The morning times., 1895-09-01
rooms FOR the use Of the Senate and the
sKETCH oF M. sPoFFoRp.

rooms Tor the use of the Senate and the
House.
SKETCH. OF MR.. sPoFFoRD.
The present librarian, A r. Spofford,
has been custodian OF the Congressional
Library for third OF a century, and has
not only made the library famous but rem
dered necessary and possible the new and
elegant building now being erected for its
use Ia ibis instance the animate and IN
animate have become so closely allied and
associated together that it is impossible
for The general public TO refer in separate
connection 20 The Library as apart from the
Librarian
Ainsworih Rand Spofford, Librarian
OF Congress, was born at Gilmarton. n. H.,
September Il, 1925. He. was given a
classical education by private tutors, be-
ing unable 10 enter college by reason Of
falling health Upon arriving at man
hood he located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and
engaged in the business Of bookselling and
publishing.
Ia 1893 Mr. Sepofford became associate
editor of the Cincinnati Daily Commercial,
and two years later was appointed first
assistant librarian IN the Library OF Con-
gress, and three years afterward became
libraran-in-chief.
During the thirty-one years of his ad-
miuistration the Con grcsslonal Library
has grown from 10000 10 upward Of
zoo. 600 volumes. The change in the copy
right laws. made in 1870, rendered the Of
flee of Congressional librarian an un-
usually important one, as all American
copyrights have since that period been
issued from his office, and it requires the
deposit ol "a copy Of each publication in
The library.
Mr. Sponord has become widely known
as a librarian for comprehensive knowl-
edge OF books and their contents. lie has
contributed largely 10 the periodical press
on literary, economic and historical sub
iectS. In 1854 be received the degree Of
I Ii. ID. from Amherst College.
In addition io preparing catalogues uf
the Library OF Congress, AIr. Spofford has
published The American Almanac and
Treasury OF Facts" Library Of Choice
4 Literature" Library of Wit and HUI
NOR" and Manual OF Parliamentary
Rules"
BENEFITS To WASHINGTONIANS.
Mr. spolford is naturally proud Of the
new building which VIII soon be ready for
his occupancy. aud believes that from a
purely yIocaI point 0I view the Library, with
vastly increased accommodations. VIII be
of ineaIculauie benefit to the people OF this
city. The reading room VIII permit The adj
mission of more than $50 students at one
time
When one of these desires a particular
book AN order is given at tie desk, an cleo
nc railway shoots the order out into the
4 bookcases, and here a man finds il iu mo-
meut. aud within less That four minutes IL
is M the readers hands
Mr. SUoIlarI believes that wuh more
room AND better Light, aud VITA act only
. Ceaa aul comfortable but beautiful and ar
tIstlu surroundings, lie citizens ot Wash
uggou VIII more generally than hereto
fore avail themselves of the opportunity
afforded them for reading and research.
Aside from private contributions. or the
presentation Of individual libraries, Mr.
spoftord believes that the Congressional
1 Library viii, In The future, increase at
the approximate rate of $4,000 volumes
q year. thus GHug tae new building in the
coming century ana a half with library
doulle that of France, or but Little less taaH
5000 600 volumes.
a copy ufcach book given american copy
right must hc deposited Ca the library. and
au average appropriation uf Sll.UbU is
annually MADE by C0uurCssc for The pur-
pose of purchasing such books as are not
obtaiuahIe by exchange or in other ways
without expense
Librarian spofford says that he has not
"a, yet determined now the 200, 900 books
and a quarter OF million pamphlets viii
4 be removed from their present location to
4 their new quarters I'D The Library building
but expects tLat ID wll be done 10y horses
and wagons. although ii may be found
4 possible 10 utilize electricity Ia the per
/ formauce of this work