A Library Primer

John Cotton Dana

Third Edition

Library Bureau, Chicago1903

Copyright, 1899, by Library Bureau

To Samuel S. Green, William I. Fletcher, and Charles A. Cutter

PREFACE. 

A library primer was published in the first six numbers of PublicLibraries in 1896. It was quite largely made up of extracts from anarticle by Dr W. F. Poole on The organization and management of publiclibraries, which formed part of the report on Public libraries in theU. S. , published by the U. S. Bureau of education in 1876; from W. I. Fletcher's Public libraries in America; from Mary W. Plummer's Hintsto small libraries; and from papers in the Library journal and A. L. A. Proceedings. 

At the request of a number of people interested I have revised, rewritten, and extended the original draft for publication in bookform. Additional material has been taken from many sources. I havetried to give credit in good measure. The prevailing tendency amonglibrarians is to share ideas, to give to one another the benefit ofall their suggestions and experiences. The result is a large fund oflibrary knowledge which is common property. From this fund most ofthis book is taken. 

The Library Primer is what its name implies. It does not try to beexhaustive in any part of the field. It tries to open up the subjectof library management for the small library, and to show how large itis and how much librarians have yet to learn and to do. 

The City library, J. C. D. Springfield, Mass. 

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

 I, The beginnings--Library law 9

 II, Preliminary work 10

 III, What does a public library do for a community? 12

 IV, General policy of the library 15

 V, Trustees 17

 VI, The librarian 20

 VII, The trained librarian 23

 VIII, Rooms, building, fixtures, furniture 25

 IX, Things needed in beginning work 30

 X, The Library Bureau 35

 XI, Selecting books 39

 XII, Reference books for a small library 46

 XIII, Reference work 53

 XIV, Reading room 57

 XV, List of periodicals 61

 XVI, Buying books 63

 XVII, Ink and handwriting 69

 XVIII, Care of books 73

 XIX, Accessioning 76

 XX, Classifying 78

 XXI, Decimal classification 81

 XXII, Expansive classification 84

 XXIII, Author numbers or book marks 91

 XXIV, Shelf list 92

 XXV, Cataloging 94

 XXVI, Preparing books for the shelf 99

 XXVII, Binding and mending 103

 XXVIII, Pamphlets 108

 XXIX, Public documents 110

 XXX, Checking the library 113

 XXXI, Lists, bulletins, and printed catalogs 114

 XXXII, Charging systems 116

 XXXIII, Meeting the public 122

 XXXIV, The public library for the public 123

 XXXV, Advice to a librarian 126

 XXXVI, The librarian as a host 128

 XXXVII, Making friends for the library 131

XXXVIII, Public libraries and recreation 133

 XXXIX, Books as useful tools 134

 XL, Village library successfully managed 135

 XLI, Rules for the public 137

 XLII, Rules for trustees and employés 140

 XLIII, Reports 146

 XLIV, Library legislation 147

 XLV, A. L. A. And other library associations 152

 XLVI, Library schools and classes 154

 XLVII, Library department of N. E. A. 156

 XLVIII, Young people and the schools 157

 XLIX, How can the library assist the school? 160

 L, Children's room 163

 LI, Schoolroom libraries 164

 LII, Children's home libraries 166

 LIII, Literary clubs and libraries 168

 LIV, Museums, lectures, etc. 170

 LV, Rules for the care of photographs 171

Library Primer

CHAPTER I

The beginnings--Library law

If the establishment of a free public library in your town is underconsideration, the first question is probably this: Is there a statutewhich authorizes a tax for the support of a public library? Your statelibrary commission, if you have one, will tell you if your stategives aid to local public libraries. It will also tell you about yourlibrary law. If you have no library commission, consult a lawyer andget from him a careful statement of what can be done under presentstatutory regulations. If your state has no library law, or none whichseems appropriate in your community, it may be necessary to suspendall work, save the fostering of a sentiment favorable to a library, until a good law is secured. 

In chapters 44 and 45 will be found a list of state librarycommissions, important provisions in library laws, and the names ofthe states having the best library laws at present. 

Before taking any definite steps, learn about the beginnings of otherlibraries by writing to people who have had experience, and especiallyto libraries in communities similar in size and character to your own. Write to some of the new libraries in other towns and villages ofyour state, and learn how they began. Visit several such libraries, ifpossible, the smaller the better if you are starting on a small scale. 

CHAPTER II

Preliminary work

Often it is not well to lay great plans and invoke state aid at thevery outset. Make a beginning, even though it be small, is a goodgeneral rule. This beginning, however petty it seems, will give acenter for further effort, and will furnish practical illustrationsfor the arguments one may wish to use in trying to interest people inthe movement. 

Each community has different needs, and begins its library underdifferent conditions. Consider then, whether you need most a librarydevoted chiefly to the work of helping the schools, or one to be usedmainly for reference, or one that shall run largely to periodicals andbe not much more than a reading room, or one particularly attractiveto girls and women, or one that shall not be much more than a cheerfulresting-place, attractive enough to draw man and boy from streetcorner and saloon. Decide this question early, that all effort may beconcentrated to one end, and that your young institution may suit thecommunity in which it is to grow, and from which it is to gain itsstrength. 

Having decided to have a library, keep the movement well beforethe public. The necessity of the library, its great value to thecommunity, should be urged by the local press, from the platform, andin personal talk. Include in your canvass all citizens, irrespectiveof creed, business, or politics; whether educated or illiterate. Enlist the support of teachers, and through them interest children andparents. Literary, art, social, and scientific societies, Chautauquacircles, local clubs of all kinds should be champions of the movement. 

In getting notices of the library's work in the newspapers, or insecuring mention of it from the lecture platform, or in clubs, andliterary, artistic, and musical societies, it is better to refrainfrom figures and to deal chiefly in general statements about what thelibrary aims to do and what it has done. 

CHAPTER III

What does a public library do for a community?

And what good does a public library do? What is it for?

1) It supplies the public with recreative reading. To the masses ofthe people--hard-worked and living humdrum lives--the novel comesas an open door to an ideal life, in the enjoyment of which one mayforget, for a time, the hardships or the tedium of the real. One ofthe best functions of the public library is to raise this recreativereading of the community to higher and higher levels; to replace trashwith literature of a better order. 

2) A proper and worthy aim of the public library is the supplying ofbooks on every profession, art, or handicraft, that workers in everydepartment who care to study may perfect themselves in their work. 

3) The public library helps in social and political education--in thetraining of citizens. It is, of course, well supplied with books andperiodicals which give the thought of the best writers on the economicand social questions now under earnest discussion. 

4) The highest and best influence of the library may be summed upin the single word, culture. No other word so well describes theinfluence of the diffusion of good reading among the people in givingtone and character to their intellectual life. 

5) The free reading room connected with most of our public libraries, and the library proper as well, if it be rightly conducted, is apowerful agent for counteracting the attractions of saloons and lowresorts. Especially useful is it to those boys and young men who havea dormant fondness for reading and culture, but lack home and schoolopportunities. 

6) The library is the ever-ready helper of the school-teacher. It aidsthe work of reading circles and other home-culture organizations, byfurnishing books required and giving hints as to their value and use;it adds to the usefulness of courses of lectures by furnishinglists of books on the subjects to be treated; it allies itself withuniversity extension work; in fact, the extension lecture given inconnection with the free use of a good library seems to be the idealuniversity of the people. 

The public library, then, is a means for elevating and refining thetaste, for giving greater efficiency to every worker, for diffusingsound principles of social and political action, and for furnishingintellectual culture to all. 

The library of the immediate future for the American people isunquestionably the free public library, brought under municipalownership, and, to some extent, municipal control, and treated as partof the educational system of the state. The sense of ownership in itmakes the average man accept and use the opportunities of the freepublic library while he will turn aside from book privileges in anyother guise. 

That the public library is a part of the educational system shouldnever be lost sight of in the work of establishing it, or in itsmanagement. To the great mass of the people it comes as their firstand only educational opportunity. The largest part of every man'seducation is that which he gives himself. It is for this individual, self-administered education that the public library furnishes theopportunity and the means. The schools start education in childhood;libraries carry it on. 

CHAPTER IV

Suggestions as to general policy of the library

In general, remember always 1) that the public owns its publiclibrary, and 2) that no useless lumber is more useless than unusedbooks. People will use a library, not because, in others' opinions, they ought to, but because they like to. See to it, then, that the newlibrary is such as its owner, the public, likes; and the only test ofthis liking is use. Open wide the doors. Let regulations be few andnever obtrusive. Trust American genius for self-control. Remember thedeference for the rights of others with which you and your fellowsconduct yourselves in your own homes, at public tables, at generalgatherings. Give the people at least such liberty with their owncollection of books as the bookseller gives them with his. Let theshelves be open, and the public admitted to them, and let the openshelves strike the keynote of the whole administration. The wholelibrary should be permeated with a cheerful and accommodatingatmosphere. Lay this down as the first rule of library management; andfor the second, let it be said that librarian and assistants are totreat boy and girl, man and woman, ignorant and learned, courteous andrude, with uniform good-temper without condescension; never pertly. 

Finally, bear in mind these two doctrines, tempering the one with theother: 1) that the public library is a great educational and moralpower, to be wielded with a full sense of its great responsibilities, and of the corresponding danger of their neglect or perversion; 2)that the public library is not a business office, though it should bemost business-like in every detail of its management; but is a centerof public happiness first, of public education next. 

CHAPTER V

Trustees

[Condensed from paper by C. C. Soule]

1) _Size of the board_. --The library board should be small, insmall towns not over three members. In cities a larger board hastwo advantages: it can include men exceptionally learned in libraryscience, and it can represent more thoroughly different sections ofthe town and different elements in the population. 

2) _Term of office_. --The board should be divided into several groups, one group going out of office each year. It would be wise if nolibrary trustee could hold office for more than three successive termsof three years each. A library can, under this plan, keep in closetouch with popular needs and new ideas. 

3) _Qualifications_. --The ideal qualifications for a trustee of apublic library--a fair education and love of books being taken forgranted--are: sound character, good judgment, common sense, publicspirit, capacity for work, literary taste, representative fitness. Don't assume that because a man has been prominent in politicalbusiness or social circles he will make a good trustee. Capacityand willingness to work are more useful than a taste for literaturewithout practical qualities. General culture and wide reading aregenerally more serviceable to the public library than the knowledge ofthe specialist or scholar. See that different sections of the town'sinterests are represented. Let neither politics nor religion enterinto the choice of trustees. 

4) _Duties_. --The trustee of the public library is elected to preserveand extend the benefits of the library as the people's university. Hecan learn library science only by intelligent observation and study. He should not hold his position unless he takes a lively interest inthe library, attends trustees' meetings, reads the library journals, visits other libraries than his own, and keeps close watch of thetastes and requirements of his constituency. His duties include thecare of funds, supervision of expenditures, determination of thelibrary's policy, general direction of choice and purchase of books, selection of librarian and assistants, close watch of work done, andcomparison of the same with results reached in other libraries. 

A large board ordinarily transacts business through its chairman, secretary, treasurer, and one or more committees. It is doubtful ifthe librarian should act as secretary of the board. The treasurer, ifhe holds the funds in his hands, should always be put under bonds. It is well to have as many committees as can be actively employed inorder to enlist the coöperation of all the trustees. 

The executive committee should take charge of the daily work of thelibrary, of purchases, and of the care of the building; they shouldcarry their duties as far as possible without assuming too much of theresponsibility which properly belongs to the full board. It will bebest to entrust the choice of books to a book committee appointedfor that purpose purely. The finance committee should make and watchinvestments and see that purchases are made on most favorable terms. 

5) _Relations with the librarian_. --The trustees are the responsiblemanagers of the library; the librarian is their agent, appointedto carry out their wishes. If they have, however, a first-classlibrarian, the trustees ought to leave the management of the librarypractically to him, simply supplementing his ability without impedingit. They should leave to a librarian of good executive ability theselection, management, and dismissal of all assistants, the methodsand details of library work, and the initiative in the choice ofbooks. A wise librarian the trustees may very properly take into theirconfidence, and invite his presence at all meetings, where his advicewould be of service. 

6) _Other employés_. --Efficiency of employés can best be obtainedthrough application of the cardinal principles of an enlightenedcivil service, viz. , absolute exclusion of all political and personalinfluence, appointment for definitely ascertained fitness, promotionfor merit, and retention during good behavior. 

CHAPTER VI

The librarian

If circumstances permit, the librarian should be engaged even beforethe general character of the library and plan of administration havebeen determined upon. If properly selected, he or she will be a personof experience in these matters, and will be able to give valuableadvice. Politics, social considerations, church sympathies, religiousprejudices, family relationship--none of these should be allowed toenter into his selection. Secure an efficient officer, even at whatmay seem at first a disproportionate expense. Save money in otherways, but never by employing a forceless man or woman in the positionof chief librarian. 

Recent developments of schools of library economy, and recent rapidgrowth of public libraries throughout the country, have made itpossible for any new library to secure good material for a librarian. If lack of funds or other conditions make it necessary to employ somelocal applicant, it will be wise to insist that that person, if notalready conversant with library economy, shall immediately becomeinformed on the subject. It will not be easy, it may not be possible, for trustees to inform themselves as to library organization andadministration. They can, however, with very little difficulty, sofar inform themselves as to be able to judge whether the person theyselect for their chief officer is taking pains to acquaint himselfwith the literature of the subject, or trying to get in touch withthe knowledge and experience of others. They should not submit fora moment to ignorance or indifference on the part of their chosenadministrator. Success or failure of a library, as of a business, depends on the ability of the man or woman at its head, and onlytrained men and women should be in charge. The business of thelibrarian is a profession, and a practical knowledge of the subject isnever so much needed as in starting a new enterprise. 

The librarian should have culture, scholarship, and executive ability. He should keep always in advance of his community, and constantlyeducate it to make greater demands upon him. He should be a leader anda teacher, earnest, enthusiastic, and intelligent. He should be ableto win the confidence of children, and wise to lead them by easy stepsfrom good books to the best. He has the greatest opportunity of anyteacher in the community. He should be the teacher of teachers. Heshould make the library a school for the young, a college for adults, and the constant center of such educational activity as will makewholesome and inspiring themes the burden of the common thought. Heshould be enough of a bookworm to have a decided taste and fondnessfor books, and at the same time not enough to be such a recluse asloses sight of the point of view of those who know little of books. 

As the responsible head of the institution, he should be consulted inall matters relating to its management. The most satisfactory resultsare obtained in those libraries where the chief librarian is permittedto appoint assistants, select books, buy supplies, make regulations, and decide methods of cataloging, classifying, and lending; allsubject to the approval of the trustees. Trustees should imposeresponsibility, grant freedom, and exact results. 

To the librarian himself one may say: Be punctual; be attentive; helpdevelop enthusiasm in your assistants; be neat and consistent in yourdress; be dignified but courteous in your manner. Be careful in yourcontracts; be square with your board; be concise and technical;be accurate; be courageous and self-reliant; be careful aboutacknowledgments; be not worshipful of your work; be careful of yourhealth. Last of all, be yourself. 

CHAPTER VII

The trained librarian in a small library

Julia A. Hopkins, of the Rochester (N. Y. ) Public library, in PublicLibraries, December, 1897

The value of training for the man or woman who shall take charge of alarge city library is now so firmly established that no one thinksof discussing the question. If it is true that technical training isessential for the headship of a large library, why is it not equallynecessary for that of a small library? Trained service is always ofgreater value than untrained service, be the sphere great or small. Ifa woman argued from the standpoint that, because the house she was totake charge of had only seven rooms instead of twenty she needed toknow nothing of cooking, sweeping, and the other details of householdwork, I am afraid that her house and her family would suffer for herignorance. So in many departments of library work the accident of sizemakes little or no difference; the work is precisely the same. Thedifference lies in the fact that the head of a large library overseesand directs the work done by others, where the village librarianmust, in many cases, do all of the work himself. In the distinctlyprofessional duties, such as the ordering, classifying, and catalogingof books, there is a difference only in amount between the greater andthe less. And it is precisely these professional duties of which theperson untrained in library work is in most cases wofully ignorant. 

It is inevitable that in starting a library there should be somemistakes made; but with a trained librarian in charge, these mistakeswill be fewer in number. For example, what does the novice know ofclassification? He realizes that the books, for convenience in use, must be grouped in classes. If he has had the use of a good library(as a college student would) he has some idea as to how the classdivisions are made, and knows also that there must be some sort ofnotation for the classes. Necessity being the mother of invention, hecontrives some plan for bringing together books on the same subject. But with the addition of books to the library and the demand whichgrowth makes, he finds that constant changes have to be made in orderto get books into their right places; and then some day he awakens tothe fact that there is some perfectly well-known and adopted system ofclassification which will answer all his purposes, and be a great dealmore satisfactory in its adaptability to the needs of his library thanthe one he has been struggling to evolve. Then he exclaims in despair:If I had only known of that at the beginning! He feels that the hourswhich he has spent in rearranging his books, taking them out of oneclass and putting them into another, although hours of such hard work, are in reality so many hours of wasted time. And he is right; forevery minute spent in unnecessary work is so much lost time. Not onlythat, but it is unnecessary expense, and one of the most importantthings which a small library has to consider is economy. 

Is it not of value to the library that its librarian should know howbest to expend the money given him to use? that he should not have toregret hours of time lost over useless experiments? Surely if trainingteaches a librarian a wise expenditure of money and an economy oftime, then training must be valuable. 

CHAPTER VIII

Rooms, building, fixtures, furniture

The trustees will be wise if they appoint their librarian beforethey erect a building, or even select rooms, and leave these matterslargely to him. They should not be in haste to build. As a rule itis better to start in temporary quarters, and let the building fundaccumulate while trustees and librarian gain experience, and the needsof the library become more definite. Plans should be made with thefuture enlargement of the building in view; libraries increase morerapidly than is generally supposed. 

Rooms of peculiar architecture are not required for the originaloccupation and organization of a library. The essential requirementsare a central location, easy access, ample space, and sufficientlight. The library and the reading room should be, if possible, on thesame floor. Make the exterior attractive, and the entrance inviting. In arranging the rooms, or building, plan from the first, as alreadysuggested, to permit visitors to go to the books themselves. 

A collection of the printed matter on library architecture should becarefully studied by both trustees and librarian before any plans aremade. While no specific plan can be recommended that would suit allcases, there are a few general rules that meet with the approvalof the library profession as a whole. They maybe thus summed up, following in the main a paper on the subject by C. C. Soule:

"A library building should be planned for library work. 

Every library building should be planned especially for the kind ofwork to be done, and the community to be served. 

The interior arrangement ought to be planned before the exterior isconsidered. 

No convenience of arrangement should be sacrificed for merearchitectural effect. 

The plan should be adapted to probabilities and possibilities ofgrowth and development. 

Simplicity of decoration is essential in the working rooms and readingrooms. 

The building should be planned with a view to economicaladministration. 

The rooms for public use should be so arranged as to allow completesupervision with the fewest possible attendants. 

There should be throughout as much natural light as possible. 

Windows should extend up to the ceiling, to light thoroughly the upperpart of every room. 

Windows in a book room should be placed opposite the intervals betweenbookcases. 

In a circulating library the books most in use should be shelved infloor cases close to the delivery desk. 

A space of at least five feet should be left between floor cases. (Ifthe public is excluded, three feet is ample. )

No shelf, in any form of bookcase, should be higher than a person ofmoderate height can reach without a stepladder. 

Shelving for folios and quartos should be provided in every book room. 

Straight flights are preferable to circular stairs. 

The form of shelving which is growing in favor is the arrangementof floor cases in large rooms with space between the tops of thebookcases and the ceiling for circulation of air and the diffusion oflight. 

Modern library plans provide accommodations for readers near the booksthey want to use whatever system of shelving is adopted. 

Single shelves should not be more than three feet long, on account ofthe tendency to sag. Ten inches between shelves, and a depth of eightinches, are good dimensions for ordinary cases. Shelves should be mademovable and easily adjustable. Many devices are now in the market forthis purpose, several of which are good. "

Don't cut up your library with partitions unless you are sure they areabsolutely necessary. Leave everything as open as possible. A lightrail will keep intruders out of a private corner, and yet will notshut out light, or prevent circulation of air, or take away from thefeeling of openness and breadth the library room ought to have. 

For interior finish use few horizontal moldings; they make traps fordust. Use such shades at the windows as will permit adjustment forletting in light at top or bottom, or both. The less ornamentation inthe furniture the better. A simple pine or white-wood table is moredignified and easier kept clean than a cheaply carved one of oak. Butget solid, honestly-made, simple furniture of oak or similar wood, iffunds permit. Arm-chairs are not often desirable. They take up muchroom, are heavy to move, and are not easy to get in and out of at atable. In many cases simple stools on a single iron standard, withouta revolving top, fastened to the floor, are more desirable thanchairs. The loafer doesn't like them; very few serious students objectto them. 

A stack room for small libraries is not advisable. Don't crowd yourcases close together unless it is absolutely necessary. 

An excellent form of wooden case is one seven feet high, with shelvesthree feet long and seven and a half inches wide, supported on ironpegs. The pegs fit into a series of holes bored one inch apart in thesides of the case, thus making the shelves adjustable. These pegs canbe bought in the market in several shapes. The shelves have slots cutin the under side at the ends to hold the projecting ends of the pegs, thus giving no obstructions to the free movement of the books. Withsome forms of pegs the slots are not needed. The uprights are madeof inch and a half stuff, or even inch and an eighth. The shelves areinch stuff, finished to seven-eighths of an inch. The backs arehalf inch stuff, tongued and grooved and put in horizontally. Thiscase-unit (3' x 7' x 8") may be doubled or trebled, making cases sixand nine feet long; or it may be made double-faced. If double-faced, and nine feet long, it will hold about a thousand books of ordinarysize when full. It is often well to build several of your cases shortand with a single front--wall cases--as they are when in this formmore easily adjusted to the growing needs of the library. 

A library can never do its best work until its management recognizesthe duty and true economy of providing skilled assistants, comfortablequarters, and the best library equipment of fittings and supplies. 

For cases, furniture, catalog cases, cards, trays, and labor-savingdevices of all kinds, consult the catalog of the Library Bureau. 

Very many libraries, even the smallest, find it advantageous to usefor book cases what are known as "steel stacks. " The demand for thesecases has been so great from libraries, large and small, that shelvingmade from a combination of wood and steel has been very successfullyadapted to this use, and at a price within the reach of all libraries. One of the principal advantages in buying such "steel stack" shelving, with parts all interchangeable, is that in the rearrangement ofa room, or in moving into a new room or a new building, it can beutilized to advantage, whereas the common wooden book cases verygenerally cannot. 

CHAPTER IX

Things needed in beginning work--Books, periodicals, and tools

The books and other things included in the following list--exceptthose starred or excepted in a special note, the purchase of whichcan perhaps be deferred until the library contains a few thousandvolumes--are essential to good work, and should be purchased, some ofthem as soon as a library is definitely decided upon, the others assoon as books are purchased and work is actually begun. 

I. BOOKS

*American catalog of books in print from 1876-1896, 5v. With annualsupplement. The Publishers' weekly, N. Y. Several of the volumes areout of print. All are expensive. They are not needed by the very smalllibrary. The recent years of the annual volumes are essential. 

Card catalog rules; accessions-book rules; shelf-list rules; LibraryBureau, 1899, $1. 25. These are called the Library school rules. 

Catalog of A. L. A. Library; 5000v. For a popular library, selected bythe American Library Association, and shown at the World's Columbianexhibition, Washington, 1893. Sent free from the United States Bureauof education. 

*English catalog, 1835-1896, 5v. , with annual supplement. The annualsupplements for recent years are needed by the small library; theothers are not. 

Five thousand books, an easy guide to books in every department. Compiled for the Ladies' home journal, 1895. Curtis PublishingCompany, Philadelphia, Pa. Paper, 10 cents. Out of print, but canprobably be found second-hand. 

Fletcher, W. I. Public Libraries in America, 1894. Roberts Bros. , Boston, $1. 

Library Bureau catalog, containing list of library tools, fittings, and appliances of all kinds, 1898. To be obtained of the LibraryBureau, Chicago, 215 Madison St. ; Boston, 530 Atlantic Ave. ; New York, 250 Broadway; Philadelphia, 112 N. Broad St. ; Washington, 1416 F St. , N. W. 

Plummer, M. W. Hints to small libraries, 1898. Truslove & Comba, N. Y. , 50 cents. 

Public library handbook, by the Public library, Denver, 1894. Out ofprint. 

Publishers' trade list annual, 1900, v. 28. Office of the Publishers'weekly, N. Y. , $2. Catalogs of all important American publishers boundtogether in one volume. 

Reference catalog of current literature, 1898. Catalogs of Englishpublishers, bound in one volume and indexed. J. Whitaker & Sons, London, $5. 

Rules for an author and title catalog, condensed. See Cutter, Rulesfor a dictionary catalog, 1891, p. 99-103. Sent from the United StatesBureau of education, Washington, free. These are the rules adopted bythe American Library Association. 

*Sonnenschein, W. S. Best books, readers' guide, 1891. Sonnenschein, London, $8. Gives author, title, publisher and price of about 50, 000carefully selected and carefully classified books. 

Sonnenschein, W. S. Reader's guide to contemporary literature(50, 000v. ), supplement to Best books, 1895. Sonnenschein, London, $6. 50. 

