It is humiliating that every year something has to be said about the abuse of library privileges. The students are allowed such freedom in access to the different libraries, are put so much upon their honor in the use of the opportunities offered by the college, that it is unaccountable that men can be found who will still deliberately violate the confidence reposed in them. It is the new history library in Harvard that is the chief sufferer so far this year. One of the strictest rules of the departmental libraries is that books shall not be taken from the rooms. It is an absolutely necessary rule and an entirely reasonable one. Yet already this fall eleven books have disappeared from the history library, eight or nine of them within the past few days. Some of these books may be merely borrowed; but even in that case the element of dishonesty in the act is only less in degree than if they have been stolen. The books are placed in the library as common property. The removal of any of them, and it is always the most important works that are taken, means that hundreds of men are robbed of privileges which belong to them. It is barely possible that some one may have taken these books without realizing the real gravity of the offense; such a man would, of course, return them immediately upon being made to understand what inconvenience his selfishness causes. If the books are not returned immediately it will mean that the offender took the books with the full understanding of the character of his act.

It is unnecessary to say that if the men who are guilty of removing the books are discovered they will be dealt with very severely. The repeated violation of the rules will justify any punishment the authorities of the college may see fit to inflict. More than this can be said, however. The time seems plainly to have arrived when some vigorous action should be taken. If any plan can be devised for protecting the libraries and the honest users of them, even though it involve some inconvenience, it should be put in operation. Further, the men who use the libraries should unite for their own protection in an effort to detect those who abuse the privileges given them. It is disagreeable and distasteful advice to offer. We hate to be forced to it. But it seems the last and most forcible way for public opinion to express itself.