Growing Library

Every month, every week, in Gisborne the Turanganui Public Library is playing an increasingly important role in the social and educational life of the community.

More and more books are being added to the shelves, general facilities for the public are being improved, and — most important of all — more people are using the library.

In one year since the free and rental service was introduced, membership has jumped from 3477 to 5658. Children, too, are reading more: 3863 books last August, compared with 2819 in August, 1955. And the figures are still rising.

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Attending to young subscriber is Miss Ursula Matthews. Centre of picture are Miss Helen Cowey, the librarian, and Dr A. L. Singer, committee chairman.

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Children's section has wide variety of attractive books

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"Browsing table" is recent addition

The free-book service was made possible by an increased grant from the Gisborne City Council, and aid from the Cook County Council has spread the benefits of the library to country residents.

Through the National Library Service, the Turanganui librarian, Miss Helen Cowey, is able to obtain for subscribers books on a wide variety of subjects. About 50 such requests are met every month. The topics may range from boat-building to anthropology.

The magazine side of the library has been built up and more periodicals Trill soon be added to the collection. For the convenience of magazine readers, a new stand has been provided.

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A High School boy joins the library. At desk is Miss Jill Langbein

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View towards library entrance

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Teenagers studying books for youth

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Picture shows national library service collections on citizenship & farming