SUBURBAN LIBRARY SYSTEM

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23052, 21 June 1940, Page 13

SUBURBAN LIBRARY SYSTEM

O ; REPLY MADE TO RECENT I CRITICISM A-reply to recent criticism of the service of suburban libraries was made by several speakers at the annual meeting of the Opawa Public Library. Cr. E. H. Andrews presided. The statement in the report of the president (Mr ,F. H. Dephoff) and secretary (Mr H. Jackson) that “adverse criticism” had not been based on fact, and was not justified in Opawa's case, led to a good-humoured debate for almost an hour and a half. Mr Dephoff quoted numerous figures to substantiate his reply, adding that unless the reply was made there was a risk of what might be called “Goebbels, .or: Fifth Column propaganda” getting tffhold of the p.ublic. In fact, the suburban,, libraries,*were rendering a m, especially to pepplb;fbn theAcSty’s outskirts, In' sup-' pljdft'&nction to .an extent not possible for thei'central -'library. Cr. T. Nuttall, Cr. J. E. Jones, and Cr. A. E. Sharp spoke at length on the council’s attitude in trying to get control of the city or central library as a first step in making for an efficient library service. Cr. Nuttall said suburban libraries could make improvements—mainly ■ longer hours. It was generally admitted that suburban,- libraries (Opawa being an exception) were falling back, largely through inroads of commercial libraries. A report he had just re- ■ ceived from Palmerston North showed that these inroads could, be met successfully if the libraries took the proper steps. Representatives of the Spreydon, Sydenham, and Waltham libraries supported- Mr -Dephoff’s, view that the suburban service should continue present lines. It was suggested that the improvements mentioned could beeffected by the City Council increasing the subsidies to the libraries. Mr A. E. Bell (Sydenham), agreeing' with Mr Dephoff. said also that he thought it a pity that everything derogatory to public libraries received pub-; licity where replies to such criticism; were never reported. * Cr. Andrews said that while he sup-; ported suburban libraries he did advocate council control of the central lib-; rary. . This would enable suburban; libraries to be helped. He did not think there was any chance of carry-: ing a /rate to enable libraries to receive the benefit.