The Minneapolis journal., 1901-06-01

OF its cataloguing work by the distribution
to Libraries and institutions, at q nominal
cost, OF the cards which it complies and
prints representing a catalogue Of the books
which it receives. This project is already
determined on, so far as it concerns tba
books entered for copyright The cost o.
cataloguing a book and writing or printing
single copy OF the catalogue card is. on
the average, not less than 20 or o cents
Thls expense is being borne in repetition nv
hundreds OF Libraries taking the same book
The major part OF 1t consists IN the work ~
the cataloguer and in the composition on the
card il printed. This part the national libra
ry, having to bear for Itself, can undertake
once for all for the entire country. II can
then furnish duplicate copies of a card to
other institutions on the same basis as gov
ernment publications can be furnished BY the
public printer-namely, cost OF stock and
press work plus 10 per cent The library
may thus aid in photographic research and
reduce the expenses to local institutions in a
way to apply its services practically through
out the country.
The amount which the nation has invested
In it Is itself an obligation The land and
building have cost 100000 There was an
propriated this year for furniture and equip
ment $4,000 and for the increase Of the libra
ry $4,000. There is expended $25,0OO a year
for fuel and supplies, S67 900 for the service
engaged in the care and maintenance Of the
building and $18O,OOO in the service of the
library proper, not counting $51 900 for the
copyright office, which is self-supporting.
This also is independent of the allotment for
printing and binding which is taken care of
by the government printing Office
The Great Libraries of the World.
These figures indicate a purpose to develop
the library into one OF the great Libraries Of
the world. commensurate with the building
which it occupies. Such eminence can be
reached, however, only provided the general
outlay shall, as in the case of the British
museum, be supplemented by individuals
Local institutions have the first claim to
private contribution for land, for buildings,
for the material Of popular education But
the national library should have the first
claim with any citizen Of the United States
who owns material Of interest to the highest
scholarship, particularly If 1t relate to the
origin and progress of this country; or who
would endow with fund for increase a libra
ry which will render the highest and broadest
possible service. The nation provides su-
perb building, fttingly maintained, renowned
row throughout the world. Any material
placed in this building will partake of this
renown. 1t will become part OF the archives
of the nation. 1t will secure the widest pos
sible notice and Will confer the widest posi-
Bile benefit
Great Britain, as a nation, provides mag
nifcently for the British museum. 1t has ex-
pended as much as 1925, 900 in single pur-
chase for the library, even as it has expended
$350,00O in a single purchase for the National
gallery. Parliament has recognized that
great eminence for these institutions can Ds
secured only by grants Of great liberality for
material OF great distinction. But such
grants for the library, as for the gallery,
far from discouraging private gift, have only
served to stinrla 1t. The gifts to the mu-
scum since beginning in 1856 have been
splendid in number and quality. Their pres
ent value aggregates millions Of dollars. The
British collector seems to have his highest
pride in accumulating books, manuscripts or
prints until his collection is matchless Of its
kind, and then in depositing it in the National
library. There 1t forms a permanent memo
rial to himself as a patron Of the highest
scholarship. 1t draws to London scholars
from all over the world. It confers a benefit
that is actually worldwide. 1t will require
a similar public spirit on the part Of individ-
ual citizens Of the United States to raise the
library of congress to similar eminenee.