Evening star., 1899-04-18
Numerous Applications for Positions
in the Library.
POLICY AS 70 APPOINTMENTS
Formal Form Prepared and a Series
of Questions.
AN ACCOMPANYING CIRCULAR


Star reporter today Mr.. Putnam made some
interesting announcements of his policy
relative to appointments in the library.
In answer to a question whether there
are to be any immediate changes in the
present force of the library Mr.. Putnam
said:
NO radical changes. There may be some
changes in the disposition of the force.
Except for these, or in certain minor posi-
tions, do not expect any changes for the
present"
Are there any present vacancies?'
There are nomnally eight vacancies
Are these to be filled by appontments?"
''They may be filled by original appoint
ment, or in part by transfer or by promo.
ton"
Many applications for appointment are
already on nile, no doubt, and others being
daily received?'
Mass of Applications.
There is a mass of correspondence on
file, which appears to represent between
1000 and 200o applications received during
the administration of MIR. Young-that Is,
since July, 1s37-and not otherwise disposed
Of These consist simply of letters and
other papers. During the past fortnight
applications have come in amounting to
perhaps between 100 and 300, and are COM
ing III dt the rate OF about ten a day.
W nat course is being taken with these?"
"A form of application has now been
adopted, upon which all applications for
appointment are to be made. copy of
this form of blank is to be sent to every
person who has applied or in whose behalf
an application has been made to the pres
ent administration of the library: also to
every person who has made inquiry of the
present administration concerning methods
OF application. A circular acconpanies the
form, exp aiming the course TO he MR.
sued by the applicant and Indicating the
present organization of the library"
DO tns circular and form go also to
persons who have applied prior to the pres
ent administration of the lfbrarv?"
Ihey do not, but will go to any one of
such persons who applies for them Such an
applicant Is not required to repeat or du-
pncate any papers already filed by him.
Upon receipt OF his formal application such
papers VIII be filed with it, Every person
VINO desires to be considered an applicant
must NE an application upon this form no
matter what papers have been filed hv him
prior to this date"
Test of Capacity.
rs the form designed as a test of the ca-
pacity Of the applicant?'
Ihe purpose o the form is to enable the
applicant to tabulate his own professions of
capacity, so that his application NAV re-
celVe fair and proper consideration in com
sens 'Aei pei
Upon what basis will appointments be
made?" ei'' NC
NO method has yet been determined
upon. AS you know, the law provides that
the employees in the library service shall he
selected by the librarian of Congress by
reason of special aptitude for the work Of
oile s Kprary, y, including the copyright work
anu iurther, that all persons employed in
said Library of Congress under tba
o, i.pi al ian snail be appointed solely
with reference to their fitness for their mar
tcular duties.'" P''
tor promotions or transfers."
MOI as yet What | have referred to
covers barely the prelimnaries essential ia
d Idir ana convenient consideration of the
apphcations for appointment and also pro-
Fldes the only feasible response to the mn
herous applications and inquiries now be-
ing received. 1t is impossible to answer
tiese except with such a printed form"
some Questions Pr0pounded.
Some of the questions which the form of
application propounds are as follows:
Name and present occupation? Date
OF birth? Place of birth? Are Won
citizen of the United States Are
50 s.ate) White? Colored? Names of
parents Irving or deceased)? Have Won
any 1hf1rmity, physical or mental of which
you are aware? Schools, academy. college
at which you have been educated? estate
NiiS III III Soui Sc ana degree. II taken Give
dates) Your past occupations $50 far as
employed give dates, names and addresses
or employers; describe positions held nv
you.) Your special education, If any. for
library work? Actual library experience. if
any Qnstitutions. dates character of Ivorl,
done)? Any Special qualifications which Won
can present lin addition to what NAV be
represented in your answers to the aues-
tlohs aboVe), for example, stenography
typeWriting, knowledge of bookkeeping
of foreign languages, special courses of
study pursueD? Have you ever been exam
ined for the public service? If So when
where, for What branch of the service and
with what results? If you do not specify a
particular position, what is the lowest po-
sition as to salary for which you desire this
to be considered an application? Any 9TH
er facts you desire to mention Indicating (a)
your special aptitude for library work, or
(b) your particular qualifications for serv-
ice in this library. (Be brief) The names
and addresses of not exceeding six persons
who know you personally and will testify
as to character. The names and addresses
Of not exceeding six persons dncluding. if
need be, any of the above) who know per-
sonally of your capacity. Memorandum OF
certificates testimonials or other documents
nclosed with this application. Mention also
any such previously filed
Accompanying Circular.
The circular accompanying the applica-
tion says:
"An applications must be made upon a
Regular IOITn, 10 De IuFnlSnGu Dy lne
library This form is to be filled out and
filed, even by applicants whose applications,
in other form are already file. so far as
such applicants desire their applications to
be considered as pending A copy of the
form is inclosed herewith. If you desire
to be considered a present applicant for a
position in the service. you will please fill
it out and return it promptly to the libra
rian of Coz gress. Your failure to do SO
will be considered as withdrawal of your
application, If already made"
The organization of the library as pro-
vided by law. is set forth in detail, and the
circular continues:
''All of the above positions may be as
sumed to be filled, except as information
may be given in answer to specific inquiry
Of vacancies existing at the time the tn
quiry is received. The inclosed blank Is
sent to you at this time not as an invita-
tion to you to apply, nor because appoint
ments are Immediately to be made but be-
cause you. have indicated a desire to be
considered an applicant or have made an
Inquiry looking to possible application
and a statement of your qualificat tions is
desirable In q form convenient for refer
ence should occasion require.