LIBRARY CONFERENCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 67, 16 February 1939, Page 11

LIBRARY CONFERENCE

STANDARD OF SERVICE. REMITS "DISCUSSED. Remits framed to raise the standard of library service in New Zealand were discussed at the afternoon session, yesterday, of the New Zealand Library Association conference. Later two seminars provoked interesting discussions. Mr T. Jb H. Hall, president of the association, presided. One remit of particular importance and indicating the trend of the conference discussions was that moved byMr C. AY. Collins and seconded by Mr G. T. Alley. It was as follows: —“That this conference realises that there is

a tendency in many quarters to consider that the provision of light recreational reading alone is sufficient to justify the existence of a public library-. and that the necessity for a constructive policy is thereby obscured; it therefore agrees that it is desirable to emphasise, and to encourage members and member libraries to emphasise the social responsibility of libraries.” The remit was carried. A remit moved by the Otago branch was approved, as follows-.—“ That the New Zealand Library Association take steps to promote the exchange of library personnel with the personnel of this and other countries.” The conference approved of and referred to the council for consideration of the proposal to issue to such member libraries as are concerned a mimeographed “N.Z.L.A. Information Exchange Sheet.” Thi-s sheet, compiled probably every week, it was explained, would include questions and answers regarding the location of books and periodicals, information about the notable acquisitions of various libraries, notes of duplicates available and items wanted, requests for bibliographical and similar information, and other communications which each major library constantly needed to make to most others. Other remits carried were as follow : “That the conference approve, and refer to the council for consideration, the proposal to compile one or more panels of persons competent and willing to offer their services to member libraries, with or without fee, as translators from various foreign languages.” “That the conference directs the council to set up a committee to consider what possibilities there are in New Zealand of making use of the interest and sympathy- of people outside the library profession, on the lines of the English and American ‘Friends of the Library’ movement; the committee to report to the next conference and, if desirable, to tbe council before them.”

“That this conference authorise the council to consider and, if desirable, permit experimentally a special type of institutional membership for _ semipublic bodies whose library activities, though subsidiary, are of importance to New Zealand libraries as a whole; the council to report back to the next conference.”

This latter remit was brought forward, it was explained, to enable the council, if desirable, to act without a year’s delay. The aim was to include in certain co-operative activities sponsored by the New Zealand Library Association, such as inter-loan, planned specialisation and exchange of information, certain libraries of consequence administered by bodies which would not normally join the New Zealand Library Association, such as the Royal Society and its branches, Government departments, research institutions and learned societies.

The afternoon’s proceedings concluded with the holding of tyvo seminars. “Book selection and inter-lending: What lxioks libraries should buy and which libraries should buy which books?” was tbe topic discussed at one, the leader being Mr A. G. W. Duuninglmm. with Mr H. Lorimer and Mi ss A. K. Elliot as the second and third speakers. University and special libraries adjourned to Massey College, where a discussion _ on problems affecting their institutions was led by Mr F. A. Banda.ll. A discussion on microfilm also took place, with Mr C. R. H. Taylor as leader.

PROGRESS IN DOMINION. SYMPATHY OP GOVERNMENT. “Tho advancement of library sendee throughout New Zealand is an objective to which the Government has devoted much attention,” stated a message received at the conference of the New Zealand Library Association, yesterday, from the Prime Minister (lit. Hon. M. J. Savage), who said the work of that body deserved unqualified praise, and ho congratulated it on the strength of its membership and the progress of its efficient organisation. “As Leader with a full knowledge of my colleagues’ aims,” added the Prime Minister. “I can say that every member of the Ministry is fully aware of the importance of hooks in stimulating the ideas and ideals without which no material or moral progress is possible. “Already the Government has given practical evidence of its interest by inaugurating the Country Library Service. To me this seems to open the way to an effective development. Librarians with a more intimate knowledge of details will he in a position to observe and assess the rapid development which has taken place in the service. I feel certain that they will have also observed that the Country Library Sendee has been instrumental in having books distributed in every province of the country. “Tt hardly seems necessary for me to add that tho Government will be ready at all times to do everything possible in promoting library development,” the Prime Minister concluded. INSPIRING AIMS. “I wish to congratulate the Library Association on the thorough and painstaking manner in which it has studied library problems, and for the vigour and enthusiasm with which it has striven for the improvement of library facilities in recent years,” stated a message received from tho Minister of Education (Hon. P. Eraser). “Its projects for future library development iand more efficient organisation of our library systems are most hopeful and inspiring. “Librarians will agree that the efforts made by the Government to stimulate library progress have been both real and substantial. The inauguration of the Country Library Service brings to fruition air object which has been very closely fostered by the Library Association for many years, and it is an object with which I have the greatest sympathy. I believe that its development is on sound lines and that its success is assured. The time is not, I hope, far distant when everybody in New Zealand will be in touch with a good book supply, through a well-organised system of free public library service.” Mr Ralph Munn, Director of tlio Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Unit- • ed States, in a message of goodwill, | stated that the last year had seen con- 1 tinned progress in the development of, library service, of which they might all i i>o proud. The adoption by the Govern-I inent of the O'ouulry Library Service

was perhaps tho most encouraging feature of many years. Improvements in individual libraries were less conspicuous. but in the aggregate they might be even more., important-