Giving Radio to Flat-Dwellers and People in Boarding-Houses

Radio Record, Volume X, Issue 3, 24 July 1936, Page 17

Giving Radio to Flat-Dwellers and People in Boarding-Houses

Leading Librarians Applaud Idea for "Listening Rooms"

IME was when a library was a place where greybeards dozed over the Encyclopaedia Britannica in rooms smelling strongly of disinfectant, and elderly spinsters crept in, mouse-like, to exchange a copy of Marie Corelli for something new by Ruby M. Ayres. But all that is rapidly changing. To-day sun and fresh air are welcome visitors in libraries-the rooms are warm and pleasant, with colour and flowers. If a library is to be a force in the cultural life of the community-and any librarian should make that his prime ob-ject-it musi be attractive. A suggestion for an addition to the facilities already being provided was made in last week’s ""Radio Record"

-the installation of radio sets in special rooms. "That idea seems an excellent one to me," said the Librarian of the Central Public Library (Mr. J. Norrie), when asked for an opinion by this paper. . "Tt could be used in a dozen different directions-I visualise a group of people interested in one particular subject listening to the lecture put over the air, then furthering its knowledge by consulting books in the library. "The scheme could be carried further by a system of definite study before the broadcast takes place. Say, for instance, a man is going to talk on the music. of Beethoven. By consulting the programmes in the ‘Radio Record’ a group could have at least a clear week before the broadcast took ‘place. In that week notes could be prepared and the group add considerably to its knowledge of the composer and to its enjoyment of the broadcast. . "The W.E.A., too, could be assisted by the provision of radio rooms in public libraries, ‘This asso-

ciation is doing splendid work, but much of the knowledge that it imparts is lost because of a lack of radio sets in flats and boardinghouses. In Wellington this is particularly noticeable-there’s probably not another city in New Zealand were so many people board or have a flat, and consequently have no means of listening in. A radio set in a library would be of inestimable benefit to them. "In our new library building, which we hope will be opened in about a couple of years, very special provision is being made for children. One of the senior assistants is at present in America studying the latest methods of running children’s libraries. A radio set in this department could add greatly to its value. There are many interesting stories put over the air, and,. while it might be necesary to shut the set off while little Tommy’s birthday greetings were broadcast, the general children’s hour. pro-

gramme is very suitable-entertaining and instructive -for small listeners." os "The installation of radio listening rooms in libraries is, I think, only in its infancy; but it is ‘a’ very obvious development in connection with. the .public library," said.the. Chief Librarian of the. Parliamentary Library (Dr. Guy H. Scholefield). "One realises when travelling away from home what deprivation is involved in not having access to a radio, It is hardly to be expected that the broadcasting corporations will provide free means of listening to their broadcasts. There are, of course, two ways in which libraries make use of broadcasting, and vice versa. In the United States and also in Great Britain there are regular series of library talks broadcast with the object of making the libraries and their contents better kriown' to the public.. That is one side of the picture. The other is the co-operation of libraries in the organisation of listening groups throughout the country. ‘The listéning group, to be of most value, must be provided with the requisite reading to enable members to pursue what (Continued on next page,)

(Continued from previous page.) they have heard or engage in debate. In this the libraty has cooperated freely and with increasing success. , "The last report in the Library Association Year Book, devotes some attention to this. It shows that in many cases the listening groups actually meet in the libraries to listen to the broad¢asts and discuss them afterwards. | Where there is no room for them to meet in the library librarians often help the groups with literature and even by attending the sessions, giving talks and providing bibliographies and select lists. I quite expect to see some of our larger public libraries providing a room for broadcast listeners. It would be a valuable adjunct to the library and would assist the object it always has before it of extending the use of its books. This is, of course, on the assumption that library service will in the future be free, or nearly so."