Massey library's bleak future

Massey's library is currently starved for facilities and for finance.

Its deputy librarian, Mr. A. E. Turner, says that a "new bleak age, reminiscent of the thirties and forties in the older universities, has descended on the Massey library scene."

Writing in the periodical New Zealand Libraries, he says that the whole subject is too painful to talk about. Only towards the end of the decade is there any prospect of fairer financial weather.

"The gasp of dismay that went up from all the universities when the quinquenial grants were announced (in 1964) was louder at Massey than anywhere else, except perhaps Waikato."

Flashback …

"There has been no job at Massey University held up at all by the government" said Mr. Kinsella on the 23rd March, 1965.

The date for completion of the new Massey library has also been delayed. Originally scheduled for the beginning of 1967, it has now been put off until the second half of the year, and Mr. Turner expresses doubts as to whether the building will in fact be ready by 1968.

He sees only two causes for hope. First, that it is now established policy that new courses are not introduced until finance is available for the library facilities such courses need.

Second, that building needs are not as acute as they could be if the present and prospective book grant were not so small. "This is an eloquent and ironical commentary on our whole situation" says Mr. Turner.