Rare Books in Library 113 



THE LIBRARY* 



Ralph W. Tower, Curator 



An analysis of the work of the Department for the year just 

 closed shows that a report of material progress can be made. 

 It has long been our aim to be able to compare our methods 

 and practices with those of other libraries of similar character, 

 and to this end Miss Remmey spent a week at the John Crerar 

 Library of Chicago, whose officers extended every courtesy 

 possible, for which we express our highest appreciation. This 

 visit was most beneficial in that new ideas were obtained, and 

 most satisfactory in that many of the problems of the two 

 institutions have been solved in the same way. 



The Library has added some 2,830 volumes, which include 

 besides the new current works many of the old classics which 

 have been obtained from the various book centres of the world. 

 The desiderata in these old editions which patrons have re- 

 quested now number more than a thousand, which reflects the 

 use and value of these collections to the community. 



The special works purchased from the Anson W. Hard en- 

 dowment were 



t Jan, Georges & Sordelli, Ferdinand Iconographie 

 Generate des Ophidiens. Milan 1 860-1 881 



Monkhouse, Cosmo A History and Description of 

 Chinese Porcelain. London 1901 



While writing this report, Mr. Ogden Mills, who many times 

 in the past has enriched our Library, has authorized the pur- 

 chase of some rare ornithological works needed in our collec- 

 tion, A detailed account of this gift can only be given in the 

 next report. 



* Under the Department of Books and Publications. 



t This copy belonged to Sordelli, the collaborating artist. 



