improvements are already obvious, even in the comparatively short time it has been in use.

There are then three classes of lending library books requiring three kinds of bindings. First: the very heavy book likely to be in constant use, and not expected to last many years-for which pigskin is perhaps advisable; second: the book of light weight, also expected to be fairly well used, such are the greater number of lending library books-for these Persian is recommended third the books, light in weight, of inferior paper, and in constant; and often dirty use, of which are the greater number of novels; and the smaller volumes seldom used - for both of these I think you will find the cloth binding, such as I have shown you, the most suitable. For "heavy or valuable" books-reference library-the best Morocco is undoubtedly the best material.

My thanks are due to Messrs. Banting, Hains, Heyner, and Riley, for the specimens of books and materials.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Hatcher (who opened the discussion) said :-Until recently too much attention has been paid to the leather and not enough to the strength and durability of the sewing. Glad to see that the sewing of lending library books was now receiving more attention, and improvements effected. The quality of the covering must depend largely upon the district the library serves and the possible demand for the book. In one district a book issued 100 times may be too dirty to remain on the shelves, in another district the same book might be issued 500 times before it got into a like condition. In the first instance pigskin binding would be too good, as it would no doubt be in good condition when the book was withdrawn. The aim should be to bind the book in a material which would last as long as the book and no longer, or less. From experience, if the book is sewn properly, half roan is good enough for the average novel. For average lending library books, half-morocco is very serviceable. Thought improved method of sewing on tapes preferable to hemp. Ordinary glue too brittle for glueing backs good elastic glue better. If elastic glue unobtainable, a little glycerine dropped in the ordinary glue whilst being melted, made it more pliable. Mill board for sides better than straw board as the latter is too spongy unless the best is obtained.

Mr. Savage thought that it was quite as cheap to have books bound direct from the sheets in library binding and quoted figures in support. Mr. Faraday said that his experience with roan was that it never cracked, and that it was a very serviceable article.

Mr. Stewart enquired the best kind of gold for lettering, and the best methods of attaching it.

Mr. Rees was of the opinion that it was best to finish out the publisher's cover and then have the book re-bound, it freshened it up and made it look as good as new. He thought that there was not sufficient attention given to the glue used, common glue was general, but he thought something better was needed. He believed also that frequent damage was done to bindings in the library. Boys took up an armful of books and then dumped them down, usually on their corners, in another part of the building. This often did a lot of harm.

NOTES AND NEWS.

Birmingham.-A deputation has urged upon the City Council the advisability of providing a smoke room at each of the branch libraries. Brighton. The Town Council has recently had a lengthy discussion on the blotting out of all betting news in the newspapers and the question of Sunday opening. The Town Council decided that the blotting out of betting news would make no material difference to the betting evil, and the resolution was defeated, as was also a resolution for a six months' trial of the opening of the reference library and news-room on Sunday afternoons with a body of voluntary attendants in charge. Requests have also been forwarded to the Committee asking them to do something to make the library a counter attraction to the public-houses by providing smoking and conversation rooms, with conveniences for such innocent games as chess and draughts, with, perhaps, a bagatelle-table thrown in. Poor overburdened penny rate!

Bristol.-The Libraries' Committee are about to commence the erection of a new central and reference library, the cost of which will be about £30,000.

Hindley (Lancs.) The Library Authority has petitioned Parliament in favour of a bill, which has been introduced for the purpose of removing the limit to the library rate, to enable them to establish branch libraries at Hindley Green and Platt Bridge.

Ilfracombe.-The Public Libraries' Act has been adopted, and a Committee has been appointed to select a site for the proposed new library. Levenshulme (Lancs.)-The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Carnegie Library at Levenshulme took place recently. The cost of the building is estimated at £2,500.

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Leyton. The Council of the Urban District of Leyton is promoting a Bill in which, among other matters, power is being sought to increase the Library Rate to 1d. in the £, to pay the expenses of delegates attending the meetings of the Library Association, and to acquire all deeds, papers, and writings, books of account and minutes of proceedings (other than those relating solely to ecclesiastical matters) belonging to the parishes of Leyton and Cann Hall." At the statutory meeting held on January 12th, resolutions were carried in favour of the inclusion of these matters in the bill.

Ramsgate. Subject to the approval of the Town Council the Committee has accepted the tender of a Deal firm to build the new Carnegie Public Library and Technical School in Clarendon Gardens, at a cost of £6,190.

Scarborough.-Providing the Corporation will adopt the Acts, Mr. Carnegie is willing to give £7,500 towards the building. This offer Mr. Carnegie has made to the Committee who have been interesting themselves in the matter, and it will be brought before the Town Council in due course. Lord Derwent has also promised £500.

