The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-08-23
/ WASHINGTON LETTER.
Congregational Library ApprOprin.
tiOn Prize Money Dispute.
New Japanese Envoy.
rsneclnl Correspondence.l


The large Increase in the appropria-
ton for the library Of congress au-
thorized by congress at the last session
will enable Librarian Putnam to place
the library on u sound and adequate
basis. This appropriation, which be
came available with the new fiscal
wear, shows an Increase Of IS per cent
over any previous year This great
addition TO the llbrary's funds indl-
Gates first Of all that congress believes
the time has come 60 put the library
on q proper basis. and the size of its
appropriations, In the face Of gem
orally expressed desire for economy,
IS an emphatic vote Of confidence IN
the institution and an expression of
faith in its great future.
When Mr. Putnam succeeded the late
John Russell Young as librarian, 134
employees, including the COPYRIGHT
bureau, were I'm the library. This force
has now been increased by 06 persons.
The appropriation for the purchase
Of books for the library was formerly
$4,000. 1t has been raised to $Gl,000
exclusive OF copyright, which is the
main source of the American book
supply.
The appropriation for miscellaneous
expenses has been increased from ST.
500 to $500. The allotment for print
ing and binding has been increased
from $4,000 to $4,000. That for fur
niture, which includes shelving and
equipment for the care and display of
maps and charts. has been increased
from $4,000 to $4,000. In brief. con-
gress has given the library In all sub
stantial respects what the librarian
asked for.
The particular things that the new
management has set about to accom-
plish, and much Roadway has already
been made, are of more interest tech
nlcally to librarians than to the gen
eral public. Suffice to say that they
consist IN putting the library upon
basis like that of the other great libra
ries of the world. One Of the first
things necessary Is to reclassify the
existing collection and TO prepare Il
dictionary form in at least three
acts; one is for the author and subject
catalogue room, one for the use OF the
public In the main reading room, and
the third for the use of congress at the
capitol. The copyright division, which
was months in arrears in its work and
was steadily falling behind, has been
put on a basis where 1t can soon catch
up and once abreast keep up promptly
with current business. In the past the
library has been run in q free and easy
way quite characteristic OF govern
ment institutions, but now the great
book stack IS being placed upon a sys-
tematic plan.
Librarian Putnam IS now In Europe,
where be went early In June to estab-
lish connections between this library
and the great libraries and booksellers
Of Europe. The organization OF the Con-
gressional library has been so well
effected, however, that everything
goes on as II he were here, and his sec
rotary, Mr.. Boyd, and Chief Clerk
Alyord hear from him almost daily.
They report, as do the division chiefs
Of the institution. that much has al
ready been accomplished in the re0r-
Canlzation Of the service. specializa-
ton Of departments and IN the loca-
ton and equipment Of branches which
yVerp n vpar agO Ouiv crudclv provided
for.