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The first in importance is undoubtedly a reference library. To this end 

 a list of books was compiled from many sources and recommended by the 

 Board to the Department, which had the list printed and sent out to every 

 W. I. member, with price and place of purchase. There is plenty of choice 

 in the list and almost every sort of book required in the beginning of a 

 reference library is there. Another list of recent publications is now being 

 prepared, so that the cry "What shall we get and where shall we get it?" 

 is no longer timely. 



As to a circulating library, that too is easily secured if the supply holds 

 out. Any Institute may on application to the Provincial Librarian secure 

 one of the Rural Travelling Libraries which are already a great boon in 

 many W. I.'s and in country parts. In these libraries are now included, 

 at the request of the Advisory Board, books of special interest to home- 

 makers. The cost will be only that of transportation. 



The McGill Travelling Libraries and various book clubs also offer facil- 

 ities for purchase or loan of books. Information regarding these plans 

 may be secured from the Secretary of the Adv.sory Board. 



A book and magazine exchange is entirely an affair for each W. I. to 

 arrange. But it is easily done and at moderate cost. The usual way is to 

 subscribe a certain sum, get the advertised combination offers of magazines, 

 which are much cheaper, draw lots as to which subscriber shall have which 

 magazine first, and then order the magazines on that understanding. 



An exchange of books usually means that a certain number of books are 

 loaned by members, put in charge of one member and allowed to go the 

 rounds of all joining in the donation. 



As to pamphlets, these are usually bought by the members or asked for 

 generally through the Secretary of the Institute. Many excellent pamphlets 

 are to be had for the asking and the secretaries will do well to keep these 

 in hand for the use of members and even to purchase a few of the best as 

 issued. A well-selected list of recent publications is included in the 

 book lists. 



The Institutes which indulge in a library will never regret the step. 

 The members can thus get help in preparing papers, can secure ideas for 

 entertainments or work, can have inspiring words at hand when interest 

 flags, can get information and material for meetings, and can have oppor- 

 tunity for courses of study and self-improvement. 



CO-OPERATIVE WORK. 



Mr. Scott has some valuable suggestions to make in this regard. He 

 writes: 



"The primary object of Women's Institutes is to engender the spirit of 

 mutual help by the co-operation of the individual members. "In unity is 

 strength" and objects may be accomplished and brought to a successful 

 issue by united action, which would fail if attempted by individual enter- 

 prise. By means of the Women's Institutes of British Columbia, work can 

 be accomplished if properly undertaken, which will materially benefit both 

 financially and otherwise, all those participating. 



Co-operation is the keynote of success, and is the first principle govern- 

 ing all business undertakings. Why, therefore, should it not prove equally 

 beneficial in the conduct of Women's Institute work? 



Some of the benefits which the Institutes may derive by co-operation 

 are as follows: 



