Reading on rise

The 1995/96 British Library annual report notes a record 476,762 visits to reading rooms - a 3 per cent increase on 1994/95. More than 4.38 million documents, up 6 per cent, were supplied to remote users. Earnings rose by 7 per cent to Pounds 33.3 million, including Pounds 4.8 million in sponsorship.

With Government funding, total income was Pounds 113.7 million. But cuts will hit spending on acquisitions and conservation.