Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-20
frequent and unnecessary changes, as they
initiate against the value Of any working

frequent and unnecessary changes, as thew
initiate against the value of any working
force.
Compared With Other Libraries.
THE present clerical force of the library
numbers twenty-nine, With ten engaged on
special work. When that Is compared
with the forces in other large libraries of
the world it is easy to see how grossly in
adequate 1t is. The library of the British
Museum has force of 120, although its
quarters are nothing like as large as our
new building, and 1t has no copyright
work. Furthermore, it has no circulation
department like ours, for neither queen.
!9rd nor commoner can take a book out of
that library. The Boston Public Library,
which also has no copyright business, and
mas 0OO,Ooo volumes, as against our 700. 600,
has clerical force of over one hundred
1t is a fact that the copyright business
occupies fully one-half of the attention Of
our library force. Its correspondence is
greater even than that Of the Interior De-
partment, and the librarian must sign all
certihcates, supervise all correspondence
and make decisions as to the interpreta-
lions OF the law, so as to keep them uni
form. He must also read an enormous
number OF catalogues of book sales, and
mark them for the assistants, so that
search can be made TO ascertain the needs
OF the library. In this way we are able to
get books much cheaper than we could
through the regular dealers In addition
he has charge of the immense Correspond
ence OF the library proper. the interna tional
exchange of books the revision of the
work OF cataloguing and the supervision
and oversight of the work Of ali the as
sistants.''
As to Evening Openings.
Speaking of the matter of keeping the
library open of evenings. Mr.. Spofford said:
Il have always been in favor of keeping a
public library open in a public manner.
Pryf hot
the evening. If not on Sunday, in order
that people who are busy during the day
may get the benefit of the library. The
question of keeping open on Sunday is a
vexed question and one that do not care
to go into. I would be in favor OF Keeping
the library open, when 1t gets into It's new
building, up to about 10 o'clock in the even
ing. This is a matter. however, for Con-
gress to settle, and is outside OF the Jurls-
diction of the librarian.
1.-The hours at present are from . to 4,
Just as in the other departments of the
government with the exception that when
Congress is in session it is open until DARK.
There is no provision for lighting the IL
brary. Some time ago I recommended that
the library be kept open in the evening,
but the Joint committee on the library,
after consulting with the architect OF the
Capitol. as to the cost Of putting In the
necessary equipments for lighting, DECIDED
adversely on my recommendation.
1.-THE hour for closing public library In
the evening is a matter of expediency and
to be fixed upon as a result of experience.
I would recommend keeping the library
open for the use of readers continuously
from a. m until 10 pm, at first. The new
building is somewhat distant from the cen
ter of popula ton in this city, and it might
be that 1t would not be generally used
after o'clock. If it was found that very
few people used it after that hour it might
be as well to make Q the hour of closing.
That would all be settled in time however.
In case the library should be kept open 1t
would, of course, mean extra work for the
employees and would necessitate an addi-
ton to the force.
I'm view of all these facts" said Mr..
Spofford, in conclusion, 'it would seem as
though 1 was not asking too much in
recommending an increase in the clerical
force and the appointment Of special bu-
reau of copyrights"