THE LIBRARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3713, 18 September 1906, Page 3

THE LIBRARY.

[to the editor. Sir, —As a subscriber I should like to say a few words concerning the most unsatisfactory slate of affairs existing in connection with the Public Library. The Borough Council has been so absorbingly engaged in the consideration of gas and other schemes for the improvement of the town, that the wants of the library have been neglected, if not entirely overlooked, and it is ray opinion—which I have every reason to believe is shared by a majority of subscribers —that the time is overripe when Library matters should be taken in hand by the Council and receive their fair measure of attention. In the first place the subscribers have practically no voice in the selection of new books. It is the custom in most Public Libraries to have what is known as a suggestion book, wherein any subscriber is entitled to enter the name of any work he desires to see placed on the Library shelves. By this means the requirements of the subscribers are properly catered for, arid only books suitable to their literary tastes are purchased. No system of this kind obtains in Foxton, with the result that numbers of uncongenial books find their way into the Library. . Presumably the Library Committee are responsible for the volumes that are purchased from time to time, but I cannot think that thele gentlemen devote much thought to the matter—do they ever meet ? —since if they did they would see that a better standard of literature was maintained. However, even if the present committee weie serious in thir endeavours to provide good reading matter for the public, this would not go to the root of the trouble. I would suggest that the Council act on the powers conferred upon them by “The Public Libraries Act 1869,” and appoint not only Councillors, but some of the subscribers to the committee. If this was done, a situation like the present would scarcely be possible. The labour of the Council would not only be lign'ened, but the subscribers themselves would be enabled to take a permanent and lively interest in all that pertamed to the Library, If the Council do not accept this hint kindly, a subscriber’s book could be adopted as an alternative, though direct representation on the Library Committee in addition would be more effective in securing the desired object. Then again, from a recent report in the Herald it appears that there is a credit-balance of in connection with the Library. Surely, Sir, some of this money should be spent on the Library ? Why keep so large an amount in reserve when there are so many improvements urgently called for ? It is easy to see how this abnormal surplus is attained—simply by holding fast to all sums paid for Library purposes, and spending nothing ! This abuse, or rather disuse of the Council’s power would not exist were the subscribers represented on the committee. I trust, Sir, these remarks will have the effect of awrkening the Council, and particularly the Library committee, to a keener sense of their duties. Of one thing they may rest assured, that the body of the subscribers a~e anything but satisfied with tl e manner in which the affairs of the Library have been conducted, and earnestly desire the Council to consider the advisability of appointing subscribers to the committee. —I am, etc., W. E. Barnard. [Perhaps the omission of subscribers on the committee has been an oversight, and we should like to see two subscribers appointed. The present is an opportune time to have this matter attended to. The suggestion list is to be found in all Libraries and is an excellent help to the committee.— Ed. H.]