“THE LIBRARY TOWER”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1071, 8 September 1930, Page 8

“THE LIBRARY TOWER”

BULLETIN OF AUCKLAND LIBRARIES NEW PUBLICATION Inaugurated for the DurDoee providing information about thl various libraries in the Citv their activities, “The Library Tower/' the first issue of which has juet come to hand, should not only prove of assistance to library subscribers, but, also, should encourage more members of the community to make use of the excellent facilities for study and recreation provided by the Auckland public libraries.

The publication of the first issue coinciding with the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Auckland Public Library, it i 9 fitting that the first number should be devoted to an account of its foundation and development. Further numbers, however, will contain information concerning nooks addetf to the stocks of the libraries and also articles which, it is hoped, will assist readers in making the fullest possible use of the libraries. EARLY AUCKLAND

In the opening number. Mr. .Tohr Barr, chief librarian, deals in interesting vein with Auckland in the “eighties.” in the first year of which the library was opened. Prior to that year, states the “Library Tower.” the Mechanics’ Institute carried out the functions of a City library. Financial difficulties, however, led to its extinction. The council was unable to comply with “requests for pecuniary assistance.” and the committee made an offer to transfer the site, building and library, etc., to the council. This was accepted and approved by Act of Per 1 lament.

“And so,” reads the description given by the Town Clerk of the time, “in the somewhat dilapidated but picturesque old building which stood ir. Chancery Street (now Court House Lane) overlooking High Street. the Auckland Public Library commenced its career of usefulness. And the high hopes which the Mayor. Sir Maurice O’Rourke, gave voice to were to be realised in an incredibly short time, and in a manner the most optimistic could scarcely have anticipated.” VALUABLE NEW ZEALAND SECTION The stock of the library when opened numbered about six thousand volumes, including the books transferred from Provincial Council. Comprised in the' latter collection were some splendid editions of standard works in general literature and history, but its most valuable portion was the sets of official publications relating to New Zealand from the earliest days, which formed the nucleus of the very extensive New Zealand section that has always been a feature of the library. At the end of the'first three months the librarian was able to advise the council that the attendance was then in the vicinity of three hundred a day. The gift by Sir George Grey of hia fine collection was made in a most unusual and almost casual manner. The only document in connection’Vith the presentation of the collection which Mr. Barr has been able to trace is * telegram, dated August 19, 1882. Apparently no further correspondence took place, but when the new library building was ready to receive the gift the collection was sent along. The visit of Robert Louis Stevenson to Auckland and his meeting with Sir George Grey is also interestingly dealt with in this very informative little volume.