Page:The library a magazine of bibliography and library literature, Volume 6.djvu/29

 On the Advantage of Occasional Exhibitions of the more Rare and Valuable Books in Public Libraries.

Y aim in writing this paper has been to bring under the notice of the members of this Association the desirability of each Public Library in the kingdom holding occasionally an exhibition of the rare, curious and illustrated books contained therein, in order that the Library may be popularised and its treasures introduced to a larger circle of readers. The reference departments of many Free Libraries, one must admit, are not so frequently used as their importance demands. Valuable folios and quartos lie on the shelves and are seldom consulted, because the public are not acquainted with them, and thus the Library is not appreciated as it might be. If the public are slow in introducing themselves to the books, then an effort ought to be made to introduce the books to the public, and one of the most effective ways of doing this is by exhibiting them.

In St. Helens two book exhibitions have taken place in connection with the Free Library, but as they were conducted on totally different lines, it would be better, perhaps, to refer to each separately.

In the first place, I ought to state that any credit in regard to these two book exhibitions is due to a member of the Library Committee with whom the idea originated.

The first exhibition took place on Easter Sunday, 6th April, 1890, when the large assembly-room in the Town Hall was placed at the disposal of the Committee for the purpose. A short notice appeared in the local papers, and on small placards, stating that the exhibition would be open free to the public from 2 till 8 o'clock, P.M., and a few thousand handbills were sent to the various works in the borough, with a request that they might be distributed among the workmen. A number of long tables, covered with crimson cloth, were provided for the books, which numbered about 200 volumes, and included among others the following subjects: Painting and sculpture, industrial,