REPOET OF THE SECRETARl^ 115 



tion available for semipermanent deposit with colleges, universities, 

 and museums; and responding to many requests involving reference 

 work for various Government departments and for institutions and 

 individuals the country over. 



Furthermore, the librarian made an extensiA^e survey of the con- 

 dition of the library and submitted a detailed report of its needs to 

 the secretary. This survey revealed many problems pressing for 

 solution, problems that can be solved only by a liberal increase, 

 over a term of years, of the funds appropriated for library purposes. 

 These increased funds should be at hand at the earliest possible 

 moment, to the end that more than 8,000 volumes may be bound; 

 that more than 30,000 books and pamphlets, including several almost 

 priceless collections, may be accessioned and catalogued ; that a dic- 

 tionary catalogue of the entire library (including the sectional 

 libraries), except, of course, the Smithsonian deposit, may be made; 

 and that other urgent pieces of work connected wdth the reorgani- 

 zation and development of the library may be done — in a word, that 

 the rich collections of the library may, by a more complete applica- 

 tion of modern methods, be made available Avithout undue delay to 

 scientific Avorkers, both in Washington and elsewhere. Then and 

 then only will the library be ready to do its full part toward the 

 increase and diffusion of loiOAvledge among men. 



Respectfully submitted. 



WlLLIA3I L. CORBIN, 



Librarian. 

 Dr. Charles D. Walcoit, 



Secretary. Smithsonian Institution,. 



