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32
Wandsworth Public Libraries.
DIVISIONAL COMMITTEE'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR
ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1902.
The year has been in the main uneventful.
It was resolved that ink may be used in the Reference
Reading Room at the discretion of the Librarian.
The rooms at West Hill library hitherto set apart for ladies
were closed and used for storage. By the kindness of Dr. Longstaff,
Councillor Riicker, " Anon.," and the Chairman, these rooms
have been shelved, and two new bookcases also erected in the
Reference Reading Room. The provision of additional shelves
is a distinct advantage to the Library.
Urgently needed repairs and decoration at West Hill Library
were carried out under the direction of the Council's Surveyor
by Messrs. Parsons & Co. for the sum of £221 :4:4 ; the estimate
for overhauling the lighting arrangements would require an additional
expenditure of .£90, which the Committee regret that they
could not see their way to. As it was, funds available for new
books were much curtailed by the foregoing extra expenditure.
The entrance and vestibule at Allfarthing Lane Branch
Library were re-decorated, and the Council placed incandescent
burners in the public lamp outside. The Council used the Branch
Library as a testing station for the electric light.
In future the Sanitary Inspectors are taking charge of all
books found in a house where there is a case of infectious disease.
The Committee would strongly recommend that the same be
destroyed, instead of being merely disinfected by the Council.
It was suggested by the Battersea Library Committee that
borrowers' tickets should be interchangeable throughout the
Metropolis. This Committee reported that the plan was not in
their opinion feasible.
At the November Meeting of the Council the only change
in this Committee was the election of Councillor Cresswell in
place of Councillor Single, who did not seek re-election. The
Committee re-elected Rev. W. Reed, M.A., as Chairman for the
ensuing year.
The statistics and list of donors for the year ended 31st March,
1902, are appended.
(Signed) W. REED,
Chairman of tne Wandsworth Divisional Committee,