The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-09-28

American Librarians conventtos Library -
tho Smithsonian fnstitutssw.
We have been so fortunate 10 obtain. ard COW sub
nit with PLEASURE to the readers OF the Uaion, cof@
account OF the convention OF sentl,insn oonaseeA ~isl
and interested IN the libraries OF The United States fe
Gently held in New York
Wa X also, sketch oil the pIssen, scaauo1 ana
prosptcts Of the library Of the Smithsonian lnstalian
and some interesting fscts not heretofore pabhss Goa
nec,ed with The sieeoyping process now "a successful
operation the Institution, az Contained ~ ihe se' ~
Professor welt, president OF the convention.
Ths frs, convention Of Librarians ever assembled, 90
far az we know in The world met on the 18th instant 70
The chapel Of New York University The attendance
WAS lare consisting not only OF librarians, but OF many
well .knoyu proe ssiona men, who are interested IN
the growth and Improvement Of cur public Libraries ihe
meetipss were marked by uniform harmony and good
feeling All seemed actuaed by The dignieed ana nnoo
trusve spirit which their vocation IS cacnia'ed 70 IN
spre and which will always secure respect Tor The pio
fession daily becoming responsible aud important
in this country.
The convention having been called TO order BY Mir
Fosom OF the Boston AlheneG Professor {. G. Jewe,
assistant secretary OF the Smithsonian institution was
unanimously elected president and MIR ). r. Grant. OF
New York secretary After business committee had been
appointed aud various letters and invitations read and dis
posed o. the Rev Mr.. Osgood. who had been chosen
delegate by the Providence Atherxam. addressed the
convention He spoke of Indebtedness TO those who
erdeayor to circulate good books, who enrich libra
res by additions from the Old World, and OF The great
want OF Large central library for general reference, where
a student may pursue all branches OF knowledge He
closed with remarks the cvilizng influence OF
every library or collection Of books, however small
Mr. Smith, Of Philadelphia, then addressed the convcn-
ton hoping that the business committee would 90 some
,hiag towards making representation Congress for
the more general distribution Of documents, which
shosd be placed where the people should have
them The remainder Of the day spent in lslenos
10 reports from the Librarians present, on the character
and situation Of the libraries under their care. e
On Friday. The president explained 10 The convention
the Smithsonian catalogue system, He introduced his
remarks By statement Of the present position and psos-
poets Of tie nsiiulion, and particularly Of the library.
This coniaed January 1853, a707 books ol2 pam.
phlets ,753 plates, l4l7 engavings. Its maps s2s
pieces OF masc, 40 drawings, l37 other articles ali
2I70I Professor then detailed the particular sdvan
OF his plan OF seIeoypng catalogues BY siereo-
ping the ,es separately and preserving the plates
alphabetical order. additional titles could readily be in
serted in their proper places and catalogue be then
reprinted al aing expense. avoiding entirely the nece.
siiy OF supplements Having shown the economy Of the
plan, Professor j. dwe the advantages 10 be derived
from the perfecihy and general uniformity OF titles.
The plan also offered the greatest possible facilities for
making clasxed catalogue the works had only b,
marked Cd and the plates 10 be selected Many objec-
lions raised, and many questions asked respecting
difficulties that presented themselves These were dis.
cussed in q free and conversational nanIer and with the
most sats actory results This discussion the more
interesting there several practical printers and
s'eseoypers present who participated IN IT, Every
appeared convinced Of the entire feasibility OF the plan,
whose beneficial effects one doubted.
The chairman OF the business committee then proposed
the following resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted
kat
for constructing catalogues Of brarie and OF general
catalogue n re public libraries OF the United States. by
Of stereotype titles originated aud pro-
posed ty Professor Je~el developed BY hi while H.
brar;rn Of tho Smithsonian Institution, through the inu
object oil high inpotsnce 10 the interests OF public IL
braric and to the promo ION OF learning and worthy
share in The funds OF t.i institution and he jealous
ertions OF its oi6ccrs; ae so. Is an entcrpre
which could not be successfully prosecuted except under
ths pSotecon guidance and permanent support
usI 80 establishment as tho Smithsonian
solsea Thai we have learned with pleasure that Goa
made an appropriation i9r The practical testing Of the plan
IA It's Application to The Library Of Congress- and that
work is now in successful progress.
Rssotrsd, That az practical librarians and bblogs
we take PRIDE aud satisfaction IN the fact that
OF so great literary importance, originated such
suution the Smithsonian, has received The pro,npt
and efficient support OF our national legislature and tina
we would the hope that this support will
extended 10 I'LL this first work OF the kind
oype catalogue OF the Library OF Congress. shall be
0her resolutions were offered and discussed among
which we ,eec some particularly interesting to our oi
zens.
Mt X A. Guild. Librarian of Brown University, Of
Tered The following, which were unanimously adopted
Rf'or,d That this convention be regarded as premina
yto 70. formation Of permanent Librarians Associa-
Rsso'rsd, Ths, COMMITTEES Of Ave be appointed TO
dsughs constitution and bylaws for assoc iaon
and present them nj the next meeting OF the couyen
R,socsd That when the convention adjourn IL adjourn
TO meet IN Washington city, time tho said con-
vsnsion shsn point.
Rsord That this committee be requested 10 suge..
topics Nor written communo atons Tree discussion nj
tbs sds"uned meeting and ai-o make such arrange
msns shall in their Judgment be bcs sdap,ed 10
he paoc wanHin regard to tho whole subject Libraries
and library eccnomy.
Several important resolutions were adopted on Sa,ur.
day nosnne. when the convention Adjourned s,ne d.
The following. relative 10 the Smithsonian Institution.
o6essd b. Judgs Haywood If Ohio, librarian OF The
STATE Lihsasy, (who will b. remembered by some OF our
eitissns - Formerly commissioner OF the General Land
O4es.> was adopted unanimously.
Rs@std, That the thanks the presented
70 the board OF rexeas snd officers of mthsonian In
sssbea s0s sAet steady and efforts for the in
and d.(nsisn OF know~gs among men and par
socosssussss sod Of the pnblic libraries of our
cd 30 hA pleasure looking In
sustun The central stabishment OF the United Sta %
or,hs furshefanos OF al such objects.
The ioilowisg wsrs proposed BY Mr. Folsom. Of Bos-
Ton, end psAasd snaalnoosly: s
R,ssssd That tho ishment OF great central him,
" for Ad ch while IT In demanded by the
eondon az United Ssstos Geners and
The nsscctust advancs meats, especially ssnp 10
ha coawsnsss, from ss~ bssroG would have upon nbrs
RsssssI, Tat ~ deem such bishment a. cmi-
nsnuv wosihy VI suppou from the national
- ' !. no ~ s.s ,ss rons: =. Psosr...
cine csnisnl nssoual library under adm o