BRITISH MUSEUM LIBRARY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12592, 7 September 1906, Page 10

BRITISH MUSEUM LIBRARY.

TO THE KDITOK OF " TUB PRESS. ;, Sir, —la your 'topic" oa "Library Science' , in to-day's issue I see that '•an Jiour is said t<> bo fcho usual time" taken by the British Museum Library officials to supply a given book to a reader, and that ''sometimes the -visitor is asked to give a day's notice/ I should like to know by whom this "is said." I have l>een a reader at the British Museum Library for months at a time, and I never have had to wait fifteen minutes for a book, or for any number of books, after handing in. my ticket or tickets. Tho avernge time is, I am sure, nearer five minutes than ten. I should like to know •whether other readers of "Tho Press" will give their experience. I protest against the growing habit, which is detestable aiiid unpatriotic, of exalting everything American at the expense of everything British. The New Zealander who cannot afford to go Homo is being (or hae been) gradually led 1 to believe that every British institution is antiquated! and effete, jind that America muet supply lie with the model of everything which is to be efficient and "up-to-date." Oddly enough, your other sub-leader of to-day. "Where England: Leads," ie calculated to give the impression I heyg , jueb described. England nrny Jead in the art of tailoring, but elsewhere .—You re, etc., ARNOLD WALL, Canterbury College.

September 6th. [The statement as to the length of tiimo taken to supply books in the British Museum was made by the Hon. Mr McNab to a "New Zealand Times" reporter. Aβ for "Where Englnndi Leads," wo are rather surprised- at Professor Wall taking tho title seriously. The subject was obviously treated as a joke. Wo fully sympathise with Professor Wall's protest against the tendency to disparage England, but we ' cannot admit that we have Been guibty of the practice Ed. "The Prew."]