THE AUCKLAND LIBRARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18411, 29 May 1923, Page 6

THE AUCKLAND LIBRARY.

The public library which has existed for so many years in Auckland is placidly accepted by the average citizen as the kind of institution generally "supported by municipalities. ' The Chief Library and its branches offer . the public' the usual facilities for - recreational and informative reading. The Chief Librarian, in a public address yesterday, claimed for his charge much greater qualities. A very ' brief catalogue of its priceless contents shows good cause for his enthusiasm. It is indeed open to question whether any institution of like size, foundation, and general purpose • contains an equal volume of bibliographical treasures. Measured by their monetary value and rarity, they would make the dispersal of such a collection a matter of interest, to collectors and students the world over. Fortunately there is no likelihood of such a happening. The contents of the library will be cherished and preserved as long as the City of Auckland exists. Intrinsically they are worth all the care that . can be lavished upon them. For other causes they deserve to be. regarded by all Aucklanders with special pride and affection. The Auckland Public Library is the most conspicuous and most easily accessible monument to the many gifts and bequests by which citizens have testified their love for the city and their belief in its future. Begun by Sir George Grey, the series of gifts has grown in size and significance with the passing years. Books, whether rare and ' costly or ordinary and cheap, exercise . a growing influence upon life and thought. In the public collection accessible to all, Auckland has an intellectual endowment, rich, permanent and precious. In itself, it is something to be grateful for, but even more so is the discriminat- | ing generosity of those who have given it the features making it virtually unique among municipal institutions of its kind. *. ....