Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-24
THE NATIONS LIBRARY

Ready to Render Service to Any Citizen.
Not Necessary to Go to Washington.
Herbert Putnam. Librarian of Congress, in the
Independent
Most of the activities of the Federal Govern
ment reach out from Washington to confer
some benefit upon local enterprise or the indl-
Nidual citizen. But the National Library, with
its comprehensive collection of books, prints
music and (within the field of American his
tory Of manuscripts might seem to be Of use
only to the visitor to Washington.
The fully effective use of the collection can
only be upon the promises. But this Is not to
say that the books and other matter remain
inert upon the shelves except as some inquirer,
visiting Washington for the purpose, seeks
them here. The library also Is a publisher and
n considerable one. II issues numerous ''sts'
which, If they are not contributions to science
in the sense that they advance knowledge Of
the subject matter, are something more than
mere accumulations of titles. They set forth
the books, documents and articles In periodicals
which bear upon particular topics OF current
interest. They are distributed widely to libra
ries. and they enable the citizen wherever resi-
dent, to begin his study of such a topic intel
ligently
Nor is he limited to the published lists. Should
his topic be unrepresented In them he is at
liberty to write directly to the library for
special list upon IT. and unless the topic bo
one upon which the aid of his own local library
should prove sufficient, he will get what he
asks for. Twelve fifteen thousand such re.
quests reach the library each year and are
answered, even IL they not for list OF
books but for some specific information; pro-
vided, OF course. the answer is possible through
moderate reference and be kept within
moderate compass.
The justification of the response (which in
way assumes the library TO be a. sort OF bureau
OF information) Is that with its great colleo-
tions Exceeding 5000 900 ttems). It's efficient
photographic apparatus and its stan OF em-
ployes expert in the handling OF this, 1t can
with minimum of effort and expense render
n large and varied service which local institu-
tions could render, IL at all. only by the multi
plcation Of effort and expense.
But the inquirer thus directed to the sources
OF information is only past the threshold of his
inquiry. He still needs the books themselves
Well. If the books are books which are not 70
be had nearer at hand, he may secure them
from the National Library. He has only TO
ask his local library to borrow them for him,
and they will be sent-at his expense for ths
transportation.
There are. OF course limitations to such
loans; 1t is not the duty OF the Federal Gov
ernment to substitute itself for local enter
prise. 1t is not practicable to furnish books Ior
mere recreation, or for ordinary self-lnstrucuoh
or culture. These are within the province OF
the ordinary public library. But where the
book Is an unusual book, for the unusual need,
and the National Library has It, and can al
the moment spare II, it will be lent
Our citizens engaged In serious research
though not class by themselves, for they m
clude every one with problem OF the moment
even II unprofessional-are but a fraction OF
the population To the others who are USING
their local libraries for ordinary purposes thele
Is another service. which. though indirect, may
prove OF fundamental concern. This consists IN
the relief afforded by the National Library "
local libraries by the publication and sale OF
Its catalogue cards. These cards embody
complete catalogue entry by author, and TOT
the most part subject also, for every book cur
rently received by the National Library, ana
the major portion OF the books IN it's existing
collection. They also indicate the elassiheaton
of each book In the collection here. They are
standard in size and form. and may pe IN
serted into the card catalogue OF any American
library The price charged is but nominal
There Is no citizen having serious problem
70 which library may respond, and for wnlch
his local library proves inadequate who may
not look to the National Library for assistance