THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12,1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3346, 12 September 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12,1879.

Ok Monday next the ratepayers of our Borough will be called upon to affirm the desirability or otherwise of bringing the Public Libraries Act into force. We have previously written on the subject, but no barm will be done by again introducing it to our readers. In so doing we ask each of them to look carefully at the arguments pro and con, and decide for themselves, as we learn that a move is on the tapis to frustrate the proposal to gire the Thames the boon of a free public library. Some may be inclined to doubt the wisdom of the Borough taking the responsibility, partly because it will necessitate increased taxation, and partly because they do not see the necessity of a free library. On the other hand it may be urged that the advantages that would accrue to the community through having a free library in their midst are undeniable, and as the cost to the burgesses would be very small, we are inclined to think that the majority will bo disposed to accept the small additional burden when they take into consideration the boon that will be conferred on the public. The mode of procedure under the Public Libraries Act, 1869, is that the .Mayor having received a requisition from ten burgesses, after duly advertising it, will request the burgesses to vote for or against the Act being made operative, the plebiscite being conducted in the same manner as the election for councillors. A majority of votes would decide whether the Act was to be brought into force or not. Supposing the adoption was carried, it would then be competent for the Council—or other local body, counties, and highway boards having the same powers—to strike a library rate not exceeding one penny in tho pound. The Act gives the local body the power of borrowing; for the purposes of the Act, and tho 12th clause is, " That admission to all libraries established under this Act shall be open to tho public free of all charge." Since the passing of the Act the Legislature, evidently actuated by a desire to further assist tho establishment of free libraries, passed " The Public Libraries Subsidies Act, 1877." This statute provides for the apportioning of a grant for public libraries amongst the several provincial districts in proportion. ! to population, the distribution in books ! or cash being entrusted to the Education Board, to libraries maintained or partlymaintained by voluntary subscriptions; while in the case of municipal libraries a j subsidy equal to the amount raised by the library rate is paid out of the Consolidated Revenue to the Municipal Council. We believe that the Institute would be much better managed if in the hands of a local b^dy, and we hope to find Unit tlie result of the polling on Monday will be the granting to ua'jof this boon.