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In fact, every library of this kind should issue an annual report and statement of accounts, not only to show its supporters what they are contributing to, but to insure the active and persistent perseverance of the officers.

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Cataloguing. An original catalogue should be kept, in which all books should be posted from the register previously mentioned, and before the books are placed on the shelves of the cupboard. This catalogue, from which all others, printed or otherwise, are made, should be as plain and simple as possible. The classification must be in no wise complicated, in order that the books may be easily found. The following classification of subjects has worked well in the case of Messrs. Fredk. Braby and Co.'s library :-1. Sacred and Religious Writings, Lectures, &c. ; 2. Biography; 3. History, Narrative, Descriptive, &c.: 4. Scientific, Manufactures, and Educational Works; 5. Fiction, Romance, Tales, &c. ; 6. Miscellaneous; 7. Poetical and Dramatic; 8. Books in Foreign Languages. Alphabetical order is the best, but the growth of the library being, as a rule, continuous, it is difficult to keep up this order, and the catalogue must either be repeatedly revised and reprinted, or the numerical order must be used, as is done in the case of Messrs. Fredk. Braby and Co.'s library. Of course, if the funds will admit, you can have a catalogue of subjects, or of authors, or both, alphabetically arranged, with additions and improvements; but the above is clear and cheap, and in most cases will be quite sufficient. Having collected, say, 100 volumes, appoint a time to commence the issue of books. Let the librarian be at his post at the hour appointed. The readers must not have the least possible excuse. If the work asked for cannot be supplied, enter it in a "Bespoke Book;" first, that it may be given to the reader early; and secondly, that it may guide the purchases. Register the issues and returns in a book, under the following heads; they are simple and easily understood:

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The addition of the names will give the total of the books issued.

Subscription.-I shall be asked at least two questions under this head. First, Are subscriptions necessary? Secondly, Is it wise to charge any subscriptions? To each I answer, Yes! Money will be required to purchase new books, repair, rebind, and replace old ones. Many charges, especially at the commencement, will be necessary for account books, postage, stationery, &c. This will answer the first question; and the second I will try to make as clear. Men like to feel that they are members, and a small subscription of, say, one penny per week, or one shilling per quarter, will have that effect. They will feel they are part of the move

ment or institution. It has also the effect of keeping up what is called (sometimes very falsely) independence. The men consider they are not accepting charity, in the sense of receiving alms. They come and change their books as a right; and thus the primary object is attained, viz., the lending of books to read.

Purchase of Books.-Books should be purchased by the principal librarian and secretary, with the sanction of a small sub-committee, who must really interest themselves in the work. Great care must be taken to suit the readers. Books should be just above their taste, so as to elevate; never below, so as to debase. Neither must the taste of the librarian or committee be the guide, but the readers'. The works should be attractive and delightful, conveying information in a readable form. I am fully alive to the difficulties of this portion of the work, but it is one in which there is more talked of than actual difficulty. The first and greatest task is to get the workmen to read some book; that accomplished, a little judicious advice from the librarian will do much to direct the course of reading. The subject of novels and novel reading will be sure to suggest itself; it will be sufficient to say, that while novel reading which takes the place of study is strongly to be deprecated, it must always be borne in mind that novel readers are seldom, if ever, taken from the student class, and it is better for a man to read a novel than not read at all. Lastly, under this head, let me add the following extract from a recently-published newspaper article: "Thackeray, in one of his lectures, records that Dr. Smollett says: 'Fiction carries a greater amount of truth in solution than the volume that purports to be all true.' In any tale penned by an able author, the same writer declares, in 'Vanity Fair,' he gets the expression of the life of the time, of the manners, the movements, the dress, the pleasures, the laughter, the ridicules of society;" and he asks whether the heaviest historian can do more than this. A noted critic has said, "It requires training and exact observation to discriminate between the true and false in art." Recognizing this, I think it can be well left, like water, to find its level, and the readers to show by their demands the books that suit them best.

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My object on this occasion being to plead for the establishment of these libraries pure and simple, I shall only mention the numerous good works that will grow out of their organization, as classes, lectures, entertainments, soirées, clubs, reciprocal meetings of employers and employed, at least at annual gatherings; and there is one opportunity which must be most fully taken advantage of our Saturday half-holidays. Visits should be organized and conducted to every building that will afford the least instruction, or incite the workmen to inquire. Every object that will excite curiosity and lead to research should be sought out and seen. I have great pleasure in bearing my testimony that the great and good men with which our country abounds are ever ready to assist, even to the extent of allowing their private residences to be

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visited; and our public men only want an appreciative audience and they will place their valuable services at the disposal of any organization, notwithstanding the excessive claims on their time. If space permitted I could give a list of those noblemen and gentlemen who have already assisted in this work.

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Lastly, as to the founders of these institutions, their satisfaction will be great. Everyone knows how uncertain are all earthly friends. Even those who are true, and they are not very plentiful, are apt to be removed by distance or death. If this be true of the world generally, it is specially so in the case of the working classes. Their friends are not so numerous as they should be; sometimes from the working men themselves mistaking the objects, aims, or means of their friends; at other times through jealousy, which is to be deplored; or envy, which is to be deprecated. Still, after making all these allowances and deductions, the friends of the working classes are not so extensive a body but that some additions could well be made. Now here are the opportunity and the means. Give the working men friends they cannot doubt, friends who care not how they are treated. Call upon them when they like and for what they please, they will be their friends still: "The same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." Friends of whom they can ask advice, and with whom they can take counsel. No doubt about them; turn over the pages and fresh thoughts appear. No sulky moments, no tiffs for real or imaginary slights. The satisfaction of giving such friends to the working classes is worthy of the greatest philanthropist. Allow me to draw a picture of humble life. Small and crowded apartments; the father has just returned from work and taken his tea; the children are asleep; the mother is at needlework, in order that the little ones may go tidy to school on the morrow. The father has brought a book from the Workman's Library. He reads aloud; it is one of those attractive novels of everyday life, "Poor Humanity." Both are interested; night after night during the winter this is repeated. The husband is a slow reader, and the wife not always well enough to follow the narrative, but she does not wish to miss a chapter. The three volumes are read, and the conclusion reached. It is not what they expected; but is life what we expect? They discuss the merits of the book, and admire certain characters. The author and the Workman's Library have set up in these good people's minds some principles of right and wrong, a standard to which they shall bring up their children. This picture is drawn from life, not fiction, but fact rather understated, and I think it is a strong plea why you should commence, support, and help to maintain such institutions.

