182 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1957 



LIBRARY 



The most important acquisitions to the Library this year were 2,137 

 books, pamphlets, periodicals, subscriptions, and photographs pur- 

 chased from private funds, and 53 books, pamphlets, and subscriptions 

 to periodicals purchased from Government funds made available for 

 this purpose. Gifts included 849 books and pamphlets; while 713 

 books, pamphlets, periodicals, and bulletins were received in exchange 

 from other institutions. More than 420 persons other than Gallery 

 staff spent time in the Library for study or research, and approxi- 

 mately 1,500 telephone reference requests were handled. 



The Library is the depository for photographs of works of art in 

 the collections of the National Gallery of Art. A stock of reproduc- 

 tions is maintained for use in research occupations by the curatorial 

 staff and other departments of the Gallery, for the dissemination of 

 knowledge to qualified sources ; for exchange with other institutions ; 

 for reproduction in scholarly works; and for sale at the request 

 of interested individuals. Approximately 5,000 photographs were 

 added to the Library's stock; 585 mail orders, and 500 direct sales 

 were handled ; and 300 permits to reproduce 680 subjects were proc- 

 essed in the Library. 



INDEX OF AMERICAN DESIGN 



The work of the Index continued as in previous years. The Curator 

 in charge of the Index continued to take part in the orientation pro- 

 gram for United States Information Agency personnel with thirteen 

 50-minute illustrated talks on the background and purpose of the 

 Index and on the folk arts and crafts in the United States. 



A new project of printed guide leaflets on the material in the Index 

 was started, as well as a project of 20 color-slide sets which were 

 placed on sale. 



The Index cooperated with the USIA in making these slide sets 

 available to their overseas personnel. Approximately 704 persons 

 studied the Index material for purposes of research or exhibition, to 

 gather material for publication and design, and to become familiar 

 with the Index. 



Twenty groups of color slides (801 in all) were lent in eight States 

 and India. Three exhibitions of Index material were held in the 

 National Gallery of Art, and 23 traveling exhibitions were circulated. 



MAINTENANCE OF THE BUILDING AND GROUNDS 



The Gallery building, its mechanical equipment, and its grounds 

 have been maintained at the established standard throughout the year ; 

 emphasis, however, has been given to reducing the water leaks which 

 are common to skylight roofs. 



