The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-03-10


tion, print, cut, or engraving thar was copyright
ed. In 1870 the law required two copies depOs-
tied. This requirement insured the Congressional
Library the most complete repository of the
American press in existence. This is one, if not
the chief, source of acceSSiOns, which reaches
about 1,200 per month
While the purpose of the Library was originally
limited to the service of the legislative depart
ment, under Spofford it extended to both the
Supreme, court and the Executive, including the
various departments and numerous bureaus
der the departments. The growth was so con-
slant that all available space where it housed
in the capitol building occupied. In 1897,
when the Library moved to the new quar-
ters 100000 volumes were crowded into a space
allotted for but 100000 volumes. The rapid
growth dates from the entrance of SpOffOrd, to
whose genius due not only the fine response
of the public both official and unofficial, but also
to the plans and execution which resulted in the
most complete and superb library building OF the
world.
Agitation for q new library building began
back in 1873 In 1856 authority given to
purchase a site. which cost $685. 600. An appro-
priatiOn of 100000 made to begin the con-
struction. The total cost was S6.347 600, exclu-
sve of the site. a library which had numbered
about $4,000 volumes in 1864, when SpoffOrd came
to its head. had grown to nearly 100000 vol
umes by 1897, when it transferred TO its
new home in September of that year. The former
crowded quarters had given way to a wonderfully
commodiOus structure of about 100000 cubic
feet of space, where 1000 readers can be accom-
modated at one time in the midst of one of the
worlds greatest collections of books, pamphlets,
maps and so forth. Mr. SpOfford asked to be
relieved and made sort of librarian emer-
itus with John Russell Young librarian In
this position SpoffOrd continued to his death in
1908. Two years after his appointment Mr.. Young
died.
President Mckinley sought the best possible
talent which found in DR.. Herbert Putnam,
the librarian of the Boston Public library. Doctor
Putnam was the first specially trained librarian
to be selected and he at the request OF the Pres
ident accepted the position, although at a sub
stantial financial sacrifice With this appoint
ment Of Mr.. Putnam began the fourth stage of
the growth of the Congressional Library. The
last 20 years have witnessed the development of
this government institution into a genuine nation
al library His plan organizes the library centers
into one stupendOus library system, with Wash
ingtOn as the center a general clearing house
for library information throughout the nation. 1t
thus serves the general reader, who is not linn
tied to the authorities found in the Congressional
Library, enormous are the present sources,
numbering in the collection 2S31 1873 books and
pamphlets, 166,44S maps, S294O0 volumes and
pieces of music and the 4189T6 prints Through
the fnterlibrary arrangement he has access TO
the collection of about 5000 libraries scattered
throughout the nation. By international arrange
ment with some additional Inconvenience, he also
has access to some of the worlds greatest
Libraries outside OF the United States. This ar
rangement exists with 13S libraries. from "a
countries.
The Library is still third in dimension, but over
taking the first observation-disclosures Rationale and
British Museum. In point Of quality It cannot
overtake them, for they have material original In
form which it can never secure.
It gets and preserves many volumes not suit
able for local library. The result is to save
local libraries the expense Of getting and accom-