THE IDEAL LIBRARY

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20920, 27 September 1939, Page 5

THE IDEAL LIBRARY

ADDRESS IN WELLINGTON OWNED BY RESIDENTS An outline of a library which he considered ideal was given by Mr M. Riske at a recent meeting of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Association. The first essential was a building which should be architecturally pleasing and attractive—the building should draw the citizens to the library and make them enter it, said Mr Riske. Inside the building there should be roominess but also rooms where all the books necessary to a certain study were collected together. For example, there should be a New Zealand room, music room and an art room. In addition, Mr Riske said he would have rooms available where cultural societies could meet, so that the library would be the centre of directed, motivated adult education. The books which were put into the building must be readily accessible to the users of the library; the layout must be studied as the problem had been in industry. Mr Riske said it was both physically impossible and unnecessary to purchase all of the 17,000 titles which were issued each year, but the books purchased should be representative. He advocated the formation of advisory committees to ensure that the best books on each subject were provided. The function of the library was to supply the needs of the citizens, as contrasted with their wants. Of course, Mr Riske said, his library would be free. The Utopian Library would be owned by all the citizens and its provision and maintenance should be provided for from the pooled resources of the city. Mr Perry, in thanking Mr Riske for his address, said that Mr Riske would see the majority of his requirements for a Utopian library fulfilled when the new Wellington Central Library was opened early next year. ANSWER ‘'YES’* New Zealand’s sons of British sires, Like cowards will you slink aside? You toilers or the man who hires, Lack you the courage to decide, Or will you round Right’s standard press? Sons of New Zealand, answer “Yes.” Who's ready? Death lurks in delay, Yet where our Empire’s ensign floats Our gallant men will fight their way Though foes, wolflike, leap at their throats. Who’s ready? All, and not one less, If men they are will answer “Yes.” The Star of Freedom must not pale, Nor from our glorious Empire fall. Oh, may it shine what-er assail, The Hope, the Prize and Crowy. of all. And when is passed this time of stress, Smile, Lord, on all who’ve answered “Yes.”

And when beneath a foreign sky, Oh, Father, God, though some must fall, We know that Thine Omniscient eye Is watching over one and all. And Thou wilt guard, and guide and bless Our heroes who have answered “Yes.”

Contributed by Mrs A. Ross, Claudelands.