In conclusion, I beg to append a tabulated return of all such libraries whose existence I have been able to trace, to thank the librarians in each case for the particulars furnished, and to return to you my most sincere thanks for listening to my humble pleadings for a cause I love so well,"

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1 J. Broadwood and Westminster 1847 5,500 4,929 1d. week Sons

2 J. Penn and Son Greenwich 1857 2,100 4,680

3 Huntley & Palmer Reading

4 F. Braby and Co.

5 Tangye Brothers

1,500 8,100 Deptford and 1870 1,258 973 London.

Birmingham 1877 600 1,200

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APPENDIX B. PURCHASE OF Books.

Religious Tract Society offer books at half prices.

Pure Literature Society offer books at half prices, through a Subscriber.
Book Society makes liberal offers.

Messrs. W. H. Smith and Son's Surplus Catalogue Books are very cheap, and offer perhaps the best means of obtaining good books at small cost.

The ordinary book-stall must not be despised.

APPENDIX C. RULES FOR LENDING Books.

Name of Library.

(To be placed inside each book.)

This book is purchased by the Library Fund.

This book is kindly presented by

Conditions on which it is lent to read:

1. That it be kept clean, and not in any way damaged.

2. All damage must be made good by the borrower.

3. A fine of One Penny per week will be enforced if this book is not returned within seven days after it is bespoke. No.

Hon. Secretary.

DISCUSSION. Mr. NICHOLSON said that though the subscription was small, yet the workmen paid more than they would have to pay in rates if the Public Libraries Acts were adopted.-Mr. FROST remarked that the Workman's Library had the advantage that a man received his book as he left work, and did not have to go home and then go out again for it. In reply to questions, Mr. HUMPHERY said that subscribers were only charged when they had books. The demand was greatest from Christmas till the end of March. The CHAIRMAN Considered that the results were very creditable, both to the men and to their employers. The paper contained some interesting practical remarks, especially as to the purchase of books, for no more foolish plan could be imagined than that adopted in most libraries, where the books are chosen by a committee, and the librarian is not consulted at all.-A unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Mr. HUMPHERY for his paper.

Among the donations was the Library Catalogue of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, presented by Mr. W. R. Browne, the Secretary.

The discussion of the proposed new bye-law was adjourned.

OUR esteemed President, the Rev. Henry Octavius Coxe, Bodley's Librarian, died at Oxford on Friday, July 8th, in the 70th year of

his age. Mr. Coxe was born in the year 1811, and educated at Westminster School and Worcester College, Oxford. He entered the MS. department of the British Museum in 1833, and continued his work there until 1838, when he became one of the sub-librarians of the Bodleian library. He succeeded the late Dr. Bandinel as head librarian in 1860. Besides having an extensive knowledge of bibliography, he was one of the ablest palæographers of the day. He was sent out by Sir G. C. Lewis, on the part of the Government, to inspect the libraries in the monasteries of the Levant, and his report on the Greek manuscripts yet remaining there, finally settled the value and character of the actual remains in the districts visited by him. He was the author and editor of many works bearing on his own department, and also of various catalogues-among them those of the MSS. of the college libraries, the Greek MSS. in the Bodleian, and of the Laud and Canonici collections. Many other catalogues were edited under his superintendence, but the greatest work achieved under his direction has been the new catalogue of the Bodleian library, which extends to upwards of 720 volumes. Mr. Coxe was one of the Vice-Presidents of the Conference of Librarians of 1877, and, on the foundation of this Association, he was elected one of its VicePresidents. He presided at the Meeting at Oxford, in 1878, and took an active part in its proceedings, and at the Annual Meeting at Manchester, in 1879, was elected President on the retirement of Mr. Winter Jones. At a Meeting of the Council held on the 8th inst., it was resolved "That the Council hear with deep regret of the heavy loss which the Association has sustained by the death of its distinguished President, Bodley's Librarian."

LIBRARY NOTES.

GLASGOW. MITCHELL LIBRARY.-The sub-committee appointed to consider the question of printing a catalogue of the books in the library, report in favour of a dictionary catalogue of authors and subjects in one alphabet. A specimen is appended to their report, in which subjects are distinguished by difference of type, and crossreferences given under each principal subject-heading to the minor headings in its own class. The size notation adopted is Mr. Madeley's demy book scale.

GLASGOW.-STIRLING'S LIBRARY.-During the course of the night of Saturday, 25th June, Stirling's Library, at 48, Miller Street, was broken into. None of the books, so far as can be seen, have been interfered with. It is not known what could have tempted the depredators to enter such a place as a library, for there is little likelihood in such a place of any great plunder in the way of money, and it could hardly be assumed to be a search after knowledge.

NOTTINGHAM.-The New University College Buildings were opened on the 30th June, by Prince Leopold. One wing of the building is appropriated to the Free Library. The Lending Library and Reading-room upon the ground floor is 88 feet long, by 34 feet wide, throughout. The furniture consists of a counter running the

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