96 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1913. 



AERONAUTICAL LIBRARY. 



The Institution possesses an excellent collection of literature relat- 

 ing to the subject of aeronautics, which is kept in the room last men- 

 tioned. This very valuable series of publications is rich in period- 

 icals, especially those of early date. During the year all the books 

 were reclassified and the volumes of periodicals were collated and 

 made ready for binding. 



ART ROOM AND EMPLOYEES' LIBRARY. 



No additions to the works on art contained in this room were made 

 during the year and the arrangement remained unchanged. All 

 works relating to other subjects than art have been eliminated, and 

 those properly belonging in the room are in good condition and 

 readily accessible. 



No changes were made in the small collection of general literature 

 known as the employees' library for the reasons mentioned in last 

 year's report. 



NEW STEEL BOOKSTACKS. 



The estimates for the fiscal year 1914 contained an item of $40,000 

 for the erection of metal bookstacks in the main hall of the Smith- 

 sonian building, to contain the library of the Bureau of American 

 Ethnology, a part of the National Museum library, together with 

 books belonging to other branches of the Institution, and certain 

 collections of Smithsonian books used by the scientific and adminis- 

 trative staff. Toward the close of the fiscal year covered by this 

 report Congress appropriated the sum of $15,000 for beginning this 

 work, and arrangements were immediately made to secure a design 

 for the bookstacks. In accordance with the plan proposed, a floor 

 space at each end of the hall measuring 50 feet by 26 feet will bo 

 devoted to the stacks, which will be arranged in three tiers and reach 

 from the floor to the ceiling. In order to increase the shelf capacity 

 and at the same time preserve the appearance of the hall, a series of 

 bookcases about 8 feet high will be carried along the north and south 

 walls, connecting with the stacks at each end. The object of this 

 arrangement is to concentrate the various collections of books as far 

 as practicable and at the same time to preserve the symmetry of the 

 hall, and to leave the central portion open for exhibits and for va- 

 rious Smithsonian gatherings. A portion of the space will probably 

 be needed for the preservation and display of the personal relics of 

 James Smithson and for objects illustrating the work of the several 

 branches of the Institution. 



