The Minneapolis journal., 1901-06-01
al Reputation.

exhibit cases which line three Of the great
rooms open to visitors without formality
These exhibits are composed with reference In
part to anniversaries or particular occasions
and are changed from time to time.
The library is in receipt of 1900 current
newspapers and periodicals. Twenty three
hundred Of these are displayed on tables
racks and open cases in the newspaper pc
riodical reading-room, where they are directly
accessible to the public without formality.
This room now assemblies perhaps the fullest
representation in existence, in any one spot.
of the current political. literary, scientific and
commercial intelligence of the world. 1t Is in
i1cessant use by hundreds Of readers.
Reading Room for the Blind.
The reading room for the blind has spec
ial function and Is pursuing special career
OF usefulness 1t has a collection of books In
raised type, maps, music, charts and modelled
reliefs. 1t has, besides, examples of the me-
chanical contrivances for writing the various
styles now current including point and
American Braille But 1t has something more
than these. 1t is endeavoring to exhibit what
undertakings may be usefully pursued by the
blind and for this purpose it haJ type
writer, telegraph operating instrp4hent and
printing press. Every secular day except
Wednesday during the winter season there is
reading for the blind given by volunteers;
on Wednesday there are recitals. The room
has piano of its own. These readings and
recitals benefit the blind Of the District Of
Columbia, but their benefit, as the benefit Of
the room in general goes much further. 1t
is visited by 10000 persons every year, coming
from all parts of the world. The illustration
which 1t offers Of what may be done for the
unseeing Is therefore, taken and applied sub
sequently in various localities, so that the in
fuence of its work reaches far beyond the
limits of Washington.
The total number OF recorded readers Of
ordinary books last year was 1884. This
does not by any means include the entire
use. but only the recorded use in the main
reading-room.
Value to the Reference Reader.
For reference use the library, in effect
from It's beginning, has been free to all per-
sons 1t is still free, and free without for
mality. Books for home use are, by statute,
issued only to members of congress and their
families the justices Of the supreme court
and court of claims, the heads of depart
ments, the members of the diplomatic corps
and a few other designated officials. 1t is
very possible that the privilege may soon be
broadened in the interest of the higher schol-
arship. The needs of the ordinary reader
Of the District of Columbia will ultimately
be met by the public library of the district,
which is to be developed in the new building
provided by Mr.. Carnegie at a cost OF $3.50 900.
The most important service Of the library
of congress, as of the British Museum, which
issues not single book beyond its walls,
must be that to the reference reader. For
special research readers come to it from all
parts. No history of the United States, or
of American affairs, can adequately be writ
ten without some reference to its shelves.
As the collection broadens, recourse to it will
be indispensable in many other fields Of
knowledge
The maintenance at the national capital of
a great reference collection is in itself JUS
tifable undertaking and necessary to the dig
nifty of the United States among civilized
nations. The library Of congress can, how
ever, reach out it's benefits in various ways
to compensate each locality of the United
States for its share in it's maintenance 1t
is, l have stated already to an extent
bureau of information for the entire country.
1t will make its resources valuable by the
issue Of publications which will point out
the available literature on various subjects
of public interest Several such publications
have already been compiled and issued. One,
for instance, on colonial administration one
on railroad finance, one on marine subsidies,
one on canal and railway routes, one on
trusts.
Work for All the Libraries.
1t will make generally available the results