Other books, some people think, should not be read by young people.

Other books, some people think, should not be in a public library at all.

A good course to follow in regard to such books is to consider the temper of your community and put into the library as many of them as are noteworthy in a literary way as your public and your resources permit.
In other departments follow at first the guidance of some one of the good book lists now available.
Other things being equal, American scientific books are preferable to those by foreign authors.

In all departments select the latest editions, and, at first, the recent book rather than the older book.
The proportion of books in the different departments of knowledge must vary greatly in different libraries.

The following is a good general guide: Per cent.
General works .04 Philosophy .01 Religion .02 Sociology .09 Philology .01 Science .08 Useful arts .06 Fine arts .04 Literature .12 Biography .10 History .13 Travels .10 Fiction .20 ____ Total 100 Local interest should be fostered by buying freely books on local history and science and books by local authors.
The librarian should keep informed of coming events, and see that the library is provided with the books for which there is sure to be a future demand.