At the meeting of the Rushden Urban Council on Wednesday the following report was received from the Free Library Committee:-

A meeting of the Free Library Committee was held at the Library on Tuesday, September 9th, 1919, when there were present: Messrs. J. Claridge, J. S. Clipson, J. Spencer, J. T. Colson, S. Saddler, W. W. Rial, and Miss Clark.

Appointment of Chairman

It was resolved that Mr. Claridge be appointed Chairman of the Committee.

Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on October 23rd, 1918, were read and confirmed.

Management Committee

It was resolved that the Management Committee for the ensuing year consist of the whole of the members of this Committee.

New Books

It was resolved to request the Council to authorise the Committee to expend a sum of £15 in the purchase of new books.

Additions To Library

The Secretary reported that 314 books had been added to the Library during the past year, as follows:-

Two of the non-fiction books were presentation copies, and the thanks of the Committee were accorded the donors.

Books Issued

The Secretary also reported that the number of books issued for the twelve months ended August 31st last was 35,112 made up as follows:-

Papers and Periodicals

The Committee went through the list of papers and periodicals supplied to the Library during the past year, and ultimately referred to the Management Committee the question as to whether certain of the papers should be deleted from the list.

It was agreed to continue the present arrangements with Mr. Charles Robinson for the supply for the year 1920.

It was resolved that the sale of papers and periodicals take place as usual in December next.

Caretaker

The Chairman reported that the Council had granted the Caretaker, Mr. Hazeldine, a half-day off per week, viz., on Saturday. It was left with the Chairman to make suitable arrangements for lighting and closing the Library on that day.

Finances

In proposing the adoption of the report Mr. Claridge said that the financial position had been carefully considered by the committee. The Council, as they knew, were able to spend not more than a sum equal to a rate of a penny in the £. When the library was first opened the sum of £60 covered the amount paid in wages, but now the salaries were double that amount, as the penny rate brought in only about £20 more than when the Library was opened. The sum now available was so small that the committee were unable to purchase many books, besides which the price of books was higher than used to be the case, and they could not get cheap copies from the circulating libraries. New books cost about 6s. 9d. each, so the committee were not able to by many, and they would be glad to receive presentation copies from the inhabitants. The position was rather a serious one, as they had so small a margin. The public were asking for new books, but the committee had not the money with which to buy them.

Mr. Spencer seconded, and said the work of the library would be crippled during the coming year unless they could get an increased income. The number of periodicals, etc., would have to be reduced. The War Pensions Committee were using one of the rooms, and he wondered if they could get any rent for that. Failing an increased revenue they ought to ask the Government to allow of an expenditure of a sum larger than the penny rate.

The resolution was carried.