d to buy such books as are needed between meetings of
library committees and boards of trustees, just as a trusted cashier is
permitted to loan money to a bank's customer between meetings of its
board of directors. Both the librarian and the cashier should, of
course, give an account of such proceedings to the committee or board
over him at the meeting next after the transactions.

Generally speaking, a competent librarian should be allowed large
freedom, and held responsible for wisdom in management.

On the other hand, the board of trustees should insist upon the
observance by the librarian of such forms as have been adopted as
safe-guards.

While it should allow much liberty to its executive officer, it should
also see to it that he keeps the machinery, by which work is done, in
order; so that, if in the exercise of a careful oversight, it shall
become advisable at any time for it to resume the power conferred on the
librarian, it may be able to do it promptly.

Trustees and directors may render services of the greatest value to
libraries and librarians.

Not long ago I had upon my board of directors an influential member, who
used to say regularly at the first meeting, after new men came on it,
"Gentlemen, our only duty is to support the librarian."

That is saying too much, certainly. It is, however, the duty of a board
of trustees to second heartily a librarian in his efforts to make his
administration energetic, useful, and progressive, and to do all that it
can to secure patient and generous consideration by town and city
governments, and by citizens, of all wise measures which he may adopt.

Trustees are very influential in working individually to obtain for a
library the support in money which is needed.

They can be of great service in showing their appreciation of good work
done by the librarian, by word and act.

It is almost too much to expect of a board of trustees that it should
look out to see to it that a librarian receive a proper salary, and that
his compensation be increased as his services grow in value, without
being reminded that the remuneration is inadequate by a communication
from that officer. Still it is very desirable that, when a communication
is made, it should be sympathetically considered, and that members of
the board should point out to one another the excellence of the services
rendered by the librarian instead of expecting him to enlarge upon their
value himself.

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