Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1897-08-28


NEW CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY.
brary is about to be permanently |
opened. On the Saturday following the
recent adjournment of congress, the
new librarian, Hon. J Ohm Russell Young,
closed the old library for the purpose
of transferring to the new library
building it's books, its treasures, its Gu
rios, its Klondylie mines of golden in
telligence. When all of these valuable
volumes are seen again by the public
they will be in perfect order on the
commodious stacks and shelves in the
attractive halls of the most beautiful
library building in the world.
The decision of Librarian Young to
close the library so soon after the ad-
journment of congress was born of
necessity. The work of removal is a
stupendous task. To finish this, and to
open the library again with the least
possible inconvenience to those who
frequent it, were the two objects to be
aimed at. The number of readers grows
less as summer advances, and increases
pgain with it's end and the coming fall.
There are over roc, 900 volumes to be re-
moved and arranged in the new build
ing. The accumulation of other ma
terial is enormous. 1t is in different
looms, alcoves and stories. Some is on
shelves, some in chaotic heaps, some
is classified, and much is unclassitied.
The question how to safely and eX-
peditiously remove this matter from
these places, and retain its classified
ton, and put it all so that it will be a
cnce available, was discussed at length
by Mr.. Young, Mr.. Spofford, Mr.. Hutch
ensou and Superintendent Green, who
is charged by law with the work of
removal.
1t was considered as an engineering
problem. A system of carding the books
as they start, and numbering the new
stacks, was finally settled upon. Chutes
will be built to slide the books in boxes
down the front steps of the capitol. The
men will load the boxes in wagons, and
at the new library these boxes will
lie received and carried to their places.
a plan showing every deck, and shelf,
and division of the shelves has been
prepared, very much like diagram of
the seats of n theater. Each box of
books will go to a certain seat, so to
speak, and that seat will be crossed of
as box is sent out, properly marked.
In this way no confusion can result.
As the various classes of books in the
old library are widely scattered, it will
take some time to properly card and
number them. 1t is this work which is
10 be done first. The entire force OF
The library, except the copyright clerks
are now at work on this task. No ad,
ditional help will be needed or EN-
fsoyed, as only those who are familiar
with the classes of books, and their 10
cntion, can be used to advantage.
This marking, or cardinG of books
and material will take several weeks
The carting will not occupy so long 6
time, but several more weeks must
pass before the books can be classified
and arranged on shelves built on diff
ferent plan, before the reading-roon
can be opened and proper servic,
given.
The work will be pushed by Mr.
Young with all possible speed. Will
good weather, and the best of fortune
the new library will be opened by DC
tober /; but it is likely to be later thar
that, owing to the mass of things Il
he removed, and the care which mus
be taken to prevent loss, damage an'
confusion.
The removal of the Boston public Ii
brary, containing 100000 volumes, oc
cupied year. The library was opene,
within two months, but it was cripple
for four months; and removing the Ii
brary of congress is much create
task.
Until the books are moved, no az
pointments will be made by Mr.. Young
There is a sufficient force now to do tina
work, and although the application
are still pouring in at the rate of owe
30 a day, nothing can be done wit
them except to place them on fil'
After the library is arranged the list wi
be taken up. Those persons who seer
10 be best fitted for library work wi
be considered, and If deemed desirabl
will be sent for to be subjected to a
examination. The law is very specifi
in it's requirements that only thos
adapted to the positions which the
seek shall be chosen. 1t will be strictl
observed.
There are 10S places provided for o
the library staff. OF these, As are file
by those of the old library staff, VIII
will be retained. They will. for ii
most part, receive the higher salarie
leaving only about 60 places with sma
kalaries to be filled.