398 NINTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



•of Tehuantepec; State of Mexico, of the Lakes, Valley, Tenango, 

 Queretaro. The Huasteca, San Luis, routes through the Sierra Madre 

 east and north, valley of Vernallo, Mateuala to the north and east, &c., 

 ,&c., 16 MSS. 



Topography in detail, of the country lying between San Luis and 

 San Fernando, Gulf coast, &c., &c., 6 MSS. 



CIRCULAR. 

 [See page 23 of this report.] 



Smithsonian Institution, 



Washington, March 22, 1855. 



Nearly five years have elapsed since the publication of a report on 

 the Public Libraries in the United States by the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion. This report contained all the information respecting American 

 Libraries which could be collected at that time ; but great changes 

 have taken place in the Libraries then in existence, numerous others 

 have since been established, and a new and enlarged edition of the 

 work, it is believed, will supply a want much felt. " The following 

 -circular has therefore been prepared lor the purpose of collecting in- 

 formation relative to Libraries, and it is particularly desired that the 

 ansv/ers be transmitted without delay to this Institution. As some of 

 the questions may relate to points which have not heretofore received 

 your attention, it is suggested that the replies be now forwarded to 

 those only which can be answered at once, and that the other blanks 

 .be filled up and returned, when the materials can be collected. 



It is a part of the original plan of the Smithsonian Institution to 

 render it a centre of bibliographical knowledge, and for this purpose it 

 is deemed highly desirable to collect cataloges of all the libraries in 

 the country. The student can then learn where to find any particular 

 book by addressing the Smithsonian Institution. 



It is suggested that catalogues of all hbraries be printed, in order 

 tthat they may be rendered more generally useful, and it is earnestly 

 .requested that copies of these be sent to the Smithsonian Institution. 



A duphcate circular is enclosed, which you are requested to fill up 

 ,at the end of the present year. 



A copy of the Report will be sent to every Library in the United 

 ;Statcs, and another also to the individual furnishing information. 



JOSEPH HENRY, 

 Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 



SMITHSONIAN REPORT ON PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE UNITED STATES. 



Please return this yaper ivith the answers to the Smithsonian Institution, 



Washington, D. C 



1. Name of Library. 



2. Locality. 



3. Name and address of the Librarian? 



4. Officers employed, and their salaries'? 



5. When founded, and by whom. 



6. How supported and governed. 



