£100 FOR LIBRARY BOOKS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23673, 25 June 1942, Page 3

£IOO FOR LIBRARY BOOKS

* DONATION FOR MILITARY CAMPS The sum of £IOO for books for military camps in Canterbury was voted by the Canterbury Provincial Patriotic Council yesterday after a letter had been received from Mr E. J. Bell on behalf of the New Zealand Military Camps Library Service, reporting on the state, of a library in one' of the biggest camps in Canterbury. With Mr G. T, Alley, Director of the Government Country Library Service, Mr Bell examined the library in this camp.

“We found a great shortage of literature and decided to apply to the local Patriotic Fund to see if a grant could be made towards this very worthy object," he wrote. “When the library was established it contained between 3000 and 4000 good books, most of them having been given by the people of Christchurch. From time to time I have added to the stocks until to-day there are something like 5000 books, fiction and non-fiction. Scores are worn out and unfit for further use as there are quite 2000 soldiers making use of the free service, and it is necessary to obtain at least 1000 books immediately. Of this number about 500 are in sight from donations made by the local public libraries anc, the Government service, but we need 500 new books badly and these will cost at least £100.”

Mr W. R. Oliver (Selwyn zone) asked if the books were circulated among the camps. He said there was a great need for libraries in some of the country camps at which there were few amenities.

Mr C, W, Tyler (North Canterbury Zone): It is no use sending books to camps where there is no librarian. You might send 100 books and next week you might go there and not find one. The magazines disappear like magic and it vould be the same with the books. There must be a properly conducted library or we are just wasting our time. A member; Could not the Y.M.C.A. officer in charge look after the library? Mr Tyler: It is necessary to make sure that there are adequate arrangements before we send books into the smaller camps. Mr H. S. Feast: The books are needed in the meantime for certain camps, and Mr Alley arranges for a circulation from camp to camp I understand. It was unanimously agreed that £IOO should be f.iven for books for military camp libraries. The condition was made that the books should be circulated in various camps.