256 The Library. be proud. At the present time there are thirteen of these, and they are being rapidly added to. The usual votes of thanks and acknowledgments for hospitality and attention received concluded a very pleasant and profitable meeting. NORTH MIDLAND LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. The summer meeting of this association was held at Peterborough in July. Visits were paid to the free library and the cathedral, where the Rev. Canon Clayton courteously acted as guide. In the evening a meeting of the association was held in the Guildhall, under the presidency of Mr. Crowther, chief librarian, of Derby. There were also present : Messrs. Kirkby (vice-presi- dent) and Herne (Leicester), J. T. Bradford (secretary), Briscoe, Easom, Moore, Gerring, Carlin, and several ladies (Nottingham), Jastrzebski (Peterborough), Gouk (Mansfield), Baker and Pratt (Midland Institute, Derby), and others. Several matters of interest to librarians were discussed, especially the experiment of free access to the shelves, now being tried at Clerkenwell Free Library. Mr. Gerring read "A Note on Three-Volume Novels," advocating their abolition in favour of cheaper issues. Messrs. Crowther, Herne, Briscoe, Moore, and others took part in the subsequent discussion. Votes of thanks to the Mayor for the use of the Guildhall, to the Dean for permission to visit the Cathedral, to Canon Clayton for acting as cicerone, and to Mr. Jastrzebski for the local arrangements, concluded a very successful and pleasant meeting. READING-. The Town Council, in June, decided upon the draw- ings and plans for the proposed art gallery, and extension of the library and museum. The property was bought by Mr. George Palmer and other members of the family ot the late Mr. W. I. Palmer, and pre- sented to the town. Messrs. Cooper and Howell are the successful architects. RICHMOND, SURREY. It has been decided to open the library on Sunday from six till nine in October ; the regular assistants to receive 2s., and an extra one, is. 6d. for Sunday duty. ST. HELENS. It has been decided by the Library Committee, that " persons not being ratepayers or residents, but employed or attend- ing school in the borough should be entitled to become borrowers on the payment of an annual subscription of 55., payable in advance." SHEFFIELD. Mr. Samuel Smith, chief librarian at Worcester, has been appointed chief librarian at Sheffield out of forty-six candidates. SOUTHEND-ON-SEA. In July a poll of the burgesses was taken as to whether the Public Libraries Act should be adopted. Only 201 voted in favour of the adoption of the Act, and 787 against, leaving a majority of 586 against. TODMORDEN. A discussion is being conducted in the Todmorden Advertiser, on the question of adopting the Public Libraries Acts in this town. TRURO. On May 8th, at the meeting of the City Council, the following letter was read : "51, Bedford Square, W.C., April 28th, 1894. Dear Mr. Mayor, As Truro is joint participator with Falmouth, Cam- borne, and Rcdruth of the Ferris bequest, and as, in answer to repre- sentations from each of these places, I have undertaken to provide a suitable free library building ; and as I am informed that your library is 'cabined, cribb'd, confined,' and altogether inadequate for public pur-
