352 



KEPOKT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1903. 



privilege i^ somewiiat restricted on jiccouiit of tlie overcrowded con- 

 dition of the library. It may further be remarked that the newest 

 a<'quisition.s are placed together on a bookstand, and are f n^ely acces- 

 sible to readers. The furniture is of wood. Only a few iron shutters 

 and fire extinguishers serve as a protection against fire. It is open 

 daily. excei)t Sundays and holidays, from 1* to 6, and is lighted at dusk 

 by electricity. Children under 15 3'ears of age are admitted when 



accompanied by grown persons. Umbrellas and canes are checked 

 free of charge. Fees for this service are not expected. Books can 

 be examined only in the librar3' itself. There are 219 seats, a certain 

 portion of one of the three great reading halls being reserved for 

 ladies. From July 1, 181)8, to June 80, 1899, 358,000 volumes were 

 used by 85,000 readers (an average of 247 daily), apart from the refer- 

 ence library of 4,500 volumes, which is freely accessible to ever3^body 



