THE ATHENÆUM LIBRARIAN SHIP.

Evening Star, Issue 4893, 6 November 1878, Page 1

THE ATHENÆUM LIBRARIAN SHIP.

The vacancy in the office ©f librarian to the Athenajum seems to be creating a great stir in certain quarters, and, if we may judge from the tenor of correspondence published in one of our morning contemporaries, the opportunity is being improved by amiable theorists, who wish to see the appointment filled by a man of high scholarly attainments and refined literary taste; whilst, on the - other hand, the conservative element is exceedingly active in endeavoring to effect that the present condition of muddle, favoritism, and inconvenience shall be per- . petuated. Mr Howlett, an Oxford man, has put himself forward as the advocate of moulding the institution on the basis of the library of the Oxford " Union." Admirably regulated, without doubt, thiß is; but Mr Howlbtt forgets that the constitution of the Union is altogether different from that of our, or, indeed, of any, athenaeum. The Union . ia in reality a club, the membershipof which is confined to University men. Practically, a very small number even of the residents belong to, or, at all events, frequent it. Those using the library may be counted rather by tens than by hundreds. Under such very different conditions it is easy to«have good rules and enforce them, especially when it is further taken into consideration that the committee are thoroughly up to their work, and invariably, not in name but in fact, are a committee of management. The Dunediri Athenaeum numbers, we believe, somewhere over 1,300 subscribers of all classes,* and necessarily having literary tastes as divers* as the Poles. There is a large contingent of the fair sex, who are just, shall we say, a little capricious in the selection of light literature, and give the librarian a rather mitigated idea of the joys of Mahomet's paradise ; and last, not least, as involving the questions of Btrict order and. enforcement of regulations, there is a perfect army of youths specially encouraged by the remission of a portion of the subscription fee. If Mr Howlett and those' who think with him would devote the afternoon and evening of any ordinary Saturday to taking note of the werk of the librarian, they would probably come to the, conclusion that the quiet student they would like to see installed in that office would be within a few weeks under the care of Mr Hume. The fact is, that the special circumstances of the institution absolutely prevent its being such a library as Mr Howlutt and his fellow-theorists would like to see, and which, we admit, would, to a comparatively limited circle, be a very great convenience and a source of pleasure. Thing 3, however, have to be dealt with as they are, and not as they might be, and qualities requisite in the librarian would seem to be fair intelligence and education certainly, but above all good methodical business habits. He shouldbe of that mature age which renders close attention to his work not irksome ; be possessed of a quiet retired manner; not given to gossiping, or having special cronies, for whom the newest books and periodicals are "planted." Possibly out of the legion of applioante such an individual may be found; if not, we trust the committee will give the preference to the candidate who approaches nearest to the ideal. If Perfection itself, however, held the office, he could do but little to remedy existing evils whilst the committee take no interest in the conduct of affairs, but simply confine themselves to attending formal meet? ings for passing accounts or settling trumpery detail as to the letting 0 f rooms, selling the old magazines, etc , which, according to the reports, seems to be the only business usually transacted. The librarian should be the right hand of the committee, not usurping or fulfilling the other functions of that body, which, if he does his own duty, would be out of his power, both as regards time and opportunity. In conclusion, we would venture to protest against the very ill-advised action of some persons we could name in canvassing subscribers for signatures to memorials in favor of certain candidates with the view of putting pressure upon the committee in making their selection on the merits of all applicants who may present themselves. The committee may safely be left to select the best man, and for their own sakes will be pretty sure to do this, because an incompetent librarian would involve endless trouble and botheration upon themselves. We know that the "noble army" of billet-hunters is in the field, and certainly do trust that it will not be considered a qualification that an applicant has proved himself entirely unfit for appointments he may have previously held.