BOOKS FOR NEW ZEALAND

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1935, Page 5

BOOKS FOR NEW ZEALAND

RURAL LIBRARY SCHEME EXPOSITION OF ORGANISATION. ADDRESS BY MR. JOHN BARR. MEETING AT NEW PLYMOUTH. “If the people of New Zealand want a good library system it is in their hands to obtain it,” said Mr. John Barr, chief public librarian at Auckland, in an-ad-dress at New Plymouth yesterday afternoon to the quarterly conference of the executive of the North Taranaki branch of the W.D.F.U. Mrs. C. J. Harris, North Taranaki president, presided at the meeting, to which were invited the North Taranaki executive of the Farmers’ Union, Taranaki municipal representatives and various people interested in .libraries. Among 130 people present were the Hon. S. G. Smith, Minister of Education, and the Hon. J. McLeod, M.L.C. Apologies were received from the Prime Minister, Mr. G. W. Forbes, the Hon. R. Masters, Mr. W. J. Broad-, foot, Mr. C. A. Wilkinson and Mesdames Young and Cocker, members of the South Taranaki W.D.F.U. The meeting represented the first occasion when the North Taranaki executive of the Women’s Division has invited its kindred executive of the Farmers Union to combine with it for-discussion. Mrs. Harris welcomed the members and stated that it was the intention of her executive to hold other such combined meetings in the future. She, welcomed also the Dominion president of the Women’s Division, Mr. C. K. Wilson, Pio Pio, and the representatives of organisations other than the Farmers’ Union. Siie thanked Dr. S. C. Allen, whose energy and enterprise had made possible the visit of Mr. Barr. According to the last census there were in New Zealand 435 libraries all told, with an aggregate stock of 1,266,892 volumes, said Mr. Barr. More than half of these libraries were situated in small unmunicipalised townships or in purely rural centres. Though literary provision in the Dominion seemed fairly satisfactory it was disquieting that about threequarters of the libraries were in rural areas, yet the rural libraries contained only one-third of the total volumes. Where the need for books was greatest the supply was smallest. LITTLE SHORT OF APPALLING. To the evidence of reliable statistics compiled by a Government official Mr. Barr had added facts gleaned from personal investigation. A year ago he had with Mr. Ralph Munn, director ofthe Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, U.S.A., visited libraries all over the Dominion and found, except in one or two instances, that the state of the rural service was little short of appalling. Previous to the inspection tour Messrs. Barr and Munn sent to every public library, large and small, a questionnaire soliciting information. Five hundred forms were sent out but only 162 were re- , turned. This discrepancy was due to the fact that a number of libraries had ceased to exist, partly because the struggle to keep going had proved too much for the committees, and partly because of the withdrawal of the Government subsidy, which had been the main source of revenue, apart from subscriptions, in most smaller libraries. Apathy, hardly blameworthy, in view of the difficulties encountered, was also a factor-, that contributed to the failure of many libraries to return forms. Mr. Barf said the answers to the questionnaire had proved extremely useful on the tour of inspection. He did not refer to urban libraries, maintained in centres with a population of more than 12,000 persons, because places of that size could provide themselves with • a reasonably adequate service if they desired to do so. In smaller, towns such institutions were not feasible unless the value of property was high or the library had other sources of income. In respect to finance Messrs. Barr and Munn found that 31 rural libraries in New Zealand were conducted on less than £lO income a year; 86 had from £lO to £lOO a year; 14 had from £lOO to £200; 12 had from £2OO to £300; nine had from £3OO to £6OO. Only two spent from £7OO to £9OO in giving book service. They were the Hawera library, which with a population of 4750 expended £768, of which over £3OO provided current periodicals and books, and Oamaru with 7500 inhabitants spent £BBO a year, £275 being disbursed for books and periodicals. Hawera in one year had circulated 76,288 volumes and Oamaru 52,539. • HAWERA’S EXAMPLE. The two towns, said Mr. Barr, were “isolated but bright examples in an otherwise drab picture of library provision in the small towns of New Zealand.” Brunner, Dannevirke, Gore, Greymouth, Hokitika, Inglewood, Levin and Tauranga also deserved credit for their attempts to give residents a moderately good service. Nevertheless such small populations could not do for themselves individually what they could do at no more cost under a co-operative plan. Their efforts showed, however, that people in small towns and rural districts desired to' have good books for reading; otherwise they would not spend their money in trying to secure them. Hawera was an outstanding example of the manner in which smaller boroughs had tried to solve their library problems. Of the very small towns and townships there were no shining examples. “If for no other reason,” said Mr. Barr, “the Carnegie Corporation survey would be justified for the information it brought to light on the needs of country residents in regard to reading. In addition to filling in the 1 questionnaire many country librarians or ■ secretaries of libraries sent letters which showed the lack of means for carrying on the work.” Mr. Barr read extracts from several of these letters. He said his own observations during the survey tour and on other occasions amply corroborated the conditions which the extracts so pathetically illustrated; Despite the praise-worthy-efforts of publicly-minded individuals who had devoted years, sometimes a lifetime, of voluntary service to small town * libraries, the results were generally the same—failure; It was not the fault of these unselfish workers that the libraries had not succeeded—it was rather their tragedy. NO REASON FOR PESSIMISM. “There is no reason for pessimism, however,” said Mr. Barr. “With the knowledge which these pioneers of culture and enlightenment possessed they did their best, and in many, cases did it well. The collections of many, of the English town libraries are a credit to their founders, and in their day and generation they performed a useful service. But experience elsewhere has taught us lessons which we would be stupid not to utilise. Experiments have been carried out in many places, especially in Great Britain and U.S.A., which we would do well to study.” Mr. Barr outlined the English system of county libraries. The idea began with the philanthropic efforts of the Coats family of Paisley, Scotland, of cotton fame, who sent supplies of books and spectacles—a most thoughtful provision

