the laxity of the regulations even though he benefited by them. When the author, whose studies of the Yung Lo ta tien were interrupted by the death of his parents, finally returned to Peking in 1893, after the prescribed period of mourning was over, he was pained to be told that only 600 volumes of the great work remained. He had had very great difficulties in making complete copies in 1886, owing to missing volumes; now that their number was very much more reduced he became discouraged, gave up his attempt to rescue lost works, and went home disappointed. Yung Lo ta tien probably still extant though We have here first-hand testimony to prove what has come to be the belief of those who have studied the matter carefully, namely, that only a few hundred volumes perished scattered. by fire when the Hanlin College buildings were set on fire by the Kansu braves on June 23, 1900, during the Boxer uprising. Possibly not more than 500 volumes were lost then. It is an ill wind that blows nobody good, and it seems probable that in the long run the world will profit even from the peculations of dishonest officials and the "borrowings" of careless scholars, since through their activities by far the greater part of the Yung Lo ta tien had been taken out of the Hanlin College library before it was destroyed by fire. It is possible, even probable, that most of the volumes of the Yung Lo ta tien are still in existence and can yet be brought to light by diligent search. It is evident that Sun Chuang's study on the Yung Lo ta tien is one of the treasures of the Chinese collection of the Library and a worthy companion of the largest section of this work to be found outside of China. APPENDIX IV. RECLASSIFICATION: LIBRARY SERVICE. (Memoranda submitted to the Personnel Classification Board in connection with the allocation of existing positions under the reclassification act of March 4, 1923.) THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. The Library of Congress is unique. Its collection is double the size of any other in America, and one of the three largest in the world. It is increasing faster than any other. Its sources of increase (copyright, exchange with governments and other institutions, purchase, and gifts) involve relations and problems not paralleled by any other library. Its range of activities (as a legislative library for Congress, as the Law Library of the Supreme Court and bar, as the main service library for the Government establishments generally, as a library of research for the general public, and as the national library of the United States aiding other American libraries by its bibliographic service) its range is greater and more diversified than that of any other library. It occupies the largest library building in the world-in cubical content equal to the Capitol-a building which is an elaborate architectural monument, and must be maintained as such. As a result, its administration involves problems different not merely in degree, but in kind, from those of any other existing library, and requiring knowledge, technique, and an organization only in part paralleled in any other library. In common with them, it maintains a collection of printed books, and renders a service to the ordinary reader. But in addition it includes other collections-manuscripts, maps, music, and prints, each of which might constitute an institution in itself, and some of which are the largest in existence. Its Law Library comprises 200,000 volumes. Its Manuscript Collection (millions of pieces) is the most important source collection in American history. Its Map Collection comprises, besides atlases, or 200,000 maps and charts (a half million actual pieces). Its Music Collection comprises over 1,000,000 pieces-the largest existing and the most important. Its Prints Collection comprises over 400,000 prints. Each of the above requires in its development, administration and interpretation, specialists, with technique and a knowledge of the subject matter-i. e. knowledge beyond that of the mere bibliographer. And for its main collection of printed books, the bibliographic qualifications must be of the highest order, and varied. The collection includes every branch of literature, in 150 languages and dialects, the greatest American collection of (1) official publications, (2) society (scientific) publications, (3) serials, and groups preeminent in particular fields: a large Semitic collection, a collection of Slavic books (80,000 volumes) perhaps the largest outside of Russia, a collection of Chinese books (80,000 volumes) perhaps the largest outside of China. All libraries do cataloguing and classification. But the Library of Congress is also a central cataloguing bureau for 3,000 American libraries, to which it furnishes results in its printed catalogue cards. These cards are incorporated with their own catalogues. They must therefore be not merely "standard" but completely precise, thorough, and scholarly. It catalogues not merely by author, but by subject, a highly difficult and technical process. Its classification involves the problem of providing an elastic scheme of arrangement by subject of the books on the shelves, with an adequate nomenclature and notation, for a collection of 3,000,000 volumes growing at the rate of 100,000 a year. No such problem has been attempted by any other national library; no problem equal in degree has been attempted by any American library. Its scheme of classification has been adopted by about 60 other libraries, and involves that additional responsibility. It renders bibliographic service by correspondence. 67150°-23-14 It compiles and publishes bibliographic lists. It compiles and publishes "calendars" and group or topical catalogues. From time to time it edits and publishes texts in its possession. Its service to Congress is special and unique. It includes (in its Legislative Reference Service) the "preparation of data" bearing on legislation pending. As the office of copyright, it maintains a department quite unique among libraries, and which amounts to the maintenance of a distinct bureau. As our National Library, and with the above varied responsibilities, it can not afford to have less than the best obtainable (1) Knowledge, experience, and judgment in the development of its collections; (2) Technical perfection in its processes:-classification, cataloguing, and the other treatment of material; (3) Skill, training, and experience in reference work, bibliography, and interpretation; (4) In its consultative service (e. g., in law, art, music), specialists who are authorities in the subject matter; (5) In its service to our highest tribunal and its bar, not merely the most comprehensive law library, but the most competent administration and interpretation; (6) In its legislative service effective apparatus as to all legislation enacted in every country, and experts who will digest it, the law, the facts, the authorities in matters of opinion: experts comparable at least to those who are employed by the interests seeking legislation. This also unique. THE ORGANIZATION. It is The The Library is an "independent establishment." not under any department nor board of trustees. Librarian, though appointed by the President, reports direct to Congress. His estimates go to Congress without revision by the Budget Bureau; and he has full and final authority in the expenditure of the appropriations, the selection of his staff, and the operations of the Library. The Librarian, being the chief executive of the Library, has five principal aides: 1. The Chief Assistant Librarian, who (except in the absence of the Librarian, when he becomes Acting Librarian) devotes his time chiefly (1) to the selection of material to be acquired for the main collection and (2) to advanced and special reference work. 2. The secretary, who handles all correspondence in the first and last instance, keeps the files of the main office, and incidentally receives many visitors and directs them to the appropriate authorities. 3. The chief clerk, who is in fact the "general administrative assistant" to the Librarian, represents him in the disposition, regulation, and discipline of the service, the purchase and distribution of (general) supplies and minor equipment. Is the "personnel officer." Handles all requisitions upon the Government Printing Office, all pay rolls, and vouchers. Keeps records of these and of appropriations. Handles and deposits receipts for sales of cards (over $100,ooo per annum), involving 3,000 accounts. Is the custodian of small trust funds (deposits, etc.). In the absence of the Librarian and Chief Assistant Librarian, he becomes Acting Librarian. He is, therefore, much more than a "chief clerk" under the usage of the departments. 4. The Register of Copyrights, who handles the entire routine of the copyright business. 5. The "administrative assistant" for the building, who acts also as disbursing officer. There are four divisions affecting the administration, the collections, or the operations as a whole. In logical order: 1. The mail and delivery, which receives and despatches all mail, express, and freight, and makes deliveries of books in Washington. 2. The order division, which places all orders for the purchase of material for the collections (incidentally (a) verifying the absence of the items recommended and (b) pricing the items to be bid for at auction, confirming the reasonableness of the prices on those offered); conducts all business with dealers; checks the invoices; prepares the vouchers; and keeps detailed records of orders and accessions. It receives also and acknowledges all other material incoming through gift or exchange, and receives and forwards all copyrighted material selected for the collections. It handles, |