PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 349, 29 March 1910, Page 4

PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

THE FIRST CONFERENCE. By Telegraph.—Press Association Dunedin, Saturday. The first conference of representatives from the public libraries' of the Dominion (convened by the Dunedin City Counc.l) opened in town to-day. Delegates were present from Dunedin city Council, Wellington City Council, Auckland City Council, the Leys Institute of Auckland, Turanganui, Parliamentary library, land the Dunedin Athenaeum. In responding to the welcome by tht Mayor, Mr Leys said public libraries' were not on the footing they should be, considering their importance as educators to the mass of the people. He did not think their importance was appreciated by those i n authority. He reierred to what he described as a deplorable spectacle of country libraries being practically wiped out by one stroke of the Minister's pen If the conference could get the Government to understand and appreciate the value of public libraries as parts of tlie system of national education, its existence would be jifttified. Mr Gilkison was appointed chairman of the conference. The chairman addressed the, delegates. He referred to the benefits that would result from thf conference. The formation of an association would 'be a strong bond of union amongst those having like objects in different towns, and would lead to the development of clear duty of national opinion in matters which would greatly assist all present and future public libraries in New Zealand. He shoulUike to see-the State take a more interest in public libraries. He hoped before the conference closed that a resolution would be adopted urging Parliament to recognise responsibilities in the direction of looking after general provision of these most necessary means of education. tion, to be called the Libraries' Association of New Zealand. The draft of the proposed constitution of the Association was' read, and after a short discussion it was resolved to refer it to a committee consisting of Messrs Gilkison, Baillie, Leys, McEwan, Atkinson, Morrell and Parr. A paper was''read bv Mr Wilson (Chief Parliamentary Librarian), entiled "The selection and purchase of books for public libraries." In the matter of the selection of books, he submitted <i librarian should be allowed every latitude and freedom, and should ■have personal responsibility and personal authority. There' should he, of course, revisions of public libraries' select : on. The secretary read Dr. Frentrley's paner. 'Library Hvgiene." Tt was res'olved to defer discussion till Monday