LIBRARIES FOR ALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 53, 4 March 1930, Page 6

LIBRARIES FOR ALL.

"Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers." The old wise saying might be written over the doors of libraries as a warning against expecting too much from the remarkable development of the library idea. Long ago, when the public library movement had its halting beginnings in Mechanics' Institutes and similar institutions, there was a genuine belief that the dissemination of knowledge would quickly make the world happier, wiser and better, just as the advocates of universal suffrage really believed that when eveiybody had the vote the ills of society would disappear. To-day there are libraries in every town. The old library order has changed in this respect, that whereas the librarian used to wait for the public to come to him, he is now ready and eager to go to the public. The intelligent librarian, however—and, of course, all librarians are intelligent is well aware of the limitation to which we have pointed. The outpourings of cheap books and the sprinkling of the countryside with libraries have not ma3e the community wise. He knows that to many of his subscribers a library is merely a place where one can obtain the midday Wallace or the three o'clock Ruby Ayres. But such reflections never seriously weaken his enthusiasm. He knows that libraries are necessary, that they do spread culture and provide an immense amount of wholesome pleasure, and he takes a pride in widening their influence. The Dominion librarians assembled in conference here this week may reasonably be proud of what New Zealand has done in the provision of libraries. It is said that New Zealanders are the greatest readers in the Empire; certainly this country is well sprinkled with libraries; from the little country institution and the collections that go to lighthouses and public works camps, to the treasures of the Grey Collection and the Turnbull Library. The purpose of the conference is to improve this cultural provision in all possible ways, and the business part of the programme is rich in interest for all who read intelligently and wish to see "sweetness and light" more widely diffused. The conference, we are sure, will be a success.