Library issues
Sir: Mr Walker (Letters, January 20) was perhaps justified in having his tilt at Sir Alec Clegg's 17,000 per cent increase in the use of our county libraries but the dilemma in presenting a statistical argument is that we must either use the short, shock figure for effect or give an extended collection of broad facts with the risk of losing effect in the process. Twenty million books lent in a year from one library system seems impressive enough in absolute terms, but, even recognising the risk, I offer some other facts.
West Riding County Library annual book issues just after the 1939-45 war were 5.6 millions and since 1969 have exceeded 20 millions.
All British public libraries averaged six issues per head of their population in the late 'forties and the figure is now doubled.
I liked Mr Walker's joke about the decline of the subscription and commercial libraries but the number of books issued by any one of them was never to be compared with that of a large public library; which is why they fell on hard times or became lossleaders, with their readers accounting for some of the public library's increased issues.
The phenomenal increase in paperback sales (with 35,000 titles available in Britain) coupled with the increased library use must mean something.
With so many other demands on our time, with so many other seductive entertainments offered to us,. the continuing use of books is quite a wonder; the increasing use is little short of a miracle.
W. J. Munson West Riding County Library, Wakefield xass•R
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