THE LIBRARY

Southland Times, Issue 24211, 22 August 1940, Page 5

THE LIBRARY

To The Editor

Sir, —I feel that your headline about the library this morning is rather unfair. You give prominence to an opinion expressed in discussion by a councillor as if it were a statement of fact, as were the other headlines on that page. The headline “Library Getting Nowhere” is followed by the sub-title, “Criticism Passed By Councillor,” but the connection between the two is found only by reading the report. The initial impression made by this vague and meaningless piece of slang, which is its own condemnation, is derogatory to a public institution which it is your duty, as a leader of enlightened opinion, to protect from ignorant or malignant criticism. Your headline also tends to discredit a council servant who is working faithfully and well under very difficult conditions—an expert subject to the control of laymen, and doing wonders with the meagre resources at his disposal. This officer has no means of defending himself against such assaults on his professional capacity. The attitude of mind that expects a city library to pay a dividend or even to pay its way shows an ignorance of the function of educational institutions in a community. No one expects city amenities like reserves, museums or swimming baths to pay their way. Schools are a recognized charge on the public purse. The city library is also one of the most valuable educational forces in this town, and has reached this position by wise guidance over many years. Some councillors seem to be confusing the function of a city library with that of a commercial book club, the first aim of which is to return dividends.

Let all who stand for enlightenment avoid discrediting the work of the library, but let us combine to help it to retain its place as the chief store of knowledge in this city and the only substitute our young people have for a university. It is one of the best equipped reference libraries I have seen in a town of this size; but this position will not be maintained if unwise interference is allowed to have its way.— Yours, etc., READER. Invercargill, August 21, 1940. [The heading “Library Getting Nowhere” was originally written inside quotation marks, but by an unfortunate typographical error these marks were omitted. We regret the mistake.— Editor, Tl.e Southland Times.]