MORE BOOKS NEEDED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 November 1939, Page 5

MORE BOOKS NEEDED

MILITARY CAMP LIBRARIES MINISTER APPEALS TO PUBLIC. ADEQUATE FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED. (By Telegraph—Press Assoclat'on.) WELLINGTON. November 15. "The importance of providing and maintaining good library facilities in military camps is receiving the recognition of the Government. Records show that in the past, voluntary effort and the service of welfare organisations have achieved something in this direction. “The Government, however, considers." stated the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon W. E. Parry yesterday, "that men in the camps are entitled to library service as good as that available in the public libraries of the towns and cities. Although the time available for reading—both for recreation and for further education will of necessity be limited in the camps, adequate library facilities can and will be provided for ttiose who wish to use them. “Full co-operation is being given in the matter by the Army authorities. It is expected that each main camp will have its library, with newspaper, magazine and lending departments, properly equipped and staffed. "A committee (of which the Hon F. Waite. M.L.C., is chairman) set up by the National Patriotic Council at its inaugural meeting is now dealing with the collection of books on a national basis for inclusion in tlie stocks of camp libraries. Appeals have already been made over the air for books and periodicals and I take this opportunity of thanking those who have already responded so generously. More books are needed, however, and I am confident that the response to the appeals made iron) time to time will continue to grow. "In addition to the book stocks which it is hoped to obtain by means of gifts, tlie Government’s Country Library Service will make available on loan substantial supplies of books to each camp. These books will be delivered and changed regularly by means of the book vans operated by the service. The Country Library Service will also provide assistance in library management in the camps and will classify and prepare for circulation all gifts 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 help 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 cared for by trained librarians and used to the best advantage."