12 



LENDING LTBRAKTES. 



This portion of the Institution is^ still progressive, as the following 

 statistics will shew — 



Number of Volumes lent during the Yeab. 



North District Library 247126 



South District Library 242773 



Total Issues 489899 



Increase over the previous Year 26187 



These numbers are large, but might be indefinitely increased did means 

 permit. With the present staff and arrangements, the maximum has 

 been reached, and it has been found absolutely necessary to limit the 

 number of readers to nine thousand, filling up vacancies as they 

 occur. 



From the commencement in October, 1853, to the present time, 

 30,913 persons have, for longer or shorter periods, enjoyed the privilege 

 of borrowing books, while, so orderly has been their behaviour, that not 

 a single individual has had his Ticket of Membership withdrawn for 

 misconduct. 



Tliat the Libraries are largely used by the parties for whom they 

 were primarily intended, a glance at the occupations of the borrowers, 

 as given by themselves, will shew, classified under the following 

 heads : — 



Nortli. South. Total. 



Merchants' and Shopljeepers' Apprentices, Office Lads, 



and Schoolboys 1187 1003 2190 



Mechanics, Labourers, Warehousemen, and Police Officers 1662 1060 2722 



Clerks, Shopmen, and others employed in Shops 407 080 1097 



Teachers, Pupil Assistants, and Scripture Eeaders 114 117 231 



Shopkeepers, and others engaged in business on their 



own account 9S 138 231 



Merchants, Agents, and Accountants 98 107 205 



Professional Men and Students 32 24 56 



Business not ascertained (principally Females) 784 1157 1941 



Total 4437 4236 8673 



