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Salient. An organ of student opinion at Victoria University, Wellington. Vol. 23. No. 7. Monday, August 8, 1960.

Library Changes

Library Changes

In a valiant attempt to over-come the almost medieval paucity of books in the Library, a situation which has been intensified by irresponsible borrowers who keep books out for months, a system of fining for overdue books has been introduced. There have been some moans about the stiffness of fines but, on the whole, the students appreciate the new system. Books are turning over at a sfaster rate. It is essential that this should be so as there is usually only one copy of each book, in contrast to most American universities where there is one copy among eight students!

The question arises, what is being done with money from these fines? This is easily answered. Apart from the actual price of a book it costs £2 to put each new volume on the shelves. Gradually, more copies of essential books will be purchased.

"Wanton Pinching"

Unfortunately, wanton "pinching" has caused the disappearance of many books. One librarian commented, "You would be simply horrified if you could see the list of missing books. The situation is sometimes desperate, especially for honours students, when volumes Just disappear from the shelves with no trace." It is to be hoped that the fining system will

not induce any more students to slyly slip a few books out without going through the usual procedure at the issue desk. To prevent this, in many libraries there is a rigorous checking of all books by means of a "sheep gate" through which all students must pass before being permitted to leave the library. However, here there seems to be a more positive attitude among the borrowers now that the situation is being brought home to them.

Is the emphasis on the wrong thing? Stress is placed on returning books by the due date, that is, within a fortnight of borrowing. Frequently the book is read within two or three days and lies idly round until the borrower suddenly remembers that it must be back by today. Meanwhile, other students, longing to have their hands on that book, have been seething round in helpless frustration. It seems a good idea that borrowers should be urged to return the book as soon as they have finished it and no later than the due date.

Two other innovations in the library are to be praised—the new periodicals room and the new clock. It seems likely that when the new Student Union Building is opened, the Cafeteria will be converted into stack rooms.

—E.B.