THE LIBRARY SYSTEM

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19134, 1 October 1936, Page 5

THE LIBRARY SYSTEM

OVERHAUL INTENDED

FACILITIES FOR SCHOOLS

(Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day. The importance of assisting small towns ton establish libraries particularly suitable for young people and children, was stressed in a question by Mr. A. G. Ilultquist (Labour, Bay - of Plenty) to the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, who gives an assurance that it is the intention of the Government to overhaul the library system of the Dominion and co-ordinate it in such a way that the maximum- benefit will be received from the expenditure of public and private funds. The supply of literature for schools and colleges will receive special consideration.

It is fully realised, says Mr. Fraser, that a majority of schools have, at the present time insufficient reading material, and, further, such material is. too casually selected and too limited in its circulation to achieve the best results. The sum of £I2OO was placed on the estimates this year for school and class libraries. This will be distributed among education boards in proportion to the school population. Country centres will receive their share of the grant. It is not possible to do anything more this year, hut the question will receive careful consideration when the opportunity for a general review of the system arises.