Library Notes and News. 283 to be regretted, is delayed by want of funds. When fully equipped, there is good reason to believe that the library will become one of the most popular in South London. It is centrally situated in a district with a vast population, principally of the working classes. Since the opening of the library by Her Royal Highness Princess Christian, in November last, the entire stock of the lending department, numbering 9,600 volumes, has practically been issued five times over. There are already over 4,000 regular borrowers, and 2,000 copies of the catalogue have been sold. The daily average issue for the quarter ended March 31, was 733. The building is shelved for 50,000 volumes and could accommodate twice that number ; but at present it contains less than 10,000; and, owing to the necessarily heavy capital charges upon the only source of income the penny rate the supply of books must remain inadequate unless material help from friends of the library movement is forthcoming. Newington is a first-rate field for the work of a well-stocked free library. LONDON : PENGE. The Local Government Board have declined to sanction the proposed loan for building the Public Library. LONDON : ST. MARYLEBONE. A requisition signed by fourteen ratepayers, requesting the vestry to ascertain the opinion of the rate- payers with regard to the adoption of the Public Libraries Acts, was received at the meeting of the Vestry held on July 26. It was decided to acknowledge its receipt and to take no further steps. LONDON : STOKE NEWINGTON.-On Sunday, March 17, Mr. Alderman and Sheriff Dimsdale visited the Stoke Newington Library and unveiled the portraits of two former Commissioners the late Mr. Joseph Beck, and Mr. John Riintz. The portraits were painted by Mr. J. R. Dicksee, the expense of painting the former being defrayed by public subscription, the latter being presented to the library by the family of the late Mr. Riintz. The question of opening the Reading Rooms on Sundays and Bank Holidays has been raised, and the Commissioners have decided to open them on Bank Holidays, but not on Sundays. MANCHESTER. In the British Architect of August 10, appear the elevation and plans of the Free Library and Municipal Building at Openshaw. Messrs. J. W. and R. F. Beaumont, of Manchester, are the architects. NOTTING-HAM. The last of the fourth season's " Half hour Talks to the People about Books and Book-writers," in connection with the Nottingham Free Public Libraries and Reading Rooms was given on Monday evening, April 9. This was the twenty-fourth " Talk " of the season, and approaching the hundredth given under the scheme originated by Mr. Briscoe. They have all been well attended by the working classes, have been highly appreciated, and have had the effect of bringing before the masses the best authors in the various depart- ments of literature. Similar " Talks " have been given at Peter- borough, Loughborough, and Hucknall Torkard with equally satisfactory results. The Nottingham addresses were given both by ladies and gentlemen, including the librarian ; and those there and elsewhere by Mayors, alderman, councillors, clergymen, and other gentlemen. Plans for the erection of a new lending library and reading Room for the Hyson Green district have been prepared. The Notts, and Derbyshire Notes and Queries, a monthly antiquarian and scientific
