Report of the National Library Service for the Year Ended 31 March 1958 | Page 9

libraries may feel they cannot go in the
common interest has not so far been determined administratively but it
may be necessary to consider this. If so, it is better that it be done
quantitatively on the basis of a common library policy rather than that

the present procedure should become an embarrassment or be
administered capriciously or conservatively.
Central Bureau for Library Book Imports--After the introduction of
import control in January the Government approved that the facilities
of the bureau should be extended to meet the situation and assure
libraries of their essential supplies. The bureau was set up in 1940 as a
responsibility of the Country Library Service as a result of discussions
between the Government and the Library Association. Because libraries
undertook to avoid unnecessary duplication and develop cooperative
ways of recording and using their holdings, the 50 per cent cut in book
imports made in 1939 was restored and the necessary machinery
established to safeguard the country's supply of essential publications.
The situation now is that recommendations for licences are made to the
Comptroller of Customs in two categories: firstly, block licence in
annual or six-monthly lots to cover a full licensing period, on behalf of
public libraries serving a population of 20,000 and over, university
libraries, and a few special libraries; secondly, individual
recommendations on behalf of smaller libraries which are made on the
basis of orders sent in when making application. Book-sellers are
expected to give libraries a proportionate share of their 1956
transactions on which their current licence would be computed.
Block licence recommendations, normally made at the end of the
year--and for some years only for anticipated imports from scheduled
countries, chiefly the dollar area--were held over until the present
calendar year and statistically will be included in the figures for the
1958 licensing period.
Libraries of Government Departments--A total of £45,357 was spent on
behalf of Government Departments financed from the Consolidated
Fund and purchasing through the National Library Service. Of this total,
£25,344 was for standing orders, chiefly periodical subscriptions. The
value, nationally, of a range of periodicals wider than that which is now
received by all the libraries would scarcely be disputed, but the degree
of duplication between and particularly within Departments continues
to cause concern.

Book Resources Committee of the New Zealand Library
Association--The Book Resources Committee of which the Librarian,
National Centre, is Secretary, has continued to act as the national
planning and advisory body in the cooperative acquisition, recording,
and use of publications. In June and July of this year Dr K. D. Metcalf,
Librarian Emeritus of Harvard, at the joint invitation of the United
States Educational Foundation in New Zealand and the New Zealand
Government, will visit New Zealand. Dr Metcalf will visit the main
centres and will have discussions with the committee and the
Government on policy matters.
Union Catalogue--During the year 26,033 new titles were added
including 2,928 from the microfilmed record of library catalogues. The
catalogue now includes over 400,000 entries.
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL SECTION
Union List of Serials--The typing and printing of the sixth (cumulative)
supplement to the Union List of Serials has commenced and publication
is anticipated early in 1959.
Index to New Zealand Periodicals--The 1956 issue of the index, the
first for which the National Library Service has accepted the
responsibility of publication, was printed by photo-offset and
distributed. The 1957 issue is being prepared in the same way. The
possibility of simplifying production by printing direct from the typed
cards is being explored.
General--Printed catalogue cards for 247 New Zealand books and
pamphlets were issued during the year. Work on the national
bibliography, from 1890 to 1950, has continued and it is hoped to
commence the typing of a preliminary check list of holdings at the end
of the year.
BY AUTHORITY: R. E. OWEN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER,
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND--1958 Price 1 s. 96098-58 G

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