New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-09-17

n
Copyright during which Prof Jewe said he noped al
some future time and npon mature delberaiien the Con
vonion would bring forward recommendations on inc
subject that would alike prove advantageous To publisher
lie then proceeded to the elucidation The
SMITHSONIAN CATALOGUE SYSTEM
Few persons except Librarians, OF the nature
and extent of the difficulties which have been encountered
in attempting TO furnish suitable printed catalogues OF large
and growing libraries difficulties apparently nsurmounta
bic and menacnga abandonment OF the hope Of
afording guides imporient 10 the literary accamua
lions ofthe larger libraries of Europe
While the catalogue of large library i passing through
the press new books received the titles Of which Is
impossible in the ordinary manner OF printing to incorpo-
rate with the body of The work Recourse must then De
had TO supplement- In other way can the acquisitions
OF the library he made known 10 the public II the mum
her OF supplements be multiplied they have been in the
library OF Congress the student may be obliged 70 grope
his weary way through ten catalogues instead OF one IN
order to ascertain whether the book which ne seeks be IN
the library lie cannot be certain, even then that the
book not in the collection for tmay have been received
since the last appendix printed. Supplements soon
become inOlerable The whole catalogue must then De
rerranged and reprinted The expense Of tbs process
may be borne so long as the library u small pp II soon
becomes burdonsome and ere long nsuporiabe eyenlo
national establishments. %,
There is but one course leftnot to print at all To
this no scholar consents except from necessity But 10
this alternative grevous 1t is nearly all the iarg
Libraries of Europe have been reluctantly driven
Nor. than a century has passed since the printing Of
the catalogue of the Roval Library Paris com
mencod IL is not yet finished No one nc IN lhe III
terest which he would ii he could hope 10 nave rs com
rletent sustained. ny ~
Not one European Hbrsry of the first class has com
plete printed catalogue, in single work Inc bodeiah
Library is not an exception II may be necessary 70
search six distinct catalogue IN order 20 ascertain
whether any specified book was or was not III mat col
lection at the close Of the year lsl7.
This is surely dshearen u state oi things IL mas
been felt and smenied by every who has had the care
Of an increasing library.
As remedy for this evil il il proposed 70 stereotype the
titles separately and preserve the plates or blocks III
alphabetical order OF h, titles. so a. 70 be able readily 70
insert additional titles in their proper places and then 20
reprint the whole catalogue BY these means. the chez
cost OF re d. bcaton that Of COmposion together WIN
the trouble OF revision and correction OF the pres woa
except for new titles be avoided some OF the grea am
tuiies which have long oppressed and dseouIaseu
librarians and involved libraries in enormous expenses
be thus overcome.
The peculiar position Of the Smithsonian Institution su
ccsed the application OF This plan on WIDER sSae, a
Tor more important paTCse. than thai OF merely iarL
tsrns the publication oi and complete editions oI sep
rate catalogues. -
II had been proposed to forn general catalogue o. az
the books IN tie country with references o. Ae HoIee
where each might be found. The plan OF s1ere' lns
files s,perotelv suggested the following system 10y the
accomplishment Of this important purpose
The Smithsonian Institution "a puolsh Eles i'l VIC
lrcporstono Catalogue 80, -. ,,
. Othor institutions intending 70 publish ctiaios.e %
their book 70 BE- requested prepare them accolusnc
VIII these rules with view 10 their BENG sicfe' tcu
vndor The direction al the smith oman lns'i
D The Snlihsonian Institution 10 pay the whole ext
expense OF st.coitPnr o. su'h loi' '"--o'' . '' ~
agreed or. .. ~ ~.
Smi.hsouian iu, tiuii0n -. =.
s. Every library accediug 10 tas II n 70 have th M M
Of using an the t.il, in The POSSESSION oi 's m -
often as desired ior she printing 90 i'- o'n ''''