I am conscious that this report of our adoption of the Decimal
classification is, as far as I am concerned, premature. I look upon the
work in its present state as just from the broad-axe or the saw-mill.
There is planing to be done and sand-papering. Except to discuss now and
then some fundamental principle in classification, I have had little to
do with the work. Other duties, which I must necessarily perform, have
occupied every hour of my time. I am hoping that now the rough part of
this work is off our hands, I can make a readjustment of the work in
general that will give me time next year to participate in the finishing
process. The history of the matter is very brief. Our old fixed location
had become impossible, and a point was reached where it was necessary to
begin at once with whatever movable method we might adopt. I had been at
work for some time on a substitution of relative markings for fixed
ones, which would, without any change of classification, set our books
free. This was interrupted by sickness at the critical time, and it was
determined to adopt the Decimal classification as the most generally
used and the most susceptible of modification. Also, my assistants, on
whom the work would fall, were familiar with this method, and had
experience in working it. The changes that had been made were made
largely in deference to the desires of heads of departments. It was not
always easy to act on these suggestions inasmuch as a general adoption
of them would be fatal to uniformity. In consequence some of the changes
are in the nature of a compromise, and are tentative. The change now so
nearly accomplished has been made economically and, considering all
things, expeditiously. The credit of this is due to my assistants. They
have been untiring in their industry and their management of the
differences of opinion that they have encountered has been wise and
tactful. Mr. Jordan, my cataloger, has made a brief catalog of the
changes, which I enclose. You can make such use of this matter as you
may desire at your meeting, but I would prefer that nothing go upon
record. By next year we shall have the matter better digested, and I
hope some of us may be present at the meeting to discuss it. It is a
subject which has a perennial interest.