Trained Librarians For Schools Urged

Chronicle (Levin), 17 August 1948, Page 6

Trained Librarians For Schools Urged

Press Association )

i Per

CHRISTCHURCH,. August 16. A ambition to see every large sclioot in New Zealand with a trained librarian • on its staff, was nientioned bv the Minister of Education .(Mr. McCombsj, when he mauguratgd Children 's BooK Week at ti display in the Christchurch Teachers^ Training College this evening. A well-stocked librarv was jiot y luxury in'"a school but a neeessity, he said. When the Budget was presented this week, it would be. seon that the estimates iftd been exceeded in buying books for children. • With the shortage of teachers, it might be some years before his- plan could be impleniented, the Ministe.•said, but it was hoped to give- selecteo teachers (with, siry, S to 10 years' ex perience) a term at a New Zealand;' library school.' They could tlien givc, expert guidance in the choice of books for children and superintended classes. There sliould be time in the syllabus for instfuction to infants on the care oi books, deinontrations to older pupils on book binding, and a stud.v of printing, and guidance for senior students on the technique of research with books and systems of eataloguing. Tliis wo&nl lead to wider and more purposeful reading and a generally intelligent 90m niunity. Air. AlcCombs annouuced the ex tension of the" national library services. Provision for school publications nol Mvailable elsewliere, would now b". availalde in all schools outside the four main cities. Previously this service was ayailable only to centres with a population under 15,000. At present literature was sent through this school library service to 1833 schools with a 1 0 tui ro 1 1 of 116,517. children. The Minister urged parents to take a lively interest in their children 's readng. " We can't work out any- lcind of censorship for children 's books, bui tliere are many publications whieh 1 consider sliould not -be sold for child ren, " he said. The national" librarrv service branches of the country library service and public libraries, would i/c pleased to give advice oirseloction.