*Subject headings for use in dictionary catalogs, Library Bureau, 1898, $2. In a small library this is not needed, but it will savetrouble to get it. 

Lawrence, I. Classified reading. A list with publishers and prices ofbooks for the school, the library, and the home, 1898. Normal school, St Cloud, Minn. , $1. 25. 

Iles, George. List of books for girls and women and their clubs, 1895. Library Bureau, $1. 

World's library congress, papers prepared for, held at World'sColumbian exposition, Chicago, 1893. United States Bureau ofeducation, Washington, D. C. , free. Covers very fully the entire fieldof library economy. 

II. PERIODICALS

Book news, monthly. Wanamaker, Philadelphia, 50 cents. (Book reviews. )

Dial, semi-monthly, 24 Adams St. , Chicago, $2. (Book reviews, notesand essays. )

Literature, weekly. Harper & Bros. , N. Y. , $4. (Current English andAmerican literature. )

Nation, weekly. New York, $3. (Book reviews, art, politics. )

Publishers' weekly, the American book trade journal, 59 Duane St. , N. Y. , $5. (Lists nearly all American and best English books aspublished. )

Library journal, monthly, $5 a year, 58 Duane St. , New York. This isthe official organ of the American Library Association. 

Public libraries, monthly, $1 a year, 215 Madison St. , Chicago. Presents library methods in a manner especially helpful to smalllibraries. 

New York Times Saturday review of books and art. The Times, N. Y. , $1. 

Monthly cumulative book index. An author, title, and subject index tothe books published during the current year, brought up to date in onealphabet each month. Morris & Wilson, Minneapolis, Minn. , $1. 50

III. OTHER THINGS

Accession book. See catalog of the Library Bureau. For a very smalllibrary a common blank-book will do. 

Agreement blanks, which the borrower signs before getting hisborrower's card giving him the right to use the library. See chapteron charging systems. 

Book cards. See chapter on charging systems, and Library Bureaucatalog. 

Book pockets. See Library Bureau catalog, and also chapter on chargingsystems. 

Borrowers' cards. Given to borrowers as evidence of their right todraw books. See chapter on charging systems. 

Borrowers' register, best kept on cards. See chapter on chargingsystems. 

Catalog cards. These are of two sizes and many thicknesses. Selectwhat suits you. See Library Bureau catalog. 

Catalog case. See Library Bureau catalog. For a very small library afew japanned tin trays will serve. But your catalog will grow fasterthan you suppose. 

Cole size card; a sheet marked in such a way as to give one at aglance the proper letter to use in indicating the size of any bookplaced on it. See Library Bureau catalog. In a very small library notneeded. 

Classification scheme. See chapters on classification. 

Cutter author table for book numbers. See chapter on book numbers. Fora very small library one can use numbers only. 

Daters and ink pads for dating borrowers' cards, etc. The pencildaters are best. See chapter on charging systems. 

Ink. For all outside labels use Higgins' American drawing ink, waterproof. For book cards, borrowers' cards, etc. , use any goodblack, non-copying ink. Carter's fluid is very good. 

Labels. Round ones are best and those ready gummed do well ifcarefully put on. Dennison's "88A" are good. 

Paste. Binder's paste is good; for library use it needs thinning. Higgins' photo mounter and other like bottled pastes are better. 

Rubber stamps and ink pad for marking books with name of library. Seechapter on preparing books for the shelves. 

Shelf list cards. See Library Bureau catalog. 

Shelf list sheets (or cards). See Library Bureau catalog. In a verysmall library sheets of ordinary ruled writing paper will serve. It isbetter, however, to get the right thing at the start. 

CHAPTER X

The relation of the Library Bureau to libraries

Geo. B. Meleney, Ch. Mgr. , in Public Libraries, May, 1896

The consideration of the relations of the Library Bureau to librariesbrings us back to the organization of the American Library Associationin 1876. At this gathering of the prominent librarians of the country, the discussion of methods brought out the lack of unanimity in, andthe need of coöperation for, a uniform system in the various branchesof library work. To carry out uniform methods requires uniformmaterial, and this was hard to obtain. The American LibraryAssociation as such, of course, could not take up a business ventureof this kind, but it was decided to advise an organization for keepingon sale such supplies and library aids as the association might decidewere needed. 

The Library Bureau was then organized for this purpose, and hascontinued to keep the same relation toward the library associationas was originally intended. Referring to the numbers of the LibraryBureau catalogs, one may trace the history of the development not onlyof the appliances furnished by the Library Bureau, but also of ideasof library economy as they are gathered there from every source. Itconfined its attention at first to libraries only, the business beingdivided into four departments: employment, to bring together librariesand librarians; consultation, to give expert advice on any phase ofany library question; publication, to publish the various neededhelps (from point of usefulness to libraries rather than profitto publishers); supply, to furnish at lower prices all articlesrecommended by the A. L. A. , and to equip any library with best knowndevices in everything needful. Among the things noticed in thesedepartments are catalog cards, cases, trays, and outfits, booksupports, blanks, book pockets, boxes, desks, inks, etc. Somespecialties are noted in library devices, and helpful advice as totheir economical use is given. The successive catalogs follow thesame line, attention being directed toward all improvements in oldmaterial, and to all advanced work in library administration whereverfound. Not all the material recommended was manufactured by theLibrary Bureau, but a generous spirit is shown in recommending anydevice, plan, or publication known to be helpful to the libraryprofession. It has brought to notice many notable contributions tolibrary literature, such as the Author table, by C. A. Cutter, ofthe Boston athenæum; Decimal classification and relative index andLibrary notes, by Melvil Dewey; _Library journal_; Library schoolrules; Perkins' manual; Linderfelt's rules; Sargent's Reading for theyoung; Lists of books for different clubs; Subject headings of A. L. A. , etc. The Library Bureau catalog itself is one of the best library aidsever published. These catalogs have always been sent free to libraryworkers. 

Libraries grew in numbers and size largely because of the enthusiasmof earnest workers, but very frequently with hardly enough financialassistance to warrant more than the purchase of a few books, andfrequently with limited knowledge of how to make the small store ofuse to the waiting public. The management of the Library Bureau atthis time was certainly doing a missionary work; but its chief problemwas the financial one, or how to make both ends meet, and it was notuntil library methods were introduced into business houses thatthis question was solved. The constant and untiring efforts of themanagement of the Library Bureau toward the assistance and upbuildingof the smaller and younger libraries have had much to do with thegrowth of library sentiment, which is now so apparent on every hand, and indirectly this knowledge of library work and library methods hasdone much to enlarge the facilities of the Library Bureau. 

From a very unpretentious concern, publishing a few library aids, manufacturing such library devices as could not be obtained elsewhere, and keeping for sale a few articles of library furnishing, the LibraryBureau has grown to be a corporation of no small proportions, havingnumerous branches both in this country and Europe, maintaining a cardfactory, cabinet works in Boston and Chicago, and facilities for themanufacture of steel stacks unexcelled in this country. 

The Library Bureau, however, has never forgotten the cause of itsbirth or the teachings of its youth, as is clearly evidenced from yearto year by the various undertakings and publications which a carefulobserver can clearly see are not put forward with any presage ofsuccess when viewed entirely from a business standpoint. This lessonis constantly taught to the employés of the Library Bureau, and theyare positively instructed that, regardless of the promise of successin other directions, the attention to library requirements is thefirst demand. 

The Library Bureau maintains at its various offices persons thoroughlyversed in library economy, for the express purpose of furnishingdetailed information and aid to those younger members of theprofession whom they have the pleasure and opportunity of assistingover the stumbling-blocks in their daily work. With this same idea inview it publishes from the Chicago office a monthly magazine calledPUBLIC LIBRARIES, of an elementary character, which is entertaining, instructive, and inspiring, and helps to encourage a sentimentfavorable to public libraries and to make librarianship a professionof high standing. 

CHAPTER XI

Selecting books--Fitting the library to its owners

The selection of books should be left to the librarian, under thegeneral direction of trustees or book committee. 

There should be made at the start a collection of encyclopedias, dictionaries, gazetteers, and scientific compendiums, which should notbe lent. The extent of this collection will depend on the scope andpurposes of the library. No library, however small, can dispense withsome books of reference. But for a small library don't buy expensiveworks. The Encyclopædia Britannica is an example of what not to get. 

There must be taken into consideration, in determining the characterof the books to be purchased, these factors among others:

a) Presence or absence of other libraries in the vicinity, and theircharacter, if present. 

b) The avowed purposes of the free, tax-supported public library, to-wit: 1) To help people to be happy; 2) to help them to become wise;3) to encourage them to be good. 

c) The amount of money to be expended and the sum that will probablybe available for each succeeding year. 

d) The manner in which the books are to be used; whether they are tobe lent, or are to be used only for reference, or are to form both areference and a lending library. 

e) The class of people by whom they are to be used, and if children, whether for school work only, or for general reading, or for both. 

f) The occupations and leading local interests of the community. 

g) The character and average degree of intelligence of the community. 

h) The habits, as to reading and study, of those who will use thelibrary. 

The village library, in its early days, can well afford to begin atthe level of the community's average reading. At the same time itmust always try to go a little ahead of the demands of the people, and develop a taste and desire for the very best books it can get. Themasses of the people have very little of literary culture. It is thepurpose of the public library to develop this by creating in them thehabit of reading. As a rule people read books which are above theirown intellectual and moral standard, and hence are benefited byreading. The reading of books generally leads to the reading of betterbooks. 

Then do not aim too high. Avoid trash, but do not buy literature whichwill not be read simply because it is standard or classic. Rememberthat the public library is a popular institution in every sense of theword; that it has become possible only by the approval of the majorityof the population, and that the majority of the population is confinedin its turn to a majority of people of the most commonplace kind. 

Do not pander to any sect, creed, or partisan taste. Buy largelybooks costing from 50 cents to $2, found in so many of the series nowpublished. These are fresh, up-to-date, written for the most part bycompetent men, and are reliable. They are not dull, because no one canafford to be dull in a 12mo volume. As a general thing they are wellmade, supplied with maps and illustrations when needed, and haveindexes. Put much of your money into the history, travel, andliterature of your own country first, and then see what you have leftfor Greece and Rome. The common people nowadays should be encouragedin their interest in their own country, its description, history, politics, biography, mineral resources, literature. The people willinquire for these books, and they should be provided for them. Waituntil the library is larger before investing much money in the historyof worn out empires, simply because such and such a person wants them, or because some library anywhere from two to twenty times as large hasthem. Use common sense and much of it. 

Put into the people's hands books worthy of their respect, then insistthat they be handled carefully and treated always with consideration. Expensive books; that is, books which are first-class in paper, ink, and binding, are generally better worth their cost than cheap ones. 

In the first purchases buy largely for children. They are thelibrary's best pupils. They are more easily trained to enjoy goodbooks than their elders. Through them the homes are best reached. Theywill, by their free use of the library, and by their approval of it, do much to add to its popularity. The best books for children will beenjoyed by all. 

In selecting fiction, get from the older librarians a statement ofwhat are the most popular of the wholesome novels found on theirshelves. A better guide than this it will be difficult to find. Fiction is of the greatest value in developing a taste for reading. Everyone should be familiar with the great works of imagination. Nearly all the greatest literature of the world is fiction. Theeducational value of the novel is not often questioned. 

But don't buy a novel simply because it is popular. If you follow thatline you will end with the cheapest kind of stuff. Some librarianspretend that they must buy to please the public taste; that they can'tuse their own judgment in selecting books for a library which thepublic purse supports. Why these librarians don't supply the Policegazette it is difficult to understand. "The public" would likeit--some of them. We select school committees and superintendents andteachers to run our schools. We ask them to inform themselves on thesubject and give us the best education they can. They don't try tosuit everybody. They try to furnish the best. Library trustees andlibrarian are in a like case. The silly, the weak, the sloppy, thewishy-washy novel, the sickly love story, the belated tract, the crudehodge-podge of stilted conversation, impossible incident, and moralplatitude or moral bosh for children--these are not needed. It is asbad to buy them and circulate them, knowingly, as it would be for ourschool authorities to install in our schoolrooms as teachers romantic, giggling girls and smarty boys. Buy good novels, those the wiseapprove of, in good type, paper, and binding; keep plenty of copies ofeach on hand; put them where your readers can handle them; add a feweach year of the best only of the latest novels, and those chieflyon trial (not to be bought again if found not to have real merit) andyour public will be satisfied, and your library will be all the timeraising the taste of the community. 

Some books should not be put, at least not without comment, into thehands of young people. Other books, some people think, should not beread by young people. Other books, some people think, should not bein a public library at all. A good course to follow in regard to suchbooks is to consider the temper of your community and put into thelibrary as many of them as are noteworthy in a literary way as yourpublic and your resources permit. 

In other departments follow at first the guidance of some one of thegood book lists now available. 

Other things being equal, American scientific books are preferableto those by foreign authors. In all departments select the latesteditions, and, at first, the recent book rather than the older book. 

The proportion of books in the different departments of knowledge mustvary greatly in different libraries. The following is a good generalguide:

 Per cent. General works . 04Philosophy . 01Religion . 02Sociology . 09Philology . 01Science . 08Useful arts . 06Fine arts . 04Literature . 12Biography . 10History . 13Travels . 10Fiction . 20 ____Total 100

Local interest should be fostered by buying freely books on localhistory and science and books by local authors. 

The librarian should keep informed of coming events, and see that thelibrary is provided with the books for which there is sure to be afuture demand. He should avoid personal hobbies and be impartial onall controversial questions. He should not be overconfident in hisknowledge of what will elevate and refine the community. 

It is better to buy 10 extra copies of a wholesome book wanted by thepublic than one copy each of 10 other books which will not be read. 

Do not waste time, energy, and money--certainly not in the early daysof the library--in securing or arranging public documents, save a fewof purely local value. Take them if offered and store them. 

Do not be too much impressed by the local history plea, and spendprecious money on rare volumes or old journals in this line. 

Certain work can judiciously be done toward collecting and preservingmaterials for local history that will involve neither expense normuch labor, and this the librarian should do. Do not turn the publiclibrary, which is chiefly to be considered as a branch of a live, everyday system of popular education, into a local antiquariansociety; but simply let it serve incidentally as a picker-up ofunconsidered trifles. A wide-awake, scholarly librarian will like histown, and delight in at least some study of its antecedents. And sucha librarian need not be a crank, but must needs be an enterprising, wide-awake, appreciative student, who can scent the tastes and needsof posterity. 

Put no money into rare books. A book which was out of print 10 yearsor 200 years ago, and has not insisted upon republication since, has, ordinarily, no place in the active, free public library. If you getit, sell it and buy a live book. 

The free public library should encourage its readers to suggest booksnot in the library, by providing blanks for that purpose, and payingcourteous attention to all requests. 

Ask by letter, by circulars, and by notes in the local papers, forgifts of books, money, and periodicals. Acknowledge every gift. Remember that one who has helped the library, be it ever so little, has thereby become interested in it, and is its friend. 

CHAPTER XII

Reference books for a small library, compiled by C. A. Baker, of thePublic library, Denver

This list includes about 75 books, costing about $550. It is arrangedalphabetically. It is subdivided into four lists, arranged accordingto relative importance. This subdivision is shown by the numbersprefixed to each entry. 

2. Adams, C. K. Manual of historical literature. 1889. O. Harper, cl. $2. 50. 

1. Adams, O. F. Dictionary of American authors. 1897. O. Houghton, Mifflin, cl. $3. 

1. Adler, G. J. Dictionary of the German and English languages. 1893. Q. Appleton, mor. $5. 

4. Allibone, S. A. Critical dictionary of English literature. 1891, 3v. Q. Lippincott, sh. $22. 50. 

4. Allibone, S. A. Supplement to the critical dictionary of Englishliterature, by J. F. Kirk. 1892, 2 v. Q. Lippincott, sh. $15. 

1. Appleton's annual cyclopædia and register of important events. Q. Appleton, cl. $5. 

3. Appleton's cyclopædia of American biography. 1888-92, 6 v. Q. Appleton, cl. $30, half mor. $42. 

1. Appleton's cyclopædia of applied mechanics, ed. By P. Benjamin. 1893, 2 v. Q. Appleton, sh. $15, half mor. $17. 

2. Appleton's modern mechanism, supplement to Cyclopædia of appliedmechanics. 1892, 1 v. Q. Appleton, sh. $7. 50, half mor. $8. 50. 

2. Bartlett, J. , ed. Familiar quotations. 1892. O. Little, cl. $3. 

3. Bliss, E. M. , ed. Cyclopædia of missions, 2 v. 1891. Q. Funk &Wagnalls, cl. $12. 

1. Bliss, W. D. P. Cyclopædia of social reform, including politicaleconomy, science, sociology, statistics, anarchism, charities, civilservice, currency, land, etc. 1897. Q. Funk & Wagnalls, cl. $7. 50, sh. $9. 50. 

3. Brannt, W. T. And Wahl, W. H. Technico-chemical receipt book. 1895. D. Baird, cl. $2. 

1. Brewer, E. C. Reference library, 1885-98. 4 v. O. Lippincott. $13. Dictionary of miracles, Historic notebook, Dictionary of phrase andfable, Reader's handbook. 

2. Brown, E. And Strauss, A. Dictionary of American politics. 1895. D. Burt, cl. , $1. 

1. Bryant, W. C, ed. Library of poetry and song. 1876. Q. Fords, Howard, cl. , $5. 

3. Century dictionary and cyclopædia. (Century dictionary and theCentury cyclopædia of names combined with the atlas of the world. ) 10v. Prices from $60 to $150. Often can be picked up second-hand. 

1. Century atlas of the world. 1897. F. Century Co. , cl. $12. 50, halfmor. $15. 

1. Century cyclopædia of names, n. D. F. Century Co. , cl. $10. 50, buf. $12. 50. 

(Note. --The two last are included in the Century dictionary andcyclopædia, but can be bought separately. )

2. Chambers, R. , ed. Book of days, 2 v. O. Lippincott. 1893. $7. 

2. Champlin, J. D. Jr. Young folks' cyclopædia of common things. 1893. O. Holt, cl. $2. 50. 

2. Champlin, J. D. Jr. Young folks' cyclopædia of persons and places. 1892. O. Holt, cl. $2. 50. 

2. Champlin, J. D. Jr. And Bostwick, A. E. Young folks' cyclopædia ofgames and sports. 1890. O. Holt, cl. $2. 50. 

2. Channing, E. And Hart, A. B. Guide to the study of American history. O. Ginn. 1896. $2. 

1. Clement, C. E. Painters, architects, engravers, and their work. 1881. D. Houghton, Mifflin, cl. $3. (Artists not living. )

1. Clement, C. E. And Hutton, L. Artists of the 19th century and theirwork. 1885 D. Houghton & Mifflin, cl. $3. 

4. Cram's Bankers and brokers' railroad atlas; complete alphabeticalindex. 1898. F. Cram. $17. 50. 

1. Cumulative index of periodicals, monthly and annual. 1898. Helman-Taylor Co. , Cleveland, pa. $5. 

4. Cyclopædia of American biographies. J. H. Brown, ed. 1897. V. 1, A-C. Q. Cyclo. Pub. Co. , Boston, half mor. $7. 

2. Fields, J. T. And Whipple, E. P. , ed. Family library of Britishpoetry. 1882. Q. Houghton, cl. $5, mor. $10. 

3. Fletcher, W. I. , ed. A. L. A. Index to general literature. 1893. Q. Houghton, cl. $5. 

1. Fletcher, W. I. , ed. , and Bowker, R. R. Annual literary index, including periodicals and essays. 1899. O. Publishers' weekly, cl. $3. 50. 

3. Frey, A. R. Sobriquets and nicknames. 1888. O. Houghton, cl. $2. 

1. Goodholme, T. S. Domestic encyclopædia of practical information. 1889. O. Scribners, cl. $5. 

1. Harper's book of facts. C. T. Lewis, ed. 1895. Q. Harper. Sub. Only, $8. 

3. Harper's cyclopædia of British and American poetry. E. Sargent, ed. 1881. Q. Harper, hf. Leather, $5. 

2. Harper's dictionary of classical literature and antiquities. H. T. Peck, ed. 1897. Q. Harper, cl. $6. 

4. Hastings, J. Dictionary of the Bible, 4 v. O. 1898. Clark, cl. 28sper vol. , half mor. 34s. Per vol. 

3. Haydn's dictionary of dates. B. Vincent, ed. 1895. O. Putnam, cl. $6, half mor. $9. 

2. Hazell's annual; record of men and topics of the day. 1899. D. Hazell, 3s. 6d. 

2. Hopkins, A. A. Scientific American cyclopædia of receipts, notes, and queries. 1892. O. Cl. $5, sh. $6. 

1. Hoyt, J. K. Cyclopædia of practical quotations, English, Latin, andmodern foreign. 1896. Q. Funk & Wagnalls, cl. $5, sh. $8. 

1. Jameson, J. F. Dictionary of United States history, 1492-1894. 1894. Q. Puritan Pub. , cl. $2. 75, half mor. $3. 50. 

1. Johnson's universal cyclopædia. 1893, 8v. Q. Johnson, half mor. $56, cl. $48. 

2. King, M. , ed. Handbook of the United States. 1891. O. King(Matthews, Northrop Co. ), cl. $2. 50. 

3. Larned, J. N. , ed. History for ready reference, from the besthistorians, biographers, and specialists. 1894. 5 v. Maps. NicholsCo. , Springfield, Mass. Cl. $5 each, half mor. $6 each. 

2. Lalor, J. J. , ed. Cyclopædia of political science, politicaleconomy, and political history of the United States. 1890-93. 3v. Q. C. E. Merrill, $15. 

1. Leypoldt, A. H. And Iles, G. List of books for girls and women. Dewey classification numbers with each entry. 1895. Library Bureau, cl. $1. 

1. Lippincott's gazetteer of the world. 1896. Q. Lippincott, sh. $8. 

4. Lippincott's universal pronouncing dictionary of biography andmythology, by J. Thomas. 1892. Q. Lippincott, in 1 v. , sh. $8, halfturkey $11; in 2 v. , sh. $10. 

2. Lossing, B. J. Popular cyclopædia of United States history. 1893. 2v. Q. Harper, mor. $15. 

3. Lübke, W. Outlines of the history of art. 1891. 2 v. O. Dodd, Mead, half roan, $7. 50. 

1. Matson, H. References for literary workers. 1893. O. McClurg, $2. 50. 

1. Men and women of the time. 14th ed. 1895. O. Routledge. $5. 

3. Mineral industry, its statistics, technology, and trade, ed. ByR. R. Rothwell, annual. O. Scientific Pub. Co, cl. $5. 

2. Mulhall, M. G. Dictionary of statistics. 1898. Ed. 4. Q. Routledge, cl. $8. 

3. Mulhall, M. G. Industries and wealth of nations. 1896. O. Longman, cl. $3. 

1. Patrick, D. And Gramme, F. H. , eds. Chambers biographicaldictionary. 1898. O. Lippincott, half mor. $3. 50. 

4. Poole, W. F. And Fletcher, W. Poole's index to periodicalliterature. O. Houghton, Mifflin. V. 1. In two parts, cl. $16, sh. $24. V. 2. Jan. L882-Jan. 1887. Cl. $8, sh. $10. V. 3. Jan. L887-Jan. 1892. Cl. $8, sh. $12. V. 4. Jan. L892-Jan. 1897. Cl. $10, sh. $12. In a small library having bound periodicals of recent date only, volume 4 alone is sufficient. 

1. Rand-McNally indexed atlas of the world. 1897. 2 v. 58 x 41 cm. Rand-McNally. Cl. $18. 50, half leather, $23. 50. 

3. Riemann, H. Dictionary of music. O. Augenev, $3. 75. 

2. Smith, H. P. And Johnson, H. K. Dictionary of terms, phrases, andquotations. 1895. O. Appleton, half leather, $3. 

3. Smith, W. Classical dictionary. New edition by Marindin. 1894. O. Appleton, $6. 

1. Smith, W. Dictionary of the Bible. 1884. O. Coates, cl. $2, halfmor. $3. 

3. Smith, W. And Cheetham, S. Dictionary of Christian antiquities. 1891. 2 v. O. Burr, Hartford, Conn. , cl. $7, leather $8. 

1. Soule, R. Dictionary of English synonyms. 1895. O. Lippincott, cl. $2. 25, mor. $2. 75. 

1. Spiers, A. And Surenne, O. French and English pronouncingdictionary. 1891. Q. Appleton, half mor. $5. 

1. Standard dictionary of the English language, 2 v. Q. 1895. Funk &Wagnalls, half rus. $15; with Denison's reference index, $17. 

3. Statesmen's year book, 1899, v. 36. D. Macmillan, $3. 

2. Walsh, W. S. Handy book of literary curiosities. 1893. O. Lippincott, half leather, $3. 50. 

2. Walsh, W. S. Curiosities of popular customs, and of rites, ceremonies, observances and miscellaneous antiquities. 1898. O. Lippincott, half leather, $3. 50. 

1. Webster, N. International dictionary. Springfield, Mass. Merriam. 1891. $10. 

2. Wheeler, W. A. Familiar allusions. 1891. D. Houghton, cl. $2. 

2. Wheeler, W. A. Explanatory and pronouncing dictionary of noted namesof fiction. 1892. D. Houghton, cl. $2. 

3. Wheeler, W. A. And C. G. Who wrote it? D. Lee & Shepard, cl. $2. 

2. Whitaker's almanac. 1899. D. Whitaker, paper, 2s. 6d. 

Whitaker's directory of titled persons for the year 1898; a companionto his Almanac. D. Whitaker, paper, 2s. 6d. 

