View report page

82
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY, 115, ST. MARTIN'S LANE.
The Free Public Library was opened on Thursday, the 12th of
February, 1891, by the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., in the
presence of the Right Hon. W. II. Smith, Member for the Borough
of Strand, Lord Kinnaird, Lady Frederick Cavendish, the Library
Commissioners, and a large and representative audience of
parishioners and those interested in Libraries.
Mr. Gladstone unlocked the door of the Reference Library with
a handsome silver key made by Messrs. Chappie and Mantell.
Rev. John F. Kitto, Chairman of the Library Commissioners,
presided, and in a brief speech invited Mr. Gladstone to declare the
Library open. In performing this ceremony Mr. Gladstone delivered
a long and eloquent speech on the advantage of Free Libraries.
The speech was given at length in the London papers and attracted
attention all over the country. A full and able account of the
proceedings of the day, with Mr. Gladstone's Speech unabridged,
appeared in the "St. Martin-in-the-Fields Monthly Messenger."
The Library was opened for public use on Monday, 16th February,
1891, and was at once largely taken advantage of—the Newsroom
in particular. From the 16th February to the 25th March,
1891 (the end of the Financial Year), the Library was open on 33
days, and during this period 7,824 volumes were issued, 3,955 of
them in the Reference Department, and 3,869 in the Lending
Department.
The News and Magazine Rooms were visited by 39,592 persons,
being a daily average attendance of 1,200."