H—32A

A feature of these figures is the marked drop in the number of applications for special licence, which in the previous year totalled 159 to the value of £7,280. The Book Resources Committee of the New Zealand Library Association when reviewing the operation of the Bureau decided that the time was not opportune to recommend any modification in the Bureau procedure; it was also felt that the Bureau could still do a great deal to help small libraries to obtain standard works and bibliographical aids. LIBRARIES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS During the year a survey was made of the libraries of Government Departments. Over 50 Head Office and Branch libraries, were reported on. Consequential recommendations were discussed by an inter-departmental conference and amended by an inter-departmental committee before submission to the Public Service Commission. It is hoped that the recommendations,, which include central ordering and cataloguing by the National Library Service when in operation, will result in a more developed library service both within the Departments and from the National Library Service to them. BOOK RESOURCES COMMITTEE The Book Resources Committee met on 28th August, 1946, when reports on the above projects were discussed. An interim report from the Librarian, National Centre, outlining a wide range of topics for consideration by the Centre and the Book Resources Committee was also commented upon. Plans for the* central cataloguing of New Zealand material and the issue of printed cards were discussed and approved. Printing difficulties have so far prevented this being carried further, but it has been agreed as an interim measure that printed lists in catalogue card form should be prepared by the National Library Service in conjunction with the General Assembly Library. INDEX TO NEW ZEALAND PERIODICALS In March, 1946, the National Centre agreed to take over the compilation of the Index to New Zeoibamd Periodicals' from the New Zealand Library Association, which body was, however, still to be responsible for publication. It was decided that current publication would be resumed in 1947 and a cumulation from 1941 to 1946 inclusive would be prepared taking the Index beyond its last published section, January to June, 1943. The number of periodicals to be included necessarily had to be curtailed, although the cumulation, now ready for publication, covers thirty titles. The New Zealand Library Association has decided to mimeograph the Index. DONATION OF AMERICAN BOOKS During the year a handsome donation of some 700 books was received from the International Relations Office of the American Library Association,, through the generosity of the Rockefeller Foundation. These books represent a set of outstanding publications of reference and research value published during the years 1939-45 and will form a much appreciated accession to the book resources of the country. The gift emphasizes the indebtedness of the New Zealand library movement to American foundations, which have helped so generously both on this occasion and in the past. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (793 copies), £24

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1947. Price 6d.]

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