96 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1912. 



As the time for removing a portion of the library to the new 

 Museum building was approaching, and there seemed no possibility 

 of diverting the regular force to the task of putting the book- 

 stacks in order, the assistant secretary in charge of the Museum, at 

 my suggestion, employed three temporary assistants who overhauled 

 the entire contents of the stacks, thoroughly dusted the shelves and 

 books, gave particular attention to arranging the volumes of the 

 serials in exact order, and to restoring any books that were out of 

 place to their proper locations. At the same time the floors were 

 cleaned and painted to keep down dust, a few new lights were added 

 where needed, and various minor repairs were made to windows, 

 ventilators, etc. 



As a result of these activities, the Museum library at the close 

 of the year, though much crowded, presented a clean and orderly 

 appearance throughout, and everything was in train for the trans- 

 fer of a portion of the books to the new building without confusion 

 or serious interruption of the regular work. 



As will be learned from the report of the assistant secretary in 

 charge of the National Museum, a readjustment of exhibits, labora- 

 tories, offices, etc., follows from the completion of the new Museum 

 building, and it is the intention to rearrange the library to suit 

 these new conditions. It is proposed to assemble all books on 

 zoology, paleontology, geology, ethnology, and archeology in the 

 new building. Books on the arts and industries, technology, and 

 allied subjects will be assembled in the present library quarters in 

 the old building. Books on botany and those whose contents relate 

 to a number of different subjects will probably also remain for some 

 time in the present quarters, though, as already mentioned, it is 

 hoped that Congress will soon make provision for these and certain 

 Smithsonian books, together with the library of the Bureau of Eth- 

 nology, in the main hall of the Smithsonian building. 



At the request of the assistant secretary of the Museum, the assist- 

 ant librarian of the Institution and myself prepared definite plans 

 for the installation of the portion of the library already mentioned 

 in the new Museum building, in well-adapted rooms on the ground 

 floor at the northeast corner. Contracts were made for the metal 

 stacks and other fittings, in accordance with these plans, and at 

 the close of the year they were nearly ready for delivery. It is 

 expected that when this equipment is finished the Museum will have 

 a compact, economical, commodious, well-lighted, and well-arranged 

 library, installed in accordance with the latest and most improved 

 methods. 



Many important donations of books were received by this library 

 during the year, and the following officers and associates also pre- 

 sented publications: Dr. Charles D. Walcott, Dr. Theo. N. Gill, 



