The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-17
The Magnificent New Congressional
Library Building Now in
Course of Erection.
Vast Collection Of Rare Books,
Pamphlets and Bound Vol
umes of Newspapers.
The Great Library Twice Destroyed, Once
nv Foe and Once by Fire
Other Libraries.

or. as it is called, the Congressional LII
brary,'' will be, on its completion, the most
admirably arranged, the most commodl-
ons. and the largest library building in the
world, The original library was begun in
1900, but was destroyed by the British when
thew burned the capitol in 1914. The pur-
chase of the library of Mr.. Jefferson, con-
tanning about 1000 volumes. was the basis
for the rebuilding of tho library. In 1851
it was burned by accident, and at that time
it had increased to IS, 900 volumes, of which
all but 10000 were destroyed. 1t was re-
built in 1852, and congress appropriated
$4,000 to repair the loss, and by annual ap-
preparations the increase has been constant.
With the addition made by the transfer of
the Scientific Library of the Smithsonian
Institution, the purchase of the historical
collection of the late Peter Force, and the
constant accommodations under the copy
right law of 1870, it has grown into vast
collection, embracing in its various de-
partments 615,OOO volumes. besides 2OO,-
600 pamphlets. This huge collection
has oyerrun all the space allotted to it
under the rebuilding in 1852, and has no
longer any rooms unoccuEied in the CAPT
toll, and hence the floors. alcoves. and every
up in seeming chaotic state to the gen.
eral visitor: but the able and accomplished
librarian, Mr.. Spofford, and his many as
sistants, extract from the mass any book,
paper or pamphlet asked for. In addition
to the large number of books and pamph-
lets and maps and drawings, engravings,
music, etc., contributed by the copyright
law, there are 900 volumes of newspapers,
embracing the London Gazette, from 1861
to 1881, the London Times from 1886 to
date, the Journal des Debats from it's
origin (1789), the New York Herald from
1901, the National Intelligencer from its
commencement, and many other newspa-
pers from this and other countries. This
huge mass of learning is universal in it's
range; no department of literature OF
science is unrepresented, and it is very rich
in the early histories of America.
The necessity for some provision to even
store this large and constantly increasing
mass of books has occupied the attention
of congress for some years. Plans were
submitted, and the one which met the most
favorable consideration at the time was the
proposal to extend the eastern center of The
Capitol 1916 feet, and provide for the library
in That extension. The estimates made by
Messr6 Walter d Clarke put the cost of thit
extensiol.at 81, 100000, and it would only
provide for the library and it's natura
Increase for the period of forty years. Sucl
rary relief determined congress to provide
for separate building devoted exclusively
to the library. The priceless collections o.
old engrAvings and of modern art to b.
found in the Bibliotheque Rationale at Paris
and in the British museum in London have
long made those cities the resort of artists
from all parts of the world. Space in the
new building will provide for the exhibition
of the enormous quantity of engravings
newspapers, maps, music and sketches o.
value which at present is unavailable to tn.
general public.
The dimensions of the great library build
ing will be 40 feet long by $40 feet wide
with cellars and three full stories and an
attic, giving abundant room for the presen
and the future demands of the library fol
many generations. The large rotunda
which will be the general reading room, viii
be 100 feet in diameter and 12O feet high
It's octagon walls, pierced with windows 81
every side, and the huge dOme-a great sky
light-render it impossible that any shadoy
can obscure the book of the reader in what
ever part of the rotunda he may be seated
The building as at present designed pro
yides for the contemplated and natural in
crease of $4,000 volumes year for perio
of 100 years, and at that far distant period
will contain {, SOC, 600 books.
Inside, the building when completed vii
contain ample provision for 4, 800, GOO vol
umes, and when the vast courtyard is r.
uuired, provision can there be made for a
additional 100000 books. Mr.. Spoffor
furnishes the following comparison with tn
great libraries of the world as the best illus
tration of its proportions, and the provisio
it affords for many generations to come: