"THE BUSH LIBRARY."

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1501, 25 July 1912, Page 3

"THE BUSH LIBRARY."

CAN WE FOLLOW SYDNEY? In Sydney the obligation of helping to place within the Tench of the far-back settler and his family some of the interests that are so easily obtained in tho city has been recognised by certain sections of the community and various means of getting into touch with them have been brought into use. One plan is that of tho "Biish Library," by subscribing to which people in out-of-the-way districts are forwarded books, magazines, papers, etc. Its methods arc described in the" following letter:— ''Dear 'Imogen,'—l noticed your appeal this morning for literature for the 'backblocks' and think you may caro to hear of an excellent institution I visited in Sydney called the 'Bush Library.' Miss Wendeyor, the moving spirit, took me to the library and explained somo 0/ tho work done. A small room has been ed in a central situation and each day a little band of helpers attend, to sort and cover the books sent in. I believe the only paid official is tho secretary, who catalogues and sees to the distribution' of tho parcels. A ccnsor—in this oase, Miss Wendeyon—overlooks all fiction and weeds out the undesirables. Parcels of books, papers, magazines, are sent off weekly and distributed in numerous districts, mostly beyond the ken of city men. I am not sure, for I write ! from memory, but I think these parcels are earned free on tho Government railways and received at certain depots—usually the railway stations or post offices. The settlers subscribe 2s. a year.. I understand the subscribers' names aTe entered in a book, tho family, their ages, and the style of literature most wished for, this information being supplied by the subscribers. All sorts of second-hand books are received—poetry, history, travel, school books, fiction, magazines, papers, etc. The society tries to add to its little income by selling novels to people going 011 a voyage—naturally these sales aro to tho residents of Sydney. The charge is ouito nominal. I bought myself a pocket illustrated edition of the Progress" for the large sum of lOd. I tiling it is a work tho capable members of the Realm Guild would manage admirably, and meant to take the first opportunity of telling them about it, but seeing your article this morning thought your readers might like to hear about the practical part of the movement—l am. etc., OCTAVIA NEWMAN. July 23rd.