ACCOUNTS, ETC., OF THE BKITISH MUSEUM. 



IX. — General Progress at the Museum, Bloomsbury. 



The total number of visitors to the Museum in 1912 was 

 754,872, being more than 31,000 in excess of the figures for 

 1911, and 11,000 more than the highest total since the year 

 1905. This is the more remarkable since the public galleries 

 were closed from March 5 to 24 inclusive, and partially from 

 March 25 to April 13. It may be estimated that about 00,000 

 visitors were lost during that period ; but the deficit was more 

 than made good by the very high totals recorded in the summer 

 months. In August the number of weekday visitors exceeded 

 100,000 for the first time on record, and the total for August 

 and September was greater by 61,409 than that for the corre- 

 sponding months in the very hot summer of 1911. The total 

 for weekdays was 697,094 (an increase of 37,308), and for 

 Sundays 57,778 (a decrease of 6,007). 



The number of visits by readers to the Reading Room was 

 236,643, which is the highest total hitherto recorded, and 13,000 

 above the figures for 1911. The daily average was 778, and the 

 total number of volumes supplied was 1,561,138, giving an aver- 

 age of nearly seven volumes daily for each reader, exclusive of 

 the volumes on the shelves to which readers have free access. 

 In the Newspaper Room the number of readers was 18,450, 

 about 760 less than in the previous year. On the other hand, 

 the number of volumes of newspapers consulted was greater, 

 giving a daily average of 229, or more than three for each 

 reader. The number of volumes of country newspapers brought 

 up from Hendon was 2,642, nearly a hundred more than in the 

 previous year. 



The visits of students to other Departments of the Museum 

 also reached a higher total than any previously recorded, 

 namely, 38,698, as compared with 37,911 in 1911. There was 

 a decrease in the number of students working in the Sculpture 

 Galleries, but increases in the use of the Students' Rooms in 

 nearly all the Departments. 



The handing over of the Extension building to the Trustees 

 is still delayed. Contracts have been made for the fittings of 

 the new North Library and the Department of Prints and 

 Drawings, and work on the preparation of these is in full 

 progress. The occupation of the other parts of the building 

 will depend on the funds available for furniture and 

 fittings. 



The reconstruction of the last section of the roof over the 

 northern galleries with fire-resisting materials was taken in 

 hand towards the close of 1912. Progress was delayed by the 

 failure of the contractors to deliver the materials in time ; 

 but the work will have been completed shortly after the end of 

 the financial year. The redecoration of the Mausoleum Room 

 has also been completed. 



