A handbook of library appliances / The technical equipment of libraries: fittings, furniture, charging systems, forms, recipes, etc.

The first indicator of any practical use was that invented by Mr. John Elliot, of Wolverhampton, in 1870. Previous to that date various make-shift contrivances had been used to aid the staff in finding what books were in or out without the trouble of actually going to the shelves, chief among which was a board drilled with numbered holes to receive pegs when the books represented by the numbers were out. Elliot’s indicator is a large framework of wood, divided, as shown in the engraving, into ten divisions by wooden uprights, on which are fastened printed columns of numbers 1 to 100, 101 to 200, &c., representing volumes in the library. Between each number, in the spaces between the uprights, are fastened small tin slides, forming a complete series of tiny shelves for the reception of borrowers’ tickets, which are placed against the numbers of the books taken out. The numbers are placed on both sides of the indicator, which is put on the counter, with one side glazed to face the borrowers. Its working is simple: Every borrower receives on joining a ticket in the shape of a book, having spaces ruled to show the numbers of books and dates of issue, with the ends coloured red and green. On looking at the indicator the borrower sees so many vacant spaces opposite numbers, and so many occupied by cards, and if the number he wishes is shown blank he knows it is in and may be applied for. He accordingly does so, and the assistant procures the book, writes in the borrower’s card the number and date of issue, and on the issue-label of the book the reader’s ticket-number and date. When the book is returned the assistant simply removes the borrower’s card from the space and returns it, and the transaction is complete. A day-sheet is commonly used for noting the number of issues; but, of course, application forms can also be used. The coloured ends of the borrowers’ tickets are used to show overdue books, red being turned outwards one fortnight, or whatever the time allowed may be, and green the next. Towards the end of the second period the indicator is searched for the first colour, and the “overdues” noted. The main defect of the Elliot indicator lies in the danger which exists of readers’ tickets being placed in the wrong spaces, when they are practically lost.

The “Cotgreave” indicator, invented by Mr. Alfred Cotgreave, now librarian of West Ham, London, differs from the Elliot in principle and appearance, and is more economical in the space required. It consists of an iron frame, divided into columns of 100 by means of wooden uprights and tin slides; but has numbered blank books in every space, instead of an alternation of numbered uprights and spaces. Into each space is fitted a movable metal case, cloth-covered, containing a miniature ledger ruled to carry a record of borrowers’ numbers and dates of issue. These cases are turned up at each end, thus , and the book-number appears at one end on a red ground and at the other on a blue ground.

The blue end is shown to the public to indicate books in, and the red end to indicate books out. The ordinary method of working it is as follows: The borrower, having found the number of the book wanted indicated in (blue), asks for it by number at the counter, and hands over his ticket. The assistant, having procured the book, next withdraws the indicator-book and enters in the first blank space the reader’s ticket-number and the date, reverses the little ledger to show the number out, and leaves in it the borrower’s card; stamps or writes the date on the issue-label of the book, and gives it to the reader. On return the indicator number is simply turned round, and the borrower receives back his card. “Overdues” can be shown by means of coloured clips, or by having the borrowers’ cards shaped or coloured, and issues are recorded on day-sheets, or by means of application forms. There are, however, endless ways of working both the Elliot and Cotgreave indicators, though there is only space to describe the most elementary forms. Like every other department of library work, the working of an indicator-charging system will bear careful thought, and leave room for original developments. The “Duplex” indicator, invented by Mr. A. W. Robertson, librarian of Aberdeen, has several novel features which call for attention. A full-sized Duplex indicator occupies 5 ft. 4 in. of counter space for every 2000 numbers, while a smaller pattern for a similar number occupies 3 ft. 8 in. of counter space, both being 4 ft. high, and is a frame fitted with slides in the manner of the Cotgreave and Elliot indicators. It is also a catalogue, and the numbers and titles of books are given on the blocks which fit into numbered spaces. Each block has a removable and reversible sheet for carrying a record consisting of borrower’s number, number in ticket-register, and date of issue. The borrowers’ cards are made of wood, and also bear a removable slip for noting the numbers of books read. When a book is asked for the assistant proceeds first to the indicator and removes the block, which bears on its surface the location marks and accession number of the book, and on one end the number and title of the book; the other being coloured red to indicate out, but also bearing the number. He then carries the reader’s number on to the block, and having got and issued the book, leaves the block and card on a tray. This is all that is done at the moment of issue, and it is simple enough, all the registration being postponed till another time. The assistant who does this takes a tray of blocks and cards and sits down in front of the ticket-register, which is a frame divided into compartments, consecutively numbered up to five hundred or more, and bearing the date of issue. He then selects a card and block, carries the book-number on to the borrower’s card, and the number of the first vacant ticket-register compartment, with the date, on to the book block, and leaves the borrower’s card in the register. Probably the statistical returns will also be made up at this time. The blocks are then placed reversed in the indicator, and so are shown out to the public. When a book is returned, the assistant proceeds to the indicator to turn the block, and while doing so notes the date and register number, and then removes and returns the borrower’s card. By this process the ticket-register is gradually weeded, till on the expiry of the period during which books can be kept without fine, all tickets remaining are removed to the overdue register, which bears the same date, and are placed in its compartments according to the order of the ticket-register. A slip bearing those numbers is pinned down the side of the overdue register so that defaulters can easily be found.

