SCHOOL LIBRARIES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 48, 20 November 1917, Page 7

SCHOOL LIBRARIES

SELECTION OP BEADING MATTER, Appreciation of tile services of tlife Petone Borough Council in connection with tho provision of free reading mattei to the Petone schools has been expressea in a letter sent to that body by head school teachers. Tho Petone Council hiu. forwarded the letter to Mr. Perry, o» the Newtown Municipal Library, who selected the boolcs for the school libraries, and has asked him to again assist it next year in tho purchase of anothei supply. Tho letter is as follows:— "Oil behalf of the children of tho I'etone schools and personally, we. the undersigned head teacliers, wisli to thank you very cordially for providing free reading matter for the school children duriDg thb past year. Tho books provided were admirably selected, and have been reau with pleasure and profit by a groat number of the children. The advantage which they have derived from the reading of tho books is quite perceptible in their work generally. Subjects sucli as reading, composition, and spelling showed a distinct improvement, and we are confident that many children will obtain their Standard VI proficiency certificates this year who would certainly not have done so but for the generosity of th 6 council in providing English literature for their perusal. Children who can rea<. will Tead; and if they cannot obtain suitable books they resort to the penny dreadful type, the influence of which does not tend in the direction of making good and useful citizens. We assert unhesitatingly that tho Jl3O expended bj the council in the purchase of books foi the children will give as good a return as any money expended during the year. We understand that when the grant was made last year tho intention was that a similar grant should bo made each succeeding year, so that in course of time each school should possess a really useftu library. The Children's Library was tc bb considered as a branch of the Public Library, .the teachers acting as librarians, for this branch. May we suggest that the council again discuss the schemo approved last year, with a view lo tin provision of a supnly of books for next year's reading. Tho books already in the schools have been used with care bj the children, and are still in a good state of .preservation." The )ptler is. siirned by Messrs. Douirlas. Beditigfiold. . heat, teacher, Petone West School: C. N. TTaslam, head teacher, Petone. District High School; and-Marie St..William, prioress, . Convent, Petone..