Shoreditch.-Mr. J. Passmore Edwards has generously offered to provide a marble memorial bust of Edmund Halley, the eminent mathematician and astronomer royal, for the Haggerston Branch Library. Halley was born in Haggerston on the 29th of October, 1656. The execution of the bust has been entrusted to the well-known sculptor, Mr. Henry A. Pegram.

Southwark. There is on view in the St. Saviour's Reference Library a number of portraits of celebrities who have been at some time or other connected with the district. Two portraits are shown of Dr. Johnson, one after Opie, lent by the British Museum, another is a print of Blake's on the Canterbury Pilgrims leaving the Tabard Inn, and there is also an oil portrait of Chaucer. Many of the exhibits are of great literary interest and include

Gower, Shakespeare, Beaumont, Fletcher, and Massinger. There is also a photograph of the monument to Harvard, founder of the American University, who was born in Southwark. An interesting portrait is the Woolner medallion of the " Angel in the House," Mrs. Coventry Patmore, daughter of Dr. Andrews who was tutor to Ruskin. There is also a portrait of the father of Robert Browning, and a bust of Rennie (after Chantry), the builder of Waterloo and Southwark bridges and designer of London Bridge. Altogether the collection is extremely interesting, and Southwark is indeed fortunate to have an opportunity of viewing such

treasures.

On Monday, January 4th, Mr. R. K. Causton, the Member for West Southwark and Chairman of the Library Committee, unveiled a handsome bronze medallion to the memory of Sir Henry Layard, the gift of Lady Layard. Mr. Causton explained the connection of the great traveller and archæologist with Southwark, and pointed out that he was joint Member for the district with Mr. Locke, Q.C., from 1860 to 1869. In connection with the unveiling ceremony an interesting lecture On " Assyria was delivered by the Librarian, Mr. H. D. Roberts.

Sunderland.-A special committee has been formed to report with regard to Mr. Carnegie's offer of £10,000 for the provision of two branch libraries.

Tamworth.-No less than 148 designs were received in connection with the recent competition. Mr. E. R. Darford, of Northampton, has been awarded first premium of £20.

Tonbridge. Mr. Carnegie has promised a gift of £500 towards repaying a debt of £1,000 on the Public Library, on condition that the remaining amount is raised from sources outside the local rates.

as

Wallsall.-The Corporation has been recommended to secure a site for a new public library, for which Mr. Carnegie has given £8,000, a piece of land near the new Town Hall.

Warrington. Instead of Branch Libraries, delivery stations are to be inaugurated here in schools, shops, etc. The shopkeepers will act as agents, receiving a small sum each week from the Council as remuneration. Contracts are invited for new public libraries at Bridgetown (Glasgow), Lurgan (County Armagh), and Knutsford.

Catalogue of Books in the Lending Department of the Woolwich Library. [Henry Bond, Librarian.]

1903.

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A demy 8vo. volume of 350 pages, compiled on the dictionary principle. The number of works catalogued is 11,921. The author entry is the principal entry, and the contents of essays and collective biography are fully set out. Works of fiction are catalogued under the author entry only, and are set out in double columns. This arrangement effects a great saving of space. Important subjects, such as "Bible," Music," etc., are classified. The cross-references are particularly strong. We are glad to see that commendation has been given where it is due, for from the concluding paragraph of the preface we learn, that with the exception of revision by the Librarian, almost the whole of the work involved in the compilation has been carried out by the Chief Assistant, Mr, W. G, Chambers,"

Library Journals have been received from Croydon, Peterborough, West Ham, and Manchester.

The first three contain reading lists on "The Fiscal Policy." Croydon adds also a reading list of works on "Domestic Economy," and in the form of a supplement, an index and title page to Vol. 5 [1903] of the "Readers' Index."

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"A List of Parliamentary Papers added to the Reference Library from July-September, 1903," is given in the Manchester Quarterly Record." All show the usual additions to the Libraries during the quarter, and the West Ham " Library Notes " concludes with Selection of Articles which appear in recent Magazines and Reviews." Bootle Free Library, Museum, and Technical School Journal. December, 1903.

This useful journal still maintains the standard of excellence set by its predecessors. Mr. Ogle concludes an interesting account of his experiences during "An Educational Tour in North Germany.' Contains an article on "Local Gleanings from the 'Life of Gladstone,' by C. H. Hunt, and gives the usual notes on Books, Museum News, Technical Instruction News, and recent additions to the Library. As this number completes Volume 3, a title page and index is inserted.

