26 APRIL 1919, Page 15

VILLAGE LIBRARIES.

(To THE BETT011 OF THE " SPECTATOR."]

Eati,—.1 think many of your readers are interested in village libraries, and I should be very grateful for any hints they are kind.enough to give me as to the most successful way of starting and working one. The village and parish in which I live is entirely rural, with a population of nine hundred; it possesses a Village Club containing reading-room and billiard-room (two tables). Up to the present this has been a men's club, but the Committee are now considering admitting women as members, and forming a library. It would be a great help to the Com- mittee if any of your readers can tell me whether it is better to subscribe to a library for a monthly box of books, or to boy cheap editions of standard and popular books; what kind of books are found from experience to be the most appreciated; also what charges should be made for books; and any other

information on the subject.—I am, Sir; &o., R. A. BLACK Frees Hall, Whitchurch, Salop.