PROMPTS STUDY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 174, 16 March 1932, Page 6

PROMPTS STUDY

ENFORCED LEISURE TIME BROUGHT BY THE DEPRESSION. SYDNEY OBSERYATIONS. SYDNEY, Saturday. Since the depression brought more leisure and less money for thousands many of these thousands have sought interest in libraries. There is evidence that we may emerge from our troubles a more efficient and a more serious people. "During the last two years people have been using the library to make themselves more" efficient in their professions and callings," said the Sydney Public Librarian (Mr. fffould) recently. "They have had to set themselves to find new lines and methods of business, and to cut costs. Moreover, owing to saies tax and other , charges, books have been dearer. "Consequently even professional men, who formerly subscribed to magazines treating their special subjects, have now to use the library to , keep in touch with new developments. "The Public Library is purely a reference library. There is no fiction, yet the reading-room is always crowded. I have counted 100 people standing because there were no seats." The Sydney City Librarian (Mr. Bertie) can almost give date and hour to the beginning of the depression by library figures. "A really big increase began in July, 1930," said Mr. Bertie. He also has noted a preference for educational literature. "There has been a marked increase in the demand for fiction." Apart from. their reading, people seem to prefer education in the open. The Zoo has had increased attendances. "The attendances for last year totalled 481,878, and though these figures were lower than during the previous year, itj must be remembered that tlvs period included the worst part of the depression," said Colonel Spain. "This year attendances are again on the increase. New animals, and the aquarium especially, are a great attraction." The pleasures of art have drawn few devotees to the Gallery. Attendances there have shown little or no variation. The Museum, according to Dr. Anderson, has had, if anything, decreased attendances, and that in spite of many new and interesting exhibits.