LIBRARY POLICY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21334, 29 November 1934, Page 14

LIBRARY POLICY

* THE CARNEGIE REPORT CRITICISM OP I'ROI'OSAI-S Criticism of the recommendation in the Carnegie report that the subscription system for the maintenance of public libraries in New Zealand be abolished was expressed by the Mayor of Christchurch yesterday, and by others interested in* the control of subscription libraries. It was argued that subscriptions were so low that the libraries were practically free, and the introduction of the free system would not lead to any great increase in the number of readers. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) agreed in general with the views expressed in the report, but said that the introduction of the free system v.x ::: necessitate increased rating power to provide the money. Much would have to be done to influence the public before the system could be introduced. It was the duty of those connected with library work to interest the public in better library facilities. Mr £. E. Wiltshire, vice-presi-dent of the Linwood Public Library, said that the idea of abolishing the subscription system was impracticable at the present time. The lack of population to justify such a move was one ground for his objections. He considered that the increase of membership under the free system would not be sufficient to warrant the imposition on the public of a library rate. Mr Wiltshire said that he thought the present system satisfactory. The present system cost the council approximately £7OO per annum, whereas the introduction of a free system would cost the City Council at least from £15,000 to £20,000. "Mr Munn did not spend long enough in the suburban libraries in Christchurch to get to grips with their peculiar problems," said Mr Wiltshire. "The machinery he would introduce would be too cumbersome." Mr Wiltshire protested tlmt the Linwood Public Library, one of those suburban libraries which the report claimed kept no cataloguing system, did in tact keep a very extensive catalogue based on the well-known and ; ept.ed Dewey system. Mr E. J. Bell, librarian of the Canterbury Public Library, and Dr. J. Hight, rector of the Canterbury University College, declined to comment at present Dr Hight said that the coundL W 8 ° ° re the college