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HANDBOUND 
AT  THE 


rvivr.RSITY  OF 


WILLIAM     FREDERICK    POOLE. 


THE 


Library    Journal 


OFFICIAL  ORGAN  OF  THE  AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 


CHIEFLY  DEVOTED    TO 


library  Economy  anfc 


Vol.   19 


(JANUARY -DECEMBER,  1894) 


0>fc^Xlq 

^\T 


NEW  YORK  :  PUBLICATION  OFFICE,  28  ELM  STREET  (Near  Duane) 
LONDON:    SOLD  BY  KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  Co.,  PATERNOSTER  HOUSE 

1894 


Ly 


v 


.13 


THE 


Library  Journal 

OFFICIAL  ORGAN  OF  THE  AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 


CHIEFLY  DEVOTED    TO 


Xibrarp  Economy  anfc 


VOL.  19.     No.  i 

JANUARY,  1894 
Contents 


EDITORIAL 

A  Happy  New  Year ! 

American  Catalog  of  Books  Previous  to  1876. 

Printed  Catalog  Cards. 

Difficulties  of  Critical  Annotation. 


COMMUNICATIONS 4 

Location  of  Call-Numbers. 

Scandinavian  Books  in  American  Libraries. 

AMERICAN  BIBLIOGRAPHY,  GENERAL  AND  LOCAL.  —  G: 

Watson  Cole 5 

THE  PREPARATION   OF  PRINTED    LISTS  FOR  CIRCI> 

LATING  LIBRARIES.  —  Kate  M.  Henneberry.    .     .        g 

How  THE  NBWBEKRY  LIBRARY  WAS  MOVED.  —  W:  Stet- 
son Merrill. u 

A  PLEA  FOR  A  LIBRARY  OF  SCIENCE  IN  NEW  YORK 
CITY. — H:  Carrington  Bolton 12 

THE  COPINGER  COLLECTION 17 


A  LIBRARIAN.  —  By  His  Assistant 18 

LIBRARY  CLUBS so 

New  York  Library  Club. 
Chicago  Library  Club. 

REVIEWS 23 

Bulletin  of  the  Bureau  of  Rolls  and  Records. 

LIBRARY  ECONOMY  AND  HISTORY 24 

GIFTS  AND  BEQUESTS 29 

LIBRARIANS 29 

CATALOGING  AND  CLASSIFICATION 29 

BlBLIOGRAFY 30 

ANONYMS  AND  PSEUDONYMS 30 

HUMORS  AND  BLUNDERS 30 


NEW  YORK  :    PUBLICATION  OFFICE,  28  ELM  STREET  (Near  Duane). 
LONDON:    SOLD  BY  KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  Co.,  PATERNOSTER  HOUSE, 

CHARING  CROSS  ROAD. 
YEARLY  SUBSCRIPTION,  $5.00.  MONTHLY  NUMBERS,  50  cts 

Price  to  Europe^  or  other  countries  in  the  Union,  los.ptr  annum  ;  single  numbers,  at. 
Entered  at  the  Post -Office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  as  second-class  matter. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{January,  '94 


EDW.  G.  ALLEN'S 

London  Agency  for  American  Libraries, 

28   HENRIETTA    STREET,   COVENT   GARDEN, 

LONDON. 
(FORMERLY  RICH   &  SONS.) 

EDW.  G.  ALLEN  devotes  himself  entirely  to  library  business.  His  long  experience  enables  him 
to  execute  the  orders  of  correspondents  promlpty,  cheaply,  and  with  thorough  efficiency.  His  con- 
nection with  all  the  Book  Dealers  in  the  United  Kingdom  gives  him  the  command  of  the  British 
Book  Market,  and  qualifies  him  to  serve  his  customers  with  special  advantage,  and  to  bring  promptly 
under  their  notice  all  the  stores  of  Literature,  old  and  new,  on  sale  in  Great  Britain. 

Books   Supplied  at  a  Small   Commission   on   the   Cost   Price,   with   the   usual   Trade 

deductions,  and  forwarded  by  the  quickest  and  cheapest  routes.     Second-hand 

Catalogues   by  early  Mails,  and   no  Commission  charged  on  Orders 

from  them.      Periodicals  and  Newspapers  Posted  Promptly. 

No  expensive  sub-agencies  at  borne  or  abroad.  Foreign  books  on  easy  terms. 


Agency  for  the  following  Libraries  and  many  others: 


Library  of  Congress,  Washington. 
Libraries  of  Parliament,   Ottawa,  Toronto, 

and  Quebec. 
Amherst  College. 
Boston  Public  Library. 
Brooklyn  Library. 
Brown  University. 
Cornell  University. 
Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library. 
California  University. 


Colorado  University. 
Johns  Hopkins  University. 
Philadelphia  Library  Co. 
Peabody  Institute,  Baltimore. 
University  of  Pennsylvania. 
University  of  Toronto,  Can. 
Watkinson  Library,  Hartford,  Conn. 
Yale  University. 
Minneapolis  Public  Library. 


Cheap  and  Durable  for  Circulating  Libraries.     Specially  Strong'  for  Books  of  Reference.     Superior 

Style  for  Works  of  Art.     Imitation  Antique  for  Rare  Old  Books.     Calf  Extra  in   Every  Variety. 

Best  Half-Binding  for  General  Library  Use.     Pamphlets  Bound  at  Cheap  Rates.     Law- 

Books  In  Law  Calf.     Cheap  Binding  in  Cloth.     Hard-Grained    Roan,  etc.     Dilapi- 

dated Binding  Neatly  Repaired.     Deficiencies  of  Rare  Books  Supplied  in 

Exact  Fac-Simile.     Library  Stamps  to  Order. 


"We  have  been,  for  the  last  twenty  years,  personally  cognizant  of  Mr.  Allen's  faitnfulness  to  the  interests  of 
his  American  customers.  When  a  resident  in  Washington,  ten  years  ago,  we  found  that  the  immense  Congressional 
Library  largely  supplied  its  shelves  through  Mr.  Allen's  London  Agency.  Many  of  the  extensive  libraries  belonging 
to  the  Universities  and  Colleges  in  the  East  have  also  secured  their  Foreign  Books  from  the  same  source,  and  we 
have  heard  from  the  officers  of  these  Institutions  frequent  testimony  to  the  scrupulous  exactness  with  which  their 
orders  werealways  filled. 

"  We  cannot,  theiefore,  do  a  greater  service  to  the  Colleges  and  Universities  of  the  West,  to  which  these  pres- 
ents shall  come,  than  to  advise  that  they  employ  this  inexpensive  agency  for  replenishing  tneir  Libraries  with  Eng- 
lish Books." — PRESIDENT  WELCH,  Iowa  State  Agricultural  Collegt. 

"No  better  indorsement  of  Mr.  Allen's  Agency  is  possible  than  the  list  of  leading  libraries  that  continue  to  use 
it.  For  30  years,  strict  integrity  and  unexcelled  facilities  have  held  the  oid  and  made  new  patrons.  The  very  large 
business  built  up  demands  only  a  small  commission  instead  of  the  customary  10  per  cent.  A  library  can  safely 
entrust  all  its  London  orders  to  Mr.  Allen  without  getting  other  estimates  and  feei  sure  that  it  is  not  making  a 
mistake."— MELVII.  DBWEV,  Matt  Library,  Ntw  York. 


Edw.  G.  Allen's  American  Library  Agency, 


COVENT  GARDEN,  LONDON. 


MEMBER    AMERICAN    LIBRARY    ASSOCIATION. 

SPECIAL    TERMS  FOR  LARGE  ORDERS. 


THE    LIBRARY    JOURNAL 


VOL.  19. 


JANUARY,    1894. 


No.  i 


"  A  HAPPY  NEW  YEAR  !"  Happily,  the  old 
year  with  its  tribulations  has  passed  by  with  less 
discomfort  to  the  library  prof ession  than  to  most 
other  callings.  Doubtless  it  has  been  harder  to 
collect  funds  for  subscription  libraries  and  doubt- 
less there  has  been  here  and  there  retrenchment  of 
forces  and  salaries;  but  on  the  whole  the  library 
profession  enjoys  a  quiet  nook  in  the  world's  ac- 
tivity, whose  denizens,  if  less  affected  by  the 
"ups,"  are  also  less  affected  by  the  "downs  "  of 
affairs.  The  year  which  is  past  is  notable  as  a 
red-letter  year  for  libraries,  beyond  almost  any 
since  1876,  which  witnessed  the  foundation  of 
the  American  Library  Association  and  of  the  LI- 
BRARY JOURNAL.  The  library  exhibit  at  Chicago 
made  a  high- water  mark  in  library  co-operation; 
we  shall  probably  feel  the  effect  of  the  exhibit  of 
the  model  library  itself  for  a  generation  to  come, 
in  the  quickening  of  library  beneficences;  and 
the  A.  L.  A.  Conference  and  the  World's  Con- 
gress of  Librarians  were  certainly  the  most  note- 
worthy gathering  which  the  library  profession 
has  had.  The  old  year  has  seen  advances  in 
many  other  directions,  including  the  development 
Into  practical  shape  of  the  long-desired  printed 
catalog  card.  There  is  good  hope  that  1894  may 
include  the  passage  of  the  long-postponed  bill 
for  the  distribution  of  public  documents,  which 
will  certainly  be  a  boon  to  libraries;  but  what 
else  it  has  in  store  for  us  it  is  difficult  to  prophesy. 
After  the  vigor  of  1893,  it  is  certainly  entitled  to 
be  an  "  off-year." 


ONE  new  enterprise  at  least  is  in  progress.  It 
has  become  evident  that  the  General  Catalogue 
referred  to  in  Mr.  Cole's  suggestive  and  valuable 
paper  cannot  be  undertaken  without  much  pre- 
liminary work.  As  a  first  step  it  is  proposed  to 
publish  an  American  Catalogue  of  books  previous 
to  1876,  not  recorded  in  the  1876  volume,  and  as 
a  gauge  of  the  work  the  letter  A  has  been  com- 
piled to  include  Roorbach,  Kelly,  Stevens,  and 
other  material.  A  circular  will  presently  be  is- 
sued to  librarians  asking  their  subscriptions  for 
the  author-alphabet  of  this  work,  to  be  issued  in 
parts,  and  for  a  supplementary  part  to  contain 
publications  of  societies,  government  and  state 
publications,  etc.,  not  included  in  the  appendixes 


to  the  later  American  Catalogues  —  leaving  title 
and  subject  alphabets  out  of  the  question  for  the 
present.  It  is  proposed  to  ask  subscriptions  in 
$2  parts  and  to  guarantee  that  no  library  shall 
be  asked  to  subscribe  beyond  $10.  This  cata- 
log will  be  issued  in  a  limited  edition,  and  will 
have  the  double  advantage  of  giving  new  li- 
braries the  bibliographical  information  now  be- 
coming costly  and  old  libraries  that  information 
in  much  more  accessible  form.  The  great  body 
of  material  for  the  General  Catalog  will  then  be 
systematized  in  print  and  it  will  then  be  expected 
that  librarians  and  others  will  co-operate  as  Mr. 
Cole  suggests.  Of  course  the  enterprise  will  not 
be  carried  out  if  the  library  support  proves  to  be 
lacking. 

THE  discussion  at  the  New  York  Library  Club 
brought  out  some  interesting  views  as  to  print- 
ed catalog  cards.  It  seemed  to  be  the  general 
verdict  that  the  headed  subject-cards  were  un- 
necessary and  even  undesirable,  and  that  the 
preferable  plan,  from  the  library  as  well  as  from 
the  commercial  side,  would  be  the  limitation  of 
the  cards  to  two  for  each  book,  one  the  author 
card,  the  other  a  short-title  title-entry,  with  suf- 
ficient space  at  the  top  of  each  to  allow  the  libra- 
rian to  insert  his  own  headings  —  the  Cutter, 
Dewey,  and  other  headings  being  appended  as 
"  tailings"  as  now,  by  way  of  suggestion.  It  is 
evidently  better  to  develop  on  simple  lines  than 
to  risk  the  failure  of  the  work  by  overloading  it 
with  details.  Ultimately,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that 
annotations  may  also  be  appended,  preferably  on 
Mr.  lies'  plan  for  the  "evaluation"  of  books  by 
specialists;  but  this  also  is  a  matter  for  the 
future. 


MR.  ILES'  plan  gives  rise  to  one  question 
which  seems  not  to  have  been  thought  out.  No 
one  can  question  the  value  of  a  critical  note, 
written  by  some  expert  in  the  special  subject, 
attached  to  each  title  in  the  card  or  book  cata- 
log, for  it  would  tell  readers  the  exact  value  of 
each  book  in  relation  to  the  whole  literature  of  a 
subject  —  i.e.,  that  one  book  was  a  corner-stone, 
another  the  best  argument  from  a  certain  parti- 
san point  of  view,  a  third  untrustworthy,  and  a 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{January,  '94 


fourth  comparatively  worthless.  But  this  very  at- 
tempt to  place  a  book  in  comparative  critical  re- 
lation to  others  creates  a  difficulty ,  because  the  re- 
lation of  a  book  to  a  subject  is  constantly  chang- 
ing, owing  to  the  production  of  new  books .  Thus 
any  one  preparing  a  note  on  Welles'  "  Washing- 
ton Genealogy,"  before  1889,  would  have  been 
compelled  to  say  :  "  The  earlier  parts  pure  my- 
thology, but  the  later  generations  closer  to  facts. 
The  only  book  on  the  subject."  In  1889,  how- 
ever, appeared  Waters'  "  English  Ancestry  of 
George  Washington, "and  of  this  the  critic  would 
say  :  "  A  most  accurate  and  careful  piece  of 
work,  though  still  open  to  historical  doubt.  Un- 
questionably the  best  book  on  the  subject."  This 
note  remains  true  until  1892,  when  W.  C.  Ford's 
"  Genealogy  of  the  Washington  Family  "  is  pub- 
lished. The  note  for  this  should  state  :  "  Prac- 
tically settles  the  disputed  Washington  lineage 
and  is  therefore  the  best  authority."  In  these 
notes,  given  simply  as  examples  and  hastily 
stated,  the  contradictions  will  at  once  be  seen 
and  the  bewilderment  they  would  cause  to  the 
average  library  reader  can  be  appreciated.  It 
may  be  proposed  that  in  such  cases  the  last 
book  shall  revise  the  former  notes  by  adding : 
"  Entirely  supersedes  books  already  published  on 
this  subject."  But  this  is  merely  postponing  the 
difficulty,  for  we  would  presently  have  a  book 
that  entirely  supersedes  this  latter,  and  the  con- 
fusion once  more  begins.  The  constant  repub- 
lication  of  old  titles  with  new  notes  would  be  a 
costly  solution  of  the  difficulty. 


THERE  is  one  suggestion  applicable  here  which 
Is  perhaps  valuable,  whether  Mr.  lies'  system  is 
ever  put  in  operation  or  remains  unrealized.  As 
first  suggested,  it  was  that  the  titles  of  the  few 
best  works  of  a  subject  should  be  written  on  cards 
of  a  slightly  different  color,  so  that  any  reader 
would  at  once  know  which  books  could  be  most 
advantageously  read.  The  same  purpose  might 
be  accomplished  in  the  book  catalog,  by  printing 
the  title  of  these  books  in  larger  or  bold-faced 
type.  But  here  the  original  difficulty  occurs 
again  —  the  steady  alterations  wrought  in  the  rela- 
tive value  of  books  by  the  publication  of  new 
ones.  'This  change  is  less  objectionable  in  the 
printed  catalog  than  in  the  card  catalog,  for  the 
book  catalog  naturally  does  not  keep  down  to  date 
and  is  not  expected  to;  but  the  card  catalog  is 
quite  different,  and  it  is  necessary  to  keep  it  re- 
vised if  it  attempts  in  any  way  to  indicate  the 
best  books.  It  is  suggested,  therefore,  that  li- 


braries simply  adapt  a  system  already  in  use  in 
marking  flour  barrels.  Small  stars  of  gold  or 
black  paper,  gummed  on  the  back,  can  be  bought 
in  any  stationery  store.  Taking  the  cards  of  a 
single  subject,  a  division  into  four  classes  can  be 
made  without  much  difficulty;  the  poorest  will 
remain  untouched,  the  next  grade  shall  have  one 
star  pasted  on  the  card,  the  succeeding  one  two 
stars,  and  the  best,  three  stars  pasted  upon  them. 
Apparently  this  system  is  as  stereotyped  and 
unyielding  as  a  printed  note,  but  in  case  of  the 
appearance  of  a  new  book, "  declassing"  one  al- 
ready published,  a  shave  of  the  penknife  will  re- 
move from  each  card  the  number  of  stars  that 
the  librarian  chooses,  and  the  book  finds  its  level 
in  the  catalog.  Aside  from  this  advantage  of 
quick  transfer,  the  star  system  tells  its  story  in- 
stantly, without  any  reading  of  notes.  Of  course 
Mr.  lies'  suggestion  would  not  be  a  less  valuable 
addition  to  any  catalog,  because  another  means 
is  also  employed  to  indicate  the  value  of  a 
book. 


Commtmkatione. 


LOG  A  TION  OF  CALL-NUMBERS. 

IN  reference  to  your  editorial  suggestion  in  the 
December  LIBRARY  JOURNAL,  permit  me  to  say 
that  in  this  library  the  call-number  has  for  years 
been  written  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  card, 
and  will  continue  to  be.  I  am  thinking  of  hav- 
ing cards  ruled  with  the  up-and-down  lines  on 
this  side.  I  may  mention  that  it  was  Dr.  Guild's 
practice  to  write  only  the  surname  on  the  top 
line,  thus  leaving  room  for  the  call-number  and 
emphasizing  both.  H.  L.  KOOPMAN. 

LIBRARY  OF  BROWN  UNIVERSITY,  I 
PROVIDENCE,  R.  I.  J 

SCA  NDINA  VIA  N  BOOKS  IN  A  ME  RICA  N 
LIBRARIES. 

THE  undersigned  would  be  glad  to  receive  any 
answers  to  the  following  questions;  also  any 
finding-lists  or  catalogs,  containing  record  of 
Scandinavian  literature. 

How  large  a  per  cent,  of  the  books  in  any  li- 
brary are  Scandinavian  books  ? 

To  what  department  of  literature  does  the 
Scandinavian  part  of  the  library  generally  be- 
long—  i.e.,  fiction,  general  literature,  or  official, 
etc.,  publications,  obtained  in  exchange  from 
Scandinavian  libraries  and  institutions? 

Are  Scandinavian  books  much  in  demand  by 
the  Scandinavian  portion  of  the  population  ? 

To  what  class  do  most  of  the  Scandinavian 
borrowers  belong  —  i.e.,  laborers,  ministers,  or 
other  educated  people  ? 

AKSEL  G.  S.  JOSEPHSON. 

N.  Y.  STATE  LIBRARY  SCHOOL,  1 
ALBANY,  N.  Y. 


January,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


AMERICAN   BIBLIOGRAPHY,  GENERAL  AND  LOCAL.* 
BY  G:  WATSON  COLE,  Librarian,  Jersey  City  Free  Public  Library. 


MR.  R.  R.  BOWKER,  in  the  preface  to  the  last 
two  volumes  of  the  American  Catalogue,  has 
outlined  a  scheme  for  the  publication  of  a 
"  General  catalogue  of  American  publications  of 
the  nineteenth  century."  The  enterprise  is 
praiseworthy  from  every  point  of  view,  and  it  is 
to  be  hoped  that  it  will  meet  with  the  pecuniary 
encouragement  that  such  a  project  deserves. 
The  successful  completion  of  such  a  work,  thor- 
oughly executed  and  appropriately  published, 
would  be  one  of  the  great  bibliographical  monu- 
ments of  the  age,  and  would  reflect  credit 
upon  every  person  having  a  hand  in  its  pro- 
duction. 

Such  an  undertaking  should  be  all-inclusive  in 
its  scope,  so  that,  when  completed,  it  shall  be  a 
full  and  permanent  record  of  the  literary  activity 
of  the  American  people  and  of  the  products  of 
the  American  press  for  the  period  covered.  In 
order  to  attain  this  result  it  will  become  neces- 
sary to  employ  the  co-operation  of  librarians, 
publishers,  and  second-hand  booksellers  on  a 
scale  hitherto  unknown  even  in  this  country. 
Not  only  will  it  be  necessary  and  desirable  to 
include  all  the  entries  now  contained  in  the 
American  Catalogue,  Roorbach,  Kelly,  and 
Trtibner,  the  copyright  deposit  records  at  Wash- 
ington, early  trade  publications,  publishers' 
lists,  and  the  catalogs  of  the  larger  libraries, 
but  every  locality  in  the  country  should  be  ex- 
haustively searched  for  publications  of  a  local 
character,  and  the  work  here  contemplated  be 
supplemented  by  a  similar  one  covering,  in  as 
full  a  manner,  the  period  from  the  introduction 
of  printing  into  America  to  the  close  of  the 
eighteenth  century. 

The  subject  of  local  bibliography  is  one  which 
especially  commends  itself  to  those  engaged  in  the 
library  profession.  Nothing,  it  would  seem, 
could  give  the  librarian  greater  interest  than  to 
collect  and  record  everything  that  can  in  any 
way  assist  in  preserving  the  history  of  the  press, 
of  the  town,  city,  county,  or  state  in  which  it  is 
his  privilege  to  live  and  labor.  If  he  has  the 
true  bibliographical  spirit  he  will  do  this,  and 
somewhere  in  his  library  will  be  found  a  few 
shelves  reserved  for  the  fruits  of  his  labors  in 
this  direction.  As  yet  comparatively  little  has 
been  done  in  this  field.  One  is  surprised,  on 

*  Portion  of  a  paper  read  before  the  Library  School 
at  Albany,  May  8,  1893. 


looking  over  Ford's  "Check  list  of  bibliog- 
raphies, catalogues,  reference-lists,  and  lists  of 
authorities  of  American  books  and  subjects" 
to  find  how  little  has  actually  been  done,  and 
what  a  small  share  of  that  which  is  already  ac- 
complished is  worthy  of  commendation.  Many 
of  those  enumerated  are  extremely  fragmentary 
in  their  character.  It  is  refreshing  to  find  among 
these  efforts  some  examples  that  are  worthy  of 
praise;  such,  for  example,  asHildeburn's  "  Issues 
of  the  Pennsylvania  press,"  Bartlett's  "  Bibli- 
ography of  Rhode  Island,"  and  Thomson's 
"  Bibliography  of  Ohio."  The  first  named, 
Hildeburn's  "  Issues  of  the  Pennsylvania  press," 
and  his  "  Catalogue  of  the  Charlemagne  Tower 
collection  of  Colonial  laws,"  are  especially 
good  examples  of  thorough,  painstaking,  and  in- 
telligent work,  and  may  well  serve  as  models  to 
those  about  to  undertake  works  of  this  class. 

It  may  not  prove  uninteresting  to  call  atten- 
tion to  a  few  other  works  of  a  local  nature  which 
have  appeared  since  1846. 

The  first  to  which  I  invite  attention  is  Ludewig's 
(H.  E.)  "Literature  of  American  local  history; 
a  bibliographical  essay"  (xx  +  180  p.  8°,  N.  Y., 
1846),  which  was  a  pioneer  effort  in  this  field. 

Mr.  Charles  B.  Norton,  who  from  1857-60 
published  the  Literary  Letter,  was  alive  to  the 
importance  of  local  bibliography.  He  began 
a  series  of  brief  bibliographies  of  the  different 
states,  but  only  those  of  Maine,  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  Vermont  were  ever  printed.  In  in- 
troducing the  subject  he  says  with  great  truth: 

"  The  importance  of  securing  at  once  exact 
transcripts  of  the  titles  of  all  works  relative  to 
the  history  of  our  country,  is  beginning  to  be 
appreciated.  It  is  doubtless  true  that  very  many 
pamphlets,  orations,  discourses,  and  sermons, 
prepared  with  care  from  facts  within  the  reach 
of  their  authors,  have  entirely  disappeared,  never 
to  be  again  brought  to  light.  The  undersigned, 
with  the  object,  in  some  measure  at  least,  to 
preserve  for  future  reference  this  class  of  valu- 
able lore,  proposes  to  publish  in  each  number 
of  his  '  Literary  Letter '  the  bibliography  of  a 
separate  state.  . . .  The  series  will  be  continued 
until  every  state  is  completed." 

In  1871  appeared  another  work,  this  time  con- 
fined to  a  single  state.  Colburn's  (J.)  "  Bibliogra- 
phy of  the  history  of  Massachusetts."  (Bost., 
1871.) 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[January,  '94 


Five  years  later  appeared  Perkins'  (F.  B.) 
"  Check  list  of  American  local  history."  (Bost., 
1876.)  This  work  gives  in  the  briefest  form 
titles  of  independent  works.  The  latest  work  in 
this  line  is  that  of  A.  P.  C.  Griffin,  which  was  is- 
sued by  the  Boston  Public  Library  and  is  en- 
titled: "  Index  of  articles  upon  American  local 
history  in  historical  collections  in  the  Boston  Pub- 
lic Library."  (Bost.,  1889.)  This  is  a  work  of 
225  double-column  imperial  octavo  pages,  and 
is  arranged  alphabetically  in  the  order  of  the 
names  of  places  referred  to.  While,  as  its  title 
states,  it  is  restricted  to  such  works  as  are  in  the 
Boston  Public  Library,  the  number  of  works  re- 
ferred to  is  so  extensive  that  the  work  cannot  but 
prove  of  service  in  almost  every  public  library. 

Another  field,  that  of  genealogy,  has  been  ably 
covered  in  a  similar  manner  by  Whitmore  ( W.  H.), 
whose  "American  genealogy"  (Albany,  1875) 
includes  only  independent  works,  and  by  Dur- 
rie  (D.  S.),  whose  "  Bibliographia  genealogica 
Americana"  ($d  ed.,  Albany,  1886)  is  an  index 
to  the  American  genealogies  and  pedigrees  con- 
tained in  state,  county,  and  town  histories,  etc. 

The  bibliographical  notes  contained  in  Winsor's 
"Narrative  and  critical  history  of  America" 
render  that  work  one  which  no  person  interested 
in  this  subject  can  afford  to  overlook.  The 
amount  of  learning  condensed  in  these  notes  is 
simply  wonderful  in  extent  and  in  accuracy. 

The  magnum  opus  in  this  field,  however,  re- 
mains to  be  named:  Sabin's"  Bibliotheca  Ameri- 
cana; a  dictionary  of  books  relating  to  America," 
which  has  been  in  course  of  publication  since 
1867  and  is  still  uncompleted,  having  in  116  parts 
reached  only  the  word  Smith.  The  work  is  a 
most  valuable  storehouse  of  information,  to  which 
the  local  bibliographer  will  be  compelled  to  re- 
sort for  much  of  his  subject-matter.  It  is  now 
under  the  very  able  editorship  of  Mr.  Wilber- 
force  Eames,  librarian  of  the  Lenox  Library, 
than  whom  it  is  doubtful  whether  there  exists  a 
more  competent  person  to  carry  it  on.  In  order 
to  make  the  work  what  it  should  be,  on  the  com- 
pletion of  the  present  alphabet,  supplements 
should  be  issued  containing  matter  discovered 
since  the  work  was  printed,  together  with  emen- 
dations and  corrections,  and  the  whole  supplied 
with  a  thorough  and  exhaustive  index,  in  which 
the  names  of  all  writers  and  the  places  treated 
shall  be  set  out  at  length,  together  with  a  list  of 
the  books  printed  in  each  locality  arranged  in 
chronological  order.  When  so  completed  and 
indexed  it  will  answer  many  questions  more 


fully  and  satisfactorily  than  can  be  done  by  any 
other  work  with  which  we  are  acquainted. 

The  subject  of  independent  effort  in  local  bib- 
liography has  been  ably  treated  by  Mr.  F. 
Madan  in  a  paper  entitled  "  What  to  aim  at  in 
local  bibliography,"  read  at  the  Birmingham 
meeting  of  the  L.  A.  U.  K.,  Sept.  20,  1887, 
which  may  be  found  in  The  Library  Chronicle,  v. 
4  (1888),  p.  144.  Mr.  Madan  is  interested  in  the 
compilation  of  a  bibliography  of  Oxford,  and  his 
paper  is  the  result  of  this  interest.  In  order  to 
arrange  the  collected  matter  in  a  systematic  man- 
ner he  privately  printed  a  pamphlet  entitled 
"Oxford;  a  subject  and  alphabetical  index." 
(Lond.,  1887.) 

Those  desiring  to  investigate  the  subject  fur- 
ther will  do  well  to  consult  a  paper  read  by  Mr. 
W.  H.  K.  Wright,  librarian  at  Plymouth,  Eng., 
entitled  "  Librarians  and  local  bibliography," 
read  before  the  fifth  annual  meeting  of  the  L.  A. 
U.  K.,at  Cambridge,  Sept.  8,  1882.  Unfortu- 
nately, so  far  as  I  am  informed,  no  American 
writers  have  treated  of  this  branch  of  bibliogra- 
phy. 

Should  any  one  decide  to  enter  upon  independ~ 
ent  work  of  this  nature  he  will  not  have  pro- 
ceeded far  before  two  important  questions  will 
confront  him  :  First,  how  much  ground  shall  be 
covered?  and,  second,  how  shall  the  material  be 
compiled  ?  I  may  be  pardoned  if  I  attempt  here 
to  throw  out  some  suggestions  as  to  the  extent 
and  scope  of  such  a  work. 

First.     How  much  ground  shall  be  covered  ? 

In  beginning,  do  not  attempt  to  cover  more 
ground  than  can  be  done  thoroughly.  At  most, 
let  the  boundaries  of  the  state  or  county,  or 
even  the  town  in  which  you  live,  be  the  limits 
laid  down.  The  state  may  be  too  large  an  area 
to  cover  exhaustively.  If  so,  it  may  be  well  to 
canvass  it  and  see  if  enough  persons  cannot  be  en- 
listed in  the  project  to  permit  of  each  taking  a  man- 
ageable part.  If  the  state  can  be  divided  into 
districts,  so  as  to  give  each  person  engaged  in  the 
work  the  territory  in  which  he  lives,  so  much  the 
better.  As  the  work  progresses  the  need  of  co- 
operation will  become  more  and  more  apparent. 
The  territory  to  be  covered  by  each  having  been 
settled,  the  next  question  to  be  decided  is  how 
thoroughly  shall  the  work  be  done  ?  If  possible 
it  will  be  found  highly  desirable  to  include  all 
that  has  been  printed  or  written  about  the  area 
in  question,  even  though  written  by  others  than 
its  natives,  or  printed  elsewhere  than  within  its 
limits.  Of  course  all  that  has  been  printed  with- 


January,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


in  its  area  should  be  included;  and,  lastly,  all 
books  written  in  it  or  by  its  natives.  The  work 
planned  and  executed  on  these  lines  will  contain 
a  complete  history  of  the  literary  activity  of  the 
locality  chosen,  the  history  and  description  of  the 
place  itself  and  of  its  press  and  literary  men. 
This  history  and  description  should  contain  not 
only  a  record  of  all  the  separate  publications  that 
have  been  printed  concerning  the  place  itself, 
but  also  references  or  analytical  references  to 
works  of  a  more  general  character,  containing 
chapters  or  even  paragraphs  bearing  upon  the 
territory  to  be  covered  or  any  part  of  it. 

The  press  of  the  locality  is  more  easily  treated. 
Everything  that  has  issued  from  its  printing- 
presses  should  be  included;  all  books  and  pam- 
phlets, of  course,  and  such  maps,  newspapers, 
broadsides,  and  other  ephemeral  matter  as  may 
at  some  future  time  prove  to  be  of  historical  or 
local  interest.  And  in  construing  this  rule  it  will 
be  found  far  better  to  err  on  the  side  of  inclu- 
sion than  of  exclusion,  provided,  of  course,  that 
the  matter  recorded  is  somewhere  preserved  in 
a  manner  that  it  can  be  referred  to  by  those 
who  may  hereafter  become  interested  in  it. 

As  to  its  literary  men,  the  question  of  the 
treatment  of  this  branch  of  the  work  seems  to 
present  some  difficulties.  It  would  appear  that 
even  here  there  is  much  latitude  for  the  use  of 
one's  judgment  in  the  matter  of  including  or  ex- 
cluding their  writings  from  such  a  work.  It 
may  be  asked  whether  the  literary  productions  of 
all  those  whose  nativity  falls  within  the  territory 
in  question  shall  be  included,  or  only  such  as 
have  actually  exercised  their  literary  labors  with- 
in it  ?  There  are  many  reasons  for  preferring 
the  latter  course.  For  example,  take  Henry 
Ward  Beecher.  He  was  a  native  of  Litchfield, 
Ct.,  yet  it  is  safe  to  say  that  none  of  his  lit- 
erary labors  were  ever  carried  on  there.  The  ad- 
vantage of  choosing  the  former  course,  of  reg- 
istering all  persons  at  the  place  of  their  nativity, 
rests  in  this:  when  once  a  person's  place  of  birth 
is  known  we  should  have  a  definite  rule  to 
follow;  whereas  by  the  second  course  suggested 
we  should  be  obliged  to  ascribe  some  of  his  lit- 
erary productions  to  one  place,  some  to  another, 
and  some  to  still  a  third,  as  the  person  in  ques- 
tion, from  time  to  time,  may  have  moved  about 
the  country.  This  would  often  lead  to  questions 
of  great  nicety  and  difficult  of  satisfactory  settle- 
ment. By  the  first  plan  suggested  we  should 
have  a  safe  rule  for  recording  the  person  and  all 
that  he  may  have  written,  or  that  has  been  writ- 


ten about  him  or  his  works.  Types  of  this  class 
are  the  "Alumni  record  of  Wesleyan  Univer- 
sity," the  "  Yale  bibliographies,"  recently  pub- 
lished, and  the  "  Bibliographical  record  of  the 
members  of  the  American  Historical  Associa- 
tion." 

We  now  come  to  the  consideration  of  the 
second  question:  How  shall  the  material  for 
our  local  bibliography  be  compi'ed  ? 

I  would  pursue  the  plan  suggested  by  Mr. 
Bowker  in  the  preface  to  the  last  volume  of  the 
American  Catalogue  so  far  as  its  method  is  con- 
cerned, viz.:  to  collate  and  transcribe  every  entry 
that  can  be  found  bearing  upon  the  field  to  be 
covered  from  the  American  Catalogue,  Roorbach, 
Kelly,  and  Triibner;  from  publishers'  lists,  second- 
hand catalogs,  and  from  the  catalogs  of  libra- 
ries; and  in  fact  from  every  available  source 
of  information  that  can  be  brought  to  mind. 
Special  bibliographies  of  every  kind  that  can 
throw  any  possible  light  upon  the  intended 
work  should  be  brought  into  requisition.  In 
addition  to  this,  it  must  be  remembered  that 
there  are  many  works,  especially  pamphlets, 
newspapers,  and  publications  of  an  official  char- 
acter, state  and  municipal,  that  have  as  yet  never 
been  included  in  any  of  the  above  works,  except- 
ing possibly  the  last  volume  of  the  American 
Catalogue.  These  must  be  sought  for  and 
brought  out  of  their  hiding-places.  The  tran- 
scripts from  existing  records  should  in  all  cases 
carry  with  them  the  source  from  which  they  are 
derived;  for,  after  all  this  has  been  done,  it  must 
be  borne  in  mind  that  these  furnish  us  only  with 
the  raw  material  upon  which  our  work  is  to  be 
based. 

With  this  material  in  hand,  it  should  be  our 
purpose  to  see  and  examine  copies  of  every  work 
that  is  to  be  recorded,  so  that  a  full  bibliographical 
record  may  be  made  of  it  for  the  final  completed 
entry.  All  work  so  examined  should  be  de- 
scribed with  the  greatest  accuracy  and  thorough- 
ness, and  especially  those  that  are,  say,  more 
than  25  years  old.  Care  should  be  taken  also  to 
indicate  in  some  manner  all  entries  that  have  been 
made  with  the  work  itself  in  hand  as  well  as 
where  the  student  may  find  it,  as  has  been  done 
in  Sabin's  "Dictionary  of  works  relating  to 
America." 

The  French  excel  as  bibliographers,  and  there 
is  one  feature,  noticeable  in  much  of  their  work, 
which  it  seems  that  we  could  imitate  to  ad- 
vantage in  such  a  work  as  we  are  now  con- 
sidering. I  refer  to  the  brief  outline  of  the 


8 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[January,  '94 


biography  of  each  person  whose  name  is  used 
as  a  heading  for  any  entry.  This  outline  might 
well  contain  the  person's  full  name,  his  calling 
or  profession,  the  date  and  place  of  his  birth, 
and  death  If  not  living,  and  a  very  brief  sketch 
of  his  various  places  of  residence,  with  dates  of 
changes,  as  well  as  his  character  and  standing  as 
a  writer.  In  very  rare  cases  it  might  be  well, 
also,  to  note  the  most  important  work  with 
which  his  name  has  been  connected.  There 
should  then  follow,  in  chronological  order,  a 
list  of  his  works,  with  titles  given  in  full,  and  in 
cases  of  works  printed,  say,  before  1850,  the  lin- 
ing of  the  title-page,  accurately  given,  followed 
by  the  dates  of  the  various  editions,  where  more 
than  one,  of  the  work  described.  The  number  of 
volumes,  pages,  and  size,  and  in  case  of  rare  or 
early  printed  books  or  pamphlets,  the  signatures 
should  all  be  carefully  given.  These  should  be 
followed  by  the  place,  name  of  publisher,  and 
date  or  dates  if  in  more  than  one  volume.  If  the 
work  belongs  to  a  set  or  series  of  works  this  in- 
formation should  also  be  given  ;  and  to  close  the 
record  any  valuable  or  interesting  points  about 
the  work  which  can  be  learned  by  the  compiler, 
otherwise  than  by  a  mere  examination  of  the 
work  in  hand,  and  which  is  not  generally  known, 
should  be  added  in  the  form  of  a  note,  with 
the  authority  from  which  the  information  has 
been  derived. 

Works  which  have  passed  under  the  eye  of  the 
compiler  and  have  been  described  from  actual 
inspection  should  be  indicated  in  some  uniform 
way  throughout  the  work. 

Work  done  in  this  manner,  provided  the  field 
is  exhaustively  treated,  cannot  fail  to  be  val- 
uable, and  could  the  whole  of  the  United 
States  be  divided  among  those  interested  in  the 
work,  and  willing  to  undertake  it,  on  the  lines 
here  laid  down,  the  result  would  be  a  series  of 
works  in  which  the  whole  bibliographical  world 
would  manifest  its  interest.  The  libraries  of  our 
country,  public  and  private,  would  be  ransacked, 
and  every  conceivable  corner  explored  in  hope  of 
adding  still  another  item  to  increase  the  complete- 
ness of  each  separate  work. 

It  may  be  asked,  "Who  is  able  to  carry  out 
such  a  work?"  I  have  in  mind  a  distinguished 
bibliographer  who  has  spent  well-nigh,  if  not 
fully,  40  years  in  compiling  a  catalog  of  the 
books  printed  in  his  native  state  before  1800; 
and  I  have  in  my  possession  a  letter  in  which  he 
states  that  he  believes  his  catalog  now  com- 
prises 95  per  cent,  of  all  the  books  printed  be- 


fore that  date.  What  intense  pleasure  must  he 
enjoy  when  he  now  chances  to  find  a  book  not 
already  enrolled  in  his  list  ?  What  a  satisfaction 
it  must  be,  after  having  heard  of  a  certain  book 
and  sought  for  it,  for  years,  perhaps,  in  vain,  to 
at  last  discover  the  coveted  work,  to  examine 
and  describe  it,  thus  making  one  more  addition 
to  his  cherished  work.  The  following  note, 
contained  in  a  sale  catalog  compiled  by  him  in 
1878,  first  called  my  attention  to  his  labors,  and 
shows  what  must  have  been  his  pleasure  to  meet 
with  the  work  of  which  he  speaks. 
"  FILLMORE  (John)  Narration  of  (his)  Captivity. 

Suffield,  1802.     .  .  . 

"  [NOTE.]  The  narrative  of  Capt.  John  Fillmore  (the 
great-grandfather  of  President  Fillmore)  is  EXCESSIVELY 
RARE.  In  thirty  years'  search  for  Connecticut  imprints, 
I  have  not  found  a  second  copy.  It  was  unknown  to  Mr. 
Samuel  G.  Drake,  who  refers  (N.  E.  Hist,  and  Gen.  Reg, 
xi.  62)  to  the  Aurora  (N.  Y.)  reprint  of  1837."  —  Brinley 
Catalogue,  ft.  i,  No.  475. 

What  I  have  already  said  refers,  of  course,  to 
independent  work  in  the  compilation  of  local 
bibliographies.  It  has  been  said  that  every  per- 
son should  have  some  hobby,  some  avocation  to 
which  he  can  turn  after  the  labors  of  the  day  are 
done  and  in  which  he  may  find  rest  and  recrea- 
tion. Here  is  an  excellent  opening  for  those 
engaged  in  the  library  profession  to  indulge  in  a 
hobby  which  has  all  the  interest  and  excitement 
of  the  chase. 

If  the  work  I  have  suggested  were  done  by 
independent  effort  in  such  a  way  as  to  thorough- 
ly cover  the  entire  country  from  the  introduction 
of  printing  at  Cambridge  in  1639  to  the  present 
day,  we  should  have  the  material  necessary  for 
the  work  contemplated  by  Mr.  Bowker. 

Independent  work  carried  out  on  the  plan  just 
laid  down  would  overlap  to  some  extent.  I  do 
not,  however,  consider  this  any  objection  to  the 
scheme.  Each  separate  work  would  be  complete 
and  independent  in  itself,  and  in  the  whole  series 
would  be  found  the  material  which,  by  careful 
editing,  would  furnish  that  for  the  work  which 
Mr.  Bowker  has  in  mind. 

It  has  been  the  dream  —  perhaps  the  word  fan- 
tasy would  better  express  the  idea  —  of  bibliog- 
raphers to  see  at  some  future  time  a  Universal 
Bibliography.  The  nearest  approach  to  a  work 
of  this  description  is,  without  doubt,  the  Cata- 
logue of  the  British  Museum,  now  coming  from 
the  press,  yet  even  this  gigantic  work  falls  far 
short  of  being  a  universal  bibliography.  There 
is  little  question  that  such  a  work  will  never  see 
the  light  of  day. 


January,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


The  case  we  have  in  mind  is  far  simpler  and 
less  comprehensive.  We  are  here  in  the  United 
States  where  the  printing-press  has  been  in  exist- 
ence for  only  about  250  years.  During  the  first 
175  years  of  this  period  the  colonies  were  small 
and  feeble  and  the  productions  of  the  press  were 
not  numerous.  Dr.  S.  F.  Haven's  "  Catalogue 
of  publications,  in  what  is  now  the  United  States, 
prior  to  the  Revolution,"  printed  in  the  2d  edi- 
tion of  Isaiah  Thomas'  "  History  of  printing  in 
America,"  covers  only  some  357  octavo  pages. 
Such  being  the  case  the  production  of  an  exhaus- 
tive American  bibliography  from  1639  down  to 
the  close  of  the  nineteenth  century  is  certainly 
within  the  bounds  of  possibility. 

It  remains  with  us,  then,  and  with  those  en- 
gaged in  our  profession  especially,  as  well  as 
with  all  others  who,  have  the  cause  of  American 
bibliography  at  heart,  to  decide  whether  or  not 
this  highly  desirable  work  shall  be  compiled. 
Enthusiasm,  time,  labor,  and  sound  financial 
support  are  all  that  are  needed  to  consummate 
this  work.  It  will  take  time  to  get  this  work 
under  way,  and  when  the  material  has  been  se- 


cured and  the  editorial  work  is  completed,  more 
time  and  much  money  to  put  it  through  the 
press.  If,  then,  the  work  is  to  be  taken  up  and 
carried  to  a  successful  termination  "'twere  well 
'twere  done  quickly,"  as  the  days  of  the  century 
are  rapidly  rolling  towards  their  close. 

I  had  intended  to  say  something  as  to  the 
possibility  of  the  printing  of  such  independent 
works  as  might  be  compiled  being  done  by  the 
state  as  a  matter  of  historical  interest  and 
record,  but  space  prevents  my  entering  fully  into 
this  phase  of  the  matter.  In  short,  it  seems  to 
me  that  if  such  works  were  properly  compiled 
there  could  be  no  better  expenditure  of  the  pub- 
lic funds  than  in  printing  these  local  bibliogra- 
phies, as  is  being  done  in  other  fields  by  the 
different  departments  and  bureaus  of  the  U.  S. 
government. 

If  what  I  have  said  shall  induce  my  readers  to 
engage  in  the  work  of  American  bibliography, 
either  independently  or  in  co-operation  with  the 
publishers  of  the  American  Catalogue,  my  pur- 
pose in  presenting  these  considerations  will  have 
been  fully  accomplished. 


THE  PREPARATION  OF  PRINTED  LISTS  FOR  CIRCULATING  LIBRARIES. 
BY  KATE  M.  HENNEBERRY,  Chicago  Public  Library. 


AFTER  a  collection  of  books  has  been  formed 
and  prepared  for  circulation,  it  is  necessary  to 
consider  the  question  of  a  printed  list  for  the  in- 
formation and  convenience  of  readers,  that  may 
be  consulted  at  the  library  or  purchased  and 
used  for  reference  at  home.  If  no  books  were 
to  be  added  to  the  collection  in  the  future  the 
solution  of  this  question  would  be  easy,  and  the 
printing  of  the  catalog  and  the  preparation  of 
the  books  for  circulation  could  be  carried  on  at 
almost  an  even  pace.  But  a  circulating  library 
in  order  to  maintain  its  usefulness  requires  con- 
stant growth,  and  to  keep  the  printed  list  "  up 
to  date  "  with  this  increase  is  still  a  problem  an- 
swered by  different  libraries  in  various  ways. 

A  classified  finding-list  seems  to  find  favor  in 
circulating  libraries  and  is  in  use  in  the  Cincin- 
nati, Minneapolis,  Milwaukee,  Enoch  Pratt, 
Newark,  and  Omaha  libraries,  and  in  many 
others.  It  is  also  the  principal  printed  list  of 
the  Chicago  Public  Library,  and  it  seemed  to  me 
that  a  consideration  of  the  details  of  its  prepara- 
tion and  printing  might  prove  of  interest. 


After  a  book  has  been  cataloged  it  is  entered 
in  the  shelf-list  and  this  shelf  number  is  given 
the  book  and  catalog  cards;  the  cards  are  then 
copied  for  the  printed  list  before  their  distribu- 
tion in  the  card  catalog.  The  title  to  be  printed 
is  made  as  brief  as  possible,  the  object  being  to 
have  each  title  occupy  but  one  printed  line 
wherever  possible  to  do  so  and  preserve  the 
meaning. 

After  all  titles  have  been  classified  each  sub- 
ject is  arranged  alphabetically  according  to  au- 
thor and  pasted  on  sheets  of  manilla  paper. 
This  copy  is  sent  to  the  printer,  who  returns  a 
first  proof,  or  galley  proof,  for  correction,  with 
the  copy.  This  galley  proof  is  carefully  com- 
pared with  the  copy  and  all  corrections  are 
noted  on  the  margin.  It  is  then  sent  back  to  the 
printer,  who  corrects  all  errors  and  divides  the 
galleys  up  into  page  proofs,  two  columns  on  a 
page.  These  page  proofs  are  again  scrutinized 
to  see  that  all  errors  have  been  corrected,  and 
also  to  see  that  no  more  have  been  made,  espe- 
cially at  the  top  and  bottom  of  each  column  or 


IO 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{January,  '94 


page,  where  the  letters  or  figures  are  apt  to  drop 
out,  and,  when  noticed,  to  be  replaced  by  the 
compositor  where  they  seem  to  fit  in  best,  re- 
gardless of  where  they  belong. 

These  pages  of  type  are  then  sent  to  the  foun- 
dry, where  they  are  electrotyped,  and  the  elec- 
trotyped  plates  then  become  the  property  of  the 
library.  If  an  error  has  been  discovered  after 
the  plates  have  been  made  it  may  still  be  cor- 
rected by  cutting  out  the  part  in  which  the  error 
occurs  and  inserting  type  in  the  place,  if  the  cor- 
rection occupies  exactly  the  same  space.  These 
plates  are  stored  in  boxes  in  the  library,  one 
page  following  another  in  numerical  order  until 
all  have  been  delivered,  when  they  are  sent  to 
the  printing  office  whenever  a  new  edition  is  to 
be  struck  off.  As  there  is  a  great  expense  in- 
volved in  the  preparation  of  these  plates  and  the 
printing,  it  becomes  almost  a  necessity  to  print  as 
many  editions  from  them  as  there  is  a  demand  for. 

Various  expedients  are  resorted  to  in  order  to 
supplement  this  list  with  the  new  additions  to 
the  library  before  there  is  imperative  need  of  a 
revision,  which  relegates  the  plates  to  old  metal. 
Where  current  American  books  are  purchased 
at  certain  stated  periods,  the  titles  of  these  may 
appear  from  time  to  time  in  the  form  of  a  type- 
written list  posted  in  a  conspicuous  place  in  the 
library.  But  one  list  must  soon  be  superseded 
by  another,  and  in  this  way  each  can  appear  for 
but  a  limited  time  and  meet  the  eye  of  but  a 
certain  number.  In  the  Chicago  Public  Library, 
where  upwards  of  3000  new  titles  in  the  English 
language  are  added  each  year,  besides  these  type- 
written lists,  bulletins  of  about  800  titles  each 
are  printed  quarterly,  supplying  in  printed  form 
the  titles  of  all  new  books  within  a  reasonable 
time  after  publication.  These  quarterly  bulletins 
are  arranged  in  an  alphabetical  list  according  to 
authors.  Fuller  titles  are  given  than  in  the 
classified  finding-list,  and  the  imprint  of  each 
work  is  added,  so  that  a  given  number  of  books 
listed  in  a  bulletin  occupies  about  twice  as  much 
space  as  the  same  number  in  the  finding-list.  A 
bulletin  contains  16  pages,  which  are  printed 
from  type,  not  electrotyped.  They  are  sold  at 
the  nominal  price  of  three  cents.  It  is  a  well- 
established  fact  that  the  purchase  of  a  list,  how- 
ever trifling  may  be  the  sum  paid  for  it,  insures 
its  use  and  preservation  much  better  than  if  it 
be  distributed  gratuitously. 

These  typewritten  lists  and  bulletins  serve  to 
answer  many  questions  about  new  books  which 
have  been  reviewed  in  the  newspapers  and 


periodicals.  It  is  a  surprising  fact  that  persons 
of  limited  education  and  apparently  little  taste 
for  reading,  as  soon  as  they  begin  to  draw  books 
from  a  library  will  become  interested  in  articles 
relating  to  books  and  authors,  and  will  read  book 
reviews  in  the  newspapers,  which  had  no  mean- 
ing for  them  before  they  began  reading  in  the 
library. 

After  each  bulletin  has  been  printed  it  is  nec- 
essary to  take  every  title  and  classify  it  accord- 
ing to  its  subject  for  the  finding-list.  As  one 
bulletin  after  another  is  treated  in  this  manner, 
the  library  always  contains  a  classified  list  of  its 
printed  titles  ready  for  printing  in  the  finding- 
list.  From  time  to  time  these  subjects  are  type- 
written and  bound  in  a  volume  and  used  for 
reference  in  the  library. 

This  library,  now  in  its  twentieth  year,  has 
found  its  list  of  titles  so  large  that  the  seventh 
edition  of  its  finding-list  has  been  issued  in  parts, 
viz.:  History  and  biography;  Voyages,  geog- 
raphy, and  travels;  Poetry,  drama,  and  miscella- 
nies ;  Language,  literature,  and  bibliography; 
Arts  and  sciences  ;  Political  and  social  science  ; 
Philosophy  and  religion.  These  parts,  however, 
are  paged  consecutively,  and  may  be  bound  in 
one  volume  when  the  list  is  completed. 

This  classified  finding-list  does  not  include, 
however,  English  prose  fiction  or  books  in  foreign 
languages.  The  English  prose  fiction  list  is  ar- 
ranged in  one  alphabetical  list  of  authors  and 
titles.  Books  in  foreign  languages  are  arranged 
in  an  alphabetical  author-list,  each  language 
being  issued  and  sold  in  a  separate  part.  As 
foreign  books  are  imported  in  large  orders,  and 
a  considerable  space  of  time  elapses  between 
orders,  the  foreign  lists  are  printed  almost  as 
soon  as  the  books  are  ready  for  the  shelves. 
The  library  contains  books  and  printed  lists  in 
the  following  languages:  German,  Dutch,  French, 
Italian,  Spanish,  Scandinavian  (Danish-Nor- 
wegian and  Swedish),  Polish,  Bohemian,  and 
Russian.  The  Polish,  Bohemian,  and  Russian 
lists  are  printed  by  firms  of  each  of  those  nation- 
alities, but  in  the  case  of  all  other  foreign  lan- 
guages the  work  is  done  by  the  same  house 
which  prints  the  finding-list.  They  are  all  in 
the  English  text  with  the  exception  of  the  Rus- 
sian. 

After  all  that  can  be  done  by  means  of  supple- 
ments and  bulletins  to  bring  the  titles  of  new 
works  before  the  readers,  the  question  of  pro- 
viding a  single  printed  list  containing  all  the 
books  in  the  library  is  still  unsolved.  It  has 


January,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


ii 


been  suggested  that  the  pages  remain  standing 
in  type,  and  that  additions  be  made  to  them,  an- 
nually or  semi-annually;  but  as  this  would  neces- 
sitate a  change  in  every  plate  it  would  require  a 
great  amount  of  space,  and  there  would  be  dan- 
ger of  type  becoming  misplaced  by  the  unlock- 
ing of  the  form. 
The  lineotype  does  away  with  the  disarrange- 


ment of  the  type,  and  is  said  to  have  been  used 
successfully  in  small  libraries.  If  it  is  equally 
practical  for  large  libraries  it  will  be  an  unqual- 
ified boon,  and  is  what  has  been  most  earnestly 
desired  by  librarians  and  readers  to  keep  up  the 
printed  list,  so  that  a  reference  may  be  made  to 
but  one  list  to  see  if  the  book  sought  for  is  in 
the  library. 


HOW  THE  NEWBERRY  LIBRARY  WAS  MOVED. 
BY  W:  STETSON  MERRILL,  Accession  Department,  Newberry  Library. 


THE  Newberry  Library  is  now  in  possession  of 
its  new  building  fronting  on  Washington  Square, 
Chicago.  The  books,  distributed  according  to 
subject  in  different  rooms,  each  in  charge  of  an 
attendant,  are  now  ready  for  use  by  readers. 
The  moving  of  the  library  occupied  n  days, 
and  proceeded  without  the  interruption  of  an 
hour.  All  details  as  to  the  destination  and  order 
of  moving  the  bookcases  were  arranged  by  Dr. 
Poole  beforehand.  The  movements  of  two  gangs 
of  workmen  —  one  in  the  old  building  and  the 
other  in  the  new  —  were  directed  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  prevent  loss  of  time,  and  a  library  of  120,- 
ooo  volumes  was  removed  two  blocks  with  ease 
and  regularity. 

Yet  the  work  was  accomplished  under  some 
disadvantages.  Two  stones  only  of  the  new 
building  were  ready  for  occupancy,  and  the  bulk 
of  the  library  had  to  be  compressed  into  these 
two  stories.  No  new  bookcases  had  been  pro- 
vided, as  the  trustees  were  in  haste  to  have  the 
old  quarters  vacated  in  order  that  the  building 
might  be  remodelled,  and  there  was  not  time  to 
prepare  suitable  fittings  for  the  new  building. 
The  cases  on  which  the  books  were  then  shelved 
were  therefore  to  be  moved  and  set  up  at  the 
same  time  that  the  books  were  being  transferred. 
How  to  move  books  and  cases  with  the  least  ex- 
penditure of  time,  labor,  and  money  was  the  diffi- 
culty to  be  overcome.  The  way  in  which  it  was 
done  was  as  follows  : 

An  inventory  was  made  of  all  the  bookcases 
to  be  moved.  They  are  of  two  kinds  :  oak  cases, 
ranging  from  three  to  eight  feet  in  length  and  of 
different  depths,  and  "  common  "  cases  of  white 
wood,  13  feet  long,  eight  feet  high,  and  of 
different  depths.  The  oak  cases  were  assigned 
consecutive  numbers;  and  two  indexes  of  them 
made,  one  arranged  in  the  order  of  numbers  and 
giving  the  location  in  the  old  quarters,  and  the 
other  arranged  in  the  order  of  length  and  depth. 


A  plan  of  the  new  building,  giving  the  exact 
configuration  and  dimensions  of  every  room,  was 
made,  and  the  proposed  location  of  cases  was 
designated  by  slips  of  paper  affixed  to  the  plan, 
each  marked  with  the  number  of  the  case  which 
was  to  fill  the  space.  The  common  cases  were 
also  represented  on  the  plan  in  scale  but  by  no 
specific  numbers,  as  all  were  of  the  same 
length.  The  destination  of  each  oak  case  was 
marked  on  a  tag,  which  was  affixed  to  the  case. 
The  location  of  each  oak  case  was  readily  fixed 
in  the  new  building  by  the  aid  of  the  inventory  of 
sizes,  from  which  a  case  needed  to  fill  any  space 
could  be  selected,  its  number  placed  upon  the 
floor  plan,  and  its  location  put  on  a  tag  and  at- 
tached to  the  case,  thus:  "No.  24,  Room  D, 
second  story,  west  side  "  appeared  on  the  floor 
plan  as  "  No.  24." 

The  location  of  the  13-foot  cases  was  chalked 
out  on  the  floor  of  the  rooms  where  they  were  to 
stand,  and  each  case  could  be  set  into  position 
at  once. 

The  books  were  assigned  to  the  rooms  where 
they  were  to  remain  and  a  scheme  of  depart- 
ments and  rooms  was  made.  Before  the  moving 
began  the  books  were  dusted.  If  books  are 
moved  with  dust  on  them,  the  jarring  of  trans- 
portation causes  the  dust  to  drop  between  the 
leaves.  The  mode  of  dusting  books  is  to  slap 
two  together  several  times;  the  shock  drives  out 
the  dust,  but  wiping  and  feather  dusters  drive  it 
in. 

Twenty-five  ordinary  library  trucks  were  found 
very  useful  for  transporting  the  books,  which 
were  placed  upright  on  the  shelves  of  the  truck 
and  packed  closely.  The  order  of  shelf  num- 
bers was  preserved  in  loading  and  again  in  un- 
loading the  truck.  The  loaded  truck  was  wheeled 
to  the  elevator,  lowered  to  the  ground  story, 
thence  rolled  into  the  wagon. 

At  the  new  building  a  loop  of  stout  rope  was 


12 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[January,  '94 


passed  around  the  front  of  the  truck,  a  turn  of 
the  rope  taken  on  a  post  of  the  wagon,  and  the 
truck,  steadied  by  four  men,  was  allowed  to  roll 
down  an  inclined  plane  from  the  wagon  to  the 
basement,  whence  it  was  taken  to  its  assigned 
floor  by  elevator. 

The  bookcases  were  taken  out  of  the  building 
through  a  breach  in  the  wall  made  by  cutting 
away  a  window-sill.  Pulley  and  windlass  were 
used  at  each  building  for  lowering  and  raising 
cases.  At  the  new  building  the  cases  destined 
for  the  second  story  were  taken  in  through  a 
window  at  that  story.  Within  the  building  they 
were  easily  moved  on  trolleys  to  their  proper 
places.  The  first  shelving  used  was  cheap  pine 
cases  for  duplicate  documents  in  the  basement  of 
the  old  building.  These  documents  were  moved 
first  and  put  on  the  floor  of  the  basement.  The 
pine  cases  were  used  to  shelve  temporarily  the 
books  which  first  arrived  until  the  proper  cases 
had  been  moved.  The  receiver  in  charge  at  the 
new  building  was  kept  informed  of  the  books 
soon  to  come,  and  distributed  his  cases  in  such  a 
way  as  to  have  shelving  ready  for  them  when 
they  arrived. 

The  periodical  reading-room  was  closed  to 
the  public  but  two  days.  It  was  left  intact 
until  the  last  moment,  and  its  periodical  cases, 
books,  and  furniture  were  then  moved  and  placed 
in  position  as  quickly  as  possible.  Books  from 
other  departments  of  the  library  were  ready  for 
the  use  of  readers  in  two  or  three  weeks  after 
the  moving  was  completed.  The  members  of 
the  cataloging  staff  were  able  to  resume  their 
usual  work  after  a  few  days  of  Interruption. 

The  first  story  of  the  new  library  is  occupied 
by  the  administration,  including  the  office  of  the 
corporation,  trustees'  and  librarian's  rooms,  and 
cataloging-room.  A  large  room  has  been  re- 
served for  a  museum,  where  will  be  placed  the 
literary  and  bibliographical  treasures  of  the  li- 
brary. 

The  library  also  owns  a  collection  of  portraits, 
painted  and  presented  by  Mr.  G.  P.  A.  Healy, 
of  Chicago,  but  long  a  resident  of  Paris,  which 
will  be  placed  in  a  gallery  in  the  building.  The 
second  and  third  stories  are  to  be  used  for  books 
and  for  readers.  Periodicals  may  be  consulted 
in  a  room  set  apart  for  that  purpose.  Visitors 
wishing  to  use  the  books  of  the  library  will  be 
sent  directly  to  the  room  where  their  department 
is  kept,  and  will  there  find  an  attendant  ready  to 
give  them  every  possible  aid  and  facility  in 
the  prosecution  of  their  work. 


A  PLEA  FOR  A    LIBRARY   OF   SCIENCE 
IN  NEW  YORK  CITY.* 

By  H:  CARRINGTON  BOLTON. 

IN  science,  as  in  other  departments  of  modern 
thought  and  research,  progress  moves  along  two 
distinct  lines  apparently  antagonistic,  but,  as 
may  be  easily  shown,  they  are  mutually  helpful; 
these  are  a  tendency  to  specialization  and  a 
growth  in  generalization.  As  each  department 
of  physical  and  natural  science  develops  with 
prodigious  rapidity,  and  becomes  too  compre- 
hensive for  the  grasp  of  an  individual  mind,  it 
becomes  subdivided  into  branches  dealing  with 
a  limited  range  of  subjects,  and,  as  these  subdi- 
visions continue  to  grow,  further  specialization 
necessarily  ensues.  This  linking  of  specializa- 
tion and  generalization  finds  its  highest  exempli- 
fication in  a  library,  particularly  in  one  conse- 
crated to  pure  and  applied  science.  One  of  the 
objects  sought  by  the  promoters  of  this  alliance 
of  the  principal  scientific  societies  of  New  York 
City  is  the  assembling  under  one  roof  of  their 
scattered  collections  of  books.  This  does  not 
mean  amalgamation  in  any  degree,  nor  even  con- 
federation; this  is  practically  impossible,  for  sev- 
eral of  the  societies  are  incorporated  and  cannot 
surrender  rights  in  their  property.  The  plan 
leaves  to  each  society  complete  control  of  its  own 
library,  and  merely  provides  for  co-operation, 
each  supplementing  that  which  is  lacking  in  the 
others.  Before  considering  the  advantages 
which  would  certainly  follow  such  affiliation,  let 
us  briefly  note  the  statistics  of  each  society,  con- 
sidering them  in  order  of  their  foundation. 

(i).  The  New  York  Academy  of  Sciences, 
founded  in  1817,  has  a  library  of  nearly  10,000 
volumes  and  bound  pamphlets,  temporarily  de- 
posited in  the  library  building  of  Columbia  Col- 
lege, by  courtesy  of  the  trustees.  It  is  not  amal- 
gamated with  the  great  library  of  the  college, 
having  separate  rooms  and  an  independent  cata- 
log. The  collection  is  almost  exclusively  scien- 
tific, and  is  valuable  for  its  sets  of  transactions 
of  learned  societies  throughout  the  world,  ob- 
tained by  exchange  for  the  publications  of  the 
academy.  Many  of  these  early  serials  are  not 
found  elsewhere  in  the  city,  and  some  nowhere 
in  the  United  States.  The  library  is,  of  course, 
free  to  members  under  the  by-laws,  and  to  readers 
in  the  college  library  by  special  arrangement;  it 
is  in  very  good  condition,  which,  however,  would 
be  improved  by  expending  a  few  hundred  dollars 
in  binding.  The  academy  was  so  unfortunate 
as  to  lose  its  collections  in  natural  history  by  fire 
in  1866,  but  the  library  was  stored  elsewhere, 
and  has  now  reached  the  respectable  age  of  75 
years,  being  the  fifth  in  order  of  foundation  in 
New  York  City. 

(2).  The  Torry  Botanical  Club,  founded  in 
1871,  has  no  independent  library  ;  its  collection 
being  incorporated  with  the  library  of  Columbia 
College.  The  University  Bulletin  for  July,  1892, 
records  the  securing  of  a  fund  of  $  1000  for  the 

*  Extracts  from  an  address  at  the  first  joint  meeting  of 
the  Scientific  Alliance,  New  Vork  City,  Nov.  15, 1892. 


January,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


purchase  of  books  for  the  Botanical  Library,  a 
fund  contributed  by  10  persons.  While  this  is 
creditable  it  shows  how  pressing  is  the  need  for 
botanical  literature,  and  the  club  might  perhaps 
be  persuaded  to  administer  on  a  much  larger  sum. 

(3).  7^he  New  York  Microscopical  Society, 
founded  in  1877,  is  incorporated  under  the  state 
laws.  It  has  a  library  of  about  1500  volumes, 
but  it  is  at  present  difficult  of  access  to  members 
owing  to  cramped  and  inconvenient  quarters  ; 
hence  it  is  but  little  used. 

(4).  The  Linntzan  Society  of  New  York,  organ- 
ized in  1878,  not  incorporated,  has  the  nucleus 
of  a  library  deposited  in  the  American  Museum 
of  Natural  History,  Central  Park. 

The  collection  consists  chiefly  of  serials  ob- 
tained by  exchange,  and  of  government  publica- 
tions. 

(5).  The  New  York  Mineralogicat  Club,  or- 
ganized in  1877,  not  incorporated,  has  no  library. 
It  owns,  however,  the  B.  B.  Chamberlain  Collec- 
tion of  N.  Y.  Island  Minerals,  and  other  local 
specimens  deposited  in  the  American  Museum  of 
Natural  History. 

(6).  The  New  York  Mathematical  Society, 
organized  in  1888,  not  incorporated,  owns  a  col- 
lection of  about  300  volumes,  now  temporarily 
deposited  in  the  Mathematical  Department  of 
Columbia  College. 

(7).  The  New  York  Section  of  American 
Chemical  Society  is  the  youngest  child  in  this 
family,  having  been  organized  in  the  spring  of 
1892.  The  parent  society,  however,  was  founded 
in  1878,  and  has  accumulated  a  library  of  1900 
volumes  and  500  pamphlets,  now  deposited  in 
the  building  of  the  University  of  the  City  of 
New  York.  It  is,  of  course,  open  to  members 
and  those  using  the  university  library. 

These  collections,  brought  together  under  one 
roof,  would  form  the  nucleus  of  a  valuable 
scientific  library.  The  weakness  of  some  is  due 
to  youth  ;  all,  however,  reflect  the  struggle  for 
existence  that  pure  science  has  sustained  in  this 
commercial  city.  The  advantages  that  would 
flow  from  affiliation  are  so  obvious  as  to  make 
rehearsal  almost  superfluous.  First,  however,  is 
the  advantage  of  economy  in  administration, 
and,  by  avoiding  duplication,  securing  greater 
results  with  less  expenditure.  Secondily,  uni- 
formity in  disposition  of  the  books,  and  im- 
provements in  cataloging.  And  be  it  noted, 
that  the  utility  of  a  library  is  in  proportion  to 
the  perfection  of  its  catalog  ;  other  things  being 
equal,  a  small  collection  being  furnished  with 
full  author  and  subject  catalogs  is  decidedly  more 
valuable  than  a  library  of  far  greater  magnitude 
which  is  incompletely  cataloged.  Such  an  as- 
semblage of  books,  with  the  growth  that  would 
be  stimulated  by  the  new  regime,  would  form 
the  foundation  of  a  great  Bibliotheca  Sciential, 
such  as  nowhere  exists  in  our  New  World.  Due 
appreciation  of  the  creditable  standing  of  several 
libraries  in  New  York  and  vicinity  is  consistent 
with  the  statement  that  a  scientific  library  is  a 
great  want.  For  general  reference  the  Astor  will 
long  remain  pre-eminent  ;  Columbia  College 
Library  is  growing  rapidly,  and  its  liberal  reg- 
ulations and  fine  appointments  are  a  delight  to 
scholars  ;  the  Lenox  has  a  noble  collection  of 


treasures  limited  to  a  narrow  field ;  the  physicians, 
lawyers,  and  engineers  are  forming  for  them- 
selves specialized  collections  of  great  value  ;  the 
Free  Circulating  library  and  many  subscription 
libraries  cater  to  the  popular  taste  ;  but  where 
shall  investigators  in  the  exact  sciences  go  with 
an  assurance  of  finding  all  desirable  treatises, 
serials,  and  special  monographs  1 

Another  ad  vantage  of  affiliation  must  be  brief- 
ly noted.  One  of  the  best  ways  of  building  up  a 
library  symmetrically  is  to  place  the  selection  of 
books  in  the  hands  of  workers  in  the  several 
branches  of  knowledge;  this  is  recognized  in 
some  colleges,  where  each  member  of  the  faculty 
compiles  lists  of  works  needed  in  his  special 
field.  In  the  associated  libraries,  each  society 
would  naturally  foster  its  immediate  interests, 
and  lacunae  could  be  filled  by  the  care  of  the  li- 
brarian-in-chief. 

It  is,  perhaps,  premature  to  consider  the  ques- 
tion of  organization  of  the  library  of  the  Scien- 
tific Alliance,  but  I  would  suggest  that  at  first 
the  librarians  of  the  several  societies  might  form 
a  board,  and  by  frequent  consultations  secure 
uniformity  in  methods.  Later  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  library,  a  librarian- in- chief  might  be 
appointed  to  have  general  oversight  of  the 
whole,  especially  to  see  that  gaps  in  the  literature 
of  science,  not  filled  by  the  societies  themselves, 
be  closed  by  purchase.  For,  of  course,  the  li- 
brary of  the  Scientific  Alliance  must  have  an  en- 
dowment and  one  worthy  of  this  great  metropolis. 

The  benefits  that  a  library  of  pure  and  ap- 
plied science  would  confer  on  the  city  are  mani- 
fo'd.  It  would  become  the  headquarters  of  those 
engaged  in  pure  research,  as  well  as  of  inventors 
and  others  seeking  data  as  to  the  applications  of 
science.  To  patent-lawyers  such  a  library  would 
be  invaluable.  If  the  alliance  be  successful  in 
securing  a  convenient  site  and  a  building  of  suf- 
ficient magnitude,  I  suggest  further  that  rooms 
of  moderate  dimensions  be  provided  for  rental 
to  private  collectors  of  books  for  their  personal 
treasures.  Many  persons  of  moderate  means 
find  the  question  of  shelf-room  a  more  trouble- 
some one  than  the  acquisition  of  books,  and  buy 
more  sparingly  for  this  very  reason;  they  would 
be  glad,  however,  to  place  their  collections  in  a 
fire-proof  building,  contiguous  to  kindred  or  sup- 
plemental collections,  and,  maintaining  their  con- 
trol of  their  private  libraries,  would  willingly 
grant  to  scholars  access  to  the  same  for  consul- 
tation and  serious  research.  Such  temporary 
deposits  might  eventually  become  the  property 
of  the  alliance,  either  by  gift  or  testamentary 
bequest. 

The  associated  libraries  gathered  in  a  suitable 
building  furnished  with  committee-rooms,  lect- 
ure-hall, etc.,  would  form  for  those  engaged  in 
scientific  research  a  sort  of  exchange.  Commer- 
cial and  financial  enterprises  have  established 
produce  exchanges,  metal  exchanges,  stock  ex- 
changes, and  the  like,  and  why  should  not  science 
have  its  own  exchange  1  Though  the  commer- 
cial aspect  is  far  removed  from  the  thoughts  of 
those  advocating  this  alliance,  I  see  no  reason 
why  the  building  sheltering  the  libraries  should 
not  be  headquarters  for  those  seeking  advice 
from  scientific  men  on  industrial  problems. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[January,  '94 


Comparisons  are  said  to  be  odious;  therefore 
I  refrain  from  pointing  out  how  much  behind- 
hand New  York  City  is  when  compared  with 
Boston,  Philadelphia,  and  San  Francisco  in  the 
matter  of  accommodation  for  scientists.  To  as- 
certain the  status  of  science  in  the  existing  libra- 
ries of  New  York  and  vicinity,  I  sent  to  68  of  the 
principal  libraries  and  institutions  of  learning  cir- 
culars making  inquiry  as  to  the  number  of  vol- 
umes in  each,  the  proportion  of  scientific  works, 
and  the  number  of  scientific  readers  using  the  li- 
brary. With  few  exceptions  replies  were  re- 
ceived with  gratifying  promptness  and  accuracy. 
Eight  libraries  have  not  been  heard  from.  The 
statistics  obtained  are  appended  to  this  paper, 
and  I  give  here  but  a  brief  summary. 

The  60  libraries  reporting  have  an  aggre- 
gate of  1,916,000  volumes.  There  are  15  li- 
braries of  over  40,000  volumes  each.  The  pro- 
portion of  scientific  books  varies  from  5  per  cent, 
to  loo  per  cent.,  according  to  the  scope  and  aim 
of  the  institution.  In  the  larger  libraries  of  ref- 
erence the  proportion  runs  from  one-quarter  to 
one-twentieth.  As  the  term  science  is  different- 
ly interpreted  by  librarians,  some  restricting  it 
to  pure  science,  and  others  embracing  the  appli- 
cations, biography  of  scientific  men,  and  the  use- 
ful arts,  no  attempt  has  been  made  to  estimate 
the  total  number  of  volumes  that  are  properly 
classed  as  scientific. 

As  but  few  libraries  report  the  number  of  sci- 
entific readers,  this  item  remains  practically  un- 
determined. 

In  one  class  of  institutions  a  great  weakness 
was  developed  by  this  inquiry.  With  a  single 
exception  medical  colleges  report  "  no  library  ;" 
surely  in  no  other  course  of  study  is  a  knowledge 
of  literature  of  the  subject  deemed  superfluous. 
The  exception  referred  to  is  the  Woman's  Medi- 
cal College  of  the  New  York  Infirmary,  which 
has  a  collection  of  556  volumes,  forming  a  small 
reference  library  for  the  students.  This  was 
founded  in  1887  by  the  liberality  of  Sarah  M. 
Hitchcock,  and  is  growing  annually  by  sub- 
scriptions and  donations. 

STATISTICS  OF  LIBRARIES  IN  NEW  YORK  CITY  AND 

VICINITY,  WITH  SPECIAL  REFERENCE  TO 

SCIENCE. 

The  numbers  in  parentheses  have  the  signifr 
cance  here  indicated: 

(1)  Date  of  foundation,  organization,  or  incor 
poration. 

(2)  Location  of  the  library. 

(3)  Approximate  number  of  volumes. 

(4)  Proportion  of  scientific  books. 

(5)  Proportion  of  scientific  readers. 

(6)  Remarks. 

The  libraries  are  arranged  in  order  of  founda 
tion  under  the  respective  cities  :  New  York 
Brooklyn,  Hoboken,  Jersey  City.  Clubs  are  no 
included,  being  essentially  private  libraries. 

New    York   Society  Library.     Librarian:  W.   S 

Butler. 

(r)  1700  (as  the  City  Library);  1754  (as  thi 
Society  Library.  (2)  No.  67  University  Place 
(3)  About  90,000  volumes.  (4)  About  one 
seventh.  (5)  About  one-twelfth. 


Columbia  College  Library.     Librarian:  George  H. 

Baker. 

(i)  1754.  (2)  150,000  volumes.  (4)  About 
25,000.  say  one-sixth.  (5)  No  data. 

(6)  Is  rapidly  growing;  is  open  for  readers 
from  9  a.m.  to  10  p.m.,  daily. 

Library  of  the  New    York  Hospital.     Librarian: 

Frank  P.  Foster. 

(i)  1796.  (2)  No.  6  West  i6th  Street.  (3) 
20,000  volumes.  (4)  Nearly  all  medical.  (5) 
No  data. 

New  York  Historical  Society.     Librarian:  Charles 

Isham. 

(i)  1802.  (2)  170  Second  Avenue.  (3)  85,- 
ooo  volumes.  (4)  Comparatively  few  scientific 
books.  (5)  None. 

(6)  The  collection  relates  to  American  history 
only. 

New  York  Academy  of  Sciences.    Librarian :  James 

F.  Kemp. 

(i)  Founded  1817.  Incorporated.  (2)  De- 
posited temporarily  in  Columbia  College  Li- 
brary building.  (3)  About  10,000  volumes  and 
bound  pamphlets.  (4)  Almost  exclusively 
scientific,  say  95  per  cent.  (5)  Undetermined; 
is  open  to  all  readers  in  the  college  library. 

(6)  Valuable  for  its  sets  of  transactions  of 
learned  societies  throughout  the  world,  ob- 
tained by  exchange. 

Free  Library  of  the  General  Society  of  Mechanics 
and  Tradesmen  of  the  City  of  New  York. 

Librarian  :  Jacob  Schwartz, 
(i)  1820.     (2)  No.   18   E.    i6th   Street.     (3) 
95,000  volumes.      (4)  About   6000   volumes, 
say  one-sixteenth.     (5)  No  data. 

Mercantile  Library.     Librarian :  W.  T.  Peoples. 

(i)  1820.  (2)  Astor  Place.  (3)  240,561  vol- 
umes (July  i,  1892).  (4)  About  10  per  cent. 
(5)  Circulation  of  scientific  books  about  five 
per  cent,  of  the  whole. 

(6)  A  subscription  library,  founded  for  the 
benefit  of  merchants'  clerks. 

Library  of  the  New  York  Law  Institute.     Li- 
brarian :  William  H.  Winters, 
(i)  1828.      (Incorporated      1830.)    (2)    Post 
Office  building.     (3)  39.500  volumes.     (4)  Ex- 
clusively law  and  works  of  reference. 
American  Institute.     Librarian:  John  W.  Cham- 
bers. 

(i)  1833.  (2)  No.  1 11-115  West  38th  Street. 
(3)  13.581  volumes.  (4)  Over  two-thirds  scien- 
tific. (5)  Members  of  the  institute.  Strangers 
welcome  to  consult  the  library. 

(6)  The  library  was  first  formed  as  a  statistical 
library;  it  contains  complete  sets  of  the  most 
important  scientific  works  in  English.  For 
the  past  10  years  the  purchased  books  are  ex- 
clusively scientific. 
Astor  Library.  Superintendent:  Robbins  Little; 

Librarian  :  Frederick  Saunders. 
(i)  Incorporated  1849.    (2)  No.  40  Lafayette 
Place.       (3)    240,000    volumes    and    100,000 
pamphlets.     (4)  One-third  to  one-quarter,     (5) 
About  50,000  readers  per  annum, 


January,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


(6)  The  library  is  rich  in  transactions,  serials, 
and  has  full  sets  of  patents. 

American  Geographical  Society.    Librarian:  Geo. 

C.  Hurlbut. 

(i)  Founded    1852.     (2)    No.    41  West  2gth 
Street.     (3)  24,000.     (4)  i  in  7.     (5)  No  data. 
(6)  The  real  growth  of    the  library    dates 
from  1870. 

College  of  the   City  of  New    York.     Deputy  Li- 
brarian :  H.  E.  Bliss. 

(i)  Organized  1852.     (2)    Corner  Lexington 
Avenue  and  23d  Street.    (3)  About  26, 800  vol- 
umes.     (4)  About  5000  volumes,  say  one- fifth. 
(5)  Used  by  47  instructors   and  1200  students. 
(6)  New  arrangement  in  progress. 

Young  Men's   Christian    Association.     Twenty- 
third  Street  Branch  Librarian  :  R.  B.  Poole. 

(i)  1852.  (2)  No.  52  East  23d  Street.  (3) 
40,000  volumes.  ,  (4)  About  one-twentieth. 
(5)  About  one-twentieth. 

Cooper  Union  for  the  Advancement  of  Science  and 
Art.     Curator  of  Library  :  J.  C.  Zachos. 
(i)  Incorporated  1857.     (2)  Fourth  Avenue 
and   Eighth  street.     (3)  31,873   volumes.     (4) 
About  3000,  say  one-tenth.      (5)  This   free  li- 
brary has  a  daily  average  attendance  of  1500 
readers.      The  complete  set  of  the   reports  of 
the  Patent  Office  was  examined  by  919  readers 
in  1891. 

(6)  The  reading-room  was  visited  by  over 
400,000  persons  in  the  year  1891. 

American  Numismatic  and  Archceological  Socie- 
ty.    Librarian  :  Bauman  L.  Belden. 
(i)  1858.    (2)  Academy  of  Medicine  build- 
ing, 17  W.  43d  Street.      (3)  About  1200  bound 
volumes    and   4000  pamphlets  and   unbound 
volumes.     (4)  about  five-sixths.      (5)  Used  by 
the  largest  numismatic  library  in  the  country. 

Maimonides  Library.     Librarian  :   Max  Cohen. 

(i)  1858.     (2)  No.  203  E.   57th  Street.     (3) 

40,000  volumes.       (4)  About    2600  scientific 

books.     (5)  The  circulation  of  science  is  about 

5  per  cent,  of  the  total. 

Mott  Memorial  Library  and  Library  of  the  New 

York  State  Medical  Association.     Director  : 

J.  W.  S.  Gouley. 

(i)  1867.  (2)  No.  64  Madison  Avenue.  (3) 
About  13,000  volumes  and  5000  pamphlets. 
(4)  Almost  wholly  medical  and  scientific.  (5) 
764  readers  in  1891,  chiefly  physicians. 

(6)  The  Mott  Memorial  Library  and  the  Li- 
brary of  the  New  York  State  Medical  Associa- 
tion are  under  one  roof  and  free  to  all. 

American  Society  of  Civil  Engineers.     Librarian : 

F.  Collingwood. 

(i)  1868.  (2)  127  East  23d  Street.  (3)  15,- 
ooo  volumes,  including  pamphlets.  (4)  Seven- 
eighths.  (5)  Almost  entirely. 

(6)  The  library  was  founded  through  a  do- 
nation of  the  late  Wm.  G.  Arthur;  it  is  practi- 
cally free,  being  open  to  all  interested  in  en- 
gineering. 


College  of  Pharmacy  of  the  City  of  New  York. 
Chairman  Library  Committee  :  Chas.  Rice. 

(i)  No  definite  date;  the  library  has  grown 
systematically  since  1868.  (2)  Nos.  209-211 
East  23d  Street.  (3)  About  4000  volumes  and 
600  pamphlets.  (4)  Almost  exclusively  scien- 
tific. (5)  Besides  members  of  the  college, 
about  400  persons  per  annum. 

(6)  The  library  is  rich  in  pharmacy,  botany, 
chemistry  and  materia  medica,  containing  some 
not  found  elsewhere  in  New  York. 

Washington  Heights  Free  Library.     Librarian  : 

Edward  Griffin. 

(i)  1868.  (2)  Corner  of  I56th  Street  and 
Amsterdam  Avenue.  (3)  8328  volumes.  (4) 
200  volumes  or  more.  (5)  500  readers  per 
annum. 

Lenox  Library.  Assistant  Librarian  :  Wilber- 
force  Eames. 

(i)  1870.  (2)  Fifth  Avenue,  between  7Oth 
and  7ist  Streets.  (3)  About  70,000.  (4)  See 
(6).  (5)  No  data. 

(6)  The  Lenox  Library  consists  of  several 
special  collections  on  literary  and  antiquarian 
subjects.  The  R.  L.  Stuait  collection  of  an- 
gling literature  includes  some  works  of  ichthy- 
ology; the  Drexel  musical  collection  contains 
works  on  acoustics.  Besides  these  there  are 
no  books  on  natural  science. 

New  York  Genealogical  and  Biographical  Society. 

Librarian  :  G.  H.  Van  Wagener. 
(i)   1870.      (2)   23    West    44th   Street.     (3) 
2500  volumes.     (4)    Wholly   genealogical  and 
biographical.    (5)  No  data. 

Young  Woman's  Christian  Association.     Libra- 
rian: Sarah  W.  Cattell. 
(i)  1870.     (2)  East  isth  Street.     (3)  19,000 
volumes.     (4)   About   400  volumes.     (5)  Very 
few.     In  1891,  of  a  circulation  of  44,577  vol- 
umes, only  432  were  on  science. 

Library  of  the  Association  of  the  Bar  of  the  City 
of  New   York.     Librarian:  William 

J.  C.  Berry. 

(i)  1870.  (2)  West  2gth  Street.  (3)40,000 
volumes.  (4)  Exclusively  law-books  and  works 
of  reference. 

The    Torrey    Botanical   Club.     Librarian:   Effie 

Southworth. 

(i)  Founded  in  1871.  (2)  Incorporated  with 
the  Botanical  Library  of  Columbia  College. 

New     York  Academy  of  Medicine.     Librarian: 

John  S.  Brownne. 

(i)  1874.  (The  Academy  was  instituted  in 
1847.)  (2)  17-21  West  43d  Street.  (3)  About 
45,000  volumes.  (4)  About  1000  not  strictly 
medical.  (5)  About  7000  readers  yearly. 

(6)  The  library  ranks  third  in  size  of  the 
medical  libraries  of  the  United  States. 

University  of  the  City  of  New  York.     Librarian: 

L.  J.  Thompkins. 

(i)  About  1875.  (2)  Washington  Square.  (3) 
About  18,000  volumes.  (4)  About  3000  vol- 


i6 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[January,  '94 


umes  science,  say  one-sixth.     (5)  Scientific  stu- 
dents. 

(6)  Reading-room  is  open  from  9  a.m.  to  9:30 
p.m..  and  is  free  to  all  who  will  comply  with 
the  rules. 

Equitable    Law    Library.     Librarian :    Thomas 
Campbell. 

(i)  Founded  1876.    (2)  No.  120  Broadway. 

(3)  13.500  volumes.     (4)  Wholly  on  law. 

New  York  Microscopical  Society.    Librarian:  Lud- 
wig  Riederer. 

(i)  Founded  1877.  Incorporated.  (2)  No. 
64  Madison  Avenue.  (3)  About  1500.  (4) 
Wholly  scientific.  (5)  Undetermined. 

(6)  Difficult  of  access  owing  to  small  quar- 
ters, and  hence  little  used. 

New    York   Section   of  the  American    Chemical 
Society.     Librarian:  C.  E.  Munsell. 

(i)  Organized  1892.  Parent  society  founded 
1878  and  incorporated.  (2)  Deposited  in  the 
library  of  the  University  of  the  City  of  New 
York.  (3)  1900  volumes  and  500  pamphlets. 

(4)  About  95  per  cent,  scientific.     (5)  About  50 
readers  per  annum.     Open  to  those  using  the 
University  Library. 

Linncean     Society    of  New     York.      Librarian: 
Arthur  H.  Howell. 

(i)  Organized  1878.  Not  incorporated.  (2) 
American  Museum  of  Natural  History,  Cen- 
tral Park.  (3)  Not  reported.  Consists  of  ex- 
changes and  Government  publications. 

American  Museum  of  Natural  History.     Libra- 
rian: Anthony  Woodward. 

(i)  About  1880.  (2)  Eighth  Avenue  and  77th 
Street.  (3)  About  25,000  volumes  and  10,000 
pamphlets.  (4)  95  per  cent.  (5)  No  data. 

(6)  The  library  embraces  the  following  spe- 
cial collections  (donated  or  purchased):  The 
Jay  collection  on  conchology;  The  Brevoort 
collection  on  ichthyology;  D.  G.  Elliot  collec- 
tion on  ornithology;  S.  L.  Elliot  collection  on 
general  science;  the  Edwards  collection  on 
entomology;  the  Whitfield  collection  on 
palaeontology;  the  Cotheal  collection  on  bot- 
any and  microscopy. 

New  York  Free  Circulating  Library.     Librarian: 
Ellen  M.  Coe. 

(i)  1880.  (2)  No.  49  Bond  Street,  with  three 
branches.  (3)  Nearly  60,000  volumes.  (4) 
About  8000  volumes,  say  seven  per  cent. 

(5)  About  seven  per  cent. 

(6)  The  scientific  books  are  chiefly  popular 
and  elementary,  the  reading  of  science  is 
greatly  increasing. 

Apuilar  Free  Library.     Librarian:  Pauline  Leip- 

ziger. 

(i)  Incorporated  1886.  (2)  197  East  Broad- 
way, and  two  branches,  721  Lexington  Avenue 
and  624  East  sth  Street.  (3)  18,000.  (4)  497. 
(5)  Five  per  cent. 


Young    Men's     Christian    Association,  Railroad 

Branch.    Librarian  :  W.  F.  Stevens, 
(i)   1887.      (2)   361    Madison   Avenue.     (3) 
About  6000.  (4)  About  four  per  cent.  (5)  About 
150. 

(6)  Rich  in  railroad  literature,  which  is  not 
included  in  the  answer  to  (4). 

Woman's  Medical  College  of  the  New  York  Infir- 
mary.    Librarian:  Ellen  K.  Leute. 
(i)  1887.    (2)  321  East  isth  Street.    (3)  556 
volumes.     (4)  All  medical. 

(6)  Founded  by  Sarah  M.  Hitchcock. 

New     York    Mathematical   Society.     Librarian: 
D.  A.  Murray. 

(i)    Organized    1888.      Not     incorporated. 

(2)  Mathematical    department    of   Columbia 
College.     (3)  About    300  volumes.     (4)    All 
scientific,  say   100   per  cent.     (5)  and  (6)  No 
data. 

Benjamin  Townsend  Library.     Librarian  :   F.  E. 
Falkenberg. 

(i)  1888.  (2)  On  Bellevue  Hospital  grounds, 
First  Avenue  between  26th  and  27th  Streets. 

(3)  2000  volumes.    (4)  20  volumes.     (5)  2. 

College  Settlement  Library.     Librarian:  Amy  P. 
Hall. 

(i)  1889.  (2)  No.  95  Rivington  Street.  (3) 
2000  volumes. 

(6)  The  library  is  used  mostly  by  children 
in  uneducated  families,  and  the  books  mostly 
read  are  histories,  biographies,  and  fiction. 
The  proportion  of  scientific  works  is  small  and 
they  are  chiefly  elementary. 

American  Society  of  Mechanical  Engineers.     Li- 
brarian: E.  C.  Griffin. 

(i)  1890.  (2)  12  West  3ist  Street.  (3)  4100 
volumes.  (4)  All  scientific.  (5)  Wholly  scien- 
tific. 

(6)  The  library  is  free  to  the  public,  but  no 
books  can  be  removed  from  the  building. 

A merican  Institute  of  Electrical  Engineers.    Sec- 
retary: Ralph  W.  Pope. 

(1)1890.  (2)  No.  12  West  3ist  Street.  (3) 
The  library  occupies  space  jointly  with  that  of 
the  American  Society  of  Mechanical  Engineers. 

BROOKLYN   LIBRARIES. 

Brooklyn  Institute  of  Arts  and   Sciences.     Li- 
brarian: Franklin  W.  Hooper. 

(i)  1823.  (2)  Fulton  and  Bond  Streets.  (3) 
13,500  volumes.  (4)  4200,  say  one-third.  (5) 
1 200  readers. 

(6)  Special  collections  of  value:  600  works  on 
entomology;  noo  geographical  publications. 

The  Law  Library   in  Brooklyn,  and  the  Law  Li- 
brary    of   the     Second  Judicial    District. 
Librarian:  S.  C.  Betts. 

(i)  1850.  (2)  County  Court  House.  (3) 
Over  14,000  volumes.  (4)  Wholly  on  law. 


January,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


Young  Men's  Christian  Association.     Librarian: 
S.  H.  Berry. 

(i)  1854.  (2)  502  Fulton  Street.  (3)  12,000 
volumes.  (4)  530  volumes. 

Brooklyn  Library.     Librarian:  W.  A.  Bardwell. 
(i)  1857.     (2)  197  Montague  Street,  Brook- 
lyn Heights.    (3)  115,000  volumes.     (4)  About 
17,000    volumes,    say    one-seventh.      (5)  No 
data. 

Long  Island  Historical  Society.     Librarian :  Em  ma 
Toedteberg. 

(i)  1863.  (2)  Corner  Pierrepont  and  Clinton 
Streets,  Brooklyn.  (3)  47,000.  (4)  Very  small. 
(5)  Almost  none. 

(6)  The  library  is  especially  devoted  to  local 
history  and  genealogy. 

Adelphi  Academy.     Librarian:  Mabel  A.  Farr. 

(i)  1869.  (2)  Clifton  Place,  Brooklyn.  (3) 
3000  volumes.  (4)  About  one-twentieth.  (5) 
About  20. 

(6)  Confined  to  instructors  and  pupils  of  the 
academy,  170  in  number. 

Medical  Society  of  Kings  County.  Librarian  : 
William  Browning. 

(i)  1874.  (2)  356  Bridge  Street,  Brooklyn. 
(3)  55OO  volumes.  [  (4)  Wholly  on  medicine 
and  allied  sciences.  (5)  Members  of  the  so- 
ciety, 500. 

(6)  Public  and  free  for  consultation.  Anew 
building  is  in  progress.  The  Hoagland  Labora- 
tory library  complements  medically  the  above 
and  is  free  to  members  by  card. 

Free  Lending  Library  of  the  Union  for  Christian 

Work.     Librarian:  Miss  Fanny  Hull, 
(i)  1882.     (2)   67-69   Schefmerhorn   Street. 
(3)  22,000  volumes.     (4)  2306   volumes.     (5) 
150  scientific  readers. 

Pratt  Institute.     Librarian:  M.  W.  Plummer. 

(i)  1888.  (2)  215  Ryerson  Street,  Brooklyn. 
(3)  35,ooo  volumes.  (4)  About  one-seventeenth 
(not  including  useful  arts  and  biography).  (5) 
No  data. 

Hoagland  Laboratory.      Librarian:    George   T. 

Kemp. 

(i)  1888.  (2)  Corner  Pacific  and  Henry 
Streets.  (3)  1544.  (4)  100  percent. 

(5  and  6)  The  library  is  rich  in  foreign 
serials  on  bacteriology,  pathology,  histology, 
physiology,  and  experimental  therapeutics. 

HOBOKEN   LIBRARIES. 

Stevens  Institute  of  Technology.      Librarian  :   A. 

Riesenberger. 

(i)  1871.  (2)  Corner  Hudson  and  5th  Streets, 
Hoboken.  (3)  About  7500  volumes.  (4)  Ex- 
clusively scientific.  (5)  Consulted  by  alumni 
and  undergraduates,  say  600  persons. 

Free  Public  Library,  Hoboken,  N.  J.     Librarian: 

Thomas  F.  Hatfield. 
(i\  1800.     (2}  Second  National  Bank  Build  - 


lnS-      (3)  7343  volumes.      (4)    540   volumes, 
say  one-thirteenth.     (5)  No  data. 

JERSEY   CITY   LIBRARIES. 

Fret  Public  Library,  Jersey  City,  N.J.  Librarian : 
George  Watson  Cole. 

(i)  1889.  (2)  Corner  Washington  and  York 
Streets.  (3)  25,312  volumes  (July  i,  1892). 
(4)  1405,  say  one-eighteenth.  (5)  Out  of  a 
circulation  of  294,796  volumes,  7417  were 
scientific. 

(6)  Books  on  electricity  and  engineering  are 
more  largely  called  for  than  other  branches  of 
science. 

The  following  report  no  libraries  :  Bellevue 
Medical  College  ;  Medical  Department  of  the 
University  of  the  City  of  New  York;  College  of 
Physicians  and  Surgeons;  Long  Island  College 
Hospital. 

From  eight  additional  libraries  not  herein 
named,  no  replies  were  received  to  duplicate 
circulars  of  inquiry.  From  one  library  the 
circular  letter  was  returned  through  the  post- 
office  marked  "  removed,  present  address  un- 
known." 


THE  COPINGER  COLLECTION. 

THE  purchase  of  the  Copinger  collection  of 
Latin  Bibles  in  London  and  its  presentation  to 
the  General  Theological  Seminary  of  New  York 
City  by  some  friends  of  that  institution,  whose 
names  are  withheld,  may  be  regarded  as  the 
most  important  everit  of  its  kind  in  many  years. 
W.  A.  Copinger,  F.S.A.,  F.R.S.A.,  of  the 
Middle  Temple,  barrister-at-law,  professor  of 
law  in  the  Victoria  University,  and  president  of 
the  Bibliographical  Society,  spent  many  years 
in  bringing  together  from  all  parts  of  Europe 
this  collection  of  Bibles,  which  is  believed  to  be 
the  largest  and  most  valuable  in  the  world.  It 
contains  1364  volumes,  representing  543  editions, 
exceeding  the  number  of  editions  in  the  British 
Museum  by  69,  in  the  Bodleian  Library  by  351, 
and  in  the  University  Library,  Cambridge,  by 
376  editions.  The  most  important  feature  of 
the  collection,  however,  is  the  number  of  unique 
copies,  and  of  unique  copies  in  perfect  condition. 
An  edition  of  1483  and  another  of  1618  are 
among  th«  former,  and  among  the  latter  is  a  per- 
fect copy  of  an  unidentified  edition  of  1491,  of 
which  only  three  other  copies  are  known,  one 
in  the  British  Museum  and  two  in  the  Bodleian, 
all  imperfect  ;  and  also  a  complete  copy  of  the 
famous  Antwerp  Polyglot,  known  as  the  ' '  eighth 
wonder  of  the  world,"  of  which  there  are  six  im- 
perfect copies  in  the  British  Museum.  A  perfect 
Polyglot  of  Hutter,  which  was  printed  privately 
at  the  expense  of  Silas  Hutter,  is  also  among  the 
gems  of  the  collection. 

The  rare  editions  comprise  the  Reynsburch 
edition  of  1478,  the  Zainer  edition  of  1480,  the 
Reinhard  edition  of  1482,  the  Scot  edition  of 
1489,  and  an  almost  complete  set  of  Coberger 
editions,  from  the  first  of  1475  to  those  of  the 
i6th  century.  Equally  valuable  are  the  first 


i8 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{January,  '94 


Sacon  edition  of  1506,  the  first  Vostre  edition  of 
1512,  the  Venice  edition  of  1519,  which  contained 
the  first  metal  engravings,  the  Cratander  edi- 
tion of  1326,  and  an  unique  Latin  translation  of 
the  Septuagint  ;  the  first  edition  in  which  the 
verses  were  numbered,  known  as  the  Ant.  du  Ry 
of  1526  ;  the  Stephen  edition  of  1528  ;  Quentel's 
Cologne  edition  of  1529  ;  and  the  rare  edition  of 
Peypus  of  1530,  with  77  engravings  by  Hans 
Springinklee  and  others,  of  which  no  other  copy 
can  be  found  in  the  three  great  libraries  of 
England  or  the  Bibliotheque  Nationale  of  Paris. 
Other  important  editions  in  the  collection  are 
Munster's  translation  from  the  Hebrew  of  1534  '< 
the  rare  first  edition  of  Clarius  of  1542,  in  which 
he  corrected  the  text  in  3000  places  ;  the  original 
Zurich  edition  of  1543  ;  the  Hentenius  Bible  of 
1547;  Castalio's  translation,  published  in  1551 
and  dedicated  to  Edward  vi. ;  the  first  London 
edition  of  1580  ;  the  Roman  edition  of  1593,  and 
copies  of  all  the  other  i6th  century  editions 
known.  Among  the  editions  of  the  I7th  century 
are  the  eight-volume  Paris  edition  of  1642,  which 
was  printed  for  the  King  of  France  ;  the  Biblia 
Magna  of  1643,  and  the  Biblia  Maxima  of  1660, 
the  former  in  five,  the  latter  in  19  folio  volumes. 
From  a  theological  point  of  view  the  worth  of 
the  collection  is  inestimable,  and  its  bibliograph- 
ical importance  is  equally  great  ;  it  will  be  open 
to  all  Biblical  scholars. 

It  is  expected  that  the  books  will  be  shipped 
from  England  so  as  to  reach  New  York  in  the 
early  part  of  the  year,  when  the  work  of  catalog- 
ing and  arranging  them,  which  will  take  about 
three  months,  will  be  begun  at  once. 

A    LIBRARIAN, 

BY  HIS  ASSISTANT. 
From  the  Library. 

THIS  is,  if  I  mistake  not,  a  new  subject;  at 
least  it  is  treated  from  a  new  standpoint.  Com- 
ments on  the  assistant  have  not  been  few;  but 
this  is  the  first  time  that  an  assistant  has  passed 
criticism,  coram  populo,  on  the  doings  of  his 
master. 

But  if  the  title  be  uncanny,  and  carry  with  it 
suggestions  of  "  Sir  John  Lubbock,"  by  an  Ant, 
a  Bee,  or  a  Wasp,  it  shall  be  the  only  thing  unor- 
thodox in  this  essay.  From  Chaucer  downwards 
(in  both  senses)  men  have  liked  best  to  satirize 
the  foibles  of  a  class  by  creating  and  then  criti- 
cising a  member  of  it.  It  is  usual  to  set  up  a 
lay-figure,  as  it  were,  clothed  with  such  weak- 
nesses as  are  most  frequent  in  the  men  it  repre- 
sents, and  then  to  ride  a-tilt  at  it.  One  so  gets 
a  living  personality  instead  of  an  abstraction, 
and  personalities,  however  dull  their  subject,  are 
always  interesting. 

But  I  am  wandering  from  my  original  pur- 
pose, which  was  to  introduce  to  you  Mr.  Book- 
worm, a  librarian  whom  his  brother-craftsmen 
have  not  hitherto  met.  This  is  not  altogether 
the  fault  of  that  distinguished  librarian.  Rather 
is  it  that  you  have  been  a  little  backward  in  rec- 
ognizing a  form  that  has  been  amongst  you  for 
years;  a  form  which,  in  some  phases  of  charac- 


ter, is  well  known  to  my  brother  assistants.  I 
have  called  Mr.  Bookworm  distinguished,  and  I 
do  so  advisedly.  Not  that  he  has  ever  told  me 
so,  but  because  he  has  so  often  implied  it  by  the 
disparaging  way  in  which  he  speaks  of  the  other 
members  of  his  profession. 

Mr.  Bookworm's  strong  point  is  theory.  He 
is  not  only  a  stern,  uncompromising  critic  of  the 
theories  of  others,  but  is  himself  "a  gentleman 
of  a  good  conceit,"  and  full  of  plans  for  reform- 
ing all  libraries  —  including  his  own.  And  this 
last  is  a  condition  rarely  to  be  met  with.  It 
must  be  confessed  that,  so  far  as  any  of  these 
theories  have  been  put  into  practice,  they  have 
not  been  a  success.  Attendant  circumstances 
generally  ruined  them. 

There  was  that  notion  that  books  should  only 
be  cataloged  once  every  18  months,  since  by  so 
doing  one  saved  space  and  shifting  of  slips  in  the 
catalog,  and  moreover  insured  greater  accuracy 
by  giving  one's  whole  time  to  such  work.  The 
brilliant  originality  of  that  theory  must  strike 
every  librarian.  After  six  months,  it  took  10 
minutes  to  find  any  new  book.  And  this,  in 
spite  of  the  fact  that  Mr.  Bookworm's  scheme  of 
shelf-classification  (of  which  I  will  speak  later) 
declared  that  "  all  new  books  can  be  found  at 
once,  without  reference  to  the  catalog." 

At  the  end  of  the  year  the  local  press  began  to 
comment  on  the  "  singular  inefficiency  of  the 
staff  of  the  reading-room,"  and  the  chief  was  at 
last  induced  to  sacrifice  his  design  for  the  good 
of  his  subordinates.  The  assistants  cataloged 
our  accessions  (when  we  could  find  them),  and 
the  library  once  more  returned  to  its  unregener- 
ate  ways  of  working. 

That  failure  made  Mr.  Bookworm  a  little  an- 
gry, even  though  the  press  aforementioned  con- 
gratulated him  on  having  "so  promptly  grap- 
pled with  the  disorganization  to  which  we  lately 
had  occasion  to  refer."  I  do  not  mean  that  our 
chief  was  petulant.  He  was  never  that;  but  for 
some  time,  more  in  sorrow  than  in  anger,  he 
used  to  allude  to  that  lack  of  support  from  those 
around  which  had  ruined  so  many  of  the  bright- 
est measures  of  reform. 

I  have  said  that  Mr.  Bookworm  was  never  pet- 
ulant. If  not  by  example,  at  least  by  precept, 
he  strongly  condemned  the  weakness  of  losing 
one's  temper  under  any  provocation.  Bad  tem- 
per is  a  luxury  not  permitted  to  the  assistant.  It 
has  been  justly  held  that  he  must  endure  the  va- 
garies of  readers  and  the  peculiarly  irritating 
remarks  of  self-constituted  critics,  as  if  he  liked 
them  and  received  them  as  a  kind  of  perquisite. 
I  remember  once  that  a  reader  asked  me  about  a 
dozen  questions  in  an  hour,  borrowed  a  book  of 
my  own  (returning  it  with  apologies  for  having 
inked  it),  severely  criticised  the  manners  of  one 
of  the  attendants,  and  finally  abused  me  because 
I  refused  him  access  to  certain  shelves.  I  am 
afraid  I  lost  my  temper,  and  showed  it.  So  that 
reader  reported  my  conduct  to  Mr.  Bookworm, 
and  the  librarian  was  very  angry,  and  addressed 
me  in  scathing  terms  of  reproof  for  the  space  of 
10  minutes.  It  occurred  to  me  afterwards  that 
the  great  man  himself  had  scarcely  kept  his  tem- 
per during  the  interview.  But  then  there  is  a 


January,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


great  difference  between  righteous  anger  and 
petulant  retort,  and  yet  another  gulf  between  a 
reader  and  an  assistant. 

Yet  might  I  put  up  a  plea  that  librarians 
would  not  forget  that  we  juniors  are  human. 
They  can  remember,  most  of  them,  the  many 
times  when  a  harassing  question,  an  idle  lounger, 
or  an  impertinent  critic  has  severely  tried  their 
good  nature.  They  may  remember  that  the  end 
of  a  long  day  is  not  a  favorable  time  for  a  test  of 
courtesy.  Above  all,  may  they  remember  these 
things  when  they  learn  from  an  aggrieved  reader 
that  the  assistant  has  turned  and  rent  him. 

Like  many  other  great  men,  Mr.  Bookworm 
is  very  intolerant  of  ignorance.  The  "  'prentice 
hand  "  seldom  enjoys  life  under  his  rule.  It  is 
not  wise,  when  given  something  to  do,  to  ask 
how  it  is  to  be  done.  An  assistant  will  be  told 
to  initiate  you,  but  you  will  fall  many  degrees  in 
the  librarian's  estimation.  Sile  et  philosophus 
esto;  wait  patiently  and  you  will  learn  by  de- 
grees. 

In  this  way  the  library  may  suffer,  but  your 
reputation  will  be  saved. 

But  I  would  say  here  that  a  little  indulgence, 
however  weak-minded,  to  the  young  recruit  will 
not  always  be  thrown  away.  We  cannot  be  ex- 
pected to  spring  all-wise,  like  Minerva,  from  the 
head  of  a  public  school. 

There  is  no  profession  the  petty  details  of 
which  are  harder  to  grasp  than  ours.  The  jargon 
of  books  and  cataloging  must  be  a  mere  shib- 
boleth to  the  young  beginner,  and  I  cannot  be 
too  grateful  for  the  mercy  shown  to  my  blunders 
when  I  was  let  loose  on  a  library  for  the  first 
time. 

We  have  now  amongst  us  a  son  of  the  reigning 
house,  who  tries  the  paternal  heart  with  all  the 
vagaries  common  to  assistants,  adding  a  few 
special  varieties  of  his  own  invention.  But  his 
path  has  been  smoother  than  that  of  the  ordinary 
novice.  "In  Rege  (amen,  Pater  est"  and  the 
chief  tempers  even  the  sternest  rebuke  with  an 
excuse  for  the  ignorance  which  caused  it. 

As  I  have  hinted,  Mr.  Bookworm  has  a  hobby. 
You  will  find  it  wise  to  take  an  interest  in  its 
capers ;  omit  all  but  friendly  criticism  of  its 
points,  and  (if  you  are  an  assistant)  take  submis- 
sively whatever  kicks  that  more  or  less  intelli- 
gent animal  may  bestow  on  you. 

Mr.  Bookworm's  present  mount  is  a  great 
scheme  of  classification  to  which  the  Dewey 
system  is  child's  play. 

^  He  once  issued  invitations  to  the  librarians  of 
his  district  to  hear  a  lecture  thereon.  Some  ac- 
cepted; some  few  (and  these  from  libraries  where 
the  scheme  or  its  expounder  were  known)  stayed 
away.  Then  he  went  out  into  the  highways  and 
hedges  and  asked  the  assistants  to  come  in.  I 
must  confess  that  his  audience  seemed  rather 
bored  and  mystified.  Yet  the  system,  with  all 
its  points,  must  have  been  exceeding  clear,  for 
not  one  ever  asked  a  question.  But  to  this  day 
the  lecturer  marvels  that  no  single  library  has 
adopted  that  scheme. 

For  a  long  time,  though  the  theory  was  per- 
fect, the  practice  would  not  coincide  with  the  old 
method  of  working  the  library,  One  of  the  two 


had  to  go — and  the  old  method  went.  We  are 
now  about  half-way  through  the  reformation  ; 
chaos  reigns,  and  it  is  the  chief's  great  delight  to 
be  called  in  to  have  pointed  out  (as  occurs  about 
once  a  week)  "  a  defect  in  the  old  system,"  which 
prevents  the  carrying  out  of  the  Great  Millen- 
nium. 

Just  as  old  Procrustes  made  the  captive  fit  his 
bed  —  if  too  short  by  stretching  him,  if  too  long 
by  lopping  him  —  so  does  Mr.  Bookworm  make 
his  subject  fit  his  scheme.  It  matters  not  that 
the  old  category  has  worked  well  since  the  begin- 
ning. If  it  does  not  fit  the  scheme  he  will  have 
none  of  it.  It  is  either  lopped  or  lengthened, 
and  is  turned  out  crippled  and  deformed,  but  at 
length  in  harmony  with  the  great  idea. 

You  have  by  this  time  discovered  that  Mr. 
Bookworm  is  a  many-sided  man.  He  is  an  en- 
ergetic correspondent  of  Notes  and  Queries,  and 
on  many  topics  his  word  is  law. 

He  is  author  of  a  work  on  bibliography,  which 
attracted  some  attention  —  more  especially  at 
the  hands  of  a  Saturday  Reviewer,  for  whom  our 
author  is  still  looking.  I  think  he  must  want  to 
argue  one  or  two  points  with  him.  The  chief 
has  his  weaknesses,  and  love  of  revenge  is  one  of 
them.  He  also  compiled  a  catalog  ;  but  that 
was  years  ago  when  he  entered  the  profession  and 
knew  but  little  of  the  ways  of  the  librarian. 
The  work  was  greatly  praised,  and  though 
rumor  spoke  of  an  assistant  and  a  stranger  who 
haunted  the  library  for  two  years  before  the  vol- 
ume's appearance,  and  who  were  said  to  be  cata- 
loging books — still  fonly  the  librarian's  name 
appears  on  the  title-page,  so  that  rumor  must  be 
wrong  again. 

I  suggested  once  that  I  should  start  a  shelf 
catalog,  and  the  librarian  was  very  good  ^about 
it  and  approved.  So  I  worked  for  three  months, 
and  had  gone  some  way  when  the  work  was 
brought  up  for  inspection.  And  once  more  he 
was  very  good,  and  took  a  great  deal  of  trouble. 
He  proved  in  half  an  hour  that  there  were  more 
defects  than  there  were  entries  ;  that  no  words 
would  have  been  too  bad  for  the  principle,  ex- 
cept that  the  practice  was  worse,  and  finally  that 
shelf  cataloging  was  a  delusion  and  a  snare. 
But  he  thoughtfully  showed  that  the  three  months 
had  not  been  wasted.  By  altering  all  the  head- 
ings we  were  able  to  use  the  slips  foran  offshoot 
of  his  scheme  of  classification.  The  work  was 
completed  on  these  lines,  and  has  been  favorably 
noticed  by  the  press  as  "  yet  another  instance  of 
the  intelligence  and  untiring  zeal  which  Mr. 
Bookworm  brings  to  the  discharge  of  his  duties." 
Let  no  reader  for  a  moment  suppose  that  I 
sketch  Mr.  Bookworm  as  a  type.  It  is  danger- 
ous always  to  create  a  species  from  a  single 
instance. 

Mr.  Bookworm  is  unique,  is  proud  of  it,  and  it 
is  as  such  that  I  have  given  him  to  the  world. 
To  speak  still  more  plainly,  the  above  instance 
is  but  the  lay-figure  already  mentioned,  endowed 
with  all  the  weaknesses  and  none  of  the  virtues 
of  the  men  under  whom  we  serve.  Mr.  Book- 
worm is  merely  an  exception  to  the  rule  of  gen- 
erosity and  long-suffering  which  is  found  in  gen- 
eral among  the  ranks  of  the  craft. 


20 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[January,  '94 


tlibrnrii  (Tlnbo. 


NEW  YORK  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

THE  regular  January  meeting  of  the  New 
York  Library  Club  was  held  at  the  Mercantile 
Library  on  Thursday,  Jan.  11,1893.  The  meet- 
ing was  called  to  order  at  3:30  p.m.  by  President 
Cole.  About  50  members  were  present.  The 
subject  for  consideration  was  "  Printing  catalog 
cards  for  libraries,"  with  special  reference  to  the 
action  of  the  Library  Bureau  and  the  Rudolph 
Indexer  Co.  in  the  matter.  Mr.  Carr,  of  the 
Rudolph  Indexer  Co.,  and  Mr.  Fletcher,  of  the 
Library  Bureau,  were  present  to  represent  the  in- 
terests of  their  respective  companies. 

Mr.  Cole  introduced  the  subject  for  discussion. 
It  was  unnecessary,  he  said,  to  say  anything  in 
regard  to  the  benefits  of  co-operative  work, 
which  had  already  proved  its  usefulness  and 
value  in  Poole's  Index  and  in  other  work  start- 
ed by  the  American  Library  Association.  Un- 
doubtedly, most  librarians  had  within  the  past 
few  months  received  circulars  from  the  Ru- 
dolph Indexer  Co.  and  also  from  the  Library 
Bureau  in  regard  to  printed  catalog  cards  for 
library  card  catalogs.  There  were  now  present 
representatives  of  both  the  Rudolph  Indexer 
Company  and  the  Library  Bureau,  and  he  sug- 
gested that  the  club  first  call  upon  the  represen- 
tative of  the  Rudolph  Indexer  Co.  to  state  fully 
what  his  company  proposed  to  do;  then,  as  the 
Library  Bureau  had  already  begun  the  printing 
of  the  cards,  Mr.  Fletchercould  explain  what  was 
being  done  by  the  Bureau,  and  finally  the  mem- 
bers of  the  club  might  endeavor  to  tell  what 
should  be  done  and  what  corrections  or  changes 
should  be  made  in  the  plans  that  had  been  sub- 
mitted. He  then  called  upon  Mr.  Carr,  of  the 
Rudolph  Indexer  Co.,  to  state  what  his  com- 
pany proposed  to  do. 

Mr.  Carr  said  that  the  plans  of  the  Indexer 
Company,  as  already  outlined,  were  probably  fa- 
miliar to  most  of  those  present.  The  title  de- 
partment of  the  Indexer  Company  was  to  be 
under  the  charge  of  Mr.  C.  A.  Cutter;  it  was 
proposed  to  print  entries  for  all  new  books  in  this 
country  and  Great  Britain,  and  to  take  contracts 
to  print  catalogs  for  complete  libraries.  Already 
orders  for  five  libraries  of  some  200,000  volumes 
had  been  received.  Three  cents  each  would  be 
charged  for  such  entries;  but  if  libraries  pre- 
ferred to  order  cards  for  all  the  new  books  a  cer- 
tain rate  per  thousand  cards  would  be  charged, 
the  amount  not  having  yet  been  decided.  The 
company  proposed  to  catalog  during  the  next  18 
months  about  18,000  books  and  to  carry  a  stock 
of  those  titles;  thus  as  orders  to  catalog  old  li- 
braries were  received,  the  stock  of  titles  on  hand 
would  constantly  increase.  With  the  beginning 
of  the  year  the  Publishers'  Weekly  had  begun  the 
practice  of  numbering  the  books  recorded  in  its 
"  weekly  record,"  and  he  suggested  that  librari- 
ans, who  generally  used  the  Publishers'  Weekly 
as  a  guide  in  ordering  books,  could  order  printed 
entries  by  number  and  receive  them  by  return 
mall.  Arrangements  bad  been  made  with  pub- 
lishers to  furnish  new  books  to  the  Indexer 


Company  before  sending  them  to  the  binders; 
thus  ample  time  would  be  given  for  cataloging 
in  advance  of  publication.  With  Mr.  Cutter's 
return  from  Europe  active  work  would  begin;  he 
was  expected  to  arrive  in  about  two  weeks;  but  it 
would  probably  be  two  months  before  everything 
would  be  fully  established  in  working  order.  In 
response  to  questions  by  Messrs.  Poole  and  Cole, 
Mr.  Carr  said  that  as  yet  no  arrangements  had 
been  made  in  regard  to  foreign  books;  but  that 
the  company  would  have  agents  abroad  who 
would  make  the  necessary  arrangements  with 
foreign  publishers.  Publishers  generally  were 
responding  very  satisfactorily  to  the  request  for 
their  books,  as  their  names,  printed  on  the  cards, 
were  in  a  measure  an  advertisement;  but  should 
they  refuse  to  co-operate  in  this  way,  the  company 
was  prepared  to  purchase  the  books  outright. 
As  the  books  were  to  be  received  before  binding, 
and  as  binding  would  occupy  about  two  weeks,  it 
was  expected  that  the  printed  entries  would  be 
ready  by  the  time  the  book  was  placed  on  the 
market;  if  publishers  did  not  give  sufficient  ad- 
vance notice  of  publication,  the  company  would 
furnish  printed  lists  of  new  books  at  their  own 
expense.  Mr.  Carr  believed  that  for  small  li- 
braries the  charge  of  three  cents  per  entry  was 
cheaper  than  a  regular  rate  per  thousand  cards 
for  all  cards  published.  Three  cards  per  book 
would  be  15,000  cards  for  5000  books,  and  the 
purchase  of  cards  for  all  new  books  for  several 
years  would  result  in  an  enormous  accumulation 
of  cards,  requiring  special  storing  facilities  and 
entailing  constant  work  in  arranging,  etc.  Un- 
less in  a  very  large  library,  he  thought  it  useless 
to  subscribe  for  all  the  cards. 

Mr.  Cole  asked  if  it  would  be  possible  to  fur- 
nish cards  to  accompany  the  books  —  i.e.,  so  that 
when  the  publishers  sold  the  book  the  card  would 
be  included  and  both  reach  the  purchaser  simul- 
taneously. Mr.  Carr  said  that  this  had  been  dis- 
cussed in  Chicago  with  A.  C.  McClurg  &  Co., 
and  had  been  decided  to  be  impracticable,  as 
booksellers  would  probably  order  a  hundred  cop- 
ies of  a  new  book,  not  over  10  of  which  would 
go  to  libraiies,  and  the  entries  would  have  to  be 
supplied  with  all  the  books  or  with  none.  Mr. 
Cole  thought  that  such  a  plan  would  nevertheless 
be  very  advantageous,  especially  to  large  libra- 
ries that  ordered  many  books  and  were  anxious 
to  have  them  on  the  shelves  as  soon  as  possible; 
first  buying  the  book  and  then  ordering  the  en- 
try and  waiting  its  arrival  would  be  apt  to  cause 
vexatious  delay.  Mr.  Berry  suggested  that  this 
could  be  obviated  by  ordering  the  cards  at  the 
same  time  as  the  books.  The  books  would  not 
be  received  immediately  and  the  entries  would 
probably  reach  the  libraiies  as  soon  asthe  books. 
In  response  to  inquiries  by  Messrs.  Peoples  and 
Bardwell,  Mr.  Carr  said  that  the  Rudolph  In- 
dexer Co.  had  not  yet  decided  on  the  exact  style 
of  card  to  be  used,  Mr.  Cutter's  opinion  being 
desired  on  that  point.  It  was  proposed  to  fur- 
nish cards  for  the  Rudolph  Indexer  and  Indexer 
Book  as  well  as  for  ordinary  card  catalogs;  the 
Indexer  Book  would  have  been  placed  on  the 
market  two  weeks  ago  but  for  an  unexpected 
delay,  and  it  would  now  be  delivered  in  about 
two  weeks;  the  price  decided  on  for  the  book 


January,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


21 


was  $15,  but  it  was  possible  that  this  might  be 
reduced  during  the  year. 

Mr.  Bowker  asked  whether  the  Indexer  Co. 
proposed  to  issue  more  than  one  card  to  a  book  — 
i.e.,  whether  they  would  print  the  titles  as  title 
and  as  subject  entries  or  only  print  the  title-en- 
try on  one  card,  designating  in  small  type  at  the 
bottom  of  the  card  the  entries  which  might  af- 
terwards be  given  by  librarians  themselves.  Mr. 
Carr  replied  that  books  would  be  cataloged  un- 
der author,  title,  and  cross  reference;  if  10  cards 
were  needed  to  a  book,  10  cards  would  be  print- 
ed; they  would  be  furnished  just  as  librarians 
desired,  one  card,  or  two  cards,  or  10  cards,  at 
three  cents  per  entry.  It  had  been  found  that 
small  libraries  could  not  afford  to  buy  cards  for 
all  the  books.  Mr.  Carr  then  spoke  of  the  com- 
pany's plans  for  cataloging  old  libraries.  Sever- 
al contracts  for  this  work  had  already  been  taken. 
Among  these  he  mentioned  the  Gilpin  Library, 
of  California.  In  this  20,000  volumes  of  fiction 
were  to  be  cataloged,  two  cards  to  a  book,  taking 
about  40,000  cards  at  three  cents  per  entry. 
From  50  to  100  cards  would  be  printed  for  each 
of  these  books  and  carried  in  stock  for  future 
use.  The  company  did  not  expect  to  receive  any 
returns  from  its  work  for  several  years;  but  it  was 
hoped  that  a  firm  basis  might  be  established  for 
future  usefulness. 

The  Library  Bureau's  work  in  this  field  was 
then  referred  to  by  President  Cole.  Before  pro- 
ceeding to  a  consideration  of  the  Bureau's  meth- 
ods, the  secretary  read  the  following  letter  from 
Mr.  Parker,  treasurer  of  the  Bureau,  addressed 
to  Mr.  Cole  : 

"  I  have  to  thank  you  and  the  New  York  Library  Club 
for  the  cordial  invitation  to  the  Library  Bureau  to  be 
present  at  its  meeting  to-morrow.  Mr.  Davidson  is  and 
has  been  for  a  month  in  London,  as|you  know,  and  the  in- 
creased pressure  of  business  which  rests  upon  me  will  not 
allow  me  to  leave  town  this  week. 

"  I  should  be  glad  to  tell  the  members  of  your  club  of 
the  success  which  the  printed  card  scheme  has  already 
reached.  Especially  gratifying  is  the  very  prompt  co- 
operation of  all  the  publishers.  We  have  access  to  the 
books  of  every  leading  publisher  in  the  country  and  the 
smaller  ones  are  rapidly  taking  advantage  of  this  oppor- 
tunity of  sending  their  books  to  our  library  constituency. 
Librarians  have  been  most  cordial  in  their  co-operation 
and  in  their  friendly  criticism  upon  which  we  largely  de- 
pend to  supplement  the  experience  of  our  librarian  and 
consulting  experts.  The  very  many  requests  which  we 
had  anticipated  for  change  in  our  rules  have  failed  to 
materialize.  Our  library  friends  seem  to  recognize  the 
aim  which  we  constantly  endeavor  to  have  before  us  in 
this  matter  —  the  best  and  widest  service  to  libraries  of 
every  class. 

"  Printed  cards  allow  the  adoption  of  rules  more  broad 
than  any  yet  formulated.  Those  which  have  existed 
hitherto  have  had  pre-eminently  in  mind  the  claims  of  the 
cataloger;  when  the  cataloging  work  is  done  co-opera- 
tively once  for  all,  that  form  which  gives  the  reader  the 
simplest  and  at  the  same  time  fullest  description  is  the 
best.  We  are  sparing  no  pains  of  time  or  money  to  make 
these  cards  satisfactory.  We  have  assigned  one  of  our 
rooms  here  to  the  library,  and  librarians  are  already  find- 
ing it  a  pleasure  to  examine  here  the  new  books,  arranged 
by  publishers." 

Mr.  Fletcher,  of  the  Library  Bureau,  then  out- 
lined briefly  the  work  undertaken  by  the  Bureau. 
Since  November  cards  have  been  issued  by  the 
Bureau  at  regular  intervals,  and  so  far  they  have 
seemed  satisfactory;  criticism  and  suggestion 
have  been  generally  requested  and  will  receive 
careful  attention.  In  regard  to  the  number  of 


cards,  it  is  believed  the  work  is  made  more  use- 
ful by  not  issuing  only  two  cards  where  the 
general  library  would  use  three  or  four  and  at 
the  same  time  by  not  using  six  or  seven  cards 
where  a  small  general  library  would  find  two 
sufficient.  The  cards  are  printed  on  the  regular 
"standard"  33  x  card;  though  libraries  so  desir- 
ing may  use  the  smaller  size  of  card.  In  regard 
to  the  printing  of  the  cards  various  criticisms 
have  been  made,  expressing,  as  a  rule,  varying 
personal  opinions,  but  to  libraries  generally  the 
cards  have  proved  satisfactory.  Besides  noting 
the  main  facts,  as  subject  and  author,  biblio- 
graphical details  are  fully  given,  making  a  find- 
ing-list as  well  as  a  catalog.  It  is  expected  that 
entries  shall  be  made  from  the  books  in  every 
case,  publishers  co-operating  to  such  an  extent 
that  advance  copies  may  be  cataloged  before  the 
books  are  on  the  market,  and  the  cards  may  then 
serve  as  a  buying-list  for  the  librarian.  The 
complaint  of  the  smaller  libraries  is  that  they 
cannot  afford  to  buy  all  the  cards,  but  any  libra- 
rian of  experience  will  see  the  value  of  a  com- 
plete set  as  a  reference-list  of  American  publica- 
tions. As  yet  nothing  has  been  done  about 
printing  special  lists,  but  is  hoped  to  take  this 
question  up  shortly.  The  printed  card  catalog 
is  the  development  of  years  of  discussion  and  the 
support  of  the  American  Library  Association  is 
needed  to  perfect  it;  special  lists  would  be  only 
available  for  strictly  society  libraries  and  for 
small  libraries  that  could  not  afford  to  purchase 
the  whole  list. 

Mr.  Bardwell  asked  if  unused  cards  could  be 
returned.  Mr.  Fletcher  thought  not;  the  great 
expense  involved  was  chiefly  in  the  card  and  the 
printing,  and  they  could  not  afford  to  carry  in 
stock  a  great  quantity  of  printed  cards.  The 
preparation  of  special  lists  had  not  yet  been 
undertaken,  and  that  was  the  only  way  a  library 
could  get  some  cards  without  subscribing  for  all. 
In  response  to  questions  Mr.  Fletcher  said  that 
about  zoo  sets  had  already  been  subscribed  for, 
some  libraries  taking  two  and  even  three  sets. 
Books  are  received  by  the  bureau  on  Monday 
and  Wednesday,  and  on  Wednesday  and  Satur- 
day night  shipments  of  cards  are  made;  the 
whole  matter  of  promptness  of  cataloging  and 
shipment  of  cards  lies  with  the  publishers,  and  if 
they  send  in  their  books  promptly  there  can  be 
no  question  of  delay.  It  is  the  intention  to  have 
cards  ready  at  time  of  publication  of  books. 
The  prices  of  the  cards  depend  on  the  quality  of 
card  used;  the  "  standard  "  size  is $7. 50  per  thou- 
sand; the  "  r  "  card,  thicker  in  quality,  is  $9,  and 
the  "x,"  heaviest  of  all,  is  $10.50;  the  number 
of  cards  to  a  book  is  not  limited,  some  books  be- 
ing covered  with  two  cards,  others  needing  five 
or  six.  Mr.  Bowker  remarked  that  the  Library 
Bureau's  cards  would  average  about  one  cent  per 
entry  as  against  three  cents  per  entry  charged 
by  the  Rudolph  Indexer;  the  distinction  being 
that  the  Rudolph  Indexer  Co.  allowed  selection 
of  titles  while  the  bureau  did  not. 

Mr.  Bowker  said  that  his  experience  in  the 
matter  of  printed  cards  led  him  to  question 
whether  the  plans  as  outlined,  particularly  by 
Mr.  Carr,  were  not  a  little  millennial.  He 
thought  that  the  proposition  to  do  exactly  as  the 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[January,  '94 


libraries  wanted  and  to  send  them  the  specific 
cards  they  desired  would  prove  commercially 
impracticable.  He  understood  that  Mr.  Cutter 
had  proposed  that  one  card  be  printed  which 
should  give  a  fairly  full  title,  and  that  all  the 
usual  or  desirable  entries  should  be  included 
in  smaller  type  at  the  bottom  of  the  card,  leaving 
it  for  the  librarian  to  write  in  or  stamp  in  the 
several  headings  under  which  he  would  enter  the 
book.  He  regretted  to  see  two  competitors  in 
the  field  for  this  work  —  though  it  was  unprofita- 
blelto  discusslwhich  had  the  right  of  way  —  because 
it  halved  the  compensation,  and  with  his  experi- 
ence of  the  subject  he  thought  it  would  be  suffi- 
ciently difficult  to  handle  the  scheme  with  the  full 
benefits  of  co-operation.  If  individual  work  was 
to  be  attempted,  and  the  peculiar  desires  of  indi- 
vidual libraries  considered,  the  cost  of  machinery 
would  be  something  enormous,  and  it  would  be  a 
much  safer  plan  for  both  the  Library  Bureau  and 
the  Indexer  Co.  to  confine  themselves  to  the  issue 
of  one  title  per  book,  with  sub-headings  in 
smaller  type.  Such  a  plan  would  be  entirely 
practicable  with  commercial  energy  and  push, 
such  as  both  the  Indexer  Company  and  the  Li- 
brary Bureau  possessed  in  a  large  degree.  An 
important  point  would  ultimately  be  whether  li- 
braries in  general  would  be  content  with  one  card 
to  a  book.  An  admirable  feature  of  the  plans  of 
the  Indexer  Company  was  its  intention  to  catalog 
special  libraries  and  thus  put  itself  in  the  position 
of  having  a  stock  of  cards  on  which  other  libraries 
could  draw;  and  he  suggested  that  two  prices  be 
established,  one  for  the  regular  series,  and  one 
for  a  special  selection  or  for  a  lot  with  privilege 
of  return.  He  desired  specially  to  advocate  the 
printing  of  one  card  only,  practically  the  author, 
possibly  two,  respectively  for  author  and  title 
entries  ;  but  the  plan  that  seemed  specially 
within  the  limits  of  practicability  was  the  print- 
ing of  the  author  entry  with  room  at  the  top 
for  title  and  subject  entry. 

A  general  discussion  followed.  Most  of  those 
present  expressed  themselves  as  in  favor  of 
authorand  title  cards  only,  with  space  at  top  of 
the  cards  for  the  librarian  to  write  in  the  subject- 
heading  according  to  the  classification  adopted 
in  his  individual  library.  Mr.  Stetson,  of  New 
Haven,  said  that  he  had  already  suggested  this 
change  to  the  Library  Bureau  and  that  the  matter 
was  under  consideration.  He  advocated  the 
adoption  of  Mr.  lies'  plan  of  critical  annotations 
on  the  cards,  and  Mr.  Carr  said  that  this  was  al- 
ready under  consideration  by  his  company  as  a 
matter  for  future  development.  Miss  Plummer 
asked  if,  with  the  general  use  of  printed  cards, 
the  cataloger's  occupation  would  not  be  gone. 
This  aroused  a  rather  lively  discussion,  but  the 
general  opinion  was  that  catalogers  need  not 
yet  begin  to  fear  on  that  score;  Mr.  Bardwellsaid 
that  he  had  been  asked  that  question,  but  that  in 
view  of  the  fact  that  out  of  125  cards  furnished  to 
his  library  by  the  Library  Bureau  he  had  been  able 
to  use  19  only,  he  did  not  think  that  catalogers 
need  fear  immediate  and  wholesale  dismissal. 
The  question  of  printing  the  classification  on  the 
back  of  the  card  was  brought  up,  but  set  aside 
as  unimportant.  Opinion  as  to  the  saving  effected 
by  the  use  of  the  printed  cards  seemed  to  vary; 


Mr.  Stetson  thought  that  little  or  nothing  was 
saved  and  that  the  cost  might  exceed  that  of  or- 
dinary cataloging;  Mr.  Fletcher  quoted  the  esti- 
mate made  by  Mr.  Jones  at  a  recent  meeting  of 
the  Massachusetts  Library  Club,  figuring  that  if 
700  cards  out  of  1000  were  used  there  would  still 
be  a  saving  to  the  library  of  one-sixth.  The 
increased  time  that  library  workers  would  be 
able  to  devote  to  the  many  things  that  were  al- 
ways to  be  done,  but  for  which  there  was  never 
time,  must  also  be  considered. 

Mr.  Cole  suggested  that  in  the  shipment  of 
cards,  instead  of  having  50  cards  sent  in  at  once, 
all  in  alphabet,  it  would  be  well  if  the  cards  of 
one  book  be  kept  together  by  themselves,  as  the 
cataloger  could  thus  use  them  more  easily  and 
quickly. 

A  show  of  hands  was  taken  on  the  follow- 
ing questions:  How  many  preferred  complete 
sets  of  cards,  including  subject-entries;  none. 
How  many  preferred  complete  sets  without  sub- 
ject-entries; 14.  How  many  preferred  full  title 
on  title-card;  three.  How  many  preferred  short 
title  on  title-card;  six. 

It  was  decided  that  the  next  meeting  be  held 
at  Columbia  College,  in  connection  with  the  New 
York  State  Library  Association.  Mr.  Poole  and 
Mr.  Peoples  were  appointed  a  committee  to  wait 
on  Mr.  De  Vinne,  to  ask  him  to  deliver  an  address 
at  the  next  meeting,  preferably  on  "  Early  print- 
ed books."  The  treasurer's  report  was  placed 
on  file. 

The  meeting  adjourned  at  5  p.m.,  and  the 
members  spent  a  short  time  examining  a  new 
book-support  exhibited  by  Mr.  Fletcher,  a  sam- 
ple newspaper  file,  and  specimens  of  binding, 
that  were  submitted  for  their  inspection. 

CHICAGO  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

THE  1 3th  regular  meeting  of  the  Chicago  Li- 
brary Club  was  held  at  the  Public  Library, 
November  9,  1893.  Neither  the  president,  nor 
either  of  the  vice-presidents,  being  present,  the 
secretary  called  the  meeting  to  order  at  8:12  p.m., 
and  moved  that  Mr.  Josiah  T.  Read  be  called  to 
the  chair,  which  was  unanimously  carried.  The 
minutes  of  the  preceding  meeting  were  read  and 
approved. 

Dr.  E.  G.  Wire,  of  the  Newberry  Library,  then 
read  a  well-prepared  paper,  entitled  "  Sugges- 
tions to  stimulate  discussion."  The  intended 
object  was  accomplished.  After  the  paper  was 
read  in  toto,  it  was  discussed  point  by  point. 

i.  The  first  suggestion  offered  was  that  the 
club  should  know  what  the  libraries  in  its  terri- 
tory were  doing,  that  the  members  should  there- 
fore visit  the  various  libraries,  and  that  the 
membership  in  the  club  of  librarians  and  li- 
brary workers  in  these  institutions,  who  are  not 
already  members,  should  be  solicited  on  the 
occasion  of  such  visits.  Miss  Clarke  argued  that 
it  would  be  best  also  to  have  a  special  committee 
for  the  purpose  of  visiting  libraries  and  soliciting 
membership,  making  a  motion  to  that  effect, 
which  being  seconded  by  Miss  Elliott,  was  car- 
ried. The  committee  to  consist  of  five  and  to  be 
appointed  by  the  executive  committee. 

3.  The  second  suggestion  made  by  Dr.  Wire 


January,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


was  that  the  club  ought  to  prepare  a  manual  of 
libraries  in  its  district.  Mr.  Merrill  thought  the 
Idea  a  very  good  one,  since  such  a  manual  would 
be  an  excellent  help,  especially  to  students,  by 
pointing  out  the  specialties  and  resources  of  the 
several  libraries.  It  could  be  sold  or  distributed 
by  the  libraries  themselves.  Mr.  Merrill  sug- 
gested that  the  club  send  circulars  to  the  libraries 
and  a  set  of  questions  to  be  answered. 

3.  The  third  suggestion  aimed  at  the  careful 
preparation  and  maintenance  of  lists  of  serials  in 
the  possession  of  several  libraries,  showing  not 
only  which  serials  may  be  found  at  the  different 
libraries,  but  how  complete  they  are,  etc.' 

4,  The  fourth  suggestion  offered  was   that  it 
would  be  very  profitable  for  the  club  to  discuss 
the  various  library  helps  and  appliances,  as  the 
Rudolph  Indexer,  the  lineotype,   etc.,  as    they 
may  appear. 

A  discussion  on  profitable  work  for  the  club 
during  the  present  season  followed.  The  secre- 
tary thought  that  librarians  ought  also  to  learn 
from  outsiders  who  are  connected  wiih  literature, 
such  as  authors,  teachers  of  literature  and  profes- 
sional men,  and  that  these  might  be  asked  to 
address  the  club  at  its  meetings.  Mr.  Merrill 
moved  that  the  secretary  be  asked  to  prepare  a 
scheme  for  work  on  that  line  to  present  to  the 
next  meeting.  The  motion  was  carried. 

The  meeting  thereupon  adjourned  at  9:30. 

THE  i4th  regular  meeting  of  the  club  was  held 
at  the  rooms  of  the  Library  Bureau,  Thursday, 
December  7,  1893.  The  meeting  was  called  to 
order  at  7:45  by  the  president,  W.  B.  Wicker- 
sham.  The  minutes  of  the  preceding  meeting 
were  read  and  approved,  as  also  the  minutes  of 
the  executive  committee. 

The  resignation  of  Dr.  Pietsch,  of  the  New- 
berry,  was  received  and  accepted  .and  the  follow- 
ing six  names  were  unanimously  recommended 
for  membership  by  the  executive  committee  : 
Miss  Therese  West  and  Miss  Agnes  Van  Walk- 
enburg,  of  the  Milwaukee  Public  Library;  Miss 
Carrie  A.  Trowbridge  and  James  S.  Cobb,  of  the 
Library  Bureau;  Almon  Burtch,  of  A.  C.  Mc- 
Clurg  &  Co.;  Norman  S.  Patton,  architect,  of 
No.  115  Monroe  St.,  Chicago.  They  were  elected 
by  acclamation. 

The  question  was  raised  whether  it  would  be 
in  the  interest  of  the  club  to  reduce  the  annual 
dues  from  $i  to  50  cents.  There  was  some  dis- 
cussion of  the  subject,  but  the  sense  of  the  meet- 
ing being  unanimous  in  favor  of  leaving  the  dues 
at  $i,  the  matter  was  dropped  without  a  vote. 

Miss  Kate  M.  Henneberry,  of  the  Chicago 
Public  Library,  then  read  a  paper  on  "The 
preparation  of  printed  lists  for  circulating  li- 
braries." (Seep.  g). 

The  meeting  having  been  called  to  the  rooms 
of  the  Library  Bureau  for  the  purpose  of  discuss- 
ing library  aids  and  appliances,  such  as  are 
offered  by  the  Bureau  or  sold  by  special  houses, 
Mr.  Meleney,  the  representative  of  the  Bureau 
at  Chicago,  was  called  upon  to  present  such  ar- 
ticles as  he  thought  worthy  of  special  mention. 
Mr.  Meleney  said  he  was  sorry  he  could  not  say 
anything  about  the  Rudolph  Indexer  and  the 
lineotype.  The  nature  and  usefulness  of  these 


two  devices  were  therefore  explained  by  Dr.  Wire, 
no  one  representing  them  being  present.  Mr. 
Meleney  then  called  attention  to  the  large  stock 
of  library  aids  and  appliances  sold  and  mostly 
manufactured  by  the  Library  Bureau,  as  they 
were  advantageously  arranged  in  the  commo- 
dious rooms.  Mr.  Meleney  said  that  they  were 
mostly  old  favorites,  and  but  few  new.  One  or 
two  of  the  latter,  however,  he  would  call  special 
attention  to,  especially  to  the  new  steel  stacks, 
made  on  the  upright  principle.  The  best  feature 
in  these  was  the  fastening  of  the  shelves,  which 
was  done  by  means  of  a  wedge,  allowing  the 
shelves  to  be  adjusied  at  any  height.  Then 
there  were  the  "  charging  cards  "  and  the 
"  charging  box,"  keeping  not  only  a  record  of 
borrowers,  but  also  of  books.  The  new  book 
support,  too,  was  meeting  with  favor.  The 
greatest  feature  of  the  Bureau's  work,  however, 
was  the  printed  catalog  cards,  which  were  found 
to  supply  quite  a  want,  since  cataloging  in  li- 
braries was  of  necessity  simple,  and  these  cards, 
being  obtained  by  subscription,  cut  down  the  ex- 
penses of  libraries  considerably. 

Thanks  were  voted    Mr.    Meleney,   and    the 
meeting  adjourned  at  9:06. 

E.  F.  L.  GAUSS,  Secretary. 


BULLETIN  of  the  Bureau  of  Rolls  and  Records  of 
the  Department  of  State  ;  No.  i.  September, 
1893  Washington  :  Department  of  State, 
1893.  102+46  pp.  1.  O. 

The  publication  of  this  volume  is  welcome 
in  more  ways  than  one,  for  it  is  not  merely  a 
contribution  to  history,  but  also  marks  a  tendency 
that  cannot  be  too  highly  praised  —  a  desire  to 
make  accessible  by  proper  calendars  the  manu- 
script archives  possessed  by  our  government.  For 
many  years  the  established  policy  has  been  one  de- 
signed to  seclude  from  use  the  immensely  valu- 
able manuscript  purchases  and  official  records  in 
the  Department  of  State.  Fifty  years  ago  a  some- 
what inadequate  calendar  of  the  manuscripts 
of  the  Bureau  of  Rolls  and  Library  was  put  in 
type;  but  no  copies  were  distributed,  and  the  list 
was  rarely  shown,  even  to  visitors  at  the  depart- 
ment. And  this  secretiveness  was  but  an  index 
to  the  whole  policy  of  the  department  towards 
historical  workers.  In  every  way  they  were  dis- 
couraged from  endeavoring  to  see  the  original 
records,  to  such  an  extent,  that  when  Mr.  Lodge 
undertook  to  edit  the  new  edition  of  the  "  Writ- 
ings of  Alexander  Hamilton,"  he  was  not  even 
aware  that  the  Hamilton  manuscripts  were  actu- 
ally in  existence,  and  in  a  government  deposi- 
tory. And  most  historical  workers  were  either 
equally  ignorant,  or  like  Kapp,  had  been  sub- 
jected to  such  incivilities  and  discouragements  in 
the  endeavors  to  consult  these  archives  that  they 
had  given  up  in  disgust.  Nor  did  this  policy  re- 
lax with  time.  Only  four  years  ago  the  Govern- 
ment printed  the  "  Calendar  of  the  correspond- 
ence of  James  Monroe  ;  "  but  the  publication 
was  not  distributed  and  all  consultation  of  it  in 
the  department  was  prohibited  in  every  way. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[January,  '94 


Indeed,  all  consultation  or  endeavor  to  obtain 
knowledge  of  the  manuscripts  of  the  department 
by  outsiders  was  discouraged.  And  in  some 
cases  attempts  were  made  by  those  in  charge  of 
the  bureau  to  actually  prohibit  the  use  of  the 
manuscripts  and  historical  material. 

We  therefore  hail  the  present  volume  as  mark- 
ing a  new  epoch  in  the  history  and  policy  of  the 
library  —  as  an  attempt  to  encourage  rather  than 
discourage  the  use  of  its  manuscript  wealth;  and 
feel  a  gratitude  to  Mr.  Andrew  H.  Allen,  the 
chief  of  the  bureau,  for  inaugurating  such  a  poli- 
cy. Should  the  system  indicated  by  the  prepara- 
tion and  distribution  of  this  initial  volume  be 
continued,  the  reputation  of  the  Bureau  of  Rolls 
and  Libraries  among  historical  workers  will  be 
entirely  reversed,  and  Mr.  Allen  will  have  done  a 
greater  service,  both  to  writers  and  to  his  own 
bureau,  than  has  been  done  by  any  previous  chief 
of  bureau. 

Of  the  list  under  review  our  first  comment 
must  be  in  praise  of  the  typographical  form  and 
the  careful  and  accurate  printing.  The  bulletin 
is  divided  into  three  sections,  under  the  head 
"  Catalogue  of  the  papers  of  the  Continental 
Congress,"  "  Miscellaneous  index,"  and  "  Docu- 
mentary history  of  the  Constitution."  The  first 
section  is  devoted  to  a  calendar  of  the  "Papers 
of  the  Continental  Congress,"  or  rather  a  part  of 
them.  The  list  is  satisfactory  wherever  the  vol- 
ume cataloged  relates  only  to  one  subject,  but  is 
unfortunate  in  treating  with  too  much  brevity 
many  of  the  volumes.  It  is,  however,  such  an 
immensely  valuable  list,  even  as  printed,  that  it 
seems  hypercritical  to  pick  faults  in  it.  We  trust, 
however,  that  this  list  is  but  a  preliminary  to  a 
careful  calendar  of  the  documents,  which  is  by 
far  the  greatest  desideratum  of  all  the  manuscript 
collections.  This  section  is  followed  by  a  Mis- 
cellaneous Index,  which  is  an  attempt  to  index  the 
papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  the  Wash- 
ington papers,  the  papers  relating  to  the  forma- 
tion of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  the 
manuscripts  of  Jefferson,  Madison,  Hamilton, 
Monroe,  and  Franklin,  and  the  "  Records  of  the 
States  and  Territories."  The  particular  section 
printed  in  the  present  bulletin  goes  from  A  to  L 
in  the  "  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress."  It 
is  alphabetical  in  arrangement,  and  opens  up  a 
vast  number  of  documents,  but  it  must  be  appar- 
ent on  the  most  cursory  examination  to  be  merely 
a  skimming  of  the  surface;  nevertheless  it  is  a 
list  of  the  utmost  value  and  indicates  great  care 
and  a  large  amount  of  work.  The  "  Documen- 
tary history  of  the  Constitution"  is  printed  in 
the  form  of  an  appendix  and  separately  paged  so 
that  it  may  be  rebound.  This,  unlike  the  other 
two  lists,  is  not  a  calendar,  but  a  printing  of  the 
documents  themselves,  and  these  are  most  wel- 
come. 

We  regret  exceedingly  that  these  three  subjects 
should  be  printed  in  this  way,  for  the  value  of  the 
bulletin  would  be  much  greater  if  it  finished  a 
subject  in  each  issue,  rather  than  giving  sections 
of  three  and  leaving  each  to  be  continued  in  an- 
other bulletin.  Indeed  the  plan  shows  lack  of 
system  and  a  certain  scrappiness  which  is  very  re- 
gretable  in  view  of  the  great  value  of  the  work, 
and  the  evident  pains  that  have  been  taken  with 


it.  It  is  a  pity  when  such  a  work  is  being  done 
that  it  should  not  be  executed  in  such  a  way  as 
not  to  need  a  redoing  of  it  later;  and  this  we  fear 
will  be  necessary  if  the  present  system  is  contin- 
ued. Even  in  its  present  form  it  is  a  great  boon, 
however,  and  will  win  Mr.  Allen  nothing  but 
praise  among  historical  students,  for  the  inaugu- 
ration of  such  a  calendar,  if  not  in  its  method  of 
execution.  P.  L.  F. 


Cibrorg  (Economg  cw&  f  istorg. 


LOCAL. 

Alameda  (Cal.)  P.  L.  (Rpt.)  Added  327;  total 
not  given;  issued,  home  use  8508  (fict.  51.32  #); 
ref.  use,  933;  no.  visitors  (estimated)  11,821. 

Librarian  Harbourne  says:  "  I  have  been  asked 
frequently:  'Does  free  access  to  the  books  in- 
crease the  demand  for  light  reading,  or  do  those 
of  a  studious  turn  follow  their  proper  line  of 
reading?'  In  answer  to  this  inquiry  I  will  give 
the  following  comparisons.  I  took  charge  of 
the  library  on  May  15.  The  circulation  for 
that  month  was  4011.  The  average  for  fiction 
was  60  %,  for  juvenile  26.7  and  for  miscellaneous 
13.3.  At  that  time  the  applicant  was  compelled 
to  hand  to  the  librarian  a  list  giving  name  of 
book,  shelf,  and  case  number.  I  found  in  many 
cases  that  patrons  would  turn  away  disappointed 
and  disgusted  at  the  reply  '  not  in.' 

"  I  asked  permission  to  try  the  experiment  of 
free  access.  The  following  figures  will  show 
how  well  it  succeeded:  the  circulation  for  Novem- 
ber was  9441,  average  for  fiction  51.32,  for  juve- 
nile 16.89,  a°d  for  miscellaneous  31.79.  With 
nearly  double  the  circulation  we  have  decreased 
fiction  nearly  10  %,  juvenile  nearly  10  %,  and  in- 
creased the  better  class  of  literature  18.93,  or 
over  nearly  100  %.  Surely  no  one  can  deny  the 
success  of  the  system  now  in  vogue. 

"  Our  cases  containing  juvenile  books  are  en- 
tirely separate  from  other  classes  of  books,  and 
those  using  this  class  of  books  seldom  stray  from 
the  cases  containing  books  especially  selected  for 
them.  Should  they  do  so  we  have  a  check  in  the 
fact  that  all  the  books  selected  are  presented  to 
the  librarian.  Any  books  not  suitable  are  re- 
tained, and  they  are  directed  to  their  proper  de- 
partment." 

BOLTON,  C:  Knowles.  Harvard  University  Li" 
brary:  a  sketch  of  its  history  and  its  benefac- 
tors, with  some  account  of  its  influence  through 
two  and  a  half  centuries.  Reprinted  from  the 
New  England  Magazine  for  December,  1892. 
Cambridge,  1894.  il.  18  p.  O. 

Branford,  Ct.  Blackstone  Memorial  L.  When 
it  was  announced  that  Mr.  Timothy  B.  Black- 
stone,  of  Chicago,  had  given  a  memorial  library 
to  his  native  town  of  Branford,  the  fact  was  not 
then  appreciated  that  this  memorial  library  was 
to  cost  over  $300,000.  Ground  was  broken  for 
the  building  in  November,  and  since  then  the 
work  on  the  foundation  walls  has  been  progress- 
ing quietly.  It  will  not  be  until  spring  that 


January,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


the  structure  will  begin  to  show  that  this  library 
will  be  as  fine  a  building  as  there  is  in  the  United 
States,  and  for  its  dimensions  one  of  the  finest 
there  is  anywhere.  It  has  been  designed  by  S. 
S.  Beman,  of  Chicago,  one  of  the  five  architects 
of  the  World's  Fair,  Mr.  Beman  having  designed 
the  Mines  building  and  several  smaller  ones  of 
the  Fairgrounds.  The  construction  is  in  charge 
of  the  Probst  Company,  of  Chicago,  a  firm  that 
has  constructed  many  of  the  most  noted  buildings 
in  Chicago  and  over  a  dozen  of  the  World's  Fair 
buildings.  The  new  library  will  be  a  mod- 
el in  every  respect.  The  ground  plan  will  be 
cruciform,  the  main  part  being  163  feet  in  length, 
the  central  rotunda  ending  in  a  magnificent 
dome,  and  the  width  of  the  building  through  the 
wings  being  133  feet.  The  footings  and  walls 
above  ground  for  the  first  10  feet  are  to  be  built 
of  granite  ;  the  rest  of  the  walls  will  be  of  light- 
colored  Concord,  East  Tennessee,  marble. 

The  exterior  doors  and  all  the  railings  will  be 
of  bronze.  The  style  of  architecture  is  classic 
in  design,  effective  in  outline,  and  very  pleasing. 
In  the  basement  of  the  building  there  is  to  be  a 
thoroughly  equipped  gymnasium,  in  addition  to 
a  number  of  storage-rooms  for  books.  The 
second  floor  will  contain  the  library.  The  main 
entrance  will  be  an  adaptation  of  classic  archi- 
tecture and  will  be  reached  through  an  imposing 
porch  that  will  extend  about  10  feet  in  front  of 
the  building  proper.  The  porch  will  have  four 
large  Ionic  columns,  and  on  either  side  will  be 
flanked  by  the  circular  wings  of  the  main  build- 
ing. The  steps  leading  up  to  the  porch  will  be 
of  marble  and  these  in  turn  will  lead  through  a 
grand  marble  vestibule,  which  will  form  the  en- 
trance to  the  rotunda.  This  rotunda  will  extend 
clear  up  through  the  building  to  the  grand  dome 
and  will  have  a  panelled  ceiling,  walls  of  rich 
polished  marble,  and  mosaic  floors;  eight  great 
columns  of  Tennessee  pink  marble  will  form  the 
supports  for  the  dome. 

To  the  left  of  the  main  entrance  and  leading 
off  from  the  rotunda,  in  one  of  the  wings,  will 
be  the  stock-room,  while  in  the  right-hand 
wing  will  be  the  reading-room.  In  the  corners 
of  the  rotunda  there  will  be  smaller  rooms  for 
the  librarian,  a  catalog-room,  reference-rooms, 
etc.  Opposite  the  main  entrance  will  be  the 
lecture-hall,  reached  by  a  grand  marble  staircase. 
This  hall  will  be  62x44  feet  in  dimensions  and 
will  have  a  stage  at  one  end.  The  ceiling  will 
be  of  panelled  tile  and  the  walls  will  be  frescoed 
and  finished  in  keeping  with  the  rest  of  the 
building.  The  hall  will  seat  about  700  people. 
The  second  floor  will  have  a  large  promen- 
ade gallery,  finished  off  in  bronze,  extending 
around  the  rotunda.  In  the  wing  on  the  second 
floor  will  be  three  separate  art  galleries,  and  also 
a  gallery  over  the  lecture-hall.  All  the  stairs 
are  to  be  of  marble  with  bronze  railings.  The 
entire  building  will  be  fire-proof  and  little  or  no 
wood  will  be  used  in  its  construction.  The  ceil- 
ing of  the  dome  will  be  of  hollow  tile,  after  the 
old  Roman  idea  of  a  ceiling  for  a  dome,  and  the 
frescoing  of  the  dome  will  be  done  by  Walter 
Crane. 

Mr.  Blackstone  has  for  several  years  been  col- 
lecting the  nucleus  for  a  library  to  fill  the  shelves 


of  this  splendid  memorial.  He  has  also  collected 
many  paintings  and  works  of  art,  and  these,  too, 
it  is  understood,  are  for  Branford. 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Pratt  Institute  F.  L.  On 
Dec.  21  Mr.  Melvil  Dewey,  of  the  New  York 
State  Library,  lectured  before  the  members  of 
the  Pratt  Institute  and  their  friends  on  "  Educa- 
tional interests  and  library  extension  in  New 
York  State." 

Charlemont,  Mass.  Goodnow  L.  The  Goodnow 
Town  Hall  and  Library  was  dedicated  on  Dec. 
12  with  appropriate  exercises.  The  building, 
town  hall  and  library  combined,  was  erected 
from  a  fund  of  $8000  given  for  the  purpose  by 
Ebenezer  Goodnow,  of  the  town,  to  which  nearly 
$3000  was  added  by  popular  subscription.  It  is 
45  x  65,  of  brick  trimmed  with  red  granite.  An 
arched  vestibule  leads  to  the  main  entrance,  and 
above  it  on  the  wall,  cut  in  the  granite,  is  the  in- 
scription, "  Goodnow  Hall,  1892."  On  the  lower 
floor,  three  rooms  on  the  right  of  the  corridor 
are  for  the  use  of  the  town  library  and  for  a  read- 
ing-room, and  three  rooms  on  the  left  are  for  the 
town  officers  and  a  kitchen.  These  rooms  are 
neatly  finished,  those  for  the  library  being  con- 
nected with  folding  doors.  The  library  has  been 
in  existence  for  50  years  or  more  in  private 
houses.  The  offer  of  the  state  to  donate  books 
has  been  taken  advantage  of,  and  additions  from 
other  sources  have  brought  the  number  up  to 
some  1500  volumes.  Miss  Lizzie  Temple  is  the 
librarian,  and  the  library  is  open  on  Saturday 
evenings.  The  income  of  a  fund  of  $1000,  left 
by  the  late  J:  Maxwell,  of  Rockville,  Ct.,  is  to 
be  devoted  to  the  purchase  of  books.  The  sec- 
ond floor  of  the  building  is  devoted  to  a  large 
lecture-hall,  with  stage  and  galleries. 

The  exercises,  which  were  largely  attended, 
consisted  of  music,  prayer,  and  addresses  by 
Lorenzo  Griswold,  Rev.  Dr.  Whiting,  Rev.  A. 
D.  Barter,  and  others. 

Elgin,  III.  Gail  Borden  P.  L.  Work  is  about 
completed  on  the  Gail  Borden  Public  Library 
building,  and  the  library  will  probably  be  in 
working  order  in  its  new  quarters  within  a 
month.  The  land  for  the  building  was  given  to 
the  city  by  Messrs.  A.  B.  and  S:  Church  on  the 
one  condition,  that  the  town  library  should  adopt 
the  name  of  Gail  Borden.  This  condition  was 
accepted,  and  to  place  a  suitable  structure  on  the 
lot,  the  town  voted  to  allow  the  directors  $goco. 

The  building,  which  was  designed  by  W.  W. 
Abell,  is  120x52  feet,  two  stories  high,  and 
is  built  of  St.  Louis  mottled  pressed  brick,  with 
modest  terra-cotta  trimming.  The  inside  trim- 
mings are  all  of  hard  wood,  and  the  numerous 
large  windows  are  filled  with  the  best  French 
plate-glass.  The  inside  walls  will  be  tinted.  A 
mosaic  floor  is  used  in  the  entrance  and  the 
wainscoting  is  of  hard  wood.  The  building  is 
heated  by  steam,  and  lighted  by  electricity.  In 
the  basement  is  a  commodious  receiving-room 
for  books,  etc.,  and  the  furnace-rooms. 

On  the  first  floor  are  the  stock,  delivery,  refer- 
ence, and  reading  rooms.  With  the  exception  of 
the  reference-room,  which  is  more  secluded,  the 


26 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[January,  '94 


first  floor  is  really  one  large  room.  The  south 
part  of  it  is  devoted  to  the  storage-room  and  de- 
livery-desk, while  the  remainder  of  the  room  is 
arranged  for  the  users  of  the  library.  On  the 
second  floor  is  the  public  document  and  directors' 
room.  In  the  former  will  be  stored  all  the  un- 
used public  documents,  newspapers,  etc.  The 
directors'  room  will  be  handsomely  furnished  by 
Mrs.  A.  B.  Church,  and  will  be  used  by  the  di- 
rectors and  by  literary  clubs  for  their  meetings. 
Miss  Cecil  Harvey  is  librarian. 

Elmer  (Pa.)  P.  L.  A.  The  question  as  to  who 
owns  the  public  library  has  recently  been  raised. 
Eight  years  ago  the  Elmer  Public  Library  Asso- 
ciation was  formed  with  about  40  members.  At 
the  last  annual  meeting  only  one  member  was 
present,  Edwin  Coombs,  who  holds  the  only 
life-member  certificate.  According  to  the  by- 
laws Mr.  Coombs  is  the  sole  owner  of  the  books, 
as  the  other  members  have  failed  to  pay  the 
dues. 

Fairfield,  la.  The  handsome  new  building  of 
the  Jefferson  County  Library  Association  was 
dedicated  on  Nov.  29,  with  appropriate  exercises, 
which  were  attended  by  a  large  number  of 
guests,  representing  many  parts  of  the  state. 
The  building  fund  was  raised  by  liberal  dona- 
tions, Andrew  Carnegie  giving  $40,000. 

Hoboken  (N.J.)  P.  L.  By  an  act  of  the  legis- 
lature the  library  trustees  have  been  allowed 
$50,000  with  which  to  purchase  land  and  erect  a 
new  building. 

Macon  (Ga.)  P.  L.  In  his  report  for  the  past 
year  the  president  of  the  board  of  library  direc- 
tors says  :  "  When  I  assumed  charge  of  affairs  I 
found  an  indebtedness  of  about  $1700,  and  the 
expenses  of  the  library  in  excess  of  its  income. 
The  debt  had  been  materially  reduced,  and  if 
people  would  contribute  as  much  as  $350  the  li- 
brary would  be  out  of  debt.  The  income  is  now 
greater  than  the  expenses.  Over  100  member- 
ships have  been  added,  about  60  of  which  were 
purchased  and  paid  for.  Three  entertainments 
have  been  given  and  have  proven  quite  a  source 
of  revenue,  the  society  realizing  a  profit  on  ev- 
ery one  of  them." 

Massachusetts  State  L. ,  Boston.  (Rpt.)  Added 
2849;  pm.  3527;  total  not  given.  Expended  for 
books  $5206.81. 

"  The  accessions  from  all  sources,  as  repre- 
sented in  the  catalog,  have  covered  a  wide  range 
of  subjects,  which,  by  liberal  interpretation, 
properly  come  within  the  range  of  literature 
which  a  state  library  should  contain.  The  de- 
velopment of  the  library  in  the  special  lines  of 
statute  law,  reports  of  judicial  decisions,  politic- 
al, social,  and  economic  science,  local  history 
and  genealogy,  and  the  official  publications  of 
the  general  government  and  of  the  several  states 
has  received  constant  and  watchful  care.  No 
effort  has  been  spared  to  make  all  portions  of  the 
collection  readily  available  to  any  person  engaged 
in  special  research." 

Milwaukee  ( Wis.)  P.  L.    The   men's  reading. 


room  has  for  some  time  past  been  daily  filled, 
often  crowded,  with  workingmen  whose  enforced 
idleness  gives  them  the  opportunity  to  read, 
while  the  number  of  books  drawn  from  the  li- 
brary at  the  present  time  is  75  per  cent,  greater 
than  at  the  corresponding  time  last  year.  The 
librarian  is  quoted  as  saying  that  the  business  of 
the  free  library  in  this  country  is  a  trustworthy 
pulse  of  the  average  industrial  activity.  In  sea- 
sons of  depression  the  officers  and  employees  of 
libraries  are  "  rushed  "  with  work.  When  times 
are  good,  on  the  other  hand,  and  when  work  and 
business  crowd,  the  libraries,  so  far  as  the  pat- 
ronage of  men  is  concerned,  are  to  a  considerable 
extent  deserted. 

Montdair  (N.  /.)  F.  P.  L.  The  library  was 
opened  the  first  week  in  January.  There  are 
2000  books  on  the  shelves,  1000  of  which  were 
turned  over  by  the  old  Library  Association,  500 
purchased,  and  500  contributed  by  friends  of  the 
library. 

New  Brunswick,  N.  J,  Theological  Seminary 
of  the  Reformed  (Dutch}  Church.  The  Gardner 
A.  Sage  library,  which  occupies  an  important 
place  in  the  seminary,  contains  over  42,000  vol- 
umes, 3000  of  which  were  formerly  a  part  of  the 
library  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bethune;  many  have 
been  given  by  ministerial  friends  of  the  semi- 
nary; many  purchased  with  money  contributed  by 
numerous  generous  donors.  It  is  an  excellent 
working  library,  being  particularly  rich  in  theolo- 
gy and  philosophy,  philology,  history,  archaeolo- 
gy, and  art.  In  addition  to  its  bound  volumes  it 
contains  7500  pamphlets,  current  American  and 
foreign  periodicals,  with  many  plates,  etchings, 
engravings,  maps,  and  several  valuable  oil  paint- 
ings. 

The  library  is  housed  in  a  complete  and  spa- 
cious fire-proof  building,  admirably  fitted  for  its 
purpose,  and  erected  in  1875  by  Gardner  A. 
Sage,  late  of  New  York  City.  In  addition  Mr. 
Sage  endowed  the  library  to  the  amount  of  $60,- 
ooo,  the  income  of  which  is  to  be  used  for  keep- 
ing the  building  and  books  in  good  order  and  re- 
pair, for  the  payment  of  all  necessary  current 
expenses  of  the  library,  and  for  the  purchase  of 
books.  The  expenditure  of  this  income,  togeth- 
er with  gifts  of  books,  enables  the  library  to  add 
new  books  to  the  number  of  about  1000  per 
year. 

The  General  Synod  has  resolved,  "that  the 
use  of  the  library  be  extended  to  the  whole  Re- 
formed Church,  and  to  the  citizens  of  New 
Brunswick,  under  such  restrictions,  however,  to 
be  adopted  by  the  board  of  superintendents,  as 
not  to  interfere  with  its  proper  use  by  the  facul- 
ty and  students  of  the  Theological  Seminary." 

New  Haven  (Ct.)  F.  P.  L.  The  statement  of 
the  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  New  Haven 
Free  Public  Library,  given  in  the  LIBRARY  JOUR- 
NAL for  December,  was  incorrect,  owing  partly  to 
the  form  of  the  treasurer's  statement.  Receipts, 
including  balances  were  $23,570.06,  expendi- 
tures $18,793.67,  leaving  balance  of  $4776.39. 
Of  this  $1885.24  was  working  balance  necessary 
on  account  of  date  of  city  appropriation,  $2891.- 
15  was  balance  of  building  fund,  used  for  re- 


January,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


27 


pairs,  furniture,  etc.,  $1693.19  was  expended  on 
the  building,  $6312.71  was  expended  for  books. 
The  actual  ordinary  receipts  of  the  library  have 
been  about  $14,500,  including  income  of  the 
book  fund  ($3130).  An  increase  of  the  city  ap- 
propriation from  $10,000  to  $11,500  has  been 
made  for  1894. 

New  York  City.  Adolph  Sanger,  president  of 
the  board  of  education  and  a  prominent  lawyer, 
died  on  the  morning  of  Jan.  3,  at  his  home  in 
New  York  City.  Mr.  Sanger  was  always  an 
earnest  worker  for  popular  education  generally, 
and  had  for  several  years  endeavored  to  induce 
the  legislature  to  authorize  the  establishment  of 
a  free  municipal  library  in  New  York.  To  his 
efforts  chiefly  was  due  the  passage  of  the  act  re- 
quiring the  city  to  appropriate  annually  $10,000 
each  for  most  of  the  free  libraries  of  the  city. 

New  York  City.  Webster  F.  L.  Work  on  the 
Webster  Free  Library,  78th  Street  near  the  East 
River,  is  almost  completed,  and  it  is  expected  that 
the  library  will  be  in  working  order  by  the  mid- 
dle of  January.  It  is  owned  and  erected  by  the 
East  Side  House  Association,  organized  by  a 
committee  from  the  Church  Club,  which  in  its 
existence  of  two  and  a  half  years  has  accom- 
plished a  very  successful  first  part  of  a  great  work 
which  is  planned.  The  library  signifies  the  de- 
velopment of  one  of  its  chief  features.  The 
means  for  this  building  came  from  C.  B.  Web- 
ster, who  was  travelling  in  Egypt  when  he  de- 
cided to  make  himself  responsible  for  this  project. 

Only  three  stories  of  the  library  are  now  built, 
the  managers  trusting  to  future  prosperity  to  be 
able  to  run  the  building  up  to  the  full  height  and 
to  finish  it  with  a  modest  tower.  The  building 
is  brick  and  of  simple  construction.  The  plan 
comprises  on  the  first  floor  a  hall  to  provide  for 
lectures  and  entertainments,  and  for  the  meeting 
of  girls'  clubs,  and  boys'  clubs  for  lads  too  young 
to  enter  the  men's  club  in  the  other  building,  the 
space  serving  also  in  the  forenoon  for  the  kinder- 
garten, where  provision  is  to  be  made  for  the 
training  of  50  children.  The  second  floor  will 
be  devoted  to  the  library,  which  will  immediate- 
ly receive  4000  books  presented  by  Edward  Clar- 
ence Spofford.  These  are  to  be  cataloged, 
placed  on  the  shelves  in  the  rear  division,  and 
circulated  free  under  stated  rules.  The  front 
section  will  be  used  as  a  reading-room.  The 
third  story  contains  rooms  for  Mr.  Hodges,  the 
librarian,  with  rooms  for  any  other  resident  of 
the  East  Side  House  to  whom  they  may  be  as- 
signed by  the  board  of  managers.  The  equip- 
ment for  the  activities  of  the  East  Side  House  is 
considerably  increased  in  the  new  structure. 

Newark  (N.  /.)  P.  L.  An  exhibition  of  art 
works  was  held  at  the  library  on  Dec.  14,  which 
was  a  decided  success  and  a  source  of  genuine 
encouragement  to  all  interested  in  the  library. 
It  was  the  first  time  that  anything  of  the  kind 
had  been  attempted,  but  it  was  met  with  such 
prompt  appreciation  that  it  is  certain  to  have 
many  successors.  The  books  were  displayed  on 
tables  in  the  reading-room  and  catalog-room, 
which  were  given  up  almost  entirely  to  the  exhi- 


bition. The  day  was  unpleasant,  but  from  early 
morning  until  closing  time  the  tables  were  sur- 
rounded by  visitors  almost  constantly.  During 
the  busy  part  of  the  day,  from  3  o'clock  until  5, 
people  stood  about  the  tables  two  and  three  and 
sometimes  four  deep  awaiting  their  turns.  It  had 
been  arranged  to  keep  tally  of  all  who  came,  but 
this  was  soon  found  impracticable.  A  very  fair 
estimate  of  the  attendance  is  2000.  This  is  if  any- 
thing below  the  actual  figures,  and  the  most  in- 
teresting fact  in  this  connection  is  that  the  great 
majority  of  those  who  attended  came  especially 
to  see  the  exhibit. 

Norfolk  (Va.}  L.  A.  In  view  of  lack  of  inter- 
est among  its  members  and  financial  difficulties 
the  Norfolk  Library  Association  has  decided  to 
sell  its  books  and  to  endeavor,  if  possible,  to  have 
its  collection  purchased  by  the  town  to  form  the 
nucleus  of  a  free  public  library.  It  is  intended  to 
memorialize  the  legislature  to  grant  a  charter  for 
a  public  library  for  the  town. 

Nyack(N.  Y.)  F.  L.  In  September,  1893,  the 
Nyack  library  was  put  in  operation  as  a  free  pub- 
lic library,  it  having  before  that  time  been  a 
subscription  library  with  annual  dues  of  $i.  The 
results  of  the  change  are  indicated  in  the  follow- 
ing figures:  In  September,  1892,  under  the  old 
system,  the  number  of  books  taken  out  was  658; 
in  September,  1893,  the  number  was  1330,  an  in- 
crease of  672.  In  October,  1892,  678  books  were 
taken  out,  and  the  same  month,  1893,  the  num- 
ber was  1290.  The  increase  in  the  month  of 
November  was  much  larger  than  in  either  of  the 
other  two  months.  The  number  of  books  taken 
out  in  November,  1892,  was  643,  and  in  the  same 
month,  1893,  it  was  1607.  In  each  of  the  last 
three  months  the  number  of  new  applicants  for 
books  was  from  60  to  80. 

Hitherto  the  library  has  had  no  city  appropria- 
tion, expenses  being  met  by  individual  contribu- 
tions and  subscriptions.  It  is  proposed,  however, 
that  the  matter  of  a  library  tax  be  submitted  to 
the  people  at  the  spring  elections,  and  it  will 
probably  result  in  the  establishing  of  a  definite 
yearly  appropriation  for  library  purposes. 

Oconomowoc  (Wis.)  L.  A.  The  association, 
which  was  organized  in  August,  1893,  for  the 
establishment  of  a  free  circulating  library,  has 
made  a  promising  beginning.  A  room  has  been 
furnished  to  serve  as  a  library  and  about  700 
volumes  are  now  on  the  shelves.  Nearly  all  of 
these  have  been  given,  and  more  are  expected 
from  friends  of  the  association.  The  association 
will  also  purchase  as  many  books  as  practi- 
cable. 

Pennsylvania  State  L.,  Harrisburg,  Pa.  The 
corner-stone  of  the  new  state  library  building  was 
laid  on  Dec.  16.  The  ceremonies  were  of  the 
simplest  character  and  there  was  an  attendance 
of  hardly  100  persons.  Governor  Pattison  sealed 
the  box  and  performed  the  ceremony  of  spread- 
ing the  mortar  over  the  stone. 

Southport  Ct.  Pequot  L.  The  Pequot  Library 
building,  the  gift  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  B.  Monroe 
to  the  village  of  Southport,  was  formally  ten- 


28 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[January,  94 


dered  to  the  Pequot  Library  Association  on 
Thursday,  Nov.  16,  1893. 

The  building  is  of  granite,  Norman  in  style, 
surrounded  with  ample  lawns,  and  situated  on 
one  of  the  main  streets  of  the  village.  It  con- 
tains a  large  lecture-hall,  two  reading-rooms, 
ladies'  writing-room,  trustees'  room,  librarian's 
room,  and  a  large  fire-proof  book-room.  Cut 
in  the  stone  over  the  portal  are  the  name 
"  Pequot  Library  "  and  twodates,"  1837-1887," 
the  former  being  the  date  of  the  Pequot  War, 
the  latter,  that  of  the  beginning  of  the  building. 

The  books  for  the  library,  to  be  furnished  by 
Mr.  Monroe,  have  not  yet  been  provided,  and 
the  date  of  opening  is  not  determined.  Miss 
Helen  M.  Bradley  is  librarian. 

Syracuse,  IV.  Y.  On  May  18,  1891,  James 
Belden,  of  Syracuse,  offered  to  give  to  his  town 
a  "  complete  fire-proof  library  and  art  building," 
to  cost  not  less  than  $150,000,  on  the  sole  con- 
ditions that  the  city  should  furnish  a  suitable 
site  and  should  provide  annually  for  the  running 
expenses  of  the  library  "the  sum  of  at  least 
$6000."  Since  Mr.  Belden's  offer  was  made  no 
action  towards  its  acceptance  has  been  taken  by 
the  city,  and  the  proposed  gift  is  now  withdrawn. 
In  the  letter  formally  withdrawing  his  offer,  Mr. 
Belden  says: 

"  My  communication  to  the  common  council 
relating  to  a  free  library  was  made  May  8, 
1891.  Since  then  nothing  has  been  done  that 
would  indicate  that  my  proposition,  or  its  terms, 
were  acceptable  to  the  council  or  the  city  except 
the  passage  of  a  resolution  urged  upon  the  at- 
tention of  the  council  (mainly  by  parties  in- 
terested in  its  location)  tendering  the  Putnam 
school  lot  and  adjoining  lots  not  owned  by  the 
city.  No  effort  has  been  made  to  obtain  the 
necessary  legal  authority  to  purchase  lots  or  to 
provide  for  the  maintenance  of  such  library.  On 
the  contrary,  the  mayor  and  many  other  citizens 
have,  through  the; press  and  otherwise,  stated 
that  the  city  could  not  afford  to  accept  the  terms 
proposed. 

"  Under  all  the  many  discouraging  circum- 
stances, I  have  reluctantly  concluded  to  with- 
draw my  unaccepted  proposition,  hoping  for  bet- 
ter success  in  other  and  later  efforts  in  behalf  of 
our  city." 

Washington,  D.  C.  Congressional  L.  In  the 
annual  report  of  progress  upon  the  new  library 
building,  submitted  to  Congress  on  Dec.  12  by 
General  Casey,  who  is  in  charge  of  the  work,  the 
probable  operations  during  the  next  year  are 
outlined  as  follows:  During  the  present  winter 
it  is  expected  that  the  iron  and  steel  works  for 
the  roofs  of  the  north,  south,  and  two  west  cur- 
tains, and  also  of  the  west  main  pavilion,  will  be 
completed,  and  that  the  iron  work  of  corner  pa- 
yilion  and  east  main  roofs,  the  preparation  of 
cut  granite  interior  marble  finish  for  nearly  all  of 
the  corridors  and  main  halls,  marble  decks  and 
shelves  for  the  book-stacks,  iron  stair  for  the 
four  stair-towers,  rotunda  stair-wells  in  the  east 
main  pavilion,  cast-iron  frames  and  trimmed 
openings,  and  the  hanging  and  glazing  of  win- 
dow-sashes will  be  in  continuous  progress. 

By  December  i,  1894,  it  is  expected  that  all  of 


the  masonry  of  the  building  excepting  the  ap- 
proaches, all  roofs  and  skylights,  all  interior 
work  of  trimming,  cases  and  stairs,  the  sashes 
and  glazing,  book-stack  decks  and  marble  work 
of  corridors  and  rotunda,  will  be  finished,  and 
that  a  considerable  advancement  will  have  been 
made  with  the  general  interior  finish  and  decora- 
tion of  the  rotunda  and  other  principal  apart- 
ments, plastering,  machinery  of  transmission, 
plumbing  and  electric  wiring.  Preparations  for 
work  on  the  approaches  will  also  have  been  made. 
The  total  amount  expended  upon  the  building 
since  October  2,  1888,  is  $3,066,502.  There  is  a 
balance  on  hand  of  $783,497,  with  outstanding 
contracts  of  $1,064,196,  and  it  is  estimated  that 
$900,000  will  be  required  for  the  next  fiscal  year. 

FOREIGN. 

Belfast  (Ireland)  F.  P.  L.  (5th  rpt.)  Lending 
L.:  Added  by  purchase  444;  total  16,021;  issued 
205,427  (fict.  61.20  %}  to  7152  persons,  of  whom 
5062  were  males;  v.  lost  or  damaged  and  paid 
for,  91.  Reference  L.:  Added  by  purchase  224; 
total  14,844;  no.  readers  15,582  (14,932  males), 
an  increase  of  3298  over  preceding  year;  issued 
35,444,  an  increase  of  9321  over  previous  years. 

The  preparation  of  the  catalog  is  being 
pressed  forward,  and  it  is  expected  will  be  ready 
for  the  printer  early  in  the  year.  In  the  mean- 
time written  lists  of  the  books  are  available  for 
readers. 

The  estimated  return  for  the  year  (300  days) 
of  persons  using  the  news-room  is  771,523,  or  a 
daily  average  of  2571.  The  previous  annual 
return  was  597,983,  with  a  daily  average  of 
2020.  A  new  reading-stand  for  newspapers 
has  been  added,  which  has  given  additional 
facilities  to  readers. 

The  estimated  number  of  visitors  to  the  Art 
Gallery  and  Museum  for  the  year  (296  days)  is 
498, 145,  showing  a  daily  average  of  1682,  against 
258,512  visitors  for  275  days  in  the  previous 
year. 

A  list  of  "  Number  of  times  notable  and  popu- 
lar books  have  been  issued  during  the  year  "  is 
given  on  p.  15  of  the  report. 

London.  Minet  P.  L.  The  recently  issued  3d 
annual  report  contains  an  elaborate  table  pre- 
pared by  Librarian  C:  J.  Courtney,  dividing  the 
borrowers  of  books  into  sexes,  and  then  subdivid- 
ing them  into  their  various  trades  and  professions. 
Some  of  the  results  given  are  rather  curious. 
Male  borrowers  (of  whom  there  were  1895)  used 
more  of  every  class  of  books,  except  fiction  and, 
curiously  enough,  law,  than  the  female  borrow- 
ers. In  fiction,  however,  the  latter  (of  whom 
there  were  1714)  were  an  easy  first  with  a  total  of 
4696  issues  against  3356  to  the  men,  while  in 
law,  of  30  issues  16  were  to  women.  Of  the 
female  readers  of  fiction  3640  are  returned  as 
"  unemployed  persons,"  while  among  the  men  the 
taste  for  novels  seems  more  equally  distributed, 
"  clerks  and  secretaries  "  coming  first  with  a  total 
of  866.  In  juvenile  books  the  male  borrowers 
use  about  double  the  number  of  the  female,  and 
in  poetry  they  are  more  than  double. 

Manchester  (Eng.}  F.  P.  L's.  The  4131  report 
shows  a  large  increase  in  the  number  of  books 


January,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


29 


issued  for  home  reading,  and  a  slight  decrease 
in  the  number  of  those  issued  for  library  use. 
The  total  number  of  visits  made  by  readers  and 
borrowers  to  the  libraries  was  5,073,825,  or  over 
a  third  of  a  million  in  excess  of  the  previous 
year's  showing.  On  Sundays  the  number  of 
visitors  averaged  about  half  of  the  week-day  at- 
tendance. The  only  works  for  which  there  has 
this  year  been  an  increased  demand  are  those 
on  "  Politics  and  commerce." 


(Snfts  ana 


Chicago,  III.  Newberry  L.  On  December  18 
Dr.  Nicholas  Senn,  of  Chicago,  presented  to  the 
Newberry  Library  a  large  proportion  of  his  fine 
collection  of  valuable  medical  books,  periodicals, 
pamphlets,  and  charts.  The  collection  will  form 
a  separate  department  known  as  "  The  Senn 
collection."  The  value  of  Dr.  Senn's  gift  can 
hardly  be  measured.  Some  of  the  books  cannot 
be  duplicated  and  are  practically  priceless.  An 
effort  was  made  to  secure  some  of  them  for  the 
Surgeon-General's  Library  at  Washington,  but 
Dr.  Senn  would  not  part  with  them.  Some  of 
these  volumes  would  fetch  $1000  each  if  offered 
for  sale.  The  reports  of  societies,  medical 
periodicals,  and  charts  are  also  rare  and  valuable. 
Dr.  Senn's  collection  of  medical  books  is  said  to 
be  the  largest  private  collection  of  the  kind  in  the 
country,  representing  a  lifetime  of  careful  and 
competent  research.  In  many  respects  it  is  a 
collection  of  collections,  as  Dr.  Senn  purchased 
valuable  medical  libraries  whenever  it  was  pos- 
sible; among  these  he  secured  the  library  of  the 
great  Dr.  Baum,  of  Heidelberg,  Germany. 

Merced,  Cal.  By  the  will  of  the  late  J:  W. 
Mitchell,  of  Turlock,  Cal.,  the  towns  of  Merced, 
Modesto.  Turlock,  and  Atwater  each  are  given 
$5000  for  a  public  library. 

Plainfield  '  (N~.  /.)  P.  L.  The  will  of  the  late 
G:  H.  Babcock,  a  Plainfield  millionaire  and 
partner  in  the  firm  of  Babcock  &  Wilcox,  of 
New  York  City,  bequeathes  "to  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  Plainfield  Public  Library  and 
their  successors  forever,  f  10,000  for  the  pur- 
chase of  industrial,  mechanical,  and  scientific 
works,  to  be  known  as  the  Babcock  Scientific 
Library,  for  public  use  forever  ;  also  three  brick 
houses  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  up  and  main- 
taining the  Babcock  Scientific  Library  ;  the  trus- 
tees to  have  power  to  sell  and  reinvest  the  pro- 
ceeds and  use  the  interest  and  rents  for  said 
purpose." 

Richmond,  Va.  The  Rosemary  Public  Library 
on  Dec.  14  received  a  gift  of  $5000.  The 
giver's  name  is  withheld  by  request. 

Salem  (Mass.)  P.  L.  The  library  has  received 
a  set  of  the  publications  of  the  Archaeological 
Institute  of  America  and  a  set  of  the  American 
Journal  of  Archeology  from  G:  W.  Wales,  of 
Boston.  The  library  is  specially  indebted  to  W: 
C.  Lane,  librarian  of  the  Boston  Athenaeum,  for 
this  contribution.  It  was  first  offered  to  his 
library,  but  as  the  books  were  already  on  its 
shelves  he  suggested  to  Mr.  Wales  that  the 
Salem  Public  Library  might  be  glad  to  receive 
them. 


Cibrarians. 


BOLTON,  C:  Knowles,  of  the  Harvard  Univer- 
sity Library,  has  been  elected  librarian  of  the 
Brookline  (Mass.)  Public  Library,  to  take  the 
place  left  vacant  by  the  death  of  Miss  Mary  A. 
Bean.  Mr.  Bolton  is  a  graduate  of  Harvard, 
and  since  his  graduation  has  worked  in  the  col- 
lege library,  where  he  has  risen  to  the  head  of  the 
catalog  department,  succeeding  in  that  position 
Mr.  Lane,  who  resigned  to  become  librarian  of 
the  Boston  Athenaeum. 

FLETCHER,  W:  I.,  announces  that  his  book  on 
"  Public  Libraries  in  America"  is  on  point  of 
issue  by  Roberts  Bros.  The  volume  was  to 
have  been  published  last  fall  but  has  been  de- 
layed by  the  addition  of  considerable  statistical 
and  other  matter  in  the  form  of  appendixes. 

DWIGHT,  Theodore  Frelinghuysen,  librarian 
of  the  Boston  Public  Library,  has  resigned  his 
position  on  account  of  poor  health  and  inability 
to  stand  the  cares  and  responsibility  of  the  of- 
fice. Mr.  Dwight  has  held  the  position  a  lit- 
tle over  a  year,  the  trustees  having  allowed  the 
post  to  remain  vacant  for  about  two  years  after 
the  resignation  of  Judge  Miller  Chamberlain, 
Mr.  D wight's  predecessor.  Before  his  accept- 
ance of  the  librarianship  of  the  Boston  Public 
Library  Mr.  Dwight  was  librarian  of  the  State 
Department  in  Washington,  a  post  that  he  filled 
for  13  years.  He  was  secretary  and  librarian  of 
the  historian  George  Bancroft,  and  has  acted  as 
private  secretary  for  Henry  Adams,  John  Adams, 
and  Charles  Francis  Adams.  It  is  probable  that 
the  board  of  trustees  will  defer  action  on  the 
matter  of  appointing  a  successor  to  Mr.  Dwight 
until  some  time  in  May,  when  his  resignation 
goes  into  effect. 


Cataloging  anb  Classification. 

ASSOCIAZIONE  TlPOGRAFICO-LlBRARIA  ITALIANA. 

Catalogo  collettivo  della  libreria  italiana. 
Nuova  ed.  per  la  Esposizione  Nazionale  de 
1891-92  in  Palermo,  con  indice  generale  al- 
fabetico  e  indice  per  soggetti.  Milan,  1892. 
2  v.  1.  8°. 

BROOKLYN  (IV.  Y.)  LIBRARY.    Bulletin  of  2000 
new  books,  selected  chiefly  from  the  additions 
the  library  since  December,  1892.     O. 
Arranged  in  four  lists:  i,  general  list  of  books 
added;  2,  music;  3,  foreign;  4,  English  fiction. 
A  list  of  the  newspapers,  periodicals,  etc. ,  on  file 
in  the  reading-rooms  is  appended. 

The  LIBRARY  BULLETIN  OF  CORNELL  UNIVER- 
SITY for  October  gives  a  short  account  of  the 
"  Recent  gifts  to  the  library,"  and  the  usual 
"  List  of  additions,"  for  May- August,  1893. 

The  SALEM  (Mass.)  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for  Decem- 
ber contains  an  excellent  classed  "  special  read- 
ing list"  on  "  Folk-lore." 

The  SPRINGFIELD  (Mass.)  LIBRARY  BULLETIN 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[January,  '94 


for  November  continues  the  "  List  of  periodicals 
for  1892,"  begun  in  the  October  number. 

FULL  NAMES. 
Supplied  by  Harvard  College  Library. 

Bromley,  G:  Washington  and  Walter  Scott  (At- 
las of  the  city  of  Cambridge); 

Enebuske,  Claes  Julius  (The  gymnastic  pro- 
gression of  the  Ling  system); 

Fairchild,  C:  Bryant  (Street  railways;  their  con- 
struction, operation,  etc.); 

Idell,  Frank  Edgar  (Compressed  air.  Experi- 
ments upon  the  transmission  of  power  by  com- 
pressed air  in  Paris); 

Jackson,  Dugald  Caleb  (A  text-book  on  electro- 
magnetism  and  the  construction  of  dynamos); 

Pancoast,  H:  Spackman  (Representative  English 
literature  from  Chaucer  to  Tennyson)  ; 

Southwick,  S..  Hussey  (Reminiscences  of  early 
anti-slavery  days); 

Traubel,  Horace  Logo,  )     ...     -,-,         •,,*  ,. 

Bucke,  R:  Maurice,  *     ( «**"*<  "  "  Walt 

Harned,  T:  Biggs  )        Whltman)- 


BIBLIOTECA  dell*  ingegnere  civile,  industriale, 
agronomo :  bibliografia  delle  piu  important! 
opere  italiane  e  straniere  di  scienze  e  arte  ap- 
plicate  all'  ingegneria,  disposte  per  ordine  alfa- 
betico  delle  materie,  vendibili  da  Ulrico  Hoep- 
li.  Terza  ed.,  ampliata.  Milan,  Ulr.  Hoepli, 
1893.  169  p.  16°. 

CAMPBELL,  Mrs.  Helen.  Women  wage-earners: 
their  past,  their  present,  and  their  future;  with 
an  introd.  by  R:  T.  Ely.  Bost.,  Roberts 
Bros.,  1893.  c.  5  +  313  P.  D.  cl.,  $1. 

Contains  a  ro-p.  "bibliography  of  women's 
labor  and  of  the  woman  question." 

CATALOGUE  arranged  according  to  subjects  of 
the  books  and  of  the  maps,  plans,  views,  and 
photographs  in  the  library  of  the  British  and 
American  archaeological  society  of  Rome,  to- 
gether with  an  alphabetical  catalogue  of  au- 
thors. Rome,  G.  Bertero,  1893.  112  p.  8°.  i  f r. 

DOBSON,  Austin.     Horace  Walpole  :  a  memoir; 

with   an    appendix  of  books   printed   at   the 

Strawberry  Hill  Press.      N.  Y.,  Dodd,  Mead 

&  Co.,  1893.    c.  '90.     8+333  P-  pors.  D.  cl., 

$2. 
EASTMAN,   Edith  V.      Musical    education  and 

musical  art.     Bost.,  Damrell  &  Upham,  1894. 

c.    4-171  p.  D.  cl.,$i.25. 

A  list  of  books  quoted  from  is  given. 

JOSEPHSON,  Aksel  G.  S.,  whose  bibliography 
of  Swedish  dissertations,  etc.,  was  noted  in  the 
December  L.  j.  (18  :  523),  desires  it  stated  that 
the  first  part  of  the  bibliography,  containing  the 


alphabetic  list,  is  issued  in  complete  form,  and 
that  the  subject-index  is  in  press.  He  also 
states  that  the  work  may  be  obtained  of  Otto 
Harrassowitz,  Leipzig,  at  7.50  m. —  instead  of 
6.50  as  advertised — for  the  ist  part,  and  2  m. 
for  the  2d  part. 

MANNO  Ant.      Bibliografia    storica  degli  stati 
della  monarchia  di  Savoia.     Volume  v.     To- 
rino, fratelli  Bocca,  1893.     455  p.  8°. 
Biblioteca  storica  italiana,  pubblicata  per  cura 

della  r.  deputazione  di  storia  patria. 

MICHEL,  fimile.  Rembrandt:  his  life,  his  work, 
and  his  time;  from  the  Fr.  by  Florence  Sim- 
monds  ;  ed.  by  F:  Wedmore  ;  with  67  full-p. 
pi.  and  250  text  il.  N.  Y.,  C:  Scribner's  Sons. 
1894  [1893]  2  v.,  24  +  320;  10 +  294  p.  il.  Q. 
cl.,$i5. 

Contains  a  2-p.  bibliography  of  principal  pub 
lications  bearing  on  Rembrandt's  life  and  work. 

NOTIZIE    storiche,   bibliografiche    e  statistiche 
sulle  biblioteche  governative  del  regno  d'ltalia 
(Ministero  della  pubblica  istruzione).     Rome, 
Elzeviriana,  1893.     384  p.  8°. 
Prepared   for  the  International  Congress  of 

Librarians,  Chicago,  July,  1893. 

PUTNAM,  G:  Haven.  Authors  and  their  public 
in  ancient  times :  a  sketch  of  literary  condi- 
tions and  of  the  relations  with  the  public  of 
literary  producers  from  the  earliest  times  to 
the  invention  of  printing.  N.  Y.,  G.  P.  Put- 
nam's Sons,  1894  [1893].  c.  15  +  309  p.  D. 
cl.,  $1.50. 
There  is  a  5-p.  bibliography  of  the  principal 

works  referred  to  as  authorities. 


anb 


Albert  Tracy,  ps.  of  Albert  Leffingwell,  M.D., 
in  "  Rambles  through  Japan  without  a  guide," 
pub.  by  Low,  London,  1892.  —  J.  C.  ROWELL. 

Shelton  Ckauncey,  ps.  of  C:  W.  De  Lyons,  in 
"  The  Greek  Madonna,"  pub.  1894,  by  G.  W. 
Dillingham. 

Th.  Bentzon,  ps.  of  Therese  de  Solms  (Mme. 
Blanc),  author  of  "  Jacqueline,"  "  Un  remords," 
etc. 


ijnmors  nnb  jBlnnbcro. 


THE  example  of  "  library  humor"  given  be- 
low shows  the  result  of  letting  loose  the  office- 
boy  on  the  inoffensive  typewriter  : 

"  Aqeirl  6  8193 

"  Dear  Sir  i  cannotbring  the  bookdown  be- 
caus  !  sickant  i  will  bring  the  boo  k  down  ass 

son  get  whell.  ." 

J.  SCHWARTZ. 


January,  '94.]  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  31 

rpWO    important  handbooks    for   the 
JL     Librarian. 

ORDER  NOW: 

ANNUAL  CATALOGUES,  1893. 

The  Annual  American  Catalogue  for  1893  contains  : 

(1)  Directory  of  American  Publishers  issuing  books  in  1893. 

(2)  Full-title  Record,  with  descriptive  notes,  in  author-alphabet,  of  all  books  recorded  in 

THE  PUBLISHERS'  WEEKLY,  1893. 

(3)  Author-,  title-,  and  subject-index  to  same  in  one  alphabet. 

(4)  Publishers'  annual  lists  for  1893. 

The  edition  is  limited,  and  to  secure  copies  orders  should  be  sent  at  once.  The  price 
is  $3>5<>  Half  leather  ;  $3.00  in  sheets. 

The  Annual  Catalogue  for  1886  and  1887  is  now  out  of  print.  But  few  copies  of  the  Annual 
Catalogue  for  1888,  1889,  1890  and  1891  are  on  hand. 

We  also  supply  the  English  Catalogue  for  1893,  price  $1.50,  paper;  the  Annual  American 
and  English  Catalogues,  1892,  can  be  had  in  one  volume,  half  leather,  $5.00. 


NEARLY  READY: 

THE  ANNUAL  LITERARY  INDEX, 
...1893... 

INCLUDING  PERIODICALS,  AMERICAN  AND  ENGLISH,  ESSAYS,  BOOK-CHAPTERS,   ETC., 
SPECIAL  BIBLIOGRAPHIES  AND  NECROLOGY  OF  AUTHORS. 

EDITED   BY   W.    I.    FLETCHER  and  R.    R.    BOWKER, 
With  the  co-operation  of  members  of  the  American  Library  Association  and  of  the  Library  Journal  staff. 

THE  ANNUAL  LITERARY  INDEX  for  1893  complements  the  "Annual  American  Catalogue"  of 
books  published  in  1893  by  indexing  (i)  articles  in  periodicals  published  in  1892  ;  (2)  essays  and 
book-chapters  in  composite  books  of  1892  ;  (3)  authors  of  periodical  articles  and  essays  ;  (4)  special 
bibliographies  of  1892  ;  (5)  authors  deceased  in  1892.  The  two  volumes  together  make  a  com- 
plete record  of  the  literary  product  of  the  year. 

The  new  volume  includes  the  features  of  the  "  Co-operative  Index  to  Periodicals,"  originally  a 
monthly  supplement  to  the  Library  Journal,  then  extended  into  a  quarterly  in  an  enlarged  form, 
and  later  issued  as  an  annual  volume. 

THE  ANNUAL  LITERARY  INDEX  for  1893  forms  the  second  supplement  both  to  the  new  five- 
yearly  volume  (1887-1891)  of  Poole's  Index  to  Periodical  Literature  and  to  the  new  A.  L.  A.  Index 
to  essays  and  book-chapters  of  Mr.  Fletcher. 

The  new  volume  will  more  than  fulfil  the  opinion  as  to  the  Co-operative  Index  expressed  in  the 
following  extract  : 

"To  the  literary  worker  its  value  can  hardly  be  over-estimated  ;  to  the  specialist  in  any  branch  of  science  or  let- 
ters it  is  indispensable,  since  it  places  within  his  immediate  reach  many  of  the  latest  fruits  of  labor  in  the  same  field . 
to  every  one  who  desires  to  be  well  informed  it  furnishes  the  means  of  making  the  most  effective  use  of  his  time." — 
Providence  Press. 

One  vol.,  clotli,  (uniform  with  "A.  L.  A.  Index,")  $3.50. 


\gB~Early  orders  for  the  above  are  solicited. 

THE   PUBLISHERS'  WEEKLY, 
P.  O.  Box  Q43,  28  ELM  STREET  (Near  Duane),  NEW  YORK. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{January,  '94 


The  Rudolph  Indexer  Book. 

(Patented  in  the  United  States  and  all  Foreign  Countries.) 
Method  of  Indexing  is  the  same  as  that  employed  in  the  Rudolph  Continuous  Indexer. 

The  RUDOLPH  INDEXER 
BOOK  consists  of  a  number  of 
card-holders  of  heavy  card- 
board with  one  or  two  columns 
on  both  sides.  On  the  back 
edge  of  each  card-holder  are  two 
double  hinges  by  which  means 
other  card-holders  may  be  flex- 
ibly connected  or  disconnected. 

Independent  hook-covers  are 
furnished,  and  a  book  may  thus 
be  formed  of  one  card-holder 
and  later  increased  as  desired. 
If  the  book  becomes  too  bulky 
it  may  be  separated  and  by  add- 
ing covers  two  or  more  inde- 
pendent books  formed. 

The  Rudolph  Indexer  Case. 

(Patented  in  the  United  States  and  all 
Foreign  Countries.) 

Method  of  Indexing  Is  the  same  as  that  em- 
ployed in  the  Rudolph  Continuous  Indexer, 

The  RUDOLPH  INDEXER  CASE  con- 
sists of  a  series  of  card-holders  placed  on 
their  edges  in  a  drawer,  and  they  may  be 
turned  as  the  pages  of  a  book,  exhibiting  at 
each  view  272  single-line  entries. 

We  furnish  the  INDEXER  CASE  in  one, 
two,  four,  six  and  eight  drawers. 

The  capacity  of  each  drawer  is  thirty  card- 
holders. As  both  sides  of  the  card-holders 
are  used  it  is  equal  to  8160  single-line 
entries. 

The  Rudolph  Card  Cutter. 


(Patent  Pending.) 

This  invention  is  tor  the  purpose  of  cutting  the  entries  or  cards  for  insertion  in  the  card-holders,  but  can  also  be 
used  for  many  other  purposes. 

It  is  very  important  that  all  the  slips  to  be  inserted  in  the  card-holders  be  cut  at  perfect  right  angles,  in  order  that 
each  entry  will  fit  exactly  to  the  others. 

An  unnecessary  margin  of  only  i-sad  of  an  inch  on  the  top  and  i-sad  of  an  inch  on  the  bottom  of  each  entry  will 
amount  to  aJith  inches  of  waste  space  on  each  card-holder. 

The  cutter  will  cut  cardboard  where  spacing  between  the  printed  or  written  Ijnes  is  i-64th  of  an  inch. 


January,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


33 


THE 


RUDOLPH  CONTINDODS  INDEXER. 

(PATENTED    IN   THE   UNITED   STATES   AND   ALL   FOREIGN    COUNTRIES.) 


(FRONT  VIEW,  SHOWING  GLASS  LID  RAISED.) 


(REAR  VIEW,  SHOWING  DOOR  OPEN.) 


THE    LIBRARIAN'S   DESIDERATUM. 
THE  HOST  PERFECT   INDEXER. 


The  RUDOLPH  INDEXER  SYSTEM  possesses  many  advantages  which 
recommend  it  to  Publishers  and  Booksellers— in  fact,  to  any  one 
who  has  occasion  to  use  lists  of  books,  names  or  samples  of  goods, 
photographs,  etc. 

It  is  entirely  flexible,  allowing  any  number  of  entries  to  be  placed  in 
the  INDEXER  at  any  point. 

It  presents  to  the  eye  at  one  time  as  many  entries  as  six  pages  of  the 
American  Catalogue. 

Entries  are  protected  from  being  soiled  by  exposure  or  handling. 

Economy  of  space  and  economy  of  expenditure  of  both  time  and 
money. 

The  INDEXER  stands  42  inches  high  and  is  2O  inches  wide  by  SO 
inches  broad. 

We  shall  be  pleased  to  give  further  information  and  list  of  testi- 
monials from  leading  librarians. 


RUDOLPH  INDEXER  CO.,  606  Arch  St,  Philadelphia. 


34  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  {January,  '9 4 

A  Library  Adhesive  at  Last! 

HI G  GINS' 

PR  A  WING-BOARD 

MUCILA  GE. 

A  novel  adhesive  originally  intended  and  now  largely  used  for  sticking  paper 
to  the  drawing-board,  hence  its  name,  but  also  found  peculiarly  adapted  for  lube' 
ling  and  repairing  books  and  all-around  library  work.  Has  great  strength  and 
body.  It  is  semi-solid  and  will  not  spill,  yet  responds  at  once  to  the  merest  touch 
of  brush  or  finger.  Spreads  smoothly  and  easily,  and  is  always  ready.  Not  a  starch 
or  flour  paste  but  a  new  chemical  discovery — Vegetable  Glue.  Will  not  mould  or 
sour,  and  has  no  bad  tricks.  Adopted  by  leading  librarians  as  the  only  satisfactory 
'ibrary  adhesive  ever  produced.  

UNSOLICITED   COMMENDATIONS.     No.  5. 

(See    last  four  previous   issues   for    Commendations    1,    2,   3,    and   4.) 

"  We  have  tried  some  of  the  Drawing-Board  Mucilage  for  the  exhibit  and  like  it  very  well."— MELVIL  DKWEY 
Director  New  York  State  Library  School,  Albany,  N.  Y. 


FOR  SALE  BY  DEALERS  JTJ^  ARTISTS'  MATERIALS  AND 
STATIONERS  GENERALLY. 

CHAS,  H.  HI3GIKS  S  CO ,  Sole  Manufacturers,  168-170  Eighth  Street,  Brooklyn,  H.  Y. 
THE  BURROWS  BROTHERS  CO.,  23, 25,  27  Euclid  Avenue,  Cleveland,  Ohio, 

BOOKSELLERS,   IMPORTERS   AND   PUBLISHERS, 
Have  best  facilities  for  supplying  to  libraries 

ALL   BOOKS  AT  THE    LOWEST  PRICES, 

and  with  great  promptness.  Constantly  in  stock  one  of  the  largest  collections  of  American  pub- 
lishers' books  carried  in  the  country,  also  a  good  assortment  of  recent  English  books. 

ENGLISH,  FRENCH  AND  GERMAN  publications  imported  free  of  duty  at  lowest  prices. 

Catalogue  of  scarce  and  out-of-print  books  issued  frequently  and  mailed  free  to  those  desiring 
same. 

CANADIAN  LIBRARIES  particularly  requested  to  permit  us  to  act  as  their  agents  for  pro- 
curing all  American  publications,  as  well  as  out-of-print  and  scarce  books,  at  lowest  prices. 


THE    BURROWS    BROTHERS    CO.,  -  Cleveland,    Ohio. 

Booksellers,    Publishers,    Importers. 


H.SOTHERAN&CO., 


Teleoraphtc  Address:        •_•  Wf    V  I    "  H    l~<    LJ   A    iV      /V      1        I     B  Code '»  ^ 

BOOKMEN,  LONDON.     11.    *.7V"J        LlJLrfFVTYll     ^X    WV-J»«      UNICODE. 


Booksellers,  Bookbinders,  and  Publishers,  and  Genera/  Agents  in  Europe 
for  Private  Bookbuyers  and  Public  Institutions  in  America. 

With  exceptionally  long  experience  in  Library  Agency,  they  can  promise  the  best  care, 
diligence,  and  discretion  in  everything  relating  to  it,  and  in  small  matters  as  well  as  great. 
Established  1816. 

A  Monthly  Catalogue  of  Second-Hand  Books.    Specimen  Number  post  free. 


14O  Strand,  W.  C.,  and  37  Piccadilly,  W. :  London 


January,  '94]  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  3$ 

EM.    TBRQUKM, 

Paris  Agency  for  American  Libraries, 

31  BIS  BOULEVARD  HAUSSMANN  31  BIS 

PARIS. 

»  ESTABLISHED  1877. « 

French  and  Continental  Books  purchased  at  the  lowest  terms. 

Orders  carefully  executed  for  out-of-print  and  new  books. 

Binding  for  books  in  constant  use  a  specialty  of  the  firm. 

Estimates  given  on  application  on  all  orders. 

The  "Catalogue  de  la  Librairie  Franchise"  mailed  free  monthly  [as  well  as  catalogues  of 
second-hand  bookdealers  of  every  locality. 

Auction  sales  orders  attended  to,  also  orders  for  private  libraries  offered  en  bloc  before  auction. 

Mr.  Em.  Terquem,  being  the  appointed  agent  in  Paris  of  many  libraries,  colleges,  and  universi- 
ties, can  furnish  references  in  almost  every  city  in  the  United  States. 

Correspondence  and  trial  orders  solicited.  Small  or  large  shipments  every  week  either  direct 
or  through  his  agent  in  New  York. 


LONDON.  LEIPZIG.  PARIS. 

B.  WESTERMANN  &  CO., 

812    BROADWAY,    NBW    YORK. 

(ESTABLISHED    1848.) 

FOREIGN  OFFICES  AT  LONDON,   LEIPZIG,  AND   PARIS. 
Agents  by  appointment  to  many  of  the  largest  American  and  Foreign 

College   and    Public  Libraries. 
SPECIAL   TERMS   FOR   LARGE   ORDERS. 


Terms  on  direct  application  for  the  supply  of  Foreign  and  American  Books  and  Periodicals. 

Weekly  shipments  by  the  fleetest  steamers  from  England,  Germany,  and  France.  Periodicals 
supplied  at  lower  rates  than  mail  copies  and  in  better  shape  for  binding. 

Rare  Books  and  Sets  of  Serials  procured  at  the  lowest  terms.  Regular  connections  with 
Central  and  South  America  and  all  Oriental  countries. 

Binding  done  here  and  abroad  in  every  style. 

Auction  Sales  attended  to. 

The  Catalogues  of  Foreign  Dealers — English,  German,  French,  Italian,  and  Spanish — fur- 
nished on  application. 

Monthly  Bulletins  of  New  Books  issued  regularly. 

With  the  help  of  a  most  complete  Bibliographical  Outfit  in  all  languages  and  on  all  subjects, 
and  the  experience  of  many  years  in  this  particular  line,  estimates  can  be  furnished  promptly  and 
information  given  on  topics  of  interest  to  Librarians. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{January,  '94 


Of  the  following  works  I  have  bought 
the  remainders  of  tJie  edition 

and  offer  : 
La  collection  Sabouroft':  Monuments  de 

I'Art  jrrec.  Publtee  par  ADOI.PHK  FURTWANGLKR.  2 
voU.  Berlin  1883-1887.  Folio.  149  plates  and  explana- 
tory text.  In  a  portfolios.  (Mk.  375.— .)  lor  Mk.  240.— 

Das  Werk  Adolf  MenzePs.    Vom  Ktinst- 

ler  autorisirte  Ausjjabe.  Mit  Text  von  MAX  JORDAN 
and  ROBERT  DOHMK.  3  vols.  Large  folio.  Miinchen 
1890-91.  (Mk.  600.—)  for  Mk.  450.—,  in  2  portfolios 
Mk.  500.—. 

Kultur  11.  Industrie  Sudamerikani- 

•cber  Volker.  Von  STUBKL,  RRIS&  KKPFKL.  Nach 
der  im  Besitze  des  Museums  flir  Yolkerkunde  zu 
Leipzig  befindlichen  Sammlung.  Text  und  Beschrei- 
bung  von  Max  Uhle.  2  vols.  Folio.  Berlin  1889-90. 
a  portfolios  (M.  160. — )  for  Mk.  120. — . 

Lie  case  ed  i  Monument!  di  Ponipei. 

NICOLINI.  Farcie,  1-121.  Large  folio.  Napoli  1854-93. 
(pr.  2000.)  Only  two  copies  left.  1290. 


/  further  beg  to  offer  the  following 

new  work : 
Die  Buinenstatte  von  Tiahuanaco  iin 

Hocbland  des  Alien  Pern.  A.  STUBBL  and  M. 
UHLK.  Eine  Kulturgeschichtliche  Studie.  Mit  einer 
Karte  und  42  Tafeln  in  Lichtdruck.  Folio.  Breslau 
1892.  Half  morocco,  Mk.  140. — . 


GUSTAV   E,  STECHERT, 

81O  Broadway,          -  -          New  York. 


NEUMANN  BROTHERS, 

Established  1879. 
COLLEGE 

AND 

LIBRARY 

Book 
Binders 

76  E,  9th  St., 

.    Near  Broadway, 

Opp.  Hilton,  Hughes 
&  Co., 

NEW  YORK. 

Repairing   and   Re-backing   of   Old    Book 
Covers  a  Specialty. 

Specimens  of  our  work  may  be  seen  at  the  COLUMBIA  COL- 
LEGE, NEW  YORK  HOSPITAL  LIBRARY,  NEW  YORK  ACAD- 
EMY OF  MEDICINE,  LONG  ISLAND  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY, 
PRATT  INSTITUTE,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  SHEFFIELD  SCIEN- 
TIFIC SCHOOL  OF  YALE  COLLEGE,  and  many  others. 
%3S~  We  have  a  special  style  of  binding  well  known  to 

Librarians  of  the  American  Library  Association,  of  which 

Mr.  C.  G.  Neumann  is  a  member. 


KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  CO., 


PUBLISHERS  AND  LIBRARY  AGENTS, 

Having  extensive  experience  in  supplying  PUBLIC  LIBRARIES,  MUSEUMS,  GOVERNMENT 
INSTITUTIONS,  etc.,  at  Home  and  Abroad,  with  Miscellaneous  Requisites,  Books  (New  and 
Second-hand),  or  Periodicals  in  all  Languages,  offer  their  Services  to  LIBRARIANS,  SECRE- 
TARIES, AND  OTHERS.  Careful  attention  given  to  every  detail.  Exceptional  Facilities  for 
obtaining  Foreign  and  Scarce  Books.  BINDING  OF  EVERY  DESCRIPTION  UNDERTAKEN.  Periodicals 
and  Newspapers  Promptly  Supplied  as  issued.  Books  Shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  World  at  Lowest 
Rates.  _ 

TERMS  ON  APPLICATION,  ALSO  LIST  OF  LIBRARY  APPLIANCES.  HANDBOOKS,  ETC. 


we  make  a  specialty 
of  hunting  for  out-of- 
print  books  for  Libra- 
ries. 

For  particulars  and  month' 
ly  bargain  lists,  address 

S.F.  MCLEAN  &  co, 

13  <  OOP  EH  UNION, 

NEW  YORK. 


A  Literary  Souvenir  of  the  World's  Fair. 

The  Publishers'  and  Other  Book  Exhibits  at 
the  World's  Columbian  Exposition. 


By  A.  GROWOLL. 


i  vol.,  74  p.,  2  plans,  16°,  pap.,  10 cents. 

"The  Publishers'  Weekly  has  reprinted  in  neat  pam- 
phlet its  review  of  the  publishers'  and  other  book  exhibits 
at  the  World's  Columbian  Exposition,  than  which  we 
have  seen  nothing  better." — The  Nation. 


THE  PUBLISHERS'  WEEKLY,  28  Elm  Street,  N.Y. 


January,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


37 


GREEN'S    PATENT 

Book-Stack  and  Shelving  for  Libraries. 


THE    SNEAD    &    CO.    IRON    WORKS, 


Louisville,  Ky.,  and  Chicago,  111. 


This  book-stack  is  of  iron  and  fulfils  all  the  requirements  of  the 
modern  library, 
i . — Convenience. 

(<z)  Access  and  communication  with  the  stack,  as'well  as  with 
other  parts  of  the  Library  Building. 

(b)  Accommodation  of  books  of  all  kinds  and  sizes. 

(c)  Arrangement  of  books — variable  at  will. 

(d)  Shelves  adjustable,  removable,   interchangeable,   and  easily 

handled. 

(e)  Assorting  or  reading  of  books. 

(y)  Support  of  books  on  partially  filled  shelves. 

2. — Light,  cleanliness,  moderate  and  even  temperature  and  ventilation. 
3. — Capacity  and  compactness. 
4. — Fireproof  construction. 

5. — Shelving  surfaces  permanently  smooth  and  protected  from  corro- 
sion (Bower-Barffed),  and  necessity  of  renewal. 

Used  for  the  New  Library  of  Congress,  Washington,  D.  C. 


DESCRIPTIVE    CATALOGUE    ON    APPLICATION. 


38  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  {January,  '94 

ESTABLISHED    1872 

LONDON:  PARIS:  LEIPjcIO: 

3O  WELLINGTON  ST.,  STRAND.       76  RUE  DE  RENNES.  HOSPITAL  SIR.  10. 

GUSTAV  E.  STECHERT 

Purchasing  Agent  tor  Colleges  &  Libraries 

810    BROADWAY,    NEW    YORK, 

(TWO  DOORS  ABOVE  GRACE  CHURCH) 

begs  to  call  attention  to  his  facilities  for  obtaining  FOREIGN  BOOKS  and 
PERIODICALS  at  more  economical  rates  THAN  ANY  OTHER  HOUSE  IN  AMERICA 
OR  EUROPE  can  offer,  because : 

He  employs  no  Commission  Agents,  but  has  his  own  offices  and 
clerks  at  London,  Paris  and  Leipzig.  He  has  open  accounts 
with  all  the  leading  publishing  houses  in  the  world. 

His  experience  enables  him  to  give  information  at  once  about 
rare  and  scarce  books. 

He  receives  weekly  shipments  from  England,  France  and  Germany,  and 
can  thereby  fill  orders  in  quicker  time. 

MORE  THAN  200  LIBRARIES  FAVOR  HIM  WITH  THEIR  ORDERS. 


SF»EOIA.I>    REFERENCES, 

"  Mr.  Stechert  has  for  years  furnished  this  Library  with  most  of  its  periodicals  and  European  books,  and  has  bought  for  us 
many  thousand  volumes.  Mr.  Stechert's  success  is  due  to  his  constant  personal  attention  to  the  business,  and  the  reasonabla 
terms  he  is  able  to  offer.  I  consider  a  New  York  agent  far  preferable  to  reliance  on  foreign  agents  alone." 

GEO.  H.  BAKER,  Librarian  of  Columbia  College,  New  York. 


"  Seven  years  ago,  in  reorganizing  the  Columbia  College  library,  I  spent  much  time  in  trying  to  discover  how  to  get  out 
foreign  books  and  periodicals  with  the  least  delay,  trouble  and  expense.  The  result  of  the  comparison  of  three  methods,  viz: 
ordering  direct  from  foreign  dealers,  ordering  through  one  agent  in  London,  or  ordering  through  one  agent  in  New  York  showed 
us  that  it  was  to  our  advantage  to  give  Mr.  Stechert  all  our  foreign  orders,  as  he  delivered  in  the  library  in  a  single  package 
and  with  a  single  bill  at  as  low  cost  as  we  were  able  with  vastly  greater  trouble,  to  get  a  half  dozen  different  packages  in  differ- 
ent bills  from  different  places.  In  reorganizing  the  New  York  State  Library,  I  opened  the  whole  question  anew,  and  the  result 
of  the  comparison  was  the  same  as  before,  and  we  find  that  the  library  gets  most  for  the  time  and  money  expended  by  taking 
advantage  of  Mr.  Stechert's  long  experience,  and  the  careful  personal  attention  which  he  gives  to  our  orders." 

MELVIL  DEWEV,  Director  of  N.  Y.  State  Library,  Albany,  N.  Y. 


"Mr.  G.  E.  Stechert  of  New  York  has  served  us  with  fidelity  in  procuring  English,  French  and  German  books,  both  new 
and  second  hand  and  also  periodicals.  His  terms  are  more  reasonable  than  any  others  that  have  come  to  our  notice,  while  he 
has  always  guarded  our  interests  very  carefully.  We  find  it  a  great  convenience  to  have  one  agency  in  New  York,  represented 
by  branches  in  different  European  countries." 

Prof.  ARTHUR  H.  PALMER,  Librarian  of  Adelbert  College,  Cleveland,  O. 


14  Our_  library  committee  speaks  in  the  highest  terms  of  your  services.     You  have  not  only  saved  us  many  dollars,  but  hav» 
&own  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  our  wants  for  which  we  thank  you. ' ' 

A.  8.  COLLINS,  Act*  Librarian  of  Reynolds  Library,  Rochester,  N,  If, 

GUSTAV    K.    STKCHKRT, 

LONDON,         PARIS.         LEIPZIG,         NEW  YORK. 


THE 


Library  Journal 


OFFICIAL  ORGAN  OF  THE  AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 


CHIEFLY  DEVOTED    TO 


Xibrarp  Economy  anfc  Bibliograpbp 


VOL.  19.     No.  2 


FEBRUARY,  1894 
Contents 


PACK 

EDITORIAL 41 

The  Public  Documents  Bill. 

American  Catalogue  of  Books  Previous  to  1876. 

American  Bibliographies. 

Library  Club  Reports. 

Report  of  the  Los  Angeles  Public  Library. 

Details  of  Library  Work. 

The  Circulation  of  Magazines. 

COMMUNICATIONS 43 

Critical  Annotation  of  Books. 
Library  Club  Reports. 

THE  LIBRARIAN  AS  ADMINISTRATOR.  —  f:  M.  Crunden.      44 

WOMAN  IN  LITERATURE  AT  THE  FAIR,  FROM  THE 
STANDPOINT  OF  A  LIBRARIAN  AND  CATALOGER. — 
Edith  E.  Clarke 47 

COLLEGE  LIBRARIES  AND  THEIR  RELATIONS  TO  THE 

PEOPLE.  — J.  C.  Rotuell. 50 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY  STATISTICS 51 


PAGE 

THE  EXTINCTION  OF  THF.  BETTING  EVIL  IN  PUBLIC 

NEWS-ROOMS 51 

AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 52 

The  American  Library  Association. 

STATE  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATIONS .      57 

New  Hampshire  Library  Association. 
Library  Association  of  Indiana. 
•    Iowa  Library  Society. 
Pennsylvania  Library  Club. 

LIBRARY  CLUBS 59 

Chicago  Library  Club. 

LIBRARY  ECONOMY  AND  HISTORY 59 

GIFTS  AND  BEQUESTS 67 

LIBRARIANS 67 

CATALOGING  AND  CLASSIFICATION 67 

BlBLIOGRAFY.     .  68 


NEW  YORK  :    PUBLICATION  OFFICE,  28  ELM  STREET  (Near  Duane). 
LONDON:    SOLD  BY  KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  Co.,  PATERNOSTER  HOUSE, 

CHARING  CROSS  ROAD. 
YEARLY  SUBSCRIPTION,  $5.00.  MONTHLY  NUMBERS,  50  cts. 

Prict  to  Europe,  or  other  countries  in  the  Union,  zoj.  fier  annum  ;  tingle  numbers,  M, 
Entered  at  the  Post -Office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  as  second-class  matter. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


'94 


Library  Bureau 

W.  E.  PARKER,  TREAS.          FOUNDED  1876    INCORPORATED  1888  H.  E.  DAVIDSON,  SEC-Y 

publications,  ffittinas,  ano  Supplies  for  public  ano 
private  ^Libraries 


DEPARTMENTS 

Catalog,    Index,    Consultation,    Employment, 
Publication,  Fittings  and  Supplies. 


OFFICES 

146  Franklin  St.,  Boston;  278  Stewart  Bldg., 

New  York;  603  Chestnut  St.,  Phila.; 

125  Franklin  St.,  Chicago. 


New    Lr.    B.    Book    Support 


A  new  and  improved  form  of  the  L.  B.,  the  first  satisfactory  support  devised.  It  serves  not  only  for  books  on 
the  shelves,  but  two  supports  make  a  perfect  temporary  shelf  on  table,  floor,  or  ledge  —  indeed,  anywhere,  of  any 
desired  length.  This  quality  makes  it  the  best  support  for  office  and  home  use ;  supplying  a  want  often  felt  in  every 
room  where  books  are  kept  or  handled. 

Description.  A  single  piece  of  light  but  strong  metal  is  bent  into  a  rectangular  shape,  thus  forming  a  base 
plate  and  an  upright.  From  the  material  composing  the  upright  are  formed  two  braces  which  are  bent  outwardly  and 
at  right  angles  to  the  upright  itself.  These  projections  brace  the  upright  against  lateral  displacement  and  prevent  it 
from  being  bent  out  of  shape  by  the  weight  of  heavy  books,  or  crawling  away  from  the  books.  The  support  cannot 
be  hidden  between  books  as  in  the  old  form,  and  hence  books  cannot  be  pushed  on  the  edge  of  an  unseen  support  and 
so  injured.  It  will  support  books  of  any  size,  from  the  smallest  to  the  largest. 

Two  distinct  uses.  Singly,  the  best-known  device  to  keep  books  upright  on  shelves.  In  pairs,  the  best 
adjustable  shelf.  Each  support  makes  a  firm  end  for  the  column  of  books  between  them. 

Sample  too  sent  on  trial  to  any  library,  subject  to  return  if  not  fully  satisfactory.    Catalog  No.  28b. 

Price,  15  cents  each.      $1.35   for  10.      $12.00  for  100. 

An  Introductory  price  of  $1O.OO  for  the  first   1OO   will   l>e   given  until   April   1. 


PRINTED  CATALOG  CARDS   FOR  CURRENT  BOOKS 

Publishers  are  furnishing  advance  copies  of  their  books  which  are  being  cataloged  by  our  catalogers,  the 
cards  printed  and  distributed  promptly  to  all  subscribers.  As  a  guide  to  the  books  to  be  cataloged  by  the  Bureau,  a 
list  of  these  publishers  has  been  sent  to  all  subscribing  libraries. 

In  accordance  with  the  expressed  wishes  of  many  of  the  subscribers,  we  will  issue,  beginning  March  i,  the  cards 
without  subject  headings.  Three  cards  will  be  sent  for  each  book,  one  author  card,  and  one  each  for  title  and  subject 
with  upper  line  blank.  In  case  of  books  by  joint  authors  and  of  books  treating  of  more  than  one  distinct  subject, 
additional  cards  will  be  sent. 


THE    LIBRARY    JOURNAL 


VOL.  19. 


FEBRUARY,   1894. 


No.  2 


THERE  are  assurances  from  Washington  that 
the  Public  Documents  Bill  will  reach  the  Senate 
in  time  to  insure  action  during  the  present  ses- 
sion—  and  with  every  prospect  of  success.  The 
bill  is  now  in  the  hands  of  the  committee  on 
printing,  of  which  Senator  Gorman  (not  Gordon, 
as  was  stated  by  error)  is  chairman,  Senators 
Ransom  and  Manderson  the  other  members,  and 
Mr.  F.  M.  Cox,  clerk.  Senator  Gorman  has 
been  giving  personal  attention  of  late  to  the 
details  of  the  bill,  and  proposes  to  bring  for- 
ward some  amendments  to  the  measure  as  it 
reached  the  Senate  from  the  House,  but  none, 
we  are  led  to  expect,  which  will  interfere  with 
the  library  privileges  under  the  bill.  Senator 
Manderson,  the  former  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee, now  the  minority  member,  has  of  course 
a  deep  interest  in  the  bill,  with  which  he  has  had 
so  much  to  do  from  the  start,  and  will  do  every- 
thing he  can  to  promote  its  passage.  Communi- 
cations from  librarians  should  now  be  especially 
addressed  to  Senator  Gorman,  as  the  opinions  of 
librarians  regarding  economy  on  one  side  and 
effectiveness  on  the  other  in  the  handling  of 
public  documents,  which  the  bill  should  effect, 
will  doubtless  be  of  value  to  him  in  bringing  the 
bill  before  the  Senate.  The  A.  L.  A.  committee 
is  in  close  relations  with  those  having  charge  of 
the  bill. 

AN  American  Catalogue  of  books  printed 
prior  to  1876  is  so  great  a  desideratum  as  to  be 
welcomed  from  all  sides.  Such  a  catalog  is  as 
great  a  labor,  however,  as  it  is  a  great  need.  The 
chief  difficulty  does  not  consist  in  the  recording 
of  the  books,  but  in  their  discovery.  The  con- 
ditions of  book  production  in  this  country  have 
been  so  peculiar  that  they  far  more  than  balance 
the  ease  which  Mr.  Cole  believes  should  come 
from  the  fact  that  American  printing  has  been  a 
matter  of  only  250  years.  Indeed,  it  would  be 
easier  to  catalog  the  publications  of  the  Euro- 
pean presses  down  to  1640  than  to  catalog  any 
20  years  of  American  printing.  The  reason  for 
this  is  due  to  the  distinctively  American  feature 
of  local  presses.  At  the  time  when  there  were 
not  20  publishers  in  this  country  who  made 
a  decent  living,  there  were  probably  250  printers 


from  whose  presses  came  books,  pamphlets, 
broadsides,  and  newspapers  galore.  None  of 
these,  with  the  exception  of  the  newspapers,  were 
commercial  ventures.  They  were  publications 
paid  for  by  the  author,  usually  printed  in  very 
small  editions,  and  being  printed  on  paper  made 
from  rags,  served  as  raw  material  for  the  paper- 
makers.  In  few  cases  did  they  pass  beyond  the 
town  or  state  in  which  they  were  printed.  The 
paucity  of  binderies  served  to  discourage  any 
attempt  at  protecting  these.  No  libraries  took 
heed  of  them;  in  short,  the  bulk  of  every  edition 
was  destroyed  within  a  few  years  of  its  printing. 
To  attempt  to  discover  such  publications  is  a 
work  of  most  enormous  proportions.  Even  when 
the  task  has  been  attacked  in  some  minute  de- 
tail the  imperfection  of  the  work —  not  through 
the  unconsciousness  of  the  bibliographer,  but 
from  the  absolute  non-existence  or  unreachabil- 
ity  of  the  material  —  is  most  grievous.  We  agree 
with  Mr.  Cole  that  Hildeburn's  "Issues  of  the 
Pennsylvania  press"  ranks  among  the  foremost 
pieces  of  American  bibliography.  Yet  his  4700 
titles  probably  do  not  represent  more  than  two- 
thirds,  at  best,  of  the  output  of  the  printing- 
offices  of  Pennsylvania.  In  the  same  way  Ford's 
"  Bibliography  of  the  Continental  Congress," 
though  cataloging  500  titles,  probably  does  not 
list  half  the  titles  that  should  have  been  included. 
Yet  these  two  works  were  both  prepared  with- 
out the  slightest  limit  of  expense  or  labor,  each 
of  which  exceeded  many  times  the  actual  cost  of 
printing  the  volumes,  and  therefore  making  a 
larger  work  prepared  at  the  same  expense  pro 
rata  impossible,  except  at  government  charge. 


THESE  discouraging  circumstances,  however, 
do  not  in  the  least  lessen  the  value  of  any  sys- 
tematic attempt  to  give  American  libraries  and 
American  students  a  list  of  books  such  as  is 
proposed.  Every  added  title  increases  the  value 
of  a  bibliography,  but  the  omission  of  10  or  50 
per  cent,  of  the  books  which  could  be  included 
does  not  lessen  the  value  of  the  go  or  50  per 
cent,  actually  collected.  Such  books  as  Haven's 
and  Thomas'  "American  imprints,"  Rich's 
"  Bibliotheca  Americana  Nuova,"  and  Ludewig's 
"  Bibliography  of  American  local  history,"  de- 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[February,  '94 


spite  their  great  incompleteness  and  numerous 
errors,  are  works  of  real  value,  and  so  must  any 
bibliography  be  which  gathers  even  a  fraction  of 
titles,  and  puts  them  in  such  shape  as  to  be  usa- 
ble. If  the  new  catalog  is  but  half  as  good  as 
the  American  Catalogue  of  1876  and  its  supple- 
ments, the  American  librarian  will  have  at  his 
elbow  a  better  book  for  the  literature  of  this 
country  than  any  European  librarian  has  of  his. 


ONE  "saving  grace"  in  this  condition  of 
American  book  preservation,  as  far  as  available 
material  for  bibliography  is  concerned,  is  to  be 
found  in  the  number  of  special  bibliographies 
which  are  now  almost  invariably  attached  to  any 
work  involving  serious  scholarship.  Take  as 
an  example  of  this  such  books  as  Beer's  "  Com- 
mercial policy  of  England  towards  the  Ameri- 
can colonies,"  Steiner's  "  History  of  slavery 
in  Connecticut,"  or  Sumner's  "  Financier  and 
finances  of  the  American  Revolution,"  which 
have  careful  lists  of  authorities,  prepared  by 
a  special  authority  upon  the  subject  and 
therefore  embodying  an  amount  of  labor  and 
knowledge  far  beyond  the  possibility  of  any 
general  bibliographer.  In  the  same  class  be- 
long even  more  special  lists.  Haldane's  "  Adam 
Smith"  and  the  recent  Jefferson's  "Notes  on 
Virginia  "  include  minute  bibliographies  of  all 
the  previous  editions.  Thus  a  large  amount  of 
work  is  being  done  as  thoroughly  as  possible, 
and  it  only  needs  an  index  of  such  material 
to  be  able  to  include  much  special  study  in  the 
more  general  bibliography.  A  partial  attempt 
lo  do  this  was  made  in  Ford's  "  Check-List  of 
American  Bibliography,"  but  much  remains  to 
be  done,  and  as  a  preparation  for  the  greater 
work  we  shall  endeavor  to  print  in  the  coming 
year  references  to  such  works  as  we  believe  will 
be  useful  in  the  compilation  of  this  or  any  other 
work  on  American  bibliography. 


THE  suggestion  of  Miss  Kelso  that  library 
clubs  should  be  made  co-operative  by  sending 
papers  from  one  to  the  other,  is  founded  on  a 
sound  notion  of  the  value  of  co-operation  by 
communication;  but,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  that  is 
what  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  is  for,  and  it  endeavors 
to  give  not  only  the  more  important  papers,  but 
the  pith  of  the  discussions  and  suggestions  at  the 
meetings  of  the  clubs.  It  is  always  glad  to  re- 
ceive manuscripts  of  such  papers  and  to  print  as 
full  reports  of  club  meetings  as  clubs  are  willing 
to  prepare  —  to  such  extent,  of  course,  as  the 
specific  discussions  are  valuable  to  the  general 


library  community.  The  difficulty  is  that  the 
clubs  do  not  contribute  these  papers  with  suffi- 
cient promptness,  regularity,  and  fulness.  Many 
of  the  reports  printed  in  the  JOURNAL  are  made 
up  from  newspaper  clippings  some  time  after  the 
event,  whereas  the  JOURNAL  should  print  official 
and  adequate  reports  in  the  number  succeeding 
the  meeting.  We  trust  Miss  Kelso's  suggestion 
will  be  received  by  club  officials  in  a  humble  and 
grateful  spirit,  as  a  reminder  of  their  duty  toward 
other  library  associations,  and  the  JOURNAL,  on 
its  part,  will  forgive  their  previous  sins  of  omis- 
sion if  they  now  reform  and  "  come  up  to  time." 


THE  report  of  the  Los  Angeles  Public  Library 
for  1892-3  is  an  admirable  illustration  of  the 
fact  that  a  library  report  maybe  —  and  should 
be  —  "  interesting  reading  "  in  the  popular  sense 
of  the  term;  that  it  is  not  necessarily  a  bare 
framework  of  statistics  as  to  increase,  decrease, 
and  comparative  circulation,  but  should  rather 
aim  to  present  as  simply  and  effectively  as  possi- 
ble the  work  accomplished  and  the  development 
planned.  It  is  equally  possible  to  err  upon  the 
opposite  side,  and  to  devote  pages  of  glittering 
generalities  to  the  contents  of  the  library,  the 
generosity  of  individual  "donors,"  or  the  charac- 
ter of  the  library  constituency,  neglecting  to  give 
really  essential  figures.  Miss  Kelso  has  reached 
the  happy  medium  that  exists  between  these 
extremes,  and  has  produced  a  report  that  is  an 
admirable  illustration  of  what  a  library  report 
should  be.  Liberal  extracts  are  given  else- 
where, but  its  excellence  in  arrangement  and 
composition  deserve  special  comment.  The 
many  tabulated  statements  showing  classifi- 
cation, home  and  reference  circulation,  etc.,  are 
accompanied  in  every  case  by  brief  comment, 
bringing  out  the  salient  points  of  each  ;  subjects 
of  special  interest,  as  the  remarkably  large  home 
circulation  (magazines  included),  the  distribution 
of  books  through  the  schools,  the  increasing 
demand  for  periodical  literature,  are  concisely 
.presented  ;  and  the  work  done  by  the  library  in 
cataloging,  preparation  of  special  lists,  etc.,  re- 
ceives a  large  and  unusual  share  of  attention. 

BUT  the  most  noteworthy  feature  of  the  Los 
Angeles  report  is  the  appendix.  In  her  en- 
deavor to  enlighten  "  the  current  belief  that  the 
entire  work  of  a  public  library  consists  merely  of 
the  taking  in  and  the  giving  out  of  books  "  Miss 
Kelso  appends  to  her  report  a  classified  list  of 
the  records  kept  in  the  several  departments  of 
the  library,  giving  "a  fair  idea  of  the  essentials 


February,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


43 


which  go  to  make  up  the  daily  routine."  To 
librarians  this"  exhibit  "  — if  it  may  so  be  called 
—  is  an  old  story;  to  the  public  at  large  it  will  be 
a  revelation.  It  is  just  because  librarians  so 
rarely  publish  abroad  the  details  and  quality  of 
their  work  that  the  popular  conception  of  libra- 
rianship  as  a  "light  and  ladylike  employment" 
still  prevails.  The  position  of  assistant  in  a  li- 
brary is  recommended  by  well-meaning  friends 
to  many  a  young  woman  whose  sole  qualification 
is  a  "  fondness  "  for  reading,  as  "  a  place  where 
there  is  nothing  to  do  but  read  all  the  new 
bojks."  The  list  of  records  of  the  Los  Angeles 
Public  Library  should  do  much  to  shatter  this 
delusion.  It  covers  nine  closely-printed  pages, 
detailing  the  work  of  the  accession  department, 
bindery  and  repair  department,  mail  and  mailing 
department,  cataloging  department,  registration 
department,  loan  department,  including  schools, 
reference  and  reading  rooms,  supply  depart- 
ment, the  preparation  of  statistics,  reports,  etc., 
and  the  miscellaneous  records.  The  various 
books,  order-blanks,  and  records  kept  in  these 
departments,  with  the  work  requisite  in  each,  are 
fully  describee'.  As  a  brief  and  comprehensive 
summary  of  the  work  of  an  ordinary  free  circu- 
lating library  such  a  list  cannot  fail  to  be  an  ex- 
cellent means  of  acquainting  not  only  the  gen- 
eral public,  but  library  trustees  and  directors  in 
particular,  with  the  "  usual  routine"  of  library 
work,  which  is  too  frequently  an  unknown  quan- 
tity in  the  popular  mind. 


THE  large  home  circulation  recorded  in  the 
recent  report  of  the  Los  Angeles  Public  Li- 
brary has  already  been  mentioned.  During  the 
past  year  the  circulation  is  given  as  267,054,  the 
total  number  of  volumes  in  the  library  being 
34,332.  This  remarkable  showing  is  partly 
attributable  to  the  large  winter-resort  popula- 
tion and  to  the  fact  that  there  is  no  competing 
library,  but  chiefly  to  the  practice  of  circulating 
current  magazines  as  books,  these  forming  20  per 
cent,  of  the  total  circulation.  While  the  practice 
of  circulating  magazines  in  this  way  is  confined  to 
a  few  libraries,  and  seems,  as  a  rule,  to  be  dep- 
recated by  librarians,  it  nevertheless  possesses 
some  excellent  elements.  The  average  magazine 
—  superficial  though  it  may  be  —  is  certainly  far 
superior  to  the  average  novel,  and  its  very  "uni- 
versality "  makes  it  a  more  or  less  effective  means 
of  self-culture,  as  the  reader  whose  interest  has 
been  aroused  by  some  brief,  crisp  magazine  article 
on  travel,  politics,  or  literature  is  more  likely  to 
follow  up  the  subject  in  later  reading  than  is  the 


confirmed  novel-devourer  to  abandon  that  one 
class  of  literature.  The  increasing  demand  for 
periodical  literature  may  therefore  gradually  re- 
sult in  a  larger  proportionate  circulation  of 
higher-grade  reading. 


QTommttnicationB. 


CRITICAL  ANNOTA  TION  OF  BOOKS. 

IN  the  January  number  of  the  LIBRARY  JOUR- 
NAL there  is  pointed  out  the  difficulty  introduced 
in  annotating  books  by  the  constant  appearance 
of  new  books.  As  far  as  feasible,  I  think  this 
difficulty  can  be  provided  against  by  dating  each 
annotation,  the  reader,  of  course,  being  on  his 
guard  to  examine  the  date  of  every  annotation 
which  concerns  him.  At  the  Chicago  meeting 
of  the  A.  L.  A.,  and  at  the  exhibit  of  the  A.  L. 
A.  at  the  Columbian  Exposition,  there  was  dis- 
tributed a  leaflet  giving  my  plan  in  outline. 
Permit  a  quotation  therefrom  : 

"  To  be  as  useful  as  it  can  a  note-card  should  tell : 
Whether  a  book  is  a  compilation  or  a  transcript  of  fact 
and  experience  by  a  doer  or  a  worker  ;  the  comparative 
merits  of  various  editions  where  they  exist ;  for  what 
classes  of  readers  a  book  is  best  suited  ;  its  noteworthy 
excellences,  defects,  or  errors;  how  it  compares  with 
other  books  in  the  same  field,  and  if  in  its  field,  let  us  say 
of  taxation  or  money,  there  is  no  book  up  to  date,  refer- 
ence may  be  made  to  sources  of  information  in  periodicals 
or  elsewhere;  if  a  book  treats  a  subject  in  debate,  as 
homceopathy,  protection,  or  socialism,  fact  and  opinion 
will  be  carefully  distinguished,  and  views  of  critics  of  op- 
posed schools  may  be  given;  finally,  the  best  extended 
reviews  will  be  mentioned.  The  annotator  should  append 
his  name  and  place  with  date." 

The  leaflet  quoted,  together  with  leaflets  giv- 
ing brief  annotated  selections  from  the  literature 
of  Electricity,  Photography,  General  political 
economy,  and  American  government,  can  be  had 
from  the  Bureau  of  Education,  Washington,  or 
from  Yours  truly,  G:  ILES. 

PARK  AVK.  HOTEL,  N.  Y.,  | 
Jan.  19,  1894.  ( 

LIBRARY  CLUB  REPORTS. 

SINCE  the  distribution  of  the  report  of  this 
library  for  1893  I  have  had  a  number  of  requests 
for  duplicates  on  account  of  the  "  classified  list 
of  records"  included  in  the  report.  I  had  500 
copies  of  that  part  of  the  report  struck  off  for 
use  in  our  training-school  and  for  distribution, 
and  will  gladly  send  copies  when  requested. 

I  read  with  much  interest  the  reports  of  meet- 
ings of  library  clubs  and  associations  as  they  ap- 
pear in  the  JOURNAL.  The  topics  are  of  live  in- 
terest and  are  presented  by  those  best  qualified 
to  deal  with  them;  but  why  not  have  a  larger 
audience  ?  Can't  we  have  an  exchange  system 
whereby  these  papers  may  go  travelling — gather- 
ing with  each  reading  reports  of  discussions  over 
important  points  ?  The  literature  of  the  profes- 
sion of  librarianship  is  rather  limited,  and  some 
such  plan  would  increase  it  to  the  mutual  ad- 
vantage of  many.  I  hope  the  Eastern  clubs  will 
consider  this  matter;  they  are  the  largest  and 
best  organizations,  and  upon  them  will  depend 
the  success  of  such  a  plan.  TESSA  L.  KELSO. 

Los  ANGELES,  CAL.,  I 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY.      ) 


44 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[February,  '94 


THE   LIBRARIAN   AS  ADMINISTRATOR.* 
By  F:  M.  CRUNDEN,  Librarian,  Public  Library,  St.  Louis. 


LIBRARY  history  has  been  divided  into  three 
periods:  the  collecting  and  preserving  period, 
lasting  down  to  recent  times,  followed  in  quick 
succession  by  the  period  of  organization  and 
that  of  distribution  —  the  mechanical  period,  and 
the  educational  period.  The  last  two  stages  co- 
exist in  the  most  modern  libraries,  while  some 
of  the  more  backward  institutions  have  not  yet 
emerged  fiom  the  first  stage.  Corresponding  to 
these  three  eras  of  development  are  three  types 
of  librarians:  the  collector  and  preserver,  the 
inventor  and  exponent  of  the  "mechanic  arts" 
of  the  profession,  and  the  distributer  and  educa- 
tor. The  first  is  a  distinct  type  belonging  to  the 
past;  the  qualities  of  the  other  two  exist  in  vary- 
ing degrees  in  the  librarian  of  the  present  day. 
Each  was  necessary  to  prepare  for  its  successor. 
Combining  the  functions  of  all  three,  and  repre- 
senting a  higher  type  and  a  broader  purpose,  is 
the  librarian  as  manager,  superintendent,  direc- 
tor, promoter,  or,  as  I  have  chosen  to  term  him, 
administrator.  This  librarian  is  a  keener,  more 
vigorous  collector  than  his  predecessor  who  con- 
fined himself  to  that  work.  He  is  not  satisfied 
with  slow  growth.  He  will  accumulate  as  many 
volumes  in  a  decade  as  his  forerunner  in  a  cen- 
tury. He  does  not  wait  for  men  to  die  and  leave 
their  private  collections.  These  he  expects  and 
receives,  but  he  does  not  wait  for  them.  He 
gathers  money  from  individuals  and  states  and 
turns  it  into  books;  the  books  that  his  public 
most  want.  He  hears  of  a  library  of  a  century's 
growth,  and  he  calls  together  a  few  representative 
men  and  induces  them  to  buy  it  entire.  At 
least,  that  is  what  he  does  if  he  lives  in  Chicago. 

He  does  not  in  the  least  neglect  the  "  mechan- 
ic arts  "  of  the  profession.  He  insists  on  a  build- 
ing planned  solely  with  reference  to  the  uses  to 
which  it  is  to  be  put  and  provided  with  every 
labor-saving  appliance  and  every  convenience  for 
the  public.  He  is  on  the  lookout  for  every  ad- 
vance in  this  line.  He  organizes  his  staff  to  the 
best  advantage,  and  he  enters  heartily  into  the 
schemes  of  co-operation  that  promise  to  lessen 
the  work  to  be  done  in  individual  libraries. 

He  furnishes  information  to  all  who  seek  it. 
He  guides  the  reading  of  the  young  and  strives 
to  elevate  that  of  the  general  public.  More  than 


*  Paper  read  at  the  Congress  of  Librarians,  Chicago, 
July  12,  1893. 


that,  he,  figuratively  speaking,  goes  out  into  the 
highways  and  byways  and  invites  the  people, 
high  and  low,  rich  and  poor,  young  and  old,  to 
come  to  the  library  and  take  possession  of  the 
treasures  which  are  there  provided  for  them  and 
their  heirs  forever. 

He  is,  in  short,  the  librarian  missionary,  the 
librarian  militant;  and  as  such  he  becomes  an 
active  force  in  the  community.  Like  the  true 
minister,  he  believes  he  is  called  to  the  work ;  and 
he  exercises  a  power  and  influence  greater  than 
any  minister's.  He  fills  an  honorable  and  hon- 
ored position  in  the  community  and  justifies  the 
eulogy  of  a  library  trustee,  who,  from  a  knowl- 
edge of  library  work  greater  probably  than  that 
of  any  other  layman,  says  : 

"Asa  matter  of  fact,  the  typical  librarian  of 
our  generation  is  a  more  active,  constant,  unself- 
ish, conscientious,  enthusiastic  worker  than  his 
contemporaries  of  any  of  the  learned  professions, 
the  clergy  not  excepted.  He  thinks,  talks,  acts, 
dreams,  lives  library  work.  He  gives  to  the 
public —  from  pure  public  spirit  and  love  of  his 
calling — double  and  treble  the  work  he  is  paid 
for.  There  are  lazy  and  incompetent  men  and 
women  who  fill  librarians'  positions;  but  the 
librarians  of  Dr.  Poole's  stamp  —  and  there  are 
hosts  of  them  through  the  towns  and  villages  of 
America  —  are  the  most  faithful  and  efficient 
public  servants  of  our  generation."  * 

It  is  this  spirit  that  makes  the  librarian  some- 
thing more  than  a  clerk  of  the  trustees,  or  mere- 
ly their  executive  officer,  to  carry  out  plans  of 
their  devising.  It  makes  him  the  trusted  coun- 
sellor; it  entitles  him  to  and  secures  for  him  an 
initiative;  it  constitutes  him,  conjointly  with  the 
directors,  administrator  of  a  trust  committed  to 
them  by  the  people  ;  and  if  he  proves  himself 
possessed  of  the  requisite  combination  of  quali- 
ties he  will  inevitably  become,  sooner  or  later, 
its  chief  administrator.  The  trustees  will,  as  Mr. 
Soule  says  they  ought  to,  "  leave  the  manage- 
ment of  the  library  practically  to  him."  He  may 
be  checked  and  hampered,  and  his  usefulness 
curtailed  by  narrow-minded  and  self-seeking 
directors,  but  in  the  end  the  public  will  rally  to 
his  support,  or  he  can,  at  least,  find  another 
community  where  his  services  will  be  valued. 

*  C.  C.  Soulc,  "  The  Newberry  plan,"  L.  j.,  16:  n. 


February,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


45 


For  the  growing  appreciation  of  the  librarian's 
work  we  are  indebted  to  the  elders,  some  of 
whom  we  have  still  with  us,  who  held  the  first 
convention  in  Philadelphia  in  1853,  and  still 
more  to  those  pioneers  of  the  modern  free 
library  movement  who  founded  the  A.  L.  A.  and 
L.  A.  U.  K.,  and  through  the  organizations  re- 
enforcing  their  individual  work,  have  secured 
for  librarianship  general  recognition  as  a  pro- 
fession. 

What  are  the  qualities  that  fit  the  librarian  to 
be  administrator?  They  are  well  summed  up 
in  the  following  extract  from  a  Boston  editorial,* 
urging  the  appointment  of  a  librarian  for  that 
noble  institution  that  is  our  common  pride,  and 
was  our  model  until  its  progress  was  checked  by 
a  petty  policy  that  lost  to  it  one  of  the  greatest 
of  administrators,  and  for  years  barred  all  possi- 
bility of  filling  his  place  : 

"It  needs  special  and  rare  ability  to  fill  the 
position.  The  only  way  to  secure  a  suitable 
person  is  to  place  the  man  first,  and  his  technical 
training  for  his  work  second.  It  needs  a  man  of 
large  and  varied  executive  ability,  a  man  of  wide 
acquaintance  with  books,  and  with  readers  of 
books,  a  man  who  is  himself  a  ripe  scholar,  a 
man  who  is  at  once  able  to  command  both  the 
respect  of  his  fellow-citizens  and  the  honor  and 
confidence  of  scholars  to  fill  such  a  position,  and 
put  his  own  large  personality  into  it.  Other  men 
may  come  and  go;  the  trustees  may  resign  or 
die,  and  they  are  simply  the  watchman  of  the 
city  and  the  people,  charged  with  the  duty  of 
holding  the  librarian  responsible  for  the  success 
of  the  institution,  and  seeing  that  the  library  is 
administered  in  accordance  with  its  traditions 
and  laws." 

In  short,  the  librarian  as  administrator  must 
combine  the  qualities  of  a  gentleman,  a  scholar, 
and  a  man  of  business  ;  and  to  these  should  be 
added  enthusiasm  and  philanthropy. 

Within  the  library,  in  the  exercise  of  what  is 
popularly  supposed  to  be  his  chief  function,  he 
will  find  scope  for  the  broadest  scholarship  ;  in 
his  varied  relations  to  trustees,  assistants,  and 
the  public,  he  will  find  room  for  the  exercise  of 
the  greatest  tact  and  courtesy  ;  as  financial  man- 
ager and  executive,  no  amount  of  business  capaci- 
ty or  organizing  ability  can  come  amiss.  His 
acquaintance  with  books  and  methods  of  search 
will  aid  the  student  and  investigator  ;  and  his 
wide  sympathies  and  knowledge  of  life,  together 
with  his  tact  and  kindliness,  will  enable  him  to 
encourage  the  humblest  aspirations  for  self-cult- 

*  Boston  Herald,  March  27,  1891. 


ure.  With  interest  and  industry  he  will  collect 
information  regarding  library  methods,  and  with 
sound  judgment  he  will  decide  what  are  best 
adapted  to  the  conditions  and  aims  of  his  library  ; 
and  these  he  will  carry  out  with  vigor  and 
thoroughness,  never  losing  sight  of  the  end  to 
which  all  schemes  and  systems  are  but  the 
means.  He  will  originate  plans  for  increasing 
the  library's  revenues,  and  will  husband  its  re- 
sources so  as  to  make  them  "  go  far  with  little," 
buying  to  the  best  advantage,  keeping  in  mind 
the  third  part  of  the  A.  L.  A.  motto,  considering 
al  ways  whether  a  contemplated  expenditure  is  the 
very  best  use  to  which  the  required  dollar  can  be 
put,  converting  time  and  thought  into  money, 
without  sparing  himself,  but  in  this,  too,  exercis- 
ing judgment  to  determine  whether  his  efforts 
could  be  better  expended  in  some  other  direc- 
tion. He  will  avoid  undue  indulgence  in  hob- 
bies, and  be  always  alert  and  on  guard  against 
falling  into  ruts,  taking  lessons  from  the  business 
man  in  devising  new  and  varied  schemes  for 
keeping  the  library  before  the  public. 

In  the  full  administration  of  his  trust  he  will 
adopt  such  machinery  and  organization  as  will 
lessen  his  own  necessity  or  importance  ;  he  will 
train  assistants  to  take  his  place,  testing  them 
from  time  to  time,  and  gradually  placing  re- 
sponsibility on  them  as  he  deems  them  capable 
and  trustworthy. 

But  the  activity  of  the  library  administrator  is 
not  confined  to  the  library  precincts.  It  goes  out 
into  the  community.  It  may  extend  to  the  state 
or  national  capital.  It  may  include  the  framing 
of  laws  and  working  for  their  enactment.  The 
ground  on  which  the  Chicago  Public  Library  is  to 
stand  was  obtained  from  the  Federal  govern- 
ment through  the  efforts  of  the  former  librarian, 
while  skilful  lobbying  by  the  present  librarian 
secured  the  legislation  that  has  provided  funds 
for  the  erection  of  the  building.  Promoter,  per- 
haps, would  have  been  a  more  distinctive  term 
to  apply  to  that  added  phase  of  a  librarian's 
activity,  which  I  especially  wish  to  emphasize  ; 
but  administrator  is  broader,  and  may  be  con- 
strued  as  comprehending  in  a  general  way  all  his 
varied  functions. 

As  promoter,  the  librarian  should  keep  an  eye 
on  legislation,  and  work  ever  for  the  upholding 
of  the  dignity  of  the  profession  and  its  advance- 
ment in  recognition  and  usefulness.  He  should 
establish  friendly  relations  with  all  classes  of  so- 
ciety. He  should  endeavor  to  enlist  the  active 
support  of  all,  and  especially  men  of  ability  and 
power.  The  personal  element  Centers  largely 


46 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[February,  '94 


into  all  the  affairs  of  life  ;  and  men  may  often  be 
induced  to  do  things  for  the  librarian  personally 
which  they  would  not  undertake  for  the  institu- 
tion alone. 

To  this  end  the  librarian  should  keep  in  touch 
with  the  life  of  the  community.  He  should 
mingle  with  men  and  not  wholly  seclude  himself 
from  society,  even  at  some  sacrifice  of  scholarly 
tastes.  Professor  Winsor  says  :  "  I  know  of  no 
profession  whose  followers  have  greater  need  to 
know  men  as  they  are,  since  a  mission  that  is  to 
ameliorate  mankind  must  have  its  base  of  oper- 
ations in  a  thorough  knowledge  of  it."  He 
should  be  known  personally,  that  he  may  make 
the  library,  its  needs  and  its  deeds,  better  known; 
for  the  librarian  who  is  giving  his  whole  soul  to 
his  work  carries,  as  it  were,  a  banner  emblazoned 
with  the  name  and  the  aims  of  his  library.  This 
will  take  time  that  he  might  otherwise  give  to 
self-culture  and  to  the  wide  reading  that  fits  him 
for  the  discharge  of  his  educational  functions; 
but  what  is  the  use  of  his  possessing  this  infor- 
mation if  but  few  come  to  the  library  to  ask  for 
it  or  if  the  funds  are  so  small  that  the  books  nec- 
essary to  supply  even  a  limited  demand  cannot 
be  purchased  ?  The  librarian  as  guide  and  ency- 
clopaedia must  yield  a  little  to  the  librarian  as 
administrator  and  promoter.  In  the  former  ca- 
pacity he  may  have  — in  libraries  of  any  size  he 
must  have — assistants;  and  with  the  develop- 
ment of  departmental  libraries,  he  will  have  as- 
sistants who  know  more  about  their  respective 
departments  than  he  can.  But  the  general  ad- 
ministration of  the  library  and  its  representation 
in  the  community  must  rest  chiefly,  if  not  entire- 
ly, with  him.  The  president  or  other  trustee 
may  so  identify  himself  with  the  library  as  to 
stand  for  it;  but  this  is  a  very  exceptional  and 
abnormal  case.  The  institution  should  be  kept 
en  Evidence  through  its  executive,  the  librarian. 
By  this  social  contact  the  librarian  broadens  his 
own  mind  and  enlarges  his  horizon,  while  he 
ascertains  the  wants  of  the  public  and  im- 
presses upon  it  the  value  and  usefulness  of  the 
library. 

In  the  performance  of  his  exalted  functions  the 
librarian  should  preserve  a  becoming  modesty. 
He  should  be  careful  not  to  abuse  authority  en- 
trusted to  him.  While  exercising  the  large  pow- 
ers granted  him  by  a  wise  and  liberal  board, 
while  identifying  himself  with  the  library  and 
standing  for  it  before  the  public,  he  should  never 
forget  that  he  belongs  to  the  library,  not  the  li- 
brary to  him,  that  he  is  simply  the  agent  of  the 


people  in  carrying  out  the  purposes  for  which 
they  established  the  library,  and  that  he  is  its 
worthy  representative  only  so  long  as  he  gives 
his  talents  to  the  public  service.  The  public  is 
an  exacting  master.  It  will  not  be  satisfied  with 
good  intentions  or  good  behavior;  it  is  not  par- 
ticular about  methods;  but  it  demands  success. 
To  achieve  the  highest  success  in  the  administra- 
tion of  a  public  library  requires,  as  I  have  said 
before,  scholarship,  business  ability,  courtesy, 
and  enthusiasm.  Led  by  his  enthusiasm  the  li- 
brarian will  centre  life  and  thought  in  his  work; 
he  will  think  and  live  library;  he  will  make  the 
library's  interests  hisinterests.  Thus  thorough- 
ly identified  with  the  library,  he  will  find  that  what 
is  for  its  advantage  is  for  his  advantage.  He 
cannot  advance  the  interests  of  the  institution 
without  promoting  his  own  interests,  and  he 
cannot  allow  the  library  to  decline  in  usefulness 
without  himself  suffering  in  reputation  and 
standing.  Pursuing  his  course  with  entire  devo- 
tion and  due  humility,  he  will  realize  that  "  He 
that  loseth  his  life  shall  find  it "  and  that  "  He 
that  humbleth  himself  shall  be  exalted." 

A  library  must  be  largely — in  most  cases  wholly 
—  what  the  librarian  makes  it.  A  board  of  trus- 
tees is  a  changing  body,  composed  generally  of 
busy  men,  who  can  give  but  little  time  or  thought 
to  the  library.  Its  progress  and  development 
must  depend  on  the  librarian;  and  in  large  libra- 
ries it  will  be  measured  chiefly  by  the  librarian's 
ability  as  an  executive,  as  an  administrator. 

As  Charles  Dudley  Warner  has  pointed  out, 
the  marvel  of  architecture  which  has  drawn  the 
whole  civilized  world  to  Chicago  owes  its  su- 
preme grace  and  beauty  to  the  good  sense  of  the 
World's  Fair  Commission  in  securing  the  finest 
talent,  wherever  they  could  find  it,  throughout 
the  length  and  breadth  of  our  country.  They 
did  not  consider  whether  an  architect  had  a 
brother  or  a  brother-in-law  in  Congress,  but  only 
whether  he  had  won  a  place  in  the  forefront  of 
his  profession. 

The  remarkable  growth  and  success  of  the 
Chicago  Public  Library  arises  from  a  similar 
cause.  When  the  people  of  Chicago  decided  that 
a  public  library  was  essential  to  the  city's  pros- 
perity and  well-being,  they  did  not  entertain  ap- 
plications from  politicians  out  of  a  job,  or  brief- 
less lawyers,  or  broken  down  clergymen.  No, 
they  looked  for  the  most  experienced  librarian  the 
country  could  furnish.  They  found  him  in  Cin- 
cinnati. They  persuaded  him  that  Chicago  was 
going  to  be  a  greater  city  than  Cincinnati,  and 


February,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


47 


he  consented  to  go  and  organize  the  inchoate 
Chicago  Public  Library.  When  the  city  fell 
heir  to  the  magnificent  Newberry  legacy  it  turned 
the  public  library  over  to  an  assistant  who  had 
been  well  trained  in  its  administration  (under 
whom  the  institution  has  taken  no  steps  back- 
ward), and  gave  to  the  master  the  task  of  plan- 


ning a  building  that  constitutes  a  distinct  de- 
parture in  library  architecture,  and  organizing  a 
library  that  promises  to  be  the  finest  reference 
library  on  the  continent  —  a  fitting  combination 
and  crown  to  an  honorable  career,  and  a  lasting 
monument  to  the  professional  attainments  of  Dr. 
William  Frederick  Poole. 


WOMAN   IN   LITERATURE   AT   THE   FAIR,   FROM   THE   STANDPOINT   OF   A 
LIBRARIAN   AND   CATALOGER.* 

BY  EDITH  E.  CLARKE,  Newberry  Library,  Chicago. 


WOMAN  in  literature  to  a  ^librarian  means 
nothing.  Sex  in  literature  does  not  exist.  Since 
the  days  when  the  editor  of  Blackivood  ad- 
dressed Marian  Evans  as  "  dear  George,"  there 
has  been  no  diagnosis  capable  of  revealing 
whether  an  author  is  a  man  or  a  woman. 
Woman  in  literature  to  a  librarian,  therefore, 
means  nothing;  that  is,  save  in  one  connection. 
There  was  formed  at  the  Fair  last  summer  a 
collection  of  7000  books  exclusively  by  women, 
and  it  is  as  librarian  of  that  collection  during 
four  months  that  woman  in  literature  became  a 
reality  to  me.  "  Cherchez  la  femme"  says  the 
Frenchman.  "  A  woman  is  at  the  bottom  of 
it,"  is  the  English  saying.  Which  maxims  indi- 
cate, I  take  it,  that  in  everything  worth  doing 
under  the  sun,  a  woman  has  a  finger  —  nay, 
a  whole  hand  —  in  the  pie.  Why,  then,  seek 
to  disentangle  her  work  from  the  grand  total 
and  exhibit  it  separately  ?  Why  not  let  it  take 
its  place  in  the  ranks  as  so  much  -work  without 
emphasizing  the  fact  of  sex?  This  was  the  ob- 
jection often  propounded  by  those  who  visited 
the  Woman's  Building,  and  especially  the  li- 
brary. Why  have  a  library  of  women's  books? 
Why  not  let  them  take  their  place  side  by  side 
with  the  men,  and  be  judged  equally  with  them> 
instead  of  separating  them,  as  if  books  by  women 
were  a  different  kind? 

But,  we  said,  why  not?  The  Wisconsin  His- 
torical Society  has  formed  a  collection  of  books 
by  inhabitants  of  Wisconsin.  Every  school 
and  college  aims  to  possess  the  publications  of 
its  graduates  and  faculty.  Every  institution 
managed  on  a  broad  plan  aims  to  have  some 
sort  of  a  library  on  its  special  work.  How 
many  men  with  hobbies  who  do  not  collect 
books  in  that  particular  line,  whether  for  use  or 

*  Paper  read  at  the  January  meeting  of  the  Chicago 
Library  Club. 


curiosity?  Why,  then,  should  the  centre  of 
woman's  interests  in  this  country  —  such  as  the 
Woman's  Board  at  the  Fair  and  the  board  which 
will  have  charge  of  the  Woman's  Memorial 
Building  means  to  make  itself  —  not  collect  in 
that  building  a  library  of  books  by  women  and 
about  women  ? 

As  to  whether  such  a  special  exhibit  is  neces- 
sary to  advertise  what  woman  has  done  or  can  do 
to  open  the  way  for  more  progress,  the  remarks 
overheard  at  the  Fair  were  sufficient  proof.  The 
great  majority  of  sightseers  at  the  Fair  weie 
from  the  small  towns  and  country  districts,  who 
see  woman  almost  exclusively  in  those  occupa- 
tions which  her  affections  lead  her  to  choose  — 
housekeeping  and  the  rearing  of  children.  They 
ignore  the  amount  of  intellect,  not  to  speak  of 
the  moral  qualities,  which  are  brought  into  play 
in  these  employments,  and  are  amazed  when 
they  are  brought  face  to  face  with  the  achieve- 
ments of  the  same  abilities  when  brought  into 
competition  with  men  in  art,  literature,  science, 
or  business. 

One  of  these  unthinking  ones,  an  Englishman 
by  his  accent,  was  overheard  to  say,  "Ah!  er! 
This  is  the  Woman's  Building  ?  The  gy-uils  do 
all  this  ?  Why,  they  do  some  things/az>-/y  well, 
don't  they?"  From  the  remark  so  often  heard, 
' '  Why,  I  did  not  think  there  were  so  many  books 
in  the  world  written  by  women,"  it  is  a  far 
cry  to  Mr.  Cutter's  estimate,  who  said:  "  If  you 
design  to  have  all  books  written  by  women,  you 
must  build  wide  and  deep."  As  I  urged  him 
for  figures,  and  gradually  climbed  up  in  my  es- 
timate till  I  reached  50,000  possible  volumes, 
"Yes,"  said  he,  "I  would  not  stop  there, 
either." 

But  on  examining  the  extent  of  territory  laid 
under  contribution  for  the  7000  volumes  gath- 
ered by  the  Woman's  Board,  one's  astonishment 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[February,  94 


begins  to  have  some  excuse.  From  22  different 
countries  committees  of  women  officially  ap- 
pokited,  or  individual  authors,  sent  books, 
varying  in  number  from  over  1000  to  one  vol- 
ume. Denmark,  Portugal,  and  Russia  were  the 
only  countries  in  Europe  that  did  not  contribute; 
Bohemia,  Poland,  and  Finland  sending  their 
quota  with  the  larger  powers.  Thirty-one  out  of 
our  40  states  and  territories  sent  collections, 
varying  from  New  York's  2400  to  two  or  three 
stray  volumes  from  Indiana  or  Kansas.  For 
many  of  the  states,  like  these,  preferred  to  keep 
the  books  by  their  women  in  their  own  state 
house.  Canada  sent  only  two  or  three  individ- 
ual offerings.  Spain  sent  books  from  the  Span- 
ish West  Indies  among  its  collection,  with  per- 
haps the  most  interesting  set  of  books  we  had, 
old  books  by  the  sisters  in  the  convents,  a  loan 
from  the  Biblioteca  Nacional,  dating,  some  of 
them,  from  as  early  as  1587.  Mexico  promised 
nine  books,  but  never  sent  them.  The  same 
thing  came  to  pass  with  regard  to  Japan's 
promised  50  volumes.  A  woman  writer  in  Peru 
sent  her  works,  but  generally  our  Latin-Ameri- 
can cousins  passed  us  by  entirely.  Among  these 
22  different  countries  there  were  19  different 
languages  represented.  The  Arabic  and  Chi- 
nese books  were  written  by  missionaries  in  those 
countries,  but  the  Sanskrit,  Japanese,  and  Turk- 
ish books  were  native  products. 

The  books  prepared  specially  for  the  Wom- 
an's Library  were  not  the  least  interesting  part 
of  the  exhibit,  being  in  many  cases  valuable 
contributions  to  the  literature  of  the  state  or 
country.  New  York  sent  many  portfolios  of 
articles  published  only  in  periodicals,  read"  be- 
fore clubs,  etc.,  and  these  are  the  material  which 
composes  the  "  Distaff  series,"  now  being  is- 
sued. New  Jersey,  Connecticut,  and  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  also  made  such  compilations 
from  the  women  of  their  respective  states,  the 
two  former  publishing  them  in  handsome  vol- 
umes. Massachusetts  and  New  York  prepared 
bibliographies  of  the  women  of  their  states. 
New  York's  was  printed,  and  should  be  in  every 
library.  Rhode  Island  also  printed  a  smaller 
one.  One  of  our  most  valuable  works  of  this 
kind  was  the  bibliography  of  Swedish  women, 
very  careful  and  full,  in  pamphlet  form.  Their 
fac-simile  of  St.  Bridget's  ms. ,  and  their  re- 
ports on  woman's  condition  in  Sweden,  are  also 
valuable  for  any  library. 

Music  was  made  an  interesting  feature  of  the 
Woman's  Library,  and  there  was  a  good  deal  of 


it  from  France,  Norway,  and  other  countries. 
The  collection  of  scientific  monographs,  pre- 
sented by  the  authors,  was  something  not  gener- 
ally obtainable  by  libraries,  and  it  is  hoped  that 
it  will  be  greatly  added  to.  A  movement  is 
now  on  foot  in  Oxford  and  Cambridge  univer- 
sities to  collect  all  the  theses  of  the  women 
graduates  for  the  Woman's  Library. 

Enough  to  say  that  though  some  books 
were  withdrawn,  from  3000  to  4000  volumes 
were  left  as  a  nucleus  for  an  international  li- 
brary of  woman's  writings,  and  are  now  stored 
with  their  card  catalog,  in  the  Art  Building  at 
Jackson  Park,  waiting  till  their  quarters  shall 
be  ready  in  the  Woman's  Memorial  Building  to 
be  erected.  It  is  this  catalog  to  which  I  allude 
in  my  remarks  on  woman  in  literature  to  a  cata- 
loger.  It  is  hoped  that  some  time  it  will  be 
printed  and  will  be  a  contribution  to  cataloging 
and  literary  history  worth  having,  including, 
as  it  does,  an  information  card  for  each  writer. 

Thomas  Wentworth  Higginson,  after  spend- 
ing a  couple  of  hours  looking  over  the  library, 
said  that  he  had  a  library  of  books  on  women 
which  it  had  been  one  of  the  interests  of  his  life 
to  gather  together,  and  that  if  the  plans  for 
the  Woman's  Library  were  carried  out,  he 
could  choose  no  better  place  as  a  depository  of 
them.  Should  we  add  to  the  present  collection 
Mr.  Higginson's  contribution,  we  shall  in  the 
near  future  have  in  Chicago  a  working  collec- 
tion which  should  prove  useful,  historically  and 
bibliographically,  to  the  student  of  that  branch 
of  social  science  which  is  summed  up  in  the 
phrase,  "  the  condition  of  women." 

So  much  for  woman  in  literature  to  the  li- 
brarian. On  the  other  hand,  woman  in  litera- 
ture to  the  cataloger  is  a  stern  reality,  a  thorn 
in  the  flesh,  which  to  one  in  a  library  of  books 
by  women  only,  and  from  all  lands,  came  ar- 
rayed in  all  its  terrors.  Though  not  a  sworn 
foe  to  matrimony,  I  fear  were  I  the  autocrat 
of  the  literary  world  a  ukase  would  long  ago 
have  been  issued  forbidding  women  writers  to 
marry. 

My  early  acquaintance  with  full  names  in 
cataloging  was  fraught  with  awe  at  the  impres- 
sive stringof  names  belonging  to  women  who  had 
married  twice,  as,  for  instance,  the  common  ex- 
amples, Mrs.  Mary  Clemmer  Hudson  Ames  and 
Mrs.  Helen  Maria  Fiske  Hunt  Jackson.  An  Eng- 
lish or  American  woman  on  marrying  usually 
drops  one  or  two  names;  it  may  be  her  given  or 
her  family  name,  euphony  in  combination  being 


February,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


49 


the  largest  element  in  the  choice.  If  she  marries 
twice,  there  are  more  eliminations.  If  she 
writes  under  her  husband's  name  during  a  part 
of  that  time  the  metamorphoses  of  her  designa- 
tion are  complete.  Thus  her  name  becomes 
perplexing  from  two  points  of  view:  the  cata- 
loger  finds  it  difficult  to  reconstruct  the  complete 
and  fully  matured  catalog  entry  from  the  suc- 
cessive rudimentary  forms,  and  the  reader  fails 
to  recognize  in  Lady  Mary  Anne  Stewart  Barker 
Broome  his  old  friend  Lady  Barker,  the  brilliant 
chronicler  of  life  in  the  English  colonies. 

It  will  be  seen  that  I  am  discussing  the  ques- 
tion according  to  the  rule,  universal,  I  believe, 
of  entering  married  women  under  their  own  per- 
sonal names  instead  of  their  husbands',  and 
further,  though  this  the  British  Museum  does 
not  do,  of  making  the  name  before  marriage 
and  by  a  former  marriage,  if  any,  a  part  of  the 
entry. 

I  might  sum  up  the  dangers  and  difficulties  of 
dealing  with  married  women's  names  under  six 
cases,  the  first  of  which  has  been  already  de- 
scribed. 

My  second  case  is  where  an  authoress  writes 
under  her  husband's  name,  as  it  appears  on  her 
calling  cards.  Stumbling  on  the  name  of  Mrs. 
Constance  Gary  Harrison,  it  needed  the  title  of 
a  familiar  novel  to  convince  me  that  Mrs.  Burton 
Harrison  had  transformed  herself  into  that. 
Mrs.  E.  Lindon  Bates'  petition  that  her  chosen 
pen-name  be  respected  in  the  catalog  at  the 
Fair  did  not  avail ;  but  a  cross-reference  was 
ruthlessly  made  from  that  form  to  Mrs.  Jose- 
phine White  Bates,  under  which  guise  her  works 
now  appear  there.  Mrs.  Fred  Burnaby  mas- 
querades under  the  burden  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Alice  Frances  Witshed  Burnaby  Main,  where 
I  hope  her  readers  may  have  good  luck  in  find- 
ing her. 

The  third  case  is  much  worse.  Our  foreign 
cousins,  Italians,  Swedes,  some  Austrians  and 
Spaniards,  when  they  marry  either  prefix  or 
affix  their  husband's  name  to  their  own  family 
name.  Whether  they  prefix  or  affix  it  seems 
to  an  outsider  a  matter  of  chance.  Consulting 
Gubernatis'  "  Dictionnaire  des  Contemporains," 
we  find  two  cases  where  the  husband's  name 
precedes  —  Siga.  Aurelia  Cimino  Folliero  de 
Luna  and  Siga.  Sacconi-Ricci — balanced  by 
two  where  the  maiden  name  precedes  —  Siga. 
Sophie  Albini-Bisi  and  Dona  Carolina  Coronado 
de  Perry. 

I  have  been  told  that  the  order  of  the  names 


is  decided  by  the  marriage  contract,  but  I  sus- 
pect from  some  vagaries  I  found  on  the  title- 
pages  that  the  fickle  writer  occasionally  varies 
the  wording  of  that  document  to  suit  herself. 
Siga.  Mathilde  Bonafede-Oddo  appeared  on 
four  title-pages  as  quoted,  but  on  a  fifth,  I 
believe,  she  came  out  as  Mathilde  Oddo-Bona- 
fede.  Cutter,  §  23c,  says  :  "  Enter  under  the 
compound  name  as  generally  used  by  the  au- 
thor, even  though  it  be  her  maiden  name." 
And  I  would  add  to  that,  when  you  find  the 
order  uncertain,  do  not  add  up  all  attainable 
examples  and  divide  by  two,  hoping  thereby 
to  attain  a  golden  mean  ;  but  adopt  the  "  modus 
operand!  of  the  stock  exchange,"  toss  up  a 
penny,  enter  under  one  form,  refer  from  the 
other,  and  do  not  worry. 

The  fourth  difficulty  is  reached,  and  the  plot 
thickens.  I  quote  Cutter,  §  29  :  "  In  languages 
which  use  a  masculine  and  feminine  form  of 
family  names  (as  Modjeski  and  Modjeska)  use 
that  which  the  authoress  herself  chiefly  em- 
ploys." I  had  a  list  of  40  Bohemian  author- 
esses, and  it  struck  me  as  a  little  curious  that 
every  name  ended  in  "ova."  I  consulted  a 
Bohemian  friend  about  it,  and  she  said  it  could 
not  help  but  be  right,  as  that  was  the  feminine 
form.  Mr.  Naprstek's  wife  was  not,  as  one 
might  expect,  Mrs.  Naprstek,  but  Mrs.  Napr- 
stekova. 

The  fifth  case  is  authoresses  who  change 
nationality  in  marrying.  Our  friend  and  poet- 
ess, Agnes  Mary  Frances  Robinson,  crossed 
the  English  Channel  to  find  a  husband,  and  is 
now  Madame  Jacques  Darmesteter  on  her  title- 
pages.  Is  she  Agnes  Marie,  or  does  she  retain 
the  English  form  of  her  name? 

A  sixth  and  last  difficulty  is  to  acquire  the 
form  of  Mrs.  in  every  language.  Mme.,  Signo- 
ra,  Senora  or  Dona,  Fru,  Mevrouw,  Frau  are 
common  compared  with  Pani  in  the  Bohemian, 
and  I  confess  the  Russian,  Polish,  and  others 
are  still  unknown  to  me.  The  British  Museum 
gives  all  titles  in  English,  and  the  vernacular 
touch  so  dear  to  the  professional  cataloger's 
heart  may  be  an  over-refinement. 

Though  I  had  many  other  trials  at  the  Fair, 
not  only  with  women  in  literature,  but  with 
"  real  live  "  ones,  I  have  only  to  say  in  con- 
clusion, that  "  with  all  their  faults  I  love  them 
still,"  and  hope  they  will  go  on  writing,  yes, 
and  marrying  too,  till  our  Woman's  Library 
shall  double  or  even  treble  Mr.  Cutter's  mag- 
nificent predictions. 


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February,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


PUBLIC  LIBRARY  STATISTICS. 

THE  recently  issued  report  of  the  Los  Angeles 
Public  Library  contains  some  interesting  statis- 
tics in  regard  to  the  chief  public  libraries  of  the 
United  States.  The  following  table  shows  the 
home  circulation  of  those  public  libraries  issuing 
over  200,000  volumes  annually,  also  the  number 
of  volumes  contained  in  each  such  library,  the 
population  of  each  city  according  to  the  census 
of  1890,  and  the  total  salary  roll  in  each  instance. 
To  this  table  is  appended  a  statement  of  the  prin- 
cipal San  Francisco  libraries,  submitted  for  pur- 
poses of  comparison  between  the  libraries  of  San 
Francisco  and  that  of  Los  Angeles  : 

PUBLIC  LIBRARIES   CIRCULATING   OVER  2OO,OOO  VOLUMES   FOR 
HOME   USE. 


City. 


No. 
Vols. 
189,350 
576,237 


Home 
use. 

Chicago 988,601 

Boston 726,052 

Baltimore 442,654    122,773 

Jersey  City 345.096      32,110 

Minneapolis 333,612 

Detroit 315,888 

Newark ..  272,347 

IxOS  Angeles 267,054 

Cleveland 259,693 


Pop.         Salaries. 


61,992 
115,661 
35.937 
34,332 
72,078 


Cincinnati 254,517    202,705 


1,099,850 
448,477 
434  439 
163,003 
164,738 
205,876 
181,830 
50,395 
261,355 
296,908 


$73,787  27 
92,684  79 
19,744  '3 
11,290  91 
23,870  oo 
16,138  52 
14,586  67 
10,979  51 
12,636  81 
32,346  85 


SAN   FRANCISCO   LIBRARIES. 

Mechanics'  Inst... .  152,709      62,444       298,997      10,059  5° 

Mercantile 18,392      62,825       298,997       4,21750 

Public  Library 139.630      74,200       298,997      18,62300 

The  comparative  use  of  the  public  libraries  in 
n  large  cities  of  the  United  States  is  shown  by 
the  following  table  giving  the  average  number 
of  books  circulated  to  each  inhabitant : 

Average  No. 
of  Books 
Per  Capita. 

(1)  Los  Angeles. .   .: 5.30 

(2)  Jersey  City 2.11 

(3)  Minneapolis 2.02 

(4)  Boston 1.61 

(5)  Detroit 1.53 

(6)  Newark 1.49 

(7)  Baltimore 1.02 

(8)  Cleveland... .99 

(9)  Chicago .90 

(10)        Cincinnati .85 

(n)        San  Francisco .47 


The  comparative  cost  of  circulating  books  in 
the  several  cities  named  is  shown  by  the  follow- 
ing table,  which  gives  the  average  expense  (in 
salaries)  per  volume  circulated  : 


d) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 
(6) 
(7) 
(8) 

(9) 
(10) 


Jersey  City 

Los  Angeles... 

Baltimore 

Cleveland 

Detroit 

Newark 

Minneapolis... 

Chicago 

Boston 

Cincinnati 

San  Francisco. 


3-3 
4.1 
4-4 
4-8 
5-1 
5-3 
7-i 
7-4 
12.7 
12.8 


Commenting  upon  these  figures  the  trustees 
say  :  "Thus  it  appears  that,  while  Los  Angeles 
shows  the  largest  per  capita  circulation  of  any 
of  the  cities  named,  the  expense  of  circulat- 
ing was  lower  with  us  than  in  any  other  city, 
with  but  one  exception  —  Jersey  City.  While 
the  general  average  of  cost  in  the  n  cities  was 
7. 3  cents  per  volume,  Los  A ngeles  has  an  expense 
of  only  4.i_cents." 


THE   EXTINCTION   OF  THE   BETTING 
EVIL  IN  PUBLIC  NEWS-ROOMS.* 

By  /.  Elliot,  Librarian^    Wolverhampton  Public  Li- 
brary, 

FOR  several  years  past  complaints  have  been 
made  by  the  reading  public  of  disorderly  gangs 
of  betting  men  monopolizing  the  newspapers, 
especially  in  the  morning.  At  Wolverhampton 
laborers  out  of  work  complained  that  they  had 
to  wait  for  hours  before  they  could  see  the  ad- 
vertising columns;  politicians  left  the  room  dis- 
gusted because  no  leading  article  or  report  of 
meeting  could  be  read  with  comfort,  on  account 
of  the  annoyance  caused  by  scores  of  betting 
men  retaining  the  sporting  columns  on  the  other 
side  of  the  papers.  To  add  to  the  nuisance  a 
number  of  boys,  with  pencils  and  note-books, 
sent  out  of  shops  and  factories,  copied  extracts 
from  the  betting  columns  daily,  and  even  women 
were  frequently  seen  similarly  occupied. 

Members  of  the  committee,  in  their  occasional 
visits,  not  only  heard  conversation  —  in  the  tem- 
porary absence  of  officials,  and  in  direct  viola- 
tion of  the  printed  regulations  before  the  eyes  of 
the  offenders  in  large  type  —  but  actually  saw 
money  passed  between  these  gamblers  and  their 
victims  in  the  news-room. 

The  chief  constable  and  town  clerk  were  con- 
sulted, and  the  police  did  their  best  to  miti- 
gate the  evil.  This  relief  proved  of  little  avail; 
great  difficulty  was  experienced  in  removing 
hoards  of  loungers  round  the  doors,  spitting, 
smoking,  and  discussing  the  merits  and  demerits 
of  horses  in  language  unfit  for  quotation;  to  these 
evils  was  added  another  hitherto  unheard  of,  viz.: 
that  timid  ladies  were  deterred  from  entering 
the  building  and  using  the  library,  on  account  of 
the  roughs  assembling  near  the  entrance. 

After  discussion  the  committee  unanimously 
resolved  to  obliterate  the  betting  and  sporting 
columns  in  all  the  newspapers.  This  spirited 
move  had  the  desired  effect  — no  victory  could  be 
more  complete  ;  as  the  betting  men,  interested 
in  nothing  else  whatever,  left  the  building  with 
one  accord.  Five  months  have  now  elapsed; 
perfect  order  has  been  preserved;  and  although 
the  readers  are  as  numerous  as  ever,  no  difficulty 
is  experienced  in  any  respect.  Artisans  who  had 
not  used  the  reading-room  for  years,  on  account 
of  the  difficulty  or  impossibility  of  reading  the 
news,  have  since  returned,  grateful  to  the  com- 
mittee for  the  extinction  of  the  betting  nuisance. 
Letters  of  congratulation  were  received  from  man- 
ufacturers and  from  various  parts  of  the  country. 
No  complaint  has  reached  us  on  the  score  of 
delay,  for  by  means  of  stencil  plates  cut  to  size  of 
the  betting  columns,  the  whole  is  accomplished 
in  a  few  minutes  each  day.  The  slight  opposi- 
tion of  a  few  anonymous  correspondents  in  the 
local  press  soon  died  away,  and  now  everybody 
seems  in  favor  of  the  reform.  To  all  who  suffer 
from  the  betting  nuisance,  obliteration  is  strongly 
recommended  to  restore  the  reading-room  to  the 
dignity  of  a  literary  institution. 

*  [From  The  Library.  Mr.  R.  K.  Dent,  librarian  of  the 
Aston  Manor  (Eng.)  Library,  reports:  "Marked  im- 
provement of  the  reading-rooms  after  the  committee 
authorized  the  '  blacking'out '  of  sporting" news."] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[February,  '94 


American  Cibrarjj  fltsaociation. 


THE   AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION. 
Reprint  of  the  A.  L.  A.  Handbook. 

ORIGIN.  Early  in  1876  a  few  who  believed 
that  the  great  work  just  opening  before  libraries 
as  an  educational  force  demanded  organization 
and  active  co-operation,  proposed  a  library  con- 
ference in  connection  with  the  Centennial  Ex- 
hibition. The  hearty  responses  from  prominent 
librarians  led  to  general  announcements  in  the 
press,  and  special  invitations,  sent  through  the 
U.  S.  Bureau  of  Education,  to  American  and 
Irading  foreign  librarians.  October  4,  1876, 
100  enthusiastic  librarians  gathered  in  Phila- 
delphia and  spent  three  days  in  comparison  of 
methods  and  active  interchange  of  views  and 
experience. 

The  great  practical  benefits  derived  and  the 
possibilities  of  progress  and  influence  suggested 
by  this  first  meeting  convinced  the  most  scepti- 
cal, and  on  October  6,  1876,  was  permanently 
organized  the  American  Library  Association, 
"  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the  library  in- 
terests of  the  country,  and  of  increasing  reci- 
procity and  good-will  among  librarians  and  ail 
interested  in  library  economy  and  bibliographi- 
cal studies." 

ORGANIZATION.  The  first  officers  were  :  presi- 
dent, Justin  Winsor ;  vice-presidents,  A.  R. 
Spofford,  W:  F:Poole,  H:  A.  Homes;  secretary 
and  treasurer,  Melvil  Dewey.  They  drafted  a 
constitution  and  by-laws,  which  were  adopted 
at  the  second  meeting  in  New  York,  Septem- 
ber 4,  1877. 

The  revision  which  the  growth  of  the  asso- 
ciation and  17  years'  working  experience  had 
shown  desirable  was  adopted  at  the  Chicago 
meeting  in  July,  1893. 

NEW  CONSTITUTION. 

§  I.  Name.  This  organization  shall  be  called 
the  American  Library  Association. 

§  2.  Object.  Its  object  shall  be  to  promote 
the  welfare  of  libraries  by  stimulating  public 
interest  in  founding  and  improving  them,  by  se- 
curing needed  state  and  national  legislation,  by 
furthering  such  co-operative  work  as  shall  im- 
prove results  or  reduce  expenses,  by  exchanging 
views  and  making  recommendations,  and  by 
advancing  the  common  interests  of  librarians, 
trustees,  and  others  engaged  in  library  or  allied 
educational  work. 

Members. 

§  3.  Eligibility.  Any  trustee,  librarian,  or 
other  person  engaged  in  public  library  adminis- 
tration may  become  a  member  of  the  Association 
by  paying  the  annual  fee  and  signing  the  con- 
stitution or  a  membership  application  blank 
supplied  by  the  secretary  and  to  be  filed  in  the 
records.  Other  persons  may  in  the  same  man- 
ner become  members  after  election  by  the  board. 
Any  member  paying  an  annual  fee  of  $5  shall  be 
known  as  a  fellow. 

$  4.  Annual  fee.  The  annual  dues  shall  be 
$2  for  members  and  $5  for  fellows  or  institu- 
tions, payable  in  January. 


§  5.  Associates.  Associates  may  be  elected 
by  the  board  for  a  single  year  with  all  privileges 
of  members  except  voting,  and  shall  pay  beside 
the  annual  fee  of  $2  such  fee  as  shall  be  estab- 
ished  each  year  by  the  board  for  associates 
wishing  to  share  in  reduced  rates  granted  to 
members;  but  no  extra  fee  shall  be  required 
:rom  persons  in  the  immediate  family  of  mem- 
jers. 

§  6.  Honorary  members.  Honorary  members 
nominated  by  the  board  may  be  elected  by  unan- 
mous  vote  at  any  meeting  of  the  Association, 
and  shall  be  exempt  from  dues. 

J  7.  Life  members  and  fellows.  Any  member 
may  become  a  life  member  or  life  fellow,  en- 
titled during  life  to  all  rights  and  privileges  of 
membership  without  payment  of  annual  dues, 
by  payment  of  $25  for  life  membership  and 
fcioo  for  life  fellowship. 

§  8.  Life  membership  fees.  All  receipts  from 
life  memberships,  and  all  gifts  for  this  special 
purpose,  shall  constitute  an  endowment  fund, 
which  shall  be  invested  and  kept  forever  invio- 
late. The  interest  shall  be  expended  as  the 
council  may  direct.  The  custody  of  the  endow- 
ment fund  shall  be  committed  to  three  trustees, 
one  of  whom  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  at  each 
annual  meeting  of  the  Association,  to  hold  office 
for  three  years  from  the  date  of  his  election. 
No  money  shall  be  expended  from  the  endow- 
ment fund  except  on  check  signed  by  a  majority 
of  the  trustees. 

Officers. 

§  9.  The  officers  of  the  Association  shall  be 
a  president,  three  vice-presidents,  a  secretary, 
and  a  treasurer,  to  be  elected  by  ballot  at  the 
annual  meeting,  and  to  hold  office  until  the  ad- 
journment of  the  meeting  at  which  their  suc- 
cessors are  elected. 

§  10.  Executive  board.  These  officers,  to- 
gether with  the  president  for  the  preceding  year, 
shall  constitute  an  executive  board,  with  power 
to  act  for  the  Association  in  intervals  between 
meetings  on  all  matters  on  which  they  reach 
unanimous  agreement. 

They  shall  elect  from  members  of  the  Asso- 
ciation a  finance  committee,  consisting  of  three 
members,  a  co-operative  committee  of  five  mem- 
bers, and  such  other  committees  or  officers  as 
shall  be  required  to  transact  the  business  of  the 
Association. 

§  ii.  Secretary.  The  secretary  shall  have 
charge  of  the  books,  papers,  and  correspond- 
ence, and  shall  give  due  notice  of  any  election, 
appointment,  meeting,  or  other  business  requir- 
ing the  personal  attention  of  any  member. 

§  12.  Recorder.  The  recorder  shall  keep  a 
faithful  record  of  the  members  present  at  each 
meeting  of  the  Association  or  board,  and  of  all 
business  transacted. 

§  13.  Treasurer.  The  treasurer  shall  keep  a 
full  and  accurate  record  of  all  receipts  and  dis- 
bursements, with  date,  purpose,  and  amount  ; 
collect  dues;  pay  bills,  but  only  on  written  order 
of  two  members  of  the  finance  committee;  and 
shall  make  an  annual  report. 

§  14.  Finance  committee.  The  finance  com- 
mittee shall  make  all  needed  appropriations, 


February,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


53 


audit  bills,  and  give  orders  on  the  treasurer 
for  payment;  and  no  expense  shall  be  incurred 
on  behalf  of  the  Association  by  any  officer  or 
committee  in  excess  of  the  appropriation  made 
for  the  purpose  by  the  finance  committee. 

§  15.  Co-operation  committee.  The  co-opera- 
tion committee  shall  consider  and  report  on 
plans  for  securing  improvement,  economy,  uni- 
formity, and  harmony  in  any  department  of  li- 
brary work. 

§  1 6.  Council.  There  shall  be  a  council  to 
serve  as  an  advisory  board.  No  recommenda- 
tion in  relation  to  library  administration  shall 
be  promulgated  by  the  Association,  and  no  sec- 
tion shall  be  established  under  its  name,  till  ap- 
proved by  two-thirds  vote  of  the  council. 

The  council  shall  consist  of  20  members,  whose 
term  of  office  shall  be  five  years.  They  shall  be 
divided  into  five  classes,  so  that  the  term  of 
office  of  four  members  shall  expire  annually. 
Election  for  their,  successors  shall  be  by  ballot 
of  the  Association  at  the  annual  meeting,  from 
eight  nominees  selected  by  the  council  by  ballot. 
All  other  vacancies  shall  be  filled  by  the  council 
for  the  unexpired  terms. 

Meetings. 

§17.  Regular  meetings.  There  shall  be  an 
annual  meeting  at  such  time  and  place  as  may 
have  been  decided  on  by  the  Association  or 
board,  and  the  secretary  shall  send  notice  to 
every  member  of  the  Association  at  least  one 
month  before  meeting. 

§  18.  Special  meetings.  Special  meetings  of 
the  Association  shall  be  called  by  the  president 
on  request  of  10  or  more  members  provided 
that  one  month's  previous  notice  be  duly  given, 
and  that  only  business  specified  in  the  call  shall 
be  transacted. 

Meetings  of  the  board  may  be  called  by  the 
president  or  by  a  majority  of  its  members. 

§  19.  Quorum,  Twenty  active  members  shall 
constitute  a  quorum. 

§  20.  Votes  by  correspondence.  Any  resolu- 
tion approved  in  writing  by  every  member  of 
the  board  or  of  any  committee  shall  have  the 
force  of  a  vote. 

Amendments  and  by-laws. 

§  21.  Amendments.  This  constitution  may 
be  amended  by  three-fourths  vote  at  two  succes- 
sive meetings  of  the  Association,  provided  that 
each  member  shall  be  notified  of  the  proposed 
amendment  at  least  one  month  before  its  final 
adoption. 

§  22.  Adoption  and  amendment.  Any  by-law 
not  inconsistent  with  this  constitution  may  be 
adopted  or  amended  by  three-fourths  vote  at 
two  successive  meetings. 

§  23.  Suspension  and  repeal.  Any  by-law 
may  be  suspended  by  unanimous  vote  at  any 
meeting,  but  shall  be  repealed  only  by  three- 
fourths  vote  at  two  successive  meetings. 

BY-LAWS. 

§  i.  Eligibility  of  president.  The  same  per- 
son shall  not  be  elected  president  for  two  con- 
secutive terms. 


§  2.  Program.  No  paper  shall  be  read  be- 
fore a  meeting  of  the  Association  till  it  has  been 
examined  by  the  board  or  a  program  committee 
appointed  by  it,  which  shall  decide  whether  it  is 
to  be  read  entire  or  by  abstract,  or  to  be  sub- 
mitted for  printing  in  full  or  abstract,  or  re- 
jected. 

§  3.  Resolutions  and  arrangements.  The 
board  shall  appoint  for  each  general  meeting  a 
local  committee  to  have  in  charge  all  local  ar- 
rangements under  the  direction  of  the  board  or 
program  committee,  and  also  a  resolutions  com- 
mittee to  prepare  for  the  Association  needed 
votes  of  thanks  and  other  resolutions  ;  and  all 
resolutions  offered  by  members  shall  be  referred 
to  this  committee  for  any  desirable  revision  be- 
fore final  action  is  taken  thereon  by  the  Associa- 
tion. 

OBJECTS.  Beside  advancing  general  library 
interests  in  every  practicable  way,  the  Associa- 
tion, which  is  commonly  known  as  the  A.  L.  A., 
aims  : 

1.  By  organization  and  force  of  numbers,  to 
effect  needed  reforms  and  improvements  most 
of  which  could  not  be  brought  about  by  individ- 
ual effort. 

2.  By    co-operation,  to  lessen  labor  and  ex- 
pense of  library  administration. 

3.  By  discussion  and  comparison,  to  utilize 
the  combined  experiments  and  experience  of  the 
profession  in   perfecting  plans  and   methods, 
and  in  solving  difficulties. 

4.  By  meetings  and  correspondence,  to  pro- 
mote acquaintance  and  esprit  de  corps. 

MEETINGS.  Dates  and  places  of  general  meet- 
ings are  as  follows  : 

1876.  Philadelphia. 

1877.  New  York. 

1877.        London,  international ;  22  American 

delegates. 
1879.         Boston  and  Cambridge. 

1881.  Washington  and  Baltimore. 

1882.  Cincinnati. 

1883.  Buffalo. 

1885.  Lake  George. 

1886.  Milwaukee. 

1887.  Thousand  Islands. 

1888.  Catskills. 

1889.  St.  Louis. 

1890.  White  Mountains. 

1891.  San  Franc Jsco. 

1892.  Lakewood    (N.   J.),    Baltimore,  and 

Washington. 

1893.  Chicago. 

1894.  Lake  Placid  in  the  Adirondacks. 

Three  sessions  are  usually  held  daily,  and 
between  these  are  crowded  the  various  section 
and  committee  meetings. 

Condensed  papers  and  practical  discussions 
occupy  the  whole  time,  and  the  A.  L.  A.  is  wide- 
ly known  as  one  of  the  hardest  working  among 
the  hundreds  of  annual  conventions. 

POST-CONFERENCES.  Experience  having  proved 
that  perhaps  quite  as  much  practical  good  for 
the  year's  work  comes  from  the  Informal  dis- 
cussions cariied  on  by  twos  and  threes,  it  is  usu- 
al to  have  a  post-conference,  which  is  at  once 
so  enjoyable  and  profitable  that  it  tends  to  hold 


54 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[February,  '94 


together  the  leading  members  for  a  few  days 
when  they  have  leisure  to  talk  over  fully  the  sub- 
jects in  which  they  have  common  and  peculiar 
interest. 

This  post-conference,  the  intervals  between 
sessions,  and  the  one  social  evening  which  is  a 
fixed  feature  of  the  program,  afford  opportunity 
for  informal  intercourse  which  does  much  to 
develop  the  strong  esprit  de  corps  which  charac- 
terizes the  A.  L.  A. 

MEMBERSHIP.  Membership  is  open  to  any 
person  connected  with  library  administration, 
whether  as  trustee,  librarian,  assistant,  or  in  any 
other  capacity.  The  A.  L.  A.  also  cordially 
welcomes  all  other  friends  of  library  progress, 
who  may  become  members  on  vote  of  the  board; 
for  the  vast  field  before  the  Association  offers 
abundant  work  for  all. 

Annual  fees  vary  according  to  grade  of  mem- 
bership. For  details  see  constitution,  §§4-9. 

Every  member  receives  free  the  annual  vol- 
ume of  proceedings.  In  these  days  of  rapid  li- 
brary progress  every  librarian  who  wishes  to 
keep  abreast  of  his  profession  must  keep  in  close 
touch  with  this  representative  national  body.  In 
it  are  enrolled  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  not 
only  librarians,  but  also  many  others  interested 
in  libraries  as  an  educational  agency.  To  its 
leaders  libraries  everywhere  turn  for  advice  as 
to  buildings,  administration,  and  employees;  and 
from  its  ranks  nearly  all  important  library  posi- 
tions in  the  country  are  filled. 

Beside  its  professional  advantages,  member- 
ship secures  in  travelling  and  hotel  rates  for 
the  annual  meetings  and  post-conferences  re- 
ductions which  exceed  many  fold  the  trifling 
yearly  fee. 

SECTIONS. 

Within  the  Association  are  several  sub-organ- 
izations of  those  engaged  in  the  same  specific 
work  or  seeking  to  accomplish  some  common 
purpose  of  too  technical  or  novel  character,  or 
involving  too  great  outlay  to  belong  properly 
to  the  Association  at  large.  These  sections, 
whose  meetings  are  open  to  all,  provide  for  the 
needs  of  each  special  class  of  workers,  while  the 
regular  sessions  are  left  free  for  subjects  of  gen- 
eral interest. 

PUBLISHING  SECTION. 

Origin.  Organized  in  1886,  this  is  an  out- 
growth of  the  standing  co-operation  committee 
established  in  1876  "  to  secure  uniformity  and 
economy  in  methods  of  administration." 

Constitution. 

Article  I  —  Name.  This  organization  shall  be 
called  the  American  Library  Association  Pub- 
lishing Section. 

Article  2  —  Object.  Its  object  shall  be  to  secure 
the  preparation  and  publication  of  such  catalogs, 
indexes,  and  other  bibliographical  helps  as  may 
best  be  produced  by  co-operation. 

Article  3  —  M 'embers.  Any  library,  institution, 
or  individual  elected  by  the  executive  board  may 
become  a  member  on  payment  of  a  fee  of  $5  for 
each  calendar  year.  Membership  shall  continue 


till  resigned  by  the  holder  or  withdrawn  by  the 
board. 

Each  member  receives  one  copy  of  every  pub- 
lication of  the  section.  This  is  charged  to  his 
account,  and  he  is  allowed  to  select  added  copies 
of  any  publication  of  the  section  up  to  the  total 
amount  paid  in  fees.  Members  receive  a  dis- 
count on  publications  of  the  section. 

The  executive  board  is  authorized  to  receive  associate 
members  at  an  annual  fee  not  exceeding  $2,  and  to  de- 
termine what  privileges  shall  be  accorded  such  members, 
and  also  to  extend  the  privileges  of  regular  membership 
to  those  who  render  equivalent  services  to  the  section. 

Article  4 — Officers.  §  I.  Number.  The  offi- 
cers of  this  section  shall  be  a  president,  a  secre- 
tary, and  a  treasurer,  and  an  executive  boatd 
of  five,  of  which  the  above  officers  shall  be 
members. 

§  2.  Election.  These  officers  shall  be  chosen 
at  the  regular  meetings  of  the  section  in  connec- 
tion with  the  annual  meetings  of  the  American 
Library  Association,  and  shall  hold  office  till 
their  successors  are  appointed. 

§  3.  Secretary.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a 
faithful  record  of  all  meetings  of  the  section  and 
of  the  executive  board,  shall  give  due  notice  of 
such  meetings  and  of  any  election  or  other  busi- 
ness requiring  the  personal  attention  of  any 
member,  and  shall  have  charge  of  the  books, 
papers,  and  correspondence. 

§  4.  Treasurer.  The  treasurer  shall  keep  a 
full  and  accurate  record  of  all  receipts  and  dis- 
bursements, and  of  the  membership  of  the  sec- 
tion, and  shall  pay  no  money  without  the  written 
order  of  a  majority  of  the  executive  board,  and 
shall  make  an  annual  report. 

§  5.  Executive  board.  The  executive  board 
shall  be  charged  with  the  direction  and  control 
of  the  work  of  the  section,  and  shall  endeavor  in 
every  way  in  their  power  to  further  its  objects. 
They  shall  make  a  full  report  in  writing  at  each 
regular  meeting  of  the  section,  and  this  report, 
with  the  other  proceedings  of  the  section,  shall 
be  submitted  to  the  American  Library  Associa- 
tion for  publication  with  its  proceedings. 

Article  5. — Amendments.  This  constitution 
may  be  amended  by  a  three-fourths  vote  of  those 
present  at  any  regular  meeting  of  the  section, 
provided  that  the  proposed  amendments  shall 
have  been  specifically  set  forth  in  the  call  for 
such  meeting. 

Periodical  index.  Poole's  "Index"  with  its 
supplements  illustrates  how  great  saving  of  labor 
and  money  results  from  organized  division  of 
labor.  It  has  entirely  superseded  the  former 
practice  in  hundreds  of  libraries,  of  separately 
cataloging  every  leading  magazine  article.  This 
work  now,  instead  of  being  duplicated,  is  equita- 
bly divided.  Each  has  but  a  fraction  of  the  labor, 
but  enjoys  the  whole  benefit  in  the  "  Co-opera- 
tive index  "which  each  year  in  printed  form, 
available  to  all,  brings  up  to  date  the  great 
"  Index  to  periodical  literature." 

These  annual  supplements  are  once  in  five 
years  combined  in  a  single  alphabet  and  again 
printed. 

Rending  for  the  young.  The  section  issued  in 
1890  "  Reading  for  the  young,"  by  John  F.  Sar- 
gent, a  classified,  annotated,  and  indexed  list  of 


February,  '94] 


THE  LIBRA  RY  JO  URN  A  L 


55 


the  best  books  for  young  people.  This  is  already 
widely  recognized  as  the  best  existing  guide  to 
this  class  of  literature,  so  indispensable  in  all 
public  libraries. 

A.  L.  A.  index.  This  work,  issued  in  1893, 
aims  to  do  for  general  literature  what  Poole's 
"  Index"  has  done  for  periodicals.  In  a  single 
alphabet  of  subjects  it  gives  a  clue  to  the  laby- 
rinth of  miscellaneous  essays,  collected  biography 
and  travel,  historic  monographs,  reports  of  various 
sociological  societies,  boards,  etc. 

Printed  catalog  cards.  The  Library  Bureau 
began  in  Nov.,  1893,  to  print  catalog  cards  of 
leading  new  publications  and  standard  works, 
thus  cataloging  once  for  all  the  great  mass  of 
books  which  are  now  cataloged  in  each  of  hun- 
dreds of  libraries.  The  Rudolph  Indexer  Co.  is 
about  to  begin  a  similar  work. 

Scientific  index.  The  next  co-operative  index 
will  probably  be  that  of  scientific  serials,  transla- 
tions, and  monographs,  and  will  save  many  a  long 
search  through  indexes  of  individual  volumes  or 
through  volumes  entirely  unindexed,  beside  fre- 
quently directing  one  to  a  source  that  he  would 
otherwise  altogether  miss. 

Systematic  reviewing.  This  section  has  now 
before  it  the  proposal  that  the  whole  range  of 
subjects  be  covered  by  a  corps  of  reviewers,  each 
to  be  the  best  available  authority  in  his  field,  who 
shall  prepare  signed  and  dated  reviews  for  sim- 
ultaneous issue  in  a  large  circle  of  newspapers 
throughout  America;  that,  beside  the  full  news- 
paper review,  a  condensed  catalog  note  be  pre- 
pared stating  whether  the  work  is  elementary 
or  advanced,  its  relative  value,  and  noting  im- 
portant errors  and  where  full  criticism  may  be 
found. 

The  advantages  prophesied  for  this  plan  are  an 
increased  sense  of  responsibility  of  authorship 
and  an  increased  responsibility  of  reviewing;  in- 
crease in  public  esteem  for  reviews  and  economy 
of  time  for  readers  by  guiding  them  directly  to 
the  books  best  adapted  to  their  purposes.  It 
would  also  afford  a  valuable  guide  both  to  li- 
braries and  private  owners  in  bookbuying. 

These  are  a  few  of  the  many  possibilities 
before  the  publishing  section.  Certainty  and 
promptness  of  realization  depend  on  heartiness 
of  support  accorded  by  those  interested. 

STATE  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION.  The  next  sec- 
tion organized  was  the  Association  of  State  Li- 
brarians for  state  and  law  library  interests.  In 
1893  this  was  divided  into  the  state  library  asso- 
ciation and  law  section.  The  most  important  li- 
brary problem  now  before  the  country  is  the  re- 
lation of  the  states  to  libraries.  This  includes 
legislation,  subsidies,  state  aid,  exemption  from 
taxation,  public  documents  and  their  distribution, 
organization  of  the  library  interests  of  each  state, 
library  commissions,  travelling  libraries,  public 
libraries  departments,  annotated  lists  of  best 
books  prepared  and  distributed  by  the  state  au- 
thorities, and  indeed  every  question  concerning 
the  state's  relation  to  library  interests. 

The  special  handbook  explaining  fully  the  work 
of  this  section  can  be  had  from  the  president, 
Melvil  Dewey,  State  Library,  Albany,  N.Y.  The 
law  section  it  is  hoped  will  begin  its  independent 
work  at  the  Lake  Placid  meeting  in  September, 


1894,  when  all  law  librarians  will  be  specially  in- 
vited to  be  present. 

COLLEGE  SECTION.  —  The  college  librarians 
held  their  first  meeting  in  1889  at  St.  Louis,  for 
fuller  consideration  of  topics  peculiar  to  libraries 
of  educational  institutions,  and  at  their  second 
meeting  in  1890  formally  organized. 

TRUSTEES'  SECTION. — Ther«  has  always  been 
at  A.  L.  A.  meetings  a  sprinkling  of  library 
trustees  among  its  most  interested  and  efficient 
workers.  In  1890  special  invitations  and  an  en- 
tire session  devoted  to  mutual  relations  of  trus- 
tees and  librarians  called  out  a  much  larger 
representation  and  resulted  in  permanent  organ- 
ization as  a  Trustees' Section,  with  Hon.  Pliny  T. 
Sexton,  Palmyra,  N.  Y.,  a  trustee  of  the  N.  Y. 
State  Library,  as  chairman.  The  trustees  compare 
views  and  advise  with  each  other  on  their  pe- 
culiar duties,  and  the  section  in  its  importance 
to  library  interests  is  second  only  to  the  A.  L.  A. 
itself. 

Among  the  resolutions  passed  at  their  first 
meeting  was  one  expressing  their  conviction  of 
the  benefit  of  the  A.  L.  A.  meetings  both  to 
librarians  and  trustees  and  therefore  to  the 
public,  and  earnestly  urging  on  their  fellow- 
trustees  not  only  the  great  importance  of  send- 
ing their  librarians  to  these  conferences,  paying 
their  expenses  and  giving  them  the  time  in  addi- 
tion to  their  regular  vacation,  but  also  of  attend- 
ing themselves. 

BIBLIOGRAPHIC  SECTION. — This  section  is  the 
next  to  be  organized.  The  first  17  years  have 
been  wisely  given  to  improving  methods  and  ap- 
pliances, and  to  organizing  and  getting  the  A. 
L.  A.  into  good  working  condition.  The  time 
has  now  come  to  unite  efforts  in  the  highest 
field  of  library  co-operation,  to  which  all  else  is 
tributary,  the  supply  of  the  best  books.  The 
greatest  work  before  the  new  section  is  the  "  A. 
L.  A.  catalog,"  a  classified,  annotated,  and  in- 
dexed list  of  best  books  on  all  subjects,  combin- 
ing in  a  single  manual  the  judgment  of  the  most 
experienced  librarians  of  the  country.  This  will 
start  with  brief,  annotated  class-lists  on  subjects 
most  needed,  and  will  be  revised  and  enlarged 
in  each  edition.  When  the  series  is  finished  and 
bound  together  it  will  make  the  complete  catalog. 

The  great  fault  of  most  lists  is  that  they  em- 
barrass young  librarians  and  readers  by  offering 
too  much.  The  new  lists  will  consist  of  a  few 
of  the  very  best  books,  chiefly  in  English,  selected 
with  regard  to  those  wishing  :  (i)  primers  of 
the  subject;  (2)  fuller  manuals;  (3)  exhaustive 
treatises.  Leading  foreign  books  will  be  added 
in  successive  revisions. 

This  general  plan  was  first  proposed  in  the 
LIBRARY  JOURNAL  of  August,  1877  (p.  423-27). 
At  the  Boston  meeting  of  the  A.  L.  A.  in  1879, 
it  was  heartily  taken  up  and  an  editor  appointed, 
but  circumstances  compelled  him  to  resign  the 
work  within  a  year.  In  April,  1884,  the  commit- 
tee of  seven  in  charge  announced  (L.  j.  9:69)  the 
appointment  of  the  projector  of  the  catalog  as 
editor,  and  pledged  the  hearty  voluntary  co- 
operation of  the  Association.  Much  preliminary 
work  has  been  done  and  arrangements  have 
been  this  year  completed  to  meet  necessary  ex- 
penses of  preparation,  so  that  the  first  sections 


\JFebruary,  '94 


will  be  printed  during  the  coming  year.  The 
catalog  published  in  December,  1893,  by  the  U. 
S.  Bureau  of  Education  of  the  A.  L.  A.  library  of 
5000  volumes,  exhibited  at  the  World's  Fair, 
makes  an  excellent  basis  for  the  work,  and  is  in 
fact  its  first  edition,  except  that  it  lacks  the  an- 
notations which  are  the  most  important  feature 
of  the  plan.  Over  100  members  have  already 
shown  theirinterestby  buying  a  special  edition  of 
Sonnenschein's  "  Best  books  "  to  use  as  a  check- 
list in  comparing  judgment.  They  with  others 
interested  will  form  the  bibliographic  section, 
and  at  each  annual  meeting  of  the  A.  L.  A.  will 
interchange  needed  corrections  and  additions  and 
arrange  for  constant  co-operation  through  the 
year  by  means  of  correspondence.  After  years 
of  delay  the  way  is  now  clear  for  the  early  issue 
of  this,  the  most  important  co-operative  work  yet 
undertaken  in  the  interests  of  better  reading. 

Some  of  the  chief  uses  of  this  catalog  will 
be: 

1  As  a  guide  to  bookbuyers,  whether  for  private 
or  public  libraries. 

2  As  a  guide  to  readers  in  choosing  what  books 
they  might  best  take  from  the  library  or  from 
their  own  shelves. 

3  As  a  manual  to  answer  most  wisely  the  con- 
stant question,  "  What  is  the  best  book  on  my 
subject  ?  " 

4.  To  take  the  place   of  the  printed  catalog 
in  small  public  libraries,  by  writing  in  the  mar- 
gin the  location  number  of  all  books  in  the  library, 
unmarked  titles  being  the  best  conceivable  pur- 
chase list. 

5.  As  the  most  convenient  form  of  catalog  for 
most  private  libraries,  by  checking  in  the  margin 
all  of  the  books  owned. 

6.  As  a  check-list  of  books  read,  with  personal 
notes. 

All  interested  in  this  work  are  invited  to  send 
their  addresses  to  the  editor,  Melvil  Dewey,  Li- 
brary School,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

ALLIED  AGENCIES. 

From  the  A.  L.  A.  have  grown  three  agencies 
whose  influence  and  value  have  been  perhaps 
even  greater  than  its  own  immediate  action, 
though  none  of  the  three  are  under  its  direct  con- 
trol : 

1.  LIBRARY  JOURNAL.    This  is  the  official  organ, 
a  monthly  exponent  of  library  progress,  whose 
17  volumes  constitute  a  bibliothecal  library  now 
recognized  as  a  necessity  in  every  progressive 
library,  and  as  unequalled  in  any  language. 

2.  Library  Bureau.     This,  since  its  first  three 
years,  when  it  was  conducted  as  a  part  of  the 
secretary's  work,  has  had  no  organic  connection 
with  the  A.  L.  A.,  but  is  carried  on  in  full  har- 
mony with  its  spirit  and  aims,  as  an  instrument 
through  which  A.   L.   A.  co-operative  schemes 
may  be  realized,  and  as  an  agency  for  all  library 
wants  except  books  and  periodicals.     It  Under- 
takes, as  a  library  centre  for  the  country,  such 
needed  enterprises  as  are  impracticable  for  the 
Association  or  LIBRARY  JOURNAL,  and  thus  serves 
as   their   business  supplement,   publishing    and 
manufacturing    many   technical   library  fittings 
and  supplies  needed  for  the  most  efficient  and 


economical  work,  but  which  would  not  be  under- 
taken by  a  mere  commercial  house. 

3.  Library  School.  Thisschool  at  Albany,  under 
direction  of  the  University  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  is  a  powerful  agent  in  raising  the  standards 
of  intelligence  and  efficiency  for  librarians  and 
their   assistants.     Only  those    who   have    com- 
pleted a  high-school  course  or  its  equivalent  are 
admitted  to   the  entrance   examinations,  which 
cover  two  years'  work  of  college  grade.     College 
graduates  may  be  received  without  examination. 

A  standing  of  75  per  cent,  in  all  work  of  the 
two  years'  course  is  required  for  a  diploma  ; 
while  for  the  degree  bachelor  of  library  science 
(B.L.S.)  honors,  or  90  percent,  in  three-fourths 
of  the  work  of  the  course,  are  required. 

Graduates  of  the  school  are  already  taking 
leading  places  in  the  profession,  many  of  them 
in  turn  giving  more  or  less  systematic  training  to 
others.  The  three  great  institutes,  Pratt  in 
Brooklyn,  Drexel  in  Philadelphia,  and  Armour 
in  Chicago,  have  all  chosen  graduates  of  the 
Library  School  for  their  librarians  and  assistants 
and,  to  meet  the  demand  for  trained  help  even  in 
the  simpler  forms  of  library  work,  each  has 
established  library  classes  to  supply  a  more  ele- 
mentary course  than  that  offered  by  the  school. 
The  spirit  of  the  A.  L.  A.  is  thus  being  spread 
abroad  among  library  workers. 

4.  Library  clubs.     June    18,   1885,    the    New 
York  Library  Club  was  organized  to  promote  by 
meetings,  discussions  and  co-operation  the  library 
interests  of  New  York  and  vicinity.     Its  success 
has  shown  the  need  of  similar  clubs  in  all  great 
cities,    wherever   within   a   convenknt  distance 
there  are  a  reasonable  number  of  library  workers, 
inspired  by  the  modern  spirit  of  progress.     The 
Chicago    Library  Club  was  organized    Dec.  17, 
1891  ;  and  Philadelphia  followed  Jan.  29,  1892. 

5.  State  association!.     On  July  n,  1890,  was 
organized  the   New  York  Library  Association, 
the  first  devoted  solely  to  the  library  interests 
of  a  single  state.     Details  of  its  plan  and  work 
can  be  had  in  its  own  handbook  by  applying  to 
the  State  Library,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Similar  associations  have  already  been  or- 
ganized by  the  following  :  1890  —  Iowa,  Sept.  2  ; 
New  Hampshire,  Sept.  n  ;  Massachusetts,  Nov. 
13  ;  New  Jersey,  Dec.  29.  1891  —  Connecticut, 
Feb.  23  ;  Wisconsin,  March  n  ;  Maine,  March 
19  ;  Michigan,  Sept.  i  ;  Kansas,  Sept.  26  ; 
Southern  California,  Nov.  9  ;  Minnesota,  Dec.  ; 
Indiana,  Dec.  30.  1892  —  Colorado,  Dec.  29. 

Thus  the  national  organization  of  1876  has 
been  supplemented  by  state  organizations  for 
more  specific  work  pertaining  to  single  commc  n- 
wealths,  and  these  in  turn  are  found  to  need  the 
organized  efforts  of  local  clubs  devoted  to  the 
general  library  interests  of  a  single  vicinity. 

Work  not  limited  by  locality  but  commanding 
the  interest  of  only  part  of  the  Association  is 
provided  for  by  the  various  sections. 

AFFILIATED   MEETINGS. 

In  connection  with  the  A.  L.  A.,  meetings  are 
also  held  of  the  various  sections  of  the  State 
Library  Association,  and  of  the  state  associations 
which  follow  the  custom  of  gathering  their  mem- 


February,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


57 


bers  for  at  least  a  short  session  during  A.  L.  A. 
week.  There  is  also  an  annual  reunion  of  all 
those  connected  with  the  Library  School,  whether 
as  faculty,  lecturers,  graduates,  or  students. 

INTERESTED  LIST. 

One  not  caring  to  send  the  $2  fee  and  become 
a  member,  but  yet  wishing  to  receive  other 
printed  matter  about  libraries  and  librarianship, 
should  send  his  address  marked  "  interested  in 
libraries"  to  Melvil  Dewey,  State  Library,  Al- 
bany, N.  Y.,  who  keeps  a  card  registry  of  those 
in  any  part  of  the  world  who  are  specially  in- 
terested in  the  modern  library  movement. 


State  Cibratp  QUsociations. 


NEW  HAMPSHIRE  LIBRARY  ASSOCIA  TION. 

THE  fourth  annuaj  meeting  of  the  New  Hamp- 
shire Library  Association  was  held  at  Concord, 
N.  H.,  Jan.  31,  1894.  Hon.  William  W.  Bailey, 
of  Nashua,  presided,  and  the  following  new 
members  were  elected  :  Gen.  G:  T.  Crufts  of 
Bethlehem,  F:  Gowing  of  Nashua,  F.  S.  Streeter 
of  Concord,  Col.  Daniel  Hall  of  Dover,  ex-Gov. 
C:  H.  Sawyer  of  Dover. 

The  following  officers  were  elected  :  Presi- 
dent, W:  W.  Bailey  of  Nashua  ;  vice-presidents, 
Col.  E.  H.  Gilman  for  Rockingham  County,  J. 
E.  Pearl  for  Strafford,  Hon.  E.  P.  Jewell  for 
Belknap,  E.  L.  Marston  for  Carroll,  Hon.  Jos. 
B.  Walker  for  Merrimack,  Judge  N.  P.  Hunt  for 
Hillsborough,  Col.  F.  C.  Faulkner  for  Cheshire, 
Col.  Seth  M.  Richards  for  Sullivan,  Gen.  G:  T. 
Crufts  for  Grafton,  Hon.  Irving  W.  Drew  for 
Coos  ;  corresponding  secretary,  Hon.  A.  S. 
Batchellor,  Littleton  ;  clerk  and  recording  secre- 
tary, Arthur  R.  Kimball,  Concord  ;  librarian 
and  treasurer,  D.  F.  Secomb,  Concord  ;  execu- 
tive committee,  Miss  C.  H.  Garland  of  Dover, 
J.  H.  Whittier  of  Rochester,  C.  B.  Spofford  of 
Claremont,  C.  C.  Rounds,  of  Plymouth,  F:  Gow- 
ing of  Nashua  ;  auditor,  Miron  W.  Hazeltine, 
Manchester. 

Miss  Garland  extended  an  invitation  for  the 
association  to  hold  the  next  meeting  at  Dover  ; 
it  was  accepted,  and  the  time  for  holding  the 
same,  which  will  probably  be  in  April  or  May, 
was  left  to  the  executive  committee.  W.  W. 
Bailey,  G:  C.  Gilmore,  A.  S.  Batchellor,  and 
A.  R.  Kimball  were  elected  a  committee  on  the 
preparation  of  instructions,  etc.,  for  the  use  of 
the  local  committees  on  bibliographies. 

ARTHUR  R.  KIMBALL,  Recording  Secretary. 

LIBRARY  ASSOCIA  TION  OF  INDIANA. 

THE  second  annual  meeting  of  the  Library 
Association  of  Indiana  was  held  in  the  capitol, 
Indianapolis,  December  27-28,  1893.  A  two 
days'  meeting  had  been  arranged  for,  so  that 
there  might  be  ample  time  for  the  discussion  of 
all  matters  of  special  importance.  The  meeting 
was  called  to  order  at  10:30  a.m.,  December  27, 
by  President  Arthur  Cunningham.  The  morn- 
ing session  was  short.  President  Cunningham 


delivered  an  address  on  the  aims  and  purpose 
of  the  association  and  reviewed  at  considerable 
length  the  progress  made  by  the  association  dur- 
ing its  first  year.  This  was  followed  by  a  gen- 
eral discussion  and  exchange  of  ideas  in  regard 
to  future  work. 

The  afternoon  session  began  at  2  o'clock. 
The  first  paper  read  was  by  Hervey  D.  Vories, 
state  superintendent  of  public  instruction,  en 
the  "  Organization  of  libraries."  Mr.  Vories 
discussed  the  library  laws  now  in  force,  and 
said  that  the  law  as  to  cities  of  30,000  or  more 
inhabitants  was  a  very  satisfactory  one.  The 
law  for  all  incorporated  towns  and  smaller 
cities  had  a  proviso  that  prevented  the  estab- 
lishment and  maintenance  of  a  library  in  many 
of  the  towns  and  cities,  so  that  out  of  319  incor- 
porated towns  and  cities  only  148  had  libraries. 
He  said  that  out  of  the  511,823  children  enrolled 
in  the  schools  of  the  state  422,666  were  without 
the  advantages  of  a  library;  that  87^  per  cent, 
of  the  public  school  children  left  school  at  the 
close  of  the  sixth  year;  and  that  the  school  sys- 
tem should  not  be  regarded  as  complete  without 
a  library  in  every  school-house.  He  greatly  de- 
plored the  lack  of  library  sentiment  among  the 
people.  Different  methods  of  creating  a  library 
sentiment  were  touched  upon,  and  it  was  espe- 
cially urged  that  the  teachers  of  the  state  be  en- 
listed in  the  work.  He  also  outlined  a  proposed 
law,  giving  state  control  as  to  lists  of  books  from 
which  selections  might  be  made  by  the  teacher 
and  pupils  of  each  district.  The  law  should  be 
mandatory  and  set  apart  a  small  sum  for  each 
district  to  employ  a  librarian  and  buy  books,  the 
library  to  be  kept  open  each  Saturday  afternoon 
while  school  was  not  in  session.  The  librarian 
should  be  selected  by  those  using  the  library. 
The  selection  of  books  by  the  schools  would  give 
ample  latitude  to  provide  for  local  tastes  and  pe- 
culiar ideas,  and  this,  with  the  selection  of  a  li- 
brarian, would  give  a  feeling  of  ownership  and 
local  control  that  would  sustain  a  perennial  in- 
terest; while  the  selection  from  an  adopted  list 
of  books  would  be  a  sufficient  safeguard  against 
the  introduction  of  vicious  books. 

Miss  Jessie  Allen,  cataloger  of  the  Indianapo- 
lis Public  Library,  then  read  an  interesting  pa- 
per on  "  Catalogs  and  cataloging,"  which  con- 
cluded the  session. 

In  the  evening  the  members  of  the  association 
were  tendered  a  reception  at  the  Grand  Hotel. 
They  were  received  by  Miss  M.  E.  Ahern,  sec- 
retary of  the  association,  and  Miss  E.  G.  Brown- 
ing, librarian  of  the  Indianapolis  Public  Library, 
assisted  by  members  of  the  state  and  city  libra- 
ries. 

The  second  days' session  began  at  9:30  a.m., 
December  28.  Miss  Mary  Dye,  of  the  Pratt  In- 
stitute (Brooklyn,  N.  Y.)  Library  training  class, 
read  a  paper  on  the  "  Study  of  library  science." 
She  urged  that  librarians  should  enlist  library 
boards  in  the  work,  and  advocated  the  promotion 
plan  as  the  best  for  making  the  service  most 
efficient;  until  every  library  was  permeated  with 
the  professional  spirit,  it  should  be  a  miniature 
library  school.  The  chief  factor  in  promoting 
library  work  she  considered  to  be  the  monthly 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[February,  '94 


meeting  of  the  staff,  when  ideas  and  opinions 
could  be  exchanged  ;  the  interchange  of  work 
was  also  recommended.  A  general  discussion 
followed. 

J.  P.  Dunn,  ex-state  librarian  of  Indiana,  then 
read  a  paper  on  "  Indiana  compared  with  other 
states "  in  regard  to  libraries.  He  presented 
statistics  showing  that  in  proportion  to  the  pop- 
ulation, Michigan  has  65  per  cent,  more  books 
than  Indiana;  Ohio  64  percent,  more, and  Illinois 
96  per  cent.  more.  Indiana  has  25  books  in  li- 
braries for  each  loo  inhabitants,  the  number  of 
libraries  being  almost  in  proportion  to  the  ob- 
structive laws.  In  Illinois  any  community  can 
start  a  library;  in  Michigan  a  petition  is  required; 
but  in  Indiana  a  township  cannot  open  a  library 
unless  some  one  first  gives  a  library  worth  $i,- 
ooo.  Cities  and  towns  of  less  than  10,000  inhabi- 
tants can  levy  a  tax  to  establish  a  library,  pro- 
vided there  is  not  already  a  free  library  in  the 
city,  but  not  to  maintain  one. 

The  afternoon  session  was  brief.  G:  S.  Cott- 
man,  of  Irvington,  delivered  an  address  on 
"  Indiana  literature,"  and  a  short  time  was  de- 
voted to  the  transaction  of  miscellaneous  busi- 
ness. The  meeting  then  adjourned. 

rOW A  LIBRARY  SOCIETY. 

THE  fourth  annual  meeting  of  the  Iowa  Li- 
brary Society  was  held  in  the  capital  at  Des 
Moines,  December  27-28,  1893.  The  meeting 
was  called  to  order  at  10  a.m.,  December  27,  by 
Hon.  T.  S.  Parvin.  The  attendance  was  not  as 
large  as  at  former  meetings,  only  about  25 
librarians  being  present,  but  the  members  were 
enthusiastic  and  earnest  in  the  work,  and  the 
meeting  proved  a  very  successful  one. 

The  following  officers  were  elected  for  the  en- 
suing year:  President,  T.  S.  Parvin,  Cedar 
Rapids;  vice-president,  Mrs.  Ada  North,  Iowa 
City;  secretary,  Mrs.  Mary  W.  Loomis,  Chero- 
kee; treasurer,  Miss  Ella  McLoney,  Des  Moines. 
The  treasurer's  report  was  read,  and  placed  on 
file. 

The  first  subject  considered  was  in  regard  to 
the  marking  and  numbering  of  books  in  circu- 
lating libraries.  The  discussion  was  brief  but 
animated.  Papers  were  read  by  Mrs.  Mary  H. 
Miller  and  Miss  McLoney.  In  the  afternoon 
President  Parvin  delivered  his  annual  address, 
which  was  chiefly  devoted  to  a  discussion  of  sev- 
eral topics  of  library  interest.  He  earnestly 
advocated  the  adoption  of  methods  by  which  the 
office  of  state  librarian  and  also  that  of  superin- 
tendent of  public  instruction  might  be  removed 
from  politics. 

The  second  day's  session  was  opened  at  10 
a.m.,  with  a  paper  on  "  Access  to  shelves,"  read 
by  Miss  McLoney.  Miss  Esther  Crawford,  of 
the  Sioux  City  Library,  then  read  an  interesting 
and  practical  paper  on  "  Cataloging,"  with  direct 
reference  to  the  libraries  of  Iowa,  and  showed 
numerous  examples  of  cataloging  work  done  in 
various  libraries  of  the  state. 

Hon.  W.  M.  McFarland,  secretary  of  state, 
spoke  of  the  desirability  of  purchasing  only  the 
best  books  for  public  libraries,  and  excluding 
trash.  He  also  thought  the  salaries  of  librarians 
should,  in  justice,  be  increased,  though  there  was 


the  drawback,  that  the  places  would  then  be 
sought  by  politicians,  under  whose  care  they 
would  not  be  so  apt  to  thrive.  On  the  whole, 
he  did  not  know  but  that  the  matter  had  best  be 
kept  where  it  was,  for  generally  very  good  work 
was  being  done  at  very  moderate  rates  of  com- 
pensation. 

Hon.  J.  B.  Knoepfler,  state  superintendent  of 
public  instruction,  was  introduced,  and  made  a 
brief  address.  It  was  mainly  in  elaboration  of 
the  idea  that  where  the  work  of  the  teacher  ends 
that  of  the  librarian  begins,  and  that  one  of  the 
most  important  questions  pressing  upon  the 
teacher  was,  "  How  can  we  lead  children  to 
read  better  literature?  "  He  believed  librarians 
had  a  much  wider  influence  than  even  they  im- 
agined, and  could  do  good  work  in  disseminating 
a  taste  for  what  was  pure,  elevating,  and  in- 
structive. He  also  spoke  of  the  duty  of  the 
state  to  make  the  books  of  the  state  library  ac- 
cessible to  responsible  people  in  every  locality. 
A  discussion  followed.  Mrs.  Miller  said  the  mat- 
ter had  already  been  considered,  and  an  attempt 
would  be  made  to  do  something  of  the  kind 
this  winter.  Mr.  Parvin  had  loaned  books  from 
his  library  at  Cedar  Rapids,  the  largest  Masonic 
library  in  the  world,  to  persons  all  over  the 
world. 

Mr.  George  Meleny,  of  the  Library  Bureau, 
spoke  of  new  library  appliances,  and  also  of  the 
printed  catalog  cards  now  furnished  by  the  bu- 
reau. 

Col.  G.  H.  Gatch.of  Des  Moines,  chairman  of 
the  committee  on  legislation,  gave  his  report  on 
the  subject  of  proposed  new  legislation  relating 
to  the  founding  and  supporting  of  libraries.  His 
proposition  was  simply  to  refer  the  matter  di- 
rectly to  a  vote  of  the  people  locally  interested 
in  any  proposed  or  existing  library.  He  was  ap- 
pointed a  committee  of  one  to  prepare  a  bill  and 
present  it  to  the  proper  committees  in  the  coming 
legislature. 

The  subject  of  meeting  with  the  State  Teach- 
ers' Association  was  then  taken  up  on  the  sug- 
gestion of  Mr.  Rich,  and  discussed  at  some 
length. 

President  Parvin  urged  the  advantages  of 
bringing  the  society  into  closer  and  more  harmo- 
nious relations  with  the  State  Teachers'  Associa- 
tion, of  which  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  in 
1854.  He  spoke  of  the  fact  that  there  was  and 
must  be  a  close  interest  between  the  society  and 
its  work  and  the  public  schools  and  their  li- 
braries and,  indeed,  the  whole  system  of  popular 
education. 

At  the  afternoon  session  reports  in  regard  to 
the  founding  of  several  new  libraries  were  re- 
ceived, and  at  Miss  Crawford's  suggestion  these 
were  added  to  the  list  of  Iowa  libraries. 

President  Parvin  dts;n-d  suggestions  from  all 
present  in  relation  to  the  society's  program  for 
next  year,  and  the  matter  was  discussed  at  some 
length.  Mrs.  Morse  thought  the  topics  selected 
for  report  and  discussion  should  be  of  more  gen- 
eral interest  to  the  public  at  large  and  not  con- 
fined exclusively  to  library  topics.  A  general 
discussion  followed  upon  the  subject  of  the  next 
meeting.  It  was  finally  voted  to  meet  in  connec- 
tion with  the  State  Teachers'  Association.  The 


February,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


59 


proposal  to  bring  both  the  society  and  the  associa- 
tion into  closer  relations  met  with  entire  co-op- 
eration on  the  part  of  the  committee  appointed 
by  the  association.  The  meeting  then  adjourned. 

PENNSYLVANIA  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

THE  regular  January  meeting  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Library  Club  was  held  at  the  Mercantile 
Library,  Philadelphia,  on  Monday  evening,  Jan- 
uary 8.  The  meeting  was  called  to  order  at  8 
o'clock,  by  the  president,  Mr.  Edwards,  about  35 
members  and  friends  being  present. 

After  the  usual  transaction  of  business,  Dr. 
Bernard  C.  Steiner,  of  the  Enoch  Pratt  Free 
Library,  Baltimore,  addressed  the  club  on  the 
"Condition  and  history  of  the  libraries  of  Bal- 
timore in  general  and  of  the  Enoch  Pratt  Free 
Library  in  particular." 

After  giving  a  brief  survey  of  the  various 
kinds  of  libraries  founded  throughout  the  colo- 
nies in  the  early  days  of  their  settlement,  Dr. 
Steiner  proceeded  to  illustrate  these  types  by 
the  libraries  founded  from  time  to  time  in  the 
city  of  Baltimore,  speaking  more  at  length  of 
the  character,  methods  of  administration,  and 
financial  basis  of  the  Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library. 

At  the  close  of  the  paper  the  president  called 
for  questions,  and  a  general  discussion  followed 
on  points  of  'library  administration,  special  em- 
phasis being  placed  upon  the  importance  of 
branch  libraries. 

BESSIE  R.  MACKY,  Secretary. 


Cibrars  (Hubs. 


CHICAGO  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

THE  1 5th  regular  meeting  of  the  Chicago  Li- 
brary Club  was  held  at  the  Public  Library-Janu- 
ary 4,  1894.  After  the  usual  preliminaries  seven 
candidates  were  elected  members. 

The  secretary  reported  on  a  plan  proposed  by 
him  some  time  previous  "to  obtain  instructive 
addresses  bearing  on  literature  and  reading  from 
prominent  professional  men  and  women  who  are 
authorities  in  their  special  lines,  and  connecting 
therewith  such  studies  as  will  make  the  club,  as 
it  were,  'a  library  science  extension  class.'" 
The  matter  was  referred  to  the  new  executive 
committee.  Dr.  Wire,  chairman  of  the  commit- 
tee to  visit  libraries  and  solicit  membership,  re- 
ported progress  of  the  work. 

Miss  Edith  E.  Clarke  then  read  a  timely  paper 
on  "Woman  in  literature  at  the  fair  from  the 
standpoint  of  a  librarian  and  cataloger."  (See  p. 

47.) 

The  treasurer's  report  showed  a  balance  in  the 
treasury. 

The  election  of  officers  for  1894  had  the  follow- 
ing result:  President,  E.  F.  L.  Gauss,  Chicago 
Public  Library;  ist  vice-president,  Miss  Edith  E. 
Clarke,  Newberry  Library;  2d  vice-president, 
G.  B.  Meleney,  Library  Bureau;  secretary,  Miss 
Carrie  L.  Elliott,  Chicago  Public  Library;  treas- 
urer, W.  S.  Merrill,  Newberry  Library. 

The  meeting  then  adjourned. 

CARRIE  L.  ELLIOTT,  Secretary. 


£ibrarjj  (Economy  an&  ^i 


LOCAL. 

Albany  (N.  Y.)  F.  L.  A  movement  has  been 
set  on  foot  to  raise  from  $1000  to  $15,000  by 
subscription,  as  an  endowment  fund  to  establish 
the  library  on  a  permanent  basis.  The  library 
was  started  as  "  The  South  End  Library  "  about 
three  years  ago.  A  canvass  was  made  among 
citizens,  and  money  and  books  were  freely  con- 
tributed. Tickets  at  the  rate  of  $i  a  year  were 
sold  to  those  desiring  to  draw  books  for  home 
use.  This  continued  for  about  two  years,  when 
the  directors  resolved  to  make  the  library  abso- 
lutely free.  Application  was  made  to  the  state 
board  of  regents,  the  name  was  changed,  and  the 
library  was  incorporated  as  the  "  Albany  Free 
Library."  It  is  open  every  week-day  and  evening 
until  9  o'clock,  a  librarian  is  constantly  in  at- 
tendance, and  many  books  are  daily  circulated, 
and  the  daily  papers  and  chief  periodicals  are  kept 
on  file.  All  of  this  is  done  at  the  cost  of  about 
$750  a  year. 

Ayer  (Mass.')  P.  L.  The  dedication  of  the  new 
public  library  building  given  to  the  town  by  Mr. 
F:  F.  Ayer,  of  Lowell,  son  of  the  late  Dr.  J.  C. 
Ayer,  for  whom  the  town  was  named,  was  held 
on  the  afternoon  of  Jan.  15.  It  was  entirely  in- 
formal, in  accordance  with  Mr.  Ayer's  expressed 
desire.  After  luncheon  at  the  home  of  D.  Hart- 
well,  one  of  the  trustees,  he,  with  his  associates 
and  Mr.  Ayer,  went  over  to  the  library  building, 
where  Mr.  Ayer  presented  to  them  the  deed  of 
gift,  providing  for  the  free  use  of  the  building  by 
the  town  forever.  The  trustees  accepted  the 
gift,  and  then  all  adjourned  to  the  town-hall, 
where  an  informal  reception  was  held. 

