The attendance in the Reading Rooms continues as great as ever, 

 and especially during the winter, our resources are taxed to the utter- 

 most. The conduct of those using the Rooms has given no cause for 

 serious complaint. 



The Museum also is well used, as much for purposes of study as 

 for mere sight-seeing. Classes from the various Public Elementary 

 Schools are frequent visitors, and to these the Curator is always 

 pleased to give help and information. 



The Art Gallery Exhibitions held during the year have fully main- 

 tained their high standard. It has been the aim of the Committee 

 to secure the representation of all schools of painting, and their efforts 

 have been freely responded to by the artists. The students at the 

 Training College, and also the members of the Derby Sketching Club, 

 have paid specially arranged visits, and the attendance of the general 

 public has been quite satisfactory. The question of space continues 

 to be urgent ; our own permanent collection is rapidly becoming a 

 large one, and the Gallery is much over-crowded. The Committee 

 hope that the time is not far distant when the much needed extension 

 of the Gallery can be proceeded with. 



The Librarian's Report to the Committee, and the tables appended 

 to it give full details of the inner working of the Institution ; and the 

 Members of the Council are referred to them for any information they 

 may require. 



There have been no changes in the staff during the year, and the 

 Committee desire to place once more on record their satisfaction with 

 the way in which the various duties of the staff are performed. Mr. 

 Crowther's illness at the beginning of the year placed a large amount 

 of extra work on the seniors ; which was cheerfully and readily per- 

 formed, and the Institution did not suffer. The committee are glad 

 to report that Mr. Crowther's health is now practically re-established, 

 and that he is able to attend to his work with his customary zeal 

 and efficiency. 



The Committee regret that they have lost by death the services 

 of their late colleague, Mr. Thomas Morgan, who for some years past, 

 had done the Committee good service. 



