with suitable inscription. In addition, a jewelled tie-clip was presented, also suitably inscribed. A second address, illuminated by Mr. J. O. Marples, was presented from a number of the “old boys" who have served under Mr. Cowell since he became Chief Librarian 28 years ago. An interesting feature was a letter read from an "old boy," now secretary to an Education Committee in a large and important district near London, describing in felicitous terms his library experiences and the kindness, sympathy, and help he had received from Mr. Cowell.

The presentation arrangements were in the hands of a small committee of the most prominent officials: Messrs. Formby, Deputy Librarian, Curran, Parry and Stephens, the last named representing the Librarians and Assistants of the District Libraries. The lighter features included vocal and instrumental music, and were of the most enjoyable character.

Neath. The Mayor of Neath (Councillor E. Evans-Bevan) has given £1,000 towards the new public library at Neath. Some months ago the old structure was burnt down, and its contents practically destroyed. The council are building a new library.

Society of Public Librarians.-A meeting was held at the Bishopsgate Institute on Wednesday evening, November 4th, when Mr. Heyner read a paper entitled, "The book and its binding." Mr. Heyner first dealt with the subject historically, and then proceeded to explain the present methods of binding, dealing fully with the question of material and the relative advantages of leather, vellum, pegamoid, etc. He exhibited many valuable specimens of binding by Zæhnsdorf, together with some of his own work, which were examined with much interest and greatly admired. A lengthy discussion followed. At the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Heyner for his interesting and instructive paper, and to Mr. Zæhnsdorf for his kindness in granting the loan of the specimens.

Stoke Newington. The foundation stone of the Library Extension Buildings, towards the cost of which Mr. Carnegie has generously given £4,450, was laid by the Mayor of Stoke Newington on October 31st.

The Vatican Library.-The Vatican Library, which has had such a narrow escape from destruction by fire, was founded by Nicholas V., who had made a collection of about 9,000 manuscripts. Various other libraries were afterwards incorporated with it, including that of the Queen Christina of Sweden. It contains, at the present time, about 2,500 manuscripts and about 100,000 books. The famous archives were first opened to students

by Leo XIII., who used often to look in during the afternoon and inquire how their studies were getting on.

Woking. The District Council at a recent meeting, by 11 votes to 7, resolved to decline Mr. Carnegie's offer of £5,000 for a public library.

LIBRARY PUBLICATIONS.

BOOTLE gives evidence of being very much alive." Before us we have a list of works on that already well-nigh threadbare question, the Fiscal Policy, by Mr. C. K. Hunt and Mr. W. T. Montgomery, also a list of free lectures at the Marsh Lane Branch on various entertaining subjects, in connection with which we notice that " children under 16 years of age, unless in charge of an adult, will not be admitted." But do "children" nowadays consider themselves "children" at 16 years of age? We trow not. Perhaps, however, the "children" of Bootle are not so precocious (dare we say aggressive?) as elsewhere. We also note a programme of lectures with brief reading lists on each subject lectured on, delivered on Mondays at the Bootle Town Hall. The "Journal' for September also contains interesting chatty comments on current literature, a list of additions to both lending and reference libraries and some interesting articles.

From MANCHESTER comes the Quarterly Record, with its familiar features. It has a capital annotated reading list by F. W. B. Haworth on Costume. To our mind the "Record" would be improved if the main Dewey headings were printed in bolder type, like those in the reading list. We note that Manchester is still a Public Free Library, although most municipal libraries have dropped the Free now. Manchester, however, we must admit, is privileged.

From CROYDON (land of " capitals," "abbreviations" and "footnotes") we receive the Readers' Index for September-October and November-December, 1903. Both of these numbers maintain their usual standard of excellence. The reading lists on Astronomy, Business Books, and Indoor (Games) Books are all good. The November-December number has a list of coming Talks, principally on literary subjects, and both numbers contain tables of lending and reference library issues, which compare favourably with the same period of time last year. We notice one or two minor printers' errors, but these do not materially affect the general excellence of the "Index."

