PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 72, 28 March 1910, Page 8

PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

CONFERENCE OF OFFICIALS. [BY TELEGRAPH — PKI>>S ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, 26th March. The first conference ot representatives from tho public libraries of the Dominion (convened by the Dunedin City Council) was opened in the Town Hall to-day. Delegates were present from the Dunedin City Council, v\ illingtou City Council, Auckland City Council, Leys Instituto (Auckland), and the Dunedin Athenaeum. Tho delegates wero welcomed by Mr. J. H. Walker (Mayor), who said that he trusted that the deliberations which they were about to enter on would fulfil their bent wishes, and prove valuable to_ the whole of the institutions in the Dominion, and that j their value might be further accentuated by holding a conference on the same linen periodically in the different centres. In responding to the welcome, Mr. Leys said that the public libraries of New Zealand were not on the footing I whirh they should be considering iieir importance as educators. He did not think that their importance was appreciated by those in authority, and he referred to what he described as the deplorable spectacle of country libraries being practically wiped out by one stroke of a Minister's pen. If tho conference could get the Government to understand and appreciate the value of public libraries as parts of a system of national education its existence would bo Justified. Mr. R. Gilkison was appointed chairman of the conference, nnd Mr. R. W. Richards, town clerk of Dunedin, was appointed hon. secretary. The chairman, in his address to the delegates, referred to the benefits that would result from the conference. The formation of a Libraries' Association would bo a strong bond of union amongst those having like objects in difterent towns, and would lead to the development of a clear body of national opinion in matters which would greatly assist all present and future public libraries in New Zealand. He should like to see the State take a more active interest in public libraries and he hoped, before tho conference closed, that- a resolution would bo adopted urging Parliament to recognise its responsibilities in the direction of looking after the general provision of these most necessary means of education. It was resolved to form an association, to be called the Libraries' Assoelation of New Zealand. ,*t dralt of the proposed constitution of the aswociation was read, and, after a short discussion, it was resolved to refer it to a committ J c :.,. consisting of Mcsbm. Gilkison, Bailhe, Leys, M'Ewan, Atkinson, Morrell. and Parr. t V T ' • N y ilson . (Chief Parliamentary Librarian) read a paper entitled "The selection and purchase of books for pubhe libraries." In the matter of t',' seittion of books ho submitted that a librarian nhould be allowed every latitude and freedom, and should have personal responsibility and personal authority. The.lc .IS c .? etar y read Dr - Frengley's paper. Library Hygiene." It was resolvrcl to defer discussion on this till Monday.