The Brown Reading Room is assigned for the perusal of popular 

 literature. The principal London, local and other provincial papers are 

 available there, magazines of a varied and entertaining character, and a 

 selection of the best works in English prose fiction. There is also 

 unrestricted access to some 70 county, city, and town directories. In a 

 commercial city like Liverpool, where there are always so many strangers, 

 the directories in this room prove a great convenience and source of 

 attraction. In the book room of the Brown Library are found the 

 specifications of patents for inventions, which may be examined at 

 pleasure. The following statistics of the issues and attendances in tliis 

 part of the library during the past year, shew that the advantages afforded 

 by the institution still retain a firm hold on public favour and 

 appreciation : — 



Visitors to the Newspapers ... ... ... ... 175,440 



Monthly and Weekly Magazines, &c., issued ... 153,028 



Illustrated Papers issued in volumes (" The Graphic," 



"Illustrated London News," "Punch," &c.) ... 83,763 



Directories ... ... ... ... 72,500 



Specifications of Patents for Inventions ... ... 15,287 



Volumes of Prose Fiction ... ... ... ... 157,137 



The decrease shown by the above figures, compared with those of last 

 year, arises from the Brown Reading Room having been closed for 22 

 days for painting and cleaning. 



The Picton Reading Room, called so in honour of the late Sir James 

 A. Picton, who for nearly forty years was Chairman of this Institution, 

 is set apart as a student's room and for literary research and inquiry. 

 No restriction is placed upon the number of volumes a reader may 

 require, and facilities are given by the provision of pens and ink for 

 making notes and extracts from the books. Two large globes and 

 various important atlases are placed in the room for easy reference, and 

 near the entrance will be found some 180 scientific and literary 

 magazines, reviews, &c., to which readers have free access. The issue of 

 novels is confined to the Brown Reading Room. The total issue of 

 books for reference and study has been 191,071 volumes, being an 

 increase of 10,181 volumes. The reviews and other scientific and 



