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Academy. Exclusive of the above works, there are 15,500 volumes in

the various classes.

The following have been the additions to the Library since 1838:

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There is no permanent fund for the increase of the Library. There has usually been an appropriation made by Congress of $1,000 annually for the Library, but for the years 1846, 1847, and 1848 no such appropriation was made. The sum of $1,500, however, was appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1849; and the usual appropriation has been made by Congress for 1850, 1851, and 1852 of $1,000 annually.

The Library occupies the east wing of a granite building of the Elizabethan style of Gothic architecture, erected in 1840-41. The remaining portion of the building contains four public offices and rooms for philosophical apparatus; in the east tower is a Transit instrument, in the middle one an Equatorial telescope, and in the west one a mural circle. The cost of the entire building was $50,216 86. The Library room is 46 feet square, with a gallery and two tiers of cases. Height of room, 31 feet.

The books are arranged upon the shelves alphabetically according to subjects. The Library is open daily, Sundays excepted, between 8 and 12, A. M., and between 1, P. M., and sunset. Only the professors, instructors, cadets, and officers residing at the post are entitled to the use of the books. Cadets may draw books on Saturday, to be returned on the ensuing Monday, and they are also allowed to take such books during the week as are calculated to assist them in their class studies,

i. e. one volume of text, with accompanying plates (if any) at a time, and to be retained for ten days only; for a longer period of time they must obtain the special permission of the Superintendent in writing. Officers may draw four volumes, and professors eight volumes at a time, to be retained for a period not exceeding two months. The annual number drawn is, on an average, 12,000 volumes.

The officers of the Library are a Librarian, who is also a member of the Academic Staff; and an Assistant Librarian, who is a private soldier.

HENRY COPPÉE,

1st Lieut. & Bt. Capt. 1st Art.,

Librarian.

WEST POINT, N. Y., January 10, 1853.

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