3. Who's who? annual; autobiographies of the leading men and women ofthe day; complete peerage, etc. 1899. D. Black, cl. 3s. 6d. 

1. World almanac and encyclopædia. 1898. D. New York World, pa. 25cents. 

2. Young, R. Analytical concordance to the Bible, n. D. Ed. 6. Q. Religious tract society, cl. 24s. , mor. 30s. 

CHAPTER XIII

Reference work---Helping the inexperienced inquirer--Periodicals

Reference work in libraries large and small has for its first rule:Meet the inquirer more than half way. To the stranger a library isoften an oppressive place, an awesome place--in his imagination. Hecomes in shyly; everyone appears busy, his question suddenly seems tohim trivial; he won't trouble these wise and busy people with it--andgoes out. 

A good second rule is: Learn at once just exactly what the inquirerwishes to know. This is not always easy. Tact and a little patiencewill generally effect it. 

A good third rule is: Whenever possible show the inquirer how theanswer is found, so that he may next time in some measure helphimself. It is surprising how many, especially of the younger peoplein a community, can be taught within one year, on their occasionalvisits, to make the proper use of at least a few reference books. 

Another rule of very general application is: Go first to a dictionary. In many cases a question answers itself, or betrays where its answermay best be found, if it is once plainly stated. And nothing is betterthan reference to a few words in a dictionary for the clear statementof a question. The larger dictionaries, moreover, and notably theCentury, will answer many more inquiries than even great readers oftensuppose. 

Many questions come up again and again. Of these, and of thereferences which answered them, notes should be kept on cards forfuture use. In fact it is well to keep an index in this way of thereferences looked up for all the more important inquiries. 

The following excellent advice is from an article on The use ofperiodicals in reference work, by Frederick Winthrop Faxon, in PublicLibraries for June, 1898:

"In all reference work periodicals play a large part. They may beroughly divided into two great classes, the technical and the popular. The former are indispensable to the scholar, or the expert, and in therapid advancement of science are the only real sources of information. Text-books or treatises are out of date before published; thereforefor a correct present view, or a complete history of the developmentof any science, the technical reviews and society transactions must beconsulted. These will be the principal part of a scientific library, and should be in the large public and college libraries in order tocover advanced study. 

They have, on the other hand, little place in small libraries--theywould seldom be of use, and are very expensive. 

"But the popular periodicals every library needs. In the better classof these reviews it is possible, if we know where to look, to findseveral articles on both sides of almost any subject. Furthermore, these are often written by the foremost authors or scientists, and arein a language intelligible to all. The amateur cannot give the time orpatience to wade two-volume deep in the subject his club wishes him totreat in half an hour's speech. The magazine gives just what he wantsin several pages. There are periodicals exclusively devoted to everybranch of every science, and magazines which, in their files, includearticles on all subjects. This mine of information has been opened upby Poole's index. Since 1881, when the third and enlarged editionof Poole's index was published, all this is common property for theasking. Grouped around Poole and keeping pace with the times are thePoole supplements, which ought, perhaps, to be named the Fletchers, covering the five-year periods since 1881, ending respectively 1886, 1891, 1896. Then the Annual literary index gives a yearly indexof subjects and authors, and serves as a supplement to the Poolesupplement. For such as cannot be even a year without a periodicalindex we now have the admirable Cumulative index, bi-monthly, editedby the Cleveland public library. Thus all the principal periodicalssince the beginning of the century may be consulted by reference toone or more of five single books or alphabets. 

"The Review of reviews must be mentioned as a useful monthly index tocurrent periodical literature, but of little value for study referenceas compared with the indexes just mentioned. An annual index issued bythe Review of reviews, since 1890, is good in its way, though rathersuperficial. Sargent's Reading for the young, and its supplement, index the juvenile sets of St Nicholas, Harper's young people, andWide Awake. Poole and the Cumulative are of little use without a fairassortment of the sets therein indexed. 

"Thus far 442 titles (practically all of them serials published since1800) have been indexed. It is a mistake, however, to suppose thatmost of these are necessary in a small library before Poole's indexshould be purchased or can be of use. Given Poole and a complete setof Littell's living age, and Harper's monthly, more reference work canbe done than with twice the number of reference books not periodicals. A small collection of sets has enabled more than one strugglinglibrary to hold its own with the students and club members, and toaccomplish work which could not have been done as well with many worksof reference, the purchase of which would have exhausted the wholebook fund. "

CHAPTER XIV

Reading room--Periodicals

A free reading room is generally opened in connection with thelibrary, and often proves its most attractive feature. It should becomfortably furnished and scrupulously clean. As the room is for theuse of all clean and orderly people, quiet should be maintained togive all a chance to read and study without interruption. There shouldbe no signs commanding things, and the fewest possible--and theyunobtrusive--requesting things. Signs giving information helpful toreaders are always permissible; but see that they harmonize with thefurnishings of the room and are clean. Gray, or some modest tint, ispreferable to white cardboard for all signs. The general atmosphereof the place should be such as one would wish to have in his ownhome--orderly, inviting, cheerful. 

The village library ought to preserve for reference a file of localpapers; and it seems proper for it to provide for public use a fewdailies or weeklies from the nearest cities. Further than this in thisdirection it would not seem expedient to go, because better work canbe done, with the money newspapers would cost, in other directions. In fact, where the room is limited, as well as funds, it will often bebetter to provide no newspapers at all. Few are unable to getpapers to read elsewhere. The library can well devote itself tothe encouraging the reading of other things. Most people read thenewspapers enough, library or no library. Many, save for the library, would not read the standard American and English periodicals. 

[Illustration: Magazine binder. (Reduced; various sizes. )]

The young people are the library's most hopeful material. To themthe librarian hopes to give, through books and journals, an addedpleasure; and in them he hopes to awaken a taste for readingsomething--in time something good. To attract the children it will bewise to have on file a few juvenile journals and picture papers andillustrated magazines. As to the standard and popular monthliesand quarterlies there seems to be no question; they should be takenfreely. The magazines furnish us with the best fiction, the bestpoetry, the best essays, the best discussions of all subjects, oldand new, and the latest science. It is a question if many a villagelibrary would not do more, vastly more, to stimulate the mental lifeof its community, and to broaden its views and sympathies, and toencourage study, if it diverted a far larger part of its income thanit now does from inferior books, and especially inferior novels, toweekly journals and popular and standard magazines. It is not yetfully impressed upon us that the thing the community needs is not a"library"--it may have a street lined with "libraries" and still dwellin the outer darkness--but contact with the printed page. Getthis contact first, then, by means of attractive rooms, and clean, wholesome, interesting periodicals and books, and let the well roundedstudents' collection of books come on as it will. 

From 5 to 20 per cent can very often be saved on the cost ofperiodicals by ordering them through a reliable subscription agency. 

The custom is extending of taking extra numbers of the popularmagazines and lending them as if they were books though generally fora shorter period and without the privilege of renewal. When this isdone, put each magazine in a binder made for the purpose, and markedwith the library's name, to keep it clean and smooth, and to identifyit as library property. Similar binders are often put on the magazineswhich are placed in the reading rooms. (See Library Bureau catalog. )

Complete volumes of the magazines are in great demand with theborrowing public. The magazine indexes now available will make usefulto the student the smallest library's supply of periodical literature. 

In small reading rooms the periodicals that are supplied should beplaced on tables where readers can consult them without applicationto the attendants. Files and racks for newspapers, special devices forholding illustrated journals, and other things of like nature, are tobe found in great variety. 

Post up in the reading room a list of the periodicals regularlyreceived; also a list of those in the bound files. 

A careful record should be kept of each magazine ordered, of the datewhen ordered, the date when the subscription begins and expires, theprice paid, the agency from which it is ordered, and the date of thatagency's receipted bill. If the list of journals taken is small thisrecord can be kept very conveniently in a blank book. If it is largeand constantly growing or changing, it is best kept on cards, acard to each journal, and all alphabetically arranged. It saves muchtrouble when dealing with an agency to have subscriptions coincidewith the calendar year, disregarding the volume arrangements of thepublishers. 

CHAPTER XV

List of periodicals for a small library

[See also chapter List of things needed in beginning work. ]

Century magazine (monthly), illus. N. Y. Century Co. Ed. By R. W. Gilder, $4. 

Harper's new monthly magazine, illus. N. Y. Harper. Ed. By H. M. Alden, $4. 

Harper's round table (monthly), illus. N. Y. Harper, $1. 

St Nicholas (monthly), illus. N. Y. Century Co. Ed. By Mary MapesDodge, $3. 

Forum (monthly), N. Y. Forum Co. , $3. 

Harper's weekly, illus. N. Y. Harper, $4. 

Youth's companion (weekly). Boston. Perry Mason Co. , $1. 75. 

McClure's magazine (monthly), illus. N. Y. Doubleday & McClure, $1. 

Ladies' home journal (monthly), illus. Phila. Curtis Pub. Co. , $1. 

Independent (weekly). N. Y. $2. 

Outlook (weekly), illus. N. Y. $3. 

Engineering magazine (monthly). N. Y. $3. 

Life (weekly), illus. N. Y. $5. 

Nineteenth century (monthly). N. Y. Leonard Scott Co. , $4. 50. 

Review of reviews (monthly), illus. N. Y. Ed. By Albert Shaw, $2. 50. 

Contemporary review (monthly). N. Y. Leonard Scott Co. , $4. 50. 

Critic (monthly), illus. N. Y. Critic Co. , $2. 

Nation (weekly). N. Y. Evening Post Co. , $3. 

Educational review (monthly), N. Y. Holt, $3. 

Kindergarten magazine (monthly), illus. Chicago KindergartenLiterature Co. , $2. 

Appleton's popular science monthly, illus. N. Y. Appleton, $5. 

Scientific American (weekly), illus. N. Y. Munn, $3. With supplement, $7. 

Scientific American supplement (weekly), illus. N. Y. Munn, $5. 

Art amateur (monthly), illus. N. Y. Montague Marks. $4. 

Outing (monthly), illus. N. Y. Outing Co. , $3. 

CHAPTER XVI

Buying books

A good book for a library, speaking of the book as to its wearingqualities and as to the comfort of its users, is printed on paperwhich is thin and pliable, but tough and opaque. Its type is notnecessarily large, but is clear-cut and uniform, and set forth withink that is black, not muddy. It is well bound, the book openingeasily at any point. The threads in the back are strong and generouslyput in. The strings or tapes onto which it is sewn are stout, and arelaced into the inside edges of the covers, or are strong enough toadmit of a secure fastening with paste and paper. In ordering booksof which several editions are on the market, specify the edition youwish. When you have found a good edition of a popular author likeScott or Dickens, make a note of it on the shelf-list. 

In giving your orders, always try your local dealer first. If hecannot give you good terms, or, as is very likely to be the case, hasnot the information or the facilities which enable him to serveyou well, submit a copy of the list to several large book dealers, choosing those nearest your town, and ask for their discounts. It iseconomical, generally, to purchase all your books through one dealer, thus saving letter writing, misunderstandings, freight, express, andgeneral discomfort. 

Keep a record of all books ordered. The best form of record is onslips, using a separate slip for each book. These order slips shouldhave on them the author's surname, brief title, number of volumes, abbreviated note of place, publisher, year, publisher's price ifknown, name of dealer of whom ordered, date when ordered, and if itspurchase has been requested by anyone that person's name and address. 

For transmitting the order to the book dealer, a list on sheetsshould be made from the order slips, arranged either by publishers oralphabetically by authors. This list may be written on one side of thepaper only, with copying ink, and a letter-press copy taken; or, makea carbon copy of the sheet sent to the dealer. The carbon copy has theadvantage of being easier to handle and better to write on. The booksas received should be checked by this copy, or by the order cards. Thecards for books received should be put by themselves, alphabetically, and kept until the books they represent have been cataloged and thecards for them have been properly entered in the card catalog. Youthus will have lists 1) of books ordered and not received; 2) of booksreceived and not cataloged; 3) of books cataloged. If few books arebought this work is unnecessary. 

[Illustration: Simple form of order slip on plain paper. (Reduced;actual size, 7-1/2 x 12-1/2 cm. )

Sent 27 Aug '93Fiske, J Discovery of AmericaHoughton Miff. '932v. 4. 00

Notify J. Winson1247 Arapahoe]

Books will often be ordered at the request of interested persons. In such cases the name and address of the person asking for the bookshould be entered on the bottom of the order slip for that book. Whenthe book comes, and has been made ready for use, send a note to thisperson, notifying him of the fact of its arrival. 

[Illustration: Order slip. (Reduced; actual size, 7-1/2 x 12-1/2 cm. )

Library No. 10Order No. 21Ordered 6F96Of McCReceived 9 MrCost $1. 75Approved 7Not now ordered [Checkmark]Not in library [Checkmark]

WRITE LEGIBLYAuthor's surname, followed by given names or initials: Howard, GeorgeTitle: Second MarriagesEdition: 2Place: N. Y. Publisher: StoneYear: 1889No. Of Vols. Size: DTotal Price: $2NOT in great hasteNOT [stricken out] in hasteI recommend the above for the library. Notice of receipt is NOT askedSignature: John CarrAddress: AndersonFill above as fully as possible. Cross out NOT, if notice is wanted, if in great need or special hastePut a ? before items of which you are not sure. Give reasons forrecommending ON THE BACK. ]

Do not be tempted by a large discount to give orders to irresponsiblepersons. A library should secure from 25 to 35 per cent discount. Donot buy ordinary subscription books or books on the installment plan. Do not anticipate revenues, and do not spend all your money at once;if you do you will miss many a bargain, and have to go without booksthat are needed more than those you have bought. Buy good but notexpensive editions. Do not spend on a single costly work, of interestto few and seldom used by that few, a sum that would buy 20 or perhaps100 volumes that would be in constant and profitable use by many. Buy no book unless by personal acquaintance, or upon competent andtrustworthy testimony, it is worth adding to your library. Do not feelthat you must buy complete sets of an author, or all of any "series";all the works of very few authors are worth having. Do not buy cheapeditions of fiction; the paper, presswork, and binding is poor, and is simply a waste of money. The best is none too good in buyingfiction, for it wears out fast, and has to be rebound, and thenreplaced. Do not buy a lot of second-hand fiction to put into thehands of the people. You cannot expect them to keep their books cleanif you start them out with dirty pages, soiled plates, and a generalhand-me-down air. 

Books for young people must be interesting. No amount of excellence inother directions will compensate for dull books. 

Do not trust too much to the second-hand dealer. Avoid subscriptionbooks. Do not buy of a book peddler; in nine cases out of ten youcan find better and cheaper books at the stores. A well selected andjudiciously purchased library, with such works of reference as areneeded, will cost, on an average, $1. 25 a volume. 

The following notes were prepared by a bookseller of experience, andshould be carefully considered before beginning to buy books:

Any bookseller worthy your patronage will be able to assist you bypointing out the most desirable edition for general library use. 

There is every reason for placing your orders with your local dealerso long as he can care for them intelligently. A large discount shouldnot be the sole factor in deciding where to buy, but keep in mindthis, a conscientious bookseller can save you money by carefullywatching your interests in the very many details that pertain tobookbuying. Having decided on your bookseller agent, place all yourorders with him. It will save you time, which is equivalent to money. Keep an exact duplicate copy of every order you place, and for thispurpose a manifold book is preferable. In writing your orders neverwrite on both sides of a sheet; arrange your items alphabetically byauthor, and make all your entries as complete and full as possible. This is particularly important in the case of books in the field ofscience, history, and biography. The more clear and definite yourorders are made out, the more promptly and completely can yourbookseller supply them. 

An ideal bookseller, qualified to act as your agent, is one who hasfamiliarized himself with the various editions of books, and willalways make selections with greater stress on quality than quantity;who will not send you the second edition of a scientific work when athird is out; who will avoid sending you expensive publications (eventhough you may have ordered them) until he is satisfied that you wantthem; who will exert himself to get desirable books that may be outof print or issued by an out-of-the-way publisher; who will alwaysbe prepared to advise you as to the latest work on any particularsubject, as well as the best work. 

These points are of greater importance to the live librarian than isthe percentage of discount. Say nothing about per cents; to do so ismisleading and unsatisfactory always. No one understands you. 

It is safe to estimate that your purchases of fiction and juvenileliterature will average inside of $1 per volume. 

A general list, including reference books, of say 4000v. , wouldaverage about $1. 25 per volume, or $5000. 

Make your purchases with the needs of your community clearly in mind, securing such books as will be constantly in use, and thereby getreturns for your expenditure. The expensive publications and booksthat are called for only at rare intervals should be left to librarieswith very large incomes, and to those making special collections. 

Where possible to do so avoid buying large bills of books at longintervals. It is better to spend an income of $600 per year in monthlyinstallments of $50, than it is to buy twice a year $300 lots. 

The frequent purchase will bring you the new and talked of books whilethey are fresh in the minds of people, and there is greater economy oftime in cataloging and shelving them. 

Second-hand books are rarely cheap at any price. 

Have confidence in your agent, for your interests are always his. 

CHAPTER XVII

Ink and handwriting

For catalog cards and all other records use a non-copying black, permanent ink. Carter's record ink is good. It has been adopted, aftercareful investigation, by the state of Massachusetts for all officialrecords. The New York state library school, at Albany, has issued alittle handbook on "library handwriting, " which recommends Carter'srecord, and says they use Stafford's blue writing ink for blue and hiscarmine combined for red. 

For all labels on the outside of books, and for all writing onsurfaces which may be much handled, use Higgins' American drawing ink, waterproof. 

The vertical hand should be used in all library work. The followingrules, with the illustrations, are taken from the Albany schoolhandbook above referred to:

Brief rules

1 Ink. Use only standard library ink and let it dry without blotting. 

2 Position. Sit squarely at the desk and as nearly erect as possible. 

3 Alphabets. Follow the library hand forms of all letters, avoidingany ornament, flourish, or lines not essential to the letter. 

4 Size. Small letters, taking m as the unit, are one space or twomillimeters high; i. E. One-third the distance between the rulings ofthe standard catalog card. 

Capitals and extended letters are two spaces high above the base lineor run one space below, except t, the character &, and figures, whichare one and one-half spaces high. 

5 Slant. Make letters upright with as little slant as possible, anduniformly the same, preferring a trifle backward rather than forwardslant. 

6 Spacing. Separate words by space of one m and sentences by two m's. Leave uniform space between letters of a word. 

7 Shading. Make a uniform black line with no shading. Avoid hair linestrokes. 

8 Uniformity. Take great pains to have all writing uniform in size, slant, spacing, blackness of lines and forms of letters. 

9 Special letters and figures. In both joined and disjoined hands doti and cross t accurately to avoid confusion; e. G. Giulio carelesslydotted has been arranged under Guilio in the catalog. Cross t onespace from line. Dot i and j one and one-half spaces from line. Inforeign languages special care is essential. 

_Joined hand_. Connect all the letters of a word into a single wordpicture. Complete each letter; e. G. Do not leave gap between body andstem of b and d, bring loop of f back to stem, etc. 

Avoid slanting r and s differently from other letters. They should bea trifle over one space in height. The small p is made as in print, and is not extended above the line as in ordinary script. 

_Disjoined hand_. Avoid all unnecessary curves. The principal downstrokes in b, d, f, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, t, u, and the firstline in e, should be straight. 

SPECIMEN ALPHABETS AND FIGURES

[Illustration: Joined Hand]

[Illustration: Disjoined Hand]

Make all the small letters, except f, i, j, k, t, x and y, withoutlifting pen from paper. 

Make g and Q in one stroke, moving from left to right like the handsof a watch. Begin on the line. 

Take special pains with the letter r, as carelessly made it is easilymistaken for v or y. 

Make the upper part of B, R, and S a trifle smaller than the lowerpart. 

_Figures_. Make all figures without lifting the pen. Begin 4 with thehorizontal line. Make the upper part of 3 and 8 smaller than the lowerpart; 8 is best made by beginning in the center. 

CHAPTER XVIII

The care of books

Books of moderate size should stand up on the shelves. Large bookskeep better if they are laid on their sides; when they stand, theweight of the leaves is a pull on the binding which tends to draw thebooks out of shape, and sometimes breaks them. Books which stand upshould never be permitted to lean over, but should be kept alwaysperfectly erect; the leaning wrenches them out of shape, and soonbreaks the binding. A row of books which does not comfortably fill ashelf should be kept up at one end by a book support. There areseveral good supports on the market. The Crocker is excellent; so isthe one described in the Library Bureau catalog. 

[Illustration: L. B. Book supports. (Reduced. )]

Books as they come from the dealer are not always perfect. To makesure that their purchases are in good condition some libraries collateall their books as soon as received, that is, look them through withcare for missing pages, and injuries of any kind. Imperfect volumesare returned. But save with very expensive books this labor isunnecessary, and doesn't pay. The time spent on it easily amounts tomore than the cost of replacing the very few books which may by chancebe later found imperfect. In fact, any responsible dealer will usuallyreplace an imperfect copy with a good one even if the former bears alibrary mark, and has been handled a little. 

Use care in cutting pages. Don't cut them with anything but a smooth, dull edge. Cut them at the top close to the fold in the back. 

The worst enemies of books are careless people. 

Another enemy is damp. It is bad for the binding; it is very bad forthe paper. 

Gas, with heat, is very destructive to books, especially to thebindings. 

Books should occasionally be taken from their shelves and wiped witha soft cloth. The shelves should at the same time be taken down andcleaned thoroughly. 

Don't hold a book by one of its covers. 

Don't pile up books very high. 

Don't rub dust into them instead of rubbing it off. 

Don't wedge books tightly into the shelves. 

Those who use a public library are all desirous that its books beclean and neat, and with a little encouragement will take pretty goodcare of them. There are exceptions, of course, and especially amongthe children. These must be looked after and reasoned with. 

Don't cover your books. The brown paper cover is an insult to a goodbook, a reproach to every reader of it, an incentive to carelesshandling, and an expense without good return. 

A few simple rules like the following can be brought in an unobtrusiveway to the attention of those who use the library. Always be sure thatthe library sets a good example in its handling of books. 

Keep books dry. 

Do not handle them when the hands are moist; of course never when thehands are soiled. 

Use them to read, and for nothing else. 

Never mark in them. 

Do not turn down their pages. 

Do not lay them face downwards. 

Do not strap them up tightly. 

Never let them fall. 

Open them gently. 

The book you are reading will go to others. Pass it on to them neatand clean, hoping that they will do the same by you. 

CHAPTER XIX

Accessioning books

A careful record should be made of all books received. Use for thispurpose what is called an accession book. This is a blank book, ruledand lettered and numbered especially for library invoices. (See theLibrary Bureau catalog. ) It is the library's chief record, and shouldcontain a complete history of every volume on its shelves. The itemsentered in the accession book concerning every volume in the libraryare commonly the following: date of entry; accession number;class number (religion, sociology, etc. ); author; title; place ofpublication and name of publisher; date of publication; binding(cloth, leather, etc. ); size (octavo, quarto, etc. ); number of pages;name of dealer from whom purchased; cost; remarks (maps, plates, etc. ;books rebound; magazines, etc. ; lost, worn out, replaced by anotherbook, etc. ). 

[Illustration: Accession book, left-hand page. (Reduced size. )

Date 29 5 '92

 ACCESSIONF. T. CLASS BOOK VOL. AUTHOR TITLE 7581 428 B88 Bunce, O. B. Don't7581. 93 82 Z713 Zola, E. SoilScr. 15. 92 83 973. 1 F54 v. 1 Fiske, J. Discovery of Amer. 84 973. 1 F54 v. 2 " " 85 ]

[Illustration: Accession book, right-hand page. (Reduced size. )

PLACE AND PUBLISHER DATE BINDING SOURCE COST REMARKSN. Y. App. 1885 pa. Scribner 28 Bind No. 354L. Vizetelly 1888 cl. " 81 " " 355B. Ho. M. 1892c " " } 2. 97" " " " " } ]

Each book and each volume of a set has a separate accession number anda separate entry. Each entry occupies a line; each line is numberedfrom one up to such a number as the library has volumes. The number ofeach line, called the accession number, is written on the first pageafter the title-page of the book described on that line. The accessionbook is a life history of every book in the library. It forms sucha record as any business-like person would wish to have of propertyentrusted to his care. It is also a catalog of all books in thelibrary, and a useful catalog as long as the library is small. Neveruse an old accession number for a new book, even though the originalbook has disappeared from the library. 

Record should be made of all books, pamphlets, reports, bulletins, magazines, etc. , received by the library as gifts; and every giftshould be promptly and courteously acknowledged in writing, even ifpreviously acknowledged in person. Keep this record in a blank book, alphabetizing all gifts by the names of the givers, with dates ofreceipt. Books given should appear on the accession register the sameas books purchased. 

CHAPTER XX

Classifying books

The smallest public library should be classified and cataloged. Thiswill make its resources more easily available, and will prevent theconfusion and waste of labor which are sure to come if systematictreatment of the books is deferred. Get the best advice obtainable;consider the library's field and its possibilities of growth, andlet the first work on the books be such as will never need to be doneover. 

