NEW PLYMOUTH LIBRARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1922, Page 4

NEW PLYMOUTH LIBRARY.

THE PAST YEAR’S WORK. MEETING OF SUBSCRIBERS. The annual meeting of subscribers to the New Plymouth Library was held last night, Mr. W. H. Skinner, chairman of the committee, presiding over a moderate attendance. The committee’s report recorded a good year in the circulating library. The number o-f subscriptions paid during the year was 960, as against 756 last year, an increase of 204, During the year 1106 books were added to the stock of literature. Of these 160 were gifts, the principal donations being from the late Hon. Thos. Kelly 73, the Bishop Museum at Honolulu 65, while the remaining 22 gift books were donated by about a dozen donors. In addition to this a donation of pOO Parliamentary books was received from the estate of the late Hon. T. Kelly, these being stowed away for future classification. Of the 946 books which were purchased, 841 were novels, 275 were non ; fiction, and 30 were for the children’s library. Through a number of advantageous circumstances the books were bought at an extremely reasonable rate. The largest individual purchase was an excellent selection of 277 books from Colonel Ellis’ extensive library, at a merely nominal figure. The average number of books and magazines issued per month was approximately 6000. In October the rule permitting subscribers to reserve books on a payment of 2d was rescinded, and this action seemed to meet with general approval. The practice of allowing subscribers to take out extra books on a payment of 3d had boomed, 5522 books being taken out in this manner, against 1440 in the previous year. During the year ten books were paid for by subscribers who had lost them. The report remarked that there had been considerable activity in the disposal of old books. Bundles of literature were sent to the isolation ward at the New Plymouth Hospital and to the Old People’s Home, while 150 books and many magazines were -forwarded to the Victoria League to send to the backblocks. Mr. Frank Finlay took bundles of Home newspapers and other literature to the men on the overseas boats calling at New Plymouth. Since Mr. Finlay’s departure the work had fallen into abeyance, and there was an opportunity for someone to step into the breach. In the early part of the year the Prisons Department bought 50 books of a non-fiction character to place in the library at the New Plymouth gaol. The sale of old magazines and papers during the year realised £23 0s sd.

The number of books in the institute on March 31 was 8600, the classification including fiction 4000, biography 520, travel 300, history 320, science 370, essays 270, children's library 330, reference 2160. That the financial side was keeping up well was shown by the folslowing comparison of receipts: 1919-20, j £1247 19s sd; 1920-21, £342 17s 9d; '1921-22. £457 Is lid.

1 The magazine room is becoming increasingly well patronised, the report continued, as its claims for recognition become more widely known. The reference library is in this room, and now that the museum is placed on a good footing, attention can be given to the classification of the works contained therein. The reading room continued to attract a large attendance of the public. The curator of the museum reported as follows: During the year the exhibits were classified, numbered and registered, and comprise the following items: Anthropology 1850, botany 60, zoology 550, geology 50, early history 600, exhibits on loan 40; total, 3150. The old museum was emptied, of its contents, as was also the storage room used in connection with the museum. The present museum can hold very little more material unless two more wall cases and more floor cases are provided —a matter which will require urgent attention soon.

The balance-sheet showed receipts amounting to £1332 14s 6d. This included the borough subsidy of £B6O, of which the chairman explained £l3l had been refunded as unspent. Subscriptions accounted for £440 7s 4d. On the expenditure side £244 17s was paid for books, as against £174 in the previous year, and £95 4s 3d was incurred in the payments for papers. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman said it was no doubt apparent that they had made substantial progress, which was no doubt partly due to the growth of the town and also to the work of the librarian and curator (Mr. Beattie) who, he was sorry to say, was leaving. The receipts for the present year showed that the increase was being maintained and the patronage of the institute was growing, which was a further tribute to the management of the librarian.

The motion was seconded by Mr. H. Robinson and carried.

The following representatives on the committee were elected: Miss Douglas, Messrs. G. H. Dolby, W. H. Skinner, W. H. Moyes, all of last year’s nominees being thus re-elected.