THE AUCKLAND FREE LIBRARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8267, 28 May 1890, Page 3

THE AUCKLAND FREE LIBRARY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—The result of the inquiries into the working of the Free Library has produced some alterations (but not all to the satisfaction oi the public). Still, the assurance that new books shall be periodically obtained, is one good result. It may not be out of place to again call attention to the system of purchase, as those originally procured were purchased on commission at the usual trade price, and bound in London. Now, as already stated by one of your correspondents, new books can be purchased for less than trade price, and without any commission, f ron? several London firms—for instance, Mrj John Burgess, of Oxford-street, Messrs. H. Sotheran, of the Strand, or what would suit the purposes of the Auckland Free Library better, would be to make a selection, from the lists of surplus copies, from the libraries of Messrs. Mudie and Co., of New Oxford-* street, or Messrs. W. H. Smith and Son, Strand. All these firms will furnish monthly lists free, and the prices range from 50 to 75 per cent, less than the published price. And as to binding, in most cases the original cloth binding will last some time, audi when needed can be bound here, and thus encourage local industry. Now that the books forming the Lending Library are removed upstairs, we trust that the public may have the use of them in the reading room, when not lent out. This will be a great boon, as the selection made was a careful one, by gentlemen of literary know- ' ledge. Moreover, would it not be but a graceful recognition of the munificent bequest to have a copy of Mr. Costley's will displayed in a prominent position in the Library, that all may see, and possibly induce some, who may be able, to follow the good example of Sir George Grey and Mr. Costley ? and writing from a recollection of the wording of Mr. Costley's will, I am quite at a loss to reconcile the wording of the tablet in the porch with it, as I remember no such restriction as named therein, or indeed any restriction whatever. A reference to this may be useful at the present time.— I am, &c, H.b! Parnell, May 27,1890. " '