16 



HEPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1885. 



The number of persons entitled to the privileges of the library is 

 eighty. 



The card-catalogue by authors has been materially augmented dur- 

 ing this period. The following will show the number of books and 

 pamphlets catalogued during each month : 



Months. 



Books. 



Pamphlets. 



Total. 





90 

 133 



58 

 36 



137 

 226 



129 

 298 



227 



February i 



399 



March j "" 



&nl\ 



187 



May 5 



334 







Total 



317 



790 



1,147 







Probably the most important feature in the operations of the library 

 during this period has been the transfer of the Smithsonian accounts 

 with the Library of Congress to the Museum library. This change ne- 

 cessitates a different system of record from that previously used in 

 withdrawing books from the Congressional Library, and the call -cards 

 adopted were used indiscriminately for both libraries. It has been 

 found necessary to carefully examine the entire account with the Library 

 of Congress since 1877, a large number of books having been detained 

 by borrowers for many years ; and the work of comparing the records 

 of the sectional libraries will occupy several months. 



About one hundred books of a more or less popular nature, such as 

 works of travel, narratives of scientific expeditions, &c, have been set 

 apart for the use of messengers, clerks, and others debarred by the reg- 

 ulations from drawing books from the library proper. These books are 

 in constant demand, and if popular works of travel and biography 

 could occasionally be added to the library, its utility would be greatly 

 increased. 



The sectional libraries are in good condition. They are sixteen in 

 number, and contain the larger part of the most important monographic 

 and specific works belonging to the library. The system of their admin- 

 istration, described in a previous report, has proved very satisfactory. 



In March Mr. H. W. Spofford was appointed assistant librarian. 



Recommendations. 



Since the usefulness of the library is each year increasing, and since 

 it is especially deficient in the latest editions of reference books, which 

 are continually called for, it is suggested that this branch of the library 

 should first receive attention. It is evident that if the growing im- 

 portance of the library is to be maintained, a small fund should soon 

 be provided for the purchase of works absolutely essential. 



The librarian calls attention to the crowded state of the library. On 

 the first floor, where the beneficiaries of the library consult the books. 



