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The Department of Commerce_.

Letter from Secretary Redfield_.

Organization of the department__

Editorial_____

Story of the department..

Brief index of matters handled by bureaus, offices, etc-

The Department of Labor..

Letter from Secretary Wilson..

Organization of the department_.

Editorial_‒‒‒

Story of the department--.

Brief index of matters handled by bureaus, offices, etc----

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FOREWORD.

Brief stories are given in the following pages of the functions and, in some instances, of the accomplishments of the various offices of the Federal Executive Departments which have printed matter of interest to libraries.

With regard to the office of the Chief Executive, the President of the United States, the only publications distributed are the President's addresses to Congress and his other speeches, which may be obtained by addressing the Secretary to the President of the United States. Congressional printed matter can be obtained as follows:

The Congressional Record through the good offices of your Congressman; each Senator has 89 and each Representative 69 designations. Each Senator has also the privilege of naming two libraries in his State which shall receive the Record. The subscription price is $4 for a short session; $8 for a long session. Current copies of bills, resolutions, and reports can be obtained from the Senate or House Document Rooms. The publication desired should be described as follows:

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A few Government documents are suggested for reference, as follows:

Congress.-The Congressional Record, the Congressional Directory, Monthly Compendium of Legislation, Weekly Compendium of Legislation.

Departments.-Annual reports of each department.

State Department.-Register of the Department of State.

Post Office.-Official Postal Guide.

Justice. Register of the Department of Justice and the United States courts.

Departments-Continued.

Interior.-Educational directory.

Commerce.-Annual and monthly lists of publications, Official Register of the United States, Statistical Abstract of the United States, Statistical Atlas of the United States.

Labor. List of publications, the Monthly Labor Review.

Agriculture.-Monthly list of publications, Geography of the World's Agriculture, Program of Work, Agricultural Yearbook.

Government Printing Office.-Latest report.

Superintendent of documents.-Check List, Document Catalogue, Document Index, Monthly Catalogue United States Public Documents, Price List of Publications (complete set).

Library of Congress.-Monthly list State publications.

TO THE LIBRARIANS:

Some time you will undoubtedly visit your National Library, which is your Washington headquarters.

Pray come. But also, at all times, and in all relations, consider that you have a part interest in a library which, while having primary duties to the Government establishments at Washington, is maintained by the United States as a whole for a service truly national.

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THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

No study of the Federal executive departments, however brief, would be complete without a word about the Library of Congress, since much of the information given in Government publications is based on facts gleaned from the unequaled collections of that great library from which all the Government bureaus may draw books freely for official use.

The Library of Congress, better known as our National Library, is the mecca of American librarians. No librarian with true pride in his profession can enter its doors without instinctively giving thanks that here is a comradeship which nothing can overthrow; here under one roof is the great thought of exchange of the world. Here in quiet one may read the differing opinions of the greatest men with regard to the vital issues of life and, free from temporary emotional appeals, one may make his own decisions and go forth with the conscious power that only knowledge can give.

While the privilege of drawing books for home use is confined to Senators and Representatives, certain high officials of the Government, judges, and other persons designated by statute, the Librarian has the power of granting this privilege to scholars engaged in research, and he uses it freely, not merely within the District of Columbia, but (through interlibrary loans) throughout the United States.

"The purpose of the administration is the freest possible use of the books consistent with their safety and the widest possible use consistent with the convenience of Congress."

"The public has free access to a reference collection of over 15,000 volumes in the main reading room. Students are granted access to the shelves, and if the same books are needed day after day, a table is provided on which they may be reserved. Special alcove facilities are provided for research investigators employing stenographers and typewriters, and photo duplicates of books, newspapers, maps, etc., are furnished at a reasonable rate."

"The library proper is strongest in bibliography, public documents (especially those of foreign governments), American. economics, political science, public law and legislation, the fine arts, genealogy, society publications, and newspapers. By virtue of the copyright laws, it has the most complete collection in existence of the products of the American press."

The library has issued and continues to issue an invaluable series of bibliographies, a list of which may be obtained on application.

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