4 CHAIRMAN’S PREFACE. 
A notable event of the year was the visit of the Library Associa- 
tion in September, after an interval of twenty-nine years since 
their last meeting here. They expressed their admiration of our 
system of Lending Libraries and Reading Rooms, more complete, 
in their opinion, than in any City they had visited. A number of 
American Librarians were present, and they were specially 
interested in the close co-operation which now exists between our 
Branch Libraries and the neighbouring schools, by which on certain 
days in the week whole classes are taken to the Libraries for an 
object lesson in the use of books. ‘They told us that in that respect 
we were ahead of anything which has been attempted in the 
United States. 
The Report of the Museum Curator shows also the educational 
work which is being done there in direct partnership with the 
Schools. The Schools Loan Collections, comprising. over 1,000 
scientific objects, now circulate among 103 of our Elementary 
Schools, and, in addition, daily visits are paid to the Museum by 
school classes and their teachers. Over 1,500 Secondary School 
and University Students also attended at the Museum during the 
year for special work on Students’ days. Numerous school classes, 
and many students, have also made use of the Art Gallery. 
I especially emphasize these growing uses of the three 
buildings, because they confirm and strengthen the view I have 
always held that familiarity with the City’s splendid literary, 
scientific and art collections should be a recognised part of our 
educational system, and that the earlier in a child’s school life 
it is taken in hand, the better. 
The Local History Gallery in the Museum has grown to an extent 
which delights those who are interested in the story of our City. 
I would earnestly appeal to all who have in their possession objects 
which illustrate that story, to consider whether they cannot deposit 
them with us, as gifts or as loans. I venture to think that no better 
way can be found of inspiring civic pride and patriotism in our 
future citizens than by showing them, as children, the living history 
of the City, brought together in such a Gallery. 
