The Chronicle LEVIN. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER, 10. 1917. The Public Library.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 10 November 1917, Page 2

The Chronicle LEVIN. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER, 10. 1917. The Public Library.

The. informative report presented tw tho Borough Council by t'lio Borough Librarian (Mr Gardiner) uix>n the Levin Public Library, and published in our last issue, will the publ.c to understand t'he difficulties attendant upon maintaining this valuable institution in a state of efficiency. It indicates very plainly that a point lias been reached when the library must be put 011 a different financial footing if it is ito continue to play its part in the life of the community. That iit is appreciated is evident from the use of it, for in tho twelve months covered by the records 110 less than 25,000 books were loaned to nearly 500 borrowers. The library not only server the Borough l , but keeps aboini 200 families in the surrounding county area and townships supplied with reading. Whether this' service is to go 011 resolives itself into a matter of finance which is derived from two sources, namely voluntary donations and It,'he general rates of the Borough; Unfortunately the form en liave iboen quite n negligible quantity! and the burden of maintaining the library has fallen very j largely on the rates, Lv/j year's subsidy ; amounting to £156 and tihe total for I the past five years being 110 less than £725. There is no valid reason why t!hi.« liability should fall upon the ratepayers, especially since many of tiliose enjoying I .lie privileges of tlie library pay no rates and in a great many eases live outside the Borough orea. The (Librarian points out that there must be a veTjyi eonskterabl increase tin voluntary donations if tflir supply of new books is to be maintained. TTpon W>ok borrowers outside the Borough - those Uivftig in Manakau, Ohau, Shannon and Thaikara—there is thus a moral obligation to contribute something to t'lie continuance of this service, andf non-ratepayers in the Botough who use the library miuli)- 1 reasonably be expected l to do the same. There is certainly a wide margin for im~

provemeut from the present average contribution of threepence per head. Ilr Gimlctier iis to bo complimented on lii.s very lucid report and its discussion bjy> /:he Council' should serve to stimulate public 'Aiterest and strengthen the financial position of the library.