—to the highlands and islands of Scotland. This was followed by the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust’s experiments in county library work in various counties and shires in England, Scotland and Ireland. The results of those experiments were so satisfactory that legislation was passed in 1918 and 1919, allowing counties and shires to establish the county system. Since 1919 it had grown until now the whole of England, both urban and rural, had a service which catered for every person in the country. The new conception in library organisation which the experiments brought to light was that whereas towns of a moderate size could maintain adequate library service, smaller places could not do so, no matter how much, in reason, they rated themselves for the purpose. The county, however, with its larger administrative area and greater financial resources, could provide a satisfactory service for every small town or hamlet, and even for individuals living in isolation. , EXAMPLES IN ENGLAND. Mr. Barr quoted statistics showing the great expansion of the Derby County Library in England since the institution of the new system. In 1924 80,000 volumes were issued; in 1934-35 the total amounted to 1,600,000. The book stock had risen from 12,900 to 147,791. In 1925 58 books were sent direct to readers; in 1934 5630 were sent. The circulation in the children’s section had increased from 237,000 in 1930 to 312,000 in 1933. As an actual working scheme the Derby library figures showed the practicability of the plan, which should take the place of the present un-co-ordinated system of rural libraries in New Zealand, Mr. Barr claimed. Only by cooperation and organisation on a larger area could be achieved the results that everyone aware of the needs of the country people so ardently desired. Modification by experts, particularly in regard to the important question of the unit of administration, would, of course, be required if the proposed scheme were to operate in the Dominion. Generally, however, a New Zealand plan would be modelled on the English county system. An administrative centre would be selected in a suitable town strategically

situated, where offices and a storeroom could be secured. Here the depository collection would be located and placed in the charge of a properly trained librarian and his staff, probably a typist and general assistant. The librarian would be responsible for selecting the stock, and he would classify and catalogue it on a simple but effective system. He would organise the units through

which the books would find their way into the hands of the rural readers.

Existing libraries would form the mainstay of the distributing agencies, but other units would need to be found, especially in the smaller towns. Community centres, schools, welfare clubs and other organisations would readily undertake the work of distribution. Where settlements were scattered

books would be sent by mail and in time it would be possible to utilise the “bookmobile,” or travelling library, to meet the needs of individuals. The book supplies would provide for all requirements in the same way as urban libraries, and the stock would include books of a cultural, vocational and recreational character, suitable for people of every age.

In addition to organising the depository collection and distributing the books to the various local agencies the librarian of the rural system would oe held responsible for supervision at all points. of the service. He would see that the book supply was sufficient for the need? of all and that nothing impeded their distribution. He would make tegular tours throughout his territory and give any advice that was asked. The result would be that the whole of the country would be provided for. Every individual, whether living in a small borough, a town or on a station or camp, would be in constant touch with a good book supply. By the practical help which the scheme would bring about the small libraries would become active, living things, co-operating with each other, through the headquarters organisation, in the same way as branch libraries of the large city libraries co-operated now. Mr. Barr assured his audience that a rural scheme would not cost as much per head of population to operate as an urban library service. In an area with 5b;000 inhabitants it would cost one shilling a head a year. At Dunedin it cost Is 5d a head to maintain the present service and at Auckland 2s 6d. The rural system did not require a heavy overhead. The headquarters staff 'was small and there were no expensive buildings to maintain. The main expenditure was for books and their distribution to the various agencies. Mr. Barr admitted there were in the way of the system he advocated the difficulties of finding the unit of administration and of providing finance. These would be overcome, however. An annual expenditure of between £30,000 and £40,000 would be all that was necessary to provide the whole of rural New Zealand— roughly half of the entire population—with a library service that would meet every requirement of both young and old. Public libraries, after all, were not luxuries but necessities. They should be part and parcel of the education system of the country, fulfilling a threefold purpose—cultural, vocational and recreational—and they should take a larger share in the national economy and receive greater help from the Government and local authorities.

Mr. Barr appealed for the support of the Women’s Division in furthering the proposals for better library provision for

the people of the Dominion, especially the. country folk. Mrs. Wilson moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Barr. She said she did not think,, v.'ith some, that the radio and the cinema would ever take the place of books. They could merely awaken interest and give vague ideas, but books could impart knowledge. Country women would not know what to do without literature, but Mrs. Wilson agreed with Mr. Barr that the supply to them at present was inadequate., Some of the literature gave readers so distorted a view of life that they were better without it. She hoped the proposed system would be instituted so that people could “experience in loneliness the joys of life.” Mr. H. E. Blyde, president of the North Taranaki executive of the Farmers’ Union, seconded the motion of thanks. He thought Mr. Barr’s scheme would benefit local districts and the nation as a whole, he said. Mrs. W, J. Polson, Stratford, asked if Mr. Barr had come into contact on his tour with the Women’s Division book ciubs and whether their scope could be enlarged so that they could bq the means of bringing literature within easy reach of the people. > The Women’s Division clubs would be one of the distributing agencies, replied Mr. Barr, but the scheme was nationwide, and for it to operate through any particular organisation would be to look for trouble.

Mr. Blyde paid' a tribute to the initiative of North Taranaki in providing the opportunity for the men and women to confer. There were many matters that could profitably come under joint consideration, he said, and he assured the division of the support of the men’s union.

Afternoon tea was served and Mr. W. H. Skinner, on behalf of the audience, thanked the women’s executive for its hospitality.