LIBRARIES. ' 



After the passage of some years, during which time the Reference Library 

 had grown, prospered, and increased in usefulness beyond all expectation, 

 the need of an extension to the library forced itself upon the consideration 

 of the Committee. Not only was further space required for the rapidly- 

 increasing stock of books, but increased accommodation was urgently needed 

 for readers, particularly for that class denominated " student " readers. For 

 some years one of the smaller book-rooms had been furnished with tables and 

 chairs for the special convenience of those readers who came for study and 

 literary work. The entree of this room was obtained on written application 

 to the Library Committee, who, being satisfied with the object the applicant 

 had in view, issued a ticket entitling him to the use of the room for twelve 

 months. This room became very popular, on account of its seclusion and 

 the privileges allowed in it, which were not permitted to readers in the 

 general reading room. It invited and encouraged at the outset a class of 

 readers which has increased in numbers ever since — readers who came for 

 literary work and investigation, or self-education, and not merely for light 

 and recreative reading. To overcome the difficulty thus presented to the 

 Committee, it was determined to erect a new reading-room on the vacant 

 land between the Brown Library and Walker Art Gallery, and the Council 

 having sanctioned the proposal submitted by the Libraries Committee, a 

 circular reading-room was built by the Corporation, and named the Picton 

 Reading Room, in recognition, by the Council and the people of 

 Liverpool generally, of the long and devoted service to this Institution of 

 Sir James A. Picton. 



It may be of interest to mention here the lines on which the Reference 

 Library has been built up. Though the Committee has during the long 

 period of the library's history, kept steadily in view the provision of 

 standard works, both British and foreign, in all departments of learning 

 and embracing as far as possible all branches of human inquiry, particular 

 attention has been given to certain subjects : with the result that in the 

 departments of Architecture and the Fine Arts generally, in Natural History, 

 in the literature of geographical investigation, and in regard to books 

 bearing upon those commercial and maritime affairs peculiarly valuable to 

 the inhabitants of a great seaport, the Liverpool Public Library may justly 

 claim to possess an unusually rich collection. The topographical section is 

 also very extensive; while it may be said that, as regards local illustrations 

 and publications, pains have not been spared, even from the foundation of 

 the library, to gather together what is perhaps at this moment the finest 

 and most valuable collection of the kind in the country. A decided impulse 



