The forgotten half million: a comparison of the right of free access to public library service in Norway and New Zealand

Abstract

This thesis examines the extent to which New Zealand residents are denied the right of free access to public library service, and analyses why this situation exists. It is calculated that over half a million New Zealanders have no free access to public library service, because they live in a local authority which makes little or no financial contribution to library service, either in their own or in a neighbouring authority. As a basis for comparison, the Norwegian public library system is described in some detail in Part One of the thesis. In Norway the right of free access to public library service is guaranteed by legislation which makes provision of library service a mandatory function of local government. This development has been facilitated by the local government structure, and the very clear delineation of responsibilities at local, regional and state level. The state also plays a very important role by subsidising public library service, providing advisory services, and funding research and development. The philosophical basis of the Norwegian system emphasises that libraries are for all. Mobile services play an important role in provision of service, and services to hospitals, prisons and immigrants are being developed. In attempting to reach everyone, resources have often been spread very thinly and this has affected the quality and use of public libraries. It is hoped that the provisions of the 1985 Public Libraries Act, which requires the employment of a qualified librarian in each local authority and cooperation between public and school libraries, will help to bring about a more rational and effective use of resources. Based on the Norwegian model, it is suggested that the reasons why New Zealand has failed to achieve free access for all its citizens are the lack of library legislation and of any requirement that provision of library service be mandatory; the local government structure which reinforces separate library development based on small autonomous units and inhibits cooperative activity; the absence of any form of regional library structure to coordinate resources and services for the whole region; and the failure of state subsidy of library services to encourage all local authorities to participate equally in provision of library service. Part Two of the thesis analyses why this situation exists and traces the history of attempts to bring about reform in these areas. Statistical analyses of the contribution to library service by each local authority, and the number with and without free access to library service in each local authority, are appended.