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THE RATl0NAL.E OF FREE PULUic LlBRARiES- 31
we most remember that, in addition to the borrowing sad
consulting of book., the readers have in most cases I) choerfd,
mpll-warmed, and well-lighted sitting-room, supplied with
newspapers and magazine tables. TO many a moneyless weary
the Free Library is a literary club ; an unexceptionable
refuge from tho strife and dangers of Me. It is not usual to
keep any record of ths numbers of parsons mho visit Fraa
Libraries for other purposes than to apply for books; but at
the Manchester libraries in 1868-69 an attempt Was made to
count the numbers of persons making use of tho institutions
in one way or other.* It was found that there had been
altogether 2,172,046 readers, of whom 398,840 were borrowers
of books for home reading; 74,367, including 228 ladies, were
readers in the reference library; 91,201 mere readers to whom
books mere issued on their signature in the branch readingrooms;
and 1,607,638 made use of the current periodicals,
IJOO~~, pamphlets, and other publications, in the news-room, in
regard to which no formality is required. Taking the popn-
Itbtion of Nanchestcr nt 338,722, we might say that every man,
woman, and child visited the libraries on an average six-anda-half
times iu the year; or, putting it in e more sensible
manuer, me might say, perhaps, that every person of adequate
age visited the libraries on an average about thirteen times in
thc year.
Tho figares already given seem to show that there is probably
no mode of expending public money which gives a
more oxtraordinsry and immediate return in utility and
innocent enjoyment. It would, nevertheless, be a mistake to
rest the claims of tho Free Library simply on the pound of
economy. Even if they were very costly, Free Libraries
would be less expensive establishments than prisons, courts of
justice, poor-houses, and other institutious maintained by
public money; or the gin-paIaces, musio-halls, and theatres
maintained by private expenditure. Nobody can doubt that
:h~re is plenty of money in this kingdom to spend for worse
-- for better. The whole annual cost of Free Libraries &ea
* " Seventeenth Annod Report to tho Council of the City of &n.
* ~~-~ Z-1-i on the working of the Pnblio Free Libra&#," IM9, P. 6.