14 



time averages £11 Is. 4d. per annum for each Branch, a small amount, 

 considering the vast circulation, and the varieties of hands and homes 

 into which the books are taken, coupled with the fact that, out of 29,699 

 volumes in the Libraries, 13,078 volumes were purchased secondhand, 

 and a considerable number of these were well worn when admitted, some 

 having been in Circulating Libraries before. At the same time, it can 

 scarcely be expected that so small an average expense, under this head, 

 can be maintained. 



Four books have been irrecoverably lost during the year. The gross 

 loss in eight years amounts to £2 Is. 7d. 59 books have been injured 

 or lost while in the hands of borrowers, and replaced by them or their 

 sureties. 



Such facts speak for themselves, as they show unmistakably how the 

 Libraries are appreciated by the community. 



During the 319 days the Libraries have been open for business, 

 359,739 persons applied to have their books exchanged ; or an average 

 of about 1,160 per diem. 



It is pleasing to be able to record that several Free Libraries have 

 adopted the arrangements here in use, together with the mode of book 

 registry, which is found from experience to be both simple and eflfective. 



BOTANIC GARDENS, PUBLIC PARKS. 



AND SQUARES. 



Under the management of the present Curator, the Botanic Garden 

 has been greatly improved, A typical arrangement of the Botanical 

 Orders and Genera, on the natural system, has been carried out, affording 

 a valuable means of instruction to the student of Botany. The range of 

 plant-houses has been painted and repaired during the year ; but it is to 

 be feared that, owing to natural decay, a very large outlay for their 

 rebuilding will have to be incurred before long. 



The park and squares have been kept in as good order as circum- 

 stances would permit; but the atmosphere of Liverpool is peculiarly 

 unfavourable to vegetable life within its limits. 



