The San Francisco call., 1899-10-11
BOOKS BY POST.

EO OR the purpose OF equazing library privileges
throughout the country there has been started
in New England movement which has so much
to commend it that it merits immediate success. The
object is to procure act of Congress permitting
circulating Libraries to send books through the mails
second class matter such readers may choose
to avail themselves OF the privileges The plan, it will
be SEEN is perfectly feasible 1t will do no than
give Libraries the privileges now accorded to pub
fishing houses OF mailing books at low rates.
The advocates of the movement advance many
guments in its favor 1t is in harmony with the spirit
OF the postal laws difuse good reading and pro-
the circulation OF books that tehd to public
lighenment; the spread of library advantages is in
timatey connected with the diffusion of popular edu
cation; the people who maintain public Libraries
under State or municipal laws are the same who main
tain the postal system under national laws; matter
carried second rate postage, or in some cases
carried free has to such rating claim superior to
that OF the books OF a public library the plan will
promote the circulation of good books in districts
where no Libraries exist; and finally, it will put in
right relations two important public interests the
postoice and the public library, and thus render each
more serviceable than ever to the community.
The Call has repeatedly pointed out the many ad-
vantages which have followed the adoption of the
travelling library system in New York and other East
ern States. The plan proposed in New England
would supplement that system and would serve an
even wider field of readers. 1t would give every
citizen within reach OF postofice fair opportunity
to profit by the Libraries maintained at public
pense or supported by endowments from private
munifcence 1t would be- in fact, a public benefit
which would cost the National Government little or
nothing and might, indeed, prove remunerative to
the postofice
Many of the leading libraries of the country have
given cordial approval to the enterprise. Not only
are the public libraries in favor OF it, but many OF
those maintained without taxation would place their
books at the disposal OF the people generally should
such cheap system of postage be established. 1t is
be noted, moreover, that the scheme is not alto
gether novel; as similar system has been in opera
ton in some of the countries OF Europe Thus let
ter on the subject from the Minister of the Neither
lands says: I'm the Netherlands books may go from
libraries OF any kind by mail at book or parcel rates
and the postman delivers the book without extra
dressed, in the most remote rural parts of the
kingdom"
The plan will be presented to Congress at the COM
ing session. and as we have said merits the approval
of that body There is why the public
library should not have the same rights of mail ia
Cilities for books given to publishing houses
We are an educated people and nation OF readers
and it is only fair that those who pay taxes for the
support OF Libraries and OF the postofice should have
the benefits OF both the uttermos extent to which
they can be made available