Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-12-21
In the construction of a new buiIdips


should be kept constantly in view: nre-prcof
materials in every part, the highest utility and
convenience In the arrangement of details, and
the wants OF the future. In respect TO the lat
ter point, the space required for ultimate IL
orary accommodation, IL would not be wise
economy OF means to provide space for less than
library 1.-THE Bibliothe9ae RatioEais of France
mas already l 400 coo volumes, while the Ii
brsry Of the British Museum closely approx
brsry is at the rate OF nesriy 5000 yoia@ss =
year Whatever may be the present ate OF
growth OF American libraries, IL cannot be
the growing development and intellectual en-
terprise OF the country, win be in an accelerated
RADIO rs compared with the past. The library
TWICE DOUBLED WITHIN TwRIvK YEARS.
In 1850 there were 6 coo volumes in the libra
~; in 1866 there we're 10000 volumes; and in
le12 there are 2ie,ooo. Without calculating upon
specially large accessions, IL IL reasons able to
assume that by the ordinary additions TO its
stores from copyright and from ali other
sources, IL will reach 70O, 900 volumes by the
year 1900; one million ane q quarter by l92s:
1,'5 eco BY 1850; and 500 900 by the year 1875,
or about a century hence Nor is 80 enormous
acellection of books by any means so fOrmida-
bic an object Of contemplation as many persons
suppose. In every country whose ciyiIiza alton
has attained a high rank, there should be ct
least
ONE GREAT LIBRARY,
not only universal In its range, but whose plan
II should be TO reverse the rule of the smaller
and more select libraries, which Is exclusive
ness, for one Of inclusiveness. Unless this is
done, unless the minor literature and the fail
ures OF the press are preserved, as well as the
successes, American writer's will be without the
means of surveying the whole field trodden by
their predecessors in any department. In every
great nation this comprehensive library should
be obviously the library of the government
which enjoys the benefit of the copy tax, aud
has thus supplied without cost q complete rep
resentation of the intellectual product Of tie
country in every field of science and liter ature
TO supplement- this national collection with the
pest BOOKS o. ancient and modern date, in all
languages, should be the current task OF each
year.
IN DESIGNING BUILDING
Tor library formed on a plan thus c0mprehen-
sive, and providing at the same time perms-
nent repository tor the copyright archives OF
the nation, provision should be made for the
present library in as compact a space as is CON-
Patlble with Its constant and netrical en-
lHgement. There is but one way in which
room can be reserved for a library 20 grow In
all directions, preserving constant unity OF
plan, and avoiding those distractions which
split up most great collections into several liz
brsries, to the permanent annoyance and in
calculsbe loss OF time both OF officers and read
of the interior Of the library, in circular form.
By this plan the books can be arran ged in al
coves rising tier above tier around the whole
circumference OF the circle, while the desks and
catalogues Tor the use or readers occupy the
center OF the library, and the time consumed
in producing the books to this common center,
through all the radii OF the circle, is reduced to
q minimum.
This circul ar apartment should be surmounted
by dome Of iron and glass, thus yielding ade-
quate light At all seasons. and in every part OF
the library. The outer circumference of the
circular wall should be lined with alcoyes OF
iron, in the same manner a. the interior, the
wall being pierced with numerous open doors of
communication. he exterior walls OF the build
ing could be constructed either in circular or in
guadTangular form, a. should be deemed best.
In the latter case they should be built st sufi-
Gent distance from the inner circle to afford
abundant space Tor the future Introduction OF
supplementary iron cases for books, falling rank
behind rank, and giving thus the means of
attaining that cardinal desideratum of all libra
ries, yet never reached in any, namely. the ar
rangement of all accesslons in close juNtaposi-
ton to their related books on similar topics. On
this plan, which may be termed
TIE EXPANSIVE METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION,
the original outlay upon the architecture OF the
building would be greatly less than If It were
completed at once. The principal element OF
cost Is in the great amount OF material anu the
finishing OF the iron interior, a large share of
which could thus be postponed until needed fer
actual use.
Besides the space thus reserved for library
growth, spacious apartments would be required
and could readily be constructed, for the fol-
lowing purposes:
1: A copyright record room, to contain all the
archives OF that department in convenient
compass, and systematically arranged in the
spot where the clerical labor connected with
the copyright business is performed.
which the thousands OF separate maps now ac-
cumulated and hereafter to accumulate in the
library could be thoroughly classified, cata-
logued, and utilized Tor reference st a moments
notice. In the present library rooms such an
arrangement has been and must ever remain
impossible.
3. A department for engravings, chrom,s.
photographs, and other works OF the fine arts
received under the law OF copyright. These
fast-accumulating stores, many of which are of
great interest and value, are now, from the ne
cessity OF the case, kept in piles only partially
arranged and exceeding dificult OF reference
4. periodical room, in which all current
nles OF Journals magazines, and other serials
should be systematically arranged and ready
for reference, until converted into books by
being bound.
5. packing room, where all mechanical op-
erations OF the library could be performed.
THE COST OF THE BUILDING.
The cost Of such library building as is here
roughly outlined would not, in the Judgment of
the architect of the Capitol extension, exceed a
justified, in advance of the action of the COM
mittee, in procuring drawings or detailed esti-
mates TO accompany this report. This approx
mate estimate IL based upon the EMPLOYMENT of
marble as a material for the exterior walls, and
iron for the interior, except in such details As
would more properly be constructed of brick
stone, or concrete. Whatever may be thought
or finally determined respecting minor details.
the Importance Of prompt action will, IL Is
hoped, commend itself to the committee as an
Imperative necessity. 1t is possible to get along
their present position, under whatever dis
advantages, Tor two or three years more.
AL Of that time, probably, would be required
Tor the proper construction of new building.
IL can hardly be doubted that the people of the
country would sanction any careful expendi-
ture that may be required for the protection
and future increase OF the great and valuable
Library which is fast becoming lust source of
pride TO American citizens. And il is with con-
hdence in the wisdom and far sighted liberality
Of Congress that this honorable committee Is
recOmmenQ n fah
ton for the commencement of q library build
ing. which shall be the repository of the count
less me MORALS OF the past, here gathered, and
hand them down to posterity who will have
far more interest in the legacy than we are
aware.
The WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY
entered suit i'm the United States court i'm Gin
cinnat yesterday to recover O., 900 from Ham
liton county this being Q on its gross re-
eeipts In that city. The company claims that