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The Nelson Photo News

 

15

A Municipal Library For Nelson ?

To highlight this controversial topic we've published in this issue three pages of pix taken inside the institute library.

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It's not often we take sides, but in this matter of a municipal library we feel we must give our wholehearted support to Cr Sonja Davies and the many other Nelsonians who believe the library should be controlled and administered by the municipal authorities. Let's face facts. The Nelson Institute library, which depends for its existence on the grand (now £3000) from the City Council and its own meagre finances, filled a gap in years gone by," But the world about us is progressing - and Nelson with it - and an undeniable fact is that the institute library is totally inadequate for the needs of an expanding population. There is opposition in Nelson to a changeover to municipal control, mainly on the grounds of a rate increase. We understand that this increase would amount to 5s a ratepayer annually - surely a small sum to pay for the advantage that would accrue. At the moment we are denied use of the services of the National Library Service and its 2,427,241 books because we have no municipal library. It must also be remembered that from the stocks of the institute library the small library at Stoke is being stocked and yet half of Nelson's population lives in this area and its library resources are hopelessly inadequate. We go to press before Cr Davies moves for action on her proposal, but we wish her well. After all, we do not wish to have the doubtful distinction Of being the only city in New Zealand without its municipal library.

16

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The museum on the second floor of the institute building occupies much-needed space, but this will be forthcoming when the new Nelson museum is established at Isel Park.

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The reference section which could be given a tremendous lift from the thousands of technical books available from the National Library Service.

17

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Looking for something interesting. Under municipal control there would be a much wider choice.

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Growing children must be introduced to good books.

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Books must be kept in good repair - a job undertaken by Mrs Marjorie Erecson.

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The librarian Miss Bryce Jones, with a pile of books ready for display.