pare them so easily and correctly as the writers A GREAT PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR NEW themselves. A central office with this function would readily secure the co-operation of libraries and learned societies throughout the world; and to an undertaking thus endorsed the publishers of scientific literature would doubtless lend their aid, since they would find in it a means of advertising their business. The support of such an office could be provided for at the outset by international subscription; but it would doubtless in a short time become self-supporting, since portions of the total catalog would be needed not only in every public library, but on the study table of every serious student in every depart ment of science. The above report is submitted, not as an elaborated plan, but as a suggestion of the end to which effort should be directed. Your committee would further express the hope that some plan may be put into operation at an earlier date than the year 1900, the time suggested in the circular of the Royal Society. In accordance with the views above set forth, the committee respectfully recommends the adoption by the University council of the following votes: I. That, in the opinion of the University council, the establishment of a catalog of scientific literature, to be maintained through international co-operation, is both desirable and practicable. 2. That a copy of this report be transmitted to the Royal Society as the suggestion of a way in which this plan may be successfully carried out. 3. That the corporation be requested to contribute a suitable sum towards the carrying out of this enterprise, provided the plan finally adopted by the Royal Society shall appear to the University council to be practicable. HENRY P. BOWDITCH, Professor of Physiology, Chairman. FREDERICK W. PUTNAM, Peabody Professor of American Archæology and Ethnology. NATHANIEL S. SHALER, Professor of Geology. EDWARD C. PICKERING, Paine Professor of Practical Astronomy. JOHN TROWBRIDGE, Rumford Professor and Lecturer on the Application of Science to the Useful Arts. WILLIAM G. FARLOW, Professor of Cryptogamic Botany. HENRY B. HILL, Professor of Chemistry. Edward L. MARK, Hersey Professor of Anat omy. YORK CITY, ONE of the most important steps in library matters ever taken in this country was taken in New York City on Washington's Birthday, when a joint committee, representing the Tilden Trust Fund, the Astor Library, and the Lenox Library, agreed upon a plan for the consolidation of those three libraries into one great institution, the new library to be known as "The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox, and Tilden Foundations.". On March 6 the trustees of the Tilden Fund voted unanimously in favor of the plan; the trustees of the Lenox Library have also acted favorably on the suggestion of the joint committee, and there seems little doubt that the assent of the trustees of the Astor Library will be soon obtained. Such a consolidation as is now planned was first considered possible some ten months ago, and was, it is thought, an outgrowth of the previous suggestion of consolidating the Tilden Fund with Columbia College Library. The difficulty of such a plan was that it would not have met the wishes of Samuel J. Tilden, whose main idea was that the library should be essentially a public one. This matter was considered for some time, but was finally dropped, and, some months later, the project of making a final disposition of the Tilden Trust Fund by a consolidation with the Astor Library was placed beyond informal discussion by the appointment of a committee by the Trust Fund trustees. William Waldorf Astor and other representatives of the Astor family were at once interested in the plan, and gave it their cordial support. Later, the scope of the scheme was enlarged by submitting it to the trustees of the Lenox Library. The result was the appointment of the following committees to consider consolidation two months ago: Astor Library - Dr. Thomas M. Markoe, Edward King, president of the Union John L. Cadwalader. Lenox Library - John Trust Company and treasurer of the library, and S. Kennedy, president of the board of trustees; George L. Rives and Alexander Maitland. Tilden Trust Fund - Andrew H. Green, Alexander E. Orr, and Levin Cass Ledyard. The Astor Library committee men represented II trustees, those of the Lenox Library 16, and those of the Tilden Trust Fund five. Frequent the result that on February 22 a plan was deand fully attended meetings were held, with cided upon by which a board of trustees consistinterests represented, are to have absolute coning of 21 members, seven from each of the three trol of all the property and revenues from endowments and other sources of the three libraries, subject only to such legal conditions as surround certain bequests which have been made to the libraries. The proceedings of the committee were not for, as early as 1891, Andrew H. Green foresaw embarrassed by questions of legislative action, what might be the ultimate disposition of the Tilden Trust Fund, and prepared for the Legis lature the measure now known as Chapter 541 of the laws of 1892, entitled "An act to permit the consolidation of library companies in the city of New York," which became a law on May 13, 1892. This law authorizes the consolidation of any library corporation or corporations with any other similar corporation, under terms and conditions prescribed by the trustees of the several corporations. It also provides fully for the merging of the former corporation into the new organization and for the untrammelled administration of the consolidated library. THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE