Evening star., 1938-01-30
LIBRARY TOMOvE
-. H|SPAN|CD|v|S|ON
Anonymous Donation to Be
Used to Create Spacious
Hall on Second Floor.
By JAMES WALDO FAWCETT

BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.
Because of the generosity of a pri-
vate citizen. the Library of Congress
soon will have new home for it's
Hispanic Division. Money has been
provided by an anonymous friend to
create spacious hall in the south
east section of the second floor of
the main library building to house the
i extensive and valuable collection of
Z material on the history. literature,
art and general culture of the Span
ish and Portuguese speaking countries
already accumulated, and also to shell
ter the accessions anticipated in years
to come.
Paul Cret. designer of the PAN
! American Union. Folger Shakespeare
Library and Federal Reserve Build
. ings. has prepared the plans for the
: installation, and work will be started
this week, The task is to be super-
vised by David Lynn. architect of the
capitol, who will have the co-opera-
ton OF William c. Bond, superintend-
ent of the Library,
T FORMATION of this Hispanic Divi-
s1on," DR.. Herbert Putnam, librarian
OF Congress. explained yesterday. had
precedent in the special divisions Or
sanl2ed within recent years for the
care ana Servlclng Of the Semitic.
Slavic and Oriental collections, and
also In the establishment of special
/ divisions devoted to fine arts, music
and aeronautics.
: Keen Interest Evidenced.
For many years past the Library
mas been gradually accommodating
books, pamphlets and manuscript ma
] terlal on Spain and her former COL
: onles. the interest of which is en-
I hanced for Americans by reason of
: the important role played by Spain
!. IN the discovery, exploration and COL
! onlzation of large section of this
country stretching from Florida
across to California. The development
!. OF commercial and cultural relations
: between the United States and coun-
tiles TO the south, especially since
tne spanish War, added practical,
present-day factor, and the growth
OF thlS interest took a forward lean
|. when the World War INTERRUPTED
communication with Europe and
: thereby intensified intercourse with
Central and South America.
While the Library of Congress has
= been steadily acquiring the older
spanish and Portuguese works as
: FUNDS and opportunities have per-
mltted. its collection of modern pub
Acatlons IN those languages Jagged
somewhat until the fortunate estab.
Lshment in 1927. by the founder of
the Hlspanlc Society of America, of
the Archer M. Huntington Fund of
eloo,OO0. the income of which was
epeclncally earmarked for the pur-
chase OF recent publications in one or
+ the other of the Spanish and Portu-
! guese speaking countries or dealing
WIN thelr history, literature or art.
) Inc systematic expenditure of this
money mas resulted in the accumula-
ton at the Library of Congress of a
: collection of modern Hispanic litera-
ture which is perhaps unequaled any,
where in the world, another fund pro-
Vlolng Tor the advisory services of a
specialist in that field"
, Card Division Moved:
j Recognizing space in the main
! ouliong Tor the Hispanic division
; was made possible by removal of the
caro- division to temporary quarters.
preparatory to final installation in the
Library annex. now nearing compile
tlon. The space vacated will be COM
; pletely transformed. When finished, It
7 Will bear the semblance of a Spanish
) clolster OF the late Renaissance. Mr.
: Crets designs stipulate an interior of
: blue, yellow and white tile wainscoted
! walls, with five vaulted windows, and
!. opposite them an equal number of
! oiack walnut doors, leading to ada
4 cent bookstacks and surmounted hv
j typical 1berian balconies with IRON
! work rallings. The ceiling of the
mall reading room will be vaulted
! While the anteroom, which will con.
tam exhibition cases, will have 4
timbered ceiling.
one wall panel will bear the seal
|; OF the Hispanic Society of America,
with which the Library of Congress-
!. maintains cooperative relations. Other
!. mural spaces may be decorated by
! CUTS OF tapestries, etc.
The location of the new Hispanic
ahall is in close proximity to the rare
soook room. It is on the same floor
: with the fine arts and architecture
| division also.
Many Volumes Classified.
Between so and go thousand VOL
somes have been classified in the His
panic section and are being arranged
sunder the direction of DR.. David Rubio,
spanish consultant. and Cecil K. Jones
chief OF the classification division.
Especial catalogues and other reference
sIacilities will be made available to
students using the available mate
ytials.
2 DR.. Putnam did not disclose the
name OF the donor of the money re-
squlred for the execution of Mr. Cret,s
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