ARRANGEMENTS OF NEW READING-ROOM. 1 5 



' in its construction and appointments to all other buildings 

 ■ of the same class, have determined to afiford the readers 

 every possible facility in the prosecution of their various 

 inquiries. With this view they have selected one of the 

 superior officers of the Library, and placed the general 

 management of the Reading-room in his hands. This officer 

 is also charged with the special duty of assisting the 

 readers in their researches ; aud, from his central position 

 in the Reading-room, will be readily accessible to all, and 

 able to superintend the whole service. This gentleman, 

 possessing a large store of miscellaneous information, an 

 , extensive acquaintance with the languages and literature of 

 modern Europe, and an intimate knowledge of the contents 

 ! of the Library, is eminently qualified to discharge the duties 

 confided to him to the great advantage of the readers. It is 

 I anticipated that, by this arrangement, the Ti'ustees will meet a 

 j want which has been lon^: felt, and will infinitely increase the 

 utility of the National Library to all who desire to consult it. 



B indicates the catalogue-tables, which are arranged . 

 round the Superintendent's enclosure. In addition to the 

 ; catalogues, these tables will be furnished with printed 

 tickets, containing on one side the regulations to be ob- 

 served by the readers in applying for aud returning the 

 manuscripts and printed books they desire to use, and on 

 the other a form to be filled up with certain particulars 

 relating to the works they send for, 



C represents the tables. These are 35 in number ; eight 

 { are 34 feet long, and accommodate 16 readers, 8 on each 

 ! side ; nine are 30 feet long, and accommodate 14 readers, 



7 on each side ; two are 30 feet long, and accommodate 



8 readers each, viz. 7 on one side and 1 on the other ; these 

 two tables are set apart for the exclusive use of ladies ; 

 sixteen other tables are 6 feet long, and accommodate 2 

 readers each ; these have no divisions between them, and 

 are fitted up with rising desks of a large size for those 

 readers who may have occasion to consult works beyond 

 the usual dimensions. 



