BOOKS FOR CAMPS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 263, 24 November 1939, Page 4

BOOKS FOR CAMPS

IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS \ -WELLINGTON, Nov. 15. I “Tho ■importance of 'providing' and J mantaining good' library facilities in | military camps is receiving the recogniti'on ol' the 'Government. itoeords ! show that in the past, voluntary efj. fort and tho service of welfare organisations have achieved something in this direction: “The Government, however, considers,” stated tho -Minister of Internal Affairs, the IJoit. W. F>. Parry yesterday, “that men in the camps are entitled to library service as good as that available, in the public j libraries of the towns and cities.” AlI though the. time available for reading I both' for recreation: and for further ed- ! ueaiion—will of necessity be limited in ; the camps, adequate library facilities can and will he . provided for those who wish to use them. “Full co-oporeati.on is being given in. the "matter by tins Army Authorities-. It is. expected that ..each main camp will have its library, with newspaper, magazine and lending departments, propprly equipped and staffed. “A committee (of which' the Hon. F. Waite, M.L.C., is chairnian), sot up by the National Patri’olic Cbuneil at its 'inaugural meeting is now dealing with the collection of books on a national basis for inclusion in the stocks of camp libraries. Appeals have

already been made over for books and periodicals and I take this opportunity of thanking those who have already responded 'so generously. Afore books are needed, however, and [ am confident that the response to the appeals made from time to time will continue to grow. • • .

‘/In addition to the hook-stocks which it j.s hoped to obtain by means of gifts, the Government’s Country Library Service will make available on loan substantial supplies of books to each/camp. These books will bo delivered a iid changed regularly by means of tho book vans operated by the service. The Cbuntry Library Service will also provide assistance in library. ma.nagcincpt in the camps and will classify and prepare for circulation all gii't ; s of books that* are collected.

''“The New .Zealand’ Library Association has ,undertaken to ’ give its full support to the camp library service. The librarians of each public library are acting as receiving agents, for books and periodicals, and will also give, valuable licl-p in other ways. Members of the public may thus be’ completely assured that any gifts of books for use in. military camp libraries will be properly eared' for by trained librarians and used to the best advantage.”