REPORT OF THE SECRETARY lOl 



Observatory, 50. In addition, however, 241 volumes from several of 

 the libraries, especially that of Radiation and Organisms, were bound 

 by one of the W. P. A. assistants. 



NEEDS 



Nevertheless, the binding as a whole, already seriously in arrears, 

 fell much farther behind during the year. This is most regrettable, 

 as the plight of the thousands of volumes in question lessens the safety 

 and usability of the serial files. Steps should be taken immediately 

 to remedy this unfortunate condition. 



There is great need, too, of more shelf room for the collections, 

 particularly those in the natural history library of the National Mu- 

 seum. At least some temporary provision should be made without 

 further delay for relieving the congestion there, even if no permanent 

 means can be provided at present. 



Finally, the staff should be considerably enlarged. Six trained 

 assistants should be added to the regular force at the earliest possible 

 moment. They are an assistant librarian, a junior librarian, a library 

 assistant, a library aid, a messenger, and a typist. These are urgently 

 needed, that the collections, both main and sectional, may be made 

 more fully available and that the libraries of the Institution and its 

 bureaus may, in general, serve more worthily the high purpose to 

 which they are called. 



Respectfully submitted. 



William L. Corbin, Librarian. 



Dr. C. G. Abbot, 



Secretary, Smithsonian Institution. 