These are the principal points in the three best indicators yet invented, and it only remains to note their differences. The Elliot indicator system makes the charge to the borrower, and preserves no permanent record of book issues apart from the label in the book itself. The Cotgreave system charges the borrower to the book, and does keep a permanent record of the issues. The “Duplex” system shows who has had a certain book, what books a certain reader has had, in addition to a record on the book itself similar to that kept with the Elliot and Cotgreave systems, but only in a temporary manner. So far as permanency of record is concerned the Cotgreave is the only indicator which keeps this in itself. The reading done by borrowers is not shown in a satisfactory manner by any of the three systems, as worked in their elementary stages, and the Elliot and Duplex records are only available when the readers’ tickets are in the library and their places known. Much difference of opinion exists among librarians as regards the necessity for a double entry charging system, many experienced men holding that a simple record of the issues of a book is all that is required. Others are equally positive that a separate record of a borrower’s reading is only a logical outcome of the spirit of public library work, which aims at preserving, as well as compiling, full information touching public use and requirements. In this view the writer agrees, and strongly recommends every young librarian to avoid the slipshod, and go in heart and soul for thoroughness. A simple double record of borrowers’ reading and books read, which will give as little trouble to the public as possible, is much required, and will repay the attention bestowed on it by the young librarian. Where application slips are used, which give book- and borrower-numbers, it is a simple matter compiling a daily record of the reading done by each borrower. At several libraries where Cotgreave’s indicator is used, it is done by the process of pencilling the number of the book taken out on to a card bearing the reader’s number. These cards form a numerical register of borrowers, and are posted up from the application forms.

Before leaving the subject of charging systems let it again be strongly urged that no system of charging should be adopted without a careful thinking-out of the whole question; giving due consideration of the matters before raised, at counters (p. 10) and above, touching space and public convenience in the use of indicators. Though it is claimed for the indicator that it reduces friction between assistant and public, facilitates service, and secures impartiality, it should be remembered that it is expensive; occupies much space; abolishes most of the helpful relations between readers and staff; quickens service only to the staff; and after all is not infallible in its working, especially when used without any kind of cross-check such as is afforded by application forms and separate records of issues to borrowers.

Reference library charging is usually accomplished by placing the reader’s application in the place vacated by the book asked for, and removing and signing it on return. In some libraries these slips are kept for statistical purposes; in others they are returned to the reader as a sort of receipt; and in others, again, the form has a detachable portion which is used for the same purpose. In some libraries two different colours of slips are used to facilitate the examination of the shelves on the morning after the issues.

CATALOGUING APPARATUS.

