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Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1843, 28 November 1874, Page 2

We have been requested to draw attention to the carelessness—and, indeed, it might be said dishonesty—of some subscribers to the Mechanics' Institute who have neglected to return library books, or purposely detained them. In many cases it can be looked upon as being little better than the worst kind of roguery; and it is to be hoped that after the commencement of the new year some stringent measures will be taken for enforcing the return of books borrowed from the library within the allotted time. It* is estimated that "sthe books which have been lost in this way could not be replaced under £20 or £30; and in many instances, even when the books have been returned after several months' detention, they have been in a condition which rendered them useless. Two out of three volumes comprising one valuable work were returned the other day, and others have been"given back in a disgraceful state. Most of the books unaccounted for have been out since the library was in Brown-street. This affects the institution in more ways than one : it nGt only destroys the value of the collection in the library, but tends to make good members dissatisfied with the management. The reading-room has not been altogether free from the attentions of those who have a passion for obtaining literature at a cheap rate, but the Librarian put a veto upon that effectually ; the other matter is more difficult to deal with. It may be that in a few instances the defaulting members have not become so intentionally, and it might be advisable to issue a circular to each person who is responsible to the Institute for a book. If this has not the desired effect a prosecution should follow, or the publication of the names of those who have been entrusted with books and have failed to return them.