CARNEGIE INSTITUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1919, Page 8

CARNEGIE INSTITUTE.

THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING. The* thirty-fifth annual meeting of the Carnegie Institute was held last night, when Mr. A. H. Johnstone (chairman of committee) presided over an attendance of about 30 subscribers. , . The committee's report showed that the number of subscribers on the books ■was 445, compared, with a total of 274 for the previous year. The subscriptions received amounted to £167 3s 4d, being an increase of £27 18s 6d. The total number of books in the lending library was 10,415, of which 562 were added during the year. The average number of books to be taken out daily was 88. Twenty-one thousand six hundred and thirty-three books were taken out during the year, of the following description: History and biography 6SO, geography ,and travel 546, scientific 148, poetry 54, fiction 10,743, reference 0, miscellaneous 3021, children's 160. It would be noticed that the greater portion were works of fiction, bat there had been a greater demand for the more serious works. A number of books had been added to the reference department, but many more would be required to make it of real value to students and others. The reading room and magazine room continued to be wellpatronised. It was impossible to keep a record of attendance, but there was no doubt these rooms were the daily resort of many people, both citizens and \Ssitors. The museum was now ready for opening,' It would be a great attraction to the town. The Skinner collection alone •would give it distinction among the New Zealand museums. It was to be hoped that those who had articles suitable would come forward and make donations. An, historical section was now being formed, and any paintings, sketches, photographs, etc., of old New Plymouth .and Taranaki County would be "gratefully received. A librarian and curator had been appointed. In moving the adoption of the report, ijthe chairman said that it followed largely .ion the lines of former years, but the close of the past year had marked a turning point in the history of the institution. For 35 years the library had been carried on by honorary committees, who had re■eeived valuable assistance in later years from the librarian, Mrs. Marvel. Dur;ing the year the museum had been built and the work of carrying'on both library and museum had got beyond the powers '" of any v voluntary committee, with the result that Mr. John Bailjie was appointed librarian and curator, and the subscribers already appreciated the value of his services. It had been the fashion to judge of the value of the library by tie number of books on the shelves, but they had considerably reduced the Dumber of books by removing some of the older volumes, which were a source of weakness rather than. of strength, and ;the space which these had occupied would, it was hoped, soon be used for the shelving of new volumes. The reference library had been useful in the past, but It had been formed by amateurs, and was lacking in many books, especially those of a technical character, and it wag' hoped that it would be developed on proper lines, so that studious persons would find it of real advantage. A libwas largely a reflex of the ideas of the community in which it existed, and '«onld be made of great use to the people in the town. Without support, however, very little could be done, and it was, therefore, with pleasure that he noted the much larger attendance at the meeting than was usual. In reply to a subscriber as to whether the committee proposed to stop the issue of magaines to subscribers, the chairman stated that it was suggested to keep the magazines on the table of the magazine room for, say, three months, after which .they would be issued to subscribers. 'Mr. Baillie said this was so. He pointed out that, owing to the increased price Qt magazines, which became dilapidated •fter a few subscribers had had them, it did not pay to issue them. It was ■Uggested that they should be allowed t4o- Me in the magazine room for three fiontha, after which they would be bound Iptd could be issued as books. Mr. C. E. Baker strongly objected to the proposal. He did not think it right that people like himself, who wanted to keep up to date should have to come to 4ho library after a hard day's work in . order to read the magazines. If 3s Gd did not pay the subscription should be raised to 4s or 4s 6d, and an extra copy of each magazine should be obtained for the ; Jibrary. Mr. Skinner also objected. Mr. Johnstone said that the idea of the committee was to get the people to come to«the library. They also intended to have a children's room, where the children could come and enjoy themselves. Mr. Baker: And make a terrible row! Mr. Johnstone said that the criticism lad been a useful one, and no doubt the «ommittee would be guided by it. The suggestion to have one magazine on the eheif and another on the table was a good one,- but would necessitate the subKription .being raised. Mr. Davis said that before making a clean sweep of a custom that gave plea- , sure to many, they should give it careful consideration. No doubt magazines of fiction might get dilapidated, but' the reviews did not. and a subscriber could not come to a library and read a review in a few moments. • :-... Mr. Dolby pointed out that New Ply- „. growing, arid it would be impossible to supply magazines. -t'£ Weat said jt seen «d that the man - v -who came into the library and read ' "tnan.who paid;3s 6d. In reply to Mr. Davis, the chairman »i' d **»*. thejt.e. ; waß no catalogue in the ■'' <r'Ebrary>gave a card one which was avail- .,.■: iMihiMty* public. Mr. Baillie had a new system of classification which he proposed to introduce; A F. W. H. Moyes, fiev. Napier , and C. E. Baker were nominated" i-'\ :£ r » four Tacailc i<* on the committee, ~„i " rst four Being 1 "*"'** thanks was accorded the ■ r-.retiring committee.