In this section will be noticed only catalogue-holders, or accession-frames, together with any mechanical apparatus used in the production of catalogues. Cabinets for holding card-catalogues are made in a variety of styles, some being drawers fitted into the fronts of counters, and others being independent stands of drawers. The usual style of cabinet at present used provides for the cards being strung through oval or rounded holes on to brass rods, which are fixed, to prevent readers from removing them and so upsetting the order of the cards. The drawers themselves are made to pull out only as far as necessary, in order to prevent careless users from pulling them out altogether and working destruction to both fittings and arrangement. The construction of these cabinets should only be entrusted to skilled workmen, and only oak, walnut, or other hard woods should be used. As every librarian has his or her own opinion as to how such cabinets should be made and their contents safeguarded, it will be best to refer inquirers to examples of such catalogues in actual work, in different styles, at Liverpool, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Nottingham; the Royal College of Surgeons, Guildhall, Battersea, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and Clerkenwell, London, and elsewhere. A special cabinet is made by Messrs. Stone of Banbury, Oxon., but its safeguards require to be improved. A half-falling front locked on to the rod which secures the cards is a very simple and effective plan of keeping order in isolated cabinets. In cases where the backs of the drawers are get-at-able from the staff side of the counter, even more simple methods of securing the cards, while giving every facility in the way of making additions, can be adopted. Projecting guides to show in index style the whereabouts of particular parts of the alphabet should be made either of tin or linen-mounted cards. Tin lasts best, although the lettering sometimes rubs off. Nothing will satisfy a librarian, who has a card-catalogue in contemplation, so much as the comparison of the kinds adopted in different libraries. The chief objection to card cabinets or drawers is the insurmountable one of limitation to public use being fixed by the number of drawers or cabinets. With drawers in a counter front one consulter monopolises one drawer, while with tiers of three or four drawers in cabinet form never more than two persons can use it with any comfort. The exposure of only one title at a time is another serious drawback, while the peculiar daintiness of touch requisite for the proper manipulation of the cards makes the use of the catalogue a labour and a perplexity to working people with hardened finger-tips. We think it likely, therefore, that catalogues in a large series of handy guard-books, or in volumes or boxes provided with an arrangement for inserting slips of additions, will in the future come to be recognised as that best adapted for general use. A card-catalogue for staff use ought in any case to be kept, either in boxes or covered trays. Another catalogue appliance is the accession-frame, or device for making public all recent additions to the library. Of these there are several, but we need only mention a few as typical of the rest. At some libraries a glazed case with shelves is placed on the counter, and in this new books are displayed with their titles towards the public. It seems to work very well, and has been used with success at Birmingham, Lambeth, and elsewhere, to make known different classes of literature which are not so popular as they should be. Liverpool has, or had, a series of frames in which were movable blocks carrying the titles of additions, and at Rotherham a somewhat similar plan has been adopted. Cardiff shows additions in a frame holding title cards which can be removed by readers and handed over the counter as demand notes. Guard-books like those in use at the British Museum are common, both for additions and general catalogues; while cards or leaves in volumes laced on cords or rods have been used at Manchester, in Italy, and generally in Europe and America. A neat box with falling sides for holding catalogue cards is used in the University Library of Giessen in Germany, and seems well adapted for staff use, or for private and proprietary libraries. Latest of all is the ingenious cylindrical catalogue-holder or stand invented by Mr. Mason, of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. It consists of a broad revolving cylinder, upon the outer rim of which are placed a number of wooden bars, each wide enough to take a written or printed author and title entry. These bars are movable, being designed to slide round the whole circumference of the cylinder, so that additions can be inserted at any part of the alphabet. Each bar represents a book-title, and the plan of using is that the titles of additions should be mounted on the bars, leaving spaces for additions, and so afford a convenient and easily worked accession list in strict alphabetical order. The cylinder is intended to be fixed in a counter front or special stand, and to be all covered in with the exception of a portion about equal to the size of a demy octavo page, which will show under glass. The reader turns the cylinder round to the part of the alphabet he wants by simply turning a handle, and so the whole is shown to him without any waste of public space.

COPYING MACHINES.

Typewriters for cataloguing or listing purposes are making slow progress in public libraries; but it is unquestionable that before long they will be introduced into every large library. Their advantages are many, among them being greater speed, neatness, and clearness; not to speak of the attention always bestowed by the public on printed titles or notices as compared with written ones. If many copies of a list of “books wanted” should be required, the typewriter will make a stencil on waxed paper from which can be printed hundreds of copies. If three or six copies of any title or document are required the typewriter will print them all at once. For card-catalogues it is better to print two or three copies of a title at once, and mount them on cards afterwards, making one the author and another the subject entry. The best machines are those called “type-bar” writers, the principle of which is that a circle or row of rods carrying types at the ends, operated by a key like a pianoforte, is made to strike on a common centre, so that a piece of paper fastened at the point of contact is printed by being simply jerked along. The various mechanical devices employed to achieve the different requirements of printing are ingenious, but vary more or less in every machine. The following machines are recommended for trial before a choice is made: the Bar-lock, the Caligraph, the Hammond, the Remington, and the Yost. Any of the manufacturers or agents will allow a week or fortnight’s free trial of the machines, and this is the most satisfactory way of deciding. Recommendations of friends and agents alike should be ignored, and the librarian should trust to his own liking in the matter. After all is said, there is really very little difference, as regards cost and manipulation, in the best machines, and the matter resolves itself into a question of meeting the requirements of a particular operator or purpose. In the Bar-lock the type-bars strike downwards through a narrow inked ribbon. There is a separate key for each type. In the Caligraph the bars strike upwards through a broad ink ribbon, and the key-board is arranged with capitals down each side and the lower case letters in the middle. The Hammond is not a type-bar machine, but has two sizes of type on different holders which are exchangeable and is operated by keys carrying the names of two or three letters. The type-holder is struck by a striker working from behind, and the letter is impressed on the paper through an inked ribbon. The keys alter the position of the holder to bring the proper letter or figure against the striker. Cards can be printed more easily by the Hammond than by the other machines. The Remington, which has had the longest career, has a single key-board, each key representing two letters or figures. The bars strike upwards, and the construction of the instrument is excellent. The Yost is a light and compact machine, which prints direct from an ink pad on to the paper. It has a separate key for each type, and a very good arrangement for spacing or inserting missed letters.

Other copying or manifolding machines for manuscript are the Cyclostyle, Mimeograph, and Trypograph. The two former are perhaps most useful in libraries; the Mimeograph being best for manifolding along with the typewriter. The ordinary screw letter copying press is a necessary adjunct of every librarian’s office, but in libraries with small incomes an “Anchor” copying press, costing about 12s. 6d., will be found to serve all ordinary purposes.

