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278
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE OF
CLAPHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY,
For the Year ended 31st March, 1908.
The Sub-Committee have pleasure in presenting the TwentyFirst
Annual Report on the work of the Clapham Library.
The number of books issued during the year was 109,182 in the
Lending Library and 4,663 in the Reference Library (exclusive of
books in open cases), being a total issue of 113,845 volumes, and a
daily average issue of 461 volumes. These figures are the highest
for any year since the library was opened, and shew an increase of
issues in the Lending Library of 14,249 volumes over the previous
year, and a daily average increase of 49 volumes issued. The
increased circulation applies to each of the eight classes of literature
into which the books are divided.
The number of books now in stock, after allowing for withdrawal
of worn-out and obsolete works, is 16,594, of which 13,517 are in the
Lending Library and 3,077 in the Reference Library.
3,779 readers' ordinary tickets (including renewals) were issued
during the year.
A new feature in the working has been the adoption by the
Council, on the recommendation of the Clapham Sub-Committee, of
a scheme entitling every reader to obtain free of charge a second or
student's ticket allowing the holder to have out a book other than
fiction in addition to that obtained with the ordinary ticket. This
has proved very popular, as is shown by the fact that 861 of such
tickets were issued from the 17th July, 1907, to 31st March, 1908.
With a view to improving the boundaries of the Library, an
exchange of land has been made with Messrs. Ross, Limited, by
which the Library will be isolated from Rastrick House adjoining.