entral Bureau for Library Book Imports, the
formation of a Union Catalogue, and the operation of part of the
inter-library loan scheme.

The Country Library Service, which began in 1938, has maintained
its van services to rural areas and has been brought into closer
contact with its districts by decentralisation to three district
offices--Christchurch in 1944, Palmerston North in 1948, and Hamilton
in 1953.

The number of free libraries regularly receiving service has grown to
112. Special assistance in a number of cases has been given to libraries
serving a population of up to 50,000 operating a free and rental
service. The assistance given to the Gisborne and Wanganui Public
Libraries has continued. New Plymouth Public Library which changed to
free service in November 1957, and Palmerston North Public Library,
which is expanding its service, have also received assistance. The
fundamental principle of encouraging full local responsibility for
adequate rate-supported libraries has continued.

The School Library Service has continued to bring a wide range and
variety of books to school children, the rate of issue now exceeding one
million copies annually. Distribution is effected through 15 centres.

During the year this Service received three valuable sets of books
chosen to represent all phases of American life and thought. The
Carnegie Corporation of New York made these sets available to some 26
libraries in New Zealand.

_Scientific, Technical, and Commercial Library Service_--A
recommendation has been made by the New Zealand Library Association that
impetus be given to scientific and technical library service, chiefly
through public libraries. At a time when increasing reliance is being
placed on the efficiency of our secondary industry the necessity of
providing the fullest technical information to aid manufacturers will be
apparent. Authority was obtained 12 years ago to establish such a
service but it was not then possible to obtain qualified persons to
begin it. It is hoped that conditions will permit a senior appointment
during the present financial year to inaugurate the service.

_Regional and District Library Service_--Study has continued on the
problems of ensuring an efficient and soundly based library service for
New Zealand's whole population. The problems facing a local authority
overseas with a population of 2,000,000 within a radius of a few miles
are minor ones compared with those facing New Z