APPENDIX 9 

 REPORT ON THE LIBRARY 



Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report on the 

 activities of the library of the Smithsonian Institution for the fiscal 

 year ended June 30, 1923. 



Much has been accomplished, it is felt, toward better library serv- 

 ice. Principal original articles, appearing in scientific and technical 

 periodicals received for the Smithsonian deposit, have been brought 

 to the attention of members of the staff, through the continued 

 preparation of a daily list, circulated among heads of scientific bu- 

 reaus under the Smithsonian Institution. Books in the employees' 

 library have been rendered more accessible by their transfer to the 

 present quarters. Better protection has been provided for the older 

 accession books and other records by their removal to darker and less 

 frequented quarters, and congestion has thus been relieved in the 

 receiving room and in the filing cases. The number of publications 

 loaned during the year reached a total of 12,076, and fully as many 

 were consulted without being taken out. 



Many rare volumes that otherwise would have required purchase 

 at great expense have been received in exchange or by gift. Back 

 numbers of publications required to complete sets have been re- 

 quested in exchange from societies and organizations abroad, and 

 many have generously responded during the year by presenting 

 valuable material, hitherto not available in American libraries. Spe- 

 cial attention has been given to the transmittal of Smithsonian pub- 

 lications in exchange. 



FOREIGN PERIODICALS 



A classified list has been prepared during the year of foreign 

 periodicals, exclusive of annuals and irregular serials, and the fol- 

 lowing table of subjects and languages is submitted : 



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