Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-23
THE NATIONS BOOKS
Interesting Suggestions From the
Report Of Librarian Spoford'
WHEN TIE LIBRARY Is REMOVED
The Present Quarters andthe Space
in the New Building.
SOME RECOMMENDATIONS

In addition to what has already been
| printed in The Star of the special report
made to Congress by Mr.. A. R. Spofford,
the librarian of Congress. the following ex-
| tracts will be found to be of interest:
| ut remains to advert briefly to the ques-
ton included in the instruction of Congress
| to the librarian as to the expediency of re-
| moving the law library to the new building
| While the ultimate accommodate tons of this
department in that edifice may be deemed
| highly desirable. yet so long as the Su-
preme Court continues it's sessions in the
Capitol the undersigned believes that the
convenience of that tribunal, as well as of
Congress, would be best subserved by con-
tinuing the law library in its present loca-
ton, or, perhaps, accommodating it in one
of the upper halls to be vacated.
THE uses to which the space in the eX-
listing Library of Congress may be applied
after the removal demand the careful con-
sderation of Congress. 1t is suggested that
working reference library of from 10000
to 10000 volumes might usefully be left in
the central library nall, where Senators
and Representatives could enjoy a quiet
opportunity for researches in preparing
their reports and speeches, free from the
Intrusion of the public. This selection of
volumes might include not only the princi-
pal encyclopedias, dictionaries and other
works of reference, but also one copy of
the more important American ard British
authors. This could be dore from the du
riicates of the main library. which would
thus remain unimpaired as a library of
reference. The two wings of the library,
with their iron shelving, admirably
adapted for the orderly arrangement and
safe preservation of the very valuable
manuscript archives of the Senate and
House, now exposed in rooms which are
far from fire proof The Senate document
airy library might also be accommodated
tn,
terfering with the use referred to. The
further sugge stion occurs of making more
ROOM; for the committees of Congress- and,
in the judgment of the architect of the
Capitol. about twelve such rooms (six In
each wirg) might be fitted up, although
this would quite preclude the proposed
safekeeping of the papers of Congress. The
subject is commended to the attention of
both houses.
THE librarian may he permitted to add. in
connection with the suspicious opening, at
a time not now remote, of the new and
commodous library building, that its public
usefulness would be greatly enhanced We're
Congress to provide for making its stores
accessible to the public during the evening
hours. While it is neither safe nor eXpe-
dent to make it a library of circulation,
which is incompatible with its uses as a
great and comprehensive library Of refer
ence, there appears no good reason why
ITS advantages should not be as literally
extended to the people as Is compatible
with its safety and preservation.
I'm conclusion, the undersigned. while dis
claiming for himself any merit in connec
ton with the new building, cherishes just
satisfaction in the reflection that he has
contributed, in some degree, to the build
ing up Of the great collection which WORTH
ly represents the Intellectual product Of
America, and with the liberal, fostering
care of Congress. will yet be filled with the
learning of all lands.
Compared With Other Libraries.
ssIJe desires bowayer m pJ,ca hafora Con.
gress some view of the relative expenditure
in other libraries and departments that 1t
may be seen how extremely small has been
the working force allowed in the Library Of
Congress. The Boston public library, with
two-thirds as many volumes, and no copy
right business, has 40 employees The Con-
gressional Library had in 1880 twenty
four employees; in 1885, twenty-five; in $780,
twenty-six, and in 1895 it has thirty eight
of whom five, however, are employed in the
detached service in the law library and the
Smithsonian exchanges.
The British Museum, with no copyright
business and no circulation, but with 800 =
| COO volumes and large exhibits of antiqui-
ties EMPLOYS 30 attendants in its eight de-
partments, besides 100 engineers, cleo
trieians, laborers, window cleaners, police,
etc. Its annual expenditure in salaries is
100000; in books, 100000, and in binding,
| 1000
This museum has long been buying up,
at prices above their weight in gold, the
rare products Of the English press in past
ages, which, had there always been an eff
| fectual copyright law, there would be no
occasion to purchase. The many books
| which have disappeared. owing to small
| editions. the ravages of fire. etc, prove
how many publications may owe 20 a gov
eminent library, charged by law with that
duty, their sole chance of preservation.
ITO provide adequate room for the great
and constantly growing collections of the
library was the object of the congressional
| legislation of 1856 as amended in 1881
There is now provided, in pursuance of this
LIBERAL and farsighted legislation, a library
editice which will ultimately accommodate
four million volumes The structure COM
bines, 20 degree not previously reached in
any extensive library building, the reuui-
sites of great capacity, economy of storage
abundant light, good ventilation, convenien:
access, and arrangements for prompt and
economic service to readers.
Ample room exists i'll the new building for
the orderly arrangement of the accumu-
lated copyright publications of the past,
and for those of more than a century to
come. 1t is proposed to devote one of the
larger rooms in the library to the reception
of the copyright archives. and another to
the copyright office, with all the state and
na tional records assembled, where the work
of registering indeXing, searching and veri-
flying is carried On.
The Reading Room.
1.-The catalogue department of the library
demands a space which is literally provided
for in the commodiouS rooms adjoining the
reading room. The card catalogue, in an
extensive series of drawers specially adapt
ed, will be arranged in the center of the
reading room, where the library service
calls for It's inCessant use. Around this
center, where the superintendent and the
force of attendants will be stationed, com
modious desks for readers preparing their
book tickets, and shelves filled with an ex-
tensve series of printed catalogues, ency-
clopaedias. photographers indexes, diction-
aries, directories. aliases and other works
of reference, will be arranged. The desks
ard seats for the readers, about two hun
bred in number, disposed in concentric tiers,
with ample spaces between for transit and
for library Service, will fill up the remain
der of the reading hall. The sightseeing
public, who do not come for purpose of
study, but to inspect the building, will be
excluded from this room, but will have am
pie opportunity to View it from the long,
open corridors in the first gallery surround
ing it. without disturbance to readers.
THE central reading room and the Ii
brarian's office adjoining will be connected
by telephone with the Senate and House of
Representatives. a tunnel six by four feet
in diameter has been already completed, as
led nv of he hraT