REPORT 



COMMITTEE ON THE LIBRARY, 



FOR THE YEAR 1894. 



There is nothing to report in regard to the library this year 

 which differs much from what we have stated annually for many 

 years past. As usual all the funds at our disposal have been 

 expended, or will be by the end of the year. The income of the 

 Stickney Fund has been spent in accordance with the conditions 

 specified in the instrument by which the Fund was put into our 

 possession. 



Periodicals and binding have absorbed the Society's appropria- 

 tion and the special grant for the Card Catalogue of Plates has 

 sufficed to advance that work to about the usual extent. 



It may be remembered that the subject of increased accommo- 

 dations for books has sometimes been touched upon in these 

 reports, and we find ourselves compelled to speak on that well- 

 worn topic again. Having no power in the matter we can do no 

 more than make the following statement ; duty to the trust 

 committed to us will allow us to do no less. A glance around the 

 walls will show that our present shelf-space is completely filled up 

 by continuous rows of books ; a farther search would show that 

 behind the visible volumes, a very large number of others are 

 packed away, a condition which no well-regulated library should 

 exhibit, and whose existence in this interferes very much with it& 

 usefulness. The tables have been piled high with books, nearly or 

 quite all acquisitions of the present year, inconveniencing all of 

 us every time we enter the room, and hindering the work of those 

 who are employed here, but there is, at present, no way of 

 remedying the evil. 



If we are to remain here as we are, the gallery ought to be 

 extended around the committee-room as soon as possible, and 



