E E P R T . 



The Committee have pleasure in reporting the continued progress of 

 the institution in all its departments. 



The Reference Library, which was the original foundation, and from 

 which the other departments have sprung, has developed considerably 

 during the year, the number of volumes issued having risen from 

 437,746 to 516,527, and the total issues from 729,540 to 808,045. This 

 is the result up to the close of the municipal year on the 31st of August 

 last. 



The New Eeading Room, in regard to which the Council have honoured 

 the Chairman by attaching his name to it, was opened on the 8th 

 of October by the Mayor and Council, after which a banquet was held in 

 St. George's Hall, the Right Hon. the Earl of Derby in the chair. 



The greater portion of the books have been transferred to the shelves 

 in the new room, but a large number still remain in the old library, 

 space being required for the rapid accumulations in the several divisions 

 and classes. 



The Council having given their consent, the completion of the new- 

 Lecture Room under the New Library will be proceeded with, without 

 delay. 



The completion of the Picton Reading Room, forming the connecting 

 link between the Brown Library and Museum on one side and the 

 Walker Art Gallery on the other, has furnished the town with a range of 

 apartments having internal communication, almost unrivalled for the 

 purposes of a public demonstration. These advantages were felt on the 

 occasion of the Post Office and Telegraphic Conference of Delegates 

 from all parts of the world, which was held in Liverpool in September 

 last, and again at the Soiree at the close of the Annual Exhibition in 

 December. 



