Report of the National Library Service for the Year Ended 31 March 1958

A detailed snapshot of New Zealand’s public‑library network in the late 1950s, this report chronicles how a growing web of book‑lending services reached almost a thousand towns, remote camps, and even distant islands such as the Chathams and Pitcairn. It explains the mix of free and low‑cost schemes that bring books, periodicals and information to rural communities, lighthouse keepers and prison wards, while highlighting the regular visits of specially equipped book vans and the postal loan system that keeps readers connected.

The document also turns a keen eye to the practical side of library life: new branches opening in places like Geraldine and Greymouth, ambitious building plans, and the push for better‑designed interiors. It addresses the ongoing shortage of trained librarians, the popularity of short courses, and early steps toward cooperative book‑buying among libraries. Readers gain a clear sense of the challenges and optimism shaping the nation’s library service during this formative year.