"THAT most reprehensible practice - pilfering - continues at the Public Library," reported Gazette columnist Ariel 100 years ago, "and only this week, the librarian had to report to the Committee the loss of a number of books, which some of the users of the library had borrowed, and it may be charitably presumed, forgotten to return.
"Some people have a penchant for sticking to borrowed books, which they hold on to like grim death, and some of us, who have modest libraries of our own, have suffered from the depredations of these light-fingered people.
"But let me remind them that while they may borrow a book from a friend, and stick to it with impunity, such a method of procuring literature on the cheap does not pay when the lender happens to be a public authority, and it is found out, and if found out, they will discover that the books which they purloin may prove to be very costly publications - to them, at any rate."
More happily, the librarian reported that generous Malvern people had been donating items of local interest as permanent gifts to the library.
"The nucleus has thus been formed of what is hoped to be a most interesting and valuable collection of objects of local historic value.
"The librarian is anxious to proceed a step further and provide the institution with a geological museum.
"He informs me that the initial cost, on advice of a competent authority, need not be more than £20, and this, I understand, would mainly be used in the provision of show cases."