Page:The small library. A guide to the collection and care of books (IA smalllibraryguid00browiala).pdf/63

 which lodge their assistants on the premises, like the large drapery houses in London, the selections made under the title of 'Suggestions for a General Household Library will be found suitable. As a rule, the so-called 'libraries' in such business houses are a complete sham. Certain stoppages are made monthly from the wages of drapers' assistants who 'live in', which are supposed to go towards the 'library'; but, as this educational department usually consists of a few magazines and newspapers, its importance need not be unduly magnified. If the heads of such houses would provide plenty of good books, and discourage the type of semi-sporting newspaper usually found in the so-called 'libraries', there would be less reason to complain of the general conduct of the misguided young folks who are compelled to waste their lives 'living in'. At any rate, a good and well-selected library would tend to discourage betting, and the never-ending indulgence in 'sweepstakes' among both males and females, and might even prevent many of the girls from finding their chief recreation on the pavement.

A parental government is supposed to look after our soldiers and sailors, while municipal and other bodies are credited with exercising a similar care over policemen, firemen, street-cleaners, lighthouse keepers, coast-guard, etc. No doubt the municipal public libraries serve exceedingly well the needs of all kinds of municipal workers, and I know that the Brethren of Trinity House and the Com-