Books Requested and Supplied
| Year Ended 31 March | Increase Per Cent | ||
| 1957 | 1958 | ||
| To Country Library Service libraries | 55,782 | 61,870 | 10.9 |
| To Government Department libraries | 6,423 | 6,998 | 8.9 |
| To interloan libraries | 8,051 | 8,801 | 9.3 |
| Total issues | 70,256 | 77,669 | 10.6 |
During the year, 26,047 requests (an increase of 9.2 per cent) were referred to Wellington. Of the total issues, 4,975 were books belonging to other libraries throughout New Zealand, whose willing cooperation is gratefully acknowledged.
[Expenditure]—Expenditure under Subdivision XII, vote "Education", for the year was £264,956. This figure includes £94,544 for the purchase of books, of which £45,357 was for books and periodicals on behalf of Government Departments. The expenditure on behalf of Departments represents 12,146 books and standing orders for approximately 11,000 serial publications.
Expenditure under Subdivision III for the purchase of books by the School Library Service was £50,580.
G. T. Alley, Director.
SECTION I—COUNTRY LIBRARY SERVICE
On 31 March 1958, 989 towns and small centres were receiving regular loans of books, an increase of 32 centres over the previous year. In addition, 54 Ministry of Works, State Hydro-electric, and New Zealand Forest Service camps and stations were given library service. Books are also on loan to six places in the Chatham Islands, and to Niue, Rarotonga, and Pitcairn Island. Free loans of books on a population basis are given to mental hospitals and prisons situated both in country and urban districts.
Books, periodicals, and information are available to country people in the following ways:
(a)Free loans of books on a population basis to libraries controlled by the 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 fifty books loaned.
(c)Loans of books through hamper collections to isolated groups of readers at a small annual charge.
(d)Free loans of books to lighthouse keepers and similar very remote readers.
(e)Free loans of books on a population basis to Ministry of Works, State Hydro-electric, and New Zealand Forest Service camps.
All libraries served under (a) and (b) and the majority under (c) receive regular visits from one of the especially equipped book vans of this Service; at least three visits being paid to each library during a normal year. In addition, all persons, by whichever of the above means they receive library service, may obtain loans of requested books by post.
[FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES: "A" SERVICE]
On 31 March 1958 there were participating in the service 107 libraries controlled by the following local authorities:
| Administrative counties | 5 | |
| Borough councils | 94 | |
| Independent town districts | 6 | |
| Dependent town districts | 2 |
In addition, the following counties contribute to the funds of a public library supplying a free service to county residents:
| County | Public Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Eltham | Eltham | |
| Patea | Waverley | |
| Wairoa | Wairoa | |
| Golden Bay | Takaka | |
| Lake | Queenstown |
These libraries served an estimated local population of 437,000, with a considerable number in surrounding areas. Besides the many requested books and periodicals 91,954 books are on regular loan to them.
By arrangement with the Waitemata, Patangata, Egmont, and Rangitikei County Councils the public libraries at Titirangi, Otane, Opunake, and Bulls respectively receive a free service.
Library buildings continue to improve. During the year new libraries were opened in Geraldine, Greymouth, New Lynn, and Morrinsville, and new buildings are planned in several other centres. This Service continues to assist in making available material on good overseas practice and New Zealand achievement. Assistance is also given in the design of the interiors of libraries and in specifications for equipment.
The best results are achieved when a local authority and the librarian prepare a written building programme, specifying the functions of the library, the various areas to be provided, the relationship between each, the number of books, readers, and librarians to be accommodated, and the equipment to be housed for efficient service. Such a document gives a clear directive to the architect, but at the same time allows him complete freedom of expression in designing the building.
The shortage of trained librarians continues. Three students from the 1957 Library School professional course accepted positions in public libraries serving centres of under 20,000 population, but they were all replacements for qualified librarians who had taken library work in other fields, so there was no net gain. There was at least one public library in a small town unable to fill its vacancy for a qualified librarian.
The short course for librarians from smaller centres, held at the Library School from 12 to 30 August 1957, was of great value to the participating librarians. The demand for training is very great and, with such eagerness to learn, the training given is immediately effective.
Cooperation between libraries participating in the Country Library Service has been developing slowly. A little more interest has been shown in the cooperative book-buying scheme fostered by this Service. There are now 22 libraries taking part. Libraries working together in this way for the first time this year are Blenheim, Cambridge, Kaikoura, Morrinsville, Picton, Putaruru, and Te Kuiti.
Assistance in staffing was given to the public libraries at Morrinsville and Picton for reorganisation and extension of local services. Field librarians continue to advise and assist on their regular visits.
A collection of 300 books was lent to the New Zealand IGY party at Scott Base, Ross Dependency, as had been done in the case of the New Zealand Antarctic Expedition a year earlier.
During the year ministerial approval was given for provision of a full-time librarian and complete service to be granted to the library at the new Benmore camp, subject to the Ministry of Works providing a satisfactory building.
[Book Van]—During the year one of three book vans operating in the South Island was replaced. Using experience gained in recent replacements in the North Island the new van is constructed of aluminium alloy on a four-ton, long-wheel-base chassis. Particular care was taken in providing good sealing against dust and water, adequate natural lighting, and the best possible insulation.
