2. This dislocation of books makes it much more difficult for graduate stu- dents to carry on their research. e° Valuable books are exposed to destruction by mould, mutilation, and theft. . When a new set of books is bought much shifting must be done to make space, or some older books are removed to the attic. 5. Watson Library cannot relieve the crowded conditions in the branch li- braries. Were there adequate shelf space the older material could be moved back to the main library. 6. In its present crowded condition it is impossible for the library to attract the gifts or the bequests of the valuable collections of books that now exist in this area. It is impossible to promise any prospec- tive donor that his gift will be given even decent, not to say digni- fied treatment. This is a very important point to a University Library for most of the libraries of this type depend on collectors ami rich donors for their outstanding treasures. 7. The library's book appropriation should be increased to bring the Uni- versity's collection in line with those of other Universities in this area but it is useless to do so until there is assurance that the books can be made available. 8. The overcrowded condition of the library is being made worse at the rate of 9,000 volumes per year. Without stack relief no administrative skill can prevent the condition becoming more chaotic. Books without shelves cannot be preserved or found when wanted. Storage Room During the year 1937-'38 a room was excavated under the Basement Reading Room. The presence of five pier-footings 8 feet square greatly reduces the actual storage capacity of the space. Careful planning pro- vides storage space for about 50,000 volumes. The room can be used only for books rarely needed as its center is 75 feet distant fromthe eleva- tor. The danger from damp and mould to books stored here is still to be determined. This storage space will be taken up within a year with the library's surplus books and newspaper files plus the little used sets that will be brought in to give shelf relief to the crowded departmental libraries. This storage room, while a welcome addition, does not attempt to solve the stack problem of Watson Library. Active books to be effective must be placed in stacks where they are readily accessible to students. An addition to the stacks continuing the floor levels is the only solution. Use of Library Watson Library is used by all the students excepting those in the Law and Engineering Schools. Eliminating these, the library last year served over 4500, including more than 300 graduate students. It provides service 14 hours a day. During the year 1937-'38 the library issued 315,090 books to stu- dents and faculty.