Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-11-18
UNCLE SANS BOOKS.
DESCRIPTION OF THs NEW CONGRESSIONAL
LIBRARY BUILDING
Now Nearing Completion and Soon to Be One Of
the Most Attractive Rendezvous Of the Capital
City.

The new Congress sioDal Library will
soon be one of the most attractive rem
devious of the city of Washington.
One no tourist will ever want to miss
seeing.
The public libraries Of great cities
are their glory and just pride. The
Astor Library of New York, the Athe-
naum and the Free Library Of Boston
have been considered at the head OF the
list of libraries of those cities, doing for
the public what colleges and univ srsi-
ties cannot do without their aid, rich In
resources TO draw inspiration from, as
water from deep wells, which never run
dry.
When completed the Washington
Congressional Library will outrank all
others ia its magnificent building, and
in the number and variety of its books,
no department of literature or science
being unrepresented.
The building is constructed to house
six million books. Now the collection
in the Capitol numbers six hundred and
eighty odd Thousand, with two hundred
and twenty thousand pamphlets. Thus
it will be seen it will take some years TO
fill the new structure, even az the rapid
rate at which they accumulate. AS &C
cording to the copyright law, two vol
umes OF every book published has to be
! fled in the National Library within
| three months after publication, as do all
other printed matter bearing the stamp
of the Librarian. such as photograph
ing, heliotyping, engraving, decorating
or Illustrations of books Of all kinds.
There are twenty-one assistant libra
rians-the odd number a recent sp-
pointee-and the first woman on the
roll, but probably not the last. for at a
recent interview with Mr.. Spofford, be
said in reply TO the question, "Will
| there be lady librarians appointed for
the new building?" IF am to be I'M
restricted in making appointments as at
present (sll appointments in the Capitol
being outside the civil service eXamina-
tions) l shall most decidedly appoint
numerous woman assistants"
This is a very Important statement
as the impression has been quite gem
eral that Mr.. Spofford would not favor
lady assistant librarians.
The collection of books now In the
library is rich in history, political econ
omy, science. Jurisprudence, and In
books, pamphlets and periodicals Of
American publication or In any way re-
lating to America. ~
On my way to the new building the
other day, l called at the Capitol 10
have a brief talk with the man who
knows more about all kinds Of books
perhaps, than any other librarian, as
Mr.. Spofford has been Librarian for
thirty-three years. he was found
literally waist deep, back OF the desk,
in the crowded space where he usually
sits as chief. / had to wait. While
waiting | noted as many times before
Mr.. Spofford has peculiarly strong
face. 1t is long and thin, and his
large black eyes look out from under
the wide head and full front
which indicates intellectual ideality. IL
is one Of the few typical heads Of the
world. 1t Is like the head Of "fanny
Forester, the first Mrs. Judson-a
woman OF fine intellectual attachments
and his nose is high, long and droop-
ing like Dante's, Disraeli's add George
Elliots. A very peculiar and charac-
terIstic nose. Then his skin is so dark,
IL makes Won think there may be touch
of Hebrew blood In his veins. There Is
great strength In the firm set OF the wide
mouth and the massive jaw, but bis
general expression Is genial; his face
lights up well. His Is one Of the type
of heads OF the highest character, and
i,s owner never dIsappoInts you when
be speaks either 10 public or anywhere
else. He Ia his public utterances seems
10 exhaust a subject without tedium,
and be thro vs. over II all the play and
sparkle OF intellectual humor that Is
most engaging. He is very popular al
home, which is test Of 4 mans lndu-
ence.
No matter how busy be is, when
newspaper Writer-man or wOman-
saws. Mr.. Spofford. can talk with you
a few minutes about the new library?"
be always yields gracefully; and since
there IS no room 70 SIT down privately,
he takes the interviewer to the Toner
Aicove." where, seated IN the presence
Of readers al the tables adjacent, be Is
AZ upconcernedly unconscious as slough
intervieVers were an every day occ6r-
renee, as no doubt they are.
The first question related 20 tte APP
poInting Of lady Librarians. aud BE sec
ond 70 . matter just now subject 81
newsuaper discussion. not comp3ment-
ary 10 the architect and Il farian,
nWhy vas no Woman's hea1 = 80 %
crnauent keF stone "a 81
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