Better libraries Sought

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29998, 6 December 1962, Page 15

Better libraries Sought

The Canterbury Postprimary Library Association, formed recently, has as its members most teacher-librarians and library assistants in postprimary, district high, independent and intermediate schools in Christchurch and some from further afield. A similar association has been formed in Auckland and It is expected that others will follow in Wellington and Dunedin. Their national body will be the libraries committee of the New Zealand Postprimary Teachers’ Association. The new Canterbury association has accepted as its first task the adoption of a report on school libraries issued by the central committee a month ago. Members want its recommendations recognised by the public, accepted by the Education Department and implemented by the Government. The library report recommends that school libraries should be on the ground floor, centrally situated in relation to all classrooms and easy of access. It emphasises that provision should always

be made for expansion and that, in the original planning, an adjacent classroom should be so placed that it can be incorporated into the library when necessary. Earlier, this classroom would serve as a supplementary room for those using library facilities without needing to use the library proper. When a roll reached 1200 a second study, committee, or audio room might be desirable. A minimum floor space of 25 sq. ft. for each library seat is recommended, not counting space for the book desk, catalogue, and other files, or island bays. Detailed suggestions are made about desirable dimensions. In the layout of libraries for schools of 650-1200, it is recommended that there be two main rooms, one to seat 36 to 48 and the other to seat 48 to 60. These should be attached but so arranged that classes would not disturb each other. No seats should face the source of light and shelving should be concentrated on all walls to a height of 6ft 6in. Adjustable steel shelving is preferred. No windows should start below 6ft 6in from the floor and large vista windows should be avoided.

Some wider shelving should be provided for large reference books and magazine shelves should also be specially made. Special reference is made to the need for highstandard lighting and safeguards against glare and the possible drying and overheating effects of summer sunshine. As librarians, the committee makes much of the behind-the-scenes requirements in stock room, store room and office and the need for adequate room to prepare books, particularly where schools may receive 750-1200 books a year. Attention is drawn to some unsuitable working surfaces in some present libraries. The report endorses the Education Commission’s recommendations of a minimum of expenditure of 10s a pupil a year on books and it urges that this be spent on books and not on other equipment. It welcomes the recognition that libraries should shelve at least 15,000 books. But the committee considers that even the 10s is inadequate. It quotes desirable accessions which would require up to £1 a pupil a year to be spent.