The University Library is the centre of a student's course. The Library is organised, and its book-stock developed, with the student in mind. The librarians are aware of the needs of university courses and plan well ahead so that the requirements are met. A knowledge of the resources of the Library is essential to students, as library research is often the difference between success and failure.

This year the Library enters a new phase of its development. The ten-storey Arts and Library block which now dominates the university permits new features and makes the library a pleasant place in which to study.

The modular style of building, with few interior walls, free-standing book stacks, wide windows, good natural light, soft floor coverings, and attractive colour schemes, will aid study in a way that the atmosphere of the old library could not do. In these comfortable surroundings seating will be available for a thousand students — a four-fold increase on cramped quarters of previous years.

The building, which from its hill-top site commands an almost unrivalled view of city, sea and mountains, has been built for library use entirely. However, it will occupy only the first live floors to begin with.

A passenger and a service lift link the main floors, apart from the rest of the building The library is entered on the main, or ground floor, although there are actually two floors below it as well as two above.

To the left of the entrance is the circulation desk, and beyond is the catalogue hall, with space for displays and informal reading. There is a large Reference room, and the 'Study Hall" houses what was previously the Undergraduate Collection.

A new feature is three small listening rooms where records can be played.

On the two floors above are shelved the main book stock. Seats are provided here for 450 readers.

On the first floor below the entrance is the Periodicals Reading room. Liberated from its previous quarters, this valuable research material can now be housed adequately. There is also now opportunity to make many more periodicals readily available and to display current issues to advantage.

On the lowest level books which are rarely used, or which have been superseded or become out-of-date, are shelved. In the meantime rare books are also kept. There will be a small amount of study space for graduate students.

Also situated on this floor are a bindery, a photocopying laboratory, and microfilm readers.

The library will thus be new this year to all students and not merely freshers. As usual, the librarians will be assisting the natural curiosity of students by providing publicity material during the Orientation period.

Some Departments also control libraries. The most important of these is the Law Library, which is taking over the main Reading Hall now vacated with the shift to Rankine Brown building. Freshers will have their attention drawn to the existence of department libraries by the lecturers or tutors of the departments which control them.

Wellington students are particularly fortunate in the number of other libraries available to them. The Wellington Public Library is a large and well-run library. Special features include a record lending service. The Library houses a number of specialist collections, including the Cercle Francais collection of French books, of value to Modern Languages students.

The Alexander Turnbull library, in Bowen Street, is a specialist collection, mainly of New Zealand books. The General Assembly Library permits borrowing when Parliament is out of session, and receives copies of every book, magazine and newspaper published in New Zealand.

Many of the Embassies maintain libraries. The most important are those of the United States Information Service (now in the Law Society building in Waring Taylor Street), British Information Services, and the French Embassy library. All embassies are ready to assist students with particular problems.

The Wellington Law Society's library is not normally available to law students. Only selected senior students may study there under a roster system. Law students from provincial centres can, on the other hand, usually use the library of the local society by contacting its secretary.

The Students Association has a "library" on the first Boor of the Union building. An assortment of magazines is available, but no books. It does however boast a fine view.