BAY OF PLENTY BEACON Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1950 WORTHY OF SUPPORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 65, 5 July 1950, Page 4

BAY OF PLENTY BEACON Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1950 WORTHY OF SUPPORT

The plan of the Whakatane Legion of Frontiersmen to assist the Whakatane Primary School to form a library is a good one and well worthy of the support of very citizen. As outlined in another section of today’s Beacon the Frontiersmen are to continue their valuable public spirited work in providing something for the young of Whakatane. Should they receive the full support they deserve it will be work not done in vain.

A school is a place of learning and for a school to be without a good library is like a school without a headmaster. It is lacking in a vital part. Although the school may be able to continue in its work without a headmaster or library there is something Very vital missing which, if it Were present, would be able to contribute so much more in the teaching power and in the service of moulding the nation’s young. ‘ ' A library is most important not only to a university and other high places of learning but also to high schools and primary schools. Perhaps it is more necessary to- the primary school. Here the child makes his first acquaintance with -books. If there are good books available he will naturally turn to them. This habit acquired young will stay with him through life. But, should a primary school have no proper / reference library, then the pupil must find his reading matter elsewhere. He does not know the so-called good books from the bad and so he will turn to the ones that attract. They are the brightly coloured comics filled with gory tales that every young child devours.

Perhaps that is the reason why so many young New Zealand children buy comic's. The establishment of good libraries in all primary schools would help to stop this. The school library service has certainly helped but it can only supply a certain number of books for a few months. Give the schools good libraries and encourage the children to use them. They will learn where the best reading is and from which books they can get the best. The Whakatane Primary School has long been without an adequate library. When the Frontiersman comes to your door remember that your child will benefit from the scheme. Don’t refuse. Give a book. If you have not a suitable book at home then get one; It will- be money well spent.