THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3516, 2 April 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1880.

To the Borough of Thames belongs the honor of being amongst the first of the colonial municipalities to adopt and carry into practice the provisions of the Public Xibraries Act, and now that our Public Library, free to all, has become an established fact, and a marked success, a few remarks from us may not be out of place. The idea of turning the Mechanic*' Institute into a library, we believe, first originated with Mr James McG-owan, a member of the Institute Committee, and though it was some time before his coadjutors could see their way to accept his suggestion, the shortness of the funds of the Institute, and constant advocacy ultimately induced them to come to his way of thinking. However, the library now is in the hands of the Borough, in good working order, well patronised by all classes of the community, and as constant additions are being made to the list of books, we will shortly see the Thames in possession of one of the best libraries in the colony. To increase the facilities for readers the committee have just issued a catalogue arranged on a new principle, and it cannot fail to be a great assistance to those using the library; The compiler of this work is | Mr Woodward, the obliging secretary to the institution, and it certainly does him much credit. In conclusion we may say we hope to see the present system of management continued, the library con* tinue to increase in favor, for the objects as set forth are deserving of success:— Ist. A Reading Boom with a supply of newspapers and periodical; 2nd. A Library Beading Boom with a supply of books; 3rd. A Circulating and Reference Library; 4th. The collection of Paintings, Statuary, Scientific Apparatus, and Natural Objects, or other things illustrative ot science, or useful for education.