NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1948

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1948 Session I, H-32a

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1948 NEW ZEALAND

NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1948

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave

The Hon. the Minister of Education. Sir, — Wellington, 12th July, 1948. I have the honour to submit the following report on the activities of the National Library Service. The report covers the work of the three divisions of the Service —Country Library Service, Library School, and National Library Centre. G. T. Alley, Director.

SECTION I.—COUNTRY LIBRARY SERVICE During the year this Service has expanded, and at 31st March, 1948, 769 towns and small centres were receiving regular loans of books, an increase of 85 centres on the previous year. The School Library Service has also increased, and at 31st March 1,716 schools with 106,170 children were served, compared with 1,353 schools and 85,226 children a year ago. A summary of the methods by which books, periodicals, and information are made available to country people is now given:— (a) Free loans of books on a population basis to libraries controlled by local authorities, which in turn agree to make their libraries free and to maintain reasonable standards of library service ; (b) Loans of books to independent subscription public libraries at a small annual charge per one hundred books loaned ; (c) Loans of books through travelling-hamper collections to isolated groups of readers at a small annual charge ; and (d) Loans through the post of books free of charge to isolated readers. All libraries served under (a) and (b) receive regular visits from one of the specially equipped book-vans of this Service, at least three visits being paid to each library during a normal year. In addition, all persons, whether served by the free public library or through the isolated group, may obtain loans of requested books by post from the headquarters of this Service. Books loaned by the School Library Service are distributed on a circulating basis in special containers. FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES : "A " SERVICE During the year the local authorities of the following towns adopted the principle of free library service and qualified for assistance under the "A " scheme : Ho wick, Marton, Onehunga, Waitara, Waverley, and Whangarei in the North Island; Takaka, Winton, Oamaru, and .Wyndham in the South Island. At 31st March, 1948, there were

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79 borough and town district libraries and 1 County Council library participating in this Service, and 3 more had decided to make the change and were waiting to do so at 31st March, 1948. The existing 80 free libraries affiliated with this Service serve a local population of 207,342 as well as a considerable number in their vicinity. In addition to the many specially requested books and periodicals, 28,550 books are on regular loan to them. Secondment of one qualified library assistant to the Lower Hutt Municipal Library has continued. During the period February, 1947, to March, 1948, 108 different communities received visits from a member of this staff. The purpose of making these visits was (1) to give information concerning free library service to those local authorities which had not adopted it; and (2) to give advice and assistance at those libraries which were operating on a free basis, and at the same time to assess the value of the service given locally. There are now only 25 boroughs within the 500-15,000 population group which are not giving or about to give free library service. Of these, 4 have no library service at all. In the inauguration of a library these 4 local authorities face the problem of providing an initial book collection and of finding suitable accommodation. In spite of this, however, it is thought that in many ways it will be an advantage in these towns not to be hampered by the old subscription-library tradition. Those local authorities which are not providing a full and free library service do < not realize the importance of its provision as a function of local government. Unfortunately, the type of service given under the subscription method has fostered a false impression of what a library service can be. There is hardly a subscription library in New Zealand which has a range of books wide enough to satisfy the demands of more than a very small proportion of the population, and few subscription libraries attempt to give more than a superficial information service. In general, and by its very nature, the subscription system in the smaller towns can do little more than provide popular fiction and best-seller favourites. If local authorities had a clearer picture of the kind of service which could be .given and the value it would have for the community, there would be little hesitation in voting money for it. Expenditure on a good service is justified when it is used by the whole community, whereas the subsidizing of a fiction serviee given to a small proportion of the population should not be condoned. Concern has been felt at the number of library authorities affiliated with this Service which have done little or nothing to develop a service of worth-while reading on a free basis. The building-up of a useful non-fiction stock has been overlooked in all but a few cases. Too often the library's free fiction collection consists of worn books which have passed through the rental collection. While the rental collection has a proper place in an otherwise free library where the authority wishes to give a service of light entertainment reading without strain on public funds, it should always be subordinated to a free collection kept fresh with new and physically attractive stock. This free collection should contain the useful books which contribute to the well-being of the community (popular technical books, especially those dealing with home life or subjects such as gardening, dressmaking, house-planning, &c), books which keep people in touch with current national and international trends, together with good imaginative works, including art, poetry, drama, and the best fiction. A service of such books cannot be provided by any commercial agency, yet a community without them is impoverished. It is a public service which must not be reduced to a charity. Unfortunately, it has become increasingly apparent that no library authority can give this sort of publicly valuable service unless it employs a librarian trained to know the whole range of books and periodicals which can be of use to a particular community, and trained to be master of the complicated but essential techniques through which they can be brought to the attention of those who will use them. The resources of this Service are not fully used in those libraries which do not employ such suitable people,