The  history  of  the  library  movement  in  Ayer 
is  briefly  told.  In  1854  a  district  school  library 
was  given  the  town  by  a  number  of  citizens,  and 
existed  for  10  years.  From  the  expiration  of  that 
time  until  1871,  when  the  town  was  incorporated, 
there  was  no  library.  In  that  year  the  literary 
and  musical  club  gave  the  town  its  library  of  100 
volumes,  which  was  slowly  added  to.  In  1872 
the  business  part  of  the  town  was  destroyed  by 
fire,  and  the  library  with  it.  The  town  took  the 
matter  in  hand  again  after  the  fire,  and  a  new 
library  was  started.  In  1890  it  contained  2769 
volumes,  and  had  fairly  comfortable  and  com- 
modious quarters  at  the  town-hall.  In  1890  Mr. 
Ayer  placed  $5000  at  the  disposal  of  the  town 
for  the  purchase  of  books,  and  soon  afterward 
announced  his  intention  to  give  a  building,  which 
intention  has  now  been  carried  out.  The  build- 
ing is  of  buff  Indiana  limestone,  with  roof  and 
lantern  of  copper.  It  is  63  feet  long  and  40  feet 
wide.  From  the  ground  to  the  top  of  the  cor- 
nice it  is  20  feet  high,  and  14  feet  more  to  the 
top  of  the  lantern.  The  style  is  an  adaptation 
of  the  Roman  classic.  The  plan  is  symmetrically 
divided  into  three  portions,  the  central  being  the 
waiting-room,  in  the  form  of  a  Greek  cross,  cov- 
ered by  a  dome.  On  the  right  as  one  enters  is  a 
reading-room,  about  20  feet  wide  and  36  feet 
long,  finished  in  dark  oak  and  lighted  by  four 
large  arched  windows  ;  the  walls  are  stained  the 


6o 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[February,  '94 


color  of  old  leather.  On  the  left  of  the  waiting- 
room  is  the  book-room,  fitted  with  two  stories  of 
book-stacks  for  the  accommodation  of  25,000 
volumes.  The  second-story  stacks  are  in  a  gal- 
lery. This  room  is  finished  in  natural  oak  and 
wrought  iron,  and  the  walls  and  ceiling  are 
painted  a  light  yellow  color.  In  the  rear  of  the 
waiting-room  are  the  toilet-rooms,  closets,  etc., 
and  over  these  is  a  room  opening  from  the  book- 
room  gallery  that  may  be  used  as  a  trustees' 
room.  The  building  is  heated  by  steam  and  is 
wired  for  electric  lighting. 

Batht  Me.  ratten  F.  L.  A.  Added  850  ;  total 
6806  ;  issued,  home  use  28,016  (fict.  85  %) ;  ref. 
use  1631  ;  309  new  cards  were  issued  during  the 
year ;  940  books  have  been  repaired  in  library, 
42  at  bindery,  and  103  rebound. 

A  new  "  title  and  author  list "  is  ready  for  the 
printer. 

The  librarian  asks  :  "Is  it  well  for  a  small 
library  to  have  more  than  a  few  of  the  best 
books  bound  ?  They  are  bulky,  fill  up  the  shelves 
and  are  comparatively  used  but  little." 

Bridgeport  (Ct.)  P.  L.  The  art  department  of 
the  library,  which  was  opened  Jan.  i,  has  proved 
most  popular.  It  contains  pictures  in  oil  and 
water  colors,  several  china  collections,  photo- 
graphs, etchings,  etc.,  contributed  by  different 
townspeople. 

The  collection  of  paintings  will  be  continually 
changing,  as  new  ones  are  loaned  and  others  re- 
turned. In  addition,  at  different  periods  special 
exhibits  will  be  made  in  other  lines  of  art,  as 
architectural  designs  in  April,  the  amateur  and 
professional  to  be  given  a  separate  and  distinct 
classification,  to  be  followed  by  a  black-and-white 
exhibition  of  etchings,  etc.,  and  an  exhibition  of 
amateur  photographs. 

The  art  department  is  open  every  afternoon 
from  2  to  5,  and  Wednesday  and  Saturday  even- 
ings from  7  to  Q. 

Cambridge  (Mass.)  P.  Z.  Total,  40,079  ;  is- 
sued 124,104  ;  lost  17. 

The  only  new  departure  was  that  of  opening 
the  library  from  2  to  6  on  Sundays,  which  began 
on  the  first  Sunday  in  March.  This  step  has 
proved  acceptable  to  the  public,  as  is  shown  by 
the  fact  that  for  the  four  Sundays  in  March  the 
average  of  attendance  was  70$ ,  and  for  the  four 
Sundays  in  November  it  was  n6£. 

The  most  important  accession  received  during 
the  year  was  given  by  E:  H.  Hooper,  of  Cam- 
bridge. Being  charged  with  the  distribution  of 
the  large  library  of  the  late  E.  W.  Gurney,  the 
bulk  of  which  went  to  public  institutions  and  to 
private  friends,  he  offered  to  the  Cambridge 
library  the  selection  of  500  volumes  from  the 
residue  of  the  Gurney  library,  with  the  alter- 
native of  receiving  a  dollar  in  money  for  every 
volume  not  selected.  As  a  result,  the  trustees 
chose  no  volumes,  and  received  $390,  to  be  ex- 
pended at  their  discretion.  This  is  now  being 
expended  by  degrees,  mainly  for  books  in  the 
French  language  and  sets  of  periodicals. 

The  arrangement  and  classification  of  the  Wy- 
man  medical  library  was  effected  during  the 
summer,  and  a  regular  card  catalog  has  been 


begun.  The  trustees  desire  to  make  this  col- 
lection of  value  to  students  of  medical  science, 
not  only  in  Cambridge  but  elsewhere,  within 
proper  limits  and  restrictions,  as  it  contains  many 
works  not  easily  accessible. 

The  trustees  call  special  attention  to  the  list  of 
books  by  Cambridge  authors  in  the  Cambridge 
memorial  room,  and  ask  further  aid  in  their 
efforts  to  make  the  collection  complete.  It  is 
their  aim  to  have  it  contain  every  important 
edition  of  every  work  by  every  author  born  or 
resident  in  the  city,  accompanied  by  autographs, 
photographs,  or  ms.  notes  if  possible,  and  so  to 
extend  the  collection  that  no  person  can  here- 
after undertake  to  edit  or  describe  any  Cambridge 
author  without  coming  to  the  library  for  ad- 
ditional materials.  They  also  invite  the  deposit 
of  other  bibliographical  or  biographical  material 
of  this  kind,  or  of  any  articles  or  collections 
bearing  on  the  history  of  Cambridge. 

Cleveland (0.~)  P.  L.  (25th  rpt.)  Added  7532  ; 
total  79,610.  Issued,  home  use,  main  1.  264,845 
(fict.  44.20  #),  w.  s.  branch  84,335  (fict.  37.37  #) ; 
ref.  use  32,339  ;  no.  cards  issued  4310  ;  visitors 
to  ref.  and  reading  rooms  54,681  (Sunday  visi- 
tors 10,571).  Receipts  $44,546.83  ;  expenses 
$36,627.67. 

The  trustees  say  :  "  The  plan  of  permitting 
free  access  to  the  shelves,  adopted  some  time 
since  with  some  misgivings,  continues  to  give  in- 
creased satisfaction  to  those  using  the  library  ; 
not  only  has  it  given  great  satisfaction  to  those 
desiring  and  drawing  books  from  the  library, 
but  it  has  also  enabled  us  to  issue  more  books 
with  very  much  less  labor  and  expense  than 
under  the  old  conservative  system  which  pre- 
viously prevailed,  nor  has  free  access  to  the 
shelves  resulted  in  loss  of  books  or  damage  to 
same.  We  feel,  therefore,  that  a  return  to  the 
old  method  will  never  be  contemplated." 

A  competitive  examination  of  applicants  for 
positions  in  the  library  was  held  by  the  libra- 
rian, under  the  direction  of  the  committee  on 
employees,  on  September  26.  Fifty  candidates 
presented  themselves,  and  nine  were  recommend- 
ed for  appointment  as  substitutes;  the  report 
was  approved  and  the  appointments  duly  made. 
This  addition  to  the  depleted  force  of  the  libra- 
ry enabled  the  work  of  arrangement  and  cata- 
loging, so  greatly  needed,  to  be  taken  up;  but 
the  increased  use  of  the  library  has  required 
so  much  of  the  additional  help  that  less  of  this 
special  work  has  been  accomplished  than  was 
hoped  for. 

Carefully  compiled  tables  show  the  growth  of 
the  library  and  expenditures  since  its  estab- 
lishment in  1869. 

Cornell  University  L.,  Ithaca,  N.  Y.     A    LITER- 
ARY   LABORATORY  :  the  Zarncke  library.    (In 
Cornell  Magazine,  Jan.,  1894.) 
An  interesting  account  of  the  fine  Zarncke  col- 
lection recently  given  to  the  university  library; 
it  is  by  Miss  M..  I.  Crandall,  who  as  cataloger  of 
the  collection  is  well  fitted  to  describe  it  at  first 
hand.     The  library  is  specially  rich  in  Germanic 
literature  and  comparative  philology;  it  contains 
a  fine  collection  of  books  relating  to  Faust,  is 


February,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


61 


very  rich  in  literature  relating  to  Lessing  and 
Christian  Reuter,  and  includes  a  wealth  of  rare 
and  valuable  pamphlet  literature.  Miss  Crandall 
traces  in  a  most  interesting  manner  the  trend  of 
Zarncke's  personal  interests  and  literary  labors, 
as  evidenced  in  his  collection. 

Detroit  (Mich.)  P.  L.  The  president  of  the 
library  commission  in  his  annual  message  recom- 
mends the  establishment  of  eight  sub-libraries, 
to  be  conveniently  located  in  book,  drug,  or 
candy  stores,  the  store  proprietor  to  act  as  sub- 
librarian. It  is  proposed  to  pay  those  who  con- 
sent to  take  charge  of  these  branches  at  the  rate 
of  about  $2  for  every  100  volumes  loaned,  up  to 
the  point  where  the  income  would  amount  to 
fao  per  month;  after  that  the  rate  to  be  $i  for 
each  100  volumes;  the  minimum  rate  to  be  $10 
per  month.  Catalogs  and  library  slips  are  to  be 
supplied  at  the  branches  and  books  delivered 
the  day  after  the  slips  are  sent  to  the  library. 
Librarian  Utley  believes  that  the  adoption  of  the 
system  would  largely  increase  the  circulation  of 
the  library,  but  especially  in  the  direction  of  fic- 
tion. He  is  quoted  as  stating  that,  while  the 
system  would  undoubtedly  prove  a  great  con- 
venience to  those  living  a  longdistance  from  the 
library,  he  feared  it  would  tend  to  lower  the 
standard  of  the  reading-matter  sent  out  and  that 
the  central  library  would  be  flooded  with  applica- 
tions from  the  sub-stations  for  the  poorer  class 
of  novels.  He  said  that  the  persons  who  got  the 
most  good  from  the  library  were  those  who 
came  in  contact  with  all  its  departments —reading- 
room,  reference-room,  etc. — and  also  with  the 
attendants.  If  a  person  calls  for  a  certain  book 
at  the  library  now  and  cannot  obtain  it,  the  at- 
tendant will  suggest  another  book,  if  the  person 
seems  at  a  loss,  or,  failing  to  get  what  he  wants, 
he  drops  into  the  reading-room,  or  seeks  the 
reference-room,  often  finding  in  one  or  both  of 
these  places  something  to  read  which  will  do  him 
more  good  than  the  one  particular  volume  which 
he  desired.  There  can  be  none  of  this  leading 
from  one  thing  to  another  at  the  sub-stations,  at 
least  for  a  long  time,  and  any  person  who  can- 
not obtain  the  book  asked  for  will  probably  go 
away  without  any  and  without  having  gained 
anything  in  any  way.  Mr.  Utley  did  not  offer 
these  ideas  as  arguments  against  the  establish- 
ment of  sub-stations,  but  only  to  put  people  on 
their  guard  against  expecting  too  much  from 
them,  as  he  felt  that  a  library  serves  the  best 
ends  when  it  is  educative,  not  when  it  is  merely 
a  distributer  of  books  called  for. 

The  president  also  recommends  that  the  stock 
of  German  literature  be  increased,  and  states 
that  the  demand  for  French  and  Polish  books 
does  not  warrant  the  expenditures  now  made 
upon  them. 

Everett  (Mass.)  P.  L.  Added  576;  total  8428. 
Issued,  home  use  40,800,  an  increase  of  10,736 
over  1892.  Cards  issued  during  year  2900. 

"  The  circulation  is  larger  than  that  of  any 
library  of  equal  size  in  the  commonwealth  and 
is  greater  than  the  combined  circulation  of  all 
the  libraries  in  several  counties  of  the  state  ;  this 
is  the  more  remarkable  considering  the  fact 
that  the  library  has  no  building  of  its  own  and 


has  less  than  one-half  a  volume  to  each  in- 
habitant, no  other  city  in  the  state  having  less 
than  one  volume  per  .capita,  the  average  being 
about  five  or  six,  and  some  having  as  high  as  10 
volumes  per  inhabitant." 

The  reading-room,  established  last  year,  has 
proved  popular.  Besides  the  chief  magazines, 
New  York  and  local  papers,  it  contains  a  refer- 
ence library  of  250  volumes  free  to  all  and  a 
card  catalog  containing  3937  cards  and  covering 
all  books  acquired  since  the  regular  catalog  was 
issued. 

Gardner  (Mass.)  P.  L.  Added  923;  total  5254. 
Issued  16,416  (daily  av.  130);  no.  card-holders 
2757,  an  increase  of  290  over  previous  year. 

A  new  catalog  is  in  preparation. 

Keokuk  (la.)  L.  A.  On  Jan.  18  the  Keokuk 
Library  Association  tendered  the  city  its  fine 
building  and  library,  which  have  cost  about 
$35,000.  The  library  is  self-supporting  and  out 
of  debt,  contains  12,000  volumes,  and  from  store 
rentals  derives  $1000  a  year.  The  library  privi- 
leges are  limited  to  stockholders  and  those 
who  pay  yearly  dues  of  $2.  The  members  of 
the  association  realize  that  this  plan  does  not 
reach  those  to  whom  the  advantages  are  most 
beneficial,  and  therefore  ask  that  the  city  accept 
the  library  and  make  it  absolutely  free  to  all. 
The  proposed  transfer  will  be  submitted  to  a 
vote  of  the  people  next  spring. 

Lakewood  (IV.  J.)  L.  Arrangements  have  been 
nearly  completed  by  which  people  living  in  the 
country  a  few  miles  out  of  Lakewood  can  enjoy 
the  advantages  of  the  library.  So  far  com- 
paratively few  of  the  townspeople  have  shown 
much  interest  in  the  library,  and  only  a  small  per- 
centage are  registered  as  members. 

Los  Angeles  (Cal.)  P.  L.  (5th  rpt.)  Added 
6083;  total  34, 332;  issued,  home  use  267, 054;  lib. 
use  120,205,  ref.  use  33,142;  total  420,401  (fict. 
41$;  juv.  12$;  current  magazine  20  %).  Lost 
and  paid  for  42;  lost  and  not  paid  for  20.  Total 
no.  card-holders  13,495. 

"  During  the  year  additionsto  the  library  have 
been  in  the  main  duplicates  of  books  shown  by 
the  records  of  the  circulating  department  to  be 
most  in  demand.  In  fiction  it  is  thought  better 
to  have  six  copies  of  one  good  novel  than  to  have 
six  novels  of  an  indifferent  character.  In  biogra- 
phy and  travels  the  additions  have  been  almost 
entirely  duplicates  of  books  suitable  for  use  in 
the  schools,  these  two  classes  of  books  being 
most  used  for  supplementary  reading  in  school 
work.  Considering  the  number  of  volumes  added 
to  the  different  classes,  fiction  naturally  ranks 
first,  because  the  books  are  handled  more,  con- 
sequently wear  out  sooner,  and  need  to  be  re- 
placed oftener,  and  because  more  books  of  imag- 
inative literature  are  published  and  read  than 
books  of  any  other  class.  However,  the  cost  of 
the  average  novel  to  the  library  may  be  estimated 
at  88  cents,  while  the  cost  of  the  average  book 
other  than  a  novel  maybe  estimated  at  $1.25. 
The  time  is  rapidly  coming,  however,  when  a  sys- 
tematic series  of  accessions  will  have  to  be  made 
in  order  that  the  library  may  not  lose  its  equilib- 
rium as  an  organic  whole.  The  tendency,  as  at 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{February^   '94 


present,  of  allowing  the  greater  part  of  the  li- 
brary's resources  to  be  absorbed  by  temporary 
demands  must  be  an  evil  one  if  carried  too  far." 

In  regard  to  the  large  circulation  recorded, 
Miss  Kelso  says:  "  For  six  months  a  count  has 
been  kept  of  the  readers  visiting  the  general 
reading-room  to  use  the  newspapers  and  periodi- 
cals on  the  racks,  for  the  use  of  which  no  slips 
are  required  to  be  filled  out.  These  visitors  num- 
bered 24,831  for  the  six  months.  Of  the  large 
attendance  of  newspaper  readers  in  the  ladies' 
reading-room,  no  account  has  been  attempted. 
Consequently  the  figures  as  given  in  the  table 
showing  the  circulation  of  books  do  not  represent 
the  sum  total  of  the  library's  activity;  but  they 
do  show  the  number  of  books  and  periodicals 
that  have  actually  been  removed  from  shelf  to 
borrower  and  replaced  on  the  shelf. 

"  The  large  magazine  circulation  in  current 
and  bound  form  comprises  a  class  of  reading  that 
has  a  distinct  upward  tendency.  It  has  been  said 
of  our  circulation  that  it  might  be  accounted  for 
by  the  fact  that  it  included  magazines,  a  fact 
supposably  to  be  deprecated.  As  a  matter  of 
fact  the  average  magazine  is  far  and  away  better, 
and  a  more  effective  means  of  culture  than  the 
average  book;  besides  the  mechanical  work  of 
handling  the  magazine  costs  the  library  more 
time  and  difficulty  than  it  does  to  issue  a  book. 

"The  comparatively  extraordinary  use  made 
of  so  small  a  number  of  books  as  shown  in  the 
preceding  tables  is  accounted  for  by  ihe  charac- 
ter of  the  population  of  Los  Angeles,  and  largely 
by  the  fact  that  there  is  no  competing  library  in 
the  city.  Tbe  number  of  persons  enrolled  upon 
the  registers  of  the  library  as  actually  drawing 
books  exceeds  that  of  the  voting  population  of 
the  city,  but  it  is  not  distributed  over  the  entire 
area  of  Los  Angeles,  but  concentrated  particular- 
ly within  walking  distance  of  or  near  the  car 
lines  passing  by  the  library."  To  reach  the 
more  isolated  portions  of  the  city  the  librarian 
strongly  urges  the  establishment  of  four  branch 
delivery  stations. 

Work  with  the  schools  has  been  vigorously 
carried  on  with  gratifying  results,  although  ham- 
pered by  insufficient  number  of  books  and  lack  of 
necessary  funds.  "  Inquiries  made  among  the 
teachers  of  schools  close  to  the  library,  and  of 
those  teaching  in  the  more  distant  schools,  re- 
garding the  character  of  the  reading  of  children 
outside  of  school,  have  clearly  proven  that  where 
the  means  of  getting  books  from  the  library  are 
facilitated  the  reading  is  of  a  higher  nature  than 
where  the  child  is  compelled  to  rely  on  his  own 
resources  in  procuring  his  reading-matter." 

The  report  is  valuable  and  interesting  through- 
out, and  lack  of  space  alone  prevents  fuller  quo- 
tation. The  details  of  cataloging  work  carried 
on  at  the  library  are  most  interesting.  "  In  ad- 
dition to  work  upon  the  main  catalog,  card  cata- 
logs of  music  and  fiction  have  been  currently  car- 
ried along,  additional  entries  being  inserted  as 
rapidly  as  new  books  have  been  added  to  the  li- 
brary. A  special  card  catalog  has  also  been 
made  during  the  year  for  the  books  in  drama; 
for  this  title-cards  only,  numbering  about  2000, 
h  tve  been  written.  Over  5000  cards  have  been 
written  for  special  lists  in  the  reference  depart- 


ment; among  these,  that  on  California  is  worthy 
of  special  notice,  including  as  it  does  all  the  li- 
brary's resources  on  the  natural  and  civil  history 
and  geography  of  the  state." 

"  To  enlighten  the  current  belief  that  the  en- 
tire work  of  a  public  library  consists  merely  of 
the  taking  in  and  the  giving  out  of  books,"  Miss 
Kelso  has  appended  to  her  report  exhaustive 
tables  "showing  the  records  kept  in  the  several 
departments  of  the  library,  and  giving  a  fair  idea 
of  the  essentials  which  go  to  make  up  the  daily 
routine  of  the  library."  The  tables  cover  nine 
pages. 

In  their  report  the  trustees  say:  "  The  civil 
service  rules  adopted  have  been  found  to  work 
admirably.  Appointments  and  promotions  on 
the  staff  of  employees  are  governed  entirely  by 
fitness  and  without  reference  to  political  or  other 
influence.  Regular  examinations  have  been  held 
and  by  the  system  of  training,  during  which  the 
pupils  give  their  time  without  pay,  the  library 
has  been  able  to  secure  a  considerable  amount  of 
valuable  help,  besides  educating  the  students  for 
the  intelligent  discharge  of  their  duties,  and 
thus  raising  the  standard  of  proficiency.  So  far 
from  the  class  being  a  burden  upon  the  resources 
of  the  library,  it  has  been  of  material  assistance 
and  has  more  than  repaid  the  nominal  outlay  in- 
curred in  its  maintenance.  The  library  club, 
maintained  by  the  staff  and  by  the  teachers  and 
others  interested  in  library  work,  shows  the  ex- 
tent to  which  the  employees  are  devoted  to  the 
spirit  of  their  avocation.  The  work  done  by  the 
staff  during  the  past  year  is  commended,  and  the 
faithful  services  of  the  librarian  and  assistant 
merit  the  warmest  recognition.  Miss  Kelso  has 
heretofore  demonstrated  her  fitness  for  the  re- 
sponsible position  she  holds,  and  the  board  con- 
tinues to  repose  confidence  in  her  ability  and 
integrity." 

Madison,  Wis.  State  Historical  Soc.  L.  Added 
3596;  pm.  3974.  Good  progress  is  being  made 
on  the  new  scientifically  arranged  card  catalog; 
an  elaborate  catalog  of  the  society's  rich  collec- 
tion of  bound  newspaper  files  —  7000  in  number, 
and  reaching  back  to  the  earliest  of  American 
and  foreign  journals  —  is  now  in  preparation,  and 
will  be  unique  of  its  kind;  an  exhaustive  "Bib- 
liography of  Wisconsin  authors  "  was  published 
during  the  year;  the  valuable  Draper  mss.,  363 
volumes  in  all,  covering  the  period  of  the  west 
in  the  Revolutionary  War,  have  been  at  last  clas- 
sified, after  a  prodigious  expenditure  of  skilled 
labor,  and  beautifully  bound,  so  as  to  be  easy  of 
access  to  all  special  investigators  —  and  many 
such,  from  eastern  and  southern  states,  have  con- 
sulted these  volumes  during  the  year.  Careful 
statistics  kept  during  the  year  show  that  the 
average  daily  attendance  of  readers,  except  in 
the  summer  months,  is  upward  of  100  ;  some 
days  nearly  400  books  are  changed,  and  in  the 
year  some  50,000  books  are  used.  This  is  a  large 
use  for  a  purely  reference  library;  professoi sand 
students  of  the  state  university  constitute  91  per 
cent,  of  the  users. 

Minneapolis  (Minn.}  P.  L.  The  new  North 
Side  Branch  Library  was  formally  opened  in  the 
last  week  of  January.  Work  was  begun  on  the 


February,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


building  last  fall,  and  has  been  rapidly  pushed  to 
completion.  The  site  was  given  to  the  city  by 
Judge  Vanderburg,  and  $2000  raised  by  popular 
subscription  for  a  building  fund,  to  which  the 
library  board  added  $8000.  The  building  has 
cost  $11 ,000;  is  of  red  brick,  with  brown-stone 
trimmings,  two  stories  and  a  basement  in  height, 
and  has  ample  accommodation  for  10,000 
b  >oks;  it  contains  2500  volumes.  In  the  basement 
is  a  committee-room  18x21,  and  ventilating, 
toilet,  and  boiler  rooms.  The  large  reading-room, 
where  the  books  are  kept  and  issued,  is  42  x  18, 
with  oak  finishings,  and  adjoining  it  are  catalog- 
ing and  reference  rooms.  On  the  upper  floor  is 
the  assembly-hall,  42x30,  capable  of  seating  400 
persons. 

Mystic  (Ct.)  Spicer  Memorial  L.  The  Spicer 
Library  building  was  formally  opened  on  the 
afternoon  of  Jan.  23 ;  a  large  audience  was 
present.  The  exercises  consisted  of  prayer,  the 
presentation  of  the  deed  of  the  library  to  the 
trustees,  and  several  addresses  by  local  clergy- 
men and  others.  The  building  was  then  thrown 
open  to  the  public,  an  informal  reception  being 
held  there  in  the  evening.  Miss  Annie  A.  Mur- 
phy is  librarian.  The  library  starts  with  over 
4000  volumes,  and  the  cost  of  subscription  is  $i 
a  year. 

New  Albany  (Ind.}  P.  L.  Total  7621;  issued 
7189;  card-holders  1406.  During  the  year  the 
cabinet  of  the  Historical  and  Geological  Society 
has  been  added  to  the  library. 

New  Brunswick  (N.  /.)  P.  ~L.  Since  Jan.  15 
the  library  has  been  opened  continuously  from  9 
a.m.  tog  p.m.  The  use  of  the  library  has  largely 
increased  since  its  removal  lo  its  new  quarters. 

New  Hampshire  State  L.,  Concord.  During 
the  year  the  sets  of  session  laws  of  the  various 
states  have  been  greatly  improved,  and  many 
breaks  in  this  important  department  have  been 
filled.  Laws  covering  236  sessions  have  been 
added,  beside  the  regular  additions  of  current 
laws.  Among  others  were  several  volumes  of 
Confederate  state  statutes  passed  during  the  Re- 
bellion. Breaks  in  the  sets  of  English  court  re- 
ports to  the  extent  of  61  volumes  have  been 
filled,  and  137  volumes  of  Irish  court  reports 
have  been  added  to  the  library.  The  set  of 
English  reports  is  now  a  very  valuable  one,  and 
the  addition  of  only  a  comparatively  few  volumes 
would  render  it  complete.  These  volumes,  how- 
ever, are  very  scarce,  and  difficult  to  obtain. 

The  total  number  of  additions  to  the  library 
during  the  year  was  2850.  The  report  of  the 
librarian  has  been  made  biennial,  and  conse- 
quently will  not  appear  this  year  as  heretofore. 

New  York  City.  East  Side  House,  Webster  F. 
L.  The  Webster  Free  Library,  noted  in  the 
January  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  (19  : 27),  was  formally 
opened  on  Jan.  15,  a  reception  being  held  during 
the  afternoon  and  evening.  The  library  is  an 
adjunct  of  the  East  Side  House  at  the  foot  of 
East  7&th  Street  (not  78th  Street),  and  is  con- 
nected with  the  club-house  by  corridors.  The 
library  is  light,  cheerful,  and  comfortably  and 
attractively  fitted  up  ;  it  starts  with  4000  vol- 


umes. Walter  Hodges  is  librarian.  The  2d 
annual  report  of  the  resident  manager  of  the 
East  Side  House,  recently  issued,  gives  some 
interesting  information  in  regard  to  the  aims 
and  work  of  the  association.  It  is  organized 
and  operated  on  the  plan  of  Toynbee  Hall  and 
the  Oxford  House  in  England  and  the  University 
Settlement  in  America.  It  is  expected  that  the 
library  will  do  much  to  further  the  work  of  the 
association.  The  East  Side  Club,  to  which  the 
new  building  will  also  be  devoted,  is  so  far  the 
most  prominent  feature  of  the  work.  The  mem- 
bership is  nearly  200,  and  the  organization  has 
proved  popular  and  beneficial.  During  the  win- 
ter various  classes  in'  mechanical  drawing,  etc., 
were  held;  lectures  were  delivered  on  topics  of 
current  interest;  there  were  several  social  gather- 
ings, and  the  prospects  of  future  work  and  de- 
velopment were  encouraging. 

New  York  City  F.  C.  L.  The  sixth  and  last 
of  the  branches  established  by  the  library  was 
lately  opened  in  the  parish-house  of  the  Church 
of  the  Holy  Communion,  the  Rev.  Dr.  H  :  Mottet, 
rector.  The  space  needed  is  accorded  on  the 
second  floor  of  the  building,  and  the  parish  has 
given  nearly  3000  of  the  4000  volumes  now  in 
circulation.  An  effort  will  be  made  later  on  to 
provide  a  reading-room.  Already  nearly  1000 
persons  have  made  use  of  the  new  branch  library. 

New  York  City.  Harkm  L.  (Rpt.  1892-93.) 
Added  735;  total  17, 135 (estimated);  issued  31,644 
(fict.  26,172);  no  account  kept  of  lib.  use;  total 
no.  members  (Dec.,  1893)  2884. 

Two  books  are  allowed  to  each  subscriber;  ex- 
tra books  may  also  be  taken  out. 

"  The  past  year  has  been  an  important  one  in 
the  history  of  the  library.  On  August  15,  1892, 
the  library  was  open  in  its  new  quarters  for  the 
exchange  of  books,  although  the  reading  and 
reference  rooms  were  not  ready  for  use  for  some 
time  afterward.  That  the  change  was  a  wise 
one  is  proved  by  the  increase  in  the  number  of 
subscribers;  that  the  increase  will  be  much 
greater  during  the  season  of  1893- 94,  which  will 
start  with  everything  in  perfect  order,  with  the 
location  and  attractions  of  the  library  more  gen- 
erally known,  and  with  a  catalog  which  subscri- 
bers can  consult  at  their  homes,  is  reasonably  to 
be  expected.  One  of  the  features  of  the  present 
building  is  its  attractive  reference-room,  and  it 
is  intended  to  make  it  increasingly  useful.  Free 
access  to  the  shelves  has  been  granted  during  the 
past  season,  and,  whatever  arguments  there  may 
be  against  such  a  practice,  there  is  no  doubt  of 
its  having  been  appreciated  by  those  who  have 
desired  to  select  books  in  that  way." 

New  York  City.  Lenox  L.  Mr.  Eames,  acting 
librarian,  is  authority  for  the  statement  that 
since  the  addition  of  the  collection  of  the  late 
George  Bancroft  there  has  been  a  decided  in- 
crease in  the  number  of  readers  at  the  library, 
principally  students  in  special  historical  subject*. 

New  York  City.  Teachers'  College,  Bryson  L. 
The  Bryson  Library  of  the  Teachers'  College,  9 
University  Place,  was  established  in  1888,  in 
which  year  it  numbered  about  500  volumes. 
During  the  three  following  years  it  received 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[February,  '94 


large  additions  and  substantial  help  from  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  trustees  whose  name  the  li- 
brary now  bears,  and  at  the  present  time  it  con- 
tains between  5000  and  6000  volumes,  having  in- 
creased ten-fold  in  five  years.  Its  purpose  is  not 
only  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  college,  but  to 
serve  also  as  a  special  library  for  teachers;  it 
contains  general  reference-books,  works  on  psy- 
chology, pedagogy,  history  of  education,  meth- 
ods of  teaching,  and  a  selection  of  the  best  books 
in  art,  history,  biography,  travel,  and  general 
literature.  At  present  the  library  serves  as 
reading-room,  and  has  on  file  about  90  of  .the 
leading  periodicals,  those  bearing  upon  education 
being  most  fully  represented,  and  including 
foreign  as  well  as  American  publications.  There 
is  a  card  catalog,  author  and  subject,  and  it  is 
expected  that  a  printed  catalog  will  soon  be  is- 
sued. The  annual  additions  to  the  library  average 
about  icoo  volumes.  Its  use  has  more  than  kept 
pace  with  its  growth.  In  April,  1890,  there 
were  issued  for  home  use  178  books;  in  Novem- 
ber, 1893,  1166  books,  not  including  those  taken 
from  the  department  libraries. 

Oakland  (Cal.)  F.  P.  L.  The  monthly  circula- 
tion of  the  library  has  increased  on  an  average 
of  8000  volumes  per  month  during  the  last  six 
months. 

Peoria  (III.)  P.  L.  Work  on  the  new  catalog  is 
being  pushed  forward  as  rapidly  as  the  limited 
force  of  the  library  will  permit.  A  large  amount 
of  new  shelving  has  been  set  up  during  the  year, 
and  the  library  has  now  reached  the  limit  of  its 
capacity  in  that  direction.  Before  another  year 
is  ended  the  necessity  for  a  new  library  building 
will  become  one  of  the  important  questions  for 
the  city  to  decide. 

Philadelphia.  Drexel  Institute  L.  A  course  of 
lectures  on  topics  relating  to  bibliography  and 
libraries  was  begun  on  Feb.  6,  in  connection 
with  the  library  and  library  class;  the  course  in- 
cludes nine  lectures,  by  E.  C.  Richardson,  D.  G. 
Brinton,  Melvil  Dewey,  Talcott  Williams,  B.  C. 
Steiner,  Miss  Hannah  P.  James,  Prof.  Morris 
Jastrow,  and  other  specialists  in  library  science 
or  literature.  The  first  lecture  on  "  Reading  for 
style,"  was  by  Ernest  C.  Richardson,  of  Prince- 
ton College  Library.  The  lectures  are  given  in 
the  lecture-hall  of  the  institute  at  4  p.m.,  and  are 
open  to  the  public  without  charge;  the  course 
has  been  arranged  to  cover  some  subjects  of  a 
general  character,  of  value  not  only  to  the  spe- 
cial student  but  to  all  who  enjoy  the  advantages 
of  books  and  libraries. 

Philadelphia  F.  P.  L.  It  is  expected  that  on 
March  \  the  library  will  be  opened  and  in  work- 
ing order,  with  6000  volumes  on  its'shelves.  It 
will  occupy  three  rooms  on  the  first  floor  of  the 
city  hall,  one  of  which  will  be  used  as  a  read- 
ing-room. A  special  feature  of  the  library  will 
be  its  full  sets  of  public  documents.  Mr.  Lorin 
Blodget,  of  Philadelphia,  who  has  for  years  been 
associated  with  the  work  of  collecting  and  ar- 
ranging public  documents,  has  offered  his  assist- 
ance to  the  library,  and  has  also  offered  to  make 
up  any  sets  from  his  own  collection.  The  offer 
was.  at  once  accepted  by  the  trustees,  and  it  is 


thought  that  when  the  collection  is  completed  it 
will  number  25,000  volumes.  The  collection  will 
also  be  enriched  by  some  2000  volumes  from 
the  collection  of  government  documents  made  by 
the  late  Congressman  O'Neil.  The  first  instal- 
ment of  500  volumes  has  been  placed  in  the  libra- 
ry ;  it  is  a  complete  set  of  the  message  and  doc- 
ument series  for  the  last  15  years,  and  con- 
tains every  report  from  every  department  of  the 
government.  There  will  also  probably  be  re- 
ceived from  Mr.  O'Neil's heirs  about  300  volumes 
of  the  civil  war  series,  which  contains  practically 
a  complete  history  of  the  war,  and  is  exceeding- 
ly rare. 

The  library  is  mainly  supported  by  the  income 
from  the  trust  created  by  the  Pepper  estate,  and 
last  year  secured  an  appropriation  of  $5000 
from  the  city. 

Portland  (Ore.)  P.  L.  Beginning  January  I 
the  cost  of  membership  in  the  association  has 
been  reduced  from  $9  to  $5  per  year.  The  asso- 
ciation has  also  issued  the  first  (January)  number 
of  Our  Library,  a  little  four-page  monthly  to  be 
devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  library.  It  con- 
tains items  of  general  interest,  a  classified  "list 
of  new  books, "and  list  of"  periodicals  for  1894" 
subscribed  for  by  the  library. 

Red  Wing  (Minn)  P.  L.  The  library  was 
opened  to  the  public  on  Jan.  i,  when  the  library 
board  held  a  general  reception. 

St.  Louis  (Mo.)  P.  L.  Some  difficulty  has 
arisen  in  regard  to  the  establishment  of  the  li- 
brary as  a  free  public  library,  which  it  was  ex- 
pected would  be  accomplished  by  Jan.  I.  When 
the  ordinance  and  charter  amendment  was 
passed  at  the  last  election,  authorizing  a  free 
public  library  and  diverting  a  portion  of  the  city's 
revenue  to  that  purpose,  it  was  generally  thought 
that  the  present  library  would  simply  be  turned 
into  a  free  library  and  remain  where  it  now  is. 
It  appears,  however,  that  the  present  library  be- 
longs to  the  school  board,  and  unless  that  body 
transfers  it  to  the  city  it  will  remain  under  the 
control  of  the  board.  The  school  board  will 
transfer  the  library  to  the  city  only  on  condition 
that  the  library  committee«rent  the  present  quar- 
ters occupied  by  the  library  from  the  school  board 
on  a  basis  of  six  per  cent,  of  the  money  spent  in 
the  erection  of  the  two  upper  floors  of  the  build- 
ing occupied  at  present  as  a  library,  and  that 
they  buy  the  fixtures  and  furniture  recently  put 
into  the  library. 

Unless  these  conditions  are  accepted  the  board 
refuses  to  transfer  the  library.  The  library 
committee  have  so  far  maintained  that  at  the 
election  held  last  fall  the  people  understood  that 
the  library  was  to  be  transferred  without  expense 
to  the  new  board,  and  that  the  word  library  did 
not  mean  the  books  only,  but  the  necessary  fur- 
niture and  fixtures  as  well.  Even  if  the  matter  is 
promptly  and  satisfactorily  settled  it  is  hardly 
likely  that  the  library  can  be  opened  free  to  the 
public  before  March.  All  the  city  papers  side 
with  the  library  board  in  the  controversy. 

Syracuse  (N.  Y.)  University  L.  The  university 
catalog  for  1893-94  contains  the  following  : 

"Library  Economics.  —  Opportunity  will  be 
given  to  such  as  desire  it  to  take  a  course  of  in- 


February,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


struction  with  the  librarian  in  library  economics. 
The  course  will  embrace  (i)  Library  writing  anc 
appliances,  (2)  Books,  size,  form,  binding,  etc. 
(3)  Study  and  practice  in  accessioning,  indexing, 
and  cataloging,  (4)  Record  books— filing  and  in 
dexing  library  correspondence,  (5)  Study  of  and 
practice  in  various  systems  of  classification,  (6] 
Bibliography,  use  of  books,  etc.,  (7)  Original  work 
in  arranging,  cataloging,  indexing,  making  shell 
and  finding  lists,  etc.,  of  some  portion  of  the 
library." 

Tacoma  (Wash.)  P.  L.  It  is  proposed  to  en- 
dow the  new  public  library  with  five  per  cent,  of 
the  amount  collected  from  fines  and  licenses,  thus 
furnishing  a  meagre  but  assured  income. 

The  library  was  presented  to  the  city  Septem- 
ber 16,  1893,  but  it  was  considered  best  to  take 
no  formal  steps  toward  caring  for  it  before  mon- 
ey could  be  appropriated  for  its  support.  The 
library  has  grown  out  of  the  individual  efforts  of 
Mrs.  H.  K.  More.  ,In  1886  she  associated  her- 
self with  25  other  ladies  to  obtain  public  reading- 
matter.  The  library  was  kept  in  her  house  for 
10  months,  the  first  literature  being  chiefly  stand- 
ard books  in  pamphlet  form.  In  1887  it  was 
moved  to  a  location  in  the  business  part  of  the 
town,  and  the  Mercantile  Library  Association 
was  incorporated;  this  association  continued  in 
charge  until  September,  when  the  library  was 
given  to  the  city.  During  the  administration  of 
the  Mercantile  Library  Association  the  only  in- 
come was  derived  from  membership  fees  and 
voluntary  contributions,  in  addition  to  appropri- 
ations awarded  by  the  city  government.  First, 
in  1889,  $75  a  month  was  allowed.  A  little  while 
later  the  appropriation  was  doubled,  and  in 
March,  1892,  increased  to  $250  a  month.  But 
in  May  of  last  year  the  amount  was  decreased  to 
f  roo  monthly,  which  has  been  the  only  income 
since.  The  librarian  receives  $75  and  his  assist- 
ant $25  a  month  for  their  services.  No  other 
salaries  have  ever  been  paid. 

University  of  Pennsylvania,  Philadelphia, 
Several  valuable  and  important  additions  have 
recently  been  made  to  the  university  library. 
Specially  large  additions  have  been  made  to  the 
stock  of  periodicals,  of  which  there  are  now  over 
1000.  A  special  alcove  has  been  set  aside  for 
them,  a  large  section  being  devoted  to  medical 
periodicals  in  all  languages,  which  form  a  valua- 
ble adjunct  to  the  Stille  medical  library.  Dr. 
Robert  A.  Lamborn  has  deposited  in  the  library 
his  valuable  archaeological  library  of  over  2000 
volumes,  and  also  a  miscellaneous  collection  of 
1000  volumes  on  literature  and  science.  These 
have  been  given  a  special  alcove.  The  Stille 
medical  library  has  recently  received  from  Dr. 
Alfred  Stille  valuable  complete  sets  of  several 
medical  periodicals  and  publications  of  medical 
societies,  and  the  engineering  library  has  been 
enriched  by  additions,  including  some  important 
maps  given  by  Prof.  Fairman  Rogers.  Prof. 
Rogers  has  also  given  to  the  library  his  valuable 
collection  of  nearly  1000  volumes  relating  to 
horses  and  covering  all  branches  of  the  subject, 
including  breeding,  breaking,  training,  stable 
management,  racing,  shoes  and  shoeing,  har- 


nesses, bits  and  bitting,  carriages,  driving,  coach- 
building,  laws  relating  to  warranty,  anatomy, 
physiology,  cavalry,  veterinary  science  and  den- 
tistry, and  stable  architecture.  The  collection 
is  said  to  be  the  finest  in  the  country;  many  of 
the  books  date  as  far  back  as  the  beginning  of 
the  sixteenth  century,  and  contain  curious  illus- 
trations. 

Efforts  have  also  been  made  to  establish  a  good 
technical  library  for  the  benefit  of  the  architect- 
ural school,  and  through  the  generosity  of  n 
alumni  $1000  has  been  raised  for  this  purpose. 
It  will  be  devoted  to  the  purchase  of  books  on 
architecture,  which,  it  is  hoped,  may  prove  the 
nucleus  of  a  good  collection. 

Washington,  D,  C.  Smithsonian  Institution 
L.  (Rpt.)  Added  1839  v->  22.949  parts  of  vol- 
umes, 4451  pm.;  total  not  given. 

"  The  reading-room  is  now  taxed  to  its  ut- 
most capacity;  the  494  boxes  for  the  use  of  sci- 
entific periodical  literature  are  all  filled,  and  peri- 
odicals which  it  would  be  desirable  to  keep  in  the 
general  reading-room  must  be  placed  elsewhere 
for  lack  of  space.  The  reading-room  no  longer 
has  sufficient  accommodations  for  the  growing 
exchanges  of  the  institution  nor  for  the  persons 
desiring  to  consult  this  important  collection  of 
current  scientific  literature.  There  has  been  a 
slight  decrease  in  the  number  of  publications  re- 
ceived during  the  current  year  over  the  preced- 
ing year.  The  decrease,  however,  is  in  volumes, 
and  is  due  to  the  fact  that  the  limit  of  the  possi- 
bility of  completing  series  of  publications  by  ex- 
change seems  to  have  been  reached. 

On  October  i,  1892,  Mr.  J.  Elfrith  Watkins 
resigned  his  position  as  librarian,  and  on  Decem- 
ber i,  1892,  Dr.  Cyrus  Adler,  of  the  Johns  Hop- 
kins University,  was  appointed  to  the  post,  which 
he  still  holds. 

Wethersfield (Ct.)  L.  A.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
association  on  Jan.  8  it  was  voted  to  loan  the 
library  to  the  town  of  Wethersfield,  to  be  used  in 
connection  with  the  town  library  and  kept  in  the 
same  room  or  rooms  with  the  town's  volumes, 
subject,  however,  to  the  recall  of  volumes  or  the 
entire  library. 

The  town  library  rooms  will  not  be  ready  for 
occupancy  for  several  months,  during  which  time 
the  association  retains  control  of  the  library. 

Windsor  (Vt.)  L.  (nth  rpt.)  Added  353; 
total  7285;  issued8i29  (fict.  72$). 

"  We  are  just  commencing  the  issue  of  special 
extra  cards  to  each  reader,  entitling  him  to  an 
additional  book  from  any  class  in  the  library  ex- 
cept fiction.  We  hope  thus  to  induce  the  reading 
of  more  valuable  books  by  some  who  would 
otherwise  never  discover  them. 

"The  most  important  improvement  now  re- 
quired is  a  good  printed  catalog." 

Worcester  (Mast.)  P.  L.  Added  3643  ;  total 
92,911;  issued,  home  use  133,614,  ref.  use  70,- 
753,  Sunday  and  holiday  use  1677. 

The  increase  in  the  use  of  the  circulating  de- 
partment was  7205  volumes;  6943  more  volumes 
were  used  for  purposes  of  reference  than  in  the 
preceding  year.  There  has  also  been  a  very 


4 

66 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[February,  '94 


much  larger  attendance  of  readers  in  the  two 
reading-rooms  for  magazines,  reviews,  etc.,  and 
in  the  lower  reading-room  where  newspapers  are 
kept.  The  increase  in  the  use  of  the  library  and 
reading-room  was  especially  apparent  during  the 
months  of  business  depression. 

During  the  year  57  newspapers  and  17  maga- 
zines have  been  furnished  to  the  reading-room, 
while  the  public  fund  has  regularly  provided  for 
136  newspapers  and  197  magazines.  There  are 
now  on  the  files  407  papers  and  periodicals,  an 
increase  of  34  over  the  preceding  year.  The 
income  from  the  permanent  fund  is  $440.69,  and 
the  appropriation  from  the  city  last  year  $349.04. 
This  year  the  committee  ask  for  an  appropria- 
tion of  $1000. 

Five  exhibitions  of  pictures  belonging  to  the 
library  have  been  held  during  the  year.  Three 
of  these  have  been  in  the  upper  story  of  the  li- 
brary building  and  two  in  the  lecture-hall.  In 
April  the  library  allowed  the  Worcester  Art  So- 
ciety to  give  an  exhibition  in  the  art  galleries,  in 
the  upper  story,  of  specimens  of  rare  and  valu- 
able china,  pottery,  and  bric-a-brac.  This  proved 
a  great  success.  The  society  brought  together 
a  large  collection  of  various  kinds  of  ceramic- 
ware,  made  up  of  really  valuable,  and,  in  many 
cases,  costly  articles,  and  arranged  the  exhibition 
in  a  most  artistic  manner. 

Since  last  summer  new  books,  as  bought,  have 
been  placed  on  shelves  outside  of  the  counter  in 
the  circulating  department,  and  users  of  the  li- 
brary have  been  allowed  freely  to  handle  and  ex- 
amine them.  It  is  the  belief  of  officers  of  the 
library  that  solid  reading  is  much  promoted  by 
thus  displaying  additions  to  the  library. 

York,  Neb.  The  three  libraries  of  the  town  — 
the  Ladies'  Library,  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Library,  and 
school  library  —  have  been  turned  over  to  the 
town  to  form  a  public  library.  It  will  be  in 
charge  of  nine  directors  appointed  by  the  coun- 
cil. 

FOREIGN. 

Brighton (Eng.)  P.  L.  (Rpt.)  Added,  lending 
1.  1701,  total  26,525  ;  ref.  1.  762,  total  13,163. 
Issued,  home  use  129,257  (fict.  73.24$)  ;  ref.  use 
39,540.  No.  of  readers  and  borrowers  155,467; 
total  no.  card-holders  15,741. 

"The  issue  of  books  in  the  lending  library 
shows  a  decrease  of  6603  from  that  of  1892.  To 
this  decrease  fiction  contributes  5833,  the  three 
other  classes  in  which  there  has  been  a  general 
falling  off  being  general  literature,  theology,  and 
magazines.  In  the  four  important  classes  of 
history,  voyages  and  travels,  science  and  art.  and 
poetry  there  has  been  an  increase  of  901.  Biog- 
raphy has  remained  stationary.  In  the  whole 
library  (reference  and  lending  departments  com- 
bined) there  has  been  a  decrease  of  5649.  The 
decrease  is  confined  to  the  four  classes  :  fiction, 
illustrated  papers,  general  literature,  and  the- 
ology; in  the  remaining  eight  classes  —  history, 
biography,  voyages  and  travels,  science  and  art, 
poetry,  magazines  and  reviews,  dictionaries  and 
gazetteers,  and  Sussex  topography  —  there  has 
been  an  increase  of  4392. 

"  The  remarkable  falling  off  in  fiction  (6645  in 


both  departments)  is,  perhaps,  a  matter  for 
congratulation,  although  the  library  sub-com- 
mittee is  not  so  optimistic  as  to  suppose  that  the 
readers  of  fiction  have  suddenly  developed  a 
taste  for  more  solid  reading  and  discovered  that 
there  exists  in  the  library  interesting  literature 
other  than  fiction.  It  may  probably  be  explained 
from  two  facts  :  the  names  of  over  2000  residents 
in  Hove  stand  on  the  register  of  borrowers  from 
the  lending  library,  and  since  the  last  report  a 
public  library  has  been  opened  at  Hove  ;  excep- 
tionally brilliant  weather  has  also  favored  the 
past  spring  and  summer,  and  recreation  in  the 
open  air  hasprobablv  been  found  superior  to  the 
recreation  of  books." 

Leicester  (Enjr.)  F.  L.  C.  V.  Kirkby,  the  chief 
librarian  of  the  Leicester  library,  has  compiled  a 
useful  catalog  of  all  books,  pamphlets,  maps, 
etc.,  in  the  library,  which  in  any  way  relate  to 
Leicestershire.  The  catalog  contains  upwards 
of  90  closely  printed  pages. 

Paris.  Recent  statistics  show  that  the  pro- 
portion of  novels  to  serious  works  read  in  the 
public  libraries  of  Paris  is  less  than  52  per  cent. 
Of  1,583,000  volumes  circulated  from  the  district 
library  rooms,  only  817,000  were  novels.  Among 
the  authors  of  these,  the  rank  in  popularity  of 
Alexandre  Dumas  is  first  and  that  of  Emile 
Zola  eleventh. 

PRACTICAL  NOTES. 

PERFORATING  PUNCH.  —  For  some  time  the 
writer  has  been  trying  to  overcome  the  obstacles 
to  the  successful  use  of  the  embossing  press,  by 
making  it  portable  to  be  used  with  one  hand. 
When  this  was  successfully  accomplished  it  be- 
gan to  be  apparent  that  we  could  do  better  than 
use  an  embosser  —  ».#.,  a  perforator.  On  casting 
about  to  find,  if  possible,  the  best  check  per- 
forating punch,  we  decided  in  favor  of  the  Cum- 
mins machine,  which  is  made  in  Chicago.  I 
visited  their  works  and  found  that  while  it  is  not 
practicable  to  make  it  a  one-hand  machine  to  be 
carried  in  the  pocket  yet  their  No.  6  perforator 
can,  with  some  modification,  be  made  to  do 
exactly  what  is  needed  in  libraries,  viz.,  quickly 
and  easily  perforate  the  name  of  the  library  in 
title-pages,  plates,  portraits,  and  maps,  in  any 
position  wanted,  and  in  such  way  as  not  to  inter- 
fere with  their  usefulness  to  the  library,  but  at 
the  same  time  to  make  such  property  unmarket- 
able. The  regular  No.  6  perforator  puts  its 
work  about  one  inch  from  edge  of  paper,  but  in 
our  use  of  it  we  sometimes  need  to  have  it  several 
inches  from  the  edge.  In  order  to  do  this  it  will 
be  necessary  to  have  a  special  pattern  made;  this 
cannot  be  done  without  several  orders  in  ad- 
vance. Some  librarians  have  already  expressed 
themselves  as  ready  to  co-operate,  but  it  is  still 
necessary  to  hear  from  others.  It  will  be  a 
heavy  and  nicely  finished  piece  of  work,  may  be 
placed  on  a  table  such  as  a  typewriter  table  and 
worked  by  a  treadle  or  by  hand ;  very  little  power 
being  required  to  operate  it;  it  is  not  an  experi- 
ment, but  is  already  working  perfectly;  advance 
orders  are  asked  for  only  because  a  special  pat- 
tern is  needed  for  library  use.  The  cost  will  be 


February,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


$25  with  any  matter  desired  in  two,  three,  or  four 
lines. 

Its  advantages  are  :  First,  perfect  protection, 
as  perforations  cannot  be  erased  or  filled  up  ; 
second,  it  can  be  placed  in  any  position  desired 
within  say  five  inches  from  edge  of  paper  ; 
third,  it  leaves  the  pages  perfectly  smooth  and 
does  not  fill  up  a  book  as  embossing  does  when 
there  are  many  plates;  fourth,  it  can  be  operated 
by  the  foot,  leaving  both  hands  free  to  adjust 
the  book;  fifth,  slight  expenditure  of  strength  is 
required  ;  sixth,  it  is  economical  because  it  can 
be  safely  operated  by  cheap  help. 

S.  H.  BERRY. 

Y.  M.  C.  A.  LIBRARY,  ( 
BROOKLYN,  N.  Y.     \ 


Onfts  an&  JJeqtiests. 


Chicago.  University  L.  It  was  announced  on 
Jan.  2  that  J:  D.  Rockefeller  had  sent  $50,000 
to  the  University  of  Chicago  Library  to  be  spent 
at  once  for  books.  This  gift  is  distinct  from  the 
$500,000  due  after  July  next. 

"  Independence,  la.  By  the  will  of  Perry  Munson , 
a  pibneer  merchant  of  Independence,  who  died 
Dec.  30,  1893,  $25,000  is  bequeathed  to  the  town 
for  a  public  library  and  museum  building. 

Lexington,  Mass.  Gary  L.  By  the  will  of  the 
late  G:  W.  Robinson,  of  Lexington,  a  bequest  of 
$1000  is  left  to  the  Gary  Library. 

Orange,  N.J.  The  will  of  the  late  Mrs.  Pamela 
A.  Butterfield,  of  Orange,  filed  on  Jan.  18,  be- 
queathes  to  the  town  of  Orange  a  piece  of  land 
on  the  east  side  of  South  Main  Street  for  a  site 
for  a  free  public  library  and  reading-room, 
provided  the  town  votes  to  accept  it  within  two 
years  and  within  five  years  builds  upon  it  a 
suitable  brick  building;  and  if  the  town  so  com- 
plies $500  is  given  for  the  purchase  of  books  for 
the  library,  provided  that  no  part  of  the  sum  be 
expended  for  works  of  fiction.  If  this  offer  to 
the  town  is  not  accepted,  the  land  is  to  be  given 
to  the  executors  in  trust,  with  instructions  to 
convey  it  to  any  person  or  association  who  will 
erect  the  building  and  maintain  it  for  a  public 
library  and  reading-room. 


^Librarians. 


COLE,  George  Watson,  librarian  of  the  Free 
Public  Library  of  Jersey  City,  N.  J. ,  was  mar- 
ried on  Saturday,  January  20,  1894,  to  Mrs. 
Laura  Ward  Roys,  at  the  residence  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  James  H.  Rudd,  Lyons,  N.  Y.,  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Luther  A.  Ostrander.  The  ceremony  took 
place  at  n  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  was 
very  quietly  celebrated,  only  a  few  of  the  rela- 
tives and  friends  of  the  bride  being  present. 
Immediately  afterwards  a  wedding  breakfast  was 
served,  after  which  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cole  took  the 
train  westward  for  a  short  wedding  trip. 


Cataloging  anb  (Classification. 


APPRENTICES'  LIBRARY  (Phila.)  BULLETIN,  no. 

i,  Dec.,  1893.     16  p.  O. 

A  supplement  to  the  finding-list  issued  in  1892, 
recording  the  900  volumes  added  to  the  library 
since  that  time  ;  a  classed  author-list. 

Baltimore,  ENOCH  PRATT  F.  L.     Finding-list  of 
books  and  periodicals  in  the  branch  libraries. 
Bait.,  Jan.,  1894.     8+132  p.  O.  pap.  15  c. 
A  condensed  catalog  of  the  books  of  the  libra- 
ry arranged  alphabetically  by  authors  under  19 
prominent  subject-headings.    Lists  of  the  "  Hum- 
boldt  library  of  science,"  "reference-books  and 
bound  periodicals,"  and  "current   periodicals" 
are  appended.    There  are  no  title-entries.  Printed 
on  medium-weight  manilla  paper. 

HARLEM  (N.  Y.  City)  LIBRARY  CATALOGUE.    N. 

Y.,  1893.     948  p.  O.  cl. 

A  simple  dictionary  catalog,  compiled  under 
the  direction  of  Librarian  Perry,  by  Rev.  Albert 
Lee,  formerly  of  Columbia  College  L.,  and  Mr. 
F.  Weitenkampf,  of  the  Astor  L.  Includes  all 
the  books  in  the  library  —  about  17,100.  A  bulky 
volume,  but  so  well  bound  as  to  be  conveniently 
handled. 

New  York  City.  CATHEDRAL  LIBRARY  CATA- 
LOGUE. Pt.  3,  Juvenile  literature,  Jan.,  1894. 
38  p.  O.  pap.,  5  c. 

A  simple  author  and  title  catalog  in  one  alpha- 
bet, printed  in  bold,  clear  type  on  white  paper. 

NEWBURYPORT  (Mass.)  P.  L.  Bulletin  no.  19  • 
list  of  books  added  from  Sept. ,  1893,  to  Jan., 
1894.  8  p.  O. 

PEORIA  (///.)  P.  L.  List  in  part  of  books  add- 
ed during  November  and  December,  1893.  4 
P.O. 

The  SALEM  (Mass.)  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for  January 
contains  an  excellent  classed  and  graded  special 
reading-list  on  "  Astronomy." 

The  SPRINGFIELD  (Mass.)  LIBRARY  BULLETIN 
for  December  contains  a  reading-list  for  a  course 
of  University  Extension  lectures  on  "  Our  money 
problem,"  giving  a  "  reading  course,"  list  of 
"  additional  books  for  collateral  reading,"  "  sup- 
plementary list, "and  list  of  "  magazine  articles." 

Weymouth,  Mass.,  TUFTS  LIBRARY.    Bulletin  no. 
27,  Jan.  I,  1894.     25  p.  O. 
Classified  finoing-list ;  author-entries  only. 

FULL  NAMES. 
Supplied  by  Harvard  College  Library. 

Badt,  Francis  Beatus,  joint  author  (Derivation 

of  practical  electrical  units); 

Bassett,  Fletcher  Stewart,  editor  (The  folk-lorist), 
Cleaveland,  G:  Aaron,  joint  author   (American 

landmarks); 

Porter,  Edwin  H:  (The  Fall  River  tragedy); 
West.T:  Dyson  (American  foundry  practice). 


68 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[February,  '94 


Dibliognifn. 


BAKER,  W:  S.  Early  sketches  of  George  Wash- 
ington; reprinted  with  biographical  and  biblio- 
graphical notes.  Phila.,  J.  B.  Lippincott  Co., 
1894.  c.  '93.  2-150  p.  por.  O.  cl.,  $2. 

BALFOUR,  H:  The  evolution  of  decorative  art : 
an  essay  upon  its  origin  and  development  as  il- 
lustrated by  the  art  of  modern  races  of  man- 
kind. N.  Y.,  Macmillan  &  Co.,  1893.  15+ 
131  p.  D.  cl. ,  $1.25,  net. 
Contains  a  3-p.  bibliographical  appendix. 

BAYE,  Jos.  de  (bartri).     The  industrial  arts  of  the 
Anglo-Saxons;  tr.  by  T.  B.  Harbottle.    Lond., 
Swan    Sonnenschein,    1893.     10+127  p.      O. 
cl.,  $7. 
Gives  a  list  of  authorities,  2  p. 

CANNAN,  Edwin.    A  history  of  the  theories  of 
production  and  distribution  in  English  political 
economy  from  1776  to  1848.     Lond.,  Percival 
&  Co.,  1893.     11+410  p.  O.  cl.,  i6s. 
Contains  a  14-p.  index  of  books  and  authors 

quoted. 

CATALOGO  illustrate  della  libreria  economica 
italiana  di  Francesco  Zanolini  in  New-York, 
succursale  in  Italia  in  Napoli.  Firenze,  Adri- 
ano  Salani,  1894.  25&  P-  8". 

CATALOGUS  Dissertationum  Philologicarum 
Classlcarum.  Verzeichnis  von  etwa  18300 
Abhandlungen  aus  dem  Gesamtgebiete  der 
klassischen  Philologie  und  Altertumskunde 
zusammengestellt  von  der  Zentralstelle  fur 
Dissertationen  und  Programme  von  Gustav 
Fock  in  Leipzig.  Leipzig,  Fock,  1893.  568  p. 
8°. 

CLARKE,    H:    Butler.    Spanish    literature:    an 
elementary   handbook.     Lond.,  Swan  Sonnen- 
schein, 1893.     12+288  p.  O.  cl. 
Contains  a  lo-p.  index  of  authors  and  list  of 

authorities. 

Cox,  Marian  Roalfe.  Cinderella  ;  345  variants 
of  Cinderella,  Catskin,  and  Cap  o'  rushes,  ab- 
stracted and  tabulated,  with  a  discussion  of 
mediaeval  analogies,  and  notes.  Introd.  by 
Andrew  Lang.  (Folk-Lore  Society  xxi.) 
Lond.,  David  Nutt,  1893.  304+535  p.  O.  cl. 
Contains  a  bibliographical  index,  8  p. 

GERARD,  Frances   A.      Angelica   Kauffmann:a 
biography.     N.    Y.,  Macmillan   &  Co.,  1893- 
27+466  p.  O.  cl. 
P.  448  gives  a  list  of  authorities  consulted. 

HOLLANDER,  J.   H.    The  Cincinnati  Southern 


Railway:  a  study  in  municipal  activity.  Bait., 
The  Johns  Hopkins  Press,  1894.  c.  116  p. 
O.  (Johns  Hopkins  Univ.  studies,  nos.  1-2.) 
pap.,  $i. 

Contains  a  brief  bibliography  of  the  Cincin- 
nati Southern  Railway,  3  p. 

JACOBS,  H:  Eyster.     A  history  of  the  evangeli- 
cal   Lutheran    church  in  the   U.  S.     N.   Y., 
Christian  Literature  Co.,  1893.     16+539  p. 
Contains  an  8-p.  bibliography. 

KELTIE,    J:   Scott.      The    partition    of  Africa. 
Lond.,  Edward  Stanford,  1893.     15+498  p. 
Contains  8-p.  list  of  works  consulted. 

REARDEN,  Tim.  H.     Petrarch,  and  other  essays. 
San  Francisco,  W.  Doxey,  1893.    c.  '93.     16+ 
201  p.  D.  cl.  II.SQ. 
Contains  a  Petrarch  bibliography,  6  p. 

The  REGENTS  BULLETIN  (University  of  the 
State  of  N.  Y.)  no.  22,  September,  1893,  contains 
on  p.  280  -  293  an  excellent  list  of  "  references 
to  books  and  articles  on  the  world's  recent  prog- 
ress in  education,"  arranged  by  countries  and 
recording  227  titles. 

RYLAND,   F:    Ethics  :  an   introductory  manual 
for  the  use   of    university   students.     Lond. 
Bell  &  Sons,  1893.     10+220  p.  O.  cl. 
Contains  a  12-p.  list  of  books  recommended. 

SALT,  H.  S.  Richard  Jefferies:  a  study.  N. 
Y.,  Macmillan  &  Co.,  1894.  3+128  p.  por. 
S.  cl. ,  90  c. 

Contains  an  8-p.  bibliographical  appendix. 
SEIDENSTICKER,  Oswald.  The  first  century  of 
German  printing  in  America,  1728  -  1830,  pre- 
ceded by  a  notice  of  the  literary  work  of  F.  D. 
Pastorius.  Phil.,  Schaefer  &  Koradi,  1893. 
10+254  p.  O.  pap.,  $i. 

A  valuable  and  exhaustive  bibliography  of 
early  German  printing  in  America,  published  for 
the  German  Pionier-Verein,  of  Philadelphia.  It 
is  preceded  by  a  list  of  the  printed  writings  of 
Franz  Daniel  Pastorius,  embracing  six  titles  and 
including  "  Pastorius'  primer,"  published  in 
Philadelphia  in  1700,  and  thought  to  be  the  first 
Pennsylvania  school-book.  A  list  of  the  printers 
and  publishers  of  German  books  from  1728  - 1830 
is  also  given.  In  order  to  give  fully  the  print- 
ing record  of  the  older  printers,  their  English 
publications  have  been  included  ;  but  special  care 
has  been  taken  to  exclude  books  published  abroad 
with  a  false  Pennsylvania  imprint.  In  the  case 
of  older  and  rarer  books  the  libraries  where  they 
may  be  found  have  been  indicated. 

WALKER,  T:  Alfred.  The  science  of  inter- 
national law.  Lond.,  C.  J.  Clay  &  Sons,  1893. 

[17+]  544  P- O-  cl. 

Contains  a  lo-p.  list  of  books  referred  to  or 
consulted. 


February,  '94]  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  73 

EM.    TERQUEM, 

Paris  Agency  for  American  Libraries, 

31  BIS  BOULEVARD  HAUSSMANN  31  BIS 

PARIS. 

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Orders  carefully  executed  for  out-of-print  and  new  books. 

Binding  for  books  in  constant  use  a  specialty  of  the  firm. 

Estimates  given  on  application  on  all  orders. 

The  "Catalogue  de  la  Librairie  Franchise"  mailed  free  monthly  as  well  as  catalogues  of 
second-hand  bookdealers  of  every  locality. 

Auction  sales  orders  attended  to,  also  orders  for  private  libraries  offered  en  bloc  before  auction. 

Mr.  Em.  Terquem,  being  the  appointed  agent  in  Paris  of  many  libraries,  colleges,  and  universi- 
ties, can  furnish  references  in  almost  every  city  in  the  United  States. 

Correspondence  and  trial  orders  solicited.  Small  or  large  shipments  every  week  either  direct 
or  through  his  agent  in  New  York. 

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College   and    Public  Libraries. 
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Terms  on  direct  application  for  the  supply  of  Foreign  and  American  Books  and  Periodicals. 

Weekly  shipments  by  the  fleetest  steamers  from  England,  Germany,  and  France.  Periodicals 
supplied  at  lower  rates  than  mail  copies  and  in  better  shape  for  binding. 

Rare  Books  and  Sets  of  Serials  procured  at  the  lowest  terms.  Regular  connections  with 
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Binding  done  here  and  abroad  in  every  style. 

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nished on  application. 

Monthly  Bulletins  of  New  Books  issued  regularly. 

With  the  help  of  a  most  complete  Bibliographical  Outfit  in  all  languages  and  on  all  subjects, 
and  the  experience  of  many  years  in  this  particular  line,  estimates  can  be  furnished  promptly  and 
information  given  on  topics  of  interest  to  Librarians. 


74 


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[February,  '94 


THE  BURROWS  BROTHERS  CO.,  23, 25,  27  Euclid  Avenue,  Cleveland,  Ohio, 

BOOKSELLERS,   IMPORTERS   AND   PUBLISHERS, 
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and  with  great  promptness.  Constantly  in  stock  one  of  the  largest  collections  of  American  pub- 
lishers' books  carried  in  the  country,  also  a  good  assortment  of  recent  English  books. 

ENGLISH,  FRENCH  AND  GERMAN  publications  imported  free  of  duty  at  lowest  prices. 

Catalogue  of  scarce  and  out-of  print  books  issued  frequently  and  mailed  free  to  those  desiring 
same. 

CANADIAN  LIBRARIES  particularly  requested  to  permit  us  to  act  as  their  agents  for  pro- 
curing all  American  publications,  as  well  as  out-of-print  and  scarce  books,  at  lowest  prices. 


THE    BURROWS    BROTHERS    CO., 


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~\    COPIES  ONLY  REMAIN  of  the  "AMERICAN  CATALOGUE  " 

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raised  to  $20.00  in  half  morocco  binding,  and  $17.50  in  paper. 

No  more  will  be  printed.     When  supply  on  hand  has  been  reduced  to 

5  COPIES  the  Price  Will  Be  Raised  to  $25.00  in  half 
morocco,  and  $20.00  in  paper.     Any  library  or  collector  who 
has  not    a    copy   should    order   before  it   is   too  late.     THE 
AMERICAN  CATALOGUE,  28  Elm  St.  (P.  O.  Box  943),  New  York. 


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EMY  or  MEDICINE,  LONG  ISLAND  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY» 
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TIFIC SCHOOL  OF  YALE  COLLEGE,  and  many  others. 
t3f~  We  have  a  special  style  of  binding  well  known  to 

Librarians  of  the  American  Library  Association,  of  which 

Mr.  C.  G.  Neumann  it  a  member. 


we  make  a  specialty 
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An  elaborate  and  thorough  treatise  on  the  sub- 
ject —  in  fact,  it  is  the  most  complete  and  com- 
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It  will  prove  invaluable  to  the  novice  and  sug- 
gestive even  to  the  more  experienced. 


February,  '94] 


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75 


GREEN'S    PATENT 

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THE    SNEAD    &    CO.    IRON    WORKS, 


Louisville,  Ky.,  and  Chicago,  HI. 


This  book-stack  is  of  iron  and  fulfils  all  the  requirements  of  the 
modern  library, 
i . — Convenience. 

(<z)  Access  and  communication  with  the  stack,  as  well  as  with 
other  parts  of  the  Library  Building. 

(b)  Accommodation  of  books  of  all  kinds  and  sizes. 

(c)  Arrangement  of  books — variable  at  will. 

(d)  Shelves  adjustable,  removable,   interchangeable,   and  easily 

handled. 

(e)  Assorting  or  reading  of  books. 

(y)  Support  of  books  on  partially  filled  shelves. 
2. — Light,  cleanliness,  moderate  and  even  temperature  and  ventilation. 
3. — Capacity  and  compactness. 
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5. — Shelving  surfaces  permanently  smooth  and  protected  from  corro- 
sion (Bower-Barffed),  and  necessity  of  renewal. 

Used  for  the  New  Library  of  Congress,  Washington,  D.  C. 


DESCRIPTIVE;  CATALOGUE;  ON  APPLICATION. 


76  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  [February,  '94 

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810    BROADWAY,    NEW    YORK, 

(TWO  DOORS  ABOVE  GRACE  CHURCH) 

begs  to  call  attention  to  his  facilities  for  obtaining  FOREIGN  BOOKS  and 
PERIODICALS  at  more  economical  rates  THAN  ANY  OTHER  HOUSE  IN  AMERICA 
OR  EUROPE  can  offer,  because : 

He  employs  no  Commission  Agents,  but  has  his  own  offices  and 
clerks  at  London,  Paris  and  Leipzig.  He  has  open  accounts 
with  all  the  leading  publishing  houses  in  the  world. 

His  experience  enables  him  to  give  information  at  once  about 
rare  and  scarce  books. 

He  receives  weekly  shipments  from  England,  France  and  Germany,  and 
can  thereby  fill  orders  in  quicker  time. 

MORE  THAN  200  LIBRARIES  FAVOR  HIM  WITH  THEIR  ORDERS. 


SPECIAL,    REFERENCES, 

"  Mr.  Stechert  has  for  years  furnished  this  Library  with  most  of  its  periodicals  and  European  books,  and  has  bought  for  U3 
many  thousand  volumes.  Mr.  Stechert's  success  is  due  to  his  constant  personal  attention  to  the  business,  and  the  reasonable 
terms  he  is  able  to  offer.  I  consider  a  New  York  agent  far  preferable  to  reliance  on  foreign  agents  alone." 

Gco.  H.  BAKER,  Librarian  of  Columbia  College,  Neva  York. 


"  Seven  years  ago,  in  reorganizing  the  Columbia  College  library,  I  spent  much  time  in  trying  to  discover  how  to  get  out 
foreign  books  and  periodicals  with  the  least  delay,  trouble  and  expense.  The  result  of  the  comparison  of  three  methods,  viz: 
ordering  direct  from  foreign  dealers,  ordering  through  one  agent  in  London,  or  ordering  through  one  a.ijent  in  New  York  showed 
us  that  it  was  to  our  advantage  to  give  Mr.  Stechert  all  our  foreign  orders,  as  he  delivered  in  the  library  in  a  single  package 
and  with  a  single  bill  at  as  low  cost  as  we  were  able  with  vastly  greater  trouble,  to  get  a  half  dozen  different  packages  in  differ- 
ent bills  from  different  places.  In  reorganizing  the  New  York  State  Library,  I  opened  the  whole  question  anew,  and  the  result 
of  the  comparison  was  the  same  as  before,  and  we  find  that  the  library  gets  most  for  the  time  and  money  expended  by  taking 
advantage  of  Mr.  Stechert's  long  experience,  and  the  careful  personal  attention  which  he  gives  to  our  orders." 

MELVIL  DEWEY,  Director  of '  N.  Y.  State  Library,  Albany,  N.  Y. 


"  Mr.  G.  E.  Stechert  of  New  York  has  served  us  with  fidelity  in  procuring  English,  French  and  German  books,  both  new 
and  second  hand  and  also  periodicals.  His  terms  are  more  reasonable  than  any  others  that  have  come  to  our  notice,  while  he 
has  always  guarded  our  interests  very  carefully.  We  find  it  a  great  convenience  to  have  one  agency  in  New  York,  represented 
by  branches  in  different  European  countries." 

Prof.  ARTHUR  H.  PALMER,  Librarian  of  Adelbtrt  College,  Cleveland,  O. 


"  Your  methods  and  facilities  for  doing  business,  &s  I  have  examined  them  here  as  well  as  at  the  Leipzig  and  London  ends, 
seem  to  me  admirably  progressive  and  thoroughly  live.  I  deal  with  you  because  I  judge  it  for  the  advantage  of  this  library  to 
do  so.  If  I  did  not,  I  should  not.  Up  to  date  I  am  unable  to  find  a  method  which  is,  all  things  included,  so  economical  of 
time  and  money  as  dealing  through  you." 

ERNEST  C.  RICHARDSON,  Librarian  of  College  of  New  Jersey,  Princeton,  If.  J. 


"  Our_  library  committee  speaks  !n  the  highest  terms  of  your  services.     You  have  not  only  saved  us  many  dollars,  but  haw 
ihown  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  our  wants  for  which  we  thank  you." 

A.  8.  COLLINS,  Act.  Librarian  of  Reynoldt  Library,  Rochester^  N.  P. 

GUSTAV    K.    STKCHKRT, 

LONDON,         PARIS.         LEIPZIG.         NEW  YORK. 


THE 


OFFICIAL  ORGAN  OF  THE  AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 


CHIEFLY    DEVOTED    TO 


Economy  an& 


VOL.  19.     No.  3 


MARCH,  1894 
Contents 


EDITORIAL 

William  Frederick  Poole. 
American  and  English  Libraries. 
The  Relative  Values  of  Inks. 
Innovations  in  Library  Practice. 

WILLIAM  FREDERICK  POOLB,  LL.D. — A  TRIBUTE. 
—  W:  I.Fletcher 


PAGE 

•      79 


INKS  FOR  LIBRARY  USE. — Symposium  of  Scranton^  Public 
Library,  H:  J.  Carr;  Union  for  Christian 
Work  Free  Library ',  Fanny  Hull:  Brooklyn  Li- 
brary, W.  A.  Bard-well;  Y.  M.C.  A.  Library •, 
R.  B,  Poole;  Pratt  Institute  Free  Library;  Buf- 
falo Library,  J.  N.  Lamed;  Boston  Athenaum, 
IV.  C.  Lane;  Mercantile  Library,  St.  Louis, 
Horace  Kephart 84 

COMBINED  RECEIPT  AND  CASH   REGISTER. — Horace 

Kephart 86 

AN  ENGLISHMAN  ON  AMERICAN  LIBRARIES 88 

Los  ANGELBS  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  TRAINING  CLASS.    .    .  90 

AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 92 

William  Frederick  Poole — In  Memoriam. 


PACK 

NKW  YORK  STATE  LIBRARY  SCHOOL 92 

A  "  Van  Bibber  Entertainment." 
STATE  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATIONS pa 

Massachusetts  Library  Club. 

Connecticut  Library  Association. 

Pennsylvania  Library  Club. 

Minnesota  Library  Association. 

Southern  California  Library  Club. 
LIBRARY  CLUBS 95 

New  York  Library  Club. 

Chicago  Library  Club. 
REVIEWS 97 

Dziatzko,  Beitrage  zur  Theorie  u.  Praxis  des 
Buch  u.  Bibliotnekswesens. 

Reyer,  Entwicklung  u.  Organisation  der  Volks- 
bibliotheken. 

University  of  the  State  of  New  York,  io6th  Re- 
port. 

LIBRARY  ECONOMY  AND  HISTORY 100 

LIBRARIANS 107 

CATALOGING  AND  CLASSIFICATION 107 

BlBLIOGRAFY 107 


NEW  YORK  :    PUBLICATION  OFFICE,  28  ELM  STREET  (Near  Duane). 
LONDON:    SOLD  BY  KEG  AN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  Co.,  PATERNOSTER  HOUSE, 

CHARING  CROSS  ROAD. 

YEARLY   SUBSCRIPTION,  fs.oo.  MONTHLY  NUMBERS,  50  cts. 

Prict  to  Europe,  or  other  countries  in  the  Union,  2<xr.  per  annum  ;  tingle  numbers,  is. 

Entered  at  the  Post-Office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  as  second-class  matter. 


78  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  [March,  '94 


TVTESSRS.  CHARLES  SCRIBNER'S  SONS, 

in  anticipation  of  their  removal  in  May 
to  their  new  building,  now  offer  all  the  books 
in  stock  (numbering  more  than  250,000  vol- 
umes) at  very  greatly  reduced  prices.  This 
includes 

Current  American  publications, 

Recent  English  books, 

Fine  Paris  and  London  bindings, 

Rare  first  editions, 

Standard  works, 

Art  publications,  etc.,  etc. 

Lovers  of  good  books  are  thus  offered  a 
most  unusual  opportunity.  Personal  in- 
spection is  urged,  but  a  partial  catalogue  will 
be  sent  on  request. 

CHARLES  SCRIBNER'S  SONS, 

743-745  Broadway,  New  York. 


VOL.  19. 


MARCH,   1894. 


No.  3 


WHEN  the  later  generation  came  Into  the 
library  calling,  about  1876,  the  three  names 
which  would  recur  to  most  memories  as  those 
of  men  then  at  the  head  of  the  profession  were 
Poole,  Winsor,  and  Cutter.  A  half -generation 
of  time,  filled  wiih  work  of  increasing  value, 
left  that  trio  unbroken,  and  it  is  not  until  this 
year,  1894,  that  the  profession  has  to  mourn  the 
interruption  in  their  work  which  has  come  with 
the  death  of  Dr.  Poole.  He  was  the  senior  of  the 
three  in  years  and  in  work,  as  well  as  in  public 
reputation,  and  from  the  beginning  to  the  end 
his  work  in  the  library  field  has  been  of  a  wide 
range  of  value,  both  to  the  public  and  to  the  pro- 
fession. The  tribute  to  his  memory,  printed 
elsewhere,  comes  from  one  who  has  been  hand 
in  hand  with  him  through  much  of  his  work, 
and  the  JOURNAL,  as  such,  can  only  add  to  that 
tribute  the  sad  concurrence  of  the  profession 
for  which  it  speaks. R.  R.  B. 

WE  should  be  loath  to  add  to  international 
polemics  by  treating  otherwise  than  good-na- 
turedly the  further  comments  and  criticisms  of 
our  recent  visitor,  Mr.  Brown,  nor  did  we  intend 
in  our  comment  upon  his  original  article  to  do 
other  than  "  speak  up"  for  American  libraries 
in  fair  counter  to  some  of  his  conclusions.  We 
will  therefore  only  disclaim  on  the  part  of 
Americans  "  contemptuous  reference"  to  Euro- 
pean libraries;  nor  will  we  comment  on  the  tone 
of  his  reply,  except  to  say  that  doubtless  Amer- 
icans as  well  as  English  are  prone  to  generalize 
from  hasty  information  and  to  draw  conclusions 
which  might  not  be  confirmed  by  a  more  full  ac- 
quaintance with  facts. 

WE  can  scarcely  let  the  matter  pass,  how- 
ever, without  entering  friendly  protest  against 
Mr.  Brown's  method  of  comparison  of  figures 
of  libraries.  Witness  his  first  citation:  "In 
Boston,  during  the  year  1890-91  (I  have  no 
later  figures),  the  total  use  of  the  libraries 
amounted  to  1,715,860,  made  up  of  1,367,924 
book  issues  and  347,936  visits;  total  cost,  ,£33,- 
426,  or  fourpence  halfpenny  per  head  of  users. 
In  Manchester,  during  1891-92,  the  total  use 
amounted  to  4,718,986,  made  up  of  1,654,568 
book  issues  and  3,064,418  visits;  total  cost 
about  ^13,000,  or  one  halfpenny  per  head  of 
users.  Boston  use  per  head  of  population  is 
3.80,  Manchester  9."  This  is  only  another  il- 
lustration of  how  figures  can  mislead.  De- 


ducting reference-room  figures,  which  the 
"news-room"  use  in  England,  owing  to  the 
difference  of  custom  in  America  and  England 
regarding  newspapers  makes  unfair,  we  have, 
by  testing  the  reports  of  1891  for  these  two  li- 
braries, the  folio  wing  figures:  circulation,  Man- 
chester, 702,000;  Boston,  1,715,000;  number  of 
books  in  library,  Manchester,  206,000;  Boston, 
576,000;  number  of  books  purchased,  Manches- 
ter, 6400;  Boston,  25,000.  Now,  applying  Mr. 
Brown's  method  of  deducing  results,  let  us  see 
what  these  figures  show.  Percentage  cost  per 
book  circulated,  Manchester,  9,5;  Boston,  9.2. 
Percentage  cost  per  book  cared  for,  Manchester, 
3.1;  Boston,  2.7.  Percentage  cost  per  book 
purchased,  Manchester,  10;  Boston,  6.6.  Who 
shall  say  which  figures  are  correct  ?  Who  shall 
say  that  either  library  is  badly  managed  ?  As  a 
matter  of  fact,  we  believe  both  are  admirably 
administered.  These  differences  could  be  mul- 
tiplied to  an  unlimited  degree,  but  these  are  suf- 
ficient to  question  the  usefulness  of  such  com- 
parisons. No  conclusions  can  be  drawn  from 
such  comparative  library  figures,  because  the 
conditions  are  so  dissimilar  as  to  make  any  such 
tests  radically  unfair.  Indeed,  they  are  as  mis- 
leading generally  as  the  few  users  of  American 
libraries  in  the  deserted  months  of  July  and 
August  were  to  Mr.  Brown. 


As  for  the  vaunted  American  contributions  to 
library  science,  of  which  Mr.  Brown  demands  a 
list,  we  may  have  overestimated  them.  But  we 
had  supposed  the  modern  card  catalog,  the  dic- 
tionary catalog,  the  Library  Association,  mod- 
ern library  architecture,  periodical  indexes,  li- 
brary schools,  branch  library  systems,  frefcbook 
deliveries,  access  to  shelves,  the  Rudolpi  in- 
dexer,  the  linotype  permanent  catalog,  the  re- 
volving book-shelf,  and  a  few  minor  improve- 
ments, had  been  important  contributions  to 
modern  libraries  and  had  helped  to  make  possi- 
ble the  present  library  development  the  world 
over.  And  in  making  this  claim,  there  is  no 
wish  to  depreciate,  as  Mr.  Brown  evidently  be- 
lieves, either  European  libraries  or  librarians. 
What  is  claimed  is  that  America,  practically 
without  libraries  50  years  ago,  has  from  that 
very  poverty  been  compelled  to  cope  with  diffi- 
culties unknown  in  Europe,  and  has  done  this 
so  successfully  that  to-day  it  has  not  merely  de- 
veloped a  great  library  system  and  constituency, 


8o 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\March,  '94 


but  has  helped  to  waken  European  libraries 
from  their  sleep  of  many  years,  and  given  them 
an  Impetus  that  is  among  our  proudest  achieve- 
ments. If  they  are  now  surpassing  us,  so  much 
the  better.  We  shall  as  thankfully  accept  devel- 
opments and  improvements  from  them  as  they 
have  from  us.  We  are  not  competing  in  enmity. 
We  are  all  of  the  same  brotherhood,  eager  only 
to  make  libraries  as  great  a  need  and  aid  to  the 
public  as  may  be.  Every  European  improve- 
ment on  American  ideas  will  be  welcomed.  We 
will  revolutionize  our  methods,  if  we  are  but 
shown  how.  Give  us  something  better,  in  kind- 
liness or  in  criticism,  and  we  will  adopt  it. 

THE  question  of  the  relative  values  of  inks, 
as  to  which  a  number  of  librarians  are  courteous 
enough  to  record  their  personal  experiences  in 
the  present  issue,  is  a  more  important  one  to 
libraries  than  is  apparent  at  first  thought.  On 
the  goodness  of  the  ink  depends  largely  the 
permanence  of  the  card  catalog,  and  to  a  certain 
degree  its  legibility,  for  no  writer,  however  ex- 
pert, can  do  much  if  the  ink  does  not  flow  evenly 
and  freely.  Yet  we  believe  that  few  libraries 
have  systematically  tested  the  various  inks  in 
the  market,  and  we  know  of  certain  catalogs 
where  the  labor  to  the  investigator  is  distinctly 
increased  by  the  original  poorness  of  the  ink 
used,  or  by  its  having  faded  since  written. 
This  is  probably  due  more  to  want  of  considera- 
tion than  to  any  preference  for  poor  inks,  and 
a  careful  investigation  would  probably  result  in 
the  adoption  of  certain  inks,  and  the  exclusion 
of  all  others.  Fortunately,  in  addition  to  the 
opinions  of  the  various  librarians  above  noticed, 
we  have  the  results  of  a  careful  investigation 
made  by  Mr.  Robert  T.  Swan,  Commissioner  of 
Public  Records  in  Massachusetts,  whose  opinion 
is  therefore  authoritative  upon  this  subject. 


IN  1891  Mr.  Swan  addressed  the  following 
questions  to  22  manufacturers  of  inks  : 

1.  Do  you  consider  it  safe  to  use  for  a  per- 
manent record  aniline  inks? 

2.  Do  you  consider  it    safe  to  use   for  a 
record  logwood  inks  ? 

3.  Do  you  consider  nut-gall  and  iron  inks 
absolutely  safe  for  a  permanent  record  ? 

4.  Do  you    consider  carbon  ink    the  only 
permanent  ink  ? 

To  these,  as  regards  aniline  inks  the  answer 
was  "  no,"  unanimously,  although  it  was  agreed 
that  if  " aniline  black"  could  be  rendered  sol- 
uble in  water,  a  permanent  aniline  ink  would 
be  obtained.  With  regard  to  logwood  inks, 


the  same  opinion  prevailed.  Of  the  perma- 
nency of  nut-gall  and  iron  inks  there  was  less 
unanimity,  and  the  general  concensus  seemed 
to  be  that  if  properly  made,  such  inks  were 
permanent.  Most  of  the  manufacturers  agreed 
that  a  carbon  ink  could  not  be  permanent,  be- 
cause of  the  insolubility  of  carbon.  But 
it  was  conceded  that  if  a  process  could  be 
discovered  by  which  carbon  could  be  dis- 
solved and  still  retain  its  color,  no  known 
substance  would  make  so  permanent  an  ink. 
More  than  ordinary  care  should,  however, 
be  exercised  in  the  purchase  of  carbon  ink. 
Writing  fluids  were  considered  bad,  and  so  also 
the  addition  of  water  to  ink.  Perhaps  the  most 
important  fact  brought  out  was,  that  an  ink 
which  flows  easily  and  is  free  from  sediment 
has  the  least  permanence.  Almost  equally  in- 
teresting is  the  fact  that  the  acid  inks,  so  valua- 
ble for  banking  and  other  purposes,  where  it  is 
desired  that  the  writing  should  eat  into  the 
paper,  so  as  to  prevent  all  obliteration,  are  not 
more  permanent  than  others  and  are  of  necessity 
destructive  of  the  paper.  As  to  the  dangers 
lurking  for  the  librarian  in  this  matter,  it  is 
sufficient  to  state  that  of  67  inks  submitted  by 
Mr.  Swan  for  chemical  analysis,  all  but  17  were 
found  unsuitable  for  records.  It  is  worth  stating 
that  the  English  government,  which  has  care- 
fully studied  this  subject,  insists  positively,  in 
all  tenders  for  ink  made  to  it,  that  they  shall  be 
based  on  galls  and  sulphate  of  iron. 


THE  report  of  the  last  meeting  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Library  Club,  given  elsewhere,  pos- 
sesses unusual  interest  as  making  public  the 
first  definite  statement  regarding  the  proposed 
administration  of  the  Boston  Public  Library  in 
its  new  home.  The  plans  outlined  at  the  club 
meeting,  by  Mr.  S.  A.  B.  Abbott,  president  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees,  are  suggestive  of  radica 
departures  from  accepted  methods  of  library 
administration.  Such  innovations  as  the  with- 
drawal of  the  catalog  from  direct  public  use 
and  the  adoption  of  the  tray  system,  combined 
with  the  hinging  of  the  cards,  so  as  to  form  a 
semi  book-catalog,  are  of  prime  importance, 
while  the  many  mechanical  devices  which  will 
be  used  to  save  time  and  labor  are  worthy  of 
careful  consideration.  There  is  little  doubt 
that  if  the  methods  outlined  by  President  Ab- 
bott are  fully  developed  and  put  in  operation, 
the  administration  of  the  Boston  Public  Li- 
brary, when  established  in  its  new  quarters, 
will  involve  features  of  distinct  originality  and 
interest  in  the  field  of  library  science. 


March,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


81 


WILLIAM    FREDERICK    POOLE,    LL.D.  — A    TRIBUTE.* 
BY  WILLIAM  I.  FLETCHER,  Librarian  of  Amherst  College. 


THE  death  of  Dr.  Poole  is  the  severest  blow 
that  has  fallen  upon  American  librarianship 
since  it  has  been  recognized  as  a  distinct  calling. 
He  in  fact  did  more  than  any  other  one  man  to 
give  it  this  character,  and  it  is  eminently  fitting 
that  his  life  and  work  should  be  reviewed  as 
a  contribution  to  the  great  library  movement 
of  this  century,  and  to  its  literary  history  as 
well.  . 

William  Frederick  Poole  was  born  at  Salem, 
Massachusetts,  December  24, 1821,  and  died  at 
Evanston,  111.,  March  i,  1894.  The  family 
was  of  the  old  New  England  stock,  descended 
from  John  Poole,  who  was,  in  1635,  the  leading 
proprietor  of  Reading,  Massachusetts,  which 
was  named  for  the  English  town  from  which  he 
came.  William  was  the  second  son  of  Ward 
Poole,  who  married  Eliza  Wilder,  of  Keene,  N. 
H.,  and  carried  on  the  leather  and  tanning 
business  in  Salem.  There  were  five  other  sons 
and  one  daughter.  The  third  son,  Henry  Ward 
Poole  (A.M.  Yale  College),  was  a  man  of  con- 
siderable note  as  professor  in  the  National  Col- 
lege of  Mines  in  the  City  of  Mexico,  and  as  a 
writer  on  the  abstruse  mathematical  laws  of 
musical  sounds,  contributing  extensively  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  subject  as  presented  in  A.  J. 
Ellis's  translation  of  Helmholtz's  "  Sensations 
of  tone."  William's  early  education  was  had 
in  the  common  schools  of  Danvers,  to  which 
town  the  portion  of  Salem  in  which  he  was  born 
had  been  set  off.  Between  the  ages  of  12  and 
17  his  studies  were  interrupted  and  he  tried  his 
hand,  first  at  the  jeweler's  business,  then  at  his 
father's  trade  of  tanning.  The  knowledge  of 
leathers  he  then  obtained  stood  him  in  good 
stead  in  later  years  in  its  bearing  upon  book- 
bindings, in  regard  to  which  he  was  an  expert. 
When  he  was  17  he  resumed  study  in  good 
earnest,  and  in  1842  entered  Yale  College.  After 
one  year  he  found  it  necessary  to  provide  means 
for  the  continuance  of  his  studies,  and  engaged 
in  teaching  for  three  years,  then  returned  to 
college,  and  graduated  with  the  class  of  1849. 
Being  fond  of  books  and  older  than  most  of  his 
associates  in  college,  he  quite  naturally  became 
assistant  librarian,  and  then  librarian  of  his 
college  society,  the  "  Brothers  in  Unity,"  which 
had  an  exceptionally  good  collection  of  books, 
numbering  nearly  10,000  volumes.  Observing, 


*  The  best  and  latest  available  portrait  of  Dr.  Poole 
was  published  in  the  JOURNAL  in  August,  1887  (L.  j.,  12 : 
282). 


after  a  short  time  in  the  library,  that  the  excel- 
lent sets  of  reviews  and  magazines  were  almost 
unused,  and  that,  on  the  other  hand,  they  con- 
tained a  great  amount  of  exceedingly  valuable 
literary  material,  he  was  led  to  undertake  the 
compilation  of  a  simple  index  to  their  contents 
for  use  in  the  library.  For  a  college  student 
this  meant  hard  work  done  mostly  late  at  night, 
but  he  was  never  a  man  to  shrink  from  work, 
and  the  index  was  soon  done.  It  proved  so 
very  useful  that  he  was  urged  to  publish  it,  and 
this  he  did  in  1848,  while  in  his  junior  year.  A 
copy  of  this  first  edition  is  before  the  writer.  It 
is  a  small  octavo  of  154  pages,  the  compiler's 
name  modestly  omitted  from  the  title-page.  The 
number  of  volumes  indexed  was  560.  A  note 
appended  to  the  preface  promises  an  enlarged 
edition  if  a  demand  should  appear,  and  says 
"  the  need  of  such  a  work  is  evident  from  the 
fact,  that  no  sooner  was  the  publication  of  this 
work  announced,  than  orders  from  abroad  ex- 
ceeded the  whole  edition." 

Dr.  Poole  remained  in  New  Haven  for  some 
months  after  graduation,  engaged  in  his  library 
work.  In  1851  he  became  assistant  librarian 
(Charles  Folsom  being  the  librarian)  of  the 
Boston  Athenaeum,  and  in  the  following  year 
was  made  librarian  of  the  Mercantile  Library 
of  that  city  —  a  flourishing  institution  subse- 
quently merged  in  the  Boston  Public  Library. 
In  1853  Dr.  Poole  brought  out  the  second  edi- 
tion of  his  Index,  enlarged  to  521  double-col- 
umn pages,  and  indexing  nearly  1500  volumes. 
In  the  same  year  he  attended  in  New  York  the 
first  gathering  of  librarians  ever  held  in  the 
world.  Dr.  Poole  did  not  outlive  all  the  other 
members  of  this  conference,  but  it  has  been 
true  for  some  time  past  that  he  was  the  only 
one  continuing  in  library  work.  Edward 
Everett  Hale  and  Dr.  Henry  Barnard,  of  Hart- 
ford, are  perhaps  the  only  survivors  of  those 
who  then  assembled. 

During  Dr.  Poole's  four  years  at  the  Mercan- 
tile Library  he  made  a  complete  catalog  of  the 
books,  and  had  it  printed  in  the  "  title-a-line" 
style,  which  has  been  accepted  as  a  type  in  mul- 
titudes of  other  libraries.  In  1856  he  returned 
to  the  Boston  Athenaeum  as  librarian,  where  he 
remained  for  nearly  13  years.  The  Athenaeum 
library  was  then  the  largest  library  in  Boston, 
and  one  of  the  principal  ones  in  the  country. 
He  re-classified  the  library,  and  with  the  as- 
sistance of  Mr.  Charles  Russell  Lowell  (a broth- 


82 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[March,  '94 


er  of  the  poet)  made  a  complete  catalog,  which 
was  printed  in  five  large  volumes  soon  after 
he  left  the  Athenaeum.  Engaging  for  a  year 
in  the  work  of  a  library  expert,  organizing  li- 
braries in  St.  Johnsbury,  Vt.,  Easthampton, 
Mass.,  Waterbury,  Ct.,  and  Cincinnati,  he 
accepted  the  position  of  librarian  of  the  public 
library  at  the  latter  place  in  1869,  remaining 
there  until  1873,  when  he  was  called  to  take 
charge  of  the  nascent  public  library  of  Chicago. 
His  fine  executive  abilities  found  full  scope  in 
the  organizing  and  building'up  of  this  great 
institution,  which  soon  became  only  second  to 
the  Boston  library  in  popularity  and  usefulness. 
Fourteen  years  were  given  to  this  work,  at  the 
end  of  which  time  Dr.  Poole  assumed  a  task 
of  a  different  sort  in  the  librarianship  of  the 
Newberry  Library  of  reference.  This  institu- 
tion, founded  by  a  bequest  of  nearly  $3,000,000 
from  Mr.  Walter  L.  Newberry,  presented  the 
best  opportunity  yet  offered  in  this  country  for 
the  building  up  of  a  fine  reference  library,  and 
for  this  work  Dr.  Poole  was  no  less  qualified 
than  for  the  popular  work  of  the  public  li- 
brary. His  tastes  were  essentially  scholarly, 
and  no  pursuit  was  so  congenial  to  him  as  the 
collecting  of  rare  and  valuable  books,  unless 
it  was  making  them  useful  to  others.  Probably 
no  better  judge  of  books  and  the  book  market 
in  Europe  as  well  as  in  America  could  be  found 
in  the  United  States,  for  he  was  no  less  a  man 
of  affairs  than  a  scholar.  And  his  soundness 
of  judgment  and  breadth  of  knowledge  were 
nowhere  better  exhibited  than  in  his  plans  for 
the  new  building  of  the  Newberry  Library, 
which  will  stand  as  his  monument. 

Sharing  with  other  progressive  librarians  the 
feeling  that  the  modern  library  requires  a  dif- 
ferent style  of  building  from  what  had  been 
common,  he  struck  out  boldly  for  himself,  and 
in  several  papers  read  before  the  American 
Library  Association,  notably  in  one  issued  in 
1881  as  a  circular  by  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Edu- 
cation, he  outlined  a  structure  so  different  from 
what  had  been  known  in  library  architecture, 
that  but  few  were  courageous  enough  to  accept 
his  views.  But  gradually  they  gained  adhe- 
rents. Applied  first  to  small  libraries,  they  were 
found  to  afford  great  satisfaction,  and  it  was  an 
epoch  in  the  history  of  libraries  when  the  New- 
berry  building  was  planned  in  accordance  with 
his  long-cherished  views.  It  may  be  too  early  as 
yet  to  make  any  conclusive  comparison  between 
this  library  and  others  differently  constructed. 
But  it  is  safe  to  predict  that  the  result  will  be  a 


triumph  of  the  principal  ideas  cherished  by  Dr. 
Poole;  which  were  that  a  library  building  should 
combine  these  qualities:  large  capacity  in  pro- 
portion to  cost;  safety  for  the  books  from  fire 
and  from  injury  by  overheat  and  gases;  good 
light  in  all  parts;  readiness  of  access  for  the 
reader  and  facilities  for  the  use  of  books  in  situ; 
ample  work-rooms  for  cataloging  and  arrang- 
ing the  books;  absolute  quiet  in  all  parts  where 
reading  and  study  are  to  be  conducted. 

If  Dr.  Poole's  labors  in  this  department  alone 
of  library  work  shall  result  in  introducing  a  style 
of  building  which  meets  these  requirements,  he 
need  have  no  other  claim  on  the  gratitude  of  the 
literary  world. 

But  after  all,  Dr.  Poole's  chief  claim  for  rec- 
ognition as  a  benefactor  of  the  race  will  rest  on 
his  Index  to  Periodical  Literature,  already  re- 
ferred to.  As  a  result  of  urgent  demands  for 
a  later  edition  of  the  Index,  which  was  then 
23  years  behind  the  times  (and  was  still 
said  to  be  the  most  useful  single  volume  in 
many  libraries),  Dr.  Poole  in  1876  formed  a 
plan  for  a  co-operative  method  of  continuing  it. 
Over  50  librarians  readily  accepted  a  share  in 
the  work  which  however  was,  even  so,  a  great 
undertaking,  and  it  was  not  until  1882  that  the 
third  edition  of  the  Index  appeared,  the  present 
writer  having  a  share  in  the  work  of  digesting 
and  editing  the  material.  This  was  a  royal  oc- 
tavo volume  of  1442  pages,  and  indexed  6205 
volumes  — 12  times  as  many  as  the  first  edi- 
tion, and  four  times  as  many  as  the  second. 
With  its  two  "five-year"  supplements,  issued 
in  1887  and  1892,  this  Index  has  assumed  the 
proportions  of  a  monumental  work,  and  will 
keep  the  name  of  "Poole  "on  the  tongues  of 
library  patrons  for  generations  to  come. 

But  in  many  other  ways  did  Dr.  Poole  make 
an  impression  on  the  library  work  of  the  coun- 
try. Recognized  as  a  leading  authority  on  all 
library  matters,  he  was  constantly  consulted 
and  his  advice  as  constantly  taken  in  the  es- 
tablishment of  libraries.  He  contributed  sev- 
eial  papers  to  the  Report  on  Public  Libraries 
issued  by  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Education  in 
1876,  one  of  which  on  the  "  Organization  and 
management  of  public  libraries"  has  been 
used  extensively  as  the  only  available  practical 
manual  of  library  work.  The  methods  he  ad- 
vocated were  always  of  the  simplest  and  at  the 
same  time  most  effective.  It  may  be  that  for 
the  time  to  come  more  elaborate  and  com- 
plicated library  "machinery"  will  seem  to  be 
needed  than  commended  itself  to  his  judgment; 


March,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


but  he  was  the  man  for  his  time  and  his  meth- 
ods just  those  required  in  the  early  growth  of  the 
public  library  as  an  institution.  His  influence 
for  simple  and  direct  ways  of  doing  library  work 
will  long  endure  as  a  check  to  the  needless 
elaboration  and  red-tape  to  which  many  admin- 
istrators tend.  He  was  an  exponent  of  the 
most  sane  and  sound  views  as  to  the  functions 
of  the  public  library  and  its  relation  to  the 
community.  While  in  Cincinnati,  he  was  en- 
gaged in  a  newspaper  controversy  with  an  ed- 
itor who  attacked  the  public  library  as  a  piece 
of  "state  interference"  with  the  rights  of  in- 
dividuals. Dr.  Poole's  replies  to  the  theoretical 
vaporings  of  his  opponent  about  the  proper 
functions  of  government,  fairly  blew  them  away, 
and  ought  to  be  preserved  as  admirably  laying 
the  basis  in  sound  reason  and  statecraft  for  the 
free  public  library. 

No  less  clear  and  conclusive  was  his  argument 
(LIBRARY  JOURNAL,  vol.  i,  pp.  49-51)  against 
the  exclusion  of  good  fiction  from  public  libra- 
ries, based  mainly  on  the  idea  that  fiction  of  the 
right  sort  is  the  truest  kind  of  literature.  But 
space  cannot  be  taken  for  further  enlargement 
upon  Dr.  Poole's  work  as  a  writer  and  adviser 
on  library  matters.  One  who  looks  over  the 
files  of  this  JOURNAL  from  its  beginning,  cannot 
fail  to  be  struck  with  the  value  and  com- 
prehensiveness of  his  contributions. 

Outside  of  the  library  profession  Dr.  Poole 
occupied  a  place  of  no  small  importance  as  a 
writer  on  American  history,  or  rather  as  a 
critic  of  American  history-writing.  It  is  not 
within  the  province  of  this  JOURNAL  to  discuss 
at  length  Dr.  Poole's  work  in  this  department. 
A  mere  list  of  his  writings  would  go  beyond  the 
limits  of  this  paper.  But  it  may  safely  be  said 
that  few  men  have  done  more  to  establish  certain 
important  historical  data,  such  as  the  real 
significance  of  the  witchcraft  delusion  in  its  re- 
lation to  the  New  England  people  and  in  par- 
ticular to  the  divines —  the  "true  inwardness" 
of  the  Ordinance  of  1787  —  and  the  value  of  the 
claims  of  Maine  to  priority  of  settlement  over 
Massachusetts.  He  always  wrote  in  the  in- 
terests of  fact  and  truth  as  against  the  ro- 
mancing of  historians  holding  a  brief  for  some 
set  of  opinions. 

His  selection  in  1887  as  president  of  the 
American  Historical  Association  bears  witness 
to  the  general  recognition  of  his  qualities  as  an 
historical  scholar. 

He  received  the  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Laws  from  the  Northwestern  University  in  1882. 


In  1893  he  delivered  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  address 
at  the  University  on  ' '  The  university  library  and 
the  university  curriculum,"  making  a  strong 
plea  for  university  instruction  in  bibliography. 

He  was  married  Nov.  22,  1854,  to  Miss  Fanny 
M.  Gleason,  who  survives  him  with  four  of 
their  seven  childien,  the  only  living  son  being 
William  Frederick,  Jr.,  a  graduate  of  Yale 
University  in  1891,  well  known  as  the  catcher 
on  the  famous  Yale  bail-teams  of  1890  and  '91, 
and  now  engaged  in  law  practice. 

It  remains  to  add  a  few  words  as  to  Dr. 
Poole's  personality.  He  was  physically  a  note- 
worthy man,  fully  six  feet  in  height  and  well 
proportioned,  giving  token  of  the  strength  and 
endurance  which  carried  him  through  his  enor- 
mous labors.  His  life  was  in  his  work;  despite 
the  pressure  of  his  regular  duties  he  always  had 
evening  work  on  hand  in  his  study,  and  seldom 
slept  before  midnight;  in  which  place  he  was 
happiest,  in  the  library  by  day  or  his  study  by 
night,  it  would  be  hard  to  say.  But  he  was  not 
too  absorbed  in  work  to  be  intensely  alive  to 
the  charms  of  home  life  and  human  friendship. 
He  was  one  of  the  best  of  companions,  enjoying 
either  the  telling  of  a  good  story  or  the  listen- 
ing to  one  with  a  heartiness  that  was  infectious. 
And  in  serious  conversation  on  a  great  variety 
of  subjects  he  was  always  happy  and  interest- 
ing.  Toward  his  subordinates  he  was  kind 
and  considerate,  getting  work  from  them  rather 
by  setting  an  example  than  by  any  forcing 
process.  His  office  door  was  always  open  to 
visitors,  and  those  who  came  to  him  for  some 
help  in  their  reading  wondered  how  his  time 
could  be  so  at  their  disposal. 

The  writer  will  be  pardoned  for  a  more 
personal  word  still.  Going  into  service  under 
Dr.  Poole  as  a  mere  boy  he  learned  first  to 
respect  and  honor  him,  then  to  love,  and  in 
the  30  and  more  years  since,  drawn  together 
as  we  have  been  by  long  associated  labors  on 
the  Index  and  by  mutual  personal  interest,  we 
have  become  so  nearly  one  in  thought  and  feel- 
ing that  to  the  survivor  there  is  a  great  blank 
in  the  universe  now  that  the  "good  Doctor" 
has  gone.  The  world  is  the  poorer  for  the  loss 
of  one  whose  abilities  were  so  great  and  whose 
devotion  of  them  to  the  highest  ends  in  public 
service  was  so  complete  and  so  spontaneous. 
He  was  a  religious  man  by  training  and  by 
sincere  conviction,  and  we  can  only  think  of 
him  as  having  stepped  over  the  line  into  the 
higher  service  and  the  fuller  experiences  of  the 
other  world. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\Marcht  '94 


INKS   FOR  LIBRARY   USE. 


SCR  ANTON  PUBLIC  LIBRARY. 

SATISFACTORY  results  as  to  inks  depend  quite 
a  little  upon  the  "personal  equation"  of  the 
individual  users,  though  perhaps  not  as  much 
so  as  in  the  case  of  pens.  In  counting-room, 
railroad,  and  library  work,  in  succession  since 
1865,  I  have  had  occasion  to  either  test  or  use 
in  current  service  almost  every  well-reputed 
ink  upon  the  market.  Likewise  some  not  so 
well  known,  together  with  occasional  dabblings 
in  concocting  them  from  various  "powders" 
and  chemicals  at  first  hands. 

Speaking  generally,  and  with  reference  to 
those  best  known  nowadays,  the  high-class 
iron-and-gall  inks  all  give  good  results  in  re- 
spect to  permanence  and  deepness  of  color, 
eventually,  if  not  at  first  writing.  Such  are 
Arnold's,  Barnes',  Carter's,  Sanford's,  Stafford's, 
and  Underwood's,  etc.;  all  having  a  bluish  or 
greenish  cast  at  first  and  changing  to  a  per- 
manent black.  (Cobalt  and  other  chemicals  are 
used,  too,  but  the  essential  principles  are  the 
same  as  stated.) 

Then  there  are  the  so-called  black  inks,  which 
some  prefer,  purporting  to  write  black  at  the 
outset  and  which  are  not  usually  so  severe  up- 
on steel  pens  as  those  first  spoken  of.  Barnes", 
Carter's,  London  Exchequer,  and  Putnam's, 
are,  perhaps,  the  best  makes  of  that  kind. 
They  are  not  commonly  prepared  for  "copy- 
ing "  (which  is  done  by  adding  sugar  or  gums), 
and  sometimes  have  a  tendency  to  "settle" 
and  lose  color.  They  are  also  apt  to  remain  on 
the  surface  of  the  paper  written  upon  rather 
than  to  sink  into  the  fibre.  The  latter  charac- 
teristic is  desirable  to  some  as  admitting  of 
more  ready  use  of  the  eraser. 

For  the  last  three  years  Barnes'  national  inks 
have  been  my  preference,  for  the  two  kinds 
spoken  of,  and  seem  to  more  effectually  main- 
tain a  uniform  excellence  and  quality  than  any 
others  now  at  command.  I  speak  more  par- 
ticularly of  their  "writing  fluid"  and  "jet 
black  "  inks. 

In  library  work  a  fluid,  rather  than  a  heavy 
or  copying  ink,  is  desirable,  on  the  whole  ;  so 
that  the  so-called  "commercial"  or  "writing 
fluids"  serve  excellently  for  most  purposes. 
Inks  will  naturally  thicken  by  exposure  to  the 
air  (evaporation  and  chemical  changes  both 
acting),  so  that  if  kept  in  inkstands  of  which 
the  covers  are  off  or  open  a  good  deal  a  fluid 


ink  in  daily  use  gradually  becomes  heavier. 
That  fact  can  be  taken  advantage  of  to  some 
satisfaction  if  one  is  not  too  strenuous  about 
having  the  stands  cleaned  out  and  replenished 
every  day  or  so.  Therefore,  by  having  a  fluid 
ink  and  keeping  the  reserve  stock  carefully 
corked  up  and  away  from  the  light  one  can 
replenish  from  it  the  working  receptacle  as  re- 
quired, and  so  maintain  in  the  latter  almost  any 
desired  degree  of  consistency.  In  that  way, 
too,  the  ink  can  be  kept  in  condition  to  give  one 
good  copy  under  the  letter-press  and  yet  not  be 
"smeary"  upon  records  or  where  not  press- 
copied. 

On  the  whole,  therefore,  I  believe  that  one 
needs  now  to  have  in  current  daily  use  but  one 
standard  ink,  and  that  of  the  "  fluid"  or  "  com- 
bined "  quality;  and  then  by  judicious  manipula- 
tion as  suggested,  attain  the  best  of  results  in 
all  library  work.  Such  inks  do  corrode  steel 
pens,  and  one  must  expect  to  use  a  new  one 
every  day  or  two,  which  is  not  so  much  the  case 
with  some  of  the  inks  having  a  carbon  or  aniline 
basis.  But  owing  to  the  more  readily  erasable, 
and  fading  qualities  of  the  latter  kinds,  there  is 
good  reason  for  their  general  avoidance. 

The  colored  inks  —  blue,  green,  red,  violet, 
etc.  —  have  but  a  minor  value  in  library  work, 
and  the  less  they  are  employed  the  better.  If 
of  an  aniline  base,  as  commonly  made,  giving 
high  colors  and  fading  considerably  upon  ex- 
posure to  light,  yet  inexpensive  and  of  agree- 
able use  in  the  pen,  one  obtains  easy  first  results 
at  a  future  cost  not  always  realized  at  the  out- 
set. If  a  red  is  really  deemed  necessary,  then 
a  genuine  carmine  is  best,  and  can  be  had  in 
many  standard  makes. 

The  prepared  India  and  drawing  inks  as  used 
by  architects,  draughtsmen,  and  pen  artists,  are 
but  a  high  grade  of  "  surface  "  inks  and  subject 
to  the  same  general  drawbacks  as  the  black  inks 
spoken  of  above.  They  usually  cost  much 
more,  too,  without  being  better  adapted  for  li- 
brary purposes,  materially,  than  those  named. 
HENRY  J.  CARR. 

UNION  FOR  CHRISTIAN  WORK  FREE  LIBRARY, 

BROOKLYN,  N.  Y. 

FOR  ordinary  correspondence,  book  labels, 
etc.,  we  use  Barnes'  national  jet  black  ink.  We 
find  it  very  good,  but  apt  to  get  muddy  after 
standing.  For  the  card  catalog,  shelf-list  and 
accession-book  we  prefer  Underwood's  Egyptian 


March,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


black  ink.  It  is  a  little  blue  at  first,  but  turns 
in  a  short  time  to  a  jet  black,  and,  as  far  as  I  can 
discover,  does  not  fade.  We  have  used  it  about 
four  years.  For  red  ink,  we  use  Carter's  crim- 
son, and,  as  yet,  find  no  fault  with  it. 

FANNY  HULL. 

BROOKL  YN  LIBRA R  Y. 

WE  used  to  write  with  Arnold's  writing  fluid  — 
a  London  ink,  which  was  of  a  bluish  tint  at 
first,  but  turned  black  a  few  hours  after  using. 
This  ink  would  mould  after  having  been  opened 
awhile,  which  seems  to  be  its  chief  defect,  unless 
one  prefers  an  ink  that  writes  black  at  first. 

Clarke  and  Maynard's  inks  have  also  been 
used  with  us,  but  are  apt  to  get  thick  and  muddy, 
owing  to  a  powder  used  in  their  manufacture. 

Underwood's  inks,  made  in  Brooklyn,  have 
been  in  use  here  until  recently,  and  are  good, 
except  that  they  corrode  steel  pens  very  fast. 
A  pen  lasts  about  one  day  when  this  ink  is 
used. 

The  ink  in  use  at  present  is  made  by  A.  S. 
Barnes  &  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  we  use  the  writing 
fluid —  which  flows  freely  and  is  of  a  dark  blue 
color  at  first  —  turning  blacker  soon  after  ex- 
posure. It  is  found  to  be  quite  satisfactory, 
and  is,  on  the  whole,  the  best  we  know  of  at 
present,  It  corrodes  pens  somewhat,  but  not  so 
fast  as  the  Underwood  inks,  and  the  fluid  is 
less  corrosive  than  the  black  writing  ink.  The 
color  is  permanent.  Our  card  catalog  is  written 
with  typewriter,  and  so  does  not  enter  into  the 
ink  discussion.  There  are  drawbacks  in  the 
case  of  every  ink  in  use  —  but  I  think  the 
Barnes'  national  writing  fluid  suits  our  use 
better  than  any  other  at  present.  At  one  time 
we  bought  a  dozen  quarts  of  David's  writing  ink, 
but  it  proved  so  poor  it  was  returned.  This  ink 
is  sometimes  quite  satisfactory,  but  in  the  in- 
stance mentioned  it  was  decidedly  not  so. 

W.  A.  BARDWKLL. 

Y.  M,  C.  A.  LIBRARY,  NEW  YORK  CITY. 

1.  WE  have  used  in  the  past  Arnold's  ink, 
Carter's,  encre  a  copier,  B,  Paris.     I  do  not 
definitely  recall  others. 

2.  Are  using  at  present  for  correspondence, 
Underwood's  Egyptian  black  ink,  and  for  cata- 
loging, encre  &  copier. 

3.  The  French  ink,  used  for  the  catalog,  has 
considerable  body,  and  produces  a  bolder  letter. 
It  is  of  a  brownish  color  when  first  applied,  but 
grows  darker.      It  has  a    tendency  to  spot, 
probably  from  its  greater  thickness.    The  quali- 


ty is  not  always  the  same.  Notwithstanding  its 
drawbacks  we  have  continued  its  use,  as  it 
causes  letters  and  words  to  stand  out  with  dis- 
tinctness. Underwood's  Egyptian  fluid  gives 
us  satisfaction  for  correspondence.  Automatic 
ink  of  various  colors  is  used  for  shading  letters 
—  for  bulletins,  purple.  R.  B.  POOLE. 

HARTFORD  PUBLIC  LIBRARY. 
WE  have  used  Stephens'  blue  black  writing 
fluid  so  long  that  I  have  forgotten  what  we  had 
before,  except  in  a  general  way  that  we  tried 
several  kinds  that  we  did  not  like  so  well.  I 
think  that  one  of  our  assistants  heard  of  it 
through  an  insurance  company  here. 

C.  M.  HEWINS. 

PRATT  INSTITUTE,  BROOKLYN,  N.  Y. 
THE  inks  in  use  in  our  library  have  been  used 
for  some  time.  We  have  not  experimented  very 
much  in  this  line,  having  been  fortunate  enough 
to  secure  at  once  those  inks  which  seemed  to 
us  to  have  the  most  desirable  qualities  : 

1.  Carter's  writing  fluid   and   Carter's  kcal 
black;  colored  inks  used  :   Stafford's  carmine 
and  Thaddeus  Davids  Co.'s  blue  ink. 

2.  Carter's    writing    fluid    for  catalogs  and 
the  koal  black  for  book  labels,  printing,  and 
correspondence  ;  colored  inks  used  in  catalogs, 
shelf-lists,  etc. 

3.  We  have  used  these  inks  for  the  past  six 
years,  and  see  no  reason  for  making  any  change, 
except  in  the  case  of  the  blue.     Carter's  writing 
fluid  flows  easily,  and  the  special  advantage  of 
this  ink  is  that  the  older  the  writing  grows  the 
blacker  it  becomes.     The  objection  offered  by 
some  who  have  used  this  ink  is  that  it  is  too 
faint  when  first  used  — they  prefer  to  use  an  ink 
which  is  jet  black  at  first.    Of  the  colored  inks, 
we  would  say  that  the  carmine  has  proved  itself 
perfectly  satisfactory,  being  a  bright  red  when 
first  used,  and  retaining  its  color  very  well  in- 
deed.    We  cannot  speak  very    highly  of  the 
blue  ink,  and  even  now  think  of  trying  Staf- 
ford's blue.     Carter's  koal  black  makes  a  bet- 
ter press-copy,  we  find,  than  the  regular  copy- 
ing ink,  especially  if  the  pen  is  one  on  which 
the  ink  has  always  been  allowed  to  dry  without 
wiping.         PRATT  INSTITUE  FREE  LIBRARY. 

BUFFALO  LIBRARY. 

I  HAVE  tried  many  kinds  of  ink,  and  am  as 
far  from  settling  the  questions  between  them  in 
my  own  mind  as  I  was  at  the  beginning.  There 
is  no  ink  that  satisfies  me.  I  want  a  black  ink 
with  qualities  otherwise  of  the  aniline  violet, 


86 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[March,  '94 


and  It  seems  to  be  a  chemical  impossibility. 
Perhaps  Carter's  "  koal  black"  comes  nearest 
to  it,  but  it  is  not  very  near. 

We  have  used  Thomas'  black  ink  more  than 
any  other  on  our  catalog  cards,  and  it  seems 
to  be  a  lasting  ink.  Cards  written  13  or  14 
years  ago  are  unchanged. 

J.  N.  LARKED. 

BOSTON  A  THENMUM. 

WE  are  using  Carter's  koal  black,  but  al- 
though it  is  an  agreeable  ink  to  use,  I  am  afraid 
it  is  not  one  that  ought  to  be  employed  for  li- 
brary use,  and  I  want  to  make  a  change.  I 
have  not  myself  noticed  that  it  fades,  but  I 
judge  from  a  very  interesting  "  Report  on 
record  inks  and  paper,"  made  by  the  Massachu- 
setts Commissioner  on  Public  Records,  in  1891, 
that  inasmuch  as  it  contains  nigrosine,  it  is  not 
a  safe  ink  to  use.  This  report,  by  the  way, 
will  be  found  of  considerable  value,  and  perhaps 
sums  up  all  that  it  is  desired  to  discuss  in  the 
LIBRARY  JOURNAL.  W:  C.  LANE. 

MERCANTILE  LIBRARY,  ST.  LOUIS. 
I  HAVE  yet  to  find  a  perfectly  satisfactory  ink. 
Those  made  from  galls  and  sulphate  of  iron  are 
pale  when  first  written,  but  dry  blacker  than 
any  other  inks.  They  are  reasonably  perma- 
nent, but  usually  turn  brown  in  time.  As  they 
consist  of  very  minute  but  insoluble  particles 
mechanically  held  in  suspension  by  a  gummy 
liquid,  they  do  not  and  cannot  flow  as  smoothly 
as  might  be  desired.  But,  on  the  whole,  I  pre- 
fer Arnold's  writing  fluid  to  any  other  ink  for 
every-day  use.  The  logwood  inks  flow  beauti- 
fully, as  they  are  true  solutions,  and  are  quite 
black  at  first,  but  they  dry  to  a  dirty  brown  and 


are  not  permanent.  The  only  ink  that  can  be 
relied  upon  to  last  forever  is  that  made  of  car 
bon,  and  the  best  of  all  carbon  inks  is  Higgins'. 
Its  chief  fault  is  that  its  menstruum  evaporates 
very  quickly  on  the  pen  or  in  the  bottle.  I  use 
it  only  for  important  documents,  where  speed  of 
writing  is  of  less  consequence  than  unalterabil- 
ity  of  the  thing  written.  It  cannot  be  mixed 
with  other  inks,  and  I  may  as  well  say  here 
that  mixed  inks  are  always  failures.  There  is 
an  interesting  footnote  on  the  subject  of  inks  in 
Fumagalli's  Catalog hi  di  biblioteche,  p.  114.  In  a 
specimen  of  calligraphy  dated  1690  (codex  Ric- 
cardiana,  no.  698),  Fumagalli  found  a  receipt 
for  making  the  ink  with  which  the  ms.  itself 
was  written.  It  runs  as  follows  : 

"  Strong  white  wine 30  parts  by  weight. 

Small  Istrian  galls 3     "      "       " 

Roman  vitriol  [sulphate  of  iron] ...    2     "      "       " 

Gum  arable i     "      "       " 

Crush  the  galls  into  small  pieces.  Put  the  wine  in  an 
earthenware  jar,  add  the  galls,  and  place  in  the  sun  for  15 
days,  keeping  the  jar  well  closed,  and  stirring  up  the  con- 
tents every  day.  After  filtering  and  throwing  out  the 
galls,  add  the  vitriol  and  gum,  previously  ground  [in  a 
mortar],  and  again  set  the  jar  in  the  sun  or  a  warm  place 
for  15  days,  stirring  occasionally.  It  is  then  ready  for 
use,  and  should  be  kept  in  a  cool  place." 

The  ms.  written  with  this  ink  "preserves  a 
marvellous  ebony  blackness  after  the  lapse  of 
two  centuries." 

I  have  never  tried  this  formula.  Vinegar  or 
acetic  acid  is  often  used  in  galls-and-iron  inks 
to  make  them  more  fluid  by  partially  dissolving 
the  ferroso-ferric-gallate,  but  I  should  think 
that  an  ink  so  strongly  acid  as  the  above  could 
only  be  used  with  quill  or  gold  pens. 

HORACE  KEPHART. 


COMBINED  RECEIPT  AND  CASH  REGISTER. 


BY  HORACE  KEPHART,  Librarian  of  St.  Louis  Mercantile  Library. 


FOR  nearly  40  years  our  library  has  de- 
pended entirely  upon  the  honesty  of  its  staff  for 
the  proper  turning-in  of  petty  receipts  at  the 
issue-desk.  I  regret  to  say,  however,  that  the 
conduct  of  one  of  our  oldest  employees  has  at 
last  compelled  us  to  adopt  more  ' '  business-like  " 
methods. 

As  soon  as  it  was  found  necessary  to  change 
our  former  custom,  I  set  at  work  to  devise  some 
way  of  registering  petty  receipts  which  would 
be  simple,  inconspicuous,  quickly  worked,  and 
difficult  to  tamper  with.  There  are  five  persons 


who  handle  money  at  the  desk,  and  it  was  not 
practicable  to  reduce  this  number. 

A  mechanical  cash-register  would  look  almost 
as  badly  in  a  library  as  in  a  church,  and  I  could 
think  of  no  good  way  out  of  the  difficulty  un- 
til a  friend  engaged  in  the  transfer  business 
showed  me  an  expedient.  The  men  who  are 
employed  to  go  through  incoming  trains  and 
check  baggage  must  work  very  rapidly,  and  it 
was  the  exigency  of  this  service  that  developed 
the  "duplicate-receipt"  system,  which  I  have 
modified  to  suit  our  needs.  It  works  admirably, 


March,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


and  I  offer  the  following  description  for  the 
benefit  of  other  librarians. 

The  cut  shows  a  pair  of  the  duplicate  receipts 
opened  out: 


deposits  the  duplicate  in  his  cash-drawer  with  the 
money.  In  the  evening  he  turns  over  his  cash 
and  receipts  to  the  actuary,  who  enters  the 
numbers  of  the  receipts  in  a  book  opposite 


JAN.      FEB.      M 

AR. 

APR. 

MAY 

JUNE 

JULY      i 

XUG.      SEP. 

OCT. 

NOV. 

DEC. 

1     |     2          3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10   1    1  1 

12 

,3 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18        19    | 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

1       27 

28 

29 

30 

31 

^m 

ST 

.  Louis  MERCANTILE  LIBRARY. 

o 

0 

RECEIPT    FOR    AMOUNT    AND 

ITEM    PUNCHED. 

CO 

FINES. 

EXTRA  BOOKS. 

DUPLICATE 
BOOKS. 

LOST 

BOOKS.' 

PERIODICALS 
SOLD. 

CATALOGUES 
SOLD. 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

AMOU'T  DOLLARS 

ONE 

TWO     THREE 

FOUR 

FIVE 

SIX       SEVEN 

EIGHT 

NINE 

TEN 

PA1D'     CENTS 

5    10 

15 

20    25 

30 

35 

40 

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55    60 

65 

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)0    95 

AMOU 
PAID 

,T    CENTS 

5    10 

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20 

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* 

FINES. 

* 

EXTRA  BOOKS. 

* 

DUPLICATE 
BOOKS. 

LOST 

* 
BOOKS. 

* 

PERIODICALS 
SOLD. 

* 

CATALOGUES 
SOLD. 

ST.  Louis  MERCANTILE  LIBRARY. 

DUPLICATE  RECEIPT  FOR  AMOUNT  AND  ITEM  PUNCHED. 

To  be  returned  to  Actuary,  with  Report. 

17 

18        19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

|    24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

I    29    1    30 

31 

1 

2           3     | 

4 

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15 

16 

JAN.       FEB.      IV 

IAR. 

APR. 

MAY 

JUNE 

JULY 

AUG. 

SEP. 

OCT. 

NOV. 

DEC. 

They  are  bound  up  in  even  hundreds,  each 
hundred  pair  forming  a  volume  5^  x  2\  x  ^ 
inches,  with  tough  flexible  covers,  opening  at 
the  end  like  a  memorandum-book. 

Each  pair  of  receipts  is  folded  at  their  junc- 
tion in  such  a  way  that  a  conductor's  punch 
will  punch  the  same  item  in  each  simultaneously. 
A  book  of  receipts  and  a  punch  are  given  to 
each  attendant  who  collects  money,  the  receipts 
being  charged  to  him  by  their  numbers.  The 
punches  are 'all  different,  of  course.  Members 
are  notified  by  placards  to  demand  receipts  for 
all  payments,  however  small. 

When  a  payment  is  made  the  attendant  tears 
a  pair  of  receipts  from  his  book  (they  are  perfor- 
ated somewhat  like  postage  stamps),  punches 
date,  item,  and  amount,  tears  the  receipts 
apart,  hands  the  tinted  one  to  the  member  and 


the  attendant's  name,  with  the  amounts  clas- 
sified as  they  are  punched,  and  preserves  the 
duplicate  receipts.  The  issue  clerks  are  not 
bothered  with  any  writing,  much  less  book- 
keeping, and  yet  our  petty  revenue  is  always 
classified. 

There  is  no  arrangement  of  mechanical 
checks  that  cannot  be  evaded,  but  the  dupli- 
cate-receipt system  cannot  be  tampered  with 
many  times  without  detection.  All  of  our  as- 
sistants are  glad  of  this  innovation,  as  it  serves 
as  proof  of  each  man's  honesty.  To  show  what 
a  leakage  there  may  be  from  a  library's  revenue 
from  petty  sources  it  is  enough  to  say  that  our 
desk  receipts  for  fines,  extras,  etc.,  never  ex- 
ceeded $87  a  month  from  January  to  November, 
1893,  while  in  December  (the  thief  was  dis- 
charged late  in  November)  they  ran  up  to  $152. 


88 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[March,  '94 


AN  ENGLISHMAN  ON  AMERICAN 
LIBRARIES. 

MR.  JAMES  D.  BROWN,  librarian  of  the  Clerk- 
enwell  (London)  Public  Library,  one  of  the 
few  English  librarians  who  attended  the  World's 
Congress  of  Librarians  in  Chicago  last  July, 
presented  to  his  commissioners  on  his  return  a 
report  on  his  visit  to  American  libraries.  This 
was  reprinted  in  the  JOURNAL  for  October,  1893, 
under  the  heading  "An  Englishman  on  American 
libraries,"  and  at  the  same  time  brief  editorial 
comment  was  made  on  the  points  chiefly  em- 
phasized in  the  report.  This  comment,  how- 
ever, seems  to  have  been  taken  more  seriously 
by  Mr.  Brown  than  its  nature  would  appear 
to  warrant.  In  a  recent  issue  of  The  Library 
he  makes  the  following  "  reply  "  to  "American 
criticism  ": 

"The  extract  from  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  for 
October,  commenting  on  my  very  moderate 
statements  regarding  American  libraries,  shows 
that  our  brethren  across  the  Atlantic  are  not  yet 
accustomed  to  anything  but  flattery  of  their  edu- 
cational institutions.  For  a  long  series  of  years 
American  libraries  and  methods  have  been  al- 
lowed to  occupy  without  question  the  foremost 
place,  while  the  statements  of  American  librarians 
touching  the  unexampled  work  accomplished  by 
them  have  been  accepted  all  over  Europe  without 
challenge.  It  was,  therefore,  I  must  confess, 
somewhat  presumptuous  for  a  mere  bird  of  pas- 
sage, like  myself,  to  say  anything  which  savored 
in  the  least  degree  of  criticism.  Hitherto  it  has 
been  the  other  way  about,  and  for  the  past 
17  years  British  and  European  libraries  gen- 
erally have  been  subjected  to  dissection,  and 
oftentimes  contemptuous  reference  by  nearly 
every  American  who  has  done  the  usual  three 
months'  trip  across  the  Atlantic.  These  experts 
visit  one  or  two  of  the  older  libraries  which  are 
consecrated  to  special,  and,  it  may  be,  somewhat 
narrow  spheres  of  work,  and  without  pausing  to 
consider  whether  these  are  typical  of  modern  li- 
brary methods,  or  even  well  adapted  to  their 
purpose,  forthwith  proceed  to  measure  the  whole 
library  system  of  the  country  by  the  standard 
selected.  Had  my  observations  been  made  in  a 
similar  happy-go-lucky  manner,  I  should  have 
compared  the  Astor  Library  at  New  York  with 
the  British  Museum  and  the  Mitchell  Library  of 
Glasgow,  ignoring  altogether  the  active  and 
splendid  libraries  of  Baltimore,  Albany,  and 
Philadelphia.  Incredible  as  it  may  appear,  the 
fact  remains,  that  the  average  American  librarian 
measures  library  work  in  Britain  by  the  standard 
attained  about  1877,  leaving  out  of  consideration 
the  splendidly  progressive  achievements  in  Lon- 
don and  all  over  the  country  during  the  past  six- 
teen years.  At  Chicago,  I  listened  with  amaze- 
ment to  a  paper  by  Mr.  C.  A.  Cutter,  modestly 
entitled  '  The  note  of  the  American  library.' 
But  it  was  not  a  mere  note,  it  was  rather  a  com- 
plete sequence,  played  fortissimo  on  the  ophi- 
cleide  with  all  the  verve  and  power  of  an  accom- 
plished performer  !  According  to  Mr.  Cutter  the 
Old  World  occupies  a  very  humble  position  in- 
deed, in  all  matters  pertaining  to  library  economy ; 
and  I  am  not  at  all  sure  if  he  did  not  hint  that 


English  librarians  in  particular  despised  any  sort 
of  mechanical  labor-saving  contrivance,  or  in 
other  words,  preferred  to  use  their  fingers  instead 
of  a  steam  dredger  to  pick  up  pins  !  The  labor- 
saving  idea  has  attained  to  the  dignity  of  a  feiich 
in  the  United  States,  and  in  some  instances  is 
actually  pursued  at  a  sacrifice  of  time  and  money. 
This,  Mr.  Cutter  and  others  seem  to  regard  as 
the  highest  point  of  perfection  to  which  librarian- 
ship  can  rise,  and  they  are  constantly  making 
complacent  allusions  to  the  American  dexterity 
in  tying  knots  on  taut  strings.  All  this  may 
seem  to  have  but  an  indirect  bearing  on  the  com- 
ments which  the  editor  of  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 
has  been  good  enough  to  make  on  my  report  to 
the  Clerkenwell  Library  Commissioners,  but  it 
is  necessary  to  make  quite  clear  the  fact  that 
Americans  will  not  readily  admit  good  qualities 
in  anything  which  is  not  thought  to  be  of  Amer- 
ican origin  ;  and  that,  in  spite  of  the  neatly 
wrapped  sarcasm,  is  the  '  Note '  of  the  editorial 
remarks. 

"  In  one  respect  the  writer  certainly  misrepre- 
sents me.  I  do  not  assert  in  my  report  that 
American  libraries  are  doing  work  inferior  to 
what  is  being  done  here.  Indeed,  I  am  unable 
to  grasp  the  idea  that  where  identical  work  is 
being  done  in  different  places,  the  question  of 
inferiority  can  be  raised  at  all.  What  I  did  say, 
and  now  repeat,  is  that  British  library  work  is 
as  good  as  that  of  America,  while  more  of  it  is 
done  at  half  the  cost.  It  is  true  we  write  and 
print  much  less  about  our  work,  and  undeniable 
that  we  do  not  possess  the  pushing  methods  be- 
loved of  most  Americans,  but  none  the  less  our 
•work  is  done.  I  trust  it  will  not  be  offensive  to 
Mr.  Cutter  and  those  who  hold  with  him  that 
British  librarianship  is  of  a  contemptible  order, 
if  I  also  add  that  our  work  is  done  in  a  thor- 
oughly democratic  and  satisfactory  manner. 
Statistics  are  generally  considered  misleading, 
especially  when  they  tell  against  you,  and  I  fear 
I  shall  reap  but  little  advantage  from  the  trouble 
I  have  taken  to  compile  a  few  figures  in  response 
to  the  American  editor's  suggestion  that  a  few 
facts  might  prove  more  edifying  than  bare  asser- 
tions. Those  who  place  unbounded  reliance  on 
library  statistics  will  naturally  put  their  own 
construction  on  the  figures  supplied,  as  will 
those  who  deny  the  power  of  such  statistics  to 
prove  anything.  As  regards  comparative  cost 
and  use :  Instead  of  saying  that  the  American 
libraries  cost  nearly  twice  as  much  to  work,  I 
should  have  said  they  cost  more  than  twice  as 
much.  Chicago  spends  over  ^10,000  per  annum 
on  salaries  alone,  while  Boston  spends  over 
j£i8,ooo  on  the  same  item.  A  similar  extrava- 
gant scale  of  expenditure  distinguishes  every 
other  head  of  outlay,  and  I  question  if  the  pro- 
tective tariff  is  alone  responsible.  There  is  such 
a  possibility  as  paying  too  much  for  a  good  thing, 
and  I  have  the  idea  that  if  the  American  people 
are  not  paying  too  much  for  the  upkeep  of  their 
libraries,  they  are  certainly  paying  more  than 
enough  for  the  use  made  of  them.  Witness —  In 
Boston,  during  the  year  1890-91  (I  have  no  later 
figures),  the  total  use  of  the  libraries  amounted 
to  1,715,860,  made  up  of  1,367,924  book  issues 
and  347,936  visits  ;  total  cost  ^33,426,  or  four- 


March,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


89 


pence  halfpenny  per  head  of  users.      In  Man- 
chester, during  1891-92,  the  total  use  amounted 
to  4,718,986,  made  up  of  1,654,568  book  issues 
and  3,064,418  visits  ;  total  cost  about  .£13.000,  or 
one  halfpenny  per  head  of  users.    Boston  use  pe: 
head  of  population  is  3.80,  Manchester  9.     Again 
Chicago  with  a  population  of  say  2,000,000,  spends 
£3 1,000  for  a  total  use  of  its  libraries  amounting  to 
2  094,094  ;  while  Birmingham  with  a  population 
of  only  429,171,  spends  £10,000  for  a  total  use 
amounting  to  over  3,000,000  per  annum.     The 
British  cities  of  Liverpool,  Manchester,  Birming 
ham,  Leeds,  Sheffield,  Edinburgh,  and  Bradforc 
are  nearest  to  the  American  ones  of  Chicago 
Boston,  San   Francisco,  Cincinnati,   Cleveland 
Detroit,  and  Milwaukee  as  regards  population 
and  the  provision  of  public  libraries  supportec 
by  the  citizens.     The  seven  British  cities  aggre- 
gate  in   round   numbers   2,600,000  inhabitants 
6,376,000    book    issues,   and    11,116,000  visits, 
making  a  total  library  use  of  17,400,000  per  an- 
num, at  a  cost  of  '.£54,000.     The  seven  Amer- 
ican cities  have  2,800000  inhabitants,  4,092,000 
book  issues,  and  3,200,000  visits,  making  a  total 
library  use  of  7,300,000  per  annum.     Chicago, 
Boston,  and  Cleveland  alone  cost  over  £74,000. 
I  have  no  figures  for  the  other  four  cities,  but 
assume   the   total  annual  cost   of    these   seven 
American  libraries  does  not  fall  far  short  ol 
£110,000. 

"  These  figures  afford  a  certain  measure  of 
proof  in  support  of  the  statements  made  in  my 
report,  and  I  may  add  that  the  very  aspect  of 
the  libraries  which  I  visited  was  enough  to  con- 
firm what  may  be  ascertained  by  any  one  who 
cares  to  compare  the  published  reports  of  British 
and  American  libraries.  I  was  told  that  the  real 
work  of  American  libraries  was  done  in  the  West, 
at  least  west  of  Chicago,  where  I  was  not  going. 
No  doubt  the  continual  busy  movement  and 
bustle  of  the  average  English  library,  which  I 
missed  in  the  East,  were  to  be  found  somewhere 
among  the  prairies  or  on  the  Pacific  coast.  It  is 
needless  pursuing  this  inquiry  further  at  present, 
or  extending  it  to  the  smaller  libraries,  because 
there  is  a  sufficient  amount  of  resemblance  be- 
tween the  large  and  small  libraries  of  a  country 
to  make  it  very  probable  the  result  would  be 
much  the  same  as  shown  above. 

"  Having  now  supplied  a  little  towards  the  edi- 
fication of  the  writer  in  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL,  I 
should  like  in  my  turn  to  request  some  proof  of 
the  claim  that  '  Americans  have  been  the  fore- 
runners in  all  library  innovations.'  We  have  had 
this  claim  dinned  into  our  ears  for  a  long  time 
now,  and  it  appears  to  me  something  in  the  way 
of  substantiation  should  be  attempted.  If  it  is 
the  case  that  the  world  at  large  is  indebted  solely 
or  largely  to  American  initiative  in  library  mat- 
ters, why  cannot  we  have  a  proper  account  of  the 
benefits  conferred,  in  order  that  the  universal 
gratitude  may  be  fittingly  expressed?  English 
librarians  certainly  owe,  and  have  already  poured 
out,  lavish  gratitude  on  the  individual  labors  of 
Messrs.  Poole,  Cutter,  and  Dewey,  but  these 
gentlemen  do  not  represent  the  peculiar  excel- 
lencies of  the  American  library  system,  whatever 
they  are,  for  which  the  whole  world  is  expected 
to  give  thanks.  In  England,  apart  from  the  gen- 


eral adoption  of  the  work  of  Dr.  Poole,  and 
a  somewhat  suspicious  philandering  with  Mr. 
Dewey's  decimal  system  of  classification,  I  am 
not  aware  of  any  special  features  in  the  admin- 
istration of  our  libraries  which  seem  to  be 
adopted  from  American  models.  We  are  prac- 
tically engaged  in  solving  the  same  problems, 
and  if  our  methods  differ,  which  they  only  do  to 
a  very  small  extent,  that  is  no  good  reason  why 
the  American  librarian  should  claim  the  whole 
credit  attaching  to  the  development  of  modern 
library  administration.  If  an  impartial  exami- 
nation were  made  into  the  origin  of  most  of  the 
so-called  American  library  methods,  it  would  be 
found  that  many  of  them  were  based  on  European 
models.  But  even  this  is  a  small  matter  com- 
pared with  the  fact  that,  in  spite  of  the  most 
elaborate  machinery,  American  libraries  with 
great  resources  cannot  reach  anything  like  the 
use  which  is  made  of  British  and  German  libra- 
ries. And  over  and  above  this,  is  it  not  the  case 
that  at  least  one-half  of  the  readers  in  American 
libraries  are  English,  Scotch,  Irish,  German,  Po- 
lish, and  Scandinavian  natives  who  are  not  even 
American  citizens?  If  this  is  so,  and  I  believe 
there  are  good  grounds  for  supposing  it  true, 
then  the  Americans  should  acknowledge  that 
most  of  their  methods  and  readers,  if  not  every- 
thing else  save  librarians  and  salaries,  originated 
in  the  poor,  played-out,  old  world. 

"  Before  closing  this  somewhat  random  note, 
I  should  like  to  record  a  few  impressions  which 
my  visit  to  the  United  States  created.     There  is 
always  more  or  less  of  anxiety  to  learn  what  Is 
being  done  in  other  countries  in  matters  of  pro- 
fessional interest,  and  the   opinions   I   formed 
during  a  three  weeks'  scamper  may  prove   in- 
structive to  those  British  librarians  who  were 
prevented  from  visiting  the  States.     Without  ex- 
ception the  whole  of  the  libraries  which  I  visited 
were  exceedingly  well  stocked  with  books,  and 
wore  an  aspect  of  comfort,  neatness,  and  general 
impressiveness  which  delighted  me  very  much. 
On  the  other  hand,  after  making  every  allow- 
ance for  the  season  of  the  year,  I  was  always 
struck  with  the  same  idea  of  the  staff  outnum- 
bering the  readers.     When  I  left  London  and 
Liverpool  the  reading-rooms  there  were  crowded 
with  all  sorts  of  readers,  while  at  Boston  and  all 
over  the  rest  of  the  area  which  I  travelled,  the 
comparatively  deserted  aspect  of  most  of  the  li- 
Draries  struck  me  with  quite  a  painful  shock. 
The  only  exceptions  to  this  I  found  at  Chicago 
and  in  the  Cooper  Union,  New  York,  in  both  of 
which  places  news-rooms  on  the  British  plan  at- 
ract  large  numbers  of  persons  for  whom  no  pro- 
vision seems  to  be  made  in  the  average  American 
ibrary.     If  any  argument  were  needed  to  prove 
hat  news-rooms  were  a  vital  part  of  a  public  li- 
>rary  system,  the  comparatively  deserted  appear- 
ance of  those  American  libraries  which  have 
hem  not  should  be  more  than  sufficient.     Not 
only  did  the  number  of  assistants  seem  very 
arge,  but  also  unnecessarily  so,  from  the  circum- 
tance  that  they  do  not  seem  to  work  on  the  plan 
•f    serving  through    every    department.      The 
barging  assistant  does  not,  as  a  rule,  get  the 
looks,  while  the  one  who  keeps  the  borrowers' 
egister  seems  to  remain  in  ignorance  of  the 


9o 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\March,  '94 


other  departments  of  work ;  so  on  with  cata- 
loging, reference  work,  etc.  In  one  library 
there  is  actually  a  clerk  whose  sole  duty  it  is  to 
look  after  the  accessions-book.  Is  this  extreme 
division  of  work  not  the  main  reason  for  the  ex- 
traordinary salary  bills  with  which  most  Amer- 
ican libraries  are  overburdened?  Miss  James 
has  already  brought  forth  the  fact  that  women 
librarians  are  in  a  majority  in  the  States,  but  I 
scarcely  think  she  laid  sufficient  stress  on  the  ad- 
ditional fact  that  they  also  did  most  of  the  work, 
although  the  men  took  most  of  the  credit.  I 
should  like  to  take  this  opportunity  of  testifying 
to  the  intelligence  and  enthusiasm  which  the 
women  bring  to  their  work  in  American  libraries. 
But  there  is  another  point  which  may  also  be 
worth  recording,  although  I  know  very  few 
Americans  will  thank  me  for  my  candor.  The 
majority  of  the  assistants  with  whom  I  came  in 
contact  appear  to  have  only  stereotyped  notions 
of  library  work,  derived  no  doubt  from  the 
method  of  central  education  on  a  uniform  plan 
which  is  one  of  the  glories  of  the  American  li- 
brarian. It  did  not  seem  to  me  that  so  much  im- 
portance should  be  attached  to  this  system  of  a 
hard-and-fast  training  in  grooves,  because  there 
is  every  danger  of  originality  being  stifled,  and 
all  future  work  becoming  purely  mechanical, 
thus  reducing  every  department  of  library  work 
to  a  dead  level  of  mediocre  uniformity.  Where- 
ever  I  went  the  same  ideas  seemed  to  be  preva- 
lent, and  only  in  a  few  instances  did  I  meet  a 
librarian  who  could  rise  above  the  notion  of  the 
finality  of  card  catalogs  in  dictionary  form,  deci- 
mal or  other  systems  of  classification,  or  the  need 
for  greater  stimulus  to  public  interest.  Indeed, 
the  last-named  point  struck  me  as  being  mainly 
regarded  as  a  fulcrum  on  which  to  raise  the 
status  of  the  librarian  with  the  ultimate  view  of 
increase  of  salaries.  There  is  a  lot  of  this  sort 
of  thing  hinging  on  the  American  claims  to  have 
elevated  librarianship  to  the  dignity  of  a  science. 
The  leading  idea  seems  to  be  :  '  Let  us  systema- 
tize our  methods,  write  and  talk  constantly 
about  them,  let  us  bulk  largely  in  the  public  eye 
and  impress  ourselves  on  the  public  mind  as  a 
vital  state  necessity,  and  the  upshot  will  be  such 
a  recognition  of  our  professional  and  personal 
merits  as  will  enable  us  to  live  like  capitalists, 
and  even  run  for  congress."  Another  point 
struck  me  very  forcibly,  and  even  without  Mr. 
Cutter's  paper,  should  have  convinced  me  that 
British  librarianship  is  judged  by  archaic  stand- 
ards. The  most  of  the  library  assistants  with 
whom  I  came  in  contact  assumed  without  ques- 
tion, and  as  a  matter  of  course,  that  I  knew  ab- 
solutely nothing  of  library  work  !  Over  and  over 
again  did  I  receive  lucid  and  lengthy  explanations 
of  the  nature  and  object  of  dictionary  catalogs, 
the  use  of  card-charging  systems,  the  extraordi- 
nary novelty  of  card  catalogs,  and  generally  of 
every  feature  of  library  work,  which,  by  reason 
of  my  own  appointment,  I  ought  to  have  known. 
I  was  delighted  with  the  various  explanations, 
and  wish  now  I  had  noted  some  of  them  for  the 
next  text-book  I  write  ;  though,  as  a  matter  of 
fact,  the  only  real  novelty  I  did  see  was  the 
ubiquitous  spittoon,  or  cuspidor,  of  whose  pres- 
ence you  are  occasionally  reminded,  by  the  pain- 


ful shock  of  meeting  one  while  crossing  a  floor  ! 
"  In  conclusion,  I  should  like  to  express  my 
great  admiration  for  the  real  work  which  is 
manifestly  being  done  by  the  rank  and  file  of 
American  librarians  all  over  the  States.  Hard 
work  and  enthusiasm  are  abundant  everywhere, 
and  could  the  over-pretentiousness  of  a  some- 
what boastful  patriotism  be  slightly  repressed, 
the  feelings  of  mere  foreigners  like  myself  would 
be  less  easily  chafed.  I  admire  the  American 
character  for  its  quaint  mixture  of  poetry  and 
utilitarianism,  especially  as  manifested  among 
the  librarians,  whose  intense  interest  for  the 
beautiful  side  of  their  work,  and  its  admirable 
pecuniary  reward  recalls  to  mind  a  pretty  little 
tale  which  exactly  illustrates  my  meaning.  An 
American  on  seeing  the  Niagara  Falls  for  the 
first  time,  broke  out  with  the  most  rapturous  ex- 
clamations :  '  What  a  magnificent  vista  !  What 
a  glorious  and  majestic  wonder  !  What  a  God's 
gift  to  Columbia  !  and  —  What  an  almighty  fine 
mill-driver  ! '  "  

LOS  ANGELES  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  TRAIN- 
ING CLASS. 

THE  final  examination  of  the  second  course  of 
the  Los  Angeles  Public  Library  Training  Class 
was  held  on  January  15  and  16.  The  class  is  in 
charge  of  Miss  Adelaide  R.  Hasse,  of  the  library 
staff,  and  it  was  composed  of  four  graduates  of 
the  first  course,  three  of  whom  had  attained  an 
average  per  cent,  exceeding  85  in  the  final  exam- 
ination of  that  course.  According  to  the  rules  of 
the  classes  these  three  were  entitled  to  receive 
$10  per  month  while  taking  the  second  course, 
serving  however,  four  hours  daily  instead  of 
three,  the  usual  number,  three  hours  being  de- 
voted to  cataloging,  and  one  hour  to  desk  duty. 
The  remaining  member  of  the  class,  not  having 
attained  the  average  entitling  her  to  this  remu- 
neration, served  the  usual  three  hours  daily, 
gratuitously,  the  entire  time  being  devoted  to 
cataloging.  The  greater  part  of  the  six  months' 
course  was  spent  by  the  class  in  practical  catalog- 
ing under  the  supervision  of  the  regular  cataloger. 
During  the  last  term,  however,  the  class  was  en- 
gaged in  the  preparation  of  a  fiction  list,  the  first 
of  a  series  of  special  lists,  the  work  upon  which 
is  to  be  done  mainly  by  the  pupils  of  the  training 
classes.  A  large  part  of  the  compilation  of  the 
fiction  list,  editing  it  for  the  printer,  etc.,  was 
done  by  the  pupils  of  the  second  course  under 
the  direction  of  the  assistant  librarian. 

The  final  examination  questions  were  as  fol- 
lows : 

1.  State  salient  points  of  difference  between 
the  Cutter,  Dewey,  Dziatzko,  and  the  L.  A.  U. 
K.  cataloging  rules. 

2.  Mention  all  the  cataloging  manuals  that  are 
modifications  of  Cutter's  rules,  and  mention  any 
points  on  which  they  differ  from  Cutter. 

3.  Define  the  author-entry.     What  are  the  ob- 
jects of  author-entry  ? 

4.  Give  your  opinion  as  to  how   author-entry 
should  differ  from  subject-entry.     Give  opinions 
of  different  authorities  and  cite  catalogs  making 
distinctions. 

5.  How  would  you  proceed  to  find  author's 


March,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


name  for  anonymous  or  pseudonymous  work  ? 
Name  and  describe  authorities  used. 

6.  How  are  entries  made  for  a  book  written 
conjointly  by  two  or  more  authors?    Also  for 
authors  of  different  works  bound  in  one  volume. 

7.  Give  arguments  for  and  against  entering 
books  under  pseudonyms. 

8.  (a)     How  would  you  enter  works  published 
under  initials? 

(V)  How  would  you  enter  the  works  of  an 
author  who  changes  his  name  or  adds  a  second 
name  or  a  title  ? 

(t)  How  would  you  enter  "Archibald  Camp- 
bell Tail,  Bishop  of  London  and  afterwards 
Archbishop  of  Canterbury  ?  " 

9.  Give  the  British  Museum  rule  for  entering 
foreign  names,  preceded  by  a  preposition  or  ar- 
ticle or  by  both  —  and  for  entering  English  sur- 
names of  foreign  origin. 

10.  How  would  you  define  an  author  in  the 
widest  sense? 

11.  Give  classed  of  persons  who  are  entered 
under  their  forenames. 

12.  Give  Cutter's  rule  regarding  entry  under 
British  noblemen.     What  is  the  rule  established 
by  usage  ? 

13.  Give  rule  for  entry  of  compound  names  — 
English  and  foreign  —  and  state  what  distinction 
you   would   make,   if  any,   between   compound 
names  that  are  hyphenated  and  those  that  are 
not  hyphenated. 

14.  Give  rules  for  entry  of  names  preceded  by 
prefix  : 

a.  French. 

b.  English. 

c.  Other  foreign  languages. 

15.  Define  the  usage  among  Latin  authors  of 
the  prenomen,  nomen,  agnomen  and  cognomen, 
and  give  examples  ? 

16.  Make  author  entry  of  the  following  : 

1.  Kept,  of  Supt.   of  L.  A.  Public  Schools, 

W.  M.  Freisne,  Supt. 

2.  Cleveland's  message  to  the  53d  Congress. 

3.  Unitarian  list  of  S.  S.  Literature. 

4.  Cleveland  Public  Library  catalog,  W.  W. 

Brett,  comp. 

17.  Where  would  you  enter  a  collection  of  ex- 
tracts from  a  periodical  ? 

18.  What  economy  may  be  made  in  entries  for 
a  work  appearing  in  a  number  of  editions;  as  a 
single  play  of  Shakespeare  ? 

19.  Do  you  consider  subject  word  entry  an  ad- 
vantage ?     Define  subject-entry. 

20.  Do  you  consider  double  subject-entry  ex- 
pedient?   What  substitute  for  double   entry   is 
sometimes  used  ?    Mention  catalogs  using  each. 

21.  Explain  two  different  methods  of  arrange- 
ment employed  in  classed  catalogs. 

22.  (a)  Define  references  aud  explain  their  use 
in  the  dictionary  catalog.     Define  cross-refer- 
ence.    Define  specific  reference. 

(b)  Explain  difference  between  "  See  "  and 
"  See  also  "  references. 

23.  («)  Define  form-entry,  giving  its  objects. 
(b)  What  form-entries  are  made  in  the  cata- 
log of  this  library  ? 

24.  (a)  Define  imprint:  what  value  do  you  at- 
tach to  it;  and  on  which  cards  do  you  consider  its 
various  items  of  the  most  importance  ? 


(b)  Cite  an  instance  of  a  full  bibliographical 
imprint,  and  state  which  imprint  facts  you 
would  eliminate  from  the  above;  ist,  for  a 
medium  entry,  and  2d  fora  short  entry. 

25.  Arrange  the  following  : 

Hale,  E.  E.,  ed.     Lights  of  two  centuries. 
"         "  Back  to  back. 

"         "  Xmas  eve  and  Xmas  day. 

"        "     ,  and  Susan.     Family  flight  around 

home. 
"        "     .  Rideing,  W.  H.  (In  his  "  Boyhood 

of  living  authors.") 
"        "     .  My  double  and  how  he  undid  me. 

(In  Modern  classics,    pp. 

i  -  20.) 
"        "     .  Haley,  G.     Life  of  Edw.  Everett 

Hale. 
"        "     ,  and  E.  E.,  jr.  Franklin  in  France. 

26.  Arrange,   capitalize,  and    punctuate    au- 
thor and  subject  cards  for  the  following  title- 
pages. 

(a)  A  race  with  the  sun  or  a  sixteen  months 
tour  from  Chicago  round  the  world  by  Carter 
H.  Harrison  with    illustrations.     New  York. 
1889.     (D). 

(b)  Hayti  or  the  black  republic  by  Spencer 
St.  John  second  edition  Lond.     1889.     (D). 

(c)  Dictionary  of  phrase  and  fable  giving  the 
derivation  and  source  of  words  having  a  tale 
to  tell  by  Rev.  E.  C.  Brewer  twentieth  edition 
revised  and  corrected  to  which  is  added  a  con- 
cise bibliography  of  English  literature.    Lon- 
don.    (O). 

27.  Describe  the  Peabody  Institute  catalog. 

28.  Mention  and  give  chief  points  of  value  of 
a  good  subject  catalog. 

29.  What  are   the  principal  library  bulletins 
making  a  specialty  of  bibliographies  ? 

30.  What  bibliographical  dictionaries  do  you 
consider  most  useful  in  cataloging?    Mention  a 
French  and  a  German  biographical  dictionary. 

31.  Describe  the  A.  L.  A.  Index  to  general  liter- 
ature.    What   criticism  has  been   passed  upon 
it? 

32.  (a)  What  importance     is  attached   to   au- 
thor's name  in  a  fiction  catalog  ?    Cite  a  recent 
high  authority  opposing  such  entry  ? 

(3)  Describe  three  useful  yet  essentially  dif- 
ferent fiction  lists  ? 

33-45.  Catalog  the  following  books  according 
to  dictionary  cataloging  rules  : 

Palmer,  The  Qur'an. 

Lane-Poole,  Studies  in  the  mosque. 

Rhys,  Studies  in  the  Arthurian  legend. 

Lanier,  Knightly  legends  of  Wales. 

Lanier,  Boy's  King  Arthur. 

Schrader  and  Jevons,  Prehistoric  antiquities 
of  the  Aryan  peoples. 

Morris,  The  Aryan  race. 

Kufferath,  The  Parsifal  of  Wagner. 

Haigh,  The  Attic  theatre. 

Donaldson,  The  theatre  of  the  Greeks. 

Hickie,  Aristophanes. 

All  four  candidates  succeeded  in  obtaining  the 
required  number  of  credits,  their  averages  rang- 
ing :  Helen  A.  Nevin,  87;  Blanche  A.  Putnam, 
77;  Mary  Johnson,  75  ;  Gertrude  Darlow,  74. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[March,  '94 


The  directors  of  the  Public  Library,  at  Red- 
lands,  Cal.,  at  once  secured  the  services  of  Miss 
Nevin  to  arrange,  classify,  and  prepare  all  the 
records  of  the  library  in  readiness  for  its  formal 
opening  to  the  public  in  March. 

The  board  of  trustees  say,  "  So  far  from  the 
class  being  a  burden  upon  the  resources  of  the 
library,  it  has  been  of  material  assistance,  and 
has  more  than  repaid  the  nominal  outlay  in- 
curred in  its  maintenance." 


American  Cibrars  Association. 


WILLIAM  FREDERICK  POOLE. 

IN  MEMORIAM, 
Action  of  the  Executive  Board,  unanimously  adopted. 

WHILE  looking  to  the  general  meeting  of  the 
Association  for  action  that  will  worthily  do 
honor  to  the  memory  of  so  distinguished  an  as- 
sociate as  the  late  librarian  of  the  Newberry 
Library,  William  Frederick  Poole,  LL.D.,  the 
executive  board  of  the  American  Library  Associa- 
tion desires  to  record,  in  these  earlier  moments 
of  sorrow,  the  grievous  sense  of  great  loss  which 
his  sudden  death  has  caused  among  his  friends 
and  associates  in  the  library  world. 

Long  honored  as  the  Nestor  of  his  profession, 
and  eminent,  from  the  very  beginning  of  his 
service  in  it,  among  those  who  were  earliest  in 
discovering  and  ablest  in  improving  its  op- 
portunities for  useful  and  noble  work,  Doctor 
Poole  has  held  a  place  in  which  no  one  succeeds 
him. 

As  the  originator  and  editor  of  the  famous  In- 
dex to  Periodical  Literature,  which  uncovers  and 
brings  to  knowledge  and  to  use  a  vast  treasure 
of  writings  that  were  buried  and  lost ;  as  the 
organizer  of  the  great  public  libraries  of  Cincin- 
nati and  Chicago,  and  of  the  splendid  institution 
on  which  his  last  labors  were  spent;  as  a  student 
of  American  history  from  its  original  sources  and 
a  writer  of  rare  clearness  and  force  —  he  leaves 
imperishable  monuments  to  perpetuate  his  name. 
While  the  death  of  Doctor  Poole  is  a  loss  to  be 
felt  deeply  by  all  who  care  for  letters  and  learn- 
ing, and  for  the  greater  agencies  which  foster 
both,  yet  it  touches  most  painfully  the  men  and 
women  who  knew  him  as  followers  and  fel- 
lows in  his  work  —  who  took  lessons  from  his 
experience  and  were  inspired  by  his  zeal.  Their 
meetings  will  be  sadly  strange  without  his  fa- 
miliar voice,  without  his  stimulating  energy  in 
the  discussions,  without  the  humor  which  en- 
livened all  his  talk.  It  is  from  the  consciousness 
of  their  own  loss  that  they  draw  the  profound 
sympathy  which  they  offer  to  Mrs.  Poole  and  to 
her  family  in  the  great  bereavement  that  has 
fallen  on  them. 

J.  N.  LARNED,  president. 

MKLVIL  DEWEY,  ex-president. 

F:  H.  HILD,  )       . 

H:  M.  UTLEY.  >•    ™ce~ 

CAROLINE  M.  HEWINS,  )  frt 

FRANK  P.  HILL,  secretary. 

G:  WATSON  COLE,  treasurer. 


Nero  Dork  State  Cibrarfi  School. 


A  "VAN  BIBBER  ENTERTAINMENT." 

THE  catalog  of  the  A.  L.  A.  library  is  an  ac- 
complished fact.  The  Library  School  celebrated 
the  event  on  Saturday  evening,  February  17, 
at  the  home  of  Miss  Cutler  in  Albany  by  a  Van 
Bibber  entertainment.  Two  of  Richard  Hard- 
ing Davis'  delightful  stories,  "  Her  first  ap- 
pearance" and  "An  anonymous  letter,"  were 
dramatized  most  successfully.  These  were 
followed  by  a  tableau  from  "  Gallagher."  All 
friends  of  Van  Bibber  would  have  been  delighted 
by  the  happy  production  of  his  unique  and 
charming  personality.  The  difficult  part  of  Car- 
ruthers  was  taken  with  genuine  feeling,  and  the 
three-year-old  heroine  filled  her  role  perfectly. 
In  the  second  piece  the  four  friends  of  Van  Bib- 
ber were  admirably  chosen,  and  the  ever-present 
Travers  added  spirit  to  an  exceedingly  clever 
performance.  The  success  of  the  entertainment 
was  largely  due  to  the  committee  in  charge  : 
Misses  Myrtilla  Avery,  Henrietta  Church,  and 
Margaret  D.  McGuffey,  and  Mr.  J.  Le  R.  Harri- 
son. 

Miss  Louisa  S.  Cutler,  librarian  of  the  Utica 
Public  Library,  came  on  for  the  .occasion. 
Regrets  and  letters  of  congratulations  were 
received  from  J.  N.  Lamed,  F.  P.  Hill,  C:C. 
Soule,  R.  R.  Bowker,  C..  M.  Hewins,  and  other 
prominent  members  of  the  A.  L.  A.,  who  took 
part  in  the  work.  Miss  James  sent  flowers  and 
Mr.  Nelson  verses.  Handsomely  bound  copies 
of  the  catalog  were  presented  to  Miss  L.  S. 
Cutler,  Mr.  W.  S.  Burns,  and  Miss  Henrietta 
Church,  in  token  of  their  faithful  services  on  the 
catalog. 


State  Cibrarg  Associations. 


MASSACHUSETTS  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

A  MEETING  of  the  Massachusetts  Library  Club 
was  held  on  the  evening  of  Jan.  24,  1894,  at  the 
Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology,  Boston, 
President  Jones,  of  Salem,  presiding.  An 
amendment  to  the  constitution,  authorizing  the 
executive  committee  to  change  the  date  of  the 
annual  meeting  on  occasion  was  adopted,  and 
the  printing  of  the  revised  constitution  with  a 
list  of  members  and  other  related  matter  was 
approved.  The  president  having  suggested 
that  a  permanent  exhibition  of  library  appliances 
might  be  made  a  usual  part  of  the  educational 
museum,  which  the  legislature  would  shortly  be 
asked  to  establish  on  the  basis  of  the  state  edu- 
cational exhibit  at  the  World's  Fair,  the  matter 
was  referred  to  the  executive  committee,  with 
power  to  act. 

The  president  then  introduced  Mr.  S.  A.  B. 
Abbott,  president  of  the  trustees  of  the  Boston 
Public  Library,  who  gave  an  interesting  account 
of  the  administrative  methods  to  be  adopted  in 
the  new  library  building,  outlining  several  pro- 
posed plans,  which  involved  radical  departure 
from  accepted  methods  of  library  practice. 

While  it  was  true  that  the  building  represented 


March,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


93 


the  library  science  of  10  or  12  years  ago  rather 
than  that  of  to-day,  since  the  acceptance  of 
the  plan  fixed  irrevocably  most  of  the  details 
of  administration,  Mr.  Abbott  stated  that  the 
trustees,  among  whom  were  men  whose  acquaint- 
ance with  library  affairs  equalled  that  of  any 
person  in  the  country,  had  sought  advice  from 
every  quarter,  and  examined  over  a  thousand 
plans.  Some  matters,  such  as  the  question  of 
light,  were  virtually  settled,  when  the  situation 
of  the  building  was  determined.  Thoroughly 
proof  against  fire  from  within,  the  building  was 
exposed  to  the  greater  danger  of  fire  from  with- 
out on  three  sides.  Therefore,  while  abundant 
light  was  secured  for  the  reading-room,  it  was 
found  impossible  to  depend  on  natural  light  for 
the  stacks.  Entire  dependence  upon  electric 
light  was  more  willingly  adopted  because  it  was 
hoped  to  lengthen  the  evening  service  materially, 
and  because,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  in  a  steam- 
heated  building  there  is  always  extra  power 
sufficient  to  light  the  building. 

Another  problem  was  solved  when  it  was  de- 
cided to  substitute  machinery  for  the  old  fashion 
of  boys'  legs  in  bringing  the  books  to  the  readers, 
since  the  stacks  could  then  be  placed  without  re- 
gard to  distance  from  the  reading-room.  The 
building  is  in  the  form  of  a  hollow  square,  thus 
securing  the  greatest  amount  of  light.  Since  the 
public  erects  it,  the  public  should  have  the  use  of 
it,  therefore  a  very  small  portion  is  reserved  for 
the  officials,  though  every  one  has  ample  accom- 
modation. The  reading-room  occupies  the  entire 
front  of  the  second  story.  In  an  alcove  at  one 
end  is  the  catalog,  which  will  not  be  open  to  the 
public,  but  enclosed  and  served  by  attendants 
from  whom  readers  will  receive  either  shelf- 
marks  of  particular  books  or  the  tray  containing 
titles  which  it  is  desired  to  consult.  The  trustees 
believe  this  to  be  the  only  way  in  which  a  great 
library  can  serve  its  readers  without  permitting 
individuals  to  monopolize  too  many  cards.  The 
catalog  will  be  arranged  6n  a  system  devised  in 
Italy  ;  the  present  cards  will  be  connected  by  a 
linen  hinge  with  anchor-pieces  of  tough  paper, 
and  these  locked  firmly  in  the  lower  part  of  the 
tray,  so  that  the  cards  can  be  manipulated  like 
the  leaves  of  a  book,  without  danger  of  loss  or 
misplacement,  while  additions  can  be  readily  in- 
serted. 

Connected  with  the  catalog-room  is  the  de- 
livery-room ;  it  is  thus  separated  from  the  read- 
ing-room, and,  with  the  adjacent  delivery  office, 
forms  the  heart  of  the  establishment.  It  cor- 
responds to  the  "central"  of  a  telephone  system. 
Orders  for  books  will  be  transmitted  almost 
instantaneously  by  pneumatic  tubes  to  stations 
in  the  stacks,  and  books  conveyed  to  and  fro  by 
a  cash  railway,  carrying  baskets  of  25  pounds' 
capacity.  An  indicator  showing  what  books  are 
out  will  stand  by  the  delivery-desk,  and  any 
book  not  represented  on  the  indicator  must  be 
found.  The  librarian  and  staff  will  call  for  books 
which  they  wish  to  consult  in  the  same  manner 
as  the  public. 

On  the  Bates  Hall  floor  are  separate  rooms 
for  patent  specifications  and  for  the  newspaper 
collection. 

The  third  floor  is  largely  devoted  to  the  needs 


of  readers  who  wish  to  make  special  research. 
A  number  of  rooms  will  contain,  in  their  alcoves, 
special  libraries  selected  from  the  main  stacks. 
Readers,  owing  to  their  habit  of  "replacing" 
books  on  the  wrong  shelves,  will  not  be  admitted 
to  these  alcoves,  but  will  receive  their  books 
from  assistants.  Books  not  shelved  here  can  be 
obtained  by  means  of  the  book  railway,  since 
these  rooms  are  connected  with  the  delivery- 
room  (and  with  one  another)  by  telephones.  A 
novel  and  ingenious  device  permits  any  instru- 
ment on  the  circuit  to  be  called  up  by  any  other 
without  the  use  of  a  central  station. 

While  speaking  of  hours  of  closing  Mr.  Abbott 
expressed  his  conviction  that  the  time  would 
come  when  the  library  would  be  open  and  availa- 
ble for  readers  every  hour  of  the  day  and  night 
the  year  round. 

The  new  building  will  be  occupied  in  the  com- 
ing summer. 

A  question  having  been  handed  in,  asking 
whether  it  was  possible  to  state  the  distinction 
between  newspapers,  magazines,  periodicals,  se- 
rials, etc.,  the  president  requested  Mr.  W.  E. 
Foster,  of  the  Providence  Public  Library,  to  say 
a  few  words  in  regard  to  it.  Mr.  Foster  briefly 
examined  the  basis  afforded  for  any  such  dis- 
tinction, in  the  etymology  of  the  words  them- 
selves ;  in  the  greater  or  less  frequency  of  the 
periods  of  publication  ;  in  the  condition  of  the 
publication,  whether  folded  or  stitched,  supplied 
with  stiff  cover,  paper  cover,  or  no  cover  at  all ; 
in  the  size  ;  and  in  various  other  particulars. 
All  of  these  distinctions  were  found  to  be  more 
or  less  artificial,  and  of  slight  practical  value. 
Several  printed  "lists  of  periodicals,  serials, 
etc.,"  were  exhibited,  in  none  of  which  was  the 
distinction  observed  (though  the  period  of  publi- 
cation, whether  annual,  quarterly,  monthly, 
weekly,  daily,  or  other,  was  usually  stated  within 
parentheses).  Even  in  the  case  of  lists  classified 
by  subjects,  the  entries  under  any  given  topic 
might  include  every  variety  of  period,  condition, 
size,  etc.  The  only  practical  bearing  of  any  of 
these  bases  of  distinction  was  found  in  the  con- 
sideration of  convenience  of  arrangement  of  the 
publications  themselves,  it  being  usually  con- 
sidered desirable  to  place  the  "  newspapers"  so- 
called,  in  a  separate  "  newspaper-room,"  equipped 
with  fittings  directly  adapted  to  their  size,  condi- 
tion, use,  etc. 

W:  H.  TILLINGHAST,  Secretary. 

CONNECTICUT  LIBRARY  ASSOCIA  TION. 

THE  third  annual  meeting  of  the  Connecticut 
Library  Association  was  held  in  the  New  Haven 
Public  Library  on  Feb.  22.  The  meeting  was 
called  to  order  at  10:30  a.m.  by  the  Rev.  S:  Hart, 
the  president,  who  introduced  Mr.  Maxcy  Hiller, 
of  the  New  Haven  board  of  trustees.  Mr.  Hiller 
made  a  brief  address  of  welcome,  and  was 
followed  by  Dr.  Hart,  who  said  that,  although 
there  seemed  little  to  report  at  any  one  meeting, 
at  the  end  of  the  year,  in  which  three  have  been 
held,  marked  progress  and  advance  could  be 
seen;  he  then  outlined  the  work  before  the  state 
commission.  In  Massachusetts  only  44  out  of 
342  towns,  and  only  2|  per  cent,  of  the  popula- 
tion, were  without  free  libraries,  and  within 


94 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[March,  '94 


a  year  $500,000  had  been  given  toward  es- 
tablishing new  ones  or  endowing  those  already 
in  existence.  This  showed  what  might  be  ex- 
pected from  the  Connecticut  Public  Library  com- 
mittee. President  Hart  urged  the  formation  of 
collections  bearing  on  town  history  and  local 
topics,  and  suggested  the  consideration  of  local 
museums  in  connection  with  libraries. 

The  reports  of  the  secretary  and  treasurer 
were  read,  the  latter  showing  a  balance  of  $31.01 
on  hand,  and  a  discussion  on  librarians'  vaca- 
tions was  opened  by  a  paper  by  Frank  B.  Gay, 
of  the  Watkinson  Library.  He  said  that  the 
motto  of  Harriet  Martineau's  priggish  childhood, 
"  duty  first,  play  afterwards,"  is  forced  upon 
us  in  youth,  but  the  duty  of  play  is  urged  upon 
us  on  all  sides  in  after-life,  although  with  the  in- 
crease of  library  hours  and  holiday  and  Sunday 
opening,  we  are  unable  to  fulfil  this  duty.  A 
librarian's  work  is  continuous  and  does  not  stop 
like  a  teacher's.  It  is  urged  that  all  classes  of 
workers  must  have  time  for  recreation  and  self- 
improvement,  and  the  twentieth  century  may 
find  libraries  open  24  hours  a  day  to  aid  them 
in  this  improvement.  With  the  increasing  de- 
mands on  a  librarian's  brain  and  nerves,  two 
weeks  are  not  enough  for  a  vacation,  and  an 
extra  one  or  two  should  be  given  in  spring  or 
fall.  Vacations  should  not  be  spent  in  visiting 
other  libraries,  but  extra  time  should  be  allowed 
for  this. 

In  the  discussion  which  followed,  Mr.  Bassett, 
of  Waterbury,  Mr.  Stetson,  of  New  Haven,  Mrs. 
Hills,  of  Bridgeport,  and  others  gave  facts  re- 
lating to  their  own  hours  and  those  of  their  as- 
sistants, vacations  varying  from  no  time  at  all  to 
the  nominal  three  months  of  college  libraries. 

Judge  Fenn,  of  Winsted,  read  a  brilliant  and 
eloquent  paper  on  "  Books  and  reading,"  urging 
readers  to  know  as  much  as  possible  about  one 
thing,  and  something  about  many  things.  Mr. 
Stetson,  of  the  New  Haven  Public  Library,  ex- 
plained the  comparative  advantages  of  the  Ru- 
dolph Indexer  and  the  new  Library  Bureau  cards, 
and  the  meeting  took  a  recess  until  2  o'clock. 

In  the  afternoon  the  following  officers  were 
elected  :  President,  S:  Hart  of  Trinity  College  ; 
vice-presidents,  Addison  Van  Name  of  Yale, 
W:  J.  James  of  Wesleyan,  Miss  Kate  Dewey 
of  North  Granby,  C.  S.  Wooding  of  Bristol, 
and  Miss  C.  Belle  Maltbie  of  Falls  Village; 
secretary,  Miss  Louise  M.  Carrington  of  Win- 
sted; assistant  secretary,  Miss  Nellie  E.  Chaffee 
of  Modus;  treasurer,  W.  J.  Hills  of  Bridgeport. 

The  subject  of  using  paper-covered  novels  in 
libraries  was  discussed,  and  an  informal  report 
made  by  the  Connecticut  Public  Library  com- 
mittee. 

So  far  three  meetings  have  been  held,  and 
many  letters  of  inquiry  received  from  towns  in 
reply  to  a  circular  sent  out  in  September.  The 
towns  are  divided  into  three  classes:  first,  those 
ready  to  establish  libraries;  second,  those  which 
have  existing  libraries  which  they  do  not  wish  to 
make  free;  and  third,  those  which,  on  account 
of  hard  times  or  local  causes,  are  not  ready  to 
meet  the  offer  of  the  state.  The  two  obstacles 
oftenest  urged  are  the  jealousy  of  rival  villages 
in  the  same  town  and  the  unwillingness  of  libra- 
ry associations  to  give  themselves  up  to  town 


control.  The  first  has  been  successfully  over- 
come in  many  places  in  Massachusetts,  and 
Wethersfield  has  devised  a  plan  for  depositing 
the  books  of  an  association  in  a  public  library. 

The  committee  voted  to  ask  for  copies  of  the 
constitution  and  by-laws  of  the  Wethersfield 
library  and  send  them  to  towns  asking  for  in- 
formation, and  to  authorize  the  purchase  of  $200 
worth  of  books  each  for  the  towns  of  Seymour 
and  Wethersfield,  which  have  complied  with 
the  new  law. 

The  meeting  adjourned  at  4  o'clock,  after 
votes  of  thanks  to  Judge  Fenn  and  the  New 
Haven  Library. 

PENNSYLVANIA   LIBRARY  CLUB. 

THE  regular  meeting  of  the  Pennsylvania  Li- 
brary Club  was  held  on  the  evening  of  Feb.  12, 
at  the  Friends'  Library,  Philadelphia,  Mr.  John 
Thomson  was  in  the  chair,  and  23  members  were 
present. 

After  reading  an  approval  of  the  minutes  of 
the  previous  meeting,  the  nominating  committee 
reported  the  following  officers  elected  for  the  com- 
ing year:  President,  T:  L.  Montgomery,  of 
Wagner  Free  Institute  ;  vice-presidents,  Ja.  C. 
Barnwell,  of  the  Library  Company  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  Miss  Hannah  P.  James,  of  Oster- 
hout  Library,  Wilkesbarre  ;  secretary,  Alfred 
Rigling,  of  Franklin  Institute  ;  treasurer,  Miss 
Caroline  M.  Underbill,  of  the  Apprentices'  Li- 
brary, Philadelphia. 

Mr.  H:  J.  Carr,  of  Scranton,  Pa.,  addressed 
the  club  on  "Some  methods  of  selecting  library 
assistants."  The  ideal  method,  in  Mr.  Carr's 
opinion,  was  that  the  librarian  should  have  the 
appointment  of  all  assistants  down  to  the  janitor, 
subject  to  the  approval  of  the  board  of  trustees, 
and  that  dismissals  should  issue  from  the  trustees 
on  the  recommendation  of  the  librarian.  He 
spoke  of  the  methods  adopted  in  various  libraries 
and  exhibited  a  number  of  forms  used  in  exami- 
nations. Practical  experience  proved  that,  in 
average  libraries,  the  preliminary  application- 
form  may,  by  the  character  of  its  questions,  be 
used  to  reduce  the  number  of  unfit  applicants  and 
also  to  prevent  a  large  number  from  being 
called  together  for  the  purpose  of  going  through 
an  examination  when  only  one  or  two  vacancies 
exist.  To  prevent  the  forcing  of  unfit  persons, 
in  the  capacity  of  assistants,  upon  a  library, 
through  political  influence  or  other  improper 
methods,  Mr.  Carr  thought  it  was  necessary  to 
have  examinations. 

A  general  discussion  followed  the  address,  in 
which  the  subject  of  desk  assistants  received 
considerable  attention.  The  consensus  of  opinion 
indicated  that  they  should  be  well-trained,  and 
this  was  considered  of  greater  importance  in 
libraries  where  access  to  shelves  is  not  allowed. 

The  meeting  adjourned  to  meet  March  12. 
ALFRED  RIGLING,  Secretary. 

MINNESOTA  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION. 

THE  Minnesota  Library  Association  held  its 
third  annual  meeting  December  27,  1893,  in  the 
Minneapolis  Public  Library.  There  was  a  good- 
ly representation  from  the  city  libraries,  though 
none  from  the  smaller  town  libraries,  which 
|  would  probably  receive  most  benefit. 


March,  '94] 


THE  LIBRAR  Y  JO  URNAL 


95 


No  program  had  been  prepared,  but  a  very 
profitable  conversation  was  carried  on  concern- 
ing the  various  devices  displayed  for  librarians 
at  the  World's  Fair.  The  Rudolph  Indexer  did 
not  have  the  undivided  approval  of  the  associa- 
tion, though  its  good  points  were  conceded. 
The  plan  of  printed  catalog  cards  as  developed 
by  the  Library  Bureau  was  praised,  and  the  gen- 
eral opinion  was  that  the  undertaking  should  be 
supported. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted  : 

Resolved:  That  the  Minnesota  Association  of  Libra- 
rians regard  the  printing  bill  as  likely  to  produce  an  ex- 
cellent result  in  the  distribution  of  public  documents, 
and  urgently  request  the  Minnesota  senators  to  use  their 
influence  in  its  behalf. 

Adjourned  on  motion. 

GRATIA  COUNTRYMAN,  Secretary. 

SOUTHERN  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

A  MEETING  of  the  Southern  California  Library 
Club  was  held  in  the  Los  Angeles  Public  Libra- 
ry, Thursday  evening,  Jan.  12,  1894.  "Where 
to  draw  the  line  in  realism  "  was  the  subject  set 
for  discussion,  and  there  was  an  unusually  large 
and  responsive  gathering. 

Dr.  Dorothea  Lummis  was  the  first  speaker. 
She  read  a  paper  demonstrating  that  fiction 
knows  no  sky  nor  line,  and  that  it  cannot  be 
classified  by  any  narrow  bounds.  She  considered 
that  good  fiction  like  good  poetry  is  a  thing  of 
the  "  soul,"  and  that  whatever  his  walk  in  life 
may  be  the  writer  of  good  fiction  is  a  true  artist. 
Being  an  artist  he  must  follow  the  dictates  of  his 
own  inner  life,  uncontrolled  by  outward  power. 
She  held  that  "no  great  book  or  picture  was 
ever  obscene,"  and  referring  to  the  self-termed 
"veritists"  school,  questioned  their  right  to 
this  term,  and  suggested  that  "detailist"  would 
express  their  characteristics  as  well.  She  thought 
that  the  word  "  realist "  had  been  used  for  so 
many  things  that  it  had  lost  its  right  to  a  definite 
significance.  She  also  believed  that  a  taste  for 
good  literature  could  be  cultivated,  and  that  all 
can  acquire  the  power  to  read  any  standard  lit- 
erature, and  while  reading  sift  out  the  evil  and 
retain  the  good. 

Dr.  Francis  Haynes  had  prepared  a  concise 
and  forcible  paper,  which  in  his  absence  was 
read  by  Miss  Adelaide  R.  Hasse.  It  held  that 
the  tendency  of  modern  fiction  was  toward  truth, 
and  that  first  of  all  the  novelist  must  be  truthful 
and  decent. 

Mrs.  Frick,  Miss  Brousseau,  and  others,  gave 
their  views  on  how  "standard  literature,"  such 
as  Fielding,  Smollett,  and  other  old  English  and 
some  French  literature  should  be  presented. 
Colonel  Eastman  reviewed  some  recent  Ameri- 
can fiction,  and  expressed  the  opinion  that  every 
one  should  have  unlimited  scope  in  the  choice  of 
reading.  Rev.  Father  Dockery  urged  that  what 
was  food  to  one  mind  was  poison  to  another, 
and  said  that  reading  must  remain  a  question  of 
individual  propriety. 

The  club  then  adjourned  ;  the  topic  chosen  for 
the  next  meeting  was  "  Realism  in  modern  fic- 
tion." MARY  S.  MURPHY,  Secretary, 


NEW  YORK  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

THE  regular  February  meeting  of  the  New 
York  Library  Club  was  held  at  Columbia  Col- 
lege on  Thursday,  February  8,  at  3  p.m.,  about 
30  members  being  present.  Owing  to  some  pre- 
vious engagement  the  New  York  State  Library 
Association  was  not  able  to  meet  with  the  club 
at  this  time,  but  it  is  hoped  that  a  joint  meeting 
may  be  held  later  in  the  year. 

President  Cole  introduced  the  topic  for  dis- 
cussion — ' '  Library  statistics  "  —  remarking  that 
it  seemed  especially  necessary  to  have  statistics 
on  account  of  their  usefulness  in  comparing  li- 
braries, and  for  that  reason  a  more  uniform  sys- 
tem of  keeping  them  among  libraries  was  highly 
desirable. 

Miss  Coe  spoke  of  the  new  volume  on  libraries 
recently  published  by  the  government,  and  said 
that  in  many  cases  it  was  rendered  practically 
useless  by  this  lack  of  uniformity.  For  exam- 
ple, many  libraries  reckon  different  departments 
as  separate  collections,  and  it  was  hard  to  tell 
just  how  many  volumes  were  in  their  library; 
some  kept  home  and  hall  use  of  books  separate, 
and  some  together,  etc. 

Mr.  Baker  said  that  the  difficulty  in  making 
out  a  report  of  the  number  of  volumes  in  a  li- 
brary was  to  know  where  to  draw  the  line.  In 
Columbia  they  were  governed  by  the  accession- 
book,  only  such  volumes  as  are  entered  there 
being  included  in  the  report.  In  the  matter  of 
use  it  was  more  difficult  to  decide.  They  kept 
few  statistics;  at  one  time  they  tried  to  keep  an 
account  of  the  readers,  but  as  no  one  was  especial- 
ly employed  for  that  purpose  it  was  very  inaccu- 
rate, and  finally  abandoned;  and  as  the  readers 
are  free  to  go  the  shelves,  it  is  impossible  to 
keep  any  record  of  the  books  used  in  the  build- 
ing ;  accurate  statistics  of  books  loaned  are  kept; 
pamphlets  are  not  counted  at  all ;  not  one  li- 
brary out  of  a  hundred  can  make  an  accurate 
report  of  them,  and  the  result  is  not  valuable 
enough  to  justify  the  use  of  the  time.  The  num- 
ber of  volumes  in  the  library  is  known  p*retty 
accurately,  and  the  accession-book  keeps  this 
record.  There  are  two  casualties  here,  a  book 
may  be  a  duplicate,  or  it  may  be  lost  or  stolen. 
To  guard  against  the  inaccuracy  arising  from 
this  there  is  kept  another  book  like  the  accession- 
book,  but  without  numbers.  If  a  book  is  con- 
demned or  lost,  that  fact  is  entered  in  the  ac- 
cession-book. Then  the  accession  number  is 
written  in  the  blank-book,  and  another  book  is 
entered  upon  it.  In  this  way  the  last  number  in 
the  accession-book  tells  the  actual  number  of 
volumes  in  the  library. 

Mr.  Poole  said  that  in  his  library  full  statistics 
were  kept.  In  the  reference  library  a  slip  is  re- 
quired for  each  book  wanted;  by  this  means 
account  is  kept  of  the  books  used,  and  by  de- 
ducting 12  %  the  number  of  applicants  is  obtained. 
They  also  employ  some  one  to  count  the  people 
who  use  the  library.  The  use  of  books  is  mi- 
nutely reported,  also  the  number  of  books  and 
pamphlets.  Mr.  Baker's  plan  of  making  the 
accession-book  a  record  of  the  volumes  in  the  li- 


96 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\March,  '94 


brary  is  followed,  but  In  a  slightly  different  form. 
If  a  book  is  lost  or  withdrawn  its  accession 
number  is  entered  in  a  blank-book,  and  in  order 
to  get  the  number  of  volumes  in  the  library 
these  vacant  numbers  are  summed  up,  and  sub- 
tracted from  the  last  number  in  the  accession- 
book. 

Miss  Coe  suggested  here  that  the  discussion 
might  be  more  profitable  if  reference  libraries  and 
the  reference  department  in  public  libraries  were 
considered  separate  from  the  circulating  depart- 
ment, and  it  was  decided  to  carry  on  the  discussion 
in  that  way.  She  said  that  in  her  library  a  book- 
card  is  put  in  each  reference-book,  and  in  that  way 
statistics  are  easily  kept.  Each  reader  is  required 
to  have  a  card  also.  When  a  new  one  comes 
in  he  writes  his  name  and  address  in  a  book  and 
is  given  a  card.  He  returns  it  when  he  goes  out 
and  it  is  arranged  in  its  alphabetical  place  in  a 
tray  ready  to  be  taken  out,  stamped,  and  handed 
to  the  reader  whenever  he  comes  back.  No 
record  of  the  magazines  is  kept. 

Miss  Rathbone,  of  the  Pratt  Institute  Library, 
said  that  their  reference-books  are  free  for  the 
public  to  help  themselves,  but  a  record  is  kept  of 
the  books  brought  out  from  the  circulating  de- 
partment to  be  used  in  the  reference-room,  and 
of  the  attendance. 

In  the  Brooklyn  Library  (Mr.  Bardwell)  no 
record  of  the  use  is  kept;  the  books  used  in  the 
reference  department  are  occasionally  counted, 
and  it  is  found  that  more  books  are  used  there 
than  in  the  circulating,  but  no  regular  record  is 
made. 

Mr.  Cole  found  it  difficult  to  keep  account  of 
the  books  used  in  the  reference  department  be- 
cause so  many  of  them  are  free  for  the  people  to 
help  themselves,  but  his  practice  was  to  encour- 
age the  leaving  them  on  the  tables  and  make  an 
approximate  record  from  the  ones  so  left.  In  the 
Jersey  City  Library  every  one  who  goes  into  the 
reference-room  has  a  ticket  good  for  the  day,  and 
the  number  of  people  are  counted  from  these 
tickets.  In  the  reading-room  the  public  have 
free  access  to  the  periodicals,  so  no  record  can  be 
made  of  their  use,  but  the  people  are  counted 
every  hour. 

Mr.  Nelson  said  that  In  the  New  Orleans  Li- 
brary an  officer  was  stationed  at  the  door  to 
count  the  number  of  readers  who  came  in,  and 
a  record  of  the  books  used  in  the  reference  de- 
partment was  kept,  though  it  was  impossible  to 
tell  how  many  used  encyclopaedias. 

At  the  Brooklyn  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Mr.  Berry  said 
that  1500  volumes  were  accessible  to  readers,  and 
this  collection  was  called  the  reference  library; 
readers  can  also  send  for  any  book  in  the  circulat- 
ing department,  and  a  record  is  kept  of  this  use  but 
not  of  the  other.  Just  at  present  this  library  is 
overrun  with  unemployed,  and  it  may  have  to  try 
Miss  Coe's  method.  The  people  are  counted 
several  times  a  year  and  an  estimate  made  from 
this.  Mr.  Berry  told  of  a  small  western  li- 
brary which  he  had  visited,  where  a  box  was 
placed  at  the  door  with  a  supply  of  peas,  and 
every  one  was  requested  to  drop  in  a  pea  as  he 
left  the  room;  this  was  their  way  of  keeping 
statistics. 

Miss  Tuttle  said  that  at  the  Long  Island  His- 


torical Society  Library  no  statistics  were  kept,  as 
it  is  a  subscription  library  and  the  patrons  will 
not  submit  to  red  tape.  The  people  who  come  in 
are  counted,  but  that  is  all. 

Miss  Coe  then  introduced  the  discussion  in  re- 
spect to  circulating  libraries,  but  first  said  that 
she  thought  the  club  would  be  interested  to 
know  that  60,000  volumes  were  circulated  in 
her  libraries  last  month,  an  increase  of  15,000 
over  last  year's  record.  She  found  that  the  use 
of  the  book-card  made  the  keeping  of  statistics 
very  simple.  They  had  different  colored  cards 
for  the  different  classes,  and  during  the  day  these 
were  kept  separate  by  the  colors  and  counted  at 
night ;  every  other  year  an  inventory  is  made. 

In  the  Aguilar  Library  Mr.  Leipziger  said  the 
system  of  the  Free  Public  Library  is  followed 
in  many  respects;  a  record  is  kept  of  the  people 
coming  in  by  actual  count.  The  lower  branch 
is  situated  among  Russian  Hebrews,  and  an 
American  history  of  any  kind  is  never  on  the 
shelves. 

Mr.  Stevens,  of  the  R*ailroad  Men's  Library, 
used  the  decimal  system  and  had  a  double 
charging  entry  by  books  and  readers,  so  that 
statistics  were  easily  kept.  He  said  that  his  li- 
brary was  of  a  different  character  from  the  others 
represented  at  the  meeting  and  different  methods 
were  necessary.  To  gratify  the  readers,  full  and 
careful  statistics  were  kept  of  the  books  used  in 
the  library,  the  number  sent  to  the  different  sta- 
tions, of  the  circulation  at  the  desk  and  on  the 
trains,  and  these  are  published  in  the  annual  re- 
port. 

Mr.  Cole  said  that  in  his  library  full  statis- 
tics were  kept  on  the  calendar  sheets  of  the  Li- 
brary Bureau.  He  uses  a  large  sheet  contain- 
ing 35  headings,  and  every  night  the  books  in 
each  class  are  counted  by  means  of  the  cards  and 
the  result  entered  on  this  sheet.  At  the  end  of 
the  month  it  is  added  up  and  the  list  is  published 
yearly  in  the  report.  They  also  keep  the  percent- 
age of  use  at  the  delivery  station  as  compared 
with  the  main  library  and  make  a  tabulation  of 
what  books  are  read  most  in  the  annual  report. 

The  discussion  being  ended,  Mr.  Berry  spoke 
of  a  new  method  for  putting  the  ownership  mark 
on  a  book.  A  perforating  machine  has  been  de- 
vised which  will  take  the  place  of  the  embossing 
stamp,  and  will  be  much  more  valuable,  since  the 
perforations  once  made  cannot  be  effaced.  It 
also  leaves  the  pages  perfectly  smooth,  and  so 
does  not  fill  up  the  book  like  an  embossing 
stamp. 

Mr.  Nelson  was  elected  a  member  of  the  club. 

Adjourned. 

HARRIET  B.  PRESCOTT,  Secretary. 

CHICAGO  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

THE  i6th  regular  meeting  of  the  Chicago  Li- 
brary Club  was  held  Feb.  8,  1894,  at  the  book- 
bindery  of  P.  Ringer,  no  Randolph  St.,  Chi- 
cago. The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the 
president,  E.  F.  L.  Gauss,  at  3:40  p.m.  Min- 
utes of  the  preceding  meeting  were  read  and 
approved. 

Mrs.  Anna  Fitzgerald  and  Miss  Agnes  Cole- 
man,  of  the  Chicago  Public  Library,  were,  on 
recommendation  of  the  executive  committee, 


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THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


97 


elected  members  of  the  club.  The  resignations 
of  Montana  Stover,  Lilyan  G.  Morawski,  Anna 
Riordan,  May  I.  Carroll,  and  Otto  Goldberger 
as  members  of  the  club  were  received  and  acted 
on. 

Mr.  J.  Ritchie  Patterson,  of  the  Chicago  Pub- 
ic Library,  then  read  an  interesting  and  instruc- 
tive paper  on  the  history  of  bookbinding  and 
the  care  of  bound  books,  after  which  the  club  ad- 
journed to  inspect  the  workings  of  the  bindery 
under  the  guidance  of  Mr.  Ringer.  An  hour 
was  very  profitably  spent  in  studying  the  details 
of  fine  bookbinding,  after  which  the  club  dis- 
persed, tendering  Mr.  Ringer  a  vote  of  thanks 
for  his  courtesy. 

CARRIE  L.  ELLIOTT,  Secretary. 


DZIATZKO,   K:,  ed.      Beitrage  zur  Theorie  u. 

Praxis  des  Buch-'u.  Bibliothekswesens.    Pt.  I. 

Leipzig,   M.   Spirgatis,   1894.     5+128  p.   O. 

(Sammlung  Bibliothekswissenschaftlicher  Ar- 

beiten  hrsg.  v.  K:  Dziatzko.     6.  hft.)  pap. 

This  is  the  sixth  instalment  of  the  "  Sammlung 
Bibliothekswissenschaftlicher  Arbeiten,"  edited 
oy  Karl  Dziatzko,  Professor  der  Bibliotheks- 
wissenschaften  und  Ober  Bibliothekar  der  Uni- 
versitat  GOttingen.  The  five  previous  parts  were 
devoted  to  the  writings  of  one  man  only,  but 
here  the  editor  has  made  a  collection  of  essays 
by  different  writers.  The  table  of  contents  best 
gives  the  scope  of  the  information  gathered  on 
this  important  branch  of  the  great  subject.  The 
editor  furnishes  two  articles  :  "  Feststellung  der 
typographischen  Praxis  aller  deutschen  Druckorte 
des  i $ten  Jahrhunderts,"  and  "  Eine  Reise  durch 
die  grosseren  Bibliotheken  Italiens."  The  re- 
maining articles  are:  "Ein  unbekannterdeutscher 
Druck  des  Fasciculus  temporum  (Biirdlin  der 
Zijt)  von  Anton  Sorg,"  by  W.  Molsdorf  ;  "  Die 
Buchdrucker  Gtinther  und  Johannes  Zanier  in 
Strassburg,"  by  Karl  Schorbach  ;  "  Lotharius, 
liber  de  miseria  humanae  conditionis  [m.  d.  J. 
1448],  und  die  mtt  gleichen  Typen  hergestellten 
Drucke;"  "Die  Deutschen  Universitacsbiblio- 
theken  ihre  Mittel  und  ihre  Bediirfnisse,"  by 
Adalbert  Roquette  ;  "  Zwei  Ausgaben  der  Ge- 
schichte  des  Pfarrers  von  Kalenberg,"  by  Karl 
Meyer;  "Der  liber  horarum  canonic,  sec.  nov. 
imp.  eccl.  Bamberg  rubricam  von  J.  Sensen- 
schmidt  u.  H.  Petzensteiner  (Bamberg  1484) ; 
and  "  Bruchstiicke  einer  Priscianhandschrift  aus 
dem  Stadt-Archiv  zu  Goslar,"  both  by  Paul 
Jiirges  ;  "  Ein  unbekanntes  Flugblatt  liber  die 
Schlacht  bei  Terouenne  "  (1513),  by  Otto  Heine- 
mann  ;  and  "  Die  Biblia  Latina  des  i$ten 
Jahrhunderts  in  der  Gottingen  Universitatsbiblio- 
thek,"  by  Willi  Miiller. 

REYER,  Ed.     Entwicklung  u.  Organisation  der 
Volksbibliotheken.     Leipzig,  W.  Engelmann, 
l893-     [3+]116  P«  H-  O.  pap.     2  m. 
A  pleasing  evidence  of  the  growth  of  the  mod- 
ern library  spirit  in  German-speaking  countries, 
is  this  volume  by  Dr.  Eduard  Reyer,  of  Vienna, 


on  the  "  Development  and  organization  of  pub- 
lic libraries."  Similarity  of  title,  matter,  and 
intent  suggest  a  comparison  with  Greenwood's 
"  Public  libraries,"  which  is  indeed  freely  quoted 
in  these  pages  as  an  authority;  but  the  book  has 
a  character  of  its  own.  It  is  not  a  systematic 
or  exhaustive  treatment  of  the  subject,  but  a  col- 
lection of  semi-popular  articles  on  library  topics, 
which  have  appeared  from  time  to  time  in  Ger- 
man literary  magazines,  supplemented  by  new 
chapters  summarizing  and  co-ordinating  the  data 
and  conclusions  of  this  earlier  part. 

To  American  readers  its  interest  lies  chiefly  in 
the  account  of  German  conditions,  and  in  the 
opinions  of  an  intelligent  foreigner  as  to  our  own 
achievements.  In  an  autograph  letter  to  Mr. 
Dewey,  the  author  says  :  "I  have  read  with 
great  interest  some  of  your  publications,  and  as 
you  may  find,  I  acknowledge  to  the  full  extent 
the  eminent  work  done  in  Massachusetts  and 
some  other  states  ;  but  I  cannot  agree  with  you 
as  to  the  general  eminence  of  the  United  States." 
He  refers  in  this  connection  to  the  following 
paragraph  in  his  work: 

"The  little  state  of  Massachusetts,  which  in 
the  year  1839  had  only  10  libraries,  counts  ac- 
cording to  the  last  report  of  the  Bureau  of  Edu- 
cation, in  the  year  1885,10  2.1  million  inhabitants 
570  libraries,  among  them  250  free  public  libra- 
ries, with  3,000,000  volumes.  New  Hampshire 
possesses  30,  the  great  state  of  New  York,  on 
the  contrary,  has  only  16  public  libraries,  Illinois 
34,  Michigan  28.  The  other  states  do  nothing 
yet  worth  mentioning  in  this  direction.  In  the 
West  the  movement  has  just  begun,  and  the 
South  is  still  totally  inert  and  passive.  Mr. 
Melvil  Dewey's  (L.  j.)  ptoud  word  '  America  is 
the  pioneer,  with  England  as  a  fine  second '  may 
sound  well  to  many,  but  it  is  not  just.  Mas- 
sachusetts and  Connecticut  may  stand  ahead  of 
England  in  respect  to  the  average  achievement 
of  their  public  braries  ;  America  as  a  whole 
stands  unquestionably  below  England."  This 
is  rather  hard  on  us,  but  it  agrees  with  the  re- 
port recently  made  upon  us  by  Mr.  Brown, 
of  Clerkenwell,  after  his  visit  to  this  country. 
(L.  j.  18  :  421.) 

A  working  residence  of  two  months  in  Boston, 
and  the  receipt  of  all  important  reports  of  the 
Boston  Public  Library,  have  given  Dr.  Reyer  a 
feeling  of  quite  intimate  knowledge  of  and  an 
enthusiastic  admiration  for  its  work.  One  of 
his  most  extended  articles  treats  of  it  as  "the 
prototype  of  American  public  libraries,"  and  it 
appears  again  and  again  in  his  pages  as  one  of 
the  representative  libraries  of  the  world,  remark- 
able for  its  successful  combination  of  the  popular 
and  the  scholarly  type.  "  The  university  of 
Cambridge,"  he  also  says,  "  possesses  a  library 
to  compare  with  our  first  university  libraries, 
and  the  rich  Athenaeum  of  Boston  served  a  large 
circle  long  before  the  erection  of  the  public  li- 
brary. If  we  compare  the  number  of  volumes 
and  number  of  issues  in  all  libraries,  here  and 
there,  with  the  number  of  inhabitants,  Boston 
still  remains  a  power  of  the  first  rank.  Many 
cultivated  Europeans,"  he  continues,  "look 
down  on  the  American  dollar-hunter  with  a 
certain  contempt ;  they  recognize  the  native 


98 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\Marchy  '94 


products  of  America  and  the  American's  tech- 
nical cleverness,  but  in  respect  to  culture  feel 
themselves  quite  superior.  Statistics  teach  dif- 
ferently. Only  in  the  public  libraries  of  many 
English  and  American  cities  (Manchester,  Edin- 
burgh, Leeds,  Bristol,  Boston)  are  there  two  or 
three  issues  to  an  inhabitant ;  in  Paris  there  is 
barely  one,  in  Berlin^,  in  Vienna £." 

He  notes  the  remarkable  growth  of  library 
privileges  in  Chicago,  both  actual  and  prospec- 
tive. In  several  connections  he  refers  to  the 
"  Creiger"  bequest,  evidently  a  misunderstand- 
ing for  Crerar. 

Dr.  Reyer's  first  article,  on  "  Development 
and  significance  of  public  libraries;  achievements 
of  German  cities,"  gives  recent  statistics  of  the 
few  public  libraries  existing  in  Germany.  That 
of  Frankfort-on-the-Main,  established  in  1845 
by  the  society  for  popular  literature  (Gesellschaft 
fitr  Volksschrifteri),  would  seem  to  be  the  oldest. 
The  one  in  Bremen  has  four  branches,  and  pos- 
sessed at  the  beginning  of  1892  10,000  vols., 
with  a  circulation  of  92,000  from  the  Central 
and  4000  from  the  branches,  among  1038  readers, 
392  of  whom  were  free.  "  The  system  and  ad- 
ministration of  the  public  libraries  in  many  Ger- 
man cities,"  he  says,  "is  excellent.  A  volume 
will  be  given  out  in  the  public  libraries  of  Vienna, 
Hanover,  Diisseldorf,  and  in  the  Central  of  Bre- 
men, from  seven  to  10,  in  Dresden  and  Frank- 
fort five  times,  in  the  course  of  a  year." 

This  and  the  two  following  articles  on  "  What 
the  people  read  "  and  "  The  readers  of  the  pub- 
lic libraries "  are  readable  papers  of  a  more 
popular  sort,  intended  to  awaken  general  inter- 
est. Those  following,  on  "  The  largest  public 
libraries,"  "England's  public  libraries,"  "  The 
Boston  public  library,"  "  Public  libraries  in 
American  cities,  1890-91,"  and  "Achievements 
of  libraries,"  are  more  technical  and  statistical, 
accompanied  by  tables  and  diagrams.  The  lat- 
ter form  one  of  the  marked  features  of  the  vol- 
ume. The  statistics,  as  a  whole,  are  little  if  any 
later  than  the  last  edition  of  Greenwood,  but 
Dr.  Reyer  has  collected  and  studied  them  with 
all  a  German's  ardor,  and  embodied  the  results 
in  a  multitude  of  interesting  yet  simple  diagrams, 
which  say  more  than  could  be  expressed  by 
mere  numerical  statements. 

In  the  concluding,  or  "practical  part"  of  his 
work,  one  finds  many  little  remarks  or  sugges- 
tions that  throw  an  enteresting  light  on  existing 
conditions  or  national  peculiarities  in  Germany. 
The  opening  paragraphs  on  preparatory  steps 
toward  founding  a  public  library  have  a  very 
familiar  sound,  but  in  almost  the  first  sentence 
on  housing  of  the  same  we  meet  the  somewhat 
novel  suggestion  :  "  Almost  every  city  possesses 
in  its  schools  and  other  public  buildings  rooms 
well  located  and  not  used  in  the  evening.  In 
such  quarters  the  giving  out  of  books  can  be 
attended  to  evenings,  say  from  six  to  nine 
o'clock."  "  But  what  of  our  library  all  day?" 
we  feel  moved  to  exclaim.  The  question  is  an- 
swered immediately  :  "  It  is  a  national  economic 
waste  to  let  rooms  which  are  available  in  the 
evening  lie  idle,  and  at  great  expense  rent  others, 
which  in  their  turn  will  only  be  used  in  the  even- 
ing and  lie  idle  during  the  day."  Evidently  the 


ideal  for  the  German  public  library  is  a  very 
humble  one  as  yet.  Dr.  Reyer  commends  the 
consideration  of  the  Paris  city  council  on  this 
point,  and  laments  the  coldness  of  the  Vienna 
authorities.  "The  running  expenses  of  a  pub- 
lic library  in  Germany,"  he  says,  "average  15 
pfennigs  per  issue  when  its  quarters  must  be 
rented,  while  they  amount  to  scarcely  10  pfen- 
nigs, if  room  otherwise  provided  is  used."  He 
suggests  a  few  bookcases  and  a  table  in  some 
office  unoccupied  evenings,  if  nothing  better  is 
to  be  had  ;  and  perhaps  he  refers  to  the  limited 
hours  no  less  than  to  the  meagre  furnishings, 
when  he  says  :  "May  we  be  saved  from  those 
critics  who  '  would  not  begin  so  great  an  under- 
taking in  so  mean  a  way.'"  Once  planted,  he 
thinks  the  tree  will  grow.  As  to  owning  prop- 
erty, it  appears  that  houses  in  Austrian  cities 
pay  40  and  even  50$  of  their  gross  receipts  in 
taxes,  so  that  buildings  for  humanitarian  pur- 
poses should  only  be  bought  when  exemption 
from  taxation  is  assured.  His  strictures  on  li- 
brary architecture  show  that  there  as  here  con- 
venience and  practical  efficiency  have  heretofore 
been  sacrificed  to  architectural  effect. 

In  connection  with  the  subject  of  branch  li- 
braries and  delivery  stations,  he  recommends 
travelling  libraries  for  the  rural  districts,  to  be 
sent  out  by  the  nearest  large  city  library. 

Dr.  Reyer  recommends  that  borrowers  be 
charged  a  nominal  sum  for  cards  and  catalogs, 
not  merely  as  a  source  of  income,  but  because 
these  will  be  less  likely  to  be  wasted.  He  thinks, 
too,  that  the  better  element  in  the  community 
will  be  glad  to  contribute  this  mite,  and  that  it 
does  not  care  to  have  thrust  upon  it  the  obliga- 
tion to  feel  a  gratitude  which  shall  not  criticise. 
"  The  public  library  should  not  be  given  to  the 
people.  The  public  library  is  just  as  much  and 
just  as  little  free  as  the  free  school  and  the  free 
street.  For  practical  reasons  many  cities  are  at 
present  compelled  to  charge  a  regular  fee,  or 
'  loan  penny  ;'  that  is,  to  raise  a  poll  tax,  which 
naturally  burdens  disproportionately  those  of 
small  means  ;  it  will  be  our  task  to  bring  the 
municipality  to  our  aid,  thus  securing  a  more 
equitable  division  of  the  burden." 

The  suggestions  for  securing  gifts  of  books 
are  quite  practical.  A  request  for  such  should 
be  included  in  the  circular  or  prospectus  distrib- 
uted to  citizens,  with  a  proviso  that  books  hav- 
ing no  second-hand  market  value  are  not  desired. 
A  fixed  time  should  be  mentioned  at  which  these 
gifts  will  be  called  for.  On  this  collecting  tour, 
the  annual  money  contributions  can  be  received, 
the  offered  books  be  looked  over,  and  such  as 
are  desirable  receipted  for  and  taken  away. 
Special  attention  should  be  called  to  the  fact  that 
the  library  can  use  a  number  of  copies  of  popular 
works  (Freytag,  Dickens,  Deutsche  Rundschau, 
etc.). 

As  to  classification,  in  the  interest  of  interna- 
tional comparison  a  scheme  should  be  adopted 
not  too  far  differing  from  the  English  and  Amer- 
ican. The  classes  recommended  are  in  brief  as 
follows  :  I,  Religion,  philosophy,  education  ; 
2,  History  and  biography  ;  3,  Geography  and 
travel ;  4,  Political  economy  and  sociology  ;  5, 
Household  or  domestic  matters  (for  the  benefit 


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99 


of  feminine  readers)  ;  6,  Manufactures,  technol- 
ogy !  7>  Natural  science  and  mathematics ;  8, 
Art,  including  art  industries  ;  9,  Language  and 
literature  ;  10,  Poetry  and  drama  ;  n,  Fiction. 

For  shelf  arrangement,  alas,  the  fixed  location 
is  recommended,  a  statement  that  the  relative  is 
generally  preferred  in  England  and  America, 
being  offset  by  a  reference  to  the  usage  at  Got- 
tingen  and  Oxford. 

Schonbach's  "  Lesen  und  Bildung"<and  the 
finding-lists  of  Berlin,  Dresden,  and  Vienna,  are 
recommended  as  aids  in  a  first  selection  of  books, 
works  like  the  British  Museum  "List  of  refer- 
ence-books" and  Sonnenschein's  "  Best  books" 
being  unknown  in  German.  "We  possess," 
says  Dr.  Reyer,  "  either  uncritical  lists  of  all  lit- 
erary productions,  or  booksellers'  catalogs  rep- 
resenting one-sided  interests." 

It  is  recommended  that  juveniles  be  classified 
and  distributed  among  the  other  books,  but  in- 
dicated by  J.  Since  this  has  been  done  in  Vienna 
the  issue  of  juveqiles  has  markedly  increased. 
Periodicals  also  should  be  classified,  or  the  sta- 
tistics of  their  use  are  of  no  value.  In  this  con- 
nection we  come  upon  another  limitation.  ' '  The 
supply  of  periodicals  with  us,"  he  says,  "will 
for  a  long  time  yet  be  limited  to  some  illustrated 
and  literary  magazines,  because  the  scientific 
journals  are  too  expensive.  However,  one  can 
procure  second-hand  copies  of  some,  and  get 
along  in  this  way  till  the  endowment  of  the  li- 
brary allows  current  subscriptions."  He  says, 
however,  that  the  public  library  should  not  fill 
up  its  shelves  with  out-of-date  scientific  publica- 
tions ;  anything  as  far  back  as  the  '6o's  should 
be  thrown  out.  Complete  works  of  such  au- 
thors as  Wieland  and  Herder  should  not  be  put 
in,  for  they  will  be  read  only  in  selections.  The 
points  on  catalogs,  binding,  etc.,  are  such  as  we 
are  familiar  with. 

The  argument  for  the  employment  of  women 
in  libraries,  viz.:  that  they  will  work  all  day  for 
less  pay,  and  in  this  way  the  effectiveness  of  the 
library  may  be  much  increased,  is  not  one  in 
which  we  can  take  great  satisfaction,  and  Dr. 
Reyer  himself  puts  in  a  demurrer  to  this  as  a 
permanently  desirable  condition. 

A  suggestion  that  during  the  vacation  season 
reliable  borrowers  might  be  allowed  to  draw 
more  than  the  usual  number  of  books  at  a  time, 
and  so  their  wants  be  met  by  a  smaller  force  of 
attendants,  seems  novel,  and  open  to  difficulties 
in  its  operation. 

Persistently  delinquent  borrowers  should  have 
their  privileges  withdrawn,  and  their  names  en- 
tered on  a  black  list,  to  be  kept  in  all  the  libraries 
of  the  place. 

In  the  matter  of  statistics,  six  items  are  given 
as  desirable  annually  :  a,  No.  of  volumes  and 
pamphlets  at  beginning  of  year,  with  number 
additions  both  by  gift  and  purchase  ;  £,  No.  of 
issues,  by  no  means  omitting  those  for  library 
use  ;  c,  No.  of  staff  and  attendants  ;  d,  Expendi- 
tures; also  sources  of  income;  e,  Hours  per  year 
and  vacations  ;  f,  No.  of  losses  not  made  good. 

Data  as  to  readers  and  reading,  on  the  con- 
trary, need  be  given  only  every  third  or  fifth 
year,  unless  there  is  some  marked  change  in  the 
character  of  the  library .  Elsewhere  the  impor- 


tance has  been  shown  of  classifying  readers  of 
both  sexes  and  all  ages,  not  men  only,  if  the  sta- 
tistics as  to  what  classes  of  the  community  are 
reached  by  the  library  are  to  have  a  really  rep- 
resentative value.  "  As  a  rule,"  it  is  said,  "  we 
may  assume  that  a  librarian  is  not  likely  to  sup- 
press statistics  which  redound  to  the  credit  of 
his  institution."  Gaps  in  statistics  usually  indi- 
cate faulty  achievement,  and  demand  a  reform. 
The  following  proportion  is  given  as  a  standard 
for  cities  of  100,000  inhabitants  :  "  30,000  vols. 
light  reading  with  7  issues  per  vol.  and  per  year; 
70,000  scientific  books  with  0.7  issues,  say  250,000 
issues  to  100,000  population."  This  is  based  on 
statistics  of  the  Boston  Public  Library. 

Germany  has  more  large  libraries  (of  100,000 
to  300,000  v.)  than  other  countries,  but  many  of 
these  have  such  meagre  revenues  and  so  small  a 
circulation  that  they  are  practically  dead.  They 
will  ultimately  be  forced  by  the  competition  of 
public  libraries  into  a  radical  change  of  policy 
and  an  increase  of  their  working  force,  or  they 
will  unite  with  the  public  libraries,  a  change 
similar  to  that  going  on  in  the  proprietary  and 
subscription  libraries  of  England  and  America. 

Such  is  a  brief  outline  of  this  work,  the  aim  of 
which,  as  stated  by  the  author,  is  "  to  supplement 
in  certain  directions  known  works  on  library 
science,  and  to  indicate  how  the  best  possible  re- 
sults may  be  obtained  with  limited  means."  The 
style  is  clear  and  direct,  and  presents  few  diffi- 
culties to  one  at  all  conversant  with  German. 
The  senior  class  in  the  State  Library  School  at 
Albany  has  taken  up  the  work  with  interest,  not 
merely  for  practice  in  German,  but  because  the 
subject-matter  bears  so  directly  on  many  points 
in  their  course.  MARY  E.  HAWLEY. 

UNIVERSITY  of  the  State  of  New  York.  io6th 
annual  report  of  the  regents,  transmitted  to 
the  legislature  Jan.  9,  1893.  Albany,  State 
Printer,  1893.  166+1299  p.  O.  cl. 
This  bulky  volume  calls  for  more  extended 
notice  than  is  generally  given  to  state  reports, 
in  view  of  the  diversity  and  extent  of  its  contents 
and  the  varied  branches  of  education  to  which 
they  relate.  The  secretary's  report,  summariz- 
ing the  developments  in  the  several  departments 
of  the  university,  covers  166  pages,  and  the  re- 
maining 1300  pages  give  in  appendixes  the 
regents'  bulletins  on  the  university  convoca- 
tion; the  medical  syllabus  of  the  university;  the 
origin,  history,  and  present  organization  of  the 
university  ;  proceedings  of  the  Associated  Ac- 
ademic Principals,  1891;  law  syllabus  of  the 
university  ;  proceedings  of  the  Associated  Ac- 
ademic Principals,  1892  ;  summary  of  legisla- 
tion, 1892  ;  abstracts  of  the  annual  reports  of 
the  colleges  of  the  university,  with  full  classi- 
fied tables  ;  statistics  of  academies  ;  and  lists  of 
examinations  and  credentials  issued.  The  re- 
port is  largely  statistical,  but  is  an  interesting 
exposition  of  the  very  large  work  which  the  uni- 
versity is  doing  and  of  its  constant  extension 
and  development.  The  work  of  the  library 
school  is  summarized  in  the  lists  of  examinations 
held,  both  at  the  state  library  and  outside  the 
state,  and  the  degrees  conferred.  50  pages  are 


100 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\March,  '94 


devoted  to  a  resume  of  the  Extension  department, 
its  organization,  scope,  plans  of  work,  confer- 
ences, and  statistics.  The  first  appendix,  which 
gives  in  full  the  papers  and  proceedings  of  the 
university  convocation,  held  July  5-7,  1892,  is 
of  special  interest  to  all  in  any  way  connected 
with  schools  or  education  ;  the  proceedings  of 
the  1891  and  1892  meetings  of  the  Associated 
Academic  Principals  (appendixes  4  and  6)  are 
almost  equally  useful,  and  give  many  valuable 
suggestions  as  to  methods  of  instruction.  The 
statistics  of  the  various  colleges,  academies,  etc. 
in  the  state,  compiled  from  the  annual  reports  of 
each  (appendixes  8  and  9),  cover  nearly  700 
pages,  and  are  remarkably  full  and  detailed. 

H.  E.  H. 


(Economs  cmb  ipi 


GENERAL. 

POOLE,  W:  F:  The  university  library  and  the 
university  curriculum  :  Phi  Beta  Kappa  ad- 
dress, North  western  University,  June  13,  1893. 
Chic.,  Fleming  H.  Revell  Co.,  1894.  55  p. 
D.  hf.  cl. 

Extracts  from  this  address  appeared  in  the 
L.  J.  for  Nov.,  1893  (i  8  :  470).  Dr.  Poole  em- 
phasizes the  value  of  the  university  library,  and 
points  out  the  place  it  should  occupy  in  the  uni- 
versity curriculum. 

LOCAL. 

Allegheny,  Pa.  Carnegie  F.  L.  The  cause  of 
free  public  libraries  sustained  a  serious  loss  in 
this  part  of  the  state  by  the  sudden  death  on 
Feb.  13  of  Ja.  B.  Scott,  of  Allegheny,  Pa.,  in 
his  55th  year.  Mr.  Scott  was  chairman  of  the 
Carnegie  Free  Library  Commission  of  Alle- 
gheny, which  was  entrusted  with  the  erection  of 
the  building,  the  gift  of  Mr.  Carnegie,  and  prac- 
tically assumed  all  the  labor  and  responsibility 
of  that  work,  bringing  it  to  a  most  successful 
completion.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was 
chairman  of  a  similar  commission  entrusted  with 
the  building  of  the  Carnegie  Free  Library,  of  Pitts- 
burgh.and  was  rapidly  bringing  the  work  towards 
completion.  He  was  largely  instrumental  in  secur- 
ing the  donation  from  Mrs.  Schenley,  of  England, 
of  the  site  for  the  library  building,  estimated  at 
$1,000000  in  value.  An  enthusiast  for  art,  a 
leading  spirit  of  the  Pittsburg  Art  Society,  he 
had  just  laid  broad  plans  for  making  the  art 
gallery  of  the  Pittsburg  Carnegie  Free  Library, 
with  its  million  dollar  endowment  fund,  one  of 
the  foremost  of  its  kind  on  this  side  the  Atlantic. 
The  gallery.it  will  be  remembered,  is  to  be  de- 
voted exclusively  to  works  by  American  artists. 
Mr.  Scott  had  also  projected  a  series  of  down- 
town branch  libraries  in  connection  with  the 
main  library,  to  meet  the  demands  of  those  who 
could  not  afford  to  go  to  the  main  building. 

Baltimore,  Md.  Enoch  Pratt  F.  L.  (8th  rpt.) 
Added  13.432;  total  136205.  Issued,  home  use 
452,733  (net.  and  juv.  76+  #);  lost  23;  ref.  use 
not  given;  periodicals  consulted  in  reading- 
rooms  141,961.  No.  cardholders  22,465. 

The  circulation  for  the  last  year  shows  an  in- 


crease of  41,369  over  that  of  1892.  "  The  attend- 
ants in  the  repair-room  of  the  library  mended 
21,856  books  during  the  year,  and  sewed  2216 
more;  there  were  sent  to  be  completely  rebound 
1358  books.  The  usefulness  of  the  five  branch 
libraries  is  shown,  and  the  wisdom  of  their  es- 
tablishment demonstrated  by  the  fact  that  209,- 
477  volumes  were  circulated  through  them  in  the 
last  year;  and  50,521  periodicals  used  in  their 
reading-rooms. 

"  The  reading-room  in  the  central  library  is 
provided  with  256  periodicals,  and  those  at  the 
various  branches  with  45. 

"  In  June,  the  practice  was  begun  of  sending 
a  registration-book  to  the  several  branches,  to 
be  kept  a  month  at  each.  This  has  been  found 
useful  in  giving  residents  of  remoter  sections  of 
the  city  greater  facility  of  obtaining  the  privilege 
to  draw  books. 

"  The  preparation  of  the  fifth  editions  of  the 
finding-lists,  of  the  central  and  branch  libraries, 
has  been  vigorously  pushed  during  the  year,  and 
the  first  part  of  the  finding-list  for  the  central  li- 
brary was  issued  some  months  since.  The  branch 
library  finding-list  is  almost  ready,  and  the  sec- 
ond and  third  parts  of  the  central  library  finding- 
list  will  follow  at  short  intervals." 

Bloomington  (III.)  L.  A.  The  directors  of  the 
Library  Association  have  decided  to  submit  to 
the  stockholders  at  the  annual  meeting  in  March 
a  proposition  to  sell  or  lease  (for  a  nominal 
sum)  the  library  to  the  city  for  the  purpose  of 
enlarging  its  usefulness.  The  offer  will  proba- 
bly transfer  the  library  with  all  of  its  property  to 
the  city  in  consideration  of  the  city's  agreeing  to 
accept  the  same  and  place  it  under  the  protection 
of  the  law  applicable  to  free  public  libraries. 

Butte  (Mont.)  F.  P.  L.  On  the  evening  of 
Feb.  6  the  handsome  new  public  library  build- 
ing was  formally  dedicated,  in  the  presence  of  a 
large  audience.  The  exercises  were  simple,  and 
were  held  in  the  reading-room  on  the  lower  floor 
of  the  building.  Major  Dawson,  chairman  of 
the  library  board,  presided.  Speeches  were 
made  by  Hon.  W.  W.  Dixon,  Judge  Kirkpatrick, 
Major  Dawson,  and  others.  Mention  was  made 
of  the  generous  gift  of  $10,000  to  the  library 
fund  by  C.  X.  Larabee.  This  was  made  in  the 
fall  of  1890,  and  was  the  nucleus  of  the  present 
library  fund,  being  given  on  condition  that  an- 
other $10,000  should  be  given  by  the  citizens  of 
Butte.  This  was  promptly  raised  by  popular 
subscription.  The  matter  was  then  placed  in 
the  hands  of  the  city,  and  a  special  library  tax 
was  authorized  by  popular  vote.  The  library 
opens  with  15,000  volumes,  the  entire  cost,  in- 
cluding building,  having  been  about  $85,000.  J: 
F.  Davies  is  librarian.  The  library  was  opened 
for  work  on  the  morning  of  Feb.  7. 

Chattanooga  (Tenn.)  L.  A.  Added  165;  total 
5600.  New  members  91  ;  total  membership 
251. 

During  the  past  year  there  has  been  a  notable 
decrease  in  "light  reading,"  and  an  increase  in 
the  demand  for  history,  science,  and  literature 
proper.  This  is  explained  by  the  recent  organ- 
ization of  several  reading  cluts  and  mental  im- 
provement societies. 


March,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


101 


Chicago.  Newberry  Z.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
staff  of  the  Newberry  Library,  held  March  i, 
1894,  the  following  resolutions  were  unanimous- 
ly adopted  : 

"At  the  will  of  our  Creator  the  earthly  life  of  our  be- 
loved chief,  William  F.  Ppole,  has  terminated,  leaving 
with  us  only  memories  of  his  genial  character  and  kindly 
ways,  his  pleasant  greetings  and  interest  in  our  affairs. 
We  feel  that  we  have  lost  a  friend,  a  confidant  and  ad- 
viser, and  a  chief  who  won  the  admiration  and  love  of  all 
his  subordinates. 

"  By  his  death  not  only  we  as  a  small  circle  of  his  pro- 
fessional associates  but  the  whole  library  world  has  lost 
a  master  in  the  art  of  library  management,  a  keen  and 
vigorous  writer  on  many  subjects  of  library  science,  and 
a  bibliographer  of  international  reputation. 

"  We,  therefore,  the  entire  staff  of  the  Newberry  Libra- 
ry, do  unite  in  these  resolutions  of  respect  and  esteem,  and 
we  hereby  tender  to  the  bereaved  family  our  heart-felt 
sympathy  in  their  affliction." 

Chicago.  University  Z.  Mr.  Rockefeller's  $50,- 
ooo  appropriation  for  books  made  to  the  library 
of  the  university  on  New  Year's  last  has  been 
applied  as  follows  :  The  department  of  geology 
receives  $18,171.43;  political  economy,  $1260; 
philosophy,  $1350;  social  science,  $1142;  ro- 
mance, $1232;  history  $2454;  Greek,  $1187;  Lat- 
in, $1372;  Semitics  (Sinai  fund),  $5000;  English, 
$1866.  The  department  of  geology  receives 
nearly  one-half  of  the  entire  gift. 

Columbus  (0.)  Public  School  L.  (i7th  rpt.) 
Added  4627  ;  total  20,738  ;  lost  165  ;  issued, 
home  use  86,486  (fict.  30.20$;  "  juv.  stories" 
39.64$) ;  ref.  use  8180.  Cards  issued  5673  (juv. 
3126). 

The  library  of  children's  classics  for  supple- 
mentary reading,  now  numbering  2702  volumes, 
has  rapidly  grown  in  favor  with  pupils  and  teach- 
ers, so  that  during  a  part  of  the  last  school  year 
it  was  often  impossible  to  meet  the  demand. 

The  librarian  says  :  "  The  year  just  closed 
marks  a  degree  of  prosperity  and  progress  in  the 
development,  growth,  and  administration  of  the 
library  never  before  reached."  He  also  com- 
mends "  the  praiseworthy  interest  which  many 
of  the  teachers  have  shown  during  the  past  year 
in  their  efforts  to  guide  and  direct  pupils  in  the 
choice  of  books.  Experience  has  shown  that 
without  the  aid  of  the  teacher  the  most  faithful 
efforts  of  the  librarian  and  his  assistants  will 
accomplish  but  little  in  this  direction,  as  they  are 
not  usually  in  the  confidence  of  the  child  and, 
therefore,  not  so  likely  to  impress  it  favorably. 
Only  then  can  the  best  results  be  achieved,  when 
the  influence  of  the  teacher,  who  largely  holds 
the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  child,  becomes 
a  faithful  ally  of  the  librarian  and  his  assistants, 
and  supplements  their  efforts  with  wise  direc- 
tion, strong  appeal,  and  hearty  encouragement." 

Council  Bluffs  (la.)  F.  P.  L.  Added  1399 ; 
total  12,943  (not  including  3000  v.  of  gov.  doc- 
uments) ;  issued  39,925  ;  no.  vistors  72,970. 
Receipts  $7450.50  ;  expenses  $4874.93. 

It  is  expected  that  the  new  catalog  will  be 
completed  and  issued  during  the  year.  A  new 
library  building  is  much  needed. 

Dayton  (0.)  P.  L.  (33d  rpt.)  Added  1429; 
total  32,740;  pm.  1053.  Issued,  home  use  105-, 
731  (fict.  53.9  %\  juv.  28.4  %);  ref.  use  39,643;  v. 
rebound  mi;  repaired  in  library  9431.  Total 
no.  cardholders  7488. 

During  the  year  the  entire  reference  library 


was  rearranged,  giving  much-needed  space.  The 
librarian  calls  attention  to  the  rapidly  increasing 
use  of  bound  periodicals,  and  urges  the  comple- 
tion of  the  sets  of  volumes  included  in  Poole's 
Index. 

Denver  (Col.)  Ciiy  Z.  Added  2503  ;  total 
25,224  ;  issued,  home  use  125,975  ;  av.  no.  books 
per  capita  1.18;  cost  of  circulation  per  v.  2.71 
cts.  Total  no.  cardholders  9370. 

The  increase  of  circulation  over  1892  is  given 
as  25$. 

Denver  (Col.)  P.  L.  Added  5200  ;  total  19,200  ; 
issued,  home  use  136,316  ;  no.  borrowers  7800. 

The  juvenile  department  has  been  considerably 
increased,  and  changes  have  been  made  in  the 
classification  and  placing  of  public  documents, 
which  number  about  3000  volumes.  There  is 
also  a  medical  library  of  over  1400  volumes,  in 
addition  to  several  hundred  unbound  volumes  of 
medical  journals. 

Reference  work  in  the  library  increases  each 
year,  and  much  difficulty  is  experienced  in  find- 
ing sufficient  room  for  readers.  A  library  class 
of  five  has  been  formed  to  study  library  work  and 
methods,  this  effort  being  the  first  of  its  kind  in 
the  state. 

Detroit  (Mich.)  P.  L.  (2gth  rpt.}  Added  II,- 
327;  total  123,828.  Issued,  home  use  344,473 
(fict.  57.69  %,  juv.  16.24$);  ref.  use  131,842; 
periodicals  issued  163,591.  No.  cardholders 
24,870.  Receipts  $103,403.44  ;  expenses  (six 
months  only)  $76,715.01. 

The  most  important  event  of  the  year  was  the 
opening  of  the  new  reading-room  on  the  second 
floor  of  the  library  extension.  It  has  been  found 
excellent  in  arrangement  and  most  convenient. 
About  500  volumes  in  the  Polish  language  were 
added  to  the  library  during  the  year. 

The  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  says  : 
"  The  liberal  provision  made  by  law  for  the 
maintenance  of  the  library  has  never  led  to  ex- 
travagant expenditures  in  any  direction;  on  the 
contrary,  the  most  rigid  economy  consistent  with 
a  proper  discharge  of  the  trust  has  been  prac- 
tised, and  the  policy  of  saving  from  the  income 
has  been  kept  always  in  view.  The  last  legisla- 
ture passed  an  act  authorizing  the  city  to  raise 
by  loan  or  tax  the  sum  of  $150,000  for  the  erec- 
tion of  the  main  front  to  the  building,  as  origi- 
nally planned.  For  the  purpose  of  helping  to 
provide  the  much-needed  enlargement  at  the 
earliest  practical  day,  the  library  commission 
has  created  a  new  library  building  fund,  and  has 
placed  therein  from  its  income  of  the  past  year 
the  sum  of  $15,000.  It  is  the  purpose  to  save  as 
much  as  possible  from  the  income  each  year  to 
be  added  to  this  fund,  so  that  ultimately  there 
may  be  erected  a  building  which  will  reflect  credit 
upon  the  city,  and  at  the  same  time  without  im- 
posing on  the  taxpayers  any  very  large  expense." 

Elgin,  III.  Gail  Borden  L.  The  new  Gail 
Borden  Library  building  given  to  the  town  by  A. 
and  S:  Church,  and  remodelled  at  a  cost  of 
f  10,000,  was  opened  on  the  evening  of  Feb.  22. 
Addresses  were  made  by  Colonel  Wilcox,  Judge 
Lovell,  and  others.  The  library  contains  over 
13,000  volumes. 


102 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


'94 


Essex  (Mass.)  P.  L,  The  new  town-hall  and 
library  building  was  dedicated  on  the  afternoon 
of  Feb.  15.  A  large  audience  was  present  at  the 
dedication  exercises,  which  included  an  oration 
by  Rev.  D.  O.  Mears,  music,  several  short  ad- 
dresses, and  the  reading  of  poems.  In  the 
evening  there  was  a  concert,  followed  by 
dancing. 

The  building  which  combines  town-hall  and 
library  has  just  been  completed  after  plans  by 
Frank  W.  Weston,  a  Maiden  architect.  The 
lower  story  is  built  of  field-stone,  and  the  upper 
part,  including  the  tower,  of  wood.  The  interior 
is  finished  in  antique  oak,  and  the  walls  are 
painted  in  hues  of  brown  and  yellow.  In  the 
upper  story  is  situated  the  town-hall  proper.  It 
has  a  seating  capacity  for  550.  There  is  a  stage 
and  a  gallery  which  will  allow  of  entertainments 
being  given  there.  One-half  of  the  lower  floor 
is  devoted  to  the  library,  and  will  accommodate 
several  thousand  books.  From  the  entrance 
there  is  a  hallway  that  turns  abruptly  to  the 
right,  and  on  this  passage  are  doors  leading  to 
the  offices  of  the  selectmen,  the  treasurer,  and 
other  officials.  There  are  three  entrances  to  the 
building,  the  main  entrance  being  through  an 
attractive  carriageway  into  a  spacious  vestibule. 
In  the  tower  is  the  clock,  with  chime-bells, 
which  strike  the  hour,  presented  to  the  town  by 
L.  G.  Burnham. 

Both  the  land  and  the  building  were  gifts  of 
the  late  T:  O.  H.  P.  Burnham,  of  Boston,  who 
was  a  native  of  Essex.  Mr.  Burnham  died  in 
1891,  and  by  his  will  the  town  received  $30,000, 
half  of  which  was  for  the  town  and  the  other 
half  for  a  public  library.  Previous  to  this  the 
town  had  come  into  possession  of  $5000  through 
the  will  of  the  late  Dr.  J:  D.  Russ,  also  a 
native  of  Essex.  It  was  decided  to  build  the 
town-hall  and  the  library  together. 

Kansas  City  (Mo.)  P.  L.  The  question  of  erect- 
ing a  handsome  new  library  building  has  been 
vigorously  taken  up  by  the  board  of  education 
and  the  Commercial  Club.  It  Is  proposed  to 
erect  a  building  combining  library  and  art  mu- 
seum, to  cost  not  less  than  $200,000,  and  it  is 
hoped  that  the  proposition  to  issue  bonds  for 
this  purpose  may  be  submitted  to  the  people  at 
the  spring  elections.  Mr.  G:  F.  Sheidley,  of 
Kansas  City,  has  offered  to  give  $25,000  to  the 
library,  if  the  new  building  is  erected,  to  be  used 
for  the  purchase  of  books. 

Lawrence  (Mass.)  P.  L.  (226.  rpt.)  Added 
1314;  total  36,772.  Issued,  home  use  111,803  ; 
no.  card-holders  5975. 

The  circulation  for  1893  was  in  excess  of  any 
year  except  1885,  and  means  a  gain  of  4  %.  The 
past  five  months  in  correspondence  with  the 
same  five  in  previous  years  show  a  gain  of  25  %. 
The  librarian  remarks  that  the  number  of  card- 
holders, 5975,  is  a  small  proportion  for  a  city  of 
45,000  population  ;  he  also  states  that  if  the 
$7500  asked  for  had  been  appropriated  there 
would  have  been  $190.39  to  the  credit  of  the 
library  instead  of  a  deficiency  of  $809.63. 

Lynn  (Mass.)  P.  L.  (i  7th  rpt.)  Added  1627; 
total  47,921 ;  lost  and  paid  for  12.  Issued,  home 


use  124,075,  ref.  use  27,080.  Receipts  $8889.91; 
expenses  $8699.90. 

"Owing  to  the  long-continued  depression  in 
all  kinds  of  business,  there  has  been  an  unusual 
demand  for  books  in  the  circulating  department. 
Many  people  who  were  among  the  most  constant 
visitors  at  our  rooms  have  removed  from  the 
city,  yet  so  many  others  have  turned  to  the  li- 
brary as  a  means  of  mental  improvement  or  use- 
ful recreation  that  nearly  11,000  more  volumes 
have  been  taken  forhomeuse  than  in  1892.  Dur- 
ing the  same  period  the  reading-room  has  been  oc- 
cupied at  all  hours  of  the  day  and  evening  by  citi- 
zens who  in  prosperous  times  are  employed  in 
their  ordinary  planes  of  business.  Often  the 
space  reserved  for  the  delivery  of  books  has  been 
used  as  an  annex  to  the  reading-room,  but  even 
then  some  have  been  obliged  to  stand  while  read- 
ing the  newspapers  and  magazines.  More  vol- 
umes were  delivered  for  home  use  in  every 
month  than  in  the  corresponding  months  of 
1892,  the  total  gain  being  10,907  volumes,  or  9^ 
per  cent. 

"  The  catalog  has  been  revised  and  lists  with 
new  volumes  have  been  added  monthly,  and  in- 
teresting articles,  which  are  to  be  found  only  in 
pamphlets  or  the  local  newspapers,  have  also 
been  indexed." 

By  far  the  most  important  event  of  the  year 
was  the  bequest  of  the  late  Mrs.  Shute  for  the 
erection  of  a  new  library  building.  Librarian 
Houghton  says  :  "  Coming  at  a  time  when  em- 
barrassments, caused  by  limited  accommodations, 
are  greater  than  they  have  been  before,  this 
generous  bequest  opens  opportunities  for  useful 
work  that  can  hardly  be  overestimated.  For  a 
good  library  building  means  not  merely  better 
facilities  for  the  storage  of  books,  but  also  ample 
rooms  for  the  accommodation  of  the  public,  the 
best  appliances  for  routine  work  and  the  most  ap- 
proved system  of  administration.  It  means,  too, 
a  more  general  use  of  the  library  by  the  old  and 
the  young,  more  and  better  books  in  the  homes 
of  our  citizens,  and  an  ever-widening  influence 
for  good  in  the  community.' " 

Madison,  Wis.  State  Historical  Soc.  Z.  (Rpt.) 
"A  catalog  of  our  bound  volumes  of  news-* 
papers  has  been  in  preparation  at  intervals,  since 
February  last.  We  are  unaware  of  the  existence 
of  any  adequate  catalog  of  this  description,  and 
have  therefore  been  obliged  to  plough  in  virgin 
soil.  Many  vexatious  problems  have  arisen  in 
the  progress  of  the  work,  requiring  much 
thought  in  their  solution,  but  at  last  all  difficul- 
ties of  detail  have  apparently  been  surmounted, 
and  the  copy  will  be  ready  for  the  printer  early 
in  spring.  The  society  now  owns  6854  bound 
volumes  of  newspapers,  one  of  the  best  collec- 
tions in  America,  and  is  continually  making 
valuable  additions." 

Massachusetts  F.  P.  L.  Commission,  (4th  rpt.) 
This  report  is  an  admirable  exposition  of  the 
value  and  practical  usefulness  of  state  library 
commissions,  and  is  a  careful  summary  of  library 
progress  in  Massachusetts.  Classified  lists  of 
the  towns  and  cities  of  the  state  are  given,  show- 
ing the  library  facilities  of  each,  and  there  is  an 
interesting  record  of  the  "  gifts  and  new  build- 


March,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


ings  "  of  the  past  year.  Within  this  time  over  a 
half  million  of  dollars  has  been  given  by  individ- 
uals for  the  purchase  of  books  and  the  erection 
of  library  buildings  in  the  state.  During  the  year 
the  state  appropriation  of  $100  worth  of  books 
for  any  town  whose  valuation  does  not  exceed 
$600,000,  and  which  maintained  a  free  library  be- 
fore the  law  of  1890  went  into  effect,  has  been 
supplied  to  19  towns;  there  are  15  still  entitled 
to  this  aid. 

The  classified  lists  prepared  by  the  commission 
show  that  "of  the  352  towns  and  cities  in  the 
state,  234  contain  free  public  libraries  that  are 
entirely  under  municipal  control ;  31  contain 
libraries  the  use  of  which  is  entirely  free,  and  in 
the  management  of  which  the  municipality  is  in 
some  form  represented;  22  contain  libraries  to 
which  the  town  or  city  appropriates  money,  but 
over  which  it  has  no  control.  Most  of  these  li- 
braries are  free  for  circulation,  but  a  few  are  free 
only  for  reference.  20  towns  contain  free  public 
libraries  that  are  'supported  entirely  by  private 
benefaction,  and  with  which  the  municipality 
has  no  official  connection  ;  one  has  a  library 
which  is  owned  and  controlled  by  the  town,  but 
is  not  free,  a  small  fee  being  charged  the  citizens 
for  the  use  of  the  books;  and  44  towns  have  no 
public  library,  though  in  a  few  of  this  class 
small  association  libraries  exist." 

Accompanying  the  report  is  a  reduced  copy  of 
the  ingenious  map  prepared  for  the  World's 
Columbian  Exposition  at  Chicago,  showing  at  a 
glance  which  of  the  towns  in  the  state  have  free 
public  libraries  and  the  number  of  volumes  in 
each  library  at  the  beginning  of  1893. 

Some  useful  suggestions  are  made  as  to  ce- 
menting the  relations  of  libraries  and  schools  by 
means  of  local  collections. 

"  During  the  year  the  advice  of  the  commission 
has  been  sought  by  trustees  and  librarians  upon 
the  establishment  of  branch  libraries  and  de- 
positories, upon  the  most  practicable  methods 
of  rendering  the  libraries  serviceable  to  the 
schools,  and  upon  simple  and  economical  meth- 
ods of  administration.  The  nature  of  the  in- 
quiries indicates  the  purpose  of  those  who  have 
the  care  of  our  free  public  libraries  to  so  ad- 
minister them  that  their  privileges  shall  be  most 
easily  available  to  the  largest  number  of  the 
people." 

Middletown,  Ct.  Plans  have  been  drawn  and 
accepted  for  a  new  library  building  for  the 
Berkeley  Divinity  School  to  cost  about  $25,000. 
Work  will  be  started  this  spring. 

Milford  (Mass.)  F.  P.  L.  Added  100 ;  total 
noo.  Issued  9363  (fict.  8280);  no.  cardholders 
463.  The  library  is  in  urgent  need  of  more 
books. 

New  York  City.  Astor  L.  (45th  rpt).  Added 
6968;  total  252,317.  Books  issued  in  reading- 
rooms  210,376 ;  no.  visitors  to  reading-rooms 
60,947;  no.  visitors  to  alcoves  (for  special  study) 
8051. 

"  Compared  with  the  previous  year,  there  was 
an  increase  of  7488  ordinary  readers,  and  20,327 
books  drawn.  For  visiting  the  alcoves,  monthly 
cards  have  been  adopted  instead  of  annual;  and 


the  purpose  has  been  limited  more  strictly  to 
such  researches  as  cannot  be  made  in  the  read- 
ing-rooms without  great  inconvenience.  No 
card  is  issued  without  a  letter  of  recommenda- 
tion actually  on  file  from  some  well-known  and 
responsible  citizen." 

The  superintendent  says:  "  In  a  library  wholly 
of  research,  like  the  Bibliotheque  Nationale  or 
the  British  Museum,  where  no  one  is  admitted  to 
the  principal  reading-room  who  is  not  properly 
vouched  for,  many  facilities  can  be  granted  to 
all,  that  cannot  be  safely  given  in  a  reading- 
room  open  to  everybody.  It  is  as  though  the 
whole  main  floor  of  the  Astor  Library  were  re- 
served for  a  salle  de  travail,  with  the  use  of  ink, 
unrestricted  access  to  plenty  of  books  of  refer- 
ence, and  all  other  books  required  by  the  reader 
brought  to  his  table.  Under  such  circumstances 
there  would  seldom  be  any  need  of  admission  to 
the  alcoves.  But  with  the  reading-rooms  thrown 
open  to  all  the  world,  a  degree  of  restraint  be- 
comes necessary,  that  renders  admission  to  the 
alcoves  a  great  advantage  for  certain  kinds  of 
research.  Fortunately  the  structure  of  the 
library  in  two  tiers  of  large  and  lofty  alcoves 
around  three  halls,  lend  itself  to  this  use  ;  and, 
with  proper  precautions,  the  liberty,  though 
large,  is  seldom  seriously  abused." 

The  card  catalog  supplementary  to  the  printed 
catalogs,  and  containing  all  current  accessions  by 
author  and  subject,  has  been  kept  up  to  date; 
and  all  the  catalogs  have  been  corrected  as  to  the 
location  of  the  books,  to  keep  pace  with  the 
general  rearrangement  which  has  now  been  go- 
ing on  for  some  years.  During  the  past  year 
English,  German,  Dutch,  and  Russian  literature 
have  been  completed,  or  nearly  so,  on  a  syste- 
matic plan,  with  spaces  for  growth. 

New  York  City  F.  C.  L.  (i4th  rpt.)  Total 
v.  in  the  six  libraries  68,253;  issued  531,037 
(percentage  of  fiction  varying  from  26$  at  Bond 
St.  library  to  57  %  at  Ottendorfer  branch).  Read- 
ing-room use  186,013;  Sunday  circulation  36,- 
698;  no.  borrowers  47,104.  Receipts  $34,485.47; 
expenses  $33,242.77. 

The  Bond  St.  library,  where  for  a  few  years 
there  had  been  a  slight  decrease  in  circulation, 
is  now  in  a  very  healthy  and  satisfactory  con- 
dition, except  that  it  requires  a  large  number  of 
books  to  replace  those  which  have  been  worn-out 
by  constant  use.  "  The  reading  at  this  library 
is  perhaps,  on  the  whole,  of  a  higher  order  than 
at  the  others  ;  and  the  percentage  of  books  read 
under  the  classifications  of  history,  biography, 
travel,  arts,  and  sciences,  is  here  the  highest. 
The  first  complete  catalog  of  this  library  was 
issued  during  the  year,  and  we  already  see  a 
great  improvement  in  the  reading,  owing  to  the 
classified  lists,  and  the  recommendations  (indi- 
cated by  a  star)  in  the  catalog  of  the  best  books 
in  the  various  classes." 

In  the  Ottendorfer  Library  it  has  been  found 
necessary  to  restrict  the  privileges  of  the  reading- 
room  by  "  requiring  the  taking  out  of  tickets  of 
membership  (but  without  a  guarantee),  which 
tickets  are  used  as  a  check  on  entering  and  leav- 
ing. So  far  the  plan  works  well;  the  respectable 
working  people  who  use  the  rooms  fill  them  to 


104 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[March,  '94 


their  utmost  capacity,  and  express  their  satisfac- 
tion that  the  place  is  rendered  more  attractive 
by  the  exclusion  of  tramps.  We  shall  probably 
adopt  a  similar  plan  at  the  other  reading- 
rooms." 

At  the  Jackson  Square  Library  the  reports 
show  most  excellent  reading,  and  under  the 
classification  "literature"  it  has  the  highest  per- 
centage of  the  libraries;  "  the  circulation  through 
various  working  girls'  and  men's  clubs  has  been 
most  successful,  and  the  character  of  the  work 
done  in  this  way  is  shown  by  the  fact  that,  in  a 
single  tenement-house  in  Rivington  Street,  Kate 
Wiggin's  '  The  Birds'  Christmas  Carol '  was  read 
23  times." 

The  library  committee  say  "  the  total  expenses 
for  the  year  have  increased  $4935.94,  and  the  cir- 
culation is  so  entirely  out  of  proportion  to  the  in- 
come of  the  association  as  to  be  actually  alarming. 
Economy  in  the  management  of  the  library  has 
been  carried  to  its  utmost  limit  and  a  correspond- 
ing increase  for  the  coming  year  can  only  be 
met  by  a  greater  expenditure  of  money.  Not 
only  are  more  books  called  for  but  a  better  class 
of  books  is  required ,  particularly  new  publications 
and  late  editions  of  scientific  and  educational 
works.  There  is  also  an  increasing  demand  for 
books  of  reference  and  books  in  foreign  lan- 
guages. "The  cataloging  department  has  been 
in  active  operation  during  the  past  year,  but  it 
has  been  impossible  to  keep  up  with  the  demand 
of  the  libraries  for  catalogs  of  various  kinds,  and 
this  department  should  be  increased." 

The  committee  concludes  as  follows: 

"  It  has  been  the  duty  of  the  committee,  in 
each  annual  report,  formally  to  thank  the  libra- 
rians for  the  energy,  capacity,  and  zeal  which 
they  have  shown  in  the  prosecution  of  the  work 
under  their  charge;  but  the  committee  have 
never  felt  this  duty  so  imperative,  nor  their 
pleasure  in  doing  it  so  great,  as  during  the  past 
year.  The  work  thrown  upon  the  librarians  has 
been  excessive,  and  more  than  usually  arduous, 
and  the  salary  in  many  cases  inadequate,  but  all 
have  met  the  demands  with  alacrity  and  with  a 
spirit  of  intense  interest  in  the  success  of  the  as- 
sociation. We  desire  to  thank  one  and  all  for 
the  personal  interest  they  have  taken,  to  which 
alone  we  are  indebted  for  the  extraordinary  re- 
sults of  the  past  year." 

New  York  City.  Lenox  L.  The  Lenox  Li- 
brary has  lately  made  a  purchase  that  places  it 
in  an  enviable  position  as  a  library  of  reference 
for  students  of  the  colonial  period.  This  is  a 
collection  of  311  bound  volumes  of  journals  and 
weekly  gazettes,  some  of  which  run  back  to  the 
year  1733.  The  bulk  of  the  new  purchase,  which 
cost  $10, ooo, was  gradually  amassed  by  Dr.  T.  Ad- 
dis Emmet,  of  New  York,  for  his  library  of  works 
on  the  Revolution  and  Rebellion.  It  is  strong- 
est in  the  newspapers  of  those  periods,  and  is 
specially  rich  in  New  York  newspapers  of  the 
last  century.  It  includes  also  a  fine  collection  of 
Southern  papers  printed  during  the  Rebellion.  By 
this  purchase  the  Lenox  has  in  one  bound  placed 
itself,  with  respect  to  old  newspapers,  beside  li- 
braries like  those  of  the  Pennsylvania  and  Wor- 
cester Historical  Societies,  the  Harvard  College 


Library,  the  Wisconsin  Historical,  the  Library  of 
Congress,  and  the  New  York  Historical.  A  few 
volumes  were  already  among  the  Bancroft  books, 
and  the  Lenox  had  to  start  with  seven  or  eight 
volumes.  The  total  of  this  department  is  now 
325  volumes,  all  newspapers. 

New  York  City.  Mercantile  L.  The  exhibition 
of  rare  books  and  manuscripts  given  yearly  at 
the  Mercantile  Library  was  begun  on  Feb.  2,  and 
in  the  afternoon  and  evening  the  library  was 
crowded.  Over  1500  volumes  were  on  view. 
The  "  star  "  exhibit,  however,  was  the  monograph 
on  the  Basilica  of  St.  Mark  at  Venice.  This 
work,  which  cost  $585,  is  divided  into  two  parts 
—  the  text,  in  three  large  volumes,  and  the  illus- 
trations, which  fill  five  volumes.  Another  work 
worthy  of  mention  is  a  richly  illustrated  volume 
descriptive  of  the  celebration  of  the  completion 
of  the  cathedral  at  Cologne,  1880.  A  fine  edi- 
tion of  a  work  illustrative  of  the  army  and  navy 
of  the  United  States,  in  10  parts,  attracted  at- 
tention, and  Barley's  edition  of  the  works  of 
Shakespeare,  which  cost  $300  unbound,  had 
many  admirers. 

Plainfield  (N.  /.)  P.  L.  Feb.  22  was  held  as  a 
"  Washington  day  "  at  the  library,  and  its  ob- 
servance was  successful  and  most  interesting. 
The  library  parlor  was  gayly  decorated  with 
flags  and  devoted  to  an  exhibition  of  relics  con- 
nected with  the  Revolutionary  period,  loaned  by 
friends  of  the  library,  and  works  treating  of  that 
time  and  especially  relating  to  the  suject  of 
Washington's  life.  Among  the  objects  exhibited 
were  an  original  Stuart  portrait  of  Washington,  a 
bust  by  Hiram  Powers,  two  flint  muskets,  an 
inkstand  with  quills,  a  horse-pistol,  sleigh-bells, 
a  spinning-wheel,  a  dress-coat  worn  by  Ethan 
Allen's  brother,  some  letters  and  documents  of 
ancient  date,  and  an  order  on  the  warden  of  a 
jail,  written  and  signed  by  Washington. 

It  was  the  first  exhibition  of  the  kind  ever 
held  in  the  library,  and  proved  thoroughly  suc- 
cessful. The  number  of  visitors  reached  850,  and 
many  who  had  never  before  visited  the  library 
were  among  this  number.  The  usual  holiday 
attendance  is  about  75. 

St.  Louis  (Mo.)  Mercantile  L.  (48th  rpt.)  Add- 
ed 3183;  total  85,866.  Issued,  home  use  99,274 
(fict.  and  juv.  77.1  #);  ref.  use  not  recorded.  No. 
visitors  169,992;  total  membership  3810.  Re- 
ceipts $59,632.46;  expenses  $52,198.24. 

In  order  to  banish  the  constant  complaint  that 
members  cannot  depend  upon  getting  the  latest 
publications  as  soon  as  issued  —  a  complaint  that 
Librarian  Kephart  says  is  inevitable  "  when  a 
hundred  members  want  the  same  book  at  the 
same  time,  and  we  have  only  four  or  five  copies" — 
the  following  rather  original  plan  has  been  put 
in  operation:  "The  library  buys  extra  copies  of 
the  most  popular  new  books,  over  and  above 
those  purchased  for  ordinary  issue.  These  extra 
copies  are  known  as  '  duplicates,' and  are  issued 
only  as  extras  at  10  cents  a  volume  for  each 
week.  Any  number  of  them  may  be  drawn  on 
the  same  ticket,  and  they  may  be  kept  out  as 
long  as  desired  at  the  rate  specified,  without  the 
formality  of  a  renewal,  no  fines  being  charged 


March,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


for  over-detention.  These  duplicates  are  not 
treated  as  permanent  accessions  to  the  library, 
but  form  an  independent  branch,  organized  on 
the  basis  of  self-support;  the  number  of  copies 
purchased  depends  entirely  upon  the  demand, 
and  when  this  slackens  the  copies  left  over  are 
sold.  Separate  accounts  are  kept  of  this  branch, 
and  the  receipts  from  issue  and  sale  of  copies  will 
be  spent  for  new  duplicates."  Mr.  Kephart  says: 
"  This  scheme  has  been  tried  in  other  libraries, 
but  only  on  a  small  scale,  so  far  as  I  know.  We 
propose  to  carry  it  out  on  any  scale  that  the 
members  will  support,  and  eventually  to  furnish 
duplicates  of  other  new  books  than  novels  if 
practicable.  It  is  hoped  that  such  a  branch  will 
solve  the  new-book  problem,  in  so  far  as  it  is 
soluble  at  all." 

Most  satisfactory  progress  has  been  made  on 
the  new  catalog  and  classification.  The  work 
was  specially  complicated  by  the  necessity  of 
entirely  rearranging  the  collection  by  subjects, 
numbering,  and  labelling  each  book,  etc.,  but  it 
has  been  most  successfully  carried  on.  Work 
was  begun  on  May  20,  1891;  in  February,  1892, 
the  first  section  of  the  catalog,  English  prose 
fiction,  was  published.  The  card  catalog  is  now 
finished  for  the  whole  library,  excepting  the  sec- 
tions of  fine  arts,  part  of  history,  polygraphs, 
English  essays  and  literary  history,  bibliog- 
raphy, wit  and  humor,  medicine,  industrial 
arts,  theology,  philosophy  proper,  general  peri- 
odicals, and  a  part  of  U.  S.  government  docu- 
ments. The  sections  aggregate  not  over  20,- 
ooo  v.  "In  other  words,  upwards  of  60,000  vol- 
umes have  been  cataloged  in  two  years  and  seven 
months,  during  nine  months  of  which  time  we  had 
two  catalogers  at  work,  or  at  the  rate  of  over 
18,000  volumes  a  year  for  each  cataloger. 

"It  may  be  of  interest  to  other  libraries  to 
explain  in  a  few  words  how  this  speed  in  catalog- 
ing has  been  accomplished.  It  was  not  done  by 
scamping.  The  printed  catalog  of  English  fiction 
shows  the  quality  of  the  work.  We  studied 
economies  in  cataloging.  We  tried  to  incorporate 
all  the  essentials  of  a  practical  guide  to  our 
shelves,  and  to  leave  out  all  that  was  unneces- 
sary; we  spent  little  time  in  hunting  up  full 
names  of  authors;  when  the  library  gets  books 
by  two  James  B.  Fitz  Smiths,  it  will  be  time 
enough  to  go  through  a  wilderness  of  reference- 
books  and  college  catalogs  to  find  out  that  one 
of  them  is  James  Brown  Fitz  Smith  and  the  other 
is  James  Black  Fitz  Smith;  we  copied  only  the 
essentials  of  title-pages;  we  did  not  analyze  the 
contents  of  mixed  works,  considering  that  to  be 
the  proper  work  of  bibliography,  not  of  catalog- 
ing; we  entered  each  work  under  its  author  and 
subject  or  title,  with  cross-references  wherever 
needed;  but  we  tried  to  make  the  catalog  as  con- 
cise as  possible  without  using  abbreviations 
(which  the  public  despises,  and  rightly).  The 
result  is  something  more  than  a  finding-list  and 
less  than  a  bibliography  or  index  of  contents.  It 
may  be  elaborated  hereafter  to  any  degree  that 
may  be  thought  desirable,  and  for  which  future 
librarians  may  have  leisure,  but  the  essentials 
of  a  practical  and  accurate  catalog  are  there." 
Mr.  Kephart  highly  compliments  the  skill 
and  industry  with  which  the  cataloging  work 


was  performed  by  Miss  Sanborn  and  Miss 
Gilkey. 

San  Francisco,  CaL  Mercantile  L.  (4lst  rpt.) 
Added  2024;  total  67,197.  Issued  29,077  (fict. 
67.70  %);  total  membership  1114.  Receipts 
$15,120.11;  expenses  $14,550.30. 

One  of  the  most  important  points  in  the  year's 
experience  was  the  privilege  extended  to  public- 
school  teachers  in  October  in  granting  subscrip- 
tions at  $3  per  year.  This  concession  met  with 
a  fair  response  and  promises  further  results. 

Statement  of  the  fluctuation  in  receipts  and  ex- 
penditures and  in  membership,  and  suggestions 
as  to  the  future  prospects  of  the  association  are 
dwelt  upon  at  length  in  the  president's  report. 

Scranton  (Pa.)  P.  L.  (3d  rpt.)  Added  4538; 
total  18,720.  Issued,  home  use  83,246  (fict.  and 
juv.  80.08  %);  no  account  kept  of  ref.  use.  No. 
cardholders  6227.  Receipts  $11,631.00;  ex- 
penses $10,618.85. 

In  the  reference  department  over  3000  v.  are 
on  open  shelves  for  public  access;  no  record  of  use 
is  kept. 

On  May  25, 1893,  the  Albright  Memorial  Build- 
ing, as  completed,  was  formally  presented  to  and 
accepted  by  the  city  of  Scranton.  Regular  public 
operation  of  the  library  began  June  i,  and  it  has 
continued  ever  since,  excepting  the  period  from 
Sept.  19  to  Sept.  30,  when  the  building  was 
closed  pending  final  details  of  construction. 

"A  finding-list  of  books  in  the  circulating  de- 
partment, up  to  the  end  of  February,  1893,  was 
printed  in  March  and  April,  being  in  readiness 
at  the  opening  of  the  library,  and  sold  at  the 
nominal  price  of  10  cents  each,  1921  copies  hav- 
ing been  taken  during  the  year. 

"  Lists  of  additions  to  the  circulating  depart- 
ment, since  the  printed  finding-list,  have  been  cur- 
rently made  on  the  typewriter  and  posted  on  the 
bulletin  boards.  During  1894  it  will  be  desirable 
that  those  and  subsequent  additions  be  printed  in 
supplement  form,  and  it  may  be  feasible  to  com- 
bine with  this  an  author-index  to  the  entire  con- 
tents of  the  library,  and  thus  supply  a  feature 
which  was  omitted  from  the  original  finding-list 
for  reasons  of  economy." 

Seattle  (Wash.)  P.  L.  Added  2476;  total 
11,048.  Issued,  home  use  98,000.  Receipts 
$14,460.11;  expenses  $10,040.22. 

There  was  an  increase  in  membership  during  the 
year  of  2703,  making  the  total  number  of  card- 
holders at  the  end  of  the  year  6336.  The  first 
catalog  of  the  library  was  issued  last  September. 

Terre  Haute  (/«</.)  P.  L.  On  March  25, 1894, 
the  library  will  have  been  in  existence  14  years, 
and  in  June  it  will  have  been  opened  12  years  as 
a  public  institution.  It  first  began  as  a  circulat- 
ing library  in  1880,  with  12  women  members  and 
300  volumes.  From  March  25,  1880,  until  June, 
1882,  these  women  conducted  the  library,  and  at 
that  time  it  became  a  public  library  under  the 
supervision  of  the  school  trustees,  containing 
1 200  books.  The  library  now  contains  over 
10,000  volumes. 

University  of  Michigan,  Ann  Arbor.  Univ.  L. 
(Rpt.)  Added  2839;  total  68781.  Issued  135,935. 
The  recorded  issue  of  books  is  less  than  the 


io6 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\_March,  '94 


figures  of  the  previous  year  by  3518  volumes. 
"  It  must  not  be  understood,  however,  that  there 
has  been  a  falling  off  in  the  use  of  the  library. 
The  reason  for  the  difference  is  found  in  the  fact 
that  very  many  more  books  than  ever  before 
were  placed  outside  of  the  delivery-desk  for  use 
without  the  ordinary  receipt  which  constitutes 
the  record." 

The  librarian  calls  attention  to  the  pressing 
need  of  more  space,  of  additional  help  on  the 
library  staff,  and  larger  annual  appropriation. 
The  number  of  volumes  in  the  various  libraries 
of  the  university  —  general,  law,  medical,  and 
dental  —  is  85,781. 

Washington,  D '.  C.  Congressional  L.  The  new 
Library  of  Congress  has  lately  contracted  for  its 
book-shelves.  They  are  to  be  of  steel,  3  ft.  2 
in.  long  by  12  in.  wide,  of  skeleton  form  so  as  to 
afford  ventilation  to  the  books  and  little  or  no 
lodgment  for  dust  and  places  for  insects  to  har- 
bor, and  they  are  to  be  as  smooth  as  glass.  The 
shelves  are  not  to  be  painted  but  are  to  be  treated 
by  the  Bower-Barff  rustless  process.  Each  shelf 
is  required  to  be  able  to  support  a  load  of  127 
Ibs.  distributed  over  its  surface,  with  a  deflection 
not  greater  than  1-8  of  an  inch.  The  steel  shelves 
will  weigh  seven  pounds  each,  while  an  oak 
shelf  of  the  same  size  and  thickness  would  weigh 
nine  and  one-half  pounds.  There  will  be  in  all 
about  70,000  shelves,  aggregating  a  length  of 
about  40  miles. 

Wesleyan  Univ.  Middletown,  Ct.  The  state- 
ment that  the  population  of  the  town  of  Middle- 
town  was  1002,  according  to  the  census  of  1890, 
made  in  the  table  of  statistics  showing  "  College 
libraries  and  their  relation  to  the  people,"  in 
the  February  JOURNAL  (L.  j.  19  :  50),  was  an 
error.  The  population  of  the  town  according  to 
the  last  census  was  15,205. 

Wilmington  (Del.)  Institute  F.  L.  The  first 
free  public  library  in  Wilmington  was  opened 
on  the  morning  of  Feb.  12,  without  ceremony 
or  exercises.  As  already  noted  in  the  JOURNAL 
the  library  is  owned  by  the  Wilmington  Institute 
and  its  use  was  formerly  confined  only  to  mem- 
bers of  the  association.  It  has  been  in  existence 
since  1787,  when  it  was  organized  as  "The  Li- 
brary Company  of  Wilmington,"  but  had  never 
reached  a  specially  high  standard  of  general  use- 
fulness. In  the  fall  of  1892  it  was  decided  to 
ask  the  co-operation  of  the  city  in  making  the 
library  free  to  the  public;  W:  P.  Bancroft,  of 
Wilmington,  was  actively  interested  in  the 
movement,  and  did  much  to  bring  about  the 
change  ;  his  gifts  to  the  library  will  probably 
exceed  $25,000,  and  without  them  it  could  not 
have  been  made  free.  A  bill  was  prepared 
amending  the  charter  of  the  institute,  so  as  to 
make  the  library  free,  which  was  passed  by  the 
last  legislature.  An  annual  appropriation  of 
$5000  is  made  by  the  city  for  the  support  of 
the  free  library,  and  almost  the  equal  amount 
is  supplied  by  rental  of  the  institute  property. 
In  October,  Arthur  W.  Tyler,  of  Columbia  Col- 
lege Library,  was  appointed  librarian,  and  the 
work  of  reorganization  was  effectively  begun. 
Mrs.  Mary  A.  Resag,  formerly  librarian  of  the 


old  Institute  Library,  was  retained  as  assistant 
librarian.  A  large  number  of  new  books  have 
been  added,  especially  in  science  and  useful 
arts,  and  the  library  has  been  completely  and 
advantageously  rearranged  in  new  and  commo- 
dious rooms  in  the  institute  building.  Over 
2600  borrowers  were  registered  in  advance  of 
the  opening.  The  library  starts  with  nearly 
20,000  v.  on  its  shelves.  The  showing  at  the  end 
of  the  first  week  was  most  gratifying.  Librarian 
Tyler  writes  : 

"  The  success  of  the  free  library  is  more  than 
assured;  and  our  shelves  in  the  fiction  and  juvenile 
departments  look  as  though  they  had  been  struck 
by  a  cyclone.  When  the  first  week  closed  on 
Saturday  evening,  we  had  done  a  circulation  at 
the  rate  of  over  100,000  a  year;  but  we  are  bank- 
rupt, and  cannot  keep  up  such  a  rate  without  a 
very  large  addition  to  our  working  capital  of 
books.  Our  circulation  the  first  week  was  2862, 
the  second  3042,  and  the  third  3507 — a  total  of 
9411  for  three  weeks !  and  our  available  books 
for  circulation  cannot  exceed  1600.  On  March 
5  the  registration  had  reached  4436." 

FOREIGN. 

Aberdeen  (Scotland)  P.  L.  (gth  rpt.)  Added, 
lending  1.  2293;  total  20,361;  ref.  1.  3970;  total 
16,472.  Issued,  home  use  258,767  (fict.  48.81  #) 
ref.  use  20,982;  periodicals  issued  in  reading- 
room  46,531.  No.  borrowers  10,400  (6240 
males). 

With  the  period  ending  Sept.  30,  1893.  the  li- 
brary completed  the  first  year  ol  the  occupation 
of  its  new  quarters.  As  the  result  of  its  change 
to  the  latter  it  was  enabled  for  the  first  time  in 
its  history  to  carry  on  the  three  departments  of 
its  work  with  something  like  completeness  and 
under  one  roof. 

"  For  a  fortnight  in  July  the  lending  depart- 
ment was  closed  for  the  purposes  of  stock-taking, 
and  to  enable  the  staff  to  take  their  annual  holi- 
day all  together  and  at  a  time  when  the  public 
generally  were  holiday-making.  The  innovation 
may  be  said  to  have  proved  a  success.  July  is  a 
month  in  which  invariably  the  fewest  issues  oc- 
cur; and  accordingly  the  closing  of  the  depart- 
ment then  caused  little  inconvenience  to  the  pub- 
lic, while  it  was  a  boon  to  the  staff,  and  from  an 
administrative  point  of  view  an  advantage  to  the 
library." 

London.  The  philological  library  of  the  late 
Prince  Lucien  Bonaparte  is  offered  for  sale  en 
bloc  by  Sotheran  &  Co.  The  catalog  of  the  li- 
brary is  not  yet  issued,  but  the  collection  includes 
about  1 7,000  volumes.  Prince  Lucien  Bonaparte 
was  almost  the  greatest  contemporary  student  of 
philology,  and  his  collection  is  said  to  be  un- 
equalled by  any  in  the  world  in  that  branch  of 
science.  It  was  valued  at  ^50,000  by  its  owner. 

London.  People's  Palace  L.  The  subscriptions 
to  the  Wilkie  Collins  memorial  have  been  used  to 
establish  a  library  of  fiction  in  the  People's  Pal- 
ace Library.  The  collection  is  of  English  novels 
and  poetry  and  it  numbers  noo  volumes;  a  part 
of  the  fund  was  used  to  furnish  and  make  com- 
fortable for  reading  purposes  the  room  in  which 
the  books  are  kept. 


March,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


107 


Cibrarians. 


EGLE,  W:  H.,  librarian  of  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Library,  was  on  Feb.  9  reappointed  for  a 
term  of  four  years  by  Gov.  Pattison. 

SANBORN,  Miss  Kate  E.,  was  on  Feb.  5  elected 
librarian  of  the  Manchester  (N.  H.)  Public  Li- 
brary, to  succeed  Mrs.  Mary  J.  Buncher,  whose 
resignation,  submitted  Oct.  7,  went  into  effect 
Jan.  i.  Miss  Sanborn  was  for  eight  years  an 
assistant  in  the  Boston  Athenaeum,  and  for  the 
last  three  years  has  been  cataloger  in  the  St. 
Louis  Mercantile  Library;  she  will  enter  upon 
her  new  duties  early  in  March. 

Cataloging  ana  (Classification. 

ANNUAL  AMBRICAN  CATALOGUE,  1893:  being  the 
full  titles  with  descriptive  notes  of  all  books 
recorded  in  The  Publishers'  Weekly,  1893,  with 
author,  title,  and  subject  index,  publishers'  an- 
nual lists  and  directory  of  publishers.  [4th 
supplement  to  the  American  Catalog  1884-90.] 
N.  Y.,  Office  of  The  Publisher?  Weekly,  1894. 
c.  18+216+146  p.  O.  hf.  leath.,  $3.50. 
Contains  5134  titles  arranged  in  alphabetic 

order,  being  272  more  titles  than  were  embraced 

in  any  previous  annual;  nearly  3000  of  these 

titles  are  annotated. 

The  BOSTON  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for  Jan.,  1894, 
continues  the  valuable  "  Chronological  index  to 
historical  fiction,"  and  begins  the  subject  of 
France,  covering  the  period  from  "  early,  gen- 
eral, and  legendary"  history  to  the  seventeenth 
century,  concluding  with  a  list  of  works  on  the 
Huguenots.  In  accordance  with  the  intention 
recently  announced  of  printing  in  the  bulletin 
sections  of  the  great  public  catalog,  this  issue 
contains  lists  of  the  books  in  the  library  on  the 
three  subjects  of  Alps,  Steam-engines,  and 
Africa.  There  is  also  a  2^£  p.  "  list  of  works  in 
the  Boston  Public  Library  relating  to  the  blind." 
The  two  chief  items  of  interest  in  the  bulletin 
are  a  "  fac-simile  of  a  petition  of  the  handycrafts- 
men  of  Boston,  in  1677,  against  the  intrusion  of 
strangers," and  a  "fac-simlle  of  apian  of  Boston, 
drawn  by  the  Chevalier  Daux  in  1692." 

CASPAR'S  (C.  N.)  PRACTICAL  CATALOG  OF  LAW- 
BOOKS,  arranged  by  subjects  with  a  complete 
index  to  authors,  embracing  the  latest  edi- 
tions of  all  text-books,  treatises,  reports,  di- 
gests, decisions,  statutes,  law  periodicals,  etc^ 
which  are  at  present  in  vogue,  afh  greatly 
enl.  edt,  rev.  to  date.  Milwaukee,  C.  N. 
Caspar,  1894.  ico  p.  D.  pap.,  25  c.;  same, 
with  "key"  to  publishers,  interleaved,  flex, 
mor.,  net,  $5. 

The  JERSEY  CITY  LIBRARY  RECORD  for  Janu- 
ary contains,  besides  the  usual  "  list  of  new 
books,"  a  list  of  books  and  magazine  articles  in 
the  library  on  "  the  Hawaiian  Islands." 


LAKE  FOREST  (///.)  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY.  Find- 
ing-list, December,  1893.  136  p.  O.  pap.,  40  c. 
A  classed  finding-list,  prefaced  by  a  table  of 
contents  which  serves  as  subject-Index.  A  di- 
agram of  the  shelving  is  given  on  the  second 
page  of  the  cover,  to  facilitate  the  finding  of 
books;  free  access  is  allowed  to  all  shelves. 
Author-entries  only  are  given,  but  a  subject- 
list  of  biography  is  appended;  "  purely  historical 
fiction  "  is  classed  with  history. 

New  York  City,  FREE  LIBRARY  OF  THE  GENER- 
AL SOCIETY  OF  MECHANICS  AND  TRADESMEN. 
Supplement  no.  6  to  the  finding-list.  N.  Y., 
1894.  6+43  P-  O-  pap. 

Catalogs  the  additions  to  the  library  from  Jan- 
uary to  December,  1893;  a  classed  list,  preceded 
by  index  of  subjects. 

NEWARK  (N.  /.)  LIBRARY  NEWS,  May -Nov., 
1893.    8  p.  O. 
Classified  list  of  new  books  added. 

The  SALEM  (Mass.)  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for  Feb- 
ruary has  a  "  special  reading  list"  of  the  period- 
icals currently  received  in  the  reading-room. 

The  SPRINGFIELD  (Mass.)  LIBRARY  BULLETIN 
for  January  contains  a  "  list  of  books  in  the  li- 
brary upon  electricity  and  magnetism." 

FULL  NAMES. 
Supplied  by  Harvard  College  Library. 

Davis,  C:  E:,/r.  (Three  years  in  the  army); 

La  Rue,  B:  Franklin  (A  graphical  method 
for  swing-bridges); 

Wright,  Walter  Channing  (Female  life  mort- 
uary experience  of  the  New  England  mutual 
life  insurance  company,  1863-1892). 


ADICKES,  Erich.  Bibliography  of  writings  by 
and  on  Kant  which  have  appeared  in  Germany 
up  to  the  end  of  1887.  (iii.)  (In  Philosophical 
Review,  Sept.,  1893,  ii.  557-  583.) 

APPLETON,  W:  Hyde.  Greek  poets  in  English 
verse,  by  various  translators;  ed.  with  intro- 
duction and  notes,  by  W.  H.  A.  Host., 
Houghton,  Mifflin,  1893.  7+360  p.  D.  cl., 
$1.50. 
Contains  a  3  -p.  list  of  translations  and  books  of 

reference. 

CASTLE,  Egerton.     English  book-plates;  an  il- 
lustrated handbook  for  students  of  ex-libris. 
Lond.,  Bell  &  Sons,   1893.     O.    20  +  352  p. 
il.  cl.,  ioj.  bd. 
Contains  a  12-p.  bibliography. 

CLASSIFIED  bibliography  illustrating  a  course  of 
lectures  on  methods  of  studying  and  teaching 
history,  with  particular  reference  to  the  his- 


io8 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


'94 


tory  of  the  U.  S.      (In  the  University  Record 
[Univ.  of  Michigan],  June,  1893,  iii,  43-49-) 

DODGE,  C :  Wright.     Introduction  to  elementary 
practical  biology:  a  laboratory  guide  for  high- 
school  and  college  students.     N.  Y.,  Harper 
&  Bros,  1894.     c.   23  +  422  p.  D.  cl.,$i.8o. 
Appendix  B   is  a  classified  list  of    books   of 

reference  (15  p.). 

ERMAN,  A.  Egyptian  grammar;  with  tables  of 
signs,  bibliography,  exercises  for  reading,  and 
glossary;  tr.  by  Ja.  H:  Breasted.  Lond., 
Williams  &  Norgate,  1894.  280  p.  8°,  i8s. 

JOHNSON,  Emory  R.     Inland  waterways,  their 
relation  to  transportation.  Phila.,  1893.  (Sup- 
plement to  Annals  of   the  Amer.   Acad.   of 
Polit.  and  Social  Science,  1893.) 
Contains  a  4-p.  bibliography. 

MARTIN,  B:  Ellis.  On  the  footprints  of  Charles 
Lamb;  il.  by  Herbert  Railton  and  J.  Fulley- 
love;  with  a  bibliography  by  E.  D.  North. 
[New  cheaper  ed.  rev.]  N.  Y.,  C:  Scribner's 
Sons,  1894.  c.  '90.  5+195  P-  P°r.  D.  cl., 
$1.50. 

MENTZ,  G.  W.  Some  standard  books  on  pro- 
fessional subjects.  (U.  S.  Office  of  naval  in- 
telligence. International  Columbian  naval  ren- 
dezvous and  review  of  1893.  Washington,  1893. 
pp.  191  -  230.) 

ODIINER,  Rev.  C.  Th.  A  brief  account  of  the 
life  and  work  of  Emanuel  Swedenborg;  with 
a  sketch  of  his  personality.  Phila.,  Academy 
Book  Room,  1821  Wallace  St.,  1893  [1894.] 
5-41  p.  por.  sq.  D.  cl.,  25 c.;  pap.  I5c. 
Gives  a  15-p.  bibliography  of  New  Church 

publications. 

PARKER,  T:  Jeffery.  Wm.   Kitchen  Parker:  a 
biographical   sketch.       London,    Macmillan, 
1893.     10+145  p.  O.  cl. 
Contains  a  13-?.   list  of   Parker's  published 

works. 

PROTHERO,  Rowland  Edmund,  and  Bradley,  G: 
Granville  (Dean.)  Life  and  correspondence  of 
Arthur  Penrhyn  Stanley.  N.  Y.,  C:  Scrib- 
ner's  Sons,  1894.  c. '93.  2  v.,  26+536;  6+ 
600  p.  pors.  O.  cl.,  $8. 
An  8-p.  list  of  Stanley's  publications,  including 

magazine  articles,  is  appended;  it  does  not  claim 

to  be  an  exhaustive  bibliography. 

RAND,  Silas  Tertius,  D.D.    Legends  of  theMic 

macs.     N.  Y.,  Longmans,  Green  &  Co.,  1894. 

c.     29+452  p.  por.  O.  (Wellesley  philological 

publications.)  cl.,  $3.50. 

Prefaced  by  an  8-p.  list  of  Dr.  Rand's  writ 
ings. 
THOMAS,  Allen  Clapp.    The  family  of  love,  or 


the  Famillsts.    (Haverford  College  studies,  5th 

month;  1893;  no.  12.)     $i. 

Gives  a  3-p.  list  of  authorities  and  references. 

WEST,  Max.    The  inheritance  tax.    N.  Y.,  1893. 
3- 140  p.  O.  (Columbia  College  Studies  in  Po- 
litical Science,  iv.  2.)  pap.,  75  c. 
Contains  a  7-p.  bibliography. 

WHEELER,  W.  H.  Tidal  rivers:  their  hydraul- 
ics, improvement,  navigation.  N.  Y.,  Long- 
mans, Green  &  Co.,  1893  [1894.]  7+467  p. 
il.  O.  (Longmans'  civil  engineering  ser.)  cl., 

15- 

Appended  is  a  list  of  "  titles  of  books  relating 
to  tidal  rivers  "  (3  p.). 

INDEXES. 

FLETCHER,  W:  I.,  and  BOWKER,  R:  R.    The 
annual  literary  index,  1893;  including  periodi- 
cals,  American  and   English;    essays,  book- 
chapters,   etc.;  with  author-index,  bibliogra- 
phies and  necrology;  ed.  with  the  co-opera- 
tion of  members  of  the  American  Library  As- 
sociation and  of  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  staff. 
N.  Y.,  Office  of  the  Publishers' weekly,  1894. 
c.    7+213  p.  O.  cl.,$3.5o. 
This  volume  forms  the  second  supplement, 
both  to  the  last  five-yearly  volume  of  Poole's 
Index  (1887-1891),   and  to  the   new  "A.  L.  A. 
index "  to  essays,  book-chapters,  etc.,  compiled 
by  Mr.   Fletcher,  and  covering  the  period  to 
1892.  It  is  also  an  admirable  complement  to  the 
"Annual  American  catalogue,  1893,"  the  two 
volumes  making  a  complete  record  of  the  literary 
product  of  the  past  year.     It  comprises  the  in- 
dex to  periodicals  of  1893,  covering  121  pages; 
index  to  general  literature  and  list  of    books 
indexed,  22  pages;  full  author-index  to  indexes 
to  periodicals  and  general  literature,  54  pages; 
list  of  bibliographies,  American  and  English, 
published  in  1893,  6  pages;  necrology  of  writers 
deceased  in  1893,  2  pages. 

INDICE  sistematico  dei  periodic!  (R.  Biblioteca 
universitaria  di  Pavia.)  Pavia,  Bizzoni,  1893. 
61  p.  16°. 

PROF.  A.  C.  TRUE,  of  the  U.  S.  Department  of 
Agriculture  at  Washington,  is  compiling  an  Index 
to  the  literature  of  experiment  stations.  His 
task  is  well  under  way,  some  3000  cards  having 
been  printed,  covering  the  publications  of  1890 
and  1891.  The  earlier  publications  are  now  in 
hand  ;  when  these  are  finished  the  index  will  be 
brought  up  to  date.  The  titles  are  being  ar- 
ranged on  a  decimal  system.  The  classification 
will  comprise :  i,  General  sciences,  physics, 
chemistry,  mineralogy,  geology,  botany,  fermen- 
tation, bacteriology,  animal  physiology,  zoology, 
meteorology,  and  climatology;  2,  Air  and  water; 
3,  Soils;  4,  Fertilizers;  5,  Plants;  6,  Foods;  7, 
Animals;  8,  Entomology;  9,  Dairying;  10, Tech- 
nology; ii,  Agricultural  engineering;  12,  Sta- 
tistics; 13,  Miscellaneous. 


March,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


109 


EDW.  G.  ALLEN'S 

London  Agency  for  American  Libraries, 

28   HENRIETTA   STREET,   COVENT  GARDEN, 
LONDON. 

(FORMERLY  RICH   &  SONS.) 

EDW.  G.  ALLEN  devotes  himself  entirely  to  library  business.  His  long  experience  enables  him 
to  execute  the  orders  of  correspondents  promlpty,  cheaply,  and  with  thorough  efficiency.  His  con- 
nection with  all  the  Book  Dealers  in  the  United  Kingdom  gives  him  the  command  of  the  British 
Book  Market,  and  qualifies  him  to  serve  his  customers  with  special  advantage,  and  to  bring  promptly 
under  their  notice  all  the  stores  of  Literature,  old  and  new,  on  sale  in  Great  Britain. 

Books  Supplied  at  a  Small  Commission  on  the  Cost  Price,  with  the  usual  Trade 

deductions,  and  forwarded  by  the  quickest  and  cheapest  routes.    Second-hand 

Catalogues  by  early  Mails,  and  no  Commission  charged  on  Orders 

from  them.      Periodicals  and  Newspapers  Posted  Promptly. 

pensive  sub-agencies  at  home  or  abroad.  Foreign  books  on  easy  terms. 


Agency  for  the  following  Libraries  and  many  others: 


Library  of  Congress,  Washington. 
Libraries  of  Parliament,   Ottawa,  Toronto, 

and  Quebec. 
Amherst  College. 
Boston  Public  Library. 
Brooklyn  Library. 
Brown  University. 
Cornell  University. 
Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library.] 
California  University. 


Colorado  University. 
Johns  Hopkins  University. 
Philadelphia  Library  Co. 
Peabody  Institute,  Baltimore. 
University  of  Pennsylvania. 
University  of  Toronto,  Can. 
Watkinson  Library,  Hartford,  Conn. 
Yale  University. 
Minneapolis  Public  Library. 


Cheap  and  Durable  for  Circulating  Libraries.    Specially  Strong  for  Books  of  Reference.    Superior 

Style  for  Works  of  Art.     Imitation  Antique  for  Rare  Old   Books.     Calf  Extra  In  Every  Variety. 

Best  Half-Binding  for  General  Library  Use.     Pamphlets  Bound  at  Cheap  Rates.     Law- 

Books  In  Law  Calf.     Cheap  Binding  In  Cloth.     Hard-Grained    Roan,  etc.     Dilapi- 

dated Binding  Neatly  Repaired.     Deficiencies  of  Rare  Books  Supplied  In 

Exact  Fac-Simile.     Library  Stamps  to  Order. 


"We  have  been,  for  the  last  twenty  years,  personally  cognizant  of  Mr.  Allen's  faitnfulness  to  the  interests  of 
his  American  customers.  When  a  resident  in  Washington,  ten  years  ago,  we  found  that  the  immense  Congressional 
Library  largely  supplied  its  shelves  through  Mr.  Allen's  London  Agency.  Many  of  the  extensive  libraries  belonging 
to  the  Universities  and  Colleges  in  the  East  have  also  secured  their  Foreign  Books  from  the  same  source,  and  we 
have  heard  from  the  officers  of  these  Institutions  frequent  testimony  to  the  scrupulous  exactness  with  which  their 
orders  werealways  filled. 

"  We  cannot,  therefore,  do  a  greater  service  to  the  Colleges  and  Universities  of  the  West,  to  which  these  pres- 
ents shall  come,  than  to  advise  that  they  employ  this  inexpensive  agency  for  replenishing  their  Libraries  with  Eng- 
lish Books." — PRESIDENT  WELCH,  Iowa  State  Agricultural  College. 

"No  better  indorsement  of  Mr.  Allen's  Agency  is  possible  than  the  list  of  leading  libraries  that  continue  to  use 
it.  For  30  years,  strict  integrity  and  unexcelled  facilities  have  held  the  oid  and  made  new  patrons.  The  very  large 
business  built  up  demands  only  a  small  commission  instead  of  the  customary  10  per  cent.  A  library  can  safely 
entrust  all  its  London  orders  to  Mr.  Allen  without  getting  other  estimates  and  feel  sure  that  it  is  not  making  a 
mistake."— MELVIL  DEWBY,  State  Library^  New  York. 


Edw.  G.  Allen's  American  Library  Agency, 

COVENT  GARDEN,  LONDON. 

MEMBER    AMERICAN    LIBRARY    ASSOCIATION. 


SPECIAL  TERMS  FOR  LARGE  ORDERS. 


no 


[March,  94 


The  Rudolph  Indexer  Book. 

(Patented  in  the  United  States  and  all  Foreign  Countries.) 
Method  of  Indexing  is  the  same  as  that  employed  In  the  Rudolph  Continuous  Indexer. 

The  RUDOLPH  INDEXER 
BOOK  consists  of  a  number  of 
card-holders  of  heavy  card- 
board with  one  or  two  columns 
on  both  sides.  On  the  back 
edge  of  each  card-holder  are  two 
double  hinges  by  which  means 
other  card-holders  may  be  flex- 
ibly connected  or  disconnected. 

Independent  book-covers  are 
furnished,  and  a  book  may  thus 
be  formed  of  one  card-holder 
and  later  increased  as  desired. 
If  the  book  becomes  too  bulky 
it  may  be  separated  and  by  add- 
ing covers  two  or  more  inde- 
pendent books  formed. 

The  Rudolph  Indexer  Case. 

(Patented  in  the  United  States  and  all 
Foreign  Countries.) 

Method  of  Indexing  Is  the  same  as  that  em- 
ployed In  the  Rudolph  Continuous  Indexer. 

The  RUDOLPH  INDEXER  CASE  con- 
sists of  a  series  of  card-holders  placed  on 
their  edges  in  a  drawer,  and  they  may  be 
turned  as  the  pages  of  a  book,  exhibiting  at 
each  view  273  single-line  entries. 

We  furnish  the  INDEXER  CASE  in  one, 
two,  four,  six  and  eight  drawers. 

The  capacity  of  each  drawer  is  thirty  card- 
holders. As  both  sides  of  the  card-holders 
are  used  it  [is  equal  to  8160  single-line 
entries. 

The  Rudolph  Card  Cutter. 


(Patent  Pending.) 

This  invention  is  tor  the  purpose  of  cutting  the  entries  or  cards  for  insertion  in  the  card-holders,  but  can  also  be 
used  for  many  other  purposes. 

It  is  very  important  that  all  the  slips  to  be  inserted  in  the  card-holders  be  cut  at  perfect  right  angles,  in  order  that 
each  entry  will  fit  exactly  to  the  others. 

An  unnecessary  margin  of  only  1-324  of  an  inch  on  the  top  and  i-32d  of  an  inch  on  the  bottom  of  each  entry  will 
amount  to  sHth  inches  of  waste  space  on  each  card-holder. 

The  cutter  will  cut  cardboard  where  spacing  between  the  printed  or  written  lines  is  1-64111  of  an  inch. 


March,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


in 


THE 


RUDOLPH  CONTINDODS INDEXER. 

(PATENTED    IN   THE   UNITED   STATES   AND   ALL   FOREIGN    COUNTRIES.) 


(FRONT  VIEW,  SHOWING  GLASS  LID  RAISED.) 


(REAR  VIEW,  SHOWING  DOOR  OPEN.) 


THE    LIBRARIAN'S   DESIDERATUM. 
THE  HOST  PERFECT   INDEXER. 


The  RUDOLPH  INDEXER  SYSTEM  possesses  many  advantages  which 
recommend  it  to  Publishers  and  Booksellers— in  fact,  to  any  one 
who  has  occasion  to  use  lists  of  books,  names  or  samples  of  goods, 
photographs,  etc. 

It  is  entirely  flexible,  allowing  any  number  of  entries  to  be  placed  in 
the  INDEXER  at  any  point. 

It  presents  to  the  eye  at  one  time  as  many  entries  as  six  pages  of  the 
American  Catalogue. 

Entries  are  protected  from  being  soiled  by  exposure  or  handling. 

Economy  of  space  and  economy  of  expenditure  of  both  time  and 
money. 

The  INDEXER  stands  42  inches  high  and  is  2O  inches  wide  by  SO 
inches  broad. 

We  shall  be  pleased  to  give  further  information  and  list  of  testi- 
monials from  leading  librarians. 


RUDOLPH  INDEXER  CO.,  606  Arch  St.,  Philadelphia. 


ii2  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  \March,  '94 

The  Late  Prince  Louis  Lucien  Bonaparte's  Library. 


TTHIS  remarkable  library,  probably  the  most  extensive  and  valuable  Philological  Col- 
lection in  the  World,  is  now  for  sale  by  private  treaty,  and  Messrs.  H.  Sotheran  &  Co. 

beg  to  offer  their  services  to  any  Librarian  or  Private  Collector  desiring  a  competent  agent  to 

report  upon  it,  or  negotiate  its  purchase,  which  their  wide  experience,  as  recently  in  the  case 

of  the  Althorp  and  Copinger  collections,  enables  them  to  undertake. 

The  Catalogue,  in  itself  of  great  scientific  value,  is  in  the  press,  price,  £i  2t  6</post  free, 

for  which  early  application  is  recommended. 


H.  SOTHERAN    &   CO.,   Booksellers  and   American    Library  Agents, 

140  Strand,  W.  C.,  and  37  Piccadilly,  W.:   London. 

Telegraphic  Address,  Bookmen,  London.    Code,  Unicode. 


H.  SOTHERAN 


C«Ui»UM! 

BOOKMEN,  LONDON.  *  \  ly/*  *L  *)      UNICODE. 

Booksellers,  Bookbinders,  and  Publishers,  and  General  Agents  in  Europe 
for  Private  Bookbuyers  and  Public  Institutions  in  America. 

With  exceptionally  long  experience  in  Library  Agency,  they  can  promise  the  best  care, 
diligence,  and  discretion  in  everything  relating  to  it,  and  in  small  matters  as  well  as  great. 
Established  1816.^  _ 

A  Monthly  Catalogue  of  Second-Hand  Books.    Specimen  Number  post  free. 

14O  Strand,  W.  C.,  and  37  Piccadilly,  W.  :  London 

KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  CO., 


PUBLISHERS  AND  LIBRARY  AGENTS, 

Having  extensive  experience  in  supplying  PUBLIC  LIBRARIES,  MUSEUMS,  GOVERNMENT 
INSTITUTIONS,  etc.,  at  Home  and  Abroad,  with  Miscellaneous  Requisites,  Books  (New  and 
Second-hand),  or  Periodicals  in  all  Languages,  offer  their  Services  to  LIBRARIANS,  SECRE- 
TARIES, AND  OTHERS.  Careful  attention  given  to  every  detail.  Exceptional  Facilities  for 
obtaining  Foreign  and  Scarce  Books.  BINDING  OF  EVERY  DESCRIPTION  UNDERTAKEN.  Peritdicals 
and  Newspapers  Promptly  Supplied  as  issued.  Books  Shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  World  at  Lowest 
Rates.  _ 

TERMS  ON  APPLICATION,  ALSO  LIST  OF  LIBRARY  APPLIANCES,  HANDBOOKS,  ETC. 

THE  BURROWS  BROTHERS  CO.,  23,  25,  27  Euclid  Avenue,  Cleveland,  Ohio, 

BOOKSELLERS,   IMPORTERS   AND   PUBLISHERS, 
Have  best  facilities  for  supplying  to  libraries 

ALL  BOOKS  AT  THE   LOWEST  PRICES, 

and  with  great  promptness.  Constantly  in  stock  one  of  the  largest  collections  of  American  pub- 
lishers' books  carried  in  the  country,  also  a  good  assortment  of  recent  English  books. 

ENGLISH,  FRENCH  AND  GERMAN  publications  imported  free  of  duty  at  lowest  prices. 

Catalogue  of  scarce  and  out-of-print  books  issued  frequently  and  mailed  free  to  those  desiring 
same. 

CANADIAN  LIBRARIES  particularly  requested  to  permit  us  to  act  as  their  agents  for  pro- 
curing all  American  publications,  as  well  as  out-of-print  and  scarce  books,  at  lowest  prices. 


TIIK    BURROWS    BROTHERS    CO.,  •  Cleveland,    Ohio. 

ISoolcsellera,    Publishers,    Importers. 


March,  '94]  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  113 

A  Library  Adhesive  at  Last! 

HI G GINS'          .  •' 

DRA  WING-BOARD 

MUCILAGE. 

A  novel  adhesive  originally  intended  and  now  largely  used  for  sticking  paper 
to  the  drawing-board,  hence  its  name,  but  also  found  peculiarly  adapted  for  labe- 
ling and  repairing  books  and  all-around  library  work.  Has  great  strength  and 
body.  It  is  semi-solid  and  will  not  spill,  yet  responds  at  once  to  the  merest  touch 
of  brush  or  finger.  Spreads  smoothly  and  easily,  and  is  always  ready.  Not  a  starch 
or  flour  paste  but  a  new  chemical  discovery — Vegetable  Glue.  Will  not  mould  or 
sour,  and  has  no  bad  tricks.  Adopted  by  leading  librarians  as  the  only  satisfactory 
library  adhesive  ever  produced.  

UNSOLICITED  COMMENDATIONS.    No.  6. 

(See  last  four  previous  issues  for   Commendations   1,    9,  3,   and  5.) 

"Your  Drawing-Board  Mucilage  is  Ai." — J.  C.  DANA,  Librarian,  Public  Library \  Denver ,  Colorado. 


FOB  SALE  BY  DEALERS  IN  ARTISTS'  MATERIALS  AND 
STATIONERS  GENERALLY. 

CHAS,  M,  HIGGINS  &  CO,,  Sole  Manufacturers,  168-170  Eighth  Street,  Brooklyn,  H,  Y. 

LONDON.  LEIPZIG.  PARIS. 

B.  WESTERMANN  &  CO., 

812    BROADWAY,    NETW    YORK. 

(KSTAUI.ISIIKW    1848.) 

FOREIGN   OFFICES  AT  LONDON,   LEIPZIG,  AND   PARIS. 
Agents  by  appointment  to  many  of  the  largest  American  and  Foreign 

College  and  Public  Libraries. 
SPECIAL  TERMS   FOR  LARGE  ORDERS. 


Terms  on  direct  application  for  the  supply  of  Foreign  and  American  Books  and  Periodicals. 

Weekly  shipments  by  the  fleetest  steamers  from  England,  Germany,  and  France.  Periodicals 
supplied  at  lower  rates  than  mail  copies  and  in  better  shape  for  binding. 

Rare  Books  and  Sets  of  Serials  procured  at  the  lowest  terms.  Regular  connections  with 
Central  and  South  America  and  all  Oriental  countries. 

Binding  done  here  and  abroad  in  every  style. 

Auction  Sales  attended  to. 

The  Catalogues  of  Foreign  Dealers — English,  German,  French,  Italian,  and  Spanish — fur- 
nished on  application. 

Monthly  Bulletins  of  New  Books  issued  regularly. 

With  the  help  of  a  most  complete  Bibliographical  Outfit  in  all  languages  and  on  all  subjects, 
and  the  experience  of  many  years  in  this  particular  line,  estimates  can  be  furnished  promptly  and 
information  given  on  topics  of  interest  to  Librarians. 


114 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[March,  '94 


THE  BAKER  &  TAYLOR  CO., 

5  and  7  East  Sixteenth  Street,  New  York, 

p^  AKE  a  specialty  of  supplying  public,  private,  and  school  LIBRARIES,  for  which 
*•  *  they  have  exceptional  facilities  through  their  connection  with  many  of  the  largest  houses 
as  special  agents,  and  by  carrying  the  stock  of  all  American  Publishers. 

They  are  pleased  to  give  estimates  at  lowest  rates  on  lists  of  proposed  purchases,  and 
solicit  correspondence  with  Librarians  and  other  bookbuyers. 

This  house  is  characterized  by  its  Promptness,  Carefulness,  and  L,o\v 
Prices. 

There  will  be  sent  to  any  address  on  application  a  topically  arranged  General  Library  List 
selected  from  the  books  of  all  publishers. 


THE  MONIST. 

A  QUARTERLY  MAGAZINE. 


Editor: 
DR.  PAUL  CARUS. 


Associates  : 


EDWARD  C.  HKGBLER. 
MARY  CARUS. 


April,  1894.    Vol.  IV.    No.  3. 

CONTENTS  : 
THRKB  ASPKCTS  OF  MONISM.  PACK 

Prof.  C.  LLOYD  MORGAN,  Bristol,  England.    331 
THE  PARLIAMENT  OF  RELIGIONS. 

Gen.  M.  M.  TR  UM  BULL,  Chicago.    . 
MODERN  PHYSIOLOGY. 

Prof.  MAX  VERWORN,  Jena,  Germany.  . 
KANT'S  DOCTRINE  OF  THE  SCHEMATA. 

H.  H.WILLIAMS,  University  of  North  Carolina.    375 
THE  EXEMPTION  OF  WOMEN  FROM  LABOR. 

LESTER  F.  WARD,  Washington,  D.  C.  . 
NOTION  AND  DEFINITION  OF  NUMBER. 

Prof.    HERMANN    SCHUBERT,    Hamburg, 
Germany  ......... 

ETHICS  AND  THE  COSMIC  ORDER. 

EDITOR  ......... 

KARMA  AND  NIRVANA. 

EDITOR  ......... 

LITERARY  CORRESPONDENCE.     France. 

LUCIEN  ARREAT  .......    439 

CRITICISMS  AND  DISCUSSIONS. 

Logic  as  Relation  Lore.    Rejoinder  to  M.  Mouret. 
F.  C.  Russell  ........    437 

BOOK  REVIEWS. 

EPITOME  OF  CONTENTS  OF  PHILOSOPHICAL  PERIODICALS. 


333 
355 


38s 


396 
403 
417 


CHICAGO  : 

THE    OPEN    COURT    PUBLISHING    CO. 

PRICB,  50  cents ;  YEARLY,  $2.00. 

London:  WATTS&  Co.,  17  Johnson's  Court,  Fleet  St.,  B.C. 
Price  in  England  and  U.  P.  U.,  as  6d.;  Yearly,  gs  6d. 


we  make  a  specialty 
of  hunting  for  out-of- 
print  books  for  Libra- 
ries.   

For  particulars  and  month- 
ly bargain  lists,  address 

S.F.  MCLEAN  &  co,, 

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NEUMANN  BROTHERS, 

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COLLEGE 

AND 

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Binders 

ik  76  E,  9th  St., 

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Repairing  and   Re-backing   of   Old    Book 
Covers  a  Specialty. 

Specimens  of  our  work  may  be  seen  at  the  COLUMBIA  COL- 
LEGE, NEW  YORK  HOSPITAL  LIBRARY,  NEW  YORK  ACAD- 
EMY OF  MEDICINE,  LONG  ISLAND  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY, 
PRATT  INSTITUTE,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  SHEFFIELD  SCIEN- 
TIFIC SCHOOL  OF  YALE  COLLEGE,  and  many  others. 
t£T~  We  have  a  special  style  of  binding  well  known  to 

Librarians  of  the  American  Library  Association,  of  which 

Mr.  C.  G.  Neumann  is  a  member. 


A  Literary  Souvenir  of  the  World's  Fair. 

The  Publishers'  and  Other  Book  Exhibits  at 
the  World's  Columbian  Exposition. 


By  A.  QROWOLL. 


i  vol.,  74  p.,  2  plans,  16°,  pap.,  10  cents. 

"The  Publishers'  Weekly  has  reprinted  in  neat  pam- 
phlet its  review  of  the  publishers'  and  other  book  exhibits 
at  the  World's  Columbian  Exposition,  than  which  we 
have  seen  nothing  better."—  The  Nation. 


THE  PUBLISHERS'  WEEKLY,  28  Elm  Street,  N.V. 


March,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


GREEN'S    PATENT 

Book-Stack  and  Shelving  for  Libraries. 


MADE  BY 


THE    SNEAD    &    CO.    IRON    WORKS, 


Louisville,  Ky.,  and  Chicago,  111. 


This  book-stack  is  of  iron  and  fulfils-,  all  the  requirements  of  the 
modern  library. 
i . — Convenience. 

(a)  Access  and  communication  with  the  stack,  as  well  as  with 

other  parts  of  the  Library  Building. 
(£)  Accommodation  of  books  of  all  kinds  and  sizes. 
(c)  Arrangement  of  books — variable  at  will. 
(</)  Shelves  adjustable,  removable,  interchangeable,  and  easily 
handled. 

(e)  Assorting  or  reading  of  books. 

(f)  Support  of  books  on  partially  filled  shelves. 

2. — Light,  cleanliness,  moderate  and  even  temperature  and  ventilation. 
3. — Capacity  and  compactness. 
4. — Fireproof  construction. 

5. — Shelving  surfaces  permanently  smooth  and  protected  from  corro- 
sion (Bower-Barffed),  and  necessity  of  renewal. 
Used  for  the  New  Library  of  Congress,  Washington,  D.  C. 


DESCRIPTIVE    CATALOGUE    ON    APPLICATION. 


n6  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  {March,  '94 

ESTABLISHED    1872 

LONDON:  PARIS:  LEIPctti: 

3O  WELLINGTON  ST.,  STRAND.       76  RUE  DE  RENNES.  HOSPITAL  SIR.  10. 

GUSTAV  E.  STECHERT 

Purchasing  Agent  for  Colleges  &  Libraries 

810    BROADWAY,    NEW    YORK, 

(TWO  DOORS  ABOVE  GRACE  CHURCH) 

begs  to  call  attention  to  his  facilities  for  obtaining  FOREIGN  BOOKS  and 
PERIODICALS  at  more  economical  rates  THAN  ANY  OTHER  HOUSE  IN  AMERICA 
OR  EUROPE  can  offer,  because : 

He  employs  no  Commission  Agents,  but  has  his  own  offices  and 
clerks  at  London,  Paris  and  Leipzig.  He  has  open  accounts 
with  all  the  leading  publishing  houses  in  the  "world. 

His  experience  enables  him  to  give  information  at  once  about 
rare  and  scarce  books. 

He  receives  weekly  shipments  from  England,  France  and  Germany,  and 
can  thereby  fill  orders  in  quicker  time. 

MORE  THAN  200  LIBRARIES  FAVOR  HIM  WITH  THEIR  ORDERS. 


REFERENCES, 

"Mr.  Stechert  has  for  years  furnished  this  Library  with  most  of  its  periodicals  and  European  books,  and  has  bought  for  U3 
many  thousand  volumes.  Mr.  Stechert's  success  is  due  to  his  constant  personal  attention  to  the  business,  and  the  reasonabla 
terms  he  is  able  to  offer.  I  consider  a  New  York  agent  far  preferable  to  reliance  on  foreign  agents  alone." 

GEO.  H.  BAKER,  Librarian  of  Columbia  College,  New  York. 


"  Seven  years  ago,  in  reorganizing  the  Columbia  College  library,  I  spent  much  time  in  trying  to  discover  how  to  get  out 
foreign  books  and  periodicals  with  the  least  delay,  trouble  and  expense.  The  result  of  the  comparison  of  three  methods,  viz: 
ordering  direct  from  foreign  dealers,  ordering  through  one  agent  in  London,  or  ordering  through  one  agent  in  New  York  showed 
us  that  it  was  to  our  advantage  to  give  Mr.  Stechert  all  our  foreign  orders,  as  he  delivered  in  the  library  in  a  single  package 
and  with  a  single  bill  at  as  low  cost  as  we  were  able  with  vastly  greater  trouble,  to  get  a  half  dozen  different  packages  in  differ- 
ent bills  from  different  places.  In  reorganizing  the  New  York  State  Library,  I  opened  the  whole  question  anew,  and  the  result 
of  the  comparison  was  the  same  as  before,  and  we  find  that  the  library  gets  most  for  the  time  and  money  expended  by  taking 
advantage  of  Mr.  Stechert's  long  experience,  and  the  careful  personal  attention  which  he  gives  to  our  orders." 

MELVIL  DEWEY,  Director  of  N.  Y.  State  Library,  Albany,  N,  Y. 


"  Mr.  G.  E.  Stechert  of  New  York  has  served  us  with  fidelity  in  procuring  English,  French  and  German  books,  both  new 
and  second  hand  and  also  periodicals.  His  terms  are  more  reasonable  than  any  others  that  have  come  to  our  notice,  while  he 
has  always  guarded  our  interests  very  carefully.  We  find  it  a  great  convenience  to  have  one  agency  in  New  York,  represented 
by  branches  in  different  European  countries." 

Prof.  ARTHUR  H.  PALMER,  Librarian  of  Adelbert  College,  Cleveland,  O. 


"  Your  methods  and  facilities  for  doing  business,  as  I  have  examined  them  here  as  well  as  at  the  Leipzig  and  London  ends, 
seem  to  me  admirably  progressive  and  thoroughly  live.  I  deal  with  you  because  I  judge  it  for  the  advantage  of  this  library  to 
do  so.  If  I  did  not,  I  should  not.  Up  to  date  I  am  unable  to  find  a  method  which  is,  all  things  included,  so  economical  of 
time  and  money  as  dealing  through  you." 

ERNEST  C.  RICHARDSON,  Librarian  of  College  of  Nevo  Jersey,  Princeton,  ff.J. 


"  Our  library  committee  speaks  in  the  highest  terms  of  your  services.     You  have  not  only  saved  us  many  dollars,  but  havt 
fbown  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  our  wants  for  which  we  thank  you. ' ' 

A.  8.  COLLINS,  Act.  Librarian  of  Reynolds  Library,  Rochester  ^  N.  K 

GUSTAV    K.    STKCHKRT, 

LONDON.         PARIS.         LEIPZIG.         NEW  YORK. 


THE 


Library  Journal 


OFFICIAL  ORGAN  OF  THE  AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 


CHIEFLY   DEVOTED    TO 


Economy  anb 


VOL.  19.     No.  4 


APRIL,  1894 


Contents 


PAGK 

WILLIAM  FREDERICK  POOLE  (Portrait). 

EDITORIAL 119 

The  "A.  L.  A."  Catalog. 

American  Catalogue  of  Books,  1800-1876. 

List  of  Books  on  Astronomy,  Paterson  Public 
Library. 

The  Public  Documents  Bill. 

The  British  Museum  Libel  Suit. 

Portrait  of  Dr.  Poole. 
COMMUNICATIONS 120 

A  Correction. 

A  Few  Words  Apropos  the  American  Catalogue. 

Exchanges. 
THE  WOMEN'S  CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATION  LIBRARIES. — 

Miss  S.  W.  Cattell. 121 

INKS  FOR  LIBRARY  USE.  —  II.  —  G:  W.  Cole;  W:  H. 

Tillingkaft 24 

THE  WAIL  OF  THE  ASSISTANT.    (Poem.) 25 

How  TO  CATALOG  BOOKS. — J.  Taylor  Kay.     ...      25 

ENLARGEMENT  OF  THE  BRITISH  MUSEUM. 29 

THE  SUIT  OF  MARTIN  vs.  THE  BRITISH  MUSEUM.    .    .      30 

AMHERST  SUMMER  SCHOOL 30 

SOME  BIBLIOGRAPHERS 31 


PAGE 

NEW  YORK  STATE  LIBRARY  SCHOOL 132 

A  "Faggot  Party." 
STATE  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATIONS 133 

Pennsylvania  Library  Club. 
LIBRARY  CLUBS 133 

New  York  Library  Club. 

Chicago  Library  Club. 
REVIEWS 135 

Catalogue  of  the  Library  of  Kings  College. 

Jordell,  p.,  Catalogue  Annuel  de  la  Librairie 
Fran9aise. 

Los  Angeles  Public  Library.    List  of  Novels  and 
Tales. 

U.  S.  Bureau  of  Education.    Catalog  of  "A.  L. 
A."  Library. 

LIBRARY  ECONOMY  AND  HISTORY 139 

GIFTS  AND  BEQUESTS 145 

LIBRARIANS 146 

CATALOGING  AND  CLASSIFICATION 146 

BlBLIOGRAFY 147 

ANONYMS  AND  PSEUDONYMS 148 

HUMORS  AND  BLUNDERS 148 


NEW  YORK  :    PUBLICATION  OFFICE,  28  ELM  STREET  (Near  Duane). 
LONDON:    SOLD  BY  KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  Co.,  PATERNOSTER  HOUSE, 

CHARING  CROSS  ROAD. 

YEARLY  SUBSCRIPTION,  fs.oo.  MONTHLY  NUMBERS,  50  cts. 

Price  to  Europe,  or  other  countries  in  the  Union,  20* .  per  annum  ;  tingle  numbers^  is. 

Entered  at  the  Poet-Office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  as  second-class  matter. 


n8 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{April,  '94 


EDW.  G.  ALLEN'S 

London  Agency  for  American  Libraries, 

28   HENRIETTA   STREET,   COVENT  GARDEN, 
LONDON. 

(FORMERLY   RICH   &  SONS.) 

EDW.  G.  ALLEN  devotes  himself  entirely  to  library  business.  His  long  experience  enables  him 
to  execute  the  orders  of  correspondents  promlpty,  cheaply,  and  with  thorough  efficiency.  F's  con- 
nection with  all  the  Book  Dealers  in  the  United  Kingdom  gives  him  the  command  of  the  British 
Book  Market,  and  qualifies  him  to  serve  his  customers  with  special  ad  vantage,  and  to  bring  promptly 
under  their  notice  all  the  stores  of  Literature,  old  and  new,  on  sale  in  Great  Britain. 

Books  Supplied  at  a  Small  Commission  on  the  Cost  Price,  with  the  usual  Trade 

deductions,  and  forwarded  by  the  quickest  and  cheapest  routes.     Second-hand 

Catalogues  by  early  Mails,  and  no  Commission  charged  on  Orders 

from  them.      Periodicals  and  Newspapers  Posted  Promptly. 

pensive  sub-agencies  at  home  or  abroad.  Foreign  books  on  easy  terms. 


Agency  for  the  following  Libraries  and  many  others: 


Library  of  Congress,  Washington. 
Libraries  of  Parliament,   Ottawa,  Toronto, 

and  Quebec. 
Amherst  College. 
Boston  Public  Library. 
Brooklyn  Library. 
Brown  University. 
Cornell  University. 
Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library.] 
California  University. 

BDIIMGEfQ* 

Cheap  and  Durable  for  Circulating  Libraries.    Specially  Strong  for  Books  of  Reference.    Superior 
Style  for  Works  of  Art.     Imitation  Antique  for  Rare  Old  Books.     Calf  Extra  in  Every  Variety. 
Best  Half-Binding  for  General  Library  Use.     Pamphlets  Bound  at  Cheap  Rates.     Law- 
Books  In  Law  Calf.     Cheap  Binding  In  Cloth.     Hard-Grained    Roan,  etc.     Dilapi- 
dated Binding  Neatly  Repaired.     Deficiencies  of  Rare  Books  Supplied  In 
Exact  Fac-Simile.     Library  Stamps  to  Order. 


Colorado  University. 
Johns  Hopkins  University. 
Philadelphia  Library  Co. 
Peabody  Institute,  Baltimore. 
University  of  Pennsylvania. 
University  of  Toronto,  Can. 
Watkinson  Library,  Hartford,  Conn. 
Yale  University. 
Minneapolis  Public  Library. 


"We  have  been,  for  the  last  twenty  years,  personally  cognizant  of  Mr.  Allen's  faitnfulness  to  the  interests  of 
his  American  customers.  When  a  resident  in  Washington,  ten  years  ago,  we  found  that  the  immense  Congressional 
Library  largely  supplied  its  shelves  through  Mr.  Allen's  London  Agency.  Many  of  the  extensive  libraries  belonging 
to  the  Universities  and  Colleges  in  the  East  have  also  secured  their  Foreign  Books  from  the  same  source,  and  we 
have  heard  from  the  officers  of  these  Institutions  frequent  testimony  to  the  scrupulous  exactness  with  which  their 
orders  were  always  filled. 

"  We  cannot,  therefore,  do  a  greater  service  to  the  Colleges  and  Universities  of  the  West,  to  which  these  pres- 
ents shall  come,  than  to  advise  that  they  employ  this  inexpensive  agency  for  replenishing  their  Libraries  with  Eng- 
lish Books." — PRESIDENT  WELCH,  Iowa  Statt  Agricultural  College. 

"No  better  indorsement  of  Mr.  Allen's  Agency  is  possible  than  the  list  of  leading  libraries  that  continue  to  use 
it.  For  30  years,  strict  integrity  and  unexcelled  facilities  have  held  the  oid  and  made  new  patrons.  The  very  large 
business  built  up  demands  only  a  small  commission  instead  of  the  customary  10  per  cent.  A  library  can  safely 
entrust  all  its  London  orders  to  Mr.  Allen  without  getting  other  estimates  and  feel  sure  that  it  is  not  making  a 
mistake." — MELVIL  DEWEY,  State  Library,  New  York. 


Edw.  G.  Allen's  American  Library  Agency, 

COVENT  GARDEN,  LONDON. 

MEMBER    AMERICAN    LIBRARY    ASSOCIATION. 


SPECIAL  TERMS  FOR  LARGE  ORDERS. 


VOL.  19. 


APRIL,   1894. 


No.  4 


THE  long-expected  complete  catalog  of  the 
A.  L.  A.  "  Model"  Library  is  at  last  issued  and 
will  be  welcomed  by  the  whole  profession, 
which  we  hope,  erelong,  it  will  be  the  means 
of  indirectly  swelling,  by  the  facilities  and  en- 
couragement it  offers  for  the  starting  of  new 
libraries.  At  rather  short  notice  the  attempt 
has  been  made  to  review  it  adequately  and 
justly,  but  probably  both  merits  and  defects 
have  been  overlooked.  Certainly  the  idea  of 
such  a  catalog  was  a  brilliant  conception  and  its 
completion  is  a  notable  event,  marking  a  library 
advance  towards  £he  A.  L.  A.  general  catalog, 
for  which  every  librarian  hopes.  If  "  well  be- 
gun is  half  done,"  the  present  list  is  indeed  a 
harbinger  for  the  future,  and  truly  the  present 
catalog  seemed  more  impossible  in  1876  than  a 
larger  work  seems  in  1893.  If  such  strides  can 
take  place  between  two  such  celebrations,  let 
us  celebrate  early  and  often.  But  since  we 
have  none  such  in  immediate  sight,  let  us  cele- 
brate the  model  library  and  its  catalog,  and 
hope  that  another  17  years  will  see  the  bantling 
grown  into  a  great  general  catalog. 

THE  first  responses,  amounting  to  subscrip- 
tions for  over  200  copies,  to  the  projected  Amer- 
ican Catalogue  of  books  from  1800  to  1876  not 
included  in  the  1876  volume,  have  shown  remark- 
able interest  in  the  work,  and  although  they 
are  not  sufficient  to  justify  entering  upon  com- 
pilation, for  which  500  subscriptions  should 
be  at  hand,  they  are  most  encouraging  in  that 
direction.  The  good  words  for  the  project 
which  have  come  with  the  subscriptions  are 
more  encouraging  still.  The  plan  seems  to 
meet  with  hearty  approval  both  for  its  intrinsic 
value  and  for  the  preparation  it  affords  toward 
the  ultimate  possibility  of  a  general  American 
bibliography.  If  it  is  to  be  worked  out,  how- 
ever, there  must  be  still  wider  response,  in 
obtaining  which  we  trust  our  readers  will  hearti- 
ly co-operate.  The  project  is  to  publish  in  $2 
parts,  and  to  guarantee  the  author-alphabet 
within  the  limit  of  a  f  10  subscription. 

CLOSE  upon  our  criticism  of  Mr.  lies'  system 
of  evaluating  books  we  receive  from  the  Free 
Public  Library  of  Paterson  a  "  List  of  books  in 
the  Public  Library  on  astronomy,"  in  which  we 
have  an  actual  specimen  of  Mr.  lies'  system.  To 
every  title  in  this  list  either  Mr.  Winchester,  the 
librarian,  or  Prof.  Young,  of  Princeton,  has 


added  a  critical  or  descriptive  note.  Sometimes 
it  is  limited  to  a  single  word,  as  "  excellent,"  or 
"  popular."  Again  such  descriptions  occur  as  : 
"  The  standard  up  to  1850  ; "  "  The  best  Amer- 
ican work  on  orbit  computation  and  ephemeri- 
des  ;"  "A  capital  text-book  for  students  in  the 
observatory  ;"  "Still  excellent  in  many  ways;" 
''  Superseded  by  Campbell,"  and  many  others  of 
similar  type.  The  result  is  eminently  successful; 
so  successful,  indeed,  that  the  critical  suggestions 
made  against  the  advantages  of  the  system  are 
greatly  lessened.  Of  course  these  notes  will 
unquestionably  fall  out  of  date,  so  far  as  the 
issue  of  new  books  is  concerned  ;  but,  bearing 
in  mind  always  the  date  at  which  the  list  was 
published,  it  conveys  a  clearer  view,  and  forms 
a  more  convenient  handbook  of  literature  than 
any  catalog  we  have  yet  seen.  The  multiplica- 
tion of  such  lists  would  go  far  to  solve  the  per- 
plexities of  the  library  catalog  problem. 

THE  Public  Documents  bill  is  in  a  somewhat 
precarious  position.  We  understand  that  Sena- 
tor Gorman,  as  chairman  of  the  Senate  Com- 
mittee, has  completed  a  revision  of  the  bill  as 
it  came  from  the  House,  and  has  prepared  modi- 
fications and  amendments  which  will  be  formal- 
ly brought  before  the  Senate  Committee  at 
an  early  date.  Unfortunately  this  had  not  been 
done  in  time  to  bring  the  bill  before  the  Senate 
previous  to  its  entry  upon  the  tariff  discussion, 
which  now  threatens  to  occupy  its  time  pretty 
well  through  the  present  Congress.  It  is  hoped 
to  procure  a  favorable  vote  in  the  Senate  while 
the  tariff  bill,  if  adopted,  has  gone  back  to 
the  House  for  conference,  in  which  case  any 
changes  made  by  the  Senate  in  the  House  bill 
would  doubtless  be  handled  by  a  conference 
committee  toward  the  close  of  the  session.  It 
is  very  important  that  librarians  should  cause 
both  senators  and  representatives  to  feel  that 
this  bill  is  an  important  one,  and  that  there  are 
people  all  over  the  country  interested  in  its 
passage.  It  is  particularly  desirable  that  the 
work  of  distributing  public  documents  should 
be  concentrated  as  far  as  possible  to  prevent 
the  waste  of  duplication,  and  that  the  office  of 
superintendent  of  documents,  wherever  it  is 
placed,  should  not  be  a  mere  football  of  politics. 

PERHAPS  one  of  the  most  curious  legal  difficul- 
ties in  which  a  library  was  ever  involved  has  been 
that  from  which  the  British  Museum  has  just 


I2O 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[April,  '94 


freed  itself  —  apparently  with  entire  success.  A 
certain  person  who  figured  somewhat  notori- 
ously in  the  Beecher-Tilton  scandal  has  since 
that  period  removed  to  England,  thete  married, 
and  achieved  considerable  social  position.  This 
is  equivalent  to  saying  that  the  old  stones  of 
the  trial  were  bound  to  be  revived.  Envious  or 
malicious  people  in  London  went  to  the  British 
Museum,  and  examining  the  literature  of  that 
unsavory  episode  took  copies  of  the  portions 
discreditable,  or  deemed  discreditable,  to  the 
lady  in  question,  and  did  their  best  to  give  gen- 
eral currency  to  what  was  injurious  in  them. 
Concerning  such  conduct  there  can  be  but  one 
opinion,  and  had  the  parties  guilty  of  such  con- 
duct been  brought  into  court  and  properly  pun- 
ished, no  one  would  have  felt  anything  but 
satisfaction.  But  instead  of  this,  suit  was 
brought  against  the  British  Museum  on  the 
ground  that  it  was  responsible  by  having  placed 
libellous  books  upon  its  shelves  and"  published" 
them  to  its  readers.  What  is  more,  the  lower 
court  sustained  this  view,  and  though  acquit- 
ting the  Museum  of  any  "  malicious  intent"  it 
nevertheless  gave  a  verdict  against  it. 

THE  far  reach  of  this  decision  would  occur 
instantly  to  every  librarian.  It  would  not  only 
create  an  "index  expurgatorius "  of  proble- 
matical proportions,  but  what  is  more,  would 
compel  each  library  to  judge  what  books  fell 
within  the  range,  thus  forcing  each  to  become 
an  expert  in  the  law  of  libel.  Nor  would  the 
most  careful  discrimination  save  a  library  from 
a  great  amount  of  annoyance.  Political  litera- 
ture, biography,  controversial  literature,  indeed 
probably  half  our  books,  would  have  to  be 
scanned,  and  whole  classes  would  have  to  be  ex- 
cluded rigidly,  as  for  instance  newspapers  and 
trials.  Any  one  who  wanted  a  little  cheap  ad- 
vertising could  obtain  it  by  bringing  suit  against 
the  library.  In  short,  any  such  ruling  estab- 
lished as  a  precedent  would  lessen  the  value  of 
libraries  to  a  degree  hardly  to  be  calculated. 
That  such  a  decision  could  be  made,  only  illus- 
trates how  uncertain  the  law  still  is,  and  what 
absurdities  even  the  trained  legal  mind  can  be 
led  into.  Fortunately  such  a  decision  was  too 
absurd  to  stand  a  reference  to  the  higher  court, 
which  promptly  reversed  this  decision,  and  held 
that  the  Museum  was  merely  performing  its 
proper  function,  in  placing  books  upon  its 
shelves,  without  regard  to  their  contents;  and 
that  a  mere  reading-room  use  did  not,  in  the 
slightest  sense  of  the  word,  constitute  the  pub- 
lication of  a  libel. 


THE  portrait  of  Dr.  Poole  which  accompanies 
this  number  of  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  *  is  from 
a  recent  photograph,  and  will  be  recognized  as 
an  excellent  portrait  of  the  Doctor  in  the  last 
years  of  his  life.  It  is  interesting  to  compare 
this  picture  with  the  one  we  printed  in  1887,  and 
to  observe  how  with  him  growing  old  meant 
merely  maturing  in  those  fine  qualities  which 
are  so  apparent  in  this  last  picture. 


€otnmunication0. 


A   CORRECTION. 

WILL  you  kindly  make  a  correction  in  my  be- 
half in  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL?  The  A.  L.  A. 
Catalogue,  on  p.  41,  gives  the  price  of  the  Oster- 
hout  Free  Library  catalog  as  $i.  That  is  the 
price  at  which  we  sell  it  to  members  of  the  Li- 
brary School  only;  otherwise  it  is  $2.  The 
mistake  has  already  caused  me  considerable  an- 
noyance, and  is  likely  to  cause  a  good  deal  more. 
HANNAH  P.  JAMES. 

OSTBRHOUT  FREB  LIBRARY,  ) 
Wilkesbarre",  Pa.  i 

A  FEW  WORDS  APROPOS  THE  AMERICAN 

CATALOGUE. 

IN  reading  the  notes  about  the  proposed 
American  bibliography  of  the  literature  of  this 
century,  it  has  occurred  to  me  that  it  would  be  a 
good  thing,  if  in  connection  with  the  book-title 
there  could  be  given  a  list  of  all  the  reviews  of 
the  book.  And,  furthermore,  a  book  that  creates 
much  of  a  sensation  often  originates  a  whole  lit- 
erature of  other  books  and  pamphlets;  these 
should  be  mentioned  under  the  first  title,  thus 
bringing  together  all  that  has  been  developed 
by  the  original  work.  This  would  give  not  only 
a  clue  to  the  standing  of  the  book  itself,  but  also 
hints  as  to  its  history,  and  the  history  of  the 
literary  and  other  criticism  aroused  by  it.  This 
plan,  as  far  as  it  concerns  books  and  pamphlets, 
called  out  by  a  single  book,  is  followed  in  the 
Swedish  bibliography  of  Linnstrom,  and  its 
continuations,  and  has  proved  very  useful. 

AKSEL  G.  S.  JOSEPHSON. 

N.  Y.  STATE  LIBRARY  SCHOOL,  1 
Albany,  N.  Y.  J 

[The  difficulty  of  such  a  catalog  would  be  that 
it  would  require  a  good  part  of  the  next  century 
to  make  it,  and  a  good  part  of  a  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars  to  pay  for  it.  —  ED.  L.  j.] 

EXCHANGES. 

ANY  one  having  a  copy  of  v.  2,  House  Ex. 
Docs.,  ist  sess.,  soth  Congress,  for  exchange  will 
please  address  the  undersigned. 

I  have  a  small  quantity  of  duplicates  of  Cali- 
fornia pamphlets  which  I  will  forward  to  any 
one  upon  receipt  of  postage  for  same. 

TESSA  L.  KELSO, 

LIBRARIAN  PUBLIC  LIBRARY,  ) 
Los  Angeles,  Cal.  j 

*  Reprinted  by  permission  from  Mr.  Fletcher's  forth- 
coming volume  on  "Public  libraries  in  America,"  No.  2 
of  the  Columbian  Knowledge  series,  published  by 
Roberts  Bros. 


April,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


121 


THE  WOMEN'S  CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATION  LIBRARIES.* 
BY  Miss  S.  W.  CATTELL,  Librarian   Young    Women's  Christian  Association  of  New   York. 


IT  is  generally  recognized  that  our  Civil  War 
brought  to  the  women  of  America  a  certain 
emancipation  or  freedom  which  they  had  never 
before  possessed,  for  it  is  from  the  memorable 
struggle  between  North  and  South  that  they  can 
date  their  entrance  into  new  fields  of  thought 
and  activity.  It  was  then,  when  the  women  of 
the  country  stepped  so  bravely  to  the  front  in 
camp  and  hospital  and  home,  that  they  learned 
something  of  their  own  latent  abilities,  their 
powers  of  organization  and  administration;  and 
the  women's  societies  which  began  to  form  then 
have  multiplied  with  such  rapidity  that  in  this 
last  decade  of  the  century  we  are  almost  over- 
whelmed with  their  number  and  magnitude. 
Not  least  among  the  forces  set  in  motion  at  that 
time  may  be  counted  the  organizations  known 
as  the  Young  Women's  Christian  Associations, 
or,  to  use  a  term  still  more  inclusive,  the  Wom- 
en's Christian  Associations,  which  have  for  their 
main  object  the  temporal,  moral,  and  spiritual 
welfare  of  young  women.  The  first  of  these 
associations  to  organize  was  that  in  Boston 
in  1866,  although  the  Ladies'  Christian  Union  of 
New  York,  a  society  similar  in  aims  while  differ- 
ing in  its  name,  really  antedates  it  by  eight  years, 
being  organized  in  1858.  Since  then  some  50 
associations  have  sprung  into  existence  in  the 
United  States  and  Canada,  meeting  every  two 
years  in  general  conference,  and  working  active- 
ly and  harmoniously  under  the  organization  en- 
titled the  "  International  Board  of  Women's 
Christian  Associations." 

Of  the  varied  work  of  these  associations  and 
the  good  accomplished  by  them,  it  is  not  my 
privilege  to  speak.  I  touch  upon  one  phase 
only  of  their  work  — the  libraries  owned  and  ad- 
ministered by  them.  Taking  the  report  of  the 
last  biennial  conference  of  the  Women's  Chris- 
tian Associations,  which  met  at  Chicago  in  Octo- 
ber, 1891,  I  sent  a  series  of  questions  to  all  the 
associations  there  reporting  libraries  as  a  part  of 
their  work.  The  answers  to  these  have  been 
tabulated  as  far  as  possible,  and  from  them  may 
be  gathered  some  items  of  general  interest  in  re- 
gard to  the  methods  and  aims  of  these  association 
libraries,  and  the  results  thus  far  attained  by 
them. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  owing  to  the  mani- 

*  Paper  read  at  the  Congress  of  Librarians,  Chicago, 
July  15, 1893. 


fold  departments  of  work  carried  on  by  the  Wom- 
en's Christian  Associations,  such  as  boarding 
homes,  restaurants,  employment  bureaus,  board 
directories,  exchanges  for  women's  work,  educa- 
tional classes,  gymnasiums,  summer  homes,  etc., 
the  library  must  necessarily  be  somewhat  of  a 
side  issue,  until  the  need  for  one  forces  itself 
upon  the  attention  of  the  association,  and  suffi- 
cient funds  are  provided  to  warrant  them  in  under- 
taking this  additional  department.  Therefore 
the  majority  of  the  association  libraries  are  as 
yet  in  their  infancy.  In  fact  they  cannot  strictly 
be  called  "  libraries "  in  the  professional  sense 
of  the  word,  consisting  as  they  do  of  a  few  hun- 
dred books  contributed  by  friends  for  the  use  of 
the  working  women  living  in  the  various  boarding 
homes  in  which  they  are  placed.  A  few,  how- 
ever, may  be  considered  as  regularly  organized 
libraries,  with  well-defined  methods,  modern 
equipments,  and  a  creditable  circulation  outside 
the  boarding  homes.  Some  of  the  associations 
evince  a  very  earnest  desire  to  increase  their  li- 
brary facilities,  and  they  are  almost  unanimous 
in  considering  the  library  an  essential  factor  in 
their  work. 

It  is  of  interest  to  note  that  some  of  the  li- 
braries are  fully  imbued  with  the  modern  library 
spirit.  The  Albany,  Brooklyn,  and  New  York 
associations  all  report  the  Dewey  system  of  clas- 
sification and  a  card  catalog;  these  libraries  are 
under  the  care  of  trained  librarians.  The  Wor- 
cester association  reports  a  card  catalog  and  a 
classification  under  general  topics.  The  Phila- 
delphia association,  whose  work  is  largely  sus- 
pended at  present,  owing  to  the  erection  of  a 
new  building,  has  sent  its  librarian  for  training 
to  the  library  class  at  Drexel  Institute,  and  when 
its  library  is  reorganized  in  its  spacious  new 
quarters,  it  will  be  upon  the  basis  of  modern 
methods.  The  Boston  association  has  also  a 
catalog  of  authors  and  subjects;  the  system  used 
is  not  stated.  Twelve  of  the  libraries  have  1000 
or  more  volumes  upon  their  shelves,  though  only 
three  have  as  yet  reached  2000;  these  are:  New 
York,  20,500,  Brooklyn,  4485,  and  Philadelphia, 
4000.  The  reading-rooms  which  nearly  all  the 
libraries  have  in  connection  with  their  work  are 
stocked  with  papers  and  magazines,  varying  in 
their  number  from  2  up  to  123,  the  latter  in  the 
New  York  library.  The  books  in  all  these  li- 
braries are  general  in  their  character,  covering 


122 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[April,  '94 


a  wide  range  of  subjects,  and  not  being  at  all 
confined,  as  some  imagine,  to  religious  work 
and  Sunday-school  stories.  In  Dayton,  O., 
prominence  is  given  to  works  of  Bible  study,  and 
the  New  York  association  rejoices  in  the  posses- 
sion of  a  very  valuable  collection  of  illustrated 
fine  art  books,  known  as  the  Mary  Elizabeth 
Hoyt  Memorial  Collection.  The  New  York  li- 
brary has  also  the  nucleus  of  a  circulating  music 
library,  including  piano  music,  and  the  scores  of 
operas,  oratorios,  etc. 

Since  the  association  libraries  are  mainly  for 
the  use  of  those  living  in  the  boarding  homes, 
they  are  of  advantage  to  self-supporting  women 
only;  and  even  where  the  circulation  extends  be- 
yond the  limits  of  the  homes,  the  readers  are 
mostly  working  women.  A  few  libraries  extend 
their  privileges  to  any  woman  who  may  care  to 
avail  herself  of  them.  No  distinction  in  creed  is 
made  amongst  those  admitted  to  the  libraries 
where  books  are  circulated  outside  the  boarding 
homes,  and  color  distinction  is  recognized  in  such 
cases  by  only  two  or  three  libraries. 

Among  the  most  interesting  and  helpful  sug- 
gestions that  come  to  us  from  these  reports,  are 
those  relating  to  the  various  methods  employed 
for  stimulating  among  the  readers  a  desire  for 
good  books.  In  Brooklyn,  "courses  of  reading 
are  prepared,  centering  around  the  life  of  some 
prominent  man,  notes  are  taken  by  the  members, 
papers  are  written  by  them,  and  at  the  end  of  the 
course  prizes  are  given  for  the  best  essays  and 
notes."  The  library  of  the  Philadelphia  associa- 
tion circulates  among  its  readers  some  excellent 
little  leaflets  on  such  subjects  as  "  The  gain  of 
books,"  "The  choice  of  books,"  etc.,  which  can- 
not fail  to  awaken  earnest  thought  on  the  part  of 
the  girls.  In  Albany  "  monthly  talks  are  given 
on  authors,  books,  reading,  travel,  popular 
science,  history,  biography,  and  current  topics. 
This  association  has  adopted  the  unique  and  suc- 
cessful plan  of  giving  a  room  in  the  association 
building  to  a  Library  School  student  (who  takes 
her  meals  nearby)  in  consideration  of  her  care 
and  supervision  of  the  library  for  a  certain  num- 
ber of  hours  per  week.  This  has  been  found  oi 
great  advantage  to  the  librarian  and  readers,  as 
the  student  has  proved  herself  a  true  missionary 
and  friend  to  the  young  girls.  She  has  volun- 
tarily undertaken  a  weekly  class  on  current  top- 
ics, and  has  made  many  warm  friends  among 
them.  The  committee  feel  that  this  influence  of 
a  cultivated,  refined,  college-bred  woman,  par- 
taking somewhat  of  the  University  Settlement 


dea,  is  most  valuable,  and  earnestly  hope  it  may 
>e  continued  through  successive  classes  of  the 
ibrary  School." 