EARLY in November, 1894, the new quarters of the Massachusetts State Library, in the extension to the state-house, were completed. On Nov. 17 the work of removal was begun, and the collection was transferred from the rooms above Doric Hall, where it had been for 40 years past. The new quarters are on the third floor at the north end of the annex, and consist of five rooms- - the main room, devoted to the public and the staff, two stack-rooms, a receivThe consolidation of the Astor, Lenox, and Til-ing-room and the librarian's office. The rooms den libraries will give to New York City a great library organization, comprising a collection of more than 450,000 bound volumes, an immense number of rare and valuable pamphlets, and including property and endowments amounting to more than $8,000,000. Of this total, about $2,000,000 will be from the Astor Library, about $4,000,000 from the Lenox Library, and $2,000,000 from the Tilden trust, the latter not including Mr. Tilden's valuable private library. All these properties, under the scheme of consolidation, are to be thrown together in a common fund, passing absolutely out of the hands of the present directors of them, and subject in future only to the control of the new consolidated board of 21 members. Detailed plans for the development of this great library corporation are not yet definitely settled. One point, however, is unanimously conceded, and that is that the library must possess a circulating department. Much attention was given to this part of the plan, because it was regarded as embodying the chief spirit of the wishes and intentions of Samuel J. Tilden. With the view of perfecting the circulating system, the subject was discussed with the management of the New York Free Circulating Library, which, it is believed, will only be too glad to be under the paternal wing of the consolidated library, while it is possible that in course of time even the Mercantile Library may be absorbed. The question of location is also an important one, as yet undecided. Andrew H. Green, when interviewed on the subject, said: "I think it probable that the library will be temporarily located in the present home of the Lenox Library, at 71st street and Fifth avenue. That seems to me to be the most desirable arrangement for the present. In the future, when all the other details have been attended to, the question of providing the library with new and appropriate quarters can be taken up and discussed with that deliberation so important a question demands." Some of the advantages of the Lenox Library site are that the library owns the entire block on which it stands, that it can be built against on three sides, and that the present building is so well constructed that three or four stories could be added to it. It is believed that definite and favorable action on the part of the trustees of the Astor Library will be taken early in March, and that the preliminary work of consolidation and organization will be shortly under way. are not remarkable for size or for special architectural features, but they are noteworthy for harmony of design and decoration and for perfection of detail. Of all the rooms in the handsome annex, those devoted to the library are the most beautiful. Entrance to the main room is by a doorway of carved marble, through bronze doors that cost $1500, and again past inner mahogany doors with glass panels. The room itself is in pale, delicate tints. Columns and massive arches are at either end; a row of fluted Corinthian pillars extend across one side, and opposite are seven great windows. A gallery extends around the room on all sides. The dome-like ceiling is finished in turquoise blue; opaque amber glass in three panels admits light at the top; below, forming the divisions of the sides of the curved ceiling, are shades of delicate yellow, harmonizing with the general blue. Upon the turquoise blue, as ornaments, are occasional fleurs de lis, copied from Palissy faience. The cornice consists of conventional scroll ornamentation, broken now and then by an eagle with outstretched wings, in relief. Along the cornice are 104 electric lights. The lower part of the walls, below the gallery, are tinted a pale green, broken by panel trimmings in light yellow. The bases of the columns are a bright brown, harmonizing finely with the brown linoleum of the floor. To the north are five large windows of corrugated glass, shedding a well-diffused light and destroying all glare. Here are placed the tables and chairs for readers, the bookcases being all on the opposite side and at the ends of the room. The tables are of mahogany, with tops of thick plate-glass; this is an inspiration of Librarian Tillinghast, who has used a glass top to his private desk for three years past and thinks it the best device for public use, as it will not scratch, fade, or wear out and is speedily cleansed of inkstains. The chairs are of red mahogany, upholstered in leather. Indeed, all the woodwork, railings, desks, etc., are of this beautiful wood. In one corner of the room is the librarian's desk, the card catalog cases, the reference books and the general paraphernalia for serving readers. The delivery counter is at the east in front of the stack-room. On the south side are the shelves for the extensive law department, which, under Mr. Tillinghast's management, has become probably the finest feature of the library. This shelving is about seven feet high and novel in design and construction, having been made under special in structions from Mr. Tillinghast. The cases are of rolled steel, fastened to a structural iron framework. Each shelf is of rolled steel, the roll of about half an inch at each edge giving great strength and preventing