OCR Text |
Show MANY BOOKS MISSING AT PUBLIC LIBRARY The disappearance of a number of valuable books at the Packard Free Public Pub-lic library, has caused considerable trouble and may result In the closing of the free shelf system unless some of the persona who have neglected to return the books do so within a short time. The matter was first brought to the attention of Librarian Joanna Sprague several days ago, when it was noticed that a number of books had disappeared. They were mostly valuable engineering books. In ail about seventy-five are gone. Miss Sprague presented the matter to the board of directors yesterday, and It was argued to considerable length. The board Is not In favor of closing the open shelf system, but In face of the facts believes be-lieves something will have to be done. A number of the books can be located, and are known to be In the possession of persons per-sons who have neglected to return them. The books gone are devoted mostly to useful arts, sociology and history, and are nearly all non-fiction books. The Inauguration of the open shelf system sys-tem has Increased the circulation to a great extent. The open shelf system is used by nearly all the Western libraries, libra-ries, and every large library In the United States has an open shelf room. Patrons of the library are more than pleased with the present sytem, and It Is believed that the closing of the shelves would cut a great deal of the circulation. |