H.—32

Inter-Library Lending. There was again a considerable increase in the number of books lent to other libraries on interloan. The total number of books lent was 491, as compared with 302 last year, 155 the year before, and 85 in the year before that. As usual, an increasing proportion of the books (actually 423 volumes) was lent through the Country Library Service. The books borrowed were classed as follows : History and biography, 192 ; sociology, 69 ; literature, 68 ; useful arts, 35. Twenty requests could not bo satisfied from our stock. The General Assembly Library, on the other hand, borrowed 11 books, as compared with 10 last year and 19 the year before. International Exchange. During the year the Library received, as agent for the International Exchange Service, 2,594 packages and 10 cases of official and scientific publications, as compared with 3,214 packages and 14 cases last and 3,046 packages and 10 cases the year before. The btdk of the material was for ourselves, and the 2,594 packages were distributed by post or delivery to individual addresses. Recess Privileges. As stated before, the prevalence of frequent sittings of Parliament at short intervals has restricted the use of the Library by recess privilege holders. The total number of privilege holders in the 1942 recess, exclusive of those who enjoyed the full privilege, Government Departments, and officers of Parliament, was 305. The figures in recent years were : 1938-39, 790 ; 1939-40, 516 ; 1940-41, 289 ; 1941-42, 305. During the recess 84 baskets and 277 parcels were posted to members of the Legislature. New Zealand Library Association. Owing to the war the annual conference of the New Zealand Library Association, which was to have been held in Auckland in February, 1942, was postponed. The annual meeting was held instead at Wellington. The Library staff has co-operated as usual in the various projects of the Association. I am very much indebted to the High Commissioner and his staff for the prompt and efficient manner in which they attended to our needs. The difficulty of replacing missing books and periodicals we know has been very burdensome. A word of praise is also due to the Library staff as now constituted for the enthusiasm with which all have carried out their duties. All members of the staff have been called upon to do some entirely new work, often in addition to their previous duties. The Joint Library Committee has shown its usual sympathetic appreciation of our difficulties. The statement of receipts and expenditure for the year, with the certificate of the Auditor-General, is attached. I am, &c., G. H. Scholefield, Chief Librarian and Archivist.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY ACCOUNT. Statement for the Year ended 31st March, 1942. Receipts. £ Payments. £ Balance .. .. .. .. .. 519 Purchase of books and periodicals in— Annual grant . . . . . . 1,250 United Kingdom and United States .. .. 553 Refunds, lost books, &c. . . . . . . 6 Australia . . .. .. .. 8 New Zealand . . .. .. .. 208 Petty expenses, &c. .. .. .. .. 4 Balance: Bank of New Zealand .. .. 1,002 £1,775 £1,775 12th April, 1942. G. H. Scholefield, Chief Librarian and Archivist. Examined and found correct. —Cyril G. Collins, Controller and Auditor General.

Approximate Cost of Pap&r.—Preparation, not given ; printing ((595 copies) £2 ss.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 942.

Price 3d.~\

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