LIBRARIAN’S TRAVELS

Evening Star, Issue 21655, 26 February 1934, Page 2

LIBRARIAN’S TRAVELS

IMPRESSIONS OF AMERICA SIDELIGHTS OK UNEMPLOYMENT [Special to the ‘ Star.'] AUCKLAND, February 23. “ We are very glad to be in New Zealand again,” said Mr F.rnest J. Bell who, with Mrs Bell, arrived by the Monterey this morning. Mr Bell, who is secretary of the Libraries Association of New Zealand, and chief librarian of Canterbury Public Library, Christchurch, has spent the past few months in the United States and Canada, studying library methods. His visit was made possible by a Travelling Fellowship from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Mr Bell praised the hospitality he bad received in all parts of the United States. His itinerary covered close upon 10,000 miles, which enabled him to visit some 300 or more libraries of various kinds, as Well as many other public institutions. Asked about unemployment in the U.S.A., Mr Bell said the relief scheme adopted, which was similar to New Zealand’s scheme, had certainly helped to relieve the .situation, but it was doubtful whether it could be maintained much longer on account of ex-, ceptionally heavy cost to the country. The American scheme provided for the relief of women and girls, and thousands had been placed in temporary work in almost every city. Numbers of young women were given work at the public libraries, this being of great help to the institutions, as well as to the women themselves. Some of the larger libraries absorbed as many as fifty to one hundred young women. Speaking of American public libraries, Mr Bell said that undoubtedly they were highly organised, and very efficient, and were carrying out a great work educationally; but at the present time they were nearly all suffering from reduced incomes, due to the economic depression. Despite the reductions, they were exceptionally well financed compared with the libraries in New Zealand, In normal times a city similar in size to Auckland would be taxed to the extent of one dollar per capita for its library services, this realising a sum of about £30,000 in New Zealand currency. It could easily be seen, therefore, that an excellent service ' could be maintained. llural library schemes were found of great interest, and it was really wonderful how the people made use of the library facilities provided. Something upon these lines was needed in the rural districts of New Zealand. The Californian scheme had headquarters in Los Angeles, and about 145 branches in the country. Mr Bell was of opinion that the libraries in the main centres of New Zealand compared very favourably with American libraries situated in cities of similar size, especially considering the small incomes derived by the dominion libraries. > During his American tour, Mr Bell delivered a great number of talks upon New Zealand, as well as several upon its libraries, all of which were greatly enjoyed, especially when slides were shown depicting our scenic beauties. The Americans were keen for information concerning the dominion and its attractions, and in this connection Mr Bell considered that the New Zealand Government Tourist Department should more widely advertise in Canada and the United States, and so improve the tourist traffic considerably. Excepting in New York, San Francisco. Washington, and Toronto he had been unable to find any New Zealand newspapers. In California, however, 'Mi Bell found that Miss Bathie Stewart, Miss Nola Luxford,' and Miss May Beatty—three New Zealanders —were constantly endeavouring to keep the dominion before the American people,’ and he had attended a very enjoyable Maori evening given by these ladies in Hollywood one evening in January. Mr and Mrs Bell will go on to CnrisF church nearly next week.