S. Mis. 53. SO 



2. To reduce the number of copies required for deposit from three to 

 one. 



3. To require the deposit of one copy, at the risk and expense of the 

 proprietor of the copyriL!;ht, within a reasonable time after pubhcation. 



4. To require a small fee from the proprietor, sufficient to defray" 

 the expense of furnishing certificates, keeping records, and preserving 

 the books. This fee might be made considerably less than that now 

 required of publishers, and still meet all these purposes. 



Thus the trouble and expense to publishers would be greatly dimin- 

 ished, without devolving any burden either upon government, or the 

 Institution receiving the deposits. 



The deposit in the library of this Institution might be made of great 

 incidental benefit to pubhshers and authors. 



It has been proposed to issue a monthly bulletin, to contain the list of 

 all books deposited during the preceding month. This work might, 

 under the operation of such a law as proposed, be commenced immedi- 

 ately. It would be widely circulated in this countr}^ and among read- 

 ing and studious men in all parts of the world. Publishers would 

 generally be willing to pay a large price for such a medium of adver- 

 tising. But, in the case supposed, the advertisement would be inci- 

 dental to the deposit, and would cost them nothing. By our system of 

 stereotyping the titles separately, they would not only fill their place in 

 the bulletin, but would serve for the catalogue of our own library, and 

 of every other possessing the books and receiving from us its printed 

 catalogue. 



Various attempts have been made to make complete lists of American 

 publications; but akhough some have been quite full, none have ever 

 been complete. The best is that of Mr. Norton, in the Literary Gazette. 



It would be matter of surprise to many, and of patriotic pride to all, 

 to know the interest with which this list is received in Europe. But a 

 few years have elapsed since an English review arrogantly asked, "In 

 the four quarters of the world, who reads an American book?" It 

 twould not now be more arrogant in us to demand. What citizen of the 

 great republic of letters does not read American books ? 



On tire presentation of my last report, I hoped that it would be 

 printed and distributed early in the year am.ong publishers and authors, 

 that we might be able ere this time to ascertain fully their views on the 

 subject. They are more immediatelv interested in the matter, and 

 nothing should be done which would be unsatisfactory to them. 



There is in this connexion another idea, which long ago occurred to 

 me, but which I have not ventured to suggest openly, lest it should 

 seem extravagant, and because I could see no immediate means for 

 accomplishing the object; I mean an international cop^-right exchange. 



]f, for example, a duplicate collection of all works for which copy- 

 rights are secured in this country could be made, it might be offered to 

 England in exchange for a like collection of its own publications; and 

 this exchange, if prosperous between two countries, might be extended 

 to all the principal nations of the book-making world. I do not propose 

 an}' plan for effecting this end, nor do 1 know that it could ever be 

 realized ; but in view of what has been done by this Institution during 

 the last year in the way of literary exchanges, such an idea is not 



