LENDING LIBRARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9264, 18 January 1889, Page 3

LENDING LIBRARY.

TO THE KDITOIi. Sir, —I consider the suggested plan dk having a deposit in cash for all books bor« rowed far preferable to tho system of a> paper signed by a ratepayer undertaking responsibility for the return of the book borrowed. This system, with a limited staff, entails a deal of trouble and generally considerable difficulty in enforcing payment. Persons are often ready enough to grant a favour, but not so eager to pay anything for the pleasure of obliging others. Strangers and visitors prefer to leave a deposit to asking favours. The deposit system facilitates business, and ensures against loss, and it is quite certain that if any applicant cannot deposit the few shillings required only as a deposit for a short time, he cannot be a desirable person to entrust with books. A small sum should be charged, say, Id or 2d per volume, to cover the cost of management, repair of books, etc., and then ratepayers would have no reason to grumble at the library being open to all classes of the community, visitors or strangers. The most simple method of management will commend itself to all -as the best means of rendering the Library useful and pleasant to the community.—l am, etc., Practical.