he most favorable terms, to keep close
watch on all the controllable expenditures, to examine and verify bills,
and to audit carefully the treasurer's accounts, will give full
employment to a good committee of business men.

In addition to these obviously useful committees, there is another,--a
"Committee on Library Progress"--which often serves to increase the
activity and efficiency of the library. Constituted from among the
younger or more active men, and from those trustees who can find
opportunity for visiting other libraries, such a committee can do good
work in watching the experiments made elsewhere; in placing before the
board information in regard to improved methods of library work; in
comparing the library with other libraries similarly situated; and in
encouraging their own librarian, if he be progressive, or in stimulating
him, if too conservative. In short such a committee, if both active and
wise, could keep even the smallest town library in the full tide of
modern progress.

It will be best not to leave too much discretion or power permanently to
any committee, but to require all committees to report their acts and
plans frequently for the approval or criticism of the full board.

6. RELATIONS WITH THE LIBRARIAN

The relations of the trustees with the librarian will vary greatly
according to circumstances. Some general principals may be suggested,
subject always to "the exceptions which prove the rule."

First of all, it should be borne in mind that the trustees are the
responsible managers of the library, and that so far as they chose to
act, the librarian is only their agent, bound in honor to carry out
their wishes promptly, thoroughly, and cheerfully.

If they are fortunate enough, however, to have a first-class librarian,
with superior ability, training, knowledge, energy, wisdom, and tact,
the trustees ought to leave the management of the library practically to
him, working only to lighten his labors and strengthen his hands.

But if--as sometimes may happen--the librarian has human limitations,
and while strong in some directions is weak in others, it is the part of
the trustees to try to supplement, without impeding, his abilities. If,
after ascertaining his limitations, they decide that he is the best
librarian that they can get, under the circumstances of the case they
should note in what lines he needs help, and select for committees the
trustees best fitted to do the part of library