FR52 A156

PREFACE.

In April, 1908, as the result of informal correspondence among librarians of the Pacific Northwest, it was decided to prepare a co-operative library check-list of books and pamphlets relating to the region. The plan agreed upon was that each library should furnish a card list of its own items and that these lists so prepared should be combined into a single alphabet and published. The University of Washington Library offered its services as a medium of communication and all correspondence relative to the work has been carried on through this institution.

Tentative specifications covering scope and form of entry were sent to representative libraries for suggestions and criticisms. As soon as replies were received from all, final rules, representing the expressed wishes of a majority of the collaborators, were prepared and sent to each contributing library.

The scope of the check-list, as determined by this preliminary canvas, was made to include all books and pamphlets relating to the history of that geographical area lying north of California and west of the Rocky mountains, including the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana, together with British Columbia, Alaska and the Yukon. The word history has been used in its broadest sense, including a wide range of literature bearing upon the region, such as description, travel, fiction, and works written from the scientific or commercial standpoint. The following classes of material have been excluded:

1.

2.

3.

Manuscripts.

State documents, because listed in Bowker's State Publications.

Federal documents, to which there is some clue through government indexes.

4. Periodicals published in the region, except those devoted mainly or entirely to history, such as historical magazines. Serials, however, as year-books, proceedings and transactions of societies have been included as a part of the institutional history of the region.

In the case of state and federal documents which as a class have been excluded, exception was made of some few official and semi-official publications of special importance.

In listing the material, the Dewey Library School Rules were used as a basis, but certain modifications were made to conform to the wishes of contributing librarians.

The work began with eleven libraries represented. During its progress, two more joined the enterprise, making a total of thirteen. It is especially to be regretted that the Library of the Oregon State Historical Society could not have been included. Of those participating, two libraries, namely, the Legislative Library of British Columbia and the Portland Library Association, were unable, for lack of time, to complete their lists, both of them having omitted practically their entire collection of pamphlets.

It was found impracticable to submit proof sheets of the check-list to the different contributors for corrections or additions. Owing to varying interpretations of rules, inevitable in working from written instructions without personal conference, the list will necessarily fail to credit each library with all the items which it contains. The present publication must therefore be considered as a tentative list, a preliminary survey of the field, whose significance is for the future rather than for the present. While primarily intended as a librarian's reference book for use in a co-operative development of library resources, it is hoped that it will also prove helpful to students who wish to know what material relating to the region is now available and where it can be found.

The preparation of this list is due to the hearty co-operation of each contributor. Its publication was generously assumed by the Washington State Library, and a special debt of gratitude is due its librarian, Mr. J. M. Hitt. CHARLES W. SMITH.

University of Washington Library,

Seattle, Washington.

March 3, 1909.

DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF LIBRARIES.

L

M

LIBRARY OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE PROVINCE OF
BRITISH COLUMBIA, Victoria, B. C.

A reference library only, being principally for the use of legislators and government officials. It may, however, be used by the public when the house is not in session. It contains about 35,000 volumes, including pamphlets. The Dewey decimal classification is used.

The Library of the Legislative Assembly was established in 1893. The subject matter of the library is in the main of a legal and parliamentary nature. It embraces, however, a comparatively large and valuable collection of early discov eries and historical works relating to the Northwest Pacific Coast of America and the Northwest Territories of Canada.

The reading room is open to the public during government hours, viz. from 9 A. M. to 5 P. M.-every day that the legislature is not in session.

Librarian, E. O. S. Scholefield.

MONTANA STATE HISTORICAL AND MISCELLANEOUS LIBRARY,
Helena, Montana.

A reference library containing 14,932 volumes. Open daily except Sunday from 9 A. M. to 5 P. M. The privileges of the library are extended so far as possible to all citizens of the state.

The Historical Society of Montana was incorporated in 1865 "in order to collect and arrange facts in regard to the early history of this Territory, the discovery of mines, incidents of the fur trade, etc." Its first headquarters were at Virginia City. Subsequently they were moved to Deer Lodge and then to Helena. In 1893, the property of the Historical Society came under the control of the state. It was combined with the Miscellaneous Department of the State Library and on the completion of the State Capitol in 1902 the present quarters were occupied.

Librarian, William S. Bell.

MU UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA LIBRARY, Missoula, Montana.

Contains 16,000 bound volumes and several thousand pamphlets. Open daily, except Sunday, from 8:15 A. M. to 5:30 P. M. and from 7 to 9:30 P. M. On Sunday, the hours are from 2:30 to 5 P. M. Its use is free to students and members of the faculty. Books are loaned from the library for one week. Reference books, reserved books and current periodicals do not circulate.

The library started with a collection of books donated at the organization of the University in September, 1895. It is now housed in a two-story brick building, located on the north side of the main oval.

Librarian, Gertrude Buckhous.