THE NEW ZEALAND LIBRARY MOVEMENT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 48, 27 February 1911, Page 8

THE NEW ZEALAND LIBRARY MOVEMENT.

APPRECIATION FROM AMERICA.

The Post has already briefly outlined the development of the New Zealand Libraries Association. A few additional details about its origin are now given. The association was formed at a conference of delegates representing the various public libraries held at Dunedin during Easter, 1910. The president is Mr. T. W._ Leys, of Auckland, who has been prominent in the advancement of the library movement in the Northern city. The vice-presidents are Messrs. D. M'Laren, M.P., J Craigie, M.P., and E. Gilkinson, with an executive committee from the principal centres, the Wellington members being Mr. A. R. Atkinson and the Municipal Librarian (Mr. Baillie). The late Town Clerk of Dunedin (Mr. Richards) was the organising and first secretary. Owing to hiu departure from New Zealand- he bas resigned, and the office is held at pxesent by Mr. Baillie. The constittttioais-differentifroin thai of other similar societies, and the new features seem to please Americans, who have done so mvtch in extending the .scope and activities of public library work. The editor of Public Libraries (Chicago), a periodical devoted to the interests of library work, and Dr. Bostwick, librarian, of St. Louis, have both written approving of the constitution, and expressing keen interest in the association's welfare. Dr. Bostwick is contributing a paper on the subject of "Book Selection, will be read at the next conference. The Library Journal of New York extends the right hand of fellowship to the young association. In addition to the paper of Dr. Bostwick, a paper is expected from Mr. H. E. Legler (librarian, of Chicago), who has been connected with Wisconsin Library Commission, which is responsible for one of the most successful travelling library systems. This should be of interest to New Zealand, where it is thought that such a system would be -of value to the scattered communities in the back-blocks. Among the papers arranged for locally are those, already mentioned in these columns — by Mr. C. Wilson, of ths Parliamentary Library, and Mr. M'Ewen, of the Dunedin Library.