Apprnpix VI. 
REPORT ON THE LIBRARY. 
Simm: I have the honor to present the following report on the operations of 
the Library of the Smithsonian Institution for the fiscal year ending June 30, 
1911, which was prepared by Mr. Paul Brockett, assistant librarian, who had 
charge until June 1, 1911. 
The following improved methods and consolidation of work have been 
adopted during the past five years by the Library, in the interest of economy 
and efficiency : 
The catalogue has been modified so as to include the author and donor 
ecards and all previous records, thus making it necessary to consult only one 
file of cards for any information relating to the contents of the Library. The 
accession record is typewritten on sheets in accordance with the loose-leaf 
binding system, thus saving the time of copying titles by hand. The annuals 
have been transferred from the periodical record to the author catalogue, thus 
avoiding the making of two entries. 
A new system of filing letters in numbered folders, with a card index, has 
been introduced, making easily accessible the correspondence which, in con- 
junction with the author and donor catalogue, forms a permanent record of 
the exchanges for the Smithsonian publications. The old files are gradually 
being rearranged and incorporated with the new system. 
The lending of books in the reference room and periodical reading room has 
been placed in charge of one person, in connection with other duties. 
The titles of purchased books are now entered on cards which are filed 
alphabetically. These card entries take the place of entries on sheets in book - 
form, with card index. 
With a thoroughly modern equipment in the way of furniture and fixtures 
greater improvements could be made than is possible at present. 
Hztension of space occupied by library.—Tentative plans have been prepared 
and submitted for fireproof bookstacks and bookcases for the large hall on the 
main floor of the Smithsonian Building to contain the libraries of the Govern- 
ment bureaus under the Smithsonian Institution. More definite plans are now 
in preparation. 
International Congress of Archivists and Librarians and the International 
Congress of Bibliography and Documentation.—The Institution was represented 
by the assistant librarian, Mr. Paul Brockett, who presented a paper giving the 
views of the Smithsonian Institution in the matter of international exchange. 
At the same time he made observations on the methods and arrangement of 
HKuropean libraries. A separate report on this matter has been submitted by 
him. 
ACCESSIONS. 
° 
. 
For the Smithsonian deposit, Library of Congress, the accessions recorded 
numbered 3,186 volumes, 1,277 parts of volumes, 3,137 pamphlets, and 489 charts, 
making a total of 8,039 publications. The accession numbers run from 500,001 
to 504,149. 
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