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21
A few weeks previous to the opening of the Library an
appeal was made by the Tooting representatives on the Borough
Council for contributions towards providing the first stock of
books. This appeal met with a generous response and many
donations were received from members of the Council and others
interested in the welfare of the new library.
The Divisional Committee have endeavoured to add to
the popularity and usefulness of the Tooting Library by doing
the utmost with the very limited funds at their disposal to provide
as far as possible a varied selection of suitable books, periodicals,
and newspapers, and they are gratified to find that the inhabitants
of Tooting have availed themselves of the advantages afforded by
Councillor Lancaster's generous gift.
Number of Books issued:—
229,142 volumes were issued to readers at the three
libraries during the year ended 31st March, 1903.
The number of books issued at the Tate library,
streatham, was 143,513, being an increase of 7,156 on the
previous year's return. This increase in the circulation occurred
in every class of literature, except Poetry and the Drama. The
class percentages are almost the same as those of last year.
At the Balham Library the number of books issued was
80,826, or 14,242 fewer than last year. This decrease is
attributable solely to the fact that the library was closed from
the early part of November till the middle of January for
structural alterations and additions to the building.
Immediately after the re-opening of the Balham Library
a considerable increase occurred in the demand for books, the
issues from the middle of January till the end of March being
6,123 more than during the corresponding period of the preceding
year.
The Lending Department of the tooting Library was
opened on the 9th of February and the number of books issued
during the seven weeks was 4,803.
The following is a statement of the number of books
issued in the different classes of literature during the year:—