provision of such a room has been highly appreciated. The cost of 

 its maintenance will probably be about £75 a year, and this expense, and 

 any similar ones which may be incurred, must necessarily be at the cost 

 of the Central Library. As pointed out last year, the provision of Branch 

 Libraries and Eeading Eooms is simply one of finance, and the Com- 

 mittee feel that with their present income, they have gone as far as they 

 can go without seriously impairing the usefulness of the parent estab- 

 lishment. 



A Catalogue for the Children's Library was published early in the 

 year, and has sold well. The Catalogue of the Scientific books in the 

 Reference Library, the publication of which has been unavoidably delayed, 

 is nearly ready, and will be published between now and Christmas. 



The building is in a good state of repair, and the amount necessary 

 to be spent on repairs and alterations is less than for many years past. 

 The close of last year left the Committee with a balance of £104 against 

 them ; this has now been reduced to about £2, although there is a liability 

 of £30 for books ordered and not received. Seeing that the equipment 

 and first year's maintenance of the Branch Reading Room has absorbed 

 £158, the Committee feel that the result is a satisfactory one, although 

 the amount spent on new books has had to be considerably reduced. 

 With no immediate special expenses that they know of, the Committee 

 hope that this may be remedied next year. 



The Committee, in closing this Report, beg to thank the numerous 

 public bodies and individuals who have given books, newspapers, maga- 

 zines, and other articles during the past year, and they once more gladly 

 bear witness to the zeal and efficiency with which the Librarian and his 

 staff discharge their duties. 



On behalf of the Committee, 



GEORGE BOTTOMLEY, 



Chairman. 

 October 26th, 1896. 



