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296
REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE, FOR THE YEAR
ENDED MARCH 31ST, 1906.
THE Sub-Committee have pleasure in reporting that the usefulness
of the Library is maintained, and that there has been a steady
increase in the work of the institution during the period
under review.
In December, 1905, the Borough Council appointed Councillors
Fitch, Jackson, Parker and Radford as the Sub-Committee for 1906.
At the first meeting Councillor Jackson was elected Chairman for
the year.
It having been decided to issue a Quarterly List of additions to
the Library, the first part was published in January, 1906; it is
classified, and descriptive annotations have been added to the most
important additions.
Lending
Department.
The alteration in the times of opening this department, which is
now open from 10 a.m. till 8 p.m. daily, Thursdays,
Bank-holidays; &c., excepted, has been greatly appreciated
by borrowers.
There has been a great increase in the number of volumes issued
for home reading. During the year 64,380 volumes were issued
to borrowers; these figures show an increase of 6,604 volumes on the
issue lor 1904-5. The number of borrower's tickets available for use
on March 31st was 2,038. During the year 590 volumes have been
added to this department, 132 worn-out volumes have been replaced,
and 71 have been withdrawn from circulation, not being worth
replacing. Total number of volumes now in stock is 8,608.
Reference
Department.
The majority of books in this department are on open shelves ;
readers having free access to the books, no statistics
are available. The number of volumes in the Reference
Library is 2,107.
The Sub-Committee have to report that a man was caught
stealing a book from the open shelves, and was imprisoned for
three months.