It seems inevitable that some men should always be dishonorable and selfish enough to abuse the library privileges offered by the University. Year after year complaints are heard of the removal of reserved books from their proper place on the shelves; but though the offense is often discovered, the offender himself always seems to escape detection. This is extremely unfortunate. The number of books reserved, especially in some of the larger courses, is necessarily very small in proportion to the number of students who desire to use them. Inconvenience is fairly sure to result at all times, but it is felt in particular under the pressure of the mid-year and final examinations. Under the circumstances, gentlemanly feeling should surely prompt a student to more than common consideration of the just claims of his class-mates; yet it is precisely in the examination period that these claims are most flagrantly disregarded. The student who has neglected his work up to that time, has merely to hide a book or two, and he may shift the penalty for his earlier idleness in large part upon the more faithful members of a course.

The man who is guilty of such offenses has doubtless in most cases passed the point where remonstrance, or representation of his conduct in its true light, could be of any avail. He would still, however, be influenced by the dread of detection and consequent summary punishment. We would urge that measures be taken to make that dread a very living one. If it were generally understood that not only the various library officials, but the students themselves, were sharply on the watch for violations of privilege, and would do their utmost to trace all concealed books to the responsible parties, the number of offenses could not but be diminished. Perhaps, though, it would be too much to hope that any one culprit could be convicted and made a discouraging example to such as might without it have continued in their evil ways.