Information: Answers to inquiries. 7. (If not requiring elaborate research) for other particular facts in history or literature; in the organization or operations of the Federal Government. 8. (Where of moderate extent) for an extract from a book in its possession. Its ability to make extracts or to undertake research (other than purely bibliographic) is necessarily limited, and its usual course is to refer the inquirer to the sources and recommend to him a person to undertake the search or make the extract at his expense. Its willingness to compile lists of authorities has led to demands which it can not readily meet, particularly from students in secondary schools or colleges. To these it customarily responds with the appended circular: "A statement has been made that the Library of Congress is ready to aid students and scholars by sending to them bibliographic lists. This is true; but such aid, to be really effective, must come through a knowledge of the specific wants and needs of the applicant and the existing conditions under which he is working-i. e., what library facilities are within his reach. "In the matter of sending material for individual student work or for the preparation of intercollegiate debates, the Library of Congress can cooperate intelligently only with the college library. Will you, therefore, make your request through the library of the institution in which you are studying? Upon such request being submitted we shall see that the printed lists of the Library of Congress, as far as they are fitted to the expressed need and are available for distribution, are sent to the library of your university. If the college library wishes to supplement its resources and has not opportunity or facilities to prepare certain specific bibliographic matter not covered by printed lists, proof of this inability must come to us in the form of a request from its librarian. The Library of Congress then stands ready to make suggestion or provide references which may bear directly upon the work of the college course as indicated. "Washington, D. C. "HERBERT PUTNAM "NOTE. The publications of the Library of Congress are generally available for free distribution to libraries; individuals can obtain copies by sending to the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., who will supply prices upon application." JAMESTOWN EXPOSITION (Report of the Assistant in Charge, Mr. Hastings) By the terms of the law authorizing the Jamestown Expo- The exhibits were classified under the Division of the Manu- scripts Division I give below a summary of the exhibits of each Division. The four "mother maps" of Virginia. A selection of other The Map Di- of the world. vision A selection of fifty of the rarest of the early American Printed Books ing to Virginia, the other half relating to the other colonies. POSITION: Division The Library also contributed a selection of about two hun- JAMESTOWN EX- Sections selected from the "Third official catalogue," Card Section Miscellaneous catalogues made up by arranging Library Division of Set of all the bibliographies of special topics thus far com- Bibliography The Periodical of each exposed. A selection of early colonial newspapers. A complete collection of the publications of the Library Publication of Congress issued since 1897. Section (Order perintendent A section of the stack and shelving used at the Library of Office of the SuCongress, filled with books. fice Statistical tables illustrative of the work of the Copyright Copyright OfOffice and photographs of interiors of rooms occupied by it. Selection of works illustrating the history of music in Music Division the United States; also a selection of the works of foreign composers. Engravings or photographs of Presidents born in Virginia, Prints Division and their homes. A selection of cartoons (broadsides). Binding Divi sion Exhibit of bound volumes showing kinds of covering material used at the Library of Congress; also sheets showing various stages in the process of binding. Brief explanatory notes accompany each volume or item, and an eight-page pamphlet, "Exhibit of bookbindings prepared for the Jamestown Exposition," is for distribution, giving general information as to binding materials and methods of binding. Books for the blind, apparatus for teaching the blind, Reading room samples of the work of the blind. A new edition of the pamphlet, "The Library of Congress and its work," was prepared by the Publication Section for distribution in connection with the exhibit. Considerable new matter was added, and a half-tone cut of the Library inserted as a frontispiece. The pamphlet in its present form seems to be thoroughly appreciated by visitors to the exposition. The more valuable materials exhibited are removed from the cases as soon as the building is closed, and kept in a fireproof safe. During the day they are locked in exhibit cases and guarded by a trusted attendant from the Library force. for the blind LEGISLATION NEEDED None of the matters referred to in my Report for 1905 (pp. 94-95), as needing attention in statute, have as yet received it. The authority requested in my Report of last year "for the transfer to the Department of Commerce and Labor of the records and the letter files of the Industrial Commission deposited in the Library in pursuance of a resolution of Congress, February 21, 1902," was granted by joint resolution approved March 4, 1907. The transfer has since been effected. |