8 



The number of new borrowers during the year is about the same as 

 usual, nearly 1,100, and I should fancy that the number of those using 

 the Library is greater than ever. The number of cards cancelled through 

 deaths or removals is only 107, but the number of borrowers who with- 

 draw without notice is considerable, and the number of those who only 

 borrow intermittently is larger still, so that the actual number of borrowers 

 using the Library at any given time is rather difficult to gauge with cer- 

 tainty. The number of books re-bound has been 534, and the number 

 passing through our binder's hands for other reasons — repairs great or 

 small, numbering, lettering, labelling, &c, — is no less than 3,171. 

 Reference to the tables will show many other interesting facts in con- 

 nection with the working of the Library. 



The occupations of our borrowers are as various as ever, as a 

 reference to Table 6 will show. The large number described as of no 

 occupation are, I believe, principally housewives, and the term is in their 

 case to a great extent a misnomer. I again give a table showing the 

 districts from which our borrowers come, the last thousand being thus 

 distributed : — 





Becket, Babington, Friar Gate, and Litchurch Wards furnish considerably 

 more than their quota of readers, the last-named nearly half as many 

 again as might be expected. Derwent Ward has about the proper number, 

 and the remaining wards fall below. Castle Ward shows, however, a 

 marked improvement on last year's figures. 



The News Rooms are, if possible, more used than ever, and there 

 is little to complain of in the behaviour of those who use them. I have 

 always found that a word of caution is sufficient if anyone is found trans- 

 gressing ; and I believe that the great majority of those who use the rooms 

 are as anxious for good order as I am myself. The year has not 

 passed over without a few petty thefts, but even these have been less than 



