Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1878 [PAGE 76]

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76 cannot as yet be given ; but they will fall, it is believed, within the amount of the state appropriation for the year. The library cases, including the cases for pamphlets, authorized by your votes, are now complete. The remainder of the appropriation for library books and cases will soon be available, and it is desirable that lists of books be purchased, and plans for the completion of cases, be agreed upon as soon as practicable. I again recommend the continuance of the gallery across the south end of the library hall, and the addition of a few alcove cases on the east side, the railing being moved a few feet northward from the present alcove cases to allow room for the additional ones. The cases in the southeast corner may also be made to correspond with those opposite, and thus allow more* light to be thrown into the room. As the appropriation will easily cover the expense, I recommend that there be also provided a librarian's table of suitable size and construction, in the place of the present one borrowed for his use from the draughting rooms. I t should be amply provided with drawers and closets, and a case for the mail boxes. The librarian also asks that some shelves shall be provided for the large folio volumes, belonging mostly to the engineering department, and too large for any of the shelves now in the cases.

CABINET AND MUSEUM.

The report of Professor Taft, of the expenditures from the state appropriation for the museum, will show how economically these expenditures have been made. In accordance with your votes, Mr. Geo. A. Wild was engaged and entered upon service, as taxidermist, the first of February. In addition to his work upon the skins in store, Mr. W i l d e has succeeded in procuring many specimens from the locality, and has thus added to the extent and value of our collections. W e have also had occasion to call upon his services as an instructor in our preparatory classes, and have thus diminished somewhat the draft made upon the museum fund. His work will be needed during the coming term in the mounting of the specimens already on hand, and I hope we may be able to avail ourselves of his services permanently in the department for which he is so well fitted. The work on the museum cases of the lower tier is nearly finished, and the shops w^ill soon be ready to begin upon the gallery. There remains of the appropriation for the cabinets for the past year, as shown by the report of the business agent, an unexpended balance of $235.69. The appropriation for the current year will be $1,000. I recommend that the expenditure of this fund be intrusted to the same committee as last year, and that they be authorized to employ Mr. Wilde for such time as his services may be needed as taxidermist and osteologist. Prof. Taft judges that the specimens required in natural history can be obtained in this way for one half what they will cost if bought from the regular dealers. And he adds as an additional advantage, that Mr. W i l d will teach a class in taxidermy, and thus increase the usefulness of the department, and secure many specimens from the contributions of our own students. I think the trustees will be gratified with the evident progress made in this important and interesting branch of our work.