The Ijisfitittion mid the Library of Congress 827 



of providing for an overflow. All available space within the 

 library having been exhausted by the introduction of movable 

 cases of shelves, storage-rooms in the basement of the Capi- 

 tol were next availed of To add to the embarrassment, 

 although directly contributing to the enrichment of the 

 library, the copyright law was enacted in 1870, by which 

 all records of copyright were thenceforth to be concentrated 

 in the office of the Librarian of Congress, and two copies 

 of all publications under that law to be there deposited. This 

 provision has entailed an enormous increase of library ma- 

 terial, consisting not only of books and periodicals, but of a 

 great variety and quantity of maps and works of graphic art, 

 and musical compositions, occupying large space, and pouring 

 in year by year in a constantly increasing flood. Thus the 

 very means which most powerfully contributes to increase 

 the library also adds incalculably to the difficulties of its 

 accommodation and arrangement in the extremely narrow 

 space provided. The evils of overcrowding, and the hope- 

 lessness of any remedy within the walls of the Capitol, were 

 urged upon Congress year after year by the librarian, and by 

 enlicjhtened members of both Houses of Conorress. In his 

 annual report for 1877, iiistar omnium, this language was 

 used by the librarian : 



"While it may be said in extenuation that it is no function 

 of the Library of Congress to supply the public, whether 

 residents of Washington or the scholars of the countr)-, with 

 facilities for information, it cannot be forgotten that Congress 

 has itself invited such frequentation by the liberal policy of 

 accumulating a great library at the seat of government, and 

 throwing open its doors to all. It has also taken in charge 

 the rich scientific library of the Smithsonian Institution, as 

 a probably permanent deposit, with the contingent responsi- 

 bility of making its stores contribute to the diffusion of know- 

 ledge among men. And it would little comport with the 



