report of last year, in order to shorten the process of cataloguing the pamphlets which were accumulating from year to year, it was decided to make for the less important ones only temporary author cards, with an abbreviated imprint, and to keep the pamphlets thus catalogued in a separate collection in pamphlet boxes arranged according to the library classification. This collection now numbers 1,489. On account of pressure of other work only 347 pamphlets were added to the collection during the past year. In addition to this collection of pamphlets, which are represented in the catalogue only by author cards, the Library has accumulated a considerable number of "reprints" from periodicals contained in the Library. This collection during the past year was arranged alphabetically by the authors of the articles and placed in pamphlet boxes. The collection numbers 1,100. The chief use of the collection up to the present time has been in connection with interlibrary loans. When the loan of a periodical is requested and the particular article desired is known, the "reprint" of the article, in case it is contained in our collection, is sent instead of the volume of the periodical. This is a saving of postage and of wear and tear on the bound volume, which remains in the Library available for reference. It is hoped that eventually it will be possible to make abbreviated author cards for the "reprints." The collection can then be classified by subject and incorporated with the other pamphlet collection described above. The Library would be glad to receive collections of "reprints" on subjects of interest in connection with the work of the department.

Printed cards for all the current publications of the department were prepared during the year, the number of titles being 355. The demands for these cards from libraries and agricultural institutions are steadily increasing.

Little work has been done during the year in the revision of the catalogue, the need for which is very great. Changes in the cataloguing staff and the overcrowded condition of the cataloguing room have hampered the current work, and as a result the services of none of the cataloguers have been available for the revision of the catalogue. It is necessary for two of the cataloguers to have their desks in cramped quarters in the book rooms some distance from the cataloguing room, an inconvenient arrangement, which retards the work. It is earnestly hoped that the coming year will bring some relief by providing an additional room adjoining the present cataloguing room.

PERIODICALS.

The total number of different periodicals received during the year was 1,978, exclusive of annuals and other serials of infrequent issue, a decrease of 24 as compared with the previous year. This decrease is accounted for by the fact that the number of new periodicals added during the year was 106, while the number of periodicals which ceased publication was 130. Of the total number of periodicals received, 756 were purchased and 1.222 received by gift and exchange. To the number of different periodicals purchased should be added 76 duplicates, making a total of 832 periodicals purchased at a cost of approximately $3,300. Of the 1,978 periodicals currently received by the Library nearly one-fourth are permanently filed in the

libraries of the various bureaus and offices in which they are of special interest. The remaining three-fourths are filed in the main Library, but of this number only about one-half, namely, 760, can be kept in the pigeonholes in the periodical reading room on account of the limited space available.

It is impracticable to keep a complete record for the whole year of the receipt and circulation of current periodicals, but, as in previous years, a count was made of the current periodicals handled daily for a limited period, namely, from April 4 to June 1 in the present year, which, compared with a similar count for May, 1909, and May, 1910, is as follows:

From the above statement it will be seen that the daily average of new numbers received and recorded is a little less in 1911 than it was in 1910, whereas the daily average of returns from circulation shows an increase of 40 per cent, indicating a largely increased use of the current periodicals. As explained in previous reports, these figures do not, however, give any adequate idea of the use of the current periodicals, as they represent little more than the circulation to bureaus and offices. Of the 1,978 periodicals currently received, between 1,200 and 1,300 circulate regularly among the various bureaus, divisions, and offices; the number to which each periodical is regularly sent varying from 1 to 20. The circulation in a bureau is attended to by the library of the bureau, some periodicals being sent regularly to 24 individuals. After circulating in this way the numbers are returned to the main Library and sent out again to another bureau or office for circulation in the same manner. To get an idea, therefore, of the total circulation of current periodicals in the department, the above figures of the main Library must be supplemented by the data in regard to the circulation of periodicals given in the separate reports of the bureau, division, and office libraries.

