LIBRARY DEPARTMENT. 



Chief Librarian's Report. 



As nearly half a century has now passed away since the first steps were 

 taken to establish the Liverpool Public Library, a few historical fads 

 connected therewith will no doubt be read with interest by friends both at 

 home and abroad. And those who are familiar with the humble beginnings 

 of the Institution will view with pleasure and surprise its present-day 

 development, as exhibited by the accompanying views of the Reference 

 Department and some of its Branch Libraries. 



Towards the end of 1849, attention was first directed to the need of a 

 public institution in Liverpool where documents, &c. could be consulted; 

 and, as'a result of this expression of public opinion. Councillor (afterwards 

 Sir) James A. Picton. in April of 1850 (the year in which Mr. Ewart's Public 

 Libraries Act was passed), submitted a motion to the Town Council that 

 "A Committee be appointed to enquire and report on the propriety of 

 establishing a Free Public Library in the town of Liverpool." That motion 

 being approved, a committee of enquiry was formed for the purpose named, 

 its deliberations resulting in a favourable recommendation to the Council. 

 The public meeting subsequently called was marked by many manifestations 

 of earnestness on the part of the public for the establishment of a public 

 library, practical support of the movement being shewn by the voluntary 

 contribution for library purposes of nearly £1.400 and some 4,000 volumes. 

 The scheme being thus countenanced by both Council and public, these 

 subscriptions were duly transferred to the Corporation by the preliminary 

 Committee; and measures were forthwith taken to carry the wishes of the 

 inhabitants into effect. In 1851 the thirteenth Earl of Derby died, 

 bequeathing to the town his valuable and extensive collection of natural 

 history objects. To carry out the conditions attached to the gift, the 

 Corporation obtained a special Act of Parliament, which, in its title, " An 

 " Act for establishing a Public Library, Museum, and Art Gallery at 

 "Liverpool," laid down the lines upon which the Committee of this Institu- 

 tion has never ceased to work and keep before it. The collection of books 

 then made by the Corporation Committee was housed in a building in 

 Duke Street, and on the 18th October 1852 the Reference Library was 