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The Consultative Committee on Adult Education in its report (" Further Education for Adults," Wellington, Council of Adult Education, 1947, p. 44) made this statement: " A library service includes more than the distribution of books. Already libraries act as clearing houses for information on all manner of topics. The librarian is not just a card stamper, he is a person who knows and studies the community. He must be able to estimate the needs of the people, to provide material in advance of need, and to find the means within the service of meeting all reasonable demands." Public librarianship demands a high level of educational attainment and administrative ability. It is a fact, however, that few public libraries in the smaller towns have attracted qualified people. Many local authorities are, of course, too small, and their resources are too restricted to be able to make the necessary allocation for the salary of a qualified person. The irregularity in size and the differences lying between the resources of different local authorities were condemned in the report of the Local Government Commission in 1946. Recommendations made in this report, if put into effect, would make the provision of library service an easier matter in many places. In this connection, the experiment made by this Service in conjunction with the Dargaville Borough Council is worth noting. Special approval was given for the secondment of a Library School graduate to the Dargaville Public Library from this staff, on condition that the Council spent the money which would normally be allocated to the librarian's salary on books for the free collection. Improvements have also been noted in those libraries which sent their librarians to one of the short courses held by the Library School. Of the 641,374 people living under County Council authority, less than 6,500 have free access to library service at present. Local authorities have so far appeared reluctant to group together for library service, and yet amalgamation of boroughs and counties with assistance from this Service is the only way in which a successful service can be achieved. In the past, examples of co-operation among local authorities have usually shown that- co-operation is at its best when the need for it is regarded as both temporary and urgent. However, the report of the Local Government Commission maintains that the success achieved in fields such as the E.P.S. and National Patriotic Fund Board activities indicate the ability of the local authorities to undertake further functions. The report of the Commission specifically states that counties, as well as boroughs, should " be encouraged to provide for their citizens more of the facilities for modern life." SMALL INDEPENDENT SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARIES : "B " SERVICE During the year, 649 of these libraries were linked to this Service, compared- with the previous year's figures of 555. Of these libraries, 345 are in the North Island and 304 in the South Island. Altogether, 51,300 books were on loan to these "B " libraries, an average of approximately 79 books. Figures showing the growth of this section of the Country Library Service are now given:—

Number of Date of Annual Report (H.-32A). " B " Libraries participating. 31st March, 1939 179 31st March, 1940 265 31st March, 1941 302 31st March, 1942 348 31st March, 1943 368 31st March, 1944 391 31st March, 1945 423 31st March, 1946 504 31st March, 1947 555 31st March, 1948 649

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"0" OB HAMPER SERVICE In places where no library exists and when it is not possible for one to be formed and visited by the book-van, the service to properly established groups by means of travelling hampers has been continued. During the year, 38 groups received service and 21 were converted to " B " service and are now receiving visits from the book-van. REQUEST SERVICE All libraries, groups, lighthouses, and individuals who receive library service from the Country Library Service, and all Government Departments, can ask for special short-term loans of books of an informational type from the headquarters stock of this Service, and, in addition, the headquarters stock is used extensively to satisfy, interlibrary loan requests (see also the report of the Librarian, National Library Centre). During the year, 23,830 requests were received, of which 23,234 were filled, the majority from our stock ; 596 (2-5 per cent.) were not filled, either because the requested book was unobtainable or because the request was not within the scope of the Service — i.e., light fiction or non-fiction of an ephemeral kind. Figures show a continued increase :

