RURAL LIBRARIES

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20511, 30 May 1938, Page 7

RURAL LIBRARIES

> NEW STATE SERVICE OFFIOIAL INAUGURATION TO-DAY READERS IN ISOLATED PARTS (By Teleffrapb.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Saturday The Government's country library service will be formally launched on Monday afternoon at the official opening In the Prime Minister's room In Parliament Buildings. Addresses will be given by the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. M. J. Savage, the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, Mr O. T. Alley, officer in charge of the service, Mr T. D. H. Hall, president of the New Zealand Libraries Association, and Professor J. Shelley, Director of Broadcasting. The service is a means whereby publlo libraries, groups of readers and individuals in country districts may, if they choose, be provided with regular loans of books from a central source. In addition, public libraries that participate in the service will receive practical help in library management. It is proposed that the book vans will visit each library participating at least once every four months. Postal and transport facilities also will be used as required for the service. The type of service will depend on the demand, but at least half the books lent will be non-fletion. The service will be given to (a) pubiio libraries under boroughs or town boards of a population not exceeding 2300 and not less than ten miles from the libraries of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin; (b) public libraries outside borough or town districts and controlled by county councils or properly constituted committees and not less than ten miles from libraries above; (c) p 4 groups of readers in isolated parts where no library exists; (d individuals included in a. b. c. above who wish books on a particular subject or subjects.