NEW ENGLAND FINANCE

In order to effect economics in the annual budget of Widener Library for the coming year, the closing hour of the building has been changed from 9 to 6 o'clock in the evening. Opposition to this measure, which is sure to be forthcoming, must in the last analysis be based on the critic's selfish interests rather than his feelings of altruism.

In the first place, the number of men affected by the change is not as large as it would appear on first thought. The Freshman library hours are unchanged. House libraries through experienced have filled the needs of a great bulk of the upper classes. In fact the additional pressure upon the House libraries that may occur should serve as a healthful stimulant in the perfection of these comparatively recent institutions. Graduate students, commuters, and Faculty members constitute the largest groups drastically affected, and yet even here it should be possible for the bibliophiles to adjust themselves to the established library hours. It will, of course, be possible to borrow books overnight when the doors close at 6 o'clock.

Shorter hours at Widener Library, it is said, will constitute a chief means of paring down the annual budget by approximately $34,000. By non-replacement of persons who have given up their employment, and by a the reduction of $10,000 in the amount to be expended for books, the remaining parts of the 10 per cent out will originate.

Economically speaking, the shrinkage of the budget will dispense with the marginal services which the library has to offer. The major functions of Widener are not affected by the fact that books must be borrowed three hours earlier than formerly. The inconvenience of the economy can scarcely be begrudged the present conditions, when in other departments the University, has made available for undergraduates considerable sums in the way of aids, service scholarships, and the newly created jobs.

It is inevitable that the shortening of library hours will bring pressure to bear upon the delivery desk facilities, already, overburdened. On the ability of the library staff to handle the changes in circulation that doubtless will occur will depend the amount of inconvenience which the early closing hour will cause. At any rate, the inconvenience to the University members seems justified in terms of the economy it will make possible.