THE HOCKEN LIBRARY

Otago Witness, Issue 3397, 23 April 1919, Page 24

THE HOCKEN LIBRARY

ITS SCOPE AND VALUE. ASSOCIATED WITH THE M'NAB LIBRARY. The monthly meeting of the Hocken Library Committee was held on Monday, 7th inst., and was attended by Messrs Morrell (in the chair), Bathgate, Fenwick, Dr Benham, and the librarian (Mr H. D. Skirmer). Mr Skirmer presented a report on the future policy and scope of the library, in which it was stated that in view of the increasing amount of poetry, fiction, and general literature produced by New Zealanders or in New Zealand, and in view also of the limited financial means and limited shelf-room of the Hocken Library, it was desirable that definite lines of future expansion should be laid down. There was an additional reason for the restriction of the library's field in the existence in this city of the M'Nab Library, administered by the City Corporation. The M'Nab Library is in a sense complementary to the Hocken Library, and it was the expressed wish of tho lata Dr Robert M'Nab that the two should work together, avoiding competition, and covering between them the whole field of New Zealand literature.

After conferring with Mr W. B. M'Ewen, chief librarian, Public Library, who controls the M'Nab Library, Mr Skinner recommended that the period from 1901 onward be left as the special field of the M'Nab Library, and that the Hocken Library should devote its resources to as complete a collection* as possible of publications, manuscripts, pictures, etc., earlier than that date. The ethnology of the Pacific, with which the Hocken Library is also concerned, would, from 1901 onward, fall within the scope of the University Library. Works on that subject would be housed in the Museum Library. After some discussion the report was adopted unanimously. The Hocken Library is without . a rival in its collection of- original documents, notably in the journals and letters of early missionaries. Among these the journals of Samuel Marsden, beginning in 1813, may bo mentioned. Its "fine collection of works in the Maori language includes several unique items from the early missionary presses in the north. The M'Nab Library contains the late Dr Robert M'Nab's copies of logs and journals of early navigators from Cook's time onwards. It is especially complete in gazettes and records of Government departments. One section is devoted to the magazines of New Zealand schools and university colleges. ' These two libraries will now work together, the Hocken Library specialisms on the period prior to 1901 and the M'Nab Library specially devoting its energies to the period since Together they will cover the whole field of New Zealand literature. Already they are attracting students from all parts of New Zealand, and, as the study of history developes, the number will grow. It may be mentioned that the librarian of tho Hocken Library is in attendance every morning and afternoon throughout the week except on Thursday afternoon.