CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 305, 26 December 1944, Page 4

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

BOOKS AS MEMORLAIfi

(To the Editor) There can be no doubt in any of our minds that the promotion of small libraries will receive a grati. fying impetus after the war. The popularity of "Books for Soldiers* has made our people so book-minded that it is estimated there are 30 ta 40 million books in our military camps. Already here in the United States this tremendous popularity of books is being felt. The erection of cold, lifeless columns of polished marble memorials is being discoiuv aged, and instead there is an increa* ing desire to open small libraries for the benefit of the 35,000,000 of out people wlio do not now have any kind of library service. In the State of Arkansas there has recently been a; vital expression of this desire, a Veterans' Memorial Library has been organised. If the personal enthusiasm of the people associated with the project may be taken as an indica. tion, there is surely a promise that this practical idea of memorial libraries will spread all over that State and, we hope, elsewhere, f should like to enlist your interest and support for such a movement in New Zealand. Here is another eiv couraging sign. All over America ■ the practice of placing a book : or books in the local library by parent! and friends as a memorial to. their soldier heroes is meeting with popular approval, working to the: advantage of thousands of poor libraries which have been forced to live a "hand to mouth" existence for many years. This expression of love and reverence for our soldier dead will doubtless encourage folks to repeat such gifts from time to time, to the profit of many hard pressed libraries. If there can be some distinctive marking on the outside of these gift books, uniform with all ■"' book publishers, it would attract the attention of visitors, parents and friends who visit these libraries.-We believe it would stimulate the ciiv culation of good books and the estab. • lishment of libraries among people who do not have a library and dov not fully realise the value of one,' and be a reminder of the places from which young men and women have gone forth to serve their country, : There can be no doubt that fostering this movement would be a splendid gesture of international friendship and co-operation and an addh tional bond between the English, speaking nations. If our people are \ to be great and remain free, these $ bonds must be increased and strengthened. Memorial libraries and gifts of books as practical memorials to existing libraries will aid. JOSEPH CLOUTER. Water town, Massachusetts.