The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1912-06-07

this magnificent building kept down 10
such a comparatively reasonable figure is eX-
planed by the fact that many OF the artists
and sculptors, in spirit OF patriotic loyalty.
gave their genius and their art free OF cost
to the nation. It ia said that twice the sum
expended could not duplicate the building un-
der ordinary circumstances
AS TO the practical features OF the lnstitu-
ton. It's capacity, facilities for serving the
public, and it's various activities only a brief
outline can be given. Including the main
reading room. the room for periodicals, the
senator's and representatives, reading rooms
and the special reservations I'm the acoves
and galleries, the library can comfortably
cOmmodate 1000 readers at any one time.
The main reading room, which contains the
issue desk has seating capacity and desks for
200 readers and 60 tables in the alcoves and
galleries, which are assigned TO scholars max
ing extended Investigations. The issue desk
is connected with the stacks, the Capitol,
Smithsonian division and librarians Office by
pneumatic tubes while electric book carriers
connect the desk with the stacks and with the
Capitol
When a book is called for at the desk the
slip is sent by a pneumatic tube 10 the clerk
in the proper stack He places the book into
a receptacle, from which 81 Is taken by one Of
the brass book baskets, eighteen OF which are
mounted on an endless double chain forming
the book carrier which travels continually be-
tween the stacks and the issue desk The bas.
ket carries the book down 20 the reading
room and automatically deposits Il into
cushioned box al the central desk whence n
is taken out by the attendant and delivered
TO the desk selected by the reader The books
can also be returned 20 the stacks In the same
manner. II a member OF congress desires
book delivered 20 him In the Capitol the
pneumatic tube carries the slip making the
request 20 the issue desk and another electric
book carrier conveys the book through an un.
derground tunnel over quarter Of a mile I'm
length and delivers IT 20 the waiting states-
man In about three minutes
The book stacks, which radiate from the
main reading room, consist OF a series Of cast
iron frames supporting tiers and shelves 20 a
height OF nine and ten stories 10 the roof tho
largest stack being 65 feet high The shelves,
Of cold-rolled steel are polished smooth and
since the addition Of the last stack have a ca.
pacity Of about 100000 volumes The ulti.
mate capacity when other stacks are added
will be over 5000 900 volumes row Of books
which would extend over 100 miles
According 20 he report Of Mr Herbert Put.
nam, the librarian, just submitted 20 congress.
the contents Of the library a. present are
Books NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. .lB31723
Maps and charts lpiecesD ........... 1858
Music Cyolumes and pieces ........ 557Ol0
Manuscripts "a numerical statement not teas
. ibJeL
~ The library proper is strongest In bibliogra-
ply. public. documents tespecialy those of Tor
eign gSyerDpeptsJ, Americana, economics, pollt
lcal scie8cs, public law aud legislation geneai-
ogy and negspspers Through the Smithsonian
institution eTtea4iye hles OF transactions OF Tor
eign learned societies are received. BY virtue
Of the copyright, law IL has received the most
complete collection IN existence OF the prod
ucts Of the American press. American local
history and biography are .Fspresented with
unusual fullness. The Y1diA collection Of
some 10000 volumes ~ Russian works. pur-
chased In 1907 is particularly valuable for the
history Of Russia and sibera A collection Of