FREE READING

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 96, 27 April 1929, Page 11

FREE READING

SCHOOL LIBRARIES

Collections of books arc sent by the Wellington Public Library to 35 schools, which include all the State primary schools of Wellington, the Technical School, the girls' colleges, and the Normal' Training College, stated Councillor J. "Burns, chairman of the Libiaiy Committee, yesterday. The total number of volumes in circulation during tho_ past year was 13,651 —an incicase over tho previous year of 511. The total number of books issued mci eased from 170,604 in 1927 to 179,294 in 1928. No charge is made for the use of the 'books sent to the schools. The main purpose of these libraries is to foster a love of good reading by supplying books well selected, and to so accustom the children to the best reading. Looking at tho work from every angle, it is most satisfactory, and the teachers and school committees are unanimous in their praiso of our school libraries system. Many flattering testimonials have been received from school teachers in its support. The children who read are easier to teach. They have a wider vocabulary, can think things out, grasp more readily the moaning of lessons, and express themselves better, both in speech and in writing. Every school libiary scheme should have for its 'ultimate object the transference of its borroweis at tho end of their school life, to the locril public libiaiy, with (he idea of securing that continuity of leading ■which is so desirable. The public libiaiy helps the community which suppoits it, by doubling in. value the education the child receives at school and supplyingtthe means for a life-long continuance of that education.