[numbered blank page]
THE DUTIES OF TRUSTEES AND THEIR RELATIONS TO LIBRARIANS
Although Mr. S.S. Green says that he has prepared this paper “from the standpoint of a librarian,” he is competent to speak from that of a trustee also, for he served as both, having been a trustee of the Worcester Public Library for some time when he was chosen its librarian. A sketch of Samuel Swett Green will be found in Vol I. of this series.
In the symposium in which we are now engaged, I understand that I am to consider the subject which we are talking about from the standpoint of a librarian.
The position can be stated in a few words.
A librarian should be regarded as holding relations to his trustees similar to those held by the agent of a factory or the cashier of a bank to the governing board of the factory or bank.
Some cashiers and some agents have more power than others. The power conferred depends upon the knowledge, training, experience, industry, enterprise, good judgment, and ability of persons holding such positions.