{purPEE] MODERN PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND THEIR METHODS 9 
The Birmingham library dates from 1860, when the Act was 
adopted by an overwhelming majority, in spite of much opposition. 
The reference library was opened in 1865. Some instructive remarks 
have been made by Dr. Langford as to the principles which guided 
the Birmingham Library Committee in their choice of books — prin- 
ciples which might very well be recommended to the attention of 
other library committees and librarians: — “The Committee were 
guided by three principles: first, that the library should as far as 
practicable represent every phase of human thought and every variety 
ef opinion; second, that books of permanent value and of standard 
interest should form the principal portion of the library, and that 
modern and popular books should be added from time to time as they 
are published; third, that it should contain those rare and costly works 
which are generally out of the reach of individual students and col- 
lectors, and which are not usually found in provincial or private libra- 
ries.” The third principle could, of course, only be carried out to 
a limited extent by any but the largest and wealthiest city libraries. 
There are now nine branches at Birmingham, besides the central 
libraries. The number of books at the end of 1895 was nearly 
210,000; and the circulation in that year exceeded 1,200,000. 
The Leeds Library was established in 1870. Here the system 
of branches has been carried farther than anywhere else in England. 
There are altogether some fifty-eight branches, thirty-seven school 
branches and twenty-one other branches: with about 192,000 volumes. 
The public library at Kingston-upon-Hull was established in 1892, 
after a long fight against bitter and determined opposition. There 
are two central libraries and two branches ; the number of volumes 
being, in 1896, 52,588, of which 12,830 were in the two reference 
hbraries. 
The Edinburgh Public Library owes its beautiful building to the 
generosity of that friend of libraries, Andrew Carnegie, who gave 
£50,000 for the purpose. There are now over 100,000 volumes on 
the shelves. 
The two free libraries in Dublin are comparatively unimportant 
as compared with the library systems of English cities of the same 
size. They are, however, only a temporary expedient, and are to be 
developed into a library worthy of the capital of Ireland. The chief 
library in Dublin is the National Library of Ireland, an institution 
which bears somewhat the same relation to Ireland as the British 
Museum does to England. This library is housed in a building which 
admirably combines architectural beauty with the requirements of 
modern librarianship. It is situated close to Leinster House, the 
home of the Royal Dublin Society. 