Books requested and supplied

Books borrowed from other libraries throughout New Zealand were of great help in meeting requests ; 2,254 volumes were borrowed for libraries participating -in this Service, of which 480 volumes were lent by the General Assembly Library. To this and other libraries grateful acknowledgment is made for their help, without which the proportion of unfilled requests would have been higher. The subjects requested varied greatly, from technical books, periodicals, or information required by Government Departments, to books on floral decoration, dressmaking and sewing, boat-building, or child psychology for small public libraries. The request service for Government Departments, which was begun during the year, amost immediately began to assume large proportions. During the last seven weeks of the year (the first for which separate figures were kept) 346 of the satisfied requests were for Departments, and the service already shows signs of increasing further. POSTAL OR "D" SERVICE The service to people in really isolated places out of reach of an established library has continued to increase. Members include field cadets attached to Lincoln College but working in country districts, who are supplied with general reading on farming

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Year ended 31sfc March, 1947. 1948. Supplied— North Island .. South Island Total supplied Not supplied— North Island South Island Total not supplied 13,000 7,393 20,393 374 14,800 8,434 23,234 < 596 324 50 450 146 Total requests received 20,767 23,830

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and agriculture, and lighthouse-keepers and assistant keepers and their families. The increase is demonstrated by the number of active members at the end of each of the last four financial years :

Postal Service Members

A total of 23,483 books was issued to these members (luring the year, including 1,4:14 to lighthouses. LOAN COLLECTIONS Special collections of books 011 specific subjects, issued for two months, were again popular. Subjects such as gardening, occupations and hobbies, music, and New Zealand were in demand, but some libraries asked for collections on such less generally popular subjects as philosophy, mining methods and coal, and vocational guidance. In addition to the 327 collections issued to 78 libraries linked with this Service, 21 collections were sent to teachers' training colleges, W.E.A. summer schools, Education Department refresher courses, and to other libraries outside the Service which required them for special purposes :

Use of Loan Collections

1945. Year ended 31st March, . 1946. 1947. 1948. Active members— North Island (South Island Lighthouses \ 496 66 674 | 81 569 234 101 607 293 108 562 755 904 1,008 Lighthouses served 15 19 20 25

Year ended 31st March, 1017. 1948. Number of collections sent— To libraries linked with Country Library Service — North Island .. .. .. 120 188 South Island 103 139 Total 223 327 To other libraries— North Island 12 17 South Island 5 4 Total to other libraries — 17 — 21 Total collections sent 240 348 Number of libraries linked with Country Library Service served— North Island 42 60 South Island 13 18 Total — 55 — 78 Number of books issued— North Island 6,552 9,722 South Island 3,228 3,490 o mo 19 OlO JLUVCvJL • . . . . . . . . •

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PERIODICALS SERVICE A total of 436 periodicals is now taken by this Service and 115 titles have been sent out regularly (206 copies) to 64 free participating libraries. Each library receives up to 29 periodicals chosen from the list, in lots of from three to eight, sending the periodicals on to other libraries at the end of the month.

Requested titles are also issued regularly to other Departments for purposes of research and reference. SCHOOL LIBRARY SERVICE In 1,716 schools, 106,170 children now receive regular supplies of books from this Service. These children are in primary and district high schools (93) in country districts. One hundred and five Maori schools are included in this number. By 31st March, 1948, 1,095 of these schools had qualified for free service by paying the required levy for two complete and consecutive years and carrying out all other conditions of the School Library Service which apply to them. Increase in staff has made possible an accelerated rate of admission, as indicated by the figures below :

