THE LIBRARY.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 202, 29 September 1888, Page 2

THE LIBRARY.

A letter which wej published on Thursday morning (from Mr Lucas, Hon. Secretary of the Gisborne Public Library) is deserving of notice, taken apart from the communication which led to its being written. To our mind Mr Lucas’ letter tends to prove conclusively that the Library is not n public institution at all, a penny of public money was contributed to the erection of the building, and that the appeals made to the public are only to obtain funds to meet current expenses, just as a cricketing or boating club might appeal for funds. We think this line of argument is not the best that might be taken up, nor do we think the hypotheses are correct. When an entertainment is held the public hare always been given to understand that the institution isapublicone—not necessarily a free one—and therefore entitled to every support. The subsidies that were granted by Government all came from the public funds, and every taxpayer had to contribute his quota towards the amount distributed in this way. We contend that the building is a public one, subject of course to the liens held over it. With regard to the grumbling that has arisen on account of the reading room being olosd, it is a result we anticipated, and of which we warned the Committee; nor from the statement made at the annual meeting do we think it would have been impossible to have made the reading room free, and if only from a business poiut of view we thought there should have been an effort in this direct! m. However, it was considered advisable that a certain course should be taken, and the best should be done under the present circumstances. The most successful way of appealing to the public is by convincing them that the institution is entitled to support on public grounds, and there ought to be no difficulty in doing this The mere fact of admission being charged to the reading-room does not make the institution private, as some seem to suppose. It is clear that funds must be got from somewhere to sustain it, and the only question is as to what is the best method of obtaining those funds. It would be a disgrace to the community were it to allow the iustitu’ion to die out for want of support, and there is no doubt the Secretary has worked hard to maintain its efficiency. The error, we believe, is in not endeavoring to make the Library more popular, and thus gaining the sympathy of the public. We still hold the opinion formerly expressed that while the readingroom is secluded, it will militate greatly against any public entertainments that may be got up, and at any rate in any discussion that may arise it should be maintained that the institution is a public one.