The times., 1897-12-10
LIBRARIAN YOUNG'S REPORT

In his first annual report, Hon john
Russell Young. Librarian OF Congress. pre-
sents some interesting figures. The amount
of fees received for copyrights TO the
end OF the fiscal year was $55.3TG.
The total expenses OF the library, in
Guiding salaries, purchase of books, esc.,
were S61 ,604.26- II is impossible at
present to give the exact number of books
in the library, but, including many duplI-
Gates, II is estimated at 7S7.715-
The daily avera ge OF books inths hands OF
readeFs may lie placed at 5000, but iais
varies, as the number taken out during
the session Of Congress is much larger than
during the recess. The percentage of
books lost III thirty years is about i've
to a thousand
The books are arranged in the
new Library with regard 70 convent nee
of access and speedy service. Books which
experience had shown to be most sought
for were placed on shelves near the read
ing ROOM
Ofthen after appointments, Mr.. Young
says that none was made until after the
books had all been removed to the new
building. This was done in order chat
the Library in its reorganization might
have efficient service. To aid in this a
bpard was appointed to Select well-qUali-
fled persons for the various positions.
These selections are attended by some en-
barrassment, because Of the technic IL
knowledge required in many departments
What increased the embarrassment was
that, as rule the thousands OF appIi-
cations represented meritorious AMI ac-
complished people, with the highest recon-
mendations, but lacking in requisite ex-
perience.
TweI ty-fiye per cent of the appointments
consisteduf women With few exceptions.
women had not had service in the Library
and, therefore, the nominations were an eX-
pertinent In tine administration OF other
libraries the experiment has been success
ful, but so far as this Library is con
cerned the appointment Of wcmsn is still
an experiment.
Five employees who have done good
service have been retired because OF super
annustion The librarian regrets that there
is no provision in the law for pensioning
them.
Since the reorganization OF the Library a
fiscal system of bookkeeping ami account
ing has been arranged, so that an adequate
record may be kept of all money passing
through the Copyright branch of the Ii
brary.
Mr.. Young believes that a more rigid
enforcement Of the statute which makes
the deposit of two OF the articles COPY
righted essential TO the validity of copy
right, would be an advantage
Mr.. Young recommends that Congress
should take some action toward the gath
eriue together of all the Gcvernment ar
chives having historical interest III the
| various departments and placing them in
the Library Of Congress.
The law library is now one of the Iarg-
est in the world in the point of numbers.
and a transfer to the new Library buiII
| ing is advised.
The opening of the Library at night is
| strongly urged by Librarian Young, who
/ calls attention 10 the fae5 that every
| reading table has it's lights. Every,
thing is so well arranged that the Library
could he opened without delay. The an
| nual expense would be 81 8, ,000, and hi
| has asked for this sum with permission tc
| open the Library at once.
| Ii brarian Young dwells at considerable
| length upon the subject of those that Ia re
| access to the Library, and advises tn;lt the
/ access to the same should be more ri gil
| than 1t DOW is. He gives the list of those
| who are new entitled to obtain books from
! the shelves, ard suggests that there should
/ be national library, wherein the Iiterature
I OF the people viii be guarded. An Increase
| n appropriation for the purchase of for
/ eli en- works Is urged, in order TO bring the
| Lii brary up tC the standard that 1t should
/ occupy as national library. Provision is
made for the blind. and pavilion IN the
/ lower floor was desi gnated, and an assist
ant from the lower floor detailed TO take
| charge.
| The suggestion is made that there be
| established a bindery and small printing
office in connection with the library