FILES, BOXES, BOOK-HOLDERS, STAMPS, &c.

Letter files are made in a great variety of styles, from the spiked wire to the elaborate and systematic index of the Amberg and Shannon Companies. A useful series of cheap document files are made by Messrs. John Walker & Co. of London, and comprise manilla paper and cloth envelope, and box files for alphabetical arrangement, to hold papers about 11 × 9 inches, &c. The collapsing accordion files are also made by this firm. Single alphabetical files to hold some hundreds of documents are supplied by the Amberg and Shannon File Companies in neat box form at a small cost; and both these makers can supply file-cabinets of any size or for any purpose, so far as the preservation of documents is concerned. Any of the above-named are preferable to the ordinary wire and binder files which pierce and tear documents without keeping them in get-at-able order. Sheet-music and prints are best preserved in flat boxes with lids and falling fronts, though the former, if kept at all, is best bound in volumes. Print boxes are preferable to portfolios because they are not so apt to crush their contents, and certainly afford a better protection from dust. Pamphlet boxes are made in many styles: some with hinged lids and falling fronts as in the illustration, Fig. 11; some with book-shaped backs and hinged ends, and others in two parts.

Most librarians prefer the cloth-covered box with hinged lid and falling front, which can be made in any form by all box-makers. The kind shown in the illustration above are manufactured by Messrs. Fincham & Co. of London; but others with a uniformly-sized rim are made in Glasgow, Bradford, and Manchester. Messrs. Marlborough & Co. of London supply boxes made in two parts. For filing unbound magazines and serials the cloth-covered boxes with lids and flaps are most convenient. They should be made of wood when intended for large periodicals like the Graphic or Era. American cloth or canvas wrappers are sometimes used for preserving periodicals previous to binding, but boxes will, in the long run, be found most economical, cleanly and easily used. There are various kinds of binders made for holding a year’s numbers of certain periodicals, in which the parts are either laced with cords or secured by wires to the back. The difficulty with these seems to be that necessary expansion is not always provided against by the appliances supplied. Newspapers intended for binding are usually kept on racks and protected from dust by American cloth or pasteboard wrappers. In other cases a month’s papers are laced on perforated wooden bars and kept in rolls.

Stitching machines are sometimes used for periodicals, and though probably quicker than ordinary needle and thread sewing, have certain drawbacks which make their use worthy of some deliberation. In the first place a good machine is expensive and somewhat liable to get out of order, and in the second place the wires used for the stitching very often rust, and cause much trouble to the binder both because of the tearing of the periodicals and the difficulty of their removal.

Reference might be made here to the “Fauntleroy” magazine case designed by Mr. Chivers of Bath, in which an ingenious and neat brass fastener is substituted for elastic or leather thongs.

Application forms are sometimes strung in bundles and left hanging or lying about, but boxes made to their size and provided with thumb-holes in the sides will be found more convenient and tidy. Various sorts of holders are made for keeping books erect on the shelves or on tables, among which the kinds illustrated above are probably best known. The one shown in Fig. 12, manufactured by Walker & Co. of London, makes an extremely useful device for arranging cards or slips, as it can be adjusted to any space from ¼ of an inch. The others are best adapted for ordinary shelf use. Figs. 13-14 are made by Messrs. Braby & Co. of Deptford, London, and Messrs. Lewis & Grundy of Nottingham. Figs. 15-16 were designed by Mr. Mason, one of the secretaries of the Library Association, and are supplied by Messrs. Wake & Dean of London.

STAMPS, SEALS, &c.

In addition to labels on the boards, it is usual in public libraries to stamp the name of the institution on certain fixed places throughout books, in order to simplify identification in cases of loss, and to deter intending pilferers from stealing. Metal and rubber ink stamps have been in use for a long time, and are doubtless the simplest to apply and cheapest to procure. The ordinary aniline inks supplied with these stamps are not reliable, as they can be quite easily removed by the aid of various chemicals. The best ink for the purpose which can be used is printing ink, but unfortunately it is difficult to apply and takes a very long time to dry thoroughly. The best substitute appears to be the ink for rubber stamps manufactured by Messrs. Stephens of London, which is not by any means so easily removed as the purely aniline kinds. Embossing stamps are perhaps more satisfactory as regards indelibility than any of those just mentioned, but they are generally somewhat clumsy in make and slow in application. The best method of marking books to indicate proprietorship and to insure impossibility of removal is by the use of a perforating stamp, which will bite several pages at once without disfiguring the book. Most of the kinds at present made are rather awkward, but there seems no reason why a handy perforator in the shape of a pair of pincers should not be well within the mechanical abilities of the average embossing stamp maker. The difficulty with perforating stamps will always be that of having sufficient points to make the letters clear without being too large. Dating stamps for lending library labels can be had in revolving form for continuous use, or in small galleys which can be altered from day to day. The latter are cheaper and more easily applied. Seals for public library Boards which are incorporated can be procured of any engraver at prices ranging from £5 to £50 according to design and elaboration. Those in lever presses are just as effective as those in screw presses.

