Napier Athenaeum and Mechanics' Institute.

Mrs. Isabella Caulton, Librarian.

This institution was founded on the 3rd November 1859, but no arrangements were made for the reception of a library until 1863. The present library in Browning Street was opened in 1865, and the present reading-room in 1873. The institute was incorporated by Act of Parliament in 1876, and in September 1878, the reading-room was first opened on Sunday afternoons between the hours of two and five p.m. In 1879 the ratepayers of Napier were polled, to decide whether the Public Libraries Act of 1869 should be adopted, but the proposal was negatived by a majority of 64 votes. In 1882, new buildings at a cost of£300 were added; in 1883 the library received an addition of upwards of 1,200 volumes, and as many as 400 members were on the books. Another attempt was made this year to adopt the Public Libraries Act, but it was unsuccessful. At the annual meeting on the 30th July, 1884, the matter was again discussed, and it was resolved, as an experiment, to open the reading-room of the institute free to the public for a period of twelve months. The promoters of this movement desired to see to what extent, absolute freedom of admission to this portion of the Athenaeum, would be availed of. What result was reported at the annual meeting, in July 1885, I have not yet heard; I can only, therefore, say for myself that when I visited the Athenaeum in December 1884, I found an excellent supply of periodicals in the reading-room, and a fair supply of works of reference, and that I much appreciated the privilege of being allowed to make use of the room. The subscription to the Athenaeum is 21s. per page 15 annum; but persons under the age of fourteen are, if properly introduced, permitted to borrow books on payment of 5s-per annum. The reading-room is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. It is closed entirely on Christmas Day, Good Friday, and New Year's Day. The library contains about 4,000 volumes, of which 1,400 are works of fiction. A printed classified catalogue (8vo, pp. lxxx. 79) was compiled and published by Percival Bear in 1884. About 3,600 books are borrowed during the year.

It is worthy of note that the present librarian is a lady—Mrs. Isabella Caulton—whose connection with the Athenæum extends over ten years. Napier Athenaeum has done good work in the past, and has still an extensive career of good work before it, whether the Public Libraries Act is adopted in this very pleasant little town or no.