In  Springfield,  Mass.,  there  is  a  Chautauqua 
circle  among  the  girls  in  the  home,  which  does 
much  to  stimulate  their  interest  in  the  use  of  the 
books.  In  New  York  lecture  courses  on  liter- 
ary and  historical  subjects  are  given  under  the 
auspices  of  the  educational  department  of  the 
association.  These  have  a  direct  effect  upon  the 
use  of  the  library.  The  librarian  herself  has 
given  a  talk  on  "  Books  and  reading,"  while  a 
"  Suggestive  list  of  books  for  girls  to  read,"  pre- 
pared by  her,  is  freely  distributed  and  has  proved 
of  great  practical  benefit.  Short  lists  are  fre- 
quently prepared  for  individual  girls  who  wish  to 
pursue  some  special  course  of  reading.  In  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  thechairman  of  the  library  committee 
meets  the  girls  occasionally  to  discuss  books, 
while  in  Dayton,  O.,  talks  are  given  in  the  edu- 
cational classes  of  the  association,  which  serve  to 
influence  the  girls  in  this  direction.  Great  care 
in  the  selection  of  books  for  the  libraries,  to- 
gether with  personal  suggestions  to  the  readers 
from  the  librarians  and  those  in  charge,  are  the 
main  reliance  in  the  cultivation  of  good  standards 
of  taste  and  judgment.  In  the  matter  of  the 
kind  of  books  admitted  to  their  shelves,  the  as- 
sociation libraries  have  an  advantage  over  the 
more  general  or  public  libraries.  They  have  the 
right  to  discriminate  more  closely,  and  they  ex- 
ercise this  right  with  care  and  discretion. 

Among  the  special  features  of  the  individual 
libraries  which  deserve  mention,  is  the  custom 
of  holding  book  receptions.  This  has  been  done 
with  marked  success  by  the  Albany,  Brooklyn, 
and  New  York  associations,  and  has  resulted 
not  only  in  valuable  gifts  of  books  and  money 
but  in  the  increased  interest  of  the  guests  in  the 
work  of  the  library,  often  proved  by  subsequent 
and  continuous  gifts.  In  the  New  York  library 
a  unique  and  popular  department  is  that  of  the 
art  studies.  This  collection,  numbering  about 
400,  consists  of  the  colored  supplements  to  the 
art  magazines  and  other  designs,  both  foreign 
and  American,  in  colors  and  black  and  white. 
At  a  cost  of  10  cents  each  these  are  mounted  at 
the  binders  on  stiff  cardboard,  and  by  means  of 
a  loop  of  tape  fastened  in  eyelets  in  the  upper 
end,  are  hung  on  hooks  around  the  wall,  where 
they  may  be  easily  examined.  These  are  circu- 
lated to  art  students  and  teachers,  dark  linen 
covers  being  provided  as  a  protection  in  carry 
ing  them  back  and  forth.  This  plan  has  been  in 


April,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


123 


operation  for  over  two  years  and  has  proved  em- 
inently practical  and  successful,  the  circulation 
of  the  studies  for  1892  being  954. 

Turning  from  this  necessarily  brief  and  incom- 
plete summary  of  the  general  methods  of  these 
libraries,  let  us  consider  something  of  their  aims 
and  needs,  and  the  spirit  in  which  their  work  is 
carried  on.  It  does  not  require  very  long  ex- 
perience here  to  be  convinced  of  the  pressing 
needs,  mental  and  moral,  of  the  girls  and  women 
who  come  to  us  through  the  open  doors  of  our 
libraries,  or  that  this  is  one  of  the  departments 
of  the  association  work  which  gives  us  a  special 
hold  upon  them.  The  employment  bureau  may 
not  always  be  able  to  secure  the  desired  position 
for  the  applicant,  and  the  boarding  homes  may 
have  no  vacant  rooms  to  offer  her,  but  in  the  li- 
brary, if  the  shelves  be  wisely  and  well  filled,  she 
can  always  find  something  to  meet  her  needs, 
from  the  best  technical  and  standard  works  on  all 
the  subjects  engaging  the  earnest  study  of  the 
cultivated  woman  of  to-day,  down  to  the  light 
but  wholesome  story  that  will  rest  the  tired  brain, 
and  relax  for  a  little  while  the  tension  of  a  daily 
life  of  monotonous  toil;  for  books  have  power  to 

"  Lift  us  unawares 

Out  of  our  meaner  cares." 

With  her  mental  need  freely  supplied,  will  not 
any  woman  be  better  able  to  appreciate  and 
respond  to  the  earnest  efforts  made  for  her  moral 
welfare  ?  In  the  library  opportunities  of  this 
kind  are  abundant,  and  the  librarian  is  often 
appalled  at  the  thought  of  her  responsibilities  in 
the  influence  for  good  which  it  is  in  her  power 
to  exert,  or  for  ill,  in  her  failure  to  seize  the 
opportunities  presented.  The  Christian  Associa- 
tion libraries  emphasize  and  bring  out  in  a  pe- 
culiar degree  what  is  true  of  all  libraries  —  the 
necessity  of  a  keen,  moral  sense  on  the  part  of 
the  librarians.  To  be  successful  in  this  work 
they  need  something  more  than  professional 
training  and  executive  ability,  important  as  both 
of  these  qualifications  are.  They  must  have,  if 
possible,  unusual  patience  and  tact,  and  the  lov- 
ing sympathy,  born  of  a  Christ-like  spirit,  that 
will  reach  out  unerringly  to  recognize  the  aspi- 
rations so  often  hidden  away  beneath  an  outward 
covering  of  ignorance,  timidity,  indifference, 
and  even  defiance.  But  where  shall  such  ideal 
librarians  be  found  ? 

One  of  the  peculiar  features  of  'the  Christian 
Association  libraries  is  the  relation  of  the  library 
committee  to  the  work.  These  committees  differ 
from  the  ordinary  boards  of  trustees  in  that  the 
members  not  only  have  the  general  supervision 


and  control  of  all  matters  relating  to  the"  library, 
but  take  a  much  more  active  part  in  its  daily 
work  than  is  usual  with  such  bodies:  serving  at 
the  loan-desk,  talking  with  the  readers,  preparing 
books  for  circulation,  covering  and  keeping  them 
in  repair,  selecting  new  books,  etc.  This  has  a 
distinct  advantage  in  creating  among  the  govern- 
ing board  a  more  intelligent  interest  in  the  work. 
Practical  experience  teaches  them  the  needs  of 
the  library  and  its  readers.  On  the  other  hand, 
some  disadvantage  attends  the  plan  in  the  occa- 
sional errors  and  inaccuracies  which  naturally  re- 
sult from  so  much  unskilled,  or  rather  non-profes- 
sional, work.  It  may,  however,  be  safely  claimed 
that  this  objection  is  outweighed  by  the  advan- 
tages, together  with  the  stimulating  effect  upon 
the  members  of  the  committee  themselves,  many 
of  whom  are  young  ladies  of  wealth  and  social 
position,  who  are  the  better  for  such  personal 
contact  with  their  working  sisters. 

One  of  the  greatest  hindrances  to  the  growth 
and  development  of  these  libraries  —  one  common 
to  most  enterprises  —  is  lack  of  means.  With  the 
exception  of  one  or  two  which  have  very  small 
funds,  all  the  association  libraries  depend  upon 
gifts  of  money  and  books.  This  uncertainty  of 
resources  cripples  them  on  every  side,  making 
It  difficult,  and  in  most  cases  impossible,  to  or- 
ganize the  libraries  upon  any  substantial  basis, 
or  adopt  any  definite  plans  for  their  development. 
We  do  not  need  to  create  our  clientage;  we  have 
that  already  at  hand  in  the  hundreds  of  women 
who  daily  throng  our  buildings.  It  is  estimated, 
for  example,  that  the  New  York  association 
reaches  each  year  through  its  various  depart- 
ments 30,000  working  women.  With  the  neces- 
sity for  the  existence  of  these  libraries,  so  practi- 
cally demonstrated  by  what  they  have  already 
done  for  working-women,  will  not  some  of  the 
liberal  friends  of  the  association  work  come  to 
their  rescue,  and  make  it  possible  for  them  to 
enter  the  doors  standing  open  before  them  ? 

I  must  not  close  without  some  reference  to  the 
humor  and  pathos  which  vary  the  routine  of  our 
daily  work.  Here,  as  in  other  libraries,  we  have 
frequent  examples  of  the  confusion  of  names 
and  titles;  as,  for  instance,  when  we  are  asked 
for  "  The  anglomaniacs,"  by  Howells,  or  "  Silas 
Lapham,"by  Thackeray,  or."  Sarah  Zanensky," 
by  Miss  Marian  Crawford.  Drummond  himself 
would  hardly  recognize  his  own  work  under  the 
title  of  "  The  natural  history  of  Christian 
science,"  and  Bulwer- Lytton's  biography  is 
spoken  of  as  "his  autobiography,  written  by  his 
son."  One  indignant  reader  discourses  on  the 


124 


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[April,  '94 


amount  of  blue  tape  in  our  regulations;  and  a 
bright  young  lassie  speaks  of  the  alcoves  as 
"  cubby-holes."  An  elderly  lady  asks  if  Kip- 
ling's "  Light  that  failed  "  is  anything  like  Ar- 
nold's "  Light  of  the  world."  Another,  when 
asked  whether  she  has  read  Thackeray's  "  Van- 
ity Fair,"  replies,  "  No;  but  I've  read  all  about 
it  in  '  Pilgrim's  progress."  "  A  girl  of  18  or  19, 
who  is  keeping  house  for  her  brother,  thinks  it 
would  be  very  helpful  for  her  to  know  how  to 
sew,  and  comes  to  the  library  for  a  book  that 
will  teach  her;  another  wants  a  book  on  danc- 
ing ;  still  another,  with  no  evidence  of  any 
special  culture,  wants  to  become  an  author,  and 
asks  for  a  rhetoric,  thinking"  she' will  find  there 
all  she  needs  to  enable  her  to  enter  the  list  of 
competitors  for  literary  fame. 

These,  and  the  many  more  instances  which 
might  be  cited,  bring  a  smile  to  our  lips,  but  a 
deep  yearning  to  our  hearts  to  stretch  out  the 
sisterly  hand  of  helpfulness  to  each  soul  that  is 
"  groping  blindly  above  it  for  light."  It  is  this 
that  the  Women's  Christian  Association  libraries 
aim,  above  all  things  else,  to  do.  We  are  grate- 


ful that  this  aim  has  already  been  in  some 
measure  fulfilled,  but  we  are  sadly  conscious  of 
the  unlimited  possibilities  which  lie  unrealized  be- 
fore us.  The  working  women  of  to-day  need 
something  more  than  safe  homes  to  shelter  them, 
and  training  schools  to  fit  them  for  successful  in- 
dependence. They  need  the  culture  and  com- 
panionship of  good  books.  They  need  well- 
equipped  libraries  for  their  exclusive  use,  which 
shall  be  liberally  administered  with  a  view  to 
their  special  necessities,  and  where  they  can  re- 
ceive more  personal  and  individual  attention 
than  is  possible  in  a  general  library.  They  need 
libraries  which  shall  be  to  them  in  very  truth  the 
"universities"  where  they  can  carry  on  the 
education  which  was  only  half-completed,  and  in 
too  many  cases  but  just  begun  when  the  necessity 
for  self-support  pressed  upon  them.  In  these 
days  when  the  philanthropists  of  our  great  cities 
are  providing  so  generously  for  the  needs  of 
various  classes  of  society,  is  it  unreasonable  to 
expect  that  these  higher  needs  of  the  working 
women  shall  receive  the  consideration  and  sup- 
port which  they  imperatively  demand  ? 


INKS  FOR  LIBRARY  USE.— II. 


I  DO  not  remember  having  been  asked  to  give 
my  experience  for  the  symposium  upon  the 
subject  of  inks,  which  appeared  in  the  March 
LIBRARY  JOURNAL.  The  subject,  however,  is 
one  which  has  interested  me  for  a  number  of 
years.  In  1876  the  country  was  infested  with 
peripatetic  vendors,  who  were  offering  ink- 
stands which  were  guaranteed  to  last  for  10, 
25,  or  zoo  years,  according  to  the  measure  of 
the  buyer's  credulity.  Some  gummy  substance 
of  an  aniline  nature  was  placed  in  them,  and 
all  that  was  necessary  for  the  buyer  to  do  was 
to  pour  in  pure  water  and  a  remarkably  limpid 
and  pleasant  ink  was  produced,  which  was  re- 
plenished when  exhausted  by  the  addition  of 
more  water,  until  the  aniline  matter  was  wholly 
dissolved,  when  the  supply  ceased.  It  is  need- 
less to  say  the  inkstands  failed  to  give  satisfac- 
tory results  after  a  few  weeks'  use. 

Being  at  the  time  connected  with  an  office  in 
which  land  and  probate  records  were  kept,  the 
remarkable  qualities  of  this  ink  set  me  to  think- 
ing, and  at  length  in  my  investigations  I  wrote 
to  Munn  &  Co.,  of  New  York,  publishers  of  the 
Scientific  American,  who  have  a  large  patent- 
office  business,  in  which  permanency  of  records 
is  a  sine  qua  non.  They  replied  that  after  ex- 


tensive experimenting  in  the  matter,  and  the  use 
of  many  inks,  they  had  settled  upon  a  mixture  of 
two,  which  they  used  for  all  the  signatures  for 
their  applications  for  patents,  viz.  :  Stephens' 
blue-black  writing  fluid,  3  parts,  and  Thaddeus 
Davids'  Japan  ink,  i  part. 

I  procured  these  inks,  and  used  them  in  the 
proportions  named  for  a  number  of  years  with 
great  satisfaction.  There  is  one  precaution 
necessary  to  be  taken,  however  :  the  ink  ought  to 
be  kept  so  as  to  prevent  evaporation,  as  it  then 
becomes  very  thick  and  gummy.  This  can  be 
readily  avoided  by  using  it  in  small  quantities  in 
an  ordinary  inkwell  (stand)  or  from  a  glass-stop- 
pered bottle. 

Since  entering  library  work  I  have  given  up 
using  Davids'  Japan  ink,  but  still  adhere  to  the 
use  of  Stephens'  blue-black  writing  fluid,  which 
I  find  perfectly  satisfactory.  I  was  gratified  to 
notice,  when  visiting  the  Newberry  Library,  tha 
Dr.  Poole  was  using  this  same  ink. 

Too  much  stress  cannot  be  laid  upon  the  use  of 
an  ink  which  will  withstand  the  ravages  of  time, 
and  the  opinions  of  disinterested  experts,  it 
would  seem,  ought  to  be  called  in  to  help  li- 
brarians in  settling  this  point. 

G:  WATSON  COLE. 


April,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


1*5 


SOME  matters  of  Interest  in  connection  with 
the  subject  of  inks,  discussed  in  the  last  number 
of  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL,  are  found  in  the  Sixth 
Report  of  the  Massachusetts  Commissioner  of 
Public  Records,  just  Issued. 

Mr.  Swan  states  that  as  the  Third  Report  is 
out  of  print,  the  parts  pertaining  to  ink  and 
paper  have  been  reprinted,  and  may  be  had  on 
application. 

The  recommendation  of  an  act  to  establish  a 
state  standard  recording  ink,  is  renewed,  and  a 
draft  of  such  an  act  submitted.  Doubtless  many 
librarians  would  be  glad  to  avail  themselves  of  a 
state  guarantee  in  this  particular. 

A  report  upon  red  inks  by  Prof.  Markoe  is 
given,  whence  it  appears  that  "carmine"  and 
"  azo"  inks  give  the  best  results,  but,  neverthe- 
less, "  we  do  not  possess  a  permanent  red  ink." 
Among  blue  inks  the  Prussian  blue  in  recom- 
mended for  purposes  of  record,  but  in  using 
great  care  must  be  taken  to  see  that  the  pig- 
mentary substance  has  not  settled;  this  results 
from  decomposition,  and  implies  the  permanent 
ruin  of  the  ink.  W:  H.  TILLINGHAST. 


THE  WAIL  OF  THE  ASSISTANT. 

WITH  fingers  weary  and  worn, 
With  brain  too  tired  to  think, 

An  assistant  sat  at  a  library  desk 
Plying  her  pen  and  ink. 

Write — write— write, 

In  bustle  and  hurry  and  noise, 
Or  run — run — run, 

For  women  and  men  and  boys. 

It's  oh  !  to  be  a  slave 

In  an  intellectual  haunt, 
Where  you  only  want  to  be  let  alone, 

And  always  find  you  can't ! 

Run — run— run, 

Till  even  the  stair-cases  shake, 
And  run — run— run, 

Tho'  the  tired  feet  may  ache  ; 

No  matter  how  badly  they  write, 
No  matter  how  hard  it  seem, 

Till  over  the  titles  we  lose  our  wits 
And  run  in  a  nightmare  dream. 

With  fingers  weary  and  worn, 
With  brain  too  tired  to  think, 

An  assistant  sat  at  a  library  desk 
Plying  her  pen  and  ink. 

"  Run — run— run," 

She  heard  the  trustees  rail, 
And  so,  with  a  voice  of  dolorous  pitch, 
Would  that  its  tone  might  reach  the  rich, 
She  sang  this  Library  Wail ! 


HOW  TO  CATALOG  BOOKS. 

J.   Taylor  Kay  in  The  Nineteenth  Century. 

IT  is  of  importance  that  the  vast  stores  of 
literature  that  we  possess  in  our  public  and 
semi-public  libraries  should  be  made  more  ac- 
cessible to  students  —  accessible  in  the  sense  of 
the  subject-matter  of  the  books  being  intelligent- 
ly made  known,  and  not,  as  is  now  the  case  to  a 
great  extent,  hidden  by  the  very  various,  un- 
systematic, and  peculiar  modes  of  cataloging 
them.  To  this  end  it  is  necessary  that  sensible 
bibliography  should  be  treated  scientifically,  and 
studied  to  a  greater  extent  than  is  now  the  case. 

The  term  "  literature "  as  it  is  used  in  this 
connection  does  not,  of  course,  comprehend  all 
printed  matter,  but  it  includes  the  books,  jour- 
nals, or  printed  material  usually  found  in  libra- 
ries. Its  definition  would  be  long  and  varied  — 
indeed,  we  have  not  yet  had  a  completely  satis- 
factory one  —  but  in  the  following  remarks  it  will 
be  found  to  have  a  very  expansive  reach. 

The  practical  study  of  bibliography  has  been 
much  neglected ;  and  it  is  now  proposed  to  show 
that  there  are  many  matters  of  moment  in  the 
details  of  the  subject  which  not  only  seriously 
affect  literature  and  libraries  but  the  public  gen- 
erally. Such  questions  as  — 

1.  The  best  system  of  cataloging  books  —  i.e., 
whether  they  should  be  arranged  under  the  au- 
thors' names  or  under  the  subjects,  and  the  pos- 
sibility of  formulating  a  uniform  system. 

2.  The  classification  of  the  subjects  of  litera- 
ture. 

3.  The  possibility  of  having  a  general  catalog 
of  books,  or  index  to  literature,  with  an  arrange- 
ment indicating  the  books  that  are  in  our  nation- 
al institutions,  and  the  proper  authority  for  car- 
rying this  out. 

4.  The  provision  of  a  subject-index  to  period- 
ical literature,  completing  the   work  of  Poole's 
"  Index  to  [general]  Periodical  Literature, "which 
at  present  does  not  include  the  articles  in  scien- 
tific journals  and  in  the  transactions  of  learned 
societies. 

Let  us  take  these  subjects  in  order.  In  this 
connection  the  subject  of  cataloging  is  of  the 
first  importance.  It  is  by  the  means  of  catalogs, 
or  should  be,  that  we  find  out  what  has  been 
written  in  any  department  of  human  knowledge, 
and  are  enabled  to  avoid  the  repetition  of  re- 
searches and  investigations  that  have  been  al- 
ready performed.  The  catalogs  of  our  libra- 
ries, therefore,  should  be  treated  as  works 
having  a  special  value.  But  at  present  each 
public  library  appears  to  have  an  arrangement 
of  its  own  with  regard  to  its  list  of  books, 
though  there  appears  to  be  a  singular  una- 
nimity with  respect  to  the  practice  of  placing  a 
book  under  the  author's  name  as  the  initial  word 
—  that  is,  if  it  is  possible  to  obtain  it.  There  are 
exceptions  with  regard  to  periodicals,  encyclopae- 
dias, collections,  sacred  books,  and  of  course  anon- 
ymous works.  This  author-heading  practice  is  so 
simple  and  easy,  that  whatever  may  be  the  after- 
arrangement,  classification,  or  division,  it  is  now 
generally  the  initial  word  in  the  arrangement  of 
books  in  catalogs.  In  the  catalog  of  the  library 
of  the  British  Museum  the  alphabetical-author 


126 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[April,  '94 


arrangement  is  adopted  with  the  exceptions  in- 
dicated. But  in  this  case  there  is  also  a  special 
innovation  interfering  strangely  with  facility  of 
access  to  the  literature  required  —  that  is,  the 
periodical  publications  of  all  kinds  are  cataloged 
under  the  names  of  the  places  where  the  jour- 
nals, or  the  institutions  whose  proceedings  are 
recorded,  are  situate  or  published,  rather  than 
under  the  title  of  the  journal  or  the  name  of  the 
institution.  For  instance,  the  following  are  the 
first  two  entries  under  the  heading  "  Manches- 
ter"—  Ab-o'-tK  Yate's  Christmas  A nnual,  etc. ; 
The  Alliance,  a  weekly  journal,  etc. 

This  is  an  eccentricity  that  has  not  been  found 
necessary  in  any  other  public  institution  except- 
ing the  Bibliotheque  Nationale  at  Paris,  where 
periodicals  are  placed  under  the  heading  "Acad- 
emies." A  few  libraries  have  of  late  made  a  sub- 
ject-index at  the  end  of  the  alphabetical-author 
arrangement,  and  in  the  result,  as,  for  instance, 
at  the  Manchester  Free  Library,  the  subject-in- 
dex volume  of  the  catalog  is  invariably  used  in- 
stead of  the  catalog  itself. 

The  exceptions  called  for  by  the  arrangement 
of  books  under  the  authors'  names  in  catalogs 
are  many  and  varied.  As  before  mentioned, 
there  are  the  anonymous  books:  great  books 
such  as  the  Bible,  the  Talmud,  the  Koran,  etc. 
(whilst  their  exegesis  are  placed  under  the  com- 
mentators' names);  and  encyclopaedias  and  peri- 
odical publications,  which  are  usually  placed 
under  the  first  word  of  the  title  not  an  article. 
In  the  case  of  biographies  it  is  the  general  prac- 
tice to  catalog  the  books  under  the  names  of  the 
writers;  but  there  is  no  reason  why  the  subject 
of  a  biography  should  not  be  treated  to  a  subject- 
matter  heading  in  cataloging,  just  as  the  subjects 
of  investigation  by  scientific  men,  and  the  fanci- 
ful titles  of  poems,  plays,  and  novels  are  so 
treated  when  anonymous. 

To  connect  minor  things  with  greater,  the 
worry  consequent  on  the  present  want  of  system 
may  be  illustrated  by  daily  experience.  The  is- 
sues of  catalogs  by  the  booksellers  have  largely 
increased.  Immediately  one  becomes  known  as 
a  bookbuyer,  or  as  connected  with  one  of  the 
learned  societies  that  publish  lists  of  their  mem- 
bers, booksellers  inundate  him  with  their  cata- 
logs. These  are  mostly  author-lists,  and  we 
have  to  wade  continuously  through  a  large  num- 
ber of  columns  of  small  type  to  see  if,  by  chance, 
there  may  be  a  book  on  a  subject  in  which  we 
are  interested.  To  those  connected  with  public 
and  semi-public  libraries  it  is  worse,  for  they 
must  consult  large  numbers  of  catalogs  for  desid- 
erata. In  addition,  publishers  are  continual- 
ly issuing  lists  of  new  books  or  of  current  stock, 
and  in  the  case  of  a  few  of  these  a  little  progress 
is  being  made  in  the  way  of  systematic  arrange- 
ment, for  occasionally  a  rough  classification  is 
adopted.  Thanks  are  due  to  the  publishers  of 
Whitaker's  "Reference  catalogue  of  current 
literature"  and  Low's  "  English  catalogue  "for 
the  progress  they  have  made  in  their  particular 
lists.  They  are  a  step  in  advance,  and  are  useful; 
but  still  the  lists  are  invariably  arranged  under 
the  names  of  the  authors  alone,  and  would  be 
much  more  useful  if  the  goods  advertised  were 
under  the  names  given  to  them. 


It  is  from  no  want  of  reverence  for  literature 
that  the  term  "  goods  "  is  used,  for,  after  all,  the 
subject-matter  of  a  book  is  the  book  itself,  the 
raison  d'etre  of  its  existence.  The  author  is,  or 
ought  to  be,  secondary.  But  literature  should 
be  made  accessible  by  its  material,  its  subject- 
matter.  By  this  only  can  it  be  arranged  in 
older.  Order  is  a  necessity  throughout  nature, 
and  should  not  be  abrogated  in  literature. 

Librarians  have  sometimes  raised  a  doubt  as  to 
the  existence  of  sufficient  skilled  labor  to  pro- 
duce catalogs  of  books  under  an  arrangement  of 
subjects.  During  35  years' experience  in  a  college, 
a  proprietary,  and  a  free  public  library,  I  have 
had  a  large  number  of  assistants  who  were  quite 
capable  of  doing  this.  And  it  is  worth  while 
to  remind  the  doubters  that  every  word  of  the 
Bible,  Homer,  Aristophanes,  ^Eschylus,  Pindar, 
Tacitus,  Thucydides,  Shakespeare,  Shelley,  Ten- 
nyson, Milton's  poetry,  etc.,  has  been  indexed 
by  persons  without  any  special  technical  train- 
ing for  the  purpose.  The  work  of  Agassiz 
(Louis)  in  the  great  "  Nomenclator  zoologicus," 
2  vols.,  410,  and  the  "  Bibliographia  zoologiae  et 
geologise,"  4  vols.,  8vo,  though  of  a  somewhat 
different  nature,  is  another  instance  of  simple 
useful  industry  valuable  in  its  results.  It  should 
be  noted  that  the  latter  important  work  "  was 
mainly  composed  by  the  professor  for  his  own 
private  use  during  the  leisure  moments  of  a  life 
of  almost  incessant  scientific  research."  The 
grand  work  that  Dr.  J.  S.  Billings  has  done  for 
medical  bibliography  in  his"  Catalogue  of  the  li- 
brary of  the  Surgeon-General's  Office  of  the 
United  States  Army "  may  also  well  illustrate 
this  point.  In  this  catalog  there  are  literally 
thousands  of  subdivisions  of  subjects  of  medical 
science,  alphabetically  arranged,  together  with 
author-entries,  and  including  not  only  the  sepa- 
rate works,  but  also  the  subjects  of  articles  in 
more  than  2000  sets  of  periodicals.  It  has 
proceeded  as  far  as  "Shu"  in  12  volumes 
imperial  octavo,  and  there  are  496,533  sub- 
ject-matter entries,  in  addition  to  219,237  au- 
thors'-name  entries.  It  is  a  standing  monument 
of  the  truth  of  the  assertion  that  dictionaries  of 
subjects  treated  in  literature  are  practicable,  and 
would  be  an  inestimable  benefit  to  science  and 
to  literature. 

A  committee  (consisting  of  Professors  Cayley, 
Grant,  and  Stokes)  appointed  by  the  British  As- 
sociation for  the  Advancement  of  Science  "  to 
consider  the  formation  of  a  catalogue  of  philo- 
sophical memoirs"  reported  on  the  I3th  of  June, 
1856: 

"The  committee  are  desirous  of  expressing  their  sense  of 
the  great  importance  and  increasing  need  of  such  a  cata- 
log. .  .  .  The  catalog  should  not  be  restricted  to  me- 
moirs in  transactions  of  societies,  but  should  comprise, 
also,  memoirs  in  the  proceedings  of  societies  in  mathe- 
matical and  scientific  journals,  ephemerides,  and  volumes 
of  observations,  and  in  other  collections  not  coming  under 
any  of  the  preceding  heads.  .  .  .  There  should  be  a 
catalog  according  to  the  names  of  authors,  and  also  a 
catalog  according  to  subjects." 

Concluding : 

"The  catalog  according  to  authors'  names  would  be  the 
most  readily  executed,  and  this  catalog,  if  it  should  be 
found  convenient,  might  be  first  published.  The  time  of 
bringing  ou't  the  two  catalogs  would  of  course  depend 


April,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


127 


upon  the  sufficiency  of  the  assistance  at  the  command  of 
the  editors;  but  if  the  catalog  be  undertaken  it  is  desira- 
ble that  the  arrangements  should  be  such  that  the  com- 
plete work  might  be  brought  out  within  a  period  not  ex- 
ceeding three  years." 

The  work  was  in  part  proceeded  with,  and  the 
"  Royal  Society's  catalogue  of  the  scientific  pa- 
pers contained  in  scientific  periodicals,"  alphabet- 
ically arranged  under  the  authors'  names  only,  was 
produced.  There  are  now  eight  volumes  quarto, 
giving  the  author-lists  from  all  the  principal 
scientific  journals  from  A.D.  1800  to  1873,  and 
the  half  of  a  second  supplement  to  1883 .giving 
the  names  to  "  Gis."  Its  insufficiency  is  daily 
proved  by  the  specialists;  for  unless  the  names  of 
all  the  authors  who  have  ever  written  on  a  cer- 
tain subject  are  known  by  the  investigator,  much 
that  has  been  written  is  locked  up  from  his 
knowledge,  and  in  any  case  much  time  is  lost. 

The  Americans  and  the  Germans  are  in  ad- 
vance of  us  in  the  study  of  bibliography.  The 
Scandinavians  also  appear  to  be  coming  to  the 
front.  I  have  just  seen  the  "  Kongl.  Biblioteket, 
Stockholm.  Sveriges  Offentliga  bibliotek,  Stock- 
holm, Upsala,  Lund,  Goteborg.  Accessions- 
Katalog  5,  1890.  Utg.  af.  K.  Biblioteket  genom 
E.  W.  Dahlgren  "  (Stockholm,  1891,  8vo).  It  is 
a  continuation  of  the  combined  classed  catalogs 
of  the  22  public  libraries  in  these  four  cities. 
The  libraries  containing  any  individual  work  are 
shown  by  heavy-faced  initials  of  each  library  at 
the  end  of  the  catalog-entry  of  such  book  or 
work. 

It  is  not  scientific  or  necessary  to  mix  up  the 
subjects  of  books  in  a  catalog  under  the  au- 
thors' names.  It  is  as  little  scientific  as  to  mix 
up  biological  scalpels  and  microscopes,  chemical 
balances  and  tests,  astronomical  telescopes  and 
clocks,  physical  dynamometers  and  thermome- 
ters, or  the  hundred  other  scientific  appliances 
of  the  special  departments  of  science,  in  one  la- 
boratory. Take  the  catalog  of  the  British 
Museum  in  illustration.  It  is  for  the  use  of  stu- 
dents, and  every  student  must  be  a  specialist 
when  using  it.  The  problem  he  has  to  solve  is 
to  find,  under  the  alphabetical  arrangement  of 
authors'  names,  the  books  in  the  library  on  the 
subject  he  is  studying.  The  problem  is  soluble  ; 
but  consider  the  enormous  amount  of  time  and 
labor  to  be  spent  on  each  occasion  it  has  to  be 
solved  !  Yet  a  catalog  exists  for  the  purpose  of 
aiding  the  advance  of  knowledge. 

The  second  question  is  the  subject  of  the  clas- 
sification of  literature.  It  has  been  often  dis- 
cussed, but  the  growing  necessity  for  specializa- 
tion in  study  demands  that  the  results  of  the  dis- 
cussion should  be  formulated.  It  is  a  subject  on 
which  much  imagination  and  fancy  has  been 
used,  but  its  pith  may  be  readily  epitomized. 

It  is  hardly  possible  to  deny  that  all  real  litera- 
ture may  be  placed  under  the  three  heads  that 
Francis  Bacon  indicated  in  A.D.  1605  —  namely, 
history,  philosophy,  poetry;  or,  in  other  words, 
memory,  reason,  imagination,  "  the  fountains  of 
human  learning."  The  only  exceptions  would  be 
encyclopaedic  works  and  general  periodicals. 
Perhaps  it  would  be  more  applicable  to  the  prac- 
tical methods  of  present-day  expression  of  knowl- 
edge to  use  the  terms  research,  record,  and  ap- 
plied knowledge.  However  this  may  be,  the  di- 


vision of  all  literature  under  certain  heads  or 
classes  and  their  nomenclature  are  fair  subjects 
for  settlement.  It  may  be  assumed  that  the  ques- 
tion would  at  first  be  restricted  to  the  main  heads 
of  literature,  the  subdivisions  naturally  follow- 
ing. A  practical  and  authoritative  decision  on 
so  important  a  subject  should  be  formulated  and 
distributed.  It  is  important  because  of  the  ex- 
traordinary variety  of  classifications  now  used. 
I  have  before  me  nearly  200  various  systems  of 
classification,  from  Aldus  Manutius,  A.D.  1498, 
to  the  present,  time,  but,  intrinsically,  the  varia- 
tions are  differences  in  the  terms  of  expression 
only.  If  a  simple  scheme  were  discreetly  ar- 
ranged by  competent  authority  and  promulgated , 
the  librarians,  the  booksellers,  and  the  public 
generally  would  prove  its  utility.  This  settled, 
the  questions  of  the  subdivisions  and  author- 
entries,  or  subject-entries,  would  be  much  sim- 
plified. 

It  has  been  argued  that  there  are  books  which 
it  is  impossible  to  classify,  but  it  is  obvious  that 
with  a  section  for  encyclopaedic  works  and  gener- 
al periodicals  a  book  of  this  nature  could  not  be 
found;  also,  that  some  books  can  be  placed  in 
various  classes;  but  the  answer  to  this  is,  of 
course,  "  Put  them  in."  That  the  divisions  of 
intellectual  knowledge,  however,  are  sufficiently 
definite  to  allow  of  a  working  decision  may  be 
illustrated  thus :  In  the  Owens  College  Libra- 
ry, Manchester,  containing  more  than  53,000 
volumes,  there  has  been  no  difficulty  in  creat- 
ing departmental  libraries,  or  in  placing  in  sep- 
arate rooms  the  books  relating  to  (i)  Theolo- 
gy; (2)  Language  and  literature;  (3)  Mental  and 
moral  science;  (4)  Political  and  economical  sci- 
ence; (5)  Legal  science;  (6)  History  and  geogra- 
phy; (7)  Mathematical  and  physical  science  and 
astronomy;  (8)  Natural  history;  (9)  Medical  sci- 
ence; and  (10)  Fine  arts.  The  classes  or  depart- 
ments are  divided  into  sections  and  subdivisions 
of  sections,  each  alphabetically  arranged  on  the 
shelves  as  near  as  possible  according  to  the  cata- 
log. Pamphlets  are  bound  together  according 
to  their  subjects  and  placed  in  the  divisions  or 
sections  of  their  classes.  The  periodicals  relat- 
ing to  the  subjects  of  each  department  are  placed 
in  the  "  general  collections  "  of  that  department, 
and  the  general  or  polygraphical  literature  of 
general  encyclopaedias,  periodicals,  bibliogra- 
phies, and  literary  history  are  placed  in  a  separate 
department  and  cross-referenced  as  far  as  neces- 
sary. These  are  what  is  called  the  reference  de- 
partment. 

In  America,  as  before  said,  they  have  found 
out  that  traditional  customs  required  to  be 
adapted  to  the  scientific  needs  of  the  present,  and 
their  catalogs  are  very  much  superior  to  Brit- 
ish catalogs.  Our  traditional  customs  have  a 
stronger  hold,  and  we  have  too  easily  followed 
the  precedents  of  the  eailier  ages;  but  it  is  as  ab- 
surd to  quote  the  immature  efforts  of  the  centu- 
ries that  have  passed  with  regard  to  catalog- 
ing and  the  classification  of  knowledge  as  to 
quote  inexperience  in  other  matters  of  applied 
science.  A  really  good  departure  has  been  made 
by  the  Patent  Office  of  the  United  States  in  a 
classified  index  to  all  the  periodicals  received  in 
its  library  from  the  ist  of  January,  1891.  This- 


128 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[April,  '94 


office  indexes  175  journals  In  English  and  con- 
tinental languages,  in  the  classes  electricity,  en- 
gineering, chemistry,  and  photography,  under 
leading  headings  of  the  subjects,  with  their  sub- 
divisions; the  alphabetical  arrangement  being 
repeated  in  each  division  and  subdivision.  The 
indexes  and  sub-indexes  to  Allibone's  "  Critical 
dictionary  of  English  literature  and  of  British 
and  American  authors "  are  instances  of  close 
classification.  The  book  itself  contains,  with  the 
supplement,  83,000  authors,  and  more  than  220,- 
ooo  subjects.  There  are  at  the  end  40  indexes 
of  classes*  of  literature,  and  273  sub-indexes  to 
these.  This  has  been  necessitated  simply  be- 
cause the  book  is  in  the  form  of  a  biographical 
dictionary  of  British  and  American  authors; 
many  of  the  authors,  of  course,  writing  on  vari- 
ous subjects.  The  classes  are : 


1.  Agriculture. 

2.  Antiquities. 

3.  Architecture. 

4.  Astronomy. 

5.  Bibliography. 

6.  Biography  and  Cor- 

respondence. 

7.  Botany. 

8.  Chemistry. 

9.  Divinity. 

10.  Domestic  Economy, 
n.  Drama. 

12.  Education. 

13.  Essayists. 

14.  Fiction. 

15.  Fine  Arts. 

1 6.  Games. 

17.  Geography. 

1 8.  Geology. 

19.  Heraldry. 

20.  History. 

21.  Juvenile. 

22.  Law. 


23.  Literary  History. 

24.  Mathematics. 

25.  Mechanics. 

26.  Medicine. 

27.  Mental    and   Moral 

Philosophy. 

28.  Morals    and    Man- 

ners. 

29.  Music. 

30.  Natural  History. 

31.  Natural  Philosophy. 

32.  Naval  and  Military. 

33.  Philology. 

34.  Poetry. 

35.  Political  Economy. 

36.  Political   Philoso- 

phy. 

37.  Topography. 

38.  Trade   and  Com- 

merce. 

39.  Travels. 

40.  Voyages. 


And  there  has  been  no  difficulty  in  arranging  all 
British  and  American  literature  under  these 
heads  and  their  273  sub-heads. 

We  may  also  instance  Reith's  "  Repertorium 
der  technischen  Journal-Literatur,"  arranged 
under  a  classification  of  subjects,  and  the  "  Sys- 
tematisches  Register "  and  "Sach-Register"  of 
the  Berichte  der  deutschen  chemischen  Gesell- 
schaft  zu  Berlin,  and  Carus  and  Engelmann's 
"  Verzeichnissder  Schriften  iiber  Zoologie  welche 
in  den  periodischen  Werken  enthalten,"  con- 
tinued by  Taschenberg,  systematically  arranged 
(or  classified)  with  author  and  subject  indexes,  to 
show  what  the  Germans  are  doing  in  this  direc- 
tion. 

The  strong  impulse  in  the  direction  of  technical 
instruction  recently  exhibited  in  this  country 
should  point  out  the  necessity  of  a  strong  move 
ment  in  the  direction  of  rendering  more  readily 
accessible  the  technical  and  scientific  literature 
we  possess.  Knowledge  should  not  only  be  free 
but  accessible.  Its  accessibility  is  only  obtained 
by  organization;  by  systematic  arrangement  and 
classification.  The  orderly  arrangement  and 
classification  of  its  material  is  necessary  to  the 
true  advance  of  knowledge.  It  is  the  thread 
which  leads  the  explorer  through  the  labyrinths 


of  past  attempts.  By  it  we  save  time  and  labor, 
and  necessarily  encourage  the  higher  learning; 
discouraging  the  dilettanteism  which  has  become 
so  prevalent  and  which  appears  to  be  enervating 
our  appreciation  of  the  true  principle  and  purpose 
of  literature. 

The  third  question,  of  the  possibility  of  a 
universal  catalog  of  books,  is  not  so  impracticable 
as  might  at  first  sight  appear.  It  would  neces- 
sarily be  a  great  task  to  begin  ;  but  when  once 
achieved  it  could  be  kept  up  by  annual  supple- 
ments. The  Society  of  Arts  Committee  on  the 
proposed  Universal  Catalogue  of  Printed  Litera- 
ture, presided  over  by  the  Prince  of  Wales,  re- 
ported in  1879  "that  the  great  size  of  the 
catalog  affords  no  argument  against  printing 
it,"  and  the  authorities  at  South  Kensington  very 
readily  published  (1870-75)  a  "Universal  cat- 
alogue of  books  on  art "  in  three  small  quarto 
volumes.  There  is  a  very  large  amount  of  the 
work  already  done  so  far  as  regards  the  raw 
material,  and  the  early  completion  of  the  "  Cat- 
alogue of  the  printed  books  in  the  library  of  the 
British  Museum "  will  supply  very  good  ad- 
ditional material  for  providing  a  universal  cata- 
log of  books.  .  .  . 

4.  An  advantage  likely  to  accrue  from  the 
more  persistent  study  of  bibliography  is  the 
greater  attention  that  would  be  given  to  our 
periodical  literature,  and  the  utilization  of  much 
of  it.  Times  have  changed,  and  some  of  the 
best  literature  is  now  contributed  to  periodical 
publications.  It  is  in  course  of  cataloging  to 
a  great  extent  (on  the  subject-heading  system), 
by  means  of  Poole's  "  Index  to  [general]  peri- 
odical literature "  and  Supplement.  This  work 
is  very  incomplete  as  far  as  regards  the  scientific 
journals  and  societies.  What  is  now  wanted  is 
the  placing  of  the  scientific  articles  (including 
the  proceedings  and  transactions  of  societies)  in 
one  general  index  of  subjects.  The  material  is 
provided  to  a  great  extent  in  the  "  Royal  Society's 
catalogue  of  the  scientific  papers  contained  in 
scientific  periodicals,"  though  under  the  authors' 
names.  The  re-forming  of  these  under  the  sub- 
jects as  the  headings  or  initial  words  would  be 
necessary,  and  would  be  of  inestimable  benefit 
to  literature  and  to  science. 

Poole's  "  Index,"  so  far  as  it  goes,  is  a  valu- 
able illustration  of  the  principle  contended  for 
throughout  these  remarks,  that  cataloging  under 
subject-headings  is  not  only  possible,  but  that  it 
is,  even  when  incomplete,  of  the  greatest  possible 
use. 

This  is  a  slight  contribution,  in  the  way  of 
suggestion  only,  to  the  consideration  of  a  very 
important  subject  —  more  important  than  may 
at  first  sight  appear.  Literature  has  grown  to 
a  great  extent  of  late  years ;  and  there  is  much 
work  for  the  librarian,  the  cataloger,  and  the 
bibliographer  generally.  Specialism  in  study 
has  also  grown  ;  and  in  the  growth  of  literature 
of  all  kinds  it  has  become  very  necessary  that 
specialism  should  be  aided  by  the  study  of 
practical  bibliography.  Practical,  because  these 
matters  of  detail  that  have  been  indicated  are 
simple  and  practicable  ;  they  have  been  tested 
by  experience,  and  experience  reports  that  they 
may  be  readily  applied. 


April,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


129 


ENLARGEMENT    OF    THE    BRITISH 

MUSEUM. 

THE  announcement  is  made  that  the  British 
Museum  is  to  be  isolated  and  provided  with 
much-needed  room  for  expansion  by  the  pur- 
chase of  land  from  the  Duke  of  Bedford,  now 
covered  with  houses  whose  gg-year  leases  are 
beginning  to  fall  in. 

The  London  Times,  in  its  issue  of  March  18, 
says:  "  On  both  flanks  and  in  the  rear  it  is  hemmed 
in  so  closely  by  the  neighboring  houses  and  gar- 
dens that  not  a  foot  of  ground  remains  available 
for  further  expansion,  and  the  narrow  lane  which 
skirts  the  building  and  separates  it  from  the 
Duke  of  Bedford's  surrounding  property  does 
not  exceed  in  many  parts  more  than  10  feet  in 
width.  The  ground  at  this  moment  occupied 
measures  about  nine  acres.  The  buildings  and 
gardens  of  Montagu-house,  which  was  pur- 
chased in  1755  and  remained  as  the  museum  un- 
til it  was  replaced  by  the  present  building  in 
1845,  extended  to  seven  acres;  and  two  acres 
were  added  jto  the  south  in  1839  by  purchasing 
some  of  the  houses  and  land  on  the  north  side 
of  Great  Russell  Street.  The  property  which  it 
is  now  proposed  to  acquire  covers  a  space  of 
five  and  a  half  acres;  and  thus  the  future  limits 
of  the  British  Museum  would  lie  within  a  solid 
square  plot  of  land  of  upwards  of  14  acres.  Un- 
til additional  buildings  are  actually  required  for 
the  collections  the  69  houses  which  stand  on  the 
ground  will  practically  remain  untouched,  and 
will  be  occupied  as  hitherto  by  tenants,  except 
in  the  case  of  one  or  two.  These  may  be  re- 
quired for  bookbinders  and  other  workmen  who 
are  now  perforce  lodged  in  the  basement  rooms 
of  the  museum,  and  whose  removal  to  a  building 
quke  distinct  from  that  occupied  by  the  collec- 
tions is  to  be  desired.  The  provision  of  ample 
working  room  for  fire-engines  in  the  event  of  an 
outbreak  of  fire  in  the  building,  however  remote 
such  a  contingency  may  be,  is  one  of  the  first 
necessary  improvements  which  the  possession 
of  the  new  property  will  enable  the  trustees  to 
carry  out.  But  for  these  minor  changes  the 
proposed  transaction  will  for  the  moment  be 
simply  a  change  of  landlords;  and  for  a  certain 
period  the  purchase  will  continue  to  partake  of 
the  nature  of  an  investment  returning  a  fair  ren- 
tal, which  will  undergo  only  a  gradual  diminu- 
tion as  the  houses  are  demolished  and  the  ground 
is  occupied  for  the  purposes  of  the  museum. 
The  trustees  have  not  carried  the  negotiations 
to  the  point  reached  without  much  trouble,  and 
the  Prince  of  Wales,  always  an  active  trustee, 
has  been  particularly  zealous  in  bringing  the 
matter  to  a  successful  issue.  The  Duke  of  Bed- 
ford, the  ground  landlord,  has  met  the  trustees 
in  a  spirit  of  liberality.  Though  the  estimated 
value  of  the  property  in  1860 -61,  when  it  was 
proposed  to  find  an  adequate  home  for  the 
natural  history  collection  in  Bloomsbury,  was 
.£240,000,  the  price  now  agreed  upon  is  ^200,- 
ooo.  ^  The  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer  has, 
even  in  these  times  of  diminished  revenue  and 
larger  estimates,  readily  and  freely  recognized 
the  advantages  of  the  scheme.  He  will  ask 
Parliament  to  confer  upon  the  trustees  the  neces- 


sary powers  to  carry  it  out,  and  there  can  be  no 
doubt  the  request  will  be  granted. 

"  Of  no  national  institution,  both  as  to  its  riches 
and  its  management,  are  we  prouder  than  the 
British  Museum.  Among  the  museums  and  libra- 
ries of  the  world  it  is,  all  things  considered,  with- 
out a  rival.  Whatever  be  the  provinces  of  scien- 
tific men  and  scholars,  they  must  resort  to  it. 
No  branch  of  knowledge  can  be  thoroughly  in- 
vestigated without  examining  its  treasures.  It 
may  be  an  exaggeration  to  say  that  in  the  last 
quarter  of  a  century  it  has  done  more  for  re- 
search than  all  the  universities  of  the  world  put 
together.  But  it  expresses  the  conception  of 
the  endowment  of  research  as  no  other  institu- 
tion does.  The  influence  of  the  museum  on  the 
literature  and  learning  of  the  Victorian  age  can- 
not pass  unnoted  by  its  historians.  The  com- 
prehensive, encyclopaedic  aim  and  purpose  of 
the  collection  have  not  been  lost  sight  of.  When 
Panizzi  was  put  at  the  head  of  the  museum 
it  was  feared  that  he,  a  man  of  letters,  who, 
as  Macaulay  said  of  him,  would  any  day  give 
1  three  mammoths  for  one  Aldus,'  would  favor 
the  literary  side  of  the  institution  at  the  expense 
of  the  scientific  and  archaeological  departments. 
The  fear  was  unfounded.  Panizzi  himself  did 
nothing  to  justify  it.  His  successors,  even  if 
they  had  the  power  or  inclination,  have  made  no 
such  mistake.  It  is  unfortunate,  perhaps,  that 
the  natural  history  treasures  were  removed  to 
South  Kensington.  The  unity  of  the  concep- 
tion of  a  storehouse  of  the  tools  of  all  knowl- 
edge is  broken  by  the  dispersion  and  the  sever- 
ance between  two  sides  of  nature.  But  the  col- 
lection at  Bloomsbury  has  been  enriched  in 
countless  ways,  until  now,  in  all  probability, 
there  are  stored  within  four  acres  more  of  the 
permanent  treasures  of  humanity  than  are,  or 
ever  were,  to  be  found  elsewhere  in  the  same 
space. 

"  For  some  years  to  come  the  present  buildings 
will  be  sufficient  to  store  the  books  and  collections 
of  sculpture  and  archaeology.  We  cannot,  how- 
ever, be  confident  that  the  present  rate  of  in- 
crease, rapid  though  it  is,  will  not  be  increased. 
The  annual  additions  to  the  collection  of  printed 
books  are  about  40,000;  and  if  the  library  is  to 
be  what  readers  more  and  more  expect  it  to 
be,  not  only  a  complete  collection  of  all  books 
printed  in  the  United  Kingdom,  but  the  deposi- 
tory of  every  important  book,  periodical,  or 
pamphlet  published  abroad,  the  storage  room 
may  be  very  quickly  exhausted.  Another  peril 
can  be  foreseen.  Past  ages,  including  those  most 
indifferent  to  posterity,  have  left  museums  of 
their  own  kind,  not  housed  in  stately  edifices,  but 
buried  under  debris  and  mounds  of  rubbish,  their 
sole  curators  and  custod ians  and  keepers  being  the 
mass  of  materials,  the  heaps  of  dust  and  earth, 
which  have  defied  the  efforts  of  local  pilferers 
and  marauders  to  remove.  All  the  countless  li- 
braries and  museums  —  muniment  chests  of  which 
the  keys  have  been  lost  —  in  the  shape  of  buried 
cities  and  palaces  will  one  day  be  rifled;  and 
where  will  their  contents  rest  more  appropriate- 
ly than  in  the  British  Museum  ?  All  over  the 
world  is  vigorously  going  on  the  work  of  resur- 
rection of  the  past.  Each  step  that  is  taken 


130 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{April,  '94 


brings  the  investigators  into  new  regions.  The 
pickaxe  and  the  spade  are  doing  for  many 
branches  of  knowledge  even  more  than  the  print- 
ing-press did  in  the  time  of  the  Renaissance. 
On  broken  and  long-buried  tablets  and  columns, 
fragments  of  pottery  or  stray  coins,  with  blurred 
inscriptions  and  devices,  we  read  more  instruc- 
tive commentaries  on  the  classics  than  the  scho- 
liasts ever  gave  us.  And  the  circle  of  interest  is 
ever  widening  with  these  explorations.  This 
outlook  is  fraught  with  difficulties  to  the  trustees 
of  the  British  Museum.  What  will  be  the  state 
of  things  when  all  the  mounds  still  unpierced, 
all  the  buried  cities,  are  opened,  and  the  coins, 
the  sculptures,  the  inscriptions  which  the  earth 
still  hides  are  brought  to  light  ?  Perhaps  a  cen- 
tury hence  it  will  be  noted  with  amazement  that 
in  1894  it  was  supposed  that  a  large  part  of  the 
treasures  of  the  world  could  be  stored  in  the 
space  of  14  acres." 


THE  SUIT  OF  MARTIN  vs.  THE  BRITISH 
MUSEUM. 

THE  suit  recently  brought  by  Mrs.  John  Bid- 
dulph  Martin  (Victoria  Woodhull)  against  the 
trustees  of  the  British  Museum  has  been  watched 
with  interest  by  English  librarians.  Mrs.  Mar- 
tin claimed  that  the  museum  trustees  had  on 
their  shelves  certain  books  containing  state- 
ments damaging  to  her  reputation;  these  books 
were  read  by  visitors  to  the  museum,  and  she 
therefore  claimed  that  the  trustees  were  amen- 
able to  the  law  of  libel.  The  first  decision  of 
the  case  was  surprising,  not  to  say  alarming. 
The  verdict  of  the  jury  was  qualifiedly  in  favor 
of  the  plaintiff,  to  whom  they  awarded  2Oj. 
damages,  the  findings  being  that  the  books  were 
libellous,  and  that  the  defendants,  though  acting 
in  good  faith  and  under  statutory  powers,  had 
nevertheless  failed  to  exercise  proper  care  and 
judgment,  and  were  therefore  liable  in  nominal 
damages. 

The  news  that  this  astonishing  verdict  has 
been  promptly  set  aside  by  the  High  Court  of 
Justice,  and  judgment  given  for  the  defendants, 
will  no  doubt  greatly  relieve  the  minds  of  many 
English  librarians  and  library  committees  of  a 
new  and  deepened  sense  of  their  responsibili- 
ties. Baron  Pollock,  of  the  Court  of  Queen's 
Bench,  before  whom  the  case  came  for  a  review 
of  the  law  points  involved,  made  short  work  of 
this  novel  addition  to  the  law  of  libel.  After 
premising  that  there  was  some  evidence  in  the 
form  of  the  verdict  that  "  the  minds  of  the  jury 
had  not  been  really  brought  to  bear  upon  the 
subject  submitted  to  them, "he  went  on  to  hold 
that  the  essential  element  of  publication  was  en- 
tirely wanting.  "  It  never  had  been  suggested 
that  a  person  should  be  made  liable  because 
there  was  a  book  or  books  upon  a  shelf  in  re- 
gard to  which  the  owner  did  not  call  attention  to 
particular  passages."  Still  less  could  such  a 
suggestion  be  made  in  regard  to  a  body  of 
trustees,  acting  under  the  statute  and  making 
no  profit  out  of  lending  books.  Judgment  was, 
therefore,  for  the  defendants  with  costs.  Exe- 
cution has  been  stayed  pending  an  appeal,  but  It 


seems  impossible  that  any  other  decision  can  be 
reached  in  any  other  court. 

Indeed,  if  the  first  verdict  had  been  allowed  to 
stand,  nothing,  in  the  eye  of  the  law,  was  to  be 
taken  for  granted.  It  would  not  have  sufficed 
that  a  book  came  from  a  respectable  publisher. 
It  would  not  have  done  to  plead  the  difficulty, 
almost  amounting  to  impossibility,  of  reading  all 
the  additions  to  a  large  library;  apparently  even 
statutory  authority  would  not  have  protected. 
It  is,  of  course,  right  and  proper  that  private 
reputation  should  be  safeguarded,  and  books 
containing  libellous  matter  certainly  ought  not  to 
reach  the  hands  of  readers.  It  is  just  here  that 
the  troubles  of  the  librarian  come  in.  Libels  may 
lurk  in  innocent-looking  works  —  in  novels,  for 
example,  and  the  best  biographies  —  and  how  is 
the  unlucky  librarian  to  discover  that  there  is  no 
word  of  libellous  import  in  the  books  he  adds  to 
his  collection  ?  The  simple  answer  is  by  read- 
ing them.  The  British  Museum  receives  annual- 
ly some  95,000  books,  and  to  read  these  the 
services  of  no  readers  would  be  necessary. 
Counting  newspapers,  etc.,  the  total  reaches 
nearly  320,000.  Yet  the  managers  were  to  be 
held  responsible  for  every  line  in  every  book  is- 
sued to  the  public,  for  with  them,  as  with  news- 
paper editors,  ignorance  was  to  be  no  plea  ! 
The  finding  of  the  jury  was  so  manifestly  un- 
reasonable that  it  could  not  be  expected  to 
stand.  

AMHERST  SUMMER  SCHOOL. 

THE  season  of  1894  will  be,  as  usual,  a  ses- 
sion of  five  weeks,  extending  from  July  2  to 
August  4,  under  the  direction  of  W:  I.  Fletcher, 
librarian  of  Amherst  College.  The  object  of 
the  course  is  to  furnish  as  thorough  and  complete 
instruction  and  practice  in  library  work  as  can 
be  given  in  five  weeks.  This  time,  when  well 
applied,  is  sufficient  to  give  a  good  basis  for 
future  self-instruction  and  to  furnish  the  student 
with  a  working  knowledge  of  the  essentials  of 
library  science. 

Instruction  will  be  given  daily  (except  Satur- 
day) from  10  to  12  a.m.,  in  the  form  of  practical 
lectures  by  Mr.  Fletcher,  in  which  the  whole 
field  of  library  work  will  be  gone  over.  The 
class  will  be  furnished  with  necessary  blanks,  etc., 
and  required  to  go  through  with  each  process  as 
it  is  described.  The  class  will  be  conducted 
as  one  of  beginners,  no  previous  knowledge  of 
library  work  being  expected;  but,  at  the  same 
time  care  will  be  taken  to  make  the  work  at  each 
stage  so  thorough  as  to  be  of  use  to  those  who 
are  already  possessed  of  the  mere  rudiments. 
Cutter's  "  Rules  for  cataloguing  "  is  used  as  a 
text-book,  and  intending  members  of  the  class 
will  be  supplied  with  copies  in  advance  on 
application  to  Mr.  Fletcher. 

The  class  will  also  meet  afternoons  from  two 
to  four  o'clock,  for  practice  in  various  forms  of 
library  work,  according  to  the  needs  of  the 
different  pupils. 

The  fee  for  this  course  is  placed  at  $12.00. 
Special  arrangements  will  be  made  to  accom- 
modate any  pupils  who  may  wish  to  do  more 
work  than  that  of  the  regular  class,  and  ad- 
ditional tuition  will  be  given  at  moderate  rates. 


April,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


SOME   BIBLIOGRAPHERS. 

AT  the  January  meeting  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Library  Club,  held  in  Philadelphia,  Mr.  John 
Thomson,  of  the  Free  Library,  gave  a  short  ad- 
dress on  "Some  bibliographers."  In  the  course 
of  his  remarks  he  pointed  out  that  whilst  bibli- 
ography is  the  "  handmaid  of  literature  "  and  the 
science  of  books  is  the  "  essence  of  bibliography  " 
a  bibliographer  is  something  akin  to  a  "body- 
servant  to  readers."  F.  J.  Furnivall  says  that  a 
sharp  line  must  be  drawn  between  catalogers  and 
bibliographers.  He  places  in  the  class  of  cata- 
logers all  mere  listers  of  books  and  opinions 
variorum  and  confines  the  class  of  bibliographers 
to  those  who  have  completely,  or  at  least  fairly, 
mastered  the  contents  and  subjects  of  the  works 
with  which  they  deal  and  who  both  can  and  do 
describe  the  insides  of  books  as  well  as  the  out- 
sides.  They  must  have  much  and  good  to  say, 
and  be  able  to  be  short  and  sharp  in  saying  it. 
The  bibliographer's  is  an  honorable  office.  It  is 
his  privilege  to  aid  'every  student,  the  theologian, 
the  antiquary,  the  art  student,  the  legist,  and  so 
on  ad  infinitum.  As  a  writer  in  Notes  and 
Queries  says,  he  records  the  labor  of  all  persons 
engaged  in  any  literary  or  scientific  pursuit,  and 
is  constantly  noting  the  new  discoveries  in  the 
map  of  human  learning. 

It  is  impossible  to  speak  of  bibliographers 
without  referring  first  to  Richard  de  Bury,  or 
Aungerville,  who  died  about  1345,  and  has  the 
honor  to  be  the  earliest  English  writer  on  bibli- 
ography. He  possessed  more  books  than  all  the 
other  bishops  put  together,  and  he  used  high 
office  of  state  as  a  means  of  collecting  books. 
Petrarch  met  him  at  Avignon  and  described  him 
as  "  rather  fussy,"  but  then  de  Bury  had  prom- 
ised to  send  Petrarch  some  information  he  de- 
sired, and  notwithstanding  two  or  three  pressing 
reminders  of  his  promise  he  failed  to  send  the 
coveted  statements.  His"  Philobiblon"  is  known 
to  every  student,  and  some  of  his  instructions  on 
books  are  quaint  but  "  so  true."  We  are  not 
only  (says  he)  rendering  service  to  God  in  pre- 
paring volumes  of  new  books,  but  also  exercising 
an  office  of  sacred  piety  when  we  treat  books 
carefully  and  when  we  restore  them  to  their 
proper  places.  Do  not,  he  cries,  eat  cheese  or 
fruit  over  an  open  book,  dropping  crumbs  and 
other  abominations  over  virgin  vellum.  Against 
the  "  mutilating  thieves  "  who  sacrilegiously  In- 
jure a  book  he  desires  that  a  public  anathema 
should  be  pronounced  ;  and  as  for  those  of  the 
laity  who  look  at  a  book  turned  upside  down, 
just  as  if  it  were  open  in  the  right  way,  he  de- 
clares them  utterly  unworthy  of  the  communion 
of  books.  His  use  of  Biblical  examples  is  par- 
ticularly curious.  His  precepts  are  enforced  by 
remembering  how  Moses  taught  us  to  make  book- 
cases most  neatly,  saying  :  "Take  this  book  of 
the  Law  and  put  it  in  the  side  of  the  Ark  of  the 
Covenant." 

The  brothers  Augustus  de  Backer  and  Alois 
de  Backer  may  be  put  forward  as  good  specimens 
of  industrious  bibliographers.  They  published 
seven  volumes  of  800  pages  each,  noticing  all  the 
works  published  by  the  Jesuits  from  the  founda- 
tion of  their  order.  Each  volume  is  in  double 


columns,  arranged  in  alphabetical  order,  and 
complete  in  itself. 

If  de  Bury  was  the  first  English  writer  on 
bibliography,  Thomas  Frognall  Dibdin  (1776- 
1847)  fairly  claims  notice  as  the  father  of  modern 
bibliography.  If  we  remember  to  how  great  an 
extent  he  was  entering  on  a  new  field  we  may 
well  pardon  his  pedantic  and  tiresome  garrulity, 
delighting  rather  in  the  results  to  which  he  led 
than  noticing  his  stumblings  by  the  way.  What 
librarian  has  not  spent  happy  hours  over  his 
large-paper  copies  of  the  "Typographical  antiqui- 
ties "  and  the  "  Bibliotheca  Spenceriana  "  ?  What  a 
life  Dibdin  led  in  revelling  among  the  Althorp 
collection  !  That  library  was  formed  in  about  24 
years,  and  had  45,000  volumes  in  five  rooms,  and 
what  volumes  !  Who  does  not  envy  the  city  of 
Manchester,  now  the  happy  and  inalienable  de- 
pository of  that  collection  ?  It  was  out  of  the 
excitement  over  the  payment  of  the  enormous 
sum  of  ^2260  for  the  celebrated  "  Valdarfer  Boc- 
caccio" that  the  Roxburghe  Club,  of  famous 
memory,  arose,  and  of  this  society  Dibdin  was 
the  founder.  The  choice  by  a  club  of  books  for 
publication  is  fraught  with  great  anxiety,  and 
some  of  the  early  publications  by  the  Roxburghe 
called  forth  a  terrible  sarcasm.  "If,"  said  the 
satirist,  "  it  is  a  unique  book  that  has  been  repub- 
lished  there  undoubtedly  was  one  copy  too  many 
in  existence."  All  can  enjoy  Dibdin's  o  wn  sarcasm 
over  his  unsuccessful "  Poems."  He  published  500 
copies,  and  was  "  glad  to  get  rid  of  half  of  them 
as  waste-paper,"  and  destroyed  with  his  own 
hand  so  many  copies  of  the  other  half  that  he  was 
"consoled"  by  knowing  that  his  book  had  be- 
come exceedingly  "  rare."  People  owe  much  to 
Dibdin,  though  one  critic  wrote  that  his  "  Biblio- 
graphical tour"  would  have  been  "a  capital  book 
if  there  had  been  no  letter-press." 

Who  can  take  up  Lowndes'  "  Bibliographer's 
manual "  without  a  feeling  of  gratitude  ;  yet  it 
brought  him  neither  notice  nor  money.  It  is 
the  first  systematic  work  of  its  kind  in  England, 
and  the  net  result  to  Lowndes  was  that  he  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  life  in  drudgery  as  a  cata- 
loger  for  Henry  G.  Bohn,  who  re-edited  the 
manual  in  1857  -  64. 

Bishop  Kennett  White  (1660-1728),  who  wrote 
a  bibliography  of  America,  deserves  mention. 
He  began  numbly,  and  collected  materials  for 
Anthony  a  Wood's  "  Book  on  Oxford  worthies." 
In  Wood's  diary  is  a  note  of  five  shillings  paid 
to  "  Kennett  for  pains  he  hath  taken  for  me  in 
Kent."  Bishop  White  veered  in  political  faith 
between  James  II.  and  William  in. ,  and  was 
quickly  nicknamed  Weathercock  Kennett.  He 
is  well  remembered  for  his  bibliographical  re- 
searches, and  especially  for  his  catalog  of  Amer- 
ican bibliography,  "  Bibliothecse  Americanse 
Primordia,"  1713,  4to. 

Joseph  Ames  (1689-1759),  who  is  celebrated 
for  the  "Typographical  antiquities"  of  which 
Dibdin  began  a  new  edition,  was  a  literary  crim- 
inal of  deep  dye.  In  the  sale  of  his  effects  ap- 
peared a  collection  of  old  title-pages,  torn  from 
books,  in  three  volumes,  besides  several  bundles 
and  two  further  folios  of  title-pages  alphabeti- 
cally arranged  according  to  places  of  printing. 

Passing  from  Ames,  Mr.  Thomson  spoke  at 


I32 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{April,  '94 


some  length  of  the  character  and  productions  of 
Robert  Foulis,  Brunei,  Renouard,  Pieters, 
Willems,  Pettigrew,  and  others. 

One  bibliographer,  however,  deserved  and  re- 
ceived special  attention.  Querard,  in  the  speaker's 
opinion,  was  a  most  amusing  writer.  In  his  "  Les 
supercheries  litteraires,"  etc.  (1845-56),  5  vols., 
8vo,  is  the  famous  "account"  or  invention  of 
the  Dumas  Manufactory.  It  has  of  course  been 
a  world's  wonder  how  Dumas,  with  his  habits  of 
life,  wrote  so  much,  so  well,  and  so  rapidly. 
Querard  maintains  that  this  gigantic  pen-wielder 
kept  a  manufactory,  employed  a  number  of  skilled 
writers,  gave  from  time  to  time  an  order  to  turn 
out  a  novel,  or  a  dozen  for  the  matter  of  that,  and 
they  came  upon  demand.  The  fact  that  none  of 
the  alleged  "  experts"  ever  published  anything  in 
their  own  names  seems  to  have  made  no  effect 
on  the  mind  of  Querard.  That  it  was  quite  un- 
reasonable that  men  should  accept  a  honorarium, 
do  all  the  work,  and  let  Dumas  revel  in  money 
and  fame  seems  to  be  overlooked.  Nor  is  it 
deemed  odd  that  after  Dumas'  death  these  writers 
remained  forever  silent.  The  fact  is  that  Dumas 
was  a  marvel.  He  was  in  literature  as  great  a 
wonder  as  his  own  "  Monte  Cristo."  At  one  time 
he  was  under  bonds  to  his  publisher  not  to  pub- 
lish more  than  three  novels  in  any  one  year.  In 
1845  "The  Three  Musketeers,"  "Monte  Cristo," 
and  two  other  works  were  all  being  published  at 
one  time.  Querard  wrote  much  on  bibliography, 
knew  well  the  labor  of  writing,  and  when  he 
came  across  this  phenomenon  his  powers  of  im- 
agination as  to  how  it  was  done  fairly  failed  him, 
and  of  all  bibliographical  stories,  few  are  more 
amusing  than  this  imaginary  Dumas  factory. 


Nero  f)ork  State  Cibrarg  Sctjool. 


A  "FAGGOT  PARTY." 

ON  the  evening  of  Friday,  March  9,  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Library  School  and  their  friends 
met  at  the  home  of  Mr.  Dewey,  315  Madison 
Avenue,  Albany,  and  enjoyed  a  "  faggot  party," 
provided  by  a  committee  of  three  gentlemen  — 
G:  W.  C.  Stockwell,  W:  R:  Watson,  and  G:  G. 
Champlin.  Each  guest  was  expected  to  enter- 
tain the  rest  in  some  manner  while  a  bundle  of 
faggots  burned  on  the  open  hearth.  In  this  way 
a  varied  and  highly  pleasing  entertainment  was 
had.  There  were  readings,  shadow  pictures, 
conundrums,  music,  and  othervarieties  of  amuse- 
ment. Madame  Albert!,  of  New  York,  the  teacher 
of  Delsarte  physical  culture,  gave  selections  in 
the  sign  language  of  the  deaf  mutes  and  some 
relaxing  exercises.  Refreshments  were  served 
and  the  evening  was  thoroughly  enjoyed.  The 
souvenirs  were  satin  bags  in  the  colors  of  the 
Library  School  and  the  University  of  the  State  of 
New  York  —  gold  and  royal  purple;  in  every 
bag  was  a  diminutive  card  on  which  was  neatly 
printed  "  Do  not  let  the  cat  out  of  the  bag."  The 
picture  of  this  cat  —  in  the  proportion  and  like- 
ness of  a  zebra  —  appeared  on  the  letter-heading 
of  the  invitation.  The  cat  was  regularly  striped, 
to  show  that  it  was  a  decimally  classified  "  [diet.] 
cat."  from  its  head  to  the  tip  of  its  tail. 


0tate  £ibrarg 


PENNSYLVANIA  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

THE  regular  meeting  of  the  Pennsylvania  Li- 
brary Club  was  held  on  Monday  evening,  March 
12,  at  the  temporary  quarters  of  the  Free  Library, 
of  Philadelphia. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  at  8  o'clock, 
by  the  president,  Mr.  T:  L.  Montgomery.  The 
minutes  of  the  previous  meeting  were  read  and 
approved. 

Mr.  John  Thomson,  librarian  of  the  Free  Li- 
brary, read  an  interesting  paper  entitled  "  Hints 
on  reading."  The  paper  was  divided  under 
three  heads:  "  What  do  you  read?"  "Why  do 
you  read  ?  "  and  "  How  do  you  read  ?"  In  an- 
swering these  questions  Mr.  Thomson  was  guided 
by  suggestions  on  a  similar  subject  prepared  by 
Bryan  Walter  Procter  (Barry  Cornwall).  Speak- 
ing on  the  question  of  what  to  read,  Mr.  Thom- 
son emphasized  the  fact  that  if  one  reads  more 
than  he  can  digest,  he  ruins  his  mind,  in  the 
same  manner  as  by  over-eating  he  would  ruin  his 
body.  Mr.  Thomson  showed  some  of  the  bene- 
ficial effects  of  judicious  reading,  by  telling  how 
lawyers  and  others,  after  they  had  been  engaged 
for  10  of  12  hours  in  making  some  difficult 
examination,  would  read  a  good  novel  to  clear 
and  refresh  their  minds.  Referring  to  the  multi- 
plicity of  new  publications  constantly  emanating 
from  the  press,  Mr.  Thomson  quoted  Lowell's 
lines : 

"  For  reading  new  books  is  like  eating  new  bread  ; 
One  can  bear  it  at  first,  but  by  gradual  steps  he 
Is  brought  to  death's  door  by  mental  dyspepsy." 

In  answer  to  the  second  question,  "  Why  do 
you  read  ?"  Mr.  Thomson  said  librarians  should 
have  for  their  object  in  reading  the  obtaining 
of  knowledge  which  would  better  enable  them 
to  afford  assistance  to  other  readers.  Books, 
he  said,  should  be  read  carefully,  and  always 
with  a  definite  object  in  view.  He  quoted  the 
saying,  that  as  "  easy  writing  is  confoundedly 
hard  reading  so  easy  study  means  terribly  barren 
knowledge." 

The  president  announced  the  executive  com- 
mittee, for  the  coming  year,  as  follows  :  Miss 
Alice  B.  Kroeger,  of  Drexel  Institute  ;  J.  H. 
Dillingham,  of  Friends  Library;  Percy  F.  Bick- 
nell,  of  the  Library  Company  of  Philadelphia; 
Miss  Emma  R.  Neisser,  of  the  Philadelphia 
P.  L.,  Branch  2,  and  J:  Thomson,  of  the  Free 
Library. 

Mr.  Arthur  W.  Tyler  described  at  length  the 
operations  of  the  Wilmington  (Del.)  Institute 
Free  Library,  which  was  opened  on  February  12. 

Prof.  Allen  C.  Thomas  made  some  remarks 
on  Haverford  College  Library. 

The  president  gave  a  brief  description  of  the 
various  branches  of  the  Philadelphia  P.  L.  Other 
interesting  reports  were  heard. 

It  was  announced  that,  if  satisfactory  arrange- 
ments could  be  made,  the  next  meeting  of  the 
club  would  be  held  at  Scranton,  Pa.,  on  May  14. 

The  meeting  then  adjourned  after  a  thorough- 
ly enjoyable  evening. 

ALFRED  RIGLING,  Secretary. 


April,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


'33 


Cibrarg  (Eiubs. 


NEW  YORK  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

THE  regular  March  meeting  of  the  club  was 
held  at  the  Railroad  Men's  Branch  of  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  on  Thursday,  March  8,  the  subject  being 
"  Reports  of  recent  work  and  development,  and 
present  condition  of  the  several  libraries  repre- 
sented in  the  club."  President  Cole  called  the 
meeting  to  order  at  3:30  p.m.,  about  20  mem- 
bers being  present. 

Mr.  Stetson,  of  the  New  Haven  Public  Li- 
brary, gave  encouraging  reports  of  increasing 
circulation,  and  progress  in  every  direction.  He 
has  adopted  the  linotype  process  of  printing, 
and  used  it  with  great  success  in  a  juvenile  cat- 
alog published  last  spring.  The  charging-desk 
in  his  library  is  peculiar,  consisting  of  the  Li- 
brary Bureau  open  tray  placed  on  a  swinging 
board,  which  can  be  brought  around  at  right 
angles  to  the  desk,  enabling  the  attendant  to  do 
her  work  while  seated  in  her  chair.  The  catalog- 
drawers  being  much  crowded,  Mr.  Stetson,  not 
wishing  to  buy  new  cases,  pasted  on  each  guide 
a  printed  list  of  the  additions  between  that  and 
the  next  guide. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  H :  J.  Carf ,  of  Scranton ,  Pa. ,  were 
present  as  guests  of  the  club,  and  president  Cole 
called  on  Mr.  Carr  to  report  on  library  work  in 
his  state.  He  gave  an  interesting  account  of  a 
new  library  enterprise  in  Philadelphia.  The 
city  has  no  large  free  public  library,  but  several 
small  ones,  entirely  independent,  have  been  re- 
cently established  in  different  parts  of  the  city 
by  the  Board  of  Education.  The  public  have 
free  access  to  the  shelves,  and  the  libraries  have 
already  gained  a  wide  circulation,  due  in  great 
measure  to  this  fact.  Mr.  Tyler  is  trying  the 
same  plan  at  Wilmington,  Del.,  and  so  far  has 
been  very  successful. 

The  Enoch  Pratt  Library  uses  the  linotype 
process,  and  Mr.  Carr,  himself ,  would  have  pre- 
ferred it  in  his  library,  but  there  were  no  facili- 
ties for  using  it  in  Scranton,  and  he  could  not 
go  out  of  town. 

Mr.  Baker  had  never  used  the  linotype  proc- 
ess, but  thought  that  any  system  that  would 
give  stereotyped  plates  would  be  very  desirable, 
and  that  it  might  be  feasible  to  have  stereo- 
typed plates  of  book-titles  for  the  use  of  differ- 
ent libraries. 

In  regard  to  access  to  shelves,  he  said  it  is  a 
question  that  each  library  must  decide  for  it- 
self. In  Columbia  the  experiment  of  absolutely 
free  access  has  been  thoroughly  tried,  and  if 
a  vote  were  taken  now  among  the  people  who 
use  it,  the  verdict  would  probably  be  unfavorable. 
In  the  new  library  it  will  not  be  followed.  There 
will  be  a  large  reference  library,  of  perhaps,  12,000 
to  15,000  volumes,  to  which  readers  will  have  ac- 
cess, but  the  remainder  of  the  library  will  be 
arranged  in  apartments,  according  to  subjects, 
and  only  advanced  students  and  fellows  will  be 
admitted  except  by  special  permission.  There 
will  be  20  or  30  of  these  department  libraries, 
and  they  will  be  under  the  supervision  of  differ- 
ent officers.  Already  a  sort  of  reclassification 
of  the  books  is  going  on,  for  while  the  Dewey 


notation  and  general  distribution  will  be  re- 
tained, it  will  be  simplified  and  modified  with  a 
view  to  the  department  libraries.  For  example, 
the  subject  of  philology  will  be  distributed, 
:>ooks  on  Greek  philology  going  with  Greek 
.iterature,  etc. 

One  of  the  main  features  developed  at  Colum- 
bia, recently,  is  the  Avery  Architectural  Library. 
Through  the  generosity  of  Mr.  Avery,  5000 
volumes  were  added  last  year,  and  this  year 
will  bring  3000  or  4000  more,  making  about 
12,000  in  all.  It  will  be  the  richest  and  fullest 
collection  of  the  kind  in  the  country,  and  the 
catalog,  which  is  now  being  printed  under  the 
supervision  of  Mr.;Nelson,  will  be  one  of  the  most 
beautifully  printed  catalogs  in  existence,  and 
the  most  complete  in  its  special  field. 

Another  important  and  recent  addition  is  the 
set  of  books  illustrative  of  German  univer- 
sities, which  were  made  by  order  of  the  Ger- 
man government  and  sent  to  the  World's  Fair. 
Each  volume  is  three  feet  square,  weighs  100 
pounds  or  more,  and  contains  photographs  and 
scale  drawings  of  the  buildings.  These  were 
bought  by  President  Low,  and  presented  to  the 
library.  Special  cases  are  now  being  made  for 
them,  in  which  they  can  easily  be  exhibited. 
The  library  has  also  had  a  recent  gift  of  $20,- 
ooo,  from  an  unknown  donor,  of  which  $10,000 
is  to  be  expended  in  acquiring  a  great  library  of 
jurisprudence.  There  is  already  a  fair  working 
law  library,  but  with  the  increased  funds  it  will 
become  a  library  of  jurisprudence  on  the  widest 
basis. 

Mr.  Leipziger  spoke  very  highly  of  the  Aguilar 
Library,  which  is  doing  much  work  with  very 
limited  means.  It  has  two  branches,  one  of 
them  in  the  poor  part  of  the  city,  the  other  up- 
town, and  the  character  of  the  reading  in  the 
down-town  branch  is  far  superior  to  that  of  the 
other.  In  the  latter  place,  people  ask  for  the 
latest  novel,  but  down-town  they  want  informa- 
tion. Free  access  to  shelves  would  be  impossi- 
ble here. 

Mr.  Poole  read  the  following  resolutions  on 
the  death  of  Dr.  Poole,  which  were  drawn  up  by 
a  committee,  consisting  of  Miss  Middleton,  Mr. 
Poole,  Mr.  Baker,  and  Mr.  Nelson,  and  adopted 
by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the  club  : 

Whereas.  Divine  Providence  has  removed  from  our 
ranks  William  Frederick  Poole,  LL.D.,  Librarian  of  the 
Newberry  Library,  of  Chicago,  therefore 

Resolved,  That  the  officers  and  members  of  the  New- 
York  Library  Club  desire  to  record  their  sense  of  sorrow 
at  the  loss  of  one  who  for  a  larger  part  of  his  life  was  de- 
voted to  library  work,  and  the  promoting  of  library  inter- 
ests, bringing  to  this  service  an  enthusiasm,  earnestness, 
and  wisdom  worthyjof  his  noble  life-calling.  In  the  death 
of  Dr.  Poole  librarians  mourn  for  one  who  occupied  a  fore- 
most place  in  librarianship,  a  pioneer  in  the  reform  in  li- 
rary  architecture,  if  not  the  originator  of  it ;  a  bibliog- 
rapher, and  the  founder  and  bead  of  that  monument  of 
labor  "  Poole's  index  to  periodical  literature,"  a  work 
which  will  ever  be  an  honor  to  his  name,  and  of  the 
greatest  public  value,  as  being  the  key  to  a  library  of 
literature,  hitherto  almost  unavailable.  Dr.  Poole  oc- 
cupied also  a  distinguished  position  among  the  stu- 
dents of  American  history.  He  will  be  missed  in  our 
councils.  His  genial  nature,  wisdom,  and  strong  con- 
victions will  be  cherished  memories  respecting  him.  In 
his  death  we  lose  a  friend  and  a  wise  adviser. 

Resolved,  That  we  [tender  to  the  bereaved  family  of  the 
deceased  our  sincere  sympathy  in  this  their  great  loss, 
and  that  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  transmitted  to 
them  by  the  secretary. 


134 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{April,  '94 


After  the  reading  of  the  resolutions,  several 
members  of  the  club  spoke  briefly  concerning 
their  high  admiration  of  Dr.  Poole,  both  as  a  man 
and  a  librarian. 

Mr.  Nelson  alluded  to  the  finishing  of  the  "  A. 
L.  A."  Catalog,  and  read  the  following  verses, 
written  by  him  for  the  Library  School  celebra- 
tion, described  in  the  last  number  of  the  LI- 
BRARY JOURNAL: 

THB   "  A.    L.   A."    LIBRARY   CATALOG. 
1876  - 1894. 

Opus  est,  the  work  is  finished, 

Deo  Laus,  to  God  the  praise, 
Often  wrote  the  scribe  mediaeval 

After  task  of  many  days. 

O'er  his  manuscript  he  labored 

In  his  solitary  cell, 
Stroke  by  stroke  for  every  letter, 

Day  by  day,  a  weary  spell. 

And  when,  turned  the  final  folio, 
Came  at  last  the  closing  word, 

Tho'  he'd  writ  one  copy  only, 
Truly  might  he  thank  the  Lord. 

But  in  pur  day  of  co-labor 

Nothing  new  beneath  the  sun 
Is  there,  sooth,  for  us  to  boast  of, 

Tho'  three  score  the  work  have  done. 

Finished  is  th'  A.  L.  A.  Catalog, 
But  for  its  colophon  we  read : 
"  Opus  est,  post  multos  annas, 

Deo  laus  /"  —  to  God  the  meed. 

Mr.  Warburton,  secretary  of  the  Railroad 
Men's  Branch  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  extended  a 
cordial  welcome  to  the  club,  and  an  invitation 
to  inspect  the  building  after  the  exercises  were 
over. 

Miss  Schottenfels  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  club. 

Adjourned. 

HARRIET  B.  PRESCOTT,  Secretary. 

CHICAGO  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

THE  1 7th  regular  meeting  of  the  Chicago 
Library  Club  was  held  at  the  Chicago  Public 
Library,  Tuesday  evening,  March  6,  1894.  Fol- 
lowing soon  after  the  death  of  Dr.  William  F. 
Poole,  librarian  of  the  Newberry  Library,  it 
took  the  form  of  a  memorial  meeting. 

Remarks  were  made  by  the  president  and 
members  of  the  club,  and  the  following  memo- 
rial minute  was  read  and  approved  by  the  club: 

"  IN  MEMORIAM. 

"The  Chicago  Library  Club,  in  common  with 
the  citizens  of  Chicago  and  the  library  profession 
generally,  mourns  the  death  of  Dr.  William  F. 
Poole,  librarian  of  the  Newberry  Library,  which 
occurred  at  his  residence  in  Evanston,  111., 
March  i,  and  deems  it  fitting  that  the  following 
memorial  minute  be  adopted  and  be  entered 
upon  its  records  : 

"  William  F.  Poole  was  born  Dec.  24,  1821,  in 
Salem,  Mass.,  and  was  consequently  72  years  old 
at  the  time  of  his  death.  Bright  at  his  books, 
he  had  mastered  most  of  the  common  branches 
of  an  education,  and  had  made  good  progress  in 
Latin  at  the  age  of  12  years. 

"  After  preparation  at  Leicester  Academy  he 
entered  Yale  in  1842,  and  was  soon  chosen  as- 
sistant librarian  of  his  society,  The  Brothers  in 


Unity,  which  had  a  library  of  10,000  volumes. 
Here  his  lifework  began.  A  lover  of  books,  he 
spent  his  spare  hours  among  them,  studying,  in- 
dexing, and  classifying,  laying  the  foundation  for 
that  wider  knowledge  which  has  given  him  a 
national  if  not  a  world-wide  fame.  Being  of  an 
inquiring  mind,  and  not  willing  to  take  for 
granted  statements  susceptible  of  proof,  he  was 
soon  searching  the  periodical  literature  of  the 
library  for  facts  to  be  used  in  his  literary  tourna- 
ments, for  he  early  began  to  wield  the  pen.  In 
this  he  was  hampered  by  the  want  of  suitable 
indexes,  and  he  then  conceived  the  idea  of  an 
index  to  periodical  literature,  which  would  put 
within  reach  the  storehouses  so  long  and  so 
effectually  closed  to  the  student  and  writer. 
Having  been  convinced  of  its  utility,  Dr.  Poole 
immediately  began  the  preparation  of  his  index, 
which  appeared  in  1848,  being  a  work  of  154 
pages.  The  demand  for  this  aid  to  the  study  of 
literature  was  so  great  that  a  new  and  enlarged 
edition  was  begun,  which  was  published  in  1854, 
comprising  531  pages. 

"  In  the  meantime  Dr.  Poole  had  been  chosen 
librarian,  a  position  which  he  held  until  some 
months  after  his  graduation.  Having  acquired 
a  name  for  thorough  work,  and  being  an  en- 
thusiast in  his  chosen  profession,  he  was  called 
to  Boston,  where  he  accepted  the  position  of 
assistant  librarian  of  the  Boston  Athenaeum, 
which  he  left  in  a  year  to  assume  charge  of  the 
Boston  Mercantile  Library.  Here  he  spent 
four  years,  during  which  he  inaugurated  the 
dictionary  catalog,  when  he  again  went  to  the 
Athenaeum,  now  as  its  chief  librarian.  After 
13  years  of  hard  work  he  resigned  in  order  to 
gain  some  rest  and  to  pursue  his  profession  in 
other  and  special  lines. 

"  In  1869  Dr.  Poole  went  to  Cincinnati  and 
assumed  charge  of  the  Public  Library  in  that 
city,  spending  most  of  the  time  for  the  next 
four  years  in  reorganizing  and  cataloging  the 
books  in  that  institution.  It  was  while  engaged 
here  that  he  received  a  call  from  the  directors  of 
the  then  new  Chicago  Public  Library,  on  Oct.  25, 
1873,  to  come  to  Chicago  and  assume  charge  of 
that  institution.  Having  accepted  the  call,  Dr. 
Poole  entered  upon  his  duties  Jan.  i,  1874.  The 
rapid  growth  of  the  library  and  the  increased 
facilities  for  research  demanded  by  the  public 
suggested  the  necessity  of  a  third  and  much  en- 
larged edition  of  his  '  Index  to  periodical  litera- 
ture." So  many  periodicals  had  appeared  in  the 
field  and  so  many  years  had  elapsed  since  the 
second  edition  of  this  work  that  to  one  not 
gifted  with  the  iron  will  and  determination  of 
Dr.  Poole  the  undertaking  might  have  seemed 
impossible.  But  not  so  to  him.  Securing  the 
co-operation  of  the  librarians  of  the  chief  libraries 
of  this  country  and  of  England,  and  with  Mr.  W. 
I.  Fletcher,  of  Amherst,  as  an  able  lieutenant, 
Dr.  Poole  parcelled  out  the  magazines  to  these 
helpers,  not  failing  to  reserve  for  himself  the 
largest  share  of  the  work.  And  so,  like  the 
temple  of  Solomon,  this  great  structure  —  the 
third  edition  of  Poole's  Index  —  grew  without 
the  sound  of  a  hammer  or  outward  herald,  until 
in  1882  it  appeared  in  the  form  of  a  royal 
octavo  of  1469  pages,  since  which  time,  with 


April,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


'35 


its  supplements,  it  has  been  a  standard  reference- 
book  in  all  American  and  English  libraries. 

"  In  the  year  1887  Dr.  Poole  resigned  his  posi- 
tion as  librarian  of  the  Chicago  Public  Library 
to  accept  a  similar  position  in  the  Newberry  Li- 
brary. Here  was  another  opportunity  to  show 
his  skill  and  ability  in  laying  the  foundation  and 
building  the  superstructure  of  a  great  institution 
for  the  dissemination  of  knowledge.  Earnest- 
ly and  faithfully,  and  with  almost  all  vigor  of 
youth,  did  he  strive  to  build  up  this  great  refer- 
ance  library.  Though  in  some  degree  hampered 
by  environments  beyond  his  control,  his  success 
is  well  known,  and  the  Newberry  Library  will 
ever  bear  the  imprint  of  the  great  mind  which 
directed  its  incipient  growth  thus  far. 

"But  what  of  Dr.  Poole's  private  life  and  charac- 
ter ?  He  was  a  man  of  strong  individuality  and 
of  indomitable  energy,  traits  which  no  doubt 
saved  him  from  the  life  of  a  tanner,  upon  which 
he  had  at  one  time  entered.  Coming  from  sturdy 
New  England  stock  he  remembered  his  ancestry 
with  pride.  Being  naturally  a  student  and  hav- 
ing access  to  the  most  reliable  data,  he  early 
made  a  study  of  New  England  history,  and  espe- 
cially of  the  withcraft  period,  and  while  we  may 
not  indorse  all  his  conclusions  in  his  defence  of 
the  Mathers  and  others,  we  may  admire  with 
pride  the  consummate  skill  with  which  he  wields 
his  pen  in  behalf  of  his  native  town.  Time  does 
not  permit  the  enumeration  of  the  different 
themes  which  occupied  Dr.  Poole's  pen,  for  they 
were  many  and  various,  being  mostly  in  the  na- 
ture of  historical  criticism. 

"Dr.  Poole  was  a  member  of  the  American 
Historical  Society,  and  was  at  one  time  its  pres- 
ident. He  was  also  a  member  of  numerous 
other  historical  and  scientific  societies,  and 
was  awarded  the  degree  of  LL.D.  by  the  North- 
western University,  of  Evanston,  111.  In  all  asso- 
ciations looking  to  the  advancement  of  library 
interests  or  the  better  equipment  of  librarians 
themselves,  Dr.  Poole  took  a  great  interest.  In 
1853,  in  New  York  City,  he  attended  the  first 
conference  of  librarians  ever  held.  He  assisted 
in  organizing  the  American  Library  Association 
at  Philadelphia  in  1876,  and  was  its  president  or 
vice-president  much  of  the  time  since.  In  1877 
he  attended  the  International  Conference  of  Li- 
brarians held  in  London,  and  was  prominent  in 
its  deliberations.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of 
the  Chicago  Library  Club  and  its  first  president. 

"  In  his  private  life  he  was  eminently  just  and 
always  deprecated  anything  not  genuine.  Gen- 
erally absorbed  in  his  business,  the  casual  caller 
would  say  Dr.  Poole  was  not  easy  to  become 
acquainted  with.  His  time  was  precious,  and 
over  his  door,  while  librarian  of  the  Chicago 
Public  Library,  he  had  the  words  '  Be  Short ' 
painted  in  distinct  letters  —  a  hint  that  mere 
idlers  were  not  wanted,  or  at  least  that  their  in- 
terviews must  be  brief. 

"  Dr.  Poole  was  an  incessant  reader  and 
writer.  He  seemed  to  thrive  on  work.  During 
the  time  of  preparation  of  the  third  edition  of 
Poole's  Index  he  would  take  home  at  night  an 
arm-load  of  periodicals,  every  one  of  which 
must  be  indexed  before  he  slept,  and  often  that 
meant  one  o'clock  in  the  morning  for  his  bed- 


time. No  doubt  his  incessant  labors  rendered 
his  system  less  able  to  withstand  the  inroads  of 
disease  during  his  last  illness. 

"  As  a  librarian,  Dr.  Poole  stood  almost  if  not 
quite  at  the  head  of  the  profession.  He  belonged 
to  the  old  school  rather  than  the  new,  and  was  a 
firm  defender  of  any  position  he  might  take  on 
controverted  points  relative  to  library  work. 
His  "Organization  and  management  of  public 
libraries,"  published  by  the  Bureau  of  Educa- 
tion, Washington,  in  1876,  has  become  a  hand- 
book on  that  subject,  and  the  suggestions  there- 
in contained  have  no  doubt  been  closely  fol- 
lowed in  a  large  per  cent,  of  the  libraries  organ- 
ized since  its  publication,  especially  in  the  West. 
His  influence,  through  men  and  women  who  have 
learned  under  him,  has  been  extensive  upon  the 
library  profession  generally.  His  views  on 
library  architecture  are  well  known,  and  have 
been  substantially  carried  out  in  the  new  New- 
berry  Library  building. 

"  In  his  home  life  Dr.  Poole  was  of  domestic 
tastes;  an  affectionate  husband  and  an  indulgent 
father.  His  New  England  training  never  forsook 
him,  and  he  was  always  to  be  found  on  Sunday 
(health  permitting)  in  his  accustomed  place  of 
worship. 

"  In  view  of  the  demise  of  our  fellow-member 
and  our  first  president,  the  Chicago  Library 
Club 

"  Resolves,  That  in  the  death  of  Dr.  William  F.  Poole, 
librarian  of  the  Newberry  Library,  the  library  interests 
of  Chicago  and  of  the  country  at  large  have  suffered  a 
severe  loss  ;  that  the  community  in  which  he  lived  has 
lost  an  exemplary  and  worthy  citizen,  his  family  a  devoted 
husband  and  father,  and  this  club  an  .active  and  inter- 
ested member. 

"Resolved,  That  this  memorial  minute  be  entered  upon 
the  records  of  the  club,  that  a  copy  thereof  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  family  of  the  deceased,  and  that  a  copy  be 
sent  to  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  for  publication." 


CATALOGUE  of  the  library  of  Kings  College, 
Windsor,  Nova  Scotia,  with  occasional  anno- 
tations by  Harry  Piers.  Halifax,  N.  S.,  Nova 
Scotia  Printing  Co.,  1893.  O. 
The  present  catalog  was  prepared  in  conse- 
quence of  a  bequest  of  Dr.  Charles  Cogswell 
which  was  made  conditional  "  that  a  catalog  of 
the  library  be  prepared  and  printed."  The  col- 
lection of  books,  according  to  the  preface,  "  al- 
though not  of  large  size  must  nevertheless  be 
considered  one  of  the  most  valuable  collections 
of  bibliographical  treasures  which  the  dominion 
of  Canada  holds,"  "many  of  which  cannot  be 
seen  elsewhere  in  America."  This  unusual  feat- 
ure of  the  library  is  due  chiefly  to  the  gifts  of 
'T.  B.  Akins  and  Rev.  Edmund  Maturin,  both  of 
whom  were  collectors  of  early  manuscripts  and 
printed  books.  Partly  as  a  result  of  their  gifts 
the  library  is  the  happy  possessor  of  eight  early 
manuscripts,  and  quite  a  series  of  incunabula,  in- 
cluding books  from  the  press  of  Zainer,  Koberg- 
er,  Janson,  Pictor  and  Ratdolt,  Bartolomeo,  and 
other  fifteenth  century  printers,  besides  a  series 
of  books  from  the  Aldine,  Elzevir,  and  Stephanus 
presses.  These  and  other  early  printed  books 


136 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\Apnl%  '94 


constitute  the  chief  rarities  of  the  collection,  but 
as  a  whole  there  are  many  unusual  books  outside 
of  these  classes..  Indeed  in  many  respects  the 
collection  is  an  unusual  one.  It  is  particularly 
strong  in  the  classics  and  in  standard  theolog- 
ical criticism.  A  long  series  of  Bibles  is  note- 
worthy. First  editions  of  English  writers  are 
noticeable  chiefly  in  theology,  but  there  are  first 
or  early  editions  of  Milton,  Dryden,  Pope, 
Southey,  and  Byron.  We  also  note  the  1784 
edition  of  Ethan  Allen's  "  Reason  the  only  ora- 
cle of  man."  The  collection  is  singularly  bare 
in  many  branches,  which  would  seem  of  vital  im- 
portance in  a  college  library;  history,  political 
economy,  and  science  being  the  most  marked. 
Of  the  history  of  Nova  Scotia  and  Canada  there 
is  so  little  as  to  hardly  suggest  the  habitat  of 
the  library. 

The  plan  of  the  catalog  is  admirable.  Mr. 
Piers  has  "  in  the  main,  followed  the  canons  of 
cataloging  as  laid  down  by  C.  A.  Cutter  "  in  his 
third  edition, "  departing,  however,  from  his  laws 
when  my  opinions  gave  preference  to  the  more 
conservative  ones  of  the  United  Kingdom  Li- 
brary Association  or  those  of  the  Bodleian  Li- 
brary of  Oxford."  The  first  portion  of  the  catalog 
is  devoted  to  an  author-list,  the  name  being  print- 
ed in  heavy-faced  type,  making  it  admirable  in  its 
clearness.  At  the  top  of  each  page  is  given  the 
author  first  and  last  listed  on  the  page,  making 
reference  both  quick  and  easy.  The  second  sec- 
tion is  devoted  to  a  subject  catalog,  with  the 
same  device  at  the  head  of  the  pages.  A  rather 
uncommon  feature  in  this  section  is  a  listing  of 
certain  books,  not  merely  under  the  subject  they 
relate  to,  such  as  "  theology,"  "  Greek  litera- 
ture," etc. ,  but  also  under  such  heads  as"Al- 
dine  press,"  "  Fifteenth  century  printed  books," 
etc.,  thus  taking  note  of  imprint  data  and  en- 
abling one  to  trace  certain  features  of  the  library 
quickly.  One  or  two  additional  heads,  such  as 
"  first  editions,"  would  have  improved  it,  but 
in  most  respects  this  part  of  the  work  is  admira- 
ble, and  the  whole  constitutes  one  of  the  simplest 
and  clearest  catalogs  that  has  come  under  our 
attention;  while  without  being  scrimped  it  seems 
to  have  involved  the  minimum  of  cost  with  a 
maximum  of  benefit.  The  typography  and  proof- 
reading are  excellent.  P.  L.  F. 

JORDELL,  D.,  ed.  Catalogue  annuel  de  la  li- 
brairie  Fran^aise  pour  1893,  donnant  la  no- 
menclature de  tous  les  livres  fran£ais  parus 
en  France  et  a  1'etranger  pendant  1'annee  1893, 
lere  par  ordre  alphabetique  des  noms  d'au- 
teurs  ;  2me  par  ordre  alphab6tique  de  litres; 
suivie  d'une  table  alphabetique  des  matteres. 
Paris,  Per  Lamm  (]Librairie  Nilsson),  1894, 
248  p.  O. 

This  is  the  third  attempt  to  supply  an  annual 
catalog  of  all  French  books  issued  in  France 
and  throughout  the  world,  and  while  intended 
for  the  special  benefit  of  the  French  book  trade 
and  the  book  trade  of  foreign  countries,  it 
should  also  be  of  use  to  librarians  in  the  selec- 
tion and  purchase  of  French  books.  The  first 
annual  French  catalog  was  undertaken  in  1859 


by  Charles  Reinwald,  of  Paris,  who  recognized 
its  value,  and  believed  that  such  an  enterprise, 
bound  to  further  the  sale  of  French  books  in 
foreign  countries,  would  be  appreciated  and  sup- 
ported. This  did  not  happen,  however.  From 
1858  to  1869  Reinwald  published  his  catalogs, 
the  one  for  the  latter  year  not  appearing  until 
1872.  He  proposed  compiling  a  combination 
catalog  for  the  years  1870  and  1871,  and  then  to 
continue  the  annual  regularly  in  future;  but  the 
volumes  did  not  appear.  Six  years  later  Otto 
Lorenz,  the  bibliographer,  who  had  assisted 
Reinwald  from  the  beginning  of  his  scheme,  de- 
cided to  risk  the  undertaking  once  more,  and 
brought  out  the  "  Catalogue  annuel "  for  1876. 
In  his  preface,  Lorenz  pointed  out  the  absolute 
necessity  of  such  a  catalog,  but  he  also  failed  to 
receive  the  needed  support,  and  could  not  bring 
out  the  catalog  for  the  following  year.  A 
third  attempt  is  now  made  by  D.  Jordell,  in  his 
"  Catalogue  annuel  de  la  librairie  Fran9aise  pour 
1893,"  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  a  fourth  at- 
tempt will  not  become  necessary. 

M.  Jordell,  who  will  be  remembered  as  the 
editor  of  the  continuation  of  Lorenz's ' '  Catalogue 
general  de  la  librairie  Frangais  "  (1840-1885), 
has  planned  his  work  strictly  on  the  lines  of  the 
Reinwald  and  Lorenz  catalogs,  but  in  place  of 
the  classified  index  he  has  made  an  alphabetical 
list  of  titles  and  an  alphabetical  list  of  sub- 
jects,  referring  from  the  catchword  to  the  au- 
thor's name. 

Los  ANGELES  (Cat.)  PUBLIC  LIBRARY.  List  of 
novels  and  tales  in  the  English,  French,  Ger- 
man, and  Spanish  languages.  March,  1894. 
148  p.  D. 

The  modest  title  under  which  this  finding-list 
appears  is  delusive.  It  is  more  than  a  bare 
"  list"  of  fiction,  and  it  deserves  the  careful  at- 
tention of  librarians  and  catalogers,  not  only  for 
the  admirable  simplicity  of  its  form,  but  for  the 
several  innovations  in  the  way  of  annotation  and 
arrangement  that  are  introduced.  It  covers  all 
the  fiction  of  the  library  (12,456  volumes) — 
English,  French,  German,  Spanish,  and  Italian  — 
and  succeeds  and  replaces  the  fiction-list  of  July, 
1891,  which  contained  only  novels  for  adults  in 
the  English  language.  This  new  list  includes 
juvenile  fiction,  books  suitable  for  young  people 
being  designated  by  the  letter  x  between  the 
author's  initial  and  the  book-number.  It  is,  in 
fact,  an  author-index  of  English  and  foreign 
writers,  in  one  alphabet.  This  consolidation  of 
the  works  of  a  writer,  often  in  three  or  four 
translations,  is  an  interesting  experiment,  as  the 
classification  of  the  library  has  heretofore  been 
extremely  localized,  being  entirely  dependent 
upon  the  language  in  which  a  book  was  written, 
irrespective  of  the  subject.  The  main  features  of 
the  catalog  are  the  simple  brevity  of  the  entries 
—  author,  title  and  call-number  only  —  the  system 
of  annotation,  the  list  of  books  of  criticism,  and 
the  arrangement  of  the  subject-index. 

The  annotations  are  sparingly  made.  Generally 
they  simply  indicate  the  subject  of  a  book,  and 
refer  to  other  books  on  the  same  subject;  refer- 
ences to  magazines  are  made  in  cases  where  the 


April,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


library  has  a  circulating  copy  of  a  magazine  con- 
taining a  story  duplicated  in  book  form  ;  in 
English,  American,  and  Russian  literature  the 
notes  are  specially  helpful,  for  here  the  idea  has 
been  to  group  the  leading  novelists  and  refer  from 
every  group  to  its  successors  and  predecessors. 
Half  a  dozen  specimen  entries,  chosen  at  random, 
offer  the  best  illustration  of  the  practical  useful- 
ness of  the  notes  : 
ALARCON,  P.  A.  DE. 

Modern  Spanish  school :  See  also  Bazan,Valera,  Valdes, 
Galdos. 

BULWER-LYTTON,  E.  G. 

Eugene  Aram.     B  4007. 

Founded  on  the  career  of  a  remarkable  man  of  this 
name,  executed  for  murder  in  1757.  Story  dramatized  in 
808.2  :  4.  v.  103. 

EGGLESTON,  E. 

Roxy.     E  452. 

Eggleston  belongs  to  group  of  American  novelists  of 
1860-70.  See  also  B.  Taylor,  Winthrop,  Phelps,  W.  M. 
Baker,  Harte,  de  Mille,  J.  Hawthorne,  Hale,  and  Aldrich. 
Succeeded  group  of  Holland,  Hale,  Stowe,  and  Cooke,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Howells,  James,  Woolson,  and  Burnett. 

ERCKMAN,  E. 

The  man-wolf,     in  E  1559. 

Founded  upon  the  outbreak  of  lycanthropy  in  France 
in  the  i6th  century.  See  also  Kipling's  In  the  Rukh,  in 
his  Many  inventions. 

NUTT,  A. 

Studies  in  the  legend  of  the  Holy  Grail. 

398.2  :  i. 

See  also  Rhys,  Farrington,  Lanier,  Malory,  Bergmann; 
full  references  to  Arthurian  legends  in  reference-room. 

SHEPPARD,  E.  S.    [Beatrice  Reynolds;  E.  Berger; 
Kinkel.] 

Charles  Auchester.     [Music    Germany.]    S 
1901. 

Seraphael  is  Mendelssohn;  Maria  Cerinthia  is  Fanny 
Mendelssohn;  Aronach  is  Zelter;  Clara  Benette  is  Jenny 
Lind;  Charles  Auchester  is  Joachim  the  violinist;  Star- 
wood Burney  is  Sir  Sterndale  Bennett. 

In  the  case  of  books  like  "  ^Esop's  fables,"  the 
"  Decameron,"  and  the  "Arabian  nights,"  the 
note  gives  a  concise  summary  of  the  origin  of 
the  work  and  its  position  in  literature. 

Following  the  fiction-list  proper  is  "  a  short 
list  of  books  of  criticism  on  the  foregoing  novels 
and  tales"  (43  titles),  representing  some  of  the 
best  modern  criticism,  which  is,  as  a  rule,  ab- 
solutely unknown  to  the  average  novel-reader;  in 
the  case  of  critical  essays,  the  contents  of  every 
volume  are  fully  given.  The  subject-index,  which 
forms  the  last  division  of  the  catalog,  is  ad- 
mirably suggestive  of  what  may  be  done  in  this 
direction.  The  fiction  is  classified  under  naiional 
life,  i.e.,  American,  French,  German,  etc.,  divid- 
ed into  historical  periods;  under  manner  of  life, 
i.e.,  romances  of  chivalry,  gypsy  life,  sea  life, 
etc. ;  and  under  special  subjects  as  musical  novels, 
reform  novels,  legends,  psychological  novels, 
short  stories,  fairy  tales,  etc. 

The  list  was  compiled  by  Miss  Adelaide  R. 
Hasse,  assistant  librarian,  with  the  assistance  of 
the  members  of  the  second  course  of  the  train- 
ing-class of  1893,  who  were  assigned  equal  shares 
in  the  compilation  and  to  whom  it  was  valuable 
practical  experience.  The  work  of  the  pupils 
was  revised  and  edited,  and  the  notes  inserted 
by  Miss  Hasse,  on  whom,  as  well  as  on  the 
members  of  the  class,  the  completed  list  reflects 
very  high  credit.  Miss  Kelso  writes  that  "the 


list  is  but  a  sample  of  what  we  would  like  to  do 
in  the  way  of  interpolations,  suggestions,  etc., 
particularly  where  fiction  is  concerned."  It  is 
certainly  an  admirable  sample,  and  in  its  practical 
demonstration  of  the  value  of  such  annotations 
and  suggestions  it  should  prove  widely  useful  as 
a  working  model  for  other  library  catalogs.  In 
most  libfaries  the  percentage  of  fiction  issued  is 
fully  twice  as  much  as  that  of  all  other  classes  of 
literature  combined  — a  fact  generally  admitted, 
deplored,  and  declared  irremediable  ;  but  such 
finding-lists  as  this  of  the  Los  Angeles  Public 
Library  offer  one  practical  solution  of  the  ever- 
present  "fiction  problem,"  in  that  they  are  a 
means  by  which  novel-reading  may  be  so  guided 
and  directed  as  to  result  in  real  benefit  to  the 
reader.  H.  E.  H. 

U.  S.  BUREAU  OF  EDUCATION.     Catalog  of  "A. 
L.  A."  Library.     5000  volumes  for  a  popular 
library  selected  by  the  Amercan  Library  As- 
sociation and  shown  at  the  World's  Columbian 
Exposition.     Washington,  Government  Print- 
ing Office,  1893.     20x592  p.  O. 
The  first  part  of  the  A.  L.  A.  Catalog,  compris- 
ing the  classed  catalog  according  to  the  decimal 
system  (Dewey)  and  the  classed  catalog  accord- 
ing to  the  expansive  classification  (Cutter),  ap- 
peared last  summer,  and  was  reviewed  in  the 
L.  j.  for  August,  1893.     The  work  is  now  com- 
pleted by  the  inclusion  of  the  dictionary  catalog, 
and  as  issued  in  final  shape  calls  for  additional 
and  fuller  notice. 

Commissioner  Harris,  to  whose  aid  is  due  so 
large  a  part  of  both  the  original  collection  of 
books  and  the  present  catalog,  in  transmitting  it 
to  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  states  that  in 
certain  respects,  this  "is  the  most  instructive 
volume  yet  printed  on  the  subject  of  libraries," 
and  upon  examination  this  statement  seems  well 
borne  out.  As  an  achievement  of  the  A.  L.  A., 
as  a  basis  for  new  libraries,  and  as  a  practical 
example  of  still  mooted  questions  in  classifica- 
tion, the  volume  is  a  contribution  of  the  utmost 
importance. 

In  the  introduction  preceding  the  main  work, 
the  inception  of  the  model  library  is  described, 
telling  how  it  was  selected,  classified,  and  cata- 
loged, and  making  due  acknowledgment  to  the 
publishers  who,  by  gifts  of  books,  co-operated  in 
its  formation.  Then  follow  "  directions  of  the 
committee  for  purchase  and  arrangement  of  the 
A.  L.  A.  Library,"  suggested  by  the  questions 
asked  by  visitors  during  the  exhibit  of  the 
A.  L.  A.  Library  in  Chicago,  giving  minute  in- 
structions as  to  the  purchase  of  books  and  the 
necessary  preliminaries  which  precede  their 
being  placed  upon  the  shelves ;  even  a  list 
of  library  supplies,  with  cost,  is  given.  The 
catalog  proper  follows,  the  first  sections  being 
biography  and  fiction,  each  a  separate  list.  Af- 
ter this  are  three  catalogs,  two  of  all  books  ex- 
cept biography  and  fiction,  one  of  the  whole 
collection  :  i.  Classed  catalog  according  to  the 
decimal  system  (Dewey),  with  a  preliminary  out- 
line of  decimal  classification  and  marginal  deci- 
mal numbers  to  each  title;  2.  Classed  catalog 
according  to  the  expansive  classification  (Cutter) 


138 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[April,  '94 


preceded  by  an  "  outline  of  the  expansive  classi- 
fication," and  followed  by  "  sample  pages  "  of  an 
author  index  and  a  subject  index,  with  decimal 
and  expansive  class  numbers  and  initials;  3.  Dic- 
tionary catalog,  with  both  marginal  Dewey  and 
Cutter  decimal  and  expansive  numbers,  and  em- 
bodying not  merely  the  same  books  as  are  in 
the  first  two,  but  the  sections  of  biography  and 
fiction  as  well. 

The  catalog  was  prepared  at  the  New  York 
State  Library,  under  the  direction  of  Mary  S. 
Cutler,  the  work  being  actually  done  by  Louisa 
S.  Cutler,  assisted  by  Henrietta  Church  and 
Bessie  Baker.  The  classification  of  the  first  list 
was  made  by  Walter  S.  Biscoe,  "who  has  more 
thorough  acquaintance  with  its  [decimal  system] 
practical  working  than  any  other  person."  The 
"  expansive  system  has  been  revised  by  the  au- 
thor, C.  A.  Cutter."  The  dictionary  catalog 
has  been  revised  by  Harriet  C.  Blake,  formerly 
at  the  Boston  Public  Library. 

The  titles  are  printed  in  brevier,  with  heavy- 
face  or  capital  catchwords,  these  differences  be- 
ing employed  to  distinguish  the  books  actually 
exhibited  at  Chicago,  and  those  selected  as  ne- 
cessary to  be  included  in  the  "model"  li- 
brary, but  not  obtainable  for  exhibition  ;  for 
the  accuracy  of  the  latter  titles  the  commit- 
tee does  not  vouch.  The  lists  are  single-lead- 
ed. At  the  head  of  the  first  two  lists  is  the 
decimal  or  expansive  numbering,  covering  the 
portion  given  on  the  page,  but  the  dictionary 
catalog  does  not  give  the  correlative  "  subject 
headings "  that  would  naturally  be  expected. 
The  cataloging  rules  prepared  by  the  A.  L.  A. 
have  been  followed.  The  entry  under  the  pseu- 
donym and  under  the  shorter,  better  known  form 
of  the  author's  name  follow  Cutter's  "  Rules  for  a 
dictionary  catalog,"  third  edition.  There  is  a 
growing  usage  in  this  direction."  Although  the 
catalog  is  prefaced  by  a  list  of  the  "  colon  abbre- 
viations for  forenames  "  it  only  partially  em- 
ploys them  in  the  catalogs,  the  full  names  being 
in  many  cases  spelled  out,  though  there  is  an 
evident  want  of  systematic  treatment  in  this  re- 
spect. Care  seems  to  have  been  taken  in  the 
case  of  names,  which  are  given  with  commenda- 
ble fulness.  The  titles  are  satisfactory  in  all 
three  lists,  and  the  imprint  data  include  date, 
volumes,  size,  series,  publisher,  and  price.  No 
place  of  publication  is  given,  but  by  a  little 
trouble  even  one  unfamiliar  with  the  location  of 
the  various  publishers  can  trace  the  information 
by  a  reference  to  the  list  of  publishers  printed 
in  the  introduction.  "  The  imprint  has  been 
given  in  this  catalog  with  more  fulness  than  the 
average  library  could  afford  to  follow  in  printing 
a  finding-list.  Facts  should  be  omitted  in  the 
following  order:  (i)  price;  (2)  publisher's  name; 
(3)  size;  (4)  date  of  publication.  The  call-num- 
ber, author,  brief  title,  and  number  of  volumes 
must  appear  in  every  finding-list,  however  brief. 
The  most  useful  addition  of  facts  would  be:  (i) 
illus.;  (2)  number  of  pages." 

The  result,  so  far  as  a  catalog  goes,  is  emi- 
nently instructive  and  satisfactory.  A  little  study 
of  the  three  systems  convinces  one  of  the  infinite 
superiority  of  the  dictionary  method  over  the 
decimal  and  expansive  classifications.  Indeed, 
personally  we  opine  that  it  must  end  the  con- 


troversy as  regards  catalogs,  whatever  may  still 
be  done  in  regard  to  shelves,  for  the  two  classed 
lists  as  here  given  are  clumsy  and  puzzling  to  a 
degree  as  compared  with  the  dictionary  catalog. 
Again  we  must  speak  strongly  against  the  custom 
of  putting  the  decimal  or  class  number  to  the 
left  of  the  title.  It  is  truly  putting  the  cart  be- 
fore the  horse.  A  reader  is  looking  for  a  name 
or  title  —  not  a  number  —  and  wishes  to  learn 
the  latter  as  the  last  result  of  his  catalog  read- 
ing; viz.,  after  he  has  made  sure  from  the  title 
that  he  has  found  the  book  he  wishes.  Putting 
the  number  first  is  therefore  wrong,  and  in  ad- 
dition makes  the  search  much  slower  by  con- 
fusing the  eye  and  "  burying  "  in  the  middle  of 
the  page  the  matter  actually  searched  for.  Shift 
the  numbers  to  the  right-hand  side,  or  train  your 
public  to  read  from  right  to  left,  one  or  the  other. 
It  is  a  sad  commentary  on  the  profession,  which 
of  all  others  should  be  the  most  bookishly  exact, 
that  there  are  six  pages  of  errata  at  the  end ;  and 
that  by  no  means  exhausts  the  subject.  Wheth- 
er the  fault  lies  with  the  catalogers,  the  public 
printer,  or  the  proof-readers,  we  leave  them 
to  settle.  Certainly  errata  should  not  have  oc- 
curred in  any  such  quantity  in  a  list  intended  to 
serve  as  a  model  to  future  libraries  and  librarians, 
and  as  a  monument  to  the  present  A.  L.  A. 

Turning  from  the  catalog  to  the  books  that 
form  the  model  library,  we  find  strong  evi- 
dence of  the  labor  and  pains  taken  by  the  select- 
ing committee  to  make  it  truly  model  or  represen- 
tative. As  the  introduction  very  justly  states  : 
"  The  committee  disclaim  the  idea  that  this  is  a 
model  library,  in  the  sense  of  being  an  ideal 
selection.  The  wealth  of  material  and  the  dif- 
ferences of  opinion  are  such  that  no  such  selec- 
tion is  possible.  They  would  claim,  however, 
that  it  is  a  good  working  library,  representing 
the  best  thought  of  competent  judges  in  various 
departments.  No  board  of  trustees  would 
make  a  mistake  in  ordering  the  collection  of 
books  as  it  stands."  To  criticise  the  selection  of 
books  is,  therefore,  uncalled  for,  even  if  it  were 
necessary.  Every  man  is  free  to  strike  out,  or 
add,  according  to  his  personal  equation,  but  he 
will  be  a  learned  one,  who  in  many  of  the  subjects 
is  able,  without  assistance,  to  improve  the  work 
of  the  committee,  aided  by  their  co-operating 
"  75  librarians  and  specialists."  We  may,  there- 
fore, accept  it  (minute  changes  excepted) 'as  a 
thoroughly  adequate  library  of  5000  volumes; 
and  accepting  it  as  such,  it  is  interesting  to  note 
the  proportions  of  classes,  approximately: 

Class.  Number.  Percentage. 

Biography 623 Ia 

Fiction 809 16 

General  Works 227 4 

Philosophy 96 i 

Reljgion 220 4 

Sociology 424 8 

Language 108 2 

Natural  Science 355 7 

Useful  Arts 268 5 

Fine  Arts 225 4 

Literature 694 13 

History 756 15 

Travel 413 8 

Of  course  these  relative  proportions  would 
not  hold  true  in  either  larger  or  smaller  libra- 
ries, for  a  thousand  volumes  even  more  or  less 
would  strike  out,  or  add,  in  very  varying  pro- 
portions to  the  classes.  P.  L.  F. 


April,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


139 


©conomjj  an&  ^i 


LOCAL. 

Allegheny,  Pa.  Carnegie  F.  L.  W:  N.  Frew 
has  been  chosen  successor  to  the  late  James 
B.  Scott,  as  chairman  of  the  board  of  trustees  of 
the  Pittsburg  Carnegie  Free  Library  Commis- 
sion. 

Attica,  N.  y.  Stevens  Memorial  L.  The  for- 
mal opening  of  the  Robert  S.  Stevens  Memorial 
Library  was  held  on  March  i,  and  an  informal 
reception  was  given  by  Mrs.  Robert  S.  Stevens 
and  Frederick  C.  Stevens,  of  Washington,  from 
2  until  4  p.m.,  in  the  library  building. 

This  fine  library  is  given  to  the  town  by  Mrs. 
Stevens  and  her  son  as  a  memorial  of  the  late 
Robert  S.  Stevens,  who  died  Feb.  23,  1893.  It  is 
situated  on  Main  Street,  near  the  home  of  Mrs. 
Stevens;  the  site  has  historic  interest,  as  the  land 
was  a  part  of  the  Holland  land  purchase  ac- 
quired by  Alden  S.  Stevens,  a  pioneer  of  west- 
ern New  York,  and  father  of  Robert  S.  Stevens. 
The  house  from  which  the  library  has  been  con- 
structed was  built  about  50  years  ago,  but  it  has 
been  entirely  remodelled,  and  has  assumed  a 
gothic  and  picturesque  appearance.  On  the  front 
is  inscribed  "  Stevens  Memorial  Library,  1893." 
The  interior  is  suitably  arranged  for  reading- 
room  and  library  purposes,  and  is  divided  by 
rows  of  handsome  polished  pillars.  Directly  op- 
posite the  entrance-door  is  a  stained-glass  win- 
dow containing  the  words  "  In  memory  of  Rob- 
ert S.  Stevens,  1893."  There  is  shelving  for 
18,000  books,  and  there  are  upwards  of  8000 
volumes  at  present  in  the  library.  Of  these, 
5000  are  a  duplicate  of  the  "  model  library  "  ex- 
hibited at  the  World's  Fair.  To  these  have  been 
added  500  volumes  of  fiction,  1500  volumes  of 
juveniles,  and  a  large  number  of  books  of 
reference.  The  library  has  been  completely 
cataloged,  and  the  Cotgreave  Library  Indicator 
is  to  be  used  for  registration  of  books  loaned. 

The  library  is  free  to  all  townspeople  over  12 
years  of  age;  persons  living  outside  the  village 
limits  pay  $r  for  the  use  of  the  books.  Teachers 
in  the  public  schools  are  allowed  six  books  at  a 
time.  One  of  the  most  noteworthy  privileges  of 
the  library  is  that  the  printed  catalogs  of  300 
pages,  containing  full  classed  catalog  and  author- 
list,  are  absolutely  free. 

Baltimore,  Md.  Enoch  Pratt  F.  Z.  The  total 
circulation  for  1893  was  494,102,  the  reference 
use  being  21,355.  This  is  a  correction  of  the 
figures  given  in  the  L.  J.  for  March  119:100), 
where  the  reference  use  was  overlooked  and  the 
total  circulation  for  1892  given  instead  of  that 
for  1893. 
Boston  P.  L.  LIBRARIES  in  two  cities.  (Kansas 

City  Times,  Mr.  u.)    12  col. 

An  account  of  the  origin,  growth,  and  future 
plans  of  the  Boston  Public;  Harvard  University 
Library  has  also  two  columns  of  description. 
Two  cuts  of  the  new  Boston  Public  Library 
building  are  given. 

Boulder,  Col.  University  of  Colorado,  Buck- 
ingham Z.  (From  catalog  of  univ.,  1893-94.) 

"  The  library,  though  scarcely  a  decade  from 


its  beginning,  contains  9000  volumes,  and  is  al- 
most entirely  the  discriminating  selection  of  the 
faculty  of  instruction.  The  library  owes  this 
excellence  in  its  foundation  to  liberal  cash  do- 
nations for  the  purchase  of  books,  placed  at 
the  disposal  of  the  university  by  Mr.  C:  G. 
Buckingham,  of  Boulder.  It  is  open  to  all  stu- 
dents and  to  the  public  as  a  reference  library, 
every  week-day,  from  8:15  a.m.  to  4:30 p.m.  The 
books  are  cataloged  in  subject,  author,  and 
classified  indexes.  35,000  cards,  with  brief 
bibliography  on  each,  being  accessible  for  stu- 
dent reference. 

"  In  the  alcoves  of  each  department  are  large  V 
tables,  with  drawers  and  appliances  for  reference 
work  directly  adjacent  to  the  books.  The  stu- 
dents have  direct  access  to  all  shelves,  alcoves, 
and  catalogs.  They  take  and  replace  all  books 
for  immediate  use  in  the  library,  and  make  their 
own  record  of  removals  and  returns  at  the  desk 
of  the  librarian. 

"  The  librarian  offers  all  new  students  of  every 
department  courses  of  lectures  to  indicate  the 
special  value  and  purpose  of  a  university  library, 
and  to  show  how  its  use  enriches  and  facilitates 
the  mastery  of  the  other  regular  work  of  the 
curriculum.  He  gives  practical  talks  in  the  de- 
tails of  the  purpose  and  use  of  catalogs,  bibliog- 
raphy, indexes,  books  of  reference,  manuals, 
classification,  and  shelving.  With  each  talk  the 
student  has  practical  drill  under  personal  super- 
vision of  the  librarian,  to  test  his  powers  of  ap- 
plication. The  student  is  at  once  introduced  to 
scholarly  habits  of  investigation.  He  is  encour- 
aged to  gain  the  largest  intellectual  results  from 
lecture  and  class  instruction,  and  acquires  a  zeal 
for  independent  study." 

Bradford  (Mass.)  P.  L.  Work  will  soon  be 
begun  on  a  new  library  building,  given  to  the 
town  by  the  late  J:  L.  Woods,  of  Cleveland,  O., 
who  left  $15,000  for  this  purpose.  The  accepted 
plans,  submitted  by  Lambert  Packard,  of  St. 
Johnsbury,  Vt.,  provide  for  a  building  66x33, 
of  the  Romanesque  style.  That  part  of  the 
building  first  seen  from  the  square  is  the  read- 
ing-room, which  is  27  feet  in  diameter,  the 
reading-tables  being  placed  one  at  each  of  the 
eight  windows,  with  a  periodical-table  in  the 
centre.  The  stack-room  is  on  the  east  side,  15 
x  36  feet,  and  15  feet  high,  allowing  for  a  gallery 
at  some  future  time.  The  delivery-window  opens 
into  a  large  hall  directly  in  front  of  the  main 
entrance;  there  are  also  windows  opening  into 
the  reading-room.  On  the  southwest  corner  is 
the  librarian's  room,  9  x  12,  with  toilet-rooms 
connected.  There  is  a  large  octagonal  tower  in 
front,  in  which  are  stairs  leading  to  the  curio- 
room  over  the  main  entrance  from  Main  Street. 
There  is  also  a  south  entrance  to  the  library. 
The  estimated  cost  of  the  building  is  $8000,  in- 
cluding the  heating  apparatus.  The  village  li- 
brary is  now  located  in  the  bank  building. 

Bryn  Mawr  (Pa.)  College  Z.  The  college  has 
purchased  the  classical  library  of  Prof.  Sauppe, 
of  Gottingen  University,  consisting  of  9000  vol- 
umes and  7000  dissertations.  This  will  make, 
with  the  present  collection,  one  of  the  most  com- 
plete classical  libraries  in  the  country. 


140 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[April,  '94 


Butte  (Mont.)  P.  L.  The  first  monthly  report 
of  the  library  was  issued  March  i,  and  the  show- 
ing made  since  its  opening  in  February  is  most 
gratifying.  6125  books  have  been  issued  (fict. 
6o#),  2145  of  which  were  for  home  use;  1699  ap- 
plication-blanks were  taken  out,  and  919  borrow- 
ers enrolled;  the  daily  average  issue  of  books  is 
300;  no  record  has  been  kept  of  the  number  of 
visitors,  but  it  is  estimated  at  not  less  than  500 
daily,  and  at  times  1000.  There  are  144  period- 
icals on  file. 

Colorado  Springs,  Col,  Coburn  L.  The  Co- 
burn  Library  was  dedicated  at  Colorado  College 
on  March  14  with  appropriate  ceremonies;  these 
consisted  of  music,  readings,  an  address  by  Presi- 
dent Slocum,  of  the  college,  a  long  speech  by 
President  Harper,  of  Chicago  University,  and  ad- 
dresses by  Chancellor  Snow,  of  the  University  of 
Kansas,  President  Taylor,  of  Vassar,  Chancellor 
McDowell,  of  the  Denver  University,  and  others. 

The  building,  given  to  the  college  by  N.  P. 
Coburn,  of  Newton,  Mass. ,  is  said  to  be  the  first 
library  building  erected  in  Colorado.  In  the 
summer  of  1892  Mr.  Coburn  gave  $50,000  to  the 
college  to  found  a  library.  The  designs  were 
made  by  Andrews,  Juques,  and  Rantoul,  archi- 
tects, of  Boston,  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid  in 
commencement  week  in  June,  1893.  The  build- 
ing is  on  the  southwest  corner  of  the  college 
reservation;  it  has  cost  $45,000  and  the  remain- 
ing $5000  will  be  used  as  an  endowment. 

The  building  is  in  Romanesque  style,  65  x  85 
and  38  feet  in  height,  built  of  red  sandstone.  The 
ground  floor,  intended  chiefly  for  storage  pur- 
poses, contains  a  room  60  x  60,  a  robing-room 
10  x  20,  and  four  large  closets.  The  main  floor, 
reached  by  a  double  flight  of  stone  steps,  has 
a  main  room  60  x  60,  with  two  private  rooms 
and  two  dressing-rooms,  and  is  surmounted 
by  a  gallery  on  either  side,  reached  by  a  double 
flight  of  iron  stairs,  two  small  rooms  or  offices 
being  found  on  the  gallery  floor.  The  finish- 
ing is  in  red  oak;  the  ceiling  is  tinted  a  light 
buff,  and  the  walls  and  pillars  oil-painted  in  light 
olive.  At  the  end  are  two  stone  mantles,  seven 
feet  high  and  10  feet  wide,  cut  from  a  solid  block 
of  Peachblow  sandstone.  There  are  eight  alcoves 
on  the  main  floor  and  eight  in  the  galleries.  The 
bookcases  are  of  oak,  and  there  are  six  oak  read- 
ing-tables, with  space  for  four  more  in  each 
gallery.  The  building  is  heated  with  steam  and 
lighted  with  electric  light.  There  is  space  in  the 
alcoves  for  75,ooo  volumes —  40,000  on  the  main 
floor  and  35,000  on  the  gallery  floor. 

The  library  has  a  nucleus  of  12,000  or  15,000 
volumes  to  begin  with,  and  these  will  be  added  to 
as  rapidly  as  possible.  The  endowment  fund 
consists  of  $7500,  the  remaining  portion  of  Mr. 
Coburn's  gift  being  $5000  and  the  "  Albert 
Barnes  Palmer  fund  "  being  $2500.  To  increase 
the  number  of  books  as  soon  and  as  rapidly  as 
possible,  the  citizens  of  Colorado  Springs  have 
organized  a  book  committee. 

Dover  (N.  H.)  P.  L.  (nth  rpt.)  Added 
1152;  total  18,406.  Issued  54,187  (fict.  and  juv. 
42,442);  no.  visitors  to  reading-room  16,258; 
Sunday  attendance  843.  Receipts  $3275.31; 
expenses  $3272.45. 


As  the  end  of  1893  marks  the  completion  of 
the  first  10  years  of  the  working  life  of  the  libra- 
ry, Miss  Garland  devotes  the  greater  part  of  her 
report  to  a  detailed  and  interesting  account  of 
the  history  and  development  of  the  library, 
touching  specially  upon  the  changes  wrought  by 
the  transformation  of  the  old  Library  Associa- 
tion into  the  Free  Public  Library;  it  is  a  pleas- 
antly written  account,  and  well  worth  reading. 

East  St.  Louis  (III.)  P.  L.  A  site  has  been 
secured  fora  new  library  building,  on  which  it  is 
hoped  to  make  a  beginning  this  year.  Two 
years  ago  the  library  board  was  authorized  to 
spend  $40,000  in  the  erection  of  a  new  building, 
and  an  ordinance  was  passed  providing  that 
special  taxes  to  the  amount  of  $8000  annually  be 
collected  for  five  years.  There  is  a  building  fund 
of  $16,000  now  in  hand,  and  it  is  the  intention 
of  the  directors  to  have  the  building  erected  this 
year.  They  will  mortgage  the  property  for 
$24,000,  the  amount  to  be  raised  by  special  tax- 
ation in  the  next  three  years,  and  thus  they  ex- 
pect to  raise  the  $40,000  fund,  as  the  past  two 
years  have  produced  $16,000. 

Hallo-well,  Me.  Hubbard^  F.  L.  The  library 
was  dedicated  on  the  evening  of  March  15.  It 
was  formerly  the  Hallowell  Social  Library,  but 
a  gift  of  $20,000  from  Gen.  T:  H.  Hubbard,  of 
New  York  City,  enabled  the  townspeople  to 
make  it  into  a  free  public  library. 

Harvard  Univ.  L.  Cambridge,  Mass.  (Rpt.) 
Added  22,370;  total  (incl.  v.  in  class-rooms) 
431,298.  Use  of  books  in  main  1.  104,051. 

Librarian  Winsor  says :  "  The  extent  of  the 
number  of  books  reserved  —  of  whose  hall  use 
no  record  is  kept  —  has  a  tendency  to  decrease 
the  number  of  volumes  used  in  the  building,  of 
whose  use  record  is  made.  The  establishment 
of  class-room  libraries  is  inducing  a  diminution 
in  the  over-night  use  of  reserved  books.  It  is  the 
observation,  however,  of  those  in  charge  of  the 
reference  service,  of  which  no  statistics  are  kept, 
that  it  is  constantly  increasing,  year  by  year,  and 
that  the  increase  for  last  year  was  very  great. 

"  Seventeen  years  ago  only  57  %  of  all  the 
college  students  used  the  library.  In  the  last 
year,  of  the  1449  undergraduates  only  299  failed 
to  borrow  books,  and  of  this  last  number,  258 
drew  out  '  reserved  books,'  of  which  no  record 
was  made  at  the  general  delivery.  This  reduces 
the  number  of  students  who  made  no  recorded 
use  of  the  library  to  41  out  of  a  total  of  1449. 
The  libraries  of  the  class-rooms  and  laboratories, 
as  well  as  those  of  the  students'  clubs,  provide 
reading,  special  as  well  as  general,  for  a  large 
number  of  undergraduates." 

In  the  cataloging  department  9741  titles  were 
cataloged  during  the  year,  and  a  thorough  re- 
vision of  the  'romance'  section  of  the  card 
catalog  has  been  made. 

"  The  experiment  of  typewriting  cards  for  the 
public  catalog  has  been  unsuccessfully  tried.  It 
was  not  found  possible  to  get  the  impression 
dark  enough  to  be  seen  as  readily  in  the  drawers 
as  cards  written  in  ink  are  seen.  There  was  no 
saving  in  time." 

Hoboken  (N.  J.)  F.  Z.     The  city  council  on 


April,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


141 


March  i  denied  the  petition  of  the  library  trus- 
tees asking  an  appropriation  of  $30,000  for  a 
new  library  building;  the  refusal  was  based  on 
"  the  financial  condition  of  the  city  and  the  ex- 
isting depression  in  business." 

A  new  building  is  sorely  needed,  as  the  libra- 
ry is  now  located  in  an  overcrowded,  badly  ar- 
ranged basement.  Last  winter  the  legislature 
authorized  the  issue  of  $50,000  in  bonds  to  erect 
a  building;  the  trustees  selected  a  site,  to  cost 
$12,000,  and  proposed  to  erect  a  $20,000  build- 
ing on  it.  It  is  thought  that  the  decision  of  the 
council  will  simply  postpone  immediate  action. 

Illinois  Public  Libraries.  F.  J.  Staufenbiel, 
librarian  of  the  Belleville  (111.)  Public  Library, 
has  gathered  some  interesting  information  in 
regard  to  the  public  libraries  of  his  state.  Omit- 
ting Chicago,  he  shows  that  the  cities  and  towns 
where  the  public  libraries  are  most  generously 
supported,  and  where  the  libraries  do  the  best 
work  are  Joliet,  Rock  Island,  Decatur,  Aurora, 
Elgin,  Quincy,  Belleville,  Rockford,  and  Peoria. 

The  number  of  volumes  in  the  public  libraries 
of  these  cities,  the  volumes  circulated  by  each 
for  the  year  ending  May  31,  1893,  and  the 
salaries  paid  for  library  work  are  given  in  the 
following  table  : 

Volumes  in 
Library.        Circulation. 

Joliet 10,000  471677 

Rock  Island "1077  24,080 

Decatur 12,000  5°i549 

Aurora 12,579  69,495 

Elgin 13,500  84, 522 

guincy 14,000  60,000 

elleville 17,074  32i345 

Rockford 31,000  66,551 

Peoria 45,000  89,000 

Batavia 4,400  12,700 

Taking  the  census  of  1890  as  a  basis  for  cal- 
culation it  is  shown  that  the  number  of  books 
circulated  to  each  inhabitant  was  as  follows  : 
Joliet,  2.05;  Rock  Island,  1.17;  Decatur,  3; 
Aurora,  3.52;  Elgin,  4.40;  Quincy,  1.91;  Belle- 
ville, 2.11;  Rockford,  2.82;  Peoria,  2.17;  Bata- 
via, 2.95.  The  number  of  books  circulated  per 
each  dollar  of  expenditure  for  salaries  was : 
Joliet,  68;  Rock  Island,  20;  Decatur,  35;  Aurora, 
46;  Elgin,  50;  Quincy,  28;  Belleville,  27;  Rock- 
ford,  25;  Peoria,  19;  Batavia,  42. 

It  will  be  seen  that  in  proportion  to  popula- 
tion, Elgin  leads  in  circulation,  with  Aurora 
next,  and  Batavia  is  only  excelled  by  one  town 
outside  the  county.  In  proportion  to  salaries 
paid,  Joliet  does  the  most  work,  because  of  the 
very  low  salaries  paid  there;  next  comes  Elgin, 
with  Aurora  a  close  follower.  Elgin's  library  is 
a  township  institution,  and  is  supported  by  a  tax 
of  two  mills  on  the  dollar.  Batavia  also  levies  a 
two  mill  tax,  as  does  Peoria,  Rock  Island,  and 
some  other  towns.  Aurora  levies  a  one  mill 
tax.  The  library  at  Joliet  gets  half  a  mill,  or 
less,  but  the  steel  mills  have  for  some  years  sup- 
ported a  very  excellent  library  in  that  city, 
which  may  account  for  the  parsimonious  support 
of  the  city  library. 

Jersey  City  (N.  J.)  F.  P.  L.  (3d  rpt.)  Added 
7880;  total  38,725.  Issued,  home  use  336,887 
(net.  61.85  %,  juv.  24.02  %)  ;  ref.  use  (eight 
months)  41 74;  reading-room  attendance  83,747. 


Salaries. 
$700 
1,200 
1,440 
1,500 
i, 680 
2,180 
1,200 
2,020 
4,720 
300 


Sunday  issue  5378  ;  Sunday  reading-room  at- 
tendance 7031;  no.  cardholders  18,434.  Receipts 
$55,095.29;  expenses  $53,417.30. 

"After  fiction  and  juvenile,  the  most  reading  is 
done  in  travels;  American  literature;  biography; 
American  history;  history;  customs,  costumes, 
etc;  and  electricity,  in  the  order  named." 

Large  additions  have  been  made  to  the  bound 
sets  of  periodicals  indexed  in  Poole's  "  Index  to 
periodicals"  and  itscontinuations, and  these  have 
proved  very  useful  to  users  of  the  reference  de- 
partment. 

Librarian  Cole  urges  the  need  of  more  room, 
and  says  :  "  Our  shelves  are  now  much  too 
crowded  to  permit  of  the  work  of  the  library 
being  carried  on  to  the  best  advantage,  and 
there  is,  moreover,  no  opportunity  for  adequate- 
ly increasing  its  shelving  capacity  in  our  present 
quarters." 

"The  number  of  volumes  circulated  through 
the  delivery  stations  during  the  past  year  was 
185,814;  an  increase  of  13,589  over  the  total  for 
1891-92.  The  library  has  now  in  successful 
operation  12  delivery  stations,  two  more  than 
last  year.  So  successful  has  this  branch  of  our 
library  work  become,  that  the  librarian  is  fre- 
quently in  receipt  of  letters  from  other  libraries, 
in  different  parts  of  the  country,  asking  for  in- 
formation as  to  our  methods  of  carrying  it  on. 
As  the  efficiency  and  economy  of  the  system  be- 
come better  known  it  is  safe  to  say  that  more 
and  more  libraries  will  avail  themselves  of  its  ad- 
vantages." 

The  librarian  recommends  the  purchase  of 
two  Rudolph  Indexers,  that  the  three  printed 
finding-lists  and  the  seven  printed  lists  of  addi- 
tions maybe  mounted  and  arranged  in  one  alpha- 
bet for  public  use. 

Kennett  Square,  Pa.  It  is  proposed  to  estab- 
lish a  Bayard  Taylor  Memorial  Library  in  Ken- 
nett  Square,  Taylor's  birthplace  and  early  home, 
and  the  project  has  met  with  considerable  ap- 
proval and  popular  support. 

La  Grange,  III.  A  public  library  building  to 
cost  $45,000  is  soon  to  be  built  at  La  Grange.  It 
is  to  be  three  stories  high,  and  in  addition  to  the 
library  will  provide  room  for  a  public  hall  and 
quarters  for  several  societies.  Work  is  to  be 
commenced  very  shortly,  and  it  is  expected  that 
the  building  will  be  completed  and  ready  for 
use  by  July  next.  The  library  is  to  be  erected 
by  the  town  board,  but  in  addition  will  receive 
assistance  from  a  number  of  citizens.  Many 
books  have  been  contributed  already  by  various 
persons,  and  it  is  thought  by  the  time  the  build- 
ing is  opened  that  at  least  1500  volumes  will  be 
on  the  shelves.  The  library  is  to  be  both  circu- 
lating and  reference. 

The  building  is  in  the  colonial  style;  the  walls 
of  the  basement  will  be  of  blue  Bedford  stone 
and  above  that  of  Roman  pressed  brick,  with 
terra-cotta  trimmings.  The  building  will  have 
a  low  hip  roof,  broken  with  numerous  pediments 
and  finished  in  slate.  On  the  north  side  of  the 
building  a  large  balcony  opens  off  from  the 
library  floor.  Above  the  entrance  the  name 
"  Public  Library  "  will  be  worked  in  terra-cotta. 
The  vestibule  will  be  large  and  finished  with 


I42 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


'94 


mosaic  floor  and  marble  wainscoting.  The  main 
hallway  will  be  finished  with  marble  wainscoting 
and  tile  floor.  From  this  corridor  a  stairway 
leads  to  the  floor  above.  To  the  left  of  the 
entrance  of  the  first  floor  is  the  main  library, 
with  reading-room,  secretary's  office,  and  book- 
room.  To  the  right  of  the  main  entrance  is  an 
apartment  to  be  used  by  the  First  National 
Bank.  Behind  this  will  be  private  rooms  and 
the  office  of  the  directors.  In  the  rear  of  the 
building  will  be  a  department  for  safety-deposit 
vaults,  with  writing  and  retiring  rooms.  This 
department  will  have  a  separate  entrance. 

On  the  second  floor  opens  "  Library  Hall," 
30  feet  wide  and  50  feet  deep.  It  will  be 
used  principally  for  lectures,  dances,  and  social 
entertainments.  The  front  of  this  floor  will  be 
devoted  to  offices.  The  third  floor  will  be  oc- 
cupied by  "  Fraternity  Hall,"  and  will  contain  a 
banquet-room  18x30  feet,  and  several  reception- 
rooms.  In  the  rear  of  the  floor  will  be  a  kitchen, 
pantry,  and  other  rooms.  The  basement  will  be 
used  as  storage-rooms  and  also  for  the  steam- 
heating  apparatus.  The  entire  building  will  be 
heated  by  steam  and  lighted  by  electricity. 

Milwaukee  (Wis.)  P.  L.  (r6th  rpt.)  Added 
4782;  total  68,863.  Issued,  home  use  159,613 
(net.  47.5  #,  juv.  17.7  $);  no.  cards  in  use  11,004; 
visitors  to  reading-room  63,102,  Sunday  readers 
5480;  242  magazines  are  on  file.  Receipts  $39,- 
930.39;  expenses  $24,796.61. 

"  The  chief  event  of  the  library  year  is,  with- 
out doubt,  the  vote  of  the  common  council  of 
the  city  to  issue  additional  library-museum  bonds 
to  the  amount  of  $350,000.  This  makes  it  pos- 
sible to  proceed  to  the  final  steps  for  erecting 
the  library-museum  building  on  the  beautiful 
site,  the  purchase  of  which  has  been  chronicled 
in  previous  reports.  This  sum,  with  the  amount 
already  issued,  and  now  lying  in  the  city  treas- 
ury, $160,000,  gives  us  a  fund  of  $510,000  with 
which  to  build  a  suitable  home  for  both  institu- 
tions." 

Miss  West  says:  "  The  presence  of  the  chief 
officers  of  the  school  system  in  the  board  of 
trustees  gives  us  a  closer  touch  with  the  schools 
than  would  otherwise  be  probable.  For  instance, 
I  know  of  no  other  case  in  which  the  catalog  of 
books  for  young  people  has  been  made  a  part  of 
the  manual  of  instruction.  Special  lists  of  refer- 
ences on  holidays  of  national  character,  such  as 
Independence  day,  Decoration  day,  Washing- 
ton's birthday,  and  Arbor  day,  which  are  cele- 
brated in  the  schools,  have  been  made  to  help 
the  teachers." 

New  Jersey  State  L.,  Trenton.  (Rpt.)  Added 
1718;  total  41, 859;  no.  visitors  registered  2350. 

"  Both  in  law  and  miscellany  the  library  will 
favorably  compare  with  any  state  library  in  the 
country,  while  as  a  practical '  working'  library  it 
has  no  superior." 

New  York  City.  Railroad  Men's  L.  (Rpt.) 
Added  273;  total  6967.  Issued  13,658  (fict.  57  %); 
no.  readers  1337. 

Of  the  total  number  of  books  issued  (13,658) 
6011  were  delivered  by  train  service,  and  7647 
were  issued  from  the  desk;  there  has  been  a  fall- 
ing off  of  173  v.  in  the  train  delivery  of  books, 


and  a  gain  of  255  at  the  desk;  the  number  of 
readers  is  170  less  than  last  year.  Among  the 
devices  used  for  stimulating  an  interest  in  the 
library  were  :  a  series  of  literary  events,  the 
first  of  which  occurred  this  year,  with  an  attend- 
ance of  51;  circulars  offering  the  use  of  the  li- 
brary, sent  to  agents  along  the  line;  the  circula- 
tion of  5000  pamphlets  on  "  How  to  learn  to 
read  a  book,"  by  the  chairman  of  the  library 
committee;  the  distribution  of  book-marks  and 
calendars  advertising  library  events;  and  arti- 
cles on  library  subjects  in  a  page  devoted  to  that 
purpose  in  New  York  Railroad  Men. 

"  Members  have  not  only  been  encouraged  to 
use  the  books  in  the  library,  but  to  purchase 
books  of  their  own.  Nearly  $100  worth  of 
books  have  been  secured  for  members  in  this 
way." 

The  librarian  recommends  the  printing  of  a 
special  catalog  of  railroad  books. 

Norristown  (Pa.)  L.  Co.  The  library  was 
founded  in  1794,  and  incorporated  April  30, 1796. 
In  1801  there  were  70  members,  who  paid  $i 
each  annually.  For  many  years  it  was  located 
upon  a  site  belonging  to  the  Montgomery  Bank, 
on  Main  Street;  the  building  which  it  now  oc- 
cupies was  erected  in  1859.  The  first  catalog 
was  printed  in  1836.  In  1825  the  library  con- 
tained 611  volumes  ;  in  1832,  noo;  in  1858,  2800; 
in  1884,  about  6000.  The  average  increase  is 
about  100  volumes  a  year  at  present.  The  terms 
of  membership  are  $5  per  share  and  the  payment 
on  each  $2  annually.  Persons  wishing  to  avail 
themselves  of  the  privilege  of  taking  out  books 
subject  to  the  rules  of  the  library,  can  do  so  on 
the  payment  of  $2  annually.  The  payment  of  a 
nominal  sum  to  the  librarian  permits  the  use  of 
the  library  to  those  who  wish  to  resort  to  it 
occasionally,  and  do  not  wish  to  purchase  a  share 
or  pay  the  annual  dues,  but  only  shareholders 
become  members  or  have  a  right  to  participate 
in  the  annual  meetings. 

Oakland  (Cal.)  P.  L.  A  movement  is  on  foot 
to  establish  a  new  library,  art  gallery,  and  natur- 
al history  museum  in  a  new  building.  The 
library  as  it  now  stands  is  altogether  too  small 
and  inconvenient,  is  badly  arranged  and  unable 
to  accommodate  its  ever-growing  patronage. 
The  circulation  has  increased  from  300010  13,000 
in  the  past  six  months,  and  the  library  is  not  only 
taxed  to  its  utmost  but  in  fact  is  unfit  for  its 
present  purpose. 

Ogdensburg  (N.  Y.)  P.  L.  The  charter  of  the 
library  having  been  received,  the  board  of  five 
trustees  held  their  first  meeting,  Jan.  27,  the 
board  was  then  formally  organized  and  the  prep- 
aration of  by-laws  undertaken.  Mr.  Van  Dusen 
was  elected  librarian  without  compensation,  and 
Miss  Fanny  Rosseel  was  appointed  assistant  li- 
brarian at  a  salary  of  $20  per  month. 

The  library  will  be  open  on  Monday,  Wednes- 
day, Thursday,  and  Friday  from  3  to  6  p.m. ,  and 
on  Tuesday  and  Friday  from  7  to  8:30  p.m. 

Paterson  (JV.  /.)  F.  P.  L.  (gth  rpt.)  Added 
2320;  total  20,765;  issued,  home  use  106,253;  lib. 
use  1539;  teachers'  cards  1250;  lost  14.  Receipts 
$17,683.59;  expenses  $11,175.37;  amt.  spent  for 


April,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


'43 


books,  periodicals,  and  binding,  $3654.34.  Total 
no.  cardholders  15,877. 

In  regard  to  the  circulation  Librarian  Win- 
chester says: 

"  If  the  use  of  reference-books,  of  which  we 
have  no  account,  were  included,  the  total  number 
of  books  used  would  certainly  not  be  less  than 
125,000,  or  equivalent  to  the  use  of  every  book  in 
the  library  about  6^  times  during  the  year." 

Work  in  the  cataloging  department  has  gone 
steadily  on  through  most  of  the  year.  The  cards 
for  a  catalog  of  the  additions  to  the  library  during 
the  last  two  years  and  a  half  are  ready  for  copy  ing 
for  a  printed  catalog,  which  will  be  in  the  hands 
of  the  printer  in  a  few  weeks;  it  will  be  the  lar- 
gest and  much  the  most  thorough  and  useful 
catalog  thus  far  issued  from  the  library. 

"A  valuable  list  of  all  books  in  the  library  on 
astronomy  is  now  in  the  hands  of  the  printer. 
This  list  is  a  continuation  of  the  series  issued 
in  connection  with  the  course  of  lectures  given 
in  the  city,  and  it  will  be  the  most  valuable  and 
permanently  useful  of  all  so  far  issued,  as  the 
books  have  been  selected,  in  part,  by  Prof. 
Young,  of  Princeton  College,  and  he  has  also 
furnished  a  series  of  short  critical  notes  especial- 
ly for  this  list." 

Peoria  (Ill.)P.L.  On  March  8  Librarian  Will- 
cox  read  before  the  Peoria  Scientific  Association 
a  paper  urgently  pleading  for  a  new  and  adequate 
library  building.  On  the  same  date,  as  a  result 
of  his  address,  it  was  proposed  to  raise  a  popular 
subscription  for  this  purpose,  and  one  citizen 
offered  to  head  the  list  with  $500  if  the  plan  was 
adopted.  The  local  press  has  taken  up  the  mat- 
ter, and  it  seems  probable  that  it  will  be  carried 
through. 

Philadelphia  F.  P.  L.  The  new  free  library 
established  temporarily  in  the  City  Hall  was  in- 
formally opened  on  the  morning  of  March  12. 
Owing  to  the  fact  that  its  quarters  are  only  tem- 
porary, there  were  no  ceremonies  of  any  kind, 
but  the  doors  were  merely  thrown  open  at  nine 
o'clock,  and  the  work  of  issuing  books  begun. 
Over  iioo  applications  were  received,  and  about 
loo  books  given  out  on  the  first  day.  The  maga- 
zine reading-room  has  been  open  for  afew  weeks, 
and  has  had  an  average  of  200  readers  every 
day. 

As  already  noted,  the  nucleus  of  the  library 
was  provided  for  in  the  G:  S.  Pepper  bequest  of 
$250,000,  which  has  been  supplemented  by  an 
appropriation  from  the  city  of  $5000  for  the  im- 
mediate purposes  of  the  library.  The  officers 
consist  of  20  directors,  15  of  whom  were  ap- 
pointed pursuant  to  the  charter.  The  other  five 
are  ex-officio,  and  include  the  mayor,  presidents 
of  councils,  the  president  of  the  board  of  educa- 
tion, and  the  chairman  of  the  library  committee 
of  the  board  of  education. 

Philadelphia.  Mercantile  L.  Co,  (7ist  rpt.) 
Added  2838;  total  171,525;  issued  86,563  (fict. 
.720$);  no.  visitors  337,653;  membership  3115; 
receipts  $20,095.17;  expenses  $20,073.32. 

The  number  of  books  consulted  and  read  in 
the  building  by  the  general  public  is  estimated 
at  fully  40,000  v.  during  the  yealr. 


"  Four  numbers  of  the  '  Bulletin'  were  issued 
in  1893,  giving  authors  and  titles  of  the  works 
added  to  the  library  during  the  year,  and  also 
containing  '  Reading  notes  on  currency  and 
finance,'  which  furnish  in  chronological  order 
the  titles  of  recent  books  and  magazine  articles 
in  the  possession  of  the  library  upon  '  The  sil- 
ver question  and  coinage,'  '  Bimetallism,'  '  Gold 
and  the  precious  metals,  '  Money,'  '  Banking,' 
and  '  Paper  money.'  The  '  Reading  notes  on 
electricity'  were  also  continued  and  concluded." 

Portland  (Ore.}  L.  A.  The  association  is  de- 
sirous of  gathering  copies  of  all  books  and  pam- 
phlets, descriptive  and  historical,  relating  to 
Oregon  and  to  Oregon  institutions.  Librarian 
Bursch  will  gladly  receive  any  information  as 
to  the  whereabouts  of  such  material. 

Rutland  (Vt.)  F.  L.  A.  (8th  rpt.)  Added  825; 
total  8420;  issued  46,265;  no.  periodicals  on  file 
49.  Receipts  $3240;  expenses  $2334.36. 

During  the  year  2197  books  were  delivered  for 
use  in  the  schools.  The  efforts  of  the  association 
have  been  mainly  directed  "to  the  difficult  task 
of  trying  to  make  one  dollar  do  the  work  of  three. 
The  plain  truth  remains  that  this  institution, 
which  has  proved,  and  is  proving,  itself  indis- 
pensable to  the  well-being  and  growth  of  our 
town  and  city,  has  not  the  money  it  requires  for 
its  legitimate  work."  The  president  of  the  as- 
sociation, Mrs.  Julia  C.  R.  Dorr,  says:  "We, 
who  have  borne  the  burden  and  the  heat  of  the 
day  for  eight  years,  feel  this  very  keenly;  for 
we  know  that  the  usefulness  of  the  Rutland  li- 
brary could  be  doubled  if  we  were  able  to  meet 
the  continually  growing  demands  upon  us.  But 
we  can  only  wait  and  hope." 

St.  Louis  (Mo.)  F.  P.  L.  The  library  was 
formally  transferred  from  the  Public  Library 
board  of  managers  to  the  Free  Library  board  on 
March  3.  The  difficulties  between  the  two 
boards,  which  created  some  ill-feeling  and  made 
the  library  matter  a  vexed  question  for  some 
weeks,  were  satisfactorily  settled  by  a  mutual 
agreement  that  the  new  library  shall  receive  the 
books  and  furniture  free  of  charge,  and  lease  the 
two  upper  floors  of  the  building  and  the  news- 
paper reading-room  on  the  second  floor  at  a  rental 
of  $5000  per  year.  Heat  is  to  be  furnished  free, 
but  the  library  must  pay  three-fourths  of  the  ex- 
pense of  running  the  elevators. 

Mr.  Crunden  will  be  librarian  as  heretofore,  and 
the  Free  Library  board  has  increased  his  salary 
from  $3500  to  $4500.  It  will  not  be  possible  to 
have  the  library  in  thorough  working  order  for 
a  month  to  come,  and  May  I  has  been  set  as  the 
date  of  its  formal  free  public  opening. 

St.  Paul  (Minn.)  P.  L.  (i2th  rpt.)  Added 
3973;  total  35,758.  Issued,  home  use  160,977 
(fict.  46.57 #,  juv.  27.23$);  ref.  use  46,350;  Sun- 
day ref.  use  1010.  No.  cardholders  9077,  an  in- 
crease of  867  over  1892.  Receipts  $18,746.36; 
expenses  $16,315.94. 

After  speaking  of  the  movement  to  secure  a 
new  library  building,  the  directors  say  that  they 
"fully  appreciate  the  advantages  that  would 
follow  the  erection  of  a  suitable  building,  but 


144 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\April,  '94 


do  not  feel  that  they  should  urge  it  at  present, 
their  work  being  now  to  accumulate  books,  to 
such  an  extent,  that  when  the  building  is  erected 
there  will  be  a  well-selected  library  to  put  into  it." 

Salem  (Mass.)  P.  L.  (5th  rpt.)  Added  2328; 
total  27,833.  Issued,  home  use  101,457  (net. 
81.03 #);  persons  using  ref.-room  6036;  Sunday 
visitors  3493.  Total  no.  cardholders  8233.  Re- 
ceipts $17,336.85;  expenses  $12,259.09. 

For  school-work  668  v.  were  drawn  by  80 
teachers.  The  trustees  say  :  "  The  only  part  of 
the  building  assigned  for  public  use  which  does 
not  furnish  ample  accommodations  is  that  set 
apart  for  the  reference  department.  Here  the 
necessity  for  more  room  is  pressing,  and  en- 
larged quarters  should  be  provided  as  soon  as 
the  requisite  funds  can  be  obtained." 

The  exhibit  of  the  library  at  the  Chicago  Ex- 
position attracted  much  attention;  it  was  awarded 
a  medal,  and  the  managers  of  the  Armour  In- 
stitute of  Chicago  requested  permission  to  place 
the  exhibit  permanently  in  their  educational  mu- 
seum. 

San  Diego  (Cal.)  F.  P.  Z.  (Rpt.)  Added  1010; 
total  10,237.  Issued,  home  use  55,749;  lib.  use 
I3,57o;  total  69,319  (net.  59$).  2000  v.  were  re- 
paired by  the  library  staff,  900  prepared  for  bind- 
ing or  lettering.  No.  cardholders  registering 
during  1893,  2012.  Receipts  $10,186.42;  expenses 

$7947-71. 

In  April,  1893,  the  library  removed  to  its 
present  quarters,  the  comfort  and  neatness  of 
which  have  been  thoroughly  appreciated.  "  The 
effects  of  the  removal  and  of  the  three  weeks' 
closing  necessitated  were  felt  for  several  months. 
The  circulation  was  reduced  and  the  work  of 
cataloging  delayed.  The  close  of  the  year,  how- 
ever, finds  everything  going  well,  circulation  in- 
creasing, the  room  filled  with  readers,  and  new 
books  coming  in." 

Southport,  Ct.  Pequot  L.  The  formal  open- 
ing of  the  library  was  on  the  evening  of  March 
i,  and  was  largely  attended.  It  is  the  gift  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  E.  B.  Monroe,  as  already  noted  in 
these  columns  (L.  j.  19:  27).  The  book  capaci- 
ty is  16,000  v. ;  there  are  at  present  about  1000 
books  on  the  shelves  and  additions  are  being  re- 
ceived daily. 

Suffield.  Ct.  At  a  special  town  meeting,  held 
March  14,  it  was  voted  to  accept  the  proposition 
of  the  Library  Association  and  purchase  its  library 
of  1500  volumes  for  $200.  The  sum  of  $300  a 
year  was  appropriated  for  its  maintenance,  and 
12  directors  were  appointed  to  serve  without  pay. 
The  library  will  be  made  free  to  the  public. 

Weymouth,Mass.  Tufts  L.  (i 5th  rpt.)  Added 
875;  total  15,381.  Issued,  home  use  57,8s6(fict. 
and  juv.  72$);  no.  borrowers  7025.  Receipts 
$2968.01;  expenses  $2885.72. 

"  The  work  of  the  library  in  connection  with 
the  schools  promises  beneficent  results,  and  a 
considerable  number  of  books  are  purchased 
each  year  with  special  reference  to  this  use." 


FOREIGN. 

Birmingham  (Eng.)  F.  Ls.  (32d  rpt.)  Added 
ref.  1.  4600;  total  ref.  1.  119,476;  total  lending  Is. 
67,967.  Issued,  home  use  666,774;  ref.  use 
437.534  (Sunday  use  22,522)  ;  total  1,126,830 
(fict.  464,980).  Receipts  ^12,765.11.5;  expenses 
£12,486. 

"  For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the 
libraries  the  issue  of  books  has  exceeded  1,000,000, 
the  actual  figures  being  1,126,830,  or  an  average 
of  3585  daily.  The  number  of  qualified  borrow- 
ers from  the  lending  libraries  is  over  25,000,  or 
i  in  19  of  the  estimated  population  of  the  city." 

Liverpool  (Eng.)  F.  P.  L.  (4ist  rpt).  Added 
2552;  total  62,670.  Issued,  home  use  506,614, 
(fict.  404,235);  lost  and  paid  for  57;  no.  card- 
holders 11,630.  In  the  ref.  Is.  691,377  v.  were  is- 
sued, while  the  use  of  periodicals  was  656,222. 

The  year's  work  gives  the  following  totals: 
Books  issued  1,197,991,  magazines  and  reviews 
656,222,  newspaper  readers  428,220,  attendance 
at  lectures  59,904. 

"  Some  idea  of  the  work  done  by  the  affiliated 
institutions  —  library,  museums,  and  art  galleries 
—  may  be  gathered  from  the  fact  that  2,820,766 
persons  made  use  of  these  institutions  during  the 
year." 

The  free  lectures,  established  by  the  library 
committee  29  years  ago,  have  been  continued 
without  intermission.  "A  comparison  of  the  at- 
tendances then  and  now  shows  at  least  the  growth 
of  the  lecture  in  public  estimation.  Formerly, 
we  considered  300  persons  a  good  attendance  at  a 
single  lecture;  now, unless  this  number  is  quad- 
rupled there  is  felt  to  be  reason  for  remark  or  in- 
quiry. The  winter  series  numbered  36  lectures, 
which  were  attended  by  47,747  persons,  or  an 
average  at  each  lecture  of  1326.  In  addition  to 
these,  there  was  an  interesting  autumn  series  of 
12  lectures,  of  a  more  scientific  character,  bear- 
ing the  general  title  of  '  Pioneers  of  science  and 
art.'  The  two  series  taken  together  give  a  total 
attendance  of  59,904  persons,  or  an  average  at 
the  48  lectures  of  nearly  1250." 

London.  Clerkenivell  P.  L.  (6th  rpt.)  Added 
581;  total  13,868.  Issued,  home  use  96, 875  (fict. 
79,369);  lost  10;  ref.  use  19,974.  Visitors  to  ref. 
room  100,368;  visitors  to  news-room  332,622; 
Sunday  attendance  4750. 

"  There  has  been  a  slight  decrease  in  the  per- 
centage of  fiction  given  out  —  chiefly  due  to  the 
display  in  a  show-case  on  the  counter  of  addi- 
tions of  books  in  biography,  history,  and  sci- 
ence which  were  less  popular,  because  less  known, 
than  their  merits  deserved. 

"  To  meet  the  requirements  of  students  and 
those  engaged  upon  special  courses  of  reading, 
the  commissioners  resolved  to  issue  extra  tickets 
available  for  non-fictional  works.  This  change 
came  into  force  early  in  December  last  and  prom- 
ises to  greatly  promote  the  study  of  books  in  the 
higher  branches  of  science  and  literature." 

It  has  been  decided  to  alter  the  existing  ar- 
rangements of  the  library  so  as  to  allow  borrow- 
ers direct  access  to  the  book-shelves. 


April,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


The  news-room  attendance  has  been  much  lar- 
ger than  in  any  other  year;  the  daily  average  be- 
ing 1087.  The  popularity  of  this  department 
often  causes  a  strain  upon  the  accommodation, 
and  if  it  increases  means  must  be  devised  to  cope 
with  the  overcrowding.  "  Every  class  uses  the 
news-room,  and  the  orderly  behavior  of  the  great 
number  of  visitors  who  frequent  it  can  only  be 
mentioned  with  the  utmost  satisfaction.  Thefts 
and  mutilations  of  newspapers  are  almost  un- 
known." 

A  large  and  successful  exhibition  of  prints  and 
maps  relating  to  Clerkenwell  was  opened  early 
in  March,  1893,  and  remained  in  the  library  over 
six  months. 

The  library  commissioners  have  decided,  after 
careful  consideration,  to  give  up  the  present  sys- 
tem of  issuing  books  for  home  reading  and  to 
admit  borrowers  directly  to  the  shelves,  where 
they  may  select  books  for  themselves.  This  sys- 
tem will  be  put  in  operation  on  May  i,  1894  ;  all 
books  outstanding,  being  previously  called  in  to 
make  the  necessary  rearrangements.  Leaflets 
have  been  issued,  clearly  setting  forth  the  new 
rules  and  regulations.  All  tickets  will  be  called 
in  before  the  new  plan  is  put  in  operation,  and 
each  registered  borrower  will  receive  instead  a 
"ticket-voucher,"  entitling  them  to  free  access. 
The  books  will  be  classifi  :d  and  arranged  in  the 
most  simple  manner,  each  shelf  being  plainly 
labelled  by  subject;  fiction,  poetry, and  juveniles 
will  be  arranged  in  alphabet  ;  each  book  will 
bear  the  shelf-number  on  its  label,  and  borrow- 
ers are  expected  to  replace  all  books  in  their 
proper  shelf.  A  "location-book"  will  guide 
readers  to  the  location  of  any  particular  book. 

Manchester,  Eng.  A  new  free  public  library, 
to  contain  80,000  volumes,  is  in  course  of  erec- 
tion. This  will  give  the  city  a  total  of  420,000 
volumes,  housed  in  five  libraries,  for  free  public 
use. 

SACCONI-RICCI,  Giul.  Una  visita  ad  alcune  bibli- 
oteche  della  Svizzera,  della  Germania  e  dell* 
Austria.  Firenze,  Carnesecchi  e  figli.  1893. 
288  p.  c.  12  prospstti  e  i  tavola.  8°.  15  lire. 

Sydney  (N.  S.  W)  F.  P.  L.  (Rpt.)  Additions 
not  given;  total,  including  pms.  101,348  (ref.  1. 
73,611).  Issued,  lending  1.  75,869  (fict.  20,306); 
visitors  to  lending  1.  61,819;  visitors  to  ref.  1. 
144,151.  Sunday  visitors,  lending  1.  3266;  ref.  1. 
6853.  No.  cardholders  registered  5310.  There 
were  136  boxes  of  books  containing  10,612  v. 
sent  out  to  country  libraries,  5137  v.  being  re- 
served for  this  purpose. 

Mr.  Wright,  second  assistant  librarian,  writes: 
' '  You  will  notice  that  over  5000  volumes  are 
reserved  to  lend  to  various  libraries  throughout 
this  colony.  When  a  country  library  desires  the 
loan  of  books  the  only  trouble  to  the  applicant 
is  to  fill  in  a  form  guaranteeing  to  refund  any  loss 
or  damage;  then  a  strong  box  (generally  of  oak, 
lined  with  baize,  and  with  brass  fittings)  contain- 
ing on  an  average  80  v.,  is  forwarded,  free  of  all 
cost;  the  carriage  both  ways  is  defrayed  by  this 
institution.  The  boxes  are  lent  for  four  months, 


and  may  be  retained  longer  on  application.  No 
fewer  than  74  country  libraries  availed  them- 
selves last  year  of  the  opportunity  to  circulate 
among  their  members  some  of  the  best  standard 
works  in  the  English  language." 

PRACTICAL  NOTES. 

NEW  MECHANICAL  BINDING.  —  A  new  in- 
stantaneous mechanical  binding  has  recently 
been  put  upon  the  market  by  Cesare  Tartagli  & 
Sons,  Florence.  The  Bollettino  delle  Pubblica- 
zioni  Italiane  says:  "  This  invention  allows  of 
binding  in  one  volume  many  loose  pamphlets, 
papers,  or  catalog  sheets,  and  permits  removal, 
alteration,  or  addition  of  pages  rapidly  and  at 
will.  For  the  great  simplicity  of  the  design,  the 
strength  of  the  device,  and  the  rapidity  with 
which  it  can  be  opened  or  closed,  this  mechanical 
binding  is  certainly  superior  to  all  other  devices 
of  the  kind  of  which  we  have  knowledge." 


(B>ift0  aiifc  Requests. 


Baltimore.  Johns  Hopkins  Univ.  L.  A  valua- 
ble herbarium  and  botanical  library  have  been 
given  to  the  library  by  Capt.  J:  Donnel  Smith, 
of  Baltimore.  The  collection  represents  the 
labor  of  20  years,  and  is  made  up  of  specimens 
discovered  by  Captain  Smith  in  his  travels  and 
of  libraries  and  collections  purchased  by  him. 
The  herbarium  is  rich  in  collections  of  North, 
Central,  and  South  American  plants.  China,  Eu- 
rope, Egypt,  Abyssinia,  India  and  other  parts  of 
the  world  are  also  well  represented.  The  collec- 
tion contains  many  standard  works  of  value  and 
rare  illustrated  works;  it  embraces  1300  volumes. 

Marlborough,  N.  ff.  By  the  will  of  the  late 
Rufus  S.  Frost,  of  Chelsea,  Mass.,  the  town  of 
Marlborough  receives  a  legacy  of  $5000,  pro- 
viding it  will  spend  a  sum  equal  to  6  per  cent, 
of  the  same  yearly  for  the  improvement  of 
the  public  library  established  by  Mr.  Frost  in 
1867,  keeping  the  principal  intact. 

Troy,  N.  Y.  Y.  M.  A.  L.  On  Jan.  27  Mrs. 
M..  E.  Hart,  of  Troy,  formally  offered  to  erect 
a  handsome  fire-proof  library  building  for  the 
Troy  Young  Men's  Association.  Her  offer  was 
promptly  accepted  and  the  trustees  to  carry 
out  Mrs.  Hart's  directions  have  been  named  by 
her.  The  library  is  to  be  a  memorial  to  her 
husband,  W:  Howard  Hart,  and  the  site  of  the 
building  will  also  be  given  by  her  to  the  associa- 
tion. It  is  in  a  convenient  and  central  location 
and  is  valued  at  $35,000.  The  library  of  the 
Young  Men's  Association  now  contains  31,349 
v. ;  among  these  are  included  the  library  of  Mr. 
Hart,  which  was  given  to  the  association  at 
his  death.  The  Hart  library,  as  well  as  several 
other  of  the  special  collections,  has  an  endowment 
for  the  yearly  purchase  of  books.  The  library 
is  free  to  the  public  and  is  very  largely  used. 
It  was  established  as  the  Troy  Library,  Jan.  n, 
1800,  and  in  1881  moved  into  its  present  quarters. 
De  Witt  Clinton  is  librarian. 


146 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[April,  '94 


^Librarians. 


ALBEE,  Miss  Lulu,  for  many  years  librarian 
of  the  Windsor  (Ct.)  Library  Association,  re- 
signed early  in  March,  and  has  been  succeeded 
by  Miss  Grace  Blake. 

BEER,  W:,  librarian  of  the  Howard  Memorial 
Library,  of  New  Orleans,  has  recently  delivered 
a  series  of  six  lectures  on  "  Bibliography"  in  the 
course  of  University  Extension  lectures  given 
before  the  students  of  Tulane  University.  The 
first  lecture  of  the  series,  given  on  Feb.  24,  dealt 
with  "  The  alphabet,"  tracing  the  origin  and  the 
development  of  the  art  of  written  communica- 
tion; in  succeeding  lectures  Mr.  Beer  considered 
"  The  art  of  printing,"  "  The  book,"  and  "  The 
science  of  bibliography  applied  to  the  study  of 
.Uerature,  art,  and  science."  Such  courses  of 
lectures  on  the  essential  features  of  bibliog- 
raphy cannot  but  prove  a  useful  means  of  ac- 
quainting students  with  the  best  methods  of  con- 
ducting independent  individual  research. 

FREIS,  Andre,  assistant  librarian  of  United 
States  Military  Academy  at  West  Point,  died  on 
March  n,  aged  75  years.  Private ^ Freis  was 
born  in  Alsace,  and  came  to  America  while  a 
youth;  he  enlisted  in  the  United  States  army  at 
West  Point,  May  5,  1841,  and  was  appointed  as- 
sistant librarian  November  5,  1844.  He  had 
filled  the  position  ever  since. 

GALLAHER,  James,  librarian  of  the  Quincy 
(111.)  City  Library,  died  in  that  city  on  March  16, 
aged  59  years.  Mr.  Gallaher  was  born  in  Ire- 
land, and  came  to  America  while  a  boy.  He 
was  engaged  in  the  book  business  in  New  York 
City  until  1857,  when  he  went  to  Springfield, 
and  became  associate  editor  of  the  Illinois  State 
Journal ;  his  connection  with  the  Journal  lasted 
10  years,  during  which  time  he  formed  a  close 
friendship  with  Lincoln,  Douglas,  and  other 
prominent  men.  He  then  went  to  Quincy, 
where  he  was  connected  for  years  with  various 
newspapers,  and  two  years  ago  was  appointed 
city  librarian.  He  leaves  a  widow,  two  sons, 
and  two  daughters. 

MURRAY,  Frank  P.,  librarian  of  the  Buffalo 
Law  Library,  has  resigned  his  position  after  27 
years'  continuous  service.  Mr.  Murray  first  en- 
tered the  library  in  September,  1867,  when  15 
years  of  age;  he  resigned  his  office  of  librarian 
in  1870,  but  resumed  it  six  months  later,  and  has 
continued  In  the  place  since.  Mr.  Murray  now 
resigns  his  position  to  take  up  the  practice  of 
law.  He  has  been  succeeded  by  W.  B.  Esta- 
brook,  formerly  librarian  for  the  second  division 
of  the  Court  of  Appeals  at  Albany. 

SMITH,  Prof.  W:  Robertson,  librarian  of  the 
University  of  Cambridge,  died  in  Cambridge  on 
March  31.  Prof.  Smith,  who  was  one  of  the 
most  famous  "heretics"  of  modern  days,  wa: 
born  at  Keig,  Aberdeenshire,  Nov.  8,  1846,  anc 
was  the  son  of  Rev.  W:  Pirie  Smith,  Free  Church 
minister  there.  He  has  frequently  been  callec 
the  Dr.  Briggs  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  o 
Scotland.  He  was  educated  at  Aberdeen  Univer 
sity,  and  after  graduation  spent  several  years  a 


he  universities  of  Berlin,  Bonn,  and  Gottingen, 
where  he  made  a  special  study  of  the  Semitic 
anguages.  Soon  after  returning  to  Scotland  he 
was  appointed  professor  of  oriental  languages 
and  Old  Testament  exegesis  in  the  Free  Church 
ollege,  Aberdeen,  where  he  was  chosen  a 
member  of  the  Bible  Revision  Committee.  He 
was  also  engaged  as  one  of  the  staff  of  con- 
ributors  to  the  latest  edition  of  the  "  Encyclo- 
paedia Britannica,"  and  it  was  in  connection 
vith  his  .treatise  on  the  books  of  the  Bible,  writ- 
en  for  this  publication,  that  he  first  called 
down  on  himself  the  wrath  of  his  colleagues. 
As  the  result  of  a  trial  for  "  heresy  "  he  was,  in 
1881,  removed  from  his  professorship;  two  years 
ater  he  became  the  Lord  Almoner's  professor 
of  Arabic  in  the  University  of  Cambridge;  in 
1886  he  became  librarian,  and  in  1889  he  was 
appointed  Adams  professor  of  Arabic  in  the 
same  university.  He  published  a  number  of 
Docks,  which  occupy  a  leading  place  in  most  Bib- 
lical libraries,  and  was  well  known  as  a  lect- 

er. 

WALKER,  Robert  Cooper,  for  many  years 
principal  librarian  of  the  Sydney  (N.  S.  W.)  Free 
Public  Library,  has  been  gazetted  one  of  the 
trustees  of  that  library.  Mr.  Walker  retired  from 
the  position  of  librarian  in  September,  1893,  in 
which  he  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Henry  C.  L. 
Anderson. 


anfc  Classification. 


The  BULLETIN  OF  THE  MERCANTILE  LIBRARY 
OF  PHILADELPHIA  for  January,  besides  record- 
ing the  accessions  from  October  to  January, 
concludes  the  "  Reading  notes  on  currency  and 
finance,"  and  gives  "  reading  notes"  on  the  in- 
come tax  and  the  Hawaiian  question,  with  titles 
arranged  chronologically. 

CATALOGO    della  biblioteca  :    supplemento  dal 
i°  agosto  1889  al  31  dicembre  1892  (Ministero 
di  agricoltura,  industria  e  commercio).    Rome, 
G.  Bertero,  1893.     14+119  p.  8°. 
CINCINNATI  (0.)  P.  L.      Bulletin  of  books  in 
the  various  departments  of  literature  and  sci- 
ence added   during  1893.    Cincinnati,  pub.  by 
Board  of  Trustees,  1894.     140  p.  F. 
Consists,  as  usual,  of  the  classified   quarterly 
bulletins  of  the  year,  preceded  by  an  index  of 
subjects  and  followed  by  an  index  of  authors' 
anonymous  works  and  collections.    This  method 
of   making   the  yearly   bulletin    comprise   four 
separate  classified   lists  seems  to  have   several 
drawbacks,    the   succession   of    bulletins    being 
not   only   confusing   but   necessitating    a   more 
careful  search  than  the   average   reader  is  apt 
to  give  before  all  the   books   in   a   single   sub- 
ject can  be  collected.     The  title  entries  are  re- 
markably full —  fuller  than  seems  at  all  neces- 
sary in   a  popular  catalog,   where   brevity   and 
simplicity    of     form    are    especially   desirable, 
though  the  detailed  lists  of  contents  given  in  the 
case  of    collections  or    composite    works,  wi.1,1 
probably  be  found  useful, 


April,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


147 


GASPARI,  Gaet.  Catalogo  della  biblioteca  del 
liceo  musicale  di  Bologna,  comp.  e  pub.  da 
L.  Torchi.  v.  3.  Bologna,  Romagnoli  dall' 
Acqua,  1893.  389  p.  8°.  20  lire. 

The  HARTFORD  (Ct.}  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for  Janu- 
ary, besides  giving  the  usual  classified  list  of 
books  added  during  the  past  three  months  (Oc- 
tober, 1893- January,  1894),  contains  a  list  of  the 
books,  new  and  old,  in  the  library  on  Psvchol- 
ogy,  education,  etc. 

HEINSIUS,    W.      Allgemeines    Bucher-Lexikon. 

Band    19:1889-1892.     Herausgegeben    von 

K.  Bolhoevener.       Abtheilung   i.      Leipzig. 

Brockhaus,  1894.    772  p.  4°. 
NOTTINGHAM  (Etig.)  F.  P.  REF.   L.     Class-list 

no.    19:     Archaeology  and   antiquities,  comp. 

by  J.  Potter  Briscoe,  librarian,  and  S.  J.  Kirk, 

assistant.     February,  1894.     23  p.  O. 

A  well-arranged  list,  coveting  the  general 
reference  literature  of  the  subject;  archaeology 
and  antiquities  relating  to  ancient  nations  ;  bar- 
rows, mounds,  caves,  lake-dwellings,  etc. ;  Brit- 
ish archaeology,  and  antiquities;  costumes,  arms, 
armor  and  war  implements;  ecclesiological  an- 
tiquities; folk-lore  and  mythological  literature; 
numismatics  and  seals.  In  some  cases  titles  are 
briefly  annotated. 

THE  OPEN  SHELF  is  the  attractive  title  of  a 
new  monthly  bulletin  of  additions  published  by 
the  Cleveland  Public  Library.  The  first  num- 
ber, for  January,  1894,  gives  the  books  added  to 
the  library  during  that  month.  The  bulletin  is  a 
handy  little  i6-page  leaflet,  in  narrow  16°  shape, 
with  the  design  of  an  "open  shelf"  on  the 
cover.  It  will  be  issued  at  the  beginning  of 
each  month,  including  in  each  issue  the  books  of 
the  preceding  month.  There  is  a  cut  of  the  libra- 
ry building  as  frontispiece;  besides  the  classified 
list  of  additions,  space  is  given  to  brief  notes  of 
library  Interest.  The  bulletin  is  well  printed  on 
smooth  paper,  and  sold  at  one  cent  a  copy,  or 
25  cents  a  year. 

PATERSON  (tf.  /.)  F.  P.  L.     List  of  books  in  the 
public  library  on  astronomy;  with  brief  notes, 
by  C.  A.  Young,  Ph.D.,  LL.D.,  professor  of 
astronomy    in    the  "College  of    New    Jersey 
(Princeton.)     Paterson,  N.  J.,  issued  by  the 
Free  Public  Library,  February,  1894.    26  p.  D. 
A  classed   list,   followed  by  an  author-index. 
This  admirable  catalog  is  commented  upon  else- 
where. 

The  SALEM  (Mass.)  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for  March 
has  "special  reading-lists"  on  Physical  geog- 
raphy and  Meteorology. 

The  SPRINGFIELD  (Mass.)  LIBRARY  BULLETIN 
for  February  contains  a  list  of  "  Books  on  Ha- 
waii." 

FULL  NAMES. 
Supplied  by  Harvard  College  Library. 

Ashmead,  W:  Harris  (A  monograph  of  the 
North  American  proctotrypidae); 


Blanchard,  G:  Roberts  (The  common  law  liabil- 
ty  of  carriers); 

Funk,  I:  Kauffman  (A  standard  dictionary  of 
the  English  language); 

Painter,  Franklin  Verzelius  Newton,  joint.au- 
^0r  (Christian  worship:  its  principles  and  forms); 

Seymour,  Horatio  Winslow  (The  Chicago  Her- 
ald, editorials); 

Snyder,  J:  Francis  (A  primitive  urn  burial); 

Stetson,  Amos  W:  (Eighty  years:  an  historical 
sketch  of  the  state  bank); 

Thome,  W:  H:  (Junior  course  in  mechanical 
drawing). 


ALLEN,  E.  H.  De  fidiculus  bibliographia;  being 
the  basis  of  a  bibliography  of  the  violin.  I2th 
and  concluding  part.  Lond.,  Griffith,  Farran 
&  Co.,  1894.  1 6°,  net,  2s.  6d. 

Bibliographica,  the  new  London  quarterly  mag- 
azine of  book-lore,  will  have  Charles  Scribner's 
Sons  for  its  American  agents;  after  the  first  issue 
only  a  limited  edition  of  the  periodical  will  be 
published. 

BONGARTZ,  J.  Harry,  comp.  Check-list  of  laws; 
cont.  a  complete  list  of  the  public  laws  and 
acts  and  resolves  of  the  state  of  Rhode  Island 
to  date,  with  notes  and  pagings.  Providence, 
1893.  c.  7  P-  O.  pap.,  $1. 
Mr.  Bongartz  is  librarian  of  the  Rhode  Island 

State  Law  Library. 

THE  Channing  Club,  of  Boston,  through  its 
secretary,  W.  M.  Mclnnes,  53 State  Street,  basis- 
sued  a  second  catalog  of  "  Books  for  boys  "  (26  p. 
24°,  pap.).  It  is  divided  into  three  classes  —  one 
of  interesting  stories;  one  of  works  pf  history, 
biography,  travel,  science,  etc. ;  and  one  of  books 
specially  suited  for  Sunday-schools.  No  book  has 
been  rejected  because  of  doctrinal  teaching,  but 
where  such  teaching  is  prominent  the  fact  is 
noted;  besides  giving  publisher  and  price,  each 
title  is  followed  by  a  descriptive  note. 

CHEVALIER,  U.  Repertoire  des  sources  his- 
toriques  du  moyen-age.  Topo-bibliographie, 
Fasc.  i:  A.  B.  Paris,  Picard.  528  col.  8°. 

CURTIS,  Newton  Martin,  Capital  crimes  and  the 
punishments  prescribed  therefor  by  the  fed- 
eral and  state  laws  and  those  of  foreign  coun- 
tries, with  statistics  relating  to  the  same;  also 
a  bibliography  of  crimes  and  punishments. 
Washington,  W.  H.  Lowdermilk  &  Co.,  1894. 
c.  36  p.  O.  pap.,  50  c. 
These  statistics  are  advance  sheets  of  a  work 

on  criminal  law,  in  preparation. 

DODD,  MEAD  &  Co.  announce  for  publication 
in  May  "  Issues  of  the  New  York  Press,  1693- 
1784,"  by  C:  Rtch6  Hildeburn.  The  price,  pre- 
vious to  subscription,  is  $10,  which  will  be  raised, 
on  publication  qf  th«  volume, 


148 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[April,  '94 


FORD,  PAUL  LEICESTER.  Josiah  Tucker  and  his 
writings.  (In  The  Journal  of  Political  Econo- 
my, vol.  2,  p.  330.) 

THE  Grolier  Club,  New  York,  has  recently  is- 
sued a  "  Chronological  hand-list  of  various  edi- 
tions of  the  Complete  angler  "(26  p.  16%  pap.) 
with  a  supplement  embracing  other  writings  of 
Walton  and  Charles  Cotton.  1593  - 1893.  The  list 
is  a  souvenir  of  the  exhibition  of  editions  of  the 
"  Complete  angler,"  held  at  the  Grolier  Club, 
December  9,  1893,  in  commemoration  of  the 
Sooth  anniversary  of  the  birth  of  Walton. 

RENOUARD,   P.     Bibliographic  des  editions  de 
Simon    de  Colines  (1520-  1546).     Avec  une 
notice  biographique  et   37  reproductions  en 
fac-simile.     Paris,  E.  Paul,  Huard  et  Guille- 
min.     vii.  520  p.  8°.     40  fr. 
STAMMHAMMER,  Jos.     Bibliographic  des  social- 
ismus    und    communismus.      Jena,    Gustav 
Fischer,  1893.     303  p.  8°. 
The  first  volume  of  an  exhaustive  bibliography. 
The  arrangement  is  alphabetical  under  authors 
and  there  is  also  an  alphabetical  subject-index. 
The  titles  are  wholly  representative.     The  com- 
piler has  had  the  advantage  of  studying  the  un- 
rivalled collections  on  the  subject  owned  by  the 
Messrs.  Menger,  of  Vienna. 


anfo 


Maxwell  Gray,  the  author  of  "  The  silence  of 
Dean  Maitland,"  has  been  spelled  both  Gray 
and  Grey.  Allibone  supplement  spells  it  Gray, 
while  A.  L.  A.  catalog  and  many  others  give  the 
form  Grey.  "  A  costly  freak,"  the  new  volume 
by  this  author  published  by  D.  Appleton  &  Co., 
gives  the  name  Gray  at  the  request  of  the  au- 
thor.— A uthority  D.  Appleton  &•  Co. 

NINA  E.  BROWNE. 

W.  W.  Jar-vis  is  given  on  the  title-page  as 
author  of  "Gotham  ambrotypes  ;  or,  sketches 
from  life:  a  satirical  poem,"  pub.  N.  Y.,  1860. 
A  presentation  copy  in  the  Watkinson  library 
contains  the  following  autograph:  "To  Dr. 
Paterson,  with  the  kind  regards  of  the  author, 
W.  J.Wetmore,  Sept.  17,  1861." 

FRANK  B.  GAY. 

Supplied  by  F.  Wtitenkampf,  Astor  L. 

Abel  Cephak,  ps.  of  Clovis  Pierre,  registrar 
of  the  Paris  morgue  and  writer  of  ballads. 

Ajax,  the  ps.  under  which  Mrs.  Besant  is  said 
to  have  begun  her  journalistic  career. 

Georg  Egestoff,  ps.  of  Georg  Freiherr  von  Omp- 
teda. 

Quatrelles,  E.  Manuel,  pseudonyms  used  by 
Ernest  L'Epine,  critic  and  journalist,  who  died 
in  Paris,  1893. 

v.  Mir  is,  ps.  of  Franz  Bonn,  contributor  to 
the  Fliegende  Blatter. 

Pearl  Rivers,  ps.  of  Mrs.  G:  Nicholson,  of 
New  Orleans,  who  wrote  various  poems  soon 
after  the  civil  war. 


Wat  Ripton,  ps.  of  Prof.  Tyndall  in  various 
magazine  articles  on  literary  subjects,  written 
while  a  young  teacher  at  Queenswood  College. 

The  following  are  taken  from  the  Athenaeum, 
1892: 

C.  Collodi.     Lorenzini  (Italian  journalist). 

Fulvia.  Signorina  Rachele  Saporiti  (Italian 
author). 

fan  Ferguut.  M.  van  Droogenbroek  (Flemish 
poet). 

Lesan.  A.  Klastersky  (la  "  Songs  of  labor  " 
Bohemian  author). 

Manchecourt.  Henri  Lavedan  (Parisian  sketch- 
es in  La  -vie  Parisienne). 

Max  Waller.  Maurice  Warlomont  (Flemish 
writer). 

Melati  van  Java.    Miss  Sloot  (Dutch  writer). 

Porz6.  Dr.  Adolf  Agai  (Hungarian./V«z7/<r- 
toniste  and  humorist). 

Remigio  Zena,  Marchese  Gaspare  d'  Invrea 
(Italian  magistrate  and  author). 

Sigurd.     A.  Hedenstierna  (Swedish  author). 

V.  Krestovski.  Mme.  Khvostchinski  (Russian 
novelist,  d.  189  [i  ?]). 

From  an  article  by  Ferdinand  Gross,  in  N.  Y. 
Staats-Zeitung,  Mr.  i,  '91,  following  are  taken. 

Amalia  Heiter.  Princess  Amalia  of  Saxony 
(comedies). 

G.  Conrad.    Prince  Georg  of  Prussia  (dramas). 

Ge"rardde  Nerval.  Gerard  Labrunie  (translator 
of  Goethe's  Faust). 

Graind"orgu.    Hippolyte  Taine. 
Vicomte  de  Launay.   Mme.  de  Girardin. 
Willibald  Alexis.    Wilhelm  HSring. 


$ttmor0 


JBltmfoera. 


SARAH  GRAND'S  "  Heavenly  twins  "  was  asked 
for  the  other  day  under  the  title  of  "  The  twin 
angels."  Recently  a  lady  asked  for  "  The 
prince  of  the  house  of  David,  by  Ben  Hur,"  and 
insisted  that  that  was  what  she  wanted.  As 
"The  prince  of  India"  was  not  in,  and  "The 
prince  of  the  house  of  David"  was  worn-out,  we 
were  unable  to  find  out  what  she  really  desired. 
Some  time  last  fall  a  lady  asked  for  "The  price 
she  paid,"  by  Benedict,  as  "  What  it  cost  her  " 
—  a  very  good  translation  of  the  title. 

Stoddard's  "Crowded  out  o'  Cro'field  "  was 
asked  for  by  another  under  the  surprising  title 
of  "  Driven  out  of  Christendom."  A.  W.  T. 

THE  following  books  were  called  for  in  New 
York  State  Library: 

D'Cocktails  American  republic  (De  Tocque- 
ville's  Democracy  in  America); 

Two  little  angel  babies,  and  Heavenly  toursts 
(Heavenly  twins).  M.  S.  C. 

THE  title  given  below  is  taken  from  a  New 
York  auction-catalog: 

Fields,  J.  T.  Barney  Cornwall  &  Co.  16°, 
1.876.  W.  I.  F. 


April,  '94]  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  149 

LIBRARY  INKS  AND  ADHESIVES. 

'  IDrawln^Boart*  flDucHape 


has  been  adopted  by  leading  Librarians  throughout  the  country  as  the  only  satis- 
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World's  Fair  were  repaired  and  labelled  with  this  adhesive  in  preference  to  all  others, 
and  it  was  voluntarily  exhibited  and  recommended  by  those  in  charge.  A  three  ounce 
trial  jar  sent  by  mail,  prepaid,  for  30  cents, 

'  Carbon  Writing  Tfnfrg 


contain  no  other  coloring  matter  than  pure  carbon,  and  they  hence  write  black  from 
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35  cents  ;  a  two  ounce  bottle  of  the  latter  for  25  cents. 


The  Higgins'  Adhesives  and  Inks  are  for  Sale  by  Dealers  in  Artists'  Materials 
and  Stationery  Generally. 


CHAS.  M.  HIGGINS  &  CO,  »^mn,  168-170  Eighth  St.,  Brooklyn,  N.Y. 

LONDON.  LEIPZIG.  PARIS. 


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nished on  application. 

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With  the  help  of  a  most  complete  Bibliographical  Outfit  in  all  languages  and  on  all  subjects, 
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information  given  on  topics  of  interest  to  Librarians. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[April,   '94 


THE 


RDDOLPH  CONTINDODS INDEXER. 

(PATENTED    IN   THE   UNITED   STATES'AND   ALL   FOREIGN    COUNTRIES.) 


(FRONT  VIEW,  SHOWING  GLASS  LID  RAISED.) 


(REAR  VIEW,  SHOWING  DOOR  OPEN.) 


THE   LIBRARIAN'S   DESIDERATUM. 
THE  HOST  PERFECT   INDEXER. 


The  RUDOLPH  INDEXER  SYSTEM  possesses  many  advantages  which 
recommend  it  to  Publishers  and  Booksellers— in  fact,  to  any  one 
who  has  occasion  to  use  lists  of  books,  names  or  samples  of  goods, 
photographs,  etc. 

It  is  entirely  flexible,  allowing  any  number  of  entries  to  be  placed  in 
the  INDEXER  at  any  point. 

It  presents  to  the  eye  at  one  time  as  many  entries  as  six  pages  of  the 
American  Catalogue. 

Entries  are  protected  from  being  soiled  by  exposure  or  handling. 

Economy  of  space  and  economy  of  expenditure  of  both  time  and 
money. 

The  INDEXER  stands  42  inches  high  and  is  2O  inches  wide  by  SO 
Inches  broad. 

We  shall  be  pleased  to  give  further  information  and  list  of  testi- 
monials from  leading  librarians. 


RUDOLPH  INDEXER  CO.,  606  Arch  St.,  Philadelphia. 


April,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


Two   Books  for 
Librarians. 

By  WILLIAM  I.  FLETCHER,  M.A., 

Librarian  of  Amherst  College. 


Public    Libraries    in 
America. 

With  illustrations  of  noted  Libraries  and 
Librarians.     i6mo,  cloth,  gilt,  $1.00. 

No  one  familiar  with  the  inception  and  prog- 
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that  it  has  a  most  significant  future.  The  gen- 
eral wholesomeness  and  undoubted  permanence 
of  the  movement  have  brought  frequent  and 
ample  gifts  and  bequests,  making  possible  a 
generous  development ;  still  there  has  been  no 
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brary problem.  These  facts  determined  the  in- 
clusion of  a  suitable  manual  in  the  Columbian 
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Library  Classification. 

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adapted  to  be  practically  useful  in  a  library, 
while  doing  away  with  most  of  the  work  in- 
volved in  carrying  out  one  of  these  schemes."  — 
INTRODUCTION. 


Columbian  Know  I- 
edge  Series. 

Edited  by  Professor  TODD, 

of  Amherst  College. 


A  series  of  timely  and  authoritative  mono- 
graphs on  subjects  of  permanent  inter- 
est and  significance.  Each  complete  in 
itself.  Scientific  in  treatment  but  un- 
technical  in  language,  and  illustrated 
freely  when  appropriate.  i6mo  vols., 
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NUMBER  I. 

Total  Eclipses  of  the  Sun. 

By  MABEL  LOOMIS  TODD.  With  numer- 
ous illustrations.  i6mo,  cloth,  gilt,  $1.00. 

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Public    Libraries    in 
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By. WILLIAM  I.  FLETCHER,  M.A.,  Librari- 
an of  Amherst  College.  With  illustra- 
tions of  noted  libraries  and  librarians. 
i6mo,  cloth,  gilt,  $1.00. 

NEARLY  READY. 

Stars  and  Telescopes. 

A  Handybook  of  Astronomy.  By  DAVID 
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IN  PRESS. 

Aerial  Locomotion, 
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And  Other  Volumes  in  Preparation. 


ROBERTS  BROTHERS,   -   Boston,  Mass. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[April,  '94 


THE  MONIST. 

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THE  MONIST  discusses  the  fundamental  problems  of 
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its  contributors  are  : 

DR.  A.  BINKT, 
PROF.  C.  LOMBROSO, 
PROF.  E.  MACK, 
PROF.  F.  JODL, 
CARUS  STERNS, 
PROF.  E.  HAKCKKL, 
PROF.  H.  HOFFDING, 
PROF.  FELIX  KLEIN, 
DR.  EMIL  HIRSCH, 
PROF.  J.  DELBCEUF, 


CHARLES  S.  PBIRCB, 
PROF.  JOSEPH  LE  CONTE, 
DR.  W.  T.  HARRIS, 
PROF.  E.  D.  COPB, 
M.  D.  CONWAY, 
PROF.  F.  MAX  MOLLER, 
PROF.  G.  J.  ROMANES, 
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E.  DE  ROBERTY. 


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Being  a  complete  analytical,  etymological,  his- 
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delivered  in  any  part  of  the  United  States 
Sold  only  by  subscription,  and  subscription 

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Extract  from  a  recent  letter  of  Jules  Simon  (of  the 
French  Academy),  to  Mme.  Dandurand,  of  Montreal 
"  And  you,  Canada,  what  can  you  become  ?  Yours  is 
the  policy  of  the  future  and  the  civilization  of  the  past 
What  I  like  in  you  is  the  fact  that  you  remind  me  the 
language  and  customs  of  our  grandfathers.  You  are 
archaic,  perhaps,  without  knowing  it.  You  are  the 
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heirs." 

Address  all  demands  to 

SYLVA  CLAPIN,  7  Park  Square,  Boston 


TWO  INDEXES 

Indispensable  in  Libraries. 

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The  American  Library  Association  Index.  An 
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lege. Royal  8vo,  cloth,  $5.00,  net;  half 
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POOLE'S   INDEX 
TO   PERIODICAL  LITERATURE. 

By  WILLIAM  FREDERICK  POOLE,  LL.D.,  and 
WILLIAM  I.  FLETCHER,  with  the  co-operation  of 
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April,  '94]  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  153 

C.  REINWALD  &  CO., 

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'54 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{April,  '94 


The  Annual  Literary  Index, 

INCLUDING   PERIODICALS,    AMERICAN  AND 

ENGLISH,      ESSAYS,      BOOK-CHAPTERS, 

ETC.,  SPECIAL  BIBLIOGRAPHIES  AND  " 

NECROLOGY  OF  AUTHORS. 

EDITED  BY   W.   I.    FLETCHER  and  R.  R.   BOWKER. 

With  the  co-operation  of  members  of  the  American  Li- 
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THE  ANNUAL  LITERARY  INDEX  for  1893  com- 
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books  published  in  1893  by  indexing  (i)  articles 
in  periodicals  published  in  1893  ;  (2)  essays  and 
book-chapters  in  composite  books  of  1893  ;  (3) 
authors  of  periodical  articles  and  essays  ;  (4) 
special  bibliographies  of  1893  ;  (5)  authors  de- 
ceased in  1893.  The  two  volumes  together  make 
a  complete  record  of  the  literary  product  of  the 
year. 

The  volume  includes  also  the  features  of  the 
"  Co-operative  Index  to  Periodicals,"  originally 
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then  extended  into  a  quarterly  in  an  enlarged 
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April,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


'55 


GREEN'S    PATENT 

Book-Stack  and  Shelving  for  Libraries. 


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3. — Capacity  and  compactness. 
4. — Fireproof  construction. 

5. — Shelving  surfaces  permanently  smooth  and  protected  from  corro- 
sion (Bower-Barffed),  and  necessity  of  renewal. 

Used  for  the  New  Library  of  Congress,  Washington,  D.  C. 


DESCRIPTIVE    CATALOGUE    ON    APPLICATION. 


156  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 

ESTABLISHED    1872 

LONDON  i  PARIS:  LEIPctG: 

3O  WELLINGTON  ST.,  STRAND.       76  RUE  OE  RENNES.  HOSPITAL  SIR.  10. 

GUSTAV  E;  STECHERT 

Purchasing  Agent  for  Colleges  &  Libraries 

810    BROADWAY,    NEW    YORK, 

(TWO  DOORS  ABOVE  GRACE  CHURCH) 

begs  to  call  attention  to  his  facilities  for  obtaining  FOREIGN  BOOKS  and 
PERIODICALS  at  more  economical  rates  THAN  ANY  OTHER  HOUSE  IN  AMERICA 
OR  EUROPE  can  offer,  because : 

He  employs  no  Commission  Agents,  but  has  his  own  offices  and 
clerks  at  London,  Paris  and  Leipzig.  He  has  open  accounts 
with  all  the  leading  publishing  houses  in  the  world. 

His  experience  enables  him  to  give  information  at  once  about 
rare  and  scarce  books. 

He  receives  weekly  shipments  from  England,  France  and  Germany,  and 
can  thereby  fill  orders  in  quicker  time. 

MORE  THAN  200  LIBRARIES  FAVOR  HIM  WITH  THEIR  ORDERS. 


SPECIAL    REFERENCES, 

"Mr.  Stechert  has  for  years  furnished  this  Library  with  most  of  its  periodicals  and  European  books,  and  has  bought  for  us 
many  thousand  volumes.  Mr.  Stechert's  success  is  due  to  his  constant  personal  attention  to  the  business,  and  the  reasonable 
terms  he  is  able  to  offer.  I  consider  a  New  York  agent  far  preferable  to  reliance  on  foreign  agents  alone." 

GEO.  H.  BAKER,  Librarian  of  Columbia  College,  New  York. 


"  Seven  years  ago,  in  reorganizing  the  Columbia  College  library,  I  spent  much  time  in  trying  to  discover  how  to  get  out 
foreign  books  and  periodicals  with  the  least  delay,  trouble  and  expense.  The  result  of  the  comparison  of  three  methods,  viz : 
ordering  direct  from  foreign  dealers,  ordering  through  one  agent  in  London,  or  ordering  through  one  agent  in  New  York  showed 
us  that  it  was  to  our  advantage  to  give  Mr.  Stechert  all  our  foreign  orders,  as  he  delivered  in  the  library  in  a  single  package 
and  with  a  single  bill  at  as  low  cost  as  we  were  able  with  vastly  greater  trouble,  to  get  a  half  dozen  different  packages  in  differ- 
ent bills  from  different  places.  In  reorganizing  the  New  York  State  Library,  I  opened  the  whole  question  anew,  and  the  result 
of  the  comparison  was  the  same  as  before,  and  we  find  that  the  library  gets  most  for  the  time  and  money  expended  by  taking 
advantage  of  Mr.  Stechert's  long  experience,  and  the  careful  personal  attention  which  he  gives  to  our  orders." 

MELVIL  DEWEY,  Director  of  N.  Y.  State  Library,  Albany,  N.  Y. 


"  Mr.  G.  E.  Stechert  of  New  York  has  served  us  with  fidelity  in  procuring  English,  French  and  German  books,  both  new 
and  second  hand  and  also  periodicals.  His  terms  are  more  reasonable  than  any  others  that  have  come  to  our  notice,  while  he 
has  always  guarded  our  interests  very  carefully.  We  find  it  a  great  convenience  to  have  one  agency  in  New  York,  represented 
by  branches  in  different  European  countries." 

Prof.  ARTHUR  H.  PALMER,  Librarian  of  Adelbert  College,  Cleveland,  O. 


"  Your  methods  and  facilities  for  doing  business,  as  I  have  examined  them  here  as  well  as  at  the  Leipzig  and  London  ends, 
seem  to  me  admirably  progressive  and  thoroughly  live.  I  deal  with  you  because  I  judge  it  for  the  advantage  of  this  library  to 
do  so.  If  I  did  not,  I  should  not.  Up  to  date  I  am  unable  to  find  a  method  which  is,  all  things  included,  so  economical  of 
time  and  money  as  dealing  through  you." 

ERNEST  C.  RICHARDSON,  Librarian  »f  College  of  Neva  Jersey,  Princeton,  N.J. 


"  Our_  library  committee  speaks  in  the  highest  terms  of  your  services.     You  have  not  only  saved  us  many  dollars,  but  haw 
iiown  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  our  wants  for  which  we  thank  you. ' ' 

A.  8.  COLLINS,  Act,  Librarian  of  Reynolds  Library,  Rochester  ^N.  P. 

GUSTAV    B.    STKCHKRT, 

LONDON,        PARIS.        LEIPZIG,        NEW  YORK. 


THE 


Library  Journal 


OFFICIAL  ORGAN  OF  THE  AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 


CHIEFLY   DEVOTED    TO 


%H>rarp  Economy  anfc 


VOL.  19.     No.  5 


MAY,  1894 
Contents 


PACK 

EDITORIAL 159 

The  Library  Movement  in  Philadelphia. 

Philadelphia  Mercantile  Library. 

The  Effect  of  the  World's  Fair  on  Reading  in 

Chicago. 
Massachusetts  Library  Club. 

COMMUNICATIONS 160 

A  Suggested  Card-book  Catalog. 

BETTERING  CIRCULATION  IN  SMALL  LIBRARIES. —  THE 
"  Two-BooK  "  SYSTEM.  —  C:  Kmtvles  Bolton.  . 

THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  LIBRARY  SCIENCE  OF  ARMOUR 
INSTITUTE,  CHICAGO  (Illustrated).  —  Katharine 
L.  Sharp 

THE  FREE  LIBRARY  MOVEMENT  IN  PHILADELPHIA. — 

J:  Thomson 166 

A  FREE  LIBRARY  PROBLEM 167 

INFLUENCE  OF  THE  WORLD'S  FAIR  ON  READING  IN 
CHICAGO 168 

THE  NEW  READING-ROOM  IN  THE  NEWBERRY  LIBRA- 
RY.—  Florence  Brooks.  .  .  .  , 168 

WHAT  REGULATES  POPULARITY  IN  BOOKS  —  A  LI- 
BRARY PUZZLE 169 


161 


162 


PAGE 

THE  LIBRARIAN  IN  PRUSSIA 170 

AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 171 

"Don't." 
NEW  YORK  STATE  LIBRARY  SCHOOL 171 

Boston  Visit. 
STATE  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATIONS i 

Massachusetts  Library  Club. 

New  Hampshire  Library  Association. 

Southern  California  Library  Club. 
LIBRARY  CLUBS 175 

New  York  Library  Club. 
REVIEWS 176 

Collins,  Catalogue  of  Prince  L.-L.  Bonaparte's 

Library. 
Wilson,  The  All-time  Library. 

LIBRARY  ECONOMY  AND  HISTORY 177 

LIBRARIANS 181 

CATALOGING  AND  CLASSIFICATION 182 

BlBLIOGRAFY 183 

HUMORS  AND  BLUNDERS 184 


NEW  YORK  :    PUBLICATION  OFFICE,  28  ELM  STREET  (Near  Duane). 
LONDON:    SOLD  BY  KEG  AN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  Co.,  PATERNOSTER  HOUSE, 

CHARING  CROSS  ROAD. 
YEARLY  SUBSCRIPTION,  |S.oo.  MONTHLY  NUMBERS,  50  cU, 

Price  to  Europe,  or  other  cottntriei  in  the  Union,  aor.  per  annum  ;  tingle  numbers,  2*. 
Entered  at  the  Post-Office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  as  second-class  matter. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[May,  '94 


EDW.  G.  ALLEN'S 

London  Agency  for  American  Libraries, 

28   HENRIETTA   STREET,   COVENT   GARDEN, 
LONDON. 

(FORMERLY   RICH   &   SONS.) 

EDW.  G.  ALLEN  devotes  himself  entirely  to  library  business.  His  long  experience  enables  him 
to  execute  the  orders  of  correspondents  promlpty,  cheaply,  and  with  thorough  efficiency.  His  con- 
nection with  all  the  Book  Dealers  in  the  United  Kingdom  gives  him  the  command  of  the  British 
Book  Market,  and  qualifies  him  to  serve  his  customers  with  special  advantage,  and  to  bring  promptly 
under  their  notice  all  the  stores  of  Literature,  old  and  new,  on  sale  in  Great  Britain. 

Books  Supplied  at  a  Small  Commission  on  the  Cost  Price,  with  the  usual  Trade 

deductions,  and  forwarded  by  the  quickest  and  cheapest  routes.    Second-hand 

Catalogues  by  early  Mails,  and  no  Commission  charged  on  Orders 

from  them.      Periodicals  and  Newspapers  Posted  Promptly. 

pensive  sub-agencies  at  home  or  abroad.  Korean  books  on  easy  terms. 


Agency  for  the  following  Libraries  and  many  others: 


Library  of  Congress,  Washington. 
Libraries  of  Parliament,  Ottawa,  Toronto, 

and  Quebec. 
Amherst  College. 
Boston  Public  Library. 
Brooklyn  Library. 
Brown  University. 
Cornell  University. 
Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library.] 
California  University. 

BINDING. 

Cheap  and  Durable  for  Circulating  Libraries.    Specially  Strong  for  Books  of  Reference.    Superior 
Style  for  Works  of  Art.     Imitation  Antique  for  Rare  Old   Books.     Calf  Extra  In  Every  Variety. 
Best  Half-Binding  for  General  Library  Use.     Pamphlets  Bound  at  Cheap  Rates.     Law- 
Books  In  Law  Calf.     Cheap  Binding  In  Cloth.     Hard-Grained    Roan,  etc.     Dilapi- 
dated Binding  Neatly  Repaired.     Deficiencies  of  Rare  Books  Supplied  In 
Exact  Fac-8lmile.     Library  Stamps  to  Order. 


Colorado  University. 
Johns  Hopkins  University. 
Philadelphia  Library  Co. 
Peabody  Institute,  Baltimore. 
University  of  Pennsylvania. 
University  of  Toronto,  Can. 
Watkinson  Library,  Hartford,  Conn. 
Yale  University. 
Minneapolis  Public  Library. 


"We  have  been,  for  the  last  twenty  years,  personally  cognizant  of  Mr.  Allen's  faitnfulness  to  the  interests  of 
his  American  customers.  When  a  resident  in  Washington,  ten  years  ago,  we  found  that  the  immense  Congressional 
Library  largely  supplied  its  shelves  through  Mr.  Allen's  London  Agency.  Many  of  the  extensive  libraries  belonging 
to  the  Universities  and  Colleges  in  the  East  have  also  secured  their  Foreign  Books  from  the  same  source,  and  we 
have  heard  from  the  officers  of  these  Institutions  frequent  testimony  to  the  scrupulous  exactness  with  which  their 
orders  were  always  filled. 

"  We  cannot,  therefore,  do  a  greater  service  to  the  Colleges  and  Universities  of  the  West,  to  which  these  pres- 
ents shall  come,  than  to  advise  that  they  employ  this  inexpensive  agency  for  replenishing-  their  Libraries  with  Eng- 
lish Books." — PRESIDENT  WELCH,  Iowa  State  Agricultural  College. 

"No  better  indorsement  of  Mr.  Allen's  Agency  is  possible  than  the  list  of  leading  libraries  that  continue  to  use 
it.    For  30  years,  strict  integrity  and  unexcelled  facilities  have  held  the  oid  and  made  new  patrons.    The  very  large 
business  built  up  demands  only  a  small  commission  instead  of  the  customary  10  per  cent.    A  library  can  safely 
entrust  all  its  London  orders  to  Mr.  Allen  without  getting  other  estimates  and  feei  sure  that  it  is  not  making 
mistake." — MELVIL  DKWEY,  State  Library^  New  York. 


Edw.  G.  Allen's  American  Library  Agency, 

COVENT  GARDEN,  LONDON. 

MEMBER    AMERICAN    LIBRARY    ASSOCIATION. 


SPECIAL    TERMS  FOR  LARGE  ORDERS. 


THE    LIBRARY    JOURNAL 


VOL.  19. 


MAY,   1894. 


No.  5 


THE  excellent  article  by  Mr.  John  Thomson  on 
the  present  library  movement  in  Philadelphia, 
taken  in  conjunction  with  the  extracts  from  the 
Philadelphia  Record,  printed  elsewhere,  gives  a 
lucid  exposition  of  what  is  one  of  the  most  inter- 
esting of  recent  experiments  in  the  library  field. 
Philadelphia  has  long  been  achy  of  libraries,  but 
it  has  never  had  a  free  library  in  the  modern  sense 
of  the  word.  The  Pepper  bequest  of  $250,000, 
for  the  establishment  of  a  free  library  in  Phila- 
delphia, offered  the  first  means  of  providing 
this  need.  Such  a  sum  was,  of  course,  inade- 
quate for  the  establishment  of  a  large  central 
library,  similar  to  >the  Enoch  Pratt  Library  or 
the  public  libraries  of  other  large  cities;  but  the 
way  in  which  the  trust  has  been  handled  deserves 
high  praise.  As  soon  as  the  litigation  in  regard 
to  it  was  concluded,  its  directors  established 
relations  with  the  city  authorities  —  who  had 
in  the  meantime  organized  small  branch  libraries 
in  two  city  districts  —  and  with  the  aid  and 
countenance  of  the  city  councils  they  opened  a 
central  free  library  of  modest  dimensions  in 
temporary  quarters.  A  municipal  appropriation 
has  been  made  for  its  support,  its  popular  suc- 
cess is  unquestionably  assured,  its  organizers 
have  throughout  shown  an  earnest  desire  to 
improve  and  extend  library  facilities,  and  they 
already  have,  in  a  measure,  accomplished  the 
purpose  for  which  the  trust  was  intended.  That 
this  purpose  will  be  wholly  fulfilled  there  can  be 
little  doubt.  The  free  library  of  Philadelphia  is 
still  in  its  infancy  ;  but  it  is  to  be  expected  that 
as  its  benefits  are  more  fully  realized,  it  will 
meet  with  substantial  aid  and  recognition,  and 
will  attain  in  time  to  the  importance  and  wide 
usefulness  befitting  the  public  library  of  one  of 
the  foremost  American  cities. 

IT  was,  indeed,  time  for  some  such  library 
movement  in  Philadelphia,  if  the  city  of  Broth- 
erly Love  is  to  maintain  its  reputation  as  a 
reading  centre.  The  tabulated  statistics  of  the 
Mercantile  Library  of  Philadelphia,  from  1822 
to  1893,  given  in  the  last  (7ist)  report  of  that 
library,  lead  to  this  conclusion.  These  figures 
show  such  a  remarkable  decline  in  patronage  and 
circulation  within  the  past  10  years  that  a  few 
words  of  comment  are  unavoidable.  The  Mer- 
cantile, which  has  for  years  been  the  foremost 
library  of  Philadelphia,  is  a  subscription  li- 


brary, and  now  contains  171,525  volumes.     In 
1864  it  had    a    membership  of   5609  persons  ; 
this  increased  year  by  year  until   in  1871  the 
high-water  mark  of  11,786  members  was  reached. 
In  that  year  196,308  books  were  circulated  from 
a  total  of  63,874  volumes  then   in  the  library. 
The  highest  circulation  of  all  was  in  the  fol- 
lowing  year,  1872,  when  268,277  books  were 
issued.     From  this  time  patronage  and  circula- 
tion   have    steadily    decreased.       In   1876  the 
membership  fell  to  9207 ;  in    1880  the  circula- 
tion  fell  below   150,000.       In    1884  the  mem- 
bership was  but  491 1 .and  136,607  books  were 
circulated  from    a    constantly  increasing  total 
of  150,155.      In  the  10  years  that  have  passed 
since  then  the  decline  has  been  constant,  until 
we  find  that  the    statistics  for    1893    show    a 
membership  of  3115  and  a  circulation  of  86,563 
volumes,  the  number  of  books  in  the  library  at 
this  time,  being,  as  already  noted,  171,525.     It 
is  hard  to  account  for  the  remarkable  decrease 
here  demonstrated.     The  library  has  more  books 
now  than  ever  before;  at  the  last  annual  meet- 
ing, in  January,  1894,  it  was  decided  to  reduce 
the  annual  fees  to  stockholders  to  two  dollars 
per  annum,  and  the  subscription  has  never  been 
excessive.     The  cause  seems  to  lie  partly  in  the 
library  itself.     Its  quarters  have  never  been  at- 
tractive or  really  suitable,  and  it  is  possible  that 
of  late  years  the  library  has  fallen  "  behind  the 
times  "  in  some  respects,  and  has  become  gradu- 
ally more   or  less  fossilized.     This  seems  the 
only  practicable  explanation,  as  the  new  free  li- 
brary of  the  city  and  the  several  small  branches 
are  of  such  recent  establishment  that  they  can- 
not have  drawn    off    the    Mercantile    Library 
patronage  to  any  extent,  and  it  is  not  likely 
that  the  great  majority  of  people  who  are  ordi- 
narily users  of  subscription  libraries  should  of 
later  years  have  turned  wholly  from  borrowing 
books  to  buying  them.     Neither  of  these  expla- 
nations seem,   therefore,  at  all  adequate,  and 
failing  the  sufficiency  of  the  first  premise  It  is 
difficult  to  account  for  the  remarkable  condition 
of  affairs  shown  by  the  statistics. 

THE  fact  that  the  reading  at  the  Chicago 
Public  Library  has  noticeably  improved  in  qual- 
ity since  the  World's  Fair  is  not  surprising.  It 
would  have  been  surprising  if  it  had  not  im- 
proved. Nevertheless,  Mr.  Hild's  statement 


i6o 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[May,  '94 


that  the  demand  at  that  library  for  books  on  art, 
architecture,  and  language  is  about  200  per  cent, 
larger  than  it  was  a  year  ago,  is  both  gratifying 
and  suggestive.  It  is  gratifying  as  an  indica- 
tion that  the  majority  of  people  are  responsive 
to  intellectual  stimulus,  that  they  are  quick  to 
appreciate  beauty  in  form,  color,  or  design  —  not 
in  the  abstract,  perhaps,  but  when  it  is  brought 
concretely  before  them — and  that  when  their  in- 
terest is  really  awakened  in  a  subject  they  usually 
set  themselves  to  "  find  out  all  about  it."  It  is 
suggestive  in  that  it  tends  to  disprove  the 
frequent  assertion  that  people  cannot  be  "edu- 
cated up "  to  a  higher  form  of  reading  or 
amusement  than  they  have  been  accustomed  to. 
That  the  wonders  of  a  great  international  ex- 
position should  shake  people  out  of  their  usual 
grooves  of  thought,  and  open  to  them  un- 
suspected vistas  of  inquiry  and  study,  was  in- 
evitable. It  is  equally  certain  that  in  a  lesser 
degree  the  current  of  popular  interest  and  read- 
ing can  be  improved  by  well-directed,  tactful 
effort.  The  gradual  elimination  of  trash  from  a 
library;  the  distribution  or  posting  of  read- 
ing-lists on  timely  topics  ;  the  exhibition  from 
time  to  time  of  rare  or  curious  books,  of  prints, 
of  the  literature  on  any  special  subject;  frequent 
"book  talks"  or  informal  lectures  —  all  these 
are  steps  that  must  of  necessity  lead  to  the  same 
goal.  The  effect  may  be  imperceptible  at  first, 
and  the  results  maybe — usually  will  be  —  dis- 
couragingly  slow  in  coming  ;  but  such  work,  in- 
telligently planned,  tactfully  developed,  and 
faithfully  continued,  cannot  fail  to  accomplish 
in  a  measure  what  the  Chicago  exposition  could 
effect  on  so  large  a  scale. 


THE  report  of  the  recent  meeting  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Library  Club,  printed  elsewhere,  is  a 
useful  contribution  to  the  literature  of  book- 
binding and  charging  systems.  Both  of  these 
subjects  received  a  degree  of  practical  considera- 
tion which  cannot  fail  to  make  the  report  of 
general  interest.  Such  technical  points  are  al- 
ways capital  topics  for  library  debate,  and  their 
scientific  discussion  and  practical  illustration 
must  be  helpful,  not  only  to  the  members  of  the 
individual  associations  discussing  them,  but  to 
the  larger  audience  reached  by  the  printed  re- 
ports. In  the  present  case  the  meeting  of  the 
club  was  attended  by  the  New  York  State  Li- 
brary School,  then  on  its  annual  trip  of  library 
inspection,  and  it  is  especially  gratifying  that 
the  subjects  for  discussion  were  so  interesting 
and  so  well  handled. 


QIommumcalion0. 


A  SUGGESTED  CARD-BOOK  CATALOG. 

I  WANT  to  suggest  an  improved  method  of  li- 
brary cataloging,  combining  the  advantages  of  a 
book  catalog  with  those  of  a  card  catalog,  and 
thus  saving  the  great  loss  of  time  which  readers 
experience  when  turning  over  cards.  I  propose 
that  a  very  large  book,  or  series  of  books,  be 
prepared,  with  leaves  of  millboard,  which  is 
a  stiff  and  cheap  kind  of  cardboard,  used  by 
bookbinders.  On  these  leaves  the  cards  of  the 
catalog  are  to  be  arranged  in  (say)  two  col- 
umns. Preparation  for  each  column  of  cards  is 
to  be  made  by  puncturing  holes  in  the  millboard. 
These  can  be  best  punctured  with  a  saddler's 
punch.  The  holes  are  to  be  arranged  down  the 
length  of  each  page  of  millboard  in  four  columns, 
two  for  each  column  of  cards.  The  distance  be- 
tween two  columns  of  holes  will  be  about  three- 
fourths  of  the  breadth  of  a  card.  The  distance 
between  two  holes  in  the  same  column  will  alter- 
nate —  that  between  the  first  and  second  being 
the  same  as  the  height  of  one  card,  that  be- 
tween the  second  and  third  about  one- quarter  of 
an  inch,  that  between  the  third  and  fourth,  the 
same  as  between  the  first  and  second,  and  so  on. 
A  piece  of  narrow  elastic,  is  to  be  threaded  in  and 
out  of  the  holes  in  one  column,  and  its  ends  are 
to  be  tied  together.  Another  piece  of  elastic  is  to 
be  similarly  used  for  each  other  column  of  holes. 
The  cards  are  to  be  slipped  under  the  elastic,  a 
card  between  the  first  and  second  holes,  a  card 
between  the  third  and  fourth,  and  so  on. 

Two  difficulties  have  been  suggested  in  this 
proposed  method.  The  first  was  that  there  would 
be  nothing  to  prevent  a  reader  from  slipping  out 
one  of  the  cards  as  easily  as  the  librarian  could  do. 
I  think  this  difficulty  might  be  met  as  follows: 
Let  the  elastic  bands  run  towards  the  back  of  the 
cover,  the  two  ends  of  each  band  being  placed 
within  the  back  of  the  cover,  and  being  there 
clasped  between  flat  bars  or  plates  of  wood  or 
metal,  which  might  be  locked  at  their  extremities. 
To  prevent  the  elastics  slipping  through  these, 
knots  might  be  fastened  on  the  ends  of  each 
elastic. 

The  second  difficulty  was  that  the  rubber  would 
become  inelastic  in  about  a  year.  This  is  alto- 
gether contrary  to  my  experience.  It  must  be 
remembered  that  I  do  not  speak  of  pure  rubber, 
but  of  rubber  cord  covered  with  silk  or  cotton, 
such  as  is  sold  in  the  dry-goods  or  haberdashery 
stores.  I  used  such  elastic,  not  for  a  card  cata- 
log but  for  a  purpose  exactly  similar.  The  ob- 
ject was  to  slip  in  and  out  slips  of  paper,  each 
about  one  inch  wide.  Sometimes  I  would  have 
one  slip  and  sometimes  a  dozen  or  two  dozen  slips 
in  one  place,  and  I  changed  them  frequently,  thus 
subjecting  each  part  of  each  elastic  to  a  very  d iffer- 
ent  strain  at  one  time  from  that  to  which  it  was 
subjected  at  another.  The  elastic  used  was  the 
cheapest  procurable  —  two-cord  cotton  covered 
elastic,  bought  at  two  shillings  (English)  for  72 
yards.  After  10  years  but  very  little  of  it  had 
required  to  be  tightened,  and  scarcely  any  to  be 
renewed.  H.  W.  B.  MACKAY. 

CAMBRIDGE,  MASS. 


May,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


161 


BETTERING  CIRCULATION  IN  SMALL  LIBRARIES —THE  "TWO-BOOK"  SYSTEM. 
BY  C:  KNOWLES  BOLTON,  Librarian  Brookline  (Mass.)  Public  Library. 

IN  small  towns  where  a  high  rate  of  Intelli- 
gence prevails,  the  diversity  of  taste  and  inter- 
est demands  a  wider  selection  of  books  than  the 
circulation  would  seem  to  justify.  A  work  which 
would  appeal  to  but  one  reader  in  a  town  of 
15,000  inhabitants,  would  find  four  readers,  per- 
haps, in  a  city  of  60,000,  and  would  be  purchased. 
To  be  unable  to  encourage  readers  in  new  fields 
because  the  old  and  foot-worn  paths  have  proved 
themselves  to  be  "  for  the  good  of  the  greatest 
number,"  is  a  great  misfortune.  As  a  problem, 
there  seems  to  be  but  two  solutions  —  to  buy 
the  work  of  general  interest ;  or,  to  create  a 
larger  constituency  for  the  book  which  has 
proved  attractive  to  one  reader.  The  latter 
course  offers  possibilities  that  should  tempt  the 
zealous  librarian,  for  an  increase  in  solid  read- 
ing is  an  evidence  of  a  library's  growing  useful- 
ness in  a  community,  that  no  one  will  contro- 
vert. That  many  libraries  are  successfully 
bringing  about  this  increase  may  influence  other 
libraries  to  try  new  methods,  or  revive  familiar 
ones. 

The  book  wanted  by  one  reader  may  attract 
others  if  it  is  placed  near  the  delivery-desk, 
where  it  can  be  examined  by  the  public.  The 
"  new  book"  shelves  are  now  a  feature  in  many 
smaller  libraries.  In  this  way  as  many  as  400 
books  may  be  kept  constantly  before  the  public. 
It  is  of  no  small  importance  that  these  books  re- 
main in  their  original  covers,  and  retain  their 
individuality.  If  hours  are  spent  in  designing 
a  cover  to  attract  a  purchaser,  why  should  a 


library  refuse  to  employ  the  beautiful  to  attract 
readers? 

Borrowers  will  take  a  novel  because  they  come 
to  the  library  usually  to  get  a  book  for  recrea- 
tion. If  they  could  take  'a  work  of  history,  bi- 
ography, or  travel,  for  more  leisurely  reading, 
they  would  like  it,  but  many  libraries  give  only 
one  book  on  a  card.  To  meet  this  need  the 
Public  Library  at  Brookline  devised  a  card  on 
which  two  books  may  be  taken  at  one  time,  or 
on  different  days,  as  the  reader  wishes.  He  may 
keep  a  history  a  month  (by  renewal),  and  read 
20  novels  during  the  same  period;  or,  he  may 
take  two  books  other  than  fiction.  But,  as  our 
"  new  books"  are  limited  in  number  (and  desig- 
nated by  a  red  star),  but  one  of  these  can  be  kept 
out  on  the  card  at  a  time.  The  card  is  divided 
in  the  middle  ;  the  left  has  "  Fiction"  at  the  top, 
the  right  "  Other  works."  The  date  of  delivery 
of  a  book  is  stamped  on  the  proper  side  of  the 
card,  and  also  in  the  book  itself.  The  instruc- 
tions on  the  card  read:  "Borrowers  may  take 
two  books  at  the  same  time,  provided  that  not 
more  than  one  of  these  shall  be  a  work  of  fic- 
tion, and  that  two  new  books  shall  not  be  taken." 

New  books  are  noted  by  a  reversed  date  (3 
May).  Then  it  follows  that  there  can  be  : 

1.  But  one  uncancelled  date  on  the  left  (fic- 
tion). 

2.  But   two  uncancelled   dates  on  the  card 
(one  on  either  side  or  two  on  the  right). 

3.  But  one  reversed  uncancelled  date  on  the 
card. 


.-.  FICTION.  .-. 

OTHER  WORKS. 

Loaned. 

Returned. 

Loaned. 

Returned. 

Loaned. 

Returned. 

Loaned. 

Returned. 

APR  4 

APR   14 

4  APR 

APR    14 

14  APR 

APR  21 

APR   14 

23   APR 

APR  24 

24  APR 

. 

i6a 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[May,  '94 


People  seemed  to  understand  the  system  at 
once,  and  many  availed  themselves  of  the  en- 
larged privileges.  The  children,  too,  began  to 
take  out  biography  and  history.  We  shall  soon 
have  a  shelf  of  these  books  in  the  waiting-room, 
that  they  may  still  further  avail  themselves  of 
the  "  other  works"  mentioned  on  the  card.  The 
circulation  for  March,  the  first  month  of  the 
new  arrangement,  rose  22  per  cent.  The  char- 
acter of  this  increase  may  be  of  interest.  Com- 
paring the  circulation  of  fiction  for  February 
and  March,  1893,  with  February,  1894,  a  circu- 
lation of  3981  was  to  be  expected  for  March, 
1894,  under  the  old  system.  The  actual  circula- 
tion of  fiction  was  1969;  that  is,  fiction  was  not 
appreciably  affected  by  the  new  system.  If, 
with  one  book  to  a  card,  people  were  denying 
themselves  a  novel  to  take  a  solid  book,  the  en- 
larged privilege  would  have  given  them  an  op- 
portunity to  take  more  novels  without  sacrificing 
their  other  reading,  and  the  fiction  statistics  for 
March  would  have  increased.  As  there  was  no 
abnormal  increase  this  proves,  I  think,  that  peo- 
ple do  not  under  the  system  of  one  book  to  a 
card  sacrifice  the  novel  for  more  instructive 
reading.  On  the  other  hand  where  a  circulation 
in  "  Travels "  of  354  was  to  be  expected  in 
March,  1894,  it  was  actually  606  ;  [in  "  History 


and  Biography"  instead  of  753  it  was  1255  ;  in 
"Poetry"  instead  of  the  189  to  be  expected  it 
rose  to  244. 

Where  there  are  enough  new  books  and  good 
works  of  fiction  to  allow  two  of  either  kind  on 
one  card  at  the  same  time,  the  librarian  would 
have  to  decide  for  himself  as  to  the  wisdom  of 
making  restrictions  on  the  two  books  taken. 

In  a  small  town,  methods  may  be  tried  which 
would  hardly  be  suited  to  the  conditions  of  a 
large  library.  In  looking  over  the  "  Portrait 
catalogue"  of  the  Cassell  Publishing  Company 
of  New  York,  one  cannot  but  be  impressed  by  its 
excellent  portraits.  These  we  cut  out  and  post 
on  our  bulletin-board,  with  a  list  of  each  author's 
works  and  our  shelf-numbers  for  them.  Bio- 
graphical sketches  of  popular  authors,  like  Bea- 
trice Harraden,  are  also  posted  on  the  board. 
People  who  come  to  the  library  with  no  book  in 
mind  are  attracted  by  the  pictures,  and  some 
choose  a  book  from  the  lists  underneath. 

If,  by  methods  similar  to  those  described 
above,  a  large  constituency  can  be  created  for  a 
book,  the  librarian  will  be  able  in  his  buying  to 
make  a  selection  on  broader  lines,  and,  while 
gratifying  a  particular  reader,  awaken  among 
other  borrowers  an  interest  in  the  less  frequented 
paths  of  literature. 


THE   DEPARTMENT   OF  LIBRARY  SCIENCE  OF  ARMOUR  INSTITUTE,  CHICAGO. 
BY  KATHARINE  L.  SHARP,  Librarian  Armour  Institute. 


THE  buildings  of  Armour  Institute  were  op- 
ened and  their  purpose  announced  in  December, 
1892.  The  first  term  of  instruction  began  Sep- 
tember 12,  1893. 

Although  the  original  plans  had  not  provided 
for  a  library,  the  omission  was  pointed  out  as 
soon  as  Dr.  F.  W.  Gunsaulus  was  appointed 
president,  and  the  science  lecture-hall,  occupy- 
ing one-half  of  the  first  floor,  was  assigned  to 
the  library. 

The  librarian  was  appointed  in  January,  1893, 
and  was  at  once  set  to  solve  the  problem  of 
furnishing  these  temporary  quarters  with  mov- 
able fittings,  so  that  one  room,  50x60  feet, 
would  accommodate  readers,  book-stacks,  and 
office,  without  spoiling  it  for  its  original  use. 

The  room  is  well  lighted  on  three  sides,  and 
is  handsomely  furnished  in  dark  oak.  While  in 
no  sense  a  museum  nor  an  art  gallery,  the  walls 
and  ends  of  bookcases  are  hung  with  fine  pict- 
ures, among  them  Raphael's  "  The  Fiddler," 


Whistler's  "  King  Lear  in  the  Storm,"  and  the 
Moscheles'  "  Browning." 

The  books  are  shelved  in  wall  cases  around 
the  room  and  in  stacks,  which  are  now  placed 
far  enough  apart  to  make  alcoves,  with  a  win- 
dow at  the  end  of  each.  The  space  between 
them  must  very  soon,  however,  be  limited  to  a 
narrow  aisle,  to  provide  for  more  bookcases. 

Two-thirds  of  the  room  is  fitted  with  small 
tables  for  students,  although  they  are  allowed 
free  access  to  the  shelves,  and  the  alcoves  are 
favorite  places  for  quiet  study. 

The  library  is  open  from  8  a.  m.  to  9:30  p.  m., 
except  Saturday  evening  and  Sunday,  and  circu- 
lates books  to  the  faculty  and  students. 

Whi'e  the  library  does  not  buy  books  for  the 
public,  the  reading-room  is  free  to  all,  and 
earnest  students  from  outside  who  wish  the 
books  which  the  institute  provides  can  borrow 
them  for  home  use. 

There  are  now  10,000  volumes,  but  the  sub- 


May,  '94] 


163 


ARMOUR  INSTITUTE,   CHICAGO. 


jects  are  unevenly  represented,  as  the  plan  of 
the  first  year's  buying  has  been  to  develop  the 
leading  departments,  and  defer  the  others  to 
another  year.  Therefore,  mechanical  engineer- 
ing, electricity,  and  mathematics  have  the  lar- 
gest representation,  and  history,  physics,  chemis- 
try, and  French  and  German  language  and  liter- 
ature are  building  up  symmetrically.  Other  de- 
partments are  weak. 

The  library  has  a  fine  collection  of  rare  books, 
illustrating  the  history  and  art  of  printing,  which 
is  considered  second  only  to  that  of  Lenox  Li- 
brary, New  York. 

Departmental  libraries  have  been  started,  and 
in  many  cases  their  books  are  duplicated  in  the 
general  library.  Several  departments  have  their 
scientific  periodicals  also  in  their  rooms,  where 
they  are  free  to  the  students. 

Without  these  auxiliary  reading-rooms  it 
would  be  impossible  for  the  library  to  satisfy 
the  demands  of  the  students  in  its  crowded  quar- 
ters. The  general  reading-room  can  seat  no 


more  than  150  comfortably,  and  with  over  900 
students,  its  limitations  can  be  easily  appre- 
ciated. 

Over  500  students  have  registered  to  draw 
books  for  home  use,  but  the  circulation  is  con- 
sidered secondary  to  the  reference  use  of  the 
library,  and  books  are  subject  to  recall  when 
wanted  for  reserve. 

Books  are  reserved  for  special  classes  when- 
ever desired,  and  for  the  two  literary  societies 
of  the  institute.  These  give  their  programs  to 
the  librarian  two  weeks  in  advance,  and  refer- 
ence lists  are  at  once  posted  and  the  books  re- 
served. Next  term  the  librarian  is  to  give  sev- 
eral talks  to  the  societies  upon  general  reference 
books,  that  they  may  better  learn  to  help  them- 
selves. 

There  is  free  access  to  the  shelves,  a  privilege 
thoroughly  appreciated  by  the  students,  who 
seem  to  have  a  feeling  of  pride  and  ownership  in 
the  library  that  does  much  to  protect  it. 

One  of  the  leading   ideas  of  the  president  of 


i64 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[May,  '94 


the  institute  was  that  the  library  should  be  a 
laboratory  for  the  training  of  library  assistants, 
and  in  accordance  with  this  idea  the  Depart- 
ment of  Library  Science  was  established  as  a 
part  of  the  technical  college  and  an  explanatory 
circular  was  issued. 

The  course  was  so  planned  as  to  offer  at  first 
but  one  year  of  instruction,  so  arranged  that  it 
could  be  supplemented  by  a  second  year  of  ad- 
vanced work,  if  desirable.  It  includes  lectures 
and  instruction  in  library  handwriting,  acces- 
sion and  other  department  routine,  cataloging, 
classification,  loan  systems,  binding,  shelf  ar- 
rangement, shelf  listing,  reference  work  and 
bibliography,  literature  and  the  history  of  books 
and  printing. 

The  course  was  arranged  to  occupy  each 
student  40  hours  a  week.  The  regular  in- 
structors and  topics  assigned  were  F.  W.  Gun- 
saulus,  "  History  of  books  and  printing,"  and 
"  Comparative  literature  ;"  T:C.  Roney,  "Eng- 
lish literature  ; "  Katharine  L.  Sharp  and  May 
Bennett,  "  Library  economy."  Special  subjects 
were  to  be  treated  by  outside  specialists.  The 
school  year  was  divided  into  three  terms  and  the 
fees  fixed  at  $5  per  term.  The  date  of  opening 
for  the  first  class  was  set  for  September  14, 
1893;  candidates  were  advised  to  make  applica- 
tion at  least  one  month  before  that  date,  and  it 
was  announced  that  examination  of  applicants 
would  be  held  at  the  institute  on  September  12. 

Many  applications  were  received  and  22  young 
women  presented  themselves  for  examination 
on  the  date  set.  As  many  inquiries  have  been 
made  as  to  the  nature  of  the  first  examination,  a 
copy  of  the  questions  is  here  given  : 

1.  Who  wrote  "  Hypatia,"   "  Wealth  of  na- 
tions,"    "American     commonwealth,"     "Ten 
great    religions,"     "Sense    and     sensibility," 
"Silas  Marner,"    "  Quentin  Durward,"    "The 
Viking  age,"  "Earthly  paradise,"  "Myths  and 
mythmakers"? 

2.  Mention  as  many  works  as  you  can  of  the 
following    authors  :      Browning,     Longfellow, 
Parkman,  Victor  Hugo,  Tolstoi,  George  Mere- 
dith, Maarten  Maartens,  Aldrich,  Lowell,  Marion 
Crawford. 

3.  Name  two  Latin  and  two  Greek  authors, 
with  two  works  of  each. 

4.  Name  three    French    and    three    German 
authors,  with  two  works  of  each. 

5.  Write  a  brief  criticism  (about  one  page)  of 
one  of  your  favorite  authors. 

6.  Name  five  well-known  American  publishers. 


7.  Mention  authors  and  titles  and  give  a  brief 
characterization  of  five  books  first  published  in 
1892  or  1893. 

8.  Name  three  literary,  three  scientific,  two 
religious,  and  two  juvenile  periodicals. 

9.  Write  briefly  (about  five  lines  each)  what  is 
suggested  to  your  mind  by  the  following  :  Thirty 
Years'    War,    Massacre    of    St.    Bartholomew, 
Wars  of  the   roses,  Thermopylae,   Spanish  Ar- 
mada, Bastile,  Magna  Charta. 

10.  Give  a  short  account  (about  one  page)  of 
the  Crusades. 

11.  What  part  in  the  world'shistory  was  played 
by  the  following  :  Charlemagne,  Gustavus  Adol- 
phus,  Cromwell,  Peter  the  Hermit,  William  of 
Orange,  Alexander  Hamilton  ? 

12.  Locate  the   following  and  state  for  what 
each  is  or   was   noted  :    The  Louvre,  People's 
Palace,  Colosseum,  Vatican,  Acropolis,   Mount 
Vernon,    Abbottsford,    Ford's    Theatre,     Gray 
Gables,  Ferris  Wheel. 

13.  Write  a  brief  essay  (about  two  pages)  on 
one  of  the  following  topics  :  France  and  Siam, 
Behring  Sea  question,  Silver  question. 

14.  Name  (a)  the  governor  of  your  own  state, 
(b)  the  speaker  of  the  House,  (c)  the  president  of 
the  Senate. 

15.  What  idea  of  the  modern  library  move- 
ment have  you  gained  from  reading  the  refer- 
ences in    the   LIBRARY  JOURNAL  and  Library 
Notes. 

Twelve  students  were  received  and  that  num- 
ber completed  the  first  term's  work.  One  was 
then  recalled  to  her  own  library  and  another  left 
on  account  of  ill  health. 

The  class  has  at  this  writing  just  completed 
its  second  term  of  instruction,  but  it  is  now  first 
mentioned  in  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL,  as  its  organ- 
izers wished  to  wait  until  a  report  of  progress 
could  be  made. 

The  order  of  instruction  is  modelled  upon  that 
given  at  the  New  York  State  Library  School  in 
the  first  year. 

Thus  far  the  class  has  studied  cataloging, 
accessioning,  and  shelf-listing,  according  to  the 
Library  School  rules,  the  decimal  classification, 
dictionary  cataloging,  and  bookbinding  and 
repairing. 

Every  member  of  the  class  subscribes  for  the 
LIBRARY  JOURNAL  and  the  Publishers'  Weekly, 
and  belongs  to  the  Chicago  Library  Club. 

The  Publishers'  Weekly  is  carefully  studied  in 
connection  with  critical  reviews,  and  an  order 
list  is  made  each  week. 


May,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


The  A.  L.  A.  catalog  is  studied  by  subjects,  to 
familiarize  the  students  with  the  best  authors 
and  their  selected  works.  Next  term  this  work 
will  be  extended  by  lectures  given  by  professors 
from  the  Chicago  and  Northwestern  Universities 
on  the  literature  of  their  special  subjects,  point- 
ing out  the  best  authorities  and  specifying  pop- 
ular and  scholarly  works  and  other  informa- 
tion needed  by  librarians. 

In  order  to  keep  posted  on  current  events,  the 
class  meets  once  a  week  to  discuss  some  question 
of  political  or  general  interest  that  is  before  the 
country. 

No  regular  instruction  in  reference  work  has 
yet  been  given,  but  the  members  of  the  class 
have  had  practical  reference  work  from  the  be- 
ginning, as  they  work  in  the  alcoves  which  are 
open  to  the  other  students  and  have  many  de- 
mands for  help. 

Practical  work  in  the  institute  library  has 
been  general  rather  than  concentrated  on  any 
one  line  of  work, 

Each  member  of  the  class  acts  as  assistant  to 
each  member  of  the  library  [staff  in  turn,  serv- 
ing two  weeks  at  a  time.  She  thus  learns  the 
routine  work  of  the  library  and  picks  up  much 
information  that  would  never  be  formally  pre- 
sented in  class. 

Besides  this,  each  one  has  to  do  one  hour  of 
office  work  each  week.  During  the  winter  term 
each  student  was  also  required  to  give  one  hour 
a  day  to  the  institute  in  the  work  most  needed 
at  the  time,  and  next  term  the  apprentice  hours 
will  be  increased. 

The  library  has  been  kept  open  on  all  holi- 
days except  Christmas  and  New  Year's,  and  this 
time  as  well  as  the  early  morning  hour  and 
evenings  has  been  taken  by  members  of  the 
class  for  experience. 

The  opportunities  for  outside  work  have  been 
many.  The  Library  Bureau  and  the  Rudolph 
Indexer  Company  have  been  very  kind  in  fur- 
nishing problems  for  the  class  to  solve.  Two  of 
the  students  are  doing  the  mechanical  part  of 
bibliographies  on  outside  orders.  Two  other 
students  are  librarians  in  their  Sunday-schools, 
and  one  is  organizing  a  new  Sunday-school 
library.  The  entire  class  has  worked  in  organ- 
izing the  library  of  the  University  Settlement 
on  Rice  Street,  and  they  are  to  begin  at  once  to 
classify  and  arrange  the  Lake  View  High  School 
library  of  1500  volumes.  One  large  private 
library  is  waiting  until  the  class  shall  be  con- 
sidered competent  to  catalog  it. 


The  Department  of  Library  Science  has  been 
asked  to  index  scientific  periodicals  for  Electri- 
cal  Literature,  which  is  published  in  connection 
with  Electrical  Engineering,  but  on  account  of 
changes  in  the  office,  work  has  not  yet  been  com- 
menced. The  founder  and  publisher  of  Electri- 
cal Literature,  Mr.  Fred.  Deland,  has  set  aside 
one  afternoon  in  each  week  for  the  library  class, 
when  he  will  answer  any  questions  they  may 
have  about  the  indexing. 

The  introduction  of  vertical  handwriting  into 
the  public  schools  of  the  city  has  directed  atten- 
tion to  library  handwriting,  and  one  of  the  class 
has  been  asked  to  make  copies  for  new  school 
writing-books.  The  Commercial  Department 
of  the  institute  has  also  asked  the  library  for 
samples  of  writing  for  the  book-keepers  to  follow, 
and  several  applicants  for  next  year's  library 
class  are  taking  writing  lessons  now. 

The  Field  Columbian  Museum  has  applied  for 
help,  and  there  have  been  enough  positions  of- 
fered during  the  year  to  supply  the  present 
class.  It  is  hoped  that  some  will  still  be  wait- 
ing when  the  class  is  ready  to  begin  independent 
work. 

The  instruction  of  the  regular  staff  has  been 
supplemented  by  several  outside  lecturers.  Dr. 
Constantin  Norrenberg,  of  the  University  of 
Kiel,  Germany,  who  was  in  charge  of  the  Ger- 
man library  exhibit  at  the  World's  Fair,  spoke 
on  the  differences  between  German  and  Amer- 
ican libraries,  and  illustrated  his  lecture  at  an- 
other time  at  a  visit  paid  to  his  exhibit.  Mr.  C: 
C.  Soule,  president  of  the  Boston  Book  Com- 
pany, gave  an  inspiring  talk  on  the  mission  of  a 
librarian.  Miss  Louisa  S.  Cutler,  in  charge  of 
the  A.  L.  A.  library  at  the  World's  Fair,  gave 
one  formal  talk  at  the  institute  to  the  class  as  a 
whole  and  many  informal  talks  to  the  individual 
members  of  the  class,  who  lost  no  opportunity  to 
study  the  library  exhibit  under  Miss  Cutler's 
kind  direction. 

Mr.  J:  C.  Dana,  of  Denver  Public  Library,  told 
the  class  of  his  professional  experiences.  Dr. 
G:  E.  Wire,  head  of  the  Medical  Department  of 
the  Newberry  Library  and  a  graduate  of  the 
Library  School,  has  generously  given  several  of 
his  half  holidays  this  winter  to  lecture  upon  prac- 
tical bookbinding  and  repairing. 

Miss  Edith  E.  Clarke,  head  cataloger  of  the 
Newberry  Library  and  a  graduate  of  the  Library 
School,  was  to  have  given  the  regular  instruction 
in  dictionary  cataloging,  but  Dr.  Poole's  death 
made  it  impossible  for  her  to  obtain  leave  of 


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THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[May,  '94 


absence.  Although  prevented  from  undertaking 
the  formal  work,  Miss  Clarke  acts  as  general 
adviser  on  the  subject  and  gives  what  assistance 
she  can  in  her  free  time.  The  assistance  and 
encouragement  of  these  Library  School  friends 
cannot  be  measured  in  time  nor  words. 

The  Newberry  Library  and  the  Public  Library 
have  both  been  very  friendly  to  the  Armour 
Institute  Library  and  class.  By  special  arrange- 
ment in  the  fall  the  Public  Library  lent  to  the 
institute  a  large  number  of  books,  at  different 
times,  to  illustrate  cataloging  principles  in  class, 
as  the  institute  library  was  not  general  enough 
to  supply  them.  Mr.  Ringer,  who  has  the  lar- 
gest bindery  in  Chicago,  has  given  the  class  the 
freedom  of  his  establishment,  and  they  have 
often  visited  it. 

Aside  from  technical  library  instruction,  lit- 
erature has  been  a  regular  study  in  the  course, 
under  Prof.  Thos.  C.  Roney,  of  the  institute. 
The  first  term's  work  covered  an  historical  sur- 
vey of  English  literature.  The  second  term  was 
devoted  to  the  English  literature  of  the  igth 
century,  and  the  third  term  will  treat  of  the 
American,  French,  and  German  literature  of  the 
century. 

Dr.  Gunsaulus  has  often  met  the  class  to  lect- 


ure upon  general  literature,  or  to  answer  the 
contents  of  the  literary  "  question-box." 

The  library  class  has  the  privilege  of  attend- 
ing other  lectures  given  at  the  institute,  and  has 
just  listened  to  a  course  of  six  lectures  on  Amer- 
ican history  given  by  Prof.  John  Fiske,  of  Har- 
vard. 

The  instruction  of  next  term  will  be  devoted 
to  bibliography  and  reference  work,  and  the  class 
will  visit  neighboring  libraries  for  comparative 
study. 

The  demand  for  instruction  is  increasing,  and 
there  are  those  who  want  a  correspondence 
course,  or  a  summer  course,  or  an  evening  course, 
but  all  applicants  are  discouraged  from  taking 
less  than  one  year. 

All  of  the  present  class  fully  realize  how  little 
can  be  done  in  one  year,  and  they  know  their 
limitations. 

They  do  not  think  that  their  training  has 
"  made  them  librarians,"  and  they  do  not  wish 
to  be  called  "  library  experts." 

They  are  very  much  in  earnest  and  hope  to 
take  a  second  year,  although  circumstances  will 
oblige  most  of  them  to  defer  this  and  engage  in 
practical  work  for  some  time,  hoping  to  return 
later. 


THE    FREE    LIBRARY    MOVEMENT    IN     PHILADELPHIA. 
BY  JOHN  THOMSON,  Librarian  Free  Library  of  Philadelphia. 


THE  Free  Public  Library  movement  has  taken 
a  considerable  start  in  Philadelphia  during  the 
past  three  years;  and  though  that  city  has  been 
slow  in  entering  into  the  spirit  of  the  movement, 
it  looks  as  if  the  city  of  Brotherly  Love  had 
thoroughly  realized  that  a  work  of  great  moment 
to  her  citizens  could  be  accomplished. 

A  really  free  library,  in  the  full  acceptation  of 
the  term,  has  long  been  a  desideratum,  and 
when,  in  1891,  the  terms  of  Mr.  George  S.  Pep- 
per's will  became  known,  whereby  nearly  a  quar- 
ter of  a  million  dollars  were  bequeathed  for  the 
maintenance  of  a  free  library,  library  talk  filled 
the  air,  and  the  discussion  took  a  very  practical 
form.  Philadelphia,  from  the  period  of  the 
colonial  days,  has  been  a  book-loving  and  a 
book-distributing  centre,  as  is  proved  by  the 
valuable  Apprentices'  Library,  Rush  Library, 
Mercantile  Library,  City  Institute,  and  many 
like  institutions;  but  Mr.  Pepper's  will  empha- 
sized the  fact  that  the  time  had  arrived  when  a 


free  library  in  the  modern  sense  of  the  term  had 
become  a  necessity. 

It  was  at  that  juncture,  and  whilst  legal  pro- 
ceedings were  hindering  the  immediate  realiza- 
tion of  Mr.  Pepper's  beneficent  intentions,  that 
the  city  board  of  education  inaugurated  a 
series  of  branches  in  various  parts  of  the  city 
with  a  remarkable  success.  In  the  latter  part  of 
1892  arrangements  were  made  between  the  enter- 
prising managers  of  the  Wagner  Institute  and 
the  board  of  education  for  the  opening  in  the 
institute  of  Branch  No.  I  of  the  Free  Public  Li- 
braries. The  institute  provided  rooms  rent 
free,  gas,  firing,  and  fixtures,  the  board  of  edu- 
cation undertaking  to  supply  books  and  a  proper 
staff  of  assistants.  The  work  was  taken  in  hand 
by  Mr.  T.  L.  Montgomery,  the  actuary  of  the 
institute  (who  is  so  well  known  in  the  A.  L.  A.), 
as  a  labor  of  love,  and  the  result  has  surprised 
every  one  connected  with  the  movement.  From 
a  circulation  of  11,000  volumes  a  month  they 


May,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


167 


have  steadily  risen,  till  in  March  of  this  year 
they  loaned  to  readers  over  20,000  volumes. 

Naturally  success  begets  success,  and  two  other 
branches  have  since  been  opened  in  other  parts 
of  Philadelphia  with  excellent  results,  while  a 
fourth  branch,  with  some  15,000 volumes,  will  be 
thrown  open  to  the  public  in  the  course  of  a  few 
weeks. 

Still,  however,  a  central  free  library  was  want- 
ing, and  as  soon  as  the  courts  had  finally  de- 
termined that  the  Pepper  trust  was  to  take  the 
form  of  an  independent  library,  the  directors 
placed  themselves  in  communication  with  the 
city  authorities,  and  obtained  the  temporary  use 
of  three  large  rooms  on  the  ground  floor  of  the 
City  Hall  for  the  organization  of  a  "  Free  Li- 
brary of  Philadelphia,"  and  on  the  I2th  of 
March  last  the  library  was  unostentatiously 
opened  without  ceremonial  or  display.  Already 
nearly  9000  volumes  have  been  placed  upon  the 
shelves,  while  it  is  anticipated  that  by  the  au- 
tumn the  number  of  books  will  have  been  in- 
creased to  20,000  at  least.  The  city  councils 
have  supported  the  movement  by  a  grant  of 
$5000  for  the  year  1894,  and  with  the  increased 
grants  which  may  be  looked  for  in  the  future  the 
prospects  of  the  free  library  movement  are  very 
encouraging.  The  need  of  the  library  in  the 
heart  of  the  city  has  been  proved  in  a  variety  of 
ways.  First,  by  the  liberal  use  of  the  books 
made  by  the  steadily  increasing  number  of  read- 
ers; and  secondly,  by  the  request  of  several  in- 
fluential citizens  for  the  opening  of  a  branch  in 
a  part  of  the  city  where  the  need  of  the  elevating 
influence  of  books  and  good  reading  is  keenly 
felt. 

The  main  point,  however,  that  gives  the  move- 
ment importance  is,  that  a  growing  desire  among 
the  existing  libraries  is  being  keenly  realized 
and  expressed,  that  the  work  of  the  movement 
should  be  consolidated.  It  is  a  detriment  to  any 
public  movement  to  have  the  efforts  of  its  sup- 
porters divided  up  into  several  sections.  The 
value  of  the  different  libraries  actually  existing 
is  very  great,  but  if  the  various  interests  can  be 
consolidated  and  the  influence  of  the  numerous 
outlets  be  brought  into  a  focussed  centre,  the  re- 
sult cannot  fail  to  be  other  than  a  great  gain  to 
the  general  cause.  How  such  a  confederation 
of  interests  is  to  be  attained  without  destroying 
the  proper  independence  of  the  existing  institu- 
tions is  probably  not  an  insoluble  problem.  It 
is  a  matter  receiving  very  caieful  consideration, 
and  the  result  in  all  points  reached  will  be 
watched  with  interest  by  library  workers. 


A  FREE  LIBRARY  PROBLEM. 

From  the  Philadelphia.   Record. 

A  GREAT  American  metropolis  without  a 
great  public  library  is  almost  an  anomaly  in 
these  days.  Philadelphia  just  escapes  the  full 
brunt  of  this  censure,  but  must  bear  a  heavy 
weight  of  its  criticism.  She  has,  and  has  not, 
a  public  library.  This  paradox  is  visible  in  the 
new  City  Free  Library.  Ever  since  its  hasty 
formation,  only  a  little  over  a  year  ago,  and  its 
inheritance  of  the  late  George  S.  Pepper's  mu- 
nificent bequest,  the  city  has  lent  considerable 
countenance  to  its  claim  to  be  the  library  of 
the  city.  It  is  certainly  the  sole  free  library  of 
any  dignified  scope  in  the  entire  community. 
To  it  the  city  has  granted  the  temporary  oc- 
cupancy of  rooms  in  the  Public  Buildings,  and 
for  its  initial  purchase  of  books  councils  has 
already  appropriated  $10,000. 

But,  already,  despite  its  extreme  youth,  it 
has  become  painfully  evident  that  it  is  alto- 
gether too  cramped  in  its  present  narrow 
quarters.  The  question  of  a  building  site  has 
been  discussed,  indeed,  by  the  directors  without 
avail.  The  Horticultural  Hall  site  has  been  lost 
to  them  now,  upon  which  the  public  will  prob- 
ably get  a  magnificent  new  hall  instead  —  some- 
thing also  to  be  greatly  desired;  and  all  hope  of 
the  Lippincott  property  is  a  will-o'-the-wisp  of 
the  fancy.  If  the  Wisters  had  only  drawn  up 
their  will  a  little  sooner,  the  problem  would  find 
its  easy  solution  at  hand.  As  it  is,  the  $250,000 
Pepper  bequest,  with  all  the  demands  upon  it, 
can  scarcely  insure  a  suitable  library.  A  sub- 
scription fund  will  be  necessitated,  if  no  consoli- 
dation of  the  present  library  interests  of  this 
city  can  be  effected.  It  is  precisely  this  question 
which  now  confronts  the  community.  Public 
sentiment  alone,  it  seems,  will  be  able  to  awaken 
the  library  directors  of  the  city  from  their  apathy 
to  the  public  welfare. 

Not  that  Philadelphia  is  not  to-day,  and  has 
not  been  in  the  past,  bountifully  blessed  in  this 
matter  of  books  ;  she  was  the  mother  of  sub- 
scription libraries  in  the  old  colonial  days,  and 
still  ranks  third  among  the  book-reading  cities  of 
the  Union.  In  special  libraries,  she  can  perhaps 
boast  of  the  best  law,  medical,  scientific,  and 
pedagogical  libraries  in  the  country.  But  in 
regard  to  her  general  libraries  — as  in  regard  to 
a  number  of  her  other  public  features,  such  as 
transportation  and  transit  —  she  is  now  under- 
going the  transition  state  from  provincial-like  to 
modern  conditions.  Her  quiet  prosperity  under 
the  old  system  has  delayed  the  crisis  until  this 
late  hour.  It  will  be  impossible,  therefore,  to 
incorporate  its  various  libraries  into  any  such 
beneficial  system  as  the  Enoch  Pratt  branch  one 
at  Baltimore.  That  was  only  possible  by  in- 
dependent origin.  In  this  old  Quaker  City,  the 
Philadelphia  Library,  with  its  most  unfortunate- 
ly located  Ridgway  branch,  cannot  from  the 
nature  of  its  development  amalgamate  with  any 
other  institution  of  the  kind,  and  this,  it  goes 
without  saying,  is  true  of  the  University  Li- 
brary. 

As  that  veteran  librarian  of  the  Mercantile 
Library,  Edmands,  declared  his  belief  some  time 


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THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[May,  '94 


ago,  there  is  no  valid  reason  why  all  the  rest  of 
the  general  libraries  of  the  city  —  including  the 
flourishing  Board  of  Education  branches  — 
should  not  consolidate  for  the  benefit  of  the 
city.  The  Mercantile  Library  would  seem  to 
have  every  inducement  to  consent  to  this  wed- 
ding. Its  old  market-place  quarters  are  totally 
unfitted  for  library  purposes  ;  its  membership  is 
falling  off  year  by  year  ;  and  its  circulation  has 
been  dying  a  slow  death  for  more  than  a  decade. 
With  its  endowments  and  property  interests,  a 
splendid  new  library  could  be  built,  in  which 
the  City  Free  Library  could  Inaugurate  a  nota- 
able  reign.  It  is  not  out  of  the  question,  there- 
fore, to  hope  for  a  federation,  of  all  these 
different  libraries.  An  assembly  of  all  the 
librarians  and  directors  of  the  city,  called  for  a 
deliberation  over  this  serious  problem,  could 
easily  devise  a  compromise  between  all  their 
conflicting  interests  and  particular  conditions, 
and  Philadelphia  be  enriched  with  a  new  sys- 
tem of  three,  or  at  most  four,  great  and  ade- 
quate branches,  harmoniously  working  under  a 
board  of  city  commissioners  with  the  mayor  and 
president  of  councils  at  the  head. 


INFLUENCE  OF  THE  WORLD'S  FAIR 
ON  READING  IN  CHICAGO. 

LIBRARIAN  HILD,  of  the  Chicago  Public  Li- 
brary, is  authority  for  the  statement  that  the 
influence  of  the  World's  Fair  on  general  reading 
In  that  city  is  noticeable  to  a  surprising  degree. 
It  is  seen  in  an  increased  and  increasing  demand 
for  art,  classic  and  scientific  literature,  by  the 
users  of  the  library.  To  meet  this  demand  Mr. 
Hild  has  been  obliged  to  duplicate  his  list  of 
works,  which  have  hitherto  been  desired  only 
for  reference  use.  He  says:  "  I  have  observed 
that  the  demand  for  the  books  on  the  subjects 
of  art,  architecture,  and  language  is  about  200 
per  cent,  larger  than  it  was  last  year  at  this  time, 
and  the  call  for  books  on  scientific  subjects  is  40 
per  cent,  to  50  per  cent,  larger.  We  are  asked 
to  obtain  additions  to  the  stock  of  foreign  books, 
and  it  is  necessary  to  make  importations  every 
few  weeks.  I  take  it  that  these  foreign  works  — 
Italian,  French,  and  Spanish  —  are  chiefly  called 
for  by  native  Americans,  and  not  by  foreign- 
born  citizens  and  residents.  These  changes  seem 
to  have  been  brought  about  by  the  World's  Fair. 
However  that  may  be,  the  fact  is  that  there  is  less 
call  for  fiction  and  more  for  literary  and  scientific 
works.  It  frequently  happens  that  nearly  all  the 
books  issued  in  one  day  are  from  the  shelves 
classified  as  fine  arts,  literature,  and  philosophy." 

In  the  scientific  field  electricity  seems  to 
monopolize  the  attention  of  readers,  and  it  is 
noted  that  borrowers  do  not  now  ask  for  com- 
mon-science primers  and  elementary  manuals; 
they  want  definite  and  exhaustive  information, 
and  will  not  be  content  with  books  which,  at  the 
beginning  of  the  World's  Fair,  were  wholly 
satisfactory.  Books  on  art  are  in  unusual  de- 
mand; and  the  change  is  specially  marked  in 
the  department  of  literature.  It  is  a  curious 
fact  that  in  this  latter  field  a  general  devotion  to 
Italian  literature  is  disclosing  itself  —  particular- 
ly in  connection  with  notes,  commentaries,  and 
expositions  relating  to  Dante  and  his  work. 


THE  NEW  READING-ROOM   IN  THE 
NEWBERRY  LIBRARY. 

THE  Newberry  Library  has  already  outgrown 
the  general  reading-room  with  which  it  opened 
in  November,  1893,  and  a  large  and  permanent 
one  has  just  been  fitted  up  on  the  second  floor, 
immediately  over  the  principal  entrance.  Some 
account  of  this  room  may  possibly  prove  of  in- 
terest to  the  readers  of  the  JOURNAL. 

Its  dimensions  are  60  ft.  by  45,  lighted  by  six 
large  windows  on  the  south  side,  looking  out 
over  Washington  Square,  and  by  eight  on  the 
north,  opening  into  a  corridor.  There  are  also 
two  smaller  windows  in  the  bay  of  the  front 
fa9ade,  one  east  and  one  west,  so  that  the  general 
aspect  of  the  room  is  very  bright,  sunny,  and 
cheerful.  The  ceiling  is  supported  by  six  large 
pillars,  which,  with  the  walls,  are  tinted  pale 
green,  forming  a  pleasing  contrast  with  the 
deep  red  tiling  of  the  floor,  which  is  partly 
covered  by  broad  strips  of  cocoa  matting. 
Against  the  east  wall  are  cases  filled  with  dic- 
tionaries and  encyclopaedias,  and  immediately  in 
front  of  them  stands  a  specially  designed  table 
for  atlases  and  other  large  books  of  reference. 
On  the  west  wall  are  periodical  cases,  containing 
the  current  numbers  of  557  periodicals.  One 
division  is  set  apart  for  University  Extension 
books,  and  Poole's  Index  has  a  table  to  itself  in 
one  corner. 

The  room  is  open  from  9  a.m.  to  10  p.m., 
with  an  average  daily  attendance  of  120  readers, 
and  the  amount  of  steady  reading  and  studying 
accomplished  is  certainly  beyond  the  average. 
There  is  absolutely  no  loafing.  The  reading- 
room  page  makes  it  one  of  his  duties  to  arouse 
any  reader  who  may  be  dropping  off  into  a  nap, 
and  his  kindly  offices,  though  seldom  needed,  are 
always  well  received. 

The  periodical  reading  tables  are  made  of 
polished  white  oak,  with  sloping  tops  and  a  foot- 
rest,  each  table  accommodating  10  readers, 
allowing  to  each  two-and-a-half  feet  of  space. 
For  study,  where  several  books  are  required, 
tables  with  flat  tops  are  provided,  and  any  one 
who  chooses  can  appropriate  a  small  one  for  his 
individual  use.  Fountain  pens  may  be  used,  but 
no  other  ink  is  permitted. 

The  electric  lights  are  very  well  arranged,  so 
that  the  effect  at  night  is  remarkably  restful. 
For  every  two  readers  there  is  one  lamp  of  16 
candle-power,  with  a  pretty  green  glass  shade, 
casting  a  clear,  soft,  and  subdued  light.  The 
room,  always  attractive,  is  doubly  so  under  its 
evening  aspect.  The  south  window-sills  are  filled 
with  growing  plants  in  pots,  and  a  reader  will 
often  speak  of  the  relief  their  greenness  affords 
to  his  tired  eyes. 

The  silence  which  reigns  in  the  room  is  almost 
unbroken.  Outside  the  swing-door  is  a  notice, 
"  Silence  must  be  observed  in  this  room,"  and 
on  entering,  the  eye  of  the  visitor  is  at  once 
arrested  by  the  word  "Silence"  in  letters 
to  inches  long,  on  two  opposite  pillars.  The 
attendants  are  hardly  ever  obliged  to  call  atten- 
tion to  the  rule,  and  even  our  dear  Dr.  Poole, 
when  he  one  day  wanted  to  speak  to  me,  beckoned 
me  into  the  corridor,  saying  that  he  did  not  dare  to 


May,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


169 


say  a  word  before  those  signs.  All  the  chairs 
have  rubber  tips, .as  have  all  the  footstools.  The 
whole  atmosphere  of  the  room  is  thoroughly 
studious  and  graceful,  and  it  often  seems  really 
remarkable  that  the  authorities  of  a  very  new 
library,  in  the  midst  of  a  rushing,  nineteenth- 
century  city,  should  have  been  able  to  contrive  a 
reading-room  as  quiet  and  unworldly  and  leis- 
urely as  any  which  is  to  be  found  in  the  hoary 
pile  of  a  cathedral,  or  in  the  ancient  library  of 
some  old  university  city. 

FLORENCE  BROOKS, 

In  charge  of  reading-room. 


WHAT     REGULATES     POPULARITY     IN 

BOOKS  —  A  LIBRARY  PUZZLE. 

Front  the  New  York  Sun. 

WHAT  controls  and  directs  the  tides  of  the 
ocean  is  not  much  more  of  a  mystery  than  the 
causes  of  the  tides  of  popularity  which  certain 
books  and  certain  classes  of  reading  have,  as 
shown  in  the  great  libraries.  The  most  ex- 
perienced librarians  confess  their  inability  to  do 
more  than  roughly  approximate  in  this  respect. 
A  book  which  they  have  every  reason  to  believe 
will  be  popular  will  be  bought  in  large  numbers, 
will  be  bulletined  to  the  subscribers  of  the  li- 
brary, and  conspicuously  placarded  within  its 
walls,  and  then  remain  on  the  shelves  uncalled 
for.  On  the  other  hand,  a  book  which  has  ap- 
parently gone  out  of  date  to  such  an  extent  that 
the  librarian  deems  its  room  more  valuable 
than  its  presence,  will  be  sold,  a  few  copies  only 
being  retained;  and  then  suddenly,  unexpected- 
ly, and  for  some  cause  which  many  times  is 
hunted  for  in  vain,  the  book  will  be  in  such 
demand  that  another  purchase  of  copies  is  neces- 
sary. 

Although  the  greatest  causes  of  these  tides  of 
popularity  have  not  been  determined,  in  many 
instances  the  librarians  can  trace  out  the  minor 
causes.  A  few  years  ago  the  "  Story  of  an  Afri- 
can farm,"  by  Olive  Schreiner,  enjoyed  a  rather 
languid  vogue.  Calls  for  it  became  less  and  less, 
and  had  almost  ended,  when  two  books,  "The 
heavenly  twins,"  and  "  Ships  that  pass  in  the 
night,"  became  very  popular.  Following  the 
tremendous  demand  for  these  two  books  at  the 
libraries,  a  revival  of  the  demand  of  the  "Afri- 
can farm  "  was  observed,  until  the  popularity  of 
that  book  in  its  revival  far  exceeded  its  original 
vogue.  It  is  not  probable  that  any  literary  re- 
viewer has  thought  to  compare,  say,  "  Ships 
that  pass  in  the  night"  with  the  "African 
farm,"  yet  librarians  trace  the  revival  of  inter- 
est in  the  latter  book  to  the  popularity  of  the 
other  two  mentioned,  as  directly  as  the  call  for 
the  other  works  of  Gen.  Lew  Wallace  to  the 
success  of  "  Ben-Hur."  When  "Ben-Hur" 
achieved  its  delayed  popularity  every  experienced 
librarian  looked  up  his  supply  of  other  books  by 
Wallace,  and,  just  as  naturally,  when  "The 
prince  of  India"  was  published,  ordered  a  large 
number  of  copies  of  that.  But  there  again  came 
a  confusion  as  to  what  causes  popularity  and  un- 
popularity. The  library  readers  will  not  have 


"  The  prince  of  India."  Of  course  if  any  one 
could  only  tell  why,  he  could  patent  the  secret 
and  sell  it  for  large  sums  in  promissory  notes  to 
all  the  authors  in  the  land.  Some  of  the  librari- 
ans say  that  it  is  simply  for  the  reason  that 
"  The  prince  of  India"  is  too  big  a  book. 

They  have  quite  another  way  of  judging  these 
things  than  the  reviewers  have.  A  big  book 
published  by  an  author  whose  popularity  is  es- 
tablished will  sell  probably  as  many  copies  as 
author  and  publisher  estimate;  but  there,  again, 
the  librarians  look  at  these  things  differently 
from  publishers.  They  say  that  big  books  may 
sell  when  they  are  written  by  a  popular  author, 
but  they  will  not  be  read.  Henry  James'  "  Bos- 
tonians,"  in  the  library  editions,  confesses  to 
something  like  800  pages.  When  it  was  first 
put  on  the  library  shelves  it  was  called  for  by 
the  Jamesites  with  avidity.  They  took  it  out  of 
the  library,  hugging  it  Lto  their  bosoms.  They 
returned  it  quarter  read,  half  read,  sometimes 
two-thirds  read,  but  wholly  read  !  oh,  so  sel- 
dom ! 

But  it  won't  do  to  go  too  far  on  these  lines  in 
drawing  a  conclusion.  Short  stories  are  very 
seldom  called  for  in  libraries.  A  volume  of  one 
story  of  average  length,  say  from  80,000  to  100,- 
ooo  words,  will  be  called  for  three  times  when  a 
volume  of  short  stories  by  the  same  author  is 
called  for  once.  These  figures  do  not  correspond, 
somehow,  with  a  great  deal  that  has  been  writ- 
ten lately  on  the  popularity  of  the  short  story. 
But  the  people  who  take  books  out  of  libraries, 
the  regular,  persistent,  eager  readers  of  fiction, 
impolitely  refuse  to  be  guided  in  their  selection 
by  what  is  written  about  books.  They  seem  to 
be  a  class  quite  apart  from  the  bookbuyers. 
Whether  they  have  greater  or  less  literary  judg- 
ment need  not  be  considered,  although  it  might 
be  highly  interesting. 

Library  readers  will  sometimes  wear  to  rags 
and  tatters  a  class  of  books,  or  books  relating  to 
an  epoch,  when  the  booksellers  are  oblivious  of 
the  fact  that  any  one  is  interested  in  those  pub- 
lications. 

Sometimes  the  librarians  can  account  for  these 
phenomena,  but  to  do  so  they  must  keep  track 
of  current  theatrical  events,  and  current  politics, 
and  sometimes  even  of  sensational  court  trials. 
The  performance  of  "  Beau  Brummel,"  for  in- 
stance, will  keep  the  library  clerks  busy  digging 
out  historical  works,  biographies,  and  memoirs 
relating  to  the  Regency  period  of  George  iv. 
An  international  disturbance,  or  a  prominence 
given  to  international  questions,  as  the  Behring 
Sea  controversy,  the  Hawaiian  question,  the 
Chilian  episode,  will  result  in  not  only  a  demand 
for  books  directly  on  international  law,  but  for 
the  lives  of  statesmen  and  diplomats  who  have 
been  prominent  in  international  controversies. 
Library  attendants  very  soon  get  over  all  sur- 
prises at  the  apparent  lack  of  relation  between 
the  person  calling  for  a  book  and  the  book 
called  for. 

In  fact,  the  whole  question  seems  to  be  one  of 
non-relation.  The  mechanic  is  always  calling 
for  somebody's  history  of  the  Geneva  Conven- 
tion, or  some  other  book  as  distantly  related  to 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[May,  '94 


his  calling;  and  the  head  of  a  big  establishment 
in  the  dry-goods  district  is  as  like  as  not  to  stop 
in  at  the  library  on  his  way  up-town  and  pick  out 
somebody's  thesis  on  the  precession  of  the  equi- 


THE  LIBRARIAN  IN  PRUSSIA. 

As  an  interesting  illustration  of  "  the  formality 
that  doth  hedge  a  librarian  in  Prussia,"  Mr.  H: 
L.  Koopman,  of  Brown  University  Library, 
sends  to  the  JOURNAL  a  translation  of  the  Prus- 
sian act  denning  the  qualifications  of  a  librarian. 
A  careful  perusal  of  this  document  should  make 
even  the  most  pessimistic  of  American  librarians 
"  remember  their  marcies."  The  act  was  print- 
ed in  the  Centralblatt  fur  Bibliothtkswesen(v.  II, 
p.  77-79).  It  runs  as  follows  : 

ACT 

in  regard  to  qualifying  for  the  trained  (wissen- 
schaftlicheii)  library  service  at  the  Royal  Library 
in  Berlin  and  the  Royal  University  Libraries. 

1.  The   qualification   for   appointment   in  the 
trained  library  service  shall  be  attained   through 
a  two -years'  volunteer  service  at  the  Royal  Li- 
brary in  Berlin,  or  one  of  the  Royal  University 
Libraries,  and  through  the   special  library  ex- 
amination. 

2.  For  admission  to  the  volunteer  service  the 
following  evidence  is  required  : 

a.  the  diploma  of    a  German  classical  gym- 
nasium ; 

b.  evidence  that  the  applicant  has  passed  with 
good  standing  the  first  examination  in  the- 
ology, the  first  examination  in  law,  the  ex- 
amination in  medicine,  or  the  examination 
for  the  position  of  teacher  in  higher  schools; 

-  or  has  fulfilled  the  prescribed  conditions  for 
taking  a  degree  at  a  German  university; 

c.  evidence  that  the  applicant  has  been  pro- 
moted   by    a    German    university,  on    the 
ground   of    a   printed  dissertation  and  oral 
examination,  to   the   rank   of  doctor  or  li- 
centiate ; 

d.  a  testimonial  of  previous  conduct ; 

e.  a  physician's  health  certificate  ; 

/.  evidence  that  the  applicant  is  assured  of 
such  means  as  appear  requisite  to  the  sup- 
port of  a  person  of  his  station  for  two 
years. 

3.  Application  for  admission  as  volunteer  shall 
be  addressed  to  the  library  superintendent. 

To  the  application  must  be  added,  besides  the 
evidence  required  under  2,  also:  an  autograph 
life-sketch  of  the  applicant,  his  military  certifi- 
cate, and  testimonials  concerning  his  university 
study,  and  any  later  occupation. 

4.  The  volunteer  shall  be  pledged  on  his  en- 
trance by  a  handshake  in  the  place  of  an  oath. 

5.  The  employment  of  the  volunteer  shall  be  so 
arranged   that,  as   far  as  possible,  he  may  be- 
come  acquainted  with  all  branches   of   library 
business. 

The  volunteer,  even  if  he  has  previously  been 


employed  in  another  library,  shall  be  free  to 
spend  the  second  year  of  his  volunteer  service  at 
the  University  Library  in  Goettingen,  provided 
that  he  intends  to  devote  himself  at  that  univer- 
sity for  two  semesters  to  the  study  of  library 
economy  (Bibliothekshulfswissenschafteri). 

6.  The  special  library  examination  shall  be  held 
by  the  examining  commission  appointed  by  the 
minister  for  spiritual,  etc.,  affairs,  which  shall 
consist  of  the  president  and  two  associates. 

Application  for  admission  shall  be  addressed 
to  the  examining  commission. 

Admission  is  conditioned  on  evidence  that  the 
applicant  has  shown  himself  capable  in  the  vol- 
unteer service.  Besides  this  evidence  there 
must  be  added  to  the  application:  the  documents 
required  in  i  a  -d,  and  3;  and,  provided  the  vol- 
unteer has  devoted  himself  to  the  study  of 
library  economy  in  the  University  of  Goettingen, 
the  testimonials  thereto  appertaining. 

7.  The  examination  shall  be  oral,  and  directed 
chiefly  to  determining  whether  the  candidate  has 
gained  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  science  of 
library     management     (Bibliotheksverwaltuttgs- 
lehre),  bibliographical  helps,  and  general  literary 
history.     In  addition  shall  be  required  a  knowl- 
edge sufficient  for  bibliographical  work,  of  the 
English,  French,  and  Italian  languages,  and  a 
general  acquaintance  with  the  history  of  writing 
and  books.     It  will  be  to  the  candidate's  advan- 
tage if  he  has  gained  special  knowledge  in  the 
lines  of  palaeography  and   the    science    of    in- 
cunabula. 

8.  The  question  whether  the  examination  has 
been  passed,  and  whether  "  sufficiently,"  "well," 
or   "  with    distinction,"  shall   be   decided  by  a 
majority  vote  of  the  commission. 

9.  The  examining  commission  must  note  in  the 
records  the  particulars  and  the  total  result  of  the 
examination. 

10.  One  who  has  failed  to  pass  the  examination 
may,  on  his  application,  be  permitted  to  repeat 
the   examination   not   before   the   expiration  of 
half  a  year.     In  the  meantime  he  must  continue 
his  volunteer  service.     Not  more  than  a  single 
repetition  of  the  examination  shall  be  granted. 

11.  One  who  has  passed  the  examination  shall 
receive  a  certificate  of  the  result  from  the  presi- 
dent of  the  examining  commission.     Until  his 
appointment  he  must  continue  without  pay  the 
library  service  at  the    Royal  Library  in  Berlin 
or  one   of  the  university  libraries,   and  on  re- 
assutning  it  he  shall  be  at  once  sworn  in.     After 
being  sworn  in  he  shall  bear  the  title  of  library 
assistant. 

12.  By  University  Library  in  the  meaning  of 
this  Act  shall   be   comprehended  also  the  Pau- 
linian  Library  in  MUnster. 

13.  This  Act  shall  take  effect  April  i,  1894. 

For  the  volunteer  and  assistants  already  ad- 
mitted there  shall  be  accepted  as  a  substitute  for 
the  special  library  examination  a  certificate  of 
ability,  which  shall  be  given  by  the  library  super- 
intendent, so  far  as  this  seems  necessary,  on  the 
basis  of  a  previous  colloquy. 

Berlin,  15  December,  1893. 


May,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


171 


American  Cibrarg  Association. 

PRESIDENT  LARNED  has  just  issued  the  follow- 
ing circular,  which  has  been  sent  to  most  of  the 
members  of  the  A.  L.  A. : 

"DON'T!" 

"  Every  librarian  and  every  worker  in  a  library 
has  probably  made  attempts,  projected  under- 
takings, tried  experiments,  which  have  not  turned 
out  well.  When  such  experiences  are  consider- 
ably important  they  may  sometimes  be  reported 
to  the  A.  L.  A.,  or  published  in  the  L.  J.  But 
generally  the  benefit  of  the  warning  from  them 
is  not  passed  round  as  it  ought  to  be. 

"  Let  us  give  an  hour  of  our  next  meeting  to 
such  a  collection  of  minor  admonitions  as  we 
can  gather  out  of  the  experience  of  the  whole  A. 
L.  A.  body.  To  that  end,  I  ask  you  to  jot  down, 
in  the  briefest  possible  terms,  under  the  familiar 
expostulation  "  Don't,"  the  things  which  you 
are  led  by  your  ,own  knowledge  to  caution  li- 
brarians not  to  do.  I  suggest  that  it  be  done  with- 
out going  into  particulars  of  explanation,  which 
may  be  drawn  out  at  the  meeting,  if  necessary. 

41  The  total  result  of  this  may  be  a  considerable 
saving  of  otherwise  wasted  labor.  I  trust  you 
will  contribute  to  the  collection  of  '  Dont's,'  and 
send  them  to  me  at  as  early  a  day  as  practicable, 
with  addenda  as  they  may  occur  to  you. 

"  Very  truly  yours,         J.  N.  LARNED." 


New  f)ork  State  Cibrarj)  School. 


BOSTON  VISIT. 

THE  annual  trip  taken  by  the  New  York  State 
Library  School,  to  study  the  library  methods  of 
different  cities,  was  this  year  in  the  direction  of 
Boston  and  its  vicinity.  The  party,  numbering 
27  persons,  left  Albany  on  April  17,  and  started 
on  their  homeward  way  on  April  27.  Miss  Cut- 
ler was  an  efficient  general,  and  the  10  days 
spent  in  personal  inspection,  investigation,  and 
comparison  were  thoroughly  enjoyed  by  the 
members  of  the  school,  to  whom  the  trip  must 
prove  of  permanent  benefit.  The  itinerary  in- 
cluded a  visit  to  Hartford,  taking  in  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary  Library,  Trinity  College  Li- 
brary, Hartford  Public  Library,  and  Watkinson 
Library  of  Reference  ;  Springfield  City  Library 
was  visited,  as  was  the  Worcester  Public  Libra- 
ry, and  the  American  Antiquarian  Society  Li- 
brary, at  Worcester.  At  Boston  visits  were 
made  to  the  Athenaeum  Library,  the  Boston 
Book  Co.,  State  Library,  Library  Bureau,  Bos- 
ton Public  Library,  and  the  Newton  (Mass.) 
Free  Library.  The  school  also  visited  Wellesley 
College  Library;  Salem,  where  the  public  li- 
brary, Essex  Institute,  Peabody  Academy  of 
Science,  and  Salem  Athenseum  were  inspected, 
and  where  Dr.  Poole's  birthplace  was  hunted 
up  and  visited;  Cambridge,  including  Harvard 
College  Library,  the  Episcopal  Theological 
School  and  Cambridge  Public  Library;  and 
Lowell,  where  the  meeting  of  the  Massachusetts 
Library  Club  was  attended,  and  a  visit  made  to 
the  city  library.  Miss  Cutler  promises  a  full 
report  of  the  trip  for  the  next  number  of  the 
JOURNAL. 


State  Cibrars  Associations. 


MASSACHUSETTS  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

A  MEETING  of  the  Massachusetts  Library  Club 
was  held  April  26  in  the  Memorial  Hall  of  the 
new  City  Library  building,  at  Lowell,  Mass. 
There  was  an  attendance  of  more  than  150,  in- 
cluding the  New  York  State  Library  School, 
under  the  charge  of  Miss  M.  S.  Cutler,  vice- 
director.  Miss  James,  lately  of  the  People's 
Palace,  London,  and  Miss  Pelherbridge,  of 
Liverpool,  were  also  present. 

President  Jones  called  the  meeting  to  order  at 
10:50  a.m.,  and  asked  Mr.  Fletcher  to  speak  of 
Dr.  Poole. 

Mr.  Fletcher  said: 

"  Called  as  I  am  to  speak  of  Dr.  Poole  to 
librarians  and  to  a  number  of  young  librarians, 
I  prefer  to  address  myself  to  the  question,  What 
made  Dr.  Poole  what  he  was  as  a  librarian  ? 
In  the  first  place,  he  was  a  lover  of  books.  He 
became  a  librarian  naturally  through  this  fond- 
ness for  books.  When  in  college,  he  found  him- 
self brought  in  contact  with  a  good  library,  of 
which  he  soon  became  a  frequenter. 

"  May  we  not  well  note  this  as  the  most  legiti- 
mate basis  for  the  choice  of  librarianship  as  a 
life-work?  Nowadays  there  are  many  would-be 
librarians,  some  because  it  is  easier  than  teaching 
—  perhaps  it  is.  Some  because  it  pays  better 
than  teaching  —  perhaps  it  does  —  and  others 
for  various  reasons.  But  let  no  one  feel  called 
to  this  work  who  is  not,  like  Dr.  Poole,  a  lover 
of  books.  In  the  second  place,  he  was  pos- 
sessed of  that  almost  indefinable  quality  which 
we  call  'bookishness';  a  sort  of  sixth  sense  it 
is,  by  which  a  man  apprehends  and  appreciates 
books,  classes  of  books,  authors,  titles,  editions 
and  this  whole  world  of  bibliopolic  details  falls 
in  his  mind  into  order  and  system,  while  to  one 
without  bookishness  they  form  a  bewildering 
maze.  So  Dr.  Poole  took  naturally  to  bibliog- 
raphy, which  is  merely  bookishness  codified. 
This  is  another  prime  qualification,  is  it  not,  for 
the  librarian  ?  He  must  be  happy  not  only  in 
reading  and  studying  books,  but  in  the  mere 
handling  and  arranging  and  cataloging  of  them, 
so  that  it  is  not  a  question  when  his  working 
hours  are  over,  but  rather  when  he  can  tear 
himself  from  his  work. 

"With  Dr.  Poole  this  ready  apprehension  of 
books  manifested  itself  strikingly  in  the  fact  that 
he  soon  perceived  that  for  his  own  uses  as  a  stu- 
dent there  were  immense  stores  of  material 
locked  up  in  the  long  sets  of  periodicals  that  had 
served  only  as  '  dummies '  on  the  library  shelves. 
He  learned  to  find  this  material, and  used  it  ef- 
fectively. 

"And  just  here  we  come  to  the  manifesta- 
tion in  him  of  another  prime  qualification  for 
librarianship.  He  had  now  become  the  assistant 
librarian  of  his  society  library  (which  was  the 
one  he  had  frequented),  and  he  felt  that  it  was 
his  business,  as  it  would  be  bis  joy,  to  make  the 
books  useful.  Hence  bis  first  "  Index  to  periodi- 
cals," compiled  by  what  was  fora  college  student 
working  in  a  new  field  a  prodigious  amount  of 
labor,  and  most  wisely  conducted  labor,  too.  He 


I72 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[May,  '94 


was  willing  to  do  all  this  to  make  the  library 
more  useful  to  its  users,  and  in  this  showed  that 
prime  requisite  for  a  librarian  —  a  public-spirited 
desire  and  effort  to  make  the  library  do  its  best 
work  for  the  public  good. 

"  Dr.  Poole  was  an  intense  believer  in  the  free 
public  library.  When  in  Cincinnati  he  had  a 
newspaper  controversy  with  an  able  opponent 
of  the  public  library  supported  by  taxation  as 
an  innovation  in  the  sphere  of  government. 
Dr.  Poole's  articles  were  marked  by  signal  abil- 
ity as  a  reasoner  on  the  functions  of  govern- 
ment; but  after  all,  what  gave  them  most  force 
was  perhaps  the  serene  faith  in  his  cause,  which 
shone  in  every  word. 

"  Along  with  this  faith  in  the  free  library  sys- 
tem, Dr.  Poole  had  faith  in  the  people,  which, 
after  all,  is  nearly  the  same  thing.  In  his  day, 
more  than  in  ours,  it  was  common  for  intelligent 
men  to  question  whether  the  public  could  be 
trusted.  It  was  feared  that  they  would  misuse 
books  if  they  had  them  freely. 

"  But  Dr.  Poole  had  a  truly  democratic  faith  in 
the  people.  He  did  not  join  the  outcry  against 
a  liberal  supply  of  fiction  in  libraries,  but  on  the 
contrary  always  maintained  that  if  given  books 
such  as  they  would  read  the  public  would  read 
up  and  not  down. 

"  There  is  time  to  mention  only  one  more 
trait  in  Dr.  Poole's  character  as  a  librarian. 
He  was  intensely  progressive.  Almost  inevita- 
bly towards  the  end  of  his  life  he  was  counted 
among  the  conservatives  on  many  questions,  but 
how  wonderfully  progressive  he  was  when  most 
of  his  life-work  was  done  ! 

"  Go  back  to  his  career  in  Boston,  in  Cincin- 
nati, in  Chicago,  who  was  more  to  the  front  than 
he  in  all  essentials  of  true  progress  ?  We  hear 
much  of  the  change  which  has  come  over  libra- 
ries and  librarianship;  but  if  it  is  true  that  the 
library  was  once  regarded  as  a  mere  storehouse 
of  books  and  the  librarian  as  a  watch-dog  to  keep 
intruders  away,  while  now  the  library  has  be- 
come the  people's  literary  workshop  and  the 
librarian  the  '  guide,  counsellor,  and  friend  '  of 
the  workers  —  if  such  a  change  has  taken  place  it 
made  itself  felt  just  when  Dr.  Poole  was  in  the 
front,  and  it  is  quite  safe  to  say  that  to  no  one 
is  this  progress  and  development  due  in  a  larger 
degree  than  to  him." 

The  first  subject  for  the  day  was  bookbinding, 
and  Mr.  J.  H.  H.  McNamee,  the  well-known 
Cambridge  binder,  read  a  most  interesting  and 
valuable  paper  descriptive  of  binding  for  libra- 
ries. He  illustrated  the  process  with  samples 
of  materials,  specimens  of  binders'  tools,  and 
books  in  every  stage,  from  the  unfolded  sheet 
to  the  bound  volume,  and,  by  the  aid  of  an  ex- 
pert assistant  from  his  bindery,  and  a  sewing- 
press,  exhibited  the  important  art  of  sewing, 
"  on  which  depends,  not  only  the  strength  of  the 
book,  but  its  shape  and  manner  of  opening." 
The  mysteries  of  the  "kettle-stitch,"  "sawing 
In,"  "raised  bands,"  "two  sheets  on,"  "whip- 
stitching," etc.,  were  all  made  plain.  It  is  im- 
possible even  to  summarize  the  paper  here,  but 
the  gist  of  a  few  recommendations  may  be  indi- 
cated. In  "  lacing  in  "  the  book  to  the  covers, 
the  ends  of  the  bands  should  not  be  heavily 


worked  down,  so  as  to  pay  them  out  or  cut  the 
fibre  against  the  edge  of  the  hole.  A  slight  ele- 
vation of  the  leather  over  them  is  amply  offset 
by  the  greater  strength  obtained.  In  binding 
for  a  public  or  a  circulating  library,  have  books 
that  are  to  be  preserved  only,  or  that  will  be 
popular  but  for  a  time,  carefully  pulled  to  pieces, 
sewed  with  Hayes'  linen  thread,  rounded  and 
backed,  but  not  laced  in.  Have  the  boards 
placed  away  from  the  backs  about  %  inch,  that 
they  may  swing  easily,  and  not  tear  off  the  first 
and  last  signatures.  Give  the  back  and  joint  a 
lining  of  "  super  "  (cheese-cloth),  pasted  directly 
to  the  leaves,  and  also  to  the  inside  of  the  boards. 
Cover  with  American  duck  or  canvas,  which  will 
prove  more  lasting  than  any  other  material,  with 
the  possible  exception  of  vellum  and  the  very  best 
grade  of  levant  morocco.  For  large  folios  use 
heavy  canvas,  as  it  is  cheaper  than  sheep.  Lace 
in  every  band  to  the  boards,  which  should  be 
made  of  two  heavy  binders-boards  pasted  to- 
gether. Lettering  can  be  done  in  ink  on  the 
cloth,  or  in  gold,  or  colored  labels  pasted  to  the 
cloth. 

The  best  grade  of  morocco  (German  or  French 
goat)  is  the  leather  in  which  all  books  intended 
for  daily  use  should  be  bound,  as  it  will  retain 
its  life  and  stand  more  hard  knocks,  and  yet 
keep  a  good  appearance,  than  any  other  leather 
in  common  use.  Lace  in  every  band,  give  a 
"  super  "  joint,  and  use  a  full  open  back. 

Don't  cut  the  leaves  with  a  folder  before  send- 
ing to  the  binder;  it  makes  the  sewing  more 
difficult.  Don't  pull  to  pieces,  or  take  out  titles 
and  indexes;  the  binder  takes  care  of  that. 
Don't  take  off  advertisements ;  it  sometimes 
takes  away  numbered  pages  and  puzzles  the 
binder.  Don't  use  mucilage  or  glue  to  repair 
books  ;  your  binder  will  send  you  a  little  paste, 
or  you  can  make  it  by  boiling  floor  and  water 
with  a  little  salt.  To  make  it  keep  a  long  time, 
add  a  few  drops  of  oil  of  cloves  and  seal  up. 
Give  the  binder  general  rules  for  cutting  books, 
placing  plates,  binding  in  "ads."  and  covers, 
style  of  lettering,  etc.  In  the  case  of  special 
volumes,  made  up  of  leaves  taken  from  other 
volumes,  place  every  leaf  in  correct  order,  and 
write  directions  very  carefully.  Finally  use  a 
schedule,  with  spaces  for  schedule  number, 
name  of  book,  and  lettering  for  each  volume, 
description  of  binding,  and  the  price.  The 
binder  will  then  have  a  complete  order  on  a  large 
sheet  which  he  Is  no  danger  of  losing.  "  I  have 
mislaid  or  lost,"  said  Mr.  McNamee,  "  hundreds 
of  lettering  slips,  which  are  the  bane  of  a  bind- 
er's existence."  The  schedule  gives  the  librarian 
a  complete  list  of  books  sent  and  returned,  while 
by  laying  them  away  a  very  complete  list  of 
prices  is  preserved  for  reference. 

At  the  close  of  the  paper  the  club  inspected 
the  beautiful  building  in  which  the  library  is 
housed,  and, by  the  kindness  of  the  trustees,  en- 
joyed a  bountiful  lunch.  In  the  afternoon,  a 
vote  of  thanks  to  the  trustees  and  librarian  hav- 
ing been  passed,  the  subject  of  binding  was  re- 
sumed. The  secretary  read  some  notes  in  which 
Mr.  Kiernan,  superintendent  of  circulation  in 
Harvard  College  Library,  had  set  down  some  re- 
sults of  his  experience.  "  Good  judgment  is  re- 


May,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


173 


quired  of  the  sewer;  if  the  thread  is  drawn  too 
tightly  the  sewing  will  break  out,  while  with 
loose  sewing  the  book  will  be  flimsy."  "  For 
lining  the  back  we  use  a  thin  paper,  but  tough. 
If  the  back  is  stiffened  too  much  the  book  will 
open  badly,  and  sewing  be  likely  to  break  out. 
We  use  tight  backs  for  small  thin  books,  and 
loose  backs  for  large  thick  books.  The  sewing 
and  manner  of  attaching  the  covers  to  the  book 
is  much  more  important  than  the  kind  of  cover- 
ing used,  as  nine  out  of  ten  books  break  in  the 
sewing  before  the  cover  is  worn  much."  A 
schedule  similar  to  that  described  by  Mr.  Mc- 
Namee  is  used,  and  the  record  of  books  at  the 
binders  is  kept  on  catalog  cards  for  periodicals 
(these  being  permanently  preserved),  and  ma- 
nila  slips  for  other  books.  The  binder  keeps  a 
pile  of  rub-off  patterns  of  periodical  bindings, 
which  are  referred  to  by  numbers.  Mr.  Fletcher 
defended  the  use  of  lettering  slips  as  the  best 
guide  to  the  binder,  and  said  that  when  cloth 
books  were  rebound  he  had  the  original  title  cut 
out  and  pasted  on  to  the  new  back.  At  no 
greater  cost,  the  original  look  of  the  book  was 
more  nearly  indicated.  This  style  could  be 
briefly  ordered  as  "so  many  vols.  rebound  in 
cloth,  titles  transferred." 

Mr.  A.  C.*  Potter,  head  of  the  ordering  de- 
partment in  Harvard  College  Library,  spoke  on 
foreign  bindings.  He  praised  English  work,  but 
found  the  cost  greater  than  with  us  (66-78  cents 
for  i6mos,  80  cents  for  i2mos,  $1.02 -$1.26  for 
8vos).  French  binding  is  satisfactory  in  work- 
manship and  appearance  if  close  watch  is  kept 
(30  cents  for  I2mos,  43  cents  for'Svos,  59-82  cents 
for  1.  8vos;  this  includes  7^  %  agent's  commis- 
sion). The  criticisms  made  a  while  ago  upon 
Leipzig  bindings  were  unmerited,  according  to 
his  experience.  The  books,  however,  are  not 
laced  in,  and  the  cost  is  more  than  in  France 
(50-64  cents  for  i6mos,  57-68  cents  for  I2mos, 
66  cents- $1.02  for  8vos). 

Miss  Sargent,  of  Medford  Public  Library,  said 
that  in  binding  fiction  it  was  inexpedient  for 
small  libraries  either  to  wait  or  pay  for  the  best 
work.  Books  to  be  covered  can  be  bound  for 
20-  25  cents  for  I2mos  and  i6mos,  while  a  good 
binding  for  uncovered  books  cost  40  cents.  Very 
satisfactory  was  the  "  duro-flexile"  binding, 
done  by  Cedric  Chivers,  of  Bath,  England.  It 
looks  well,  opens  well,  and  is  reasonable  in  cost. 

Mr.  Jones  recommended  for  pamphlets  the 
covers  used  by  the  Boston  Public  Library. 
They  cost  10  cents  for  I2mos  and  12  cents  for 
8vos,  and  a  charge  of  5  cents  is  made  for  stitch- 
ing in  the  pamphlet. 

Mr.  Tillinghast  showed  a  pamphlet  sewed 
through  and  through  and  covered  without  let- 
tering for  10  cents.  He  also  showed  a  sample 
of  pamphlet-binding  done  in  Germany  in  % 
linen,  lettered,  and  costing  19  to  26  cents. 

Mr.  Andrews,  of  the  Massachusetts  Institute 
of  Technology,  had  found  it  a  good  plan  to  have 
the  front  cover  of  pamphlets  pasted  on  to  the 
outside  of  the  front  board. 

The  discussion  on  binding  then  closed,  and 
after  Miss  Cutler,  in  behalf  of  the  Library 
School,  had  thanked  the  trustees  for  their  wel- 
come in  Lowell,  and  had  expressed  her  pleasure 


at  the  opportunities  which  had  everywhere  been 
placed  before  the  school,  the  club  took  up  the 
subject  of  charging  systems. 

Mr.  Bolton,  of  the  Brookline  Public  Library, 
in  opening  the  discussion,  said  that  charging 
systems  fall  into  two  classes  —  the  ledger  system, 
and  various  forms  of  the  slip  system.  The 
charging  system  is  intended  primarily  to  record 
borrowers  and  loans;  it  is  often  made  to  serve 
as  a  means  of  collecting  statistics.  The  latter 
use  does  not  justify  any  measures  that  lengthen 
the  time  the  public  must  wait  at  the  desk.  A 
minute  analysis  of  circulation  may  stimulate  a 
librarian,  but  it  may  also  make  him  morbid. 
Too  elaborate  statistics  work  to  the  injury  of 
the  public,  and  make  us,  in  Mr.  Cutter's  words, 
appear  like  children  who  pull  up  their  plants  to 
see  if  they  are  growing.  Let  a  librarian  go 
about  among  the  readers  and  he  will  get  a  more 
vivid  idea  of  the  character  of  their  reading  than 
statistics  will  give  him.  Of  the  20  questions 
which  might  be  answered  by  the  charging  sys- 
tem, as  set  forth  at  the  Cincinnati  conference  in 
1882  (LIBRARY  JOURNAL,  7:181),  five,  viz.:  i,  2, 
4,  7,  14,  would  suffice  for  all  legitimate  pur- 
poses, and  14  could  be  dispensed  with  ;  the 
others  are  of  doubtful  utility,  or  can  be  an- 
swered by  other  means.  Let  us  simplify  even 
at  the  expense  of  our  statistics. 

Miss  Thurston  described  the  single  temporary 
slip  .used  at  the  Newton  Library.  The  book 
number  and  registration  are  entered  on  the  slip, 
and  the  date  stamped  on  the  borrower's  card. 
The  date  is  not  stamped  on  the  slip  until  after 
the  borrower  has  gone.  The  slips  are  arranged 
by  book  number  and  kept  in  an  L.  B.  tray.  Blue 
slips  are  for  scholars'  use,  and  red  for  teachers'. 

Mr.  Hayes,  of  Somerville  Public  Library,  said 
that  he  had  seen  at  Dover,  N.  H.,  12  books  a 
minute  delivered  by  three  assistants  with  a  sys- 
tem somewhat  similar  to  Miss  Thurston's.  The 
receiving  and  not  the  delivery  desk,  keeps  the 
public  waiting.  Of  what  use  is  it  to  stamp  the 
date  of  return  upon  the  card  ? 

Mr.  Foster  said  : 

"The  '  temporary  slip'  represents  the  more 
rudimentary  form  of  the  very  ingenious  idea  of 
representing  the  long  title  of  a  book  and  the 
equally  long  name  of  the  borrower,  respectively, 
by  the  short  number,  thus  saving  very  much 
time  in  charging.  The  '  permanent  slip,'  as 
developed  by  Mr.  Cutter  and  others,  aims  to  go 
still  further,  and  make  the  file  of  slips  answer  a 
considerable  number  of  different  kinds  of  ques- 
tions. The  simplest  form  is  that  which  has  one 
slip  in  each  book,  and  stamps  the  current  date, 
at  the  time  of  issuing  the  book,  (i)  on  the  card, 
(2)  on  the  slip,  and  files  the  slips  in  the  order  of 
the  book-numbers.(a)  Another  variety  is  a  two- 
slip  system,  and  files  one  set  of  slips  in  the  order 
of  the  book-numbers,  and  the  other  in  the  order 
of  the  borrower-numbers,  thus  keeping  an  ac- 
count with  each. (3)  Still  another  variety  is  that 
which,  while  it  calls  for  one  slip  only  on  issuing 
the  book,  stamps  the  date  in  a  third  place  (either 
on  the  pocket  (c)  or  at  the  front  of  the  book  (<f) 
—  in  any  case  somewhere  on  or  about  the  book). 

"The  distinction  which  Mr.  Bolton  has  indi- 
cated between  systems  which  aim  at  fulness  of 


174 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


'94 


statistics  and  those  which  aim  at  rapidity  of  de- 
livery, is  probably  more  apparent  than  real,  since 
several  of  those  which  are  exceptionally  explicit 
in  statistical  information  are  also  those  which 
come  nearest  to  the  minimum  waiting  time  for 
the  reader.  In  the  effort  to  reduce  this  time  to  a 
minimum,  the  librarian  is  forced  to  take  account 
of  three  principal  sets  of  operations  :  (i)  those 
of  the  clerk  at  the  receiving-desk,  (2)  those  of 
the  messenger  who  goes  to  the  shelves  for  the 
book,  and  (3)  those  of  the  clerk  at  the  delivery, 
desk.  The  pressure,  in  the  case  of  nearly  every 
slip  system,  does  not  come  at  the  delivery-desk, 
for  here  there  is  no  wriiiog  to  do,  and  the  use 
of  a  dating-stamp  is  all  that  is  necessary.  If, 
however,  any  relief  can  be  gained  at  the  receiv- 
ing-desk, where  — even  with  the  arrangement  of 
the  slips  in  their  proper  order  —  it  is  necessary  to 
do  something  like  '  searching'  before  the  finger 
rests  on  the  exact  slip  wanted,  it  will  be  a  very 
real  help.  For  this  reason  the  Paterson  or  New- 
ark plan,  by  which  the  books  can  be  taken  in  at 
the  receiving-desk,  with  the  necessity  for  stamp- 
ing the  date  in  one  place  only  —  the  borrower's 
card  —  has  a  manifest  superiority  over  the  other 
systems,  in  the  matter  of  reducing  time  of  wait- 
ing to  a  minimum,  since  the  slips  can  be  looked 
up  in  the  file,  at  some  subsequent  time,  from  the 
date  on  the  book  itself.  The  third  factor  in  the 
effort  to  secure  this  'minimum'  is  the  visiting 
of  the  shelves.  If  the  first  book  found  '  in  ' 
is  the  last  of  a  list  of  25,  the  efforts  already 
referred  to  at  the  receiving-desk  and  delivery- 
desk  are  to  that  extent  neutralized.  The  plan 
of  '  open  shelves,'  in  any  one  of  its  various  forms, 
is  obviously  of  practical  assistance  here(<r),  since 
the  borrower  finds  his  own  book,  and  thus  no 
time  that  is  counted  is  consumed  between  the 
receiving-desk  and  the  delivery-desk." 

Mr.  Lane  said  that  at  the  Boston  Athense- 
um  they  were  now  stamping  on  the  borrower's 
card  at  delivery  the  date  when  the  book  should 
be  returned  instead  of  the  date  of  issue.  Mr. 
Andrews,  of  the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Tech- 
nology, called  the  attention  of  the  club  to  a  list 
of  books  for  boys  prepared  by  a  club  of  young 
men  in  Boston,  and  said  he  should  be  glad  to 
furnish  the  secretary's  address  to  those  inter- 
ested. 

The  meeting  adjourned  shortly  after  4  p.m. 
A  few  members,  who  resisted  the  enticements  of 
the  4:30  Boston  train,  visited  the  Middlesex 
Mechanics'  Association  Library,  and  paid  tribute 
to  the  delightful  day  by  riding  out  to  the  Falls, 
while  some,  still  more  enterprising,  penetrated 
to  the  recesses  of  North  Chelmsford.  All,  how- 
ever, are  believed  to  have  ultimately  reached 
home  in  safety. 

W:  H.  TILLINGHAST,  Secretary. 

(a)  That  of  the  Providence  Public  Library. 

(6)  That  of  the  Boston  Athenaeum  (LIBRARY  JOURNAL, 
4:  445-46),  and  that  of  the  Milwaukee  Public  Library 
(LIBRARY  JOURNAL,  7 : 178  -  82). 

(c)  In  use  in  the  public  libraries  of  Paterson,  N.  J., 
Newark,  N.  J.,  Salem,  Mass.,  'and  other  places.     Sug- 
gested by  the  late  Mr.  John  F.  Sargent. 

(d)  As  in  the  Cambridge  Public  Library. 

(e)  For  further  references  on  charging  systems,    see 
those  Riven  by  S.  S.  Green  (LIBRARY  JOURNAL,  6:  108-9,) 
and  H.  J.  Carr  (LIBRARY  JOURNAL.  14  :  213-14).    See  also 
the  abstract  of  Miss  Plummer's  Chicago  paper  (LIBRARY 
JOURNAL,  18:  242-46.) 


NEW  HAMPSHIRE  LIBRARY  ASSOCIA  TION. 

THE  meeting  of  the  New  Hampshire  Library 
Association  at  Dover,  on  April  27,  was  the  most 
successful  one  that  has  ever  been  held.  The  as- 
sociation assembled  at  the  forenoon  session  in 
the  public  library  rooms,  and  after  an  address  of 
welcome  by  Mayor  Foss,  of  Dover,  and  opening 
remarks  by  the  president,  Hon.  W.  W.  Bailey, 
Miss  Pickering,  trustee  of  the  Langdon  Library 
at  Newington,  read  an  entertaining  paper  on 
"The  difficulties  of  starting  a  public  library," 
and  I.  E.  Pearl,  of  Rochester,  gave  a  talk  on 
"  Rebinding  :  various  styles  and  prices."  Then 
followed  a  valuable  discussion  on  the  subject  of 
rebinding  by  various  members  of  the  associa- 
tion. 

The  afternoon  session  was  held  in  the  recep- 
tion-room of  the  city  building,  and  there  were 
present  a  large  number  of  teachers  and  other 
citizens  of  Dover  in  addition  to  the  members  of 
the  association.  At  this  session  Miss  James, 
librarian  of  the  People's  Palace,  London,  gave 
an  interesting  account  of  the  founding  of  the 
People's  Palace  and  the  work  that  is  done 
there  for  the  lower  classes  of  the  East  End.  C. 
C.  Rounds,  Ph.D.,  principal  of  the  State  Nor- 
mal School,  then  delivered  a  thoughtful  and 
able  address  on  "  What  the  public  school  would 
like  of  the  library."  The  last  address  of  the 
session  on  the  subject,  "What  the  libraries  are 
doing  for  the  schools,"  was  by  O.  S.  Davis,  of 
Lakeport,  who  gave  a  detailed  account  of  the 
methods  pursued  in  various  libraries  for  making 
the  library  an  aid  in  the  work  of  the  public 
schools. 

At  the  close  of  Dr.  Rounds'  address,  it  was 
voted  that  a  committee,  of  which  Dr.  Rounds 
should  be  chairman,  be  appointed  to  prepare  a 
list  of  books  suitable  for  the  younger  pupils  in 
the  schools,  which  list  is  to  be  printed  and  dis- 
tributed to  the  librarians  throughout  the  state. 
The  other  members  of  the  committee  have  not 
yet  been  announced. 

The  following  resolutions  in  recognition  of  the 
eminent  services  of  Dr.  Poole  were  adopted  by 
the  association  : 

"  WHEREAS,  It  has  pleased  Divine  Providence  to  call 
hence  William  Frederick  Poole,  LL.D.,  librarian  of 
Newberry  Library,  Chicago,  and  author  of  "  Poole's  In- 
dex of  periodical  literature  ;  "  therefore  be  it 

"Resolved,  That  the  New  Hampshire  Library  Asso- 
ciation, now  assembled  in  session,  desire  to  express  their 
sense  of  the  loss  the  library  interests  of  the  country  have 
sustained  in  the  death  of  Dr.  Poole,  and  their  profound 
conviction  that  his  influence  will  ever  be  felt  in  the  con- 
stantly widening  library  movement  of  this  country; 

"  Resolved^  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to 
the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  and  to  the  family  of  Dr.  Poole." 

Mr.  Folsom,  superintendent  of  schools  in 
Dover,  took  occasion  to  express  his  thanks  and 
to  render  a  well-deserved  tribute  to  Miss  Gar- 
land, librarian,  and  to  the  trustees  of  the  Dover 
Library  for  their  valuable  co-operation  with  the 
public  schools  of  the  city,  and  then  the  meeting 
adjourned. 

After  adjournment,  refreshments,  provided 
by  the  trustees  of  the  Dover  Library,  were 
served  to  all,  and  thus  ended  a  day  replete  with 
pleasure  and  profit  to  those  who  were  in  at- 
tendance. I.  E.  PEARL. 


May,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


'75 


SOUTHERN  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

THE  postponed  meeting  for  April  of  the 
Southern  California  Library  Club  was  held  on 
the  evening  of  April  19,  in  the  reading-room 
of  the  Los  Angeles  P.  L.,  President  Tessa  L. 
Kelso  in  the  chair. 

Prof.  Carlos  Bransby  spoke  to  the  club  on 
"  The  tendencies  of  modern  Spanish  literature." 
The  instructive  remarks  of  the  speaker  were 
interspersed  with  bits  of  biography  and  sketches 
of  the  novels  of  contemporary  Spain  and  Span- 
ish America.  A  reference  list  of  authors  and 
books  referred  to  by  Prof.  Bransby  had  been 
prepared,  and  copies  were  distributed  to  those 
present.  A  number  of  teachers,  and  library 
workers  were  present,  and  the  general  public  was 
also  represented.  MARYS.  MURPHY, Secretary. 


Cibrarg  Qllnbs. 


NEW  YORK  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

THE  regular  May  meeting  of  the  New  York 
Library  Club  was  held  on  Thursday,  May  10,  at 
Columbia  College  Library.  The  subject  as- 
signed for  discussion  was,  "What  is  needed  in 
American  bibliography."  President  Cole  called 
the  meeting  to  order  at  3:30  p.m.,  about  25 
members  being  present. 

The  president  introduced  Mr.  Aksel  G.  S. 
Josephson,  of  the  New  York  State  Library 
School,  who  read  a  paper  on  "  Special  interna- 
tional bibliographies."  Mr.  Josephson  spoke  of 
the  need  of  international  bibliographies  of  spe- 
cial subjects.  He  held  that  such  work  should  be 
made  possible  by  government  aid,  and  that  the 
large  libraries  and  the  leading  educational  and 
scientific  institutions  in  America  and  Europe 
should  co-operate  in  bringing  out  such  bibliog- 
raphies, representing  all  the  known  literature  on 
any  special  subject. 

President  Cole  then  introduced  the  subject  for 
discussion  —  "What  is  needed  in  American 
bibliography,"  and  asked  Mr.  Bowker  to  present 
to  the  club  an  account  of  the  purpose  and  scope 
of  the  proposed  American  Catalogue  of  books 
from  1800  to  1876,  not  included  in  the  1876 
volume. 

Mr.  Bowker  accordingly  gave  a  brief  sketch  of 
the  plan  of  the  work.  It  was  intended  to  be 
preliminary  to  and  to  collect  material  for  the 
ideal  General  Catalogue  of  the  nineteenth 
century  ;  at  the  same  time  it  was  thought  that 
a  reasonably  complete  catalog  of  American  pub- 
lications from  1800  to  1876,  not  included  in  the 
first  American  catalogue,  would  have  a  value  of  its 
own,  and  be  of  considerable  usefulness  to  libra- 
ries, and  it  would  thus  afford  reasonable  chance 
of  pecuniary  support,  though  not  of  success.  It 
is  proposed  to  make  a  catalog  with  author-entry 
only,  save  in  the  case  of  anonymous  works,  and  to 
carry  on  the  compilation  as  far  as  through  D  or  E, 
giving  a  part  of  150  or  1 60  pages,  and  with  that  as 
a  basis  wait  to  see  whether  sufficient  support  can 
be  obtained  to  justify  completing  the  alphabet.  It 
is  also  proposed  to  issue  an  appendix  or  supple- 
mentary part,  giving  U.  S.  government  publica- 
tions from  the  beginning,  state  publications, 


and  publications  of  societies  on  the  plan  of  the 
previous  catalogs,  while  a  second  supplementary 
part,  including  subject,  and,  perhaps,  title-en- 
tries, would  be  contemplated.  The  plan  by 
which  the  catalog  is  to  be  worked  out  consists  of 
rewriting  from  Roorbach,  Kelly,  Trubner,  Ste- 
vens and  other  early  catalogs,  all  titles  which 
are  not  included  in  the  other  American  Catalogue 
volumes.  Final  work  of  compilation  includes 
the  searching  for  titles  in  local  and  special  bibli- 
ographies and  minor  publications.  After  the 
first  part  is  in  print,  the  co-operation  of  librari- 
ans will  be  expected  in  filling  gaps  and  supply- 
ing additional  entries. 

A  general  discussion  followed.  Mr.  Baker 
hoped  that  it  would  be  possible  to  give  entries 
with  more  detail  and  bibliographical  fulness  than 
had  been  possible  in  the  previous  American 
Catalogues,  and  spoke  of  the  usefulness  of  a  com- 
plete list  of  government  publications.  Mr.  Poole 
suggested  that  in  the  case  of  rarer  or  more  impor- 
tant books,  brief  reference,  by  letter  or  abbrevia- 
tion, be  made  to  the  catalog,  in  which  full  descrip- 
tive entry  of  such  book  could  be  found  —  as  in 
Sabin  or  Stevens.  Mr.  Bowker  briefly  summed 
up  the  results  of  the  discussion.  As  to  fuller 
entries  than  had  been  heretofore  given,  these 
were  precluded,  partly  for  reasons  of  cost,  part- 
ly for  insufficient  information.  In  this  respect 
it  was  hoped  that  the  General  Catalogue,  if  ever 
published,  might  be  fuller;  but  this  could  only 
be  done  with  the  effective  co-operation  of  libra- 
rians, and  the  object  of  the  present  catalog  was 
chiefly  to  furnish  material  to  librarians  for  cor- 
rection, and  addition. 

At  the  close  of  the  discussion,  Pres.  Cole  an- 
nounced, that  this  being  the  annual  meeting  of 
the  club,  the  election  of  officers  for  the  ensuing 
year  would  now  take  place.  Messrs.  Hill  and 
Baker  and  Miss  Plummer  were  appointed  a 
committe  on  nominations,  and  after  a  brief  con- 
ference reported  the  following  ticket  : 
For  Pres.,  C:  Alex  Nelson; 

"  Vice-Prest's^  W>  K.  Stetson, 
-e  Crests |  Lnian  Denio; 

"  Sec.,  Harriet  B.  Prescott; 
"  Treas.,  Eliz.  R.  Tuttle. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Hill,  it  was  voted  that  the 
secretary  cast  the  ballot  for  the  club,  which  was 
accordingly  done,  and  the  officers  were  declared 
elected. 

The  treasurer's  report  was  read  and  approved, 
and  the  following  names  for  membership  were 
proposed  and  accepted  : 
Miss  M.   A.  Stillman,  Hb'n  Mail  and  Express 

office. 

W.  G.  Baker,  Columbia  College  Library. 
J.  L.  B.  Sunderland,  Railroad  Men's  Branch  Y. 

M.  L.  A.,  Hoboken,  N.  J. 
Miss   Helen   P.  Odell,  ass't.  lib'n  Brooklyn  Y. 

M.  C.  A. 
Miss  Edith  M.  Beck,  Ass't  Pratt  Inst.,  Brooklyn. 

The  secretary  then  read  a  letter  from  Miss 
Mary  Poole  in  acknowledgment  of  the  resolu- 
tions on  the  death  of  her  father,  which  were 
passed  by  the  club  at  their  last  meeting. 

Adjourned. 

HARRIET  B.  PRESCOTT,  Secretary. 


i76 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[May,  '94 


COLLINS,  Victor,  comf.  Attempt  at  a  catalogue 
of  the  library  of  the  late  Prince  Louis-Lucien 
Bonaparte.  Lond.,  Sotheran  &  Co.,  1894. 
718  p.  O.  bds.,  i  guinea. 

The  catalog  issued  under  this  modest  title  is 
a  striking  exposition  of  the  extent  and  impor- 
tance of  Prince  Louis  Bonaparte's  remarkable 
philological  library.  It  was  his  aim  to  include 
in  his  collection  specimens  of  every  known  lan- 
guage which  possessed  even'  the  most  rudimen- 
tary literature,  and  he  did,  in  fact,  make  aston- 
ishing progress  towards  the  accomplishment  of 
this  great  scheme.  In  regard  to  the  European 
portion,  he  may  be  said  to  have  succeeded  in  his 
purpose,  for  it  is  thought  that  his  library  includes 
examples  of  every  language  and  dialect  repre- 
sented in  Europe;  while  the  part  relating  to  his 
larger  task  is  of  unexampled  richness  and  variety. 
As  to  the  catalog  itself,  it  cannot  fail  to  interest 
even  the  lay  man,  ignorant  of  philological  subtle- 
ties, so  varied  and  curious  a  store  of  knowledge 
does  it  reveal,  and  to  the  initiated  it  must  prove 
a  treasure.  Prepared  within  an  all  too  limited 
time,  in  view  of  the  approaching  sale  of  the  li- 
brary, the  catalog  in  arrangement  and  execution 
reflects  much  credit  on  its  compiler.  It  records 
13,699  volumes,  embracing  works  in  most  of  the 
known  languages  of  the  world,  and  the  compila- 
tion was  completed  within  a  period  of  18  months. 
"  It  is,"  says  Mr.  Collins,  "  but  the  merest  out- 
line of  the  linguistic  treasures  contained  in  the 
library,  and  it  is  no  exaggeration  to  say  that  in 
all  probability  some  of  the  rarest  and  most  val- 
uable works  have  escaped  notice  altogether." 
He  adds:  "  In  the  compilation  of  a  perfect  cata- 
log of  the  Bonaparte  library  there  is  several 
years'  work  for  many  experts."  In  view  of  the 
limited  period  allowed  forks  preparation,  it  was 
necessary  to  save  time  and  expense  as  far  as 
possible.  For  this  purpose  the  title  entries  have 
been  made  as  brief  as  practicable,  and  Roman 
type  is  used  almost  exclusively.  A  little  more 
freedom  in  the  first  respect  would  have  been 
desirable,  especially  in  the  case  of  the  pagination, 
which  is  omitted  throughout.  The  catalog  is 
classed  in  three  chief  divisions  :  Monosyllabic 
languages;  Agglutinative  languages;  Inflectional 
languages.  These  are  subdivided  into  groups  of 
languages,  as  African  languages;  Dravidian  lan- 
guages; Basque;  Semitic  languages;  Aryan  lan- 
guages, etc.  .which,  again,  are  divided  into  many 
dialects  and  local  groups.  Monosyllabic  lan- 
guages are  represented  only  by  the  Chinese  and 
Tibetan  groups.  The  basis  of  the  linguistic 
arrangement  is  M.  Abel  Hovelacque's  "Science 
of  language."  There  are  brief  annotations  in 
the  case  of  books  requiring  descriptive  or  ex- 
planatory comment,  and  a  good  many  titles  are 
distinguished  as  "  not  in  the  British  Museum." 
Mr.  Collins  had  the  assistance  of  the  British 
Museum  library  staff  in  his  work,  and  the  early 
German,  the  Italian,  Welsh,  Gaelic,  Basque,  and 
Spanish  works  have  been  revised  by  scholars  in 


these  special  fields.  So  remarkable  is  the  scope 
and  variety  of  the  collection,  that  the  catalog  ap- 
pears rather  as  a  summary  of  the  philological 
literature  of  the  world  than  as  the  catalog  of  a 
private  library.  In  this  aspect  alone  it  is  of  wide 
bibliographical  interest  and  importance.  No  one 
can  glance  over  the  riches  of  the  collection  with- 
out echoing  Mr.  Collins"  hope  that  "  its  ultimate 
destination  will  be  some  learned  institution 
where  its  linguistic  treasures  may  be  studied  at 
ease."  It  would  be  most  regrettable  should 
this  monument  of  painstaking  scholarship  and 
scientific  enthusiasm  be  dispersed  throughout 
the  private  and  public  libraries  of  England, 
America  or  the  Continent,  and  it  is  therefore 
pleasant  to  note  that  the  Messrs.  Sotheran,  in 
whose  hands  it  has  been  placed  for  sale,  desire 
to  receive  offers  for  the  collection  en  bloc  only. 
The  library  was  valued  by  its  owner  at  .£50,000. 

H.  E.  H. 

WILSON,  F:  J.  The  all-time  library.  London, 
Thinkers'  Association,  and  W.  Reeves,  189^ 
22+[2]  p.  O.  6ef. 

"  Library  "  is  here  used  in  the  sense  of  "  col- 
lection of  books."  The  author  has  prepared 
some  1500  "book-backs,"  apparently  containing 
classified  headings,  and  possibly  references  or 
quotations.  "A  mind-map  has  been  made  out, 
into  which,  as  a  library  of  reference,  every  con- 
victioned  thought  should  find  its  relation,  posi- 
tion, and  radiation.  The  magnitude  of  this 
prospective  arrangement  is  simplified  in  that 
through  colors,  forms,  and  numbers  we  see 
everything."  Mr.  Wilson  tries  to  make  his  idea 
clear  by  four  woodcuts  and  a  table.  To  the 
present  writer's  apprehension  he  has  not  suc- 
ceeded, owing,  perhaps,  to  his  peculiar  use  of 
English.  A  short  specimen  may  tempt  some  of 
our  readers  to  try  their  luck  at  interpretation  — 
or,  may  have  the  contrary  effect  :  "  It  is  as- 
sumed that  the  whole  of  those  16  beddings  in- 
associate  the  whole  of  our  recognized  intelligent 
ideas  which,  disclosed  as  four  windows,  would 
divide  knowledge  into:  The  A  Window  to  all- 
astronomy  from  primality;  the  E  Window  the 
activity  of  Nature  from  preconceived  movement; 
the  I  Window  to  comprehension  by  intelligence 
to  progressive  constructability  in  physical,  men- 
tal, and  ideal  imaginance,  which  ideal  is  the 
prospective  'to-morrowment ; '  and  in  the  M 
Window  will  be  man's  aspiration  to  the  light  of 
all-pervadence." 

It  is  melancholy  to  see  so  much  labor  put  into 
a  work  with  so  little  prospect  of  its  being  of  any 
use.  It  has  been  going  on  since  1863.  In  10 
years  his  "  book-backs  "  had  reached  the  num- 
ber of  500  foolscap  volumes.  Finding  the  size 
uncomfortably  large  he  cut  them  down  to  half- 
foolscap  size.  Whether  he  rewrote  them  all 
(supposing  that  there  is  anything  to  rewrite)  is 
not  clear.  What  there  is  in  the  books,  or  wheth- 
er there  is  anything,  I  cannot  make  out;  but  as 
for  several  years  Mr.  Wilson  has  had  three  as- 
sistants in  his  work,  they  are  presumably  filled 
with  wisdom  or —  C:  A.  C. 


May,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


177 


Cibrarjg  (Economy  an&  f  islorg. 


LOCAL. 

Belfast  (Me.)  F.  L.  (Rpt.)  Added  508;  total 
6220.  Issued,  21,136  (fict.  12,294)  ;  reading- 
room  use  1375. 

The  list  of  new  books  for  1893  has  been  type- 
written at  the  library,  making  a  saving  of  $50  or 
more.  A  typewritten  fiction  list  of  85  p.  has 
been  completed,  being  the  beginning  of  a  com- 
plete catalog. 

Bloomington  (III.)  L.  A.  The  association  has 
unanimously  decided  to  transfer  its  library  to 
the  city,  that  it  may  be  reorganized  as  a  free 
public  library.  The  library,  building  and  books, 
is  valued  at  $44,000;  it  contains  14,000  volumes, 
and  its  only  encumbrance  is  a  debt  of  $4000.  It 
Is  probable  that  the  authorized  two-mill  tax  will 
be  adopted  by  the  townspeople,  and  this  would 
give  an  estimated  income  of  about  $7000  a  year. 

Boulder,  Col.  Univ.  of  Colorado.  The  uni- 
versity catalog  for  1893-94  outlines  the  course 
of  instruction  on  bibliography  given  by  Prof. 
Lowrey,  librarian  of  the  university;  the  lectures 
are  held  every  Saturday  at  10  a.m.  The  course 
is  as  follows : 

First  Semester.  —  I,  Library  technics.  Lect- 
ures :  Place  of  bibliography  in  a  liberal  educa- 
tion; university  libraries;  student  use  of  library; 
connection  with  recitation,  lecture,  and  seminary 
work;  methods  in  reference  and  original  investi- 
gation. Practical  work.  Explanation  of  library 
regulations,  appliances,  classification,  shelf  loca- 
tion, records,  card  catalogs  and  indices;  use  of 
bibliography.  Practice  work  in  library  reference 
on  subjects,  collateral  with  other  work,  suggest- 
ed by  librarian  and  professors.  Practice  work 
in  sections,  time  arranged  with  librarian.  An 
opportunity  to  learn  the  practical  details  of  li- 
brary administration  is  extended  to  a  limited 
number  of  careful  and  proficient  students,  at  the 
discretion  of  the  librarian. 

Second  Semester.  —  2,  Systematic  bibliogra- 
phy. Open  to  seniors  of  all  departments.  Lect- 
ures: Use  of  bibliography  in  the  practical  life  of 
man  of  culture;  historical  development  of  books; 
scientific  purpose  and  use  of  books  and  libraries; 
critical  standards  for  the  construction  of  books 
and  the  selection  of  libraries  ;  typical  examples 
in  the  various  departments  of  investigation;  es- 
sential books  ;  best  books  ;  critical  books  ;  ar- 
chives; rare  books;  suggestions  for  private  li- 
brary purchase  ;  basis  of  prices  ;  editions;  bind- 
ings ;  blemishes  ;  sources  of  purchase ;  how  to 
keep  posted  to  date;  authorities  on  bibliography; 
arrangement  and  care  of  books;  details  and  fur- 
niture of  room  for  a  private  library. 

Brookline  (Mass.)  P.  L.  On  March  i  the 
library  began  the  practice  of  issuing  two  books 
on  one  card,  with  the  provision  that  only  one 
should  be  a  work  of  fiction  and  that  two  new 
books  should  not  be  taken.  It  is  believed  that  the 
plan  will  result  in  a  larger  circulation  of  standard 
reading.  Lists  of  the  best  articles  in  the  current 
periodicals  are  posted  on  the  bulletin-board  from 
day  to  day,  under  the  heading,  "the  maga- 


zines ;  "  lists  for  teachers  are  headed  "  educa- 
tion and  teaching,"  and  are  added  to  daily;  and 
under  the  heading  "  events  of  the  day,"  men- 
tion is  made  of  books  and  articles  on  timely 
subjects.  Pictures  of  popular  writers  of  the  day 
are  also  placed  near  the  delivery-desk  from  time 
to  time,  where  it  is  thought  they  may  prove  of 
interest. 

Brooklyn  (N.  Y.)  L.  Some  important  changes, 
which  have  been  for  some  time  in  contemplation, 
are  now  in  progress  in  the  library.  The  princi- 
pal change  will  be  the  transfer  of  the  reading- 
room  to  the  second  story,  while  the  book-delivery 
room  will  be  removed  to  the  first  floor.  The 
number  of  books  has  grown  so  great  that  it  is 
thought  wise  to  shift  the  weight  of  the  greater 
number  of  them  to  the  main  floor.  At  the  same 
time  the  change  in  the  location  of  the  reading- 
room  will  secure  better  light  for  those  who  use 
it,  the  windows  in  the  old  room  having  become 
darkened  by  the  erection  of  tall  buildings  close 
to  the  library.  During  the  alterations  the  li- 
brary will  be  closed  part  of  the  time. 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Pratt  Institute  F.  L.  A 
subject  catalog  of  accessions  has  been  begun. 
It  is  to  be  made  by  inserting  the  printed  entries 
in  a  Rudolph  indexer  book  in  alphabetic  order 
of  subject-headings.  So  far  as  known  this  library 
is  the  first  to  adopt  this  plan.  The  library  has  re- 
cently secured  over  50  volumes  of  music,  chiefly 
classical,  from  the  sale  of  the  musical  library  of 
the  late  J:  S.  D  wight,  of  Boston.  These  have 
been  put  in  current  circulation. 

Chester  (Pa.)  F.  L.  The  new  library  building 
was  formally  opened  on  the  evening  of  April  2. 
There  was  a  reception  and  dedicatory  exercises, 
with  addresses  and  music.  The  library,  which 
is  now  in  its  2Oth  year,  was  established  and  de- 
veloped almost  solely  through  the  efforts  of 
Miss  Laura  Hard,  who  has  worked  unremittingly 
for  its  maintenance  and  for  its  establishment  in 
an  attractive  and  suitable  building.  The  library 
was  organized  in  1873,  and  led  a  precarious  exist- 
ence in  unsuitable  quarters  for  nearly  20  years. 
For  the  last  two  years  it  has  been  located  in  the 
post-office  building.  The  new  building  is  two 
stories  high,  32  x  25  feet  ;  it  is  in  Queen  Anne 
style,  built  of  red  brick,  with  brown-stone  trim- 
mings, and  finished  inside  with  hard  wood.  It 
is  lighted  by  electricity.  The  total  cost  of  build- 
ing and  site  is  about  $14,000,  of  which  $4000  re- 
mains as  a  debt.  The  annual  expenses  will  be 
from  $1200  to  $1400.  Miss  Edith  Burnap  is 
librarian. 

Concord  (Mass.)  F.  P.  L.  (2ist  rpt.)  Added 
886;  total  25,642;  issued,  home  use  22,840.  The 
treasurer's  report,  giving  expenses  at  $1366.28, 
shows  a  deficit  of  $87.70. 

The  librarian  says  :  "The  library  has  been 
opened  on  Sunday  afternoons  since  the  ist  of 
December.  On  two  or  three  pleasant  Sundays, 
when  walking  and  driving  were  good,  the  attend- 
ance has  been  small  —  about  16;  but  the  worse 
the  walking  and  stormier  the  day,  the  larger  the 
attendance,  reaching  35  and  40  on  some  days. 
If  one  considers  the  test  of  the  success  of  Sun- 


i78 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[May,  '94 


day  opening  to  be  the  attendance  of  people  who 
cannot  come  on  other  days,  it  has  been  only 
partly  successful,  as  quite  one-half  of  the  at- 
tendance has  been  of  those  who  can  and  do 
come  at  all  times." 

A  bulletin  of  the  books  added  to  the  library 
during  the  past  three  years  is  appended  to  the 
report;  it  covers  32  pages  and  records  about 
2600  v. 

Denver  (Col.)  P.  L.  The  members  of  the  li- 
brary training  class  have  visited  paper-mills, 
newspaper  offices  and  composing-rooms,  a 
smelter,  a  paper  warehouse,  bindery,  the  Legis- 
lature when  in  special  session,  and  the  City 
Hall.  The  regular  work  of  the  library  has  been 
continued.  They  have  received  instruction  in 
class  in  several  departments  of  work,  and  are 
now  engaged,  among  other  things,  in  looking  up 
all  books  and  articles  and  parts  of  books  bearing 
on  various  subjects,  most  of  which,  in  the  words 
of  Mr.  Swiveller,  are  "staggerers." 

A  series  of  five  lectures  on  "  The  physiologi- 
cal factor  in  learning  and  teaching,"  by  Dr. 
Henry  Sewall,  were  given  at  the  library  on  Sat- 
urday afternoons,  April  7  to  May  5. 

Elgin,  111.  GailBordenL.  (Rpt.)  Added  1009; 
total  14,397;  lost  3.  Issued,  home  use  103,421; 
ref.  use  4181.  Visitors  to  reading-room  51,187; 
visitors  to  ref.  room  4599. 

Germantown,  Phila.  Friends'  f.  L.  (Rpt.) 
Added  615;  total  17, 282; issued  11,994.  Visitors 
to  library  20,497;  no.  borrowers  1500  (estimated). 

A  "  list  of  books  added  in  1893  "  is  appended 
.(15  P.)-. 

Hanover,  N.  H.  Dartmouth  College  L.  (Col- 
lege catalog,  1893-94.) 

"  The  college  library,  representing  the  accu- 
mulations of  a  century  and  a  quarter  in  several 
collections,  is  now  consolidated  in  one,  with 
various  departmental  divisions.  The  main  col- 
lection, numbering  about  75,000  v.  and  20,000 
pm.,  is  in  Wilson  Hall,  which  also  contains 
three  well-stocked  reading-rooms  for  newspa- 
pers, magazines,  and  reference-books,  and  a 
large  art  gallery."  In  the  college  course  spe- 
cial attention  is  given  to  bibliology  by  occasional 
lectures,  supervision  of  courses  of  reading,  and 
personal  assistance. 

Holbrook  (Mass.)  P.  L.  Total  6678;  Issued 
12,510;  no.  borrowers  2656. 

Lancaster  (Mass.)  Town  L.  (3ist  rpt.)  Added 
892  ;  total  24.249.  Issued,  home  use  u.Sii 
(fict.  and  juv.  .662  %);  no  account  kept  of  ref.  use ; 
lost  and  not  paid  for  4;  no.  cardholders  1329. 
Receipts  $1851.29. 

The  school-teachers  in  the  more  remote  dis- 
tricts of  the  town  have  been  authorized  "  to  re- 
ceive and  distribute  among  their  pupils  such 
books  as  may  be  desired,  these  being  carried  to 
and  fro  by  friendly  hands  without  expense  to  the 
town." 

A  "  catalog  of  books  added  to  the  library  since 
March  i,  1893,"  Is  appended  to  the  report. 

Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology,  Boston. 
The  institute  contains  10  regular  libraries  in  ad- 


dition to  the  collection  in  the  Margaret  Cheney 
room.  Each  is  in  immediate  connection  with  the 
department  whose  needs  it  is  intended  to  supply, 
and  each  has  its  own  card  catalog,  while  a  dupli- 
cate of  every  card  is  also  kept  in  the  office  of 
the  general  librarian.  Five  of  the  libraries  have 
their  own  librarians;  the  librarian-in-chief  has 
charge  of  the  chemical  library,  and  the  remain- 
ing four  are  looked  after  by  the  professors  of 
the  departments  concerned.  The  president  says: 
"  I  do  not  think  it  would  be  an  exaggeration  to 
say  that  the  use  of  books  by  our  students  is 
fourfold  what  it  would  be  if  the  students  were 
required  to  go  to  a  large  general  library  and  take 
out  the  desired  volumes  with  the  formalities 
usual  in  such  cases." 

