increase of the powers of the state library commission. In Wisconsin the
efficiency and powers of the state commission have been extended by the
passage of a bill through the legislature increasing the appropriation
awarded the commission and adding to its duties. The commission is
empowered to hold library institutes in various parts of the state, and
to encourage the growth of study clubs connected with the traveling
libraries. To carry out the duties of the commission, among which is
mentioned "to aid in building up a better system of popular education,"
the additional sum of $3500 is awarded to the commission. Why should not
Massachusetts aid in building up a better system of popular education by
helping to provide speakers for the smaller villages and towns where
needed, thus supplementing and aiding the work of the public libraries?
It is possible that a beginning could be made through the establishment
of library institutes. If it should be considered wise to establish
library institutes in this state, as important a feature of them as
instruction in library matters would be lectures for the public on
literary and educational subjects of a popular nature. The first step to
be taken is for a committee representing the three existing library
clubs and the Massachusetts library commission to consider what plans
are most feasible, not only for the improvement of library work, but
also for increasing the intelligent and effective use of the library by
creating new ideals of popular education in the community, and thus
bring about cooperation in its deepest sense.

BOARDS OF TRUSTEES

A board of trustees, or of directors or commissioners, is
the representative of the community in its control of the
library and in the formal service rendered by the community
to the library. The relationship was familiar in other
public institutions at the time that public libraries began
to be established, and its duties, responsibilities and
limitations in this instance were regarded as being the same
as in others. They were therefore not widely discussed, and
the work of library trusteeship is still too little
systematized.

The Trustees' Section of the A.L.A., founded in order that
Library trustees might gather yearly to discuss their
peculiar problems, has always been scantily attended. The
Indiana Trustees Association is the only prosperous body of
the kind in