The Public Library Committee at is last meeting discussed the question of policy in regard to the pur chase of Chinese books. Members had before them a report on the matter dealing with the possibilities of classification, the class of Chinese for which it was specially desired to cater, and the type of books likely be of most use and Interest 10, members of such a class, The report gave details of arrangements at the long-Tsai Circulating Library, 353 Nanking Road, which has over 30,000 volumes, catering mainly for, the needs of local office workers," shop assistants and apprentices and it was suggested that purchases. of modern Chinese books for the Public Library should in future follow the. same general lines. Approximately 37 per cent, of the books purchased for the Liang-Tsai Library were classified as Uterature Cneluding fiction), 27 per cent. social Sciences, 12 per cent. general, 12 per cent. natural selenees and the balance as applied. selenees, philosophy, arts and music, history and geography, and. religion. There was little demand for classical books, 'Members were informed that the heading General connoted text books of general literary interest from the professional point' of view, such as Books on Library Science and Jour-rialism, The Committee agreed that future purchases of books in Chinese for the Public Library be made in general accord with the proportions Indicated above.
The Council on March 3 endorsed the Committee's recommendation.
Mu, Li Shih 1g, @ member of the National Research Academy In Pei ping, who has been appointed Chinese Commissioner to the Paris Exposition, has arrived at Piping and is luying to persuade Mr. Cheng Yencchiu, who is only second to Mr, Mel Lan-fang as a female impersonator, to tour France in connection with the exposition.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.