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20
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT.
During the past year the work of the Streatham, Balham
and Tooting Public Libraries has entailed much time and attention
on the part of the Divisional Committee, more particularly
with regard to the enlargement of the Balham Library and the
provision of books for the new public library at Tooting.
Balham Library:—
The alterations and additions to the Balham Library were
completed in December. The new Reading Room is nearly three
times the area of the old one, and the new Lending Department
is capable of storing upwards of 30,000 volumes. This extension,
it is hoped, will meet all requirements for some years to come.
The increased use which has been made of the Balham
Library since its re-opening has greatly exceeded the expectations
of the Committee, and has fully justified the action of the Council
in consenting to provide more adequate library accommodation
for this growing district of the Borough.
Tooting Library:—
In the last report it was mentioned that by the liberality of
Councillor W. J. Lancaster, J.P., Mayor of Wandsworth for the
year 1901-2, a public library was being provided in the parish of
Tooting, this being at that time the only one of the five parishes
comprising the Borough of Wandsworth without an Institution of
this kind. The handsome building which has been erected and
tastefully furnished by his munificence was formally opened on the
8th November, 1902, by Mrs. Anderson, the wife of the Rector of
Tooting.
On the kind invitation of Councillor Lancaster a large
number of the Borough representatives attended the opening
ceremony, and among those who took part in the proceedings
were:—The Bishop of Southwark; Councillor R. Simpson, M.A.,
LL.B., Chairman of the Libraries Committee during 1901-2; Mr.
W. F. Massingham, Chairman of the Divisional Committee during
1902; Alderman the Rev. J. H. Anderson, M.A., Rector of
Tooting; Mr. R. W. Essex; Alderman C. E. Wellborne; and
Councillor William Hunt (the present Mayor) architect of the
building.