During the year, Ministerial approval was given to the extension of the Service to schools in towns between 10,000 and 15,000 population (1945 census). By an arrangement with the Whangarei Borough Council, the Whangarei Public Library is now the centre of distribution of School Library Service books to North Auckland schools, the work entailed being carried out by seconded School Library Service staff. This appears to be much more satisfactory for closer contact with schools and teachers. Distribution is thus now carried out from ten centres —North Island : Whangarei and Wanganui Public Libraries and offices of the Country Library Service in Auckland, Palmerston North, and Wellington. South Island : Dunedin, Greymouth, and Timaru Public Libraries and offices of the Country Library Service in Christchurch and Nelson. The response shown by schools, particularly by district high schools, to the reference and request service begun at the end of last financial year has proved that such a service is of value and should be developed as staff and accommodation allow. During the year, 4,257 requests were made for specific books —4,127 of these were filled from our own stock and 130 were not filled because the book was either unobtainable or beyond the scope of a school service. Loan collections were sent to district high schools, to teachers' training colleges, to junior departments of public libraries, and to a community centre. Subject collections included arts and crafts, social studies, various countries— -e.g., India, Australia —science, and nature study.

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— North Island. South Island. Total. Number of libraries 41 23 64

Year ended 31st March, Schools admitted. Total ltoll of Schools. Books added to Stock. 1947 1948 149 363 11,684 20,944 26;7'8#62,568 .

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Because of the lack of comprehensive up-to-date lists of children's books available from the United "Kingdom and the impracticability of printing our own catalogue, it was decided to issue regular lists of recommended books. The lists are issued monthly and are planned to cover in a year the whole field of available reading for children (excluding text-books). Lists already issued have been of help to schools and public libraries either for buying books or for requesting them from this Service. On behalf of the Department of Island Territories, approximately 3,000 books were selected, prepared for issue, and sent to Western Samoa for circulation among Samoan schools. Below are tables showing details of the School Library Service at 31st March, 194 8

Additions to stock were 62,568 volumes—37,7l2 fiction and 24,856 non-fiction. Withdrawals were 1,672 —1,225 fiction and 447 non-fiction. The stock now stands at 212,464, of which 138,116 are fiction and 74,348 non-fiction :

HOSPITAL AND INSTITUTIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE The survey of present facilities, and possibilities for future development, of hospital libraries has been carried on. Thirty centres where public hospitals are located were visited by the Hospital Librarian during the year. Difficulties in organizing service to hospital patients through the public libraries arise from the fact that some libraries are still under the subscription system, while others suffer from shortage of staff and funds. For these reasons, only a small proportion of local authorities has taken advantage of the offer of book collections by the Service to public libraries in towns under 15.000 population for starting hospital service. For hospitals of over 100

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Education Boards. Schools served. Children (Standard Classes). Books on Issue at One Time (excluding those in Transit). Auckland 437 37,591 43,337 Canterbury 251 11,703 13,280 Hawke's Bay 127 6,496 9,547 Nelson 81 4,404 4,957 Otago 151 7,527 7,877 Southland 132 5,686 6,271 Taranaki 80 5,289 5,593 Wanganui 157 8,266 9,525 Wellington 133 9,209 10,419 Education Department— Maori 105 6,683 6,924 Child Welfare 24 768 76S Private schools 38 2,548 2,548 Totals 1,716 106,170 121*046

Books. Fiction. Non-fiction. Total. Stock at 31st March, 1947 Accessions 101,629 37,712 49,939 24,856 151,568 62,568 Withdrawals 139,341 1,225 74,795 447 214,136 1,672 Stock at 31st March, 1948 138,116 74,348 212,464

