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280
To the Chairman and Commissioners of the
Hammersmith Public Library.
Gentlemen,
The Report of the Library for the year ended 25th
March, 1895, which I have the honour to present to
you, compares very favourably with the reports of previous
years. The additions to the Lending Department
have been both numerous and important, the increase
numbering 779 vols., of which 99 were presented, and
680 were purchased. The total number of volumes in
this department is 10,051; but a very large proportion
of these will require to be re-placed, owing to the severe
wear of the past five years.
The issue still maintains its high figure, the number
being 192,504 ; an increase of 2,290 on last year's total.
The system of reserving a particular book which was
initiated in 1893 is very much appreciated by readers;
during the past year 1,158 volumes have been registered.
With the hope of increasing the issue in class K.
Music, the privilege of allowing a special ticket for this
class only, in addition to the ordinary ticket, was adopted
in January last. There has been an increase in the issue
of 336 volumes, but up to the present time the number of
persons who have taken advantage of this privilege is comparatively
small. The number of new borrowers is
1,841, and although only 827 have given their occupations,
a perusal of Table V. will show that there is a
marked improvement in the number of mechanics and
shop assistants who have availed themselves of the opportunity
of using the Library.
The Reference Department has been replenished with
156 additional volumes, amongst which are some very
important works of local interest; the number of volumes
in this department is 2,309; and the total stock in both
Lending and Reference Libraries is 12,360. The
Kelmscott Press Books, presented to the Library last year
by Mr. William Morris, are now exhibited in a suitable
show-case, and are greatly admired. The crowded state