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Treasures of our Memorial Library The Special Collection I suppose almost any municipal library worthy of the name has a section reserved for books of special significance or of unusual value. Most seem to label it something like "RARE BOOK SECTION". In our library, such a section has existed from the institution's very early years. But really rare books were seldom obtained, and soon the collection became more eclectic. The designation "SPECIAL COLLECTION" was adopted and the goal was widened to include books of obviously outstanding value, whether or not they could be considered actually "rare". Many of the books set aside in these broader categories tend to be considered old, but only a minority could be labeled "antique". A good proportion consists of 19th century books, many preserved mainly for the high quality of their bindings or their splendid gilding or other decoration. Others, perhaps drab in outward appearance, have received special assignment because of their exceptional illustrations--perhaps photographs, drawings or paintings. This Special Collection is housed in a closed room in the Reference Section. None of its books can be "taken out", but all can be readily studied on the spot through a simple request to a librarian. The room is not "climate controlled". With some misgivings, I noticed fire sprinklers in the ceiling. But 1 noticed also the obvious interest and respect with which the staff regard these segregated books. And what may one expect to find on these shelves? Well, there are many fine sets, some boxed, of the "Classics". In a brief inspection, I found, for example, the works of Robert Louis Stevenson (13 volumes), those of Charles Dickens (7 vols.), and of Bulmer Lytton (23 vols.), while George Eliot's works stretch for 11 volumes. Then I found "Classic Tales of Famous Authors" spanning 16 volumes. Of course, there are a great many other fine sets enthroned here, including 12 volumes of "Who's Who" and 27 volumes of "Who's Who in Canada". Of course, the collection includes many books in foreign languages. In a quick search, I found books offering French, German, Chinese and Japanese. When I turned to individual volumes, I was a trifle surprised to find plenty of children's books. There was a single volume of "Boy's Own Annual" (and two of "Chums"). I found "The Rabbits Are Coming", by K. Bullock, which had charming illustrations. And there were Blackie's boys' novels represented by two items by Percy F. Westerman: "Ringed by Fire" and "Standish of the Air Police". Nearly every item in the Special Collection is now kept in a clear plastic bag. In recent years, the bar code and reference number have been recorded on a file card lying loose in the bag. In earlier years, these identifying labels were firmly glued to the book - a practice now happily abandoned. Looking for really old items, I found a tiny pamphlet of only 28 pages, but with many fine coloured illustrations, designed as a guide-book to Regents Park Zoo in London. It was undated, but appeared to be about 150 years old. Near it I came upon a leather-bound tome, dated 1820, which bore the intriguing title, "Views of Gentlemen's Seats". "Well!", I thought. "Were gentlemen "mooning" their readers so long ago?" But no. Turning to the title page, I found the sub-title, "Jones' Views of the Seats, Mansions, and Castles of Noblemen and Gentlemen" and the date 1820. The pages offered a feast of splendid steel-engraved plates. Probably the bulk of the collection consists of books which most of us would consider "old". But there is also a number of magazines of fairly recent date. I noted two special numbers of "LIFE" magazine, and the 1927 souvenir volume featuring the coronation of 1927. The latter has been well bound. The long lines of volumes of "Encyclopedia Britannica" go back as far as 1875. But not far away, I found a boxed set, of two (Continued on page 4)