REPOET. 



Nothing of sufficient importance to demand special notice has occurred 

 during the year. Every department of the institution continues in a 

 state of active efficiency. 



The completion of the New Reading Room has been delayed from an 

 alteration in the construction of the floor, required in consequence of 

 the proposed lecture room in the basement story. The work is now 

 proceeding in a satisfactory manner. It has been determined to sur- 

 round the room with galleries and bookcases, contracts for which have 

 been entered into. It is expected that within a short time the room 

 will be opened to the public. The removal of a large portion of the 

 books to the new room will set at liberty several rooms now occupied in 

 connection with the Library. The appropriation of these will have the 

 careful consideration of the Committee. Arrangements are proposed by 

 which separate accommodation will be provided for the readers of 

 periodicals and light literature, leaving the New Reading Room for 

 scientific and general subjects. 



Table I. — Showing the total issue of volumes of books : — 



_, .„ .. Volumes Daily 



Classification. 13^^,^^. Average. 



Theology, Morals, &c 18,458 66 



Natural Philosophy, Astronomy, &c 12, 109 43 



Natural History 6,982 22 



Science and the Arts 24,527 86 



History and Biography 28,.303 102 



Topography and Antiquities 6,393 23 



Voyages and Travels 16,513 59 



Miscellaneous Literature f principally Collected Works, Maga- 

 zines, &c.) ; 92,724 330 



Jurisprudence, Law, and Politics 3,298 12 



Commerce, Political Economy, and Statistics 2, 855 1 3 



Education and Language 6,036 23 



Poetry and Dramatic Literature 18,228 65 



Prose Fiction 190,198 678 



Latin and Greek Classics, and Translations 4, 672 1 (i 



Heraldry, Encyclopasdias, and Works of Reference 7,450 26 



Total 437,746 1564 



