How a Useful Local Institution is Successfully Run The Shangat Municipal Coun-seems to be the ing pains. New problems have arisen and the ques-Gon as to the purpose it is serving is under discussion. This is pot an unhealthy condition as it avider nce of added interest:
Recent consideration of the use of radio as s means of actu: Shanghai pie with the facilities of. the rary has brought out unfavourable comment on the Public Reading Room, Te is believed that this is caused: by unfamiliar ity with its true purpose and aims. ae leaving Shanghai will think of their books speed library' when dispostn
that this Wraty has been so. well in view of prices it is amazing able, to keep breast ofthe times. Sach an motitation is a. very" ex: pensive," if" necessary" educational and. cultural "ads month. There this number during the cold winter months, due to the fact that there is a large percentage of unemploy Every library has its difficulties, ed.
These figures must be alarm-no matter where it may. be, but ing to those particularly interested the one here has an individual in' business conditions, but it situation to face as well as the should be understood that many of usu need of space' and books. the same faces may be found there Until the present there have been daily and each person entering, the few changes in the demands made d loot is counted, no' matter how upon the "Shai hai Public Library since the days when the Municipal often This room is for the use of non-Council realised that the need for subscribers and a certain. amount such institution existed. At has been set aside to provide that time, about fifteen years ago, with the leading Shanghai" n it was \-papers, the four English dailies ment, supplying and supported by and. two Chinese nda as Now it is semi- diversified list of magazines. Any-publ sible Jone is welcome at' any time daring Through stan fromthe neil, the day, but, naturally, this does throeltg" ide te dpe thes not carry with" it' the' privileges Serootld aot eae fees. of membership, A larger choice of periodicals is coe. controversy Tt is used ad-available to, subscribers, but, for to. distinguish" between instance, after an adequate ' time owned by institutions, has passed and they have been re= thave conducted as private business placed by current is the enterprises forthe. purpose "of magazines are put at the dispose making money through the rental lof the users of the Public Reading of books at the free libraries Room. Thus, one of the sources made possible through national of complaint, the fact that some of state subsidies or the establish-the material in that room is out, port. ment of trust funds for their sup- of date is, in' reality, the result Strictly speaking, the Shanghai of the of thoughtful eourtesy''on the part stof. library {s public, but not free.|"
The person who seriously wishes There are no rental charges, but to use the facilities for, re only subscribers may borrow
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.