NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 69, 13 May 1953, Page 4

NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE

DNKED WITH PUBLIC LIBRARIES The Annual Reports of the N at~ ictnal Library Service for the past three years, as presented to the House of Representatives, indicate that the majority of Borough and Town District libraries are now linked with the Service, and receive regular loans of books, as well as specially requested books by post and help in library management if required. Free loans of books, on a population basis, are made to libraries controlled by local authorities, which in turn agree to make their libraries free and to maintain reasonable starydards of library service. On Mareh 31st., 1952, there were ninety borough and town district libraries, and five County Council libraries participating in the Service. These libraries receive regnlar visits from one of the specially equipped hook vans, at least three visits being paid to each library during* a normal year, and may ask for special shortterm loans of books of an informationai type from * the Headqu&rter's stock. Among local bodies who have adoptcd the priiiciple of free service, and iinked^ with the Nationai Library Service recently, are the Murchison County Council, and the Ngaruawahia, Nightcaps, Birkenhead, Opunake, Whakatane and Geraldine local authorities. The local bodies to whom the free hook ser~ vitce is available are those of towns ! cf 15,900 inhabitants or less.