H—32a

PERIODICALS SERVICE A total of 436 periodicals is now taken by this Service and 115 titles have been sent out regularly (206 copies) to 64 free participating libraries. Each library receives up to 29 periodicals chosen from the list, in lots of from three to eight, sending the periodicals on to other libraries at the end of the month.

Requested titles are also issued regularly to other Departments for purposes of research and reference. SCHOOL LIBRARY SERVICE In 1,716 schools, 106,170 children now receive regular supplies of books from this Service. These children are in primary and district high schools (93) in country districts. One hundred and five Maori schools are included in this number. By 31st March, 1948, 1,095 of these schools had qualified for free service by paying the required levy for two complete and consecutive years and carrying out all other conditions of the School Library Service which apply to them. Increase in staff has made possible an accelerated rate of admission, as indicated by the figures below :

During the year, Ministerial approval was given to the extension of the Service to schools in towns between 10,000 and 15,000 population (1945 census). By an arrangement with the Whangarei Borough Council, the Whangarei Public Library is now the centre of distribution of School Library Service books to North Auckland schools, the work entailed being carried out by seconded School Library Service staff. This appears to be much more satisfactory for closer contact with schools and teachers. Distribution is thus now carried out from ten centres —North Island : Whangarei and Wanganui Public Libraries and offices of the Country Library Service in Auckland, Palmerston North, and Wellington. South Island : Dunedin, Greymouth, and Timaru Public Libraries and offices of the Country Library Service in Christchurch and Nelson. The response shown by schools, particularly by district high schools, to the reference and request service begun at the end of last financial year has proved that such a service is of value and should be developed as staff and accommodation allow. During the year, 4,257 requests were made for specific books —4,127 of these were filled from our own stock and 130 were not filled because the book was either unobtainable or beyond the scope of a school service. Loan collections were sent to district high schools, to teachers' training colleges, to junior departments of public libraries, and to a community centre. Subject collections included arts and crafts, social studies, various countries— -e.g., India, Australia —science, and nature study.

6

— North Island. South Island. Total. Number of libraries 41 23 64

Year ended 31st March, Schools admitted. Total ltoll of Schools. Books added to Stock. 1947 1948 149 363 11,684 20,944 26;7'8#62,568 .