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patients the number of books available is on the basis of one book per patient. The allocation may be increased for smaller hospitals. The request service is also available to hospitals under this scheme. One collection of 100 books is at present on loan to a library administering hospital service. Assistance has so far been offered to hospitals only through public libraries which can provide librarians to administer or supervise the service to patients and which will make available their own book stock at least to the extent of request service. Provision of accommodation for the housing of books, and book trolleys, is considered as the responsibility of the hospital. Since the Hospital Board and borough rating areas are not the same, it is reasonable for Hospital Boards to contribute an annual sum to the library either for books or librarian's salary, and this policy has been recommended to Boards. Where it is not possible for the library to provide full staffing for hospital service, co-operation with local organizations such as the Red Cross Society is a satisfactory way of organizing the circulation of books in hospitals. Training in hospital librarianship has continued through a seminar at the Library School in 1947, and lectures to librarians attending the short course at the School in 1948. Nine mental hospitals were visited during the year. Four of these are now receiving book collections from this Service, on the basis approximately of one book for two patients. The books are selected to suit the special needs of this type of patient, and are exchanged every four months. To these four institutions, 1,450 books are on loan, and four more institutions have been offered similar service. One mental hospital uses the request service, but has no library accommodation for an exchange collection. A further six prisons (including one Borstal and one women's reformatory) have been visited. Book collections are now being sent to seven institutions, and are exchanged every four months. Altogether 1,175 books are out on loan, and the request service is used in addition. Service has been offered to five more prisons. Statistics show that the average number of books issued to each inmate was about thirty a year, with an average non-fiction proportion of 25 per cent. BOOK STOCK During the year additions to stock were 44,621 volumes —16,612 fiction and 28,009 non-fiction. Withdrawals were 8,699 —7,804 fiction and 895 non-fiction —making net additions 35,922. The adult stock of the Service now stands at 243,990, made up of 85,766 fiction and 158,224 non-fiction. At 31st March, 1948, stock of the children's section was 212,464, making a grand total of all stock of 456,454 volumes. Difficulty in obtaining books from overseas has continued, but is decreasing. The very great assistance given by overseas agencies of the New Zealand Government in securing publications for the Service is acknowledged. SECTION lI.—LIBRARY SCHOOL Report by the Acting-Director: Miss N. Bateson In February, 1948, Miss Mary Parsons, who was Director of the School from its beginning in 1946, returned to the United States, and Miss Nora Bateson was appointed Acting-Director. During the third year of its existence the Library School completed the second course for training professional librarians, held the second short course for librarians and assistants from small public libraries, opened the third professional course, and recruited students for the first of two short professional courses which will be offered in 1948 and 1949 to librarians who had completed the General Training Course of the New Zealand Library Association before 31st March, 1948.

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1947 PROFESSIONAL COURSE At the closing meeting of the second professional course on 28th November, 1947, an address was given by the Hon. the Minister of Education, who awarded 21 diplomas and 4 certificates to the 25 students who had been admitted to the course. In December most of the students did paid practice work, which broadened their experience before they took up in January the posts to which they had been appointed. The 1947 graduates and their present occupations are : Andrews, Isobel Mary .. Assistant, Catalogue Section, National Library Service, and Reviser, Library School. Bertram, George Bruce .. Field Librarian, National Library Service. Borchardt, Dietrich Hans .. Assistant in Charge of Orders, Otago University Library. Cole, John Reece .. .. Assistant, Order Section, National Library Service. Colgan, Wynne .. .. Municipal Reference Librarian, Auckland. Drummond, Yolanda Fillans Assistant, Schools Section, National Library Service. (Kennedy) Hood, Bryan .. .. Deputy City Librarian, Wellington Public Libraries. Key-Jones, Joyce Rosanna Librarian, A.E.W.S., N.M.D., Auckland. Harriet Edith Lang, Helen Haldis Dorothea .. Librarian, Tauranga Public Library. Leatham, Edward Harry .. Librarian, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Lorimer, Hugh James .. Assistant Librarian, Country Library Service, Christchurch. McCaul, Kathleen M. .. .. Holder of Carnegie Fellowship for overseas study of high school librarianship and library work with young adults. Mclnnes, Ruth Mellor .. Librarian and Bibliographer, Library School. McKay, Alison .. .. Assistant, National Library Centre. Olsson, Arthur Leslie .. .. Assistant, National Library Centre. Palmer, Nancy Vera .. .. Chief Assistant, Lower Hutt Municipal Library. Roth, Herbert Otto .. .. Assistant, Catalogue Section, National Library Service. Savage, June Rosabel .. Curator of Manuscripts, Alexander Turnbull Library. Smith, Molly Alison .. .. Assistant, Schools Section, National Library Service. Sommerville, Alice Dorothy .. Assistant in Charge, Macmillan Brown Collection, Canterbury University College Library. Stringleman, John Edwin Denys Assistant Librarian, Canterbury Public Library, Christchurch. Thompson, Ernest Wallace .. University student with permission from Library School to defer the beginning of his library service for one academic year. Webster, Eileen .. .. Librarian, Greymouth Public Library. Wylie, David Michael .. Senior Assistant, General Assembly Library. Zander, Channa .. .. Assistant, Catalogue Section, National Library Service. Analysis of this list shows that 1947 graduates are in Government libraries (National Library Service ; Alexander Turnbull Library ; General Assembly Library), Government departmental libraries and other special libraries (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Library ; A.E.W.S. Library, N.M.D. : Auckland Municipal Reference Library), University libraries (Canterbury University College Library; Otago University Library), and public libraries (Lower Hutt Municipal Library; Canterbury Public Library, Christchurch; Greymouth Public Library; Tauranga. Public Library ; Wellington Public Libraries). The number of good positions advertised by libraries exceeded the number of Library School graduates. 1948 SHORT COURSE A short course for librarians mainly from the smaller public libraries was given from 25th February to 19th March. There were 15 students from the following public libraries: Ashburton, Cambridge, Country Library Service, Christchurch, Kaikohe, Lower Hutt, Lyttelton, Marton, Matamata, Otorohanga, Picton, Raetihi, Timaru, and Waiuku.

