NATIONAL LIBRARY PLAN

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 91, 14 October 1935, Page 8

NATIONAL LIBRARY PLAN

.The announcement at Christcliurch by the Prime Minister that the government is considering a plan for a national library system on the lines of the Munn-Barr report will give much pleasure to all who are interested in the movement for. the better distribution of books, particularly in rural areas. How far New Zealand lagged behind Britain and America in its library services in this respect was strongly emphasised by Mr. Ralph Munn, a representative of the Carnegie Corporation, who last year, with Mr. John Barr, of Auckland, investigated the position in this country. The New Zealand Library Association look up with energy and enthusiasm the cause of better library service for the country districts, and thejro hi

now a prospect of something definite being done. The plan, which need not be an expensive one, is designed to secure the co-operation of all New Zealand libraries so as to make their | total resources available over the : whole area. At the head of the system, as Mr. Forbes explained, [ will be a national library, with a comprehensive lending department which would enable the distribution of the best available literature of the widest range over areas at present meagrely supplied. There is no intention to interfere with local control of existing libraries. The idea is simply a pooling of resources and facilities. Rural libraries will receive regular supplies on "loan for circulation and return. -What »the new system will mean, particularly to the rising generation in the rural areas, was rightly emphasised by Mr. Forbes, who declared that by this scheme it should be possible for the whole Dominion to share iri the facilities which are now largely confined to the larger centres. To make country life more attractive should be the aim of all authorities and for this reason and for others, the national library plan is not likely to meet with serious opposition.