[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] Sin,—Mr. Craig's answer to
the " reactionary critics "—viz., that the books of which they complain are on the library shelves for the saine reason as they are in the bookshops and the circulating libraries—because people want to read them—implies that the principles which guide the public library committee in its task of book-selection are the same as those which guide .the manager of the circulating library. Indeed it seems that Mr. Craig regards them as fulfilling the same function. This is not so, as I hope consideration of the following points will prove.
The manager of the circulating library is not spending public money, and he is therefore under no obligation to ask himself whether the books he provides are really worth reading, or whether they make any serious contribution to, or throw any light upon the problems with which they are supposed to deal—whether -it be sex or anything else. Further- more he puts on his shelves not only what the people want (which means, I suppose, what they have asked for) but what he knows they will read.
Now everyone knows, and the librarian is acutely conscious of the fact, that there are many books which never were intended as serious contributions to the problems of sex. They merely pander to the morbid taste of those readers who want " something spicy." These books are offensive but enjoy an indisputable popularity which is the only criterion recognized by the circulating library.
But is this criterion sufficient or suitable for a public library committee, and is the latter justified in spending public money on these books merely because they are popular ? I suggest that the answer to both questions is " no."
Standard textbooks and reliable non-technical books on all subjects—including sex—should be . provided ; _ and novels that treat of sex problems seriously, e.g.: those of I). H. Lawrence, should also be provided..
But it is not the function of the public library to provide everything that people want, to the limit of its purse, irre- spective of its intrinsic worth. Whilst some provision is, and should be, made for people who cannot read anything but trash, the main function of the public library is to provide for the intelligent critical, and reasonably well-informed
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