The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-04-01
WASHINGTON NOTES,

~" c"nhe ilUo existence, the Con
gressional library had Its beginning
congress was about to move from
philadelphia. The seat of govern
ment was to be transferred on two
eloops to the District of Columbia
ihere was fine collection of town lots
Out not much else In Washington. So
long as they remained in PHILADELPHIA.
Tue senators and Representatives
made use Of the Loganian Library.
Nv men they came to consider the needs
vi the new location they appropriated
$o,ooO to buy books, and ordered a
room set apart for them IN the Capitol.
Inc grandfather Of the present Ambas.
Sauor Bayard was one Of the commit.
zee which carried out the provision
Two years later Congress employed n
librarian at So day to take care of
the books. but stipulated that the pay
was for only such time as he was ac.
tuaily at work. The early appropria-
lions for the library were $3.50 n year.
It TOOK fourteen years to get together
o'oOo books. Then came the British
unuer ten. Ross entering Washing
ton IN 1914. They burned the Capitol
and the library went up in flames. The
neAt year Congress made another start
py purchasing the 6,T0O books of
THOMAS Jefferson for $23,95O. In 1881
the Library of Congress, as it is official.
ly known, had grown to about 5OOOO
volumes. fire on Christmas Day do.
stroyed $4,000 books and part of the
Capitol. From 10000 volumes in 1852
the library has reached its present col
lection Of 100000, and now tokes nos.
session OF the finest library building in
tne world, which cost $6,0OOOOO, and
was nine years in course of construc
ton.
"A public building covering a block of
ground and without n dark corner is
something novel in architecture. Yet
Ihat is what the new library is Such
a result Is made possible by 800 win
dows and by an arrangement of courts
wi'hih the exterior rim of halls. The
reading room is in the very centre, but
nood OF light pours in on the cloud |
TEST day. 1t is under the golden dome. |
IL is an eight-sided room, with the ele !
Vated desk of the librarian in tbe com
IRE ana all OF the apparatus for COM |
nuulilcatlng with assistants around and
beneath. The desks for readers arc in
circles facing the librarian. The dis.
lance across this Octagonal room is
loo feet. Rotunda is a better descrip-
lloh than room, for the ceiling is the
Vaulted interior of the dome.
opening into the rotunda on the
eight sides are alcoves, where encyclo-
paedlas, books of reference, diction-
arles, and works for which there are al
most continuous use will be kent
Ihese alcOves are on the level Of tho
foor. Readers will be allowed 70 co
into them and consult such books as
Ihey may need. Sitting on his high
perch IN the centre Of the rotunda. the
iiDrarian or his immediate representa-
1--WE occupies position much like the
iookouts IN modern penitentiary. He
Aot only mas every occupant of the
Ieaulhg room under his eyes, but he
can see in every one of the alcoves
Which are open to the public. These
reference alcoves will be the only parts
or the library containing books to
which readers will have direct access s
IRON the eight corners of the rotun- 1
da' between the pairs of alcoves, rise ,
rhe massive marble columns which ,
support the golden dome. They are of
leeper ana richer cOlored marble than
mat which forms the walls. Fortv (
rect above the floor a spacious gallery |
'hcircles the rotunda. From this Wis.
TORS who come on sightseeing bent
Will look down upon the practical op-
'ration OF the library. Only those Der
IONS VINO wish to read or to consult
JOCKS VIII make use Of the main floor '
u the rotunda. All others must 90 ia h
ne gallery. In this way the librarian v
'xpects to make the reading room a Il
'lace for study without interruption. 4
although he will have from $50 to 3OO -
eaders under his supervision when the :.
Dom Is full. On the edge of the gal. =
cry are perched sixteen bronze fig. "
'.~j. On one side of the rotunda, al G
lost on level with the gallery. Is a II
IarDie CLOCK, six feet across the face. 81
rom the vantage Of the gallery the
lsftor VIII gain comprehensive idea
I the workings Of the library. Look. ~
lg down, he will see the applicant for OF
book come into the rOtunda by way m
curtained aisle, and make known IL
is request On a slip of paper at the fe
reat central desk. He will follow the re
lovement of the attendant to a tele. ri
hone so nicely adjusted that a wills. Il,
er VIII convey the order. Turning ~,
bout and looking through the heavy -
late glass into the book stack, he will III
nd the attendants on one Of the nine re
oors receiving the messages at the M
her end of the telephone. He will at
70 the attendant go to one of the book of
Ills, take down the volume wanted. w
ld drop 1t in n little iron box on the in
ldless chain. Returning his attention no
the centre of the rotunda, the Wis. =,
DR. will presently have the satisfac sn
on of observing the box come nm pa
ON beneath the floor in the rear OF
e librarians desk, and deposit the %,
'ok there for the intending reader. ~,
i ntWnnn tba ntilitine / "'