34 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



tical stereotypcrs pronounced the scheme impracticable. A new mode 

 of stereotyping, with a new material, had to be introduced, perfected, 

 ^nd applied lor the purpose. There is no art so difficult of improve- 

 ment as that of typography. These statements will indicate the me- 

 chanical difficulties which have been overcome. 



It is gratifying to be able to state that the new process of stereotyp- 

 ing which we have adopted for this purpose is likely t(j be introduced 

 into use on a large scale. The benefits which the Institution will thus 

 have conferred upon the most perfect and most important of the arts, 

 apart from the connexion of these improvements with the catalogue 

 system, will not be the least among its achievements, as the efforts by 

 which this end has been attained have not been the least of its labors. 



Impressed as I was with tlie importance of the subject, and confident 

 as I felt of its entire practicability in every particular, I was desirous 

 that it should be fully discussed by librarians and practical biblio- 

 graphers, as well as by printers, stereotypcrs, and experts in the typo- 

 graphical ait. The convention to which I have alluded afforded a rare 

 opportunity for this examination of our plans, and a fair and intelligent 

 estimate of their value. I introduced the subject and invited discus- 

 sion. It was manifest that those who were present had come together 

 having formed various opinions as to the practicability of the scheme, 

 though with but one sentiment as to its desirableness. The matter 

 was discussed a whole da\' with freedom, and with the manifest desire 

 to arrive at a just conclusion. I take great pleasure in quoting the fol- 

 lowing resolutions, which were unanimously adopted, as embodying 

 the results of the long, careful, and interested examination: 



" Resolved, That we have considered attentively the plan tor conslruct- 

 uig catalogues of libraries, and a general catalogue of the public libra- 

 ries of the United States, by means of separate stereotype titles, origi- 

 nated and prepared by Prof C. C. Jewett, and developed by him 

 while libraiian of the Smithsonian Institution. That we regard it as 

 an object of high importance to the interests of our public hbraries, and 

 to the promotion of learning, aritl worthy to share in the funds of the 

 Institution and the zealous exertions of its officers ; the more so as it is 

 an enterprise which cannot be successtuUy prosecuted, except under 

 the guidance, protection, and pecuniary support of this central estab- 

 lishment tor the increase and diffusion of knowledge. 



" Resolved, That we have learned with pleasure that Congress, on the 

 recommendation of the library committee, made an appropriation for 

 the practical testing of the plan in its application to the Library of Con- 

 gress, and that the work is now in successii^ progress. 



'■^Resolved, That, as practical librarians and bibliographers, we take 

 pride and satisfaction in the fact that a measure of so great ^literary 

 utility has received the prompt and efficient support of our national 

 legislature ; and we would express the earnest hope that this support 

 may be extended to it liberally, till its first great result in the complete 

 stereotyped catalogue of the Library of Congress shall be attained." 



We may reasonably congratulate oursehcs upon the complete suc- 

 cess of these plans up to the present point. They still need the foster- 

 ing care of this Institution. As soon as he catalogue of the Library of 



