tion of libraries and the reorganization of older ones into centralized and complex library systems is creating a demand in that direction to which attention has been called repeatedly and prominently of late in the organs of the American library world. As in these cases the scientific and technical problems are not under consideration, it is natural that no reference should be made to them and that the high order of executive ability necessary for the general administration of such institutions should alone be dwelt upon. Cataloguing, classification, reference work, and other such services are, however, vital functions of the library organism. The tendency of aspirants for library honors to confine their efforts to the acquisition of administrative training and experience, and to look upon the other functions with indifference, if not disdain, may be due to the greater emphasis placed upon the former in current professional discussions; not that the executive is held in greater honor, but the others in less. Cooperative cataloguing and classification on the other hand demand comprehensive knowledge and great efficiency. They also involve problems of organization and require constant effort toward improvement in methods and simplification of processes. The value of this service has received recognition by appropriate rank in a few instances, but unless such recognition is granted less grudgingly the technical departments of library work will not attract men of the education and ability requisite to success in them." FINANCE The table given below exhibits the appropriations and expenditures of the Library proper and of the Copyright Office for the fiscal year, and the appropriations for the year now current. Included also are the appropriations for the equipment and care of the building and grounds, expended by the Superintendent. The allotment for printing and binding (during the past year $202,000) is not included. b Appropriations 1908 include $1,500 deficiency and $639.22 credits on account of sales to government institutions. Appropriations 1909 include $358.97 credits on account of sales to government institutions. Does not include $146.94 yet to be credited. Expenditures 1909 ($17,123.41) offset by subscriptions covered into the Treasury ($24,452). An indebtedness of $175 is to be paid when amounts due through sales to government institutions have been credited in full. c Balance available July 1, 1907. d Offset by fees covered into the Treasury ($83,816.75). e Exclusive of $1,500 to be expended by the marshal of the Supreme Court for new books for that body. f Expenditures 1909 include outstanding orders. Appropriations 1910 include balance from preceding year. *Effective March 5-June 30, 1909. The appropriations for 1909 varied from those in the year preceding only in the following particulars: Salaries (Copyright Office): An Assistant Register of Copyrights, at $2,500. Card indexes: The appropriation for service in connection with the distribution of card indexes increased from $10,800 and $1,500 (deficiency) for 1908 to $16,800 for 1909. Printing and binding: The allotment decreased to $202,000 as an offset to the increased appropriation for card indexes, certain service heretofore rendered by the Government Printing Office in connection with the distribution of printed catalogue cards and charged to the allotment for printing and binding being transferred to the Library of Congress and provided for under the appropriation for card indexes. Building and grounds: One telephone switchboard operator at $720 and I assistant telephone switchboard operator at $600 in place of 2 telephone operators at $600 each. One hundred thousand dollars toward the construction, mechanical equipment, electric lighting, and roofing of a stack of shelving for bound newspapers and books in the southeast court of the Library building, to cost not exceeding $300,000. The appropriations for 1909-10 include the following changes and additional provisions: Appropria tions tions, 1909-10 Salaries (general service): General administration: Two Appropriastenographers and typewriters at $1,000 each (in place of 2 stenographers and typewriters, 1 at $1,200 and I at $720); a messenger boy at $360. Reading Room: Two attendants (for gallery and alcoves), at $480 each. Music Division: The salary of the chief of the division increased from $2,000 to $3,000 and of the chief assistant from $1,400 to $1,500. Law Library: Salary of Law Librarian made $3,000 (covering the compensation of $500 for supervision of preparation of the new index to the Statutes at Large). Copyright Office: Salary of Register of Copyrights increased from $3,000 to $3,500, and later (through the defi COPYRIGHT: ciency act of August 5, 1909) to $4,000; salary of Assistant Register of Copyrights increased from $2,500 to $3,000; and the following additional positions: 1 at $1,800, 2 at $1,600 each, 2 at $1,000 each, 2 at $600 each, and a messenger boy at $360. Carrier service: Two messengers, at $40 per month each, to serve during the session of Congress and for services in connection with the House Office building. Index to the Statutes at Large: Phraseology of the item changed to read as follows: "For continuing the preparation of an index to the Statutes at Large of the United States, $10,000, to be expended by the Librarian of Congress for the salaries of the persons whom he employs to prepare the index and for incidental expenses; the scope, classification, and style of the index to be such as the Judiciary Committees of the two Houses of Congress shall direct or approve." Building and grounds: The appropriation for furniture, etc., reduced from $40,000 to $25,000; and the balance ($200,000) of the fund ($300,000) in the appropriations for the fiscal year 1908–9 provided for the completion of the construction, mechanical equipment, electric lighting, and roofing of the stack of shelving for bound newspapers and books in the southeast court of the Library building. COPYRIGHT OFFICE The report of the Register of Copyrights appears in full as Appendix II. It brings to date the record of the proceedings in Congress resulting in the new general copyright act which became effective on July 1, 1909, and supersedes all of the previously existing laws. It includes also a report of the International Congress held at Berlin October 14 to November 14, 1908 (primarily of the members of the Union of Berne), but at which the United States, though a nonsignatory, was represented by the Register, together with the text of the new convention adopted November 13 embodying its agreements. |