The  accessions  of  the  past  year  are  5009;  the 
total  number  of  v.  is  30,419. 

MASSACHUSETTS  LIBRARY  CLUB,  Handbook. 
Constitution,  officers,  members;  with  a  list  of 
meetings  held  by  the  club  since  its  foundation. 
17  p.  D. 

MAURY,  Nannie  Belle.     The  Congressional  Li- 
brary.    (In  Harper's  Weekly,  Ap.  21.)    2^£  p. 
6il. 
A  description  of  the  library  and  its  habitue's. 

Morgan  Park,  III.  Walker  L.  The  public 
library,  a  gift  of  Mr.  G:  C.  Walker,  of  Chicago, 
has  recently  become  the  property  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Chicago.  While  it  is  now  the  library 
of  the  Academy  of  the  University  of  Chicago, 
the  residents  of  Morgan  Park  enjoy  all  their 
former  privileges,  and  they  receive  from  the 
academy  in  return  for  the  library  10  scholar- 
ships, known  as  the  Walker  Scholarships,  to  be 
given  to  academy  pupils,  residents  of  the  vil- 
lage. Two  representatives  of  the  village  are 
chosen  annually  to  co-operate  with  the  academy 
board  as  a  committee  on  library. 

The  library  now  contains  3255  vols.  and  75 
pamphlets,  with  a  prospect  of  large  additions  in 
the  future. 

New  Haven  (Ct.)  P.  L.  (7th  rpt.)  Added 
2798;  total  23,765;  issued,  home  use  162,367 
(fict.  and  juv.  75.5  #);  no  statistics  of  ref.  useare 
kept.  Cards  in  force  8451.  Receipts  $11,326.64; 
expenses  $10,931.85. 

The  increase  in  circulation  for  the  year  was 
31,019  v.,  or  over  24  per  cent.  — certainly  a  re- 
markable showing.  No  reference  statistics  are 
kept,  but  this  use  is  constantly  increasing,  and 
Librarian  Stetson  suggests  that  more  attention 
could  profitably  be  paid  to  this  department  of  the 
library,  and  that  special  advantage  would  be  de- 
rived from  the  establishment  of  an  "  information- 
desk."  The  only  catalog  issued  duiing  the  past 
year  was  the  juvenile  catalog.  This  was  largely 
experimental,  being  the  only  juvenile  catalog 
which  the  library  has  issued,  the  purposes  of 
such  a  catalog  having  been  partly  served  by  aster- 
isks prefixed  to  the  book  numbers  in  the  former 
catalog.  It  was  printed  from  the  linotype,  and 
sold  at  10  cents  a  copy. 

New  York.     Aguilar  F.  L.     (sth  rpt.)    Added 


May,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


179 


2960;  total  21,363;  issued  203,084;  no.  borrowers 
5465.     Receipts  $10,184.31;  expenses  $9751. 97. 

The  circulation  shows  an  increase  of  8297  v. 
over  the  preceding  year.  The  percentage  ol 
fiction  varies  from  .554  at  the  library  at  East 
Broadway  to  .799  at  the  Lexington  Avenue 
branch.  In  May,  1893,  a  memorial  alcove  of 
biography  was  opened,  which  has  proved  very 
useful.  A  list  of  the  best  books  for  the  young 
was  printed  for  distribution  during  the  year, 
and  the  preparation  of  a  card  catalog  is  ap- 
proaching completion.  To  increase  its  sphere 
of  influence,  in  July  last  a  reading-room  on  the 
plan  of  the  Cooper  Institute  was  added  to  the 
regular  free  library.  At  once  it  was  largely  at- 
tended, and  in  one  month  there  was  an  attend- 
ance of  18,000  visitors. 

New  York.  Y.  M.  C.  A.  L.  (Rpt.)  Added 
1092;  total  41,831;  issued  48,532  (science  and 
art  41.08  %\  fict.  13.4$).  Reading-room  attend- 
ance 106,512;  no.  using  books  32,262;  Sunday 
attendance  5449;'  590  periodicals  are  on  file. 

A  series  of  nine  "  book  talks  "  were  given  in 
the  course  of  the  year  —  two  at  the  Young 
Men's  Institute,  one  at  the  Railroad  Branch, 
45th  Street  and  Madison  Avenue;  two  at  the 
Harlem  Branch,  one  at  the  East  86th  Street 
Branch,  one  at  23d  Street,  and  two  at  the  Bow- 
ery. The  following  subjects  were  spoken  upon: 
"  Christ  in  art,"  Mornay  Williams;  "  Book- 
binding, decoration,  etc.,"  Cephas  Brainerd; 
"Lives  of  the  engineers,"  Cephas  Brainerd; 
"Twenty-five  books,"  Cleveland  H.  Dodge; 
"  Brief  historical  survey  of  Christian  church 
architecture,"  Prof.  A.  D.  F.  Hamlin;  "Books 
before  the  invention  of  printing,"  R.  B.  Poole. 
"  At  the  close  of  these  informal  talks  an  op- 
portunity was  offered  to  those  who  desired  to 
examine  the  books  used,  or  the  books  were  left 
for  a  number  of  days  to  be  consulted  by  those 
who  were  interested,  or  for  any  who  might  wish 
to  make  designs.  183  volumes,  mostly  folios, 
were  used  at  the  different  lectures." 

Librarian  Poole  says  :  "  Young  men  would 
be  attracted  to  libraries  and  to  the  perusal  of 
books  if  something  tangible  was  presented  to 
them,  or  if  they  had  some  definite  purpose  in 
reading,  or  a  helping  hand  to  direct  them.  A 
large  library  is  bewildering;  the  catalog  seems 
like  an  incongruous  conglomerate.  The  mass 
of  books  and  titles  needs  to  be  broken  up  into 
fragments.  When  the  business  classes  were 
commenced  at  the  23d  Street  branch,  a  list  of 
books  such  as  would  be  helpful  to  a  young  man 
starting  in  business  was  handed  to  the  pupils. 
Special  lists  were  also  prepared  for  those  in 
schoolsof  medicine,  dentistry, pharmacy,  and  art. 
Lists  on  architecture  were  sent  to  a  number  of 
architectural  offices.  A  list  of  works  on  art  and 
decoration,  sent  to  the  Art  Amateur,  was  pub- 
lished in  full.  A  list  of  books  on  the  useful  arts 
hangs  in  the  reception-room,  also  a  list  of  books 
for  a  leisure  hour,  and  another  list  of  books 
written  for  young  men.  The  results  of  such 
efforts  are  not  always  immediately  obvious, 
though  we  have  many  encouraging  proofs  of  the 
value  of  such  helps." 

Pawtucket  (R.  2.)  F.  P.  L.    (i7th  rpt.)    Add- 


ed 354;  total  13,544.  Issued,  home  use  40,071; 
on  school-cards  10,067;  ref.  use  22,000;  total  no. 
cardholders  8499.  Receipts  $7200;  expenses 
$7184.82. 

"  The  work  of  reclassifying  and  recataloging 
the  library,  begun  June,  1892,  is  completed.  It 
involved  the  rearrangement  of  every  book  in 
the  library;  the  former  shelf-numbers  were 
erased,  and  the  new  numbers  written  both  inside 
and  out,  also  on  the  book-slips;  many  books 
were  re-covered,  rendering  necessary  the  mark- 
ing of  the  title,  author,  and  shelf  number  on 
each;  and  a  new  accession  list  was  made,  requir- 
ing the  recording  of  the  author,  title,  imprint, 
when  and  where  purchased,  price  and  shelf-num- 
ber, and  the  writing  of  nearly  18,000  cards.  All 
this  was  accomplished  in  the  13  months,  the 
greater  part  in  n,  with  only  the  slight  incon- 
venience to  our  patrons  of  the  temporary  closing 
of  a  few  shelves  during  the  rearrangement  of 
the  various  classes  upon  which  we  were  at 
work." 

Mrs.  Saunders  speaks  with  approval  of  the 
results  of  giving  a  school-card  to  each  pupil  in 
the  public  schools,  irrespective  of  age;  these 
cards  are  not  confined  to  books  intended  only  for 
school  use,  but  are  chiefly  meant  to  introduce 
books  into  the  homes  of  children.  She  also 
touches  on  the  advantage  of  free  access  to  the 
shelves,  and  says  in  regard  to  Sunday  opening: 

"  Words  cannot  express  our  satisfaction  at  the 
good  results  of  opening  our  reading-room  to  the 
public  on  Sunday.  We  have  watched  carefully, 
since  its  opening  in  1890,  to  find  cause,  if  any 
there  be,  why  it  should  not  be  done,  because  of 
the  prejudice  for  many  years  against  it.  We 
find  every  argument  to  be  in  its  favor.  For  the 
most  part  the  men,  women,  and  children  who 
frequent  the  library  on  that  day  seem  to  put  on 
with  their  Sunday  attire  the  Sunday  spirit.  The 
room  is  orderly  and  quiet,  excepting  from  the 
necessary  confusion  of  passing  in  and  out  on  un- 
carpeted  floors.  Aside  from  the  current  maga- 
zines and  regular  papers,  the  various  denomina- 
tional papers  are  on  the  racks,  and  are  much 
sought.  We  have  recently  added  several  bound 
volumes  of  The  Christian  Weekly  to  the  tables; 
these  are  quartos  of  illustrated  scenes  in  Bible 
lands  and  Christian  homes,  which  seem  to  give 
much  pleasure.  We  find  by  comparison  that  our 
Sunday  attendance  is  greater  than  that  of  most 
cities,  the  greatest  number  reported  in  Worces- 
ter being  434." 

Philadelphia.  Drexel  Institute  L.  Several 
members  of  the  Drexel  Institute  library  class,  ac- 
companied by  Miss  Kroeger,  the  librarian,  paid  a 
short  visit  to  New  York  City  early  in  April,  for 
the  purpose  of  studying  the  libraries  of  the  city. 
They  visited  the  Astor,  Lenox,  and  Mercantile 
libraries  of  New  York,  the  Brooklyn  Library 
and  the  Pratt  Institute  Free  Library  of  Brook- 
lyn, and  the  Newark  Public  Library.  The  trip 
was  planned  to  give  the  members  of  the  class 
an  opportunity  to  study  and  compare  the  vari- 
ous systems  of  classification,  cataloging,  etc., 
with  that  in  force  at  the  Drexel  Institute  Li- 
brary. The  party  left  Philadelphia  on  April  1 1 , 
returning  April  18. 


i8o 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[May,  '94 


Philadelphia  F.  P.  L.  Branch  No.  4  of  the 
Philadelphia  Free  Library  was  opened  on  March 
30,  in  Roxborough,  one  of  the  suburbs  of  Phila- 
delphia. It  is  located  in  Lyceum  Hall,  and  the 
formal  opening  was  largely  attended.  The 
library  contains  7200  volumes,  of  which  5000 
were  contributed  by  the  city;  it  is  partially  cata- 
loged. Over  400  applications  had  been  received 
before  the  date  of  opening. 

Application  has  already  been  made  to  the 
library  committee  for  the  establishment  of  a 
branch  library  in  West  Philadelphia,  and  the  re- 
quest was  granted.  The  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee has  been  authorized  to  ask  the  city 
councils  for  an  appropriation  of  $20,000  for  the 
continuance  of  the  library. 

An  interesting  exhibition  of  medical  incunabula 
was  opened  at  the  Free  Library  in  the  city 
hall  on  April  17.  The  collection,  owned  by  Dr. 
Stockton  Hough,  is  a  fine  one  and  includes 
several  unique  books.  All  the  volumes  date 
prior  to  1500  and  some  of  them  are  remarkably 
curious  and  interesting.  The  collection  was  dis- 
played for  five  days;  Tuesday  was  devoted  to  a 
private  view,  Wednesday  was  reserved  for  the 
medical  profession,  on  Thursday  librarians  and 
library  classes  were  invited,  and  on  Friday  and 
Saturday  the  collection  was  open  to  the  public. 
Librarian  Thomson  contemplates  having  a  series 
of  informal  "  book  talks  "  by  literary  men.  His 
intention  is  to  have  lectures  on  poetry,  prose, 
fiction,  and  historical  literature  at  the  library, 
to  which  the  public  will  be  admitted.  Classes 
will  be  formed  after  the  University  Extension 
idea,  and  it  is  probable  that  his  scheme  will  be 
developed  by  the  early  fall. 

Portland  (Me.)  P.  L.  Added  1129  ;  total 
38,736.  Issued,  home  use  89,995  (fict.  72$);  lib. 
use  28,115;  ref.  use  (estimated)  3000.  Receipts 
$10,745.26:  expenses  $8134.62. 

The  trustees  suggest  that  special  cards  be 
issued  to  teachers,  and  that  special  lists  of  books 
on  timely  topics  be  prepared  and  posted  in  the 
library. 

Randolph,  Mass.,  Turner  F.  L.  (l8th  rpt.) 
Added  379;  total  12,072.  Issued,  home  use  17,594; 
no.  borrowers  1500.  Receipts  $4465.10;  expenses 
$4253.79. 

"  The  facilities  afforded  to  each  teacher  of  the 
public  schools  of  the  town  for  taking  from  the 
library  —  through  its  circulating  system  —  any 
number  of  volumes  not  exceeding  10,  for  school 
purposes  only,  and  for  an  unrestricted  period  of 
time,  has  found  a  ready  acceptance  and  hearty 
commendation  from  both  teachers  and  scholars. 

"  During  the  past  year  this  branch  of  circula- 
tion has  been  larger  than  the  previous  year, 
reaching  a  total  of  462  volumes." 

Seattle  (Wash.)  P.  L.  Added  2476;  total  II,- 
048  ;  issued,  home  use  98,000.  New  members 
2703  ;  total  no.  cardholders  6336.  Receipts 
$14,460.11;  expenses $10, 040.22. 

The  last  year  has  shown  a  remarkable  increase 
in  membership  and  circulation,  and  the  prospects 
for  1894,  when  the  library  will  be  housed  in  new 
and  enlarged  quarters,  is  most  encouraging. 

Shirley,    Mass.      Hazen    Memorial    L.      The 


Added  1300  ;  total 


library  was  formally  dedicated  on  April  25.  The 
simple  exercises  were  held  in  the  Universalist 
church,  and  consisted  of  dedicatory  and  other  ad- 
dresses, music,  recitations,  etc.  The  building 
cost  $5500,  of  which  $3000  was  bequeathed  for 
the  purpose  by  the  late  Mrs.  E..  D.  Hazen.  The 
library  contains  about  1850  volumes. 

Southbridge  (Mass.)  P.  L.  (24th  rpt.)  Added 
178;  total  15,030;  issued  21,315  (fict.  44.72  £; 
juv.  20.77$).  No.  cardholders  2819.  Receipts 
$2219.58;  expenses  $2192.26. 

Miss  Comins  says  :  "  The  allowing  free  access 
to  the  shelves  for  all  books  except  fiction  is  con- 
tinued, and  with  most  encouraging  results.  The 
work  of  revising  the  card  catalog  has  been  con- 
tinued, and  will  probably  be  completed  the  com- 
ing year.  Owing  to  the  crowded  condition  of 
our  shelves,  our  duplicate  volumes  have  been 
removed.  Some  of  them  have  been  given  to  a 
library  in  a  neighboring  town,  and  others  (public 
documents)  have  been  sent  to  the  state  house, 
Boston,  and  to  the  distributing  department  at 
Washington,  to  be  sent  by  them  to  the  new 
libraries  being  started  in  smaller  towns.  This 
fact  accounts  for  the  small  gain  over  last  year  in 
the  number  of  volumes  in  the  library." 

Trinidad  (Col.)  F.   P.  L. 
6183;  issued  15,881. 

Truro,  Cape  Cod,  Mass.  The  town  has  voted 
to  accept  the  state's  offer  of  $100  worth  of  books, 
and  $50  has  been  appropriated  for  the  care  and 
maintenance  of  a  town  library.  Two  society 
libraries,  comprising  some  450  volumes,  have 
been  turned  over  to  the  town;  the  common- 
wealth's gift  comprises  174  volumes,  and  the 
new  town  library  opens  with  a  collection  of 
about  600  volumes. 

Uxbridge  (Mass.)  F.  P.  L.  (rgth  rpt.)  Added 
191  ;  total  6533  ;  issued  7886  (fict.  5837);  cards 
in  use  783.  Receipts  $1732.09;  expenses  $666.31. 

"  The  superintendent  of  schools  has  given 
lists  of  books  to  the  scholars  showing  that  an 
acquaintance  with  the  contents  of  the  library 
will  take  its  proper  place  in  our  system  of  educa- 
tion." 

Washington,  D.  C.  A  bill  to  establish  a  free 
public  and  departmental  library  and  reading- 
room  in  the  District  of  Columbia  has  been  intro- 
duced by  Mr.  Heard  (by  request)  in  the  House. 
It  has  been  drawn  as  the  result  of  a  recommenda- 
tion made  by  the  committee  on  libraries  of  the 
board  of  trade,  which  was  unanimously  adopted 
by  that  body. 

This  committee  has  been  working  vigorously 
for  the  establishment  of  a  public  library  in 
Washington,  and  the  movement  has  met  with 
general  approval.  In  their  report  the  commit- 
tee say:  "  The  departmental  libraries  at  the 
capital  contain  nearly  300,000  volumes,  accessi- 
ble only  to  a  few  employees  of  the  government, 
and  closed  to  them  early  in  the  afternoon.  The 
vast  wealth  of  reading-matter  in  the  Congres- 
sional Library  is  practically  out  of  the  reach  of 
workingmen  and  school-children,  owing  to  the 
hours  of  opening  and  closing  and  the  conditions 
placed  upon  the  enjoyment  of  its  privileges. 
Not  one  of  the  great  government  collections  is 


May,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


181 


open  in  the  evening,  when  alone  the  great  mass 
of  the  people  can  use  the  books.  There  are  52 
libraries  in  the  District,  each  containing  over 
looo  volumes,  and  not  one  of  them  is  a  free 
lending  library,  with  a  reading-room  open  at 
night  for  the  benefit  of  the  general  public." 

It  is  suggested  that  books  for  the  proposed  li- 
brary can  easily  be  supplied,  by  using  the  thou- 
sands of  duplicates  in  the  Congressional  Library 
for  this  purpose,  if  Congress  will  consent,  and  it 
is  recommended  that  "  the  existing  departmental 
circulating  libraries  be  added  to  these  books  from 
the  Library  of  Congress  and  made  into  a  general 
departmental  library,  to  which  the  people  of  the 
District  not  employed  by  the  government  should 
also  have  access." 

The  establishment  of  branch  delivery  stations 
throughout  the  city,  and  the  location  of  the  pro- 
posed library  in  the  new  post-office  building  are 
also  urged. 

FOREIGN. 

St.  Rock's,  Quebec,  Canada,  Ground  has  been 
given  by  the  Fabrique  of  St.  Roch's  for  a  pub- 
lic library  building.  A  considerable  popular 
subscription  has  been  raised  for  this  purpose,  and 
it  is  intended  to  erect  a  four-story  stone  building, 
with  a  frontage  of  90  feet  and  a  depth  of  115 
feet. 

Toronto,  Can.  Law  Society  of  Upper  Canada. 
(Library  committee's  rpt.)  Added  1244;  total 
26,006;  expenses  $7795.84. 

"  Only  five  law  libraries  on  this  continent  are 
larger  than  this." 

In  October  last  the  task  of  "taking  stock" 
was  begun,  and  completed  in  two  months'  time. 
It  resulted  in  "  the  discovery  that  since  1880  the 
library  had  lost  253  volumes,  other  than  reports 
and  statutes;  of  these  39  were  books  of  general 
literature,  31  books  prescribed  by  the  Law 
Society  on  its  curriculum,  and  41  other  books 
designed  for  the  use  of  students;  62  volumes 
were  of  duodecimo,  or  still  smaller  size. 
During  thepast  year  several  books  that  had  been 
missing  for  periods  varying  from  12  months  to 
two  years  were  returned  to  the  shelves,  and 
others  that  had  disappeared  from  view  for  only 
a  few  months  were  discovered  in  offices  and 
rooms  throughout  the  building." 

Additional  accommodation  for  books  is  badly 
needed,  and  a  new  catalog  is  an  urgent  neces- 
sity. 

Vancouver  (B.  C.)  F.  L.  The  library  has 
been  unusually  well  attended  during  the  past 
winter,  and  its  use  is  steadily  increasing.  It  con- 
tains only  2200  books,  and  the  daily  average  of 
attendance  has  been  estimated  at  about  300; 
fully  80  per  cent,  of  the  circulation  is  fiction. 
The  business  depression  of  the  last  eight  months 
has,  as  usual,  resulted  in  bringing  a  large  num- 
ber of  unemployed  men  to  the  library;  Librarian 
Machinhas  kept  a  list  of  those  whom  he  knew 
to  be  out  of  work,  and  has  made  it  publicly 
known  that  he  would  supply  men  for  any  kind 
of  work  at  short  notice;  he  has  thus  succeeded 
in  obtaining  temporary  employment  for  several. 
He  hopes  at  some  future  time  to  establish  a 
museum  in  connection  with  the  library. 


^Librarians. 


ALLAN,  Miss  Jessie,  librarian  of  the  Omaha 
(Neb.)  Public  Library,  who  has  been  ill  since 
November,  expects  to  return  to  the  library  some- 
time in  May. 

CRUNDEN,  F:  M.,  librarian  of  the  St.  Louis 
Public  Library,  who  has  been  recently  confined 
to  his  home  by  illness,  returned  to  the  library 
on  April  26. 

GAUSS,  E.  F.  L.,  assistant  librarian  of  the 
Chicago  Public  Library,  is  suffering  from  ner- 
vous collapse,  caused  by  physical  overstrain.  Mr. 
Gauss  disappeared  from  his  home  in  Chicago  on 
March  24,  leaving  no  clue  to  his  destination  or 
intentions.  On  April  2  he  was  found  in  San 
Francisco,  in  a  state  of  nervous  prostration.  He 
did  not  know  why  he  had  travelled  from  Chicago 
to  San  Francisco  and  could  give  no  account  of  his 
wanderings  ;  he  did  not  even  know  when  he  got 
his  meals  or  whether  he  had  any,  and  he  had,  in 
fact,  no  distinct  recollection  of  anything  that 
occurred  during  the  period  of  his  absence.  Mr. 
Gauss  is  at  present  sojourning  in  San  Jose  (Cal.), 
where  he  will  remain  an  indefinite  length  of  time 
and  endeavor  to  recover  his  health.  He  has 
been  connected  with  the  Chicago  Public  Library 
since  1887  and  was  always  a  hard  worker.  Be- 
sides his  regular  duties  he  did  much  outside  work 
in  his  relations  to  various  literary  and  journal- 
istic associations.  His  breakdown  is  definitely 
attributed  to  overwork.  According  to  Mr.  Hild, 
Mr.  Gauss  left  himself  absolutely  no  time  for 
healthful  recreation,  but  when  he  was  through 
with  the  labors  of  his  office  he  gave  lectures  and 
readings,  until  his  mind  became  seriously  over- 
strained from  lack  of  rest.  It  is  hoped  that  a 
period  of  complete  quiet  and  relaxation  will  re- 
store him  to  health,  and  he  will  assuredly  have 
the  sympathy  and  best  wishes  of  his  many 
friends  in  the  A.  L.  A.,  and  in  the  Chicago 
Library  Club,  in  which  he  has  always  been  a 
leading  spirit. 

HURST,  Thomas,  chief  librarian  of  the  Shef- 
field (Eng.)  Free  Public  Libraries,  died  on  April 
21,  aged  60  years.  He  had  been  engaged  in  li- 
brary work  for  38  years.  21  years  ago  Mr. 
Hurst,  then  sub-librarian,  succeeded  his  deceased 
chief,  Mr.  Walter  Parsonson,  F.R.A.S.  The 
funeral  was  attended  by  members  of  his  com- 
mittee and  of  the  library  staff,  and  public  officials. 
The  library  committee  have  passed  this  resolu- 
tion: "  That  this  committee  sincerely  deplore 
the  death  of  their  chief  librarian  .  .  .  and  they 
desire  to  place  on  record  their  high  appreciation 
of  the  valuable  services  rendered  by  him,  and  the 
zealous  and  conscientious  manner  in  which  he 
has  performed  them.  .  .  .  "  —  J.  P.  B. 

LARNED,  J.  N.  The  first  volume  of  Mr.  Lar- 
ned's  important  work,  "  History  for  ready  ref- 
erence and  topical  reading,"  has  just  been- 
issued  by  the  C.  A.  Nichols  Co.,  of  Springfield, 
Mass. 

LOWREY,  Dr.  C:  E.,  librarian  of  the  University 
of  Colorado,  has  a  paper  on  "  The  university 
library;  its  larger  recognition  in  higher  educa- 
tion," in  Education  for  May. 


182 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{May,  '94 


(Cataloging  ana  (Classification. 

BIBLIOTHECA  DOLLINGERIANA.  Katalog  der  Bi- 
bliothek  des  Professor  J.  J.  J.  von  Dollinger. 
MUnchen,  Lindauer,  1894.  671  p.  8°,  10  ra. 

The  BOSTON  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for  April  contin- 
ues the  index  to  French  historical  fiction  from 
the  I7th  to  the  igth  century,  concluding  with 
the  Commune.  It  contains  an  excellent  classed 
reading  list  on  the  "Arctic  and  Antarctic  re- 
gions," (26  p.),  and  includes  a  facsimile  reprint 
of  "  Alyst  of  the  pasingers  abord  the  Speedwell, 
bound  for  New  England,"  1656. 

CATHEDRAL  LIBRARY  CATALOGUE.  Section  i, 
embracing  part  I,  Biography,  memoirs,  and 
letters;  part  2,  Encyclopaedias  and  books  of  ref- 
erence, periodicals,  old  and  curious  books  and 
collected  works;  part  3,  Juvenile  literature, 
English  fiction,  French  juvenile,  French  fic- 
tion, German  fiction  ;  part  4,  History  and 
geography,  secret  societies,  travel,  atlases, 
maps.  N.  Y. ,  Cathedral  Library  Association, 
March,  1894.  132  p.  O. 

Prefaced  by  a  short  "  history  of  the  Cathedral 
Library,"  by  Rev.  Joseph  H.  McMahon.  The 
classification  followed  is  that  of  Mr.  Schwartz, 
of  the  Apprentices'  Library ;  it  is  prefaced  by  a 
helpful  "  index  to  the  classification."  "  Re- 
stricted" books  are  designated  by  the  letters 
"  LL."  The  catalog  is  printed  in  bold,  heavy 
type,  on  white  paper.  The  juvenile  list  is  also 
published  separately. 

CONCORD  (Mass.)   F.   P.  L.     Bulletin,  no.  16. 

1891,  1892,  1893.     32  p. 

This  bulletin  is  appended  to  the  2ist  report 
of  the  library,  paged  separately.  It  records  the 
additions  of  the  past  three  years,  covering  some 
2600  v. 

CORNELL  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY.  Catalogue  of 
the  Rhaeto-Romanic  collection,  presented  to 
the  library  by  Willard  Fiske.  Ithaca,  N.  Y., 
1894.  32  p.  O, 

Prefaced  by  a  short  introductory  note,  in 
which  Prof.  Fiske  describes  the  gathering  of 
the  collection.  It  is  classed  under  Literature 
and  under  History,  philology,  and  description; 
titles  are  given  with  commendable  fulness,  and 
there  are  frequent  explanatory  annotations. 
Books  not  recorded  in  Bohmer's  "  Verzeichniss 
riuoromanischer  Litteratur"  are  starred;  there 
are  nearly  130  titles  so  designated. 

ENOCH  PRATT  F.  L.  of  Baltimore.  Finding- 
list  of  books  and  periodicals  in  the  central  li- 
brary. Part  2  :  Biography,  history,  descrip- 
tion and  travel,  social  and  political  science, 
education,  law.  sth  ed.,  April,  1894.  576  p. 
O. 


FiTCHBURG(^/ajj.)  P.  L.    Bulletin.no.  2.    April, 

1894.     24  p.  O. 

Devoted  to  a  special  reading-list  of  "  Books 
selected  for  the  use  of  scholars  in  the  public 
schools,"  prepared  to  "assist  children  and  young 
people  and  their  parents,  who  may  desire  to 
guide  their  reading  aright,  in  choosing  the  best 
books  to  read."  The  list  is  classified  and  ex- 
cellently comprehensive;  the  department  of 
"  stories"  has  been  kept  well  within  bounds;  a 
good  feature  is  the  list  of  "stories  from  history," 
containing  about  200  titles;  while  the  depart- 
ments of  "  natural  science,"  "  literature,"  "  trav- 
els," "  biography,"  and  "  history,"  are  specially 
helpful.  Very  few  of  the  books  are  taken  from 
the  list  of  juvenile  fiction,  and  many  represent 
the  best  class  of  reading. 

GRISEBACH,  Ed.  Katalog  der  Biicher  eines 
deutschen  Bibliophilen  mit  litterarischen  und 
bibliographischen  Ammerkungen.  Leipzig, 
Drugulin,  1894.  288  p.  por.  8°,  6  m. 

MUSTERKATALOG  FUR  VOLKSBIBLIOTHEKEN.   Ein 

Verzeichnis  von  Buchern,  welche  zur  Anschaf- 
fung  fur  Volksbibliotheken  zu  empfehlen  sind. 
Herausgegeben  vom  Gemeinniltzigen  Vereine 
zu  Dresden.  3  Aufl.  Leipzig,  Otto  Spamer, 
1894.  83  p.  8°,  I  m. 

PRATT  INSTITUTE  (Brooklyn,  N.  Y.)  F.  L.  Bul- 
letin, no.  13,  including  January  and  February, 
1894.  IO  p. 

Hereafter  the  bulletins  will  be  published  every 
two  months,  and  sold  at  four  cents  each,  or  20 
cents  yearly.  The  present  one  inaugurates  the 
new  method  ;  it  is  printed  by  the  linotype,  on 
manilla  paper,  and  records  the  accessions  for 
January  and  February. 

The  SALEM  (Mass.)  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for  April 
has  a  classed  special  reading-list  on  "  Geology" 
(4  P.)- 

The  SPRINGFIELD  (Mass.)  LIBRARY  BULLETIN 
for  March  has  a  short  "  reading-list  on  trades 
unions  "  (32  titles). 

VIRGINIA  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY.  Organization 
and  list  of  publications.  Richmond,  1894. 
8  p.O. 

THAT  attractive  little  booklet  The  Open  Shelf, 
published  by  the  Cleveland  Public  Library,  con- 
tains in  its  March  issue  a  short  reading-list  on 
"  Botany."  The  list  of  accessions,  given  in  each 
number,  is  supplied  with  excellent  descriptive 
or  explanatory  annotations. 

IN  the  March  issue  of  Books,  the  organ  of  the 
Denver  P.  L.,  there  is  a  list  of  "  books  on  use- 
ful arts  in  the  public  library,  not  including  medi- 
cine"; it  extends  from  A  to  L,  and  covers  four 
pages. 

THB  March  issue  of  Our  Library,  published  by 
the  Portland  (Ore.)  P.  L.,  contains  a  short  list 
of  books  of  reference  on  political  economy. 


May,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


183 


BIBLIOGRAPHIE,  Allgemeine,  der  Staats-  und 
Rechtswissenschaften.  Uebersicht  der  auf 
diesen  Gebieten  im  deutschen  und  ausland- 
ischen  Buchhandel  neu  erschienenen  Littera- 
tur.  O.  Miihlbrecht.  Jahrgang  27  :  1894. 
Berlin,  Puttkammer  &  MUhlbrecht,  1894.  8°, 
5  m. 

BIBLIOGRAPHIE  des  ouvrages  relatifs  a  1'amour, 
aux  femmes,  au  mariage  et  des  livres  facetieux, 
pantagrueliques,  scatologiques,  satyriques,  etc. 
Contenant  les  litres  d6tailles  de  ces  ouvrages, 
les  noms  des  auteurs,  leurs  diverses  editions, 
leurs  illustrations,  leur  valeur  et  leurs  prix 
dans  les  ventes,  etc.  Par  M.  le  C.  d'J***. 
4e  ed.  entierement  refondue  et  considerable- 
ment  augment6e  par  J.  Lemonnyer.  Fasc.  2 
et  3.  Paris,  Gilliet,  1894.  8°,  6  fr. 

BIBLIOTHECA  historico-militaris.  Systematische 
Uebersicht  der  Erscheinungen  aller  Sprachen 
auf  dem  Gebiete  der  Geschichte  der  Kriege 
und  Kriegswissenschaft  seit  Erfindung  der 
Buchdruckerkunst  bis  zum  Schluss  des  Jahres 
1880.  von  Dr.  Joh.  Pohler.  iii.  Band.  Heft 
1-3.  Cassel,  Kessler,  1894.  440  p.  8°,  14  m« 

BIBLIOTHECA  philologica  oder  vierteljahrliche 
systematische  Bibliographic  aller  auf  dem 
Gebiete  der  classischen  Philologie  und  Alter- 
tumswissenschaft,  sowie  der  Neuphilologie  in 
Deutschland  und  dem  Ausland  neu  erschie- 
nenen Schriftenund  Zeitschriften-Aufsatze.  A. 
Blau.  Jahrgang  46,  Neue  Folge  Jahrgang  8, 
Heft  3:  Ju-Sept.,  1893.  Gottingen,  Vanden- 
hoeck  &  Ruprechts,  1894.  151-224  p.  8°, 
1. 20  m. 

BIBLIOTHECA  zoologica.  II.  Verzeichniss  der 
Schriften  tiber  Zoologie,  welche  in  den  perio- 
dischen  Werken  enthaltenund  vom  Jahre  1861- 
1880  selbstandig  erschienen  sind.  Mit  Ein- 
schluss  der  allgemein  -  naturgeschichtlichen, 
periodischen  und  palaeontologischen  Schriften. 
Bearbeitet  von  O.  Taschenberg.  Lieferung  n. 
Leipzig,  Engelmann,  1894.  3249  -  3568  p.  8°. 
7  m. 

CAJORI,   Florian.     A  history  of    mathematics. 

N.  Y.,  Macmillan  &  Co.,  1894.     422  p.  8°,  cl., 

net,  $3.50. 

A  list  of  100  works  on  the  history  of  mathe- 
matics is  given. 

CANNAN,  E:    A  history  of  the  theories  of  pro- 


duction and  distribution  in  English  political 
economy  from  1776  to  1848.     London,  Perci- 
val  &  Co.,  1894.     410  p.  8°,  cl.,  1 6  s. 
Contains  a  14-p.  index  of  books  and  authors 
quoted. 

CORDIER,  H.  Biblioteca  Sinica.  Dictionnaire 
bibliographique  des  ouvrages  relatifs  a  1'empire 
chinois.  Supplement,  fascs.  i  et  2.  Paris, 
Lerouz,  1894.  12  fr. 

DODD,  MEAD  &  Co.  have  issued  a  "  Catalogue 
of  rare  and  choice  books  relating  to  America, 
many  of  them  very  scarce;  also  a  few  very  nota- 
ble manuscripts."  (121  p.  D.) 

DUBARAT,  V.  Melanges  de  bibliographic  et 
d'histoire  locale.  Tome  i :  archeologie,  hagio- 
graphie,  revue  historique.memoire  de  Lebret  et 
de  L.  de  Hureaux,  documents  sur  Notre-Dame 
de  Sarrance.  Pau,  Ribaut,  1894.  261  p.  8°. 

FERGUSON  {Lady  — ).  Life  of  the  Right.  Hon. 
William  Reeves,  D.D.,  Lord  Bishop  of  Down, 
Connor,  and  Dromore.  N.  Y. ,  Longmans, 
Green  &  Co.,  1893  [1894.]  5+210  p.  por.  O. 
cl.,  $2. 
A  14-?.  bibliography  of  Bishop  Reeves'  works 

is  appended. 

FERREE,  Barr.  The  chronology  of  the  cathedral 
churches  of  France.  N.  Y.,  Privately  printed, 
1894.  36  p.  O. 

Reprinted  from  the  Architectural  Record, 
where  it  appeared  as  the  fourth  part  of  a  series 
of  papers  on  "  French  cathedrals."  The  chron- 
ological summary  of  the  cathedral  churches  of 
France  is  followed  by  an  interesting  bibliography 
of  French  cathedrals.  It  covers  seven  pages, 
and  while  not  professing  to  be  a  complete 
bibliography,  is  probably  the  most  exhaustive 
special  list  on  the  subject  yet  printed.  The  gen- 
eral literature  of  the  subject,  English,  French, 
and  periodical,  is  given,  followed  by  a  list  of 
"  special  histories,"  arranged  under  the  name 
of  the  city  or  town  where  the  cathedral  described 
is  located.  The  list  includes  only  works  actually 
consulted  in  preparing  the  chronological  tables. 

FISKE,  J:     Edward  Livingston  Youmans:  inter- 
preter of  science  for  the  people.     N.  Y.,  Ap- 
pleton,  1894.    c.    6+597  p.  por.  O.  cl.,  $2. 
A  short  list  of  Prof.  Youmans'  writings  is  ap- 
pended. 

GRAY,  T:  Selections  from  the  poetry  and  prose 
of  Thomas  Gray ;  ed.  with  introd.  and  notes 
by  W.  Lyori  Phelps.  Bost.,  Ginn  &  Co., 
1894.  c.  49+179  p.  (Athenaeum  Press  ser.) 
cl.,$i. 
There  is  a  short  bibliography  (5  p.)  of  works 

by  and  about  Gray. 

GUNZBOURG.D.,  Rosen,  V.,  Dora,  B.,  Patkanof, 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[May,  '94 


K.,  and  Tchoublnof,  J.  Collections  scienti- 
fiques  de  1'institut  des  langes  orientales;  les 
manuscrits  arabes,  karchounis,  grecs,  copies, 
ethiopiens,  armeniens,  georgiens,  et  babys. 
St.  Petersborg,  Eggers,  1894.  271  p.  8°. 
HANCOCK,  Anson  Uriel.  A  history  of  Chile. 
Chic.,C:H.  Sergei  &  Co.,  1893  [1894.]  c. 
4+471  p.  por.  maps,  O.  (Latin-American  re- 
publics ser.)  cl.,  $2.50. 

A  3-p.  list  of  authorities  on  Chilean  history 
is  given  in  the  appendix. 

MACMILLAN  &  BOWES,  Cambridge,  Eng.,  have 
published  parts  C  and  D  of  their  comprehensive 
"  Catalogue  of  books  printed  at  or  relating  to 
the  university,  town,  and  county  of  Cambridge," 
completing  the  work,  which  was  begun  in  1891. 
Part  C  covers  the  nineteenth  century,  1801-1893, 
Part  D  contains  the  appendixes,  additions,  mss., 
maps,  views,  caricatures,  etc.,  and  both  parts  are 
bound  together.  There  is  also  a  supplementary 
part,  containing  preface,  table  of  contents, and  98 
curious  and  interesting  illustrations  of  printers' 
marks,  head  and  tail  pieces,  initial  letters,  etc. 
The  catalog  is  not  a  bibliography,  representing, 
as  it  does,  a  collection  actually  possessed  by  the 
compiler,  but  the  minute  descriptions  of  the 
books  printed  to  1700,  should  prove  bibliograph- 
ically  useful. 

MOHLBRECHT,  O.     Die  bibliographic  im  Dienste 
des    Buchbandels.     Berlin,    Puttkammer    & 
Mtlhlbrecht,  1894.     32  p.  8°,  I  m. 
Repr.  from  The  Borsenblatt. 
MUIR,  J.     Thomas  Carlyle's  apprenticeship:  a 
bibliographical    essay  concerning  his    recent- 
ly discovered  writings.     Glasgow,  R.  McClure, 
1894.     1 6  p.  8°. 
Only  100  copies  printed. 
RIDER,  Sidney  S.,  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  will 
shortly  publish  a  fac-simile  reprint  of  the  "  Di- 
gest of  Rhode  Island  "  of  1719.     This  rare  di- 
gest is  the  first  ever  printed  by  the  colony  of 
Rhode  Island ;  the  reproduction  will  have  a  his- 
torical introduction  by  Mr.  Rider,  and  will  be 
issued  in  an  edition  of  50  numbered  copies.     It 
will  be  sold  by  subscription,  at  $30  per  copy. 

SPENCER,  Herbert.     Aphorisms  from  the  writ- 
ings of  Herbert  Spencer;  sel.  and  arr.  by  Julia 
Raymond   Gingell.      N.  Y.,  Appleton,  1894. 
9+170  p.  por.  D.  cl.,  $i. 
Appended  is  a  short  list  of  works  "from  which 

the  selections  have  been  made." 

WOLLKY,  Clive  Phillipps.     Big-game  shooting. 
Best.,  Little,  Brown  &  Co.,  1894.     2  v.,  12+ 
433J  7+443  P.  D.  (Badminton  lib.)  cl.,  ea., 
$3.5o.f 
Contains  "  a  short  bibliography  of  big-game 

shooting,  etc."  (3  p.). 


FULL  NAMES. 

Miller,  H:  Giles,  born  1824,  author  of  Plea 
for  the  unrestricted  coinage  of  gold  and  silver, 
Chic. ,  1892,  pam.  Drainage  law  of  1889,  Chic., 
1893,  pam.  Silver  legislation  of  1890,  Chic., 
n.d.,  pam. 

Partridge,  C:  Sumner,  b.  1856,  author  of  Stereo- 
typing by  the  papier-mache  process,  Chic., 
1892. 

Gracey,  Mrs.  Annie  Ryder  (John  Talbot),  b. 
1836;  author  of  Sketch  of  Fidelia  Fiske,  Bos- 
ton, n.d.,  pam.,  etc. 

Holbrook,  Zephaniah  Swift,  b.  1847.  Lessons 
of  the  Homestead  troubles,  Chic.,  1892,  pam. 
E.  E.  CLARKE,  Ne-wberry  Library. 

The  following  are  supplied  bf  Harvard  College  Library: 

Dewey,  Lyster  Hoxie  (The  Russian  thistle  and 

other  weeds  in  the  wheat  region  of  Minnesota 

and  North  and  South  Dakota); 
Jack,  J:  G:  (The  fructification  of  Juniperus); 
Johnson,   Lorenzo  Nickerson  (Observations  on 

the  zoospores  of  Draparnaldia); 
Glatfelter,  Noah  Miller  (A  study  of  the  venation 

of  salix); 
God  ing,  F:  Webster  (Bibliographical  and  synon- 

ymical  catalog  of  the  described  membracidae 

of  North  America); 
Greene,  Jacob  Lyman  (Past  and  pending  silver 

legislation); 
Lueders,  Herman  F:  (Concerning  the  structure 

of  caoutchouc); 
Meehan,  W:  E:  (A  contribution  to  the  flora  of 

Greenland); 
Patterson,  W:  Davis  (Lincoln  county  probate 

records); 
Parish,  S:  Bonsai  (New  station  for  notholaena 

tenera) ; 
Rusby,  H:  Hurd  (New  genera  of  plants  from 

Bolivia); 

Selby,  Augustine  Dawson,  joint  author  (A  pre- 
liminary list  of  the  plants  of  Franklin  county, 

Ohio). 


anb 


THAT  the  Brooklyn  small  boy  is  becoming  an 
adept  in  the  handling  of  libraries  is  evidenced 
by  the  recent  request  at  the  Pratt  Institute  Free 
Library  of  a  boy  of  nine  years  for  a  shelf-permit; 
and  by  another  for  permission  to  sign  the  "book 
of  life"  (register)  on  behalf  of  an  invalid  aunt. 

Another  had  lost  the  slip  bearing  the  name 
of  the  book  wanted  by  some  older  member  of 
his  family,  but  thought  it  was  "  Potter's  Sunday 
afternoon."  "  The  Cotter's  Saturday  night  " 
was  proposed,  and  he  thought  it  would  answer 
the  purpose.  M.  W.  P. 

FROM  an  Edinburgh  bookseller's  catalog  : 
"  Des.  Erasmi.  Roterodami,  Epistolae  fa  Mili- 
ares,  8vo,  calf,  5*.  Ludguni,  1542" 

W:  I.  F. 


May,  '94]  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  185 

LIBRARY  INKS  AND  ADHESIVES. 

flPucllaoe 


has  been  adopted  by  leading  Librarians  throughout  the  country  as  the  only  satis- 
factory library  adhesive  made.  The  5000  volumes  of  the  Model  Library  at  the 
World's  Fair  were  repaired  and  labelled  with  this  adhesive  in  preference  to  all  others, 
and  it  was  voluntarily  exhibited  and  recommended  by  those  in  charge.  A  three  ounce 
trial  jar  sent  by  mail,  prepaid,  for  30  cents. 

'  Carbon  Writing  Unfts 


contain  no  other  coloring  matter  than  pure  carbon,  and  they  hence  write  black  from 
the  pen-point  and  remain  forever  black,  proof  to  effects  of  age,  air,  sunlight,  chemicals, 
and  fire,  and  when  written  on  semi-absorbent  paper,  so  that  the  ink  sinks  in,  they 
cannot  be  washed  out  or  erased  without  detection.  They  are  the  only  true  black  and 
lasting  inks  made.  Two  kinds,  viz.:  (i)  Engrossing  Ink,  a  dense  or  heavy  ink  for 
engrossing  and  important  writings,  and  (2)  Eternal  Ink,  an  ink  of  lighter  body,  and 
hence  better  adapted  for  general  use.  A  two  ounce  bottle  of  the  former,  prepaid  by  mail, 
35  cents  ;  a  two  ounce  bottle  of  the  latter  for  25  cents, 


The  Higgins'  Adhesives  and  Inks  are  for  Sale  by  Dealers  in  Artists'  Materials 
and  Stationery  Generally. 


CHAS.  M.  HIGGINS  &  CO,  i^XS™,  168-170  Eighth  St.,  Brooklyn,  N.Y. 


LONDON.  LEIPZIG.  PARI5. 

B.  WESTERMANN  &  CO., 

812    BROADWAY,    NBW    YORK. 

(ESTABLISHED    1848.) 

FOREIGN   OFFICES  AT  LONDON,   LEIPZIG,  AND   PARIS. 
Agents  by  appointment  to  many  of  the  largest  American  and  Foreign 

College   and    Public  Libraries. 
SPECIAL   TERMS   FOR   LARGE   ORDERS. 


Terms  on  direct  application  for  the  supply  of  Foreign  and  American  Books  and  Periodicals. 

Weekly  shipments  by  the  fleetest  steamers  from  England,  Germany,  and  France.  Periodicals 
supplied  at  lower  rates  than  mail  copies  and  in  better  shape  for  binding. 

Rare  Books  and  Sets  of  Serials  procured  at  the  lowest  terms.  Regular  connections  with 
Central  and  South  America  and  all  Oriental  countries. 

Binding  done  here  and  abroad  in  every  style. 

Auction  Sales  attended  to. 

The  Catalogues  of  Foreign  Dealers — English,  German,  French,  Italian,  and  Spanish — fur- 
nished on  application. 

Monthly  Bulletins  of  New  Books  issued  regularly. 

With  the  help  of  a  most  complete  Bibliographical  Outfit  in  all  languages  and  on  all  subjects, 
and  the  experience  of  many  years  in  this  particular  line,  estimates  can  be  furnished  promptly  and 
information  given  on  topics  of  interest  to  Librarians. 


1 86 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[May,  '94 


THE  THEORY  OF  OUR 
NATIONAL  EXISTENCE 

As  SHOWN  BY  THE  ACTION  OF  THE  GOVERNMENT 
OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  SINCE  1861.    By  JOHN 
C.  KURD,  author  of  "The  Law  of  Freedom 
and  Bondage  in  the  United  States."  One  vol- 
ume, 8vo,  cloth,  600  pp.  (published  at  $3.50). 
The  few  copies  which  remain  of  this  valuable  work, 
belonging  to  the  estate  of  the  late  John  C.  Kurd,  will  be 
presented  to  public  libraries.    Any  librarian  wishing  to 
procure  a  copy  should  address  the  undersigned,  enclosing 
fifty  cents  to  defray  the  cost  of  expressage  and  packing. 

LITTLE,  BROWN  &  CO., 
254  Washington  Street,  BOSTON. 


TO  BE  PUBLISHED  SHORTLY. 

LA  DIYINA  COMMEDIA  DI  DANTE. 

Con  commentario  secondo  la  Scolastica.  Del  P.  GIOA- 
CHINO  BBRTHIBR  DEI  PRED.,  Professore  di  Teologia  all' 
Universiti  di  Fribourgo  (Svizzera).  3  large  volumes, 
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text ;  numerous  plates  UtA/of-timilf,  some  in  sumptu- 
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This  new  and  great  work  of  the  celebrated  Dante  ex- 
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students,  art  historians,  scientific  theologians,  philolo- 
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cuted prospectus  will  be  supplied  gratis  on  demand. 
Freiburg  (Switzerland),  July. 

TJNIVERSITATSBTICHHANDLTJNG 

(P.    FRIESENHAHN.) 


The  Annual  Literary  Index, 


INCLUDING   PERIODICALS,    AMERICAN  AND 

ENGLISH,      ESSAYSt      BOOK-CHAPTERS, 

ETC.,  SPECIAL  BIBLIOGRAPHIES  AND 

NECROLOGY  OF  AUTHORS. 

EDITED  BY  W.   I.    FLETCHER  and  R.   R.   BOWKER. 

With  the  co-operation  of  members  of  the  American  Li- 
brary Association  and  of  the  Library  Journal  staff. 

THE  ANNUAL  LITERARY  INDEX  for  1893  com- 
plements the  "  Annual  American  Catalogue"  of 
books  published  in  1893  by  indexing  (i)  articles 
in  periodicals  published  in  1893  ;  (2)  essays  and 
book-chapters  in  composite  books  of  1893  ;  (3) 
authors  of  periodical  articles  and  essays  ;  (4) 
special  bibliographies  of  1893  ;  (5)  authors  de- 
ceased in  1893.  The  two  volumes  together  make 
a  complete  record  of  the  literary  product  of  the 
year. 

The  volume  includes  also  the  features  of  the 
"  Co-operative  Index  to  Periodicals,"  originally 
a  monthly  supplement  to  the  Library  Journal, 
then  extended  into  a  quarterly  in  an  enlarged 
form,  and  later  issued  as  an  annual  volume. 

One  vol.,  cloth,  (uniform  with  "  A.  L.  A.  In- 
dex") $3. 50. 


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Booksellers,  Bookbinders,  and  Publishers,  and  General  Agents  in  Europe 
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diligence,  and  discretion  in  everything  relating  to  it,  and  in  small  matters  as  well  as  great. 
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A  Monthly  Catalogue  of  Second-Hand  Books.    Specimen  Number  post  free. 


14O  Strand,  W.  C.,  and  37  Piccadilly,  W. :  London. 

KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  CO., 

LIMITED, 

PUBLISHERS  AND  LIBRARY  AGENTS, 

Having  extensive  experience  in  supplying  PUBLIC  LIBRARIES,  MUSEUMS,  GOVERNMENT 
INSTITUTIONS,  etc.,  at  Home  and  Abroad,  with  Miscellaneous  Requisites,  Books  (New  and 
Second-hand),  or  Periodicals  in  all  Languages,  offer  their  Services  to  LIBRARIANS,  SECRE- 
TARIES, AND  OTHERS.  Careful  attention  given  to  every  detail.  Exceptional  Facilities  for 
obtaining  Foreign  and  Scarce  Books.  BINDING  OF  EVERY  DESCRIPTION  UNDERTAKEN.  Peritdicals 
and  Newspapers  Promptly  Supplied  as  issued.  Books  Shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  World  at  Lowest 
Rates. 


TERMS  ON  APPLICATION,  ALSO  LIST  OF  LIBRARY  APPLIANCES,  HANDBOOKS,  ETC. 


May,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


187 


THE  BAKER  &  TAYLOR  CO., 

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p'lAKE  a  specialty  of  supplying  public,  private,  and  school  LIBRARIES*  for  which 
*  *  they  have  exceptional  facilities  through  their  connection  with  many  of  the  largest  houses 
as  special  agents,  and  by  carrying  the  stock  of  all  American  Publishers. 

They  are  pleased  to  give  estimates  at  lowest  rates  on  lists  of  proposed  purchases,  and 
solicit  correspondence  with  Librarians  and  other  bookbuyers. 

This  house  is  characterized  by  its  Promptness,  Carefulness,  and  I_ow 
Prices. 

There  will  be  sent  to  any  address  on  application  a  topically  arranged  General  Library  List 
selected  from  the  books  of  all  publishers. 


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Specimens  of  our  work  may  be  seen  at  the  COLUMBIA  COL- 
LEGE, NEW  YORK  HOSPITAL  LIBRARY, NEW  YORK  ACAD- 
EMY OF  MEDICINE,  LONG  ISLAND  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY, 
PRATT  INSTITUTE,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  SHEFFIELD  SCIEN- 
TIFIC SCHOOL  OF  YALE  COLLEGE,  and  many  others. 
ptg~  We  have  a  special  style  of  binding  well  known  to 

Librarians  of  the  American  Library  Association,  of  which 

Mr.  C.  G.  Neumann  is  a  member. 


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16  pp.,  iziuo,  Paper,  25  Cents. 


An  elaborate  and  thorough  treatise  on  the  sub- 
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1 88  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  [May,  "94 

ESTABLISHED    1872 

LONDON  i  PARIS:  LEIPcIO: 

30  WELLINGTON  ST.,  STRAND.       76  RUE  DE  RENNES.  HOSPITAL  Sin.  10. 

GUSTAV  E.  STECHERT 

Purchasing  Agent  for  Colleges  &  Libraries 

810    BROADWAY,    NEW    YORK, 

(TWO  DOORS  ABOVE  GRACE  CHURCH) 

begs  to  call  attention  to  his  facilities  for  obtaining  FOREIGN  BOOKS  and 
PERIODICALS  at  more  economical  rates  THAN  ANY  OTHER  HOUSE  IN  AMERICA 
OR  EUROPE  can  offer,  because : 

He  employs  no  Commission  Agents,  but  has  his  own  offices  and 
clerks  at  London,  Paris  and  Leipzig.  He  has  open  accounts 
with  all  the  leading  publishing  houses  in  the  world. 

His  experience  enables  him  to  give  information  at  once  about 
rare  and  scarce  books. 

He  receives  weekly  shipments  from  England,  France  and  Germany,  and 
can  thereby  fill  orders  in  quicker  time. 

MORE  THAN  200  LIBRARIES  FAVOR  HIM  WITH  THEIR  ORDERS. 


"Mr.  Stechert  has  for  years  furnished  this  Library  with  most  of  its  periodicals  and  European  books,  and  has  bought  for  us 
many  thousand  volumes.  Mr.  Stechert's  success  is  due  to  his  constant  personal  attention  to  the  business,  and  the  reasonable 
terms  he  is  able  to  offer.  I  consider  a  New  York  agent  far  preferable  to  reliance  on  foreign  agents  alone." 

GEO.  H.  BAKER,  Librarian  of  Columbia  College,  New  York, 

"  Seven  years  ago,  in  reorganizing  the  Columbia  College  library,  I  spent  much  time  in  trying  to  discover  how  to  get  out 
foreign  books  and  periodicals  with  the  least  delay,  trouble  and  expense.  The  result  of  the  comparison  of  three  methods,  viz: 
ordering  direct  from  foreign  dealers,  ordering  through  one  agent  in  London,  or  ordering  through  one  agent  in  New  York  showed 
us  that  it  was  to  our  advantage  to  give  Mr.  Stechert  all  our  foreign  orders,  as  he  delivered  in  the  library  in  a  single  package 
and  with  a  single  bill  at  as  low  cost  as  we  were  able  with  vastly  greater  trouble,  to  get  a  half  dozen  different  packages  in  differ- 
ent bills  from  different  places.  In  reorganizing  the  New  York  State  Library,  I  opened  the  whole  question  anew,  and  the  result 
of  the  comparison  was  the  same  as  before,  and  we  find  that  the  library  gets  most  for  the  time  and  money  expended  by  taking 
advantage  of  Mr.  Stechert's  long  experience,  and  the  careful  personal  attention  which  he  gives  to  our  orders." 

MELVIL  DEWEY,  Dirtctor  of  N.  Y.  State  Library,  Albany,  N.  Y. 


"  Mr.  G.  E.  Stechert  of  New  York  has  served  us  with  fidelity  in  procuring  English,  French  and  German  books,  both  new 
and  second  hand  and  also  periodicals.  His  terms  are  more  reasonable  than  any  others  that  have  come  to  our  notice,  while  he 
has  always  guarded  our  interests  very  carefully.  We  find  it  a  great  convenience  to  have  one  agency  in  New  York,  represented 
by  branches  in  different  European  countries." 

Prof.  ARTHUR  H.  PALMER,  Librarian  ofAdelbert  College,  Cleveland,  O. 


"Your  methods  and  facilities  for  doing  business,  as  I  have  examined  them  here  as  well  as  at  the  Leipzig  and  London  ends, 
seem  to  me  admirably  progressive  and  thoroughly  live.  I  deal  with  you  because  I  judge  it  for  the  advantage  of  this  library  to 
do  so.  If  I  did  not,  I  should  not.  Up  to  date  I  am  unable  to  find  a  method  which  is,  all  things  included,  so  economical  of 
time  and  money  as  dealing  through  you." 

ERNEST  C.  RICHARDSON,  Librarian  tf  College  of  New  Jersey,  Princeton,  N.J, 


**  Our^  library  committee  speaks  in  the  highest  terms  of  your  services.    You  have  not  only  saved  us  many  dollars,  but  haw 
ihown  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  our  wants  for  which  we  thank  you. ' ' 

A.  B.  COLLINS,  Act,  Librarian  of  Reynolds  Library,  Rochester^  N.  K 

QUSTAV    K.    STKCHKRT, 

LONDON.         PARIS.         LEIPZIG,         NEW  YORK. 


THE 


Library  Journal 

OFFICIAL  ORGAN  OF  THE  AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 


^> 


CHIEFLY   DEVOTED    TO 


Economy  anfc  Bibliograpbp 


VOL.  19.     No.  6 


/  JUNE,  1894 
Contents 


PAGB 

EDITORIAL 191 

Proposed  Catalog  of  .ne  Bibliothfeque  Nationale. 
The  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  and  the  A.  L.  A. 
Politics  and  horary  Appointments  in  Iowa. 

COMMUNICATIONS 192 

The  juit  of  Martin  vs.  the  British  Museum. 
Rxtra  Copies  of  Popular  Books. 
A  Correction. 

riOTKS    ON   THE    BlBLIOTH^QUB   NATIONALE. —  CV   A. 

Cutter 193 

THE  NEW  CHARGING  SYSTEM  OF  THE  Los  ANGELES 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY.  —  Adelaide  R.  Hasse.   .    .     .     195 

A    CATALOG    FOR     THE     NATIONAL     LIBRARY    OF 

FRANCE 196 

LIBRARIES  AND  SCHOOLS 198 

PAMPHLETS 198 

AN  EXTENSION  OF  THE  DEWEY  NUMBERING.    .    .    .  199 

REDLANDS  (CAL.)  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 200 

"  BlBLIOGRAPHICA." .      2OO 


PAGE 

AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 201 

Sixteenth  Conference,  Lake  Placid,  Adirondack 
Mts.,  Sept.  15-22. 

Of  Importance  to  Western  Librarians. 
NEW  YORK  STATE  LIBRARY  SCHOOL 202 

Library  School  Visit  to  Boston.  —  ^/.  51.  Cutler. 
STATE  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATIONS 204 

Connecticut  Library  Association. 

Pennsylvania  Library  Club. 
REVIEWS 206 

Plummer,  Hints  to  Small  Libraries. 

LIBRARY  ECONOMY  AND  HISTORY 207 

GIFTS  AND  BEQUESTS 214 

LIBRARIANS .    21* 


CATALOGING  AND  CLASSIFICATION 215 

BlBLIOGRAFY 215 

ANONYMS  AND  PSEUDONYMS .      .  216 


NEW  YORK  :    PUBLICATION  OFFICE,  28  ELM  STREET  (Near  Duane). 
LONDON:    SOLD  BY  KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  Co.,  PATERNOSTER  HOUSE 

CHARING  CROSS  ROAD. 

YEARLY   SUBSCRIPTION,  ls.oo.  MONTHLY  NUMBERS,  50  cts. 

Price  to  Europe,  or  other  countries  in  the  Union,  •zor.  per  annum  ;  tingle  numbers^  at. 

Entered  at  the  Port-Office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  aa  second-class  matter. 


190 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[June,  '94 


EDW.  G.  ALLEN'S 

London  Agency  for  American  Libraries ., 

28   HENRIETTA   STREET,   COVENT   GARDEN, 

LONDON. 
(FORMERLY   RICH   &  SONS.) 

EDW.  G.  ALLEN  devotes  himself  entirely  to  library  business.  His  long  .  experience  enables  him 
to  execute  the  orders  of  correspondents  promptly,  cheaply,  and  with  thorough  efficiency.  His  con- 
nection with  all  the  Book  Dealers  in  the  United  Kingdom  gives  him  th^e  command  of  the  British 
Book  Market,  and  qualifies  him  to  serve  his  customers  with  special  advantage,  and  to  bring  promptly 
under  their  notice  all  the  stores  of  Literature,  old  and  new,  on  sale  in  -  Great  Britain. 

Books  Supplied  at  a  Small   Commission  on  the   Cost  P'rice,  with  the  usual  Trade 

deductions,  and  forwarded  by  the  quickest  and  cheatv>est  routes.    Second-hand 

Catalogues  by  early  Mails,  and  no  Commis^1011  charged  on  Orders 

from  them.      Periodicals  and  Newspapers  Posted  Promptly. 

No  expensive  sub-agencies  at  borne  or  abro(aa«  Foreign  books  on  easy  terms. 


Agency  for  the  following  Libraries  and  many  others: 


Library  of  Congress,  Washington. 
Libraries  of  Parliament,   Ottawa,  Toronto, 

and  Quebec. 
Amherst  College. 
Boston  Public  Library. 
Brooklyn  Library. 
Brown  University. 
Cornell  University. 
Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library.' 
California  University. 


Colorad-3  University. 
Johns  Hopkins  University. 
Philadelphia -Z-ibrary  Co. 
Peabody  Instituil".  Baltimore. 
University  of  Penns/lvania. 
University  of  Toronto,  Can. 
Watkinson  Library,  Hartford .  Conn. 
Yale  University. 
Minneapolis  Public  Library. 


Cheap  and  Durable  for  Circulating  Libraries.     Specially  Strong  for  Books  of  Reference.     Superlo- 

Style  for  Works  of  Art.     Imitation  Antique  for  Rare  Old  Books.     Calf  Extra  in  Every  Variety. 

Best  Half-Binding  for  General  Library  Use.     Pamphlets  Bound  at  Cheap  Rates.     Law- 

Books  In  Law  Calf.     Cheap  Binding  in  Cloth.     Hard-Grained    Roan,  etc.     Dilapi- 

dated Binding  Neatly  Repaired.     Deficiencies  of  Rare  Books  Supplied  In 

Exact  Fac-Simile.     Library  Stamps  to  Order. 


"We  have  been,  for  the  last  twenty  years,  personally  cognizant  of  Mr.  Allen's  faitnfulness  to  the  interests  of 
his  American  customers.  When  a  resident  in  Washington,  ten  years  ago,  we  found  that  the  immense  Congressional 
Library  largely  supplied  its  shelves  through  Mr.  Allen's  London  Agency.  Many  of  the  extensive  libraries  belonging 
to  the  Universities  and  Colleges  in  the  East  have  also  secured  their  Foreign  Books  from  the  same  source,  and  we 
have  heard  from  the  officers  of  these  Institutions  frequent  testimony  to  the  scrupulous  exactness  with  which  their 
orders  were  always  filled. 

"  We  cannot,  therefore,  do  a  greater  service  to  the  Colleges  and  Universities  of  the  Weft,  to  which  these  pres- 
ents shall  come,  than  to  advise  that  they  employ  this  inexpensive  agency  for  replenishing  their  Libraries  with  Eng- 
lish Books." — PRESIDENT  WELCH,  Iowa  Statt  Agricultural  College. 

"No  better  indorsement  of  Mr.  Allen's  Agency  is  possible  than  the  list  of  leading  libraries  that  continue  to  use 
it.    For  30  years,  strict  integrity  and  unexcelled  facilities  have  held  the  oid  and  made  new  patrons.    The  very  large 
business  built  up  demands  only  a  small  commission  instead  of  the  customary  10  per  cent.    A  library  can  safely 
entrust  all  its  London  orders  to  Mr.  Allen  without  getting  other  estimates  and  feei  sure  that  it  is  not  making 
mistake." — MEI.VIL  DKWKY,  State  Library,  New  York. 


Edw.  G.  Allen's  American  Library  Agency, 


COVENT  GARDEN,  LONDON. 


MEMBER    AMERICAN    LIBRARY    ASSOCIATION. 


SPECIAL    TERMS  FOR  LARGE  ORDERS. 


THE    LIBRARY    JOURNAL 


VOL.  19. 


JUNE,   1894. 


No.  6 


THE  Commission  of  the  Bibliotheque  Nation- 
ale  has  undertaken  to  decide  on  the  general 
method  for  a  catalog  of  its  vast  collection,  and 
for  the  most  part  has  decided  well.  The  main 
features  of  the  plan  outlined  for  this  catalog 
are  noted  elsewhere.  As  printed  it  will  be  solely 
an  author  catalog;  but  the  titles  cut  out  and 
mounted  can  be  made  Into  all  sorts  of  classed 
and  alphabetical  subject  catalogs  for  use  within 
the  library.  The  author  titles  are  to  form  one 
alphabet;  the  anonymous  titles  and  the  special 
lists  (periodicals,  publications  of  societies,  gov- 
ernment documents,  medical  theses,  legal  theses, 
etc.)  make  another  catalog.  This  does  not  seem 
to  us  the  best  method,  but  after  all  there  is  little 
to  choose  between  the  two.  If  the  author  of  a 
work  published  anonymously  is  discovered,  it 
will  be  entered  in  the  author  catalog  with  a  ref- 
erence from  the  anonymous  entry.  Thisiis  the 
reverse  of  the  British  Museum  practice,  and  is 
superior  to  it.  If,  however,  proper  references 
are  made  there  is  not  much  practical  difference 
between  the  two  methods. 


WE  decidedly  object,  however,  to  the  rule  that 
works  published  under  initials  are  to  be  treated 
as  anonymous.  The  initial  is  all  that  we  have 
of  the  author's  name.  We  can  never  be  sure  that 
it  is  not  all  that  there  may  be  of  his  name.  It 
is  sometimes  a  clue  by  which  we  can  find  out  his 
full  name.  And  it  often  brings  together  works 
written  by  the  same  person,  which,  by  the  Com- 
mission's system,  would  be  dispersed  all  over 
the  alphabet.  The  reason  given  for  their  deci- 
sion is  merely  that  the  British  Museum,  which 
enters  under  initials,  has  massed  together  at  the 
beginning  of  each  letter  a  great  many  titles 
of  this  kind.  Very  well,  why  not  ?  What  harm 
does  it  do  ?  The  titles  must  be  entered  some- 
where, and  will  take  just  as  much  room  wherever 
they  are  put ;  and  what  is  more  to  the  point, 
they  are  not  difficult  to  find  here.  One  can  find, 
for  instance,  M.  A.  B.'s  "Awful  wickedness  of 
working  on  Sunday  "just  as  easily  under  B. ,  M. 
A.,  as  under  Awful,  where  it  would  be  put  if 
anonymous,  according  to  the  best  practice,  or 


among  the  mass  of  titles  under  Sunday,  or  rather 
Dimanche,  where  it  will  be  put  by  the  Commis- 
sion's rule.  For  they  have  made  another  mis- 
take. They  intend  to  enter  anonymous  titles 
not  under  the  unmistakable  first  word  (not  an 
article)  but  under  the  "  significant  word  "  of  the 
title  chosen  according  to  the  judgment  of  the 
cataloger,  which  judgment  may  or  may  not 
agree  with  the  judgment  of  the  man  who  is 
looking  up  the  entry.  They  complain  that  the 
first-word  entry  produces  an  "  entassement  "  — 
heaping  up  —  of  titles  under  common  words, 
such  as  arrHl,  proces-vcrbal,  remontrance,  etc., 
and  then  they  propose  a  worse  entassement^  for 
it  appears  they  would  enter  all  remontrances 
either  under  £tats  Gendraux  or  Parlement, 
where  we  will  venture  to  say  there  will  be  found 
a  very  much  greater  collection  of  titles. 


A  FREQUENT  error  is  repeated  in  Mr.  Fletch- 
er's book,  and  should  be  corrected  before  it  passes 
into  history.  Mr.  Fletcher  says,  in  his  brief 
review  of  the  American  Library  Association,  in 
which  he  carefully  fails  to  give  himself  credit  for 
his  personal  relations  to  much  of  its  best  work  : 
"  Not  least  of  the  good  things  accomplished  by 
the  Association  has  been  the  publication  of  the 
LIBRARY  JOURNAL."  The  exact  contrary  is  the 
fact.  The  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  is  not  the  child  of 
the  Association,  but  the  Association  is  the 
child  of  the  JOURNAL.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  the 
initial  step  toward  an  association  was  taken  at  a 
conference  between  Frederick  Leypoldt,  Melvil 
Dewey,  and^the  present  writer,  at  the  office  of 
The  Publishers'  Weekly,  at  37  Park  Row,  New 
York,  held  to  work  out  a  plan  for  a  library 
periodical  which  Mr.  Leypoldt  was  proposing 
to  publish,  and  for  which  Mr.  Dewey  had  also 
been  planning  independently.  The  American 
Book  Trade  Association  had  recently  been  or- 
ganized, tho  it  was  short-lived,  lacking  the  en- 
thusiasm of  a  Melvil  Dewey  to  carry  it  through 
its  early  period,  and  it  was  suggested  that  the 
library  profession  ought  also  to  be  organized. 
The  first  number  of  the  AMERICAN  LIBRARY 
JOURNAL  was  published  previous  to  the  confer- 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[June,  '94 


ence  at  which  the  Association  was  organized. 
It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  earlier  library 
conference  of  September  15,  1853,  at  New  York, 
was  initiated  in  much  the  same  way  by  Gen. 
Charles  B.  Norton,  then  editor  of  Norton's  Lit- 
erary Gazette.  An  article  is  in  preparation  for 
the  JOURNAL  giving  some  notes  on  the  start  of 
the  JOURNAL  and  of  the  Association. — R.  R.  B. 


THE  state  of  Iowa  is  in  evidence  as  an  argu- 
ment for  woman  suffrage  rather  than  as  an  ex- 
ample of  civil  service  reform.  Or,  perhaps,  it 
is,  on  the  contrary,  an  argument  against  woman 
suffrage  ;  because  it  has  had  three  excellent  wo- 
man  librarians,  who  were  selected  for  the  posi- 
tions which  they  have  so  well  filled  without  the 
help  of  woman  suffrage, and  solely  by  masculine 
good  sense.  Mrs.  Ada  North,  Mrs.  S.  B.  Max- 
well, and  Mrs.  Mary  H.  Miller,  have  successively 
filled  the  office  of  State  Librarian  of  Iowa,  and 
have  each  of  them  successively  made  their  mark 
on  the  library  profession,  as  well  as  within  the 
circle  of  the  A.  L.  A.  Each  of  them  in  turn,  if 
we  rightly  [recall  the  circumstances,  has  been 
superseded  for  political  or  semi-political  or  per- 
sonal reasons  connected  with  political  changes 
in  administration,  after  years  of  experience  had 
rendered  her  all  the  more  effective  and  efficient 
as  an  official. 


MRS.  MILLER,  who  was  appointed  by  Gov. 
Larrabee  in  April,  1888,  after  he  had  removed 
Mrs.  Maxwell,  who  had  held  the  position  for  10 
years,  has  proved  an  enterprising  and  capable 
head  of  the  state  library  —  so  much  so  that  she 
was  retained  throughout  the  administration,  op- 
posite in  political  faith,  of  Gov.  Boies;  but  she 
has  now  been  removed  by  Gov.  Jackson,  as  her 
predecessor  had  been  removed  by  Gov.  Larra- 
bee. Mrs.  Miller  was  not  only  a  good  worker 
within  the  state,  but  has  been  a  hearty  co-oper- 
ator in  work  without  the  state  ;  in  connection 
with  the  endeavor  to  obtain  a  bibliography  of 
state  publications,  she  was  the  first  to  prepare  a 
comprehensive  list  of  the  publications  of  her  own 
state,  which  was  partially  utilized  in  the  Ameri- 
can Catalogue,  1884-90,  and  which,  for  the  rest, 
is  the  first  contribution  to  the  more  complete 
bibliography  of  state  publications  planned  in 
connection  with  the  new  catalog.  The  senti- 
ment of  the  library  profession,  as  well  as  of  all 
good  citizens,  ought  to  be  made  distinctly  known 
in  protest  against  removals  of  capable  officials, 
merely  to  make  room  for  people  out  of  place. 


Communications. 


THE  SUIT  OF  MARTIN  YS.  THE  BRITISH 
MUSEUM. 

I  CANNOT  but  feel  gratified  by  your  remarks 
respecting  the  action  brought  by  Mrs.  Victoria 
Woodhull  Martin  against  the  trustees  of  the 
British  Museum.  Permit  me,  however,  to 
rectify  an  error  concerning  a  matter  of  fact.  No 
verdict  was  given  against  the  British  Museum. 
The  jury,  in  their  finding,  while  acquitting  the 
trustees  and  their  officers  of  negligence,  most 
inconsistently  added  that  they  had  nevertheless 
failed  to  exercise  due  care  and  precaution.  It 
remained  for  the  judge  to  determine  whether 
this  finding  amounted  to  a  verdict  for  the  plain- 
tiff or  to  one  for  the  defendant.  He  decided 
that  it  was  a  verdict  for  the  defendant,  and  con- 
demned the  plaintiff  to  pay  the  costs  of  both 
parties.  Mrs.  Martin  gave  notice  of  appeal, 
which  she  subsequently  withdrew  ;  the  case, 
therefore,  never  went  beyond  the  lower  court. 
I  may  add  that,  upon  the  jury  being  asked  to 
state  what  damages  should  in  their  opinion  be 
given  to  the  plaintiff,  in  the  event  of  their 
verdict  being  determined  to  be  in  her  favor,  they 
named  the  sum  of  20  shillings. 

It  should  further  be  known  that  no  evidence 
was  produced  of  passages  from  the  incriminated 
pamphlet  having  been  copied  and  circulated  by 
any  person.  Two  of  the  only  three  readers  who 
could  be  proved  to  have  seen  it  were  not  traced, 
and  the  third  was  a  friend  of  Mrs.  Martin's. 

R.  GARNETT, 

KEEPER  OF  PRINTED  BOOKS, 
BRITISH  MUSEUM. 

EXTRA  COPIES  OF  POPULAR  BOOKS. 

WILL  you  ask  librarians  to  tell  you  how  many 
copies  they  buy  of  some  recent  popular  books  ? 
In  connection  with  this  I  suggest  that  there  be 
given  the  number  of  volumes  in  the  library  and 
also  the  relative  number  of  novels. 

For  this  purpose  I  suggest  these  :  "  Lone 
house,"  by  Barr;  "  Doreen,"  by  Bayley;  "  Be- 
ginner," by  Broughton;  "  Katharine  Lauder- 
dale,"  by  Crawford  ;  "  Heavenly  twins,"  by 
Grand;  "  Ships  that  pass  in  the  night,"  by  Har- 
raden;  "Ward  in  chancery,"  by  Hector;  "  Cost- 
ly freak,"  by  Tuttiet;  "  Marcella,"  by  Ward; 
"Gentleman  of  France," by  Wey man;  "Letters  of 
J.  R.  Lowell;"  "History  of  English  people," 
by  Green,  4-vol.  ed.;  "  Life  of  A.  P.  Stanley  ;" 
"Discovery  of  America,"  by  Fiske;  "Obiter 
dicta,"  by  Birrell. 

Such  a  report  will  be  useful  in  determining  the 
quality  of  reading.  JOHN  EDMANDS. 

PHILA.  MERCANTILE  LIBRARY. 

A  CORRECTION. 

IN  my  article,  "  Bettering  circulation  in 
small  libraries — the  'two-book'  system,"  in 
the  May  L.  j.,  1.  14,  ist  col.,  p.  162,  should  read 
"  The  actual  circulation  of  fiction  was  3969,"  in- 
stead of  "  1969";  a  drop  of  2000  would  have 
killed  all  our  gain  in  solid  reading. 

C:  K.  BOLTON, 

BROOK-LINK,  MASS.,  ) 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY.     j 


*,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


»93 


NOTES    ON    THE   BIBLIOTHEQUE   NATIONALS.* 


BY  C:  A.  CUTTER. 


M.  BERALDI,  in  his  monograph  on  the  Biblio- 
theque Nationale,  traces  the  course  of  a  book 
through  entry,  cataloging,  shelving,  and  circu- 
lation. Books  come  in  three  ways:  from  (i) 
gifts,  about  3000  a  year  (M.  Delisle  is  active  in 
seeking  valuable  gifts);  (2)  purchase,  4500  (the 
library  has  $20,000  a  year  to  spend  on  books  and 
binding);  (3)  copyright,  22,000  articles  and  6000 
pieces  of  music.  The  printer,  not  the  publisher, 
is  bound  to  make  the  deposit,  so  that  if  the  text 
and  the  illustrations  are  printed  at  different 
places  there  is  a  chance,  unless  every  one  is  care- 
ful, that  the  library  will  have  an  imperfect  copy. 
But  the  greatest  trouble  comes  from  periodicals, 
of  which  the  Bibliotheque  Nationale  receives 
3000.  What  would  some  of  our  librarians  think 
of  this  who  are  inclined  to  boast  or  to  lament 
that  they  receive  300  ?  Every  number  of  every 
newspaper  in  France  must  be  received,  sent  for 
if  it  fails  to  come,  registered,  put  on  its  pile, 
and  at  the  end  of  the  year  tied  up  in  a  bundle 
and  put  away  (for  only  the  most  important  are 
bound). 

After  the  Bureau  des  Entries  has  received, 
registered,  gathered  (to  use  a  binder's  term),  cut, 
and  bound  (so  far  as  the  funds  allow  of  binding)2 
the  accessions,  they  come  to  the  Bureau  du  Cat- 
alogue. Here  a  class-mark  is  given  them,  fol- 
lowed by  the  size-mark,  and  by  the  individual 
number  of  the  book.  This,  it  will  be  seen,  is 
the  "relative  location"  ;  and  it  has  been  in  use 
in  the  Bibliotheque  Nationale  for  two  centuries, 
though  to  American  libraries  it  came  as  an  en- 
tire novelty  a  generation  ago.  It  is  worth  while 
to  run  through  the  classification: 

A-D3iV  Theology,  140,000  articles  (receives 
annually  500  books  of  devotion,  50,000  in  a 


1  Based  onH:  Beraldi's  "  Propos  de  bibliophile,  voy- 
age   a  travers  la  Bibliotheque  Nationale ",  (Extrait  du 
journal  La  Nature).      Paris,    G.   Masson,    1893.      See 
also,    under    "  Bibliografy,"    report    of  the  Com.    des 
Bibliothfeques    Nationale  et    Municipale ;    and   account 
of  the  "  Catalogue  of  the  National  Library  of  France," 
from  the  Nation,  printed  elsewhere. 

2  Note  that  all  books  on  return  from  the  binders  are 
kept  for  a  month  in  a  drying-room,  to  remove  every  trace 
of   dampness.     The  galleries  of  many  of  our  libraries 
would  answer  the  same  purpose. 


century,  occupying  a  kilometre  of  shelf- 
room). 

E-F  Law,  160,000,  including  12,000  theses. 

G-P&ts  History,  483,600,  of  which  France  has 
260,000  in  400,000  volumes,  Germany,  56,- 
ooo,  Great  Britain,  14,000,  America,  8000. 

Q  Bibliography,  73,000,  of  which  60,000  are 
library  and  sale  catalogs. 

R  Philosophical,  Moral,  and  Natural  Sciences, 
90,000. 

S  Natural  science,  65,000. 

T  Medicine,  58,000,  with  90,000  theses. 

V  Science  and  Arts,  120,000. 

Vm  Music,  16,000,  besides  about  200,000  single 
pieces  of  music. 

X  Linguistic  and  Rhetoric,  50,000. 

Y  Poetry  and  drama,  175,000,  with  36,000 
plays  separately  printed. 

Yfo'j  Novels,  105,000. 

Z  Polygraphy,  105,000. 

Total,  i,8oo,ooo8  marked  articles,  forming 
at  least  2,000,000  volumes.  But  there  are  really 
many  more  articles,  because  various  collections 
have  only  one  number  but  contain  many  articles, 
e.g.  the  collection  "  Societes  de  secours  mutuel," 
1 7,000 pieces;  "  Compagniesdescheminsde  fer," 
22,000;  pieces  of  music,  200,000. 

The  titles  of  new  books  are  printed  in  a 
bulletin  in  two  series,  French  and  Foreign  (caus- 
ing a  printer's  bill  of  5000  francs  a  year).  This 
began  in  1875  for  the  foreign,  and  in  1882  for  the 
French.  These  bulletins  are  cut  up  and  the  titles 
mounted  on  slips,  which  are  fastened  in  a  Leyden 
binder,  three  making  a  small  folio  page.  The 
result  is  a  series  of  900  volumes,  less  easy  to 
consult  than  a  good  card  catalog,  very  much  less 
easy  than  the  British  Museum  pasted  catalog,  the 
Rudolph  books,  or  the  Rudolph  machine.  The 
Leyden  books  were  probably  adopted  as  being  less 
costly  for  insertions  of  new  titlesthanthe  old  Brit- 
ish Museum  method  of  shifting  titles  so  as  to  keep 
them  in  perfect  order  and  every  now  and  then  tak- 
ing volumes  to  pieces  and  rebinding  them.  But  the 
new  Museum  method  is  easier.  A  column  from 
the  printed  catalog  is  pasted  on  the  left-hand 


*  The  number  at  the  end  of  1893,  as  given  in  the  re- 
port of  the  Commission  op  the  Catalogue,  was  more 
than  100,000  larger, 


194 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[June,  '94 


side  of  the  left-hand  page  of  a  folio  book,  and 
accessions  are  pasted  over  against  this  on  the 
right-hand  side  and  on  both  sides  of  the  right- 
hand  page.  But  although  this  method  is  easy, 
it  has  two  very  great  objections:  (i)  the  pages 
will  soon  get  entirely  full,  when  either  the  titles 
must  all  be  raised,  rearranged,  and  pasted,  or  a 
copy  of  the  catalog  and  of  all  the  lists  of  addi- 
tions must  be  cut  up,  arranged,  and  mounted. 
(2)  The  second  evil  is  more  important.  Many 
persons  do  not  think  of  looking  beyond  the  first 
column,  and  even  when  they  do,  it  requires' 
close  attention,  long  before  the  then  right-hand 
columns  get  full,  to  make  sure  that  the  title 
sought  is  not  in  the  catalog.  In  the  book  of  re- 
quests people  are  continually  asking  the  Museum 
to  procure  works  which  it  has  already,  and  of 
course  the  book  of  requests  reveals  but  a  small 
part  of  the  mistakes  of  this  sort  that  are  made, 
for  proportionately  few  persons  take  the  trouble 
to  ask  for  books  which  they  do  not  find. 

The  books  received  at  the  Bibliotheque  Na- 
tionale  before  1875  and  1882  are  entered  on  some 
2,000,000  slips,  which  are  divided  between  two 
catalogs,  that  of  the  old  library  (fonds  ancien), 
and  of  the  intermediate  library  (fonds  intermJdi- 
arie).  In  each  of  these  catalogs  they  are  ar- 
ranged in  series  according  to  the  subject  divisions 
given  above  and  under  each  subject  alpha- 
betically. There  is  no  author  catalog  and  the 
public  are  not  allowed  to  consult  these  catalogs. 
If  then  a  reader  asks  for  a  work  received  be- 
fore 1875  the  attendant  guesses  in  which  fonds 
it  is  and  what  subject  it  treats  of  ;  if  he  does 
not  find  it  where  he  looks  first  he  tries  some 
other  division.  No  wonder  it  takes  on  an  aver- 
age half  an  hour  for  the  reader  to  get  his  book. 
I  must  bear  witness  to  the  great  skill  which 
necessity  has  developed  in  the  officials  charged 
with  this  work.  Some  of  their  successes  in 
bringing  me  out-of-the-way  books  were  mar- 
vellous. On  the  other  hand,  when  they  reported 
certain  works  not  in  the  library  I  did  not  feel  at 
all  sure  that  they  were  right,  and  I  dare  say  they 
doubted  themselves.  All  this  will  be  changed 
when  the  library  gets  a  printed  alphabetical 
catalog  of  authors  and  has  made  from  it  a 
pasted  alphabetical  catalog  of  subjects.  The 
author  catalog,  by  the  way,  is  expected  to  fill 
40,000  double-columned  quarto  pages. 

Pointing  with  pride  to  the  fact  that  the  classi- 
fication has  such  great  antiquity,  M.  Beraldi  re- 
marks that  "  since  the  time  of  Louis  xiv.  the 


library  has  never  interrupted  its  service  a  single 
day  [excepting,  of  course,  Sundays  and  fete-days, 
and  the  annual  fortnight  for  cleaning]  ;  it  would, 
therefore,  have  been  physically  impossible  for  it 
to  have  undertaken  the  great  work  of  rearrange- 
ment." Surely  a  non  sequitur.  Even  with  the 
fixed  location  it  is  possible  —  tho  not  easy  —  to 
rearrange  without  stopping  the  circulation;  but 
with  a  movable  location  there  is  no  need  what- 
ever of  interruption.  The  particular  books  one 
is  dealing  with  on  any  one  day  are  of  course 
kept  from  the  reader  just  as  the  books  which 
are  sent  to  the  binder  are  for  a  little  while  out  of 
service  ;  but  with  organization  and  care  and  a 
disposition  to  accommodate  on  the  part  of  the 
classifiers  the  detention  will  seldom  be  per- 
ceptible to  those  who  use  the  library. 

After  the  books  are  classified  and  cataloged 
they  are  put  into  the  stock  (niagasins).  The 
library  now  has  50  kilometres  (31  miles)  of 
shelves  and  is  full.  A  new  store-house  is  needed 
and  a  public  reading-room  (salle  de  lecture), 
which  can  be  lighted  by  electricity,  and  be 
opened,  like  the  British  Museum,  in  the  even- 
ing. It  is  intended  to  build  on  one  corner  of 
the  block  occupied  by  the  library.  Fourteen 
years  ago  the  dwelling-houses  covering  this 
ground,  which  were  a  constant  menace  to  the 
library,  were  torn  down.  A  commission  then 
urgently  recommended  the  immediate  construc- 
tion of  much-needed  additions;  but  money  was 
wanted  for  the  army,  and  for  the  navy  —  on 
which  the  late  investigation  shows  that  it  has 
been  utterly  wasted — and  for  railroads  and  canals 
that  would  win  votes  in  doubtful  districts;  so  that 
the  needed  "credit"  has  never  been  obtained. 
It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  printing  of  the  cata- 
log will  not  suffer  a  similar  fate. 

From  the  plan  it  seems  as  if  the  new  book- 
house  could  much  better  be  built  upon  the 
vacant  garden,  where  it  would  be  directly  con- 
tiguous to  the  great  students'  reading-room 
(salle  de  travail),  than  on  the  lot  mentioned 
above,  which  is  farther  removed.  The  service 
of  books,  already  too  slow,  runs  the  risk  of  be- 
ing still  further  delayed.  But  no  doubt  the 
authorities  have  carefully  considered  all  possible 
plans  and  know  pros  and  cons  of  each  which 
are  not  visible  to  the  public.  The  ground  at 
their  disposal,  if  properly  built  upon,  is  ample 
to  provide  storage  for  as  many  books  as  they 
have  at  present.  May  they  soon  be  able  to  com- 
mence construction. 


June,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


'95 


THE  NEW  CHARGING  SYSTEM  OF  THE  LOS  ANGELES  PUBLIC  LIBRARY. 
BY  ADELAIDE  R.  HASSE,  Assistant  Librarian. 


THE  sloping  slip-case  has  been  in  constant  use 
in  this  library  since  September,  1889,  and  has 
always  proven  satisfactory  and  equal  to  the  oc- 
casion, until  the  daily  home  circulation  of  the 
library  reached  the  1000  notch.  The  delivery- 
room  of  the  library  is  an  open  space  of  12x35 
feet,  the  space  between  the  door  leading  into  the 
corridor  and  the  delivery-desk,  behind  which 
stand  the  slip-cases,  being  only  12  feet.  The 
length  of  the  counter  is  30  feet,  and  at  the  far- 
thest end  of  it  is  the  delivery-desk. 

Until  March  of  this  year  but  one  slip-case  had 
been  used,  but  it  was  not  an  unusual  occurrence 
to  have  the  counter  closely  lined  with  people 
waiting  to  hand  their  book-lists  over  to  an  at- 
tendant, to  have  people  wandering  about  in  the 
open  space,  and  to  have  a  line  of  people  at  the 
delivery-desk  waiting  for  the  call  of  their  book- 
number,  and  being  jostled  by  people  trying  to 
get  into  the  reading-room.  At  the  receiving- 
desk  the  line  of  people  frequently  extended  into 
the  corridor,  eight,  10,  or  even  12  persons  be- 
ing outside  of  the  door. 

Long  "before  March  it  had  become  apparent 
that  some  provision  would  have  to  be  made  to 
relieve  the  pressure  on  the  outside  of  the  coun- 
ter and  to  enable  the  attendant  at  the  slip-case 
to  expedite  matters  in  the  disposition  of  books 
received  from  the  borrower.  On  busy  after- 
noons two  attendants  were  usually  on  duty  at 
the  slip-case.  This  arrangement,  however,  did 
not  prove  at  all  satisfactory,  the  attendants  be- 
ing obliged  to  reach  around  and  over  each  other, 
or  to  walk  back  and  forth  from  end  to  end  of  the 
case,  because  the  dates  of  loans,  as  per  the 
cards  presented,  of  course  could  not  be  antici- 
pated. Added  to  this,  when  a  lost  card  was  an- 
nounced, or  the  charge  of  an  exorbitant  fine  had 
to  be  defended  and  explained,  a  very  trying  con- 
gestion of  the  crowd  resulted. 

The  usual  borrower's  card,  with  columns  for 
dates  of  books  loaned  and  returned,  and  the 
5  x  7^  cm.  manilla  charging-slips  represented 
the  books'  and  borrowers'  accounts,  the  daily 
loans  being  transferred  at  the  end  of  each  day 
to  the  tabulated  record  of  statistics.  Hav- 
ing now  explained  the  primary  methods  and 


conditions  of  the  loan  department.it  remains  but 
to  demonstrate  by  how  small  an  outlay  of  money 
and  time,  comparatively,  the  hitherto  distressing 
state  of  affairs  has  been  remedied. 

Particular  attention  is  called  to  the  fact  that 
the  library  was  open  during  the  entire  time  of 
these  operations,  that  the  work  was  accomplished 
at  a  time  when  the  circulation  had  reached  a 
figure  larger  than  ever  before,  and  that  the  an- 
nual report  and  the  new  "  List  of  novels  and 
tales"  were  both  being  seen  through  the  press  at 
the  time. 

In  the  new  charging  system  the  borrowers' 
card  has  been  retained.  The  charging-slips  al- 
ready alluded  to  have  been  changed  for  book- 
cards  of  loo-pound  tag,  cut  to  5  x  I2j£  cm., 
ruled  horizontally  on  both  sides,  to  admit  of  a 
record  of  17  loans  or  dates  on  each  side,  and 
vertically  in  two  columns,  one  wide  enough  to 
admit  a  borrower's  number  of  seven  figures  (i.e., 
2044-10)  being  written,  and  the  other  column 
narrower,  to  admit  of  the  date  of  the  loan  (i.e., 
Ap.  14)  being  stamped  therein.  Each  circu- 
lating volume,  current  magazine,  and  sheet  of 
music  was  furnished  with  one  of  these  cards, 
bearing  at  its  upper  end  the  book  number  on 
both  sides,  and  at  its  lower  end  the  accession 
number  on  one  side  only.  The  work  of  number- 
ing these  cards  was  begun  on  the  first  day  of 
November,  1893,  and  continued  for  four  months 
thereafter,  by  an  attendant  especially  employed 
to  do  this  work  for  one-half  of  each  day  at  the 
rate  of  10  dollars  per  month.  Occasional  assist- 
ance was  given  by  regular  attendants.  The  work 
was  done  with  a  six-wheel  type-numbering  stamp 
(see  L.  B.  cat.,  p.  49).  The  work  of  inserting 
these  cards  in  the  books  was  accomplished  by 
the  entire  library  force,  numbering  21  persons, 
on  the  morning  of  Sunday,  March  II. 

The  book-cards  are  held  to  the  inside  cover 
by  means  of  a  pocket  of  iso-pound  manilla,  cut 
to  make  a  triangle,  minus  the  right  angle,  and 
whose  longest  size  is  seven  and  one-half  cm., 
the  width  of  the  strip  thus  remaining  is  four 
cm.  Something  of  this  kind,  I  believe,  is  in 
use  in  the  People's  Palace  Library.  The 
straight  edges  of  this  pocket,  open  at  both 


196 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[June,  '94 


ends,  are  folded  under  about  one-quarter  inch, 
glued,  and  pasted  to  the  extreme  lower  left-hand 
corner  of  the  cover,  wet.  When  the  book  is  on 
the  shelf,  this  pocket  furnishes  a  resting-place 
for  the  book-card;  when  in  use,  it  holds  the  bor- 
rower's card,  and  the  book-card  remains  depos- 
ited in  one  of  the  slip-cases  now  in  use,  until 
the  return  of  the  book.  The  work  of  pasting 
these  pockets  was  accomplished  during  the  same 
^ength  of  time,  and  at  the  same  cost  as  the  num- 
bering of  the  cards,  stated  above. 

The  slip-case  formerly  in  use  was  the  regular 
L.  B.  2$a  15-tray  case.  The  cases  now  in  use 
were  made  to  order  by  the  Library  Bureau,  and 
differ  from  the  253  case  only  in  the  depth  of  the 
trays  (a  trifle  over  nine  cm.),  to  hold  the  longer 
book-cards.  The  two  cases  hold  the  book- 
cards  for  the  loans  of  the  odd  and  even  dates 
respectively,  and  during  the  greater  part  of 
the  day  each  case  is  in  charge  of  an  individual  at- 
tendant, the  receiving  force  being  reduced  to 
one  during  the  first  two  hours  of  the  day  and 
during  the  latter  part  of  the  evening.  Two 
short  rails  have  been  erected  on  the  outside  of 
the  counter,  dividing  the  delivery-desk  into  sta- 
tions for  the  delivery  of  books  loaned  on  odd 
and  even  days  respectively,  each  station  being 
indicated  by  a  sign  a  little  over  the  level  of  the 
eyes. 

The  time  saved  by  the  present  method  is  very 
perceptible  both  to  the  borrower  and  to  the 
library  staff.  In  charging,  the  only  thing  it  is 
necessary  to  write  now  Is  the  borrower's  number 
on  the  book-card,  instead  of  as  formerly,  the 
book-number,  borrower's  number,  and  thecharg- 
ing-clerk's  number,  the  stamp  being  used  twice 
as  formerly,  both  on  the  borrower's  card  and  on 
the  book-card  or  charging-slip.  The  book-cards 
are  all  dropped  into  a  drawer  at  the  left  of  the 
charging-clerk,  and  at  night  are  counted  and 
segregated  by  the  clerk  on  duty  in  the  reference- 
room. 

These  cards  serve  as  indicators  to  the  number 
and  identity  of  the  users  of  the  books,  the  latter 
often  a  very  convenient  bit  of  information.  As, 
for  instance,  if  a  stranger  comes  to  town  who  is 
an  amateur  astronomer,  and  desires  to  meet 
local  students  of  his  subject,  the  book-card  will 
enable  the  librarian  to  give  him  name  and  ad- 
dress of  persons  who  habitually  read  books  of 
this  class.  The  former  also,  being  the  record  of 
the  number  of  times  an  individual  book  is  used, 
will,  of  course,  influence  purchases. 


A  CATALOG  FOR  THE  NATIONAL  LI- 
BRARY OF  FRANCE. 

From  the  Nation. 

A  VERY  important  report  has  just  been  issued 
by  the  Bibliotheque  Nationale  of  France.  A 
committee  of  20  persons,  of  whom  nine  were 
members  of  the  institute,  four  librarians,  and 
three  inspector-generals  of  libraries,  has  been 
considering  the  advisability  and  method  of  print- 
ing the  catalog  of  the  largest  library  in  the 
world,  which  contained  at  the  end  of  last  year 
1,934,154  "  numbers,"  forming  at  least  2,600,000 
volumes.  The  report  gives  an  interesting  sketch 
of  the  history  of  the  cataloging  of  the  library 
from  the  beginning,  which  is  the  not  uncommon 
story  of  an  insufficient  personnel  overwhelmed 
by  great  accessions,  of  neglect,  bad  judgment, 
increasing  confusion,  frantic  efforts  to  remedy 
the  evil,  attempts  to  do  too  much  —  apparently 
a  continued  struggle  to  run  a  great  library  with 
a  small  staff.  Finally,  on  the  accession  of  M. 
Leopold  Delisle  in  1875,  was  inaugurated  the 
present  system,  which  led  to  the  completion  of 
the  inventory  in  December,  1893.  Nothing  now 
remains  to  be  done  but  to  add  the  printed  mat- 
ter, often  very  important,  which  is  included 
among  manuscripts  in  the  manuscript  depart- 
ment, together  with  a  collection  of  books  belong- 
ing to  the  library  kept  at  present  in  the  palace 
of  Fontainebleau,  and  then  to  print. 

This  the  committee  has  unanimously  decided 
to  do,  on  two  grounds  —  first,  as  a  safeguard  to 
the  property  of  the  library,  and  second,  as  a 
guide  to  the  researches  of  students.  For  a 
century  losses  of  books  have  been  frequent. 
Most  of  the  books  recovered  come  from  book- 
sellers and  book-lovers  who  voluntarily  restore 
books  which  they  find  on  their  shelves  with  the 
library's  marks.  The  committee  believes  that 
the  copies  of  the  catalog  which  would,  of  course, 
be  accessible  in  every  public  library,  would  be  an 
important  instrument  of  verification  and  the  best 
of  guarantees  for  the  public  property.  As  for  the 
service  which  such  a  catalog  would  render  to 
students,  it  is  needless  to  speak.  Scholars  in  the 
provinces  and  abroad  will  find  in  it  the  elements 
of  a  bibliography  in  their  respective  researches, 
and  within  the  library  a  reader  will  find  his  book 
more  easily,  and  will  have  to  wait  for  it  a 
shorter  time,  because  he  will  put  on  the  slip  by 
which  he  demands  it  the  exact  shelf-mark,  in- 
stead of  handing  in  a  request  for  a  book  which 
may  or  may  not  be  in  the  library,  and  of  which 
he  may  or  may  not  have  the  correct  title,  and 
waiting  while  an  attendant  hunts  it  up  in  several 
catalogs  —  an  operation  which  on  the  average 
takes  30  minutes.  The  committee,  no  doubt, 
considered,  though  they  abstain  from  discussing 
it  in  their  report,  the  feasibility  of  putting  this 
same  information  before  the  readers  on  cards  — 
that  is,  of  extending  to  the  older  books  the  sys- 
tem of  cards  clamped  in  volumes  which  the 
library  has  adopted  for  all  books  received  since 
1872.  Of  the  American  improvements  in  card 
catalogs  they  perhaps  have  no  idea,  and  of  the 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


197 


Rudolph  Indexer  they  probably  never  have  heard. 
But  to  prepare  the  slips  of  the  inventory  of  the 
older  books  for  insertion  in  the  card-books  would 
be  a  work  of  some  cost,  and,  while  it  would  give 
a  most  useful  instrument  for  the  readers  within 
the  library,  it  would  be  of  no  use  in  the  other 
libraries  of  the  country,  and,  moreover,  would 
not  be  to  the  world  so  glorious  a  monument  of 
French  literature. 

The  chief  reason  for  printing,  in  our  opinion, 
is  the  possibility  of  making  from  these  printed 
lists,  with  no  further  expense  than  the  cost  of 
cutting  up,  mounting,  and  classifying,  any  num- 
ber of  bibliographies.  Titles  arranged  in  chron- 
ological order,  which  would  present  the  history 
of  literature;  titles  in  geographical  order,  giving 
the  typographical  history  of  every  place,  so  far 
as  its  printing  is  represented  in  the  library;  an 
arrangement  by  bindings,  for  all  whose  bindings 
are  worth  mention;  an  arrangement  by  donors; 
an  arrangement  by  languages,  forming  national 
bibliographies ;  'a  classified  arrangement  with 
every  refinement  that  it  has  entered  into  the 
mind  of  man  to  conceive;  and  finally,  most  use- 
ful of  all,  an  arrangement  under  subjects  placed 
in  alphabetical  order  —  all  these  the  happy  li- 
brary that  prints  its  titles  can  easily  have.  It  is 
true  that  it  costs  money  to  cut  up  and  mount,  and 
above  all  to  classify;  but  this  is  for  future  con- 
sideration. It  is  a  pity  that  the  committee  does 
not  discuss  the  application  of  logotypy.  Perhaps 
they  have  considered  it,  and  found  it  too  costly, 
but  they  say  nothing  of  it.  Perhaps  if  we  had 
had  to  furnish  the  money,  we  should  not  have 
regarded  these  arguments  as  conclusive;  but  we 
are  glad  that  they  have  appeared  so  to  the  com- 
mittee; for  this  catalog,  like  that  of  the  British 
Museum,  will  be  a  boon  to  American  students, 
and  each  of  our  great  libraries  will  undoubtedly 
procure  a  copy.  It  will  be  most  interesting  to 
compare  the  two  catalogs,  and  it  will  be  found, 
we  believe,  that  the  two  greatest  gatherings  of 
books  in  the  world  are  by  no  means  duplicates 
of  one  another.  The  Museum  is,  of  course,  far 
the  fuller  in  English  history  and  English  litera- 
ture, and  its  quantities  of  English  pamphlets 
can  nowhere  be  equalled  ;  the  Bibliotheque  is 
correspondingly  superior  in  French  history  and 
literature,  and  not  weak  in  pamphlets,  although 
we  suppose  it  hardly  has  such  numbers  of  these 
troblesome  but  often  important  issues  of  the 
press.  What  the  Museum  has,  in  fact,  is  not  all 
revealed  by  its  present  catalog;  a  mass  of  several 
thousand  Mazarinades,  for  instance,  is  repre- 
sented by  a  single  entry,  and  the  detailed  cata- 
loging is  reserved  for  the  Supplement. 

The  rules  suggested  for  the  placing  of  entries 
are  generally  judicious.  We  do  not  see  the  use 
of  having  one  catalog  for  authors  and  a  second 
alphabet  for  anonymous  works,  but  this  is  a 
matter  on  which  there  may  well  be  difference  of 
opinion.  Anonymous  works  whose  authors  are 
known  will  appear  under  their  names  —  an  im- 
provement on  the  practice  of  the  British  Museum. 
Periodicals  and  the  publications  of  societies  will 
appear  in  special  catalogs — another  matter  on 
which  there  is  a  difference  of  opinion  among 
experts.  This  is  not,  we  believe,  the  practice 


in  any  American  library.  It  is  audacious  to  dis- 
agree on  any  point  with  so  eminent  a  committee, 
yet  we  can  but  think  that  they  have  not  solved  the 
still  vexed  problem  of  books  which  remain  anony- 
mous as  well  as  they  might  have  done.  Bar- 
bier  pointed  out  the  only  way  of  salvation  —  entry 
in  all  cases  under  the  first  word,  the  only  rule 
that  cannot  be  differently  interpreted  by  differ- 
ent catalogers,  giving  the  only  place  where  one 
can  be  sure  of  finding  a  work.  Panizzi  wanted 
to  follow  Barbier  entirely,  but  was  overruled  by 
his  trustees,  and  obliged  to  make  several  excep- 
tions. Still,  on  the  whole,  the  British  Museum 
enters  under  the  first  word  not  an  article  or 
preposition.  The  French  committee,  however, 
propose  to  return  to  the  older  fashion  —  the  first 
significant  word  —  opening  the  door  wide  to  all 
sorts  of  diversities  of  practice,  and  therefore 
preparing  many  vexatious  disappointments  to 
those  who  use  the  catalog.  Remontrances ,  for 
instance,  are  to  be  put  either  under  "  fetats- 
generaux"  or  under  "  Parlement,"  because,  for- 
sooth, there  would  be  such  a  number  of  titles 
beginning  with  Remontrance.  But  will  there 
not  be  quite  as  many  entries,  or  more,  under 
Etats-glneraux  and  Parlement?  Other  "first 
words"  are  to  be  discarded  in  favor  of  "  impor- 
tant words  "  selected  by  the  cataloger. 

The  committee  mentions  with  pardonable  pride 
the  Improvements  Introduced  during  the  last 
quarter  century  in  the  service  of  the  library.  In 
1868  the  reading-room  had  barely  a  hundred 
seats,  and  readers  might  often  be  seen  wandering 
disconsolately  and  vainly  in  search  of  an  empty 
one.  Now  the  number  of  seats  is  quadrupled 
(but  we  must  remark  that  such  is  the  increase  In 
the  use  made  of  the  library  that  the  vain  search 
for  a  seat  may  still  be  seen).  Readers  then  col- 
lected in  crowds  round  the  bureau,  waiting  for 
their  names  to  be  called,  when,  after  a  long  time, 
the  book  demanded  issued  mysteriously  from  be- 
hind thescreen.  Now  books  are  delivered  to  them 
at  their  desks  (after  an  average  wait  of  30 
minutes,  as  we  ascertained  last  winter);  and  till 
they  are  brought  the  students  have  at  their  free 
disposal  9000  volumes  of  carefully  selected 
reference-books.  In  1868  they  had  no  books 
whatever  to  consult  during  this  time,  and  had  to 
send  to  a  "  call-slip  "  to  get  the  commonest  dic- 
tionary. Then  they  were  expressly  forbidden, 
by  repeated  regulations,  to  consult  the  catalog. 
Now  they  have  author  and  subject  catalogs  of  all 
books  received  since  1872.  In  one  respect  they 
are  even  more  favored  than  the  readers  in  the 
great  British  Museum  reading-room.  They  have 
the  last  numbers  of  the  principal  French  and 
foreign  periodicals  laid  out  on  a  table  for  free 
use  —  not,  indeed,  the  popular  magazines,  which 
one  finds  in  all  American  and  English  town  and 
city  libraries,  and  not  even  as  many  learned 
periodicals  as  one  finds  in  our  college  and  our 
greater  public  libraries,  but  still  enough  to  be 
of  great  service.  And  yet,  with  all  these  ameli- 
orations, the  public  complain.  But  the  ad- 
ministration is  not  discouraged,  and  it  projects 
further  improvements  —  another  reading-room 
fitted  up  for  evening  use,  additional  storage- 
rooms,  more  attendants. 


198 


LA**,  '$4 


LIBRARIES  AND  SCHOOLS. 

THE  recent  report  of  the  Massachusetts  Free 
Public  Library  Commission  contains  some  help- 
ful suggestions  as  to  bringing  about  a  closer 
connection  between  libraries  and  schools  by 
means  of  local  collections. 

"  Town  libraries  have  been  urged,"  say  the 
commissioners  "  to  make  as  exhaustive  collec- 
tions as  possible  of  matter  of  local  historical  or 
geographical  interest.  They  have  been  advised 
to  save  carefully  copies  of  all  printed  reports 
and  other  documents  issued  by  the  municipali- 
ties, histories  and  other  books  relating  to  the 
towns,  pamphlets  of  local  interest,  manuscripts 
containing  biographical  or  historical  material 
regarding  persons,  houses  or  localities,  maps  and 
plans,  and  everything  regarding  or  representing 
the  literary,  scientific  or  other  work  of  present 
or  former  residents. 

"The  commission  now  suggests  that  an  ex- 
cellent way  of  bringing  about  the  close  connec- 
tion between  libraries  and  schools,  which  is 
generally  conceded  to  be  desirable,  would  be  to 
utilize  the  collections,  when  made,  in  promoting 
a  spirit  of  investigation  among  teachers  and 
scholars,  and  awakening  an  interest  in  history. 
The  teacher  of  a  school  would  have,  in  the  first 
place,  to  become  acquainted  with  the  materials 
at  command.  She  should  then  excite  an  interest 
by  describing  some  exciting  or  pleasant  incident 
in  the  history  of  the  town  or  by  reading  some 
well-written  passage  from  a  pamphlet,  book,  or 
manuscript.  Chapters  in  local  history  might 
sometimes  be  used  in  the  place  of  reading-books 
by  pupils,  in  class-work.  When  interest  has  been 
aroused  set  the  children  at  work  using  material 
at  hand,  old  newspapers,  books,  pamphlets, 
etc.,  to  make  investigations  regarding  things 
that  have  occurred  in  the  place.  Let  them,  when 
ready,  give  an  account  of  the  results  of  their 
inquiries,  either  by  word  of  mouth  or  in  the 
form  of  a  written  composition.  Afterwards  con- 
nect the  doings  of  the  towns  in  which  the  boys 
and  girls  live  with  those  of  neighboring  or  larger 
places  and  with  the  state  and  country. 

"  By  studying,  and  making  plans  and  maps, 
children  may  be  excited  to  take  a  lively  interest 
in  the  geography  of  the  towns  they  live  in,  and 
by  being  led  to  see,  by  means  of  books  used  by 
themselves,  or  for  them  by  teachers,  and  by  ex- 
cursions, the  topographical  and  physical  features 
of  those  towns,  may  have  started  in  them  the 
knowledge  of  the  resources  of  the  places  and  an 
interest  in  thinking  about  the  connections  of 
their  parts,  their  relations  to  other  towns,  and 
their  facilities  and  prospects.  By  a  judicious 
use  of  books  from  libraries,  relating  to  local 
matters,  important  moral  lessons  may  often  be 
drawn  in  such  a  way  as  to  become  impressive  to 
children  and  remain  in  their  memories.  Great 
good  is  done  when  a  young  person  has  become 
interested  in  making  investigations.  Let  teachers, 
then,  use  library  books  in  inciting  pupils  to  make 
local  and  wider  historical  and  geographical  re- 
searches, and  in  this  way  try  to  start  in  them  a 
taste  for  historical  and  other  research  and  the 


habit  of  learning  the  meaning  of  the  events  of 
history  and  the  actions  of  great  men." 

This  subject  is  also  touched  upon  by  Mr. 
Hill  in  the  last  (1893)  report  of  the  Newark 
(N.  J.)  Free  Public  Library.  Speaking  of  the 
Newark  Library  in  its  connection  with  the 
schools  of  that  city,  he  says:  "Some  of  the 
teachers  derive  great  benefit  from  the  use  of  the 
library,  while  others  have  still  to  learn  that 
books  other  than  text-books  can  be  of  service  in 
connection  with  school-work.  The  number  of 
teachers  using  the  library  is  yearly  on  the  in- 
crease, and  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when 
every  school  will  have  library  books  in  circula- 
tion among  the  pupils.  One  teacher  not  alto- 
gether in  sympathy  with  the  plan  of  sending 
pupils  to  the  library  for  study  and  consultation 
tried  the  experiment  a  few  weeks  ago.  He 
picked  out  five  boys  who  were  considered  some- 
what mischievous.  After  they  had  been  here 
two  or  three  times  he  paid  a  visit  to  the  library 
to  see  how  they  were  getting  along.  He  ex- 
pressed himself  to  me  before  going  to  the  refer- 
ence department,  in  this  way:  '  I  expect  to  find 
them  doing  anything  but  studying.'  After  an 
absence  of  10  minutes  he  returned  to  say  that 
he  '  was  delighted  to  find  the  boys  studying 
and  apparently  much  interested  in  their  work.' 
He  is  now  a  firm  believer  in  the  co-operation  of 
the  public  library  and  the  public  schools.  A 
principal  once  said  he  could  make  good  use  of 
the  library  if  allowed  to  take  25  books  at  a 
time.  When  asked  how  many  teachers  there 
were  in  the  building  he  answered,  'about  15, 
and  only  one  taking  books  for  school  use.'  He 
was  informed  that  if  the  other  14  would  each 
take  the  six  books  as  privileged  by  the  rule  of 
the  trustees,  there  would  be  84  books  in  use  in- 
stead of  the  25  he  could  do  so  much  with.  He 
took  the  hint,  and  is  now  using  the  library." 


PAMPHLETS. 

DR.  S.  A.  GREEN,  in  his  account  of  the  "  Ori- 
gin and  growth  of  the  library  of  the  Massachu- 
setts Historical  Society,"  which  appeared  not 
long  since  in  pamphlet  form,  gives  an  interesting 
description  of  the  various  methods  of  binding 
pamphlets,  adopted  in  that  library  in  successive 
years.  The  perplexities  of  the  subject  called 
forth  some  amusing  "  warnings"  from  the  early 
librarians  of  the  society,  which  will  strike  a 
responsive  chord  in  the  minds  of  all  who  have 
had  experience  in  this  troublesome  branch  of 
library  work.  Dr.  Green  says  : 

"  It  was  an  early  practice  to  tie  up  the  pam- 
phlets in  small  parcels,  and  keep  them  in  this 
way  preparatory  to  binding;  and  in  the  course  of 
time  several  thousand  were  bound.  On  April  8, 
1858,  when  the  librarian  read  his  first  annual 
report,  under  the  requirement  of  the  by-laws 
adopted  on  October  8,  1857,  there  were  about 
12,000  pamphlets  in  the  library  arranged  in  cases 
made  for  the  purpose.  It  appears  by  the  report 
of  the  standing  committee  on  April  24,  1856, 
that  at  that  time  457  cases  had  been  bought,  and 
about  10,000  pamphlets  classified  and  thus  ar- 


June,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


199 


ranged.  These  cases,  shaped  like  a  volume,  had 
the  word  '  Pamphlets  '  printed  on  the  back.  In 
April,  1862,  the  number  had  reached  492,  and 
probably  more  were  added  later;  and  their  use 
continued  until  about  1878,  although  a  few  are 
still  found  serviceable  for  the  largest  pamphlets. 
According  to  the  system  of  classification  begun 
by  Dr.  Appleton,  a  paper  label  of  the  proper 
size,  bearing  the  printed  name  of  the  division, 
was  pasted  on  the  back  of  the  boxes.  About 
the  year  1878  the  pamphlets  had  increased  so 
much  that  it  was  found  easier  and  more  conven- 
ient for  use  to  tie  them  up  in  bundles.  Later, 
in  October,  1884,  these  parcels  were  first  carefully 
guarded  from  the  wear  of  the  string  by  strips  of 
pressboard.  The  system  of  classification  now  in 
use,  although  somewhat  changed  as  to  the  names 
of  the  divisions  and  other  minor  particulars,  is 
similar  to  that  begun  by  Dr.  Appleton.  These 
pamphlets  are  kept  in  one  room,  and  arranged 
on  the  alphabetical  plan  in  the  several  divisions 
and  subdivisions.  • 

"  It  was  the  practice  of  early  librarians  to  en- 
ter, on  the  fly-leaf  of  each  volume  of  miscella- 
neous tracts,  the  titles  contained  therein,  as  well 
as  occasionally  other  memoranda.  One  of  such 
volumes,  in  which  the  first  title  is  '  The  Church 
of  Ephesus  arraign'd,'  by  Josiah  Smith  (Charles- 
Town,  S.  C.,  1768),  has  on  the  fly-leaf  at  the  end 
the  following  note,  written  by  John  Eliot  : 

" '  There  is  no  persuading  Bookbinders  to  do  as  you 
desire  them.  Be  sides  the  misplacing  of  several  pamphlets 
&  paying  no  regard  to  the  date,  tho'  arranged  for  him 
by  the  Librarian,  he  must  take  this  Narrative  of  the  work 
a/  C.from  the  par  cell  -which  were  collected  with  great 
diligence  &*  many  months  assiduity;  &1  where  all  the 
Cambuslang  pieces  preceeded  the  other  works  of  the 
Whitefieldian  controversy. 

'  '  Two  books  are  spoiled  to  the  no  small  vexation  of 
Mr  E.  who  hath  had  his  patience  tried  often  in  this  way. 

Use  — or  Caution. 

"  '  Never  send  but  pamphlets  enough  to  fill  one  volume 
—  let  these  be  bound  in  boards  only  till  you  have  seen 
them — then  may  you  alter  the  arrangmt  before  the  fin- 
ishing. Otherwise  you  must  stand  over  the  Bookbinder 
till  there  is  not  a  bare  possibility  of  his  mistaking,'1 

"  Another  volume,  in  which  the  first  title  is 
'  The  Importance  of  Righteousness  .  .  in  two 
Discourses  delivered  at  Brookfield,  July  4,  1774,' 
by  Nathan  Fiske  (Boston,  1774),  has  a  note  at 
the  beginning  in  the  same  hand  as  follows  : 

'"Remark  —  for  the  benefit  of  other  Societies  besides 
the  historical. 

"  '  A  stupid  book  binder  will  never  mind  your  orders 
about  placing  pamphlets. 

"'If  cheapness  is  the  thing  aimed  at,  you  will  have 
none  but  stupid  fellows  to  work  for  you.' 

"  Since  the  year  1868  it  has  been  the  rule  in 
the  library  to  bind  up  all  historical  tracts  sepa- 
rately ;  and  miscellaneous  pamphlets  have  not 
been  bound  in  the  same  volume  unless  they  be- 
longed to  a  series  or  were  closely  connected  in 
their  subjects.  Reports  of  various  societies  and 
institutions  in  Massachusetts  are  bound  together 
in  sets,  and  divided  according  to  theinthickness, 
though  frequently  by  tens  or  fives,  either  as  to 
the  year  or  the  ordinal  number  of  the  report.  On 
the  back  and  near  the  top  of  the  volumes  given 
during  the  first  20  years  of  the  society,  there 
is  found  a  small  cross  in  ink.  I  am  unable  to 
give  the  meaning  of  this  mark,  but  perhaps  it 
was  meant  to  show  that  the  work  had  been  cata- 


loged. To  indicate  the  fact  in  later  years  a 
small  'c'  has  been  written  in  ink  or  with  pencil 
at  the  beginning  of  the  book  or  pamphlet  in  the 
upper  right-hand  corner. 

"  In  former  times  the  style  of  binding  pam- 
phlets varied  somewhat  from  that  now  in  use,  as 
well  as  the  lettering  on  the  back.  Such  volumes 
were  generally  bound  in  sheep,  which  has  not 
proved  to  be  serviceable.  The  following  in- 
stances may  be  mentioned  as  fair  samples  of  the 
lettering :  '  Religious  Tracts,'  '  Mixt  Tracts,' 
'  Mixt  Sermons,'  'Select  Pamphlets,'  etc.;  and 
about  1815  the  back  titles  ran  thus:  'Tracts. 
D.  F.  I,'  'Tracts.  D.  F.  2,'  with  several  other 
combinations  of  letters  and  figures,  which  were 
intended  probably  for  the  place- mark  of  the 
books. 

"  In  recent  years  it  has  been  the  practice  to 
bind  the  newspapers  in  duck,  as  it  is  considered 
to  be  more  durable  than  leather,  which  in  time 
becomes  very  tender  and  fragile.  Since  June  7, 
1889,  a  handle,  or  loop,  projecting  behind,  has 
been  firmly  riveted  to  each  side  of  the  cover,  so 
that  the  volume  can  be  more  easily  taken  from 
the  shelf.  This  has  been  found  to  be  a  convenient 
contrivance  for  large  or  heavy  files." 


AN  EXTENSION  OF  THE  DEWEY 
NUMBERING. 

IT  is  often  interesting  to  trace  the  power  of  a 
great  idea  as  it  radiates  in  recondite  and  un- 
suspected directions.  The  latest  illustration  of 
this  wise  remark  comes  from  the  habitat  of  the 
Library  School  and  of  its  distinguished  founder, 
whose  ideas  have  overflowed  the  Capitol  and  the 
hill-top  and  reached  the  very  highways  and 
broadways  of  the  good  city  of  Albany.  Even 
such  an  every-day  business  as  the  purveying,  not 
of  intellectual  but  of  physical  food,  is  becoming 
responsive  to  the  advantages  of  the  Dewey  Dec- 
imal Classification.  The  system  is  not  as  yet 
introduced  in  its  perfect  simplicity  and  entire 
completeness,  but  doubtless  the  restaurateur  in 
question  is  as  yet  only  a  tyro,  and  has  but  a 
glimmering  of  the  true  light.  It  is  encouraging, 
nevertheless,  to  find  such  evidences  of  the  March 
of  Progress. 

The  librarian  who  is  accustomed  to  the  use  of 
the  Decimal  Classification  and  who  enters  this 
certain  restaurant  in  Albany,  where  the  various 
viands  are  carefully  numbered  on  the  bill  of 
fare,  will  more  than  once  be  puzzled  to  "  catch 
on  "  promptly  to  the  analogies  which  doubtless 
underlay  the  general  scheme  of  distribution. 
Just  why  10,  usually  associated  with  "  Bibli- 
ography," should  be  applied  to  "  Pick  up  Cod 
in  Cream,"  is  somewhat  difficult  of  solution;  but 
it  is  to  be  feared  that  the  assignment  of  20, 
usually  representing  "  Library  economy,"  to 
"Stewed  Eels,"  has  some  hidden  and  perhaps 
satiric  reference  to  the  contortions  connected 
with  the  current  complexity  of  rival  methods 
of  classification.  "  Sandwiches  "are  very  rightly 
classified  under  numbers  140-148,  associated 
otherwise  with  "  Philosophical  systems,"  because 
it  is  a  matter  of  common  repute  that  philoso- 
phers are  apt  to  subsist  upon  this  diet.  1 20  desig- 


20O 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[June,  '94 


nates  "  Celery,"  doubtless  because  this  is  a  brain 
food  of  special  value  in  discussing  "Special  meta- 
physical topics."  It  is  a  little  hard  on  young 
lawyers  that  340  should  be  assigned  in  the  one 
case  to  "  Law,"  and  in  the  other  to  "  Calves' 
Brains"  ;  but  360  finds  very  happy  coincidence  in 
"  Bread  and  Milk  "  and  "  Associations  and  insti- 
tutions," in  which  latter  the  inmates  are  supposed 
to  subsist  largely  upon  the  former.  390  is  as- 
signed to  "Radishes"  in  the  one  case  and 
"  Folk-lore  "  in  the  other,  possibly  because  both 
go  to  the  roots  of  things  ;  but  there  is  either 
fine  subtlety  or  some  confusion  of  mind  in  as- 
sociating 440  both  with  "Irish  stew"  and 
"  French  philology."  540,  attributed  in  the  ordi- 
nary Dewey  scheme  to  "Chemistry,"  is  in  this 
special  adaptation  assigned  to  "  Ice  creams  "  and 
like  compounds;  but  there  is  evidently  careless- 
ness in  assigning  the  sub-classification  542  to 
V  Mixed  Cream  Two,"  and  separating  from  that 
item  at  considerable  distance  under  549,  "  Mixed 
Cream  Three." 

Space  does  not  permit  the  further  discussion 
of  this  interesting  and  suggestive  application  of 
library  ideas,  and  we  can  only  suggest  that  Mr. 
Keeler,  who  keeps  the  remarkable  hotel  which 
has  this  remarkable  bill  of  fare,  should  be  ap- 
pointed permanent  caterer  to  the  A.  L.  A.,  and 
have  charge  of  its  yearly  banquets.  He  has 
yet  to  learn,  however,  of  phonetic  spelling  and 
the  true  limits  of  capitalization. 


REDLANDS  (CAL.)    PUBLIC   LIBRARY. 

THAT  Southern  California  is  gradually  becom- 
ing a  field  for  active  library  work  is  exemplified 
in  the  brief  records  of  the  Redlands  Library.  In 
March,  1894,  this  library  passed  the  first  month 
of  [its  existence  ;  the  statistics  for  that  month 
were  as  follows  :  On  the  shelves,  1406  volumes; 
periodicals  on  file,  38;  days  open,  27;  home  cir- 
culation, 1492  volumes;  readers  in  attendance, 
1551;  membership,  500. 

Redlands  is  a  town  of  about  5000  inhabitants, 
located  70  miles  from  Los  Angeles.  The  public 
interest  manifested  in  the  library  is  best  shown 
by  the  fact  that  within  three  months  after  a  sub- 
scription list  had  been  started,  and  despite  the 
"  hard  times,"  $2000  was  raised  for  the  purpose 
of  organizing  and  maintaining  for  one  year  a 
free  public 'library.  The  library  was  formally 
opened  on  February  22,  when  the  board  of  trus- 
tees of  the  Library  Association  presented  the  li- 
brary, with  its  appurtenances,  to  the  city  of 
Redlands,  to  be  by  it  maintained  and  continued 
as  a  free  public  library.  The  library  is  located 
in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building;  the  room  is  well 
arranged,  supplied  with  modern  library  fittings, 
and  lighted  by  electricity.  The  decimal  system 
of  classification  is  used.  Miss  Helen  A.  Nevin, 
a  graduate  of  the  Los  Angeles  Public  Library 
training  class,  is  librarian.  She  writes:  "Our 
aim  is  to  keep  abreast  of  the  times  in  matters 
pertaining  to  education  and  library  interests, 
and  with  the  co-operation  of  our  patrons,  and 
the  hearty  encouragement  of  our  alma  mater, 
the  Los  Angeles  Public  Library,  we  hope  to  be 
strong  in  growth  and  fruitful  in  well-doing." 


"  BIBLIOGRAPHICAL 

THE  first  number  of  Bibliographica,  the  new 
English  magazine  of  bibliography,  has  recently 
made  its  appearance.  It  is  to  be  published  quar- 
terly, the  last  number  appearing  at  the  end  of 
1896.  The  magazine  treats  of  bibliography  in  its 
historical  and  artistic  aspects,  and  its  object  is 
to  present  a  series  of  papers  on  various  points 
of  book-lore,  by  writers  of  authority,  in  a  form 
which,  while  allowing  of  serial  publication,  will 
also  be  complete  and  final.  To  do  this,  the  novel 
plan  of  publishing  the  magazine  for  three  years 
only  has  been  adopted,  as  it  is  believed  that  in 
the  course  of  12  quarterly  numbers  the  con- 
tributors will  be  able  to  write  on  most  of  their 
special  topics,  and  it  is  not  desired  that  the  mag- 
azine should  be  continued  after  the  freshness  of 
its  first  impulse  has  been  exhausted.  A  notable 
list  of  contributors  has  been  secured  for  the 
various  topics.  The  subject  of  "  Manuscripts'* 
will  be  handled  by  E:  Maunde  Thompson,  princi- 
pal librarian  of  the  British  Museum;  Mr.  War- 
ner, of  the  Department  of  Manuscripts  of  the 
British  Museum,  and  Falconer  Madan,  of  the 
Bodleian.  "  Early  printed  books"  will  be  de- 
scribed by  Gordon  Duff,  Russell  Martineau,  J. 
P.  Edmond,  W.  Copinger, and  others;  contribu- 
tions to  the  history  of  "  Book-collecting  and  li- 
braries" will  be  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elton,  W.  Y. 
Fletcher,  Austin  Dobson,  and  Messrs.  Tedder 
and  Macray;  while  "  Book  illustrations  "  will  be 
dealt  with  by  William  Morris,  Dr.  Paul  Kristel- 
ler,  C.  Fairfax  Murray,  A.  W.  Pollard,  and 
Laurence  Housman.  "  Book  prices  and  book 
sales,"  "  Book-plates,"  and  "  Bookbindings"  will 
be  discussed  by  authorities;  there  will  be  a  paper 
on  "Early  printed  music;"  articles  by  R.  C. 
Christie,  Dr.  Garnett,  Andrew  Lang,  H.  B. 
Wheatley,  and  other  well-known  writers;  and 
there  will  be  several  French  contributions  by 
Octave  Uzanne,  Henri  Beraldi,  and  others. 

The  first  number  of  Bibliographica  is  a  suffi- 
cient indication  of  the  importance  and  beauty  of 
the  completed  work.  It  is  a  large  imperial  oc- 
tavo of  128  pages,  finely  printed  on  hand-made 
paper,  with  wide  margins  and  rough  edges  ; 
the  typography  is  unusually  bold  and  clear. 
There  are  numerous  cuts  in  the  text,  besides 
several  full-page  illustrations,  the  frontispiece 
being  a  beautiful  colored  reproduction  of  a  copy 
of  Celsus  from  the  library  of  Grolier,  which 
is  described  at  length  by  W.  Y.  Fletcher.  The 
articles  in  this  first  number  comprise  "  Christina 
of  Sweden  and  her  books,"  by  Charles  I.  Elton; 
"  Raoul  Lefevre  and  Le  recueil  des  histoires  de 
Troy6,"  by  H.  Oskar  Sommer;  "  Names  and 
notes  in  books,"  by  Andrew  Lang;  "  The  Ac- 
cipies  wood-cut,"  by  R.  Proctor;  "  Le  biblio- 
phile moderne,"  by  Octave  Uzanne;  "  Thoinau's 
les  relieurs  Fran9ais,"  by  S.  T.  Prideaux;  "  The 
stationers  at  the  sign  of  the  Trinity,"  by  E. 
Gordon  Duff;  and  "  The  books  of  hours  of 
Geoffrey  Tory."  by  Alfred  W.  Pollard. 

The  magazine  is  issued  in  a  limited  edition, 
and  the  editions  for  England  and  America  are 
identical  in  imprint  and  all  other  particulars. 
Charles  Scribner's  Sons  are  the  American 
agents. 


June,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


2OI 


American  Cibrarg  Association. 


SIXTEENTH  CONFERENCE,    LAKE   PLACID, 
ADIRONDACK  MTS.,  SEPT.  15-22. 

THE  i6th  conference  of  the  A.  L.  A.  will  be 
held  at  the  Mirror  Lake  and  Grand  View  hotels, 
Lake  Placid,  in  the  Adirondacks,  beginning 
Monday,  Sept.  17,  at  :•  a.m.  There  will  be 
10  or  12  business  sessions,  interspersed  with 
trips  around  the  lake,  to  Adirondack  Lodge,  to 
top  of  Whiteface,  and  to  other  places  of  inter- 
est. The  last  session  will  be  held  Saturday 
morning. 

A  most  excellent  program  is  being  arranged 
by  the  committee  having  the  matter  in  charge. 

Arrangements  have  been  made  with  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  Mirror  Lake  Hotel,  Grand  View 
House,  and  Lake  Placid  House,  to  accommodate 
all  members  and  friends  at  the  rate  of  $2.50  per 
day.  Cheaper  rates  may  be  obtained  at  other 
houses. 

A  complete  itinerary,  covering  all  details  as  to 
rates,  trains,  meals,  hotels,  side  trips,  and  the 
return  trip  via  Lakes  Champlain  and  George, 
will  be  issued  about  July  20. 

An  outline  only  can  be  given  now. 

TRAVELLING  ARRANGEMENTS. 

The  Trunk  Line  Associations  have  made  the 
following  rates,  based  on  'a  fare  and  one-third 
going  and  returning  by  same  route,  fare  and 
one-half  by  variable  route: 

Route  No.  i. 

Front  Boston  to  Lake  Placid  via  Boston  &  Albany 
and  N.  Y.  C.  &  H.  R.  railroads,  returning  via 

same  route 813.70 

From  So.  Framingham 13-05 

From  Worcester 12.35 

From  Palmer 11.15 

From  Springfield 10.70 

From   Westfield 10.45 

From  Pitts  field 9.15 

Route  No.  i. 

From  Boston  to  Lake  Placid  via  Boston  &  Albany 
and  N.  Y.  C.  &  H.  R.  railroads,  returning  via 
Plattsburg,  steamer  down  Lakes  Champlain  and 
George  to  Saratoga,  D.  &  H.  C.  Co.  railroad  to 

Boston 16.45 

From  So.  Fra.mingha.rn 15.80 

From  Worcester... 15.10 

From  Palmer 13.90 

From  Springfield '3-45 

From  Westfield 13.20 

From  Pittsfield 11.90 

'Route  No.  3. 

From  Boston  to  Lake  Placid  via  Boston  &  Albany 
and  N.  Y.  C.  &  H.  R.  railroads,  returning  via  D. 
&  'H.  C.  Co.  railroad  through  Plattsburg,  Port 
Kent,  Port  Henry,  etc.,  to  Albany,  thence  via 

Boston  &  Albany  to  Boston *4-95 

Fr»m  So.  Frumingham 14.30 

From  Worcester 13.60 

From  Palmer 12.40 

Front  Springfield ".95 

From  West  field 11.70 

Front  Pittsfield 11.40 

Route  No.  4. 

From  New  York  to  Lake  Placid  via  N.  Y.  C.  &  H. 
R.  railroad,  returning  via  same  route  to  Albany, 

thence  to  New  York  by  rail  or  boat 13.10 

From  A Ibany 7.60 

Route  No.  5. 

From  New  York  to  Lake  Placid  via  N.  Y.  C.  &  H. 
R.  railroad,  returning  via  Plattsburg.  steamer 
down  Lakes  Champlain  and  George,  D.  &  H.  C. 
Co.  railroad  to  Albany,  thence  to  New  York  by 
rail  or  boat 16.20 

From  A  Ibany  , 10.30 


Rout*  No.  6. 

From  New  York  to  Lake  Placid  via  N.  Y.  C.  &  H. 
R.  railroad,  returning  via  D.  &  H.  C.  Co.  rail- 
road, through  Port  Kent,  Port  Henry,  etc.,  to 
Albany,  thence  to  New  York  by  rail  or  boat 14. 70 

From  A  Ibany 8.80 

When  buying  tickets  at  points  other  than 
named  in  this  circular  ask  for  a  certificate  for  at- 
tendance at  the  meeting  of  the  A.  L.  A.  at 
Lake  Placid,  or  buy  single  ticket  to  any  point 
named,  and  then  purchase  excursion  ticket. 

FromChicago.  —  Western  members  intending  to 
join  the  Chicago  party  should  communicate  with 
W.  S.  Merrill,  Newberry  Library,  who  will  have 
charge  of  the  travelling  arrangements  from 
Chicago.  A  special  rate  will  be  named  for  those 
who  desire  to  take  the  trip  down  the  lakes. 

ITINERARY. 

Saturday,  Sept.  15.  —  Leave  Boston  8:30  a.m. 
from  Boston  &  Albany  station,  Kneeland  St. 
Lunch  on  the  train.  Arrive  at  Albany  2:43 
p.m.  Leave  New  York  8:30  or  10:40  a.m.  from 
the  Grand  Central  station.  A  special  train,  con- 
sisting of  Wagner  vestibule  drawing-room  and 
dining  cars,  will  convey  the  New  York  party 
through  to  Lake  Placid.  Connection  at  Albany 
with  the  Boston  section.  Dinner  on  the  train. 
Arrive  at  Lake  Placid  about  9  p.m. 

Sunday,  Sept.  16  to  Saturday,  Sept.  22  at  Lake 
Placid. 

The  main  party  will  make  the  return  trip  a 
sort  of  post-conference  affair,  the  expense  of 
which  cannot  be  accurately  determined  at  pres- 
ent. 

Saturday,  Sept.  22.  —  Leave  Lake  Placid  at  2 
p.m.  Arrive  at  Saranac  Lake  4  p.m. 

Sunday,  Sept.  23.  — At  Ampersand  Hotel,  Sar- 
anac Lake. 

Monday,  Sept.  24.  —  Leave  Saranac  Lake  at 
10  a.m.;  arrive  at  Paul  Smith's  for  dinner  12 
noon.  Leave  at  3  p.m.;  arrive  at  Loon  Lake 
5  p.m.  Loon  Lake  House  over  night. 

Tuesday,  Sept.  25.  —  Leave  Loon  Lake  at  9 
a.m.;  arrive  at  Bluff  Point,  Hotel  Champlain,  in 
time  for  dinner.  Leave  Bluff  Point  at  2:55  p.m.; 
arrive  at  Au  Sable  Chasm  313:50.  Returning, 
leave  Au  Sable  Chasm  at  5:20,  reaching  Bluff 
Point  at  6:50.  Remain  at  Hotel  Champlain 
over  night. 

Wednesday,  Sept.  26.  —  Leave  Bluff  Point  at 
7:10  a.m.  by  boat  for  a  trip  down  Lake  Cham- 
plain  and  Lake  George.  Arrive  at  Sagamore 
House,  Lake  George,  2:55  p.m. 

Thursday,  Sept.  27.  —  Remain  one  day  at  the 
Sagamore.      Leave    Sagamore    House  at   2:55 
p.m.;  arrive  at  Saratoga  6:12  p.m. 
Friday,  Sept.  28.  —  In  Saratoga. 

Saturday,  Sept.  29.  —  Leave  Saratoga  at  7:10 
a.m.;  arrive  at  Albany  8:20  a.m.  Leave  Albany 
by  day  boat  for  New  York  at  8:30  a.m.;  arrive 
at  New  York  6  p.m.  Leave  Albany  for  Boston 
at  9:45  a.m.;  arrive  at  Boston  4:15  p.m. 

The  July  circular  will  contain  an  accurate 
estimate  of  the  cost  of  the  different  trips. 

FRANK  P.  HILL,  Secretary. 

OF  IMPORTANCE  TO  WESTERN  LIBRARIANS. 
PERSONS  expecting  to  attend  the  Library  Con- 
ference at  Lake  Placid  in  September,  who  live 
in  or  near  Chicago,  or  who  can  arrange  to  pass 
through  Chicago  on  their  way  east,  wjlj  fiprj 


2O2 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{June,   '94 


it  to  their  advantage  to  send  their  names  at  once 
to  Wra.  Stetson  Merrill,  Assistant  Secretary 
A.  L.  A.,  The  Newberry  Library,  Chicago. 
The  railroads  will  allow  one  and  one-third  fare 
for  the  round  trip  in  case  a  sufficient  number  are 
likely  to  go.  But  it  is  necessary  to  have  some 
statement  ready  to  present  at  the  monthly  meet- 
ing of  the  Western  Passenger  Association  in 
July.  Unless  75  or  100  persons  can  be  counted 
on,  to  form  one  party  from  Chicago,  it  will  not 
be  possible  to  obtain  this  special  rate  ;  or  at  best 
only  a  slight  reduction  will  be  made.  Signify- 
ing your  intention  of  going  in  case  a  fare  and 
one-third  rate  is  secured  will  be  all  that  is  neces- 
sary in  the  matter.  If  something  unforeseen 
occurs  to  prevent  your  going,  you  will  not  be 
bound  by  your  word.  The  object  is  to  get  an 
estimate  of  the  number  to  accommodate. 
Please  write  at  once,  therefore,  to 
WM.  STETSON  MERRILL,  Asst.  Sec.  A.  L.  A. 

THE  NEWBKRRV  LIBRARY,  I 
Chicago,  111.  J 


Nero  $ork  Stale  Cibrarg  School. 


LIBRARY  SCHOOL  VISIT  TO  BOSTON. 

THE  Library  School  program  which  provides 
for  a  visit  to  New  York  and  Boston  libraries  on 
alternate  years  has  been  carried  out  with  a  little 
variation.  1890,  Boston  (L.  j.  15  :  176);  1891, 
New  York  (L.  j.  16  :  145);  1892,  Lakewood  con- 
ference, New  York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  and 
Washington  libraries;  1893,  Chicago  libraries, 
A.  L.  A.  exhibit,  and  conference;  1894,  Boston. 

The  party,  29  in  number,  included  the  vice- 
director;  the  senior  class;  the  junior  class  with 
the  exception  of  one  member  detained  by  illness; 
Miss  Eva  St.  C.  Champlin  (L.  S.  '91);  Miss 
Margaret  Blodgett,  of  the  present  class  of  Drex- 
et  Institute;  Miss  M.  S.  R.  James,  of  the  People's 
Palace,  London;  Miss  Petherbridge,  a  graduate 
of  Newnham  College,  Cambridge,  who  is  work- 
ing as  a  library  student  in  the  People's  Palace, 
Liverpool  Free  Libraries,  and  Bodleian  Library; 
Mrs.  Edward  Gay,  wife  of  the  well-known  New 
York  artist  and  mother  of  Miss  Helen  Gay  of 
the  junior  class;  Miss  Helene  Bonfort,  a  teacher 
of  20  years'  standing  in  Germany,  who  is  studying 
American  libraries  from  the  educational  stand- 
point. These  members  outside  the  school  added 
greatly  to  the  pleasure  of  the  party. 

The  Boston  trip  includes  regularly  several 
important  libraries  on  the  line  of  the  Boston  and 
Albany  R.  R.  Miss  Hewins,  who  lectured  be- 
fore the  school  in  April,  gave  us  such  a  cordial 
invitation  to  visit  Hartford  that  we  were  con- 
strained to  go  out  of  our  way  to  accept.  And 
never  was  gentle  compulsion  so  amply  repaid. 

Arriving  in  Hartford  at  2:24  p.m.,  Tuesday, 
April  17,  we  visited  in  order  the  Trinity  College 
Library,  Connecticut  State  Library,  Theological 
Seminary  Library,  Watkinson  Library  of  Refer- 
ence, Connecticut  Historical  Society,  Public 
Library.  We  were  much  impressed  by  the 
abundant  library  facilities  of  Hartford,  which 
were  completed  September  15,  1892,  when  the 
library  of  the  Hartford  Library  Association  was 


made  a  free  library,  and  by  the  spirit  of  co- 
operation which  prevails  in  the  city. 

At  dinner,  about  six  o'clock,  we  were  enter- 
tained by  Miss  Hewins  and  Mr.  Gay,  meeting 
several  Hartford  people,  including  Miss  E.  S. 
Talcott  (L.  S.  '88),  also  Miss  Mary  E.  Robbins 
(L.  S.  '92),  now  assistant  librarian  at  the  New 
Britain  (Ct.)  Institute.  The  dinner  cards,  each 
containing  a  picture  of"a  famous  author  and  an 
apt  quotation,  were  the  work  of  Miss  Hewins, 
done  by  her  own  hand.  This  is  a  sample:  "  No- 
bility of  character  manifests  itself  at  loopholes 
when  it  is  not  provided  with  large  doors.  Sarah 
Penn's  showed  itself  to-day  in  flaky  dishes  of 
pastry."  — Mary  E.  Wilkins,  "The  revolt  of 
1  mot  her'  " 

A  delightful  evening  was  spent  in  the  building 
of  the  Watkinson  and  Public  Library.  Mr.  Gay, 
librarian  of  the  Watkinson,  had  arranged  for  our 
inspection  an  exhibit  of  the  life  and  time  of 
Henry  vni.  by  means  of  illustrated  books,  one 
of  a  series  of  similar  exhibits. 

I  believe  Miss  Hewins  enjoys  the  distinction  of 
having  the  most  attractive  librarian's  room  in  the 
country.  It  is  a  good-sized  room,  with  rugs, 
choice  pictures,  a  sofa,  an  abundance  of  soft 
pillows,  a  rocking-chair,  a  table  and  service  for 
afternoon  tea,  growing  plants,  and  books.  It 
was  furnished  by  her  library  friends  as  a  tribute 
for  her  long  and  inestimable  service. 

Next  morning  we  were  accompanied  by  our 
Hartford  hostess  to  Springfield.  Here  we  vis- 
ited the  City  Library  and  inspected  the  new 
building  of  the  art  gallery  adjoining.  It  was  a 
special  pleasure  to  the  class  to  hear  from  Dr. 
Rice,  himself  an  honored  veteran  in  the  profes- 
sion, the  story  of  the  development  of  the  library 
which  is  so  largely  due  to  his  efforts.  Miss  Med- 
licott  (L.  S.  '89),  Mr.  W:  C.  Stone,  and  the 
other  assistants  combined  to  make  our  short  stay 
most  pleasant  and  profitable. 

In  Worcester  we  were  taken  in  charge  by  Mr. 
E.  M.  Barton,  who  with  an  electric  car  at  his 
disposal  transported  us  to  the  Public  Library, 
thence  to  his  own  library,  the  American  Anti- 
quarian Society,  then  to  the  Worcester  Club, 
where  we  dined  with  Mr.  Green  and  a  few  of  his 
friends,  and  back  to  the  station  at  8:15,  where  we 
bade  good-by  to  our  genial  conductor,  and  took 
the  train  for  Boston. 

We  were  greatly  pleased  with  the  new  building 
of  the  Worcester  Public  Library.  It  is  perhaps 
the  natural  result  when  the  plans,  worked  out  by 
the  librarian,  are  the  outcome  of  years  of  experi- 
ence. The  facilities  of  photographing  in  the 
building  and  the  fact  that  illustrations  from  rare 
books  are  freely  duplicated  in  this  way  for  the 
use  of  the  schools  give  one  a  glimpse  into  the 
vista  of  possibilities  for  the  library  of  the  future. 

In  Boston,  headquarters  were  at  the  Hotel 
Bellevue  on  Beacon  St.,  where  everything  was 
exceptionally  quiet,  convenient,  and  satisfactory. 

Thursday  marked  the  first  observance  of 
"  Patriots'  day."  which  takes  the  place  of  Puritan 
"  fast  day."  A  few  of  the  party  celebrated  at 
the  old  South  Church,  and  one  at  least  made  a 
pilgrimage  to  the  spot 

"Where  once  the  embattled  farmers  stood, 
And  fired  the  shot  heard  round  the  world." 

In  the  evening  six  of  us  witnessed  the  first 


June,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


203 


production  of  the  Latin  play  "  Phormio,"  at 
Sanders'  Theatre  in  Cambridge.  While  delighted 
and  amused  by  the  unique  and  clever  spectacle 
we  enjoyed  scarcely  less  the  brilliant  audience. 
Twelve  college  presidents  were  present,  to  say 
nothing  of  Harvard  lights  of  various  magni- 
tudes. 

At  the  Boston  Athenaeum  on  Friday  morning 
we  made  a  careful  study  of  its  library  methods 
under  the  patient  guidance  of  the  new  librarian, 
Mr.  W:  C.  Lane.  We  found  here  another  new 
but  familiar  face,  Miss  Helen  Rice  (L.  S.  '93). 
Adjourning  across  the  street  to  the  Boston  Book 
Co.  at  one  o'clock,  we  were  welcomed  by  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Soule  and  by  about  two  score  of 
friends  from  the  neighboring  libraries.  'Mid 
chat  and  lunch  and  speech  of  our  hospitable  host 
the  time  sped  swiftly,  and  after  a  short  visit  at 
the  State  Library  we  finished  the  day  with  an 
hour  at  the  main  office  of  the  Library  Bureau, 
where  Mr.  Davidson  showed  us  the  interesting 
process  of  making' catalog-cards. 

Saturday  was  given  to  the  Boston  Public  and 
the  Newton  Free  Library.  We  enjoyed  exceed- 
ingly our  inspection  of  the  new  building  of  the 
Boston  Public  under  the  escort  of  the  secretary, 
Mr.  Louis  F.  Gray.  The  class  felt  the  charm  of 
the  Newton  Library,  and  lingered  there  long  on 
a  rainy  afternoon. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Miss  Nina  E.  Browne 
(L.  S.  '89),  who  was  ever  thoughtful  for  our 
comfort,  two  of  us  listened  to  Edwin  D.  Mead 
in  a  lecture  on  Emerson  at  Andover  House. 

On  Sunday  afternoon  and  evening,  in  little 
groups,  the  party  visited  the  Boston  Public, 
seeking  new  light  on  the  question  of  Sunday 
opening. 

Wellesley  College  on  a  spring  holiday  is  a 
pretty  sight.  We  spent  Monday  morning  there, 
enjoying  the  college  as  well  as  the  library,  which, 
like  most  that  we  visited,  is  much  used  and 
needs  more  room  for  books  and  readers.  We 
found  here  four  Library  School  friends  —  the  li- 
brarian, Miss  Lydia  B.  Godfrey  ('88),  the  assist- 
ant librarian,  Miss  Carrie  F.  Pierce,  a  former 
instructor  in  the  school  ;  an  assistant  in  the 
botanical  department,  Miss  Harriet  Walker  ('92), 
and  Miss  Waller  I.  Bulloch,  a  student  at  Welles- 
ley,  who  will  come  back  next  fall  to  finish  her 
Library  School  course.  We  dined  with  the 
students  in  the  cottages  which  are  such  a  pleas- 
ant feature  of  Wellesley  life.  Monday  after- 
noon was  a  half  holiday  for  our  party.  Most  of 
the  class  accepted  an  invitation  to  afternoon  tea 
from  Miss  Newman  of  the  junior  class,  whose 
home  is  at  the  college;  a  few  visited  the  River- 
side Press  at  Cambridge;  the  home  libraries  of 
Boston  and  the  art  galleries  claimed  the  time  of 
others. 

In  the  evening  about  half  the  party  enjoyed  a 
visit  to  the  Brookline  Public  Library,  which, 
under  the  management  of  the  new  librarian,  Mr. 
Bolton,  is  steadily  growing  in  efficiency.  The 
children's  room  is  an  interesting  peculiarity. 

At  Salem,  on  Tuesday,  we  carried  out  the  fol- 
lowing delightful  program: 

"  Visit  to  Salem  of  the  Library  School,  Tues- 
day, April  24,  1894,  by  invitation  of  the  Essex 
Institute,  Peabody  Academy  of  Science,  and 
Salem  Public  Library. 


ITINERARY. 

"  Arrive  at  Salem  9:32  a.m. 

"  Salem  Public  Library  until  11:30  a.m. 

"  Peabody  Academy  of  Science  until  12:45 
p.m. 

"  Lunch  at  Plummer  Hall  at  I  p.m. 

"  Essex  Institute  and  Salem  Athenaeum  until 
2:30  p.m. 

"Drive  to  points  of  interest  in  Salem  and 
Peabody,  including  Hawthorne's  birthplace, 
Court  Houses  and  Law  Library,  birthplace  of 
Dr.  William  F.  Poole,  Peabody  Institute  Li- 
brary, etc." 

Library  economy  and  samples  were  served  up 
most  satisfactorily  at  the  Public  Library  by  Mr. 
Jones  (L.  S.  '89);  at  the  Peabody,  science  and 
ethnology,  by  Mr.  John  Robinson;  at  the  Essex 
Institute,  antiquities,  by  Mr.  A.  R.  Stone.  At 
Plummer  Hall,  Mr.  T.  F.  Hunt,  who  we  suspect 
is  the  force  behind  most  good  things  in  Salem, 
presided  over  the  dinner-table. 

On  the  drive  in  the  afternoon  we  enjoyed 
especially  the  interior  of  the  "  House  of  the 
seven  gables,"  and  a  sight  of  Dr.  Poole's  birth- 
place, between  Salem  and  Danvers. 

Wednesday  morning  found  us  at  Harvard. 
After  a  few  words  of  welcome  by  Mr.  Winsor, 
we  were  carefully  instructed  in  the  methods  of 
the  library  by  the  assistant  librarians.  At  the 
Cambridge  Public  Library  we  were  specially 
interested  in  the  plans  for  the  addition  to  the 
building  which  will  contain  a  children's  room. 

Two  of  us  went  out  to  Arlington  to  see  the 
splendid  Robbins  Memorial  Library.  After  in- 
specting the  Episcopal  Theological  Library,  pre- 
sided over  by  Miss  Edith  D.  Fuller,  our  instruc- 
tor in  dictionary  cataloging,  and  doing  the 
sights  of  the  town  under  the  escort  of  Mr. 
Moulton  of  the  senior  class,  a  graduate  of  Har- 
vard, we  were  welcomed  by  Miss  Fuller  at  her 
home  for  afternoon  tea. 

Wednesday  evening  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  E. 
Davidson  gave  a  reception  at  their  beautiful 
home  in  Watertown  for  our  English  friends, 
Miss  James  and  Miss  Petherbridge,  and  for  the 
Library  School.  It  was  a  real  A.  L.  A.  gather- 
ing. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Justin  Winsor,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
C.  C.  Soule,  J.  L.  Whitney,  W:  M.  Griswold, 
C.  W.  Andrews,  A.  C.  Stockin  of  Houghton, 
Mifflin  &  Co.,  are  a  few  of  the  200  guests.  Not 
only  the  librarians  of  Boston  and  vicinity  were 
present,  but  also  Mr.  Fletcher  of  Amherst,  Mr. 
Barton  of  Worcester,  Mrs.  Curran  of  Augusta, 
Me.,  and  Miss  Dunton  of  North  Adams. 

Our  visit  to  Boston  had  been  timed  to  include 
the  meeting  of  the  Massachusetts  Library  Club, 
which  was  held  on  Thursday.  This  has  been 
already  described  in  the  JOURNAL  (April,  1894). 
We  enjoyed  and  profited  by  the  practical  nature 
of  -the  discussion,  but  (shall  I  say  it?)  we  won- 
dered if  it  is  too  much  to  expect  that  librarians 
should  add  to  the  gift  of  something  to  say,  the 
grace  of  saying  it  in  a  voice  that  can  be  heard, 
even  in  a  room  with  poor  acoustic  qualities. 

There  is  no  qualification  more  needed  in  the 
library  profession  (as  indeed  in  others)  than  a 
broad,  unprejudiced,  non-partisan  temper  of 
mind.  Our  annual  visits  are  chiefly  valuable 
for  the  cultivation  of  this  spirit. 

MARY  S.  CUTLER. 


204 


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[June,  '94 


Stale  Cibrarg  Associations. 


CONNECTICUT  LIBRARY  ASSOCIA  TION. 

THE  Connecticut  Library  Association  met 
May  30  in  the  Otis  Library,  Norwich,  which  was 
enlarged  and  opened  as  a  free  library  last  year. 
The  president,  Dr.  Hart  of  Trinity  College,  in- 
troduced General  Aiken,  who  spoke  in  behalf  of 
the  trustees  of  the  library,  alluding  to  the  800 
per  cent,  increase  of  readers  since  the  Otis  Li- 
brary became  free,  and  the  rapidly  growing  be- 
lief of  the  citizens  of  Norwich  that  a  municipal 
appropriation  for  a  free  library  is  one  of  the 
best  of  investments.  Dr.  Hart,  in  his  response, 
spoke  of  his  early  idea  of  the  Otis  Library  as  an 
immense  and  magnificent  collection  of  books, 
and  the  recent  growth  of  the  scientific  spirit  in 
libraries. 

After  the  reports  of  the  secretary  and  treasurer 
had  been  accepted,  the  latter  showing  a  balance 
of  $44.01,  Miss  Cornelia  Wetmore  Chapell,  of 
New  London,  trustee  of  the  public  library  of 
that  city,  read  a  paper  on  "  Local  museums 
in  connection  with  libraries,"  suggesting  that 
an  old  house  is  an  ideal  place  for  a  museum 
and  town  library,  and  should  contain  scrap- 
books,  photographs,  and  sketches  of  local  inter- 
est, specimens  of  local  manufactures  and  natural 
objects  from  within  10  miles,  and  that  children 
should  be  encouraged  to  write  versions  of  local 
legends  as  a  part  of  school-work.  Mr.  Hills,  of 
the  Bridgeport  Public  Library,  gave  an  account 
of  the  use  made  of  a  vacant  room,  about  100  by 
50  feet.  Within  a  year  exhibitions  of  paintings, 
perspective  views  and  elevations  by  architects, 
mechanical  and  industrial  drawings,  have  been 
given,  and  attracted  more  than  1000  visitors 
in  a  day.  Miss  Chaffee,  of  the  East  Haddam 
Public  Library,  reported  collections  of  minerals 
and  plants  in  the  neighborhood  made  by  children 
in  competition  for  a  prize,  and  kept  in  the  li- 
brary. Mr.  Stetson,  of  the  New  Haven  Public 
Library,  spoke  in  favor  of  libraries  as  centres 
in  small  towns,  but  thought  museums  an  un- 
necessary appendage  in  cities.  Mr.  Bassett,  of 
the  Silas  Bronson  Library,  Waterbury,  is  using 
his  influence  as  school  visitor  to  induce  children 
to  collect  and  press  the  plants  in  the  neighbor- 
hood for  the  library.  Mr.  Kent,  curator  of  the 
Slater  Memorial  Museum,  believes  that  as  "a 
good  museum  is  a  collection  of  labels  illustrat- 
ed," a  librarian  cannot  make  these  labels  as  well 
as  a  man  of  science  or  an  art  student.  The 
secretary  read  letters  on  the  subject  from  Mrs. 
Bronson,  of  the  Watertown  Library,  Professor 
Camp,  of  New  Britain,  and  Miss  Philbrook,  of 
the  Russell  Library,  Middletown. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Leonard  W.  Bacon,  of  Norwich, 
spoke  of  the  "  all  round  "  librarian,  typified  long 
ago  in  Edward  C.  Herrick,  librarian  of  Yale, 
"every  man's  supplementary  memory  and  every 
child's  friend."  After  speaking  eloquently  of  the 
duties  of  a  librarian,  Dr.  Bacon  went  on  to  suggest 
a  social  feature  in  connection  with  libraries,  con- 
sisting of  discussions  by  the  best  local  talent  re- 
garding new  books  as  added,  and  other  books  of 
general  interest,  especially  books  published  Jong 


ago  which  have  made  their  reputation,  but  are 
not  well  known. 

Dr.  Hart  gave  an  invitation  from  the  Acton 
Library,  Saybrook,  for  the  next  meeting  in  Sep- 
tember. 

Six  members  of  the  Massachusetts  Library 
Club  were  present  —  Mr.  Jones,  of  Salem,  Mr. 
Chase,  of  Lowell,  Mr.  Bolton,  of  Brookline, 
Miss  Medlicott,  of  Springfield,  Miss  Browne,  of 
the  Library  Bureau,  and  Miss  James,  ex-librari- 
an of  the  People's  Palace. 

At  the  afternoon  session  Miss  James  gave  an 
interesting  account  of  the  People's  Palace,  which 
has  a  library  of  15,000  volumes,  used  more  for 
reference  than  for  circulation.  It  is  open  at  8 
a.m.,  but  the  laboring  men  and  others  in  search 
of  work  often  come  at  6:30,  and  the  advertising 
pages  of  the  morning  papers  are  posted  outside 
at  that  time  for  them  to  consult. 

Mr.  Bassett,  of  the  Silas  Bronson  Library, 
read  a  paper  on  the  exchange  and  transfer  of 
books,  saying  that  the  custom  of  transferring 
books  from  one  account  to  another  without  re- 
quiring them  to  be  returned  led  to  serious 
blunders,  and  in  case  of  injury  it  was  impossible 
to  say  who  was  responsible.  He  spoke  of  one 
woman  who  kept  the  second  volume  of  a  book 
18  weeks  by  transferring  it  successively  to  the 
cards  of  several  friends,  and  of  a  mechanic  who 
retained  in  the  same  way  for  four  months  a  book 
with  a  formula  which  he  was  afraid  that  some 
other  man  of  the  same  trade  would  read.  In 
Waterbury,  Lowell,  and  New  Haven  a  book  is 
not  given  out  until  the  day  following  its  return. 
In  New  London  a  seven-day  book  is  not  trans- 
ferred to  a  second  card  in  a  family  for  the 
reason  that  the  transfer  is  practically  a  renewal. 

The  subject  of  museums  was  opened  again, 
and  Messrs.  Jones,  Bolton,  and  Chase,  and 
Misses  Medlicott  and  Browne  joined  in  the  dis- 
cussion. Mr.  Jones,  as  president  of  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Library  Club,  invited  the  Connecticut 
Library  Association  to  be  present  at  a  meeting 
at  Clinton  and  Lancaster  on  June  14.  The  meet- 
ing adjourned  after  votes  of  thanks  to  the  Otis 
Library  and  Slater  Memorial  Museum,  which 
many  of  the  party  visited. 

PENNSYL  VA  NIA   LIBRA  RY  CL UB. 

A  SMALL  but  earnest  delegation  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Library  Club  left  Philadelphia  on  the 
morning  of  May  17  for  a  short  trip  to  the  coal 
regions  in  the  northern  portion  of  the  state.  A 
four  hours'  ride  brought  us  to  Wilkes  Barre, 
where  we  were  met  by  Mr.  Henry  J.  Carr,  of 
Scranton,  who  escorted  the  party  to  the  Wyo- 
ming Vallev  Hotel.  Greetings  were  also  ex- 
changed with  Miss  James,  of  the  Osterhout 
Library,  and  again  boarding  the  cars  we  soon 
found  ourselves  at  Scranton,  where  carriages 
were  in  waiting  to  take  us  for  a  drive,  all  places 
of  interest  being  pointed  out  to  us  by  our  host, 
Mr.  Carr.  We  then  visited  the  Albright  Memo- 
rial Library  building,  in  which  is  housed  Scran- 
ton's  public  library.  Mrs.  Henry  J.  Carr  with  a 
party  of  ladies  and  the  trustees  were  at  the 
library,  where  the  dusty  pilgrims  were  received 
with  flowers  and  refreshments.  Luncheon  was 
followed  by  a  tour  of  inspection  through  the 


June,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


26$ 


library  building,  which  was  pronounced  perfect 
by  all  present.  The  members  of  the  club  re- 
turned to  Wilkes  Barre  in  the  evening,  and  held 
their  regular  meeting  in  the  library  of  the  Wyo- 
ming Historical  and  Geological  Society. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  at  8:20  o'clock 
by  the  president,  Mr.  T:  L.  Montgomery. 
Twelve  members  and  30  friends  were  present. 

The  president  in  a  brief  address  explained  the 
object  of  the  club.  He  spoke  of  the  influence 
which  it  had  exerted,  indirectly,  toward  found- 
ing a  number  of  libraries  and  improving  library 
methods  and  administration.  The  minutes  of 
the  March  meeting  were  read  and  approved. 

The  president  then  introduced  Mr.  John 
Thomson,  librarian  of  the  City  Free  Library  of 
Philadelphia,  who  spoke  on  the  subject  of 
"  Fiction." 

He  expressed  a  fear  that  this  subject  had  been 
too  thoroughly  threshed  out  in  magazines,  and 
the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  in  particular,  to  enable 
him  to  offer  any 'original  remarks.  All  that 
seemed  feasible  was  to  sum  up  the  position  that 
fiction  held,  or  ought  to  hold,  in  the  economy  of 
public  libraries,  and  in  this  relation  it  seems  in- 
dubitable that  a  difficult  question  will  have  to  be 
faced.  Readers  have  multiplied  during  the  past 
40  or  50  years  many  hundredfold,  and  it  is  of  the 
gravest  moment  to  determine  how  to  meet  their 
proper  needs.  The  whole  free  public  library 
movement  in  England  and  America  is  not  50 
years  old,  and  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that 
difficult  points  still  remain  unsolved.  One  main 
consideration,  in  Mr.  Thomson's  judgment,  arises 
out  of  the  point  that  every  free  public  library  is 
in  reality  a  public  trust.  These  libraries  produce 
no  income,  and  are  supported  either  from  the 
benevolent  funds  provided  by  the  munificence  of 
individual  citizens  or  by  municipal  appropria- 
tions. If  this  fact  is  duly  recognized  it  be- 
comes a  simple  duty  on  the  part  of  the  di- 
rectors of  libraries  and  of  the  librarians  to 
exercise  great  care  that  the  funds  of  these  im- 
portant institutions  are  expended  so  as  to  pro- 
duce a  beneficial  result.  Public  libraries  are  fast 
becoming  the  substitutes  for  or  rather  successors 
to  the  old  familiar  circulating  libraries.  In  the 
old  play  Sir  Anthony  Absolute  declared  that  a 
circulating  library  in  a  town  was  an  evergreen- 
tree  of  diabolical  knowledge  that  blossomed 
through  the  year,  and  if  the  librarians  of  the 
present  day  are  desirous  to  avoid  the  evil  de- 
nounced by  Sir  Anthony  they  must  see  to  it  that 
the  books  put  in  circulation  are  such  as  will  lead 
to  the  improvement  of  those  who  use  the  libra- 
ries. It  is  a  direct  breach  of  trust  to  load  the 
shelves  of  free  public  libraries  with  multiples  of 
copies  of  merely  ephemeral  novels  which  once 
read  are  never  wanted  again.  If  a  novel  has  no 
permanent  merit  from  a  literary  or  other  high 
standard,  can  it  be  right  to  expend  the  funds  of 
the  public  libraries  in  buying  20,  30,  or  50  copies 
of  a  book,  of  which  99  per  cent,  will  after  a  year 
become  mere  shelf-lumber?  If  persons  want  to 
read  these  books  let  them  subscribe  to  a  circu- 
lating library  and  take  their  fill  at  the  cost  of 
their  own  pockets.  Public  libraries  must  either 
be  educational  helps  or  utterly  fail  in  the  useful 
ends  for  which  they  have  been  started.  The 


really  useful  city  library  is  one  that  supplements 
the  reading  and  studies  of  schools,  colleges,  and 
the  private  study.  Mr.  Thomson  maintained 
that  fiction  was  a  necessity  in  every  library,  but 
asserted  that  while  it  is  true  that  good  fiction  is 
healthy  reading,  bad  fiction  is  poison  to  the  soul 
—  the  highest  part  of  man.  Historical  fiction 
has  a  distinct  value  which  can  hardly  be  too 
highly  rated.  The  biographies  of  our  greatest 
writers,  lawyers,  and  statesmen  abundantly  show 
that  youth  in  all  times  and  in  all  classes  is  alike, 
and  that  nearly  all  youths  acquire  the  earliest  love 
of  reading  from  the  old  romances  and  grand 
books  of  fiction.  Hundreds  will  admit  that  their 
first  love  of  historical  reading  was  created  by 
the  perusal  of  historical  romances.  The  very 
interest  created  in  Louis  XI.,  Charles  the  Bold, 
such  subjects  as  the  French  Revolution,  the  Lord 
George  Gordon  riots,  Cagliostro,  Philip  Augus- 
tus, Andreas  Hofer,  and  the  thousand  and  one 
other  historical  subjects  and  personages  has  led 
readers  to  turn  from  the  books  of  Scott,  Dick- 
ens, Dumas,  James,  Miss  Muhlbach,  Hawthorne, 
Cooper,  and  their  peers,  to  enjoyment  over 
Carlyle,  Rollin,  Bancroft,  and  Macaulay.* 

In  the  discussion  that  followed  Mr.  Thomson's 
address  it  was  pertinently  asked  by  Miss  Hannah 
P.  James  "  how  low  down  in  fiction"  a  librarian 
might  go  ?  The  answer  offered  was  that  even  in 
this  great  age  of  invention  it  was  not  known  that 
a  literary  thermometer  had  yet  been  invented  by 
any  bookworm  Fahrenheit  or  Reaumur,  but  that 
it  might  well  and  safely  be  left  to  an  intelligent 
librarian  to  draw  a  line  between  acceptable  and 
objectionable  novels. 

Mr.  Carr  was  of  the  opinion  that  works  of 
fiction  should  be  kept  on  open  shelves  where 
readers  could  have  free  access  ;  this  would  en- 
able them  to  make  their  own  selections,  and  fre- 
quently improve  the  character  of  the  reading. 

The  president  called  the  attention  of  the 
club  to  the  fact  that  a  map  of  Pennsylvania, 
indicating  the  location  of  the  public  libraries 
throughout  the  state,  based  on  the  one  recently 
issued  by  the  state  of  Massachusetts  would  be 
an  important  addition  to  library  statistics. 
After  some  discussion  it  was  voted  that  a  com- 
mittee of  three  be  appointed  to  gather  the  neces- 
sary information  for  such  a  map.  The  com- 
mittee is  constituted  as  follows  :  Miss  James, 
Mr.  Carr,  and  Mr.  Thomson. 

A  vote  of  thanks  was  passed  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Henry  J.  Carr  and  the  trustees  and  friends  of 
the  public  library  at  Scranton,  and  to  Miss  James 
and  the  Wyoming  Historical  and  Geological 
Society  for  their  hospitality  and  courtesies.  The 
meeting  adjourned  at  10  o'clock.  An  hour  was 
spent  in  looking  through  the  valuable  library  and 
museum  of  the  Wyoming  Historical  and  Geo- 
logical Society. 

At  nine  o'clock  on  the  following  morning  the 
party  visited  the  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
where  the  organist  rendered  a  number  of  fine 
selections  on  the  grand  organ.  At  10  o'clock 
carriages  were  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  club, 
and  a  delightful  drive  of  two  and  a  half  hours 


*It  should  be  noted  that  Mr.  Thomson's  address  is 
being  printed  by  the  club  in  leaflet  form. 


206 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[June,  '94 


followed,  during  which  Branch  No.  i  of  the 
Reading-Room  Association  was  visited.  This 
reading-room  will  be  used  as  a  distributing 
agency  for  North  Wilkes  Barre  by  the  Osterhout 
Library.  Then  came  a  dinner,  given  at  the 
Wyoming  Valley  Hotel  in  honor  of  the  visit- 
ing delegates.  After  dinner  a  number  of  the 
party  called  at  the  bindery  of  Mr.  J.  W.  Roed- 
er,  who  explained  and  illustrated  the  uses  of  the 
machinery. 

The  party  left  Wilkes  Barre,  homeward  bound, 
at  four  o'clock,  and  arrived  in  the  City  of  Broth- 
erly Love  late  in  the  evening,  somewhat  .tired, 
quite  damp,  much  wiser,  and  very  happy. 

The  next  regular  meeting  of  the  club  will  be 
held  on  November  12. 

ALFRED  RIGLING,  Secretary. 


ftemeros. 

[PLUMMER,  M.  W.]     Hints  to  small  libraries. 

Brooklyn,  Pratt  Institute  Free  Library,  1894. 

56  p.  il.  O.  bds.,  net,  25  c. 

Cant.  :  Receiving  and  entering  books ;  Book-numbers 
and  cataloging;  Cataloging;  Shelf-list  and  inventory; 
Mechanical  preparation  of  books  for  the  shelves — bind- 
ing ;  Relations  with  the  public — Registration  ;  Charging 
system ;  Reading-room  and  reference  work ;  Selecting 
and  ordering  books ;  Rooms  and  fixtures  ;  Library  tools. 

Among  the  earliest  suggestions  "  in  the  be- 
ginning" of  the  A.  L.  A. — a  truly  creative 
epoch  —  none  were  of  more  interest  and  promise 
than  those  for  the  A.  L.  A.  Catalog  and  the  A. 
L.  A.  Library  Manual.  The  first  was  in  the 
horizon,  but  no  nearer,  for  so  many  years  that 
it  came  to  be  known  as  "  the  coming  catalog," 
but  it  did  appear  finally  in  the  somewhat  dis- 
guised but  not  less  useful  shape  of  the  Catalog 
of  the  A.  L.  A.  "model"  library.  Whether 
or  no  the  larger  work  with  its  annotations 
ever  appears,  this  catalog  will  be  for  many 
years  of  very  great  service,  particularly  in  small 
and  new  libraries.  In  like  manner,  although 
the  "  coming  handbook"  has  never  arrived,  an 
excellent  substitute  for  it  now  makes  its  appear- 
ance—  a  grandchild,  as  it  were,  of  the  Library 
School  —  in  the  "  Hints  to  small  libraries,"  pub- 
lished from  the  Pratt  Institute  Free  Library  as 
the  work  of  its  librarian,  Miss  M.  W.  Plummer, 
herself  a  graduate  of  the  Library  School. 

It  is  a  pleasant  piece  of  enterprise  and  profes- 
sional comity  on  the  part  of  the  Pratt  Library 
and  its  librarian  to  put  at  the  service  of  the  pro- 
fession in  this  way  the  experience  of  that  library. 
We  say  of  the  profession,  because  although  this 
unpretentious  manual  is  intended  chiefly  for 
small  libraries  and  beginners  in  the  library  call- 
ing, it  is  nevertheless  of  general  value  as  a  col- 
lection of  hints  and  suggestions.  The  writer 
modestly  presents  the  pamphlet  as  a  present 
substitute  for  "  the  long-desired  A.  L.  A.  man- 
ual "  on  the  principle  that  half  a  loaf  is  better 
than  no  bread  ;  but  no  apology  of  this  sort  is 
needed  —  the  pamphlet  has  certainly  the  merit 
of  a  petit  pain,  complete  in  itself,  and  more  tasty 
perhaps  than  the  full  loaf.  In  the  compass  of 
50  octavo  pages  of  good-sized  type,  Miss  Plum- 


mer has  succeeded  in  setting  forth  the  "  neces- 
saries of  life  "  and  how  they  are  to  be  obtained, 
on  the  library  topics  scheduled  in  the  table 
of  contents.  These  50  pages  include  an  out- 
line of  the  decimal  classification,  numerous 
forms  of  blanks,  typical  library  cards  and  like 
entries,  etc.,  etc.,  and  the  little  book  is  really  a 
remarkable  example  of  parva  sed  apta.  The 
page  is  not  wide  enough  to  give  the  full  length 
of  the  standard  card  in  these  fac-similes,  so  that 
the  sizes  of  the  fac-similes  are  somewhat  likely 
to  mislead,  although  the  dimensions  are  usually 
stated  in  the  text.  Almost  all  the  suggestions 
in  the  book  are  so  practical  that  few  librarians, 
however  different  their  practice,  would  find  fault 
with  any  of  them,  and  the  most  that  can  be  said 
by  way  of  criticism  is  that  Miss  Plummer's  Eng- 
lish is  not  quite  as  good  in  this  as  in  her  other 
writing.  For  instance,  to  say  "  these  cards  come 
at  $2.60,"  instead  of  "  cost  $2.60,"  is  an  un- 
necessary bit  of  shop-keeper's  jargon,  and  a  few 
words  are  occasionally  wasted  in  such  phrases 
as  "  I  query  if  it  is  of  much  use, "and  "  it  may  be 
suggested."  There  is  also  a  little  confusion  as 
to  whether  the  writer  is  "  I  "  or  "  we,"  or  an  al- 
together impersonal  being,  and  the  reader  like- 
wise will  find  himself  uncertain  whether  he  is 
directly  exhorted  or  indirectly  addressed. 

Miss  Plummer  is  so  modest  in  her  method  as 
in  several  cases  to  prefer  giving  other  people's 
good  advice  instead  of  attempting  her  own  — 
which  is  a  rare  virtue  of  self-restraint.  For  in- 
stance, her  chapter  on  "  Rooms  and  fixtures  "  is 
chiefly  made  up  of  Mr.  Soule's  admirable  sum- 
mary of  the  proper  points  of  library  architecture, 
prefaced  by  a  pleasant  bit  of  humor  which  we 
cannot  refrain  from  quoting  : 

"  It  is  not  often  that  the  librarian  has  a  chance 
to  say  how  he  would  like  his  library  planned  and 
fitted  up,  though  it  is  oftener  the  case  now  than 
formerly.  Library  boards  would  think  it  a  very 
eccentric  proceeding  to  order  a  suit  of  clothes 
or  a  hat  for  the  librarian  without  consulting 
him;  and  if  it  were  done  and  the  sleeves  came 
only  to  his  elbows,  or  the  coat-tails  dragged,  or 
the  hat-brim  rested  on  his  shoulders,  they  would 
at  once  see  what  foolishness  they  had  been 
guilty  of  and,  say  to  one  another,  '  Why  on  earth 
didn't  we  consult  him  and  take  his  measure? 
He  can't  see  anything  with  that  hat  on,  and 
he'll  be  forever  stepping  on  that  coat.  He  was 
the  one  to  wear  it;  he  knows  what  he  needs,  and 
we  ought  to  have  asked  him.'  But  they  seem 
not  to  see  the  similarity  of  such  a  course  to  that 
of  building  the  librarian  a  workshop  without 
asking  his  opinion  about  it.  They  give  him 
little  high  windows  that  don't  let  in  any  light, 
and  they  build  him  shelves  that  he  has  to  climb 
up  to  on  a  ladder,  and  they  arrange  the  spaces 
of  the  library  symmetrically,  but  where  they 
can  be  of  no  value  in  the  case  of  growth  and 
crowding.  Then  they  go  outside  and  look  at  it 
and  say,  '  Isn't  it  picturesque  ?  Looks  like  the 
Middle  Ages,  doesn't  it?'  And  in  their  secret 
hearts  some  of  them  would  like  a  drawbridge 
and  a  moat.  And  inside,  the  poor  librarian  is 
carrying  a  lantern  about  to  see  the  top  and  bot- 
tom shelves  and  wondering  where  he  is  going 
to  put  the  next  new  book,  and  risking  his  neck 


Tff£  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


207 


10  or  12  feet  from  the  ground  to  get  a  '  Com* 
mentary  on  Job  '  that  some  one  without  any 
sense  of  the  ridiculous  happens  to  want,  and 
trying  to  hide  his  unsightly  pastepots  and  muci- 
lage bottles  behind  a  screen  for  want  of  a  work- 
room." 

The  book  is  tastefully  issued  at  the  modest 
price  of  25  cents,  net,  and  has  clever  and  ap- 
propriate head  and  tail  pieces,  which  come  from 
the  Art  Department  of  the  Pratt  Institute.  We 
must  protest,  however,  in  the  interests  of  library 
neatness,  against  the  young  woman  at  the  end 
of  the  preface,  who  has  been  shelving  her  books 
on  the  floor  —  a  very  bad  example  either  to  li- 
brarians or  readers. 


(Kconomg  anir  ^i 


LOCAL. 

Bangor(Me.)  P.  L.  (nth  rpt.)  Added  2070; 
total  35.557;  issued,  home  use  43,492  (fict.  and 
juv.  73  %);  lib.  use  22,739  (fict.  and  juv.  60  #). 
945  cards  were  issued  during  the  year.  Receipts 
$17,149.70;  expenses!  16,823.50.  Of  the  22,739 
books  used  in  the  reading-room,  5265  were  at 
the  tables  reserved  for  girls. 

"  Owing  to  the  necessity  of  closing  the  library 
after  the  fire  on  March  2,  our  annual  examina- 
tion of  books  was  made  earlier  in  the  season 
than  usual,  with  the  satisfactory  result  that  no 
book  was  missing,  although  many  were  rapidly 
moved  beyond  the  reach  of  the  water  which  de- 
luged both  book-rooms.  Still,  thousands  of 
books  were  wet,  and  only  the  extreme  heat,  kept 
for  days,  prevented  their  total  destruction. 
Books  in  leather  binding  suffered  severely,  the 
strength  of  the  leather  being  destroyed  by  the 
heat  necessary  in  drying.  Books,  not  thus 
quickly  dried,  were  covered  with  mould,  and  a 
few  were  destroyed.  It  is  impossible,  even 
now,  to  tell  the  full  extent  of  the  damage,  as  it 
is  frequently  necessary  to  remove  books  which 
would  have  lasted  months,  and  perhaps  years, 
were  it  not  for  the  water  and  steam  to  which 
they  were  exposed  last  spring." 

Brockton  (Mass.")  P.  L.  (Rpt.)  Added  1596; 
total  19,741;  issued,  home  use  78,785  (fict.  53  %\ 
juv.  24  %);  lib.  use  4577.  Visitors  to  reading- 
room  8668;  visitors  to  ref.-room  8763.  There 
are  86  periodicals  on  file  in  the  reading-room. 

The  trustees  have  adopted  the  "  Newark  sys- 
tem "  of  book  charging  and  delivery,  which  will 
take  effect  on  the  removal  of  the  library  to  its 
new  quarters.  An  alphabetic  list  of  books  added 
during  1893  is  appended;  it  covers  13  pages. 

Brookline  (Mass.)  P.  L.  (37th  rpt.)  Added 
1469;  total  40,332.  Issued,  home  use  66,395 
(fict.  33,260);  lib.  use  4087;  use  in  children's 
reading-room  13,703;  no.  cardholders  registered 
5764.  Receipts  $12,  329.  79;  expenses  $11,008.65. 

The  librarian  says:  "  The  fact  that  the  plan  of 
delivering  books  to  the  schools  is  no  longer 
novel  has  tended  to  lessen  the  ratio  of  increase 
this  year.  The  growth  of  the  reading  and  ref- 
erence room  libraries  also  tends  to  check  the  in- 
crease in  circulation.  Lists  of  books  and  articles 
en  leading  events  of  the  day  are  posted  from 


time  to  time  on  the  bulletin-board  near  the  de- 
livery-desk. The  subjects  already  treated  are  : 
'  Brazil  and  recent  revolutions  there  (Mello's 
revolt,  1893-94  ;  revolt  against  the  Marshal  da 
Fonseca,  1891  ;  the  constitution,  1890,  text  and 
criticism;  fall  of  the  monarchy,  1889;  travel  and 
geography,  with  notes); '  '  the  Hawaiian  islands;' 
'  Metabele; '  '  Sicily;'  '  Education  and  teaching.' 

"  Suggestions  placed  in  a  box  at  the  right  of 
the  delivery-desk  come  before  the  library  com- 
mittee every  week.  A  record  of  each  suggestion 
will  be  kept  in  the  future,  and  a  statistical  report 
made  at  the  end  of  the  year.  From  the  imper- 
fect record  kept  last  year,  it  has  been  found  that 
about  160  suggestions  came  before  the  commit- 
tee; of  these  106  received  favorable  action." 

Finding-lists  of  special  subjects  will  be  printed 
as  soon  as  the  rearrangement  and  reclassification 
of  the  books,  now  under  way,  will  permit.  The 
children's  reading-room  is  open  from  two  to  six 
p.m. 

The  trustees  pay  an  earnest  tribute  to  the 
faithfulness  and  efficiency  of  Miss  Bean,  who  died 
September  4,  1893,  after  a  service  as  librarian 
for  22  years.  At  a  trustees'  meeting,  held  Sep- 
tember 19,  1893,  the  following  expression  of 
their  grateful  and  affectionate  regard  was  placed 
upon  the  records : 

"Miss  Mary  A.  Bean,  the  librarian  of  the  Brookline 
Public  Library  for  22  years,  died  on  Monday,  Sep- 
tember 4,  1893.  Suffering  from  a  distressing  disease 
for  many  weeks  previous,  she  nevertheless  performed  her 
duties  with  her  characteristic  devotion  till  within  two 
months  of  her  decease.  At  this  first  meeting  since  her 
death,  the  trustees  desire  to  place  on  record  their  deep 
appreciation  of  her  faithfulness,  her  utter  disregard  of 
self  when  the  interests  of  the  library  were  concerned,  as 
shown  in  this  instance,  of  her  laboring  on  under  very 
trying  circumstances,  and  her  unfailingconscientiousness 
in  furthering  these  interests.  Always  happy  and  winning 
in  her  manner,  she  deserved  the  confidence  of  all  the 
patrons  of  the  library,  who  realized  continually,  as  time 
went  on,  her  fitness  for  the  place,  by  training,  by  educa- 
tion, by  zeal,  by  temperament.  She  was  never  found 
wanting  when  the  occasion  arose,  and  her  willingness  to 
be  a  real  helper,  only  equalled  by  her  intelligence,  was 
universally  recognized.  In  her  death  the  town  loses  a 
devoted  and  efficient  officer,  the  Public  Library  a  careful, 
painstaking,  and  conscientious  head.  While  thus  making 
a  minute  of  the  sense  of  their  loss,  the  trustees  would 
not  be  unmindful  of  the  greater  personal  loss  to  her  fam- 
ily, and  would  extend  to  them  their  heartfelt  and  cordial 
sympathy." 

Columbus  (0.)  City  L.  Added  1168;  total  17,- 
255;  issued  58,368  (fict.  24,208);  new  registration 
1306;  total  no.  cardholders  9848.  Receipts 
$5070.13;  expenses  $3576.44. 

The  figures  given  are  for  nine  months.  The 
circulation  for  the  year  ending  March  31  is 
73,390,  as  against  69,714  for  the  previous  year. 

Dover  (Del.}  L.  (Rpt.)  Added  122;  total 
2610;  issued  (estimated)  4416.  Receipts  $413. 82; 
expenses  $406.62. 

"  Notwithstanding  the  augmented  attractions 
of  the  library,  the  list  of  subscribers  has  recently 
for  some  cause,  considerably  diminished." 

Dubuque  (la.)  Y.  M.  L.  A.  (Rpt.)  Added 
769;  total  15,178;  issued  24,028  (fict.  18,855); 
membership  732.  Receipts  $5147.43;  expenses 
$4407.46. 

The  library  was  established  in  new  quarters  in 
the  Odd  Fellows  building,  in  December,  1893. 


ac>8 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[June,  '94 


Evanston,  III.,  Northwestern  Univ.,  Orrington 
Lunt  L.  The  new  Orrington  Lunt  Library  is  to 
be  decorated  by  Miss  Ida  Burgess,  whose  work 
in  the  Illinois  building  was  one  of  the  features  of 
the  fair.  The  vestibule  of  the  library  is  to  have 
a  wide  modelled  frieze  of  a  classic  design  to  har- 
monize with  the  architecture,  and  four  painted 
panels  of  a  single  figure  each,  which  will  be 
symbolic  of  the  learning  of  Egypt,  Judsea, 
Greece,  and  Rome.  The  color  scheme  here  will 
be  ivory-white  and  a  clear,  light  red.  In  the 
reading-room,  which  occupies  the  whole  of  the 
first  floor,  the  wall  tint  will  be  a  light  gray-green, 
with  a  frieze  of  rich  browns  and  reds  in  a  series 
of  panels.  The  centre  of  each  panel  will  be  one 
of  the  book-marks  used  by  those  mediaeval  print- 
ers, who  were  at  the  same  time  artists  and  lovers 
of  learning.  The  assembly-room,  on  the  second 
floor  of  the  building,  has  a  pointed  ceiling  of 
wood.  Here  the  plaster  gable  end  will  receive 
a  design  in  flat  tints  founded  on  some  of  the 
quaint  and  beautiful  work  in  old  missals.  A 
border  of  the  same  general  character  will  be 
carried  around  the  room.  Miss  Burgess  will 
have  in  her  work  the  assistance  of  Miss  Alice  B. 
Muzzey  and  Miss  Mary  Searle. 

Gloversville  (N.  Y.)  F.  L.  (4th  rpt.)  Added 
748;  total  11,533.  Issued,  home  use  52,889;  lib. 
use  3633  ;  lost  and  paid  for  3  ;  new  borrowers 
485.  Visitors  to  reading-room  21,399.  The 
circulation  shows  an  increase  of  5627  v.  over 
the  figures  of  1892. 

The  librarian  says  :  "  While  the  number  of 
volumes  of  prose  fiction  and  juveniles  taken  for 
home  use  has  increased  1956  volumes,  the  in- 
crease in  the  books  of  a  more  solid  character  has 
grown  from  9100  volumes  in  the  preceding  to 
12,151  volumes  in  the  present  year,  showing  an 
increase  of  3051  volumes,  or  more  than  33%  per 
cent." 

An  appendix  gives  list  of  books  added  since 
January,  1893.  (16  p.) 

GREEN,  S:  Abbott.     Origin  and  growth  of  the 

library  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society; 

a  paper  presented  at  a  meeting  of  the  society, 

Nov.  9,  1893.     35  p.  il.  O. 

An  interesting  account  of  the  development  of 
this  old  society  library,  from  its  organization  in 
1791  to  the  present  day.  Reproductions  of  sev- 
eral of  the  early  book-plates  used  are  given,  and 
the  old-fashioned  methods  of  library  administra- 
tion are  described. 

Helena  (Mont.}  P.  L.  Added  2953  ;  total 
12,576.  Issued,  home  use  55,295;  visitors  to  ref.- 
room  31,185  ;  no  record  of  ref.  use  is  kept 
There  are  234  periodicals  on  file.  Borrowers 
registered  in  1893,  719;  total  no.  borrowers  4906. 
The  use  of  the  news-room  is  more  than  half 
that  of  the  reference-room.  The  increase  in 
home  use  over  last  year  is  about  33  £,  and  in 
reading-room  use  it  is  about  50  #.  Every  effort 
is  made  to  assist  readers  in  their  studies.  Sub- 
ject lists  have  been  made  for  the  members  of 
study  clubs,  and  a  Shakespeare  list  of  140  titles 
has  been  typewritten  and  posted  on  the  library 
bulletin-board. 


A  new  charging  system  was  introduced  during 
the  year,  and  the  library  is  now  ia  process  of 
classification. 

Seven  monthly  numbers  of  the  library  bulletin 
have  been  issued  in  convenient  pocket  form. 
These  contain  the  lists  of  new  books  added,  and 
are  used  as  supplements  to  the  library  catalog. 

Holy oke  (Mass.}  P.  L.  Added  861 ;  total  16,459; 
issued  54,452  (fict.  29,797);  no.  cardholders  4300. 
Receipts  13329.72. 

Ilion  (N.  F.)  F.  P.  L.  The  library  has  been 
in  successful  operation  for  the  past  six  months. 
It  has  no  age  limit  and  provision  has  been  made 
for  all  classes  of  readers.  In  addition  to  the  6000 
books  for  adults,  there  is  a  "juvenile  library" 
of  1 200  volumes  containing  reading  for  young 
people  of  all  ages.  It  contains  a  collection  of 
indestructible  nursery  books  and  short,  easy 
stories  for  very  little  children,  this  novel  feature 
being  the  happy  thought  of  Mr.  Clarence  W. 
Seamans,  who  provided  the  building,  and  whose 
wife  gave  and  maintains  the  juvenile  library. 

The  librarian  says:  "We  are  now  about  to 
put  in  circulation  as  books  five  copies  each  of 
the  most  popular  magazines,  hoping  by  means 
of  current  literature  to  widen  our  sphere  of  in- 
fluence and  usefulness." 

Jackson  (Mich.)  P.  L.  The  new  library  build- 
iug  was  formally  dedicated  on  the  evening  of 
May  17,  when  a  reception  with  appropriate  exer- 
cises was  held  in  the  building.  Addresses  were 
made  by  the  president  of  the  board  of  trustees, 
the  mayor,  and  several  others,  and  there  was  a 
large  attendance.  The  building  was  open  for 
inspection  by  all.  The  eighth  annual  report  of 
the  librarian  has  just  been  issued.  The  statistics 
are  as  follows  :  Added  863;  total  12,330;  issued 
73-335;  lost  and  paid  for  10;  total  no.  cardhold- 
ers 3647. 

Miss  Waldo  says  :  "  We  now  enter  upon  a  new 
period  of  usefulness  in  spacious  and  elegant 
quarters." 

She  recommends  the  purchase  of  additional 
German  books,  and  the  opening  of  the  library 
from  9  a.m.  instead  of  from  10  a.m.  as  hereto- 
fore; this  change  will  necessitate  additional  help 
in  the  library  work. 

Maiden  (Mass.)  P.  L.  (i6th  rpt.)  Added 
1732;  total  23,072.  Issued  75,052  (fict.  76.14  #); 
reading-room  use  5233.  No.  cards  in  use  4943. 
Receipts  $10,170.03;  expenses  $8052.47.  4439 
v.  were  issued  through  the  one  branch  delivery 
station. 

The  annual  examination  of  the  shelves,  which 
was  made  during  the  latter  part  of  the  year, 
showed  a  net  loss  of  but  31  volumes  in  a  circula- 
tion of  767,147  volumes  during  the  15  years  in 
which  the  library  has  been  in  operation. 

The  trustees  say:  "  The  results  of  the  open- 
ing of  the  reading-room  and  art  gallery  on  Sun- 
days vary  but  little,  if  at  all,  from  those  stated  in 
our  last  report.  A  trial  of  22  months  has  failed 
to  bring  the  crowds  of  work-people  and  students 
which  it  was  said  would  fill  our  tables;  and  it  has 
been  noticed  that  those  who  were  most  ardent 
in  their  advocacy  of  the  measure  have  been  most 


June,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


209 


conspicuous  by  their  absence.  Yet  the  attend- 
ance of  readers  preserves  a  steady  uniformity  of 
quantity  and  quality,  influenced  in  a  measure  by 
considerations  of  season  and  weather;  and  we 
cannot  see  why,  while  the  expense  of  adminis- 
tration is  light,  the  present  Sunday  opening 
may  not  with  propriety  be  continued." 

Medford  (Mass.)  P.  L.  (Rpt.)  Added  1105; 
total  15,284;  issued  43,534;  new  cards  issued 
1170.  Receipts  $4946.11;  expenses  $4943.36. 

Miss  Sargent  says:  "  Besides  supplying  the 
books  for  distribution  among  the  pupils  by  the 
teachers  of  the  high  school,  we  have  endeavored, 
as  much  as  iim«  would  permit,  to  interest  our- 
selves in  the  reading  of  the  very  young  people 
who  frequent  our  rooms.  To  avoid  overcrowd- 
ing the  reading-room,  two  tables  were  put  in 
the  delivery-room,  upon  which  were  placed  vol- 
umes of  St.  Nicholas,  and  the  most  attractive 
and  best  of  the  new  juvenile  books.  I  found 
that,  by  talking  with  the  children  about  some  of 
the  books,  a  desire  to  read  them  was  created." 

"  Besides  the  lists  of  additions  published  in 
the  Medford  Mercury,  a  finding-list  has  been  is- 
sued, which  embraces  the  accessions  for  the  past 
three  years,  classified  according  to  Cutter's  ex- 
pansive classification." 

"  The  books  in  the  department  of  fiction  have 
been  collected,  rearranged  alphabetically  accord- 
ing to  authors,  renumbered,  and  occupy  two 
alcoves,  to  which  the  public  have  free  access. 
Although  it  is  not  deemed  expedient  in  many 
public  libraries  to  grant  this  privilege,  I  have 
not  yet  discovered  any  disposition  in  this  com- 
munity to  abuse  it." 

Montclair  (N.J.)  F.  P.  L.  In  the  four  months 
the  library  has  been  open  5337  volumes  have 
been  borrowed,  and  1225  have  been  consulted  in 
the  free  reading-room.  There  are  779  names 
on  the  register,  and  the  library  has  had  about 
6500  visitors  since  the  first  of  the  year.  More 
books  are  needed  for  boys,  especially  wholesome 
tales,  and  more  fiction  is  wanted.  The  receipts 
from  all  sources  have  been  $3579.16;  expenses 
$2270.35. 

New  Bedford  (Mass.)  P.  Z.  (42d  rpt.)  Add- 
ed by  purchase  2429;  total  not  given.  Issued 
88,645;  cards  issued  during  1893  1007;  periodi- 
cals taken  in  reading-room  23. 

The  circulation  shows  an  increase  of  4938 
over  the  previous  year. 

The  trustees  say:  "  To  bring  the  library  up  to 
a  proper  standard  of  usefulness,  more  and  better 
arranged  room  is  an  imperative  necessity.  The 
library  is  fast  outgrowing  ils  present  quarters. 
There  is  now  scarcely  enough  space  for  storing, 
much  less  than  enough  for  an  orderly  and  syste- 
matic arrangement  of  books." 

They  make  an  earnest  presentation  of  the 
need  for  a  new  building,  and  urge  early  action 
on  the  part  of  the  city  authorities. 

New  Britain  (Ct.)  Institute  L.  (4Oth  rpt.) 
Added  1193;  total  not  given.  Issued,  home  use 
12,206;  ref.  use  1614.  Receipts  $9801.93;  ex- 
penses $8828.40. 

The   experiment   of   opening  the  library  for 


reading  use  on  Sunday  afternoons  was  tried 
early  in  the  year.  "  The  first  Sunday  there 
were  11  readers,  mostly  boys;  the  second  Sun- 
day there  were  40;  the  greatest  number  was  78, 
and  the  average  for  the  first  three  months  was 
35.  The  rooms  are  now  open  every  day  in  the 
year,  and  every  facility  practicable  is  afforded 
to  readers  and  students  to  read  or  study,  using 
both  the  periodicals  and  books  at  the  rooms, 
entirely  free  to  all."  The  library  committee 
say:  "Special  pains  have  been  taken  to  assist 
those  persons  who  are  engaged  in  special  lines 
of  study,  as  professional  men,  mechanics,  in- 
ventors, teacherr,  and  students,  by  preparing 
lists  of  books  relating  to  special  subjects  and 
having  them  placed  where  they  can  be  readily 
consulted.  More  especially  for  the  members  of 
schools,  books  on  the  subjects  studied  have 
been  taken  from  the  shelves  and  arranged  upon 
tables,  with  chapters  and  pages  indicated  where 
the  information  sought  is  to  be  obtained.  With, 
the  co-operation  of  teachers,  this  has  been  found 
very  helpful,  especially  to  those  not  familiar 
with  the  books  consulted." 

"  The  thorough  cataloging  of  the  library, 
which  was  commenced  In  1892,  has  been  con- 
tinued with  slight  interruptions,  and  the  card- 
catalog  now  includes  6616  volumes  and  14,609 
titles,  embracing  a  large  part  of  the  bocks  in 
the  circulating  department,  and  many  in  the 
reference  library." 

New  Brunswick  (N.  /.)  F.  P.  L.  (4th  rpt.) 
Added  1056.  Issued,  home  use  36,917  (fict. 
20,100;  juv.  7848);  visitors  to  ref.  and  reading 
room  17,072;  no.  cardholders  4445;  58  periodi- 
cals are  on  file  in  reading  -  room.  Receipts 
$4703.50;  expenses  $3990.61. 

"  The  library  now  numbers  2526  volumes, 
which,  with  the  8938  rented  from  the  Free  Cir- 
culating Library,  gives  an  aggregate  of  11,464 
volumes  in  circulation.  The  pupils  of  the  pub- 
lic schools  make  more  and  more  use  of  the  ref- 
erence and  other  books,  and  teachers  are  at  lib- 
erty to  take  out  five  or  more  books  at  a  time  for 
special  lines  of  study  in  their  classes." 


68 


New  London  (Ct.)  P.  Z.  Issued,  home  use 
uJ,052  (fict.  55,590);  ref.  use  1272;  lost  and  paid 
for  6.  Total  no.  cardholders  3323. 

It  was  found  at  the  yearly  examination  of  the 
library  that  one  volume  only  —  a  small  reference- 
book —  was  missing. 

New  York,  University  Club  L.  (Rpt.)  Added 
823;  total  10,944. 

New  York.  University  of  the  City  of  New 
Yotk.  The  fine  oriental  library  of  the  late  Paul 
de  Lagarde,  purchased  for  the  university  in 
January,  1893,  through  the  efforts  of  Prof.  J: 
D.  Prince,  has  teen  finally  arranged  and  classi- 
fied, and  is  now  shelved  in  a  room  by  itself  in 
the  university  building.  The  library  numbers 
5987  books,  of  which  1500  are  classified  as  pure 
theology.  It  includes  works  in  Hebrew,  Ar- 
menian. Arabic.  Ethiopian,  Egyptian,  Gothic, 
Turkish,  and  Lettish.  The  collection  of  Persian 
and  Armenian  books  is  one  of  the  finest  known; 
the  miscellaneous  library  is  also  remarkable, 


210 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\June,  '94 


This  acquisition  of  the  Lagarde  library  gives  to 
the  university  probably  the  most  valuable  col- 
lection of  oriental  literature  in  the  country,  and 
it  is  hoped  to  make  it  the  nucleus  of  a  really 
great  oriental  library;  to  accomplish  this  the 
university  is  making  special  efforts  to  establish 
a  fund  for  the  purchase  of  oriental  literature. 

Newark  (N.J.)  F.  P.  L.  ($th  rpt.)  Added 
4171;  total  39,739.  Issued,  home  use  268,320 
(fict.  79.3  $);  no  record  of  reference  use  is  kept. 
Visitors  to  ref.  department  15,345.  No.  card- 
holders registered  during  year  8933.  Receipts 
$46,924.51;  expenses  $37,778.07. 

Mr.  Hill  reports  a  gratifying  decrease  in  the 
number  of  novels  taken.  "  This  is  due  in  part  to 
the  exposition  of  all  new  books  on  a  table  made 
accessible  to  the  public,  and  in  part  to  open 
shelves.  Until  last  summer  the  new  books  were 
exhibited  on  shelves  in  full  view  of  the  public, 
but  protected  by  railing  in  front.  In  order  to 
enable  readers  to  handle  and  examine  the  books 
a  special  '  terrace  '  table  has  been  built,  on  which 
can  be  placed  200  books.  Over  the  table  the 
following  notice  is  posted:  '  Readers  may  make 
selections  from  the  new  books  on  this  table.' 
The  books  are  exhibited  about  four  weeks,  and 
when  put  in  their  proper  places  on  the  shelves 
it  has  been  found  that  nearly  every  book  has 
been  taken  out  at  least  once." 

In  regard  to  access  to  shelves  he  says:  "In 
October,  1892,  the  public  was  granted  free  ac- 
cess to  all  the  books  in  the  library  except  fiction, 
After  a  year's  trial  your  librarian  is  able  to  re- 
port a  complete  success.  The  privilege  has  not 
been  abused,  as  the  loss  (in  all  ways)  of  only  43 
books  clearly  proves,  while  the  advantages  to 
students  and  ordinary  readers  have  been  of  ines- 
timable value.  (Of  the  books  lost  no  record 
whatever  could  be  found  of  14,  and  this  number 
really  represents  those  books  which  may  have 
been  taken  by  persons  who  had  access  to  the 
shelves.  The  14  books  represent  a  value  of 
$  12.)  Had  the  loss  been  three  times  as  large 
we  could  very  well  afford  to  continue  the  privi- 
lege." 

A  new  finding-list  of  all  English  books  added 
to  the  library  since  March,  1890,  has  been  pre- 
pared and  printed,  also  a  list  of  German  and 
French  books.  The  publication  of  the  Library 
News  has  been  continued  in  a  new  form,  and 
it  is  now  issued  as  a  bulletin. 

A  reading-room  opened  for  men  and  boys  by 
private  persons  has  been  made  a  distributing 
station  by  the  library  board,  and  supplied  with 
various  periodicals.  It  is  thought  that  this  will 
prove  the  entering  wedge  for  reading-rooms  in 
different  parts  of  city. 

A  course  of  University  Extension  lectures 
were  given  during  the  year  in  the  library  hall, 
and  proved  successful.  Special  reading-lists  on 
the  subjects  of  the  lectures  were  prepared  by  the 
library,  with  the  result  of  increasing  the  demand 
for  books  in  those  departments. 

"  The  most  pressing  need  of  the  library  at  the 
present  time  is  more  shelf-room.  We  are  now 
in  such  an  overcrqwded  condition  that  it  is  to  be 
hoped  relief  wjll  be  furnished  within  a  few 
months," 


Newton  (Mass.)  F.  L.  (Rpt.)  Added  2243; 
total  39,153.  Issued  129,444  (fict.  54.99  %).  No. 
cardholders  12,507.  Receipts  113,018.82;  ex- 
penses $12,900.70. 

During  the  year  20,888  v.  were  issued  to  the 
schools.  A  collection  of  music  has  recently 
been  added  to  the  circulating  library.  Superin- 
tendent Kennedy  recommends  that  a  "  chil- 
dren's room"  be  provided,  and  that  another  be 
set  apart  for  magazine  use. 

Oshkosh,  IVis.  A  popular  movement  has  been 
begun  to  establish  a  free  public  library.  It  is 
proposed  to  raise  $10,000  by  subscription,  to 
transfer  to  the  town  a  collection  of  1200  books 
left  by  a  defunct  library  association,  and  then 
to  submit  to  popular  vote  the  question  of  levy- 
ing a  tax  for  library  support. 

Philadelphia  F.  L.  The  directors  of  the 
Free  Library  of  Philadelphia  have  completed 
arrangements  to  open  their  first  branch  in  the 
St.  Mary  Street  College  Settlement.  The  settle- 
ment, which  was  established  in  April,  1892,  has 
hitherto  had  a  small  circulating  library  of  less 
than  rooo  volumes,  but  its  use  has  been  so  ex- 
tensive that  it  was  determined  to  broaden  the 
work.  In  and  around  the  settlement  district 
are  a  number  of  clubs,  frequented  by  intelli- 
gent young  Hebrews,  who  are  anxious  to  obtain 
a  class  of  literature  more  modern  in  its  charac- 
ter. These  students,  after  visiting  the  settlement 
library  and  finding  its  resources  unequal  to  their 
needs,  visited  the  free  library  at  the  City  Hall 
and  took  out  mainly  books  on  travel,  biography, 
and  history.  The  needs  of  these  readers,  their 
assiduity  in  study,  and  their  desire  for  mental 
improvement,  were  noted  at  the  latter  library, 
and  were  called  to  the  attention  of  the  direc- 
tors, who  decided  the  time  had  come  for  estab- 
lishing the  first  of  the  branches  that  were  con- 
templated in  the  original  plan  of  the  free  library. 
They  found  it  feasible  to  take  entire  charge  of 
the  library  work  in  the  settlement,  in  such  a  fash- 
ion as  to  at  once  permit  of  co-operation  with  the 
settlement  authorities,  and  to  leave  the  library 
management  wholly  independent. 

It  was  concluded  to  add  to  the  settlement 
branch  from  1000  to  2000  volumes  as  a  begin- 
ning, with  the  intention  of  indefinitely  increas- 
ing the  number  as  circumstances  demanded. 
The  free  library  will  provide  a  librarian,  the  set- 
tlement will  give  the  branch  a  home.  It  will 
occupy  2500  square  feet  of  floor-space,  and  the 
shelves  will  be  arranged  on  a  plan  similar  to  that 
in  use  at  the  main  library. 

Quincy,  Mass.  Crane  P.  L.  (23d  rpt.) 
Added  by  purchase  290;  total  not  given.  Issued 
74,2O7(fict.  32.9$,  periodicals  26.4^,  juv.  21. o#); 
total  no.  cardholders  11,653.  The  catalog  fund 
now  amounts  to  $562.48. 

The  trustees  give  a  brief  summary  of  the  his- 
tory of  the  library,  referring  to  previous  reports 
for  details.  They  "have  no  matters  of  policy 
to  which  they  now  desire  to  call  attention,  nor 
any  changes  to  suggest." 

Rutherford  (N.  /.)  F.  P.  L.  The  first  free 
library  in  Rutherford  was  formally  opened  on 
the  afternoon  of  May  5.  The  annual  meeting 


June,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


211 


of  the  Rutherford  Free  Library  Association  was 
held  at  3  p.m.,  and  officers  were  elected  and  re- 
ports read;  the  public  meeting  and  formal  open- 
ing of  the  library  followed.  A  letter  was  read 
from  Frank  R.  Stockton,  who  many  years  ago 
spent  a  season  in  Rutherford,  where  he  found  ma- 
terial and  inspiration  for  his  "  Rudder  Grange," 
and  where  he  was  active  in  organizing  a  liter- 
ary club  called  the  "  Lennehaha."  The  library 
opens  with  754  books,  cataloged  and  ready  for 
use.  Miss  Anna  Cooper  is  librarian,  and  the 
library  will  be  open  Saturday  afternoons  and 
evenings.  It  is  hoped  to  establish  a  reading- 
room  in  the  near  future. 

St.  Louis  (Mo.)  F.  P.  L.  It  has  been  decided 
to  publish  a  library  paper,  to  be  known  as  the 
Monthly  Bulletin,  recording  the  additions  to 
the  library  from  month  to  month. 

Shirley,  Mass.  Hazen  Memorial  L.  This  li- 
brary, the  dedication  of  which  was  noted  in  the 
May  L.  j.,  is  a  substantial  one-story  building 
40x45,  of  brown  sandstone  and  red  pressed 
brick.  It  contains  practically  four  rooms.  From 
the  central  vestibule  there  opens  a  waiting-room, 
lox  14;  on  the  right  of  the  waiting-room  is  the 
reading-room,  13x21,  and  on  the  left  the  art- 
room  of  the  same  size.  These  rooms  are  sepa- 
rated by  arches  and  finished  in  oak;  both  have 
open  fireplaces.  The  book-room,  16x32,  is  at 
the  rear,  extending  the  width  of  the  building, 
with  five  large  book-racks.  The  delivery-coun- 
ter, between  the  book-room  and  the  waiting- 
room,  has  a  marble  top  and  panelled  front. 
There  is  an  attic,  which  can  be  used  for  storage 
purposes.  The  library,  which  is  now  settled  in 
these  new  and  attractive  quarters,  was  estab- 
lished in  1885;  it  started  with  about  100  volumes, 
presented  by  a  club  of  young  people.  This  num- 
ber has  now  increased  by  gift  and  purchase  to 
nearly  2000  v. 

South  Orange  (N.  /.)  F.  L.  A.  Total  4000  ; 
issued  15,190;  visitors  to  reading-room  11,950. 
Receipts  $1755.70;  expenses  $1549.83. 

Springfield  (Mass,)  City  L.  A.  (33d  rpt.) 
Added  3863  ;  total  86,942.  Issued,  home  use 
150,211  (fict.  73,859);  hall  use  31,812.  Visitors 
to  reading-room  56,286;  magazines  and  reviews 
issued  in  reading-room  36,092  ;  there  are  304 
periodicals  on  file.  Borrowers  registered  dur- 
ing year  1822;  total  no.  borrowers  17,095.  Re- 
ceipts $24,356;  expenses  $23,633. 

The  increase  shown  in  almost  every  depart- 
ment of  library  use  is  most  gratifying.  Dr. 
Rice  points  out  the  chief  methods  adopted  to 
aid  borrowers  in  "  the  choice  of  books  for  home 
use,  and  to  assist  them  in  making  the  most  of  the 
opportunities  which  the  library  affords  for  inves- 
tigation and  study  on  the  premises. 

"  i.  We  publish  a  monthly  bulletin,  which  is 
distributed  without  charge  to  our  readers,  con- 
taining a  classified  list  of  the  additions  for  the 
month,  also  notices  of  new  books  and,  from  time 
to  time,  lists  of  books  on  special  topics  —  the 
current  topics  of  the  day. 

"  2.  We  place  all  new  books  when  ready  for 
circulation  where  they  are  accessible  to  all  our 


readers.  This  enables  them  to  examine  the 
new  books  before  they  are  placed  in  the  alcoves, 
and  very  many  who  visit  the  library  are  accus- 
tomed to  make  their  selections  mainly  from  these 
shelves. 

"  3.  Persons  who  are  engaged  in  the  study 
of  special  topics  are  allowed  access  to  the  al- 
coves, or,  what  is  generally  still  better  for  their 
purposes,  are  supplied  by  the  librarians  with  the 
books  upon  these  topics,  which  are  placed  upon 
tables  where  they  can  be  consulted  or  studied  at 
their  leisure.  While  the  library  force  are  all 
expected  to  render  such  assistance  as  may  be 
necessary,  one  of  the  assistants  who  is  thorough- 
ly competent  is  designated  to  give  special  atten- 
tion to  this  department  of  work." 

The  largely  increased  use  of  the  library  for 
reference  purposes  is  referred  to.  Statistics  do 
not  indicate  the  full  extent  of  their  use,  for  there 
is  free  access  to  many  reference  works,  and  no 
record  can  be  kept  of  their  consultation. 

"The  regular  and  systematic  study  of  books 
is  now  carried  on  by  the  pupils  in  our  schools, 
especially  the  high  school.  The  topics  are  given 
out  by  the  teachers,  and  large  numbers  of  books 
are  selected  by  the  librarian,  or  by  the  teachers 
themselves,  on  these  topics,  and  are  placed 
where  the  pupils  can  have  free  access  to  them 
for  careful  study.  They  are  left  until  the  topics 
are  changed  and  are  then  replaced  by  others. 
The  pupils  are  thus  provided  not  only  with 
books  for  direct  reference  on  their  lessons,  but 
also  with  the  means  for  collateral  and  general 
study.  The  work  of  the  schools,  therefore,  is 
not  only  supplemented,  but  is  also  indefinitely 
enlarged  and  extended.  The  same  arrange- 
ment has  been  made  for  private  classes  and 
clubs,  and  for  those  who  have  been  interested 
in  the  various  courses  of  university  lectures. 
Also  for  a  considerable  number  of  persons  who 
have  gladly  availed  themselves  of  these  special 
facilities  for  regular  and  systematic  study. 
Hundreds  of  volumes  of  our  best  books  have 
thus  been  in  use  all  through  the  year,  and  it 
must  be  evident  that  this  careful  study  of  books 
is  of  far  more  permanent  value  than  any  amount 
of  miscellaneous  reading  of  the  popular  literature 
of  the  day." 

Dr.  Rice  closes  his  interesting  report  with  an 
account  of  the  new  art  building,  now  rapidly  ap- 
proaching completion,  and  points  out  the  many 
opportunities  it  will  offer  —  in  conjunction  with 
the  library  —  for  the  development  of  "  new  and 
broader  plans  for  the  promotion  of  popular  edu- 
cation." 

He  concludes  with  an  appeal  for  a  new  libra- 
ry building,  and  urges  a  larger  municipal  appro- 
priation for  library  purposes. 

Springfield,  0.  Warder  P.  L.  Added  2041 ; 
total  16,063,  Issued, home  use  83, 859  (fict.  45,- 
790;  juv.  15,215).  Receipts  $7125.99;  expenses 
$6630.38. 

The  reading-room  never  had  so  large  and  con- 
stant attendance  as  during  the  past  year;  87 
periodicals  are  on  file  there.  Of  the  83, 859  v. 
issued  for  home  use,  2119  were  German  books. 
Sunday  reading-room  attendance  for  the  year 
was  4384. 


212 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{June,  '94 


Stratford  (Ct.)  L.  A.  Ground  has  been  bro- 
ken for  the  handsome  new  library  building  to 
be  given  to  the  association  by  Birdseye  Blake- 
man,  of  Ivison,  Blakeman  &  Co.,  New  York. 
The  building  was  planned  by  W:  A.  Miller,  of 
Ithaca,  N.  Y.  It  will  be  built  entirely  of  mar- 
ble from  the  St.  Lawrence  quarries.  N.  Y.  This 
marble  is  grayish-white,  and  because  of  its 
crystalline  formation  gives  a  most  brilliant  ef- 
fect, particularly  when  unpolished;  it  will  be 
laid  in  "  rough  ashlar,"  with  trimmings  in  ham- 
mered finish.  The  building  will  be  gothic  in  style, 
with  projecting  wings  on  the  north  and  south 
sides;  near  the  entrance  will  be  a  4O-foot  tower. 
A  room  40x60  occupies  the  entire  front;  the 
wings  on  either  side  will  form  reading  and  ref- 
erence rooms;  the  tower  will  be  the  librarian's 
room.  The  west  end  is  a  stack-room  of  three 
stories,  each  seven  feet  in  height,  having  a  book 
capacity  of  40,000  v.  The  cost  of  the  building 
is  estimated  at  not  less  than  $30,000.  Mr.  Blake- 
man was  born  in  Stratford,  which  has  been  the 
home  of  his  family  for  generations.  It  was  the 
desire  of  the  association  to  call  the  new  build- 
ing the  Birdseye  Blakeman  Library,  but  Mr. 
Blake  man  refused  permission,  and  the  name  The 
Stratford  Library  was  substituted  at  his  request. 

Suffield  (Ct.)  P.  L.  A.  The  Suffield  Public 
Library  Association,  which  has  had  an  existence 
of  nine  years,  has  been  compelled  to  dissolve, 
owing  to  a  lack  of  support.  The  directors  have 
voted  to  deliver  all  property,  books,  pamphlets, 
etc.,  to  the  Suffield  Free  Library  Association, 
after  the  sum  of  $200  has  been  paid. 

Topeka  (Kan)  F.  P.  L.  Total  12,686;  issued, 
home  use  62,709;  cards  issued  916.  Sunday  at- 
tendance 3344.  There  are  61  periodicals  on  file 
in  the  reading-room.  The  first  half  of  the  new 
catalog,  containing  classified  lists  of  all  the  books 
in  the  library,  has  been  completed  and  put  upon 
the  catalog-table;  it  will  not  be  distributed 
until  the  other  half  is  finished. 

Wallingford  (Vt.)  F.  L.  The  new  library 
building,  given  to  Wallingford  by  Gilbert  Hart, 
of  Detroit,  Mich.,  is  nearly  completed.  It  is  a 
Romanesque  structure,  25  by  40,  about  25  feet  in 
height,  and  built  of  terra-cotta  brick.  The  in- 
terior is  divided  into  four  separate  rooms,  the 
cloak-room,  vestibule, and  reading-room  being 
in  the  front  and  the  library  proper  in  the  rear. 
Each  room  is  finished  in  quartered  oak,  highly 
polished.  The  cloak-room  is  10  by  6  feet  and 
opens  into  the  vestibule,  10  by  18  feet,  which 
is  connected  by  plate-glass  doors  with  both 
the  reading-room  and  the  library.  The  reading- 
room  is  22  by  12  feet.  The  library,  22  by  12,  is 
directly  back  of  the  reading-room,  and  is  sepa- 
rated from  it  by  a  plate-glass  partition.  The 
basement  will  be  used  for  the  heating  apparatus 
and  for  storage  purposes. 

It  is  expected  that  the  library  will  open  with 
about  2000  books,  1000  of  which  will  be  given 
by  Mr,  Hart,  who  has  spent  much  time  and  care 
in  their  selection.  The  dedication  will  prob- 
ably be  held  on  or  about  July  i. 

Wilmington  (Del.)  Institute  F.  L.     At  the  an- 


nual meeting,  held  April  7,  the  finance  commit- 
tee reported  that  for  the  first  time  in  its  history 
the  library  is  free  from  all  financial  indebtedness 
and  has  a  fixed  income. 

Windsor  (Ct.)  L.  A.  At  a  recent  meeting  of 
the  association  it  was  decided  to  make  the  library 
free.  A  popular  subscription  has  been  started, 
and  it  is  hoped  to  take  advantage  of  the  state 
appropriation  of  $200. 

Winona  (Minn.)  F.  P.  L.  (8th  rpt.)  Added 
662;  total  10,261;  issued  44,257  (fict.  23,315). 
No.  borrowers  2279;  visitors  to  reading-room 
19  712  (Sunday  attendance  1361).  Receipts 
$2907.91;  expenses  $2827.97. 

During  the  year  a  subject  card  catalog  has 
been  completed. 

Woburn  (Mass.)  P.  L.  (37th  rpt.)  Added 
1434;  total  32,369.  Issued,  home  use  58,595  (fict. 
and  juv.  86.27$);  lost  3;  no.  cardholders  7900. 
Receipts  $4312.04;  expenses  $4311.68. 

"  The  circulation  of  volumes  for  home  use  has 
been  58,595  against  62,926  for  the  previous 
year.  The  difference  is  due  to  the  absence  of 
many  families  at  the  World's  Fair  and  also  to 
the  circumstance  that  at  the  beginning  of  the 
year  1892  a  change  was  made  in  the  age  of  ap- 
plicants for  cards,  from  14  to  12  years,  which  re- 
sulted in  an  immediate  increase  in  the  circulation 
among  juvenile  readers,  but  which,  after  the 
interest  had  subsided,  fell  off  in  amount,  and 
has  not  perceptibly  affected  the  aggregate  result 
since.  The  number  of  those  who  frequent  the 
library  to  consult  books  or  to  read  without 
taking  away  does  not  appear  to  be  any  less." 

Librarian  Cutter  says:  "  The  typewriting- 
machine  is  still  a  desirable  adjunct  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  bulletin-stand.  Titles  of  new 
books  are  now  written  with  it  upon  cards,  and 
these  cards  are  arranged  alphabetically  under 
headings  in  Rudolph  cardholders  till  the  stand 
is  full.  The  cardholders  on  the  stand  are  cov- 
ered with  a  pane  of  thick  glass  to  prevent  injury 
from  handling  or  soiling  the  cards.  The  cards, 
when  necessary,  can  be  transferred  from  the 
stand  to  a  Rudolph  indexer-book,  or  other  de- 
vice of  that  company,  and  the  same  cards  are 
used  in  the  preparation  of  the  printed  bulletin 
which  is  issued  at  intervals  by  the  library. 
The  adoption  of  this  scheme  has  saved  the  writ- 
ing of  one  list,  and  thereby  reduces  the  amount 
of  writing  one-half." 

In  view  of  the  constant  demand  for  "new" 
literature  the  librarian  recommends  that  the  bul- 
letin of  accessions  "  be  hereafter  changed  from 
an  annual  to  a  quarterly  publication,  and  that  a 
lesser  number  be  printed,  if  the  demand  is  not 
greater  than  it  is.  A  more  frequent  publication 
could  be  made  less  elaborate,  and  hence  cheaper. 
It  could  certainly  be  sold  at  a  less  price,  and 
might,  if  thought  best,  be  given  away.  The 
more  frequent  publication,  too,  will  conform 
better  to  the  scheme  of  placing  titles  on  the 
bulletin-stand,  and  will  coincide  well  with  the 
new  devices  which  in  time  may  be  adopted." 

Cataloging  work  has  made  good  progress  dur- 
ing the  year. 


June,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


"  The  completed  work  includes  all  the  addi- 
tions to  the  library  since  1879,  and  everything  in 
the  classes  of  fine  arts,  foreign  languages,  ency- 
clopaedias, public  documents,  periodicals,  and 
four  classes  in  science,  besides  two  special  libra- 
ries and  the  Shakespeare  collection.  There  re- 
main to  be  completed  the  classes  of  history, 
travels,  biography,  fiction,  juveniles,  literature, 
poetry,  and  religion." 

An  account  of  a  rare  old  book  recently  added 
to  the  library  —  Johnson's  "  Wonder-working 
Providence,"  published  in  1654  —  is  appended, 
taken  from  the  Boston  Herald. 

Woodbury  (Af.  J.~)  L.  Co.  The  centennial  an- 
niversary of  the  Woodbury  Library  Company 
was  celebrated  April  24. 

Worcester  (Mass.)  F.  P.  L.  (34th  rpt.)  The 
chief  facts  contained  in  this  report  have  already 
been  noted  (L.  J.  19  :  65). 

The  increase  in  the  use  of  the  circulating  de- 
partment was  7205  v.  over  the  preceding  year, 
and  in  the  reference-room  6943  more  volumes 
were  consulted  than  in  1892. 

Mr.  Green  describes  in  some  detail  the  five 
successful  art  exhibitions  held  during  the  year. 
Three  of  these  were  in  the  upper  story  of  the 
library  building  and  two  in  the  lecture-hall. 
"The  first  of  the  former  continued  from  Dec. 
I  -14,  1892,  and  consisted  of  a  magnificent  work 
issued  by  the  imperial  government  of  Russia, 
entitled  '  Antiquities  of  the  Russian  Empire,' 
comprising  ecclesiastical  and  imperial  articles 
and  robes,  military  and  civil  equipments,  cos- 
tumes and  portraits,  household  utensils,  and 
specimens  of  ancient  architecture.  The  exhibi- 
tion, open  12  secular  days,  was  visited  by  430 
persons.  The  second  was  from  March  7-25, 
1893,  and  consisted  of  about  300  engravings  and 
colored  plates  illustrating  Arabian  art  as  seen  in 
Cairo,  from  the  beautiful  work  of  Prisse  D'Av- 
ennes.  It  was  visited  by  458  persons.  The 
third  embraced  the  300  or  more  phototypes  in 
the  great  work  of  Heinrich  Brunn,  arranged  to 
give  a  pictorial  history  of  Greek  and  Roman 
sculpture  in  chronological  order.  It  was  open 
from  Oct.  23- Nov.  18,  1893,  and  was  visited  by 
822  persons." 

The  first  exhibition  in  the  lecture-hall  was  al- 
most a  repetition  of  one  given  the  previous  year. 
It  was  for  the  benefit  of  boys  and  girls  in  the 
grammar  schools  who  had  been  studying  Ameri- 
can history,  and  consisted  of  collections  of  etch- 
ings and  photographs  illustrative  of  the  civil 
war  in  this  country.  The  only  new  feature  was 
a  collection  of  29  Confederate  war  etchings. 
The  other  exhibition  was  given  principally  for 
the  benefit  of  members  of  the  two  high  schools 
who  had  recently  been  studying  some  of  the 
plays  of  Shakespeare.  The  plates  of  J.  E.  Will- 
iams' "  Homes  and  haunts  of  Shakespeare  " 
were  placed  on  the  walls,  as  were  also  those  il- 
lustrating scenes  in  the  plays  of  Shakespeare, 
by  F.  O.  C.  Darley.  Fac-similes  of  quartos  and 
the  first  folio  and  books  illustrative  of  costumes, 
the  interior  and  exterior  of  buildings  in  Shake- 
speare's time,  and  other  books  containing  perti- 
nent pictorial  matter,  were  placed  on  tables  and 


the  teachers  and  pupils  invited  to  make  use 
of  the  material  which  had  been  brought  to- 
gether. The  exhibition  proved  very  interesting 
and  profitable.  After  being  used  by  the  teachers 
and  scholars  it  was  thrown  open  to  the  public. 
It  was  open  from  June  1-24  and  was  visited  by 
323  persons. 

The  printing  of  the  second  five-yearly  sup- 
plement to  the  library  catalog,  covering  all  ac- 
cessions to  Jan  i,  1895,  will  be  begun  this  year. 

The  trustees  advocate  the  establishment  of  de- 
livery stations.  They  say  :  "  Worcester  is  fast 
ceasing  to  be  a  provincial  city,  and  it  is  time  for 
it  to  begin  to  practice  the  metropolitan  way  of 
having  library  delivery  stations  and  reading- 
rooms,  like  its  school-houses,  in  different  sec- 
tions of  the  city.  If  there  was  room  in  every 
school-house  away  from  the  centre  of  the  city 
used  for  a  reading-room,  the  keeping  of  stand- 
ard reference-books  and  the  delivery  of  library 
books,  it  would  undoubtedly  be  well  patronized 
and  be  the  means  of  a  larger  diffusion  of  intel- 
ligence and  the  good  influences  of  the  public 
library." 

Yale  University  L.,  New  Haven,  Ct.  (Rpt.) 
Added  6400  v.,  5700  pm.  "  The  largest  contri- 
bution yet  made  to  the  library  fund  has  come  to 
us  in  the  recent  bequest  of  $15,000  from  Mrs. 
Azariah  Eldridge." 

President  Dwight,  in  his  university  report, 
makes  a  strong  plea  for  a  new  library  building. 
The  collection  is  increasing  yearly,  and  available 
space  for  expansion  cannot  be  had.  Lack  of 
room  has  cramped  the  development  of  the  libra- 
ry in  many  ways;  "  there  are  many  departments 
of  study  which  are,  at  present,  imperfectly  and 
unsatisfactorily  represented  on  the  library 
shelves,  while  the  means  for  keeping  pace  fully 
with  the  advance  in  some  of  the  courses  of  study 
and  investigation  carried  on  in  the  university 
are  inadequate." 

Attention  Is  also  called  to  the  fact  "  that  the 
total  amount  of  the  library  fund  does  not  yet 
reach  $100,000;  this  is  surely  a  limitation  of 
funds  for  this  most  important  and  central  ob- 
ject which  may  well,  in  the  mere  statement  of 
it,  give  emphasis  to  the  appeal  for  generous 
gifts  to  supply  the  need  that  is  felt." 

"  The  necessity  of  great  libraries  is  coming 
now  to  be  recognized,  even  more  than  ever  be- 
fore, by  all  our  leading  institutions  of  learning. 
The  advance  of  learning  in  the  country  is  at- 
tended by  the  enlarged  appreciation  of  the  need 
which  the  advance  itself  involves.  It  is  in  the 
highest  degree  to  be  desired  that  our  university, 
which  already  has  so  large  a  beginning  and 
foundation,  should  not  fail,  by  reason  of  the 
want  of  the  necessary  funds,  to  realize  for  itself 
in  the  early  future  a  great  library." 

Youngsto-wn  (0.)  F.  P.  L.  (i4th  rpt.)  Add- 
ed 1336;  total  8152.  Issued,  home  use  41,540; 
visitors  to  ref.-room  445.  666  books  have  been 
issued  on  special  cards  to  78  teachers. 

The  librarian  says:  "  We  are  sadly  in  need  of 
more  accommodations  and  better  lighted"  rooms. 
At  the  rate  books  are  being  added  to  the  library 
it  will  be  impossible  to  find  shelf-room  for  them 
much  longer." 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{June,  '94 


FOREIGN. 

Oxford,  Eng.  Bodleian  L.  (Rpt.)  "  Printed 
and  ms.  items  received  during  the  year,"  57,- 
206.  "  The  total  for  1891,  which  was  heavily 
swollen  by  exceptional  donations,  alone  exceeds 
this."  The  various  rare  and  curious  ms.  addi- 
tions are  described  in  the  report. 

"  The  year  will  always  be  memorable  for  the 
donation  of  the  Shelley  collection,  one  of  the 
most  important  gifts  received  by  the  library  for 
many  years.  It  was  made  by  Jane,  Lady  Shel- 
ley, the  poet's  daughter-in-law,  and  consisted 
partly  of  volumes  given  under  conditions  as  to 
inspection  and  copying  which  had  been  accepted 
by  the  curators  in  1892,  but  chiefly  of  volumes 
given  unconditionally.  The  former  section  con- 
sists of  ms.  letters  of  Shelley,  his  second  wife, 
and  others,  together  with  two  printed  volumes 
—  which  contain  the  journal-book  of  Shelley 
and  his  second  wife,  letters  from  and  to  them, 
and  other  biographical  documents.  The  latter 
section  —  of  which,  agreeably  to  Lady  Shelley's 
wishes,  a  considerable  part  is  permanently  ex- 
hibited in  the  library — consists  of  10  autograph 
mss  of  the  poet's,  three  volumes  of  his  printed 
works,  the  Sophocles  found  in  his  hand  after 
death,  and  two  copies  of  portraits  of  him." 


(Sifts  anfc  Jtequests. 


Ann  Arbor,  Mich.  According  to  the  will  of 
the  late  Dr.  Corydon  L.  Ford,  the  University  of 
Michigan  receives  a  bequest  of  $90,000,  the  in- 
come of  which  is  to  be  used  to  purchase  books 
for  the  general  library. 

Buffalo,  N.  Y.  C:  H.  Williams,  of  Buffalo, 
has  given  to  that  city  the  sum  of  $5000  as  a 
memorial  library  fund,  in  honor  of  his  deceased 
son,  Sherman  Williams.  The  library  is  to  be 
established  in  the  boys'  department  of  the  Buf- 
falo High  School;  $500  is  to  be  expended  for 
books  and  shelving,  and  the  remaining  $4500  is 
to  be  invested  as  an  endowment. 

Groton,  Mass.  Through  the  death,  on  April 
4,  of  Sarah  P.  Blood,  widow  of  the  late  Luther 
Blood,  and  in  accordance  with  his  will,  the  town 
of  Groton  will  shortly  come  into  possession  of 
$5000,  $4000  to  be  invested  and  the  income  used 
in  maintaining  a  course  of  public  lectures,  ad- 
mission to  which  shall  be  free  to  the  inhabitants 
of  the  town,  and  $1000  to  be  invested  under  the 
direction  of  the  trustees  of  the  Groton  Public 
Library,  and  the  income  to  be  annually  expended 
for  the  purchase  of  books  for  the  library. 

Iowa  Siate  University.  Mrs.  Hammond,  wife 
of  the  late  Dr.  W:  G.  Hammond,  chancellor  of 
the  St.  Louis  Law  School,  has  given  her  husband's 
entire  private  library  of  historical  and  legal 
works  to  the  law  department  of  the  State  Uni- 
versity of  Iowa,  of  which  Dr.  Hammond  was 
chancellor  for  13  years.  This  collection  is  a 
most  complete  and  valuable  one. 

Jaffrey,  N.  H.  By  the  will  of  th«  late  Susan 
B.  Clay,  a  legacy  of  $10,000  was  left  to  the  town 
for  the  establishment  of  a  public  library,  and  the 
executors  of  the  will  expect  at  least  $10,000  more 


from  the  same  source.  According  to  the  will, 
$10,000  is  left  in  trust  to  certain  beneficiaries, 
and  at  their  death  this  amount  is  to  revert  to  the 
town  to  be  used,  in  addition  to  the  first  sum,  for 
the  purpose  stated.  The  late  Joel  Parker  also 
left  two  legacies  of  $5000  each,  one  to  furnish 
books  for  the  library,  provided  the  town  would 
construct  a  suitable  building,  and  the  other  $5000 
to  be  invested  and  the  interest  used  to  keep  the 
building  in  repair,  and  also  to  purchase  books, 
the  balance  to  be  appropriated  in  taking  per- 
petual care  of  the  burial-lot  of  the  donor.  The 
library  building,  which  will  be  constructed  this 
summer,  will  be  known  as  the  Clay  Library. 

New  Hampton,  N.  H.  By  the  will  of  the  late 
Judge  Stephen  J.  Nash,  of  Lynnfield,  N.  H.,  the 
town  of  New  Hampton  receives  his  library  of 
7200  volumes  and  a  fund  to  erect  a  library  build- 
Ing. 

Pawtucket,  J?.  I.  Hon.  W:  F.  Sayles,  presi- 
dent of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Pawtucket 
Free  Public  Library  since  its  organization  in 
1876,  died  May  6,  1894.  By  his  will  a  sum  not 
to  exceed  $100,000  is  left  in  trust  to  his  son, 
for  the  purpose  of  procuring  a  lot  of  land  and 
erecting  thereon  a  public  library  building,  the 
same  to  be  presented  to  the  city  of  Pawtucket 
as  a  memorial. 

Utica  (N.  Y.}  P.  L.  Mrs.  Walter  G.  Oakman, 
of  New  York,  daughter  of  the  late  Senator  Ros- 
coe  Conkling,  has  given  to  the  Utica  Public  Li- 
brary nearly  1000  volumes  belonging  to  her 
father's  private  library;  the  collection  comprises 
a  valuable  series  of  public  documents. 

Wallingford,  Ct.  By  the  will  of  the  late  S: 
Simpson,  dated  Feb.  20,  1894,  the  Ladies'  Li- 
brary and  Reading-Room  Association  of  Wal- 
lingford receives  a  site  for  a  new  building  and 
$25,000  to  be  used  for  its  erection.  The  building 
is  to  be  a  memorial  to  Mr.  Simpson's  daughter. 
A  further  sum  of  $20,000  is  given  to  the  associa- 
tion as  a  permanent  fund  to  be  used  for  the  pur- 
chase of  books,  necessary  expenses,  etc.  The 
bequests  are  to  be  paid  within  five  years  after  the 
death  of  the  giver,  and  it  is  provided  that  the 
new  building  shall  be  erected  within  two  years 
after  the  payment  of  the  $25,000. 


Cibrarions. 

HAGGERSTON,  W.  J.,  librarian  of  Newcastle- 
on-Tyne  (Eng.)  Public  Library,  died  at  his  resi- 
dence, Newcastle-on-Tyne,  on  May  6. 

LINDSAY,  Miss  Mary  B.,  chief  cataloger  of  the 
Peoria  (111.)  Public  Library,  has  resigned  her 
position  to  become  librarian  of  the  Evanston 
(III.)  Public  Library.  Miss  Lindsay  has  been 
connected  with  the  Peoria  Public  Library  for 
the  past  five  or  six  years. 

MIDDLBTON,  Miss  Jennie  Y.,  for  three  years 
assistant  librarian  of  the  Newark  (N.  J.)  Free 
Public  Library,  has  been  appointed  librarian  of 
the  Apprentices'  Library,  Philadelphia.  She 
succeeds  Miss  C.  M.  Underbill,  who  has  re- 
signed her  position  with  the  intention  of  giving 


June,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


up  library  work  for  the  present.  Miss  Under 
hill,  before  she  became  librarian  of  the  Ap- 
prentices', was  assistant  librarian  of  the  Newark 
Public  Library,  In  which  position  she  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Miss  Middleton. 

MILLER,  Mrs.  Mary  H.,  for  six  years  state 
librarian  of  Illinois,  has  been  removed  by  Gov. 
Jackson,  and  is  succeeded  by  Mrs.  Laura  Creigh- 
ton.  Mrs.  Miller,  who  succeeded  Mrs.  S.  B. 
Maxwell  as  state  librarian  in  April,  1 888,  has  been 
a  thoroughly  capable  and  energetic  official,  and 
has  been  active  in  library  matters  both  inside 
and  outside  of  her  state.  She  is  president  of 
the  Iowa  State  Library  Association.  Her  re- 
moval from  the  post  she  has  so  well  filled  is  to 
be  regretted  by  all  who  desire  to  see  library 
appointments  removed  from  the  field  of  politics. 

POINDEXTER,  C:,  acting  librarian  of  the  Vir- 
ginia State  Library,  has  published  in  pamphlet 
form  an  address  on  "  Captain  John  Smith  and 
his  critics,"  delivered  before  the  Society  for 
Geographical  and  Historical  Study  of  Richmond 
College. 

WERDER,  E:  J.  F.,  library  assistant  at  Yale 
University  Library,  died  at  Yale  Infirmary  on 
May  25,  as  the  result  of  an  operation  for  appen- 
dicitis. 

WINSER,  Miss  Beatrice,  cataloger  in  the  New- 
ark Free  Public  Library,  has  been  appointed 
assistant  librarian,  succeeding  Miss  Jennie  Y. 
Middleton,  resigned. 


an&  (Elasgifuation. 


CORNELL  UNIVERSITY.     Library  bulletin,  v.  3, 

no.  6.     March,  1894. 

The  list  of  "additions  to  the  university  li- 
brary," from  September,  1893,  to  January,  1894. 
is  prefaced  by  a  short  account  of  "  Recent  gifts 
to  the  library,"  chief  among  which  are  the  ex- 
tensive Spinoza  collection  presented  by  ex-Presi- 
dent Andrew  D.  White;  a  collection  of  works  on 
Romance  philology,  given  by  Prof.  T.  F.  Crane; 
a  portion  of  the  Tauchnitz  World's  Fair  exhibit; 
a  selection  from  the  French  "  Cerclede  la  libra- 
rie  "  exhibit  ;  and  noteworthy  additions  to  the 
Dante  collection  presented  by  Prof.  Fiske. 

FRANCE,  COM.  DES  BIBLIOTHEQUES  NATIONALES 
ET  MUNICIPALES.  Rapport  pr6sente  a  m.  le 
ministre  de  1'instruc.  pub.  par  G.  Picot  au  nom 
de  la  com.,  etc.,  chargee  d'examiner  1'etat  de 
1'inventaire  des  livres  imprimes  de  la  Bibl- 
iotheque  Nationale  et  les  moyens  d'en  effectu- 
erl'impression.  Paris,  Imp.  Nat  1894.  4  + 
76  p.  Q. 

The  commission  has  decided  in  favor  of  print- 
ing the  catalog  of  the  1,934,154  articles  in  2,- 
600,000  volumes,  used  by  about  180,000  readers 
each  year.  It  will  be  in  three  divisions  :  works 
whose  authors  are  known,  collections  (all  works 
having  five  or  more  authors)  and  anonymous 
works,  groups  of  special  works  (medical  theses, 


legal  theses,  pieces  of  music).  It  is  thought 
that  the  final  preparation  of  the  catalog  is  so 
far  advanced  that  copy  of  the  beginning  of  A 
can  be  given  to  the  printer  towards  the  end  of 
this  year. 

The  Library  Record,  published  by  the  Jersey 
City  P.  L.,  contains  in  its  April  issue  a  list  of 
the  sessions  of  Congress  from  the  first  to  the 
present,  with  references  to  the  publications  con- 
tained in  the  library  in  which  the  records  of  the 
sessions  can  be  found. 

The  MILWAUKEE  P.  L.  has  begun  the  publi- 
cation of  a  handy  little  monthly  pamphlet,  en- 
titled Our  Books.  It  is  attractive  in  size  and 
appearance,  being  a  narrow  16°  of  16  pages,  and 
it  will  be  devoted  to  lists  of  accessions  and  to 
special  reading-lists.  The  April  issue,  which  is 
also  no.  i  of  vol.  i,  contains  an  excellent 
classed  "  list  of  books  on  mechanical  engineer- 
ing," giving  full  descriptive  titles.  The  next 
number  will  be  devoted  to  books  on  the  kinder- 
garten. When  the  special  lists  have  been  ex- 
hausted a  list  of  the  new  books  received  will  be 
published  each  month. 

NEW  LONDON  (Ct.)  P.  L.     First  supplement  to 
the  finding-list.    January,  1894.     74  p.  O. 
This  supplement  contains  the  additions  to  the 
library    from  Jan.    n,  1892,  to  Jan.   u,  1894. 
It  is  prefaced  by  an  "  outline  of  classification," 
and  consists  of  classed  subject-list;  fiction  title- 
list;  list  of  "art  studies"  ;  pamphlets;  and  au- 
thor-list. 

The  Open  Shelf,  published  by  the  Cleveland 
P.  L. ,  contains  in  its  April  issue  an  interesting 
"tribute"  to  the  late  Dr.  Poole,  by  W:  I. 
Fletcher.  The  frontispiece  is  an  illustration  of 
the  new  Boston  P.  L.  building,  which  is  de- 
scribed in  a  short  article. 

The  SALEM  (Mass.)  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for  May 
contains  a  classed  reading-list  on  "  Birds." 

The  SPRINGFIELD  (Mass.)  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for 
April  has  a  list  of  "  Family  genealogies  and  New 
England  town  histories  containing  genealogical 
lists." 

U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE.  Library 
Bulletin,  April,  1894.  Accessions  to  the  de- 
partment library.  12  p.  O. 


JHbiiografg, 


ADDIS,  W.  Bibliography  of  legal  education. 
This  excellent  bibliography  forms  chapter  16 
of  the  last  (1890-91)  report  of  the  Commis- 
sioner of  Education.  It  covers  14  pages,  and  is 
chiefly  devoted  to  American  and  English  works 
on  the  subject,  although  four  pages  are  given  up 
to  German  and  Latin,  French,  Spanish,  and  Ital- 
ian publications. 

BIBLIOGRAPHISCHE  ADVERSARIA.  2de  reeks  iste 
deel ;  afl.  8-10.  La  Haye,  Martinus  Nijhoff, 
1894.     221-305  p.  S.  2.50  fl.  per  vol. 
This  last  number  of  the  valuable_cpntribu- 


2l6 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[June,  '94 


tions  to  Netherland  bibliography,  published  by 
the  antiquarian  bookseller,  M.  Nijhoff,  con- 
cludes the  first  part  of  the  second  series.  It 
contains  a  list  ot  130  Dutch  books,  printed  in 
foreign  countries,  arranged  alphabetically  ac- 
cording to  places.  The  list  is  the  first  supple- 
ment to  a  list  of  about  500  books  given  in  the 
5th  volume  of  the  ist  series  some  10  years 
ago;  it  not  only  includes  new  books  printed 
since  that  time,  but  books  not  given  in  the  first 
list.  Most  of  the  books,  in  fact,  are  from  the 
i6th,  I7th,  and  i8th  centuries.  Only  three 
books  printed  in  the  U.  S.  are  mentioned.  The 
pamphlet  contains  also  an  annotated  list  of 
Netherland  bibliographical  literature,  1890-94, 
a  paper  on  the  different  editions  of  Nicolaas 
Wallet's  "  Secret  de  Muses,"  and  one  on  D.  F. 
Scheurleer's  musical  library. 

BOWES,  Rob.,  comp,  A  catalogue  of  books 
printed  at,  or  relating  to,  the  university, 
town,  or  county  of  Cambridge,  from  1521  to 
1893;  with  bibliographical  and  biographical 
notes.  N.  Y. ,  Macmillan  &  Co.,  1894.  32 
+  516  p.  il.  O.  cl.,  $3. 

The  concluding  parts  were  noted  in  the  May 
L.  J.  This  is  the  completed  work  bound  in  one 
volume.  Over  3500  books  are  cataloged,  and 
titles  previous  to  1700  are  given  with  minute 
bibliographical  detail. 

CHATELAIN,  Heli,  ed.  and  comp.  Folk-tales  of 
Angola:  fifty  tales  with  Ki-mbundu  text,  lit- 
eral Eng.  tr.,  introd.  and  notes  coll.  and  ed. 
by  Heli  Chaielain.  Bost.,  pub.  for  Am. 
Folk-lore  Soc.,  by  Houghton,  Mifflin  &  Co. 
1894.  c.  110+315+4  p.  map,  O.  cl.,  $3. 
There  is  a  brief  list  of  works  on  African  folk- 
lore (i  p.). 

FALCONER,  C.  M.,  of  Dundee,  is  collecting 
material  for  a  bibliography  of  the  woiks  of  An- 
diew  Lang.  It  is  said  that  he  has  already 
gathered  about  2000  titles. 

MARGOLIOUTH,  G.  Descriptive  list  of  the  He- 
brew and  Samaritan  mss.  in  the  British  Mu- 
seum. London,  1893.  1.  8°. 
MOMBERT,  J.  I.  A  short  history  of  the  Cru- 
sades. N.  Y.,  Appleton,  1894.  c.  4+301  p. 
maps,  D.  cl.,  $1.50. 

Contains  a  brief  list  of  authorities  (i  p.). 
PHILADELPHIA.     National  conference  for  good 
city  governmei.t.    Proceedings  of  the  Nation- 
al   Conference    for  Good   City   Government, 
held   at  Philadelphia,  Jan.   25  and  26,  1894; 
with  a  bibliography  of  municipal  government 
and  reform.    Philadelphia  Municipal  League, 
1894.     5+386  p.  O.  cl.,  $1.50. 
This  comprehensive  bibliography  covers  39  p. 
and  is  in  two  alphabets  —  one  author,  one  sub- 
ject. 

PITRE,  G.     Bibliografia  delle  tradizioni  popo- 
lari  in  Italia.  Turin,  1894.      628  p.  8°,  25  lire. 


SELIGMAN,  Edwin  R.  A.  Progressive  taxation 
in  theory  and  practice.  Bait.,  American  Eco- 
nomic Assoc.,  1894.  c.  2-222  p.  O.  (Publica- 
tions of  the  society,  v.  9,  nos.  i  and  2.)  pap., 
$i. 
Contains  a  5-p.  bibliography  on  progressive 

taxation. 

WARD,  H.  L.  D.  Catalogue  of  romances  in  the 
department  of  manuscripts  in  the  British  Mu- 
seum. v.  2.  Lond.  ,  Printed  by  order  of  the 
trustees,  1894. 

The  Athenaum  says:  "It  is  10  years  since 
we  noticed  the  first  volume  of  this  truly  monu- 
mental work,  but,  long  as  the  interval  seems,  a 
study  of  the  contents  of  the  second  volume  mu&t 
exonerate  Mr.  Ward  from  any  charge  of  undue 
delay.  Every  page  bears  witness  to  minute  and 
exhaustive  research,  to  indefatigable  collation 
of  authorities,  immense  bibliographical  appa- 
ratus, and  well-weighted  criticism  supported  by 
comprehensive  evidence.  It  is  a  work  involv- 
ing so  much  patient  labor,  such  wide-reaching 
comparisons,  such  microscopic  examination  of 
sources  and  derivatives,  that  the  wonder  is,  not 
that  it  has  taken  10  years  to  produce,  but  that 
it  has  been  accomplished  at  all,  and  by  a  single 
scholar.  The  colossal  bibliography  of  romance 
criticism  is  handled  with  the  easy  and  sure  touch 
of  a  master,  and  many  of  the  incidental  essays 
on  special  groups  are  models  of  concise  yet  com- 
prehensive criticism." 

The  compiler's  introductory  essays  are  rich  in 
bibliographical  references. 

WIERZBOWSKI,  Th.  Bibliografia  polonica,  15.  et 
16.  saec.  v.  3.  Warsaw,  1894.  1.  8°.  12  m. 

INDEXES. 

"  A  UNIVERSAL  index  to  the  world's  technical 
and  scientific  literature  "  is  announced  for  publi- 
cation in  Vienna.  It  is  intended  to  furnish  a 
comprehensive  index  to  the  literature  of  scien- 
tific subjects,  including  periodicals  as  well  as 
books,  and  representing  all  the  known  literature 
that  has  appeared  in  any  part  of  the  world  on 
technical  or  scientific  topics.  It  is  to  be  pub- 
lished in  weekly  patts,  and  the  plan  of  arrange- 
ment comprises:  i,  a  classified  list  of  technical 
and  scientific  publications,  arranged  according  to 
place  of  publication,  giving  title,  subscription 
rates,  and  full  lists  of  contents;  2,  a  list  of  books 
and  other  publications  dealing  with  scientific  or 
technical  subjects.  Each  weekly  part  will  prob- 
ably be  devoted  to  one  special  subject  or  to  sev- 
eral affiliated  subjects.  Five  parts  are  already 
projected,  covering  the  chief  mechanical  arts, 
electricity,  photography,  mining,  chemistry,  and 
medicine.  Further  parts  are  in  preparation. 
The  index  will  be  published  in  Vienna  by  Hein- 
rich  Wien,  and  F.  A.  Brockhaus,  of  Leipzig,  will 
be  general  agent. 


an& 


The  Story  of  Margrtfdel,  pub.  by  Putnam,  1894, 
is  by  D.  Storrar  Meldrum,  according  to  the 
Athenceum,  May  5. 


June,  '94]  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  117 

LIBRARY  INKS  AND  ADHESIVES. 

flDucUage 


has  been  adopted  by  leading  Librarians  throughout  the  country  as  the  only  satis- 
factory library  adhesive  made.  The  5000  volumes  of  the  Model  Library  at  the 
World's  Fair  were  repaired  and  labelled  with  this  adhesive  in  preference  to  all  others, 
and  it  was  voluntarily  exhibited  and  recommended  by  those  in  charge.  A  three  ounce 
trial  jar  sent  by  mail,  prepaid,  for  30  cents. 

'  Carbon  Writing  links 


contain  no  other  coloring  matter  than  pure  carbon,  and  they  hence  write  black  from 
the  pen-point  and  remain  forever  black,  proof  to  effects  of  age,  air,  sunlight,  chemicals, 
and  fire,  and  when  written  on  semi-absorbent  paper,  so  that  the  ink  sinks  in,  they 
cannot  be  washed  out  or  erased  without  detection.  They  are  the  only  tiue  black  and 
lasting'  inks  made.  Two  kinds,  viz.:  (i)  Engrossing  Ink,  a  dense  or  heavy  ink  for 
engrossing  and  important  writings,  and  (2)  Eternal  Ink,  an  ink  of  lighter  body,  and 
hence  better  adapted  for  general  use.  A  two  oimce  bottle  of  the  former,  prepaid  by  mail, 
35  cents  ;  a  two  ounce  bottle  of  the  latter  for  25  cents. 


The  Higgins'  Adhesives  and  Inks  are  for  Sale  by  Dealers  in  Artists'  Materials 
and  Stationery  Generally. 


CHAS.  1.  BIGGINS  &  CO,  i*JSU  168-170  Eighth  St.,  Brooklyn,  N.Y. 


LONDON.  LEIPZIG.  PARIS. 


812    BROADWAY,    NKW    YORK. 

(ESTABLISHED    1848.) 

FOREIGN   OFFICES  AT  LONDON,   LEIPZIG,  AND   PARIS. 
Agents  by  appointment  to  many  of  the  largest  American  and  Foreign 

College   and    Public  Libraries. 
SPECIAL   TERMS   FOR   LARGE   ORDERS. 


Terms  on  direct  application  for  the  supply  of  Foreign  and  American  Books  and  Periodicals. 

Weekly  shipments  by  the  fleetest  steamers  from  England,  Germany,  and  France.  Periodicals 
supplied  at  lower  rates  than  mail  copies  and  in  better  shape  for  binding. 

Rare  Books  and  Sets  of  Serials  procured  at  the  lowest  terms.  Regular  connections  with 
Central  and  South  America  and  all  Oriental  countries. 

Binding  done  here  and  abroad  in  every  style. 

Auction  Sales  attended  to. 

The  Catalogues  of  Foreign  Dealers — English,  German,  French,  Italian,  and  Spanish — fur- 
nished on  application. 

Monthly  Bulletins  of  New  Books  issued  regularly. 

With  the  help  of  a  most  complete  Bibliographical  Outfit  in  all  languages  and  on  all  subjects, 
and  the  experience  of  many  years  in  this  particular  line,  estimates  can  be  furnished  promptly  and 
information  given  on  topics  of  interest  to  Librarians. 


2l8 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[/une,  '94 


RECENT  PUBLICATIONS. 


THE  DISEASES  OF  THE    WILL.    By  TH. 

RIBOT.    Cloth,  75  cents. 

Also: 
THE  DISEASES  OF  PERSONALITY.    By 

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TH.  RIBOT.    Cloth,  75  cents. 

A  uthor  ized  translations.     The  set  for  $1.75. 

THE  SCIENCE  OF  MECHANICS.    By  ERNST 

MACH.     Hf.  mor.,  $2.50. 

AN  EXAMINATION   OF    WEISMANNISM. 

By  GBO.  J.  ROMANES.    Cloth,  $1.00. 

PRI [TIER  OF  PHI  LOSOPH  Y.    By  PAUL  CARUS. 

Cloth,  fr.oo. 

THE  SOUL  OF  MAN.  By  PAUL  CARUS.  Cloth, 
$3.00. 

DARWIN  AND  AFTER  DARWIN.  Pt.  T, 

The  Darwinian  Theory.    By  GKO.  J.  ROMANES.    Cloth, 

$2.00. 

THE  LOST  MANUSCRIPT.  A  Novel.  By 
GUSTAV  FRKYTAG.  Extra  edition.  2  vols.,  cloth,  $4.00 ; 
i  vol.,  cloth,  $1.00. 

TRUTH  IN  FICTION.  Twelve  Tales  with  a 
Moral.  By  PAUL  CARUS.  Cloth,  $1.00. 

THE     REDEMPTION    OF    THE    ISKAll- 

MAN.    By  RICHARD  GARBS.    Cloth,  75  cents. 


THE  OPEN  COURT  PUBLISHING  CO., 

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Specimens  of  our  work  may  be  seen  at  the  COLUMBIA  COL- 
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TIFIC SCHOOL  OF  YALE  COLLEGE,  and  many  others. 
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Librarians  of  the  American  Library  Association,  of  which 

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TWO  INDEXES 

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THE  "A.    L.   A."   INDEX. 

The  American  Library  Association  Index.  An 
Index  to  General  Literature,  Biographical,  His- 
torical, and  Literary  Essays  and  Sketches,  Re- 
ports and  Publications  of  Boards  and  Societies 
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FLETCHER,  A.M.,  Librarian  of  Amherst  Col- 
lege. Royal  8vo,  cloth,  $5.00,  net',  half 
morocco,  $6.50,  net. 

POOLE'S   INDEX 
TO   PERIODICAL  LITERATURE. 

By  WILLIAM  FREDERICK  POOLE,  LL.D.,  and 
WILLIAM  I.  FLETCHER,  with  the  co-operation  of 
the  American  Library  Association.  New  re- 
vised edition.  Vol.  I.  In  two  parts.  Royal 
8vo,  $16.00,  net;  sheep,  $20.00,  net ;  half  mo- 
rocco, gilt  top,  $24.00,  net.  Vol.  II.  First 
Supplement  (January,  i882-January,  1887). 
Royal  8vo,  $8.00,  net  ;  sheep,  fio.oo,  net ;  half 
morocco,  gilt  top,  $12.00,  net.  Vol.  III. 
Second  Supplement  (January,  i887~January, 
1892).  Royal  8vo,  $8.00,  net;  sheep,  $10.00, 
net ;  half  morocco,  gilt  top,  $12.00,  net. 


HOUGHTON,    MIFFLIN   &    CO.,    Boston, 
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INPKXING: 

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An  elaborate  and  thorough  treatise  on  the  sub- 
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It  will  prove  invaluable  to  the  novice  and  sug- 
gestive even  to  the  more  experienced. 

Address  THE  PUBLISHERS'  WEEKLY, 

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A  Literary  Souvenir  of  the  World's  Fair. 

The  Publishers'  and  Other  Book  Exhibits  at 
the  World's  Columbian  Exposition. 

By  A.  GROWOLL. 


i  vol.,  74  p.,  2  plans,  16°,  pap.,  10 cents. 

"The  Publishers'  Weekly  has  reprinted  in  neat  pam- 
phlet its  review  of  the  publishers'  and  other  book  exhibits 
at  the  World's  Columbian  Exposition,  than  which  we 
have  seen  nothing  better." — The  Nation. 


THE  PUBLISHERS'  WEEKLY,  28  Elm  Street,  N.Y, 


June,  '94]  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  219 

THE  BAKER  &  TAYLOR  CO., 

5  and  7  East  Sixteenth  Street,  New  York, 

nAKE  a  specialty  of  supplying  public,  private,  and  school  LIBRARIES;  for  which 
they  have  exceptional  facilities  through  their  connection  with  many  of  the  largest  houses 
as  special  agents,  and  by  carrying  the  stock  of  all  American  Publishers. 

They  are  pleased  to  give  estimates  at  lowest  rates  on  lists  of  proposed  purchases,  and 
solicit  correspondence  with  Librarians  and  other  bookbuyers. 

This  house  is  characterized    by  its  Promptness,    Carefulness,    and    I_o\v 
Prices. 

There  will  be  sent  to  any  address  on  application  a  topically  arranged  General  Library  List 
selected  from  the  books  of  all  publishers. 


H.  SQTHERAN  &  CO., 


TelegrapMo  Address:        I— I  ^L§    1     I   H    I    7  I  _J   \.    |Xj      Jv*      111  Code  in  Use: 

BOOKMEN,  LONDON,     J     1*    ^\J   J  ClV/'Vl^l     Ok.    WVJ»«      UNICODE. 


Booksellers,  Bookbinders,  and  Publishers,  and  General  Agents  in  Europe 
for  Private  Bookbuyers  and  Public  Institutions  in  America. 

With  exceptionally  long  experience  in  Library  Agency,  they  can  promise  the  best  care, 
diligence,  and  discretion  in  everything  relating  to  it,  and  in  small  matters  as  well  as  great. 
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A  Monthly  Catalogue  of  Second-Hand  Books.     Specimen  Number  post  free. 


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KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  CO., 

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Having  extensive  experience  in  supplying  PUBLIC  LIBRARIES,  MUSEUMS,  GOVERNMENT 
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220  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  Uune,  '94 

KSTABLISHEE)    1873 

LONDON  i  PARIS:  LEIPcIO : 

3O  WELLINGTON  ST.,  STRAND.       76  RUE  DE  RENNES.  HOSPITAL  SIR.  1O. 

GUSTAV  E.  STECHERT 

Purchasing  Agent  for  Colleges  &  Libraries 

810    BROADWAY,    NEW    YORK, 

fTWO  DOORS  ABOVE  GRACE  CHURCH) 

begs  to  call  attention  to  his  facilities  for  obtaining  FOREIGN  BOOKS  and 
PERIODICALS  at  more  economical  rates  THAN  ANY  OTHER  HOUSE  IN  AMERICA 
OR  EUROPE  can  offer,  because : 

He  employs  no  Commission  Agents,  but  has  his  own  offices  and 
clerks  at  London,  Paris  and  Leipzig.  He  has  open  accounts 
with  all  the  leading  publishing  houses  in  the  world. 

His  experience  enables  him  to  give  information  at  once  about 
rare  and  scarce  books. 

He  receives  weekly  shipments  from  England,  France  and  Germany,  and 
can  thereby  fill  orders  in  quicker  time. 

MORE  THAN  200  LIBRARIES  FAVOR  HIM  WITH  THEIR  ORDERS. 


SF»EOIA.I>    REFERENCES, 

"  Mr.  Stechert  has  for  years  furnished  this  Library  with  most  of  its  periodicals  and  European  books,  and  has  bought  for  us 
many  thousand  volumes.  Mr.  Stechert's  success  is  due  to  his  constant  personal  attention  to  the  business,  and  the  reasonable 
terms  he  is  able  to  offer.  I  consider  a  New  York  agent  far  preferable  to  reliance  on  foreign  agents  alone." 

GEO.  H.  BAKER,  Librarian  of  Columbia  College^  New  York. 

"Seven  years  ago,  in  reorganizing  the  Columbia  College  library,  I  spent  much  time  in  trying  to  discover  how  to  get  out 
foreign  books  and  periodicals  with  the  least  delay,  trouble  and  expense.  The  result  of  .the  comparison  of  three  methods,  viz: 
ordering  direct  from  foreign  dealers,  ordering  through  one  agent  in  London,  or  ordering  through  one  agent  in  New  York  showed 
us  that  it  was  to  our  advantage  to  give  Mr.  Stechert  all  our  foreign  orders,  as  he  delivered  in  the  library  in  a  single  package 
and  with  a  single  bill  at  as  low  cost  as  we  were  able  with  vastly  greater  trouble,  to  get  a  half  dozen  different  packages  in  differ- 
ent bills  from  different  places.  In  reorganizing  the  New  York  State  Library,  I  opened  the  whole  question  anew,  and  the  result 
of  the  comparison  was  the  same  as  before,  and  we  find  that  the  library  gets  most  for  the  time  and  money  expended  by  taking 
advantage  of  Mr.  Stechert's  long  experience,  and  the  careful  personal  attention  which  he  gives  to  our  orders." 

MELVIL  DEWEY,  Dirtctor  of  N.  Y.  State  Library,  Albany,  N.  Y. 


"  Mr.  G.  E.  Stechert  of  New  York  has  served  us  with  fidelity  in  procuring  English,  French  and  German  books,  both  new 
and  second  hand  and  also  periodicals.  His  terms  are  more  reasonable  than  any  others  that  have  come  to  our  notice,  while  he 
has  always  guarded  our  interests  very  carefully.  We  find  it  a  great  convenience  to  have  one  agency  in  New  York,  represented 
by  branches  in  different  European  countries." 

Prof.  ARTHUR  H.  PALMER,  Librarian  of  Adelbert  College,  Cleveland,  O. 


"Your  methods  and  facilities  for  doing  business,  as  I  have  examined  them  here  as  well  as  at  the  Leipzig  and  London  ends, 
seem  to  me  admirably  progressive  and  thoroughly  live.  I  deal  with  you  because  I  judge  it  for  the  advantage  of  this  library  to 
do  so.  If  I  did  not,  I  should  not.  Up  to  date  I  am  unable  to  find  a  method  which  is,  all  things  included,  so  economical  of 
time  and  money  as  dealing  through  you." 

ERNEST  C.  RICHARDSON,  Librarian  »f  College  of  New  Jersey,  Princeton,  N.J. 


1  Our  library  committee  speaks  in  the  highest  terms  of  your  services.     You  have  not  only  saved  us  many  dollars,  but  havo 
n  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  our  wants  for  which  we  thank  you. ' ' 

A.  8.  COLLINS,  Act.  Librarian  of  Reynolds  Library,  Rochester^  N.  Y, 

GTJSTA.V    K.    STKCHKRT, 

LONDON,         PARIS.         LEIPZIG,         NEW  YORK. 


THE 


OFFICIAL  ORGAN  OF  THE  AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 


CHIEFLY    DEVOTED    TO 


Xtbrar$  £conom\>  anb  Bibliograpbp 


VOL.  19      No.  7 


JULY,  1894 


Contents 


PAGE 

EDITORIAL 223 

The  Lists  and  Bulletins  of  the  Boston  Public 

Library. 

Bringing  New  Books  Before  the  Public. 
Library  Statistics  and  Library  Work. 

COMMUNICATIONS 224 

Extra  Copies  of  Popular  Books. 
Catalog  System  of  the  Library  Bureau. 
Letter- Pressing  Catalog  Cards. 
Swedish  Books  for  American  Libraries. 

CHARGING  SYSTEMS  AND  STATISTICS. — C:  Knowles 

Bolton 225 

INTERNATIONAL  SUBJECT    BIBLIOGRAPHIES.  —  Aksel 

G.  S.  Josephson 226 

Is  IT  BEST  FOR  LIBRARIES  TO  BUY  T.IGHT  FICTION  IN 

PAPER  COVERS?  —  AngelineScttt 227 

SUGGESTED  "POPULARIZING  "  OF  THB  BOSTON  PUBLIC 

LIBRARY 229 

THE  RAVAGES  OF  BOOKWORMS 230 

THE  NEW  YORK  SOCIETY  LIBRARY 231 

THE  READING-ROOM  ASSOCIATION  OF  WILKES-BARRE, 

PA.      .    .    ' 232 

THE  MORRISON-REEVES  LIBRARY,  RICHMOND,  IND. 

—  Eliza  G.  Browning 233 


PAGE 

DR.  W.  F.  POOLS  —  IN  MEMORIAM 233 

ILLINOIS  LITERATURE  WANTED 234 

LIBRARY  SCHOOLS ,    .    .    .    334 

Drexel  Institute  Library  Class. 

Pratt  Institute  Library  Class. 
AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 234 

Sixteenth  Conference,  Lake  Placid,  Adirondack 

Mts.,  Sept.  15-22. 
STATE  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATIONS 235 

Massachusetts  Library  Club. 

Washington  Library  Association. 

REVIEWS 237 

Fletcher,  W:  I.,  Public  Libraries  in  America. 
Fletcher,  W:  I.,  Library  Classification. 
Larned,  J.  N.,  History  for  Ready  Reference. 

LIBRARY  ECONOMY  AND  HISTORY 240 

GIFTS  AND  BEQUESTS 246 

LIBRARIANS 246 

CATALOGING  AND  CLASSIFICATION 246 

BIBLIOGRAFY 247 

PRIVATE  LIBRARIES 348 


NEW  YORK  :    PUBLICATION  OFFICE,  28  ELM  STREET  (Near  Duane). 
LONDON:    SOLD  BY  KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  Co.,  PATERNOSTER  HOUSE, 

CHARING  CROSS  ROAD. 

YEARLY  SUBSCRIPTION,  fs.oo-  MONTHLY  NUMBERS,  50  cts. 

Price  to  Europe,  or  other  countries  in  the  Union,  20*.  per  annum.  :  tingle  numbers,  a*. 

Entered  at  the  Post-Office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  as  second-class  matter. 


222 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[fufy,  '94 


EDW.  G.  ALLEN'S 


28   HENRIETTA   STREET,   COVENT   GARDEN, 
LONDON. 

(FORMERLY   RICH   &   SONS.) 

EDW.  G.  ALLEN  devotes  himself  entirely  to  library  business.  His  long  experience  enables  him 
to  execute  the  orders  of  correspondents  promptly,  cheaply,  and  with  thorough  efficiency.  His  con- 
nection with  all  the  Book  Dealers  in  the  United  Kingdom  gives  him  the  command  of  the  British 
Book  Market,  and  qualifies  him  to  serve  his  customers  with  special  advantage,  and  to  bring  promptly 
under  their  notice  all  the  stores  of  Literature,  old  and  new,  on  sale  in  Great  Britain. 

Books  Supplied  at  a  Small   Commission  on  the   Cost  Price*,  with  the  usual  Trade 

deductions,  and  forwarded  by  the  quickest  and  cheapest  routes.     Second-hand 

Catalogues   by  early  Mails,  and   no  Commission   charged  on  Orders 

from  them.      Periodicals  and  Newspapers  Posted  Promptly. 

pensive  sub-agencies  at  home  or  abroad.  Foreign  books  on  easy  terms. 


Agency  for  the  following  Libraries  and  many  others: 


Library  of  Congress,  Washington. 
Libraries  of  Parliament,   Ottawa,  Toronto, 

and  Quebec. 
Amherst  College. 
Boston  Public  Library. 
Brooklyn  Library. 
Brown  University. 
Cornell  University. 
Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library." 
California  University. 


Colorado  University. 
Johns  Hopkins  University. 
Philadelphia  Library  Co. 
Peabody  Institute,  Baltimore. 
University  of  Pennsylvania. 
University  of  Toronto,  Can. 
Watkinson  Library,  Hartford,  Conn. 
Yale  University. 
Minneapolis  Public  Library. 


Cheap  and  Durable  for  Circulating  Libraries.     Specially  Strong  for  Books  of  Reference.     Superior 

Style  for  Works  of  Art.     Imitation  Antique  for  Rare  Old   Books.     Calf  Extra  in  Every  Variety. 

Best  Half-Binding  for  General  Library  Use.     Pamphlets  Bound  at  Cheap  Rates.     Law- 

Books  In  Law  Calf.     Cheap  Binding  in  Cloth.     Hard-Grained    Roan,  etc.     Dilapi- 

dated Binding  Neatly  Repaired.     Deficiencies  of  Rare  Books  Supplied  in 

Exact  Fac-Simile.     Library  Stamps  to  Order. 


"We  have  been,  for  the  last  twenty  years,  personally  cognizant  of  Mr.  Allen's  faitnfulness  to  the  interests  of 
his  American  customers.  When  a  resident  in  Washington,  ten  years  ago,  we  found  that  the  immense  Congressional 
Library  largely  supplied  its  shelves  through  Mr.  Allen's  London  Agency.  Many  of  the  extensive  libraries  belonging 
to  the  Universities  and  Colleges  in  the  East  have  also  secured  their  Foreign  Books  from  the  same  source,  and  we 
have  heard  from  the  officers  of  these  Institutions  frequent  testimony  to  the  scrupulous  exactness  with  which  their 
orders  were  always  filled. 

"  We  cannot,  therefore,  do  a  greater  service  to  the  Colleges  and  Universities  of  the  West,  to  which  these  pres- 
ents shall  come,  than  to  advise  that  they  employ  this  inexpensive  agency  for  replenishing  their  Libraries  with  Eng- 
lish Books." — PRESIDENT  WELCH,  Iowa  Statt  Agricultural  College. 

"No  better  indorsement  of  Mr.  Allen's  Agency  is  possible  than  the  list  of  leading  libraries  that  continue  to  use 
it.    For  30  years,  strict  integrity  and  unexcelled  facilities  have  held  the  oid  and  made  new  patrons.    The  very  large 
business  built  up  demands  only  a  small  commission  instead  of  the  customary  10  per  cent.    A  library  can  safely 
entruftt  all  its  London  orders  to  Mr.  Allen  without  getting  other  estimates  and  feei  sure  that  it  is  not  making 
mistake." — MEI.VIL  DEWKY,  .\tate  Library,  Ntw  York. 


Edw.  G.  Allen's  American  Library  Agency, 

COVENT  GARDEN,  LONDON. 

MEMBER    AMERICAN    LIBRARY    ASSOCIATION. 


SPECIAL    TERMS  FOR  LARGE  ORDERS. 


THE    LIBRARY    JOURNAL 


VOL.  19. 


JULY,   1894. 


No.  7 


THE  examining  committee  of  the  Boston  Pub- 
lic Library,  in  reporting  as  to  the  best  means  of 
encouraging  popular  use  of  the  library,  raise 
the  old  question,  whether  a  library  shall  be  a 
means  of  amusement  or  an  advanced  part  of  the 
higher  education.  In  the  Boston  Public  the  an- 
swer to  the  first  question  has  been  emphatically 
"  no,"  and  the  committee  seem  inclined  to  query 
the  wisdom  of  so  decided  a  negative.  They 
point  out  that  the  publications  by  which  the  li- 
brary has  sought  to  keep  in  touch  with  the  pub- 
lic have  not  been  of  a  character  to  appeal  to 
"  general"  readers  —  persons  who  are  not  stu- 
dents, who  are  young  or  inexperienced,  and  who 
want  to  know  chiefly  what  is  new 'and  interest- 
ing. The  lists  and  bulletins  of  the  Boston  Pub- 
lic Library,  interesting  and  valuable  as  they  are 
to  students,  to  bibliophiles,  and  to  those  inter- 
ested in  library  detail,  are  not  calculated  to  in- 
terest readers  of  the  class  just  alluded  to,  and 
these  constitute  the  majority  of  the  public. 
The  committee  make  special  reference  to  the 
weekly  lists  of  accessions.  In  12  of  these  lists, 
selected  at  random,  containing  about  2200  titles, 
950  books,  or  nearly  one-half  of  the  total  num- 
ber, are  in  foreign  languages.  German  and 
French  are  the  most  common;  the  others  repre- 
sented are  Spanish,  Italian,  Dutch,  Swedish, 
Norwegian,  Russian,  Sanscrit,  Arabic,  Greek, 
Welsh,  and  Volapiik.  .  Of  the  English  books 
about  one-quarter  are  starred,  and  therefore 
intended  solely  for  reference  use,  and  many  of 
those  unmarked  are  reports  or  memorials  or  trea- 
tises on  technical  subjects.  "  The  small  remain- 
der, probably  not  more  than  a  hundred,  of  works 
of  a  general  literary  character,  is  almost  hidden 
among  the  many  strange  and  curious  titles." 
The  committee  suggest  that  more  discrimination 
be  exercised  in  the  choice  of  popular  books, 
recommend  the  appointment  of  a  special  reading 
committee  on  popular  literature,  and  strongly 
urge  that  the  publication  of  the  quarterly  classi- 
fied lists  —  which  have  been  superseded  by  the 
weekly  lists  —  be  resumed. 


As  to  the  quarterly  bulletins  published  by  the 
library,  the  committee  point  out  that  the  special 
lists  which  have  been  published  in  these  bullet- 
Ins  for  the  past  year  are  most  useful  to  stu- 


dents — ' '  who,  however,  must  of  necessity  form 
a  small  part  of  the  public  using  the  library." 
In  fact,  they  doubt  if  special  bibliographies, 
which  "  seem  to  have  represented  of  late  years 
the  ideal  method  of  cataloging,"  can,  in  a  library 
as  large  as  that  of  Boston,  reach  the  largest 
possible  number  of  readers,  chiefly  for  the  rea- 
son that  the  labor  of  their  preparation  is  so 
great  that  only  a  few  can  be  printed  yearly,  and 
therefore  only  a  few  persons  can  be  benefited 
by  them.  This  is  the  trend  of  the  committee's 
remarks;  their  suggestions  and  criticisms  are 
cautiously  and  conservatively  made,  but  they 
point  obviously  to  the  conclusion  that  the  means 
at  present  employed  to  bring  the  public  into 
relations  with  the  library  are  not  as  effective  as 
they  might  be.  

IT  is,  of  course,  just  as  possible  to  err  upon 
the  opposite  side,  and  to  furnish  lists  and  bullet- 
ins of  use  only  to  the  superficial  reader.  In  this, 
as  in  most  things,  the  "  happy  mean"  should 
be  sought.  The  quarterly  bulletins  issued 
by  the  Boston  Public  Library  are  not  only  of 
special  value  to  students  and  investigators,  but 
ought  to  prove  an  effective  means  of  acquaint- 
ing the  public  with  rare  and  little-known 
works  ;  yet  these  might  well  be  supplemented 
by  monthly  or  quarterly  classified  lists  of  se- 
lected accessions  in  which  the  new  and  popular 
literature  of  the  day  could  be  brought  to  the 
attention  of  the  reader.  There  is  nothing  more 
discouraging  to  the  average  borrower  than  scan- 
ning page  after  page  of  recondite  or  technical 
titles  in  hopes  of  finding  an ' '  interesting  "  book ; 
lists  in  which  every  other  title  is  starred,  and 
therefore  not  intended  for  circulation,  are 
equally  irritating.  Such  lists  are  generally  an 
effective  means  of  sending  the  borrower  else- 
where for  his  reading,  with  the  plea  that  he  can 
"never  get  anything  "  at  the  library.  There 
should  be  no  hesitation  in  bringing  important 
books  of  special  value  or  rarity  before  the  pub- 
lic, but  at  the  same  time  there  should  be  an  ap- 
preciation of  the  need  of  maintaining  popular 
interest  by  the  recognition  of  popular  desires  : 
a  library  should  furnish  milk  as  well  as  meat, 
and  its  recreative  aspect  should  not  be  over- 
looked in  the  development  of  its  educational 
force. 


224 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\July,  '94 


MR.  BOLTON'S  remarks  on  the  accumulation  of 
library  statistics  opens  a  fresh  view  of  an  old 
subject.  There  is,  undoubtedly,  an  "  over- 
production "  of  statistics  in  many  library  re- 
ports and  the  examination  of  these  figures  by 
other  librarians  —  particularly  younger  workers 
—  is  apt  to  engender  in  them  a  determination  to 
bring  their  own  statistics  of  circulation,  attend- 
ance, etc.,  up  to  the  same  notch  as  their  neigh- 
bors. Such  efforts,  even  if  successful,  are  not  al- 
ways advisable.  If  the  whole  "  tone  "  of  a  library 
is  inferior  to  that  of  others  of  its  own  grade,  noth- 
ing should  be  left  undone  to  raise  its  standard  ; 
but  when  a  library  is  doing  good  work  in  its  own 
field  and  — so  far  as  those  best  qualified  to  know 
can  judge  —  is  really  fulfilling  its  mission  of  edu- 
cation and  recreation,  it  is  not  necessary  to 
specially  consider  whether  its  percentage  of  fic- 
tion is  30  per  cent,  or  70  per  cent,  or  whether  its 
circulation  is  below  or  above  that  of  equally  suc- 
cessful libraries,  with,  perhaps,  radically  differ- 
ent environment.  If  its  books  reach  the  majority 
of  the  population  ;  if  its  service  is  easy  and  ef- 
fective ;  if  there  is  continual  endeavor  to  bring 
library  and  public  into  closer  relations  ;  if  due 
allowance  is  made  for  popular  tastes  and  in- 
terests—  there  need  be  no  fear  as  to  what  "  sta- 
tistics "  will  demonstrate. 


Communications. 


EXTRA  COPIES  OF  POPULAR  BOOKS. 

To  the  request  of  Mr.  Edmands,  contained  in 
the  June  number  of  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL,  we  re- 
ply as  follows  : 

Number  of  volumes  in  the  library,  244,447. 

Number  of  novels,  about  49,000. 

Of  the  books  named  by  Mr.  Edmands  we  pur- 
chased as  follows  : 

"  Lone  house  " 6  copies. 

' '  Doreen  " 10 

' '  Beginner  " 10 

"  Katharine  Lauderdale  " 40 

"  Heavenly  twins  " 73 

"Prince  of  India" 52 

Ships  that  pass  in  the  night " 20 

Ward  in  chancery  " 20 

Costly  freak" 10 

Gentleman  of  France  " 10 

Marcella" 70 

Letters  of  J.  R.  Lowell" 10 

History  of  English  People,  Green,  4- 

vol.  ed 5 

"  Life  of  A.  P.  Stanley  " 7 

"  Discovery  of  America,"  Fiske 5 

"  Obiter  dicta,"  Birrell 6 

W.  T.  PEOPLES. 

CA  TALOG  SYSTEM  OF  THE  LIBRARY  BUREA  U. 

CAN  you  give  your  readers  any  valid  reason  to 
hope  that  the  card-catalog  system  carried  on  by 
the  Library  Bureau  will  ever  be  a  moderate  suc- 
cess? I  was  one  of  the  early  subscribers.  I 


was  very  soon  disappointed  with  the  operation 
[  made  complaints  to  headquarters  of  the  non- 
receipt  of  cards  for  books  that  I  had  bought 
and  of  the  sending  of  cards  of  books  that  were 
published  before  the  date  of  my  subscription. 
[  received  thanks  for  these  complaints,  with 
explanations,  apologies,  and  promises  of  bet- 
terment; but  yet  I  am  compelled  to  catalog 
books  without  the  cards,  or  hold  the  books 
over  waiting  for  the  cards,  and  am  still  charged 
for  cards  that  are  sent  to  me  long  after  the 
books  have  been  bought.  The  package  just 
received  contained  cards  for  one  book  that  I 
purchased  12  weeks  ago,  and  of  another  that 
I  purchased  24  weeks  ago,  and  which  bears  date 
1893.  Can  you  afford  any  relief  or  any  hope  ? 
JOHN  EDMANDS. 

LETTER-PRESSING  CATALOG-CARDS. 

I  HAVE  been  experimenting  in  duplicating  our 
catalog-cards  by  pressing  them  in  an  ordinary 
letter-book.  Some  5000  cards  have  been  pressed 
and  I  think  that  a  success  has  been  achieved. 
Cards  used  are  the  L.  B.  medium  no.  33,  writ- 
ten with  a  Hammond  machine  using  a  copying 
ribbon.  Six  cards  are  copied  on  a  page,  and 
different  colored  cards  are  indicated  by  a  line 
drawn  on  the  press  copy  with  a  colored  crayon. 

The  titles  show  better  on  the  original  cards 
after  copying  than  before,  and  by  drying  them 
carefully  (between  blotting-paper)  under  a  letter- 
press the  cards  retain  their  original  flatness  very 
well.  Of  course  the  care  used  in  the  drying 
process  is  the  whole  secret  of  the  experiment. 
The  work  of  pressing  and  drying  is  done  by  a 
"messenger."  In  this  way  I  think  duplicate 
catalogs  can  be  made  at  little  expense,  and  at 
the  same  time  be  in  a  very  complete  form. 

FRANCIS  H.  PARSONS, 
Chief  Library  and  Archives  Division, 
U.  S.  COAST  AND  GEODETIC  SURVEY,    1 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C.  f 

SWEDISH  BOOKS  FOR  AMERICAN  LIBRARIES. 

SINCE  my  communication  in  the  January  L.  j. 
I  have  received  several  inquiries  about  Scandi- 
navian and  Swedish  literature.  This  has  de- 
cided me  to  make  up  a  list  of  Swedish  books  of 
value  to  American  libraries,  mostly  books  of 
standard  authors,  books  on  Swedish  history  — 
political,  social,  and  literary  —  and  religious 
works.  Such  a  list  seems  to  be  so  much  the 
more  needed,  as  the  finding-lists  of  Swedish 
books  in  some  western  libraries  which  could 
serve,  and  probably  have  served,  as  sources  for 
smaller  libraries,  represent  the  literature  of  a 
quarter  a  century  ago,  rather  than  of  to-day. 
Therefore,  with  some  noted  exceptions,  my  list 
will  contain  mostly  works  produced  during  the 
last  25  years;  it  will  be  briefly  annotated,  char- 
acterizing the  author  or  the  work.  The  list 
will  not  exceed  500  titles. 

The  compiling  of  this  list  is  already  begun, 
and  in  due  time  advertisements  regarding  sub- 
scriptions will  be  issued.  In  the  meantime  I 
should  be  glad  to  hear  from  such  libraries  as 
would  be  likely  to  subscribe. 

AKSEL  G.  S.  JOSEPHSON. 

LENOX  LIBRARY,        } 
NEW  YORK  CITY.  J 


July,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


225 


CHARGING  SYSTEMS  AND  STATISTICS. 
BY  C:  KNOWLES  BOLTON,  Librarian  Brookline  (Mass.)  Public  Library. 


THE  present  devotion  to  library  statistics 
seems  to  me  a  matter  of  such  moment  that  I  am 
tempted  to  comply  with  the  request  for  a  more 
detailed  report  of  my  remarks  recently  made  be- 
fore the  Massachusetts  Library  Club  at  Lowell, 
even  at  the  risk  of  being  accused  of  crying  out 
against  evils  that  do  not  exist.  This  spring,  for 
the  first  time,  I  have  had  the  privilege  of  ex- 
amining annual  reports  of  librarians  as  they 
came  in  by  exchange.  That  these  reports  are 
invaluable  as  a  stimulus  and  to  suggest  new 
methods  of  work  no  one  will  deny,  but  that  the 
statistics  in  them  are  any  just  basis  for  a  com- 
parative study  of  work  done  will  not  meet  with 
so  ready  an  assent.  And  yet,  many  conscien- 
tious librarians  are  worried  because  they  do  not 
circulate  as  many  books  per  diem  as  some  other 
librarian,  or  because  their  percentage  of  fiction 
is  too  large. 

A  library  in]a  mill'town,  with  90  per  cent,  of  its 
circulation  composed  of  good  fiction  going  into 
the  homes  of  tired  working-girls,  may  be  fulfill- 
ing its  mission  just  as  faithfully  as  a  library  in  a 
highly  cultured  community  circulating  50  per 
cent,  of  fiction.  Nor  is  the  latter'institution  less 
useful  because  50  per  cent,  of  its  circulation  is 
composed  of  serious  works  which  take  a  longer 
time  to  read,  and  make  the  statistics  of  circula- 
tion fall  far  behind  those  of  the  mill  town. 

It  is  self-evident  that  a  librarian  can  double 
his  circulation  by  buying  all  the  current  maga- 
zines read  in  a  town  and  shutting  off  individual 
subscriptions.  The  question  presents  itself : 
Is  it  wise  ?  In  some  foreign  libraries,  by  charg- 
ing every  daily  newspaper  and  every  magazine 
over  the  delivery-desk,  a  circulation  of  more 
than  a  million  is  reached.  If  all  libraries  were 
to  do  this,  no  one  would  have  much  chance  for 
boasting,  and  the  public  would  have  little  local 
pride  to  offset  the  inconvenience  to  which  they 
would  be  put.  Having  decided  that  usefulness 
and  not  statistics  is  worth  striving  for,  the  li- 
brarian may  set  himself  with  a  clear  conscience 
to  study  the  peculiar  needs  of  his  own  com- 
munity. 

The  two  aims  of  the  charging  system  being 
the  registry  of  borrowers  and  loans,  and  the 
gathering  of  statistics,  the  question  arises 
whether  the  system  that  best  answers  the  one 
at  the  same  time  answers  the  other.  If  so,  the 
question  of  statistics  stands  on  its  own  merits 


and  the  time  given  to  tabulation  should  depend 
on  the  value  of  the  results  to  be  obtained.  If  a 
system  of  quick  charging  does  not  answer  as 
many  questions  as  a  slower  system,  many  will 
agree  that  the  statistics  are  not  worth  the  sacri- 
fice required. 

Taking  the  questions  given  in  the  LIBRARY 
JOURNAL  (7  : 181  or  18  : 243)  as  capable  of  being 
answered  by  a  charging  system,  let  us  consider 
the  value  of  each  to  a  library,  i  (Is  a  given 
book  out  ?)  and  2  (If  out,  who  has  it  ?)  are  agreed 
to  be  necessary  to  satisfy  readers.  3  (When  did 
he  take  it?)  is  a  useless  question,  for  4  (When  is 
it  to  be  sent  for  as  overdue  ?)  will  satisfy  both 
intending  readers  and  the  library.  5  (Has  the 
book  ever  been  out  ?)  is  of  considerable  interest, 
but  the  wear  of  the  book  is  a  rough  indication 
of  its  use. '\  6  (How  many  times  and  when  has 
the  book  been  out?)  is  similar  to  5.  7  (How 
many  books  were  issued  on  a  given  day  ?)  is  per- 
haps the  only  case  where  statistics  of  no  intrin- 
sic value  are  worth  keeping  in  an  institution  sup- 
ported by  public  taxes.  8  (How  many  books  in 
each  class  were  issued  on  a  given  day  ?)  and  9 
(How  many  books  are  now  out,  charged  to  bor- 
rowers ?)  are  only  of  morbid  interest.  10  (What 
books  are  at  the  binders  ?),  n  (Has  a  certain  book 
been  rebound  and  when?),  and  12  (What  books 
have  been  discarded  ?)  have  no  relation  to  charg- 
ing and  can  be  answered  in  some  other  way. 
13  (Does  the  circulation  of  a  discarded  book 
warrant  its  being  replaced  ?)  is  as  curious  a  ques- 
tion as  18.  Why  discarded  if  used,  or  if  dis- 
carded because  worn  out  by  use,  why  ask  the 
question  ?  14  (Has  a  given  person  a  book 
charged  to  him?)  has  a  certain  convenience,  al- 
though I  am  not  convinced  that  a  fair  reply 
would  not  be  :  "  You  ought  to  know  for  what 
you  are  held  responsible."  The  question  is 
answered  by  4  in  time.  15  (How  many  persons 
have  now  books  charged  to  them  ?),  16  (Are  these 
the  persons  who  registered  earliest  or  latest  ?), 
and  17  (How  often  has  a  borrower  made  use  of 
the  library?)  are  similar  to  8  and  g.  18  (Has  a 
person  had  a  given  book  before  ?)  ought  to  be 
answered  by  the  borrower.  It  illustrates,  how- 
ever, the  state  to  which  novel-reading  has  in 
some  cases  brought  the  borrower's  mind.  19 
(What  has  been  the  character  of  a  person's  read- 
ing?) is  too  personal.  Retrospective  study  w-ill 
do  little  towards  raising  the  quality  of  reading. 


226 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


94 


Making  good  literature  accessible  and  attractive 
will  accomplish  more,  and  will  not  conflict  with 
the  first  duty  of  a  library,  to  provide  books  and 
information  quickly  when  called  for.  20  (Is  the 
person's  card  still  in  force  and  used  ?)  could  be 
answered  in  some  other  way. 

Thus  I,  2,  4,  7,  and  14  are  the  only  important 
questions  for  a  charging  system.  A  single-entry 
system  will  answer  the  first  four,  or  will  answer 
no.  14,  but  not  all.  That  is,  the  first  four  are 
different  in  their  nature,  and  as  1,2,  and  4  are 
considered  vital  in  a  public  library,  14  must  be 
given  up,  or  we  must  have  a  double-entry  charg- 


ing system.  A  librarian  should  ask  himself  then : 
Does  a  double-entry  system  charge  books  with 
the  least  delay  and  labor?  If  so,  are  tabulated 
statistics,  considered  solely  on  their  merits,  worth 
the  time  spent  on  them  ?  If  it  does  not,  should 
a  single-entry  system  prevail,  at  the  sacrifice  of 
statistics  and  also  of  the  I4th  question  ? 

What  we  should  have,  if  comparisons  must  be 
made,  is  a  comparative  table  of  time  spent  by 
librarians  in  thinking,  in  gaining  useful  knowl- 
edge, in  helping  others,  and  in  making  a  library 
attractive.  And  what  tabulated  statistics  will 
give  us  this? 


INTERNATIONAL    SUBJECT    BIBLIOGRAPHIES.* 
BY  AKSEL  G.  S.  JOSEPHSON,  N.  Y.  State  Library  School. 


PROF.  WERNER  SOMBART,  in  reviewing  the 
literature  of  "  Home  industries"  \v\Jahrbiicher 
fiir  Nationalokonomie  und  Statistik,  1893  (p. 
934),  remarks  on  the  imperfection  of  German 
bibliography,  which,  he  says,  has  failed  to  make 
the  literature  of  any  given  subject  available  to 
the  scientific  worker.  This  is  explained  by  the 
fact  that  in  trade  bibliographies  no  attention  is 
paid  to  periodical  literature,  and  that  in  special 
bibliographies  effort  is  not  always  made  to  com- 
bine the  greatest  possible  completeness  and  ac- 
curacy with  a  proper  arrangement  of  material, 
wherein  the  leading  principle  should  be  not  so- 
called  "  library  technic,"  but  the  criteria  of  the 
sciences.  Prof.  Sombart  urges  upon  bibliogra- 
phers and  librarians  the  necessity  of  paying  more 
attention  to  catchwords.  In  preparing  his  re- 
view on  home  industries,  he  was  obliged,  he  says, 
to  collect  the  50  or  more  books  and  articles 
there  reviewed  from  all  possible  and  impossible 
sources — ethnology,  social  questions,  industrial 
history,  histories  of  individual  countries,  etc. 

For  these  difficulties  Prof.  Sombart  suggests  a 
remedy  that  has  been  many  times  pointed  out 
by  American  bibliographers  and  librarians : 
namely,  the  establishment  of  international  bib- 
liographical bureaus,  in  connection  with  univer- 
sities and  the  larger  scientific  institutions.  Co- 
operative and  labor-saving  methods,  it  is  true, 
have  never  yet  been  applied  to  literary  or  biblio- 
graphical work  with  the  same  ease  or  success 
as  to  other  branches  of  labor.  The  only  insti- 
tution, in  Europe  at  least,  which  endeavors  to 
meet  the  needs  of  advanced  science  in  this  re- 
pect  is  the  Bibliographical  Bureau  of  Berlin, 

*  Paper  read  before  N.  Y.  Library  Club,  May  to,  1894. 


with  its  branches  in  Rome,  London,  and  else- 
where. This,  however,  is  too  expensive  for  the 
individual  scholar,  who,  as  a  rule,  has  not 
abundant  means  at  his  disposal.  International 
bureaus  should,  as  suggested  by  Prof.  Sombart, 
be  founded  and  endowed  by  the  government  as  in- 
struments of  public  benefit;  they  should  relieve 
the  scholar  of  the  most  painstaking  part  of  his 
work,  and  at  the  same  time  raise  the  standard  of 
his  productions;  while  to  the  student  they  should 
give  such  instruction,  under  the  guidance  of 
specialists  and  trained  bibliographers,  as  to  thor- 
oughly familiarize  him  with  the  methods  of  the 
sciences. 

Co-operation  on  a  large  scale  is  nothing  new 
to  American  bibliographers;  neither  can  it  be 
said  that  the  subject  side  is  more  neglected  here 
than  in  Europe.  On  the  contrary,  here  as  well 
as  abroad,  bibliographies  of  special  subjects  are 
issued  in  abundance.  What  is  needed,  however, 
is  a  well-elaborated  general  plan,  for  as  matters 
now  stand  every  compiler  works  for  himself, 
maintaining  no  connection  with  his  fellow- 
workers. 

One  of  the  most  noteworthy  suggestions  in 
the  field  of  American  bibliography  is  that  of  a 
new  co-operative  bibliography  of  American  lit- 
erature from  the  introduction  of  the  printing- 
press;  and  as  a  preliminary  to  this  Mr.  G:  W. 
Cole,  in  the  January  issue  of  the  LIBRARY  JOUR- 
NAL, suggests  the  preparation  of  special  local 
bibliographies.  Should  this  plan  be  carried  out 
we  would  undoubtedly  have  a  monumental  work, 
of  great  interest  and  invaluable  usefulness. 

But  what  the  student  chiefly  needs  is  not  the 
monumental  works,  such  as  this  contemplated 
American  bibliography,  or  even  Poole's  Index  ; 


S*fy,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


227 


but  short  lists  of  the  latest  and  most  useful  lit- 
erature in  special  fields  of  science,  such  as,  for 
instance,  Bowker  and  lies'  "  Readers'  guide  in 
economic,  social,  and  political  science."  Monu- 
mental works  should  not  be  the  sole  aim  of  bibli- 
ography, only  a  means  for  further  work.  They 
are  indispensable,  but  their  value  is  not  in  them- 
selves, but  in  what  we  can  do  with  them.  The 
crowning  point  of  our  work,  that  makes  it  the 
necessary  servant  of  all  other  sciences,  and  that 
renders  it  a  science  itself,  is  the  "  subject  bibli- 
ography." 

And  as  science  is  not  confined  to  one  nation  or 
to  one  language,  so  should  bibliography  follow  in 
her  footsteps,  and  also  be  international.  There 
should  be  a  close  connection  between  bibliog- 
raphers of  all  countries.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that 
the  Congress  of  Librarians  at  the  World's  Fair 
in  Chicago  may  be  the  starting-point  for  such  a 
movement;  that  an  international  congress  may 
be  held  in  Europe  while  the  effects  of  the  Chi- 
cago congress  are  still  fresh;  and  that  an  inter- 
national library  association  may  be  organ- 
ized. 

In  the  meantime  the  work  should  be  begun 
here.  A  central  bureau  should  be  organized  in 
connection  with  one  of  the  great  general  li- 
braries —  Harvard,  the  Newberry,  or  the  Library 
of  Congress  —  where  a  general  plan  could  be 
elaborated  and  the  preparatory  work  begun. 
This  bureau  should  begin  at  once  with  the  collec- 
tion and  preparing  of  the  bibliographical  material 
of  one  specific  subject,  so  that  it  may  from  the 
first  be  of  practical  use.  The  subject  first  chosen 


should  be  a  comparatively  new  department 
of  knowledge  so  that  it  could  easily  be  mastered 
with  some  degree  of  completeness.  It  must  lie, 
so  to  speak,  on  the  boundaries  of  other  sciences, 
which  have  been  bibliographically  more  utilized, 
and  it  must  be  a  subject  that  interests  the  greater 
part  of  the  reading  and  studying  public,  so  that 
any  bibliographical  work  on  its  behalf  could  be 
made  in  a  measure  remunerative.  In  reviewing 
the  present  standpoint  of  the  sciences,  I  find  one 
subject  that  more  than  any  other  possesses  the 
characteristics  above  mentioned,  namely:  Folk- 
lore. It  is  comparatively  new,  the  name  first 
being  used  in  1846,  and  the  scientific  study  of 
folk-lore  having  been  known  as  yet  for  not  much 
more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century.  It  is  closely 
connected  with  the  modern  study  of  language, 
literature,  religion,  antiquities,  and  sociology: 
sciences  that  are  comparatively  well  utilized 
bibliographically.  And  I  should  be  very  much 
mistaken  if  the  interest  of  the  public  is  not 
growing  more  and  more  in  this  direction. 

This  idea  of  an  international  bibliographical 
"clearing-house,"  if  it  may  so  be  called,  has 
been  proposed  and  urged  so  many  times  that  it 
must  surely  become  a  reality  at  last,  and  to  many 
of  us,  I  think,  it  seems  that  the  time  for  it  has  now 
come.  The  question  of  "specialization  of  libra- 
ries is  more  and  more  strongly  urged;  general 
libraries  from  year  to  year  are  taking  up  more 
seriously  the  work  of  dividing  their  collections 
into  departments;  thus  representing  more  fully 
both  sides  of  modern  library  development  — 
centralization  with  specialization. 


IS  IT  BEST  FOR  LIBRARIES   TO    BUY  LIGHT  FICTION  IN  PAPER  COVERS  ?* 
BY  ANGELINE  SCOTT,  Librarian  Public  Library,  South  Norwalk,  Ct. 


I  HAVE  never  heard  of  a  library  that  bought 
its  novels  in  paper  covers,  excepting  in  the  case 
of  those  not  published  in  bound  volumes  ;  this 
question  seems  therefore  a  tentative  one,  and  its 
consideration  is  a  matter  of  theory  only. 

In  the  first  place,  our  question  is  limited  to 
light  fiction,  i.e.,  that  of  unproved  merit  but  of 
present  interest;  and  it  would  include  many 
books  worthy  of  a  long  career  as  well  as  many 
which  are  destined  to  speedy  oblivion.  Nearly 
all  of  the  popular  English  and  American  novels 
of  the  day  are  published  in  paper  covers  in  the 
various  series  issued  weekly  or  fortnightly  by 
such  publishers  as  Harper  &  Bros.,  Houghton, 
Mifflin  &  Co.,  Appleton,  and  others,  with  excel- 


*  Paper  read  before  the  Connecticut  Library  Associa- 
on,  February  22,  1894. 


lent  paper  and  type,  at  from  $  10  to  $15  for  the 
year,  or  from  35  cents  to  50  cents  for  single 
copies.  Of  course,  we  have  nothing  to  do  with 
the  trash  which  comes  in  paper  covers,  or  the 
flimsy  paper  novel.  It  is  proposed,  then,  to 
use  the  novels  of  the  better  class  of  paper  series 
for  public  libraries,  which  practically  means  the 
placing  of  current  fiction  in  the  mazagine  class. 
This  implies  the  purchase  of  bound  copies  of 
novels  of  permanent  interest,  besides  the  paper 
copies,  or  the  binding  of  those  which  it  is  desir- 
able to  add  to  the  library  proper,  after  some 
service,  in  cloth.  It  would  also  follow  that  these 
novels  would  be  put  through  a  sifting  process 
before  they  were  finally  enrolled  in  the  accession- 
list. 

Every  library  which  has  existed  10  years  pos- 
sesses shelves  full  of  novels  that  were  eagerly 


228 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[July,  '94 


read  in  their  day,  but  that  are  now  forgotten, 
while  the  fiction  devotee  ever  looks  for  some- 
thing new.  Shelf-room  is  too  valuable  to  be 
filled  in  this  way,  and  any  plan  is  welcome  which 
will  lessen  the  number  of  volumes  that  are  not 
indispensable. 

Finding-lists  of  ten  renewed  and  revised,  would 
be  the  only  catalog  needed  for  paper  novels,  and 
these  lists  should  include  only  novels  of  the  cur- 
rent year,  with  possibly  a  few  exceptions;  for  it 
is  assumed  that  a  novel  of  this  class  will  either 
"  sink  or  swim  "  in  popular  favor  in  that  time, 
and  that  the  worthy  ones  will  pass  on  to  the 
dignity  of  binding  and  a  place  on  the  shelves' 
while  the  remainder  are  discarded  and  their 
places  filled  by  newcomers;  thus  the  list  will  al- 
ways be  kept  within  bounds. 

In  my  own  small  experience  it  has  been  found 
that  the  new  novels  are  oftener  used  than  any 
other  class  of  books;  this  brings  up  the  impor- 
tant subjeet  of  durability,  and  opens  the  ques- 
tion, Would  paper-covered  novels  be  service- 
able ? 

I  have  experimented  with  them  to  some  ex- 
tent, and  I  find  that  a  paper  novel,  furnished 
with  a  strong  manilla  cover  (the  Van  Everen 
cover,  for  Instance,  which  laps  across  the  back  of 
the  book),  lasts  about  as  long  as  the  average 
new  bound  novel  will  wear  without  re-sewing. 
Almost  all  the  new  novels  have  to  be  re-sewn  in 
six  months  or  a  year.  When  the  leaves  of  the 
paper  novels  become  crumpled,  worn,  or  loos- 
ened, fresh  copies  might  replace  them  at  a  less 
cost  than  for  the  repairing  of  a  bound  volume. 
There  would  be  the  additional  advantage  of 
cleanliness  in  using  paper  novels,  for  they 
offen  would  be  renewed;  thus  lessening  the  dan- 
ger of  disease  germs  and  the  repulsiveness  of 
thumbed  pages  in  (he  bound  volume. 

The  interest  of  the  question  depends  chiefly  on 
its  claim  of  economy,  and  if  this  can  be  estab- 
lished it  deserves  the  consideration  of  those 
public  libraries,  where  incomes  are  ever  less  than 
the  demand  for  new  books.  It  seems  to  offer 
the  hope  of  a  larger  selection  of  new  novels  to 
appease  the  fiction-readers,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  save  enough  margin  in  their  cost  to  pur- 
chase more  books  of  other  classes.  If  a  library's 
funds  were  not  sufficient  to  supply  its  shelves 
with  a  variety  of  new  rebound  novels  as  well  as  a 
due  proportion  of  more  substantial  literature,  it 
could,  for  the  time  being,  use  the  paper  series 
entirely  for  its  new  fiction,  spending  the  greater 
portion  of  its  money  for  books  of  other  classes. 


The  points  of  saving  would  be:  i,  The  first 
cost  of  new  novels  allowing  a  greater  variety  for 
a  given  expenditure;  2,  Shelf-room;  3,  Labor  in 
cataloging;  since  the  paper  copies  would  not  be 
entered  in  the  accession-list  or  in  the  regular 
catalogs. 

The  opportunity  given  by  this  plan  for  a  sift- 
ing process  in  regard  to  current  fiction  is  worth 
consideration.  Some  books  are  widely  adver- 
tised, and  consequently  often  sought  for  at  the 
public  library  for  a  while,  which  afterward  drop 
completely  out  of  favor,  or  prove  to  be  below 
the  standard  which  a  library  seeks  to  maintain. 
If  they  were  purchased  in  paper  there  would  be 
no  difficulty  in  quietly  dropping  such  books 
from  the  list,  and  the  loss  would  be  small. 
People  whose  minds  and  bodies  are  jaded  after 
their  day's  work,  mental  or  physical,  come  to 
us  for  restful,  light  reading,  and  it  is  truly  won- 
derful how  many  novels  it  takes  to  satisfy 
them.  Some  of  them  seem  to  have  kept  up 
with  the  supply  of  new  novels  for  the  last  15 
or  20  years,  so  that  only  the  fresh  ones  are 
acceptable  to  them.  Such  people  cannot  be 
"  educated  up  to  something  better,"  as  the 
phrase  is,  by  withholding  from  them  the  novels 
they  care  for.  Many  of  them  do  read  more  sub- 
stantial literature,  which  they  buy  for  them- 
selves or  borrow  elsewhere,  and  their  excuse  for 
taking  only  light  reading  from  the  public  library 
is  that  they  do  not  care  to  own  such  books  after 
reading  them  once.  I  find  many  of  our  library's 
best  friends  in  this  class  ;  people  who  are  taxed 
for  the  library's  support,  and  who  give  liberally 
towards  entertainments  for  its  benefit,  and  they 
expect  their  taste  to  be  gratified  in  the  choice  of 
new  books.  If  one  copy  of  a  popular  novel  can 
serve  hundreds  of  this  class  of  readers,  they  see 
that  the  library  saves  them  dollars  by  supplying 
the  rest  or  amusement  they  desire  by  a  syndicate 
plan,  and  their  friendliness  to  the  public  library 
is  thereby  increased;  a  poor  library  could  afford 
a  larger  variety  of  fiction  in  paper  covers. 

Another  set  of  readers  seem  never  to  get  a 
clue  to  the  merits  of  a  book  by  a  knowledge  of 
authors'  names,  and  depend  on  their  friends' 
recommendation  of  titles,  or,  failing  that,  they 
ask  for  a  new  book,  and  if  they  get  one,  go 
away  contented. 

In  1893  over  1700  new  novels  were  published 
in  England  and  America,  and  no  really  great 
works  of  fiction  are  in  the  whole  number ;  yet 
many  of  them  hold  a  respectable  rank  because 
of  the  author's  reputation,  or  because,  for 


July,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


229 


some  reason,  the  dear  public  likes  them.  The 
various  paper  series  spoken  of  contain  most  of 
the  books  which  are  discussed  and  read,  and 
their  use  would  not  exclude  the  addition  of  a 
carefully  selected  list  of  bound  novels  for  the 
library  proper. 

If  the  old  sentiment  of  "  the  moral  effect  of  a 
bound  volume"  is  brought  up,  and  it  is  said  that 
it  seems  beneath  a  library's  dignity  to  circulate 
paper  fiction,  we  can  set  over  against  it  the  ad- 
vantage there  is  in  making  a  distinction  between 
substantial  and  light  literature.  If  a  lack  of 
covers  implies  a  lack  of  respect  for  the  novels, 
it  might  be  a  useful  means  of  education  in  this 
way:  many  persons  pride  themselves  on  reading 
many  "  books,"  while  inquiry  would  show  their 
reading  to  be  of  a  very  indifferent  kind  ;  and  it 
would  be  wholesome  for  such  people  to  realize 
that  they  never  read  any  books  which  the  library 
considers  permanently  valuable. 

Undoubtedly  there  are  serious  objections  to 
using  paper  novels;  some  libraries  refuse  to  cir- 
culate even  magazines  until  they  are  bound  ;  but 
it  assuredly  seems  worth  while  to  look  at  "  the 
other  side"  for  once,  and  in  so  doing  to  see  if 
the  "  pros  "  do  not  in  most  respects  fairly  balance 
the  "  cons." 

SUGGESTED  "  POPULARIZING"  OF  THE 
BOSTON  PUBLIC  LIBRARY. 

From  the  report  of  Examining  Committee  (in  420? 
annual  rpt.), 

IN  any  examination  of  the  library  it  is  well 
to  consider  its  whole  purpose  and  its  reasons 
for  existence.  Shall  it  be  a  means  of  amuse- 
ment, or  shall  it  be,  as  was  designed,  an  advanced 
part  of  the  general  education  ?  Just  here  comes 
disagreement  in  feeling  and  opinion;  just  here 
the  trustees  should  have  support  in  efforts  to 
raise  or  to  maintain  its  character.  Fortunately  we 
have,  in  the  first  annual  report  of  the  trustees, 
wisely  reprinted  in  the  Bulletin  of  last  July  a  clear 
statement  of  what  should  be  in  this  library. 
"  I.  Books  that  cannot  be  taken  out  of  the 
library,  such  as  cyclopaedias,  dictionaries,  im- 
portant public  documents,  and  books  that  from 
their  rarity  or  costliness  cannot  easily  be  re- 
placed. ...  II.  Books  that  few  persons 
will  wish  to  read,  and  of  which,  therefore,  only 
one  copy  will  be  kept.  .  .  .  III.  Books 
that  will  be  often  asked  for,  ...  of  which 
copies  should  be  provided  in  such  numbers  that 
many  persons  .  .  .  can  be  reading  the  same 
work  at  the  same  moment,  .  .  .  when  it  is 
living,  fresh,  and  new.  .  .  .  IV.  Periodical 
publications." 

How  far  these  ideas  of  the  first  trustees  have 


been  carried  out  can  be  seen  somewhat  by  look- 
ing over  the  weekly  lists  of  new  books.  A  large 
field  is  covered  by  the  library  in  its  late  ac- 
cessions. In  12  lists  selected  at  random,  and 
containing  about  2200  titles,  about  950  books 
are  in  foreign  languages,  German  and  French 
being  the  most  common.  The  others  represented 
are  Spanish,  Italian.  Dutch,  Swedish,  Norwe- 
gian, Russian,  Sanscrit,  Arabic,  Greek,  Welsh, 
Volapiik,  etc.  About  one-quarter  of  the  English 
books  are  starred,  and  therefore  not  intended 
for  circulation,  and  many  of  those  not  so 
marked  are  of  little  common  interest,  being  re- 
ports or  memorials,  or  treatises  on  technical  sub- 
jects. The  small  remainder,  probably  not  more 
than  a  hundred,  of  works  of  a  general  literary 
character,  is  almost  hidden  among  the  many 
strange  and  curious  titles.  It  should  be  under- 
stood, in  criticising  these  lists,  that  they  include 
no  pamphlets  except  those  of  special  importance, 
and  that  there  is  no  indication  of  books  bought 
by  request  or  given  to  the  library.  It  is  hoped 
that  these  latter  may  be  marked,  in  the  future, 
by  stars  or  daggers.  Still  your  committee  would 
suggest  that  more  discrimination  be  exercised  in 
the  choice  of  popular  books.  There  are  now 
none  too  many,  but  they  might  be  better  chosen. 
Perhaps  it  would  be  well  to  appoint  a  reading 
committee  for  this  class  of  literature. 

Interesting  as  these  lists  are  to  the  bibliophile, 
or  to  one  who  cares  for  library  detail,  they  are 
too  full  and  published  too  often  to  be  useful  for 
reference  or  general  information,  and  in  no  way 
take  the  place  of  the  quarterly  classified  lists 
which  they  have  superseded.  Your  committee 
would  urge  strongly  that  the  publication  of 
these  lists  be  resumed.  If  this  is  inexpedient, 
it  is  hoped  that  a  selected  list  of  new  books,  in- 
cluding only  works  of  general  interest,  may  be 
published  quarterly,  and  properly  distributed  in 
the  popular  departments. 

The  work  of  the  catalog  department,  which 
comes  before  the  public,  is  seen  chiefly  in  the 
quarterly  bulletins,  in  which  have  been  pub- 
lished during  the  past  year  various  special  lists, 
which  will  be  most  useful  to  students,  who, 
however,  must  of  necessity  form  a  small  part  of 
the  public  using  the  library.  These  special 
bibliographies  seem  to  have  represented,  of  late 
years,  the  ideal  method  of  cataloging  ;  but,  in  a 
library  of  this  size,  the  labor  of  preparing  them 
is  so  great  that  only  a  few  can  be  printed  yearly, 
and  therefore  only  a  few  persons  can  be  bene- 
fited by  them.  The  general  reader  does  not 
care  for  special  subjects,  but  wants  to  know 
what  there  is  interesting  and  new.  This  is  the 
class  of  people  for  which  new  libraries  are  con- 
stantly being  founded  throughout  the  country, 
and  which  must  not  be  overlooked,  if  it  is  still 
true,  to  quote  again  from  the  first  annual  report 
of  the  trustees,  that  "  it  is  of  paramount  im- 
portance that  the'means  of  general  information 
should  be  so  diffused  that  the  largest  possible 
number  of  persons  should  be  induced  to  read 
and  understand  questions  which  are  constantly 
presenting  themselves." 


230 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


'94 


THE  RAVAGES  OF  BOOKWORMS. 

From   tht  Proceedings  »/  the  Massachusetts  Historical 

Society,  1893. 

AT  a  meeting  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical 
Society,  held  February  9,  Dr.  Samuel  A.  Green, 
after  showing  two  volumes  that  had  been  com- 
pletely riddled  by  the  ravages  of  insects,  as 
well  as  some  specimens  of  the  animals  in  various 
stages,  made  the  following  remarks  : 

For  a  long  period  of  years  I  have  been  look- 
ing for  living  specimens  of  the  so-called  "  book- 
worm," of  which  traces  are  occasionally  found  in 
old  volumes;  and  I  was  expecting  to  find  an  in- 
vertebrate animal  of  the  class  of  the  Anellides. 
In  this  library  at  the  present  time  there  are 
books  perforated  with  clean-cut  holes  opening 
into  sinuous  cavities,  which  usually  run  up  the 
back  of  the  volumes,  and  sometimes  perforate 
the  leather  covers  and  the  body  of  the  book;  but 
I  have  never  detected  the  live  culprit  that  does 
the  mischief.  For  the  most  part  the  injury  is 
confined  to  such  as  are  bound  in  leather,  and  the 
ravages  of  the  insect  appear  to  depend  on  its 
hunger.  The  external  orifices  look  like  so  many 
shot-holes,  but  the  channels  are  anything  but 
straight.  From  a  long  examination  of  the  sub- 
ject I  am  inclined  to  think  that  all  the  damage 
was  done  before  the  library  came  to  this  site  in 
the  spring  of  1833.  At  all  events,  there  is  no 
reason  to  suppose  that  any  of  the  mischief  has 
been  caused  during  the  last  50  years.  Perhaps 
the  furnace  heat  dries  up  the  moisture  which  is  a 
requisite  condition  for  the  life  and  propagation 
of  the  little  animal. 

Nearly  two  years  ago  I  received  a  parcel  of 
books  from  Florida,  of  which  some  were  infested 
with  vermin,  and  more  or  less  perforated  in  the 
manner  I  have  described.  It  occurred  to  me  that 
they  would  make  a  good  breeding-farm  and  ex- 
periment station  for  learning  the  habits  of  the 
insect;  and  I  accordingly  sent  several  of  the 
volumes  to  my  friend  Mr.  Samuel  Garman,  who 
is  connected  with  the  Museum  of  Comparative 
Zoology  at  Cambridge,  for  his  care  and  observa- 
tion. From  him  I  learn  that  the  principal 
offender  is  an  animal  known  popularly  as  the 
"  buffalo  bug,"  though  he  is  helped  in  his  work  by 
kindred  spirits,  not  allied  to  him,  according  to 
the  rules  of  natural  history.  Mr.  Carman's 
letter  gives  the  result  of  his  labors  so  fully  as  to 
leave  nothing  to  be  desired,  and  is  as  follows: 

"  Dr.  Samuel  A.  Green,  Boston,  Mass. 

"SlR:  The  infested  books  sent  for  examina- 
tion to  this  museum,  were  received  July  15, 
1891.  They  were  inspected,  and  individuals  of  a 
couple  of  species  of  living  insects  were  at  once 
enclosed  in  glass  for  further  developments.  A 
year  afterward  live  specimens  of  both  kinds  were 
still  at  work.  Besides  those  that  reached  us 
alive,  a  third  species  had  left  traces  of  former 
presence  in  a  number  of  empty  egg-cases. 

"  Five  of  the  volumes  were  bound  in  cloth. 
On  these  the  principal  damage  appeared  at  the 
edges,  which  were  eaten  away  and  disfigured  by 
large  burrows  extending  inward.  Two  volumes 
were  bound  in  leather.  The  edges  of  these  were 
not  so  much  disturbed;  but  numerous  perfora- 
tions, somewhat  like  shot-holes  externally, 


passed  through  the  leather,  enlarging  and  rami- 
fying in  the  interior.  As  if  made  by  smaller  in- 
sects, the  sides  of  these  holes  were  neater  and 
cleaner  cuttings  than  those  in  the  burrows  on 
the  edges  of  the  other  volumes. 

"  The  insects  were  all  identified  as  well-known 
enemies  of  libraries,  cabinets,  and  wardrobes. 
One  of  them  is  a  species  of  what  are  commonly 
designated  '  fish  bugs,'  '  silver  fish,'  '  bristle 
tails,'  etc.  By  entomologists  they  are  called 
Lepisma  ;  the  species  in  hand  is  probably  Le- 
pisme  saccharina.  It  is  a  small,  elongate,  silvery, 
very  active  creature,  frequently  discovered  under 
objects,  or  between  the  leaves  of  books,  whence 
it  escapes  by  its  extraordinary  quickness  of 
movement.  Paste  and  the  sizing  or  enamel  of 
some  kinds  of  paper  are  very  attractive  to  it.  In 
some  cases  it  eats  off  the  entire  surface  of  the 
sheet,  including  the  ink,  without  making  per- 
forations ;  in  others  the  leaves  are  completely 
destroyed.  The  last  specimen  of  this  insect 
in  these  books  was  killed  February  5,  which 
proves  the  species  to  be  sufficiently  at  home  in 
this  latitude. 

"  The  second  of  the  three  is  one  of  the  '  buf- 
falo bugs,'  or  '  carpet  bugs,'  so  called  ;  not 
really  bugs,  but  beetles.  The  species  before  us 
is  the  Anthrenus  varius  of  scientists,  very  com- 
mon in  Boston  and  Cambridge,  as  in  other  por- 
tions of  the  temperate  regions  and  the  tropics. 
Very  likely  the  'shot-holes'  in  the  leather- 
bound  volumes  are  of  its  making,  though  it  may 
have  been  aided  in  the  deeper  and  larger  cham- 
bers by  one  or  both  of  the  others.  The  damage 
done  by  this  insect  in  the  house,  museum,  and 
library  is  too  well  known  to  call  for  further  com- 
ment. Living  individuals  were  taken  from  the 
books  nearly  a  year  after  they  were  isolated. 

"  The  third  species  has  disappeared  before  the 
arrival  of  the  books,  leaving  only  its  burrows, 
excrement,  and  empty  egg-cases,  which,  how- 
ever, leave  no  doubt  of  the  identity  of  the  animal 
with  one  of  the  cockroaches,  possibly  the  species 
Blatta  Australasia.  The  cases  agree  in  size 
with  those  of  Blatta  Americana,  but  have  thir- 
teen impressions  on  each  side,  as  if  the  number 
of  eggs  were  twenty-six.  The  ravages  of  the 
cockroaches  are  greatest  in  the  tropics,  but  some 
of  the  species  range  through  the  temperate 
zones  and  even  northward.  An  extract  from 
Westwood  and  Drury  will  serve  to  indicate  the 
character  of  their  work  : 

'"They  devour  all  kinds  of  victuals,  dressed  and  un- 
dressed, and  damage  all  sorts  of  clothing,  leather,  books, 
paper,  etc.,  which  if  they  do  not  destroy  at  least  they  soil, 
as  they  frequently  deposit  a  drop  of  their  excrement  where 
they  settle.  They  swarm  by  myriads  in  old  houses,  mak- 
ing every  part  filthy  beyond  description.  They  have  also 
the  power  of  making  a  noise  like  a  sharp  knocking  with 
the  knuckle  upon  the  wainscoting,  Blatta  gifantea  be- 
ing thence  known  in  the  West  Indies  by  the  name  of 
drummer;  and  this  they  keep  up,  replying  to  each  other, 
throughout  the  night;  moreover  they  attack  sleeping 
persont,  and  will  even  eat  the  extremities  of  the  dead.' 

"  This  quotation  makes  it  appear  that  authors 
as  well  as  books  are  endangered  by  this  outlaw. 
With  energies  exclusively  turned  against  properly 
selected  examples  of  both,  what  a  world  of  good 
it  might  do  mankind  !  The  discrimination  lack- 
ing, the  insect  must  be  treated  as  a  common 
enemy.  As  a  bane  for  '  silver  fish '  and  cock- 


'94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


231 


roaches,  pyretheum  insect  powder  is  said  to  be 
effectual.  For  a  number  of  years  I  have  used,  in 
the  '  Agassiz  Museum,'  a  mixture  containing 
phosphorus,  '  The  infallible  water  bug  and 
roach  exterminator,'  made  by  Barnard  &  Co., 
459  Washington  St.,  Boston,  and,  without  other 
interest  in  advertising  the  compound,  I  have 
found  it  to  be  entirely  satisfactory  in  its  effects. 
Bisulphide  carbon,  evaporated  in  closed  boxes 
or  cases  containing  the  infested  articles,  is  used 
to  do  away  with  the  '  buffalo  bugs.' 
"  Very  respectfully  yours, 

"  SAMUEL  GARMAN." 


THE  NEW  YORK  SOCIETY  LIBRARY. 

THE  New  York  Society  Library  is  generally 
believed  to  have  been  the  earliest  loan  library  in 
America,  and  the  claim  to  this  distinction  has  re- 
mained uncontroverted.  In  the  early  records,  or 
histories  of  the  city  it  was  referred  to  as  the  "so- 
ciety "  or  "public,"  library  in  the  city  hall. 
The  later  catalogs  of  the  library  and  many  care- 
ful students  of  the  history  of  the  city  date  its 
foundation  from  the  year  1700,  under  Richard, 
Earl  of  Bellomont,  then  governor  of  the  province. 
The  chief  historical  reference  to  the  library  is 
found  in  Grahame's  "  History  of  North  Ameri- 
ca," where  it  is  stated  that  the  Earl  of  Bellomont 
established  a  library  in  New  York  in  1700.  The 
library  has  always  claimed  this  as  its  foundation, 
and  traces  its  growth  from  that  time  to  the 
present.  The  definite  date  of  its  opening  is  un- 
known. At  the  time  of  Bellomont's  rule  New 
York  had  a  population  of  about  5200  persons, 
and  it  is  probable  that  the  library  was  one  of  the 
features  of  the  "  new  city  hall"  that  was  finished 
in  1700  at  Broad  and  Wall  Streets,  where  Wash- 
ington was  afterward  inaugurated,  and  where  the 
Sub-Treasury  Building  now  stands. 

The  first  29  years  of  its  existence  were  not  par- 
ticularly prosperous,  nor  are  their  details  known, 
but  at  the  end  of  that  time  the  library  became 
possessor  of  the  private  collection  of  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Millington,  an  English  clergyman,  who  be- 
queathed his  books  to  the  Society  for  the  Prop- 
agation of  the  Gospel,  by  which  they  were 
turned  over  to  the  library  in  New  York.  This 
accession  gave  but  a  momentary  impulse  to  the 
library.  The  books  were  of  the  "  dry-as-dust" 
variety,  and  the  library  soon  fell  back  into  a  state 
of  desuetude,  suffering  also  from  a  want  of 
proper  attention  and  management.  Such  books 
as  had  been  collected  were  placed  in  charge  of 
the  corporation  of  the  city,  and  there  appears  to 
have  been  but  little  use  made  of  them  until  1754, 
when  an  association  was  formed  for  the  purpose 
of  carrying  on  the  institution  more  efficiently. 
The  members  of  this  association  were  the  real 
founders  of  the  library  as  a  corporation.  They 
gathered  together  many  books,  and  upon  their 
application  their  collection  was  incorporated  with 
the  public  library,  and  the  whole  placed  under 
the  care  of  trustees  chosen  by  them.  It  was 
commonly  known  as  the  City  Library  even 
down  to  1850.  Regarding  this  reorganization, 
Smith's  history  of  New  York  says:  "a  set  of 
gentlemen  undertook  to  carry  about  a  sub- 
scription toward  raising  a  public  library,  and 


in  a  few  days  collected  near  ^600,  which  was 
laid  out  in  purchasing  700  volumes  of  new,  well- 
chosen  books."  These  books,  with  those  that 
had  gradually  accumulated  in  the  city  hall, 
formed  the  nucleus  of  the  present  library,  al- 
though there  are  but  few  of  the  old  volumes  now 
in  its  possession.  The  collection,  however,  was 
largely  and  constantly  increased  by  purchase  of 
books  down  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. By  this  time  it  had  become  a  popular  in- 
stitution, and  in  1772  George  in.  granted  it  a 
charter. 

During  the  Revolution  the  library  was  de- 
spoiled by  the  soldiers,  and  the  books  that  had 
been  collecting  on  its  shelves  for  75  years  were 
widely  dispersed.  After  the  war  an  effort  was 
made  to  get  them  back.  No  less  than  600  vol- 
umes were  found  in  a  room  in  St.  Paul's  Church; 
fragments  of  the  library  were  found  in  other 
places,  and  some  of  these  old  books  are  still  to 
be  seen,  carefully  preserved,  on  the  shelves  of 
the  library.  New  subscriptions  were  taken  after 
the  Revolution,  and  in  December,  1788,  another 
board  of  trustees  was  elected. 

The  first  catalog  of  the  library  was  printed  in 
1758,  and  the  only  copy  known  to  be  in  ex- 
istence was  found  among  some  old  papers  and 
presented  to  the  library  by  Governor  Horatio 
Seymour  in  1855.  A  similar  catalog  was  printed 
in  1761.  Since  then  catalogs  have  been  printed 
in  1793,  1800,  1813,  1838,  and  1850. 

A  separate  building  for  the  library  was  begun 
in  Nassau  Street,  opposite  the  Middle  Dutch 
Church.  Into  this  the  library  moved  in  1795, 
and  remained  until  1836,  when  the  property  in 
Nassau  Street  was  sold  for  $44,200,  and  a  lot 
purchased  at  the  corner  of  Broadway  and  Leon- 
ard Street  for  $47,500.  In  1840  the  library 
moved  into  its  Broadway  building,  which  cost 
$74,000.  In  1853  tne  property  in  Broadway  was 
sold  for  $110,000,  and  the  lot  in  University  Place, 
on  which  the  present  building  stands,  was  bought 
for  $18,650.  This  building  was  finished  in  1856, 
and  the  library  has  been  there  ever  since  May  of 
that  year. 

What  makes  the  library  unique  outside  of  its 
history  is  the  fact  that  it  contains  many  rare 
works.  It  has  a  collection  of  old  New  York 
newspapers  from  1727  down  to  the  present  day, 
such  as  probably  exists  nowhere  else.  Then 
there  is  Bradford's  edition  of  the  laws  of  the 
province  of  New  York  of  1691,  and  many  other 
curious  and  interesting  works.  Especially  note- 
worthy is  the  art  collection.  It  is  kept  in  an  al- 
cove that  alone  cost  more  than  $10,000  to  fit  up. 
It  is  called  the  John  C.  Green  Alcove,  because 
Mrs.  Sarah  H.  Green  presented  the  library  with 
$50,000  from  her  husband's  estate.  The  alcove 
was  fitted  up  as  a  present  to  the  library  by  Robert 
Lenox  Kennedy.  Its  sides  and  ceiling  are 
finished  in  hard  woods  by  Marcotte  after  designs 
by  Architect  Sidney  Stratton.  Opposite  the  en- 
trance is  a  memorial  window,  its  centre  repre- 
senting two  female  figures,  Knowledge  and  Pru- 
dence, with  Virgil,  Dante,  Homer,  and  Chaucer 
in  the  corners.  On  the  east  wall  is  a  portrait 
of  Mr.  Green,  by  Madrazo,  and  on  the  west  wall 
a  tablefwith  inscription.  The  books  in  this  al- 
cove form  a  collection  on  art  subjects  unsurpassed , 


232 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[July,  '94 


It  is  said,  in  American  libraries.  Among  the 
other  special  collections  are  the  De  Peyster  Al- 
cove, containing  1000  volumes,  the  Hammond 
Library,  of  1800  volumes,  a  very  curious  and 
unique  collection  of  old  novels  in  the  ist  editions, 
printed  from  1742  to  1818,  and  the  Winthrop 
collection  of  300  volumes. 

The  members  of  the  library  have  been  from  its 
foundation  among  the  most  prominent,  wealthy, 
and  respectable  citizens  of  New  York,  and  many 
of  the  original  shares  of  1754-58  have  been 
handed  down  in  the  same  families  to  the  present 
day. 

Since  the  Revolution  there  have  been  but  six  li- 
brarians —  Isaac  L.  Kipp  (i793  -  94).  John  Forbes 
(1794-1824),  Burtis  Strudmore  (1824-28),  Philip 
J.  Forbes (1828 -5 5),  John  MacMullen(i855-56), 
and  Wentworth  S.  Butler  (1856-94).  Mr.  Butler, 
the  present  librarian,  has  been  in  charge  for  a 
longer  term  than  any  of  his  predecessors,  and 
has  presided  over  the  library  for  38  years. 


THE  READING-ROOM  ASSOCIATION  OF 
WILKES-BARRfi,  PA. 

THE  Reading-Room  Association  of  Wilkes- 
Barr6  has  concluded  a  first  year's  work  which, 
although  hampered  in  many  ways,  is  prophetic 
of  wide  future  influence.  The  Association  grew 
out  of  a  desire  to  bring  the  advantages  of  the 
Osterhout  Library  to  many  who  had  not  hitherto 
enjoyed  them,  and  out  of  the  belief  "  that  bright, 
cheerful  reading-rooms,  placed  where  they 
might  catch  the  attention  of  the  passer  -  by, 
would  often  attract  to  their  doors  those  who  for 
the  lack  of  them  would  be  learning  the  lessons 
of  the  street  or  the  saloon."  Miss  James,  li- 
brarian of  the  Osterhout  Library,  and  a  force  in 
herself,  was  made  the  president,  and  early  in 
1693  the  Association,  numbering  only  some  10 
or  12  persons,  had  begun  its  work  of  enlighten- 
ing the  public  and  soliciting  funds.  The  sum  of 
$721. 50  for  an  established  fund  was  soon  sub- 
scribed; $312.80  more  was  promised  as  a  yearly 
fund  for  the  next  five  years,  and  the  committee 
set  about  establishing  Branch  No.  I,  in  North 
Wilkes-Barr6.  Suitable  rooms  were  engaged  in 
May,  1893,  but  legal  difficulties  in  regard  to  the 
lease  arose,  and  the  work  of  repairing  and  fur- 
nishing was  not  begun  until  November.  The 
rooms  engaged  comprised  nearly  one-half  of  a 
dwelling-house,  with  an  entrance  directly  from 
the  street.  Two  rooms  on  the  lower  floor,  open- 
ing into  each  other,  were  set  apart  as  the  read- 
ing and  newspaper  room.  Two  additional 
rooms  above,  connected  by  a  wide  opening, 
were  designated  the  smoking  and  game  rooms. 
When  completed  the  rooms  were  thoroughly  at- 
tractive. Seven  additional  windows  had  been 
inserted;  there  were  comfortable  chairs  and  con- 
venient tables,  book  and  magazine  cases,  and 
newspaper  racks  and  files.  Many  books  and 
magazines  were  contributed  (in  all  214  volumes), 
and  five  newspapers  and  27  current  magazines 
were  subscribed  for. 

Branch  No.  i  was  formally  opened  on  Jan.  24, 
1894,  with  an  audience  of  about  200.  Since  then 
the  attendance  has  been  most  encouraging, 
averaging  100  daily  during  January,  February, 


and  March,  with  the  usual  falling  off  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  warm  weather.  In  establishing 
the  branch  it  had  been  thought  "  that  a  smoking- 
room  and  a  room  for  playing  games  might  prove 
attractive  to  some  who  otherwise  would  hardly 
be  drawn  to  them,  and  that  afterwards  they 
would  be  induced  to  read  the  books  and  papers." 
The  experiment  was  not  a  success,  however; 
the  rooms  were  small  and  had  no  special  custo- 
dian. Disorder  and  rowdyism  soon  reigned  su- 
preme, and  it  was  found  necessary  to  close  the 
rooms;  they  have  since  been  used  by  members 
only  and  by  reading  classes.  On  March  2  a 
"  reading  class  in  travel"  for  women  was  formed 
by  friends  from  the  centre  of  the  city.  A  trip 
to  California  by  means  of  books,  pictures,  and 
maps  was  planned,  with  liberty  to  stop  off  at 
the  various  interesting  places  along  the  route. 
In  this  way  Chicago,  Colorado,  the  flora  and 
fauna  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  the  Indians  and 
their  customs,  Utah  and  the  Mormons,  and 
other  topics  of  interest  were  investigated,  and 
furnished  instructive  subjects  for  an  evening's 
study  or  lecture.  Several  special  talks  have 
also  been  given,  very  fully  illustrated.  These 
were  all  well  attended,  and  more  work  in  this 
direction  is  planned  for  the  next  year,  especially 
classes  for  men  for  the  study  of  political  and  so- 
cial science  or  history,  and  reading  clubs  for 
girls  and  boys.  On  March  15  the  free  delivery 
of  books  from  the  Osterhout  Library  was  begun. 
The  library  books  brought  to  the  rooms  are  col- 
lected twice  a  week,  and  taken  to  the  library  by 
a  messenger  who  returns  the  books  called  for. 

So  far  but  one  branch  has  been  established  by 
the  Association,  but  already  urgent  request  has 
been  made  for  the  establishment  of  a  second, 
and  a  committee  has  been  appointed  to  arrange 
details  respecting  the  undertaking.  The  Asso- 
ciation is  in  no  way  intended  to  be  a  society 
charged  with  the  care  of  a  single  reading-room 
or  branch.  "  It  seeks  instead  to  establish  such 
branches  all  over  the  city  wherever  it  can  find 
any  sufficient  encouragement  to  do  so.  For  the 
proper  government  and  direction  of  the  Associa- 
tion and  its  branches,  a  constitution  with  by- 
laws was  drawn  up  with  great  care  and  delibera- 
tion by  the  legal  members  of  the  committee. 
The  constitution  provides  for  a  governing  board, 
consisting  of  a  president,  vice-president,  and 
secretary,  to  be  elected  at  the  annual  meeting  in 
May;  and  also  six  directors,  three  to  be  chosen 
in  May,  and  three  at  the  semi-annual  meeting  in 
November,  all  to  hold  office  for  the  term  of  one 
year,  and  to  be  elected  by  the  active  members  of 
the  Association.  Members  of  the  Association 
are  of  two  kinds,  active  and  associate,  and  are 
elected  only  after  a  residence  of  six  months  in 
the  city,  and  upon  approval  by  the  board." 

The  promoters  of  the  Association  do  not  look 
only  to  the  establishment  of  reading-rooms  as 
its  ultimate  aim.  In  the  future  outlined  by  them 
kindergartens,  cooking  schools,  lecture  and  class 
rooms  play  their  part.  Miss  James  concludes 
her  first  annual  report  with  a  hint  at  these  possi- 
bilities. 

"  What  the  Reading-Room  Association  aims 
to  do,"  she  says,  "is  to  provide  suitable  build- 
ings in  different  parts  of  the  city,  which  shall 


>  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


233 


contain  not  only  reading-rooms  and  class-rooms, 
but  also  rooms  for  the  day  nursery,  the  kinder- 
garten, kitchen  garden,  cooking  school,  and  all 
the  various  instrumentalities  for  good  which  we 
have  considered.  The  combination  of  these 
under  one  roof  would  tend,  not  only  to  economy 
in  administration,  but  would  make  them  centres 
of  new  life,  new  light,  and  new  hopes  for  all  in 
their  vicinity." 


THE  MORRISON-REEVES  LIBRARY, 
RICHMOND.  IND. 

ON  May  22,  1894,  the  Morrison-Reeves  Li- 
brary was  formally  opened  to  the  public  at 
Richmond,  Indiana.  Thirty  years  ago  the 
library  was  founded  by  Robert  Morrison,  who, 
about  a  year  before  his  death,  purchased  a  site 
on  which  he  erected  a  library  building,  then  well 
adapted  to  its  purpose,  and  presented  the  library 
with  6000  books.  Since  then  this  number  has 
been  increased  to  18,000  by  purchase  and  by  the 
gift  of  the  valuable  library  of  the  Manual  Labor 
and  Workingmen's  Institute  of  Richmond. 

In  1893  Mrs.  Caroline  Middleton  Reeves  de- 
sired to  erect  a  fitting  memorial  to  her  husband, 
Mark  Ewan  Reeves,  and  son  Arthur  Middleton 
Reeves.  Mrs.  Reeves  decided  to  rebuild,  add  to, 
and  thereby  widen  the  usefulness  of  the  Morri- 
son library,  which  had  outgrown  its  quarters, 
and  by  linking  the  Reeves  name  with  that  of  Mor- 
rison, make  this  the  memorial  desired.  To  this 
end  she  presented  the  library  with  $30,000,  and 
the  result  is  an  appropriate  and  lasting  memo- 
rial to  the  husband,  whose  qualities  made  him  a 
man  of  note  in  both  the  commercial  and  social 
worlds,  and  to  the  son,  who,  had  he  been  spared, 
would  doubtless  have  made  for  himself  a  name 
in  the  world  of  letters.  The  latter,  Arthur  Mid- 
dleton Reeves,  had  been  for  years  a  close  student 
of  Icelandic  literature,  and  left  enough  manuscript 
of  original  work  and  translations  to  show  the  high 
character  of  his  work.  The  books  he  published 
before  his  death,  by  which  he  is  best  known,  are 
"The  Finding  of  Wineland  the  Good,"  and  a 
translation  of  Thoroddson's  "Lad  and  lass." 

