Library-users increase 20 per cent

By Jane Hewland

The first three weeks of term have seen a 20 percent increase in the number of students using the University library.

Book issues are also up by 17 per cent compared with the figures for the first term last year.

Commenting on the situation, the Head Librarian. Mr. J. P. Sage, said such an increase had been anticipated and more staff had been engaged.

This meant that library facilities were not at present overtaxed.

Students were making the seating problem worse by leaving books and folders on the tables to reserve places, he said.

The greatest problem has been allotting carylls to Honours students.

There have been 204 applications for only slightly more than 100 carylls.

Far more students will have to share this year to accommodate all the demands.

Mr. Sage also said greater pressure on library material had caused a slight increase in book losses.

He was satisfied the problem was not serious.