The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-24

!essly inane; others nre actually perniciona
In their tendency and influence. IT is mn
fortunately trus that the latte. in many
cnssa. find the largest number Of renders.
Ihe lteratura Of this aud all other coun-
triss IL vitiatsd through the nvarics Of
shose who IRE quick to publish anything
thing that will sell. "
1.-THE word book 10 somewhat indoGn lite.
Byron Gays: "A book'S II book, although
there's nothing In IT, II those were er-
cluded which really have nothing in them
the actual number would be greatly re-
ducod. Thcre are many deposited here
q the copyright law. such ~ city di-
registers and other special and class publ
cations which cannot properly DO con
adhered a. books. They are books III a
mechanical sense, II 10 they "a upon our
shelves or are stored away in our vaults. A
man may copyright anything that he puts
in print. He, is prone TO error in surprising
it to have such value AZ to render ii liable
to piracy. Thousands OF publications., in
Guiding II multitude of so-called books,
would be equally safe from theft with or
without the protection of q copyright. But
tbs protection is given to all who want it or
think they do"
Give me some idea Of the pamphlets Of
the library"
''As do the bound volumes in the library,
the 100000 pamphlets cover the widest pos
slble range that the mind can conceive.
They are upon every subject tina. has en-
tered into the mind Of man. Naturally
much of this class ofliternture il s%phemeraI.
having only Il temporary or local interest.
Many of these pamphlets, however. are OF
p%erinanent historical, statistical or scien-
titc value. Those, as we'll a. all bound
books, are recorded in a manuscript cata-
logue classified by topics and by au-
thor3, 70 that anything called for may
DO rendily found. Years ago ii was at
tempted to keep up n printed catalogue,
this proved imprncticable. by reason of
this la &c md constantly growing increase
and the plan WAS abandoned. The manu-
scrirt catalogue is found sufficient for all
practical needs. This kept closely up to
date, all publications received each day be-
ing ut once entered according to their
classification. The catalogue ID
what pondsrous with its 100000 en-
tries, but 80 perfect is the system that there
il little delay in finding whatever may be
wanted"
How about newspapers?" 1 asked.
"I'asides complete issues of magazines
and reviews of all kinds" replied the
librarian, 'thero are in the library u large
number of newspapers. including 10000
bound volumes Among them are many
foreign n%ewspapers. There are English
NtSA 49, DNSh "oA SAd WV q
turiss, and American papers from 100 to
lao yeats. Is may be easily Understood
that these relics Of the past bear
issue under tho marvellous enter
prise and Development Of o-day in the
field Of journalism. Those old newspapers,
in quaint Typography, faded and yellow
mere qualification of curiosity. AS a
record OF current events In years long past,
tho writings M speeches and deeds of
former generations, they are often sought
by the students Of history and the anti
qunrian. These may be consulted in the
library rooms, but under no circumstances
are they permitted TO be taken away. If
lost or destroyed it would be impossible to
thom.
1.-The library Of congress is open to the
people of Washington. Books may be
drawn upon a deposit of money to cover
their value, the money being returned when
the drawer Wishes to close the account.
The books that may be taken out are the
duplicate copies upon the shelves: Those
There is no ether library in Wash
that il accessible to the general
public. Each of the departments has q
library for the use of its employees only.
The loss of the books to the library of CON
Rrsss in consequence of the circulating
is small and is made good from the
money forfeited in such cases. The re-
binding of books when necessary Is done
out of the library appropriations"
"The library is now worry much crowded,
is it not2"
1T maybe safely said that no branch or
bureau Of the government has such urgent
need Of more c~ommodious quarters as the
The space allotted to it in the
capitol building WAS full fifteen years ago.
thar fhQ NInnVAS and rocaaSaa hoya
a process of absolute examining.
L very shelf was full long ago, and in every
corner upon the floor, lie great heaps of
books, pamphlets and newspapers, for