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193
CHAIRMAN'S PREFACE.
This year the form in which the Report of the Libraries
Committee has hitherto been presented has been changed. The
statistics of the several libraries have been collated. They are now
placed side by side in a form which makes comparison easy and
instructive, and may possibly help towards uniformity of administration.
The issue of books from all the libraries has largely increased.
In every library the issues are the highest hitherto recorded. The
figures in the Report of the Clapham Library Sub-Committee
demonstrate the value of a good Reference Department where books
can be consulted without being lent. There 22,982 books were
consulted without being taken away.
The marked increase in the number of Students' Tickets issued
is gratifying. This increase shows a growing demand for books of
an educational character.
Consideration of the use made of the Reading Rooms, the
Reference Departments, and the Lending Departments of the Borough
Libraries shows how greatly and increasingly the public are enjoying
the benefits of these institutions. It is a credit to municipal administration
that advantages so extremely appreciated can be provided
within the narrow limits of a penny rate.
J. H. ANDERSON,
Chairman.
12th August, 1910.