2S EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



difficulty of procuring them through the ordinary channels of the book 

 trade. 



It is much to be regretted that no measures have yet been taken for 

 the better regulation of the copyright deposit. I have repeatedly called 

 attention to the subject, and in my last two reports have expressed, at 

 considerable length, views which I hoped might lead to a revision of 

 the law. The interest of this Institution, of publishers, and of the lit- 

 erary public, require further legislation on this subject, and substantially 

 such, it is believed, as was recommended in the reports alluded to. 



Much inconvenience has been experienced from the delay in finishing 

 the central building. The books stand in double rows on most of the 

 shelves in the room where they are at present placed. Some of them 

 have been injured, too, by exposure to dampness. It is impossible 

 with the means provided to warm the room, and all who have been 

 engaged in the library have suffered severely from colds contracted 

 while working in it. It has been found necessary to remove many 

 pamphlets and papers to the basement, where they are subject to injury, 

 and where it is difficult to consult them. The labors of the library are 

 doubled by the want of proper accommodations. On these accounts, 

 it is much to be desired that the main library should be finished at as 

 early a day as possible, in order that the books may be removed to a 

 permanent, safe, and convenient lodgment. 



Applications have been made to me during the year for the opening 

 of the library in the evening, and some remarks on the subject have 

 appeared in the newspapers. It was impossible to comply with these 

 suggestions without emplo} T ing an additional attendant. The present 

 attendant is required to be on duty from daylight in the morning till 

 five o'clock in the afternoon. It would be unjust to require services of 

 him in the evening. Besides, no arrangements have been made for 

 lighting the reading-room, nor can they well be made till the building 

 is finished. It has seemed necessary, therefore, to postpone for the 

 present the further consideration of the subject; which I do with the 

 hope that it may hereafter be found practicable to extend the time for 

 consulting the library, if desired by any considerable number of persons. 



Another topic connected with the library to which I wish to direct 

 the attention of the Board of Regents, is the framing of a set of by- 

 laws and regulations for the management of the library and the use of 

 the books. I would also suggest the appointment of a standing com- 

 mittee upon the library. Such a committee becomes the more neces- 

 san r as the library becomes of more importance, both from its extent and 

 the character of its books, and as the time is near at hand for the comple- 

 tion of the building, and the permanent arrangement of the collection. 



The reading-room has continued to be a place of great resort for 

 citizens and strangers. The list of periodicals is extensive, and com- 

 prises many of the best scientific and literary journals of this country 

 and of Europe. 



It is proper for me here to call attention to the desirableness of com- 

 pleting the series of periodicals and of transactions and journals of 

 learned societies. But very few of our sets are complete. Inquiries 

 are daily made for back numbers which are wanting. As it is prob- 

 able that we have received all, or nearly all, of the earlier publications 



