

Books which were overdue had to be written for to the number 

 of 969, and no fewer than 4,059 books passed through the binders' 

 hands for greater or less reason. Of these at least 3,600 were dealt 

 with on our own premises. No fewer than 1,232 books were bespok- 

 en by borrowers during the year, Table 7 summarises the principal 

 figures of the year for purposes of comparison. 



The attendance in the Newsrooms has been slightly less than 

 usual, although the actual numbers have not been taken. There is 

 no complaint to be made about the order, and I find that the 

 habitues of the rooms are as anxious to preserve quiet as we our- 

 selves. Neither petty theft nor mutilation of magazines has been 

 quite absent during the year, either in the Central Reading Rooms 

 or at the Arboretum, and the class of magazine st< len generally 

 shows the literary tastes of the thief or thieves to be of a somewhat 

 high order. 



The work of re-arranging the Museum has pioceeded steadily 

 during the entire year, and the sub-committee charged with the 

 work has been fully occupied. The Invertebrates, beginning with the 

 lowest forms of life, and proceeding as far as the Mollusca, are 

 practically finished and fill one of the large wall cases, and the 

 Mollusca will next receive attention. The work already done has 

 met with approval from various visitors well qualified to judge. 

 The specimens in the " Birds " bequest have all been carefully 

 gone through, those wanted for our own collection selected, and the 

 duplicates have been offered on loan to various Schools and Colleges 

 in the town, several of which have accepted the loan on the terms 

 offered. The collection of early electrical and galvanic apparatus, 

 made by the late Mr. J. A. Warwick, and presented to the Museum 

 by Mr. Herbert Strutt, J, P., will most of it be disposed of in the 

 same way. 



I had the pleasure of attending the Second International Lib- 

 rary Conference held in London in July last as a representative 

 of this Library, and much enjoyed and profited by the meetings. 



In concluding this Report, I have once more to express my ac- 

 knowledgments to the local press, for their ready co-operation and 

 help in anything likely to benefit the Institution. From the staff I 

 have had cheerful and efficient help, and I believe that all are ani- 

 mated by the desire to make the benefits of the Institution fully 

 available to the inhabitants of the town. My own work 



