THE reserved books in the Library are a great help in all courses, and the system is doubtless a good one, since it enables any particular book to be used by a large number of students, when otherwise it could be used only by one or two at the most. But there is a marked contrast in the extent to which different instructors seem willing to afford this assistance to the members of their electives. Of course each of them has the right to do as he wishes in regard to what and how many books he will reserve, and is under no obligation to reserve any if he thinks it unnecessary. But when this spirit is carried farther, and all books bearing on a certain subject, in which there is to be an examination, are removed by the instructor from the Library a day or two before that examination, there is a manifest blunder committed. The removal of the books will not prevent the students from getting others like them elsewhere, if they wish to, and the only effect brought about will be trouble and inconvenience to those who would have used the books, - an effect which can afford no satisfaction to the instructor, and exasperates the student.
Read more in Opinion
Notices.
