46 Proceedings. 



" Suggestions for the Better Utilisation of the Scientific Books in the Libraries of the 

 Societies incorporated in the New Zealand Institute. 



" It is evident that if each of the various societies attempt to provide their librarj- 

 with scientific works for the use of their members in natural history, ethnology, botany, 

 geology, &c., there would be a very great waste of money in having duplicate copies of 

 expensive works of reference. The following suggestions ai-e therefore made: — 



" (1.) That a card catalogue under authors and subjects be made of all the books in 

 the libraries of the societies incorporated ivith the New Zealand Institute. 



" (2.) That six sets of these cards be made for use of each of the six branches of 

 the Institute. 



"Remarks. — At the general meeting of the Coiuicil it was pointed out that at the 

 present time there is a more or less distinct understanding that books the property of one 

 institute can be borrowed by any member of the institute residing in any part of New- 

 Zealand, provided that the borrower makes application through the secretary of his 

 society to the secretary of the society from which the book is borrowed, and the 

 secretary is satisfied that suitable arrangements have been made for the trans- 

 mission of the book to the borrower and for its return. It is now a practice between 

 several societies. Some of the institutes already possess a card catalogue and others 

 a printed catalogue more or less complete. Under the proposed scheme the various 

 libraries would be distinguished either by coloui-ed cards or by some distinguishing mark 

 on the cards. It is suggested that pro rata contributions be made by the societies for the 

 cost of preparing the catalogue and the set that they are to receive. 



" (8.) It is suggested that for the future there should be an agreement as to the 

 class of books purchased by the societies. 



" Remarks. — The Canterbury Institute has resolved to specialise in works relating 

 to the Antarctic. It is suggested that Wellington should specialise in the anthropology 

 of the Pacific. It is to be distinctly understood that any library taking up a subject is 

 not in any way precluded from buying books on other subjects if they desire to do 

 so. It is also distinctly vniderstood that any transfer of books from one library to 

 anotlier is not in any way suggested. A joint card catalogue will ]>revent any necessity 

 for such a suggestion as this. The subject or subjects in which a library would 

 specialise would be governed by at least two considerations — first, the suitability of 

 the subjects for the lines of study usually taken up by members of the Institute ; 

 second, by the cost of the subject. The natural-history division could only be inider- 

 taken with advantage by a society either having a good nucleus of works on that subject 

 or having a good library' fund. 



" It is suggested that replies be sent to the following queries : — 



■' (1.) Is your society in favour of the general idea of a joint library, which all the 

 members of the institutes should be able to use under certain conditions ? 



■■ (2.) Do you agree to arrangements being made by the New Zealand Institute 

 for the preparation of a joint card catalogue, and for the necessary number of copies 

 for each institute ? In case you assent to this question, it does not commit you to your 

 projiortion of the cost until some definite idea of this has been submitted to you. 



"" (3.) Do yon agree to the yn-inciple of utilisation by the various societies ? 



" (4.) What subject do you desire to specialise in for your library ? 



" P.S. — Since the letter and circular were written I have found that a similar catalogue 

 to that proposed is in existence in Melbourne. It comprises the whole of the scientific 

 and technical literature in the yniblic libraries. Government departments, and various 

 scientific societies. It was carried out by Mr. Hall, Librarian to the Royal Society of 

 Victoria, and issued by the C4overnment as a printed volume. This form is, to my 

 mind, less suitable than a card catalogue, which can easily be kept up to date year by 

 year." 



The communications received -so far point to a workable scheme being eventually 

 evolved. 



There are two points only which I consider to be of vital importance. The first is 

 already practically assured — and that is, a con.sent on the pari of the incorporated societies 

 to the use of their books by members of the other branches of the Institute. There will neces- 

 sarily be some restrictions, but they will not affect the general principle. The second 

 point aims at economizing the funds available for the purchase of books. I am anxious 

 that in the future it shall not be necessary for a library to jiurchase a work or a set of 

 Proceedings that is already in New Zealand. Scientific serials and works of reference 

 are generally expensive, and if therefore the four or five centres are each to purchase 

 works such as the " International Catalogue of Scientific Literature," which is now an 



