LENDING LIBKAEIES. 



This branch of the Institution continues to increase both in extent and 

 usefulness, and is at present in a highly satisfactory state of order and 

 efficiency. 



The number of books issued during the year has been as follows : — 



Volumes. Besdera. 



At the North District 222440 4201 



„ South District 241272 4448 



Total 463712 8649 



being an increase in volumes issued of 27,203, and of 373 readers. 



The number of volumes circulated from these Libraries is some- 

 what remarkable, and deserves a little notice, as being, it is believed, 

 greater than that of any other Library in existencp. Nearly half a 

 million of books are issued, and the same number received, within the 

 year, being nearly 3,000 per diem, 332 for each hour, or nearly 6 per 

 minute during the whole time the Libraries are open to the public. 

 The machinery by which this is accomplished is exceedingly simple. 

 One Librarian, with an assistant, and two or three intelhgent boys, at 

 each District Library, are found sufficient ; but the strictest adherence to 

 order and rule is found absolutely requisite. With the present staff and 

 accommodation it is believed that the maximum has been nearly reached, 

 beyond which it will be difficult to carry the operations of the Libraries 

 without the establishment of fresh districts, for which the means at the 

 disposal of the Committee are not at present adequate. 



The number of female readers has much increased of late. At 

 present there are 6881 male readers and 1 7 68. females. It is stated by 

 the Superintendent that the class of books taken out by the females is 

 almost invariably works of fiction. Nothing can more strongly mark the 

 necessity for such an institution than this fact, for it has been invariably 

 found that those who begin with works of imagination, and are supplied 

 with those of a healthy moral tone, gradually acquire a taste for books 

 of a higher class. At present, however, this fact swells the proportion 

 of the issues of light literature unduly. It is now 65| per cent, of the 

 entire. 



B 



