Inquiry Into Library Resources Urged

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30678, 18 February 1965, Page 11

Inquiry Into Library Resources Urged

A request that the Government establish a committee of inquiry to consider the adequacy of the resources available to libraries in books, buildings, and the training and payment of staff, was made by the New Zealand Library Association on the second day of its conference in Christchurch yesterday. The conference agreed that the provision of an adequate library service presented an urgent problem, which would have to be studied and dealt with as a whole on a national basis. It drew particular attention to the problems of the large municipalities, and saw a possible need for State subsidies, and a need for the rapid development of academic and research libraries to the stage where they would support the increasingly advanced work being done in New Zealand. The association considered it desirable to maintain a reasonable balance among the various kinds of librarians in New Zealand, and asked that a comprehensive inquiry be made into the staffing needs of libraries and the measures needed to recruit and retain sufficient suitable persons, especially for intermediate and senior positions, and for future leaders. The recent improvement in the salary scales which the universities are now permitted to apply to their librarians was welcomed by the association, which was of the opinion that there was an urgent need for a corresponding review of other library salaries, including those of chief librarians outside the universities, of senior members of university library

staffs, and of professionally qualified librarians in general.

The conference strongly supported the Government in its proposal to establish a national library, and expressed its confidence in the measures being taken.

The association was of the opinion that not only would the distinct interests of each of the component libraries be safeguarded and advanced by the steps the Government was taking, but that the community at large would receive much fuller and better services when the combined organisation came into being.