School libraries

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31380, 27 May 1967, Page 12

School libraries

Sir,-Mr R K. Milne’s assertion that primary school libraries had greatly im-l

proved and that 78 per eent of schools in bis ward now had good libraries should not go Unchallenged. On what criteria does he base this claim, and how can he gain satisfaction from the fact that a quarter of these schools do not, even according to his judgment, have good libraries? One city school struggled for years to obtain a library, a motley assortment of dated volumes, only to have it revert to a classroom. How can the situation Improve when some headmasters refuse to increase library spending as books are available to those who want them from public libraries? If responsibility for encouraging interest in reading is left to parents, teachers are not fulfilling the function for which they are paid. How many teachers’ initial enthusiasm has turned to frustration for want of the tools with which to teach?—Yours, etc., . NOT HOODWINKED. May 23, 1967. [Mr R. K. Milne replies: "I admit that I made this assertion at last week’s meeting of the Canterbury Education Board when I informed members of the commendable efforts by school committees and parents' to raise funds to improve their library facilities, and I explained to my colleagues the various methods they employed to provide them. My satisfaction was derived from the knowledge that parents and teachers have realised that primary schools are sadly lacking in suitable library accommodation and many are prepared to do something about it even if the Government has failed to do so. I agree with ‘Not Hoodwinked* that members of the teaching profession must feel very frustrated if they are not given adequate equipment”] r