15. The Society Library

At a committee meeting held on the 4th May 1965, Mr R R Harrison proposed the question of establishing a society library. This prompted a number of questions:

1. Where would the library be based?

2. A librarian would have to be appointed – would this become an officer of the committee?

3. Would members donate books?

4. Would they all have to be purchased?

5. If purchased what allocation of funds should be made available?

6. What type of storage would be required?

7. Should a charge be made for borrowing books?

8. If so how much?

No decisions were taken(!) but the matter was referred to the AGM on the 10th May when the formulation of a society library was agreed but very little other progress was made. No volunteer had come forward to act as librarian and no reply had been forthcoming from the Castle Museum regarding storage.

However, things did move and by early September permission had been granted to have a box at the Castle Museum for storage. An invitation had been made to Mrs J E Hardwick to act as Librarian and she had agreed and Mr K Chapman had agreed to be Deputy Librarian. It was decided to make a charge of 6d (2.5p) per month for the loan of a book or catalogue. Fines of 1/- (5p) per month were to be introduced and a register of all borrowings, returns and fines to be kept. Mrs Hardwick accepted the offer of first librarian and her first request was for a rubber stamp to read “York Philatelic Society” for the stamping of all books.

The first mention of books in the library box was October 1966 when four books had been purchased (unfortunately, no record of what the books were exists) and one, the S G specialized stamp catalogue Vol. 1 Queen Victoria, had been donated by Mr L Robinson.

Letters had been sent to the editors of Yorkshire Philatelic and Stamp Collecting asking for an item in their publications requesting the purchase of philatelic books by the York Society – no reply was received and no publication resulted.

However, progress on the purchase of books had been made for Mrs Hardwick reported on the 21st April 1967 that £6-10-0 had been spent on books and borrowing fees and fines had raised 19/6. it was agreed that a list of the library books owned be circulated among the members. Mrs Hardwick agreed to provide the list and Mr Bruce agreed to duplicate and forward a copy to each member. The provision of £20-0-0 to purchase books was granted to the Librarian. Mrs Hardwick remained the librarian for two years before Mr Chapman was appointed. Thus the Society Library began its life. During the years many books have been purchased and donated by members. The original “box” for holding the books developed into a wooden bookcase until today the library of over 125 books and catalogues is housed in a large metal cabinet and is situated at the Priory Street Centre