LADDERS, &c.

Ladders should always be shod with rubber or leather at the foot to prevent slipping, and an arrangement like that shown in the illustration will be found of service in preventing books from being pushed back in the shelves. The hinged top and top shelf are the invention of Mr. MacAlister, one of the secretaries of the Library Association, and the shelf for the books being replaced or taken down was first used at the Kensington Public Library, London. If steps are used instead of ladders they should be made with treads on both sides so that assistants need not turn them about before using. Lightness is a very desirable quality both in steps and ladders, and should be aimed at before durability. There is nothing more tiresome than having to drag about a heavy pair of steps, and the assistants who are entirely free from them have to be congratulated.

In some large libraries trucks are used for the conveyance of heavy volumes. The light truck, covered with leather on the surfaces where books rest, such as is used in the British Museum, will be found very useful. Reference might be made here to the ingenious carrier invented by Miss James of the People’s Palace Library, London, for the purpose of conveying books from the galleries to the service counter in the middle of the floor. This consists of a box running on a wire cable, and worked by means of an endless cord and a wheel. For the peculiar purpose for which it was designed it seems to be very satisfactory. There are many other forms of lifts in use for lowering books from galleries, but very few of them are of general application. In certain parishes in London enamelled iron tablets directing to the library have been suspended from the ladder-bars of the street lamps, to show strangers the whereabouts of the institution. These are effective as a means of advertising the library, and might be used for a similar purpose in all large towns.

BOOKS OF RECORD.

For maintaining a permanent register of the different kinds of work accomplished in libraries a great number of books are used, the varieties of which are as numerous as charging systems. It would serve no useful purpose to describe all of these books, much less their variations, and so we shall content ourselves by taking a few typical specimens as representative of all the rest. As the names of these various books sufficiently describe their purpose, it will only be necessary to briefly indicate the uses of the more obscure kinds and give occasional rulings in explanation of the others.

The minute book contains a complete history of the work of the library as far as the proceedings of the Library Board is concerned, and in many cases it is really a succinct record of all the most important operations of the institution. It should be well bound in morocco or other strong leather, and should consist of good quality paper ruled faint and margin, and paged. The agenda book forms the necessary accompaniment of the minutes, and is a sort of draft minute book in which all the business to come before the meeting is entered. A plain foolscap folio book, ruled faint only, will serve for this purpose. The business is generally entered on one side of the folio and the resolutions of the meeting on the other. To save possible misunderstandings the chairman ought to enter the decisions of the Board himself, after reading them over, and the minutes should be compiled from this record rather than from separate notes made by the clerk. The business books of public libraries are not often kept by the librarian, except in London where the duties of clerk are usually conjoined. For that reason it is perhaps needless to do more than name the cash book, ledger, petty cash book, cash receipt book, and postage book as the principal records maintained for financial purposes. Many librarians unite their issue and receipts from fines books, while others keep separate records; but it is best for beginners to keep their cash affairs strictly apart, and in the ordinary fashion of good business houses. The donation book is the record of all books, prints, maps, or other gifts to the library, ruled to show the following particulars: Author and Title | Vols. and Date | Name and Address of Donor | Date of Receipt | Date of Acknowledgment | and, sometimes, the library number. Some libraries have this book with a counterfoil, in which a double entry is made, and the detachable portion is torn off to form a thanks circular. This is a very convenient style of register.

Proposition book and suggestion book. In many cases these are nothing more than plain faint ruled folio volumes, in which readers are allowed to enter suggestions of new books or on the management of the library. Often, however, the proposition book is ruled to carry the following particulars: Book proposed | Publisher and Price | Date of Publication | Name and Address of Proposer | Decision of Committee | Date or Number of Order |. In other cases a form is supplied to readers desirous of making suggestions of any sort. Contract or estimate books are not always used, but the young librarian will find it of the greatest convenience to keep a chronological record of every estimate received for work to be done in the library. A guard book in which can be pasted the various tenders received, or an ordinary plain ruled one in which they can be entered, will be found a perfect treasury of assistance in many cases. An index at the beginning or end can easily be made. Inventory books are intended to furnish a complete record of all the library property, showing when, from whom, and at what cost every item of furniture, fitting, stationery, &c., was procured. It can be kept in a specially ruled book, or in a faint ruled folio, classified to show the different kinds of supplies. When re-ordering or reckoning up the duration of supplies, this book will be found of the greatest use. As a record of prices it is also valuable. Invoice books are sometimes kept in two forms: first, as mere guard books in which paid invoices are pasted; and second, as chronological records of every lot of books received by purchase or donation. This very often saves much trouble in fixing the routine in which books should be dealt with when being prepared for public use. The ordinary ruling is as follows: Date of Receipt | Name of Donor or Vendor | First Word of Invoice | No. of Vols. | Total Cost | Remarks |. In addition to these columns some librarians add spaces for marking with initials when every process connected with the preparation of the books has been finished. Location books are used only with the movable system of shelving books and are long narrow volumes ruled to hold 50 lines on a folio, with the numbers written or printed down one side, generally running from 1 to 10,000. The specimen ruling will show this plainly.

