You see here our National Library. In this building is deposited now every book, map, chart, piece of music, etc., that bears the United States copyright. In addition, there are stacks and stacks of books that are published in foreign countries. While the library serves first the members of congress, it is also for the use of everybody. You are welcome to use any book on its shelves, provided you do not take it away from the building. The latter privilege is granted only to congressmen, and, by courtesy, to their families. In order that the books may be delivered speedily to the Senate and the House of Representatives, a tunnel connects the library with the Capitol Building. You will get some idea of the number of books this building will house when you learn its size. It is 470 feet long and 340 feet wide. It covers nearly 3 1/2 acres of ground. It has room for

5,000,000 volumes. Two million volumes are already on its shelves. The building was begun in 1888 and finished 9 years later. Its outer walls are made of white granite from the quarries of New Hampshire. Its inner courts are constructed of Maryland granite and white enameled bricks. In order that all its rooms may be properly lighted, there are 2,200 windows, and about 8,000 incandescent lamps. To catalogue the books, and to serve the many readers, the library has a staff of 300 employees. The collection of books, of course, was begun long before the construction of this present building. The library was started almost with the beginning of our government. Among the interesting collections is the library which Thomas Jefferson gave to the United States.