View report page

57
importance, not only with reference to the question of Polytechnic
institutes, but also with reference to the provision of public libraries
in connection with the parishes of Bishopsgate and Cripplegate, to
which the adverse criticism of the Committee is also directed.
That report points out that the Commissioners had endeavoured
not only to obtain a wide and comprehensive view of the needs of
the poorer classes of the Metropolis, but also of the possibility of
those needs being supplied from other sources and by independent
organizations and agencies, whether public or private, and it further
pointed out that in general the expenditure of the charitable funds
on the foundation of libraries would be an unwise interference
with the operation of the Public Libraries Acts, since it would
in the first place transfer to the charities a burden which may
be, and in all great towns but the Metropolis is, borne by the
rates, and would in the second place tend to check the disposition
of localities to provide for themselves. In framing their schemes
they had before them the facts relating not only to the most
important free libraries of the great provincial towns, but to the few
instances of free libraries then existing in the Metropolis, and they
found in these facts no reason for thinking that the mode of action
recommended in the report of the Committee would have been
successful, while, on the other hand, whether successful or otherwise,
it would have seriously checked and impeded the much greater
success which is now being attained through the adoption of the
Public Libraries Acts.
The Commissioners also pointed out in their report the grounds on
which they might without interference with that movement proceed
to the establishment of free libraries in connection with the city
where those Acts were never likely to be applied, and they
further pointed out that in doing so they were giving the recognition
which they thought (and which they still think) due under the Act
to the interests of those resident and employed in the city.
They cannot but regret that the statement of these views contained
in their report of February last should have failed to elicit any
comment from the Committee.
Notwithstanding the disadvantages under which, in these circumstances,
the Commissioners labour, they have carefully considered
the resolutions of the Council with the endeavour to discover in
what points they could, consistently with their views of their duty,
give effect to the recommendations therein contained, and I am to
state—
(1.) That they concur in the recommendation of the Council
that the number of their representatives on the central
governing body should be increased, and that the School
Board of London should also be represented; and they
will accordingly amend their scheme, by providing for