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This total added to the estimated number of volumes one year ago gives us 99,418 volumes. As stated in my last report, the Library has been making rapid strides, and did our Legislature foster it as it should, it would soon reach a point of superior excellence for reference and practical value for students. Unfortunately the State Library has received but little care, so far as appropriations for its proper sustaining and encouragement go, from the General Assembly—and the last Legislature, in its closing hours, through a clerical error, left it really in a crippled condition. For years the annual appropriation for the purchase of books has been six thousand dollars-the last general appropriation bill gives it the sum of two thousand five hundred dollars. Owing to this fact, the State Librarian was obliged to limit the purchase of current literature, keeping up the magazines, reviews and periodicals, knowing full well that when the opportune time arrives the former can be secured, while if gaps in the latter were allowed, the great difficulty would be in the future to procure the desired volumes. I am endeavoring, however, to do what is best for the interests of the Library and of the Commonwealth.

The passage of the Act making an appropriation for a new Library building is a subject for congratulation, and it is fondly hoped that before our next annual report, the structure will be completed and the books find a home- where accommodations will be ample-where the student can be offered every facility for his special work, and where the reader in general will find everything to hand, and above all, where the Library, with its valuable books and records, will be safe from the destruction, which for so many years has been feared, and on more than one occasion threatened. A description of the new building, with the system for shelving the books, stack room, etc., are reserved for a future report. Suffice it to say in this connection, that no State Library in the Union will be so well accommodated, conveniently arranged, well lighted, and perfect in everything facilitating student-work. Surely the Legislature acted wisely and well in heeding the representations of the Executive.

The failure to pass finally in the House of Representatives the bill directing the printing the dictionary catalogue, of which the law portion was then almost ready for publication, is to be regretted; and as possibly two or three years will intervene before this can be done, the continuance of further appropriation will be necessary for the completion. An appropriation having been made for cataloguing the miscellaneous books, that work has been commenced. It is doubtful if the catalogue can be properly completed in less than three years, especially since the same cannot be published before that time, if not later on.

Mention was made in my last report of the collection of books made by the Geological Survey Commission as having been transferred to

the State Library. Since then other volumes received by the Commission have been forwarded. These have all been registered and included in this report. It will be readily seen how valuable these are, and with those previously contained in the Library relating to this subject, our new Library will possess an alcove devoted especially thereto unequalled in the Union. A special appropriation-if the general one will not allow it—will be asked to fill up the gaps in the periodicals as well as the privately printed works on geology.

The World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago has given occasion for the publication of more literature-national, state and municipal, -than any event which has ever transpired in America. In addition thereto, foreign countries, firms, and individuals, vied one with the other, in setting forth the wealth of nations, the energetic success of skilled enterprise, the splendor of mechanical ingenuity, and the triumphs of art. Embracing the opportunity, I secured, chiefly by donation, a collection, unique and complete. Some, as for instance, the guide books and other privately printed works for sale, were purchased. This Library is the only in the world which succeeded in gathering up these epherma, many really of the greatest value,—the literature of that most magnificent of all the Industrial Expositions the world ever saw, or will see in a century. A list of many of these have been made, properly classified. Those relating to special manufactures and inventions, of an equal number, although cared for, are not included in the list attached to this report. At last, when too late, one or two principal libraries in the country attempted this work but failed. The State Library of Pennsylvania has been congratulated in the thoroughness with which the work was accomplished by it. In due time, these records of the Four Hundredth Anniversary of the Discovery of America, will be justly estimated by the students of history, art and invention.

In accordance with suggestions made in my last report, the Legisla ture made an appropriation for arranging the paper books of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania required by law to be deposited in the State Library. Work has already been commenced, and these volumes when properly indexed and bound will be of great value for reference by the legal profession. A general index for the entire series will be made, and this when printed can be easily kept up year by year-the work and arrangement being upon a systematic plan.

With the organization of the territory of Oklahoma, and probably that of Alaska, our exchange has exceeded the supply of reports of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, as well as of "Official Documents." Ten additional copies of these should be secured for this purpose. With two exceptions, the state and territorial exchange has proved successful, and it is to be regretted, that the reciprocal advantages seem not to be appreciated by all. At the conference of State Libra

rians, when this subject was before that body and an effort made to cut off certain smaller states and territories, your State Librarian plead for them, and stated that so far as Pennsylvania was concerned, her public documents should be continued as long as they were kindly received. And so bearing with them, there are but two on our list which are either careless in the matter or have no desire to continue. Our second shipment to Oklahoma, although the freight was prepaid, was actually refused, but upon representation being made to the Governor of the territory direct, the books were properly taken care of; while the earnest desire of the present authorities there is to possess all the documents we can spare. As in the case of North Dakota, a few years since, it is intended to forward a copy of every report at our disposal. It only takes time to appreciate the exchange of documents in which our State has taken the advance.

The wisdom of preserving complete files of the newspaper literature of the State is daily made apparent by the many frequent references to our bound volumes. Although owing to our limited accommodations these are piled upon the floors, in the new Library building an entire stack room shelving specially designed, will be devoted to their safe keeping, and more convenient access.

Owing to the frequent requests for descriptions of the Arms of the State and of the Great Seal, not only to the Executive Department, but to the State Library, I have prepared in connection with my report a historical sketch relating to these matters.

In conclusion, permit me to call the attention of the trustees of the Library to one matter of importance. Owing to the failure in part of the general appropriations, heretofore referred to, a representation ought to be made by them as a body to the next Legislature, setting forth the claims which the State Library has upon its fostering care, and that it should render such financial aid as will make it one of the best of reference libraries in the country; and this can easily be accomplished by the greatest of American Commonwealths.

With the sincerest thanks to the trustees for their hearty co-operation and sympathy in my library work, I beg to remain,

Yours, with respect,

Harrisburg, Penn'a, Dec. 11, 1893.

WILLIAM H. EGLE,
State Librarian.

RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FROM DECEMBER 1, 1892, TO NOVEMBER 30, 1893.

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Amount of purchase of miscellaneous books, as per vouchers filed in Auditor General's Office.

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Amount of purchase of law books, as per vouchers filed in Auditor General's

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Amount paid out, as per vouchers filed in Auditor General's office 1893.

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June 15. Amount paid out, as per bills received to date,.

PREPARATION OF CATALOGUE.

$500 00

$62 50

62 50

62 50

62 50

$250 00

$250 00

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