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In June , 1893, a committee was appointed to take steps to obtain a printed catalogue, but the members of the committee, after enquiry as to cost, did not feel justified to incurring the outlay, but this year the committee consisting of H. Paffard, R. C. Burns and J. Carnochan, in presenting this catalogue feel pleasure in thus carrying out the wishes of the directors in supplying this long felt long, and hope the outlay may be justified by the increases prosperity of the Library. PREFACE: The Niagara Mechanics' Institute was founded October 24th, 1848, as shown by a pamphlet containing the Constitution and By-Law. The officers were : President, W. H Dickson, M. P. P.; Vice-President. E. C. Campbell: Secretary. Dr. Melville : Treasurer and Librarian. W. F. G. Downs; Committee, R. Wagstaff, T. Eedson, John Simpson, Jas. Boulton, J. D. Latonche, B. A., Jno. Andrew, Jas. Monro, Samuel Risley, Jno. Whitelaw. A list of one hundred members is given. From a catalogue printed in 1861 it is seen there were then one thousand volumes. Judge Campbell, whose portrait hangs on the wall of the Library room, was President for several years. Interesting lectures on Chemistry and other subjects were given by Jno. Whitelaw, Dr. Campbell, Rev. Jno. B. Mowat and others, and the Library was fairly prosperous for some time. Then followed a period of depression in which Mr. Thos. Eedson gave much of his time as Librarian without any remuneration, and for some years the Library was almost defunct. This was caused chiefly by the withdrawal of the fixed government grant. The officers of the Library, uniting with others, made strenuous representations to Hon. S. Richards, and shortly after the present grants to Libraries from the Province of Ontario were begun. Through this and the energy of Rev. W. H. Withrow, then a clergyman in Niagara, the Institute was revived. A great debt of gratitude is owing to William Kirby. Esq., F. R, C. S., who has for many years been President, (especially in the selection of books.) It is acknowledged that no place of similar size has such a valuable library, the high class of the works having many times been referred to by competent judges, this being greatly owing to Mr. Kirby. In 1882 a classified catalogue was made, the books having previously to this stood on the shelves without any such division. The books then numbered 2500; at the present time 3650, and the best periodicals of the day are found on the tables.