THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1881. THE CIRCULATING LIBRARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2415, 31 December 1881, Page 3

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1881. THE CIRCULATING LIBRARY.

The apathy of the Christchurch public on all matters affecting their interests has now become proverbial, bnt we question whether it has ever been more markedly and forcibly displayed than in connection with the circulating department of the Public Library. Not only haß this portion of the institution been starved and neglected by the Board of Governors, but, by an injudicious and ill-considered increase in the rate of subscription, a very large number of persons have absolutely been debarred from participating in its advantages. As we pointed out in a former article upon this subject, the consequences of the latter decision are far wider spread and of greater importance in their bearing upon the general welfare of the community than may be supposed. A very large proportion of the subscribers to the Circulating Library were—for they have dwindled away considerably young persons of both sexes, who during the day are engaged in factories, &c, and te whom, unless for the facilities afforded by such an institution as the Circulating Library, would not have the least possible opportunity of becoming icquainted with the works of our standard authors. Nay, more than this —the being enabled to provide for themselves innocent recreation in their leisure time tends to wean them from pursuits and habits which would probably have a most pernicious effect upon their morals. Thip, to a large extent, has been destroyed by the action of the Board of Governors in raising the rate of subscription bo as practically to exclude the class we have been referring to. But they have gone still further. It was only to be expected that with an increase of subscription the body having charge of the institution would take care to afford subscribers every facility for acquiring knowledge brought down to the latest date. But no such thing. The books in the Circulating Library are hoary with antiquity, and there is not to be found ■ throughout tho whole department anything like a lata work. The arrangements are as bad as it is possible to be, the bookß years behind the age, and yet it is coolly proposed to still further restrict the advantages whioh the public should enjoy. As at present managed, the whole Public Library is a delusion and a shasa, the circulating portion particularly so.; and bo it will continue to be whilst the Board of Governors, who manage or rather mismanage affairs, ie .allowed to consist of ■such a nice little family party as at present. Ostensibly a public body dealing with public money and public institutions, the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College .ia a semi - priyate clique of the most pronounced description. Tho dread of publicity, entertained by its chairman—tho people's William of Akaros, and tho forthcoming Premier— Kwell krown. So soon as any matter of portance to the public as connected with the working of the institution comee up the Board resolves itaslf into secret session. All that is done openly ia. the merest matters of detail. Any vacancies occurring in this ultra-respee.tahle body are filled up [not by election or even nomination by tho Government, but by selection from amongst the salt of tho ■earth made by the members of the Board themselves. The public know nothing and care less as to how the large public interests committed to the charge of these gentlemen are conserved. Indeed, as wo think has been pretty forcibly shown in connection with this matter, the Board of Governors has but littlo sympathy with tho outside public. And so it will continue so long aa the public ia content to allow this irre-

sponsible Board to work its sweet will. It is not elected by or responsible to the public, therefore what is the public to it. So long as the family party can continue to rule the roast and take good care of its friends and allies all goes well. But we should like to ask is this state of tLing« to be allowed to go on? Is a perfectly irresponsible body to be allowed to ride rough shod over the people ? _ This is exactly what it comes to. The intention of the founders of this institution intended that it shonld be for the benefit of the people. With this view certain arrangements were made. Have the Board of Governors, we would ask, carried out the trust confided to them in a way best conducive to the interests of the public. To this we answer unhesitatingly—No. Their whole course of action has been to cripple and starve the circulating part of the institution to feed up others. How mnch of the money which ought properly to be expended on the Circulating Library has gone towards keeping up that expensive toy, the Museum P It is asserted that the circulating department has not had its fair share of money. Why is this ? Simply because there are no friends or friend's friends to be provided for in connection with it. Therefore the interest felt in it by the Board of Governors is exceedingly languid. Indeed, if they could close it up altogether, no doubt they would rejoice. As to the common vulgar public, why should they be studied at all P This is just the condition of matters, and no remedy avail except the alteration of the constitution of the Board. As now constituted they can and do quietly ignore any complaints made by the people. The pressure of public opinion cannot be brought to bear upon the Board, and nntil this can be done through the introduction of the elective principle therein, it is useless to look for any alteration. We can only hope that the day will speedily come when the public as a whole will demand to have a voice in the selection of those to whose charge and management is committed so large and important a public institution as the Canterbury College and its adjuncts.