Library Committee's Report.

The Library Committee begs to submit its report for 1926.

Eleven new exchanges were recommended, mostly in the fields of Biology and Geology. The list is given in the Institute's Annual Report. The binding of periodicals is proceeding as far as funds permit, and it was recommended specially to proceed with the Transactions of the Australian Royal Societies the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Linnean Society, the Geological Survey of India, and the U.S. Journal of Agricultural Research. Missing numbers of sets are being applied for. The Committee would stress the importance of prompt application for the replacement of missing numbers as lapse of time renders this much more difficult, and also holds up the binding.

The Bombay Natural History Society, which has received our Transactions regularly has failed to reciprocate since 1895, and now pleads that it cannot afford to exchange. They have been requested to send what they can in exchange for what they have already received.

It was recommended to present a partial set of the Transactions, so far as they are available, to the Wellington Training College.

In response to a circular issued by the Assistant Secretary relating to the lending of periodicals to members interested in special subjects, some encouraging replies have been received, which should lead to fuller use being made of the valuable library which the Institute now possesses.

The library accommodation, which has been greatly extended, is now no more than adequate, the provision for the future continues to cause anxiety. The proposal of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for a central scientific library, of which the Institute's library would form a nucleus, is a doubtful one which will require serious consideration in the near future.

The Committee stresses the importance of proceeding without delay with the publication of Mr. Archey's Catalogue of Scientific Periodicals. This important work, which has so long been looked forward to will be of immense value to all research workers in New Zealand.

D. M. Y. Sommerville

,
Hon. Librarian.
19th January, 1927.
On the motion of Dr. Thomson, seconded by Dr. Chilton, the report was adopted.