More books says councillor

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 247, 21 June 1988, Page 3

More books says councillor

District Councillor Ellen Gould is angry that Ohakune library' s books estimates have been reduced for the 1988-89 financial year. The council estimates for the year originally included $6000 for buying new books but this was cut back to last year's figure of $5000, after a misunderstanding between Crs Gould, Thompson and Sue. Mrs Gould had left an earlier meeting leaving instructions how she would vote with regards to the library estimates. These instructions had been misunderstood and the estimates cut. Cr Thompson pointed out at the last Finance and Administration meeting that they

hadn't cut spending, they just hadn't increased it. Cr Gould countered: "Keeping the status quo this year will put us behind next year. It's such a minute item in the whole rates estimates." She quoted the price of various books, pointing out that they had increased and that paperbacks, while cheaper, did not last very long. $18 was an average price for a hard covered children's book and $12 for a paperback one. A non fiction paperback was about $32 and no hard back books were under $40,. she said. Committee chairman Doug Bennett said the estimates were set and couldn't be changed. Cr Gould asked: "Surely it can be adjusted." A further suggestion, put

forward by librarian Mrs Colleen Newton, was to cut the opening hours of the library and thus her wages and spend the money on books. She said the half hour from 7.30 till 8pm on Fridays was not popular and could be cut. Cr Bennett said the hours should fit the needs of the people using the library. The committee decided to leave that matter in the hands of the District Manager. Borrowing Charges Charges for borrowed books was discussed by the committee with regards to raising funds for the library. Ohakune Librarian Colleen Newton said many pensioners had expressed the view that they should pay more than the twenty cents now charged. Raetihi Librarian Margot Webb

said many of her borrowers could not afford to pay anything, while others often left donations such as all the coins in their pockets or dollar notes. Cr Bennett suggested a small charge should be levied "to make people realise that there is a cost to it" while Librarian Mrs Margot Webb suggested members be asked for donations instead of a fee. District Manager John Murrihy said: "I perceive the library as a community service, something that particularly young people, should b e encouraged to utilize. In fact everyone should be encouraged to read. The less things we put in their way the better." The council decided to leave the matter of charging to the discretion of the librarians.