PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXI, Issue 5602, 31 August 1875, Page 2 (Supplement)

PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

To the Editor: Sir,— The following pertinentrcmarks on Free Public Libraries, from "Chamber's Journal," of May last, is worthy of insertion just at the present time.— I am, "The professed pbject of all free libraries is to benefit the working classes, or suy, the wage receiving classes generally. "Where you fall upon a large ami saliently miuded class of mechanics, who aro eager for intellectual culture, the Free Library system is>prctty sure to «lo well, whether originating in private donations, or depending on rates. On tho contrary, where thcio Is an abtenco of lhi<» onergotic principle, the chances of success is voiy doubtful. In small and apathetic country towns, libraiies of any kind are pretty nearly thrown away. There stand the sholves laden with the mo'.t choice literature ; a ro.\ding-room, abounding in newspapers, as coinfortable as what you sec iu a club house. The attraction is in vain. In cloudy majesty dullness, reigns, Tho people for whom tins is intended, prefer to spend their leisuic houn in idle vacuity in the street*, pei h ip- go-tsippin^ -ibout s.orac local topic, perhaps nuking rriticiil lenuikn on neighbours, peril uw h j u chin^ m tlie depths of their pookots to bud a com sutiuiout to ]>rojuron dwm."