The first new book awaiting treatment of course receives the first unappropriated number. Some location books give additional particulars, such as a column for the date of accession of books, which is often required when spaces are left for continued sets of a series. The stock book in most libraries forms a numerical catalogue of accessions in the order of their receipt; giving particulars of edition, binding, vendor or donor, price, and other information. It is, therefore, the most valuable record kept by the library, if the minute book is excepted. Some are classified, others classify the books in separate columns, while a few keep the classification in a different book. The following selection of headings will show the variety of rulings in use. At Bradford a classified stock book is used, and it is ruled thus:—

The last column refers to a book in which purchases are entered with a consecutive numbering, and is an index to the accession of the volumes, while the stock book shown above is primarily a place book. It is thus rather a shelf register than a record of accession of stock. The Mitchell Library, Glasgow, uses the following headings: Date of Receipt | Author and Title | Language | Number | Class Letter | Number of Vols. | New Work or Continuation | Book or Pamphlet | Size | Place of Publication | Date of Publication | Condition when Received | Donor, if Presented | Price, if Purchased | Discount | Vendor | Collation | Special Collections | Remarks |. Various Modifications of this stock book are used in different libraries. At Manchester a much briefer description is given, namely: Date when Received | Author | Title | No. of Vols. | No. of Pamphlets | Class | Size | Place of Publication | Date when Published | Condition when Received | Donor, if Presented | Price, if Purchased | Vendor, if Purchased | Remarks |. In this book no provision seems to be made for the number which directs to the place of books or their order of accession. The stock book used at Lambeth classifies as it goes along, and has headings as follows:

This is intended for lending library books. For reference libraries the dates of publication and other particulars of edition would be given. At Liverpool and Chelsea a cumulative system of classifying is used, which is shown in the following sample: | Date Received | Author | Title | No. of Vols. | Size | Place of Publication | Date of Publication | Bound in | Class | Number | Donor or Vendor | Price | Net Total | Class Accession Number | Accession Number | Remarks |.

With stock books of the Glasgow pattern a classification book is commonly used, in which are entered abstracts of classes, books, pamphlets, purchases, gifts, works as distinguished from volumes, special collections, totals, &c., page by page. Accuracy is almost inevitable by this method, owing to the numerous cross checks provided. In some libraries separate stock books are kept for periodicals and annual publications, but the principle in all is similar to the ordinary stock book. It only remains to add that, as stock books are records of some importance and permanency, they ought to be made of the very best materials. The shelf register, as the name indicates, is the volume in which a list of the books is kept, in the order of their arrangement on the shelves. Such registers are only required for the fixed plan of location. The most elementary form simply gives the | Press Mark | Author and Title | No. of Vols. | Stock, Progressive, or Consecutive Number | ; the last referring to the entry in the accessions or stock book. Others are much more elaborate, being really varieties of classified stock books, and giving particulars of edition, price, &c. The main uses of the shelf catalogue or register are to fix the numbers of new books, and to afford a ready means of taking stock. The varieties of this book are practically endless, and we shall only give two other specimens:—

and

Duplicate registers give particulars of the accession of duplicate books, and their destination if sold or exchanged. Order and letter books are usually just separate copying books, but frequently the former are kept with counterfoils, and sometimes separate ruled forms are used, and simply copied into an ordinary tissue letter book. Binding books or sheets record the volumes sent out for binding or repair, and usually note the following particulars:—

Manchester. Date of Sending.

| Press Mark | Title of Book for Lettering | Date of Return | Binder’s Charge |.

Bradford. Date of Sending.

| Style | Book Number | Title | Price |.

Mitchell Library, Glasgow. Date of Sending.

| Instruction | Lettering | Date of Return |.

Borrowers’ and guarantors’ registers are sometimes kept in books, but often on cards, which are the most convenient. They register names, addresses, period of borrowing right, and guarantors in one case, and names, addresses, and persons guaranteed in the other. In some libraries a record of each borrower’s reading is posted on to his card from the book application forms.

