SCIENCE TEACHING IN ADULT EDUCATION 351 
8. The Supply of Science Books, Equipment, and Materials. 
A. Books, 
An adequate supply of science books is an important consideration in the 
equipment of a science class. ‘The Committee have received several useful 
suggestions in reply to their inquiry in this direction. General library 
arrangements are very fully discussed in Paper No. 11 of the Board of 
Education Committee (p. 93-113). There is theoretically no limit to the 
facilities which exist for supplying the individual students with whatever 
books they require, through the co-operation of the County, or Borough 
Public Library scheme, the National Central Library, and the Extra-mural 
Libraries of the Universities. In practice, however, it depends very much 
upon the County or Borough authority concerned ; in some districts a library 
regulation restricting the use of a book by a borrower to fourteen days 
prevents its use for class purposes; in other districts the Library Com- 
mittee is distinct from the Education Committee, and there is some lack of 
co-operation. ‘The fact that a class needs several copies of one book is 
another difficulty when the Public Library’s stock is not sufficient. 
In addition to the Public Libraries, many voluntary bodies, such as the 
Y.M.C.A. centres, possess fairly well-equipped libraries. The Working 
Men’s College contains some 10,000 volumes. The University of London 
Library allows students to become borrowing members of the library, and 
also issues travelling libraries of the books needed during a course, for the 
special use of the class during the whole of its progress. Such travelling 
libraries are provided in connexion with all Tutorial Classes, and are sent 
to those University Extension Centres which apply for them. 
The Education Library at County Hall has a science section upon which 
science teachers can draw. 
The City Literary Institute Library is not supplied with textbooks, but 
possesses a fair supply of general scientific literature. 
The following replies indicate some dissatisfaction with the type of 
book available : 
“Many of the books recommended by tutors for students’ reading are 
written mainly for the university undergraduate, and are unsuitable for 
adult students. There is little between these and the popular book on the 
wonders of the universe, which, while it may serve to stimulate interest, 
does not serve the needs of students. We need more books of the type of 
Dr. Firth’s Chemistry in the Home, which was produced as a result of work 
done in this Department’ (Prof. Peers, Nottingham). 
“Lack of small ‘‘ popular ’’ books on elementary science—books which 
are not school textbooks but which are really readable—is a serious drawback. 
At present the Dorset County Library is not well supplied with such books ; 
there is a lack of duplicate copies ’ (Resident Tutor, Dorset). 
ih is an urgent need for science primers for adults’. (Glasgow, 
.E.A.). 
In most districts the general arrangement for books seems to be 
satisfactory. 
“There are a great number of popular science books available, and no 
difficulty has been experienced in finding suitable books for reading’ 
(Dr. Chapman, Sheffield). 
‘Science books are at present provided by the University, through 
travelling libraries ’ (Liverpool). 
‘ Books have generally been obtained from Burgh and County Libraries, 
the supply being supplemented where necessary from the Scottish Central 
