Report of the National Library Service for the Year Ended 31 March 1958 | Page 3

Centre.)
BOOKS REQUESTED AND SUPPLIED Year Ended 31 March Increase 1957 1958 Per Cent
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.