COUNTRY LIBRARY SERVICE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 19, 21 April 1947, Page 5

COUNTRY LIBRARY SERVICE

DEPUTATION TO BOROUGH COUNCIL WILL BE CONSIDERED Efforts to interest the Borough Council in the matter of establishing the Country Library .Service in Whakatane, were made by a deputation of two (Dr. Dawson and Miss Lawes) at the April meeting last Monday evening. The whole subject which formed the matter of a separate report (already printed in the BEACON) hinges upon the financial outlay, estimated at £2BO annually or approximately a further half-penny rate in the £. Local Body Duty Dr. Dawson emphasised the fact that libraries were now regarded as public utilities which could be classed with other facilities of a more practical nature like, drainage and water services. In the larger cities there had been practically a unanimous swing over from the subscription system to the ‘free library system.’ Membership following the change had risen from a meagre 3.8 per cent, to no less than 27 and 28 per cent, proving the impetus given the reading public when the free service was instituted. In country towns the Country Library Service made all types of good reading and literature available. The Library Committee recommended that this be adopted. Such a service would enable the library to become a recreational and educational centre for people of all ages. It would certainly mean a greater expenditure, but he instanced in a small town like Taihape how when it was adopted the library membership jumped from 200 to between 800 and 900.

The Young Reader

Miss Lawes spoke mainly on the influence of good reading matter on the adolescent, and touched upon the system in vogue at the school where the library service had been instituted for years. She stated that child readers found just as much interest in books of the non-fictional type as adults or even more so. At the Whakatane school there were some 900 existing books as well as the C.L.S. The children were thus given a first class opportunity to appreciate good reading while at school, but when they left there was practically nothing. She was not decrying the existing library, but the wide range of literature which the C.L.S. made available just couldn’t be afforded by the Borough Library. Will Be Investigated The Mayor remarked that it was the duty of the Council to cultivate the artistic and educational side of the community as well as provide the more practical facilities. He would like to go into the matter more fully. It might be found that the outlay did not stop at the ad rate. In any case it would mean a much greater expenditure than at present.

The Council referred the whole proposal to the Finance Committee with instructions to investigate and report back to next meeting. In the meantime the Town Clerk was instructed to write neighbouring local bodies which had adopted the scheme and enquire into matter concerning cost.