Page:The library a magazine of bibliography and library literature, Volume 6.djvu/30

 20 decorative, and ornamental art, architecture, natural history numismatics, and Lancashire—antiquarian, historical, and pictorial. There were also books containing portraits of celebrities, landscape and other views, and also curious, comic and humorous volumes. Several members of the Library Committee, together with the Library staff, and other willing helpers, were present to assist in turning over the leaves, and to see that no injury happened to any of the books. During the exhibition selections of sacred music, instrumental and vocal, were rendered at frequent intervals. The Chairman, and two or three members of the Library Committee, addressed the visitors, emphasising the fact that the volumes on view were only a small number of those which comprised the reference library, and that the books were brought there, not only for the purpose of showing the public some of the treasures the Library possessed, but with a view to a better appreciation and use of the Library by the public, for whose benefit it had been established. The exhibition was attended by about 1,200 persons, and it was evident from the many manifestations of delight and praise that the books were thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by the visitors. The total cost of the exhibition did not exceed six guineas.

The second book exhibition took place during the summer of this year and lasted two months. It was held at the Victoria Park Museum, a short distance from the Central Library, in two rooms well adapted for the purpose. Of course valuable books of reference could not be allowed to remain exposed to visitors for so long a period as two months without running serious risk of damage, so a number of show-cases were obtained in which the more expensive books were placed, the leaves and illustrations being occasionally turned over by an attendant; nevertheless, visitors were allowed the privilege of obtaining any book from the show-cases for more careful and minute inspection. Against the walls were fixed stands on which were placed a number of inexpensive, illustrated volumes to which the visitors were allowed free access. Some really good pictures, chiefly oil paintings, were borrowed, on condition that they would be offered for sale, and these helped to relieve the sombre appearance of the walls and heightened the general effect of the exhibition. On each book in the show-cases was placed a small cardboard slip containing the title, author, and date, and, where necessary, a reference to any special feature of the volume, and in addition a catalogue of the most notable books and of all the