Historical book about libraries

by Bibliofuture

Excerpt from:A Book for All ReadersAn Aid to the Collection, Use, and Preservation of Booksand the Formation of Public and Private Libraries

BY: AINSWORTH RAND SPOFFORDG. P. PUTNAM'S SONS NEW YORK & LONDON 1900

A librarian of New York gave it as his experience that some ministers are
not to be trusted any more than other people. Some of them like to write
their opinions on the margins of the books. He found one of the library books written on in thirty pages, recognized the hand-writing, and wrote to the reverend gentleman asking an interview. He came, admitted the fact, and said that his notes made the book more valuable. This ingenious excuse did not satisfy the librarian, who said, "others do not think so, sir; so if you will get us a new book, you may keep the more valuable one." He soon brought in a new copy, and the matter ended.

Full text of book available at Project Gutenberg.