Appendix 6. 

 REPORT ON THE LIBRARY. 



Sir : I have the honor to present the following report on the work 

 of the Library of the Smithsonian Institution during the fiscal year 

 ending June 30, 1912 : 



As no general account of the library has appeared in the publica- 

 tions of the Institution for the last 16 years, it seems desirable to 

 give a brief summary of its history in this place. 



The formation of a library was included among the objects of the 

 Institution in the act of Congress approved August 6, 1846, by which 

 it was established. The character of this library was specified in the 

 program of organization presented to the Board of Regents by Sec- 

 retary Henry on December 8, 1847, and approved by them, in the 

 following terms : 



To carry out the plan before described, a library will be required, first, of a 

 complete collection of the transactions and proceedings of all the learned socie- 

 ties in the world ; second, of the more important current periodical publications 

 and other works necessary in preparing the periodical reports. 



With reference to the collection of books other than those mentioned above, 

 catalogues of all the different libraries in the United States should be pro- 

 cured, in order that the valuable books first purchased may be such as are not 

 to be found in the United States. 



Also catalogues of memoirs, and of books in foreign libraries, and other 

 materials should be collected for rendering the Institution a ceuter of biblio- 

 graphical knowledge, whence the student may be directed to any work which he 

 may require. 



In 1847 Prof. Charles C. Jewett was appointed librarian, and after 

 some little delay began collecting books in accordance with the plan 

 just cited. As a result of his activities the Smithsonian Library in 

 1852 comprised 32,000 volumes. A portion of them was obtained by 

 purchase and others by the exchange of the publications of the 

 Institution for those of learned societies and similar organizations 

 in the United States and in Europe. 



The expense of maintaining the library soon became a serious 

 drain on the limited resources of the Institution, and in 1864 the 

 Board of Regents, on the recommendation of Secretary Henry, re- 

 quested Congress to authorize its deposit in the Library of Congress. 

 An act to this eifect was passed in 1866, and, in accordance with its 

 provisions, the Smithsonian library was transferred the same year to 

 the. new fireproof rooms in the Capitol which had been prepared at 



