Biography.
History.
Church History.
Natural History and Popular Science.
Religious Books.
Magazines.
Penny Readings.
It should be clearly understood that nobody is urged to have anything like all the books here mentioned, but that the object is to answer the oft-recurring question—Where shall I find a book suited for such and such a purpose?
I have added a few suggestions of extracts for penny readings, but it is not easy to collect enough that do not verge on buffoonery, or that have no element of vulgarity; and indeed there is so much variation of tastes according to the tone and training of the audience, that it is hardly possible to tell what will be suited for hearers of each degree of culture. Some delight in pathos or adventure, and others will do nothing but laugh, and become noisy at anything that is not highly comic. Such books for the purpose as I have seen, between difficulty about copyright and desire of novelty and drollery, do not avoid vulgarity. N.B.—It is advisable to inspect thoroughly everything offered by volunteers for reading, recitation, or singing.
It has, however, been thought better not to enter upon the tracts and sermons, such as a parish priest or district visitor would give for private use or specific purpose, as they are devotional, and scarcely to be spread broad-cast by the Library. Every librarian must cater for his own clients according to their tastes and needs. No doubt much is here left out that will be found useful in some places, but the attempt has been made to offer suggestions, and to collect, from various quarters, names that may serve to assist in the selection of books for the various needs of a parish.