Page:The library a magazine of bibliography and library literature, Volume 6.djvu/365

 The Clerkenwell Open Lending Library. 353 There are many other points connected with the Clerkenwell Open Library which are worthy of attention, but we are not here as advocates of the system, and prefer to let library managers and librarians draw their own conclusions from what has been described, and from the literature which has been distributed. As far as the experiment has been tried, the commissioners and people of Clerkenwell have every reason to be thoroughly satis- fied, and as time goes on and methods are improved, we are not too sanguine in assuming that the library will become an engine of the utmost efficiency in promoting the educational and recreative pursuits of the public. What has already been done in Clerkenwell is full of promise for the future ; what remains to be done must certainly result in the attainment of a higher and closer relationship between the people and one of their own institutions than has yet been found possible. Since this paper was written we have learned that open access has been allowed for the past eight years to all borrowers in the City of Truro Free Library " much to the advantage of the public." Mr. William Gibson, the librarian, adds : " The losses have been of an insignificant character. Valuable volumes are under glass and a special application has to be made for them. On the whole the open system has worked very satisfactorily to myself, the committee and the borrowers." JAMES D. BROWN. HENRY W. FINCHAM.