In 1897, Spofford stepped aside in favor of a younger administrator, John Russell Young, and returned to his old post of Chief Assistant Librarian, where he remained until his death. Spofford also held a post as Professor and Department Head of Library Science at the Columbian University in Washington, D.C. During his retirement, Spofford wrote and published "A Book for All Readers", and was described by the "New York Times" as "written from the fullness of knowledge and experience of a veteran librarian for the guidance of younger members of his chosen profession."