Bodleian Library, Staff-Kalendar, 1904.

This little book is particularly interesting, from the point of view of giving one an insight into the routine work of a great library. At the end of the Kalendar, rules have been added relating to the employment of boys in the library. These give many useful hints which could be applied to the engagement and treatment of junior assistants in public libraries. Considerable amusement may be had from a glance at its tiny pages (it is a "waistcoat pocket affair), as it includes the most obvious duties, such as Monday morning-wind clocks; Saturday eveningsdraw down blinds," etc. We know, of course, that frequently the most obvious is easiest forgotten, and that logically it is as necessary these items should be included as any of the others, but it does not seem to give the assistants credit for much common sense. At the end is some grandmotherly, but nevertheless, sensible advice to assistants as to the precautions they should take to keep themselves in health.

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The librarians of Manchester and Chorley have forwarded their fiftyfirst and fourth annual reports respectively. At the former the total number of volumes issued was 2,235,311, being a slight decrease on the previous year. Mr. Greenwood has promised to give a library of a bibliographical character, which, while it is to be available for ordinary purposes in the Reference Library, is to be also at the service of librarians throughout the country. He has also presented 459 volumes, intended as a permanent memorial of Edward Edwards. Successful lectures have been delivered during the winter at one of the branch libraries, and the show cases in the Reference Library hall have continued to be used for exhibition of interesting works, prints, portraits, and local views. The stock of the libraries is 313,087. At the latter, out of a stock of 10,381 volumes, 43,584 were issued as against 39,599 last year. The Boys' Room during the winter months is crowded nightly. The Library Lectures continue highly successful; yet, in spite of this educational agency, we notice the fiction issue percentage stands at the rather high figure of 83.

The

The Eighth Annual Report from Walthamstow shows that the Library is much appreciated, and that the issues are rapidly increasing. Reading Room which opens on Sundays from 6 till 9 p.m., is superintended by voluntary attendants. Brighton's report to November 1903 gives

evidence of a large amount of work done during the year.

It must be remembered that there are not only libraries here, but also an art gallery and museum. Considerable structural alterations have been made, and open access has been adopted in the Lending Department. The issues have appreciably increased.

The January Quarterly Record from Willesden opens with a short note on Ainsworth who once resided in the neighbourhood. It makes interesting reading, but is marred by being poorly printed and carelessly read in proof, consequent upon which a number of errors have been allowed to stand. Parochial notes and the usual list of additions complete the number.

A new author list of the Juvenile Department comes from Stoke Newington, and has a very agreeable appearance. It is not confined to fiction, but includes works on science, history, travel, etc. It runs to 48 pages, and is sold at one penny.

Mr. Soper sends a copy of "The Students' Magazine," which is the social organ of the Royal Albert Memorial College, Exeter, containing a descriptive article by himself on the Library. The Dewey classification has been adopted and open access is in operation. We learn that "The Governors have adopted a regulation that for each book which is not properly replaced or returned to the Librarian, students will be fined one shilling.' Mr. Soper has also sent direct to the Hon. Librarian, the two following books, for the L.A.A. Library :---

"Catalogue of the Reference Library of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter," 1901.

"Calendar of the Royal Albert Memorial College, 1903-4. The "Revue Générale de Bibliographie Française."

For January, presents its usual form, containing numerous signed reviews of books on Philosophy, Sociology, Natural and Applied Science, Fine Arts, etc., followed by a classified bibliographical list of new French books. Contains title page and index of Volume 1.

From Italy comes the October-November (1903) number of "Rivista Delle Bibliotheche e Degli Archivi," which is the official publication of the Italian Bibliographical Society, edited by Dr. Guido Biagi.

COMMENTARIUM.

We have received the 55th Annual Report of the Port Elizabeth Public Library, which contains some interesting reading. The Librarian, Mr. Oettle has retired through ill-health, with a pension of £200 per annum. This is how they arrange things in the Colonies; over here a salary of £200 per annum is not easily got, and pensions are practically non-existent. In consequence of this retirement Mr. F. W. Cooper has been promoted to the chief office, and our friend Mr. P. E. Lewin has been raised to Sub-Librarian. Our congratulations! We observe also that the cumbersome and obsolete methods of administration are being superseded by the more modern systems, in fact, the whole concern is apparently undergoing a complete reorganisation.

We learn that the School Nature Study Union, which has for its Presidents Sir George Kekewich, Lord Strathcona and Earl Beauchamp, is anxious to promote the study of nature among children by giving lectures