The  old  library  building  was  of  brick,  and 
contained  besides  the  library  an  office  for  the 
township  trustee  and  a  residence  for  the  librarian. 
In  remodelling  this  building,  the  front  and  south 
walls  were  torn  away  and  rebuilt,  much  enlarged, 
of  white  sandstone,  the  old  brick  walls  at  the 
north  being  faced  with  stone  in  keeping  with  the 
new  part  of  the  building.  It  is  now  a  handsome 
structure,  three  stories  high,  with  a  circular 
tower  in  the  northeast  corner.  The  entrance  is 
marked  by  three  arches  of  sandstone,  supported 
by  pillars  of  polished  granite.  Through  these 
archways  the  lower  lobby  is  entered,  and  from 
this  lobby  by  an  easy  stairway  the  delivery-room 
directly  above  is  reached.  The  east  wall  is  per- 
forated with  10  small  windows  placed  near  the 
ceiling,  which  afford  ample  light  and  ventilation. 
Along  this  wall,  beneath  the  windows,  is  a  sta- 
tionary table  for  catalogs.  The  delivery-counter 
and  the  entrance  into  the  general  reading-room 
occupy  the  west  side  of  the  room.  The  former 


is  14  feet  long,  with  a  railing  or  guard  of  beauti- 
ful wrought-iron  work.  Back  of  the  counter  is 
ample  space  for  the  attendants,  and  the  rest  of 
the  room  is  filled  with  the  Westervelt  book- 
stacks.  Here  and  in  the  mezzanine  floor  above 
there  is  shelf-room  for  40,000  books,  and  pro- 
vision is  made  for  a  second  mezzanine  floor  of 
stacks  to  be  built  above  this,  when  the  necessity 
arrives. 

North  of  the  stack-room  and  parallel  with  it, 
is  an  ideal  reading-room.  The  lofty  ceiling  is 
beautifully  decorated,  and  is  supported  by  tall, 
fluted  columns,  while  the  ever-desirable  north 
light  is  supplied  in  abundance  through  large 
windows.  Over  the  fireplace  hangs  a  full- 
length  portrait  of  Robert  Morrison,  the  founder 
of  the  library.  Two  reference-rooms  and  the 
librarian's  office,  all  comfortably  furnished  and 
well  equipped,  open  directly  from  this  reading- 
room.  Over  the  delivery-room  on  the  third 
floor  is  a  long  room,  which  is  ultimately  to  be- 
come an  art  gallery,  but  which  for  the  present 
will  be  used  for  University  Extension  and  other 
club  work. 

The  building  has  cost  in  all  about  $28,000,  and 
the  remaining  portion  of  Mrs.  Reeves'  gift  will 
be  expended  for  reference-books.  Mrs.  Sarah 
'A.  Wrigley  has  been  librarian  ever  since  the 
library  was  opened  in  1864. 

ELIZA  G.  BROWNING. 


DR.  W.  F.  POOLE— IN  MEMORIAM. 

AT  a  regular  meeting  of  the  board  of  the  Illi- 
nois State  Historical  Library,  held  in  the  State 
House  at  Springfield,  June  28,  1894,  the  following 
memorial  concerning  the  death  of  William  F. 
Poole,  L.L.D.,  was  unanimously  adopted  : 

"  The  Board  of  the  Illinois  State  Historical 
Library,  recognizing  in  the  death  of  William 
Frederick  Poole,  L.L.D.,  librarian  of  the  New- 
berry  Library,  the  irreparable  loss  sustained  to 
the  profession  of  librarians  throughout  the  world, 
desire  to  express  their  profound  sorrow  at  the 
happening  of  the  sad  event,  and  their  deep  ap- 
preciation of  the  services  which,  during  his  useful 
and  laborious  life  he  rendered  as  well  in  the 
cause  of  letters  and  learning  as  of  public  libraries, 
in  this  country.  His  great  work  of  an  Index  to 
Periodical  Literature,  which  brought  so  much 
buried  treasure  to  the  knowledge  of  students; 
his  thorough  organization  of  the  public  libraries 
of  Cincinnati  and  Chicago,  and  the  labors  of  his 
last  years  in  building  up  the  Newberry  Library, 
in  a  way  that  the  splendid  benefaction  of  a  pub- 
lic-spirited citizen  of  Chicago  would  be  most  use- 
ful to  the  followers  of  literature  and  learning  ; 
the  kindness  and  readiness  with  which  he  gave 
the  benefits  of  his  great  experience  and  wise 
counsel  to  all  who  sought  it  in  fostering  and  de- 
veloping similar  institutions,  are  of  themselves 
monuments  to  his  eminence  in  his  chosen  pro- 
fession, and  constitute  a  shining  example  to  those 
who  would  follow  in  his  footsteps. 

"  Conscious  of  his  worth  and  profoundly 
grieved  by  his  removal  from  the  scene  of  his 
earthly  usefulness,  the  Illinois  State  Historical 


234 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


'94 


Library  Board  craves  the  privilege  to  offer  their 
sympathy  to  Mrs.  Poole  and  to  the  members  of 
her  family  in  the  affliction  which  has  overtaken 
them. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  this  Board 
with  reference  to  the  death  of  Dr.  Poole  be 
spread  upon  its  records,  and  that  copies  of  the 
same  be  transmitted  to  Mrs.  Poole  and  to  the 
trustees  of  the  Newberry  Library. 

"  LAMBERT  TREE,  President, 
"  R.  A.  GRAY,  Vice-President, 
"  J.  NICK  PERRIN,  Secretary." 

In  sending  the  foregoing  minute  to  the  JOURNAL 
Miss  Josephine  P.  Cleveland,  librarian  of  the  Il- 
linois State  Historical  Library,  writes  : 

"  Deeply  feeling  the  loss  to  us  all  in  the  death 
of  Dr.  Poole,  I  know  you  would  like  to  receive 
and  print  the  foregoing  resolutions  of  respect.  I 
personally  feel  his  departure,  though  his  gain  is 
my  loss,  for  he  was  never  too  tired  or  busy  to 
write  me  an  autograph  letter  of  good  advice  in 
my  work  as  a  librarian,  young  (only)  in  the 
work,  and  only  a  few  days  prior  to  his  death  he 
sent  to  me  personally  his  last  printed  production 
with  a  kind  letter.  I  shall  always  bear  him  in 
grateful  remembrance." 


ILLINOIS  LITERATURE  WANTED. 

THE  trustees  of  the  Illinois  State  Historical 
Library  have  issued  a  form  of  circular  letter, 
which  has  been  widely  sent  out  to  those  whose 
co-operation  seemed  probable,  urging  the  collec- 
tion of  all  literature  bearing  upon  the  history, 
political  or  social  development  of  Illinois,  with  a 
view  to  its  preservation  in  the  state  library. 
The  circular  runs  as  follows  : 

"  The  undersigned  trustees  of  the  Illinois 
State  Historical  Library  beg  leave  to  invite  your 
attention  to  the  provisions  of  the  law  establish- 
ing this  Library,  and  to  earnestly  solicit  your 
valuable  co-operation  in  aiding  them  to  advance 
the  objects  which  the  law  endeavors  to  secure. 

"  '  EXTRACT  FROM  THE  LAW  OF  1889  —  PREAMBLE  : 

'"  WHEREAS,  it  is  important  and  desirable  that  all  books, 
pamphlets,  and  other  printed  matter,  manuscripts,  mono- 
graphs, and  other  writings  illustrative  and  descriptive  pi 
the  history  of  the  state,  be  collected  and  preserved  in 
some  permanent  form  before  it  is  too  late  to  rescue  from 
oblivion  the  memory  of  its  earlier  history,  and  those  who 
founded  it,  as  well  as  those  who  have  been  connected 
with  its  rise  and  progress  in  later  days. 

"'Sec.  4. — The  trustees  shall  have  power  ...  to 
procure,  from  time  to  time,  as  may  be  possible  aud  prac 
ticable  at  reasonable  cost,  all  books,  pamphlets,  manu 
scripts,  monographs,  writings,  and  other  material  of  his- 
torical interest  and  useful  to  the  historian,  bearing  upon 
the  political,  physical,  religious,  or  social  history  of  the 
state  of  Illinois  from  the  earliest  known  period  of  time.' 

"  We  feel  assured  that  no  argument  is  required 
to  show  the  importance  of  securing  and  preserv 
ing  every  book,  document,  letter,  or  paper  which 
tends  to  illustrate  the  history  of  our  great  state 
so  that  it  may  be  accessible  to  the  present  anc 
future  student. 

"  The  trustees  will  gratefully  acknowledge  al 
assistance  which  may  be  rendered  to  them  in 
this  behalf. 

"LAMBERT  TREE,  President, 
"  R.  A.  GRAY,  Vice-President, 
"  J.  N.  PERRIN,  Secretary." 


DREXEL    INSTITUTE    LIBRARY    CLASS. 

AT  the  closing  exercises  of  the  Drexel  In- 
stitute, Philadelphia,  on  June  13,  seven  grad- 
uates of  the  Library  Class  received  certificates 
for  the  full  course  of  one  year's  instruction  in 
library  economy  and  cataloging.  The  certifi- 
cates were  conferred  by  President  MacAlister 
on  Lena  K.  Baer,  Katherine  J.  Campbell,  Har- 
riet R.  Kenly,  Elsie  M.  Lowe,  Mary  H.  Shaff- 
ner,  Isabel  M.  Smith,  and  Katharine  F.  Walker. 
The  commencement  address  was  delivered  by 
President  De  Garmo,  of  Swarthmore  College, 
whose  subject  was  "  The  new  era  in  education." 

An  exhibition  of  catalog  cards,  written  in 
library  handwriting  (both  connected  and  dis- 
connected styles),  was  included  in  the  general  ex- 
hibit of  Institute  work  placed  in  the  Central 
Court  during  commencement  week. 

All  of  the  graduates  of  last  year  are  engaged 
in  library  work  in  Philadelphia,  while  some  of 
this  class  have  temporary  positions  as  cata- 
logers. 

PR  A  TT  INSTITUTE  LIBRARY  CLASS. 

THE  graduating  exercises  of  the  Library 
School  of  Pratt  Institute,  Brooklyn,  were  held 
in  the  Assembly  Hall  on  Friday  evening,  June 
22,  at  the  same  time  with  the  exercises  of  the 
other  departments. 

Mrs.  Ellen  H.  Richards,  of  Boston,  and  Mr. 
Hamilton  W.  Mabie,  were  the  speakers  of  the 
evening.  The  certificates  were  presented  by 
Mr.  C.  M.  Pratt,  president  of  the  board  of 
trustees,  Miss  Mary  E.  Miller,  of  Bloomfield, 
Conn.,  receiving  them  and  distributing  them  to 
the  other  members  of  the  class.  The  class  of 
'94,  with  its  26  graduates,  has  the  distinction  of 
being  the  largest  class  graduated  by  the  school 
since  its  opening. 

After  the  exercises  the  class  adjourned  to  the 
library,  where  an  informal  reception  was  held, 
and  an  opportunity  was  given  for  the  members 
to  meet  their  friends  and  the  graduates  of  former 
classes. 


American  £ibrarn  Association. 


SIXTEENTH    CONFERENCE,    LAKE     PLACID, 
ADIRONDACK  MTS.,  SEPT.  15-22. 

INFORMATION  from  the  railroad  company  was 
received  so  late  that  several  errors  (not  affecting 
the  expense)  crept  into  the  circulars.  The  sec- 
retary is  responsible  for  not  correcting  them  ; 
and  the  only  excuse  he  has  to  offer  is  that  he 
was  so  anxious  to  get  something  about  the  A.  L. 
A.  into  the  June  L.  j.  that  he  did  not  carefully 
read  copy  or  proof,  but  accepted  "  the  story" 
as  it  came  from  the  company. 

The  cost  of  the  post-conference  trip,  including 
transportation,  side-trips,  meals,  hotels,  and 
every  necessary  expense,  will  be  only  about  $26 
added  to  Route  No.  2  or  Route  No.  5  as  given  in 
the  June  LIBRARY  JOURNAL. 

FRANK  P.  HILL,  Secretary. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


235 


State  Cibrarn  ^0sociations. 


^/^ SSA CHUSE TTS  LIBRA RY  CL UB. 

ON  June  14  the  Massachusetts  Library  Club 
held  a  meeting  at  Clinton  and  Lancaster,  and 
enjoyed  an  outing  in  the  beautiful  country  about 
these  towns.  A  party  of  27  went  from  Boston 
in  a  special  car  provided  by  the  B.  &  M.  R.  R., 
and  when  the  meeting  was  called  to  order  at 
10:30  in  Bigelow  Hall  in  the  Town  House  of 
Clinton,  which  also  shelters  the  public  library, 
about  90  were  present. 

After  a  welcome  by  Dr.  Morse,  on  behalf  of 
the  trustees  of  the  Clinton  Public  Library,  the 
question  appointed  for  discussion  was  taken  up: 
"  How  to  make  a  small  library  useful."  Miss 
White,  of  Quincy,  said  that  while  her  library 
could  no  longer  be  reckoned  among  the  small 
libraries,  the  kind  of  work  which  had  been 
found  most  useful  there  would  doubtless  be 
found  as  useful  in'  smaller  towns.  One  of  the 
most  important  functions  of  the  public  library 
anywhere  is  to  help  the  schools  educate  the 
children.  It  is  both  easier  and  more  important 
to  influence  the  reading  of  children  than  that  of 
adults.  At  Quincy  each  teacher  is  allowed  to 
draw  10  books  at  a  time  for  circulation  at  her 
discretion  among  her  pupils.  .  The  books  may 
be  kept  four  weeks,  but  no  fine  is  imposed  in 
case  of  over-detention.  Of  course,  children  also 
use  the  library  directly  on  their  own  cards  or 
those  of  relatives.  Another  very  important 
feature  is  a  full  provision  of  reference-books, 
and  here,  too,  the  children  must  be  considered 
by  the  purchase  of  reference-books  adapted  to 
their  needs.  She  had  found  it  a  good  plan  to 
take  several  copies  of  periodicals  —  as  many  as 
six  of  the  more  popular — and  these  were  allowed 
to  circulate,  the  limit  being  three  days  for  cur- 
rent numbers  and  two  weeks  for  back  numbers. 
Finally,  the  librarian  should  take  an  active  inter- 
est in  the  literary  clubs  of  the  town,  and  make 
the  library  serviceable  to  them.  Much  good  can 
be  done  in  this  way. 

The  president,  Mr.  Jones,  endorsed  the  re- 
mark made  by  Dr.  Morse  that  the  most  impor- 
tant step  toward  making  a  library  useful  was 
to  get  the  right  person  for  librarian,  and  said 
that  those  in  charge  of  small  libraries  had  a 
certain  advantage  over  the  librarians  of  large 
libraries  in  the  more  intimate  knowledge  of  in- 
dividual tastes  and  needs  among  the  readers 
that  was  possible  for  them. 

Miss  Whitney,  at  Concord,  had  for  some  days 
asked  her  patrons  what,  in  their  opinion,  a  li- 
brarian could  best  do  to  promote  the  usefulness 
of  a  library.  Four  recommendations  resulted 
from  the  inquiries  :  Have  no  red  tape;  keep  the 
library  open  as  much  as  possible;  provide  refer- 
ence books  in  abundance;  put  out  the  new  books 
for  readers  to  handle. 

Mr.  Fletcher  said  that  even  in  a  small  library 
it  is  the  new  books  that  are  in  demand  ;  the 
old  stand  still.  The  librarian  must  devise  means 
for  increasing  the  circulation  of  the  older  books. 
Articles  in  the  local  paper  on  special  lines  of 
reading  will  do  much  to  promote  this  object, 
and  volunteers  can  often  be  got  to  write  such 


articles.     But  new  devices  will  be  constantly  re- 
quired. 

Mr.  Bolton  thought  that  the  plan  of  giving 
out  two  books  at  once,  only  one  of  which  would 
be  a  work  of  fiction,  would  materially  increase 
the  circulation  of  the  older  and  standard  books. 
He  also  advocated  allowing  reference  books  to 
be  taken  out  for  over-night  and  Sunday  use. 

The  discussion  grew  constantly  more  informal 
and  more  general,  and  much  interesting  informa- 
tion was  gained  regarding  the  needs  and  difficulties 
of  the  smaller  town  libraries,  and  there  also  ap- 
peared a  notable  agreement  touching  the  best 
means  of  meeting  them.  It  was  pointed  out 
that  the  smaller  libraries  were  dependent  for 
their  administration  on  the  surplus  time  and 
energies  of  people  who  had  other  duties,  and 
could  give  to  the  library  only  the  few  hours. a 
week  for  which  they  were  paid,  and  during  which 
they  were  commonly  fully  occupied  in  receiving 
and  delivering  books.  They  had  no  time  to  in- 
form themselves  about  the  books  or  to  experi- 
ment with  the  circulation. 

Rev.  Mr.  Pratt,  of  Berlin,  made  a  strong  plea 
for  admitting  readers  in  such  libraries  directly 
to  the  shelves.  In  this  way  much  labor  would 
be  saved  in  the  delivery  of  books,  and  the  readers 
would  do  for  themselves  much  that  the  librarian 
would  otherwise  be  expected  to  do  in  opening 
up  new  classes  of  books. 

Mrs.  Whittemore,  of  Hudson,  gave  an  inter- 
esting account  of  her  success  in  so  admitting 
readers  to  the  books.  They  had  free  access  to 
shelves  at  all  times  except  Saturday  evenings, 
when  the  rush  was  greatest.  When  this  rule  was 
understood,  those  who  cared  to  handle  the  books 
quickly  learned  to  come  at  other  hours.  She 
was  not  troubled  by  losing  books  or  having  them 
misplaced.  Such  free  use  of  books,  she  pointed 
out,  worked  to  the  advantage  of  the  librarian  no 
less  than  of  the  readers,  for  whoever  was  suc- 
cessful in  looking  up  a  subject  was  generally 
glad  to  tell  where  the  information  had  been 
found,  or  the  librarian  might  see  by  the  counte- 
nance that  a  search  had  been  rewarded.  And  a 
little  ingenuity  often  enabled  her  to  find  the 
book  that  had  solved  the  problem  ;  in  either 
case,  the  librarian  had  with  little  labor  acquired 
a  fact  for  future  use. 

Mrs.  Rowley,  of  Shirley,  said  that  no  town 
should  despair  of  getting  a  public  library,  even 
though  it  could  not  pay  for  service,  and  de- 
scribed the  method  by  which  the  ladies  of 
Shirley  had  collected  a  library,  administered  it 
by  volunteer  service,  and  finally  secured  a  build- 
ing. The  bequest  which  had  enabled  them  to 
complete  it  was  made  by  a  lady  who  wished 
thus  to  make  some  return  for  the  solace  and  en- 
joyment she  had  found  during  a  long  illness,  in 
the  books  of  the  public  library.  What  a  bless- 
ing the  public  library  is  to  invalids  in  a  small 
town  is  best  known  to  those  who  have  watched 
its  work  most  closely.  There  is  no  better  mis- 
sionary work  than  helping  the  public  library; 
but  to  help  effectively  one  must  bring  enthu- 
siasm to  the  work. 

Mr.  Robinson,  of  Salem,  described  a  small  li- 
brary in  that  city  where  readers  coming  from 
the  poorer  classes  had  been  freely  admitted  to 


236 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{July,  '94 


the  shelves  with  no  ill  results.  Every  one  tak- 
ing out  a  book  received  a  ticket  at  the  desk,  and 
no  one  was  allowed  to  leave  the  room  with  a 
book  in  his  possession  without  presenting  this 
ticket  at  the  door. 

Mr.  Green  suggested  that  small  libraries 
could  enlarge  their  resources  by  borrowing 
from  one  another  or  from  the  large  libraries. 
The  Library  Commission  would  lend  their  aid 
in  procuring  the  use  of  any  particular  book,  and 
had  in  mind  the  establishment  of  a  loan  library 
at  the  State  House  as  a  permane-nt  part  of  the 
work  of  the  commission.  It  was  often  advisable 
for  small  libraries  to  buy  duplicates  of  books  in 
demand.  Six  copies  of  one  book  that  people 
want  to  read  are  sometimes  of  more  value  than 
six  different  books  which  are  not  much  sought 
after.  The  Library  Commission  had  been 
obliged  to  exercise  much  ingenuity  in  meeting 
local  demands,  but  so  far  had  not  failed.  Some- 
times a  library  would  send  boxes  of  books  regu- 
larly to  other  villages;  sometimes  $100  worth 
of  books  —  and  it  is  remarkable  how  many  books 
can  be  got  for  $100  by  watching  for  chances  — 
would  be  divided  between  three  villages;  and 
after  a  time  the  villages  would  exchange  their 
portions  with  one  another. 

At  noon,  the  time  set  for  leaving  Clinton,  the 
president  reluctantly  declared  the  meeting  ad- 
journed, and  the  party  were  driven  in  barges 
about  Clinton,  which  abounds  in  pleasant  views, 
and  through  a  charming  country  to  Lancaster, 
where,  in  the  vestry  of  the  old  brick  Unitarian 
church,  they  partook  of  what  was  intended  for  a 
basket  lunch.     The  club  has  long  experienced 
severe  twinges  of  conscience  on  account  of  the 
delightful  hospitality  which  it  has  everywhere 
received,  feeling  that  the  provision  of  a  meal 
for  a  hundred  people  was  a  burden  not  to  be 
lightly  imposed  upon  a  community.     Hence  a 
basket  lunch  was  to  be  made  a  feature  of  this 
meeting,  and   our   friends  at  Lancaster,   much 
against  their  will,  were  limited  to  an  offer  of 
coffee.     It   is  to   be   feared,   though,   that   the 
moral  effect  of  this  action  was  somewhat  im- 
paired   by    the    remarkable    and    unsuspected 
breadth   of  meaning  attached   to   "  coffee "   in 
Lancaster,  where  the  word  connotes  a  variety  of 
edibles    not   mentioned    in    the  definitions    of 
"  Murray  "  or  the  "  Century."    After  lunch  the 
club  were  welcomed  at  the  library  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Bartol,  president  of  the  trustees,  who  had  at- 
tended the  meeting  at  Clinton.     A  vote  of  thanks 
to  the  people  of    Clinton   and    Lancaster   was 
passed,  after  which  the  visitors  spent  some  time 
in  an  examination  of  the  building  and  its  con- 
tents.    Much   interest  was  aroused   by  the   re- 
markable collection  of  Lancastriana,  which  was 
shown  by  Mr.  Nourse,  to  whose  patient  enthusi- 
asm its  existence  is  due.*      The  rural  beauties 
of  the  town,  the  banks  of  the  Nashua,  and  the 
great  elm,  which  must  now  take  high  rank  in 
Dr.    Holmes'   first  class  of  big  trees,  attractec 
many,  and  four  o'clock,  the  time  of  departure 
came  much  too  soon. 

W:  H.  TILLINGHAST,  Secretary- 


*  This  collection  is  described  at  some  length  in  the  Firs 
R  -port  of  the  Massachusetts  Library  Commission;  it  is 
model  local  collection,  and  should  be  widely  imitated. 


WASHINGTON  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION. 

A  MEETING  of  the  librarians  of  Washington 
,nd   others   interested  in   library  work    in  the 
Mstrict  of  Columbia  was  held  at  the  Columbian 
Jniversity  on  June  15,  for  the  purpose  of  organ- 
zing    a    library  association.      A    constitution, 
which  had  been  prepared  by  a  committee  of  or- 
anization   consisting  of  A.  R.  Spofford,  O.  L. 
'assig,  Mrs.  E.  L.  McL.  Kimball,  W.  P.  Cutter, 
and  H.  G.  Hodgkins,  appointed  at  a  meeting  on 
une  6,  was  adopted,  and  officers  were  elected. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  at  8  o'clock, 
and  in  the  absence  of  Dr.  Cyrus  Adler,  who  was 
named  as  chairman  at  the  first  gathering,  Mr. 
W.  H.  Lowdermilk  presided.  Twenty  persons, 
ncluding  the  librarians  of  most  of  the  depart- 
ments of  the  scientific,  professional,  and  frater- 
nal associations  of  the  city,  were  present.  The 
consideration  of  the  constitution  was  proceeded 
with  immediately,  being  read  by  Mr.  Fassig,  of 
the  committee,  in  the  absence  of  Mr.  Spofford. 

The  constitution  was  adopted  practically  as 
reported,  after  quite  a  lengthy  discussion.  It 
contains  seven  articles,  of  which  the  first  pro- 
vides that  the  name  shall  be  "  The  Washington 
Library  Association,"  and  the  second  that  its 
object  shall  be  to  promote  intercourse  among 
ibrarians  and  all  interested  in  library  work  in 
Washington  and  vicinity,  and  to  further  library 
nterests  in  general.  Any  person  interested  in 
ibrary  work  can  be  nominated  by  a  member 
for  election,  which  is  vested  in  the  executive 
committee,  consisting  of  the  president,  two  vice- 
presidents,  a  secretary  and  treasurer,  and  three 
other  members. 

Officers  were  elected  as  follows:  Ainsworth  R. 
Spofford,  librarian  of  Congress,  president;  Cyrus 
Adler,  first  vice-president;  W.  H.  Lowdermilk, 
second  vice-president;  Oliver  L.  Tassig,  librarian 
of  Weather  Bureau,  secretary  and  treasurer.  W. 
P.  Cutter,  C.  C.  Darwin,  and  Mrs.  E.  L.  McL. 
Kimball,  in  the  order  named,  were  chosen  for 
the  remaining  positions  on  the  executive  com- 
mittee. 

The  constitution  provides  for  monthly  meet- 
ings, except  during  the  summer  months,  for 
annual  meetings  in  December,  and  for  the  trans- 
action of  all  routine  business  by  the  executive 
committee. 

Those  present,  who  were  elected  charter  mem- 
bers, together  with  all  those  invited  to  attend  by 
the  committee  of  organization,  were  B.  Pickman 
Mann,  of  the  Patent  Office  ;  David  Fitzgerald, 
librarian  of  the  War  Department;  W.  P.  Cutter, 
librarian  of  the  Agricultural  Department  ;  Eben- 
ezer  Ellis,  librarian  of  the  United  States  Fish 
Commission;  Weston  Flint,  of  the  Bureau  of 
Education  ;  O.  L.  Fassig,  librarian  of  the 
Weather  Bureau  ;  Asher  Barnette  and  J.  M. 
Baker,  librarians,  respectively,  of  the  House 
and  Senate  ;  Mrs.  E.  L.  McL.  Kimball,  librarian 
of  the  Treasury  Department ;  Z.  W.  Kessler, 
librarian  of  the  Odd  Fellows  ;  A.  J.  Faust,  of 
the  Church  News;  Howard  Clark,  of  the  Boston 
Library  Bureau  ;  Edward  Farquhar,  of  the 
Patent  Office  ;  Miss  J.  A.  Clark,  Edward  Mor- 
gan, librarian  of  the  Medical  Association  ;  W. 
D.  Horigan,  F.  H.  Parsons,  and  Henderson 
Presnell. 


,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


237 


FLETCHER,  W:  I.     Public  libraries  in  America. 

Bost.,  Roberts  Bros.,  1894.    c.    6+169  p.  il.  S. 

(Columbian  knowledge  series,  edited  by  Prof. 

Todd,  no.  2.)  cl.,  $i. 

Cant. :  The  public  library  movement,  its  history  and 
significance ;  Library  laws,  how  libraries  have  been 
established;  The  public  library  and  the  community;  Li- 
brary buildings  ;  Classification  and  catalogues;  Minor  de- 
tails of  library  management;  Selection  and  purchase  of 
books;  Reference-work,  the  public  library  in  relation  to 
the  schools,  to  University  extension,  etc.;  The  librarian, 
his  work  and  his  training  for  it;  The  American  Library 
Association  ;  A  few  representative  libraries  ;  Special  li- 
braries ;  Public  libraries  in  Canada ;  The  future  of  the 
§ublic  library.  Appendix:  i,  Scheme  of  classification;  2, 
pecial  collections ;  3,  Sunday  opening  of  libraries;  4, 
Gifts  to  libraries;  5,  Statistics  ;  6,  Library  rules  ;  7,  Bio- 
graphic sketches. 

This  little  library  manual  is  not  merely  a  wel- 
come addition  to  the  literature  of  the  subject  on 
its  own  account,  but  it  is  doubly  so  as  furnishing 
the  most  general  survey  of  present  library  con- 
ditions that  can  be  hoped  for  until  the  govern- 
ment volume,  containing  the  papers  of  the  A.  L. 
A.  conference  at  Chicago,  planned  by  Mr. 
Dewey  with  reference  to  use  as  such  a  handbook, 
appears  —  and  this  means  months  of  waiting. 
In  the  meantime  Mr.  Fletcher  has  added  one 
more  wreath  to  his  laurels  in  preparing  this 
work.  How  broad  a  range  he  has  covered  is  in- 
dicated by  the  table  of  contents,  and,  as  might 
be  expected,  his  treatment  of  these  many  differ- 
ent subjects  is  comprehensive  and  catholic.  It 
is  true  that  certain  personal  opinions  heretofore 
advanced  by  him  are  reiterated  here,  and  their 
advantages  pointed  out  —  such,  for  instance,  as 
his  views  on  classification  —  but  this  is  done  in 
a  liberal  spirit,  and  in  this  special  instance  may 
be  justified  by  the  fact  that  there  is  a  growing 
tendency  among  certain  librarians  in  the  di- 
rection towards  which  Mr.  Fletcher's  arguments 
tend. 

Naturally,  there  will  be  discussion  of  some 
of  the  points.  One  not  easily  settled  is  that  of 
the  control  of  the  class  of  reading  supplied  by 
the  library  to  its  readers.  Mr.  Fletcher  believes 
in  the  necessity  of  such  control,  and  claims  that 
the  library  must  exercise  as  much  selective  dis- 
crimination as  if  it  was  part  of  the  public  school 
system,  adding:  "  For  some  reason,  the  respon- 
sibilities of  library  directors  have  not  always 
been  estimated  by  like  standards.  Too  often  has 
the  public  library  been  regarded  somewhat  as  a 
public  club,  a  purely  democratic  association  of 
the  people  for  mutual  mental  improvement  or 
recreation.  But  the  idea  is  coming  more  and 
more  into  vogue  that  the  public  library  is  a  great 
educational  and  moral  power,  to  be  wielded  with 
a  full  sense  of  its  great  possibilities  and  the  cor- 
responding danger  of  their  perversion."  This 
is  unquestionably  true,  but  it  seems  to  recognize 
only  half  the  problem.  Books  undoubtedly  have 
an  educational  aspect  of  the  utmost  importance, 
but  they  have  a  second  one  quite  as  vital  in  their 
recreative  quality.  We  build  public  schools  to 
educate ;  we  open  public  parks  to  recreate. 
Midway  between  these  two  stands  the  public  li- 
brary. If  we  cau  draw  a  man  into  its  reading- 


room  and  educate  his  mind  by  good  books  we 
have  done  him  an  advantage,  but  if  we  have 
drawn  him  away  from  the  saloon,  the  street  cor- 
ner, or  even  the  f  oul-aired.tenement,  we  have  done 
the  best  part  of  it,  without  much  regard  to  what 
he  reads,  and  it  is  therefore  more  important  to 
furnish  him  with  books  that  will  tempt  him  and 
attract  him  to  the  library  than  it  is  to  insist  that 
our  reading  shall  be  his  reading.  The  very 
training  of  the  habit  will  in  time  lead  to  better 
things,  provided  it  can  be  made  to  become  a 
habit.  This  at  least  is  the  point  of  view  which 
comes  with  a  study  of  the  library  problem  so  far 
as  regards  our  urban  libraries. 

One  interesting  point  dealt  with  by  Mr. 
Fletcher,  which  has  not  had  due  attention,  is  the 
ratio  of  cost  of  building  to  the  number  of  vol- 
umes accommodated.  "  It  will  be  found,"  he 
says,  "  to  vary  from  25  cents  to  $3  or  $4,  accord- 
ing as  buildings  are  or  are  not  wisely  planned  to 
secure  book  capacity,  and  are  more  or  less  deco- 
ative  in  style.  Any  cost  beyond  one  dollar  for 
every  two  books  accommodated,  with  all  needed 
space  for  reading  and  for  library  administration, 
may  fairly  be  considered  as  extravagant,  except 
as  extra  expense  is  devoted  to  making  the  struct- 
ure serve  a  monumental  purpose  or  to  its  deco- 
ration." Cognate  to  this  is  his  statement  re- 
garding the  cost  and  condition  of  books  :  "  When 
I  am  asked  by  a  library  director  how  many  vol- 
umes he  ought  to  buy  for  every  $1000  expended, 
I  tell  him  there  is  no  standard  on  which  a  re- 
ply can  properly  be  based.  .  .  .  Except  as 
a  circulating  library  derives  benefit  from  having 
a  large  number  of  books,  so  that  more  readers 
may  be  served  at  one  time,  it  may  well  be  held 
that  expensive  books  are  generally  better  worth 
their  cost  than  cheap  ones.  The  public  library 
is  doing  its  best  work  when  it  is  teaching  people 
to  respect  and  to  love  books.  To  issue  to  its 
readers  cheap  and  trashily  made  books  is  to  in- 
vert its  true  mission  and  to  degrade,  instead  of 
ennobling,  literature  in  the  eyes  of  its  patrons. 
As  people  should  handle  books  carefully,  and 
treat  them  always  with  consideration,  there  can 
be  no  better  way  to  bring  this  about  than  to  put 
into  their  hands  books  worthy  of  respect.  .  .  . 
A  shrewd  professor  once  said  that  he  never  did 
anything  more  promotive  of  discipline  in  his 
class  than  putting  a  good  carpet  on  the  recita- 
tion-room floor.  Instead  of  the  boys  spoiling 
the  carpet,  the  carpet  renovated  the  boys.  So 
it  will  be  with  well-made  and  attractive  books." 

Many  will  take  issue  with  Mr.  Fletcher  when 
he  writes:  "  Printed  catalogs  of  public  libraries 
have  nearly  had  their  day.  Formerly  no  library 
was  thought  well  equipped  which  had  not  issued 
one.  But  when  it  was  found  how  rapidly  sup- 
plements must  be  issued  to  keep  up  with  new 
books,  and  how  soon  the  printed  catalog  became 
a  '  back  number,'  and  when  the  usefulness  of 
such  a  catalog  was  weighed  against  its  cost, 
serious  doubts  arose  as  to  the  value  of  this  sys- 
tem." There  is  no  question  of  the  truth  of  this 
statement  as  far  as  it  goes,  but  it  is  but  half  a 
truth.  The  ordinary  printed  library  catalog  is 
quickly  out  of  date  but  the  best  printed  library 
catalog  is  not.  Fifty  more  recent  catalogs  have 
sunk  into  oblivion,  while  the  catalogs  of  the 


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THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[July,  '94 


Brooklyn  Library  and  of  the  Boston  Athenaeum 
are  at  the  elbow  of  every  librarian  who  can  af- 
ford them,  and  will  continue  there  longer  than 
we  care  to  predict.  Nor  are  they  in  the  slight- 
est degree  out  of  usefulness  in  the  libraries  to 
which  they  furnish  an  index,  for  they  are  used 
as  constantly  as  the  day  they  were  printed.  The 
lesson  for  American  librarians  to  learn  is  that 
incomplete  cataloging  does  not  pay,  and  that  a 
printed  catalog  for  any  library  having  any  pre- 
tence to  popularity  is  almost  as  desirable  as  an 
index  is  to  any  book  of  reference.  That  Mr. 
Fletcher  himself  realizes  this,  even  to  the  point 
of  virtually  contradicting  the  above  statement,  is 
shown  by  the  following  admirable  paragraph  : 
"A  great  service  is  done  to  readers,  especially 
to  students  or  others  who  expect  to  write  on  a 
given  subject,  if  they  are  shown  a  fairly  good 
exhibit  of  the  existing  literature  of  the  subject. 
For  this  reason  and  for  others,  every  well- 
equipped  library  will  have  a  good  collection  of 
bibliographical  works.  Their  use  is  threefold  — 
to  assist  in  the  selection  of  books  for  purchase,  to 
help  the  cataloger,  and  to  guide  readers  to  the 
best  information.  All  persons  using  a  library 
with  any  serious  purpose  should  be  familiar  with 
these  helps;  and  the  librarian  should  make  it  his 
object  to  teach  readers  how  to  use  them.  At  the 
same  time  there  can  be  no  worse  error  in  admin- 
istering a  library  for  the  public  good  than  that 
of  leaving  readers  to  grope  their  way  into  the 
use  of  an  elaborate  apparatus  of  catalogs,  in- 
dexes, and  bibliographies.  There  must  always 
be  the  personal  friendly  aid  of  the  librarian  or 
attendant  to  give  to  the  library  that  atmosphere 
of  kindly  helpfulness  which  makes  the  visitor  at 
home,  although  he  may  not  be  '  to  the  manner 
(of  libraries)  born.' " 

It  would  be  a  pleasure  to  quote  more  liberally 
from  this  book,  for  even  where  we  disagree  (and 
we  have  touched  upon  points  of  disagreement 
rather  than  upon  the  many  points  of  agreement), 
what  Mr.  Fletcher  has  to  say  is  always  well  said 
and  generally  suggestive.  This  notice  cannot 
do  justice  to  the  book  as  a  whole,  which  deserves 
to  be  read  from  cover  to  cover.  Its  compactness 
is  its  distinguishing  feature.  That  Mr.  Fletcher 
has  explored,  and  well  explored,  the  whole  range 
of  library  literature  in  his  169  small  pages  is 
shown  not  merely  in  the  body  of  the  book,  but 
in  the  bibliographical  lists  of  authorities  ap- 
pended to  each  chapter.  There  are  also  numer- 
ous excellent  Illustrations,  comprising  portraits 
of  well-known  librarians  and  views  and  plans  of 
libraries,  giving  thus  for  the  first  time  an  ade- 
quate "  bird's-eye  view"  of  what  is  prominent  in 
the  subject.  P.  L.  F. 

FLETCHER,  W  :  I.  Library  classification  ;  re- 
printed, with  alterations,  additions,  and  an 
index,  from  his  "  Public  libraries  in  Amer- 
ica." Bost.,  Roberts  Bros.,  1894.  32  p.  O. 
cl.,  $i. 

Mr.  Fletcher's  high  standing  in  the  library 
profession  and  his  long  practical  experience 
give  specific  authority  to  any  utterance  of  his  on 
library  topics,  and  this  scheme  of  classification, 


conveniently  reprinted  from  the  comprehensive 
volume  above  noticed,  will  undoubtedly  com- 
mand careful  attention  for  this  reason,  if  for  no 
other.  Nevertheless,  the  old  saying  that  there 
can  be  too  much  of  a  good  thing  comes  to  mind 
whenever  a  new  scheme  of  library  classification 
is  presented  to  the  library  world.  Even  in  the 
present  case  it  is  perhaps  to  be  regretted  that 
librarians  —  especially  younger  librarians  — 
should  be  confronted  with  still  another  "  sys- 
stem  "  and  that  Mr.  Fletcher's  influence  should 
add  an  additional  perplexity  to  the  troublesome 
decision  as  to  whether  "  Dewey,"  "  Cutter,"  or 
(now)  "  Fletcher  "  shall  be  adopted  in  individual 
libraries.  Mr.  Fletcher  would  be  the  first  to 
deprecate  such  a  result.  In  his  modest  introduc- 
tion he  disclaims  any  intention  of  augmenting 
the  many  more  or  less  "scientific"  schemes  of 
library  classification,  and  states  that  his  present 
publication  is  intended  rather  to  "  offer  a  way  of 
escape  for  those  who  shrink  from  the  intricacies 
and  difficulties  of  the  elaborate  systems  "  by  pre- 
senting a  simple  list  of  classes  "given,  not  in  a 
logical  or  philosophical  order,  but  rather  in  a 
natural  sequence,  under  a  few  general  headings." 
It  is  not  intended,  in  these  few  lines,  to  give 
an  exhaustive  criticism  of  Mr.  Fletcher's  scheme, 
and  the  modesty  in  which  he  has  presented  it 

—  "  rather  as  a  general  guide  than  as  something 
to  be  followed  with  absolute  adherence  to  detail ' 

—  makes   it    unnecessary   to  go  very   far  into 
detail.     As  to  the  classification   itself,  however, 
it  must  be  said  that  the  "  natural  "   sequence  of 
the  classes  is  decidedly  doubtful.     In  the  class 
of  Useful  arts,   between  Cookery  and  Nursing, 
we  find  such  headings  as  Hygiene,  Public  health, 
Outdoor    sports,  Horse-racing,  Human   anatomy 
and    physiology,      Medicine.        The     "  natural 
sequence  "  of  these  classes  is  certainly  hard  to 
find.     Human  anatomy,  e.  g.,  should  be  found 
under  Zoology,  rather  than   under  Anthropology, 
Ethnology,  etc.     Mythology,  with   its  only  subdi- 
vision, Scandinavian  and  northern  (?)  comes  be- 
tween  Miracles  and  the  Bible.     The  last  three 
classes    of  Philosophy    and   Religion  are    414, 
Heathenism  ;  415,  Mormons,  Shakers,  etc.;  416, 
Free      thought.     Rationalism,     Positivism  —  a 
sequence  that  seems  to  be  more   "  theological  " 
than  anything  else. 

Such  criticisms  are  inevitable  in  the  case  of 
any  system  of  classification.  In  this,  as  in  no 
other  branch  of  study,  the  "  personal  equation  " 
sways  the  balance,  and  it  is  probable  that  no 
two  persons  ever  did  or  ever  will  spontaneously 
agree  as  to  the  "class"  of  a  subject  admitting 
"  the  slightest  possible  manner  of  doubt."  Mr. 
Fletcher's  list  of  classes  is  intended  for  an 
"ordinary  public  library  of  not  over  100,000 
volumes,"  though  it  is  of  course  adaptable  for  a 
much  larger  one  by  proper  expansion. 

An  alphabetic  index  to  subjects  is  appended, 
which  is  not  included  in  the  larger  work,  and 
the  little  volume  is  printed  on  a  larger  page, 
giving  more  amplitude  of  margin.  It  is  bound 
in  flexible  cloth  for  convenient  reference  use, 
and  with  its  companion  volume  it  will  undoubt- 
edly find  a  foremost  place  on  the  shelves  de- 
voted to  the  "  working  literature  "  of  the  library 
profession. 


'94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


239 


LARNED,  Josephus  Nelson.     History  for  ready 
reference,    from    the    best     historians,    bi- 
ographers, and  specialists  :  their  own  words  in 
a  complete  system  of  history  for  all  uses,  ex- 
tending to  all  countries  and    subjects,   and 
representing   for   both   readers   and  students 
the  better  and  newer  literature  of  history  in 
the  English  language,  with  numerous  histori- 
cal maps  from  original  studies  and  drawings 
by  Alan  C.  Reiley.     In  five  volumes.     Vol.  I. 
A -Elba.     Springfield,  Mass.,  C.  A.  Nichols 
Co.,  1894.     768+32  p.  Q. 
Dear  old  Anthony  a  Wood  in  his  preface  to 
the  history  of  Oxford,  wrote  :  "  A  painful  work 
it  is  I'll  assure   you,  and   more  than  difficult, 
wherein  what  toyle  hath  been  taken,  as  no  man 
thinketh  so  no  man  believeth,  but  he  hath  made 
the    triall."      Such  a    "  toyle "    truly   is    this 
book.  , 

From  the  preface  may  be  quoted  an  outline  of 
its  purpose  and  methods  :  "  This  work  has  two 
aims  :  to  represent  and  exhibit  the  better  litera- 
ture of  history  in  the  English  language,  and  to 
give  it  an  organized  body  —  a  system  —  adapted 
to  the  greatest  convenience  in  any  use,  whether 
for  reference,  or  for  reading,  for  teacher,  student, 
or  casual  inquirer. 

"  The  entire  contents  of  this  work,  with  slight 
exceptions  readily  distinguished,  have  been  care- 
fully culled  from  some  thousands  of  books  — 
embracing  the  whole  range  (in  the  English  lan- 
guage) of  standard  historical  writing,  both  general 
and  special  ;  the  biography,  the  institutional  and 
constitutional  studies,  the  social  investigations, 
the  archaeological  researches,  the  ecclesiastical 
and  religious  discussions,  and  all  the  other  im- 
portant tributaries  to  the  great  and  swelling 
main  stream  of  historical  knowledge.  It  has 
been  culled  as  one  might  pick  choice  fruits,  care- 
ful to  chose  the  perfect  and  the  ripe,  where  such 
are  found,  and  careful  to  keep  their  flavor  unim- 
paired. The  flavor  of  the  Literature  of  history, 
in  its  best  examples,  and  the  ripe  quality  of  its 
latest  and  best  thoughts  are  faithfully  preserved 
in  what  aims  to  be  the  garner  of  a  fair  selection 
from  its  fruits. 

"  History  as  written  by  those  on  one  hand, 
who  have  depicted  its  scenes  most  vividly,  and 
by  those,  on  the  other  hand,  who  have  searched 
its  facts,  weighed  its  evidences,  and  pondered  its 
meanings  most  critically  and  deeply,  is  given  in 
their  own  words.  If  commoner  narratives  are 
sometimes  quoted,  their  use  enters  but  slightly 
into  the  construction  of  the  work.  The  whole 
matter  is  presented  under  an  arrangement  which 
imparts  distinctness  to  its  topics,  while  showing 
them  in  their  sequence  and  in  all  their  large  re- 
lations, both  national  and  international. 

"  For  every  subject,  a  history  more  complete, 
I  think,  in  the  broad  meaning  of  "  History  "  is 
supplied  by  this  mode  than  could  possibly  be  pro- 
duced on  the  plan  of  dry  synopsis  which  is  com- 
mon to  encyclopaedic  works.  It  holds  the  charm 
and  interest  of  many  styles  of  excellence  in  writ- 
ing, and  it  is  read  in  a  clear  light  which  shines 


directly  from  the  pens  that  have  made  history 
luminous  by  their  interpretations. 

"  Behind  the  Literature  of  history,  which  can 
be  called  so  in  the  finer  sense,  lies  a  great  body 
of  the  documents  of  history,  which  are  unat- 
tractive to  the  casual  reader,  but  which  even  he 
must  sometimes  have  an  urgent  wish  to  consult. 
Full  and  carefully  chosen  texts  of  a  large  num- 
ber of  the  most  famous  and  important  of  such 
documents  —  charters,  edicts,  proclamations,  pe- 
titions, covenants,  legislative  acts  and  ordi- 
nances, and  the  constitutions  of  many  countries 
—  have  been  accordingly  introduced  and  are 
easily  to  be  found. 

"  The  arrangement  of  matter  in  the  work  is 
primarily  alphabetical  and  secondarily  chrono- 
logical. The  whole  is  thoroughly  indexed,  and 
the  index  is  incorporated  with  the  body  of  the 
text  in  the  same  alphabetical  and  chronological 
order. 

"Events  which  touch  several  countries  or 
places  are  treated  fully  but  once,  in  the  connec- 
tion which  shows  their  antecedents  and  conse- 
quences best,  and  the  reader  is  guided  to  that 
ampler  discussion  by  references  from  each  cap- 
tion under  which  it  may  be  sought.  Economies 
of  this  character  bring  into  the  compass  of  five 
volumes  a  body  of  history  that  would  need  twice 
the  number,  at  least,  for  equal  fulness  on  the 
monographic  plan  of  encyclopaedic  work." 

The  publisher  in  his  prospectus  states  :  "  The 
editor,  Mr.  J.  N.  Larned,  of  Buffalo,  now  presi- 
dent of  the  American  Library  Association,  had 
for  his  own  use,  long  wanted  such  a  work,  and 
the  inquiries  coming  to  him  as  a  librarian  de- 
termined the  great  undertaking.  He  would  at- 
tempt to  do  for  all  inquirers  in  history  what  a 
public  librarian  does  continually  for  those  who 
consult  him — that  is.  put  before  them  the  best 
writings  needed,  guiding  readers  to  the  great 
literature  of  history,  but  also  bringing  from 
many  new  and  old  books  passages  and  briefer 
quotations  and  arranging  them  in  order  for  read- 
ing and  reference  ;  thus  creating  at  once  an  in- 
dex to  the  historical  literature  in  English,  and 
within  this,  like  a  new  formed  world  within  a 
nebula,  a  representative  library,  complete  as  a 
system  of  history,  arranged  for  reference  and 
reading." 

From  these  two  points  of  view,  the  reader  can 
get  a  fair  notion  of  what  the  book  is  meant  to 
be  ;  how  fully  these  purposes  are  achieved  it  will 
be  difficult  to  say  until  the  work  has  stood  the 
test  of  years.  In  size  and  scope  the  work  is  of 
the  first  importance,  and  it  seems  evident  that 
no  library  which  can  afford  to  buy  the  book  can 
afford  to  be  without  it.  The  labor  which  the 
work  has  involved  cannot  but  excite  admiration, 
especially  from  the  library  standpoint,  when  it 
is  realized  that  it  has  all  been  accomplished  by 
the  busy  librarian  of  an  important  and  success- 
ful library.  The  five  large  octavo  volumes  will 
aggregate  some  4000  pages  of  closely  packed 
and  carefully  arranged  material,  drawn  from 
the  whole  wealth  of  historical  literature. 

It  is  primarily  a  work  of  a  librarian  for  libra- 
rians—  a  combination  of  an  encyclopaedia,  index, 
and  bibliografy.  Of  the  800  pages  of  the  first 


240 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


'94 


volume  30  pages  are  given  to  America,  32  pages 
to  American  aborigines,  39  to  Austria,  34  to 
Christianity,  and  100  to  Constitutions  —  includ- 
ing in  full  or  in  abstract  the  fundamental  docu- 
ments of  important  states  which  have  written 
constitutions  —  practically  a  considerable  work 
in  itself ;  76  pages  are  given  to  Education,  again 
a  treatise  in  itself.  On  the  other  hand,  many 
pages  will  have  from  30  to  40  entries  and  cross- 
references.  As  an  example  of  the  method  gen- 
erally followed,  the  entry  under  Bavaria,  occu- 
pying two  pages,  may  be  cited.  First  is  a  quo- 
tation as  to  the  derivation  of  the  name,  then 
another  as  to  the  ethnology,  then  a  series  of  quo- 
tations dealing  in  chronological  order  with  its 
history,  each  taken  from  a  separate  author,  with 
cross-references  to  entries  touching  Bavaria  un- 
der other  headings.  One  of  the  appendixes 
contains  also  a  bibliografy  of  "  the  better  lit- 
erature of  history "  in  the  more  important 
fields. 

The  subdivision  of  subjects  has  been  carried 
to  great  detail,  e.g.,  in  four  pages  selected  at 
random  there  are  67  keywords,  of  which  but  12 
are  given  in  the  Encyclopaedia  Britannica,  and 
but  14  in  Johnson's  Encyclopaedia.  The  book  is 
supplemented  by  an  Important  series  of  maps, 
planned  with  considerable  ingenuity,  as  in  the 
case  of  the  "  ethnological  map  of  modern  Eu- 
rope," and  in  the  "  development  map  of  Chris- 
tianity," which  maps  are  usefully  supplemented 
by  careful  notes  in  the  appendixes.  There  are 
also  a  series  of  "  logical  outlines"  of  the  histo- 
ries of  individual  countries,  printed  as  separate 
plates  in  a  harlequinade  of  colors,  which  are  not 
pretty,  do  not  always  "  register,"  and  are,  per- 
haps, the  least  valuable  portion  of  Mr.  Larned's 
work.  The  book  is  a  marvel  of  editorial  labor, 
and  the  publishers  have  given  admirable  dress  to 
the  magnum  opus. 


(Economs  anfc  Ijieiorj). 


GENERAL. 

THE  Pennsylvania  Library  Club  has  issued  as 
no.  I  of  its  "  Occasional  papers"  the  address  on 
"  Fiction,"  delivered  by  John  Thomson,  libra- 
rian of  the  Free  Library  of  Philadelphia,  at  the 
Wilkes  Barre  meeting  of  the  club  on  May  17,1 894. 
It  forms  a  neat  eight-page  pamphlet  (O.). 
LOCAL. 

Augusta,  Me.  Lithgow  L.  The  corner-stone 
of  the  Lithgow  Library  building  was  laid  on  the 
afternoon  of  June  14,  with  imposing  Masonic 
ceremonial.  The  building  will  be  two-storied. 
96x40 ;  the  first  floor  will  be  devoted  to  the  li- 
brary and  reading-room,  the  second  to  a  lecture- 
hall.  The  cost  of  building  and  site  will  be 
$40,000. 

Boston  P.  L.  (42d  rpt.)  Added  20,915;  to- 
tal 597,152.  Issued  1,928,192  (Bates  Hall 
296,926).  Registration  for  1 893, 11,029.  Expenses 
$172,534.61. 

The  trustees  make  an  urgent  plea  for  an  in- 
crease in  the  annual  appropriation.  "  The  care- 
ful examination  by  the  committee  of  the  extent 
of  the  work  done  by  the  library,  and  of  its  in- 


creased needs,  has  convinced  them  of  the  ne- 
cessity of  more  money,  if  it  is  proposed  to  keep 
the  library  up  to  the  standard  now  attained  and 
to  extend  its  usefulness.  The  use  and  value  of 
the  library  have  undoubtedly  increased  beyond 
the  greatest  expectations  of  its  founders.  What 
20  years  ago  might  have  been  considered  a  very 
ample  and  generous  allowance  for  the  whole  in- 
stitution is  now  barely  more  than  requisite  to 
keep  the  branches  alone  in  efficient  condition." 

There  is  a  detailed  account  of  the  needs  of  the 
various  branches  ;  one  new  branch  is  recom- 
mended, and  suggestions  as  to  the  administration 
of  those  now  established  are  made. 

During  the  year  the  library  has  received  an 
unusually  large  number  of  gifts.  "  Mrs.  R. 
Anne  Nichols,  of  Roxbury,  has  added  to  the 
Thayer  Library,  given  by  herself  and  her  sisters, 
1435  volumes  of  rare  and  costly  books,  includ- 
ing many  prints.  Mrs.  Benjamin  S.  Shaw  has 
given  585  volumes;  Mr.  Brander  Matthews,  of 
New  York,  482  volumes;  Mr.  Franklin  L.  Pope, 
752  volumes.  The  President  John  Adams  Li- 
brary has  been  transferred  to  the  trustees  by  the 
supervisors  of  the  Adams  Temple  and  School 
Fund  of  Quincy.  Another  notable  gift  is  that  of 
the  Hon.  Mellen  Chamberlain,  of  Chelsea,  who 
has  given  to  the  library  his  very  valuable  collec- 
tion of  autographs  and  historical  manuscripts. 
This  collection  is  undoubtedly  one  of  the  most 
valuable  of  its  kind  in  this  country;  a  special 
room  has  been  assigned  for  it  in  the  new  build- 
ing, to  which  it  will  shortly  be  moved."  An  im- 
portant gift  was  that  of  W:  C.Todd,  of  Atkinson, 
N.  H.,  who  in  July  ''announced  his  intention  of 
giving  $2000  per  year  during  his  life,  to  be  ex- 
pended in  newspapers,  with  a  further  provision 
that  upon  his  death  the  city  should  receive  the 
sum  of  $50,000,  the  annual  income  of  which  is  to 
be  applied  to  the  same  purpose.  Mr.  Todd  has 
notified  the  trustees  that  the  first  instalment  of 
$2000  is  at  their  disposal,  but,  owing  to  the 
cramped  quarters  at  present  occupied,  it  will  be 
impossible  for  them  to  avail  themselves  of  this 
sum  until  the  new  building  is  ready  for  occu- 
pancy." 

Five  pages  of  the  report  are  given  up  to  an  ac- 
count of  the  President  John  Adams  Library. 

The  examining  committee  speak  at  some 
length  of  the  need  of  a  competent  librarian  to 
administer  the  constantly  growing  business  of 
the  library,  They  say:  "Two  qualities  are 
called  for  in  a  librarian  such  as  Boston  needs  — 
a  complete  knowledge  of  books  and  all  that  per- 
tains to  them,  and  a  very  large  executive  ability, 
sufficient  to  control  not  only  the  work  of  one 
central  library,  but  to  see  that  those  most  im- 
portant feeders  of  our  library  system,  the 
branches  and  the  delivery  stations,  not  only  are 
not  neglected,  but  are  encouraged  in  every  pos- 
sible way  in  which  they  may  tend  to  cultivate  a 
taste  for  reading  among  our  citizens.  Few  men 
unite  in  themselves  these  two  qualifications,  and 
yet  such  men  have  been  found  for  other  libraries, 
and,  no  doubt,  the  trustees  will,  by  careful 
search,  be  able  to  find  such  a  man  for  Boston; 
one  who  will  bring  with  him  a  judgment  ripened 
by  experience,  tactful  and  broad-minded." 

The  committee  regret  the  economy  in  purchase 


July,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


241 


of  books,  necessitated  by  lack  of  funds,  and  ask: 
"  Is  it  not  best  to  consider  the  greatest  good 
of  the  greatest  number  and  sacrifice  abstruse 
and  curious  books  rather  than  the  best  works  of 
fiction,  travel  and  American  history,  so  much 
needed  in  the  outlying  libraries  ?  " 

The  new  library  building  is  so  near  completion 
that  there  is  a  hope  that  the  dedication  can  take 
place  on  September  17.  The  patent  library, 
periodical,  and  catalog  rooms,  receiving  and 
ordering  rooms,  office-room,  librarian's  room, 
trustees'  room  and  ante-room,  newspaper  read- 
ing-rooms and  special  libraries  on  the  top  floor 
are  all  practically  ready  for  occupancy.  The 
pneumatic  tubes  are  in  place  in  the  central  sta- 
tion, near  the  delivery-room,  and  the  electric 
work  all  over  the  building  has  been  finished. 

Boston,  Mass.  THE  NEW  LIBRARY  (in  Boston 
Herald,  June  17.)  il.  5  col. 

An  interesting  account  of  the  decorations  and 
most  striking  features  of  the  new  public  library 
building  in  Copley  Square.  There  are  five  excel- 
lent cuts  of  portions  of  the  interior. 

Bridgeport  (Ct.')  P.  L.  The  famous  Sella  col- 
lection of  Alpine  photographs  has  been  secured 
for  exhibition  in  the  public  art  gallery  connected 
with  the  library.  This  collection  has  been  on 
exhibition  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  and  other 
cities,  and  is  said  to  be  the  finest  series  of  photo- 
graphic mountain  views  in  existence.  It  will  be 
on  exhibition  early  in  September. 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Pratt  Institute  F,  L.  A 
party  of  members  of  the  library  staff  and  of 
the  class  in  library  training  visited  Albany, 
June  7-9,  by  invitation  of  the  New  York  State 
Library  School.  The  program  for  June  7  in- 
cluded a  day  on  the  Hudson  River  steamboat,  an 
evening  visit  to  the  State  Library,  and  an  hour 
or  so  in  the  Assembly  Chamber,  listening  to  the 
addresses  of  women  before  the  Suffrage  Com- 
mittee of  the  Constitutional  Convention.  On 
Friday,  June  8,  a  reading  seminar,  conducted  by 
Miss  M.  S.  Cutler,  at  the  Library  School,  began 
the  day,  and  later  the  Constitutional  Convention, 
then  in  session,  was  briefly  visited.  A  practical 
talk  from  Mr.  Melvil  Dewey  followed.  In  the 
afternoon  the  State  Library  and  the  other  de- 
partments of  the  Capitol  were  inspected.  The 
Y.  W.  C.  A.  Library,  the  Y.  M.  A.  Library, 
Ail  Saints' Cathedral,  and  the  park  were  visited, 
and  the  party  were  delightfully  entertained  by 
Miss  Cutler  at  her  residence.  In  the  evening  a 
reception  was  given  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Melvil 
Dewey  at  their  home,  and  on  Friday  morning 
the  party  bade  good-by  to  their  kind  escorts 
on  the  wharf  of  the  steamboat,  and  started  on 
their  homeward  way.  The  trip  was  thoroughly 
delightful,  and  was  enjoyed  by  every  one. 

Brooklyn,  N,  Y.  Union  for  Christian  Work 
F.  Lending  L.  Added  3650;  total  26,616. 

The  increase  of  the  number  of  books  issued, 
for  home  use,  is  gratifying.  In  1892  the  circu- 
lation was  131,408  v.;  in  1893  it  was  149,674,  an 
increase  of  over  18,000.  The  largest  number 
issued  in  one  day  was  1078,  the  smallest  163; 
daily  average  492  •£&.  In  January,  1893,  $5000 
was  received  from  the  City  Treasury,  which  paid 


for  many  of  the  books,  cataloging,  and  other 
expenses,  including  a  large  portion  of  the 
salaries. 

"  The  library  has  recently  sustained  a  great 
loss  in  the  death  of  Dr.  Robert  Foster,  who  was 
for  almost  20  years  its  president.  Ardent,  un- 
tiring, and  enthusiastic  in  his  work,  he  believed 
in  free  libraries,  and  it  was  mainly  through  his 
efforts  that  the  free  lending  library  of  this  in- 
stitution was  opened  12  years  ago.  His  interest 
never  flagged,  and  he  was  always  willing  to  give 
it  his  attention,  no  matter  how  busy  he  might  be 
with  other  things." 

Bu/alo  (N.  Y.)  L.  (s8th  rpt.)  Added  3047; 
total  73,280;  issued,  home  use  118,931  (fict. 
60.89$);  lib.  use  31,556;  total  membership  2774. 
Receipts  $17,915.39;  expenses  $17,190.03. 

The  library  committee  state  that  the  increase 
in  the  circulation  of  books  for  the  past  year  — 
4000  volumes  —  equals  the  total  increase  for  the 
four  years,  1888  to  1891  inclusive.  Membership 
cards  are  issued  annually  to  900  school  children, 
and  the  free  reference  use  of  the  library  is  con- 
stantly increasing.  An  excellent  collection  of 
books  relating  to  science,  mechanics,  and  indus- 
trial arts  was  added  to  the  library  by  Mr.  J.  J. 
Albright,  filling  out  this  department,  which  had 
been  decidedly  weak.  Financially  the  library  is 
not  yet  in  an  entirely  prosperous  condition.  Its 
revenue  of  about  $57,000  from  rentals,  etc.,  is 
eaten  up  by  an  annual  interest  charge  of  $40,000 
and  salaries,  repairs,  etc.,  of  $12,490.03,  really 
creating  a  deficiency. 

Butte  (Mont.}  P.  L.  Total  15,485;  issued,  home 
use  6358  (fict.  71.2  #);  lib.  use  7552;  no.  card- 
holders 1256. 

The  library  was  opened  to  the  public  on  Feb. 
7,  so  that  the  statistics  show  only  two  months  of 
use.  Of  the  total  number  of  books  in  the 
library  13,419  were  purchased  at  a  cost  of  $17,- 
533-03- 

Canton  (0.)  P.  L.  Arrangements  are  being 
made  for  the  removal  of  the  library  to  new 
quarters  in  the  Odd  Fellows'  Temple,  now  build- 
ing. It  is  proposed  that  the  board  of  education 
unite  with  the  library  board  in  forming  a  collec- 
tion of  books  for  school  use,  the  books  to  be  fur- 
nished by  the  board  of  education,  to  be  kept  in 
repair  by  the  board,  and  to  remain  exclusively 
its  property;  the  board  of  education  also  to  fur- 
nish $500  annually  toward  the  running  expenses 
of  the  library.  Three  members  of  the  board  of 
education  are  to  be  elected  and  form  part  of  the 
library  board,  and  all  expenses  of  caring  for  and 
handling  the  public  school  collection  are  to  be 
defrayed  by  the  library  association. 

Cedar  Rapids,  la.  Iowa  Masonic  L.  (Rpt.) 
This  report,  by  Grand  Librarian  T.  S.  Parvin, 
is  a  chatty  narrative  of  the  development  of  the 
library  and  its  various  departments  rather  than 
a  statistical  report. 

A  department  of  general  reference  woiks  was 
introduced  last  year  and  has  proved  very  useful. 
Mr.  Parvin  says:  "We  buy  only  'Masonic' 
books,  old  or  new,  good,  bad,  or  indifferent; 
books  on  '  kindred  subjects,'  or  quasi  Masonic, 
as  works  on  religions,  of  all  ages  and  countries, 
for  '  Masonry  '  is  a  '  religion,'  all  assertions  of 


242 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


'94 


ignorant  teachers  and  writers  to  the  contrary; 
mythologiesof  the  ancient  and  mediaeval  nations; 
books  on  art,  ancient,  mediaeval,  and  modern; 
architecture,  including  the  old  temples,  abbeys, 
cathedrals  of  the  old  world;  archaeological  works 
and  works  relating  to  the  oriental  lands,  their 
faiths,  with  others  kindred  to  the  foregoing. 
We  purchase  also  all  old  and  new  works  by 
Iowa  authors  which  cannot  be  procured  by  gift 
from  authors,  publishers,  or  friends.  During  the 
year  the  autograph  letter  department  has  received 
constant  accessions  of  letters  of  Masonic  and 
public  men  the  world  over,  with  some  manu- 
scripts of  leading  writers. 

"  Appended  to  the  report  is  a  catalog  of  the 
books  in  the  reference  library;  a  catalog  of  the 
1893  addition  to  the  Iowa  department;  and  a 
4  Supplemental  catalog,  No.  i,  1894,"  giving  the 
additions  made  during  the  year  to  the  general 
library." 

Chicago,  Newberry  L.  The  Dr.  Nicholas  Senn 
collection  of  medical  works  has  been  transferred 
from  Milwaukee,  where  the  books  have  been 
stored  since  shipment  from  Europe,  to  the 
Newberry  Library,  where  their  arrangement  on 
the  shelves  is  nearly  completed.  Dr.  Senn's 
gift,  known  to  the  medical  world  as  "  the  Senn 
collection,"  comprises  10,000  volumes,  and  rep- 
resents the  united  labors  of  Prof.  Baum,  the 
German  scientist,  and  Dr.  Senn.  Prof.  Baum 
died  in  1886,  and  Dr.  Senn  purchased  his  valu- 
able works.  The  collection  fills  10  long  double 
cases  at  the  front  of  the  medical  department  of 
the  library.  There  are  several  notable  sets 
contained  in  the  collection,  and  thousands  of 
single  volumes  and  pamphlets.  Many  of  the 
books  are  of  great  age  and  rarity. 

Cincinnati  (O.)  Hospital  L.  (Rpt.)  Added 
1032;  total  8876;  ref.  use  3225;  names  registered 
1243. 

The  librarian  suggests  "that  no  more  money 
be  expended  in  the  purchase  of  the  ordinary 
text-books,  books  which  can  readily  be  procured 
by  practitioners  if  they  wish  them,  or  which  are 
likely  to  be  required  only  by  students  who  ought 
to  have  them  in  permanency.  The  library  is  for 
the  benefit  of  those  who  have  passed  beyond  the 
text-book  period  of  professional  study,  and  its 
funds  should  be  expended  for  their  benefit." 

Cincinnati,  O.  Law  L.  Added  572;  total 
16.945. 

Ten  years  ago  last  March  the  library  was 
destroyed  in  the  burning  of  the  Court-house. 
Since  then  the  association  has  raised  and  ex- 
pended for  all  purposes  $78,936.29,  of  which 
$58,215.92,  were  for  books  and  $20,720.37  for 
running  and  other  expenses. 

Decatnr  (///.)  P.  L.  Added  1174;  total  12,889; 
issued  80,883  (fict.  50  %;  juv.  36  %). 

There  were  142,563  visitors  to  both  reading- 
room  and  library.  The  daily  average  of  visitors 
to  the  reading-room  was  207. 

Everett,  Mais.  The  committee  on  finance  of 
the  city  council  has  recommended  that  the  offer 
of  the  late  Solomon  Shute  in  regard  to  a  piece  of 
land  for  a  free  library  in  the  Glendale  dis- 
trict be  accepted  and  that  a  building  be  erected 


the  cost  of  which  shall  not  exceed  $10,000,  to  be 
completed  before  July  i,  1895. 

Kansas  City  (Mo.)  P.  L.  The  $200,000  worth 
of  bonds  voted  recently  by  the  school  district  for 
the  erection  of  a  new  public  library  building 
were  sold  on  June  8.  Preliminary  arrange- 
ments have  already  been  made  for  the  selection 
of  a  site. 

New  York.  Maimonides  L.  Added  1343; 
total  41,528.  Issued,  home  use  35,698  (fict.  47  %); 
ref.  use  18,187.  Total  no.  readers  36,421;  no. 
cardholders  5703. 

Of  the  English  books  circulated  only  31  %  were 
works  of  fiction.  Max  Cohen,  for  10  years  libra- 
rian, resigned  his  position  in  November,  1893, 
to  enter  the  profession  of  law.  The  administra- 
tion of  the  library  is  now  carried  on  by  Miss 
Josephine  Bacharach  and  Miss  Martha  Stern- 
berg.  Six  tables  are  appended  showing  the 
number  of  times  various  volumes  of  fiction  or 
special  classes  of  books  have  circulated  during 
the  year. 

New  York  Society  L.  The  circulation  of  books 
for  the  year  was  27,005  volumes,  being  several 
thousand  more  than  the  preceding  year.  The 
number  of  visitors  to  the  library  was  nearly 
20,000,  of  whom  two-thirds  were  ladies.  There 
was  an  increase  in  the  visitors  to  the  "  Green 
alcove  "  over  the  preceding  year  and  in  the  23 
working  days  of  February  there  were  106  visi- 
tors, of  whom  54  were  artists  or  art  students  ;  a 
larger  income  for  this  department  of  the  library 
is  needed.  The  receipts  for  the  year  were 
$13,850.26  and  the  expenses  $12,032.36. 

New  York  Y.  M.  C.  A.  L.  A  building  site 
for  a  new  branch  of  the  Association  was 
purchased  in  May.  It  consists  of  six  lots  fronting 
75  feet  on  s6th  and  57th  streets,  running  200  feet 
through  the  block,  the  plot  being  situated  200  feet 
west  of  8th  avenue,  and  cost  $165,000. 

The  building  contracts  will  proably  be  placed 
within  10  or  12  months.  It  is  likely  that  the 
Association  library  will  be  removed  to  fireproof 
quarters  in  the  new  building,  when  completed. 

North  Attleborough,R.  I.  The  corner-stone  of 
the  Richards  Memorial  Library  building  was  laid 
with  imposing  Masonic  ceremonies  on  the  after- 
noon of  June  16.  The  building  will  be  a  one- 
story  structure,  divided  into  main  hall,  reading- 
room  and  book-room.  It  is  built  of  red  brick, 
with  terra  cotta  trimmings.  A  tilted  porch, 
supported  by  four  terra  cotta  columns,  stands 
before  the  entrance.  A  vestibule  with  mosaic 
marble  floor  and  oak  wainscoting  leads  to  the 
main  hall  or  delivery  room,  nearly  25  feet  square. 
A  librarian's  circular  desk  encloses  the  right- 
hand  cor'ner,  while  an  alcove  in  an  opposite  cor- 
ner, with  windows  looking  on  the  porch,  is 
occupied  by  a  wide  seat.  On  the  right  of  the 
main  hall,  with  entrance  from  behind  the  desk,  is 
the  book-room,  30x20, lighted  from  15  windows. 
Leading  from  the  book-room  is  a  librarian's  room, 
II  x  16,  with  tiled  fireplace  ;  adjoining,  and  di- 
rectly connected  with  the  main  hall,  is  a  lavatory, 
with  all  toilet  facilities.  Opening  from  the  left 
of  the  main  hall  is  a  pleasant,  well-lighted  read- 
ing-room, 25  x  30,  with  a  large  fireplace  on  the 


»  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


*43 


south  side,  beautified  by  tiling,  panels  and  carved 
pilasters. 

North  Sdtuate  (Mass.)  L.  A.  The  new  Pierce 
Memorial  Library  building  was  dedicated  on  the 
afternoon  of  May  26.  The  exercises  comprised 
music  and  addresses.  The  memorial  address 
was  by  Rev.  Dillon  Bronson.of  Newtown.  The 
land  upon  which  the  building  is  erected  contains 
one-half  acre,  and  was  the  gift  of  Joseph  T. 
Bailey,  of  Boston.  The  grounds  are  artistically 
laid  out.  The  building  is  20  x  50  feet.  An  oak 
mantel  surmounts  the  fireplace  in  the  principal 
room,  in  which  is  set  a  brass  memorial  tablet. 
On  the  walls  of  the  interior  hang  portraits  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Silas  Pierce,  a  gift  frcm  the  associ- 
ation. The  furniture  is  also  a  gift  from  Mr. 
Pierce,  by  whom  the  building  was  erected  as  a 
memorial  to  his  wife.  The  library  contains  800 
volumes.  Miss  Mary  Doyle  is  librarian. 

Ottawa  (III.)  Reddick  L.  Total  7712  ;  issued 
27,723.  Number  of  visitors  to  library  32,222. 
Receipts  $7434.49;  expenses  $6184.23. 

Philadelphia  F.  L.  A  second  exhibit  of  rare 
and  valuable  books,  illustrating  the  early  ex- 
amples of  printing,  was  opened  for  public  view 
on  June  28.  The  collection  is  chiefly  from  the 
large  and  valuable  library  of  R.  H.  Bayard 
Bowie.  The  volumes  are  displayed  under  glass 
cases  and  include  the  celebrated  1635  edition  of 
Csesar,  the  Virgil  of  1636,  and  a  rare  edition  of 
the  Imitation  of  Christ;  there  is  also  a  copy  of 
Martial,  published  in  1522,  from  the  library  of 
David  Garrick,  two  copies  of  the  second  volume  of 
Pine's  celebrated  edition  of  Horace,  1518  editions 
of  Aesop  and  Agapetus,  and  a  volume  bearing 
the  signature  of  Fredrick  the  Great  when  he  was 
Prince  of  Prussia. 

Portland  {Ore.}  L.  A.  The  decision  in  regard 
to  Sunday  opening  finally  reached  by  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  library  is  as  follows  :  "  If  100 
persons,  who  have  never  been  members  of  the 
Library  Association  and  whose  wish  it  is  that  the 
reading-rooms  shall  be  kept  open  some  part  of 
the  day  on  Sunday,  will  become  annual  mem- 
bers, their  desire  will  be  granted."  The  present 
income  of  the  association  will  not  warrant  the 
extra  Sunday  service. 

St.  Louis  (Mo.)  F.  P.  L.  The  first  book  issued 
by  the  St.  Louis  Public  (Free)  Library  was  given 
out  on  the  morning  of  June  I.  Up  to  the  time 
of  opening  as  a  free  library  3000  applications 
for  membership  were  received  and  1500  member- 
ship cards  were  ready  for  applicants  on  the  day 
of  opening.  Two  assistants  have  recently  been 
added  to  the  library  force,  Miss  Julia  Krug  and 
Miss  Sylvia  M.  Allen.  They  received  the 
highest  percentages  in  the  competitive  examina- 
tions held  for  the  position.  Eleven  candidates 
applied  for  the  examinations,  but  only  six  pre- 
sented themselves  on  the  day  appointed,  and  ol 
this  number  two  dropped  out  later.  The 
library  has  issued  a  small  handbook  for  the  use 
of  readers,  containing  the  rules  and  regulations 
of  the  library,  the  ordinance  regarding  mutila- 
tion of  books,  and  a  helpful  "  readers'  guide,' 
explaining  the  details  of  registration,  how  to  get 


books  for  home  use,  the  juvenile  department, 
low  to  use  the  card  catalog,  and  giving  a  list  of 
the  printed  catalogs  and  class  lists  available  for 
readers. 

Somerville  (Mass.}  P.  L.  (2ist,  rpt.)  Added 
1777  ;  total  22,606.  Issued,  home  use  93,213  ; 
no  record  of  ref.  use  is  kept.  Receipts  $9514.70; 
expenses  $9491.34. 

The  printed  list  of  books  available  to  the  pub- 
lic is  contained  in  the  catalog  of  1888  and  in  the 
supplements  of  1889  and  1892.  These  three 
lists  include  all  books  in  the  library  bought  be- 
fore November  1,1891.  The  list  of  additions 
since  then,  some  3600  v.,  has  never  been  printed. 
The  librarian  recommends  that  these  be  issued 
in  monthly  bulletins  and  that  the  public  card 
catalog  be  discontinued  until  one  can  be  prepared 
with  subject,  title,  author,  and  cross  references, 
as  the  one  now  in  use  is  by  title  solely.  He  also 
urges  the  complete  reorganization  of  the  library, 
the  reclassification  and  renumbering  of  all  the 
books,  and  the  addition  of  at  least  1200  feet 
more  shelving  in  the  stock-room  alone.  Provi- 
sion should  be  made  for  not  less  than  60,000 
volumes.  The  trustees  have  already  asked  the 
city  council  to  appropriate  $6,000  for  a  new 
stack. 

"  The  Perkins  Institution  for  the  Blind  has 
given  from  the  Howe  Memorial  Printing  Fund, 
81  volumes  in  embossed  type  for  the  use  of  the 
blind,  covering  the  field  of  general  literature, 
and  including  juveniles,  poetry,  biography, 
history,  religion,  essays,  text-books,  and  fiction. 
While  the  number  of  persons  needing  these 
books  is  few,  the  pleasure  and  profit  those  few 
derive  from  them  make  the  gift  of  immeasur- 
able value.  This  library  is  the  first  public 
library  in  the  state  to  place  books  in  embossed 
type  on  its  shelves." 

Uxbridge,  Mass.  Thayer  Memorial  L.  The 
Thayer  Memorial  Library  building  was  dedicated 
on  June  20,  with  appropriate  ceremonies  in  the 
town  hall.  The  service  was  opened  with  prayer 
by  Rev.  C.  A.  Roys.  After  an  overture  by  the 
orchestra,  Edward  C.  Thayer  presented  the 
building  to  the  town,  giving  also  a  check  foe 
$5000  with  which  to  buy  books.  W.  E.  Rawe 
son,  chairman  of  the  selectmen,  accepted  th  - 
gift  in  behalf  of  the  town.  The  address  of  th' 
day  was  then  delivered  by  Judge  A.  A.  Putnam* 
who  was  followed  with  brief  speeches  by  Col- 
Daniel  Hubbard,  Hon.  J:  R.  Thayer,  of  Wor- 
cester, Ex-Gov.  Taft,  of  Rhode  Island,  and 
others.  The  library  was  then  thrown  open  for 
inspection.  In  the  evening  a  promenade  con- 
cert was  given  in  the  new  building. 

The  site  for  the  building  was  purchased  by  Mr. 
Thayer  in  January,  1893,  and  work  was  at  once 
begun.  The  structure,  which  has  cost  about 
$30,000,  is  of  modified  English  architecture, 
78^x70,  and  i^  stories  high,  with  large  gables 
at  the  front  and  ends.  The  basement  is  of  pink 
Milford  granite,  including  the  front  steps  and 
buttresses.  The  superstructure  is  of  Roman 
red  brick,  with  buff  Indiana  limestone  trimmings. 
The  roof  is  of  black  slate.  The  front  end 
gables  and  the  dormer  windows  are  trimmed 


244 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[July,  '94 


with  stone  copings,  terminating  in  carved  lime- 
stone finials. 

The  entrance  is  through  a  carved  and  moulded 
limestone  elliptical  arch,  and  directly  above  is  a 
stone  tablet,  inscribed  "  Thayer  Memorial  Li- 
brary Building."  To  the  left  of  the  entrance 
s  the  octagonal  tower,  40  feet  high,  enclosing 
the  stairs  to  the  second  story,  which  is  finished 
at  the  top  with  a  castellated  parapet  wall. 
The  vestibule  is  finished  with  brick,  with  a 
tiled  floor  and  a  panelled  oak  ceiling.  On 
either  side  will  be  bronze  memorial  tablets  bear- 
ing the  names  of  the  parents  of  the  donor,  In 
memory  of  whom  the  library  was  erected. 

From  the  vestibule  one  enters  the  waiting- 
room,  16x20  feet.  To  the  right  of  the  waiting- 
room  is  the  reading  room,  24x29  feet,  with  an 
alcove  fireplace  of  brick.  Opening  from  read- 
ing-room is  the  reference-room,  lox  13,  and  the 
trustees'  room,  18x22.  In  the  rear  of  the 
trustees'  room  is  the  librarian's  room,  9x12. 
Directly  at  the  rear  of  the  waiting-room  and  op- 
posite the  front  entrance  is  the  book  room,  27 x 
40  feet,  with  shelves  to  accommodate  18,000 
volumes.  The  walls  of  the  book-room  are  car- 
ried high  enough  to  allow  a  book-gallery  ac- 
commodating 12,000  more  volumes  to  be  built  if 
needed.  The  waiting-room  and  book-room  are 
separated  by  a  counter  with  a  glass  partition, 
with  openings  for  the  delivery  of  books. 

The  waiting,  trustee,  and  reading-rooms  are 
finished  in  red  birch  floors  and  quartered  oak 
panelled  dadoes,  four  feet  high.  The  rest  of  the 
first  story  is  finished  in  brown  ash,  with  birch 
floors. 

To  the  left  of  the  entrance  and  leading  from 
the  waiting-room  is  the  staircase  tower  to  the 
second  story.  This  story  has  a  staircase  hall, 
15x16  feet.  It  contains  a  lecture  hall,  24  x  42  ; 
record-room,  18  x  20,  and  an  ante-room,  12x15. 
The  second  story  is  finished  in  white  pine,  and 
the  building  is  heated  throughout  by  steam. 

Washington,  D.  C.  The  House  District  Com- 
mittee gave  a  hearing  on  June  6  to  the  library 
committee  of  the  board  of  trade  in  behalf  of  the 
measure  to  establish  a  free  public  library  in 
Washington.  The  committee  was  addressed  by 
Theo.  W.  Noyes,  chairman  of  the  board  of  trade 
committee,  and  by  A.  R.  Spofford,  Librarian  of 
Congress,  both  of  whom  warmly  advocated  the 
passage  of  the  bill.  The  measure  was  referred 
to  Mr.  Spofford  for  a  report  and  suggestions  in 
the  form  of  amendments. 

Washington,  D.  C.  THE  NATION'S  NEW  LI- 
BRARY AT  WASHINGTON  (in  Review  of  Reviews, 
June,  1894),  4  p.  il. 

An  account  of  the  development  of  the  Con- 
gressional Library  and  of  its  new  buildings;  there 
is  a  portrait  of  Mr.  Spofford  and  several  illus- 
trations. 

Watertown  (Mass.)  F,P.L.  (26th  rpt.)  Added 
722,  total  22,233.  Issued  home  use  27,909  (fict. 
49.27^),  lib.  use  7128  (a  very  inadequate  esti- 
mate). Receipts  $4278.49,  expenses  $4262.57. 

The  tables  of  statistics  appended  show  that 
"  while  the  numbers  of  books  used  in  the  library 
have  gradually  increased,  say  for  the  past  ten 
years,  the  number  of  books  taken  home  has  grad- 


ually and  quite  regularly  decreased  for  the  past 
six  years,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  our  .population 
has  increased,  and  increased  in  that  portion  that 
reads  good  books."  Librarian  Whitney  offers 
two  explanations  of  this  fact:  first,  that  the 
library  "  has  felt  the  effects  of  the  rapid  cheap- 
ening of  the  cost  of  popular  books,  many  of 
which  are  sold  in  dry  goods  stores  for  a  small 
part  of  the  cost  of  those  on  our  shelves.  While 
the  quality  of  print  and  paper  are  not  to  be 
praised,  they  are  good  enough  for  a  single  read- 
ing, which  is  all  many  people  care  for."  Sec- 
ond, the  diminishing  number  of  books  on  the 
library  shelves,  owing  to  constant  usage  of  pop- 
ular books  which  have  not  been  replaced.  This 
explains  the  low  percentage  of  fiction,  as  the 
library  contains  very  little  popular  light  reading, 
most  of  the  volumes  having  been  worn  out  and 
discarded;  what  there  is  "seldom  remains  many 
minutes  on  the  shelves,  their  numbers  are  on  a 
large  proportion  of  the  cards,  whose  holders 
wonder  they  can  never  get  them.  Among  the 
juveniles,  Alger  and  Kellogg,  and  Trowbridge, 
whose  books  are  in  the  catalog,  are  largely 
represented  in  the  list  of  worn  out  and 
not  replaced  books.  We  have  only  one  of 
Henty's;  few  or  none  of  several  popular  writ- 
ers for  boys."  The  increased  reference  use  is 
largely  the  result  of  more  close  connection  with 
the  schools. 

The  librarian  recommends  that  borrowers  be 
allowed  to  draw  two  books  at  once,  provided 
but  one  is  a  work  of  fiction.  He  also  advocates 
the  establishment  of  branch  deliveries  —  two  at 
least. 

The  "  I2th  supplement  to  catalog  of  1891," 
containing  most  of  the  accessions  of  1893,  is 
appended  to  the  report;  it  covers  28  pages. 

Wilkes-Barrd,  Pa.  Osterhout  F.  L.  (5th  rpt.) 
Added  1981;  total  19,054;  issued,  home  use 
60.967  (fict.  67.9$);  lost  5;  lost  and  paid  for 
8.  New  borrowers  registered  6718.  There  are 
no  statistics  of  reference  use. 

"In  January  a  '  Teacher's  catalog  of  books 
suitable  for  primary  and  grammar  schools  '  was 
printed  in  the  Library  News-Letter,  and  after- 
terwards  in  pamphlet  form,  and  distributed 
through  all  the  schools.  A  supplementary  list 
was  printed  in  October,  and  by  means  of  these 
lists,  added  to  an  increasing  interest  on  the  part 
of  the  teachers,  7968  volumes  were  loaned  to  the 
schools  during  the  year.  The  testimony  of  the 
teachers  as  to  the  value  of  these  books  in  quick- 
ening the  minds  of  the  children,  and  thereby 
making  them  more  teachable,  is  unanimous. 
Those  children  who  had  used  the  library  books 
in  1892  showed  a  much  greater  intelligence  and 
appreciation  of  their  studies  than  before.  The 
number  of  books  allowed  to  teachers  has  been 
increased  according  to  their  wants,  some  using 
40  volumes  at  a  time."  It  is  suggested  that  an 
effort  be  made  to  interest  teachers  in  the  distri- 
bution of  library  books  to  others  than  children 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  schools,  a  deposit  of 
perhaps  50  volumes  to  be  made  at  the  school  and 
loaned  at  the  teacher's  discretion,  the  collection 
to  be  changed  for  another  every  three  months. 

"  The  reason  this  particular  method  is  urged, 


,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


245 


is,  that  so  many  of  the  less  intelligent  people 
have  no  idea  of  ever  coming  to  the  library,  and 
would  not  know  what  to  choose  if  they  did 
come.  This  would  pave  the  way  for  them,  and 
would  give  them  a  taste  for  good  books  which 
they  could  get  in  no  other  way.  Another  gen- 
eration, educated  in  the  schools  to  the  best  use 
of  books,  will  come  to  the  library  as  naturally 
as  it  now  goes  to  the  shops  for  food  ;  but  in 
this  generation,  composed  of  those  who  have 
never  had  any  books  to  read,  we  must,  if  pos- 
sible, create  a  hunger  for  them,  and  then  satisfy 
their  needs." 

Miss  James  calls  attention  to  the  lack  of  full 
sets  of  magazines.  "  The  constant  call  for  back 
volumes  caused  by  the  use  of  Poole's  and  Fletch- 
er's indexes  frequently  cannot  be  adequately  met, 
and  a  systematic  plan  to  supply  that  need  should 
be  made."  She  urges  that  $300  be  appropriated 
each  year  for  the  purpose  of  completing  the 
periodical  department,  until  the  needs  in  this 
direction  are  more  fully  supplied. 

FOREIGN, 

Batter  sea  (Eng.)  P.  Ls.  (7th  rpt.)  Added 
1431;  total  32,981  (ref.  dept.  9242).  Issued  289,- 
240  (ref.  22,756).  No.  borrowers  10,566.  Re- 
ceipts ^3650  6s.  iod.;  expenses  .£2644  i6s.  7d. 

Chelsea  (Eng.)  P.  Ls.  According  to  the  last 
(seventh)  annual  report  there  was  a  considerable 
increase  in  the  demand  for  books  last  year. 
Over  270,000  volumes  were  issued,  being  an  in- 
crease of  12,000  over  the  number  for  the  pre- 
vious year.  On  May  24  last  a  record  of  one 
day's  work  at  the  cental  library  was  taken. 
The  number  of  visitors  to  the  reading-room 
alone  was  noi  ;  during  the  day  586  volumes 
were  issued,  of  which  369  are  classified  as  prose 
fiction.  The  novelists  who  are  most  popular  in 
Chelsea  are  Mrs.  Henry  Wood,  Miss  Braddon, 
and  Dickens,  while  Charles  Readeand  Dinah  M. 
Craik  are  equal. 

Croydon  (Eng.}  Ls.  ($th  rpt.)  Added  1381;  to- 
tal 25,795.  Issued  256,771  (fict.  84  84  #);  borrow- 
ers registered  7841.  Receipts  ^3417  155.  gd.; 
expenses  ^"2128  175.  id. 

Halifax  (N.  S.)  Citizens'  L.  Added  231 ;  total 
not  given.  Issued,  home  use  30,763  ;  lib.  use 
1565;  membership  599. 

No  catalog  having  been  issued  for  20  years 
the  library  committee  engaged  Mr.  H.  Piers  for 
the  preparation  of  a  new  and  complete  catalog. 
This  is  now  in  press,  and  will  soon  be  published; 
it  is  will  be  sold  at  250.  per  copy.  The  library 
was  closed  from  Dec.  22  to  Feb.  19,  1894,  to 
facilitate  the  cataloging.  The  greater  portion  of 
the  library  appropriation  for  purchase  of  books 
was  expended  for  works  dealing  with  the  history 
and  resources  of  the  various  provinces  of  Can- 
ada. 

Hamilton  (Ont.)  P.  L.  (sth  rpt.)  Added  1631; 
total  19,823.  Issued,  home  use  128,692  (fict. 
37-5  #);  total  issue  204,324.  Total  no.  cardhold- 
ers 9779. 

During  the  year  several  "  special  lists "  of 
books  were  prepared.  They  included  the  "  Dante 
literature  "  of  the  library,  "  Columbus  litera- 


ture," "  The  war  of  1812."  Lists  of  books  in  the 
natural  science  department,  embracing  geology, 
physics,  zoology,  etc.,  were  prepared  for  the 
meetings  of  the  Hamilton  Association,  and  a 
lengthy  list  of  books  on  machinery,  applied  elec- 
tricity, and  the  various  mechanical  trades  and 
occupations,  was  prepared  and  sent  to  the  Trades 
and  Labor  Council  for  the  use  of  the  members 
of  the  various  affiliated  trades  and  organizations. 
To  these  lists  a  note  was  appended,  extending  a 
cordial  invitation  to  the  members  to  freely  avail 
themselves  of  the  privileges  of  the  library  and 
reading  rooms. 

The  librarian  says  :  "  No  books  in  the  li- 
brary are  more  constantly  read,  and  certainly 
none  more  carefully  studied,  than  those  on  ap- 
plied electricity.  In  fiction,  the  most  popular 
modern  authors  are  Rosa  Carey,  Clark  Russell, 
Annie  Swan,  Emma  Worboise,  Conan  Doyle, 
Amanda  Douglas,  Ralph  Boldrewood,  Edna 
Lyall,  the  Balzac  series,  and  Mrs.  Wister's 
translations  from  the  German.  Among  the 
books  for  young  people,  Henty's  historical 
stories  easily  hold  first  place." 

Norwich  (Eng.)  F.  L.  (rpt.)  Added  1435; 
total  30, 124  (lending  1.  15,711).  Issued  86,335 
(fict.  79.53  %);  total  no.  borrowers  4049. 

The  first  stone  of  the  library  building  was 
laid  on  Sept.  13,  1854;  it  was  opened  on  March 
16,  1857.  In  the  present  report  there  is  given 
a  brief  review  of  "a  few  of  the  facts  connected 
with  its  history  and  progress."  The  present  li- 
brarian was  appointed  in  June,  1877,  when  the 
library  contained  3500  books  in  the  lending  de- 
partment, and  almost  none  in  the  reference  de- 
partment. The  fines  collected  from  borrowers 
have  since  1880  been  devoted  to  the  collection 
of  books  and  pamphlets  of  local  Interest ;  an 
annual  income  of  about  £60  is  obtained  in  this 
way  and  the  local  collection  now  numbers  2646 
volumes,  3462  pamphlets,  and  numerous  engrav- 
ings, maps,  etc. 

The  reference  department,  including  the  lo- 
cal collection,  contains  10,520  volumes  and  5367 
pamphlets,  and  has  quite  outgrown  the  space 
allotted  to  it.  The  books  are  distributed  in  vari- 
ous rooms;  they  are  not  cataloged,  and  the  public 
is  practically  unacquainted  with  the  valuable  con- 
tents of  this  branch  of  the  library.  When  books 
in  this  department  are  required  it  is  a  severe  tax 
on  the  time,  intelligence,  and  memory  of  the 
staff  to  find  their  location,  and  a  hindrance  also 
to  the  development  and  usefulness  of  the  insti- 
tution. It  is  therefore  of  pressing  importance 
that  a  systematic  arrangement,  numbering,  and 
cataloging  of  these  books  should  be  provided  for 
with  the  least  possible  delay. 

In  fact,  the  library  is  badly  cramped  for  room 
in  all  directions,  and  adequate  extension  and 
provision  for  future  expansion  is  seriously 
needed. 

A  juvenile  department  for  supplying  elemen- 
tary schools  with  books  for  home  reading  was 
started  in  September,  1889.  3893  volumes  are 
placed  under  the  care  of  the  teachers;  and  there 
were  48,518  issues  for  seven  months  of  1893,  not- 
withstanding that  six  schools  were  closed  for 
parts  of  that  period  in  consequence  of  epidemics. 


246 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[July,  '94 


PRACTICAL   NOTES. 

CROCKER'S  INDEX  SCRAP  FILE.  —  This  ingen- 
ious device  for  the  preservation  of  newspaper 
cuttings  has  long  been  in  use  by  compilers  and 
other  collectors  of  clippings.  The  "  file  "  is 
made  of  fine  tag  card,  folded  in  three  sections, 
the  centre  section  forming  the  back,  the  right- 
hand  one  the  lid;  the  left-hand  section,  to  which 
the  clippings  are  attached,  is  gummed  and  cross- 
lined,  the  lines  being  perforated  nearly  to  the 
edge.  The  small  slips  formed  by  the  cross- 
perforations  are  easily  detached,  and  a  clipping 
is  attached  to  each  one,  held  in  place  to  it,  and 
turning  on  it  as  a  leaf.  The  clippings  are  thus 
folded  in  the  file  one  upon  another,  but  each 
article  one  line  lower  than  the  other,  leaving 
the  titles  exposed;  thus  when  the  lid  is  opened 
the  titles  of  the  clippings  appear  one  below  an- 
other, index  fashion.  On  the  back  of  the  file  is 
space  for  the  title  of  the  special  subject  to  which 
the  file  is  to  be  devoted.  Twelve  files  form  a 
"  set."  The  maker  and  inventor  is  Henry 
Crocker,  Fairfax,  Vt. 


(Sifts  ana  Bequests. 

Ann  Arbor,  Mich.  The  sum  bequeathed  to 
the  library  of  the  University  of  Michigan  by  the 
late  Dr.  C.  L.  Ford  was  $20,000  instead  of 
$90,000  as  currently  reported  in  the  press  at  the 
time. 

Walpole,  Mass.  By  the  will  of  the  late  Francis 
W.  Bird,  of  Dedham,  Mass.,  the  Walpole  Public 
Library  receives  $2000,  with  a  further  sum  of 
$30,000  provided  Mr.  Bird's  estate,  at  his  death, 
exceeds  $150,000. 

Westfield,  N.  Y.  By  the  will  of  Hannah  W. 
Patterson  a  bequest  ofj$  100,000  is  left  to  West- 
field  for  a  public  library.  The  building  is  to  be 
known  as  the  Patterson  Library  and  is  intended 
as  a  memorial  of  Miss  Patterson's  parents. 

librarians. 

CADDIE,  A.,  librarian  of  the  Paddington 
(Eng.)  Free  Public  Library,  has  resigned  his  po- 
sition to  accept  another  post.  He  has  been  chief 
librarian  since  the  library  was  established,  and 
is  succeeded  by  Miss  Salusbury,  daughter  of  E. 
R.  "G.  Salusbury,  M.P.  for  Chester. 

CUTTER,  C:  A.,  we  hear,  spent  the  spring  in 
London,  working  on  his  classification  at  the 
British  Museum,  took  a  trip  through  Brittany 
and  Normandy  in  May,  during  June  has  been 
buying  books  in  Paris  for  the  Forbes  Library, 
Northampton,  Mass. ,  will  spend  July  in  Switzer- 
land, and  return  to  America  in  August  to  be- 
come librarian  of  the  Forbes  Library,  whose 
building  will  be  ready  for  use  in  September. 

PLUMMER,  Miss  M..  W.,  librarian  of  Pratt  In- 
stitute, Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  expects  to  sail  July  25, 
on  the  Belgcnland  for  Antwerp,  going  thence, 
via  the  Rhine,  to  Bayreuth.  She  has  leave  of 
absence  for  a  year,  part  of  which  will  be  devoted 
to  study  of  European  libraries. 


SPOFFORD,  Ainsworth  R.,  librarian  of  Con- 
gress, will  next  year  celebrate  the  attainment  of 
his  three-score  and  10  years  of  life,  and  the 
completion  of  30  years  of  continuous  service  as 
chief  of  the  Congressional  Library. 

THOMSON,  John,  librarian  of  the  Free  Library 
of  Philadelphia,  is  shortly  to  undertake  an  ex- 
tensive trip  to  the  leading  libraries  of  the  United 
States,  in  the  interest  of  his  own  library.  He 
will  visit  Boston,  New  York,  Baltimore,  Wash- 
ington, Chicago,  and  several  other  cities  which 
stand  high  in  library  rank,  making  a  special 
study  of  the  relations  between  these  public  li- 
braries and  their  respective  municipalities.  Be- 
fore returning  to  Philadelphia  he  will  attend  the 
A.  L.  A.  Conference  at  Lake  Placid. 

WOOD,  Miss  Ella  S.,  has  been  appointed  li- 
brarian of  the  Town  Library,  Lancaster,  Mass., 
succeeding  Miss  Katharine  M.  Marvin. 


Cataloging  ana  Classification. 


ALBAN^S,  A.  Catalogue  general  des  manuscrits 
des  bibliotheques  publiques  de  France.  De- 
partements  xvi.  (Aix).  Paris,  Plon  &  Nourrit. 
1894.  12-728  p.  8°,  15  fr. 

The  BULLETIN  OF  THE  MERCANTILE  LIBRARY 
OF  PHILADELPHIA  for  April  contains,  besides 
the  usual  list  of  accessions  from  January  to 
April,  a  list  of  "  some  recent  and  valuable  books 
on  music,"  covering  "  i,  principles  and  rudi- 
ments," and  "2,  history  of  music." 

CINCINNATI  (0.)  P.  L.  Quarterly  bulletin,  no. 
120.  January -Febuary- March,  1894.  32  p. 
O. 

COUDERC,  Camiile.  Catalogue  g6n6ral  des  bib- 
liotheques publiques  de  France.  Departments 
xiii.  (Bordeau.)  Paris,  Plon  &  Nourrit,  1894. 
48  +  747  p.  8°,  15  fr. 

The  HELENA  (Mont.}  P.  L.  issues  a  monthly 
bulletin  in  convenient  pocket  form  for  free  dis- 
tribution. It  has  been  in  existence  for  the  past 
nine  months,  and  Ins  proved  both  useful  and 
popular.  Besides  containing  current  accessions, 
items  of  library  interest,  as  the  librarian's  report, 
trustees' report,  etc. ,  are  included  from  time  to 
time. 

THE  LIBRARY  RECORD  (St.  Joseph,  Mo.}  for  June 
contains  a  " complete  list  of  German  books" 
in  the  St.  Joseph  P.  L. 

NEW  HAVEN  (Ct.)  P.  L.    First  supplement  to 
catalog    part   i.      Books    for    adults    added 
from  April,  1892,  to  January,  1894,  in  one  al- 
phabetical arrangement.     64  p.  O. 
Fiction,  poetry,  essays,  etc.,  are  entered  under 
author  and  title  ;  most  other  books  under  sub- 
ject only  ;  books  of  more  prominent  and  well- 
known  authors  also  under  author.     The  catalog 
is  printed  by  the  linotype  process,  and  is  an  ex- 
cellent example  of  such  work,  making  a  clear, 


,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


347 


close  page,  easy  to  read  and  attractive  In  appear- 
ance. The  last  10  pages  of  the  catalog  are  su- 
perior in  execution  to  the  rest,  owing  to  the  fact 
the  machine  that  made  these  pages  was  kept 
in  better  order.  The  composition  was  done  by 
two  local  newspaper  offices,  and  the  cost,  includ- 
ing metal,  which  isavailable  for  subsequent  edi- 
tions, was  i|  cents  per  line. 

PRATT  INSTITUTE  F.  L.  (Brooklyn,  N.  Y.)  Bul- 
letin no.  14,  including  March  and  April,  1894. 
The  list  of  "  Reports"  covers  three  pages  of 

this  bulletin  of  additions. 

The  SALEM  (Mass.)  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for  June 
contains  special  classed  reading  lists  on  "  In- 
sects," "  Marine  zoology,"  and  "  Some  summer 
resorts." 

The  SPRINGFIELD  (Mass.)  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for 
May  has  a  three-column  list  of  "  Town  and 
county  histories"  — a  fitting  sequence  to  the  list 
of  "  Family  genealogies  and  New  England  town 
histories,"  contained  in  the  April  issue. 

STEVENS,  W.  F.     Catalogue  of  books,  Library 
of  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  railroad  depart- 
ments Y.  M.  C.  A.,  located  at  Clifton  Forge, 
Va.     1894.     78  p.  nar.  O. 
This  library  was  selected  by  Mr.  Stevens  as 
well  as  cataloged  by  him,  and  was  given  to  the 
C.  &  O.  railroad  department  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
by  several  directors  of  the  company.     The  col- 
lection is  general  and  well  chosen.     The  fiction, 
history,  science,  and  biography  shows  excellent 
judgment;  and  due  regard  has  been  given  to  the 
selection  of  books  on  railway  matters,  engineer- 
ing, etc.     The  catalog  is  in  one  alphabet,  giving 
author,  title  and  chief  subject  entries  ;  it  is  bound 
in  leatherette. 

U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE.  Li- 
brary bulletin,  June,  1894.  Periodicals  and  so- 
ciety publications  currently  received  at  the  de- 
partment library.  8  p.  O. 


BARTLETT,  J.  Vernon.     Early  church  history:  a 
sketch  of  the  first  four  centuries.     N.  Y.f  F. 
H.  Revell  Co.,  [1894.]    3-  160  p.  S.  (Present- 
day  primers,  no.  i.)  flex.  cl.  net,  40  c. 
There  is  a  special  bibliography  appended  to 

each  chapter. 

BIBLIOTHECA  philologica  classica.  Verzeichniss 
der  auf  dem  Gebiete  der  classichen  Alttr- 
thums  wissensshaf  t  erschienenen  Buchner,  Zeit- 
scriften,  Dissertationen,  Programm-Abhand- 
lungen,  Aufsatze  in  Zeitschriften  und  Recen- 
sionen.  Beiblatt  zum  Jahresbericht  iiber  die 
Fortschritte  der  classichen  Alterthumswissen- 
schaft.  Jahrgang  27,  1894.  (4  Hefte.)  Berlin, 
S.  Calvary  &  Co.,  1894.  1.  8°,  6  m. 

ELY,  R:  T:    Socialism    in   examination  of  its 


nature,  its  strength,  and  Its  weakness,  with 

suggestions  for  social  reform.     N.  Y.,  T.  Y. 

Crowell  &  Co.,  1894.     13  +  449  p.  D.  $1.50. 

Pp.  399  -  442  are  devoted  to  a  bibliography 
divided  as  follows:  General  socialism  ;  Anarch- 
ism; Christian  socialism;  Socialistic  fiction;  So- 
cial reform;  General;  Legislative  reform;  Land 
reform  ;  Reform  methods  in  the  treatment  of 
poverty;  Socialistic  and  anarchistic  (periodical) 
publications. 

JACKSON,  J:  The  theory  and  practice  of  hand- 
writing :  a  practical  manual  for  the  guidance 
of  school  boards,  teachers,  and  students  of  the 
art;  with  diagrams  and  11.;  rev.  ed.  N.  Y., 
W:  Beverley  Harison,  1894.  c.  6  +  160  p. 
por.  D.  cl.  $1.25. 
There  is  a  4- p.  bibliography  of  penmanship 

and  handwriting,  with  short  descriptive  notices. 

LANERY  d'Arc,  P.  Le  livre  d'or  de  Jeanne 
d'Arc:  bibliographic  raisonnee  et  analyt.  des 
ouvrages  relatifs  a  Jeanne  d'Arc.  Catalogue 
methodique,  descriptif  et  crit.  des  principales 
etudes  hist,,  litter,  et  artistiques  consacrees  a 
la  Pucelle  d'Orleans '  depuis  le  isme  siecle 
jusqu'a  nos  jours.  Paris,  1804.  4°,  Av.  nombr. 
reproductions  de  portraits,  plchs,  etc.  30  fr. 

LIER,  H.  A.  Bucheinbande  aus  dem  Bucher- 
schatze  der  kgl.  offentlichen  Bibliothek  zu 
Dresden,  neue  folge.  i.  Leipzig,  Twietmeyer. 
4°- 

LOVETT,  R:    The  printed  English  Bible,  1525- 
1885.     N.  Y.,  F.  H.  Revell  Co.,  [1894.]     3- 
159  p.  S.  (Present-day  primers.)  flex.  cl.  net, 
40  c. 
There  is  a  brief  bibliography  (i  p.). 

MERIMEE,  Prosper.    Columbia;  ed.  with  introd., 
notes  and  bibliography,  by  A.  Guyot  Cameron. 
N.  Y.,  H:  Holt  &  Co.,  [1894.]   c.    25  +  216?. 
por.  D.  cl.  60  c. 
The  bibliography  of  Merimee's  works  covers 

6  p. 

ORIENTALISCHE  Bibliographic.  Unter  Mirtwir- 
kung  von  R.  Garbe,  Th.  Gleiniger,  R.  J.  H. 
Gottheil,  etc.,  bearbeitet  von  L.  Scherman. 
Herausgegeben  von  E.  Kuhn.  Jahrgang  7, 

1893.  (2  Halften.)    Berlin,  Reuther  &  Reich- 
ard.     i  Halfte,  160  p.  8°,  subs.,  8  m. 

PATTISON,  T.  Harwood.  The  history  of  the 
English  Bible.  Phil.,  [Am.  Baptist  Pub.  Soc.J, 

1894.  281  p.  11.  por.  D.  cl.  $1.25. 
Contains  a  one-page  reference-list  of  author- 
ities. 

PILLING,  Ja.  Constantine.     Bibliography  of  the 
Wakashan  languages.     Wash.,   Government 
Print.  Office,  1894.     O. 
"  Another  of  the  scholarly  and  valuable  linguis- 


248 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[July,  '94 


tic  bibliographies  issued  by  the  Bureau  of  Eth- 
nology of  the  Smithsonian  Institution.  The  habi- 
tat of  the  tribes  comprising  the  family  whose 
languages  are  treated  of  by  Mr.  Pilling  in  this 
publication  is  the  west  coast  of  Vancouver  Island, 
the  neighborhood  of  Cape  Flattery,  and  the  west 
side  of  King  Island  and  Cascade  Inlet.  The 
languages  assigned  this  group  are  33,  and  the 
proper  bibliographical  classification  of  all  known 
matter,  printed  and  manuscript,  pertaining  to 
them  is  recorded  under  251  title  entries."  — 
Inter-Ocean. 

RUPRKCHT,  Gust.  Bibliotheca  theologica  oder 
vierteljahrl.  systemat.  Bibliographic  aller  auf 
dem  Gebiete  der  (wiesenschaftl.)  evangel. 
Theologie  in  Deutschland  und  dem  Auslande 
neu  erschiencnen  Schriften  und  wichtigeren 
Zeitschriften-Aufsatze.  xlv.  (1892.)  Gottin- 
gen,  Vandenhoeck  und  Ruprecht.  8°,  150  p. 

TOURNEUX,  M.  Bibliographic  de  1'histoire  de 
Paris  pendant  la  Revolution  franchise,  tome 
2 :  Organisation  et  r61e  politique  de  Paris. 
Paris,  H.  Champion,  1894.  1.  8°,  10  fr. 

TYLER,  B.  B.,  D.D.,  Thomas,  A.  C.,  Thomas, 
R.  H.,  M.D.,  [and  others.}  A  history  of  the 
Disciples  of  Christ ;  The  Society  of  Friends  ; 
The  United  Brethren  in  Christ  ;  and  the  Ev- 
gelical  Association  ;  with  a  bibliography  of 
American  church  history,  by  S:  Macaulay 
Jackson,  D.D.  N.  Y.,  The  Christian  Litera- 
ture Co.,  1894.  12°,  (Am.  church  history  ser., 
v.  12.)  cl.  $3. 

WEBB,   Sidney   and  Beatrice.     The   history   of 
trade  unionism.     N.  Y.,  Longmans,  Green  & 
Co.,  [1894.]     16  +  588  p.  O.  cl.  $5. 
A  bibliography  prepared  by  Robert  Alec  Ped- 

die  covers  45  pages. 

WOOD,  F.  A.     History  of  taxation  in  Vermont. 
N.  Y.,   1894.     128  p.  O.  (Columbia  College 
studies,  v.  4,  no.  3.)  pap.,  75  c. 
Incl.  3-p.  bibliography  of  subject. 

WYLIE,  Laura  Johnson.  Studies  in  the  evolu- 
tion of  English  criticism:  a  thesis  presented 
to  the  philosophical  faculty  of  Yale  University 
in  candidacy  for  the  degree  of  doctor  of  phi- 
losophy. Bost.,Ginn  &  Co.,  1894.  c.  7+212 
p.  D.  cl.,  $1.10. 
There  is  a  4-p.  bibliography  of  the  subject. 

FULL  NAMES. 
Supplied  by  Harvard  College  Library. 

Brodhead,  J..  Milliken  Napier  (Slav  and 
Moslem); 

Crane,  Aaron  Martin  (Christian  science); 

Crowe,  Winfield  Scott  (Phases  of  religion  in 
America); 

Davis,  C :  Wood  (A  compendium  of  the  world's 
food  production  and  consumption). 


Cibrark0. 


Frank  J.  Pool,  of  Cleveland,  O.,  counts  his 
remarkable  collection  of  play-bills  as  perhaps 
the  most  interesting  part  of  his  fine  library  of 
dramatic  literature.  This  collection  includes 
not  only  play-bills,  but  photographs,  old  prints, 
engravings,  souvenirs,  and  newspaper  clippings; 
of  these  he  has  about  45,000,  all  indexed  and 
carefully  filed,  and  including  many  rare  old 
theatre  posters,  engravings,  and  autograph  por- 
traits. His  library  proper  contains  many  rare 
first  editions  of  old  French  and  English  plays,  a 
full  set  of  the  publications  of  the  Dunlap  Society, 
and  an  interesting  collection  of  about  13,000 
"  prompt-books." 

Mrs.  Abby  E.  Pope,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  pos- 
sesses, as  one  of  the  chief  jewels  of  her  fine 
private  library,  the  only  perfect  copy  of  the 
original  edition  of  Sir  Thomas  Malory's  "  Morte 
d'Arthur."  Mrs.  Pope's  library  is  described 
in  the  Pratt  Institute  (Brooklyn,  N.Y.)  Monthly 
for  March  (p.  203 -209),  under  the  heading  "  The 
library  of  a  Biooklyn  bibliophile."  Her  col- 
lection is  truly  remarkable  as  to  rarity,  con- 
tents, and  binding.  Among  her  chief  treas- 
ures are  the  Shakespeares,  of  which  she  has  the 
four  great  folios  and  a  small  army  of  quartos; 
the  fine  bindings  are  the  work  of  Francis  Bedford, 
Riviere,  Marius-Michel,  Cobden-Sanderson,  and 
others.  There  are  first  editions  of  Bacon,  Her- 
rick,  and  others ;  a  full  set  of  the  first  edition  of 
Purchas' "  Pilgrimes,"  the  first  edition  of  Wal- 
ton's "Angler,"  a  fine  array  of  Caxtons,  chief 
among  which  is  the  "  Morte  D'Arthur,"  and  an 
excellent  representation  of  rare  Americana. 
One  of  the  gems  of  the  collection  is  "  Le  champ 
de  drap  d'or,"  the  exquisitely  illuminated  ms. 
mentioned  by  Dibdin  in  his  "Reminiscences"; 
there  is  also  a  magnificent  ms.  missal,  exe- 
cuted on  vellum  for  Charles  vi.  Mrs.  Pope 
was  in  charge  of  the  Woman's  Club  exhibit  of 
choice  bindings,  in  the  Woman's  Building,  at  the 
Columbian  Exposition;  besides  being  a  devoted 
bibliophile,  she  also  interests  herself  in  the  oc- 
cupation of  extra-illustrating. 

Adolf  Sutro,  the  California  millionaire,  was 
recently  found  to  have  in  his  fine  library  a 
Hebrew  ms.  of  the  Pentateuch,  which  has  caused 
considerable  discussion  among  Hebrew  scholars. 
It  was  discovered  by  Dr.  Solomon  Roubin,  li- 
brarian of  the  Sutro  collection,  among  several 
antique  scrolls,  and  exactly  corresponds  in  meth- 
od of  writing,  arrangement  of  columns,  and  other 
details  with  the  ritual  of  the  Maimonides  codex. 
The  scroll,  which  is  believed  to  be  a  genuine 
Maimonides  ms.,  is  of  tanned  goatskin  and  is 
much  damaged;  it  has  been  submitted  to  a  com- 
mittee of  Hebrew  and  Oriental  scholars,  ap- 
pointed by  Mr.  Sutro,  to  determine  its  authen- 
ticity. The  chief  presumption  against  its  authen- 
ticity lies  in  the  fact  that  it  was  bought  at  the 
auction  sale  of  the  effects  of  Shapira,  the  man 
who  swindled  the  British  Museum  and  other 
large  libraries  with  spurious  Hebrew  and  Greek 
manuscripts;  but  as  fully  half  of  Shapira's  docu- 
ments were  genuine,  this  particular  one  may  not 
have  been  manufactured. 


July,  '94]  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  249 


Ready  at  Once. 


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—AMERICAN  NEWS  CO. 
"  The  most  useful  work  for  reference  we  have  ever  had  for  general  use  in  the  trade." 

—LEE  AND   SHEPARD. 
"Not  a  day  passes  that  we  do  not  consult  it  many  times."— A.  D.  F.  RANDOLPH  &  CO. 


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The  Trade  List  Annual  for  1894  will  contain: 

1.  The  latest  CATALOGUES  OF  AMERICAN   PUBLISHERS,   contributed   by  themselves 

and  arranged  alphabetically  by  the  firm-names  and  smaller  lists  at  the  end  of 
the  volume. 

2.  A  complete  list  by  author,  title  and  subject  of  all  books  recorded  in  THE  PUBLISH- 

ERS' WEEKLY  from  January  to  June,  1894,  supplementing  the  ANNUAL  CATA- 
LOGUE, 1893. 

3.  The  "  EDUCATIONAL  CATALOGUE  "  for  1894,  which  is  used  by  the  entire  trade  and 

educational  interests  as  the  most  representative  reference-list  of  School-books. 

The  above  Lists,  all  bound  in  one  volume,  present  in  their  combination  so  con- 
venient and  time-saving  a  working-tool  as  to  make  it  indispensable  to  every  one  who 
has  any  interest  in  the  purchase  or  sale  of  books. 

The  patent  "  DUPLEX  INDEX  "  having  given  such  general  satisfaction,  we  are 
now  applying  it  to  all  copies  of  the  "  Annual."  Volumes  supplied  with  the  "  DUPLEX 
INDEX  "  have  the  alphabet  printed  on  the  concave  surface  as  well  as  on  the  margin  of 
the  page,  which  enables  instantaneous  reference,  whether  the  book  is  open  or  shut. 

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250  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  [fuly,  '94 

LIBRARY  INKS  AND  ADHESIVES. 

Ibiggins'  5)rawinggBoarb  flPucilage 

has  been  adopted  by  leading  Librarians  throughout  the  country  as  the  only  satis- 
factory library  adhesive  made.  The  5000  volumes  of  the  Model  Library  at  the 
World's  Fair  were  repaired  and  labelled  with  this  adhesive  in  preference  to  all  others, 
and  it  was  voluntarily  exhibited  and  recommended  by  those  in  charge.  A  thtee  ounce 
trial  jar  sent  by  mail,  prepaid,  for  30  cents. 

Carbon  Writing  links 


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the  pen-point  and  remain  forever  black,  proof  to  effects  of  age,  air,  sunlight,  chemicals, 
and  fire,  and  when  written  on  semi-absorbent  paper,  so  that  the  ink  sinks  in,  they 
cannot  be  washed  out  or  erased  without  detection.  They  are  the  only  true  black  and 
lasting  inks  made.  Two  kinds,  viz.:  (i)  Engrossing  Ink,  a  dense  or  heavy  ink  for 
engrossing  and  important  writings,  and  (2)  Eternal  Ink,  an  ink  of  lighter  body,  and 
hence  better  adapted  for  general  use.  A  two  ounce  bottle  of  the  former,  prepaid  by  mail, 
35  cents  ;  a  two  ounce  bottle  of  the  latter  for  25  cents. 


The  Higgins*  Adhesives  and  Inks  are  for  Sale  by  Dealers  in  Artists'  Materials 
and  Stationery  Generally. 


CHAS.  M.  BIGGINS  &  CO,  Manufacturers,  168-170  Eighth  St.,  Brooklyn,  N.Y. 

LONDON.  LEIPZIG.  PARIS. 

B.  WESTERMANN  &  CO., 

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Weekly  shipments  by  the  fleetest  steamers  from  England,  Germany,  and  France.  Periodicals 
supplied  at  lower  rates  than  mail  copies  and  in  better  shape  for  binding. 

Rare  Books  and  Sets  of  Serials  procured  at  the  lowest  terms.  Regular  connections  with 
Central  and  South  America  and  all  Oriental  countries. 

Binding  done  here  and  abroad  in  every  fetyle. 

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nished on  application. 

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With  the  help  of  a  most  complete  Bibliographical  Outfit  in  all  languages  and  on  all  subjects, 
and  the  experience  of  many  years  in  this  particular  line,  estimates  can  be  furnished  promptly  and 
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,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


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AN  EXAMINATION   OF    WEISMANNISM. 

By  GEO.  J.  ROMANES.    Cloth,  fi.oo. 


PftliTIEK  OF  PHILOSOPHY.    By  PAUL  CARUS. 

Cloth,  $1.00. 
THE  SOUL  OF  MAN.    By  PAUL  CARUS.    Cloth, 

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They  are  pleased  to  give  estimates  at  lowest  rates  on  lists  of  proposed  purchases,  and 
solicit  correspondence  with  Librarians  and  other  bookbuyers. 

This  house  is  characterized  by  its  Promptness,  Carefulness,  and  Low 
Prices. 

There  will  be  sent  to  any  address  on  application  a  topically  arranged  General  Library  List 
selected  from  the  books  of  all  publishers. 


252  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  [fufy,'94 


1372 

LONDON:  PARIS:  LEIPctti: 

30  WELLINGTON  ST.,  STRAND.       76  RUE  DE  RENNES.  HOSPITAL  SIR.  10. 

GUSTAV  E.  STECHERT 

Purchasing  Agent  for  Colleges  &  Libraries 

810    BROADWAY,    NEW    YORK, 

(TWO  DOORS  ABOVE  GRACE  CHURCH) 

begs  to  call  attention  to  his  facilities  for  obtaining  FOREIGN  BOOKS  and 
PERIODICALS  at  more  economical  rates  THAN  ANY  OTHER  HOUSE  IN  AMERICA 
OR  EUROPE  can  offer,  because  : 

He  employs  no  Commission  Agents,  but  has  his  own  offices  and 
clerks  at  London,  Paris  and  Leipzig.  He  has  open  accounts 
with  all  the  leading  publishing  houses  in  the  world. 

His  experience  enables  him  to  give  information  at  once  about 
rare  and  scarce  books. 

He  receives  weekly  shipments  from  England,  France  and  Germany^  and 
can  thereby  fill  orders  in  quicker  time. 

MORE  THAN  200  LIBRARIES  FAVOR  HIM  WITH  THEIR  ORDERS. 


SPECIA.I*  REFERENCES, 

*'  Mr.  Stechert  has  for  years  furnished  this  Library  with  most  of  its  periodir.als  and  European  books,  and  has  bought  for  us 
many  thousand  volumes.  Mr.  Stechsrt's  success  is  due  to  his  constant  personal  attention  to  the  business,  and  the  reasonable 
terms  he  is  able  to  offer.  I  consider  a  New  York  agent  far  preferable  to  reliance  on  foreign  agents  alone." 

Gco.  H.  BAKER,  Librarian  of  Columbia  College,  New  York. 


"  Seven  years  ago,  in  reorganizing  the  Columbia  College  library,  I  spent  much  time  in  trying  to  discover  how  to  get  out 
foreign  books  and  periodicals  with  the  least  delay,  trouble  and  expense.  The  result  of  the  comparison  of  three  methods,  viz: 
ordering  direct  from  foreign  dealers,  ordering  through  one  agent  in  London,  or  ordering  through  one  agent  in  New  York  showed 
us  that  it  was  to  our  advantage  to  give  Mr.  Stechert  all  our  foreign  orders,  as  he  delivered  in  the  library  in  a  single  package 
and  with  a  single  bill  at  as  low  cost  as  we  were  able  with  vastly  greater  trouble,  to  get  a  half  dozen  different  packages  in  differ- 
ent bills  from  different  places.  In  reorganizing  the  New  York  State  Library,  I  opened  the  whole  question  anew,  and  the  result 
of  the  comparison  was  the  same  as  before,  and  we  find  that  the  library  gets  most  for  the  time  and  money  expended  by  taking 
advantage  of  Mr.  Stechert's  long  experience,  and  the  careful  personal  attention  which  he  gives  to  our  orders." 

MELVIL  D.JWEY,  Dirtctor  of  N.  Y.  State  Library,  Albany  ',  Af.  Y. 


"  Mr.  G.  E.  Stechert  of  New  York  has  ssrved  us  with  fidelity  in  procuring  English,  French  and  German  books,  both  new 
and  second  hand  and  also  periodicals.  His  terms  are  more  reasonable  than  any  others  that  have  come  to  our  notice,  while  he 
has  always  guarded  our  interests  very  carefully.  We  find  it  a  great  convenience  to  have  one  agency  in  New  York,  represented 
by  branches  in  different  European  countries." 

Prof.  ARTHUR  H.  PALMER,  Librarian  of  Adelbert  College,  Cleveland,  O. 


"  Your  methods  and  facilities  for  doing  business,  as  I  have  examined  them  here  as  well  as  at  the  Leipzig  and  London  ends, 
teem  to  me  admirably  progressive  and  thoroughly  live.  I  deal  with  you  because  I  judge  it  for  the  advantage  of  this  library  to 
do  so.  If  I  did  not,  I  should  not.  Up  to  date  I  am  unable  to  find  a  method  which  is,  all  things  included,  so  economical  of 
time  and  money  as  dealing  through  you." 

ERNEST  C.  RICHARDSON,  Librarian  tf  College  of  New  Jersey,  Princeton,  N.J. 


44  Our_  library  committee  speaks  in  the  highest  terms  of  your  services.     You  have  not  only  saved  us  many  dollars,  but  Lava 
Shown  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  our  wants  for  which  we  thank  you. ' ' 

A.  8.  COLLINS,  Act.  Librarian  of  Reynolds  Library,  Rochester,  N.  K 

QUSTAV    K.    STKCHKRT, 

LONDON.        PARIS.        LEIPZIG.        NEW  YORK. 


THE 


Library  Journal 


OFFICIAL  ORGAN  OF  THE  AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 


CHIEFLY  J3EVOTED    TO 

Economy  ant) 


VOL.  19.     No.  8 


AUGUST,  1894 


Contents 


PAGE 
•      2SS 


EDITORIAL 

The  Linotype  in  Library  Work. 
The  "  Two-book  "  System. 
Government  Publications. 
The  Public  Documents  Bill. 

COMMUNICATIONS 256 

Catalog   System    of   the    Library    Bureau  —  A 

Reply 

Uniformity  in  Library  Reports. 
The  Value  of  Printed  Catalogs. 
Book  Supports. 

LINOTYPING  LIBRARY  CATALOGS  —  PRO  .AND  CON. — 

Nathan  Billstein 257 

LINOTYPING  LIBRARY  CATALOGS.  —  A  SYMPOSIUM. — 
W.  K.  Stetson,  B.  C.  Steiner,  E.  C.  Richard- 
son, M.  W.  Pluntmer,  R:  T.  Lancefield. 


BINDING  FOR  LIBRARY  USE.  —  M.  E.  Sargent.  .    .    . 

THE  DISTRIBUTION  OF  GOVERNMENT  PUBLICATIONS. 
—  E:  S.  Morse.   . 


259 
262 

263 


THE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY,  ITS  LARGER  RECOGNITION 

IN  HIGHER  EDUCATION.  —  C:  E.  Lotorey,     .    .    264 

THB  LIBRARY  COURSE  or  MAINE  STATE  COLLEGE.    .    268 


PAGE 
268 


LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION  UNITED  KINGDOM.      .    . 
Seventeenth  Annual  Meeting. 

AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 268 

Sixteenth  Conference,  Lake  Placid,  Adirondack 
Mts.,  Sept.  15-22. 

NEW  YORK  STATE  LIBRARY  SCHOOL 272 

Graduation,  1893,  1894. 

STATE  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 272 

Wisconsin  Library  Association. 
REVIEWS 273 

Lamed,  History  for  Ready  Reference,  v.  2. 

University  State  of  N.   Y.    Regents  Bulletin, 
No.  26 

LIBRARY  ECONOMY  AND  HISTORY 273 

GIFTS  AND  BEQUESTS 278 

LIBRARIANS 278 

CATALOGING  AND  CLASSIFICATION 279 

BlBLIOGRAFY 280 

ANONYMS  AND  PSEUDONYMS 280 

HUMORS  AND  BLUNDERS 380 


NEW  YORK  :    PUBLICATION  OFFICE,  28  ELM  STREET  (Near  Duane). 
LONDON:    SOLD  BY  KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  Co.,  PATERNOSTER  HOUSE, 

CHARING  CROSS  ROAD. 
YEARLY  SUBSCRIPTION,  $5.00.  MONTHLY  NUMBERS,  50  cts. 

Price  to  Europe,  or  other  countries  in  the  Union.  201.  per  annum  ;  tingle  numbers*  2*. 
Entered  at  the  Post-Office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  as  second-class  matter. 


254 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{August,  '94 


EDW.  G.  ALLEN'S 

London  Agency  for  American  Libraries, 

28   HENRIETTA   STREET,   COVENT   GARDEN, 
LONDON. 

(FORMERLY   RICH   &  SONS.) 

EDW.  G.  ALLEN  devotes  himself  entirely  to  library  business.  His  long  experience  enables  him 
to  execute  the  orders  of  correspondents  promptly,  cheaply,  and  with  thorough  efficiency.  His  con- 
nection with  all  the  Book  Dealers  in  the  United  Kingdom  gives  him  the  command  of  the  British 
Book  Market,  and  qualifies  him  to  serve  his  customers  with  special  advantage,  and  to  bring  promptly 
under  their  notice  all  the  stores  of  Literature,  old  and  new,  on  sale  in  Great  Britain. 

Books  Supplied  at  a  Small   Commission  on  the  Cost  Price,  with  the  usual  Trade 

deductions,  and  forwarded  by  the  quickest  and  cheapest  routes.     Second-hand 

Catalogues  by  early  Mails,  and  no  Commission  charged  on  Orders 

from  them.      Periodicals  and  Newspapers  Posted  Promptly. 

No  expensive  sub-agencies  at  home  or  abroad.  Foreign  books  on  easy  terms. 


Agency  for  the  following  Libraries  and  many  others: 


Library  of  Congress,  Washington. 
Libraries  of  Parliament,   Ottawa,  Toronto, 

and  Quebec. 
Amherst  College. 
Boston  Public  Library. 
Brooklyn  Library. 
Brown  University. 
Cornell  University. 
Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library. 
California  University. 

BINDING. 

Cheap  and  Durable  for  Circulating  Libraries.    Specially  Strong  for  Books  of  Reference.    Superior 
Style  for  Works  of  Art.     Imitation  Antique  for  Rare  Old   Books.     Calf  Extra  in  Every  Variety. 
Best  Half-Binding  for  General  Library  Use.     Pamphlets  Bound  at  Cheap  Rates.     Law- 
Books  In  Law  Calf.     Cheap  Binding  In  Cloth.     Hard-Grained    Roan,  etc.     Dilapi- 
dated Binding  Neatly  Repaired.     Deficiencies  of  Rare  Books  Supplied  In 
Exact  Fac-Simile.     Library  Stamps  to  Order. 


Colorado  University. 
Johns  Hopkins  University. 
Philadelphia  Library  Co. 
Peabody  Institute,  Baltimore. 
University  of  Pennsylvania. 
University  of  Toronto,  Can. 
Watkinson  Library,  Hartford,  Conn. 
Yale  University. 
Minneapolis  Public  Library. 


"We  have  been,  for  the  last  twenty  years,  personally  cognizant  of  Mr.  Allen's  faitnfulness  to  the  interests  of 
his  American  customers.  When  a  resident  in  Washington,  ten  years  ago,  we  found  that  the  immense  Congressional 
Library  largely  supplied  its  shelves  through  Mr.  Allen's  London  Agency.  Many  of  the  extensive  libraries  belonging 
to  the  Universities  and  Colleges  in  the  East  have  also  secured  their  Foreign  Books  from  the  same  source,  and  we 
have  heard  from  the  officers  of  these  Institutions  frequent  testimony  to  the  scrupulous  exactness  with  which  their 
orders  were  always  filled. 

"  We  cannot,  therefore,  do  a  greater  service  to  the  Colleges  and  Universities  of  the  West,  to  which  these  pres- 
ents shall  come,  than  to  advise  that  they  employ  this  inexpensive  agency  for  replenishing  their  Libraries  with  Eng- 
lish Books." — PRESIDENT  WELCH,  Iowa  State  Agricultural  College. 

"No  better  indorsement  of  Mr.  Allen's  Agency  is  possible  than  the  list  of  leading  libraries  that  continue  to  use 
it.    For  30  years,  strict  integrity  and  unexcelled  facilities  have  held  the  oid  and  made  new  patrons.    The  very  large 
business  built  up  demands  only  a  small  commission  instead  of  the  customary  10  per  cent.    A  library  can  safely 
entrant  all  its  London  orders  to  Mr.  Allen  without  getting  other  estimates  and  feei  sure  that  it  is  not  making 
mistake."— MELVIL  DKWEY,  Mate  Library,  New  York. 


Edw.  G.  Allen's  American  Library  Agency, 

COVENT  GARDEN,  LONDON. 

MEMBER    AMERICAN    LIBRARY    ASSOCIATION. 


SPECIAL    TERMS  FOR  LARGE  ORDERS. 


VOL.  19. 


AUGUST,   1894. 


No.  8 


THE  use  of  the  linotype  machine  for  the  print- 
ing of  library  lists  and  bulletins  is  a  subject  to 
which  librarians  have  given  more  or  less  attention 
within  the  past  few  years.  The  survey  of  the 
work  done  by  the  linotype  in  this  field  and  of  the 
possibilities  of  the  method,  given  in  the  present 
issue,  possesses,  therefore,  a  special  interest  and 
importance  to  all  librarians  who  are  or  will  be 
called  upon  to  face  the  question  as  to  the  sim- 
plest means  of  printing  catalogs  of  their  libraries. 
Mr.  Billstein's  article  on  linotyping  library  cata- 
logs is  interesting,  both  as  an  excellent  resume 
of  the  subject  and  as  coming  from  one  con- 
nected with  one  of  the  leading  firms  doing  lino- 
type work  and  therefore  specially  qualified  to 
speak  of  its  mechanical  aspect;  while  the  library 
side  of  the  question  finds  full  representation  in 
the  symposium  giving  the  personal  experiences 
of  librarians  who  have  used  the  linotype  in 
their  work.  The  pros  and  cons  are  thus  given 
fair  consideration,  and  the  trend  of  the  articles  is 
evidently  toward  the  conclusion  that  the  lino- 
type as  a  means  of  printing  catalogs,  finding- 
lists,  etc.,  is  simple,  economical,  permanently 
useful,  and  offers  the  only  method  of  keeping 
such  lists  up  to  date  without  the  labor  and  ex- 
pense of  resetting  or  the  inconveniences  of  a 
series  of  supplements. 

THE  chief  disadvantage  of  the  linotype  proc- 
ess, however,  does  not  seem  to  have  had  due 
recognition  either  from  Mr.  Billstein  or  from  the 
librarians  contributing  to  the  symposium.  It  is, 
briefly,  that  the  linotype  can  be  used  with  full 
confidence  only  for  "  title-a-line  "  catalogs.  As 
its  name  indicates,  it  is  a  single  line  of  type,  set 
any  width  in  a  single  bar  of  metal.  These  bars 
may  be  kept  for  an  indefinite  period,  sortedf 
shifted,  rearranged  and  reclassified,  permitting 
of  the  insertion  of  new  entries  and  the  publica- 
tion of  frequent  up-to-date  lists.  But  in  the  case 
of  entries  covering  more  than  one  line,  there 
is  the  danger  that  the  second  line  of  a  title,  con- 
taining, perhaps,  the  last  few  words  of  the  title 
and  the  shelf-number,  may  be  lost  or  misplaced 
in  the  rearrangement  of  the  bars.  Such  a  bar, 
containing  only  a  portion  of  a  title  and  a  num- 
ber, with  no  clue  to  author  or  class,  it  would  be 
almost  impossible  to  identify  and  properly  re- 
place in  a  catalog  of  15,000  or  more  entries, 
which  is  a  moderate  estimate.  This  danger 
would  also  necessitate  the  giving  of  the  author's 


name  with  each  title;  that  is,  half  a  dozen  works 
by  one  author  could  not  be  grouped  under  a 
single  author  heading,  but  the  author's  name 
would  have  to  be  given  in  connection  with  every 
title;  otherwise  a  bar  containing  a  title  only,  if 
misplaced,  would  be  as  troublesome  to  locate  In 
its  proper  place  under  the  author  as  a  bar  con- 
taining the  second  line  of  an  entry.  Until  this 
difficulty  can  be  obviated  or  overcome,  the  lino- 
type, while  affording  the  best  and  only  economi- 
cal means  of  keeping  "title-a-line"  lists  and 
bulletins  complete  and  up  to  date,  cannot  be  ex- 
pected to  take  the  place  of  handwork  in  the 
printing  of  more  elaborate  catalogs. 

IT  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  "  two-books- 
on-a-card  "  system,  described  by  Mr.  Bolton  in 
the  May  issue  of  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL,  has 
found  favor  in  several  libraries.  It  has  been 
adopted  in  the  Lancaster  (Mass.)  Public  Library, 
and  two  or  three  other  libraries  are  seriously 
considering  its  advantages.  Early  in  the  year 
the  Clerkenwell  (Eng.)  Public  Library  decided  to 
issue  extra  cards  on  which  "non-fictional" 
works  might  be  obtained,  and  it  seems  as  if  this 
plan  of  allowing  borrowers  to  have  their  dessert 
simultaneously  with  their  solid  mental  diet  were 
winning  the  approval  of  librarians.  Probably 
most  readers  would  like  to  know  something  of 
the  serious  and  notable  literature  of  the  age, 
but  comparatively  few  will  sacrifice  their  beloved 
novel  to  do  so.  If  they  can  have  both,  it  is  fair  to 
suppose  that  they  will  gladly  avail  themselves  of 
the  opportunity.  The  method,  in  fact,  smacks 
of  the  wisdom  of  the  serpent,  for  it  allures  bor- 
rowers by  the  prospect  -of  two  books  instead  of 
one,  and  at  the  same  time  tends  to  increase  the 
use  of  solid  reading  and  not  to  swell  the  issues 
of  fiction. 

PROF.  MORSE'S  remarks  on  the  distribution 
of  government  documents,  reprinted  elsewhere, 
voice  so  thoroughly  the  sentiments  of  librarians 
on  this  subject  as  to  call  for  a  word  of  comment. 
The  inadequacy  of  the  way —  it  is  not  a  system 
—  in  which  these  documents  are,  and  have  been 
distributed,  is  a  matter  with  which  every  libra- 
rian is  but  too  familiar.  Not  only  is  the  dis- 
tribution inadequate,  but  it  is  at  the  same  time 
extravagant,  for  thousands  of  government 
publications  are  sent  to  persons  to  whom  they 
are  absolutely  valueless,  and  make  their  way 


256 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{August,  '94 


sooner  or  later  to  the  junk-shop  or  paper-mill, 
while  libraries  all  over  the  country  find  it  im- 
possible to  obtain  desired  issues  or  to  complete 
their  sets  of  the  reports  of  current  years.  In 
this  connection  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  the 
Public  Documents  bill  has  at  length  passed  the 
Senate  and  with  Senate  amendments  gone  back 
to  the  House,  where  it  is  now  in  conference.  It 
is  sincerely  to  be  hoped  that  this  long-delayed 
measure  is  fairly  in  the  way  of  becoming  a  law. 
It  affords  an  adequate  solution  of  the  difficulties 
of  the  question,  and  with  its  enactment  "pub. 
docs."  would  be  robbed  of  half  their  terrors  to 
the  librarian. 

<£0minmticati0n0. 


CATALOG    SYSTEM    OF    THE    LIBRARY    BU- 
REAU—A REPLY. 

RESPECTING  the  criticisms  of  the  librarian  of 
the  Mercantile  Library  at  Philadelphia  on  our 
service  of  printed  catalog  cards  to  public  libra- 
ries we  note  that  they  are  directed  solely  against 
the  delays  which  happen  in  issuing  cards  for  oc- 
casional books,  for  Mr.  Edmands  himself,  writ- 
ing under  date  of  July  3,  1894,  says:  "I  like 
the  cards,  and  wish  we  had  them  for  every  book 
we  have  here." 

The  publishers  have  been  very  slow  to  appre- 
ciate the  printed  catalog  department  of  our 
business.  Their  "  free  list  "  has  always  been 
the  list  which  has  received  scantiest  and  latest 
attention  from  their  clerks,  and  it  has  been  a 
matter  of  no  little  difficulty  to  convince  them 
that  we  wish  the  books  for  a  purpose  which  will 
be  of  service  to  them  as  well  as  to  the  libraries, 
and  that  so  desirous  are  we  to  obtain  them  we 
are  willing  to  go  to  considerable  expense  in  ex- 
press charges  to  us  and  back  incase  they  are  not 
willing  to  leave  them  with  us  for  inspection  on 
our  library  shelves.  We  believe  that  the  pub- 
lishers are  slowly  seeing  the  advantage  of  giv- 
ing us  early  shipments  of  their  publications  — 
and  the  earlier  we  receive  the  books  the  better 
service  we  can  render  to  libraries.  We  need 
not  add  that  the  public  library  in  Chicago  will 
receive  McClurg's  books  earlier  than  it  can  re- 
ceive cards  from  us  for  them.  The  same  is  true 
of  Mr.  Edmands'  library  and  the  publishing 
house  of  Lippincott.  There  have  been  other 
cases,  of  course,  where  publishers  have  been  so 
remiss  in  sending  that  the  cards  have  reached 
our  library  patrons  after  they  have  cataloged 
the  books.  We  are  doing  everything  which  we 
can,  by  correspondence  and  by  the  personal  ef- 
forts of  our  branch  managers  and  salesmen,  to 
procure  our  books  more  speedily.  The  libra- 
ries themselves,  by  an  occasional  friendly  word 
to  the  publishers,  can  be  of  much  assistance  to 
us  in  this  respect. 

Respecting  the  concrete  instances  named  by 
Mr.  Edmands,  explanations  have  been  made  to 
him.  W.  E.  PARKER,  Treasurer. 

LIBRARY  BUREAU,  I 
Boston,  Mass.      j 


UNIFORMITY  IN  LIBRARY  REPORTS. 

IT  is  certainly  desirable,  and  is  it  not  practica- 
ble to  have  a  greater  degree  of  uniformity  in  the 
financial  accounts  of  libraries  ?  In  the  last  re- 
port that  has  come  to  hand  one  item  of  expendi- 
ture was  "Salaries,  rent,  light,  supplies,  and 
other  expenses."  Whether  heating  comes  under 
"  other  expenses  "  we  are  left  to  infer.  It  would 
aid  very  much  in  comparing  the  working  of  this 
library  with  others,  if  the  expenses  for  salaries, 
rent  paid,  and  light  were  separated,  as  they 
usually  are.  If  memory  serves,  the  A.  L.  A., 
some  years  ago  took  some  action  in  this  matter, 
and  the  Worcester  Library  appears  to  conform 
to  that  action.  It  groups  expenses  under  book 
account,  building  account,  salary  account,  and 
supply  account,  with  several  specifications  under 
each  head. 

One  of  the  first  things  to  be  noticed  in  taking 
up  such  a  report  is  the  actual  receipts  and  ex- 
penses ;  this,  in  most  cases,  you  cannot  ascer- 
tain without  a  process  of  subtraction.  The  bal- 
ance from  the  previous  year  is  in  almost  all 
library  and  other  accounts  included  in  the  foot- 
ing. It  would  save  very  much  time  if  treasurers 
would  add  the  actual  receipts  and  expenditures 
independently,  and  add  the  balance  below,  or 
else  enter  the  items  short.  JOHN  EDMANDS. 

[Mr.  Edmands'  remarks  will  be  endorsed  by 
all  who  have  to  do  with  library  reports.  A  uni- 
form method  of  recording  statistics  of  finances, 
circulation,  etc.,  might  be  profitably  considered 
by  the  A.  L.  A.  —  ED.  L.  j.] 

THE  VALUE  OF  PRINTED  CATALOGS. 

IN  your  notice  (July  L.  j.,  p.  237)  of  my 
book,  "  Public  libraries  in  America,"  you 
seem  to  have  misunderstood  my  remark  as  to 
printed  catalogs  having  "had  their  day." 
I  certainly  did  not  mean  that  such  catalogs  as 
the  Athenaeum,  the  Brooklyn,  or  the  Peabody 
Institute  had  lost  their  value,  or  are  likely  to. 
I  meant  to  say  that  the  practice  of  making  such 
catalogs  may  be  regarded  as  obsolete.  Having 
always  proved  more  expensive  than  was  ex- 
pected, they  have  been  in  the  nature  of  costly 
experiments,  and  however  useful  they  are  to  the 
library  world  at  large,  they  have  proved  them- 
selves heavy  burdens  on  the  finances  of  the  libra- 
ries issuing  them,  and  constitute  a  recognized 
warning  as  to  the  unwisdom  of  their  issue,  un- 
less a  library  can  afford  to  expend  large  sums 
for  the  public  benefit  outside  of  its  own  circle. 

The  great  value  of  these  books  to  the  outside 
world  is  an  argument  for  the  production  of 
similar  works  as  regularly  published  biblio- 
graphical works,  rather  than  as  catalogs  of  indi- 
vidual libraries.  If  my  prediction,  that  they  are 
not  likely  to  be  issued  henceforth  by  individual 
libraries  be  fulfilled,  we  must  have  the  material 
in  the  other  form.  Hence  the  work  of  the  A.  L. 
A.  Publishing  Section.  W:  I.  FLETCHER. 

BOOK  SUPPORTS. 

CAN  any  of  your  readers  give  me  information, 
historical  or  practical,  on  book  supports?     Ref- 
erences to  articles  on  this  subject  will  be  appre- 
ciated. ALFRED  RIGLING. 
FKANKLIN  INSTITUTE,  \ 
Philadelphia.        f 


August,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


257 


LINOTYPING    LIBRARY    CATALOGS  —  PRO    AND    CON, 

BY  NATHAN  BILLSTEIN,  of  the  Friedenwald  Co.,  Baltimore. 


THE  linotype  is  interesting  to  publishers  and 
printers,  because  it  lessens  the  cost  of  compo- 
sition. It  is  interesting  to  librarians,  because  it 
unfolds  a  new  principle  in  the  art  of  printing. 
Gutenberg  reduced  the  solid  page  to  its  com- 
ponent parts  ;  Mergenthaler  has  gathered  up  the 
parts  and  reduced  the  division  to  solid  lines. 
These  independent  lines,  which  cannot  be  pied, 
and  which  are  interchangeable  without  limit, 
have  rendered  it  economically  possible  to  pro- 
duce a  finding-list  up  to  date.  A  consideration 
of  the  present  state  of  composition  on  the  lino- 
type, when  applie4  to  catalog  work,  and  its  im- 
provement and  development,  in  the  light  of  ob- 
tained results,  may  prove  of  some  interest. 

The  greatest  advantages  of  the  method  are  in 
the  furnishing  of  proof  of  an  unlimited  quan- 
tity of  matter,  in  keeping  it  standing  for  an  un- 
limited length  of  time,  and  in  the  facility  of 
the  correction,  transposition,  and  addition  of 
lines.  These  three  things,  supplemented  by  the 
publication  of  more  frequent  editions,  solve  the 
problem  of  the  librarian,  provided  the  quality  of 
the  work  is  good  enough,  and  the  limitations  of 
the  method  are  not  serious  drawbacks. 

The  practical  success  of  the  linotype  as  an 
improved  method  of  composition  is  to-day  un- 
questioned as  far  as  newspaper  work  is  con- 
cerned. Book-work  of  a  high  standard  of  ex- 
cellence has  been  and  is  executed  by  it,  but  as 
yet  to  a  very  limited  extent.  This  is  due  to  a 
number  of  causes,  which  need  not  be  considered 
here,  beyond  saying  that  like  all  new  inventions 
which  have  embodied  the  essential  principle 
without  adequate  mechanical  provision  for  its 
effective  operation  in  its  first  construction,  the 
linotype  has  been  passing  through  an  evolution 
which  has  brought  it  to  a  point  where  the  state- 
ment can  be  conservatively  made  that  its  average 
results,  in  the  shape  of  the  printed  page,  are  of 
as  high  a  standard  of  excellence  as  the  average 
printed  page  done  from  ordinary  type. 

This  statement  may  seem  rather  strong,  but  it 
must  be  borne  in  mind  that  as  type  is  printed 
from  edition  after  edition,  and  used  over  and 
over  again,  each  time  it  becomes  poorer,  while 
the  linotype  casts  new  each  character  set  on  it, 
which,  while  not  giving  as  good  an  impression 
as  new  type,  will  average  a  better  result  than 


that  afforded  from  the  lifetime  of  a  font  of  book- 
type  from  which  printing  is  done. 

The  present  facilities  afforded  by  the  linotype 
are  particularly  adapted  to  newspaper  work,  the 
field  for  it  being  so  much  larger,  and  its  require- 
ments so  much  smaller  than  those  of  book-work. 
Suitable  faces  of  type,  small  capitals,  accented 
letters,  and  italics  are  constant  necessities  of  the 
book-printer.  These  needs  have  been  receiving 
attention,  and,  as  the  natural  development  fol- 
lowing on  experience  and  demand  progresses, 
will  soon  be  supplied  to  what  might  be  called  a 
working  extent  for  the  book-printer. 

Quite  a  number  of  works  of  a  high  standard 
have  been  executed  on  the  linotype.  Among 
them  may  be  mentioned  the  "  Studies  in  history 
and  politics,"  of  the  Johns  Hopkins  Press  (1893 
-94),  and  Gambrall's  "  Early  Maryland."  These 
have  been  set  in  long  primer  old  style,  the 
italics  having  been  set  in  type  and  inserted  in 
their  proper  places  by  hand  by  cutting  the  bars. 
Of  library  catalogs,  perhaps  the  only  one  of 
much  importance  is  that  of  the  Enoch  Pratt 
Free  Library,  of  Baltimore,  of  which  Parts  I. 
and  II.,  fifth  edition,  have  been  issued,  the  other 
parts  now  being  in  press.  The  finding-list  of 
the  branches  of  the  Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library 
has  also  been  executed  by  the  linotype,  and  it  is 
so  far  the  best  example  of  the  capabilities  of  the 
new  method.  It,  as  well  as  the  general  list  of 
the  main  library,  is  set  in  brevier  modern  face. 
The  author's  name  is  set  in  capitals,  the  remain- 
der in  lower  case  ;  all  the  italics  and  accented 
letters  required  for  the  French,  German,  Italian, 
and  Spanish  entries  are  set  on  the  linotype,  and 
every  line  is  cast  in  one  piece,  excepting  those 
containing  accented  capitals.  The  list  of  the 
main  library  promises  to  make  a  book  of  from 
1000  to  1200  pages,  all  of  which  will  be  kept 
standing  intact  for  future  editions.  It  will  re- 
quire about  seven  tons  of  metal. 

The  process  is  full  of  advantages  to  the  libra- 
rian. The  proof,  when  once  read  and  made  cor- 
rect, remains  so,  and  the  very  great  and  difficult 
task  of  revising  and  re-revising  is  entirely  spared. 
In  this  respect  the  labor  is  so  much  lightened 
that  it  must  be  conducive  to  greater  accuracy. 
When  a  catalog  has  had  its  first  edition  linotyped 
it  is  not  necessary  to  read  proof  for  a  second  edi- 


'58 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[August,  '94 


tion,  except  of  the  additions.  These  are  first 
set  up  and  proof  taken  of  them  alone.  Then, 
when  they  have  been  finally  corrected,  their 
places  are  marked  for  proper  classification  and 
alphabetical  position  on  a  copy  of  the  previous 
edition  of  the  catalog,  the  only  proof  examina- 
tion required  being  the  watching  of  the  correct 
insertion  of  the  new  bars  and  the  re-paging. 

The  method  not  only  possesses  advantages  in 
cataloging  and  in  proof-reading,  but  also  in 
point  of  expense.  A  first  edition  will  cost  as 
much  as,  or  a  little  more  than  the  type-printed 
work,  but  subsequent  editions  range  from  20  to 
50  per  cent,  less,  depending  upon  the  period  of 
time  between  them  and  the  number  of  new  titles 
to  be  inserted.* 

The  printed  list  can  be  kept  almost  up  to  date 
by  this  method.  The  lapse  of  time  is  narrowed 
down  to  the  period  necessary  for  paging,  press- 
work  and  binding.  Accessions  can  be  printed 
in  the  same  length  of  line,  face  of  type,  and 
size  of  page,  in  the  form  of  monthly  or  quarterly 
bulletins,  and,  as  they  are  issued,  the  bars  pre- 
served for  rearrangement  and  incorporated  with 
the  catalog  at  its  next  edition,  or  they  may  be 
inserted  as  fast  as  issued. 

It  makes  the  provision  of  a  single  printed  list 
containing  the  title  of  every  book  in  the  library 
not  merely  mechanically  and  economically  prac- 
ticable, but  easy  of  accomplishment  for  both  the 
librarian  and  the  printer.  Smaller  but  more  fre- 
quent editions  could  be  issued,  thus  always  keep- 
ing the  list  fresh. 

The  chief  disadvantages  of  the  method  at  pres- 
ent are  the  drawbacks  in  the  use  of  characters 
not  on  the  keyboard,  the  restrictions  in  the 
styles  of  type,  the  lack  of  small  capitals,  accented 
capitals,  and  bold  face  letters  for  titles  (a  bre- 
vier size  suitable  for  library  work  has  just  been 
issued),  the  short  life  of  the  cast,  the  superior 


*  Mr.  E.  C.  Richardson,  in  describing  his  first  experi- 
ence with  the  linotype,  in  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  for  Sep- 
tember, 1892  (L.  j.,  17  :  377),  gives  the  following  estimate 
of  the  saving  effected  in  reprinting :  "  Catalog  of  100  pp., 
4000  ems  per  page  ;  composition  at  60  cents  (or  50  cents, 
or  ?)  $240,  or  $2.40  per  page.  Cost  of  metal,  $1.35.  Sup- 
pose in  two  years  20  pages  are  added  and  reprinted. 
This  will  cost :  Interest  on  $135  for  two  years,  $15  ;  20 
pages,  $48 ;  and  the  cost  of  insertion  at  50  cents  per  hour. 
If  set  up  new  it  would  cost  $238  ;  thus  leaving  $225  to 
pay  for  insertion.  This  would  probably  not  cost  more 
than  Iso  at  the  outside,  and  the  saving  would  be  $175,  or 
more  than  enough  to  pay  for  all  the  type,  which  ought 
to  be  good  for  20  editions."  —  [ED.  L.  j.] 


preparation  of  manuscript  required,  and,  per- 
haps, a  partial  sacrifice  of  some  of  the  refine- 
ments of  book-printing.  The  labor  incident  to 
the  publication  of  a  first  edition  would  probably 
involve  additional  exertion  on  the  part  of  the  li- 
brarian, if  he  would  place  his  catalog  in  the 
most  accurate  condition  as  a  basis  for  subsequent 
editions. 

The  linotype  carries  on  its  keyboard  90  char- 
acters, consisting  of  capitals,  lower  case,  punct- 
uation marks,  and  the  ordinary  signs.  When 
italics,  accented  letters,  bold  face,  or  any  other 
characters  are  wanted  such  matrices  must  be  set 
in  by  hand  by  the  operator  at  a  great  loss  of 
time,  and  at  a  consequent  increase  of  cost. 
When  characters  are  required  for  which  matrices 
are  not  made,  it  becomes  necessary  to  cut  the 
bars  and  insert  ordinary  type,  thus  sacrificing  to 
some  degree  the  advantage  of  the  bars  not  being 
easily  pied. 

The  styles  of  type  are  now  confined  to  the 
modern  face,  the  only  old  style  being  in  long 
primer. 

The  life  of  the  cast  may  be  placed  at  50,000 
impressions  at  its  maximum  under  careful  press- 
work.  When  the  bars  become  worn  down  the 
work  must  be  reset.  The  insertion  of  new  bars 
among  others  partially  worn  would  detract 
somewhat  from  the  uniformity  of  the  printed 
page,  and  would  create  an  effect  akin  to  that 
produced  by  mixing  old  and  new  type. 

Manuscript  to  be  set  on  the  linotype  must  be 
in  good  order.  If  it  becomes  necessary  for  the 
operator  to  stop  to  decipher  obscure  writing  or 
doubtful  punctuation,  etc.,  the  time  of  an  ex- 
pensive machine  is  lost,  as  well  as  the  time  of  the 
workman. 

The  proof-reading  of  the  matter  has  certain 
peculiarities,  owing  to  the  fact  that  when  a  cor- 
rection is  made  the  entire  line  is  reset  ;  these 
peculiarities,  while  not  difficult  to  master,  are 
yet  something  to  be  learned. 

In  conclusion,  it  may  be  said  that  the  linotype 
method  can  be  successfully  employed  when  its 
advantages  as  a  system  are  the  most  important 
consideration  sought,  and  when  the  object  to  be 
attained  is  a  complete  finding-list  kept  "  up  to 
date."  Utilized  merely  as  a  means  of  economy 
it  is  most  likely  to  result  in  poor  printing,  un- 
expected difficulties  and  disappointment.  Pos- 
sible improvements  and  modifications  of  the 
machine,  if  perfected,  will  render  it  yet  more  de- 
sirable, and  overcome  some  of  the  objections. 


August,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


259 


LINOTYPING    LIBRARY    CATALOGS  — A    SYMPOSIUM. 


THE  chief  advantages  of  printing  catalogs 
from  linotype  are  those  arising  from  the  use  of 
stereotype  titles  costing  not  more  or  little  more 
than  ordinary  typesetting.  Libraries  by  print- 
ing from  linotypes  are  able  to  save  considera- 
ble money.  The  New  Haven  Free  Public  Li- 
brary proposes  to  use  the  linotypes  once  made  — 
first  time,  to  print  titles  for  use  in  the  Rudolph 
indexer;  second  time,  for  announcement  of  cur- 
rent additions  in  a  local  newspaper;  third  time, 
for  a  bulletin  to  be  issued  periodically;  fourth 
time,  for  supplements  to  the  printed  catalogs; 
fifth  time,  for  edition  of  consolidated  catalogs. 

Two  book-lists  have  already  been  printed,  one 
of  in  pages,  the  other  of  60  pages.  The  ap- 
pearance of  the  printed  page  is  not  quite  equal 
to  that  of  regular  type-print,  and  there  is  also  a 
lack  of  variety  in  faces  of  type  —  no  italics,  small 
capitals,  heavy  face,  etc.  — but,  still,  for  ordinary 
use  the  saving  offsets  these  disadvantages,  in 
our  opinion.  The  saving  probably  amounts  to 
at  least  $1.50  per  octavo  page,  each  time  it  is  re- 
printed, as  near  as  can  be  estimated,  where  the 
linotypes  are  owned  by  the  library.  An  esti- 
mate from  a  firm  which  will  keep  the  linotypes 
for  the  library  and  print  future  editions  as  they 
are  called  for,  made  the  average  cost  of  first  and 
second  editions  about  the  same  as  above  indi- 
cated. Our  latest  catalog  supplement  cost  for 
the  composition  in  linotype  i|  cents  per  line; 
150  lines  per  page  =  $2.25.  Of  course  an  ex- 
act reprint  would  cost  us  nothing  for  composi- 
tion, except  "  making-up,"  etc.  Insertions  of 
new  titles  would  cost  according  to  time  required, 
in  addition  to  cost  of  the  linotypes. 

The  method  which  is  employed  to  make  these 
insertions  will  vary  in  different  circumstances. 
The  most  difficult  case,  it  seems  to  me,  is  when 
there  is  a  totally  different  arrangement  of  en- 
tries, as  will  happen  when  a  classed  list  is  to  be 
changed  to  the  alphabetical  form.  We  have  had 
experience  in  this  line,  and  find  the  rearrange- 
ment can  be  made  in  about  one  hour's  time  per 
page.  We  use  a  rubber  stamp  ink-pad,  and, 
taking  each  entry  by  itself,  stamp  it  on  an  en- 
velope with  the  linotype  and  place  the  linotype 
in  the  envelope.  When  this  is  done  the  envel- 
opes can  be  arranged  readily,  and  when  in  order 
the  linotypes  are  taken  out,  and  the  pages  are 
ready  for  the  printer.  When  only  a  few  inser- 


tions are  to  be  made  the  task  is  one  for  the 
printer,  probably  ;  though  possibly  it  can  be 
done  more  cheaply  at  the  library.  We  have 
had  no  experience  on  this  point. 

Two  things  in  particular  must  be  guarded 
against  in  use  of  linotype  —  change  of  face  of 
type,  and  variations  in  height  of  type.  Theo- 
retically, the  library  expects  to  add  to  its  store 
of  linotypes  from  time  to  time  for  a  period  of 
years,  and  the  establishment  making  the  lino- 
types must  keep  the  same  style  of  "  face,"  and 
keep  the  machines  to  a  uniform  product.  I 
should  say  that  these  considerations  make  it 
seem  to  be  better  generally  to  employ  an  estab- 
lishment that  will  guarantee  uniformity. 

Constant  improvements  are  made  in  the  ma- 
chines. It  is  therefore  advisable  for  any  one 
interested  not  to  rest  satisfied  with  the  present 
state  of  the  process,  but  to  prosecute  inquiries 
from  time  to  time.  From  the  headquarters  of 
the  company  which  makes  the  machines,  doubt- 
less, the  address  of  establishments  able  to  print 
catalogs  from  linotype  may  be  learned. 

WILLIS  K.  STETSON, 
Librarian  Free  Public  Library,  New  Haven,  Ct. 

IN  the  fall  of  1892  the  fourth  edition  of  our 
finding-list  was  nearly  exhausted,  and  it  became 
necessary  to  prepare  for  a  new  and  fifth  edition. 
The  number  of  books  had  so  increased  that  it 
was  determined  to  issue  the  work  in  three  parts 
of  about  300  pages  each.  Several  firms  in  the 
city  presented  bids  for  printing,  and  among  them 
the  Friedenwald  Company.  Their  bid  included 
the  statement  that,  if  accepted,  it  was  proposed 
to  use  the  linotype  upon  the  work.  Largely  for 
this  reason  their  bid  was  accepted,  as  we  had 
been  convinced  of  the  possibility  of  libraries 
obtaining  great  advantage  from  the  use  of  the 
linotype. 

Work  was  begun  early  in  1893,  and  proceeded 
rather  slowly  at  first,  as  experience  had  to  be 
gained,  both  by  the  printer  and  by  the  library. 
We  used  a  line  a  trifle  longer  than  that  previously 
employed,  received  three  proofs,  and  printed  on 
manilla  paper.  Many  more  corrections  were 
made  in  the  first  than  in  the  second  part,  making 
the  expense  somewhat  greater.  Ordinarily  we 
made  use  of  brevier  type,  but  in  one  instance, 
that  of  printing  contents  of  collections  of 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[August,  '94 


dramas,    we     used     nonpareil    to    economize 
space. 

In  July,  1893,  the  first  part  was  issued  and 
work  was  begun  on  the  second  part.  This  was 
progressing  well  and  some  70  galleys  were  in 
type,  of  which  first  proofs  had  been  received, 
when  the  trustees  came  to  a  decision,  which 
caused  us  to  lay  the  work  aside  for  the  time. 
About  the  first  of  October  they  determined  that 
a  fifth  edition  of  the  finding-list  for  the  branch  li- 
braries, the  fourth  edition  of  which  had  become 
exhausted,  must  be  prepared  immediately.  We 
did  not  wish  to  print  off  the  pages,  which  were 
contained  in  those  70  galleys,  for  that  would 
render  it  impossible  to  add  any  further  works 
contained  in  the  classes  represented  in  those 
pages.  Very  few  printing  houses  with  movable 
type  could  have  permitted  such  a  quantity  of 
matter  to  be  locked  up  for  months,  but  with  the 
linotype  we  found  no  difficulty  in  having  it  done. 
We  then  hurried  on  with  the  branch  finding-list, 
which  was  issued  early  in  January,  18194.  Re- 
turning to  the  second  part  of  the  main  library 
list  we  were  able,  through  our  experience,  to 
push  the  work  forward  so  rapidly  as  to  issue  it 
early  in  April.  It  contains  332  pages,  while  the 
first  part  contains  263  pages  and  the  branch  li- 
brary list  contains  140  pages.  We  are  now 
working  on  the  third  part,  which  it  is  hoped  to 
issue  before  fall. 

The  ease  with  which  lines  can  be  inserted  and 
corrections  made  is  one  of  the  great  advantages 
of  this  process  of  printing.  We  do  not  put  any- 
thing in  page  form  until  the  last  moment,  and 
thus  are  enabled  to  add  recent  accessions  to  the 
library  and  make  corrections  to  within  a  very 
short  time  of  the  actual  date  of  issue.  There  is, 
however,  a  slight  difficulty  here  ;  when  cor- 
rections are  made  in  the  last  proof,  the  order  of 
lines  has  occasionally  become  disarranged.  We 
find  that  with  competent  workmen  the  result  is 
completely  satisfactory.  The  cost  is  no  greater 
than  it  is  in  printing  from  movable  types.  Certain 
difficulties  which  occur  when  movable  types  are 
used  are  unknown  to  the  linotype ;  for  example  no 
letters  appear  upside  down  nor  of  the  wrong  font. 

The  greatest  advantage,  however,  is  that 
which  we  hope  to  find  when  we  come  to  print 
a  sixth  edition  of  our  finding-list.  We  will 
not  have  to  prepare  copy  for  the  whole  work, 
as  heretofore,  but  only  for  the  books  newly 
added  to  the  library.  When  lines  for  thes 
have  been  inserted,  and  the  whole  has  been  gone 
over  with  sufficient  care  to  insure  us  that  no 


lines  have  been  disarranged  or  dropped  out,  we 
shall  be  ready  to  print  without  further  delay. 

BERNARD  C.  STEINKR, 
Librarian  Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library, 

Baltimore,  Md. 

MY  attention  was  first  called  to  the  linotype 
by  Dr.  H.  C.  Bolton  just  before  the  White 
Mountains  meeting  of  the  A.  L.  A.,  and  I  was 
sufficiently  interested  to  undertake  various  ten- 
tative experiments  at  my  own  expense. 

After  careful  consideration  of  possible  slips 
the  trustees  of  the  New  London  Public  Library 
cordially  undertook  the  experiment  of  setting  a 
finding-list  in  linotype  and  keeping  it  standing, 
with  a  view  to  inserting  new  lines  and  printing 
new  editions  from  same.  This,  so  far  as  I  know, 
is  the  first  attempt  to  keep  a  library  catalog 
standing  by  linotype.  The  risk  was  that  the 
machines  could  not  make  subsequent  lines  of 
exactly  the  same  height,  but  quite  a  number  of 
lines  were  made  by  another  firm  on  other  ma- 
chines and  inserted  with  satisfactory  results,  so 
that  the  New  London  finding-list  as  it  now 
stands  is  the  work  of  two  firms  on  different  ma- 
chines and  through  many  vicissitudes,  owing  to 
the  failure  of  the  first  firm. 

Our  library  accessions  (Princeton)  1892-3 
were  set  up  by  New  York  machines  and  kept  by 
the  printer.  Each  new  batch  of  titles  sent  to  the 
printer  was  set  up  and  inserted  with  the  previ- 
ous titles  and  six  proofs  sent  us  for  library  use. 
We  thus  kept  a  consecutive  catalog  for  library 
use. 

In  June,  1893,  a  special  collection  of  books  on 
political  science  having  been  given  to  the  li- 
brary by  the  class  of  1883,  a  linotype  finding-list 
was  made  of  this  department  (44  pp.).  Two 
later  single  editions  have  been  made  of  the  body 
of  this  (36  pp.),  with  additional  lines.  The  third 
edition  cost  altogether  about  $3  against  the 
nearly  $100  which  it  would  have  cost  new  set  in 
type.  It  is  not  typographically  good,  but  it  in- 
dicates unmistakably  that  the  system  is  practi- 
cable. This  is  indicated  still  better  by  the  work 
of  the  'Friedenwald  Co.  on  the  Enoch  Pratt  Li- 
brary finding-list. 

Conclusions  :  I.  The  linotype  is  adapted  to  pub- 
lic libraries  which  need  frequent  editions  of  their 
finding-lists.  In  fair,  humble  typography  a  li- 
brary can  afford  to  bring  its  finding-lists  up  to 
date  at  least  three  times  as  often  as  otherwise 
and  it  makes  printed  lists  practicable  for  small 
libraries  which  could  not  otherwise  afford  them. 


August,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


261 


2.  It  is  suited  also  to  reference  libraries  which 
only  need  a  few  copies  of  a  catalog  for  reading- 
room  use.      Such  libraries  can   put    a  catalog 
into  bars,  have  additional  titles  set  up  and  in- 
serted like  cards  in  a  card  catalog  in  the  library, 
and  galley  proofs  drawn  for  library  use,  printing 
only  such  pages  as  have  new  insertions.     If  de- 
sired, editions  can  be  printed  from  time  to  time. 

3.  It  may  be  concluded  also  that  it  is  entirely 
practicable  to  set  up  a  periodical   index  in  a 
method  which  will  allow  of  printing  consecutive- 
ly, say  once  a  month,  each  month  containing  all 
the  titles  of  the  year  to  that  date. 

4.  The  only  valid  objection  to  the  use  of  the 
linotype  has  been  the  difficulty  of  getting  printers 
to  properly  apply  the   method.     There  seems 
now  to  be  at  least  one  company  which  can  be 
counted  on  to  do  it' well.     The  aesthetic  objection 
to  the  linotype  is  absurd.     It  is  a  question  of 
bread-and-butter,  not  bric-a-brac.     When  libra- 
rians have  all  the  salary  they  want,  all  the  books 
they  want,  and  all  the  help  they   want,   they 
may  despise  the  humble,  economical  linotype ; 
but  not  before. 

ERNEST  C.  RICHARDSON, 
Librarian  Princeton  College  Library. 

AT  the  Pratt  Institute  Free  Library  we  have 
printed  but  one  bulletin  with  the  linotype.  We 
are,  however,  printing  another,  and  have  en- 
tered upon  a  contract  for  a  year's  work.  It 
costs  us  considerably  less  than  by  our  former 
method  of  printing,  and  we  know  that  when  we 
wish  to  combine  our  bulletins  into  a  volume  the 
material  will  be  all  ready  except  for  rearrang- 
ing, and  can  be  printed  at  very  small  cost. 

I  do  not  know  if  the  following  comes  properly 
within  the  scope  of  this  symposium,  but  I  will 
make  the  explanation  for  use  if  desirable.  We 
cut  up  our  bulletins  for  the  Rudolph  indexer 
book  under  subject-headings,  thus  beginning  a 
subject-catalog  of  accessions.  We  have  not 
printed  our  subject-headings  by  linotype,  but 
will  try  them  hand-printed  for  a  while.  It  did 
not  take  us  long  to  find  one  disadvantage  of  the 
linotype  when  we  came  to  arrange  these  entries. 
This  was  that  the  author's  name  must  have  a 
linotype  entirely  to  itself  —  that  it  would  not 
do  to  begin  a  title  on  the  same  line.  The  rea- 
son for  this  any  librarian  will  see.  This,  of 
course,  makes  a  great  number  of  extra  lines 
and  increases  the  expense. 

We  found  also  that  the  linotype  print  was  like 
that  of  the  typewriter,  in  that  it  cannot  be  com- 
pressed to  suit  the  exigencies  of  space  in  a  line. 


In  print,  the  compositor  can  re-justify  to  get  a 
word  into  the  line  —  on  the  linotype  this  cannot 
be  done  without  making  an  entire  new  linotype, 
and  in  preference  to  this  the  lines  are  sometimes 
short,  sometimes  long,  making  an  uneven  look- 
ing column.  I  do  not  know,  however,  whether 
or  not  this  could  be  avoided. 

As  a  whole,  we  are  pleased  with  the  work,  so 
far,  but  are  inclined  to  look  forward  to  the  end 
of  the  year  and  the  publication  of  the  year's  ac- 
cessions as  the  test  of  the  experiment,  both  as 
to  convenience  and  economy. 

MARY  W.  PLUMMER, 
Librarian  Pratt  Institute  Free  Library, 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

I  AM  in  rather  an  unfortunate  position,  and 
should  therefore  hesitate  with  regard  to  ex- 
pressing an  opinion  on  the  use  of  the  linotype 
for  catalog  purposes,  as,  while  firmly  believing 
in  its  practicability  and  reliability,  I  have  but  re- 
cently given  the  contract  for  a  new  catalog  for 
our  library  to  be  set  in  the  old  way  —  by  hand. 

A  i6-page  fiction-list  was  set  on  the  linotype 
for  our  library  a  year  ago,  and  we  have  had  two 
supplementary  lists  set  on  the  same  machine 
since.  This  work  gave  excellent  satisfaction, 
but  it  was  set  on  the  ordinary  newspaper  width 
of  5-!  centimetres.  This  is  too  narrow  for  regu- 
lar catalog  work,  and  the  foreman  said  it  would 
not  pay  to  make  a  new  width  for  our  catalog 
alone,  as  the  machine  might  be  needed  at  any 
moment  to  assist  in  regular  news  work.  I  was 
therefore  obliged  to  have  the  work  done  in  the 
old  way  —  by  hand. 

I  still  think,  however,  that  the  linotype  is  the 
coming  method  for  catalog  work,  for  four  rea- 
sons : 

I,  No  waiting,  as  there  is  no  danger  of  run- 
ing  short  on  "  sorts  "  ;  2,  Reliability,  as  a  line 
once  set,  no  letter  or  figure  can  fall  out  or  pull 
out  ;  3,  Expedition,  as  an  expert  operator  can 
set  much  faster  than  by  hand  ;  4,  No  worn-out 
letters,  as  the  type  is  new,  practically,  with  every 
line  set.  Each  of  these  points  could  be  enlarged 
upon,  would  space  permit,  as  they  are  a  fruitful 
cause  of  much  vexation  of  spirit  to  all  who  have 
had  experience  in  catalog  work.  As  to  the 
difficulty  in  our  case,  I  should  fancy  there  would 
be  no  such  difficulty  in  the  large  offices  in  the 
larger  cities ;  nor  will  there  be  in  the  smaller 
cities  when  the  machines  come  more  into  general 
use,  as  they  seem  to  be  doing. 

RICHARD  T.  LANCEFIELD, 

Librarian  Public  Library,  Hamilton,  Canada. 


262 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[August,  '94 


BINDING   FOR   LIBRARY   USE.* 
BY  Miss  M.  E.  SARGENT,  Librarian  Medford  (Mass.)  Public  Library. 


THE  requisites  of  a  well-bound  book  are  solid- 
ity, strength,  and  flexibility,  and  these  we  are 
anxious  to  secure  at  the  least  possible  expense. 
A  bookbinder  whom  I  once  interviewed  expressed 
the  opinion  that  it  would  be  much  the  best  thing 
to  have  only  a  few  books  rebound  and  those  few 
thoroughly  done.  Very  excellent  advice,  and 
advice  that  I  would  much  like  to  follow,  certainly 
believing  "  what  is  worth  doing  at  all  is  worth 
doing  well."  But  if,  as  is  the  case,  a  small 
library  can  ill-spare  any  book  for  the  length  of 
time  actually  necessary  for  rebinding,  it  would 
be  very  poor  policy  to  put  many  books  aside  un- 
til one  could  afford  to  have  them  bound  in  the 
most  approved  style.  Besides  this,  many  books, 
especially  works  of  fiction,  for  which  there  is  a 
great  demand  in  most  libraries,  are  printed  on 
such  poor  paper  as  to  be  hardly  worth  rebinding. 

Morocco  or  goatskin  is,  I  believe,  held  to  be 
the  best  material  for  a  binding  which  is  to  have 
considerable  use  ;  being  tanned  without  aid  of 
chemicals  it  not  only  stands  hard  usage  but  bet- 
ter resists  the  ill-effects  of  heat  and  gas.  Heat 
and  gas  have  also  no  effect  upon  a  cotton  fabric, 
which  is  a  much  cheaper  material. 

In  one  library  with  which  I  was  connected, 
where  many  of  the  books  were  covered  with 
paper,  it  was  thought  best  to  insist  only  upon 
the  books  being  well  sewed  and  bound  in  a 
strong  material — a  roughly  finished  leather  — 
for  corners  and  backs,  and  paper  sides  ;  paying 
for  I2mos  and  i6mos  25  cents  per  volume,  or, 
without  corners,  20  cents.  In  my  present  library 
it  was  decided  to  do  without  coverings ;  this 
necessitated  a  better-finished  material. 

Several  experiments  were  tried.  Some  books 
were  bound  by  Roberts  &  Co.,  of  Boston,  in 
cloth  which  was  recommended  for  its  durabili- 
ty ;  but  it  was  so  dark  in  color  I  feared  a  very 
gloomy  effect  would  be  the  result  in  a  library 
not  too  well  lighted.  We  also  found  that  it  re- 
tained grease,  which  made  it  objectionable,  con- 
sequently we  were  obliged  to  have  the  books 
covered  in  a  very  short  time.  We  then  tried 
cowhide  or  American  Russia  (Buffin,  or  Ameri- 
can Russia  split,  not  seeming  serviceable  in  this 
country,  the  leather  being  rendered  unequal,  be- 
cause split  by  machinery,  while  abroad  it  is  most 
frequently  rubbed  down  with  pumice  to  the 
desired  thickness);  this  was  used  for  backs  and 


*  Remarks  at  a  meeting  of  the  Mass.  Library  Club, 
April,  1894. 


corners,  with  a  firm  cloth  for  the  sides  ;  having 
a  short  title,  author,  class  number,  and  name  of 
the  library  printed  in  gold  on  the  back.  The 
price  for  I2mos  and  i6mos  was  40  cents  and  for 
the  majority  of  the  magazines  48  cents  per  vol- 
ume. In  this  work  I  think  the  bands  on  which 
the  books  are  sewed  are  not  laced  into  the 
board  covers,  excepting  in  magazines.  As  we 
employ  two  different  binders,  every  book  is 
dated  when  returned  from  the  bindery,  thus  en- 
abling us  to  test  the  durability  of  the  work.  I 
have  recently  seen  a  book  which  came  from 
Chivers'  bindery,  Bath,  England,  with  cloth 
sides,  leather  back  and  corners  —  which  was 
sewed  on  four  patent  bands.  It  recommended 
itself,  because  it  opened  very  freely,  thus  remov- 
ing all  occasion  for  the  reader  to  bend  the  book 
back  forcibly  in  opening.  Such  binding  could 
be  done  here,  it  appears  from  experiment,  for 
six  cents  per  volume  additional,  making  the 
price  for  I2mos  and  i6mos  46  cents,  possibly  a 
little  less.  I  see  by  Mr.  Chivers1  circular  that 
"  the  leather  used  is  bark-tanned  hogskin,  which 
from  its  greasy  nature  is  impervious  to  the 
action  of  heat  and  atmospheric  changes,  and  as 
it  is  all  cuticle  it  is  equally  stubborn  in  its  re- 
sistance to  wear  and  tear."  The  cloth  used  on 
the  sides  is  linen  specially  prepared  for  this 
binding,  and  stronger  than  any  material  of  the 
kind  yet  introduced.  He  also  recommends 
rounding  the  corners  of  the  boards  (the  edge  of 
the  book  left  square).  This  is  considered  far 
preferable  to  vellum  or  leather  tips. 

The  one  —  to  me  —  very  essential  thing  which 
I  have  found  hard  to  impress  upon  most  binders 
with  whom  I  have  had  dealings  is  to  cut  or  pare 
the  edges  as  little  as  possible.  The  margin  is 
sacrificed  in  many  instances  to  gain  an  even 
edge.  If  the  book  is  rounded  well  at  the  back 
it  causes  a  corresponding  depression  on  the 
front,  and  in  the  cutting  the  shortest  sheet  is 
to  him  the  gauge  of  the  entire  book ;  thus  the 
bookbinder's  apparent  mania  for  clean-cut  edges 
causes  him  often  to  cut  into  the  reading-matter 
to  such  an  extent  as  to  oblige  the  reader  to  in- 
dulge in  elaborate  mental  gymnastics.  Possibly 
united  effort  on  the  part  of  librarians,  who  have 
suffered  as  I  have  —  a  literary  strike  —  might  have 
an  effect,  but  at  present  a  closely  trimmed  mar- 
gin (to  the  mind  of  the  ordinary  bookbinder)  is 
more  to  be  desired  than  the  connection  of  ideas. 
Until  his  conscientious  scruples  can  be  overcome 
this  vandalism  will  not  cease. 


August,  '94] 


THE  LI3KARY  JOURNAL 


263 


THE  DISTRIBUTION  OF   GOVERNMENT 
PUBLICATIONS.* 

Prof.  E:  S.  Morse,  in  Popular  Science  Monthly. 

IF  there  is  any  one  portion  of  government 
machinery  that  would  seem  to  demand  a  read- 
justment it  is  that  portion  which  has  to  do  with 
the  distribution  of  public  documents.  I  am  not 
aware  that  there  is  any  central  bureau  for  the 
judicious  distribution  of  the  various  publications 
of  government  as  there  is,  for  example,  for  the 
issuing  of  patents  or  the  payment  of  pensions. 
There  is  no  government  in  the  world  more  gen- 
erous in  the  distribution  of  its  multifarious  pub- 
lications than  ours.  The  niggardly  way  in 
which  Great  Britain  doles  out  her  public  docu- 
ments has  repeatedly  excited  the  most  adverse 
criticism  from  her  own  people.  Knowing,  as 
every  one  does,  the  slightly  increased  expense 
of  printing  extra  copies  after  the  first  expense  of 
composition,  engraving,  etc.,  has  been  provided 
for,  it  is  most  exasperating  to  see  a  rich  country 
like  Great  Britain  publishing  the  results  of  some 
important  expedition,  like  that  of  the  Challen- 
ger, for  example,  and  not  printing  enough  copies 
to  meet  even  the  hungry  demand  of  her  own 
special  students.  We  have  never  erred  in  this 
respect,  and  in  the  scathing  comments  which  this 
particular  English  frugality  has  received  from 
her  own  men,  our  country  has  invariably  been 
held  up  in  striking  contrast  as  an  example  to  im- 
itate. With  the  liberality  of  the  general  gov- 
ernment in  this  respect  it  is  a  pity  that  the  dis- 
tribution of  printed  matter  should  not  be  better 
systematized.  There  are  many  documents  that 
doubtless  represent  official  reports  which  are 
circulated  not  so  much  for  instruction  as  to  in- 
form the  country  just  what  has  been  done  by 
certain  bureaus,  and  these  probably  reach  the 
proper  parties,  in  being  sent  to  those  prominent 
in  governmental  and  political  matters.  With 
these  we  are  not  concerned.  There  are  many 
other  publications,  however,  that  are  issued 
solely  for  the  purposes  of  information  and  in- 
struction in  lines  of  thought  in  which  there  are 
hundreds,  perhaps  thousands,  of  students  in  the 
United  States.  It  is  obvious  that  if  these  kinds 
of  documents  are  issued  to  advance  learning, 
then  such  copies  as  are  freely  distributed 
through  the  mails  should  go  to  those  who  most 
need  them.  The  present  distribution  of  many 
of  them  is  so  imperfect  that  it  would  be  paral- 
leled by  the  Pension  Bureau  issuing  a  certain 
number  of  money  checks  to  congressmen  and 
senators  to  scatter  where  they  pleased,  or  to 
realize  on  them  if  they  were  so  inclined.  Let 
me  make  this  clearer.  So  far  as  I  have  been 
able  to  ascertain,  the  regular  edition  of  a 
public  document  is  1900.  From  this  edi- 
tion 50  foreign  governments  and  the  larger 
libraries  and  institutions  in  this  country  are  each 
supposed  to  receive  a  copy.  Each  senator  and 
congressman  is  entitled  to  two  copies,  and  prob- 
ably more  for  the  asking.  It  is  a  common  be- 
lief that  many  of  these  men  dump  their  public 
documents  into  the  waste-paper  barrel,  for  the 

*  Reprinted  by  permission  from  Popular  Science 
Monthly,  for  August. 


janitor  to  realize  upon  as  old  paper,  which  at  one 
time  had  some  value.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  many 
of  them  are  sold  to  the  junk-shops,  where  they 
find  their  way  into  the  second-hand  book  stalls; 
and  students  who  want  them  are  grateful  for 
even  this  opportunity  of  securing  them  by  pur- 
chase. It  would  certainly  seem  that  a  report 
which  is  of  special  interest  to  a  greater  or  less 
number  of  students  or  writers  should  in  some 
way  get  to  them,  and  that  their  names  should  be 
on  some  permanent  list  at  headquarters,  so  that 
when  any  report  in  their  special  line  of  thought 
is  published  they  should  be  among  the  first  to 
receive  it.  Not  only  is  it  evident  that  the  gov- 
ernment publications  often  fall  into  the  wrong 
hands,  but,  worse  still,  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
volumes  are  rotting  in  the  cellars  of  the  capitol 
and  vitiating  the  air  by  their  decomposition.  A 
committee  recently  appointed  'by  the  House,  to 
look  into  the  question  of  fresh  air  has  just  dis- 
covered that  certain  rooms  in  the  basements  of 
the  capitol  are  filled  with  government  publica- 
tions. In  one  series  of  vaults  were  1.250,000 
volumes,  and  many  of  these  have  been  stored 
for  30  years.  "  They  present  a  vast  bulk  of 
decomposing  vegetable  matter,  which  is  con- 
stantly tainting  the  atmosphere  with  impuri- 
ties." 

One  reason  of  the  apathy  of  the  people  in  re- 
gard to  the  waste  of  public  documents  is  that 
being  free  they  are  supposed  to  be  valueless, 
and  to  many  who  receive  them  they  have  no 
value.  In  the  rural  regions  they  are  used  as 
scrap-books  by  the  children,  and  there  is  hardly 
an  attic  in  the  land  that  does  not  contain  a  few 
of  this  kind  of  books  mixed  with  the  usual  light 
truck  which  ascends  to  the  garret. 

There  is  certainly  nothing  to  complain  of  in 
the  scientific  departments  of  the  government. 
The  valuable  contributions  published  by  the  va- 
rious scientific  bureaus  have  been  distributed 
in  such  a  way  that  special  students  get,  without 
much  trouble,  the  works  needed  in  their  studies. 
So  far  as  I  know,  but  few  if  any  of  these  drift 
into  the  wrong  channels.  There  are  special 
reports  of  an  ethnological  character  now  and 
then  appearing  in  other  departments,  notably  in 
the  United  States  consular  reports,  and  subjects 
pertaining  to  other  sciences  issued  from  other 
bureaus,  and  these  would  be  priceless  to  certain 
special  workers,  yet  such  reports  are  usually  ex- 
hausted when  application  is  made  for  rtiem.  I 
have  often  secured  government  publications  of 
the  greatest  value  by  overhauling  a  lot  of  stuff 
which  some  lawyer  was  about  to  throw  away. 
Reports  that  I  had  never  heard  the  existence  of 
have  come  to  me  in  this  manner.  Lately  I  had 
given  to  me  from  an  editor's  room  several 
shelffuls  of  pamphlets,  books,  etc.,  which  were 
on  their  way  to  destruction.  Among  these  were 
many  public  documents  on  various  subjects,  and 
these  were  distributed  to  those  whom  I  knew 
would  make  good  use  of  them.  Among  the 
letters  of  acknowledgment  was  one  from  a  gen- 
tleman who  has  made  a  special  study  of  the  seal 
fisheries  dispute,  and  has  written  a  number  of 
reviews  on  the  subject.  This  letter  came  in  re- 
turn for  a  government  report  containing  a  lengthy 
legal  opinion  about  the  seal  fisheries,  and  is  as 


264 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{August,  '94 


follows  :  "  Ever  so  much  obliged  to  you  for  the 
document.  I  devoured  it  right  off,  and  then 
took  it  up  to  the  Harvard  Law  Library,  where 
they  were  no  less  pleased  to  get  it.  They  had 
never  seen  It  nor  heard  of  it,  and  seemed  to  be 
amused  at  the  idea  of  their  obtaining  it  through 
two  such  outside  barbarians  in  law  matters  as 
you  and  I."  This  is  by  no  means  an  exceptional 
case. 

A  public  library  of  nearly  40,000  volumes  in  a 
neighboring  city  finds  it  impossible  to  get  any- 
where near  a  complete  set  of  current  govern- 
ment reports;  and  yet  it  is  plain  enough  that 
all  public  libraries  in  the  United  States,  no  mat- 
ter how  small,  should  be  entitled  to  receive  such 
publications  of  the  government  as  bear  on 
science,  education,  etc.,  provided  they  ask  for 
them  and  indicate  a  willingness  to  provide  shelf- 
room. 

It  is  also  said  that  documents  are  distributed 
as  political  favors,  and  thus,  during  a  change 
of  administration,  these  currents  flow  in  other 
directions.  The  power  to  scatter  such  docu- 
ments should  be  entirely  out  of  the  hands  of 
politicians,  and  a  central  bureau  should  be  or- 
ganized whose  duty  it  should  be  to  keep  lists  of 
all  persons  making  researches  in  the  various 
departments  of  science,  law,  education,  etc. 
Senators  and  representatives  might  be  empow- 
ered to  furnish  these  names,  accompanied  by 
evidence,  however,  that  such  persons  had  a 
right  to  them  by  virtue  of  their  studies  or  occu- 
pations. 

I  know  as  a  fact  that  many  who  receive  these 
reports  and  documents  are  actually  burdened 
with  them,  and  often  throw  them  into  the 
waste-paper  basket  unopened,  and  there  are 
hundreds  of  others  who  would  like  them,  and 
would  make  good  use  of  them,  and  yet  never  get 
them.  All  this  might  be  corrected  by  some 
systematic  way  of  distribution  from  a  common 
centre. 

If  I  were  permitted  to  offer  suggestions  upon 
a  matter  with  which  I  can  claim  but  little  knowl- 
edge, I  would  ask  first  that  for  convenience  of 
reference  there  should  be  published  each  year  a 
volume  containing  a  list  of  all  government  publi- 
cations, with  at  least  a  table  of  contents  of  each 
report,  and  if  possible  a  brief  synopsis  of  the 
more  important  papers.  Students  would  then 
have  an  opportunity  of  finding  out  the  material 
they  were  in  quest  of.  In  the  same  volume 
should  also  be  given  a  classified  list  of  the  recip- 
ients of  government  reports,  and  this  list  should 
be  kept  standing  for  additions  and  subtractions. 
This  annual  report  could  be  printed  in  the  most 
condensed  form,  the  matter  solid,  the  covers 
paper,  etc.  Such  a  report  should  find  its  way  into 
every  school,  college,  and  public  library  in  the 
United  States  and  to  every  one  applying  for  it. 
It  should  be  as  common  as  an  almanac.  A  list 
of  publications  of  this  nature  might  possibly 
show  what  appears  to  many  the  disjointed  char- 
acter of  some  of  the  series  and  lead  to  simplif- 
ication. The  government  goes  on  forever,  yet 
with  every  new  chief  of  department  or  change 
of  administration  comes  a  new  series  of  parts  or 
volumes,  to  the  misery  and  despair  of  bibliog- 
raphers. The  hungry  ambition  of  species  de- 


scribers  might  be  curbed  by  checking  the  issue 
of  separata  of  one  or  two  pages. 

If  it  were  possible  to  establish  a  separate 
bureau  of  distribution,  it  would  lead  to  economy 
of  administration,  to  the  economical  and  effica- 
cious distribution  of  reports,  the  avoidance  of 
duplication,  and  consequently  the  placing  of 
material  where  it  would  do  the  most  good,  or  at 
least  where  it  would  not  be  used  to  kindle  the 
kitchen  fire. 

The  above  suggestions  refer  solely  to  those 
reports  which  tend  to  the  advancement  of  hu- 
man learning,  and,  printed  and  distributed  freely 
as  they  are  by  the  nation,  should  reach  in 
every  case  those  who  stand  most  in  need  of 
them.  

THE    UNIVERSITY   LIBRARY,  ITS   LAR- 
GER RECOGNITION   IN  HIGHER 
EDUCATION.* 

C:  E.  Lawrey,  Librarian  of  tht  University  of 
Color*d»,  in  Education. 

DR.  WILLIAM  T.  HARRIS,  in  the  latest  report 
on  the  public  libraries  of  America,  mentions  our 
schools,  our  newspapers,  and  our  libraries  as  the 
essential  educational  factors  of  our  civilization. 
The  development  and  growth  of  the  public  li- 
brary has  been  so  rapid,  that  even  our  more 
cultured  classes  are  scarcely  aware  of  the  en- 
larged details  of  administration,  of  its  increased 
facilities,  and  of  the  educational  importance  of 
the  work  our  libraries  have  assumed  ;  nothing 
less  in  truth  than  the  dignity  of  representing 
the  essential  factor  for  the  fostering  of  our  more 
mature  intellectual  life  and  education. 

The  university  library  of  the  present  has  in 
purpose  this  higher  standard.  Its  presence  as  a 
whole  is  essential  for  the  largest  results  in  inde- 
pendent research.  In  harmony  with  the  best 
models,  it  guides,  supports,  and  prunes  the  labors 
of  the  student  and  gives  value  to  his  produc- 
tions. The  university  library  is  not  simply 
storage  and  storehouse  of  thought,  but  more 
distinctly  the  study  and  the  workshop  of  both 
professors  and  students,  the  absolutely  essential 
instrument  in  all  true  university  instruction. 

It  is  only  too  true  that  the  notion  of  a  univer- 
sity library  distinctively  directive,  educational, 
corrective,  critical,  and  ideal  for  the  entire  uni- 
versity community,  is  of  recent  growth  in  this 
country  even  in  literary  circles.  Very  true, 
there  has  never  been  a  question  of  the  propriety 
of  a  library  of  the  best  books  as  an  important 
adjunct  to  the  work  of  higher  education.  As  an 
opportunity  to  professors  for  the  refined  em- 
ployment of  their  scholarly  leisure,  as  a  source 
of  intellectual  diversion  of  the  most  commend- 
able .order  for  students,  the  university  library 
has  always  been  regarded  at  least  as  an  elegant 
concomitant  of  higher  instruction. 

How  universal  is  this  limited  conception  of  the 
purpose  of  the  university  library  is  too  well 
known  to  need  more  than  mention.  Scarcely 
25  years  ago,  quite  generally  our  colleges 
and  universities  chose  for  librarian  a  pro- 
fessor already  connected  with  the  regular  work 


*  Reprinted,  in  part,  from  Education  tot  May,  1894. 


August,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


265 


of  class  instruction.  The  office  a  veritable 
sinecure.  The  qualification,  a  reputed  fondness 
for  books.  The  appointment  an  act  of  courtesy. 
The  task  for  the  privilege,  opening  the  library 
an  hour,  or  the  like, daily  for  professors  and  stu- 
dents to  select  and  loan  books  of  special  inter- 
est. 

Quite  as  recent  as  the  development  of  distinct- 
ly university  instruction,  is  that  of  the  university 
library  as  the  first  condition  of  university  life 
and  activity,  as  an  appliance  quite  as  necessary 
as  professors  for  the  work  of  higher  education. 

Higher  education  of  the  earlier  day  was  dis- 
tinctly instruction  for  a  limited  class,  an  elegant 
polish  for  young  men  destined  for  the  so-called 
learned  professions.  But  our  theory  of  free  ed- 
ucation as  a  condition  of  good  citizenship,  as 
the  safeguard  of  our  universal  suffrage,  has  led 
us  to  a  broader  conception  of  higher  education. 

Our  university  student  of  the  present  with  his 
more  general  preparation  and  increased  age, 
approaches  the  period  of  self-judgment.  That 
professors  covet  the  respect  and  confidence  of 
their  students  is  still  true.  To  do  so,  they  can 
no  longer  merely  assert  the  results  of  mature 
scholarship,  they  must  also  guide  to  the  per- 
sonal verification  of  truth,  they  must  awaken  in 
the  individual  student  the  exercise  of  the  uni- 
versal standard  of  all  authority  in  scholarship. 
It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say  that  instructors  of 
large  attainments  court  this  opportunity  to  intro- 
duce students  to  the  sources  of  their  own  inspi- 
ration, to  their  own  methods  of  research,  and  as 
a  basis  for  friendly  criticism  and  instruction  to 
invite  a  large  rivalry  of  opinion  and  judgment. 

It  is  this  new  phase  of  instruction  —  or  rather, 
it  is  this  addition  of  university  work  to  our  pre- 
vious instruction  as  a  superstructure  —  that  has 
transformed  the  office  and  purpose  of  the  library. 
The  richness  of  the  collection  of  books,  the 
proper  storing  and  administration  of  the  library, 
have  become  par  excellence  an  advertisement, 
symbol,  and  test  of  the  extent  that  actual  uni- 
versity work  is  possible  in  any  institution  of 
learning. 

The  technical  manual  of  reference,  the  sylla- 
bus for  topical  study  and  critical  literary  compo- 
sition, the  seminary  methods  of  instruction,  so 
prevalent  and  fruitful  in  all  university  work, 
point  to  a  critical  collection  of  books,  to  a  close 
classification  of  the  whole  field  of  knowledge, 
and  to  the  contiguous  location  and  shelving  of 
the  literature  of  related  topics  of  investigation. 
They  imply  that  the  special  student  be  able  to 
test  new,  original,  and  apparently  valid  sug- 
gestions by  easy  access  for  practical  verification 
and  illustration  to  every  other  department  of 
human  research.  They  also  as  certainly  imply 
librarians  in  charge  to  facilitate  this  collateral 
research  of  catholic  attainments,  fairly  familiar 
with  the  phraseology  and  general  tendency  and 
detail  of  every  line  of  thought. 

The  seminary  rooms  of  the  library  are  the 
technical  and  ideal  place  for  private  study  with 
true  university  professors  and  students.  The 
time  has  passed  in  the  best  library  administra- 
tion to  regard  the  collection  as  a  mere  aggrega- 
tion of  special  libraries,  severely  independent  of 
each  other.  At  best  it  is  a  serious  restriction  in 


acquiring  the  habits  of  accurate  scholarship  to 
use  even  technical  literature,  where  the  side- 
lights of  collateral  suggestion  cannot  at  once  be 
brought  to  bear  on  the  subject.  For  the  mutual 
accommodation  of  all  scholarly  specialization, 
each  department  requires  its  literature  shelved 
with  easy  access  to  the  whole  collection.  In  the 
special  rooms  and  adjacent  stacks  of  the  modern 
library  building,  we  see  library  architecture  ad- 
justing itself  to  this  important  necessity  of  au- 
thoritative research. 

University  administration  no  longer  needs  to 
stand  in  loco  parcntis  with  the  paraphernalia  of 
that  relation  as  university  equipment.  Save  for 
income  from  capital  already  buried  in  them, 
dormitories  and  dining-halls  have  disappeared 
even  from  the  grounds  of  our  private  universi- 
ties. The  university  student  is  practically  or 
actually  at  the  age  of  general  citizenship.  He 
preters  and  has  a  right  to  conduct  his  personal 
affairs  under  the  ordinary  restrictions  and  con- 
ditions of  private  life.  In  free  primary  and 
secondary  education  by  the  state,  there  is  no  at- 
tempt to  provide  for  the  physical  necessities  of 
youth  ;  much  less  the  excuse  for  such  provision 
in  higher  education. 

In  a  public  system  of  instruction,  suitable 
buildings  for  facilitating  the  actual  work,  in 
properly  equipped  class-rooms,  laboratories,  and 
libraries,  constitute  the  essential  material  equip- 
ment of  the  university.  Guidance,  personal 
experimentation,  and  the  privilege  through  books 
and  current  periodical  literature  of  an  intro- 
duction at  home  to  the  world  of  thought  and 
thinkers,  past  and  present,  are  the  pregnant  de- 
mands of  our  higher  education.  And  their  ful- 
filment and  adequate  support  are  a  legitimate 
field  for  the  largest  public  liberality. 

The  more  specific  and  personal  influence  of  a 
liberally  and  critically  supplied  library  cannot  be 
overestimated.  With  it  professors  can  keep 
their  work  in  contact  with  the  latest  suggestions 
in  science  and  thought,  they  can  know  the  best 
educational  standards,  they  thus  can  make  their 
work  critical,  not  simply  guidance  for  immature 
students,  but  a  contribution  to  their  subject, 
worthy  of  publication  for  the  benefit  of  the  pro- 
fession and  the  public.  .  .  . 

For  the  student,  the  university  library  serves 
purposes  of  the  highest  moment  in  his  prepara- 
tion for  citizenship.  Its  intelligent  use  subjects 
him  to  many  habits  of  true  manhood.  The 
library  reflects  the  world's  best  thought  and 
action,  and  to  become  acquainted  with  its  con- 
tents introduces  the  student  to  the  methods  of 
life  by  which  he  may  hope  for  success. 

Even  library  economy  serves  the  student. 
His  first  experience  is  a  bewilderment  at  many 
books  and  many  subjects  for  investigation.  But 
as  he  recognizes  the  orderly  classification  of  all 
knowledge  in  the  arrangement  of  the  books,  as 
he  learns  the  vicarious  character  of  the  cata- 
logs, indices,  books  of  reference  prepared 
especially  to  assist  his  purposes,  his  confusion 
vanishes  and  his  confidence  returns.  He  has 
had  a  lesson  in  exemplification  of  his  dependence 
on  the  unselfish  work  of  others,  that  he  might 
participate  in  their  attainments  and  make  use  of 
their  experience  and  knowledge.  And  in  a  larger 


266 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[August,  '94 


way  and  to  unknown  friends  the  new  student 
has  an  occasion  for  gratitude. 

The  very  imperfections  and  outline  character 
of  the  library  helps,  and  suggestions  compel  the 
user  at  once  to  exercise  his  ability  in  judicious 
search  for  other  possible  entries  of  the  same 
subject-matter,  and  for  hints  in  collateral  topics. 
The  library  becomes  the  basis  of  a  broad  educa- 
tion in  the  discovery  of  related  truth  on  every 
subject,  an  occasion  for  the  exercise  of  ex- 
perience and  judgment,  quite  as  helpful  in  its 
very  uncertainty,  as  many  of  the  vicissitudes  of 
practical  life,  in  the  development  of  character. 
In  fact,  the  resources  of  the  student  at  home 
with  himself  and  his  associations  in  a  good 
library  are  usually  fully  as  remarkable  as  those 
of  the  thrifty  successful  man  of  affairs. 

It  has  been  the  pleasure  of  every  university 
librarian  to  observe  how  quickly  a  liberal  use  of 
the  library  has  given  the  student  the  power  to 
transform  the  drudgery  of  days  into  the  masterly 
grasp  of  a  moment  in  acquiring  intelligent 
knowledge  of  the  contents  of  a  book,  in  dis- 
criminating the  matter  to  his  purpose  from  the 
indifferent.  And  the  whole  process  is  but  a  de- 
velopment of  intellectual  alertness,  a  special 
application  of  that  most  valuable  habit  of  ability 
to  grasp  opportunities  in  all  the  relations  of 
practical  life. 

Library  work  dispels  in  the  student  the  notion 
that  books  must  be  read  verbatim,  after  the  pop- 
ular misconception,  in  order  to  fulfil  their  pur- 
pose. Books  never  intended  to  be  read  except 
on  special  occasion  comprise  a  large  part  of  the 
university  library.  The  uniformly  successful 
lawyer  always  has  access  to  reports,  and  his  suc- 
cess is  not  that  he  has  read  all  reports,  but,  quite 
the  contrary,  that  he  knows  where  to  find  and 
how  to  use  a  few  that  suit  his  purpose.  And 
similarly  the  student  with  reference-books;  with 
large  representation  on  every  subject,  he  judges 
all  books  by  an  examination  of  the  character  of 
the  treatment  of  test  principles  and  problems. 

The  professor  must  introduce  the  student  to  a 
critical  standard  by  a  comparative  study  of  the 
literature  of  his  subject.     But  with  free  access 
to  the  shelves,  a  privilege  we  grant  all  students 
of  university  grade,  the  student  soon  learns  to 
use  the  professor's  and  librarian's  bibliographical 
keys,  to  consult  lists  of  best  books,  to  read  and 
relish  book  notices,    to   scan   catalogs    of    old 
books,  to  compare  editions  of  the  same  work,  to 
handle  and  fix  the  personality  of  the  volumes. 
There   is  an   education   in   looking    at    books. 
There  is  no  substitute  for  a  look  at  the  shelves 
of  a  library.     Students  have  their  conception  of 
special  lines  of  investigation  broadened   when 
they  are  brought  in  direct  contact  with  the  liter- 
ature.      A   university   library    of   symmetrical 
development  is  a  most  efficient  corrective    ol 
that  unpleasant  magnifying  of  any  branch  of  in- 
vestigation, often   characteristic  of  the  enthu- 
siastic  young  specialist.      By  association   with 
kindred  subjects,  equally  rich  in  its  literature 
with  his  own,  and  with  as  earnest  devotees,  the 
use  of  the  library  may  make  rivalry  strong,  but 
it  will  be  tempered  by  mutual  respect,  scholarly 
courtesy,  and  a  Consciousness  of  the  interdepen- 
dence of  every  department  of  thought,    , .  , 


The  functions  of  the  university  librarian  have 
ncreased  in  the  ratio  of  the  larger  uses  of  the 
university  library.  The  librarian  has  a  first  piiv- 
'lege  with  new  students  and  a  serious  duty  in 
nitiating  them  properly  in  university  methods 
of  study.  The  librarian  is  charged  with  the 
responsibility  of  explaining  the  purpose  and 
restriction  of  a  university  library.  He  teaches 
ts  use  as  a  successful  adjunct  of  lecture  and 
recitation  work.  He  shows  how  it  facilitates 
the  intelligent  mastery  of  the  regular  studies  of 
he  curriculum  and  establishes  scholarly  habits 
of  thought  in  research.  He  points  out  the  im- 
jortance  of  a  philosophic  discussion  of  every 
opic  and  the  broad  catholicity  of  thought  that 
he  liberal  use  of  the  library  develops. 

More  technically  the  librarian  introduces  the 
student  to  the  purpose  and  proper  manipulation 
of  the  library  helps  prepared  to  assist  independ- 
ent investigation,  such  as  classification,  cata- 
ogs,  indices,  books  of  reference  and  bibliogra- 
phy. 

The  librarian  is  the  assistant  of  every  depart- 
ment of  instruction,  a  guide  to  all  students 
when  catalogs  and  books  of  reference  are  ex- 
lausted.  He  has  in  addition  large  responsibility 
!n  the  judicious  selection  of  books,  details  of 
purchase  and  preparation  of  the  books  for  uni- 
versal and  intelligent  reference.  In  fact,  save 
the  president  of  the  university,  no  officer  has 
larger  range  of  administrative  duties  than  the 
university  librarian. 

How  the  university  library  has  been  changed 
from  a  vault  to  a  busy  workshop  in  the  demand 
for  a  library  of  books  for  use  and  easy  access,  is 
well  exemplified  at  Columbia  and  Cornell  —  uni- 
versities that  have  by  devotion  to  library  inter- 
ests stepped  in  a  decade  to  the  first  rank  in 
university  facilities.  The  library  staff  at  Co- 
lumbia numbers  25,  the  salaries  reach  $14,000, 
the  annual  addition  of  books  15,000  volumes. 
Cornell  has  nearly  as  large  a  library  corps,  and 
is  committed  to  a  policy  of  $50,000  annually  for 
library  salaries  and  books,  two-fifths  for  admin- 
istration, three-fifths  for  books. 

The  library  of  the  University  of  Colorado  is 
scarcely  a  decade  from  its  first  book,  and  has 
been  subject  to  the  vicissitudes  of  an  undevel- 
oped state  for  support.  President  Eliot,  of 
Harvard,  on  a  recent  visit  in  company  with  the 
librarian  inspected  our  library.  He  noted  the 
high  character  of  our  little  collection,  its  order- 
ly arrangement,  the  perfection  of  the  catalogs 
of  reference,  and  above  all  the  absence  of  any- 
thing superfluous  to  the  purpose  of  efficient  in- 
struction. In  comment  he  remarked  : 

"  I  envy  you  this  privilege.  Harvard,  despite 
her  large  collection,  can  never  possess  this  op- 
portunity of  commencing  with  a  high  library 
ideal  for  usefulness.  Let  the  administration 
be  never  so  perfect,  Harvard  Library  must  al- 
ways confuse  the  average  student  with  its  col- 
lections of  incongruous  donations  begotten  in 
the  relic  period  of  library  economy." 

In  the  inception  of  its  library,  the  University 
of  Colorado  was  especially  fortunate  to  find  a 
patron  of  moderate  means  but  of  large  liberal- 
ity in  Mr.  Charles  G.  Buckingham,  of  Boulder, 
Colorado,  In  the  hour  pf  the  university's  great* 


August,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


267 


est  need  for  intellectual  equipment,  he  had  the 
good  judgment  to  make  a  cash  donation  for 
books,  subject  only  to  the  selection  of  the  faculty 
of  instruction. 

Though  but  few  special  chairs  were  repre- 
sented, a  large  proportion  of  these  early  pur- 
chases were  the  very  choicest  volumes  of  gen- 
eral reference.  With  the  establishment  of  new 
departments  of  instruction,  with  the  large  in- 
crease in  students  of  university  grade,  and  with 
a  goodly  number  of  graduate  students,  the  needs 
of  the  library  have  outstripped  the  resources  of 
private  generosity,  and  the  demands  are  urgent 
for  books  and  for  facilities  of  administration. 
Yet  so  far  as  developed,  Buckingham  Library  is 
a  superior  collection,  composed  only  of  the  very 
best  books.  To  it  the.  University  of  Colorado 
in  a  great  measure  owes  the  scholarly  attainments 
of  her  early  graduates,  many  of  whom  have 
already  earned  for  themselves  an  enviable  repu- 
tation in  science  and  literature. 

Another  happy  circumstance  in  connection 
with  the  large  donation  for  books  was  the  ap- 
pointment as  librarian  of  Professor  J.  Raymond 
Brackett,  Ph.D.  Dr.  Bracket!  was  a  scholar  of 
eminence,  and  a  brother  of  the  chief  of  the  cata- 
log department  in  Columbia  Library.  Then  as 
now  Columbia  Library  stood  for  all  that  is  pro- 
gressive and  practical  in  library  appliances. 
The  librarian  of  the  University  of  Colorado 
made  good  use  of  his  connections.  With  such 
additions  as  the  advance  in  library  economy  has 
suggested,  the  methods  of  administration  then 
introduced  are  intact  at  present. 

The  books  of  the  general  library  have  now 
reached  8000  volumes.  The  library  is  classi- 
fied as  a  unit  by  the  decimal  system  of  Mr. 
Dewey.  The  classification  contemplates  the 
uniform  growth  of  general,  technical,  and  pro- 
fessional libraries,  and  their  housing  under  one 
roof  in  connection  with  seminary  rooms  and  al- 
coves for  special  study. 

Aside  from  large  files  of  complimentary 
periodicals  and  exchanges,  the  library  subscribes 
regularly  for  100  journals  representing  the  lat- 
est and  most  scholarly  research.  Completed 
volumes  are  bound  to  date,  technical  journals 
not  otherwise  made  accessible  are  carefully  in- 
dexed in  the  card  catalogs,  and  all  are  shelved 
for  reference  as  books.  Poole's,  Fletcher's, 
and  other  indexes  of  general  literature  are  at 
hand  to  aid  research. 

The  books  are  shelved  in  the  continuous  order 
of  the  classification  in  adjustable  library  cases  of 
regulation  size.  All  books  are  within  easy 
reach  from  the  floor.  Relative  location  on  the 
shelves,  admitting  of  new  additions  in  any  sub- 
ject or  class  ad  libitum  is  employed.  Mr.  Cutter's 
alphabetical  order  is  used  for  adjusting  the 
books  in  the  class.  The  classes  are  marked  on 
the  books,  and  also  with  transferable  labels  at- 
tached to  the  shelves.  Proper  book  supports 
are  supplied.  Brief  keys  of  the  classification 
and  charts  of  the  library  are  posted  for  conven- 
ient reference  by  new  students  and  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  visitors. 

The  books  are  cataloged  in  three  indexes, 
representing  respectively  the  subjects  of  the 
books  and  articles,  their  authors,  and  the  classi- 
fication and  shelving  by  topics.  35,000  catalog 


cards  with  brief  bibliography  on  each  have  been 
prepared,  and  are  arranged  for  student  refer- 
ence in  Library  Bureau  cases.  In  addition  a  set 
of  charging  cards  represents  each  volume  by 
subject  and  author  in  the  numerical  order  of  li- 
brary reception.  The  circulation  of  books  loaned 
from  the  library  is  recorded  on  a  day  sheet  and 
by  double  entry  with  book  and  person  on  cards. 
The  complete  system  of  indices  enables  any  one 
familiar  with  their  purpose  to  know  in  a  moment 
the  whereabouts  of  every  volume,  the  circula- 
tion of  each  volume,  and  the  loans  of  the  student. 
To  all  technical  and  professional  courses  the 
University  of  Colorado  in  accord  with  the  true 
university  spirit,  has  added  large  collateral  work. 
This  policy  requires  research  with  books.  And 
its  library  accommodations  are  planned  for  the 
entire  realization  of  this  privilege  with  all  de- 
partments in  the  immediate  future. 

In  the  alcoves  of  each  department  are  large 
tables  with  drawers  and  appliances  for  reference 
work  directly  adjacent  to  the  books.  The  stu- 
dents have  direct  access  to  all  shelves,  alcoves, 
and  catalogs.  They  take  and  replace  all  books 
for  use  in  the  library,  and  make  their  own  rec- 
ord of  removals  and  returns  at  the  desk  of  the 
librarian.  The  students  acquire  by  this  contact 
facility  with  library  ways,  the  inspiration  of 
quiet  uninterrupted  reference  and  familiarity 
with  literary  surroundings  most  helpful  to  lit- 
erary research.  The  only  possible  annoyance 
from  this  scholarly  privilege  is  misplacements 
by  the  inexperienced.  In  practice  incorrect  re- 
turns are  few,  and  in  any  case  easily  readjusted 
in  a  few  minutes  on  inspection  by  the  libra- 
rian. 

These  larger  privileges  to  students  very  prop- 
erly presuppose  and  necessitate  instruction  in 
the  practical  use  of  the  library  and  its  appliances; 
they  imply  an  explanation  of  the  great  impor- 
tance of  the  university  library  as  an  instrument 
of  intellectual  growth. 

The  librarian  of  the  University  of  Colorado 
offers  all  new  students  of  every  department 
courses  of  lectures  to  indicate  the  value  of  the 
library  as  a  means  to  enrich  and  facilitate  the 
mental  grasp  of  the  other  regular  work  of  the 
curriculum.  He  gives  practical  talks  in  the  de- 
tails of  the  purpose  and  use  of  catalogs,  bibli- 
ography, indices,  books  of  reference,  manuals, 
classification,  and  shelving.  With  each  lecture 
the  student  has  practical  drill  under  personal 
supervision  of  the  librarian  to  test  his  power  of 
application.  Later,  individual  professors  set 
students  topics  with  library  reference  related  to 
regular  class-room  work,  and  the  librarian  di- 
rects until  his  assistance  is  no  longer  necessary 
for  quick  and  accurate  results.  All  this  intro- 
ductory work  is  most  satisfactory. 

The  recent  generous  appropriations  of  the 
state  legislature  for  books  and  the  pledge  in 
the  near  future  to  supply  a  suitable  home  for 
their  use  are  large  encouragements  for  the  uni- 
versity library.  Ad  interim  the  University  of 
Colorado  can  congratulate  itself  that  the  quality 
of  its  collection  of  books,  the  model  administra- 
tion of  the  library,  the  hearty  co-operation  with 
the  librarian  of  a  faculty  determined  on  univer- 
sity instruction,  largely  multiply  the  facilities  of 
the  Buckingham  Library, 


268 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[August,  '94 


THE  LIBRARY  COURSE  OF  MAINE 
STATE  COLLEGE. 

IT  is  pleasant  to  add  another  name  to  the  list 
of  institutions  furnishing  regular  systematic  in- 
struction in  library  economy  and  bibliography. 
Maine  State  College,  located  at  Orono,  Me.,  is 
the  latest  comer  into  this  field.  In  the  last 
catalog  of  the  college  a  course  in  library  econ- 
omy was  announced,  and  a  leaflet  has  just  been 
issued  giving  lull  details  as  to  methods  of  in- 
struction and  subjects  treated. 

The  library  course  is  in  the  Immediate  charge 
of  the  librarian,  Harriet  Converse  Fernald,  M.S., 
a  graduate  of  the  first  class  of  the  New  York 
Library  School.  Miss  Fernald  has  worked  as 
cataloger  and  classifier  in  the  Siugus  (Mass.) 
Public  Library,  in  Bowdoin  College  Library,  in 
the  library  of  the  Union  for  Christian  Work, 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  the  Maine  State  College 
Library,  and  in  the  Pennsylvania  State  College 
Library,  and  she  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being 
the  only  woman  member  of  a  college  faculty  in 
Maine. 

The  full  force  in  the  library  course  will  be : 
Abram  Winegardner  Harris,  Ph.D.,  president  ; 
Harriet  Converse  Fernald,  M.S.,  librarian  and 
instructor  in  library  economy;  Allen  Ellington 
Rogers,  M.A.,  English  literature;  Horace  Mel- 
vin  Estabrook,  M.S.,  M.A. ,  modern  languages. 

Lectures  will  be  given  by  librarians  and 
others  on  various  phases  of  library  work,  and 
by  members  of  the  faculty  on  the  bibliography 
of  their  special  subjects. 

The  college  library  contains  9000  volumes,  is 
well  selected,  and  is  constantly  receiving  addi- 
tions. It  is  furnished  with  the  most  approved 
apparatus  and  fittings,  is  thoroughly  indexed, 
and  arranged  according  to  the  Dewey  decimal 
classification.  The  college  classes,  collections, 
and  laboratories  are  open  to  the  students  pursu- 
ing this  course. 

The  faculty  state  that,  "  in  preparation  for 
this  work  the  student  should  have  high  school 
training  or  its  equivalent.  Students  coming 
from  approved  schools  will  be  admitted  on  cer- 
tificate, others  will  be  examined  in  literature, 
history,  and  general  information.  The  course 
is  expected  to  occupy  the  time  of  the  student  for 
one  year.  The  work  will  consist  of  lectures 
and  instruction  in  library  handwriting,  accession 
and  order  department  routine,  cataloging,  classi- 
fication, loan  systems,  binding,  shelf-arrange- 
ment, shelf-listing,  reference-work  and  bibliog- 
raphy, literature,  and  the  history  of  books 
and  printing.  The  lectures  will  be  supplemented 
by  practice. 

"  No  charge  is  made  for  tuition.  Each  stu- 
dent pays  for  materials  used,  and  an  incidental 
charge  to  cover  care  of  buildings,  heat,  etc. 
Orono  is  a  place  of  very  moderate  cost,  and  it  is 
believed  that  a  student  can  pursue  a  course  here 
for  a  smaller  expenditure  than  at  any  other  col- 
lege in  New  England.  Probably  $175  or  $200 
would  cover  the  necessary  expenses  for  a  year." 

The  next  term  begins  Wednesday,  September 
5,  1894,  and  closes  December  20  ;  the  second 
term  will  begin  February  6.  1895.  and  close  June 
19.  Examinations  will  be  held  on  the  day  pre- 
ceding the  opening  of  the  term. 


Association  Hniteb  Kinjjoom. 


SEVENTEENTH  ANNUAL  MEETING. 

THE  1 7th  annual  meeting  of  the  Library  As- 
sociation of  the  United  Kingdom  will  be  held  at 
Belfast  on  September  4-7,  1894,  under  the  pres- 
idency of  the  Marquis  of  Dufferin  and  Ava, 
who,  it  will  be  remembered,  took  an  active  part 
in  the  meeting  of  the  Association  at  Paris  last 
year.  A  number  of  papers  will  be  read,  and 
the  usual  discussions  held  on  questions  of  prac- 
tical librarianship,  bibliography,  and  the  devel- 
opment of  the  public  library  movement.  The 
draft  of  a  Public  Library  Amendment  Bill  is 
one  of  the  most  important  matters  to  be  con- 
sidered. 


&nurican  Cibrarg  Association. 


SIXTEENTH     CONFERENCE,    LAKE    PLACID, 
ADIRONDACK  MTS.,  SEPT.  15  -  22. 

PROGRAM. 
(Subject  to  revision.) 

First  session:  Monday,  Sept.  17,  10  a.m. 

Announcements. 

Consideration  of  the  report  of  the  proceedings 
of  the  last  meeting  as  printed. 

President's  address. 

Report  of  secretary. 

Report  of  treasurer. 

Report  of  the  executive  board. 

Report  of  finance  committee. 

Report  of  endowment  committee. 

Report   of  the   trustees    of    the    endowment 
fund. 

Report  of  co-operation  committee. 
Second  session : 

Report  on  library  legislation.     Melvil  Dewey. 

Report  of  the  committee  on  U.  S.  documents. 

Report  of  the  committee  on  foreign  docu- 
ments. 

Report  of  the  committee  on  library  school  and 
training  classes. 

Report  of  the  committee  on  subject  headings. 

Miscellaneous  business. 
Third  session  : 

Home  libraries.  C:  W.  Birtwell.  Mary  S. 
Cutler. 

Traveling  libraries  of  the  state  of  New  York. 
Rev.  W.  R.  Eastman. 

A  problem  of  to-day.     W:  H.  Brett. 

Report  on  library  aids  and  guides.  Willard 
H.  Austin. 

Final   report   of    the    Columbian    Exposition 
committee. 
Fourth  session  : 

The  selection  of  books. 

Short  papers  by  Miss  James,  Miss  Coe,  Miss 
Hewins,  Miss  Plummer,  and  Messrs.  Lane, 
Foster,  Bardwell,  Johnston,  Brett,  Utley,  Crun- 
den,  and  Hosmer,  setting  forth  the  methods 
which  they  severally  employ  in  the  selection  of 
books  for  purchase  or  recommendation;  the 
guides  they  find  most  useful;  the  criticism  they 
place  most  confidence  in  ;  the  considerations 
which  determine  their  expenditure  in  the  various 


August,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


269 


departments  of  literature,  and  classes  of  books, 

etc. 

Fifth  session  : 

On  reading  for  the  young.  Miss  L.  E. 
Stearns. 

Common  novels  in  public  libraries. 

Short  papers  by  Miss  Coe,  Miss  James,  Miss 
Garland,  Miss  Thurston,  and  Messrs.  Whelpley 
and  Cole,  in  discussion  of  the  following  ques- 
tion : 

Is  a  free  public  library  justified  in  supplying 
to  its  readers  books  which  are  neither  for  in- 
struction nor  for  the  cultivation  of  taste;  which 
are  not  books  of  knowledge,  nor  of  ideas,  nor  of 
good  literature  ;  which  are  books  of  entertain- 
ment only — such,  for  example,  as  the  ruck  of 
common  novels  ? 

If  so,  what  are  the  justifying  considerations  ? 
Do  they  differ  essentially  from  the  reasons  which 
might  be  urged  in  favor  of  free  theatres  ? 
Sixth  session  : 

Meetings  of  the  various  State  Associations. 
(Local  officers  are  requested  to  arrange  for  meet- 
ings at  this  time.) 
Seventh  session  : 

Report  on  library  architecture.  Theresa  H. 
West. 

On  library  floors  and  floor  coverings.  W:  Beer. 

On  the  supplying  of  current  daily  newspapers 
in  free  library  reading-rooms.  Messrs.  Crunden, 
Utley,  and  Thomson. 

On  the  publishing  of  library  bulletins.  A 
written  presentation  of  experience  and  opinion 
on  questions  connected  with  the  publishing 
of  periodical  library  bulletins  ;  their  cost,  fre- 
quency of  publication,  expediency  of  annotation, 
admission  of  advertisements,  free  distribution 
or  sale,  value  to  the  public,  etc.,  Messrs.  Stet- 
son, Cole,  Jones,  Brett,  Dana, and  Miss  Hewins. 
Eighth  session  : 

The  functions  of  a  university  library.  H.  L. 
Koopman. 

Report  on  cataloging  and  classification.  C :  A. 
Nelson. 

Report  on  gifts  and  bequests.  Horace  Kep- 
hart. 

On  libraries  of  the  south     W:  Beer. 
Ninth  session  : 

Public  libraries  and  university  extension.  T: 
L.  Montgomery. 

Dr.  Hartwig's  project  for  the  reproduction 
and  interchange  of  manuscripts.  (See  LIBRARY 
JOURNAL,  Dec.,  1893.)  Discussion  to  be  opened 
by  Justin  Winsor. 

On  local  collections  in  public  libraries.  Henry 
J.  Carr. 

Miscellaneous  business. 
Tenth  session  : 

Section  meetings — Publishing,  college,  trus- 
tees, state  library. 
Eleventh  session  : 

On  the  work  of  the  publishing  section.  W:  I. 
Fletcher. 

Report  on  access  to  shelves.  Messrs.  Steiner 
and  Ranck. 

"  Don't !"  Warnings  of  experience,  by  a  num- 
ber of  librarians. 

Question-box. 


Twelfth  session  : 

Election   of  officers,   election  of  councillors, 
place  of  next  meeting,  unfinished  business,  reso- 
lutions. 
Thirteenth  session  : 

In  memory  of  the  late  W:  F:  Poole,  LL.D. 
Papers  by  Justin  Winsor  and  W:  I.  Fletcher. 
J.  N.  LARNED, 
FRANK  P.  HILL, 

Committee  on  Program. 

TRAVELLING  ARRANGEMENTS. 

The  New  York  Central  &  Hudson  River  Rail- 
road Co.  will  have  charge  of  the  eastern  delega- 
tion. 

The  special  train  for  the  conveyance  of  the 
party  from  New  York  to  Lake  Placid  will  con- 
sist of  vestibule  day  coaches,  dining  and  baggage 
cars  of  modern  design,  models  of  luxury  and 
convenience,  the  vestibule  admitting  of  the  pas- 
sage from  one  car  to  another  with  perfect  safety. 
At  Albany,  connection  will  be  made  with  the 
Boston  Section.  Experienced  tourist  agents  will 
make  the  round  trip  with  the  party. 

The  Route. 

Departure  will  be  made  from  the  Grand  Cen- 
tral Station,  42d  Street  and  Fourth  Avenue,  at 
10:40  a.m.,  Saturday,  September  15.  The  train 
passing  through  Spuyten  Duyvel  (where  the 
Palisades  of  the  Hudson  are  brought  to  view), 
Yonkers,  Dobbs  Ferry,  and  Irvington,  stopping 
a  few  minutes  at  Poughkeepsie,  and  continuing 
along  the  shores  of  the  peerless  Hudson  to  Al- 
bany; the  route  thence  traversing  the  beautiful 
valley  of  the  Mohawk. 

The  scenery  from  here  is  of  a  varied  and  most 
interesting  character,  constant  surprises  spring- 
ing into  view  as  the  train  wends  its  way  through 
this  magnificent  Adirondack  park  of  forest,  lake 
and  mountains.  Lake  Placid  will  be  reached 
about  10  p.m. 

The  Trunk  Line  Associations  have  made  the 
following  rates  based  on  a  fare  and  a  third, 
going  and  returning  by  same  route;  fare  and  a 
half  by  variable  route,  to  be  sold  and  good  going 
September  13'-  20;  returning  until  September  29, 
inclusive. 

*Route  No.  i. 

From  Boston  to  Lake  Placid,  via  Boston  &  Albany 
and  N.  Y.  C.  &  H.  R.  Railroads,  returning  same 

route $15  05 

From  South  Framingham T4  40 

From  Worcester I3  ?0 

From  Palmer I2  50 

From  Springfield i2  05 

From  Westfield XI  90 

From  Pittsfield I0  50 

*Route  No.  2. 
From  Boston  to  Lake  Placid,  via  Boston  &  Albany 
and  N.  Y.  C.  &  H.  R.  Railroads,  returning  via 
Chateaugay  R.  R.  to  Plattsburg,  steamer  through 
Lakes  Champlain  and  George  to  Caldwell,  D.  & 
H.  C.  Co.'s  R.  R.  to  Albany,  B.  &  A.  R.  to 

Boston $17  65 

From  South  Framingham 1700 

From  Worcester X6  30 


*  Errors  made  by  the  railroad  company  in  compiling 
rates  have  necessitated  changes  in  the  cost  of  transporta- 
tion over  routes  Nos.  i,  2,  and  3. 


270 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[August,  '94 


*Route  No.  a. — Continued. 

From  Palmer 15  10 

From  Springfield 1465 

From  Westfield 14  40 

From  Pit tslle Id 13  10 

*Route  No.  3. 

From  Boston  to  Lake  Placid,  via  Boston  &  Albany 
and  N.  Y.  C.  &  H.  R.  Railroads,  returning  via 


ing  via 
H.  C. 


Chateaugay  R.  R.  to  Plattsburg,  D. 

Co.'s   R.'  R.  through  Port  Kent,  Port   Henry, 

Fort  Ticonderoga  and  Saratoga  to  Albany,  B.  & 

A.  R.  R.  to  Boston $16  15 

From  South  Framingham  15  50 

From  Worcester 14  80 

From  Palmer 13  60 

From  Springfield 13  15 

From  Westfield 12  90 

From  Pittsfield n  60 

Route  No.  4. 

From  New  York  to  Lake  Placid,  via  N.  Y.  C.  &  H. 
R.  R.  R.,  returning  by  same  route  to  Albany, 

thence  to  New  York  by  rail  or  boat $13  10 

From  Poughkeepsie 10  95 

From  Albany 8  95 

Route  No.  5. 

From  New  York  to  Lake  Placid  via  N.  Y.  C.  &  H. 
R.  R.  R.,  returning  via  Chateaugay  R.  R.  to 
Plattsburg,  steamer  through  Lakes  Champlain 
and  George  to  Caldwell,  D.  &  H.  C.  Go's.  R.  R. 
to  Albany,  thence  to  New  York  by  boat  or  rail.  .$  16  20 

From  Poughkeepsie 1380 

Prom  Albany 1 1  55 

Route  No.  6. 

From  New  York  to  Lake  Placid  via  N.  Y.  C.  &  H. 
R.  R.  R.,  returning  via  Chateaugay  R.  R.  to 
Plattsburg,  D.  &  H.  C.  Co.'s  R.  R.  through 
Port  Kent,  Port  Henry,  Fort  Ticonderoga  and 
Saratoga  to  Albany,  thence  to  New  York  by  boat 

or  rail $14  70 

From  Poughkeepsie 12  30 

From  Albany 10  05 

From  Syracuse  to  Lake  Placid  and  return,  via  N.  Y. 

C.&  H.  R.R 800 

From  Rochester  to  Lake  Placid  and  return,  via  N. 

Y.  C.  &  H.  R.  R 10  15 

From  Buffalo  to  Lake  Placid  and  return,  via  N.  Y. 
C.  &  H.  R.  R 12  oo 

At  stations  where  the  excursion  tickets  are 
not  on  sale  members  should  ask  for  a  certificate 
for  attendance  at  the  meeting  of  the  American 
Library  Association  at  Lake  Placid,  or  buy  sin- 
gle ticket  to  nearest  connecting  point  and  then 
purchase  excursion  ticket. 

Tickets  will  be  on  sale  at  all  stations  of  the  N. 
Y.  C.  &  H.  R.  R.  R. 

Round  trip  to  Return  via  P.  R.  R.   Return 

Lake  Placid  &N.Y.C.          via  lakes. 

From  Washington $21  75  $24  45 

From  Baltimore 20  15  22  65 

From  Wilmington,  Del 17  40  19  60 

From  Philadelphia 1640  1845 

From  Trenton,  N.  J 15  35  '7  »5 

From  Newark,  N.  J 13  25  14  95 

From  Chicago  —  Fare  and  a  third  for  round 
trip  on  roads  included  in  the  territory  of  the 
Central  Traffic  Association.  The  western  ' '  gate- 
ways" are  Chicago,  Peoria,  and  St.  Louis. 
Tickets  eastward  may  be  purchased  from  any  of 
these  points  and  from  any  point  east  that  are  on 
railroads  granting  aforesaid  reduction. 

West  of  Chicago  and  St.  Louis  no  reduction 
can  be  obtained  on  account  of  the  small  number 
likely  to  attend  from  that  territory.  Persons 
living  west  of  Chicago  should  arrange  to  join 
the  Chicago  (or  St.  Louis)  party. 

The  regular  sleepers  on  the  Michigan  Central 

*  Errors  made  by  the  railroad  company  in  compiling 
rates  have  necessitated  changes  in  the  cost  of  transporta- 
tion over  routes  Nos.  x,  2,  and  3. 


and  Lake  Shore  routes  run  from  Chicago  to 
Utica,  but  if  a  party  of  18  or  more  will  go 
from  Chicago,  a  special  sleeper  will  be  run  from 
Chicago  to  Lake  Saranac. 

The  fare  from  Chicago  to  Lake  Placid  is 
$19.20  one  way;  sleeper  $5  each  way. 

Tickets  may  be  purchased  on  any  of  the  three 
days  preceding  or  following  September  15,  and 
the  time  of  return  is  extended  to  September  29. 

When  purchasing  tickets  western  members 
should  ask  for  a  certificate  for  attendance  at  the 
meeting  of  the  A.  L.  A.  at  Lake  Placid.  Mem- 
bers who  live  in  or  near  Chicago,  or  who  can 
arrange  to  pass  through  Chicago  on  their  way 
east,  should  communicate  Jwith  W:  Stetson  Mer- 
rill, Newberry  Library,  Chicago.  Mr.  Merrill 
will  have  charge  of  the  traveling  arrangements 
from  Chicago. 

HOTELS. 

The  party  will  be  quartered  at  the  Grand  View, 
Mirror  Lake,  and  Lake  Placid  Hotels.  Ample 
accommodations  will  be  provided.  Rooms  will 
be  assigned  before  the  arrival  of  members  (pro- 
vided the  secretary  is  notified),  thus  insuring  as 
little  delay  and  confusion  as  possible. 

Rates  :  One  person  in  a  room,  per  day. . .  .$2  50 

Two  persons  in  a  room,  each  per  day. . .   2  25 
Baggage  delivery  from  railroad  station 

to  hotel  and  return 25 

Carriage  from  station  to  hotel  and  return  25 

These  terms  will  be  extended  after  the  meet- 
ing to  those  who  wish  to  prolong  their  stay;  and 
there  are  farm-houses  in  the  vicinity  where  board 
may  be  obtained  at  very  moderate  prices  for 
those  who  wish  to  come  earlier  and  stay  later  at 
a  lower  cost. 

TIME-TABLE. 

Friday,  September  14.  —  Leave  Chicago  3:30 
p.m.  from  Michigan  Central  Station,  Lake  Front, 
between  Park  Row  and  I2th  Street.  Leave  De- 
troit 11:35  p.m.  Leave  Niagara  Falls  5:58  a.m. 
Saturday  ;  Buffalo  7:30  a.m.,  Saturday;  Syra- 
cuse 11:20,  Utica  2:10.  Arrive  at  Lake  Placid 
about  8  p.m. 

Saturday,  September  15. — Leave  Boston  8:30 
a.m.  from  Boston  &  Albany  Station,  Kneeland 
Street.  Arrive  at  Albany  2:43  p.m.  Leave 
New  York  by  special  train  at  10  p.m.  from 
Grand  Central  Station.  Connection  at  Albany 
with  the  Boston  section.  Leave  Albany  at  3 
p.m.  Lunch  and  dinner  on  the  train.  Cost  of 
lunch,  $i;  dinner,  $i.  Arrive  at  Lake  Placid 
10:30  p.m.  Sunday,  September  16,  to  Saturday, 
September  22,  at  Lake  Placid. 

POST-CONFERENCE. 

A  most  delightful  return  trip  has  been  ar- 
ranged by  the  N.  Y.  C.  R.  R.  officials,  includ- 
ing stops  at  some  of  the  principal  mountain 
resorts,  such  as  Saranac  Lake,  Paul  Smith's, 
and  Loon  Lake.  A  tally-ho  ride  of  12  miles; 
side  trip  to  Au  Sable  Chasm;  steamer  ride 
through  Lake  Champlain  and  Lake  George  ; 
two  days  at  the  Sagamore  House,  Lake  George, 
and  one  day  at  Saratoga. 
Expense.  —  From  Boston.  To  Route  No. 

2  add $28  48 

From  New  York.     To  Route  No.  5  add  28  48 


August,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


271 


This  price  includes  railroad  fares,  hotels,  bag- 
gage transfers,  tally-ho  ride,  side  trip  to  Au 
Sable  Chasm,  and  all  necessary  expenses  from 
Lake  Placid  to  Albany,  and  return  ticket  to 
destination. 

Western  members  who  desire  to  take  the  post- 
conference  trip  may  do  so  by  paying  $35.44  in 
addition  to  fare  to  Lake  Placid,  and  have  their 
certificates  exchanged  at  Albany  for  return  to 
destination  at  one-third  fare. 

Itinerary. 

Lv.  Lake  Placid 3:00  p.m.  Sat.,  Sept. 

Ar.  Saranac  Lake. ..  .4:00  "  "  " 
Lv.  Saranac  Lake. . .  .9:00  a.m.  Mon.,  " 
Ar.  Paul  Smith's 

Hotel.  11:00    "        "        " 
Lv.  Paul  Smith's 

Hotel.. 3:30  p.m.    "       " 
Ar.  Paul  Smith's 

Station.  .4:00    "        "        " 
Lv.  Paul  Smith's 

Station.. 4:30    "        "        " 
Ar.  Loon  Lake 

Station. .5:00    "        "        " 
Ar.  Loon  Lake  House 

(smiles) s=3°    "        " 

Lv.  Loon  Lake  House  9:00  a.m.  Tue. ,  " 
Lv.  Loon  Lake 

Station.  10:03    "       "       " 
Ar.  Plattsburg, 

Chat.  Ry..  12:13  p.m.    " 

Lv.  Plattsburg 2:55    " 

Ar.  Au  Sable  Chasm. 3:30    " 
Lv.  Au  Sable  Chasm. 5:20    "        "        " 
Ar.  Bluff  Point, 
Hotel  Champlain.. 6:50    "       " 

Lv.  Bluff  Point 7:10  a.m.  Wed.,  " 

Ar.  Ft.  Ticonderoga  12:25  p.m.    " 

Ar.  Baldwin 12:50    " 

Ar.  Sagamore  Hotel.. 3:00    "        " 
Lv. Sagamore  Hotel.. 9:30  a.m.  Fri., 

Ar.  Saratoga 12:00  noon  " 

Lv.  Saratoga 7:10  a.m.  Sat., 

Ar.  Albany 8:20    " 

Lv.  Albany 9:45    " 

Ar.  New  York 1:45  p.m.    ' 

Lv.  Albany 8:40  a.m.    " 

Ar.  New  York 6:00  p.m.    " 

Lv.  Albany 9:453.01.    " 

Ar.  Boston 4:15  p.m.    " 


22  Rail 
22  Rail 
24  Tally-ho 

24  Tally-ho 
24  Tally-ho 
24  Tally-ho 
24  Rail 
24  Rail 

24  Rail 

25  Rail 

25  Rail 

25  Rail 
25  Rail 
25  Rail     ' 
25  Rail 

25  Rail 

26  Steamer 
26  Steamer 
26  Rail 

26  Steamer 
28  Steamer 

28  Rail 

29  Rail 
29  Rail 

29  via  N.  Y.  C. 
29  via  N.  Y.  C. 
29  Day  Boat 
29  Day  Boat 
29  B.  &A.  R.  R. 
29  B.&  A.  R.  R. 


BY  THE  WAY. 


Brief  notes  concerning  the  several  places  cov- 
ered by  the  itinerary  may  be  of  interest  to  some 
of  the  members  who  have  not  previously  visited 
this  delightful  region. 

Lake  Placid  is  nearly  five  miles  long,  about 
two  miles  wide,  and  contains  three  large  and 
beautiful  islands.  Mirror  Lake  and  Lake  Placid, 
though  within  a  few  hundred  feet  of  each  other, 
are  not  connected,  and  have  separate  outlets, 
both  of  which,  however,  flow  into  the  west 
branch  of  the  Ausable  River.  One  of  the  at- 
tractions of  this  place  is  its  nearness  to  White- 
face  Mountain,  which  is  but  a  short  distance 
from  the  several  hotels,  and  the  ascent  of  this 
mountain  is  one  of  the  crowning  features  of  a 
visit  to  the  Adirondacks. 

Saranac  Lake.  This  is  the  largest  village 
within  the  limits  of  the  Adirondack  region,  is 
most  charmingly  situated,  and  has  a  population 
of  about  1 200.  A  little  over  a  mile  from  the 
village  is  Lower  Saranac  Lake,  which  is  six  miles 
long,  and  in  places  nearly  two  miles  wide,  and 
contains  between  40  and  50  small  islands.  The 
Saranac  Lake  region  is  better  known  as  a  health 
resort  than  any  other  portion  of  the  Adirondacks. 

Paul  Smith's,  one  of  the  oldest  and  best-known 
resorts  in  the  mountains,  is  situated  on  Lower 


St.  Regis  Lake,  reached  by  a  delightful  tally-ho 
drive  of  3^  miles  from  the  railroad  station.  The 
forest  may  be  explored  for  miles  from  here,  and 
delightful  excursions  maybe  taken  daily  through 
the  numerous  streams. 

Loon  Lake  is  a  romantically  situated  body  of 
water,  about  two  miles  in  length  and  one  and  a 
half  miles  wide.  An  excellent  view  may  be  had 
of  the  Green  Mountains  and  many  of  the  Adiron- 
dack peaks  from  this  point. 

Lake  Champlain.  This  lake,  filling  a  valley 
enclosed  by  lofty  mountains,  is  celebrated  for  its 
magnificent  scenery,  embracing  the  Green  Moun- 
tains of  Vermont  on  the  east  and  the  Adiron- 
dack Mountains  of  New  York  on  the  west.  Its 
waters  in  some  places  are  300  feet  deep,  and 
abound  with  many  varieties  of  fish.  The  shores 
of  Lake  Champlain  contain  many  places  of 
celebrity  and  historic  interest.  Vermont's  most 
beautiful  city,  Burlington,  is  located  upon  the 
eastern  shore  of  the  lake.  The  Adirondacks, 
Ausable  Chasm,  and  other  points  of  interest  are 
reached  by  way  of  Plattsburg  and  Port  Kent  on 
the  western  shore. 

Lake  George,  AT.  Y.  This  matchless  lake  is 
situated  in  Warren  and  Washington  Counties, 
N.  Y.,  210  miles  from  New  York  City  and  70 
miles  from  Albany.  It  is  346  feet  above  sea 
level,  is  35  miles  long  from  northeast  to  south- 
west, and  from  three-quarters  of  a  mile  to  four 
miles  wide.  It  is  the  most  famous  and  fre- 
quented of  American  lakes,  and  is  renowned 
not  only  for  the  natural  grandeur  of  its  scenery, 
but  also  for  the  historic  and  legendary  associa- 
tions with  which  this  locality  is  invested. 

In  the  near  vicinity  stands  the  sombre  ruins  of 
Fort  Ticonderoga,  where  Ethan  Allen  and  the 
Green  Mountain  Boys  earned  a  nation's  grati- 
tude. Here  the  gallant  French  General  Mont- 
calm,  with  10,000  men,  besieged  Fort  William 
Henry.  Here  General  Abercrombie,  with  an 
army  of  15,000  men,  made  an  unsuccessful  at- 
tack upon  sturdy  old  Ticonderoga,  and  engage- 
ments between  the  French  and  English  with  In- 
dian allies  were  of  such  frequent  occurrence 
that  in  the  early  days  preceding  our  country's  in- 
dependence the  beautiful  lake  was  hardly  more 
than  a  daily  battle-ground.  The  Indian  name  of 
Lake  George  was  "  Horicon,"  meaning  "  silvery 
waters,"  and  those  who  have  visited  it  will  rec- 
ognize this  as  a  most  appropriate  designation. 

REGISTRATION. 

All  who  contemplate  attending  the  Conference 
are  requested  to  communicate  with  the  secretary, 
stating  : 

1.  If  they  intend  going. 

2.  If  any  friends  will  accompany  them. 

3.  At  what  point  they  will  join  the  party. 

4.  If  they  wish  rooms  engaged. 

5.  If  they  prefer  separate  rooms. 

6.  If  they  will  join  the  post-conference  party. 
Circulars  and  additional  information  may  be 

obtained  from  the  secretary, 

FRANK  P.  HILL,  Newark,  N.  J. 
Or  from  the  following  assistant  secretaries  :  - 
Boston  :  NINA  E.  BROWNE,  Library  Bureau. 
Philadelphia :  T:  L.    MONTGOMERY,    Wagner 

Institute. 
Chicago  :  W:  S.  MERRILL,  Ne-wberry  Library. 


27* 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[August,  '94 


IXew  Dork  Stale  Cibrars 


GRADUA  7Y0JV.— 1893, 1894. 

IN  meeting  the  request  for  an  account  of  the 
closing  exercises  of  the  Library  School,  I  recall 
that  in  the  pressure  of  World's  Fair  work  the 
notice  of  last  year's  class  failed  to  find  its  place 
in  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL.  The  tendency  of  the 
school  is  to  lay  less  and  less  stress  on  graduating 
exercises.  In  1893  and  1894  the  diplomas  were 
given  to  the  graduates  in  the  regular  class-room 
with  an  informal  and  practical  address  by  the 
Director  of  the  School.  This  is  a  not  unpleas- 
ing  contrast  to  the  usual  spectacle  of  commence- 
ment exercises  and  fits  very  well  the  conditions 
of  a  school  where  the  students  are  often  engaged 
in  active  preparation  for  a  position  to  be  taken 
a  few  days  later. 

The  names  of  the  classes  of  1893  and  1894  are 
given.  All  of  them  are  now  engaged  in  library 
work.  A  complete  list  of  Library  School  stu- 
dents from  1887  to  date,  with  positions  held, 
will  appear  in  the  September  number  of  the  JOUR- 
NAL. It  is  therefore  unnecessary  to  give  here 
such  facts  regarding  these  two  classes. 

CLASS  OF  1893. 

Joseph  Le  Roy  Harrison,  B.L.S.;  Josephine 
Adams  Rathbone,  B.L.S.  ;  Mary  Elizabeth 
Hawley,  Helen  Ware  Rice,  Helen  Griswold 
Sheldon. 

CLASS   OF  1894. 

Helen  Sperry,  diploma  with  honor;  Henrietta 
Church,  Herbert  Williams  Denio,  Clara  Sikes 
Hawes.  MARY  S.  CUTLER. 


Btote 


WISCONSIN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIA  TION. 

THE  annual  conference  of  the  Wisconsin  Li" 
brary  Association  for  1894  was  held  in  the  Will- 
iams Free  Library  building  in  Beaver  Dam, 
Wis. ,  commencing  July  3  and  continuing  through 
the  next  day.  The  president,  Mr.  R.  G. 
Thwaites,  of  the  State  Historical  Society,  was 
unavoidably  absent,  and  Miss  Theresa  West,  of 
the  Milwaukee  Public  Library,  presided. 

The  meetings  took  the  form  of  round-table 
conferences,  and  were  noticeable  for  the  free- 
dom of  discussion  and  the  close  adherence  of 
those  who  took  part  to  the  program,  which 
called  for  informal  discussion  of  questions  re- 
lating to  the  practical  administration  of  the 
smaller  public  libraries.  The  intermissions  were 
sometimes  long,  and  the  calls  to  order  were  not 
so  ill-timed  as  to  terminate  the  most  spontane- 
ous and  instructive  of  the  controversies  and  con- 
versations. 

Miss  L.  E.  Stearns,  of  Milwaukee,  read  a 
paper  upon  the  "  Relation  of  the  public  library 
to  the  public  schools."  This  paper  was  closely 
followed  because  the  success  of  the  Milwaukee 
library  in  making  the  public  and  normal  schools 
of  that  city  its  allies  and  auxiliaries  has  attracted 


the  attention  of  both  teachers  and  librarians 
throughout  the  state,  and  has  aroused  a  desire 
for  similar  alliances  in  other  places.* 

Miss  West's  talk  was  a  plea  that  the  Wiscon- 
sin libraries  should  take  careful  observations  of 
the  stars  by  which  their  courses  were  guided. 
She  expressed  a  decided  opinion  that  with  one 
exception  the  first  business  the  libraries  repre- 
sented was  not  book-collection  and  preservation 
for  the  distant  future.  The  great  State  His- 
torical Library,  which  the  whole  state  owns  and 
is  proud  of,  does  the  greater  part  of  that  work 
for  all  the  state.  The  rest  of  the  libraries,  being 
purely  city  institutions,  are  primarily  concerned 
with  the  development  in  intelligence  and  char- 
acter of  the  communities  in  which  they  are 
placed.  If  this  point  be  admitted,  it  means  that 
the  whole  library  administration  should  be  par- 
ticularly shaped  to  make  the  library  attractive 
and  accessible.  Miss  West  especially  urged  the 
example  of  the  Williams  Free  Library  in  the 
freedom  with  which  its  books  are  open  to  the 
people.  The  beautiful  memorial  fountain,  and 
its  obvious  effect  on  the  surrounding  lawn  in 
the  midst  of  the  existing  drought,  gave  oppor- 
tunity for  a  telling  use  of  Mr.  Dewey's  figure  of 
the  library  of  the  past  as  a  cistern,  of  the  ideal 
library  of  to-day  as  a  fountain. 

The  discussion  which  followed  Miss  West's 
remarks  showed  a  general  trend  of  opinion  in 
favor  of  greater  freedom  in  the  use  of  the  books 
of  the  library.  A  number  of  the  librarians  felt 
that  a  small  library  might  fairly  aim  to  offer  to 
children  nearly  all  the  freedom,  the  temptations, 
and  opportunities  afforded  by  the  best  home 
libraries. 

F.  A.  Hutchins,  of  Madison,  quoted  a  remark 
of  a  publisher  that  libraries  were  not  considered 
by  his  house  when  determining  whether  a  forth- 
coming book  should  be  bound  to  endure  care- 
less handling,  and  whether  it  should  be  put  into 
convenient  form  for  the  general  reader.  "  Li- 
braries," the  publisher  said,  "  will  buy  any  book 
we  publish."  Librarians,  even  those  of  the 
smaller  libraries,  should  be  intelligent  in  regard 
to  the  making  of  books,  the  comparative  merits 
of  editions,  and  the  minutiae  that  interest  book- 
lovers.  They  should  know  from  what  houses 
come  the  books  that  soon  fall  into  pieces,  and 
who  publish  the  volumes  whose  typographical 
excellences  educate  the  tastes  of  the  readers. 
Through  this  intelligence  librarians  may  come 
to  buy  to  better  advantage,  to  force  publishers 
to  adopt  higher  standards,  and  to  train  young 
people  to  enjoy  the  best  of  the  bookmaker's  art. 

Miss  Van  Valkenburgh,  of  Milwaukee,  was  re- 
quested to  prepare  a  fairly  full  report  of  the 
meeting  for  publication  and  circulation  among 
the  libraries  of  the  state.  Mrs.  Sarah  H. 
Miner,  of  Muskegon,  Mich.,  who  had  nearly 
completed  a  dictionary  card  catalog  for  the 
Williams  Free  Library,  used  it  as  a  practical 
illustration  of  the  merits  of  such  a  catalog. 

The  last  session  was  devoted  to  the  question- 
box,  and  the  dominant  thought  was  shown  in 


*  Miss  Stearns'  paper  will  be  incorporated  in  her  report 
on  "  Reading  for  the  young,"  to  be  given  at  the  next  A.  L. 
A.  Conference. 


August,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


273 


the  special  attention  given  to  problems  about 
children's  reading. 

The  following  officers  were  elected  :  F.  A. 
Hutchins,  Madison,  president;  Walter  M.  Smith, 
Madison,  vice-president;  Miss  L.  E.  Stearns, 
Milwaukee,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

Those  present  were:  Misses  M.  M.  Oakley  and 
Georgia  R.  Hough,  Madison;  Anna  H.  McDon- 
nell, Green  Bay;  Janet  P.  Russell,  Merrill; 
Theresa  West,  Lutie  E.  Stearns,  and  Agnes  Van 
Valkenburgh,  Milwaukee;  Jessie  F.  Hoyt,  Eau 
Claire;  K.  A.  Smock,  Monroe;  Ellen  C.  Sabin, 
Fox  Lake;  Mrs.  S.  H.  Miner,  Muskegon.Mich.; 
and  Messrs.  G.  B.  Meleney,  Chicago;  J.  J.Dick 
and  F.  A.  Hutchins,  Beaver  Dam. 


LARNED,  Josephus  Nelson.     History  for  ready 
reference  from  the  best  historians,  biographers, 
and  specialists;  their  own  words  in  a  complete 
system  of  history  for  all  uses,  extending  to  all 
countries   and  subjects,  and  representing  for 
both  readers  and  students  the  better  and  new- 
er literature  of  history  in  the  English  language, 
with  numerous  historical  maps  from  original 
studies  and  drawings  by  Alan  C.  Reiley.     In 
five  vols.    Vol.  3,  Eldorado  -  Greaves.    Spring, 
field,  Mass.,  C.  A.  Nichols  Co.,  1894. 
This  second   volume   of  Mr.  Larned's  great 
work  is  almost  wholly  devoted  to  four  subjects 
—  England,  Europe,  France,  and  Germany.   Out 
of  the  800  pages  making  up  the  volume  680  are 
given  up  to  these  four  divisions.     To  England 
is  assigned   200  pages,  France  has  247,  Europe 
has  114,  and  Germany  119.    "Logical  outlines" 
of  history  and  one  or  more  excellent  maps  are 
included  in  each  division.     The  pages  are  oc- 
tavo, closely  printed,  double  columned,  and  the 
amount   of   space    assigned    to    these    subjects 
alone  is    sufficient    to    form    small    individual 
histories  of  each.     The  plan  of  the  work  and 
its  method  have  been  previously  described  in 
these  columns.  In  the  present  volume  "Europe" 
is  an  exception  to  the  general  rule.    It  is  treated 
in   an   original   essay   by  Mr.   Lamed,  for  the 
reason  that  a  general  sketch  of  the  history  of 
Europe  at  large   could   not  well   be   construct- 
ed of   quotations  from   historians  on  the   plan 
followed    in    other    parts    of    the   work.     The 
comprehensiveness  of  the  work  becomes  more 
evident  as  it  advances.     Among  the  entries  and 
cross-references    are    such    headings    as    Elec- 
toral commission  ;  Electrical  discovery  and  in- 
vention (a  treatise  of  seven  pages);  Emigres  of 
the  French  Revolution;  Fagging;  Fanueil  Hall; 
Flagellants  ;  Freedom  of  the  press  ;  Graybacks; 
Greaves.     These  are  selected  at  random  from 
the  vast  mass  of  systematized  information,  but 
they  give  perhaps  a  partial  idea  of  the  extent 
and  variety  of  the  ground  covered. 

UNIVERSITY  OF  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK.  Regents 
bulletin  no.  26,  June,  1894.  High  schools  and 
the  state.  69  p.  O. 


The  Regents  Bulletins  possess,  without  ex- 
ception, two  qualities  that  are  not  always  com- 
bined in  official  documents  ;  they  are  both  val- 
uable and  interesting.  The  present  issue  has 
no  distinctive  library  element,  being  an  epitome 
of  the  relations  that  should  exist  between  the 
state  and  higher  education  ;  but  all  that  per- 
tains to  the  subject  of  public  education  is 
charged  with  interest  to  librarians,  who  believe 
that  the  public  library  is  one  of  the  prime  fac- 
tors in  the  modern  educational  movement.  The 
bulletin  contains  Horatio  Seymour's  address  on 
"The  American  system  of  education,"  and  an 
abstract  of  his  paper  on  "  Higher  education," 
delivered  in  1878  ;  Bishop  Doane's  paper  on 
"  The  New  York  State  University,"  reprinted 
from  the  North  .American  Review;  "The  High 
school  question,"  by  John  Kennedy,  from  The 
School  Bulletin;  an  address  on  "The  public 
high  school,"  by  President  Low,  of  Columbia 
College  ;  excerpts  from  previous  University  re- 
ports, and  several  pages  of  well-selected  and 
pertinent  extracts  from  well-known  writers. 


GENERAL. 

CLARK,  J.  W.  Libraries  in  the  Mediaeval  and 
and  Renaissance  periods.  The  Bede  lecture, 
delivered  June  13,  1894.  N.  Y.,  Macmillan 
&  Co.,  1894.  12°,  $1.00. 

"  Mr.  Clark's  work  was  originally  a  lecture 
illustrated  by  lantern  slides  described  in  his 
book,  which  contains  several  interesting  illus- 
trations. It  is  a  little  book,  but  it  is  full  of 
information  not  easily  accessible,  and  it  makes 
one  wish  for  a  bookcase  in  which  the  manu- 
scripts illuminated  by  Giulio  Clovio  and  Jean 
Fouquet  might  have  gold  chains,  the  Psalter  if 
Mentz  and  the  other  incunabula  silver  chains, 
and  the  favorite  poets,  even  if  the  editions  be 
not  valuable  at  the  auction  room,  chains  of 
pearls  and  diamonds." — N.  Y.  Times. 

FLETCHER,  W:  I.  The  great  libraries  of  the 
United  States.  (In  Bookbuyer,  August,  1894.) 
4  p,  il. 

An  interesting  account  of  the  Congressional 
Library,  The  Boston  Public,  Harvard  University 
Library,  the  Astor  and  the  New  York  Mercan- 
tile Library,  considered  as  types  of  five  dif- 
[erent  classes  of  libraries.  There  is  a  portrait 
of  Mr.  Spofford,  a  diagram  of  the  ground  plan 
of  the  Congressional  Library,  and  a  cut  of  the 
dewberry  Library. 

HARRISON,  Jos.  Leroy.    The  public  library  move- 
ment in  the  United  States  (in  New  England 
Magazine,  August,  1894)  14  p. 
Beginning  with  the   foundation   of    Harvard 
University  Library  in  1638,  and  the  Philadelphia 
Library  Company  in  1731,  Mr.  Harrison  gives 
an  interesting  survey  of  the  growth  of  the  library 
movement  and  its  unprecedented  development 
during  recent  years.     Besides  describing  the  in- 


274 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[August,  '94 


creasing  establishment  of  libraries,  considerable 
attention  is  given  to  the  tendency  toward  library 
legislation  and  the  enactment,  development,  and 
broadening  of  library  laws  ;  there  is  a  careful 
summary  of  the  statistics  of  library  growth,  and 
due  mention  is  made  of  the  bibliography  of  the 
subject,  the  A.  L.  A.,  and  its  allied  agencies,  the 
Library  School,  and  the  various  state  and  city  li- 
brary associations.  The  article  gives,  briefly,  an 
excellent  bird's-eye  view  of  the  broad  field  of 
library  achievement  and  development  in  the 
United  States. 

LOCAL. 

Alameda  (C*l.)  P.  L.  (rsth  rpt.)  Added  2572; 
total  16,724.  Issued,  home  use  101,404  (net. 
48.3  #;  juv.  18.4  #);  ref.  use  10,535;  total  mem- 
bership 4007.  Receipts  $9792.06;  expenses 
$8162.88. 

The  figures  given  in  the  January  L.  J.  (19  :  24) 
were,  by  error,  taken  from  the  librarian's  monthly 
report  for  December,  1893.  The  foregoing  fig- 
ures, taken  from  the  I5th  annual  report,  show 
the  growth  for  the  year  ending  June  i,  1894. 

Librarian  Harbourne  says:  "In  my  opinion 
the  significant  and  phenomenal  increase  in  the 
circulation  of  the  library  during  the  past  year  is 
very  largely  due  to  the  system  of  allowing  the 
public  free  access  to  the  shelves.  When  it  was 
first  proposed  to  adopt  free  access  to  the  Ala- 
meda library,  many  of  the  older  patrons,  some 
of  the  general  public,  and  even  fellow-librarians 
prophesied  all  kinds  and  sorts  of  untoward  re- 
sults and  dire  calamities  as  likely  to  eventuate 
from  the  adoption  of  such  a  policy.  It  was 
maintained  that  the  loss  of  books  from  mutila- 
tion, from  the  difficulty  of  keeping  the  classifi- 
cations together,  and  through  various  other 
causes,  would  establish  the  system  as  unwise, 
Utopian,  and  entirely  impracticable. 

"  What  has  been  the  result? 

'.'  In  the  first  place  the  public  has  shown  its 
appreciation  of  the  confidence  reposed  in  it  and 
of  the  great  and  undoubted  advantages  of  the 
new  system  over  the  old  by  seeing  to  it  that  out 
of  over  100,000  books  issued  for  home  use,  39 
only  are  missing.  As  the  greater  number  of 
these  missing  volumes  belong  to  the  classes  of 
fiction  and  juvenile,  and  were  probably  surrep- 
tiously  taken  to  last  over  the  period  during  which 
the  library  was  to  be  closed  for  stock-taking,  I 
am  justified  in  assuming  that  the  majority  even 
of  these  missing  volumes  will  yet  be  returned. 

"  Another  circumstance  developed  by  the  sys- 
tem of  free  access  and  speaking  eloquently  in  its 
favor,  is  the  decrease  in  the  demand  of  fiction 
and  the  increase  in  the  circulation  of  the  higher 
and  better  class  of  literature." 

Of  the  111,939  v.  issued  for  home  and  refer- 
ence use,  but  48. 3  #  were  fiction,  18.4  #  juvenile, 
and  33.3  %  other  classes.  In  the  previous  year, 
ending  May  31,  1893,  when  the  system  of  free 
access  was  not  in  use,  these  percentages  were 
for  fiction  62.8  #,  juvenile  26.3  $,  and  other 
classes  10.9$.  This  is  an  interesting  comparison. 

"  The  work  necessary  to  making  books  easy 
of  access,  the  task  of  segregating  and  placing  in 
order  each  classification,  of  marking  such  classi- 
cations  by  racks  and  shelves,  and  of  arranging 
works  of  fiction  by  authors,  was  all  accomplished 


within  60  days,  and  the  circulation,  although 
nearly  double  that  of  a  year  ago,  has  not  necessi- 
tated any  increase  in  the  library  staff." 

During  the  winter  eight  free  lectures  were 
given  in  the  reading-room, the  attendance  increas- 
ing from  200  at  the  first  lecture  to  700  at  the 
last.  Among  the  subjects  treated  were:  "Static 
electricity,"  "  Anatomy  and  physiology,"  "  Gold 
and  its  production,"  "  One  hour's  tour  on  ocean 
and  continent,"  "  Books  and  the  pleasure  of  read- 
ing." Several  of  the  talks  were  illustrated  with 
stereopticon  views,  and  as  the  lecturers  volun- 
teered their  services,  the  expense  of  the  entire 
course  was  less  than  $50. 

In  conclusion,  the  librarian  asks  an  increased 
city  appropriation  and  urges  the  need  of  a  new 
building. 

Amherst,  Mass.  The  1894  session  of  Am- 
herst  Summer  School, conducted  by  W:  I.  Fletch- 
er, of  Amherst  College  Library,  opened  on  July 
2  for  the  usual  five  weeks'  course  in  library 
economy.  The  class  this  year  was  an  unusually 
large  one,  numbering  43  earnest  students,  nearly 
all  of  whom  were  already  engaged  in  library  work. 

Boone  (la.)  F.  P.  Z.  The  library  is  now  in 
process  of  organization  under  the  new  Iowa  li- 
brary law;  it  is  being  put  in  working  order  by 
Mrs.  M.  W.  Loomis,  who  also  will  prepare  a 
catalog. 

Bridgeport  (Conn.)  P.  L.  (i3th  rpt.)  Added 
2017;  total  24,819;  issued,  home  use  132,246 
(fict.  and  juv.  74  #);  lib.  use  18,195;  total  reg- 
istration 17,218.  Receipts  $23,812.58;  expenses 
$12,343.68. 

The  year's  figures  show  a  gain  in  circulation 
of  31,015  v.  over  the  previous  year;  this  advance 
is,  however,  largely  attributable  to  the  long 
period  of  business  depression. 

During  the  year  an  art  department  was  ar- 
ranged on  the  upper  floor  of  the  library  building, 
in  which  were  placed  the  fine  illustrated  works, 
engravings,  maps,  plans,  etc.,  owned  by  the 
library.  When  completed  it  was  found  that 
"  owing  to  the  immense  size  of  the  room  a  large 
amount  of  wall-space  would  remain  unoccupied, 
and  it  occurred  to  the  directors  to  solicit  loans 
of  pictures  and  other  artistic  objects  from  citi- 
zens and  from  artists.  Their  appeal  met  with 
a  generous  response,  and  in  January  they  opened 
the  new  department  with  a  loan  collection  of 
about  60  pictures.  The  modest  venture  suc- 
ceeded beyond  all  hopes.  It  had  been  expected 
to  attract  only  a  comparatively  small  portion  of 
the  public;  but  young  and  old,  rich  and  poor, 
crowded  the  rooms,  and  expressed  their  delight 
at  the  new  departure. 

"Appreciating  the  fact  that  permanent  exhibi- 
tions soon  lose  their  hold  upon  the  public,  the 
directors  endeavored  to  find  means  by  which 
their  loan  collection  might  be  continually  va- 
ried and  its  interest  sustained.  An  exhibition 
of  architectural  drawing  was  held  in  March,  in 
which  the  leading  architects  of  the  city  were 
represented,  and  which  attracted  many  visitors 
from  outside  towns  and  cities.  This  was  fol- 
lowed in  April  by  an  exhibition  of  industrial 
drawing  and  design,  and  in  May  an  exhibition 


August,  '94] 


275 


of  paintings  in  oil  and  water  colors  by  local 
amateurs  was  thrown  open,  which,  in  spite  of 
the  advanced  season,  proved  the  most  attractive 
of  the  series." 

The  conclusion  of  the  directors  is  that  "  the 
art  department  has  been  distinctly  the  most  suc- 
cessful educational  experiment  ever  made  by  the 
public  library." 

Burlington  (la,)  F.  P.  L,  Added  435;  total 
13,661.  Issued  39,743  (fict.  24,088);  visitors  to 
reading-room  11,359. 

"  Toward  the  erection  of  a  new  building  a 
fine  site  has  been  purchased,  and  there  will  be 
about  $5000  in  the  building  fund  at  the  close  of 
the  year,  this  sum  resulting  from  the  special 
half-mill  tax  levied  for  that  particular  purpose." 
The  city  council  has  authorized  the  levying  of 
the  three-mill  tax  provided  for  By  the  new  state 
law,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  or  erecting 
a  library  building  or  providing  a  sinking  fund  for 
that  purpose. 

Cat  skill  (N.  Y.)  P.  L.  (istrpt.)  Added  428; 
total  not  given;  issued  10,412;  membership  548. 
Receipts  $1290.75  expenses  $1288.88. 

"  The  library  was  opened  on  May  10,  1893, 
and  from  the  first  day  has  steadily  grown  in 
patronage  and  popularity.  It  numbered  at  first 
863  volumes,  545  of  which  were  transferred 
from  the  School  District  Library  and  318  were 
new  ones,  purchased  with  money  given  by  the 
board  of  education  and  the  board  of  regents 
of  the  University  of  the  State  of  New  York. 
During  the  autumn  of  1893  211  new  books  were 
added,  and  in  the  spring  of  1894  still  another  ad- 
dition of  217  volumes  was  made." 

Chicago,  111,  The  final  accounting  of  the  ex- 
ecutors of  the  Crerar  estate  was  filed  July  13  in 
the  Probate  Court  by  Norman  Williams  and 
Huntington  S.  Jackson. 

The  statement  includes  a  list  of  the  legacies 
paid,  amounting  to  $992,208,  and  shows  the 
balance  of  available  cash  on  hand  to  be  $1,000,- 
370.  The  report  states  that  the  executors  hold 
in  trust  the  residue  of  the  estate,  to  be  expended 
in  erecting  the  Crerar  Public  Library.  The 
greater  part  of  this  portion  has  no  scheduled 
value  in  the  report,  the  sum  of  $440,000  being 
in  collateral  securities. 

In  an  interview,  Huntington  S.  Jackson,  who  is 
one  of  the  directors  of  the  Crerar  Library  as  well 
as  executor  of  the  estate,  is  quoted  as  saying  : 

"  The  individual  legacies  given  by  Mr.  Crerar 
in  his  will  to  friends  and  relatives  amount  to 
about  $660,000,  and  the  bequests  to  charitable 
institutions  to  about  $1,000,000.  The  amount 
to  be  devoted  to  the  John  Crerar  Library  will  be 
between  $2, 000,000  and  $2,500,000.  The  articles 
of  incorporation  for  the  John  Crerar  Library 
have  been  drawn  and  executed  by  me,  and  are 
to  be  signed  by  Mr.  Williams,  who  is  at  present 
absent.  Upon  his  return  they  will  be  forwarded 
to  the  secretary  of  state  to  be  filed,  when  he 
will  issue  a  certificate  of  incorporation  of  the 
library. 

"  Many  of  the  directors  of  the  library  named 
by  Mr.  Crerar  in  his  will  are  now  absent  from 
the  city,  but  no  doubt  by  September  or  early 


in  October  they  will  meet  and  proceed  with  the 
active  organization  of  the  institution.  By  the 
terms  of  the  will  Mr.  Williams  is  to  be  president 
of  the  library,  which  is  to  be  located,  also  in 
accordance  with  Mr.  Crerar's  will,  in  the  South 
Division  of  the  city.  No  site  has  yet  been  de- 
termined upon,  although  careful  consideration 
has  been  given  to  the  subject  by  the  directors. 
All  litigation  challenging  the  validity  of  the  will 
has  ended,  and  the  will  has  been  sustained  by 
three  courts  —  the  circuit,  appellate,  and  the 
supreme." 

Cleveland  (0.)  P.  L,  The  trustees  have  decided 
to  establish  a  bindery  in  the  library,  as  it  is 
thought  this  will  prove  more  economical  and 
convenient  than  having  the  work  of  repairing, 
binding,  etc.,  done  outside.  The  library's  bind- 
ing bill  for  last  year  amounted  to  $2700. 

Fall  River  (Mass.)  P,  L.  Added  1997;  total 
44>779«  Issued,  home  use  84,992;  ref.  use  50,- 
690. 

The  trustees  say  :  "  The  demands  of  the  pub- 
lic for  new  books  have  been  largely  in  excess 
of  the  supply,  and  we  again  feel  compelled  to 
call  attention  to  the  fact  that  it  is  impossible  to 
meet  the  requirements  of  a  city  of  over  84,000 
people  with  the  amount  of  funds  placed  at  our 
disposal." 

The  latest  supplementary  catalog  of  new 
books  was  issued  July,  1892.  The  material  is 
nearly  ready  for  another,  which  it  is  hoped  to 
place  before  the  public  at  an  early  date.  It  will 
contain  in  classified  form  the  titles  of  nearly  3500 
books.  A  written  list  is  posted  in  the  reading- 
room  as  often  as  additions  are  made. 

Indianapolis  (2nd,)  P,  L.  (2Oth  rpt.)  Added 
3057;  total  55,513.  Issued,  home  use  222,953; 
reading-room  use  51,322.  New  cards  issued 
during  year  2706;  total  registration  22,232;  no. 
books  rebound  and  repaired  4213. 

Reference-books  and  periodicals  are  in  open 
cases  or  racks  in  the  reading-room  for  free  ac- 
cess. 

"  The  library  was  open  to  the  public  299  days, 
from  9  a.m.  to  10  p.m.,  and  the  reading-room 
351  days  for  the  same  hours.  On  October  17, 
1893,  the  work  of  moving  the  library  into  its  new 
building  was  begun,  and  five  days  later  the  mov- 
ing was  accomplished.  In  all  40  men  were  en- 
gaged in  carrying  the  books  to  the  new  building, 
the  attendants  and  eight  men  employed  for  the 
purpose  of  packing  and  unpacking  the  books. 
On  October  24  the  delivery-room  was  opened, 
and  the  reading-room  one  week  later.  The  de- 
lay in  opening  the  reading-room  was  due  to  the 
fact  that  after  moving  out  of  the  old  building 
the  bookcases  had  to  be  taken  down,  made  over, 
re  varnished,  etc.,  before  the  books  could  be 
fitted  into  them." 

Jamestown,  N.  Y.  Prendergast  L.  (3d  rpt.) 
Added  325;  total  9112.  Issued,  home  use  39,- 
867  (fict.  50$;  juv.  24"$);  visitors  to  reading- 
room  9710. 

During  the  year  the  library  was  admitted  to 
membership  in  the  New  York  State  University 
and  in  the  American  Library  Association.  There 
has  been  a  decided  increase  in  the  number  of 


276 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{August,  '94 


persons  coming  to  consult  works  of  reference 
and  to  work  up  special  topics  in  all  lines  of 
study  and  research. 

A  separate  reference  and  study  room  is  a 
pressing  need,  as  is  increased  light  in  the  stack- 
room. 

The  first  librarian,  Samuel  G.  Love,  died  No- 
vember 12,  1893.  He  was  succeeded  by  Mary 
Emogene  Hazeltine,  December  5,  1893. 

Lansing,  Mich.  Mining  School L.  (Rpt.)  Add- 
ed 397;  total  8095.  There  are  154  periodicals 
on  file  in  the  reading-room. 

"  The  issue  of  books  from  the  library  has 
steadily  increased,  and  its  value  as  an  adjunct 
to  their  professional  studies  is  becoming  more  and 
more  apparent  to  the  students.  The  requirements 
of  the  library  are  still  very  great,  and  there  is  not 
one  department  which  does  not  need  further  de- 
velopment. The  most  imperative  need  at  pres- 
ent, however,  is  for  more  room.  The  reading- 
room  is  not  more  than  a  third  large  enough  to 
accommodate  the  number  of  students  now  en- 
rolled, and  with  a  further  increase  it  will  be 
much  worse.  It  is  impossible  to  make  a  proper 
classification  of  the  books  on  account  of  the  lack 
of  room.  There  is  absolutely  no  space  remaining 
for  the  larger-sized  volumes,  quartos,  and  folios, 
and  the  files  of  newspapers  have  to  be  stored  in 
the  attic,  which  renders  it  so  difficult  to  consult 
them  that  they  are  made  almost  valueless." 

Nahant  (Mass.)  P.  L.  The  corner-stone  of  the 
new  Nahant  library  building  was  laid  on  the  af- 
ternoon of  July  2,  with  Masonic  ceremonies. 
The  building,  according  to  the  Boston  Herald, 
will  be  "  one  of  the  most  beautiful  public  libra- 
ries in  New  England."  The  date  set  for  com- 
pletion is  Jan.  i,  1895.  It  is  erected  by  the  town. 

Newark  (N.J.)  P.  L.  The  library  was  opened 
on  July  16,  after  having  been  closed  a  week  for 
the  erection  of  a  new  metal  stack.  The  stack  is 
of  the  design  patented  about  15  months  ago  by 
the  Library  Bureau,  is  built  of  steel,  and  while 
very  light  is  especially  stable.  Metal  plates  are 
inserted  in  grooves  running  along  the  sides  of 
the  supporting-posts.'  These  plates  can  be  fixed 
at  any  point  up  or  down  the  posts.  On  the  in- 
side of  the  plates  are  small  projections,  upon 
which  the  board  shelves  are  placed.  The  plates 
are  wide  enough  to  offer  a  support  to  the  books 
should  they  bear  against  the  sides,  and  each 
plate  contributes  this  support  to  the  books  im- 
mediately beneath  as  well  as  upon  it.  One  of 
the  best  features  of  the  stack  is  that  it  is  entirely 
open,  admitting  all  the  light  and  air  possible. 
When  completed  it  will  be  painted  with  alumi- 
num bronze. 

The  stack  is  in  two  tiers,  and  will  give  the 
library  an  increased  book  capacity  of  23,328 
volumes.  The  library  now  contains  41,166  v., 
so  that  the  total  capacity  will  be  raised  to  about 
64,000  v. 

North  Adams  (Mass.)  P.  L.  Added  848 ; 
total  12,109.  Issued,  home  use  72,696  (fict. 
50.8$).  No.  cardholders  4344. 

There  have  been  30  teachers'  cards  issued, 
making  169  cards  used  for  school  purposes  only. 


"  Never  before  in  the  history  of  the  library 
have  the  results,  as  shown  by  the  statistics,  been 
so  gratifying,  and  never  has  the  increase  in  cir- 
culation been  so  large.  There  has  also  been 
an  improvement  in  the  character  of  the  books 
loaned,  the  percentage  of  fiction  read  having 
decreased  two  per  cent,  and  the  circulation  in 
the  children's  department  increased  five  per  cent., 
owing  to  the  demand  for  books  of  American 
history  for  use  in  the  public  schools." 

Oakland  (Cal.)  P.  L.  (Rpt.)  Added  2113; 
total  23,428.  Issued  134,411  (fict.  42,804),  an 
increase  of  25,304  over  the  previous  year.  No. 
borrowers  6921.  Receipts  $18,648.49  ;  expenses 
$17,864.84. 

The  work  on  the  catalog  is  progressing  satis- 
factorily. The  use  of  the  library  is  increasing 
daily,  and  Librarian  Peterson  says  :  "  Its  use- 
fulness would  be  still  further  extended  if  there 
were  accommodations  for  those  desiring  the  use 
of  the  reference  department,  and  others  who 
would  remain,  read,  and  study.  It  must  be  re- 
membered that  there  is  no  such  provision,  that 
we  have  only  a  circulating  department ;  in  fact, 
but  a  delivery-room,  where  books  are  returned 
and  issued  and  the  general  business  of  the 
library  transacted." 

The  trustees  make  a  vigorous  appeal  for  a  new 
building,  which  is  an  "imperative  necessity." 
They  say:  "As  a  storehouse  for  books  the 
present  building  is  inadequate,  insecure,  and  far 
from  waterproof.  As  an  office  for  circulation 
and  home  use,  the  building  is  too  small, 
cramped,  inconvenient,  and  incapable  of  re-ar- 
rangement to  meet  this  modest  requirement.  Ab- 
solutely no  provision  is  now  made  for  reference- 
room  work,  none  for  consulting  bound  periodi- 
cals, none  for  library  study  of  authorities,  no 
comforts  for  library  reading.  The  librarian,  the 
cataloger,  the  student,  the  trustees  must  transact 
business  in  the  midst  of  a  continuous  hum  at 
the  delivery-desk,  though  all  kindly  assume  an 
undertone.  A  suitable  building  should  also 
provide  a  trustees'  room,  a  work-room,  a  com- 
modious reading-room,  and  comfortable  hat  and 
cloak  rooms." 

Omaha  (Neb.)  P.  L.  The  new  library  build- 
ing was  opened  for  public  inspection  on  the 
evening  of  July  4,  and  on  the  following  morning 
it  was  opened  for  regular  work. 

Peoria  (III.)  P.  L.  (i3th  rpt.)  Added  5200; 
total  50,139;  issued  119,860  (fict.  44.48$,  juv. 
25.15$);  no.  cardholders  5150.  Receipts  $15,- 
265.78;  expenses  $15,216.62. 

The  circulation  of  books  for  the  past  year  has 
been  by  far  the  largest  in  any  one  year  in  the 
history  of  the  library;  it  shows  a  gain  on  the 
circulation  of  the  previous  year  of  23^  %. 

"  This  gain  is  remarkable,  and  still  more  so 
that  it  is  very  evenly  distributed  over  all  classes 
of  books,  and  not,  as  might  be  suspected,  in  the 
class  of  fiction  mostly.  Indeed,  fiction  shows  a 
slight  falling  off,  being  lor  this  last  year  44-48 
per  cent,  of  our  total  issues  as  compared  with 
45-34  Per  cent,  for  1892-93,  and  46.90  per  cent, 
for  1891  -92." 


August,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


277 


The  plan  adopted  three  years  ago  of  placing 
small  libraries  of  selected  books  in  the  public 
schools  farthest  removed  from  the  centre  of  the 
city  was  continued  this  year  with  still  more 
gratifying  results.  Librarian  Wilcoxsays:  "I 
am  assured  by  the  teachers  that  their  pupils 
manifest  a  real  eagerness  for  the  books,  and  this 
is  further  shown  by  the  number  of  issues,  which 
was  much  larger  than  the  year  before,  being  a 
total  in  the  three  schools  of  4832  volumes  as 
against  2160  in  the  previous  year." 

Work  on  the  new  subject  catalog,  which  in- 
cludes at  the  same  time  a  complete  revision  of 
the  entire  card  catalog,  is  advancing  slowly.  A 
finding  list  of  fiction  and  juveniles  has  been  pre- 
pared and  published,  and  is  noted  elsewhere. 
(See  p.  279-) 

During  the  year  a  number  of  sets  of  bound 
periodicals  have  been  completed. 

On  June  28  the  directors  of  the  library  com- 
pleted arrangements  for  the  purchase  of  a  site 
for  the  new  library  building.  The  property  is 
108  x  171  feet  and  cost  f  16,000.  Plans  will  be 
secured  at  the  earliest  possible  date,  all  the  pre- 
liminary arrangements  will  be  made  as  rapidly 
as  possible,  and  work  will  be  begun  as  soon  as 
the  present  library  building  can  be  sold  advan- 
tageously. The  old  property  will  not,  however, 
be  sold  at  a  sacrifice  in  order  to  secure  money 
promptly ;  it  is  believed  that  it  should  bring 
about  $75,000. 

Petaluma  (Cal.)  F,  L.  Added  339  ;  total  5804. 
Expenses  $1047.89. 

Providence  (R.  /.)  P.  L,  The  printed  "  Con- 
ditions of  competition"  for  the  new  library 
building  were  distributed  to  the  local  architects 
June  30.  Four  months  are  allowed  them  for 
the  preparation  of  their  drawings,  November  i 
being  named  as  the  date  for  the  submission  of 
the  plans.  Prof.  W:  R.  Ware,  of  Columbia 
College,  will  assist  the  committee  in  making  the 
award. 

Riverside  (Gil.)  P.  L.  (Rpt.)  The  figures 
given  are  for  six  months  only.  Added  752;  total 
6790.  Issued  29,537  (fict.  24,372);  no  record  of 
ref.  use  is  kept.  No.  borrowers  1324. 

The  average  monthly  circulation  of  books, 
4922,  is  about  76^  of  the  estimated  population 
of  6500. 

Scranton  (Pa.)  P.  Z.  The  first  annual  report 
of  the  library,  issued  in  February,  1894,  covered 
the  year  1893,  during  which  time  the  library  had 
been  open  for  regular  work  only  about  six 
months.  As  it  has  now  been  in  operation  for  a 
full  twelvemonth,  Librarian  Carr  has  made  pub- 
lic through  the  local  press  the  statistics  of  the 
year.  These  show  the  total  v.  in  the  library  to 
be  20,681,  exclusive  of  the  John  A.  Price  collec- 
tion, given  in  1893,  and  yet  to  be  cataloged  and 
placed  on  the  shelves,  and  the  Throop  Library 
of  the  Medical  Society,  which  is  to  be  deposited 
in  care  of  the  Public  Library  for  a  term  of  years 
for  public  reference. 

The  total  number  of  cards  issued  is  7920,  while 
the  issue  of  books  for  home  use  has  been  158,270. 
Of  reference  use  no  record  is  kept,  about  4000 
volumes  being  placed  on  open  shelves  for  free 


access  in  the  reference- room,  and  there  are  no 
figures  as  to  use  of  the  125  periodicals  on  file  in 
the  reading-room.  Of  the  rules  and  regulations 
of  the  library  8000  copies  have  been  distributed. 
A  supplement  of  additions  to  the  first  finding- 
list,  which  was  ready  at  the  opening  of  the  li- 
brary, is  in  preparation,  and  will  be  issued  early 
in  the  fall. 

Seattle  (  Wash.}  P.  L.  The  new  rooms  of  the 
Seattle  Public  Library  were  opened  on  the  even- 
ing of  June  28  with  a  public  reception,  which  in- 
cluded music  and  addresses  by  several  speakers. 
Inspection  of  the  library  by  the  public  followed. 
The  new  quarters  are  located  in  the  fifth  floor 
of  the  Collins  office  building,  and  are  entered 
through  a  reception-room,  25x40,  containing 
the  delivery-desk,  catalog-tables,  and  cases  for 
current  magazines  and  new  books.  Back  of  the 
delivery-desk  is  the  stack-room,  and  connected 
with  it  are  trustees'  room  and  librarian's  office. 
There  is  a  ladies'  reading-room,  34  x  1 8,  carpeted 
and  handsomely  fitted  up  with  comfortable 
chairs,  writing-desks,  magazine-tables,  curtains 
and  portieres;  it  is  proposed  to  spend  about  $400 
for  pictures  and  books  on  art,  to  be  kept  in  this 
room  as  a  separate  department  of  the  library. 
Opening  from  the  reception-room  is  the  main  or 
men's  reading-room,  80x44,  lighted  by  six  win- 
dows, containing  an  alcove  about  20  feet  square, 
and  supplied  with  10  tables,  80  chairs,  writing- 
desks  and  newspaper-files.  This  opens  into  the 
reference-room,  44x24,  in  which  are  tables 
seating  30,  writing-desks,  etc.  The  books  of 
reference,  bound  magazines,  newspapers,  etc., 
are  shelved  in  oak  bookcases,  with  glass  doors. 
The  rooms  are  all  lighted  by  electricity.  The 
library  was  organized  in  1890,  when  the  present 
charter  was  established  and  the  library  made 
one  of  the  regular  city  departments.  It  is  sup- 
ported by  one-tenth  of  the  licenses  and  fines  of 
the  city  and  not  by  any  system  of  direct  taxa- 
tion, and  the  funds  devoted  to  its  use  necessitate 
strict  economy  in  administration. 

Sioux  City  (la.}  P.  L.  (Rpt.)  Added  1181  ; 
total  7756  ;  issued  41,844  ;  lost  and  unaccounted 
for  (since  Sept.,  1892)  56;  no.  borrowers  2862. 

The  report  covers  14  months,  and  it  is  an  in- 
teresting record  of  the  complete  reorganization 
of  the  working  departments  of  the  library,  a  labor 
that  was  accomplished  with  no  suspension  of 
service  and  with  the  usual  hours  of  opening  — 
12  each  week  day  and  five  on  Sundays.  Miss 
Crawford  was  aided  in  her  work  by  two  assist- 
ants. She  says  : 

"  Under  these  conditions  the  following  work 
has  been  accomplished,  each  department  being 
organized  on  modern  methods  as  far  as  local 
material  has  permitted  : 

"i.  Complete  re-registry  of  borrowers,  both 
numerical  and  alphabetical. 

"  2.  Completion  of  charging  system. 

"3.  Register  of  periodicals  established,  rec- 
ording names,  issue,  date  of  expiration,  publish- 
er, preservation  record,  and  date  of  arrival. 

' '  4.  Binders  bearing  fac-simile  covers  provided 
for  all  magazines  in  the  reading-rooms. 

"  5.  Over  100  volumes  of  periodicals  prepared 
for  the  bindery. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{August,  '94 


"  6.  More  than  2500  volumes  repaired  in  the 
library,  comprising  all  grades  of  work,  from  past- 
ing in  a  single  leaf  to  removing  covers  and  put- 
ting on  entirely  new  backs. 

"  7.  Our  two  local  dailies  mended  and  pre- 
served in  monthly  files  between  manilla  covers 
until  bound. 

"  8.  Several  hundred  numbers  of  donated 
magazines  and  pamphlets  sorted  over,  tied  up  in 
volumes,  and  missing  numbers  listed. 

"  9.  Complete  inventory  of  books  taken,  with- 
out interfering  with  daily  circulation.  First  in- 
voice ever  taken  in  the  library. 

"  10.  All  new  books  checked  off  from  bills  and 
orders,  plated  and  pocketed,  labelled  outside,  and 
label  coated  with  shellac. 

"II.  1 200  volumes  classified,  using  Dewey 
system  and  Cutter  book-numbers. 

"  12.  2370  volumes  entered  in  the  accessions 
record  and  afterward  cataloged  in  full. 

"  13.  Nearly  1000  volumes  of  earlier  purchases 
subject-cataloged. 

"  14.  Placards  giving  most  desired  informa- 
tion have  been  posted  in  hotels,  depots,  school 
buildings,  etc. 

"  15.  Circulation  of  books  reached  41, 844  vol- 
umes. For  nearly  a  year  we  have  permitted 
access  to  all  shelves  except  fiction  and  juvenile, 
these  being  on  the  delivery-counter  behind  wire 
railing.  During  the  time  only  four  books  have 
been  lost  from  stack-room  shelves. 

"  16.  Monthly  reports  of  the  amount  and  na- 
ture of  the  circulation  have  been  published  in 
the  leading  daily  papers  of  the  city.  Arrange- 
ments have  been  made  for  publishing  lists  of 
all  new  books  added. 

"  Recommendations  for  the  coming  year  in- 
clude only  most  pressing  needs,  such  as  the  pub- 
lication of  printed  finding-lists,  granting  patrons 
the  privilege  of  taking  two  books  on  one  card, 
systematic  classification  of  all  library  accounts, 
addition  of  technical  magazines  to  reading-room 
supply,  provision  for  purchasing  new  books 
while  in  demand,  and  increased  shelving  for  fic- 
tion and  juvenile  literature." 

FOREIGN. 

London  (Eng.)  L.  During  the  year  a  small 
increase  of  the  staff  has  become  necessary,  and 
the  assistants  hitherto  employed  have  received 
an  increase  upon  the  previous  rates  of  pay.  The 
amount  of  subscriptions  in  arrear  has  been  con- 
siderably diminished,  while  the  sum  spent  upon 
books  (^1514)  is  in  excess  of  the  amount  spent 
for  the  same  purpose  in  any  previous  year.  The 
number  of  volumes  added  to  the  library  during 
the  year  by  purchase  and  gifts  is  4065  and  90 
pamphlets. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  subscribers  to 
the  library,  held  under  the  presidency  of  Mr. 
Leslie  Stephen,  a  new  and  significant  departure 
was  made  in  the  election  of  Mrs.  J.  R.  Green 
to  fill  a  vacancy  on  the  committee.  Other  new 
members  of  the  committee  include  Herbert 
Spencer,  W.  S.  Lilly,  and  St.  George  Mivart. 

Streatham,  Eng.  Tate  P.  Z.  (3d  rpt.)  Added 
2208;  total  11,913.  Issued,  home  use  170,234 
(fict.  67.7$);  no.  registered  borrowers  5935. 

The  reading-rooms  are  open  on  Sundays  from 


3  to  9  p.m.  No  record  is  kept  of  the  attend- 
ance either  on  Sundays  or  week-days.  Ap- 
pended to  the  report  is  "A  list  of  some  of  the 
more  popular  books  in  the  different  classes  of 
literature  and  the  number  of  times  they  have 
been  issued  during  the  year." 

Tokyo  (/apan)  L.  The  annual  report  for  1893 
shows  net  accessions  of  4761  v.,  of  which  1316 
were  European.  The  total  number  of  v.  in 
the  library  is  136,187,  of  which  29,160  are 
European.  There  is  no  fiction,  and  in  the  classi- 
fication, "  History,  biography,  geography,  and 
travels"  leads  with  32,128  v.  The  library  was 
open  335  days;  the  total  no.  of  readers  was  71,- 
190  (daily  av.  212.5),  and  the  total  no.  of  books 
read  was  458,940  (daily  av.  1369.9).  The  report 
contains  a  diagram  showing  the  growth  of  the  li- 
brary and  use  of  books  since  1878. 

PRACTICAL  NOTES. 

A  NEW  READING-STAND.  —  H.  A.  Shuttleworth, 
librarian  of  the  Deritend  Free  Library,  Birming- 
ham, Eng.,  has  invented  a  new  reading-stand  for 
public  libraries,  reading-rooms,  school-rooms, 
etc.  It  was  exhibited  at  the  National  Trades 
Industrial  Exhibition  held  at  Birmingham,  where 
it  was  awarded  a  special  diploma  for  merit.  It 
is, a  hanging  stand  fixed  in  the  wall  by  a  beam, 
from  which  is  hung  a  brass  rod  with  clasps  top 
and  bottom,  into  which  the  edges  of  the  papers 
are  put.  The  rod  running  down  the  middle 
works  on  a  ball  head  and  revolves,  thus  allow- 
ing the  paper  to  be  moved  so  as  to  facilitate 
the  reading  and  also  to  adjust  the  light.  The 
cost  is  comparatively  small,  the  stand  does  not 
take  up  a  quarter  the  space  of  the  old-fashioned 
upright  stands,  and  both  sides  of  the  paper  can 
be  read  at  the  same  time  by  a  larger  number  of 
readers  and  with  greater  comfort  than  on  the  old 
system. — Publishers'  Circular  (London.) 


®>ift0  anfc  JSequests. 


East  Bridge-water,  Mass.  Cyrus  Washburn, 
of  East  Bridgewater,  has  offered  to  erect  a  li- 
brary building  for  the  town.  He  has  named 
five  trustees  to  whom  he  will  transfer  stocks 
worth  $10,000,  which  are  to  be  sold  and  the  sum 
realized  used  for  the  construction  of  a  library 
building.  Mr.  Washburn  stipulates  that  he  is  to 
have  the  income  of  the  fund  during  his  life  ;  at 
his  death  the  gift  becomes  the  unreserved  prop- 
erty of  the  city. 

Yale  Univ.  L.  Loring  W.  Andrews,  of  New 
York,  has  given  to  the  University  Library  a 
small  collection  of  valuable  early  printed  books 
and  rare  rnss.,  valued  at  about  $12,000.  There 
are  25  volumes  in  the  collection,  including  one 
Caxton,  and  most  of  them  date  from  the  isth 
century. 

Cibrarians. 

ALLAN,  Miss  Jessie,  librarian  of  the  Omaha 
(Neb.)  P.  L. ,  after  a  serious  illness  of  10  months' 
duration  reassumed  her  duties  on  August  i. 


August,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


279 


LOOMIS,  Mrs.  M..  W.,  has  been  engaged  to 
aid  in  the  work  of  organizing  the  Boone  (la.)  F. 
P.  L. ,  established  under  the  new  Iowa  library 
law.  She  will  also  make  a  catalog  of  the  library. 

WILSON,  Horace,  librarian  of  the  Mechanics' 
Institute,  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  has  been  removed 
from  his  position,  the  removal  taking  effect  July 
I.  The  trustees  of  the  institute  were  anxious  to 
retrench  expenses,  and  one  of  them  explains 
their  action  by  saying:  "  The  assistant  librarian 
Is  able  to  perform  Mr.  Wilson's  work  very  sat- 
isfactorily, so  we  decided  that  it  would  be  well 
to  save  the  latter's  salary. 

WILSON,  W:  H:,  an  assistant  librarian  at  the 
Astor  Library,  died  on  July  15  at  his  residence  in 
New  York  City,  aged  78  years.  Mr.  Wilson  was 
graduated  at  Columbia  College  in  1835.  He 
had  always  a  predilection  for  linguistic  studies, 
having,  it  is  said,  acquired  some  knowledge  of 
nine  languages,  and  he  was  thoroughly  profi- 
cient in  Greek  and  Latin.  He  became  private 
tutor  to  the  present  John  Jacob  Astor  and  other 
members  of  the  Astor  family,  with  whom  more 
than  once  he  travelled  abroad,  and  he  was  of- 
fered the  professorship  of  ancient  languages  at 
Columbia  College,  which,  however,  he  declined. 
In  December,  1880,  he  was  appointed  to  aid  in 
the  preparation  of  the  new  printed  catalog  of 
the  Astor  Library,  and  early  in  1884  he  was 
placed  on  the  regular  staff  as  librarian  in  charge 
of  the  current  card  catalog.  He  remained  in  that 
service  until  his  death,  universally  respected  for 
his  quiet  and  gentlemanly  bearing,  as  well  as 
for  his  scrupulous  attention  to  duty. 


(Eataloging  anb  (!Ila00ification. 


CARNEGIE  (Ayr,  Scot  1. )  P.  L.    Catalogue  of  books 
in  the  lending  library,  1893.     178  p.  8°. 

The  BOSTON  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for  July  is  al- 
most wholly  given  up  to  an  exhaustive  bibliog- 
raphy of  "  Hygiene,  personal  and  public," 
classified  under  many  divisions  and  subdivisions, 
and  timely  as  well  as  useful.  The  third  and  en- 
larged edition  of  the  "  Chronological  index  to 
historical  fiction  "  is  continued,  taking  up  "  Ger- 
many," and  covering  from  the  "  early,  general, 
and  legendary  "  period  to  the  I7th  century.  There 
is  also  a  list  of  the  Dudleian  lectures,  delivered  at 
Harvard  University  from  1755  to  1894,  and  fac- 
similes of  the  Freemen's  Oath  and  the  Servant's 
Oath,  two  documents  of  interest  and  importance 
in  the  early  history  of  Massachusetts.  The  first 
is  in  the  crabbed,  difficult  chirography  of  Gov- 
ernor John  Winthrop,  and  the  second,  endorsed 
on  the  back  of  Winthrop's  draft,  is  in  the  bolder 
and  more  legible  hand  of  Thomas  Dudley,  second 
governor  of  Massachusetts.  The  library  has  re- 
cently bought  these  valuable  manuscripts,  which 
date  not  far  from  1631,  and  now  presents  them 
in  fac-simile,  with  transcriptions  and  an  interest- 
Ing  historical  note  by  the  Hon.  Mellen  Chamber- 
lain. 

The  HELENA  (Mont.)  P.  L.  BULLETIN  no.  10 
is  an  admirable  annotated  list  of  "  200  books  for 


young  people,"  compiled  by  Miss  Jennie  L. 
Christman.  It  is  classified  under  seven  head- 
ings—  Literature,  History  and  biography,  Trav- 
els and  adventures,  Arts  and  sciences,  Fiction, 
Fairy  tales,  Miscellaneous  —  the  brief  descrip- 
tive notes  are,  when  possible,  selected  from 
standard  critical  authorities,  or  supplied  by  the 
compiler,  and  the  selection  is  an  excellent  one 
in  each  department. 

THE  May  issue  of  The  Open  Shelf,  published 
by  the  Cleveland  (O.)  P.  L.,  contains  besides 
the  usual  annotated  list  of  accessions  a  sketch 
of  the  life  of  Frank  Bolles,  the  late  secretary  of 
Harvard  University,  by  Charles  Knowles  Bolton, 
librarian  of  the  Brookline  (Mass.)  P.  L. 

PEORIA  (///.)  P.  L.  List  of  English  fiction, 
French  fiction,  and  juveniles,  arranged  alpha- 
betically by  author  and  title.  May,  1894. 
106  p.  O.  pap.  10  c. 

The  list  of  English  fiction  covers  70  pages, 
close  double-column  ;  it  contains  the  works  of 
Miss  Braddon,  the  "  Duchess,"  Mary  Cecil  Hay, 
"  Ouida,"  and  is  more  comprehensive  in  the  se- 
lection of  English  fiction  than  the  average  library 
catalog.  It  is  followed  by  an  excellent  little 
"  suggestion  to  readers,"  giving  the  titles  of  a  doz- 
en or  more  good  guide-books  to  fiction  —  Gris- 
wold's  lists,  the  bulletins  of  the  Boston  P.  L., 
Hardy's,  Hewins',  Sargent's  and  Leypoldt's  man- 
uals —  which  are  kept  at  the  library-desk  to  aid 
borrower's  in  the  selection  of  fiction.  The  list 
of  French  fiction  includes  but  58  titles.  The 
"  juvenile  literature  "  is  classified  under  Fiction, 
Religion,  Education,  Morals  and  manners,  Sci- 
ence, Art,  Amusements,  Natural  history,  Myth- 
ology, Fairy  tales,  Legends,  Fables,  Literature, 
Voyages,  Travels,  Adventures,  History,  Biog- 
raphy [collective  and  individual],  Miscellaneous. 
Fiction  covers  23  pages,  and  the  entire  juvenile 
list  shows  good  taste  and  discrimination. 

ROYAL  SOCIETY  OF  LONDON.  Catalogue  of  scien- 
tific papers,  1874-1883.  v.  10.  Cambridge 
(Eng.)  Univ.  Press,  1894.  4°,  net,  255. 

The  SALEM  (Mass.)  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for  July 
has  "  special  reading  lists  "  in  "  Zoology  "  and 
"Vacation  reading,"  the  latter  being  devoted  to 
"  boys'  books"  and  books  "  for  both  boys  and 
girls." 

The  SPRINGFIELD  (Mass.)  P.  L.  BULLETIN 
concludes  in  its  June  issue  the  list  of  "  Town 
and  county  histories,"  begun  in  the  May  num- 
ber. 

TOKYO  (Japan)  L.  Classified  catalog  of  Japan- 
ese and  Chinese  books.  Supplement  3.  To- 
kyo, 1894.  166  p.  1.  O.  pap.  [In  Japanese 

type.] 

FULL  NAMES. 

Supplied  by  Harvard  College  Library. 

Remsen,  Daniel  Smith  (Primary  elections); 

Singley,  J:  Allen  (Preliminary  report  on  the 
Artesian  wells  of  the  gulf  slope  [of  Texas]); 

Sweet,  C:  Filkins  (A  champion  of  the  cross, 
Life  of  J.  H.  Hopkins), 


280 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{August,  '94 


ALBLAS,  J.  Bibliographic  der  werken  van  Theo- 
door  Rodenburgh.  Utrecht,  Beijers,  1894. 
viii,  96  p.  8°. 

DRUCKE,  Seltene,  in   Nachbildungen.     Mit  ein- 
leitendem  Text  von  K.  Schorbach.      ii.   Die- 
trich von  Bern.    (Sigenot.)   Heidelberg,  1490. 
Mit    vollstandiger    Bibliographic.       Leipzig, 
Spirgatis,  1894,    4°.     15  m. 
DURUY,  Victor.     History  of  modern  times  from 
the  fall  of  Constantinople  to  the  French  Rev- 
olution ;    tr.  and   rev.  with  notes,  by  Edwin 
A.   Grosvenor.      N.  Y.,  H:  Holt  &  Co.,  1894. 
16+540  p.  D.     $1.60. 
There  is  a  2-p.  list  of  references. 
SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION.      Annual  report  of 
the  board  of  regents,  showing  the  operations, 
expenditures,  and  condition  of  the  institution 
for  the  year  ending  June  30,  1892;   [also]  Re- 
port of  the  National  Museum.     Washington, 
Gov.  Print.  Office,  1893.     620  p.  O. 
Section  4  of  the  report  of  the  National  Muse- 
um is  devoted  to  a  "  bibliography  of  the  U.  S. 
National  Museum  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June 
30,  1892."     It  contains,  I,  "  publications  of  the 
Museum,"  and,  2,  "  papers  by  officers  of  the  Na- 
tional Museum  and  other   investigators   whose 
writings  are  based  directly  or  indirectly  on  the 
collections  of  the  Museum." 

WALTON,  Alice.     The  cult  of  Asklepios.     Bos- 
ton, Ginn  &  Co.,  1894.    8+136 p.  O.    (Cor- 
nell   studies  in    classical   philology,   no.   3.) 
bds.,  $1.25. 
There  is  a  bibliography  of  3  p. 

WISE,  T:J. ,  is  preparing  a  bibliography  of 
the  writings  of  Robert  Browning,  to  be  issued 
uniform  with  his  "  Complete  bibliography  of 
the  writings  of  John  Ruskin."  It  will  consist  of 
five  divisions  —  the  first  dealing  with  first  edi- 
tions, the  second  with  separate  issues  of  single 
poems,  the  third  with  collected  editions,  the 
fourth  with  the  poet's  published  letters,  and  the 
fifth  with  Browningiana. 


onb 


F.  M.  Allen,  ps.  of  Edmund  Downey,  author 
of  "Through  green  glasses,"  etc.,  etc.  — Literary 

World  (London)  Jl.  6. 

G.  Colmore,  said  to  be   ps.  of  Mrs.  Georgina 
Dunn,  author  of  "  A  daughter  of  music,"  pub. 
by  Appleton. 

The  women's  conquest  of  New  York,  recently 
published  by  Harper  &  Bros.,  is  said  to  be  by 
Thomas  Janvier. 


tjumors  anb  Climbers. 


THB  applicant  for  a  library  card  is  told  by  the 

library  assistant,  "  Write  your  surname  here," 

pointing  to  the  proper  blank. 

Applicant.  —  "  Surname  ?     I  haven't  any  !" 
Assistant  —  posed   for  a  moment,  but  with  a 

flash  of  quick-wittedness — "  Well,  your  last  name 

will  do." 

ASSISTANT  to  applicant,  "What  are  your  in- 
initials?" 

Applicant.  —  "  Just  Mrs." 

FROM  a  bookseller's  invoice:  "  Higginson's 
concerning  all  of  U.  S."  —  W.  S.  M. 

AN  irate  Bostonian  some  time  since  sent  the 
following  letter  to  the  management  of  the  Bos- 
ton Public  Library  : 

"  I  think  their  is  too  meny  Rules  altwogather 
in  the  plaice  I  am  goin  to  see  Mike  Fallen  He  is 
counselmen  from  our  ward  about  you  fellers, 
you  has  fat  snaps  aint  you  the  next  man  that 
tells  me  to  put  on  my  coat  I'll  break  his  face 
"  yours  for  hellth." 

"  THE  life  of  a  reference  librarian  is  not 
wholly  devoid  of  humor,"  says  The  Critic,  and 
in  proof  of  this  assertion  it  prints  the  following 
letter  from  the  librarian  of  a  large  western  state 
university  :  "  The  Critic  is  firmly  established  in 
popular  favor,  but  I  think  none  of  you  who 
founded  it  will  lay  claim  to  so  green  an  age  as 
was  implied  in  a  request  made  me  the  other 
day  by  a  sweet  girl  senior,  who  wore  her  class 
mortar-board  with  the  sedate  air  of  an  Oxford 
don.  '  Please,  I  would  like  to  consult  The 
Critic,'  she  murmured  confidently.  '  Which 
volume?'  was  my  query.  '  Oh,  if  you  please,  I 
would  like  one  about  1525,  with  something  on 
Mary  Queen  of  Scots  !'  But  young  women  are 
not  the  only  ones  who  amuse  us.  The  young 
men  are  quite  the  equals  of  the  '  co-eds  '  in  this 
respect.  Good  Dr.  Poole  !  I  shall  never  think 
of  his  invaluable  Index  hereafter,  without  re- 
falling  that  day  last  term,  when  a  timid  young 
freshman  was  fishing  for  something  on  a  topic 
assigned  him  by  his  instructor,  and  betrayed 
a  blissful  ignorance  of  what  to  ask  for  or 
what  to  do  with  it  when  he  got  it.  I  thought 
I  would  gently  assist  him.  '  You  know  Poole  ?  ' 
I  asked,  encouragingly.  'Ye-es,  ma'am  —  one 
kind,'  he  stammered,  blushingly,  showing  the 
kind  of  company  he  had  been  keeping  in  his 
native  village.  Another  young  man  had  really 
heard  of  Poole  before  he  came  to  the  library, 
and  he  obtained  the  privilege  of  consulting  it  in 
detail  at  a  table  in  the  reading-room.  He  had 
frequently  to  surrender  the  bulky  volume  to 
others  who  wished  to  scan  it,  but  each  time  he 
carried  it  off  again  to  his  nook.  At  last,  at  the 
end  of  an  hour,  he  threw  it  down  on  the  counter 
in  utter  despair,  saying  :  '  Prof.  So-and-So  told 
me  to  consult  Poole  for  my  subject,  but  I've 
gone  through  the  whole  business  and  find  noth- 
ing but  a  lot  of  titles  ! ' " 


August,  'g*\  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  281 

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and  it  was  voluntarily  exhibited  and  recommended  by  those  in  charge.  A  three  ounce 
trial  jar  sent  by  mail,  prepaid,  for  30  cents. 

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282 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[August,  94 


VALUABLE    BOOKS    BY 

GEORGE  JOHN  ROMANES,  -11. A.,  I.L.It., 
F.U.S. 

DARWIN  AND  AFTER  DARWIN.  An  Exposition 
of  the  Darwinian  Theory  and  a  Discussion  of  Post- 
Darwinian  Questions. 

1.  THE  DARWINIAN  THEORY.    Pages,  xiv,  460.  125  illus- 
trations.   Cloth,  $2.00. 

2.  POST-DARWINIAN  QUESTIONS.    (In  preparation.) 

"  There  was  probably  no  one  better  fitted  than  Mr. 
Romanes  to  undertake  a  popular  work  such  as  this.  .  .  . 
It  is  the  best  modern  handbook  of  evolution." — The 
Nation. 

AN  EXAMINATION  OF  WEISMANNISM.  With 
portrait  of  Weismann  and  a  glossary  of  scientific 
terms.  Pages,  ix,  221.  Cloth,  fi.oo. 

GEN.  iM.   m.  TKUiMKULL. 

THE  FREE  TRADE  STRUGGLE  IN  ENGLAND. 

Second  edition,  revised  and  enlarged.     Pages,  297. 

Cloth,  75  cents;  paper,  25  cents. 
WHEELBARROW :  Articles  and  Discussions  on  the 

Labor  Question.  With  portrait  of  the  author.    Pages, 

303.    Cloth,  f  i.oo ;  paper,  50  cents. 

TH.   RIBOT. 

THE  PSYCHOLOGY  OF  ATTENTION.  Second 
edition.  Authorized  translation.  Pages,  121.  Cloth, 
75  cents. 

THE  DISEASES  OF  PERSONALITY.  Second  edi- 
tion. Authorized  translation.  Pages,  157.  Cloth, 
75  cents. 

THE  DISEASES  OF  THE  WILL.    Authorized  trans- 
lation.   Pages,  vi,  134.    Cloth,  75  cents. 
If.  B.—Full  stt,  $1.75. 

THE  OPEN   COURT  PUBLISHING  CO., 
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mentalities used  by  the  trade." — AMERICAN  NEWS  Co., 
New  York. 

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for  general  use  in  the  trade." — LEK  &  SHEPARD,  Boston. 

"Not  a  day  passes  that  we  do  not  consult  it  many 
times."— A.  D.  F.  RANDOLPH  &  Co.,  New  York. 

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Published  by  THE  PUBLISHERS'  WEEKLY, 
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TWO  INDEXES 

Indispensable   in  Libraries. 

THE  "A.    L.  A."   INDEX. 

The  American  Library  Association  Index.  An 
Index  to  General  Literature,  Biographical,  His- 
torical, and  Literary  Essays  and  Sketches,  Re- 
ports and  Publications  of  Boards  and  Societies 
dealing  with  Education,  Health,  Labor,  Chari- 
ties and  Corrections,  etc.,  etc.  By  WILLIAM  I. 
FLETCHER,  A.M.,  Librarian  of  Amherst  Col- 
lege. Royal  8vo,  cloth,  $5.00,  net;  half 
morocco,  $6.50,  net. 

POOLE'S  INDEX 
TO   PERIODICAL  LITERATURE. 

By  WILLIAM  FREDERICK  POOLE,  LL.D.,  and 
WILLIAM  I.  FLETCHER,  with  the  co-operation  of 
the  American  Library  Association.  New  re- 
vised edition.  Vol.  I.  In  two  parts.  Royal 
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rocco, gilt  top,  $24.00,  net.  Vol.  II.  First 
Supplement  (January,  i882-January,  1887). 
Royal  8vo,  $8.00,  net  ;  sheep,  $10.00,  net ;  half 
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HOUGHTON,    MIFFLIN   &    CO.,    Boston, 
ii  East  i  jth  Street,  New  York. 


The  Annual  Literary  Index, 


EDITED  BY   W.    I.    FLETCHER  and  R.   R.    BOWKER, 

•with  the  co-operation  of  members  of  the  American  Li- 
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THE  ANNUAL  LITERARY  INDEX  for  1893  com- 
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books  published  in  1893  by  indexing  (i)  articles 
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book-chapters  in  composite  books  of  1893  ;  (3) 
authors  of  periodical  articles  and  essays  ;  (4) 
special  bibliographies  of  1893  ;  (5)  authors  de- 
ceased in  1893.  The  two  volumes  together  make 
a  complete  record  of  the  literary  product  of  the 
year. 

The  volume  includes  also  the  features  of  the 
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284  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  [August,  '94 

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(TWO  DOORS  ABOVE  GRACE  CHURCH) 

begs  to  call  attention  to  his  facilities  for  obtaining-  FOREIGN  BOOKS  and 
PERIODICALS  at  more  economical  rates  THAN  ANY  OTHER  HOUSE  IN  AMERICA 
OR  EUROPE  can  offer,  because : 

He  employs  no  Commission  Agents,  but  has  his  own  offices  and 
clerks  at  London,  Paris  and  Leipzig.  He  has  open  accounts 
with  all  the  leading  publishing  houses  in  the  world. 

His  experience  enables  him  to  give  information  at  once  about 
rare  and  scarce  books. 

He  receives  weekly  shipments  from  England,  France  and  Germany,  and 
can  thereby  fill  orders  iii  quicker  time. 

MORE  THAN  200  LIBRARIES  FAVOR  HIM  WITH  THEIR  ORDERS. 


SF»EOIA.I>    RERERB5NOES, 

"Mr.  Stechert  has  for  years  furnished  this  Library  with  most  of  its  periodicals  and  European  books,  and  has  bought  for  us 
many  thousand  volumes.  Mr.  Stechert's  success  is  due  to  his  constant  personal  attention  to  the  business,  and  the  reasonable 
terras  he  is  able  to  offer.  I  consider  a  New  York  agent  far  preferable  to  reliance  on  foreign  agents  alone." 

GEO.  H.  BAKER,  Librarian  of  Columbia  College,  New  York. 

"  Seven  years  ago,  in  reorganizing  the  Columbia  College  library,  I  spent  much  time  in  trying  to  discover  how  to  get  out 
foreign  books  and  periodicals  with  the  least  delay,  trouble  and  expense.  The  result  of  the  comparison  of  three  methods,  viz: 
ordering  direct  from  foreign  dealers,  ordering  through  one  agent  in  London,  or  ordering  through  one  agent  in  New  York  showed 
us  that  it  was  to  our  advantage  to  give  Mr.  Stechert  all  our  foreign  orders,  as  he  delivered  in  the  library  in  a  single  package 
and  with  a  single  bill  at  as  )ow  cost  as  we  were  able  with  vastly  greater  trouble,  to  get  a  half  dozen  different  packages  in  differ- 
ent bills  from  different  places.  In  reorganizing  the  New  York  State  Library,  I  opened  the  whole  question  anew,  and  the  result 
of  the  comparison  was  the  same  as  before,  and  we  find  that  the  library  gets  most  for  the  time  and  money  expended  by  taking 
advantage  of  Mr.  Stechert's  long  experience,  and  the  careful  personal  attention  which  he  gives  to  our  orders." 

MELVIL  DEWEY,  Director  of  N.  Y.  State  Library,  Albany,  N.  Y. 


"  Mr.  G.  E.  Stechert  of  New  York  has  served  us  with  fidelity  in  procuring  English,  French  and  German  books,  both  new 
and  second  hand  and  also  periodicals.  His  terras  are  more  reasonable  than  any  others  that  have  come  to  our  notice,  while  he 
has  always  guarded  our  interests  very  carefully.  We  find  it  a  great  convenience  to  have  one  agency  in  New  York,  represented 
by  branches  in  different  European  countries." 

Prof.  ARTHUR  H.  PALMER,  Librarian  of  Adelbert  College,  Cleveland,  O. 


"  Your  methods  and  facilities  for  doing  business,  as  I  have  examined  them  here  as  well  as  at  the  Leipzig  and  London  ends, 
seem  to  me  admirably  progressive  and  thoroughly  live.  I  deal  with  you  because  I  judge  it  for  the  advantage  of  this  library  to 
do  so.  If  I  did  not,  I  should  not.  Up  to  date  I  am  unable  to  find  a  method  which  is,  all  things  included,  so  economical  of 
time  and  money  as  dealing  through  you." 

ERNEST  C.  RICHARDSON,  Librarian  »f College  of  New  Jersey,  Princeton,  N.  J, 


•*  Our_  library  committee  speaks  in  the  highest  terms  of  your  services.     You  have  not  only  saved  us  many  dollars,  but  hav» 
mown  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  our  wants  for  which  we  thank  you." 

A.  8.  COLLINS,  Act.  Librarian  of  Reynolds  Library,  Rochester,  ft.  f. 

GUSTAV    K.    STKCHKRT, 

LONDON,         PARIS.         LEIPZIG,         NEW  YORK. 


THE 


Library  Journal 


OFFICIAL  ORGAN  OF  THE  AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 


CHIEFLY    DEVOTED    TO 


Economy  anfc  Bibiiograpb^ 


VOL.  19.     No.  9. 


SEPTEMBER,  1894 


Contents 


PAGE 

287 


EDITORIAL 

The  A.  L.  A.  Conference. 

Library  Schools  and  Training  Classes. 

The  Public  Documents  Bill. 

COMMUNICATIONS 288 

The  Boston  Athenaeum  Catalog. 
Charging  Systems  of  the  Los  Angeles  P.  L.  and 
New  York  F.  C.  L. 

EUROPEAN  LIBRARIES  —  THE  BmuoTHfeQUE  NATION- 
ALE  AND  THE  BRITISH  MUSEUM.  —  C:  A.  Cutter,    189 

THE  RELATION  OF  THE  HAKTFORD  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

TO  THE  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS.  —  Carolint  M.  Htwins.    292 


PAGE 

THE  LIBRARY  SCHOOLS  AND  TRAINING  CLASSES  OF 

THE  UNITED  STATES 296 

THE  LIBRARY  OF  CONGRESS 309 

REVIEWS 311 

Butte  (Mont.)  F.  P.  L.  Catalogue. 

LIBRARY  ECONOMY  AND  HISTORY 311 

GIFTS  AND  BEQUESTS 317 

LIBRARIANS 318 

CATALOGING  AND  CLASSIFICATION 318 

BlBLIOGRAFY 319 

ANONYMS  AND  PSEUDONYMS 320 


NEW  YORK  :    PUBLICATION  OFFICE,  28  ELM  STREET  (Near  Duane). 
LONDON:    SOLD  BY  KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  Co.,  PATERNOSTER  HOUSE, 

CHARING  CROSS  ROAD. 
YEARLY  SUBSCRIPTION,  $5.00.  MONTHLY  NUMBERS,  50  cts, 

Price  to  Europe,  or  other  countries  in  the  Union,  vas.  per  annum  /  tingle  numbers.  2*. 
Entered  at  the  Post-Office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  as  second-class  matter. 


286 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[September,  '94 


EDW.  G.  ALLEN'S 

London  Agency  for  American  Libraries, 

28   HENRIETTA   STREET,   COVENT   GARDEN, 
LONDON. 

(FORMERLY   RICH   &  SONS.) 

EDW.  G.  ALLEN  devotes  himself  entirely  to  library  business.  His  long  experience  enables  him 
to  execute  the  orders  of  correspondents  promptly,  cheaply,  and  with  thorough  efficiency.  His  con- 
nection with  all  the  Book  Dealers  in  the  United  Kingdom  gives  him  the  command  of  the  British 
Book  Market,  and  qualifies  him  to  serve  his  customers  with  special  advantage,  and.  to  bring  promptly 
under  their  notice  all  the  stores  of  Literature,  old  and  new,  on  sale  in  Great  Britain. 

Books  Supplied  at  a  Small   Commission  on  the   Cost  Price,  with  the  usual  Trade 

deductions,  and  forwarded  by  the  quickest  and  cheapest  routes.     Second-hand 

Catalogues   by  early  Mails,  and   no  Commission   charged  on  Orders 

from  them.      Periodicals  and  Newspapers  Posted  Promptly. 

iSo  expensive  sub-agencies  at  home  or  abroad.  Foreign  books  on  easy  terms. 


Agency  for  the  following  Libraries  and  many  others: 


Library  of  Congress,  Washington. 
Libraries  of  Parliament,   Ottawa,  Toronto, 

and  Quebec. 
Amherst  College. 
Boston  Public  Library. 
Brooklyn  Library. 
Brown  University. 
Cornell  University. 
Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library. 
California  University. 

JBOOMDCQi 

Cheap  and  Durable  for  Circulating  Libraries.    Specially  Strong  for  Books  of  Reference.    Superior 
Style  for  Works  of  Art.     Imitation  Antique  for  Rare  Old  Books.     Calf  Extra  in  Every  Variety. 
Best  Half-Binding  for  General  Library  Use.     Pamphlets  Bound  at  Cheap  Rates.     Law- 
Books  In  Law  Calf.     Cheap  Binding  in  Cloth.     Hard-Grained    Roan,  etc.     Dilapi- 
dated Binding  Neatly  Repaired.     Deficiencies  of  Rare  Books  Supplied  in 
Exact  Fac-Simile.     Library  Stamps  to  Order. 


Colorado  University. 
Johns  Hopkins  University. 
Philadelphia  Library  Co. 
Peabody  Institute,  Baltimore. 
University  of  Pennsylvania. 
University  of  Toronto,  Can. 
Watkinson  Library,  Hartford,  Conn. 
Yale  University. 
Minneapolis  Public  Library. 


"We  have  been,  for  the  last  twenty  years,  personally  cognizant  of  Mr.  Allen's  faitnfulness  to  the  interests  of 
his  American  customers.  When  a  resident  in  Washington,  ten  years  ago,  we  found  that  the  immense  Congressional 
Library  largely  supplied  its  shelves  through  Mr.  Allen's  London  Agency.  Many  of  the  extensive  libraries  belonging 
to  the  Universities  and  Colleges  in  the  East  have  also  secured  their  Foreign  Books  from  the  same  source,  and  we 
have  heard  from  the  officers  of  these  Institutions  frequent  testimony  to  the  scrupulous  exactness  with  which  their 
orders  were  always  filled. 

"  We  cannot,  therefore,  do  a  greater  service  to  the  Colleges  and  Universities  of  the  West,  to  which  these  pres- 
ents shall  come,  than  to  advise  that  they  employ  this  inexpensive  agency  for  replenishing  their  Libraries  with  Eng- 
lish Books." — PRESIDENT  WELCH,  Iowa  State  Agricultural  College. 

"No  better  indorsement  of  Mr.  Allen's  Agency  is  possible  than  the  list  of  leading  libraries  that  continue  to  use 
it.    For  30  years,  strict  integrity  and  unexcelled  facilities  have  held  the  oid  and  made  new  patrons.    The  very  large 
business  built  up  demands  only  a  small  commission  instead  of  the  customary  10  per  cent.    A  library  can  safely 
entrust  all  its  London  orders  to  Mr.  Allen  without  getting  other  estimates  and  feei  sure  that  it  is  not  making 
mistake." — MELVIL  DBWEY,  Mate  Library^  New  York. 


Edw.  G.  Allen's  American  Library  Agency, 

COVENT  GARDEN,  LONDON. 

MEMBER    AMERICAN    LIBRARY    ASSOCIATION. 


SPECIAL    TERMS  FOR  LARGE  ORDERS. 


THE    LIBRARY    JOURNAL 


VOL.  19. 


SEPTEMBER,   1894. 


No.  9 


THE  Conference  of  1894  promises  to  be  as 
much  of  a  success  as  usual,  if  not  an  unusual 
success  —  and  nothing  more  can  be  desired  by 
the  best  friends  of  the  Association.  As  those 
who  have  been  acquainted  with  the  history  of 
the  Association  look  back  upon  its  past,  these 
conferences  are  shown  to  have  a  value  unsus- 
pected at  the  start.  They  have  nationalized 
the  whole  library  interest,  and  done  both  the 
nation  and  individual  local  communities  great 
service  in  broadening  the  work  and  strengthen- 
ing the  force  of  each  library  worker  throughout 
the  whole  country,  bringing  thus  to  each  library 
community  the  benefit  of  the  best  thought  of 
the  whole.  This,  also,  is  a  service  to  citizen- 
ship, because  every  new  tie  among  individual 
people,  particularly  those  in  public  relations  — 
as  are  librarians  —  is  a  new  bond  of  strength 
and  unity  in  the  nation  at  large.  It  is  an  easy 
corollary  that  it  is  not  only  the  duty  of  all 
librarians  to  go  the  conference,  but  that  it  is  the 
duty  of  trustees  to  send  them.  Verbum  sap. 


WHILE  the  program  of  the  present  confer- 
ence, which  was  given  in  full  in  the  August 
LIBRARY  JOURNAL,  is  not  organized  to  give  the 
condensed  curriculum  in  library  economy  which 
was  a  feature  of  the  Chicago  congress,  it  is 
nevertheless  comprehensive  and  useful,  and  the 
librarians  who  take  part  in  the  conference  will 
be  abundantly  repaid.  There  are  trustees  and 
sometimes  librarians  who  think  that  the  results 
can  be  had  as  well  in  the  conference  number  of 
the  JOURNAL  in  a  more  leisurely  and  economical 
way  than  by  taking  time  and  money  to  attend 
the  conference  in  person ;  but,  with  a  very  high 
appreciation  of  the  value  of  the  JOURNAL,  and 
with  no  desire  to  underrate  its  great  value  to 
the  library  profession,  we  must  say  that  in  this 
case  the  JOURNAL  must  modestly  admit  that  it 
forms  but  a  poor  proxy.  There  is  everything 
in  meeting  librarians  face  to  face,  in  catching 
the  talk  as  it  ranges  here  and  there,  quite  be- 
yond the  possibility  of  adequate  reporting,  as 
also  in  bringing  out,  by  specific  questioning,  the 
points  on  which  a  librarian  wishes  to  be  in- 
formed for  use  in  his  or  her  own  library.  No 
amount  of  "  book  laming"  or  JOURNAL  reading 
can  make  up  for  these  direct  conversations,  be- 
sides which  the  conference  combines  the  ad- 


vantages of  work  and  play,  of  vocation  and 
vacation.  Therefore,  every  librarian  who  fails 
to  attend  the  conference  is  doomed  to  solitary 
imprisonment  in  his  or  her  library  for  the  re- 
mainder of  the  library  year. 

THE  survey  of  the  work  done  by  the  various 
library  schools,  given  elsewhere,  must  be  grati- 
fying to  all  who  have  library  interests  at  heart. 
Since  Mr.  Dewey  originated  the  parent  Library 
School,  in  1886,  six  other  centres  of  similar  in- 
struction have  been  established  in  different  parts 
of  the  country,  and  have  entered  upon  success- 
ful careers,  while  the  original  school  has  flour- 
ished beyond  expectation,  and  stands  to-day  as 
an  exemplar  of  what  is  best  in  library  training. 
The  most  convincing  demonstration  of  what  has 
been  done  in  this  branch  of  library  development 
is  found,  not  in  reviewing  technical  details,  but 
in  looking  rather  at  the  records  of  individual 
students.  For  this  reason  it  is  with  pleasure  that 
we  print  In  full,  in  this  issue,  the  complete  roster 
of  the  New  York  State  Library  School.  It  in- 
cludes all  matriculated  students  from  the  begin- 
ning of  the  school,  with  a  brief  epitome  of  the 
work  that  each  has  done,  and  it  is  "  interesting 
reading  "  to  all  connected  with  the  library  world. 
The  long  list  of  capable,  well-equipped  men  and 
women,  many  of  them  now  standing  in  the 
front  ranks  of  their  profession,  would  be  credit- 
able to  any  institution,  and  is  doubly  so  in  the 
case  of  one  that  is  hardly  eight  years  old.  Be- 
sides the  abstract  interest  of  this  roster  as  an 
example  of  library  progress,  its  publication  for 
the  first  time  in  complete  and  detailed  form  is 
of  practical  value  both  to  the  school  and  to  the 
library  profession.  It  is  an  official  statement 
of  what  each  student  taking  the  library  course 
has  done  both  in  the  school  and  outside  ;  it  is 
useful  as  a  reference  list  of  N.  Y.  S.  L.  S. 
alumni,  and  it  should  prove  helpful  to  trustees 
seeking  librarians  or  to  librarians  seeking  as- 
sistants. No  less  gratifying  and  encouraging 
are  the  registers  of  the  junior  library  schools, 
or  library  training  classes,  as  their  organizers 
modestly  term  them.  That  of  Pratt  Institute 
ranks  next  to  the  New  York  Library  School  in 
the  number  of  graduates  and  the  importance  of 
the  positions  occupied  by  them  ;  but  the  others 
make  an  excellent  showing,  and  all  hold  out 
promise  of  better  things  in  the  future. 


288 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[September,  '94 


THE  Public  Documents  bill  must  take  its 
chance  once  more  in  a  new  Congress.  It  was 
passed  by  the  House,  and  was  passed  also  in  the 
Senate,  but  with  amendments  which  required 
further  action  by  the  House.  These  amend- 
ments affected  the  library  provisions  of  the  bill 
very  little,  but  it  proved  that  their  effect  would 
be  to  introduce  by  means  of  the  bill,  a  political 
machine  which  would  give  the  politicians  a  new 
grip  on  the  Government  Printing  Office,  as  well 
as  on  the  machinery  of  the  distribution  of  pub- 
lic documents,  outside  of  civil  service  rules. 
This  led  Representative  Warner,  of  New  York, 
who  is  in  general  a  friend  of  the  bill,  to  object 
to  its  passage  until  this  obnoxious  feature  was 
removed.  And  much  as  librarians  must  regret 
the  further  postponement  of  the  bill,  it  is  prob- 
able that  they  will  not  disagree  with  the  wisdom 
of  postponement  under  the  circumstances  stated. 

<£0mmtmkati0n0. 

THE  BOSTON  ATHENMUM  CATALOG. 
THE  following  correspondence  has  been  sent 
for  publication  in  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL: 
W:  I.  FLETCHER,  ESQ.: 

Dear  Mr.  Fletcher  —  A  friend  has  called  my 
attention  to  one  of  the  statements  in  your  excel- 
lent sympathetic  notice  of  Dr.  Poole  in  the  LI- 
BRARY JOURNAL  for  March.     I  read  there,  with 
some  astonishment,  that  "Dr.  Poole  .  .  .  with 
the  assistance  of  Mr.  Charles  Russell  Lowell  (a 
brother  of  the  poet)  made  a  complete  catalog, 
which  was  printed  in  five  large  volumes  soon 
after  he  left  the  Athenseum."    This  conveys  an 
entirely  false   impression.     The  catalog  which 
began  to  be  printed  three  years  and  a  half  after 
Mr.  Poole  left  the  Athenaeum,  and  was  finished 
in  five  large  volumes  13  years  after  he  left, 
was  In  no  sense  Dr.  Poole's.     Even  in  the  pre- 
liminary work,  I  have  understood   from   Mr. 
Lowell,  Mr.  Poole's  share  was  not  great,  and  it 
was  almost  all  worked  over  by  Mr.  Lowell  and 
his  amanuenses;  certainly  there  were  few  visible 
traces  of  his  work  in  the  manuscript  which  Mr. 
Lowell  left  to  me.     Moreover,  the  catalog  when 
Mr.  Lowell  died   (a  year  and  a  half  after  Mr. 
Poole's  connection  with  the  Athenaeum  ceased) 
was  far  from  "  complete."     It  is  not  too  much  to 
say  that  that  catalog  was  not  the  one  that  was 
published  in  five  volumes.    After  I  took  charge 
of  it  at  least  a  third  of  the  matter  now  in  it  was 
added,  as  was  also  every  feature  which  distin- 
guished it  for_better  or  for  worse  from  all  previ- 
ous catalogs.     As  printed  it  is  my  catalog  and  no 
other  person's.    This  is  set  forth  more  fully  in 
the  address  of  the  editor  to  the  proprietors, 
which,  as  it  was  placed  at  the  end  of  the  fifth 
volume,  has  perhaps  escaped  your  notice.      If 
not,  the  sentence  quoted  above  must  have  been 
written  in  momentary  forgetfulness,  and  as  I 
know  that  you  will  be  eager  to  correct  any  inac- 


curate statement  that  you  have  made,  I  have 
thought  it  best  to  point  this  out  to  you  and  to 
ask  you  to  set  the  matter  right  in  the  place 
where  the  error  appeared  —  the  LIBRARY  JOUR- 
NAL. Yours,  with  great  regard, 

BOSTON,    I  CHARLES  A.  CUTTER. 

Sept.  3, 1894.  J 

IT  seems  quite  evident  that  I  did  Mr.  Cutter's 
work  on  the  Boston  Athenaeum  catalog  an  injus- 
tice, for  which  I  am  quite  ready  to  apologize.  I 
wrote  hurriedly  out  of  the  abiding  impression 
made  on  my  mind  during  my  sojourn  in  the 
Athenaeum  that  the  catalog,  "  nearly  complete" 
when  I  went  there  in  1861,  and  still  nearer  com- 
pletion when  I  left  in  1866,  was  practically  fin- 
ished before  Mr.  Lowell's  death  in  1870.  And 
it  was;  but,  as  is  plainly  indicated  in  the  "  ad- 
dress "  referred  to  by  Mr.  Cutter,  it  required  re- 
making before  it  could  be  printed  in  the  form  in 
which  it  came  out  in  1878-82,  and  this  printed 
catalog  is  far  from  being  the  one  made  by  Dr. 
Poole  and  Mr.  Lowell.  W.  I.  FLETCHER. 

AMHKRST,  MASS.,  I 
Sept.  6,  1894.     j 

CHARGING  SYSTEMS  OF  THE  LOS  ANGELES 
P.  L.  AND  NEW  YORK  F.  C.  L. 

THE  "  New  charging  system  of  the  Los 
Angeles  Public  Library,"  so  clearly  explained 
by  Miss  Hasse  in  the  L.  j.  for  June,  '94,  appears 
to  me,  and  to  my  assistants,  to  be  identical  with 
that  in  use  in  the  New  York  Free  Circulating 
Libraries  since  1884,  with  two  or  three  excep- 
tions, which  offer,  in  our  practice  of  the  system, 
some  added  advantages,  I  think,  to  an  "  over- 
crowded "  library. 

itt.  —  The  book-cards  in  our  libraries  are 
colored,  to  distinguish,  by  this  means,  the  10 
general  divisions  of  the  decimal  classification. 
The  great  assistance  this  gives  in  arranging  a 
number  of  cards,  in  counting  them  for  statistics, 
and  in  withdrawing  them  from  the  tray  with  all 
possible  despatch  in  discharging  books,  is  ob- 
vious. 

2</.  — We  do  not  divide  trays  (the  odd  and 
even  date  plan  looks  a  little  confusing  on  paper), 
as  we  find  that  one  clerk  can  discharge  books  as 
rapidly  as  is  ever  required,  but  we  have  separate 
delivery  windows,  or  counter-space,  for  children 
during  hurried  hours,  thereby  relieving  conges- 
tion. Also  all  questions,  as  to  fines,  etc.,  are  at 
once  referred  to  the  special  information  window, 
at  some  distance  from  the  delivery-desk. 

We  have  often  given  out  800  or  900  volumes 
a  day  from  the  Bruce  and  Ottendorfer  libraries, 
though  we  have  not  yet  passed  the  "  1000 
notch."  Still  we  see  no  limit  to  the  possibilities 
of  our  system  provided  we  have  "runners" 
enough.  The  delay  in  our  own  as  in  other  libra- 
ries is  chiefly,  if  not  altogether,  at  the  book- 
shelves, in  procuring  the  volume  desired. 

We  use  a  flat  tray  in  which,  I  believe,  we  are 
under  some  disadvantage. 

We  have  a  most  admirable  fine-slip,  which  re- 
duces the  possibility  of  mistake  or  misunder- 
standing to  a  minimum. 

ELLEN  M.  COE,  Chief  Librarian. 
N.  Y.  FREK  CIRCULATING  I 
LIBRARY.  ) 


September  %  '94] 


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289 


EUROPEAN  LIBRARIES  — THE  BIBLIOTHEQUE  NATIONALE  AND  THE   BRITISH 

MUSEUM. 

BY  C:  A,  CUTTER. 


IT  may  as  well  be  said  at  the  start  that  this  | 
title  is  of  the  lucus  a  non  lucendo  order.  My 
theory  of  foreign  travel  is  that  one  takes  it  to 
see  what  one  cannot  see  in  one's  own  country. 
So  I  went  to  Europe  to  get  away  from  libraries, 
not  to  visit  them,  to  forget,  not  to  investigate 
them.  And  so  well  did  I  succeed  that  when 
President  Larned  had  the  happy  thought  of  send- 
ing out  his  "  Don't "  circular  to  members  of  the 
American  Library  Association,  in  which  he  asked 
us  to  tell  at  the  coming  meeting  all  the  fruit- 
less experiments  which  we  had  tried,  all  the 
cases  in  which  we  could  parody  Mr.  Punch's 
famous  "Advice  to  people  about  to  marry,"  I 
could  not  think  of  any  derived  from  my  own  ex- 
perience, though  no  doubt  many  would  have  oc- 
curred to  me  had  I  been  in  a  library  train  of 
thought. 

But  though  we  hardly  went  near  a  library 
when  it  could  be  avoided,  my  necessities  com- 
pelled me  to  visit  three  as  a  student,  and,  if  I 
may  adopt  the  title,  a  literary  worker.  From 
this  point  of  view,  novel  to  me,  I  may  write  a 
few  words  in  response  to  the  JOURNAL'S  request 
for  a  paper  on  European  libraries. 

If  I  had  known  that  before  the  year  was  out  I 
should  be  put  in  charge  of  a  city  library  doubled 
with  a  college  library  I  should  have  carefully 
visited  such  specimens  of  both  classes  as  came  in 
my  way.  And  after  Mr.  Brown,  of  Clerkenwell, 
had  again  insisted  upon  the  superior  work  which 
the  English  librarians  do  at  greatly  inferior  cost, 
it  would  have  been  well  to  have  thoroughly  ex- 
amined their  libraries  and  tried  to  steal  their 
secret.  But  that  opportunity  vanished  before  I 
realized  its  importance. 

One  little  library  that  I  visited  in  Paris  does 
its  work  cheaply,  I  fancy.  It  is  one  of  the  ar- 
rondissement  libraries;  is  kept  in  a  small  place 
partitioned  off  from  a  municipal  school- room; 
has  about  2000  volumes,  no  arrangement,  and  a 
worn-out  manuscript  catalog.  It  is  open  two 
hours  every  evening  and  several  hours  Sunday 
morning.  The  books  are  put  on  the  shelf  in  the 
order  in  which  they  are  added  to  the  library. 
The  public  may  read  the  titles  through  the  wire 
doors  or  may  select  a  title  from  such  sheets  as 
remain  of  the  written  classed  catalog.  Readers 
appear  generally  to  prefer  asking  the  librarian, 


which  may  be  as  well,  since  he  knows  most  of  the 
books;  but  if  he  is  away  his  assistant  hardly  sup- 
plies his  place;  twice  this  young  man  assured  me, 
and  persisted  in  his  assurance,  that  a  book  did 
not  belong  to  the  library  when  I  knew  the  con- 
trary, having  already  had  it  out.  There  is  much 
good  reading  in  the  library.  The  books  were 
partly  given  by  the  city's  Department  of  Public 
Instruction,  I  believe,  and  partly  bought  from  a 
private  subscription.  But  what  I  have  said  will 
show  that  there  were  difficulties  in  the  way  of 
using  them  for  any  purpose  of  study.  To  an 
American  librarian  it  was  simply  an  example 
of  what  not  to  do. 

