N.Z. LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 50, 2 March 1943, Page 4

N.Z. LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

WANGANUI LIBRARIAN ON COUNCIL (P.A.) Wellington, March 1. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Library Association was attended by 42 delegates. Miss E. Melville, chairman of the Library Committee, Auckland City Council, was elected president. She has previously been president on two occasions. She has been on the Library Committee of the Auckland Council for 30 years and has been chairman, with a short break, since 1917.

Other officers are; Patron, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser; immediate past president, Mr. J. Norrie, Wellington; vice-presidents, Messrs. J. Barr (Auckland), W. J. Gaudin, G. H. Scholefield and C. R. H. Taylor (Wellington) and J. J. Scott (Wanganui); council. Misses A. M. Blackett (Wanganui), A. K. Elliott (Timaru), M. S. Fleming (Wellington), D. M. Neal (Dunedin), C. W. Collins (Christchurch), W. J. Harris (Dunedin), A. G. W. Dunningham, and C. S. Perry (Wellington); hon. secretary-treasurer, Mr. G. T. Alley (Wellington); hon. editor, Mr. G. H. Scholefield; hon. counsel and solicitor, Mr. J. O’Shea (Wellington); hon. auditor, Mr. B. O. Peterson (Wellington). Mr. Norrie referred to the function of the State to (provide a National Library as the central pivot of the library system, to the chaotic condition of the Government departmental libraries, and the lack of coordination and contact. Possibly the establishment of a National Library might do something to clear up the situation. which reflected credit neither upon the departments nor the library service.

A resolution was passed affirming determination co make Army education the main activity for the duration of the war. the impression being gained that from it would eventuate an effective adult education system for the future.

During 1942 the central bureau for library book imports recommended for special licence orders to the value of £9337, compared with £10.128 for 1941. In all 28 New Zealand libraries are participating in these imports. So far licences for fiction have been refused.