The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 1883. The library.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 36, 28 August 1883, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 1883. The library.

« Ihe Borough Council is to bo congratulated on the very praiseworthy manner in which they are now pu*hinsr forward the business' connected with the enlargement of the Public Library and the reading room . Ihe increiised number of books, magazines and papers tbat will be .nade available for the general reading public and visitors, free of charge, together with the accommodation which it is proposed to provide for them, ought to make the reading-room most attractive to all classes and sections of the community. The building in which the Library ie placed is admirably suited for the purpose, and is so centrally situated as to make it equally convenient for every resident in the Borough. It has been notified that the Finance Committee, being desirous ot consulting the wishes of the burgesses before making a selection, will be glad to receive suggestions on that head, and invite them to be forwarded to the I own Clerk by next Sarurday. We commend the Finance Committee for their pru ience, as well as the liberality of this proposal. It is prudent, as it will prevent . or anticipate any possible cavil that might, in the future, be made against the nature or subject matter of the books selected, and it is liberal, as it shows a desire to allow everyone, no matter what his opinions may be, ol nominating his favorite authors or teachers. The task of selection from the list of authors handed iv will be an interesting and gomewhat delicate one, because great care must b" taken to keep the number chosen within tho purchasing power of the committee, and at the same time to meet the views of as many of the reading public as possible. The experience oi other Library Committees has gone far to prove that it is always a ureal factor towards success to supply such books as are already comparatively well-known and popular. Interesting and amusing literature is what has the largest circulation, and is positively beneficial to public morality when it proceeds from tho pens o! such authors as Scott, Thackkky. Dickens, and other similar standard authors. Books of reference, classics, and other heavier classed literature it has been found wild to ■unply in smaller quantities, as not only are they very expensive, but tbey are not generally indispensable, although desirable additions to a public library, which is intended to be a popular one. After fiction, next in popularity come historical works and book* of travel. These nlways command a large circulation, and too many ot them cannot well be supplied. There is one class of literature which the Committee must reject without the slightest hesitation, and in doing so they will only be following the example of other ano more experienced bodies. We need not enter into further particulars than to Bay that we refer to books of a so-called freethought character. Jt must be thoroughly understood that we recognise , the right of every man to have his own views and opinions on these, as | ou other subjects, but we are of opu - ion that it is much better that he or anyone should have the selection oi bis own authors entirely, and tout n«> ' body of men should be permitted r-» ' thrust such books on tho ratepayer ' which would be th* oa-e if thf com- ' mittee admitted any ot them in any sshape or form. i