S. Mis. 53. 41 



remain as the best monument that can be reared to commemorate the 

 learning and taste as well as the liberality of their collectors. 



It is not the love of acquisition or pride of possession which h^-ids us 

 to desire such gifts. It certainly is not the wish to withdraw them 

 from other institutions. It is the belief that a large library of rclcrence 

 is likely to be formed here, and to be more generally useful here than 

 if placed in an}^ otlier city. There is no city in the Union more attract- 

 ive to men of science and letters than Washington. This is principally 

 owing to the fact that so manj^ of the most intellectual men of the nation 

 are gathered here, occup3'ing its high places of trust and honor, and 

 that here are discussed, by statesmen and orators, questions of deepest 

 interest to liberty and civilization. The attractiveness of Washington 

 is enhanced by its genial climate, which will undoubtedly render it 

 more and more a favorite resort. This Institution, from its location, 

 its connexion with the government, and its own organization and ope- 

 .lations, possesses opportunities for collecting certain classes of books, 

 which are of great importance in a library of reference, superior to 

 those of any other library except that of Congress. I refer to memoirs 

 and transactions of learned societies, publications of educational estab- 

 lishments, documents of the general and State governments, and of 

 foreign governments, besides many pamphlets and books, principally 

 of local character, published in all parts of the land. 



We do not suppose that here, or anywhere, for many years to come, 

 will be formed that complete treasury of the materials for literary 

 pursuits which is the beau-ideal of the bibliographer; but we may, 

 nevertheless, do all that we can (without prejudice to other interests) 

 in the direction of this desirable end. 



It is proper to remark, in this connexion, that the chief expense of a 

 library is not in the permanent custody of it when once rightly ordered. 

 It is in the care of accessions, and the establishment of them as 

 parts of the collection. Every book which comes into a library must 

 be subjected to the fbllowmg processes : It must be collated, to see that 

 it is perfect ; stamped, so that it can be identified; recorded in the book 

 wliich constitutes the inventory of property; located upon the shelf, 

 and have its location marked upon it; entered in the local catalogue, 

 which shows the books upon each shelf, and enables the librarian to dis- 

 cover the title of any one that may have occupied a spot now vacant. 

 It must also be catalogued and indexed: perhaps its receipt must be 

 acknowledged to the donor; and it may recjuire to be marked for bind- 

 ing. It is this work upon all accessions, which is repeated for every 

 pamphlet and every article — the work of organizing a library, to- 

 gether with that of selecting books and directing purchases — which 

 constitutes the appropriate work of the librarian. 



This work once well done, the library^ if it is to remain stationary, 

 may pass from the hands of the librarian or collector and organizer, to 

 those of the mere custodian or guard, wlto protects the books from 

 depredation and injury, and answers the calls of those who consult 

 them. These are inexpensive labors. One man of common intelligence 

 in a library thus perfectly organized, and receiving no accessions, 

 would be sufficient to take charge of a hundred thousand volunjcs or 

 more, and serve a large number of readers. 



