SECRETARY’S REPORT 13 
tion is concerned. Among outstanding gifts was the library of the 
late Charles B. Chaney, of Laurel, Md., a collection of 1,510 publica- 
tions on the history of railroads. A number of rare, older books 
needed in connection with the Institution’s researches were purchased 
for the library. 
Volumes and pamphlets were cataloged to the number of 6,148, and 
35,357 cards were added to catalogs and shelflists, but the large back- 
log of cataloging remained untouched for lack of sufficient personnel 
to do the work. A total of 10,151 publications were borrowed for use 
outside the library, and the library staff answered more than 15,000 
reference questions. For use in aiding destroyed libraries overseas, 
36,701 pieces were selected from the Smithsonian library’s collection 
of duplicates. 
The total number of volumes in the library at the close of the year 
was 915,987, more than half of which are housed as the Smithsonian 
Deposit in the Library of Congress. 
Respectfully submitted. 
AxLExANDER Wetmore, Secretary. 
