South Yorkshire Times April 28, 1956

Schools and Library
Promising Association at Conisbrough

The annual report for the Conisbrough and Denaby branches of the West Riding County library states that issues from both branches show a slight increase over the previous year, despite the severe weather which caused a setback during the winter.

The report goes on: “It is pleasing to note the increases in issues at Conisbrough, particularly as during the previous year an increase of 28,267 was recorded following the removal into new premises, and this has been more than maintained.

“The increasing use being made by the junior borrowers of the branch at Denaby Main, and the widening range of reading, as indicated by the percentage of non-fiction issued, reflects a growing interest in the local service.

“It became necessary at the beginning of 1956 for the County Library Committee to tighten up the administration of the request service, by interrupting more strictly the regulations regarding the types of books coming within its scope.

“The steps which are being taken are designed to discourage its excessive, unreasonable or frivolous requests, but great care is being taken to try and ensure that the serious reader wanting books of educational, cultural, literary or informational value shall not be unreasonably penalised.”

In regard to work with the school’s the report states: “At the start of the school year, two groups of girls aged 12 to 14 years from the Northcliffe County secondary school were received each Wednesday and Thursday morning throughout September.

Before the Christmas vacation, school leavers from the same school visited the branch from a talk on how the library service could be of use to them in whatever career are were they desired. Copies of the booklet, “leaving school?” Issued by the county library committee, were distributed.

“A concentrated effort has been made at Denaby Main to interest both junior and senior scholars in the work of the library. During February and March, the whole of the top classes in the senior department at St Albans School paid visits to the branch and were guided in the use of books and the significance of the library service. “Arrangements have been made to cover classes of children aged 10 and 11 years from Rossington Street Junior School. It is hoped to make arrangements for Balby Street Jr School in the near future.”