From PARIS we get the General Review of French Bibliography, dealing with current French literature. There are critical reviews of books dealing with such varied subjects as Geology, Biology, Sociology, Philosophy, Science, Literature, etc. H. G. S.

LIBRARY ASSOCIATION CLASSES.

We are informed that the Library Association is arranging for classes to be held for assistants in elementary French and German. The idea is for the younger members of the profession to obtain some knowledge of one or other of these languages before presenting themselves as students at the classes now in operation at the London School of Economics. A special class

will be provided at reduced fees and convenient hours on the understanding that at least twelve students will join. If any of our readers would like to avail themselves of this opportunity they are requested to communicate with Mr. H. D. Roberts, 44a Southwark Bridge Road, S.E., as soon as possible.

A Brief Account of the Principal Powers conferred upon Library Authorities, with the chief points of difference between

the Colonies, the United States and the United Kingdom BY WILLIAM J. HARRIS.

It may be of some little interest to library assistants and others to know briefly in what respects the law affecting public libraries in this country differs from that of the Colonies and the United States. I have therefore put in précis the main points of difference.

ENGLAND.

The principal powers conferred upon Local Authorities by the various Library Acts differ from the majority of Acts, inasmuch as they are purely permissive, and are not, like the Education Act, compulsory. The powers conceded by the Acts are much in excess of the ability of the authorities to carry out (excepting in those towns which have been fortunate in securing special legislation for the increase of the library rate), owing to the limitation of the 1d. rate.

In England the powers vested in library authorities are briefly as follows:-Authority to purchase or hire land for the purposes of erecting a public library, museum, art gallery or school of science, and to furnish the same with all necessary fittings, books, newspapers, and materials for the various departments. They have also powers to appoint salaried officers and servants for administrative purposes, and to make rules and regulations, etc. They are also free to combine with other districts for these purposes and to borrow money (subject to the central authority). The Irish Act of 1877 also allows the library authority to provide schools of music. The library authority has power to grant the use of the lending library to persons not resident in the district, either gratuitously or by payment.

The Library Acts provide that the rate shall not exceed 1d. in the pound, excepting in those towns that have special Acts or provisions of special rate, and under this crippling condition little more can be done than provide libraries, and these only in a very inadequate manner.

COLONIES.

The legislation as affecting public libraries in our Colonies, although in most cases substantially the same as our own, for many of them have been modelled from the English Acts, differ in point of financial control and limitations. The various Governments of the Colonies make special grants of money annually to their libraries, and these grants are usually based upon the amount of the subscriptions raised by the library. Many of the Colonies have special Library Laws, as for instance, South Australia, which has a rate limit of 3d. in the pound by the Act of 1902. For the Utopian ideal of a Library Act we must go to Tasmania, which has no rate limit, but allows communities to tax themselves as they may think fit for the purposes of public libraries--a universal consummation devoutly to be wished.

UNITED STATES.

The enormous growth of public libraries in the United States is greatly owing to its munificent benefactors, and to the liberal basis upon which the library rate is levied, which in the aggregate usually produces at least three times, and often more, than would be received under the English Acts.

There are three principal points of difference between the powers conferred upon library authorities in the United States and those in this country, i.e.:

1. Constitution of Library Authority.

2. Exemption from Taxation.

3. Library Rate.

1. CONSTITUTION OF LIBRARY AUTHORITY.

The growth of Library Law in the United States may be divided under five heads: 1. The incorporation of Society Libraries. 2. District School Libraries. 3. Township Libraries. 4. State aid to town libraries (Massachusetts passed the first law in 1890). 5. Obligatory law (in New Hampshire a Bill was brought before its Assembly in 1893, making it obligatory "that each town shall assess annually taxes for the upkeep of its public libraries."). It is to be regretted that this did not become law. The law varies slightly in the different States as to the constitution of library authorities, but it generally provides for a Board of nine Directors, a body elected independently of the Mayor or Council, as well as of the Board of Education, and gives them full control of all library affairs. Many of the states have a Library Commission, which usually consists of five persons. The state commission is to foster the growth of public libraries, to give advice, etc., and has power to grant $100 to any town adopting the Act.

