LIBRARIAN’S TOUR.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20239, 24 February 1934, Page 29 (Supplement)

LIBRARIAN’S TOUR.

Impressed by American Institutions. MR E. J. BELL RETURNS. (Special to the " Star.”) AUCKLAND, February 23. “ American libraries are undoubtedly highly organised and very efficient, and are candying out a great work educabut at present they are nearly all suffering from reduced incomes through the economic depression,” said Mr Ernest J. Bell, who, with Mrs Bell, arrived by the Monterey this morning. Mr Bell, who is secretary of the Libraries’ Association of New Zealand and chief librarian of the Canterbury Public Library, Christchurch, has spent the past few months in the United States and Canada studying library methods. His visit was made possible by a travelling fellowship from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Mr Bell praised the hospitality he had received in all parts of the United States. His itinerary covered nearly 10,000 miles, which enabled him to visit some three hundred or more libraries of various kinds as well as many other public institutions. Unemployment in America. Asked about unemployment in the United States, Mr Bell said the relief scheme adopted, which was similar to New Zealand’s scheme, had certainly helped to ameliorate the situation, but it was doubtful whether it could be maintained much longer on account of the exceptionally heavy cost to the country. The American scheme provided for the relief of women and girls, and thousands had been placed in temporary work. In almost every city numbers of young women were given work at public libraries, this being of great help to the institutions as well as to the women themselves. Some of the larger libraries absorbed as many as fifty to one hundred young women. Reduced Incomes. Despite reduced incomes, Mr Bell said, American libraries were exceptionally well financed compared with the libraries in New Zealand. In normal times a city similar in size to Auckland would be taxed to the extent of one dollar per capita for its library services, this realising a sum of about £30,000 in New Zealand currency. It could easily be seen, therefore, that an excellent service could be maintained Rural library schemes were found of great interest, and it was really wonderful how the people made use of the library facilities provided. Something upon these lines was needed in the rural districts of New Zealand. The Californian scheme had its headquarters in Los Angeles, and had about 145 branches in the country. Mr Bell was of opinion that the libraries in the main centres of New Zealand compared very favourably with American libraries situated in cities of similar size, especially considering the small incomes derived by the Dominion libraries. Interest in Dominion. During his American tour Mr Bell delivered a great number of talks upon New Zealand, as well as several upon its libraries, all of which were greatly enjoyed, especially when slides were shown depicting our scenic beauties. Americans were keen for information concerning the Dominion and its attractions, and in this connection Mr Bell considered that the New Zealand Government Tourist Department should more widely advertise in Canada and the United States. Excepting in New York, San Francisco, Washington and Toronto, he had been unable to find any New Zealand newspapers. In California, however, Mr Bell found that Miss Bathie Stewart, Miss Nola Luxford and Miss May Beattie, three New Zealanders, were constantly endeavouring to keep the Dominion before the American people, and he had attended a very enjoyable Maori evening given by these ladies in Hollywood in January. Mr and Mrs Bell will go on to Christchurch early next week.