One  day  I  wandered  into  a  room  near  the 
Place  des  Vosges,  which  was  described  on  its 
sign  as  a  free  library  of  history  and  art.  Two 
or  three  people  were  reading  at  a  table.  I  looked 
quietly  for  a  few  minutes  at  some  maps  and  en- 
gravings hung  on  the  walls,  when  the  librarian 
stepped  up  and  said  that  it  was  a  library  for 
serious  students,  and  not  for  sight-seers,  so  I 
retired  with  an  apology.  I  wanted  to  see  the 
library  at  the  Musee  Carnavalet,  which  has  a 
great  collection  of  books  and  documents  relat- 
ing to  the  city  of  Paris,  but  it  was  "  Not  open 
to  the  public."  The  same  was  the  case  with  the 
library  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Sculpt- 
ure at  the  Trocadero.  And  as  my  motive  was, 
after  all,  an  idle  curiosity,  I  refrained  from 
troubling  the  librarian,  if  there  is  one. 

Public  libraries  galore  one  can  see  in  Ameri- 
ca, but  the  great  Paris  library  and  the  British 
Museum  one  cannot  see,  nor  anything  like  them. 
To  the  Bibliotheque  Nationale  I  had  a  letter  of 
introduction  from  the  Dean  of  the  Faculty  of 
Law  at  Lyon.  It  was  addressed  to  M.  Delisle, 
the  eminent  conservateur,  but  it  got  no  further 
than  his  secretary,  who  put  me  in  the  care  of 
an  assistant  librarian  to  show  me  around.  This 
was  all  I  wanted  then;  but  when  I  called  six 
weeks  later  to  get  a  ticket  to  the  Salle  d'Etude, 
in  order  to  study  up  a  tour  taken  in  the  interval 
among  the  cathedrals  of  the  Ile-de-France,  the 
letter  had  been  lost,  and  it  required  considerable 
insistence  to  get  a  reading  right  for  six  months. 
But  the  privilege  was  worth  the  trouble.  For 
every  investigation  relating  to  France  the  books 
in  that  library  are  the  chief  source  of  informa- 


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[September,   '94 


tion,  and  at  first  they  seem  inexhaustible.  But 
it  is  not  easy  to  find  out  what  books  there  are  on 
any  place,  because  no  suitable  catalogs  are 
placed  at  the  disposition  of  the  public.  When 
one  knows  what  one  wants,  however,  it  is  not 
difficult  to  get  it.  If  the  reader  has  the  exact 
title  and  imprint  of  the  work  he  writes  them  on 
the  call-card;  but  if  not  he  gets  as  near  as  he 
can,  and  the  ingenuity  of  the  searchers  may 
usually  be  trusted  to  supply  deficiencies.  His- 
tory is  in  general  comparatively  easy,  but  I  had 
another  class  of  books  to  look  up,  generally 
pamphlets,  in  regard  to  which  I  could  give  only 
imperfect  details,  and  I  often  had  occasion  to 
marvel  at  patience  and  skill  with  which  they 
found  out  a  great  deal  more  than  I  had  any  right 
to  expect  them  to  discover  from  the  indications 
placed  before  them. 

The  official,  M.  Barranger,  to  whose  care  I 
was  committed  on  my  first  visit,  led  me  over  the 
whole  library  and  was  indefatigable  in  his  ex- 
planations. In  general  I  may  say  that  I  found 
on  the  part  of  every  one  with  whom  I  came  in 
contact  a  most  helpful  spirit  and  an  evident  de- 
sire to  serve  the  public  to  the  very  extent  of 
their  capacity,  and  if  possible  to  send  all  away 
satisfied.  It  seemed  to  me  that  he  led  me 
through  miles  of  rooms;  certainly  there  were 
miles  of  shelves  full  and  more  than  full  of 
volumes  of  every  size.  The  impression  pro- 
duced on  the  mind  was  that  which  one  has  in 
seeing  the  sand  of  the  beach,  or  looking  down 
from  the  steamer's  deck  on  the  waves  of  the 
ocean,  a  sense  of  awe  at  immensity  and  of  help- 
lessness, an  impression  that  was  repeated  on 
going  through  the  vast  room  of  the  King's  Li- 
brary at  the  British  Museum  and  at  the  first  in- 
troduction to  the  great  stack  that  surrounds  the 
reading-room.  Yet  when  one  takes  a  single  sec- 
tion and  studies  it,  the  helplessness  vanishes;  one 
sees  that  one  can  deal  with  these  books,  mental- 
ly arrange  them,  and  even  in  a  general  way  read 
them  and  get  the  good  of  them.  Indeed  the 
final  result  of  the  examination  of  the  part  de- 
voted to  any  one  subject  is  a  wonder  that  there 
are  not  more  books  on  it,  and,  if  one  is  really 
studying,  a  discovery  of  gaps  and  of  the  need  of 
more  aids  to  give  one  the  information  wanted. 
Thus  one  may  come  to  feel  that  there  are  very 
few  books  in  the  British  Museum,  tho  it  counts 
1,500,000  volumes,  and  in  the  Bibliotheque 
Nationale,  tho  it  boasts  2,500,000. 

But  the  great  want  of  the  Bibliotheque  is  not 
books,  but  money  to  make  the  books  it  has  in  the 
highest  degree  useful.  Its  catalogs  need  to  be 


perfected  and  to  be  put,  by  printing  or  otherwise, 
into  such  a  condition  that  they  can  be  consulted 
by  the  public.  For  everything  received  before 
1872  the  readers  have  to  consult  the  catalog 
through  the  eyes  of  the  attendants.  The  mere 
loss  of  time  to  the  student  in  getting  his  books 
is  a  serious  matter  when  multiplied  by  the  num- 
ber of  losses,  and  the  time  consumed  by  the  staff 
in  researches  which  proper  catalogs  would  ren- 
der needless  must  be  a  serious  burden  on  a  small 
budget. 

The  British  Museum  is  my  idea  of  Paradise; 
but  I  should  want  an  eternity  to  enjoy  it  in.  To 
go  there  for  a  few  weeks  and  to  be  obliged  to 
leave  those  inexhaustible  stores  of  knowledge 
crammed  full  of  untouched  treasures  is  too  tan- 
talizing. 

But  even  in  Paradise,  I  suppose,  one's  rose 
leaves  may  be  crumpled.  I  remember  my  dis- 
comfort at  never  finding  a  pen  I  could  write  well 
with;  which  was  my  fault  of  course,  not  the 
pens'.  And  there  were  men  who  couldn't  read 
to  themselves,  apparently,  but  kept  up  a  con- 
stant low  murmuring.  At  certain  hours  there 
was  a  chorus  of  coughing  all  over  the  reading- 
room,  which  gave  one  the  worst  idea  of  the  Eng- 
lish climate.* 

The  very  immensity  of  the  library  prevents  its 
easy  use.  The  runners  have  to  go  so  far  for 
books  that  they  cannot  get  them  quickly.  I 
tested  the  time  with  26  books  taken  at  random. 
It  averaged  22^4  minutes.  On  account  of  this 
same  immensity  the  classification  of  the  library 
is  entirely  inadequate.  The  comprehensive  di- 
visions which  no  doubt  seemed  sufficient  when 
they  were  adopted  are  laughably  unsuited  to  the 
present  number  of  works;  but  with  so  much  to 
be  changed,  reform  seems  to  be  impossible — a 
striking  proof  of  the  importance  of  beginning 
right.  This  does  no  harm  to  the  public,  for  they 
are  not  admitted  to  the  shelves;  but  it  must  an- 
noy and  at  times  delay  the  attendants,  and  its 
evil  effect  is  felt  by  the  few  who  are  lucky 
enough  to  be  admitted,  as  I  was,  behind  the 
scenes.  If  one  wants,  for  instance,  to  consult 
all  the  works  on  the  very  definite  subject  ex- 
change (cambistry)  he  must  look  over  the  120 
shelves  devoted  to  trade  and  finance.  The 

*  An  idea  which  was  not  confirmed  by  the  weather. 
One  hears  much  of  the  absence  of  sunshine  in  England, 
the  frequent  rains,  the  habit  of  Englishmen  of  always 
taking  an  umbrella.  This  was  not  my  experience.  Dur- 
ing my  first  visit  to  England  (five  weeks)  it  rained  10 
minutes;  during  the  second  (two  months)  not  at  all;  on 
the  third  and  fourth  there  was  more  wet  weather,  but 
nothing  excessive. 


September,  '94] 


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191 


biography  in  the  Museum  (exclusive  of  ecclesi- 
astical biography,  which  is  separate)  consists,  as  I 
estimate,  of  over  37,000  volumes.  Having  occa- 
sion to  make  a  list  of  desirable  lives  of  artists,  I 
looked  these  all  over  one  afternoon,  taking  down 
all  the  artist  biographies  and  making  notes  of 
many,  and  in  the  effort  to  remember  and  compare 
the  different  lives  of  the  same  artist,  reducing 
myself  to  a  state  bordering  on  idiocy.  I  could 
not  but  see  how  much  easier  my  task  would  have 
been  if  the  lives  had  been  arranged  as  biography 
ought  to  be,  in  the  order  of  the  persons  whose 
lives  were  told. 

With  such  a  stupendous  mass  of  books  to  deal 
with,  any  radical  change  may  well  be  thought 
impossible,  But  here  and  there  a  glaring  defect 
is  from  time  to  time  remedied,  and  I  should  think 
that  the  books  in  the  reading-  room  which  are 
accessible  to  the  public  might  be  arranged  more 
minutely.  Why  should  one  have  to  look  over 
all  the  shelves  on  which  English  literature  is  put 
to  find  the  works  of  Gray,  on  which  by  keep- 
ing them  in  simple  alphabetical  order  one  could 
put  one's  hand  at  once?  It  would  be  said,  no 
doubt,  that  they  could  not  be  kept  in  alphabet- 
ical order,  because  the  public  would  displace 
them.  No  doubt;  but  I  notice  that  this  argu- 
ment does  not  prevent  the  arrangement  of  the 
3000  volumes  of  the  catalog  in  strict  alphabet- 
ical order.  Consistency  would  put  these  down 
anywhere  on  the  shelves  where  they  happened 
to  come,  a  volume  of  A,  and  next  a  volume  of 
Q,  and  then  one  of  R,  etc.,  and  keep  them  to 
the  shelves,  and  oblige  the  reader  to  go  to  a 
catalog  to  find  out  where  any  one  stands. 

This  misplacement  is  A  great  bugbear,  which 
need  not  frighten  sensible  people  at  all.  Of 
course  it  does  occur,  but  the  volumes  are  sel- 
dom displaced  far;  a  little  search  soon  discovers 
them,  and  it  is  better  to  search  a  little  now  and 
then  than  to  have  to  search  a  great  deal  every 
time,  which  is  what  must  be  done  if  there  is  no 
order. 

But  no  one  ought  to  blame  the  Museum  for 
anything  it  does  not  do.  Its  activity  is  enor- 
mous. To  say  nothing  of  all  the  hundreds  of 
books  it  gives  out  every  day  to  the  hundreds  of 
readers  in  its  great  reading-room,  it  spends 
$50,000  a  year  on  purchases  which,  together 
with  all  the  English  copyright  books,  must  be 
incorporated  with  its  already  overgrown  stock. 

To  the  2000  volumes  of  its  catalog  it  adds  26 
volumes  a  year,  containing  nearly  40,000  titles, 
besides  three  or  four  volumes  of  titles  in  Sla- 
vonic and  other  strange  languages;  to  the  265 


volumes  of  its  music  catalog  (which  includes  58 
volumes  giving  the  authors  of  the  words  of 
songs,  etc.)  it  adds  a  volume  of  600  pages  every 
other  year;  and  the  13  volumes  of  its  map  cata- 
log receive  an  addition  of  three  or  four  pam- 
phlets yearly.  Merely  to  look  over  the  book  of 
requests  and  correct  the  mistakes  or  supply  the 
just  demands  of  those  who  ask  for  books  is  no 
light  matter. 

If  we  want  to  know  what  the  Museum  has  on 
Bayeux  or  horseshoeing  or  jewellery  there  is  no 
way  to  do  it  but  by  finding  some  bibliography 
that  covers  those  subjects  (not  an  easy  matter 
for  a  man  who  is  unfamiliar  with  bibliography, 
as  most  men  are,  and  indeed  not  a  quick  work 
for  any  one  but  the  habitues  of  the  reading- 
room),  then  to  laboriously  look  out,  one  by  one, 
in  the  immense  Museum  catalog  the  titles  de- 
rived from  the  bibliography.  I  have  done 
this  several  times,  and  I  must  say  I  pre- 
fer a  subject  catalog.  The  Museum  readers 
think  so,  too,  as  one  can  see  from  the  used-up 
condition  of  that  dictionary  catalog  of  accessions 
covering  two  periods  of  five  years  each,  which 
Mr.  Fortescue  (now  superintendent  of  the  read- 
ing-room) had  the  happy  thought  and  persever- 
ance to  prepare  at  his  own  expense  out  of  library 
hours,  and  the  trustees  had  the  grace  to  print 
when  it  was  prepared.*  Ten  years  is  a  short 
period  in  the  Museum's  history,  but  the  catalog 
has  proved  itself  so  useful  that  it  will  certainly 
be  kept  up  for  the  future,  and  when  the  great 
author-list  is  entirely  in  print  one  can  hardly 
doubt  that  sooner  or  later  funds  will  be  found 
for  supplementing  it  with  a  complete  subject 
catalog,  at  least  a  pasted  one.  For  after  all, 
much  as  the  world  —  the  library  world  —  would 
like  to  have  such  a  subject  bibliography  as  this 
would  make  if  published  —  far  the  most  compre- 
hensive ever  known  —  the  needs  of  readers  in 
the  Museum  would  be  served  just  as  well  by 
merely  arranging  the  titles  and  pasting  them  in 
volumes,  or  better  still  in  Rudolph  books,  in 
which  additions  could  be  made  in  their  exact 
order.  (Leyden  binders  are  far  inferior.  In 
them  either  a  single  title  is  put  upon  a  page,  and 
then  they  are  as  bad  as  card  catalogs,  or  many 
titles  are  put  on  a  page,  and  then  new  titles  are 
necessarily  out  of  order,  with  the  disastrous 


*  Mr.  Fortescue  still  continues  this  indispensable  work 
out  of  library  hours.  Still,  as  office  hours  appear  to  be 
10  to  4,  this  does  not  imply  that  severe  strain  which  such 
a  statement  would  imply  in  the  case  of  American  libra- 
rians, whose  hours  of  service  are  at  least  9  to  6,  and  in 
some  libraries  9  to  8  or  9  to  9. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[September,  '94 


effects  which  are  already  felt  in  those  volumes  of 
the  great  alphabetical  catalog  in  which  additions 
have  been  made  to  the  printed  part.)  But 
whether  the  titles  are  pasted  or  rudolphed  they 
will  serve  the  purpose  of  the  readers  at  the 
Museum,  and  it  may  well  be  said  by  an  economi- 
cal treasury  that  it  is  not  the  business  of  the 
trustees  to  furnish  bibliographies  to  the  world. 
It  would  be  better  to  spend  what  money  they 
have  in  making  the  classing  of  titles  more  cor- 
rect and  more  exhaustive  by  having  the  classing 
done  not  from  the  titles,  with  occasional  refer- 
ence to  the  books  in  cases  that  seem  doubtful, 
but  from  the  books  themselves  in  all  cases. 

The  printed  titles  of  books  received  since  the 
second  five-year  list  was  printed  are  pasted  in  a 
dozen  or  more  Leyden  binders,  which  are  kept 
at  the  central  desk  in  the  reading-room.  It  is  a 
great  convenience  to  have  this  subject  catalog 
brought  down  to  date,  yet  it  is  not  altogether 
pleasant  to  use  it.  One  always  has  the  feeling 
that  one  is  giving  trouble  in  asking  for  it,  and 
the  attendant  seems  to  hand  it  out  as  a  favor. 
Very  different  is  the  card  or  Rudolph  catalog  of 
an  American  library  to  which  the  public  go  as  of 
right.  Nor  are  the  Leyden  binders  altogether 
comfortable  to  consult.  Indeed,  in  looking  at  this 
and  some  other  of  the  Museum  arrangements, 
and  comparing  them  with  the  appointments  of 
libraries  at  home  not  a  hundredth  part  as  valu- 
able, I  sometimes  had  a  little  of  the  feeling  with 


which  the  English  farmer  looks  at  the  wooden 
plough  of  the  modern  Egyptians. 

I  met,  from  Dr.  Garnett  and  Mr.  Jenner,  the 
utmost  kindness  and  readiness  to  forward  my 
work  in  every  way  possible.  I  had  several  lines 
of  work  on  hand.  For  the  "  Expansive  classi- 
fication," I  hoped  to  revise  the  parts  not  yet  is- 
sued, to  modify  the  order  of  the  classification  if 
it  seemed  advisable  on  seeing  all  together  on  the 
shelves  a  mass  of  books  which,  if  it  does  not 
embrace  all  the  works  on  each  subject,  must  at 
least  have  specimens  of  all  the  kinds  of  works. 
I  hoped  also  to  add  to  the  minuter  subdivisions, 
and  to  get  new  words  for  the  index.  The  result 
in  both  cases  was  almost  negative.  In  the  social 
sciences,  at  least  —  the  only  branch  which  I  had 
the  time  to  finish — I  found  no  occasion  for  chang- 
ing my  order,  and  few  additional  subdivisions. 
It  seems  that  in  this  respect  a  library  of  1,500,- 
ooo  volumes  is  only  a  multiplication  of  a  well- 
selected  library  of  1 50,000  volumes.  I  had  some 
other  lines  of  study,  one  genealogical,  one  his- 
torical; in  both  I  was  interested  to  see  how  in- 
adequate the  sources  of  information  are,  even  in 
this  the  greatest  collection  of  books  but  one  in 
the  world;  how  much  less,  with  the  best  oppor- 
tunities, one  can  find  out  than  one  wants  to 
know.  To  be  sure  it  did  not  need  a  visit  to  Lon- 
don to  teach  one  that;  there  is  not  a  history,  a 
biography,  a  work  of  science  of  any  merit  but 
has  that  fact  written  large  all  over  it. 


THE   RELATION    OF  THE   HARTFORD    PUBLIC   LIBRARY   TO   THE   PUBLIC 

SCHOOLS.* 

BY  CAROLINE  M.  HEWINS,  Librarian  Hartford  (Ct,)  Public  Library. 


THE  Hartford  Library  Association,  in  its  sub- 
scription days,  could  do  little  for  the  public 
schools.  There  was,  of  course,  a  certain  pro- 
portion of  children  among  its  readers,  but  the 
yearly  fee,  which  was  three  or  five  dollars,  ex- 
cluded all  who  were  not  from  fairly  well-to-do 
families,  except  a  few  bright  boys  and  girls 
whose  love  of  reading  had  induced  some  friend 
to  give  them  the  use  of  the  library.  The  teach- 
ers could  not  ask  a  class  to  look  up  a  subject 
when  only  two  or  three  pupils  had  access  to 
books.  We  gave  as  much  help  as  possible  to 
the  children  who  asked  for  it,  but  we  did  no 
systematic  work  with  the  schools  until  1884. 
In  October  of  this  year  the  principal  of  the 


*  Paper  read  before  Hartford  (Ct.)  County  Teachers' 
Association,  May  19,  1894. 


North  School  began  to  take  10  or  12  books  at  a 
time  for  the  use  of  classes  in  geography  and 
United  States  history. 

Our  report  of  1887  says:  "  The  North  School 
has  made  use  of  the  library  for  three  years.  .  .  . 
The  habit  of  careful,  intelligent  reading  shows 
itself  to  a  marked  degree  in  the  ease  with  which 
the  pupils  express  themselves  in  writing,  their 
choice  of  words,  and  their  interest  in  everything 
relating  to  the  subjects  which  they  study. 
When  a  boy  comes  for  a  book  on  his  own  ac- 
count, not  the  school's,  that  will  give  him  the 
English  side  of  the  American  Revolution,  his 
mind  has  been  awakened  to  something  beyond 
the  usual  blind  acceptance  of  school  text-books." 

In  1889  the  older  classes  of  the  South  and 
Lawrence  Street  schools  began  to  use  our  books. 
The  $400,000  required  for  the  remodelling  of 


September,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


the  Wadsworth  Athenaeum  and  the  use  of  the 
corporations  occupying  it,  including  a  public 
library,  was  raised  by  subscriptions  varying 
from  $100,000  to  the  pennies  brought  by  the  lit- 
tle children  in  the  free  kindergartens.  The 
pupils  in  the  public  schools  gave  more  than  $600 
to  the  fund,  and  on  account  of  the  interest  which 
they  had  shown  in  it,  it  was  decided  at  a  special 
meeting  of  the  library  board  in  October,  1890, 
that  they  should  enjoy  to  a  certain  extent  the 
privileges  of  the  free  library  before  it .  was 
opened  to  the  public.  The  three  schools  men- 
tioned above  had  up  to  this  time  been  paying 
subscribers,  but  now  the  older  classes  in  every 
district  had  the  offer  of  the  free  use  of  books  in 
connection  with  their  work.  Teachers,  whether 
they  had  already  been  in  the  habit  of  taking 
books  or  not,  were  asked  to  use  the  library. 
The  two  debating  clubs  in  the  high  school  were 
invited  to  take  out  material  for  their  speeches, 
and  the  seniors  for  their  graduating  essays.  It 
was  voted  to  spend  $150  for  duplicate  copies  of 
books  relating  to  United  States  history. 
These  were: 

Abbott,  "  Miles  Standish  " 3  copies. 

Austin,  "  Standish  of  Standish  " 6        " 

Brooks,  "  Abraham  Lincoln  " 6        " 

Catherwood,  "Romance  of  Dollard  ".  .6        " 

Coffin,  "  Boys  of  '76." 2 

"      "  Old  times  in  the  colonies  "...  .a       " 

"       "  Building  the  nation  " 2        " 

Cooke,  "  Stories  of  the  Old  Dominion  ".6        " 

'  Lionel  Lincoln  " 6        " 

"Wept  of  Wish-ton- Wish  "....6       " 

"  Boots  and  saddles  " 2        " 

"        "  Following  the  guidon  " 2 

Eggleston,  "  Montezuma  " 3 

"Pocahontas  " 6 

"  "  Tecumseh  " 6 

Fiske,  "  Civil  government  in  the  U.  S.".6 

"       "  War  of  Independence  " 6 

'Jed" 6 

1  George  Washington  " 6 

'  Man  without  a  country  " 6 

Philip  Nolan's  friends." 6 

1  Mexico  " 3 

'Thankful  Blossom" 6 

"  By  right  of  conquest  " 6 

"         "True  to  the  old  flag  " 6 

11         "  With  Wolfe  in  Canada  " 6 

Jackson ,  ' '  Ramona  " 6 

Markham,  "Colonial  days  " 6 

Munro,  "  Flamingo  feather  " 6 

Scudder,  "  George  Washington  " 6 

Stowe,  "  Uncle  Tom's  cabin  " 6 

Thompson,  "  Green  Mountain  boys  ". .  .6 
Wright,  "  Children's  stories  in  American 

history  " 7 

Wright,  "  Children's  stories  of  American 

progress  " ,  —  7 

About   1000  volumes  were  charged   on  the 
school-cards  between  November,  1890,  and  June, 


Cooper, ' 
Custer, 


Goss, 

Hale, 


Harte,  ' 
Henty, 


1891,  and  14  districts  read  and  enjoyed  our 
books.  Our  subscription  was  at  that  time  re- 
duced to  one  dollar,  and  our  report  for  1891 
says:  "In  some  cases  children  who  have  used 
the  library  books  in  school  have  taken  subscrip- 
tions for  themselves,  and  the  result  has  been  a 
familiar  acquaintance  and  friendliness  with  the 
library,  which  cannot  fail  of  good  results  when 
the  library  shall  become  free." 

This  use  of  books  by  the  schools  continued 
until  the  Hartford  Library  Association  closed 
its  doors  in  March,  1892.  In  two  outlying  dis- 
tricts where  the  children  are  a  long  distance 
from  Sunday-school  or  other  libraries,  interest- 
ing stories,  not  historical,  were  taken  on  the 
school-cards  in  order  to  encourage  the  habit  of 
reading. 

During  the  summer  before  we  opened  as  a 
free  library  we  printed  a  classified  author-list 
for  children  in  a  pamphlet  of  93  pages,  D.  It  be- 
gan with  a  friendly  talk  on  reading,  and  after 
the  books  on  the  history  of  a  country  gave  a 
list  of  stories  or  biography  illustrating  it.  We 
mentioned  titles  of  books  written  for  older  read- 
ers, but  as  interesting  to  younger  ones,  and  put 
in  parenthesis  after  the  name  of  every  historical 
story  the  period  which  it  covers.  We  also  made 
a  note  of  sequels,  and  printed  a  list  of  boarding- 
school  and  college  stories,  which  have  always 
been  in  great  demand. 

The  lists  were  ready  the  day  after  the  library 
opened,  and  we  sold  them  for  five  cents  each, 
and  immediately  began  teaching  the  children  to 
write  numbers,  authors,  and  titles.  They  have 
always  been  much  more  tractable  than  our 
older  readers,  and  required  only  a  few  lessons. 

I  had  asked  to  have  no  age  limit,  believing 
that  every  child  able  to  read  and  write  should 
be  allowed  to  use  the  library.  In  consequence, 
about  one-third  of  our  circulation  at  first  was 
among  the  children's  books.  Tiny  tots  who 
looked  too  young  to  write,  but  produced  very 
creditable  signatures,  and  said  that  they  were 
nine  and  ten  years  old,  flocked  to  our  applica- 
tion-desk. It  was  not  easy  at  first  to  make  the 
children  understand  that  the  new  books  in  the 
case  by  the  door  would  not  interest  them,  and 
one  day  I  rescued  Conway's  "Life  of  Thomas 
Paine  "  from  a  small  boy  not  much  taller  than 
the  volume  itself. 

We  found,  as  soon  as  we  were  free  to  all 
children,  that  the  demand  for  fairy  tales  in- 
creased. We  therefore  provided  a  liberal  allow- 
ance of  Grimm  and  Andersen,  "Alice  in  Won- 
derland "  and  Mrs.  Valentine's  "  Old,  old  fairy 


294 


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[September,  '94 


tales."  "  Uncle  Tom's  cabin  "  and  "  Robinson 
Crusoe  "  were  among  the  first  books  asked  for, 
and  we  increased  our  stock  of  them.  We  keep  a 
hundred  or  more  books  for  children  on  our  open 
shelves.  From  June,  1892,  to  June,  1893,  we 
bought  947  volumes  of  children's  stories,  and 
130  of  other  books  for  children,  and  from  June, 
1893,  to  the  present  date  we  have  added  1147 
stories  and  224  other  books.  Our  connection 
with  the  schools  before  we  became  free  was  of 
the  greatest  service  to  us  when  the  children 
poured  in  upon  us.  Enough  of  them  understood 
the  use  of  the  library,  and  the  help  which  it 
might  be  to  them  in  their  work,  to  exert  a 
marked  influence  over  the  others.  It  is  for  this 
reason  that  we  have  never  found  children  un- 
willing to  receive  suggestions  as  to  books.  On 
the  contrary,  many  of  them  make  a  practice  of 
coming  to  one  or  another  of  us  for  help.  We 
opened  the  day  after  the  school  year  began,  and 
in  a  short  time  boys  and  girls  began  to  come  for 
material  for  debates  and  essays.  At  first  our 
encyclopaedias  were  stored  upstairs  for  want  of  a 
better  place,  but  when  the  reference-room  was 
opened  in  February,  1893,  the  pupils  in  the 
schools  began  to  use  it,  and  every  day  some  of 
them  are  at  work  there.  In  order  to  attract  the 
younger  children  to  it,  we  put  on  shelves  within 
easy  reach  some  odd  volumes  of  Puck  and 
Punch.  When  the  covers  were  worn  off  the 
Pucks  they  were  ^removed,  but  they  have  done 
good  service  in  bringing  boys  into  the  room  and 
letting  them  see  at  least  the  backs  of  other 
books.  We  have  some  volumes  of  the  Illus- 
trated London  News  and  the  old  edition  of  the 
"  Iconographic  encyclopaedia,"  that  are  ^  great 
favorites. 

In  the  spring  I  followed  the  example  of  Miss 
James,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  in  asking  for  letters 
about  the  library  from  the  older  classes  in  the 
North  School,  telling  me  their  opinion  of  the 
Free  Library.  The  subject  was  sprung  on  them 
one  morning,  and  half  an  hour  was  given  them 
for  writing  the  letters.  Of  66  boys  and  girls 
from  12  to  16,  44  had  library-cards.  The  others 
gave  various  reasons  for  being  without  them — 
weak  eyes,  work  at  home,  books  from  the  school 
library,  etc.  I  have  been  in  the  habit  for  several 
years  of  spending  an  afternoon  in  the  school- 
hall,  talking  with  the  boys  and  girls  about  the 
lists  of  books  that  they  read,  which  they  prepare 
for  their  teachers.  They  are  asked  to  give,  be- 
sides the  titles,  their  reasons  for  liking  their 
favorites,  and  what  characters  they  have  found 
In  stories  who  they  wish  were  their  friends. 


They  also  give  the  names  of  the  newspapers  and 
magazines  that  they  read,  and  tell  how  many 
hours  they  spend  a  week  in  reading.  They  have 
sometimes  told  what  leads  them,  after  they  have 
finished  a  book,  to  choose  the  next  one.  This 
school  offers  a  prize  for  the  best  account  of  a 
book  read  during  the  year.  The  prize  essay 
this  year  was  on  Jane  G.  Austin's  "  Nameless 
nobleman,"  but  one  on  Crawford's  "  Saraci- 
nesca"  narrowly  missed  being  as  good. 

Before  the  summer  vacation  we  sent  to  this 
school  mimeographed  copies  of  a  list  prepared 
by  the  principal,  of  interesting  books  for  vaca- 
tion reading  in  connection  with  United  States 
history.  We  also  gave  it  copies  of  a  list  of  out- 
of-door  books  for  children,  with  some  for  older 
readers,  written  in  a  style  that  would  please 
them. 

Just  before  Christmas  we  sent  all  the  district 
schools  copies  of  a  list  of  Christmas  stories  and 
poems,  and  articles  on  the  holidays,  classified 
for  the  use  of  children  of  different  ages. 

A  new  course  of  study  has  been  planned  for 
the  schools  this  year.  It  includes  debates  in  the 
study  of  United  States  history,  and  boys  and 
girls  spend  much  of  their  spare  time  in  our 
reading  or  reference  room,  looking  up  such  sub- 
jects as  the  annexation  of  Hawaii,  the  compara- 
tive influence  of  France  and  England  upon  the 
United  States,  or  the  greater  usefulness  of 
steam  or  electricity.  Within  a  few  months  the 
principals  of  the  schools  have  asked  for  50 
copies  each  of  school  editions  of  Burroughs' 
"Birds  and  bees,"  "  Robinson  Crusoe,"  Fran- 
cillon's  "Gods  and  heroes,"  Franklin's  auto- 
biography, Hawthorne's  "  Wonder  book,"  Ir- 
vingVAlhambra,"  Kingsley's  "  Water  babies," 
Lamb's  "  Adventures  of  Ulysses,"  Martineau's 
"Peasant  and  the  prince,"  Rolfe's  "  Tales  of 
chivalry,  from  Scott,"  and  Scott's  "  Lady  of  the 
lake."  The  principals  at  their  meetings  arrange 
which  school  is  to  have  certain  books  for  the 
next  month,  and  a  typewritten  list  of  the  order 
in  which  they  are  to  be  sent  is  kept  on  the 
school  duplicate  shelves  to  prevent  mistakes. 

Last  spring  the  principals,  believing  that  some 
children  were  reading  too  much,  asked  that 
school-cards  might  be  issued  to  those  under  14, 
allowing  them  only  one  book  a  week  except  in 
vacation.  These  cards  were  put  into  use  in 
June,  and  reduced  the  circulation  of  children's 
books  from  33  to  about  25  per  cent.,  but  as  they 
are  still  unrestricted  during  one-fourth  of  the 
year,  the  number  who  were  overreading  was  not 
alarmingly  large.  When  a  child  came  for  a  new 


September,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


295 


card  before  this  time,  if  we  saw  that  be  or  she 
had  had  books  too  often,  we  used  to  inquire  as 
to  his  or  her  school  standing,  and  sometimes  ask 
the  teachers'  opinion  as  to  the  frequency  with 
which  books  ought  to  be  changed.  Teachers  may 
take  out  as  many  books  at  a  time  for  school- 
work  as  they  please,  but  must  return  or  present 
them  for  renewal  at  the  end  of  a  fortnight.  We 
keep  their  accounts  in  small  pass-books,  filed  in 
a  drawer,  back  up,  with  the  name  on  the  back — a 
system  which  I  learned  from  Miss  Bean,  of 
Brookline.  The  teachers  often  send  to  us  for 
50  books  at  a  time.  Just  now  we  are  supplying 
a  lack  of  the  lives  of  authors  and  other  famous 
men  and  women,  told  in  a  style  interesting  to 
children,  by  buying  duplicates  of  such  books  as 
Harris'  "  American  authors  for  young  people," 
Rideing's  "  Boyhood  of  great  authors,"  Gilder's 
"  Authors  at  home,"  Mrs.  Bolton's  "  Girls  who 
became  famous,"  "Famous  voyagers  and  ex- 
plorers," etc.  There  Is  a  growing  tendency  to 
specialize  in  the  grammar  schools,  one  teacher 
taking  several  classes  in  literature,  another  in 
geography,  etc.,  instead  of  teaching  everything 
to  one  grade  and  nothing  to  the  others,  and  we 
find  this  a  great  help  in  the  work  of  the  schools 
and  the  library. 

The  teachers  of  the  schools  have  aided  in 
every  way  our  efforts  to  make  the  library  a  part 
of  the  school  system,  sending  for  books  for 
school  and  home  use,  giving  their  pupils  sub- 
jects to  look  up,  and  explaining  to  them  that 
they  have  only  to  ask  to  find  help.  In  conse- 
quence, the  children  feel  perfectly  free  in  coming 
to  the  librarian's  office  with  questions,  and  in- 
stead of  wasting  from  five  to  ten  minutes,  as 
older  readers  sometimes  do,  in  apologies  for 
taking  up  valuable  time,  ask  for  what  they  need 
at  once.  We  have  always  insisted,  as  far  as 
possible,  that  books  shall  be  taken  away  and 
brought  back  with  clean  hands,  and  lately  have 
taken  the  name  of  every  child  who  has  to  be 
sent  away  to  wash  them.  .  .  . 

Our  first  list  for  the  schools  was  a  hastily  pre- 
pared and  incomplete  one  of  historical  novels 
for  the  class  in  modern  history  in  the  high 
school.  We  have  since  remodelled  and  extended 
it  for  the  use  of  students  of  history  in  Trinity 
College.  For  the  High  School  class  now  study- 
ing the  history  of  Europe  in  the  sixteenth  cen- 
tury, we  have  the  standard  histories  kept  in  the 
reference-room  and  not  to  be  taken  out  until  the 
class  has  finished  the  period.  On  a  shelf  above, 
to  be  taken  out,  are  the  best  novels  illustrating 
the  time,  like  "  Westward  ho  1"  "  Kenilworth," 


or  "  Unknown  to  history,"  and  the  newer  stories 
and  biographies,  such  as  Stanley  Weyman's 
"House  of  the  wolf"  and  "Gentleman  of 
France,"  Besant's  "  Coligny,"  and  Bourne's 
"Sir  Philip  Sidney."  We  receive  notices  of 
subjects  from  the  secretaries  of  the  High  School 
Debating  Club  (boys')  and  Athena  Club  (girls') 
and  send  copies  of  references  besides  posting 
them  on  our  bulletin-boards.  We  take  pains,  in 
suggesting  references,  both  for  high  school  and 
district  school  clubs,  not  to  name  books  or  arti- 
cles beyond  the  grasp  of  young  students. 

Our  reading-room  assistant  classifies  the  arti- 
cles in  the  periodicals  in  the  room  and  hangs  a 
typewritten  list  of  them  by  the  side  of  the  case* 
where  they  are  kept.  She  divides  them  into 
Current  topics,  History,  Biography,  Art,  etc., 
and  the  young  debaters  do  much  of  their  work 
on  questions  of  the  day  at  the  reading-room 
tables.  As  an  annex  to  the  card  catalog  in  the 
reference-room,  we  have  a  card-index  to  St. 
Nicholas,  Wide  Awake,  Harper's  Young  People, 
and  Amateur  Work,  and  this  year  we  have  been 
fortunate  enough  to  secure  a  set  of  St.  Nicholas 
up  to  date,  which  we  keep  for  reference,  because 
our  old  one,  although  complete,  Is  never  all  on 
the  shelves  at  once. 

We  have  never  found  school-children  trouble- 
some in  the  reading-room,  or  flocking  into  it  in 
such  crowds  that  we  have  been  obliged  to  con- 
sider the  question  of  a  separate  place  for  them. 
We  once  in  a  while  send  an  unwashed  boy  away, 
and  often  suggest  that  the  New  Review  or  Con- 
temporary is  not  as  interesting  to  young  minds  as 
St.  Nicholas  or  Harper's  Weekly. 

The  libraries  where  noisy  children  crowd  the 
reading-rooms  are  those  where  there  is  an  age- 
limit.  A  child  prefers  taking  a  book  home  to 
reading  a  magazine  or  newspaper  in  the  library 
building.  If  he  uses  the  reading-room  we  make 
him  understand  that  he  must  be  as  quiet  and 
considerate  of  his  neighbors  as  older  people 
are. 

One  of  the  school  principals  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  our  board  of  directors  for  several  years, 
and  his  suggestions  are  always  practical  and  use- 
ful. An  intimate  personal  relation  between  the 
library  staff  and  pupils  is  encouraged  by  the 
teachers,  and  invitations  to  visit  schools  or  listen 
to  debates  are  often  sent  to  the  library.  In  some 
towns  in  Connecticut  the  librarian  is  school 
visitor,  and  where  the  work  of  each  office  does 
not  demand  too  many  hours  a  day  the  combina- 
tion is  an  ideal  one;  but  it  is  impossible  in  a 
large  city. 


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[September,  '94 


THE    LIBRARY  SCHOOLS  AND  TRAINING  CLASSES  OF  THE  UNITED   STATES. 


THERE  are  at  present  six  library  schools  in  the 
United  States :  the  New  York  State  Library 
School,  the  pioneer  and  leader;  the  library 
school  of  Pratt  Institute,  Brooklyn;  that  of  the 
Los  Angeles  Public  Library;  that  of  the  Drexel 
Institute,  Philadelphia  ;  that  conducted  by  Ar- 
mour Institute,  Chicago;  and  that  of  the  Denver 
Public  Library.  The  summer  school  of  library 
economy  conducted  at  Amherst  by  Mr.  Fletcher 
should  also  be  added  to  the  list,  and  brings  the 
total  number  up  to  seven.  With  the  exception 
of  the  New  York  State  Library  School,  none  of 
these  schools  are  more  than  four  years  old. 
The  Pratt  Institute  library  classes  were  begun 
in  October,  1890,  those  of  the  Los  Angeles 
Public  Library  in  October,  1891,  the  Drexel  In- 
stitute course  was  opened  in  September,  1892, 
and  those  of  Armour  Institute  and  of  the  Denver 
Public  Library  were  inaugurated  in  September, 
1893. 

An  exhibit  of  the  work  accomplished  by  these 
centres  of  library  training  cannot  fail  to  be  of 
general  interest.  Such  an  exhibit  is  here  pre- 
sented in  the  simplest  and  most  effective  man- 
ner, by  giving  the  complete  roster  of  the  stu- 
dents at  the  various  schools  from  the  beginning, 
with  the  positions  they  have  held  and  are  now 
holding  in  the  library  profession.  A  roster  of 
this  sort  affords  a  more  practical  demonstration 
of  what  has  been  done  in  this  field  of  library 
work  than  could  be  given  by  the  closest  analysis 
of  the  technical  details  of  each  particular  library 
school. 

We  append  the  register  of  the  New  York  State 
Library  School  from  its  beginning,  including  all 
matriculated  students.  This  is  followed  by  the 
roster  of  the  other  schools,  arranged  in  the 
order  of  their  establishment.  A  short  account 
of  the  Amherst  summer  school  of  library  econ- 
omy is  also  included  ;  but  the  list  of  Amherst 
students  is  not  given,  as  the  course  is  of  short 
duration,  there  are  no  diplomas  or  gradua- 
tions, and  most  of  those  taking  it  are  already 
engaged  in  library  work. 

Details  as  to  the  instruction,  or  the  division 
or  arrangement  of  studies  are  not  included. 
The  main  features  of  the  course  are  familiar  to 
librarians,  and  though  there  may  be  minor  dif- 
ferences and  variations  in  the  different  schools, 
the  essential  features  are  the  same  in  all. 

Besides  the  schools  noted  in  the  appended 
lists,  instruction,  more  or  less  detailed,  in  library 


economy  and  bibliography  is  now  given  in  sev- 
eral colleges.  Such  a  course  has  been  included 
in  the  curriculum  of  Colorado  College  for  the 
past  two  years;  at  Amherst  College  there  are 
lectures  on  bibliography  and  the  use  of  the 
library  ;  Bowdoin  College,  the  University  of 
California,  Cornell  University,  Iowa  State  Col- 
lege, and  the  University  of  Michigan  have  simi- 
lar courses  of  lectures;  Wellesley  College  offers 
an  elective  course  in  bibliography  of  an  hour  a 
week  for  a  year;  and  Maine  State  College  has 
recently  included  a  course  in  library  economy  in 
its  curriculum.  These  courses  are  not  included 
in  the  list  of  regular  schools,  as  they  are  gen- 
erally associated  with  other' studies,  and  do  not 
offer  independent  practical  library  training. 

NEW  YORK  STA  TE  LIBRARY  SCHOOL. 
REGISTER,     1887-94,    INCLUDING    ALL  MATRICU- 
LATED   STUDENTS. 

Facts  are  given  in  the  following  order:  i.  Col- 
lege connection;  2.  Library  school  attendance; 
3.  Positions;  4.  Connection  with  library  asso- 
ciations. 

If  a  student  is  registered  as  attending  the 
school  and  filling  a  position  at  the  same  time,  it 
signifies  a  leave  of  absence  to  attend  the  school. 

Senior  certificate.  Completion  of  the  first 
year's  course  at  the  New  York  state  library 
school. 

Graduate.  Completion  of  the  full  two  years' 
rourse  either  at  Columbia  college  or  at  the  New 
York  state  library. 

Columbia  certificate.  This  certificate  was 
granted  by  Columbia  college  to  students  who 
completed  the  course  there  before  the  school 
was  transferred  to  the  New  York  state  library 
in  1889. 

Diploma.  Completion  of  the  full  two  years' 
course  at  the  New  York  state  library  school. 

Diploma  -with  honor.  Completion  of  the  full 
two  years'  course  at  the  New  York  state  library 
school  with  honor  (90  per  cent.). 

B.L.S.  Completion  of  two  years  of  college 
work  and  of  the  full  two  years'  course  at  the 
New  York  state  library  school  with  honor  (90 
per  cent.). 

Class  of  1888. 

1.  BONNELL,  KATE.  —  Library  school,  Jan.-  May 
1887;   cataloger   New  York    free    circulating 
library,  1887;  died,  Sept.  7,  1890. 

2.  BURGESS,  HARRIET  P.  —  Library  school,  Jan.  - 
May,  1887. 

3.  CATLIN, GEORGE. — Library  school,  Jan.  -June, 
1887;  previously   assistant  librarian  Free  li- 
braries, Birmingham,  England. 

4.  CHAPMAN,  LILIAN  HOWE. —  Library  school, 
Jan.- July,  Sept.  -Dec.,  i887;librarian  Cottage 
City  (Mass.)  library  association,  Oct.,  1885- 


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297 


Oct.,  1886;  assistant  librarian  Y.  W.  C.  A., 
New  York,  June -Dec.,  1887;  librarian  Lend- 
ing library,  Cottage  City,  Mass.,  July,  1893- 
date. 

5.  COLE,   GEORGE  WATSON.  —  Graduate.      Li- 
brary school,  1887-88  ;  Columbia  certificate; 
cataloger,    Public   library,   Fitchburg,  Mass., 
Aug.,  1885 -Oct.,  1886;  librarian  Pratt  insti- 
tute free  library,  Brooklyn,  Nov.,  i886-Sept., 
1887  ;   assistant    Newberry   library,  Chicago, 
Ap.,  1888 -Dec.,  1891;  public  librarian,  Jersey 
City,   Jan.,    1891 -date;    attended  A.    L.    A. 
meetings  '85,  '87,  '90,  '92,  '93  ;    member  A. 
L.  A.  committee  on  Library  school  1892-93, 
treasurer  A.  L.  A.,   July,   1893 -date;    vice- 
president  New  Jersey  library  association,  Oct. , 
1891 -date  ;  secretary  New  York  library  club, 
Jan.,  1892 -May,  1893,  president  May,  1893- 
May,  1894. 

6.  DENIO,  LILIAN. — Graduate.    Library  school, 
Jan.,  i887-Janv   1889,  Columbia  certificate; 
Wellesley  college   library,  July- Aug. ,   1887; 
cataloger  Union  for   Christian  work,   Brook- 
lyn, Nov.,  i887-Feb.,  1888;  cataloger  Public 
library,   Grand    Rapids,    Mich.,  Feb.,    1889- 
Ap.,  1890;  librarian  Teachers  college  library, 
New  York,  Ap.,  iSgo-date;   attended  A.  L. 
A.  meetings  '87,  '92,  '93;    vice-president  New 
York  library  club,  i8g4-date. 

7.  FERNALD,  HARRIET  CONVERSE.  —  Graduate. 
B.S.   Maine  state   college  of  agriculture  and 
mechanic    arts,    1884,    M.S.,    1888  ;    Library 
school,  1887-88,  Dec.,  1888 -Jan.,  1889;  Co- 
lumbia  certificate  ;   cataloger  Public   library, 
Saugus,   Mass.,    May-June,    1887;    classifier 
Bowdoin   college   library,   Aug. -Oct.,   1887; 
cataloger  Union  for  Christian  work,  Brooklyn, 
Nov.,   1887- Feb.,    1888;   cataloger  Pennsyl- 
vania state  college  library,  Dec.,  1889 -June, 
1890  ;  cataloger    Maine   state  college  library, 
Aug.  -  Nov.,  1888,  Feb.  -  June,  1889,  librarian, 
Dec.,  1 890 -date;  secretary  Maine  library  as- 
sociation, 1891 -date. 

8.  GODFREY,  LYDIA  BOKER.  —  Graduate.    Vas- 
sar  college,  1872-74;  Ph.B.  Boston  university, 
1878;  Library  school,  Jan.-Ap.,  1888,  Columbia 
certificate;  order  department   Public  library, 
Boston,  1881-83;  superintendent  catalog  de- 
partment Wellesley  college  library,  1883-88, 
reference  librarian  and  instructor  in  bibliog- 
raphy, 1888 -date,  year's  leave  of  absence  in 
Europe,  1891  -92. 

9.  GOODRICH,  HARRIET.  —  Library  school,  Jan. 
-Feb.,  1887. 

10.  GRISWOLD,  HARRIET  SHERMAN.  —  Library 
school,  Jan. -May,  1887;  public  librarian  Ba- 
tavia,  N.  Y.,  1883-86;  assistant  librarian  Y. 
W.  C.  A.,  New  York,  Ap.  -June,  1887,  librari- 
an, June,  1887 -June,  1889;  died  Feb.  2,  1889. 

n.  HUTCHINS,  ANNIE  ELIZA.  —  Library  school, 
1887,  attended  lectures  only,  gave  instruction 
in  dictionary  cataloging;  formerly  of  the  Har- 
vard, Boston  public,  and  Cornell  university 
libraries;  cataloger  in  Columbia  college,  New- 
berry,  and  Yale  college  libraries;  attended  A. 
L.  A.  meetings,  '79,  '89. 

12.   JACKSON,  ANNIE  BROWN.  —  Graduate.    B.A. 


Smith  college,  1882,  M.A.,  1885;  Library 
school,  1887-88,  Columbia  certificate;  mem- 
ber book  committee  Free  public  library,  North 
Adams,  Mass.,  1885 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A. 
meetings,  '90,  '93. 

13.  JONES,  ADA  ALICE. —  Graduate.   Wellesley 
college,    1878-80,    1881-82;  Library  school, 
1887-88,  Columbia  certificate;  cataloger  Wel- 
lesley college  library,  July,  1882 -Sept.,  1886; 
assistant  librarian  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  New  York, 
Nov.,   1887 -May,    1888;  cataloger  Columbia 
college  library,  May,  1888 -March,  1889;  in- 
structor  in   cataloging   Library  school,  Oct., 
1888 -March,  1889;  librarian  Woman's  library, 
World's  Columbian  exposition,  Chicago,  July- 
Aug.,  1893;  cataloger  New  York  state  library, 
Ap.,  1 889 -date;  instructor  in  advanced  cata- 
loging Library  school,  Oct.,  1889 -date;  secre- 
tary of  faculty,  Feb.,   1891 -date;  attended  A. 
L.  A.  meetings,  '90,  '93. 

14.  KNOWLTON,  FRANCES  S.  —  Library  school, 
Jan.-  Ap.,  1887. 

15.  MILLER,  EULORA.  —  Graduate.    B.S.Purdue 
university  (Lafayette,    Ind.),    1878  ;    Library 
school,  1887-88,  Columbia  certificate;  librarian 
Purdue  university  library,  1878-80;  assistant 
public  librarian  Lafayette,  Ind.,  1882-87,  li- 
brarian 1888;  librarian  Pratt  institute  freelibra- 
ry,  Brooklyn,  1889-90;  married   Rufus  Platt 
Jennings,  Nov.  20,  1890,   address  7  Madison 
park,  Chicago,  111.;  attended  A.   L.  A.   meet- 
ings, '87,  '89. 

16.  NELSON,    MARTHA    F.  —  Library    school, 
Jan. -June,    1887;    assistant    librarian    New 
York  f ree  circulating  library,  Jan. ,  1886- Jan., 
1887;   classifier   Pratt   institute   free   library, 
Brooklyn,  Aug.-Sept.,  1887;  librarian  Union 
library  (W.  C.  T.  U.),  Trenton,  N.  J.,  Oct., 
i887-date;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meetings,  '88, 
'90,  '92,  '93;    secretary   New  Jersey  library 
association,  Dec.,  1890- Oct.,  1893. 

17.  PATTEN,  FRANCIS  CHAUNCEY.  —  Graduate. 
Ripon(Wis-)  college,  1885-86;  Library  school, 
1887-88,    Columbia  certificate;   assistant   li- 
brarian Ripon  college  library,  1883-86;  cata- 
loger New  York  free  circulating  library,   May  - 
Dec.,  1887;  evening  reference  clerk  Columbia 
college  library,  Oct.,  1887 -March,  1888,  cata- 
log curator  and  reference  clerk  Ap.,    1888- 
March,  1889;  catalog  and  shelf  curator  New 
York  state  library,   Ap.,    i88g-July,     1892; 
public  librarian  Helena,  Mont.,  Aug.,  1892- 
date;  attended  A.    L.    A.   meetings,  '86,  '87, 
'90,  '92,  '93. 

1 8.  PLUMMER,  MARY  WRIGHT.  —  Graduate.  Wel- 
lesley college,  1881-82;  Library  school,  Jan., 
1887 -March,  1888,  Columbia  certificate,   in- 
structor in  cataloging  Library  school,  Nov.  - 
Dec.,  1887;  assistant  in  charge  of  cataloging 
department    Public   library,   St.    Louis,   Ap., 
i888-Ap.,  1890;  librarian  Pratt  institute  free 
library,  Brooklyn,  Nov.,  1890 -date,  instructor 
free  library  training  classes,  i8go-date;  year's 
leave  of  absence  in  Europe,  1894-95;  attend- 
ed A.  L.  A.  meetings,  '87,  '89,  '90,  '91 ,  '92,  '93, 
member  A.  L.  A.  committee  on  Library  school, 
1891 -92;  vice-president   New   York    library 


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[September,  '94 


club,  1891 -'92;  secretary  New  York  library 
association,  1892  -  93.  "f 

19.  SEYMOUR,  MAY.  —  Graduate.     B.  A.  Smith 
college,  1880;  Library  school,  1887,  1888-89, 
Columbia  certificate  ;  classifier  and  cataloger 
Ostcrhout    free  library,    Wilkes-Barre,    Pa., 
1887-88;  cataloger  Columbia  college  library, 
1888-89;  classifier  New   York  state  library, 
1889-91,     sub-librarian    (education),    1891- 
date;    instructor  in  elementary  classification 
Library  school,  1891,  instructor  library  print- 
ing and  editing,  1891 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A. 
meetings,  '90,  '92,  '93. 

20.  STOTT,  JANET  ELIZABETH.  —  Library  school, 
1887;  assistant  librarian    New  York  free  cir- 
culating library,  Feb.,  1882- June,  1889;  mar- 
ried  Richard  Lavery,  Sept.  25,  1889;  address 
234  South  Second ave.,Mt.  Vernon,  N.  Y.;  at- 
tended A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '87. 

21.  TALCOTT,  ELIZA  S.  —  B.A.  Vassar  college, 
1869;  Library  school,  Jan. -May,  1887;  cata- 
loger Connecticut  mutual  life  insurance  com- 
pany library,  Oct.  -  Nov. ,  1887;  assistant  cata- 
loger Union   for   Christian   work,    Brooklyn, 
Dec.,  1887- March,  1888;   assistant  librarian 
Hartford   public  library,  March,  1888 -date; 
attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '92. 

22.  WOODWORTH,  FLORENCE.  —  Graduate.  Libra- 
ry  school   1887,  Jan. -July,  1889,  Columbia 
certificate,  honor  senior  certificate,  1890;  cata- 
loger  Osterhout   free   library,    Wilkes-Barre, 
Pa.,  Aug.,  1887 -Dec.,  1888;  cataloger  Colum- 
bia college  library,  Jan.  -  Ap.,  1889;  librarian 
Woman's  library,  World's  Columbian  exposi- 
tion, Chicago,  July-Aug.,    1893;  cataloger 
New  York  state    library,   Ap.,    i88g-Sept., 
i8g2,   registrar   Library   school,  Ap.,    1889- 
Sept.,  i8g2,  instructor  in  cataloging  Library 
school,  Ap.,    i88g-date,   director's   assistant 
New   York   state   library,    Oct.,    1892  -  date; 
attended  A.  L.  A.  meetings,  'go,  '93;  member 
A.  L.  A.   committee  on  World's  Columbian 
exposition,  1890-91. 

Class  of  1889. 

23.  BALDWIN,  ELIZABETH  G.  —  Library  school, 
1887-89,    Columbia  certificate;  in  charge  of 
library  of  Huguenot  society  of  America  de- 
posited   in    Columbia    college   library,  Ap., 
1889- Feb.,  1894;  reviser    cataloging  depart- 
ment Columbia  college  library,   Ap.,   1889- 
date;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '80. 

24.  BANKS,  Mrs.  MARTHA  HOWARD  (GORDON). 
—  Library  school,  1887-89;  cataloger  Newark 
free  public  library,  July -Sept.,   1889,  Jan. - 
May,    1890;    classifier   and    cataloger    James 
Prendergast  free  library,  Jamestown,  N.  Y. , 
July- Oct.,    1890;    cataloger    Longstreet    li- 
brary,  Peddle  institute,    Hightstown,  N.  J., 
Dec.,   1890- March,   1891;  librarian    Bennett 
library,   Wyoming   seminary,  Kingston,  Pa., 
March -Dec.,   1891;   cataloger   American  so- 
ciety  of  mechanical   engineers'  library,  New 
York,  Feb. -Ap.,    1892;   classifier  and   cata- 
loger Slater  library,  Jewett   City,  Ct.,  June, 
1892 -Feb.,  1893;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting, 
'92. 


25.  BRACKETT,  HARRIET  MARY. —  B.A.  Bates 
college,    1884,   M.A.,   1887;    Library   school, 
Oct.,  1888 -Feb. ,1889,  attended  lectures  only; 
cataloger  Columbia  college  library,  Oct.,  1 884  - 
85;  cataloger  Oberlin  college  library,  1885-67; 
reviser  and  cataloger  Columbia  college  libra- 
ry, 1888 -date. 

26.  BROWNE,   NINA   ELIZA.  —  Graduate.    B.A. 
Smith    college,    1882,    M.A.,    1885;   Library 
school,  1887-89,  Columbia  certificate,  B.L.S., 
1891;  assistant  Columbia  college  library,  Ap., 
1888- Ap.,  1889;  shelf-lister  New  York  state 
library,   Ap.,  1889- Jan.,   June -Nov.,    1892; 
classifier  and   cataloger  Phipps  scientific  col- 
lection, Carnegie  free  library,  Alleghany,  Pa., 
Jan. -May,    Dec.,    1892;   librarian    Library 
Bureau,  Jan.,  1893 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A. 
meetings,  '88,  '89,  '90,  '92,  '93,  registrar  A.  L. 
A.,   1888-90,    1892-93,   assistant  secretary, 
1 893 -date. 

27.  CLARKE,  EDITH  EMILY.  —  Graduate.  Ph.B. 
Syracuse  university,    1881  ;    Library    school, 
1887-89,   Columbia  certificate;  cataloger  Al- 
fred (N.  Y.)  university   library,   July-Aug., 
1888;  head  cataloger  Columbia  college  library, 
Ap.,  i88g-June,  1890;  cataloger  in  charge  of 
Woman's  library,  World's  Columbian  exposi- 
tion, Chicago,  May-Sept.,  1893;  lecturer  on 
dictionary  cataloging,  department  of  library 
science,  Armour  institute,  Chicago,  Ap..  1894; 
head  cataloger   Newberry   library,    Chicago, 
Aug.,   i8go-date;  attended  A.    L.  A.   meet- 
ings, '90,  '92,  '93,  member  A.  L.  A.  co-opera- 
tion committee,  1892-93;  vice-president  Chi- 
cago library  club,  1893-94. 

28.  CUTLER,     LOUISA     SALOME.  —  Graduate. 
Graduate  Mt.  Holyoke  seminary,  1886;  Libra- 
ry   school,    1887-89,    Columbia    certificate, 
honor  senior  certificate,  1893;  classifier  New- 
ark free  public  library,  Ap. -July,  1889  ;  libra- 
rian Aguilar  free  library,   New  York,  Sept., 
1889- Sept.,  1891;  classifier  Colgate  universi- 
tyjlibrary,  Hamilton,  N.  Y.,  Nov. .  1891 -May, 
1892;  librarian  A.  L.  A.  library,  World's  Co- 
lumbian   exposition,    Chicago,    July,    1892- 
Nov. ,    1893;  public   librarian,    Utica,   N.    Y., 
Nov.,   1893 -date;  attended   A.    L.   A.    meet- 
ings, '86,  '87,  '90,  '91,  '92,  '93,  assistant  secre- 
tary A.  L.  A.,  1 893 -date. 

29.  GILMORE,  DAVID  CHANDLER.' —  B.A.    Uni- 
versity of  Rochester,   1887, 'M.A.,  1891;   Li- 
brary school,   Nov.,  1887 -Feb.,  1888;  libra- 
rian Railroad  men's  library  (branch  Y.  M.  C. 
A.),  New  York,  Feb.,  1888 -Aug.,  1890. 

30.  HOPSON,  EMAK. — 'Graduate.  Library  school, 
1887-89,  Columbia  certificate;  cataloger  Co- 
lumbia college  library,  Ap.,  i88g-June,  1890; 
cataloger  Newberry  library,  Chicago,  June- 
Sept.,  1890;  married  Howard  Owen  Sprogle, 
Oct.  20, 1890,  address  3217  Summer  St.,  Phila- 
delphia; attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '92. 

31.  JONES,     GARDNER     MAYNARD.  —  Library 
school,  Jan.  -  Nov.,  1888;  assistant  Dorchester 
Athenaeum,     1863-66,     librarian,     1866-69; 
classifier  and  cataloger  Boston  book  co.,  Nov., 
1888 -Feb.,    1889;    librarian    Public   library, 
Salem,  Mass.,  March,  i88g-date;    attended 


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299 


A.  L.  A.  meetings,  '88,  '90,  '92,  '93,  member 
A.  L.  A.  co-operation  committee,  1890-92, 
member  collection  committee  A.  L.  A.  library, 
World's  Columbian  exposition,  Chicago, 
1892-93,  member  A.  L.  A.  committee  on 
subject  headings,  i8g2-date;  secretary  Massa- 
chusetts library  club,  Nov.,  iSgo-Oct.,  1891, 
president,  Nov.,  1893 -date. 

32.  KNAPP,  AUGUST. — Library  school,  1887-89. 

33.  LEE,     Rev.     ALBERT.  —  Harvard     college, 
1868-71;  graduate  Auburn  theological  sem- 
inary,  1874;   Yale  divinity  school,    1874-75; 
Library  school,  1887-89;  cataloger  Summer- 
field   methodist   episcopal  church,   Brooklyn, 

1888  ;    cataloger   Columbia    college    library, 

1889  -Ap.,   1892;    cataloger   Harlem   library, 
New   York,  Ap.,  iSga-Feb.,   '893;   librarian 
Mining  building,  World's  Columbian  exposi- 
tion, Chicago,  May -Oct.,  1893. 

34.  MARSEE,  ISABELLA  REBECCA. — Graduate.  Li- 
brary school,  Jan.,  1888-89,  Columbia  certifi- 
cate ;  reference  librarian  Public  library,  Indian- 
apolis, Ind..  1882-89;  married  Albert  Lupton 
Dec.    ii,    1889,  address,   213    Herkimer  St., 
Brooklyn. 

35.  MEDLICOTT,    MARY.  —  Graduate.     Library 
school,  1887-89,   Columbia  certificate;  cata- 
loger Alfred  (N.  Y.)  university  library,  July- 
Aug.,  1888;  cataloger  Teachers  college  libra- 
ry, New  York,  Jan. -March,  1889,  librarian, 
Ap. ,  1889 -Ap.,  1890;  cataloger   Society   for 
the    home  study  of   Holy   scripture,    Aug., 
1889-90;  assistant  in  charge  of  reference  de- 
partment  City    library,    Springfield,    Mass., 
Ap.,  1890-  date;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meetings, 
'90,  '92;  second  vice-president  Massachusetts 
library  club,  Oct.,  1893 -date. 

36.  PALMER,  HENRIETTA  RAYMER.  —  Graduate. 
Bryn   Mawr  college,     1889-93    B.A.,    1893; 
Library  school,  1887-89,  Columbia  certificate; 
cataloger   Newark  free  public  library,  Ap.  - 
July,  1889;  cataloger  Lilly  library,  Florence, 
Mass. ,  July -Sept.,  1889;  cataloger  Bryn  Mawr 
college  library,  Sept.,  1889- June,  1890,  act- 
ing librarian,    1890-91;    associate  librarian, 
1893 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '93. 

37.  PRESCOTT,  HARRIET  BEARDSLEE.  —  Gradu- 
ate.     Mt.    Holyoke  seminary  1886  ;    Library 
school,  1887-1889,  Columbia  certificate;  cata- 
loger Columbia  college  library,   Ap.,  1889- 
date;  attended   A.   L.   A.   meetings,  '90,  '91  ; 
secretary  New  library  club,  May,  1893  -date. 

38.  RICHARDSON,      MARY     ABBIE.   —  Library 
school,  Jan.- June,  1888;  classifier  and  cata- 
loger Atlanta  university  library,  Sept.  1888- 
June,  1889,  librarian  June,  1889- March,  1891; 
public   librarian,  New   London,  Ct.,    March, 
1891 -date;  attended   A.  L.  A.  meetings,  '92, 
'93;   assistant   secretary   Connecticut    library 
association,  Feb.,  1892-  Feb.,  1893,  vice-presi- 
dent, Feb.,  1893 -date. 

39.  ROSE,   ELEANOR    WATERHOUSE.  —  Library 
school,   1887-88;  librarian   Connecticut  state 
normal  school  library,  New  Britain,  1876-  77; 
assistant   librarian   Y.  W.   C.  A.,  New  York, 
1886-87;  librarian  Town    library,  Framing- 


ham,  Mass.,  1888-89;  cataloger  private  li- 
brary, Hartford,  Ct.,  Sept.,  1889 -March, 
1890. 

40.  STANTON,  IRVING  GARDINER.  —  B.A.    Har- 
vard university,    1881;  Library  school,  Dec., 
i887-Feb.,  1889.     Has  since  done  temporary 
library  work  in  connection  with  editorial  work. 

41.  SWAYZE,  MARY  CAMILLA.  —  Graduate.  Smith 
college,   1880 -81;  Library  school,   1887-88, 
1889-90,  diploma,  1891;  librarian  Y.  W.   C. 
A.,  New  York,  Sept.,  i888-June,  1889;  clas- 
sifier   and    cataloger   High    school    library, 
Flushing,  N.  Y.,  Feb. -March,  1894;  attended 
A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '92. 

42.  UNDERBILL,  CAROLINE    MELVIN.  —  Gradu- 
ate.    Library  school,  1887- 89,  Columbia  cer- 
tificate;   classifier  and   cataloger   New  York 
normal  college  alumnae  library,  Oct.,  1888- 
Ap.,  1889;  cataloger  Newark  free  public  li- 
brary, Ap.,  1889 -May,   1891  ;  librarian  Ap- 
prentices' library  company,  Philadelphia,  May, 
1891 -June,  1*1894  ;  attended    A.  L.  A.  meet- 
ings, '90,  '92  ;  treasurer  Pennsylvania  library 
club,  1892-94. 

43.  WARD,  AMA  HOWARD.  —  Graduate.  Library 
school,  1887-89,   Columbia  certificate;   Am- 
herst   summer    school    of    library   economy, 
July -Aug.,    1894;  assistant  librarian  Y.  W. 
C.   A.,  New  York,  Ap.- Aug..  1888,  acting  li- 
brarian  Sept. -Dec.,    1888,    librarian,   June, 
1889 -July,  1890. 

44.  WIRE,  GEORGE  E.  —  Graduate.  M.D.  North- 
western  university   medical   school   (Chicago 
medical  college),   1883  ;  Library  school,  Jan., 
1888- Ap.,  1889,  Columbia  certificate  ;  assist- 
ant librarian  Northwestern  university  library, 
Evanston,  111.,  Sept.,  i885-Dec.,  1888;  assist- 
ant Columbia  college  library,  Ap.,  1889- June, 
1890;  lecturer  department  of  library  science, 
Armour  institute,  Chicago,  1893-94;  superin- 
tendent medical  department  Newberry  library, 
Chicago,  July,  1890 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A. 
meetings,  '90,  '91,  '92,  '93  ;  member  A.  L.  A. 
committee  on  Library  school  1891-92,  mem- 
ber   committee   on    subject   headings  1893- 
date  ;  secretary   Chicago  library   club,    Dec., 
1891- Dec.,  1892,  member  committee  to  visit 
libraries  and  solicit  membership,  Feb.,  1894 - 
date. 

Class  of  1890. 

45.  ABBOTT,  HERBERT  VAUGHAN.  —  B.A.  Am- 
herst  college,  1885;  Library  school,  1888-89. 

46.  ADAMS,  GERTRUDE.  —  Library  school,  1888- 
89. 

47.  BEEBE,  ELIZABETH  H.  —  Cornell  university, 
1883-84;  Library   school,   Oct.,    1888,   Oct., 
1892.     In  each  case  left  during  first  month  on 
accou'nt  of  ill-health. 

48.  BLAKE,  HARRIET  CUMMINGS. —  B.A.Welles- 
lev  college,  1880  ;  Library  school.  Jan. -Feb., 
1889;  cataloger  Public  library,   Boston,  Oct., 
1880- Oct.,    1886;    cataloger    Smith   college 
library,  Nov.,  1887- Ap.,  1888;  cataloger  Pub- 
lic library,  Nashua,  N.  H.,  March,  1889 -Feb., 
1891;  indexer  of  educational  reports  Connec- 
ticut   state    board    of    education,    Hartford, 


300 


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[September,  '94 


Sept.  -Dec.,  1891,  cataloger  educational  pam- 
phlets, Oct.  -  Dec. ,  1893;  cataloger  Connecti- 
cut state  normal  school  library,  New  Britain, 
Dec.,  1891 -Dec.,  1892  ;  instructor  dictionary 
cataloging  Library  school,  Feb.  -  March, 
1893  ;  revised  dictionary  catalog  for  A.  L.  A. 
library,  World's  Columbian  exposition,  Chi- 
cago, 1893. 

49.  BRAINERD,  HELEN  ELVIRA.  —  Graduate  Mt. 
Holyoke     seminary,    1887;    Library    school, 
1888-89;  cataloger  Columbia  college  library, 
Ap.  1 889 -date. 

50.  BURDICK,  ESTHER  ELIZABETH.  —  Graduate. 
Library  school,  1888-90,  diploma,  1891;  clas- 
sifier  and   cataloger  Town   library,   Orange, 
Mass.,  Sept. -Nov. ,   1890;   cataloger   Union 
for   Christian  work,    Brooklyn,   Nov.,   1890- 
Feb.,    1891;    head   cataloger    Public   library, 
Jersey  City,  Feb.,  1891 -Feb.,   1894;  assistant 
librarian, Feb.,  1 894 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A- 
meeting,  '92. 

51.  CATTELL,  SARAH  WARE.  —  Graduate.     Wel- 
lesley  college,  1887-88;  Library  school,  1888- 
90,  honor  diploma,    1891  ;  classifier  and  cat- 
aloger Free  library,  Norfolk,  Ct.,  June -Sept., 
1889;   librarian    Y.    W.    C.    A.,    New   York, 
Sept.,  rSgo-date;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting, 
'92;  member  A.   L.  A.  committee  on  Library 
school  and  training  classes,  1893 -date. 

52.  CLARK,  JOSEPHINE  ADELAIDE.  —  B.  A.  Smith 
college,  1880;  Library  school,  1888-89;  cata- 
loger  Union   for   Christian  work,  Brooklyn, 
Nov.,  1889- March,  1890;  cataloger  Brooklyn 
institute,   March-June,  1890;  assistant  libra- 
rian   Harvard   university  herbarium    library, 
Aug.,  1 890- Sept. ,  1891;  botanical  bibliogra- 
pher  botanical  division  Department  of  agri- 
culture, Washington,  D.  C.,  Sept. ,  1891 -Oct., 
1893;  assistant  librarian  Department  of  agri- 
culture, Washington,  D.  C.,  Oct.,  1893 -date. 

53.  FLOWER,  MARY.  —  B.S.  Cornell  university, 
1882;  Library  school,  1888-89;  librarian  read- 
ing-room,  Gouverneur,    N.    Y.,  Jan.,    1886- 
Oct.,  1888;  classifier  and  cataloger  Free  libra- 
ry,  Norfolk,   Ct.,    Nov.,    1889- Feb.,     1890; 
classifier  and  cataloger  Free   library,  North- 
field   (Mass.)   seminary,   March -May,    1890; 
first  cataloger  Cornell  university  library,  Aug. , 
i8go-date;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meetings, '92, 
'93- 

54.  GREEN,     KATHERINE     LAURA.  — Library 
school,    Oct.    1888- March,    1889;    cataloger 
Franklin  typographical  society,  Boston,  three 
months  winter  of  1885-86;  cataloger  Newark 
free  public  library,  Ap. -Aug.,  1889;  assistant 
Boston  Athenaeum,  Oct.,  1889- March,   1890; 
assistant  order  department  Public  library,  Bos- 
ton, Ap.  -  Oct.,   1890;  cataloger  Boston  Athe- 
naeum, Oct.,  1890- Feb.,  1891;  head  cataloger 
Public  library,    St.  Louis,    Feb.,  1891 -Jan., 
1894;  married  Edward  Cavender  Rouse,  March 
7,  1894,  address   30  Benton  place,  St.  Louis; 
attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '93. 

55.  HARVEY,  ELIZABETH. — Graduate.    Library 
school,  Oct. -Dec.,  1888,  1889-90,  diploma, 
1891  ;    cataloger   Osterhout   library,   Wilkes- 
Barre,  Pa.,   Jan. -Sept.,   1888,   classifier  and 


cataloger,  Jan. -Oct.,  1889;  classifier  and  cata- 
loger Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Cooperstown,  N.  Y. ,  July- 
Aug.,  1890;  cataloger  N.  Y.  state  library, 
Oct.,  i8go-Sept.,  1893;  bibliographic  work, 
Philadelphia,  Nov.,  1893 -date. 

56.  KENT,  HENRY  WATSON.  —  Library  school, 
1888,  attended   lectures  only;  cataloger  Col- 
umbia college  library,  1884 -Oct.,  1886, Mar.  - 
Nov.,  1888;  curator  of  the  Slater  memorial  mu- 
seum and   librarian  of  the  Peck  library,  Free 
academy,    Norwich,   Ct.,    Nov.,    1888 -date; 
year's  leave  of  absence  in  Europe,  1892-93. 

57.  LATHROP,  HENRIETTA  SPRAGUE.  —  Library 
school,  1888-89. 

58.  LOOMIS,   Mrs   MARY    (WELLMAN).  —  B.A. 
Lenox   college  (Hopkinton,  la.),  1889,  M.A., 
1890;  University   of  Michigan,  1883-85;  Li- 
brary school,   1888-89,  1891-92,  senior  cer- 
tificate, 1892;  accession  clerk   New  York  state 
library,  Oct.,  i88g-July,  1891;  cataloger  Iowa 
college    library,  Grinnell,    la.,    Jan. -Aug., 
1893;    librarian    Woman's    library,    World's 
Columbian  exposition,  Chicago,  1893;  classi- 
fier and  cataloger  Free  public  library,  Boone, 
la.,   June -Aug.,    1894;    attended   A.   L.  A. 
meetings,  '90,  '92;  secretary  Iowa   library  so- 
ciety, Dec.,  1893 -date. 

59.  METCALF,  ANNA. —  Library  school,  Jan.  - 
Ap.,  1888;  librarian   Harris  institute,  Woon- 
socket,  R.  L,  Oct.,  1883 -date;  three  months' 
leave    of    absence   in    Europe,    June -Sept., 
1894;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meetings,  '91,  92,  '93. 

60.  ROBINSON,  MARY.  —  Smith  college,  1881  -82; 
Library  school,  1888-89. 

61.  SHERMAN,      DEBORAH      KEITH.  —  Library 
school,  1888-89;  member  library  committee 
Y.    W.    C.   A.,  New  York.   Ap.,   i88g-date; 
member  committee  on  institute  and  library  of 
self-supporting  women,  Yonkers,  N.  Y. ,  Dec., 
1891 -date,  chairman  cataloging  committee, 
July,  1893 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meetings, 
'90,  '91,  '92. 

62.  SUTERMEISTER,  LOUISE  MATHILDE. — Gradu- 
ate.   Library  school,  1888-89, 1890-91, diplo- 
ma, 1891;  cataloger  Wellesley  college  library, 
Sept.,    1891 -June,   1892;   cataloger    Library 
company,  Philadelphia,  Oct.,  1892 -date;  at- 
tended A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '90. 

63.  TEMPLE,  MABEL. — Graduate.  Library  school, 
1888-90,  diploma,   1891;  assistant  Public   li- 
brary,  North  Adams,  Mass.,   1886-88;  cata- 
loger   Public   library,   Jackson,  Mich.,   July, 
1890 -Feb.,   1891;  cataloger  New  York  state 
library,  March -July,  1891;  cataloger  Colgate 
university   library,    Hamilton,  N.    Y. ,   Aug., 
1891  -  May,    1892  ;    classifier    and    cataloger 
Crandall  free  library,  Glens  Falls,  N.  Y.,  Oct.- 
Nov.,   1892  ;    cataloger   Union   for   Christian 
work,  Brooklyn,  Jan. -March,  1893;  classifier 
Brown  university  library,   July,    1893 -Jan., 
1894;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '92. 

64.  TRASK,  Mrs   RHODA  JEANETTE.  —  Library 
school,  i888-Ap.,  1889,  at  tended  lectures  only; 
public  librarian,   Lawrence,   Kan.,   15  years; 
died  June  5,  1890. 

65.  UNDERBILL,  ADELAIDE.  —  B.A.  Vassar  col- 


September,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


361 


lege,  1888;  Library  school,  1888-89;  cata- 
loger  Columbia  college  library,  Oct.,  1889- 
June,  1892;  assistant  librarian  Vassar  college 
library,  July,  1892 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A. 
meetings,  '92,  '93. 

66.  WEEKS,   MARY   FROST.  —  Library  school, 
1888-89;  cataloger  Union  for  Christian  work, 
Brooklyn,  Oct.,  1889 -Ap.,  1890,  Oct.,  1890- 
March,  1891,  Oct.,  1891- Feb.,  1892;  cataloger 
Bryson  library,  Teachers  college,  New  York, 
Feb. -June,  1892;  cataloger  Public  school  li- 
brary,  Montclair,   N.  J.,   1892-93;  public  li- 
brarian, Montclair,  N.  J.,  Sept.,  1893 -date. 

67.  WINSER,  BEATRICE.  —  Library  school,  Oct., 
1888;  French  and  German  cataloger  Newark 
free  public  library,  1889  -  93,  assistant  librarian 
June,  1894 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting, 
'92;  secretary  New  Jersey  library  association, 
Nov.,  1893  -date. 

Class  of  1891. 

68.  BALL,   LUCY.  —  Library   school,    1889-90; 
assistant  librarian  Public  library,  Grand  Rap- 
ids, Mich.,  July,  1886- Oct.,  1889,  first  assist- 
ant librarian,  Sept. -Oct.,  1890,  acting  libra- 
rian, Oct.,  1890- Jan.,  1891,  librarian,  1891- 
date;    attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '93;    treas- 
urer Michigan  library  association,  Sept. ,  1891  - 
date. 

69.  BUNNELL,  ADA.  —  Graduate.    University  of 
Michigan,    1878-82;   Library   school,    1889- 
91,  B.L.S.,  1891;  cataloger  Lilly  library,  Flor- 
ence, Mass.,  June,   1890;  librarian  Y.  W.  C. 
A.,  Albany,  N.  Y. ,  Sept.- Jan.,  1891; classifier 
Free    public    library,    Dalton,   Mass.,    June, 
1893;  classifier  Society  for  the  home  study  of 
Holy   scripture,   Sept.,    1893;   cataloger  New 
York  state  library,  Oct. -Nov.,  1891,  classi- 
fier. Dec.,  1891 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meet- 
ings, '90,  '93. 

70.  BURNS,  WILLIAM  SAVAGE.  —  Graduate.  B.A. 
Yale  university,    1887;  Library  school,  1889 - 
91,  B.L.S.,    1891;    cataloger    private    library 
of  Ira  Davenport,   Bath,    N.  Y.,  Aug. -Oct., 
1891;  librarian  Michigan  state  normal  school 
library,   Ypsilanti,   Mich.,   Oct.,    1891 -June, 
1892;    assistant  on   printed  catalog  A.  L.  A. 
library,  World's  Columbian   exposition,  Chi- 
cago, Ap. -Dec.,  1893;  cataloger   New  York 
state  library,  Oct.,  1892 -date;  attended  A.  L. 
A.  meeting,  '93. 

71.  CHAMTLIN,  EVA  ST.   CLAIR.  —  B.L.  Alfred 
(N.    Y.)   university,    1887,   M.Lit.,   1888;  Li- 
brary school,  Oct.,  1889 -Jan.,  1890;  librarian 
Alfred  university  library,  1888-91,  1892-93; 
first  student  assistant  Bryn  Mawr  college  li- 
brary, 1891-92;  librarian   Connecticut  state 
normal  school  library,  New  Britain,  1893-94; 
librarian  Connecticut  normal   schools,  Sept., 
1894-  date. 

72.  CRAWFORD,  ESTHER.  —  B.L,  Iowa  agricult- 
ural  college    (Ames),    1887;    library   school, 
Nov.  1 889 -March,  1890;  cataloger   Iowa  ag- 
ricultural  college   library,    Aug.,  1888- Oct., 
1889,  March.  1890- Dec.,  1891;  cataloger  Pub- 
lic  library,  Sioux  City,  la. ,  July,  1892  -Ap. , 


1893,  librarian,  May,  1893 -date;  attended  A. 
L.  A.  meeting,  '93. 

73.  DEXTER,   LYDIA  AURELTA.  —  B.A.  Univer- 
sity of  Chicago,    1884;  Library   school,  Oct., 
1889 -Ap.,  1891;  cataloger  Newberry  library, 
Chicago,  June,  1891 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A. 
meetings,  '91,  '92,  '93;  treasurer   Chicago  li- 
brary club,  Dec.,  1891 -Dec.,  1892. 

74.  FEAREY,    CHARLOTTE     SOPHIA.  —  Library 
school.  Oct. -Dec.,    1889,    Feb.,    1890,  Oct., 
1891,  March- July,  1892;  cataloger  Columbia 
college  library,  Nov.,  iSgo-June,  i8gi;classi- 
fier  and  cataloger  New  York  normal  college 
alumnae  library,  July,  1890- June,  1891;  classi- 
fier  and   cataloger  Rosemary   public   library, 
Richmond,  Va.,  Nov.,  1891 -Feb.,  1892;  clas- 
sifier and  cataloger  Utica  state  hospital  medical 
library,    July -Aug.,    1893,  Ap.,    1894;   cata- 
loger  New  York  state  library,  Oct.,  1892- 
date;  attended   A.   L.  A.  meetings,  '90,   '92, 
'93- 

75.  JACOBS,   MARY  COFFIN.  —  Library    school, 
1889-90;    public  librarian    Weston,    Mass., 
Jan.  -  Ap.,  1889. 

76.  KROEGER,  ALICE  BERTHA.  —  Graduate.    Li- 
brary school,  Oct.,  i88g-Ap.,  1890,  Feb.-July, 
1891,  honor  diploma,  1891;  assistant  issue  de- 
partment, Public  library,  St.  Louis,  1882-89, 
cataloger,    Ap.,    iSgo-Feb.,   1891;    librarian 
Drexel   institute,    Philadelphia,  Sept.,   1891- 
date;  director  library  class,  Nov.,  i8g2-date; 
attended    A.   L.    A.    meetings,   '89,   '92,   '93; 
chairman   executive  committee  Pennsylvania 
library  club,  Feb.,  1894 -date. 

77.  MIDDLETON,    JENNIE    YOUNG.  —  Graduate. 
Ripon  college,  1886-  89;  Library  school,  1889- 
91,   diploma,    1891  ;   head   cataloger   Newark 
free  public  library,  May,  1891  -Ap.,  1892,  first 
assistant   librarian,    Ap.,    1892 -May,    1894; 
librarian  Apprentices'  library  company,  Phila- 
delphia, June,  i8g4-date;  attended  A.  L.  A. 
meeting,  '92. 

78.  PLYMPTON,  CHARLES  WILLIAM. — 'Graduate. 
Harvard   college,    1865-66;    Library   school, 
1889-91,  honor  diploma,  1891;  classifier  Pub- 
lic   library,   Worcester,  Mass.,   May -Sept., 
1892;  accession  clerk  New  York  state  library, 
Aug.,    1891 -date;  attended  A.  L.   meeting, 
'90. 

79.  WALDO,  CELIA  F.  —  Library  school,  Oct.- 
Dec.,   1889;   librarian   Young  men's  associa- 
tion, Jackson,  Mich.,  Oct.,  i883-July,  1885; 
public  librarian  Jackson,  Mich.,  July,  1885- 
date. 

80.  WHALEN,    FRANCES     E.  —  Library   school, 
Nov.,    1889;  married  Asahel   Lovell  Harvey, 
Dec.    29,    1892,  address,  West    Hill,  Ithaca, 

N.  Y. 

81.  WHEELER,  MARTHA  THORNE.  —  Graduate. 
Library  school,  1889-91,  honor  diploma,  1891; 
indexer  New  York  state  library,  Sept.,  1891- 
May,  1893,  cataloger  public  libraries  depart- 
ment,  June,    i8g3-date;  attended   A.  L.   A. 
meetings,  '92,  '93. 


302 


{September,  '94 


Class  of  1892. 

82.  ANDERSON,  EDWIN  HATFIELD.  —  B.  A.  Wa- 
bash  college,  1883,  M.  A.,  1886;  Library  school, 
Oct.,  1890- May,  1891;  librarian  Y.  M.  C.  A., 
Albany,    N.   Y.,  Jan. -May,    1891;  cataloger 
Newberry  library,  Chicago,  June,  1891 -Ap., 
1892;    librarian   Carnegie   free  library,  Brad- 
dock,  Pa.,  May,  i892-date;  attended  A.  L.  A. 
meeting,  '93. 

83.  BACON,  SOPHIA  LOUISE. —  Library  school, 
Oct.  -  Dec.,  1890;  cataloger  Pratt  institute  free 
library,  Brooklyn,  Jan.,  1888 -Aug.,  1893;  mar- 
ried Morton  Voorhees  Brokaw,  Oct.  5,  1893, 
address  96  Lincoln  place,  Brooklyn. 

84.  BULLOCK,  WALLER  IRENE.  —  Library  school* 
1890-91;  Wellesley  college,  1892-94. 

85.  BURTON,     BERTHA    BIDWELL.  —  Library 
school,  Oct.,  1890- Ap.,  1 891;  married  Alexander 
Steele  Lyman,  Sept.  17,  1891  address  Rose- 
bank,  Staten  Island,  N.  Y. 

86.  DAVIS,  MARY  LOUISE.  —  Graduate.    Library 
school,  1890-92,  honor  diploma,  1892;  cata- 
loger Colgate  university  library,    Hamilton, 
N.  Y.,  June -Sept.,  1891;  librarian  Woman's 
library,  World's  Columbian  exposition,  Chica- 
go, Oct.,  1893;  librarian  Lawson-McGhee  li- 
brary, Knoxville,  Tenn.,  Sept.,    i892-date  ; 
attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '92. 

87.  DAVIS,  OLIN  SYLVESTER.  —  Library  school, 
Jan. -June,  1891;  Chicago  public  library,  June- 
Sept.,    1884;   assistant   executive  department 
Columbia  college  library,  Sept.,  1884- Aug., 
1886;  Library  Bureau,  Aug.,  1886- Ap.,  1887; 
special  apprentice  Providence  public  library, 
May -June,  1887;    librarian   Topeka    public 
library,  July,  1887- May,  18905  librarian  Du- 
luth  public  library,  May-  Nov. ,  1890;  librarian 
Y.    M.    C.   A.,   Albany,  N.  Y.,  May -Aug., 
1891;  public  librarian,  Lakeport,  N.  H.,  1892 
-date;    member  executive    committee    New 
Hampshire  library  association,   Feb.,  1893- 
Feb.,i894. 

88.  EASTMAN,  Rev.  WILLIAM  REED.  —  Graduate. 
B.A.  Yale  college,  1854,  M.A.,  1857  ;    B.D. 
Union   theological   seminary,    1862 ;    Library 
school,  1890-92,  B.L.S.,  1892;  classifier  Col- 
gate  university   library,     Hamilton,    N.    Y., 
June-Oct.,  1891;  classifier  and  reviser  Public 
library,  Athol,  Mass.,  Feb. -March,  1892;  in- 
spector public  libraries  department  New  York 
state  library,  Aug.,  i8g2-date;  attended  A. 
L.  A.  meeting,  '92;  secretary  New  York  libra- 
ry association,  July,  1893 -date. 

89.  ELLIS,  MARY. —  Graduate.    Library  school, 
1 890  -  92,  diploma,  1 892 ;  classifier  and  cataloger 
Public  library,  Springfield,  Vt.,  Aug.  -  Sept., 
1892;  cataloger  Crandall  free   library,  Glens 
Falls,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  -Dec.,  1892  ;  indexer  New 
York    state  commission  in   lunacy,   Albany, 
Jan. -Ap.,   Sept. -Oct.,  1893;  cataloger  Ver- 
mont academy  library,  Saxtons   River,    Vt., 
May -June,   1893;    classifier   Public   library, 
New  Rochelle,  N.  Y.,  Nov.,    1893;  classifier 
Public  library,  Springville,  N.  Y.,  Dec.,  1893; 
classifier  and  cataloger  Public  library,  North 
Tonawanda,  N.  Y.,  March  2  - 19,  1894  ;   classi- 
fier Union  school  library,  East  Aurora,  N.  Y., 


March,  19- Ap.  2,  1894;  classifier  Literary  and 
historical  society,  Belmont,  N.  Y.,  Ap.  3-7, 
1894;  cataloger  public  libraries  department 
New  York  state  library,  Jan.,  i8g4-date;  at- 
tended A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '92. 

90.  FOOTE,  ELISABETH  LOUISA. —  Graduate.  B.A. 
Syracuse   university,    1888;    Library   school, 
Jan.,  1890-92,   B.L.S.,    1892  ;  cataloger  Col- 
gate university  library,  Hamilton,  N.  Y.,  June  - 
Oct.,    1891,   July -Aug.,   1894;   classifier  and 
cataloger  Central  library,   Rochester,  N.  Y., 
July-Oct.,  1892;  cataloger  Ilion  free  library, 
Aug.,  1893;  cataloger  New  York  state  library, 
July,  1892;  assistant  public  libraries  depart- 
ment, Dec.,  1892- date  ;  attended  A.   L.  A. 
meetings,  '92,  '93. 

91.  JONES,    MARY    LBTITIA.  —  Graduate.    B.L. 
University  of  Nebraska,  1885;  Library  school, 
Jan.,    1891 -July,   1892,   B.L.S.,   1892;  assist- 
ant   librarian  University  of  Nebraska,  Sept., 
1892 -date  ;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meetings,  '92, 
'93. 

92.  MACKY,   BESSIE  RUTHERFORD.  —  Graduate. 
B.A.  Wellesley  college,  1889;  Library  school, 
1890-92,    B.L.S.,    1892;    assistant    librarian 
Diocesan    lending    library,   Cathedral   of  all 
saints,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  1890-92;  assistant  li- 
brarian  Drexel  institute,  Philadelphia,  Sept., 
1892 -date,   instructor   Library    class,    Nov., 
1 892 -date;   attended  A.  L.  A.  meetings,  '92, 
'93;  secretary  Pennsylvania  library  club,  Feb., 
1 893 -Feb.,  1894. 

93.  PEIRCE,    MARY    EMMA.  —  Library    school, 
1890-91. 

94.  ROBBINS,    MARY  ESTHER.  —  Graduate.     Li- 
brary    school,    1890-92,    diploma,   1892;    li- 
brarian Y.  W.  C.  A.,  Albany,  N.  Y.,   Dec., 
i8go-July,  1892;  classifier  and  cataloger  Da- 
vid M.  Hunt  library,  Falls  Village,  Ct.,  Aug.- 
Sept.,  1891;  librarian   New   Britain   (Ct.)  in- 
stitute,   Sept.,   i892-Sept.,    1894  ;  cataloger 
University  of  Nebraska  library,  Sept.,  1894- 
date;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meetings,  '92,  '93. 

95.  ROCKWELL,     ANNA     GAYLORD.  —  Library 
school,    1890-91,    honor    senior    certificate, 
1891;   librarian  Aguilar  library,   New  York, 
Sept.,  1891  -  Sept. ,    1892;    cataloger   Otis   li- 
brary, Norwich,  Ct.,   Oct.,  1892 -Oct.,  1893; 
cataloger  Stevens  memorial  library,    Attica, 
N.  Y.,   Nov.,    i8g3-March,    1894;     classifier 
and  cataloger  Bradley  library,  North  Haven, 
Ct.,  Aug.,  1894;  librarian  New   Britain  (Ct.) 
institute,   Sept.,    1894 -date;    attended  A.  L. 
A.  meeting,  '90. 

96.  SHARP,  KATHARINE  LUCINDA.  —  Graduate. 
Ph.B.  Northwestern  university,  1885,  Ph.M., 
1889;  Library  school,  1890-92,  B.L.S.,  1892; 
assistant  librarian  Scoville  institute,  Oak  Park, 
Ill.,:Oct.,    i888-Sept.,    1890;  classifier   and 
cataloger  Adams  memorial  library,  Wheaton, 
111.,  July -Oct.,  1891;  classifier  and  cataloger 
Library  association,   Xenia,  O.,   Aug. -Oct., 
1892;  in  charge  Comparative  library  exhibit 
prepared  by  Library  school  for  World's  Co- 
lumbian   exposition,    Chicago,   Nov.,   1892- 
Oct.,  1893;   librarian  Armour  institute,  Chi- 
cago, and  director  Department  of  library  sci- 


September >  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


ence,  Jan.,  1893 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A. 
meetings,  '92,  '93;  member  A.  L.  A.  co-opera- 
tion committee,  1893 -date;  member  lecture 
committee  Chicago  library  club,  1893  -date. 

97.  TAYLOR,  ELIZABETH  KING. —  Library  school 
1890- Ap.,  1892  ;    married  Clifford  E.  White, 
June  28,  1892,  address  Slingerlands,  N.  Y. 

98.  WALKER,    HARRIET  ANN.  —  Mt.    Holyoke 
seminary,  1870;  Library  school,  Oct.,   1890- 
May,   1892;    librarian  Olivet   church   library, 
New  York,  1884-90,  May- Aug.,  1892;    at- 
tended A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '90. 

99.  WATKINS,  EVELYN  MARY.  —  Library  school, 
Oct.,    1890 -March,   1892,   senior  certificate, 
1892;  cataloger  Woman's  library  World's  Co- 
lumbian   exposition,    Chicago,    May -Sept., 
1893  ;    assistant   cataloger   Woman's  library, 
Chicago,  May -July,  1894. 

100.  WETZELL,  BERTHA  SEIDL.  —  Library  school, 
Oct.-Dec.,  18901   cataloger  Thomas  Beaver 
library,    Danville,     Pa.,    May,    1888 -Nov., 
1891;  cataloger  Public  library,  Scranton,  Pa., 
Dec.,  1891 -date. 

Class  0/1893. 

IOT.  BAKKR,  BESSIE.— B.S.  Purdue  university 
(Lafayette,  Ind.),  1886;  Library  school,  1891- 
92;  classifier  and  cataloger  Clinton  liberal  in- 
stitute, Fort  Plain,  N.  Y.,  July -Aug.,  1892  ; 
librarian  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  Nov., 
1892 -Ap.,  1893  ;  cataloger  A.  L.  A.  library, 
World's  Columbian  exposition,  Chicago,  Nov., 
1892- Ap.,  1893  ;  cataloger  Armour  institute, 
June-Sept.,  1893 ;  assistant  librarian  Bryn 
Mawr  college  library,  Sept.,  1893 -date  ;  at- 
tended A.  L.  A.  meetings,  '92,  '93. 

102.  CHRISTMAN,     JENNY    LIND. —  B.S.    Iowa 
agricultural    college   (Ames),    1883  ;    Library 
school,  Oct.,  i8gi-May,  1893,  honor  senior 
certificate,  1893;  cataloger  Public  library,  Hel- 
ena, Mont.,  June,  1893 -July,  1894;  attended 
A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '92. 

103.  CHURCH,  HENRIETTA.  —  Graduate.  Library 
school,  March -June,  1891,  Oct.,  1891 -June, 
1892,  1893-94,  diploma,  1894;  cataloger  Dean 
Sage  collection  on  angling,  July-Nov.,  1892; 
cataloger  A.  L.  A.   library,  World's  Colum- 
bian  exposition,  Chicago,  Nov.,    1892- July, 
1893  ;  librarian  Young  men's  association,  Al- 
bany, N.  Y.,  Ap.,  1894- date. 

104.  CLARK,    DON    LINNAEUS. —  University    of 
Nebraska,  1880- Dec.,  1883;  Library  school, 
Jan. -Dec.,  1892;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting, 
'92. 

105.  FAIRBANKS,   MITTIE  BELCHER.  —  Library 
school,  1891  -92  ;  Amherst  summer  school  of 
library  economy,  July -Sept.,  1893  ;  assistant 
Bowdoin    college   library,   Ap. -July,    1893, 
June,  1894;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '92. 

106.  FORSYTH,    WALTER    GREENWOOD.  —  B.  A. 
Harvard   university,    1888  ;    Library  school, 
1891  -93,  senior  certificate,  1893;  classifier  and 
cataloger   of  private  library  of  Mrs.  J.  V.  L. 
Pruyn,    Albany,    N.    Y.,   May -Oct.,    1893; 
special  cataloger  Free  public  library,  Worces- 
ter,  Mass.,   Nov. -Dec.,    1893;  classifier  and 


cataloger  private  library  of  Rt.  Rev.  William 
Croswell  Doane,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  -June, 
1894;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '92. 

107.  HARRISON,  JOSEPH  LE  ROY.  —  Graduate. 
Cornell   university,  1882-85;  University  of 
Heidelberg,  1890;  Library  school,   1891-93, 
B.L.S.,  1893;  librarian  North  Adams  (Mass.) 
library  association,   June,   i88r-Sept.,  1882; 
sub-librarian  (legislation)  New  York  state  li- 
brary, Oct.,  1893 -Sept.,  1 894; librarian  Provi- 
dence (R.   I.)  Athenaeum,  Oct.,  i8g4-date  ; 
attended  A.  L.  A.  meetings,  '92,  '93. 

108.  HAWLEY,  MARY  ELIZABETH.  —  Graduate. 
Library    school,    1891-93,    diploma,    1893; 
classifier  Peabody  institute,  Danvers,  Mass., 
Nov. -Dec.,    1892;    cataloger   Pratt  institute 
free   library,   Brooklyn,   Ap.,   1893;   classifier 
and  cataloger  Syracuse  central  library,  June  - 
Oct.,  1894  ;  cataloger  New  York  state  library 
and  instructor  in  German  in  Library  school, 
Oct.,    1893 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meet- 
ings, '92,  '93. 

109.  HULBERT,  NELLIE  MAY.  —  Oberlin  college, 
1886-88  ;  Bryn  Mawr  college,  1890-91  ;  Li- 
brary school,  1891-92,  senior  certificate,  1892; 
cataloger  A.  L.  A.  library,  World's  Columbian 
exposition,  Chicago,  Oct. -Nov.,  1892 ;  cata- 
logerOberlin  college  library,  Ap.,  i893~date; 
married   Dr.    George  C.   Jameson,  Dec.    28, 
iSgs.addressOberlin  college  library;  attended 
A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '92. 

no.  LAPHAM,  ALICE  MAUD.  —  Smith  college, 
1885-86;  University  of  Michigan,  1886-87, 
Feb.,  1893 -June,  1894;  Library  school,  1891- 

92,  honor  senior  certificate,  1892;  attended  A. 
L.  A.  meeting,  '92. 

in.  LINDSAY,  MARY  BOYDEN.  —  Library  school, 
Oct.,  1891  -Ap.,  1892;  cataloger  Public  library, 
Peoria,  111.,  Ap.,  1888 -May,  1894;  cataloger 
Woman's  library,  World's  Columbian  expo- 
sition,Chicago,  May -Sept.,  1893;  public  libra- 
rian, Evanston,  111.,  June,  1894 -date;  attended 
A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '93. 

112.  LOUNSBURY,  HENRIETTA.  — Library  school, 
1891-92  ;  cataloger  private  library    George 
Jackson   Fisher,    M.D.,    Sing  Sing,    N.  Y., 
March -May,   1893;    indexer    and    cataloger 
Binghamton(N.  Y.)  state  hospital,  Dec.,  1893  - 
Ap.,  J8g4;  indexer  and  cataloger  Hudson  river 
state   hospital,    Poughkeepsie,    N.    Y.,    May, 
1894 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '92. 

113.  MARSHALL,  ALICE  MAY. — Library  school, 
Oct. -Nov.,  1891;  assistant  librarian  Perkins 
institution  for  the  blind,  South  Boston,  Mass., 
July,  1892 -date. 

1 14.  PAYNE,  MAY.  —  Library  school,  Oct.  -  Dec., 
1891;  first  assistant  University  of   Nashville 
library,  1888 -date. 

115.  RATHBONE,  JOSEPHINE  ADAMS.  —  Graduate. 
Wellesley    college,    1882-83;    University   of 
Michigan,    1890-91;   Library   school,    1891- 

93,  B.L.S.,  1893;  assistant  librarian  Diocesan 
lending  library,  Cathedral  of  all  saints,  Al- 
bany, N.  Y.,  Oct.,  1892  -June,  1893;  first  assist- 
ant cataloging  department  Pratt  institute  free 
library,  Brooklyn,  Sept.,  1893 -date;  instructor 


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[September,  '94 


Free  library  training  classes,  Oct.,  1893 -date; 
attended  A.  L.  A.  meetings,  '92,  '93. 

116.  REYNOLDS,  ROSE  EWELL. —  Library  school, 
Oct.,  1 891 -A p.,  1892;  assistant  Public  library, 
Peoria,  111.,  Ap.,  1888 -Oct.,  1891,  cataloger, 
Ap.,  1892- Sept.,  1893;  died,  Sept.  10,  1893. 

117.  RICE,  HELEN  WARE.  —  Graduate.     Library 
school,    1891-93,    diploma,    1893;    cataloger 
Boston  Athenaeum,  Oct.,  1893  -date;  attended 
A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '93. 

118.  ROGERS,  KITTIE  CHILDS.  —  Library  school, 
Oct. -Nov.,  1891. 

119.  SHELDON,  HELEN  GRISWOLD.  —  Graduate. 
B.A.  Vassar  college,  1891;    Library   school, 
1891  -  93,  diploma,  1893;  classifier  and  catalog- 
er Miss  Masters'  school  library,  Dobbs  Ferry, 
N.  Y.,  June,  1894;  librarian  Tome  institute, 
Port  Deposit,  Md.,  July,  1894 -date;  attended 
A.  L.  A.  meetings,  '92,  '93. 

120.  SMITH,  MAY  FRANCES.  —  Library  school, 
Oct. -Dec.,  1891;  cataloger  Colgate  univer- 
sity library,    Hamilton,  N.  Y. ,  Aug.,   1891- 
July,  1894,  assistant  librarian  and  cataloger, 
Aug.,  1 894 -date. 

121.  SUTLIFF,  MARY  LOUISA.  —  Library  school, 
1891 -date,    honor    senior    certificate,    1894; 
assistant  shelf-lister  New  York  state  library, 
Oct., 1 891 -Jan.,  1892;  shelf-lister,  Feb.,  1892- 
date;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '92. 

122.  VAN  HOEVENBERG,    ALMA    ROGERS. — Pratt 

institute  free  library  training  classes,  July- 
Oct.,  1891;  Library  school,  1891-92;  Am- 
herst  summer  school  of  library  economy,  Aug. , 
1892;  public  librarian,  South  Orange,  N.  J., 
Aug.,  1892 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meet- 
ing, '92. 

123.  WILSON,  JAMES  MEREDITH.  —  Ph.B.   Cor- 
nell university,  1880;  M.D.  Rush  medical  col- 
lege,   1882;     Library    school,     Oct.,    1891- 
March,  1892,  attended  lectures  only;  assistant 
Newberry  library,  Chicago,  Ap.,  i8g2-date; 
attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '93. 

Class  of  1894. 

124.  BENNETT,   MAY    LOUISE. —  B.A.     North- 
western university,  1891;  Library  school,  1893- 
93,  senior  certificate,  1893;  assistant  librarian 
Armour  institute,  Chicago,  Aug.,  i893~date; 
instructor  in  cataloging  department  of  library 
science,  Sept.,  1893 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A. 
meeting,  '93. 

125.  BULLOCK,     EDNA    DEAN.  —  B.L.  Univer- 
sity of  Nebraska,  1889;  Library  school,  1892- 
93;  cataloger  University  of  Nebraska  library, 
Ap. -Oct.,   1894;    attended   A.  L.  A.  meet- 
tog.  '93. 

126.  DEAN,  LEONARD  J.  —  B.A.   Colgate  uni- 
versity,   1871,    M.A.,    1874;  Newton    (Mass.) 
theological     institution,     1871  -  74;     Library 
school,  Oct.,  1892 -Feb.,  1893. 

127.  DE  LONG,  ANNIE.  —  Library  school,  1892  - 
93,  senior  certificate,  1893;  assistant  librarian 
Crandall  free  library,   Glens    Falls,   N.   Y., 
July,  1893 -date. 

128.  DENIO,  HERBERT  WILLIAMS.  —  Graduate. 
B.A.  Middlebury    (Vt.)  college,   1888,  M.A. 


1891 ;  Library  school,  1893  -  94;  diploma,  1894; 
librarian  Y.  M.  C.  A.,'  Albany,  N.  Y.,  June, 
1893;  classifier  and  cataloger  Sherman  free 
library,  Port  Henry,  N.  Y.,  Sept. -Oct., 
1893,  Jan.,  1894;  cataloger  New  York  state 
library,  Aug.,  1894 -date. 

129.  ELLIS,    ELIZABETH     TISDALE.  —  Library 
school,    1892-93;    assistant    Public    library, 
Peoria,  111.,  Oct.,  1891  -Oct.,  1892;  cataloger, 
Aug.,  1893 -May,  1894;  head  cataloger,  May, 
1894 -date;  attended  A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '93. 

130.  GIBSON,  IRENE.  —  Library  school,  1892- 
93,  senior  certificate  1893;  assistant  issue  de- 
partment Public  library,  Detroit,  Feb.,  1887- 
Oct.,  1892,  Oct.,  1893 -March,  1894;  cataloger 
Armour  institute,  Aug.,  1893;  cataloger  Public 
library,  St.  Louis,  Ap.,  i8g4-date;  attended 
A.  L.  A.  meeting, '93. 

131.  GLEASON,  HIRAM  NORTH  ERNEST.  —  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan,  1887-91;  Library  school, 
Oct.,  1892 -Jan.,  1893. 

132.  HAWES,  CLARA  SIKES. — Graduate.    Library 
school,  1892-94,  diploma,  1894;  classifier  and 
cataloger   Young   men's   library  association, 
Palmer,   Mass.,   July -Aug.,  1894;  attended 
A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '93. 

133.  LUDINGTON,  HARRIET  ESTELLE  —  Library 
school,  Oct. -Dec.,  1892. 

134.  McCREARY,  NELLIE. —  Swarthmore college, 
1891-92;  Library  school,  Oct.,  1892 -March, 
1894;    assistant    librarian    Diocesan    lending 
library,  Cathedral  of  all  saints,  Albany,  N.  Y., 
Oct.,    1 893 -March,    1894;    cataloger    Public 
library,  St.  Louis,  Ap.,  i894-date. 

135.  MOULTON,  JOHN  GRANT. — B.A.  Harvard  uni- 
versity, 1892;  Library  school,  1892-94,  senior 
certificate,  1893;  indexer  New  York  state  com- 
mission in  lunacy,  Albany,  May,  1893 -Jan., 
1894;  librarian  Free  public  library  and  read- 
ing-room, Quincy,  111.,  July,  1894 -date;  at- 
tended A.  L.  A.  meeting,  '93. 

136.  SEWALL,   WILLIS   FULLER.  —  B.A.   Tufts 
college,  1890;  Library  school,  1892-93,  senior 
certificate,    1893  ;    assistant     librarian    Tufts 
college  library,  1890-92,  reference  librarian, 
March- May,  1894;    indexer  New  York  state 
commission   in   lunacy,  Albany,  May,  1893- 
Feb.,   1894;  cataloger  Sauppe  collection  Bryn 
Mawr  college  library,  June,  i8g4-date. 

137.  SPERRY,  HELEN.  —  Graduate.     Library 
school,  1892-94,  honor  diploma,   1894;  Silas 
Bronson  library,  Oct.,  1883 -Oct.,  1892;  first 
assistant  Carnegie  free  library,  Braddock,  Pa., 
Aug.,    1 894 -date;    attended  A.  L.  A.  meet- 
ings, '85,  '87, 

138.  VANDERSLUIS,    DANIEL   OSWALD.  —  B.A. 
University  of  Michigan,  1890;  Library  school, 
Oct.,  1892 -Jan.,  1893;  died  March  10,  1894. 

Class  0/1895. 

139.  AVERY,  MYRTILLA.  —  B.A.  Wellesley  col- 
lege  1891;  Library  school,  1893 -date. 

140.  BARNETT,  CLARIBEL  RUTH.  —  Ph.B.  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan,   1893;    Library  school, 
Oct.,  1893-94. 


September i  '94] 


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3<>5 


141.  BLAKELY,     BERTHA    ELIZA.  —  B.L.    Mt. 
Holyoke  college,  1893;  Library  school,  1893- 
94;  librarian  New  Jersey  state  normal  school, 
Trenton,  Sept.,  1894 -date. 

142.  BOWERMAN,   GEORGE    FRANKLIN.  —  B.A. 
University  of  Rochester,  1892;  Library  school, 
1893 -date;  cataloger  New  York  state  library, 
Jan.,  1894 -date. 

143.  BRIGGS,  MARY  JOSEPHINE.  —  Graduate  Ob- 
erlin  college,  1880;  Library  school,  1893-94; 
librarian  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  Nov., 
1893- July,  1894;  special  assistant  on  printed 
catalog  Free  public  library,  Worcester,  Mass., 
Sept.,  1894 -date. 

144.  CHAMPLIN,  GEORGE    GREENMAN.  —  Ph.B. 
Alfred  (N.  Y.)  university  1884,  Ph.M.,  1890; 
Library  school,    1893 -date;    cataloger   New 
York  state  library,  Aug.,  i894~date. 

145.  CONE,  JESSICA  GARDINER. — Library  school, 
1 893 -date. 

146.  ENGLISH,    STEPHANIE    PAULINE.  —  Newn- 
ham  college,  Cambridge  university,  historical 
tripos,  1893;  Library  school,  Oct.,  iSgs-Ap., 
1894. 

147.  GAY,  HELEN  KILDUFF. — Library  school, 
1893 -date. 

148.  HAWKS,   EMMA    BEATRICE.  —  B.A.  Smith 
college,  1892;  Library  school,  Oct.,  1893 -Ap., 
1894. 

149.  JOSEPHSON,    AKSEL  GUSTAV  SALOMON.  — 
Library  school,  Oct.,   1893 -March,  1894;  li- 
brarian Verdandis  arbetarebibliotek,   Upsala, 
Sweden,  May,  1892  -Feb.,  1893;  bibliographic 
work    Publishers'  -weekly    office,    New  York, 
Ap. -June,    1894;    cataloger   Lenox    library, 
New  York,  July,  1894 -date. 

150.  LEONARD,    GRACE    FISHER.  —  Brown  uni- 
versity,   Jan. -June,    1893;    Library  school, 
1893 -date. 

151.  LOVELAND,  ELIZABETH  SHEPARD.  — Library 
school,  1893 -date. 

152.  McGuFFEY,  MARGARET  DRAKE.  —  Library 
school,  1893 -date. 

153.  NEWMAN,  ALICE.  —  B.S.  Wellesley  college, 
1893;  Library  school,  Oct.,  1893- Jan.,  1894. 

154.  SILLIMAN,    HELEN    CORNWALL. — Library 
school,  iSgs-date  ;  cataloger  Colgate  univer- 
sity  library,  Hamilton,   N.   Y.,   July -Aug., 
1894. 

155.  STANLEY,    HARRIET    HOWARD.  —  Library 
school,   1893 -date;    classifier  and   cataloger 
Union  school  library,  Saratoga  Springs,  N.Y., 
July,  1894. 

156.  STOCKWELL,  GEORGE  WATSON  CUTLER. — 
Library  school,  1893 -date;  assistant  librarian 
Diocesan   lending   library,   Cathedral    of    all 
saints,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  March,  1894- date. 

157.  SUTLIFF,   JENNIE  SWEET.  —  University  of 
Kansas,  1884-85;  Library  school,  Oct.,  1893- 
Ap.,  1894. 

158.  WATSON,  WILLIAM  RICHARD.  —  B.S.  Carle- 
ton  college,  Faribault,  Minn.,  1890;  Library 
school,  1893 -date. 

159.  WILSON,     MINNIE    CORNWELL, —  Library 
school,  1893- date. 


PRATT  INSTITUTE   PREE   LIBRARY,   BROOK- 
LYN, N.  Y. 

RECORD   OF  LIBRARY  TRAINING  CLASSES. 

Date  of  organization  —  Oct.  I,  1890. 

Entrance  examination  —  On  general  informa- 
tion. 

75  per  cent,  for  entrance. 

75  per  cent,  and  satisfactory  three  months' 
apprenticeship  for  final. 

Average  age  of  pupils  —  22  years. 

Length  of  course  —  Nine  months,  including 
apprenticeship. 

A  student  taking  the  course  in  two  years  in- 
stead of  one,  i.e.,  graduating  in  cataloging  one 
year  and  in  training  the  next,  is  counted  twice 
in  the  schedule,  so  that  there  were  not  actually 
as  many  persons  as  there  were  graduates. 

The  first  class,  1890-91,  included  22  pupils 
(14  in  cataloging,  seven  in  library  economy,  one 
in  both  courses),  of  whom  one  was  dropped  from 
the  rolls  for  illness  and  one  failed,  leaving  20 
graduates,  of  whom  15  have  had  positions. 
The  second  class,  1891-92,  included  23  pupils 
(seven  in  cataloging,  nine  in  library  training, 
seven  in  both  courses),  of  whom  three  were 
dropped  from  the  rolls  two  failed,  and  of  the  18 
graduates  15  have  had  positions.  The  third 
class,  1892-93,  numbered  but  19  pupils  (three 
in  cataloging,  two  in  library  economy,  and  14  in 
both  courses),  and  of  these  but  one  failed,  while 
of  the  18  graduates  14  have  had  positions.  The 
fourth  class,  1893-94,  is  the  largest  yet  record- 
ed, including  31  pupils  (eight  in  cataloging, 
three  in  library  economy,  and  20  in  both 
courses),  of  whom  three  were  dropped  from  the 
rolls,  three  failed,  and  25  have  graduated. 
None  of  these  students  have  obtained  positions, 
as  their  course  is  not  yet  completed. 

List  of  Students. 

AITKEN,  HELEN  J.  —  Cataloging,  '91;  training, 
'92;  assistant  Pratt  institute  free  library. 

ANTHONY,  JULIA  B.  —  Cataloging,  '91;  libra- 
rian Packer  institute,  Rrooklyn. 

ATEN,  MARION  B.  —  Cataloging  and  training, 
'93;  substitute  for  librarian  Public  library, 
Montclair,  N.  J. 

BEDELL,  MARION  C.  —  Cataloging  and  train- 
ing, '94;  cataloger  of  Private  medical  library, 
Montclair,  N.  J. 

BERRY,  SILAS  H.  —  Cataloging,  '91;  librarian 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  library,  Brooklyn. 

BIRD,  JENNIE  E. — Cataloging  and  training, 
'94;  substitute  Pratt  institute  free  library. 

BREKER,  MARGUERITE  A.  —  Cataloging,  '93; 
librarian  Bay  Ridge  library,  Bay  Ridge,  L.  I. 

BRENNAN,  EMMA  C.  —  Cataloging, '91;  assist- 
ant Pratt  institute  free  library. 

DURNITE,  CAROLINE.  —  Cataloging  and  train- 
ing, '94;  substitute  for  librarian  Public  li- 
brary, Orange,  N.  J. ;  substitute  Pratt  insti- 
tute free  library. 

BURSCH,  DANIEL  F.  W.  —  Cataloging,  '91 ; 
training,  '92;  assistant  Y,  M,  C.  A.  library, 


3°6 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[September,  '94 


Brooklyn;  now  librarian  Portland,  Ore.,  Pub- 
lic library. 

CALDWELL,  FLORA  C. — Cataloging    and    train- 
Ing,  '93;  assistant  Brooklyn  library. 
COOK,   BESSIE  L. —  Cataloging    and    training, 
'94;  substitute  Pratt  institute  free  library. 

DURNETT,  Mrs.  JULIA  F. — Cataloging,  '92; 
assistant  Aguilar  library,  N.  Y.  City. 

DYB,  MARY  A.  — Cataloging  and  training,  '93; 
assistant  Public  library,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

EGER,  BERTHA.  —  Cataloging  and  training, '94; 
assistant  Pratt  institute  free  library. 

ELDRIDGE,  MARIA  A.  —  Cataloging,  '92;  train- 
ing, '91;  substitute  Pratt  institute  free  library, 
substitute  Brooklyn  library. 

ESLER,  HETTIE  D.  — Cataloging,  '91;  assistant 
Pratt  institute  free  library. 

FARR,  MABEL  A.  —  Cataloging,  '91;  assistant 
library  of  college  for  training  of  teachers,  N. 
Y.  City;  assistant  Long  Island  library,  Brook- 
lyn; assistant  Y.  M.  C.  A.  library,  Brooklyn; 
librarian  Adelphi  academy,  Brooklyn. 

FAUCON,  ELIZABETH  B.  —  Cataloging,  94;  as- 
sistant Pratt  institute  free  library. 

FENTON,  JENNIB  M.  —  Cataloging  and  train- 
ing. 93.  assistant  Public  library,  Oakland, 
Cal. 

FITCH,  GRACE  A.  —  Cataloging  and  training, 
'91;  assistant  Pratt  institute  free  library. 

FORD,  FANNY  G.  —  Cataloging  and  training, 
'94;  assistant  library  of  College  of  training  of 
teachers,  N.  Y.  City. 

FREIDUS,  ABRAHAM  S.  —  Cataloging  and  train- 
ing, '94;  assistant  library  of  Calumet  club,  N 
Y.  City. 

HAWKINS,  SUSAN  S. — Cataloging,  '91;  assist- 
ant Pratt  institute  free  library. 

HEYDRICK,  JOSEPHINE  S.  —  Cataloging  and 
training,  '94;  librarian  Monroe  library,  South- 
port,  Ct. 

HILL,  GERTRUDE  P.  —  Training,  '94;  substitute 
Pratt  institute  free  library. 

H ILLEBR AND,  HELEN  L. —  Cataloging  and  train- 
ing, '92;  substitute  Pratt  institute  free  library; 
assistant  Aguilar  library,  N.  Y.  City. 

HOWARD,  LUCY  E.  —  Cataloging  and  training, 
'94;  assistant  Astral  branch  Pratt  institute  free 
library. 

HUBBARD,  HARRIET  M. —  Cataloging  and  train- 
ing, '94;  substitute  Pratt  institute  free  library. 

HULL,  MAY. — Cataloging,  '91;  assistant  Vas- 
sar  college  library;  assistant  Union  for  Chris- 
tian work,  Brooklyn. 

HUSTED,  HARRIET  F.  —  Cataloging,  '93;  assist- 
ant Y.  W.  C.  A.  library,  N.  Y.  City. 

KENWILL,  MARGARET.  —  Cataloging  and  train- 
ing, '94;  substitute  Pratt  institute  free  library. 

KOSTER,  CAROLINE  L. — Cataloging  and  train- 
ing* 93;  assistant  Long  Island  historical 
society  library,  Brooklyn. 

LAZELL,  ANNIE  W.— Cataloging  and  training, 
91;  substitute  Pratt  institute  free  library;  as- 
sistant Carnegie  library,  Braddock,  Pa. 


MACKENZIE,  ANNIE.  —  Cataloging,  '91;  assist- 
Pratt  institute  free  library. 

MARSH,  ADELAIDE.  —  Cataloging  and  training, 
'94;  substitute  Astral  branch  Pratt  institute 
free  library. 

MILLER,  MARY  E.  —  Cataloging  and  training, 
'94;  librarian  and  indexer  office  of  Engineer- 
ing News,  N.  Y.  City. 

NELSON,  SARAH  C.  —  Cataloging,  '92;  assistant 
Packer  institute,  Brooklyn;  assistant  Public 
library,  Scranton,  Pa.;  assistant  Vassar  college 
library;  assistant  Public  library,  Binghamton, 
N.  Y. ;  assistant  Wilmington  institute  free  li- 
brary, Wilmington,  Del. 

ODELL,  HELEN  P.  —  Cataloging  and  training, 
'93;  assistant  Y.  M.  C.  A.  library,  Brooklyn. 

PECK,  EDITH  M.  — Cataloging  and  training,  '93; 
assistant  Pratt  institute  free  library. 

POMEROY,  EDITH  M.  —  Cataloging  and  training, 
'92;  assistant  Pratt  institute  free  library. 

READ,  THERESE  M.  —  Cataloging,  '92,  training, 
'91;  substitute  Pratt  institute  free  library;  as- 
sistant Bay  Ridge  library,  Bay  Ridge,  L.  I.; 
assistant  Eldridge  library,  Norfolk,  Ct. ;  as- 
sistant Webster  library,  New  York  City. 

ROLLINS,  MAUDE  M.  — Cataloging  and  training, 
'93;  substitute  Pratt  institute  free  library. 

SKINNER,  ETHEL.  —  Cataloging  and  training,  '92; 
assistant  Columbia  college  library. 

SMITH,  MABELLE  M.  —  Cataloging  and  training, 
'92;  assistant  Bay  Ridge  library,  Bay  Ridge, 
L.  I.;  assistant  Astral  branch,  Pratt  institute 
free  library. 

STILLMAN,  MINNA  A.  —  Cataloging  and  training, 
'93;  librarian  and  indexer,  office  Mail  and  Ex- 
press, New  York  City. 

STURGES,  JULIA  C.  —  Cataloging,  '91;  assistant 
Pratt  institute  free  library. 

THOMPSON,  JESSIE.  —  Cataloging,  '92;  assistant 
Columbia  college  library. 

TODD,  CHARLOTTE  A.  —  Cataloging,  '94,  train- 
ing. '93;  substitute  Pratt  institute  free  library. 

VAN  HOEVENBERG,  ELIZABETH.  —  Cataloging 
and  training,  '94;  substitute  Public  library, 
South  Orange,  N.  J. 

VAN  VLIET,  FLORENCE  E.  —  Cataloging  and  train- 
ing, '92;  assistant  Astral  branch,  Pratt  insti- 
tute free  library. 

WARD,  CLARA  D.  —  Cataloging  and  training,  '92; 
assistant  New  York  free  circulating  library, 
Harlem  branch,  New  York  City;  librarian  pub- 
lic library,  Orange,  N.  J. 

WOODRUFF,  ELEANOR  B.  —  Training,  '92;  assist- 
ant Pratt  institute  free  library. 

LOS  ANGELES  (CAL.)  PUBLIC  LIBRARY. 
RECORD  OF  LIBRARY  TRAINING  CLASSES. 

Organized,  October,  1891. 

Entrance  examinations,  on  general  informa- 
tion, are  held  at  intervals  of  three  months,  con- 
ducted by  the  committee  on  attendants  of  the 
board  of  directors. 

First  course  covers  six  months;  70$  entitles  to 


September,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


3°7 


certificate,  rank  on  substitute  list,  and  privilege 
of  second  course;  85  %  entitles,  in  addition,  to  six 
months'  service  at  $10  per  month,  on  condition 
of  taking  second  course. 

Second  course  covers  six  months;  technical 
examination,  percentages  same  as  in  examination 
for  first  course. 

After  first  month's  service  students  are  eligible 
to  Sunday  and  holiday  duty,  at  20  cents  per  hour. 
Appointments  to  the  library  staff  are  made  only 
from  the  training  classes. 

Much  of  the  work  on  the  "  List  of  novels  and 
tales"  published  by  the  library  in  the  spring  of 
1894,  was  done  by  students  of  the  fourth  class, 
then  in  session. 

The  first  class,  Nov.,  '91 -May,  92,  included 
six  students,  of  whom  three  failed  and  three 
graduated,  all  of  the  latter  finding  employment 
in  the  Los  Angeles  library.  The  second  class, 
Feb.  -  Aug.,  '92,  included  six  students,  of  whom 
three  failed  and  three  graduated,  the  latter  all 
obtaining  positions  in  this  library.  The  third 
class,  June -Dec.,  '92,  included  six  students,  of 
whom  one  died,  one  failed  and  four  graduated, 
two  of  the  last  obtaining  employment  in  this 
library  and  one  as  correspondent  in  a  mercantile 
house.  The  fourth  class  included  eight  students, 
of  whom  two  resigned  and  six  graduated,  five  of 
the  latter  obtaining  positions  in  this  library,  and 
one,  Miss  Nevin  —  having  the  high  percentage 
of  96  on  final  examination  —  becoming  librarian 
of  the  Redlands  Public  Library.  The  fifth  class, 
Aug.,'93-Feb.,'94,  included  five  pupils,  of  whom 
two  resigned  and  three  graduated;  of  the  latter 
two  obtained  employment  in  this  library  and  one 
in  the  State  normal  school. 

First  class,  Nov.,  '91  -May,  '92. 

KINGSLEY,  LEILA.  —  Assistant  loan  clerk,  Los 
Angeles  public  library. 

MERCER,  HARRIET.  — Accession  clerk,  Los  An- 
geles public  library. 

PIERCE,  BERTHA.  —  Assistant  registry  clerk,  Los 
Angeles  public  library. 

Second  class,  Feb.  -Aug.,  '92. 

AUSTIN,  ANNA.  —  Indexer,  Los  Angeles  public 
library. 

MILLER,  NORA.  —  Attendant,  Los  Angeles  pub- 
lic library. 

THORNBERG,  FLORENCE.  —  Attendant,  Los  An- 
geles public  library. 

Third  class,  June  -  Dec. ,  '92. 

BECKLEY,  ANNA. —  Night  attendant,  Los  An- 
geles public  library. 

Fox,  DAISY. — Substitute  attendant,  Los  An- 
geles public  library. 

MILLER,  WINIFRED.  —  Married. 

WHITTIER,  EMMA.  —  Correspondent  in  mercan- 
tile house,  Kansas  City. 

Fourth  class,  Jan.  -July,  '93. 
DARLOW,  GERTRUDE.  —  Assistant    mail  clerk, 

Los  Angeles  public  library. 
DUNN,  MABEL.  — Attendant,  Los  Angeles  public 

library. 


JOHNSON,  MARY.  —  Night  attendant,  Los  An- 
geles public  library. 

MOORE,  EDITH.  —  Sub-attendant,  Los  Angeles 
public  library. 

NEVIN,  HELEN.  —  Librarian,  Redlands  (Cal.) 
public  library. 

PUTNAM,  BLANCHE.  —  Night  attendant,  Los  An- 
geles public  library. 

Fifth  class,  Aug.,  '93- Feb.,  '94. ' 
EARL,  ANNA. —  Assistant  cataloger,  State  normal 

school. 

GLEASON,  PEARL.  —  Sub-attendant,  Los  Angeles 
public  library  and  exchange  clerk  in  local 
weekly  paper. 

HORGAN,  GEORGIA.  —  Sub-attendant,  Los  An- 
geles public  library. 

DREXEL  INSTITUTED  PHILADELPHIA,  PA. 
RECORD   OF   LIBRARY   TRAINING   CLASSES. 

Organized,  October,  1892. 

Entrance  examinations,  on  general  informa- 
tion, are  held  in  May  and  September. 

"  Instruction  is  in  the  form  of  talks  or  lect- 
ures, with  practical  work  under  supervision,  and 
includes  two  sides  of  library  work  —  the  technical 
and  the  literary,  or  bibliographical.  In  the  lit- 
erary side  we  include  a  course  in  the  history  of 
English  literature,  studies  in  modern  European 
authors,  reference  work,  and  bibliography.  A 
special  course  of  lectures  on  bibliography  and 
libraries  was  given  by  eminent  specialists  during 
the  second  term,  and  was  open  fre«e  to  the  gen- 
eral public.  In  the  schedule  for  next  year  we 
have  added  a  series  of  talks  on  current  events, 
by  the  professor  of  economics  of  the  institute, 
which  will  include  a  survey  of  the  literature  of 
social  science  and  economics." 

First  Class,  1892-93. 

FORNANCE,  MARY.  —  Assistant  in  Public  libra- 
ries, Philadelphia,  now  cataloging  and  arrang- 
ing the  library  of  Carpenter's  Hall,  Phila- 
delphia. 

CODING,  SARAH  E.  —  Assistant  librarian  Free 
libraries,  Philadelphia. 

KATES,  CLARENCE  S.  —  (Left  the  class  before 
graduation  to  take-position  in  Free  libraries, 
Philadelphia.)  Now  librarian  Branch  no.  4 
Public  libraries,  Philadelphia. 

SHEDDEN,  ANNIE  P.  —  Instructor  in  English  and 
library  economy,  Drexel  institute,  Philadel- 
phia. 

STEWART,  ROSE  G.  —  Assistant  librarian  Free 
libraries,  Philadelphia. 

STYER,  EMMA  G.  —  (Graduate  in  cataloging 
only.) 

TATUM,  SARAH.  —  Cataloger  Public  libraries, 
Philadelphia.  (Graduate  in  cataloging  only.) 

THOMPSON.  MARY  I.  —  Assistant  librarian  Drex- 
el institute,  Philadelphia. 

VOUTE,  LYDIA.  —  Librarian  Woman's  Christian 
association,  Philadelphia.  (Student  in  library 
economy  only.) 

Second  Class,  1893  -  94. 

BAER,  LENA  KATHARINE.  —  Cataloger  George 


3°8 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[September,  '94 


school  library,  Newtown,  Penn.  —  temporary 
position.  Student  Amherst  summer  school  of 
library  economy,  1894. 

BARNES.  ALICE. — (Certificate  for  library  econ- 
omy only.) 

BLODGETT,  MARGARET.  — (Certificate  for  library 
economy  only.) 

CAMPBELL,  KATHERINE  JANET. 

HALL,  GEORGIANNA.  —  Assistant  in  arranging  li- 
brary  of    Carpenter's    Hall,    Philadelphia  — 

{    temporary.     (Certificate  for  library  economy 
only.) 

KENLY,  HARRIET  R. 

LOWE,  ELSIE  M.  — jCataloger  Mount  Holly  libra- 
ry, Mount  Holly,  N.  J.  — temporary. 

SHAFFNER,  MARY  H.  —  Drexel  institute  library 
—  temporary. 

SMITH,  ISABEL  M. 

WALKER,  KATHARINE  FULLER.  —  Assistant  Pub- 
lic libraries,  Philadelphia  —  temporary. 
The  following  students  took  part  of  the  course 

and  will  finish  next  year: 

DAY,  MARY   LOUISE.  —  Desk  attendant   in  the 
evening,  Drexel  institute  library,  Philadelphia. 

PALEN,  RUTH. 

STUBBS,  JULIA. 

ARMOUR  INSTITUTE,  CHICAGO,  ILL. 
RECORD    OF    LIBRARY   TRAINING   CLASSES. 

Organized  September,  1893. 
Library  visits:  Chicago  public  library;  New- 
berry  library,  Chicago;  University  of  Chicago 
library;  Scoville  institute,  Oak  Park,  111.;  Ad- 
ams memorial  library,  Wheaton,  111.;  North- 
western university  library,  Evanston,  111.;  Evans- 
ton  public  library,  Evanston,  111.;  Gail  Borden 
public  library,  Elgin,  111. 

A  series  of  lectures  on  library  and  kindred 
topics,  by  authorities  not  connected  with  the 
institute,  were  given  during  the  year,  and  the 
course  includes  study  in  English  literature  and 
comparative  literature. 

For  full  account  of  first  year's  work  see  Miss 
Sharp's  article  on  "  The  department  of  library 
science  of  Armour  Institute,"  L.  j.  19  :  162  (May, 
1894). 

List  of  students,  1893  -  94. 
ALMY,  IDA  B. 
CORY,  H.  ELIZABETH.  —  Organizer  Canton  (111.) 

public  library. 
CRANEY,  MARY  E. 
DAVIDSON,  C.  ETHEL. 
HARDINGE,   MARGARET  A.  —  Classifier  private 

library,  Chicago. 

MANN,  MARGARET.  —  Assistant  Armour  insti- 
tute, Chicago. 
MOORE,  EVVA  LEONA.  —  Cataloger  Bloomington 

(111.)  public  library. 
SIMPSON,    ELIZABETH    F.  —  Assistant     Grand 

Rapids  (Mich.)  public  library. 
SWAN,  LIZZIE  P. 
TYLER,    ALICE.  —  Assistant  librarian    Decatur 

(111.)  public  library. 
WALES,  ELIZABETH   B. — Cataloger  library  of 

Western  association  of  engineers,  Chicago. 
WARREN,  IRENE. — Organizer  Pontiac  (111.)  pub- 
lic library;  assistant  Armour  institute  library, 
Chicago;  organizer  All  Souls'  public  library, 
Chicago. 


DENVER  (COLO.)  PUBLIC  LIBRARY. 
RECORD    OF    LIBRARY  TRAINING  CLASSES. 

Organized  September,  1893,  with  five  stu- 
dents. 

Course  covered  four  hours'  work  per  day  until 
June,  1894.  Visits  were  made  to  binderies, 
paper-mills,  etc.,  and  examination  was  held  in 
June.  One  student  had  previously  left  to  con- 
tinue school- work,  and  one  had  left  to  become 
librarian  and  curator  of  books  and  geological 
collection  of  Colorado  Scientific  Society.  The 
three  remaining  were  appointed  to  positions  in 
the  library. 

The  second  (1894-95)  course  is  limited  to  six 
students,  and  instruction  will  be  given  on  more 
systematic  lines.  Competitive  examinations  are 
held,  on  general  information,  and  pupils  are 
selected  in  order  of  their  standing.  Preference 
is  given  to  applicants  who  are  over  17  and  un- 
der 21  years  of  age.  "  It  is  desired  that  all 
pupils  should  have  had  such  an  education  as  is 
implied  in  the  possession  of  a  high  school  di- 
ploma, but  this  is  not  essential.  The  class  will 
be  expected  to  give  five  hours  per  day  to  work 
in  the  library  for  nine  months.  At  the  end  of 
that  time  they  will  take  a  second  examination, 
on  the  result  of  which,  and  on  the  character  of 
the  work  done  during  the  year,  appropriate 
certificates  will  be  issued  to  them  by  the  library. 
They  will  then  be  given  the  preference  in  the 
selection  of  paid  assistants  needed  in  the  library. 
The  course  for  the  nine  months  will  cover  prac- 
tical work  in  the  several  departments  in  the  li- 
brary, and  will  include  also  instruction  in  classes 
conducted  by  the  librarian  and  his  assistants." 

List  of  students,  1893  -  94, 

CRABBE,  RUTH. 
LONG,  HYLA. 
SMITH,  IRENE. 
THORNBURGH,  MABEL. 
VAN,  VIVA. 

AMHERST  (MASS.)  SUMMER  SCHOOL. 
DEPARTMENT  OF  LIBRARY  ECONOMY. 
Organized,  1891. 

Class  of  1891  —  Men,  4,  Women,  10=14 

"        1892         "     4         "        10=14 

"        1893          "     6         "        21  =  27 

1894          "     8          "         35=43 

Totals 22  76    98 

In  library  positions  when  attending  the  class, 
36;  17  others  are  known  to  have  obtained  posi- 
tions since. 

The  term  each  year  has  been  of  five  weeks. 
One  hour  daily  throughout  the  course  is  de- 
voted to  the  exposition  of  Cutter's  rules,  with 
comparative  study  of  other  codes;  one  hour  to 
lectures  on  other  departments  of  library  work, 
and  two  hours  to  practice,  mostly  in  card  cata- 
loging. Most  members  of  the  classes  add  to 
these  four  hours  daily  of  regular  work,  two  or 
three  more  of  general  and  miscellaneous  study 
in  the  library  or  in  the  language  classes  of  the 
summer  school. 


September,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


309 


THE  LIBRARY  OF   CONGRESS. 

From  the  New  York  Sun. 

BAGS  filled  withwaste-paperare  piled  five  rows 
deep  on  either  side  of  the  Corinthian  columns 
which  form  the  main  entrance  to  the  Library  of 
Congress,  the  largest  and  most  important  library 
on  the  western  continent.  Presumably  these  bags 
are  neither  for  the  purposes  of  fortification  nor 
of  ornament,  but  are  really  designed  to  prepare 
the  visitor  for  the  sight  that  is  to  greet  his  eyes 
on  entering  the  library  itself. 

These  books  and  pamphlets  are  piled  on  trucks 
and  on  the  floor  in  such  fashion  as  to  make  it 
easier  to  find  the  traditional  needle  in  the  hay- 
stack than  to  discover  a  given  book  in  the  midst 
of  one  of  these  solid  masses.  Indeed,  when  a 
commissioner  of  one  of  the  department  bureaus 
asked  if  some  important  English  reports  were  in 
the  library,  he  was  informed  that,  inasmuch  as 
the  earlier  reports  were  on  the  shelves,  it  was 
probable  that  the  later  ones  had  been  received; 
but  that  he  would  find  it  more  expeditious  to 
send  to  England  for  the  required  volumes  than 
to  wait  until  they  could  be  found  in  the  library. 
He  acted  accordingly. 

Ordinarily,  when  one  goes  into  a  large  library 
for  books  one  writes  a  slip  and  hands  it  in  at 
the  desk,  whence  it  is  sent  out.  In  case  the 
applicant  does  not  know  just  what  book  he 
wishes,  there  is  a  subject-catalog  for  him  to  con- 
sult, and  there  he  can  find  in  the  card-index  all 
the  books  the  library  contains  relating  to  the 
given  subject.  The  Library  of  Congress  has  no 
subject  card  catalog,  although  it  has  an  author's 
card  catalog  for  the  use  of  library  employees 
only.  Perhaps  it  is  unfair  to  say  that  the  library 
has  no  subject  catalog;  for  Mr.  Ainsworth  R. 
Spofford  is  himself  the  subject  catalog  of  the 
library,  and  more  or  less  complete  catalogs  also 
exist  in  the  brain  convolutions  of  several  of  his 
assistants.  There  is  also  a  printed  subject  cata- 
log some  16  years  old. 

The  range  of  information  as"  to  what  books 
contain  that  Mr. Spofford  possesses  is  marvellous. 
The  only  American  who  ever  approached  him 
was  George  Sumner  (a  brother  of  Charles  Sum- 
ner),  who  during  his  later  years  was  said  to  be 
the  only  catalog  to  the  great  Vatican  Library. 

It  is  amusing  to  see  Mr.  Spofford  start  for  a 
book.  No  cat  could  be  spryer  than  this  lithe 
and  wiry  man,  who  was  born  69  years  ago,  and 
were  the  alcoves  absolutely,  instead  of  almost, 
dark  he  could  just  as  readily  put  his  hand  on 
the  required  volume,  provided,  of  course,  the 
volume  was  in  its  place,  and  not  in  one  of  the 
heaps,  stacks,  or  piles  lying  about  the  floor. 

There  must  be  limits,  however,  to  what  may 
be  called  human  omniscience,  and  Mr.  Spofford's 
case  is  no  exception  to  the  rule.  When  Theo- 
dore Roosevelt  was  writing  his  "  Winning  of 
the  west,"  he  sent  to  the  Congressional  Library 
for  all  the  works  on  the  subject  of  the  North- 
west during  the  Revolutionary  days.  Doubt- 
less he  received  as  many  cart-loads  of  volumes 
as  Carlyle  is  said  to  have  sent  to  Dickens,  when 
the  latter  asked  for  some  works  on  the  French 
Revolution,  preparatory  to  writing  "A  tale  of  two 
cities;"  but  among  the  lot  sent  Mr.  Roosevelt 


there  was  no  volume  containing  the  "  Haldi- 
mand  papers,"  which  are  simply  invaluable  to 
the  student  of  Northwestern  history,  because 
they  contain  the  reports  of  the  British  officers 
in  relation  to  the.expedition  of  George  Rogers 
Clark,  which  resulted  in  wresting  the  North- 
west territory  from  England. 

Supposing  that  if  those  documents  were  in 
print  Mr.  Spofford  would  have  sent  them,  Mr. 
Roosevelt  despatched  a  copyist  to  Ottawa,  and 
at  large  expense  had  copies  made  from  the  Do- 
minion's copies  of  the  originals  in  the  British 
State  Papers  Office. 

Naturally,  but  with  becoming  modesty,  Mr. 
Roosevelt  mentioned  his  enterprise;  but  when 
John  Fiske( presumably)  reviewed  the  "  Winning 
of  the  west "  in  the  Atlantic,  he  took  pleasure  in 
telling  the  author  that  he  might  have  spared 
himself  that  trouble  and  expense,  because  the 
"  Haldimand  papers"  form  the  major  part  of 
several  volumes  of  the  reports  of  the  Michigan 
Historical  Society. 

On  another  occasion  a  student  of  finance  ap- 
plied to  an  assistant  librarian  for  the  report  of 
the  Royal  (British)  Silver  Commission,  and  was 
told  that  it  was  not  in  the  library,  but  might 
possibly  be  found  in  the  Library  of  the  State  De- 
partment. A  further  search,  however,  revealed 
the  fact  that  the  work  had  been  printed  by 
Congress  as  a  public  document,  and  was  availa- 
ble in  the  document-rooms  of  both  the  Senate 
and  the  House. 

The  wonder  is,  not  that  Mr.  Spofford  does 
not  know  everything,  but  that  a  single  head  can 
contain  as  much  and  as  varied  information  as 
his  certainly  does,  and  that  he  can  do  any  work 
whatever  in  the  midst  of  the  confusion  and  the 
debris,  so  to  speak,  of  the  Congressional  Li- 
brary. He  acquires  information  quickly  and  is 
always  at  it.  On  his  way  to  and  from  market  in 
the  morning  he  absorbs  books,  papers,  and 
magazines,  while  his  coachman  keeps  the  old 
horse  at  a  steady  trot,  avoiding  all  streets  not 
paved  with  asphalt. 

When  the  librarian  acts  as  his  own  driver  he 
alternately  pushes  and  pulls  on  the  reins  in  me- 
chanical fashion,  while  it  is  perfectly  apparent 
that  the  driver's  thoughts  are  playing  with  the 
structure  of  Persian  poetry,  the  history  of  Amer- 
ican lotteries,  or  the  subject  of  his  next  essay 
before  a  literary  society. 

In  the  library  Mr.  Spofford  occupies  a  narrow 
alcove  on  the  west  side  of  the  building,  where, 
if  he  ever  found  leisure  to  look  out  of  the  win- 
dow, and  if  the  window  itself  were  cleaned,  he 
would  get  a  view  up  Pennsylvania  Avenue  and  to 
Arlington,  perched  on  the  Virginia  hills.  Mr. 
Spofford's  desk  is  strewn  with  letters,  pamphlets, 
and  papers. 

The  curious  visitor  sees  the  sharp-faced,  keen- 
eyed  man  sitting  in  a  chair  bottomed  with  news- 
papers. The  spaces  between  the  man  and  the 
back  and  sides  of  the  chair  are  filled  with  books, 
so  that  he  looks  like  a  bird  in  a  nest.  Before 
him  is  a  huge  pile  of  letters  that  have  been 
opened  by  a  rotund  personage  at  his  side.  From 
these  letters  Mr.  Spofford  extracts  $i  bills, 
which  he  puts  into  a  half-opened  drawer  in  front 
of  him. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\Septembcr,  '94 


These  bills  are  in  payment  of  copyright  fees, 
and  during  the  course  of  a  year  they  amount  to 
more  than  the  entire  cost  of  running  the  library. 
They  go  into  the  national  Treasury. 

The  law  requires  the  owners  of  copyrights  to 
deposit  in  the  library  two  copies  of  each  copy- 
righted work,  and  this  is  the  chief  source  of  sup- 
plies, the  annual  appropriation  for  the  purchase 
of  new  books  being  only  about  $  11,000.  So  far 
behind  is  the  clerical  work  of  recording  the 
copyright  entries  that  it  is  about  four  months 
from  the  time  a  book  comes  into  the  library  be- 
fore it  can  be  put  into  circulation.  These  four 
months  are  apt  to  be  stretched,  so  that,  it  is  said, 
that  whereas  Emerson  recommends  that  no  book 
be  read  until  it  is  at  least  a  year  old,  the  Library 
of  Congress  arranges  that  no  book  shall  be  read 
until  it  is  five  years  old. 

As  a  matter  of  fact  new  books  cannot  be  had 
from  the  library,  at  least  not  at  all  by  the  gen- 
eral reader  and  seldom  by  a  member  of  Con- 
gress. It  is  true  that  half  a  dozen  shelves  are 
kept  filled  with  books  presumably  in  general 
circulation,  but  many  of  the  volumes  are  ancient 
and  not  a  few  are  cheap  reprints  of  the  standard 
novels. 

The  library  contains  very  valuable  files  of  the 
important  newspapers,  most  of  which  are  stored 
in  basement  rooms  which  have  never  known  the 
light  of  day.  An  obliging  Cerberus  —  if  such  a 
thing  can  be  imagined  —  presides  over  these  dun- 
geons, which  are  situated  nearly  over  the  crypt 
where  Washington's  remains,  emulating  the 
youthful  George,  do  not  lie.  The  seeker  for 
newspaper  lore  is  often  surprised  to  hear  com- 
ing from  the  blackest  darkness  the  mews  of 
kittens  born  in  recesses  never  penetrated  by 
human  kind.  Where  they  go  when  they  grow 
up  is  a  mystery,  for  cats  are  not  to  be  seen  about 
the  capitol. 

The  Library  of  Congress  contains  not  alone 
copyrighted  books,  but  it  also  is  the  depository 
of  music  and  pictures,  which  have  been  "  entered 
according  to  law,"  as  the  phrase  used  to  be.  A 
lawyer  who  came  to  Washington  recently  to  get 
testimony  in  a  case  involving  the  copyright  of 
some  World's  Fair  pictures,  after  going  into  the 
room  where  such  things  are  stored,  remarked 
that  if  some  modern  Milton  should  desire  to  get 
an  idea  of  chaos,  this  room  would  suit  his  needs 
better  than  anything  the  old  poet  ever  imagined. 
The  rule  seems  to  be  that  if  you  don't  see  what 
you  want,  kick  over  the  pile  until  you  do. 
Whether  or  not  the  lawyer  found  what  he  wanted 
is  not  known,  but  he  employed  a  person  to  search 
day  and  night  for  the  lost  pictures,  essential  to 
his  success  in  court. 

This  Library  of  Congress  is  under  the  control 
of  a  joint  committee  of  the  two  houses.  The 
amount  of  attention  given  by  the  senate  com- 
mittee is  well  illustrated  by  Senator  Hoar's 
jocular  request  of  Senator  Evarts  that  when  a 
committee  meeting  should  be  arranged  Mr. 
Evarts  would  kindly  notify  Mr.  Hoar's  execu- 
tors. Of  all  the  ornamental  congress  commit- 
tees those  on  the  library  are  most  ornamental. 
They  have  almost  nothing  to  do,  and  the  most 
charming  places  to  do  it  in.  The  senate  com- 


mittee at  present  is  made  up  of  Mr.  Mills,  Mr. 
Voorhees,  and  Mr.  Wolcott,  and  of  the  house 
committee  the  chairmen  have  been  Mr.  Fellows 
and  Mr  Compton,  both  of  whom  have  left  Con- 
gress. The  house  members  are  Mr.  Bartlett  and 
Mr.  Adams. 

The  law  library,  which  is  a  part  of  the  Library 
of  Congress,  occupies  distinct  rooms.  It  also 
has  no  subject  catalog,  and  the  catalog  of  books 
is  for  the  use  only  of  the  librarians.  Most  law 
libraries  have  one  order  of  arranging  volumes 
by  states  and  by  subjects,  but  the  law  library  is 
a  law  unto  itself. 

Its  head  has  been  in  charge  since  before  the 
days  of  Lincoln.  Indeed,  he  was  removed  dur- 
ing that  President's  term,  but  his  successor 
could  not  become  a  catalog  in  a  week,  and  so 
the  old  librarian  was  called  back,  and  has  been 
in  office  ever  since.  Naturally  it  is  not  lor  his 
interest  to  systematize  the  work  so  that  any 
novice  can  understand  it;  and  so  the  old  system, 
or  lack  of  system,  is  perpetuated. 

The  law  library  is  certainly  kept  tidy,  and  if 
the  reader  does  not  arouse  the  ire  of  the  librari- 
an by  leaving  books  on  the  table,  instead  of  put- 
ting them  back  on  the  shelves,  he  will  fare  very 
well. 

The  one  feature  which  goes  far  to  mitigate 
the  inadequacies  of  the  library,  is  the  fact  that 
its  officers  are  very  obliging.  Unless  he  is  par- 
ticularly busy,  Mr.  Spofford's  information  is 
always  at  the  service  of  the  seeker  after  books 
on  any  particular  subject,  and  while  on  occasion 
his  knowledge  may  not  be  co-extensive  with 
the  subject,  yet  99  persons  out  of  every  100  who 
apply  to  him  get  more  help  than  they  could  get 
in  any  other  way  except  from  a  card  catalog. 
The  assistant  librarians,  too,  are  very  ready  to 
light  one  of  the  be-smoked  oil  lamps  and  to  pen- 
etrate the  dark  recesses  for  books. 

To  be  sure,  the  answer  too  often  comes  back 
that  the  coveted  volume  is  not  in,  a  phrase  which 
covers  as  many  contingencies  in  the  Congression- 
al Library  as  in  polite  society. 

Books  may  be  drawn  without  limit  as  to  time 
or  number  by  members  of  Congress  and  their 
families,  and  by  other  persons  who  make  a  de- 
posit to  cover  the  cost  of  the  book.  Rare  and 
important  volumes  may  be  consulted  only  in  the 
library,  and  there  are  very  poor  accommodations 
for  such  work. 

When,  five  or  six  years  hence,  the  new  library 
building  shall  be  completed,  it  is  generally  taken 
for  granted  that  in  some  miraculous  way  all  the 
present  defects  will  be  remedied. 

This,  however,  is  a  sad  mistake.  The  library 
needs  much  besides  space.  It  needs,  first  of  all, 
system.  It  needs  fewer  brains  and  more  mech- 
anism. It  needs  a  subject  card  catalog  quite 
as  much  as  it  needs  the  new  building.  Con- 
gress is  not  niggardly  about  appropriations 
when  it  understands  the  needs  to  be  met.  If 
the  joint  committee  on  the  library  should  take 
up  the  matter  in  a  business-like  and  intelligent 
manner,  it  could  get  all  the  money  needed  for 
the  necessary  changes  and  improvements;  but  a 
neglectful  committee  begets  and  encourages  a 
slovenly  administration. 


September,  '94] 


BUTTE  (Mont.}  F.  P.  L.  Catalogue  of  books  in 
the  library;  comp.  byj:  F.  Davies,  librarian, 
July  15,  1894.  Butte,  T.  E.  Butler,  1894. 
184  p.  Q. 

This  catalog,  recording  all  the  books  in  the 
Butte  Public  Library,  up  to  July  15,  1894 
(15,718  v.),  is  issued  under  circumstances  that 
seem  novel,  and  that,  in  the  librarian's  opinion, 
are  "  likely  to  prove  a  contribution  toward  solv- 
ing the  printed  catalog  problem."  The  library 
was  opened  in  February,  1894,  with  14,200  books, 
and  arrangements  were  then  made  with  T.  E. 
Butler,  a  local  publisher,  by  which  he  should 
furnish  the  library  with  2500  copies  of  a  printed 
catalog  of  1 60  pages,  on  condition  of  being  per- 
mitted to  reimburse  himself  by  inserting  adver- 
tisements. By  the  time  the  copy  was  ready  it 
was  found  that  it  considerably  exceeded  the 
limit  of  160  pages,  and  as  there  had  been  unex- 
pected difficulty  in  obtaining  advertisements  a 
new  arrangement  was  made,  by  which  the  libra- 
ry should  receive  the  2500  copies  as  originally 
agreed,  on  condition  of  purchasing  500  addition- 
al copies  at  $i  each.  This  arrangement  has 
been  successfully  carried  out,  the  library  obtain- 
ing 3000  cloth-bound  copies  of  the  catalog  at  a 
cost  of  $500 —  a  sum  that  will  scarcely  more 
than  cover  the  expense  of  new  composition.  The 
volume  is  a  flat  quarto,  neatly  bound  in  cloth. 
The  paper  is  good,  the  presswork  satisfactory, 
and  although  the  unlovely  advertising  pages  are 
a  blemish,  they  may  be  tolerated  as  having  made 
the  catalog  possible. 

The  arrangement  is  by  author  and  title,  in 
one  alphabet;  full  serial  entries  are  made,  and 
the  subjects  of  individual  biographies  are  given. 
Reference-books  are  not  included  in  the  main 
body  of  the  catalog,  but  are  entered  in  a  separate 
list.  Critically  considered,  too  hurried  prepara- 
tion and  revision  are  discernible.  For  instance, 
in  a  first  brief  scanning  we  find  that  Symonds' 
"  Life  of  Benvenuto  Cellini  "  appears  only  under 
Symonds,  although  his  "  Michael  Angelo  "  and 
"  Ben  Jonson"  have  the  proper  subject  entries; 
Mill  "On  liberty"  is  entered  under  Mill  and 
under  "  On,"  while  Taine  "  On  intelligence  "  is 
given  only  under  Taine  —  neither  appear  un- 
der "liberty"  or  "intelligence";  and  "The 
crime  of  Sylvestre  Bonnard"  appears  as  "  Syl- 
vestre  Bonnard,  Crime  of."  It  is  puzzling  to 
note  that  H.  H.  Bancroft's  histories  of  the 
Pacific  coast  are  starred  —  as  "  issued  only  under 
special  conditions."  Why,  also,  if  Bourke's 
"Apache  campaign"  is  given  a  title  entry, 
is  Lummis'  "Spanish  pioneers"  denied  one? 
Subject  entries  are  omitted,  probably  because 
the  library  possesses  two  complete  card  catalogs 
—  auth or-and-title  and  subject;  but  it  is  to  be 
regretted,  for  much  information  is  necessarily 
"buried"  in  a  simple  author-and-title  list. 
This  is,  perhaps,  hypercriticism:  a  first  catalog 
is  always  open  to  improvement,  and  in  the  pres- 
ent case  there  were  exceptional  difficulties  to 
contend  with.  The  library  was  just  opening  to 


the  public,  the  two  assistants  were  untrained, 
and  Mr.  Davies  was  obliged  to  do  all  the  cata- 
loging, prepare  the  copy,  and  superintend  the 
library  management.  He  has  accomplished  a 
great  deal  in  an  astonishingly  short  time.  The 
preparation  of  the  copy  took  from  Feb.  I  to 
May  28  (the  library  was  opened  on  Feb.  7);  the 
actual  printing  from  May  29  to  July  28;  and  500 
copies  of  the  catalog  were  delivered  at  the  library 
on  July  31.  This  is  quick  work,  and  the  Butte 
Public  Library  is  to  be  congratulated  on  begin- 
ning its  career  with  a  printed  catalog,  which  in 
too  many  libraries  is  un  fait  accompli  only 
after  years  of  makeshift  and  delay. 


JLibrarg 


an&  jjjistorj). 


LOCAL. 

Allegheny,  Pa.  Carnegie  F.  L.  (4th  rpt.)  Add- 
ed 2248;  total  24,480;  issued,  home  use  124,573 
(fict.  63.52$,  juv.  25.90$);  ref.  use  26,899.  At- 
tendance ref.  room  21,437.  Sunday  attendance 
3283.  Reading-room  attendance  112,820;  no. 
periodicals  on  file  395.  No.  cardholders  6296. 
Receipts  $12,500;  expenses  $12,492.89. 

Librarian  Stevenson  says:  "  A  tendency  has 
of  late  unfortunately  manifested  itself  in  some 
quarters  to  estimate  the  usefulness  of  a  public 
library  entirely  by  statistical  tables.  Ibis  is 
plainly  a  faulty  method.  A  large  circulation  of 
the  books  in  a  public  library  is  not  necessarily  a 
just  criterion  of  the  culture  of  the  community, 
nor  of  the  usefulness  of  the  institution,  any  more 
than  a  large  circulation  of  a  daily  newspaper  is 
an  evidence  of  its  literary  value  or  of  the  powers 
of  appreciation  on  the  part  of  the  readers.  Indeed 
an  abnormally  large  circulation  of  either  a  public 
library  or  a  newspaper  may  indicate,  and  gener- 
ally does  indicate,  the  very  opposite  state  of 
things — alow,  or  at  best,  uncultivated  literary 
taste  on  the  part  of  its  readers.  The  question 
of  importance  is  not  '  How  much  do  the  people 
read  ? '  but  rather  '  What  do  they  read ,  and  how  ? ' 
No  doubt  the  reading  that  does  most  good  to  the 
community  is  done  mainly  in  the  reference-room, 
and  is  generally  of  such  a  nature  as  not  to  be  the 
subject  of  statistical  investigation,  A  book  taken 
from  the  circulating  department,  the  reading  of 
which  really  makes  for  culture  will  require  two 
weeks  for  perusal.  Another  that  may  serve  to 
entertain  an  idle  hour  or  two,  goes  out  one  day 
and  comes  back  the  next.  Again  many  books 
are  drawn  by  way  of  experiment  merely,  and 
are  never  read  at  all.  The  reader  selects  the 
book  by  the  title,  and  after  reading  a  few  pages 
and  not  finding  it  to  his  liking,  returns  it  for 
something  else.  Of  course,  generally  speaking, 
a  reasonably  large  circulation  is  a  healthful 
symptom  of  a  library's  activity,  but  in  many 
cases  too  much  reliance  must  not  be  placed  in 
mere  figures." 

He  believes  that  the  circulation  of  the  library 
"  has  about  struck  a  normal  pace  for  the  size  and 
character  of  the  community." 

The  reference-room  facilities  will  soon  have 
to  be  increased  to  allow  for  the  growing  attend- 
ance. "The  reference  use  of  the  past  year  has 


312 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[September,  '94 


been  something  remarkable,  and  is  one  of  the 
most  encouraging  features  of  the  library's  work. 
Almost  every  day  from  an  early  hour  the  room 
has  been  well  filled,  and  in  the  afternoons  and 
evenings  and  on  Sundays  there  have  not  been 
sufficient  accommodations  for  all  that  came." 
The  reference-books  are  free  of  access  to  all, 
and  "  even  in  calling  for  books  from  the  circu- 
lating department  it  has  been  found  expedient 
to  do  away  with  the  usual  formality  of  filling  out 
a  call-slip  and  filing  it  with  the  attendant."  The 
reading-room  has  also  shown  an  increased  use. 

During  the  year  the  card  catalog  was  brought 
up  to  date  with  the  exception  of  the  books  entered 
in  the  printed  finding-lists  of  fiction  and  juveniles. 
In  November  civil  service  rules  were  adopted 
for  the  examination  of  library  applicants.  The 
"questions  for  examination"  are  appended  to 
the  report.  One  examination  was  held,  and  out 
of  eight  candidates  but  five  passed  satisfactorily. 

"  It  has  been  the  constant  aim  of  the  librari- 
an to  enrich,  whenever  opportunity  offers,  the 
library's  store  of  local  history.  Not  only  are 
all  books  and  pamphlets  relating  in  any  way  to 
this  part  of  the  country  eagerly  caught  up,  but 
anything  and  everything  that  bears  the  Pitts- 
burg  imprint  is  gathered  as  having  a  value  in 
the  local  history  collection.  All  the  publica- 
tions of  note  in  this  department  have  long  since 
been  collected,  and  the  collection  is  now  some- 
thing to  be  proud  of." 

Boston  P.  L.  The  library  will  soon  come  into 
possession  of  the  fine  music  library  of  Mr. 
Allen  A.  Brown,  of  Boston — said  to  be  the 
finest  collection  of  musical  literature  in  the  United 
States.  It  has  long  been  the  intention  of  Mr. 
Brown  to  ultimately  give  his  collection  to  the 
Boston  Public,  and  the  arrangements  for  its 
transfer  are  now  almost  completed.  Mr.  Brown's 
library  is  the  result  of  25  years'  discriminating 
selection  and  collection,  and  it  now  numbers 
about  12,000  volumes  and  mss.,  all  of  which  are 
fully  cataloged.  The  collection  will  probably  be 
transferred  direct  to  the  new  library  building  in 
Copley  Square,  where  it  will  be  given  a  separate 
room,  and  will,  with  the  musical  literature  now 
in  the  library,  be  put  under  the  personal  control 
of  Mr.  Brown,  who  will  superintend  the  selection 
of  accessions  and  continue  his  own  contributions 
to  the  collection. 

Mr.  Brown's  is  the  fourth  important  gift  which 
has  been  attracted  to  the  library,  seemingly 
through  the  beauty  and  convenience  of  the  mag- 
nificent new  building.  Within  a  year  or  a  year 
and  a  half,  it  has  received  the  promise  of  four 
great  gifts  —  $2000  annually  for  the  purchase  of 
newspapers,  from  Mr.  W:  C.  Todd,  of  Atkinson, 
N.  H.  ;  the  fine  collection  of  President  John 
Adams,  from  the  city  of  Quincy;  an  almost  un- 
equalled collection  of  American  autographs, 
from  the  Hon.  Mellen  Chamberlain,  and,  now, 
this  great  musical  library. 

The  new  building  is  rapidly  nearing  com- 
pletion, and  it  is  believed  that  it  will  be  ready  for 
occupancy  by  the  middle  of  September.  It  is 
doubtful  if  the  opening  will  be  attended  with  any 
dedicatory  exercises,  or,  in  fact, any  exercises  at 
all.  Up  to  the  present  time  no  arrangements 


have  been  made  for  the  formal  opening  on  the 
1 7th  of  September,  the  day  when  it  is  expected 
the  public  will  be  first  admitted;  and  it  is  prob- 
able that  there  will  be  no  exercises  of  any  kind 
until  it  is  formally  opened  for  library  uses. 

The  work  of  moving  the  books  to  their  new 
quarters  in  Copley  Square  has  been  commenced. 
The  proper  method  of  making  the  transfer  so  as 
to  cause  the  least  loss  of  time  and  inconvenience 
to  the  book-lovers  of  the  Hub  has  puzzled  the 
trustees  during  several  months.  There  are 
more  than  450,000  volumes  to  be  moved,  and 
the  first  intimation  that  the  public  had  of  the 
work  actually  being  taken  in  hand  was  the  post- 
ing of  a  notice  that  the  Barton  library  had  been 
taken  out  of  circulation.  The  Barton  library 
is  the  well-known  collection  of  Shakespearian 
and  other  works.  The  rooms  fitted  for  the  re- 
ception of  these  volumes  in  the  new  building  are 
perhaps  the  most  magnificent  of  any  in  that 
structure.  The  Ticknor  and  Prince  libraries  will 
follow  the  Barton.  The  crowning  difficulty  comes 
with  the  removal  of  the  Bates  Hall  collection. 
The  length  of  time  necessary  for  the  transfer 
has  been  variously  estimated.  Some  think  that 
six  weeks  will  suffice,  but  others  claim  that  it  can- 
not be  accomplished  in  less  than  three  months. 

Brooklyn  (N.  Y.)  L.  The  work  of  remaking 
the  interior  of  the  library,  begun  early  in  July, 
is  rapidly  approaching  completion.  The  exterior 
of  the  building  remains  unaltered,  but  the  in- 
terior has  been  practically  remodelled.  The 
reason  lor  the  changes  is  that  the  interior  of  the 
building  was  found  to  be  too  weak  to  support 
the  immense  weight  of  the  books  stored  in  it. 
The  building  was  erected  more  than  25 
years  ago,  and  is  not  "  up  to  date "  as  a 
library  edifice.  A  year  or  so  ago  the  wood- 
work of  the  interior  was  carefully  examined, 
when  it  was  found  that  dry  rot  had  attacked 
some  of  the  supporting  columns  to  such  an  ex- 
tent that  it  would  not  be  safe  to  rely  on  them 
much  longer.  Then  a  number  of  radical  changes 
were  decided  upon.  It  was  determined  to  sub- 
stitute iron  for  wood  as  far  as  possible,  and  also 
to  alter  the  interior  arrangements  of  the  library 
to  a  considerable  extent.  The  most  important 
change  is  the  transfer  of  the  book-delivery  room 
to  the  first  floor,  where  it  will  take  the  place 
of  the  old  reading-room,  while  the  reading- 
room  occupies  the  space  now  given  up  to  the 
delivery-room,  on  the  second  floor,  and  has  also 
been  extended  across  the  western  end  of  the 
building,  which  is  now  occupied  by  alcoves. 
When  these  alcoves  and  the  galleries  over  them 
are  removed  a  roomy  and  well-lighted  space  will 
be  provided.  The  book-delivery  department  is 
the  most  important  feature  of  the  library,  and 
there  is  no  question  that  placing  this  on  the  first 
floor  will  be  a  popular  change.  Shelving  will  be 
provided  on  the  first  floor  for  about  50,000 
volumes;  these  will,  of  course,  include  the  books 
most  frequently  called  for,  so  that  they  will  be 
furnished  promptly  to  those  asking  for  them, 
who  will  no  longer  be  under  the  necessity  of 
climbing  the  stairs  to  the  second  floor.  The 
reference-room  will  remain  where  it  has  hereto- 
fore been,  and  the  reading  library,  as  it  has  been 


September^  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


3'3 


termed,  will  remain  virtually  a  part  of  the  read- 
ing-room, the  shelves  now  arranged  along  the 
western  side  of  the  building  on  the  second  floor 
being  used  for  the  books  that  visitors  to  the 
library  wish  to  read  for  a  longer  or  shorter  time. 
When  the  improvements  are  completed  the 
building  will  be  as  good  as  new;  in  fact,  it  will 
be  better  than  before,  since  the  iron  which  takes 
the  place  of  wood  will  be  practically  indestruc- 
tible, and  there  will  be  no  danger  of  over- 
weighting. 

Cambridge  {Mass.}  P.  L.  The  Sunday  opening 
of  the  library  has  not  proved  especially  gratify- 
ing, so  far  as  attendance  goes.  The  library  has 
been  open  on  Sundays  from  2  to  6  p.m.  since 
May,  1893,  and  Miss  Hay  ward,  the  librarian, 
has  given  special  attention  to  the  result  of  the 
experiment.  Her  experience,  given  statistical- 
ly, shows  that  the  number  of  students  who 
were  present  during  the  first  year  was  81;  read- 
ers of  books  and  magazines,  2922;  readers  of 
the  Sunday  paper's,  579;  visitors  not  readers, 
466;  adults,  2211;  children,  1837.  Those  under 
14  years  were  classed  as  children,  and,  it 
will  be  seen,  comprised  almost  one-half  of  the 
total  attendance  of  4048.  The  average  attend- 
ance for  the  year  was  78  each  Sunday.  These 
figures  are  for  the  first  year  only,  and  end  with 
last  May;  but  since  that  time  there  has  been  a 
steady  decrease  in  the  Sunday  attendance. 

Commenting  on  this  showing,  Miss  Hayward 
says  that  few  workingmen  have  entered  the  li- 
brary on  Sunday  afternoons,  and  that  the  Sun- 
day users  are  mostly  people  living  in  the  upper 
end  of  the  town,  who  use  the  library  daily 
on  account  of  its  convenience.  She  suggests 
that  a  free  reading-room,  open  on  Sundays,  be 
established  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city,  where  it 
will  reach  the  workingmen  more  directly;  but 
in  her  opinion  there  seems  to  be  but  little  need 
of  the  continuance  of  Sunday  opening  at  the 
public  library. 

Denver  (Col.)  P.  L.  The  June  issue  of  Books, 
published  by  the  Denver  P.  L.,  is  chiefly  given 
up  to  a  detailed  and  interesting  account  of  the 
practical  work  of  the  library,  giving  information 
for  borrowers  as  to  methods  of  registration, 
use  of  library  cards,  regulations,  catalogs,  and 
selection  of  books,  and  explaining  also  the  tech- 
nical library  matters  of  charging  and  issuing 
books,  and  details  of  counter  work. 

Des  Moines  (la.)  P.  L.  (Rpt.)  Added  4457; 
total  13,000;  issued  70,090;  no.  visitors  89,327; 
no.  cardholders  registered  during  1893,  1388. 
Receipts  $13,790.10;  expenses  $13,690.25. 

"The  printed  catalog,  which  was  issued  a  year 
and  a  half  ago,  includes  all  the  books  which  are 
in  the  possession  of  the  library,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  public  documents  and  the  books 
which  have  been  added  during  the  past  year. 
A  card  catalog  of  these  additions  has  been  made 
on  the  dictionary  plan,  giving  subject,  author, 
and  title,  and  will  furnish  a  reliable  basis  for 
the  supplementary  printed  catalog,  which  should 
be  issued  as  soon  as  practicable. 

"  One  of  ihe  local  papers  has  published  lists  of 
the  new  books  from  week  to  week.  These  lists 


have  been  clipped  from  the  paper,  mounted  by 
classes  on  heavy  cardboard,  and  have  supplied 
readers  with  a  very  serviceable  finding-list  for 
temporary  use." 

Miss  McLoney  says:  "Since  the  last  report 
a  step  has  been  taken  toward  the  consummation 
of  the  much-desired  end  of  bringing  about  a 
closer  union  between  the  library  and  the  public 
schools.  Copies  of  the  catalog  have  been  placed 
in  many  of  the  school  buildings,  and  in  several 
cases  the  teachers  have  adopted  the  plan  of 
sending  to  the  library  a  selected  list  of  books  to 
be  drawn  for  use  in  the  schools,  each  teacher 
making  herself  personally  responsible  for  their 
safe  return.  These  books  are  used  by  the 
pupils  in  school  in  connection  with  their  work, 
or  may  be  taken  away  for  home  reading.  The 
testimony  of  those  teachers  who  have  used  the 
library  in  this  way  is  uniform  and  enthusiastic 
as  to  the  helpful  influence  of  such  service  as  it 
gives,  and  it  is  very  desirable  that  the  plan  may 
be  more  fully  carried  out  in  the  course  of  an- 
other year." 

The  report  concludes  with  a  statement  as  to 
the  need  of  the  library  for  larger  and  better-ar- 
ranged quarters. 

Evansion  (///.)  F.  P.  L.  The  library  has 
just  been  reorganized  by  Miss  M..  B.  Lindsay, 
the  new  librarian.  The  card  system  has  been 
introduced  and  a  new  reference  catalog  has  been 
prepared. 

Harlem  (N.  F.)  Z.  (Rpt.)  Added  677;  total 
17,050.  Issued  46,920  (fict.  38,515);  no.  mem- 
bers 644. 

The  librarian  says:  "The  new  catalog  was 
not  ready  for  distribution  until  the  igth  of  last 
December,  although  some  copies  had  been  pre- 
viously in  use  in  the  building.  The  plan  of 
loaning  the  catalogs  to  subscribers  instead  of 
giving  them  outright  has  proved  a  good  one,  as 
many  have  been  returned  as  subscriptions  ex- 
pired, and  have  been  given  out  to  new  subscri- 
bers, and  in  this  way  each  copy  may  continue  in 
use  as  long  as  it  lasts.  A  supplementary  cata- 
log on  cards  has  been  placed  where  it  is  ac- 
cessible to  all  visiting  the  library,  and  this  I 
would  suggest  having  printed  in  the  form  of  a 
bulletin,  in  not  less  than  a  year  from  the  time 
the  main  catalog  was  in  the  hands  of  the  mem- 
bers. 

"  The  privilege  of  selecting  books  from  the 
shelves  has  been  granted  to  members  of  the  li- 
brary, although  temporarily  suspended;  but  the 
distribution  of  the  catalog  has  made  that  method 
of  selection  less  general." 

Iowa  Library  Society  has  issued  a  printed 
digest  of  the  minutes  of  the  fourth  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  society,  held  on  December  27,  1893. 
(16  p.  D.) 

Napa  (Cat.)  F.  L.  (Rpt.)  Added  259;  total 
4498.  Membership  1644;  av.  daily  issue  56;  av. 
daily  attendance  75.  Receipts  $1461.91;  expen- 
ses $1209. 38. 

During  the  year  a  supplementary  catalog  was 
printed  at  a  cost  of  $65. 

New  Orleans,  La.  Howard  Memorial  L. 
During  August  the  cataloger  of  the  library  has 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[September,  '94 


been  busily  engaged  in  classifying  and  accession- 
ing the  scientific  library  of  the  late  D.  M.  F. 
Bonzano,  formerly  superintendent  of  the  mint 
in  New  Orleans,  which  was  presented  to  How- 
ard Memorial  Library  by  his  brother,  Adolphus 
Bonzano,  of  Philadelphia.  The  collection  in- 
cludes magnificently  bound  sets  of  Graesse's 
"Tresor  des  Hvres  littSraires,"  Wagner's  "  Jah- 
resbericht  der  technischenliteratur,"  long  series 
of  the  American  Journal  of  Science  and  Scien- 
tific American,  the  complete  works  of  Kepler, 
sets  of  Milton  printed  by  Pickering,  Shake- 
speare, Moore,  Voltaire,  Rousseau,  and  Beau- 
marchais,  with  a  large  miscellaneous  collection 
on  electricity,  chemistry,  and  technology,  in 
German  and  French.  These  will  be  placed  in 
an  alcove  immediately  above  that  in  which  the 
English  books  on  these  subjects  are  found. 

New  York.  Lenox L.  (24th  rpt.)  "The book 
accessions  in  1893  were  larg«  and  important, 
numbering  22,527  volumes  and  pamphlets;  21,003 
of  these  were  acquired  by  purchase,  and  1524  by 
gift.  The  library  of  the  Hon.  George  Bancroft, 
purchased  on  the  ist  of  April,  numbers  14,606 
volumes  of  printed  books,  486  volumes  of  manu- 
scripts, and  4648  pamphlets  —  a  total  of  19,740." 

Mr.  Eames  gives  an  interesting  account  of 
some- of  the  many  rare  and  valuable  books  ac- 
quired during  the  year.  The  total  number  of 
volumes  and  pamphlets  on  the  shelves  at  the  end 
of  December,  1893,  was  113,739.  This  includes 
over  700  volumes  of  manuscripts. 

During  the  year  the  library  was  visited  by 
2905  persons,  who  consulted  9252  volumes. 

New  York  State,  Libraries  in.  The  number  of 
libraries  having  300  volumes  and  more  under 
the  supervision  of  the  Regents,  according  to 
latest  reports,  is  452,  containing  a  total  of 
1,700,000  volumes.  By  far  the  greater  number 
of  these  belong  to  teaching  institutions.  There 
are  50  college  libraries,  105  academy  libraries, 
and  232  libraries  of  union  schools  having 
academic  departments  under  the  Regents. 

It  is  not  yet  two  years  since  the  movement 
began  under  the  new  law  for  the  recognition  of 
public  libraries  as  University  institutions. 

There  are  now  63  free  public  libraries  that 
have  been  admitted  to  or  registered  by  the  uni- 
versity, of  which  35  were  received  the  past  year. 
Some  of  these  63  were  small  libraries;  26  of 
them  received  provisional  charters,  having  less 
than  $1000  worth  of  property.  33  were  former 
school  district  libraries,  transferred  to  new 
trustees.  Six  of  the  largest  have  10,000  volumes 
and  more;  at  Hornellsville,  Utica,  Yonkers, 
Young  Women's  Christian  Association  of  New 
York,  Syracuse,  and  the  Grosvenor  Public 
Library,  of  Buffalo.  The  latter  has  37,000  and 
Syracuse  has  26,000  volumes, 

The  public  libraries  department  of  the  univer- 
sity is  in  constant  correspondence  with  com- 
munities where  the  qnestion  of  library  organiza- 
tion or  reorganization  is  being  considered; 
there  are  375  such  places  on  its  interested  list. 

In  the  two  years  in  which  public  library 
money  has  been  available,  108  applications  for 
state  aid  have  been  granted,  in  amounts  vary- 
ing from  $15  to  $734,  an  equal  amount  in  each 


case  being  raised  at  home  for  buying  books.  In 
the  first  academic  year  there  were  37  such  ap- 
plications; in  the  second  year  71.  —  Regents1 
Bulletin,  Univ.  N.  Y.,  no.  28,  July,  1894. 

Oregon  State  L. ,  Salem.  (Biennial  rpt.,  1893.) 
Added  1766;  total  18,236. 

The  report  covers  but  one  page,  the  remain- 
der (101  p.)  being  devoted  to  the  catalog  of  the 
library.  This  covers  U.  S.  reports,  digests, 
etc.,  arranged  by  states,  and  followed  by  an 
"index  of  authors"  and  an  "index  of  sub- 
jects." 

Pasadena  (Cal.}  P.  L.  (3d  rpt.)  Added  1300; 
total  7044.  Issued,  home  use  44,872  (fict.  33,- 
205);  lib.  use  8273.  Total  no.  cardholders  2781. 

There  are  82  periodicals  on  file  in  the  reading- 
room.  In  October,  1893,  work  was  begun  on  a 
dictionary  card  catalog  of  all  books  in  the 
library.  All  the  work  of  the  library  is  accom- 
plished by  a  staff  of  two. 

Philadelphia  F.  L.  The  work  of  organizing 
the  branch  library  to  be  established  in  connec- 
tion with  the  St.  Mary  street  College  Settlement 
is  progressing  rapidly.  The  books  are  now 
being  cataloged  and  arranged,  and  nearly  700 
additional  volumes  have  been  given  for  the  pur- 
pose by  persons  interested.  It  is  hoped  to  open 
the  library  during  the  first  week  in  October, 
with  special  inaugural  exercises. 

Port  Jervis  (N.  Y.)  F.  L.  (Rpt.)  Added  665; 
total  5217.  Issued  9836.  Receipts  $730.21;  ex- 
penses $709.73.  (This  covers  only  purchase  of 
books,  repair,  etc. ;  rent,  salaries,  etc.,  are  paid 
by  the  board  of  education.) 

Riverside  (JR.  /.)  P.  L.  The  new  library  build- 
ing was  dedicated  on  the  afternoon  of  August  2. 
The  exercises  consisted  of  the  formal  presenta- 
tion of  the  building  to  the  association  by  Dr. 
Coxe,  the  chairman  of  the  executive  committee, 
its  formal  acceptance  by  the  president  of  the 
association,  an  address  by  F.  R.  Stockwell,  state 
commissioner  of  public  schools;  a  dedicatory 
poem  by  Henry  Lyman  Koopman,  librarian  of 
Brown  University;  an  address  on  "  The  library 
and  public  morals,"  by  Hon.  E.  C.  Dubois, 
attorney-general;  address  on  "  The  library  and 
the  schools,"  by  Hon.  Joseph  E.  C.  Farn- 
ham,  superintendent  of  schools  of  East  Provi- 
dence; address  on  "  The  library  and  the 
church,"  by  Rev.  Richard  Eddy,  and  short  ad- 
dresses by  Hon.  Nathan  W.  Littlefield,  Rev. 
Anthony  Colby  Hardy,  Rev.  William  M.  Chapin, 
and  Col.  James  H.  Armington. 

The  plans  for  the  building  were  drawn  by  G: 
W.  Cady  &  Sons,  of  Providence.  It  is  colonial 
in  design,  in  the  shape  of  a  St.  Andrew's  cross. 
The  first  story  is  of  brick,  and  the  second  of 
wood,  covered  with  slate.  The  cellar  runs  the 
entire  length  of  the  building,  and  in  this  is 
placed  the  heating  apparatus.  The  under- 
pinning is  of  East  Providence  natural  face  stone. 
The  upstairs  portion  is  not  yet  furnished,  and 
the  society  is  yet  undecided  whether  to  furnish 
it  as  a  hall  or  not. 

There  will  be  on  the  lower  floor  the  library,  a 
reading-room  and  two  ante-rooms.  The  stair- 


September,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


way  is  of  hard  wood  and  the  floor  of  maple. 
The  building  cost  about  $4000,  which  is  par- 
tially  paid  for,  the  remainder  being  on  an  un- 
imited  time  mortgage.  The  building  has  been 
raised  by  contributions  of  money,  material,  and 
labor. 

Sacramento  (Cal.)  F.  P.  L.  (isth  rpt.)  Added 
1597;  total  not  given.  Issued  63,759  (fict.  and 
juv.  74$).  No.  cardholders  11,529.  There  are 
357  periodicals  on  file  in  the  reading-room. 
Receipts  $10,624  15;  expenses  $5952.40. 

"  There  was  an  increase  of  15,872  in  the  cir- 
culation of  books  the  past  year  over  former 
years,  and  a  decrease  of  two  per  cent,  in  the 
percentage  of  fiction.  The  attendance  in  the 
reading-room  was  also  so  much  larger  as  to  show 
the  inadequacy  of  our  reading-room  to  supply 
the  public  needs." 

St.  Louis  (Mo.)  F.  P.  Z.  The  library  passed 
the  1000  mark  in  circulation  for  the  first  time  on 
August  6,  on  which  day  1069  books  were  issued 
for  home  use. 

Santa  Ana  (Cal.)  P.  L.  Added  167  ;  total 
1590;  issued  1 2, 430 (fict.  9357).  Receipts  fnoi.- 
04;  expenses  $1060.19. 

The  library  has  recently  been  reclassified  and 
cataloged  under  the  direction  of  Miss  Sarah 
Earl.  The  trustees  urge  that  the  city  council 
add  at  least  one  cent  to  the  five  cents  on  the 
$100  which  has  been  regularly  levied,  and  make 
the  amount  six  cents  for  the  library  fund. 
"This  extra  cent  will  give  about  $200,  which 
will  enable  us,  by  careful  economy,  to  supply 
the  necessary  reading-matter  without  vexatious 
and  exhausting  entertainments." 

Santa  Rosa  (Cat.)  P.  L.  (Rpt.)  Added  513; 
total  5037.  Issued  24,521  (fict.  15,341).  No. 
borrowers  1500.  Receipts  $2495.02  ;  expenses 
$1838.91. 

"Owing  to  patrons  having  access  to  shelves 
and  all  reading-matter,  no  record  can  be  kept  of 
the  number  of  books  read  and  consulted  in  the 
library-room." 

Teachers  are  allowed  seven  books  at  a  time  — 
not  fiction  —  for  school-room  use  or  for  issue  to 
pupils. 

The  trustees  ask  that  a  levy  of  seven  cents  be 
made  for  library  purposes.  "  This  is  three  cents 
less  than  the  law's  limit,  and  it  is  the  lowest  rate 
at  which  the  usefulness  of  the  library  can  be 
maintained." 

Springfield  (Mass.)  City  L.  Assoc.  (33d  rpt.) 
Added  3863;  total  86,942.  Issued,  home  use 
150,211  (fict.  73,859);  hall  use  31,812  ;  issued  on 
teachers'  cards  3630.  Visitors  to  reading-room 
56,286.  Sunday  issue  1310.  New  cards  issued 
1822;  total  no.  cardholders  17,095.  Periodicals 
on  file  304. 

"  We  report  a  large  addition  to  the  number  of 
ticket-holders  entitled  to  draw  books,  an  increase 
of  17,000  in  the  home  circulation,  and,  if  we  in- 
clude the  books  given  out  for  class  and  topical 
study,  a  corresponding  increase  in  the  use  of  the 
reference  department.  We  report,  also,  an  in- 
crease of  27  per  cent,  in  the  number  of  visitors 


to  our  reading-room  over  any  previous  year. 
The  aggregate  of  books,  magazines,  and  reviews 
which  have  been  given  out  for  circulation  or  for 
reading  and  study  on  the  premises  is  218,115, 
and  this  aggregate  does  not  include  the  use  of 
the  reference-books  found  outside  the  alcoves 
and  accessible  to  all  our  readers." 

Mr.  Rice  speaks  at  some  length  of  the ' '  largely 
increased  use  of  the  library  for  purposes  of  con- 
sultation and  study,"  a  growth  chiefly  due  to 
successful  work  with  the  schools  and  with  private 
reading  classes  and  clubs  for  reading  or  study. 
"  Hundreds  of  volumes  of  our  best  books  have 
thus  been  in  use  all  through  the  year,  and  it 
must  be  evident  that  this  careful  study  of  books 
is  of  far  more  permanent  value  than  any  amount 
of  miscellaneous  reading  of  the  popular  litera- 
ture of  the  day." 

The  removal  of  the  natural  history  museum  to 
the  new  art  building  will  permit  the  circulating 
department  to  be  transferred  to  the  old  museum- 
room.  "  This  will  leave  the  present  library- 
room  free  from  the  confusion  incident  to  the 
coming  and  going  of  the  crowds  that  on  busy 
days  throng  the  library,  and  will  thus  furnish 
greatly  increased  facilities  for  the  use  of  the  ref- 
erence department  for  purposes  of  special  in- 
vestigation and  study." 

An  interesting  description  of  the  new  art  mu- 
seum, now  approaching  completion,  is  appended 
to  the  report. 

Syracuse  (N.  Y.)  P.  L.  Work  is  nearly  com- 
pleted on  the  building  that  is  being  remodelle.d 
to  form  a  new  and  commodious  home  for  the 
library.  The  building  was  originally  a  school- 
house,  but  it  has  been  much  altered,  and  when 
finished  will  be  excellently  suited  for  library  pur- 
poses. The  entrance  opens  into  a  hall  12  feet 
square.  On  the  right  of  the  hallway  is  the  main 
library-room,  on  the  left  work-rooms,  and  in 
front  of  the  entrance  is  a  winding  stairway  lead- 
ing to  the  second  floor,  where  are  reading  and 
reference  rooms.  The  delivery- room  is  50x35; 
it  is  largely  given  up  to  book-stacks  and  is  well 
lighted.  Connecting  with  it  are  the  librarian's 
office,  lox  15,  and  the  cataloger's  room,  15x10. 
The  reading-room  is  50x35,  and  is  well  supplied 
with  reference-books,  newspaper  files,  and  desks, 
chairs,  and  tables;  opening  from  it  are  two  small 
study-rooms.  The  trustees'  room  is  on  the 
same  floor.  On  the  third  floor  is  a  room  20  feet 
square,  which  will  be  used  as  a  museum,  and  a 
large  room  which  will  be  devoted  to  government 
documents,  of  which  the  library  has  about  5000 
v.  The  whole  building  has  been  painted  and 
papered  in  bright,  pleasing  shades,  which  gives 
the  entire  interior  a  new  and  cheerful  appear- 
ance. The  plaster  ceilings  have  been  torn  down 
and  new  iron  ones  put  in  their  place.  There  are 
hardwood  floors,  and  every  room  is  fitted  with 
gas  and  electric  light  fixtures. 

The  work  of  cataloging  and  classification  is 
being  pushed  on  with  all  possible  baste,  and  be- 
fore the  middle  of  September  Syracuse  will  have 
a  new  and  attractive  free  library  in  full  opera- 
tion. 

Troy  (N.  Y.)  Y.  M.  C.  A.  L.  Plans  have  been 
accepted  for  the  memorial  library  building  given 


316 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[September,  '94 


by  Mrs.  W:  Howard  Hart  to  the  Troy  Y.  M.  C. 
A.  The  architects  are  Barney  &  Chapman,  of 
New  York.  The  building  is  to  be  of  white 
stone,  in  Italian  Renaissance  style,  notable  for 
its  simplicity  and  purity  of  design. 

The  lower  story  will  be  perfectly  plain,  pierced 
with  large,  square-topped  windows.  The  upper 
story,  with  a  great  expanse  of  perfectly  plain 
wall  surfaces,  is  to  be  of  dressed  stone.  The 
second  story  is  treated  with  three  circular  open- 
ings, with  elaborately  carved  pilasters,  imposts, 
reveals,  jambs,  and  soffits.  On  this  story  there 
are  five  perfectly  plain  arched  openings,  leading 
on  to  a  loggia.  The  whole  is  surmounted  by  a 
rich  and  elaborately  carved  classic  cornice  and 
balustrade,  which  gives  monumental  dignity  and 
repose. 

The  interior  arrangement  is  also  simple  and 
straightforward,  but  embodies  all  the  require- 
ments of  a  modern,  well-equipped  library. 
There  are  two  entrances  to  the  first  floor,  which 
lead  into  wide  halls,  running  at  right  angles, 
and  meeting  at  the  centre  of  the  building  in  a 
spacious  staircase  hall,  handsomely  treated  in 
Ionic  columns  and  pilasters.  From  this  staircase 
hall  is  a  broad  staircase  leading  up  to  a  platform. 
Arriving  at  this  platform  the  visitor  may  turn 
either  to  the  right  or  to  the  left  into  the  art-gal- 
lery and  the  reading-room,  respectively.  On 
the  right  hand  of  the  entrance  hall  on  the  first 
story  is  a  magazine-room.  On  the  left  is  a 
newspaper-room.  Passing  on  through  this  hall 
the  large  staircase  hall  is  entered,  in  which  is 
the  delivery-desk  for  the  circulating  library. 
The  rear  of  this  delivery-desk  is  the  stack- 
room,  which  runs  up  through  four  stories,  and 
provides  ample  accommodation  for  100,000  vol- 
umes. There  are  also  on  this  floor  accommoda- 
tions for  cataloging,  receiving,  and  unpacking 
books,  with  ladies'  room,  toilet-rooms,  lavatories, 
and  coat-rooms. 

On  the  second  floor  the  entire  centre  of  the 
building  is  given  up  to  a  spacious  reading-room, 
the  front  portion  to  three  large  art-galleries. 
The  rear  part  is  the  upper  portion  of  the  stack- 
room.  On  this  floor  are  accommodations  for 
the  librarians'  and  trustees'  offices,  also  study- 
rooms.  The  basement  of  the  building  has  ac- 
commodations for  the  janitor,  also  coal  and 
engine  rooms.  In  the  centre  of  the  building  is 
a  spacious  court,  which  will  be  either  paved  or 
planted  in  grass. 

Wallingford(  Vt.)  F.  L.  The  dedication  of  the 
new  library  building  given  to  Wallingford  by 
Gilbert  Hart,  was  held  on  July  25.  There  was  a 
large  attendance,  many  visitors  from  neighbor- 
ing towns  being  present,  and  the  village  was 
profusely  decorated  with  flags  and  bunting. 
The  exercises  consisted  of  music,  prayer,  and 
addresses,  and  in  the  evening  there  was  a  social 
reception. 

Washington,  D,  C.  Several  fine  private  libra- 
ries were  lost  in  the  fire  in  the  Knox  Storage 
Warehouse,  that  occurred  early  in  August.  The 
chief  sufferers  were  Rev.  G.  H.  Corey,  of  Wash- 
ington, who  lost  a  library  of  4000  volumes,  valued 
at  $12,000,  the  result  of  20  years'  diligent  col- 
lecting, and  Judge  O.  M.  Barrett,  whose  collec- 
tion of  fine  books  was  completely  destroyed. 


Although  the  building  was  rated  "  dangerous  " 
by  the  insurance  companies,  many  Washingtoni- 
ans  had  their  effects  stored  there,  and  besides 
these  two  private  libraries,  several  smaller  col- 
lections of  books  were  also  destroyed. 

Washington,  D.  C.  Congressional  L.  A  tunnel 
is  to  be  constructed  from  the  crypt  of  the  capiiol 
under  the  east  park  to  the  vaults  of  the  Congres- 
sional Library,  now  in  course  of  construction. 
The  plans  for  the  tunnel  have  been  completed, 
and  work  upon  it  will  soon  be  begun,  that  it  may 
be  finished  in  season  to  be  used  for  the  trans- 
portation of  the  nearly  1,000,000  books  and  pam- 
phlets in  the  library  from  the  old  quarters  to  the 
new.  It  is  probable  that  a  temporary  railway 
will  be  laid  in  the  tunnel,  that  cars  may  be  em- 
ployed to  carry  a  large  quantity  of  books  at  once. 

The  plan  of  decoration  of  the  main  reading- 
room  of  the  library  provides  for  16  statues  illus- 
trative of  the  various  branches  of  literature. 
The  subjects  for  these  have  been  selected  by  Mr. 
Spofford  as  follows:  Poetry,  Homer  and  Shake- 
speare; art,  Michael  Angelo  and  Beethoven; 
science,  Newton  and  Henry;  history,  Herodotus 
and  Gibbon;  philosophy,  Platoand  Bacon;  com- 
merce, Columbus  and  Fulton;  law,  Solon  and 
Blackstone;  religion,  Moses  and  St.  Paul. 

Washington,  D.  C.  Scientific  L.  of  Patent 
Office.  (Rpt.,  p.  18-22  of  Rpt.  of  Com'r  of 
Patents.)  Mr.  Prince  gives  an  interesting  ac- 
count of  the  development,  work,  and  needs  of 
the  library.  It  was  founded  in  1839,  t>ut  its 
"solid  history"  dates  from  1852.  In  1876  it 
contained  33,500  volumes,  but  in  1879  a  regular 
annual  appropriation  was  obtained  of  $5000  un- 
til 1886,  then  of  about  $2500  until  the  past  two 
years,  during  which  it  has  suffered  a  scaling  of 
$500  each  year  to  its  present  figure,  $1500. 

"  During  these  18  years  the  size  of  the  library 
has  nearly  doubled,  its  number  at  the  present 
time  being  64,680  volumes.  There  are  in  addi- 
tion about  1000  unbound  volumes  not  yet  placed 
upon  the  shelves.  Being  a  government  library, 
of  course  it  has  no  hope  of  those  bequests  and 
munificent  donations  which  have  enriched  so 
many  collections.  No  librarian  of  the  depart- 
ments need  await,  with  faith  and  what  patience 
he  may  command,  the  good  man's  end  which 
shall  bestow  the  gift  of  thousands  on  his  shelves. 
The  government  library  is  supposed  to  take  care 
of  itself;  and  it  does,  with  difficulties  of  its  own. 
The  boar  of  the  appropriations  committee  doth 
waste  it,  and  the  wild  beast  of  the  office  doth 
choke  it  into  dark  corners.  The  arm  of  the  gov- 
ernment is  over  it  —  with  a  chastening  rod,  often- 
times." 

The  library  is  free  to  the  public  for  reference 
use,  but  "  freedom  of  the  shelves  and  withdrawal 
for  study"  is  allowed  only  to  government  em- 
ployees. 

The  librarian  believes  that  "  no  more  supple- 
mentary catalogs  should  be  printed,  both  on 
account  of  their  decreasing  usefulness  as  they 
multiply  and  the  defects  of  the  original  which 
serves  as  a  foundation  of  the  later  series;  but  as 
soon  as  a  sufficient  appropriation  can  be  given 
the  whole  should  be  thoroughly  revised  and  com- 
bined from  the  beginning." 

With   few  exceptions  all  the  periodicals  re- 


September,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


3*7 


ceived  at  the  library  are  indexed.  It  is  believed 
that  this  index,  which  now  comprises  100,000 
cards,  may  be  shortly  thrown  open  for  public 
consultation. 

Westerly,  R.  I.  The  new  Public  Library  and 
Soldiers'  Memorial  Hall  was  dedicated  on  Aug. 
15.  The  building  cost  in  all  $100,000,  of  which 
$25,000  was  given  by  Stephen  Wilcox,  of  New 
York,  and  the  remainder  raised  by  popular  sub- 
scription. 

FOREIGN. 

Colombo  (Ceylon)  Museum  L.  (Rpt.)  Added 
231;  total  not  given.  No.  readers  registered 
during  the  year  885.  "  The  library  is  chiefly 
used  by  readers  as  a  consulting  library,  and  rep- 
resentatives of  every  class  find  their  way  thither 
in  search  of  information  not  otherwise  accessi- 
ble." 

An  author  catalog  has  been  prepared  and  is 
in  press,  but  it  "cannot  be  regarded  as  com- 
plete, in  view  of  the  fact -that  the  later  editions 
have  not  been  included  in  it,  nor  have  any  steps 
been  taken  for  the  issue  of  a  supplement.  The 
incompleteness  of  the  work  is  consequent  upon 
interruptions  in  the  cataloging  due  to  changes  in 
the  personnel  of  the  library. 

"  The  chief  and  most  urgent  requirement  of 
the  library  is  additional  shelf  accommodation, 
but  this  want  cannot  be  supplied  until  an  exten- 
sion of  the  building  is  made." 

Copenhagen,  PAA  HUNDREDE  -  AARSDAGEN  efter 
at  det  store  Kongelige  Bibliothek  blev  erkla- 
eret  for  at  vaere  et  offentligt  Bibliothek  ved 
Kongeligt  Reskript  af  15.  November  1793. 
Heri:  Johan  Rode.  F6dt  iKjobenhavn  1587, 
dod  i  Padua  1659.  Med  Portraet  og  Auto- 
graph-Faksimile  I  Traesnit.  Copenhagen, 
1893.  1 68  p.  8°. 

The  royal  library  of  Copenhagen  was  made 
free  in  November,  1793.  This  history  of  the 
library's  growth  and  development  is  issued  as  a 
centennial  publication  in  commemoration  of 
that  anniversary. 

Japan.  Libraries  and  library  science  have 
greatly  developed  during  recent  years.  Fifteen 
of  the  larger  cities  now  support  libraries.  That 
of  Fuckuschima  contains  i8,225v.;  the  one  at 
Miyagi,  3719  v.  The  Royal  University  Library 
numbers  187,551  books,  of  which  81,986  are  in 
European  languages,  and  the  library  in  Tokio 
contains  31,629  books,  of  which  2332  are  in 
European  languages. 

Leeds  (Eng.}  F.  P.  L.  (24th  rpt.)  Added 
1424;  total  183,007.  Total  issue  979,900.  Total 
cost  .£30,816  45.  7d.  In  the  reference  library 
134,381  v.  were  given  out. 

"  Eight  lectures  were  delivered  in  the  sculpt- 
ure gallery  by  Dr.  J.  B.  Cohen  and  Prof.  F. 
Suddards,  of  the  Yorkshire  College,  which  were 
highly  successful,  there  being  an  average  at- 
tendance of  350,  the  full  capacity  of  the  hall  be- 
ing occupied  at  each  lecture." 

VIDAL,  L:     Projet    d'organisation    en    France 


d'un  service  d'archives  photographiques  docu- 
mentaires.  (In  Revue  Scientifique,  4th  ser., 
v.  2,  p.  136.) 

Winnipeg,  Can.  Manitoba  Historical  and 
Scientific  Society  L.  (Rpt.)  Added  357;  total 
not  given. 

The  library  committee  states  that  "  it  has 
during  the  year  felt  the  paralyzing  influence  of 
cramped  quarters,  which  have  rendered  impossi- 
ble the  realization  of  some  of  its  aims  and  sur- 
rounded others  with  such  difficulties  as  to  dis- 
courage any  attempt  to  realize  them.  Next  to 
the  want  of  enlarged  quarters  one  of  the  most 
pressing  necessities  of  the  library  is  a  better 
arrangement  and  classification  of  the  reference- 
books.  The  matter  was  repeatedly  discussed  by 
several  members  of  the  council,  who  are  special- 
ists in  the  lines  of  work  in  which  the  society  is 
collecting  books,  and  who  offered  their  services 
in  the  work  of  cataloging;  but  what  can  be 
done  when,  after  all  the  trouble  was  undertaken, 
there  are  no  shelves  for  the  books,  and  they  can 
only  be  piled  on  the  floor?" 


<Q>ift0  anb  JJerjnests. 


Brookfield,  Mass.  By  the  will  of  the  late 
Mrs.  M..  W.  Hyde,  $20,000  is  given  to  the  town 
of  Brookfield  for  a  public  library. 

Delaware,  O.  Ohio  Wesleyan  Univ.  L.  Rev. 
Dr.  M.  J.  Cramer,  of  East  Orange,  N.  J.,  has 
given  to  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  his  valuable 
private  library  of  over  5000  volumes,  together 
with  a  fund  sufficient  for  its  endowment  and 
extension. 

Galena,  III.  B.  F.  Felt,  a  wealthy  citizen  of 
Galena,  has  announced  his  intention  of  present- 
ing the  city  with  a  library  of  1000  volumes 
together  with  a  building  and  the  necessary 
furnishings.  Mr.  Felt  will  pay  all  running  ex- 
penses until  Feb.  16,  1896,  when  the  city  will 
assume  control  of  the  library. 

Galveston,  Tex.  Henry  Rosenberg,  a  wealthy 
citizen  of  Galveston,  'who  died  May  12,  1893, 
left  by  will  numerous  bequests,  ranging  from 
$30,000  to  $65,000,  to  various  charitable  institu- 
tions; the  rest  of  his  estate  was  left  to  his  execu- 
tors in  trust  to  "preserve  and  maintain  the 
same  and  reinvest  the  income  thereof  for  a  period 
of  two  years  after  his  death;  at  the  expiration  of 
said  two  years  they  shall  organize  and  endow  a 
4  free  public  library  '  for  the  use  of  the  people  of 
Galveston,  together  with  free  lectures  upon  prac- 
tical, literary,  and  scientific  subjects,  and  such 
other  incidents  to  a  great  public  library  as  may  be 
most  conducive  to  the  improvement,  instruction, 
and  elevation  of  the  citizens  of  Galveston." 

Provision  is  made  for  the  chartering  of  an 
association,  with  trustees  or  directors,  which 
shall  direct  and  administer  the  library.  The 
executors  are  now  discharging  the  minor  be- 
quests and  legacies;  but  it  is  thought  that  within 
a  year  this  will  have  been  completed,  and  the 
library  bequest  will  then  be  taken  up. 

Kensington,   N.  H.     Joseph  C.  Hilliard  has 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[September,  94 


announced  his  intention  of  presenting  Kensing- 
ton, his  native  town,  with  a  public  library  build- 
ing. He  has  purchased  a  site  upon  which  he  will 
have  built  a  library  building,  to  be  given  to  trus- 
tees in  behalf  of  the  town.  It  is  to  be  named  the 
Kensington  Social  Library,  thus  perpetuating 
the  name  of  one  of  the  earliest  New  Hampshire 
libraries,  chartered  by  the  legislature  on  Dec. 
27,  1798.  About  loo  volumes  of  this  early  library 
remain;  the  town  has  a  second  collection  of  800 
books,  secured  by  interested  women,  and  a  third 
received  from  the  state. 

New  York.  By  the  will  of  the  late  Mrs. 
Mary  Stuart,  the  Lenox  Library  receives  a  be- 
quest of  $200,000.  The  legacy  is  on  condition 
that  the  library  shall  never  be  opened  to  the 
public  on  Sunday,  and  the  trustees  have  notified 
the  executors  that  they  accept  the  condition. 


Cibrarians. 


LITTLE,  G:  T.,  librarian  of  Bowdoin  College, 
has  contributed  a  "Historical  sketch"  of  the 
college  during  its  first  century  to  the  handsome 
centennial  edition  of  the  "  General  catalogue  of 
Bowdoin  College,"  recently  published  and  sold 
by  W.  B.  Clarke  &  Co.,  of  Boston.  Mr.  Little's 
sketch  covers  100  pages,  and  is  an  interesting 
record  of  the  growth  and  development  of  the 
college  from  1794  to  1894.  The  "  Centennial 
edition "  is  a  handsome  volume,  attractively 
bound  in  olive,  white,  and  gold. 

WILSON,  W:  H:  C:  Alex.  Nelson,  of  Colum- 
bia College  Library,  writes  as  follows  regarding 
the  late  W:  H:  Wilson,  of  the  Astor  Library, 
whose  death  was  noted  in  the  August  L.  j.  — 
"  I  should  like  to  add  my  own  testimony  to  Mr. 
Wilson's  worth  as  a  man  and  a  scholar,  as  he 
was  my  first  assistant  in  preparing  the  Astor 
Library  catalog.  He  was  little  known  outside 
the  circle  of  his  immediate  personal  friends,  and 
very  few  librarians  made  his  acquaintance.  He 
was  reserved  and  quiet,  but  a  fine  scholar  and 
efficient  in  catalog  work.  He  was  one  of  the 
courtly  and  courteous  gentlemen  of  the  old 
school,  and  a  man  of  marked  individuality.  His 
place  will  not  easily  be  filled  in  his  work  or  in 
the  hearts  of  his  friends." 


Cataloging  ana  Classification. 


The  Open  Shelf  (Cleveland  P.  L.)  for  June  has 
a  shortlist  of  books  on  "Natural  history,"  a 
brief  account  of  "the  art  collection,"  and  of 
"  the  library  books  in  the  public  schools." 

DETROIT  (Micti)  P.  L.  General  catalogue; 
ist  supplement,  1889-1893.  Detroit,  1894. 
898  p.  Q. 

Approximately  34,000  volumes  are  recorded 
in  this  handsome  cloth-bound  quarto.  It  sup- 
plements the  General  catalog  of  1889,  giving 
all  accessions  during  the  period  covered,  ex- 
cepting English  fiction  and  books  in  the  Ger- 


man and  Polish  languages,  lists  of  which  are 
separately  published.  It  embraces  the  four 
annual  bulletins,  includes  the  books  added  since 
the  last  one  was  issued,  and  is  intended  to  be 
the  first  of  a  series  of  five-yearly  supplements. 
The  dictionary  plan  is  followed,  as  in  the  former 
volume.  The  date  of  publication  has  been  added 
in  the  subject  entries,  as  being  important  in 
its  bearing  upon  the  value  or  timeliness  of  a 
book.  The  contents  of  the  various  society  publi- 
cations are  fully  given.  In  form  and  typography 
the  volume  is  admirable,  and  for  easy  practical 
consultation  and  study  it  cannot  but  prove  a 
boon  to  the  library's  constituency. 

HILTON  (N.  /.)  P.  L.     Class  catalogue.    1894. 

91  p.  O. 

The  classification  is  partly  that  of  Mr.  Dewey 
and  partly  original  with  the  compiler.  Author- 
entries  only  are  given,  and  all  books  are  ar- 
ranged "  in  the  order  of  their  class-numbers 
down  to  their  minutest  subdivision."  Sunday- 
school  stories  appear  to  be  classed  with  religion, 
and  tales  of  travel  are  entered  under  travel,  i.e., 
"  Ellen  Mordaunt.or  the  fruits  of  true  religion," 
appears  in  the  division  "  Religion,"  under  the 
subheading  "  Devotional,  Practical;"  and  the 
Rollo  travel  stories  and  Mrs.  Champney's  "  Vas- 
sar  girls"  books  are  entered  under  "  Geography 
and  Travel."  A  subject-index  is  appended,  in 
which  all  the  subjects  are  arranged  in  one  alpha- 
bet, and,  instead  of  page  references,  the  class- 
number  of  each  subject  is  given,  a  method  that 
"  indicates  its  exact  place  in  the  subject-catalog 
and  on  the  library  shelves,"  but  that  is  certainly 
not  conducive  to  easy  reference.  The  peculi- 
arities of  the  catalog  are  probably  explained  by 
the  statement  made  in  the  preface  that  "  as  the 
cataloger  is  a  commercial  traveller  the  work  had 
to  be  done  mostly  at  leisure  moments  '  on  the 
road,'  and  without  immediate  access  to  the 
books."  Under  such  circumstances  the  wonder 
is  that  it  was  done  at  all.  The  catalog  records 
all  the  books  in  the  library  (2100  v.);  it  is  print- 
ed on  manilla  paper,  and  alternate  pages  are  left 
blank  for  the  insertion  of  additions. 

NOTTINGHAM  (Eng.)  CENTRAL  F.  P.  LENDING  L. 
Author-list  of  fiction,  poetry,  and  the  drama; 
with  supplement  and  appendix  containing 
some  assumed  names  in  literature;  com  p.  by 
J.  Potter  Briscoe,  librarian,  assisted  by  T: 
Dent,  sub-librarian,  August,  1894.  72  p.  O. 
pap. ,  6d. 

An  author-list  in  one  alphabet,  recording 
some  13,000  volumes.  It  is  prepared  evidently 
with  a  view  to  economy,  as  the  pages  are  close, 
double-columned,  and  the  type  is  uniformly 
roman,  save  small  caps  for  the  heading  "  con- 
tents," and  italics  when  unavoidable.  The  en- 
tries are  of  the  briefest,  and  full  names'are  con- 
spicuously absent;  sequels  are  noted  and  in  some 
cases  a  few  words  of  description  or  explanation 
are  appended.  The  supplement  (i£  p.)  covers 
books  added  during  printing,  and  about  100 
names  are  given  in  the  appendix  of  pseudonyms. 

THE  August  issue  of  Our  Library  (Portland 


September,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[Ore.]  P.  L.)  contains  a  short  list  of  "  Books  on 
nature,"  i^£  col. 

PRICE,  W.,  comp.  Paper-covered  books:  a  cata- 
logue; done  by  the  editor  and  publisher  ofTAe 
Book  and  News  Dealer.  San  Francisco,  W.  E. 
Price,  1894.  c.  4+405  p.  O.  cl.,  $3.50;  in- 
terleaved, $5. 

An  author-and-title  list,  in  one  alphabet,  of 
"all  the  paper-covered  books  in  print  and  ob- 
tainable at  wholesale  in  America."  Intended 
primarily  for  dealers. 

The  SALEM  (Mass.)  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for  Au- 
gust contains  two  capital  classed  "  special  read- 
ing-lists "  on  "  Labor  and  socialism,"  and 
"  China,  Corea,  and  Japan." 

The  SPRINGFIELD  (Mass.)  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for 
July  has  a  list  of  "  selected  novels  and  tales  il- 
lustrating New  England  life." 

WASHINGTON  STATE  L.    Catalogue;    Philip    D. 

Moore,    state    librarian.      Olympia,    Wash., 

State  Pr.,  1891.     330  p.  O. 

Classified  under  Law  department,  including 
reports,  digests,  author-index  to  text-books,  sub- 
ject-index, legislative  journals,  congressional 
miscellany,  and  list  of  abbreviations;  and  Gen- 
eral department,  classified  under  a  dozen  sub- 
ject headings.  With  the  exception  of  the  subject 
classification  no  attention  seems  to  have  been 
paid  to  the  order  of  the  entries  in  the  general 
department.  Under  "Natural  science"  five 
books  are  entered  under  "  The"  as  is  also  the 
case  under  "Religion,"  "Addenda  no.  2"  to 
the  catalog  was  issued  in  June,  1893. 

WISCONSIN.     List  of  books  for  township  libra- 
ries of  the  state    of  Wisconsin;  prepared  by 
the    state     superintendent,     [O.     E.    Wells.] 
Madison,  Wis.,  July  i,  1894.     90  p.  O. 
Similar  to  issue  of  1893.    See  L.  J.  18  :  486. 
CHANGED  TITLES. 

"Timar's  two  worlds,"  by  Maurus  J6kai, 
translated  by  Mrs.  Hegan  Kennard,  published 
by  D.  Appleton  &  Co.,  N.  Y.,  1894,  is  the  same 
as  "A  modern  Midas,"  by  Maurice  J6kai,  trans- 
lated by  Laura  Curtis  Bullard  and  Emma  Her- 
zog,  published  by  R.  Worthington,  1884.  —  W. 
T.  PEOPLES. 


ANDERSON,  W:  C.,  in  an  article  on  "  Law  dic- 
tionaries "  in  the  American  Law  Review  (July  - 
August)  gives  brief  chronological  lists  of  the 
leading  law  lexicographers  and  their  works. 

ARNAUD,  E.  Bibliographic  huguenote  du  Dau- 
phine  pendant  les  troisdernierssiecles.  Gren- 
oble, x.  Drevet.  109  p.  8°,  3  fr.so. 

JBLOUNT,  T.  Boscobel;  or,  the  adventures  of 
,Charles  II.  after  the  battle  of  Wprces.ter,  Ed. , 


with  biblography  by  C:  G.  Thomas.    London, 
Tylston,  1894.     8°,  55. 

CROOKS,  G:  R.,  D.D.,  and  Hurst,  J:  F.,  D.D. 
Theological  encyclopaedia  and  methodology: 
on  the  basis  of  Hagenbach.  New  rev.  ed. 
N.  Y.,  Hunt  &  Eaton,  1894.  c.  4+627  p.  O. 
(Lib.  of  biblical  and  theologicallit.,  v.  3.)  cl., 

$3- 

Made  up  chiefly  of  valuable  bibliographies  of 
the  various  branches  of  theological  study. 

GIACOSA,  P.    Bibliografia  medicaltaliana.    vol. 
2.     Turin,  1894.     522  p.  8°. 
Vol.  i  appeared  in  1893. 

LAND,  J.  P.  N.,  in  the  "Archivfur  Geschichte 
der  Philosophic,"  volume  7, 1894,  publishes  some 
interesting  bibliographical  annotations  to  La 
Forge's  "  Traite  de  1'esprit  humain,"  to  Hobbes' 
"  Leviathan,"  and  to  Spinoza's  works. 

NIJHOFF,  W.  Bibliographic  van  Noord-Neder- 
landsche  Plaatsbeschrijvingen  tot  het  einde 
der  i8e  eeuw.  Amsterdam,  1894.  112  p.  8°, 
4.20  m. 

RICCARDI,  Prof.  Pietro.  Saggio  di  una  biblio- 
grafia  euclidea:  memoria.  Parte  v.  (ultima). 
Bologna,  Gamberini  e  Parmeggiani,  1893.  4°. 
58  p. 

RIVOLI,  due  de.  Etudes  sur  1'art  de  la  gravure 
sur  bois  a  Venise.  Les  missels  imprimes  a 
Venise  de  1481  a  1600.  Description,  illustra- 
tion, bibliographic.  Livr.  1-4.  Paris,  1894. 
iol. 
To  be  completed  in  five  parts. 

RUSKIN,  J:  Essays  and  letters  sel.  from  the 
writings  of  John  Ruskin;  with  introductory 
interpretations  and  annotations;  ed.  by  Mrs. 
Lois  G.  Hufford.  Bost.,  Ginn,  1894.  c.  19+ 
441+8  p.  por.  D.  hf.  leath.,  $i. 
Contains  list  of  the  collected  writings  of  Rus- 
kin. 

SCHEINER,  J.  Treatise  on  astronomical  spectro- 
scopy;  tr.,  rev.,  and  enl.,  with  co-operation  of 
the  author,  by  Edwin  Brandt  Frost.  Bost., 
Ginn,  1894.  c.  13+482  p.  il.  O.  hf.  leath.,  $5. 
Contains  an  extensive  bibliography  of  astro- 
nomical spectroscopy  (44  p.). 

The  Skandina-visk  Antiquariat,  49  Gothers- 
gade,  Copenhagen,  has  issued  a  catalog  of  rare  old 
books  and  valuable  modern  books,  comprising 
works  on  the  languages,  literature,  history,  to- 
pography, etc.,  of  Iceland,  Denmark,  Norway, 
and  Sweden,  Eddie,  Skaldic,  and  Saga  litera- 
ture, journals,  etc.,  of  exceptional  rarity  or  ex- 
cellence. It  represents  more  than  the  stock  on 
hand,  and  has  therefore  a  bibliographical  value. 
(No.  i,  38  p.  12°.) 


320 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[September,  '94 


MR.  VANDKR  HAKGHKN,  librarian  of  the  Bib- 
liotheque  de  1'Universite  d'Etat  at  Ghent,  has 
issued  an  interesting  first  draft,  in  print,  of  a 
projected  bibliography  of  the  works  of  Erasmus, 
in  three  parts,  4°.  The  number  of  entries  is 
already  immense.  The  verified  editions  of  the 
De  octo  orantionis  partium  (partly  written  by 
Erasmus)  are  said  to  now  number  267. 

WAENTIG,  Heinrich.    AugusteComte  und  seine 
Bedeutung  ftir  die  Entwickelung  der  Social- 
wissenschaften.      Leipzig,    Duncker&  Hum- 
blot,  1894. 
Contains  a  full  bibliography. 

WISE'S  "  Bibliography  of  the  writings  of  Rob- 
ert Browning  "  is  appearing  week  by  week  in 
the  Athenceum.  Only  the  barest  outline  is 
given  in  this  form  —  collations  of  the  editiones 
principes,  lists  of  poems,  and  letters  published 
separately  in  periodicals,  etc.  The  complete 
bibliography  will  be  finally  issued  to  subscribers 
in  half-crown  parts. 

INDEXES. 

JORDAN,  W:  G:,  editor  of  Current  Literature, 
has  in  preparation,  on  a  novel  plan,  a  classified 
index  to  famous  and  fugitive  selections  in  verse 
and  prose,  to  be  entitled  "  Jordan's  guide  to 
poetry  and  prose."     It  is  intended  to  furnish  a 
definite  answer  to  such  queries  as  —  "Where 
can  I  find  a  poem  called  Cleopatra?"    "Where 
is  there  a  certain  parody  of  Wordsworth's  '  We 
are  seven'  ?  "  etc.  —  with  which  librarians  are  but 
too  familiar.     The  plan  of  compilation  involves 
the  indexing  of  the  principal  anthologies,  books 
of  readings  and  recitations,  school  readers,  and 
collections  of  selections  published  in  America 
and    Great  Britain.    The  anthologies  selected 
will    be   completely    indexed    by    subject,    or 
principal    word,  and  there  will   be    abundant 
cross-references.  The  index  will  be  in  one  alpha- 
bet, and  a  single  line  will  be  assigned  to  every 
entry.     In  this  compass  will  be  given  the  sub- 
ject or  key  word,  an  epitome  of  the  selection, 
and  the  author  when  discoverable,  with  refer- 
ences to'a  second  single-line  entry  in  the  "  key," 
prefixed  to  the  index  proper,  in  which  will  be 
given  the  titles  of  one  or  two  books  containing 
the  selection,  and  data  as  to  edition,  editor,  pub- 
lisher, binding,  and  price.     Prose  selections  will 
be  indicated  by  an  asterisk  prefixed  to  the  au- 
thor's name,  and  there  will  be  page  references  to 
the  books  containing  the  selection.  Parodies  will 
be  grouped  under  the  name  of  the  original  poem. 
It  is  difficult  to  convey  a  proper  idea  of  the  sim- 
plicity and  adequacy  of  the  method  of  indexing, 
without  transcription  of  specimen  entries,  but 
the  plan  certainly  conveys  a  maximum  of    in- 
formation  in  a  minimum  of  space.     The  work 
will  not    appear    until   1895,    or    more   prob- 
ably 1896;  it  will  be  issued  in  two  volumes, 
of  about  500  pages  each,  and  will,  it  is  estimat- 
ed, index  about  600  booksrof  selection,  covering 
some  75 ,000  separate  titles.    As  soon  as  this  first 
series  is  published  the  compiler  proposes  to  un- 
dertake a  second    series,  and  with  these  two 
series  as  a  basis  to  issue  annual   or  biennial 
supplements,  keeping  the  work  up  to  date. 


cmfc 


Claude  Blake,  ps.  of  Mathilde  Blind,  the  trans- 
lator of  Strauss'  book,  "  The  old  faith  and  the 
new."  —  Current  Literature. 

Moira  O'Neill  is  the  pen-name  of  Miss  Nesta 
Higginson,  a  young  Irish  writer  of  much  prom- 
ise.—  Bookbuyer,  Sept. 

Beatrice  Kipling,  author  of  "  The  heart  of  a 
maid,"  and  other  stories,  is  a  Mrs.  Fleming. 
She  is  the  sister  of  Rudyard  Kipling.  —  Literary 
World  ( London),  Ag.  24. 

From  the  Nottingham  (Eng.)  F.  P.  Lending  L. 
author-list  of  fiction,  etc: 

Tom  Cobbleigh,  ps.  of  Walter  Raymond,  au- 
thor of  "  Gentleman  Upcott's  daughter," 
"  Young  Sam  and  Sabina." 

John  Oliver  Hobbes,  ps.  of  Mrs.  P.  W.  Craigie, 
author  of  "A  bundle  of  life,"  etc. 

L.  L.  Lynch,  ps.  of  E.  M.  Van  Deventer,  au- 
thor of  "  Dead  man's  step,"  etc. 

Esme"  Stuart,  ps.  of  Miss  Levy. 

Two,  ps.  of  Mrs.  Stewart,  author  of  "  Hon. 
Stanbury." 

Supplied  by  F.  Weitenkampf,  Astor  Library: 

Caliban,  ps.  of  £mile  Bergerat  (in  the  Paris 
Figaro).  —  Critic,  F.  3,  '94. 

Gabriel  Setoun,  ps.  of  Thomas  Hepburn  (au- 
thor of  "  Barncraig  ").— Arthur  Waugh,  in 
Critic,  F.  10,  '94. 

Joseph  Prunier.  —  According  to  Arthur  Waugh 
(Critic,  Aug.  12,  '93),  Guy  de  Maupassant's  first 
contribution  to  literature  was  published  under 
this  pseudonym  in  the  Almanack  Lorrain  de 
Pont-a-Mousson,  and  was  a  "  ghastly  little  story  " 
called  "  La  Main  d'ficorch6."  "  Boule  de  Suif  " 
(1880)  had  usually  been  spoken  of  as  his  earliest 
publication. 

Marie  Walsh.  —  ps.  of  Mary  Cahill,  of  Brook- 
lyn, author  of  "  Hazel  Kirke,"  wife  of  Michael 
J.  Cahill,  of  Chicago,  ed.  of  The  Home  Light 
and  The  Pilot.  —  N.  Y.  Times,  Ap.  29,  '94. 

The  following  are  taken  from  The  Athenceum 
of  July  r,  1893: 

V.  V — Vasill  Voromtzov  (Russian). 

Ardov  —  Madame  Blaramberg  (Russian). 

Johanna  van  Woude — Mrs.  Van  Wermesker- 
ken-Junius  (Dutch). 

Sipalusz  —  Victor  Rakosi  (Hungarian). 

Floris  van  Westervoort — L.  Kettman  (Belgian). 

Multatuli—  E.  Douwes  Dekker  (Dutch). 

Neera  —  Anna  Rading  (Italian). 


HELP   WANTED. 


•\XTANTED.-A  young  man  as  assistant  in  a  large  li- 
•v      brary.    Must  be  well  informed  in  regard  to  all 
library  work.    Address  J.  B.  LKONARD,  No.  322  Chest- 
nut 5t.,  Pbil».,  Pa. 


September,  '<)4\  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  321 

LIBRARY  INKS  AND  ADHESIVES. 

flDucUage 


has  been  adopted  by  leading  Librarians  throughout  the  country  as  the  only  satis- 
factory library  adhesive  made.  The  5000  volumes  of  the  Model  Library  at  the 
World's  Fair  were  repaired  and  labelled  with  this  adhesive  in  preference  to  all  others, 
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'  Carbon  Writing  links 


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hence  better  adapted  for  general  use.  A  two  ounce  bottle  of  the  former,  prepaid  by  mail, 
35  cents  ;  a  two  ounce  bottle  of  the  latter  for  25  cents. 


The  Higgins'  Adhesives  and  Inks  are  for  Sale  by  Dealers  in  Artists'  Materals 
and  Stationery  Generally. 


CHAS.  1.  HIGGINS  &  CO,  •*££„,  168-170  Eighth  St.,  Brooklyn,  N.Y. 


LONDON.  LEIPZIG.  PARIS. 

B.  WESTERMANN  &  CO., 

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FOREIGN   OFFICES  AT  LONDON,   LEIPZIG,  AND   PARIS. 
Agents  by  appointment  to  many  of  the  largest  A  merican  and  Foreig  n 

College   and    Public  Libraries. 
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Terms  on  direct  application  for  the  supply  of  Foreign  and  American  Books  and  Periodicals. 

Weekly  shipments  by  the  fleetest  steamers  from  England,  Germany,  and  France.  Periodicals 
supplied  at  lower  rates  than  mail  copies  and  in  better  shape  for  binding. 

Rare  Books  and  Sets  of  Serials  procured  at  the  lowest  terms.  Regular  connections  with 
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Binding  done  here  and  abroad  in  every  style. 

Auction  Sales  attended  to. 

The  Catalogues  of  Foreign  Dealers — English,  German,  French,  Italian,  and  Spanish — fur- 
nished on  application. 

Monthly  Bulletins  of  New  Books  issued  regularly. 

With  the  help  of  a  most  complete  Bibliographical  Outfit  in  all  languages  and  on  all  subjects, 
and  the  experience  of  many  years  in  this  particular  line,  estimates  can  be  furnished  promptly  and 
information  given  on  topics  of  interest  to  Librarians. 


322  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  {September  •,  '94 

NOW    READY. 

DlCTIONNAIRE   CANADIEN-FRANCAIS. 


By    SYI^VA     CI.APIN, 

Author  of  ^  La  France  Transatlantique;  or,  Franct  in  America." 

Being  a  complete  analytical,  etymological,  historical,  and  critical  glossary  of  French  Americanisms 
in  general,  and  especially  of  those  in  use  in  Canada,  containing  over  4000  words,  with  about  1500 
quotations  from  different  authors.  A  compact  octavo  volume  of  500  pages.  Price,  $5.OO, 
delivered  in  any  part  of  the  United  States. 

This  Work  is  the  Natural  Sequel  to 
BARTLETT'S    CELEBRATED    DICTIONARY    OF    AMERICANISMS. 


WHA  T   THE  PRESS  SA  YS  OF  IT: 

"This  new  dictionary  deals  (i)  with  etymology,  (2)  the  pronunciation  ofdifficult  words,  and  (3)  gives  examples 
illustrating  the  use  of  certain  locutions,  together  (4)  with  a  number  of  quotations  shedding  light  on  the  relations  of 
those  locutions  with  Latin,  low  Latin,  the  Jatoz's  of  Normandy  and  Saintonge,  old  French,  English,  American-English 
and  the  tongues  of  the  aboriginal  races.  In  an  elaborate  introduction  the  author  shows  the  distinctive  characteris- 
tics of  Canadian-French,  and  elucidates  the  processes  by  which  the  new  dialect  was  developed.  Anglicisms  also 
receive  attention,  and,  in  fine,  nothing  of  interest  to  the  philological  student  has  been  omitted  from  the  survey. 
We  may  look,  I  think,  for  much  profit  and  satisfaction  from  this  work."— Editor  of  "  Old  and  New"  in  Montreal 
Gazette. 

"  VoilJt  un  ouvrage  qui  va  delecter  les  lexicographes  et  les  linguistes  de  tous  les  pays. 

"Le  livre  de  M.  Clapin  atteste,  chez  son  auteur,  non-aeutlement  une  Audition  peu  commune,  mais  aussi  un 
travail  de  longue  main,  qui  le  range  du  coup  au  nombre  des  auteurs  didactiques  les  plus  sdrieux  et  les  plus  re'elle- 
ment  dignes  de  succes." — Louis  FRECHETTE,  in  Patrie,  Montreal,  July  21. 

Only  a  limited  number  of  copies  now  left,  over  those  subscribed  for. 

The  Dictionnaire    Canadien-Francals   will  be   sent,  post  free,  on  approval,  to  all  Li- 
brarians desirous  of  examining  the  book  before  buying. 

Address  aii  demands  to  SYLVA  CLAPIN,  i  Park  Square,  Boston. 

C.  REINWALD  &  CO.," 

Publishers  and  Booksellers, 

15  RUB  DKS  SAINTS-FERBS,  15 

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Oldest  Agency  for  American  Libraries. 

Established   1849. 
Agency  of  Smithsonian  Institution,     Washington. 

Special  attention  given  to  Library  Orders,  which  will  be  promptly  and  carefully 
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First-class  bookbinding  a  feature  of  our  Establishment,  and  all  material  used  is 
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Lots  from  Auction  Sales  purchased  at  lowest  figures. 

The  Bulletin  Mensuel  de  la  Librairie  Fran$aise,  a  monthly  bibliographical  paper, 
is  published  by  us,  and  will  be  mailed  gratis  on  application. 

Correspondence  solicited  and  all  information  cheerfully  given. 


September,  '94] 


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They  are  pleased  to  give  estimates  at  lowest  rates  on  lists  of  proposed  purchases,  and 
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This  house  is  characterized    by  its   Promptness,    Carefulness,    and    Low 
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A  Monthly  Catalogue  of  Second-Hand  Books.    Specimen  Number  post  free. 


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KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  CO., 

IvIIvlITECD, 

PUBLISHERS  AND  LIBRARY  AGENTS, 

Having  extensive  experience  in  supplying  PUBLIC  LIBRARIES,  MUSEUMS,  GOVERNMENT 
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Librarians  mentioning  this  advertisement. 
"  The  writer's  almost  unequalled  power  of  description, 

his  wide  learning  and  his  great  facility  in  drawing  his 

characters  are  never  better  shown  than  in  the  present 

book."— Pall  Mall  Gazette, 


VOL.  V.    No.  1. 

Ought   the   Senate    to    be    Abolished  ? 

By  Prof.  H.  Von  Hoist. 
On  the  Principle   of  the  Conservation 

of  Energy.     By  Prof.  Ernst  Mach. 
On  the  Nature  of  Motion.     By  Major  J. 

W.  Powell. 
Buddhism  and  Christianity.     A  Parallel. 

By  P.  Carus. 
What  is  it  to  be  Alive  ?    By  Dr.  Edmund 

Montgomery. 
On   the   Nature   of  Thought.     By  T.  B. 

Whittaker. 


THE  OPEN  COURT  PUBLISHING  CO.,  328  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  111. 


324  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  {September ,  '94 

ESTABLISHED    1372 

LONDON:  PARIS:  LEIPctO: 

3O  WELLINGTON  ST.,  STRAND.       76  RUE  DE  RENNES.  HOSPITAL  SIR.  1O. 

GUSTAV  E.  STECHERT 

Purchasing  Agent  for  Colleges  &  Libraries 

810    BROADWAY,     NEW    YORK, 

(TWO  DOORS  ABOVE  GRACE  CHURCH) 

begs  to  call  attention  to  his  facilities  for  obtaining  FOREIGN  BOOKS  and 
PERIODICALS  at  more  economical  rates  THAN  ANY  OTHER  HOUSE  IN  AMERICA 
OR  EUROPE  can  offer,  because : 

He  employs  no  Commission  Agents,  but  has  his  own  offices  and 
clerks  at  London,  Paris  and  Leipzig.  He  has  open  accounts 
with  all  the  leading  publishing  houses  in  the  world. 

His  experience  enables  him  to  give  information  at  once  about 
rare  and  scarce  books. 

He  receives  weekly  shipments  from  England,  France  and  Germany,  and 
can  thereby  fill  orders  in  quicker  time. 

MORE  THAN  200  LIBRARIES  FAVOR  HIM  WITH  THEIR  ORDERS. 


SPECIAL,    REKERSNOE5S, 

"Mr.  Stechert  has  for  years  furnished  this  Library  with  most  of  its  periodicals  and  European  books,  and  has  bought  for  us 
many  thousand  volumes.  Mr.  Stechert's  success  is  due  to  his  constant  personal  attention  to  the  business,  and  the  reasonabla 
terms  he  is  able  to  offer.  I  consider  a  New  York  agent  far  preferable  to  reliance  on  foreign  agents  alone." 

Gco.  H.  BAKER,  Librarian  of  Columbia  College,  Neva  York. 


"  Seven  years  ago;  in  reorganizing  the  Columbia  College  library,  I  spent  much  time  in  trying  to  discover  how  to  get  out 
foreign  books  and  periodicals  with  the  least  delay,  trouble  and  expense.  The  result  of  the  comparison  of  three  methods,  viz: 
ordering  direct  from  foreign  dealers,  ordering  through  one  agent  in  London,  or  ordering  through  one  agent  in  New  York  showed 
us  that  it  was  to  our  advantage  to  give  Mr.  Stechert  all  our  foreign  orders,  as  he  delivered  in  the  library  in  a  single  package 
and  with  a  single  bill  at  as  low  cost  as  we  were  able  with  vastly  greater  trouble,  to  get  a  half  dozen  diff  :rent  packages  in  differ- 
ent bills  from  different  places.  In  reorganizing  the  New  York  State  Library,  I  opened  the  whole  question  anew,  and  the  result 
of  the  comparison  was  the  same  as  before,  and  we  find  that  the  library  gets  most  for  the  time  and  money  expended  by  taking 
advantage  of  Mr.  Stechert's  long  experience,  and  the  careful  personal  attention  which  he  gives  to  our  orders." 

MELVIL  DEWEY,  Director  of  N.  Y.  State  Library,  Albany,  N.  Y. 


"  Mr.  G.  E.  Stechert  of  Ne$r  York  has  served  us  with  fidelity  in  procuring  English,  French  and  German  books,  both  new 
and  second  hand  and  also  periodicals.  His  terms  are  more  reasonable  than  any  others  that  have  come  to  our  notice,  while  he 
has  always  guarded  our  interests  very  carefully.  We  find  it  a  great  convenience  to  have  one  agency  in  New  York,  represented 
by  branches  in  different  European  countries." 

Prof.  ARTHUR  H.  PALMER,  Librarian  of  Adelbert  College,  Cleveland,  O. 


"  Your  methods  and  facilities  for  doing  business,  as  I  have  examined  them  here  as  well  as  at  the  Leipzig  and  London  ends, 
§eem  to  me  admirably  progressive  and  thoroughly  live.  I  deal  with  you  because  I  judge  it  for  the  advantage  of  this  library  to 
do  so.  If  I  did  not,  I  should  not.  Up  to  date  I  am  unable  to  find  a  method  which  is,  all  things  included,  so  economical  of 
time  and  money  as  dealing  through  you." 

ERNEST  C.  RICHARDSON,  Librarian  «f  College  of  New  Jersey ',  Princeton,  N.J. 


"Our  library  committee  speaks  in  the  highest  terms  of  your  services.     You  have  not  only  saved  us  many  dollars,  but  hav» 
mown  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  our  wants  for  which  we  thank  you. ' ' 

A.  8.  COLLINS,  Act.  Librarian  of  Reynolds  Library,  Rochester^  N.  f. 

GUSTAV    K.    STKCHKRT, 

LOMQON.         PARIS.         LEIPZIG.         NEW  YORK. 


THE 


Library  Journal 

OFFICIAL  ORGAN  OF  THE  AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 


CHIEFLY   DEVOTED    TO 


Xibrarp  Economy  anb 


VOL.  19.     No.  10. 


OCTOBER,  1894 


Contents 


PAGE 

EDITORIAL .    327 

The  Lake  Placid  Conference. 
The  1894  Meeting  of  the  L.  A.  U.  K. 
Books  Wanted  and  for  Exchange. 
Foreign  Books  in  American  Libraries. 
"Library"  Sentiment  in  Georgia. 
A  Novel  Lawsuit. 

COMMUNICATIONS 329 

The  Charging  System  of  the  Los  Angeles  P.  L. 
L.  B.  Card-Catalog  System  Again. 
NOTBS  ON  GEOGRAPHICAL  INDEXING. — J.  Ben  Nich- 
ols  330 

IOWA  LIBRARY  LEGISLATION. —  G:  W.  Wakefield.    .    331 

MATTERS  BIBLIOGRAPHICAL.  —  G:  W.  Cole 333 

A  PROJECT  FOR  A  GENERAL  CATALOG   OF  FRENCH 

LIBRARIES 334 

THE    PRESENT    CONDITION    OF    ENGLISH    BIBLIOG- 
RAPHY, AND  SUGGESTIONS  FOR  THE  FUTURE. — 

H:  B.  Wheatley 336 

THE  ORRINGTON  LUNT  LIBRARY.  — Lodilla  Ambrose.    338 

THE  Los  ANGELES  LIBRARY  LIBEL  SUIT 340 

A    LIST    OF   SWEDISH    BOOKS    FOR   AMERICAN    LI- 
BRARIES  340 

THE  HASTON  LIBRARY,  NORTH  BROOKFIELD,  MASS.    341 


PAGE 
THE  "ART  DEPARTMENT"  OF  THE  DENVER  PUBLIC 

LIBRARY 341 

SCIENCE  IN  FREE  LIBRARIES 343 

LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION  UNITED  KINGDOM 342 

Seventeenth  Annual  Meeting,  Belfast,  Sept.  4-7, 

1894. 
AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 344 

Lake  Placid  Conference. 

Transactions  of  Executive  Board. 

A.  L.  A.  Organization  for  1894-5. 

NEW  YORK  STATE  LIBRARY  SCHOOL 348 

STATE  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATIONS 349 

Connecticut  Library  Association. 
REVIEWS 349 

Brooklyn  (N.  Y.)  Library.    Catalogue  of  English 
Prose  Fiction. 

University  of  New  York.    Public  libraries,  no.  2. 

LIBRARY  ECONOMY  AND  HISTORY 351 

GIFTS  AND  BEQUESTS 354 

LIBRARIANS 354 

CATALOGING  AND  CLASSIFICATION 355 

BlBLIOGRAFY 356 

HUMORS  AND  BLUNDERS 356 


NEW  YORK  :    PUBLICATION  OFFICE,  28  ELM  STREET  (Near  Duane). 
LONDON:    SOLD  BY  KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  Co.,  PATERNOSTER  HOUSE, 

CHARING  CROSS  ROAD. 

YEARLY  SUBSCRIPTION,  fs.oo.  MONTHLY  NUMBERS,  50  cU. 

Prict  to  Europe^  or  other  countries  in  the  Union,  aoj.  per  annum  ;  tingle  numbers^  at, 

Entered  at  the  Post-Office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  as  second-class  matter. 


326 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\Octobcr,  '94 


EDW.  G.  ALLEN'S 

London  Agency  for  American  Libraries, 

28   HENRIETTA   STREET,   COVENT   GARDEN, 
LONDON. 

(FORMERLY   RICH   &  SONS.) 

EDW.  G.  ALLEN  devotes  himself  entirely  to  library  business.  His  long  experience  enables  him 
to  execute  the  orders  of  correspondents  promptly,  cheaply,  and  with  thorough  efficiency.  His  con- 
nection with  all  the  Book  Dealers  in  the  United  Kingdom  gives  him  the  command  of  the  British 
Book  Market,  and  qualifies  him  to  serve  his  customers  with  special  advantage,  and  to  bring  promptly 
under  their  notice  all  the  stores  of  Literature,  old  and  new,  on  sale  in  Great  Britain. 

Books  Supplied  at  a  Small   Commission  on  the   Cost  Price,  with  the  usual  Trade 

deductions,  and  forwarded  by  the  quickest  and  cheapest  routes.    Second-hand 

Catalogues   by  early  Mails,  and   no  Commission   charged  on  Orders 

from  them.      Periodicals  and  Newspapers  Posted  Promptly. 

pensive  sub-agencies  at  home  or  abroad.  Foreign  books  on  easy  terms. 


Agency  for  the  following  Libraries  and  many  others: 


Library  of  Congress,  Washington. 
Libraries  of  Parliament,   Ottawa,  Toronto, 

and  Quebec. 
Amherst  College. 
Boston  Public  Library. 
Brooklyn  Library. 
Brown  University. 
Cornell  University. 
Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library. 
California  University. 

BINDING. 

Cheap  and  Durable  for  Circulating  Libraries.    Specially  Strong  for  Books  of  Reference.    Superior 
Style  for  Works  of  Art.     Imitation  Antique  for  Rare  Old   Books.     Calf  Extra  in  Every  Variety. 
Best  Half-Binding  for  General  Library  Use.     Pamphlets  Bound  at  Cheap  Rates.     Law- 
Books  In  Law  Calf.     Cheap  Binding  in  Cloth.     Hard-Grained    Roan,  etc.     Dilapi- 
dated Binding  Neatly  Repaired.     Deficiencies  of  Rare  Books  Supplied  In 
Exact  Fac-Simile.     Library  Stamps  to  Order. 


Colorado  University. 
Johns  Hopkins  University. 
Philadelphia  Library  Co. 
Peabody  Institute,  Baltimore. 
University  of  Pennsylvania. 
University  of  Toronto,  Can. 
Watkinson  Library,  Hartford,  Conn. 
Yale  University. 
Minneapolis  Public  Library. 


We  have  been,  for  the  last  twenty  years,  personally  cognizant  of  Mr.  Allen's  faitnfulness  to  the  interests  of 
his  American  customers.  When  a  resident  in  Washington,  ten  years  ago,  we  found  that  the  immense  Congressional 
Library  largely  supplied  its  shelves  through  Mr.  Allen's  London  Agency.  Many  of  the  extensive  libraries  belonging 
to  the  Universities  and  Colleges  in  the  East  have  also  secured  their  Foreign  Books  from  the  same  source,  and  we 
have  heard  from  the  officers  of  these  Institutions  frequent  testimony  to  the  scrupulous  exactness  with  which  their 
orders  were  always  filled. 

"  We  cannot,  therefore,  do  a  greater  service  to  the  Colleges  and  Universities  of  the  West,  to  which  these  pres- 
ents shall  come,  than  to  advise  that  they  employ  this  inexpensive  agency  for  replenishing  their  Libraries  with  Eng- 
lish Books." — PRESIDENT  WELCH,  Iowa  Stati  Agricultural  College. 

"No  better  indorsement  of  Mr.  Allen's  Agency  is  possible  than  the  list  of  leading  libraries  that  continue  to  use 
it.  For  30  years,  strict  integrity  and  unexcelled  facilities  have  held  the  oid  and  made  new  patrons.  The  very  large 
business  built  up  demands  only  a  small  commission  instead  of  the  customary  10  per  cent.  A  library  can  safely 
entrust  all  its  London  orders  to  Mr.  Allen  without  getting  other  estimates  and  feel  sure  that  it  is  not  making  a 
mistake." — MELVIL  DEWEY,  btati  Library,  New  York, 


Edw.  G.  Allen's  American  Library  Agency, 


COVENT  GARDEN,  LONDON. 


MEMBER    AMERICAN     LIBRARY    ASSOCIATION. 


SPECIAL    TERMS  FOR  LARGE  ORDERS. 


THE    LIBRARY    JOURNAL 


VOL.  19. 


OCTOBER,   1894. 


No.  10 


THE  American  Library  Association  grows 
more  and  more  vigorous  and  takes  a  higher  and 
higher  view  of  the  powers  and  responsibilities 
of  the  profession.  No  meeting  has  given  a  fuller 
inspiration  to  those  who  were  fortunate  enough 
to  be  able  to  attend  it  than  the  late  conference 
at  Lake  Placid.  The  questions  which  the  libra- 
rian alone  understands,  technical  problems  that 
come  up  in  every  library  and  must  be  solved  and 
solved  well  under  penalty  of  incomplete  success, 
were  indeed  considered, as  is  their  due,  but  those 
which  belong  to  the  intercourse  with  the  public 
were  given  the  most  prominent  place  and  awak- 
ened the  greatest  interest.  President  Larned's 
well-considered,  well-worded  and  well-delivered 
address  on  the  value  of  libraries  to  the  state, 
pointing  out  their  special  necessity  at  the  present 
time  when  all  social  questions  are  exciting  an 
interest  and  assuming  an  importance  that  they 
never  had  before,  and  when  the  unrest  in  the 
working  classes,  that  are  now  the  governing 
classes,  calls  more  imperatively  than  ever  for  the 
greatest  possible  enlightenment  —  this  weighty 
address  dictated  the  tone  of  thought  of  the  listen- 
ers. Miss  Stearns'  long  and  admirable  paper  on 
reading  for  the  young,  in  which,  excellent  as  the 
matter  was,  the  personality  of  the  speaker  went 
for  more,  was  similar  in  character;  and  Mr. 
Brett's  "Problem  of  to-day"  made  a  worthy 
third.  The  three  essays  by  ladies  on  fiction  in 
public  libraries  were  sparkling  with  wit  or  forci- 
ble with  conviction.  They  left  the  subject 
where  they  found  it,  as  it  always  has  been  left  in 
previous  discussions,  for  it  is  everywhere  a 
question  of  degree  and  of  adaptation  to  circum- 
stances. 

THROUGHOUT  the  conference  the  same  fresh 
and  inspiring  tone  was  manifest,  and  the  high- 
est  conception  of  the  possibilities  and  opportu- 
nities of  the  library  profession  was  steadfastly 
maintained.  It  is  impossible  here  to  touch  in 
detail  upon  the  many  excellences  of  the  pro- 
gram ;  these  are  well  indicated  in  the  sum- 
mary report  of  the  proceedings,  printed  else- 
where. But  the  conference  as  a  whole  may  be 
briefly  characterized.  It  was  a  thorough  suc- 
cess, a  direct  help  in  the  present  and  a  source 
of  inspiration  for  the  future  ;  no  librarian  there 
was  sorry  that  he  came,  every  librarian  who 
did  not  come  has  much  to  regret ;  and  every 


library  that  enabled  its  librarian  or  its  assistants 
to  hear  the  address  we  have  mentioned  above 
made  a  good  investment  of  its  money,  for  the 
enthusiasm  and  the  spirit  of  helpfulness  which 
they  will  carry  back  will  make  their  work 
doubly  useful. 

ALMOST  coincident  with  the  A.  L.  A.  confer- 
ence was  the  1894  meeting  of  the  L.  A.  U.  K., 
which  was  held  at  Belfast,  September  4-7, 
and  which  proved  to  be  one  of  the  pleasantest 
and  most  successful  of  the  "  librarians'  con- 
gresses." It  is  interesting  to  compare  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  English  association  with  those 
of  its  American  congener,  and  to  note  how 
slight  are  the  differences  in  plan  or  scope. 
Both  have  the  same  standards,  the  same  pur- 
pose, the  same  enthusiasm  ;  both  seek  the  same 
ends,  though,  perhaps,  in  slightly  different 
ways.  The  most  marked  distinction  is  the  pre- 
dominant masculinity  of  the  English  body  and 
the  lack  of  feminine  participation  in  the  formal 
discussions  and  proceedings.  This  year  the  L. 
A.  U.  K.  had  two  papers  by  women  —  Miss 
James  and  Miss  Petherbridge  ;  but  this  is  small 
allowance  compared  with  the  "  equal  rights"  of 
the  A.  L.  A.  A  distinction  in  tone  is  also 
apparent.  In  the  English  program  the  anti- 
quarian and  bibliographical  sides  of  library 
work  seem  to  be  emphasized  ;  in  the  American, 
special  attention  is  given  to  its  social  and  educa- 
tional aspects  and  to  technical  details.  Library 
legislation  received  special  attention  at  this 
meeting  of  the  L.  A.  U.  K.,  and  it  is  pleasant 
to  note  that  the  system  of  home  libraries  devel- 
oped by  Mr.  Birtwell,  of  Boston,  was  presented 
to  the  association  in  a  paper  by  Miss  James. 
The  "  open  library  "  system  was  undoubtedly  the 
vexed  question  of  the  English  meeting,  and 
its  benefits  and  disadvantages  were  warmly  de- 
bated, pro  and  con.  There  were  several  papers 
on  ex-libris ,  on  matriculation  books,  and  on  his- 
torical and  antiquarian  subjects,  which  seldom 
find  representation  at  the  A.  L.  A.  These  very 
differences  emphasize  the  desirability  and  help- 
fulness of  intimate  international  relations  and 
friendly  interchange  of  opinion  and  suggestion, 
for  in  library  work,  as  in  all  other  fields,  inter- 
course with  others  having  a  common  aim  is  the 
surest  source  of  enlightenment,  encouragement, 
and  inspiration. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[October,  '94 


A  MOST  useful  feature  of  the  Publishers' 
weekly  has  been  the  column  of  "  Books  wanted," 
which  of  late  years  has  extended  to  cover  several 
pages,  and  which  is  a  convenient  method  used  by 
book-dealers  to  complete  sets  and  to  find  trace  of 
odds  and  ends  of  books.  There  are  many  libra- 
ries where  valuable  sets  remain  for  years  incom- 
plete, and  to  that  extent  useless,  because  one  or 
two  volumes  have  disappeared;  and  there  are 
also  many  cases  where  libraries  having  special- 
ties desire  books  which  may  be  in  other  libraries 
as  duplicates  or  not  specially  desirable,  so  that 
the  librarian  having  them  would  be  glad  to 
make  an  exchange.  It  has  often  been  proposed 
to  establish  a  duplicate  clearing-house,  to  which 
duplicates  could  be  sent  for  exchange  purposes. 
Even  if  this  were  not  soon  full  to  overflowing 
with  Agricultural  reports  of  the  previous  year, 
it  would  shortly  be  overcrowded  with  whole  regi- 
ments of  '•  old  soldiers,"  and  the  expense  for 
rent  and  dusting  would  become  a  serious  item. 
A  better  plan  would  seem  to  be  that  libraries  de- 
siring to  fill  gaps  should  make  their  wants  known 
to  other  libraries  and  negotiate  for  desired  vol- 
umes, either  by  purchase  or  by  exchange.  To 
this  end  it  is  proposed  to  establish  in  the  adver- 
tising pages  of  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  a  column  of 
"  Books  wanted  and  for  exchange,"  which  we  be- 
lieve will  prove  as  useful  to  the  library  interests  as 
it  is  understood  that  department  in  the  Publish- 
ers' weekly  has  proved  to  book-dealers.  It  is  in- 
tended that  libraries  which  are  subscribers  to  the 
JOURNAL  shall  have  the  benefit  of  the  depart- 
ment for  a  limited  number  of  lines  free  of  charge, 
and  it  is  desired  that  librarians  express  their 
opinions  as  to  the  desirability  of  such  a  feature 
and  their  suggestions  in  regard  to  it,  so  that  these 
may  be  taken  into  consideration  before  the  de- 
partment is  established. 


THE  proposed  publication  of  a  list  of  Swedish 
books  intended  for  American  libraries,  which 
was  recently  brought  to  the  attention  of  readers 
of  the  JOURNAL  and  is  noted  elsewhere  in  this 
issue,  raises  a  somewhat  interesting  question  of 
library  ethics.  The  idea  seems  to  be  a  further 
development  of  the  rather  recent  tendency  to 
consider  the  supplying  of  books  in  foreign  lan- 
guages as  one  of  the  functions  of  a  public  libra- 
ry. But  is  it  a  proper  function  ?  Not  very  long 
ago  French,  German,  Italian,  or  Spanish  books 
in  the  original  were  rarely  to  be  found  outside 
of  the  larger  "  scholars'  libraries,"  while  now 
nearly  all  public  libraries  of  importance  contain 
foreign  collections  that  are  yearly  augmented 
and  are  used  by  borrowers  to  a  greater  or  less 


extent.  There  can  be  no  argument  against 
these  collections,  so  long  as  they  represent  the 
best  works  of  the  chief  European  languages  and 
are  mainly  designed  as  an  aid  to  the  study  of 
those  languages;  but  when  the  circulation  of 
foreign  books  among  foreign-speaking  readers 
becomes  of  noteworthy  importance  in  a  libra- 
ry, and  when  the  foreign  collection  is  extended 
to  cover  works  in  comparatively  little-known 
tongues,  we  are  brought  fairly  to  the  question 
whether  it  is  desirable  thus  to  keep  up  language 
divisions  among  a  population  which,  by  virtue 
of  residence  and  assumption  of  citizenship  at 
least,  should  be  wholly  American. 

THIS  question  should  not  be  overlooked  in  the 
desire,  felt  by  every  true  librarian,  to  "be  all 
things  to  all  men."  It  is  conceded  that  foreign 
books  may  wisely  be  supplied  to  meet  the  needs 
of  students  or  others  desiring  to  familiarize  them- 
selves with  foreign  languages,  or  to  aid  foreign- 
ers to  a  knowledge  of  their  home  classics,  particu- 
larly those  not  translated  into  English.  But  for 
ordinary  purposes  of  circulation  books  in  Eng- 
lish should  suffice,  and  the  foreign  element 
should  be  minimized.  In  the  present  case  we  are 
told  that,  "because  there  are  ioo,coo  Swedes 
in  New  York  and  Brooklyn,  because  Chicago 
has  a  greater  Swedish  population  than  any 
other  city  save  Stockholm,  and  the  joint  cities 
of  St.  Paul  and  Minneapolis  have  nearly  as 
many,"  it  is  important  that  Swedish  books  be 
supplied  by  the  public  libraries  in  these  and 
other  cities.  The  same  argument  will  apply,  in 
nearly  all  American  cities,  not  only  to  Swedes, 
but  to  Germans,  French,  Italians,  Hebrews, 
Hungarians,  and  Poles,  not  to  mention  Chinese. 
Carrying  out  the  idea,  then,  we  would  have  a 
polyglot  public  library  issuing  polyglot  litera- 
ture to  the  denizens  of  the  various  foreign 
"colonies,"  and  serving  as  a  most  effective 
factor  in  maintaining  those  barriers  of  race  and 
language  which  are  the  most  difficult  of  all  bar- 
riers to  overcome  and  the  most  prejudicial  to 
unity  of  sentiment  and  action.  This  is  certainly 
not  conducive  to  good  citizenship,  and  the  pro- 
motion of  good  citizenship  is,  we  take  it,  one  of 
the  functions  of  a  public  library  —  a  function 
more  important  than  the  provision  of  foreign 
books  for  a  limited  class  of  foreign  readers. 

WE  learn  from  a  despatch  in  one  of  our  Geor- 
gia exchanges  that  "  Mr.  Dick  Dobbs,  a  popular 
merchant  of  this  city,  will  be  an  applicant  for  the 
post  of  state  librarian,  to  succeed  Capt.  Milledge, 
and  will  send  in  his  application  as  soon  as  Gov- 
ernor Atkinson  is  elected."  This  is  a  combina- 


October,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


329 


tion  of  enterprise,  business,  and  politics,  in  which, 
however,  "  library  "  seems  to  be  left  out.  Mr. 
Dick  Dobbs  may  be  the  best  possible  of  future 
state  librarians, but  the  clipping  gives  a  sad  pict- 
ure of  the  public  sentiment  of  Georgia  regard- 
ing that  important  post.  The  growth  of  the  A. 
L.  A.  and  of  the  State  library  association  idea 
happily  makes  this  despatch  read  in  most  parts  of 
the  country  like  a  bit  of  very  ancient  history, 
indeed. 

AN  extraordinary  lawsuit  has  been  begun  at 
Los  Angeles,  which  will  have  special  interest 
within  library  circles,  but  which  is  of  significance 
In  much  wider  fields.  There  are  clergymen  who 
misuse  the  forms  of  prayer  as  a  means  of  rap- 
ping their  congregation  or  individual  members 
thereof  —  be  it  reverently  said  —  over  the  shoul- 
ders of  the  Deity.  In  the  present  case  a  Los 
Angeles  pastor  went  even  beyond  this,  and 
"  prayed  against  "  Miss  Kelso,  the  librarian  of 
the  Los  Angeles  Public  Library,  because  of  a 
French  novel  which  had  been  put  on  the  shelves 
of  the  library  in  ordinary  routine,  and  as  to 
which  question  had  properly  been  raised.  As 
Miss  Kelso  was  not  a  member  of  the  church  in 
question,  was  not  the  censor  of  the  library,  and 
did  not  desire  the  prayers  of  the  congregation 
or  the  animadversions  of  the  pastor,  she  has 
brought  a  lawsuit  against  the  clergyman  for 
malicious  slander.  He  is  reported  to  have  said 
that  he  had  been  informed  before  the  sermon 
that  no  blame  was  to  be  attached  to  Miss  Kelso 
for  the  error  in  placing  this  book  on  the  library 
shelves,  but  that  he  had  resolved  to  pray  for  her 
just  the  same.  This  is  certainly  a  curious  epi- 
sode in  library,  legal,  and  theological  history. 
After  Miss  Kelso  has  established  her  right  not 
to  be  prayed  for,  perhaps  she  will  lead  a  crusade 
against  "  kodakers "  for  the  right  not  to  be 
"  snapped  off." 

Communications. 


THE  CHARGING  SYSTEM  OF  THE  LOS 
ANGELES  P.  L. 

Miss  COE'S  comment  on  the  title  "  New  charg- 
ing system  of  the  Los  Angeles  Public  Library  " 
is  well  taken.  The  word  "new"  was  used  to 
designate  the  system  locally  —  i.e.,  new  to  Los 
Angeles. 

The  suggestion  regarding  colored  cards  for  the 
classes  was  considered  but  was  not  adopted, 
save  to  designate  time  limit  i.e.,  four  and  seven 
day  books,  which  facilitates  collection  of  fines. 
We  have  class  divisions  in  the  drawer  at  the 
issue-desk,  and  the  book-cards  are  thus  sorted 
and  charged  without  the  slightest  increase  of 
work. 


We  are  unalterably  opposed  to  segregation  of 
children  from  adults  in  our  library,  and  the 
division  of  two  windows  side  by  side  on  the 
odd  and  even  date  plan  works  smoothly.  Each 
borrower's  card  tells,  In  the  simplest  way,  by 
date,  at  which  window  the  book  is  to  be  pre- 
sented, and  in  the  less  busy  hours  one  person 
can  easily  "  hold  both  windows." 

The  average  return  of  books  per  day  to  our 
delivery-windows  is  1080,  and  between  2  and  4 
p.m.  it  averages  300  books  per  hour.  Fines  are 
collected  and  cards  returned  to  books  at  the 
delivery-window,  the  borrower's  card  being  thus 
at  once  ready  for  use  and  the  book  for  issue. 
But,  in  case  of  complication,  the  card  and  book 
can  both  wait  until  later  for  adjustment,  with- 
out any  confusion  to  the  system.  This  point  has 
not  been  clear  to  several  inquirers. 

Our  satisfaction  in  the  system,  as  we  now  use 
it,  increases  every  day,  Fines  are  no  longer  a 
bugbear  of  uncertainty,  and  in  buying  books  the 
cards  form  an  unanswerable  argument  for  and 
against  the  purchase  of  certain  books  and  certain 
classes  —  the  against  feature  being  of  special 
value.  In  adding  books  to  the  shelves,  we  have 
a  classified  list  of  readers  to  notify  at  once  per 
postal  of  some  new  book  "  of  interest  to  you." 
This  system  permits  the  personal  relation  ele- 
ment to  be  retained  in  a  large,  busy  library  when 
all  other  means  have  failed. 

All  this  is  doubtless  an  old  story  to  many,  but 
I  wish  to  add  our  experience  to  its  credit,  and 
to  say  we  have  recommended  it  to  several  small 
libraries  where  its  use  is  equally  satisfactory. 
ADELAIDE  R.  HASSE. 

L.  B.  CARD-CATALOG  SYSTEM  AGAIN. 

IN  Mr.  Parker's  reply  to  my  criticism  on  the 
card  system  (L.  j.  19  :  256),  two  points  should  be 
noticed.  His  apology  for  the  defects  of  the 
service  and  his  assurance  that  in  the  future  (how 
near  he  does  not  say)  the  service  will  be  better, 
are  an  admittance  that  my  complaint  is  well- 
founded. 

His  intimation  that  the  books  for  which  I 
have  failed  to  receive  cards  in  time  are  those 
published  in  or  near  Philadelphia  is  erroneous, 
but,  if  it  were  not,  I  beg  to  inform  Mr.  Parker 
(if  he  does  not  already  know)  that  Philadelphia 
is  only  12  hours  from  Boston. 

In  support  of  my  first  complaint  I  make  here- 
with a  statement  of  some  recent  failures  in  re- 
ceipt of  cards,  premising  that  the  system  has  been 
in  operation  nearly  a  year,  and  that  all  the  books 
are  from  houses  named  in  the  Library  Bureau's 
published  list. 

On  August  24  I  bought  15  books  for  which 
cards  came  on  the  28th,  three  for  which  cards 
came  September  12,  three  for  which  no  cards 
have  come;  on  August  31  one  book,  cards  came 
September  5,  two  books,  no  cards;  on  Septem- 
ber 7  two  books,  cards  came  September  12,  one 
book,  no  cards. 

The  main  purpose  of  this  system  is  to  facili- 
tate the  cataloging  of  books;  and  if  the  cards  do 
not  reach  us  within  a  few  hours  after  the  receipt 
of  the  books  this  main  purpose  is  frustrated,  for 
we  cannot  afford  to  keep  new  books  away  from 
the  readers  in  the  uncertain  expectation  of  re- 
ceiving the  cards,  JOHN  EDMANDS. 


33° 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[October,  '94 


NOTES  ON  GEOGRAPHICAL  INDEXING. 
BY  J.  BEN.  NICHOLS. 


ALTHOUGH  the  general  principles  and  ordi- 
nary methods  of  indexing  apply  in  the  indexing 
of  maps  and  geographical  subjects,  some  spe- 
cial features  and  difficulties  are  presented,  which 
are  worthy  of  consideration. 

Difficulty  arises  in  some  cases  from  the  change 
of  geographical  names,  especially  when  arising 
from  changes  in  political  divisions.  Thus,  what 
is  now  West  Virginia  was  formerly  a  part  of 
Virginia;  and  early  maps  of  West  Virginia 
would  be  found  indexed  under  the  name  of  the 
original  state.  Similarly,  Texas  would  be  found 
under  both  Mexico  and  the  United  States,  ac- 
cording to  the  date;  and  an  old  map  of  Louisi- 
ana might  include  nearly  half  the  present  Uni- 
ted States.  Such  instances  could  be  multiplied 
indefinitely;  but  sufficient  have  been  adduced  to 
show  the  principle  involved.  In  dealing  with 
such  cases,  as  a  rule,  the  map  should  be  indexed 
under  the  name  corresponding  to  its  date  or 
title,  if  that  name  was  ever  well  established  and 
in  general  use;  and  sufficient  cross-references 
should  be  made  to  connect  the  various  names 
in  use  at  different  times.  Thus,  maps  of  the 
original  territory  of  Dakota  should  be  indexed 
under  "  Dakota,"  making  reference,  for  subse- 
quent maps,  to  the  headings " North  Dakota" 
and  "South  Dakota";  and  maps  of  the  latter 
states,  after  their  division,  should  be  indexed 
under  their  present  names,  with  a  reference  to 
"  Dakota"  for  early  maps.  And  an  old  map  of 
Louisiana,  when  that  designation  included  what 
are  now  many  states,  should  be  indexed  under 
the  heading  "  Louisiana,"  with  a  distinct  cross- 
reference,  or  full  entry,  under  "  United  States." 
Simple  changes  of  name  are  usually  best 
managed  by  making  all  the  entries  under  the 
current  and  last  adopted  designation,  and  cross- 
referring  from  former  names  to  it. 

The  early  names  given  to  geographical  points 
in  a  new  country  just  discovered  or  explored 
often  change  very  much  as  time  passes.  If  the 
early  unsettled  names  have  given  way  to  a  fixed 
designation,  the  locality  should  usually  be  in- 
dexed under  the  latter,  with  references  from 
the  old  names.  Trouble  sometimes  arises,  how- 
ever, when  the  precise  locality  indicated  by  an 
early  name  cannot  be  identified  or  connected 
with  a  modern  name.  If  there  is  ground  for 
suspecting  that  the  name  given  on  the  map  to 
a  locality  may  have  become  obsolete  and  been 


replaced  by  another  name,  which,  however,  it 
is  impossible  to  trace  or  learn,  it  is  useful  to  in- 
dex under  both  the  ancient  name  of  the  place 
and  the  name  of  the  division  (as  Alaska)  in 
which  the  locality  is  situated.  Class  entry  of 
this  kind  will  afford  a  crude  means  for  the 
searcher  to  trace  up  old  maps  and  names. 

As  a  common  instance  of  this  difficulty,  the 
term  "  Port"  is  frequently  prefixed  by  discover- 
ers to  points  explored  and  named  by  them,  and 
for  a  time  the  place  may  be  known  by  that 
designation,  as  "  Port  A";  but  after  the  locality 
is  settled  the  prefix  "  Port"  is  usually  dropped 
and  the  place  known  simply  as  "  A."  After  the 
name  is  fixed,  of  course  the  entries  should  be 
made  under  the  adopted  term,  with  reference 
from  the  other.  In  cases  where  the  final  form 
of  names  beginning  with  prefixes  like  port, 
fort,  etc.,  is  yet  unsettled,  entry  should  be  made 
under  one  form,  with  cross-reference  from  the 
other  to  it. 

Maps  of  portions  of  rivers,  coast  lines,  etc., 
between  certain  points  (as  of  Mississippi  River 
between  St.  Louis  and  Memphis)  should  be  in- 
dexed only  under  the  name  of  the  river  or 
coast,  and  not  under  the  terminal  points.  The 
latter  are  mere  accidents  and  have  no  signifi- 
cance for  indexing  purposes. 

Considerations  of  the  relations  and  harmonies 
between  class  and  specific  entry  frequently  pre- 
sent nice  questions  in  the  indexing  of  maps  and 
geographical  subjects.  Contrary  to  the  practice 
in  general  indexing,  the  tendency  in  geographi- 
cal indexing  is  towards  class  entry.  It  is  mani- 
festly impracticable  to  index  every  specific  lo- 
cality shown  on  maps;  and  it  is  frequently  ad- 
visable to  index  a  map  of  a  place  under  the 
general,  natural,  or  civil  division  of  which  it  is  a 
part  (class  entry).  A  map  of  a  state,  for  in- 
stance, can  well  be  indexed  under  the  name  of 
the  state  as  an  index  unit;  a  map  of  a  consider- 
able part  of  a  state  will  also  be  naturally  in- 
dexed under  its  name.  But  under  this  principle 
a  map  of  a  county,  which  is  a  material  part  of  a 
state,  although  it  would  naturally  be  indexed 
under  the  name  of  the  county  ought  equally  to 
go  under  the  name  of  the  state.  All  the  maps 
of  a  whole  and  of  considerable  parts  of  a  whole 
ought  to  be  indexed  under  the  name  of  the 
whole.  Considerable  saving  of  labor  may, 
however,  be  effected  by  cross-reference  from 


October,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


33* 


the  whole  to  definite  parts;  thus,  instead  of  in- 
dexing all  county  maps  under  the  name  of  the 
state,  a  general  or  particular  reference  might 
be  made  to  the  counties,  where  all  the  respec- 
tive maps  would  be  fully  indexed. 

Again,  a  map  of  a  definite  part  (a  county,  for 
instance)  might  be  on  no  larger  scale  than  a 
map  of  the  whole  (as  a  state);  in  this  case  maps 
of  the  state  and  indexed  under  its  name  would 
show  the  locality  as  well  as  the  county  maps, 
indexed  under  the  county  name.  Large  scales, 
therefore,  favor  specific  entry;  while  small  scales 
tend  to  make  class  or  general  entry  sufficient. 

The  importance  of  class  entry  is  greatly  in- 
creased in  the  case  of  newly  discovered  or  ex- 
plored divisions.  Where  so  little  is  known  of 


a  region  it  is  useful  to  have  everything  that  is 
known  relating  to  it,  even  to  its  small  parts,  in- 
dexed or  arranged  under  its  name.  This  will 
also  serve  to  provide  an  available  means  of 
finding  places  whose  names  (being  new  and  un- 
settled) are  liable  to  change. 

Localities  whose  designations  are  vague  and 
indefinite,  which  have  no  distinct  names,  or  are 
little  likely  to  be  remembered,  are  best  disposed 
of  by  indexing  under  the  name  of  the  general 
division  in  which  they  are  situated. 

The  circumstances  of  each  case  must  deter- 
mine the  lines  to  be  drawn  between  class  and 
specific  entry  in  geographical  indexing.  The 
points  mentioned  illustrate  'the  utility  of  judi- 
cious class  entry  and  cross-reference. 


IOWA  LIBRARY  LEGISLATION. 
BY  G*  W.  WAKEFIELD,  President  Board  of  Trustees,  Public  Library,  Sioux  City,  la. 


FOR  more  than  20  years  the  statutes  of  Iowa 
have  provided  for  the  establishment  of  free  pub- 
lic libraries  in  cities  and  incorporated  towns. 
The  code  of  1873  provides  as  follows  : 

"  Section  461 :  The  establishment  and  main- 
tenance of  a  free  public  library  is  hereby  de- 
clared to  be  a  proper  and  legitimate  object  of 
municipal  expenditure,  and  the  council  or  trus- 
tees of  any  city  or  incorporated  town  may  ap- 
propriate money  for  the  formation  and  main- 
tenance of  such  library,  open  to  the  free  use  of 
all  its  inhabitants  under  proper  regulations,  and 
for  the  purchase  of  land,  erection  of  buildings, 
or  for  the  hiring  of  buildings  or  rooms  suitable 
for  that  purpose,  and  for  the  compensation  of 
the  necessary  employees ;  provided  that  the 
amount  appropriated  in  any  one  year  for  the 
maintenance  of  such  a  library  shall  not  exceed 
one  mill  upon  the  dollar  upon  the  assessed  valu- 
ation of  such  city  or  town.  Any  such  city  or  in- 
corporated town  may  receive,  hold,  or  dispose 
of  any  or  all  gifts,  donations,  devises,  and  be- 
quests that  may  be  made  to  such  city  or  incor- 
porated town  for  the  purpose  of  establishing, 
increasing,  or  improving  any  such  public  library; 
and  the  city  or  town  council  thereof  may  apply 
the  use,  profits,  proceeds,  interests  and  rents 
accruing  therefrom  in  such  manner  as  will  best 
promote  the  prosperity  and  utility  of  such 
library.  Every  city  or  incorporated  town  in 
which  such  a  public  library  shall  be  maintained 
shall  be  entitled  to  receive  a  copy  of  the  laws, 
journals,  and  all  other  works  published  by  author- 
ity of  the  state  after  the  establishment  of  such 
library,  for  the  use  of  such  library,  and  the 
secretary  of  state  is  hereby  authorized  and  re- 
quired to  furnish  the  same  from  year  to  year  to 
such  city  or  incorporated  town.  But  no  appro- 
priation of  money  can  be  made  under  this  sec- 
tion unless  the  proposition  is  submitted  to  a  vote 
of  the  people,  and  at  the  municipal  election  of 
such  city  or  town,  the  question,  "  Shall  the  city 


(or  town  council,  as  the  case  may  be)  accept  the 
benefits  of  the  provisions  of  this  section  ?" 

The  Iowa  Official  Register  for  1894 shows  that 
of  the  many  libraries  in  the  state,  only  19  have 
been  established  under  this  provision,  the  first 
being  the  Free  Public  Library  of  Independence. 

In  1880  the  General  Assembly  made  an  effort 
to  repeal  this  law  in  the  interests  of  public  econ- 
omy. Through  the  prompt  action  of  Senator 
Harmon,  of  Independence,  the  attempt  was 
defeated. 

The  maximum  tax  of  one  mill  for  all  library 
purposes  was  too  small  to  allow  our  rapidly 
growing  cities  to  erect  suitable  buildings  from 
the  income.  Accordingly,  in  1888,  the  following 
act  was  secured  from  the  state  legislature  : 

"  Chapter  18  of  Laws  of  22d  G.  A.  Section  2: 
That  all  cities  of  the  first  class  organized  as 
such  since  January  i,  1885,  that  have  accepted 
the  benefits  of  the  provisions  of  section  461  of 
the  code  of  Iowa,  shall,  in  addition  to  the  powers 
conferred  by  said  section,  have  power  to  levy 
and  collect  a  tax  not  to  exceed  three  mills  on  the 
dollar  of  the  assessed  valuation  of  such  city,  to 
pay  the  interest  on  any  indebtedness  heretofore 
contracted  or  that  may  hereafter  be  contracted 
or  incurred  for  the  purchase  of  real  estate 
and  the  erection  of  a  building  or  buildings 
thereon  for  a  public  library,  or  the  hiring  of 
rooms  or  buildings  for  such  purposes  or  for  the 
compensation  of  necessary  employees  as  provided 
in  section  461  of  the  code,  and  to  create  a  sink- 
ing fund  for  the  extinguishment  of  such  indebt- 
edness." 

The  foregoing  act,  by  its  date  limitations,  ex- 
cluded several  of  our  older  cities  that  sadly 
needed  its  benefits. 

Further,  the  members  of  the  city  and  town 


332 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[October,  '94 


councils  are  not  chosen  on  account  of  their  liter- 
ary tastes  or  accomplishments,  and  experience 
has  shown  that  too  often,  because  of  this  and 
the  multitude  of  other  duties  resting  upon  them, 
the  libraries  in  their  hands  were  not  well  kept  or 
maintained.  This  result,  together  with  the  unjust 
exclusions  allowed  by  the  act  of  1888,  was 
brought  to  the  attention  of  the  State  Library  As- 
sociation by  Mrs.  Ada  North,  and  the  need  of 
more  efficient  legislation  strongly  urged. 

The  Association,  at  its  meeting  in  1892,  ap- 
pointed a  committee  on  legislation  to  prepare 
and  present  to  the  next  state  legislature  such 
amendments  to  the  law  as  should  be  deemed 
necessary  to  make  the  same  more  effective.  This 
committee,  of  which  Col.  Gatch,  of  Des  Moines, 
was  chairman,  was  attentive  to  the  duties  im- 
posed, and  laws  were  enacted  in  March,  1894, 
creating  a  board  of  library  trustees  and  extend- 
ing the  power  of  taxation  for  the  erection  of 
library  buildings  under  the  statute  of  1888  to  all 
cities  of  the  first  class. 

The  appointment  of  trustees  is  removed,  as  far 
as  seemed  possible,  from  political  influence;  the 
terms  are  long,  only  one-third  going  out  of  office 
at  a  time;  and  the  method  of  selection  is  likely 
to  secure  persons  interested  in  libraries  and 
library  work.  The  testimony  thus  far  under  the 
amendments  shows  that  this  expectation  is  being 
fulfilled. 

Following  is  the  full  text  of  the  recent  enact- 
ment, amending  the  laws  of  1773  and  1888,  the 
most  important  being  that  portion  creating  a 
board  of  library  trustees. 

"  Chapter  41  of  the  Laws  of  the  2$th  G.  A. 

"  Section  i.  There  shall  be  established  and  cre- 
ated in  any  city  or  incorporated  town  that  has 
heretofore  accepted,  or  may  hereafter  accept, 
the  benefits  of  the  provisions  of  section  461  of 
the  Code  of  Iowa,  a  board  of  library  trustees, 
consisting  of  nine  members,  to  be  appointed 
by  the  mayor,  by  and  with  the  approval  of  the 
council. 

"  Said  trustees  first  appointed  shall  hold  of- 
fice, viz.:  one-third  for  two  years,  one-third  for 
four  years,  and  one-third  for  six  years,  from 
the  first  day  of  July  following  their  appoint- 
ment; and  at  their  first  meeting  shall  cast  lots 
for  the  respective  terms,  reporting  the  result  of 
such  lot  to  the  council ;  and  biennially  there- 
after, before  the  first  day  of  July,  the  mayor 
shall  appoint,  by  and  with  the  approval  of  the 
council,  three  trustees  to  succeed  the  trustees 
retiring  on  the  following  first  day  of  July,  and 
who  shall  hold  office  for  six  years  from  such 
first  day  of  July.  Trustees  shall  hold  until  their 
successors  are  appointed  and  qualified. 

"  Vacancies  occurring  in  the  board  shall  be 
filled  by  appointment  by  the  mayor  in  like 
manner,  such  appointee  to  fill  out  the  unex* 


pired  term  for  which  the  appointment  is  made. 
Bona  fide  citizens  and  residents  of  the  city  or 
incorporated  town  (male  or  female),  over  the 
age  of  twenty-one  years,  are  alone  eligible  to 
membership. 

"The  removal  of  any  trustee  permanently  from 
the  city  shall  render  his  office  as  trustee  vacant. 

"  Members  of  said  board  shall  receive  no  com- 
pensation for  their  services. 

"  Section  2.  Said  board  of  library  trustees 
shall  have  and  exercise  the  following  powers: 
To  meet  and  organize  by  the  election  of  one  of 
their  number  as  president  of  the  board,  and  by 
the  election  of  a  secretary  of  such  other  officers 
as  the  board  may  deem  necessary  ;  to  have 
charge,  control,  and  supervision  of  the  public 
library,  its  appurtenances  and  fixtures  and  rooms 
containing  the  same,  directing  and  controlling 
all  the  affairs  of  such  library;  to  employ  a  li- 
brarian and  such  assistants  and  employees  as 
may  be  necessary  for  the  proper  management 
of  said  library,  and  fix  their  compensation,  but 
prior  to  such  employment  the  compensation  of 
such  librarian  and  assistants  shall  be  fixed  for 
the  term  of  employment  by  a  majority  of  the 
members  of  said  board  voting  in  favor  thereof; 
to  remove  such  librarian,  assistants,  or  em- 
ployees by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  such  board  for 
misdemeanor,  incompetency,  or  inattention  to 
the  duties  of  such  employment ;  to  select  and 
make  purchase  of  books,  pamphlets,  magazines, 
periodicals,  papers,  maps,  journals,  furniture, 
fixtures,  stationery,  and  supplies  for  such  li- 
brary; to  make  and  adopt,  amend,  modify,  or 
repeal  by-laws,  rules,  and  regulations  not  in- 
consistent with  law  for  the  care,  use,  govern- 
ment, and  management  of  such  library  and  the 
business  of  said  board,  fixing  and  enforcing 
penalties  for  the  violation  thereof;  to  have  ex- 
clusive control  of  the  expenditures  of  all  taxes 
levied  under  section  461  of  the  Code  of  Iowa, 
and  collected  for  and  all  moneys  belonging  to 
the  library  fund;  also  to  perform  and  exercise 
such  other  duties  and  powers  as  may  be  con- 
ferred by  this  act  or  by  law.  Said  board  shall 
keep  a  record  of  its  proceedings. 

"  Section  3.  All  moneys  received  or  set  apart 
for  the  maintenance  of  such  library  shall  be  de- 
posited in  the  treasury  to  the  credit  of  the  library 
fund,  and  shall  be  kept  by  the  treasurer,  sep- 
arate and  apart  from  other  moneys  of  such  city 
or  incorporated  town,  and  paid  out  upon  the 
orders  of  the  board  of  library  trustees,  signed  by 
its  president  and  secretary,  and  countersigned 
by  the  mayor. 

' '  Section  4.  The  board  of  library  trustees 
shall,  before  the  first  day  of  August  in  each 
year,  determine  and  fix  the  amount  or  rate  to 
be  appropriated  for  one  year  under  section  461 
of  the  code  of  Iowa  for  the  maintenance  of  such 
library,  and  cause  the  same  so  fixed  to  be 
certified  to  the  council,  and  the  council  shall 
make  such  appropriation  and  levy  the  necessary 
tax  to  the  rate  not  exceeding  one  mill  on  the 
dollar  of  such  tax  to  the  county  auditor,  with 
other  taxes  levied  by  the  city  or  incorporated 
town  for  said  year  under  section  495  of  the 
code  of  Iowa,  provided  that  in  cities  of  the  first 
class  the  city  council  may  and  shall  levy  and, 


October^  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


3*3 


certify  such  further  sum  of  tax  as  it  may  deem 
expedient  to  create  a  sinking  fund  and  pay  in- 
terest under  the  provisions  of  chapter  18,  acts 
of  the  22d  General  Assembly,  and  acts  amenda- 
tory thereof. 

"  Section  5.  The  board  of  library  trustees 
shall  also  each  year  make  to  the  council  a  re- 
port for  the  year  ending  June  30,  containing  a 


statement  of  the  condition  of  the  library,  the 
number  of  books  added  thereto,  the  number  of 
books  circulated,  the  number  of  books  not  re- 
turned or  lost,  the  amount  of  fines  collected, 
the  amount  of  money  expended  in  the  mainte- 
nance of  the  library  during  such  year,  together 
with  such  further  information  as  the  board  may 
deem  important." 


MATTERS  BIBLIOGRAPHICAL. 
BY  GEORGE  WATSON  COLE,  Librarian  Jersey  City  Public  Library, 


Two  articles  on  the  subject  of  general  bibli- 
ographies have  recently  come  to  my  attention, 
which  I  think  will  prove  of  interest  to  the  read- 
ers of  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL. 

The  first  and  more  recent  of  the  two  appeared 
in  the  Revue  Bleue  for  August  4,  and  calls  at- 
tention to  a  project  of  M.  Vander  Haeghen  for 
a  general  catalog  or  bibliography  of  works  in 
the  French  language.  This  scheme  is  the  result 
of  his  extended  experience  in  compiling  the 
Bibliotheca  Belgica  and  other  noted  bibliograph- 
ical works,  and  presents  features  which  may 
well  be  copied  in  the  production  of  bibliograph- 
ical works  requiring  extensive  co-operation. 

By  reference  to  the  article,  a  translation  of 
which  is  herewith  supplied,  it  will  be  seen  that 
M.  Vander  Haeghen  proposes  an  international 
commission  which  shall  be  empowered  to  carry 
out  the  work.  He  suggests  that  subject-matter 
for  it  be  secured  by  first  collating  all  accessible 
bibliographical  works  and  printed  catalogs. 
Tentative  slips,  each  containing  a  single  entry, 
are  then  to  be  printed  and  sent  to  such  libraries 
as  may  be  selected  to  aid  in  carrying  out  the 
enterprise.  Each  librarian  looks  up  the  work, 
if  it  is  in  his  library,  and  compares  it  with  the 
slip,  making  such  additions,  corrections,  and 
notes  as  he  thinks  fit,  and  then  returns  it  to  the 
commission.  After  all  the  slips  are  returned, 
the  commission  compares  them  and  decides 
upon  the  final  form  that  the  entry  shall  take. 
It  is  then  reprinted  and  a  copy  sent  to  each 
library  owning  a  copy  of  the  work.  After  all 
the  bibliographies  and  catalogs  have  been  col- 
lated for  entries,  the  librarians  are  expected  to 
send  to  the  commission  the  titles  of  all  works 
for  which  they  have  not  already  received  slips, 
thus  covering  the  whole  field. 

The  principal  advantage  of  this  scheme,  aside 
from  its  thoroughness,  it  seems  to  me,  lies  in  the 
fact  that  each  title  is  to  be  printed  on  a  separate 
slip  or  card,  which  permits  of  its  being  inserted 
in  its  proper  alphabetical  order,  when  received 
by  each  library,  no  matter  how  long  after  the 


beginning  of  the  work  it  may  have  been  printed, 
thus  avoiding  all  secondary  alphabets  and  sup- 
plements. A  careful  perusal  of  the  article  can- 
not but  prove  of  interest  to  all  who  are  inter- 
ested in  the  progress  of  bibliography. 

The  second  article  is  a  paper,  by  Henry  B. 
Wheatley,  read  before  the  Bibliographical  Soci- 
ety of  London,  Dec.  19,  1892,  and  entitled  "  The 
present  condition  of  English  bibliography,  and 
suggestions  for  the  future."  The  paper  is  of 
considerable  length,  but  only  that  part  dealing 
with  the  latter  half  of  the  title  need  engage  our 
attention. 

Mr.  Wheatley  proposes  that  the  Bibliographi- 
cal Society  shall  undertake  the  compilation  of 
a  "  Bibliography  of  English  literature."  He 
favors  the  system  used  by  Watt  and  Allibone 
rather  than  that  of  Lowndes,  and  would  make  of 
it  a  bibliography  of  authors.  He  gives,  with 
considerable  minuteness,  his  idea  as  to  what  it 
should  contain  and  the  order  in  which  it  should 
be  arranged. 

This  is  a  scheme  in  which  we  necessarily  take 
more  interest  than  in  that  already  described, 
because  of  the  American  side  which  it  presents. 
Mr.  Wheatley  well  says  that  no  bibliography 
of  English  literature  would  be  complete  unless 
it  contained  the  names  of  America's  greatest 
authors.  Since  the  international  copyright  laws 
have  gone  into  effect,  and  books  are  published 
simultaneously  in  this  country  and  England,  it 
will  be  harder  than  ever,  as  time  goes  by,  to 
draw  strict  lines  between  English  and  American 
literature,  especially  for  bibliographical  pur- 
poses. 

Whatever  Mr.  Wheatley  has  to  say  upon  any 
bibliographical  subject  always  commands  at- 
tention and  respect,  even  if  we  cannot  always 
agree  with  his  conclusions.  It  is  surely  gratify- 
ing to  learn  that  there  is  a  general  awakening 
of  interest  in  the  subject,  not  only  here  but 
abroad,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  this  interest 
will  result  in  the  production  of  some  exemplary 
works  in  this  line. 


334 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\0ctobcr,  '94 


A  PROJECT  FOR  A  GENERAL  CATALOG 
OF  FRENCH  LIBRARIES.* 

THE  riches  contained  in  our  public  libraries 
are  inestimable  treasures  to  special  students, 
but  are  too  often  rendered  useless  to  them.  Not 
that  they  are  not  everywhere  placed  at  their 
disposal,  but  because  they  do  not  know  of  their 
existence,  and  find  it  generally  impossible  to 
discover  them. 

To  know  what  a  library  contains  it  is  neces- 
sary to  consult  its  catalogs,  or,  in  delault  of 
them,  to  search  the  shelves  —  a  task  which  it  is 
sometimes  impossible  to  undertake,  and  which  in 
all  cases  requires  considerable  time.  It  must  be 
admitted,  however,  that  the  student  learns  to 
know,  more  or  less  easily,  what  ail  the  libraries 
of  the  city  in  which  he  lives  contain  upon  the 
subject  which  most  vitally  interests  him  ;  but 
this  is  by  no  means  sufficient.  The  rarest  books 
are  scattered  everywhere,  and  however  rich 
any  public  library  may  be  in  them,  it  will 
always  be  necessary  to  have  recourse  to  others, 
to  find  and  examine  a  rare  document,  an  original 
text,  a  pamphlet  printed  in  a  limited  edition,  or 
a  copy  of  a  work  almost  completely  destroyed 
before  its  publication.  How  is  one  to  know  in 
what  direction  to  conduct  his  search  ?  Some- 
times a  special  bibliography  may  place  him 
upon  the  track  of  it,  by  information  concerning 
a  copy  and  the  name  of  the  library  which  pos- 
sesses it  ;  but  this  will  be  the  exception.  No 
other  means  then  presents  itself  but  that  of  re- 
peated researches  in  library  after  library  until 
the  desired  book  is  met  with. 

It  is  useless  to  insist  upon  the  possibility  of 
the  isolated  student  carrying  to  a  successful  ter- 
mination such  an  enterprise.  It  is  not  a  practi- 
cable thing  to  consult  all  the  catalogs  ;  for  it  is 
only  at  the  Bibliotheque  Nationale  that  one  is 
able  to  find  nearly  a  complete  collection  of  those 
that  have  been  printed,  as  well  as  copies  of  some 
which  yet  remain  in  manuscript.  For  the  larger 
number  of  libraries  it  will  be  necessary  to  go 
from  city  to  city  and  often  to  supplement  the  in- 
sufficient information  contained  in  their  catalogs 
by  researches  among  the  shelves.  Yet  how  much 
time  and  expense  does  this  involve,  sometimes 
with  absolute  loss,  and  always  with  a  certainty  of 
a  task  incompletely  performed.  Let  one  rum- 
mage every  public  library  but  one,  and  it  is  per- 
haps in  that  one  that  the  volume  in  which  he  has 
the  greatest  interest  lies  hidden. 

Does  any  one  know  how  many  cities,  in  France 
alone,  have  public  libraries?  To  give  an  idea, 
here  is  a  list  of  those  whose  names  begin  with 
the  letter  A,  in  which  we  know  there  is  at  least 
one  :  Abbeville,  Agen,  Alre-sur-la-Lys,  Aix-en- 
Provence,  Aix-les-Bains,  Ajaccio,  Alais,  Albi, 
Alger,  Amiens,  Angers,  Angouleme,  Annecy, 
Annonay,  Apt,  Arbois,  Arcis-sur-Aube,  Argen- 
tan,  Aries,  Armentieres,  Arnay-le-Duc,  Arras, 
Aubenas,  Audi,  Aurillac,  Autun,  Auxerre,  Aux- 
onne,  Avallon,  Avesnes,  Avignon,  Avranches  ; 
and  these  are  only  the  municipal  libraries.  It 
is  necessary  to  add  to  these  college  libraries, 

*  A  translation  of  an  article  in  the  Revue  Bleue  for 
Aug.  4, 1894,  over  the  initials  "  P.  R." 


professional  libraries,  ecclesiastical  libraries,  and 
the  libraries  of  the  different  congregations, 
seminaries,  learned  societies,  etc.  No  reason 
presents  itself  for  throwing  out  in  advance  such 
and  such  a  one  as  possessing  nothing  upon  a 
given  subject  ;  they  all  have  volumes  derived 
from  different  funds,  of  whose  composition  no 
one  is  able  to  judge  in  advance.  The  old  mo- 
nastic libraries  were  scattered  everywhere,  and 
the  gifts  and  legacies  of  private  individuals 
causes  works  on  all  subjects  to  be  unexpectedly 
added  to  every  public  library,  even  where  one 
could  not  naturally  expect  to  find  them. 

The  great  effort  which  has  been  made  since 
1825  or  1830  to  catalog  our  public  libraries  has 
certainly  not  been  entirely  lost ;  but  it  is,  never- 
theless, far  from  satisfactory.  The  local  cata- 
logs are  of  inestimable  utility  to  the  readers 
frequenting  each  library,  but  there  ought  to  be 
an  effort  put  forth  to  combine  them  all  into  an 
immense  general  alphabetical  index  or  catalog. 

Such  a  general  catalog  has  been  for  a  very 
long  time  the  desideratum  of  bibliophiles  and 
specialists  ;  very  few  of  them,  however,  have 
considered  it  otherwise  than  as  a  work  incapable 
of  being  realized,  both  by  reason  of  the  expense 
that  it  would  involve  and  the  impossibility  of 
conducting  to  its  completion  a  gigantic  enterprise 
necessitating  a  thorough  understanding  and  ab- 
solute unity  of  action  on  the  part  of  the  govern- 
ments of  all  enlightened  countries.  And  what 
proportion  is  this  catalog  likely  to  assume  if  it 
should  be  brought  out  in  printed  form  ?  How 
many  folio  volumes  would  fall  into  line  before 
even  the  first  division  could  be  finished  ?  The 
catalog  of  the  Bibliotheque  Nationale,  some 
parts  of  which  have  already  been  printed,  con- 
tains, for  the  history  of  France  alone,  n  vol- 
umes in  large  quarto,  of  about  800  double- 
column  pages  each.  One  is  able  to  judge  by  its 
extent  what  would  be  that  of  the  general  catalog, 
especially  if  we  add,  at  the  end  of  each  entry,  an 
indication  of  all  the  libraries  that  possess  the 
volume  mentioned.  And  with  how  many  supple- 
ments will  it  not  be  necessary  to  increase  it  each 
year,  in  order  to  keep  up  with  the  current  of  all 
that  is  daily  being  printed  in  every  tongue  ?  So 
that,  in  some  small  libraries,  the  single  copy  of 
this  catalog  would  end  in  becoming  of  more  im- 
portance than  their  other  books,  and  the  expense 
of  binding  it  would  absorb  each  year  a  consider- 
able portion  of  their  revenues. 

The  general  catalog,  thus  conceived,  will  be- 
sides replace  the  local  catalogs,  a  great  majority 
of  libraries  having  only  to  indicate  the  volumes 
that  they  own. 

These  seemingly  insurmountable  obstacles, 
and  the  expense  of  printing,  which  would  be 
considerable,  if  every  library  should  take  a  copy, 
will  hinder  the  carrying  out  of  the  project  in  its 
entirety. 

However,  this  general  catalog  is  perhaps  upon 
the  point  of  being  undertaken  under  conditions 
which  will  render  its  execution  possible.  M. 
Vander  |Haeghen,  the  learned  consetvateur-en- 
chef  of  the  library  of  the  University  of  Gand,  has 
conceived  a  project  which  he  has  communicated 
to  the  Royal  Academy  of  Sciences,  Letters,  and 
Fine  Arts  of  Belgium,  of  which  he  is  a  member. 


October ;  '94] 


335 


The  Belgium  government,  immediately  upon 
its  presentation,  named  a  special  commission 
charged  with  making  an  examination  into  its 
details,  before  submitting  it  to  an  international 
congress. 

The  plan  is  as  follows:  an  international  com- 
mission, sitting  in  a  neutral  country,  will  be 
authorized  to  print  for  each  known  volume  a 
little  slip  (not  unlike  our  card-catalog  slips),  con- 
taining the  title  of  the  work,  the  name  of  the 
author,  editor,  printer,  date,  and  place  of  pub- 
lication, and,  in  case  of  need,  some  bibliograph- 
ical notes.  They  will  proceed  at  first  to  collate 
the  principal  bibliographical  works  and  printed 
catalogs,  where  information  concerning  each 
volume  can  be  found.  A  proof  of  each  slip  will 
then  be  sent  to  all  the  public  libraries,  the  libra- 
rians having  only  to  search  and  see  if  their  libra- 
ries contain  copies  of  the  work  mentioned  and 
to  return  the  proofs  with  their  corrections  and 
observations.  The  proofs  having  all  been  re- 
turned, the  commission  will  make  such  modifica- 
tions, indicated  by  its  correspondents,  as  it  shall 
judge  desirable  before  proceeding  to  the  final 
printing.  They  will  then  print  as  many  copies 
as  may  be  necessary  to  send  to  all  the  public 
libraries,  which,  possessing  the  works  so  cata- 
loged, will  form  of  these  slips  their  local  cata- 
logs, and,  further,  a  copy  for  each  of  the  large 
libraries  in  which,  besides  the  local  catalog,  it 
shall  be  decided  to  preserve  a  copy  of  the  general 
catalog  —  that  is  to  say,  the  whole  of  the  printed 
slips.  To  these  last  will  be  added  the  names  of 
the  libraries  owning  the  work. 

When  the  commission  shall  have  exhausted  all 
the  means  which  are  at  their  disposal  to  discover 
subject-matter  for  these  slips,  the  librarians  will 
describe  those  volumes  in  their  libraries  for 
which  they  have  not  received  slips,  and  this 
will  complete  the  catalog. 

The  slips  will  have  the  great  advantage  of 
being  capable  of  classification,  as  they  are  re- 
ceived in  each  library  in  accordance  with  the 
system  which  is  there  adopted.  Classifications 
vary  infinitely;  they  may  be  alphabetical,  by  the 
names  of  authors,  chronological  by  date,  place 
of  printing,  editor,  printer,  or  by  order  of  sub- 
jects; in  the  order  of  subjects  a  variety  of  systems 
may  be  adopted.  Mr.  J.  Taylor  Kay  said,  some 
months  since,  in  the  Nineteenth  Century,  that 
he  had  under  his  eyes  nearly  200  different  sys- 
tems, from  that  which  was  adopted  by  Aldus 
Manutius,  in  1498,  to  those  which  are  in  fre- 
quent use  to-day.  The  classification  of  Aldus 
Manutius  was  very  simple;  it  divided  into  five 
categories  the  15  works  that  he  announced;  the 
first  true  system  was  that  of  Conrad  Gesner, 
published  in  1548,  and  contains  2r  divisions.  The 
systems  adopted  to-day  are  more  complicated; 
that  of  Brunet  contains  five  main  classes  and  41 
divisions,  that  of  the  Bibliotheque  Nationale 
contains  five  classes  and  31  divisions,  each  divi- 
sion of  which  contains  numerous  sub-divisions. 
In  some  libraries  it  will  be  possible  to  keep  up 
a  double  arrangement  of  the  slips,  one  of  which, 
for  example,  will  be  classed  by  subjects  and  the 
other  in  alphabetical  order. 

The  advantages  of  the  proposed  system  are 


obvious;  small  libraries,  which  the  general  cata- 
log would  embarrass,  will  find  themselves  pos- 
sessing a  local  catalog,  well  made,  and  which 
will  cost  them  almost  nothing  except  the  return 
postage  upon  the  proofs.  Dare  we  suggest  that 
the  governments  engaged  in  this  enterprise 
should  permit  them  to  be  sent  postage  free  ? 
Some  large  libraries  alone  will  possess  the  gen- 
eral catalog.  Students  will  never  be  put  to 
much  inconvenience  to  consult  it,  and  will  always 
be  sure  of  not  throwing  away  their  labors. 
There  will  be  no  supplement,  each  new  slip  being 
always  ready  to  take  its  true  place  in  the  arrange- 
ment, whatever  the  date  of  the  issue.  Finally, 
the  expense  will  not  be  so  large  as  to  be  a  serious 
obstacle  to  the  enterprise. 

The  international  commission  once  remuner- 
ated, there  will  remain  the  expense  of  postage  to 
provide  for  (which  may  be  reduced  or  entirely 
abolished,  as  we  have  indicated  above)  and  the 
expense  of  printing.  This  last  expense  will  be 
relatively  limited  ;  there  will  be,  it  is  true,  a 
considerable  number  to  print  of  each  slip,  but  in 
proofs  only;  the  final  printing  will  be  but  little 
more.  Let  us  suppose,  for  example,  that  a  cer- 
tain work  is  preserved  in  10  French  public  li- 
braries and  that  20  libraries  are  to  be  supplied 
with  the  general  catalog,  it  will  only  be  neces- 
sary for  France  to  have  30  copies;  if  the  com- 
mission represents  20  governments,  and  for  each 
30  copies  will  be  sufficient,  we  shall  have  an 
edition  of  600  copies;  the  commission  will  be 
able  in  addition  to  preserve  some  extra  copies 
for  libraries  which  shall  eventually  enrich  them- 
selves with  the  volumes  already  cataloged. 

The  means  for  carrying  on  this  work  can  be 
easily  raised  without  the  participating  govern- 
ments being  obliged  to  make  each  year  any  ap- 
preciable sacrifice;  it  will  evidently  be  very  much 
less  than  the  amount  annually  expended  in  prep- 
aration of  local  catalogs. 

They  will  be  able,  also,  to  authorize  the  mem- 
bers of  the  commission  to  act  as  agents  for  the 
exchange  of  duplicates  between  libraries,  and  in 
this  way  create  a  bureau  of  international  ex- 
changes. 

The  labor  thus  contemplated  will  necessarily 
take  many  years;  and  in  order  to  be  able  to 
complete  the  series  most  quickly  it  will  be  neces- 
sary to  proceed  by  epochs.  The  commission 
will  catalog  at  first  only  works  of  the  isth  and 
i6th  centuries,  and  pass  on  afterwards  to  those 
of  the  I7th,  i8th,  igth,  and,  perhaps,  at  last  to 
those  of  the  2oth  century. 

Moreover,  it  was  not  without  having  had  a 
long  experience  in  this  method  of  cataloging 
that  M.  Vander  Haeghen  has  decided  to  present 
his  project  to  the  Belgium  Academy,  and  the 
excellent  results  that  he  has  obtained  for  a  long 
time  has  caused  the  Belgium  government  to 
adopt  his  plan.  M.  Vander  Haeghen,  after  hav- 
ing published  learned  works  of  bibliography, 
among  which  the  Bibliographic  Gantoise  holds 
the  first  rank,  has  undertaken  to  give,  under  the 
name  of  the  Bibliotheca  Belgica,  a  bibliography 
of  all  works  written  by  the  native  authors  of  the 
Netherlands,  and  of  all  those  who  are  related  to 
those  regions,  or  whose  works  have  been  printed 


336 


tHE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\0ctobtr,  '94 


there.  This  colossal  enterprise  has  now  been 
in  progress  for  about  15  years,  and  each  year 
M.  Vander  Haeghen  publishes  a  considerable 
number  of  little  slips,  each  related  to  a  different 
volume  and  supplementing  the  lists  of  all  the 
libraries  of  Holland  and  Belgium  as  well  as 
those  of  the  principal  libraries  of  other  countries 
which  own  a  copy  of  his  work.  He  has  thus 
himself,  and  on  his  own  account,  recognized  all 
the  advantages  of  the  system  that  he  proposes 
to-day  to  generalize.  M.  Vander  Haeghen,  it 
goes  without  saying,  accompanies  the  title  and 
description  of  each  work  with  learned  notes 
upon  their  contents  and  bibliographical  notices  of 
their  authors;  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the 
slips  of  the  general  catalog  will  be  as  complete 
as  his  own  in  this  respect. 

Whatever  be  the  fate  reserved  for  the  general 
catalog,  we  doubt  not  that  it  will  find  warm 
friends  in  great  numbers;  if  all  those  who  hope 
to  profit  by  it  wish,  after  having  studied  the 
scheme,  to  give  him  their  moral  support,  every 
chance  of  its  success  will  be  increased. 


THE  PRESENT  CONDITION  OF  ENGLISH 

BIBLIOGRAPHY,  AND  SUGGESTIONS 

FOR  THE  FUTURE.* 

Henry  B.  Wheatley,  F.S.A,^  in  address  to  the  Biblio- 
graphical Society, 

.  .  .  THE  point  which  I  wish  more  particu- 
larly to  emphasize  is  a  recognition  of  the  possi- 
bility of  the  Bibliographical  Society  accomplish- 
ing the  task  of  producing  the  much-desired 
bibliography  of  English  literature.  It  is  quite 
unnecessary  for  me  to  dilate  upon  the  need  of 
such  a  book.  I  am  sure  that  all  those  I  am  ad- 
dressing are  as  impressed  with  its  value  and  im- 
portance as  I  am.  At  the  same  time  I  cannot 
hide  from  myself  the  fact  that  the  majority  are 
sceptical  as  to  the  possibility  of  carrying  out 
such  a  vast  work  with  success.  I  shall  there- 
fore ask  you  to  follow  me  in  the  consideration 
of  a  plan  by  which  the  work  could  be  produced, 
and  also,  I  believe,  completed. 

The  first  thing  to  consider  is :  What  is  want- 
ed? We  have  three  general  bibliographies,  the 
first  two  devoted  to  English  literature:  Lown- 
des*  "  Bibliographer's  manual,"  a  most  useful 
and  laborious  work,  but  one  compiled  on  a  plan 
more  acceptable  to  the  bookbuyer  than  to  the 
literary  man;  then  there  is  Allibone's  "  Diction- 
ary," with  its  recently  completed  supplement,  a 
work  of  great  labor  and  much  interest,  but  open 
to  the  exactly  opposite  objection,  that  it  is  more 
literary  than  bibliographical.  The  third  work, 
Watt's  "  Bibliotheca  Britannica,"  was  planned 
on  so  vast  a  scheme  that  it  could  scarcely  escape 
being  inaccurate.  This  deals  with  universal 
literature,  but  English  literature  is  fully  repre- 
sented in  it.  These  three  works  will  be  of  great 


*  Portion  of  a  paper  read  before  the  Bibliographical 
Society,  London,  Dec.  19,  1892.  Extracted  from  the 
"  Transactions  of  the  Bibliographical  Society,  sessions 
1892  -  93." 


use  to  the  compilers  of  the  new  bibliography,  to 
save  them  from  missing  titles,  but  nothing  can 
be  taken  from  any  of  them  without  careful  re- 
vision. 

Our  president,  Mr.  Copinger,  has  referred  you 
in  his  inaugural  address  to  the  work  which  was 
undertaken  by  the  Library  Association,  and  I 
need  not  do  more  than  generally  allude  to  the 
same  subject.  At  the  conference  of  librarians 
(1877),  the  late  Mr.  Cornelius  Walford  read  a 
paper  on  "  A  new  catalog  of  English  litera- 
ture," and  at  the  first  annual  meeting  of  the  Li- 
brary Association  in  the  following  year,  he  read 
another  paper,  entitled  "Some  practical  points 
in  the  preparation  of  a  general  catalog  of  English 
literature."  A  committee  was  appointed,  and 
much  discussion  took  place  over  the  difficulties 
that  might  arise,  and  much  difference  of  opinion 
was  elicited,  but  no  work  was  done.  It  was  pro- 
posed to  print  a  specimen  letter,  but,  I  believe,  one 
great  obstacle  to  the  carrying  out  of  this  proposal 
was  the  difficulty  in  obtaining  the  American  and 
colonial  titles  that  were  required.  These  papers 
of  Mr.  Walford  and  the  reports  of  the  committee 
will  be  of  value  to  the  compilers  of  the  work  now 
underconsideration,  but  I, venture  to  suggest  that 
we  should  not  discuss  overmuch  points  that  may 
arise  before  we  set  to  wor.k.  We  shall  have  to 
decide  upon  the  main  principles,  but  I  submit  that 
we  shall  do  well  to  leave  many  details  to  be 
settled  as  the  points  arise.  It  is  not  wise  to  seek 
out  difficulties,  and  my  experience  is  that  often 
much  discussion  takes  place  respecting  difficul- 
ties that  never  arise,  and  those  that  do  arise  are 
often  found  to  have  been  overlooked. 

The  chief  point  to  be  settled  is  what  English 
literature  really  is.  Does  it  include  master- 
pieces produced  in  other  countries  than  England 
where  the  English  language  is  spoken  ?  The 
Library  Association  decided  that  their  bibliog- 
raphy should  include  all  books  printed  in  English 
either  in  the  United  Kingdom  or  abroad.  This,  I 
think,  is  too  wide  a  rule.  A  bibliography  of 
English  literature,  which  did  not  contain  the 
names  of  Longfellow  and  Lowell,  Fenimore 
Cooper  and  Mrs.  Stowe,  would  be  but  an  in- 
complete work,  but  the  works  of  authors  whose 
fame  has  not  penetrated  to  those  islands,  might, 
I  think,  be  omitted  to  advantage.  The  difficulty 
might  be  got  over  by  the  inclusion  of  authors 
whose  books  have  been  thought  worthy  of  re- 
production in  England.  In  the  case  of  these 
authors  the  editions  published  in  their  native 
land  must  be  included  as  well  as  the  reprints. 
One  point  in  favor  of  this  inclusion  is  that  under 
present  publishing  conditions  many  books  are 
issued  as  English  which  are  really  only  repro- 
ductions of  American  ones.  These  would  nat- 
urally come  into  the  bibliography,  and  in  order 
to  make  the  record  complete  it  would  be  neces- 
sary to  include  the  original  editions. 

This  is  a  point  which  will  have  to  be  exhaus- 
tively discussed,  and,  therefore,  I  shall  say  no 
more  than  this  —  that  if  American  titles  are  in- 
cluded in  the  bibliography,  we  shall  have  to  in- 
voke American  aid  —  and  lam  sure  we  shall  not 
invoke  it  in  vain. 


October •,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


337 


Another  point  for  consideration  is  the  inser- 
tion of  translations  of  foreign  works.  These 
would  come  in  under  the  translator's  name  rath- 
er than  under  that  of  the  original  author,  thus: 
Pope's  "  Homer  "  will  come  under  P.  Dryden's 
"Virgil"  under  D,  and  Florio's  and  Cotton's 
"  Translations  of  Montaigne  "  under  Florio  and 
Cotton  respectively,  for  it  cannot  be  considered 
as  satisfactory  in  a  bibliography  of  English  au- 
thors to  have  entries  devoted  to  Homer,  Virgil, 
and  Montaigne.  We  can,  however,  have  an 
index  of  foreign  authors. 

I  hold  very  strongly  that  we  should  in  the  first 
place  follow  the  system  of  Watt  and  Allibone 
rather  than  that  of  Lowndes,  and  make  our  bib- 
liography  of  English  literature  a  bibliography 
of  authors.  When  this  is  completed  we  can 
proceed  to  a  second  part,  which  will  consist  of 
an  index  of  subjects,  and  in  this  index  can  be  in- 
cluded the  anonymous  books  as  is  the  |case  in 
the  second  division  of  Watt's  "  Bibliothea."  It 
is  not  necessary  now  to  enter  into  the  question 
as  to  how  this  index  should  be  prepared,  and  I 
shall  confine  my  attention  on  the  present  occa- 
sion to  the  compilation  of  the  bibliography  of 
authors. 

The  works  of  each  author  must  be  arranged 
upon  one  uniform  plan,  and  this  I  submit 
should  be  as  follows: 

(1)  All  collected  editions  of  the  author's  works 
arranged  chronologically,  with  abstracts  of 
the  contents  of  each.     In  some  cases,  such 
as  Sir  Walter  Scott's  works,  the  contents  of 
all  the  editions  might  be  arranged  in  the 
form  of  a  table.     I   think  that  the  uniform 
adoption  of  the  rule  of  giving  the  contents 
of  works  in  several  volumes  is  of  paramount 
importance. 

(2)  All  the  separately  published  works  should 
then  be  arranged  chronologically,    in   the 
order  of  original  publication,  and  the  vari- 
ous editions  arranged  chronologically  under 
each  work.     In  the  case  of  very  voluminous 
authors  it  may  be  well  to  add  short  alpha- 
betical and  classified  tables  referring  to  the 
separate  books.     The  titles  of  scarce,  rare, 
and  all  illustrated  books  should  be  followed 
by  collations,  and  the  names  of  the  libra- 
ries in  which  they  are  to  be  found  should 
be  added.     All  anonymous  works  known  to 
be  by  a  certain  author  should  be  brought 
under  the  name  of  that  author,  and  arranged 
in  the  general  chronological  order.      The 
fact  that  they  are  anonymous  must,  how- 
ever, be  noted.     In  those  cases  where  the 
point  is  doubtful,  it  should  be  noted  that 
the  book  has  been  attributed  to  the  author. 

(3)  One  feature  I  would  add,  which,  as  far  as 
I  know,  has  not  been  proposed  before,  and 
that  is  a  notice  of  all  manuscript  works  of 
an  author  that  are  known  to  exist  in  any 
public  collection.     There  are,  in  most  col- 
lections of  manuscripts,  books  as  complete, 
and    as    systematically  arranged,    as    any 
printed  book,  some  of  which  have  never 
been  printed,  and  without  a  notice  of  these 
our  bibliography  of  authors  would  be  in- 
complete. 


(4)  Where  possible,  a  list   of  each  author's 
contributions  to  periodicals  should  be  given, 
but  these  should  be  kept  distinct  from  the 
complete  works. 

(5)  Reference  should  be   made  to  books  and 
articles  written  in  answer,  or  in  reference 
to,  the  works  of  each  author. 

(6)  The   notes   included   in   the    bibliography 
should  give  full  information  respecting  the 
literary   history   and   bibliography  of  the 
books  registered,  with  hints  as  to  the  best 
editions,  and  reasons  why  they  are  so,  but 
literary  criticisms  and  appreciations  should 
not  be  admitted.     The  bibliography  to  be 
produqed  should  be  a  work  so  accurate,  and 
so  full,  that  the  information  required  may, 
to  a  great  extent,  be  obtained  from  it,  with- 
out need  of  reference  to  the  books  them- 
selves. 

(7)  The  fdate  of  birth  and  death  of  each  au- 
thor should  be  given  at  the  beginning  of 
each  'entry,  and  references  to  biographies 
at  the  end. 

Such  is  a  rough  outline  of  my  idea  of  what  a 
bibliography  of  English  literature  should  be, 
and  now  arises  the  truly  important  question, 
How  can  this  work  be  practically  carried  out  ? 
At  the  conference  of  librarians  in  1877,  I  al- 
luded in  the  discussion  on  Mr.  Walford's  paper 
on  a  general  catalogue,  and  Mr.  Ashton  Cross's 
on  a  universal  index  of  subjects,  to  the  adapta- 
bility of  the  system  adopted  by  the  Philological 
Society  in  collecting  materials  for  the  great 
English  dictionary  to  the  purposes  of  bibliog- 
raphy, and  the  more  I  have  thought  over  this 
the  more  I  am  convinced  that  the  adoption  of 
that  plan  will  make  the  compilation  of  our  bibli- 
ography of  English  literature  easy. 

If  you  choose  out  a  certain  number  of  compe- 
tent bibliographers  who  will  undertake  to  sub- 
edit the  various  letters  of  the  alphabet,  I  think 
you  will  find  that  the  great  work  may  be  got 
into  working  order  within  a  quite  reasonable 
period,  and  at  a  comparatively  small  expense. 
A  couple  of  copies  of  the  chief  bibliographies 
of  Watt,  Lowndes,  Darling,  Hazlitt,  and  of  the 
British  Museum  catalog  of  books  printed  before 
1640,  must  be  cut  up,  and  each  sub-editor  given 
his  portion  for  reference  and  consultation. 
Such  catalogs  as  those  of  the  British  Museum, 
the  Advocates'  Library,  Edinburgh,  and  of  the 
grand  libraries  of  Mr.  Huth,  the  Duke  of  Dev- 
onshire, etc.,  must  also  be  supplied  to  the  sub- 
editors. As  letters  are  of  very  unequal  length, 
sub-editors  of  the  smaller  letters  would  probably 
be  willing  to  take  more  than  one  letter.  One 
sub-editor  should  be  appointed  to  take  charge 
of  the  anonymous  books.  He  could_distribute 
to  his  colleagues  duplicates  of  titles  of  books 
whose  authors  are  discovered,  and  his  constant 
companion  would  be  Halkettand  Laing's  "Dic- 
tionary of  the  anonymous  and  pseudonymous 
literature  of  Great  Britain."  Another  sub-editor 
should  undertake  the  collection  of  information 
relating  to  manuscripts,  and  still  another  should 
be  responsible  for  American  and  possibly  Aus- 
tralian titles,  although  the  latter  would  not  be 
numerous, 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[October,  '94 


The  sub-editors  would,  I  think,  naturally  form 
the  standing  committee  for  this  department,  and 
they  could  consult  as  to  the  difficulties  that  will 
arise,  and  settle  them  among  themselves,  subject 
to  revision  by  the  council. 

All  interested  in  furthering  the  work  should 
be  asked  to  send  in  titles  of  out-of-the-way 
works  taken  directly  from  the  books  themselves 
and  on  uniform  slips  supplied  by  the  society. 
In  spite  of  this  assistance  the  sub-editors  should, 
as  far  as  possible,  see  the  books  so  as  to  verify 
the  descriptions. 

The  sub-editors  would  soon  be  in  a  position 
to  report  their  wants,  and  these  wants  could  be 
advertised  in  the  publications  of  the  society. 
The  materials  ready  to  our  hands  are  so  numer- 
ous that  I  see  no  difficulty,  if  an  efficient  staff  is 
got  together,  in  having  the  work  in  tolerable 
condition  within  10  years.  One  great  advan- 
tage of  appointing  sub-editors  is  that  you  will 
have  a  number  of  gentlemen  employed  on  the 
work  who  will  influence  a  large  circle  and  keep 
the  interest  in  the  work  alive.  Such  a  work 
as  this  must  constantly  be  kept  before  the 
public,  and  interest  in  it  must  never  be  allowed 
to  die. 

We  now  come  to  consider  the  question  of 
publication.  I  do  not  believe  that  when  the 
society  is  able  to  report  that  the  "  Bibliography 
of  English  authors  "  is  ready  for  the  press  there 
will  be  any  difficulty  in  obtaining  funds  for  its 
publication.  This  was  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Cor- 
nelius Walford  when  he  brought  forward  the 
subject,  and  I  think  it  will  be  the  opinion  of  any 
one  who  considers  the  whole  question  with  care; 
but  this  work  must  be  creditable,  and  a  system 
of  preliminary  publication  would  be  advisable. 
This  would  have  the  further  advantage  of  re- 
viving ?the  interest  of  the  members  of  the 
Bibliographical  Society,  which  might  otherwise 
have  cooled. 

I  propose  that  the  council  choose  out  a  series 
of  our  great  authors  and  print  the  bibliographies 
of  these,  each  separately.  The  members  might 
be  asked  to  criticise  these,  and  to  supplv  addi- 
tions, and  by  this  means  perfection  will  the 
nearer  be  approached.  Moulds  or  stereotype 
plates  could  be  prepared,  which  would  be  useful 
for  the  General  Bibliography.  Besides  this, 
other  systems  of  preliminary  publication  might 
be  adopted.  Why  should  we  not  have  a  bibli- 
ography of  the  poets;  a  bibliography  of  the 
novelists  ?  These  books  would  be  popular,  and 
might  well  be  made  to  bring  in  an  income  to  the 
society.  The  several  articles,  if  stereotyped, 
could  be  used  subsequently  in  the  general  bibli- 
ography. 

When  the  work  is  in  a  sufficiently  forward 
state  for  a  consideration  of  the  means  of  publi- 
cation, a  general  editor  will  have  to  be  ap- 
pointed, and  probably  by  that  time  a  proper  per- 
son will  have  been  produced  by  the  law  of  nat- 
ural selection. 

I  have  sketched  out  a  large  scheme,  and  I 
have  no  doubt  that  some  of  my  details  will  be 
disputed  and  some  of  my  suggestions  repudi- 
ated, but  I  am  sanguine  enough  to  feel  sure  that 
I  have  carried  my  audience  with  me  in  the  gen- 
eral  principle. 


THE  ORRINGTON  LUNT  LIBRARY. 

ORRINGTON  LUNT  is  the  honored  president  of 
the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Northwestern  Uni- 
versity, Evanston,  111.  He  was  one  of  its  found- 
ers, and  he  has  been  called  the  "discoverer  of 
Evanston."  He  has  always  manifested  a  special 
interest  in  the  library  of  the  university.  As  far 
back  as  1865  he  gave  lands  to  the  university  as  an 
endowment  for  a  library;  as  this  fund  becomes 
productive,  it  promises  to  give  the  library  a  large 
and  permanent  growth.  In  July,  1891,  Mr.  Lunt 
gave  $50,000  toward  a  library  building  to  cost 
$100,000.  Others  added  smaller  gifts,  chief 
among  them  being  Mrs.  R.  M.  Hatfield,  who 
gave  $5000  in  memory  of  her  husband  ;  and  the 
university  drew  to  some  extent  from  its  own 
funds  to  complete  the  amount  required. 

The  Orrington  Lunt  Library  building  was  for- 
mally opened  Wednesday,  September  26,  1894. 
In  the  afternoon  at  4  o'clock  dedicatory  exercises 
were  held  in  the  building  itself,  the  assembly- 
room  being  nearly  filled  with  invited  guests. 
The  invocation  was  offered  by  the  Rev.  Franklin 
W.  Fisk,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  president  of  the  Chicago 
Theological  Seminary.  The  opening  address 
was  delivered  by  Orrington  Lunt  himself.  His 
words  were  most  fitting,  coming  from  one  who 
has  labored  so  long  and  so  well  for  North- 
western. He  said,  in  part  : 

"The  possession  and  use  of  a  library  have 
always  appeared  to  me  as  among  the  fun- 
damental conditions  of  intellectual  advancement, 
and  over  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago  I  laid  aside 
and  gave  to  this  institution  certain  property  as 
a  fund  for  the  endowment  of  one.  The  building 
seemed  then  a  long  way  off,  and  its  realization 
I  could  hardly  count  upon  seeing.  It  is  a  great 
happiness,  therefore,  to  me  to-day  to  look  about 
upon  this  completed  work,  and  to  believe  that 
here  for  many,  many  years  to  come,  the  best 
thoughts  of  men  will  be  found,  and  all  that  those 
of  us  passing  off  the  stage  desire  to  say  to  the 
youth  here  gathered  will  be  better  said  to  them 
through  the  books  whose  wide  influence  for  good 
can  never  be  measured. 

"  I  am  happy  to  believe  that  this  library  will 
effect  its  end  in  advancing  your  scholarship  as 
an  Institution  of  learning,  and  in  aiding  you  to 
defend  your  high  principles.  Study  cannot  in- 
flame passions  ;  it  must  calm  them.  There  must 
be  no  irritant  quality  in  the  pursuit  of  knowl- 
edge, and  whatever  is  attacked  or  defended  by 
the  written  word,  even  though  in  a  spirit  of  par- 
tisan bitterness,  must  be  relegated,  as  time  goes 
on,  to  its  own  place,  and  becomes  in  the  end  in- 
structive. What  is  personal,  small,  and  intoler- 
ant soon  dies,  and  only  what  is  rational  and 
noble,  in  the  hard  struggle  for  truth,  eventually 
survives  to  wield  its  power  unfettered  and  free. 

"  And,  I  may  now  speak  a  few  words  to  the 
young  men  and  young  women  who  are  to  gather 
here  to  gain  moral  and  intellectual  enthusiasm, 
that  they  may  go  forth  fired  with  lofty  human 
purpose  and  strengthened  for  noble  endeavor. 
I  would  earnestly  say  to  them  :  remember  that 
wherever  you  are,  your  chief  effectiveness  in 
life  will  be  due  to  the  high  ground  you  take; 
that  your  weight  in  advancing  any  cause  will  be 


READING-ROOM. 


ORRINGTON    LUNT   LIBRARY. 
Ground  plans  and  interior  of  reading-room. 


'94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


339 


red  exactly,  in  the  end,  by  your  standard 
acter.  If  leadership  ever  falls  to  you,  you 
deed  need  all  the  inspiration  you  can  re- 
here,  and  all  the  power  and  skill  that 
is  study  can  give.  It  is  indispensable,  if 
mid  really  serve  your  race,  that  you  should 
;d  with  inspiration  and  energized  with 
strength. 

id  now  to  the  galaxy  before  me,  to  you 

ow  constitute  our  hope  and  dependence  — 

ving  men  of  progress  and  lovers  of  learning 

president  and  professors  of  Northwestern 

ffer  my   reiterated  assurance  of  profound 

esteem  and  my  cordial    congratulations.     Here 

is  the  library.     It  is  yours,  with  its  class-rooms, 

its  lecture-rooms,   its  books,  its  magazines   and 

newspapers ;  yours,    with   its    inspirations  and 

supplies,  given   to   this   university   by  cheerful 

love  in  full  confidence  that  it  will  be  consecrated 

by  patient  industry   and   fruitful  research,  and 

that  the  gift  will  be  multiplied  by  centuries   of 

use  ;  that  it  will  enlighten  all  who  come  into  its 

studious  and  quiet  atmosphere,  and  more  firmly 

establish  that  which  you  are  all  aiming  to  teach 

and  embody." 

President  Henry  Wade  Rogers  responded  to 
Mr.  Lunt's  gracious  words,  expressing  to  him 
the  deep  sense  of  gratitude  felt  by  all  connected 
with  the  university,  in  view  not  only  of  this 
latest  benefaction,  but  also  for  the  kindly  words 
and  good  deeds  of  many  years  in  its  behalf.  He 
said  that  his  generous  action  made  it  possible 
for  the  university  to  enter  on  a  new  era  in  the 
history  of  its  development.  Mrs.  Emily  Hunt- 
ington  Miller  read  an  ode  prepared  by  her  for 
the  occasion.  President  Charles  Kendall  Adams, 
of  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  made  a  brief 
impromptu  address.  President  William  R. 
Harper,  of  the  University  of  Chicago:  President 
John  M.  Coulter,  of  Lake  Forest  University; 
President  Finley,  of  Knox  College;  F.  H.  Hild, 
librarian  of  the  Chicago  Public  Library,  and  his 
associates,  W.  B.  Wickersham,  and  the  Misses 
Young  and  Henneberry;  and  Miss  K.  L.  Sharp 
and  Miss  May  L.  Bennett,  of  Armour  Institute, 
were  also  present.  Some  words  from  Horace 
G.  Lunt,  son  of  the  chief  donor  of  the  building, 
closed  the  exercises,  after  which  the  entire  build- 
ing was  thrown  open  for  inspection. 

In  the  evening,  at  the  hour  for  the  address  by 
Justin  Winsor,  LL.D.,  librarian  of  Harvard  Uni- 
versity, the  large  First  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  was  filled.  The  choir  of  St.  James' 
Church,  Chicago,  sang  "  The  Lord  is  great  " 
and  the  "  Hallelujah  chorus."  Dr.  Winsor's 
address  was  apt,  and  worthy  of  the  scholarly  li- 
brarian, and  it  is  intended  to  publish  it  in  full, 
and  as  revised,  in  an  early  number  of  the 
LIBRARY  JOURNAL. 

The  Orrington  Lunt  Library  is  situated  in 
the  university  campus  at  Evanston.  It  faces 
Sheridan  Road  at  an  angle,  and  covers  a  space 
of  70  by  1 60  feet.  It  has  been  planned  so  that 
future  additions  may  be  made  without  sacrific- 
ing exterior  effect  or  interior  efficiency.  The 
outer  walls  are  of  buff  Bedford  limestone,  the 
roof  is  red  conosera  tile.  The  building  has 
been  constructed  on  the  slow-burning,  or  practi- 


cally fire-proof  system,  sometimes  called  mill 
construction. 

The  style  of  the  building  is  an  adaptation  of 
the  Italian  Renaissance;  its  outlines  are  simple, 
there  is  little  ornamentation,  but  the  whole  is 
harmonious  and  pleasing.  The  large  semicir- 
cular porch  is  supported  by  Ionic  columns;  on 
the  frieze,  in  raised  lettering,  is  the  inscription 
"  Orrington  Lunt  Library."  On  either  side  of 
the  entrance  are  cloak-rooms;  a  broad  oak  stair- 
case leads  to  the  second  floor  with  its  assembly- 
room  seating  480  persons,  its  art-rooms  and  its 
seminary-rooms.  The  third  story,  extending 
only  over  the  central  portion  of  the  building, 
contains  class  and  seminary  rooms.  The  base- 
ment, well-lighted  and  finished  in  every  respect, 
contains  toilet-rooms,  a  large  document-room, 
work-rooms,  and  other  rooms  not  yet  assigned 
to  special  uses. 

The  main  story  is  the  first,  devoted  entirely 
to  library  uses;  in  one  wing  is  the  reading-room, 
in  the  centre,  and  in  the  other  wing  is  the  book- 
room,  the  two  being  separated  by  the  delivery- 
desk  and  card-catalog  cases.  The  windows  are 
large  and  well  placed,  so  that  all  the  light  for 
reading  comes  from  above.  All  the  woodwork 
and  furnishings  of  this  floor  are  of  polished  red 
oak.  In  the  reading-room  are  seats  for  114  per- 
sons, the  solid  oak  chairs  and  tables  being  hand- 
some in  finish  and  convenient  in  form.  Under 
the  reading-room  windows  bookcases  are  placed; 
on  these  shelves  are  found  current  numbers  of 
periodicals,  sets  of  the  reviews  most  frequently 
consulted,  books  reserved  by  officers  of  instruc- 
tion, and  reference-books.  Card-catalog  cases, 
made  by  the  Library  Bureau,  stand  at  each  end 
of  the  delivery-desk,  each  case  containing  40 
drawers.  Each  drawer  has  the  patent  slide, 
which  supports  it  when  drawn  out,  and  prevents 
it  from  being  taken  out  on  the  reader's  side  of 
the  case;  but  the  draweis  pull  both  ways,  and 
may  be  entirely  withdrawn  on  the  librarian's 
side  of  the  case.  The  space  under  these  cases  is 
utilized  for  locked  cabinets  for  large  illustrated 
works,  etc.  The  delivery-desk  is  provided  with 
convenient  drawers.  Oak  bookcases,  of  such 
height  that  all  books  can  be  reached  from  the 
floor,  are  used  in  the  book-room.  A  private 
stairway  leads  from  the  book-room  to  the  base- 
ment. All  the  stories  are  connected  with  the 
book-room  by  a  book-lift  and  speaking-tube. 
The  convenience  of  this  arrangement  was  put  to 
a  practical  test  in  moving  the  library  into  the 
building.  In  a  central  extension  of  the  building, 
as  shown  on  the  ground  plan,  are  the  librarian's 
room  and  the  cataloging-room.  They  are  of 
ample  dimensions,  and  are  suitably  furnished 
with  desk,  tables,  cases,  and  a  series  of  locked 
cabinets,  with  plate-glass  doors.  The  entire 
first  floor  is  covered  with  Scotch  cork  carpet. 

Two  safety-vaults  are  provided.  The  heating 
is  by  steam  from  a  detached  station.  The  light- 
ing is  by  gas  and  electricity.  The  ventilating 
system  extends  throughout  the  building. 

The  wall  decoration  was  planned  and  the 
special  designs  executed  by  Miss  Ida  J.  Burgess, 
of  Chicago.  The  frieze  in  the  reading-rcom  and 
the  book-room  delights  the  bibliophile.  There 


340 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[October,  '94 


are  32  panels  in  this  frieze,  the  size  varying  ac- 
cording to  the  location.  There  is  unity,  but  not 
uniformity;  in  each  panel  is  a  shield  surrounded 
by  a  conventional  design,  and  on  the  shield  ap- 
pears some  famous  printer's  work,  in  such  colors 
as  harmonize  with  the  general  color  scheme. 
Here  you  may  look  up  any  day  and  see  Caxton's 
mark,  or  that  of  Aldus  Manutius,  or  of  the 
Elzevir  family,  and  so  on.  In  the  vestibule  four 
panels  symbolize,  in  characteristically  draped 
figures,  four  nations  which  have  influenced  mod- 
ern learning  —  Egypt,  the  Hebrews,  Greece,  and 
Rome.  The  assembly-room  has  a  light  con- 
ventional frieze. 

The  architect  was  William  A.  Otis,  of  Chica- 
go. The  building  is  believed,  both  in  beauty  of 
design  and  detail,  and  in  adaptation  to  its  pur- 
pose, to  do  honor  to  his  professional  taste  and 
skill. 

The  accompanying  illustrations  are  from  cuts 
in  the  American  Architect. 

In  August  the  university  library,  containing 
nearly  30,000  volumes,  and  more  than  half  that 
number  of  pamphlets,  was  moved  from  its  old 
quarters  in  the  third  story  of  University  Hall, 
perhaps  two  squares  away,  and  placed  in  the 
new  book-room,  according  to  a  prearranged  plan, 
without  confusion.  The  morning  after  the  dedi- 
cation the  library  was  opened  for  regular  work. 
LODILLA  AMBROSE. 


THE  LOS  ANGELES  LIBRARY  LIBEL 
SUIT. 

Miss  TESSA  L.  KELSO,  librarian  of  the  Los 
Angeles  (Cal.)  Public  Library,  has  recently  be- 
come a  party  to  a  law-suit  that  is  of  peculiar 
interest,  both  from  library  and  legal  standpoints. 
She  has  brought  suit  for  libel  against  the  Rev. 
J.  W.  Campbell,  pastor  of  the  First  M.  E. 
Church  of  Los  Angeles,  whom  she  charges  with 
slandering  her  character  to  a  damaging  extent 
of  $5000.  The  facts  of  the  matter,  according 
to  the  San  Francisco  Chronicle,  are  briefly  as 
follows: 

In  1892  the  book  committee  of  the  Los  An- 
geles Public  Library  purchased  a  number  of 
French  books,  in  the  original,  among  them  be- 
ing "  Le  cadet,"  by  Richepin.  Two  members 
of  the  committee,  who  understood  French,  ex- 
amined the  books  before  placing  them  on  the 
shelves,  but  the  improper  character  of  the  book 
in  question  escaped  their  observation,  and  it  was 
included  with  the  others  in  the  library. 

On  August  13  of  the  present  year  a  local  Los 
Angeles  daily  called  attention  to  the  nature  of 
the  book  and  attacked  the  library  trustees  for 
allowing  it  in  the  library.  On  the  following 
Sunday,  August  19,  Miss  Kelso  charges  in  her 
complaint  that  Rev.  J.  W.  Campbell  referred  to 
the  matter  in  a  sermon,  and  did  "publicly  pray 
for  this  plaintiff  in  prayer,  which  plaintiff  is  in- 
formed was  in  language  to  the  following  effect : 
'  O  Lord,  vouchsafe  thy  saving  grace  to  the  li- 
brarian of  the  Los  Angeles  City  Library  (there- 
by meaning  this  plaintiff),  and  cleanse  her  of  all 
sin  (thereby  meaning  she  was  a  sinful  and  im- 


moral woman),  and  make  her  a  woman  worthy 
of  her  office  '  (thereby  meaning  that  she  was  by 
reason  of  moral  delinquencies  unworthy  of  her 
office)." 

Miss  Kelso  goes  on  to  state  that  it  is  the  prac- 
tice in  the  Methodist  Church  when  any  of  its 
members  have  been  found  guilty  of  immoral 
conduct  for  the  pastor  of  the  church  in  question 
to  publicly  pray  in  his  church  for  such  back- 
sliding person,  and  whenever  any  person  is  so 
prayed  for  the  congregation  of  such  church 
understands  the  same  to  be  a  charge  made  by 
such  praying  person  against  the  moral  character 
of  the  person  prayed  for.  Miss  Kelso  states 
that  she  is  not  a  member  of  Rev.  Campbell's 
church,  nor  is  she  in  any  manner  affiliated  with 
the  Methodist  Church;  furthermore,  that  she  is 
not  a  French  scholar  and  is  not  empowered  to 
exercise  any  censorship  as  to  what  French  books 
shall  be  admitted  into  the  library,  and  that  the 
minister's  prayer  amounts  to  an  impeachment 
of  her  moral  character,  which  practically  dis- 
qualifies her  for  her  position. 

The  suit  has  caused  much  comment,  even  out- 
side of  local  circles,  for  Miss  Kelso  is  well 
known  in  the  library  world,  and  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Campbell  is  a  well-known  clergyman  of  a  select 
congregation.  He  said  that  he  was  notified  on 
Friday  before  the  sermon  was  delivered  that 
the  facts  in  the  case  attached  no  blame  to  Miss 
Kelso,  but  that  he  resolved  to  deliver  his  prayer 
just  the  same. 


A    LIST    OF   SWEDISH    BOOKS    FOR 
AMERICAN    LIBRARIES. 

THE  proposed  catalog  of  modern  Swedish 
books  of  value  to  American  libraries,  which  was 
announced  by  Mr.  A.  G.  S.  Josephson  in  the 
July  issue  of  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL,  is,  according 
to  the  New  York  Sun,  definitely  under  way.  The 
reason  there  given  for  the  compilation  of  the  list 
is  that,  "because  there  are  about  100,000  Swedes 
in  New  York  and  Brooklyn,  because  Chicago 
has  a  greater  Swedish  population  than  any  other 
city  save  Stockholm,  and  the  joint  cities  of  St. 
Paul  and  Minneapolis  have  nearly  as  many," 
it  is  important  that  libraries  having  a  large 
Swedish  population  provide  their  readers  with 
modern  Swedish  books.  At  present  there  are 
few  libraries  in  which  Scandinavian  books  can 
be  obtained.  "  The  Astor  has  but  a  few  hundred 
Swedish  books;  the  Lenox  has  only  such  as 
bear  upon  the  history  of  America,  and  other 
New  York  libraries  are  no  better  equipped.  The 
Chicago  Public  Library  has  about  4000  Swedish 
books,  and  there  are  perhaps  as  many  in  the 
public  library  of  Minneapolis,  while  some  other 
western  cities 'have  small  collections.  Few  or 
none  of  these  books,  however,  include  those  pro- 
duced under  the  latest  and  most  strenuous  in- 
fluence in  Swedish  literature.  The  great  bulk 
of  them  were  published  before  1860,  and  there 
have  been  two  periods  of  Swedish  literature 
since  then.  The  latter  and  more  striking  period 
of  modern  Swedish  literature  dates  from  about 
1880,  and  of  this  new  period  the  libraries  of  this 
country  contain  few  or  no  books." 


October,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


34* 


The  catalog  which  Mr.  Josephson  is  compiling 
will  cover  the  publications  of  this  later  period. 
It  will  comprise  about  500  titles;  rather  less  than 
75  authors  will  be  represented,  and  few  of  the 
books  have  been  printed  more  than  25  years. 
It  includes  works  by  nearly  a  score  of  novelists, 
most  of  them  of  the  modern  realistic  school, 
but  there  will  not  be  above  100  titles  in  the 
department  of  fiction.  Seven  poets  are  in- 
cluded in  the  list,  and  there  are  half  a  score  of 
essayists  and  critics,  a  dozen  historians,  and  a  few 
writers  of  travels,  and  of  works  upon  Sweden. 
These  works  as  a  whole  will,  it  is  thought,  fairly 
represent  French  influence  in  the  literature  of 
Sweden.  Few  of  the  works  have  been  translated 
into  English,  though  some  of  them  have  been 
published  in  German  and  in  French. 


THE  HASTON  LIBRARY,  NORTH  BROOK- 
FIELD,  MASS. 

THE  beautiful  building  given  to  the  Free 
Public  Library  of  Brookfield,  Mass.,  by  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Erasmus  Hasten,  of  that  town,  was  for- 
mally dedicated  on  the  afternoon  of  Thursday, 
September  20.  The  exercises  took  place  in  the 
town  hall  in  the  presence  of  a  large  audience, 
including  many  prominent  Worcester  and  Bos- 
ton citizens  and  officials  from  numerous  towns. 
They  began  at  1:30  with  prayer  by  Rev.  A.  J. 
Dyer  and  music  by  a  large  orchestra.  Then 
Hon.  Theodore  C.  Bates,  chairman  of  the  board 
of  trustees,  made  the  address  of  acceptance.  He 
was  followed  by  President  G.  Stanley  Hall,  of 
Clark  University,  the  orator  of  the  day,  who 
delivered  an  able  and  eloquent  address.  A  speech 
by  Senator  Hoar  followed,  and  then  Edward  Pay- 
son  Jackson,  master  of  the  Boston  Latin  School, 
read  a  poem,  written  by  him  for  the  occasion. 
Librarian  Samuel  S.  Green,  of  the  Worcester 
Public  Library,  Rev.  Thomas  J.  Conaty,  D.D., 
and  Burton  W.  Potter,  president  of  the  Worces- 
ter Society  of  Antiquity,  delivered  shorter  ad- 
dresses, and  brief  speeches  were  made  by  Judge 
P.  Emory  Aldrich,  Hon.  Frank  P.  Golding, 
Hon.  Stephen  Salisbury,  Hon.  Charles  G.  Reed, 
and  Postmaster  J.  Evarts  Greene,  all  of  Wor- 
cester. 

