TURNBULL LIBRARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22086, 16 April 1935, Page 9

TURNBULL LIBRARY

VALUE OF COLLECTION OFFICIAL'S TOUR ABROAD [BY TELEGRAPH I'BESS ASSOCIATION"] . WELLINGTON, Monday A library of the class of the Turnbull Library in New Zealand depends upon the production of the most worthwhile books not only in the recent past, but increasingly so in the future," said Mr. Taylor, assistant librarian of the Turnbull Library, who returned to-day from a year's study of libraries abroad. He pointed out that modern books were mostly dependent on the books of the past, only one in a hundred breaking new ground. Even by the novelist and specialist the Turnbull Library was frequently drawn upon for local colour. Not many books had been published in New Zealand during the last 20 years that had not been indebted to the Turnbull Library for some, if not all, its contents. Comparing this library with similar ones elsewhere, be. said he considered that rarely by one man had so splendid a library been gathered, and it. reflected the marked scholarship and discernment of the late Mr. Alex Turnbull.

Mr Taylor's tour was of most extensive and comprehensive 'nature, covering America, Britain and Continental countries, with special attention to German collections. He said that some of the desirable methods used abroad appeared to be applicable to the Turnbull Library, and an official report regarding them was being submitted to the Department of Internal Affairs. It is considered probable that the chief librarian, Mr. Johannes Andersen, will be able to institute some of these methods in the near future.