As far as is known, this is the only library which attempts to circulate its current periodicals regularly. That this service has grown to its present proportions is due largely to the following reasons: (1) The various offices of the department are widely separated; (2) the scientists of the department find it difficult to come to the Library regularly during office hours to consult the periodicals; (3) the Library has never had space for a periodical reading room large enough to accommodate the current files of all the periodicals received; (4) the work of the various bureaus is so broad that a very large proportion of the periodicals received is of interest to several bureaus, making it difficult to divide the periodicals for filing in the various bureaus and offices to which they are of interest without a great deal of duplication; (5) the importance of the current periodicals in the scientific work of the department. As a result of the

above conditions the present compromise arrangement has gradually been evolved and extended until it has reached proportions never anticipated when the service was first attempted. In fact, it has become so extensive as to be in danger of breaking from its own weight. To explain further the difficulties in connection with the service, a copy of a circular letter which was sent out in June, 1911, to all in the department who receive current periodicals fegularly is given below:

CIRCULATION OF CURRENT PERIODICALS.

The Library receives more than 2,000 current periodicals. Of this number about two-thirds circulate regularly among the various bureaus, divisions, and laboratories of the department. The number of different offices to which each periodical is sent varies from 1 to 40. It will be seen, therefore, that if each office retains only three days a number of a periodical circulating regularly to only 20 different offices the last person on the list will receive it after it is two months old. Although not every periodical goes to as many as 20 different offices, a considerable number of them go to more, and the average circulation is very large. The Library has endeavored to help the situation by purchasing additional copies of many periodicals when the need for them seemed imperative. There is a limit, however, to justifiable duplication, and it has been the policy of the Library not to curtail the expenditures for building up the resources of the Library by an extravagant duplication of material. If no periodical were retained more than three days in an office the problem would be comparatively simple, even in the case of the periodicals with the largest circulation, but in spite of rules and appeals it frequently happens that current periodicals are kept in a single office not three days, but several weeks. As a result the Library receives numerous complaints from the users of the periodicals that the periodicals in which they are especially interested are often six months old before they are able to see them. So numerous have these complaints become that it has seemed imperative to bring about a general improvement in the promptness with which the periodicals are used, otherwise the whole object of the circulation will be defeated and may as well be discontinued. Few, if any, libraries attempt to circulate regularly their current periodicals, but the Library has not infrequently received expressions of appreciation of this service, and its discontinuance would doubtless be generally deplored. This circular is therefore being sent to all who receive the periodicals regularly, to ask their cooperation in improving the present service by complying with the inclosed rules and suggestions. The Library will be glad to receive further suggestions for the improvement of the service.

As a result of the circular letter there has been considerable improvement, but the failure on the part of a few to cooperate by using and returning the periodicals promptly seriously interferes with the service and gives reason to fear that it will not be long before it will be necessary to make a radical change in the system.

As in other parts of the Library, lack of space in the periodical department has seriously handicapped its work. The periodical reading room is only large enough to accommodate pigeonhole cases for half the current periodicals filed in the Library, while the periodical workroom is still more inadequate. In fact, the present space for the periodical work should be doubled. The work in connection with the sorting and care of back numbers and duplicates is done under constantly increasing disadvantages. It has been necessary to do much of this work in the public corridor, which is especially to be regretted, not only because the light in the corridor is poor, but also for appearance's sake. Such work necessarily gives an impression of disorderliness and should be done in a room not open to the public. As pre

1 The rules and suggestions which accompanied the circular letter are printed as Appendix 3 of this report.

viously pointed out, one of the most pressing needs of the Library is a separate room which can be used for the work of unpacking, sorting, and temporary storage.

BINDING.

The number of books and periodicals bound during the past year was 3,274, an increase of 29 over the previous year. While the past two years have shown a considerable increase over previous years in the number of books bound, the number bound is as yet far from being commensurate with the needs of the Library. It is hoped that it will be possible during the coming year to devote more time to this work. With the bookshelves filled to overflowing as they are it is especially important that the periodicals and serials be bound promptly, to reduce the danger of loss by misplacement.

