LIBRARY SERVICE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 68, 17 February 1939, Page 9

LIBRARY SERVICE.

EMPHASISED BY FORUM

FINAL CONFERENCE SESSION

A novel, effective and entertaining method of emphasising the benefit to the community of the public library service was demonstrated, last evening, at the final session of the annual conference of the New Zealand Library Association, when a forum, “Air Citizen Chats with Library Men,” was presented. The forum was arranged by Mr C. 4V. Collins (librarian of Canterbury University College), who took part as chairman, and other speakers were Miss A. AI. Elliot (librarian of the Timaru Free Public Library), Messrs G. T. Alley (officer in charge of the Country Library Service), H. C. P. Sommerset (of the Community Centre, Feilding) and W. J. R. Scollay (Wellington). The forum took the form of a radio play and it sought to illustrate, at the outset, the value of a library—or tlie value that a library should be—to tlie community. The story was told of a farmer who telephoned to the library for information as to how he should treat a sick cow. 1 Instances were given, too, of other equally important, and little-known library services.

“Air Citizen” appeared in the role of one (and among citizens he does not stand alone) who “is not very interested in libraries because lie does not have much time for reading novels,” and the subsequent discussion went on to elaborate tho privileges offered by a modern library service, particular emphasis being laid on tlie need for developing the free library svstom. It was readily admitted hv “Air Citizen” that he raised no objection to paying through taxes or rates, as tlie case might be, for free milk in schools or for parks and recreation grounds; they were for the plivsionl welfare of the peonlc, he said. “AY lint of the mental welfare?” he was asked, mid in convincing style the part of the library ns an essential public service was explained. At the conclusion there was a lengthy discussion on points raised, and on the responsibility of librarians in providing just such a service as that laid down as a basis in the forum.