The Southern herald., 1912-06-28


such comparatively reasonable figure is ex-
planned by the fact that many of tie artists
and sculptors. in a spirit of patriotic loyalty,
gave their genius and their art free of cost
to the nation. 1t is said that twice the sum
expended could not duplicate the building un.
der ordinary circumstances.
As to the practical features Of the institu-
ton, its capacity, facilities for serving the
public, and its various activities only a brief
outline can be given. Including the main
reading room, the room for periodicals. the
senators and representatives reading rooms,
and the special reservations in the alcoyes
ana galleries, the library can comfortably ac-
commodate 1000 readers at any one time
The main reading room, which contains the
issue desk, has seating capacity and desks for
zOO readers and go 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 book is called for at the desk the
slip is sent by pneumatic tube to the clerk
In the proper stack. He places the hook into
a receptacle from which It is taken nv ono NJ
the brass book baskets, eighteen of which ara
mounted on an endless double chain forming
the book carrier, which travels continually he
tween the stacks and the issue desk The has.
ket carries the book down to the reading
room and automatically deposits it into a
cushioned box at the central desk. wbence n
is taken out by the attendant and delivered
TO the desk selected by the reader The books
can also be returned to the stacks in the Same
manner. II member of congress desires a
book delivered to him in the Capitol. the
pneumatic tube carries the slip making the
request to the issue desk and another electric
book carrier conveys the book through an I'M
foreground tunnel over quarter Of a mile in
lengtn ana delivers 1t to 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 TO a
height Of nine and ten stories to the roof. the
largest stack being 65 feet high. The shelves
OF coldrolled steel, are polished smooth and
since the addition of the last stack have q GA.
pacity of about 100000 volumes. The ulti.
mate capacity, when other stacks are added.
will be over 100000 volumes-a row of books
which would extend over 100 miles.
According to the report of Mr.. Herbert Put.
nam, the librarian just submitted to congress.
the contents of the library at present are:
Books ....................!... / 1891, ,729
Maps and charts (pieces) ..... 123.568
Music (volumes and peces) ..... $50
Manuscripts Ia numerical statement not feas-
ible)
The library proper is strongest in bibliogra-
ply, public documents Especially those Of for
eign governments), Americana, economics, polit
ical science, public law and legislation, geneal-
ogy and newspapers. Through the Smithsonian
institution extensive files of transactions of for.
eign learned societies are received BY virtue
Of the copyright law it has received the most
complete collection In existence Of the prod
ucts Of the American press. American local
history and biography are represented with
unusual fullness. The Yudih collection of
some $4,000 volumes Of Russian works. pur-
chased in 1907, is particularly valuable for the
history Of Russia and Siberia. A collection of