bending. The shelf is easily adjusted. As it rests in the frame it cannot be knocked out of position. Pin-like projections at each end, of one piece with the body of the frame, catch in supports and hold the shelf perfectly rigid, but by an easy movement of one hand, pulling the shelf forward, raising it and then pushing it back, it may be reset at any point desired. The sides are so arranged that shelves may be set in every inch of vertical room. The shelves are of smooth surface, instead of grate-like, as in the Congressional Library, so that no dust can fall upon the books beneath and there is less wear on the edges of the books. The sides of the cases are handsomely panelled in bronze; at the top of each is a metal figure of a book on which is affixed the name of the state whose law books are found on the shelves. The gallery is reserved for maps and newspapers. For the former, large mahogany drawers have been provided; pigeon-hole drawers, some six feet in depth, are furnished for rolled maps and large shallow drawers are used for flat maps. Newspapers are filed in eleven great steel file cases, with a capacity for 2400 volumes, and for their consultation mahogany tables are provided, with V-shaped tops, forming inclined planes at an angle of forty-five degrees, on which the files may be spread out and read with ease while seated. The stack-room opens from the main room on the east. By having the floor drop half a flight of stairs, the second floor is only half a flight higher than the floor of the main room, and so two floors are within half a flight's length of the attendants. The floor is of granolithic stone. The shelving is similar to that used for the law department, and the floors of the passages are of opaque glass, so thick that there is no danger of breakage. Not a particle of wood or other combustible material has been used, and the consequence is that the room is as nearly fireproof as any room can be. In one corner is a small electric elevator for transmitting books, made after a design of Mr. Tillinghast's. There are five floors in the stackroom, the height between them being about seven feet, and the total accommodations are for 225,000 volumes, of which only 80,000 are now on hand. A smaller stack-room adjoins the main stack-room on the south, and opening into this is a receiving and packing room, connecting with the corridor of the extension on the fourth floor. Here all the business of receiving books can be transacted without any noise to disturb the readers and students in the library. CRERAR LIBRARY TO BE A LIBRARY OF SCIENCE. THE trustees of the John Crerar Library decided, at a meeting on February 16, to found and maintain the library as a scientific reference library. At the same meeting it was determined that temporary quarters be secured for the present, and that the work of organization be pushed forward so that the library may be opened within six months, the matter of a permanent home to await future action. The decision of the trustees on these points was prompt and discussion of the scope of the library was brief, as opinion had become well defined among the members of the board before the meeting began. The proposition to devote the library to Americana, which was brought forward some time previously, was not considered. It had been thought that Americana was more in the field of the Historical Society, and in some directions it was already occupied by the Newberry Library. The action accepting science as the library's province was taken unanimously. The departments of science to which the library will be devoted were not fixed. The range will be exceedingly wide, however, and will take in sociology in all its ramifications, engineering, electricity, architecture, and astronomy - in fact, the entire domain of pure and applied science. Committees were appointed on finance, building and site, books and administration. The engagement of the librarian was referred to the committee on books. The sentiment was that the librarian should be secured at the very inception of the library, in order to attain the fullest symmetry in the collection and to avert a needless duplication of works. It is probable that the committee will make its selection within March. Temporary quarters will be first secured, and the committee on building and site was given charge of that important matter. As it has been made the fixed policy of the library trustees not to touch any of the principal, but to rely wholly upon the income of $100,000 per year, for the prosecution of all its work, the committee will be limited in the sum at its disposal. Temporary quarters to be secured have not yet been fixed upon, but early action will be taken. The Chicago Tribune says: "While the library will be for reference the purpose is not to confine its usefulness to scientists. Its popular character will be maintained in all branches. The every-day student, the occasional inventor, the amateur astronomer, and the searcher after the curious, as well as the professional man, will be at home within its precincts. That is the aim of the trustees, believing that they are carrying out the unspoken wishes of the libra Mention should also be made of the librarian's private room, opening from the western end of the main room. With its side of plate-glass windows overlooking the city on the north, its open fireplace, its mahogany bookcases built around the walls, its octagonal centre-table surrounded by high-backed chairs, and its soft brown moquette carpet, it is a delightful apart-ry's founder." THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDING. IT will be remembered that in the summer of 1893 the city of Milwaukee appropriated $350000, in addition to bonds already