BOOKS FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Manawatu Herald, 13 October 1904, Page 3

BOOKS FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY.

To the Editor of the jianawatu herald. Sir, — I noticed on perusing in your column 5 a report of the Borough Council meeting on Monday last, that the Council had passed a motion to the effect that the Library Committee should bo instructed to purchase another 100 books lor the lending library. I do not know who comprise the Library Committee, but t Venture to express the hope that the gentlemen, whoever they are, will exercise rather more judgment in selecting this additional lot oi books than thov did in selecting the last. The last instalment of new books purchased by the Committee were placed in a special Corner by themselves, and anyone choosing a book carefully avoided that corner because of the trash it contained. One or two of the books vvere certainly unfit to be circulated, and it is incomprehensible to me how they managed to find a place, in the library at a!!. One not unnaturally expects to find the best of modern literature in the shelves of a public library, and it is a matter for regret that the Library Committee should have such a poor conception of the public taste as to provide ior its delectation books of the wishy-washy and unhealthy kind referred to. I feel confident the public will echo the sentiment that the Committee should select books of a more elevating Standard than formerly when obtaining these new volumes.—l am, etc., Pro Bono Publico,