“BOOKS IN DUNEDIN”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24632, 13 June 1941, Page 2

“BOOKS IN DUNEDIN”

INTERESTING PROGRAMME OF FILMS i Featuring an interesting and entertaining film entitled “ Books in Dunedin,” a programme of documentary sound films, arranged by the Otago branch of the New Zealand Library Association, was presented in the R.S.A. Hall last night. Showing the service given by the libraries of the city, “ Books in Dunedin ” is an excellently produced film which demonstrates the value of libraries in the life of the community and the manner in which they are administered. It shows the children’s library and the new hunger for fiction and information among the younger members of the public. A glimpse is given of the school library at the new Macandrew Road Intermediate School, showing how the children have learned to use the books and reference works it contains. By intelligent use of the library they find the material showing them how to produce a gipsy play, even to the making of the scenery and the costumes. The facilities offered by the Public Library are fully shown, and the long-estab-lished University Library and the famous Hocken Collection at the Otago Museum figure prominently. One of the most interesting features of the film is the idea given of the value of the microfilm. By this invention films of valuable reference books that are unprocurable in New Zealand are taken and sent out by air mail post to the University of Otago, where they are placed in the reading apparatus for the use of the student and the research worker. Other films in the programme were “London River,” showing glimpses of the world’s largest port, “Dunedin Today,” a film of scenes and contrasts in the city; “ Salvage from the Sea,” showing the dismantling of the Port Bowen; “ Hydatid Disease,” demonstrating the prevalence, and checking of the disease; and “Malting Barley,” a film showing the growing and treatment of this valuable cereal. The programme will be presented again to-night and to-morrow night.