GENEEAL BEPOET. 



The Reports of the Chief Librarian, the Director of Museums, and of 

 the Curator of the Art Galleries, -which are annexed, are so full and 

 complete in their analyses of the work done by these institutions, and so 

 replete with considerations and suggestions for enlarging the scope of 

 their usefulness and more effective organisation, that it is hoped they 

 will be perused by all who take an interest in the great public educational 

 work now being carried on in this City. 



In every department the Committee have endeavoured to increase 

 the attractiveness of the institutions under their care, recognising that 

 entertainment must go hand in hand with instruction if the masses of 

 the people are to be reached ; but, while broadening their lines on this 

 popular basis, they have not been neglectful of the more important part 

 of their duty in providing for the literary and artistic culture of those 

 (and there are many) who make a serious use of the advantages which 

 the City has placed at their disposal. 



The erection of the new North Library in Everton, and the opening 

 of a Lending Branch at the Central Library, have both been hailed with 

 popular approval ; the erection of a new South Library will be kept 

 steadily in view, and the Committee hope to be able to undertake this 

 work in the near future. 



The Ethnographical Gallery is fast approaching completion, and will 

 be found replete with interest. 



An extension of the Museums is a matter of urgent importance, as it 

 is certainly a reflection upon the City that the scientific value of one of 

 the finest natural history collections in the world is lost for want of 

 space for its proper arrangement. 



The Art side of the Committee's work prospers under the enthusiastic 

 direction of Mr. Philip Rathbone. A practical turn has been given to 

 the Committee's undertaking by the establishment of an Architectural 

 and Applied Art School in connection with University College. 



The technical educational work conducted by this Committee has 

 assumed such impoi-tanoe as to necessitate a Special Report. 