Periodical receipt and check books are for marking off the current numbers of newspapers and magazines as received from the newsagent, and for checking them each morning as they lie on the tables or racks. Ruled sheets and cards are also used for the same purpose. They usually consist of lists of monthly, weekly, daily, and other periodicals, with rulings to show dates of receipt or finding covering a period of one to six months. Issue books, for recording the issues of books in libraries, are designed in many styles, each having reference to the particular requirements of a certain institution. Generally, however, the particulars preserved include: | Date | No. of Vols. Issued by Classes | Totals | Weekly or Monthly Average |. Many give the number of visits to newsrooms and reading-rooms, while others include the amounts received from fines, sale of catalogues, &c. One issue book is usually ruled to show the work accomplished in every department, but many libraries keep separate registers for lending and reference departments. In towns where there are a number of branch libraries the returns of issues, &c., are often recorded in a very elaborate and complete fashion. The day book or issue ledger has already been referred to under ledger charging systems, but in addition to these there is an endless variety of daily issue sheets, some simple and some very complex. It would be useless to give patterns of these, as the whole question of their adoption hinges on the main system by which each library is managed. Work books, time book and sheets, scrap books, and lost and found registers are sufficiently described by their names. The two first are for staff management, and in large libraries are absolutely necessary; the work book for noting the duties of each assistant, and the time book or sheet for recording times of arrival and departure from duty. Lost and found registers record thefts, mutilations, or other abstractions of library property, and dates and descriptions of articles found on the premises. These are, roughly speaking, the most necessary books of record required in the administration of a public library, but many others exist which have been designed for special purposes. The Museum of the Association contains specimens of many of the books above named, and librarians are, as a rule, glad to show what they have in the way of novelties or variations from standard patterns.

FORMS AND STATIONERY.

Here again selection is difficult, owing to the perplexing quantity and variety of forms, and we shall, with as little comment as possible, merely give specimens or indicate uses.

Precept forms are the requisitions for the library rate presented by London Commissioners to the Local Boards or Vestries.

Public notices, rules, &c., should be boldly printed and displayed in glazed frames.

Requisition forms are in use in a few of the larger libraries. They are filled up and submitted to the Library Committee when supplies are wanted. They seem rather a useless formality where an agenda book is kept.

Thanks circulars or acknowledgment forms usually bear the arms of the library, and are engraved on quarto sheets of good paper. Many libraries use a simple post-card with a very curt acknowledgment. Others use perforated receipt books or donation books with counterfoils, like those previously described.

Labels and book-plates for the inside of the boards of books in addition to the name and arms of the library often bear location marks and book numbers, or the names of donors. Paste holds them better than gum, and is much cleaner. An engraved bookplate of any artistic pretension should be dated and signed by designer and engraver. It is to be regretted that more of our large reference libraries do not use photographic or other reproductions of views of their best rooms for this purpose. The town’s arms are inappropriate and meaningless, while the library interior is of historical interest and germane to the object held in view, namely, marking suitably to indicate ownership.

Issues and rule-labels are chiefly used in lending libraries, though some reference libraries have labels on which the dates of issues are noted. The issue-labels must be ruled to suit the system of charging adopted, the ledger systems as a rule requiring something more than mere date slips. The rule-labels usually bear an abstract of the library rules applicable to the borrowing of books.

Vouchers for lending library borrowers must, of course, be arranged according to the general rules of the library; but in every case the agreement should take the form of a declaration: “I, the undersigned,” or “I, ________, do hereby,” or “I, ________ of ________, ratepayer in the ________, do hereby”. A large selection of all kinds of these vouchers and applications for the right of borrowing are preserved in the Museum of the Library Association. Most librarians bind the vouchers when filled up and numbered in convenient volumes, or mount them in blank books.

Borrowers’ tickets or cards also are entirely governed by the system of charging as regards shape, size, and material. Millboard, pasteboard, leather, wood, and cloth are all used. In cases where borrowers are allowed to retain their cards when they have books out it is advisable to have them rather strongly made, or else provide cases, especially when the right of borrowing extends over two years.

Receipts for fines, &c., may either be in books of numbered and priced tickets—1d., 2d., 3d., 6d., &c.—or in perforated counterfoil books with running numbers. Both kinds are extensively used, as well as tissue books with carbonised paper, similar to those seen in drapers’ shops.

Application forms for books exist in many varieties, but chiefly in connection with reference libraries. The number of lending libraries which use the application slips is as yet comparatively small, but there are indications pointing to a more general adoption of this appliance, especially where indicators are used. Some reference libraries have an elaborate application in duplicate, one part being retained when the transaction is complete, and the other returned to the borrower. The plan adopted in the British Museum of charging assistants with issues, and returning the readers’ applications, is not recommended for imitation. The very special arrangements of the Museum require special means of working, which are not suitable for general adoption. On reference library applications, in addition to the usual admonitory sentences as to books being only for use on the premises, &c., it is customary to ask for the book number or its press mark, author and title, volumes wanted, reader’s name and address, and date. In addition most libraries include a space for the initials of the assistant who issues and replaces the book, while some ask for the ages and professions of readers. Lending library applications need be no more elaborate than this:—

Or this:—

Renewal slips and post-cards, and bespoke cards or forms require no description.

