THE LIBRARY. 669 



matter to be left to chance, and the Library has felt the need of a 

 definite arrangement, such as is contained in the above order. It will 

 better enable the Library to keep its files of exchanges complete, and 

 will also be advantageous in enabling the Library to give information 

 in regard to the publications received in the department. 



BUREAU, DIVISION, AND OFFICE LIBRARIES. 



This is the first report of the department Library to have incor- 

 porated with it the reports of the libraries of the various bureaus,^ 

 divisions, and offices of the department. (See Appendix 1.) In the 

 case of some of the bureaus the reports on the work of the libraries 

 have in the past been included in the printed reports of the bureaus, 

 while in the case of others only typew^ritten reports have been pre- 

 pared. It seemed advisable this year to publish the reports as a part 

 of the Report of the department Library, as it was hoped that the 

 information thus brought together would better enable the officials 

 and scientists of the department to understand the problems con- 

 nected with the administration of tlie Library, and to cooperate with 

 the Library in solving them. 



No separate reports on the library work of the Bureau of Animal 

 Industry, the Bureau of Soils, and the Bureau of Biological Survey 

 have been included. The Bureaus of Animal Industry and Soils 

 are in the same building with the main Library, and therefore main- 

 tain no separate libraries. 



During the past year there was deposited in the Office of the Solic- 

 itor a large number of the State session laws which had previously 

 been filed in the main Library. About two-thirds of the law books 

 belonging to the department Library are now filed in the Office of the 

 Solicitor, in a room set aside for library purposes. It is estimated 

 that the collection comprises approximately 800 volumes. 



In connection with the following reports some general statements 

 should be made. About one-third of the books belonging to the 

 department Library are deposited in the bureau, division, and office 

 libraries. Several of these libraries have accumulated, in addition, 

 through gift and exchange, a considerable number of publications, 

 for the most part Government and State publications duplicated in 

 the main Library, which have not been considered a part of the de- 

 partment Library's collections. One of the questions to decide in 

 this connection has been how far it is desirable for the bureaus to 

 accumulate duplicates of such material, even though they may be 

 obtained free. 



The purchase of books and periodicals by the department for use 

 :n Washington is confined to the Library ,2 with the exception of the 

 law books purchased by the Forest Service.^ The other bureaus, divi- 

 sions, and offices have no funds available for the purchase of books 

 and periodicals for use in Washington, but they are permitted to 

 purchase them for the use of their laboratories and offices located 

 outside of Washington. The work in connection with the purchase 

 of books for field * use is in most bureaus attended to by the libraries 

 of the bureaus, as will be noted from the accompanying reports. 



* The report of the Weather Bureau Library is included in the Report of the Weather 

 Bureau. 



- For tho law srovprninK the purchase of books and periodicals bv tlie dfpartment see 

 United States Statutes at Large, vol. 30, p. 31G. 



3 The appropriation for tlie Forest Service includes $500 for the purchase of law books. 



* Use outside of WashiUL'ton. 



