Page:The library a magazine of bibliography and library literature, Volume 6.djvu/258

THE LIBRARY CHRONICLE. St, (3eor0e, ifcanover Square, public ^Libraries* OPENING OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, BUCKINGHAM PALACE ROAD. THIS Library was opened on July 7 by the Right Hon. G. J. Goschen, M.P., accompanied by Mrs. Goschen, in the unavoidable absence of the Duke of Westminster (who is one of the Library Commissioners), through indisposition. Mr. R. C. Antrobus, chairman of the Commissioners, presided, and among the large company present were the Rev. D. Ander- son, rector of the parish, Mrs. Antrobus, Lord Walsingham, Sir William and Lady Flower, Rev. J. H. Ellison, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Tate, Colonel Bruce, Dr. Corfield, Rev. Dr. Hiles Kitchens, Captain Le Marchant, and the following members of the Library Board, Messrs. Adkins, Best, Burch, Cove, Lewis, Stirling, Mr. F. Pacy (Librarian and Clerk to the Commissioners), the Vestry Clerk, and many members of the Library Association. The chairman in opening the proceedings expressed with regret the absence of the Duke of Westminster, and of Sir John Lubbock, who was at the last moment prevented from being present. In the course of further remarks, it was, he said, generally known that Public Libraries had been growing up around them, and about five years ago it occurred to some of them that St. George's should not be behind in securing such a good and useful institution. Subsequently, in June, 1890, a poll was taken, and resulted in a substantial and gratifying majority of votes in favour of the proposal; 3155 for and 2401 against the Act limited the expenditure to a penny rate, but he was glad to say that owing to the large ratable value of the parish a halfpenny rate would be sufficient to maintain their two libraries. They had been able to count upon a most noble gift from the Duke of Westminster, in the shape of the whole of the land upon which that building stood. (Applause.) They were therefore under great obligation to the Duke, who, by his generosity, had saved them from a very heavy outlay at the outset. After dwelling upon the many advantages and benefits which the Commissioners looked forward to the Library conferring upon the inhabitants, Mr. Antrobus concluded by giving a few details about the building and its contents. The whole of the departments, consisting of the Reference Library, Lending Library, Reading Room, Librarian's Office, c., would be found on the ground floor. 12,000 volumes were placed in the Lending Department, including a good selection of music and musical literature, a small but well-chosen library