the original building has been reconstructed and raised so as to form a suite of rooms 100-ft. long, 24-ft. wide, and 10-ft. high.  Lighted from the top these are specially adapted for the exhibition of objects of interest, pictures, or for a local museum.  A convenient residence for the Librarian is arranged in a separate building, which is extended so as to provide on the ground floor convenient rooms for the reception and storing of books and for the special work of the Librarians.

When the Library was first removed to the Assembly Rooms, the premises were leased from the States, who had purchased them in 1870.  Subsequently, however, in December, 1883, Messrs. Guille and Alles purchased the Rooms from the States for L900 British, and afterwards bought from the Parish the plot of land behind the Rooms—­which belonged to the Rectory—­and upon which they have now built the spacious new premises above-mentioned.  As soon as these extensions are available, the founders purpose inaugurating comprehensive courses of popular illustrated lectures on physical science, economic products, natural history, microscopic science, literary subjects, &c., which will appeal at once to the eye and the understanding, and impart a large amount of very useful knowledge in an easy and agreeable way.  There will also be classes in various subjects, including the French, German and Italian languages, drawing, music, &c., &c., all of which will be open to girls as well as boys, women as well as men.  In an island like Guernsey, where from the smallness of the community many of the young people necessarily have to go and seek their fortunes abroad, the advantages for self-culture offered by an Institution like this can scarcely be over-rated.  The local facilities afforded for the acquisition of French are particularly marked, while it cannot for a moment be doubted that a young man or woman who can use both French and English with fluency, is much better equipped for the battle of life than is a person knowing only one of these languages.  Whatever intellectual needs may become apparent in the people, these the Guille-Alles Library will set itself to supply.  Its founders, indeed, are especially anxious that there should be no hard and fast barriers about its settlement, which might cramp its expansion or fetter its usefulness.  On the contrary they desire—­while adhering, of course, to certain main lines of intellectual activity—­to imbue it with such elasticity of adaptation as will enable it to successfully grapple with the changing necessities of changing times.  The chief wants of to-day may not necessarily be the most pressing requisites of a century hence.  Therefore, one of the greatest essentials—­and at the same time one of the greatest difficulties—­in a foundation like this, is to provide for and combine within it such a fixity of principle and such an adaptability of administration as shall enable it to keep pace with the progress of the ages, and suit itself to the several requirements of succeeding generations as they pass.