The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-07
The Congressional Library.

Mr.. A. Il. SPoFFoRD. the Librarian OF
Congress. has written for tho November
number Of the Forum an interesting ac-
count OF the national institution for which
THOMAS JEFFERSON suggested the title Of
the Library Of the United States. Within
the compass Of n few pages Mr.. SPorFoRD
has condensed a great deal OF information
with regard to tho dimensions OF the Con-
gressional Library. the character Of its con-
tents. and its prospective expansion.
With the help OF the data furnished by Mr..
SPoTFoRD the history OF this library may
be outlined in paragraph. In 1900. on the
removal OF tho Federal Government to
Washington an appropriation Of $4,000 was
made for the purchase Of books for the use
Of Congress. Tho entire collection which
grew out OF this modest appropriation was
destroyed on the burning OF the Capitol by
tho British in 1914 The purchase OF ex-
President JErFERsoS's library OF 1000 vol
umcs furnished tho nucleus OF n new col
lection. which had grown slowly to $1,000
volumes in 1851. when q fro in the library
rooms consumed moro than thrcc-lifths OF
the books. Congress at once voted 10000 to
roplcnish the collection. which in 1867 was
augmented by the acquisition OF the his
tOricnl library OF PETER FORCE and by the
removal to the Capitol of the scientific aud
miscellaneous library OF the Smithsonian
Institution. BY these additions the col
lection was expanded to 10000 volumes.
Next, in the year 1870, came tho enact
nlcnt by which all deposits OF copies OF
books and other publications in evidence OF
copyright were TO DO made in Washington
a measure which assured to the Congress
sional Library the whole prospective out
put of tho American press SO far as it should
be protected by copyright. At present the
whole number OF volumes In the library ls
CSC. 900. and the number Of pamphlets is $780,
COO: we may add that there arc more than
10. 900 maps. or the books some 100, 900 np-
pertain to law and legislation. but the
library IL also strong in history. political
economy, finance, statistical science. and So
Geology. If tho collection seems relatively
weak in the literature of foreign tongues.
the fact is due TO the mengrcness OF the fund
available for the purchase OF foreign books.
Tho appropriation OF nbout $1,000 a yoar
for this purpose NEARLY $1,000 of which Is
used to subscribe for serial publications.
seems. as Mr.. SPOFFORD says. ridlculously
small when compared with the SEC. 900 annu-
ally devoted to the increase OF the British
Museum Library.
Heretofore those legislators who have
sought to stunt the growth OF the Congress
siOnnl Library have met tho demand for
increased appropriation by the statement
that there was no room In tho library for
more books. That objection will soon cease
to have any validity. The now library
building provided for by the act OF 1886 has
been planned with view to the ultimate
accommodation OF nearly five million vol
unes. or moro than double the number of
volumes contained in tho largest library
now existing in the world. that Of the
French Government in Paris. Tho ultimate
cost OF this building is limited to six millions
OF dollars. sum somewhat less than half
that expended on the Capitol. or on the
large structure erected for the joint use OF
the State. War. and Navy Departments.
Nevertheless. tho library building will
cover about three acres. or very nearly the
Same space as does tho Capitol: 1t is con-
structed OF granite. so faras tho outer walls
are concerned. and iron. brick. and marble
are used in tho interior. Its wide inner
courts and numerous windows seem likely
to render 1t the hest lighted and best venti-
lated library OF large size In the world.
There have been critics OF tho Con-
gressional Library who have contcndcd
that it Is no proper function OF demo-
cratic government To provide great col
lection of books for the use Of the citizens
and visitors at the Federal capital But.
as Mr.. SPOFFoRo points out, the fact Is that
the library has been primarily gathered
and is to this day principally employed Tor