762 EEPORT— 188]. 



TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6. 



The following Papers were read : — 



1. On the Free Public Libraries of Manchester and Netting Hill, London. 

 By James Hetwood, F.B.S. 



According to the Report of 1879-80, presented to the Citj^ Council, there are 

 64,079 volumes in the Eeference Library situated in the Old Town Hall, Man- 

 chester, as well as a large number of newspapers, serials, periodicals, and trans- 

 actions in progress. 



The Reference Library is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. ; and on Simday from 

 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. 



During the year 1879-80 the number of readers were 



On week-days 126,381 



On Sundays 8,039 



134,420 

 or on an average, 



406 readers on a week-day. 

 152 readers on a Sunday. 



During the same year the number of books issued was 



175,304 on week-days. 

 11,144 on Sundays. 



186,448 

 or on an average, 



560 books issued on each week-day, and 

 210 on each Sunday. 



Books may be perused in the Reference Library, but are not permitted to be 

 taken away from that collection. 



There are five Lending Libraries in different parts of Manchester, to each of 

 which a news-room is attached, and books may be perused on the premises. 



Borrowers may obtain books, after signing a written agreement according to 

 the Library regulations, in the Lending Libraries. 



The books are classified under ditterent heads : thus in the Hulme Lending 

 Library there are 15,281 volumes, of which 



754 relate to Theology and Philosophy. 

 4555 History, Biography. 



399 Politics and Commerce. 

 2184 Science and Art. 

 4030 Literature and Polygi-aphy. 



21 Embossed Books for the Blind. 

 3398 Works of Fiction. 



15,341 



Diu'ing the year there were 153,250 volumes lent out, and 42,236 volumes 

 perused in the reading-room. 



On Sundays there were 6,868 volumes perused, and 6,836 readers came to the 

 Libraiy. 



During two weeks, in September 1880, there were 8,032 persons who came to 

 the Hulme News-room, of whom there came on 



Monday 1,266 persons 



Tuesday 1,209 „ 



Wednesday 1,349 „ 



Thursday 1,184 „ 



