manners. Not one in ten persons comes to a library with a
definite object.

Roaming at will among the books, the sight of Blaikie's "How to get
strong" has been the first step toward the recovery of health otherwise
lost; John B. Gough's "Darkness and daylight" has brought in the same
way happiness to a wretched household; while Andrew Carnegie's
"Triumphant Democracy" has awakened in more than one citizen an interest
and pride in his native or adopted country heretofore unknown.

There are the contents of the shelves to select from; no fear of any one
leaving the library without a book; whereas, after presenting from the
catalogue a list of books to be returned as "not in," he either "hasn't
time," or "will make no further trouble," and passes out unsatisfied.

I have already said that a possibility in one community may be
impracticable in another; with us this open system has proved an
unqualified success.

A community of this class is not aggressive; on the contrary they are
in a library rather shy. They should be met with prompt service, and the
courtesy of the drawing-room. Make them welcome as they enter the
library; it is their own; help them to cultivate a personal pride in it;
ascertain their tastes, (many of them will surprise us), and call their
attention to such works as will gratify them, gradually leading them to
higher standards when it is necessary.

If they are seeking special subjects and need our help, let us exhaust
our references. To "give to him that asketh" and "the Lord loveth a
cheerful giver" should be a librarian's watchword.

What does it matter if half of the pleasures, and all of the ills of our
patrons be poured into our ears? It only brings us nearer to them, and
shows us how to be more helpful, and widens the influence of our work.

'Tis a wise community that enables its trustees to give to their
librarian sufficient clerical assistance to allow him to mingle with the
people, to learn their habits and tastes, to direct their reading
(especially of the young), and to assist them in their researches; for
we all know that peculiarly inherent weakness of human nature, to seek
for information from the highest source, and to be better satisfied,
even though the same help may be rendered us by a subordinate.

The reading-room in connection with a public library may be made an
important agent in the education of a community, especially of its young
men and children.

After a day of ha