PENNY-IN-THE-SLOT CIRCULATING LIBRARIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7417, 31 May 1902, Page 3

PENNY-IN-THE-SLOT CIRCULATING LIBRARIES.

(Pall Mall Gazette.) The penny-in-the-slot system is to be appHed to book-lending) in. A great circulating library in Philadelphia, which in a few months has spread itself over the country, ie now starting a fresh scheme. It is placing 10,000 revolving book-cases in chemists' shops and similar places throughout the country^ each book-case holding about 120 books. The, books are the newest novels .and other works in mosfc popular demand, and are changed every week. Members of the library may exchange their books at any of these collections throughout the country, the only formalities necessary being to bring their old book- back, and deposit five cents in the slot of the -book-case. The men at the head of this scheme, who have proved by their past success that they are well able to carry it through, claim that a more delightful and simple library service was never thought of. They are not going to circulate cheap editions, but the best that can be bought, and the best bindings. Fiction will, of course^ occupy a prominent place. They will also havfe the latest publications in science, philosophy, Hterature, biography, travel and politics. Membership will be good for the whole country. The theory of those at the head of the Tabard Inn Library, as this new scheme is called, is that it pays them better to circulate the popular books of the hour, and get rid of tttem, when th© craze J* oreT ior them, rather than to keep old matter filling their shelves and occupying their store room. America has one advantage over England in this respect. There a craze for a new book may start in. New York, and notreaca Chicago till three or four weeks later, and not cross the Pacific slope till perhaps a month after that. Consequently a treble use ia got by the librarians out of their books, as after the run is exhausted in New Yortf they are abie with the same stock-copies to satisfy the demand farther west. I'he books ia the new library are to be specially bound in ■ black clobn with a red band, and the whole get-up ol ■2?cm»- fcfii the quaintest and most artistic style possible. , , ... penny^n-the-slot circulating library will doubtless come to England soon. Some months ago the people at the i*** J*J scheme registered a company in inland for the purpose of starting a new circulating &r£ry here, and they are said to te maturing their plans for opening their campaign in the autumn.