County Borough of Derby. 



TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT 



OF THE 



J^ree Library and JHuseum Committee. 



FOE THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1897. 



THE Free Library and Museum Committee have pleasure in laying 

 before the Town Council their Twenty-sixth Annual Report. 



They are glad to report that the Institution of which they have 

 charge is in a prosperous condition. The Library now contains 

 30,184 volumes, an increase of 1,326 over last year's return. The 

 issues are slightly less, but this, and all other matters of detail are 

 fully discussed in the accompanying Report from the Librarian, to 

 which, with the tables appended, all interested in the details of the 

 work done, are referred. 



The Children's Library retains its popularity, and is doing good 

 work, although the novelty has somewhat worn off, and the Commit- 

 tee are more than ever convinced that the step they took in estab- 

 lishing it was a wise one. 



The second year's work at the Arboretum Branch Reading 

 Room is also very encouraging. The attendances were counted 

 during the months of December, March, June, and September, and 

 reached the total of 37,829. This gives for the year at the same 

 rate, a total of 113,487, as compared with 107,257 last year. The 

 cost of its maintenance has been kept well within the Committee's 

 estimate. 



The Catalogue of the Scientific works in the Reference Library 

 has been published during the year, and also a small new edition of 

 the books in the Devonshire Library, bringing it up to date. The 



