Mr Alley Appointed National Librarian

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30395, 20 March 1964, Page 3

Mr Alley Appointed National Librarian

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, March 19.

Mr G. T. Alley, Director of the National Library Service, has been appointed National Librarian by the State Services Commission, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) announced today.

The appointment was the first step in the establishment of a national library which was essential to ensure the future expansion of the three State libraries—the National Library Service, the General Assembly Library and the Alexander Turnbull Library, Mr Holyoake said. All three institutions faced urgent problems of accommodation and adequate space for the display and development of their separate treasures and functions. The National Library had been advocated as the only satisfactory solution to these long-term problems.

“The Government has always recognised that the three libraries are distinct and separate institutions serving separate purposes and it is intended that their individuality should be preserved in the National Library,” Mr Holyoake said. The National Librarian would be a member of the inter-departmental committee which is to be set up to consider the extent to which common services can be provided to the three institutions without their identities. Mr Alley has been director

of the National Library Service since 1945. He joined the Public Service in 1937 as officer in charge of country libraries.

Since his appointment as Director of the National Library Service there had been a considerable development in its activities and Mr Alley’s enthusiasm and ability was largely responsible for the stature and reputation which the service now enjoyed, Mr Holyoake said. Mr Alley is an M.A. with first-class honours and has a Diploma of Social ScienceIn 1961 he was given a special grant by the Carnegie Corporation to enable him to study library services and buildings overseas. He spent six months in the United Kingdom and the United States investigating the latest developments in library organisation.