New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-04
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS REORGANIZATION.
Mr. spOFFoRD TALKS OF WHAT Is TO BE DONE
THE BUILDING.

Washington July (SpeciaD-Spea king to-day OF
the plans made for moving the Library OF Congress
to its new and splendid home across the East 'dp-
tol Plaza Mr. Spofford. the newly appointed assist
ant librarian, said
Care and elaboration will be taken to arrange
the Library in its new home in a manner 20 accom-
plish all that the country expects of this great Ma
tional collection of books. To this end all It's
various departments of labor Will be Organized a
proceeding which involves careful Judgment exa'n'-
nation of the qualifications and experience OF cand-
dates ald adequate time TO arrive at just conclu-
sions 1t cannot be predicted when the moving OK
the books 20 the new building will he begun. II de-
ponds on the length of time Congress remains IN
session All is ready for the removal. and We VIII
begin as soon the books can be spared from TIE
present stacks How long the removal Will take
cannot say. This naturally is dependent upon many
conditions which cannot be prognostcated. The
method of transporting the books 10 the new build
ing will be by the ordinary dray system. The tun-
mel from the Capitol 10 the new Library. although
finished and In complete working order Is capable
Of accommodating only small parcel OF books.
Neither has 1t sufficient motive appliances for so
great an undertaking as the removal OF the whole
Library.
The present order Of cataoguing will be pre-
served Professionally. with the aim 10 give prompt
service OF books to all using the Library. COM
pete general catalogue OF the collection in an al
phabet OF the subjects Will be entered upon ana
printed as soon as tne rev Catalogue ioiNe ~ VI
ean!zed All estimates OF labor OF that KIND.
which are based upon guessw0rk. are vaiueess. ana
so no idea can be given OF the time necessary FOR
cataloguing the enormous collection now In pos
session OF the Library. The catalogue OF the Brit
ish Museum Library. now being printed. has been
I'm progress for twenty years and is still unfinished
A very much less time will be occupied in prepar'
ing and printing a catalogue OF the Congressional
Library, but 1t will consume long space OF tune
and involve enormous labor. There VIII be IN az
about sixteen clerks employed on the Catalogue Az
at Is not generally known that an the stolaS.c
have been vacated, and the poOhS ot nun
dred and thirty thousand in NUMBER, sent 10 t,ns
rev building These books are. however, dnpii-
Gates. and there is little danger that they VIII w
wanted for reference. . -, -.
NY personal work will now be the selection o,
books 10 replen.sh the stores Of the Library In an
directions the supply OF books and Information Tor
Congress the various departments and courts. inc
scholars of the country. and the general public to-
gether with a daily cooperation in the departments
OF cata!oguing classification, etc This ARRANGE
ncnt permit to give better service 10 seek
crs after Information. which before was greaty M
tcrfered with by the time which was necessary 10
rho executive affairs OF the Library. Ny time was
greatly taken up by the enormous number OF app.,-
cations for places In the Library every person WIN
A slight liking for books and many not FAMILIAR Win
fhe qualifications necessary for one wishing 10 enter
labor with applications for places These APP
nca t,ons were literally innumcrabie, retchinS as
high hundred day ,, -, ~,
THE custom of allowing the withdrawal OF books
from the Library by residents OF the c.ty, whcn
was revoked some time ago, VIII not be renewed
Library of Congress IS not library OF circuatiaA
hut Vhrnr ~