Report of the National Library Service for the Year Ended 31 March 1958 | Page 4

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.