LIBRARIES AND RATES
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—In a paragraph under " News of the Week," in your issue dated February 11th, you commented on " Libraries and Rates," remarking on the decision of the Manchester Library Committee to close down two public libraries in that city and pointing out the value of such institutions to the general community.
It may possibly interest your readers to know that some Local Authorities are fully aware of the truth of your assertion that public libraries " belong to the amenities which every modern citizen has a right to demand and expect . . ." The $t. Pancras Borough Council have recently inaugurated a new library service for children, in the north of the Borough, second to no other in London, including the provision of lectures, story-hours, radio hours and facilities for homework, a well- stocked reference and reading room, and an equally well-stocked lending department. The Borough Council are now intent on providing similar facilities for adults and children in other parts of St. Pancras and are, at the moment, engaged in negotiations for a suitable site in the south of the borough, for a public library to serve the needs of the Euston Road area. . We in St. Pancras have noticed signs in our borough of an increasing demand for serious reading matter of a high grade ; and we are doing our best to cater for it, believing that educated citizens and informed opinions are amongst the finest assets of the community.—Yours faithfully,
W. TIMOTHY DONOVAN,
Chairman, Education and Public Libraries Committee, St. Pancras Borough Council.
26 Gordon Square, W.C. r.
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