issued, for the purpose of erecting a library-museum building that should be an ornament to the city and fittingly house its two fine collections. A summary of the delays and difficulties that have as yet prevented further progress is given in the 17th annual report of the library, just issued, | and is not without interest to librarians who intend or expect to "build." ing architects of talent and experience lay in offering a fee at least equal to that paid for other work of the kind; and that the beauty and dignity of design, intelligence of plan and effectiveness of supervision which it was desired to obtain were of more importance than the difference between a three and a five per cent. commission. The question was brought before the city attorney and a resolution was introduced into the council authorizing the payment of the five per cent. fee. This resolution was never passed and the matter remained at a standstill for months. Finally an arbitration committee was formed, through whose efforts the architects have verbally agreed to accept a fee of three and a half per cent. "At the close of the library year no further progress has been made." "In the meantime," says Miss West, "both institutions are occupying rooms so insufficient that their work is very seriously crippled. Both institutions are, by reason of their surroundings, in imminent danger of disastrous fires. Both institutions are forced to pay large insurance rates and to have special watchmen as the only possible palliatives and safeguards in the face of this menace. Both institutions are paying On September 7, 1893, a joint meeting of the boards of trustees of the library and museum was held, at which the building committee of the two boards was authorized to advertise for plans. This advertisement was placed in the local papers and in the American Architect, and a pamphlet was issued containing the official notice to architects; the general instructions for the building; the specific requirements of the two institutions; and a plan of the site. Under the competition thus inaugurated, 74 sets of plans were received by November 15, the date set for the close of the contest. The plans sub-rents which are a severe tax on their resources. mitted were exhibited to public inspection for two weeks, and the matter attracted very general public interest. Final decision on the competing plans was placed by the board in the hands of Prof. W: R. Ware, of Columbia College. On December 8, Prof. Ware arrived in Milwaukee, and devoted three days to a careful study of the plans; this was supplemented by a more careful study of the better drawings, which were sent to New York for the purpose; and on January 4, 1894, his report was presented to the trustees. Of the plans, five were named by Prof. Ware as the best adapted for the purpose, and of these five those of Messrs. Ferry & Clas, of Milwaukee, were chosen by the board, by a vote of nine to six. The interest on the bonds already issued is run- THE AUTOTYPE REPRODUCTION OF SCRIPTS. DR. W. N. DU RIEU, of La Bibliothèque de l'Université, Leyden, Holland, has sent a circu Following this adoption of plans by the|lar letter to all the principal libraries of the trustees, an injunction, granted upon complaint of a firm of competing architects, was served upon all persons officially connected with the enterprise, forbidding further action until the complaint should be heard by the court of equity. After hearing the complaint, the court dissolved the injunction, except in so far as the trustees were forbidden to pay for any bills contracted by reason of the competition of plans, this being made the duty of the common council. Later the action of the trustees was confirmed by the council, the bills ordered paid and the contract executed. The contract submitted to the architects by the board of public works was, however, based on the ordinary commission for city work, i. e., four per cent. on the first $10,000 of the cost of the building, three and a half per cent. on the second $10,000 and three per cent. on the remaining amount. As the official advertisements offered a commission of five per cent., the architects refused to sign the contract and the matter was reported back to the common council. The arguments which had led the trustees to adopt the five per cent. rate were, briefly, that the only hope of attract world, calling upon them to express their opinion upon the contemplated "Société Internationale pour la Reproduction des mss. les plus precieux," and to pledge themselves to a certain annual sum towards the work of such a society. The plan of the society originated with Dr. O. Hartwig, of the Bibliothèque Universitaire de Halle (Saxony). It was brought before the Congress of Librarians at the World's Fair, Chicago, in 1893, and by them referred to the Library Conference of 1894 (See L. J. 18: 503, C87; 19: C160). The plan was approved and Dr. W. N. Du Rieu was authorized to canvass the libraries and estimate the support that might be expected in the great enterprise of reproducing the most celebrated manuscripts of the world, that they might be at the service of students of science, history and religion in all parts of the world. Dr. Du Rieu also wrote to the Centralblatt für Bibliothekswesen, the Revuedes Bibliothèques, and to the most celebrated professors of classical philology, asking for discussions in these journals upon the essential points to be considered in starting this wholly new undertaking. He also called for a vote upon the dozen manuscripts that would seem the most worthy to inaugurate the enter- few good books are got together let the fact be prise. known. Print a list occasionally in the local Scarcely half a dozen answers were