The  free  public  library  and  reading-room  of 
North  Brookfield,  now  established  in  these  new 
and  beautiful  quarters,  was  first  opened  to  the 
public  Nov.  26,  1879,  in  two  rooms  on  the  upper 
floor  of  a  local  office  building,  which  was  its 
home  for  15  years.  During  this  time  the  library 
was  supported  by  town  appropriations,  and 
maintained  a  healthy  growth,  containing  at  the 
present  time  about  5000  volumes  and  a  decidedly 
full  line  of  periodicals  and  newspapers.  Ever 
since  the  library  was  opened  it  has  been  the  de- 
sire of  the  townspeople  to  see  it  established  in 
an  appropriate  building  of  its  own,  and  when  on 
September  24,  1892,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Erasmus 
Hasten  offered  the  town  $30,000,  with  which  to 
erect  a  library  building,  a  vote  of  thanks  were 
spread  upon  the  records  and  $10,000  was  promptly 
raised  for  the  purchase  of  a  site.  Mr.  Haston 


was  born  in  Belchertown,  Mass.,  in  1812,  and 
with  his  wife,  who  joins  him  in  the  gift,  has  been 
for  50  years  a  resident  of  North  Brookfield, 
where  he  accumulated  a  comfortable  fortune. 
They  have  no  children. 

The  plans  for  the  building  were  drawn  by 
Fuller  &  Delano,  of  Worcester,  and  work  on  the 
foundations  was  begun  in  1893.  The  building 
is  of  Milford  granite,  with  two  stories,  a  base- 
ment 76  x  32  feet,  and  a  tall  tower,  command- 
ing a  beautiful  view.  At  the  left  of  the  en- 
trance is  a  large  marble  slab,  on  which  is  in- 
scribed: "  North  Brookfield  Free  Public  Library 
and  Reading  Room,  presented  to  the  town  by  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Erasmus  Hasten,  1892."  Beyond  the 
lobby  and  waiting-room  the  mosaic  floor  extends 
the  width  of  the  building  to  the  ladies'  waiting- 
room,  which  occupies  an  octagonal  projection 
in  the  west  wall  of  the  building.  To  the  right 
of  the  lobby  is  the  reference-room,  and  next  to 
it  and  occupying  two  stories  of  the  building  is 
the  book-room,  with  a  capacity  of  15,000  v.  To 
the  left  of  the  waiting-room  and  in  the  south  end 
of  the  building  is  the  general  reading-room.  All 
these  rooms  are  finished  in  quartered  oak  with 
frescoed  walls  and  ceilings.  From  the  lobby  an 
oak  stairway  leads  to  the  second  story,  a  large 
part  of  which  is  to  be  used  as  a  museum.  Over 
the  ladies'  reading-room  is  the  trustees'  room. 
The  rooms  in  the  second  story  are  finished  in  hard 
pine  with  frescoed  ceilings.  A  stairway  leads  to 
the  tower,  which  is  60  feet  from  the  ground. 
The  building  is  lighted  by  a  Springfield  gas  ma- 
chine, heated  by  steam  throughout,  and  con- 
nected with  the  town  water  system,  with  toilet- 
rooms  and  lavatories  on  each  floor. 

The  present  need  of  the  library  is  a  fund,  the 
income  of  which  shall  be  devoted  to  the  purchase 
of  books,  and  it  is  stated  that  $25,000  will  soon 
be  given  for  that  purpose  by  several  well-known 
residents  of  the  town. 


THE  "ART  DEPARTMENT"  OF  THE 
DENVER  PUBLIC  LIBRARY. 

"  THE  Denver  Public  Library  has  a  unique 
'  art  department,'  established  after  some  labor 
and  a  small  outlay  of  money,"  writes  a  corre- 
spondent to  the  New  York  Evening  Post.  "  Its 
collection  of  pictures  now  numbers  thousands  of 
mounted  wood-engravings,  colored  prints,  de- 
signs of  all  kinds  for  painting,  wood-carving, 
etc.,  mechanical  drawings  from  trade  journals; 
everything,  in  fact,  of  an  artistic  nature  to  be 
found  in  odd  numbers  of  periodicals  has  been 
cut  out,  mounted  on  durable  paper,  and  filed 
away  in  cabinets.  This  department  of  the  li- 
brary's work  is  designed  to  interest  school-chil- 
dren, and  pictures  are  lent  in  stacks  for  use  in 
the  classes.  This  work  would  have  be,en  a  task 
beyond  the  powers  of  the  regular  library  staff, 
so  outside  assistance  was  secured  in  a  somewhat 
novel  method.  The  library  management  from 
time  to  time  has  given  what  it  calls  '  cutting ' 
or  '  pasting  '  bees.  Each  of  the  half-dozen  as- 
sistants invites  a  friend  or  two  to  come  in  on  a 


34* 


\0ctobcr,  '94 


certain  evening  and  wield  the  scissors  and  paste- 
brush  for  an  hour  or  two.  A  very  jovial  party 
gathers  under  the  electric  lights  in  one  end  of 
the  gallery  in  the  book-room;  pictures,  paper, 
scissors,  and  paste  are  produced,  and  work  be- 
gins, ending  with  refreshments." 

SCIENCE  IN  FREE  LIBRARIES. 

J.  T.  Carrington,  in  Science-Gossif,  New  Series. 
February,  1894. 

PRESUMABLY  the  first  intention  in  establishing 
free  libraries  is  to  provide  material  for  educa- 
tional purposes,  and  we  are  told  that  recreative 
reading  is  thrown  in,  as  it  were,  for  a  bait  to  in- 
duce readers  to  take  up  more  serious  subjects  as 
the  process  of  education  proceeds.  We  should 
therefore  expect  that  such  money  as  remains, 
after  the  supply  of  light  literature  is  effected, 
would  be  expended  upon  the  acquisition  of  the 
most  modern  literature  which  could  be  obtained. 
A  recent  tour  through  the  metropolitan  libra- 
ries, and  those  in  some  of  the  larger  midland 
counties'  towns,  has  been  surprising  in  its  re- 
sulis.  Science  is  certainly  fairly  represented  by 
regular  stock  books  in  most  of  them.  These 
largely  consist  of  such  illustrated,  or  shall  we 
say  "picture,"  books  as  Lowe's  "Beautiful 
leaved  plants;"  the  Rev.  F.  O.  Morris'  works; 
Sir  William  Jardine's  numerous  volumes  in  his 
"  Naturalists'  library  ; "  Buffon's  works,  and  a 
long  series  of  books  chiefly  out  of  date.  In  too 
many  cases  the  income  of  the  library  goes  in  the 
purchase  of  fiction  or  general  expenses,  and  the 
librarian  depends  upon  donations  for  the  science 
section  of  his  catalog,  and  must  accept  whatever 
comes  to  hand.  We  can  readily  understand  the 
result  by  remembering  a  cynical  definition  of 
Charity  as  "  the  giving  that  which  is  no  longer  a 
necessity." 

It  is  only  reasonable  that  having  pointed  out 
these  defects  I  should  be  expected  to  suggest 
some  list  of,  say  the  best  hundred  books  on  scien- 
tific subjects,  or  to  invite  opinions.  I  have  no 
list  to  produce,  neither  am  I  going  to  ask  for  one. 
There  is,  however,  a  way  of  obtaining  such  a  list, 
which  would  be  of  the  utmost  value  to  the  li- 
braries, and  the  public  consequently.  No  libra- 
rian, nor  even  his  masters,  the  library  committee, 
can  be  expected  to  know  every  best  book,  espe- 
cially in  science,  where  such  voluminous  new  and 
original  works  are  being  so  rapidly  produced. 

If  some  authoritative  body,  such  as  the  educa- 
tion department  of  the  Imperial  government,  or 
failing  that,  the  Library  Association,  were  to  in- 
vite the  councils  of  various  learned  societies, 
like  the  Royal,  Linnean,  Zoological,  Geological, 
Geographical,  Botanical.  Chemical,  Anthropo- 
logical, and  Meteorological,  to  draw  up  a  list  of 
works  dealing  with  their  especial  subjects,  we 
should  then  get  at  such  a  list  of  text-books  and 
authorities  as  would  be  satisfactory.  Then  the 
money  could  be  well  spent  as  it  became  available. 
This  list  might  be  revised  from  time  to  time,  as 
changes  became  necessary  through  the  progress 
of  research.  Can  this  suggestion  be  taken  up  ? 
It  only  requires  the  powerful  aid  of  the  press 
generally  to  alter  this  worse  than  useless  expen- 
diture of  money  upon  the  dish  of  science  served 
up  in  most  of  our  free  libraries. 


Cibrarjj  Association  Hniteb  Hingbom. 


SEVENTEENTH  ANNUAL  MEETING,  BEL- 
FAST, SEPT.  4-7,  1894. 

THE  seventeenth  annual  meeting  of  the  Library 
Association  of  the  United  Kingdom  was  opened 
on  the  morning  of  Tuesday,  September  4,  in  the 
library  of  the  Queen's  College,  Belfast,  by  the 
Lord  Mayor  of  Belfast.  The  Marquis  of  Dufferin 
and  Ava  then  took  the  chair,  as  president,  and 
delivered  the  opening  address,  in  which  he  dwelt 
upon  libraries  as  the  treasure-houses  of  the  past 
and  the  arsenals  of  the  future,  and  upon  librarians 
as  those  who  evoked  order  out  of  chaos,  con- 
verted a  mob  into  an  army,  and  what  would 
otherwise  be  an  undistinguishable  heap  of  rub- 
bish into  well-ordered  jewel-chambers  of  lucent 
and  clear-cut  gems.  Every  year,  he  said,  Great 
Britain  alone  was  overwhelmed  by  a  recurring 
deluge  of  about  30,000  new  books.  What  would 
become  of  suffocated  humanity  under  this  visi- 
tation if  they  did  not  reach  out  a  helping  hand? 
Not  only  so,  but  they  took  charge  of  the  new- 
born product  of  the  author's  brain  from  the  mo- 
ment it  first  presented  itself  in  the  repulsive  form 
of  an  illegible  manuscript.  They  taught  on 
what  paper  it  should  be  couched,  in  what  type  it 
should  be  swaddled,  in  what  binding  clothed. 
They  instructed  as  to  the  arrangement  of  its 
future  domicile,  how  the  book-shelves  might  be 
best  arranged,  ventilated,  and  kept  dry  ;  how 
space  could  be  economized,  and  the  volumes 
which  soared  to  the  ceiling  rendered  as  accessible 
as  those  on  the  ground  floor.  But  they  had  also 
solved  that  most  difficult  of  problems,  the  con- 
struction of  a  good  catalog  —  a  catalog  which,  at 
a  glance,  enabled  an  inquirer,  without  taking  a 
wrong  turn,  to  wander  through  the  devious  and 
complicated  labyrinth  of  whatever  subject  might 
be  occupying  his  attention.  Nor  did  their  inter- 
vention stop  there.  They  had  also  concerned 
themselves  —  and  this,  perhaps,  was  the  most 
useful  of  all  achievements  — with  the  distribution 
of  books  and  the  dissemination  of  their  contents 
amongst  th«  population  at  large,  through  the 
powerful  stimulus  they  had  applied  to  the  estab- 
lishment of  free  and  public  libraries  from  one 
end  of  the  country  to  the  other.  As  a  collateral 
result,  they  had  created  a  new  and  well-recog- 
nized profession  —  namely,  that  of  the  public 
librarian  —  a  profession  most  honorable  in  its 
nature,  most  useful  in  its  functions,  which  em- 
braced in  its  ranks  gentlemen  of  the  highest  at- 
tainments, and  which  was  especially  distinguished 
by  the  promptitude  and  courtesy  with  which  it 
assisted  its  clients  along  the  multifarious  lines 
of  research  they  might  be  respectively  follow- 
ing. 

Dr.  Richard  Garnett,  of  the  British  Museum, 
then  delivered  an  address,  alluding  to  the  pleas- 
ant recollections  he  entertained  of  a  previous 
meeting  at  Dublin,  and  expressing  the  satisfac- 
tion of  the  members  at  assembling  this  year  at 
the  metropolis  of  northern  Ireland.  Continuing, 
he  said:  "  I  do  not  know  that  events  in  the 
library  world  call  for  especial  remarks,  except 
one  legal  question  which  has  arisen,  and  which. 
I  think,  deserves  the  attention  of  the  council  of 


October,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


343 


the  Association.     This  is  the  action  brought  by 
Mrs.  Victoria    Woodhull    Martin    against    the 
trustees   of  the   British  Museum.     Mrs.  Martin 
was  libelled  years  ago  in  a  very  contemptible 
pamphlet.     This  pamphlet  accidentally  found  its 
way  to  the  British  Museum,  where,  after  repos- 
ing for  16   years,    it  was   read  by  one  of  Mrs. 
Martin's  friends.  Mrs.  Martin  forthwith  brought 
an  action,  not  against  the  friend,  but  against  the 
Museum.     The   pamphlet  had  been  withdrawn 
the  moment  its  character  was  pointed  out.    The 
trustees  expressed  their  regret;  but  because  they 
would  not  give  up  the  name  of  the  vendor  of 
the  book  and  publish  an  apology  in  the  news- 
papers Mrs.  Martin  would  have  the  law  against 
them.     I  mention  this  in  no  unkindness  to  our 
adversary,  but  to  show  the  risk  to  which  you 
may  be  exposed  should  you  have  to  deal  with  a 
litigious,  or  let  us  say,  a  highly  sensitive  person. 
To  show  the   difficulty  you  would  have  in  pro- 
tecting yourselves,    I   may  mention  that   Mrs. 
Martin's  friend  had  to  read  through  118  pages  — 
I  think  that  was  the  number  —  before  he  could 
find  the  libel;  and,  most  important  point  of  all, 
although  this  wretched  pamphlet  was  the  only 
publication  brought  prominently  forward  at  the 
trial,  Mrs.  Martin's  statement  of  complaint  em- 
braced books  of  real  historical  importance,  such 
as  a  library   like   the   Museum  was  absolutely 
bound  to  have  upon  its  shelves,  but  in  which  she 
was  disrespectfully  mentioned.     Now  it  is  im- 
possible to  write  contemporary  history  without 
making  statements  which  must  hurt  or  offend 
individuals,  and  it  is  impossible  to  say  in  what 
corner  of  almost  any  book  something  may  not 
lurk  which  may  not   conceivably  be  actionable. 
Mrs.  Martin's  case  certainly  did  not  afford  much 
encouragement  to  similar  proceedings.     She  lost 
her  case,  and  I  may  add  that  the  immunity  of 
booksellers  in  similar  cases  seems  to  imply  that 
of  librarians,  as  was  laid  down  most  distinctly  by 
Mr.  Justice  Wills   in  the   remarkable  action  of 
Mrs.    Weldon    against   certain   booksellers  for 
vending  libels  upon  her.  Still,  we  have  all  heard 
of  the  glorious  uncertainty  of  the  law,  and  one 
successful,  or  even  unsuccessful,  action  of  this 
kind  would  do  great  harm  to  free  libraries  by 
intimidating  gentlemen  of  standing  from  acting 
on  their  committees.     I  therefore  think  it  would 
be  well  if  all  libraries  were  once  for  all  protected 
by  a  short  act  exempting  them  from  proceedings 
in   similar  cases,  and   especially  enacting  that 
books  in  which  the  matter  complained  of  was 
casual,  and  not  the  very  stuff  and  substance  of  the 
production,  should  never  be   liable  to  be  with- 
drawn, neither  should   bond  fide  controversial 
tracts  in  which  feeling  might  be  carried  too  far. 
Libellous  attacks  on  private  character  should  un- 
doubtedly be  excluded,  but  even  there  the  com- 
plainant should  be  required  to  institute  proceed- 
ings against  the   author  or   publisher,  pending 
the  result  of  which  the  book  should  be   with- 
drawn.    If  our  council  will  draft  a  measure  cal- 
culated to  effect  these  objects,  I  may  very  safely 
promise  it  the  support   of  our  president  and  of 
every  scholar  and  thinker  who  is  sensible  of  the 
preciousness  of  the  historical  record,  and  of  the 
mischief  of  allowing  it  to  be  tampered  with  to 
gratify  the  sensitiveness  of  individuals." 


Dr.  Garnett  was  followed  by  Mr.  R.  M.  Young, 
who  read  "  An  account  of  some  of  the  notable 
books  printed  in  Belfast,"  and  by  Mr.  G.  H. 
Elliott,  librarian  of  the  Belfast  Free  Public  Li- 
brary, who  presented  an  interesting  paper  on 
"  Our  readers,  and  what  they  read." 

The  second  session  began  at  9:30  on  Wednes- 
day morning,  and  was  opened  with  a  paper  by 
William  Gray,  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Bel- 
fast Public  Library,  on  "Our  public  library: 
its  origin  and  object."  This  was  followed  by 
"  A  few  words  on  ex  libris  and  marks  of  owner- 
ship in  books,"  by  John  Vinycomb  ;  "Matricu- 
lation books,"  by  Dr.  Meissner,  librarian  of 
Queen's  College ;  "  The  bibliography  of  the 
future,"  by  Frank  Campbell,  of  the  British  Mu- 
seum; "  Half-hour  talks  about  books  to  library 
readers,"  by  J.  Potter  Briscoe,  librarian  of  the 
Nottingham  Public  Libraries;  "Some  library 
developments  to  be  looked  for  in  the  future," 
by  Joseph  Gilburt,  of  the  British  Library  ;  and 
"  A  plea  for  private  librarians,"  by  J.  P.  Ed- 
mond,  librarian  to  the  Earl  of  Crawford.  After 
the  conclusion  of  the  morning  session  the  mem- 
bers went  to  examine  the  admirable  exhibition 
of  library  appliances  which  had  been  prepared 
by  Mr.  J.  D.  Brown  and  Mr.  J.  H.  Quinn,  of  the 
Clerkenwell  and  Chelsea  public  libraries. 

The  third  session  was  held  on  Wednesday 
evening,  Mr.  Peter  Cowell,  of  the  Liverpool 
Public  Libraries,  presiding,  and  was  devoted  to 
the  official  business  and  the  election  of  officers 
and  council  for  the  ensuing  year. 

The  fourth  and  last  session  began  at  9:30  a.m. 
on  Thursday.  So  many  papers  remained  to  be 
dealt  with  that  it  was  decided  to  divide  them 
into  sections,  and  accordingly,  while  the  general 
meeting  in  the  library  dealt  with  the  Public  Li- 
brary Bill  and  papers  dealing  with  legislation 
and  cognate  subjects,  the  papers  on  bibliography 
and  library  history  were  read  in  the  philosophy 
class-room,  and  those  dealing  with  library  man- 
agement and  practical  librarianship  in  the  Eng- 
lish class-room.  J.  W.  Southern,  chairman  of 
the  Manchester  Free  Public  Library  Committee, 
presided  in  the  library.  The  first  paper  read 
was  "  Parish  councils  and  the  libraries  acts," 
by  H.  W.  Fovargue,  honorary  solicitor  to  the 
association,  in  which  Mr.  Fovargue  pointed  out 
the  important  changes  that  might  ensue  as  a 
result  of  the  parish  councils  act,  by  which  power 
has  been  given  to  the  new  councils  to  take  over 
from  existing  commissioners  public  libraries 
which  have  been  established  under  the  acts. 
This  was  followed  by  a  discussion  on  a  draft 
bill  which  it  is  proposed  to  promote  in  the  next 
session  of  Parliament  with  a  view  to  amending 
the  existing  acts.  Several  amendments  were  pro- 
posed by  Mr.  MacAlister  and  adopted.  One 
amendment  was  intended  to  protect  public  li- 
braries from  such  actions  for  libel  as  that  re- 
cently raised  by  Mrs.  Woodhull  Martin,  and 
another,  to  render  compulsory  some  of  the  exist- 
ing provisions  of  the  libraries  acts. 

Some  of  the  other  papers  read  were  "  On 
the  promotion  of  public  libraries  in  Ireland," 
ay  H.  Dixon,  Jr.,  secretary  of  the  Young  Ire- 
and  League;  "On  the  library  movement  in 
London,"  by  Charles  Welch,  of  the  Guildhall 


344 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\0ctober ,  '94 


Library  ;  "  On  the  relationship  between  public 
library  committees  andother  educational  bodies," 
by  J.  J.  Ogle,  of  Bootle  Free  Library;  and  "  On 
the  constitution  of  colonial  public  libraries,"  by 
J.  R.  Boos6,  librarian  of  the  Royal  Colonial 
Institute. 

In  the  library  management  section,  presided 
over  by  Mr.  Cowell,  papers  were  read  by  Dr. 
Richard  Garnett  and  Mr.  H.  M.  Mayhew,  of  the 
Btitish  Museum,  "  On  the  extension  of  space 
in  libraries"  and  "  On  the  pivot  presses  at  the 
British  Museum."  This  was  followed  by  a  very 
lively  discussion  upon  the  Clerkenwell  "open 
library"  system,  in  which  the  members  took 
sides  warmly.  Miss  Petherbridge  read  a  paper 
"  On  the  American  Library  School,"  and  Miss 
M.  S.  R.  James  one  "  On  the  Boston  home 
libraries." 

In  the  bibliography  and  history  section,  over 
which  Henry  R.  Tedder,  secretary  and  librarian 
of  the  Athenaeum  Club,  presided,  W:  H.  K. 
Wright,  of  Plymouth  Free  Library,  described 
"  Recent  developments  of  the  library  movement 
in  the  west  of  England,  and  their  causes."  James 
Bain,  chief  librarian  of  the  Toronto  Public  Li- 
brary, in  a  paper  on  the  libraries  of  Canada, 
gave  a  comprehensive  and  minute  description 
of  all  the  libraries  in  the  Dominion,  and  the 
chairman  of  the  section,  H.  R.  Tedder,  read  "A 
suggestion  to  founders  of  libraries,"  proposing 
that  those  about  to  endow  libraries  should  turn 
their  attention  to  specializing  their  gifts  to  the 
public.  This  was  followed  by  an  interesting 
historical  paper  "  On  the  publishers  and  book- 
sellers of  old  London  Bridge,"  by  E.  M.  Borrajo, 
of  the  Guildhall  Library,  and  two  papers  of 
purely  bibliographical  interest,  viz.,  "  The  publi- 
cations of  the  Spenser  Society,"  by  W.  E.  A. 
Axon,  and  "Ola  mss.  and  the  Government 
Oriental  library  at  Ceylon,"  by  Gerard  A. 
Joseph,  librarian  of  the  Government  Museum, 
Colombo,  which  concluded  the  proceedings  of 
this  section. 

At  the  close  of  the  papers  and  discussions,  the 
sections  reassembled  in  the  library  of  the  college, 
where  the  business  of  the  Association  was  con- 
cluded, after  cordial  votes  of  thanks  were  passed 
to  the  lord  mayor,  the  local  committee,  the 
president  and  council  of  the  college,  and  the 
local  secretaries,  Messrs.  Meissner,  Elliott,  and 
Smith,  to  whom  so  much  of  the  success  of  the 
meeting  was  due.  In  the  afternoon  visits  were 
paid  to  places  of  interest  in  the  town  and  neigh- 
borhood, and  in  the  evening  the  annual  dinner 
of  the  Association,  at  which  upwards  of  150 
guests  sat  down,  took  place.  The  dinner  was 
presided  over  by  Dr.  Garnett. 

The  following  day,  Friday,  was  devoted  to 
pleasure,  and  a  party  of  upwards  of  200  went  by 
special  train  to  Portrush  and  the  Giant's  Cause- 
way, where  they  were  met  by  Mr.  W.  A.  Trail 
and  Mr.  R.  M.  Young,  who  conducted  the  mem- 
bers (divided  into  two  parties)  and  explained  the 
features  of  the  place.  A  visit  was  also  paid  to 
Dunluce  Castle.  The  arrangements  for  the  ex- 
cursions were  admirable  and  the  weather  perfect, 
and  thus  was  brought  to  a  conclusion  a  most 
delightful,  and  at  the  same  time  practical  and 
useful  meeting. 


American  Cibrarg  Qlseociation. 


LAKE  PLACID  CONFERENCE. 

THE  meeting  of  the  A.  L.  A.  at  Lake  Placid 
will  be  remembered  as  one  of  the  best  ever  held. 
The  attendance  was  slightly  below  that  at  either 
Fabyan's  or  Lakewood,  205  names  being  regis- 
tered, but  there  were  perhaps  fewer  mere  excur- 
sionists. A  little  more  than  one-half  were  women. 
Eighteen  states  and  Canada  were  represented, 
and  one  name  was  registered  "  London,  Eng." 
The  place  proved  to  be  a  wise  selection,  and  the 
two  hotels,  Grand  View  and  Mirror  Lake,  vied 
with  each  other  in  making  their  guests  comfort- 
able and  more.  The  sessions  were  divided  be- 
tween the  two  hotels,  ample  and  convenient 
rooms  being  provided  in  each.  The  New  York 
and  Boston  parties  arriving  together  late  Satur- 
day night,  September  I5th,  found  the  westerners 
awaiting  them,  and  after  a  quiet  (rainy)  Sunday 
the  sessions  commenced  Monday  morning  with  a 
full  attendance. 

Mr.  J.  N.  Lamed,  of  the  Buffalo  Library,  pre- 
sided ably  and  acceptably.  His  opening  ad- 
dress was  a  masterly  presentation  of  the  idea 
that  the  public  library  is  exactly  adapted  to  meet 
the  demands  of  this  age  in  which  it  has  been  de- 
veloped, and  of  the  future.  With  the  spread  of 
intelligence,  and  in  the  social  and  political  unrest 
of  the  times,  there  arise  grave  dangers  from  the 
easy  and  rapid  dissemination  of  new  doctrines 
and  theories,  which  dangers  cannot  be  averted 
by  the  education  given  to  a  few  in  our  colleges, 
or  to  the  many  in  our  public  schools.  Nor  is  the 
newspaper  press  well  calculated  to  meet  the 
emergency.  Being  conducted  as  a  money-mak- 
ing business,  it  is  necessarily  mercenary  inspirit, 
and  in  the  struggle  for  existence  finds  its  interest 
in  the  cultivation  of  a  demand  for  what  it  can  most 
easily  supply  —  the  sensational  in  matter  and 
manner.  On  the  other  hand,  the  public  library, 
free  from  all  considerations  of  gain  and  profit, 
independent  of  all  politics,  offers  to  every  man, 
woman,  and  child,  the  accumulated  wisdom  of  the 
past  and  the  best  thought  of  the  present  in  all 
departments  of  knowledge,  showing  the  folly 
and  danger  of  hasty  social  and  political  innova- 
tion, and  keeping  the  public  mind  steady  and 
true  in  the  midst  of  captivating  but  dangerous 
novelties  in  doctrine  and  practice. 

No  mere  sketch  can  do  justice  to  the  address, 
which  must  be  read  in  full  to  be  appreciated. 

The  secretary's  report  was  a  careful  account  of 
progress  in  library  work  during  the  year. 


October,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


345 


The  treasurer  made  an  excellent  showing  of 
over  $1000  collected  in  members'  dues,  etc.,  and 
a  good  balance  in  the  treasury. 

The  report  of  the  co-operation  committee  was 
occupied  with  an  account  of  an  effort  being  made 
to  secure  greater  uniformity  in  the  statistics  of 
public  libraries. 

The  committee  on  the  library  school  and  train- 
ing classes  reported  an  increased  attendance  and 
continued  interest  in  all  these  efforts  to  train  li- 
brarians. Besides  the  parent  school  at  Albany, 
classes  are  regularly  held  at  the  Pratt  Institute, 
Brooklyn  ;  Drexel  Institute,  Philadelphia  ;  Ar- 
mour Institute,  Chicago;  and  Public  Library,  Los 
Angeles,  while  a  brief  course  is  given  at  the  Am- 
herst  (Mass.)  Summer  School,  and  a  regular 
course  is  just  commenced  at  the  State  College, 
Orono,  Me.  i 

The  A.  L.  A.  World's  Fair  Committee  made 
a  final  report  showing  the  completion  of  its  work 
with  accounts  balanced  and  closed.  Mr.  W: 
Beer,  librarian  of  the  Howard  Memorial  Library, 
New  Orleans,  made  a  brief  report  on  the  libra- 
ries of  the  south,  showing  that  in  some  of  the 
southern  states,  particularly  in  Texas,  a  genuine 
interest  in  libraries  is  growing  up. 

Monday  afternoon,  being  fine,  was  devoted  to 
excursions  in  the  neighborhood.  In  the  evening 
a  session  was  held,  at  which  Mr.  C.  W.  Birtwell, 
of  the  Boston  Children's  Aid  Society,  reported 
on  the  work  done  by  his  society  in  the  placing  of 
small  "  home  libraries"  in  the  dwellings  of  the 
poor.  Sixty-nine  are  now  in  use,  under  the 
direction  of  a  paid  assistant,  and  the  result  has 
been  most  satisfactory.  It  is  hoped  that  the  city 
library  may  assume  this  work  as  a  part  of  its 
own  functions.  Miss  M.  S.  Cutler  made  an  en- 
couraging report  on  similar  work  in  Albany  and 
Troy. 

Mr.  Melvil  Dewey  then  made  a  full  report  on 
progress  in  library  legislation,  the  most  note- 
worthy feature  in  which  is  the  establishment 
by  many  states  of  library  commissions  or  com- 
mittees to  encourage  and  assist  towns  in  estab- 
lishing libraries.  In  other  respects  recent  legis- 
lation throughout  the  country  favors  more  and 
more  the  public  library  movement. 

Mr,  W:  H.  Brett  made  a  report  on  foreign 
public  documents,  showing  the  difficulty  with 
which  they  can  be  secured  for  libraries  here. 
Considerable  discussion  was  had  on  the  sub- 
ject, from  which  it  appeared  that  few  American 
libraries  try  or  care  to  keep  sets  of  such  docu- 
ments. In  most  cases  they  must  be  bought,  few 
being  given  away. 

On  Tuesday  morning  (the  i8th)  the  first  busi- 
ness was  the  report  of  the  eommittee  on  public 
documents,  presented  by  Mr.  Johnston  of  Albany, 
in  the  absence  of  Mr.  Bowker,  the  chairman, 
Citing  the  progress  of  the  bill  now  before  Con- 
gress (in  conference  committee  during  the  pres- 
ent recess),  and  recognizing  its  defects  in  its 


present  shape,  the  committee  urged  that  every 
possible  effort  be  made  to  secure  its  passage 
as  the  best  legislation  attainable  at  present,  and 
submitted  a  set  of  resolutions  to  be  addressed 
to  Congress  with  that  end  in  view,  but  express- 
ing a  desire  for  the  retention  of  the  provisions 
(threatened  by  Senate  amendments)  for  the  dis- 
tribution of  important  documents  to  500  libra- 
ries, besides  the  "  designated  depositories," 
and  the  sending  of  the  Journals  of  Congress  to 
the  libraries,  and  of  all  Bills  to  such  as  desire 
them. 

Rev.  J.  G.  Ames,  superintendent  of  docu- 
ments in  the  Interior  Department,  made  an  in- 
teresting statement  of  the  matter  from  his 
point  of  view,  sustaining  fully  the  committee's 
report.  Mr.  Ames  urged  the  sending  of  an 
A.  L.  A.  committee  to  Washington  at  the  open- 
ing of  Congress  to  work  for  the  passage  of  the 
bill.  [At  a  later  session  the  executive  board 
were  directed  to  appoint  such  a  committee.] 

He  also  exhibited  sample  pages  of  an  index 
prepared  by  him,  and  soon  to  be  published,  to 
the  documents  of  the  5ist~53d  Congresses,  a 
great  improvement  in  form  and  execution  over 
the  great  index  prepared  by  Ben  Perley  Poore. 

The  remainder  of  the  session  was  occupied 
with  a  discussion  of  methods  of  selecting  books 
for  purchase,  brief  papers  being  read  by  Miss 

E.  M.  Coe,  Miss  C.  M.  Hewins,  W.  E.  Foster, 
D.  V.  R.  Johnston,  W.  H.  Brett,  H.  M.  Utley, 

F.  M.  Crunden,  and  J.  K.  Hosmer.     These  pa- 
pers showed  the  general  adoption  of  thorough- 
going   methods,   including    carefully   prepared 
order-slips,  the  examination  of  critical  journals 
and  reviews,  and  submission  of  books  sent  "  on 
approval"  to  a  competent  committee. 

The  afternoon  of  Tuesday,  like  that  of  Mon- 
day, was  given  up  to  excursions,  a  large  party 
visiting  John  Brown's  grave.  The  evening  ses- 
sion opened  with  an  account,  by  Rev.  W.  R. 
Eastman,  of  the  system  of  "  travelling  libraries 
of  the  state  of  New  York  "  under  his  direction. 
Of  these  libraries  114  have  now  been  sent  out, 
and  are  being  transferred  from  one  place  to  an- 
other, as  required.  Each  consists  of  from  30 
to  50  of  the  best  books  in  some  department,  as 
history,  political  economy,  science,  etc.,  or  of  a 
more  general  character.  Everywhere  they  are 
gladly  received,  well  cared  for,  and  much  read, 
and  in  several  towns  already  they  have  led  to 
the  formation  of  permanent  local  libraries. 

This  session  was  made  one  of  the  most  note- 
worthy in  the  history  of  the  A.  L.  A.  by  the 
brilliant  and  effective  papers  presented  in  suc- 
cession by  four  women.  Miss  L.  E.  Stearns,  on 
reading  for  the  young,  gave  a  glowing  account 
of  the  Milwaukee  Public  Library's  work  for 
young  people,  which  is  under  her  direction,  the 
system  of  distributing  books  through  the  schools 
and  directing  their  use  being  perhaps  the  most 
complete  in  the  country,  extending  even  to  the 
giving  of  instruction  in  the  city  normal  school 
on  the  use  of  library  books,  thus  securing  some 
acquaintance  with  the  work  on  the  part  of 
teachers  from  their  first  entrance  to  the  schools. 
Then  followed  the  question  of  the  admission  of 
"  common  novels"  to  the  public  library,  opened 
by  Miss  Garland,  of  Dover,  N,  H,,  who  made  a 


346 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[October,  '94 


plea  for  the  "common"  reader,  fond  of  E.  P. 
Roe  and  other  moral  and  harmless  authors,  as 
against  those  who,  in  their  zeal  for  good  litera- 
ture, would  furnish  nothing  palatable  to  the  un- 
trained taste  of  a  large  part  of  their  patrons. 

Miss  E.  M.  Coe,  of  New  York,  followed  with 
a  fine  statement  of  the  need  of  doing  all  that 
can  be  done  to  cultivate  and  elevate  the  taste  of 
the  public,  rather  than  that  the  library  should 
furnish  reading  merely  as  recreation  and  work 
down  to  the  level  of  its  unformed  readers,  in- 
stead of  seeking  always  to  draw  them  higher. 
Miss  E.  P.  Thurston,  ot  Newton,  Mass.,  followed 
in  much  the  same  strain,  and  indeed  all  three  of 
these  women,  while  taking  slightly  different 
views  of  the  subject,  were  very  nearly  in  har- 
mony as  to  essentials.  All  favored  the  greatest 
hospitality  on  the  part  of  the  library  toward  all 
tastes  and  demands,  consistent  with  high  ideals 
as  to  the  library's  mission  to  cultivate  a  right 
demand  rather  than  to  merely  supply  a  vicious 
one. 

Mr.  G.  W.  Cole,  of  Jersey  City,  was  placed 
in  the  somewhat  embarrassing  position  of  fol- 
lowing these  women  on  the  same  subject,  but 
he  added  some  valuable  suggestions  as  to  means 
of  dealing  with  the  evil  of  trashy  novel-read- 
ing. 

Wednesday  and  Thursday  were  rainy,  and  ses- 
sions were  held  morning  and  afternoon.  Wed- 
nesday morning  Mr.  Willard  Austin,  of  Cornell 
University,  presented  a  valuable  report  on  li- 
brary aids  and  guides.  Mr.  G.  M.  Jones,  of  Sa- 
lem, Mass.,  reported  from  the  committee  on  a 
catalog  of  subject-headings,  submitting  the  proof 
of  a  specimen  page,  and  stating  that  the  catalog 
would  soon  be  ready  for  printing.  It  was  re- 
ferred to  the  Publishing  Section. 

As  her  report  on  library  architecture,  Miss  T. 
H.  West,  of  Milwaukee,  gave  directions,  derived 
from  her  experience  in  planning  for  a  new  build- 
ing, for  the  proper  initiation  of  such  a  work, 
covering  the  selection  of  an  architect  and  the 
choice  of  plans.  Mr.  W:  Beer  reported  on  floors 
and  floor  coverings,  and  several  others  spoke  on 
the  subject,  nearly  all  being  strongly  in  favor  of 
linoleum  or  corticene,  as  superior  to  other  floor 
coverings  and  to  any  wood  floor  for  the  public 
parts  of  a  library,  tiles  or  mosaic  (preferably  the 
latter)  being  recommended  only  for  vestibules 
and  approaches. 

Mr.  F.  M.  Crundenled  in  a  prolonged  discus- 
sion of  the  place  and  value  of  a  newspaper  read- 
ing-room, the  general  opinion  seeming  to  be 
that  newspapers  are  not  worthy  of  so  large  a 
share  of  room  and  expense  as  is  often  accorded 
them  in  a  library  reading-room,  owing  to  the 
fact  that  most  serious  readers  of  papers  will  buy 
them,  the  frequenters  of  a  newspaper-room  being 
largely  of  the  tramp  or  loafer  class. 

Wednesday  afternoon  library  bulletins  were 
discussed.  Issued  quarterly,  or,  better,  month- 
ly, such  bulletins  are  found  useful  enough  to 
make  their  issue  worth  while;  the  expense  is 
often  met  by  the  insertion  of  advertisements, 
but  some  of  the  speakers  strongly  deprecated 
the  mixture  of  advertisements  and  reading-mat- 
ter. 

Mr.  T:  L».  Montgomery,  of  Philadelphia,  re- 


ported the  results  of  extensive  inquiries  as  to 
the  prevalence  of  university  extension  work  in 
connection  with  public  libraries,  tending  to  show 
that  only  in  a  few  places  has  such  work  been  suc- 
cessful or  persisted  in.  His  report  seemed  to  be 
discouraging  as  to  the  progress  and  prospects  of 
that  work,  but  several  others,  notably  Mr.  Dew- 
ey,  speaking  for  New  York,  claimed  that  it  is 
being  done  with  increasing  success. 

Mr.  H.  L.  Koopman  read  a  thoughtful  paper 
on  the  functions  of  a  university  library,  making 
its  chief  value  to  the  student  reside  in  such  op- 
portunity as  it  might  afford  him  to  come  into  con- 
tact with  books  of  the  best  general  literature,  to 
promote  which  he  would  have  a  selected  stu- 
dents' library  of  some  10,000  volumes,  which 
should  be  entirely  open,  while  the  more  techni- 
cal classes  of  books  should  be  kept  in  other 
apartments  to  which  access  should  be  more  spar- 
ingly granted. 

Mr.  Dudley,  of  Denver,  and  others  spoke  of 
the  great  difficulties  attending  the  preservation 
of  books  of  the  present  day,  owing  to  the  poor 
quality  of  the  wood-pulp  paper  in  common  use. 
The  hope  was  expressed  that  pressure  might  be 
brought  to  bear  on  publishers  so  as  to  secure  the 
use  of  better  paper  on  "  library"  editions. 

Thursday  forenoon  Mr.  H:  J.  Carr,  of  Scran- 
ton,  read  a  paper  on  local  collections  in  public 
libraries,  which  was  full  of  practical  suggestions. 
W:I  .  Fletcher  gave  an  account  of  the  Publishing 
Section  and  its  work,  showing  that  it  has  already 
accomplished  much,  that  it  has  been  financially 
a  success,  and  that  it  has  much  good  work  before 
it  if  properly  sustained. 

In  the  afternoon  Mr.  Brett  presented  his  paper 
on  "  A  problem  of  to-day,"  meaning  the  func- 
tion of  the  public  library,  which  he  stated  as 
the  making  of  citizens  able  to  serve  the  state 
well  in  return  for  what  the  state  has  done  for 
them.  This  led  to  a  discussion  as  to  (he  relation 
of  the  state  to  the  public  welfare,  which  had  to 
be  checked  when  it  threatened  to  become  too 
general.  Then  followed  the  subject  of  access 
to  the  shelves,  J.  K.  Hosmer,  of  the  Minneapo- 
lis Public  Library,  opening  in  its  favor,  and 
most  of  those  who  spoke  taking  the  same  view, 
although  several  spoke  of  the  practical  difficul- 
ties in  the  way  of  making  such  access  general, 
especially  as  applies  to  fiction,  where,  perhaps, 
it  is  most  demanded.  This  discussion  was  based 
on  a  report  sent  in  by  B.  C.  Steiner  and  S.  H. 
Ranck  of  the  result  of  inquiries  sent  by  them  to 
a  large  number  of  libraries. 

Mr.  C.  C.  Soule  then  spoke  briefly  on  law- 
books  in  general  libraries,  giving  useful  hints  as 
to  those  deserving  inclusion — e.g.,  Blackstone, 
Kent,  statutes  of  the  United  States  and  of  the 
particular  state,  leading  text  books  on  constitu- 
tional and  on  international  law,  and  a  few  manu- 
als of  law  practice  and  legal  forms. 

One  of  the  best  features  of  the  whole  confer- 
ence came  next  in  the  reading  of  the  many 
"  Don'ts  "  sent  in,  in  reply  to  a  circular  from 
the  president  asking  for  results  of  experience 
which  could  be  put  In  that  form. 

Friday  morning  was  devoted  to  selecting  the 
next  place  of  meeting  and  the  election  of  offi- 
cers, As  to  the  place,  it  was  simply  a  friendly 


October,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


347 


contest  between  Cleveland  and  Denver,  decided 
by  a  small  majority  in  favor  of  the  latter,  which 
vote  was  made  unanimous  on  motion  of  Mr. 
Brett.  Denver  has  persistently  invited  the  As- 
sociation and  has  practically  had  the  promise 
of  the  meeting  several  times.  In  view  of  the 
missionary  work  which  may  be  done  by  the 
meeting  so  far  west  it  was  felt  that  Denver 
ought  to  have  it. 

The  election  of  officers,  the  ballot  being  taken 
for  the  first  time  by  the  Australian  system,  re- 
sulted as  follows:  President,  H.  M.  Utley;  vice- 
presidents,  J.  C.  Dana,  Miss  M.  S.  Cutler,  Miss 
E.  M.  Coe;  secretary,  F.  P.  Hill;  treasurer,  G. 
W.  Cole;  trustee  of  endowment  fund,  C.  C. 
Soule;  new  members  of  council,  W.  C.  Lane, 
Miss  West,  Miss  Hewins,  Miss  Garland. 

Friday  afternoon  the  annual  meeting  of  the 
Publishing  Section  was  held,  the  old  officers  be- 
ing re-elected,  and  a  large  amount  of  work  laid 
out  for  the  year  to  come. 

Interesting  meetings  of  the  college,  the  state 
library,  and  other  sections  were  held,  but  space 
will  not  allow  an  attempt  to  mention  their  pro- 
ceedings. 

Resolutions  reported  from  the  committee  were 
adopted  favoring  the  public  documents  bill,  the 
preparation  of  a  complete  list  of  foreign  public 
documents,  the  use  of  better  paper  by  publish- 
ers, the  admission  of  library  bulletins  to  the 
mails  as  second-class  matter,  and  the  regular 
issue  of  title-pages  and  indexes  of  periodicals 
to  librarians  without  special  request. 

The  final  session  on  Saturday  morning  was  a 
memorial  exercise  to  the  late  Dr.  W.  F.  Poole, 
participated  in  by  W.  I.  Fletcher,  who  spoke  of 
Dr.  Poole  as  an  indexer;  President  Larned,  Mr. 
Dewey,  and  many  others.  A  committee  was 
appointed  to  receive  subscriptions  for  a  tablet 
to  Dr.  Poole's  memory  to  be  erected  in  some 
suitable  place,  and  subscriptions  were  freely 
offered  on  the  spot. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  week  was  a  busy  one, 
and  it  was  also  made  a  very  enjoyable  one  by 
the  dinner  on  Thursday  evening,  the  social 
evenings  Wednesday  and  Friday  (the  latter 
called  "  ALAst  night "),  and  by  the  charming  ex- 
cursions on  the  lakes  and  in  the  surrounding 
country.  The  two  days  of  hard  rain  limited  the 
excursive  tendency  sufficiently  to  secure  full 
meetings  and  the  acccomplishment  of  a  great 
deal  of  good  work.  And  the  post-conference 
excursion,  of  which  it  is  no  part  of  the  present 
object  to  speak  in  detail,  to  various  points  of 
interest  in  the  Adirondacks,  with  a  trip  up 
Lakes  Champlain  and  George  on  the  finest  day 
of  the  season,  and  a  brief  stay  at  the  "  Saga- 
more" (dear  to  every  A.  L.  A.  heart)  —  all  this 
was  but  a  fitting  sequel  and  crown  to  a  most 
successful  Conference.  W:  I.  FLETCHER. 

TRANSACTIONS  OF  EXECUTIVE  BOARD. 

THE  executive  board  met  at  the  Mirror  Lake 
House,  Lake  Placid,  Saturday,  September  22. 
Present,  Messrs.  Larned,  Utley,  Cole,  Carr, 
Dana,  Hill,  and  Miss  Cutler  and  Miss  Coe. 
Henry  J.  Carr-  was  elected  recorder  ;  C:  R. 
Dudley  and  J:  C.  Dana,  of  Denver,  were  elected 
a  local  committee  (with  power  to  add  to  their 


number)  ;  and  the  committee  was  requested  to 
make  early  arrangements  for  excursions  and 
post-conference  trip. 

The  board  voted  that  the  1895  conference  (to 
be  held  at  Denver)  should  open  Monday,  August 
12,  and  that  no  excursions  should  take  place  until 
the  business  sessions  were  over. 

The  president  and  secretary  were  appointed  a 
committee  on  program. 

Messrs.  Whitney,  Jones,  and  Whelpley  were 
appointed  members  of  the  finance  committee. 

The  old  U.  S.  documentscommittee,  consisting 
of  Messrs.  Bowker,  Hovey,  and  Johnston,  was 
continued  in  office,  and  President  Larned  ap- 
pointed this  committee  as  a  special  committee 
to  go  to  Washington  in  December  and  urge  the 
passage  of  the  government  documents  bill. 

Another  meeting  of  the  executive  board  was 
held  at  the  Sagamore  House, Lake  George, Thurs- 
day, September  27.  Present,  Messrs.  Larned, 
Utley,  Cole,  Carr,  Hill,  and  Miss  Cutler. 

On  motion,  the  program  committee  was  re- 
quested to  omit  some  of  the  usual  reports.  It 
was  voted  that  a  committee  should  prepare  a 
supplement  to  the  A.  L.  A.  catalog;  and  Miss 
M  .  S.  Cutler  was  appointed  chairman  of  the 
committee  with  power  to  name  additional  mem- 
bers. The  chairman  was  requested  to  estimate 
the  cost  of  printing  the  supplement  and  submit 
the  same  to  the  executive  board  for  the  purpose 
of  obtaining  an  appropriation  from  the  finance 
committee.  The  board  then  appointed  the  re- 
maining officers  and  committees. 

FRANK  P.  HILL,  Secretary. 

A.L.A.  ORGANIZA  TION  FOR  1894-95. 

President.  —  H:  M.  Utley,  Detroit  Public 
Library. 

Vice-presidents.  — J:  C.  Dana,  Denver  Public 
Library;  Mary  S.  Cutler,  New  York  State 
Library;  Ellen  M.  Coe,  New  York  Free  Cir- 
culating Library. 

Secretary — Frank  P.  Hill,  Newark  Free 
Library. 

Assistant  secretaries.  —  C:  R.  Dudley,  Denver 
City  Library;  F.  Richmond  Fletcher,  Library 
Bureau,  Boston;  Louisa  S.  Cutler,  Utica  Public 
Library;  G.  E.  Wire,  Newberry  Library,  Chi- 
cago. 

Recorder.  —  Henry  J.  Carr,  Scranton  Public 
Library. 

Assistant  recorder.  —  Nina  E.  Browne,  Library 
Bureau,  Boston. 

Treasurer.  — Geo.  Watson  Cole,  Jersey  City 
Free  Public  Library. 

Executive  board  (with  power  to  appoint  com- 
mittees).—  The  president,  ex-president  (J.  N. 
Larned,  Buffalo  Library),  vice-presidents,  sec- 
retary, and  treasurer. 

STANDING  COMMITTEES. 

Finance.— J.  L.  Whitney,  Boston  Public 
Library;  Gardner  M.  Jones,  Salem  Public 
Library;  A.  W.  Whelpley,  Cincinnati  Public 
Library. 

Co-operation.  —  Melvil  Dewey,  New  York 
State  Library;  Eliza  G.  Browning,  Indianapolis 
Public  Library;  W:  H.  Tillinghast,  Harvard 
University  Library;  Emily  I,  Wade,  San  Fraq» 


348 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[October,  '94 


cisco  Free  Public  Library;  J.  Le  Roy  Harrison, 
Providence  Athenaeum. 

U.  S.  public  documents.  —  R.  R.  Bowker, 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.;  E.  C.  Hovey,  Brookline, 
Mass.;  D.  V.  R.  Johnston,  N.  Y.  State  Library. 

Foreign  documents.  —  R.  G.  Thwaites,  Wis- 
consin State  Historical  Society;  C:  H:  Gould, 
McGill  University,  Montreal;  Mary  E.  Ahern, 
Indiana  State  Library. 

Endowment '.  —  Pliny  T.  Sexton,  Palmyra,  N. 
Y.;  C:  W.  McClintock,  Oil  City,  Pa.;  George 
lies,  New  York  City;  Jessie  McMillan,  Minne- 
apolis Public  Library;  E.  H.  Woodruff,  Leland 
Stanford  Jr.  University  Library,  Palo  Alto, 
Cal.;  Electra  C.  Doren,  Dayton  Public  Library; 
E.  H.  Anderson,  Carnegie  Free  Library,  Brad- 
dock,  Pa. 

Library  School  and  training  classes.  —  T :  L. 
Montgomery.  Wagner  Institute,  Philadelphia; 
Ellen  M.  Chandler,  Buffalo  Library;  Mary  I. 
Crandall,  Cornell  University  Library;  Lutie  E. 
Stearns,  Milwaukee  Public  Library. 

Subject  Heading.  —  Not  yet  named. 

Trustees  of  endowment  fund.  —  Norman  Will- 
iams, Chicago;  E.  C.  Hovey,  Brookline,  Mass.; 
C:  C.  Soule,  Brookline,  Mass. 

A.  L.  A.  COUNCIL. 

Term  expires  1895.  —  W:  H.  Brett,  Cleveland 
(O.)  Public  Library;  Ellen  M.Coe,  Free  Circulat- 
ing Library,  New  York;  F:  M.  Crunden,  St.  Louis 
Public  Library;  A.  R.  Spofford,  Library  of  Con- 
gress. 

Term  expires  1896.  —  Melvil  Dewey,  New 
York  State  Library,  Albany;  S:  S.  Green,  Wor- 
cester (Mass.)  Public  Library;  C:  C.  Soule, 
Trustee  Brookline  (Mass.)  Public  Library;  J.  L. 
Whitney,  Boston  Public  Library. 

Term  expires  1897.  —  R:  R.  Bowker,  Director 
Brooklyn  Library;  C:  A.  Cutter,  Forbes  Library, 
Northampton,  Mass.;  W:  I.  Fletcher,  Araherst 
College  Library;  W:  E.  Foster,  Providence 
Public  Library. 

Term  expires  1898.  —  Mary  S.  Cutler,  New 
York  State  Library,  Albany;  Hannah  P.  James, 
Osterhout  Free  Library,  Wilkesbarre,  Pa.;  J. 
N.  Larned,  Buffalo  Library;  Justin  Winsor,  Har- 
vard University  Library. 

Term  expires  1899. — W:  C.  Lane,  Boston 
Athenaeum;  Theresa  H.  West,  Milwaukee  Pub- 
lic Library;  Caroline  M.  Hewins,  Hartford  Pub- 
lic Library;  Caroline  H.  Garland,  Dover  Public 
Library. 

A.  L.  A.  BADGE. 

THE  long-looked-for  A.  L.  A.  badge  has  final- 
ly been  adopted  by  the  executive  committee, 
and  members  desiring  it  are  requested  to  send 
their  names  to  the  assistant  recorder,  Nina  E. 
Browne,  Library  Bureau,  Boston.  The  price  is 
$2.50.  The  badge  is  in  the  form  of  a  pin,  but 
may  be  mounted  differently  if  desired.  The  de- 
sign is  a  monogram,  the  letters  A.  L.  A.  inter- 
twined, in  gold  and  blue  enamel,  small  enough  to 
be  unobtrusive,  yet  distinctive.  It  was  the  de- 
sire of  the  committee  to  obtain  a  badge  in  the 
form  of  a  book,  open  or  closed,  lettered  with  the 
initials  of  the  association,  and  various  experi- 
mental designs  were  made  with  this  in  view.  It 


proved,  however,  that  the  book  design  was  too 
clumsy  to  be  practicable,  and  the  present  simple 
monogram  was  finally  chosen  as  the  most  satis- 
factory in  all  respects. 


Nero  l)0rk  State  Cibrars  School. 


THE  fall  term  opened  Wednesday,  October  3, 
with  the  following  students  : 

SENIOR  CLASS. 

Myrtilla  Avery,  Katonah,  N.  Y. 

B.A.,  Wellesley  College,  1891. 
Claribel  Ruth  Barnett,  Kent,  O. 

Ph.B.,  University  of  Michigan,  1893. 
George  Franklin  Bowerman, 

Honeoye  Falls,  N.  Y. 
B.A..  University  of  Rochester,  1892. 
Edna  Dean  Bullock,  Lincoln,  Neb. 

B.L.,  University  of  Nebraska,  1889. 
Waller  Irene  Bullock,  Baltimore,  Md. 

Wellesley  College,  1892  -  94. 
George  Greenman  Champlin,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

Ph.B.,  Alfred  University,  1884,  Ph.M.,  1890. 
Jenny  Lind  Christman,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

B.S.C.,  Iowa  State  College,  1883. 
Jessica  Gardiner  Cone,  Eaton,  N.  Y. 

Helen  Kilduff  Gray,  Mt.  Vernon,  N.  Y. 

Grace  Fisher  Leonard,  Providence,  R.  I. 

Brown  University,  1893. 

Elizabeth  Shepard  Loveland,          Kingston,  Pa. 
Margaret  Drake  McGuffey,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Helen  Cornwell  Silliman,  Rutland,  Vt. 

Harriet  Howard  Stanley,  Magnolia,  Mass. 

George  Watson  Cutler  Stockwell, 

Northampton,  Mass. 
Alma  Rogers  Van  Hoevenberg, 

New  York  City. 

William  Richard  Watson,         Northfield,  Minn. 
Minnie  Cornwell  Wilson,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

IUNIOR  CLASS. 

Sarah  Hewes  Ames,  Stockbridge,  Mass. 

Grace  Lillian  Betteridge,  Brockport,  N.  Y. 

Wellesley  College,  1887-89. 
Ellen  Dodge  Biscoe,  Grafton,  Mass. 

Wellesley  College,  1885-88. 
Euphemia  Kipp  Corwin,  New  Brunswick,  N.  J. 

Mt.  Holyoke  Seminary,  1881  -82. 
Ella  May  Edwards,  Holley,  N.  Y. 

Syracuse  University,  1887  -  88. 

Elizabeth  Vashti  Hale,         Elizabethtown,  N.  Y. 
Winifred  Arria  Herron,  Endicott,  Mass. 

Boston  University,  1892-93. 
James  Frederic  Hosford,        Kinderhook,  N.  Y. 

A.B.,  Princeton  College,  1892. 

Geraldine  Katherine  Keating,  England. 

Clara  Emily  Latty,  Defiance,  O. 

Swarthmore  College,  1881. 

Jessie  Potter  Mattocks,  Norton,  Mass. 

Frances  Jenkins  Olcott,  Nassau,  N.  Y. 

Nannie  May  Pond,  Woonsocket,  R.  I. 

B.A.,  Wellesley  College,  1893. 
Martha  Louise  Seymour,  St.  Albans,  Vt. 

B.A.,  McGill  University,  1893. 
Marie  Fox  Wait,  Ellenville,  N.  Y. 

Vassar  College,  1872-74. 

Elisa  May  Willard,  Boston,  Mass. 

B.A.,  Smith  College,  1894. 

MARY  S.  CUTLER. 

N.  Y.  STATE  LIBRARY,  I 
Oct.  4,  1894.  I 


October^  '94] 


THE  LIBRAR  Y  JO  URNAL 


349 


Stole  Cibrarg  Associations. 

CONNECTICUT  LIBRARY  ASSOCIA  TION. 

THE  usual  September  meeting  of  the  Connec" 
ticut  Library  Association  was  held  on  Wednesday, 
September  5,  in  the  Acton  Library,  Saybrook, 
by  invitation  of  its  president,  the  Rev.-  Samuel 
Hart,  who  called  the  meeting  to  order  at  1 1  a.m., 
and  invited  the  Hon.  John  Allen,  president  of 
the  board  of  trustees,  to  give  a  history  of  the  li- 
brary. Mr.  Allen  paid  a  tribute  to  the  efforts  of 
the  women  of  Saybrook  in  founding  the  Library 
Association  and  keeping  it  alive  until  the  Hon. 
Thomas  C.  Acton  gave  the  building  in  1879, 
and  the  president,  in  his  opening  address,  also 
alluded  to  the  services  of  Mrs.  Hotchkiss,  Mrs. 
King,  Miss  Wood,  and  other  ladies. 

Reports  were  made  by  the  secretary,  treasurer, 
Connecticut  public  library  committee,  and  com- 
mittee on  badges,  which  had  procured  a  hand- 
some monogram  pin  of  silver  and  Yale  blue  en- 
amel, being  the  'first  badge  adopted  by  a  state 
library  association.  Miss  Mary  Esther  Robbins, 
of  the  New  Britain  Institute,  read  the  first  paper 
of  the  session  on  "  Life  at  the  Library  School," 
describing  the  course,  extended  from  six  months 
in  Columbia  College  in  1887  to  the  present  two 
years  in  the  Albany  school.  In  the  discussion 
which  followed,  the  library  training  classes  in 
Pratt  Institute,  Drexel  Institute,  Armour  In- 
stitute, and  the  Maine  State  College,  managed 
by  graduates  of  the  Library  School,  were  men- 
tioned and  their  relation  to  the  school  defined  as 
that  of  high  school  to  college. 

Miss  Peck,  late  of  New  Haven  Public  Library, 
read  a  paper  on  "  Delivery-desk  difficulties," 
such  as  that  of  supplying  every  reader  at  once 
with  a  copy  of  the  latest  novel,  or  of  convincing 
the  public  of  the  justice  of  fines.  Professor 
Camp  and  Miss  Whiting  of  New  Britain,  were 
among  those  who  took  part  in  the  discussion  upon 
this  paper,  which  was  followed  by  one  by  Pro- 
fessor E.  C.  Richardson,  librarian  of  Princeton 
College,  and  formerly  of  the  Hartford  Theologi- 
cal Seminary,  upon  "  Style  as  a  criterion  in  the 
selection  of  books."  He  urged  the  necessity  of 
remembering  in  buying  the  importance  of  books 
to  be  read  for  their  style,  which  is  most  essen- 
tial in  the  formation  of  right  habits  of  thinking 
and  from  that  in  the  upbuilding  of  character. 
He  suggested  Darwin,  Drummond,  John  Bur- 
roughs, Jeremy  Taylor,  Newman,  Spurgeon, 
Pater,  Saintsbury,  and  Le  Gallienne  as  masters 
of  style  in  their  respective  specialties. 

Members  of  the  Association  and  their  friends, 
to  the  number  of  about  50,  were  invited  to  lun- 
cheon at  the  house  of  the  Hon.  Thomas  C. 
Acton.  At  the  afternoon  session,  Miss  Alice 
Richardson,  librarian  of  the  Talcott  Library  at 
the  Northfield  (Mass.)  School,  gave  an  account  of 
her  work  there,  which  brings  her  into  intimate 
personal  relations  with  many  girls  who  have  had 
only  the  meagre  advantages  of  district  schools 
and  are  to  a  large  extent  dependent  on  themselves 
for  the  money  to  carry  them  through  their 
course. 

A  discussion  on  the  selection  and  purchase 
of  books  was  opened  by  Miss  Maltbie,  of  Falls 


Village.  She  was  followed  by  Mrs.  Hills  of 
Bridgeport,  Miss  Richardson  of  New  London, 
Mrs.  Robinson  of  Norwich,  Miss  Hewins  of 
Harvard,  Dr.  Beardsley  of  Plymouth,  Mr. 
Stetson  of  New  Haven,  Miss  Andrews  of 
Wethersfield,  Miss  Chaffee  of  Moodus,  Mr. 
Brewster  of  Northfield,  Misses  Carpenter  and 
Ford  of  Willimantic,  the  latter,  librarian  of 
the  Dunham  Library,  reporting  that  the  Willi- 
mantic Linen  Company  always  buy  whatever 
she  requests;  Miss  Sheffield  of  Utica,  a  former 
officer  of  the  Acton  Library,  Miss  Strong  of  Col- 
chester, the  Rev.  Dr.  Chesebrough  of  Saybrook, 
Mr.  Wilcox  of  the  newly  opened  Memorial  Li- 
brary in  Westerly,  R.  I.,  which  includes  one  vot- 
ing distict  of  Stonington;  Miss  Scott  of  Norwalk, 
Miss  Twining  of  Waterbury,  Professor  Richard- 
son of  Princeton,  Mr.  Curtis,  principal  of  the 
graded  school,  Saybrook,  and  Miss  Carrington 
of  West  Winsted. 

A  bookcase  of  tasteful  design  and  exquisite 
finish  has  just  been  placed  in  the  Acton  Library 
by  the  young  people  of  Saybrook  in  memory  of 
Miss  Louisa  Lord,  sister  of  Samuel  Clarke  Lord, 
of  Hartford.  It  is  to  be  filled  with  copies  of 
her  favorite  books,  including  many  on  music. 

After  an  informal  talk  on  newspapers  and  mag- 
azines and  votes  of  thanks  to  the  trustees  of  the 
Acton  Library,  the  librarian,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Acton,  the  Association  adjourned,  to  hold  its 
next  meeting  in  New  Britain. 


BROOKLYN  (W.  Y.)  LIBRARY.  Catalogue  of  Eng- 
lish prose  fiction,  including  juveniles  and 
translations;  complete  and  revised  ed.,  July, 
1894.  4+254  p.  1.  O. 

The  Brooklyn  Library  catalog  of  prose  fiction 
is  interesting  evidence  that  Mr.  Bardwell  has 
accepted  his  successorship  to  Mr.  Noyes  as  a 
bibliographer,  as  well  as  in  his  practical  and  ef- 
ficient managfment  of  the  library.  Although 
that  library,  by  help  of  the  Noyes  catalog  and 
with  the  library  of  music  and  the  "  open  shelf  " 
popular  library  in  its  reading-room,  has  a  large 
use  outside  of  fiction,  it  is  true  there,  as  in  most 
libraries,  that  fiction  still  constitutes  the  "great 
majority  "  of  its  circulation.  Readers  are  there- 
fore pleased  to  have  a  fiction  catalog  up  to  date, 
which,  in  this  case,  is  inclusive  of  July,  1894. 
The  catalog  follows  in  general,  although  in 
large  octavo  instead  of  quarto  page,  the  typo- 
graphical methods  of  the  Noyes  catalog,  and  is 
in  that  respect  a  creditable  piece  of  work.  Two 
pages  out  of  the  254  of  the  catalog  are  given  to 
an  interesting  list  of  woiks  on  the  bibliography, 
history,  philosophy,  and  tendency  of  works  of 
fiction,  including  not  only  entries  of  books  but 
references  to  magazine  articles  and  other  notes. 
The  catalog  proper  is  an  author  and  title  short- 
entry  list,  in  one  alphabet.  Appended  to  the 
author-entry  are  contents  of  volumes,  volumes 
in  series  and  not  too  frequent  notes.  There  is 
some  inconsistency  as  to  volume  and  series  en- 
try. In  some  cases  volumes  in  a  series  are  en- 


35° 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\October,  '94 


tered  as  separate  works;  in  other  cases  the  en- 
try is  made  with  the  titles  of  the  individual  vol- 
umes appended,  as  though  contents;  in  others 
both  kinds  of  entries  are  made.  This  is  the  only 
inconsistency  we  have  noted,  and  one  is  small 
allowance  for  any  catalog. 

The  profession  will  be  chiefly  interested  in 
the  new  system  of  shelf-numbering,  in  which 
the  Brooklyn  Library  has  "  flocked  by  itself  "  — 
a  proceeding  which  in  these  days  of  co-operative 
work  necessarily  invites  challenge.  Call-num- 
bers are  prefixed  by  the  letter  F  for  fiction,  with 
a  designation  of  the  author  in  four  or  five  .num- 
bers on  one  side  of  the  decimal  point  and  of  the 
volume  in  the  author's  works  on  the  other  side. 
Instead  of  adopting  the  usual  Cutter  designation 
of  individual  authors,  Mr.  Bardwell  has  used 
an  arbitrary  series  of  numbers  beginning  with 
ooio.  for  Abarbanell  (J.  R.),  and  ending  with 
13585.  for  Zuboff  (Roman  I.),  following  authors 
'n  their  alphabetical  arrangement,  but  leaving 
places  for  new  names  in  their  proper  order. 
This  seems  rather  cumbrous,  particularly  in 
view  of  the  shift  from  four  to  five  numbers 
which  takes  place  at  Rideing  (W:  H.),  who  leads 
the  "  upper  10.000."  Authors'  names  are  given 
in  many  cases  in  full,  but  the  A.  L.  A.  abbrevia- 
tions are  not  availed  of.  The  numbering  of 
volumes  is  at  first  puzzlesome,  for  it  seems 
neither  alphabetical  nor  chronological.  To  take 
Dickens  for  an  example,  "American  notes" 
(with  his  "Oliver  Twist")  is  entered  as 
F29&5.47B  ;  "  Barnaby  Rudge"  as  ¥2965.01  ; 
"  Bleak  house "  as  F2g65.O4;  "Child  pictures" 
(from  his  works)  as  F. 2965. 07;  "Christmas 
books"  as  .08;  same,  later  series,  as  .oSs; 
"  Christmas  carol,"  condensed,  as  .09;  same, 
condensed  with  other  stories,  as  .10;  "Christmas 
stories,"  in  2  v.,  as  .n.  On  inquiry,  the  key  is 
found  to  be  that  the  successive  entries  represent 
the  works  alphabetically,  as  shelved  in  the  li- 
brary at  the  time  the  catalog  was  shaped.  The 
gap  between  .01  and  .04  is  represented  by  v.  i 
and  v.  2  of  "Barnaby  Rudge"  in  2  v.,  and 
"  American  notes"  is  entered  as  .471*  because  it 
is  bound  with  "Oliver  Twist,"  which  by  itself 
has  the  designation  .45.  This  seems  to  us  cum- 
brous, and  neither  fish,  flesh,  nor  fowl.  The  ad- 
dition of  letters  is  somewhat  of  a  puzzle,  since 
it  is  the  practice  of  the  library  to  use  the  letters 
of  the  alphabet  to  designate  duplicates.  "  Our 
mutual  friend"  is  designated  as  .48,  and  the 
same,  condensed,  as  .50^,  which  is  a  new  com- 
plication. It  is  fair  matter  of  question  whether 
it  has  been  worth  while  to  introduce  a  new  sys- 
tem of  this  sort  into  an  individual  library,  in- 
stead of  Mr.  Cutter's  generally  used  author  de- 
signations, although  these  have,  of  course,  the 
disadvantage  to  the  ordinary  reader  that  they 
make  unfamiliar  combinations  of  letter  and 
figure. 

Notwithstanding  possible  criticism  in  this  di- 
rection the  users  of  the  Brooklyn  Library  are 
to  be  congratulated  on  their  possession  of  an 
adequate  and  modern  fiction-list.  It  remains  a 
question,  all  the  same,  whether  special  bibli- 
ographies of  this  sort  are  the  thing  for  any  li- 


brary, and  whether  the  better  scheme  is  not  a 
general  bibliography  of  fiction,  including  the 
useful  features  of  the  Boston  Public  Library 
fiction-lists,  which  would  serve  most  libraries 
for  the  practical  purposes  of  fiction-readers. 
Probably  this  is  an  ideal  toward  which  fiction 
bibliography  will  grow,  and  the  $600  or  $700 
which  it  cost  to  print  this  catalog  (aside  from 
the  cost  of  time  used  in  its  preparation)  will 
then  go  a  good  deal  further  in  providing  users 
of  a  good  many  libraries  with  a  better  catalog 
than  any  one  library  can  get  up  fcr  itself. 

UNIVERSITY  OF  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK,  State 
Library  bulletin.  Public  libraries,  no.  2,  June, 
1894.  Statistics  of  New  York  libraries  for  1893. 

This  might  well  be  called  a  statistical  guide 
to  the  libraries  of  New  York  state.  It  is  made 
up  from  the  reports  submitted  to  the  regents 
under  the  university  law  of  1892,  and  consists  of 
tabulated  summaries  of  the  various  libraries, 
arranged  alphabetically  by  location.  Libraries 
are  divided  into  two  groups,  those  in  the  Uni- 
versity and  those  not  in  the  University;  all  of 
the  former  are  given,  while  of  the  latter  only 
those  having  1000  or  more  v.  are  included.  The 
total  number  of  libraries  recorded  is  600,  of 
which  433  are  in  the  university.  Of  these,  284 
report  public  ownership  or  control,  262  being 
under  the  direction  of  school  authorities;  114  are 
school  libraries,  and  the  others  are  classed  as 
government,  college,  institutional,  endowed, 
membership,  business,  parish,  and  (i)  private 
Under  the  heading  "terms  of  use,"  67  are  re- 
corded as  free  for  reference,  337  are  free  for  lend- 
ing, 298  are  free  for  lending  to  a  limited  class, 
31  are  subscription  open  to  all,  2  are  limited  sub- 
scription, and  2  private.  The  whole  600  contain 
3,851,945  volumes,  and  the  total  circulation  for 
one  year  is  given  as  3,136,602.  There  is  a  short 
summary  of  gifts  and  special  additions  made  to 
libraries  during  the  year  and  of  library  buildings 
built  and  in  process  of  erection.  There  are  seven 
careful  statistical  tables,  covering  "  libraries  in 
the  university,"  "  libraries  not  in  the  univer- 
sity," "geographic  distribution  of  libraries  by 
counties,"  "  libraries  having  10,000  v.  or  more, 
arranged  in  order  of  their  size  ;"  free  lending 
libraries  of  1000  v.  or  more,  arranged  by  size; 
free  reference  libraries  of  1000  v.  or  more,  ar- 
ranged by  size;  and  college  libraries.  These 
tables  aim  to  give,  in  condensed  form,  the  chief 
facts  relating  to  each  library,  recording  location, 
name,  year  of  formation,  name  of  librarian, 
class  of  books,  ownership,  support,  terms  of  use, 
total  number  of  v.,  no.  added  in  1893,  and  no. 
issued  during  the  year  for  home  and  library  use, 
days  open  and  hours  open  for  lending  and  read- 
ing, total  receipts  and  their  source,  total  expenses 
and  chief  items  of  same.  Of  course,  the  statis- 
tics vary  as  to  fulness,  for  while  some  libraries 
report  on  all  these  points  others  give  but  a  few 
items.  As  a  whole,  the  bulletin  is  a" library- 
exhibit"  of  New  York  state,  that  is  encouraging 
as  well  as  interesting,  and  that  deserves  an  at- 
tention not  usually  given  to  "  figgers  "  pure  and 
simple. 


October,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


35* 


£ibrarg  (Economy  arib  ^i 


LOCAL. 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Pratt  Institute  F.  L.  Plans 
are  on  foot  for  the  establishment  of  a  "home 
library"  in  connection  with  the  Institute,  on 
lines  similar  to  those  developed  by  Mr.  C:  W. 
Birtwell,  of  Boston.  These  provide  for  the 
placing  of  a  shelf  or  two  of  carefully  selected 
books  —  about  20  —  in  the  home  of  a  respectable 
family  in  a  neighborhood  in  which  it  is  desirable 
to  work.  Once  a  week  the  books  are  distributed 
among  a  clientage  of  10  children  selected  as 
most  likely  to  be  benefited,  after  inquiry  among 
kindergartners  and  other  neighborhood  workers. 
After  all  the  books  have  been  read  by  one 
neighborhood  they  may  be  removed  to  another, 
and  library  no.  2  transferred  to  the  first  centre 
of  work. 

Cambridge  (Mass.)  P.  L.  The  library  has  been 
closed  during  part  of  August  for  alterations 
and  for  rearrangement  and  reclassification  of 
books.  The  changes  made  comprise  the  addi- 
tion of  anew  wing  connected  with  the  main  build- 
ing, built  at  a  cost  of  about  $20,000.  This  new 
wing  joins  the  main  building  on  the  north  side 
of  the  general  reading-room.  Two  arches  con- 
nect the  reading-room  with  the  children's  read- 
ing-room, which  occupies  almost  the  whole  of 
the  addition.  At  the  rear  of  the  children's 
reading-room  is  a  catalog-room,  the  trustees 
having  decided  last  year  to  put  in  a  public  card 
catalog  for  the  whole  library,  similar  to  the  one 
in  use  at  Harvard  Library.  A  librarian's  office, 
which  has  been  long  needed,  is  also  placed  in  the 
new  wing. 

Canton  (III.)  P.  L.  The  new  public  library 
building  was  formally  opened  on  the  evening  of 
September  4,  with  appropriate  exercises.  The 
building  and  site  cost  about  $20,000,  of  which 
amount  $8000  was  bequeathed  by  the  late  Will- 
iam Parlin. 

Cleveland  (0.)  P.  L.  The  South  End  branch 
of  the  public  library  was  formally  opened  on 
the  evening  of  September  10.  It  is  located  in 
the  old  Newburg  town  hall,  which  has  been 
papered,  painted,  and  satisfactorily  altered  to 
suit  its  present  purpose.  The  opening  was  well 
attended,  and  the  brief  exercises  conducted  by 
the  members  of  the  library  board  were  followed 
by  a  social  reception.  The  branch  contains 
about  5000  v. 

Denver  (Col.}  P.  L.  On  September  i  the 
library  was  opened  to  the  public  after  having 
been  closed  for  two  months  for  alterations  and 
repairs.  A  public  reception  was  given  by  Mr. 
Dana  and  his  assistants,  and  by  the  library  com- 
mittee of  the  board  of  education.  The  changes, 
which  were  made  necessary  by  lack  of  space, 
include  the  removal  of  the  vestibule,  which  took 
up  a  portion  of  the  delivery-room,  and  the  sub- 
stitution of  a  smuller  one  outside  the  entrance, 
and  an  alteration  of  the  partitions,  giving  more 
space  to  the  delivery-room.  To  the  right  of 
this  room  is  the  children's  room,  into  which  the 
delivery-counter  is  extended.  The  main  room  in 
the  rear  of  the  delivery-room  has  been  remodelled 


to  give  more  space,  and  the  table  and  seating 
room  largely  increased.  The  fiction  shelves  are 
fenced  off  from  public  access,  but  all  other 
shelves  are  freely  accessible.  An  archway  has 
been  cut  into  the  old  reading-room,  to  which 
the  works  on  history,  biography,  and  travel 
have  been  removed  and  a  number  of  new  tables 
and  seats  placed.  The  ladies'  reading-room  still 
remains.  A  new  balcony  floor  has  been  built 
over  the  delivery-room  and  is  used  exclusively 
for  the  medical  library,  which  is  the  most  com- 
plete in  the  west.  In  this  room  are  chairs  and 
tables,  and  it  is  shut  off  from  the  rest  of  the 
libraiy  to  facilitate  study.  The  rear  balcony  is 
given  over  to  works  on  social  science,  education, 
etc.,  and  here  are  the  files  of  the  daily  and 
other  newspapers. 

Everett,  Mass.  The  contract  for  the  Parlin 
Memorial  L.  has  been  awarded  to  Mead,  Mason 
&  Co.,  Boston,  whose  bid  was  $18,179. 

Han ford  (Ct .)  P.  L.  The  executive  commit- 
tee in  their  s6th  report,  just  issued,  say  :  "The 
library  has  passed  beyond  the  experimental  stage 
and  is  rapidly  becoming  a  necessary  factor  in 
the  daily  life  of  our  city." 

During  the  year  6000  v.  have  been  added  to 
the  library.  "  In  order  to  determine  what  books 
are  desired  by  the  public,  the  library  committee 
has  had  blanks  prepared  headed  : 

"Attendant's  Weekly  Report. 

"  Thursday, ,  189-. 

"  In  order  to  supply  the  demands  of  leaders,  the  library 
needs  more  copies  of  the  following  books : 

"  The  assistants  are  instructed  to  make  a  note 
of  titles  of  books  which  are  '  always  out,'  and 
report  them  every  Thursday  to  the  librarian, 
who  formulates  them,  giving  price  and  number 
of  copies  required,  for  the  meeting  of  the  library 
committee  on  Saturday.  This  plan  the  library 
committee  consider  an  extremely  useful  one, 
since  thereby  the  public  is  unwittingly  made  to 
suggest  what  books  are  needed.  In  accordance 
with  the  suggestions  in  these  weekly  reports, 
we  have  added,  besides  duplicates  of  many  pop- 
ular novels,  duplicates  of  short  biographies  of 
authors,  Mrs.  Dana's  books  on  wild  flowers, 
Upton's  standard  operas  and  books  on  games, 
and  have  bought  several  books  on  perspective 
and  topographical  drawing. 

11  In  October  the  library  ordered  duplicates  of 
the  Century,  Scribner's,  Harper's  Magazine,  and 
St.  Nicholas  for  circulation  for  three  months,  as 
an  experiment.  They  became  so  popular  that 
in  January  the  subscriptions  were  renewed  for  a 
year.  It  was  stated  in  one  of  the  daily  papers 
that  the  magazines  would  be  sold  at  10  cents 
each  at  the  end  of  three  months,  and  long  before 
that  time  the  demand  exceeded  the  supply.  The 
magazines  are  put  into  simple  covers  of  thick 
pasteboard,  costing  nine  cents  each,  and  lasting 
an  indefinite  time,  and  all  except  St.  Nicholas 
are  lettered  '  Three-day  books.'" 

"  The  author-list  of  novels,  issued  in  May, 
1893,  has  been  of  the  greatest  use.  In  October 
we  printed  a  bulletin  of  all  books  added  since 
1892,  and  with  it  classified  a  list  of  all  our  books 
n  science  and  useful  arts  not  so  old  as  to  be 
useless.  The  January  bulletin  contains  a  similar 


352 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{October,  '94 


list  of  books  on  education,  with  a  large  number 
of  recent  additions  on  the  subject.  The  library 
has,  in  connection  with  the  Watkinson  Library, 
prepared  lists  for  eight  clubs  :  Queen's  Club,  on 
the  reign  of  Victoria;  Monday  Afternoon  Club, 
Europe,  1700-1800;  Art  Club,  English  art, 
1750-1894;  Shakespeare  Club,  Shakespeare's 
Henry  iv.  and  Henry  v. ;  Thursday  Club,  Rome; 
Friday  Club,  London;  Saturday  Morning  Club, 
Spain  and  Scandinavia  ;  Archaeological  Club, 
Greek  art.  It  has  also  prepared  a  list  of  his- 
torical novels  for  students  of  history  in  Trinity 
College,  and  given  aid,  directly  or  indirectly, 
to  members  of  many  clubs  not  mentioned  above, 
and  is  ready  to  furnish  lists  for  them  and  receive 
suggestions  for  ordering  and  importing  books 
for  special  courses  of  reading." 

In  conclusion,  the  directors  express  their  be- 
lief "  that  the  record  of  the  Hartford  Library 
during  the  21  months  of  its  existence  has  been 
in  some  respects  an  unusual  one.  Certainly  no 
one  would  have  ventured  to  predict  for  us  at 
this  time  a  registry  of  over  11,000  names  and  a 
circulation  throughout  the  winter  of  over  4000 
books  a  week.  To  our  minds,  however,  the 
most  significant  feature  is  the  steady  increase 
of  the  circulation  during  the  second  year,  a  time 
when,  according  to  our  best  information,  there 
is  usually  a  falling  off  owing  to  lack  of  novelty 
and  the  incurring  of  fines  from  carelessness. 
If  the  present  rate  of  increase  were  maintained, 
which,  of  course,  we  do  not  expect,  it  would  in 
seven  years  carry  our  circulation  up  to  the  half- 
million  mark." 

Kansas  City  (Kan.)  P.  L.  Unexpected  com- 
plications have  come  up  regarding  the  $25,000 
given  by  George  Shiedley,  of  Kansas  City,  to 
the  board  of  education  for  the  benefit  of  the 
public  library.  The  sum  was  originally  given, 
as  noted  in  the  March  L.  j.  (19  : 102),  for  the  pur- 
chase of  books.  Later,  when  there  was  difficulty 
in  obtaining  a  site,  Mr.  Shiedley  expressed  his 
willingness  to  have  his  gift  used  for  that  pur- 
pose. This  was  done,  and  in  the  spring  elections 
$200,000  worth  of  bonds  were  voted  for  build- 
ing a  library,  which  were  promptly  sold.  Since 
that  time  Mr.  Shiedley  has  become  seriously  ill 
and  mentally  unfit  for  business.  His  bequest  is 
now  contested  by  his  relatives,  who  assert  that 
while  satisfied  with  the  original  grant  for  books, 
they  have  serious  objections  to  the  money  being 
used  for  a  site,  in  the  selection  of  which  personal 
considerations  might  be  involved.  The  board 
of  education  has  decided,  finally,  to  test  in  the 
courts  its  right  to  use  the  money  for  the  purchase 
of  a  library  site. 

Ledyard,  Ct.  Bill  L.  The  27th  anniversary  of 
the  founding  of  the  Bill  Library  was  celebrated 
at  Ledyard  on  Sept.  5.  The  exercises,  com- 
mencing at  i T.  a.m.,  were  held  in  the  church  and 
were  open  to  the  public.  Rev.  James  A.  Gallup, 
of  Madison,  deliveredlthe  main  address,  and  Rev. 
Frederic  Denison,  of  Providence,  contributed 
the  poem.  Short  speeches  were  made,  and  at 
the  close  of  the  exercises  there  was  a  basket 
picnic  on  the  lawn  near  the  church. 

Macon  (Ga.)  P.  L.  The  directors  have  de- 
cided to  tender  the  library  to  the  board  of  edu- 


cation, to  be  maintained  by  public  money.  They 
state  that  "  for  years  the  income  of  the  library 
has  been  insufficient  for  its  proper  maintenance, 
and  the  deficiency  has  been  made  up  from  time 
to  time  by  special  appeals  to  and  subscriptions 
from  the  citizens  of  Macon."  At  the  present 
time  the  expenses  are  far  in  excess  of  the  income, 
the  membership  has  fallen  to  196,  while  the  cir- 
culation has  increased  50  per  cent,  within  the 
past  year.  The  directors  say  that  unless  the 
board  of  education  accepts  the  offer,  "  the  li- 
brary will  be  forced  to  close  its  doors,  as  the 
directors  do  not  feel  that  they  would  be  justified 
in  allowing  it  to  again  accumulate  a  floating 
debt." 

Manchester  (N.  H.)  City  L.  Added  318  ;  total 
36,486  ;  issued,  home  use  52,295  ;  reading-room 
use  8203.  Compared  with  the  preceding  year 
the  circulation  for  home  use  shows  a  decrease  of 
579  volumes,  while  the  number  delivered  for  use 
at  the  library  shows  an  increase  of  357;  the  total 
circulation  is  222  less  than  in  the  previous  year. 

Mass.  State  L.,  Boston.  When  the  State  Li- 
brary is  established  in  its  new  quarters  it  is  to 
have  a  little  electric  elevator  for  hoisting  the 
books  from  one  floor  to  another,  which  is  said  to 
be,  so  far  as  is  known,  the  only  small  lift  of  the 
sort  made  up  to  the  present  time.  Librarian 
Tillinghast  made  up  his  mind  as  to  what  was 
needed,  and  finally  had  his  plans  carried  out  by 
an  electrical  construction  firm.  The  proposed 
elaborate  railway  system  for  carrying  books 
about  the  library,  much  as  if  they  were  cash, 
has  been  abandoned,  owing  to  its  intricacy. 

Minneapolis  (Minn.)  P.  L.  Added  5636;  total 
66,846.  Issued  368,090  (fict.  47.52$).  Receipts 
$67,633.78  ;  expenses  $60,878.78. 

The  book  having  the  highest  record  of  circula- 
tion was  Hardy's  "  Tess  of  the  D'Urbervilles," 
which  was  issued  759  times.  The  total  circula- 
tion showed  an  increase  of  12  %  over  the  previous 
year. 

Two  of  the  delivery  stations  were  discontinued 
during  1893.  After  a  year's  experiment  the 
station  at  the  university  and  Labor  Temple  were 
abandoned  as  unnecessary.  During  the  year 
the  work  of  cataloging  has  been  continued,  so 
that  now  the  art  works  are  completely  cataloged 
as  to  authors,  titles,  and  subjects. 

New  York.  Columbia  College  L.  The  addition 
made  to  the  library  during  the  year  number 
15,161  v.,  of  which  10,144  were  gifts.  The 
total  v.  in  the  library  is  estimated  at  175,000. 
The  trustees  were  necessarily  prevented  from 
appropriating  much  money  for  the  purchase  of 
books.  The  expenditure  in  this  line  was  only 
$9000,  but  in  addition  to  this  Mr.  Avery  con- 
tributed to  the  Avery  Architectural  Library  gifts 
amounting  to  $10,284.69.  The  miscellaneous 
gifts  for  the  purchase  of  books  amounted  to 
$27,350,  making  the  total  money  available 
$37,634.69.  The  library  hardly  shows  the  effect 
of  this  money,  as  much  of  it  was  received  so  late 
that  it  has  not  yet  been  expended. 

Newark  (N.  /.)  F.   L.    At    the   September 

meeting  of  the  board   Librarian  Hill  asked  that 

he  library  adopt  the  two-books-on-a-card  plan, 


October,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


353 


allowing  readers  two  books  at  a  time  provided 
that  but  one  be  a  work  of  fiction.  He  also  rec- 
ommended that  the  privileges  of  the  library  be 
extended  to  suburban  residents,  whose  daily 
work  is  in  the  city.  Both  suggestions  were  re- 
ferred to  the  book  committee. 

Palo  Alto,  Cal.  Leland  Stanford  Jr.  Univ> 
President  Jordan,  of  Stanford  University,  has 
given  an  outline  of  the  improvements  contem- 
plated by  Mrs.  Stanford  as  soon  as  the  litigation 
in  the  courts  is  settled.  Upon  the  distribution 
of  the  estate  of  her  husband  about  $3,000,000 
will  pass  to  the  university,  while  the  remainder 
of  the  estate  will  come  under  Mrs.  Stanford's 
control,  to  be  bequeathed  to  the  university  at 
her  death.  The  most  important  addition  to  be 
given  by  Mrs.  Stanford  is  a  handsome  library 
building,  to  cost  $150,000,  which  will  be  built  in 
the  spring.  An  exact  duplicate  of  this  building 
will  be  built  100  feet  away,  and  will  be  devoted 
to  the  use  of  a  museum  and  laboratory  for  the 
natural  history  department.  These  buildings 
will  stand  in  front  of  the  present  quadrangle,  and 
will  subsequently  be  connected  with  other  build- 
ings. 

Philadelphia.  Apprentices'  L.  Issued  79  901 
(fict.  71$);  visitors  to  reading-room  36,989. 

The  issue  of  books  shows  an  increase  of  27  % 
over  the  previous  year. 

Philadelphia  L.  Co.  Added  4329  ;  total  175,- 
398.  Issued  47, 238  (from  Ridgway  branch  2131). 
No.  visitors  74,934. 

Quincy  (III.}  P.  L.  Added  1754;  total  14,080. 
Issued  64,781  (fict.  36,120);  Sunday  circulation 
(six  months  only)  439;  total  no.  visitors  63,930. 
Receipts  $7703.29;  expenses  $6486.81.  There 
is  an  increase  of  3973  v.  over  the  circulation  of 
the  previous  year. 

St.  Joseph  (Mo.} P.  L.  (4th  rpt.)  Added  2188; 
total  11,512.  Issued,  home  use  100,924  (fict.  and 
juv.  .825  %},  an  increase  of  8211  over  the  circula- 
tion of  the  previous  year;  statistics  of  ref .  use  are 
not  given.  Receipts  $7874.11 ;  expenses  $7481.29. 

"Thirty-five  volumes  in  raised  character  for 
the  blind  have  been  purchased.  There  are  said 
to  be  between  20  and  30  blind  people  in  our  city, 
and  we  have  the  names  of  13  who  can  read  and 
will  avail  themselves  of  this  department  of  the 
library.  It  will  be  possible  to  speak  more  cer- 
tainly of  the  success  of  this  venture  in  the  next 
report,  as  the  department  was  only  opened  in 
April. 

"  In  October,  1893,  a  supplement  to  the  find- 
ing-list was  issued,  containing  about  1200  titles, 
and  forming,  with  the  finding  list,  a  complete, 
single  entry,  author  catalog  of  the  circulating 
department.  It  will  be  necessary  to  publish  an- 
other supplement  during  the  present  year. 

"  The  Library  Record,  published  each  month 
by  W.  M.  Shirley,  prints  a  list  of  the  new  books 
added,  and  furnishes  1500  copies  for  gratuitous 
distribution  at  the  delivery-counter.  This  is 
without  expense  to  the  board,  and  the  library  is 
responsible  for  none  of  the  contents  of  the  paper, 
with  the  exception  of  the  book-list.  The  Daily 
News  also  prints  a  list  of  new  books,  w|th  num- 
bers, every  two  weeks." 


Brief  comment  is  made  on  the  connection  of 
the  library  with  the  schools,  and  the  need  of 
larger  and  more  convenient  quarters  is  alluded 
to. 

San  Francisco  (Cal.}  F.  P.  L.  In  his  report  to 
the  board  of  supervisors,  President  O'Connor, 
of  the  board  of  library  trustees,  makes  a  caustic 
statement  of  the  inadequate  appropriation  al- 
lowed the  library  and  its  unfortunate  financial 
condition.  Particular  stress  is  laid  upon  the  in- 
ability to  purchase  new  books.  Old  books  have 
been  withdrawn  from  circulation  because  there 
is  no  money  to  pay  for  their  rebinding.  Several 
important  and  hitherto  well-patronized  depart- 
ments have  been  indefinitely  closed,  as  there  is  no 
money  for  the  attendants' salaries.  The  employ- 
ees are  overworked  and  poorly  paid.  The  prom- 
ised elevator,  that  was  to  carry  borrowers  up  four 
flights  of  stairs,  has  never  been  put  in,  and  the 
patronage  of  the  women  has  sadly  decreased  in 
consequence. 

Mr.  O'Connor  says  :  "We  challenge  anybody 
having  the  disposal  of  the  city's  funds  to  show  a 
better  record  than  we  have  for  the  careful  dis- 
bursement of  the  moneys  with  which  the  people 
have  entrusted  us.  With  all  the  crippling  saving 
to  which  we  were  last  year  compelled  to  resort, 
the  balance  at  its  close  was  but  $ 1 1 74. 8 7,  scarcely 
enough  to  pay  the  employees  half  a  month's  sal- 
ary. We  are  determined  never  to  leave  the 
library  in  debt  at  the  end  of  a  year.  Rather  than 
do  so  we  will  close  one  or  more  of  our  depart- 
ments, or  if  necessary  the  entire  library.  Of 
course  we  do  not  for  a  moment  wish  to  imply 
that  your  honorable  board  was  ungenerous  to 
the  library,  or  had  the  means  to  treat  us  better, 
but  we  feel  it  is  but  jnst  to  ourselves  that  the 
reading  public  should  understand  why  we  are  un- 
able to  treat  them  better.  Including  janitors, 
messenger-boys,  and  all  other  persons  drawing 
salary  from  the  library  fund,  we  have,  for  the 
main  library  and  the  four  branches,  but  38  em- 
ployees. These  employees  work  longer  hours 
and  receive  less  pay  than  those  of  any  other  de- 
partment of  the  city  government.  The  library 
is  open  for  12  hours  on  week  days  and  four  hours 
on  Sundays.  The  average  salary  is  $45-95  per 
month." 

Beginning  with  October  i  it  was  found  neces- 
sary to  close  two  of  the  branch  libraries  for  lack 
of  funds.     The  remaining  two  branches  will  be 
continued  as  long  as  possible. 
FOREIGN. 

Jedburgh,  Scotl.  Andrew  Carnegie  has  given 
.£500  to  the  town  of  Jedburgh,  County  of  Rox- 
burgh, for  a  public  library. 

London.  British  Museum  L.  The  number 
of  visitors  to  the  Museum  during  the  past  year 
was  538,560  as  against  558,54s  i°  l892  '  the 
reading-room  was  used  by  194,102  persons 
(197,984  in  1892),  and  a  total  of  1,402,815  v. 
were  issued  to  readers  during  the  year.  The 
year's  statistics  of  the  department  of  printed 
books  are  interesting.  A  total  of  45  942  v.  and 
pamphlets  (including  8l  atlases  and  1490  books 
of  music)  were  added  to  the  library  in  the  course 
of  the  year,  of  which  13,588  were  presented, 
i?>759  received  in  pursuance  of  the  laws  of  copy- 


354 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[October,  '94 


right,  511  by  international  exchange,  and  19,084 
purchased.  The  large  number  of  works  pre- 
sented, which  was  again,  as  in  1892,  far  in  ex- 
cess of  the  average,  is  due  to  a  large  collection 
of  pamphlets  given  by  the  National  'Liberal 
Club;  63,631  parts  of  volumes  for  separate  num- 
bers of  periodical  publications,  and  of  works  in 
progress  were  also  added,  as  well  as  1005  maps 
in  5165  sheets  and  4944  pieces  of  music,  each 
complete  in  itself.  The  number  of  newspapers 
published  in  the  United  Kingdom  received  under 
copyright  provisions  was  2571,  comprising  174,- 
310  single  numbers;  695  of  these  were  published 
in  London  and  its  suburbs,  1474  in  other  parts 
of  England  and  Wales  and  in  the  Channel  Isl- 
ands, 223  in  Scotland,  and  179  in  Ireland. 
PR  A  C  TIC  A  L  NO  TES. 

A  NEW  TEMPORARY  BINDER. — The  Neilson 
binder,  which  was  first  introduced  to  librarians 
at  the  recent  Lake  Placid  conference,  possesses 
one  novel  feature,  which  entitles  it  to  special 
consideration.  This  is  the  mechanical  binding 
device,  which  consists  of  two  or  more  flat  steel 
rods,  pivoted  at  one  end  and  locking  at  the 
other.  These  rods  are  slipped  inside  the  periodi- 
cal to  be  bound,  lying  close  to  the  binding,  and 
are  then  secured  at  the  lower  end,  thus  pre- 
cluding unauthorized  removal,  and  holding  the 
periodical  firmly  in  its  cover  without  mutilating 
it  by  punched  holes  or  the  insertion  of  wires. 
The  periodicals  are  thoroughly  secured  but  open 
freely,  and  sustain,  of  course,  but  a  minimum  of 
wear.  The  binder  has  been  introduced  into 
many  libraries  for  reading-room  use.  It  is  made 
by  the  Neilson  Mfg.  Co.,  383  Federal  St.,  Bos- 
ton, Mass. 


(Sifts  cmb  Bequests. 


Carlisle,  Mass.  Mrs.  Joanna  Gleason,  of  Sud- 
bury,  a  native  of  Carlisle,  has  recently  given  to 
that  town  $6000  for  the  erection  of  a  building  to 
he  used  as  a  public  library.  In  addition  she  gives 
$roo  towards  grading  the  lot  already  selected 
and  $200  toward  furnishing  the  building.  Work 
has  already  begun.  The  building  is  to  be  a 
memorial  of  the  Parker  family,  of  which  Mrs. 
Gleason  is  a  member. 

Delaware,  O.  Ohio  Wesleyan  Univ.  Dr.  C:  E. 
Slocum,  of  Defiance,  O.,  has  given  $50.00010 
Ohio  Wesleyan  University  for  a  new  library 
building.  The  financial  secretary  of  the  univer 
sity,  Dr.  J.  M.  Barker,  who  has  been  largely  in- 
strumental in  securing  this  gift,  is  now  busy  rais- 
ing an  endowment  fund  for  the  purchase  of 
books.  It  is  expected  that  steps  will  be  taken 
for  the  immediate  erection  of  the  library  build- 
ing. This  is  the  second  Important  gift  secured 
by  the  university  within  the  past  few  weeks,  the 
gift  of  Dr.  Cramer's  fine  private  library  having 
been  already  noted  (L.  j.  19  :  317). 

Ilion  (N~.  Y.)  P.  L.  The  library  has  received, 
by  the  will  of  the  late  Mrs.  Harriet  E.  Carlton, 
a  bequest  of  $2000,  to  be  invested  for  its  benefit, 
the  proceeds  to  be  devoted  to  the  maintenance  ol 
the  library.  This  is  the  first  bequest  that  has 
been  made  to  the  library. 

Leicester,  Mass.  By  the  will  of  the  late  Dr. 
Pliny  Earle,  Leicester  receives  $6000  to  be 


used  in  the  erection  of  a  library  building.  Some 
years  ago  the  town  received  a  bequest  of  $5000 
from  the  late  D.  E.  Merriam,  of  the  Leicester 
National  Bank,  to  be  devoted  to  the  same  pur- 
pose. It  was,  however,  accompanied  by  a  pro- 
viso that  none  of  it  should  be  expended  until 
there  was  a  building  fund  of  $15  ooo  available. 
The  accrued  interest  on  Mr.  Merriam's  legacy 
now  amounts  to  about  $icoo,  and  with  the  sum 
just  received  from  Dr.  Earle's  estate  gives  $12,- 
ooo  already  in  hand,  and  the  trustees  are  confi- 
dent that  the  remaining  $3000  could  quickly  be 
raised  if  they  were  ready  to  begin  operations. 
The  only  difficulty  at  present  is  the  securing  of  a 
suitable  site. 

Tarn-worth,  N.  H.  Mrs.  C:  P.  Cook,  of  Tarn- 
worth,  has  given  to  that  town  $2000  for  a  public 
library  building. 

Williamsburg,  Mass.  By  the  will  of  the  late 
Stephen  Meekins,  of  Williamsburg,  the  town  re- 
ceives $15.000  for  the  erection  of  a  library  build- 
ing, and  an  equal  amount  for  the  purchase  of 
books  and  fittings.  A  condition  of  the  bequest 
is  that  "  under  no  circumstances  are  the  trustees 
to  allow  the  library  to  be  open  for  business  or 
the  distribution  of  books  on  the  Sabbath." 


Cibraricms. 


BLAKELY,  Miss  Bertha  E.,  was  appointed  li- 
brarian of  the  New  Jersey  State  Normal  School, 
Trenton,  Sept.  i,  1894.  She  is  a  graduate  of 
Mt.  Holyoke  College  and  a  member  of  the  class 
of  '95  of  the  New  York  State  Library  School. 

FORSYTH,  Walter  G. ,  has  accepted  the  position 
of  reference  librarian  at  the  Library  Co.  of 
Philadelphia.  Since  leaving  the  N.  Y.  State 
Library  School  in  1893  he  has  been  engaged 
in  classifying  and  cataloging  various  private 
libraries,  and  for  six  months  was  special  cata- 
loger  at  the  Worcester  Public  Library. 

HAWES,  Miss  Clara  S.,  of  the  New  York  State 
Library  School  class  of  '94,  has,  since  July,  been 
engaged  in  cataloging,  shelf-listing  and  reor- 
ganizing the  library  of  the  Young  Men's  Library 
Association,  Palmer,  Mass. 

HAYWARD,  Miss  Almira  L. .for  20  years  li- 
brarian of  the  Cambridge  (Mass.)  Public  Li- 
brary, was  instantly  killed  on  the  morning  of 
October  11  by  falling  through  an  opening  in  the 
flooring  of  the  library,  where  workmen  had 
been  making  repairs.  Miss  Hayward  was  well 
known  in  the  library  world,  and  her  death  is  a 
sad  shock  to  her  many  friends  in  the  A.  L.  A. 
and  the  Massachusetts  Library  Club,  of  which 
she  was  a  life  member. 

JACKSON,  James.  The  American  librarians  who 
had  the  pleasure  of  knowing  Mr.  James  Jackson, 
from  1881  to  1894,  archiviste-bibliothecaire  de 
la  Societe  de  Geographic  of  Paris,  when  he  was 
preparing  his  bibliography  in  their  libraries,  will 
learn  with  pleasure  that  on  his  retirement  from 
his  post,  because  the  health  of  his  wife  obliges 
him  to  pass  his  winters  in  the  south,  the  central 
commission  of  the  society  have  offered  him  a 
gold  medal  in  recognition  of  his  long,  zealous 
and  unpaid  services.  Among  these  services  the. 


October,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


355 


president  mentions  his  interesting  publishers 
and  authors  in  the  increase  of  the  library;  his 
numerous  gifts  to  it,  not  only  of  pamphlets  but 
of  books,  often  of  great  value  —  Larousse's  Dic- 
tionnaire,  for  instance  ;  other  gifts,  of  furniture 
and  of  binding;  his  collection  of  over  17,000 
geographical  photographs,  many  of  them  taken 
by  himself,  and  of  about  2300  portraits  of  ge- 
ographers and  travellers.  It  is  thought,  also,  that 
he  was  one  of  two  or  three  anonymous  persons 
who  abandoned  to  the  society  the  bonds  which 
they  had  received  for  money  lent  for  the  con- 
struction of  the  society's  present  house. 

LOWREY,  Charles  Emmett,  librarian  of  the 
University  of  Colorado,  Boulder,  Col.,  died  sud- 
denly on  September  13,  at  his  home  in  Boulder. 
Dr.  Lowrey  was  one  of  the  prominent  librarians 
of  the  west,  and  was  well  known  in  library  and 
educational  circles.  He  was  born  at  Hacketts- 
town,  Warren  Co.,  N.  J,  July  6, 1855,  and  gradu- 
ated A. B.  from  the  University  of  Michigan  in 
1877.  From  1877  to  1879  he  taught  at  Anderson, 
N.  j.,and  from  1879-81  was  principal  of  the 
High  School  of  Calumet,  Mich.  In  the  autumn  of 
1881  Mr.  Lowrey  returned  to  the  University  of 
Michigan,  where  he  remained  engaged  in  teach- 
ing and  literary  work  until  November,  1886,  when 
impaired  health  compelled  him  to  go  further  west, 
to  Wyoming  and  Colorado.  He  received  from 
the  University  of  Michigan  the  degree  of  A.M.  in 
1882,  and  that  of  Ph.D.  in  1884.  For  three  years 
he  was  associated  with  Dr.  W:  H.  Payne  in  edit- 
ing and  translating  pedagogical  literature.  In 
1889  he  was  called  to  take  charge  of  the  Library 
of  the  University  of  Colorado,  and  was  elected 
librarian  in  1890.  He  was  instrumental  in  intro- 
ducing instruction  in  library  technics  and  bibli- 
ography into  the  university  curriculum,  and  was 
active  in  advancing  the  interests  of  the  library. 
He  was  a  frequent  contributor  to  periodicals  and 
literary  and  educational  reviews,  and  what  is 
probably  his  last  article,  a  paper  on  "  The  uni- 
versity library,  its  larger  recognition  in  higher 
education,"  appeared  in  Education  for  May,  and 
was  reprinted  in  the  August  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 
(19  : 264).  Dr.  Lowrey  had  been  a  member  of  the 
A.  L.  A.  since  1891. 

MOULTON,  John  Grant,  has  been  appointed 
librarian  of  the  Quincy  (111.)  Public  Library,  suc- 
ceeding the  late  James  Gallaher.  Mr.  Moulton  is 
a  graduate  of  the  New  York  State  Library  School 
(class  of  '94),  and  was  for  eight  months  indexer  to 
the  New  York  State  Commission  in  Lunacy. 
Since  the  death  of  Mr.  Gallaher  in  March,  1893, 
Miss  Martha  Pilger,  formerly  assistant,  has  been 
acting  librarian. 

PLUMMER,  Miss  Mary  W.,  librarian  of  Pratt 
Institute,  Brooklyn,  who  is  now  abroad,  has 
spent  the  past  month  at  Baireuth,  and  an  interest- 
ing account  from  her  pen  of  certain  features  of 
the  city  and  its  environs  appears  in  the  New  York 
Evening  Post,  of  Sept.  20. 

SELBY,  Miss  Emily  H.,  for  five  years  state  li- 
brarian of  Illinois,  has  for  the  past  two  years 
been  engaged  in  different  departments  of  the 
World's  Fair  organization.  Her  connection 
with  the  committee  on  awards  ended  in  August 
of  this  year,  in  time  to  permit  attendance  at 
th«  A.  L,  A,  conference,  She  now  contem- 


plates a  return  to  library  work,  should  an  op- 
portunity offer. 

TEMPLE,  Miss  Mabel,  formerly  classifier  at 
Brown  University  Library,  has  been  appointed 
head  cataloger  at  that  library.  Miss  Temple  is 
a  graduate  of  the  New  York  State  Library  School 
(class  of  '90),  and  has  been  engaged  as  classifier 
and  cataloger  in  various  libraries  for  the  past 
four  years. 

VAN  HOEVENBERG,  Miss  Alma  R.  has  resigned 
the  librarianship  of  the  South  Orange  Free  Pub- 
lic Library  to  return  to  the  Library  School  at 
Albany,  N.  Y.  She  is  succeeded  by  her  sister 
Miss  Elizabeth  Van  Hoevenberg,  of  the  Pratt 
Institute  Library  Training  Class  of  '94. 

WILCOX,  E.  S.,  librarian  of  the  Peoria  (111.) 
P.  L.,  has  recently  made  a  library  inspection  trip 
to  the  east,  visiting  the  libraries  of  Washing- 
ton, Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  New  York,  New- 
ark, Jersey  City,  Boston,  Hartford,  Worcester, 
Salem,  and  othercities,  with  a  view  to  obtaining 
suggestion  and  information  as  to  the  best  meth- 
ods of  arrangement  and  appointment  for  the  new 
building  of  the  Peoria  Public  Library,  soon  to 
be  erected. 


Cataloging  anb  Claesification. 


CORNELL  UNIVERSITY.     Library  bulletin,  v.  3, 

no.  7,  June,  1894. 

The  usual  "list  of  additions"  is  prefaced  by 
a  lo-p.  list  of  "  recent  publications  by  Cornell 
University  and  its  officers,"  from  April  I,  1893, 
to  March  31,  1894,  giving,  first,  publications  of 
the  university  not  recorded  under  the  name  of 
some  officer,  and  then  publications  of  officers  and 
fellows,  including  books,  pamphlets,  and  signed 
contributions  to  periodicals,  transactions,  etc. 

HAMILTON  (Ont.)  P.   L.     Catalogue  of  books, 

June,  1894.     138  p.  Q. 

Divided  into  four  parts:  i,  English  fiction;  2, 
foreign  fiction;  3,  books  for  young  people;  4, 
general  catalog.  The  latter  is  classed  accord- 
ing to  the  decimal  system,  the  others  are  alpha- 
betical author-lists,  with  anonymous  books 
grouped  at  the  end  of  each  division.  Entries 
are  very  brief,  even  initials  being  omitted  where 
possible;  a  "  relativ  subject  index"  is  appended, 
giving  in  one  alphabet  all  subjects  and  a  par- 
tial index  of  the  authors  cataloged  in  the  "  gen- 
eral "  division.  The  indicator  is  used  in  the  li- 
brary for  fiction  and  juveniles.  The  catalog  is 
printed  on  yellow  manilla  paper  in  uniform 
plain  type,  with  sparing  use  of  heavy-face  type 
for  authors'  names  in  the  "  general  "  division. 

The  Library  News-letter,  published  by  Oster- 
hout  F.  L.,  Wilkesbarre,  Pa.,  contains  in  its 
September  issue,  a  short  list  of  helpful  works 
on  "  Kindergarten  and  the  education  of  the 
young." 

The  SALEM  (Mass.)  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for  Sep- 
tember has  an  admirable  classed  reading-list  on 
"  Language,"  coveting  general  and  comparative 
study  and  study  of  modern  European  languages. 


356 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[October,  '94 


The  SPRINGFIELD  (Mass.)  P.  L.  BULLLETIN 
begins  in  its  September  issue  a  good  selected 
[classed]  list  of  works  on  natural  history  and 
zoology. 

TAUNTON  (Mass.)  P.  L.  Third  supplement  to 
the  catalogue,  1894.  8+132+122  p.  O. 
Contains  lists  of  officers  and  committees;  ex- 
planatory note;  city  ordinances  and  library 
rules;  the  "  third  supplement,"  —  an  author-list 
In  one  alphabet  of  all  books  in  the  library;  a 
classified  index,  by  title,  divided  into  13  main 
divisions;  a  list  of  periodicals  and  newspapers  on 
file;  and  an  alphabetical  index  to  the  classified 
index.  As  a  rule  title-a-line  entries  are  given, 
and  space  has  been  economized  as  much  as  pos- 
sible. Various  inaccuracies  in  revision  or  proof- 
reading are  discoverable,  but  the  catalog  is  cer- 
tainly a  thorough  guide  to  the  contents  of  the 
library,  and  should  enable  the  most  inexperi- 
enced reader  to  find  the  literature  on  a  given 
subject  quickly  and  easily. 

CHANGED  TITLES. 

Mizpah,  who  is  given  as  the  author  of  "  From 
shadow  to  sunlight,"  and  other  stories,  is  Anna 
DeW.  Pearce,  a  school-teacher  in  Worcester.  — 

S:  S.  GREEN. 


FISKE,  J:  History  of  the  United  States  for 
schools  ;  with  topical  analysis,  suggestive 
questions,  and  directions  for  teachers,  by 
Frank  Alpine  Hill.  Bost.,  Houghton,  Mifflin 
&  Co.,  1894.  c.  il.  por.  maps,  D.  cl.  ,  net, 
$i. 

This  is  essentially  a  school-book,  but  it  de- 
rives bibliographical  importance  from  the  list  of 
"topics  for  collateral  reading"  appended  to 
each  chapter,  and  from  the  appendixes,  which 
include  (Appendix  D)  "  names  of  the  states  and 
territories,  with  mention  of  books  on  the  history 
of  the  several  states;"  (Appendix  E)  "books 
on  successive  epochs;"  (Appendix  F)  "  novels, 
poems,  songs,  etc.,  relating  to  American  his- 
tory;" and  (Appendix  G)  "  a  minimum  library 
of  reference,"  to  be  used  in  connection  with 
school  study  of  the  subject.  The  lists  make  no 
pretence  to  bibliographical  completeness,  but 
the  selections  have  been  carefully  made,  and  the 
references  are  sufficiently  full  to  be  very  useful 
to  young  people  and  ordinary  students. 

HAMILTON,  Walter.  Dated  book-plates  (Ex 
libris),  with  a  treatise  on  their  origin  and  de- 
velopment. In  3  pis.  Pt.  I,  Introductory 
treatise  on  book-plates  dated  prior  to  1700. 
N.  Y.,  Macmillan  &  Co.,  1894.  51.  4°,  pap., 
net,  $3. 

LKSSING,  Gotthold  Ephraim.  Nathan  der  Weise; 
ed.  with  introd.  and  notes,  by  Sylvester  Primer. 
Bost.,  D.  C.  Heath  &  Co.,  1894.  c.  38+ 
300  p.  D.  (Modern  lang.  ser.)  $1.10. 


There  is  a  brief  bibliography  (2  p.)  of  works 
relating  to  "  Nathan  der  Weise." 

The  ROWFANT  CLUB,  Cleveland,  O.,  will 
shortly  publish  a  "  Bibliography  of  Henry  David 
Thoreau,"  prepared  by  S:  Arthur  Jones. 

RUSSELL,  P.  A  guide  to  British  and  American 
novels  :  being  a  comprehensive  manual  of  all 
forms  of  popular  fiction  in  Great  Britain,  Aus- 
tralasia, and  America,  from  its  commencement 
down  to  1893.  Lond.,  Digby,  Long  &  Co., 
1894.  326  p.  8°,  33.  6d. 

STEVENS,  G:  B.  The  Johannine  theology  :  a 
study  of  the  doctrinal  contents  of  the  gospel 
and  epistles  of  the  Apostle  John.  N.  Y.,  C: 
Scribner's  Sons,  1894.  c.  11+387  p.  D.  cl., 

$2. 

A  bibliography  (4  p.)  is  appended,  covering 
the  most  important  literature  of  the  subject. 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  Berkeley,  Cal.  Cata- 
logue of   books  in  the  pedagogical  section  of 
the  university  library.    1894.     66  p.  O. 
Classified  under  23  separate  headings  and  ar- 
ranged  in   author-alphabet    under   each    head. 
Appended  to  the  classed  list  is  a  subject  list  of 
pamphlets  on  education  (9  p.),  and  an  index  to 
authors  (6  p.). 

FULL  NAMES. 
Sullied  by  Harvard  University  Library. 

Fowler,  F:  Homer  (Agriculture  of  Massa- 
chusetts. Synoptical  and  analytical  index); 

James,  Davis  Lawler  (Notices  of  the  floras  of 
Cincinnati); 

Montgomery,  Morton  Luther  (History  of 
Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  revolution); 

Newell,  C:  Martin  (Kamehameha,  the  con- 
quering king); 

Parker,  E:  Hazen  (The  handbook  for  mothers); 

Smith,  Jared  Gage  (North  Amercan  species 
of  sagittaria  and  lophotorarpus); 

Tyler,  B:  Bushrod  (A  history  of  the  disciples 
of  Christ). 


anfc  t31unber0. 


From  an  N.  Y.  auction  catalog.  —  331  Bryant 
and  Stratton[!]  A  popular  history  of  the  United 
States.  Fully  illustrated.  4  v.  8°. 

"  The  Bajetta  woman  "  was  recently  called  for 
in  a  library  that  shall  be  nameless,  by  a  borrower 
(female)  who  insisted  that  the  book  was  "  in  " 
and  "  a  very  nice  novel."  Finally  the  librarian 
asked  her  to  write  the  title,  and  with  a  flash  of 
phonetic  inspiration,  produced  A.  S.  Hardy's 
"  But  yet  a  woman."  It  was  what  she  wanted. 


PUBLISHERS'  NOTICE. 
Any  library  which  has  not  a  copy  of  "  The 
Sunday-School  Library,"  by  A.  E.  Dunning, 
may  have  it  free  by  addressing  the  LIBRARY 
JOURNAL  office  and  enclosing  10  cents  for  post- 
age and  handling. 


October,  '94]  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  357 

LIBRARY  INKS  AND  ADHESIVES. 

'  5)rawinflgffioart) 


has  been  adopted  by  leading  Librarians  throughout  the  country  as  the  only  satis- 
factory library  adhesive  made.  The  5000  volumes  of  the  Model  Library  at  the 
World's  Fair  were  repaired  and  labelled  with  this  adhesive  in  preference  to  all  others, 
and  it  was  voluntarily  exhibited  and  recommended  by  those  in  charge.  A  three  ounce 
trial  jar  sent  by  mail,  prepaid,  for  30  cents. 

'  Carbon  Mritina  links 

contain  no  other  coloring  matter  than  pure  carbon,  and  they  hence  write  black  from 
the  pen-point  and  remain  forever  black,  proof  to  effects  of  age,  air,  sunlight,  chemicals, 
and  fire,  and  when  written  on  semi-absorbent  paper,  so  that  the  ink  sinks  in,  they 
cannot  be  washed  out  or  erased  without  detection.  They  are  the  only  true  black  and 
lasting  inks  made.  Two  kinds,  viz.:  (i)  Engrossing  Ink,  a  dense  or  heavy  ink  for 
engrossing  and  important  writings,  and  (2)  Eternal  Ink,  an  ink  of  lighter  body,  and 
hence  better  adapted  for  general  use.  A  two  ounce  bottle  of  the  former,  prepaid  by  mail, 
35  cents  ;  a  two  ounce  bottle  of  the  latter  for  25  cents. 


The  Higgins'  Adhesives  and  Inks  are  for  Sale  by  Dealers  in  Artists'  Materals 
and  Stationery  Generally. 


CHAS.  M.  HIGGINS  &  CO.,  ».&„*  168-170  Eighth  St,  Brooklyn,  N.Y. 

LONDON  LEIPZIG.  PARIS. 

B.  WESTERMANN  &  CO., 

812    BROADWAY,    NKW    YORK. 

(KSTABI.,1S*HIC»    1848.) 

FOREIGN   OFFICES  AT  LONDON,   LEIPZIG,  AND   PARIS. 
Agents  by  appointment  to  many  of  the  largest  American  and  Foreign 

College   and    Public  Libraries. 
SPECIAL   TERDIS    FOR   LARGE   ORDERS. 


Terms  on  direct  application  for  the  supply  of  Foreign  and  American  Books  and  Periodicals. 

Weekly  shipments  by  the  fleetest  steamers  from  England,  Germany,  and  France.  Periodicals 
supplied  at  lower  rates  than  mail  copies  and  in  better  shape  for  binding. 

Rare  Books  and  Sets  of  Serials  procured  at  the  lowest  terms.  Regular  connections  with 
Central  and  South  America  and  all  Oriental  countries. 

Binding  done  here  and  abroad  in  every  style. 

Auction  Sales  attended  to. 

The  Catalogues  of  Foreign  Dealers — English,  German,  French,  Italian,  and  Spanish — fur- 
nished on  application. 

Monthly  Bulletins  of  New  Books  issued  regularly. 

With  the  help  of  a  most  complete  Bibliographical  Outfit  in  all  languages  and  on  all  subjects, 
and  the  experience  of  many  years  in  this  particular  line,  estimates  can  be  furnished  promptly  and 
information  given  on  topics  of  interest  to  Librarians. 


35* 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\0ctober,  '94 


THE    NEIL8QN    BINDER. 

The  Only  Perfect  Binder  for  Library  Use. 

OF  THE  many  devices  for  temporary  binding  of  magazines,  papers,  etc.,  there  is  not  one 
that  does  not  in  some  way  mutilate  or  destroy  their  contents,  causing  a  large  loss 
annually.  We  have  succeeded  in  making  a  binder  that  is  acknowledged  by  leading  librarians  to 
be  the  best  article  of  the  kind  ever  produced.  The  contents  are  held  firmly  and  at  the  same 
time  open  freely.  There  is  absolutely  no  wear  on  the  back  of  papers,  and  therefore  no  mutila- 
tion. The  covers  are  heavy  board,  cloth  sides,  leather  back  and  corners,  strong,  well  made,  and 
will  outwear  any  ordinary  covers.  The  binding  device  consists  of  flat  steel  rods,  pivoted  at  one 
end,  the  other  end  being  securely  locked,  thus  preventing  unauthorized  removal  of  papers. 
All  metal  parts  full  nickeled.  We  confidently  offer  the 

NEILSON    BINDER 

as  the  strongest  and  most  practical  binder  in  the  market,  and  solicit  sample  orders,  which  will  be 
sent  on  approval. 

PRICE-LIST: 

Magazine  size, $1.25. 

Puck  or  Judge  size, 1.50. 

Harper's  Weekly  size, 1.75. 

As  the  patent  parts  are  practically  indestructible,  and  repairs  or  renewals  of  covers  can  be 
made  for  a  comparatively  small  sum,  this  is  not  only  the  best,  but  the  cheapest  binder.  Address 
all  orders  to  the 

NEILSON  MANUFACTURING  CO., 

383  Federal   Street,   BOSTON,   MASS. 


TWO  INDEXES 

Indispensable  in  Libraries. 

THE  "A.   L,   A."   INDEX. 

The  American  Library  Association  Index.  An 
Index  to  General  Literature,  Biographical,  His- 
torical, and  Literary  Essays  and  Sketches,  Re- 
ports and  Publications  of  Boards  and  Societies 
dealing  with  Education,  Health,  Labor,  Chari- 
ties and  Corrections,  etc.,  etc.  By  WILLIAM  I. 
FLETCHER,  A.M.,  Librarian  of  Amherst  Col- 
lege. Royal  8vo,  cloth,  $5.00,  net;  half 
morocco,  $6.50,  net. 

POOLE'S  INDEX 
TO  PERIODICAL  LITERATURE. 

By  WILLIAM  FREDERICK  POOLE,  LL.D.,  and 
WILLIAM  I.  FLETCHER,  with  the  co-operation  of 
the  American  Library  Association.  New  re- 
vised edition.  Vol.  I.  In  two  parts.  Royal 
8vo,  $16.00,  net;  sheep,  $20.00,  net  ;  half  mo- 
rocco, gilt  top,  $24.00,  net.  Vol.  II.  First 
Supplement  (January,  i882-January,  1887). 
Royal  8vo,  $8.00,  net ;  sheep,  $10.00,  net ;  half 
morocco,  gilt  top.  $12.00,  net.  Vol.  III. 
Second  Supplement  (January,  l887-January, 
1892).  Royal  8vo,  $8.00,  net;  sheep,  $10.00, 
net ;  half  morocco,  gilt  top,  $12.00,  net. 


HOUGHTON,    MIFFLIN   &    CO.,    Boston, 
ii  East  ijth  Street,  New  York. 


INPKXINQ: 

A   Manual   for    Librarians,    Authors,  and 

Publishers. 
By  J.  BEN  NICHOLS. 

x€»  pp.)  1 21110,  Paper,  25  Cents. 

An  elaborate  and  thorough  treatise  on  the  sub- 
ject —  in  fact,  it  is  the  most  complete  and  com- 
prehensive manual  on  indexing  ever  published. 
It  will  prove  invaluable  to  the  novice  and  sug- 
gestive even  to  the  more  experienced. 

Address  THE  PUBLISHERS'  WEEKLY, 

28  Elm  Street,  N.  Y. 

The  Reference  Catalogue 

Of  Current  (English)  Literature. 

1  VO1>.,    HALvF"    BOUND,  NET,  $3. SO. 
(Subject  to  raise  in  price.) 

The  new  edition  of  the  above  (the  English 
publishers'  trade  list)  for  1894  is  larger  and  more 
complete  than  any  former  issue  The  Index, 
also,  is  much  more  copious,  containing  about 
90,000  entries.  Orders  for  the  United  States 
will  be  supplied  by 

The  Office  of  THE  PUBLISHERS'  WEEKLY, 

28  Elm  Street  (Temporary  Office, 

54  Duane  Street),  New  York. 


October,  '94]  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  359 

THE  BAKER  &  TAYLOR  CO., 

5  and  7  East  Sixteenth  Street,  New  York, 

nAKE  a  specialty  of  supplying  public,  private,  and  school  LIBRARIES*  for  which 
they  have  exceptional  facilities  through  their  connection  with  many  of  the  largest  houses 
as  special  agents,  and  by  carrying  the  stock  of  all  American  Publishers. 

They  are  pleased  to  give  estimates  at  lowest  rates  on  lists  of  proposed  purchases,  and 
solicit  correspondence  with  Librarians  and  other  bookbuyers. 

This  house  is  characterized    by  its  Promptness,    Carefulness,    and    L,ow 
Prices. 

There  will  be  sent  to  any  address  on  application  a  topically  arranged  General  Library  List 
selected  from  the  books  of  all  publishers. 

Telegraphio  Address :       I— T  ^/"\TP  I" I  f^  D    A    M      jC»      (~*  f\  Code  in  Use: 

BOOKMEN,  LONDON.    II*    ^\J   I    I  1JL}I\/\1  l|     Ot    WV/.j      UNICODE. 

Booksellers,  Bookbinders,  and  Publishers,  and  General  Agents  in  Europe 
for  Private  Bookbuyers  and  Public  Institutions  in  America. 

With  exceptionally  long  experience  in  Library  Agency,  they  can  promise  the  best  care, 
diligence,  and  discretion  in  everything  relating  to  it,  and  in  small  matters  as  well  as  great. 
Established  1816. 

A  Monthly  Catalogue  of  Second-Hand  Books.    Specimen  Number  post  free. 


14O  Strand,  W.  C.,  and  37  Piccadilly,  W. :  London. 

KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  CO., 

LIMITED, 

PUBLISHERS  AND  LIBRARY  AGENTS, 

Having  extensive  experience  in  supplying  PUBLIC  LIBRARIES,  MUSEUMS,  GOVERNMENT 
INSTITUTIONS,  etc. ,  at  Home  and  Abroad,  with  Miscellaneous  Requisites,  Books  (New  and 
Second-hand),  or  Periodicals  in  all  Languages,  offer  their  Services  to  LIBRARIANS,  SECRE- 
TARIES, AND  OTHERS.  Careful  attention  given  to  every  detail.  Exceptional  Facilities  for 
obtaining  Foreign  and  Scarce  Books.  BINDING  OF  EVERY  DESCRIPTION  UNDERTAKEN.  Periodicals 
and  Newspapers  Promptly  Supplied  as  issued.  Books  Shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  World  at  Lowest 
Rates. 

TERMS  ON  APPLICATION,  ALSO  LIST  OF  LIBRARY  APPLIANCES,  HANDBOOKS,  ETC. 


indispensable   congeries  of  catalogues   called  'The 

^T  T3i-iV\1ic;V«efes'      TVo/le      T   iot-      Annual  '     /lultr     malrPQ      ifc      an_        -^L 


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Publishers'   Trade   List  Annual'  duly  makes  its   ap- 


^  ruDuoucro      jirwuc    J-/ISL    nnuiuu      uuiy    UMU^VB    ILO    <ap-      ^ 

pearance  for  1894.  (New  York:  Office  of  The  Pub- 
lishers' Weekly.  $2.)  It  is  one  of  the  few  publications  in 
the  world  which  we  prize  for  its  bulk  rather  than  for  its 
quality,  and  it  actually  overspreads  its  predecessor  when  placed 

*D     beside  it." — From  the  New  York  Evening  Post. 


360  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  [October ,'gt 

ESTABLISHED    1872 

LONDON  i  PARIS:  LEIPctd: 

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GUSTAV  E.  STECHERT 

Purchasing  Agent  for  Colleges  &  Libraries 

810    BROADWAY,    NEW    YORK, 

(TWO  DOORS  ABOVE  GRACE  CHURCH) 

begs  to  call  attention  to  his  facilities  for  obtaining  FOREIGN  BOOKS  and 
PERIODICALS  at  more  economical  rates  THAN  ANY  OTHER  HOUSE  IN~  AMERICA 
OR  EUROPE  can  offer,  because : 

He  employs  no  Commission  Agents,  but  has  his  own  offices  and 
clerks  at  London,  Paris  and  Leipzig.  He  has  open  accounts 
with  all  the  leading  publishing  houses  in  the  world. 

His  experience  enables  him  to  give  information  at  once  about 
rare  and  scarce  books. 

He  receives  weekly  shipments  from  England,  France  and  Germany,  and 
can  thereby  fill  orders  in  quicker  time. 

MORE  THAN  200  LIBRARIES  FAVOR  HIM  WITH  THEIR  ORDERS. 


REFERENCES, 

"Mr.  Stechert  has  for  years  furnished  this  Library  with  most  of  its  periodicals  and  European  books,  and  has  bought  for  us 
many  thousand  volumes.  Mr.  Stechert's  success  is  due  to  his  constant  personal  attention  to  the  business,  and  the  reasonable 
terms  he  is  able  to  offer.  I  consider  a  New  York  agent  far  preferable  to  reliance  on  foreign  agents  alone." 

GEO.  H.  BAKER,  Librari&n  of  Columbia  College,  New  York. 

"  Seven  years  ago,  in  reorganizing  the  Columbia  College  library,  I  spent  much  time  in  trying  to  discover  how  to  get  out 
foreign  books  and  periodicals  with  the  least  delay,  trouble  and  expense.  The  result  of  the  comparison  of  three  methods,  viz: 
ordering  direct  from  foreign  dealers,  ordering  through  one  agent  in  London,  or  ordering  through  one  agent  in  New  York  showed 
us  that  it  was  to  our  advantage  to  give  Mr.  Stechert  all  our  foreign  orders,  as  he  delivered  in  the  library  in  a  single  package 
and  with  a  single  bill  at  as  low  cost  as  we  were  able  with  vastly  greater  trouble,  to  get  a  half  dozen  different  packages  in  differ- 
ent bills  from  different  places.  In  reorganizing  the  New  York  State  Library,  I  opened  the  whole  question  anew,  and  the  result 
of  the  comparison  was  the  same  as  before,  and  we  find  that  the  library  gets  most  for  the  time  and  money  expended  by  taking 
advantage  of  Mr.  Stechert's  long,  experience,  and  the  careful  personal  attention  which  he  gives  to  our  orders." 

MELVIL  DEWEY,  Director  of  N.  Y.  State  Library,  Albany,  N.  Y. 


"  Mr.  G.  E.  Stechert  of  New  York  has  served  us  with  fidelity  in  procuring  English,  French  and  German  books,  both  new 
and  second  hand  and  also  periodicals.  His  terms  are  more  reasonable  than  any  others  that  have  come  to  our  notice,  while  he 
has  always  guarded  our  interests  very  carefully.  We  find  it  a  great  convenience  to  have  one  agency  in  New  York,  represented 
by  branches  in  different  European  countries." 

Prof.  ARTHUR  H.  PALMER,  Librarian  ofAdelbert  College,  Cleveland,  O. 


"Your  methods  and  facilities  for  doing  business,  as  I  have  examined  them  here  as  well  as  at  the  Leipzig  and  London  ends, 
seem  to  me  admirably  progressive  and  thoroughly  live.  I  deal  with  you  because  I  judge  it  for  the  advantage  of  this  library  to 
do  so.  If  I  did  not,  I  should  not.  Up  to  date  I  am  unable  to  find  a  method  which  is,  all  things  included,  so  economical  of 
time  and  money  as  dealing  through  you." 

ERNKST  C.  RICHARDSON,  Librarian  tf  College  of  New  jersey,  Princeton,  N.J. 


"  Our_  library  committee  speaks  In  the  highest  terms  of  your  services.    You  have  not  only  saved  us  many  dollars,  but  hart 
fcown  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  our  wants  for  which  we  thank  you. ' ' 

A.  S.  COLLINS,  Act.  Librarian  of  Reynolds  Library,  Rochester^  N.  If. 

GrUSTAV    K.    STKCHKRT, 

PARIS.         LEIPZIG.         NEW  YORK. 


THE 


Library  Journal 

OFFICIAL  ORGAN  OF  THE  AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 


CHIEFLY   DEVOTED    TO 


Xibrarp  Economy  anfc 


VOL.  19.     No.  ii. 


NOVEMBER,  1894 


Contents 


PACK 

EDITORIAL 363 

The  Boston  Public  Library. 

The  Crerar  Library. 

Branch  Libraries  in  College  Settlements. 

Free  Lectures  as  Library  Aids. 

COMMUNICATIONS 364 

Foreign  Books  in  American  Libraries. 
THE  NEW  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  BOS- 
TON. —  Louis  F.  Gray 365 

THE  INFORMATION  DESK.  —  W.  E.  Foster 368 

THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  LIBRARY  — ADDRESS  AT 
DEDICATION  OF  THE  ORRINGTON  LUNT  LIBRARY. 

— Justin  Winsor 370 

THE  FORBES  LIBRARY,  NORTHAMPTON,  MASS.  (Illus- 
trated)  376 

THE  NEW  LIBRARY  OF  COLUMBIA  COLLEGE.  .  .  .  379 
THE  FREE  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  OF  ZWITTAU,  AUSTRIA.  .  380 
A  LIST  OF  BOOKS  FOR  WOMEN  AND  GIRLS'  CLUBS.  .  381 
LIBRARY  DAY 381 


NEW  YORK  STATE  LIBRARY  SCHOOL 382 

Hallowe'en  Festivities. 
STATE  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATIONS 382 

Massachusetts  Library  Club. 

New  York  State  Library  Association. 

New  Jersey  Library  Association. 

Washington  Library  Association. 

Michigan  Library  Association. 
LIBRARY  CLUBS 386 

New  York  Library  Club. 

Chicago  Library  Club. 

REVIEWS 388 

Larned,  History  for  Ready  Reference,  v.  3. 
Pratt  Institute,  Bulletin  no.  15. 

LIBRARY  ECONOMY  AND  HISTORY 389 

LIBRARIANS. 394 

CATALOGING  AND  CLASSIFICATION 396 

BlBLIOGRAFY 397 


NEW  YORK  :    PUBLICATION  OFFICE,  28  ELM  STREET  (Near  Duane). 
LONDON:    SOLD  BY  KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  Co.,  PATERNOSTER  HOUSE, 

CHARING  CROSS  ROAD. 

YEARLY  SUBSCRIPTION,  »5.oo.  MONTHLY  NUMBERS,  50  cts. 

Price  t«  Europe,  or  ether  countries  in  the  Union,  aos.  per  annum  ;  single  numbers^  a*. 

Entered  at  the  Post-Office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  as  second-class  matter. 


362 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[November,  '94 


EDW.  G.  ALLEN'S 

London  Agency  for  American  Libraries, 

28   HENRIETTA   STREET,   COVENT   GARDEN, 

LONDON. 
(FORMERLY   RICH   &  SONS.) 

EDW.  G.  ALLEN  devotes  himself  entirely  to  library  business.  His  long  experience  enables  him 
to  execute  the  orders  of  correspondents  promptly,  cheaply,  and  with  thorough  efficiency.  His  con- 
nection with  all  the  Book  Dealers  in  the  United  Kingdom  gives  him  the  command  of  the  British 
Book  Market,  and  qualifies  him  to  serve  his  customers  with  special  advantage,  and  to  bring  promptly 
under  their  notice  all  the  stores  of  Literature,  old  and  new,  on  sale  in  Great  Britain. 

Books   Supplied  at  a  Small   Commission   on  the   Cost   Price,   with  the   usual   Trade 

deductions,  and  forwarded  by  the  quickest  and  cheapest  routes.     Second-hand 

Catalogues   by  early  Mails,  and   no  Commission   charged  on  Orders 

from  them.      Periodicals  and  Newspapers  Posted  Promptly. 

No  expensive  sab-agencies  at  liome  or  abroad.   Foreign  books  on  easy  terms. 


Agency  for  the  following  Libraries  and  many  others: 


Library  of  Congress,  Washington. 
Libraries  of  Parliament,   Ottawa,  Toronto, 

and  Quebec. 
Amherst  College. 
Boston  Public  Library. 
Brooklyn  Library. 
Brown  University. 
Cornell  University. 
Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library. 
California  University. 


Colorado  University. 
Johns  Hopkins  University. 
Philadelphia  Library  Co. 
Peabody  Institute,  Baltimore. 
University  of  Pennsylvania. 
University  of  Toronto,  Can. 
Watkinson  Library,  Hartford,  Conn. 
Yale  University. 
Minneapolis  Public  Library. 


Cheap  and  Durable  for  Circulating  Libraries.    Specially  Strong  for  Books  of  Reference.     Superior 

Style  for  Works  of  Art.     Imitation  Antique  for  Rare  Old   Books.     Calf  Extra  in  Every  Variety. 

Best  Half-Binding  for  General  Library  Use.     Pamphlets  Bound  at  Cheap  Rates.     Law- 

Books  In  Law  Calf.     Cheap  Binding  in  Cloth.     Hard-Grained    Roan,  etc.     Dilapi- 

dated Binding  Neatly  Repaired.     Deficiencies  of  Rare  Books  Supplied  in 

Exact  Fac-Simile.     Library  Stamps  to  Order. 


We  have  been,  for  the  last  twenty  years,  personally  cognizant  of  Mr.  Allen's  faitnfulness  to  the  interests  of 
his  American  customers.  When  a  resident  in  Washington,  ten  years  ago,  we  found  that  the  immense  Congressional 
Library  largely  supplied  its  shelves  through  Mr.  Allen's  London  Agency.  Many  of  the  extensive  libraries  belonging 
to  the  Universities  and  Colleges  in  the  East  have  also  secured  their  Foreign  Books  from  the  same  source,  and  we 
have  heard  from  the  officers  of  these  Institutions  frequent  testimony  to  the  scrupulous  exactness  with  which  their 
orders  were  always  filled. 

"  We  cannot,  therefore,  do  a  greater  service  to  the  Colleges  and  Universities  of  the  We*t,  to  which  these  pres- 
ents shall  come,  than  to  advise  that  they  employ  this  inexpensive  agency  for  replenishing  their  Libraries  with  Eng- 
•h  Books." — PRESIDENT  WELCH,  Iowa  Statt  Agricultural  Colltgt. 

"No  better  indorsement  of  Mr.  Allen's  Agency  is  possible  than  the  list  of  leading  libraries  that  continue  to  use 
it.  For  30  years,  strict  integrity  and  unexcelled  ^facilities  have  held  the  oid  and  made  new  patrons.  The  very  large 
business  built  up  demands  only  a  small  commission  instead  of  the  customary  10  per  cent.  A  library  can  safely 
entrust  all  its  London  orders  to  Mr.  Allen  without  getting  other  estimates  and  frei  sure  that  it  is  not  making  a 
mistake." — MELVIL.  DKWEY,  Statt  Library,  New  York. 


Edw.  G.  Allen's  American  Library  Agency, 


COVENT  GARDEN,  LONDON, 


MEMBER    AMERICAN     LIBRARY    ASSOCIATION. 


SPECIAL    TERMS  FOR  LARGE  ORDERS. 


THE    LIBRARY    JOURNAL 


VOL.  19. 


NOVEMBER,   1894. 


No.  ii 


THE  completion  of  the  new  building  of  the 
Boston  Public  Library  is  perhaps  the  library 
event  of  1894,  and  the  people  of  Boston,  no  less 
than  the  officers  of  the  library,  are  to  be  felici- 
tated on  the  consummation  of  the  undertaking. 
The  removal  of  the  books  from  the  old  building 
to  the  new  is  a  problem  that  is  to  be  solved  with- 
in  the  coming  year,  and  before  1896  we  may  ex- 
pect to  see  the  library  fully  at  work  in  its  new 
quarters.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  it  will  avail  it- 
self to  the  utmost  of  the  increased  possibilities 
for  usefulness  afforded  by  the  systematic  arrange- 
ment, the  ample  space  and  the  many  time-saving 
devices  of  the  new  building.  At  one  time  Bos- 
ton deservedly  held  first  place  in  library  matters, 
but  of  late  years  it  has  to  a  considerable  degree 
withdrawn  from  this  leadership.  The  Public 
Library  is  now  so  placed  that  it  can  start  afresh, 
not  only  as  regards  surroundings,  but  in  the 
more  intangible  field  of  "  policy."  If  it  enters 
its  new  home  with  a  broad  and  liberal  conception 
of  its  mission,  a  desire  to  meet  popular  demands, 
a  progressive  and  far-seeing  spirit,  it  will  be  hard 
to  set  a  limit  to  its  future  usefulness.  The  new 
building  offers  the  golden  opportunity  in  this  as  in 
other  directions,  and  we  trust  that  the  library, 
so  magnificently  housed  and  so  liberally  sup- 
ported, may  recover  its  old  effectiveness  and 
take  its  proper  place  in  library  ranks. 

THE  conclusion  of  litigation  with  regard  to 
the  Crerar  estate  and  the  incorporation  of  the 
John  Crerar  Library  Association,  "  for  the 
establishment  and  maintenance  of  a  free  public 
library  in  the  South  Division  of  Chicago,"  are 
notable  events  in  the  history  of  Chicago,  as  well 
as  in  the  library  development  of  the  country. 
Chicago  has  already  two  great  free  libraries; 
with  the  addition  of  the  Crerar  it  will  possess  a 
"  triple  alliance  "  for  the  advancement  of  library 
interests  that  should  make  it  truly  the  "  Li- 
brary City  "  of  the  future  in  America.  Although 
it  is  five  years  since  John  Crerar's  death,  the  liti- 
gation over  the  estate  is  but.  just  settled,  and  the 
way  opened  for  the  definite  realization  of  his 
plans.  How  these  plans  will  be  carried  out  is 
not  yet  definitely  known.  The  trustees  have,  so 
far,  made  no  formal  statement  of  their  intentions 
or  desires.  They  have,  however,  intimated  that 
a  conference  with  the  officials  of  the  other  Chi- 
cago libraries  will  probably  be  held,  at  which  the 


policy  of  the  Crerar  Library  will  be  determined. 
Such  a  course  is  to  be  heartily  commended.  It 
will  prevent  unnecessary  and  unwise  duplication 
or  competition,  and  should  result  in  each  library's 
occupying  a  distinct  and  •well-recognized  field, 
enabling  each  to  use  all  its  energies  and  resources 
for  the  development  of  its  specialties.  The 
Newberry  Library  is  notably  strong  in  the  de- 
partments of  music  and  medicine;  the  Public 
Library  is  essentially  a  people's  library  of  general 
literature;  without  aiming  to  cover  these  fields 
the  Crerar  can  well  build  up  for  itself  a  broad 
and  valuable  collection.  Its  organization  and 
development  will  be  watched  with  interest  by 
librarians.  Chicago  is  now  in  the  formative 
period  of  libraries,  and  with  libraries,  as  with 
everything  else,  "  well  begun  is  half  done."  The 
wise  development  of  the  Crerar,  and  its  judicious 
co-operation  and  association  with  the  other  li- 
braries of  the  city,  will  give  to  Chicago  what 
may  be  called  a  university  of  libraries,  each  pre- 
eminent in  its  own  special  divisions,  and  the 
combined  extent  of  all  surpassing  anything  con- 
ceived by  their  founders  or  possible  to  their  re- 
spective endowments. 

WITHIN  the  past  month  the  excellent  work  be- 
ing done  by  the  Free  Library  of  Philadelphia 
has  been  further  extended  by  the  opening  of  a 
branch  at  the  St.  Mary  street  college  settle- 
ment, in  one  of  the  most  densely  populated 
parts  of  the  city.  This  method  of  bringing- the 
library  to  a  large  class  who  could  not  or  would 
not  be  reached  from  the  central  quarters  has 
proved  most  satisfactory,  and  there  has  been  a 
constantly  increasing  issue  of  books  for  home 
reading.  The  opening  of  a  branch  library  in 
connection  with  college  or  university  settle- 
ments is,  we  believe,  rather  a  new  departure, 
but  it  is  certainly  worthy  of  trial.  Most  of  the 
settlement  houses  that  exist  in  our  larger  cities 
possess  small  libraries,  and  their  books  are  used 
by  people  whom  the  public  library  could  hardly 
reach.  It  should  be  an  easy  matter  to  establish 
a  branch  at  a  settlement  house,  and  it  would 
certainly  be  mutually  advantageous.  The  li- 
brary would  find  quarters  ready  prepared,  will- 
ing helpers,  and  a  constituency  of  would-be  or 
could-be  readers  ;  the  settlement  would  be  put 
to  no  expense,  its  own  library  would  be  largely 
increased  and  could  be  kept  thoroughly  up  to 


\N <roember %  '94 


date,  with  the  systematic  aid  and  advice  of  the 
library  authorities,  and  it  would  be  able  to  ex- 
tend and  broaden  its  influence.  So  far  as  the 
experience  of  the  Free  Library  of  Philadelphia 
goes,  the  experiment  is  well  worth  trying. 


STARTING  such  a  library  is  not,  however,  the 
only  thing  necessary.  It  must  be  fostered  and 
developed  if  it  is  to  be  really  useful.  Especially 
is  this  the  case  in  a  community  where  reading 
tastes  are  crude  —  if  they  exist  at  all.  Mr.  Thom- 
son, of  the  Free  Library  of  Philadelphia,  has 
realized  this  fact,  and  has  opened  work  in  his 
settlement  branch  with  a  series  of  free  evening 
lectures,  which  in  subject  and  method  of  treat- 
ment are  full  of  suggestion  to  other  librarians. 
The  titles  of  the  lectures  are  :  "  Beast  stories, 
and  their  interest  to  readers  ;  "  "  Travels,  and 
how  to  enjoy  them  without  leaving  home  ; " 
"  History,  and  how  to  pick  up  a  knowledge  of 
it  pleasantly  and  usefully;"  "Biographies, 
and  why  they  are  so  entertaining  ;"  "  How  to 
use  library  books,  and  a  few  thoughts  on  book- 
binding ;  "  "  How  to  acquire  a  knowledge  about 
other  worlds."  In  "  Beast  stories  "  the  listeners 
are  introduced  to  JEsop  and  Reynard  the  Fox, 
and  through  them  advised  to  read  Gray  and  La 
Fontaine.  The  lecture  on  travels  deals  with 
Semmes'  Hole  and  Peter  Wilkins  in  imaginary 
travel,  Captain  Cook  and  Livingstone  in  real 
travel,  points  out  the  advantage  of  using  maps, 
and  tells  how  in  reading  the  "  Vassar  girls," 
Rollo  books,  or  Black's  novels,  etc.,  it  is  pos- 
sible to  enjoy  travel  and  learn  about  places  and 
countries  without  leaving  home.  History,  Bi- 
ography, and  Library  books  are  treated  much  in 
the  same  way,  and  have  similar  sugar-coated 
"  morals,"  while  the  final  lecture,  in  suggesting 
a  knowledge  of  other  worlds,  seeks  to  intro- 
duce Proctor  and  his  confreres  to  young  read- 
ers. These  lectures  are  illustrated  by  lantern 
slides.  For  the  first  there  are  some  20  illustra- 
tions of  Reynard;  views  of  South  America,  the 
Arctic  regions,  New  York,  London,  and  Paris 
accompany  the  talk  on  travel;  history  is  illus- 
trated by  views  of  historical  incidents;  biogra- 
phy by  portraits  of  Dickens,  Longfellow,  and 
others;  bookbinding  and  astronomy  by  appro- 
priate and  interesting  slides.  As  outlined,  such 
a  course  of  lectures  is  within  the  power  of 
almost  any  librarian.  What  is  needed  is  not 
money  outlay,  but  time,  patience,  and  enthu- 
siasm; and  —  though  free  lectures  may  be  works 
of  supererogation  —  the  true  librarian  always 
gives  these  in  full  measure,  "pressed  down  and 
running  over." 


(Hommunicotions. 


FOREIGN  BOOKS  IN  AMERICAN  LIBRARIES. 

THERE  is  a  good  deal  of  common  sense  in  the 
comment  in  the  October  issue  of  the  LIBRARY 
JOURNAL,  upon  foreign  books  in  public  libraries. 
Some  points  seem,  however,  to  have  been  over- 
looked by  that  distinguished  political  economist, 
who  is  editor  of  the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL.  "  The 
promotion  of  good  citizenship  is,  we  take  it, 
one  of  the  functions  of  the  public  library  "- 
very  well,  but  how  is  this  to  be  promoted  among 
the  foreign  immigrants  who  come  to  this  coun- 
try ?  Shall  they  cut  off  all  connection  with  their 
past,  forget  the  history  of  their  old  country, 
never  read  its  literature,  abolish  the  use  of  their 
old  language  ?  Is  it  supposed  that  people  who 
could  do  this  would  make  good  citizens?  If 
the  public  libraries  will  have  any  influence  upon 
the  foreign-born  Americans,  they  ought  to  make 
some  effort  to  draw  them  under  this  influence. 
This  is  best  made  in  providing  them  with  books 
in  their  own  languages,  and  about  their  old 
country,  a  subject  that  naturally  interests  the 
man  who  lives  apart  from  it,  in  quite  a  differ- 
ent way  from  him  who  is  still  among  his  own. 
When  the  immigrant  has  been  accustomed  to 
find  his  way  to  the  public  library,  he  will  soon 
begin  to  read  books  about  his  new  country,  to 
become  more  and  more  acquainted  with  the  new 
conditions  under  which  he  is  to  live.  This,  I 
know,  has  been  the  experience  of  several  public 
libraries,  and  most  public  libraries  take  in  this 
matter  a  much  broader  view  than  the  editor  of 
the  LIBRARY  JOURNAL.  There  comes  in  his  com- 
ment upon  this  matter  a  ghost  of  the  dead  and 
buried  know-nothingism  that  was  hardly  ex- 
pected in  the  organ  of  such  a  progressive  body 
as  the  American  Library  Association.  The  pub- 
lic libraries  are  used  to  provide  readers  of  trash 
fiction  with  such  stuff  as  they  like,  in  the  hope 
that  this  will  by  and  by  result  in  their  reading 
literature.  Is  it  more  objectionable  to  keep  a 
good  selection  of  books  in  foreign  languages, 
to  draw  to  the  library  men  and  women,  who 
surely,  once  having  found  their  way  to  the  li- 
brary, will  begin  to  read  American  books  ?  The 
value  of  foreign  books  for  the  native  population 
is  in  a  rather  superficial  way  hinted  at.  This 
value  is,  in  my  opinion .  so  great,  that  it  can  hard- 
ly be  overestimated,  and  I  do  not  think  it  nec- 
essary to  take  space  to  explain  a  thing  that  to 
every  librarian  must  be  self-evident. 

I  should  like  to  use  this  opportunity  to  cor- 
rect a  mistake  in  the  note  about  my  list  of 
Swedish  works  that  was  reprinted  in  the  LIBRARY 
JOURNAL  from  the  Sun.  There  is  said  :  "  These 
works  as  a  whole  will,  it  is  thought,  fairly 
represent  French  influence  in  the  literature  of 
Sweden."  1  never  thought  anything  of  the  sort. 
What  I  said  was,  that  English  influence  amounted 
to  about  nothing  in  Swedish  literature,  and  that 
of  foreign  influences  the  French  and  Danish  are 
the  most  conspicuous.  As  to  theatre  and  drama, 
however,  they  are  at  present  in  Sweden  almost 
exclusively  French.  If  my  list  will  show  any- 
thing in  the  way  of  literary  current,  it  will,  I  hope, 
be  the  national.  AKSEL  G,  S.  JOSEPHSON. 

LENOX  LIBRARY. 


^  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


365 


THE  NEW  PUBLIC-LIBRARY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  BOSTON. 
BY  Louis  F.  GRAY,  Executive  Officer  Boston  Public  Library. 


THE  historical,  architectural,  and  decorative 
features  of  the  new  building  of  the  Public  Li- 
brary of  the  City  of  Boston  have  been  related, 
described,  and  illustrated,  so  as  undoubtedly  to 
be  quite  well  known  to  the  library  world,  and 
they  will  not  here  be  touched  upon  or  described, 
nor  will  the  rooms  for  public  use,  except  in  so  far 
as  their  administration  may  be  concerned.  The 
description  will  be  confined  to  the  working 
apartments,  and  to  what  maybe  new  in  the  mat- 
ter of  library  economy. 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  Public 
Library  of  the  City  of  Boston  is  for  no  special 
class,  either  of  readers  for  pleasure  or  of  stu- 
dents. It  is  maintained  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Boston,  and  cards  for  the  home  use  of  books  are 
given  to  all  such  above  the  age  of  12  years 
who  may  desire  them,  no  card  carrying  with  it 
privileges  different  from  any  other.  Therefore, 
the  library  being  for  the  use  of  the  people,  all 
decoration  is  confined  to  those  parts  of  the 
building  to  which  the  public  has  access,  which 
are  totally  disconnected  from  the  administration 
of  the  building;  a  door  on  the  ground  floor  com- 
pletely separating  the  public  from  the  service, 
for  whom  a  special  entrance  on  the  Blagden 
street  side  of  the  building  is  provided. 

On  the  first  floor  is  the  auditor's  office,  oppo- 
site that  the  receiving-room  for  books.  Fol- 
lowing the  auditor's  room  come  the  ordering 
department  and  the  catalog  and  shelf  depart- 
ments, and  on  the  same  side  of  the  corridors 
with  the  receiving-room  are  located  the  men 
employees'  coat  and  toilet  rooms.  No  expense 
has  been  spared  in  any  of  the  apartments  of 
the  administration  for  comfort  and  convenience, 
and  adequacy  of  light,  but  no  money  has  been 
expended  for  decoration  or  anything  other  than 
the  strictly  useful  and  comfortable.  Cases  of 
books  are  received  on  the  sidewalk  elevators, 
and  descend  to  the  basement,  where  they  are 
opened  by  the  members  of  the  janitor's  force, 
and  are  sent  by  a  communicating  elevator  to  the 
receiving-room  just  mentioned,  going  therefrom 
in  the  usual  routine  to  the  ordering  department, 
and  thence  to  the  catalog  and  shelf  depart- 
ments. 

The  ordering,  catalog,  and  shelf  depart- 
ments are  so  arranged  as  to  secure  the  greatest 
economy  of  labor  in  handling  the  books,  from 


the  time  they  first  come  into  the  building,  until 
they  find  their  ultimate  places  on  the  shelves. 

Among  the  newer  features  in  these  depart- 
ments, not  mentioned  elsewhere,  is  the  official 
card  catalog,  used  freely  by  these  three  depart- 
ments. In  this  catalog  the  cards  are  housed 
in  small,  light,  but  strong  drawers,  easily  re- 
movable from  the  cases,  each  drawer  holding 
one  row  of  cards  a  foot  long.  The  same  principle 
has  been  carried  out  in  the  public  card  catalog, 
which  will  be  in  charge  of  attendants,  who  will 
hand  out  to  each  applicant  the  drawer  containing 
the  cards  he  wishes  to  consult  at  convenience. 
In  both  cases  no  one  consulting  the  catalog  will 
deprive  others  of  the  opportunity  to  use  cards  in 
the  same  part  of  the  alphabet.  So  that  no  per- 
son will  be  able  to  monopolize,  as  at  present, 
about  7500  cards. 

In  the  shelf  department  a  new  combined  shelf- 
list  stand  and  table  has  been  built,  which  will 
afford  shelf-room  for  these  lists,  with  place 
above  for  the  books  awaiting  assignment,  and 
table  room  immediately  at  hand  on  which  to 
make  the  proper  entry  in  the  shelf-list. 

It  seems  needless  to  state  that  all  the  minor 
details  of  these  rooms  have  been  arranged  so  as 
to  provide  for  more  comfort,  as  regards  room, 
light,  air,  and  equable  heat,  to  those  employed 
there,  than  has  been  possible  in  the  old  building, 
and  to  enable  them  to  do  the  necessary  work 
more  easily,  methodically,  and  rapidly. 

On  the  next  floor  above  the  ordering  depart- 
ment is  a  special  students'  room,  connecting  with 
another  intended  as  the  office  of  the  librarian's 
clerks.  It  is  connected  with  his  room,  immedi- 
ately above,  by  means  of  a  pneumatic  elevator, 
speaking-tube  and  telephone.  On  the  same  floor 
are  to  be  found  two  cloak-rooms  and  toilet-rooms 
for  the  women  employees.  Immediately  above, 
as  has  been  stated,  is  the  librarian's  room,  and 
the  space  back  of  the  delivery-desk  where  are 
placed  the  pneumatic-tubes  and  the  exit  of  the 
book  railway  from  the  stacks.  Above  this  is 
the  trustee's  room  with  its  ante-room,  and  over 
all,  the  special  libraries  described  elsewhere. 

PUBLIC   ROOMS. 

The  rooms  to  which  the  public  have  access  on 
the  first  floor  are  the  periodical  rooms  for  the 
consultation  of  unbound  current  volumes  of  peri* 


366 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[November,  '94 


odicals,  and  the  bound  ones  indexed  by  Poole, 
the  public  having  free  access  to  the  latter,  as  has 
always  been  the  case  with  the  collection  of 
patent  office  documents,  under  the  supervision 
and  with  the  assistance  of  an  attendant.  There 
are  two  such  rooms  connecting,  the  second  of 
which  may  not  be  used  for  some  time; 

On  this  floor,  under  the  main  stairway,  are 
ample  sanitary  accommodations  for  visitors,  a 
decidedly  new  feature,  as  well  as  the  coat-room 
and  bureau  of  information,  where  one  desiring 
to  see  a  member  of  the  service  may  make  his 
wants  known,  meanwhile  being  ushered  into  a 
room  just  opposite,  which  may  be  termed  the 
reception-room,  the  passenger  elevator  to  the 
Bates  Hall  and  special  libraries'  floor  being  be- 
tween. Entrance  to  the  arcade  is  provided  at 
the  ends  of  the  corridors  on  either  side  of  the 
main  staircase.  As  has  been  stated,  the  public 
is  entirely  shut  off  from  the  service  portion  of  the 
library  at  this  p«int. 

On  the  next  floor,  reached  by  elevator  and  the 
main  stairway,  is  the  Bates  Hall,  which  has 
been  sufficiently  described  and  depicted  in  many 
publications.  Here  provision  has  been  made 
for  7000  volumes  of  reference-books,  the  term 
in  this  library  being  restricted  to  such  books  as 
are  exposed  about  the  hall  and  to  which  the  pub- 
lic has  free  access  for  consultation  without  mak- 
ing formal  application.  It  is  provided  with 
26  tables,  each  capable  of  seating  10  persons 
with  ease  and  comfort,  and  is  entirely  sep- 
arated from  the  waiting-room  in  front  of  the 
delivery-desk.  The  waiting-room  is  a  new 
feature  which  ensures  quiet  to  the  readers  in 
Bates  Hall,  the  shuffling  of  people  waiting  to 
receive  books,  and  the  conversation  and  other 
noises  incidental  to  the  work  at  the  delivery- 
desk  not  penetrating  thereto. 

In  one  end  of  Bates  Hall,  separated  by  a  screen, 
is  the  public  card-catalog,  which  may  be  reached 
directly  from  the  delivery-room  without  passing 
through  Bates  Hall. 

On  the  same  floor  with  Bates  Hall  and  the  wait- 
ing-room, on  the  Boylston  street  side  of  the  build- 
ing, are  two  connecting  rooms  to  contain  the 
collection  of  patent  office  publications,  at  present 
amounting  to  4700  volumes,  the  second  room 
being  provided  in  anticipation  of  the  somewhat 
large  annual  increase.  Descending  a  few  stepst 
but  practically  upon  the  same  level  as  the  patent 
library,  is  the  great  reading-room  for  newspapers 
and  current  periodicals,  which  is  provided  with 
tables  and  sloping  stand-up  desks  for  the  use  of 
n  ewspapers,  some  of  the  latter  along  the  walls, 


others  back-to-back  on  the  floor,  forming  double 
desks.  There  is  a  separate  entrance  to  these 
rooms  provided  on  Boylston  Street.  On  the 
same  level  are  the  rooms  intended  for  the 
cabinets  to  contain  bound  volumes  of  news- 
papers. 

Sanitary  accommodations  for  users  of  the 
library  exist  on  every  floor  in  this  wing  of  the 
building. 

The  six  stacks  are  identical  in  plan  and  are 
intended  to  accommodate  a  million  or  more  vol- 
umes. Books  more  than  18  inches  in  height  or 
15  inches  in  width,  and  those  belonging  to  the 
special  collections,  are  excluded,  the  former 
being  placed  in  cabinets  disposed  convenient- 
ly among  the  special  libraries.  The  stacks  do 
not  intercommunicate,  and,  while  the  entire 
structure  is  absolutely  fire-proof,  yet  they  may 
be  termed  fireproof  compartments,  since  there 
is  no  possibility  of  a  local  fire,  in  itself  impos- 
sible, extending  to  any  other  stack.  They  are 
lighted  by  electricity,  which  is  not  needed  in 
the  day-time  except  in  part  in  the  lowest  stack, 
the  others  having  sufficient  natural  light.  Books 
are  transmitted  from  the  stack  to  the  delivery 
desk  as  described  elsewhere. 

Above  all,  and  forming  the  crown  of  the  build- 
ing, is  the  special  libraries  floor,  to  which  have 
been  removed  the  Barton  Shakespearian  Libra- 
ry, the  Parker  Library  mainly  of  philosophy 
and  theology,  the  Ticknor  collection  of  Spanish 
and  Portuguese  books,  the  Prince  Library  of 
Americana,  the  Thayer  Library  of  illustrated 
biography  and  history,  the  books  by  or  relating 
to  Benjamin  Franklin,  the  Bowditch  Mathemati- 
cal Library,  the  Allen  A.  Brown  Musical  Li- 
brary, the  Gilbert  Dramatic  Library,  the  John 
A.  Lewis  early  American  imprints,  the  President 
John  Adams  Library  of  Constitutional  History, 
the  U.  S.  Congressional  and  the  British  Parlia- 
mentary documents. 

The  Mellen  Chamberlain  Collection  of  auto- 
graphs and  original  historical  documents  is  a 
special  library,  which  is  not  housed  upon  the 
special  libraries  floor,  but  by  a  provision  of  the 
trustees  is  preserved  in  a  strong-room  lead- 
ing from  the  librarian's  office,  upon  the  Blagden 
street  side  of  the  building.  Since  none  of  these 
books  are  permitted  to  leave  the  building,  a  per- 
son desiring  to  consult  any  of  them  is  conducted 
to  the  spot  and  may  pursue  his  investigations  at 
leisure.  Any  book  in  one  of  the  special  libraries 
desired  in  another  may  be  transmitted  by  the 
book-railway <  which  is  in  use  here  as  well  as  in, 
the  stacks. 


November^  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


367 


The  tables  are  capable  of  seating  10  persons 
at  each,  and  are  furnished  with  standard  electric 
lamps  for  use  after  dark.  Of  course,  it  is  under- 
stood that  the  library  is  open  every  evening 
until  nine  o'clock,  §undays  as  well  as  weekdays. 

BOOK-RAILWAY     AND    PNEUMATIC-TUBE     SYSTEM. 

From  the  delivery-desk  pneumatic-tubes  for 
the  transmission  of  the  slips  of  borrowers  of 
books  run  to  various  parts  of  the  building,  three 
to  different  points  in  each  of  the  six  stacks,  and  a 
sufficient  number  to  the  floor  of  the  special 
libraries  and  to  various  other  points.  A  slip 
being  placed  in  a  tube,  is  delivered  at  the  point 
nearest  to  the  shelf  where  the  book  is.  The 
attendant  in  that  vicinity  secures  it,  takes  the 
book  called  for  and  deposits  it  in  the  carrier  on 
the  book-railway  running  along  the  interior 
walls,  the  motive-power  of  which  is  furnished 
by  a  constantly  moving  cable  driven  by  an 
electric  motor  in  the  basement.  The  carrier  is 
released  by  the  'attendant  and  proceeds  to  de- 
liver its  burden  at  the  end  of  the  book-stack, 
going  up  or  down,  as  the  case  may  be,  to  the 
counter  back  of  the  delivery-desk.  Books  re- 
turned by  borrowers  are  continuously  carried 
back  to  their  places  in  the  stacks  by  a  reversal 
of  the  same  process.  A  similar  book-railway 
runs  also  through  all  the  alcoves  of  the  special 
libraries  floor  and  from  the  receiving-room  to 
the  ordering  department.  It  has  been  in  ex- 
perimental operation  for  over  a  year  at  the 
factory  where  it  was  made,  and  has  been  shown 
to  be  capable  of  doing  perfectly  satisfactory 
work.  The  wear  and  tear  of  books  is  very 
much  reduced. 

The  pneumatic-tubes  run  also  to  the  public 
coat-room,  to  the  bindery,  to  the  custodian  of 
the  card-catalog  in  Bates  Hall,  and  are  also 
connected  from  that  point  to  the  desk  of  the 
keeper  of  Bates  Hall. 

Besides  this  mode  of  communication,  there 
are  speaking-tubes  to  all  parts  of  the  building, 
and  a  system  of  telephones  by  which  30  different 
points  throughout  the  structure  are  put  into 
inter-communication. 

BINDERY. 

The  bindery  is  on  a  level  with  the  street,  and 
affords  accommodation  for  20  work-people.  It 
offers  no  new  features,  since  the  work  of  a 
library  like  this  is  entirely  what  is  called  "  job 
work,"  and  no  especial  machinery  is  needed  for 
stitching  either  with  thread  or  wire,  or  fixtures 
used  for  wholesale  work  of  one  size,  a.s  in  the 


case  of  editions.  The  presses  and  cutting-ma- 
chines are  placed  immediately  below  the  bindery 
in  a  well-lighted  basement,  and  communication 
is  had  therewith  by  means  of  a  staircase  and 
elevator. 

The  experimental  stage  of  putting  the  books 
of  a  working  library  into  working  clothes,  by 
binding  them  in  cotton  or  linen-duck  is  passed, 
and  all  of  the  work  in  this  new  bindery  will  be 
of  this  sort. 

MOVING. 

At  this  time  very  little  can  be  said  with  re- 
spect to  the  moving  of  the  books  from  the  old 
to  the  new  building.  A  few  books  have  been 
moved  by  way  of  experiment,  the  removal  of  the 
main  library  to  be  undertaken  when  the  results 
of  this  experiment  have  been  fully  determined, 
and  more  or  less  absolute  data  obtained.  It  may 
be  of  interest  to  state  that  over  70,000  volumes 
comprising  the  special  collections  have  been 
transferred,  mainly  by  the  employes  in  the 
library  service,  without  practical  interruption  of 
the  work.  One  or  two  of  the  interesting  con- 
clusions are  that  there  is  no  royal  road  in  the  re- 
moval of  a  library,  be  it  large  or  small  —  the 
pleasing  fictions  of  the  utilization  of  soldiers  in 
Germany,  and  the  many  ingenious  suggestions 
of  elevated  railroads  to  be  built  for  the  purpose, 
presumably  at  no  cost, the  mobilizing  of  the  militia 
and  perhaps  the  police,  and  of  the  electric  rail- 
ways of  the  city  in  midnight  witch-dances,  to 
the  contrary  notwithstanding.  The  special  con- 
ditions attaching  to  this  library  at  all  events  pre- 
clude anything  but  the  most  systematic  hand- 
ling of  the  books,  shelf  by  shelf,  their  careful 
cleaning  next,  and  the  preservation  of  the  in- 
tegrity of  the  contents  of  each  shelf  ;  their  titles 
and  numbers  existing  in  many  catalogs,  some 
in  print,  as  no  librarian  needs  be  reminded, 
makes  change  impossible  except  in  very  rare  in- 
dividual cases.  These  conditions  require  the 
preparation  in  advance  of  corresponding  shelves 
in  the  new  building  with  numbers  exactly  as  in 
the  old;  thus  it  js,  that  only  experienced  em- 
ployes of  the  library,  used  to  the  nomenclature 
and  notation,  can  be  trusted  to  do  more  than  to 
receive  the  boxes  of  books  all  packed  at  one  end 
and  to  deliver  them  at  the  other  unpacked. 
This  plan  has  been  followed  in  moving  the  70,- 
ooo  books  above  referred  to,  with  the  result  that 
there  has  been  no  noise,  no  friction,  no  trouble 
or  disturbance  of  any  sort,  and  the  cost  of  trans- 
portation, and  such  extra  help  as  was  required, 
has  been  at  the  rate  of  about  half  a  cent  a  vol- 
ume. "\Vheq  \\  comes  to  the  removal  of  th§ 


368 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[November,  '94 


main  body  of  the  library,  this  cost  undoubtedly 
will  be  reduced  on  various  accounts,  among 
which  it  may  be  mentioned  that  the  force  to  be 
engaged  has  already  been  "  broken  in,"  the 
boxes  have  all  been  made  ready,  and  the  books 


are  arranged  at  present  and  will  be  in  their  new 
home,  in  a  much  more  compact  form,  with 
greater  uniformity  as  to  shelving,  than  the 
special  libraries,  which  had  been  provided  for 
in  various  makeshift  rooms  and  bookcases. 


THE  INFORMATION  DESK.* 


BY  W.  E.  FOSTER,  Librarian  Providence  (R.  /.)  Public  Library. 


INFORMATION  desk  work  is  a  development; 
not  a  creation  out  of  wholly  new  materials.  The 
underlying  principles  are  familiar  ones  doubt- 
less in  most  libraries,  but  the  particular  form  in 
which  the  information  desk  has  developed  in  the 
library  with  which  I  am  most  familiar,  has  been 
the  result  of  a  recognition  of  certain  difficulties 
and  of  the  effort  to  meet  them  in  the  most  effective 
manner.  For  instance,  demands  of  the  same 
kind  which  are  now  brought  to  the  information 
desk,  have  from  the  beginning  been  brought  to 
the  library;  but  it  was  formerly  found  that  they 
came  with  a  sort  of  "  scattering  fire,"  all  along 
the  line  of  clerks  who  might  happen  to  be  in 
sight,  in  frequent  instances  interfering  materi- 
ally with  the  performance  of  their  routine 
work.  It  was  consequently  a  distinct  gain  to 
concentrate  this  upon  one  person  whose  exclu- 
sive duty  it  should  be  to  supply  this  assistance. 
But  not  all  the  questions  which  were  in  the 
minds  of  the  readers  were  asked  even  under  the 
former  method.  Long  observation  confirmed  us 
in  the  belief  that  many  readers  were  continually 
drifting  in  and  drifting  out  again,  without  vent- 
uring to  bring  their  inquiries  to  the  notice  of 
any  of  the  clerks,  all  of  whom  seemed  absorbed 
in  routine  work.  As  at  present  arranged,  how- 
ever, the  position  of  the  information  desk  is 
such  that  it  necessarily  catches  the  eye  of  every 
reader  on  entering,  and  the  cordial,  interested 
reception  which  he  receives  almost  invariably 
emboldens  him  to  make  known  his  wants. 

In  establishing  such  a  department  in  a  library 
certain  precautions  need  to  be  kept  in  mind. 
First,  it  would  be  obviously  unfortunate  if  it 
should  be  interpreted  as  a  proclamation  of  abili- 
ty to  answer  any  and  all  questions.  It  is 
rather  a  tender  of  willingness  to  go  as  far  in 
this  direction  as  may  be  found  possible.  In  our 
case  we  estimated  at  the  beginning  that  about 
10  per  cent,  of  the  questions  would  probably  be 
found  insoluble,  an  estimate  which  has  proved 
to  be  ludicrously  in  excess  of  the  true  amount. 


*  Paper  read  before  Massachusetts  Library  Club,  Oct. 
3.  '894- 


Secondly,  it  would  be  a  most  unfortunate  result 
of  this  concentration  upon  a  single  clerk  if  it 
should  have  the  effect  of  rendering  the  work  an 
unwonted  or  unfamiliar  one  to  the  remainder 
of  the  staff  —  a  difficulty  that  would  settle 
itself,  however,  by  the  necessity  in  every  library 
of  providing  substitutes  for  the  regular  clerk,  at 
meal  times,  or  during  illness,  or  when  called 
away  from  the  desk  for  a  longer  search  than 
usual,  or  when  a  "  line  "  of  applicants  forms  at 
the  desk,  requiring  reinforcements  to  attend  to 
them.  And,  conversely,  it  would  be  equally 
unfortunate  if  there  should  be  any  possibility 
that  questions  should  be  answered  by  those  in- 
competent to  do  so.  One  of  the  first  requi- 
sites, in  fact,  in  connection  with  this  work,  is 
the  recognition  of  one's  limitations,  so  that  the 
light  which  one  may  be  trying  to  furnish  may 
not  prove  to  be  darkness.  There  must  be  a  dis- 
tinct understanding  among  all  the  members  of 
the  force  on  this  point,  so  that  a  question  rec- 
ognized as  "  beyond  the  depth  "  of  the  one  to 
whom  it  may  chance  to  be  brought  may  be 
appealed  to  a  higher  or  still  higher  authority  — 
to  some  one  outside  the  library  if  need  be. 
Once  more,  it  would  be  unfortunate  if  the  effect 
of  this  feature  should  be  to  encourage  laziness 
in  the  reader.  There  is,  however,  no  inherent 
reason  why  it  should  do  so,  and  if  the  aim  of 
the  clerk  in  charge  shall  be,  so  far  as  possible, 
to  help  readers  to  help  themselves,  initiating 
them  into  the  use  of  reference-books  and  of  cata- 
loging helps,  it  will  not  have  this  result. 

The  demands  which  concentrate  on  such  a 
point  show  a  strikingly  wide  range,  from  asking 
for  a  time-table  of  Boston  trains  to  verifying 
the  titles  of  books  blindly  named  in  I7th 
century  wills,  in  connection  with  the  printing  of 
early  records.  Much  use  of  the  mails  is  in- 
volved, queries  being  thus  received  and  also 
answered,  both  in  the  case  of  resident  and  non- 
resident inquirers.  A  part  of  the  benefit  of  such 
a  desk  is,  of  course,  in  serving  as  a  "  steerer  " 
to  the  reader  visiting  the  library  for  the  first 
time,  attracting  his  eye  at  first,  referring  him 


November,  '94] 


LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


3^9 


to  the  registration  desk,  to  obtain  a  card,  with 
the  invitation  to  comeback  afterwards  for  assist- 
ance in  connection  with  the  catalogs,  etc.  An 
even  greater  benefit  is  perhaps  that  of  breaking 
into  the  aimless  attitude  often  characterizing  a 
visitor,  and  by  answering  questions  in  regard  to 
the  best  book  on  a  subject,  on  the  best  edition 
of  an  author,  getting  the  reader  started  on  a 
course  where  genuine  interest  compels  his  con- 
tinuance. Nor  is  there  less  difference  in  the  ex- 
tent to  which  the  information  sought  is  readily 
found  or  the  reverse.  While  in  some  cases  it  is 
contained  in  some  one  of  these  indispensable  tools 
which  such  a  desk  should  have  within  reach,  in 
other  cases  it  is  to  be  had  only  by  going  outside 
the  limits  of  the  library  itself,  in  some  book  to 
be  obtained  either  by  purchase,  gift,  or  tempo- 
rary loan  from  some  other  library.  Much  of  the 
work  of  such  a  desk  results  in  this  way,  and 
thus  performs  the  additional  service  of  indicat- 
ing some  of  the  library's  weak  spots.  An  im- 
portant share  of  the  time  of  such  a  desk  is  oc- 
cupied with  more  extended  lists  of  references, 
whether  in  the  shape  of  the  daily  or  weekly 
lists  on  current  subjects,  or  those  prepared  from 
time  to  time  for  study  clubs  or  other  classes. 
In  general  it  is  safe  to  assume  that  a  question 
on  a  current  topic,  asked  by  one  reader,  will  be 
worth  answering  in  such  a  form  as  to  serve  for 
other  readers  who  may  subsequently  ask  it.  It 
is  true,  that  for  the  clerk  regularly  at  the  desk, 
the  involuntary  action  of  the  mind  soon  comes 
to  serve  the  purpose  of  mentally  "  pigeon- 
holing" the  information;  yet,  particularly  for 
the  benefit  of  those  who  may  temporarily  fill 
the  place,  it  will  be  well  worth  while  to  put 
down  in  black  and  white  the  most  of  what  is 
found  by  searching.  In  this  connection  some 
sort  of  alphabetical  index  to  the  materials  accu- 
mulated will  be  found  almost  inevitable,  even 
if  so  planned  as  to  avoid  duplicating  the  various 
published  helps  of  the  Poole's  Index  type. 

Such  a  point  in  a  library  will  be  found  to  have 
many  lines  of  connection  with  important  and 
even  widely  separated  fields.  Besides  those 
represented  by  the  schools,  university  extension 
centres,  and  study  clubs,  some  of  the  most  ob- 
vious are  the  local  industries,  the  local  news- 
paper offices,  the  more  advanced  researches  prose- 
cuted by  scholars  either  within  or  outside  the 
local  community,  etc.  It  is  obvious  that  work  of 
this  kind  will  have  an  important  bearing  on  the 
library's  collection  of  reference-books,  neces- 
sitating the  strengthening  of  the  latter  wherever 
a  need  is  found  to  exist.  Some  indispensable 


requisites  in  connection  with  any  individual  who 
fills  the  position  should  be  named.  First,  a 
marked  facility,  not  only  in  "  tracing,"  but  in 
"pigeon-holing"  the  materials  of  a  subject. 
Not  infrequently  some  of  the  most  signal  suc- 
cesses in  answering  an  inquiry  are  by  the  use  of 
what  had  been  incidentally  observed  when 
looking  for  something  else,  but  now  remem- 
bered to  good  purpose.  Second,  an  invincible 
hunger  for  thoroughness.  The  point  of  view  of 
the  true  searcher  is  that  one  can  never  come  to 
the  end  of  a  subject.  Third,  a  sort  of  sixth 
sense  for  accuracy.  Fourth,  unbounded  tact. 
Information  and  assistance  should  be  supplied 
where  obviously  desired,  but  if  Mr.  Lowell  should 
make  application,  he  would  not  be  met  with  offi- 
cious instruction  or  explanations,  but  the  infor- 
mation desk  would  be  merely  a  channel  through 
which  he  would  obtain  the  books  of  which  he 
would  be  the  best  judge.  Tact  also  will  en- 
able a  clerk  at  this  post  to  keep  steadily  at  work 
on  the  business  in  hand,  and  yet  to  keep  an  eye 
out,  so  to  speak,  for  all  casual  readers,  to  see 
that  they  do  not  miss  the  advantage  here  to  be 
gained.  Lastly,  there  must  be  an  utter  absence 
of  the  perfunctory  spirit.  Here,  as  everywhere, 
work  which  is  done  from  a  love  of  the  work 
counts  for  most.  Not  a  little  of  the  value  of  the 
service  rendered  at  this  desk  is  due  to  the 
manner  as  well  as  the  matter  —  the  bright  face 
of  the  attendant  in  welcoming  the  inquirer,  the 
evident  and  hearty  interest  with  which  the  sub- 
ject is  taken  up,  and  the  quiet  hospitality  which 
puts  the  timid  reader  at  his  ease. 

It  remains  to  say  a  few  words  in  regard  to  the 
attitude  of  the  public  towards  such  help.  The 
first  and  most  emphatic  feeling  is  probably  that 
of  suprise  that  the  library  should  aim  to  supply 
help  of  so  definite  and  comprehensive  a  na- 
ure.  This  initial  surprise  over,  there  is  likely 
to  be  a  constantly  increasing  utilization  of 
the  facilities  afforded.  The  reasonableness  of 
the  average  reader  is  another  interesting  fact. 
When  the  information  desk  was  first  established 
in  the  library  which  I  represent,  it  was  mere 
than  once  remarked  :  "  What  a  lot  of  foolish 
questions  you  are  going  to  have  brought  to  you." 
But  these  anticipations  have  been  strikingly 
wide  of  the  mark,  and  nothing  is  so  exceptional 
as  a  question  of  that  nature.  Sometimes,  indeed, 
one  has  seemed  to  be  coming  to  the  surface,  as 
when  the  question  was  asked  —  how  many  tooth- 
picks are  annually  exported  from  this  country  ? 
but  a  few  moments'  conversation  revealed  the 
fact  that  the  inquirer  was  a  lumber  dealer,  and 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\Novcmbcr,  '94 


that  the  inquiry  was  exactly  in  the  line  of  his 
business.  Another  constant  feature  is  the  grati- 
tude of  the  public.  It  has  repeatedly  been  the 
case  that  the  inquirer  has  wished  to  pay  for  the 
service  rendered.  It  has  then  been  necessary  to 
explain  that  there  would  be  no  more  appropri- 
ateness in  taking  money  for  this  service  than  for 
the  issue  of  a  book  at  the  delivery  desk.  One 
is  as  much  a  part  of  the  regular  work  of  the  li- 


brary as  the  other.  Sometimes,  indeed,  as  was 
the  case  a  few  weeks  ago,  the  grateful  inquirer, 
determined  not  to  be  baffled,  declares  that  there 
is  nothing  to  prevent  his  sending  his  check  to  the 
treasurer,  "  for  the  general  uses  of  the  library;" 
and  does  send  it. 

Work  of  this  kind  is  constantly  developing  in 
usefulness  and  scope,  and  it  would  be  hazardous 
to  set  limits  to  its  possibilities  in  the  future. 


THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  LIBRARY. 

ADDRESS  AT  DEDICATION   OF  THE  ORRINGTON  LUNT  LIBRARY,   NORTHWESTERN   UNIVERSITY, 

EVANSTON,    ILL. 

By  JUSTIN  WINSOR,  LL.D.,  Librarian  of  Harvard  University. 


IT  is  nearly  two  centuries  and  a  quarter  since 
a  tiny  college  of  the  wilderness  floated  along 
your  water-front.  It  carried  two  teachers.  One, 
a  black-robed  priest,  had  passed  a  novitiate  in 
Latin  and  Greek,  and  had  drunk  inspiration  from 
the  fountain  of  the  Fathers.  His  maturer  life 
had  been  passed  in  the  woods,  a  student  of  its 
wild  denizens.  He  had  sought  the  mysteries  of 
their  varied  tongues  till  he  could  embalm  in  na- 
tive cadences  the  great  truths  of  his  religion. 
His  faith  was  symbolized  in  the  crucifix  dang- 
ling from  his  neck.  Within  the  folds  of  his  cas- 
sock rested  the  well-thumbed  manual  of  his 
hourly  devotion,  —  the  be-all  and  end-all  of  his 
saintly  life,  the  little  library  of  this  pristine  uni- 
versity. 

His  companion  was  a  vigorous  spirit,  equally 
adept  in  driving  a  bargain  for  peltry  with  the 
savage,  and  in  discerning  the  points  of  the  com- 
pass in  a  lichened  tree-bole.  He  could  tell  what 
to  expect  in  the  up-country  by  scanning  the 
river  which  came  from  it.  His  perceptions 
could  place  the  great  divides  which  turned  the 
river  channels  to  one  ocean  or  the  other.  The 
outward  aspects  of  nature  were  to  him,  what 
supreme  truths  and  human  aspirations  were  to 
the  priest. 

Thus  this  little  primitive  college,  borne  on  the 
littoral  current  which  sweeps  to  the  great  southern 
bend  of  your  life-giving  lake,  fitly  prefigures 
the  counter  resources  in  mind  and  matter,  which 
form  the  bewildering  diversity  of  our  modern, 
encompassing  education.  In  the  folds  of  our 
devotion  to  all  that  is  helpful  in  the  emanations 
of  man's  intellect,  and  beneath  the  symbol  of 
our  faith,  we  lay  nearest  our  hearts  the  wealth 
of  our  libraries,  just  as  the  devoted  Marquette 
enfolded  the  spiritual  manual  upon  his  palpi- 
tating breast.  In  the  lessons  of  our  labora- 


tories we  find  the  prescriptions  of  natural  law, 
just  as  Joliet  found  them  in  the  air,  the  water, 
and  the  sky. 

Two  centuries  and  a  quarter  of  struggling 
and  vitalizing  growth  has  done  this  for  us,  and 
little  more.  Education  means  with  us,  as  it  did 
to  those  pioneers,  a  preparation  to  subdue  the 
earth,  and  to  drink  the  libations  poured  by  the 
bountiful  past.  From  the  breviary  of  the  mis- 
sionary to  the  possibilities  of  our  modern  libra- 
ries, is  a  reach  only  equalled  by  the  passage  from 
the  simple  instruction  of  those  lowly  teachers 
to  the  complex  variety  of  the  new  learning. 

There  are  few  more  interesting  problems  to 
the  student  of  the  new  learning  than  the  part 
which  libraries  are  playing  in  its  development. 
There  are  two  necessary  concomitants  of  a 
large  collection  of  books.  These  are  a  biblio- 
graphical apparatus  and  the  growth  of  special 
departments.  Without  the  aid  of  bibliographical 
studies,  no  large  library  can  be  well  formed  and 
no  such  collection  can  be  properly  handled.  No 
library  but  those  whose  distinction  is  their  size, 
can  attract  much  attention,  unless  it  becomes 
exceptional  in  some  directions.  Bibliography 
and  specialism  are  also  the  two  readiest  props  of 
scholarship,  and  nowhere  more  than  with  us  ; 
and  this  is  particularly  true  of  bibliography. 
The  learned  of  the  old  world  look  with  some 
surprise  on  the  recent  advances  in  this  respect 
which  have  been  made  in  this  country.  We 
have  seen  and  are  seeing  our  account  in  it.  Such 
studies  have  enabled  us  to  outgrow  the  reproach 
which,  fifty  years  ago  and  more,  was  a  common 
one,  that  nowhere  in  this  country  could  we 
verify  the  first-class  investigations  carried  on  by 
European  scholars.  The  late  George  Liver- 
more,  in  1850,  emphasized  the  stigma  by  say- 
ing—  and  he  spoke  the  truth  —  that  so  cardinal 


November,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


37* 


a  little  book  in  the  creation  of  the  Yankee  char- 
acter as  the  "  New  England  primer"  could,  no- 
where in  this  country,  be  historically  consid- 
ered, because  of  the  lack  of  books  necessary  to 
elucidate  the  allusions  in  it.  Mr.  Justice  Story, 
speaking  under  the  shadow  of  the  Harvard 
library,  said  the  same  thing  of  Gibbon's  great 
history. 

If  this  was  more  a  reproach  then  than  now,  it 
should  be  remembered  that  the  first  duty  of  a 
new  country  is  to  establish  a  good  average  of 
education,  and  that  the  creation  of  signal  in- 
stances of  the  ripest  scholarship  comes  later.  A 
country  like  ours,  receiving  a  constant  influx  of 
ill-educated  aliens,  has  a  more  conspicuous  duty 
to  the  state  in  making  good  citizens  of  them 
than  in  creating  pure  scholarship.  Wealth 
creating  a  leisured  class,  the  patrons  and  pur- 
veyors of  learning,  has  only  come  to  us  in  a  con. 
spicuous  way  since  our  civil  war,  and  it  has 
brought  with  it  the  need  of  scholarship. 

It  by  no  means  follows  that  the  creation  of  a 
large  body  of  educated  people  is  the  sole  source 
of  remarkable  scholarship.  The  scholar  may 
easily  appear  of  his  own  option  ;  but  he  is  but- 
tressed in  a  community  that  respects  hirifc  I 
met,  a  few  years  ago,  one  of  the  best  students  of 
our  constitutional  history,  writing  his  book  in 
a  society  that  offered  him  no  encouragement 
and  was  destitute  of  libraries.  There  was  some- 
thing pathetic  in  his  joy  for  an  hour's  intercourse 
with  one  who  could  give  him  a  sympathetic 
response.  Such  a  student,  buying  his  own 
books  and  hampered  in  the  selection  of  them, 
contrasted  with  one  familiar  with  the  resources 
of  a  well-equipped  public  library,  may  mean 
two  things.  It  may  signify  a  debasement  of  the 
intellectual  vantage-ground,  so  as  to  affect 
scholarship;  or,  what  is  occasionally  the  case,  it 
may  put  the  scholarly  mind  on  its  mettle,  and 
nourish  its  best  endeavors.  But  such  isolation 
from  books  is  never  a  safe  experiment,  and 
never  a  successful  test  of  mental  "endeavor  in 
more  than  a  few  introspective  studies. 

The  amassment  of  large  private  libraries  is  no 
longer  a  necessity  of  scholarship.  The  student 
is  more  and  more  learning  to  depend  on  large 
collections  of  books  which  the  public  fosters. 
There  has  been  in  the  older  communities  a 
decided  check  of  late  years  to  the  formation  of 
private  collections.  I  am  told  by  law  publishers 
at  the  east,  that  it  is  the  western  lawyer  who 
buys  books,  while  the  eastern  advocate  depends 
on  the  social  law  libraries.  It  is  my  observation 
that  with  classes  four  or  five  times  as  large  as  they 


were  in  my  day  at  Harvard,  the  number  of 
young  men  among  the  students  laying  the 
foundation  of  their  own  collection  of  books  is 
fewer  now  than  then.  It  is  notorious  that  to- 
day in  England  the  collecting  of  books  by  the 
educated  and  leisured  classes  has  gone  by. 
If  a  man  is  found  forming  a  library,  he  is  a 
banker  or  a  brewer  come  to  the  financial  front, 
who  thinks  it  a  passport  to  social  distinction. 
Earl  Spencer  told  me  a  few  years  ago  that  he 
never  added  a  book  to  the  famous  library  then 
at  Althorpe,  and  as  I  looked  it  through  I  could 
well  believe  there  had  not  a  book  been  put  in  it 
for  half  a  century.  I  have  looked  at  some  of 
the  best  libraries  in  English  country  houses, 
and  I  have  found  but  one  or  two,  notably  that  of 
the  Duke  of  Westminster,  which  indicated  that 
the  best  current  literature,  as  distinct  from 
bibliographical  fads,  were  contributing  to  their 
growth.  The  average  English  gentleman,  with 
the  training  of  Oxford^and  Cambridge,  is  content 
to  depend  on  a  weekly  box  from  Mudie. 
Twenty  years  ago  the  London  publisher,  Picker- 
ing, said  that  he  could  not  count  on  selling  more 
than  250  copies  of  a  good  new  book,  and  Quar- 
itch  to-day  says  he  could  not  live  except  for  his 
American  orders. 

Meanwhile  the  British  Museum  is  printing 
60,000  titles  a  year  of  its  current  accessions. 
Leaving  out  of  account  the  mass  of  books  in 
foreign  tongues,  it  was  recently  held  by  a  compe- 
tent judge  that  the  British  Museum  did  not 
have  more  than  half  (or  at  least  three-fifths)  of 
the  books  in  English  which  have  been  printed. 
It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  the  best  library 
of  English-speaking  peoples  is  more  or  less  of  a 
makeshift.  Mr.  Bullen,  the  late  keeper  of  the 
printed  books  in  that  library,  recognized  this 
when  he  testified  before  the  Society  of  Arts, 
that  on  few  or  no  subjects  to  be  investigated 
could  the  British  Museum  afford  the  scholar  half 
the  necessary  books.  The  late  Winter  Jones, 
for  many  years  its  principal  librarian,  told  me 
once  that  not  one  thorough  student  in  ten 
could  find  there  all  he  wanted ;  and  yet  the  British 
Museum  is  said  to  contain  not  much  short  of 
2,000,000  volumes,  and  is  possibly  exceeded 
only  by  the  Bibliotheque  Nationale  in  Paris.  I 
have  learned  to  distrust  comparative  library 
statistics;  but  we  cannot  certainly  on  American 
soil  point  to  any  colleection  one-third  as  large. 

The  growth  of  American  libraries,  however, 
has  been  rapid,  and  far  beyond  expectation. 
Five  and  30  years  ago,  when  the  Boston  Pub- 
ic Library  was  finally  organized,  it  was  cal- 


37* 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


\Novembtr,  '94 


culated  that  a  building  capable  of  holding  200.- 
ooo  volumes  would  suffice  for  a  century.  In  less 
than  20  years  it  fell  to  my  lot  (being  then  in 
charge  of  that  institution,  to  double  its  capacity, 
and  now  in  less  than  40  years,  or  much  less  than 
half  the  allotted  time,  it  has  been  found  neces- 
sary to  erect  a  building  of  eight  or  10  times  the 
capacity  of  the  old  one.  Less  than  a  score  of 
years  ago  the  library  of  Harvard  College  was 
given  an  addition  to  its  building  to  double  its 
shelf-room.  To-day  it  has  to  store  away  in 
boxes  its  superfluous  books.  Not  long  ago  I 
was  directed  by  the  president  of  the  university 
to  plan  a  new  building  with  everything  commen- 
surate for  a  college  of  5000  students;  and  the 
result  was  a  scale  of  structure  which  would  give 
acceptable  room  to  600  readers  at  the  same 
moment,  and  would  hold  a  million  and  a  half 
of  volumes  with  a  prospective  capacity  of  three 
millions  —  a  great  hive,  the  queen  bee  of  which 
is  a  single  folio  come  down  to  us  through  more 
than  two  centuries  and  a  half,  the  sole  relic 
of  the  library  of  John  Harvard. 

Twenty  years  ago  Mr.  Spofford  reckoned  that 
the  library  of  Congress  would  reach  half  a  mil- 
lion of  volumes  at  the  present  time.  It  more 
than  reached  it  in  eight  years.  It  was  but  the 
other  day  that  the  final  stone  was  laid  on  the 
great  building  at  Washington  destined  to  hold 
the  principal  American  library.  The  structure 
is  claimed  to  have  a  capacity  of  at  least  five  or 
six  million  of  volumes;  but  I  suspect  that  with 
modern  devices  for  compact  stowage,  its  capa- 
bility as  a  storehouse  may  be  carried  much  be- 
yond these  figures.  Perhaps  it  can  be  made  to 
reach  an  extent  something  like  five  times  the 
size  of  any  existing  collection  of  books,  or  just 
about  equal  to  what  a  library  must  be,  if  it  is  to 
contain  every  book  that  has  been  printed. 

If  no  great  library  has  to-day  more  than  a 
quarter  or  a  fifth  of  the  vast  product  of  the  press 
during  these  four  and  a  half  centuries  since  Gu- 
tenberg, is  there  a  chance  that  in  this  new  world 
we  can  hope  to  bring  from  their  obscurity  all  that 
is  not  irrecoverably  lost  of  those  other  three  or 
four  millions  of  volumes?  Theabyss  of  ages  has 
doubtless  swallowed  some  part  of  this  literature, 
never  to  give  it  up,  but  it  is  probable  that  the 
greater  part  of  it  is  scattered  in  many  libraries 
or  in  obscure  household  repositories,  and  only 
needs  to  be  brought  together. 

American  competition  in  the  European  book- 
marts,  which  has  done  so  much  in  50  years,  not 
only  to  enhance  prices,  but  to  bring  books  from 
their  hiding-places,  may  do  something  to  recover 
for  us  this  vast  reserve  of  literature.  The  great 
area  of  our  national  library  building,  however, 
is  doubtless  to  be  filled  chiefly  by  the  teeming 
products  of  the  press  in  the  future.  Something 
like  40,000  or  50,000  volumes  of  all  kinds  a  year 
pass  into  the  library  of  Congress,  under  the 
American  copyright  law  alone. 

These  vast  figures  make  the  library  problems, 
which  the  coming  librarians  are  to  confront, 
greatly  interesting.  There  was  a  time  when 
Englishmen  thought  the  Bodleian  contained 
every  book  worth  having.  Fifty  years  ago 
Panizzi  came  to  the  British  Museum,  fresh  from 
an  acquaintance  with  what  the  great  continental 


collections  preserved.  He  drew  up  a  list  of  that 
library's  deficiencies,  and  British  insularity  stood 
aghast  at  the  revelation.  The  assiduity  of 
Jones,  Bond,  Thompson,  Bullen,  and  Garnett, 
have  ever  since  been  doing  much  to  remedy  the 
defect. 

These  future  problems,  if  great  and  in  some 
ways  difficult,  are  far  from  being  appalling. 
Great  occasions  produce  great  resources,  and 
historical  crises  raise  up  adequate  men.  I  see  no 
reason  to  believe  that  learning  and  education 
will  not  be  in  the  future  more  deftly  as  well  as 
more  exhaustively  served  in  an  administrative 
sense,  with  these  enormous  segregations  of 
books,  than  they  are  to-day  with  our  far  smaller 
collections.  I  see  no  reason  to  believe  that 
libraries  can  outgrow  our  ability  to  handle  them. 
We  have  not  yet  reached  the  capabilities  of  cat- 
aloging and  indexing,  and  have  got  to  use 
more  frequently  the  printed  title,  not  altogether 
for  its  legibility,  but  for  its  compactness.  When 
the  British  Museum  authorities  saw  that  their 
prospective  9000  huge  volumes  of  its  manu- 
script catalog  was  going  to  take  for  its  conven- 
ient display  a  space  three  times  the  size  of  its 
own  reading-rooms,  they  were  forced  into  print. 
It  was  cheaper  than  building  a  new  structure. 
We  may  be  sure,  also,  that  we  have  not  begun 
in  mechanical  devices  to  take  advantage  of  all 
that  the  Edisons  have  yet  done,  or  may  do,  to 
find  appliances  to  diminish  labor  and  expedite 
servke.  Twenty  years  ago  I  outlined  an  auto- 
matic device  for  the  delivery  of  books  ;  and  its 
principles  have  been  re-adapted  in  a  moving, 
endless  chain,  which  is  to  render  rapid  the  dis- 
tribution of  books  in  the  new  library  at  Wash- 
ington. 

I  look  to  development  in  such  directions 
that  will  make  the  library  of  the  twentieth  cen- 
tury, with  a  capacity  and  demand  quadrupled 
over  those  of  to-day,  more  easily  administered 
in  the  serving  of  books,  and  more  thoroughly 
subordinated  to  intellectual  requirements  in  their 
catalogs,  than  any  small  library  is  to-day.  Such 
developments  will  come  in  time.  To  Franklin 
the  world  owed  160  years  ago  a  step  in  univer- 
sity extension,  when  he  founded  the  Philadelphia 
library,  more  imposing  than  any  that  is  making 
to-day.  When  he  tamed  the  lightning,  we  may 
yet  see  what  he  rendered  possible  through  elec- 
tricity for  library  administration.  ~" 

Nearly  a  score  years  ago  I  was  present  among 
a  small  circle  of  his  friends,  when  Graham  Bell 
made  a  rude  instrument  in  the  rooms  of  the 
American  Academy  in  Boston  give  out  "Home, 
sweet  home,"  as  played  on  a  distant  piano.  A 
year  or  two  later,  after  I  was  one  of  the  first  to 
put  the  telephone  to  practical  use  in  the  Boston 
Public  Library,  I  recounted  its  possible  future  to 
a  dinner  party,  at  Althorpe.  The  incredulous 
English  thought  my  presumptuous  fancies  but 
the  foolish  rampage  of  an  irrepressible  Yankee. 
We  know  what  has  come  of  it. 

We  don't  know  what  will  yet  come  of  the  pho- 
nograph. Edison's  first  instrument  was  sent  to 
Boston,  to  be  shown  to  some  gentlemen,  before 
its  character  had  been  made  known.  I  never 
expect  again  to  see  quite  such  awe  on  human 
faces  as  when  Gray's  "  Elegy"  was  repeated  by 


November,  "94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


an  insensate  box  to  a  company  of  unsuspecting 
listeners.  I  look  to  see  its  marvellous  capacities 
yet  utilized  in  the  service  of  the  librarian. 

The  scientists  tell  us,  that  palpitations  once 
put  upon  the  air  never  die;  and  that,  had  we 
instruments  delicate  enough  to  register  them, 
we  might  yet  hear  the  footfalls  of  Plato  walking 
in  the  Academe;  the  denunciations  of  Brutus  on 
the  rostrum  ;  the  prayer  of  Columbus  at  San 
Salvador  ;  the  periods  of  Garrick  at  Drury 
Lane  ;  the  calm  judgments  of  Washington  in  the 
Federal  Convention.  Perhaps  we  might  listen 
more  attentively  yet  to  the  splash  of  the  paddle 
of  Marquette  and  Joliet  in  that  infant  college, 
wandering  along  these  neighboring  shores.  We 
must  wait  many  developments  of  the  way  in 
which  science  is  to  walk,  lock-stepped  with  the 
ardent  librarian. 

This  library  of  the  future  is  doubtless  to  be 
very  costly,  and  we  have  got  to  compare  the 
flame  and  the  candle.  The  British  Museum  is 
to  spend  half  a  million  dollars  in  printing  its 
3,000, oooptitles.  A  recently  erected  library  is 
to  be  lighted  at  an  annual  expense  of  $15,000 
—  whether  the  necessity  of  such  expense  is  wise 
may  be  a  question.  Nevertheless,  a  great  libra- 
ry is  an  expensive  necessity,  and  it  is  far  from 
easy  for  the  man  of  affairs  to  comprehend  it. 
The  processes  of  bulking,  which  reduce  averages 
of  expense  in  commercial  measures,  work  quite 
otherwise  in  the  cost  of  maintaining  libraries. 
I  have  known  a  good  many  instances  of  men 
wise  in  making  money,  foolish  in  making  libra- 
ries. A  certain  rich  man  founded  a  college,  and 
selected  a  librarian.  This  officer  proposed  to 
buy  a  bibliographical  apparatus  to  aid  him  in 
selecting  a  library.  "  No,"  said  Crresus.  "  I 
don't  know  anything  about  bibliography.  Buy 
books  as  you  happen  to  want  them  !" 

A  man  of  wide  experience  in  affairs  consulted 
me  about  a  trust  for  a  library  in  a  metropolitan 
city.  He  had  no  doubt  that  the  money  would 
enable  him  to  lead  the  world  in  libraries,  and 
that  the  start  of  the  great  Paris  library,  with  its 
two  millions  and  more  of  books,  was  no  dis- 
couragement. He  would  not  only  equal  the  old 
libraries  in  books,  but  he  would  have  their  man- 
uscripts copied,  and  would  even  print  such  as  no 
publisher  would  touch.  When  I  examined  the 
balance-sheet  of  the  trust,  I  found  that,  after  he 
had  built  his  building,  he  could  not  compete  for 
income  with  a  third-class  institution,  as  libraries 

g°- 

A  distinguished  advocate  of  the  chief  bar  of 
the  United  States,  in  attacking  the  same  trust  on 
behalf  of  the  heirs-at-law,  is  said  to  have  claimed 
that  such  an  endowment  as  the  trustees  held  was 
out  of  all  proportion  to  the  needs  of  a  library, 
and  it  would  soon  find  that  there  were  no  books 
left  to  buy.  Learned  as  this  counsel  was,  he 
never  suspected  that  there  were  still  five  or  six 
millions  of  books  which  the  biggest  libraries  had 
never  yet  succeeded  in  buying. 

A  distinguished  Anglo-American,  who  spread 
his  benefactions  on  two  continents,  once  em- 
ployed an  agent  to  gather  a  library  for  his  native 
town.  He  restricted  him  to  an  average  cost  per 
volume  of  one  dollar,  and  no  more.  I  remem- 
ber the  distress  of  this  agent,  when  he  told  me 


of  the  bushels  of  cheap  books  he  had  to  buy  in 
order  to  give  him  the  chance  of  buying  a  few 
more  costly  and  indispensable  books  of  refer- 
ence, and  still  keep  his  average  at  a  dollar.  It 
is  certainly  one  thing  to  bank  for  governments 
wisely,  and  quite  another  to  cater  with  sagacity 
to  the  intellectual  wants  of  your  native  village. 

But  the  millionaire  has  his  mission,  if  he  is 
not  always  wise  in  it,  for  he  must  be  depended 
upon  to  do  what  learning  will  not  do.  From  a 
million  to  two  millions,  and  more,  have  been 
privately  bestowed  on  American  communities  in 
the  endowing  of  libraries,  in  six  or  eight  differ- 
ent instances,  within  a  score  of  years.  We  can 
have  nothing  in  this  country  like  the  sequestra- 
tions which  have  so  conspicuously  augmented 
some  of  the  chief  libraries  of  Europe,  but  of  late 
we  have  begun  to  experience  the  gravitation  of 
private  collections  of  special  interest  toward  our 
public  libraries.  It  was  a  saying  of  Thomas 
Watt,  the  bibliographer,  that  the  excuse  for  the 
existence  of  private  collections  is,  that  they  may 
eventually  be  engulfed  in  public  ones. 

We  have  seen  scholarship  better  equipped 
among  us  for  what  Mr.  Lenox  studiously  pre- 
served for  us;  for  what  the  Barton  collection  has 
done  for  Shakesperean  studies,  in  Boston;  for 
what  the  White  collection  has  done  for  students 
of  the  French  Revolution  and  the  Revolution,  at 
Cornell;  for  the  Dante  collections  at  Cambridge 
and  at  Ithaca;  the  garnering  of  Von  Mohe  and 
Bluntschli  at  Yale  and  at  Johns  Hopkins;  the 
geological  and  geographical  library  of  Professor 
Whitney  at  Harvard;  and  the  Spanish  collec- 
tion of  George  Ticknor,  at  the  Public  Library  of 
Boston  —  not  to  name  others.  It  is  in  Americana, 
however,  that  our  libraries  can  naturally  best 
compare  with  those  of  the  Old  World.  The 
Ebeling,  Worden,  Bancroft,  and  Force  collec- 
tions have  put  all  students  of  American  history 
under  obligations.  They  have  seen  with  regret 
the  Prescott,  Brinley,  Barlan,  Field,  and  Mur- 
phy collections  scattered  under  the  hammer,  and 
cherish  the  hope  that  the  Carter-Brown  and 
Charles  Deane  collections  may  yet  be  possessed 
by  the  public. 

The  world  has  fewer  more  precious  possessions 
than  the  books  of  a  scholar,  tinged  with  his  men- 
tal contact.  I  remember  seeing  once  in  the 
London  library  in  St.  James'  Square,  a  closet  full 
of  books,  which  had  been  lent  to  Carlyle,  and 
carefully  preserved,  because  when  he  read  them 
he  had  entered  his  pungent  exclamations  and 
pithy  comments  on  their  margins.  In  recogni- 
tion of  this  audacious  habit,  it  had  been  the 
policy  of  the  librarian  to  send  to  Carlyle  every 
new  book  which  he  thought  would  interest  him, 
because  he  was  sure  to  scatter  his  disdain  on  the 
blank  spaces.  What  these  marginalia  were  we 
can  imagine  if  we  glance  at  the  books  streaked 
with  his  belligerent  spirit,  and  shown  in  the 
collection  used  in  writing  his  Cromwell  and 
Frederick,  which  he  bequeathed  to  the  Harvard 
library. 

The  most  significant  development  of  the  col- 
lege library  during  the  last  score  years  is  that 
which  has  worked  parallel  with  seminary 
methods,  and  which  has  made  laboratories  out 
of  collections  of  books.  The  elective  system 


374 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[November,  '94 


and  the  dispelling  of  vote-learning  has  reacted 
in  the  library,  and  the  library  has  influenced 
them. 

I  may  be  in  error,  but  I  venture  to  say  that 
this  close  mating  of  library  uses  with  college 
work  first  took  shape  in  Harvard  college  library, 
not  20  years  ago.  When  the  process  of 
closely  applying  particular  books  to  help  instruc- 
tion was  then  proposed,  it  was  not  received 
with  much  favor,  and  most  of  the  teachers  dis- 
credited the  innovation.  The  plan  was  a  simple 
one.  The  teacher  was  to  name  to  the  librarian 
the  books  to  wh  ich  in  his  lectures  he  was  to  refer, 
and  these,  taken  from  their  places  in  the  general 
library,  were  to  be  made  accessible  to  the  students 
in  a  given  alcove.  My  recollection  is  that  not 
more  than  a  score  or  two  of  books  were  thus 
designated  in  the  beginning,  by  two  or  three  in- 
structors. It  took  a  year  or  two  to  make  a  real 
start;  but  to-day  not  a  teacher  of  the  two  or  three 
hundred  at  work  in  the  college  but  is  eager  for 
this  chance  to  promote  his  pupils'  study.  So, 
instead  of  a  dozen  or  two  books,  we  count  now 
in  the  shelves  7000  or  8000  volumes  particularly 
applicable  to  the  instruction.  With  allied  refer- 
ence books  there  are  25,000  to  30,000  volumes 
open  to  the  immediate  contact  of  the  interested 
student.  The  system  has  gone  a  step  further 
in  the  creation  of  class-room  libraries,  close  at 
hand  in  the  hour  of  instruction,  and  ten  or  a 
dozen  of  these  supplemental  cojlections  show 
from  a  few  score  to  a  few  thousand  volumes 
each.  All  this  has  conduced  to  an  enormous 
increase  in  the  use  of  books,  and  our  statistics 
reveal  that  a  very  small  proportion  of  the 
students  are  not  frequenters  of  the  library. 

Nor  is  this  all,  which  is,  in  these  latter  days, 
done  to  facilitate  the  use  of  the  books.  System- 
atic instruction  in  bibliographical  research  keeps 
in  the  van  of  every  subject  a  cloud  of  skirmish- 
ers, who  bring  in  title  after  title  for  the  con- 
sideration of  the  library  authorities.  Thus,  the 
whole  system  becomes  a  practical  endowment  of 
research,  and  the  library  becomes  a  central 
agency  in  college  work.  It  "  teaches  the  teach- 
ers," as  President  Eliot  has  said  of  it. 

There  is  at  this  point  one  particular  question  — 
With  this  importance  in  the  broad  system  of  in- 
struction, does  the  library  always  get  its  due 
share  of  the  money  resources  of  the  college  ? 
Are  not  too  often  the  advantages  of  its  improve- 
ment weighed  against  those  of  a  new  chair? 
If  another  institution  creates  a  professor- 
ship of  Tamil,  cannot  the  library  wait  till 
we  create  our  chair  of  Tamil  ?  Do  the  authori- 
ties always  consider  that  every  diminution  of 
the  library's  essential  allowance  is  simply  a  check 
upon  the  proficiency  of  existing  chairs  ? 

Is  it  too  much  to  say  that  the  library  is  the 
very  core  of  the  university  ?  I  once  said,  "  The 
library  should  be  to  the  college  much  what  the 
dining-room  is  to  the  house — the  place  to  in- 
augurate the  system  under  cheerful  conditions 
with  a  generous  fare  and  good  digestion." 
There  cannot  be  too  much  care  bestowed  in  mak- 
ing this  place  of  intellectual  sustenance  attractive. 
Grateful  appearances  beget  grateful  humors. 

The  fact  is,  a  librarian  needs  every  advantage 
he  can  possibly  command,  if  he  is  going  to  make 


his  library  of  the  utmost  profit.  He  must  be 
himself  a  standing  invitation  to  the  library's 
hospitality.  I  remember  one  day,  shortly  after 
I  took  charge  of  the  library  at  Cambridge,  see- 
ing an  old  man  bearing  a  head  that  no  one  could 
forget,  with  its  black  cavernous  eyes  and  white 
shaggy  locks — the  most  picturesque  character 
that  we  have  ever  had  in  our  Harvard  faculty  ; 
I  remember  seeing  this  old  man  climbing  clum- 
sily up  a  steep  stair  to  a  cock-loft.  I  asked 
where  he  was  going,  and  was  told  that  in  the 
crowded  state  of  the  library  the  collection  of 
books  in  modern  Greek,  being  used  by  no  one 
else,  had  been  placed  in  this  upper  loft,  and  that 
it  was  the  old  man's  habit  to  go  there  and  seek 
quiet  among  the  books.  Shortly  after,  I  in- 
spected the  collection  and  found  it  a  motley  as- 
semblage of  volumes  in  bad  bindings  or  in  none. 
I  ordered  them  to  be  tidily  bound,  and  placed  in 
a  fitting  room.  Thereafter  Professor  Sophocles 
was  my  friend.  "I  want  to  tell  you  a  story," 
said  he  to  me  one  day,  in  that  deep  sonorous 
tone  which  gave  his  talk  so  much  Rembrandt- 
ish  character.  "  My  father,"  he  went  on, 
"  asked  to  be  chosen  the  chief  man  of  the  vil- 
lage where  he  lived  in  Greece.  There  was  an- 
other man  who  had  the  same  wish.  One  night 
there  came  to  my  father's  home  two  men, 
scowling  and  saying  nothing.  They  had  knives 
in  their  girdles.  '  How  much  did  my  rival 
promise  to  pay  you  if  you  killed  me  ? '  asked 
my  father.  They  told  him.  'Humph! 'he  re- 
plied, '  I  will  pay  you  twice  as  much  to  kill  him! ' 
They  left  on  a  new  errand." 

This  was  the  way  my  venerable  friend  had  of 
making  a  ghoulish  tale  serve  for  a  bit  of  advice. 
If  an  inquirer  comes  to  the  librarian  to  lay  him 
bare  to  his  knife,  send  him  away  with  twice  the 
reward.  Compound,  if  you  can,  the  interest  on 
the  visitor'sinvestment. 

A  librarian  often  wonders  that  a  student  can 
go  through  a  four  years'  course  without  really 
becoming  proficient  in  the  use  of  books;  without 
learning  that  it  is  not  always  the  reading  of 
books  that  most  enriches,  but  the  skillful  glan- 
cing at  them.  We  do  not  want  to  go  a  journey 
with  a  stallion  to  find  if  he  can  throw  his  feet  in 
a  two-twenty  gait.  We  must  jockey  in  books  — 
make  them  show  their  paces  over  a  half-hour 
course  —  and  leave  the  plodding  reader  to  be  lost 
in  the  bewilderment  of  sentences. 

It  is  a  librarian's  luxury  when  a  man  comes 
to  him  who  knows  how  to  master  a  book  and  to 
dominate  a  library.  If  our  colleges  would  pay 
more  attention  to  the  methods  by  which  a  sub- 
ject is  deftly  attacked,  and  would  teach  the  true 
use  of  encyclopedic  and  bibliographical  helps, 
they  would  do  much  to  make  the  library  more 
serviceable. 

The  time  lost  in  floundering  among  books 
would  fringe  the  dreariest  existence  with  many 
graceful  amplitudes  of  learning,  if  men  were 
taught  to  investigate  as  they  are  taught  to  swim. 
Floundering  is  not  study.  Then  there  is  the 
waste  of  time  and  energy  in  rediscovering  what 
is  already  known.  The  wise  student  looks  for 
the  blazed  pathways  of  those  who  have  gone  be- 
fore him. 

A  university  scope,  in  instruction,  selection  ir, 


November ;  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


375 


studies  and  the  pursuit  of  special  aims,  are  cer- 
tainly doing  much  to  make  us  produce  celebrated 
scholars  and  enlarge  the  bounds  of  knowledge; 
but  I  trust  that  we  may  never  cease  to  value  the 
generous  and  all-round  training  of  the  small 
college.  It  is  of  inestimable  value  to  us  Ameri- 
cans that  we  have  these  small  colleges,  and  I 
always  feel  a  pang  when  one  of  them  puts  on 
university  airs.  It  is  the  function  of  such  colleges 
and  their  libraries  to  make  educated  gentlemen, 
to  whom  no  knowledge  is  superfluous,  who  re- 
spond to  every  intellectual  sympathy,  and  who 
make  of  social  intercourse  a  well-spring  of 
learned  delights.  It  is  the  function  of  the  uni- 
versity to  enlarge  the  bounds  of  knowledge,  to 
make  one  acquirement  the  stepping-stone  to 
another,  to  lay  tribute  upon  nature  and  probe  the 
obscurities  of  learning.  Heaven  defend  that 
they  should  not  make  gentlemen  and  scholars  ; 
but  the  amenities  of  our  social  existence  are 
much  more  dependent  on  cultured  gentlemen 
whose  education1  does  not  aspire  to  the  deeper 
scholarship. 

I  know  of  a  university  town  where  the  atmos- 
phere is  saturated  with  the  damps  of  specialisms; 
one  wonders  if  Sanskrit  or  hypnotism,  or  electro- 
dynamics exist  for  the  world's  sake  or  the  world 
exists  for  them.  It  is  the  fashion  of  this  com- 
munity to  maintain  dinner  clubs  among  its  pro- 
fessors, and  once  a  fortnight  these  clubs  listen  to 
an  essay  on  the  peculiar  specialty  of  its  host. 
He  gives  in  the  latest  intelligence  in  his  little 
world.  Somebody  has  discovered  an  abnormal 
vein  in  a  butterfly's  wing.  Another  puts  his 
lens  on  a  literary  critic  and  makes  him  hateful. 
A  third  tells  how  a  Roman  folded  his  napkin. 
It  is  a  rule  of  these  clubs  that  there  should  be  no 
two  members  devoted  to  like  studies,  and  when 
the  essay  is  read  each  of  these  specialists  trains 
his  own  little  gatling-gun  upon  the  poor  essayist. 
The  show  is  sometimes  brilliant;  sometimes  it 
wearies  a  trifle.  The  scintillations  sometimes 
light  up  unwonted  depths,  and  I  go  home  in  a 
state  of  amazement  at  the  mutiplicity  of  the 
mind's  angles.  Intellectual  life  certainly  gets 
new  significance  as  one  vantage-ground  after 
another  is  brought  into  use  in  the  contemplation 
of  a  topic. 

I  go  again  to  a  table  full  of  gentlemen,  who 
make  no  profession  of  ad  vanced  learning.  I  have 
on  my  right  a  banker  who  has  just  read  a  novel  in 
which  he  finds  a  misconception  of  a  curbstone 
operator.  Someone  across  speaks  of  an  horti- 
cultural exhibition,  and  my  friend  tells  the  story 
of  the  introduction  of  the  chrysanthemum  from 
Japan,  and  is  led  to  speak  of  Parkman's  success 
in  the  hybridizing  of  lilies.  My  left  hand  neigh- 
bor says  he  has  been  at  Belle  Mead  and  ridden 
behind  Iroquois.  My  Wall  street  friend  knows 
the  pedigree  of  Iroquois,  and  tells  me  who  his 
grandsire  was.  Our  host  is  reminded  of  a  cele- 
brated horse  of  Colonial  days  who  carried 
Gen.  John  Winslow  on  some  famous  ride.  My 
moneyed  neighbor  immediately  fills  out  the  story 
of  the  Acadians,  and  traces  back  the  tale  of  the 
Cajeuns  in  Louisiana. 

"My  friend,"  said  I,  turning  to  him,  "what 
don't  you  know  about  ?  "  "  Oh,  I  graduated  at  a 
little  college  in  the  New  England  hills,  where 
we  turn  out  eduQgted  gentlemen,  who  know  a 


little  of  everything  and  not  a  great  deal  of  any, 
thing  ;  who  can  talk  with  a  Pundit  or  a  Sioux- 
and  make  him  believe  he  is  talking  with  a 
brother." 

Thus  both  dinner-table  experiences  illustrate 
what  is  the  difference  between  the  educated 
gentleman  and  the  special  scholar.  Is  not  one 
as  necessary  to  our  civilization  as  the  other? 

I  have  said  nothing  of  the  relations  of  the  col- 
lege and  books  to  the  most  momentous  problem 
of  our  day. 

Squirarchy  and  birth,  which  ruled  our  nation 
once,  have  given  place  to  a  new  order.  Political 
economy  in  its  sociological  aspects  has  become  a 
study  of  contemporary  manifestations.  It  is  no 
longer  the  geologist  alone  who  takes  his  pupils 
afield.  The  professor  of  social  economics  finds 
his  "strata"  in  graded  benefactions,  and  his 
"  faults"  in  broken  lives.  We  cry  much  about 
education  as  the  safety-valve  of  this  mighty 
change,  and  say  that  university  extension  is  a 
saving  grace.  Along  with  it  all  has  come  the 
wonderful  growth  of  our  free-library  system.  In 
Massachusetts  the  state  stands  ready  to  help  any 
town  to  have  its  library,  and  few  there  are  with- 
out them.  All  this  cannot  mean,  I  think,  that 
books  and  education  are  losing  their  hold  on 
the  people.  We  are  sometimes  alarmed  at 
the  coming  among  us  of  vast  hordes  of  aliens. 
We  should  not  forget  that  we  have  in  this 
country  passed  through  just  such  disturbing 
conditions  before,  when  our  life  was  not  equally 
well  prepared  to  deal  with  the*  phenomena. 
Study  the  history  of  that  huge  wave  of  American- 
ization which,  in  the  last  century  and  in  the 
early  part  of  this,  broke  like  a  sea  against 
the  Appalachians,  swept  through  their  gaps  and 
moved  athwart  the  great  valley  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, broke  again  upon  the  Rockies  and  toppled 
down  the  Pacific  slope.  How  much  of  this  surg- 
ing wave  was  of  alien  blood  ?  Look  at  the  names 
on  the  street-signs  of  every  considerable  town, 
which  that  wave  has  left  stranded  in  its  passage. 
I  doubt  if,  as  our  frontier  moved  west,  there 
were  fewer  aliens  in  proportion  than  we  find 
among  us  to-day. 

I  happen  myself  to  come  of  the  ancientest  of 
our  New  England  stock.  I  can  hold  my  grand- 
child on  my  knee  and  tell  it  of  its  great-grand- 
father, and  of  his  father  and  grandfather — six 
generations  whom  I  have  known,  as  much  as 
would  carry  some  old  persons  still  living  back  to 
Plymouth  Rock,  and  yet  may  I  not  well  afford 
to  welcome  the  alien  who  landed  yesterday  at 
Castle  Garden?  Of  a  family  nurtured  on  the 
sea,  I  have  come  to  nourish  my  existence  on 
books.  Is  it  strange  that  I  believe  the  laborer 
of  to-day  will  be  the  progenitor  of  future  book- 
men ? 

The  students  of  Harvard  College  are  seen 
nowadays  in  the  manual  training  school.  The 
president  of  a  southern  university,  when  he  took 
me  into  the  workshop  of  his  institution,  said  to 
me:  "We  found  out  in  the  civil  war  what  an 
advantage  to  you  of  the  north  was  the  spread  of 
industrial  practices  among  your  people,  and  we 
don't  propose  to  forget  it."  If  it  was  an  ad- 
vantage in  helping  save  the  Union,  can  it  be 
otherwise  in  helping  to  carry  our  life  to  higher 
results  ? 


376 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[November,  '94 


THE     FORBES    LIBRARY,     NORTHAMP- 
TON, MASS. 

ON  Tuesday  evening,  Oct.  23,  the  trustees  un- 
der whose  direction  the  Forbes  library  building 
in  Northampton,  Mass.,  was  erected,  Wm.  M. 
Gaylord  and  Oscar  Edwards,  transferred  the 
building  and  the  funds  to  the  three  trustees 
elected  by  the  city,  Oscar  Edwards,  Arthur 
Watson,  and  G.  H.  Ray,  in  the  presence  of  about 
600  persons.  The  building  con  $134,529.  A 
book  fund  of  $294,015  produces  $  11,500  a  year  ; 
a  fund  for  supplies  and  assistance  of  $20,000 
produces  $800  annually.  These  were  the  be- 
quest of  Judge  C.  E.  Forbes.  Another  fund  of 
$50,000,  bequeathed  by  Dr.  Pliny  Earle,  will  be 
available  when  it  has  accumulated  to  $60,000  ; 
its  income  is  to  be  used  for  all  current  expenses 
except  the  librarian's  salary. 

Mr.  Gaylord  called  attention  to  the  fact  that 
the  library  is  for  the  free  use  of  every  inhabit- 
ant of  the  city,  correcting  the  prevailing  false 
impression  that  it  is  for  reference  only,  and  read 
the  following  clause  in  Judge  Forbes*  will: 

"  Any  inhabitant  of  the  town  having  the 
right  to  the  use  of  the  library  may  request  the 
trustees  to  place  therein  any  book  or  work  de- 
scribed in  writing,  and  should  the  trustees  de- 
cline to  comply  with  such  request,  they  shall 
state  in  writing  the  reasons  therefor,  which 
reasons  shall  be  copied  in  full  in  the  records  of 
the  library,  in  order  that  the  rights  of  the  par- 
ties, if  desirel,  may  be  determined  at  law." 

President  Seelye,  of  Smith  College,  delivered 
a  short  address  and  was  followed  by  Melvil 
Dewey,  of  the  New  York  State  Library.  Mr. 
Dewey  said  that  he  had  seldom  visited  a  new 
library  building  which  was  so  satisfactory.  With 
the  exception  of  two  or  three  minor  things, 
it  is  a  model.  The  mission  of  a  modern  li- 
brary, he  said,  is  a  movement  of  education 
and  philanthropy.  Schools  and  colleges  give 
only  the  beginning  of  education.  A  library 
is  the  needed  supplement.  The  laboring  man 
can  gain  a  home  education  by  use  of  a  library. 
There  are  now  five  distinct  factors  in  education 
—  libraries,  museums,  clubs,  extension  teaching, 
tests.  There  is  as  much  need  of  libraries  as 
there  is  of  schools.  He  believed  in  having  a 
library  for  recreation  and  entertainment,  and 
placing  in  the  library  novels  of  a  high  grade  at 
public  expense. 

Mr.  C.  A.  Cutter,  the  librarian,  replied  to  the 
questions  that  had  been  showered  upon  him  dur- 
ing the  15  days  that  he  had  been  at  the  library. 
He  had  while  in  Paris  bought  at  moderate 
prices  3200  volumes  of  French  literature,  his- 
tory, and  art,  and  about  500  art  books  in  Lon- 
don. He  had  hoped  that  his  task  of  selection 
would  be  lightened  by  taking  in  the  whole  "  A. 
L.  A.  Library,"  but;  he  had  found  that  the 
Clarke  Library*  had  been  so  very  well  selected 
that  it  contained  four-fifths  of  the  A.  L.  A. 
books.  He  had,  however,  bought  some  700  of 
them  in  this  country  and  ordered  300  more  from 


F  *  Also  a  city  library  of  Northampton,  less  than  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  distant  from  the  Forbes  Library.  It  is  not  in- 
tended to  duplicate  its  books. 


England.  Some  other  works  he  had  picked  up, 
making  altogether  in  round  numbers  1800  works 
In  4500  volumes,  costing  $7000,  or  $1.55 
apiece,  and  he  had  ordered  $3500  worth  more. 
"  I  cannot  tell,"  he  said,  "  when  these  works 
will  be  at  the  disposal  of  the  public.  I  should 
like  to  open  to-morrow;  but  I  do  not  think  it 
would  be  wise  for  two  reasons:  first,  we  have  so 
few  books  that  those  who  came  here  —  and  a 
great  many  will  come  at  first,  out  of  curiosity  — 
would  be  disappointed  in  not  finding  the  work 
they  want  and  will  cease  to  come,  a  most  deplor- 
able result;  we  want  those  who  come  once  to 
come  again,  and  again,  and  always.  Secondly, 
if  we  let  the  public  in  now,  our  small  force  will 
all  be  occupied  in  attending  to  them,  and  not  be 
able  to  do  the  absolutely  necessary  work  of  pre- 
paring the  volumes,  as  they  come  in,  for  circu- 
lation. We  should  really  only  be  postponing 
the  day  of  usefulness.  I  should  like  to  choose 
for  this  library  as  watch  words,  liberty,  sim- 
plicity, elasticity,  utility.  Libraries,  like  states, 
flourish  best  with  the  greatest  allowable  liberty, 
but  in  a  library  as  in  a  state,  it  must  be  liberty 
under  law  not  license  without  law.  We  wish  to 
allow  to  every  man  all  the  privileges  that  we 
can  up  to  the  point  where  his  privileges  would 
interfere  with  the  rights  of  someone  else. 

"  Simplicity  is  always  desirable  in  the  man- 
agement of  a  library,  but  we  are  driven  to  it  ; 
the  appropriation  for  current  expenses  is  so  re- 
stricted that  we  shall  not  be  able  to  buy  much 
red  tape. 

"  What  I  mean  by  elasticity  one  example  will 
show.  At  first,  like  the  Clarke  Library,  we 
shall  only  allow  one  book  at  a  time  to  a  bor- 
rower, but  if  anyone  in  following  any  special 
line  of  study  he  will  have  no  difficulty  whatever 
in  getting  all  the  books  he  needs,  if  we  have 
them. 

"  All  this,  and  all  our  work,  is  to  the  end  that 
the  library  may  be  useful  —  useful  not  merely  to 
the  college,  as  President  Seelye  assures  us  it 
will  be  —  but  to  every  one  in  the  town,  from  the 
gray-beard  to  the  smallest  child  who  can  read, 
or  indeed  who  can  enjoy  looking  at  pictures.  If 
any  manufacturer  wants  to  know  about  some 
process  which  may  enable  him  to  manufacture 
more  cheaply,  if  any  farmer  would  learn  how  to 
get  more  out  of  his  farm,  if  any  workman  is  in- 
terested in  the  history  of  his  art,  if  any  member 
of  a  reading-club  wants  to  extend  his  course  into 
collateral  fields,  if  any  member  of  a  debating 
club  needs  help  in  demolishing  his  adversary's 
arguments,  if  any  newspaper  writer  wants  to 
verify  a  date  or  a  name  in  a  hurry,  or  has  by 
chance  that  boon  that  seldom  falls  to  newspaper 
writers  —  time — to  thoroughly  investigate  the 
subject  that  has  been  assigned  him,  if  any  scholar 
in  the  public  schools  wishes  to  look  up  some 
point  connected  with  his  studies,  if  any  teacher 
in  the  public  or  private  schools  or  in  the  college 
wishes  to  prepare  herself  properly  to  answer 
the  questions  of  her  pupils,  if  any  mother  wishes 
to  fit  herself  to  educate  her  children  at  home, 
I  hope  they  will  come  here  and  let  us  try  to  help 
them,  and  even  to  those  who  do  not  want  to 
study  or  to  investigate,  but  just  to  while  away 
the  weary  hours,  I  hope  we  can  offer  something 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[November,  '94 


which  shall  do  no  harm  while  it  entertains,  a 
book  which  shall  cheer  but  not  inebriate. 

"  In  making  the  library  useful,  you  also  have 
your  part.  A  well-known  proverb  declares  that 
you  may  lead  the  horse  to  water,  but  you  cannot 
make  him  drink.  The  library  cannot  even  lead 
him  to  water.  The  schools  are  more  fortunate. 
They  can  go  out  into  the  highways  and  byways, 
and  compel  scholars  to  come  in,  and  when  they 
are  in  the  teachers  can  usually  make  them  drink 
somewhat  from  the  springs  of  knowledge.  We 
cannot  do  that.  All  we  can  do  is  to  hold  out 
the  sieve  filled  with  oats  ;  if  the  horse  is  hungry 
he  will  come  and  eat.  I  hope  you  all  will  be 
hungry  for  the  oats  which  we  are  garnering 
here.  Jf  you  will  come  for  them  you  will  be 
heartily  welcome." 

Judge  Forbes,  the  founder  of  the  library,  was 
a  native  of  Enfield,  born  in  August,  1795.  He 
removed  to  Northampton  in  1817,  and  began  the 
study  of  law,  being  admitted  to  the  bar  after 
one  year's  study.  In  1825  he  became  county 
attorney,  or  what  is  now  district  attorney.  In 
1834  he  went  to  the  legislature  as  a  representa- 
tive of  this  city,  and  refused  to  go  again,  as  he 
wished  his  time  for  study  and  practice.  In  1847 
he  was  appointed  judge  of  the  Court  of  Com- 
mon Pleas,  and  in  1848  was  nominated  to  the 
Supreme  bench,  from  which  he  resigned  the 
following  year.  After  retiring  from  the  bench 
he  went  into  partnership  with  Charles  P.  Hunt- 
ington,  later  with  Judge  David  Aiken,  of  Green- 
field, and  again  with  Judge  Samuel  T.  Spaulding. 
He  died  on  February  13,  1881. 

Dr.  Pliny  Earle,  who  bequeathed  $50,00010  the 
Forbes  Library,  was  for  21  years  superintend- 
ent of  the  Northampton  Lunatic  Hospital.  He 
was  born  in  Leicester,  Dec.  31,  1809,  and  was 
educated  in  that  town.  His  medical  education 
was  received  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  graduated  in  1837.  His  specialty 
was  insanity,  and  he  was  superintendent  of 
various  insane  asylums  during  his  professional 
life.  He  died  May  17,  1892. 

The  building  is  a  handsome  fire-proof  struct- 
ure, pleasantly  and  conveniently  located.  It  has 
wood  floors  to  be  sure ,  but  they  are  laid  on  cement 
which  is  supported  by  Spanish  tile 
arches.  The  side  walls  contain  no 
wood,  but  plaster  is  put  on  fire-clay 
tiling,  made  porous  to  act  as  a  non- 
conductor. The  roof,  too,  is  inde- 
structible, of  slate,  tiling,  iron,  and 
copper.  The  high-vaulted  ceilings 
show  the  fluted  sides  of  the  cream- 
colored  fire-clay  tile  used  in  their 
support,  and  the  white  mortar  with 
which  they  are  pointed  gives  a  pleas- 
ing look.  The  long  red  tiled  hall,  and 
the  heavy  oak  casings  and  stairs,  look 
solid  and  lasting.  Milford  granite 
with  Longmeadow  red  sandstone  trim- 
mings, gives  an  excellent  color.  The 
front  of  the  library  is  broken  by  about 
30  large  windows,  while  either  side 
and  the  rear  have  nearly  as  many,  or 
150  in  all.  The  accompanying  views 
are  from  the  Springfield  Republican 
and  the  New  Hampshire  Gazette. 


Above  the  large  and  imposing  entrance  is  the 
inscription"  Forbes  Library."  Beneath  the  arch- 
way are  four  steps  leading  up  to  the  massive 
carved  doors  of  quartered  oak.  The  tiled  hall 
is  82  feet  long  and  22  feet  in  width.  On 
the  right  is  the  reference-room,  separated 
from  the  main  library  by  three  oak  railings, 
under  three  heavy  arches.  On  the  right  a 
long  counter  stretches  the  whole  length  of 
the  hall  and  separates  it  from  the  book  de- 
partment. This  room  is  90  x  50  feet,  containing 
66  bookcases,  which  will  hold  some  84,000  vol- 
umes. On  the  left  is  the  general  reading-room, 
49x34  feet.  A  large  open  fireplace  and  a  spa- 
cious bow  window  give  the  room  a  home-like  ap- 
pearance. Off  the  reading-room  are  a  ladies' 
toilet-room  and  a  magazine-room.  Beyond  is 
the  general  office,  and  next  to  it  is  the  librarian's 
private  office,  fitted  with  carved  oak  mantels  and 
an  open  grate.  In  the  book-room  is  a  book- 
elevator  for  the  transportation  of  books  to  the 
different  floors. 

The  main  stairway  to  the  second  story  is  at 
the  left  of  the  main  entrance,  and  is  of  carved 
quartered  oak.  Circular  iron  stairways  in  the 
front  and  rear  of  the  library  take  the  librarians 
to  the  second  story,  in  which  is  another  large 
book-room  over  the  main  library,  and  of  similar 
dimensions.  In  the  northeast  room  the  trustees 
have  an  office.  The  large  room  on  the  northwest 
corner  will  probably  be  used  for  an  art  museum. 
The  building  is  107x137  feet  and  two  stories 
high,  besides  the  basement  and  roof.  In  the 
basement  is  a  large  room  where  books  will  be 
received  and  prepared  for  the  library.  This 
room  is  48  x  24  feet. 
Two  large  boilers 
provide  steam  heat 
for  the  entire  build- 
ing. The  rooms  are 
well  ventilated  and 
lighted  by  gas  and 
electricity. 


GROUND   PLAN  OF  FORBES  LIBRARY. 


November,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


379 


THE     NEW     LIBRARY     OF    COLUMBIA 
COLLEGE. 

THE  plans  for  the  new  library  building  of 
Columbia  College,  to  be  erected  on  the  college's 
new  site  on  Riverside  Heights,  have  recently 
been  made  public.  Ever  since  the  removal  of 
the  college  was  decided  upon,  the  trustees,  and 
the  committee  on  buildings  and  grounds  in  par- 
ticular, have  been  considering  the  location  and 
character  of  the  buildings  to  be  erected.  After 
the  requirements  and  preferences  of  the  various 
schools,  faculties,  and  departments  had  been 
ascertained  and  digested,  they  were  turned  over 
to  a  commission  of  eminent  architects,  assisted 
by  engineers  and  landscape  gardeners,  which 
recommended  a  certain  line  of  treatment  for  the 
property.  The  ground  plan  and  general  ar- 
rangement commended  themselves  to  the  trus- 
tees, who  accepted  them,  and  contracted  with 
McKim,  Mead  &  White,  the  architects,  to  design 
the  library,  or  central  building  of  the  group 
that  Columbia  hopes  eventually  to  rear.  The 
library  was  designed  by  Charles  F.  McKim,  and 
the  completed  plans  were  recently  placed  on  ex- 
hibition at  the  college,  with  a  plaster  model  of 
the  proposed  library,  and  with  plans,  elevations, 
and  topographical  maps  showing  the  plans  of 
several  of  the  other  buildings,  and  the  contem- 
plated arrangement  of  the  grounds. 

The  new  college  site  extends  from  n6th  street, 
north  to  i2Oth  street,  and  from  Amsterdam 
avenue  to  the  Boulevard,  1000  feet  north  and 
south  by  800  feet  east  and  west.  The  library  is 
to  crown  this  site,  and  to  be  the  centre  of  what 
the  college  authorities  expect  to  be  the  finest 
group  of  buildings  possessed  by  any  educational 
institution  in  America. 

It  is  to  occupy  the  crest  of  the  hill,  where 
stands  the  old  Bloomingdale  Asylum,  and  is  to 
have  what  few  of  the  fine  buildings  of  New  York 
possess,  a  spaciousness  of  approach  on  all  sides 
which  will  enable  its  beauty  to  be  appreciated. 
No  building  or  portion  of  a  building  will  be 
nearer  than  60  feet,  and  there  will  be  a  clear 
approach  on  every  side.  The  library  will  be 
flanked  on  the  east  by  the  chapel,  and  on  the 
west  by  the  assembly-hall.  It  is  the  leading  feat- 
ure of  th?  site,  and  gives  the  keynote  to  the 
architecture  of  the  other  buildings.  In  style  it 
is  purely  classic,  with  a  line  of  columns  across 
the  front,  and  a  low  dome  somewhat  similar 
to  that  of  the  Pantheon,  and  reminiscent  of 
the  administration  building  of  the  Columbian 
Exposition.  The  building  will  be  perfectly 
symmetrical,  a  square  in  form,  with  retreating 
corners,  and  no  rear  or  side  entrances  will  mar 
its  impressiveness.  It  is  planned  to  be  200  feet 
square,  and  will  consist  of  three  stories  and  a 
dome,  the  summit  of  the  latter  being  130  feet 
from  the  ground. 

Entering  from  n6th  street,  one  will  ascend  by 
a  great  flight  of  steps  330  feet  broad,  to  the  first 
terrace,  paved  with  stone,  and  then  by  succes- 
sive flights  to  the  portico  of  the  library,  at  a 
distance  of  205  feet  from  the  street,  the  plan  of 
this  grand  entrance  being  somewhat  similar  to 
that  of  the  capitol  at  Washington.  The  front 
of  the  building  will  consist  of  a  portico  with  10 


Ionic  columns,  reached  by  a  flight  of  steps.  In 
front  of  the  portico  will  be  a  statue  of  Colum- 
bia, and  above  the  mouldings  will  appear  an  in- 
scription and  the  donor's  name  —  for  it  is 
hoped  that  the  building  may  be  a  gift  to  the 
university.  On  the  way  up,  steps  will  lead  to 
the  south  quadrangles  on  the  right  and  left,  while 
open  spaces  will  surround  the  library  and  give 
access  to  the  buildings  beyond  and  at  the  sides. 
Directly  above  the  third,  or  highest  floor,  will 
run  a  series  of  horizontal  mouldings,  and  a 
frieze  on  which  will  be  inscribed  the  world's 
famous  poets,  authors,  philosophers,  scientists, 
musicians,  and  artists.  The  stories  will  each  be 
15  feet  high  in  the  clear,  and  this  idea  has  been 
followed  in  all  the  plans  exhibited,  namely,  of 
allowing  seven  and  a  half  feet  as  the  standard 
of  a  man's  height  with  ample  clearance  space, 
so  that  by  making  a  room  15  feet  high,  two  sets 
of  bookcases  —  the  upper  reached  by  a  small 
gallery  —  are  made  available.  For  a  book-stack , 
seven  and  a  half  feet,  thus  giving  easy  access 
to  the  top  shelves,  has  been  taken  as  a  standard  ; 
for  studies,  stack-rooms,  and  small  lecture- 
rooms,  15  feet  will  be  the  height,  while  the 
celingsof  the  large  lecture-rooms  will  be  30  feet 
from  the  floor.  The  building  has  been  ar- 
ranged to  provide  not  only  a  place  for  books 
and  readers,  but  to  give  accommodations  for  the 
executive  and  administrative  offices  of  the  uni- 
versity, lecture-rooms,  seminarium-rooms,  stud- 
ies, and  offices  for  three  of  the  university  fac- 
ulty. As  new  buildings  are  erected,  and  as 
the  library  expands,  these  offices  and  lecture- 
rooms  will  be  moved  to  other  halls,  and  stacks 
for  books  placed  in  their  stead.  This  is  the 
ultimate  object,  and  of  course  will  not  be  nec- 
essary for  many  years.  When  it  is  necessary, 
however,  the  library  will  be  ready  to  contain 
about  1,500,000  volumes,  or  more  than  twice 
the  capacity  of  the  Bodleian  Library. 

On  either  side  of  the  grand  entrance  are  the 
president's  office,  the  business  offices,  and  the 
university  post-office.  Through  a  columned 
doorway  one  enters  the  general  reading-room, 
75  feet  square,  and  lighted  by  immense  win- 
dows,  SQX  25,  in  the  drum  of  the  dome.  It  will 
accommodate  about  225  persons,  and  is  sur- 
rounded by  a  corridor,  from  which  opens  on 
the  left  the  rooms  of  the  librarian  and  his  staff, 
and  at  the  northern  end  the  law  library,  accom- 
modating 125  students.  Opening  from  one  end 
of  this  room  will  be  the  study  and  office  of  the 
dean  of  the  law  school,  and  at  the  other  end 
the  study  of  other  professors  of  the  same  fac- 
ulty. The  eastern  portico  of  the  first  floor  will 
be  occupied  by  the  Avery  architectural  library, 
and  will  be  fitted  up  so  as  properly  to  house 
this  magnificent  collection.  The  Greek  and 
Latin  seminarium-rooms  near  their  respective 
collections  will  complete  the  arrangement  of 
this  floor. 

Stairways  at  each  of  the  four  corners  will  lead 
to  the  second  floor,  where  will  be  found  in  front 
the  president's  private  office  and  trustees'  room. 
From  the  gallery,  which  looks  down  on  the 
reading-room  from  a  height  of  30  feet,  will 
open  the  stack-rooms  containing  the  depart- 
mental libraries.  In  these  stack-rooms  the 


iSo 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


,  '94 


shelves  will  not  extend  to  the  outer  walls,  but 
between  the  shelves  and  the  walls  a  new  feature 
in  college  library  building  is  to  be  introduced 
in  the  construction  of  seminariums,  small  rooms 
on  the  mezzanine  floors,  which  will  receive  nat- 
ural light.  These  will  be  separated  one  from 
another,  by  sliding  doors,  and  the  whole  num- 
ber on  one  side  of  the  building  may  thus  be 
thrown  into  one  long  hall  or  into  halls  of  differ- 
ent sizes.  These  seminariums  are  for  the  use  of 
advanced  or  special  students  and  the  profes- 
sors —  readers  who  will  have  free  access  to  the 
book-shelves— and  they  may  be  used  either  as 
individual  studies  or  as  class  or  lecture-rooms. 

The  third  floor  will  contain  the  dean's  and 
secretary's  offices,  the  faculty  rooms  of  the 
university  faculties  of  political  science  and 
philosophy,  and  a  number  of  lecture-rooms  and 
studies.  In  the  basement  will  be  the  supply 
and  repair-rooms  for  the  library,  bath,  and 
toilet-rooms,  and  large  storage  rooms.  The 
main  point  involved  in  the  planning  of  the 
library  has  been  to  secure  a  building  adequately 
suited  for  the  purpose,  and  the  treatment  has 
been  the  arrangement  of  the  books  in  a  circle 
of  which  the  reader  is  the  centre. 

President  Low,  in  a  report  on  the  subject,  out- 
lines the  general  wishes  of  the  college  authori- 
ties in  regard  to  the  new  university  buildings, 
expresses  the  hope  that  the  buildings  to  be  erected 
will  come  to  the  college,  without  exception,  by 
gift,  and  gives  a  list  of  the  structures  needed. 
He  estimates  the  cost  of  the  library  building  as 
$750,000;  that  of  the  other  buildings  as  from 
$100,000  to  $300,000. 


THE  FREE  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  OF  ZWIT- 
TAU,  AUSTRIA. 

THE  extraordinary  progress  made  by  the  free 
public  libraries  of  the  United  States  during  the 
past  decade,  and  the  wide-spreading  influence 
for  good  they  have  obtained  among  people  of 
all  classes,  have  induced  Mr.  Oswald  Ottendorfer, 
proprietor  of  the  New  York  Staats-Zeitung,  to 
confer  upon  his  native  town  of  Zwittau  the  last- 
ing benefit  of  so  desirable  and  useful  an  insti- 
tution. 

In  October,  1890,  Mr.  Ottendorfer  wrote  to 
the  burgermaster,  Mr.  F.  Sander,  as  follows : 
"  In  my  opinion,  and  in  accordance  with  the  dis- 
coveries and  observations  I  have  made,  a  free 
public  library  for  the  promotion  of  education 
among  the  masses,  and  for  enhancing  the  wel- 
fare of  the  inhabitants  of  your  town,  would  be 
most  welcome."  At  the  same  time  he  commis- 
sioned the  city  officials  to  select  a  site  and 
prepare  plans  for  the  proposed  library.  The 
site  selected  was  the  birthplace  of  the  generous 
founder. 

The  building  was  begun  on  July  2,  1891,  and 
completed  in  August,  1892.  Its  cost  is  estimated 
as  : 

Building,  including  lot 167,822  fl.  05  kr. 

Books  and  binding 13,587  n1.  "  kr- 

Furnishings 8,709  fl.  33  kr. 


Total 

or  about  $95,000. 


,190,118  fl.  49  kr., 


Everything  about  the  building  is  perfect  in 
finish,  of  substantial  elegance,  yet  very  cosey 
and  homelike,  and  giving  evidence  of  the  mu- 
nificence and  artistic  taste  of  the  founder.  The 
arrangement  of  the  different  rooms  is  thoroughly 
practical,  and  was  designed  by  Mr.  Ottendorfer 
himself. 

The  selection  and  purchase  of  books  was  en- 
trusted to  the  hands  of  a  committee  of  three, 
and  by  August,  1892,  over  6000  volumes  had 
been  bought,  cataloged,  and  prepared  for  cir- 
culation. 

In  selecting  the  books,  the  wants  and  prefer- 
ences of  all  classes  of  readers  were  consulted  in 
order  to  make  the  library  a  really  popular  one, 
so  that,  although  purely  scientific  works  were  not 
altogether  excluded,  the  chief  aim  of  the  com- 
mittee was  to  meet  the  desires  of  the  people,  and 
supply  popular,  well- written  books  which  should 
tend  to  elevate  and  interest  the  average  reader. 

Much  time  and  thought  were  also  given  to 
the  selection  of  belles-lettres  and  juvenile  books, 
for  which  there  is  the  greatest  possible  demand. 

The  library  contained  in  December,  1893, 
7300  volumes,  of  which  2614  are  fiction,  1509 
poetry  and  drama,  791  juvenile  books,  841 
useful  and  fine  arts,  320  science,  310  geography 
and  travels,  483  biography  and  history,  43 
philology,  262  sociological  and  educational 
works,  80  philosophy  and  religion,  and  47  en- 
cyclopaedias. 

The  library  was  organized  on  the  approved 
plan  of  the  New  York  Free  Circulating  Library. 
For  this  purpose  the  thoughtful  founder  sent 
the  present  librarian,  Miss  Marie  Klar,  to  the 
Ottendorfer  branch  of  the  N.Y.  F.  C.  Library  that 
she  might  perfect  herself  in  their  system  of  library 
work  under  the  supervision  of  Miss  E.  M.  Coe. 
She  likewise  studied  cataloging  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Miss  H  itchier,  who  translated  for  her  a 
copy  of  the  Dewey  Decimal  Classification  by 
writing  the  German  equivalents  in  it  over  the 
English  headings. 

The  registration-book,  statistics-record,  acces- 
sion-book, and  shelf-lists  were  made  with  printed 
German  headings,  by  the  stationer  of  the  Staats- 
Zeitung. 

On  her  return  to  Zwittau  after  six  months, 
Miss  Klar  was  able  to  be  of  the  greatest  assist- 
ance in  arranging  and  cataloging  the  books.  A 
card  catalog  has  been  placed  in  the  reading-room 
for  the  benefit  and  convenience  of  the  public. 
There  is  also  a  printed  author  catalog,  which 
contains,  however,  only  entries  of  juvenile  books 
and  belles-lettres.  A  dictionary  catalog  on  the 
American  plan,  which  will  contain  entries  of  all 
the  works  in  the  library,  is  in  preparation  and 
will  be  printed  when  completed. 

The  number  of  books  circulated  during  the 
first  year  was  55, 537  to  a  population  of  but 
8000.  The  expenses  for  the  first  year  were 
6,320  fl.  17  kr.  (about  $3160),  which  was  entirely 
borne  by  Mr.  Ottendorfer. 

The  books  are  classified  according  to  the 
Dewey  Decimal  Classification,  which  enables 
the  librarian  and  her  assistant  to  give  out  100 
books  in  an  hour  quite  easily.  The  book-rest, 
after  the  pattern  of  the  Library  Bureau  book- 
rest,  is  found  very  practicable,  and  prevents  the 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


books  on  the  shelves  from  falling  over.  The 
shelving  is  also  built  after  a  plan  devised  by  the 
Library  Bureau,  from  a  sample  stack  built  in  New 
York  and  shipped  to  Austria  for  this  purpose. 

The  checking  and  charging  system  of  the 
library  is  an  exact  reproduction  of  that  in  use  in 
the  six  different  branches  of  the  New  York  Free 
Circulating  Library. 

Accompanying  the  report  of  the  first  year's 
work, from  which  this  information  is  obtained,  is 
a  picture  of  the  institute.  The  ground  floor  is 
devoted  entirely  to  the  library,  and  contains 
reading-room,  delivery-room,  stack-room,  and 
bindery.  The  floor  above,  to  which  there  is  a 
separate  entrance  on  the  north  side,  is  a  large 
and  beautiful  lecture-hall,  well  fitted,  with  smaller 
rooms  on  one  side  for  scientific  lectures  and 
laboratory  practice.  At  one  end  of  the  large 
hall  is  a  small  room  which  can  be  separated  from 
the  rest  by  sliding  partitions,  and  used  as  a  plat- 
form or  stage  fpr  concerts  or  theatrical  per- 
formances. The  lectures  usually  take  place  on 
Sunday  afternoons  during  the  winter  months, 
lecturers  coming  all  the  way  from  Vienna  and 
Briinn  in  all  sorts  of  weather  without  further 
payment  than  their  travelling  expenses,  most  of 
them  very  often  foregoing  even  these.  Sixteen 
entertainments  were  given  the  first  season,  all  of 
which  were  free  to  the  public. 

T.  HITCHLER,  New  York  F.  C,  L. 


A    LIST  OF   BOOKS  FOR  WOMEN'S  AND 
GIRLS'  CLUBS. 

Miss  ELLEN  M.  COE,  librarian  of  the  New 
York  Free  Circulating  Library,  has  for  some 
time  been  engaged  in  compiling  and  editing  a 
list  of  books  for  women's  and  girls'  clubs,  to 
be  published  early  in  1895  by  the  American  Li- 
brary Association.  Miss  Coe  has  enlisted  in  her 
aid  a  corps  of  teachers  and  workers  of  mark, 
each  of  whom  has  selected  titles  in  the  special 
field  of  her  active  work.  The  titles,  about  1000 
in  number,  will  each  be  followed  by  a  helpful 
note  of  description  and  appraisal.  The  depart- 
ments of  the  list,  with  their  sub-editors,  are  : 
General  works,  encyclopaedias,  etc.  —  Mrs.  Helen 
Kendrick  Johnson,  editor  Woman's  Journal. 
Philosophy  and  religion.  —  Miss  EmmaCraigin, 

Bruce  Library. 

Social  and  political  science.  —  Dr.  Mary  B.  Da- 
mon, Smith  College. 

Ethics  and  etiquette. —  Mrs.  Helen  D.  Backus. 
Kindergarten.  —  Miss  Angeline  Brooks. 
Kitchengarden. —  Miss  Emily  Huntington,  New 

York  City. 

Useful  arts.  —  Not  stated. 

Medicine  and  physical  culture. —  Dr.  Mary  Tay- 
lor Bissell,  Berkeley  Ladies'  Athletic  Club, 
New  York. 

Domestic  economy. —  Mrs.  Helen  D.  Backus. 
Foods.  —  Mrs.  R.  H.  Richards. 
Fine  arts,  history,  and  study.  —  Mrs.  Edwin  H. 

Blashfield. 

Music.  —  Miss  C.  T.  Bowker. 
Drawing,  painting,  engraving,  etc.  —  Mrs.  Susan 
Carter,  Director,  Cooper  Union  Art  School. 


Decorative  art.  —  Not  stated. 

Travel.  —  Miss  Adelaide  Hasse,  Public  Library, 

Los  Angeles,  Cal. 
Biography. —  Librarians    of    New  York    Free 

Circulating  Library. 

History.  —  Library  School,  Albany,  N.  Y. 
Amusements  and  sports.  —  Miss  Alice  B.  Kroe- 

ger,  Drexel  Institute,  Philadelphia. 
Belles  lettres.  —  Miss  Helen  Dawes  Brown. 
Natural  sciences.  —  Mrs.  Olive  Thorne  Miller. 
Education  and  self-culture.  —  Teachers'  College, 

New  York. 

Drawing  on  her  own  wide  reading  and  ex- 
perience as  a  librarian,  Miss  Coe  has  chosen  the 
titles  in  the  department  of  Fiction.  All  the 
titles  in  the  lists  will  be  numbered  on  the  Cutter 
and  Dewey  systems  of  classification.  Each  title 
will  be  accompanied  by  bibliographical  details 
and  price,  and  information  will  be  proffered  as  to 
the  economical  purchase  of  books  in  quantities. 
Furthermore,  a  list  will  be  given  of  periodicals 
suitable  for  women's  and  girls'  clubs,  with 
clubbing  terms.  With  a  view  to  advancing  all 
judicious  movements  for  the  aid  and  comfort  of 
girls  and  women,  Miss  Coe  intends  also  to  in- 
clude a  list  of  typical  societies  for  their  educa- 
tion, their  defence  against  fraudulent  and  cruel 
employers,  and  the  like.  Brief  and  simple 
directions  for  establishing  a  women's  or  girls' 
club  will  be  appended,  with  an  outline  of  con- 
stitution and  by-laws  tested  by  experience. 


LIBRARY  DAY. 

FRIDAY,  October  19,  was  Library  Day  in  Ne- 
braska, and  was  generally  observed  as  an  un- 
official holiday  in  the  schools  of  the  state.  It 
was  established  in  August,  1892,  when  the 
school  authorities  designated  October  21  as  a 
day  on  which  teachers  should  endeavor,  by 
special  exercises  or  other  methods,  to  create  an 
interest  in  books,  and  to  establish  or  add  to  a 
library  in  every  school  house,  from  funds  raised 
by  subscription,  donation,  or  entertainment. 
It  is  especially  intended  to  impress  upon  the 
pupils  a  knowledge  of  the  benefits  to  be  derived 
from  the  companionship  of  good  books,  and  to 
emphasize  the  intimate  relations  that  exist  or 
should  exist  between  the  work  of  the  public 
schools  and  the  library,  leading  the  children 
to  supplement  and  extend  their  school  studies 
by  helpful  reading.  As  October  21  fell  upon 
Sunday  this  year,  Library  Day  was  observed  on 
the  igth.  In  many  schools  entertainments  were 
given,  consisting  of  various  "drills,"  music, 
recitations,  essays  by  the  pupils,  and  addresses 
on  books  and  library  topics  by  teachers  or 
principals.  In  most  cases  a  considerable  fund 
was  secured  for  the  school  library.  The  day 
was  little  observed  in  Omaha,  where  the  pub- 
lic library  makes  special  school  libraries  un- 
necessary; but  its  establishment  has  proved 
most  useful  in  awakening  a  library  sentiment 
in  the  smaller  cities  and  towns.  Friday,  Novem- 
ber 30,  will  be  Library  Day  in  Missouri,  and 
the  State  superintendent  of  education,  L.  E. 
Wolfe,  has  issued  an  appeal  for  its  general 
observance. 


382 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


t  '94 


fork  State  Cibrarj}  grljool. 


HALLOWE'EN  FESTIVITIES. 

A  DELIGHTFUL  party  assembled  at  the  home  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dewey  on  Hallowe'en,  to  initiate 
the  Juniors  of  the  Library  School  "  into  the  rites, 
symbols,  and  mysteries  of  the  powers  of  dark- 
ness." A  number  of  the  seniors  appeared  in 
costume,  representing  the  three  fates,  who  spun 
and  cut  off  the  fate  of  each  one  present;  a  gypsy 
palmist;  fortune  teller  with  cards  and  tea  grounds; 
the  Cumean  sybil,  who  scattered  leaves  about 
the  floor,  each  one  with  a  sentiment  written 
upon  it;  Mephistopheles,  who  raised  the  "old 
Ned,"  appearing  in  the  most  unexpected  places 
at  the  most  unexpected  moments  ;  a  Mohamme- 
dan prophetess;  and  "  the  old  woman  who  swept 
the  cobwebs  from  the  sky."  The  entertainment 
was  followed  by  refreshments  and  dancing. 
The  cards  of  invitation  and  announcement  were 
decidedly  unique,  each  bearing  a  witch's  broom, 
bound  in  yellow  and  tied  with  royal  purple  — 
the  Library  School  colors  —  and  inscribed  with  an 
appropriate  distich. 


State  Cibrarg  Associations. 


MASSACHUSETTS  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

THE  annual  meeting  of  the  Massachusetts 
Library  Club  was  held  on  Wednesday,  October 
3,  in  Jacob  Sleeper  Hall,  Boston  University,  and 
was  called  to  order,  by  President  Jones,  at  2:05 
p.m.  _  The  secretary  reported  that  a  handbook 
containing  the  constitution  and  list  of  members, 
etc.,  had  been  printed  and  distributed  to  mem- 
bers in  the  spring,  while  in  the  summer  copies 
had  been  sent,  with  a  circular  calling  attention 
to  the  object  and  character  of  the  club,  to  nearly 
500  libraries  in  the  state  which  were  not  repre- 
sented on  the  roll  of  members.  The  number  of 
members  was  about  215.  The  treasurer's  re- 
port showed  a  balance  on  hand  of  $229.51.  The 
reports  were  accepted,  and  the  subject  for  the 
day  —  reference  work  —  was  then  taken  up. 

Mr.  Foster,  of  Providence,  spoke  upon  the 
work  of  the  information  desk,  as  developed  in 
the  public  library  of  that  city,  and  outlined  the 
general  principles  to  be  followed  in  carrying  on 
work  of  that  character.* 

Mr.  Green,  of  Worcester,  said  that  the  ideal 
aim  in  reference  work  is  to  invite  everyone  who 
has  a  question  to  ask  that  books  can  answer,  to 
come  to  the  library  for  help.  Receive  him  sym- 
pathetically, give  the  time  to  find  out  what  he 
wants,  then  use  every  means  to  procure  the  in- 
formation for  him.  There  should  be  a  competent 
head  for  this  work,  and  trained  assistants  of  dif- 
ferent grades.  It  is  a  fundamental  rule  that  no 
one  should  attempt  to  give  information  which  he 
has  not  ability  to  give,  but  should  refer  the  in- 
quirer to  the  right  person  to  answer  that  inquiry. 
At  Worcester  70,000  volumes  a  year  are  given 
out  to  be  used  in  the  building  in  investigation. 

*  Mr.  Foster's  paper  will.be  found  in  full  on  p.  368-370. 


This  does  not  include  stories,  but  books  placed 
in  readers'  hands  to  answer  legitimate  inquiries. 
Mr.  Green  then  gave  a  number  of  examples 
illustrating  the  kind  of  questions  asked,  and  the 
manner  in  which  information  was  often  got  from 
outside  by  borrowing  books,  by  personal  letters 
to  specialists,  etc.  He  was  constantly  borrowing 
for  this  purpose  from  Yale,  Columbia,  and 
especially  from  Harvard  College,  where  Mr. 
Winsor  continues  the  generosity  he  practised 
at  the  Boston  Public  Library.  He  thought 
that  Harvard  College  was  doing  in  its  library 
one  of  the  finest  pieces  of  work  done  in  the 
university,  and  that  it  ought  and  must  re- 
dound to  the  advantage  of  the  university. 
He  borrowed  largely,  too,  from  the  Surgeon 
General's  Library  at  Washington,  which  he 
believed  to  be  the  only  library  where  the  bor- 
rower entered  into  a  formal  agreement  to  pay 
losses  and  transport. 

"  There  is  no  place  so  large,  and  none  so  small, 
but  what  reference  work  can  be  done.  Do 
people  want  it  done  ?  Do  you  want  to  do  it  ?  If 
so,  invite  all  persons  who  have  questions  to  ask 
that  books  can  answer  to  come  to  you  for  in- 
formation ;  reiterate  and  make  your  purpose  un- 
derstood. When  questions  come  exhaust  your 
own  resources,  apply  for  help  to  some  central 
library,  or  think  whom  you  can  address  that  is 
likely  to  have  the  information  and  ask  him. 

"  A  word  as  to  the  position  of  the  Library 
Commission  in  this  respect.  When  we  began 
work  103  towns  out  of  352  had  no  free  public 
library;  now  but  30  or  40 are  without  one.  When 
there  is  not  a  town  unprovided  are  we  to  lie 
upon  our  oars  ?  Not  at  all.  The  law  provides 
that  the  commissioners  shall  give  advice  and  aid 
in  all  library  affairs.  Why  do  you  not  ask 
questions?  We  are  not  only  willing  but  eager 
to  answer  inquiries.  I  do  not  doubt  that  Massa- 
chusetts will  appropriate  a  small  sum  to  buy  the 
best  books  needed  in  answering  the  questions 
sent  to  the  chairman  of  the  commission,  until  a 
good  reference  library  shall  be  collected  at 
Boston,  which  would  be  another  resource  and  tool 
in  reference  work  for  every  library  in  the  state. 

"  The  people  to-day  are  breaking  away  from 
the  leaders  of  thought ;  large  bodies  of  men  are 
doing  their  own  thinking.  Now,  I  verily  be- 
lieve that  among  the  not  least  powerful  means 
of  helping  people  to  form  correct  opinions, 
is  the  public  library,  if  conducted  as  I  have 
indicated.  People  are  honest-minded,  even  if 
immature;  they  ought  to  find  in  the  public  library 
the  best  books  on  all  sides  of  all  controverted 
points  ;  they  ought  to  find  there,  too,  a  friend 
ready  to  help  them  to  the  best  thought." 

Miss  Medlicott  then  read  a  paper  upon  "  Uni- 
versity extension  work  in  the  Springfield  Public 
Library."  "  Our  state,  foremost  in  libraries,  well 
to  the  fore  in  schools  and  colleges,  is  yet  behind 
in  the  matter  of  university  extension.  Some  of 
us  heard  Mr.  Montgomery's  address  at  the  recent 
A.  L.  A.  conference,  and  I  think  all  agreed  with 
him  that  the  librarian  should  not  be  called  upon 
to  take  the  initiative  in  this  work,  though  he 
may  aid  in  it  as  in  the  work  of  schools.  The 
Springfield  library  has  made  a  beginning  in  this 
direction,  though,  under  some  disadvantages,  on 


November,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


383 


account  of  our  limited  room.  In  the  spring  of 
1893  a  society  was  formed  and  a  local  council 
appointed.  One  course  of  six  lectures  was  given 
that  year :  '  English  history  in  the  light  of 
Shakespeare's  chronicle  play,'  by  Rev.  Beverly 
E.  Warner,  now  of  New  Orleans.  The  course 
cost  $1.50,  and  enough  tickets  were  sold  to  give 
an  extra  lecture.  Last  year  courses  were  given 
on  United  States  history,  on  '  The  problem  of 
money,'  and  on  biology.  For  each  course  we 
collected  on  a  table  in  one  of  the  alcoves  all  the 
books  given  by  the  lecturers  as  text-books  or 
reference-books,  buying  them  for  the  purpose,  if 
necessary.  Also,  we  selected  a  number  of  the 
best  books  bearing  upon  the  subject,  and  made 
them,  too,  reference-books  for  the  time  being, 
for  the  use  of  the  class.  In  the  last  course  we 
obtained  beforehand  from  the  lecturer  his  syl- 
labus, with  books  for  reference  and  collateral 
reading,  and  made  up  a  supplementary  list,  both 
of  books  and  magazine  articles,  printing  all  in 
our  monthly  bulletin.  The  newspapers  aided 
by  printing  our  lists,  in  every  case  giving  no- 
tice of  the  lectures. 

"  Of  course,  here  came  in  the  question  whether 
to  consider  the  books  as  reference-books,  or 
allow  them  to  be  taken  home.  We  decided  that 
where  we  had  only  one  copy  it  would  be  of  more 
use  by  keeping  it  in  the  library,  and  letting  all 
the  students  have  access  to  it,  but  in  many  cases 
we  were  able  to  furnish  either  a  second  copy,  or 
another  book  bearing  upon  the  subject  desired. 

"  One  of  the  questions  asked  in  the  list  of 
questions  sent  out  in  preparation  for  the  paper 
before  spoken  of  was  as  to  the  effect  this  study 
had  upon  our  readers,  whether  the  interest  was 
kept  up  after  the  course  of  lectures  was  over.  I 
cannot  say  that  this  was  the  case  to  any  con- 
siderable extent.  At  the  same  time  all  such  work 
must  be  gradual,  and  study,  even  for  a  short 
time,  encourages  the  habit  of  study.  I  think  this 
is  one  of  the  ways  in  which  we  can  train  readers 
to  more  careful  habits  of  reading,  to  the  fuller 
use  of  books. 

"I  wish  to  call  your  attention,  if  it  has  not 
been  already  so  called,  to  some  of  the  publi- 
cations issued  by  the  board  of  regents  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  the  State  of  New  York,  under  their 
department  of  university  extensions.  They  can 
be  had, at  cost,  by  application  to  Mr.  Dewey,  or 
the  department  by  which  they  are  published. 
One  of  the  series  is  the  admirable  paper  by  Miss 
Katharine  Sharpe,  of  Armour  Institute.  They 
are  well  worth  the  small  price,  in  keeping  one 
in  touch  with  the  work  done." 

Concerning  "  Reference  work  for  school 
children,"  Miss  A.  L.  Sargent,  of  Lowell,  read 
an  interesting  paper,  giving  hints  as  to  desira- 
ble books  and  useful  methods  of  work,  espe- 
cially in  the  way  of  preparing  indexes  to  standard 
juvenile  books  by  which  many  questions  could 
be  easily  answered. 

Miss  Thurston,  of  Newton,  spoke  on  "Lit- 
erary clubs,"  showing  how,  in  that  city  of 
clubs,  the  public  library  has  taken  hold  of  that 
work,  and  gives  efficient  aid.  "It  is  necessary 
to  learn  the  winter's  courses  as  early  as  possible, 
and  to  make  every  effort  to  fill  the  gaps  in  the 
library's  collection,  and  be  prepared  for  them. 


We  urge  people  to  write  to  us  about  the  courses, 
and  ask  directors  of  the  reading  to  examine  our 
books  ;  we  let  them  go  to  the  shelves,  or  bring 
the  books  to  them,  as  may  be  preferred.  Mem- 
bers of  the  clubs  are  encouraged  to  seek  out  the 
resources  of  the  library  on  the  subjects  in  hand, 
or  to  bring  special  questions  —  though  these  are 
sometimes  blind  enough,  as  when  one  reader, 
having  forgotten  author  and  title  and  subject, 
remembered  only  that  it  was  "  paragraph  three 
on  page  79  "  that  was  sought  —  and  the  reference 
was  found!  A  suggestion  has  been  recently 
made  that  clubs  apply  for  teachers'  privileges. 
There  seems  to  be  no  good  reason  why  such  a 
request  should  not  be  granted." 

Miss  Hayward,  of  Cambridge,  said  that  she 
regarded  reference  work  as  even  more  import- 
ant than  the  work  of  the  circulating  depart- 
ment. A  librarian  who  does  not  thoroughly 
know  her  reference  books  is  neglecting  her 
duty. 

Mr.  Lane  suggested  that  such  special  lists  as 
that  prepared  by  Miss  Medlicott,  ought  to  be 
distributed  widely  to  other  libraries,  where  they 
will  be  most  useful,  especially  if  separately  pre- 
served. If  left  in  the  bulletin  they  soon  fall 
out  of  sight,  since  the  bulletin  itself  is  of  al- 
most no  use  except  in  the  library  that  issues  it.t 
At  the  Boston  Athenaeum  such  lists  are  now  cua 
out  of  the  bulletin  and  mounted  on  stiff  manills 
cards,  6x9  inches.  The  subject  of  the  list  i 
written  at  the  top  in  blue  pencil,  and  they  are 
kept  in  a  box  on  a  table  in  the  reading-room. 
This  pamphlet  may  be  stitched  into  a  folded 
sheet  of  the  same  size. 

Mr.  Whitney,  of  the  Boston  Public  Library, 
said  that  they  were  now  at  work  selecting  books 
for  the  reference  library  of  30,000  volumes, 
which  would  be  placed  in  the  new  Bates  Hall. 
Not  only  dictionaries,  etc.,  will  be  included, 
but  also  a  good  selection  of  standard  authors. 
The  A.  L.  A.  catalog  had  been  consulted  in 
making  the  selection,  with  much  advantage. 

Professor  Hosmer,  of  Minneapolis,  spoke  of 
the  deep  interest  that  he  felt  in  reference  work. 
That  department,  at  his  library,  is  placed  under 
the  charge  of  an  excellent  head,  and  is  admin- 
istered along  the  lines  already  described. 

Some  conversation  ensued  on  the  means  of 
getting  study  clubs  to  make  their  wants  known 
at  the  library  before  the  courses  began,  and  it 
appeared  that  while  some  clubs  in  Newton, 
Brookline,  etc.,  and  notably  the  Woman's  Club 
at  Pawtucket,  were  careful  to  do  this  work  sys- 
tematically, it  was  too  often  left  to  chance  or  to 
the  preferred  services  of  the  librarian.  Mr. 
Hedge,  of  Lawrence,  had  found  it  a  good  plan 
to  suggest  subjects  in  which  his  library  was 
strong,  or  would  gladly  make  itself  so.  By  this 
means  a  very  popular  course  by  Mr.  Fiske  on 
American  history  had  been  added  to  the  White 
Fund  course,  and  tickets  were  given  to  the 
librarian  for  distribution. 

Mr.  Foster  wished  to  emphasize  the  impor- 
tance of  the  suggestion  made  by  Mr.  Green.  It 
was  a  decided  step  gained  to  have  the  co-or- 
dination of  existing  resources  brought  clearly 
before  us,  especially  in  connection  with  the  work 
of  the  Library  Commission,  as  planned. 


384 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


{November,  '94 


Miss  Garland,  of  Dover,  N.  H.,  at  the  request 
of  the  president,  gave  a  brief  but  most  interest- 
ing account  of  the  work  which  she  had  done 
for  the  boys  who  were  unable  to  leave  the  city 
during  the  summer.  At  her  suggestion  the 
"  Sharpeyes  club"  was  established,  with  the 
object  of  learning  to  see,  and  to  see  correctly. 
Birds  were  at  first  studied,  but  the  interest 
of  the  boys  turning  strongly  to  caterpillars,  large 
numbers  of  these  were  collected,  and  kept  in 
boxes  covered  with  glass,  in  the  trustees' 
room,  each  boy  becoming  responsible  for  the 
proper  feeding  of  his  own  finds.  The  needful 
books  were  provided  here.and  the  club  worked  out 
the  names  and  histories  of  the  various  species, 
while  their  habits  and  transformations  proved  of 
absorbing  interest,  not  only  to  the  boys,  but  to 
many  older  visitors,  the  trustees,  we  hope, 
among  them. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Green,  it  was  voted  that  the 
committee  that  had  formerly  reported  upon  the 
preparation  of  lists  of  books  to  help  libraries  in 
making  selections,  be  asked  to  continue  their 
consideration  of  the  subject,  and  that  they  have 
power  to  choose  another  member  in  place  of  Mr. 
Green,  who  was  unable  to  serve  again. 

The  following  officers  were  elected  for  1894-5: 
President,  W:  E.  Foster,  librarian  of  the  Public 
Library,  Providence,  R.  I.;  vice-presidents,  C: 
K.  Bolton,  librarian  of  the  Brookline  Public 
Library,  Miss  M.  A.  Jenkins,  of  the  Boston 
Public  Library;  secretary,  W:  H.  Tillinghast, 
assistant  librarian  Harvard  College;  treas- 
urer, Miss  A.  L.  Sargent,  librarian  of  the  Mid- 
dlesex Mechanics'  Association,  Lowell. 

The  meeting  adjourned  at  4.40  p.m. 

W.  H.  TILLINGHAST,  Secretary. 

NEW  YORK  STA  TE  LIBRARY  ASSOCIA  TION. 

THE  New  York  State  Library  Association  has 
just  issued  a  handbook,  similar  in  style  to  the 
A.  L.  A.  handbook,  giving  detailed  information 
as  to  the  purpose  and  scope  of  the  association, 
its  origin,  constitution  and  needs.  It  is  inter- 
esting evidence  of  the  good  work  done  by  the 
association  and  of  the  broad  and  useful  lines  it 
has  mapped  out  for  the  future. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  association,  held  dur- 
ing the  A.  L.  A.  Conference,  the  following  offi- 
cers were  elected  for  1894-95:  President,  R.  B. 
Poole,  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Library,  New  York  City; 
vice-presidents,  Louisa  S.  Cutler,  Utica  Public 
Library;  S.  H.  Berry,  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Library, 
Brooklyn  ;  secretary,  W.  R.  Eastman,  New 
York  State  Library;  treasurer,  J.  N.  Wing, 
Charles  Scribner's  Sons,  New  York. 

NEW  JERSEY  LIBRARY  ASSOCIA  TION. 

THE  fifth  annual  meeting  of  the  New  Jersey 
Library  Association  was  held  at  the  Newark 
Free  Public  Library,  Wednesday,  October  31, 
1894. 

The  following  were  elected  to  serve  as  officers 
for  the  ensuing  year  :  President,  G:  Watson 
Cole;  vice-presidents,  Miss  Martha  F.  Nelson, 
Miss  Grace  H.  See,  Alfred  C.  Herzog;  secre- 
tary, Miss  Beatrice  Winser ;  treasurer,  Miss 
Emma  L.  Adams. 


Subjects  for  discussion  were  :  Library  legisla- 
tion, and  State  library  commission. 

Miss  Nelson's  able  paper  on  "  Library  legisla- 
tion," a  resume  of  the  laws  of  New  Jersey  relat- 
ing to  free  public  libraries,  was  discussed  and 
ordered  filed. 

The  subject  of  a  state  Library  commission  for 
New  Jersey  aroused  great  interest,  and  it  was 
moved  that  it  be  the  desire  of  the  meeting  to  es- 
tablish a  commission  in  the  state.  The  case  of 
Massachusetts  was  cited  as  an  instance  of  the 
salutary  effect  of  such  a  commission,  and  the 
Association  appointed  the  president,  Mr.  W.  R. 
Weeks,  and  Mr.  Frank  P.  Hill,  a  committee  to 
consult  with  the  leading  librarians  of  the  state, 
as  to  the  advisability  of  asking  for  the  passage 
of  a  law  creating  such  a  commission. 

The  meeting  then  adjourned,  to  meet  on  call 
of  the  president,  early  in  January. 

BEATRICE  WINSER,  Secretary. 

WASHINGTON  LIBRARY  ASSOCIA  TION. 

WASHINGTON  CITY  now  has  a  Library  Associa- 
tion. In  answer  to  a  call  issued  by  12  libra- 
rians for  a  meeting  on  June  6,  23  persons 
responded  and  resolved  to  organize  an  associa- 
tion in  the  interests  of  Washington  libraries. 
On  June  15,  as  already  noted  in  the  JOURNAL 
(19:236)  a  constitution  was  adopted,  officers  were 
elected  for  the  present  year,  and  then  the  asso- 
ciation adjourned  for  the  summer  months. 

On  October  24  the  first  regular  meeting  was 
held  in  one  of  the  rooms  of  the  Columbian 
University,  kindly  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the 
association  for  its  meetings. 

In  a  brief  introductory  address  as  first  presi- 
dent, Mr.  Spofford  called  attention  to  some  of 
the  popular  fallacies  concerning  the  duties  and 
the  wisdom  of  librarians,  what  they  really  are 
with  their  daily  round  of  multifarious  and  exact- 
ing duties,  and  what  they  might  be  if  they  were 
allowed  to  realize  their  ideals. 

The  association  has  organized  for  immediate 
practical  work.  The  executive  committee  at 
this  first  meeting  submitted  a  plan  of  work  from 
which  much  practical  benefit  is  expected  before 
the  close  of  the  year.  Committees  have  been 
appointed:  (i)  For  the  preparation  of  a  union 
list  of  all  periodicals  in  Washington  libraries. 
(2)  For  devising  some  system  of  mutual  ex- 
change of  duplicates  and  other  books.  Many 
thousands  of  valuable  books  have  drifted  into 
our  special  departmental  and  bureau  libraries 
which  do  not  bear  upon  the  special  subjects 
which  are  being  purposely  collected  together  in 
these  libraries;  these  bocks,  while  they  are  re- 
garded as  so  much  lumber  in  one  library,  may  be 
a  valuable  acquisition  to  another.  (3)  For  the 
consideration  of  methods  of  cataloging  and  car- 
ing for  maps.  (4)  For  the  consideration  of  that 
most  distressing  of  all  topics  —  the  arrangement, 
indexing,  and  proper  lettering  of  public  docu- 
ments. (5)  To  aid  the  present  movement  for 
the  establishment  of  a  free  public  library  in 
Washington.  A  strong  committee  has  been  as- 
signed to  this  most  important  work.  General 
A.  W.  Greely,  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army, 


,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY 


is  chairman.  Mr.  A.  R.  Spofford,  Librarian  of 
Congress,  and  Mr.  A.  H.  Allen,  Librarian  of  the 
State  Department,  are  his  associates.  All  of 
these  gentlemen  are  earnest  advocates  of  the 
cause.  A  vigorous  campaign  will  doubtless  be 
waged  this  winter,  and  Washington  will  not  long 
continue  to  occupy  the  unique  but  unenviable 
position  of  an  American  city  with  a  quarter  of  a 
million  inhabitants  and  50  libraries,  but  not  one 
for  the  use  of  the  general  public. 

An  interesting  feature  of  the  evening's  pro- 
gram consisted  of  brief  verbal  sketches,  giving 
the  chief  characteristics  of  the  various  libraries 
represented  at  the  meeting.  These  included  the 
libraries  of  the  State  Department,  the  Treasury 
Department,  the  War  Department,  the  Interior 
Department,  the  Agricultural  Department,  the 
Bureau  of  Labor,  the  Smithsonian  Institution, 
the  Patent  Office,  the  Bureau  of  Education,  the 
Weather  Bureau,  and  Georgetown  College  libra- 
ry. No  reports  were  heard  from  the  following 
libraries,  though  all  of  them  are  represented  in 
the  membership  of  the  association  :  The  li- 
braries of  the  Navy  Department,  the  Post- 
Office,  the  Department  of  Justice,  the  Geological 
Survey,  the  Bureau  of  Ethnology,  the  Fish 
Commission,  the  Coast  and  Geodetic  Survey, 
the  Senate,  the  House  of  Representatives,  the 
Columbian  University,  the  Catholic  University, 
the  Medical  Society  of  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia, the  Masonic  library,  the  Odd  Fellows'  li- 
brary, Carroll  Institute,  and  the  Peabody  library. 

The  association  begins  its  career  with  an  ac- 
tive membership  of  43  members,  who  are  ani- 
mated with  an  earnest  desire  to  improve  the 
value  and  usefulness  of  Washington  libraries. 
Thirty  out  of  the  50  libraries  of  over  1000 
volumes  in  the  District  have  representatives  in 
the  association  ;  the  aggregate  of  books  in  these 
30  libraries  is  nearly  a  million  and  a  half  vol- 
umes. The  constitution  is  of  the  simplest  form; 
the  dues  are  nominal  ;  meetings  are  held  month- 
ly. The  members  are  alive  to  their  opportuni- 
ties, and  much  good  work  will  doubtless  be  done 
during  the  coming  winter. 

OLIVER  L.  FASSIG,  Secretary. 

MICHIGAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIA  TION. 

THE  fourth  annual  meeting  of  the  Michigan 
Library  Association  was  held  at  Ann  Arbor, 
Oct.  23-24.  There  were  present  the  regents  of 
the  university,  who  had  deferred  their  regular 
meeting  for  one  week  in  order  to  attend,  a  num- 
ber of  librarians  and  several  members  of  library 
committees  and  school  boards. 

The  first  session  was  held  Tuesday  afternoon 
in  the  Faculty  Room,  University  Hall.  Mr. 
Utley,  president  of  the  association,  introduced 
Dr.  Angell,who  welcomed  the  association,  and 
spoke  of  the  importance  of  the  work  of  libraries, 
and  the  change  in  the  attitude  of  a  librarian 
toward  the  public  that  has  come  about  during 
recent  years,  and  has  extended  the  usefulness 
of  libraries.  The  growing  tendency  to  allow 
the  people  to  have  direct  access  to  the  books 
was  wamly  commended.  In  speaking  of  the 
work  that  an  earnest  librarian  can  accomplish 
he  said  that  teachers  can  reach  only  a  small 


class  of  people,  that  clergymen  influence  many, 
but  are  necessarily  limited  by  the  differences  of 
creed,  and  sect.  The  librarian  can  reach  the 
whole  community,  without  restrictions  of  age 
or  creed,  and  can  make  the  library  which  he 
represents,  no  matter  how  small  it  may  be,  in  a 
great  degree  the  university  of  the  people. 

Mr.  Utley  spoke  of  the  good  accomplished  by 
the  American  Library  Association,  and  of  the 
state  associations,  that  are  doing  much  to 
supplement  the  work  of  the  national  associa- 
tion. He  then  read  an  address  on  "The  librarian 
and  his  opportunities."  He  spoke  of  the  ex- 
tremes of  taste  and  character  in  different  mem- 
bers of  the  library  profession.  One  man,  a 
scholar,  giving  his  time  and  attention  to  the 
pursuits  and  aims  of  the  profound  student, 
another  a  severely  practical  man  devoting  him- 
self to  labor-saving  devices  and  methods  of 
economizing  time.  The  really  good  librarian 
should  have  some  of  the  characteristics  of  both, 
and  avoid  the  extremes  of  either.  A  fondness 
for  books  has  been  thought  by  many,  particu- 
larly applicants  for  positions  in  libraries,  to  be 
an  especial  recommendation  of  fitness  for  the 
work.  Too  often  this  means  that  the  applicant 
had  rather  spend  time  over  a  novel  than  be 
engaged  in  some  more  useful  employment. 
Ability  to  use  books,  to  know  what  is  contained 
in  them,  and  to  be  able  to  refer  people  to  the 
place  where  desired  information  may  be  found 
is  more  useful.  But  this  is  not  the  most  impor- 
tant phase  of  librarianship.  The  most  impor- 
tant is  that  the  librarian  should  make  the  influ- 
ence which  it  is  possible  for  a  library  to  radiate 
through  the  whole  community,  tell  in  the  direc- 
tion of  a  broader  enlightenment  of  the  people 
and  a  higher  citizenship. 

The  secretary's  report  gave  some  statistics  in 
regard  to  the  libraries  of  the  state,  and  a  brief 
account  of  the  libraries  founded  by  gift  or  be- 
quest. The  gifts  received  and  new  buildings 
occupied  during  the  year  were  enumerated. 

Rev.  H.  P.  Collin,  of  Coldwater,  read  a  paper 
on  ' '  Recent  efforts  to  make  the  free  public  library 
useful  to  the  community."  Mr.  Collin  said  that 
in  reply  to  the  letters  of  inquiry  that  he  had 
sent  to  several  libraries  in  the  state,  asking 
what  special  efforts  had  been  made  within  the 
year,  he  learned  that  most  attention  had 
been  given  to  the  reading  of  the  children.  At 
Grand  Rapids  a  small  library  has  been  put  into 
each  school,  under  the  charge  of  the  principal. 
About  3500  volumes  have  been  provided  for  the 
use  of  schools,  and  in  the  four  months  during 
which  the  books  have  been  in  use,  the  circula- 
tion has  averaged  1022  a  week.  The  plan  of 
having  a  reading-room  for  children  at  the 
library,  as  some  libraries  have  done,  with  a 
special  attendant,  was  warmly  praised.  The 
stimulating  effect  of  a  new  building  was  spoken 
of  as  extending  the  usefulness  of  a  library.  It 
was  stated  that  the  circulation  of  the  library  at 
Jackson  has  increased  1000  books  a  month  since 
the  removal  to  new  rooms  in  May. 

Hon.  L.  L.  Barbour,  of  Detroit,  regent  of 
the  university,  spoke  on  "  Public  libraries  and 
sociological  study."  He  said  that  one  of  the 


30-0- 


±HE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[November,  '94 


most  prominent  and  laudable  tendencies  of  the 
times  is  the  interest  of  the  public  in  social 
science,  and  that  libraries  should  make  special 
efforts  to  have  the  fullest  collections  of  books 
bearing  directly  or  indirectly  upon  this  subject 
that  it  is  possible  for  them  to  obtain. 

The  session  closed  with  an  informal  address  on 
"  The  state  library  in  its  relation  to  the  people  of 
the  state,"  by  Mrs.  Spencer,  State  Librarian. 
She  read  and  explained  a  bill  which  it  is  pro- 
posed to  present  for  action  at  the  next  session 
of  the  legislature.  She  asked  the  members  to 
criticise  it,  and  if  it  commended  itself  to  their 
judgment,  to  indorse  it.  The  bill  provides  for 
a  better  distribution  of  state  publications  ;  for 
making  the  other  libraries  in  the  state  associate 
libraries  with  the  state  library,  to  enable  them 
to  send  to  Lansing  for  any  books  needed  for  a 
limited  time,  and  also  to  make  the  state  library 
a  kind  of  intelligence  bureau  to  which  librarians 
could  apply  for  information  in  regard  to  buying, 
cataloging  and  management.  After  some  dis- 
cussion it  was  decided  to  refer  the  matter  to  a 
committee  of  which  the  president  should  be 
chairman,  and  should  appoint  two  members  to 
act  with  him. 

The  evening  was  spent  in  the  university 
library  and  the  art  gallery. 

At  the  morning  session  Mr.  Hopkins,  assist- 
ant librarian  of  the  university  library,  read  an 
interesting  paper  on  bookbinding.  A  large 
table  was  covered  with  a  very  complete  exhibit 
of  materials  for  binding,  and  books  to  show 
different  methods  of  stitching  and  covering. 
This  practical  illustration  of  each  point  touched 
upon  in  the  paper  made  it,  and  the  discussion 
and  questions  with  which  it  was  followed, 
were  especially  valuable  and  enjoyable. 

Miss  Walton,  librarian  of  the  State  Normal 
School,  read  a  paper  on  "The  library  and  the 
primary  teacher."  It  was  a  thoughtful  and  ear- 
nest plea  for  aid  for  primary  teachers;  for  hav- 
ing in  every  library  such  books  as  are  needed  by 
them,  to  fit  them  to  accomplish  the  greatest 
good  in  their  work.  To  accompany  the  paper, 
Miss  Walton  had  prepared  and  printed  a  list  of 
the  books  that  in  her  experience  have  proved 
most  useful.  Copies  of  the  list  were  distributed 
to  those  present,  and  it  was  heartily  endorsed 
by  all.  Any  one  wishing  to  obtain  a  copy  can 
do  so  by  addressing  Miss  Walton  at  Ypsilanti. 

General  questions  for  discussion  being  next  in 
order,  it  was  asked,  What  is  it  best  to  do  with 
books  too  worn  for  use  ?  Mr.  Hopkins  said  that 
he  has  a  little  corner  where  he  keeps  them  as 
curiosities.  Some  one  suggested  that  if  he  were 
in  a  circulating  library  he  would  need  more  than 
a  little  corner  for  them.  Mrs.  Finney,  librarian 
of  the  Tappen  Association,  Ann  Arbor,  said 
that  in  an  industrial  school  in  which  she  is  in- 
terested, worn-out  books  are  torn  apart  and  the 
pictures  given  to  the  children  to  take  home. 
Mrs.  Parsons  said  that  in  Bay  City  it  had  been 
the  custom  to  give  such  books  to  the  county 
jail,  but  that  she  has  found  it  'advisable  to  save 
all  of  which  there  are  duplicates  in  the  library 
in  order  to  replace  leaves  that  will  occasionally 
be  lost  from  a  good  copy.  In  order  to  obviate 
the  difficulty  that  sometimes  arose,  of  having 


such  books  bought  and  returned  to  the  library  by 
people  who  thought  them  still  library  property, 
she  has  each  one  stamped  plainly,  Worn  out. 
Mr.  Utley  said  that  to  overcome  this  same  diffi- 
culty he  had  sometimes  had  books  stamped, 
Sold. 

Officers  for  the  year  were  then  elected,  and  it 
was  decided  by  vote  to  hold  the  next  meeting  at 
Kalamazoo,  at  a  time  to  be  decided  upon  by  the 
executive  committee. 

At  one  o'clock  the  members  were  entertained 
at  lunch  by  President  and  Mrs.  Angell  in  their 
beautiful  home.  At  three  o'clock  those  whose 
time  allowed  had  the  pleasure  of  hearing  Pro- 
fessor Davis  lecture  to  his  class  on  the  revival  of 
learning  from  the  standpoint  of  books. 

The  officers  elected  were:  President,  H.  M. 
Utley;  vice-presidents,  Miss  Walton  and  Mrs. 
Spencer  ;  secretary,  Mrs.  Parsons  ;  treasurer, 
Miss  Ball.  ANNIE  F.  PARSONS,  Secretary. 


Cibrarg  (Elubs, 


NEW  YORK  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

IN  response  to  a  special  invitation  from  the 
Bryson  Library,  the  November  meeting  of  the 
New  York  Library  Club  was  held  at  the  Teach- 
ers' College,  Morningside  Heights,  on  Thursday, 
November  8,  and  in  spite  of  the  inclemency  of 
the  weather  it  was  well  attended,  about  60  being 
present,  and  proved  to  be  an  exceedingly  pleas- 
ant and  profitable  gathering.  Mr.  Nelson  opened 
the  meeting  by  thanking  the  club  for  his  appoint- 
ment as  president  and  alluding  to  the  fact  that 
the  loth  anniversary  of  the  club  occurred  this 
year.  He  then  introduced  Mr.  Walter  Hervey, 
president  of  the  Teachers'  College,  who,  after 
a  brief  speech  of  welcome,  introduced  Miss  Grace 
Dodge,  of  the  board  of  trustees,  who  spoke 
pleasantly  of  the  need  of  books  in  school  work. 
She  said,  "  When  our  college  first  started,  I 
went  through  the  building  with  a  young  man 
and  asked  for  books  for  a  library.  '  Why 
do  you  want  books?'  he  asked.  'We  want 
brains  first.'  But  books  and  libraries  have 
been  our  keynote  from  the  first,  and  after 
a  time  Mrs.  Bryson  met  the  need  and  founded 
the  Bryson  Library.  We  could  not  have  been 
such  an  institution  as  we  are  without  it.  Teach- 
ers must  co-operate  with  librarians  and  librari- 
ans with  teachers.  If  I  were  a  tearher  I  should 
get  hold  of  books  and  teach  the  child  to  read 
them;  but  teachers  seem  to  know  nothing  about 
books,  nor  how  to  bring  them  to  the  child.  I  read 
of  great  gifts  of  art-books  for  libraries  where 
many  children  go,  and  think  how  much  better  it 
would  have  been  to  expend  the  money  for  books 
the  children  could  use  and  thus  be  led  up  to  the 
art-books.  But  I  can  only  speak  of  the  reed 
from  the  teachers'  side,  and  we  want  the  libra- 
rians to  teach  us  what  books  to  use." 

At  the  close  of  Miss  Dodge's  speech,  the  reg- 
ular subject  for  discussion,  "  How  teachers 
should  co-operate  with  librarians,"  was  intro- 
duced by  Mr.  Cole  in  an  admirable  paper.  After 
the  reading  of  the  paper,  Mr.  Nelson  gave  the 
following  references  to  former  meetings  of  the 


November ;  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


387 


club  on  the  same  subject :  Jan.  meeting,  1887 
—  L.  j.  12:74;  L.  j. 'i  1:147  (May  1886),  rpts. 
from  several  pub.  libs,  bearing  on  the  subject. 
The  7th  meeting  of  the  club  (L.  j.  12  : 164)  was 
an  open  evening  meeting  devoted  to  the  discus- 
sion of  the  question,  "  The  relation  of  the  li- 
braries of  N.  Y.  City  to  the  public  schools." 
Miss  Merington  read  an  essay  on  the  subject  (L.j. 
12  : 156).  "Privileges  extended  to  teachers  and 
scholars"  was  one  of  the  topics  of  the  8th meet- 
ing (L.  J.  12  :iQ6). 

Mr.  Poole  then  continued  the  discussion,  telling 
how  the  Y.M.  C.  A.  has  helped  the  boys.  A 
reception  was  given  to  them  not  long  ago  in 
which  he  was  asked  to  bring  out  a  number  of 
books  and  leave  them  on  the  table  for  the  boys 
to  examine.  He  not  only  did  this,  but  came  him- 
self to  talk  about  them.  They  were  much  inter- 
ested, and  it  is  by  just  such  beginnings  that  they 
can  be  led  to  further  research. 
t  Mr.  Baker  thought  that  the  great  difficulty  in 
,  he  way  of  such  .work  in  this  city  was  lack  of 
Mooks.  There  is  almost  no  place  east  of  the 

ississippi  where  so  few  books  are  accessible  to 
the  people,  and  it  is  a  truly  lamentable  condition. 
It  is  our  work  to  create  libraries  in  nearly  every 
assembly  district,  and  until  we  get  them  we  can- 
not co-operate  much  with  teachers. 

Miss  Nelson  said  we  ought  to  impress  on  the 
minds  of  the  teachers  the  necessity  of  consulting 
with  librarians.  Teachers  are  always  welcome 
to  come,  and  to  bring  scholars  to  the  libraries. 

Miss  Merington  suggested  that  the  teachers 
do  not  know  how  ready  librarians  are  to  help 
them,  and  they  should  be  taught.  The  result  of 
the  deliberations  of  librarians  should  be  brought 
before  them. 

Dr.  Rieglerfound  in  Philadelphia  that  teachers 
read  less  than  any  other  people.  There  seems 
to  be  a  great  lack  of  knowledge  among  them  of 
how  to  deal  with  books.  This  knowledge  is  con- 
fined to  librarians  and  specialists,  and  should  be 
transferred  by  them  to  teachers  also.  Many  of 
them  think  that  all  that  is  necessary  is  to  get  the 
children  to  read,  while  the  child  should  be  taught 
to  read  only  the  best.  He  emphasized  Miss 
Dodge's  statement  about  the  Bryson  Library. 
So  many  lines  of  work  here  would  have  been  im- 
possible without  that  library.  One  of  the  most 
important  phases  of  the  work  here  is  to  help 
teachers  to  utilize  libraries  in  connection  with 
schools.  He  then  asked  how  many  find  that 
teachers  know  how  to  select  books  for  children, 
and  if  they  are  not  so  informed,  how  they  go  to 
work  to  inform  them. 

Mr.  Cole  replied  that  one  of  his  trustees  is 
principal  of  a  school  and  often  selects  lists  of 
books  for  the  children,  while  the  interest  of  the 
other  teachers  takes  the  form  of  sending  the 
scholars.  They  themselves  seldom  come. 

Miss  Rathbone  reported  that  at  the  Pratt 
Institute  teachers  can  draw  six  books,  and  they 
usually  send  for  six  books  on  a  given  subject  and 
expect  the  librarian  to  make  the  selection. 

Mr.  Baker  said  that  intelligent  people  who 
come  into  the  library  are  often  very  ignorant  of 
good  books  they  should  know  and  of  guides  to 
help  them,  and  the  same  thing  is  the  case  with 
teachers.  They  should  go  to  the  library  with  a 


specific  question  and  learn  how  to  go  to  work 
to  find  the  answer.  In  that  way  they  can  get 
acquainted  with  reference-books,  and  10  minutes 
of  such  practical  work  is  better  than  18  hours  of 
lectures.  There  are  already  a  good  many  guides 
more  or  less  excellent,  such  as  Foster's  Hand- 
book of  the  Boston  Public  Library,  but  what 
people  need  more  than  these  is  practical  work 
in  the  library. 

Miss  Merington  thought  the  idea  should  be 
popularized  by  sending  circulars  to  teachers, 
with,  perhaps,  some  helps  for  the  use  of  libraries 
at  the  end.  Librarians  must  take  the  initiative 
and  carry  the  work  among  the  teachers  them- 
selves. 

At  the  close  of  the  discussion  Mr.  Baker 
moved  that  a  vote  of  thanks  be  extended  to  the 
officers  and  teachers  of  the  Teachers' College  for 
their  courtesy  in  receiving  and  entertaining  us. 
Several  new  members  were  voted  in,  and  the 
club  then  adjourned  to  the  library,  where  a  very 
pleasant  hour  was  spent  over  the  social  cup  of  tea 
which  had  been  so  kindly  provided. 

HARRIET  B.  PRESCOTT,  Secretary. 

THE  New  York  Library  Club  has  issued  an 
attractive  little  "  Manual,"  giving  the  record  of 
the  club  from  the  beginning.  It  includes  a  list 
of  the  officers  and  executive  committee  for 
1894-95;  the  officers  from  the  organization  of 
the  club,  arranged  by  year  of  service;  the  mem- 
bers of  the  executive  committe  from  the  organ- 
ization of  the  club;  a  brief  account  of  its  organ- 
ization in  June,  1885;  a  list  of  the  registers  and 
other  publications  of  the  club;  an  index  to  the  re- 
ports of  proceedings  ;  a  list  of  libraries  rep- 
resented in  membership,  the  constitution,  and  a 
full  list  of  members.  The  manual  is  a  i6-page 
pamphlet  (S.),  neatly  printed'  and  tastefully 
gotten  up,  with  appropriate  head  and  tail  pieces. 

CHICAGO  LIBRARY  CLUB. 

THE  October  meeting  of  the  Chicago  Library 
Club,  being  the  first  meeting  of  1894-95,  was 
held  at  the  Chicago  Public  Library,  Thursday 
evening,  October  n. 

In  the  absence  of  the  president  the  meeting 
was  called  to  order  by  Miss  Edith  E.  Clarke  at 
7.45,  about  40  members  being  present. 

The  minutes  of  the  previous  meeting  were 
read  and  approved.  Miss  Mary  Poole,  Miss  B. 
Monrad,  Miss  Mary  B.  Lindsey  and  Miss  L. 
Marion  Beard  were,  on  recommendation  of  the 
executive  committee,  elected  members  of  the 
club.  A  letter  was  read  by  the  secretary  from 
Mrs.  W.  F.  Poole,  thanking  the  club  for  its  ex- 
pression of  sympathy  in  the  great  bereavement 
of  herself  and  her  family.  The  special  subject 
for  the  evening  was  the  reports  on  the  recent  A. 
L.  A.  meeting  at  Lake  Placid.  Miss  Sharp  took 
up  the  various  programs,  commenting  on  the 
papers  of  special  interest.  Mr.  Merrill  followed 
with  some  pleasant  remarks  on  the  noted  libra- 
rians present  at  the  conference.  Dr.  Wise  told 
of  its  social  features,  and  Miss  Clarke  sketched 
the  post-conference  trip.  Miss  West  and  Miss 
Stearns,  of  the  Milwaukee  Public  Library,  were 
present  and  added  much  to  the  interest  of  the 
meeting.  CARRIE  L.  ELLIOTT,  Secretary, 


388 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[November,  '94 


fUtuetos. 


LARNED,  Josephus  Nelson.  History  for  ready 
reference  from  the  best  historians,  biographers, 
and  specialists.  In  five  vols.  Vol.  3 —  Greece  to 
Nibelungen  Lied.  Springfield,  C.  A.  Nichols 
Co.,  1894. 

In  this  volume  of  Mr.  Larned's  work  there  are 
no  "grand  divisions"  taking  a  maximum  of 
space,  as  has  been  the  case  in  the  previous  vol- 
umes ;  but  there  are  an  abundance  of  shorter 
entries.  The  subjects  treated  most  at  length  are 
Greece,  to  which  46  pages  are  given  ;  Hungary, 
20  pages  ;  India,  48  pages;  Ireland,  46  pages; 
Italy,  66  pages  ;  the  Jews,  37  pages ;  Law,  40 
pages  ;  Medical  science,  31  pages  ;  Netherlands, 
55  pages.  There  are  excellent  maps  of  India 
and  Italy,  four  maps  of  the  empire  of  Alexander 
the  Great  and  his  successors,  and  a  map  of  the 
Mongol  empire,  A.D.  1300.  A  "logical  out- 
line" of  Irish  history  is  included,  and  there  are 
good  chronological  tables  of  the  seventh  and 
eighth  centuries.  An  historical  sketch  of  li- 
braries covers  24  pages. 

PRATT  INSTITUTE,  Brooklyn.  N.  Y.  Bulletin, 
no.  15.  Alphabetical  subject-list  of  govern- 
ment documents.  July,  1894.  171  p.  O. 
This  bulletin  is  perhaps  sufficiently  defined  by 
its  title  to  need  little  consideration, but  published 
lists  of  government  documents  are  so  seldom 
undertaken  by  a  library  that  they  seem  to  de- 
mand something  more  than  a  title  record  and  brief 
descriptive  note.  The  present  list  comprises 
only  the  documents  in  the  library  of  Pratt  Insti- 
tute, and  is  therefore  haphazard  rather  than 
comprehensive  of  any  period.  It  will  be  chiefly 
valuable  to  users  of  the  library;  and  its  usefulness 
to  other  libraries  will  be  confined  to  its  sugges- 
tion of  a  plan  for  cataloging  the  puzzling  and 
disheartening  accumulation  of  government  pub- 
lications, with  which  all  librarians  have  to  deal. 
The  subject  arrangement  adopted  is  the  sim- 
plest, and  to  that  extent  the  most  useful  t<5 
the  general  reader.  It  is  a  pity  that  the  ex- 
igencies of  the  linotype — by  which  the  list  was 
printed  —  would  not  permit  of  a  better  typo- 
graphical appearance.  As  it  is,  the  subject 
headings,  under  which  are  grouped  author  en- 
tries of  the  various  documents,  are  subordinated 
to  the  author  headings  by  being  set  in  caps  of 
a  smaller  size,  so  that  the  less  important  entry 
is  brought  more  prominently  before  the  eye. 
Contents  of  volumes,  notes,  etc.,  are  in  brevier, 
as  are  all  titles,  thus  giving  the  page  an  un- 
attractive "  deadness  "  of  uniformity.  The  head- 
ings are  simple  and  carefully  chosen,  though  in 
some  cases  fuller  references  would  have  been 
advisable.  We  note  that  reports  on  industrial 
education  and  manual  training  are  entered  only 
under  "  Technical  education,"  with  no  refer- 
ences from  "manual"  or  "industrial;"  while 
under  the  heading  "cattle"  there  is  but  one 
entry  —  a  report  on  "range  and  ranch  cattle 
traffic"  —  with  no  reference  to  several  reports 
on  pleuro-pneumonia  or  lung  plague  of  cattle, 
which  are  entered  only  under  "animal  diseases." 


The  list  of  Congressional  documents  covers  19 
pages,  although  this  is  not  properly  a  subject 
heading  at  all,  being  simply  a  collection  of 
documents  in  general;  other  subjects  range  from 
a  page  to  a  single  entry.  It  is  difficult  to  esti- 
mate the  amount  of  work  and  vexation  of  spirit 
expended  in  the  compilation  of  even  the  sim- 
plest list  of  government  documents,  and  it  is  a 
pity  that  so  much  labor  should  produce  but 
incomplete  and  unsatisfactory  results. 

From  one  of  those  in  charge  of  the  work  we 
hare  received  the  following  account  of  its 
inception  and  preparation  :  "  The  matter  of 
government  documents  is,  as  we  all  know, 
perhaps  the  most  trying  of  the  vexed  questions 
that  librarians  have  to  deal  with.  How  to  get 
them,  in  the  first  place,  and  then  what  to  do  with 
them  after  they  arrive,  these  things  have  tried 
the  patience  of  librarians  and  catalogers  from 
Maine  to  California.  Our  experience  at  Pratt 
Institute  is  perhaps  a  typical  one  ;  but  I  believe 
our  solution  of  the  problem  is  different  from 
that  undertaken  —  or,  at  any  rate,  given  to  the 
public  —  by  any  of  the  other  libraries  which 
have  wrestled  with  the  question,  so  that  it  may 
not  be  without  interest  and  possibly  value  to 
other  librarians.  For  several  years  after  the 
opening  of  the  library,  bags  containing  odd  lots 
of  documents  arrived  at  irregular  intervals. 
These  were  arranged  on  the  shelves,  the  presi- 
dent's messages  by  departments  and  the  con- 
gressional documents  by  congresses;  the  only 
cataloging  attempted  being  a  simple  (if  anything 
connected  with  government  documents  can  be 
simple  !)  author  entry  under  department  and 
congress.  But  the  library  became  a  depository; 
the  bulky  bags  containing  lots,  odd  as  ever, 
arrived  more  frequently.  The  shelves  assigned 
to  them  overflowed,  and  the  bags  accumulated 
in  a  rapidly-increasing  hill  of  brown  canvas, 
that  laid  a  heavy  burden  on  the  collective  mind 
of  the  staff.  At  last  relief  came  in  the  shape  of 
new  shelving  ;  the  bags  were  opened,  and  the 
energies  of  the  staff  and  the  training  class  were 
concentrated  upon  the  task  of  evolving  order  out 
of  the  chaos  of  sheepskin. 

"  But  the  grouping  by  congress  and  session, 
while  a  great  improvement  on  no  arrangement 
at  all,  gave  no  clue  to  the  rich  veins  of  informa- 
tion lying  concealed.  It  was  clear  that  some- 
thing ought  to  be  done  to  make  that  material 
useful  ;  it  must  be  mined,  sifted,  and  analyzed 
before  it  could  be  of  use.  And  while  making  it 
of  use  to  ourselves,  might  we  not  do  something 
to  give  others  the  benefit  of  our  work  ?  So  far 
as  we  knew,  there  was  no  recent  subject-list  of 
U.  S.  documents  in  print ;  and  we  finally  deter- 
mined to  print  an  alphabetical  subject-list  of  the 
documents  in  our  possession,  giving  contents  of 
sets,  and  analyzing  the  more  important  articles 
which  lay  hidden  in  the  wilderness  of  unexplored 
volumes.  The  result  of  our  efforts  is  this  unpre- 
tending list.  We  offer  it  to  the  library  world; 
realizing  fully  its  incompleteness,  but  hoping 
that  until  a  more  complete  and  comprehensive 
index  shall  appear,  it  may  be  of  service  to  other 
libraries,  as  it  has  been  to  us,  as  a  key  to  some 
of  the  more  important  recent  publications  of  the 
United  States  Government." 


November,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


389 


Cibrarg  (Economy  anft  f  istorj}. 


Bayonnt  (N.  /.)  ^.  /J.  Z.  (Rpt.)  Total  6182; 
issued  15,166  (fict.  8759;  juv.  4329);  no.  borrow- 
ers 1130.  No  account  of  reading-room  use  is 
kept.  Receipts  $12,972.39;  expenses  $11,029.73. 

The  work  of  organizing  the  library  was  begun 
in  July  1893,  when  Mr.  Herzog,  the  librarian, 
entered  upon  his  duties.  The  reading-room  was 
opert%d  to  the  public  on  Jan.  8,  1894,  and  the 
circulating  department  was  opened  on  Jan.  22, 
with  3834  v.  on  the  shelves.  During  the  year 
the  trustees  purchased  the  2000  v.  of  the  local 
Workingmen's  Library  for  the  nominal  sum  of 
$258.  The  purchase  was  brought  about  by  the 
directors  of  the  Workingmen's  Library,  who 
thought  it  undesirable  for  two  small  libraries  to 
exist  independently,  and  suggested  that  the  pub- 
lic library  take  over  the  smaller  collection.  A 
purchase  of  several  hundred  popular  books  in 
German  has  also  been  made,  and  they  have 
proved  very  useful,  for  the  library  is  situated 
in  a  thickly  settled  German  community. 

The  "  tvvo-books-on-a-card  "  system  has  been 
adopted  with  satisfactory  results.  Mr.  Herzog 
submitted  the  plan  to  the  board  for  approval  on 
Oct.  22,  and  it  was  adopted  at  the  same  meet- 
ing. 

Brooklinc  (Mass.)  P.  L.  The  library  is  now 
cataloging  in  rather  a  novel  way  thousands  of 
pamphlets,  the  accumulation  of  35  years,  which 
have  not  heretofore  been  listed  for  use.  The 
cataloging  is  done  by  inserting  in  the  subject 
card  catalog,  regular  cards  on  .which  are  printed 
the  following  : 

"  A  collection  of  pamphlets  relating  to  the 
above  subject,  may  be  consulted  in  the  library. 
Upon  examination  any  pamphlet  may  be  taken 
out  by  giving  on  a  slip  the  shelf  number  of  the 
box,  followed  by  the  number  written  on  the  title 
page  of  the  pamphlet." 

Biographical  or  personal  pamphlets  are  cata- 
loged by  inserting  in  the  card  catalog  of  bi- 
ography similar  cards,  stating  that  "  One  or 
more  pamphlets  relating  to  the  above  person  will 
be  found  in  a  volume  bearing  the  shelf  number 
given  at  the  left  of  this  card.  The  volume  does 
not  go  out  of  the  library  except  by  special  per- 
mission." 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Pratt  Institute  F.  L.  Ground 
was  broken  on  Oct.  22,  for  the  fine  arts  building 
of  the  institute.  This  building  —  which  will,  in 
fact,  comprise  three  buildings,  the  art  depart- 
ment, library  and  lecture  hall  —  is  located  op- 
posite the  present  building,  and  will  be  70  x  150 
feet  in  dimensions.  During  the  summer  con- 
siderable alterations  have  been  in  progress  in 
the  institute,  especially  in  the  library  and  read- 
ing-room, the  most  notable  improvement  being 
the  erection  of  a  handsome  Romanesque  en- 
trance porch,  in  place  of  the  former  simple 
doorway. 

Chelsea,  Vt.  The  new  town-hall  and  Speare 
memorial  library  building  was  dedicated  on  the 
afternoon  of  Oct.  25.  The  exercises  were  simple, 


consisting  of  music,  addresses,  and  essays  by 
pupils  of  the  public  schools.  The  building  is 
brick,  one  story,  with  foundation  and  basement 
of  marble  and  blue  limestone.  The  library 
part,  41  x  28,  was  built  with  funds  given  by  the 
Hon.  Alden  Speare,  of  Newton,  Mass. 

Chicago.  On  Oct.  10  articles  were  filed  with 
the  secretary  of  state,  incorporating  the  Crerar 
Library  under  the  laws  of  Illinois.  The  litigation 
over  the  estate  is  closed  at  last,  all  the  provisions 
of  the  will  have  been  complied  with,  and  nothing 
now  stands  in  the  way  of  going  forward  to  the 
library's  establishment.  The  incorporators,  who 
are  trustees  of  the  Crerar  estate,  are:  Norman 
Williams,  Marshall  Field,  E.  W.  Blatchford, 
T.  B.  Blackstone,  Rob«rtT.  Lincoln,  Henry  W. 
Bishop,  Edward  G.  Mason,  Albert  Keep,  Edison 
Keith,  Simon  J.  McPherson,  John  M.  Clark,  and 
George  A.  Armour. 

John  Crerar  died  Oct.  19,  1889,  leaving  an 
estate  worth  about  $3,000,000.  He  made  a 
large  number  of  bequests  to  relatives, to  various 
churches,  hospitals,  charitable  institutions,  and 
to  friends,  probably  $1,000,000  in  all,  and  de- 
clared that  the  residuary  estate,  which  now 
amounts  to  nearly  $2,000,000,  should  be  used 
to  found  a  John  Crerar  library  "and  maintain  it 
for  all  time."  The  will  was  contested,  but 
attempts  to  break  it  failed  at  every  stage.  Ever 
since  it  was  sustained  by  the  supreme  court  the 
trustees  have  been  engaged  in  paying  off  the 
various  claimants,  and,  having  satisfied  all  of 
them,  they  are  now  approaching  the  great  be- 
quest providing  for  the  creation  of  another  free 
public  library.  The  library  corporation  alone 
has  power  to  determine  the  nature  and  quality  of 
the  library,  the  needs  of  the  community  which 
it  will  supply,  and  all  questions  relating  to  site 
and  building.  In  a  recent  interview  Norman 
Williams,  president  of  the  board  of  trustees, 
said  :  "  In  the  opinion  of  the  trustees  the  situation 
in  Chicago  is  quite  unusual,  and  it  is  possible,  if 
there  be  unity  of  action  as  to  the  use  of  funds 
devoted  to  library  purposes,  to  make  each  library 
in  Chicago  unique  within  its  own  field.  The 
present  is  the  formative  period  of  libraries  in 
Chicago,  and  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  the 
administration  of  each  library  can  be  so  directed 
that  there  need  be  no  trespass  of  one  upon  the 
work  of  another.  If  each  library  will  be  content 
only  in  its  endeavor  to  exhaust  the  bibliogra- 
phy within  the  field  which  it  seeks  to  occupy,  all 
together  at  no  very  distant  day  will  present 
an  aggregate  of  publications  rarely  found  in 
any  great  city  of  the  world.  This  is  the 
opportunity  now  afforded  to  this  city,  and 
the  united  library  resources  are  deemed  ade- 
quate to  secure  the  result.  The  trustees  of 
the  library,  many  of  whom  are  out  of  the 
city,  will,  on  their  return,  meet  and  organ- 
ize, until  which  time  it  is  impossible  to  make 
any  more  definite  statement,  for  the  reason  that 
the  decisions  remain  with  the  corporation  when 
organized." 

It  is  probable  that  when  the  trustees  meet  to 
organize  they  will  call  a  general  conference  of 
all  persons  in  Chicago  connected  officially  with 
the  different  libraries,  the  object  being  to  come 
to  a  thorough  understanding  regarding  the  plans 


39° 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[November,  '94 


of  each,  and  to  urge  the  various  library  directors 
to  keep  within  their  own  fields,  and  if  possible 
avoid  duplicating  the  work  done  in  another 
library.  The  trustees  are  in  no  way  embarrassed 
or  limited  in  their  work  by  the  provisions  of  the 
will.  They  are  free  to  establish  any  kind  of  a 
library  they  may  decide  upon,  subject  only  to 
the  following  provision  of  the  will : 

"  I  desire  the  books  and  periodicals  selected 
with  a  view  to  create  and  sustain  a  healthy  moral 
and  Christian  sentiment  in  the  community,  and 
that  all  nastiness  and  immorality  be  excluded.  I 
do  not  mean  by  this  that  there  shall  not  be  any- 
thing but  hymn  books  and  sermons,  but  I  mean 
that  dirty  French  novels  and  all  skeptical  trash 
and  works  of  questionable  moral  tone  shall  never 
be  found  in  this  library.  I  want  its  atmosphere 
that  of  Christian  refinement,  and  its  aim  and  ob- 
ject the  building  up  of  character,  and  I  rest  con- 
tent that  the  friends  I  have  named  will  carry  out 
my  wishes  in  these  particulars." 

No  instructions  are  given  as  to  the  site, 
further  than  that  it  shall  be  in  the  south  division, 
since,  as  Mr.  Crerar  observed,  "  The  Newberry 
Library  will  be  located  in  the  north  division." 

It  is  not  likely  that  the  trustees  will  spend 
more  than  $400,000  of  the  $2,000,000  at  their 
command  for  a  site  and  building,  reserving  at 
least  $1,000,000  for  the  purchase  of  books  and 
the  maintenance  of  the  library.  The  estate  con- 
sists largely  of  stocks  and  bonds,  which  can 
readily  be  converted  into  cash  as  the  money  is 
required. 

Chicago.  Newberry  L.  The  library  has  pur- 
chased nearly  3000  volumes  of  sacred  music, 
collected  by  Hubert  P.  Main.  The  collection  in- 
cludes English  hymn  books  and  pointed  psal- 
ters, old  singing  books  from  the  Hague,  from 
Switzerland  and  from  Germany,  together  with 
a  comprehensive  collection  of  early  New  Eng- 
land publications.  It  is  in  these  last  named 
that  interest  chiefly  centres.  The  dates  on  the 
title  pages  range  from  1711  to  the  present  day, 
modern  examples  being  extensively  represented. 

Cincinnati  (0.)  P.  L.  (Rpt.)  Added  4637, 
502  pm.;  total  181,383  v.,  25,078  pm.  Issued, 
home  use 311, 496,  (fict.,  Eng.,  French,  and  Ger- 
man, 78.9$);  lib.  use  209,198;  newspaper  and 
periodical  use  5831239.  No.  borrowers  22,260. 
Receipts  $79,330.42;  expenses  $53,307.94. 

The  total  use  of  books  circulated  and  used  in 
the  library  shows  an  increase  of  94,239  over 
the  figures  of  the  previous  year. 

"There  have  been  4148  volumes  bound  and 
re-bound,  and  1082  volumes  sewed  and  re- 
paired; in  all  5230  volumes.  In  addition,  3468 
volumes  have  been  repaired  at  the  library. 

Mr.  Whelpley,  after  commenting  on  the 
marked  increase  in  the  use  of  the  library  during 
the  year,  says: 

"  In  the  newspaper  reading  rooms  the  attend- 
ance has  been  continuously  increased,  and  it  is 
here  that  numbers  of  unemployed  workmen 
pass  many  hours  of  each  day  and  evening.  But 
the  fact  remains  that  the  number  of  the  intelli- 
gent and  studious  citizens  who  also  wish  to  read 
foreign  and  domestic  news  outside  of  the 
columns  of  our  own  city  papers,  has  been  largely 


in  excess  of  former  years.  That  this  is  so  fur- 
nishes a  good  argument  in  favor  of  the  free 
newspaper  room  being  connected  with  and 
under  the  management  of  the  public  library  in 
large  cities.  It  is  true  that,  at  times,  the  news- 
paper and  periodical  rooms  have  been  uncom- 
fortably crowded,  and  that  we  have  some 
patrons  who  would  not  grace  a  drawing-room  ; 
but  mainly  the  readers  are  of  an  intelligent 
class.  It  seems  to  be  a  mistaken  view,  that  a 
workman  who  is  unfitted  in  every  way  to  appre- 
ciate a  book  or  paper  when  he  has  daily  work, 
should,  when  the  dull  season  comes,  at  once 
take  possession  of  the  library.  Rather,  I  take 
it  to  be  the  case,  that  the  laboring  man  who 
gives  such  time  as  he  can  spare  in  the  evenings, 
and  on  Sundays,  when  in  employment,  to  the 
reading  and  study  of  books  and  papers,  is  the 
one  that  will  most  avail  himself  of  the  library 
privileges  in  seasons  of  enforced  idleness." 

The  art  department  of  the  library  has  been 
excellently  developed  during  the  past  few  years, 
and  a  number  of  valuable  art  works  were  added 
to  it  within  the  twelvemonth.  The  plan  of 
holding  competitive  examinations  for  candidates 
applying  for  positions  on  the  library  force  has 
been  satisfactorily  adopted.  An  attractive 
lecture-room  has  been  established  and  will  be 
used  for  lectures,  etc.,  in  connection  with  the 
library  work  during  the  winter.  In  conclusion 
the  librarian  urges  the  necessity  of  a  commo- 
dious and  modern  library  building,  as  the  need 
of  additional  accommodations  for  those  who  use 
the  library  is  still  a  problem. 

Cotmcil  Bluff's  (la.)  F.  P.  L.  Added  448; 
total  13,391.  Issued  28,784  (fict.  15,236);  no. 
visitors  44,300.  Receipts  $5785.13;  expenses 
$2906.50. 

These  figures  cover  the  six  months  from  Dec. 
31,  1893, to  June  30,  1894. 

Galena,  III.  The  organization  of  the  new 
public  library  is  rapidly  advancing.  As  already 
noted  (L.  j.,  19  : 317),  it  is  the  gift  of  B:  F.  Felt, 
a  retired  merchant  of  the  town.  Mr.  Felt's 
offer  was,  briefly,  to  present  to  Galena  a  library 
of  1000  volumes,  together  with  all  necessary 
furnishings  for  a  modern  library  room,  to  pro- 
vide the  leading  newspapers  and  periodicals  for 
reading-room  use,  to  furnish  suitable  rooms, 
and  to  pay  all  expenses  —  including  rent,  light, 
heat  and  librarian's  salary  —  for  two  years,  pro- 
vided the  town  would  accept  the  library  and 
agree  to  support  it  after  the  expiration  of  the 
two  years,  in  accordance  with  the  state  law 
authorizing  cities  to  establish  and  maintain 
free  public  libraries.  Three  conditions  were 
attached  to  the  gift  :  i,  that  the  official  name 
of  the  library  should  be  "  The  Galena  Public 
Library  and  Reading  Room;"  2,  "  that  no 
anarchistic,  atheistic  or  immoral"  book  should 
be  tolerated  in  the  library;  and,  3,  that  four 
of  the  nine  members  of  the  library  board  should 
always  be  women.  This  last  provision  makes 
Galena  the  first  town  in  the  state  to  recognize 
women  on  a  public  library  board.  The  gift  and 
its  conditions  were  accepted  by  the  city  council 
early  in  October,  'the  board  of  directors  has 
been  named,  and  the  1000  v.  to  be  given  by  Mr. 


November,  '94] 


391 


Felt  have  been  selected  and  ordered.  Of  the 
total  number,  600  are  fiction.  It  is  intended 
that  the  1000  v.  shall  merely  form  the  nucleus 
of  the  library.  Miss  Lizzie  P.  Swan,  of  the 
Armour  Institute  library  training  class  of  1894, 
has  been  engaged  to  classify,  label,  catalog  and 
arrange  the  books.  It  is  probable  that  the 
library  will  be  located  in  a  part  of  the  govern- 
ment building. 

Lancaster  (Mass.)  Town  L.  Miss  Wood 
writes  :  "  In  July  the  Lancaster  Library  adopt- 
ed the  two-book  card  similar  to  that  devised  by 
the  Public  Library  at  Brookline,  and  described 
in  the  May  LIBRARY  JOURNAL.  For  the  first 
three  months'  use  of  the  card,  the  records  show 
an  increase  in  circulation  of  14%  over  the  corre- 
sponding months  of  last  year.  Of  this  gain 
32  %  is  fiction,  68  %  other  classes.  The  card 
grows  in  favor,  and  it  is  gratifying  to  see  that 
each  successive  month  the  proportion  of  solid 
reading  is  greater,  that  of  novel  reading  less." 

Memphis,  Tenn.  Cossitt  L.  The  $5000  be- 
quest made  to  the  Cossitt  Library  by  the  late  P. 
R.  Bohlen,  of  Memphis,  has  been  fully  paid, 
and  devoted  to  the  purchase  of  books.  About 
3700  v.  have  been  bought  and  received,  and 
outstanding  orders  bring  the  total  number  of 
volumes  secured  by  the  bequest  up  to  4000. 
The  number  of  books  in  the  library  is  about 
7000,  and  there  is  an  estimated  daily  attendance 
of  about  300  persons.  No  books  are  yet  in 
circulation.  The  library  hours  are  from  S  a.m. 
to  ro  p.m.,  and  2  to  6  p.m.  on  Sundays. 

Michigan  State  Z.,  Lansing.  According  to  the 
biennial  report  of  the  librarian,  8277  v.  have 
been  added  to  the  State  library  during  the  past 
two  years.  The  receipts  of  the  period  are  $8432  ; 
the  disbursements,  $7880.  Since  the  publication 
of  the  last  report  volumes  19  and  20  of  the  pioneer 
collection  have  been  added  to  those  previously 
published.  By  the  liberal  construction  of  the 
law  agreed  upon  by  the  executive  committee  of 
the  State  Pioneer  Society,  the  librarian  has 
been  able  to  place  164  sets  of  these  collections 
in  the  various  schools  and  public  libraries  of  the 
state,  making  an  aggregate  of  3230  v.  distrib- 
uted. An  appropriation  of  $10,000  is  asked  for 
the  years  1894  and  1895. 

Milwaukee  (Wis.)  P.  L.  A  fire  occurred  on 
Oct.  14  in  the  building  where  the  library  is 
quartered,  and  the  library  had  a  narrow  escape 
from  destruction.  The  "  Library  block  "  is  a 
four-story  brick  structure,  occupied  on  the  first 
floor  by  cigar  manufacturers  and  a  dry  goods 
firm  ;  the  second  floor  is  devoted  to  the  li- 
brary ;  the  third  floor  is  rented  to  the  Ger- 
mania  Society,  and  the  fourth  floor  is  tem- 
porarily occupied  by  the  West -Side  High 
School.  The  fire  broke  out  in  the  hall  of 
the  Germania  Society,  and  was  soon  under  con- 
trol. The  total  loss  was  about  $10,000.  The 
damage  to  the  library  was  caused  entirely  by 
water,  and  ihe  insurance  adjustment  was 
$1896.25.  It  was  necessary  to  close  the  deliv- 
ery room  for  a  few  days  for  repairs  to  the  ceil- 
ing, but  the  reading  and  reference  rooms  escaped. 
There  are  73,000  v.  in  the  library,  valued  at 


$ioo,oop,  and  insured  for  full  value  in  a  number 
of  companies.  At  a  meeting  on  Oct.  20,  the 
library  board  voted  that  a  payment  of  $25  be 
made  to  the  janitor,  Henry  Schwartz,  for 
his  prompt  aid  in  protecting  the  library,  and 
votes  of  thanks  were  passed  to  the  local  fire- 
department  for  its  efficient  work,  and  to  the 
president  of  the  board,  to  Miss  West,  and  to 
Mr.  Bell,  of  the  library  staff,  for  their  service 
in  promptly  settling  the  insurance  details.  It  is 
probable  that  the  fire  will  indirectly  benefit  the 
library  by  serving  as  an  object  lesson  on  the 
necessity  of  a  new  building. 

Minneapolis  (Minn.)  P.  L.  The  recent  inven- 
tory of  the  library  has  resulted  in  showing  that 
825  books  are  missing  and  unaccounted  for. 
The  inventory  was  the  first  taken  in  five  years,  so 
that  the  losses  are  not  all  of  recent  date,  but  the 
discovery  has  been  something  of  a  shock  to  the 
library  force.  Prof.  Hosmer  is  to  make  a 
thorough  investigation  of  the  matter,  and  will 
especially  consider  the  details  of  the  charging 
system  now  employed.  He  believes  that  many 
of  the  books  will  be  returned,  and  that  a  con- 
siderable proportion  of  the  loss  is  accounted  for 
by  the  inadequacy  of  former  inventories. 

New  Haven  (Ct.)  F.  P.  L.  Added  3984  ;  to- 
tal 27,749.  Issued  203,242.  New  borrowers 
registered  5546  ;  total  no.  borrowers  10,061. 

Beginning  September,  1894,  the  "  two-book" 
plan  was  adopted,  and  extra  cards  were  issued, 
allowing  the  holders  to  draw  an  additional  book, 
provided  that  it  should  not  be  a  book  of  fiction  or 
a  current  number  of  a  magazine.  The  increase 
in  circulation  for  the  year  was  40,875  —  about 
25  %.  In  two  years  the  increase  has  been  71,894, 
over  50  %.  There  is  a  decrease  in  the  percent- 
age of  fiction  read  almost  every  year,  amount- 
ing altogether  to  12  %  in  seven  years. 

During  the  year  the  restricting  of  library  cards 
to  persons  over  12  years  of  age  was  repealed, 
but  it  has  not  been  taken  large  advantage  of, 
probably  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  measure  was 
not  generally  known.  An  information  desk  has 
been  established,  and  the  library  is  extending 
its  work  with  the  schools.  Delivery  stations  or 
branches  are  needed. 

Mr.  Stetson  says  :  "  The  library  needs 
greater  resources  for  all  departments  of  its  work. 
Among  the  larger  cities  of  New  England  there 
is  none  so  deficient  in  library  privileges  for  the 
public  as  New  Haven.  It  was  the  last  to  have  a 
public  library,  and  its  expenditures  have  been 
small  as  compared  with  the  total  expenditures  of 
the  city,  and  as  compared  with  the  amounts  ex- 
pended in  other  cities.  The  public  libraries  of 
Bridgeport  and  Hartford  have  each  expended 
25  %  more  in  proportion  to  population.  Wor- 
cester expends  60  %  more,  while  Springfield  ex- 
pends 150  %  more.  All  the  comparisons  which 
I  have  been  able  to  make  show  that  the  public 
library  gets  far  less  than  its  proper  share  of  the 
public  money.  I  think  in  the  matter  of  schools, 
fire  department,  police  and  public  works,  the 
expenditures  in  New  Haven  are  fully  equal  to 
the  average  of  the  cities  above  named.  But  in 
the  matter  of  the  public  library  the  expenditure 
is  from  25^10150$  less.  On  the  other  hand,  the 


392 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[November,  '94 


needs  are  as  great  as  in  any  city.  There  is  not 
any  one  of  these  libraries  which  has  as  small  a 
number  of  volumes  to  meet  demands,  or  as 
large  a  number  of  school  children  and  teachers, 
mechanics  and  others  to  whom  the  public  library 
is  of  daily  use.  The  circulation  has  increased 
50  %  in  two  years,  and  the  other  demands  upon 
the  library  for  reference  books,  etc.,  are  all 
the  time  inoreanng.  To  bring  the  library  up 
to  date,  considerably  larger  appropriations  or 
gifts  are  necessary." 

A  course  of  university  extension  lectures  are 
to  be  delivered  during  the  winter  in  the  library 
lecture-hall,  which  is  offered  free  for  the  purpose 
by  the  directors.  It  has  been  decided  to  pub- 
lish a  monthly  bulletin  of  accessions.  This 
was  first  proposed  by  a  local  firm,  which  offered 
to  issue  the  bulletin  without  charge  on  condition 
of  being  allowed  exclusive  advertising  privileges 
in  it.  It  was  decided  by  the  board,  however, 
that  no  advertising  was  desirable,  and  that  the 
bulletin  should  be  published  at  the  expense  of 
the  library  and  under  its  sole  control. 

Newark(N.J.}  P.  L.  The  second  annual  ex- 
hibition of  art  books  belonging  to  the  library  was 
opened  on  Oct.  24,  and  continued  from  9  a.m. 
until  the  regular  closing  time,  8.30  p.m.  It  at- 
tracted a  large  attendance  ;  the  books  were  at- 
tractively displayed,  carefully  and  appreciatively 
handled.  In  all,  150  volumes  were  on  exhibi- 
tion, nearly  70  of  which  had  been  added  during 
the  year.  The  library  has  just  issued  an  excel- 
lent special  reading  list  on  "  Old  Italian  and 
modern  French  painting,"  to  accompany  a 
university  extension  course  of  13  lectures  on  the 
subject,  to  be  delivered  by  Prof.  Van  Djke,  of 
Rutgers  College,  in  the  library  building,  Mon- 
day evenings,  from  Oct.  29  to  Feb.  4. 

Philadelphia  F.  L.  The  first  half  year  of  the 
library  ended  Sept.  27.  During  this  time  the 
library  has  been  open  169  days,  and  circulated 
48,757  v.,  giving  an  average  of  288  v.  a  day  ; 
some  of  the  earliest  days  amounting  to  less  than 
100  v.  During  October  the  circulation  has  av- 
eraged 2900  v.  a  week,  the  largest  issue  being 
725  v.  on  Saturday  the  27th.  "These  figures 
clearly  show  how  great  was  the  need  of  a  free 
library  in  the  heart  of  the  city,  and  how  well 
the  new  institution  is  meeting  the  requirements  of 
the  public."  The  branch  at  the  St.  Mary  street 
college  settlement,  which  was  opened  on  Oct.  i, 
has  proved  most  successful,  some  4000  v.  having 
already  been  issued  for  home  use  ;  the  "  two- 
book  "  system  has  been  in  use  since  the  begin- 
ing.  The  branch  is  situated  in  the  most  densely 
populated  part  of  the  city,  and  the  work  is  highly 
appreciated.  A  series  of  six  lectures,  beginning 
Oct.  i  and  ending  Dec.  20,  are  being  given  at 
this  branch  by  Librrian  Thomson.  The  sub- 
jects are  Beast  stories,  and  their  interest  to 
readers  ;  Travels,  and  how  to  enjoy  them  with- 
out leaving  home  ;  History,  and  how  to  pick 
up  a  knowledge  of  it  pleasantly  and  usefully  ; 
Biographies,  and  why  they  are  so  entertain- 
ing ;  How  to  use  library  books,  and  a  few 
thoughts  on  bookbindings  ;  How  to  acquire  a 
knowledge  about  other  worlds.  In  each  of  the 
lectures  interesting  books  in  the  various  fields 
discussed  are  pointed  out  and  described,  and 


the  talks  are  illustrated  by  a  series  of  lantern 
slide  views. 

Pittsburg,  Pa.  Carnegie  L.  The  Library 
commission  has  finally  decided  upon  the  names 
and  inscriptions  which  are  to  be  placed  on  the 
stone  panels  of  the  magnificent  new  library 
building.  There  are  60  names  in  the  list ;  12 
are  for  the  panels  of  the  music  hall ;  24  are  for 
the  library  panels,  and  16  are  to  be  placed  upon 
the  panels  of  the  science  wing  of  the  building. 
In  their  special  groups  the  names  are  as  follows  : 

Music  hall  panels!  Palestrina,  Purcell,  Bach, 
Handel,  Mendelssohn,  Schubert,  Schumann, 
Haydn,  Mozart,  Beethoven,  Gluck,  Wagner. 

Library  panels :  Homer,  Herodotus,  Cicero, 
Virgil,  Chaucer,  Tasso,  Shakespeare,  Jonson, 
Milton,  Moliere,  Pope,  Voltaire,  Goldsmith, 
Goethe,  Scott,  Irving,  Macaulay,  Longfellow, 
Emerson,  Lowell,  Thackeray,  Dickens,  Haw- 
thorne, Tennyson. 

Art  wing:  Da  Vinci,  Raphael,  Michael  An- 
gelo,  Titian,  Dtirer,  Rubens,  Vandyck,  Rem- 
brandt. 

Science  wing:  Copernicus,  Galileo,  Kepler, 
Newton,  Ampere,  Daguerre,  Morse,  Faraday, 
Buffon,  Galvani,  Herschel,  Laplace,  Rumford, 
Fulton,  Watt,  Stevenson. 

In  the  selection  of  names,  not  only  are  the 
decades  of  progress  represented,  but  the  differ- 
ent schools  of  art,  music,  and  literature.  Thus, 
in  the  field  of  literature,  the  aim  has  been  to 
represent  the  different  fields  —  poetry  and  prose, 
thinkers  and  caricaturists,  the  profound  and  su- 
perficial, skeptic  and  believer. 

The  commission  having  in  charge  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  branches  of  the  Carnegie  Library 
are  now  considering  the  location  and  establish- 
lishment  of  these  branches.  They  have  a  fund 
of  $300,000,  to  be  devoted  to  this  purpose,  and 
with  this  it  is  intended  to  erect  six  buildings. 
The  various  sections  of  the  city  are  to  be  repre- 
sented, and  special  effort  is  being  made  to  secure 
proper  sites  without  having  to  purchase  ground, 
as  this  additional  expense  would  restrict  the 
number  of  the  branches  to  two  or  three. 

Rochester,  N.  Y.  Reynolds  L.  Added  2783  ; 
total,  29,006.  Visitors  to  reading-room,  38,217. 
"The  general  accessions  to  the  library  have 
been  made  chiefly  in  the  departments  of  bibliog- 
raphy, periodicals,  society  transactions,  and 
collected  works." 

The  trustees,  in  their  report,  make  a  careful 
analysis  of  the  books  purchased  and  the  reasons 
for  their  selection,  5n  order  to  show  the  needs  of 
readers  and  the  principles  on  which  selection 
has  been  made. 

Sacramento  (Co/.)  City  L.  After  having  been 
closed  several  weeks  for  repairs,  the  library  has 
reopened  in  a  decidedly  rehabilitated  condition. 
An  additional  floor  has  been  added  to  the  libra- 
ry domain,  to  be  used  as  a  reading-room,  and  an 
attractive  ladies'  reading-room  has  been  estab- 
lished. By  remodelling  the  stairway,  about  100 
square  feet  of  available  room  has  been  obtained, 
and  three  new  stacks,  giving  shelf-room  for  about 
23,000  Y.,  have  been  installed.  When  necessary, 
five  additional  stacks  may  be  put  in.  New  fit- 
tings have  been  furnished  for  the  reading-rooms, 


November,  '94] 


393 


and  the  catalog-room  has  been  altered  and  im- 
proved. 

