THE LENDING LIBRARIES. 



The issues for the year ending 31st August, 1857, have been 308,200 

 volumes, and the returns 302,240 volumes, making 610,440 volumes; 

 the actual number passed through hands averaging 1,970 per diem, 

 during the 310 days the Libraries have been open for business. Each 

 volume has been lent, on an average, 18 times; or, in other -words, 

 the whole of the books in the Libraries have been turned over as 

 many times during the year. These statistics show an increase in the 

 number of volumes lent of 78,852 over the previous year. The only 

 drawback to the still more extensive usefulness of these Libraries is 

 the want of sufficient accommodation for both readers and books. 



The following statistics show the progess that the Libraries have 

 made since their estabhshment in October, J 853 : — 



Volumes. Beaders. 

 In the Libraries at the commencement, 18th October, 1853. . . . 2000 30 



on the 30th August, 1854 4435 1800 



on the 31 St August, 1855 8054 4244 



on the 30th August, 1856 13254 5200 



on the 31st August, 1857 17002 6727 



3,748 volumes have been added during the year. Of these, 3,508 

 have been purchased, and 240 received by donation. Of those pur- 

 chased 10 volumes are in embossed printing, for the use of the blind, 

 which are proving very attractive to this exceedingly interesting class 

 of readers. Although these books have been only a short time in 

 the Library, there are already fourteen blind persons eagerly enjoying 

 the privilege thus afforded ; most of them have expressed themselves 

 to the Superintendent deeply grateful to the Committee for thus placing 

 within their reach a fund of amusement and instruction not otherwise 

 attainable. There are in Great Britain 29,000 blind persons; and of 

 this number, between 500 and 600 are resident in Liverpool. From 

 the interest felt in this department, the Committee have given instruc- 

 tions. to procure a number of additional books of this class, the present 

 supply not being sufficient for the demand. 



