3

H.—32

The Library Annexe, etc. The rooms previously occupied by the Valuation Department were allotted to the Library for extension purposes some two years ago. For some time permission was granted'to the Defence Department to use the larger room for office purposes, but the whole floor is now available. The additional shelving erected during the recess has enabled me to carry out, in part, the scheme of reclassification outlined in the Library report two years ago. In all, the rearrangement of the classes dealt with involved the handling of over 34,000 volumes. The electrification of the book-lift in the stack building enabled the work of removal to be carried out with expedition. It is clear that the new lift will be of great value to the Library in saving time. The total number of volumes stored in the Library Annexe is 8,456. The whole of the American Government publications formerly housed in what was known as the American stack-room have been transferred to the annexe, together with a number of Imperial British and British Dominions official publications of minor importance. The result of the " breathing-space " afforded by the annexe is, roughly summarized, as follows : — The Sociology room now contains one class only (Class 300), which includes works on politics, law, economics, education, labour, finance, and, generally speaking, the literature most intimately connected with legislative work. The Art Section —hitherto stored in the gallery of the Sociology room —has been transferred to the main reading-room, where the exceptionally fine collection of works on artistic subjects which the Library possesses, a collection second to none in any public library in Australasia, will in future be more conveniently accessible for reference. Bibliography (Class 000) has been removed from the downstairs lobby, thus giving more space for official literature in every-day demand. The History class has been transferred en bloc from the main reading-room to the stack-room on the same floor. This " shift " has enabled all the other classes in the main reading-room to be rearranged in proper sequence. • Further transfers are contemplated during the next recess. At the commencement of next session I hope to be able to supply members with a handy little guide, to the Library classification, which will show the exact location of each class of books, and be of great practical value to those who use the Library. I have to express my thanks to Mr. Louch, District Engineer of the Public Works Department, for his attention to the structural and other work done under his control for the Library in connection with the Library Annexe, the lift, and other matters. Furniture, etc. Last session, at the request of the Minister of Public Works, two large settees, formerly placed in the main reading-room, were removed to the lobby of the new House of Representatives. These settees should, I think, be replaced by new ones to be procured for the Library. Most of the furniture in the Library is very old, and some of it is very shabby. The time has arrived, I think, when the whole of the Library furniture should be overhauled, and new chairs of some uniform style supplied for the use of members. The walls of the Library lobbies need either repainting or to be subjected to some cleaning process. A new case for New Zealand books is urgently required ; also a new case for the larger art books. Requisitions for these cases are being made. The Bindery. Excellent work has been done during the year at the Library bindery, a large number of volumes having been rebacked or otherwise repaired. A small guillotine is badly needed in the Library. The cost would be small, but the provision of such a machine would obviate the binder having to make frequent visits to the Government Printing Office to get papers and binding-boards cut. Miscellaneous. Copies of the Library Rules, with lists of persons on the full-privilege list, were circulated on the first day of the present session. The issue of monthly lists of new accessions to the Library has been continued, and has proved of great convenience to members to whom books are sent during the recess. The Library orders for books and periodicals purchased in London have, as usual, received due attention from Messrs. Sotheran and Co. and Messrs. Street and Co. I have to tender my thanks to the Chairman of the Joint Library Committee, G. J. Anderson, Esq., M.P., and to the Chairman of the Recess Library Committee, the Hon. Sir William Hall-Jones, M.L.C., for the attention each of these gentlemen has paid to Library matters during the year ; also to the High Commissioner and his staff for the promptitude and care displayed in connection with Library business in London. Library Accounts. In an appendix will be found the Library balance-sheet for the year ended 31st March, 1919, with a copy of the Auditor's certificate. I have, &c, Charles Wilson, Chief Librarian.