about 114 feet by 32 feet. It is fitted with reading stands for fifty papers, and also seats ninety readers at the tables. The reference library is 50 feet by 32 feet, and is shelved for about 20,000 volumes. A reading-room for boys, 32 feet by 21 feet, is placed in close proximity to the attendants in the lending department, from which direct supervision is obtained. There is also a reading-room for ladies, of similar size. The basement contains a large book-store, which communicates with the lending department by an iron staircase and book-lift. The ground floor is 7 feet above the street level, and so ample light is obtained from side windows. The shelf capacity of the building is for upwards of 50,000 books, but this can be considerably increased when necessary by the erection of a second tier of bookcases. The building is heated and ventilated on the Blackman system, and is lit throughout by electricity, 800 lamps of 16 candle-power being provided.
The free library at Widnes forms part of a large building, in which is also situated a technical school. It was built from the designs of Messrs. Woodhouse & Willoughby of Manchester, at a cost of about -12,000, and was opened for public use in 1896.
The library is separate, and divided from the other parts of the building by an open area 21 feet wide. On the left of the entrance-hall is the newsroom, 22 feet by 40 feet, which is one storey in height, and has an open timbered roof. On the right of the hall is a room for ladies, 20 feet by 13 feet,
