Page:The Library, volume 5, series 3.djvu/444

 43 THE NEEDS OF designation of the United Kingdom Trust, leaving it to his Trustees to apply the available proceeds in such a manner as will carry out the philanthropic purposes associated with his name. In considering the problem which the Trustees have to face it will be seen that there are three classes of libraries to be considered City Libraries, Burgh Libraries, and Rural Libraries ; and though there are particulars that concern all these collec- tively, there are special conditions which apply to each class. First, as to City Libraries. Each city has its own needs. Rules that would apply to the University city of St. Andrews would be quite inapplicable to an industrial city like Dundee. At St. Andrews, books of a special class would be desirable purchases which would be of only limited use at Dundee, but a subsidy for the purchase of books equivalent to the ascertained needs of the community would easily balance this discrepancy. As regards the establishment of Branch Libraries, we are faced with the fac~l that these have sometimes been founded in such close proximity to the central library that the usefulness of the latter has been curtailed. Above all, before branch libraries are established it should be ascer- tained whether the library rate is sufficient (at present or prospeclively) to maintain such branches efficiently. An incomplete and ineffectual branch library is an expensive incumbrance. Secondly, as to Burgh Libraries the same rule as that laid down about branches applies here. Burghs should not be overweighted with library apparatus in the form of elaborate buildings which