THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12753, 28 March 1910, Page 2

THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

THE FIRST CONFERENCE. [United Press Association.] Dunedin, March 26. Tie first conference oL representatives from the public libraries in the Dominion was opened to-day in the Town Hall. Mr Walker, the Mayor, welcomed the delegates. He said he trusted the duties they were about to enter on would fulfil their best wishes and prove valuable to the whole of the institutions in the Dominion, and that j their value might be further accentuated by the holding of a conference en the same Hires periodically in different centres. In responding to the welcome, Mr Leys, of Auckland, said the public libraries were not on the footing they should be, considering their importance as educators to the masses of the people. He did not think their importance was appreciated by those in authority. He referred to what he described as a deplorable spectacle, of the country libraries being practically wiped out by one stroke of the Minister's pen. If the conference could get the Government to understand and appreciate the value of public libraries as part of the system of nar tional education, their existence would be justified* .:..■' Mr Gilkison. was appointed as the chairman of the cShference, and Mr R. W. Richards was appointed as honorary secretary. The chairman addressed the delegates. He referred to the benefits that would result from the conference as the formation of associations would bo a strong band of union amongst those having like objects in different towns, and would lead to the development of a clear line of national opinion on matters which would greatly assist all present and future libraries in New Zealand. He would like to see the State take a more active interest in the public libraries. ' He hoped before the conference .closed a resolution would be adopted urging Parliament to recognise its responsibilities in the direction of looking after the general .provision of these most necessary i means of education. | It was resolved to form an association to be. called" the Libraries Association of New Zealand. The draft of the proposed constitution of the Association was read, and after a short discussion,_it was resolved to refer it to a committee, consisting of Messrs Gilkison,' Baillie, Leys, McEwan, AtkinI son, Morrell, and Parr. Papers were read. Mr Wilson (Chief Parliamentary Librarian) read a paper entitled "The Selection and -Purchase of books for Public Libraries." In the matter of the selection of books he submitted 1 a librarian should be. allowed every latitude and freedom, and should have personal responsibility and ! personal authority. There should be of Course a revision of the librarian's j selection. The secretary read Dr Frengley's paper on "Library Hygiene." It was resolved to defer the discussion till Monday.