Report of the Library Committee

The Library belonging to the Institute is now administered as part of that of the United Engineering Society, the members of the Library Committee representing the Institute on the Library Board of the United Engineering Society. The main collection now consists of 115,900 books, 3680 pamphlets, 5811 maps, and 4402 searches, making a total of 129,793, a net gain of 7701 within the year. There is in addition a lending collection of 1004 volumes and one of duplicates amounting to 11,310. The library grows steadily both by gift and purchase. The cataloging is now substantially current covering 124,100 items represented by 362,145 cards. There are many rare and notable books, especially those relating to early engineering. It is truly a great treasure house of knowledge. While no severe effort is made to record all visitors the books showed 23,470 to have used the Library in 1928. In addition 5102 telephone requests for information were answered, 202 searches and 196 translations made and 34,964 photo prints furnished. The service department is maintained by small fees which cover the cost. The total amount appropriated for operating expense for the year was $46,300, of which $8,240.02 was furnished by the Institute, $5,399.45 being derived as income from the Douglas Library Fund and the remainder from current receipts. Within the year a slight change was made in the method of meeting the expenses of the Library, a flat charge of $5,000 per year being made against each of the four Founder Societies and this being supplemented by a surcharge based upon membership. The effect of this has been for the present to decrease slightly the amount that the Institute would otherwise need to pay. Placing in one collection all the books of the four societies greatly increases the number of books accessible to the members of each and opening the Library to the public is an important factor in keeping the tax exemption privilege enjoyed for the building. The Director and Staff of the Library make every effort not only to accommodate those who come in person to consult the collection but members resident elsewhere who communicate by letter or wire. The facilities of the Library are truly available to all.