Coventry Libraries

Abstract

THE Coventry Libraries and Museum Committee's report on the work of the year 1932–33 gives evidence of vigorous growth of the services under its care. The Committee fosters the closest possible contact between the libraries and all activities of a cultural character, and is providing additional accommodation for such activities adjacent to its central library, where already during the, past year meetings of societies devoted to the study of art, history, natural history, the drama, engineering, bee-keeping, etc., numbered 271, including 120 meetings of groups for the discussion of broadcast talks. Among the most popular of the subjects of these discussions was “Biology and Everyday Life”. Provision of books for children through the school library system, serving 55 schools and supplementing the activities of the special junior departments of the libraries, accounts for one sixth of the total issues. Through the West Midlands Regional Library Bureau, the resources of many libraries in other parts of the country were drawn upon by way of temporary loans to meet special requisitions. By the circulation of publicity material among branch libraries, the maintenance of a variety of book displays throughout the system was ensured. Some of the most popular displays related to cooking, wireless, gardening, polar exploration, holiday literature, modern drama and home decoration. Among other services successfully maintained are: the Coventry Bookshelf, a monthly medium, of communication with readers; an “Illustrations Collection” of 15,000 pieces; a “lucigraph” for making facsimile copies of maps, prints, drawings, etc.; a commercial and technical intelligence service, equipped with up-to-date indexes to practically all technical material published throughout the world, patent abridgments, consular and diplomatic reports, etc.; and frequent exhibitions of material relating to matters of special local or regional importance.