NATIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM

Evening Star, Issue 21719, 14 May 1934, Page 8

NATIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM

VISITING CRITIC'S VIEW CARNEGIE CORPORATION MIGHT TEMPORARILY FINANCE IT [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 14. In a constructive criticism of New Zealand libraries, Mr Ralph Munn, of the Carnegie Library, Pittsburg, United States, at present on a tour of the dominion libraries on behalf of tho Carnegie Corporation, expressed the opinion it was only by making libraries free to the people that they could adequately serve the community. He suggested that great advantages could be obtaiued by a national library system, which ho contended would have to be established eventually in the dominion. In reply to a question, he said it would bo within the scope of the Carnegie Corporation, if some national scheme were devised, to finance it for a limited period if it was, assured the plan would be continued by public funds if it proved successful. He said he had no official connection with tho corporation, and could do no more than indicate its general policy. The greatest criticism against New Zealand libraries was they were not regarded as an essential part of the educational system. Among other things, he said, there was no college library in New Zealand which was an adequate support of ordinary undergraduate instruction, and they offered little or nothing to the advanced student or to faculty members. The Carnegie Corporation had recognised this, and offered to supplement college library book funds for a limited period, on condition that the colleges provide adequate personnel for the libraries, and meet certain administrative requirements. So far Victoria College was the only one that had qualified for these grants, and it had by far the best library of the four colleges.