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Nineteen Ordinary Meetings of the Committee and 18 Sub-Committee Meetings
were convened; the names and attendances of each member will be found annexed.
Mr. J. J. Trowbridge was elected chairman, and Mr. Henry T. Sawell vice-chairman for
the year.
The Libraries now contain 23,988 volumes, showing an increase of 5,871 volumes
compared with the 18,117 mentioned in my last report. 11,677 volumes are located at
the Haggerston Library and 12,311 at the Hoxton Library including 634 bequeathed
to the parish in 1765 by Mr. John Dawson, which have been transferred from
Haggerston.
458 volumes have been presented during the year; no fewer than 178 being from
Mr. T. Errington, whose total gifts to the libraries now number 727 volumes. Among
other valuable donations received may be mentioned a large set of European Guide
Books from Mr. C. N. Nicholson, the present Chairman of the Guardians, and five
beautifully printed volumes, productions of the Kelmscott Press, from Mrs.Wm. Morris,
in memory of her late husband. A list of donors is appended herewith.
A catalogue of the whole of the books in the Hoxton Library, consisting of
576 pp. demy 8vo. has been published.
It is estimated by actual count that upwards of 800,000 visits have been made to
the libraries during the year, or a daily average of 2779; being 1,425 at Haggerston
and 1,354 at Hoxton; showing a slight increase compared with the previous year's
figures. The attendance on Sundays averaged 40 at Haggerston and 92 at Hoxton.
60,953 volumes were issued at the Haggerston Library for home-reading, and
13,013 for reference. At the temporary premises, Hoxton, 26,400 volumes were issued
for home-reading, and 1,143 consulted in the reference department; being a total issue
of 101,509, or a combined daily average of 361, showing a slight falling off compared
with the previous year's total.
The Library Garden in Kingsland Road continues to be much appreciated by the
readers.
A classification of the borrowers' occupations and a list of the periodicals taken
at each library are also given.
The receipts for catalogues, tickets, fines, &c., realised £98 3s. 4d.
Mr. Passmore Edwards has most kindly contributed £1,200 during the year
towards the cost of the new library, thereby bringing his gifts to the Public Libraries
of this parish up to the munificent sum of £9,450 and 1,000 books.
I have the honour to remain, Gentlemen.
Your obedient servant,
WM. C. PLANT,
Chief Librarian and Clerk.