To classify books is to place them in groups, each group including, as nearly as may be, all the books treating of a given subject, forinstance, geology; or all the books, on whatever subject, cast in aparticular form--for instance, poetry; or all the books having to dowith a particular period of time--for instance, the middle ages. Fewbooks are devoted exclusively to one subject and belong absolutelyin any one class. The classification of books must be a continualcompromise. Its purpose is not accurately to classify all printedthings, this can't be done; but simply to make certain sources ofinformation--books--more available. Any classification, if it gets thebooks on a given subject side by side, and those on allied subjectsnear one another, is a good one. 

Books may be classified into groups in a catalog or list, yetthemselves stand without order on the shelves. For convenience ingetting for anyone all the books on a given subject, and especiallyfor the help of those who are permitted to visit the shelves, allbooks should stand in their appropriate classes. Each book, therefore, should bear a mark which will tell in what class it belongs;distinguish it from all other books in that class; show where itstands on the shelves among its fellows of the same class; andindicate which one it is of several possible copies of the same book. This mark can be used to designate the book in all records of it, instead of the larger entry of its author and title. 

There are two classification systems worthy of consideration, theDewey, or decimal, and the Cutter, or expansive. They are outlined inthe following chapters. Don't try to devise a system of your own. 

Having decided on your system of classification, begin to classify. This is one of the many things which can only be learned by doing. Give fiction no class number, but an author number or "book-mark"only, as explained in a later chapter. Give all biography a singleletter as its class number, and follow this by the author number. 

Distinguish all juvenile books, whether fiction or other, by writingbefore their numbers some distinguishing symbol. 

Take up first, in classification proper, the subjects of history andtravel, which will be found comparatively easy. 

It is easier to classify 25 or 50 books at a time in any given classthan it is to classify them singly as you come to them in the midstof books of other classes. Consequently, group your books roughly intoclasses before you begin work on them. 

As soon as a book is classified enter it at once in yourshelf-list--explained in a later chapter--and see that an author-cardfor it is put in the author catalog--explained later--with its propernumber thereon. 

If, after you have made up your mind, from an examination of thetitle-page, or table of contents, or a few pages here and there, whatsubject a book treats of in the main, you are still in doubt in whatclass to place it, consider what kind of readers will be likely to askfor it, and in what class they will be likely to look for it, and putit into that class. In doubtful cases the catalogs of other librariesare often good guides. 

Keep your classification as consistent as possible. Before putting abook, about which there is any opportunity for choice, in the classyou have selected for it, examine your shelf-list and see that thebooks already there are of like nature with it. 

Classify as well as you can, and don't worry if you find you have madeerrors. There are always errors. Don't get into the habit of changing. Be consistent in classifying, and stick by what you have done. 

CHAPTER XXI

The Dewey or Decimal system of classification

[From the Introduction to the Decimal classification and Relativeindex. Published by the Library Bureau, $5. ]

The field of knowledge is divided into nine main classes, and theseare numbered by the digits 1 to 9. Cyclopedias, periodicals, etc. , so general in character as to belong to no one of these classes, are marked nought, and form a tenth class. Each class is similarlyseparated into nine divisions, general works belonging to no divisionhaving nought in place of the division number. Divisions are similarlydivided into nine sections, and the process is repeated as oftenas necessary. Thus 512 means Class 5 (Natural science), Division 1(Mathematics), Section 2 (Algebra), and every algebra is numbered 512. 

The books on the shelves and the cards in the subject catalog arearranged in simple numerical order, all class numbers being decimals. Since each subject has a definite number, it follows that all bookson any subject must stand together. The tables show the order in whichsubjects follow one another. Thus 512 Algebra precedes 513 Geometry, and follows 511 Arithmetic. 

In the book after the tables of the classes arranged in theirnumerical order is an index, in which all the heads of the tablesare arranged in one simple alphabet, with the class number of eachreferring to its exact place in the preceding tables. This indexincludes also, as far as they have been found, all the synonyms oralternative names for the heads, and many other entries that seemlikely to help a reader find readily the subject sought. Though theuser knows just where to turn to his subject in the tables, by firstconsulting the index he may be sent to other allied subjects, where hewill find valuable matter which he would otherwise overlook. 

The claims of the system may be summed up as follows: comparedwith other systems it is less expensive; more easily understood, remembered, and used; practical rather than theoretical; brief andfamiliar in its nomenclature; best for arranging pamphlets, saleduplicates, and notes, and for indexing; susceptible of partialand gradual adoption without confusion; more convenient in keepingstatistics and checks for books off the shelves; the most satisfactoryadaptation of the card catalog principle to the shelves. It requiresless space to shelve the books; uses simpler symbols and fewer ofthem; can be expanded, without limit and without confusion or waste oflabor, in both catalogs and on shelves, or in catalogs alone; checksmore thoroughly and conveniently against mistakes; admits more readilynumerous cross references; is unchangeable in its call-numbers, and sogives them in all places where needed, as given in no other system;in its index affords an answer to the greatest objection to classcatalogs, and is the first satisfactory union of the advantages of theclass and dictionary systems. 

The Decimal system is used by a large number of libraries in thiscountry, and has gained recognition and has been put to use by somelibrarians and men of science in Europe. 

Divisions

000 General Works010 Bibliography. 020 Library Economy. 030 General Cyclopedias. 040 General Collections. 050 General Periodicals. 060 General Societies. 070 Newspapers. 080 Special Libraries. Polygraphy. 090 Book Rarities. 

100 Philosophy100 Metaphysics. 120 Special Metaphysical Topics. 130 Mind and Body. 140 Philosophical Systems. 150 Mental Faculties. Psychology. 160 Logic. 170 Ethics. 180 Ancient Philosophers. 190 Modern Philosophers. 

200 Religion210 Natural Theology. 220 Bible. 230 Doctrinal Theol. Dogmatics. 240 Devotional and Practical. 250 Homiletic. Pastoral. Parochial. 260 Church. Institutions. Work. 270 Religious History. 280 Christian Churches and Sects. 290 Non-Christian Religions. 

300 Sociology310 Statistics. 320 Political Science. 330 Political Economy. 340 Law. 350 Administration. 360 Associations and Institutions. 370 Education. 380 Commerce and Communication390 Customs. Costumes. Folk-lore. 

400 Philology410 Comparative. 420 English. 430 German. 440 French. 450 Italian. 460 Spanish. 470 Latin. 480 Greek. 490 Minor Languages. 

500 Natural Science510 Mathematics. 520 Astronomy. 530 Physics. 540 Chemistry. 550 Geology. 560 Paleontology. 570 Biology. 580 Botany. 590 Zoology. 

600 Useful Arts610 Medicine. 620 Engineering. 630 Agriculture. 640 Domestic Economy. 650 Communication and Commerce660 Chemical Technology. 670 Manufactures. 680 Mechanic Trades. 690 Building. 

700 Fine Arts710 Landscape Gardening. 720 Architecture. 730 Sculpture. 740 Drawing, Design, Decoration. 750 Painting. 760 Engraving. 770 Photography. 780 Music. 790 Amusements. 

800 Literature810 American. 820 English. 830 German. 840 French. 850 Italian. 860 Spanish. 870 Latin. 880 Greek. 890 Minor Languages. 

900 History910 Geography and Description. 920 Biography. 930 Ancient History. 940 Europe. }950 Asia. }960 Africa. } Modern970 North America. }980 South America. }990 Oceanica and Polar Regions. 

CHAPTER XXII

The Expansive classification: C. A. Cutter's

The classification

Those who have used it call it common-sense and up-to-date. They saythat it is clear and easy to apply, and that it gives a suitable placefor many classes of books for which other systems make no provision, or provide badly. It has been maturing for 20 years. Before it wasprinted it was applied (with a different notation) to the arrangementof a library of over 150, 000 v. The experience thus gained has beensupplemented as each part was prepared for the press by searchingcatalogs, bibliographies, and treatises on the subject classified. This ensured fullness. Overclassification, on the other hand, hasbeen guarded against in four ways: 1) By not introducing at alldistinctions that are purely theoretical or very difficult to apply;2) by printing in small type those divisions which are worth makingonly when a large number of books calls for much subdivision; 3) bywarning classifiers in the notes that certain divisions areneeded only in large libraries; 4) by printing separately sevenclassifications of progressive fullness, the first having only 11classes, which would be enough for a very small library; the secondhaving 15 classes and 16 geographical divisions, suiting the smalllibrary when it has grown a little larger; the third having 30 classesand 29 geographical divisions; and so on, till the seventh wouldsuffice for the very largest library. The same notation is usedthroughout, so that a library can adopt the fuller classification withthe least possible change of mark. 

It often suggests alternative places for a subject, stating thereasons for and against each, so that classifiers have a liberty ofchoice according to the character of their libraries, or of theirclientage, or their own preferences. 

The notation

The original feature of this notation is the use of letters to marknon-local subjects and figures for places. This makes it possible toexpress the local relations of a subject in a perfectly unmistakableway, the letters never being used to signify countries, and thefigures never being used for any other subjects but countries. Thus 45is England wherever it occurs; e. G. F being history and G geography, F45 is the history of England, G45 the geography of England. Thislocal notation can be used not merely with the main classes, but inevery subdivision, no matter how minute, which is worth dividing bycountries. Whenever one wishes to separate what relates to Englandfrom other works on any subject one has only to add the two figures45. Whenever one sees 45 in the mark of a book one knows that the bookso marked treats its subject with special reference to England. This"local list" by the figures from 11 to 99 gives marks to the 88 mostimportant countries. The addition of a third and sometimes of a fourthfigure gives marks for all the independent countries in the world. Parts of and places in countries are arranged alphabetically undereach, and are marked either by the usual Cutter order-table, whichhas initial letters followed by figures, or by a special Cutterorder-table composed of figures alone. 

Non-local subjects are marked with letters, first, to distinguish themfrom local subjects; and, second, because of the greater capacity. There are 26 main classes, A to Z. By adding a second letter theseare divided into 676 parts, and these, by adding a third letter, into17, 576 parts, making 18, 278 in all, so that as one uses successivelythree, four, or five characters, one gets respectively 18 times, 46times, and 118 times the capacity of a decimal notation. The resultis, short marks, numerous subdivisions, much greater elasticity, muchgreater power to properly express the relations of subjects to oneanother, and their relations to subordinate subjects, and much moreopportunity of making the different portions of the classificationcorrespond to each other. 

The first part of the classification, as published, contains the firstsix classifications and a combined index to them all. The seventh, the fullest classification, will have 10 sections. Five of themare published, each with its own index. Of two (Social sciences andLanguage and literature) about half is published. When these and theother three (Natural sciences, Industrial arts, Recreative and finearts) are printed, a full index to the whole will be made. 

Expansive classification. Outline

A Generalia. A General works. Ae General encyclopedias. Ap General periodicals. Ar Reference works. As General societies. 

B-D Spiritual sciences. B Philosophy. Ba-Bf National Philosophies and Systems of philosophy. Bg Metaphysics. Bh Logic. Bi Psychology. Bm Moral Philosophy. Br Religion, Natural theology. Bt ReligionsBu Folk-lore. Ca Judaism. Cb Bible. Cc Christianity. Cce Patristics. Ce Apologetics, Evidences. Cf Doctrinal theology. Ck Ethical theology. Cp Ritual theology and church Polity. Cx Pastoral theology. Cz Sermons. D Ecclesiastical history. Dk Particular churches and sects. 

E-G Historical sciences. E Biography and Portraits. F-Fz History. F Universal history. F02 Ancient history. F03 Modern history. F04 Medieval history. F11-F99 History of single countries (using local list). Fa-Fw Allied studies, as Chronology, Philosophy of history, History of Civilization, Antiquities, Numismatics, Chivalry, Heraldry. 

G Geography, Travels. G11-G99 Single countries (using local list). Ga Ancient geography. Gf Surveying and Map-making. Gz Maps. 

H Social sciences. Hb Statistics. Hc Economics. He Production. Hf Labor. Hi Slavery. Hj Transportation. Hk Commerce. Hm Money. Hn Banking. Hr Private finance. Ht Taxation and Public finance. Hu Tariff. Hw Property, Capital. Hz Consumption. 

I Demotics, Sociology. Ic Crime. Ig Charity. Ih Providence. Ik Education. 

J Civics, Government, Political science. Ju Constitutions and Politics. 

K Law and Legislation. Kd Public documents. 

L-Q Natural sciences. L General works, Metrics. _L Number and space. _Lb Mathematics. _Lh-Lr Matter and force. _Lh Physics. Lo Chemistry. Lr Astronomy. _M-Q Matter and life_M Natural history. Mg Geology, incl. Mineralogy, Crystallography, Physical geography, Meteorology, Paleontology. My Biology. N Botany. Cryptogams. Phanerogams. O Zoology. Invertebrates. P Vertebrates. Pg Mammals. Pw Anthropology, Ethnology, Ethnography. Q Medicine. 

Q-Z Arts. R General works, Exhibitions, Patents. Rd-Rg Extractive arts. Rd Mining. Re Metallurgy. Rf Agriculture. Rh Horticulture. Ri Silviculture. Rj Animaliculture. Rq Chemic arts. Rt Electric arts. Ry Domestic arts. Rz Food and Cookery. S Constructive arts, Engineering. Sg Building. Sj Sanitary engineering. Sl Hydraulic engineering. St Transportation and Communication. 

T Fabricative arts, Machinery, Manufactures, and Handicrafts. 

U Protective arts, i. E. , Military and Naval arts, Life-preserving, Fire fighting. 

V Athletic and Recreative arts, Sports and Games. Vs Gymnastics. Vt Theater. Vv Music. 

W Fine arts, plastic and graphic. We Landscape gardening. Wf Architecture. Wj Sculpture. Wk Casting, Baking, Firing. Wm Drawing. Wp Painting. Wq Engraving. Wr Photography. Ws Decorative arts, including Costume. 

X-Yf Communicative arts (by language). X Philology. X Inscriptions. X Language. Y Literature. Yf English Fiction. 

Z Book arts (making and use of books). Za-Zk Production. Za Authorship. Zb Rhetoric. Zd Writing. Zh Printing. Zk Binding. Zl Distribution (Publishing and Bookselling). Zp Storage and Use (Libraries). Zt Description (Zt Bibliography; Zx Selection of reading; Zy Literary history; Zz National bibliography. )

CHAPTER XXIII

Author-numbers, or book-marks

The books in a given group or class should stand on the shelves inthe alphabetical order of their authors' names, though this is notnecessary in a small library. This result is best secured by adding tothe class-mark of every book another mark, called an author-number orbook-number or book-mark, made up of the first letter of the author'sname and certain figures. Books bearing these author-numbers, if arranged first alphabetically by the letters, and then in thenumerical order of the numbers following the letters, will alwaysstand in the alphabetical order of the authors' names. Different booksby the same author are distinguished from one another by adding otherfigures to the author-number, or by adding to the author-numbers thefirst letter of the title of each book. 

These book-marks cannot be chosen arbitrarily. They should be takenfrom the printed set of them worked out by Mr Cutter, and called theCutter author-tables. (See Library Bureau catalog. )

In a very small library the books in a given class can bedistinguished one from another by writing after the class-number ofeach book the number of that book in its class. If the class-mark ofreligion, for example, is 20, the books successively placed in thatclass will bear the numbers 20. 1, 20. 2, 20. 3, etc. 

Fiction should have author-numbers only. The absence of a class-numberwill sufficiently distinguish it from other classes. 

CHAPTER XXIV

The shelf-list

Many books can be very properly put in any one of several differentclasses. In which one a given book should be placed will often bedecided by noting where other like books have been placed. Books byauthors of the same name will often fall into the same class, and toeach of these a different author-number must be given. You must haveat hand, then, a list of the books already classified, to see at once, in classifying the next book, what kinds of books and books by whatauthors are in each class. Every book in the library, as soon as ithas been classified, and has received its proper author-number, shouldbe entered in a list in the order first of its class-number, next ofits author-number. This list is called the shelf-list. It is commonlykept on sheets, but many librarians believe it best kept on cards; acard for each different book. It is a catalog of all the books in thelibrary arranged in the order in which they stand on the shelves. Itis a subject-index of the library. It is indispensable in the work ofproperly placing, class-numbering, and author-numbering new books. It is a list from which it is very easy to check over the library andlearn what books are missing or out of place. It includes usuallyonly the class- and author-number, author's name, brief title, andaccession number. This last enables one to refer at once fromthe brief entry of a certain book in the shelf-list to the fullinformation in the accession book. There are advantages in adding tothe shelf-list record the publisher and price. As soon as a book hasreceived its class- and author-numbers, which together are sometimescalled the "call-number, " as being the mark to be used by the publicin calling for a book, these numbers, or combinations of numbers andletters, should be written in the accession book in a column left forthe purpose, on the line given up to the description of the book inhand. This enables one to refer at once from the accession entry of agiven book to the shelf-list entry of the same book. 

[Illustration: Shelf list sheet. (Reduced; actual size. 10 x 25 cm. )Book No. Accession No. Vol. Author TitleqG62 88390 Goodrich British eloquenceM11 540 2 Macauley Speeches 820W72 49408 Windham]

[Illustration: Shelf-list card. (Reduced; actual size, 5 x 12-1/2cm. )

090 SlaterS11 Book collecting 3528]

CHAPTER XXV

Cataloging books

After the books are accessioned, classified, author-numbered orbook-marked, and shelf-listed, they should be cataloged. A catalogis a labor-saving device in library work. From it both reader andattendant can ascertain whether the library has a certain book. Byconsulting the catalog for the class-number, the book may be lookedfor in its proper place, thus often saving hunting through the shelvesin several classes. 

A printed list or catalog of the library is one of the first thingsthat will be asked for by the public. It is useful especially forthose who cannot well visit the library. But it is very expensive; itis out of date as soon as issued; it cannot often be sold; it requirestraining and experience to make it properly, and the money it willcost can be better spent otherwise. Do not issue one. Print lists ofadditions in newspapers. Post them in the library. Issue an occasionalbulletin of the latest purchases if you think it will be popular. Putyour time, skill, energy, and money into the making of a full cardcatalog; keep this up to date; give the public access to it; teachthem how to use it, and you will find the printed catalog not needed. 

On cards prepared for the purpose [see chapter on Things needed (9)and Library Bureau catalog], a card for each book--and a book is abook although in several volumes--write the author's surname (if thebook is anonymous write first the title), given name or names, ifknown, title, date of copyright, date of publication, call-number, andsuch other data as seem desirable. The price, for example, may be puthere, and the size, indicating this by a letter. [See Cole sizecard in chapter on Things needed (9) and in Library Bureau catalog. ]Arrange these cards alphabetically, by authors' names for an authorcatalog. This catalog will be in constant use in the purchasing ofbooks, in classifying new purchases, etc. By the call-number onecan refer from any entry in it to the entry of the same book in theshelf-list. To make possible a like reference to the accession book, write the accession number of each book near the bottom of the cardon which it is entered. In making the catalog entries observecertain fixed rules of alphabetization, capitalization, punctuation, arrangement, etc. , as set forth in the catalog rules which may beadopted. Only by so doing can you secure uniformity of entry, neatnessin work, and the greatest possible meaning from every note, howevermuch abbreviated. 

[Illustration: Author card. (Reduced; actual size, 7-1/2 x 12-1/2 cm. )

973. 2 Coffin, Charles Carleton, 1823-C65 _Old_ times in the colonies. 460 p. Il. O N. Y. C[1880]]

Preserve this catalog with great care. It is the key to the records inshelf-list and accession book. In a small library the public may veryproperly use it. As soon as possible, if your library is to bequite large and much used, prepare for public use a duplicate of it, omitting all those entries in the original which are of use only tothe librarian. 

The average reader more often remembers the titles of books thantheir authors. Add, therefore, to the author-list, in your publiccatalog--not in your private or official catalog, for whichauthor-entries alone are sufficient--a title-list; a set of cards likethe author cards, except that on each one the book's title is enteredfirst instead of its author. Arrange author and title-lists in onealphabetical series. 

[Illustration: Title card. (Reduced; actual size, 7-1/2 x 12-1/2 cm. )

973. 2 Old times in the coloniesC65 _Coffin_, C. C. ]

As the use of the library for reference work increases, the questionwill often be asked, has it any books on a certain subject? Add, therefore, to your author- and title-list a subject-list. Make this bywriting a card for each book with the subject of which it treats thefirst word upon it. Arrange this also in the same alphabetical serieswith the other two. In some cases the book's title and its subjectwill be identical; for example, Geology, by Tompkins, or Washington'sboyhood, by Jones. For such books one card answers for title andsubject. For fiction no subject-card is necessary. On the other hand, many books have to do with more than one subject; a volume of essays, for example, or a group of biographical sketches. For such it isdesirable to add to the subject-list by writing as many cards for eachbook as the importance of the several subjects therein and the spacethe author gives to them seem to demand. Each card will have for thefirst word of its entry the subject to which it refers, followed bythe author and title of the book. 

Arrange these cards also alphabetically with all the others. Put onevery card in the catalog the call-number of the book to which itrefers. This author-title-subject-list, or dictionary catalog, willtell at a glance if the library has books a) by a certain author; b)with a given title; c) on a given subject. These are the questionsmost often asked. 

[Illustration: Subject card. (Reduced; actual size, 7-1/2 x 12-1/2cm. )

973. 2 U. S. History- colonial. C65 Coffin, Charles Carleton 1823- _Old_ times in the colonies. 460 p. Il. O N. Y. C[1880]]

There are in print several books giving rules for cataloging. Some ofthese are mentioned in the chapter on Things needed (9). In a smalllibrary which is always to be small it is not necessary to follow allthe rules laid down in these books. It is much better, however, todo all the work, even in a very small library, according to the mostapproved methods. So to do brings you in touch with your fellows andgives you the comfort which comes from the consciousness of work welldone, even if the amount of the work be small. 

In writing the subject-headings difficulties will soon arise unlessyou follow certain general rules and are careful also to be consistentin your work. For instance, at intervals during a few months you addto the library books on horses, cows, sheep, goats, camels, and pigs;some dealing with one animal, some with two or more. If for the firstone you write a subject-card with the catch-word or entry-word at thetop "Domestic animals, " and for the next one "Farm animals, " and forthe next one "Animals, domestic, " you will scatter the references todomesticated animals all through your catalog, to the despair of thosewho would use it. You can guard against this, and easily, if yourcatalog is small, by looking to see what you have already writtenevery time you write a new subject-entry-word, and by following out apreviously devised plan in the making of your entries. The safestway is to get a printed list of headings and catalog rules and followthem. (See chapter on Things needed, 9. )

With a printed list of subject-headings at hand it is not difficult tokeep your catalog consistent and reasonable. 

This same list of subject-headings will serve also as a guide in thewriting of the cross-reference cards for your catalog, the cards, thatis, which refer the searcher from the topic "pigs, " for example, to"swine, " or from both to "domestic animals. "

Of course the subject-headings' list must be systematically used, andmust be marked and annotated to fit your special needs. This work, like classifying, can best be learned by doing. 

There are many ways of keeping your catalog cards. The thing to use isa set of trays made for the purpose. (See Library Bureau catalog. )The cards are extremely valuable, and expense should not be spared inproviding for their safe keeping and handy use. 

CHAPTER XXVI

Preparing books for the shelves

All books should be marked with the name of the library. This ischeaply done with a rubber stamp and violet or red ink pad. Anembossing stamp makes a good and indelible mark. The type used shouldbe of moderate size and open faced. A perforating stamp now on themarket marks a book neatly and most permanently. Mark books freely, toassure their being recognized as the library's property wherever seen. Have some definite pages on which stamps always appear. Many use thetitle-page, fifty-first or one hundred and first, and the last page. This need not interfere with marking elsewhere. 

[Illustration: Embossing stamp. ]

On the back of the book write the call-number. For this purpose use atag or label. They can be had in several sizes; round ones are best. Paste the label where it will mar the book least, as near the middleas possible. It is well to put all labels at the same height fromthe bottom of the back, so far as this can be done without coveringessential parts of the lettering. Four inches is a good height for thelower edge of all labels. Labels stick better if the place where theyare to be pasted is moistened with a solution of ammonia and water, toremove varnish or grease. If this is done the mucilage or gum on thelabels when purchased will be found usually to stick well. After thecall-number is written, varnish the label with a thin solution ofshellac in alcohol. Labels put on in this way will keep clean, remainlegible, and rarely come off. 

If a charging system using a pocket is adopted, no book-plate isneeded, if the pocket, that is, is pasted on the inside of the frontcover and has the name of the library on it. 

When books are classified the call-number is written with hard pencilon a certain page, the same page in all books; a common place is thefirst right hand page after the title-page, and near the inner margin. 

This call-number should be written with ink on the pocket and bookslip, which is kept in the pocket, or on the book-plate. It isadvisable also to write the call-number in ink on some definite pagebearing the library's stamp. 

If a book-plate is adopted let it be small and simple. Have a specialplate for gifts, with space on it for writing the name of the giver. 

Books wear better if they are carefully opened in a number of placesbefore they are placed on the shelves. This makes the backs flexibleand less likely to break with rough handling. In cutting the leaves besure that the paper knife does its work to the very back edge of thetop folds, that it is never sharp enough to cut down into the leaves, and that it is held nearly parallel to the fold to be cut. 

The following is a list of things to be done before books are readyfor use in a public library:

1 Book notices and reviews are read and the library's needs and fundsconsidered. 

2 Order slips are made out, arranged alphabetically, and comparedwith the catalog to see if the books listed on them are already in thelibrary. 

3 Order list is made out, approved, and sent to dealer. 

4 Books arrive and are checked by the bill, and brief notes of date ofpurchase, initials of dealer, and price are written on the left marginof the second page after the title-page. 