2. EXEMPTION FROM TAXATION.

It was early recognised in America that libraries, being for the public good, should be exempt from taxation. In England libraries are not exempt, with but few exceptions, and this is a serious drain upon their income.

3. LIBRARY RATE.

The basis of taxation in the United States is very different from that in this country, and although the rate is limited, excepting in a few States, yet the scale upon which it is levied produces a much larger rate. Thus in New Jersey one third mill on the dollar is the fixed rate. This rate is levied, not on the assessment value of rent, but upon the full value, thus if a house was valued at £450 and rented at £38 per annum, it would be rated on its value, i.e., £450, and not, as in English law, for about £30.

Another method of maintaining libraries is by means of fines collected from licences of various kinds.

The present condition of the fixed rate in this country is antagonistic to a much greater development of our public libraries, and necessarily curtails those Utopian ideals that all energetic and zealous librarians cherish for the betterment of public libraries, the advancement of learning and the education of the proletariat.

The first bookshop of this company was opened on 2nd November, at College Crescent, Swiss Cottage, Hampstead, N.W., and the occasion was marked by an excellent exhibition of artistic bookbindings. A good

start has thus been made, and the new company have every reason to congratulate themselves on the success of the exhibition.

The premises are admirably designed in the early eighteenth century style, and the white paint relieved by plain oak doors, with bronze fittings, combine in making a most attractive front. We understand that this is to be the model of all the company's shops-a more tasteful one could not have been chosen.

Other booksellers would do well to follow the new management in at least one particular: only such salesmen will be employed as know something beyond the mere exteriors of the books they sell.

At the side of each door hangs a bulletin of the latest publishers' announcements, and a speciality seems to be made of fine art books.

All are at present invited to turn over the books with the utmost liberty, but if one may judge by the manner in which new books are treated by borrowers from a Public Lending Library, it is probable that this invitation will soon have to be withdrawn; otherwise the prudent purchaser will be tempted to look through a book here and buy a fresh copy elsewhere.

The exhibition of books bound at "The Doves" bindery, under the direction of Mr. T. J. Cobden-Sanderson, is a most interesting one. Especially noteworthy was "The Life of Benvenuto Cellini," printed at the "Vale Press," and sumptuously bound in red Niger Morocco, with green inlay, by Messrs. Sangorski and Sutcliffe.

The art of Mr. Douglas Cockerell is at its best in an exquisitely tasteful volume of Goldsmith's and Parnell's poems, plainly bound in crimson sealskin.

Till now we had imagined that the English binder "toiled panting after France in vain," but a visit to the " Bookshops, Limited," exhibition effectually dispelled this illusion. J.R.

SIXTH ANNUAL DINNER.

On the 18th November, at Anderton's Hotel, Fleet Street, was held the Sixth Annual Dinner of the Association. Mr. Evan G. Rees, Chairman of the Association, presided, and was supported by the Officers and Messrs. Bond, Courtney, Fortune, Moon, F. M. Roberts and others.

The loyal toast having been duly honoured, Mr. W. Geo. Chambers proposed the Toast of "Our Provincial and Colonial Colleagues." He referred to the good works now being done by the N.W. Branch, which has over 70 members. Efforts had been made to establish branches in other districts, but so far without avail. This he regretted, as the future usefulness of the L.A.A. lay largely in that direction, but provincial apathy had to be overcome, and the difficulty was sometimes disheartening. Continuing, Mr. Chambers referred to a number of prominent London members of the L.A.A. who were now either in the Provinces or the Colonies. Notably Mr. Burt, Librarian of Handsworth, Mr. Soper, Librarian of Exeter, Mr. Lewin, who had recently arrived at Port Elizabeth, and Messrs. Dyer & Brown at Kimberley. Concluding, he wished continued prosperity to the N.W. Branch, and hoped that the bond of good fellowship between London and the Provinces would be strengthened. The toast was accorded musical honours.

Mr. W. J. Harris (Hornsey) briefly replied, emphasizing the need for more branches, and pointing out that by increasing the size and value to members of the " Library Assistant," more provincial recruits might be obtained.