ROBBERS AND HOGS

Complaints are coming from the libraries, especially now when there are examinations and the demand for books is unusually great. The cause of these complaints is found in persons who may be grouped into two classes: the book robber and the book "hog". As regards the first, when a person has the nerve to walk up to the desk and, after forging a signature to a book receipt and writing down any address that enters his head, departs, never to be seen or heard from again, it is time to take drastic action concerning him. The same may be said for those who appropriate books from the shelves several days before an examination and do not return them until after it is over. Aside from all considerations of fair play to the other students who may be dependent on a particular book because it is the only one obtainable in the vicinity, such offenses are so serious that it is the duty of the undergraduate body to keep on the alert to do everything in its power in helping the authorities with the difficult task of apprehending these crooks--for such they are.

The second class of offender may well be termed a book "hog"--an individual whose motto seems to be "Education at any price". After stating on the receipt filled out at the reading room desk that he will sit at a certain table, such a person deliberately goes else where so that when the time limit of one hour is up, he can continue to use the book unmolested, although others are waiting. Such action can not be excused on the grounds of carelessness or ignorance; it is taken for granted that students can read the few simple library rules that are printed plainly in black and white. If there are any who are not willing to observe fair play. It is useless to argue with them; if they are dealt with as they deserve by the authorities and by the students, the libraries of the University may be rid of this nuisance.