THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY., WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1923. PAEROA PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4574, 13 June 1923, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY., WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1923. PAEROA PUBLIC LIBRARY.

On Saturday evening next the annual general meeting of the subscribers to the Paeroa library is to be held. Perhaps it is just as well to pause a brief moment and consider what really are the functions of a public library In our midst;. We think it may safely be assumed that the library is a recreation cheaply purchased. It is a kind of recreation that cannot be safely omitted. Books are as essential to one’s well being as anything can be which is not food, clothing, or fuel. It is to the libraries that we must look to determine the average taste and intelligence of the people. There is a large section of the public which gpes to the library for “something to read,” and is susceptible to the tactful advice and leading of the librarians in their choice of books and in being assisted to better literature. Are we people of this district giving our library the support it should receive ? The financial position, as'recently disclosed, proves conclusively that fair support is not being accorded it. No doubt one great weakness lies in the fact that we are not thankful or appreciative of what, we have. Man} ■people would like to see a large ferro-concrete building ejected to accommodate the library, and no doubt this will eventuate in due course. Meantime it is sound advice to do one’s best to improve the conditions which at present exist. This improvement can only be effected .by pulling together for the common good. There is no shadow of doubt that a library is a very necessary institution to any town, and to a place like Paeroa particularly so. The popularity of the library,, or the reading room at least, could be further, extended by arranging for the reading room to be opened every day, Sundays executed. The hours for the exchange of books mav well be extended also. Thus the country peoplte in particular, and visitors to Paeroa generally,, would have an opportunity of at least going in and resting for half an hour. Such time could be spent with profit to themselves —because they would have the opportunity of looking ait the papers and periodicals, as well as a brief rest from their labours of shopping— a nd with profit to the library committee, because it is fairly safe to assume that if such facilities were offered to the country people no doubt the number of subscribers would increase as a consequence. A long-felt want would be supplied, as numbers of visiting people have made inquiries as to the hours of opening the library, and on being informed of the hours have frequently expressed regret that the library could not be opened daily, and earlier in the day. The committee has had a hard row to hoe this year as regards finances •n account of the Government withdrawing its annual subsidy to Il-

branes, thereby considerably curtailing its operations. The only sources of revenue for carrying on'the main.tenance of the library are the small subsidy from the Boipugh Council, the Ohinemuri County Council, and subscriptions from the public. From this revenue has to be paid the librarian’s salary, cleaning, lighting, papers and periodicals purchased, and, lastly, new books. Thus, those who are prone to complain of the lack of up-to-date and new books will see what the present state pf affairs is. - Some years ago, when more interest was taken in the welfare of the library a series of euchre tournaments and concerts were held as a means of raising funds. By these m°ans quite a tidy lilttle sum was accumulated, and even a reserve of money was established. Nothing of this kind has been done of recent times, and in consequence the reserve has been eaten up and funds are now urgently needed. It might be a suggestion to the incoming committee to formulate some manner of entertainment. during the ensuing winter months that would not only stimulate interest in library matters, but would be a means of adding money to its sadly depleted coffers. Paeroa has few enough attractions to commend it; to travellers and the general public, and it seems a great pity that such an asset as an established librai y should be allowed to die out miserably for want of a little public spiritedness and interest.

We have attempted to criticise the action of the public as regards the poor support accorded to the library, but, at the same time it would be creating a false impression to assume that all the blame, or at least the criticism lay with the public. It is not a boast that the Paeroa library is perfect. Many quite small improvements could be carried out even with the limited finance at it» disposal. It is to be hoped that, the mere handful of regular subscribers will be loyally backed up by a large and representative attendance of the public next Saturday evening.