REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 115 



OFFICE LIBRARY. 



The growth and increasing value of the office library is perhaps 

 not fully realized. The total number of its accessions as reached 

 this year now numbers 27,100, of which 394 volumes were added 

 during the year. It consists of the following collections: Aero- 

 nautical, art room, De Peyster, deposited collections, employees' 

 library, periodicals (back numbers), reading room, reference room. 



The aeronautical collection, founded by Samuel Pierpont Langley 

 while Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, has been since 

 augmented by gifts from Alexander Graham Bell, James Means, 

 Charles D. Walcott, the Aero Club of America, and other indi- 

 viduals and organizations that have had an important part in the 

 development of aeronautics during its pioneer stage. During the 

 present year some 45 volumes were added from the estate of James 

 Means, by gift of his sons Dr. James H. Means and Philip Ains- 

 worth Means. 



By the transfer of the employees' library to the east stacks in 

 the main hall of the Smithsonian building, it has been rendered more 

 readily accessible to employees, and additional space for its ex- 

 pansion has been provided. The collection of back numbers of 

 periodicals has been moved to the west stacks. 



While the office library is primarily a reference library and books 

 are more often consulted than borrowed, many of the volumes are 

 available for loan purposes, and many employees of the Institution 

 avail themselves of its privileges. The total number of loans for 

 the year was 3,330. 



ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY LIBRARY. 



Loans from the Astrophysical Observatory Library are made 

 through the office library, and are included in the records of loans 

 from that library. During the year 79 volumes, 26 parts, and 40 

 pamphlets were added, and 53 volumes sent to the bindery. The 

 library is primarily a reference library for the use of the staff of 

 the Astrophysical Observatory. 



BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY LIBRARY. 



The report of operations of the library of the Bureau of Ethnologj- 

 will be found in the report of the chief of that bureau. It is admin- 

 istered directly under his care. 



UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM LIBRARY. 



The facilities of the Museum Library have been taxed as never 

 before. The number of books loaned was 10,886, and as many more 

 were consulted without being taken from the library. 



