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 1880 with about 6,000 volumes, it had increased by 1887 to 15,000 volumes, due largely to the acquisition of Sir George Grey's Library. In 1889 a Lending Department, which has steadily increased in popularity, was inaugurated. In 1913 a fireproof room was opened by the Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr) for the purpose of suitably exhibiting the Grey and Shaw collections.

Library work with children was undertaken in 1917, when a system of school class-room libraries, organised and provided by the Library, was commenced; and in the following year, upon the removal of the Grey and Shaw collections to another room in the building, a Children's Department (reading room and home-reading section combined) was instituted, and was opened by the Mayor (Mr. J. H. Gunson) on October 16th, 1918. In 1920 a commercial section, which has already proved its usefulness, was inaugurated.

The extension of the City's boundaries rendered the establishment of district libraries a necessity. The first library of this class to be inaugurated was the Leys Institute, which, while forming part of the City's library system, is managed by a separate committee, consisting of nine members, of whom two are trustees of the late Wm. Leys, three elected by members of the Institute, and four nominated by the City Council.

The Leys Institute was founded under the will of the late William Leys, who died on 5th October, 1899. The funds available being inadequate for the early