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216
REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE,
1908-9.
In presenting their report for the year ended 31st March, 1909,
the Sub-Committee have pleasure in stating that the Streatham,
Balham, and Tooting Libraries continue to be extensively used in
every department.
The Tooting Public Library having become too small for the needs
of the district Sir William J. Lancaster, J.P., L.C.C., most kindly
supplemented his gift of five years ago by adding another storey to
the building, and made such alterations and additions as were
necessary for adapting the whole of the ground floor to Lending and
Reference library purposes.
The enlarged building, which is handsomely furnished throughout
in oak, was formally handed over to the Borough Council on November
30th, 1908. It comprises—entrance hall, lending library, reference
department, librarian's and staff rooms on the ground floor ; and a
spacious well-lighted newsroom and two magazine rooms on the first
floor. All the rooms are laid with oak block flooring, and are lighted
throughout by means of electricity, the fittings being of special design.
The new Lending Department is provided with bookcases toaccommodate
11,000 volumes, with room for further additions.
In the planning, furnishing, and equipment of the building everything
has been provided that would in any way conduce to the comfort
of readers or promote the efficieut administration of the Institution.
During the alterations and enlargement of the building the work
of the library was carried on during four months at the Boys' School,.
Church Lane.
Books
Issued.
The number of books issued at the three libraries was.
416,333, an increase of 12,379 on last year's return.