Page:The library a magazine of bibliography and library literature, Volume 6.djvu/403

 The Constitution of Colonial Public Libraries.

HE Constitution of the Public Libraries of the United Kingdom having repeatedly occupied the attention of the Members of the Association, a few remarks upon the Public Libraries of Greater Britain may possibly prove of interest, as showing with what public-spirited action the establishment and maintenance of such institutions has been taken up in various parts of the Empire. The constitutions of the Public Libraries in the Colonies differ in many respects from those of the Mother Country as well as amongst themselves, and I shall endeavour to point out the recent progress made in library administration in the Colonies, explaining briefly the basis upon which Public Libraries have been established, whether supported by state grants, by rates as in the United Kingdom, or by voluntary contributions or endowments, and to give a short account of their present position.

In no part of the Empire has the Public Library question been taken up with greater enthusiasm than in the Australasian Colonies, where in almost every town worthy of the name, a Library is to be found either wholly or partially supported by State funds, ranging from a few pounds to several hundreds, those in the capital cities being known as Public Libraries, whilst those in the smaller towns are known as Schools of Art, Mechanics' Institutes, &c. The Free Public Libraries in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide are important and imposing Institutions, the first named comparing favourably with many of the Public Libraries of both the European capitals and the chief cities of the United States. According to the most recent statistics the following table shows the number of Libraries in Australasia (with the exception of Western Australia, from which Colony no numerical returns have been received) supported by State funds, together with the total number of volumes as regards each Colony:—