New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-05
THE NATIONAL LIBRARY.
WHAT A. r. sPOFFORD, ITS LIBRARIAN,
HOPES TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE
NEW BUILDING.

| ford the Librarian OF congress, dctiHS "i'"e' ~
structions contained in provision OF an appropf'-
alton act passed by the last Congress- has prepared
a snecal report on the history of the Congressional
Library which gives also his ideas In regard 10 the
disposition of the various rooms In the new Library
Building and some interesting statistics In regaru
to copyrights In this compared to other countries
In this report Mr.. Spofford deals with the CROWN
of the library since 1t has been under MS c"als'
from 20 900 volumes in 1864 72500 volumes In 1880
Before Mr.. Spofford became Librarian no Reports
had been made to Congress. and the act whlch re-
qured a copy of every book protected by copyright
to be deposited in the Library or Congress ma pech
repealed In 1859 II 1865 however. on Mr.. Sponord
recommendation, this requirement was restored. but
so few books were received at the library, IN the
absence Of any record to show what puDhcatiohs
were due, that 1t became necessary TO MAKE I"
radical change in the law. The records OF copy
rights were scattered thrty-seveA states were
kent on no uniform system and there was no GER
tanty Of verifying copyright property, so iHd' ''c
Library of Congress secured very small NUMBER OF
the publications to which ii was entltIed. by '"e
enactment Of a statute in 1870 all the defects IN
this method of registration and deposit OF copies
were obyiatod The original records OF copyright IN
all the states were transferred to washington anu
all records Of copyright entry were from 'hal UNI
kept In the office Of the Librarian OF congress- !"
this way having tul! ,ower. the Library Oh congress
was enabled to secure what had before been unoD-
American books protected by copyright.
In 1872 Mr. sponord finding the work Increasing
and the space inadequate for the growing needs
recommended the building OF a library In respect
To the SPACE required h. stated that ne th'us"1 II
would rot be a wise economy Of means to proViue
room for less than 100000 volumes. At that time 'he
largest existing library, the Bibotheque Natona,e'
of France had already 10000 volumes, while the
library OF the British Museum closely Appropriated
loo go volumes and its growth was at the rate OF
nearly 3oOo volumes year. At that time the III
brarv of Congress had twice doubled WITHIN Twelve
wars In 1850 there were $500 volumes in the IL
hrarv In 1865 there were 600 l. s72 there were
o,s os, volumes without calculatir upon specially
largo accessions II seemed reasonable at that time
TO assume that by the ordinary additions 10 us
stores from copyrights and all other sources II
would reach 10000 by the year 1871" l2''oo volumes
by 1925 10000 by 1850. and 10000 volumes by the
wear 1870 The experience to 1895 would show an
excess over these estimates for there are now '-V"
volumes besides about 2j0OcO pamphlets Mr. Spof-
ford has a table showing the number OF copyrights
issued from 1910 to The present year the hrst year
1870 there were $500 copyrights issued In sh the'e
was an apprecable gain. l26oS, but the most drhed
gain appears in 1857. with record OF over SO"o''
gradually increasing at the rate OF TWO or three
thousand n year. until 1894 when tho total number
vas nearly GO 900 During all this long PERIOD since
rho time Of Mr. Spoford's first recommendation for
more space this material has been coming IN every
da,, until there IS hardly room 20 walk III me o'
library Numerous rooms down in the crypt 81 the
CAPITOL and in remote parts OF the nnid'hs nave
been brought into requ.stlon, ana II u "oH'e''
indeed that any books can be found at all.
40 ESCAPE FROM THE PRESSURE.
r. IN. las, few wears the number OF new publica-
lions % all kind. actually received has reached
ern, - 90 10 nearly 100 100 annually. Amid such an
.n,rno,,s prossure of daily accumulatiHg publica-
tions-from which. as Mr. Spofford said, there was
absolutely no cscapc-to keep the library from i'-
ing into absolute confusion has taxed the Iabor anu
ingenuity of the Librarian ana HIS assistants 20 the
utmost Visitors who have seen the miseraby
crowded quarters in which all the copyright business
., the American Government has been carried on
for 40 many years have remarked that there is not
a business house in city which would nave
endured such Inconvenience for six months. lheFe
were TO ooo volumes and shelf room for only 3nrl
TO provide adequate room for this great and CON
startlv growing collection was the object OF the
Congressional legislation of 1856 as amended In ls''
Tho creat and beautiful building thus provided for
was planned with view to the ultimate accom-
moda,ion 81 nearly 4,e"cp volumes. When II l.
considered that the largest existing library mat OF
the French Government at Paris. contains az yet
but 300 volumes and that ample space exists in
the ealnce erected on Capitol Hi for storing nearly
twice that number f. VIII be perceived that the
wants OF the future in this direction are Wei
cared for While nearly every other government
cdlficc appears to b. built only for a generation.
and IT, uses have long oyergrown its limits. this
one through the far sighted libe-ay o. Congress.
will provide for the Nations books for more than
century to come Leaving OF consideration the
ouestlon of It's classic beauty which has been &C.
scribel. the inside courts and numerous windows
render the new Congressional Library Building the
best lighted and best ventilated OF any library or
largo proportlons vet erected. and II combines 10
degree not hitherto reached the requisites OF great
capacity economy Of storage. abundant light. good
ventilation convenient access and arrangement for
promp, and economic service to readers.
Tho plans for the arrangement OF the interior OF
th. library have not yet been entirely settled on
bv Mr. Spofford Il is proposed 10 devote one OF
the large rooms In ,he library to the copyright arch
ives and another TO the copyright Office. with all
the State and National records assembled. The
catalogue department Of the library will occupy
one of the large rooms adjoining the central dome
or reading room The card catalogue a stupendous
affair ia an extensive series OF drawers specially
ad,pted will be arranged in the centre Of the read
ing-room where the library service calls FOR it, in
cessant use The desks and seats for the readers
about 20 In number viii be disposed IN conc"ntrlc
tiers about the centre space The sight seeing pub
lie who 10 not for purposes OF study. but TO
inspect the building. will be excluded from the read
ing-room but will have ample opportunity to View
II from the long omen corridors in the first gallery
surrounding it. Thc central readnE-room and Ii
brlran's office. adjoining. viii be connected by teie
phone with the Senate and House Of Representa-
tives The tunnel which will connect the building
with the Capitol Will bc the means by which books
VIII Toe sent by means OF an electric motor In this
channel books will be received In from four 10 six
minutes Miniature railroads will do service
book carriers. working both horizontally and
tcally and pneumatic tubes are also provided TO
AFFORD Instant communication from part OF the
library another.
ON the upper floor rooms In which Will be
placed an extensive and instructive display Of early
printed books. choice and Illuminated manuscripts
rare Americana, interesting autographs and Illus
trated works These will be exhibited In glass cases
with suitable inscriptions, ana Will constitute Il
OF the art OF typography. illustration etc. Of
interest and value. Two commodious and finely