Appendix VI. 



REPORT ON THE LIBRARY. 



Sir : I have the honor to present the following report on the operations of 

 the Library of the Smithsonian Institution for the fiscal year ending June 30, 

 1911, which was prepared by Mr. Paul Brockett, assistant librarian, who had 

 charge until June 1, 1911. 



The following improved methods and consolidation of work have been 

 adopted during the past five years by the Library, in the interest of economy 

 and efficiency: 



The catalogue has been modified so as to include the author and donor 

 cards and all previous records, thus making it necessary to consult only one 

 file of cards for any information relating to the contents of the Library. The 

 accession record is typewritten on sheets in accordance with the loose-leaf 

 binding system, thus saving the time of copying titles by hand. The annuals 

 have beeu transferred from the periodical record to the author catalogue, thus 

 avoiding the making of two entries. 



A new system of filing letters in numbered folders, with a card index, has 

 been introduced, making easily accessible the correspondence which, in con- 

 junction with the author and donor catalogue, forms a permanent record of 

 the exchanges for the Smithsonian publications. The old files are gradually 

 being rearranged and incorporated with the new system. 



The lending of books in the reference room and periodical reading room has 

 been placed in charge of one person, in connection with other duties. 



The titles of purchased books are now entered on cards which are filed 

 alphabetically. These card entries take the place of entries on sheets in book 

 form, with card index. 



With a thoroughly modern equipment in the way of furniture and fixtures 

 greater improvements could be made than is possible at present. 



Extension of space occupied by library. — Tentative plans have been prepared 

 and submitted for fireproof bookstacks and bookcases for the large hall on the 

 main floor of the Smithsonian Building to contain the libraries of the Govern- 

 ment bureaus under tbe Smithsonian Institution. More definite plans are now 

 in preparation. 



International Congress of Archivists and Librarians and the International 

 Congress of Bibliography and Documentation. — The Institution was represented 

 by the assistant librarian, Mr. Paul Brockett, who presented a paper giving the 

 views of the Smithsonian Institution in the matter of international exchange. 

 At the same time be made observations on the methods and arrangement of 

 European libraries. A separate report on this matter has been submitted by 

 him. 



ACCESSIONS. 



For the Smithsonian deposit, Library of Congress, the accessions recorded 

 numbered 3,136 volumes, 1,277 parts of volumes, 3,137 pamphlets, and 489 charts, 

 making a total of S.039 publications. The accession numbers run from 500,001 

 to 504,149. 

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