Report on the Library 



Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report on the activi- 

 ties of the Smithsonian library for the fiscal year ended June 30, 

 1960: 



The library received 72,396 publications during the year, an increase 

 of 19,727 over the preceding year. They came chiefly by exchange 

 from scientific and learned societies located all over the world and 

 written in many languages. These publications are mostly journals 

 in the subject fields of interest to the Institution. New exchanges ar- 

 ranged totaled 168, w^hile special requests for back issues of periodicals 

 numbered 2,363. Purchased publications included 2,750 books and 

 journals which could not be obtained in exchange. 



The George H. Clark collection of manuscripts and materials on 

 the history of radio and electronics was tlie largest single gift re- 

 ceived. The transfer of this collection from the Massachusetts Insti- 

 tute of Technology Library was effected by Haraden Pratt of the 

 Institute of Radio Engineers. This gift will be of great value in 

 connection with the Smithsonian's large collection of objects in this 

 field. Other gifts included books and journals from the American 

 Nature Association ; 356 items on paleontology from Mrs. J. B. Knight 

 of Alexandria, Va. ; another valuable collection of materials on me- 

 chanical engineering from Mrs. Carolyn H. Edwards of Glen Echo, 

 Md. ; and from the American Association for the Advancement of 

 Science came a large donation of current periodicals. Tliese gifts by 

 generous donors are gratefully acknowledged. In many instances 

 they provide difficult-to-locate source materials. 



The original copper plates of the Wilkes Expedition Reports were 

 transferred to the Smithsonian from the Library of CongTess. Many 

 of these are believed to be unpublished heretofore and will prove of 

 valuable reference use. Even though written and published over a 

 hundred years ago, these reports continue to be constantlj' requested. 



To the Library of Congress were sent, by transfer, 26,052 publica- 

 tions, many of which were serials and monographs received in ex- 

 change; to the National Library of Medicine were sent 1,538 publica- 

 tions; and 516 publications were sent to other Government agencies. 



The catalog section cataloged and classified 7,085 books and pam- 

 phlets, entered 25,982 periodicals, and filed 33,818 catalog cards. To 

 be an effective key to the library's resources, the card catalog must be 



679421—61 16 199 



