Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-15

A movement is on foot to establish a
reference library within the Capitol build
ing. The necessity for such a library and
the scope of the proposed plan is outlined
in the following letter from Mr.. Herbert
Putnam to the two houses of Congress:
Mr.. Putnam's Letter.
I'm considering the removal of the main
portion Of the Library Of Congress to the
new building, it has always. believe, been
assumed that there would remain, or be
replaced in the Capitol, certain books OF
reference. Indeed, the present appropria-
ton act provides for certain attendants for
Congressional reference library at the
Capitol" The purpose of such reference
books would be to give immediate response
lively. must be answered Immediately; and,
second, to add 10 the use of the main col
lection by suggesting authorities in the
literature of any given subject.
No congressional reference library at
the Capitol now exists. The Library of
Congress is represented there merely by
the terminal of the pneumatic tube and
book railway Any books desired from it
for the use of members, even for the SIM
plest inquiry, must traverse a distance
which. with the request, represents half
a mile and delay of from twenty to thirty
minutes.
tiles of the library have been getting to-
gether certain books to form the basis OF
a reference collection at the Capitol These
are partly duplicates culled from the main
collection and partly the result of pur-
chaseS, which, under the circumstances, L
have felt justified in making to the extent
of nearly $1,000 from our general appro-
priation for books. These amount to over
1000 volumes-encyclopae dictionaries,
aliases, gazetteers, manuals and standard
reference books, particularly in history and
statistics; the best collected editions of the
writings of the fathers of the republic and
miscellaneous material in government, po-
litical; and economic science. With the
above are certain books upon topics likely
to be under discussion during the present
session-e. g., finance, subsidies, inter-
oceanic canals, colonial administration.
These latter constitute a special deposit,
which may be changed from time to time
as occasion may require.
Together with the above material would
be placed the best photographic aids that
could be furnished for supplying informa-
contains; ~ as to what is contained in the
other libraries of the District, CD as to
what is in print upon any given subject
I'm charge of this material would be
placed attendants who would offer COM
petent personal assistance to its use and
would make requisition upon the main col
lection for such further materials as may
currently be required to answer particular
inquiries.
within three weeks the first installment
of the above collection will be ready for
use. But space for it in the Capitol has yet
to be assigned. 1t will require shelving
and space for consultation and admins
tration. The shelving should be open and
well lighted. so that members may handle
books directly, so far as they care to do so,
without the intervention of an attendant.
The space assigned should. of course, be
convenient to both houses of Congress.
Details as to the amount Of space and facili-
ties requisite | defer until these shall be
specifically requested