new books; one new (if in hand) and one old book at a time is fair and equitable. Would "Traveller'"'" ask more than this? The number, and certainly the quality of new books introduced, is a credit to the management, when the limited amount of funds at disposal is considered. It is to be' remembered that for years the library has been working under very grave disadvantages in lack of room, in unsuitable quarters, and in the 'bad old days,' lack of sympathy from the authorities. But this is now altered, and in the new premises there are possibilities of which I am sure the Library Committee will take speedy advantage. "Borne was not built in a day' 7 nor is an up-to-date library created, especially with very limited .financial resources, in a week. The subscribers, not 'the ' ' Travellers' ' are anticipating improvements in the not far distant future, and meanwhile are thankful for what they now enjoy, not the least of which privilege is that of having one's requirements attended to with that unfailing courtesy which is a feature of the work of the present librarian and staff. In. conclusion may I suggest that there is room in the new library to accommodate many new subscribers and their fees will augment the finances, thus enabling many further new books to be added.—l am etc, GEO. GIRLING-BUTCHER.