OLD BOOKS IN NATIONAL LIBRARY

Mr S. Rajoo asked the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs (a) the total number of old books in the National Library which had to be rebound during the last five years and the total expenditure involved; and (b) what is done with the old books which are beyond repair and what was the number of such books during the last five years.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture (Mr Fong Sip Chee) (for the Minister for Culture): Mr Speaker, Sir, the total number of old books in the National Library which had to be rebound during the last five years and the total expenditure involved are as follows: 1962... 3,036 volumes costing $ 7,762.70; 1963... 36,771 volumes costing $77,095.80; 1964... 17,588 volumes costing $41,496.80; 1965... 24,740 volumes costing $63.692.50; 1966... 23,923 volumes costing $65,013.00. These figures exclude the output of the National Library's own binding apprentice appointed in December 1963, which is as follows: 1964... 3,444 volumes 1965... 4,754 " 1966... 3,726 " ------ Total 11,924 " ======

In regard to the second part of the question, books which are beyond repair are condemned for destruction and burnt at the Kolam Ayer incinerator. The number of such books during the last five years is - unfortunately, Mr Speaker, Sir, we have no figures for 1962 and 1963 - estimated to be around 46,588; for 1964, 18,873; 1965, 11,034; and 1966, 11,179.

Mr S. Rajoo (Fairer Park): Mr Speaker, Sir, may I know from the Parliamentary Secretary whether replacements have been ordered for those books which were destroyed, or will there be a literature drain if replacements have not been ordered?

Mr Fong Sip Chee: Sir, most of the books destroyed by the National Library have been replaced, but not one hundred per cent of them, because, firstly, some of the books destroyed were regarded as no longer of value to the readers, and, secondly, some of the books destroyed are already out of print and no further copies or editions are available.