Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1912-06-06

this magnificent building was kept down to
such a comparatively reasonable figure is ex-
planned by the fact that many of the 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 I'M
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
senator's and representatives reading rooms,
and the special reservations in the alcoves
and galleries, the library can comfortably &C.
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 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 a book Is called for at the desk the
slip Is sent by a pneumatic tube to the clerk
IN the proper stack. He places the book into
a receptacle, from which it Is by one Of
'Ao pooh puSheLS, SlBHL6Su OF WnlCD 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 Town to the reading
room and automatically deposits 1t into a
cushioned box at the central desk, whence it
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. If a 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 un-
foreground tunnel over a quarter Of a mile In
length and 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 IS 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 5000, 900 volumes. The ulti.
mate capacity, when other stacks are added,
will be over 1000, 900 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 80. 1891, 1923
Maps and charts (pieces) ........... 12S,568
Music (yolumes and pieces) ........ $4,000
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 1t 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 f~ullness. The Yudln collection of
some 10000 volumes Of Russian works, pur-
chased in 1907, is particularly valuable for the
history OF Russia and Siberia. A collection OF