Policies for the portable articles in both Museum and Ai-t Gallery, 

 The Committee are sure that the Council will approve what has 

 been done in this direction. 



The Committee desire once more to express their satisfaction 

 with the manner in which the staff discharge their duties, and they 

 believe this satisfaction is shared by the public with whom they 

 come in contact in the execution of those duties. 



The chief Librarian, Mr. Crowther, has jii it completed twenty- 

 four years' sei-vice with the Committee. lie was appointed in 1885 

 at a salary of £200, with residence, fuel and light, etc. In 1891, 

 this was raised to £240, and in 1898 he took over the duties re- 

 linquished by Captain Haywood, and the salary of £50 attached to 

 those duties. Since his appointment, the number of books in the 

 Library has been more than doubled, the Museum has been en- 

 tirely re-arranged, and its value as an educational institution 

 greatly enhanced. He lias been responsible for a complete alterar 

 tion in the methods of issue in the Library, which tends to greater 

 accuracy and quicker service ; while a separate Children's Library 

 and a Branch Reading Roo^m have adso been established. In the 

 Alt Gallery his duties and responsibilities have also largely in- 

 creased. When he was appointed, the permanent collection of 

 pictures only numbered three, now they are above seventy, and in 

 addition we have what is probably the best collection of Derby 

 china in existence, the value of which can be reckoned in thousands 

 of pounds, and a large proportion of which is diiectly owing to Mr. 

 Crowther's personal efforts. The Committee think this is a suitable 

 time for the rexision of his salary, and they recommend 

 that it be increased by the sum of £50. They do this with 

 the less hesitation, because they find on enquiry that his 

 salary will not then be out of proportion with that given in other 

 towns where the duties are the same ; and in many towns two or 

 three ofl&cers are employed to do the same work. In the period re- 

 ferred to, the amount produced by a {>enny rate has inci-eased by 

 fifty per cent., and they do not think they will be at all likely to 

 exceed the amount of their annual estimate. They believe that in 

 making this recommendation, they will have the approval of the 



