PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 73, 29 March 1910, Page 2

PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

THE CONFERENCE IN DUNEDIN. l»T TELKGBAFU— I'HISS ASSOCIATION.} DUNKDIN, 28th March. At the Public Libraries' Conference to-day 3 the first subject discussed was "Library Hygiene." The delegates considered Dr. Frengley's paper on the subject, and tiie report on "Book Disinfection" by Mr. Herbert Baillie (Wellington). Dr. Frengley made several suggestions with a view to preventing contagion. Mr. Baillie's paper took the form of a report on the subject of disinfection. Both gentlemen were accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Mr. Cohen (Dunedin) read a paper on "Travelling Libraries," and, on his motion, a resolution was unanimously adopted urging the inauguration of a fcyntem of "travelling libraries," and authorising the executive to bring tlie matter under the notice of the Government. Other motions carried were as follow :—: — • "That in all municipal libraries special provision should be made for juvenile libraries and readine-rooms." "That it is desirable for the management of each public library to make some provision tor the establishment of lectures and Jiterary societies and cognate institutions in connection with the library." A motion was also carried in favour of amending the Public Libraries Act in the direction of the limitation of the library rate from Id to 3d. (< It was unanimously resolved :—: — "That this conference views with very great regret the discontinuance of the Government giants to public libraries, especially in country districts. Jt regards the withdrawal of the grant of £3000 as a relrocrade *tcp, and desires respect fully to draw the attention of the exe< utive to the fact that such subsidies are regarded in the colonies as occupying a legitimate and important place in the appropriations for national education. The conference strongly urges the Minister for Education to restore and increase ths vote; also to made definite provision for school libraries." A paper by Mr. H. L. Jamei (Wellington) on "the Dewey system of classification and its adaptation to New Zealand" was read, and the author was accorded a vote of thanks. It was decided that the next meeting be held in Auckland at Easter, 1911, the meetings thereafter to be held biennially. The following office-bearers were elected :— President, Mr. T. W. Leys; vice-presidents, Messrs H. Gilkison (Dunedin), J. Craigie (Timaru), D. M'Laren (Wellington) ; lion, secretary and treasurer, Mr. I\. W. Richards (Dunedin);' executive members, Messrs Baillie, Cohen, M'Ewan, Morell, Parr, Shaw, and Atkinson.