5 Bill is checked for items and prices by order slips. 

6 Gifts when received are a) properly acknowledged; b) entered in giftbook; c) marked with small gift-book plates pasted inside the frontcover. 

7 Books are looked over (if you wish), collated, especially theexpensive ones, to see if complete and sound. 

8 Books are entered in the accession book. 

9 Books are stamped with library stamp. 

10 Books are opened to loosen binding, and pages cut, if necessary. 

11 The book-plates are pasted inside the front cover--if book-platesare used. 

12 Pockets are pasted on the inside of front cover or wherever thesystem adopted places them. 

13 Labels are put on the backs. 

14 Books are classified, author-numbered and call-numbered. 

15 Books are entered on shelf-list. 

16 Catalog cards are written--author, title, and subject. 

17 Bulletin lists of the books are made out for posting up and fornewspapers. 

18 Call-numbers are written on the labels, the pockets, and the bookslips. 

19 Labels are varnished. 

20 The call-number of each book is entered in the proper place on theline which that book occupies in the accession book. 

21 Books are placed on the library shelves for public use. 

22 Catalog cards, author, title, and subject, are arrangedalphabetically in one series and distributed in catalog. 

CHAPTER XXVII

Binding and mending

Binding a book means not only covering it, but preserving it. Goodbinding, even at a high price, educates the public taste and promotesa desire to protect the library from injury and loss. Cheap bindingdegrades books and costs more in the end than good work. 

Keep in a bindery-book, which may be any simple blank book, or oneespecially made for the purpose (see Library Bureau catalog), a recordof each volume that the library binds or rebinds. 

Enter in the bindery-book consecutive bindery number, book-number, author, title, binding to be used, date sent to bindery, date returnedfrom bindery, and cost of binding. 

Books subject to much wear should be sewn on tapes, not on strings;should have cloth joints, tight backs, and a tough, flexible leather, or a good, smooth cloth of cotton or linen such as is now much usedby good binders. Most of the expensive leather, and all cheap leather, rots in a short time; good cloth does not. Very few libraries canafford luxurious binding. Good material, strong sewing, and a moderatedegree of skill and taste in finishing are all they can pay for. Learnto tell a substantial piece of work when you see it, and insist thatyou get such from your binder. The beginners' first business is toinform himself carefully as to character, value, cost and strength ofall common binding materials. 

From binders, or from dealers in binding material, you can get samplesof cloth, leather, tapes, string, thread, etc. , which will help you tolearn what to ask for from your local binder. 

The following notes are from a lecture by John H. H. McNamee beforethe Massachussets library club in 1896, on the Essentials of goodbinding:

"Had I the ordering of bindings for any public or circulating librarywhere books are given out to all classes of people, and subjectedto the handling which such books must receive, I should, from myexperience as a binder, recommend the following rules:

For the smaller volumes of juveniles, novels, and perishable books (bywhich I mean books which are popular for a short time, and then maylie on the shelves almost as so much lumber), have each book pulled topieces and sewed with Hayes' linen thread on narrow linen tapes, withedges carefully trimmed. 

Have the books rounded and backed, but not laced in. Have the boardsplaced away from the backs about one-fourth of an inch, in order togive plenty of room for them to swing easily and avoid their pullingoff the first and last signatures of the book when opened. Give theback and joint a lining of super or cheese cloth. Have them coveredwith American duck or canvas pasted directly to the leaves, pressedwell and given plenty of time to dry under pressure, and so avoid asmuch as possible all warping of boards and shrinkage of the cloth. Forall large folios, newspapers and kindred works, use heavy canvas, asit is somewhat cheaper than sheep, and as easily worked. Have themsewed strongly on the requisite number of bands, every band laced intothe boards, which should be made by pasting two heavy binder's boardstogether, to prevent warping and give solidity to the volume. 

The reason I say lace in large volumes is that the heavy books willsag and pull out of covers by their great weight unless tightlyfastened to a solid board, thus giving the book a good foundation tostand on. 

For all periodicals not bound in leather I should prescribe the sametreatment. These volumes can be lettered in ink on the canvas, or ingold on a colored leather label pasted on the cloth. But for all bookswhich are destined to be bound in leather I should surely, and withoutany hesitation whatever, order morocco, and by this I mean goat skin, and I should go still further and demand a good German or Frenchgoat; boards hard and laced in at every band, super joints, full, openbacks, lettering clear and distinct, and the paper on the sides tomatch the leather. 

I would also recommend that a schedule be used, giving a space forschedule number; then the name of book or books, or lettering tobe used on each volume; space for the number of volumes, space fordescription of binding, and finally for price, thus giving the bindera complete order on a large sheet, which he is in no danger of losing. All he will have to do is to mark on the title of each volume, insmall figures, its schedule number, and, when the books are done, putdown the prices and add up the column of figures, and make out hisstatement as per the number of schedule. 

This method gives the librarian a complete list of volumes sentand returned, and by laying away these schedules she has for handyreference a very complete list of prices. It saves the binder fromwriting out the name of each volume on his bill, and as the librarianmust keep a list of books sent, why not keep them this way as well asany other? I have mislaid or lost hundreds of lettering slips, whichare the bane of a bookbinder's existence. Lay down some rules forthe cutting of books, placing of plates, binding of covers, andadvertisements, style of lettering, etc. , and have your binder followthem. 

Don't ever cut with a folder before sending to binder, as it makes thesewing more difficult. 

Don't pull to pieces or take out titles and indexes. The binder alwaystakes care of that. 

Don't take off ads, as it sometimes leaves unsightly tears or takesaway pages, and if all leaves are paged the binder is at a loss toknow if the book is complete. 

Don't ever use mucilage or glue. Your bookbinder will send you alittle paste, or you can make it by boiling flour and water andsprinkling in a little salt. If you wish to keep it for a long time, mix a few drops of oil of cloves with it and seal up. 

Of course there are cases where some of these rules don't apply, suchas volumes made up from leaves taken from several other volumes orpamphlets. 

In case of a book of this kind place every leaf in correct order, andwrite directions very carefully. "

Many books will need repair. A few hours spent in the bindery, studying the methods of putting a book together, will be helpful, notonly in the matter of securing good binding, but in the repairing ofbooks that have gone to pieces. Mend and rebind your books the minutethey seem to need it. Delay is the extravagant thing in this case. Ifyou are slow in this matter, leaves and sections will be lost, and thewear the broken-backed volume is getting will soon remove a part ofthe fold at the back of the several sections, and make the whole booka hopeless wreck forever. 

CHAPTER XXVIII

Pamphlets

Save all pamphlets having to do with local history, and save alsothose of a general nature which promise ever to be of any importance. In a small library, however, or in any library in which money forsalaries is limited, and the work to be done in the regular matter ofattending to the public, lending books, etc. , is great, do not wastetime in trying to arrange or catalog pamphlets. Simply let themaccumulate, arranging them roughly in classes. Bind at once onlythose that seem absolutely to demand it. In the history of almost anylibrary the time will come when it will be possible to sort outpamphlets, arrange them properly, catalog such as are worth it, bindthem singly or in groups, and incorporate them into the library. Butany system of arranging and sorting pamphlets which does anythingmore than very roughly to arrange and store them, and attempts to makethem, without much labor, accessible to the general public, is almostsure to be a failure. This is not true of pamphlets to which thepublic has not access. But pamphlets not fully cataloged and notaccessible to the public are, no matter how scientifically arranged, almost useless plunder. To keep them clean and in order nothing isas good as a pamphlet case, which any boxmaker can make, of cardboardabout 9 inches high, 7 inches deep, and 2 inches thick, open at theback. They will cost from 4 to 12 cents each, according to quality ofboard used and quantity ordered. For holding a few pamphlets togethertemporarily Ballard's "klips" are best. Sold by H. H. Ballard, Pittsfield, Mass. 

[Illustration: L. B. Pamphlet case. (Various sizes. )]

CHAPTER XXIX

Public documents

Adelaide R. Hasse, of the New York Public library

How issued

Government documents are issued in two sets or editions, viz. : theCongressional or sheep, and the Departmental or cloth. The annualreports of the heads of departments, with many of the serial andoccasional publications of the various departments, are contained inthe sheep set, and in addition, all the reports of committees, andrecords of the transactions of congress, except the debates which arecontained in the Congressional record. The cloth set contains all thepublications of the various departments, irrespective of the fact thatsome of them may have appeared in the sheep set. 

To whom issued

The depository libraries receive the sheep set by law from thesuperintendent of documents. Each department has its own list of"exchanges" (i. E. , designations) which receive gratis the publicationsof that department intended for general distribution. Non-depositorylibraries receive their documents regularly from the departmentswhen on the department exchange list, or irregularly from theirrepresentatives in congress. "Remainder libraries" receive from thesuperintendent of documents such documents as can be supplied from thefractional quotas sent to him after the editions ordered for theuse of congress have been equally divided among the senators andrepresentatives. 

"Special libraries" are those libraries specially designated bymembers of congress to receive the publications of the geologicalsurvey. 

Many thousands of books have been sent on special application tolibraries not on the list. The depository, remainder, and speciallibraries together now number over 1300. 

All the departments still control the distribution of their ownpublications, the superintendent of documents only distributing thesheep set, and such of the department publications as have been turnedover to him by the departments for this purpose, or of which therehave been remainders. Sometimes the number of copies of its ownpublications allotted to the department is very small and soonexhausted. 

Librarians and others who want full information about thedistribution, present methods of issue, etc. , of public documents, should send for the First annual report of the superintendent ofdocuments. In addition there have been issued from his office, sinceits establishment in March, 1895, a check list of public documents, and since January, 1895, a monthly catalog of current publications. Both are mailed free upon application. 

Care in a library

The question of the most economical, and at the same time satisfactorymanner of caring for documents in a library, cannot be considered inthe space of so brief an article as this necessarily must be. Afterall, it is a question that must be settled by each library for itself, since it rests chiefly upon the extent to which the library can affordduplication. 

Depository libraries have better opportunities than others for fillingup the sheep set, and having this set they have the greater portionof those documents useful to the average library. A complete sheepset from the 15th Congress to the close of the 53d Congress numbersslightly over 3343V. , and will require 860 feet of shelving, or sixmodern iron book stacks. 

Though it is done in a few cases, the subject classification of thesheep set is not to be recommended. Where subject classification, orthe incorporation of the documents in the general library, is desired, the cloth set is preferable, and is in most cases procurable. Ifa library can afford shelf room for both, it will be found moresatisfactory to keep the sheep set intact, and to make a selectionof such reports from the cloth set as will be locally useful to thelibrary. 

No small library should undertake to acquire any documents but thosefor which it has an actual use; only the largest libraries can affordthe task of filling up sets of documents simply for the sake of havinga complete record. 

Small libraries, and all libraries in need of any special report ordocument, can get it, in most cases, by applying to the superintendentof documents. Return all your duplicates to the superintendent ofdocuments; arrangements for their transportation will be made by himupon notification, and anything he has that is needed will be sent inexchange. 

Do not try to collect a complete set of government documents; thegovernment of the United States has not yet been able to do that. 

CHAPTER XXX

Checking the library

Check the library over occasionally. It need not be done every year. It is an expensive thing to do, in time, and is not of great valuewhen done; but now and then it must be gone through with. It is notnecessary to close the library for this purpose. Take one departmentat a time and check it by the shelf-list. Make a careful list of allbooks missing. Check this list by the charging slips at the counter. For those still missing make a general but hasty search through thelibrary. Go over each part of the library in this way. Then compileall lists of missing books into one list, arranged in the order oftheir call-numbers. Once or twice a week for several months go overthe library with this list, looking for missing books. Evenwith access to the shelves, and with great freedom in matters ofcirculation, not many books will be found missing, under ordinarycircumstances, at the end of a six months' search. Such books as arestill missing at the end of any given period, together with thosethat have been discarded as worn out, and those that have been lostby borrowers, should be properly marked on the shelf-list, and shouldhave an entry in the accession book, stating what has become of them. If they are not replaced, it will be advisable to withdraw the cardsrepresenting them from the card catalog, or to write on the cards thefact of withdrawal and the cause. 

Keep a record of all books withdrawn from the library for whateverreason. 

CHAPTER XXXI

Lists, bulletins, printed catalog

Give the public access to the card catalog if possible. If adictionary catalog is made it will prove to be most helpful to theserious students. For the average reader, the person who wishes to geta recent book, the latest novel, etc. , prepare lists of additions frommonth to month, post them up in some convenient place in the library, and put them in a binder to be left on desk or table in the deliveryroom. 

Print lists of additions, if possible, in the local papers; alsopublish reference lists having to do with current events and mattersof popular interest. Oftentimes the newspapers will furnish, for asmall sum, extra copies of the lists which they have printed. If themeans warrant the expenditure, a periodical bulletin, appearing oncea month, or even oftener, containing information about the library, notes on recent additions, suggestions as to the use of books, listson special subjects, and lists of books lately added may prove useful. Such a bulletin can often be maintained without cost to the library byhaving it published by some one who will pay its expenses by meansof advertisements. The very best way of bringing new books tothe attention of readers is to print a list of additions, withcall-numbers, as condensed as possible, and with no other matter, forfree distribution in the library. 

In printing lists of books, make the classes covered special, notgeneral. Give lists suitable for as many different needs and occasionsas possible. There can't be too many of them. For instance, a teacherwould find thoroughly helpful and practicable such classified listsof books as, for beginners in third and fourth grades, for theintermediate pupils, for boys, for girls, numerous references to thecurrent events of the day; historical readings divided into periodsand adapted to different grades; historical fiction under severalforms of classification; biographies and biographical sketches suitedto different ages; geographical aids, including travel, description, life, scenes, and customs in different countries; natural history andelementary science; the resources of the library available for thepurpose of illustrating topics in history, art, and science; materialfor theme studies; special lists for anniversary days now so generallyobserved in schools, and so on. 

Lists in which the titles of the books come first are better liked bythe general public than are author-lists. People commonly know booksby name, not by author. 

Don't make the mistake of spending much money, at the library'sbeginning, for a printed catalog. A printed catalog, as stated inchapter 25, is not a necessity. It is useful, particularly for homeuse, to tell whether the library owns certain books; but with a goodcard catalog, newspaper lists, special lists, and the like, it is nota necessity. Few large libraries now publish complete catalogs. 

CHAPTER XXXII

Charging system

On the inside of the front cover of every book in the library paste amanilla pocket. (See Library Bureau catalog. ) Or paste, by the bottomand the upper corners, thus making a pocket of it, a sheet of plain, stout paper at the bottom of the first page of the first flyleaf. Onthis pocket, at the top, write the call-number of the book. Belowthis print information for borrowers, if this seems necessary. In thispocket place a book-card of heavy ledger paper or light cardboard. Onthis book-card, at the top, write the call-number of the book in thepocket of which it is placed. 

[Illustration: Card-pocket. (Reduced; actual size, 7 x 13-1/2 cm. )

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY

 * * * * *

EXTRACT FROM CITY ORDINANCE. 

SEC. 1. --Any person who shall willfully or maliciously cut, writeupon, injure, deface, tear, or destroy any Book, Newspaper, Plate, Picture, Engraving, or Statue belonging to the Chicago Public Library, shall be liable to a fine of not less than five dollars, nor more thanfifty dollars for every such offense. 

 * * * * *

EXTRACT FROM RULES. 

27. --Books may be retained two weeks, and may be once renewed for thesame period. 

30. --A fine of three cents a day shall be paid on each work, whetherbound in one or more volumes, which is not returned according to theprovisions of the preceding rules; and no other book will be deliveredto the party incurring the fine until it is paid. * * *

 * * * * *

RECEIVED. 

 * * * * *

Acme Library Card Pocket. Under Pat. Sept. 26, '76, "Ref. Index File. "Made by LIBRARY BUREAU, 125 Franklin St. , Chicago

 * * * * *

Keep your Card In this Pocket. ]

To every borrower the library issues a borrower's card. This card ismade of heavy, colored tag-board, and contains the borrowers' name andaddress, and his number in the series of borrowers' numbers. 

The librarian, before delivering a book to a borrower, takes from thepocket the book-card, writes on it the number found at the top of theborrower's card, and after it, with a dater, stamps the day of themonth. At the same time he stamps the same date on the borrower'scard, and on the pocket in the book or on a dating slip pasted in thebook opposite the pocket. 

[Illustration: Book card. (Reduced; actual size 12-1/2 x 7-1/2 cm. )

340 D68Dole, E. P. Talks about lawJa. 4 826 Ja. 11F. 6 246 F. 15Ap. 1 836]

The borrower's card he places in the book pocket, the book-card heretains as a record of the loan, and the borrower takes the book away. The book-card, with all others representing the books issued on thesame day, he places in a tray behind a card bearing the date ofthe day of issue. All the book-cards representing books issued on acertain day are arranged in the order of their call-numbers. 

[Illustration: Tray for book-cards. ]

Under this system the borrower can tell, by looking at his card, onwhat date the book he has was taken from the library. If he wishesto renew it without taking it back to the library, he can do so by aletter stating that he took on a certain day a book bearing a certainnumber, and wishes it renewed. 

The librarian can tell, from the book-cards, what books are incirculation, and how many of each class were lent on a certain day. 

[Illustration: No. 1. Postal notice. (Reduced. )

City Library AssociationSpringfield, Mass. Feb. 14, 1899. 

The book noted below is now in the library and will bereserved for you until 9 P. M. , Feb. 15. 

_Please present this notice and your library card. _ A chargeof two cents is made for this notice. 

JOHN COTTON DANA, _Librarian_. 

Per. S. M. J. 

_Book No. _ 2173. 54_Title, etc. _ Ave Roma Immortalis. 

Reserve Postal, Form 1, Jan. 30. '98, 500]

The borrower's number, written on the book-card of any given book incirculation, will give, through the register of borrowers, thename and address of the person having that book. Overdue books areautomatically indicated, their cards remaining in the tray, behindthe card indicating the date they were lent, after the day for theirreturn has passed. 

When a borrower returns a book the librarian can learn, from the dateon the pocket, whether or no a fine should be paid on it; if not, hecan, if in haste, immediately take out the borrower's card from thebook pocket, stamp the date of its return at the right of the date onwhich it was lent, thus canceling the charge against the borrower, andlay the book aside and look up its book-card later. 

[Illustration: No. 2. Registration card, face. (Reduced; actual size, 7-1/2 x 12-1/2 cm. )

Name. Geo. Brown No. 80Residence. 72 Vernon. Employment. Machinist. Employer. Smith & Wesson's. Place of business. 85 Main. ]

[Illustration: No. 3. Registration card, reverse. (Reduced; actualsize, 7-1/2 x 12-1/2 cm. )

 Feb. 14, 1899. 

I hereby declare that I am a resident of the City of Springfield, and inconsideration of the right to use the Free City Library, agree to complywith all Regulations provided for its government. 

George Brown. 

I hereby certify that the above subscriber is a fit person to enjoy theprivileges of the City Library, and that I will be responsible for anyloss or injury the Library may sustain from the permission given to drawbooks in consequence of this certificate. 

Signature (in ink)

Residing at No. Street. ]

Double and special borrowers' cards are not needed under thissystem. It accommodates itself readily to a "two-book" system. On thebook-cards belonging to the second book, and all other books afterthe first, which any borrower may take, the librarian writes theborrower's number preceded by any letter or sign which will serve toindicate that these books are charged, not on the borrower's card, butto the borrower direct, on the strength of a general permission to himto take more than one book. 

[Illustration: No. 4. Overdue notice. (Postal card, reduced. )

The City Library Association, Springfield, Mass. LITERATURE: ART:SCIENCE. 

The Library: Circulating Department. 

The rules of the library require all books to be returned in twoweeks. Book No. G647. 2 stands charged to you (Card No. 1906) as takenfrom the library Feb. 2. '99. 

You are incurring a fine of two cents for every day's detention. 

If you think a mistake has been made, please notify us. 

A charge of two cents is made for sending this notice. 

The City Library. Per B. 

Present this notice with your library card. ]

The postal notice no. 1, the registration cards 2 and 3, the noticethat the book is overdue, no. 4, the fine slip, no. 5, all explainthemselves. 

In most places, certainly in all small towns, a sufficient safeguardagainst the loss of books is found in the signature of the borrowerhimself. No guarantee need be called for. To ask for a guarantor for areputable resident is simply to discommode two people instead of one. The application which the borrower signs should be brief and plain. Name, residence, place of business, and any necessary references, should be written in by the librarian on one side; the signature to anagreement to obey the library rules can be written by the applicanton the other. All borrowers agreements should be filed in alphabeticalorder. They should receive borrowers' numbers in the order of theirissue, and the date. The borrowers' cards should state that theyexpire in a definite number of years from the date of issue, andthe date of issue should be stamped on them. An index of borrower'sagreements should be kept by their numbers. This need contain only theborrower's number, his name, and, when necessary, his address. It isconveniently kept in a book. It is better to keep it on cards. 

[Illustration: No. 5. Fine slip. (Reduced; actual size 12-1/2 x 7-1/2cm. )

The City Library AssocationSpringfield, Mass. 

Fines received FEB 14

No. 34. 5-82 D. 

 4 216 622 8 2 4 6]

CHAPTER XXXIII

Meeting the public

If the public is not admitted to the shelves, it will be necessaryto supply catalogs for public use as well as slips on which lists ofbooks wanted can be made out; but the fullest possible catalogs andthe finest appointments in the delivery room cannot take the placeof direct contact between librarian or assistants and the public. Wherever possible, the person to whom the borrower applies for a bookshould go himself to the shelves for it. 

The stranger in the library should be made welcome. Encourage thetimid, volunteer to them directions and suggestions, and instruct themin the library's methods. Conversation at the counter having to dowith wants of borrowers should be encouraged rather than discouraged. No mechanical devices can take the place of face to face question andanswer. 

The public like to handle and examine their books, and it is good forthem to do it. They like the arrangements in the library to besimple; they object to red tape and rules. They like to have theirinstitutions seem to assume--through, for example, the absence ofsigns--that they know how to conduct themselves courteously withoutbeing told. They don't like delays. They like to be encouraged toask questions. They like to be consulted as to their wants, and asto changes in arrangements and methods. They like to feel at home intheir library. 

CHAPTER XXXIV

The public library for the public

The librarian of former times was almost invariably a bookworm, andwas often a student properly so called. The older librarians of thepresent day, and the librarians of the great libraries of our cities, are also very commonly men of letters, men of learning, men who admirethe student spirit and know how to appreciate it. The librarian offormer days actually felt that the books of which he had charge wereto be used, if they were used at all, chiefly, if not only, by personswho wished to make some careful and painstaking research; and theolder librarians, and the librarians of the greater libraries oftoday, are also inclined to think that their libraries are best used, or at least are used as fully as they need be, when they are visitedby those who are engaged in original investigation or serious study ofsome sort. As a fellow librarian once wrote me, for example, of one ofhis colleagues, "His whole trend is scholarly rather than popular; heappreciates genuine contributions to art, science, and industry, buthas little taste for the great class of books that the main body ofreaders care for. " This view of literature, libraries, and the useof books, and this special fondness for what may be called genuinecontributions to art, science, and industry, are proper enough intheir time and place; but it cannot be too often impressed uponthe library world, and upon those who contribute to the support oflibraries, and upon trustees and directors generally, that the thingthat is of great consequence in the work of the free public library isnot its product in the shape of books which are the results of carefulresearch, or of books which are contributions to science, art, andindustry; it is the work that the library does from day to day instimulating the inquiring spirit, in adding to the interest in things, and in broadening the minds of the common people who form 90 per centat least of the public library patrons. That is to say, the publiclibrary is chiefly concerned not in the products of education, asshown in the finished book, but in the process of education as shownin the developing and training of the library users, of the generalpublic. 

It is from this common-folks-education point of view that theadvocate of the open-shelf system looks upon the question of libraryadministration. A free public library is not a people's post-graduateschool, it is the people's common school. 

The more I see and learn of free public libraries the more I amconvinced that a public library can reach a high degree of efficiencyin its work only when its books are accessible to all its patrons. Thefree public library should not be managed for the use of the specialstudent, save in special cases, any more than is the free publicschool. That it should be solely or chiefly or primarily the student'slibrary, in any proper sense of the word, is as contrary to the spiritof the whole free public library movement as would be the makingof the public schools an institution for the creation of Greekphilologians. Everyone engaged in educational work, and especiallythose thus engaged who are most thoroughly equipped for the work ina literary way, and are most in touch with the literary and scholarlyspirit, should have his attention called again and again to the needsof the crowd, the mass, the common people, the general run, the 90per cent who either have never been within a schoolroom, or left itforever by the time they were thirteen years of age. And his attentionshould be again and again called to the fact that of the millions ofchildren who are getting an education in this country today, not over5 or 6 per cent at the outside, and perhaps even less than that, everget as far, even, as the high-schools. The few, of course, ruleand must keep the lamp burning, but the many must have sufficienteducation to know how to walk by it if democracy is to endure. And theschool for the many is, and is to be, if the opinions of librariansare correct, the free public library; but it cannot be a school forthe many unless the many walk into it, and go among its books, handlethem, and so doing come to know them and to love them and to use them, and to get wisdom from them. 

CHAPTER XXXV

Advice to a librarian

[From Public Libraries, June, 1897]

As a matter of fact the position of librarian is more of an executivebusiness affair than a literary one. Let me give you fair warning--itis in no sense your business to dictate to others as to what they mayor may not, should or should not, read, and if you attempt to assumesuch responsibility you will make unnumbered enemies, and take uponyourself a thankless and uncalled-for task. 

