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280
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE OF
CLAPHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY,
For the Year ended 31st March, 1907.
The Sub-Committee have pleasure in presenting the Twentieth
Annual Report on the work of the Clapham Library.
The number of books issued during the year was 94,722 in the
Lending Library and 4,874 in the Reference Library (exclusive of
books in open cases), being a total issue of 99,596 volumes, and a
daily average issue of 412 volumes. These figures show an increase in
the Lending Library issues of 493 volumes over the previous year,
when the library was open on two more days than in 1906-7. Many
of the books most in request in the Reference Library are placed on
open shelves, and of the use made of these books no statistics are
available. The record of issues of volumes in this department is
therefore limited to those for which written applications are made, the
number of which is less this year owing to a larger and better selection
being placed in the open cases.
The number of books now in stock, after allowing for withdrawal
of worn-out and obsolete works, is 15,293, of which 12,033 are in the
Lending Library and 3,260 in the Reference Library.
3,644 readers' tickets (including renewals) were issued during
the year to borrowers ill the Lending Library.
On the recommendation of the Clapham Sub-Committee the
Council decided that any ratepayer of the Borough of Wandsworth
should be eligible to sign as guarantor the application voucher forms of
non-ratepaying readers in the Lending Libraries.
The exterior wood and iron work of the library building has been
re-painted during the year, and several internal structural alterations
and improvements effected.