BOOKS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1113, 28 April 1911, Page 4

BOOKS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.

WHAT MH. MILLIE THINKS. At the annual meeting of the Clyde Quay householders on Monday, the headmaster (Mr. W. T. Gruiuly) mentioned that he had spoken to Air. Herbert Baillie, City Librarian, un the subject of the fret , distribution of suitable literature on the American plan. This system, which Mr. liaillic noted on his visit to America, consists of municipal libraries sending to each school boxes of books, which a injudiciously graded to suit the minds and tastes of children in the various t-tr.nd-nrds. One box of books lasts a school perhaps six months, after which it is sent on to another school, and a fresh supply of literature is sent along. 11 r. Gruiuly is keen on the idea being experimented with here, and has consulted Mr. Haillie to that end. Speaking to a Dominion - jepresentative yesterday, the City Librarian said that the system worked splendidly in America, and there was no reason to supposo it would not answer here. The basis of finance was tho only obstacle to overcome. To establish such a system would mean a large initial expense in the purchase of books, towards which he thought the schools might contribute by diverting their library funds in that direction. When it was pointed out that many of the schools could not afford to make a grant for a library, Mr. Baillie. supposed that the whole of the cost would devolve upon the municipality as in America, but in that country the expense would probably be borne with better grace, because the schools were under municipal control. In Dnnediu, the Municipal Library supplied books to children free of charge on the application of a parent, and in Christchurch school children could take out books without paying a fee on the signed recommendation of a schoolmaster. If that were done in the cities mentioned, there should be no great obstacle in the school box idea. It is tho intention of tho librarian to place the proposal before tho new Library" Committeo at an early date.