Frankly, do you know what is good for me to read? Are you not verymuch in doubt what is best for yourself? Isn't there a doubt in thebest and most candid minds upon this same subject? Let the board ofdirectors assume the responsibilities, work carefully and cautiouslyfor the things that are considered best by persons of some authority, the people with sound, healthy bodies and clean minds, and thoroughlydistrust the literary crank. Don't be too sure of your own judgment;the other fellow may be right, especially as to what he wants andneeds. 

Hang on to your tastes and prejudices for yourself, but don't imposethem upon others. Cultivate your own tastes carefully by reading butlittle, and that little of the best; avoid the latest sensation untilyou are quite sure it is more than a sensation; if you have to buyit to please the patrons, have some convenient (literary) dog of goodappetite and digestive organs, and try it on him or her and watchthe general effect. You will be astonished how much you will find outabout a book, its morals and manners, by the things they don't say. Our mutual friend's father, Mr D----, used to utterly damn a book tome when he said it was Just fair, and his It's a likely story, putthings in the front ranks. Just get the confidence of as many readersas you can, grapple some of the most divergent minds with hooks ofsteel; and in finding out how little you know that is of any realvalue to anyone else, you will begin to be of some little value toyourself. Don't try to direct. The fellow that wants your directionwill cause you to ooze out the information he needs, and you willhardly know that you have told him anything. 

I may be, and doubtless am, saying much that is quite unnecessary, butI have tried to bear in mind some of my own mistakes, and of othersaround me. I have been impressed with the fact that librarians seemto think that they must or ought to know everything, and get to thinkthey do know. It is a delusion. One can't know it all, and only ahopeless case tries. 

Be more than content to be ignorant on many things. Look at yourposition as a high-grade business one, look after the working details, have things go smoothly, know the whereabouts and classification ofthe books, and let people choose their own mental food, but see to itthat all that is put before them is wholesome. 

CHAPTER XXXVI

The librarian as a host

Maude R. Henderson, in Public Libraries, September, 1896

Each librarian needs to have an ideal for society; must have beforehim an end of which his work will be only a part. 

It is the peculiar position of the librarian to be so situated thatwith the consent of his trustees he may, simply by virtue of hisoffice, be able to draw about him more of the elements of usefulnessthan almost any other person. Even a librarian who is a stranger isnot taking matters unduly into his own hands in immediately availinghimself of this privilege, for he is placed in the community where hecan bring together those who have something to give and those who wishto receive. His invitation is non-partisan, non-sectarian, and withoutsocial distinctions. 

The object of this article upon the librarian as a host is tosuggest methods of usefulness for the community through the forms ofentertainment at the disposal of the librarian. A surprising number ofpeople, not having attractive surroundings, and not having unboundedresources within themselves, lead dull lives. The theater isexpensive, sometimes not available, often not attractive, and one ofthe attractions of a library evening will be that it is "some place togo, " but does no violence either to their scruples or their ideas ofeconomy. Many who will not identify themselves with clubs, from anaversion to organization, will appreciate the freedom from it here, for there will be no officers, no rules, no fees. 

If there is no especial note that the librarian thinks it would bewell to sound, he may let it be known that the first of a series ofentertainments to be given by the library, at the library, willbe, for instance, a talk upon the Child in History, Our AmericanIllustrators, or some attractive subject. 

There are always a number of specialists, even in small places, whocan contribute liberally to these plans, thus relieving the librarianof any real work beyond that of planning, while it accomplishes thedouble purpose of engaging the interest of the speaker in the workof the library, and of furnishing the entertainment for others. Thefollowing suggestions, which have been prepared for the work of asmall library, will give a more definite idea of the plan. 

Very often there will be found some one who, having a special fondnessfor one school of art, has made a collection of reproductions of itsfamous works in photographs, casts or engravings, who will willinglyloan them for the illustration of a talk upon this theme, even if notquite as willingly giving the talk himself. 

A beautiful program for a musical evening would consist of theconversation or paper upon a certain musical form, such as the opera, symphony, or perhaps dance music, being illustrated and varied by theperformance of examples of those forms. The organized musical clubscould here be of the greatest service in taking charge of the wholeentertainment. 

An enthusiasm for a work or this kind may be somewhat crushed out bythe press of regular duties, but the librarian may be greatlyhelped by the coöperation of organized clubs. Musical societies, Saengerbunds, the Elks, Daughters of the Revolution, and othersocieties are constantly preparing excellent entertainments, which itis hoped they will be willing to reproduce for those who have eithernot the leisure or the inclination to study. Such a movement doesnot in any way divert the energies of the library from their originalaims, but is only another means of enhancing their efficacy. Theresources of the library upon each of the subjects presented can bemade known in many ways familiar to the librarian, such as postedlists, bulletins, and by the mention of them in the talks. 

Upon a night which the librarian might consider of interest to them, special invitations may be sent to the different organized societiesof working people, such as the retail clerks, labor unions, etc, who might not include themselves readily in a general publishedinvitation. 

It has been generally observed that more people are willing to readthan know _what_ to read, and are always glad of help in selection. 

The originality of the librarian will develop many themes and schemes, and the work itself will doubtless show new veins which may befollowed up. It may be that not many will avail themselves of anyone invitation, but with a constant change of topic and manner ofpresentation, there cannot fail to be a great number, eventually, whose attention will be enlisted. 

CHAPTER XXXVII

Library patrons--Making friends of them

Library patrons may be roughly divided into classes, thus: First--Theadult student who, on rare occasions, calls to supplement theresources of his own collection of books with the resources of thepublic institution. This class is very small. Second--The dilettante, or amateur, who is getting up an essay or a criticism for some club orsociety, and wishes to verify his impression as to the color of JamesRussell Lowell's hair, or the exact words Dickens once used to JamesT. Fields in speaking of a certain ought-to-be-forgotten poem ofBrowning's. This class is large, and its annual growth in this countryis probably an encouraging sign of the times. It indicates interest. Third--The serious-minded reader who alternately tackles Macaulay, Darwin, and Tom Jones with frequent and prolonged relapses--simplyto rest his mind--into Mrs Wistar and Capt. King. This class is quitelarge, and though in too large a measure the victims of misplacedconfidence in Sir John Lubbock and Frederick Harrison, they makeexcellent progress and do much to keep up the reading habit. Fourth--The "Oh, just-anything-good-you-know" reader. Her name islegion. She never knows what she has read. Yet the social student whofailed to take into account the desultory, pastime reader, would missa great factor in the spread of ideas. Fifth--The person who does notread. He is commoner than most suppose. He is often young, moreoften boy than girl, oftener young man than young woman. He commitseternally what Mr Putnam aptly calls the great crime against thelibrary of staying away from it. He is classed among the patrons ofthe library somewhat as the western schoolma'am brought in knowledgeof the capital of Massachusetts as part of her mental baggage: "Well, I know I ought to know it. " He ought to be a library patron. How makehim one? There are many methods, and all should be tried. The Pears'soap plan of printers' ink is one of the finest and best. 

If a library has or is a good thing for the community let it so besaid, early, late, and often, in large, plain type. So doing shallthe library's books enter--before too old to be of service--into thatstate of utter worn-out-ness which is the only known book-heaven. Another way, and by some found good, is to work the sinfullyindifferent first up into a library missionary, and then transformhim into a patron. A library is something to which he can give an oldbook, an old paper, an old magazine, with no loss to himself. Having given, the library is at once his field, a Timbuctoo for hismissionary spirit, is in part his creation. Ever after he is itsinterested friend. He wants to know about it. He goes to see it. Heuses it. 

CHAPTER XXXVIII

Public libraries and recreation

W. I. Fletcher in Public Libraries, July, 1898

There is nothing out of place in the comparing of the library to theschool and the college, but its true mission is not to be so limited. To a large extent it is to be compared, as an object of publiccare and expense, with the park, the modern common, where there areflower-beds, rare plants in conservatories, lakes with boats in summerand skating in winter, and music by excellent bands. Not very strictlyuseful, these things, but recognized everywhere as ministering to thereal culture of the people. Let this library, then, be the place whereyou will come, not merely to study and store your minds with so-called"useful" knowledge, but also often to have a good time; to refreshyour minds and hearts with humor and poetry and fiction. Let the boysfind here wholesome books of adventure, and tales such as a boy likes;let the girls find the stories which delight them and give their fancyand imagination exercise; let the tired housewife find the novelswhich will transport her to an ideal realm of love and happiness;let the hard-worked man, instead of being expected always to read"improving" books of history or politics, choose that which shall givehim relaxation of mind and nerve, perhaps the Innocents abroad, orJosh Billings' "Allminax, " or Samanthy at Saratoga. 

CHAPTER XXXIX

Books as useful tools

There is still too much of superstition and reverence mingled withthe thought of books and literature, and study and studentship in thepopular mind. Books are tools, of which here and there one is usefulfor a certain purpose to a certain person. The farmer consults hisfarm paper on the mixing of pig-feed; the cook takes from the latesttreatise the rules for a new salad; the chemist finds in his journalthe last word on the detection of poisons; the man of affairs turnsto the last market reports for guidance in his day's transactions; andall have used books, have studied literature. The hammer and thepoem, the hoe and the dictionary, the engine and the encyclopedia, thetrowel and the treatise on philosophy--these are tools. One and all, they are expressions of the life of the race. But they are not, forthat reason, to be reverenced. They are proper for man's service, notman for theirs. Approach books, then, as you would a sewing machine, aschool, or a factory. 

Literature, after all, is simply all that's printed. In print arefound the sum of the experience and observation of the whole race. Outof this print it is the librarian's business to help his fellows todraw such facts and suggestions as may aid them in their work. 

CHAPTER XL

A village library successfully managed

James R. Garfield, in Public Libraries, October, 1896

Mentor, Ohio, is a village of but 500 people; therefore we aresomewhat limited in our ability to raise funds for carrying on librarywork. But some six years ago 15 of us got together and began holding aseries of meetings every month, something in the nature of the old NewEngland township meeting, for the purpose of stirring up an interestin town affairs, and in doing that we considered it necessary to havesome central point of interest around which we could all work, andwe chose as that the library. There had never been a library in thevillage except a small circulating library. We all believed that theuse of books and the greater knowledge of books would be a commoncenter of interest around which we could all work and toward which wewould be glad to give work. The result of five years' work in thisway was that we now have a library of about 1600v. , and two years ago, acting under a general law of the state, we became incorporated, and requested the village council to levy a tax for the work of thelibrary. We at that time had about 1000v. The council very readily sawthe advantage of this kind of work. They appreciated what was beingdone for the citizens and schools of the state, and therefore theylevied a tax and turned the proceeds of the tax over to the libraryboard. In this way, you will see, the library board is kept entirelyaloof from politics. There are no elections by the people, nor is theboard appointed by any political officers. It is a self-constitutedbody, a corporate body under the laws of this state, and as long as wemaintain our corporate existence the village may turn over the fundsto the library. We settled the difficulty of women's rights by havingan equal number of both men and women on the board, and then in orderto avoid the question of disruption of families we made the othermember of the family who was not on an honorary member of the board. In this way we increased the number of workers and at the same timesatisfied the desire of many people to hold office. 

But we found that 15, together with the supernumerary and honorarymembers, were unwieldy, and the work practically devolved upon veryfew of the members. Therefore, when we incorporated, we made anexecutive board consisting of five members, and they had absolutemanagement of the library proper. They are elected every year from themembers of the association, and have absolute control of the library. 

Although our library is supported by the village, we make itabsolutely free to anyone who desires to use it. Those outside thevillage or township are required to put up a nominal deposit, merelyfor the safe return of the book. We made this the ideal toward whichwe are working--that the friendship of books is like the friendshipof men, it is worth nothing and avails nothing unless it is usedconstantly and improved constantly. 

CHAPTER XLI

Rules for the public

Printed rules, telling the public how they may use the library, arebest put in the form of information and suggestions. Thus publishedthey do not give the impression of red tape and restrictions so muchas of help in making access to the library's resources easier andpleasanter. 

The following suggestions and rules are copied with slightmodification from a set in actual use. 

The Utopia free public library

Information and suggestions

GENERAL

The library is open to everyone. 

Do not hesitate to ask questions. 

Suggestions of books for purchase and of changes in methods are askedfor. 

CIRCULATING DEPARTMENT

The circulating department is open from 10 to 9. 

All persons residing in the city of Utopia, and giving satisfactoryreference, are entitled to use the circulating department of thelibrary on subscribing to the following agreement:

I hereby certify that I am a resident of the city of Utopia, and, inconsideration of the right to use the free circulating department ofthe library, agree to comply with the regulations provided for itsgovernment. 

A card-holder is responsible for all books taken on his card. 

Immediate notice should be given of change of residence. 

The library card should be presented when a book is drawn, renewed, orreturned. 

To renew a book, bring or send your card and the number of the book. 

Lost cards can be replaced at once on payment of 10 cents for renewal, or without charge after a delay of two weeks. 

One book, or one work if not in more than three volumes, may be takenat a time and kept two weeks, when it may be renewed for two weeks. 

Four weeks is the limit of time that a book can be retained in any onehousehold. 

Books must be returned on the same card on which they are drawn. 

A book cannot be transferred from one account to another unless it isbrought to the library. 

A fine at the rate of 2 cents per day is assessed on each bookretained over time, payable on its return. 

A book retained more than a week beyond the time limited may be sentfor at the expense of the delinquent. 

Books marked with a * in the catalogs are reference books, and are notlent. 

No pen or pencil marks should be made in the books. 

Any person who refuses to pay the fines or expenses mentioned, orwilfully violates any of the foregoing rules, forfeits thereby allright to the use of the library. 

Teachers, and for good cause others, can take out more than one book(other than fiction) at a time, for such a term as may have beenagreed upon before the books leave the library. In the absence of suchagreement the books can be kept for the usual time only. 

Persons not resident in the city may be allowed, at the discretion ofthe librarian, to take books on payment of $1 per year, and on signingan agreement to comply with the regulations of the library. 

REFERENCE DEPARTMENT

The librarian and assistants are glad of opportunities to helpthose wishing to do reference work of any kind to a knowledge of thelocation of the books and the use of catalogs, indexes, and otheraids. 

READING ROOM

The reading room is open from 9 a. M. To 9 p. M. On week days; and onSundays from 1 p. M. To 6 p. M. 

Conversation and conduct inconsistent with quiet and order areprohibited. 

Back numbers of papers and periodicals may be had on application tothe attendants. 

The books, papers, and periodicals should be carefully used, andneither marked nor cut. 

Persons who wilfully violate any of the foregoing rules therebyforfeit all right to the use of the reading room. 

CHAPTER XLII

Rules for the government of the Board of trustees and employés of thepublic library

[Slightly modified from the rules of the Erie (Pa. ) public library. ]

ARTICLE I

MEETINGS OF THE BOARD

Section 1. The regular meetings of the board of trustees shall be heldon the Monday preceding the first Thursday of every month, at 8 p. M. 

Sec. 2. Special meetings shall be called by the president whenever, in his judgment, they may be necessary; or at the written request ofthree members of the board. 

ARTICLE II

QUORUMS

Section 1. Five members of the board and two of any standing committeeshall constitute a quorum, in either case, for the transaction ofbusiness. 

ARTICLE III

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section 1. The order of business at all regular meetings of the boardshall be as follows:

1. Roll call. 

2. Reading of the minutes. 

3. Petitions and communications. 

4. Hearing of citizens and others. 

5. Report of the secretary. 

6. Report of the librarian. 

7. Report of the book committee. 

8. Report of the finance committee. 

9. Report of the building committee. 

10. Report of special committees. 

11. Bills and pay-rolls. 

12. New business. 

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of the board shall consist of a president, vice-president, and secretary, each of whom shall be elected atthe regular meeting in January, to serve for one year. In case of avacancy the board may elect a person to fill the unexpired term at anyregular meeting. Temporary appointments may be made in the absence ofthe regular officers. 

Sec. 2. The president shall preside at the meetings of the board;appoint the various committees; certify all bills that have beenrecommended for payment by the board; prepare the annual report; seeto the general enforcement of the rules; and perform such other dutiesas the board may direct. In conjunction with the finance committee, he shall make an estimate at the close of each fiscal year of theprobable expenses for the ensuing year, and submit the same to theboard for its action. 

Sec. 3. The vice-president shall perform the duties of the presidentin the latter's absence. 

Sec. 4. The secretary shall record all proceedings of the board; readthe minutes of the preceding meeting, or meetings, at each regularmeeting; keep a detailed account of receipts and expenses; reportthe same to the board monthly; file all communications, vouchers, andother papers; certify all bills that have been recommended for paymentby the board; transmit all resolutions and recommendations that mayrequire it to the board of education or the proper committee thereof;prepare an annual report of receipts and expenses; and perform suchother duties as the board may require. 

ARTICLE V

COMMITTEES

Section 1. The standing committees of the board shall be a financecommittee, a book committee, and a committee on building and grounds, each to consist of three members, to be named by the president at theregular meeting in February of each year. 

Sec. 2. The finance committee shall certify to the correctness of allbills and pay-rolls before their presentation to the board; require avoucher for all expenses; see that the accounts are properly kept;aid the president in making up his annual estimates; verify the fiscalreports of the secretary and librarian; and look after the financialaffairs of the board generally. 

Sec. 3. The book committee shall be consulted by the librarian in theselection of all books, magazines, newspapers, etc. ; prepare the rulesfor the management of the library; supervise the cataloging, labeling, and shelving of the various publications; have general charge of thebook rooms; suggest suitable persons for employés (except the janitorand his assistants), and fix the duties of the same; require a listof all gifts, purchases and losses to be kept by the librarian, andverify his monthly and annual statements of the same. 

Sec. 4. The committee on building and grounds shall purchase and takecharge of the furniture and fixtures in the Library building; lookafter all matters pertaining to the building and grounds (inclusive ofsidewalks, lawns, heating, lighting, and ventilation), and suggest theproper persons to serve as janitor and assistants to the same. Theyshall require all parts of the premises to be kept in a neat, clean, and creditable condition, and report all defects that require repairor remedy. 

ARTICLE VI

EXPENDITURES

Section 1. Unless otherwise ordered by the board, no indebtednessshall be incurred without the previous approval of the propercommittee. 

Sec. 2. No committee shall authorize an expense of more than $25 inany one month without having secured the sanction of the board inadvance. 

Sec. 3. No bill shall be recommended to be paid by the board until ithas been approved by the proper committee in writing. 

Sec. 4. All bills recommended for payment by the board shall becertified by the president and secretary. 

Sec. 5. When bids are asked for supplies, furniture, repairs, labor, etc. , they shall be made under seal, and shall only be opened at ameeting of the board or of the committee to which the matter has beenreferred. 

ARTICLE VII

TO BE IN WRITING

Section 1. All reports, recommendations, and resolutions shall besubmitted in writing. 

Sec. 2. Reports of committees shall be signed by two members thereof. 

ARTICLE VIII

EMPLOYÉS

Section 1. The terms of all regular employés shall continue untiltheir successors are appointed. They shall be subject, however, toremoval for cause, at any time, by a vote of the board. 

Sec. 2. The president may suspend any employé, for cause, subject tothe action of the board at its next meeting. 

Sec. 3. The salaries of employés shall be fixed before their election. 

ARTICLE IX

THE LIBRARIAN

Section 1. Subject to the direction of the board and the severalcommittees, the librarian shall have supervisory charge, control, andmanagement of the Library building and all of its appurtenances, aswell as of all the employés in and about the same. 

Sec. 2. He shall be held strictly responsible for the care andpreservation of the property in charge of the board; the courtesy andefficiency of the library service; the accuracy of the records;the reliability of his accounts and statements; the classifying, cataloging, and shelving of the books; the enforcement of the rules;the cleanliness and good condition of the building, grounds, andsidewalks; and the proper heating, lighting, and ventilation of thebuilding. 

Sec 3. He shall attend the meetings of the board and assist thesecretary in keeping his minutes and accounts. 

Sec. 4. He shall keep an account, in permanent form, of all hisreceipts and expenses on behalf of the library, and report the same tothe board monthly. 

Sec. 5. He shall make a monthly report of the operations of thelibrary, including a list of all accessions to the various departmentsof the same, whether by gift or purchase, with such recommendationsas, in his opinion, will promote its efficiency. 

Sec. 6. He shall keep record books of all accessions to the library bypurchase, and of all gifts for its several departments, with the dateswhen received, and, in the case of donations, the names and places ofresidence of the donors. 

Sec. 7. He shall promptly and courteously acknowledge all gifts to thelibrary or any of its departments. 

Sec. 8. He shall keep an account of the time of the several employés;prepare the pay-rolls in accordance therewith, and place the samebefore the finance committee in advance of each regular meeting. 

Sec. 9. He shall prepare an annual report showing, as fully as may bepractical, the operation of the library and its several departmentsduring the preceding year, with an inventory of the furniture, books, and other contents of the building. 

Sec. 10. The first assistant librarian shall perform the duties of thelibrarian during the latter's absence. 

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments hereto shall only be made at a regular meetingof the board, and must be proposed at least one month previous tofinal action on the same. 

CHAPTER XLIII

Reports

As far as the welfare of the library is concerned, the money spent inpublishing an elaborate annual report can often be better invested ina few popular books, or, better still, in a few attractively printedstatements of progress and of needs, distributed through the communityon special occasions. If there must be an annual report for thegeneral public--which will not read it--it should be brief andinteresting, without many figures and without many complaints. Do notthink it necessary, in making up your report, to adopt the form orthe list of contents usually followed by libraries. Give the necessaryfigures as briefly as may be, and adapt the rest of the report to thelibrary and its community. 

CHAPTER XLIV

Library legislation

Prank C. Patten, librarian Helena (Mont. ) public library

The modern library movement is embodying ideas that are yet tomake public libraries about as common as public schools, andcorrespondingly important in educational value. After a generationof most remarkable growth of public libraries in number, size, andrecognized usefulness, experience can now enlighten us in regard toplans of library support and organization. The best interests of themovement are served by embodying the results of this experiencein law. Such a law, by setting forth a good plan, encourages theestablishment and promotes the growth of these popular educationalinstitutions. 

Outline of a good law

The following outline (with explanatory notes) embraces the importantprovisions of a good state library law:

1 _Establishment and maintenance. _--Authorize the governing body inconnection with the voters of any city, town, county, school district, or other political body that has power to levy and collect taxes, to establish and maintain a public library for the free use of thepeople. Provide also for joint establishment and maintenance, foraiding a free library with public money, and for contract with someexisting library for general or special library privileges. Providefor maintenance by regular annual rate of tax. Authorize specialtax or bonds to provide rooms, land, or buildings. Provide that onpetition of 25 or 50 taxpayers the questions of establishment, rate oftax, and bonds shall first be decided by vote of the people at generalor special election, to be changed only by another vote. 

Note. --It is believed that there need be no limit of rate placed inthe state law, as a community is not at all likely to vote to taxitself too high for library support. The people of a small place will, in fact, often fail to realize that in order to raise money enough toaccomplish their object the tax rate must be higher than in a largeplace. It is not impossible that communities will, by and by, spendabout as much in support of their public libraries as in support oftheir public schools. 

2 _Management. _--Establish an independent board of trustees and placethe management wholly in its hands. Constitute the library a publiccorporation, with power to acquire, hold, transfer, and leaseproperty, and to receive donations and bequests. Secure a permanentboard with gradual change of membership, the number of members to benot less than three, and the term of office certainly to be not lessthan three years. 

Note. --In order to remove public library management from theinfluences of party politics, the library and its property shouldbe wholly left to the control of trustees selected from citizens ofrecognized fitness for such a duty. Ex-officio membership in a libraryboard should generally be avoided, especially in case of a smallboard; fitness for the position alone should be considered. Experienceseems to show that in cities the proper board of trustees can bestbe secured through appointment by the mayor and confirmation by thecouncil. It is a good way to provide for five trustees, one to beappointed each year for a term of five years. This number is largeenough to be representative, and small enough to avoid the greatdifficulty in securing a quorum if the number is large. The lengthof term in connection with gradual change of membership encouragescareful planning, and it secures the much needed continuity ofmanagement and political independence. And yet there is sufficientchange of officers so that the board will not be too far removed fromthe public will. 

3 _Miscellaneous_. --State the purpose of a public library broadly, perhaps in the form of a definition. Make possible the maintenance ofloan, reference, reading room, museum, lecture, and allied educationalfeatures, and of branches. Prescribe mode for changing form oforganization of an existing library to conform to new law. Imposepenalties for theft, mutilation, over-detention, and disturbance. Provide for distributing all publications of the state free to publiclibraries. 

Note. --It is probably most convenient to have the library yearcorrespond with the calendar year. It is well to have the trusteesappointed and the report of the library made at a different timeof the year from either the local or general elections. The libraryis thus more likely to be free from the influences of party politics. To have a library treasurer is probably the better plan, but librarymoney may be kept in the hands of the municipal treasurer as aseparate fund, and be paid out by order of the board of trusteesonly. 

Libraries for schoolrooms, to be composed of reference books, books for supplementary reading, class duplicates, and professionalbooks for teachers, should be provided for in the publicschool law. School funds should be used and school authoritiesshould manage these libraries. The business of lending booksfor home use is better and more economically managed by a publiclibrary, having an organization that is independent of theschool authorities. 

