76 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



Librarian of Congress that all the Smithsonian books shall be placed together in this 

 stack and steps are being taken toward that end. The bill passed by Congress pro- 

 viding for the arrangement and organization of the Library in its new building, 

 however, made no provision, either for this work or for the care of the Smithsonian 

 stack, and it has resulted that all work in connection Avith this collection of books 

 must be done in the spare time of persons who already had other duties. While, 

 therefore, a great deal has been accomplished in a comparatively short space of 

 time, the Smithsonian deposit is as yet by no means in a satisfactory condition. 



secretary's library. 



The Secretary's library, a special collection of reference books for the use of the 

 Secretary, which may be, under certain restrictions, consulted by other persons, now 

 numbers about 600 volumes. These books are kept in the Secretary's office and in 

 rooms in close proximity to it. A new bookcase was assigned, thus rendering pos- 

 sible a better disposition of the books than heretofore. The increase of this collec- 

 tion was 42 volumes and 182 parts of periodicals. 



ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY. 



With the establishment of the Observatory in 1891 it was found necessary to pro- 

 vide a small collection of books for its use. In view of the crowded condition of the 

 Observatory and of the fact that its building was not fireproof, the Secretary desired 

 that as few books as possible be kept in the Observatory. A room was accordingly 

 assigned for this purpose on the third floor of the Smithsonian building, only a few 

 books and pamphlets being kept in the Observatory itself. The increase of this 

 library during the past year has been 30 volumes and 357 parts of periodicals. 



LIBRARY OF THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



A small collection of books relating principally to parks and zoological gardens 

 and other matters intimately associated with the work of the Park, are kept in a 

 room in the Holt House. In accordance with the Secretary's instructions, and with 

 the advice of the Superintendent of the Park, I shall endeavor in the course of next 

 year to enlarge this collection, more especially in books relating to parks, park 

 architecture, etc. It is only with great difficulty that sets of guides to zoological 

 gardens are obtained, as these publications are fleeting in their nature and not usu- 

 ally preserved. The Secretary, in connection with the repairs in the Holt House, 

 the office of the Zoological Park, has sanctioned improved facilities for the mainte- 

 nance of this collection of books. 



employees' library. 



There has been purchased a collection of about 400 books of literature, good fiction, 

 history, biography, and popular science, which together with the bound volumes of 

 popular periodicals and the current numbers form a circulating library for the 

 employees of the institution. The library is open to all employees of the institution 

 under the following regulations : 



1. All persons desiring to withdraw books must first file with the librarian a cer- 

 tificate of identity from the chief clerk of the Bureau or office in which they are 

 employed. 



2. The library will be open for the withdrawal and return of books from 12 m. to 

 1 p. m., and from 4 to 4.30 p. in. 



3. Books may be taken for the period of one week, with the privilege of one 

 renewal. 



4. The popular magazines on the table may be taken out at 4 o'clock p. m., to be 

 returned at y a. m. the following morning. 



