CANTERBURY COLLEGE LIBRARY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21147, 24 April 1934, Page 7

CANTERBURY COLLEGE LIBRARY

Tu 'IIIF. EDITOR Of THE 1 KE.-S. Sir, —I have been interested in what has appeared in your paper during the last two years in connexion with the Canterbury College Library, particularly in recent correspondence. As an ordinary citizen and taxpayer I submit that the Canterbury University College and its library are matters ot general concern to all; for what emanates from that centre o£ learning and (I hope) culture has a far-reaching effect upon this Dominion and possibly a more extensive field. I think one might venture to suggest that an average annual total of from 400 to 500 voung people passing into and out ot the university is not without great ana grave possibilities in a community of this size. , . , That the library and its equipment and service have Jagged very seriously no one denies and the University Council will be the last to think of doing so. Many visitors are, unfortunately, too polite to shock our sensibilities and prefer to leave us to our smug satisfaction in this and other matters. But surely the improvements and progressive policy which have been talked of during the last two years or so are to bear good fruit and without delay. I have more confidence in the University Council than to think it will let this opportunity pass. The interest of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, expressed already in the gut oC means for nearly two years' intensive training of a librarian, and the further offer ("under certain conditions) of financial grants for the next few years, is surely to be a turning point in the history of the Canterbury University College Library, and the University Council cannot afford to let this chance lapse by any hesitant or parsimonious policy. Canterbury expects and relies upon those in authority to make any supreme effort necessary to take advantage of the Carnegie offer, and by a bold and progressive move show that Canterbury can put this matter m order and remove the occasion of reproach in regard to its university libra rv. An adequate college library, properly equiuped. and serviced, and acting in co-operation with other libraries here and elsewhere, would be of incalculable bene/it to the community at large. I hear 1 that at the Commemoration iDay ceremony the Rector of the Canterbury University College in his remarks several times stressed the importance of the library and the need for extension, and invited public sympathy and gifts of money, books, etc. I know of three other citizens as well las mvself who will gladly contribute both books and money according to lour abilitv, but the question raised amongst us is: What is the policy ot i the Universitv Council after two years | consideration? Even the Carnegie [Corporation acts on the principle of I "Heaven helps those who help themi selves," and can we be blamed for [wanting to see what move the Canterbury University College is making on its own behalf? Surely the council will make full use of the knowledge gained bv its librarian through his studies and travels and visits to numerous libraries abroad. Even if

there be members of the council who have never been beyond the confines of this very circumscribed Dominion, surely they will realise their limitations and be guided by those whose experience as well as knowledge of these matters qualify them to speak with authority. The rector, as well as some other members of the staff, have views and suggestions well worth consideration, I am sure. Will the University Council take the public into its confidence to some extent at least, and so encourage help and co-operation from those ready to assist? , There is one other point I would stress. It is frequently said that numbers of New Zealand's good men go and stay abroad ■ because they are not given scope nor appreciation here in the Dominion. Has the University Council considered the possibility of an unnecessarily tardy development of its I library policy, dampening the en-| thusiasm of its employees? Is it good j business to risk crushing the enterprise and eagerness of those of its staff interested in the progress of its library, and willing to devote themselves to it unsparingly, leaving room, instead, for the engendering of hopelessness and despair which may either deprive New Zealand of some of the knowledge which should be retained and used for the enlightenment and progress of the Dominion or. -even worse, drive these enthusiasts into reluctantly accepting and pursuing the present level of mediocrity. New Zealand is too ready to pat itself on the back and think it has nothing to learn from other and older countries, when in reality it is in its infancy in most things—indeed, a retarded infancy in many things.—Yours, etc., OLD HOPEFUL. April 21, 1934. rn TUB KtllT'Ui CIK T7IK 1-RF.--*. Sir.—l have a suggestion to put for- J ward for the improvement of the Can- ! tcrbury College library. It is this: that each student on leaving the college should present a book io the library.'and present it to that department devoted to the subject he or she has specialised in. It was the custom at the secondary school I at- ' tended for each pupil on leaving to present a book to the school library, and I see no reason why this scheme should not function at Canterbury College. The giving of a book would show thai the student had appreciated the facilities available, and was desirous of improving them for the benelit of students coming after him.—Yours, etc., BTBLIOS. April 21, I!^4.