14 DR. ALPHEUS TODD ON THE ESTABLISHMENT 
advantages capable of being derived from this measure are so manifold that I shall be glad 
to learn that extensive application is made of the provisions of the law.” 
But it is not enough that legislative authority has been granted for this purpose ; 
neither will the response of the municipalities, by sanctioning the levy of a rate, be suffi- 
cient. Something more is needed, and that is the active co-operation of intelligent citizens 
in each locality. This is indispensable in order to give life and energy to this movement ; 
and this, it may be hoped, will not be wanting in Upper Canada. The result of the 
experiment in Ontario will be of no small interest to the other provinces of the Dominion. 
I am not unmindful of the fact that the experiment in Ontario is not altogether new. 
More than thirty years ago the Jamented Dr. Egerton Ryerson, included in his great and 
comprehensive plan of public instruction, the foundation of township libraries throughout 
the province. But this attempt was attended with very partial success. The township 
libraries still exist; but, in most places, it is reported that they do not thrive or give 
general satisfaction. Two causes, I think, have contributed to their failure. Firstly, the 
township libraries were established on the principle that Government aid, to an extent 
equal at least to that of local contributions, might always be expected. This forced the 
libraries prematurely ; whilst their growth, to be healthy, should have been the result of 
spontaneous action, put forth in places where the necessity for a free public library had 
been felt, and acknowledged by the preponderating voice of the community. Secondly, 
these township libraries were supplied with books from a central depository, where they 
had been purchased wholesale, and copies of the same work were distributed everywhere. 
Such a cast-iron method of forming libraries throughout the land is obviously objection- 
able. It destroys the individuality which should characterize every separate library as 
well as every individual man. There are undoubtedly certain standard works of reference 
which are indispensable in all public libraries, but upon this foundation a superstructure 
should be built in accordance with the predominant tastes. mental pursuits, or class of 
studies to which the mass of the frequenters of the library may specially incline. If at 
the outset this cannot be ascertained, it should be the aim of those who are deputed to 
select the books to give at least a distinctive character to each collection by making a 
specialty of some particular subject. This would render every library an object of interest 
to the country at large, as well as a vehicle of instruction and entertainment to its owners. 
The lack of specialties in any library not merely brings the collection down to a monoto- 
nous and uninteresting level, but to an equal extent lessens its attraction and impairs its 
usefulness. 
In these days of mental activity every public library should, as far as possible, keep 
pace with the times. The peculiarities of each collection will naturally depend upon 
local considerations, and upon the disposition and requirements of its supporters. But 
besides this there is apparent in self-governing communities an increasing interest in the 
great questions of the day. New topics are continually arising upon which it is the 
natural desire of all intelligent persons to obtain accurate information. “The Literature 
of Public Questions ” must, therefore, find a prominent place in all popular libraries ; and 
in proportion as this want is well supplied we may estimate their practical value to the 
people. If complete in this department, members of town or county councils, of a pro- 
vincial Legislature, or of a Federal Parliament, will alike possess equal facilities for 
studying the history and present aspect of questions, in the settlement or application 
