REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN. MR. PRESIDENT: LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, I HAVE the honor to report as Librarian that I have received from my predecessor the books and other property constituting the Library of the American Medical Association, and that they are deposited in the Smithsonian Institution. Professor Henry, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, offered during the past year to place a suitable room at the disposal of the Library, and to put up proper and sufficient shelving therein for the arranging of the books, at a cost to the Association simply of the material used. There being no funds available for the purpose, no action was taken, and I would recommend that a certain amount be placed at the disposal of the Librarian, and Library Committee, for the fitting up of a Library, paying for postage, transportation, binding, and incidental expenses. The catalogue which follows shows that during the past year one hundred and two titles have been added to the Library, the most important donation being that made by Dr. S. W. Butler, of Philadelphia, and consisting of thirty-four handsomely bound volumes, including a complete set of the Medical and Surgical Reporter, twentyfive volumes, and nine volumes of the New Jersey Reporter; he having withdrawn for the purpose his previous donation of unbound numbers. It would prove very advantageous to the Library, if members would examine closely the list of titles as catalogued and published in Volumes XXII. and XXIII., and I hope XXIV., of the Transactions, and attempt from their own collections of odd numbers to fill up the deficiency noted in the files of American Medical Journals. If duplicates should be sent, they might serve a useful purpose by being kept for exchange at some future time.' Many of our medical brethren undoubtedly have laid away in dusty corners, a prey to the inroads of moths, worms, mice, and other accidents, which befall books under such conditions, odd numbers or volumes of works long since supplanted by later authorities, which, perhaps, have descended to them from some relative or preceptor, and which would find a fitting resting place by their preservation as a part of the American Medical Library. My predecessor has recommended the placing of a certain number of volumes of the Transactions of the Association in the hands of the Librarian for exchange. I would renew that recommendation, or suggest, in lieu thereof, that the Publication Committee be instructed to furnish current copies of the Transactions to all Societies, Hospitals, and Journals whose names appear upon the printed catalogue of the Librarian as regular contributors. In Dr. Toner's "Report on the Practicability of establishing a Library of American Medical Works," adopted at the Twentieth Annual Meeting, held in May, 1869, occurs the following clause: "The proposed library, if successful, must be constantly increasing in extent and value, and be at all times free for consultation to the whole profession." The Librarian construes this latter clause as giving him authority to furnish members at a distance with works, by mail or express, they being responsible for their safety, condition, and return, defraying all expenses and retaining them for consultation during a stated period of time. This construction being put upon the clause, the Library supplies a want which no other collection of medical works in the United States meets at the present time, not excepting the large and valuable Library of the Medical Department of the United States Army, which is strictly for reference within its proper precincts. Accompanying I submit an account of necessary expenditures made during the year, and would, as Librarian, tender thanks to my predecessor Dr. F. A. Ashford for his methodical arrangement of the books and catalogue, thereby rendering my task a comparatively easy one; to Professor Henry for his courtesy and interest shown in the advancement of the Library; to Dr. Toner of the Library Committee for his valuable advice and assistance, and to those who by their contributions have fostered the growth of the Library. Respectfully, WM. LEE, 2111 Pennsylvania Avenue. Librarian. |