Excellent insulation is achieved by a thick layer of expanded polystyrene on all sides, roof, and floor. Very efficient lighting without excessive heat problems has been provided by the installation of two large roof lights of double glazed, toughened, anti-sun polished plate, the upper light being held an inch above the roof line with a free flow of air between the panes. This form of construction has contributed to the good handling qualities of the van. Approximately 2,000 books are carried.
[Minimum Standards for Public Libraries Participating in the Country Library Service]—Overseas, most national and State organisations consider it their responsibility to publish statements of standard library practice, and codes for its evaluation. The most important statement is Public Library Service: A Guide to Evaluation, with Minimum Standards, which was approved by the Council of the American Library Association and published by the Association in Chicago in 1956.
In 1952 the New Zealand Library Association Standards Research Committee prepared its "Basic Standards for New Zealand Libraries, 1952", which was published in New Zealand Libraries 15:121-131; 145-150, Jl-Ag, S '52. This was based on the survey attempted by the visiting American librarian, Miss Miriam Tompkins, in 1950, but was not a formal pronouncement of the Association.
For the Country Library Service the problem has been present since 1938. Assistance to local authorities has been given on three conditions, approved by the Minister of Education at the inception of the Service. The third of these conditions is that the "local authority should maintain the library at a reasonable standard of service".
Country Library Service assistance to libraries has always been planned as service to assist local effort, not to supplant it. Where the local service does not reach a certain standard a certain proportion of the Country Library Service assistance loses its force. No matter how much the assistance is increased the local people cannot benefit fully from it unless the local authority houses it in a fair building, grafts it on to a reasonable local book collection, and has the whole serviced by an active and informed librarian. Continuity of good service is assured only when the basic objectives of library service are enunciated and clearly understood by the local authority.
Local authorities have not abused the flexible interpretation given to the "reasonable standard of service" condition, but have appreciated the fact that the Country Library Service always took into consideration any local difficulties that existed. Libraries generously supported by their local authorities without exception have made full use of all the services the Government has offered, and the local people have benefited from a first-class library service in its fullest cultural and educational sense.
Local provision has naturally varied, but since 1950 the pattern of local achievement has become more apparent, and the possibility was seen of drawing up some code for evaluation. Local authorities participating in this service were consulted and agreed to provide statistical notes on their own work. These data formed the basis of a draft statement which set out standards under headings of functions, service, staff, books, and buildings, and which was sent to local authorities for comment. It was gratifying to receive replies from so many, saying that they would consider such a statement quite fair and reasonable. Accordingly, the "Minimum Standards for Public Libraries Participating in the Country Library Service" was approved by the Minister of Education on 22 April 1958 and issued formally.
The document emphasises that it gives standards for minimum provision, and that local authorities aiming to give good service will not be satisfied until they are exceeded. That they are exceeded in several centres is a matter for congratulation, and the local authorities concerned have reason to be proud of their libraries, and are in every case anxious to maintain their good record.
[SMALL INDEPENDENT SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARIES: "B" SERVICE]
During the year, 832 of these libraries were linked with this Service, compared with 801 for the previous year. Of these libraries, 253 are served from Hamilton, 191 from Palmerston North, and 388 from Christchurch.
Altogether 75,997 books were on loan to the 832 libraries, an average of over 91 books per library. Over the past 10 years the average for each library has increased from 79 books, or 15 per cent, thus demonstrating the increasing interest that country readers are taking in the type of books supplied by this Service. The figures shown as basic issues do not include the thousands of books loaned to these libraries on short term through the "request service".
["C" OR HAMPER SERVICE]
In places where no library exists and where it is not possible for one to be formed and visited by a book van, a service to properly established groups by means of hampers is provided. During the year 45 of these groups received service, there being 3,325 books on regular loan to them. The hamper service is also extended to six places in the Chatham Islands and to Pitcairn Island.
[LIGHTHOUSE SERVICE]
The postal service has been continued to lighthouse keepers, fire lookouts in State Forests, and a few very remote readers in coastal islands. During the year a total of 1,851 books was issued, mostly by a hamper service.
[FREE SERVICE TO MINISTRY OF WORKS, STATE HYDRO-ELECTRIC, AND NEW ZEALAND FOREST SERVICE CAMPS AND STATIONS]
During the year 54 camps or stations received visits from the book van, in addition to one receiving hamper service from the Christchurch office. Altogether 7,691 books are on loan to such places.
[HOSPITAL AND INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE]
Visits have continued from the book vans to 12 general hospitals with an exchange of 1,405 books. Twelve mental hospitals received 3,910 books and 13 prisons 3,125 books. During the year assistance has been given to the Department of Justice in book and periodical selection.
Difficulties occur from time to time in connection with the service to prisons and mental hospitals. They arise from the lack of supervision of these libraries by trained library staff. Officers engaged in other duties are not in a position to organise the full service which would be of such benefit to patients and prisoners.
From the special TB collection 1,620 books were exchanged at four-monthly intervals for 15 sanatoria and tuberculosis wards of public hospitals. Three hundred and thirteen books were sent on request (250 non-fiction and 63 fiction). Sixty-four requests could not be fulfilled as the required books were not available through the stock or through purchase, and the resources of other collections are not used for these borrowers.
[LOAN COLLECTIONS]
Collections of books, pamphlets, and periodicals to illustrate particular subjects are available for short periods not only to affiliated libraries but also to university and the larger public libraries.