4 _A state central authority_. --Establish a state library commission;appointments on this commission to be made by the governor andconfirmed by the senate, one each year for a term of five years. Makethe commission the head of the public library system of the statewith supervisory powers. Let the commission manage the state libraryentirely, and center all its work at that institution. Let it bethe duty of the commission, whenever it is asked, to give advice andinstruction in organization and administration to the libraries inthe state; to receive reports from these libraries and to publish anannual report; to manage the distribution of state aid, and to managea system of traveling libraries. 

Note. --Within a few years each of several states has provided for astate library commission, to be in some sense the head of the publiclibrary system of the state, as the state board of education isthe head of the public school system of the state. By having smalltraveling libraries of 50 or 100v. Each, to lend for a few months tolocalities that have no libraries, and by having a little state aid todistribute wisely, the state library commission is able to encouragecommunities to do more for themselves in a library way than theyotherwise would. There may be cases where the work of the commissionmight better be centered at the state university library. The statelibrary commission has proved to be a useful agency wherever tried, and the plan seems likely to spread throughout the country. In Wyomingthe income from 30, 000 acres of state land forms a library fund. Itwould seem probable that other states will adopt this plan. By far themost complete and successful state system that has yet been organizedis that of New York, where all centers in the state library at Albanyas headquarters. 

Reading matter on library legislation

The report of the United States commissioner of education for 1895-96contains a compilation of the library laws of all the states. Everyyear new laws and amendments are enacted in several of the states, and the advance is very marked. The laws of New York, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Illinois are among the best. 

Essentials of a good law

The three most essential things to be provided for in a good statelibrary law are:

1 A sure and steady revenue. 

2 Careful and consecutive management. 

3 A central library authority. 

In attempting to alter or make new laws, these essentials should bekept clearly in mind, but special conditions peculiar to each statedictate modifications of any general plan. Anyone interested inthe matter could read the general articles upon the subject and thevarious state laws, and then, with the assistance of the best legaltalent to be obtained, frame an act appropriate to the conditions ofhis state. 

CHAPTER XLV

A. L. A. And other library associations and clubs

The American Library Association was organized in 1876. It holdsannual meetings. It publishes its proceedings in volumes, of whichthose now in print may be purchased of the A. L. A. Publishing section, 10-1/2 Beacon st. , Boston, or of the secretary. It seeks in everypracticable way to develop and strengthen the public library asan essential part of the American educational system. It thereforestrives by individual effort of members, and where practicable bylocal organization, to stimulate public interest in establishing orimproving libraries, and thus to bring the best reading within reachof all. 

Librarians, trustees, and persons interested may become members;the annual fee is $2. Membership entitles one to a copy of theproceedings; it has now about 800 members. 

Every person actively engaged in library work owes it to herself, aswell as to her profession, to join the American Library Association. If the association is large, if its meetings are well attended, if itsproceedings as published show that the problems of library work arecarefully studied, if the published proceedings are widely circulated, it is easier to persuade the intelligent part of the public thatthe librarian's profession is serious, dignified, and calls toits membership men and women of ability and zeal. If the public ispersuaded of these things, the position of the humblest as well asof the highest in the profession is thereby rendered better worth theholding. To attend diligently to one's business is sometimes a mostproper form of advertising one's merits. To be a zealous and activemember of the A. L. A. Is to attend to an important part of one'sbusiness; for one can't join it and work with it and for it and notincrease one's efficiency in many ways. 

State associations have been organized in the following states: NewYork, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Vermont, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa. 

The following states have state library commissions: Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, Wisconsin, Indiana, Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey, Minnesota. 

The following cities have library clubs: Buffalo, Chicago, Minneapolis, New York city, Washington city. 

An inquiry for information regarding any of these associations orclubs, addressed to any librarian in the states given, will receiveattention. 

Much of what is said above about the A. L. A. Applies with equal forceto the association of one's state or neighborhood. Often, moreover, itis possible to attend a state association meeting at small expense oftime or money. 

CHAPTER XLVI

Library schools and training classes

As libraries have become more thoroughly organized, as they havebecome more aggressive in their methods, and as they have come to belooked upon by librarians and others as possible active factors ineducational work, the proper management of them has naturally beenfound to require experience and technical knowledge as well as tact, a love of books, and janitorial zeal. It is seen that the bestlibrarians are trained as well as born; hence the library school. Thelibrary school--a list of those now in operation will be found atthe end of this chapter--does not confine itself to education in thetechnical details of library management. It aims first to arouse inits pupils the "modern library spirit, " the wish, that is, to makethe library an institution which shall help its owners, the public, to become happier and wiser, and adds to this work what it can ofknowledge of books, their use, their housing, and their helpfularrangement. Perhaps the ideal preparation for a librarian today wouldbe, after a thorough general education, two or three years in a goodlibrary school preceded and followed by a year in a growing library ofmoderate size. 

A few libraries have tried with much success the apprentice system oflibrary training, taking in a class, or series of classes, for afew months or a year, and at the end of the period of apprenticeshipselecting from the class additions to its regular corps. 

List of library schools and training classes

New York state library school, Albany; Pratt institute library school, Brooklyn; Wisconsin summer school of library science, Madison; Drexelinstitute library school, Philadelphia, Pa. ; University of Illinoisstate library school, Champaign; Amherst summer school library class, Amherst, Mass. ; Los Angeles public library training class; Clevelandsummer school of library science. 

CHAPTER XLVII

The Library department of the N. E. A. 

The Library department of the National educational association holdsmeetings annually at the same time and place with the N. E. A. 

The National educational association is the largest organized body ofmembers of the teaching profession in the world. Its annual meetingsbring together from 5000 to 15, 000 teachers of every grade, from thekindergarten to the university. It includes a number of departments, each devoted to a special branch of educational work. The Librarydepartment was established in 1897. It has held successful meetings. It is doing much to bring together librarians and teachers. It isarousing much interest in the subject of the use of books by youngpeople, briefly touched on in the later chapters of this book. 

Following the example of the N. E. A. , many state and countyassociations of teachers throughout the country have establishedlibrary departments. At these are discussed the many aspects of suchdifficult and as yet unanswered questions as: What do children mostlike to read? How interest them in reading? What is the best readingfor them?

CHAPTER XLVIII

Young people and the schools

If possible give the young people a reading room of their own, and aroom in which are their own particular books. These special privilegeswill not bar them from the general use of the library. Make no agelimit in issuing borrowers' cards. A child old enough to know the useof books is old enough to borrow them, and to begin that branch of itseducation which a library only can give. The fact that a child is aregular attendant at school is in itself almost sufficient guaranteefor giving him a borrower's card. Certainly this fact, in addition tothe signature of parent, guardian, or adult friend, even if the signerdoes not come to the library, will be guarantee enough. 

Teachers should be asked to help in persuading children to make theacquaintance of the library, and then to make good use of it. To getthis help from teachers is not easy. They are generally fully occupiedwith keeping their pupils up to the required scholarship mark. Theyhave no time to look after outside matters. 

Visits to teachers in their schoolrooms by librarian or assistant willoften be found helpful. Lists of books adapted to schoolroom use, bothfor the teacher and for pupils, are good, but are very little usedwhen offered, unless followed up by personal work. Brief statements ofwhat the library can do and would like to do in the way of helping onthe educational work of the community will be read by the occasionalteacher. Teachers can sometimes be interested in a library through theinterest in it of the children themselves. The work of getting youngpeople to come to the library and enjoy its books should go hand inhand with the work of persuading teachers to interest children in thelibrary. It is not enough to advertise the library's advantages inthe papers, or to send to teachers a printed statement that they areinvited and urged to use the institution; nor is it enough to visitthem and say that the books in the library are at their service. These facts must be demonstrated by actual practice on every possibleopportunity. A teacher who goes to a library and finds its privilegesmuch hedged about with rules and regulations will perhaps use itoccasionally, certainly not often. Appropriate books should be putdirectly into their hands, the educational work of this, that, and theother teacher should be noted, and their attention called to the newbooks which touch their particular fields. 

Teachers' cards can be provided which will give to holders specialprivileges. It is a question, however, if such a system is necessaryor worth while. Under the charging system already described anyteacher can be permitted to take away as many books as she wishes, anda record of them can be easily and quickly made. To give "teachers'cards, " with accompanying privileges, is to limit to some extent therights of all others. And yet teachers may very often properly receivespecial attention. In a measure they are part of the library's staffof educational workers. But these special attentions or favors shouldbe offered without proclaiming the fact to the rest of the community. Many cannot see why a teacher should receive favors not granted toall. 

Take special pains to show children the use of indexes, and indeed ofall sorts of reference books; they will soon be familiar with them andhandle them like lifelong students. Gain the interest of teachers inthis sort of work, and urge them to bring their classes and make astudy of your reference books. 

CHAPTER XLIX

How the library can assist the school

Channing Folsom, superintendent of schools, Dover, N. H. , in PublicLibraries, May, 1898

We have to consider the teacher, the school, the pupil, the home. Theteacher is likely to be conservative; to have fallen into ruts; tobe joined to his idols; to make the text-book a fetish; to teach aparticular book rather than the subject, so that the initiative inworks of coöperation must come from the library side. 

If, then, the library is equally conservative, if the librarian andthe trustees look upon their books as too sacred or too precious tobe handled by boys and girls, the desired coöperation will never beattained. 

In beginning the desired work the librarian must have a well-definedidea of what is to be done and how. There should be a well-definedline of differentiation between material which the school shouldfurnish and that properly belonging to the library province. 

Of course all text-books, all supplementary reading matter forclassroom use, all ordinary reference books, should be furnished bythe school authorities. But the more extensive and the more expensivedictionaries, gazetteers, cyclopedias, and books for topical referencecannot be so furnished. If they are to be used by public schoolpupils, the library must supply them, and make access to them as easyand as pleasant as possible. 

It is within the scope of the library to improve the taste in readingamong the pupils of the schools by compiling lists of the best booksupon the shelves, and distributing these lists to the pupils. Suchlists may be classified as suitable to different grades or ages, orby subjects, as, History of different countries or epochs, Biography, Travels, Nature work, Fiction, etc. 

The possible good that may be achieved in this way is immeasurable. Although, according to Dogberry, to write and read comes by nature, we must remember that a taste for good reading is not innate butacquired, and that it is not ordinarily acquired under unfavorableconditions. To ensure the acquirement of this taste by the child, goodreading must be made as accessible as the bad, the librarian andthe teacher must conspire to put good reading, interesting reading, elevating reading in his way. The well-read person is an educatedperson. The taste for good reading once acquired is permanent. Thereis little danger of backsliding. It grows with indulgence. One writersays: No man having once tasted good food or good wine, or even goodtobacco, ever voluntarily turns to an inferior article. So with ourreading habits; a taste for good reading once acquired becomes a joyforever. 

Teachers do not realize, as does the librarian, the low tone of thereading taste of the community. When they fully understand this, together with the fact that the acquirement of a reading habit anda love for good literature are largely dependent, in a majority ofcases, upon the public school training, then will the librarian haveto bestir himself to supply the demand for good books made by theschool. 

The habit thus formed, the taste thus acquired, will be of infinitelymore value to them than the information gained. The latter may soonbe forgotten, the former will stay with them through life; but theinfluence of good books taken into the homes of our school children, from the library or from the school, does not stop with the childrenthemselves. It is impossible that such books should go into even anignorant, uncouth, unlettered family without exerting an elevating andrefining influence. 

Thus the school opens to the library the broadest field for doingthe greatest good to the greatest number, the shortest avenue to themasses. 

But the consciousness of good done will not be the only reward forthe library. The reflex action upon the library of this intimateconnection with the school will be highly beneficial. A generationwill grow up trained to associate the library and the school asinstrumentalities of public education, demanding alike its moral andfinancial support, a generation that in town meetings and in citycouncils will advocate generous appropriations for the public libraryas well as for the public school. 

Thus, your bread cast upon the waters shall return unto you after manydays. 

CHAPTER L

Children's room

In recent years a number of the larger libraries of the country havegiven up a portion of the delivery room, or a separate room entire, to the use of children. All of these special arrangements for childrenthus far reported have been successful. The plan that seems to givethe greatest satisfaction, is to place in a room opening from thedelivery room, and perhaps forming in effect a part of it, the booksin the library especially adapted to the use of young people up toabout 14 years of age. Such of these books as are not fiction areclassified as closely as are the books in the main part of thelibrary, and are arranged by their numbers on the shelves. 

In this room the children have free access to the shelves. Anattendant in charge gives special attention to the wants of the youngvisitors, and as far as possible gives guidance in the selection andinstruction in the use of the books. A collection of reference booksadapted to the young is sometimes added to the books which circulate. 

Even in the very small library a corner for young people will usuallybe found an attractive and useful feature. It draws the young folksaway from the main collection, where their presence sometimes provesan annoyance. It does not at all prevent the use, by the youngerreaders, of the books of the elders if they wish to use them, and itmakes much easier some slight supervision, at least, of the former'sreading. 

CHAPTER LI

Schoolroom libraries

"Schoolroom library" is the term commonly applied to a smallcollection, usually about 50v. , of books placed on an open shelf ina schoolroom. In a good many communities these libraries havebeen purchased and owned by the board of education, or the schoolauthorities, whoever they may be. If they are the property of theschool board they commonly remain in the schoolroom in which they areplaced. As the children in that room are changed each year, and as thecollections selected for the different grades are usually different, the child as he passes through the rooms comes into close contact witha new collection each year. There are some advantages in having theownership and control of these libraries remain entirely in the handsof the school board and the superintendent. The library, however, is generally the place in the community in which is to be found thegreatest amount of information about books in general, the purchasingof them, the proper handling of them in fitting them for the shelves, cataloging, binding, etc. , and the selection of those best adapted toyoung people. It is quite appropriate therefore, that, as is in manycities the case, the public library should supply the schools withthese schoolroom libraries from its own shelves, buying thereforspecial books and often many copies of the same book. 

If schoolroom libraries do come from the public library, they canwith very little difficulty be changed several times during the schoolyear. With a little care on the part of the librarian and teachers, the collection of any given room can be by experience and observationbetter and better adapted to the children in that room as time goeson. 

There are many ways of using the schoolroom library. The books formingit should stand on open shelves accessible to the pupils whenever theteacher gives permission. They may be lent to the children to takehome. Thus used they often lead both children and parents to read moreand better books than before, and to use the larger collections ofthe public library. They may be used for collateral reading in theschoolroom itself. Some of them may be read aloud by the teacher. Theymay serve as a reference library in connection with topics in history, geography, science, and other subjects. 

Wherever introduced these libraries have been very successful. 

CHAPTER LII

Children's home libraries

In a few cities the following plan for increasing the amount of goodreading among the children of the poorer and less educated has beentried with great success. It is especially adapted to communitieswhich are quite distant from the public library or any of itsbranches. It is, as will be seen, work which is in the spirit of thecollege settlement plan. The "home libraries, " if they do no more, serve as a bond of common interest between the children and theirparents, and the persons who wish to add to their lives something ofinterest and good cheer. As a matter of fact they do more than this. They lead not a few to use the library proper, and they give to atleast a few boys and girls an opportunity for self-education such asno other institution yet devised can offer. 

A home library is a small collection of books, usually only 15 or 20, with one or two young folks' periodicals, put up in a box with lockedcover. The box is so made that it will serve as a bookcase and can behung on a wall or stood on the floor or a table. In the neighborhoodin which it is to be placed a group of four or five children isfound--or perhaps a father or a mother--who will agree to look afterthe books. To one of these, called the librarian, is given the key ofthe box, and the box itself is placed in the spot selected; perhapsa hallway or a living room. Under a few very simple regulations thelibrarian lends the books in the home library to the young people ofthe neighborhood. If the experiment is successful the first set ofbooks is changed for another, and the work continues. Or perhapsthe library is enlarged; and perhaps even grows into a permanentinstitution. 

CHAPTER LIII

Literary clubs and libraries

Evva L. Moore, Withers' public library

[Public Libraries, June, 1897]

In your community are a number of literary clubs; if there are not, itlies within the power of the librarian to create them: an evening clubcomposed of men and women; a ladies' club for the study of householdeconomics; a young ladies' club for the study of music or someliterary topic; a club for young men in which to study sociology;a novel club for the study of the world's great fiction. Forconstitutions suitable for such clubs, account of administration, organization, etc. , consult the Extension bulletin no. 11 of theuniversity of the state of New York, and Bulletin no. 1, June, 1896, of the Michigan State library, and List of books for women and girlsand their clubs. 

The study club is one of the best means of extending the influenceof your library; of securing the attention and hold of the people. It awakens thought, arouses discussions, puts into circulation bookswhich otherwise might stand idle on the shelves. 

It is necessary to study carefully the courses of study of thedifferent clubs, and to do this the programs must be on file in thelibrary. If they are printed (and encourage this) so much the better;if in manuscript they can be used with small inconvenience. 

If the program is prepared week by week only, make arrangements tohave it sent immediately to the library; also watch your local paperfor notices. 

No doubt the officers of the various clubs come to you for suggestionswhen arranging the course of study for the year, and to inquire asto the resources of the library on the subject in hand, in order thatevery effort may be made to fill the gaps in the library collection. When a request of this kind comes, suggestions and assistance may beobtained from the two bulletins mentioned above, as, in addition toinformation along the lines of organization, they contain outlines ofstudy. 

Harper's bazaar devotes a page each week to club women and club work. University-extension bulletins and courses of study offer numeroussuggestions. 

The literary clubs of the smaller towns without libraries, within aradius of a few miles of your own small town, copying after theirmore pretentious sister along literary lines, should have yourencouragement and assistance. Lend all the books that you can spare onas easy terms as are compatible with your rules; in short, institutetraveling libraries on a small scale. 

CHAPTER LIV

Museums, lectures, etc. 

A museum in connection with the library, either historical orscientific, or an art gallery, may be made a source of attraction, andof much educational value. The collecting of antiquities, or naturalhistory specimens, or rare bindings, or ancient books or manuscripts, is generally taken up by societies organized for such purposes. Thelibrary should try to bring these collections into such relationswith itself as to add to its own attractiveness, and to make moreinteresting and instructive the collections. 

A library can often very happily advertise itself, and encouragethe use of its books, by establishing a series of lectures. Entertainments, somewhat of the nature of receptions, or exhibits ofthe library's treasures in the library itself, will sometimes add tothe institution's popularity, and will always afford a good excuse forsending to leading people in the community a note reminding them ofthe library's existence and perhaps of its needs. 

CHAPTER LV

Rules for the care of photographs

Henry W. Kent, Slater museum, Norwich, Conn. 

I. Accessioning

The _accession book_ should be ruled in columns under the followingheadings:

A, Accession number; B, Author; C, Title; D, Gallery; E, Photographerand place of publication; F, Date of publication; G, Photographer'snumber; H, Process; I, Size of print; J, Size of mount; K, Cost; L, Cost of mounting; M, Remarks. 

A Accession number. The consecutive Museum number to be either writtenor printed. This column should be used to give the date of accession. 

B Author. For photographs of paintings give one important name. 

For photographs of sculpture give sculptor's name, where known. 

For photographs of architecture give name of city followed by countryin parentheses. London (Eng. )

C Title. For photographs of painting and sculpture use short, catchtitle, bringing, where possible, the important name first. 

For photographs of architecture, make first word a word descriptiveof the kind of building: Temple of Mars; Cathedral of Notre Dame;Basilica of S. Paolo. 

D Gallery. This column is used for sculpture and painting only. Enterofficial name of gallery under name of city, followed by country inparentheses, and separated by hyphen: London (Eng. )-National Gallery;Paris (France)-Louvre. 

E Photographer and place of publication. Use the last name ofpublisher, followed by name of city abbreviated. Alinari, Fio. ; Braun, Pa. ; Hanfstaengl, Mün. 

F Date. The high grade photographs have the date of their publicationon the mount. 

G Publisher's number. To be found on all prints. 

H Process. State whether silver print, platinotype, carbon (give colorb. For black, br. For brown, g. For gray), autotype, collotype, etc. 

I Size of print. Give size in centimeters, giving width first. 

J Size of mount. Use the following notation:

F for size measuring 22x28 inches, and upwards. 

Q for size measuring 18x22 inches up to 22x28. 

O for size measuring 14x18 inches up to 18x22. 

D for all sizes under O. 

K Cost. Give cost of imported prints in foreign money; give total ofbill in American money. 

L Cost of mounting. 

M Remarks. This column will be found useful for date of remountingprints. 

Enter all prints in the order of the publisher's bill. 

Write the accession number on the back of mount (see under Labeling)and on author card. 

II. Card cataloging

Photographs of paintings and sculpture should be entered under thefollowing heads: A, Author, B, Title, C, Gallery, D, School of painteror sculptor. 

Use Library Bureau card, no. 33r. 

A Author card. This should show, a, author's name, dates of birth anddeath, and school; b, Title of work; c, Kind of work; d, Gallery; e, Imprint; f, Accession number; g, Classification or storage number. 

[Illustration: Painting card; author, with full name to precede listof words. 

 1Giorgione, II. (Giorgio _Barbarelli_) called. 1477-1511. _Italian-Venetian_

A]

Aa Enter author on first blue line between red lines, under his bestknown name, even if a nickname, giving full name with nicknames andtheir translations after it, in parentheses. Give dates of birth anddeath in parentheses, followed by name of the school to which theartist belonged. Make cross-references from all forms under which theauthor might be looked for. 

(It will be found convenient to give all this data on one card, toprecede the list of the artist's works, using on all following cardsthe first, or well-known name, only. )

[Illustration: Painting card; author, showing title of work, kind ofwork, gallery, etc. 

 2Q Giorgione, II. G43h _Holy Family_. _Easel-picture_. 

_Venice_(Italy)-PalazzoGiovanelli. Naya, Venice. 993. Silver, 27x35cm. 

A]

Ab Write the title on second blue line, at the right of red lines. Make it as brief as possible, using the important name in it, first. Christ, Baptism of; Christ, Betrayal of; Virgin Mary, Coronation of;St John, Birth of; St Peter, Martyrdom of. 

Ac Indicate after the title whether it is an easel-picture, fresco, statue, relief, or a part of a larger work. 

Ad Give on fourth blue line, at left of red lines, the official nameof gallery, preceded by city, with country in parentheses. London(Eng. )-National Gallery. 

Ae Give the imprint on fifth blue line, beginning at the right of redlines: name of photographer, place of publication, date, number ofprint, process, size of print in cm. , bottom by height. 

B Title card. This card should show, a, Title, b, Author. 

[Illustration: Painting card; title, with different authors andgalleries. 

 Holy Family. See _Buonarotti_. Florence (It. )-Palazzo Uffizi. Q-G43h _Giorgigne II_. Venice (It. )-Palazzo Giovanelli. _Ghirlandaio II_. Florence (It. )-Palazzo Uffizi. 

B]

Ba Give on first blue line, beginning at the left of red lines, a fulltitle, but as in Ab make the important name or word the first word. Christ, Baptism of; Christ, Betrayal of; St John, Birth of; Portraitof Pope Julius. 

Bb Give on second blue line, between red lines, the one well known orimportant author's name; the first one used in Aa. 

The title card becomes in most cases a series card, since the title ofan often-represented subject attracts to itself many names of artists. In such cases arrange the authors' names alphabetically, in columns, and against them write the names of the galleries where the works areto be found. Give class and author number in blue ink at the left. 

C Gallery card. This card is a series card, and should show, a, nameof gallery; b, names of the artists and their works in the gallery. 

Ca Give official name of gallery preceded by the name of the citywhere it is located, with country in parentheses. 

Cb Enter alphabetically, names of authors, with the title of theirworks, one author to a line. Give at the left, classification numbersin blue ink. 

[Illustration: Painting card; gallery, with authors and titles ofworks. 

 Venice (Italy) - Palazzo Giovanelli

Q-G43h Giargione II. Holy Family. 

C]

D School card. This should show under the names American, English, French, German, Italian-Florentine, Italian-Venetian, Italian-Umbrian, Italian-Parmesan, Spanish, etc. , all the artists of the schoolarranged alphabetically, with the number of their works written in, inpencil. 

[Illustration: Painting card; school, all authors of school arrangedalphabetically with number of works written in pencil. 

 School. Italian-Venetian. Q-G43h _Giorgione_, il. _Veronese_

D]

Photographs of Architecture should be cataloged according to theforegoing rules, except in the following cases:

Author card. For author, give the name of the city where the buildingor detail is found, followed by the country in parentheses. 

For title make the first word descriptive of the kind of building, andafter the name of the building give the point from which the viewwas taken, affixed to the words interior or exterior: Temple of Zeus, Exterior from the east. Cathedral of Notre Dame, Interior of navelooking east. 

Instead of gallery, give style of building, using words Egyptian, Assyrian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Modern, etc. , followed by adjective indicating country. 

Imprint the same. 

Gallery card will not be needed. 

[Illustration: Architecture card; author, showing place, kind ofbuilding, and style. 

Q Poitiers (France). P75 Cathedral. Interior of Nave, looking East. 

_Gothic_ French _Robett, Paris_ 348 Silver, 28x33 cm. 

A]

For school card use S style card. 

Style card. This should show all photographs arranged by cities, understyles, under general term Architecture. 

Architecture, Gothic--Italian. Architecture, Gothic--Spanish. Architecture, Gothic--English, perpendicular. Architecture, Gothic--English, pointed. 

[Illustration: Architecture card; style, showing place, etc. 