Information circulars and readers’ handbooks are becoming more and more general, and many useful documents of the kind have been issued. The object of all is to direct attention to the library, its uses, and contents, while making more public the rules, newspapers taken, hours of opening, &c. The little handbooks issued from Manchester, Boston (U.S.), Glasgow, and elsewhere, are models.

The barest reference will suffice for such articles as book-marks, cloth or paper, overdue notices and post-cards, issue returns, branch library returns, infectious diseases notification forms, and stock-taking returns, all of which are almost explained by their names. It should be stated as a curious fact that very many persons object to having notices of overdue books or defaulting borrowers sent on post-cards, while others think a charge for the postage of such notices an imposition. Any young librarian desirous of obtaining specimens of these or any other forms will always be sure to get them on application at the various libraries. The Museum, as before stated, contains a number of all kinds of forms.

As regards ordinary Stationery it is hardly necessary to say much. Note-paper is usually stamped with the library arms, and envelopes with the name on the flap. Pens, ink, pencils, rulers, date-cases, paper-knives, &c., are all so familiar that it would be waste of time to consider them separately. Any intelligent librarian will find endless suggestion and profit from a visit to a large stationer’s warehouse, and may even pick up wrinkles of some value by keeping his eyes open to the adaptability of many articles of manufactured stationery.

RECIPES.

Pastes. Ordinary flour paste is made by mixing flour and water to the consistency of a thin cream, taking care that all knots are rubbed out, and boiling over a slow fire with constant stirring until it becomes translucent. It can be made of almost any thickness and toughness, and by the admixture of a little glue very strong paste is obtained. A few drops of oil of cloves, creasote, or corrosive sublimate, or a few grains of salicylic acid will preserve flour paste for a long time if it is kept in closely covered vessels. The office paste called “Stickphast” is a variety of this preparation, and is much better than gum. There are a number of firms in London and elsewhere who make flour pastes which will keep, and these may be had through any bookbinder or direct from the makers at a cost as small as the home-made kinds, and of a much superior quality. There are various preparations of starch also used as paste, but they are best adapted for mounting photographs. A clean compound called “gloy” used to be sold in bottles, and was found useful for mounting fine plates or for office purposes. Mr. Zaehnsdorf recommends a paste made of rice flour, mixed with cold water and gently boiled, as one admirably adapted for delicate work. For all purposes of book patching which can be accomplished by the library staff Le Page’s soluble glue will be found handier and better than the ordinary kinds.

Stains caused by writing-ink may be removed by (1) Equal quantities of lapis calaminaris, common salt, and rock alum, boiled in white wine for half-an-hour, and applied with a brush or sponge. (2) A small quantity of oxalic or muriatic acid diluted with water, applied with a camel’s hair brush, and dried with clean white blotting paper—two applications. (3) Solution of oxalic acid and water, after which the leaves should be dipped in a weak solution of chloride of lime and water, and thoroughly dried, after washing in clean water. (4) Aniline ink stains can be sponged off with warm water, or completely removed by a bath of alcohol. Grease spots or oil stains can be removed by (1) washing or dabbing the part with ether or benzoline, and afterwards placing between white blotting paper, over which pass a hot iron. Keep the ether and benzoline away from burning lights. (2) Put the leaf between two pieces of white blotting paper and carefully apply a hot iron to both sides. (3) When the stain is caused by a slice of bacon having been used as a book-mark, or by contact with a paraffin lamp, the borrower should be asked to remove it and supply a new copy of the work! (4) In general oxalic, citric, and tartaric acids are safe agents to use for removing stains in books, as they do not affect the letter-press. (5) Water and damp stains are removable by the application of boiling water and alum. (6) Foxing may be removed by dipping the leaves in a weak solution of hydrochloric acid, half ounce of acid to one pint of hot water, or by a weak bath of chlorine water. (7) Mud stains will yield to washing in cold water, then in a weak solution of muriatic acid, and finally in a weak solution of chloride of lime; dry well. For many practical hints on these and other subjects, see the admirable Art of Bookbinding, by J. W. Zaehnsdorf, issued as one of Bell’s “Technological Handbooks”. The receipts given in Power’s Handy Book about Books, Brannt and Wahl’s Techno-Chemical Receipt Book, and Cooley’s Cyclopædia of Practical Receipts will also repay a little study.

To repair torn leaves: lay the torn leaf upon a piece of tissue paper of the same colour as the leaf itself. Touch the edges of the torn pieces, lightly, with good paste, applied by the finger,—bring them carefully together in proper position and place on top another piece of tissue paper; then put the volume under a heavy weight or in a press and leave it till next day. Finally, with great care, tear off the tissue paper which will adhere wherever it has touched the paste. The fibres of the tissue which remain, together with the paste, result in an almost invisible union of the torn fragments.