N.Z. LIBRARIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 242, 12 October 1937, Page 5

N.Z. LIBRARIES

EXTENSION OF WORK ADDRESS TO ROTARY CLUB READING FOR RURAL AREAS The library system of New Zealand and the work of the New Zealand Libraries’ Association were dealt with by Miss A. M. Blackett, librarian at the Wanganui Public Library, during the course of an address to members of the Wanganui Rotary Club yesterday. “In case time will not permit at the close of this talk for remarks concerning our own library I will mention now that Wanganui is in a very fortunate position,’’ said Miss Blackett. “Miss Alexander, by her bequest, gave this cit\ z one of Its finest assets. When Andrew Carnegie established public libraries there were certain conditions attached and although Miss Alexander did not impose any conditions with her gift I would like to think that citizens of Wanganui will always do their part in supporting this institution. This library has the cheapest subscription rate of any public library of standing in New Zealand and is one of the most economical in administration. I ask you to support it. At. Christmas, time, when puzzled to find suitable gifts for friends, try giving a library subscription. Especially to children does this appeal. There is a very line junior library. “In New Zealand a big effort has been made to give communities a library service, the larger centres having achieved something, but there is very little done for the rural areas. The information I am going to give you is not guesswork but the result of professional investigation and much research has been done by leading libraries in New Zealand to come to some agreement on the question. “Great Britain and the United States have a splendid system of public libraries and New Zealand has followed the principles applied in these countries. These countries have had to overcome difficulties similar to ours. Each has a library association which does a great deal to forward New Zealand has its association, too, the interests of their public libraries, founded in 1910. I mention the United States because it has given us some of the best tools of our profession and its leaders take an active interest in our work in New Zealand. “I will use Great Britain as an illustration as being more familiar with their library systems. At one time libraries had to struggle for their existence under the limit of one penny rate, but in 1919 the English Library Law underwent a drastic change and the Act was amended allowing communities complete freedom in the matter of a library rate. Scottish ' law raised their limit to 3d. Abolish- 1 ing the rate limit does no more than

give communities the freedom to decide for themselves what sum they will spend on their libraries. This has not led to extravagance, in many cases other rates have been lowered to allow the library rate to be higher.

“In England the problem of supplying rural readers with books has been overcome by each county having a special headquarters for this work, and under the control of a trained librarian. The library association felt that a survey should be undertaken in New Zealand.

“The Carnegie Corporation had undertaken this in other countries with beneficial results. The association requested that the corporation have New Zealand surveyed. The request was granted, the corporation appointing Mr Ralph Munn, chief librarian of one of the largest library systems in the United Slates, and Air Munn chose as his associate Mr John Barr, chief librarian of Auckland. The survey was preceded by a queationaire sent to every public library on record in New Zealand. Air Munn and Mr Barr made a comprehensive tour of Nc-w Zealand and collaborated in a report. This report na given the association something definite to work on, and the council of the association, of which I am a member, is giving much thought to the situation.

“New Zealand has had many obstacles to overcome. With a population no greater than that of Glasgow or Sydney spread over an area of 103,000 square miles, the burden oi providing highways, harbours and ether facilities has been heavy. I*. is not strange Inat libraries in Nev.Zealand arc not up to the standard of Great Britain, but, over £3,000,000 per annum is spent on education and no provision made for further culture.

“Half the population of New Zealand is without reading facilities. This is in the rural areas,” said Miss Blackett. “At one time the Government granted £3OOO to assist country libraries. This had to be withdrawn when economies were being effected a few years ago, and as a result some small libraries have closed altogether. New Zealand library legislation needs revision if the Dominion is to keep up to the tradition of culture shown by the pioneers. “The first place in New Zealand to possess a library was Auckland, where a Mechanics Institute and Library was opened in 1842. The Public Libraries Act for New Zealand was passed in 1869. Further Acta were passed later, the whole being consolidated in 1908 and again in 1920 without any material alteration. The Munn-Barr report presents a plan for a national system of libraries for New Zealand and the library association are agreed that this is needed. The county system as operated in England can be modified to suit New Zealand needs. “It is suggested that the Government should accept responsibility for a rural library system, recouping itself on an agreed system from the local bodies concerned. The Dominion would be grouped into a num-

ber of library areas, not more than ten in number. Each area would have a central depot in most convenient town, this depot would be in charge of a trained librarian. A national central lending library would also be established which would coordinate all the branches or depots as in England. The estimated cost of this will be Is per head of thv population. The scheme is based on the free library principle, but readers who desire current fiction would have to pay for it as similar pleasures have to be paid for. This plan does not propose to interfere with the independence of existing libraries but would assist them.

“The proper training of library staffs is a matter also receiving special attention of the association. Great Britain and America have training schools, the library association London conduct examinations and the London University has a school of librarianship. The examinations cover a wide field which can be understood when one realises the scope of library work. Librarians of ic larger centres in New Zealand

..re trained and are thus able to tram I heir staffs and it is possible that these centres will be used as bases for training country librarians as the library system develops.”