Petone Public Library 1947-1957 : the development of a modern library service : an illustrated history research paper

Abstract

The New Zealand library system was 'transformed' between 1935 and 1945 due to a combination of fortunate circumstances: a government interested in 'standards of culture', investment from the Carnegie Foundation of New York, a small group of young, enthusiastic librarians and the continuing interest of the New Zealand Library Association (NZLA). Post war, from 1945 onwards, the library community directed its efforts towards replacing the subscription service with 'free' service in public libraries, developing standards of service, securing satisfactory buildings, raising the standard of librarianship through the provision of training and implementing a regional service. It sought also to establish a National Library for New Zealand. With the exception of the regional service, which did not eventuate, these endeavours were successful. The 1950s have been characterised as a period of consolidation for library service in New Zealand but arguably it was not a period of consolidation for public libraries, as they were still being transformed. Many libraries were still developing modern library services. This study of the Petone Public Library examines the development of a modern library service in a small public library in the period 1947 -1957; how the library responded to national initiatives and how it developed initiatives of its own.