LIBRARY. 397 



A large number of current catalogues and a few old ones were 

 added to the special collection of horticultural trade catalogues. 

 A careful count of the collection which was made during the past 

 year showed that it now contains 18,894 catalogues from the United 

 States and 4,031 foreign catalogues, making a total of 22,925. 



CATALOGUING. • 



The total number of books and pamphlets fully catalogued during 

 the year was 10,670. In addition, author cards were made for 229 

 pamphlets of less importance and for 2,745 "reprints." The number 

 of uncatalogued books, pamphlets, and maps- at the end of the year 

 was 3,313. The number of cards prepared for printing by the 

 Library of Congress in the ''Agr." series was 1,155, of which 369 

 were for publications of the department and 786 for accessions to 

 the librar}-. There were added to the main dictionary cata- 

 logue 17,148 cards and 1,739 were withdrawn, making a net addition 

 of 15,409. The main catalogue now contains approximately 465,000 

 cards. 



USE OF THE LIBRARY. 



The circulation of books was 85,683. The number of periodicals 

 currently circulated was approximately 176,030, making the total 

 recorded circulation 261,713. This indicates only in part the use of 

 the library, as no record is kept of the reference use of the library. 

 Furthermore, statistics of circulation are not kept in all the branch 

 libraries. The number of interlibrar}^ loans to libraries out of the 

 city was 1,148. The number borrowed by this library from other 

 libraries in Washington was 4,028 and from libraries outside of the 

 city 69. 



During the month of March the experiment was tried of keeping 

 the "library open each week from Monday to Friday until 6 p. m., 

 instead of closing at the regular closing hour for Government offices, 

 4.30 p. m. The advantage taken of the privilege by department 

 workers did not, however, seem to justify the continuance of the 

 experiment. Possibly during the winter months the privilege would 

 have been more appreciated. 



BUREAU AND DIVISION LIBRARIES. 



In the following table are enumerated the various branch libraries 

 in the bureaus and divisions. The statistics, summaries, and ex- 

 tracts which are given in regard to the various libraries are taken 

 from the reports oi the librarians. It is regretted that it is impossible, 

 because of lack of space, to give these reports in full. An account of 

 the bibliographical work of the various libraries is given under the 

 heading "Bibliography." Statistics of circulation are included in 

 the table "Combined statistics of circulation" in Appendix 1, on 

 page 12. 