Architecture - Gothic. French _Abbeyville_ Ch. Of S. Wulfrand _Amiens_ Cathedral _Auxerre_

S]

The cards for the three divisions, architecture, painting, andsculpture, should be kept in separate alphabets. 

III. Classification

Arrange the photographs of sculpture and painting alphabetically byauthors where known; where not known, by subjects under the varioussizes. 

Arrange the photographs of architecture alphabetically by cities, under the sizes. 

Indicate the arrangement on cards by two numbers, in blue ink: theClassification number and the Author number. 

Classification number. This is indicated by the letters F, Q, O, D. 

Author number. Use the C: A. Cutter Letter alphabetic-order table forbook authors, and add to the number so gained the first one or twoletters (as the number of prints may require) of the title of theprint; or the numerals 1, 2, and 3 may be used. 

Write these two numbers in blue ink on the cards, as follows:

Author card. Class number on the first line of upper left-hand corner;author number below it. 

On other cards. Write at the left of first red line the two numbers onone line separated by a hyphen. 

IV. Labeling

Give author's name in full, with dates, in parentheses, and school, beginning directly under left-hand corner of print. 

Give title, same as on title card, only reversing the form, beginningunder the middle of print and running out to the right-hand corner. 

Some collections have more or less descriptive matter on the mount, but this is to be discouraged. 

Give the Gallery or Style at lower left-hand corner of mount 1 inchfrom either edge. Use waterproof or India ink in all cases. 

[Illustration: Showing proper method of entering descriptive matter onmounted photographs. ]

Stamp name of collection with rubber stamp on back of mount in upperleft-hand corner, 1-1/2 inches from upper and side edges. 

The stamp should give full name and place of museum or library, leaving room above for class and author number, and below foraccession number. 

[Illustration:

Class ____ Author ____Slater Memorial Museum Norwich, Conn. No. ____]

V. Storage

Store sizes Q, O, and D, in drawers of a cabinet, which may be easilyremoved to table, or in pigeonholes; stand the mounts on long edges, with backs to the front, so that classification and author numbers maybe easily seen in turning them over. 

Store size F in drawers, but lying flat. These should be taken out ofthe drawer and laid on a table when being handled. The drawers for thesmaller sizes should be box-shaped, with sides cut down somewhat toallow the prints to be easily turned. Those for the large size shouldhave no front, but the case containing them should have doors. 

Note. --Be very careful in handling photographs never to rub or pullone over another; always turn them from side to side, like the leavesof a book. 

INDEX. 

Accession book, 33, 77; for photographs, 171; sample page, 76. 

Accession number for photographs, 171; in accession book, 76-77; on shelf list, 93; on catalog cards, 95. 

Accessioning photographs, 171-172. 

Additions, lists of, 94, 114. 

Advertising a library, 10-11, 132, 158, 170. 

Advice to a librarian, 126-127. 

Age limit for borrowers, 157. 

Agents, _see_ Book dealers. 

Agreement blanks, 33, 119-121. 

Alphabetical arrangement, dictionary catalog, 97, 102;for photographs, 177-178. 

Alphabets, 69; specimen page, 71. 

Amendments to rules of library board, 145. 

American catalog of books, 30. 

A. L. A. Catalog, 30. 

American library association, fee, 152; members, 152-153; objects, 152. 

Amherst summer school library class, 155. 

Ancient manuscripts, collections, 170. 

Annual literary index, 55. 

Annual report, 146. 

Antiquities, collections, 170. 

Appointment of librarian, 20, 23, 25. 

Appointment of library assistants, 18. 

Appointment of trustees, 148. 

Apprentice classes, 154. 

Architecture card, author, 177; style, 177; title, 176. 

Art entertainments, 129. 

Art galleries, 170. 

Assistant librarian, duties of, 145. 

Associations, _see_ Library associations. 

Author card, 95; for architecture, 176-177; for painting and sculpture, 172-174. 

Author catalog, 95-96. 

Author-list, 96, 115. 

Author-number explained, 91; for photographs, 178; on shelf list, 93. 

Author table, _see_ Cutter author table. 

Author's name, in accession book, 77; in catalog, 94; in shelf list, 93; on order slip, 64. 

Baker, C. A. , Reference books for a small library, 46-52. 

Ballard's klips, 109. 

Beginning work, things needed in, 30-34. 

Beginnings of the library, 9-10. 

Best books (Sonnenschein), 31. 

Bills, checking, 64, 101. 

Binders for magazines, 58-59. 

Bindery-book, 103. 

Bindery number, 103, 105. 

Bindery schedule, 105-106. 

Binding, 63, 103-106; materials, 103-104; cloth, 103-104; leather, 103, 105; sewing, 103-104; backs, 103-104; joints, 103-104; lettering, 105-106; titles and indexes, 106; advertisements, 106; periodicals, 105; folios, 104-105; newspapers, 104; fiction, 104; juveniles, 104; rules for, 106. 

Biography, classification of, 79. 

Blanks, agreement, 33, 119-121; order slip, 63-64; request, 45, 65. 

Board, see Trustees. 

Book-buying, _see_ Buying books. 

Book committee, 142. 

Book cards, 33, 116-117-118-119; _see also_ Book slip. 

Book dealers, 63, 66-67-68. 

Book-lists, _see_ Lists. 

Book news (monthly), 32. 

Book-numbers, 91. 

Book-plates, 100-101. 

Book-pockets, 33, 100-101, 116-117-118-119. 

Book-reviews, 32, 101. 

Book-slip, 100, 102; _see also_ Book card. 

Book supports, 73. 

Books, as useful tools, 134; for girls and women and their clubs (Iles), 32; needed in beginning work, 30-32; overdue, 118; reference, _see_ Reference books; renewal of, 118; selection of, _see_ Selection of books. 

Bookcases, 26-27; steel, 28; wooden, 28. 

Borrowers, age limit, 157; cards for, 33, 116-117, 119-120, 157-158; index to, 121; information for, 137; numbers for, 117-118, 121; register of, 33, 118, 121; responsibility of, 120, 138. 

Buildings and grounds committee, 142. 

Buildings, library; _see_ Library buildings. 

Bulletins, 94, 102, 114, 130; _see also_ Lists. 

Buying books, 18, 63-68; ordering, 64, 67; agents, 63, 66-67-68; price, 65-66-67-68; discounts, 63, 65-66-67; editions, 63, 65-66-67; binding, type, quality of paper, 63; complete sets, 66; series, 66; second-hand books, 66, 68; fiction, 66; for children, 66-67; new books, 68; when to buy, 68; _see also_ Selection of books. 

Call-number, defined, 93; in book, 100, 102; on book-slip, 100, 102, 116; on pocket, 100, 102, 116; on label, 99-100, 102; in accession book, 93, 102; on shelf-list, 93; on catalog-cards, 95, 97; in charging system, 117. 

Capitalization, 95. 

Card catalog rules, 30, 95-97; for photographs, 172-177. 

Card pocket, _see_ Book pocket. 

Care of books, brief rules for, 75; dusting books, 74; handling books, 74, 100-101; covering books, 75; cutting leaves, 74, 101; gas, heat, damp, 74. 

Carter's ink, 34, 69. 

Cases, _see_ Bookcases; Catalog cases. 

Catalog, arrangement of, 102; author, 95-96; dictionary, 97; duplicate, 95; on cards, 94; printed, 94, 115; of A. L. A. Library, 30; subject headings for, 96-98; trays for holding, 98. 

Catalog cards, 33, 94-98, 102. 

Catalog case, 33, 98. 

Catalog rules, 30, 94-98. 

Cataloging books, 94-98. 

Cataloging photographs, 172-177. 

Chairs, 27-28. 

Change of residence, 138. 

Charging system explained, 117. 

Check list of public documents, 111. 

Checking bills, 64, 101. 

Checking the library, 113. 

Children's books, _see_ Juvenile books. 

Children's cards, 157. 

Children's home libraries, 166-167. 

Children's privileges, 157. 

Children's rooms, 157, 163. 

Circulating department, 122, 137. 

Class number, decimal, 81; expansive, 85; explained, 79; for photographs, 178; in accession book, 77; on shelf list, 93; in catalog, 94. 

Classification, defined, 78; decimal, 79, 81-83; expansive, 79, 84-90; of photographs, 178; how to classify, 79-80; biography, 79; fiction, 79; history and travel, 79; juvenile books, 79; in the catalog, 78; on the shelves, 78-79. 

Classification scheme, 34. 

Classified reading (Lawrence), 32. 

Cleveland summer school of library science, 155. 

Cloth bindings, 103-104. 

Club women, 169. 

Club work, 169. 

Clubs, 130; constitutions for, 168; organization of, 168; programs, 168; _see also_ Library clubs, literary clubs, musical clubs. 

Cole size card, 33, 95. 

Collating books, 74, 101. 

Commissions, free library, 149-150, 153. 

Community and the library, 10, 12. 

Complete sets, 66. 

Conversation in the library, 122, 139. 

Co-operation of teachers, 157-159, 160-162. 

Copyright date on catalog cards, 95. 

Covers for books, 75. 

Crocker book support, 73. 

Cross-reference cards, 98. 

Cumulative index, 55. 

Cutter's author table, 34, 91; expansive classification, 79, 84-90; rules for a dictionary catalog, 31. 

Date, copyright, on catalog cards, 95. 

Date in charging system, 117, 118, 119; of publication, in accession book, 77; on catalog cards, 95; on order slip, 64. 

Daters, 34, 117. 

Dating slip, 117. 

Dealers, _see_ Book dealers. 

Decimal classification, 79, 81-83. 

Delivery room, 122. 

Dennison's labels, 34. 

Denver public library handbook, 31. 

Depository libraries, 110-111. 

Dewey, or Decimal system of classification, 79, 81-83. 

Dial (semi-monthly), 32. 

Dictionaries, aid in reference work, 53. 

Dictionary catalog, Cutter's rules for, 31; value of, 114; defined, 97. 

Discarded books, 113. 

Discounts, 63, 65-66-67. 

Disjoined handwriting, 70-71. 

Drexel institute library school, 155. 

Duplicate catalog, 95. 

Duplicates for school use, 149. 

Dusting books, 74. 

Duties of a librarian, 126-127, 144; of trustees, 18. 

Editions, 63, 65-66-67. 

Education through libraries, 13, 124-125, 133, 156, 160-162, 166, 170; _see also_ Influence of the library. 

Embossing stamps, 99. 

Employés, appointment of, 18, 144; salaries of, 144; suspension of, 144. 

English catalog, 30. 

Engravings, 129. 

Entertainments, _see_ Library entertainments. 

Essentials of good binding (McNamee), 104-106. 

Exhibits, 170. 

Expansive classification (Cutter), 79, 84-90. 

Expenditures, 143. 

Expiration of privileges, 121. 

Faxon, F. W. , Use of periodicals in reference work, 54-56. 

Fiction, author-numbers for, 91; binding for, 104; cataloging, 96; cheap editions of, 66; classification of, 79; price per volume, 67; selecting, 41-42. 

Figures, 71-72. 

Finance committee, 142. 

Fine slip, 121. 

Fines, 118, 138. 

Five thousand books, compiled for the Ladies' home journal, 31. 

Fixtures for libraries, 26-27-28. 

Fletcher, W. I. , Libraries and recreation, 133; public libraries in America, 31. 

Folios, binding for, 104-105. 

Folsom, Channing, how the library can assist the school, 160-162. 

Forfeiture of privileges, 138-139. 

Free library commissions, 149-150. 

Function of the library, 12, 15-16, 124-125, 133, 149. 

Furniture for libraries, 27-28-29. 

Gallery card, for painting and sculpture, 175. 

Garfield, J. R. , village library successfully managed, 135-136. 

Gift book, 101; plates, 100-101. 

Gifts, 132; acknowledgment of, 45, 77, 101, 145. 

Glue, 106. 

Guarantor, 120, 157. 

Handwriting, brief rules for, 69-72. 

Hasse, A. R.. Public documents, 110-112. 

Henderson, M. R. , Librarian as host, 128-130. 

Higgins' ink, 34, 69; photo mounter, 34. 

Hints to small libraries (Plummer), 31. 

History and travel, classification of, 79. 

Home libraries, 166-167. 

Hopkins, J. A. , The trained librarian in a small library, 23-24. 

How the library can assist the school (Folsom), 160-162. 

Iles, George, Books for girls and women and their clubs, 32. 

Imprint, for photographs, 174, 176; on catalog cards, 95. 

Index, annual literary, 55; cumulative, 55; monthly cumulative book, 33; Poole's, 55; relative, 81; to borrowers, 121. 

Indexes, their use taught, 159; to periodicals, 55. 

Influence of the library, 12; _see also_ Education through libraries. 

Information for borrowers, 137. 

Ink, 34, 69; for photograph labels, 179; pads, 34, 99. 

Inquiries, how to answer, 53. 

Inventory taking, 113. 

Joined handwriting, 70-71. 

Juvenile books, binding for, 104; classification of, 79; periodicals, 58; price per volume, 67; selecting, 41, 66. 

Kent, H. W. , Rules for the care of photographs, 171-180. 

Labeling photographs, 178-179. 

Labels for backs of books, 99-100, 102; gummed, 34; ink for, 34, 69; ink for photograph, 179; varnishing, 100, 102. 

Law, library, 9. 

Lawrence, I. , Classified reading, 32. 

Leather for bindings, 103, 105. 

Lectures, 129, 149, 170. 

Legislation, _see_ Library legislation. 

Librarian, advice to a, 126-127; and trustees, 18-19; annual report of, 145-146; appointment of, 20, 23, 25; as a host (Henderson), 128, 130; duties of a, 144; monthly report of, 145; qualifications of, 20-22, 123, 154; the trained (Hopkins), 23-24. 

Libraries, establishment and maintenance of, 147; function of, 12, 15-16, 124-125, 133, 148; management of, 15, 19, 148. 

Libraries and communities, 10, 12. 

Libraries and clubs, 168-169. 

Libraries and education, 13, 124-125, 133. 

Libraries and politics, 148. 

Libraries and the public, 15, 122, 124-125. 

Libraries and recreation (Fletcher), 133. 

Libraries and schools, 13, 157-159, 160-162. 

Library advertising, _see_ Advertising a library. 

Library assistants, appointment of, 18. 

Library associations, 152-153. 

Library beginnings, 9-10. 

Library board, _see_ Trustees. 

Library buildings and the community, 26. 

Library buildings, architecture, 25-26; convenience, 26; decoration, 26; exterior, 25-26; fixtures, 26-27-28; furniture, 27-28-29; interior, 26-27; partitions, 27; requirements, 25; stairs, 27; windows, 26. 

L. B. Book support, 73. 

L. B. Pamphlet case, 108. 

L. B. Steel stacks, 37. 

Library Bureau, relation to libraries (Meleney), 35-38; catalog of, 29, 31, 35-36; organization of, 35; publications of, 36, 38; cabinet works of, 37; card factory of, 37; consultation department, 35, 38; employment department, 35; supply department, 36. 

Library clubs, 153. 

Library entertainments, 128-130, 170. 

Library journal (monthly), 32. 

Library law, 9; essentials of a good, 151; outline of a good, 147; _see also_ Library legislation. 

Library league, 75. 

Library literature, 30-33, 36. 

Library legislation (Patten), 147; reference list on, 150; _see also_ Library law. 

Library patrons, 131. 

Library policy, 15-16. 

Library rooms, 25-26-27. 

Library school rules, 30. 

Library schools and training classes, aim and scope of, 154. 

Library schools and training classes, list of, 155. 

Light in libraries, 26. 

List of books for girls and women (Iles), 32, 168; of books needed in beginning work, 30-32; of periodicals for a small library, 61-62; of periodicals needed in beginning work, 32-33; of reference books, 46-52; of things needed in beginning work, 33-34; of things to be done to prepare books for shelves, 101-102. 

Lists, of additions, 114; for reference, 114-115, 157, 161; for schools, 115, 157, 161; _see also_ Bulletins. 

Literary clubs and libraries (Moore), 168-169. 

Literature, its use, 134. 

Literature, library, see Library literature. 

Literature (weekly), 32. 

Loan department, 122, 133. 

Local history, books on, 44. 

Local history pamphlets, 108. 

Los Angeles public library training class, 155. 

Lost cards, 138. 

McNamee, J. H. H. , Essentials of good binding, 104-107. 

Magazine binder, 58. 

Magazine record, in blank book, 60; on cards, 60. 

Management of the library, 15, 19, 148. 

Manuscripts, _see_ Ancient manuscripts. 

Marking books, 99, 101. 

Meeting of board of trustees, 140. 

Meleney, G. B. , Relation of the Library Bureau to libraries, 35-38. 

Men's and Women's clubs, 168. 

Mending, _see_ Repair. 

Missing books, 113. 

Monthly cumulative book index, 33. 

Moore, E. L. , Literary clubs and libraries, 168-169. 

Morocco for bindings, 105. 

Mucilage, 106. 

Museums, 149, 170. 

Musical clubs, 129, 168. 

Musical entertainments, 129. 

Nation (weekly), 32. 

National educational association, 156. 

Natural history collections, 170. 

New books, 68. 

New York state library commission, 150. 

New York state library school, 155. 

New York Times, 33. 

Newspaper lists, 94, 115. 

Newspapers, binding for, 104; files and racks for, 59; for the reading room, 57. 

Non-depository libraries, 110. 

Non-residents, 139. 

Novel clubs, 168. 

Officers of board of trustees, 18. 

Open shelves, 15, 25, 122, 124-125, 163. 

Order list, 101. 

Order sheet, 64, 67. 

Order slip, 63-64, 101. 

Overdue books, 118, 138. 

Overdue notice, 120. 

Ownership, marks of, 99, 101. 

Pages, cutting, 74, 101; entry in accession book, 77. 

Painting card, author, 173; gallery, 175; school, 176; title, 174. 

Pamphlet case, 108-109. 

Pamphlets, cataloging, 108-109; classifying, 108-109; klips for, 109; local history, 108. 

Paper, best quality for books, 63. 

Paste, 34, 106. 

Patten, F. C. , Library legislation, 147. 

Patrons, 131. 

Penalties, 149. 

Perforating stamp, 99. 

Periodicals, binder for, 58-59; binding for, 105; circulation of, 59; cost, 59; for children, 58; indexes to, 55; list for a small library, 61-62; needed in beginning work, 32-33; record of, 60; use in reference work, 54-56. 

Photographs, 129; accessioning, 171-172; cataloging, 172-177; classifying, 178; labeling, 178-179; storage, 180; handling, 180. 

Placards, _see_ Signs. 

Place of publication, in accession book, 77; on order slip 64. 

Planning library buildings (Soule), 25-29. 

Plummer, M. W. , Hints to small libraries, 31. 

Pocket, _see_ Book pocket. 

Policy of the library, 15-16. 

Politics and libraries, 148. 

Poole's index, 55. 

Postal notice, 118. 

Pratt institute library school, 155. 

Preliminary work, 10. 

Preparing books for the shelves, 99-102. 

President of library board, 141. 

Printed catalogs, 94, 115. 

Printed rules, 137. 

Privileges, expiration of, 121. 

Privileges for children, 157; forfeiture of, 138-139; teachers, 138, 158. 

Process, photograph, 172. 

Professional books for teachers, 149. 

Public, contact with the, 122; rules for the, 137-139. 

Public documents, 44; care in a library, 111-112; check list, 111; collecting, 44; congressional, 110-112; departmental, 110-112; how issued, 110; to whom issued, 110-111. 

Public libraries (monthly), 32, 38. 

Public libraries in America (Fletcher), 31. 

Public library handbook, 31. 

Publication, date of; _see_ Date of publication. 

Publication, place of; _see_ Place of publication. 

Publisher's name, in accession book, 77; on order slip, 64. 

Publishers' trade list annual, 31. 

Publishers' weekly, 32. 

Punctuation, 95. 

Purchase of books, _see_ Buying books. 

Qualifications of librarian, 20-22, 123, 154. 

Qualifications of trustees, 17. 

Quorum of library board, 140. 

Rare bindings, collections, 170. 

Rare books, 44-45. 

Readers, 27. 

Readers' guide to contemporary literature (Sonnenschein), 32. 

Reading habits, 161-162. 

Reading lists, _see_ Reference lists. 

Reading room, character of, 57; for children, 157, 163; newspapers for, 57; periodicals for, 58-60; rules for, 139; value of, 12-13. 

Receptions, 170. 

Recreation, 133. 

Reference books, for a small library (Baker), 46-52; for schools, 149, 160, 165; how indicated, 138; selecting, 39. 

Reference catalog of current literature, 31. 

Reference department, 139. 

Reference list on library legislation, 150. 

Reference lists, for schools, 115, 157, 161; on cards, 54; special subject, 114. 

Reference work, for children, 159, 160, 163, 165; suggestions, 53; use of dictionaries, 53; use of periodicals, 54-56. 

Register of borrowers, _see_ Borrowers. 

Regulations, _see_ Rules for the public. 

Relation of the Library Bureau to libraries (Meleney), 35-38. 

Relative index, 81. 

Remainder libraries, 110, 111. 

Renewal of books, 118, 138. 

Repair, 106. 

Report, annual, 146; of librarian, 145; of trustees, 143. 

Request blanks, 45. 

Responsibility of borrowers, 120, 138, 157. 

Review of reviews, 55. 

Rooms, library, 25-26-27. 

Rubber stamps, 34, 99. 

Rules, accession-book, 30, 77; card catalog, 30, 95-97; for an author and title catalog, condensed, 31; for a dictionary catalog, 31, 97; for binding, 106; for care of books, 75; for government of trustees and employés, 140-145; for handwriting, 69-72; for the care of photographs (Kent), 171-180; for the public, 15, 122, 137-139; library school, 30; shelf-list, 30, 92-93; for planning library buildings (Soule), 25-29. 

Sargent's reading for the young, 55. 

School card for painting and sculpture, 175-176. 

School libraries, 149, 160, 164-165. 

Schoolroom libraries, _see_ School libraries. 

Schools and libraries, 13, 157-159, 160-162, 164. 

Schools, reference books for, 149, 160, 165. 

Schools, reference lists for, 115, 157, 161. 

Second-hand books, 66, 68. 

Secretary of library board, 141. 

Selection of books, extra copies, 42, 44; fiction, 41-42; for children, 41; for reference, 39; history, travel, literature, 41; local history, 44; natural science, 43; price, 40, 41; proportion in each department, 43; public documents, 44; rare books, 44, 45; request blanks, 45, 65; suggestions, 39; with reference to the community, 40, 43, 68; _see also_ Buying books. 

Series, 66. 

Shelf-list cards, 34, 93. 

Shelf-list rules, 30, 92, 93. 

Shelf-list sheets, 34, 92. 

Shelves, for folios and quartos, 27; form, 27; height, 26; size, 27. 

Signs, 57, 122. 

Size card, 33. 

Size letter, 95. 

Size notation for photographs, 172, 178, 180. 

Size of board of trustees, 17. 

Societies, _see_ Clubs. 

Sonnenschein, W. S. , Best books, 31; readers' guide to contemporaneous literature, 32. 

Soule, C. C. , Rules for planning library buildings, 25-29; trustees, 17, 19. 

Special libraries, 111. 

Specialists, 129. 

Stafford's ink, 69. 

Stacks, 28, 37. 

Stamp, embossing, 99, perforating, 99, rubber, 34, 99; rubber, for labeling photographs, 179. 

Stamping books, 99, 101. 

State library commissions, 149-150, 153. 

State library associations, 153. 

Storage of photographs, 180. 

Study clubs, 168. 

Style card for architecture, 177. 

Subject card, illustration, 97. 

Subject headings, 32, 96-98. 

Subject-list, 96. 

Supplementary reading for schools, 149, 160. 

Supplies, 29-30-34, 36. 

Supports, 73. 

Tables, 27. 

Tax levy for libraries, 147-148. 

Teachers' cards, 158. 

Teachers, coöperation of, 157-159-160-162. 

Teachers' privileges, 138, 158. 

Teachers, professional books for, 149. 

Things needed in beginning work, 33-34. 

Time limit for retaining books, 138. 

Title, in accession book, 77; in catalog, 95; on order slip, 64; on shelf-list, 93. 

Title card, illustration, 96; for architecture, 176; for painting and sculpture, 174-175. 

Title-lists, 96, 115. 

Tools, 30-34. 

Tools, books as useful, 134. 

Trained librarian in a small library (Hopkins), 23-34. 

Training classes, 154-155. 

Transfer of accounts, 138. 

Traveling libraries, 150, 169. 

Tray, for book cards, 117; for catalog cards, 98. 

Trustees, appointment of, 148; committees, 18, 142; duties, 18; meeting of board of, 140; officers, 18, 141; qualifications, 17; relations with the librarian, 18-19; reports, 143; size of board, 17; term of office, 17, 148. 

Two-book system, 120. 

Type, size of, 63. 

U. S. Documents, _see_ Public documents. 

University of Illinois state library school, 155. 

Varnish for labels, 100. 

Vertical hand, 69. 

Village library successfully managed (Garfield), 135-136. 

Volume entry in accession book, 76. 

Wisconsin summer school of library science, 155. 

Women on library board, 136. 

Women's clubs, 168-169. 

Work-number, _see_ Book-number. 

World's library congress papers, 32. 

Writing _see_ Handwriting. 

Young ladies' clubs, 168. 

Young men's clubs, 168. 

Young people, reading for; _see_ Juvenile books.