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In addition to lectures, several hours were set aside for the informal discussion of problems and special questions raised by the students. Members of the Library School and National Library Service staff took part in these discussions. 1948 PROFESSIONAL COURSE The professional course this year consists of the regular three-term course, and a shorter two-term course for librarians who qualified for the General Training Certificate of the New Zealand Library Association before 31st March, 1948, who have been recommended by the Selection Committee of the New Zealand Library Association and approved by the Minister of Education. So far as possible, the first term's programme will cover the subject-matter of the General Certificate, and the two groups of students will work together for the last two terms. The course opened on 9th February with 16 students approved by the Minister of Education. Nine librarians are expected as students for the second and third terms. The Library School must again express its warm appreciation to those librarians of the National Library Service and other libraries and to the subject specialists who have given lectures as well as to the libraries which continue to lend us books. SECTION in.—NATIONAL LIBRARY CENTRE Report by the Librarian : Mr. A. G. Baghall UNITED STATES INFORMATION LIBRARY Following the closing of the United States Information Library on 31st July, 1947, arrangements were made for the National Library Service to take over the stock and maintain the reference service. This has been done, the service being given through the public-library system of the country in accordance with library policy. The State Department continues to supply 100 general periodicals and 30 Governmental serials with much vertical file material, the more important of which is notified on receipt to certain libraries. Small stocks of books are also received. "While the closing of the Library has left an unfortunate gap in New Zealand library services, the continued receipt of material is a greatly appreciated aid in the national coverage of American publications. CENTRAL CATALOGUING In January, 1948, the National Centre commenced the preparation, duplication, and distribution of catalogue cards for New Zealand material. The cards, which are being sold individually and at a subscription rate, are being prepared in accordance with the American Library Association rules for all titles published in New Zealand,-for all important material published overseas dealing with the country, and for books by New Zealanders not in either of the other two categories. Cards are not being done for primary and secondary school texts and minor items such as prospectuses, trade catalogues, corporate body rules and constitutions, and souvenir programmes. Books not dealing with New Zealand which are first published overseas and later reprinted liere are also excluded from the scope of the scheme. Up to the 31st March, cards for 70 titles had been distributed to 25 libraries. The collection of the material and the requisite bibliographical checking for information is being done in close collaboration with the General Assembly Library. INDEX TO NEW ZEALAND PERIODICALS Work on the Index to Neiv Zealand Periodicals was continued during the year.' The New Zealand Library Association, as arranged, issued the Index for the first six months of 1948, the entries for which had been prepared by the Centre. The 1947 cumulation is at present in the press. Work is proceeding with the typing of the cumulation for 1941-46 inclusive.

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BIBLIOGRAPHICAL SECTION Bibliographies on special subjects have been compiled on request. At the request •of UNESCO, a list of representative New Zealand books published from 1939 to 1946 was prepared and has been issued to many libraries, both in New Zealand and overseas. Bibliographies on Antarctica, United Nations, and Katherine Mansfield have been completed. Plans are being made for the provision of select reading-lists for publiclibrary use to meet the need for this class of aid. INTER-LIBRARY LOAN The undermentioned figures show the increase in inter-library loan requests handled by the National Library Service. The total number of cards received during the past year (6,159) shows a less than proportionate increase by comparison with previous years.

