The Washington times., 1901-10-14
VANDALS In THE LIBRARY.
Many Valuable Periodicals Mutt
lated by Unknown Readers.
Intellectual Efforts to Catch and Con-
Wet the observation-disclosures of
Hundreds OF DoIlnrs-The -Priri-
legcs Necessarily CurtniIed Since.

/
Wet the observation-disclosures of
| Hundreds OF DoIlars-The -Pri'i-
IeEcs Necessarily CurtniIed Since.
Now that the season in which women
| change the cut of their gowns has
rived. trouble, IN. considerable measure,
has descended upon the Library of Con-
gress and the combined efforts of the en-
tire force in the periodical department are
! being exerted to prevent the muulaton
of fashion magazines. Strict measures
are being taken by the library offi=ials to
prevent the vandalism which has become
/ so common as to excite the concern OF
! those in charge of this branch of the Ii
| brary. Not only fashion magazines, but
periodicals of almost all, classes have suf-
| fered. In consequence, the privileges OF
| the department have been curtailed. and
! ma gazines can no longer b. obtained with
the little trouble formerly found by those
desiring to avail themselves of such pub
! locations.
For some time past the muuladon OF
magazines has been going on. and in spite
of all that can be done. it is said to be
almost impossible to prevent the ruina-
ton of the unbound books. The damage
which has been done to the library col
lection of magazines amounts to hundreds
| of dollars Some of the most valuable
| magazines possessed by the library have
been absolutely ruined, and as all have to
be replaced. the Government has been
put to considerable expense to replace
the mutilated numbers.
| The magazines which have especially
suffered at the hands Of vandals include
| all the fashion Pamphlets, the French il
Illustrated magazines, German magazines,
| -.
zines of photography havesuffered TO such
| an extent that it is now almost impossi-
BILE to obtain one without the applicant
| giving a complete history of his antece-
dents. A very rare and valuable msga-
zine on book plates was lately ruined by
| a vandal.
Some short time ago mutilated maga-
! zine was found in the possession of a
| reader. When discovered 1t is alleged
| that he had cut several pages from the
| magazine, including some reproductions
of famous engravings. The vandal was
arrested, and the Library authorities car
ried the matter into court. No conviction
| was secured. however, as the man de-
| clared that he had obtained the book in
the condition in which it was when he re-
| turned il TO the librarian from his neigh
| bor at one of the reading tables. As this
man could not be found the Police Court
refused to convict. The Library authori-
| ties regard 1t as almost impossible TO Sc
| cure conviction
AS result OF the vandalism A. B.
| Slauson, chief clerk of the periodical
| department. has taken active and ener-
getic measures to prevent 1t. Certain of
the cheaper magazines are still permitted
/ to the general public without formality.
1
now hedged about with protective meas
ures so as to reduce vandalism to mini
mum. These magazines include those
mentioned. the humorous" papers. and
all copyrighted magazines.
| To obtain copies of these magazines
readers must nov make out tickets, after
| the custom followed in the main reading
room. The tickets must be signed by the
reader, and his address is required. Only
| two magazines are allowed to one reader
at time. Before being permitted to
leave the periodical room the reader
must return the magazines to the
| desk of the attendant in charge. An in
spection OF the book is made. and should
any mutilation be discovered the blame
is placed upon the last reader, who is
made responsible
| In this manner the chief clerk has sue
ceeded in saving many magazines. but in
| spite of efforts made the vandalism con-
! tinues, and has become a serious prob
| lem and an item OF considerable import
| ance in the expenses of the library. Sew
| eral magazines mutilated by vandals
| were very valuable and rare, and they
| have not yet been replaced, although ef-
| forts have beea made TO secure copies.
| These magazines are chiefly foreign publ
| cations. 10 replace the copies, totally or
| almost totally destroyed by careless and
| criminal desecrators OF books, the library
| has been obliged to send abroad to the
publishers for extra copies. In several
| instances the magazines were out of
| print, and the publishers, for the accom-
| mediation of the library, have frequently
| advertised for the particular copy de-
| sired, sometimes at considerable cost.
One of the worst cases with which the
library authorities have to contend is the
1 woman mutilator OF fashion magazines,
and a particularly humorous feature has
| been noticed in this. Not only are plates
/ of new styles cut bodily from the books
| by women anxious to possess themselves
of the latest fads in dressmaking, but tA5
| apparently insignificant coupon, in which
| is offered for % cents a subscription to
five high class. magazines, several new
patterns, a set of dishes, and a catalogue,
has fallen under the eye OF the female
reader, and for time. these coupons en-
tirely disappeared from the pages of mag
aZineS of this class owned by the Gov
ernment- The coupons themselves would
probably never be of any especial inter
a=t to prospective readers but the library
| will preserve only complete copies OF
| books or magazines, when possible 10 OBJ
tain them, and In consequence the cost
| OF replenishing the stock OF dressmaking
| papers has been considerable.
The mutilation OF magazines in the pc
| riOdical department is understood TO have
| changed a plan for more liberal man.
| agement of the Library. which II Is said,
| 1t had been the intention of the Librarian
| to put into effect. The vandalism in the
| periodical department continues, and the
| Library officials say that under the cir
| cumstances readers cannot be trusted al
/ they are in most of tne European Ii
| brarles.
The Library is now looking forward to
| valuable addition 10 the collection of
| books and pamphlets upon the return of
| Ainsworth r. Spofford, who is now in Eu-
| rope making "a study OF Continental IL
| braries. He has acquired many valuable
| books which VIII enhance the present
| collection considerably. Mr. Spofford will
| return to Washington In short time. and
| will make report OF his trip.
| An interesting and unique work is now
| being prepared by Ralph NJ. Mckenzie, of
| the Library periodical force. which will
| soon be completed. 1t Is a complete his
| tory of newspapers. and is the first OF it's
| kind ever attempted. The work includes
| "a biography OF newspapers from their
| beginning to the present day. The book
| will be of especial interest to the newspa-
| per fraternity.
HAD FUN WITH THE POLICE.