16 



LENDING LIBRARIES. 



The 2:)opularity of this part of the Institution still continues unimpaired. 

 The readers and issues have both largely increased during the past twelve 

 months; the former now number 8,569, being an increase of 685 over the 

 previous year; the latter show an aggregate of 444,242 volumes, against 

 432,251 volumes lent last year, the increase being nearly 12,000 volumes. Of 

 these eleven-twelfths belong to the higher classes of literature, and the re- 

 mainder to fiction. 



The subjoined Table shows the classification of the "Works lent during the 

 year 1865 : — 



Theology and Morals 



Natural Philosophy 



Natural History 



Science and the Arts 



History and Biography 



Topography and Antiquities 



Geography and Travels 



Miscellaneous Literature 



Jurisprudence and Law 



Commerce and Political Economy 

 Education and Language 



Poetry and the Drama 



Light Literature 



Classical Literature 



Embossed Books for the Blind 



Total, 



VolnmeB. 



9,918 



3,726 



2,982 



*9,218 



24,912 



1,568 



11,095 



41,877 



605 



1,495 



.3,997 



5,060 



326,950 



357 



482 



444,242 



* This includes 2,78S Vols, of Music by eminent Composers. 



Of the readers now using the Libraries, 21 per cent, are between 14 and 16 

 years of age ; 26 per cent, between 16 and 20, and 53 per cent, above that age. 



The classification of readers, according to employment, is shown in the 

 following list : 



Agents, Book-keeper?, Clerks, Merchants' Apprentices, Office Boys, &c., 2,500 



Mechanics, Labourers, &c., .. .. .. .. .. 2,230 



Professional Men, Teachers, Students, School Boys, &c. ... .. .. 750 



Shop-keepers and their Assistants, and other Miscellaneous Occupations 794 



Business not ascertained, (principally female readers), .. .. .. 2,295 



Total 



... 8,569 



