On the 16th of February, 1949, the Victoria University College library had accessioned 69,732 books. There are still a number of books uncatalogued but the balance is restored by losses and withdrawals.

The number of students at VUC in 1948 was 2374. In the librarian's annual report, which will be presented at the next meeting of the Council, there will be an item showing the number of books issued in 1948. When this figure is published I feel sure that a simple mathematical calculation will show that a large percentage of students do not use the library. Of the many who do use the library, a large proportion are not satisfied with it. In trying to determine the reason for this Salient staff have interviewed a number of students. The question that was put to the student was "What do you think of the Vic Library? Are you satisfied with it, and how do you think it could be improved?" The following is a selecton from the answers obtained.

Arts Graduate (English)

I have always found the library satisfactory. The English section, at any rate is well laid out and the classification system can be followed by any normal person.

3rd-Year Science Student

I cannot follow the library at all. If I want to do some work I go to the Public Library.

Library School Graduate

A most frightening institution. Getting a book out is almost as difficult as getting to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party. I think the system of book issue is cumbersome and antiquated and I particularly object to the library closing for lunch.

2nd-Year Arts Student

1. There is no plan which can be followed easily. The plan which is displayed does not show the classification on it. There should be a notice in a prominent place in the library outlining the classification scheme.

2. The library is crowded and chaotic. There is no continuity in the way the shelves run on.

3. The issue and the information desk is too far from the main library, and I don't like being thrown out while the library staff have their lunch.

4. For a full-time student two hooks at a time is not enough. I had three out several limes last year and no one caught up on me.

5. The place is oppressively quiet. It is like a morgue.

Science Graduate

(This particular student has had library experience in a well-known library, and has used VUC library extensively in the past two years.)

The classification is good from a librarian's point of view, but in some of the Sciences it is not recent enough—the subdivisions in the catalogue are not up-to-date. The inter-library loan requests are not despatched immediately they are received as far as I can see. The stacks are not easily accessible and the librarians are very rarely seen, and even then they are not very helpful".

If it is possible, I would like to see the library obtain two copies of the exam papers (external ones). In 1947 someone pinched the copy of some exam papers I needed and hung on to them until just before finals. I think that the losses from the library would decrease if more books per student were issued.

I would like to sec those paintings and photographs on the walls above each alcove taken down, and a large notice put in their place showing just what subjects are covered by the books in that alcove. An information desk in the main library would be a good idea if there is the staff to run it, and I think it in-dispensible in the first few weeks of the session.

Arts Graduate

I have-never found the library a good place to read in or work in—it is too dark, too crowded, too constricting, eventually depressing. But, I have appreciated its books, so far as I could take them away with me, greatly, in the few years I have been here.

6th-Year Science Student

I am fed up with chasing round the Science Room. Books bearing on my subject are to be found in no fewer than seven places in that one room.

The Biology section urgently needs vetting. Many ancient texts could be burned and replaced with modern material.

2nd-Year Arts

I think the library would be better if they fined for overdues. It also scorns strange that the library has no microfilm reader. Victoria should be one of the first to purchase one, especially as there is so much good film available in New Zealand, Australia and obtainable from the United Kingdom and the United States.

To freshers and others who are new to the Library it is only fair to point out that the Vic Library uses the Library of Congress system for classifying books. Most Public Libraries in New Zealand use the Dewey or decimal system. Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages but the chief disadvantage of the Library of Congress system at Vic. is that most students are not familiar with it. In 1941 the Library published an excellent little pamphlet.' "A Guide for Readers." However, this sold out about 19-16. The Library is planning a revised edition, but it is not yet in the hands of the printer and according to latest information it will be published "some time this year!"

What We Want

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And Get the Official Slant

Thursday, March 3:

Mr. Miller speaks on the library at 8 p.m. in C3.

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