Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-01

columns width necessarily have to be trans
ported to the reading room by attendants.
The magazines, however, and all such
matter contained in quarto form, are trans
ported to the reading room by the specially
prepared apparatus.
The time consumed in securing book or
periodical from any of the stacks or decks
is inside of five minutes. Thus, 1t can be
seen, the whole arrangement Is most COM
plete.
1t is the intention to have rubber mating
on the floor of the reading room, so that
there will be no sound of scraping feet on
the floor.
The chairs intended especially for the
reading desks have not yet been received,
but are expected at any time. Ordinary
comfortable
1t is foregone conclusion almost that
no books will be appropriated from the
leading room, no matter how a wouid-be
purloiner may plot and scheme to such an
means which the library officials have
taken to prevent this-but they are ade-
quate.
A number of volumes in response to de-
mands for them were this morning taken
from the Capitol to the new library build
iLg by means of the specially designed
scheme for this. There was no danger
of the books getting wet during the trans
quarter of mile through the tunnel con-
structed for the purpose.
For the Blind
The reading room for the blind in the
northwest pavilion of the ground floor. was
opened today. There are a number of
raised-letter volumes on different subjects
available for the clouded vision mind i'm
provers. There are also two magazines
furnished-one containing articles on gen.
eral subjects. the other purely musical
matter.
Ordinary raised letters are employed in
the volumes, with some containing what is
technically known as New York points
and moving system
If a sufficient number of the sightless
students can be gathered together, there
will be a reading for them an hour each
be carried on by persons connected with the
library as volunteers. Miss Eta Giffin is
in charge of this room.
Bindcry and Repair Shop.
In order that the library shall be COM
plete in every particular. there will be a
bindery and repair shop, in room of the
building. One man has been detailed in the
past, from the government printing office.
for this purpose, and the number detailed
will now be increased. The appropriation
for this is $4,000 annually 1t has been the
custom to send books needing repairs to
the government printing Office and have
the work charged to the appropriation.
This room is now located in the north
east pavilion of the ground floor. with Mr..
Marcellus in charge. assisted by Mr.. Strout.
The latter sees that the books are properly
accounted fer when they are sent away.
With the increased detail it is thought
much time and trouble will be saved. The
average life of a popular book, like "Tril-
by, for instance, without added lease.
is about a year. Strong leather bindings
are furnished in the repair shop, so that
the book will last indefinitely.
TpG or 1te6 tod hat he 90
of persons temporarily appointed during
the summer had been deferred. This was
found necessary from the fact that the
members of the examining board are so
enSrossed with their various duties they
cannot spare the time. 1t will take place
in few weeks.