HATIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM

Evening Star, Issue 22577, 19 February 1937, Page 14

HATIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 18. _ Library ideals, which embraced various points in the national library system were discussed by delegates at the final session of the New Zealand Library Association’s conference, which was concluded to-day. It was thought that the scheme would initially cost between £40,000 and £50,000, and that the national importance of the matter was vital to the well-being of the general community. Moved by the president (Mr W. J. Gaudin) and seconded by Mr C. N. Williams (Masterton), the following resolution was carried unanimously:— “ That this conference instructs the council of the association to commend to the Government, local bodies, and the people of New Zealand the project of a national library scheme ; and in particular urges that early consideration be given to the possibility of making the existing library services free, excepting in the case of light fiction.” “ We in New Zealand owe much to the Carnegie Corporation for what it has done to help us,” said Mr T. D. H Hall, Clerk of the House of Representatives. In the first place, he said, there was a need for co-operation of the Government, local bodies, educational authorities, and individuals to build up an efficient system. This co'v operation would be more readily forthcoming if it was clearly grasped how effective an instrument the library service could be in the life of the community. He was impressed with the part library and kindred movements could play in solving two major problems of to-day—those of population and the utilisation of kbour displaced by mechanisation. A national library system was something of great value to the country, and fully justified an appeal for help. Dr Guy H. Scholefield, chief librarian of tho General Assembly Library, said the General Assembly Library aimed at co-operation between the libraries so ns to make the widest possible use of the existing book stocks and to get tho best value in book expenditure. “In a complete library system there must be one library at least of a national character, the resources of which are not restricted to town or district,” he continued. The General Assembly Library had already developed some of the functions of a national library, and for more than half a century it had been the library of deposit for the official _ publications of the British and foreign Governments. The National Central Library was called on to lend books of a class which the average library could not afford to buy. Following a general discussion on the national scheme, the Hon. T. Brindle, M.L.C., said it seemed such a sensible thing to do that he wondered why the system had not come into being long ago. “We can probably extend this system throughout the British Commonwealth and get valuable books from overseas and from foreign countries into our own libraries.” he said. Personally the scheme had his entire approval and support. Many other delegates also endorsed the scheme.