the out-paper. Publish the additions as they come in, on come of all his efforts, and for a time Dr. Du Rieu thought the scheme must be abandoned, and the reproduction of manuscripts left to private enterprise, to be followed for financial profit, instead of to the co-operation of scientists willing to subscribe the needed amount for an undertaking of benefit to learning throughout the world. Now the Government of the Netherlands has taken the initiative and has promised a modest permanent subsidy for the enterprise. Dr. Du Rieu therefore asks all librarians the following questions: 1. Do you approve of this simple and reasonable plan to come into possession annually of a specially precious manuscript which cannot be taken from the library in possession for consultation by the scientists near your library? Are you willing thus to aid the scholars of your country? 2. Can you, as librarian, pledge yourself to subscribe annually the sum of 100 or 150 francs during a period of 10 years, for which you will receive a copy of any manuscript published by the society? As soon as an adequate number of subscribers shall have been obtained it shall be left to the subscribers to appoint 12 delegates, chosen from the directors of the principal libraries of Europe, to go to Leyden and agree upon the con stitution of an International Society of Reproduction to have its headquarters at Leyden, as already agreed in the preliminary discussions. All librarians interested should communicate with Dr. Du Rieu without delay. ADVERTISING A LIBRARY. J: C. Dana, in Books, July-Sept., 1894. SUPPOSE the beginning of the library is made; keep it before the public. The newspaper will almost invariably aid an enterprise of this kind, gratuitously and with good-will. The local clergy are almost always ready to help. The school teachers can generally be counted on; indeed it often happens that the teacher is the prime mover in laying the foundation of the village or district library. The book-dealer, if at all farsighted, will see that the general increase in reading which a growing public library will bring about will indirectly increase his sales. Ask for contributions, first of money-and that is hard to get - then of books, new or old, useful or useless, magazines, be it an odd number or an odd volume or a wagon-load. Ask for these things. Let the fact of the humblest gift be generally known through the local paper or otherwise and thank the giver in some formal way if possible. The things received may be of little value; but those who give will be almost invariably the library's friends and cordial supporters forever after. They will aid in cultivating in the community that spirit of helpfulness which strengthens a library exceedingly. As soon as a a bulletin-board, in manuscript or typewriting; or in lists by some duplicating process; or by reprints from the columns of the paper; or by lists specially printed for the purpose. As soon as the library is large enough, lists may be got out, and posted or printed, covering references to articles or books in the library on some important current event, or some interesting book, or some topic of present local interest. In a small community, and sometimes in a large one, the librarian knows the special tastes or hobbies of many of the users of the library, and perhaps of some who do not use it. Notices that books have been received which are likely to please this, that, and the other person, can be sent out on occasion and will help make library friends. Local artists in their respective lines can often be interested to give entertainments for the library's benefit, especially if the proceeds be given to the purchase of books in their own lines. Local societies literary, scientific, or historical may very properly make the library the central point for all their work, and may sometimes be led to begin a special collection, first for their own benefit, afterwards for the public. The children should not be forgotten. If care be taken to provide books for them, entertaining first, afterwards useful, they will come, and come often, and will soon bring the library into favor with the elders. that red tape, signs, rules, and restrictions must In the library itself it seems generally admitted be kept out of sight as far as possible, if it is wished to get friends and keep them. The librarian, as such, should feel that he has no rights which the public is bound to respect. His rules, as far as the public is concerned, should be of the fewest, and rarely alluded to. The books in the library ought all to be accessible to the public. No one thing can add to the attractiveness and value of a library so much as to permit the public to go to the shelves. Of course there may be special or local reasons why this cannot be done, or why it can be done only in part. But it would pay to sacrifice many of the commonly accepted essentials to gain this one point. Of all possible advertising, the best, perhaps, is a cheerful and accommodating atmosphere in the library itself. Librarian and assistants are always prone to affect the official air the moment they become guardians of public property and fountains of information. They condescend, they patronize, they correct, and they shake rules and by-laws and red tape in the timid inquirer's face. This top-lofty bureaucratic spirit should be avoided by all means. Treat boy and girl, man and woman, ignorant and learned, gracious and rude, with uniform good temper, without condescension, never pertly. Anticipate all inquiries when possible, and especially put the shrinking and embarrassed visitor at once at ease. The library is not a business office; it's a centre of public happiness first, of public education next. |