THE VALUE OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES,

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 19, 6 February 1937, Page 4

THE VALUE OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES,

*fIt is pathetic to observe the pride aiid complacency with whieh local library committees exhibit wretched little institutea whieh have long since becoine cemeteries of old and forgotten books." These remarks, made by Mr. Ralph Munn, director of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, and Mr. Ernest R. Pitt, chief librarian of the Public Library of Victoria, in a report in 1935 On Australian libraries, are, according to Mr. Pitt, who passed through Christchurch yesterday, equally applicable to libraries in New Zealand. Mr. Pitt believes that the general summary of library conditions given in that report can be taken as indicating the conditions in the Dominion. He finds it difficult to account for the lack of interest in public libraries. Some observers, he says, point to the ubiquitous Commercial lending libraries as supplying tho nation 's reading matter, but these commercial libraries are equally numerous in countries whieh also have fine library systems. Certainly, he says, the cost of public library service has deterred its establishment, but it has been remarked that money can be found readily enough for city halls and racecourses. Library progress in other countries has been greatly accelerated by the considei'able number of librarians and educationists who have preached the value of good books and reading, but in Australia and New Zealand, in Mr. Pitt'a opinion, educationists have not become champions of public libraries. Both countries have failed to grasp the soeial value of public book-services. CompulsOry education prevails, libraries aro Still regarded in Bome quarters as luxuries, and in most circles as a service whieh groups of citizens should provide for themselves by subscriptioa, aided perhaps by a small subsidy from the Government. Mr. Pitt believes that the majority of officials and ratepayers have ilot appreciated the value of the public library as an agency for •popular education and culturd, continuing the work of the schools. Therefore, such instit-utions deserve liberal public support, and he comments that the eager response of readers, wherever a free library service is offered, is significant. He adds that Government authorities hear many insistent demands for service of all kinds and are therefore unlikely to supply public libraries until the demand becomes difficult to resist. Their establish. menfc depends parfcly on individual loaders who will become champions of the belief that widespread opportunities for the education of the people are essential to a democraey, and that this popular and continuing education can best be secured through public libraries.