the shelving so high as this in any Public Library. The books are destroyed more quickly by the heat and vitiated atmosphere, and only those who have had to do the work know what it means to go up even fifteen or sixteen feet in a room where the gas jets are all lighted, and which is full of people. Some of the Leicester borrowers have rushed into print and complained of the delay in being served. So far as the writer could see at the time of his visit there was no unreasonable delay, but if such had been the case there could be no wonder, considering the height from which some of the books had to be obtained.

Leicester has two branches, and the latest of these, opened in March, 1889, is a model of what a small Public Library should be. The site was given by the Rev. Joseph Harris, owner of the estate. The building, of which the ground plan is given, is in the style of the Renaissance. It forms a prominent architectural feature of the neighbourhood, the front elevation being such as can hardly fail to arrest the attention and attract the admiration of visitors to the locality. It is built of brick, with white stone dressings, and over the main entrance is a low tower with spire. In planning the various rooms, care has been taken to make them easily accessible, economically managed, and abundantly lighted. The principal entrance is through a vestibule, which gives access to a spacious hall, out of which opens, facing the doorway, the lending department, with the newsroom on the left, a ladies' room to the right, and the librarian's room or reference department adjoining the lending library. These rooms are divided from the hall by glass partitions, and so arranged that the librarian at his desk can have supervision over them all, whilst it appears impossible for any one to enter or leave the building without passing his line of sight. The newsroom is 50 feet long by 24 feet wide. It has a lofty open ceiling, is splendidly lighted, and decorated in a manner which gives it a most cheerful and airy character. Newspaper stands are arranged round the walls, and there are large tables with racks in the middle for periodicals up the centre of the room. The lending library is in the centre. The other rooms are suitably furnished. The heating is by means of hot water, the ventilation has been particularly attended to, and there is every convenience and accommodation for visitors. The cost of the building_was about £2,000, and for fittings £400. Both the Westcotes Branch Library and the catalogue may be to`en as excellent models for small libraries. The librarian has public a few pots of ferns about the rooms, and these give a building wing finish. The work being done at Leicester and its two view is not horoughly useful, and the committee are justified in important tow last report that it is the most satisfactory that like most altereluring the twenty years which have elapsed since ments of an ever-ned.

the most progressiv、

few years there is a 1

MANSFIELD.

library a building worn considered here for several years, and a So many new building arch 31, 1890, settled the question with

1

acclamation. The probable injury which might result to the Mechanics' Institute was very fully discussed, but it is deserving of note that the members of that institution, as a body, would not oppose the project, but rather do what they could to carry it through successfully. A commendable local spirit displayed itself. Speakers urged that Mansfield had stood still long enough, and that this was one of those questions, the carrying through of which would prove that they were in the forefront of progress. At the time of writing the building that is to be used as the library is being altered.

NEWARK.

The Gilstrap Library is very beautifully situated in the public gardens, with the ruins of the old castle forming a sort of back

ground to the library and grounds. The castle dates back to 1123, and its history is closely linked with that of this ancient town. It was visited by Cardinal Wolsey in 1530, and by James I. in 1603 when on his way to London to take possession of the English throne. Sir (then Mr.) William Gilstrap built this handsome library, and endowed it with an amount which produces £90 a year. The same donor has very recently given £1,000.

The accommodation

provided is on one floor, and consists of general, reference, and ladies' reading-rooms, library, librarian's room, &c. The public entrance is in the centre of the front towards Castle Gate, and gives access to a well-lighted hall, between which and the library are placed the library indicator and the borrowers' counter, with the reading-rooms to the right and left. In arranging the several rooms care has been taken that each is well lighted, and so placed as to be easily supervised. The gift of the building in every way reflects the highest credit upon the donor. The stock of books is not yet large, but it is steadily growing. So beautiful a building should be the home of a good stock of books.

NEWCASTLE-UNDER-Lyme.

Events have moved slowly in the Newcastle of the Midlands. In 1884 the Acts were adopted, and the setting of them in opera

tion was left very much in the background. The scheme which had to be dealt with was a large one, and this, no doubt, accounts for the delay. In October, 1890, the building was opened with great ceremony. The new buildings occupy an historical site in the vicinity of the birthplace of Major-General Thomas Harrison, to whom was committed the custody of Charles I. during the period immediately preceding his trial. Adopting a

free treatment of the Renaissance, the architects have succeeded in obtaining a fine effect. On the ground floor are comprised a council chamber, a spacious library and reading-room, and a suite of rooms to be used as a school of science and art; while the upper floor is wholly set apart as a municipal hall, with the requisite appurtenances. The library department comprises

library proper, or book stores, 24 feet by 40 feet, divided into 8 feet lengths by open iron galleries round the walls, connected by spiral iron staircases, thus dispensing entirely with ladders. The reference, reading, and general newsrooms are each 25 feet by 30 feet, approached by an ample corridor, and with the necessary conveniences. These rooms are divided by lofty glazed screens, which denote at all times the extent of the apartments in this

NEWCASTLE (STAFF.) PUBLIC LIBRARY AND MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS.

connection, whilst affording facilities for oversight. The reference room was opened for the first time in May, and the lending department was opened at the end of June, 1891. A few months ago a ball took place for the purpose of aiding the funds of the library, and a sum of over fifty pounds was realized. Tripping on the light fantastic toe to raise funds for the purchase of books is a novelty.

NORTHAMPTON.

The Acts were adopted in 1860. It was deemed advisable, however, owing to the small amount that the penny rate produced, only to open a museum at first. In 1876 the library belonging to the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Town Council to form the nucleus of a Public Library, and at the same time the Taylor collection of books written by Northamptonshire authors was bought for the library. It shortly became evident that the rooms in which the library was housed were quite inadequate for the purposes of a reading-room and library. Part, therefore, of the old county gaol was purchased by the committee, and, after being reconstructed, the contents of the museum and library were transferred to their new home in 1884. In the following year the library of the Religious and Useful Knowledge Society was handed over, and a collection of Northamptonshire books, purchased by public subscription, was added to the reference department. In 1889 further necessary alterations were carried out, the result being a new wing containing the present lending and reference libraries, and which enabled the committee to report-" For the first time in its history, the committee are able to say that the library is in such a state that will justify some feelings of satisfaction." The money required to furnish the new rooms was raised by an appeal to the public. Many books have been added during the last six years by means of the Markham Memorial Fund, a gift of £1,000 in 1885 by the late C. Markham, invested by him in the purchase of £1,050 debenture stock, the income to be devoted solely to the purchase of books. Mr. Alderman Gurney's gift in 1889 of £100, also to be spent in books, came at an opportune moment. The committee trust that, now such an excellent start has been made, they will continue to receive support towards such an important institution.

When the alterations last made in the building were under consideration, the question was raised by the committee as to whether the Town Council could not give some financial aid outside the penny rate. They issued, in 1889, a statement through the press, in which are several important features of interest in the present condition of this question. They stated that their income from the penny rate is about £720 a year. Then follows the information that they have no doubt that it was the intention of the framers of the Public Libraries Act that this penny rate should be simply a maintenance rate, and that the site, buildings, &c., for the Public Library should be provided by the municipal authorities. In support of this opinion, the following towns have given sites for the Public Library:-Liverpool, Nottingham, Swansea, Cardiff, Reading, Wolverhampton, Derby, and Southport. The Corporation of Hereford made a contribution of £1,500 towards the cost of their buildings. At Nottingham the Corporation gave the site for the library, and assumed the cost of erecting the building without any charge falling