Evening star., 1898-12-12

mentS to read weeks ahead. Among those
taking part In this graceful and beautiful
work were authors OF national fame. cler-
gymen, preiates, professional men and
statesmen. As a rule! the library has been
indebted to the ladies of Washington. From
November 4 to September 30 there were i79
blind readers. Number of visitors who reg
istered. 2.9ta; numbeQ of visitors in pavil-
ion. s, 761
The Library Appointments.
1.-The questions Of appointments in the
library under the reorganization was the
subject of a resolution passed by the Sem
ate December H. 1897. In obedience to this
resolution letter was addressed to the
Vice President. showing that no nomina-
tions were made except upon information
as to special librar" training and expe-
rience. This was gathered from conversa-
ttons with those recommending applicants.
general inquiry as to the character, ability
and education of the applicant, a study of
papers presented as credentials as well
as from personal observation
Reference was also made to the fact
that in order to carry out the letter as well
as the spirit of the law, board was named
to examine the appoihtees.
This examination was made after care
full preparation. and the reports filed with
the librarian showing the exact standing
of y h appointee Upon this report nomi-
nations on probation became permanent
To show the character of the examinations
and the sincerity of our efforts to appoint
no one except as the law commanded by
reason of special aptitude for the work of
the library, list of some of the questions
proposed to the candidates is submitted in
the appendix
1T will be seen from this that while the
library was outside of the classified ser
vice, the appointments rested with the il
brarian. and all care was taken to insure
a worthy and permanent staff 1t was in
acceptance of the justified wisdom of civil
service that no removals have been made
except Tor approximation or in the library
interest. The scope of our examina tions as
recorded in the appendix will show our
practical appreciation of civil service and
the methods of its application to the Ii
brary. Ihere nave been no removals and
no appointments for political reasons
Recommendations from whatever quarter
have been received and considered as bear
ing upon the character and standing of tie
applicant. The question of fitness is decid-
ed after due inquiry and upon the rules
laid down. Appointments hold good and
promotions follow only applicants main
tain the record which led to their selection
Night Opening.
The joint committee of the library
through Senator Hansbrough, March 3
1927 made report Suggesting the advfsa-
bil1ty of such appropriations as may be
necessary for the employment of an addi-
tiondl force in order that the library NAV
be opened at night for the general public
tee was approved by Congress and arrange
ments made by which the library was
opened on October l, 1895 from . in the
morning until 10 in the evening. The open
ing at night was urged upon reasons of ex-
pediency. Note was taken of the condi-
tons of Washington Hfe-the large num-
Der of ladies and gentlemen in the public
service. whose only access to the library
being at night. were deprived of it's advan-
tages; the perfection of the arrangements
in the new building for night service, the
economy of the procedure the misfortune
of deprivng our official class. as we'll as
the citizens generally. from library privi-
leges, were all considered. 1t was also
shown that not alone was the building
closed to students who came to read, but
to the people at large, who came to see
noble building, rich in artistic beauty and
spendor.
Congress directed the opening and the
results affirm the wisdom of its DEGREES. In
October the number Of visitors to the read
ing room 6,435, a daily average of 247.
The largest evening attendance was Dab.
the smallest. 152 The books called for
were 1903, daily average of Az. The
evening readers are mainly students. The
character of the books they select shows
that as a rule. they retfd with serious aims,
history, science, military and naval works
and much pertaining to the Antilles, Ma
Mia and Spain. Remembering, as has been
wisely said, that there was no better uni
versity than library of books the action
Of Congress throws open to the worthest
people the opportunities OF university edu-
cation.
Minor Gn~ar,, =, n, ihraraeS