Page:The library a magazine of bibliography and library literature, Volume 6.djvu/31

 Rh pictures was printed and sold for a penny, a little more than cost price. A notice appeared in the catalogue stating that the Committee requested the co-operation of the visitors in protecting from injury the books which were exposed on the stands, while a second notice was posted above the book-stands round the rooms requesting visitors to turn over the leaves carefully.

It is gratifying to be able to state that the total damage done during the two months was very slight, when the large number of visitors is taken into account. The catalogue also stated that the books on view were the property of the Corporation of St. Helens, that they had been selected from a stock of nearly five thousand volumes, which formed the reference department of the Free Public Library, and a hope was expressed that the exhibition might be the means of bringing under the notice of the public some of the more interesting books in the Library, so that they might be more frequently called for and consulted. The list of books included several elephant folios, such as Roberts's Holy Land, Hogarth's Works, and others, which were too large to exhibit in glazed cases, but which were obtainable for reference from the attendant from time to time when convenient; a notice appearing in the catalogue to that effect. The only advertisement was a small placard posted at the park, which is visited by thousands of persons during the summer months, at the Central and Branch Libraries, and on the various posting stations in the borough. Books relating to the history, topography, and industries of St. Helens and the surrounding district, were made a special feature of the exhibition, and caused a considerable amount of interest, several visitors expressing their intention of becoming better acquainted with the volumes on their return to the Library. Others evinced great pleasure in looking over the fine art and illustrated books, and several who spoke to me about the exhibition expressed their delight on learning, for the first time, that the books belonged to the Free Library, remarking that they had no idea such treasures could be seen there. In order to prevent over-crowding, a nominal charge of one penny was made for admission, and the attendance on the whole, was very satisfactory, numbering over 4,000 persons. The total receipts for admissions, sale of catalogues, and commission on pictures sold, amounted to the sum of £19 3s. 9d., which, after deducting printing and working expenses, left a small balance to the credit of the Library.

In this account of the two book exhibitions which have taken