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32 



mulation. They are additional objects of attention and they neither ex- 

 clude nor interfere with the principal object. During the first years of tli« 

 Library, while the money is wanting for extensive purchases, these plans 

 receive a larger relative share of attention than may permanently be given 

 t-o them ; though it is hoped that they wall actually continue to increase in 

 extent as in importance/' 



One of these means of usefulness, was the gathering of statistical and his- 

 torictil notices of public libraries in the United States. This occupied a 

 jjortion of my time during the year 1S49. The results of my labors were 

 preseijted in the appendix to my last report, wdiich has not yet been print- 

 ,ed. In establishing a central bibliographical bureau, it was of primary im- 

 portance to survey the field in order to learn the number, condition, and 

 prospects of existing libraries, and to establish with them, relations indis- 

 pensable to success in any general systenj of operations. 



GENERAIi CATALOGUE.. 



The formation of the General Catalogue of American Libraries has been 

 another prominent object of my attention,. As most of our public libraries 

 possess printed catalogues, it is possible to form one central catalogue, by 

 combining the titles of these, in one alphabetical arrangement. The value 

 of such a w^ork w'ould be, in a measure, limited to this spot. The 

 only w'ay in which it could be extended further, would be by correspon- 

 dence. Even thus limited, the scheme is very promising. It is manifest, 

 however, that its benefits would be vastly increased, if copies of the cata- 

 logue could be multiplied. The catalogues of the different libraries were, 

 however, constructed on plans so various, and in most cases, so faulty, that 

 it was unadvisable to print any catalogue formetl froni them. 



In order to realize irpm a general catalogue all of the vast advantages 

 which it seems to promise, it is necessary that the catalogues of all the 

 libraries of which it is composed, should be prepared with uniformity and 

 accuracy ; rind in order to secure the co-operation necessary to the con- 

 struction of catalogues in this manner, some plan must be devised, which 

 would not increase, but if possible, diminish the present cost to ea.ch library 

 of making and printing its catalogue. 



I had the honor, sometime since, to present, through yourself to 

 the Board of Regents, the outline of a plan which promises to secure these 

 ends and others of not less importance. Thi^ plan was referred to a com- 

 mission of librarians and literary men of the highest standing, for their 

 examination. , 



']'he favorable report of tlijs commission, after the laborious and consoi- 

 esntious attention which they gave the nv^tter, leads me to hope, that tli« 

 project will be carried in>mediately and vigorously jnto execution. 



It would not be possible fqr me, within the customary limits of a report 

 like this to present all the details of a scheine so extensive ; yet it is 

 proper that I should dwell s,omewhat at length upon the exigencies in 

 which it originated; its principal featuresl; its pra^cticability.-; and the 

 benefits which it promises tp our public libraries and to the cause of 

 knowledge. 



We can but glance at the nature and extent of the difficulties, w^hiph 

 have hitherto been encountered, in attempting to furnish suitable printed 

 (Catalogues of growing libraries, and which have led, or are leading, to 