In addition to the 3,274 volumes sent to the Government bindery, 1,510 volumes of periodicals were put in temporary binders, an increase of 1,382 over the previous year. As explained in the report of last year, these temporary binders are used for periodicals which need to be preserved but are not so frequently used as to justify permanent binding. They are also used for incomplete volumes, as they permit of the insertion of the missing numbers when they are obtained, and in the meantime keep the file in an orderly condition, in a form convenient for use. The use of these temporary binders has done much to improve the appearance of the Library by reducing the amount of unbound material on the shelves.

DUPLICATES.

The list of duplicates referred to in the report of last year as being in preparation was printed in October, 1910, and distributed to the libraries of the State agricultural colleges and experiment stations. The list contained 673 titles and represented approximately 2,000 books and pamphlets. All but about 50 were requested and distributed. The demands for the duplicates were greater than was expected and would seem to warrant the Library in continuing to prepare lists of them for distribution to the State agricultural colleges and experiment stations. A large number of duplicates have accumulated since the preparation of the list in October, 1910, and a new list will be distributed some time during the coming fall. They consist in large part of Government, State, and society publications. The limited space available for handling and storing the duplicates has greatly hampered the work. It is difficult to spare the services of an assistant for this work, but the lack of storage room makes it imperative either to continue the present practice or to destroy the duplicates as they are received. The latter course seems scarcely justifiable, if any considerable number of them are of value to the agricultural colleges and experiment stations.

TRANSLATING.

During the year 464 foreign letters were referred to the Library for translation by the Library translator. In addition, 15 articles, comprising 104 pages, were translated.

MAILING LISTS AND EXCHANGES.

Since the above heading does not clearly suggest what this part of the Library's work consists of, it seems advisable to explain the work in some detail, as in previous reports. In addition to having on file in the Library copies of the foreign mailing lists of the bureaus, divisions, and offices of the department, the Library has charge of (1) the "Libraries List" (a list of libraries and institutions in this country and abroad to which are sent all the publications of the department); (2) the Library Bulletin list-that is, the list to which the Monthly Bulletin of the Library is sent; (3) the foreign mailing list for the Yearbook; (4) the foreign mailing list for the Farmers' Bulletins; and (5) the "Exchange List" (a list of libraries, institutions, officials connected with agriculture, and exchanges in foreign countries, to which is sent regularly the Monthly List of Publications of the department). The Library has no control over the lists of the bureaus, divisions, and offices-that is, it can not make changes in their lists without their authority-but it has direct charge over the other lists above mentioned, and is thereby able to make advantageous arrangements for exchanges. For the purpose of preventing duplication and to aid in obtaining exchanges, the Library also maintains a consolidated list, arranged geographically, of all the addresses on the above lists. It is also the duty of the Library, in cooperation with the Division of Publications, to attend to the miscellaneous requests from foreign countries for publications of the department. If the institutions or individuals making the requests are entitled to the publications, an order requesting them to be forwarded is sent to the Division of Publications. This arrangement has been very advantageous to the Library in obtaining exchanges. Requests from individuals who are rendering no service to the department and requests from institutions with which the Library has no interest in arranging exchanges are referred to the Division of Publications for attention. During the past year there have been no changes of note in the work in connection with the mailing lists and the sending of department publications. There were certain changes which seemed advisable, namely, a revision of the mailing lists and a new comprehensive order in regard to the distribution of publications, especially in regard to the distribution to foreign countries, to replace the old orders issued several years ago, during which time conditions have changed. It was deemed advisable, however, to await the report of the committee on efficiency and economy in the department before making any changes. The report, as previously mentioned, was issued on June 30, 1911, and recommended certain changes in regard to the distribution of department publications. These changes, as far as they affect the Library, will be acted upon in the coming year, and it is hoped will better systematize the work. In this connection special mention should be made of one of the recommendations of the committee in its report on "Libraries," namely, the following:

That all exchanges received in return for department publications be regarded as the property of the main Library and be sent there to be catalogued. If required by the bureaus later, such exchanges could be lent in the usual

manner.

While there has been from year to year an increasing willingness on the part of the bureaus and offices of the department to cooperate with the Library in the matter of exchanges, it is too important a