Book Resources

LIBRARIES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS A scheme for centralized departmental book buying and cataloguing with a reference service based on a 1946 report of the Librarian, National Centre, as modified by the recommendations of an inter-departmental committee, was brought into operation on

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— 1944-45. Percentage. 1945-46. Percentage. 1946-47. Percentage. 1947-48. Percentage. Number of inter-loan cards received 1,735 100-0 3,029 100-0 5,684 100-0 6,159 100-0 Supplied from National Library Service 860 49-7 1,428 47-1 2,794 49-2 3,293 53-5 (Supplied from other Wellington libraries 295 170 522 17-2 794 14-0 687 111 Supplied from Union Catalogue records .Supplied from Check-list of Serials 103 5-9 232 7-7 358 6-3 352 5-7 73 1-3 79 1-3 Items previously on Book Resources Items held over for further checking Items cancelled by requesting library Rejected as outside scope of interloan 14 37 0-9 2-2 17 84 0-6 2-8 42 41 10 103 0-7 0-7 0-2 1-8 68 54 8 101 11 0-9 01 1-7 back for further information 104 1-8 179 2-9 Listed on Book Resources 426 24-3 746 24-6 1,365 24-0 1,338 21-7 1,735 100-0 3,029 100-0 5,684 100-0 6,159 100-0 Total number of items listed on Book Resources — Inter-loan requests listed on Book Resources 426 59-8 746 63-7 1,365 74-8 1,338 64-3 Items referred back and reported missing, later listed on Book Resources 127 7-0 105 5-0 Items requested by National Library Service 286 40-2 426 36-3 332 18-2 639 30-7 712 100-0 1,172 100-0 1,824 100-0 2,082 100 0 Items located through Book Resources 288 40-4 417 35-6 619 33-9 716 34-4

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Ist September. Books and periodicals for all Departments within the Public Account are now ordered through the National Library Service, for which cards are prepared on receipt and despatched with the books to Departments. An increasing number of requests for publications and information by Departments are dealt with. Accession lists of books and vertical-file material received in the National library Service are issued to 24 Departments. All material purchased and catalogued under this scheme is entered in the Union Catalogue, and a most valuable record of serials taken by Departments is being built up. UNION CATALOGUE During the year 15,017 cards were added to the Union Catalogue, representing the accessions of the major libraries. Prospects of including the holdings of libraries accessioned before 1941, the first year of the Union Catalogue, are within sight of being realized by the renewal of the offer of the Carnegie Corporation to make $5,000 available for equipment to complete the task photographically. The New Zealand Library Association has decided to avail itself of the offer, and a microfile camera, two readers, and the necessary card stock have been requested. Plans have been drawn up to carry out the work under the direction of the National Centre. CENTRAL BUEEAU FOE LIBEAEY BOOK IMPOSTS From Ist April, 1947, to 31st March, 1948, 74 recommendations for special licence to the value of £5,676 (New Zealand currency) were made covering books and periodicals. Block licences as follows were granted to one special, four city, and three university libraries : £ United Kingdom .. .. .. ..12,025 United States .. .. .. ..9,508 Other countries .. .. .. .. 1,362 Total .. .. .. .. £22,895 BOOK EESOUECES COMMITTEE Three meetings of the Book Eesources Committee were held during the year. In addition to discussion on some of the above topics, the proposals for specialization in libraries were approved, the first step being the making of a survey to ascertain what specialization was at present being done in New Zealand libraries and to what extent libraries could participate in the proposed scheme. The survey is not yet completed. BOOKS FOE GEEMANY In answer to an urgent appeal from England by the Agency for Intellectual Belief in Germany for British books to be lent by libraries in key centres, the National Centre undertook to collect gifts from institutional members of the New Zealand Library Association. The appeal yielded approximately 600 books and sets of various periodicals,, which will shortly be despatched overseas.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (813 copies), £36.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l94B.

Price 6d.}

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