Page:The library a magazine of bibliography and library literature, Volume 6.djvu/37

Legal Notes and Queries. 27 Answer* In my opinion there is no power to charge for the collection of the rate. The Library Committee are entitled, under section 30 of the Public Libraries (Scotland) Act, 1887, to the amount of their estimated expenses, so long as they do not exceed the rate limit. As regards the Town Clerk's and Chamberlain's salaries, it is, of course, competent for the Library Committee to appoint a salaried clerk (section 21), and if it suits the convenience of the Committee to have the services of the Town Clerk, it is only fair that a proportion of his salary should be charged to the rate. As regards the Chamberlain, unfortunately I am not acquainted with his duties or with the services he renders for the Library Committee, who may appoint salaried " officers," and if he per- forms any services for the Library Committee, a proportion of his salary would be perfectly legal, but not otherwise. Question. RULES AND REGULATIONS. POWERS TO ENFORCE. Can you inform my Committee of any Public Libraries which have special power under a local Act, separate and distinct from the Public Libraries Act to enforce the Rules adopted for the management of the respective Institutions ? As our Town Clerk is in doubt whether the Act which empowers Library Committees to adopt Rules also empowers the enforcing of them, I should be glad of your opinion on the matter. Answer. Your Town Clerk will find in the Manual on Public Library Legis- lation issued by the Association at page 80, et seq., extracts from the Manchester and Sheffield Local Acts giving special powers to those Corporations to enforce regulations and bye-laws. In my opinion there is a defect in the Public Libraries Act, 1892, inasmuch as no specific power is provided for enforcing Rules and Regulations when made. An amending Bill has been drafted by the Secretary and myself which, if passed, will remove these and other objections to the Public Libraries Acts. The Bill will, I hope, be introduced by Sir John Lubbock next Session.