[ xvii 



confined area to which the operations of the Trustees have been practically 

 limited by Parliament. 



The number of duplicate volumes lent out of the Library is about one 

 thousand, they ivave been distributed in cases, containing about fifty volumes 

 each, to the Mechanics' and other Literary Institutes of the different suburban 

 municipalities situated within a radius of ten miles from Melbourne. These 

 have been removed from and returned to the Institute at the expense of the 

 borrowers, who, furthermore, pay for insuring the books while in their possession, 

 and for having them collated when the period of the loan expires. 



Notwithstanding the restricted nature of these Societies supported as they 

 are by private subscriptions the Directors have allowed all persons who may visit 

 the places in which the volumes are deposited to have access to them with the 

 same absence of restraint and inducements to study which prevail here. 



The regularity with which they have been sent back, and the excellent 

 condition in which they have been returned, prove clearly that an absolute 

 reliance may be placed on an honorable fulfilment of the terms on which 

 they have been lent. The anxiety shown for the issue of a further supply, 

 and the numerous applications from different remote parts of the interior for the 

 extension of the privilege, amply justify the belief that if the Trustees had 

 been empowered to carry out the project on the comprehensive scale originally 

 proposed by them, the influence of the parent library would ere this have 

 diffused itself through those and other districts also. 



Had their expectations on this branch of their labors been realised, 

 instead of stating that they have been reluctantly compelled to refuse compliance 

 with such applications, they might have had the satisfaction of reporting that 

 this Institution had assumed the position of a National Establishment for adult 

 voluntary instruction, and literary, professional, and scientific improvement of the 

 highest order and that at the present time it had completed its communication 

 with many Local Societies established for a similar purpose, which in affiliation 

 with it were working together in harmony to fulfil the same great end. 



They may be permitted to express a hope that a due consideration of the 

 superior economy of such a mode of employing portions of the revenue devoted 

 to the support of literary pursuits, as well as a prudent regard for the general 

 interests of the community at large, will lead to the consummation of the 

 desire which the Trustees have entertained.. 



According to statistics, obligingly furnished, the inhabitants of the Suburban 

 Municipalities are : 



Collingwood 21,397 



Prahran 8,165 



St. Kilda 4,763 



Brighton 2,721 



Williamstown 3,536 



Kew and Hawthorne 2,400 



Total 42,982. 



A considerable proportion of the members of this population has thus 

 participated directly, though without its walls, in the benefits of this Library, 



