A NEW SCHEME FOR FAIRS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 34, 26 August 1893, Page 141

A NEW SCHEME FOR FAIRS.

Among the new devices for making money at church fairs and other charitable entertainments is one which its originators term ‘ The Living Library.’ A certain number of books are clio<en beforehand, and each one is represented by some young woman who is dressed appropriately to indicate either the title of the book or some leading character therein. Each impersonator must also be thoroughly acquainted with the volume she lepresents, and her actions and behaviour must be in accord with the character chosen.

A catalogue is piepared, and furnished on application, and whenever a book is called for, a curtain is drawn aside, and the living copy stands revealed. The regulations usually governing * The Living Library ’ are that:—First, all books must be secured from the librarian ; second, the fee for each book shall be sixpence for ten minutes’ use, payable in advance ; third, books cannot be called for twice in succession ; fourth, persons having called for and obtained the books must relinquish them upon notice from the librarian that the time paid for has reached its limit, or, failing to do so, shall pay at the rate of twopence a minute for overtime ; and finally, that no book can be retained for a longer period than twenty minutes. The rules do not provide for it, but it is understood, of course, that during the busy hours of the fair no book shall be taken on a promenade through the entertainment-room, and the books themselves are forbidden by the unwritten laws to drink lemonade and eat ice cream between the hours of eight and ten at night. Altogether this living libraiy stexs destined to prove a great success.