FIRST

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

TRUSTEES

OF THE NEW BEDFORD, Mass.

Frie Public Library 11
CITY LIBRARY.

NEW BEDFORD:

PRESS OF BENJAMIN LINDSEY.

1853, Jue

Mail.

REPORT.

To the Mayor and Aldermen, and the

Common Council of the City of New Bedford:

GENTLEMEN:

The Trustees of the New Bedford City Library, in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance in relation thereto, respectfully present to you their First Annual Report.

The City Library was instituted by an Ordinance of the City Council passed August 16, 1852, an appropriation of fifteen hundred dollars having been made on the 26th of the preceding month for that object.

The Act of the Legislature, giving authority to towns and cities to establish Free Libraries for the use of the inhabitants, was passed May 24th, 1851.

Copies of the Ordinance and the Statute will be found in the Appendix to this Report.

The Library was opened for the use of the inhabitants, on Thursday, the third day of March, at the rooms in Perkins' Building, so called, number 139 Union Street.