NEW PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1919, Page 6

NEW PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY.

0 REPORT OF CURATOR AND LIBRARIAN. The following report is being submitted to the 'Council Ito-night by the curator and librarian (Mr. John Baillie): I was able to replace at Auckland many t>ooks-I required at pre-war prices ana others at quite satisfactory prices. They totalled in all 303, 87 in general literature and reference and 210 fictions. They lis on the table in my room and I am putting into the library 40 in each week till the stock is depleted. I hare practically finished the stock-taking and am greatly distressed to find so many books unaccounted for. I propose to re-number all books as so many have been withdrawn and lost. lam preparing a list of the missing books in the general literature class in the fiction class. Possibiv many have been withdrawn or worn out etc., as no account lias been kept o£ any withdrawals. I should like to have definite instructions re the future policy ol the magazine department. If the "subscribers are to be properly catered for it will be necessary to increase the number of copies and as the price of magazines range from lis (kl to 48s a year the subscriptions would have to be greatly increased. It is quite essential that a copy of each magazine should be in the new reading room. It will be necessary now to order or cancel any magazines for 1920. J. would suggest that the re-arrangement of the library noted in my first report be carried out, viz., that the new room be fixed up as a reading room and reference library and the new distributing counter be set up. Pending the establishment of a children's library I would suggest that a small portion of the present reading library be portioned off and children's subscriptions be taken, the fee being 2s 6d the half year. This would leave the present reference library free for the old colonist room, and the collection of things promised by Mr. Skinner. It is absolutely necessary to have a room for caretaker, storage, unpacking, etc., and I would recommend that the present magazine room be fixed up for that purpose. It would mean a re-arrangement of. the newspaper room. As the library entrance is much used for access to museum it would be an improvement if the floor now bare be covered with linoleum and a strip of cocoanut matting be laid from door to door. A new set of mats would also greatly improve the appearance of the entrance. I would like to note the greatly increased attendance of visitors in the reading rooms. The number of new subscribers, now 115, is quite satisfactory. A little advertising would, I think_ have a very advantageous effect just now. As far as I am aware, no other library is open on Sundays from 9.30 a.m. I would recommend that the hours be from 2 to 4.30 p.m. The museum, I am glad to report, is attracting many visitors. Without a turnstile it is impossible to keep a tally of visitors, but roughly there is an average attendance of 60. At present it is open each day (except Mondays) from 2 to 44, but from the 4th instant I propose to open it on Saturday mornings from 10.30 to 12 noon. A pleasant feature of the interest shown is the number of articles being brought in almost daily. I attach a list of donors and articles. I have many promises of interesting articles. The historical side is being carefully watched and some very interesting sketches, photographs, etc., have already been secured. With your permission I hope shortly to arrange a series of entertainments for the library and museum fund. lam particularly keen on having an up-to-date reading room and reference library and if people contribute they will no doubt take a keener interest in it. Something might be done with a Museum Day. Money and perhaps many, articles of interest could be obtained with a street collection.

LIST OP GIFTS FOR MUSEUM. Mr. W. J. Cordon—Framed set of six photographs and framed army order. Col. Ellis—Pistol. Mr. E. Coleman—One paper Hoovered from wreck of the S.S. Wairarapa. Mr. L. H. Phllpotts—One belt, two baas (South Seas.) Mr. E. Pepperell—One nine pounder. Mr. Davles—Two stone adzes, one pair candlesticks (loan). Air. J. F. Paterson—Collection of minerals and two adzes. Aire. Owen—One pair of horns and minerals Mr. .T. Kendal and Mr. E. Meredith—Portion of German mine. Mr. Isaac Elliott—Two calabashes. - Air. Creed—One calabash. Mr. J. H. Batey—One wooden bowl and pounder, one adze. Air. C. Flncham—One specimen. Mr. Standish—One water color, four entrravIhßs. Mr. J. Medley—One pistol, one specimen (mineral). Mr. Ranger—One moth. Air. John Balllle—Eleven photographs (Maoris). Mr. Sumner—Cook's Voyages, 2nd edition (■oan). Mr. C. H. Burton—Plan of New Plymouth, 1848, eleven sea birds' eggs, one snail shell from Cape Maria Van Diemen. Mr. J. H. Hamilton—One sinker, one broken adze. Miss Hempton—One mat, three baskets, one k'wl boa. Air. li. E. Davles—One flax basket. Library:—Mrs. Crooke—Ono parcel round table.