St.  Louis  (Mo.}  P.  L>  The  library  is  now  issu- 
ing, on  an  average,  1000  books  a  day  for  home 
reading;  the  total  circulation  for  September  was 
38,704,  a  gain  of  19,899  over  the  corresponding 
month  of  1893.  An  order  for  1200  volumes, 
chiefly  extra  copies  of  popular  books,  was  ap- 
proved by  the  board  on  October  18  ;  orders  for 
1800  duplicates  were  placed  in  August,  and  effort 
is  being  made  to  complete  the  library's  sets  of 
periodicals.  Mr.  Crunden  has  planned  the 
establishment  of  delivery  stations,  on  the  Chica- 
go system,  and  it  is  probable  that  his  suggestion 
will  be  carried  into  effect  this  winter. 

Schenectady,  N.  Y,  A  public  meeting  was 
held  on  the  evening  of  October  16,  to  discuss  the 
ways  and  means  of  establishing  a  free  library. 
The  meeting  was  held  in  the  reception  rooms  of 
the*  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  and  was  largely  attended. 
Speeches  in  favor  of  a  library  were  made  by 
leading  citizens,  and  finally  a  resolution  was 
passed  "  that  a  free  public  library  and  reading- 
room  be  instituted  "  in  the  city,  and  that  a  com- 
mittee be  appointed  to  formulate  a  plan  of  or- 
ganization and  submit  it  to  a  meeting  of  citizens 
to  be  held  at  a  later  date. 

Seneca  Falls  (N.  Y.)L.A.  Added  100;  total, 
2620;  receipts$87g.4i;expenses  $867.87.  There 
are  137  subscribers.  December  3,  1893,  the 
building  occupied  by  the  library  was  burned,  but 
the  books  were  saved  in  time  to  escape  damage. 

STANFORD,  L.  B.  At  the  library.  (In  Brook- 
lyn, [N.  Y.]  Citizen,  O.28)  il.,  3  col. 

A  description  of  the  Brooklyn  Library,  the 
alterations  in  progress,  and  some  of  its  readers 
and  visitors. 

Stratford  (Ct.)  P.  L.  The  gift  of  a  library 
building  made  to  Stratford  in  the  spring  of  1894 
by  Birdseye  Blakeman,  of  New  York,  is  con- 
firmed by  the  will  of  Mr.  Blakeman,  who  died 
at  his  summer  home  in  Stdfckbridge,  Mass. ,  on 
September  30.  jit  provides  that  $25,000  be  given 
for  the  erection  of  the  library,  and  that  $5000 ad- 
ditional be  set  aside  for  the  purchase  of  books. 
Ground  was  broken  for  the  building  in  May, 
1894,  as  already  noted  (L.  J.,  19  :2i2). 

Washington  (D.C.)  Congressional  L.  INTO 
THE  NEW  LIBRARY:  problem  of  the  moving  of 
700,000  books.  (In  Washington  Post,  O.  6)  i 
col. 

Wethersfield  (Ct.)  P.  L.  The  library  was 
open  for  public  inspection  on  the  afternoon  of 
October  17,  when  the  library  committee  held  a 
reception  from  3  to  6p.m. 

FOREIGN. 

London,  Eng.  South  London  L.  On  Novem- 
ber 2  the  Prince  of  Wales  opened  a  new  public 
library  for  South  London  in  the  Southwark 
Bridge  Road.  The  building  has  cost  ^5000, 
of  which  more  than  a  quarter  has  been  raised 
by  voluntary  contributions.  The  chief  librarian 
is  Mr.  H.  D.  Roberts,  late  of  the  Newcastle 
Public  Library. 


London,  Eng.  Kilburn  L.  On  October  22 
a  new  public  library  and  reading-room  was 
opened  at  Kilburn.  It  will  eventually  form  a 
branch  of  the  Central  Hampstead  Public  Library, 
which  is  soon  to  be  erected.  Mr.  W.  E.  Double- 
day,  formerly  librarian  of  the  Public  Library 
of  Marylebone,  has  been  appointed  chief  li- 
brarian. 

London,  Eng.  Poplar  F.  L.  This  library, 
opened  Oct.  4,  is  the  first  library  in  the  East  End 
of  London  which  has  been  built  out  of  the  rates. 
It  cost  over  ^6000,  besides  ^2000  paid  for  the 
site.  The  penny  library  rate  in  the  district  pro- 
duces an  annual  sum  of  ^1350  for  its  support. 
The  library  opens  with  about  8000  v.  on  its 
shelves,  and  with  a  total  book  capacity  of  40,- 
ooo  v. 

Liverpool  (Eng.)  F.  Ls.  The  library  com- 
mittee have  adopted  a  handy  plan  in  issuing 
special  "  hand-lists  "  of  books  on  its  shelves.  The 
first  effort  in  this  direction  was  made  two  years 
ago  by  the  issue  of  a  "  Subject  catalogue  of 
selected  technical  literature,"  which  was  distrib- 
uted throughout  the  workshops  of  the  city,  and 
gave  instant  evidence  of  its  usefulness  by  a  con- 
siderable increase  in  the  number  of  books  issued 
dealing  with  the  various  handicrafts.  This  suc- 
cess led  the  committee  to  sanction  the  issue  of 
special  hand  lists,  compiled  by  chief  librarian 
Cowell.  The  first  of  these,  covering  "Books 
on  architecture  in  the  reference  department," 
has  just  been  issued. 

MALTESTE,  Louis,  A  la  Bibliotheque  Nationale 
(In  L' Illustration,  S.  29,  1894,  v.  104.  p.  256- 
258). 

A  humorous  account  of  habitues,  with  15  illus- 
trations. 

Oxford,  Eng.  Bodleian  L.  An  appeal  for  help 
oh  behalf  of  the  library  has  recently  been  made 
in  the  English  press  by  E.  W.  B.  Nicholson,  the 
librarian.  The  Bodleian,  it  appears,  is  in  serious 
financial  straits.  It  receives  for  all  purposes 
$45,000  a  year,  and  needs  money  to  support  its 
staff,  to  prepare  its  catalog,  which  is  now  years 
behind  the  times;  to  heat  the  portrait  gallery,  to 
repair  the  buildings,  and  to  provide  shelves  for 
books  in  the  Ashmolean  Museum,  which  has  just 
been  put  at  its  disposal.  The  library  contains 
over  half  a  million  volumes,  the  separate  titles 
in  the  catalog  amounting  to  a  million  and  a  half; 
the  new  accessions  of  books  and  pamphlets  are 
nearly  60,000  a  year,  and  it  has  the  second  lar- 
gest numismatic  collection  in  the  British  empire. 
Books  and  coins  are  declared  by  the  librarian  to 
be  in  a  state  of  chaos  owing  to  the  lack  of  funds; 
the  library  needs  at  least  $75,000  to  be  kept  effi- 
cient, and  he  calls  on  the  public  for  assistance. 
This  is  something  of  a  surprise  to  Americans, 
who  are  apt  to  believe  that  the  old  English  uni- 
versities are  possessed  of  vast  revenues,  but  it 
seems  that  the  greater  part  of  their  property  is 
invested  in  land,  and  that  they  have  consequently 
suffered  from  the  agricultural  depression  that 
prevails  in  England,  as  well  as  from  the  decrease 
in  value  of  real  estate.  Cambridge,  indeed,  last 
year  was  officially  reported  to  be  insolvent. 

Mr.  Nicholson  says  that  the  explanation  of  the 
library's  condition  "is  very  simple.  The  uni- 


304 


LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[November,  '94 


versity  Is  popularly  supposed  to  be  rich  instead 
of  poor,  and  consequently  it  receives  hardly  any 
money  benefactions.  Sometimes,  indeed,  a  col- 
lection, such  as  the  Pitt-Rivers,  or  the  Fortnum 
collection,  worth  many  thousands  of  pounds,  is 
presented  to  it —  but  the  gift,  while  increasing  the 
fame  and  usefulness  of  the  university,  increases 
also  the  difficulty  of  adequately  meeting  other 
needs  —  for  buildings  and  fittings  have  to  be 
erected  for  the  new  collections,  and  sometimes 
additional  brains  and  hands  employed  to  catalog 
them.  Every  year,  probably,  some  son  of  Ox- 
ford dies  who  could  well  afford  to  leave  a  con- 
siderable amount  to  his  old  university,  and  who 
would  be  willing  enough  to  leave  it  if  he  knew  it 
was  wanted  —  but  he  doesn't  know." 

Upsala,  Sweden,  University  L.  (1893  rpt.) 
The  circulation  during  the  year  was  9266  v.  + 
2000  periodicals  lent  to  the  Academical  Reading 
Society  and  other  institutions.  45,724  v.,  incl. 
3690  ms.,  were  used  in  the  reading-room.  4181 
persons  visited  the  library,  of  whom  638  made 
use  of  the  reading-room  only.  135  ms.,  incl.  one 
map,  were  lent  to  other  libraries  in  Sweden;  16, 
incl.  four  maps,  to  foreign  institutions.  44  ms. 
were  lent  to  the  university  library  from  other 
Swedish  libraries,  and  two  were  lent  from  for- 
eign libraries. 

Accessions  for  the  year  were  :  to  the  depart- 
ment of  foreign  literature,  3300  v.  (880  bought), 
and  3261  pamphlets  received  in  exchange  ;  the 
department  of  Swedish  literature,  in  accordance 
with  copyright  provisions,  received  3685  v. ,  2635 
v.  and  nos.  of  periodicals,  and  6842  pamphlets  ; 
19  v.  of  maps,  and  147  ms.  were  given  to  the 
library.  Among  the  gifts  were  25  v.  of  the 
printed  catalog  of  the  British  Museum,  and  163 
v.  of  the  "Chronicles  and  memorials  of  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland  during  the  Middle  Ages," 
making  the  library's  set  of  this  valuable  work 
complete.  Special  attention  is  given  to  the  very 
valuable  gift  from  Prof.  Carl  Wahlund,  of  the 
university,  who  presented  to  the  library  his 
collection  of  3400  v.  of  Provenpal  literature 
and  philology.  The  gift  was  accompanied  by 
a  luxuriously  printed  catalog  of  the  collection, 
entitled  :  "  Livres  proven£aux  rassembles  pen- 
dant quelques  annees  d'etudes  et  offerts  &  la  bib- 
liothequedel'universited'Upsal."  The  sum  of  30,- 
ooo  kroner  ($8000)  was  given  in  connection  with 
the  books,  to  be  used  for  the  completion  of  this 
collection,  and  of  the  very  much  more  valuable 
collection  of  old  French  literature  and  philol- 
ogy, which,  according  to  the  will  of  Professor 
Wahlund,  will  be  bequeathed  to  the  university 
library.  From  the  United  States  the  library  has 
received  publications  from  the  Geological  Survey 
of  Minnesota,  the  Bureau  of  Education,  the 
Bureau  of  Ethnology,  and  the  Department  of 
Agriculture  in  Washington.  The  only  Ameri- 
can institutions  with  which  the  university  li- 
brary exchanges,  are  the  N.  Y.  State  Library, 
Columbia  College,  and  Oberlin  College.  Spe- 
cial mention  is  made  of  the  work  of  the  chief 
librarian,  Dr.  C.  Annerstedt,  in  revising  and  re- 
arranging the  catalog  of  Bibles,  and  in  cataloging 
the  collection  of  manuscripts,  especially  biog- 
raphies and  correspondences,  made  by  the  first 
assistant,  Count  E.  Lewenhaupt. 


Cibraricms. 


CHASE,  Arthur  H.,  son  of  Judge  W:  M.  Chase, 
of  the  New  Hampshire  Supreme  Court,  has  been 
appointed  state  librarian  of  New  Hampshire, 
succeeding  Arthur  R.  Kimball.  Mr.  Chase's 
term  of  office  begins  Jan.  i,  1895. 

CHENEY,  John  Vance,  librarian  of  the  San 
Francisco  Public  Library,  was  formally  elected 
librarian  of  the  Newberry  Library,  Chicago,  on 
October  22,  to  succeed  the  late  Dr.  W.  F.  Poole. 
Mr.  Cheney's  selection  for  the  post  had  been 
practically  decided  at  a  meeting  held  a  week  pre- 
viously, but  he  was  not  then  elected,  owing  to 
the  absence  of  a  number  of  the  trustees,  as  it 
was  thought  best  that  the  matter  should  not  be 
determined  by  a  bare  quorum.  At  the  first  meet- 
ing seven  trustees  were  present,  and  Mr.  Che- 
ney received  four  votes  ;  at  the  final  session  he 
was  elected  by  a  vote  of  seven  to  one.  He  will 
take  charge  of  the  library  in  about  a  month,  and 
his  salary  at  present  will  be  $4000  a  year.  Mr. 
Cheney  has  been  librarian  of  the  San  Francisco 
Public  Library  since  1887,  and  has  for  18  years 
been  a  resident  of  San  Francisco.  He  was  born 
in  Groveland,  N.  Y.,  in  1848,  studied  in  Man- 
chester, Vt.,and  Geneseo,  N.  Y. ,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  Massachusetts  before  he  was 
19  years  old.  He  practised  for  a  time  in  New 
York,  and  in  1876  came  to  San  Francisco.  Mr. 
Cheney  is  probably  best  known  as  a  poet  and  es- 
sayist, and  is  a  tireless  literary  worker.  He  was 
at  one  time  connected  with  the  Overland  Monthly, 
and  three  volumes  of  his  verse  have  been  pub- 
lished, one  in  1885,  another  in  1887,  and  a  third 
in  1888,  while  his  contributions  to  magazines  are 
constant. 

CLARKE,  Miss  Edith  E.,  has  resigned  her  place 
as  first  assistant  in  charge  of  the  cataloging  at 
the  Newberry  Library. 

DENNIS,  Hamilton  James,  state  librarian  of 
Kansas,  died  on  the  f2th  of  October,  at  his  home 
in  Topeka,  aged  59.  He  was  born  in  Lenawee, 
Michigan,  and  graduated  from  Ann  Arbor  in 
1858,  with  the  degrees  of  A.B.  and  LL.B. 
In  the  departments  of  law  and  literature  he 
stood  especially  high,  and  his  classmates  and 
friends  prophesied  for  him  an  unusually  success- 
ful career  in  either  of  these  fields.  That  the  pro- 
phecy was  not  fulfilled  is  not  an  enigma  to  those 
who  knew  him  intimately.  He  married,  and 
his  love  for  his  family,  together  with  his  delight 
to  live  among  books,  was  such  that  after  he  was 
appointed  state  librarian  he  desired  no  fur- 
ther preferment,  and  made  no  attempt  to  reach 
out  for  political  honors,  or  to  shine  in  the  field 
of  letters.  Of  his  brilliant  talents,  though  he 
kept  them  hidden  from  the  world  at  large,  those 
who  claimed  the  friendship  of  his  private  life 
know  they  were  far  beyond  the  average,  and  his 
sense  of  humor,  his  sparkling  wit,  together  with 
his  numberless  little  acts  of  kindness  and  of  love, 
will  remain  the  brightest  pictures  that  hang  on 
the  walls  of  their  memory.  His  industry  in  the 
duties  of  his  office  were  phenomenal.  It  was  this 
untiring  energy  that  at  last  sapped  the  current  of 
his  useful  life,  and  brought  him  to  the  untimely 


'94] 


39S 


ending  of  a  bright  and  noble  career.  In  his  last 
official  report  of  the  condition  of  the  library, 
published  a  few  days  before  he  left  his  desk  for- 
ever, there  is  a  sad  premonition  in  his  own 
words  that  the  end  was  near.  He  says  :  "  I  sit 
down  to  this,  and  over  me  comes  a  strange  feel- 
ing of  mental  weariness  and  difficulty  of  group- 
ing facts,  and  when  I  try  to  do  so  it  still  sounds 
like  that  of  somebody  else.  My  doctor  tells  me 
that  I  need  a  rest,  and  should  quit  work  and 
take  it  at  once,  and  I  realize  the  truth  of  it  all." 
He  was  a  ripe  scholar,  exceeding  wise,  fair- 
speaking  and  persevering  ;  he  has  run  his  race 
well,  and  he  is  mourned  by  all  whose  fortune  it 
was  to  be  numbered  among  his  friends.  The 
harmony  of  his  private  life  in  its  relations  to  his 
family  was  of  the  purest  and  noblest  character. 
His  loss  is  great  both  to  the  state  and  to  those 
with  whom  he  was  intimate,  and  it  will  be  long 
years  before  another  can  be  found  who  will  fill 
the  vacancy  his  death  has  caused.  H.  I. 

FORD,  Paul  Leicester,  has  wandered  aside 
from  the  regions  of  historical  fact  to  the  realm 
of  romance.  His  first  novel,  "  The  Honorable 
Peter  Stirling,  and  what  people  thought  of  him," 
is  just  published  by  Holt.  It  is  a  story  of 
present-day  life,  set  chiefly  in  New  York  City, 
and  touches  upon  aspects  of  tenement-house 
existence,  upon  the  "  machine  "  of  city  politics, 
and  on  strikes  and  labor  questions.  Mr.  Ford's 
wit  and  incisiveness,  well  known  to  readers  of 
the  JOURNAL,  find  full  play  in  the  story,  which 
is  evidence  that  history  and  fiction  are  near- 
ly allied —  if  that  needed  proof  —  and  that  the 
friend  of  Thomas  Jefferson  may  also  be  the 
father  of  "  Peter  Stirling." 

GRIFFIN,  Appleton  P.  C.,  for  29  years  con- 
nected with  the  Boston  Public  Library,  has  re- 
signed his  position.  Mr.  Griffin  entered  the 
library  as  a  boy,  and  has  for  years  been  super- 
intendent of  the  catalog  department.  Some 
months  since  he  was  removed  from  that  post  and 
placed  in  charge  of  the  night  service.  He  was 
a  popular  officer,  and  had  many  friends  out- 
side of  the  library  as  well  as  inside,  and  his 
retirement  from  the  library  force  is  generally 
regretted.  Mr.  Griffin  is  well  known  to  the 
library  world  as  a  careful  and  thorough  biblio- 
grapher. Perhaps  his  best  known  work  in  this 
line  is  his  "  Bibliography  of  historical  societies 
in  the  U.  S.,"  published  in  the  reports  of  the 
American  Historical  Association,  and  the  various 
bibliographies  which  he  prepared  for  the  quar- 
terly bulletins  of  the  Boston  Public  Library. 

HAYWARD,  Miss  Almira  L.,  late  librarian  of 
the  Cambridge  Public  Library,  whose  sudden 
death  by  accident  was  a  shock  to  the  community 
in  which  she  lived,  was,  in  a  sense,  a  representa- 
tive woman.  Her  life,  though  quiet  and  unob- 
trusive, lacking  the  wide  public  notice  or  pub- 
licly expressed  appreciation  of  many  women, 
whose  gracious  lives  and  acts  leave  their  impress 
upon  the  world,  was  yet  one  of  wide  and  benefi- 
cent influence.  It  was  a  beautiful  life  in  its 
unswerving  faith,  its  fidelity  to  duty,  and  her 
own  best  aspirations,  beautiful  in  its  constant 
thought  of  others.  It  was  from  no  sense  of  per- 


sonal vanity  that  Miss  Hayward  left  direction 
that  upon  the  stone  which  marked  her  last  rest- 
ing-place should  be  graven,  "for  — years  (leav- 
ing a  blank  for  '  the  unknown  number  of  years  ' 
she  was  to  serve)  librarian  of  the  Cambridge  Pub- 
lic Library,"  any  more  than  it  was  vanity  which 
impelled  Benjamin  Franklin  to  begin  his  last 
will  and  testament,  "  I,  Benjamin  Franklin, 
printer,"  and  Professor  Agassiz,  to  begin  his 
with,  "  I,  Louis  Agassiz,  teacher."  Rather,  like 
St.  Paul,  she  magnified  her  office.  She  made 
the  very  most  of  it  in  all  its  manifold  branches. 
She  always  had  the  good  of  the  library  deeply  at 
heart.  This,  and  her  own  humility,  were  in- 
stanced by  her  saying  to  one  of  her  assistants 
who  had  been  associated  with  her  for  many 

years  —  "Miss ,  if,  as  I  grow  older,   you 

should  notice  any  signs  of  mental  weakening  in 
me,  if  I  should  fail  to  do  my  work  as  it  should 
be  done,  I  ask  you  as  a  friend  to  tell  me  at  once, 
and  I  will  seek  for  a  subordinate  position  and 
leave  mine  for  some  younger  brain  and  hands." 
And  when,  only  a  short  time  before  her  death, 
her  picture  was  wanted  as  that  of  a  representa- 
tive librarian,  she  was  sure  it  was  for  no  success 
or  achievement  of  her  own,  but  because  Cam- 
bridge being  a  historical  university  city,  its  pub- 
lic library  naturally  held  a  prominent  rank.  Al- 
though not  widely  known  as  a  writer,  Miss 
Hayward  possessed  literary  ability,  and  pub- 
lished a  good  many  children's  stories  of  a  kin- 
dergarten order,  as  well  as  articles  for  older 
readers  ;  also  verses  happily  conceived  and  ex- 
pressed. Miss  Hayward  became  dependent  upon 
her  own  exertions  at  an  early  age,  but  her  men- 
tal equipment  was  that  of  the  genuine  lover  of 
books  independent  of  unpropitious  circum- 
stances. She  attended  Wheaton  Seminary  for  a 
time,  and  in  her  early  life  she  taught  school  in 
the  South  and  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  remaining  a 
teacher  till,  through  the  influence  of  one  of  her 
nearest  friends,  Professor  Bancroft,  she  obtained 
the  position  she  held  at  the  time  of  her  death. 
While  fearless  in  expressing  her  own  opinion, 
which  sometimes  differed  from  that  of  the  libra- 
ry's trustees,  Miss  Hayward  was  yet  absolutely 
conscientious  in  carrying  out  their  final  decisions. 
For  herself  she  was  strongly  opposed  to  the 
Sunday  opening  of  the  reading-room.  But  when 
the  Sunday  opening  became  an  established  fact, 
she  did  her  very  best  to  make  it  a  helpful  one. 
She  called  the  Sunday  readers  her  4<  Sunday- 
school  class,"  and  was  always  unobtrusively 
ready  to  aid  and  direct.  From  our  unknowing 
point  of  view  it  seems  hard  that  she  could  not 
have  lived  to  enjoy  the  library,  with  its  added 
interest  and  powers  of  usefulness,  the  little  office 
built  for  her  special  use,  to  the  possession  of 
which  she  had  looked  forward  with  pride  and 
pleasure,  and  the  little  home  she  bad  but  recent- 
ly made  for  herself.  But  those  who  loved  her 
best  rejoice  that  she  was  spared  bodily  suffering 
and  weakness.  She  herself  often  expressed  the 
wish  that  when  her  time  came  she  might  go  like 
"the  flame  of  a  candle  that  is  snuffed  out."  — 
Woman's  Journal. 

ROBBINS,  Miss  Mary  E. ,  for  the  past  two  years 
librarian  of  the  New  Britain  (Ct.)  Institute,  re- 


396 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[November,  '94 


signed  her  position  in  September  to  become  cat- 
aloger  in  the  library  of  the  University  of  Ne- 
braska. She  has  been  succeeded  by  Miss  Anna 
G.  Rockwell.  Both  were  members  of  the  same 
class  ('91)  of  the  New  York  State  Library  School. 

SAUNDBRS,  Frederick,  Librarian  of  the  Astor 
Library,  has  written  a  volume  of  "  Character 
studies,"  published  by  Whittaker,  of  New  York. 
It  consists  of  reminiscent  and  memorial  sketches 
of  Edward  Irving,  Anna  Jameson,  Washington 
Irving,  Longfellow,  Bryant,  and  Joseph  Green 
Cogswell.  Mr.  Saunders  has  drawn  largely 
upon  his  fund  of  personal  recollections,  and  the 
little  volume  is  an  interesting  contribution  to 
biography. 

SWAN,  Miss  Lizzie  P.,  a  graduate  of  the  Ar- 
mour Institute  library  training  class  ('93  -  94), 
has  been  engaged  to  classify,  catalog,  shelf-list, 
and  arrange  the  library  recently  given  to  Galena, 
III.,  by  B.  F,  Felt,  of  that  town. 

WONNER,  Miss  Lucy  C.,  assistant  librarian  of 
the  Terre  Haute  (Ind.)  Public  Library,  has  re- 
signed  her  position  to  take  an  engagement  as 
teacher  in  the  Whittier  State  School,  at  Whit- 
tier,  Cal.  She  has,  with  her  mother,  been  for 
years  associated  with  the  Terre  Haute  Library, 
and  she  goes  to  California  chiefly  for  the  benefit 
of  herb  ealth. 


anfc  CtlaesifUation. 


The  BOSTON  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for  October, 
1894,  is  an  interesting  number.  The  index 
to  historical  fiction  concludes  Germany,  cover- 
ing the  period  from  the  iyth  century  to  the 
present  time,  and  covers  Austria,  Hungary,  and 
Bohemia.  There  is  a  valuable  list  of  "  Tracts 
of  the  period  of  English  history  covered  by  the 
reign  of  Charles  I.,  the  Civil  War  and  the  Com- 
monwealth, 1625-1660,"  cataloging  the  col- 
lection of  200  v.  given  to  the  library  by  Mr.  W. 
P.  Upham  in  1889,  to  which  have  been  added 
titles  of  works  in  the  general  collection  and 
especially  in  the  Prince  Library.  The  list 
covers  p.  212-249  of  the  bulletin,  and  is  classed 
under  politics,  religion,  prominent  characters  or 
writers,  and  tracts,  1663-1698.  It  is  followed 
by  a  14  -  p.  "  Index  of  titles  relating  to  Amer- 
ica in  the  '  Collecion  de  documentos  ineditos 
para  la  historia  de  EspaRa'"  compiled  by  G. 
Parker  Winship.  It  gives  as  far  as  possible 
"  the  full  title  of  every  document  in  v.  i  -  cviii. 
of  the  collection  which  concerns  the  history  of 
America."  Finally,  the  bulletin  contains  22  ad- 
mirable views  of  the  Boston  of  earlier  days, 
taken  from  pictures  and  old  prints,  illustrating 
Tremont  Street  as  it  existed  from  1798  to 
1885,  and  accompanied  by  interesting  descrip- 
tive notes. 

CINCINNATI  (0.)  P.  L.  Quarterly  bulletin,  no. 
i2i,  April -May -June,  1894.  Q.I 

CITIZENS'  F.  L.,  Halifax,  N.  S.  Catalog;  pre- 
pared by  Harry  Piers,  and  published  by  order 


of  the  library  committee,  city  council.     Hali- 
fax, 1894.     312  p.  O. 

A  good  dictionary  catalog.  Names  are  given 
with  commendable  fulness,  date  and  place  of 
publication  are  also  noted,  and  brief  explana- 
tory or  critical  notes  are  charily  appended.  Ex- 
ception may  be  taken  to  the  lavish  use  of 
capitals,  which  imparts  a  rather  amateurish  look 
to  the  page.  Paper  and  printing  are  good,  and 
the  work  is  creditable  to  the  compiler.  A  brief 
history  of  the  library  is  given  in  the  preface. 

ENOCH  PRATT  F.  L.,  of  Baltimore.  Finding 
list  of  books  and  periodicals  in  the  central 
library.  Part  3  (completing  fifth  edition)  : 
Philosophy;  religion;  language;  literature; 
essays  and  miscellaneous  works;  periodicals; 
fine  arts;  practical  arts;  natural  science;  medi- 
cine, games  and  sports;  and  public  documents. 
5th  ed.  October,  1894.  16+302  p.  [p.  577- 
880.]  O. 

J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  Co.  have  issued  in  neat 
pamphlet  form  a  list  of  the  books  published  by 
them,  which  were  "selected  by  the  American 
Library  Association  for  the  model  library  of 
5000  volumes  exhibited  at  the  Columbian  Ex- 
position." (24  p.  S.) 

MERCANTILE  L.  of  Philadelphia.    Bulletin,  July 

I,  1894.     Accessions  to  the  library  from  April 

i,  1894,  to  July  I,  1894. 
NEWARK  (N.J.)  F.  P.  L.     Library  News,  v.  5, 

no.  8,  July -Oct.,  1894.     List  of  new  books 

added  to  the  library. 

NEWARK  (N.  /.)  F.  P.  L.  Special  reading  list 
no.  i.  List  of  books  on  electricity  and  mag- 
netism. 1893.  16  p.  D. 

Special  reading  list  no.  2.     List  of 

books  on  English  literature.     1893.     24  p.   D. 

Special   reading  list  no.  3.    List  of 

books  on  Greek,  Hellenistic  and  Roman  art. 
1894.     12  p.  D. 

Special  reading  list   no.  4.     List  of 

books  on  old  Italian  and  modern  French  paint- 
ing.    1894.     8  p.  D. 

These  lists  have  been  prepared  chiefly  to  sup- 
plement university  extension  lectures.  Nos.  2 
and  3  were  issued  to  accompany  the  lectures  of 
1893  ;  no.  4  will  be  a  useful  aid  to  the  course  of 
lectures  on  art,  to  be  delivered  by  Professor 
Vandyke,  of  Rutgers,  in  the  library  building, 
from  October  to  February  of  the  present  season. 
They  are  simple  author-lists  ;  references  to 
magazine  articles,  or  to  essays  in  composite 
books,  are  sometimes  given.  The  list  on  English 
literature  is  the  fullest,  and  is  classed  to  cover 
the  periods  treated  in  the  lecture.  The  selec- 
tions are  judicious  and  sufficiently  compiehen- 
sive  to  interest  others  besides  special  students, 
i.e.,  the  list  on  classical  archaeology  (no.  3).  in- 
cludes "  Last  days  of  Pompeii,"  Duruy's  his- 


November,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


397 


torles  of  Greece  and  Rome,  and  "  The  marble 
faun."  An  excellent  feature  is  that  nearly  all 
of  the  books  lisied  are  allowed  to  circulate,  and 
that  the  number  of  starred  titles  is  limited. 

OSTERHOUT,  F.  L.,  Wilkesbarre,  Pa.,  printsin 
the  October  issue  of  its  Library  News-letter,  a 
good  "  special  list  of  books  on  questions  of  the 
day,"  classed  under  such  heads  as  socialism, 
trades  unions,  conditions  of  the  poor,  laboring 
classes,  eight  hours  question,  women  and  chil- 
dren in  industry,  labor  and  wages. 

PHILADELPHIA  F.  L.  Finding-list  of  the  fic- 
tion in  the  Free  Library.  August  i,  1894, 
58  p.  O. 

An  admirably  conceived  and  thoroughly  useful 
list,  somewhat  similar  in  plan  to  the  fiction  find- 
ing-list of  the  Los  Angeles  P.  L.  Author-entries 
only  are  given,  save  in  the  case  of  anonymous 
books.  Full  names  have  been  given  with  reason- 
able fulness,  and  though  entries  are  frequently 
made  under  well-known  pseudonyms,  adequate 
author  references  are  made.  The  annotations 
are  frequent  and  interesting,  generally  bringing 
out  some  historic  fact  relating  to  the  book  or  its 
writer,  and  awakening  the  reader's  interest. 
Contents  of  series  and  of  single  volumes  of  short 
stories  are  given.  Lists  such  as  this  are  not 
only  a  boon  to  the  fiction-loving  public,  but  are 
a  distinctly  helpful  means  of  raising  the  standard 
of  this  class  of  reading. 

The  PORTLAND  (Ore.)  P.  L.  prints  in  the  Oc- 
tober issue  of  Our  Library,  a  short  list  of  liter- 
ature of  "  Banks  and  banking." 

The  SALEM  (Mass.)  P.  L.  BULLETIN  for  Octo- 
ber contains  an  excellent  classed  reading  list  on 
the  American  Revolution,  covering  histories  of 
the  various  periods  and  leading  events  of  the 
time,  contemporary  documents,  society  publica- 
tions, biography,  poetry,  and  "stories  of  the 
Revolution." 

WORLD'S  COLUMBIAN  EXPOSITION,  Woman's 
Building.  List  of  books  sent  by  home  and 
foreign  committees  to  the  library  of  the 
Woman's  Building.  Chicago  [1894].  94  P-  O- 
This  list  was  compiled  "  mainly  from  the 
records  of  books  received  at  the  library  during 
the  World's  Fair.  The  compilers  have  used,  so 
far  as  it  was  completed,  the  card  catalog  of 
authors,  classes,  and  biographical  statistics  of 
authors,  prepared  at  the  library  during  the  fair. 
As  the  printing  of  the  more  elaborate  catalog 
was  found  too  costly  for  present  means,  this 
brief  list  is  issued  to  give  an  idea  of  the  extent 
and  value  of  the  exhibit.  The  aim  is  to  present 
a  complete  record  of  the  more  than  7000  volumes 
that  were  actually  exhibited."  Arranged  alpha- 
betically by  states  in  author-alphabet,  and  com- 
piled under  the  direction  of  Miss  E.  E.  Clarke. 
The  list  is  creditable  as  far  as  it  goes,  but  it  is 
certainly  a  pity  that  the  "more  elaborate 
catalog"  was  impracticable.  In  its  present 
form  it  is  interesting,  but  of  little  practical 
use.  Could  it  have  been  published  in  one 
author-alphabet,  prefaced  by  the  list  accord- 


ing to  states,  and  giving  full  names  and  imprint 
data,  it  would  have  been  of  value  as  a  bibli- 
ography of  women's  books.  As  it  is,  surnames 
are  simply  given,  with  infrequent  initials,  no 
distinctions  are  made  as  to  pseudonyms,  the  en- 
tries are  of  the  briefest,  and  the  arrangement  by 
states  and  countries  render  consultation  almost 
impossible.  For  a  comparison  of  the  contribu- 
tions of  the  different  states  it  is  interesting,  but 
its  bibliographical  value  is  nil. 

FULL  NAMES. 
Supplied  by  Harvard  College  Library. 

Brannt,  W:  Theodore  (A  complete  treatise  on 
the  electro-deposition  of  metals); 

Carlisle,  James  H :,  editor  (Two  great  teach- 
ers); 

Conklin,  B:  Young  (Practical  lessons  in 
languages); 

Gottheil,  R:  James  Horatio  (Columbus  in  Jew- 
ish literature); 

Hodgman,  Francis,  and  Bellows,  C:  Fitz  Roy 
(A  manual  of  land  surveying); 

Hodskins,  Georgia  Adams  (Little  people's 
reader); 

Lang,  Ossian  Herbert  (Outlines  of  Herbart's 
Pedagogics); 

Munsey,  Frank  Andrew  (Derringforth); 

Pieters,  Adrian  J:  (The  plants  of  Lake  St. 
Clair); 

Rhoads,  S:  Nicholson  (A  reprint  of  the  North 
American  zoology); 

Scott,  Erastus  Howard  (The  Federalist  and 
other  constitutional  papers); 

Super,  C:  W:,  translator  (The  order  of  words, 
by  Henri  Weil). 


ADLER,  Herman.     Alternating  generations :  a 
biological  study  of    oak  galls  and  gall-flies 
translated  and  edited  by  C.  R.  Straton.     Ox 
ford,  Clarendon  Press,  1894.     3  pi.  51.  44  + 
198  p.  D.  los.  6d. 

Besides  abundant  references  in  the  foot-notes, 
contains  a  bibliography  (8  p.)  of  the  literature 
of  gall-flies  and  of  alternate  generation. 

ASHTON,  C:,  of  Dinas  Mawddwy,  Wales,  is 
preparing  a  "  Welsh  bibliography  "  for  the 
press.  It  will  contain  an  account  of  books, 
pamphlets,  and  periodicals  written  in  Welsh 
or  relating  to  Wales,  published  since  1801. 
It  already  contains  about  9000  entries,  and 
when  complete  will  be  issued  in  four  volumes 
by  the  Natioal  Eisteddfod  Association. 

CAMPBELL,  F.  B.  F.  Memorandum  relative  to 
the  need  for  special  bibliographical  societies, 
with  an  appendix  on  the  division  of  the  stream 
of  literature:  in  illustration  of  "  The  bibliog- 
raphy of  the  future,"  a  paper  submitted  to 
the  Library  Association,  Sept.,  1894.  Lon- 
don, 1894.  8  p.  F. 
Presents  briefly,  chiefly  in  tabulated  form, 


398 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


[November,  '94 


the  work  outlined  for  the  "  bibliography  of  the 
future,"  and  the  means  by  which  it  may  be  ac- 
complished, especially  the  scope  of  the  various 
societies  which  should  be  established  to  take  up 
branches  of  the  work.  Under  the  heading  "  The 
division  of  the  stream  of  literature"  possible 
primary  classifications  of  a  complete  bibliog- 
raphy are  considered.  Mr.  Campbell  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  staff  of  the  library  of  the  British 
Museum. 

CURSITOR,  J.  W.  A  list  of  books  and  pamphlets 
relating  to  Orkney  and  Shetland.  London, 
W.  Peace  &  Sons.  73  p.  8°. 

DELISLE,  L.  Catalogue  des  incunables  de  la 
bibllotheque  Mazarine,  par  Paul  Marais  et  A. 
Dufresne  de  Saint- Leon.  Paris,  Welter,  1893. 
8  +  8n  p.  8°. 

GRETHLEIN,  K.  Allgemeiner  deutscher  Thea- 
terkatalog:  Ein  Handbuch  aller  in  deutscher 
Sprache  erschienenen  Buhnenstiicke  und  dra- 
matischen  Erzeugnisse.  Lieferung  i.  Mun- 
ster,  Russell.  8°.  1.20  m. 

GRIGGS,  W.  Specimens  of  royal,  fine  and  histori- 
cal bookbinding,  selected  from  the  Royal 
Library,  Windsor  Castle.  152  pi.  \nfac-simile; 
With  introd.  and  notes  by  R.  R.  Holmes. 
London,  W.  Griggs  &  Sons,  1893.  fol.  1053. 

IL  CORREGGIO  NEI  LiBRi  :  indicazioni  di  libri 
che  della  vita  e  delle  opere  di  lui  fanno 
recordanza.  Parma,  L.  Battei.  60  p.  16°. 

JOHNSON,  Lionel.  The  art  of  Thomas  Hardy, 
with  portrait  etched  from  life  by  William 
Strang,  and  a  bibliography  by  John  Lane. 
Lond.,  Mathews  &  Lane,  1894.  330  p.  55. 
6d.  net. 
Critical  essays,  with  a  full  bibliography. 

JOYAUX,  Petites  bibliophiliques  (formats  in  18, 
in  24,  In  32).  Collections  precieuses  publiees 
au  xviii.  siecle.  i.  serie  :  Livres-bijoux  pre- 
curseurs  desCazins.  Biblioiconographie  his- 
torique  des  premieres  collections  fondees  de 
1773  a  1779  ^  Lille,  a  Lyon  et  a  Orleans. 
Paris,  Corroenne.  108  p.  8°.  4  fr. 

LUZAC,  C.  G.,  the  London  publisher  of  Oriental 
works,  has  compiled  and  issued  a  "Biblio- 
graphical list  of  books  on  Africa  and  the 
East,"  published  in  England  between  the 
meetings  of  the  ninth  and  tenth  Oriental  con- 
gresses, 1892-94.  (12°.  is.) 

MILLER,  Dewitt,  of  Philadelphia,  and  two 
other  book-lovers  are  compiling  a  book  to  be 
called  "  Fifty  American  bibliographies."  The 
volume  will  aim  at  giving,  with  the  utmost  ac- 
curacy, complete  lists  of  the  works — including 
those  little  known  —  of  the  selected  authors,  be- 
sides information  of  other  bibliographical  in 


terest.     It   is  to  be  printed   either  at  the   De 
Vinne  or  the  Chiswick  Press. 

The  NATIONAL  LIBRARY  of  Santiago,  Chili, 
has  recently  issued  "  L'Annuario  de  la  prensa 
Chilena,"  an  annual  catalog  of  the  books  printed 
in  Chili  and  received  at  the  library  during  1892. 
It  contains  976  titles  of  books  issued  by  176 
printing  and  publishing  houses  of  Chili.  The 
catalog  is  divided  into  four  parts :  (i)  libros, 
folietos  y  hoyas  sueltas — that  is,  books,  pam- 
phlets, and  broadsides  ;  (2)  diarios  periodicos  y 
revistas  —  daily  newspapers,  periodicals,  and  re- 
views ;  (3)  an  addendum  of  works  published 
from  1886  to  1891,  received  too  late  for  inser- 
tion in  the  body  of  the  catalog  ;  (4)  a  list  of 
books  by  natives  of  Chili  that  were  printed 
abroad.  An  index  in  one  alphabet  to  author, 
editor,  translator,  etc.,  but,  strangely  enough, 
not  to  titles,  concludes  the  catalog,  which, 
with  all  its  shortcomings,  is  a  valuable  addition 
to  the  bibliography  of  Americana.  The  cata- 
log has  325  pages,  which  is  accounted  for  by 
the  fact  that  but  five  titles  are  printed  on  a 
page. 

REFORM  CLUB,  London.  Catalogue  of  the  libra- 
ry :  printed  for  the  members,  with  revised 
historical  introduction.  2d.  enl.  ed.  London, 
Smith,  Elder  &  Co.  8°.  los.  6d. 

SALA,  G:  A.,  in  the  preface  to  his  "  London 
up  to  date,"  gives  a  brief  but  timely  and  in- 
teresting bibliography  of  the  "old  city"  of 
London. 

WENCKSTERN,  F.  v.,  has  compiled  "  A 
bibliography  of  Japan,"  which  will  appear 
shortly.  It  is  said  to  be  comprehensive  and 
systematically  arranged,  will  consist  of  about 
250  pages  of  large  octavo,  and  will  supply,  in 
addition  to  a.fac-simile  reprint  of  L6on  Pages' 
"  Bibliographic  Japonaise,"  a  list  of  books,  es- 
says and  maps  published  from  1859  to  1893. 

WHITAKKR,  J:  and  Sons,  comps.  The  reference 
catalogue  of  current  [English]  literature,  con- 
taining full  titles  of  books  now  in  print  and 
on  sale,  with  the  prices  at  which  they  may  be 
obtained  of  all  booksellers,  and  an  index 
containing  upwards  of  87,000  references.  N.  Y. , 
office  of  the  Publishers'  Weekly,  1894.  O.  hf. 
leath.,  $3.50  net. 

This  issue  of  Whitaker  is  the  first  since  1890, 
and  is  considerably  larger  than  any  of  its  pre- 
decessors. It  contains  the  complete  or  abridged 
lists  of  156  English  publishers,  and  the  index 
to  these  fills  515  pages,  including  upwards  of 
87,000  entries.  Every  book  contained  in  the 
reference  catalog  may  be  found  in  its  place  in 
the  index,  under  title,  subject,  or  author  ;  in 
many  cases  two  and  three  entries  have  been 
given  a  book,  and  the  index  makes  the  volume 
most  useful  and  convenient  for  quick  consulta- 
tion. It  is  an  indispensable  guide  to  current 
English  literature.  The  index  entries  exceed  by 
19,000  those  of  1889  ;  and  besides  the  545  p.  of 
index,  there  are  about  5500  p.  of  catalogs,  un- 
numbered. The  volume  Is  about  II  inches  thick, 


November,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


399 


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don and  British  Catalogues.  [London:  Sampson  Low, 
Marston  &  Co.]  8vo,  paper,  net,  $1.50.  THE  ENGLISH 
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MENT PUBLICATIONS.  July  i,  1884,  to  June 
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November,  '94]  fj?&  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  46! 

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{November,  '94 


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DR.  W.  T.  HARRIS, 
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PROF.  E.  D.  COPH, 
PROF.  FELIX  KLEIN, 
CHARLES  S.  PEIRCB, 
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JAMES  SULLY, 
DR.  A.  BINET, 


PROF.  ERNST  MACH, 

LUSTER  F.  WARD, 

DR.  EDM.  MONTGOMERY, 

PROF.  C.  LOMBROSO, 

PROF.  E.  HAECKEL, 

PROF.  J.  DKLBCEUF, 

PROF.  F.  JODL, 

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Murray's  Valuable  Receipts. 

Historical  Society,  Topeka,  Kas. 

Kansas,  Moffette's  The  Territories  of  Kansas  and  Ne- 
braska.   N.  Y.,  1855. 

Jersey  City  (N.  J.)  Free  Public  Library. 
The  Fassett  Investigating  Committee's  Report  on  the 
Aqueduct  Commission. 

Library    Department   of    Agriculture,    Washing- 
ton, D.C. 

Quotations  on  Sets  and  Odd  Vols.  of  Agricultural  and 
Horticultural  Periodicals,  American  and  Foreign. 

T.  E.  Moe,   I    W.  21st  St.,  N.  Y. 

Century  Dictionary. 

Dalziel,  Breaking  and  Training  of  Dogs. 

Office  of  The  Publishers'  Weekly,  P.  O.  Box  943, 
N.  Y. 

Annual  Catalogue,  1891. 

Copies  of  Library  Journal,  Aug.,  1894. 

Utlca  Public  Library,  Utlca,  N.  Y. 
Nilei1  Register,  complete  file. 


"\KTANTED.— Library  assistant  of  either  sex,  thoroughly 
trained  in  cataloging  and  having  a  good  general 
knowledge  of  books  and  authors.  Salary,  $8op.  Address, 
stating  age,  where  educated,  previous  experience,  refer- 
ence and  special  qualifications  of  any  kind,  enclosing 
also  a  specimen  of  cataloging,  LIBRARIAN,  office  of  the 
LIBRARY  JOURNAL. 


November,  '94]  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  403 

THE  BAKER  &  TAYLOR  CO., 

5  and  7  East  Sixteenth  Street,  New  York, 

nAKE  a  specialty  of  supplying  public,  private,  and  school  LIBRARIES?  for  which 
they  have  exceptional  facilities  through  their  connection  with  many  of  the  largest  houses 
as  special  agents,  and  by  carrying  the  stock  of  all  American  Publishers. 

They  are  pleased  to  give  estimates  at  lowest  rates  on  lists  of  proposed  purchases,  and 
solicit  correspondence  with  Librarians  and  other  bookbuyers. 

This  house   is  characterized    by  its   Promptness,    Carefulness,    and    Low 
Prices. 

There  will  be  sent  to  any  address  on  application  a  topically  arranged  General  Library  List 
selected  from  the  books  of  all  publishers. 

The  Round  Robin  Reading  Club 

Offers  to  individuals  and  classes  a  discriminating  and  personal  guidance  in  the 
study  of  Literature.  Its  system,  endorsed  by  leading  literary  men  and  women,  gives 
each  member  freedom  in  the  choice  of  subject  and  furnishes  for  each  subject 
schedules  prepared  by  specialists  who  criticise  papers  when  desired.  This  direct, 
personal  assistance  is  peculiar  to  the  "  Round  Robin,"  and  is  of  great  value  in  any 
study  and  in  general  reading.  For  particulars  address 

Miss  LOUISE  STOCKTON,  4213  Chester  Ave.,  Philadelphia. 


H.  5OTHERAN  &  CO., 


AMres, : 

BOOKMEN,  LONDON,  .  J  ^IV^  .  S»«      UNICODE. 


Booksellers,  Bookbinders,  and  Publishers,  and  General  Agents  in  Europe 
for  Private  Bookbuyers  and  Public  Institutions  in  America. 

With  exceptionally  long  experience  in  Library  Agency,  they  can  promise  the  best  care, 
diligence,  and  discretion  in  everything  relating  to  it,  and  in  small  matters  as  well  as  great. 
Established  1816. 

A  Monthly  Catalogue  of  Second-Hand  Books,     Specimen  Number  post  fret. 


14O  Strand,  W.  C.,  and  37  Piccadilly,  W.  :  London. 

KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  CO., 


PUBLISHERS  AND  LIBRARY  AGENTS, 

Having  extensive  experience  in  supplying  PUBLIC  LIBRARIES,  MUSEUMS,  GOVERNMENT 
INSTITUTIONS,  etc.  ,  at  Home  and  Abroad,  with  Miscellaneous  Requisites,  Books  (New  and 
Second-hand),  or  Periodicals  in  all  Languages,  offer  their  Services  to  LIBRARIANS  SECRE- 
TARIES, AND  OTHERS.  Careful  attention  given  to  every  detail  Exceptional  Facilities  for 
obtaining  Foreign  and  Scarce  Books.  BINDING  OF  EVERY  DESCRIPTION  UNDERTAKEN.  Periodicals 
and  Newspapers  Promptly  Supplied  as  issued.  Books  Shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  World  at  Lowest 
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TERMS  ON  APPLICATION,  ALSO  LIST  OF  LIBRARY  APPLIANCES,  HANDBOOKS,  ETC. 


404  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  {November,  '49 

ESTABLISHED    1873 

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30  WELLINGTON  ST.,  STRAND.       76  RUE  DE  RENNES.  HOSPITAL  Sin.  10. 

GUSTAV  E.  STECHERT 

Purchasing  Agent  for  Colleges  &  Libraries 

810    BROADWAY,    NEW    YORK, 

(TWO  DOORS  ABOVE  GRACE  CHURCH) 

begs  to  call  attention  to  his  facilities  for  obtaining  FOREIGN  BOOKS  and 
PERIODICALS  at  more  economical  rates  THAN  ANY  OTHER  HOUSE  IN  AMERICA 
OR  EUROPE  can  offer,  because : 

He  employs  no  Commission  Agents,  but  has  his  own  offices  and 
clerks  at  London,  Paris  and  Leipzig.  He  has  open  accounts 
with  all  the  leading  publishing  houses  in  the  world. 

His  experience  enables  him  to  give  information  at  once  about 
rare  and  scarce  books. 

He  receives  weekly  shipments  from  England,  France  and  Germany,  and 
can  thereby  fill  orders  in  quicker  time. 

MORE  THAN  200  LIBRARIES  FAVOR  HIM  WITH  THEIR  ORDERS. 


SF»EOIAI>    REFERENCES, 

*'  Mr.  Stechert  has  for  years  furnished  this  Library  with  most  of  its  periodicals  and  European  books,  and  has  bought  for  us 
many  thousand  volumes.  Mr.  Stechert's  success  is  due  to  his  constant  personal  attention  to  the  business,  and  the  reasonable 
terms  he  is  able  to  offer.  I  consider  a  New  York  agent  far  preferable  to  reliance  on  foreign  agents  alone." 

GEO.  H.  BAKER,  Librarian  of  Columbia  College^  New  York. 


"  Seven  years  ago,  in  reorganizing  the  Columbia  College  library,  I  spent  much  time  in  trying  to  discover  how  to  get  out 
foreign  books  and  periodicals  with  the  least  delay,  trouble  and  expense.  The  result  of  the  comparison  of  three  methods,  viz : 
ordering  direct  from  foreign  dealers,  ordering  through  one  agent  in  London,  or  ordering  through  one  agent  in  New  York  showed 
us  that  it  was  to  our  advantage  to  give  Mr.  Stechert  all  our  foreign  orders,  as  he  delivered  in  the  library  in  a  single  package 
and  with  a  single  bill  at  as  low  cost  as  we  were  able  with  vastly  greater  trouble,  to  get  a  half  dozen  different  packages  in  differ- 
ent bills  from  different  places.  In  reorganizing  the  New  York  State  Library,  I  opened  the  whole  question  anew,  and  the  result 
of  the  comparison  was  the  same  as  before,  and  we  find  that  the  library  gets  most  for  the  time  and  money  expended  by  taking 
advantage  of  Mr.  Stechert's  long  experience,  and  the  careful  personal  attention  which  he  gives  to  our  orders." 

MELVIL  DEWEY,  Director  of  If.  Y.  State  Library,  Albany ;  N.  Y. 


*'  Mr.  G.  E.  Stechert  of  New  York  has  served  us  with  fidelity  in  procuring  English,  French  and  German  books,  both  new 
and  second  hand  and  also  periodicals.  His  terms  are  more  reasonable  than  any  others  that  have  come  to  our  notice,  while  he 
has  always  guarded  our  interests  very  carefully.  We  find  it  a  great  convenience  to  have  one  agency  in  New  York,  represented 
by  branches  in  different  European  countries." 

Prof.  ARTHUR  H.  PALMER,  Librarian  ofAdelbert  College^  Cleveland,  O. 


"  Your  methods  and  facilities  for  doing  business,  as  I  have  examined  them  here  as  well  as  at  the  Leipzig  and  London  ends, 
seem  to  me  admirably  progressive  and  thoroughly  live.  I  deal  with  you  because  I  judge  it  for  the  advantage  of  this  library  to 
do  so.  If  I  did  not,  I  should  not.  Up  to  date  I  am  unable  to  find  a  method  which  is,  all  things  included,  so  economical  of 
time  and  money  as  dealing  through  you." 

ERNEST  C.  RICHARDSON,  Librarian  »f  College  of  New  Jersey,  Princeton,  N.J. 


14  Our  library  committee  speaks  in  the  highest  terms  of  your  services.     You  have  not  only  saved  us  many  dollars,  but  hart 
ifaown  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  our  wants  for  which  we  thank  you. ' ' 

A.  8.  COLLINS,  Act.  Librarian  ofReyntldt  Library,  Rocktslir,  ff.  V. 

GUSTAV    K.    STKCHKRT, 

IO"QON.         PARIS.         LEIPZIG.         NEW  YORK. 


THE 


Library   Journal 


OFFICIAL  ORGAN  OF  THE  AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 


CHIEFLY    DEVOTED     TO 


Economy  anfc 


VOL.   19.     No.   12. 
LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE 

DECEMBER,   1894 


For  Contents  See  Next  Page. 


NEW  YORK  :    PUBLICATION  OFFICE,  28  ELM  STREET  (Near  Duane). 
LONDON:    SOLD  BY  KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  Co.,  PATERNOSTER  HOUSE, 

CHARING  CROSS  ROAD. 
YEARLY  SUBSCRIPTION, $5.00.  MONTHLY  NUMBERS,  50  cts. 

Price  to  Europe,  or  ether  countries  in  the  Union,  aos.  ftr  annum  ;  tingle  numbers,  at. 
Entered  at  the  Post-Office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  at  second-class  matter. 


CONTENTS. 


Title. 


President's  address , 

The  present  problem      .    .    .    .    , 

Home  libraries 

Common  novels  in  public  libraries  , 

Functions  of  a  university  library    , 
Selection  of  books 


Supplying  of  current  daily  newspapers  in  free  library 

reading-rooms 

Periodical  library  bulletins      . 


t: 


Report  on  library  progress 

Report  on  gifts  and  bequests  to  libraries 

Report  on  university  extension  and  public  libraries     .    .     . 

Report  on  local  history  collections  in  public  libraries  .    .    . 

Report  on  classification  and  catalogs 

Report  on  aids  and  guides 

Report  on  reading  for  the  >  oung 

Report  on  access  to  the  shelves 

Report  on  library  architecture 

On  library  floors  and  floor-coverings 

Work  of  the  Publishing  Section 

Law  books  for  general  libraries 

"Don't,"  warnings  of  experience 

Proceedings 109-173 

First  Session .    109-122 

Secretary's  report 109-110 

Treasurer's  report 110-112 

Necrology 112-114 

Report  of  Executive  Board 115 

Report  of  Finance  Committee 115 

Report  of  Cooperation  Committee   .    .    .    .    115-116 
Report  on   Library    School    and    Training 

Classes  116-120 

Report  of  Endowment  Fund 120 

Report  of  Columbian  Exposition  Committee    120-121 

Libraries  in  the  South       121 

Bureau  of  Education  and  A.  L.  A.  Manual   .  122 

Second  Session 133-126 

Report  on  library  legislation 123 

Foreign  documents 123-126 

Third  Session 126-136 

Public  documents 126-134 

Selection  of  books i34~'35 

Place  of  next  meeting i35-I36 

Fourth  Session 136-137 

Reading  for  the  young 136 

Common  novels  in  public  libraries    ....  137 

Fifth  Session       137-146 

Report  of  Executive  Board 137 

Index  to  subject  headings 138-139 

Library  architecture 139-140 

Library  floors  and  floor-coverings    ....    140-143 
Daily  newspapers  in  library  reading-rooms    143-146 

Sixth  Session       146-154 

Periodical  library  bulletins 146-147 


Page. 

J.  N.  Larned x 

W.H.Brttt       5(157) 

C.  W.  Birtwell;  Miss  M.  S.  Cutler        ....  9,  13 

Miss  C.  ff.  Garland ;  Miss  E.  P.  Thurston  .     .  14,16 
G.  W.  Cole:  A.  IV.  Whclpley  ;  Miss  E.  M.  Coe  18,  21,  23 

H .  L  Koopman 24(151) 

Mist  E.  M.  Coe  ;  Miss  C.  3f.  Hewitts     ....  30,  32 

W.  E.  Foster  ;  D.  V.  R.  Joh  ns ton 34,  36 

W.  A.  Bar  dwell ;  W.  H.  Brett 37,38 

H.  M.  Utley  ;  F.  M.  Crunden 39,  41  (i 34) 

A.  W.  Whelpley;  H.  M.  Utley:  F.  M.  Crunden  42,  44.  46 

John  Thomson  :  James  Bain,  Jr 47,49(143) 

G.  M.Jones  ;  G.  W.  Cole  ;  Miss  C,  M.  Hetains  50,  51,  52 

John  Edmands;  J.  C.  Dana:   W.  H.  Brett    .  54,  55  (146) 

Frank  P.  Hill 56 

Horace  Kephart 61 

T.  L.  Montgomery 64  (147) 

Henry  J.  Carr 67  (154) 

C.  Alex.  Nelson 69 

W.H.Austin 77 

Miss  L.  E.  Stearns 8l 

B.C.  Steiner  and  S.H.  Ranch 87(160) 

Miss  T.  H .  West 96(139) 

William  Beer 100(140) 

W.I.  Fletcher 102 

C.  C.  Soule 103 

Sundry  contributors io4 

Public  libraries  and  university  extension  .     .  147-151 

Functions  of  a  university  library       ....  151 

Better  editions  of  popular  books 152-153 

Dictionary  of  library  economy 153 

Nominations  for  officers 154 

Seventh  Session      154-157 

Local  history  collections  in  public  libraries  .  154-156 

Report  of  Executive  Board 157 

Eighth  Session    .    .    .    .    : 157-163 

The  present  problem 157-160 

Law  books  for  general  libraries 160 

Hartwig's  project  for  manuscripts    ....  160 

Access  to  the  shelves 160-162 

W.  C.  Lane's  communication 163 

Ninth  Session 163-165 

Place  and  time  of  next  meeting 163 

Election  of  officers 163-164 

Bibliographical  Society  of  London   ....  164 

Report  of  Committee  on  Resolutions    .    .    .  164-165 

Tenth  Session 165-173 

In  memory  of  Dr.  W.  F.  Poole 165-171 

Invitation  from  L.  A.  U.  K 171 

Amendment  to  Constitution 171 

Miscellaneous  business 172 

Adjournment 173 

A.  L.  A.  Publishing  Section 173-175 

College  Library  Section 175-176 

Social  side  of  the  Conference 176-177 

Post-Conference  Excursion 178-186 

Attendance  register     .    .- 186-189 

Attendance  summaries 19° 


CONFERENCE     OF     LIBRARIANS 

LAKE  PLACID,  SEPT.   17-22,  1894. 


ADDRESS    OF    THE    PRESIDENT,    J.    N.    LARNED,    SUPERINTENDENT    OF 
THE    BUFFALO    LIBRARY. 


TT  was  my  misfortune  to  be  absent  from 
the  meeting  at  which  you  did  me  the 
honor  to  elect  me  to  this  place,  and  I  had  no 
opportunity,  either  to  give  my  advice  against 
that  action,  or  to  thank  you  for  the  distinc- 
tion with  which  it  clothes  me.  The  advice 
I  would  have  given  is  now  belated ;  but  my 
thanks  have  lost  no  warmth  by  the  delay, 
and  I  pray  you  to  accept  them  with  belief  in 
their  sincerity.  At  the  same  time  I  shall 
venture  to  draw  from  the  circumstances  a 
certain  claim  upon  your  generosity.  If  it 
happens  to  me  to  be  tripped  in  some  of 
those  tangles  of  procedure  which,  in  such 
meetings  as  this,  await  the  stumbling  feet  of 
an  untrained  presiding  officer,  be  good  enough 
to  remember  the  warning  I  would  have  given 
you  if  I  had  had  opportunity. 

We  are  gathered  for  the  sixteenth  meeting 
of  the  American  Library  Association,  in  the 
eighteenth  year  of  its  existence.  Our  league 
of  the  libraries  is  young ;  its  history  is 
unpretentious ;  but  it  is  the  history  of  a 
movement  of  higher  importance  to  the  world 
than  many  others  that  have  marched  with 
trumpets  and  drums.  Eighteen  years  ago, 
the  conception  of  the  Library  militant,  of 
the  Library  as  a  moving  force  in  the  world, 
of  the  Librarian  as  a  missionary  of  literature, 
was  one  which  a  few  men  only  had  grasped ; 
but  with  which  those  few  had  already  begun 
the  doing  of  a  revolutionary  work.  To-day 
such  ideals  are  being  realized  in  most  cor- 
ners of  the  American  republic.  The  last 
generation,  and  the  generations  before  the 
last,  were  satisfied  with  the  school  as  an  agent 
of  popular  education.  In  our  time  we  have 


brought  the  library  to  the  help  of  the  school, 
and  the  world  is  just  opening  its  eyes  to  per- 
ceive the  enormous  value  of  the  reinforcement 
that  is  gained  from  this  new  power. 

And  the  discovery  has  come  none  too 
soon ;  for  a  desperate  need  of  more  and 
stronger  forces  in  the  work  of  popular 
education  is  pressing  on  us.  If  we  reflect 
on  the  social  conditions  of  the  present  day, 
and  review  a  little  the  working  of  the 
ferments  in  civilized  society  during  a  few 
years  last  past,  we  shall  marvel,  I  think,  at 
the  timeliness  of  the  movement  which  brings 
the  public  library,  just  now,  to  the  front  of 
action  among  the  instruments  and  agencies 
of  popular  education.  It  is  our  fortune,  good 
or  ill  as  we  may  regard  it,  to  be  unmistak- 
ably passing  through  one  of  the  greater 
crises  of  human  history.  In  the  last  century, 
modern  democracy  got  its  political  footing 
in  the  world.  Its  birth  was  older,  and  it  had 
been  cradled  in  divers  nursing-places,  Swiss, 
Dutch,  English,  and  New  English ;  but  last 
century  it  stepped  into  political  history  as 
the  actor  of  the  leading  part ;  as  the  sover- 
eign of  the  future,  mounting  his  throne. 
From  the  moment  it  came  on  the  stage,  all 
wise  men  knew  that  its  need  above  every 
other  need  was  education.  They  made  haste, 
in  our  country,  to  build  school-houses  and  to 
set  the  school-master  at  work  ;  seeing  plainly 
that  all  they  might  hope  for  and  strive  for  in 
the  future  would  depend  on  the  intelligence 
that  could  be  put  into  the  brain  of  this 
omnipotent  sovereign  who  had  risen  to  rule 
the  world. 

Well,  the  schools  and  the  school-masters 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


served  their  purpose  reasonably  well  for  a 
season.  Democracy  was  fairly  equipped 
with  a  spelling-book  and  a  quill-pen  for  the 
duties  and  responsibilities  of  a  simple,  slowly- 
moving  time.  The  mass  of  its  members, 
the  e very-day  people  of  the  farm  and  the 
shop,  read  the  pamphlets  and  the  weekly 
gazettes  of  their  day,  and  were  gently  drawn, 
with  unconfused  minds,  into  one  or  the  other 
of  two  straightly  opposed  political  parties 
which  sought  their  votes.  If  they  lacked 
knowledge,  there  was  a  certain  ingenuous- 
ness in  their  character  which  paid  respect  to 
the  opinions  of  men  who  had  more.  If 
blundering  in  politics  occurred,  it  was  blunder- 
ing leadership,  for  the  most  part,  and  more 
easily  corrected  than  perversity  in  the  ranks. 
So  the  reign  of  democracy  was  successful 
enough  while  society  kept  the  simpler  state. 

But  that  simpler  state  is  gone.  We  who 
are  beyond  middle  age  may  say  that  we  have 
seen  it  disappear.  We  have  witnessed  a 
miraculous  transformation  of  the  earth  and 
of  the  people  who  dwell  on  it.  We  have 
seen  the  passing  of  Aladdin,  who  rubbed  his 
magical  electric  lamp  as  he  went,  calling 
Afreets  from  the  air  to  be  the  common  ser- 
vants of  man.  A  change  has  been  wrought 
within  fifty  years  that  is  measureless,  not  only 
in  itself,  but  in  its  effects  on  the  human  race. 
The  people  who  whisper  in  each  other's 
ears  across  a  continent ;  who  know  at  noon- 
time in  Nebraska  what  happened  in  the 
morning  at  Samarcand ;  the  people  to  whom 
a  hundred  leagues  are  neighborhood,  and  a 
thousand  but  easy  distance ;  for  whom  there 
is  little  mystery  left  on  the  face  of  the  earth, 
nor  anything  hidden  from  their  eyes ;  these 
people  of  our  day  are  not  in  the  likeness  of 
the  men  and  women  who  ambled  horseback 
or  rode  in  coaches  from  town  to  town,  and 
who  were  content  with  a  weekly  mail.  The 
fitting  and  furniture  of  mind  that  would  make 
a  safe  member  of  society  and  a  good  citizen 
out  of  the  man  of  small  horizons,  who  lived 
the  narrower  life  of  a  generation  or  two  ago, 
are  perilously  scant  for  these  times. 

It  is  true  that  all  the  wonderful  quickening 
of  life  which  has  occurred  carries  something  of 
education  in  itself,  and  that  men  learn  even 
by  living  under  the  conditions  of  the  present 
day ;  but  the  learning  caught  in  that  way  is 
of  the  dangerous  kind.  It  is  the  delusive 


knowledge  of  the  surface  of  things ;  the 
deceitful  lore  which  breeds  mischievous  beliefs 
and  makes  them  fanatical.  It  goes  but  a 
little  way,  if  at  all,  toward  the  saving  of  soci- 
ety, as  against  the  unrest,  the  discontent,  the 
desire,  which  torment  such  an  age  of  revolu- 
tion as  ours. 

And  the  threatening  fact  is  this  :  that  igno- 
rant opinions  have  acquired  at  the  present 
day  a  capacity  for  harm  enormously  increased 
over  that  of  the  elder  times.  They  share  the 
magnified  potency  that  is  given  to  all  things, 
good  or  ill,  by  the  science  of  the  modern  man. 
Its  million  tongues  are  lent  to  them  for  pro- 
pagation ;  but  that  is  a  matter  of  small  serious- 
ness compared  with  the  boundless  ease  of  com- 
bination which  it  offers  to  them  at  the  same 
time.  It  is  in  that  appalling  facility  of  alliance 
and  organization,  which  present  conditions 
have  given  to  men  and  women  of  every  class 
and  character,  for  every  kind  of  aim  and  pur- 
pose, that  the  greatest  peril  of  society  lies  in 
our  day.  A  peril,  that  is  to  say,  so  long  as 
society  has  no  assurance  that  the  leagues  and 
confederacies  formed  within  its  bosom  will  be 
prevailingly  well  instructed  and  intelligently 
controlled. 

As  a  serious  danger  this  is  something  quite 
new.  It  has  come  upon  us  within  recent  years. 
I  can  remember  a  state  of  things  in  which  it 
was  difficult  for  a  man  in  common  life  to  join 
himself  with  other  men,  much  beyond  his  own 
neighborhood,  in  any  effectual  way,  excepting 
as  he  did  it  on  the  lines  of  an  old  political 
party  or  an  older  church.  But,  to-day,  leagues, 
unions,  federations,  associations,  orders, 
rings,  form  themselves  among  the  restless, 
unstable  elements  of  the  time  as  easily  as  clouds 
are  formed  in  the  atmosphere,  and  with  kind- 
red lightning  flashes  and  mutterings  of  thunder . 
Any  boldly  ignorant  inventor  of  a  new  econom- 
ical theory  or  a  new  political  doctrine,  or  a 
new  corner-stone  for  the  fabric  of  society, 
can  set  on  foot  a  movement  from  Maine 
to  California,  between  two  equinoxes,  if  he 
handles  his  invention  with  dexterity.  This 
is  what  invests  popular  ignorance  with  terrors 
which  never  appeared  in  it  before,  and 
it  is  this  which  has  brought  the  real,  respon- 
sible test  of  democracy,  social  and  political, 
on  our  time,  and  on  us. 

Democracy,  in  fact,  has  remained  consider- 
ably, hitherto,  an  unworked  theory  of  society, 


LARNED. 


even  in  communities  which  have  supposed 
themselves  to  be  democratically  constituted. 
It  has  remained  so  through  want  of  conditions 
that  would  give  a  clear  sound  to  the  individ- 
ual voice  and  free  play  to  the  individual  will. 
Those  conditions  are  now  arriving  in  the  world, 
and  the  democratic  regime  is  consequently 
perfecting  itself,  not  politically  alone,  but 
economically,  and  in  all  the  social  relations  of 
mankind. 

So  it  is  not  exaggeration  to  say  that  we  have 
come  to  a  situation  in  which  society  must  fight 
for  its  life  against  popular  ignorance.  The  old 
agencies  of  education  are  inadequate,  when 
the  best  has  been  made  of  them.  The 
common  school  does  not  go  far  enough,  and 
cannot.  Its  chief,  function  is  to  prepare  a  soil 
in  the  young  mind  for  the  after  seed-planting 
which  will  produce  fruits  of  intelligence.  Un- 
supplemented,  it  is  well-nigh  barren  of  true 
educational  results.  The  higher  schools  and 
colleges  reach  too  small  a  number  to  count  for 
much  in  a  problem  which  concerns  the  teaching 
of  the  universal  millions.  What  agency,  then, 
is  there,  that  will  prepare  the  democracy  of  the 
present  and  the  future  for  its  tremendous 
responsibilities  ? 

Some  may  say,  the  newspaper  press  :  and  I 
would  rejoice  if  we  could  accept  that  reply. 
For  the  press  is  an  educating  power  that  might 
transform  the  civilization  of  the  world  as 
swiftly  in  mind  and  morals  as  steam  and  elec- 
tricity have  transformed  its  material  aspects. 
There  is  nothing  conceivable  in  the  way  of  light 
and  leading  for  mankind  which  a  conscien- 
tious and  cultivated  newspaper  press  might 
not  do  within  a  single  generation.  But  a  press 
of  that  character  and  that  effect  seems  possible 
only  under  circumstances  of  disinterestedness 
which  are  not  likely  to  exist.  The  publication 
of  a  newspaper  may  sometimes  be  undertaken 
as  a  duty,  but  not  often.  As  a  rule,  it  is  a  busi- 
ness, like  any  other,  with  the  mercenary 
objects  of  business ;  and  as  a  rule,  too,  the  gain 
sought  is  more  readily  and  more  certainly 
found  by  pandering  to  popular  ignorance  than 
by  striving  against  it.  A  few  newspapers  can 
secure  a  clientage  which  they  please  best  by 
dignity,  by  cleanness,  by  sober  truthfulness, 
and  by  thoughtful  intelligence,  in  their  col- 
umns ;  but  the  many  are  tempted  always,  not 
merely  to  stoop  to  low  tastes  and  vulgar 
sentiments,  but  to  cultivate  them ;  because 


there  is  gravitation  in  the  moral  as  well  as 
the  physical  world,  and  culture  in  the  down- 
ward way  is  easier  than  in  the  upward. 

The  vulgarizing  of  the  news  press  has  been 
a  late  and  rapid  process,  nearly  coincident  in 
cause  and  event  with  the  evolution  of  this 
modern  democracy  which  it  makes  more 
problematical.  We  need  not  be  very  old  to 
have  seen  the  beginnings :  the  first  skimming 
of  the  rich  daily  news  of  the  world  for  the  scum 
and  the  froth  of  it ;  the  first  invention  of  that 
disgusting  brew,  from  public  sewers  and  private 
drains,  with  which  the  popular  newspapers 
of  the  day  feed  morbid  appetites.  We  can 
recall  the  very  routes  by  which  it  was  carried 
from  city  to  city,  and  taken  up  by  journal  after 
journal,  as  they  discovered  a  latent,  undevel- 
oped taste  for  such  ferments  of  literature  in  the 
communities  around  them.  The  taste  was 
latent,  potential ;  it  did  not  exist  as  a  fact ;  it 
was  not  conscious  of  itself;  it  made  no  de- 
mands. The  newspapers  deliberately  sought 
it  out,  delved  for  it,  brought  it  to  the  surface  ; 
fed  it,  stimulated  it,  made  it  what  it  is  to-day, 
an  appetite  as  diseased  and  as  shamefully 
pandered  to  as  the  appetite  for  intoxicating 
drams. 

And,  so  far  as  I  can  perceive,  this  action  and 
reaction  between  what  is  ignorant  and  vulgar 
in  the  public  and  what  is  mercenary  and 
unscrupulous  in  the  press  will  go  on  until 
popular  education  from  other  sources  puts  an 
end  to  it.  For  it  is  the  saving  fact  that  there 
are  other  sources  ;  and  foremost  among  them 
are  the  public  libraries.  If  it  has  been  our 
privilege  to  see,  and  for  some  in  our  circle  to 
bear  a  part  in,  the  beginnings  of  the  active 
educational  work  of  the  libraries,  I  am  per- 
suaded that  it  is  only  the  beginnings  we  have 
witnessed  as  yet.  I  am  persuaded  that  the 
public  library  of  the  future  will  transcend  our 
dreams  in  its  penetrating  influence.  Consider 
for  a  moment  what  it  is,  and  what  it  offers  to 
the  energies  of  education  which  a  desperate 
necessity  is  awakening  and  organizing  in  the 
world !  It  is  a  store,  a  reservoir,  of  the  new 
knowledge  of  the  latest  day  and  the  ripened 
wisdom  of  the  long  past.  To  carry  into  the 
memory  and  into  the  thought  of  all  the  people 
who  surround  it,  in  a  town,  even  some  little 
part  of  what  it  holds  of  instructed  reasoning 
and  instructed  feeling,  would  be  to  civilize 
that  community  beyond  the  highest  experience 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


of  civilization  that  mankind  has  yet  attained  to. 
There  is  nothing  that  stands  equally  beside  it 
as  a  possible  agent  of  common  culture.  It  is 
the  one  fountain  of  intellectual  life  which  can- 
not be  exhausted ;  which  need  not  be 
channeled  for  any  fortunate  few ;  which  can 
be  generously  led  to  the  filling  of  every  cup,  of 
every  capacity,  for  old  or  young.  There  is 
little  in  it  to  tempt  the  befouling  hand  of  the 
politician,  and  it  offers  no  gain  to  the  mercan- 
tile adventurer.  For  those  who  serve  it  ori  be- 
half of  the  public  there  are  few  allurements 
of  money  or  fame.  Its  vast  powers  for  good 
are  so  little  exposed  to  seduction  or  corruption 
that  it  seems  to  give  promises  for  the  future 
which  are  safer  and  surer  than  any  others  that 
society  can  build  hopes  upon. 

In  this  view,  those  who  serve  the  public 
libraries  have  a  great  responsibility  laid  on 
them.  They  hold  in  their  hands  what  would 
give  to  civilization  an  ideal  refinement  if  it 
could  be  distributed  and  communicated  to  all. 
As  we  know  very  well,  that  is  impossible. 
There  is  a  part  of  mankind,  in  every  com- 
munity, which  never  will  feel,  never  can  be 
made  to  feel,  the  gentle  attractiveness  and 
influence  of  books.  The  fact  is  one  not  to  be 
disputed  or  ignored.  At  the  same  time  it  is  a 
fact  to  be  treated  practically  as  though  it  did 
not  exist.  It  is  our  business  to  assume  that 
the  mission  of  good  books,  books  of  knowledge, 
books  of  thought,  books  of  inspiration,  books 
of  right  feeling,  books  of  wholesome  imagina- 
tion, can  be  pushed  to  every  hearth,  and  to 
every  child  and  parent  who  sits  by  it.  And 
it  is  our  business  to  labor  unsparingly  toward 
the  making  of  that  assumption  good,  without 
reckoning  any  fraction  of  hopelessness  in  it. 

That  is  the  business  to  which  we  are  appoint- 
ed in  the  world.  Let  us  be  careful  that  we  do 
not  misconceive  it  in  one  most  important 
particular !  It  is  not  the  mission  of  books  that 
we  are  charged  with,  but  the  mission  of  good 
books.  And  there  lies  a  delicate,  difficult,  very 
grave  duty  in  that  discrimination.  To  judge 
books  with  adequate  knowledge  and  sufficient 
hospitality  of  mind  ;  to  exercise  a  just  choice 
among  them  without  offensive  censorship  ;  to 
defend  his  shelves  against  the  endless  siege  of 
vulgar  literature,  and  yet  not  waste  his 
strength  in  the  resistance — these  are  really  the 
crucial  demands  made  on  every  librarian. 


For  the  first  condition  of  successful  work  is 
a  good  tool ;  and  our  tools  are  not  books,  but 
good  books.  These  given,  then  follow  those 
demands  on  us  which  we  sometimes  discuss 
as  though  they  came  first  of  all :  the  demands, 
that  is,  for  a  perfected  apparatus  in  the  working 
library,  for  a  tireless  energy  in  its  motive  forces, 
and  for  a  large  intelligence  in  the  directing  of 
them. 

Not  many  years  ago,  our  missionary  under- 
takings from  the  library  seemed  to  be  bounded 
by  its  own  walls.  The  improving,  annotating, 
and  popularizing  of  catalogues  ;  the  printing 
and  distributing  of  bulletins  and  reference 
lists  ;  the  surrounding  of  readers  and  seekers 
in  a  library  with  willing  help  and  competent 
suggestion ;  these  labors  seemed,  only  a  few 
years  ago,  to  include  almost  everything  that 
the  librarian  most  zealous  as  a  missionary  could 
do.  But  see  what  doors  have  been  opening  in 
the  last  few  years,  and  what  illimitable  fields  of 
labor  now  invite  him  !  Through  one,  the  great 
army  of  the  teachers  in  the  common  schools  is 
coming  into  co-operation  with  him.  Through 
another,  he  steps  into  the  movement  of  univer- 
sity extension,  and  finds  in  every  one  of  its 
servants  a  true  apostle  of  the  library  mission 
of  good  books.  From  a  third,  he  spreads  his 
beneficent  snares  about  a  city  in  branches  and 
delivery  stations  ;  and  by  a  fourth  he  sends 
"traveling  libraries  "  to  the  ends  of  his  State. 

The  arena  of  our  work  is  large  enough 
already  to  make  claims  on  every  faculty  and 
power  we  can  bring  to  it ;  and  yet  our  plainest 
duty  is  to  enlarge  it  still.  I  think  we  may  be 
sure  that  there  are  portals  yet  to  open,  agents 
yet  to  enlist,  alliances  yet  to  enter,  conquests 
yet  to  make.  And  in  the  end — what  ? 

Those  of  us  who  have  faith  in  the  future  ot 
democracy  can  only  hold  our  faith  fast  by 
believing  that  the  knowledge  of  the  learned, 
the  wisdom  of  the  thoughtful,  the  conscience  of 
the  upright,  will  some  day  be  common  enough 
to  prevail,  always,  over  every  factious  folly  and 
every  mischievous  movement  that  evil  minds  or 
ignorance  can  set  astir.  When  that  blessed 
time  of  victory  shall  have  come,  there  will  be 
many  to  share  the  glory  of  it ;  but  none  among 
them  will  rank  rightly  before  those  who  have 
led  and  inspired  the  work  of  the  public 
libraries. 


BRETT. 


THE   PRESENT   PROBLEM. 


BY    WM.  H.   BRETT,    LIBRARIAN   OF   THE    CLEVELAND    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


"''PHE  old  order  changeth,  giving  place  to 
the  new,  and  God  fulfils  himself  in 
many  ways." 

The  period  since  the  Civil  War  has  been 
fraught  with  many  changes  in  our  own 
country.  The  United  States  of  1894  is  not 
merely  a  greater  and  more  populous,  but  a 
vastly  different  country  from  that  of  1864. 

The  reasons  for  this  are  manifold.  The 
emancipation  and  enfranchisement  of  an 
enslaved  race,  the  influx  of  a  large  foreign 
population,  the  settlement  and  development 
of  the  West,  the  concentration  of  business  of 
all  kinds  into  great  establishments,  the  shifting 
of  population  from  the  abandoned  farm  and 
the  depleting  village  to  the  congesting  city,  all 
conspire,  not  merely  to  alter  the  circumstances 
but  to  radically  change  the  very  texture  of 
our  national  life.  With  these  changes  has 
come  an  increasing  hardness  of  the  conditions 
of  life  for  many  classes  of  workmen,  produ- 
cing industrial  discontent  and  growing  antag- 
onism between  employers  and  employed ; 
religious  unrest  evinced  on  the  one  hand 
by  an  apparently  spreading  skepticism,  and  on 
the  other  by  the  wonderful  growth  of  the 
most  earnest  and  enthusiastic  associations  for 
the  spread  of  practical  Christianity;  political 
and  social  dissatisfaction  leading  to  visionary 
political  projects  and  the  earnest  advocacy  of 
various  social  panaceas. 

Amid  all  this  turmoil,  the  great  danger  to 
our  country,  the  danger  which  is  fundamental 
to  all  the  rest,  is  the  failure  of  a  large  portion 
of  our  citizens  to  appreciate  the  importance  of 
the  duties  of  citizenship,  and  in  the  corruption 
of  the  ballot  due  to  ignorance  and  vice.  The 
growing  complexity  of  political  questions 
increases  the  difficulty.  The  young  man  of 
to-day  may  well  envy  the  young  man  of  "sixty- 
one"  in  that  for  him  the  issue  was  clearly 
made,  the  lines  were  sharply  drawn,  the  path 
of  duty  was  clearly  marked. 

The  voter  of  to-day  has  to  decide  and  act 
upon  questions  of  the  functions  of  government, 
of  finance,  of  the  tariff,  about  which  the  wisest 
disagree ;  and  upon  the  decision  of  a  voting 


population  which  includes  a  formidable  number 
of  the  corrupt,  the  venial  and  the  ignorant,  and 
a  vast  majority  too  meagrely  informed,  rests 
the  welfare  of  our  country.  The  remedy  for 
this  serious  condition  can  only  be  found  in 
more  thorough  and  general  education,  with 
special  emphasis  upon  the  duties  of  citizenship 
and  preparation  for  them. 

The  first  to  recognize  the  necessity  of  this 
more  thorough  political  education  were  our 
colleges.  This  recognition  was  coincident 
with,  or  followed  hard  upon  the  Civil  War, 
raising  as  it  did  so  many  new  national  and 
international  questions.  Since  that  time 
schools  of  political  science  have  been  made  a 
part  of  the  leading  universities  and  colleges. 
Their  graduates,  largely  engaged  in  teaching, 
or  in  journalism,  and  scattered  throughout  the 
country,  form  a  leaven  of  sound  political 
opinion. 

The  great  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  has 
paid  especial  attention  to  this  subject  and 
proposes  as  a  most  important  part  of  its  work 
during  the  coming  year,  while  carefully  avoid- 
ing any  partizanship,  to  emphasize  the  im- 
portance of  an  intelligent  and  conscientious 
performance  of  civic  duties.  Clubs  and  asso- 
ciations are  being  formed  throughout  the 
country  and  journals  published.  While  much 
of  this  effort  is  undoubtedly  diverted  from 
its  legitimate  purpose  to  the  promotion  of 
political  schemes  and  the  propaganda  of  new 
theories,  it  at  least  shows  a  widespread 
awakening  to  the  importance  of  the  subject. 

In  view  of  this  serious  condition,  this  press- 
ing danger,  this  widespread  interest,  it  is  per- 
tinent to  enquire  what  our  libraries  are  doing, 
what  more  they  can  do  to  ameliorate  this 
condition,  to  avert  this  danger,  to  promote 
good  citizenship.  The  growth  of  libraries  in 
America  during  the  last  twenty  years  is 
unprecedented.  The  figures  as  set  forth  in 
the  report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Education 
are  familar  to  you.  There  were  twelve  million^ 
of  volumes  in  the  libraries  of  the  United  States 
in  1876,  thirty-two  millions  in  1892.  It  is  diffi- 
cult to  discriminate,  in  the  figures  given  in 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


these  reports,  between  those  libraries  which 
are  supported  solely  by  taxation  and  are  abso- 
lutely free,  and  those  whose  support  is  derived 
wholly  or  partly  from  other  sources.  From 
what  does  appear,  however,  it  is  evident  that 
the  number  of  volumes  in  those  libraries  to 
which  the  term  "public"  may  be  applied  in 
the  same  sense  in  which  it  is  applied  to  our 
free  schools,  numbers  several  millions,  and 
that  their  annual  use  is  measured  by  an 
increasing  number  of  tens  of  millions. 

The  public  school  and  the  public  library 
stand  together.  Together  they  form  our  pub- 
lic educational  establishment,  the  equipment 
which  is  provided  by  the  people  acting  collect- 
ively for  the  education  of  themselves  and  their 
children  in  the  duties  of  citizenship.  They 
are  established  for  the  same  ends,  supported 
by  the  same  means,  and  must  be  judged  by  the 
same  standards. 

If  we  are  content  in  regard  to  the  schools, 
with  knowing  that  there  are  in  this  country 
tens  of  millions  of  dollars  expended,  tens  of 
thousands  of  teachers  employed  and  millions 
of  pupils  taught  each  year,  and  satisfy  our- 
selves with  the  belief  that  in  some  way  these 
pupils  are  the  better  for  this  instruction  and 
that  a  vast  amount  of  good  is  being  done,  if  we 
go  no  farther  than  this  we  fail  to  arrive  at  the 
root  of  the  matter,  we  do  not  apply  the  proper 
test.  The  public  schools  are  established  for  a 
single  purpose,  all  their  work  should  tend  to- 
ward that  purpose,  and  by  their  failure  or 
success  in  accomplishing  that  purpose,  and  by 
that  alone  can  they  be  judged.  Divested  of 
every  thing  extraneous  that  purpose  is  a 
single  and  simple  one. 

It  is  not  that  the  pupil  may  enjoy  the 
beauties  of  literature,  that  he  may  become 
familiar  with  the  great  events  of  history,  that 
he  may  investigate  the  wonders  of  nature  to 
the  end  that  his  own  life  may  be  richer  and 
more  enjoyable.  He  is  not  being  educated 
for  his  own  sake,  but  for  the  good  of  the  com- 
munity of  which  he  will  form  a  part.  The  pur- 
pose of  educating  the  child  is  that  he  may  be 
kindly,  honorable  and  serviceable  in  every 
social  relation,  wise  and  strenuous  in  the 
performance  of  every  public  duty,  in  short,  a 
good  citizen. 

It  does  not  follow,  by  any  means,  that  the 
course  of  study  should  necessarily  consist  of 
sociology  and  ethics  and  of  such  elementary 


studies  as  may  lead  to  them.     Literature  and 
art  should  be  studied  in  order  that  the  taste 
may  be  cultivated,  the  sympathies  quickened  ; 
history,  in  order  that  the  lessons  of  the  past 
may  throw  light  on  present  questions  ;  nature, 
that  on  the  one  hand  the  greatness  of  creation 
may  strengthen  faith  in  the  Creator,  on  the 
other  that  the  forces  of  nature  may  be  still 
further  developed  for  the  benefit  of  man  ;  and 
thus  every  study  may  be  properly  introduced 
which  serves  to  render  the  student  a  more 
valuable  citizen,  and  for  that  purpose  alone. 
True,  these  studies  tend  to  make  life  broader, 
richer,  sweeter  and  more  enjoyable  to  each 
individual  pursuing  them  ;  but  that  result,  to 
use  a  manufacturing  phrase,  is  a  by-product 
and  not  the    main    object,  which    is   simply 
citizenship.     It  may  seem  that  this  is  a  distinc- 
tion without  a  difference  and  that  I  have  been 
spending  your  time  to  arrive  at  an  accepted 
truism.     The  distinction  nevertheless  is  clear 
and  important.     Applied  to  our  public  schools 
it  may  reveal  little  to  change.     Applied  to  our 
public  libraries  it   may  reveal    some    things 
which    should    be    eliminated,  others    which 
might  be  added. 

The  reason  why  good  citizenship  is  the  only 
object  of  the  schools  is  clear  when  we  consider 
what  the  process  of  raising  money  by  taxation 
and  spending  it  for  public  schools  really  is.  It 
consists  mainly  in  taking  the  money  of  those 
who  are  able  to  educate  their  own  children 
outside  of  the  free  schools,  including  those  who 
actually  do  so,  and  spending  it  for  the  education 
of  many  who  pay  taxes  sufficient  to  meet  only 
a  part  of  the  expense  and  many  others  who 
pay  nothing  at  all.  It  is  simply  taking  one 
man's  money  to  educate  another  man's  child. 
This  can  only  be  justified  on  the  ground  of  the 
public  welfare,,  and  the  larger  enforced  contri- 
bution of  the  rich  man  on  the  ground  that 
having  a  larger  interest  in  the  prosperity  of  the 
country,  the  stability  of  its  institutions  and  the 
maintenance  of  order,  he  should  be  willing  to 
pay  more  liberally  toward  that  end. 

Now  taxation  and  expenditure  for  the  public 
library  is  essentially  the  same  thing.  It  con- 
sists in  taking  the  money  of  those  who  are  able 
to  buy  their  own  books  and  using  it  to  buy 
books  for  those  who  are  not  able  to  do  so. 
Therefore,  the  only  sufficient  justification  for 
this  is  that  those  using  the  library,  become 
thereby  better  citizens.  That  individual  lives 


BRETT. 


will  thereby  be  enriched  is  happily  true,  but 
this  is,  in  a  strict  analysis  of  the  purposes  of 
of  the  public  library,  not  even  a  secondary 
consideration. 

I  have  said  that  the  question  of  promoting 
good  citizenship  is  an  important  one  to  libra- 
ries generally.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that 
for  the  public  librarian  it  is  the  important 
question,  the  only  question.  All  other  ques- 
tions should  be  considered  in  their  bearings 
on  this.  Every  method  should  be  devised, 
every  department  managed  toward  that  end. 
Nor  is  the  case  especially  different  with  many 
semi-public  endowed  libraries.  The  endow- 
ments are  usually  funds  held  in  trust  for  the 
public  good  and  _the  purposes  essentially  the 
same. 

The  citizen  in  his  public  capacity  as  a  voter 
or  official,  or  as  a  student  of  public  affairs, 
will  of  course  be  more  directly  reached  and 
his  opinions  more  definitely  moulded  by  those 
classes  of  books  which  fall  under  the  general 
head  "sociology."  No  other  department  of 
the  library  needs  wiser  management,  for  in  no 
other  department  is  the  possibility  greater  of 
doing  evil  as  well  as  good.  In  no  field  of 
human  investigation  about  which  books  are 
written,  has  so  much  been  published  that  is 
worthless,  so  much  that  is  misleading  and 
injurious.  The  field  is  so  broad,  the  subjects 
so  interesting,  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  exact 
and  full  information  so  great,  the  temptations 
to  theorize  so  strong,  that  an  immense 
amount  has  been  written  and  printed  which 
is  false  in  statement  and  visionary  in  theory. 
It  is  certainly  better  to  exclude  such  and 
duplicate  the  better  books.  The  person  in 
charge  of  this  department  should  be  well  in- 
formed of  the  important  literature  of  the  sub- 
jects, old  and  new,  should  keep  up  with  the 
latest,  should  know  the  books  of  the  most 
important  writers  holding  different  opinions 
upon  the  various  subjects,  even  those  most 
keenly  controverted,  and  should  use  this  in- 
formation and  a  discriminating  judgment  both 
in  the  selection  of  books  for  purchase  and  in 
the  guidance  of  readers.  All  of  this  is  quite 
consistent  with  an  entire  lack  of  partisanship 
or  any  attempt  at  propaganda. 

The  work  which  is  open  in  this  field  in  any 
of  our  larger  libraries  requires  equal  ability 
and  preparation,  does  not  especially  differ  in 
kind,  and  I  believe  exceeds  in  importance 


that  of  a  college  professor  in  that  department. 
Less  directly  other  departments  of  the  library 
may  be  made  to  bear  upon  education  for  civic 
duties.  History,  as  past  politics,  may  help  to 
solve  present  political  problems.  Travel 
throws  light  upon  social  conditions  in  other 
lands.  Even  fiction  is  used  to  more  vividly 
portray  social  conditions,  to  arouse  sympathy 
for  the  wronged  and  oppressed,  bring  odium 
upon  the  wrong-doer  and  oppressor,  to  hold 
up  for  admiration  and  imitation  the  lovelier 
phases  of  character,  and  to  work  out  with 
greater  freedom  social  theories. 

To  the  education  of  the  citizen  in  his  private 
capacity,  to  stimulating  his  patriotism,  to  in- 
creasing his  intelligence  and  capacity  for 
affairs,  to  enhancing  his  value  to  society,  the 
whole  library  is  subservient.  Its  fitness  for 
this  end  is  the  sole  test  of  every  method  in 
use  and  of  every  volume  on  the  shelves.  To 
every  department  as  well  as  to  that  of  sociol- 
ogy, the  same  discriminating  care  in  the 
selection  or  exclusion  of  books,  the  same 
judicious  guidance  of  their  use  should  be  ap- 
plied. The  experience  of  American  librarians 
during  the  last  twenty  years,  the  free  inter- 
change of  opinion  at  the  meetings  of  the 
Association  and  through  the  pages  of  the 
"  Library  Journal "  have  developed  a  scheme 
of  library  economy  which  is  exceedingly 
valuable  and  has  resulted  in  a  practical  agree- 
ment upon  most  important  library  methods. 

Permit  me,  however,  to  speak  briefly  of  two 
questions  upon  which  some  difference  of 
opinion  and  practice  exists  and  which  are  ex- 
ceedingly important  to  the  full  performance  of 
the  function  of  the  library.  In  the  selection 
of  books,  no  more  fallacious  or  misleading 
idea  can  prevail  than  that  a  strong  demand 
for  a  work  constitutes  a  sufficient,  or,  indeed, 
in  itself,  any  reason  at  all  for  placing  it  upon 
the  shelves.  It  is  said  sometimes  that  this 
is  the  people's  library  and  should  contain  the 
books  which  the  people  ask  for.  This  is  sheer 
sophistry.  The  people  who  clamor  for  books 
are  not  usually  the  people  who  pay  for  them, 
nor  those  whose  opinions  are  best  worth 
having.  The  critical  opinion,  the  matured 
judgment,  the  valuable  suggestion,  is  not  ob- 
trusive, is  not  usually  volunteered.  It  must 
be  sought  for  and  invited  and  may  well  be 
followed,  but  this  is  a  very  different  thing  Trom 
being  controlled  by  clamor.  It  is  the  people's 


8 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


library  and  should  contain  the  books  which 
they  need,  but  it  would  be  as  reasonable  to  let 
the  pupils  in  school  select  their  own  text- 
books as  to  follow  much  of  the  popular  enquiry 
for  books.  To  do  this  would  load  our  shelves 
with  the  worthless  and  pernicious.  We  should 
have  not  merely  the  empty  productions  of 
some  of  our  modern  story-tellers  but  much 
else  that  is  not  merely  valueless  but  absolutely 
harmful.  la  travels  we  would  have  the  glib 
garrulity  of  sensational  sight-seers.  In  litera- 
ture, in  religion,  in  other  departments,  it  leads 
to  scarcely  less  dangerous  absurdities.  We 
must  discriminate  between  a  need  and  a  mere 
want. 

The  proper  care  of  the  books  is  an  exceed- 
ingly important  function  of  the  librarian,  but 
it  is  possible  to  pay  so  much  attention  to  this 
as  to  seriously  impede  their  use.  The  duties 
of  a  librarian  in  the  Middle  Ages  were  simple. 
Books  were  usually  either  heirlooms  or  gifts, 
were  exceedingly  costly,  and  used  by  few.  He 
had  little  to  do  but  take  care  of  them  and  he 
guarded  them  as  he  would  the  relics  of  the 
saints.  The  stress  still  laid  upon  the  care  of 
books  in  some  of  our  libraries  is  an  uncon- 
scious survival  of  this  mediaeval  spirit  and 
arises  also  from  a  failure  to  discern  the  dif- 
ferent amount  of  care  necessary  for  a  popular 
library  and  for  a  museum  of  curios  like  a  library 
of  first  editions  or  other  rare  books.  Other 
things  being  equal  that  library  will  do  the  best 
work  which  allows  the  most  unrestricted  use 
of  its  books.  Good  work  is  being  done  to-day 
in  some  of  our  smaller  libraries.  Given  a  col- 
lection of  books  which  though  not  large  is  well 
selected,  in  charge  of  a  librarian  intelligent 
and  devoted,  who  keeps  in  touch  with  teachers 
and  the  best  readers,  with  energy  and  strength 
for  boundless  work  and  unlimited  tact,  and 
you  have  the  ideal  condition.  To  accomplish 
this  work  in  a  large  library  is  vastly  more 
difficult.  It  requires  system,  a  more  complete 
organization,  effective  and  harmonious  work 
in  every  department. 

The  best-organized  college  libraries  of  to- 
day are  doing  most  effective  work  and  the 
greater  public  libraries  may  learn  much  from 
them.  The  college  librarian  is  fortunate  in 
having  the  assistance  of  a  corps  of  educated 
men,  each  an  expert  in  an  important  field, 
both  for  the  selection  of  books  and  guidance 
to  readers.  He  is  also  fortunate  in  that  his 


readers  are  a  selected  group  presumably  above 
the  average  and  are  pursuing  definite  courses 
of  study,  which,  though  broad  enough  to  in- 
clude almost  everything  about  which  books 
have  been  written,  still  connect  their  reading 
in  some  sort  of  logical  sequence.  Macchiavelli 
in  "The  Prince"  says,  "There  are  three 
generations  of  brains,  those  who  can  see  a 
thing  for  themselves,  those  who  see  a  thing 
if  another  doth  show  them,  and  those  who 
can  see  a  thing  neither  for  themselves  nor  if 
another  doth  show  them."  The  users  of  a 
college  library  are  presumably  drawn  from  the 
first  two  classes. 

The  growth  of  both  our  schools  and  our 
libraries  during  the  last  third  of  a  century  has 
not  been  merely  an  increase  in  size,  but  has 
been  accompanied  by  great  modifications  of 
method,  and  to  some  extent  on  the  part  of  the 
library  at  least,  by  a  change  of  its  purpose,  or 
rather  by  an  awakening  to  the  real  purpose  of 
its  existence.  While  formerly  the  course  of 
study  in  the  schools  was  fixed  and  the  work 
mainly  confined  to  the  text-books  and  recita- 
tion-room, greater  latitude  in  the  choice  of 
studies  is  now  allowed,  and  the  laboratory  and 
seminary  inviting  to  original  research  and  in- 
vestigation, form  an  important  part  of  the 
course.  The  school  is  approaching  nearer  to 
that  perfect  freedom  in  study  which  is  to  be 
found  at  its  best  in  the  library.  On  the  other 
hand  the  library  is  no  longer  content  to  remain 
passive,  merely  a  magazine  of  information,  but 
is  more  and  more  aiming  to  assist  and  guide 
the  reader,  and  to  become  an  active  teaching- 
force.  The  library  and  the  school  are  approach- 
ing each  other. 

The  oft-quoted  saying  ofCarlyle,  "The  true 
university  of  these  days  is  a  collection  of 
books,"  is  true;  but  it  contains  but  half  the 
truth,  except  for  those  who,  like  Carlyle  him- 
self, clearly  belong  to  the  first  class  designated 
by  the  Italian  diplomatist.  Garfield  in  his 
later  days,  at  a  reunion  of  his  old  Hiram 
teachers  and  pupils,  emphasized  the  import- 
ance of  the  work  of  the  true  teacher.  He  said 
that  a  pine  bench  in  a  log  cabin  with  Mark 
Hopkins  on  one  end  of  it  and  himself  as  a  pupil 
on  the  other  would  be  more  than  the  greatest 
university  with  the  most  elaborate  equipment. 
Here  we  have  the  other  half-truth.  A  great 
collection  of  books  with  a  man  in  it  comes 
nearer,  certainly,  to  the  ideal  of  a  university  ; 


BIRTWELL. 


and  it  is  the  only  university  which  is  available 
to  the  less  favored  majority. 

During  all  these  years  of  increasing  unrest 
and  turmoil,  when  it  has  seemed  not  merely 
that  the  old  order  was  changing,  but  that  all 
order  was  in  danger  of  being  swept  away,  this 
people's  university,  the  library,  has  been  grow- 


ing, quietly,  steadily,  and  even  now  it  is 
increasing  in  material  strength  more  rapidly 
than  ever.  The  possibility  of  its  power  for 
good  or  evil  can  hardly  be  estimated.  Is  it 
not,  indeed,  one  of  the  ways  in  which  God  is 
fulfilling  himself? 


HOME    LIBRARIES. 


BY    C.  W.  BIRTWELL,    GENERAL    SECRETARY,    BOSTON    CHILDREN'S    AID    SOCIETY. 


T  T  OME  libraries,  as  the  name  implies,  are 
libraries  in  homes.  I  suppose  every  one 
here  has  a  library  in  his  home ;  he  therefore 
has  a  home  library.  I  am  asked  to  talk  of  one 
particular  type  of  libraries  in  the  home. 
Libraries  have  been  established  in  the  homes 
of  poor  people  first  in  the  city  of  Boston  and 
later  elsewhere.  The  scheme  had  a  very 
natural  and  simple  origin.  Some  six  or  seven 
years  ago,  while  busy  among  the  poorer 
children  of  Boston,  I  found  myself  now  and 
then  placing  a  good  book  in  the  hands  of  a 
boy  or  girl  ;  and  after  a  time  found  it  desirable 
that  in  some  way  I  should  be  able  to  distribute 
books  and  multiply  the  personal  work  that  I 
could  do  and  economize  time.  I  could  not 
keep  pace  with  the  demands  upon  my  time 
made  by  the  children  brought  to  my  attention. 
So  this  thing  occurred  to  me  :  to  organize  little 
groups,  to  arrange  little  sets  of  books,  place 
them  in  the  homes  of  poor  children,  have  some 
reliable  lad  or  young  girl  12  or  13  or  14  years 
of  age  serve  as  librarian,  and  so  get  the  books 
distributed  by  the  children  themselves. 

To  make  the  thing  somewhat  shapely  and 
tidy  I  designed  a  neat  book-case,  attractive 
enough  so  that  it  would  be  an  adornment  to  a 
wall  of  a  home  rather  than  a  disfigurement. 
I  selected  some  sets  of  books  and  spoke  to  a 
few  juveniles  and  asked  them  if  they  would 
not  like  a  little  library.  All  the  children  I 
spoke  to  were  quite  taken  with  the  idea,  so  I 
simply  took  to  one  and  another  home  this 
little  book-case  with  a  carefully  selected  set  of 
15  books  and  some  juvenile  periodicals ; 
placed  the  little  case  on  the  wall  of  the  home 
and  organized  a  group  of  15  little  boys  and 


girls  into  a  home  library.  We  sometimes  had 
to  search  rather  hard  to  find  a  place  on  the 
wall  that  would  hold  the  book-case  with  15 
books  in  it,  but  we  always  succeeded.  The 
children  sometimes  wanted  to  put  the  books 
off  in  the  chambers  away  from  the  living-rooms 
for  fear  harm  would  come  to  the  books,  but 
we  always  insisted  on  having  the  book-case 
where  they  had  only  to  reach  their  hand  up  to 
take  a  book  down.  To  be  a  genuine  home 
library  it  must  always  be  accessible  to  the 
family.  Presently  the  demand  became  quite 
urgent  for  libraries  here  and  there  in  different 
parts  of  the  city.  Benevolent  associations, 
associated  charities'  agents  and  visitors,  and 
people  connected  with  different  lines  of  benev- 
olent endeavor,  and  the  children  themselves 
were  clamoring  for  libraries.  So  we  put  out 
one  after  another  till  the  city  became  to  be 
quite  dotted  with  them.  I  found  it  was  im- 
possible for  me  to  attend  to  all  of  these  li- 
braries, so  I  asked  some  of  my  friends  to  take 
each  of  them  a  library,  and  in  this  way  the 
largely  increasing  load  was  carried  more  easily. 

Then  I  found  the  work  multiplying  in  the  line 
of  the  exchange  of  the  sets  of  books.  When 
a  group  of  children  had  read  a  set  of  books  that 
set  was  returned  to  the  office  of  the  Children's 
Aid  Society,  and  another,  a  fresh  set,  was  sent 
in  its  place. 

The  selection  of  books  became  quite  a  task, 
and  so  the  whole  thing  called  for  a  little  further 
planning.  The  visitors  also  came  to  me  with 
all  manner  of  questions,  so  that  these  two  new 
features  were  added.  In  the  first  place,  we 
had  a^monthly  conference  of  the  visitors,  so 
that  the  dozen  or  fifteen  people  who  were 


IO 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


visiting  each  a  group  of  children  met  with  me 
once  a  month  and  spent  an  hour  or  so  talking 
over  the  problems  that  arose  in  regard  to  the 
work.  The  second  fresh  development  was  the 
use  of  volunteer  readers.  I  started  it  with  the 
idea  that  I  would  not  waste  any  of  my  time 
taking  to  poor  children  books  that  were  not 
worth  reading.  I  never  could  quite  see  any 
decided  advantage  in  that.  So  I  started  out  to 
choose  good  books,  and  if  the  children  would 
read  them  they  should  have  all  they  wanted  of 
them.  If  they  would  not  read  them  we  could 
see  some  better  way  to  use  our  time.  We 
started  out  therefore  with  a  high  standard  ; 
every  book  was  to  be  read  from  cover  to  cover 
by  competent  people.  Written  reviews  were 
submitted  to  me  and  I  passed  on  the  questions 
as  to  whether  the  book  would  be  suitable  in  a 
home  library  group. 

Then  came  the  necessity  for  a  paid  assistant. 
After  the  libraries  had  been  running  about 
two  and  a-half  years  the  work  in  connection 
with  them  became  sufficient  to  demand  a  paid 
assistant,  and  I  emphasize  that  as  a  pretty  im- 
portant item.  I  do  not  think  you  can  get  very 
much  done  in  this  world  without  having  some 
one  to  devote  himself  or  herself  to  a  work  and 
carry  it  as  a  definite  responsibility ;  and  sal- 
aried officers  are  the  ones  who  are  apt  to  feel 
that  responsibility.  So  I  engaged  from  among 
the  ladies  who  had  served  as  volunteers  a 
young  lady  who  agreed  to  give  her  whole 
time  to  the  work  on  salary.  We  pay  that 
young  lady  $650  a  year  and  we  ought  to  pay 
her  $1,000.  Then  we  proceeded  to  put  out 
libraries  very  rapidly,  and  the  number  has 
now  grown  to  69  in  the  different  parts  of  Bos- 
ton and  the  immediate  suburbs.  From  my 
merely  going  with  a  set  of  books  came  these 
69  libraries,  each  with  its  group  of  10  young 
readers,  each  library  actually  in  the  home  of 
a  poor  family,  each  library  provided  with  a 
volunteer  visitor,  and  each  library  group  and 
visitor  meeting  together  once  a  week  for  an 
hour  or  more  in  the  home  of  the  librarian. 

Along  with  all  that  development  had  gone  a 
very  natural  enrichment  of  the  whole  program 
of  the  libraries.  In  the  first  place,  we  had  to 
develop,  as  is  a  melancholy  necessity,  a  set  of 
forms  and  some  arrangement  for  keeping  the 
facts  in  hand.  First  of  all  a  little  card  on 
which  each  little  child  who  wishes  to  join  a 
group  records  that  fact,  and  the  parents  sign, 


or  more  often  merely  make  their  cross,  indi- 
cating a  willingness  that  the  child  should  join. 
Then  we  also  planned  a  registration  card,  a 
rather  elaborate  one,  on  which  a  visitor  should 
record  the  facts  in  regard  to  each  member  on 
the  inception  of  the  library,  as  to  the  character 
and  occupations,  ages  and  general  conditions 
of  the  members  of  the  family,  and  the  family 
as  a  whole,  and  the  reading  that  was  found 
in  the  home  when  the  library  was  first  estab- 
lished ;  and  then  later  on,  from  time  to  time, 
any  change  in  the  circumstances  or  status  of 
the  family.  These  original  statements  of  the 
conditions  of  these  families,  and  the  subsequent 
story,  are  full  of  interesting  facts.  Their  object 
of  course  is  to  enable  us  always  to  know 
whether  we  are  still  keeping  to  our  true  pur- 
pose of  working  among  the  very  poor,  and 
also  to  note  the  effects  of  the  libraries. 

Then  we  also  arranged  a  form  on  which  the 
children  record  their  opinions  of  the  books  ; 
and  it  is  one  mark  of  the  growth  of  a  group 
that  while  they  start  out  perhaps  by  saying 
"nice,"  and  "very  nice,"  gradually  these 
opinions  become  more  elaborate.  Thus  while 
the  original  adjectives  still  appear  even  in  old 
groups  we  once  in  a  while  get  "good,"  and 
"no  good,"  "I  like  it,"  etc.  ;  and  sometimes 
a  lad  with  an  element  of  fun  and  frankness 
in  him  says,  "  Pretty  good,  what  I  read  of  it." 
The  boys  and  girls  show  themselves  in  these 
comments  on  the  books.  We  test  the  books 
in  that  way  and  we  also  learn  the  difficulty  of 
making  children  read  intelligently  and  then 
digest  what  they  read,  and  be  able  to  talk 
about  it.  A  word  about  the  selection  of 
books.  I  have  said  that  we  use  volunteers  in 
that  connection,  and  I  could  not  state  too 
strongly  my  belief  that  on  that  hinges  a  great 
deal. 

It  was  very  soon  found  that  in  connection 
with  the  books  we  could  develop  things  of 
another  sort.  We  urged  the  children  to  read 
to  their  parents  and  to  each  other.  Some- 
times the  hour  of  the  meeting  is  devoted  partly 
to  reading  by  the  children.  Sometimes  the 
visitor  reads  to  the  children,  perhaps  a 
book  outside  of  the  library.  Then  we 
found  that  we  could  touch  a  further  need 
of  the  children  of  the  poor ;  the  need  of 
amusement,  home  amusement,  an  amusement 
that  they  do  not  have  to  run  into  the  street  or 
dime  show  to  get.  The  parents  of  the  poor 


RIRTWELL. 


ii 


are  busy  at  work ;  they  are  drudging  from 
morning  till  night.  We  found  the  children 
very  ignorant  of  the  commonest  games,  so  we 
added  home  amusements  to  the  curriculum, 
so  to  speak,  of  the  home  libraries.  It  is  now 
one  of  the  duties  of  the  visitors  to  learn  all 
they  can  about  games ;  standing-up  games, 
sitting-down  games,  noisy  games,  quiet  games, 
games  that  tax  the  brain  and  games  that  do 
not ;  and  any  visitor  who  discovers  a  new  game 
places  it  on  file  for  the  use  of  all  other  visitors. 
Then  we  had  festivities  at  Christmas  time. 
The  children  began  to  enjoy  their  festivities 
together,  and  that  was  very  admirable  in  pro- 
moting courtesy,  kindness  and  real  generosity 
and  friendship  among  them.  In  the  summer 
the  groups  take  outings  together.  All  through 
this  summer  the  visitors  and  groups  have 
been  wending  their  way  to  the  quiet  little 
pleasure-grounds  about  Boston ;  and  again 
if  anybody  finds  a  new  nook  anywhere  he  or 
she  reports  it  and  we  pass  it  along  to  all  the  rest. 

Three  or  four  years  ago  we  started  a  little 
plan  of  having  sales  of  plants  for  club  gardens. 
Every  spring  we  sell  three  or  four  hundred 
plants.  Then  in  the  fall  we  have  a  festival 
and  lunch,  and  all  who  can  bring  live  plants. 
We  are  to  have  our  fall  festival  within  two  or 
three  weeks.  Last  fall  60  plants  were  brought 
in,  some  of  them  two  years  old.  A  good 
many  other  plants  had  lived,  but  some  of  the 
children  worked  and  could  not  attend  the  day 
festivals. 

The  visitors  resort  to  various  schemes  for 
interesting  and  improving  the  children;  in  fact, 
the  libraries  afford  unlimited  scope  for  the 
visitors.  In  one  group  the  children  of  a  very 
poor  locality  made  a  plan  to  help  out  a  poor 
old  woman  who  kept  a  candy-store.  One  boy 
sawed  her  wood,  others  took  turns  attending 
to  the  store,  etc.  And  then  they  have  sewing- 
classes.  The  visitors  follow  out  all  suggestions 
that  come  to  them  as  to  the  way  of  interesting 
children.  Some  make  quite  a  point  of  music. 
Recently  we  had  a  little  group  going  all  to 
pieces.  The  children  were  losing  their  inter- 
est and  the  parents  were  rather  adverse  to 
keeping  a  library.  We  got  them  to  keeping  it 
for  a  time  and  then  an  earnest  visitor  started 
it  up  and  made  quite  a  use  of  music.  Part  of 
the  time  was  given  to  songs  and  inside  of  a 
few  months  that  was  one  of  the  most  successful 
libraries  in  the  whole  list. 


Visitors  were  interested  also  in  matters 
affecting  the  whole  neighborhood.  Over  in 
South  Boston  an  effort  was  made  by  a  visitor 
to  get  electric  lights  put  in  streets  that  were 
dark  and  where  things  that  were  decidedly 
harmful  were  going  on,  as  we  learned  through 
the  children.  In  fact,  the  electric  light  is  quite 
a  moral  item  in  some  of  these  dark  quarters. 
Visitors  report  cases  of  illegal  liquor-selling  to 
law-and-order  leagues.  We  had  a  hand  in 
stopping  some  gambling  going  on  among  the 
children.  Some  men  were  systematically 
working  the  poorer  part  of  the  west  end  of 
Boston  principally  among  the  poorer  children. 
Cases  of  all  sorts  come  to  the  notice  of  the 
visitors.  They  bring  them  up  at  the  confer- 
ences or  they  come  to  the  office  and  discuss 
them  with  myself  and  assistants.  Cases  of 
truancy  have  come  up,  and  just  now  one  of  the 
visitors  is  working  hard  over  a  girl  6f  15  who 
is  intemperate,  and  the  girl  is  strongly  and 
conscientiously  endeavoring  to  overcome  her 
taste  for  liquor.  In  another  instance  one  of  the 
worst  cases  came  up,  which  was  discovered  by 
one  of  the  visitors,  a  case  of  moral  exposure 
that  would  be  absolutely  indescribable  here. 
Now  you  see  how  our  conferences  may  be 
loaded  up  with  problems.  We  meet  once  a 
month,  except  in  summer,  and  canvass  these 
various  subjects. 

Now  you  see  also  why  we  limit  a  group.  At 
the  beginning  we  started  with  15  children,  and 
later  we  decided  that  10  was  a  sufficient  num- 
ber. A  visitor  must  go  once  a  week  to  meet 
the  group.  Now  and  then  she  must  go  with 
the  children  with  their  savings  to  the  bank. 
She  needs  (I  say  she  ;  some  are  men  and  some 
are  women)  to  know  the  families  of  all  the 
children  who  are  members  ;  and  at  least  once 
a  month  visitors  aim  to  put  in  a  forenoon  or 
afternoon  visiting  among  the  families  repre- 
sented in  the  library.  As  the  children  grow 
older  they  naturally  still  cling  to  their  friend- 
ship with  the  visitors  ;  and  to  allow  a  margin 
of  the  time  and  strength  among  the  graduates 
we  hold  the  number  down  to  10.  When  a  set 
of  books  has  been  read  by  a  group  the  set  is 
exchanged  for  a  fresh  one.  That  change  is 
usually  made  once  in  10  or  12  weeks,  so  that 
the  children  get  of  course  the  perennial  supply 
of  good  literature.  One  temptation  often 
comes  to  people  to  establish  libraries  in  halls 
or  rooms  specially  set  apart  for  them.  We 


12 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


have  persistently  refused  to  establish  anything 
but  home  libraries,  and  we  find  that  by  doing 
that  we  get  the  home  libraries  ;  but  if  we 
should  start  the  other  plan  our  strength  would 
go  in  that  direction. 

Libraries  have  been  established  in  various 
other  cities  within  the  last  two  or  three  years. 
Lynn  has  had  successful  ones,  and  their  vis- 
itors attend  our  conferences.  Indianapolis 
and  Cincinnati  have  them,  and  the  College 
Settlement  in  New  York  city  has  half  a  dozen. 
In  Albany  the  library  work  has  been  started, 
and  of  course  under  peculiarly  promising 
auspices. 

If  there  were  time  I  should  like  to  give  a 
word  as  to  the  relation  of  this  to  public  libra- 
ries. We  buy  all  our  books  from  the  funds 
of  the  Boston  Children's  Aid  Society  ;  but  I 
see  no  reason  why  a  public  library  should  not 
honor  tlie  draft  of  a  responsible  group  of 
children  for  a  set  of  books,  and  it  becomes 
merely  a  little  administrative  question  as  to 
how  that  demand  may  be  best  provided  for 
and  met.  The  books  of  course  are  read  by 
the  children,  their  parents,  and  lodgers  and 
friends.  We  have  had  a  book  read  by  the  child 
that  took  it  out,  by  six  or  seven  brothers  and 
sisters,  by  the  father  and  mother,  and  by  six 
or  seven  lodgers.  We  have  never  yet  asked 
the  Boston  Public  Library  to  supply  us  with 
books,  because  that  thought  did  not  occur  to 
us  in  the  first  few  years  of  the  enterprise,  and 
by  that  time  we  had  a  pretty  fair  equipment  of 
books.  We  always  buy  three  copies  of  a  book 
because  it  will  go  out  of  print  rapidly.  I  think 
that  when  the  Boston  Public  Library  is  housed 
in  the  new  library  building  it  will  receive  a 
petition  from  us  and  we  will  see  if  we  can  not 
establish  a  closer  relation  between  this  work 
and  that  of  the  public  library.  At  present  we 
are  at  work  on  a  list  of  books  for  our  grad- 
uates, and  propose  printing  and  placing  against 
the  names  of  the  books  the  numbers  that  they 
bear  at  the  public  library  and  its  branches. 
We  mean  to  graduate  children  from  the  home 
libraries  into  an  intelligent  use  of  the  public 
library. 

I  am  asked  how  young  the  children  are  ad- 
mitted to  the  libraries.  They  are  admitted  as 
early  as  they  can  read.  That  means  anywhere 
from  8  to  16  or  17. 

I  am  asked  what  I  mean  by  graduates.  In 
time  boys  and  girls  do  become  young  men 


and  young  women.  They  sometimes  think 
they  are  young  men  and  young  women  rather 
before  they  are.  But  you  have  to  yield  to  the 
sense  of  increasing  years  and  added  import- 
ance on  the  part  of  boys  and  girls,  and  it  is 
one  of  our  standing  problems  how  to  have  the 
work  that  has  been  done  in  the  libraries  con- 
tinue on  into  the  later  years,  the  later  teens, 
when  certainly  the  temptations  and  difficulties 
of  lads  and  misses  in  the  poorer  quarters  of 
the  city  are  not  apt  to  diminish.  The  visitors 
are  urged  to  keep  up  their  personal  relations 
with  the  children.  One  visitor  is  now  trying 
the  experiment  of  letting  the  library  group 
grow  into  a  working  boys'  and  girls'  club.  If 
the  club  should  extend  a  little  farther  it  is 
possible  they  might  absorb  some  of  our 
children.  They  have  already  in  one  or  two 
instances.  In  one  or  two  other  cases  little 
dramatic  clubs  are  being  formed,  and  we  are 
waiting  for  some  of  our  boys  to  be  old  enough 
to  join  the  Wells  Memorial  Workingmen's  In- 
stitute. 

An  item  that  ought  not  to  be  overlooked  is 
this  :  That  the  ideal  library  group  is  made  up 
of  boys  and  girls  younger  and  older.  In  that 
way  we  strike  the  maximum  range  of  rela- 
tions. There  is  hardly  any  problem  that  car, 
arise  in  the  life  of  a  family  that  can  not  arise  in 
the  home  library  in  such  a  way  that  a  skillful 
visitor  can  do  something  about  it.  The  rooms 
in  which  the  children  read  are,  many  of  them, 
very  crowded  ;  being  tenement-houses  where 
every  no  wand  then  there  is  a  sick  woman  across 
the  hallway  and  the  children  must  go  and  come 
quietly,  and  not  to  bring  dirt  into  the  house  of 
the  poor  old,  hard-worked  woman  whose  hos- 
pitality they  are  enjoying.  The  boys  learn  to 
be  courteous  to  the  girls,  and  the  girls  look 
upon  the  boys  in  the  right  way.  We  look 
upon  this  healthful  association  of  the  sexes  in 
the  libraries  as  one  of  its  chief  features. 

What  do  the  parents  think  of  this  work  and 
how  do  they  look  upon  it  ?  Parents  look  upon 
it  variously.  Sometimes  when  a  prospective 
librarian  and  a  group  of  little  children  are 
very  anxious  to  have  a  library  go  to  a  house, 
the  important  masculine  head  of  the  house  not 
having  been  notified  at  the  beginning  by  my 
assistant,  who  usually  sees  the  people  with 
whom  we  propose  to  place  a  library,  thinks 
that  it  would  be  an  intrusion  ;  that  the  children 
would  be  apt  to  come  in  while  he  is  at  supper, 


CUTLER. 


or  that  they  will  make  a  noise,  or  interfere 
with  him  and  his  pipe,  and  so  on.  Then  I 
simply  despatch  my  assistant  to  conquer  the 
man.  It  can  always  be  done.  We  simply 
acknowledge  our  grievous  error  in  not  having 
seen  him  first.  We  flatter  his  vanity,  and 
usually  inside  of  from  25  to  45  minutes  we  can 
make  him  cordial. 

What  about  the  spreading  of  contagious 
diseases  ?  We  have  arrangements  with  the 
board  of  health  by  which  the  visitors  learn 
through  the  librarian  whether  any  child  is  suf- 
fering from  a  contagious  disease.  Then  word 
goes  from  the  librarian  to  the  visitor  and  is 
reported  to  the  board  of  health.  In  the  same 
way  the  board  of  health  reports  to  us  any 
cases  that  break  put  in  houses  where  we  have 
libraries.  We  depend  upon  them  to  report  to 


us  the  greater  part  of  the  time,  but  in  case  of 
an  epidemic  my  assistant  goes  to  the  office  of 
the  board  of  health  and  scans  their  reports. 
Of  course  she  is  familiar  with  the  situation  of 
all  the  libraries.  As  to  what  shall  be  done 
with  the  books  if  a  disease  has  broken  out  in 
a  house  ?  The  books  that  are  out,  stay  out  ; 
and  the  books  that  are  in  the  family  are 
treated  according  to  the  plan  that  has  been 
outlined  by  the  medical  council  of  the  Child- 
ren's Aid  Society  and  the  Boston  Board  of 
Health.  So  that,  although  the  visitors  are 
going  week  after  week,  and  have  been  for 
years,  to  these  various  homes,  we  have  never 
yet  had  any  complaint  or  difficulty  arise.  We 
can  not  say  what  mischief  we  have  done,  but 
nothing  has  been  charged  against  us.  We  burn 
books  once  in  awhile  to  be  on  the  safe  side. 


HOME    LIBRARIES. 


BY    MARY    S.  CUTLER,  VICE-DIRECTOR,    NEW   YORK   STATE    LIBRARY   SCHOOL,    ALBANY. 


TT  seems  to  me  a  significant  fact  that  the 
American  Library  Association  has  no  mo- 
nopoly of  the  modern  library  idea.  The 
association  may  be  directly  or  indirectly 
responsible  for  it,  but  the  idea  at  any  rate  is  in 
the  air.  Impressed  with  this  thought,  I  picked 
up  a  copy  of  the  New  York  Herald  and  found 
it  carried  out  under  the  heading  of  a  platform 
adopted  by  certain  labor  organizations  for  the 
fall's  campaign  :  "  Resolved,  That  we  demand 
that  the  city  shall  establish  a  central  municipal 
library  with  branches." 

Another  illustration  came  to  me  this  summer 
in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  where  a  children's  library  has 
been  started  by  the  pastor  of  a  Unitarian 
church.  The  library  is  used  by  children  of  all 
classes  and  denominations  in  the  city.  It  was 
opened  in  the  spring  and  has  had  a  very  large 
circulation  even  during  the  summer  months. 
I  expressed  my  interest  in  the  library  and  said 
that  by  all  means  it  ought  to  be  carried  on  till 
a  public  library  could  take  up  the  work.  The 
founder  of  the  library  said  that  would  be  all 
very  well  except  that  the  public  library  would 
not  have  the  missionary  idea ;  they  would 
simply  let  out  the  books  in  a  mechanical  sort 
of  a  way;  he  wanted  to  help  the  children  person- 
ally. I  tried  to  show  him  that  the  ideal  public 

3 


library  as  understood  by  the  library  association 
had  a  little  bit  of  that  spirit,  and  he  seemed 
convinced ;  but  finally  added,  "Well,  at  least 
it  would  not  be  an  attractive  place,  and  I  want 
to  make  the  children's  library  an  attractive 
place."  The  point  of  this  is  simply  that  the 
plan  was  apparently  worked  out  independently 
of  any  knowledge  of  the  work  that  is  being 
done  by  the  librarians  of  the  country. 

The  founding  of  the  Home  Libraries  is 
another  marked  illustration.  Miss  West,  in  a 
visit  made  to  the  Library  School  last  winter, 
gave  us  an  idea  which  is  to  be  adopted  in 
the  home  libraries  of  Albany.  It  is  the 
circulation  of  framed  pictures.  It  has  not 
been  carried  out  in  Milwaukee,  but  is 
planned  for  the  new  building.  You  will  see 
that  it  fits  admirably  the  home  library  idea. 

The  home  libraries  in  Albany  developed  in 
about  the  same  lines  as  the  Boston  libraries, 
and  have  been,  for  the  two  years  in  which 
they  have  been  carried  on,  a  decided  success. 

This  summer  I  had  the  pleasure  of  being  for 
a  little  while  a  visitor  in  one  of  the  libraries  in 
order  to  get  a  more  practical  idea  of  the  work, 
and  this  is  the  result  of  the  experience.  I 
was  very  much  struck  by  the  fact  that  the 
children  needed  exceedingly  personal  help ; 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


that  although  they  were  interested  enough  to 
take  the  book  home  many  of  them  had  not 
cared  enough  about  it  to  read  it  through. 
Very  often  they  brought  it  back  saying  they 
liked  it  very  much  ;  that  they  read  it  almost 
through,  at  least  they  read  so  many  pages. 

One  of  the  most  important  considerations 
before  the  librarian  to-day  is  the  selection  of 
books  ;  another  is  the  infusion  of  a  stronger 
human  element  into  the  work.  It  is  not  enough 


for  us  to  circulate  books,  or  to  circulate  good 
books  ;  we  must  in  some  way  insure  that  the 
children  and  all  those  who  need  individual 
help  get  this  help  in  some  way  or  other.  If 
we  as  librarians  cannot  provide  it  as  fully  as 
we  wish,  we  should  co-operate  with  home 
libraries,  with  clubs,  and  with  various  other 
agencies  that  can  supply  this  personal  element 
and  make  the  books  more  useful. 


COMMON    NOVELS    IN    PUBLIC    LIBRARIES.* 


BY   CAROLINE  H.  GARLAND,    LIBRARIAN,    DOVER    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


HPHE  actual  necessities  of  life  are  very  few. 
The  physical  life  requires  only  eating, 
drinking,  sleeping.  The  demands  of  spiritual 
life  are  also  very  simple,  being  love  to  God 
and  love  to  fellow-man.  The  elements  of 
mental  life  are  also  few,  being  something  to 
think  of  and  the  process  of  thinking  of  it. 

It  is  the  development  and  demands  of  taste 
that  complicate  life,  and  as  the  physical  life 
may  be  developed  so  that  the  time,  the 
material,  and  the  manner  of  our  eating  may, 
and  generally  does,  assume  proportions  of 
magnitude ;  and  as  spiritual  taste  is  devel- 
oped, not  to  say  forced  and  distorted,  until 
spiritual  brothers  make  war  upon  one  another 
and  eminent  scholars  are  expelled  from  the 
communion  of  their  faith  for  telling  the  truth  ; 
so  mental  taste  may  be  fostered  and  forced 
until  details  are  -apotheosized  and  the  aim  of 
the  public  library  ( which  I  take  to  be  the  wel- 
fare of  the  individual  and  the  best  interests  of 
the  community)  is  lost  sight  of  in  the  con- 
sideration of  the  different  ways  leading  to  that 
aim. 

It  is  a  question  of  development  of  taste  that 
we  consider  this  evening.  The  question,  as 
stated,  reads :  "  Is  a  free  public  library  jus- 
tified in  supplying  to  its  readers  books  which 
are  neither  for  instruction  nor  for  the  cultiva- 


tion of  taste ;  which  are  not  books  of  knowl- 
edge nor  of  ideas,  nor  of  good  literature ; 
which  are  books  of  entertainment  only — such, 
for  example,  as  the  ruck  of  common  novels." 

The  word  ruck  sent  me  to  the  dictionary ; 
it  sounds  formidable,  but  means  only  the 
common  run,  the  commonplace.  This  ques- 
tion then,  refers  not  to  books  that  are  pos- 
itively degrading,  like  Laura  Jean  Libbey  and 
her  ilk  (indeed  I  cannot  conceive  any  sane 
public  library  using  that  material);  nor  even 
to  the  mawkish  sentimentalities  of  Mrs.  South- 
worth,  Mrs.  Stephens,  and  .Bertha  Clay  ;  nor, 
of  course,  to  works  with  any  taint  of  unclean- 
ness,  by  any  author  whatever.  But  I  take  it 
to  refer  to  those  moral  commonplace  produc- 
tions, represented  by  Amanda  Douglas,  Rosa 
Carey,  and  Mrs.  Holmes,  possibly,  but  first 
and  always  by  poor  old  Roe. 

Now  the.  taste  that,  uncultivated,  desires 
Roe,  is  the  taste  that,  cultivated,  desires 
Henry  James.  Neither  author  writes  novels 
of  ideas,  nor  of  instruction,  nor  of  knowledge. 
One,  however,  is  called  a  writer  of  good 
literature,  by  reason  of  artistic  merit,  and  the 
other  is  not.  Yet  as  regards  the  presence  of 
the  two  in  our  libraries,  I  do  not  think  the 
arguments  are  all  in  favor  of  James.  Take,  for 
example,  two  types  familiar  in  all  public 


*A  series  of  papers  in  discussion  of  the  following  questions : 

Is  a  free  public  library  justified  in  supplying  to  its  readers  books  which  are  neither  for  instruction  nor 
for  the  cultivation  of  taste ;  which  are  not  books  of  knowledge,  nor  of  ideas,  nor  of  good  literature; 
which  are  books  of  entertainment  only — such,  for  example,  as  the  ruck  of  common  novels? 

If  so,  what  are  the  justifying  considerations?  Do  they  differ  essentially  from  the  reasons  which  might 
be  urged  in  favor  of  free  theatres? 


GARLAND. 


libraries:  One  is  the  woman  who  married 
young,  lives  in  a  small  house  in  a  crowded 
street,  has  a  family  of  children,  and  expends 
her  mental  energy  and  taste  chiefly  in  making 
the  most  of  life  for  her  family  on  her  husband's 
small  income.  She  comes  to  the  library  in  a 
home-made  gown,  waits  patiently  her  turn  in 
the  line,  and  asks  for  a  volume  of  Roe,  from 
whose  perusal  she  derives  a  commonplace  but 
solid  pleasure.  The  other  is  a  woman  who 
has  not  married  so  young,  having  waited  for  a 
husband  who  has  money ;  and  she  lives  in  a 
house  so  excellent  in  its  sanitary  arrange- 
ments that  a  microbe  would  not  have  a  fight- 
ing chance  of  life  in  it.  She  has  no  children  ; 
and  she  comes  to  the  library  in  a  tailor-made 
gown,  wants  to  be  served  at  once,  no  matter 
how  many  are  waiting,  and  asks  for  the  latest 
volume  of  Henry  James,  from  the  perusal  of 
which  she  acquires  an  added  analytical  and 
critical  self-consciousness.  And  I  boldly  avow 
that  the  welfare  of  the  individual,  and  the 
interests  of  the  community,  are  as  highly  sub- 
served by  the  circulation  of  that  volume  of 
Roe  as  by  that  volume  of  Henry  James. 

If  it  be  a  problem  with  librarians  why  so 
many  people  in  the  world  desire  common- 
place books,  I  suspect  the  answer  is  found  in 
the  fact  that  so  many  persons  are  merely  com- 
monplace people.  This  would  be  an  appalling 
fact,  were  it  not  that  outside  of  their  own  line 
of  work  librarians  are  often  quite  gloriously 
commonplace  themselves,  without  feeling 
grieved  about  it.  It  is  quite  probable  that  if 
some  great  singer  were  to  come  walking  into 
the  room  here,  and  offer  to  sing  whatever  we 
wanted  to  hear,  some  one  might  ask  for  "Old 
Folks  at  Home,"  instead  of  artistic  opera. 
Fancy  the  feelings  of  a  musical  critic  who  is 
trying  to  elevate  the  popular  taste  in  music,  at 
such  a  choice  as  that !  Fancy,  too,  the  feel- 
ings of  the  librarian  if  this  same  musical  critic 
shall  forbid  to  him  the  use  of  songs  that  are 
not  songs  of  ideas,  nor  of  knowledge,  nor  for 
the  cultivation  'of  taste ;  but  are  songs  of 
entertainment  only ! 

In  painting,  too,  some  good  librarian  may 
not  be  quite  what  he  ought.  Quite  possibly 
at  the  Fair  he  preferred  Hovenden's  "  Break- 
ing Home  Ties  "  to  Zorn's  "In  the  Omnibus." 
How  sad  for  the  artist,  who  is  striving  to  bring 
the  world  up  to  the  artistic  heights  of  Im- 
pressionism, with  no  less  conscientious  zeal 


than  librarians  are  using  for  fictional  real- 
ism ! 

Now,  just  as  I  admit  the  right  of  existence 
for  the  merely  entertaining  in  other  branches 
of  art,  so  I  admit  that  right  for  fiction  in  a 
library.  Otherwise.  I  think  we  would  be  in- 
sufferable prigs  ;  and,  if  that  common  argu- 
ment is  made  that  all  aching  voids  can  be 
satisfied  with  artistic  literature,  I  can  only  say 
that  in  my  experience,  readers  of  Roe  are  no 
more  satisfied  with  Henry  James  than  readers 
of  James  are  satisfied  with  Roe ;  and  their 
reasons,  to  me,  seem  often  as  well-founded. 
Any  one  who  knows  by  experience  just  how 
agreeable  it  makes  one  feel  to  have  what  he 
wants  taken  away  from  him,  and  what  some 
one  else  deems  better  for  him,  substituted, 
may  put  in  practice  his  theory  if  he  like. 

When  we  are  not  ourselves  the  persons  to 
be  operated  upon,  we  all  recognize  the  fact 
that  advancement  in  taste  is  a  thoroughly  de- 
sirable thing,  to  be  achieved  by  all  possible 
means  save  that  of  deprivation  ;  and  when  one 
is  the  person  operating,  the  same  principle 
holds.  Therefore,  we  lend  vigorous  hands  to 
the  forwarding  of  all  movements  for  pushing 
good  literature,  remembering,  too,  that  all 
things  are  possible  to  the  young.  Book  lists, 
school  work,  newspaper  items,  clubs,  univer- 
sity extension  lectures,  personal  intercourse ; 
all  these  we  cheerfully  undertake,  as  a  matter 
of  course.  But,  personally,  I  would  not  de- 
prive readers  of  novels  for  entertainment  only, 
provided,  always,  that  they  shall  be  clean  and 
free  from  immoral  taint ;  although  my  obser- 
vation would  testify  that  the  commonplace 
reader  does  not  desire  and  will  not  tolerate  so 
much  immorality  as  will  the  person  of  highly- 
cultivated  literary  taste. 

Moreover,  there  is  the  better  and  the  best. 
If  a  librarian  does  not  himself  always  read  the 
highest  fiction  (it  will  be  remembered  that 
Paradise  Lost  is  fiction),  he  should  not  cast  a 
stone  at  him  who  is  less  advanced  on  the 
artistic  road  ;  any  more  than  he  who  smokes 
a  cigar  should  cast  a  stone  at  him  who  smokes 
a  pipe. 

There  are,  however,  those  who  may  throw 
a  stone  at  readers  of  fiction  for  entertainment 
only.  Number  one  is  that  woman  who,  with 
an  hour  to  herself  and  some  chosen  friend,  sits 
down  and  discusses,  not  the  interesting  details 
of  recent  happenings,  but  the  tariff  bill.  She 


i6 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


may  cast  a  stone  at  readers  of  Roe.  Number 
two  is  that  man  who,  clad  in  the  garb  of 
social  functions  and  standing  in  the  doorway 
of  the  lighted  parlor  to  survey  the  array  of 
beauty  massed  therein,  passes  by  the  pretty 
society  girl  about  whom  half  his  acquaintances 
are  gathered,  but  whom  his  feminine  friends 
declare  to  be  quite  commonplace,  and  seeks 
out  with  deliberate  choice  some  woman  of 
superior  cultivation,  who  will  elevate  his 
mind.  That  man  may  cast  a  stone  at  readers 
of  books  for  entertainment  only.  Number 
three  is  that  librarian  who,  with  a  week  to 
spend  at  the  World's  Fair  last  year,  spent 
much  of  his  time  in  the  Anthropological  Build- 
ing, studying  improving  statistics  of  charities 
and  correction,  and  wasted  no  part  of  his  time 
down  the  frivolous  Midway.  He  may  cast  a 
stone  ;  but  it  is  not  probable  that  any  one  who 
went  to  Buffalo  Bill  will  think  of  even  picking 
up  a  stone. 

To  the  second  part  of  the  question,  "Do 
these  considerations  differ  from  those  justify- 
ing a  free  theatre?"  the  answer  must  be 


given,  yes,  decidedly.  The  matter  of  expense 
alone  would  differentiate  the  questions  so  de- 
cidedly that  in  a  brief  paper  like  this  no  other 
need  be  noted.  A  single  dollar  expended  in 
the  equipment  and  maintenance  of  a  theatre 
could  not  be  seen  with  a  microscope.  A 
single  dollar  expended  in  a  library  buys  a 
book  that  lasts  years,  accommodates  many 
people,  and  builds  up  the  permanent  value  of 
the  library. 

In  conclusion  then,  it  seems  to  me,  a  public 
library  is  justified  in  supplying  to  its  readers, 
along  with  books  of  ideas,  and  books  of 
knowledge,  and  books  of  instruction,  some 
books  that  are  for  entertainment  only ;  just  as 
I  would  say  that  a  public  library  is  justified  in 
paying  the  expenses  of  its  librarian  to  a  meet- 
ing of  the  A.  L.  A.,  even  though  at  that  meet- 
ing the  librarians  not  only  consider  questions 
of  ideas,  and  of  instruction,  and  of  knowledge, 
but  also  indulge  themselves  in  a  few  excur- 
sions and  a  little  general  hilarity  that  must  be 
conceded  to  be  for  entertainment  only. 


COMMON    NOVELS    IN    PUBLIC    LIBRARIES. 


BY    ELIZABETH     P.  THURSTON,    LIBRARIAN,    NEWTON    FREE    LIBRARY. 


HPHE  question  whether  novels  shall  be 
put  into  public  libraries  has  now,  I  sup- 
pose, become  rather  a  question  of  the  past 
with  the  American  Library  Association,  the 
matter  having  been  practically  settled,  even  if 
there  is  still  theoretically  a  difference  of  opin- 
ion. In  nearly  every  free  library  the  public 
expects  to  find  the  good  novels  and  to  be 
denied  the  morally  bad  ones  ;  and,  therefore, 
the  form  of  our  query  to-day  is,  not  shall  we 
have  novels,  but  shall  we  have  those  neither 
good  nor  bad,  that  mass  of  indifferent  litera- 
ture which  is  now  being  poured  upon  the 
market  in  such  quantities  ? 

What  can  be  said  in  favor  of  having  it  ?  ist. 
The  public  demands  it.  Those  readers  who 
devour  their  seven  books  a  week,  must  have 
"  a  new  novel  "  each  time  ;  that  seems  to  be 
the  only  requisite  of  the  book  to  be  drawn  — 
author  is  of  no  consequence,  subject  of  no 
consequence,  the  only  important  inquiry — "  Is 


it  a  new  story  that  I  have  not  read?"  and  their 
argument  is  that  it  is  the  money  from  their 
pockets  that  is  supporting  the  library.  Shall 
their  wishes  be  considered  ? 

2d.  These  are  books  that  people  in  general 
do  not  care  to  buy  for  home  libraries  ;  they 
only  wish  them  for  a  few  hours,  and  never  care 
to  see  them  again.  If  there  is  a  common 
centre  where  they  may  be  found  and  passed 
around  to  one  and  another,  they  are  serving 
their  <urn,  saving  individual  outlay,  and  grati- 
fying a  desire  to  see  and  read  what  so  many 
are  talking  about  and  discussing. 

3d.  We  are  dependent  upon  them  for  reach- 
ing a  certain  class  of  readers  who  will  come  to 
the  library  if  they  can  find  such  material,  other- 
wise not.  In  some  communities  especially, 
young  boys  who  would  be  reading  dime  novels, 
police  news,  and  the  lowest  form  of  literature 
might  be  led  to  a  higher  class  of  reading 
through  these  very  books,  which  may  be  re- 


THURSTON. 


garded  as  neither  instructive  nor  elevating, 
but  merely  entertaining. 

On  the  other  hand,  have  we  the  right  to  en- 
courage our  readers  in  their  contentment  with 
this  trash  ?  Ought  we  not  to  lead  them  up  to 
a  better  class  of  reading,  and  save  them  from 
the  waste  of  time ;  for  is  it  not  a  waste  of 
time  to  devote  it  to  such  use?  Is  there  not 
enough  that  is  entertaining  and  restful  among 
the  fictitious  works  of  the  master  writers,  the 
classics  of  fiction,  or  at  least  the  better  class  of 
stories  ?  Can  we  not  counteract  the  dime 
novel,  and  encourage  the  habit  of  reading 
without  recourse  to  these  ordinary  novels  ? 
We  can  find  something  several  grades  better 
to  put  before  our  readers,  and  we  need  not 
reason  as  did  a  great-uncle  of  mine,  an  old 
bachelor,  who  is  reported  to  have  said  of  a 
little  visitor  with  unquestionably  strong  lungs, 
' '  Why,  give  her  some  cake,  the  child  cries  for 
it ! "  It  is  not  necessary  to  be  wholly  cast 
down  by  the  indignant  remarks  we  sometimes 
hear  from  our  patrons.  A  lady  assured  me 
two  or  three  years  ago,  that  public  libraries 
ought  not  to  buy  fiction,  that  it  was  not  in 
their  province  and  all  wrong  to  do  so ;  and  yet, 
as  we  have  noted  the  class  of  books  she  has 
called  for  from  that  day  to  this,  I  think,  with- 
out exaggeration,  it  has  been  nine-tenths 
fiction. 

After  all,  the  great  difficulty  with  regard  to 
this  question  is  in  the  definition.  What  novels 
shall  we  class  as  belonging  to  the  ruck  of 
common  novels  ?  for  one  man's  meat  is  another 
man's  poison.  The  primer  is  better  for  one 
mind  than  Shakespeare,  but  we  do  not  there- 
fore expel  Shakespeare,  and  we  must  reach  all 
classes.  Some  not  finding  trash  will  take 
what  can  be  had,  but  we  must  be  ready  for 
those  who,  not  finding  trash,  will  not  read  at 
all ;  and  it  is  generally  conceded  that  it  is 
better  to  read  something  than  not  to  read  at  all, 
in  spite  of  statements  occasionally  met  with  in 
the  magazines  like  the  following:  "The 
general  diffusion  of  education,  from  which  a 
generation  ago,  so  much  was  expected,  has 
utterly  failed  [to  check  the  increase  of  crime]  ; 
for  statistics  show  that  literates  contribute  a 
larger  percentage  of  their  class  to  the  criminal 
ranks  than  do  the  illiterates."  What  an 
alarming  reflection  upon  librarians,  who  have 
as  largely  contributed  towards  this  "general 
diffusion  of  education  !  " 


Neverthless  I  think  we  do  not  need  to  close 
our  library  doors  quite  yet,  nor  to  fear  the  in- 
fluence of  books,  if  applied  with  moderation — 
moderation,  at  least,  as  regards  this  trashy 
class  ;  not,  perhaps,  the  moderation  of  the  old 
Scotchman,  who  said  :  "I  believe  in  temper- 
ance ;  of  course  I  like  my  glass  before  break- 
fast to  begin  the  day  right,  and  one  with  my 
breakfast ;  but  I  don't  believe  in  dram,  dram, 
dramming  !  I  want  one  in  the  middle  of  the 
forenoon,  and  one  with  my  dinner,  and  one 
after  dinner;  but  none  of  your  dram,  dram, 
dramming  !  I  find  I  need  a  glass  to  set  me  up 
in  the  course  of  the  afternoon,  and  at  night  I 
am  tired  and  ought  to  have  one  with  my  sup- 
per, and  I  always  take  one  before  going  to  bed  , 
but  I  don't  believe  in  this  constant  dram,  dram, 
dramming!"  This  is  somewhat  the  sort  of 
temperance  many  of  our  readers  would  be  in 
danger  of  falling  into,  were  we  to  present  a  too 
generous  display  of  these  frothy  (c)glasses. 
We  should  be  doing  a  good  work  if  we  could 
lead  people  to  read  fewer  books  and  spend 
more  time,  or  no  less  time,  in  the  reading 

We  shall  probably  have  to  compromise  a 
little  in  this  matter,  as  we  are  forced  to  do  in 
almost  all  difficult  positions.  We  can  find 
enough  that  is  reasonably  worth  putting  be- 
fore our  readers,  enough  to  attract  the  boys 
and  girls,  but  we  need  not  overstock  our 
shelves  with  the  poorer  material ;  and  we  may 
always  choose,  to  the  best  of  our  judgment, 
the  upper  border  of  the  "ruck,"  the  higher 
grades  of  it,  and  let  the  rest  go,  watching  all 
the  time  to  plant  the  right  seed.  It  is  very 
distressing  to  see  the  children  satisfied  with 
the  lighter  class  of  books,  when  you  feel  they 
ought  to  be  reading  something  better.  There 
is  one  boy  I  have  especially  in  mind  who  has 
come  for  years  at  Newton,  day  after  day, 
wanting  a  fresh  book — who  would  have  been 
satisfied  with  "Frank  in  the  Mountains,"  or 
"  Elsie's  .Ztoyhood,"  (really  asked  for  once) — 
a  boy  who  read  so  voraciously  that  I<  felt  he 
was  almost  a  hopeless  case  ;  but  who  is  now, 
at  seventeen  years  of  age,  just  as  rapacious 
for  every  new  book  on  electricity  or  yachting. 
No  need,  perhaps,  of  discouragement ;  he  may 
come  out  all  right  in  spite  of  his  early  appren- 
ticeship with  the  trash,  although  I  cannot  but 
sympathize  with  the  grammar-school  teacher 
who  said  to  me  recently:  "Encourage  my 
pupils  to  read  ?  I  only  wish  I  knew  of  some 


i8 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


means  of  stopping  their  reading ;  they  read 
too  much." 

It  is  probably  easier  to  influence  the  read- 
ing of  boys  than  girls,  to  lead  them  away  from 
the  inane.  We  have  doubtless  all  met  the 
little  girl  of  twelve  years  coming  for  a  good 
book,  a  story,  and  a  book  for  her  brother  of 
fourteen,  please.  "What  does  he  want;  a 
story,  too?"  "Oh,  no!  A  history."  So  off 
she  goes,  with  her  story  for  her,  history  for 
him. 

We  have  it  in  our  power  to  guide  and  in- 
fluence the  choice  of  literature  in  many  ways, 
directly  and  indirectly,  and  we  are  often  doing 
it  when  we  are  quite  unaware  of  it  ourselves, 
and  feel  we  have  made  a  disappointing  failure  ; 
but  perhaps  we  have  as  good  reason  to  think 
we  are  making  an  impression  in  the  right 
direction,  as  the  minister's  wife  when  her 
efforts  for  the  moral  advancement  of  her  child 
were  met  with  the  announcement  from  the 
little  girl  that  she  did  not  believe  there  was 
any  God,  she  knew  there  was  not  any  God  ; 
and  answered  as  cause  of  her  sudden  attack 
of  atheism,  in  response  to  her  mother's  remark 
that  she  thought  she  heard  some  one  praying 


God  last  night  to  make  her  a  good  little  girl, 
"Well,  He  didn't." 

I  do  not  think  public  libraries  in  general  are 
justified  in  attempting  to  meet  the  demand  for 
every  new  book  that  appears  ;  the  book  that 
these  indomitable  readers  have  heard  men- 
tioned by  some  friend,  whose  friend  had  read 
it,  naming  it  often  by  a  title  as  foreign  to  its 
real  title  as  the  book  when  bought  (if  ever 
found)  would  be  to  the  wants  of  the  library. 
Circulating  libraries  are  fitter  places  for  keep- 
ing this  class  of  literature ;  and  then  in  our 
free  libraries  the  children,  the  students,  the 
knowledge-seekers  may  have  just  so  much 
more  chance  of  finding  what  you  would  have 
them  read,  and  just  so  much  less  temptation 
to  squander  their  time  and  the  higher  faculties 
of  their  minds  in  useless  reading. 

Have  not  the  librarians  an  opportunity — I 
know  the  process  must  be  gradual,  very 
gradual  in  many  communities — of  slowly  elim- 
inating the  worthless  trash,  so  that  the  reader 
may  oftener  and  oftener  be  able  to  say  with 
Emerson,  that  "he  shuts  the  book  a  richer 
man." 


FICTION  IN  LIBRARIES:    A  PLEA  FOR  THE  MASSES. 


BY    GEORGE    WATSON    COLE,    LIBRARIAN,    JERSEY    CITY    FREE    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


'"PHIS  question  brings  forward  anew  the  old 
one  as  to  the  functions  of  the  free  public 
library.  Shall  it  supply  its  patrons,  to  whom 
it  owes  its  existence  and  support,  what  they 
ask  for  and  demand  in  return  for  their  sup- 
port? 

Members  of  mercantile  libraries  justly  feel  a 
sort  of  proprietary  interest  in  them,  and  this 
feeling  is  recognized  in  giving  them  large  num- 
bers of  duplicate  copies  of  current  popular 
fiction.  The  public  library,  with  a  more  gen- 
eral patronage,  attempts  to  break  away  from 
this  practice  by  purchasing  only  a  limited 
number  of  duplicate  copies.  The  question  is 
virtually  the  same  in  both  cases,  except  that 
in  the  public  library  the  readers,  who  just  as 
truly  pay  for  its  support  as  do  the  members  of 
a  mercantile  library,  are  not  brought  into  such 
close  relationship  with  the  library  ;  and  hence 


are  not  able  to  bring  that  individual  pressure 
to  bear  upon  its  management,  by  threats  of 
withdrawing  their  support  or  otherwise,  which 
can  be  done  by  a  dissatisfied  member  in  a 
mercantile  library.  He  says,  and  with  appar- 
ent reason  and  justice  :  "I  want  such  or  such 
novels.  I  joined  this  library  to  get  such  books 
to  read  as  suit  my  tastes.  If  I  cannot  get 
them  here,  I  will  withdraw  my  support  from 
this  library  and  go  where  I  can  procure 
them." 

The  reader  in  the  public  library  has  just  as 
much  right,  and  often  more,  to  insist  that  the 
money  he  pays  as  taxes  towards  the  library's 
support  shall  be  expended  to  supply  him  with 
popular  fiction.  The  library  is  in  existence 
by  the  grace  of  the  public,  and  it  is  its  duty  to 
cater  to  all  the  classes  that  go  towards  "making 
up  the  community  in  which  it  is  established. 


COLE. 


The  late  Dr.  Poole,  with  his  usual  sound 
common-sense,  has  said  upon  this  point :  "In 
the  public  libraries  which  are  growing  up  in 
our  land,  fully  four-fifths  of  the  money  appro- 
priated for  books  is  spent  in  works  adapted  to 
the  wants  of  scholars.  In  the  larger  libraries 
the  proportion  is  even  greater.  It  is  hardly 
becoming  for  scholars,  who  enjoy  the  lion's 
share,  to  object  to  the  small  proportional  ex- 
penditure for  books  adapted  to  the  wants  of 
the  masses  who  bear  the  burden  of  taxation." 

A  v/ord  here  may  not  be  out  of  place  as  to 
the  statistics  of  fiction-reading  when  compared 
with  those  of  standard  literature.  They  are 
not  the  true  criteria  by  which  to  judge  of  the 
amount  of  solid  reading,  so-called,  done  in  the 
community.  In  the  first  place  it  takes  longer 
to  read  a  book  of  the  latter  class  than  a  work 
of  fiction.  The  omnivorous  reader  will  devour 
several  novels  while  the  studious  reader  is  read- 
ing a  single  standard  work.  Then,  again,  it 
takes  so  much  more  time  to  read  standard 
works  that  they  are  more  frequently  bought  for 
the  home  library  ;  but  it  must  be  a  good  novel 
indeed  that  is  welcome  to  these  same  shelves. 
For  fiction  in  general  such  readers  rely  almost 
entirely  upon  the  public  library. 

No  one,  so  far  as  I  know,  defends  the  ad- 
mission of  impure  or  immoral  fiction  into  the 
public  library ;  and  few,  scarcely  any,  I  sur- 
mise, would  exclude  the  works  of  the  standard 
novelists.  The  whole  question,  then,  hinges 
upon  the  admittance  of  works  of  inferior 
merit,  so  that  it  ceases  to  be  one  of  the  class 
of  works  to  be  admitted  (as  in  the  German- 
town  Library,  where  fiction  is  with  consistency 
entirely  excluded),  and  becomes  one  entirely 
of  degree.  In  this  respect  it  differs  in  toto  from 
the  question  of  free  theaters  and  other  amuse- 
ments of  a  similar  nature,  about  which  we 
have,  as  yet,  no  generally  accepted  standard 
of  dissent  or  approval. 

Much  has  already  been  written  upon  the 
subject  now  under  discussion  ;  it  is  cropping 
out  here  and  there  almost  constantly.  Such 
being  the  case,  it  is  hard  to  say  anything  new 
concerning  it,  and  I  may  be  pardoned  if  I 
quote  at  length  from  those  writers  whose 
opinions  are  entitled  to  weight  on  this  point. 
The  conditions  remain  unchanged  from  what 
they  were  twenty  or  thirty  or  more  years  ago. 
We  are  all  familiar  with  the  antipathy  or 
prejudice  which  existed  fifty  or  sixty  years 


ago,  especially  in  New  England,  when  novel- 
reading  was  almost  classed  among  the  deadly 
sins.  Time  has  wrought  a  great  change  in 
this  sentiment,  and,  as  we  believe,  for  the  bet- 
ter ;  but  the  old  prejudice  dies  hard,  and  every 
once  in  a  while  some  one  voices  the  argu- 
ments of  years  ago,  now  happily  exploded. 
Even  as  far  back  as  1864  a  writer  in  the  Lon- 
don Spectator  very  wisely  said  : 

"On  the  whole,  the  verdict  must,  we  think, 
be  in  favor  of  the  novels,  though  with  more 
reserves  than  it  is  quite  the  fashion  to  make. 
The  objection  rests,  we  think,  upon  the  as- 
sumptions, neither  of  which  is  more  than  par- 
tially sound,  that  the  evils  produced  by  read- 
ing are  confined  to  novels,  and  that  there  is 
no  positive  good  to  counterbalance  the 
possible  ill  result.  ...  It  is,  however, 
pretty  safe  to  say  that  novel-reading  brings  to 
the  ordinary  mind  at  least  as  much  good  as 
ill.  .  .  .  Reverie  is  of  itself  beneficial,  and 
all  that  novel-reading  can  produce  is  reverie 
about  characters  and  situations  imagined  by 
one's  self." 

Mr.  Samuel  S.  Green,  a  well-known  mem- 
ber of  this  Association,  in  1879  wrote  a  paper 
for  the  Boston  Conference  on  the  subject  of 
"Sensational  Fiction  in  Public  Libraries," 
from  which  I  make  the  following  extract : 
"  When  called  upon  recently  to  select  a  few 
hundred  dollars'  worth  of  books  for  young 
persons  in  such  a  town"  (meaning  one  that 
was  well  satisfied  with  all  sensational  novels 
left  out  of  its  library),  "I  did  not  put  on  the 
list  a  single  book  by  Adams,  Alger,  Kellogg, 
Mayne  Reid,  Fosdick  ("Castlemon"),  or  any 
other  sensational  writer  for  the  young.  Had 
there  been  a  great  shoe-shop  or  cotton-factory 
in  the  town  for  whose  people  I  was  providing 
books,  and  sensational  works  of  a  good 
quality  had  not  been  elsewhere  accessible  to 
operatives,  I  should  have  put  a  small  sup- 
ply of  the  books  of  the  authors  just  mentioned 
into  the  library." 

Dr.  Poole  was  accustomed  to  take  a  thor- 
oughly practical  and  sensible  view  on  all 
questions  of  library  management  that  came  to 
his  attention. .  I  think  he  never  said  more  ap- 
propriate or  truer  words  than  he  uttered  upon 
this  very  subject  in  a  paper  which  appeared  in 
the  second  number  of  the  Library  Journal, 
entitled  "  Some  Objections  to  Public  Libra- 
ries." In  answer  to  the  objection,  which  "re- 


20 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


lates  to  the  kind  and  quality  of  books  circu- 
lated," he  said : 

"The  mass  of  the  community  have  very 
little  literary  and  scholarly  culture  and  need 
more  of  this  culture,  and  the  purpose  of  the 
library  is  to  develop  and  increase  it.  This  is 
done  by  placing  in  their  hands  such  books  as 
they  can  read  with  pleasure  and  appreciate, 
and  by  stimulating  them  to  acquire  the  habit 
of  reading.  We  must  first  interest  the  reader 
before  we  can  educate  him  ;  and,  to  this  end, 
must  commence  at  his  own  standard  of  intel- 
ligence. The  scholar,  in  his  pride  of  intellect, 
forgets  the  progressive  steps  he  took  in  his 
own  mental  development,  the  stories  read  to 
him  in  the  nursery,  the  boys'  book  of  adven- 
ture in  which  he  reveled  with  delight,  and  the 
sentimental  novel  over  which  he  shed  tears  in 
his  youth.  Our  objector  supposes  that  the 
masses  will  read  books  of  his  standard  if  they 
are  not  supplied  with  the  books  to  which  he 
objects  ;  but  he  is  mistaken.  Shut  up  to  this 
choice,  they  will  read  no  books ;  when  the 
habit  of  reading  is  once  acquired,  the  reader's 
taste,  and  hence  the  quality  of  his  reading, 
progressively  improves.  .  .  . 

"  If  our  objectors  mourn  over  the  standard 
of  books  which  are  read  by  the  public,  they 
may  be  consoled  by  the  fact  that,  as  a  whole, 
people  read  books  better  than  themselves,  and 
hence  are  benefited  by  reading.  A  book  of 
a  lower  intellectual  or  moral  standard  than 
the  reader's  is  thrown  aside  in  disgust,  to  be 
picked  up  and  read  by  a  person  still  lower  in 
the  scale  of  mental  and  moral  development. 
.  .  .  My  observation,  addressed  to  this 
point,  and  extending  over  a  library  experience 
of  thirty  years,  has  confirmed  me  in  the  belief 
that  there  is  in  the  mental  development  of 
every  person,  who  later  attains  to  literary 
culture,  a  limited  period  when  he  craves 
novel-reading,  and  perhaps  reads  novels  to 
excess ;  but  from  which,  if  the  desire  be 
gratified,  he  passes  safely  out  into  broader 
fields  of  study,  and  this  craving  never  returns 
to  him  in  its  original  force." 

One  more  quotation  and  I  am  done.  Mr. 
F.  B.  Perkins,  in  his  article  on  "How  to 
Make  Town  Libraries  Successful,"  printed  in 
the  "Special  Report  on  the  Public  Libraries 
of  the  United  States,"  in  1876,  says  : 

"'Silly  reading,'  'trash,'  at  least  what  is 
such  to  many  persons,  must  to  a  considerable 


extent  be  supplied  by  the  public  library,  and 
those  who  intend  to  organize  a  library  for  the 
public,  for  popular  reading,  and  who  intend 
to  exclude  'trash,'  might  as  well  stop  before 
they  begin.  But  what  is  trash  to  some,  is,  if 
not  nutriment,  at  least  stimulus,  to  others. 
Readers  improve ;  if  it  were  not  so,  reading 
would  not  be  a  particularly  useful  practice.* 
The  habit  of  reading  is  the  first  indispensable 
step.  That  habit  once  established,  it  is  a 
recognized  fact  that  readers  go  from  poor  to 
better  sorts  of  reading.  No  case  has  ever 
been  cited  where  a  reader,  beginning  with 
lofty  philosophy,  pure  religion,  profound 
science,  and  useful  information,  has  gradually 
run  down  in  his  reading  until  his  declining 
years  were  disreputably  wasted  on  dime 
novels  and  story  weeklies.  The  idea  is 
ridiculous,  even  on  the  bare  statement  of  it. 
But  the  experience  of  librarians  is  unanimous 
to  the  contrary,  that  those  who  begin  with 
dime  novels  and  story  weeklies  may  be  ex- 
pected to  grow  into  a  liking  for  a  better  sort 
of  stories,  then  for  the  truer  narrative  of 
travels,  of  biography  and  history,  then  for 
essays  and  popular  science,  and  so  on  upward. 

"If  those  who  cannot  make  use  of  any  bet- 
ter reading  than  novels  and  stories  and  jokes, 
are  not  furnished  with  these,  they  will  not 
read  at  all,  and  this  is  a  worse  alternative  ;  and 
to  exclude  such  reading  from  a  public  library 
will,  in  general,  reduce  the  extent  of  its  use  to 
one-quarter  of  what  it  would  otherwise  be. 
The  records  of  our  libraries  show  that  about 
three-quarters  of  the  reading  in  them  is  light 
reading,  and  but  little  alteration  in  this  pro- 
portion results  from  the  greater  or  less  pro- 
portion of  novels  and  other  light  books  to  the 
whole  collection." 

Libraries  should  be  carried  on  just  as  we 
would  conduct  any  other  business  ;  the  libra- 
rian should  not  carry  his  head  so  high  in  the 
clouds  as  to  forget  that  the  vast  majority  of 
people  are  bowed  down  by  their  cares  and 
burdens,  and  care  more  for  mental  relaxation 
than  instruction.  The  business  maxim  that 
favors  quick  sales  even  at  small  profits, 

*  The  continued  high  percentage  of  fiction,  shown  by  a 
library's  statistics  year  after  year,  does  not  disprove  this 
assertion.  New  generations  of  readers  rapidly  arise, 
which  take  the  place  of  the  older  ones,  and  these  must  go 
through  the  ascending  grade  of  reading,  from  the  lowest 
upward,  as  have  their  predecessors. 


WHELPLEY. 


21 


applies  just  as  surely  to  library  work  as  to 
business.  The  merchant  is  well  satisfied  if  he 
sees  crowds  thronging  his  place  of  business, 
although  many  of  them  are  in  search  of  a  ten- 
cent  bargain.  It  is  much  better  for  him  to 
have  his  store  filled  with  a  crowd,  eager  for 
the  ten-cent  bargain,  than  to  have  only  an 
occasional  customer  in  search  of  his  more 
costly  wares. 

The  comparison  is  obvious.  The  librarian 
in  like  manner  enjoys  seeing  his  library 
crowded  even  by  those  in  search  of  novels.  I 
know  that  it  is  now  quite  the  fashion  for  the 
librarian  who  has  a  smaller  circulation  than  a 
neighboring  rival,  to  say  that  the  amount  of 
good  a  library  does  is  not  to  be  judged  by  the 
number  of  books  it  circulates.  It  seems  to 
me  that  the  matter  reduces  itself  to  a  question 
of  pure  mathematics.  It  is  generally  con- 
ceded, I  believe,  that,  whether  large  or  small, 
the  rate  per  cent,  of  library  circulation  is 
nearly  uniform  in  all  libraries,  showing  that, 
for  every  one  hundred  persons  who  come  to 
the  library,  from  twenty  to  thirty  come  for 
something  better  than  fiction.  Such  being  the 
case,  at  the  end  of  the  year,  when  you  figure 
up  your  year's  work,  which  of  these  two 
showings  would  you  prefer  ?  A  circulation  of 
100,000,  with  twenty  per  cent.  (20,000)  of 
standard  reading?  Or  a  library  which,  by  ex- 
cluding trash,  has  reduced  its  usefulness  to 
one-fourth  of  what  it  might  be — which,  Mr. 


Perkins  says,  will  be  the  result — and  can  show 
a  circulation  of  25,000,  but  with  the  same 
twenty  per  cent.  (5,000)  of  solid  reading? 

Time  forbids  that  I  should  go  further  into 
the  discussion  of  this  subject.  From  what  has 
already  been  said,  it  will  be  plainly  seen  that 
I  favor  the  freest  admission  into  our  public 
libraries  of  all  kinds  of  fiction,  except  that 
which  is  positively  impure  or  immoral.  To 
use  a  familiar  quotation:  "It  is  a  condition 
and  not  a  theory  that  confronts  us."  Say 
what  we  will,  we  cannot  get  rid  of  the  facts  as 
they  exist.  We  are  not  called  upon  to 
apologize  for  the  taste  of  the  masses,  which 
finds  expression  in  the  large  percentage  of 
fiction  shown  by  our  library  statistics.  The 
fact,  unwelcome  as  it  may  be  to  the  theorist, 
remains  that,  uniformly  in  all  libraries,  this 
percentage  is  high,  and  but  one  conclusion 
can  be  reached,  namely,  that  there  exists  a 
craving  or  demand  which  must  be  satisfied, 
and  which,  if  properly  directed,  will  result  in 
much  good.  If  the  public  library  is  for  the 
benefit  of  the  general  public,  which  supports 
.it,  and  not  for  the  benefit  of  a  few  scholarly 
men,  who  may  happen  to  live  in  each  com- 
munity where  it  is  located,  it  must  supply  this 
demand,  or  the  public  will  be  perfectlyjustified 
in  withholding  its  support  from  what  ceases  to 
be  of  the  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  num- 
ber. 


COMMON    NOVELS    IN    PUBLIC    LIBRARIES. 


BY  A.  W.  WHELPLEY,    PH.  D.,  LIBRARIAN,    CINCINNATI    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


"  ^F'HE  ruck  of  common  novels,"  spoken  of 
in  the  question  under  discussion,  sug- 
gests another  inquiry,  namely,  "  Is  the  devil 
as  black  as  he  is  painted  ?"  Modern  opinions 
seem  to  agree  that  the  devil  is  not  half-way  a 
bad  fellow  ;  in  fact,  that  he  is  sometimes  quite 
a  gentleman.  And  are  the  "ruck  of  common 
novels"  quite  as  bad  as  the  present  somewhat 
fashionable  idea  prevailing  would  make  them  ? 
For  one,  I  think  they  are  not.  I  take  it  that 
it  has  to  be  a  remarkably  shallow  book  that 
has  not  some  good  in  it  for  some  one.  It  may 
be  that  the  book  would  not  suit  my  own  taste  ; 


it  may  be  that  it  would  not  strike  a  responsive 
chord  in  the  breasts  of  some  of  my  learned 
and  critical  friends  among  the  librarians  ;  but, 
somewhere,  that  book  w ill  find  a  place  where 
it  is  appreciated.  . 

Take,  as  an  extreme  example,  the  books  of 
the  story-writer,  Mrs.  Holmes  ;  or  the  inter- 
minable volumes  of  the  author  of  "The  Gun- 
maker  of  Moscow,"  the  late  Sylvanus  Cobb, 
Jr.  These  books  have  been  constantly  read 
and  re-read,  in  the  newspapers  in  which  they 
were  originally  published,  and  in  the  collected 
book  form,  for  at  least  a  third  of  a  century. 


22 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


Their  popularity,  as  I  know,  from  testing  the 
matter  and  keeping  an  account  of  their  circu- 
lation, has  not,  in  all  these  years,  at  all  dimin- 
ished. The  mothers,  and  then  the  daughters, 
the  fathers,  and  after  them,  the  sons,  have 
been  interested  in  them,  to  put  it  mildly  ;  and 
yet  —  these  books  would  fall  under  condemna- 
tion of  the  "ruck  of  common  novels." 

In  this  library,  it  is  not  possible  to  keep 
any  supply  on  the  shelves.  They  are  called 
for  as  fast  as  they  are  returned,  and  it  would 
be  necessary  to  purchase  copies  by  the  whole- 
sale, were  we  to  endeavor  to  meet  the  demand 
for  them  ;  and  yet  I  feel  that  our  novel-readers 
do  not  fall  below  the  same  class  in  other  cities 
and  other  free  libraries,  and  that  their  wants 
should  be  met.  The  class  of  novels  I  am 
instancing  are  very  much  to  the  liking  of 
youths  of  both  sexes,  and  this  is  made  evident 
from  the  way  they  express  their  feelings  on 
the  blank  leaves  and  the  margins.  These 
books  have  no  vicious  tendency,  and  while  I 
acknowledge  their  lack  of  educational  quali- 
ties, I  know  they  have  the  merit  of  being 
entertaining. 

I  wish  to  distinctly  make  it  understood  by 
those  I  have  the  honor  of  addressing,  that  I 
make  open  war  on  a  class  of  novels,  which 
are  boldly  displayed  in  shop-windows,  which 
also  disgrace  the  counters  of  many  respectable 
book-stores,  the  contents  of  which  outrage 
good  taste,  and  decency.  Their  name  is 
legion.  And  it  seems  as  if  the  proper  time 
had  arrived  to  put  such  books  under  rigid 
censorship.  These,  I  take  it,  every  librarian 
avoids  ;  and  if,  once  in  a  while,  a  book  of 
this  character  finds  its  way  into  the  library,  it 
is  by  pure  accident.  I  have  that  high  opinion 
of  all  the  librarians  I  have  associated  with  to 
feel  that  it  must  be  so.  We  put  many  dull 
novels  in  our  lists  —  that  is  hardly  to  be 
avoided — but  the  bright,  vicious  ones  let  us 
beware  of.  And,  in  any  well-regulated  library 
thank  fortune,  there  is  little  demand  for 
them. 

But  for  the  people  who  desire  to  read  the 
average  fairly-written  novel,  which,  I  frankly 
admit,  is  "not  a  book  of  knowledge,  nor, 
generally,  of  ideas,  nor  of  the  higher  class  of 


literature,"  I  feel  that  their  wants  should  re- 
ceive attention  at  the  public  library.  These 
books,  in  my  estimation,  do  a  good  work. 
Only  a  certain  class  of  people  read  them,  yet 
to  this  class  they  open  wide  the  doors  of  the 
great  world.  They  suggest  the  noble  deeds 
and  noble  thoughts  of  humanity,  knightly 
daring,  generous  striving,  honor  and  love. 
They  have  something  to  tell  ;  not,  perhaps, 
of  "antres  vast  and  deserts  idle,"  but  they 
suggest  them.  At  the  worst  they  can  do  no 
harm.  They  are  not  vicious  ;  they  are  enter- 
taining. 

And  what  so  large  a  part  of  the  people  in 
all  great  cities  need,  is  something  to  entertain 
them,  something  to  take  them  away  from 
their  own  cares,  and  make  them  interested 
in  other  things  than  the  petty  matters  of  their 
every-day  lives.  And  if  the  "ruck  of  common 
novels"  can  do  this,  I  shall  not  object  to  see 
their  circulation  increase  ;  for  I  believe,  in 
time,  the  reading  of  them,  in  a  great  number  of 
cases,  will  lead  to  a  want  for  literature  of  a 
higher  order,  other  than  fiction. 

As  for  free  theatres  —  why,  there  were  free 
shows  long  before  there  were  free  libraries. 
We  do  not,  I  know,  have  them  now,  but  why 
we  should  not  have  them  is  not  altogether 
plain,  except  that  they  might  be  more  expen- 
sive than  the  State  could  afford.  But  a  free 
theatre  would  be  apt  to  greatly  purify  the 
present  condition  of  the  drama.  A  free 
theatre,  where  a  high  style  of  drama  could  be 
acted,  is  a  great  want.  The  present  state  of 
the  drama  calls  for  reform,  both  in  its  litera- 
ture and  its  personators. 

I  need  not  enlarge  on  this  subject,  but  would 
merely  direct  your  attention  to  the  bills  of  the 
play  throughout  a  season  in  our  large  cities. 
You  will  then  readily  see  the  application.  The 
theatre  as  originally  intended,  is  an  expression 
of  art  —  and  so  many  other  forms  of  art  are 
provided  free  for  the  edification  of  the  public. 
There  are  free  art-galleries,  free  schools,  free 
concerts,  free  lectures,  free  exhibitions  of  one 
kind  and  another,  and  FREE  LIBRARIES  —  and 
there  might,  with  no  great  fracture  of  the  exist- 
ing order  of  things,  be  free  THEATRES,  too. 


COR 


COMMON    NOVELS    IN    PUBLIC    LIBRARIES. 


BY    ELLEN    M.    COE,    LIBRARIAN,    NEW    YORK    FREE    CIRCULATING    LIBRARY. 


T  AM  very  glad  that  I  did  not  write  this  paper 
before  coming  to  the  conference,  for  now  I 
have  only,  in  answer  to  all  arguments  plead- 
ing the  adoption  of  any  other  than  the  highest 
standard  in  the  selection  of  novels  for  public 
libraries,  for  any  politic  or  other  reason  what- 
soever, to  refer  to  the  stirring  address  of  our 
President,  which  must  have  sunk  deep  into 
every  earnest  heart,  and  then  to  bid  conscience 
speak  for  truth.  i  Some  phrases  in  the  address 
still  ring  in  my  ears.  Mr.  Larned  spoke  of 
librarians  as  "missionaries  of  literature, "  and 
said  "  the  library  mission  is  not  the  mission  of 
books,  but  of  good  books."  He  charged  us 
to  "defend  our  shelves."  He  reminded  us 
that  ' '  in  these  troublous  times  popular  ignor- 
ance is  invested  with  terrors  unknown  be- 
fore;"  that  "society  must  fight  for  its  life 
against  popular  ignorance;"  "that  democ- 
racy's need  above  every  other  need  is  educa- 
tion." 

I  was  constantly  reminded,  during  the  ad- 
dress, of  the  wise  and  patriotic  words  of 
Lowell  and  Curtis,  and  the  heavenly  host  of 
Americans  who  saw  clearly,  and  spoke 
bravely,  and  loved  their  country  so  well  as  to 
give  their  best  for  its  purification  in  politics,  in 
society,  in  education.  I  can  have  nothing 
more  nor  less  to  say  than  they  have  said.  I 
remember  Lowell's  plea  for  fiction  (but  it  was 
for  pure  fiction),  and  the  phrase  "  we  hold  the 
best  things  of  this  life  as  tenants  of  the 
imagination." 

Certainly  I  feel  that  there  is  great  force  in 
the  argument  that  for  the  unlettered,  half- 
educated  classes  of  our  communities  the  pub- 
lic library  must  be  made  attractive  first,  educa- 
tional afterwards.  The  point  I  wish  to  press 
is,  however,  that  a  certain  unmistakable  good 
literary  quality  should  be  maintained,  and 
that  it  is  quite  possible  and  easy  to  find  suf- 
ficient number  of  books  for  even  the  largest 
libraries,  which  books  are  extremely  light, 
entertaining,  amusing,  which  the  people  will 
gladly,  even  eagerly,  read,  and  which  still 


unquestionably  possess  the  desirable  qualities 
of  literary  and  moral  excellence. 

The  plea  which  often  misleads  those  who, 
themselves  loving  good  books,  wish  their 
fellow-men  to  love  them  too,  is  that  by  means 
of  poor  books,  "  the  ruck  of  common  novels," 
taste  for  the  best  may  be  created  and  devel- 
oped. This  is  doubtful  and  is  experimentally 
most  dangerous — taste  for  the  pure  and  good 
is  by  such  food  most  often  utterly  destroyed. 
That  it  is  a  needless  risk  to  take  I  am  con- 
vinced from  the  experience  of  fourteen  years 
in  the  lower  part  of  New  York  city. 

If  the  age-limit  for  readers  is  withdrawn,  as 
is  suggested  in  Miss  Stearns'  excellent  paper, 
all  argument  for  the  lowest  grades  of 
literature  falls  to  the  ground.  Having  the 
reading  of  children  of  the  tenderest  years 
almost  entirely  in  the  control  of  the  library 
will  give  practically  just  the  result  desired. 

The  second  part  of  the  proposition  as  stated 
in  the  program  is  "What  are  the  justifying 
considerations?  Do  they  differ  essentially 
from  the  reasons  which  might  be  urged  in 
favor  of  free  theatres?"  This  turned  my 
thoughts  at  once  in  the  direction  of  the  various 
ways  in  which  knowledge  of  art,  musical, 
graphic,  and  dramatic,  as  well  as  literary,  may 
be  brought  into  the  lives  of  the  working 
people,  giving  them  ' '  higher  pleasures,  nobler 
ideas,  and  a  broader  and  more  satisfying 
humanity."  These  considerations  are  not  far 
from  the  lines  laid  down  in  the  program. 

Our  authors,  Hall  Caine,  Robert  Buchanan, 
and  others,  have  just  held  an  animated  dis- 
cussion on  the  "Moral  responsibility  in  the 
Novel  and  the  Drama,"  in  which  many  wise, 
thoughtful,  and  suggestive  things  have  been 
said.  Mr.  Caine  evidently  has  constantly  be- 
fore him,  in  the  writing  of  his  wonderfully 
artistic  studies  of  life  and  character  as  devel- 
oped in  the  Isle  of  Man,  the  fine  possibilities 
his  dramatic  incidents  and  situations  afford  for 
representation  on  the  stage.  Mr.  Caine  is  right. 
His  work  will  be  as  truly  elevating  in  the  one 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


presentation  as  in  the  other,  and  he  is  helping 
the  world  up.  We  Americans  cherish  mem- 
ories of  Charlotte  Cushman  and  other  fine 
dramatic  artists ;  we  have  just  buried  Edwin 
Booth,  whom  posterity  will  name  as  one  who 
blessed  his  fellow-men.  Give  the  people  farce, 
comedy,  possibly  melodrama  (here  would  be 
room  for  discussion,  its  principles  and 
methods  being  nearly  always  false),  certainly 
tragedy — these  have  their  place  on  the  stage 
as  on  the  book-shelf.  Let  the  people  laugh 
and  cry  their  fill  over  imaginary  situations, 
and  be  by  this  means  heartened  up  to  "bear 
the  ills  we  suffer." 

Let  us  have  schools  of  dramatic  art,  too, 
and  teach  the  approved  standards,  develop 
talent,  and  cultivate  the  critical  faculty.  I 
know  many  a  bright,  clever,  interesting, 
wicked  little  rascal  of  a  "Bowery  Boy,"  who 
has  learned  ardently  to  love  and  eagerly  to 
read  his  Shakespeare  ;  he  has  made  a  good 
beginning,  and  is  doubtless  the  better  able  to 
appreciate  and  demand  good  acting  at  the 
"Thalia"  and  "London"  theatres. 

Mr.  Frank  Damrosch  is  doing  splendid 
work  in  his  "People's  Singing-Classes"  and 
"Choral  Union."  He  wisely  places  some  of 
the  light  and  popular  airs  of  the  street  on  his 
programs  along  with  the  works  of  classic 
and  standard  composers,  but  he  teaches  his 
pupils  to  discriminate  and  to  judge  according 
to  the  strict  laws  of  musical  composition  and 


harmony.  His  circular  for  this  season  gives 
voice  to  sentiments  inspiring  and  suggestive 
to  us  librarians  :  "  We  think  your  interest  will 
be  aroused  to  learn  of  such  an  educational 
movement  in  your  city."  .  .  . 

The  Fine  Arts  exhibitions  at  the  University 
Settlements,  and  the  free  days  at  the  Metro- 
politan Museum  of  Art,  have  revealed  among 
the  people  of  lower  New  York  unexpected 
love  and  appreciation  of  the  best  works  in 
painting  and  sculpture. 

The  author  of  "Art  in  America  "  has  as  his 
purpose,  "to  raise  art  to  its  rightful  place  in 
the  scheme  of  education  by  educating  the 
children,  studying  the  new  system  of  educa- 
tion, finding  out  what  place  art  holds  in  it, 
and  rounding  out  children  according  to  God's 
plan."  An  earnest  plea  for  art-education 
from  the  kindergarten  up. 

Ah,  yes  !  The  libraries  are  splendidly  help- 
ing the  good  work  in  giving  out  art-studies, 
music-scores,  etc.,  as  books,  in  placing  on 
their  walls  fine  copies  of  the  works  of  the 
masters  of  painting  and  sculpture,  and,  in 
many  places,  in  connecting  the  libraries  with 
art  museums. 

Let  us  have  all  these  institutions  for  popular 
education  alongside  our  free  libraries,  but  let 
us  be  always  true  to  the  highest  standards  of 
literary  as  of  all  other  art.  Let  us  follow  Art 
for  her  own  dear  sake,  for  she  leads  up  to  the 
perfect  life. 


THE   FUNCTIONS   OF  A  UNIVERSITY   LIBRARY. 


BY    HARRY    LYMAN    KOOPMAN,    LIBRARIAN,    BROWN    UNIVERSITY. 


TN  the  following  paper  I  shall  attempt  to 
discuss  the  functions,  or  kinds  of  service, 
fulfilled  by  a  university  library ;  noticing  at 
greatest  length  one  function  which  is  not  yet 
recognized,  and  in  regard  to  which  I  must 
appear  in  the  character  rather  of  advocate 
than  expositor ;  but  which,  I  trust  to  show 
you,  represents  an  educational  potency  as 
vast  as  any  that  has  yet  been  drawn  from  the 
still  unexhausted  resources  of  the  library.  In 
the  limits  of  this  paper  the  historical  develop- 
ment of  these  functions  can  only  be  hinted  at. 
Suffice  it  to  say  that  they  have  all  arisen  in 
response  to  the  single  demand  of  use,  that 


principle  which  I  take  to  be  the  rule  of  all 
sound  library  development.  We  all  know 
how  imperfectly  it  is  still  applied  ;  in  ho\v  tVw 
libraries  the  searching  challenge  of  utility  is 
passed  upon  either  the  new  books  that  come 
in  or  the  old  books  that  burden  the  shelves, 
or  any  other  of  the  library's  manifold  prob- 
lems. The  demand  of  utility  is  simply  a  de- 
mand for  fitness,  the  principle  according  to 
which  libraries  as.  well  as  vertebrates  have 
been  evolved. 

What,  now,  are  the  functions  that  in  the 
university  library  have  grown  out  of  the  orig- 
inal simple  service  of  displaying  or  lending 


KOOPMAN. 


books  ?    A  satisfactory  university  library  of 
the  present  day  must  provide  : 

1.  Reference-books    of  a  temporary    char- 
acter.    These  are  represented  by  the  current 
numbers  of  periodicals  and  the  various  year- 
books and  annual  indexes. 

2.  Reference-books  of  a  permanent    char- 
acter.   These  may  be  divided  into  direct  and 
indirect  helps,  or  epitomes  and  bibliographies, 
more    familiarly   known    as    reference-books 
proper,  and  catalogues ;   the  former  contain- 
ing in  condensed  form  the  information  sought, 
the  latter  telling  us  where  to  find  it.     Under 
the  head  of  epitomes  should  be  classed  cyclo- 
paedias, and  the  various  dictionaries,  whether 
of  language,   literature,    history,  dates,   biog- 
raphy, geography  (including  atlases),  classical 
lore,  theology,  quotations,  or  synonyms.     To 
these    must    be    added    concordances    and 
indexes.       Bibliographies    are    general,    like 
library  catalogues,  or  special,  like  catalogues 
of   individual    subjects.     The  works  of  this 
class  are  often  found  in  manuscript,  and  rep- 
resent almost  the  only  department  of  intel- 
lectual   activity  not    yet    subjugated   by  the 
printing-press. 

3.  Reserve  books  of  a  temporary  character. 
These    are    familiar  to  us   from  the  reserve 
shelves  of  most  college  libraries,  but  may  per- 
haps best  be  illustrated  by  the  collections  in 
the  reading-room  of  the  Harvard  University 
library,    where    books    to    the    number    of 
hundreds  are  reserved  by  the  different  depart- 
ments for  periods  varying  from  a  week  to' a 
year  or  more.     These  books  are  reserved  in 
connection  with  the  current  work  of  the  classes, 
and  have  their  own  card-catalogue.     But  even 
in  the  largest  departments  they  fill  only  a  few 
shelves,  or,  at  most,  a  case  or  two,  often  in- 
cluding   several    copies    of  the   same  work. 
Under  this  head  belongs  also  the  temporary 
display  of  new  books. 

4.  Reserve  books  of  a  permanent  character. 
These    constitute    the    department    libraries, 
which    form    so    important  a   feature  of  the 
modern  university.     They  should  contain  all 
books   likely  to  be   referred  to  with  any  fre- 
quency in  the  work  of  the  department.     The 
size  of  the  collection  will,  of  course,  vary  with 
the  nature  of  the  department.     Five  hundred 
volumes   might  represent,  I  should  think,  a 
full-sized   department  library  in   any  of  the 
exact  sciences,  while  5,000,  or  possibly  10,000 


volumes,  might  be  needed  for  a  language  de- 
partment ;  though,  I  confess,  the  latter  num- 
ber seems  to  me  excessive.  Frequency  of  use 
should  be  the  test  of  a  book's  fitness  for  the 
collection,  its  importance  otherwise  being  not 
in  point.  Books  ceasing  to  be  frequently 
used  should  be  returned  to  the  main  library. 
For,  the  smaller  a  library  is,  the  more  useful  it 
is,  provided  it  contains  the  books  needed.  A 
collection  of  i, ooo  books  in  frequent  use  will 
be  much  less  available  if  mixed  with  4,000 
books  never  or  seldom  consulted.  Unneces- 
sary duplication  is  certainly  an  evil,  since  it 
wastes  both  money  and  space.  But  duplica- 
tion has,  nevertheless,  a  place  in  library 
management,  which  has  hardly  yet  been 
appreciated. 

A  department  library  is,  in  my  judgment, 
most  satisfactorily  formed  by  duplication  of 
appropriate  portions  of  the  university  library. 
In  other  words,  a  book  gains  its  admission  to 
the  department  library  by  being  in  sufficient 
demand  to  make  a  second  copy  of  it  desirable, 
the  additional  copy  being  placed  for  con- 
venience in  the  working-room  of  the  depart- 
ment. This  I  should  take  to  be  the  rule, 
without  insisting  upon  its  invariable  observ- 
ance. To  build  up  the  department  libraries  at 
the  expense  of  the  university  library  is,  of 
course,  to  deprive  the  latter  of  its  most 
valuable  reference-books  on  every  subject. 
Moreover,  there  are  many  books  which  are  of 
importance  to  several  departments,  and  must 
either  be  duplicated  in  all  or  kept  in  the  main 
library. 

There  is  a  further  consideration  that  in 
practice  will  be  found  to  weigh  heavily  against 
the  over-enlargement  of  department  libraries  ; 
and  this  is  the  fact  that  beyond  a  certain  point 
they  can  no  longer  run  themselves,  or  be 
managed  with  little  or  no  extra  effort  on  the 
part  of  the  professor  in  charge  ;  but,  in  order 
to  be  manageable,  require  the  services  of  a 
special  attendant  or  librarian.  Even  with 
this  functionary  I  doubt  if  the  plan  would  be 
a  success,  because  the  enlargement  would 
involve  the  dilution  of  much-used  with  little- 
used  books  ;  which,  as  already  pointed  out,  is 
simply  to  destroy  the  character  of  handiness 
and  ready  consultation  that,  next  to  its  con- 
venience of  situation,  is  the  department 
library's  chief  excuse  for  being. 

5.  The    great    store-house    of  the   library, 


26 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


corresponding  to  the  "stack"  at  Harvard, 
where  all  but  the  reference  and  temporarily- 
reserved  books  should  be  found.  It  is  the 
building-up  and  management  of  this  library 
that  forms  the  chief  task  of  the  librarian  and 
his  directors.  Around  this  collection  cluster 
the  great  problems  of  library  administration, 
such  as  that  of  selecting  from  current  publica- 
tions the  books  of  permanent  value  and  only 
these,  with  the  parallel  task  of  supplying .  the 
library's  deficiencies  of  this  character  in 
respect  to  past  literature ;  such,  again,  as  the 
admission  of  the  whole  body  of  the  students 
to  the  shelves  (a  question  which,  as  our  libra- 
ries increase,  will,  in  my  opinion,  have  more 
and  more  to  be  answered  in  the  negative,  and 
that  for  two  purely  mechanical  reasons,  lack 
of  standing-room,  and  confusion  caused  by 
disarrangement);  such  a  problem  also  as  the 
disposal  of  wholly  superseded  books,  which 
make  up  from  one  to  seven-tenths  of  every 
library,  a  problem  which  can  be  solved  in  one 
of  only  two  ways,  enlargement  of  the  building, 
or  "  weeding  out "  of  the  books. 

6.  "The  student's  library;"  or,  a  library 
for  general  culture  specially  designed  for  un- 
dergraduates. Such  a  library,  so  far  as  I 
know,  does  not  exist ;  but  I  think  of  four 
libraries  that  by  their  defects  as  well  as  their 
excellencies  may  serve  to  indicate  what  such  a 
collection  should  be. 

It  is  still  a  source  of  gratification  to  me  that 
my  start  in  the  scholarly  use  of  books  was 
made  amid  such  favorable  surroundings  as 
those  of  the  library  of  Colby  University. 
When  I  entered  college  in  1876  the  books 
under  Professor  Hall's  charge  numbered  about 
18,000,  of  which  the  less-used  half  was  rele- 
gated to  the  second  floor,  leaving  on  the  first 
floor  one  of  the  best  working  libraries  for 
student  use  that  I  have  ever  had  the  pleasure  of 
seeing.  This  is  not  merely  my  undergraduate 
opinion.  I  have  visited  the  library  twice  after 
intervals  of  work  in  great  reference  libraries, 
and  each  time  the  impression  was  only  deep- 
ened. The  elements  which  go  to  make  up 
the  excellence  of  this  little  collection  are,  in 
brief,  the  following  :  convenient  size,  not  too 
great  to  prevent  the  studious  students'  ac- 
quiring a  real  knowledge  of  the  library's  con- 
tents ;  good  selection  of  books  with  reference 
to  mere  undergraduate  work,  and  within  the 
scanty  means  at  the  librarian's  disposal  ; 


entire  accessibility,  convenient  arrangement, 
and  a  satisfactory  catalogue ;  above  all,  a 
skilled  and  helpful  librarian.  The  faults  are 
those  of  poverty,  and  such  as  a  scholar  will 
find  in  the  best  of  "student's  libraries,"  when 
he  attempts  to  use  them  in  research. 

For,  such  a  collection,  even  for  undergrad- 
uate work  in  a  progressive  institution,  needs 
to  be  backed  up  by  a  genuine  "scholars' 
library"  of  ten  times  its  size.  This  is  the 
more  favorable  situation  of  the  Linonian  and 
Brothers'  Library  of  Yale  University,  which  is 
a  separate  collection  of  some  30,000  volumes 
adjoining  the  main  library,  and  having  its  own 
librarian,  hours  of  opening,  and  general  ad- 
ministration. This  library  is  supported  by  a 
special  tax  on  the  undergraduates,  its  growth 
being  about  1,000  volumes  a  year.  The  history 
of  the  collection  is  an  interesting  one,  as  the 
library  represents  the  fusion  of  the  libraries  of 
the  two  public  societies,  the  Linonian  and  the 
Brothers  in  Unity,  which,  after  about  100  years 
of  usefulness,  disbanded  in  1871.  Such  libraries 
were  found  during  this  period  in  most  Ameri- 
can colleges,  and  have  usually  either  been  scat- 
tered or  turned  into  the  college  library. 

At  Yale,  it  was  the  happier  fate  of  two  such 
libraries  to  be  preserved  and  continued  as 
one.  The  value  of  this  collection  to  the 
students  of  Yale  it  would  be  hard  to  over- 
estimate. But  the  library  is  much  larger  than 
is  necessary  for  its  object,  a  fault  which  is  due 
to  the  mistake  of  keeping  all  its  old  books 
after  they  have  been  superseded  ;  and,  per- 
haps also,  to  a  not  sufficiently  rigid  selection 
in  purchasing.  But  the  Linonian  and  Brothers' 
Library  comes,  after  all,  nearer  than  any  other 
that  I  know  to  what  I  have  in  mind  for 
a  "student's  library."  It  has  its  own  librarian 
and  management,  it  is  self-supporting,  and  is 
kept  up  to  date.  All  that  is  needed  to  im- 
prove the  collection  as  it  now  stands  would 
be  the  exclusion  of  disused  and  unworthy 
books,  and  perhaps  a  more  careful  system  of 
additions ;  together  with  such  an  improved 
catalogue  as  I  shall  describe  later. 

A  third  library,  and  one  with  which  I  am  per- 
sonally acquainted,  is  the  Phoenix  collection 
in  the  Columbia  College  Library,  which  num- 
bers about  seven  thousand  volumes.  The 
collection  contains  many  choice  editions,  and 
much  elegant  binding  ;  but  it  represents  too 
many  out-of-the-way  subjects  and  is  too  un- 


KOOPMAN. 


even  for  an  ideal  "student's  library  ;"  but  its 
size  is  not  too  great  for  familiarity,  and  it  adds 
the  educative  value  of  good  editions. 

The  fourth  library,  which  I  may  claim  to 
know  well,  is  the  private  library  of  the  scholar 
and  diplomat,  George  P.  Marsh,  now  in  the 
possession  of  the  University  of  Vermont. 
This  collection  contains  12,500  volumes,  gath- 
ered for  purposes  of  self-culture  by  one  of  our 
noblest  specimens  of  the  cultivated  American ; 
and  therefore  is,  and  for  years  will  remain,  a 
source  of  inspiration  and  culture  to  the 
students  within  reach  of  its  privileges.  But 
for  their  purposes  the  collection  includes  too 
many  books  in  foreign  languages,  and  is  too 
exhaustive  in  special  subjects,  like  physical 
geography  and  philology.  The  library  enjoys 
a  beautiful  settirig,  a  high  and  well-lighted 
room  of  its  own,  finished  in  oak,  with  an 
immense  stone  fire-place,  opposite  which  is  a 
large  window  looking  out  on  the  Green 
Mountains.  The  collection,  however,  is  not 
intended  to  be  increased,  and,  while  it  has 
been  elaborately  catalogued,  it  is  not  admin- 
istered as  a  student's  library  of  general  culture, 
though  it  has  excellent  material  for  the  found- 
ation of  one. 

But  before  I  present  more  definitely  my  con- 
ception of  an  ideal  "student's  library,"  let  me 
ask  you  first  to  consider  some  of  the  reasons 
why  such  a  library  is  desirable  in  a  modern 
university.  There  is  first  the  general  reason 
of  the  desirability  of  culture,  and  the  fitness  of 
such  a  library  to  promote  it.  But  there  are 
also  three  special  reasons.  One  is  the  fact 
that  the  modern  family  library  has  by  no 
means  the  standard  character  possessed  by 
that  of  two  generations  ago.  Any  dealer  in 
second-hand  books  will  confirm  this  state- 
ment. As  a  result  of  this  condition  the  boy  of 
to-day  comes  to  college  with  little  of  that 
educative  experience  of  having  ' '  tumbled 
about  in  a  library,"  which  Dr..  Holmes  sets  so 
much  store  by.  Another  reason  is  that  the 
size  of  the  university  library,  even  if  it 
does  not  forbid  his  access  to  the  shelves,  suf- 
ficiently bewilders  the  student  to  prevent  him 
from  picking  out  the  books  he  needs  for  per- 
sonal culture.  Where  access  to  the  shelves  is 
denied,  the  difficulty  of  getting  at  books  by 
means  of  the  catalogue  at  once  restricts  the 
student's  use  of  the  library  to  reading  for 
amusement  or  for  production. 


The  result  is  that  a  man  can  go  through 
college  and  take  high  rank,  and  yet  enter  the 
world  a  thoroughly  uncultivated  man.  I  do 
not  say  that  he  might  not  do  this  with  the  best 
of  all  "student's  libraries"  within  reach;  but 
he  would  not  have  the  same  excuse.  In  fact, 
while  we  furnish  opportunity  for  special  re- 
search to  the  graduate  or  university  student  in 
the  modern  sense,  if  we  provide  no  corre- 
sponding privilege  for  the  undergraduate  or 
college  student,  we  are  discriminating  harshly 
against  the  college.  Now,  if  those  are  right 
who  hold  that  the  two  functions  of  higher 
education  are  best  performed  in  concert,  our 
institutions  must  beware  lest,  by  a  neglect  of 
the  college  library  as  opposed  to  that  of  the 
university,  they  starve  out  the  corresponding 
function  of  the  institution  itself. 

The  third  of  the  special  reasons  for  the 
"student's  library"  is  found  in  the  character 
of  the  modern  university  curriculum;  which, 
to  parody  Shakespeare's  Caesar,  tells  us  rather 
what  is  to  be  learned  than  what  we  learn.  In 
our  larger  institutions  the  elective  studies 
offered  are  so  numerous,  that  the  most  in- 
dustrious student  finds  a  four  years'  course 
too  short  for  more  than  a  small  fraction  of 
them.  In  consequence  of  this,  I  prophesy 
that,  while  the  courses  chosen  by  different 
students  will  vary  greatly,  the  wiser  student 
will  seek  thoroughness  rather  than  quantity  ; 
will  endeavor  to  gain  at  least  the  foundation 
of  knowledge  in  what  seem  to  him  the  most 
important  subjects,  and  will  relegate  the  rest 
to  systematic  general  reading. 

The  character  of  the  library  in  question  will 
be  determined  at  every  point  by  adaptation  to 
its  purpose  ;  and  that  purpose  we  have  taken 
to  be  the  supply  of  books  for  the  furtherance 
of  general  culture  in  undergraduates. 

President  Eliot  has  repeatedly  asserted  that 
he  knows  of  no  intellectual  qualification 
essential  to  a  lady  or  gentleman  except  the 
ability  to  use  the  mother-tongue  correctly.  The 
"student's  library  "  will  do  much,  will  do  more 
than  a  college  course  generally  accomplishes,  if 
it  ensures  this  attainment.  But  it  must  obvious- 
ly attempt  more  than  this.  Let  us  take  a  hint 
from  the  German  name  for  cyclopaedias, 
"dictionaries  of  conversation,"  and  set  as  the 
lower  limit  of  our  endeavor  such  intellectual 
furnishing  as  shall  put  the  student  at  his  ease 
in  intelligent  company,  an  attainment  con- 


28 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


spicuously  greater  than  is  achieved  to-day  by 
the  average  Bachelor  of  Arts. 

If  there  is  such  a  thing  as  a  college's  duty  to 
itself,  or  a  student's  duty  to  his  college,  it 
seems  to  me  that  the  two  obligations  should 
combine  to  prevent  any  student  from  getting 
through  college  without  an  intelligent,  all- 
round  interest  in  the  world  he  lives  in, 
together  with  some  satisfaction  to  that  inter- 
est. I  am  not  sure  that  the  extent  of  our 
modern  elective  system  has  not  somewhere 
near  its  sources  a  thought  of  this  kind.  But 
the  elective  system,  so  far  as  the  individual 
student  is  concerned,  breaks  down  by  its  own 
weight.  What  I  offer  has,  it  seems  to  me,  at 
least  the  merit  of  being  practicable,  and  may 
deserve  consideration  as  complementing  the 
inevitable  deficiencies  of  the  elective  system. 
Even  if  the  duty  of  the  college  to  itself  and  the 
duty  of  the  student  to  the  college  are  ignored, 
it  seems  to  me  that  the  college  owes  it  to  the 
student  to  provide  him  the  possibility  of  such 
training,  whether  or  not  he  chooses  to  avail 
himself  of  it. 

But  is  not  the  standard  we  have  set  absurdly 
too  low  ?  Is  it  not  rather  the  obligation  of  the 
university  to  provide  for  the  student  such  a 
fuller  degree  of  culture  as  involves  an  intel- 
lectual rapport  with  the  true  and  the  fine  in 
human  attainment  as  recorded  and  expressed 
in  the  world's  masterpieces  of  science  and  art  ? 
The  masterpieces  of  the  world's  science  and 
art  :  this  phrase  furnishes  the  outline  we  have 
been  seeking  for  our  library ;  or,  to  employ 
the  familiar,  but  practical  and  suggestive,  dis- 
tinction of  De  Quincey,  the  literature  of  knowl- 
edge and  the  literature  of  power  should  be 
made  accessible  to  the  student  with  such  ful- 
ness and  in  such  form  as  his  capacities 
determine. 

The  fittest  size  for  such  a  library  could  be 
decided  only  by  trial.  Perhaps  the  most  natural 
suggestion  would  be  10,000  volumes  as  the 
best  number  for  experiment,  though  the  actual 
number  of  volumes  might  be  increased  by 
additional  copies  of  the  works  most  in  demand. 
Beginning  with  the  literature  of  knowledge, 
the  student  should  find  in  this  library  informa- 
tion, in  its  most  authoritative  form,  in  regard 
to  the  world  of  matter  and  of  men,  in  which 
his  lot  has  been  cast. 

First,  there  should  be  at  his  disposal  what- 
ever is  known  of  the  earth  itself,  with  its  two 


great  divisions  of  life,  and  the  inorganic  basis 
of  that  life,  all  in  their  past  no  less  than  in 
their  present  conditions.  In  the  course  of  this 
study  he  would  find  more  than  one  link  to 
bind  him  to  the  orbs  of  day  and  night  that 
once  seemed  so  remote  from  all  connection 
with  himself.  Selecting  for  special  study  the 
highest  form  of  life,  his  own  species,  he  would 
find  in  the  many-sidedness  of  this  subject,  in 
its  present  and  its  past  history,  the  larger  part 
of  all  the  books  before  him.  He  would  be 
confronted  by  the  record  of  man  on  the 
material  side,  in  all  that  is  implied  by  the 
science  of  medicine,  with  an  inclusion  of 
higher  elements  in  anthropology  and  eth- 
nology. Taking  a  still  higher  plane  of  obser- 
vation he  would  have  unfolded  to  him  man's 
social  life,  on  the  destructive  side,  in  whatever 
pertains  to  war  and  its  organized  agencies, 
and  on  its  constructive  side,  in  the  slow 
development  of  that  which  is  still  so  far  from 
maturity,  human  civilization.  Passing  to  the 
literature  of  power,  the  student  would  find  as 
elements  of  this  civilization  the  aesthetic 
unfolding  of  the  race,  with  its  results  in  art 
and  literature;  and,  lastly,  the  parallel  if  not 
higher  development  of  humanity  represented 
by  the  words  of  the  world's  masters  in 
philosophy,  ethics,  and  religion. 

Even  the  sight  of  these  books  in  plainly- 
marked  arrangement  would  be  in  itself  no 
slight  education  ;  for  it  must  not  be  forgotten 
that  the  ordinary  student,  especially  in  our 
larger  colleges,  never  has  an  opportunity  to 
see  such  a  conspectus  of  human  knowledge, 
and  might  even  greet  as  a  novelty  the  idea  of 
a  classification  of  the  sciences. 

Viewed  from  the  librarian's  position  rather 
than  from  that  of  the  student  or  teacher,  this 
means  the  ten  thousand  best  books  for  readers 
of  the  degree  of  intelligence  represented  by 
the  college  student.  But  there  are  several 
matters  that  need  to  be  further  specified  ;  they 
are,  to  be  sure,  mainly  concerned  with  the 
material  side  of  the  enterprise,  but  are  of 
sufficient  importance  to  make  the  difference 
between  success  and  failure. 

First,  the  building.  If  the  collection  is  so 
fortunate  as  to  possess  a  room  of  its  own,  and 
is  not  perforce  consigned  to  a  corner  of  the 
university  library,  I  should  like  to  imagine  for 
it  a  room  high  enough  for  easy  ventilation, 
and  sufficiently  large  to  contain  the  10,000 


KOOPMAN. 


29 


volumes  ot  the  library  on  wall-shelves,  the 
highest  of  which  should  not  be  above  the  reach 
of  a  person  of  middle  height.  Such  a  room 
might  most  advantageously  be  lighted  from 
above,  and  its  generous  floor  space  should  be 
provided  with  large  and  small  tables  and  con- 
venient chairs  for  readers.  Here  should  be 
the  desk  of  the  librarian  in  charge,  with  a  case 
for  his  most-used  reference-books. 

In  a  well-lighted  spot  would  be  found  the 
second  matter  of  importance,  the  catalogue, 
which  should  differ  from  all  existing  catalogues 
by  giving  after  the  title  of  every  work  the 
reason  for  its  presence  in  the  library  ;  indicat- 
ing, if  the  work  be  one  of  pure  literature,  the 
author's  school  and  relative  standing  ;  and,  if 
a  work  of  information,  the  relation  of  the  work 
to  the  subject,  with  reference  in  either  case, 
where  necessary,  to  the  character  of  the 
edition.  In  other  words,  the  whole  catalogue 
should  be  an  annotated  bibliography.  This 
plan  would  apply  within  the  scope  of  the 
library,  and  with  some  extension,  the  "evalua- 
tion of  literature"  so  strongly  advocated  in 
catalogue-making  by  Mr.  George  lies.  In 
these  notes  commendation  would  be  out  of 
place,  because  the  admission  of  the  book  to 
the  library  would  be  praise  enough  ;  but  they 
should  give  in  terse  form  the  author's  attitude 
toward  his  subject,  and  his  weak  points  should 
be  indicated,  with  references  in  itnportant 
cases  to  his  opponents  and  defenders. 

Thirdly,  as  to  the  books  themselves,  per- 
haps their  general  character  has  been  suf- 
ficiently indicated.  But  it  should  always  be 
remembered  that  the  collection  is  a  living  one, 
new  tissues  constantly  replacing  those  that  are 
worn  out.  Whenever  a  book  appears  on  an 
important  subject,  new  or  old,  it  would  be 
added,  only  to  be  displaced  like  all  the  rest 
when  superceded  ;  so  that  the  library  would 
always  represent  the  world's  best  books  for 
the  intellectual  latitude  and  longitude  of  the 
college  student.  This  should  be  equivalent 
to  saying  the  best  ten  thousand  books  for  the 
intelligent  English  reader  not  a  specialist  on 
any  subject.  It  would  be  the  privilege  of  the 
library  to  include  a  few  of  the  first-class 
periodicals  of  the  English  world,  like  the 
Atlantic  Monthly  and  the  Nation  in  our  own 
country,  and  the  Nineteenth  Century  and 
Academy  in  England. 

The  librarian  would    also  have  the   grim 

5 


pleasure  of  barring  out  every  made-to-order 
book,  the  mere  response  to  market  demand, 
literary  slop-work  ;  likewise  every  cheap  and 
unworthy  reprint  or  other  edition  of  books  to 
be  had  in  reputable  shape.  Of  course,  if  the 
reprint  were  better  than  the  original,  it  would 
be  preferred.  Editions  de  luxe  would  be  ex- 
cluded, as  tney  emphasize  mere  externals,  and 
do  not  represent  for  the  purposes  of  such  a 
collection  a  value  corresponding  to  their  cost. 
But  the  library  should  certainly  offer  an 
object-lesson  in  sound  book-making.  No 
wood-pulp-paper  should  be  admitted  if  avoid- 
able, and  if  ever  it  had  to  be  accepted,  the 
catalogue  should  call  attention  to  the  cheat. 
The  library  would  not  attempt  to  make  a  dis- 
play of  fine  bindings.  Books  issued  in  cloth 
binding  should  be  so  acquired  as  thus  clad 
most  distinctively  :  but  whenever  re-binding 
becomes  necessary  an  opportunity  would  arise 
for  displaying  sound  and  durable  book- 
binding. 

What  would  be  the  cost  of  such  a  collection  ? 
Perhaps  ten  or  fifteen  thousand  dollars  ;  with 
an  annual  requirement,  for  purchase  and 
binding,  of  from  five  hundred  to  a  thousand 
dollars.  A  force  of  at  least  two  persons  would 
be  required  to  run  the  library,  as  it  would 
need  to  be  open  from  eight  in  the  morning 
until  ten  at  night.  The  duties  of  the  librarian 
would  be  to  supplement  his  catalogue  in  every 
possible  way,  not  necessarily  confining  his 
advice  within  the  limits  of  his  own  collection. 
He  should  be  the  university's  professor  of 
books  and  reading,  and  should  lecture  to  the 
students  collectively  as  well  as  give  personal 
advice.  It  might  also  be  his  province  to  offer 
an  advanced  course  in  bibliography,  which 
would  draw  on  the  resources  of  the  university 
lihrary  ;  but  for  his  more  primary  lectures  on 
the  use  of  books  the  student's  library  would 
suffice,  forming  his  own  "department  library. " 

As  I  think  of  the  work  of  such  a  librarian, 
I  do  not  find  it  easy  to  overrate,  nay,  rather, 
difficult  adequately  to  estimate,  the  educa- 
tional importauce  of  such  a  position.  Including 
all  that  the  old  college  librarian  might  have 
done,  but  never  did,  it  supplements  the  almost 
purely  administrative  duties  of  the  modern 
university  librarian  with  a  service,  which,  I 
say  frankly,  I  do  not  believe  the  great  univer- 
sities can  afford  to  leave  undone.  There  will 
always  be  men  whom  the  work  of  direction 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


and  management,  without  participation  in  the 
literary  side  of  the  librarianship,  will  attract ; 
and  let  us  trust  that  they  may  be  found  in 
number  and  ability  sufficient  to  the  need  of 
them.  But  another  quality,  which  we  may 
call  the  spirit  and  power  of  helpfulness,  is 
required  for  the  successful  working  of  a 
"student's  library  ;  "  and  I  am  not  sure  that 
this  gift,  when  found  in  conjuction  with  the 
requisite  training  is  not  an  even  rarer  occur- 
rence than  the  former.  I  am  sure,  at  least, 
that  if  the  "student's  librarian  "  fills  a  posi- 
tion humbler  in  the  eyes  of  the  world  than  the 
university  librarian,  or  the  regular  professor, 
as  a  wielder  of  power  over  future  generations 
he  need  fear  no  rivalry  from  the  occupant  of 
any  chair — or  throne. 


No  IE.— The  writer  is  pleased  to  add  that  the  discussion 
following  his  paper  called  out  the  statements  that  the 
reading-room  of  the  Cornell  University  library  contains 
a  collection  corresponding  in  almost  every  particular 
with  that  here  outlined;  and  that  the  new  reading- 
room  of  the  Harvard  University  library  will  contain 
a  similar  "student's  library;"  while  much  the  same  idea 
is  to  be  carried  out  at  Columbia ;  so  that,  had  the  presen- 
tation of  the  paper  been  delayed,  the  suggestions  it  offers 
must  needs  have  assumed  the  form  of  history.  The 
writer  would  also  remark  that  the  additional  function 
of  a  university  library  specified  by  Mr.  Austin  of 
Cornell,  namely,  that  of  giving  personal  instruction  to 
all  the  students  in  the  use  of  reference  books  and  cat- 
alogues, was  in  his  own  mind  as  one  of  the  regular 
functions  of  the  "student's  librarian;"  while  he  would 
express  his  obligations  to  Mr.  Tillinghast  of  Harvard, 
for  reminding  him  that  he  had  failed  to  emphasize  the 
important  service  of  the  "student's  library"  as  a  stim- 
ulus and  guide  to  the  students  in  the  formation  of  their 
own  private  libraries. 


SELECTION    OF    BOOKS* 


BY    ELLEN    M.    COE,    LIBRARIAN,    NEW    YORK    FREE    CIRCULATING    LIBRARY. 


i.  Methods  employed  for  purchase  or  recom- 
mendation. My  own  reading  of  reviews, 
criticisms  and  book-lists,  of  course,  constantly 
suggests  books  for  purchase  for  each  or  sev- 
eral of  our  Branch  Libraries  (for  it  is  an  inter- 
esting fact  that  these  libraries  more  and  more 
differentiate— the  public  of  Bond  Street  de- 
siring quite  different  reading  from  that  of 
Forty-second  Street).  My  six  librarians  are 
also  always  considering  the  needs  of  their 
own  special  libraries,  and  meet  with  me  once 
a  month  when  the  purchase-lists  are  made  up. 
Readers  also  are  encouraged  to  suggest 
books,  and  many  give  us  really  valuable 
assistance.  Slips  headed  "Books  called 
for"  and  "Books  reserved"  are  used  which 
slips  give  me  information  as  to  new  books  and 
duplicates  needed.  After  the  lists  are  made 
up  they  are  submitted  to  some  member  of  the 
library  committee  for  approval. 

I  make  free  use  of  the  friendship  of  many 
literary  people  and  specialists  in  the  city  who 
send  me  cuttings,  criticisms,  and  suggestions 
most  generously.  The  libraries  have  made 
most  valuable  friends  who  give  much  time  and 


thought,  as  well  as  money,  to  their  interests. 
In  the  matter  of  editions  I  am  under  great 
obligation  to  two  of  the  best  book-men  of  the 
city— Mr.  Morris,  of  D.  Appleton  &  Co.,  and 
Mr.  Wing,  of  Charles  Scribner's  Sons — always 
deferring  to  their  judgment  in  any  case  of 
doubt  or  difficulty.  In  the  matter  of  selection 
and  purchase  I  have  tremendous  advantage 
over  most  of  my  confreres  in  that  my  libraries 
are  placed  in  the  great  book-centre.  Besides 
the  New  York  publishers  there  is  hardly  any 
prominent  book-house  of  the  United  States, 
England,  France  or  Germany  that  has  not  its 
branch  house  or  special  agency  here  where 
the  books  can  be  seen;  and,  after  all,  more 
judicial  work  can  be  done  by  an  intelligent 
librarian  in  a  half-day  at  a  good  book-store 
than  by  many  hours  tedious  poring  over  re- 
views. 

2.  Guides  most  useful;  criticisms  we  place 
most  confidence  in.  I  cannot  limit  the  reviews 
to  so  few  as  to  make  suggestion  valuable 
since  I  use  very  many,  most  of  which  are 
doubtless  within  reach  of  even  the  small 
libraries  of  rural  towns,  and  are  well  known 


*  A  series  of  short  papers  by  several  librarians,  setting  forth  the  methods  which  they  severally  employ  in  the 
selection  of  books  for  purchase  or  recommendation  ;  the  guides  they  find  most  useful ;  the  criticisms  they 
place  most  confidence  in ;  the  considerations  which  determine  their  expenditure  in  the  various  departments 
of  literature,  and  classes  of  books,  etc. 


COR 


to  you  all.  I  suppose  if  I  had  to  choose  two  or 
three  they  would  be,  Publishers'  Weekly  (for 
the  fulness  of  its  lists,  not  for  its  criticisms)  ; 
Literary  World;  Current  Literature ;  and 
possibly  Publishers'  Circular;  this  last  is 
specially  valuable  because  it  gives  so  much 
news  as  to  English  books,  etc.,  in  advance  of 
reprint  or  publication  here. 

Of  periodicals  professedly  critical  (and  pro- 
fessedly impartial),  I  use  with  most  confidence 
the  Nation,  and  Critic  —  though  both  come 
too  late  to  help  in  making  up  purchase-lists 
for  libraries  that  keep  strictly  "up  to  date" — 
because  I  know  in  whom  I  am  confiding. 
Many  reviews  and  criticisms,  which  are  doubt- 
less fair  and  just,  lose  their  value  to  me  from 
being  unsigned,  Unless  I  know  and  trust  my 
critic  I  must  perforce  review  the  book  myself. 
This  is  what  makes  the  task  of  book-selection 
so  difficult.  I  suppose  I  read,  or  rather  glance 
over,  three  books  a  day — I  think  that  average 
low.  If  it  be  900  or  1,000  books  a  year  that  is  a 
prodigious  task,  and  one  from  which  I  should 
be  relieved  by  trustworthy  critical  reviews. 
Besides  in  only  a  few  classes  of  literature  can  I 
trust  my  own  judgment.  I  wish  the  A.  L.  A. 
would  express  itself  strongly  in  some  public 
manner  as  to  the  necessity  for  signature  in  all 
cases.  I  know  and  trust  the  fiction-editor  of 
the  Times,  but  she  is  one  of  the  few  whom  I 
do  know.  Would  it  be  possible  to  have  a  list 
of  editors  and  reviewers,  and  the  periodicals 
they  represent,  in  order  that  uninformed 
librarians  and  book-committees  might  know 
to  whom  their  selection  of  books  is  intrusted, 
for  I  imagine  most  are  practically  dependent 
on  the  reviews  in  this  matter  ? 

Many  publishers  send  out  admirable  lists, 
and,  as  these  are  always  signed,  we  gain  the 
knowledge  of  our  authorities.  Of  course,  the 
best,  most  favorable  criticism  is  always  given  ; 
but,  on  the  whole,  the  lists  are  wonderfully 
air.  Wanamaker's  Book  News  is  impartial  in 
so  far  as  is  independent  of  the  publishers,  and 
I  use  it  much.  But,  after  all,  it  is  from  the 
literary  columns  of  the  (pernicious?)  news- 
papers that  I  get  most  help  ;  Tribune,  Times, 
Evening  Post,  Boston  Transcript,  etc.,  (sev- 
eral librarians  have  spoken  highly  of  the 
Chicago  Dial ).  Criticisms  from  these  are 
cut  out  and  preserved,  as  well  as  criticisms 
from  periodicals. 

My  order-slip  is  much  like  that  furnished  by 


the  Library  Bureau,  but  varied  to  meet  the 
need  for  indicating  in  which  of  the  Branches 
any  book  is  contained,  as  well  as  the  number 
of  copies.  Criticisms  are  pasted  on  the  back 
of  the  slips,  sometimes  several  in  number  and 
of  different  estimate.  Slips  are  made  out  for 
all  books  which  are  considered  desirable 
( either  for  purchase  immediately  or  later  as  the 
book-fund  will  permit),  and  are  arranged  in  al- 
phabetical order  as  "Books  desirable."  As 
the  books  are  ordered  these  slips  are  taken 
out  and  re-arranged  in  the  package  "  Books 
ordered"  (each  one  dated  on  the  day  of 
ordering).  When  the  books  arrive  slips  are 
filled  out  with  date  received,  actual  cost,  num- 
ber of  copies  to  each  library  (indicated  by 
initial  of  Branch),  etc.,  and  are  finally  placed  in 
the  trays  which  constitute  my  own  official  list 
of  the  "Books  approved,  ordered,  and  pur- 
chased." To  this  list  are  referred  all  questions 
as  to  date,  publisher,  price,  purchase,  etc., 
which  may  come  up  in  reference  to  any  book 
(not  a  gift),  at  any  library  ;  as  also,  the  de- 
cision regarding  purchase  of  duplicates  (re- 
corded on  original  slip). 

The  great  value  of  criticisms  thus  preserved 
will  be  at  once  seen.  The  purchase-list  as  sub- 
mitted to  the  Branch  librarians  and  to  the  com- 
mittee is  not  thus  wholly  dependent  on  my 
judgment  or  my  memory  for  good  reasons  for 
approval  or  disapproval  —  to  my  assistants  this 
is  specially  valuable  —  and,  in  case  annotations 
should  be  at  anytime  used  in  printed  lists,  the 
best  material  for  these  notes  is  already  at  hand. 
A  friend  has  suggested,  that,  by  clipping  crit- 
icisms in  this  way  I  destroy  the  files  of  my 
journals,  but  I  submit  that  the  value  of  the 
criticisms  as  attached  to  the  slip  is  vastly 
greater  than  as  hidden  away  in  the  files  of 
periodicals — most  often  without  index  to  assist' 
in  its  discovery — and  that,  if  it  is  important  to 
keep  the  files  perfect,  it  will  rather  pay  to  sub- 
scribe for  another  copy  than  not  to  adopt 
this  plan. 

3.  Considerations  which  determine  expendi- 
ture in  various  classes  of  literature,  classes  of 
books,  etc.  Expenditures  are  regulated  by  the 
needs  of  the  hour,  though  per  cent  of  fiction  is 
not  allowed  to  exceed  twenty.  We  have  so 
many  books  "worn  out"  to  replace  each 
month  that  this  often  absorbs  the  larger  part 
of  the  appropriation.  As  there  is  never  half 
money  enough,  we  (my  librarians  and  I)  go 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


over  the  cards  and  select  such  books  as  will 
not  admit  of  delay  in  replacing  ;  then  the  few 
new  and  important  books,  and  "  books  called 
for"  are  chosen  ;  and  we  are  happy  indeed  if 
any  money  remains  with  which  to  purchase 
some  few  books  to  fill  the  gaps  remaining  in 
our  class-lists  of  science,  art,  reference-books, 
etc.  The  slips  for  "books  considered  and  ap- 
proved," only  awaiting  money  to  purchase, 
number  many  hundreds  —  when  some  kind 
friend  gives  us  a  special  gift  of  money  for 
books  these  thin  out  a  little  —  but  the  addi- 


tions   each    month   of  ' '  books  wanted ' '  far 
out-number  "books  purchased." 

Last  year  the  largest  number  of  volumes 
purchased  (exclusive  of  fiction)  was  in  the  class 
History  ;  the  greatest  cost  in  the  class  Useful 
Arts.  We  buy  direct  from  the  publishers  at 
special  discounts,  and  derive  other  favors  from 
the  friendly  interest  felt  for  our  libraries  by 
the  literary  profession  and  trade  generally. 
Book-auctions  and  sales  are  carefully  watched 
of  course,  and  most  advantageous  opportuni- 
ties are  often  obtained  by  this  means. 


SELECTION    OF    BOOKS. 


BY   CAROLINE    M.  HEWINS,    LIBRARIAN,    HARTFORD    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


HTHE  Hartford  Public  Library  buys  most  of 
its  American  books  through  a  local  firm 
at  30%  discount.  In  the  long  run  it  is  better 
to  receive  them  every  week,  and  oftener  if 
necessary,  at  this  reduction,  than  at  the  33% 
which  some  firms  in  the  large  cities  offer,  with 
express  paid,  once  in  two  or  three  weeks. 
Besides,  the  trouble  of  sending  back  imperfect 
copies  is  much  less  than  that  of  mailing  or 
expressing  them  to  New  York  or  Boston. 

Three  of  our  twelve  Directors  form  our 
library  committee,  and  meet  on  Saturday 
afternoons.  The  new  books  of  the  week  are 
sent  us  in  the  morning,  and  if  there  are  any 
below  our  standard,  too  expensively  bound 
and  illustrated  for  circulation,  or  for  other 
reasons  not  fit  for  our  use,  they  are  returned 
before  the  committee-meeting.  Last  year  one 
of  the  members  devised  a  blank  form,  headed 
"Attendant's  Weekly  Report."  Below  that 
heading  and  the  date  is  printed:  "  In  order 
to  supply  the  demands  of  readers,  the  library 
needs  more  copies  of  the  following  books." 
All  the  desk-assistants  keep  a  record  on  such 
blanks  of  the  books  which  are  "  always  out," 
old  or  new,  of  every  class,  from  St.  Elmo  to 
Kidd's  Social  Evolution  or  Macaulay's  His- 
tory. 

Every  Thursday  the  reports  are  gathered  up 
and  brought  to  me  to  be  formulated  for  Satur- 
day, on  ruled  sheets  made  to  order  for  the 
library  committee.  If  there  is  a  difference 
in  the  estimates  of  committee  and  librarian  as 
to  the  number  of  copies  needed  of  a  book, 


that  decided  on  is  written  at  the  right  of  the 
"approved"  column.  The  books  when  or- 
dered are  checked  on  the  left  of  the  sheets.  In 
addition  to  those  suggested  by  the  desk-assist- 
ants are  the  books  setit  from  the  bookseller 
every  week  which  are  worthy  of  approval,  and 
also  any  others  that  I  think  should  be  ordered. 
If  an  auction  or  sale-catalogue  offers  anything 
attractive  a  fair  price  for  it  is  put  in  the  esti- 
mate column. 

We  buy  in  New  York  or  Boston,  at  auction 
or  from  dealers,  as  occasion  offers,  and  some- 
times in  Philadelphia  or  Providence.  The 
purchases  are  miscellaneous,  to  supply  de- 
ficiencies in  various  departments.  Every  few 
months  I  spend  a  day  or  two  in  the  smaller 
shops  in  New  York  or  Boston,  looking  up 
second-hand  copies  of  novels  which  have  been 
worn  out  on  our  shelves  and  are  hard  to  re- 
place. In  this  way  I  often  find  copies  of 
others  much  below  price,  usually  from  thirty 
to  thirty-five  cents  a  volume.  We  also  pick 
up  many  books  of  this  kind  at  clearance  sales 
in  our  own  city,  and  at  a  second-hand  shop 
where  books  are  bought  and  sold  with  house- 
hold furniture.  We  find,  both  at  this  place 
and  in  New  York,  many  books  in  perfectly 
good  condition,  at  about  one-third  the  regular 
price,  which  come  to  second-hand  shops  from 
editors  and  reviewers  who  are  glad  to  sell 
their  copies  for  a  small  sum. 

We  order  our  English,  and  sometimes  our 
French  books,  through  an  agent  in  London. 
We  make  up  our  orders  from  the  various 


HEWINS. 


second-hand  sale  catalogues  which  he  sends 
us,  and  buy  many  of  our  hooks  from  the 
London  circulating  libraries,  Mudie's,  the 
Grosvenor,  or  Smith's,  often  paying  anywhere 
from  three  to  ten  shillings  for  books  published 
at  more  than  twice  that  amount.  Our  agent 
is  instructed  to  have  books  bound  if  necessary, 
and  sends  them  to  us  handsomely  and  sub- 
stantially clothed  in  half-morocco  at  an  average 
cost  of  two  shillings  and  sixpence.  The 
French  books,  also  from  the  second-hand 
circulating  library  catalogs,  are  well  bound  for 
a  shilling  and  fourpence.  Our  last  order, 
just  at  hand,  has  ^"13  worth  of  binding  to  ^"97 
of  books,  not  a  disproportionate  allowance. 
We  have  not  yet  begun  to  keep  a  standing 
order  with  an  English  agent,  and  therefore 
do  not  get  English  books,  not  republished  in 
this  country,  until  they  are  several  months  old. 
In  making  up  our  orders,  we  try  to  anticipate 
the  needs  of  our  best  readers,  especially  the 
two  or  three  hundred  members  of  clubs  for 
which  the  library  makes  reading-lists  every 
year.  The  subjects  for  the  winter  are  an- 
nounced as  early  as  possible  in  the  summer, 
and  the  library  immediately  sets  to  work  to  find 
out  its  weakness  and  strength,  ordering  if  ne- 
cessary duplicates  of  important  books  and 
supplying  deficiencies  as  far  as  possible.  For 
example,  last  year  a  club  studying  the  reign 
of  Victoria  expressed  a  wish  to  see  Lady  Sale's 
Journal  of  the  Retreat  from  Cabul  in  1843, 
quoted  in  McCarthy's  History  of  our  own 
Times  ;  and,  although  the  book  is  fifty  years 
old  and  not  common,  our  agent  was  fortunate 
enough  to  find  it  at  a  moderate  price.  This 
year  we  are  buying  with  reference  to  clubs 
studying  The  Reign  of  Victoria  ;  America  be- 
fore 1600  ;  four  of  Shakespeare's  Comedies  ; 
Napoleon  ;  Modern  Novels  ;  Rome ;  Social 
reforms  in  England  during  the  nineteenth 
century,  etc. 

We  follow  the  advice  of  experts  in  buying 
books  on  scientific  and  technical  subjects. 
Within  a  year,  we  have  ordered  books  from 
lists  prepared  by  the  best  organist  and  choir- 
master in  the  city,  a  veterinary  surgeon  of 
large  experience,  the  American  editor  of 
Bagehot's  works,  an  amateur  astronomer, 
well-read  in  several  departments  of  science, 
the  principals  of  the  Hartford  schools,  and  the 
colonel  of  the  best-drilled  regiment  in  the  state. 
Our  proportion  of  expenditure  for  different 


classes  of  books  is  so  peculiar  that  the  reason 
for  it  must  be  briefly  explained.  There  are 
three  libraries  in  our  building  ;  the  Watkinson 
Library,  an  endowed  library  for  reference 
alone,  containing  between  forty  and  fifty 
thousand  volumes  ;  the  Library  of  the  Connec- 
ticut Historical  Society  ;  and  our  own.  The 
Watkinson  Library  buys  the  publications  of 
learned  societies  such  as  the  Transactions  of 
the  Philosophical  Society,  or  the  reprints  of 
the  Chaucer  and  Early  English  Text  Society, 
besides  all  the  other  rare  and  expensive  books 
in  the  building,  except  those  on  genealogy 
and  local  history,  which  are  to  be  found  in  the 
Historical  Society's  Library.  The  Watkinson 
Library  is  above  all  a  library  for  students,  who 
can  work  undisturbed  in  the  well-lighted 
alcoves.  We  therefore  buy  almost  no  books 
for  reference,  and  none  that  are  too  costly  for 
circulation.  We  have  a  small  reference-room 
with  the  few  hundred  volumes  of  encyclo- 
paedias, dictionaries  and  hand-books  which 
every  library  needs  as  tools.  They  may 
be  freely  consulted  by  all  our  readers  and 
are  used  to  determine  disputed  points  in 
pronunciation  or  history,  and  by  pupils  in 
the  public  schools.  It  is  the  intention  of 
the  three  libraries  not  to  buy  duplicates 
of  each  others'  books,  except  in  a  case  where 
a  book  in  the  Watkinson  Library  is  needed 
for  the  use  of  some  club  or  class.  Then, 
unless  it  is  too  costly,  a  duplicate  (or  more 
than  one  if  necessary),  is  ordered  by  the 
Hartford  Public  Library. 

Copies  of  our  mimeographed  club-lists 
show  how  the  three  libraries  in  the  building 
work  together.  The  State  Library  in  the 
Capitol  has  a  large  collection  of  books  on 
jurisprudence  and  United  States  documents  ; 
therefore  we  do  not  buy  law-books  or  receive 
documents  except  Consular  Reports  and  Offi- 
cial Reports  of  the  Civil  War,  the  Bureau  of 
Ethnology,  or  Bureau  of  Education,  etc.,  which 
we  place  in  their  respective  classes.  Trinity 
College  makes  a  specialty  of  Greek  inscriptions, 
higher  mathematics,  and  certain  departments 
of  theology.  The  library  of  the  Theological 
Seminary  is  especially  rich  in  hymnology  and 
original  sources  for  the  history  of  the  Reforma- 
tion in  France  and  Germany,  and  allows  the 
free  use  of  its  books  both  in  and  out  of  the 
building  to  all  who  wish  them.  What  is  left 
for  the  Hartford  Public  Library,  to  buy  ? 


34 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


Our  last  year's  report  shows  that  out  of 
about  6,000  volumes,  less  than  200  of  which 
were  gifts,  we  received  330  of  Magazines  and 
Bibliography  ;  50  of  Philosophy  ;  70  of  Theol- 
ogy ;  200  of  Sociology  ;  100  of  Science  ;  150  of 
Useful  Arts  ;  150  of  Fine  Arts  ;  400  of  Essays, 
Poetry,  etc  ;  50  of  French  ;  200  of  Travel ;  200 
of  Biography  ;  250  of  History  ;  2,000  of  Novels 
and  Short  Stories  ;  900  of  Children's  Stories  ; 
225  of  other  books  for  children ;  575  school 
duplicates.  We  also  bought  20  books  of 
reference,  and  received  as  gifts  30  volumes 
in  raised  type  for  our  many  blind  readers. 

We  buy  freely  of  the  best  novels  that  our 
readers  demand.  We  have  twenty-five  copies 
of  some  of  Crawford's,  for  example,  and  any- 
where from  six  to  twelve  of  Mrs.  Barr's  and 
Captain  King's.  One  of  our  fads  is  for  good  his- 
torical novels,  and  we  encourage  reading  such 
books  as  Conan  Doyle's  White  Company,  and 
Refugees,  and  Bynner's  Begum's  Daughter, 
and  Zachary  Phips,  by  buying  half  a  dozen  at 
first  and  more  if  necessary.  Every  few  months 
we  have  to  increase  our  stock  of  Charlotte 
Bronte's  novels,  and  it  was  a  long  time  before 
we  could  fill  the  demand  for  the  Scarlet  Letter. 
We  keep  our  stock  of  Mary  J.  Holmes,  the 
Duchess,  Mrs.  Southworth,  and  novelists  of 
that  grade,  down  to  one  copy  of  each  novel, 
and  do  not  often  pay  more  than  thirty-five 
cents  for  replacing  it. 

Our  other  fad  is  books  for  children,  and  we 
have  from  six  to  twelve  copies  each  of  books  by 


writers  like  Miss  Alcott,  Aldrich,  Alden,  Susan 
Coolidge,  Henty,  Kirk  Munroe,  Stoddard, 
and  of  the  best  fairy-tales,  old  and  new.  We 
have  no  age-limit,  and  find  that  many  of  our 
readers  enjoy  the  little  blue-covered  books 
adapted  and  simplified  from  Andrew  Lang's 
Blue,  Red,  and  Green  Fairy  Books.  We  are  so 
near  what  is  usually  known  as  "The  Ward," 
that  home-libraries  are  not  needed  in  Hartford, 
for  the  children  can  come  to  us  in  five  or  ten 
minutes.  We  have  a  supply  of  duplicates  of 
Mrs.  Bolton's  Girls  who  became  Famous,  and 
her  other  books,  Rideing's  Boyhood  of  Living 
Authors,  Harris's  Pleasant  Authors,  and  other 
such  books,  for  use  in  school,  or  to  be  taken 
out  at  the  suggestion  of  teachers,  but  these 
are  not  on  the  regular  school  duplicate 
shelves. 

The  book-reviews  of  the  Spectator,  Nation, 
Critic,  Book-Buyer,  Literary  World  and 
Atlantic  Monthly  are  all  useful  for  general  liter- 
ature. It  is  not  possible,  however,  for  even 
the  all-roundest  librarian  to  buy  books  on  every 
subject  without  consulting  experts.  There  is 
nothing  more  helpful  for  a  librarian  than  a 
"day  off"  among  the  shelves  of  some  other 
library.  This  year,  the  libraries  in  Albany, 
Boston,  Cambridge,  Worcester,  Springfield, 
New  Haven,  Bridgeport,  Brooklyn,  Jersey  City 
and  Newark,  have  all  materially  aided  us  in 
strengthening  our  weak  spots,  especially  in 
Science  and  Useful  Arts. 


SELECTION    OF    BOOKS. 


BY   WILLIAM    E.  FOSTER,    LIBRARIAN,    PROVIDENCE    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


'""PHE  subject  of  the  selection  of  books  covers 
the  whole  field  which  contributes  the 
springs  having  their  sources  in  different  direc- 
tions and  centering  at  the  purchasing  point 
in  the  library.  The  books  which  are  added 
are  partly  books  which  have  been  nominated 
by  a  great  body  of  readers,  either  verbally  at 
the  information  desk  or  on  the  printed  blanks 
which  are  supplied  for  that  purpose ;  but  there 
are  also  books  which  we  have  directly  sent 
requests  to  specialists  for  suggestions  in  re- 
gard to — books  which  have  been  brought  to 
our  notice  by.  the  various  official  lists  such  as 


the  weekly  record  in  the  Publishers'  Weekly, 
or  the  various  critical  journals.  A  certain 
number,  also,  are  sent  on  the  authority  of  the 
bookseller,  which  we  may  not  have  personally 
asked  for.  The  books  are  sent  for  examina- 
tion, so  far  as  possible.  It  still  remains  true 
that  we  are  thrown  back  to  a  much  larger  ex- 
tent than  we  wish  to  be  on  the  testimony  of 
printed  matter  —  the  various  reviews,  etc. 

I  am  exceptionally  fortunate  in  my  pur- 
chasing committee,  which  consists  not  merely 
of  men  of  wide  intelligence  but  men  who 
themselves  read  widely  in  the  critical  journals, 


FOSTER. 


and  i  myself  endeavor  personally  to  cover 
that  ground  as  far  as  I  am  able.  But  besides 
that  I  depend  upon  the  additional  assistance 
supplied  by  the  members  of  my  staff;  and  at 
the  monthly  staff  meetings  there  is  always 
a  report  from  the  various  critical  journals,  one 
(such  as  the  Spectator,  the  Nation,  etc.)  be- 
ing assigned  to  each  member  of  the  staff,  to 
report  noteworthy  instances  of  books  which 
have  made  their  appearance  but  have  escaped 
the  line  of  our  purchases. 

The  subject  of  the  guides  found  most  useful 
brings  one  back  to  this  question  of  the  critical 
journals,  and  I  do  not  know  that  I  can  sum  up 
more  briefly  and  perfectly  what  I  have  to  say 
on  that  point  than  to  express  my  very  strong 
wish  that  the  suggestions  brought  to  a  pre- 
vious meeting  of  the  association  by  Mr.  lies 
may  still  find  some  definite  and  regular  and 
permanent  embodiment.  The  critical  journals, 
as  I  have  said,  we  are  obliged  to  make  more 
or  less  use  of,  and  every  librarian  of  course 
comes  to  form  his  own  conclusions  as  to  the 
relative  amount  of  dependence  he  can  place 
on  this  or  that  one.  After  all  is  said,  the  per- 
sonal element  is  to  be  taken  into  account  in 
these  various  reviews.  A  critical  writer  is 
none  the  less  a  man  because  he  is  a  critic,  and 
he  writes  as  a  man,  expressing  his  own  per- 
sonality in  the  review,  though  he  may  fight 
against  it. 

We  start  the  year  with  an  entry  in  one  of 
our  record  books,  called  a  "Record  of  bills 
audited,"  with  the  total  amount  of  money  at 
our  disposal  for  the  purchase  of  books.  Each 
successive  purchase  of  books  from  a  given 
bookseller  through  the  year  is  subtracted  from 
that,  so  that  we  know  at  any  moment  what 
our  balance  is  for  the  remainder  of  the  year. 

As  regards  distribution  among  different 
departments  of  literature,  that  is  distinctly 
governed  by  several  considerations.  A  cer- 
tain amount  of  it  each  year  is  applied  to  the 
purchase  of  what  we  call  school  duplicates. 
A  certain  less  regular  amount  is  applied  to 
special  books  for  industrial  purposes  and 
others,  and  the  remainder  we  aim  more  or 
less  carefully  to  distribute  among  the  different 
departments  of  literature.  I  could  not  help 
being  impressed,  while  Miss  Coe  was  giving 
an  account  of  her  method,  with  the  fact  that 
we  had  not  so  successfully  solved  the  question 
of  an  exact  settlement  of  a  proportional 


amount  as  she  seems  to  have  done,  in  the  case 
of  current  publications  at  least.  Our  method 
in  standard  literature  is  very  similar  to  hers. 
We  have  full  memoranda  of  deficiencies  in  the 
library  which  we  are  gradually  filling  out,  as 
we  are  able  to  pick  up  here  and  there.  In  the 
matter  of  current  literature  it  seems  to  me 
that  her  suggestion  is  worthy  of  very  wide 
copying — not  living  from  hand  to  mouth,  but 
of  making  memoranda  that  will  cover  the 
widest  possible  supply  of  actually  desirable 
books  and  then  making  inroads  into  that  as 
fast  as  the  money  will  allow  and  opportunity 
offers. 

This  whole  subject  has  engaged  the  close 
attention  of  my  purchasing  committee  and  my- 
self, for  several  years  ;  and  I  must  emphasize 
the  point  that  while  I  have  detailed  these  var- 
ious features  in  our  method,  it  is  a  method 
that  we  do  not  regard  ourselves  as  perfectly 
satisfied  with.  We  consider  that  it  has  several 
obviously  weak  points.  Three  years  ago 
many  of  the  librarians  here  present  received 
a  set  of  questions  from  me,  covering  such 
points  as  these  :  The  authority  to  whom  the 
purchasing  is  committed  ;  Whether  there  is  a 
separate  purchasing  committee  or  not ;  How 
often  it  meets ;  The  extent  of  the  librarian's 
functions  in  purchasing ;  The  extent  of  the 
committee's  functions ;  The  amount  of  de- 
pendence placed  on  reviews ;  Whether  the 
books  themselves  are  examined  ;  How  much 
dependence  is  placed  on  the  reputation  of  the 
author  ;  How  much  on  the  reputation  of  the 
publisher  ;  How  much  on  requests  from  read- 
ers ;  How  much  on  calculated  demand  ;  How 
much  on  the  general  nature  of  the  subject ; 
What  attempt  there  is  at  discrimination  ; 
Whether  aid  is  sought  from  outside  to  any 
extent ;  Whether  in  specialties  only  ;  etc. 

Those  replies  when  received  were  tabulated 
with  the  expectation  that  they  would  at  once 
furnish  us  some  new  light  on  the  subject,  and 
in  this  change  our  own  method  very  much  for 
the  better.  But  I  regret  very  much  to  say  that 
we  were  disappointed.  The  weak  point  is 
that  there  are  many  classes  of  books  which 
the  purchasing  committee  themselves  have  no 
leisure  to  arrive  at  a  satisfactory  opinion  about 
and  which  cannot  be  referred  to  specialists. 
Take,  for  instance,  books  on  electricity.  With 
such  a  matter,  of  course,  there  is  no  difficulty; 
instead  of  troubling  over  it  yourself  you  refer 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


it  to  your  specialist  in  whom  you  have  confi- 
dence. But  take  as  an  instance  of  the  other 
type,  a  work  of  fiction,  or  a  volume  of  col- 
lected essays,  or  a  work  of  travel.  Those 
books  can  not  be  turned  over  and  tested  so 
readily  as  a  work  on  history  in  which,  even 
though  you  were  not  familiar  with  the  subject 
as  a  specialist  would  be,  you  could  soon  weigh 
the  merits  of  and  the  method  of  the  author  by 
examining  the  book  here  and  there.  Here 
you  are  quite  as  likely  to  purchase  a  book,  on 
superficial  examination,  and  later  be  disap- 


pointed and  tind  that  it  is  not  by  any  means 
the  book  which  you  had  in  view. 

It  seems  to  me  that  this  matter  of  the  pur- 
chase of  books  is  analogous  to  the  transfer  of 
a  given  amount  of  water  from  one  of  two 
globes  of  equal  size,  to  the  other.  One  of  the 
two  may  stand  for  the  total  volume  of  desirable 
books  already  represented  in  the  library  and 
the  other  for  those  not  yet  represented  in  the 
library.  The  problem  for  the  librarian  and 
his  purchasing  committee  is  to  make  that 
transfer  as  steadily  and  as  successfully  as  he  can. 


SELECTION    OF    BOOKS. 


BY    D.  V.  R.  JOHNSTON,    REFERENCE    LIBRARIAN,    NEW    YORK    STATE    LIBRARY. 


T  N  the  New  York  State  Library  a  selection 
L  of  books  is  complicated  by  the  fact  that  in 
reality  we  are  buying  books  for  more  that  one 
library.  For  the  State  Library  proper  our 
selection  is  a  simple  matter.  We  know  very 
well  along  what  lines  purchases  must  go  and 
in  a  general  way  how  much  money  we  have  to 
spend  in  each  class.  Time  has  shown  us 
much  that  we  must  do,  and  so  our  principal 
work  is  keeping  posted  on  all  the  publications 
in  certain  branches  of  knowledge  rather  than 
in  exercising  much  discrimination.  To  a  cer- 
tain extent  we  commit  the  recommendation 
of  books  in  special  subjects  to  members  of  the 
staff  charged  with  keeping  track  of  the  publi- 
cations in  that  subject.  This  is  carried  to  an 
extreme  in  the  department  of  law,  to  a  limited 
extent  in  history  and  to  a  slight  extent  in 
some  other  subjects.  If  a  library  had  the 
funds  for  extensive  purchase  of  books  in  all 
departments,  this  system  would  be  ideal  and 
imperative.  But  for  us  it  has  been  found  to 
pay  only  in  such  departments  as  must  be  kept 
practically  complete. 

In  most  cases  the  recommendation  virtually 
vests  in  the  reference  librarian  who  must  know 
what  the  public  wants  and  who  receives  recom- 
mendations and  criticisms  from  readers.  It 
therefore  becomes  his  duty  to  keep  posted  in 
all  the  general  book  reviews,  in  special  pub- 
lications which  will  throw  light  on  branches  of 
knowledge  specially  important  for  us  to  keep 
strong,  and  to  watch  the  second-hand  and 


auction  markets.  All  recommendations  ( with 
the  exception  of  law),  from  whatsoever  source 
received,  are  submitted  to  a  book-board  com- 
posed of  five  members  of  the  staff,  which 
passes  on  all  purchases,  balancing  the  recom- 
mendation with  the  state  of  funds.  It  is  the 
duty  of  this  book-board  also  to  pass  upon  all 
bibliographic  and  critical  notes  which  are  to 
appear  in  our  printed  catalogs. 

In  addition  to  the  fund  for  additions  to  the 
State  Library,  the  state  makes  a  considerable 
annual  appropriation  for  fostering  public 
libraries  and  a  good  portion  of  this  money  is 
spent  in  books.  With  a  portion  of  these  funds 
we  maintain  a  circulating  library  for  the  use  of 
state  employees,  known  as  the  Capitol  Library; 
and  for  this,  as  well  as  for  state  library  pur- 
poses, we  have  such  of  each  week's  publica- 
tions sent  as  in  the  opinion  of  our  New  York 
agent  we  may  want.  These  books  are  placed 
on  public  inspection  oqe  night  in  each  week 
and  the  opinion  of  any  interested  person  is 
invited.  As  a  matter  of  fact  while  many  look 
over  the  books,  we  receive  but  few  suggestions 
and  are  left  to  make  up  our  own  minds.  Of 
course  we  can  not  find  time  to  read  or  even 
closely  examine  all  these  books,  but  they  are 
nevertheless  a  great  help  to  us  in  making  a 
choice  and  very  few  unworthy  books  find  their 
way  into  the  library.  Sometimes  books  are 
rejected  which,  when  their  character  is  re- 
vealed later  in  reviews,  we  are  glad  to  order. 
All  the  books  for  the  Capitol  Library  are 


BARD  WELL. 


37 


passed  upon  in  the  book-board,  each  member 
of  the  board  having  previously  voted  on  each 
separate  book,  having  in  mind  the  wants  of  a 
well-selected  circulating  library  made  up  al- 
most exclusively  of  new  books. 

From  the  same  funds  are  purchased  the 
books  sent  out  to  the  university  extension 
centers.  But  these  works  are  almost  wholly 
selected  by  the  lecturers  and  all  the  library 
does  is  to  settle  on  the  editions  and  value  of 
the  books  to  be  sent.  Somewhat  allied  in 
character  to  the  university  extension  library 
are  the  special  subject  collections  sent  out 
by  the  traveling  library  department.  These 
collections  are  made  up  in  different  ways. 
If,  for  instance,  we  should  wish  to  send  out 
a  library  on  bee-keeping,  we  should  try  to 
enlist  the  services  of  some  specialist,  bee- 
keeper, agricultural  editor,  or  professor  in 
some  agricultural  college.  This  list  would 
be  edited  by  us  for  bibliographic  details 
and  perhaps  changed  in  some  particulars ; 
but  for  all  technical  subjects  in  which  biblio- 
graphies are  not  to  be  found  we  rely  as  much 
as  possible  on  specialists.  For  libraries  on 
more  general  topics  such  as  history,  eco- 
nomics, etc.,  we  make  our  own  lists,  using 
such  bibliographies,  university  extension 
syllabuses,  etc.,  as  we  can  find  to  supplement 
our  own  knowledge. 

But  the  chief  work  of  selection  comes  in 
making  up  the  traveling  library  of  general 
interest  and  not  for  special  study.  As  the 


number  of  volumes  in  each  library  is  small  and 
the  object  is  to  furnish  the  best  reading  for  a 
community  poor  in  library  facilities,  very  care- 
ful treatment  is  required.  Occasionally  we 
have  a  list  submitted  by  some  one  on  whom 
we  may  depend,  made  up  of  old  favorites ; 
but  in  the  majority  of  cases  the  traveling 
libraries  are  composed  of  new  or  recent  books 
and  are  chosen  by  the  book-board.  We  have 
found  it  an  advantage,  for  this  purpose  and  also 
for  making  annotations  to  our  catalogs,  to 
keep  an  index  of  book-reviews,  noting  on  the 
slips  whether  the  criticism  is  favorable  or  not. 
With  the  aid  of  this  list  and  from  the  know- 
ledge we  have  already  obtained  by  buying 
many  of  the  books  for  other  purposes,  we  are 
able  readily  to  select  a  tentative  list  of  books 
for  a  traveling  library.  These  books  are  then 
brought  together  and  are  carefully  gone  over 
by  each  member  of  the  book-board,  who  marks 
his  criticism  and  vote  on  each  book,  taking 
into  consideration  both  its  desirabilty  in  gen- 
eral and  its  adaptability  to  this  special  library. 
If  there  is  any  conflict  of  opinion  the  question 
is  fully  discussed  in  the  board  and  a  decision 
is  reached  on  each  library. 

All  questions  of  purchase  in  all  departments 
of  the  State  Library  when  settled  by  the  book- 
board  are  transmitted  to  the  director  for  his 
approval,  not  only  as  head  of  the  library,  but 
as  Secretary  of  the  University,  which  stands  to 
us  in  the  relation  of  board  of  trustees. 


SELECTION    OF    BOOKS. 


BY    WILLIS    A.  BARDWELL,    LIBRARIAN,    BROOKLYN    LIBRARY. 


T  N  the  Brooklyn  Library  the  librarian  attends 
personally  to  the  selection  and  purchase  of 
books.  With  costly  works,  or  those  of  ques- 
tionable desirability,  or  whenever  he  prefers 
not  to  rely  entirely  on  his  own  judgment,  he 
can  at  any  time  confer  with  the  library  com- 
mittee. In  the  choice  of  new  books  the  author- 
ship and  the  publisher  are  considerations 
which  influence  the  acceptance  or  the  rejection 
of  a  work.  If  a  book  is  by  such  a  writer  as 
John  Fiske,  or  if  it  is  published  by  a  house 
like  Houghton,  Mifflin  &  Co.,  there  need  be 

6 


no  hesitation  in  buying  it  if  the  subject  is  of 
interest.  But  with  many  authors,  known  and 
unknown,  and  where  title-pages  bear  the  im- 
print of  certain  firms  and  publishing-houses, 
one  feels  that  a  careful  examination  should 
precede  purchase. 

A  daily  inspection  of  the  publishers'  an- 
nouncements in  the  advertising  columns  of 
the  newspapers  keeps  one  informed  regarding 
new  books  as  they  are  issued.  The  New 
York  Tribune  usually  contains,  on  Saturdays, 
a  page  (more  or  less)' of  advertisements  of 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


new  books  and  a  compact  list  of  "books  of 
the  week."  The  latter  is  found  useful  in 
making  up  order-lists.  Titles  of  books  that 
are  desired  are  sometimes  clipped  from  this 
list,  pasted  on  a  sheet  and  sent  to  our  agent, 
after  being  copied  in  the  order-book.  This 
saves  some  of  the  copying  necessary  in  mak- 
ing up  order-lists. 

The  Publishers'  Weekly  is  found  helpful  as 
an  aid  in  the  selection  of  books.  It  frequently 
gives  a  brief  notice  of  the  contents  of  a  book, 
or  mentions  prominent  incidents  in  a  story. 
If  a  book  is  bad  the  Weekly  does  not  hesitate 
to  say  so  ;  and  if  it  has  been  previously  pub- 
lished under  a  different  title  the  fact  is  often 
stated,  thus  saving  a  duplication  of  books 
already  on  the  shelves.  The  book-reviews  in 
the  daily  papers,  and  in  such  periodicals  as 
the  Nation,  the  Critic,  etc.,  are  glanced  over 
as  time  permits ;  and  nearly  every  periodical 
will  contain  a  notice  of  something  not  found 
in  the  others. 

Bargains  are  often  found  in  the  auction  cat- 
alogues. Many  desirable  and  scarce  books 
may  be  secured  at  auction  sales  and  at  prices 
not  to  be  obtained  elsewhere.  The  catalogue 
is  marked,  a  list  of  the  numbers  wanted  (with 
limit  of  price  offered)  is  sent  to  the  auctioneer, 
and  he  does  the  rest.  As  a  rule  we  are  treated 
very  fairly,  often  buying  at  prices  much  below 
our  limit. 

The  Publishers1  Circular  is  useful  in  the 
selection  of  recent  English  books.  Longmans, 
Macmillan,  and  others  send,  periodically,  lists 
of  their  own  publications,  which  are  always 
carefully  inspected.  Every  mail  brings  its  par- 
cel of  the  catalogues  of  second-hand  dealers, 
American  and  foreign,  which  sometimes  con- 
tain items  that  are  wanted.  In  ordering  from 
our  agent  in  New  York  it  is  understood  that 


any  work  that  is  found  on  examination  to  be 
unsuitable  for  our  use  can  be  returned  if  this 
be  done  promptly. 

The  book-stores  are  occasionally  visited. 
An  hour's  examination  of  the  shelves  of  a  well 
stocked  store  will  usually  bring  to  notice  books 
that  one  has  not  seen  advertised.  In  ordering 
duplicate  copies  of  popular  books  the  supply 
is  largely  regulated  by  the  demand.  It  is,  how- 
ever, thought  better  to  buy  many  copies  of 
books  like  "Marcella,"  or  "The  Prince  of 
India,"  and  to  furnish  a  scant  supply  of  litera- 
ture of  the  "Dodo"  type.  Suggestions  from 
readers  regarding  the  purchase  of  books  are 
always  welcome,  and  are  usually  acted  upon. 
The  advice  of  specialists  on  works  in  their 
own  departments  is  especially  helpful.  At 
times  certain  very  alert  readers  will  fill  out 
order-blanks  with  titles  of  books  of  which  they 
have  seen  advance  notices.  No  plan,  how- 
ever, has  yet  been  devised  by  which  books  can 
be  put  in  circulation  before  they  are  published. 

Our  library,  while  rather  strong  in  Biog- 
raphy, History,  Travel,  Theology,  and  Fiction, 
is  not  planned  to  be  especially  strong  in  any 
one  department.  The  additions  of  books  new 
and  old,  that  are  being  made  almost  daily,  are 
designed  to  increase  the  collection  symmet- 
rically and  to  steadily  improve  what  is  al- 
ready a  very  good  working  library.  While  no 
effort  is  made  to  favor  the  growth  of  certain 
departments  to  the  neglect  of  others,  we  have 
one  small  fund  the  income  of  which  is  devoted 
to  the  purchase  of  works  on  the  Arts  and 
Sciences,  History,  etc.,  but  of  no  works  of 
Fiction.  The  proportion  of  annual  income 
applied  to  the  purchase  of  books  in  all  depart- 
ments is  about  20  per  cent,  of  the  total  receipts 
from  all  sources. 


SELECTION    OF   BOOKS. 


BY    WILLIAM    H.  BRETT,    LIBRARIAN,    CLEVELAND    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


HPHE  Cleveland  Public  Library  is  controlled 
by  a  Board  of  seven  members.  From  this 
is  appointed  a  book-committee  of  three.  To 
that  committee  and  to  the  librarian,  all  matters 
pertaining  to  the  purchase  of  books  are  referred 
for  consideration  and  report.  The  committee 


may  purchase  books  during  the  month  to  the 
amount  of  $100.00  without  reference  to  the 
board.  This  is  used  for  the  purchase  of  cur- 
rent books  and  others  which  are  needed 
promptly. 
In  the  selection  of  new  books  the  leading 


UTLEY. 


39 


critical  journals  are  followed,  although  not 
always  with  safety  and  profit.  All  professional 
criticism  is  not  of  equal  value.  Much  may  be 
gathered  from  those  journals  which  do  not 
make  a  specialty  of  book-reviews.  For  in- 
stance :  the  current  number  of  Life,  apropos 
of  a  new  book  of  "Ouida,"  points  out  clearly 
the  merits  and  the  weakness  of  "Ouida's" 
work,  compares  her  with  Bulwer  and  accom- 
panies this  by  a  paragraph  on  the  elements 
essential  to  the  permanent  popularity  of  fic- 
tion which  touches  the  root  of  the  matter. 

As  to  the  selection  of  other  books  an  en- 
deavor is  made  to  consider  the  needs  of  the 
city.  Having  extensive  manufacturing  inter- 
ests special  attention  is  paid  to  the  department 
of  useful  arts,  and  expert  opinion  is  obtained 
so  far  as  possible.  Some  time  since  about 
three  hundred  circulars  were  sent  out  to 
manufacturing  establishments  in  the  city,  invit- 
ing suggestions  of  books  which  might  be  of 
use  in  their  several  lines.  The  response  was  so 
small  as  not  to  encourage  further  attempt. 
The  main  reliance  is  upon  the  advice  of  a 
few  specialists,  who  are  interested  in  the  li- 
brary and  willing  to  give  some  time  to  it,  and 
on  the  professional  journals. 

Much  attention  is  also  paid  to  professional 
reading  for  teachers  and  the  books  most  in 
demand  are  largely  duplicated.  These  are 
bought  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  depart- 
ment of  instruction.  In  the  selection  of  books 


for  a  new  branch  library  the  "A.  L.  A." 
catalogue  of  the  model  library  at  Chicago  has 
been  valuable,  both  as  a  guide  to  subjects  and 
as  suggesting  books. 

The  great  weakness  in  the  plan  of  selecting 
books  practiced  at  Cleveland  is  that  it  leaves 
the  work  entirely  in  the  hands  of  a  board 
(which,  though  able  and  willing,  is  composed 
of  those  prominent  in  professional  and  busi- 
ness life  who  are  among  the  busiest  men  in 
town),  and  of  a  librarian  who  has  many  other 
duties.  It  has  occurred  to  me  that  valuable 
assistance  might  be  had  by  the  formation  of 
an  advisory  board.  This  should  be  large 
enough  for  division  into  a  sufficient  number  of 
sub-committees  to  consider  each  general  sec- 
tion of  the  library.  It  should  be  composed  of 
those  competent  to  pass  a  critical  judgment 
upon  the  books  submitted,  and  with  leisure 
sufficient  to  give  the  necessary  time  to  it.  Ar- 
rangements might  be  made  to  procure  new 
books  promptly ;  possibly  advance  copies 
might  be  procured  from  the  publishers.  Books 
reviewed,  about  which  any  doubt  existed, 
would  be  sent  to  the  proper  sub-committee  to 
be  read,  and  returned  promptly  with  a  written 
opinion.  Such  a  committee  might  render  aid 
to  the  public  library  similar  to  that  which  the 
college  faculty  renders  to  the  college  library. 
Too  much  stress  cannot  be  laid  upon  the  care- 
ful selection  of  books. 


SELECTION    OF    BOOKS. 


BY    H.  M.  UTLEY,    LIBRARIAN,    DETROIT    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


HP  HE  Detroit  Public  Library  has  had  for 
several  years  a  contract  with  a  local  dealer 
by  virtue  of  which  he  undertakes  to  furnish  on 
approval  any  book  sold  regularly  in  the 
American  market,  whether  printed  in  Amer- 
ica or  Great  Britain.  This  he  is  bound  to  do 
when  requested.  But  it  is  his  practice  to  send 
twice  a  week  to  the  library  such  books  as 
have  come  into  his  hands.  Knowing  quite 
well  from  experience  what  books  we  would  be 
likely  to  buy,  he  has  an  arrangement  with 
publishers  to  send  him  immediately  at  least 
one  copy  of  every  such  book.  This  plan 
brings  into  the  library  for  inspection  the  great 


mass  of  new  books,  and  the  book  committee 
of  the  Board  devotes  a  portion  of  each  Satur- 
day afternoon  to  an  examination  of  the 
accumulation  of  the  week.  Thus  the  books 
are  made  ready  for  the  catalogers  with  com- 
parative regularity  and  promptness. 

But  we  cannot  rely  on  the  local  dealer 
altogether  to  send  us  everything  wanted.  It 
is  necessary  to  watch  the  Publishers'  Weekly, 
publishers'  announcements  in  the  current 
magazines  and  elsewhere,  and  to  keep  track 
quite  generally  of  new  publications.  The 
dealer,  from  one  cause  or  another,  occasionally 
fails  to  send  over  promptly  a  desired  book,  or 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


one  that  it  is  thought  best  to  examine.  So, 
once  a  month  we  give  him  a  list  of  books  to 
be  furnished  for  inspection.  Especially  is  it 
necessary  to  watch  for  books  issued  by  out-of- 
the-way  publishers,  or  privately  printed,  or 
subscription  books.  Incidentally  I  may  say 
that  I  have  never  yet  failed  to  get  through  this 
dealer  any  desired  subscription  book,  and 
often  at  a  good  discount.  I  rarely  if  ever,  deal 
with  subscription  agents,  although  they  persist- 
ently declare  that  it  is  not  possible  to  get  what 
they  offer  in  any  other  way. 

English  publications  not  sold  regularly  in 
this  country  are  specially  ordered  from  an 
agent  in  London.  It  is  necessary  to  watch 
London  and  Edinburgh  announcements  and 
reviews  through  publishers'  circulars  and  the 
literary  publications.  So  also  of  French  and 
German  new  books,  which  may  be  got  either 
in  this  country  or  abroad. 

On  several  occasions  I  have  made  up  lists 
of  out-of-print  books  and  sent  them  to  respon- 
sible dealers,  with  the  understanding  that  the 
books  were  to  be  furnished  at  actual  cost  plus 
ten  per  cent,  for  trouble  and  expense  of  find- 
ing them.  This  is  generally  regarded  as  a  fair 
bargain.  But  it  is  best  to  put  such  commis- 
sions into  the  hands  of  only  persons  of  estab- 
lished reputation.  My  experience  with  Amer- 
ican, as  distinguished  from  English,  lists  is 
that  the  former  are  much  more  expensive  and 
difficult  to  fill  than  the  latter.  As  an  illustra- 
tion :  checking  the  A.  L.  A.  INDEX  imme- 
diately after  it  was  issued,  I  found  that  about 
200  of  the  books  there  indexed  were  not  in 
the  library.  A  list  of  the  English  imprints, 
somewhat  more  than  half  of  the  shorts,  was 
at  once  sent  to  London,  and  another  of  Amer- 
ican imprints  to  one  of  the  best  houses  in  New 
York.  The  former  supplied  85  per  cent,  of 
the  order  at  very  reasonable  prices  ;  the  latter 
only  68  per  cent,  at  very  high  prices. 

The  printed  catalogs  and  monthly  or  quar- 
terly lists  of  other  libraries  are  useful  in  the 
way  of  suggestion  and  information.  Great 
numbers  of  catalogs  of  second-hand  dealers 
are  constantly  coming.  These  are  all  ex- 
amined with  more  or  less  care,  and  this  work 
takes  much  of  my  time.  More  attention  is 
given  to  auction  catalogs  than  any  others. 
The  bids  have  been  invariably  sent  to  the 
auctioneers,  with  satisfactory  results. 

The  L.  B.  order-blanks  are  distributed  about 


the  library  and  everybody  is  encouraged  to 
recommend  books.  There  is  extensive  use 
of  these  blanks.  The  books  recommended  are 
bought,  if  possible,  unless  there  is  some  good 
ground  for  refusal.  Friends  of  the  library  or 
librarian  have  from  time  to  time  assisted  in 
making  up  lists.  Their  services  have  been 
valuable,  especially  if  they  were  expert  in 
special  subjects,  such  as  architecture,  music, 
industrial  art,  electricity,  etc.  Such  aids  have 
been  especially  grateful  in  the  case  of  books  in 
foreign  languages,  when  educated  natives  of 
foreign  countries  have  been  disposed  to  lend 
a  hand  in  the  matter  of  selection. 

The  policy  which  has  thus  far  prevailed  in 
the  choosing  of  books  has  been  to  secure  all 
books  in  English  which,  in  the  judgment  of  the 
librarian  and  the  book  committee,  appeared  to 
be  good  books  and  desirable  for  a  general 
public  library,  and  which  could  be  bought  at  a 
reasonable  price.  Quite  free  purchases  have 
been  made  in  American  local  history  and  in 
the  literature  of  our  civil  war.  All  the  period- 
icals indexed  in  POOLE  have  been  bought  as 
they  could  be  found.  Nearly  all  the  publica- 
tions of  societies,  clubs,  etc.,  issued  in  series, 
especially  those  of  a  historical  and  literary 
character,  have  been  secured,  both  in  this 
country  and  in  Great  Britain.  A  special  effort 
has  been  made  to  keep  abreast  of  the  times  in 
all  living  subjects,  sociological,  political,  in- 
dustrial, and  scientific.  To  this  end,  the  cata- 
logs and  announcements  of  publishers  of  those 
classes  of  books  have  been  carefully  scanned. 
We  have  bought  no  technical,  law,  or  medical 
books,  and  quite  sparingly  of  theological  lit- 
erature. 

Within  the  past  year  a  considerable  sum  has 
been  expended  on  books  in  the  fine  arts.  This 
has  been  done,  because  there  is  a  large  and 
growing  demand  for  works  of  that  class,  be- 
cause the  library  had  hitherto  been  quite  de- 
ficient in  that  respect,  and  because  it  has  lately 
provided  excellent  conveniences  for  their  use. 
These  books  were  mostly  chosen  from  a  large 
number  submitted  by  dealers  and  their  agents 
for  inspection  and  selection.  In  some  special 
instances  books  known  to  be  desirable  and 
which  could  not  be  got  in  this  country  were 
ordered  abroad. 

No  definite  apportionment  of  the  income  of 
the  library  has  been  made  among  the  several 
classes  of  literature.  We  have  felt  free  at  all 


CRUNDEN. 


times  to  buy  any  and  all  good  books  that  came 
to  hand  which  would  in  our  best  judgment  im- 
prove the  character  and  add  to  the  usefulness 
of  the  library.  The  fact  has  been  kept  in  view 


that  the  library  is  maintained  at  public  ex- 
pense, and  that  its  officers  are  bound  in  faith- 
fulness to  their  trust  to  consider  strictly  the 
interests  of  the  whole  people  therein. 


SELECTION    OF   BOOKS. 


BY    FREDERICK    M.  CRUNDEN,    LIBRARIAN,    ST.  LOUIS    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


T^HE  methods  adopted  for  the  selection  of 
books  for  the  St.  Louis  Public  Library 
are,  I  presume,  much  the  same  as  those  used 
in  all  other  public  libraries. 

In  the  first  place,  we  try  to  provide  the 
books  that  people  want  —  not  those  we  think 
they  ought  to  read.  To  this  end  we  invite  all 
users  of  the  library  to  recommend  books  for 
purchase ;  and  assistants  are  instructed  to 
note  books  frequently  called  for  that  are  not 
possessed  by  the  library  or  are  generally 
"out."  Call-slips  that  fail  to  secure  a  book 
are  kept  and  collated,  to'  ascertain  what  books 
are  wholly  lacking  or  frequently  "out."  As- 
sistants engaged  in  reference- work  are  also 
expected  to  report  the  lack  of  books  necessary 
to  supply  information  called  for. 

All  books  recommended  are  not,  of  course, 
purchased.  Some  are  not  worthy  of  a  place 
in  the  collection  ;  and  others  are  too  costly, 
or  of  too  limited  interest,  to  justify  the  neces- 
sary outlay.  This  calls  for  the  exercise  of 
judgment  on  the  part  of  the  librarian  and  the 
book-committee—judgment  based  on  knowl- 
edge of  the  conditions.  With  all  possible 
care  mistakes  will  sometimes  be  made  and  a 
book  bought  that  is  a  clear  waste  of  money  — 
except  in  so  far  as  it  satisfies  the  person  who 
wants  the  book  and  thereby  makes  him  a 
friend  instead  of  an  enemy  of  the  institution. 

I  remember  an  instance.  Some  ten  years 
ago  or  more  a  prominent  citizen,  an  ex-judge 
and  a  scholarly  man,  called  persistently  for  a 
certain  book  which  I  had  never  heard  of  be- 
fore and  could  obtain  no  information  about. 
After  several  oral  requests  he  put  in  a  written 
recommendation  for  its  purchase.  He  knew 
nothing  about  author  or  publisher,  but  was 
most  urgent  that  the  library  should  get  the 
book.  With  much  trouble  it  was  found 
and  he  drew  it  immediately  on  notification  of 


its  arrival.  Shortly  afterwards  I  asked  him 
what  he  thought  of  it,  whereupon  he  con- 
firmed the  opinion  I  had  formed  at  a  glance, 
by  saying  he  was  sorry  he  had  wasted  his 
time  on  such  a  book.  I  doubt  whether  it 
has  been  read  five  times  since  then  —  its  ab- 
sence from  the  collection  certainly  would 
never  have  been  noticed. 

Since  then  I  have  informed  many  people 
that  the  books  they  have  recommended  were 
not  worth  reading  and  would  inevitably  dis- 
appoint them.  But  unless  there  is  a  positive 
reason  for  not  doing  so  —  the  cost  of  the  book, 
its  worthlessness,  or  its  extremely  technical 
character  combined  with  a  high  price— a  book 
recommended  by  a  reader  is  bought.  Next  to 
the  replacing  books  worn  out  these  are  the 
first  to  be  considered  ;  and  in  times  of  the 
smallest  expenditure  they  have  constituted 
the  sole  purchases. 

However,  as  must  be  the  case  in  all  libraries, 
most  of  the  purchases  are  of  books  selected 
by  the  librarian  and  submitted  by  him  to  the 
book-committee.  St.  Louis  not  being  a  good 
book-market,  librarians  there  must  depend 
almost  entirely  on  book-reviews  and  the  Pub- 
lishers' Weekly.  I  have  found  the  Nation, 
the  Literary  World,  and  the  Literary  News 
the  most  useful  guides— the  two  latter  because 
they  are  almost  wholly  given  to  book-reviews  ; 
the  Nation,  because  its  "Notes"  contain 
concise  and  positive  statements  concerning 
publications  that  often  I  do  not  find  noticed 
elsewhere. 

I  always  feel  safe  in  buying  a  book  recom- 
mended by  the  Nation,  because  I  know  that 
its  reviews  are  written  by  specialists  and  well- 
informed  critics,  and  because  it  seldom,  if 
ever,  errs  on  the  side  of  leniency.  In  my  per- 
sonal copy  I  mark  all  notices  of  books 
that  I  think  desirable  for  purchase,  selecting 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


brief  but  comprehensive  extracts,  descriptive 
or  appreciative.  The  markings  include  also 
the  advertising  columns.  These  are  all  cut 
out  by  the  office  clerk  and  pasted  on  cards 
for  presentation  to  the  book  committee. 

Their  purchase  being  determined,  they  are 
placed  in  a  tray  made  for  the  purpose,  con- 
stituting, with  other  cards  representing  out- 
standing orders,  a  complete  order-list.  As 
books  are  received  the  cards  are  taken  from 
the  order-list  and  placed  in  the  books  to  which 
they  refer.  They  thus  refresh  the.  librarian's 
memory  about  the  books  and  assist  in  prepar- 
ing any  notes  he  may  want  to  make  for  printed 
bulletins  or  newspaper  lists  ;  and  finally  they 
go  with  the  books  to  the  issue  department  for 
the  information  of  all  assistants  who  desire 
to  know  something  about  the  books  that  are 
added  to  the  collection. 

Annotated  bulletins  of  the  Boston  Athen- 
aeum, Worcester,  Hartford,  and  other  libraries 
are  used  in  the  same  way.  Notes  marked  by 
the  librarian  in  the  Literary  World,  Literary 
News,  and  other  periodicals  that  we  do  not 
care  to  cut  up  are  copied  on  cards. 

For  many  years  prior  to  the  present  our 
library  took  four  copies  of  the  Publishers' 
Weekly.  One  copy  being  preserved  for  bind- 
ing, the  other  three  were  cut  from  the 
librarian's  markings  and  pasted  on  catalog 
cards,  which  served  :  ist,  for  the  list  of  books 
submitted  by  the  librarian  to  the  book  com- 
mittee ;  2d,  for  the  order-list ;  3d,  after  pur- 
chase, for  the  catalogs,  not  only  noting  the 


presence  of  the  book  in  the  library  but  also 
giving  information  as  to  its  character  and 
worth.  (When  we  printed  a  bulletin  it  was 
cut  and  mounted  to  serve  this  purpose  ;  and 
to  this  day  we  find  the  notes  useful. )  With 
the  advent  of  the  L.  B.  printed  cards  we  re- 
duced our  subscription  to  two  copies  of  the 
Publishers'  Weekly,  one  of  which  is  cut  and 
mounted  as  before  for  the  public  catalog. 

The  character  and  relative  value  of  a  given 
book  being  approximately  determined,  there 
still  remains  the  question  whether  the  money 
required  will  be  most  judiciously  expended  in 
its  purchase.  This,  of  course,  calls  for  the 
exercise  of  the  nicest  judgment  by  the  libra- 
rian, particularly  if  his  book-fund  is  small. 
The  decision  naturally  depends  on  two  con- 
siderations :  ist,  the  present  wealth  or  pov- 
erty of  the  collection  in  that  particular  line ; 
2d,  the  wants  of  the  community  which  the 
library  serves.  In  St.  Louis,  for  example, 
a  very  few  volumes  on  yachts  and  yacht- 
building  suffice ;  while  we  cannot  have  too 
many  on  certain  lines  of  manufacture  ;  and 
the  interest  in  amateur  photography  justifies 
the  purchase  of  the  best  books  on  that  subject 
that  appear  from  time  to  time. 

If,  in  conclusion,  I  may  be  allowed  an  obiter 
dictum,  a  librarian  would  find  plenty  to  do 
if  he  should  shut  himself  up  in  his  library 
fourteen  hours  out  of  the  twenty-four ;  but  he 
can  serve  it  best  in  the  long  run  by  keeping 
in  touch  with  the  life  of  the  community,  and 
thus  ascertaining  its  intellectual  wants. 


SUPPLYING  OF  CURRENT  DAILY  NEWSPAPERS  IN  FREE  LIBRARY 

READING-ROOMS.* 


BY    A.  W.  WHELPLEY,  PH.  D.,  LIBRARIAN,    CINCINNATI    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


T  SUBMIT  the  following,  in  response  to  the 
invitation  to  state  my  views  on  this  subject: 

i.  Do  the  people  who  are  attracted  to  a 
library  by  the  current  daily  newspapers  kept 
on  file,  ever  read  anything  else  ? 

Many  of  them  do  not.  But  the  public  library 
is  a  democratic  institution,  and  it  is  a  blessing 
that  it  can  supply  not  only  the  wants  of  the 
readers  of  books,  but  also  of  those  who  desire 


to  read  and  consult  newspapers.  A  public 
library  has  its  mission  to  fulfil  for  such  citizens 
as  care  to  use  it  —  and  they  can  be  divided 
into  classes  and  masses.  If  the  latter  want 
newspapers  to  read,  at  the  expense  of  the 
city,  there  are  very  legitimate  reasons  why  the 
library  should  keep  them  on  file. 

2.  Are  they  not,  for  the  most  part,  of  a  va- 
grant and  mal-odorous  class,  whose  presence 


*  A  series  of  brief  articles  in  discussion  of  the  several  questions  indicated  in  the  first  paper  above. 


WHELPLEY. 


43 


in  the  reading-room  repels  many  who  would 
receive  more  benefit  from  it? 

Possibly  so.  But  if  the  masses  (sometimes, 
in  political  language,  called  "the  great  un- 
washed"), malodorous  though  they  maybe, 
take  the  advantages  provided  in  the  news- 
paper reading-rooms,  and  are  contented,  nay, 
eager  to  read,  it  shows  there  is  hope  for  them, 
and  that  they  may  still  rise  to  heights  of  clean- 
liness. If  there  were  no  newspaper  reading- 
rooms,  then  this  objectionable  class  could  not 
repel  many  who  would  receive  more  benefit 
from  its  use.  As  previously  said,  the  library 
is  for  the  general  public,  and  it  can  hardly 
afford  to  be  a  respecter  of  persons.  I  take  it 
as  a  fundamentally  wrong  idea  that  a  public 
library  should  be  the  aristocratic  institution  of 
the  community,  where  only  the  well-born,  the 
well-bred  and  the  well-endowed,  with  both 
culture  and  wealth,  are  wanted.  On  the  con- 
tary,  while  these  are  welcome  (and  are  in  the 
majority  in  the  consultation-rooms),  yet  it  is  in 
its  broadest  sense  an  institution  for  the  better- 
ment and  the  education  of  that  class  which  con- 
tains so  many  who  come  under  the  term  mal- 
odorous. 

3.  If  the  greater  part  of  the  contents  of  the 
daily  newspapers  most  in  demand  was  put 
between  book-covers,  would  any  library  think 
of  buying  it,  to  place  it  in  circulation  ? 

Newspapers  are  current  literature.  They 
tell  of  the  things  people  are  doing  and  thinking 
to-day,  and  that  are  to  the  men  of  to-day  all- 
important.  That  a  library  would  not  care  to 
have  between  book-covers  what  goes  mostly 
to  make  up  a  newspaper,  is  no  reflection  on 
the  newspaper  or  its  mission.  The  newspaper 
was  not  made  to  be  put  in  a  book.  It  is  made 
to  be  read  to-day,  and  to  be  thrown  aside  to- 
morrow. 

Books  are  not  everything  to  the  ordinary 
reader.  The  man  who  wishes  to  know  how 
best  to  cast  his  vote  at  the  coming  election,  or 
who  desires  to  inform  himself  on  the  right  or 
wrong  of  the  great  industrial  battles  that  agi- 
tate our  commonwealths,  cannot  be  informed 
by  reading  the  Commentaries  of  Caesar,  or  the 
romances  of  Walter  Scott.  The  newspaper, 
with  its  floods  of  light  on  current  affairs,  is  the 
thing  for  him  ;  and  if  the  student  is  to  be  able 
in  the  library  to  carefully  study  out  politics  in 
the  time  of  Jefferson,  or  the  beginnings  of  the 
science  of  sociology,  why  cannot  the  every-day 


man   study  in    the   newspaper   the   modern 
phases  of  these  old  things  ? 

4.  Considering  the  functions  of  the  public 
library  as  an  educational  institution,  are  there 
good  and  sufficient  reasons  for  making  it  a 
purveyor  of  daily  newspaper  reading  ? 

Newspapers  are  educational  factors.  We 
boast  about  the  intelligence  of  the  American 
people.  If  they  are  in  advance  of  other  people, 
may  it  not  be  attributed  to  the  general  reading 
of  newspapers  ?  If  this  is  admitted,  it  seems 
that  there  is  sufficient  reason  for  furnishing 
them  from  public  libraries.  And  where  one 
book  is  read,  are  not  thousands  of  papers 
consulted  ? 

5.  So  far  as  concerns  the  business  need  in  a 
community  for    some    collection    of  current 
newspapers  from  many  cities,  should  not  that 
be  met  by  a  Board  of  Trade,  or  other  commer- 
cial organization,  rather  than  by  the  public 
library  ? 

Boards  of  Trade,  or  commercial  bodies,  are 
always  close  corporations.  In  the  nature  of 
their  organization  they  could  not  meet  the 
needs  of  the  men  who  read  and  consult  papers 
in  the  public  library.  In  this  city  a  great  many 
of  the  merchants,  lawyers,  and  professional 
men  use  the  news-room  because  it  is  theirs 
by  right  to  use.  They  come  regularly  to  see 
some  particular  paper  and  never  complain  of 
the  apparently  idle  class  who  also  frequent  the 
reading-rooms  in  great  numbers — coming  and 
going  at  all  hours. 

But  put  to  any  of  these  frequenters  the  ques- 
tion if  a  Board  of  Trade  could  successfully  run 
a  public  reading-room,  and  you  would  get  a 
negative  answer.  The  well-informed  would 
tell  you,  that  in  this  city,  with  a  population  near 
to  half  a  million,  only  2,000  have  access  to  the 
papers  in  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  or  the 
Board  of  Trade  ;  and  this  can  only  fill  the 
needs  of  a  limited  class.  There  is  nothing 
democratic  about  these  organizations  —  they 
are  trade  organizations  —  while  the  public  li- 
brary is  free  to  all,  and  its  use  is  evidenced  by 
the  presence  of  nearly  half  a  million  of  readers 
yearly. 

6.  Is  not  the  duty  of  the  library  in  this  mat- 
ter done  when  it  carefully  preserves  files  of 
local  daily  journals,  with  possibly  some  others, 
and  binds  them  for  reference  ? 

In  a  great  city,  where  there  are  many  stran- 
gers coming  and  going,  and  where  people 


44 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


have  many  interests  outside  of  their  own  com- 
munity, bound  files  of  local  papers,  while 
essential  as  matters  of  record,  would  be  no 
good  substitute  for  a  newspaper  reading-room. 
That  has  its  place,  and  its  sphere.  It  is,  in 
Cincinnati  at  least,  always  crowded,  and  the 
time  has  passed  when  it  could  be  abolished. 


There  was  a  necessity  for  the  reading-room  in 
the  public  library  —  there  will  not  come  a 
time  when  it  can  be  done  away  with  without 
sensibly  feeling  the  loss.  The  library  would 
be  doing  only  a  half  duty  in  binding  its  local 
files. 


SUPPLYING  OF  CURRENT  DAILY  NEWSPAPERS   IN  FREE  LIBRARY 

READING-ROOMS. 

BY    H.  M.  UTLEY,    LIBRARIAN,    DETROIT    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


T  N  the  general  reading-room  of  the  Detroit 
Public  Library  there  are  only  magazines, 
journals,  and  newspapers  —  no  books.  Every 
reader  gives  a  receipt  for  the  periodical  which 
he  uses,  so  that  it  is  possible  to  know  exactly 
what  is  read.  In  the  first  four  months  of  the 
present  year  there  were  66,142  readers.  Of 
these  15  per  cent,  read  the  six  local  dailies,  27 
per  cent,  read  the  28  other  daily  newspapers, 
leaving  58  per  cent.,  or  somewhat  more  than 
one  half,  of  the  reading  to  be  distributed 
among  the  other  250  magazines  and  journals 
on  file. 

This  appears  to  me  to  indicate  a  demand  for 
newspapers.  There  would  now  be  a  strong 
protest  against  a  proposition  to  discard  them 
altogether.  There  is  no  other  place  in  the  city 
where  dailies  of  other  cities  are  accessible  to 
the  public.  The  Board  of  Trade  has  a  reading- 
room,  but  for  the  use  of  its  members -only. 
The  daily  newspapers  on  its  tables  are  limited 
to  the  mercantile  and  marine  interests  which 
concern  those  who  frequent  the  place,  and  to 
the  newspapers  of  those  cities  with  which  the 
members  have  business  relations.  There  is  no 
ground,  either  in  equity  or  policy,  on  which  the 
business  community  could  be  called  upon  to 
supply  a  public  demand  for  the  free  reading  of 
the  leading  newspapers  of  the  country.  Their 
supply  for  their  own  use  is  in  the  direct  line  of 
their  business.  They  serve  their  own  specific 
purpose  at  their  own  expense.  They  are  tax- 
payers and  as  such  contribute  to  the  support 
of  the  public  library. 

If  there  is  any  public  demand  for  daily 
newspapers  which  may  be  considered  a  pro- 
per and  legitimate  one,  it  appears  to  me  that  it 
is  the  province  of  the  free  public  library,  and 


not  of  the  business  community,  to  supply  it. 
The  Y.  M.  C.  A.  also  maintains  a  reading-room 
for  the  convenience  more  especially  of  its 
members,  though  nominally  free  to  the  public. 
Comparatively  few  persons  make  use  of  it. 
The  argument  with  reference  to  the  Board  of 
Trade  applies  equally  to  this  organization,  or 
to  any  other  which  might  undertake  to  supply 
the  public  demand  by  private  subscription. 

It  is  not  worth  while  to  discuss  the  value  of 
newspaper-reading  as  compared  with  other 
kinds  of  reading.  The  same  arguments  apply 
to  it  which  apply  to  any  desultory  reading. 
It  is  really  no  better,  no  worse.  But  the  fact 
must  be  borne  in  mind  that  there  are  some 
people  who  have  no  time  for  any  other  kind. 
Wearied  with  toil,  or  anxious  care,  they  find 
relief  or  relaxation  in  this  temporary  diversion 
of  the  mind.  No  one  can  say  it  is  harmful  in 
itself. 

There  are,  of  course,  good  newspapers  and 
bad  newspapers,  as  there  are  good  books  and 
bad  books  ;  and  it  may  be  taken  for  granted 
that  the  same  care  in  the  selection  will  be  ex- 
ercised in  the  one  case  as  in  the  other.  No 
intelligent  person  would  advocate  the  supply- 
ing of  newspapers  to  free  reading-rooms  upon 
any  other  basis.  Unfortunately  there  are  many, 
too  many,  newspapers  to  which  the  scathing 
criticism  made  by  the  President  in  his  address 
can  be  applied.  They  pander  to  a  low  and 
depraved  appetite,  not  necessarily  a  low  and 
depraved  class ;  but  to  a  pleasant  sensation 
which  many  persons  who  lay  claim  to  good 
social  standing  and  some  culture  experience 
when  they  discover  the  frailties  and  follies  of 
others. 

It    is    apparently  human  nature   to  derive 


UTLEY. 


45 


satisfaction  from  the  thought  that  we  ourselves 
are  a  little  better  —  at  least  no  worse  —  than 
some  of  our  neighbors.  It  is  not  surprising, 
therefore,  that  publishers  of  newspapers,  like 
publishers  of  books,  having  discovered  this 
weak  point  in  the  average  human  being,  are 
ready  to  pander  to  it,  for  revenue.  But  all 
newspaper  publishers  do  not  come  within  this 
category.  There  are  some  high-minded,  con- 
scientious managers  who  exercise  the  utmost 
care  to  keep  their  columns  clean  and  whole- 
some. It  is  not  difficult  to  find  in  every  city  at 
least  one  such  newspaper  which  you  are  willing 
to  bring  into  your  house  for  family  reading, 
and  which,  therefore,  you  could  not  refuse 
on  moral  grounds  to  place  on  your  library 
table. 

It  is  a  fact  which  cannot  be  controverted 
that  the  progress  of  the  newspaper  has  been 
quite  as  great  as  that  of  the  magazine.  The 
development  and  extension  of  the  telegraph 
system  has  enabled  it  to  furnish  the  daily  cur- 
rent history  of  the  whole  world,  not  only  in 
the  domain  of  statecraft  and  politics,  but  also 
in  science,  literature,  and  the  arts.  No  person 
can  be  well  informed  in  these  days  who  does 
not  read  the  newspaper,  and  the  person  who 
reads  nothing  else  is  at  least  not  altogether 
ignorant. 

Whether  the  28,000  people  who  read  news- 
papers, as  mentioned  above,  would  have  read 
something  else  or  would  have  stayed  away 
from  the  library  altogether,  if  there  had  been 
no  newspapers  on  file,  can  only  be  conjectured. 
Probably  some  would  not  have  come  to  the  li- 
brary, others  would  have  read  something  else, 
but  whether  they  would  thereby  have  been  the 
gainers  is  an  open  question. 

The  vagrant  and  mal-odorous  class  undoubt- 
edly takes  to  the  newspaper.  But  the  exclus- 
ion of  the  newspaper  will  not  exclude  it.  It  is 
a  mistake  to  suppose  these  people  are  attracted 
by  the  newspaper.  A  warm,  comfortable  room 
in  inclement  weather,  with  easy  chairs  and 
7 


nothing  to  pay,  is  an  invitation  to  the  loafers 
which  infest  every  community.  So  long  as 
they  violate  no  rule  it  is  not  easy  to  be  rid  of 
them.  I  believe  in  discouraging  them  as  much 
as  possible  and  rigidly  enforce  rules  against 
lounging.  But  tramps  will  gather  in  a  free 
public  resort.  If  the  newspapers  are  fastened 
to  stand-up  desks  this  class  of  gentry  will  be 
found  preferring  something  which  they  can 
read  sitting.  In  view  of  the  fact,  however, 
that  newspaper  readers  are  generally  men, 
who  are  most  interested  in  war,  politics,  and 
public  affairs,  I  would,  if  possible,  have  a 
newspaper-room  separate  and  apart  from 
other  reading-rooms. 

If  planning  a  building  with  this  in  view,  I 
would  use  a  ground-floor  room  and  have  an 
entrance  directly  from  the  sidewalk.  The 
room  should  be  specially  well  ventilated,  well 
lighted,  and  attractive  in  all  respects,  but  not 
furnished  with  luxurious  divans  and  rockers. 
Make  it  accessible  and  pleasant  as  possible 
and  keep  it  open  every  day  and  evening,  to 
counteract  the  attractions  of  the  saloon  and 
billiard-room. 

A  library  maintained  at  the  public  expense 
and  for  convenience  of  the  public  is  in  one  sense 
educational.  It  justifies  its  existence  on  the 
ground  that  public  enlightenment  concerns  the 
general  welfare.  But  even  if  it  were  solely 
for  pleasure  and  comfort  its  maintenance 
would  be  no  more  beyond  a  proper  public 
purpose  than  is  that  of  parks  and  city  fountains, 
upon  which  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars 
are  annually  expended.  True,  the  library 
should  strive  to  educate  and  elevate  the  peo- 
ple. It  cannot  be  proved  that  the  reading  of 
newspapers  does  not  tend  in  that  direction. 
At  least,  it  will  be  conceded  that  such  reading 
is  not  demoralizing.  Then,  if  the  public  de- 
mands a  newspaper  reading-room  and  is  willing 
to  pay  for  it,  and  it  serves  a  wholesome  pur- 
pose, the  library  must  supply  it. 


46 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


SUPPLYING  OF  CURRENT  DAILY  NEWSPAPERS  IN  FREE  LIBRARY 

READING-ROOMS. 


BY    FREDERICK    M.  CRUNDEN,    LIBRARIAN,    ST.  LOUIS    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


"DEFORE  coming  I  gave  only  a  passing 
thought  to  this  subject,  and  I  think  that 
the  matter  should  take  more  the  form  of  a  free 
discussion  than  a  paper.  This  certainly  is  a 
thing  on  which  all  must  have  views.  I  want 
to  get  at  the  consensus  of  opinion.  I  do  not 
care  to  listen  to  papers  by  two  or  three  people 
expressing  their  opinions,  but  I  want  to  know 
what  everybody's  opinion  is  on  the  subject. 
I  am  free  to  confess  that  I  am  not  entirely 
clear  in  my  own  mind ;  and  I  shall  not, 
therefore,  speak  dogmatically.  My  views  I 
am  afraid  will  not  be  popular ;  they  cer- 
tainly are  contrary  to  what  has  been  a  pop- 
ular custom.  It  seems  to  be  the  proper  thing 
to  supply  newspapers  in  abundance ;  but  1 
have  always  questioned  whether  it  was  ad- 
visable to  spend  so  much  money  for  a  thing 
which  to-day  is  and  morrow  is  cast  into  the 
fire. 

On  taking  my  position  in  the  library  one  of 
the  first  things  I  did  was  to  cut  down  the  ex- 
penditure for  newspapers.  I  began  by  get- 
ting the  city  newspapers  to  give  us  their 
papers  which  formerly  we  had  paid  for.  If 
we  could  obtain  the  papers  all  over  the  country 
gratuitously  we  could  give  them  room.  I  de- 
cidedly object  to  spending,  as  we  were  at  that 
time,  about  $  1,000  a  year  for  newspapers.  It 
certainly  seems  to  me  that  that  money  could 
be  put  to  better  use.  We  have  reduced  the 
newspaper  expenditure  from,  I  think,  $900,  to 
about  $150.  Of  course  that  does  not  please 
everybody.  We  have  had  some  complaints 
about  it.  The  only  ones  that  deserved  atten- 
tion were  from  visitors  who  thought  it  strange 
that  a  public  library  should  not  have  a  daily 
paper  from  their  respective  towns.  If,  how- 
ever you  try  to  suppy  that  demand  it  will  be 
very  hard  to  draw  the  line.  Everybody  com- 
ing from  the  way-back  corners  wants  to  see 
his  local  paper. 

Let  me  take  up  the  questions  the  President 
asks,  which  may,  or  may  not,  reflect  his  own 
opinions  about  it.  The  first  question  is  :  "  Do 


the  people  who  are  attracted  to  a  library  by 
the  current  daily  newspapers  kept  on  file, 
ever  read  anything  else  ?"  I  should  say,  gen- 
erally, that  people  who  come  to  a  library  and 
read  the  newspapers,  who  are  attracted  to  the 
library  by  the  newspapers,  and  who  would 
not  come  otherwise,  do  not  read  anything 
else.  We  had  a  good  chance  to  observe  that 
in  our  old  reading-room,  where  the  news- 
papers were  on  a  long  file  just  in  front  of  the 
assistant's  desk.  As  a  rule,  the  men  who 
came  to  read  the  newspapers  marched  right 
into  the  reading-room  door  and  went  straight 
to  the  newspaper  file  ;  and  after  spending  more 
or  less  time  there,  from  a  quarter  of  an  hour 
to  six  hours,  marched  straight  out  again.  Of 
course  there  are  exceptions.  I  remember  one 
gentleman  who  came  regularly  to  read  the 
London  Times  and  stayed  to  read  magazines  ; 
but  generally  speaking  the  newspaper  readers 
constitute  a  distinct  class. 

The  second  question  :  "Are  they  not  for  the 
most  part,  a  vagrant  and  mal-odorous  class, 
whose  presence  in  the  reading-room  repels 
many  who  would  receive  more  benefit  from 
it?"  I  should  say  decidedly,  yes,  to  that. 
They  are,  as  a  class,  very  objectionable,  and 
moreover  many  of  them  use  the  newspapers 
as  a  mere  pretext  for  coming  to  the  place  at 
all ;  and  unquestionably  the  presence  of  such 
people  does  repel  other  people.  As  soon  as 
we  got  rid  in  the  beginning  of  the  distinctly 
tramp  class  there  was  a  large  increase  in  the 
attendance  in  the  reading-room.  I  do  not 
mean  that  we  put  out  all  the  poor  people  and 
that  rich  people  came  in  ;  but  we  simply  ex- 
cluded tramps  who  used  to  come  from  the 
soup-house  after  getting  their  dinner  there  and 
sit  down  for  the  whole  afternoon  in  the  read- 
ing-room. We  got  rid  of  them,  and  their 
places  were  taken  by  respectable  people,  not 
necessarily  well-dressed  people,  who  came 
to  read  the  Scientific  American  and  other 
periodicals ;  and  then  the  room  was  made 
habitable  by  people  of  refined  senses.  We 


C RUN  DEN. 


47 


have  solved  the  problem  pretty  well  now  by 
having  our  newspaper  reading-room  on  the 
second  floor,  and  we  do  not  take  up  the  news- 
paper readers  in  elevators.  They  are  expected 
to  walk  up  the  one  flight  of  stairs. 

"  If  the  greater  part  of  the  contents  of  the 
daily  newspapers  most  in  demand  was  put  be- 
tween book-covers,  would  any  library  think 
of  buying  it,  to  place  it  in  circulation?"  I 
think  that  requires  no  answer.  However,  it  is 
a  very  significant  question. 

"Considering  the  functions  of  the  public 
library  as  an  educational  institution,  are  there 
good  and  sufficient  reasons  for  making  it  a 
purveyor  of  daily  newspaper  reading?"  It 
would  be  hard,  I  think,  to  justifiy  the  outlay 
on  that  ground.  , 

"  So  far  as  concerns  the  business  need  in  a 
community  for  some  collection  of  current  news- 
papers from  many  cities,  should  not  that  be 
met  by  a  Board  of  Trade,  or  other  commer- 
cial organization,  rather  than  by  the  public 
library  ?  "  There  again  we  open  up  the  ques- 
tion of  what  is  the  function  of  the  public 
library  ?  It  is  being  broadened  continually  so 
that  it  will  very  soon  include  everything.  We 
had  magic  lanterns  and  games  here  the  other 
night,  and  tennis  racquets.  If  it  is  proper  for 
the  public  library  to  supply  tennis  racquets 
and  other  games  there  can  be  no  inconsistency 
in  supplying  newspapers.  I  do  not  object  to 
having  all  these  things  in  connection  with  the 
public  library  if  you  have  the  money. 

My  ideal  city  would  be  arranged  in  this  way  : 
I  would  have,  about  every  quarter  of  a  mile  in 
the  city,  five  blocks  set  apart  for  community 
use.  In  the  center  block  I  would  have  a  free 


bath-house  and  a  public  library.  The  other 
four  blocks  around  this  center  block  I  would 
have  laid  out  for  pleasure-grounds.  I  would 
have  one  place  in  which  the  men  could  smoke 
their  pipes  and  have  no  smoking  allowed  in 
the  other  three,  one  of  which  should  be  for 
women  and  children  to  enjoy  the  air  in  the 
evening,  and  the  other  two,  for  play-grounds 
for  boys  and  girls,  supplied  with  tennis-courts 
and  every  sort  of  games.  I  would  thus  make 
the  library  the  center  of  wholesome  influences. 

I  consider  that  that  would  be  the  most  effi- 
cient method  of  building  up  the  social  health 
of  a  community  ;  but  I  do  not  know  that  we 
are  ready  to  do  that.  The  question  is,  how 
can  we  best  use  the  money  that  we  have  at 
our  disposal  along  the  lines  that  are  recognized 
as  the  proper  functions  of  the  public  library. 
If  you  have  unlimited  funds  there  is  no  reason 
why  you  should  not  have  unlimited  news- 
papers. This  would  seem  to  me,  however,  to 
be  more  nearly  akin  to  the  work  of  a  Board  of 
Trade.  The  legitimate  use  of  the  newspaper 
from  all  parts  of  the  world  seems  to  be  to 
supply  information  on  important  commerical 
points  which  is  wanted  either  by  citizens  or  by 
travelers. 

"  Is  not  the  duty  of  the  library  done  when  it 
preserves  files  of  local  daily  journals,  with 
possibly  some  others,  and  binds  them  for 
reference?"  It  seems  to  me  that  it  is.  We 
preserve  our  local  journals  and  we  bind  the 
London  Times  and  the  New  York  Tribune, 
as  they  have  indexes.  That  money  I  do  not 
consider  wasted,  but  I  think  that  a  large  part 
of  the  money  that  we  used  to  spend  for  daily 
papers  was  wasted. 


SUPPLYING  OF  CURRENT  DAILY  NEWSPAPERS  IN  FREE  LIBRARY 

READING-ROOMS. 

BY    JOHN    THOMSON,    LIBRARIAN,    FREE    LIBRARY   OF    PHILADELPHIA. 


A  LL  printed  published  matter  ought  to  be 
collected  and  preserved.     The  question 
is,   by  whom  and    in  what  places  shall  the 
collection  be  made  ? 

How  far  free  public  libraries  ought  to  be 
providers  of  daily  newspapers  for  general 
readers  is  a  difficult  subject  and  one  of  grave 


importance.  A  difference  of  opinion  may  be 
looked  for  between  the  managers  of  the  libra- 
ries in  large  cities,  and  those  situated  in  small 
places,  which  latter  may,  perhaps,  be  classed 
as  the  average  free  public  library. 

The  directors  and  librarians  have  two  duties 
and  these  are  as  patent  as  the  sun  in  a  cloud- 


48 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


less  noonday  sky.  First,  their  duty  towards 
those  whose  funds  they  administer,  whether 
the  funds  are  provided  from  municipal  or  pri- 
vate sources.  Secondly,  their  duty  towards 
their  readers. 

Every  person  born  is  entitled  to  an  educa- 
tion, and  if  unable  to  procure  it  otherwise  is 
to  be  provided  with  one  at  the  expense  of  the 
community.  It  would  be  impossible  to  deny 
that  it  must  surely  be  the  wisdom  of  a  com- 
munity, even  if  not  its  imperative  duty,  to 
continue  that  which  it  is  bound  to  begin. 
The  admission  of  the  public  duty  to  provide 
schools  almost  of  necessity  involves  the  duty 
of  free  public  libraries,  so  that  every  individual 
may  have  at  hand  the  tools  necessary  to  en- 
able him  to  intelligently  pursue  the  studies 
which  will  make  him  a  useful  citizen  and  good 
head  of  a  family. 

The  trusteeship  involved  in  the  first  duty 
requires  that  no  free  public  library  shall  spend 
its  funds  except  in  the  promotion  of  the  edu- 
cational improvement  of  its  readers.  Hence 
arises  the  absolute  duty  of  exercising  a  care- 
ful supervision  over  the  printed  matter  placed 
in  its  rooms. 

The  very  form  and  construction  of  news- 
papers constitute  the  difficulty  of  deciding 
how  far  they  consist  of  published  matter  that 
is  required  to  be  found  in  our  free  public  libra- 
ries. They  are  daily  records  of  daily  events, 
many  of  which  have  no  permanent  interest;  and 
as  to  a  large  part  they  are  what  may  be  desig- 
nated as  advance-sheets  of  forthcoming  books. 

The  really  valuable  articles  most  worthy  of 
preservation  are  almost  invariably  reproduced 
in  volume  form  not  long  after  their  appearance 
in  the  daily  column.  The  reports  of  the  mag- 
nificent speeches  made  in  the  parliaments  of 
the  world  are  best  searched  for  in  the  -Con- 
gressional Record^  Hansard,  and  other  like 
volumes.  Such  addresses  as  that  recently  de- 
livered by  Lord  Salisbury  before  the  British 
Association,  and  the  similar  weighty  speeches 
addressed  to  the  multitudes  of  Congresses 
that  meet  in  every  part  of  the  world,  form  part 
of  the  periodical  records  of  the  societies  before 
whom  they  are  delivered.  The  earliest  ac- 
counts of  discoveries  and  inventions  are  only 
tentatively  described  in  the  newspapers  and  are 
very  speedily  reduced  into  the  more  carefully 
written  text-books  that  form  one  of  the  bark- 
bones  of  a  free  public  library  ;  and  a  similar 


remark  would  dispose  of  almost  every  import- 
ant subject  treated  of  in  the  daily  papers. 

Newspapers  are  necessarily,  to  a  large  extent, 
repetitions  one  of  another.  The  events  of  the 
world  are  told  in  each,  and  in  given  radii  they 
have  the  same  news  to  tell ;  and  it  is  only  in 
matters  of  local  progress,  and  in  the  record  of 
local  events,  that  the  material  differences  are 
found.  Nevertheless,  when  you  consider  how 
large  a  proportion  of  those  for  whom  the  free 
public  libraries  are  established  consist  of  per- 
sons anything  but  well  off  pecuniarily,  there 
remains,  after  all  the  deductions  I  have  alluded 
to,  so  much  matter  in  the  local  papers  to  which 
they  need  to  have  access  that  I  venture  to  sum 
up  my  opinion  in  the  two  or  three  following 
sentences. 

Every  free  public  library  should  have  copies 
of  the  local  papers  published  in  its  own  town, 
or  city,  on  file  for  perusal  ;  and  where  there  is 
a  free  public  library  in  a  town  or  city,  an  extra 
copy  of  the  local  paper  should  be  obtained  for 
binding  and  to  be  preserved  on  its  shelves. 
There  should,  however,  always  be  an  assistant 
in  charge  of  the  reading-room ;  and  if  per- 
sistent, aimless  readers  make  it  day  after  day 
a  mere  loafing-spot  for  hours  at  a  time,  they 
should  be  refused  the  right  of  entry  except  for 
limited  periods.  They  will  then  either  take 
themselves  off  or  resort  to  the  reference-room 
and  perforce  take  to  more  useful  reading.  It 
cannot  be  overlooked  that  on  many  questions 
raised  in  the  minds  of  readers  by  the  articles  in 
the  daily  press,  desultory  readers  are  perhaps 
for  the  first  time  in  their  lives  led  to  use  en- 
cyclopaedias and  dictionaries  and  so  have  im- 
planted in  them  a  useful  desire  for  knowledge. 

In  large  cities  it  is  desirable  to  do  more  ;  and 
gradually,  as  means  and  space  permit,  to  have 
in  these  rooms  not  only  the  local  papers  but 
one  or  more  of  the  leading  papers  from  other 
great  centres,  unless  the  free  library  building 
is  in  close  proximity  to  some  other  public  read- 
ing-room to  which  inquirers  can  be  directed. 

It  may  well  and  prudently  be  left  to  his- 
torical associations,  and  such  institutions  as 
the  Boston  Public  Library  (which  has  a  sum 
of  $50,000  bequeathed  to  it  for  this  special  pur- 
pose), the  British  Museum,  the  Bibliotheque 
Nationale  of  Paris,  and  so  on.  to  collect  and 
file  all  they  can  procure.  The  average  free 
public  library  should  restrict  itself  to  binding 
and  preserving  its  local  papers. 


BAIN. 


49 


SUPPLYING  OF  CURRENT  DAILY  NEWSPAPERS  IN  FREE  LIBRARY 

READING-ROOMS. 

BY    JAMES    BAIN,   JR.,    CHIEF    LIBRARIAN,   TORONTO    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


T  FANCY  the  experience  of  most  librarians 
is  that  no  common  rale  can  be  laid  down 
as  to  what  extent  reading-rooms  should  be 
maintained  and  what  newspapers  supplied. 

For  a  great  many  reasons  a  considerable 
number  of  people  in  every  city  want  to  see, 
regularly  or  irregularly,  the  daily  papers. 
Some  because  of  information  or  advertise- 
ments contained  in  those  for  which  they  do 
not  subscribe  ;  others  because  they  hope  to 
see  something  which  will  interest  them  ;  still 
others  who  cannot  afford  to  buy  all,  and  yet, 
as  old  citizens,  are  interested  in  the  small 
items  of  local  news.  If  there  are  no  other 
more  conveniently  placed  reading-rooms  they 
naturally  turn  to  the  public  library.  These 
people  have  a  right  to  demand  that  the  daily 
papers  be  placed  on  open  file.  Unfortunately 
the  comforts  of  heat,  light,  and  rest  which  are 
found  in  our  reading-rooms  are  such  as  to 
attract  the  tramp  and  loafer  whose  presence 
renders  the  room  disagreeable  and  mal-odor- 
ous,  and  drives  away  the  legitimate  readers. 
The  managing  Boards  have  the  choice  of  three 
ways  of  preventing  this  : 

i  st.  Exclude  all  tramps.  This  necessitates 
a  door-keeper  gifted  with  special  powers  of 
discrimination,  and  it  is  doubtful,  in  this  dem- 
ocratic age,  whether  the  working-class  would 
permit  it. 

ad.  Remove  all  daily  and  other  papers  likely 
to  attract  them.  To  this  it  may  be  said  that 
apart  from  the  legitimate  claims  of  regular 
readers,  the  attraction  in  reading-rooms  is 
not  the  reading-matter  but  the  shelter,  heat, 
and  rest ;  and  that  if  you  remove  everything 
out  of  the  rooms  except  the  chairs  and  tables 
you  would  make  little  difference  in  the  num- 
ber of  loafers.  Nothing  shows  this  better 
than  the  fact  that  in  summer  this  class  of 
people  are  not  found  in  any  numbers  about 
the  library,  but  as  soon  as  winter  comes  they 
gather  from  east,  west,  north,  and  south. 

3.  Entice  them  away.  The  tramp  and  loafer 
does  not  want  to  be  in  the  presence  of  better- 
dressed  people  longer  than  he  can  help  ;  so 
that,  if  you  can  provide  some  special  place  for 


him  where  he  can  obtain  shelter  from  the 
weather,  sit  down,  be  able  to  talk,  and  oc- 
casionally read,  he  won't  trouble  your  reading- 
room.  Call  your  room  the  reading-room  for 
the  unemployed  —  not  second-class  reading- 
room  to  offend  the  false  pride  of  the  loafer  — 
unless  you  are  prepared  to  acknowledge  the 
fact  that  all  citizens  are  equally  clean  and 
equally  educated. 

Last  year  in  Toronto  we  tried  the  experi- 
ment ;  and,  after  consultation  with  the  chief 
of  police  and  city  authorities,  prepared  and 
opened  a  room  about  90  x  40  in  the  basement 
of  our  building.  A  table  was  placed  the  whole 
length  of  the  room  and  on  it  were  laid  loosely 
a  number  of  old  newspapers  and  magazines 
utterly  unfit  for  any  other  purpose ;  and 
painted  on  the  table  were  six  draught-boards. 
We  bought  100  common  wooden  chairs  at 
25c.  each,  which  we  afterwards  increased  to 
200  to  meet  the  demand. 

The  chairs  and  rough  table  were  our  only 
first  expense ;  a  member  of  the  Board  pre- 
sented them  with  a  number  of  games  of 
draughts,  and  the  item  for  gas  was  not  ex- 
travagant. A  visit  about  once  an  hour  from 
the  janitor  was  quite  sufficient,  as  there  was 
nothing  to  steal.  Every  night  after  closing, 
the  hose  was  turned  on  and  the  asphalt  floor 
washed  from  end  to  end.  The  brick  walls  and 
ceiling  were  occasionally  touched  up  with  a 
little  whitewash  so  that  it  always  looked  clean. 

Loafer  and  unemployed  both  found  in  it  a 
congenial  place  to  read  and  talk  without  being 
restricted  by  the  rules  of  the  reading-room. 
It  remained  open  until  April  ist,  and  thus  we 
succeeded  in  removing  almost  entirely  the 
mal-odorous  class  from  the  reading-room. 

The  public  library  is  rather  more  than  a'n 
educational  institution,  in  that  it  is  a  reposi- 
tory of  facts,  and  place  of  reference  —  and, 
therefore,  the  necessity  for  the  daily  paper. 

Board  of  Trade  reading-rooms  and  other 
similar  institutions  require  cash  subscriptions, 
and  public  libraries  and  reading-rooms  have 
been  organized  for  the  very  class  who  cannot 
afford  to  pay  annual  fees. 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


PERIODICAL 'LIBRARY    BULLETINS.* 


BY    GARDNER    MAYNARD    JONES,    LIBRARIAN,    SALEM    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


Size  and  cost.  The  bulletin  of  the  Salem 
Public  Library  is  published  monthly.  Each 
number  contains  8  pages,  25  x  17.5  cm. 
(9%  x  6%  in. ) ;  type  20.5  x  13.2  cm.  (8  x  5^10. ). 
The  contents  are  an  editorial  (about  one 
page)  in  long  primer,  and  lists  of  new  books 
and  reading  lists  (6_J^p. )  in  brevier,  with  notes 
in  nonpareil.  The  leading  word  of  each  title 
(generally  author's  surname)  and  call-mark 
are  in  antique.  Type  is  set  solid,  without  in- 
dentation, as  in  the  later  issues  of  the  Boston 
Public  Library  Bulletin.  It  would  be  better 
to  indent  all  but  the  first  line,  as  titles  would 
stand  out  more  clearly,  and  practically  no 
space  would  be  lost. 

We  formerly  printed  2,000  copies  monthly 
at  a  cost  of  $34.84.  Beginning  with  volume 
2  the  number  was  reduced  to  1,500  at  a  con- 
•  tract  price  of  $31.14,  with  a  deduction  of  $2.00 
per  day  for  each  day's  delay  beyond  12  work- 
ing days. 

Frequency.  Monthly.  This  seems  best  in 
a  library  adding  2,000  to  3,000  volumes  a 
year. 

Annotation  is  very  desirable,  as  frequently  a 
book's  title  does  not  show  its  character.  It 
also  serves  to  call  attention  to  books  of  local 
or  timely  interest. 


Advertisements  should  be  excluded  if  funds 
allow.  Many  merchants  never  advertise  any- 
thing outside  their  own  business,  and  the 
library  should  follow  the  same  rule.  Its  dig- 
nity and  self-respect  demand  this. 

Free  distribution  or  sale.  Free  by  all  means . 
This  is  the  only  way  to  get  it  into  the  hands  of 
all  readers.  1,200  copies  answer  the  ordinary 
demands  in  our  city  of  30,000  inhabitants  and 
a  home  circulation  of  over  100,000  volumes. 
It  might  be  well  to  fix  a  mailing  price  for 
copies  sent  by  mail. 

Value  to  the  public.  A  list  which  can  be 
used  at  home  leads  to  a  more  careful  selection 
of  books.  A  bulletin  also  gives  opportunity 
for  the  publication  of  lists  on  subjects  which 
are,  or  should  be,  of  special  interest  to  the 
public.  The  statistics  of  circulation  may  not 
indicate  that  much  use  is  made  of  such  lists, 
but  they  serve  as  a  running  advertisement  of 
the  educational  intent  of  the  library. 

Regularity,  promptness,  and  uniformity  are 
as  desirable  in  a  library  bulletin  as  in  any 
other  periodical.  A  failure  in  either  of  these 
points  indicates  either  a  lack  of  funds  or  of 
consistent  purpose  in  the  management  of  the 
library. 


PERIODICAL    LIBRARY    BULLETINS. 


BY    GEORGE    WATSON    COLE,    LIBRARIAN,    JERSEY    CITY    FREE    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


1VT  O  public  library  that  endeavors  to  keep  up 
with  the  times  can  hope  to  succeed  with- 
out furnishing  its  readers  with  information  as 
to  its  most  recent  accessions.  This  may  be 
done  in  several  ways  :  by  posting  lists  of  new 
books  ;  by  a  card-catalogue  for  the  public  ;  or 


by  printed  lists.  The  disadvantage  of  the  first 
two  methods  lies  in  the  fact  that  the  readers 
must  come  to  the  library  to  consult  them, 
whereas,  printed  lists  can  be  carried  away  and 
consulted  at  all  times  and  anywhere  outside 
the  library.  It  is  safe  then  to  say  that  the 


*  On  the  publishing  of  library  bulletins.  A  written  presentation, .by  various  librarians,  of  experience  and 
opinion  on  questions  connected  with  the  publishing  of  library  bulletins  ;  their  cost,  frequency  of  publication, 
expediency  of  annotation,  admission  of  advertisements,  free  distribution  or  sale,  value  to  the  public,  etc. 


COLE. 


printed  list  or  bulletin  supplies  information  to 
a  greater  number  of  people,  with  less  incon- 
venience, and  at  a  smaller  cost,  than  can  be 
done  by  any  other  means.  It  is  presumed  that 
as  fast  as  new  books  are  added  to  the  library 
and  catalogued  they  are  put  upon  inspection 
shelves  where  the  public  can  examine  and 
handle  them,  under  proper  supervision,  and 
that  they  are  kept  there  until  a  bulletin  is 
issued,  or  until  they  are  crowded  out  by  still 
newer  books.  This,  in  a  measure,  does  away 
with  the  necessity  of  posting  lists  or  of  a  public 
card-catalogue,  which  at  best  are  but  substi- 
tutes for  the  books  themselves. 

In  taking  up  the  order  of  topics  laid  down 
for  the  discussion  of  this  subject,  we  come  first 
to  their  cost.  It  has  been  the  policy  of  the 
Jersey  City  Free  Public  Library  to  issue  its 
"Library  Record"  without  expense  to  the 
library.  In  order  to  do  this  it  has  started  out 
with  the  assumption  that  such  a  publication 
furnishes  one  of  the  best  possible  means  for 
advertising  to  be  found  in  the  community  ;  for, 
unlike  daily  papers  and  other  periodicals, 
which  are  read  and  then  thrown  away,  this  is 
preserved  month  after  month  for  reference. 
We  have  therefore  tried  the  plan  of  going  to 
the  printer  or  publisher  and  interesting  him  in 
the  matter,  by  showing  him  the  excellence  of 
the  sheet  as  an  advertising  medium,  and,  en- 
gaging him  to  undertake  its  publication ;  it 
being  understood  that  he  is  to  have  all  he  can 
make,  over  and  above  the  cost  of  production, 
from  the  amount  paid  him  for  advertisements. 
After  several  unsuccessful  efforts,  we  have  at 
last  found  an  enterprising  printer  who  is  mak- 
ing it  pay  for  itself  and  still  give  him  some 
small  profit  for  his  labors. 

Before  the  outside  cover  was  added  to  the 
"  Library  Record,"  the  printers  estimated  that 
it  cost  them  about  f  45.00  for  an  issue  of  3,500 
copies.  It  contained  8  pages  of  3  columns 
each,  measuring  10  x  8  inches  excluding  the 
running  title.  Our  proposition  to  the  printer 
was  to  reserve  12  columns  of  the  inside,  includ- 
ing the  entire  first  page,  for  the  use  of  the  li- 
brary ;  allowing  him  to  use  all  the  rest  for 
advertising  purposes.  We  supply  reading- 
matter  for  any  space  which  he  is  unable  to  fill 
with  advertisements.. 

One  of  our  former  printers  has  given  the 
following  estimate  of  actual  cost  in  getting  up 
the  sheet  as  at  present  issued  : — 


ESTIMATED  ACTUAL  COST  TO   PRINTER   FOR   AN 
EDITION  OF  3,500  COPIES. 

Stock — i.  Cover,  48-lb.  stock,       .        .        .        $10.00 
2.  Paper     (inside)    6o-lb.  stock,  super- 
calendered,  machine  finished,         .     12.60 
Composition — I.  Catalogue  and  reading-matter, 
12    columns    brevier    (including    ist 
page)  of  2,500  ems  to  column,  12.00 

2.  Advertising   matter,  24    columns,  (J£ 

inside  and  4  pages  of  cover),     .        24.00 
Press  Work — i.  Corrections,  making   ready  for 

press,  and  locking  up,      .        .         .    4.00 
2.  Press  work,              ....         5.00 
Binding' — Folding,  binding  with  wire,  and  trim- 
ming,           3.50 

Total,        $7i-io 

Item  No.  2  of  "Composition"  appears  to 
me  to  require  some  explanation  ;  as  it  is  here 
given  the  printer's  figures  may  be  misleading. 
Matter  supplied  in  stereotypes,  as  well  as  adver- 
tisements kept  standing  from  month  to  month, 
and  those  leaving  much  blank  space,  or  fat, 
as  the  printers  call  it,  would  all  tend  to  lower 
these  figures.  The  estimate,  on  the  whole,  I 
consider  a  fair  one. 

If  the  library  expects  to  secure  its  own  ad- 
vertisements, and  receive  pay  for  them,  an 
additional  amount  of  $10  or  $15  should  be 
added  to  these  figures  for  a  reasonable  profit 
to  the  printer.  The  estimate  of  printers  will, 
of  course,  vary  somewhat  according  to  locality, 
competition,  and  capacity  for  turning  out  work. 
So  much  then  in  explanation  of  the  expense 
connected  with  such  a  publication  for  those 
who  have  the  problem  yet  to  face. 

As  to  the  frequency  of  appearance,  it  would 
seem  that  once  a  month  is  about  a  reasonable 
term.  The  Boston  Public  Library  last  year 
tried  the  experiment  of  issuing  a  weekly  bul- 
letin of  additions,  but  after  a  year's  exper- 
ience, has  given  it  up.  No  other  library,  to 
my  knowledge,  has  attempted  a  weekly  bul- 
letin. The  Mercantile  Library  of  Philadelphia, 
the  Public  Libraries  of  Milwaukee,  Cincinnati, 
and  Boston,  and  the  libraries  of  Harvard  and 
Cornell  Universities  all  issue  quarterly  bul- 
letins. The  Public  Libraries  of  Newark, 
Springfield,  Wilkes-Barre",  Cleveland,  and 
Jersey  City,  and  a  few  others,  issue  monthly 
bulletins.  The  weekly  period  seems  too 
short  for  most  libraries  to  make  up  a  list  of 
respectable  size,  and  in  three  months  matter 
for  too  large  a  list  is  apt  to  accumulate ;  so 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


that,  upon  the  whole,  the  monthly  bulletin 
seems  to  be  a  happy  solution  of  the  difficulty. 

The  disadvantage  of  numerous  alphabets, 
which  is  necessarily  incident  to  periodical 
bulletins,  is  admirably  solved  by  the  Cin- 
cinnati and  Milwaukee  public  libraries,  where, 
at  the  end  of  one  or  two  years,  respectively, 
the  bound  volumes  are  provided  with  an  alpha- 
betical index  to  their  contents. 

There  is  no  question  as  to  the  usefulness  of 
annotations,  if  properly  made,  but  as  to  their 
expediency,  especially  in  a  class  of  work  which 
is  necessarily  so  ephemeral  in  its  character  as 
the  library  bulletin,  I  have  grave  doubts.  The 
bulletin  at  frequent  intervals  must  be  supple- 
mented by  a  catalog  or  a  supplement  to  it. 
Again,  annotations  to  be  of  the  highest  value, 
should  be  very  carefully  prepared,  and  this 
requires  more  time  than  the  ever-busy  librarian 
can  give  to  the  work,  especially  when  a  bul- 
letin must  be  put  through  the  printer's  hands 
every  month.  As  a  matter  of  expense,  and 
in  the  interest  of  careful  and  valuable  work  in 
this  line,  I  should  say  '  don't'  throw  your  anno- 
tations away  on  the  bulletin,  but  reserve  them 
for  the  catalog. 

The  question  of  admission  of  advertisements 
has  been  fully  taken  into  consideration  as  far 
as  our  own  practice  in  Jersey  City  is  concerned, 
so  that  but  a  word  further  need  be  said.  I 
should  draw  the  line  every  time  at  the  bul- 
letin, saying  "thus  far  and  no  farther." 

As  to  free  distribution,  that  question  is  also 
settled,  for  us,  by  our  method  of  getting  our 
' '  Library  Record  ' '  printed.  Even  if  we  had 


to  pay  for  its  printing,  I  believe  it  would  be 
politic  to  give  it  out  freely  to  all  patrons  of  the 
library.  I  cannot  see  how  an  equal  amount 
of  money  can  be  better  spent  in  popularizing 
the  library,  than  in  the  free  distribution  of  its 
lists  of  new  books. 

Before  closing  I  wish  to  say  a  word  upon  a 
point  not  down  in  the  list  of  suggestive  topics 
which  have  been  given  for  our  guidance  in  the 
discussion  of  this  subject.  It  is  one  which,  I 
hope,  will  give  rise  to  a  thorough  discussion. 
I  refer  to  the  admission  of  such  periodical  pub- 
lications of  libraries  as  second-class  mail-mat- 
ter in  the  United  States  mails.  I  have  made 
two  applications  to  the  post-office  authorities 
to  get  our '  'Library  Record"  entered  as  second- 
class  matter,  and  the  application  has,  in  each 
case,  been  rejected.  It  is  a  positive  disgrace 
that  libraries  cannot  send  these  publications 
to  other  libraries  upon  their  exchange  lists,  as 
well  as  to  others,  without  being  compelled  to 
pay  for  them  as  third-rate  matter.  I  should 
like  to  know  how  many  of  the  libraries  here 
represented,  that  issue  periodical  publications 
of  this  nature,  have  made  application  to  have 
them  carried  at  pound  rates  and  with  what 
success.  I  can  see  no  good  reason  for  ex- 
cluding this  class  of  publications  from  the  mail 
as  second-class  matter,  especially  when  pub- 
lishers are  permitted  to  enter  their  paper- 
bound  novels,  issued  in  series,  in  this  class. 
I  should  much  like  to  see  some  resolution, 
favoring  the  entry  of  all  library  periodical  bul- 
letins as  second-class  mail-matter,  passed  be- 
fore the  adjournment  of  this  Conference. 


PERIODICAL    LIBRARY    BULLETINS. 


BY   CAROLINE    M.  HEWINS,    LIBRARIAN,    HARTFORD    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


T^HE  Hartford  Library  Association,  stim- 
ulated  by  accounts  of  advertising  bul- 
letins in  the  Library  Journal  and  other  peri- 
odicals, began  to  publish  a  lamo  quarterly 
in  December,  1878.  The  advertisements  were 
solicited  by  members  of  the  Board  of  Direc- 
tors, and  the  receipts  the  first  year  were 
$104.12,  and  the  second  $156.40,  which  a  little 
more  than  paid  expenses.  At  the  end  of  the 
second  year,  the  Board  decided  that  the  time 
spent  in  seeking  advertisements  was  worth 
more  than  the  money  received  for  them,  and 


the  expenses  of  the  bulletin  were  paid  out  of 
the  library  receipts  until  1887,  when  we  began 
to  charge  ten  cents  a  number,  or  twenty-five 
cents  a  year.  The  bulletin  was  printed  by  the 
same  firm  who  bound  books  for  the  library, 
and  there  is  no  separate  record  of  its  cost  in 
our  printed  reports.  In  1887,  the  receipts,  at 
ten  cents  a  number,  or  twenty-five  cents  a  year, 
were  $26.75  ;  in  1889,  $14.10;  in  1890,  $35.33  ; 
in  1891,  $25.89.  Since  opening  the  Hartford 
Public  Library  two  years  ago  we  have  re- 
ceived a  little  more  than  $300,  and  our  ex- 


tfEWINS. 


53 


penses  have  been  about  $100  more  than  that. 
We  have  therefore  made  no  money  on  our 
bulletins. 

We  have  usually  printed  them  once  in  three 
months,  but  have  sometimes  "doubled  up" 
numbers,  and  have  always  kept  the  i2mo 
form  with  which  we  began,  instead  of  the 
monthly  410  which  has  been  adopted  by 
many  libraries.  At  one  time  we  investigated 
the  cost  of  manilla  paper,  but  found  the  differ- 
ence in  cost  so  slight  that  we  never  used  it. 

We  have  always  annotated  our  bulletins 
freely,  and  in  almost  every  number  have  shown 
the  public  the  resources  of  the  library  on  some 
special  subject.  From  1878  to  1889  we  printed 
notes  on  Art,  Africa,  Summer  books,  French 
and  German  books,  English  language,  Chil- 
dren's vacation,  United  States  government, 
Christmas  holidays,  Going  abroad,  Longfellow, 
English  and  American  history  for  children, 
English  literature,  1700-1750  (suggested  by  a 
course  of  lectures ),  House-building  and 
house-furnishing,  Music,  Architecture,  An- 
atomy, physiology  and  hygiene  (to  illustrate 
"First  aid  to  the  injured  "  lectures),  Mythology 
and  folklore,  History  of  Greece  and  Rome  for 
boys  and  girls,  French  and  English  history, 
1600-1800,  India,  Electricity,  Education,  Italy, 
Russia,  Sociology,  Spain,  How  to  find  quota- 
tions, Connecticut,  Cookery  and  housekeep- 
ing, Books  for  teachers  of  geography,  and 
Plays,  charades  and  tableaux  for  home  acting. 

In  January,  1890,  we  began  to  print  an  au- 
thor-list of  novels,  in  four  numbers,  with  notes 
on  those  illustrating  history  or  life  in  different 
countries.  This  list  was  sold  out  soon  after 
we  became  a  free  library,  and  we  reprinted  it 
in  one  twenty-five  cent  number,  in  the  spring 
of  1893,  after  suspending  the  publication  of  the 
bulletin  for  a  year.  It  has  been  continued 
irregularly  since  then,  one  of  the  numbers 
containing  in  addition  to  new  books,  a  list  of 
all  in  the  library  upon  science  and  useful  arts, 
except  those  so  old  as  to  be  useless  to  general 
readers ;  others,  all  our  books  on  education 
and  fine  arts.  We  have  printed  in  every 
number  the  percentage  of  different  classes  of 
books  circulated,  and  other  items  of  library 
news,  given  tables  of  contents,  and  paid  es- 


pecial attention  to  suggesting  books  leading 
out  from  or  connected  with  our  new  ones, 
histories  and  biographies  for  verifying  histor- 
ical novels,  etc. 

When  we  opened  the  Hartford  Public  Li- 
brary we  printed  a  classified  and  annotated 
list  of  books  for  boys  and  girls,  which  we  sold 
for  five  cents,  about  half  its  cost.  The  edition 
of  a  thousand  copies  was  soon  exhausted,  and 
we  have  printed  a  revised  and  enlarged 
one. 

One  argument  in  favor  of  printing  a  month- 
ly or  quarterly  bulletin  is  that  it  prevents  the 
public  from  demanding  a  full  and  expensive 
printed  catalog.  At  a  fair  estimate,  three- 
fourths  of  the  readers  who  depend  on  a  public 
library  care  for  nothing  but  novels,  and  the 
simpler  a  list  can  be  made,  the  better  they  like 
it.  We  do  not  even  print  book-numbers  in 
our  novel-list,  and  require  only  authors  and 
titles  to  be  written  on  the  call-slips,  as  all  our 
novels  in  English,  whether  translated  or  not, 
are  arranged  alphabetically  under  authors  with 
the  Cutter  numbers. 

A  second  plea  is  that  a  bulletin  keeps  the  pub- 
lic informed  as  to  new  books  much  better  than 
a  card  catalog  with  manuscript  or  typewritten 
lists  posted  in  the  library.  It  is  a  medium  for 
conveying  knowledge  of  current  books  to  read- 
ers, who  are  much  more  willing  to  study  a 
pamphlet  at  home  than  to  search  for  and  copy 
titles  in  a  card-catalog. 

Every  number  of  a  bulletin  can  be  made  to 
show  the  resources  of  the  library  on  some 
special  topic.  It  can  direct  attention  to  thev 
best  new  books,  and  suggest  for  children's 
reading  many  things  not  written  especially  for 
them.  If  a  printing  or  publishing  firm  will 
take  it  in  hand  as  a  business  venture,  it  often 
adds  materially  to  the  funds  of  the  library  ;  but 
if  it  has  no  advertisements  it  must  be  sold  at  a 
price  far  below  cost  in  order  to  attract  buyers, 
as  in  the  Boston  Public  Library.  I  am  in  favor 
of  a  merely  nominal  sum,  say  five  cents  a  num- 
ber, unless  a  library  has  to  choose  between 
spending  money  for  printing  or  books.  In  that 
case,  the  advertising  bulletin  should  be 
adopted. 


54 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


PERIODICAL    LIBRARY    BULLETINS. 


BY    JOHN    EDMANDS,    LIBRARIAN,    MERCANTILE    LIBRARY     OF    PHILADELPHIA. 


T7OR  some  years  it  was  the  practice  in  the 
Mercantile  Library  of  Philadelphia  to  in- 
sert, once  a  week,  in  a  daily  paper,  a  list  of 
the  principal  additions  to  the  library,  with  an 
occasional  article  of  special  interest  to  readers. 
These  lists  did  not  seem  to  attract  much  at- 
tention, and  apparently  did  but  little  good ; 
their  cost  was  about  $200  a  year. 

In  October,  1882,  we  began  the  issue  of  a 
quarterly  bulletin  as  a  substitute  for  the  week- 
ly lists.  This  bulletin  has  been  continued  to 
the  present  time.  The  number  of  pages  has 
ranged  from  sixteen  to  twenty.  The  cost  is 
about  $225  a  year.  For  several  years  the 
numbers  were  sold  at  5  cents  each,  and  mailed 
to  subscribers  at  20  cents  a  year.  The  num- 
ber of  regular  subscribers  ranged  from  fifty 
to  one  hundred,  in  addition  to  those  sold 
singly  at  the  desk.  We  sent  copies  without 
charge  to  about  seventy-five  libraries.  Since 
January,  1892,  the  bulletin  has  been  distributed 
to  members  of  the  library  without  charge. 

The  bulletin  contains  a  brief  title,  with  im- 
print, of  nearly  all  the  books  added  to  the  li- 
brary (including  continuations),  and  with  the 
shelf-marks  appended.  The  titles,  by  authors 
only,  are  arranged  alphabetically  under  the 
twenty-two  main  classes  of  the  library.  Of 
many  books  the  contents  are  given.  In  many 
cases  selected  and  original  notes  are  inserted, 
to  explain  the  scope  or  the  purpose  of  the 
book,  or  to  give  some  intimation  of  its  merit. 

A  considerable  space    in  each  number  has 


been  taken  up  with  some  special  article.  There 
have  been  Reading  t^tes,  or  prepared  lists, 
on  Spencer,  Webster,  Luther,  Gothe,  Wy- 
cliffe,  and  Columbus ;  and  on  Education, 
Indexes,  Catacombs,  Electricity,  Music,  Cur- 
rency and  Finance,  Income  Tax,  and  Ha- 
waii. The  bibliographies  of  Dies  Irae  and  of 
Junius,  are  the  fullest  that  have  appeared  in 
print.  The  list  of  Historical  Novels,  which  was 
continued  through  seventeen  numbers,  from 
1885  to  1889,  was  the  most  extended  that  had 
been  printed  up  to  that  time. 

The  considerable  time  required  for  the 
preparation  of  those  notes  and  those  special 
articles  is  believed  to  have  been  well  spent. 
A  library  is  a  great  possibility  for  good.  In 
order  that  it  may  actually  be  the  good  that  is 
possible,  there  is  need,  besides  a  live  librarian, 
of  some  printed  guide  or  introduction  to  its 
contents.  In  view  of  the  impossibility  of  hav- 
ing an  up-to-date  catalog  of  a  growing  library, 
some  means  of  giving  information  as  to  new 
accessions,  and  as  to  special  treasures,  like 
the  modern  bulletin  seems  imperative. 

At  one  time  our  Board  entertained  a  propo- 
sition made  -by  an  outsider  for  the  insertion  of 
advertisements  interleaved  in  our  bulletin,  with 
the  view  of  lessening  the  cost.  The  scheme 
did  not  materialize,  and  the  Board  has  not 
thought  fit  to  enter  into  the  plan.  It  seems  to 
me  they  have  taken  the  right  view  of  the 
matter. 


PERIODICAL    LIBRARY    BULLETINS. 


BY    J.    C.    DANA,    LIBRARIAN,    DENVER    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


\1TE  have  no  printed  finding-list  except  for 
fiction.  In  our  bulletin  we  print  from 
time  to  time  lists  of  additions,  lists  on  special 
subjects,  and  complete  lists  of  one  and  another 
department.  Several  of  these  we  sometimes 
reprint  in  a  small  pamphlet  which  we  sell  for 


5C.  The  expense  of  our  bulletin  to  the  library 
is,  perhaps,  about  what  it  would  be  if  we 
printed  each  month  a  book-list,  with  no  read- 
ing-matter. 

The    special  lists,  and  the  reading-matter 
about  our    library  in   particular,   and    about 


BRETT. 


55 


library  work  in  general,  and  the  continuance 
of  something  of  the  nature  of  a  journal,  are  the 
results  of  considerations  like  these  : 

The  journal  itself  advertises  the  library  in 
the  community  and  especially  in  the  schools. 
It  is  possibly  a  little  more  attractive .  than  a 
bare  list  would  be.  The  special  lists,  over  and 
above  the  occasional  lists  of  additions,  aid  in 
making  attractive  other  lines  than  fiction  — 
and  are  especially  useful  in  view  of  the  fact 
that  we  have  no  complete  printed  catalog. 

The  library  notes,  the  descriptions  of  library 
work,  the  suggestions  about  books  and  meth- 
ods for  village  and  school  libraries  aid,  we 
think,  in  increasing  library  interest  throughout 
the  State.  As  yet  there  is  no  library  commis- 
sion in  Colorado.  The  State  Superintendent  of 
Public  Instruction  has  no  funds  or  facilities  for 
doing  anything,  of  note,  in  the  way  of  library 
propagandism.  Denver  is  Colorado,  to  a  con- 
siderable extent.  The  Public  Library,  in  Den- 
ver, is  the  only  library  there  which  is  just  now 
in  a  condition  to  put  forth  either  money  or 
energy  in  spreading  the  faith. 

It  has  seemed  then,  to  us,  very  fitting  that 
we  should  take  this  duty  in  small  measure  on 


ourselves.  We  send  our  bulletin  each  month 
to  all  high-school  principals,  librarians,  and  city 
and  county  superintendents  throughout  the 
State. 

We  do  a  good  deal  of  missionary  work  in 
other  ways,  and  it  is  impossible  to  say  how 
much  of  the  increase  of  interest  in  libraries 
throughout  the  state — and  the  increase  has 
been  very  notable  in  the  past  few  years  —  is 
due  to  the  circulation  of  our  bulletin.  We 
think  it  justifies  the  outlay  in  money  and  time. 

As  I  have  intimated,  the  bulletin  is  not  quite 
self-supporting.  The  management  of  the  busi- 
ness side  of  it  is  not  in  the  library's  hands. 
The  labor  connected  with  it  —  under  this 
management  —  is  not  very  great. 

Under  ordinary  library  conditions  my  expe- 
rience would  lead  me  to  think  that  the  best 
thing  in  the  way  of  a  bulletin  would  be  a  series 
of  leaflets,  perferably  small,  containing  each 
a  short  list  of  additions  or  special  books  ; 
annotated  where  possible,  and  so  brief  as  not 
to  confuse  or  discourage  the  humblest  and 
most  ignorant  reader. 

The  bulletin  of  the  Salem  Public  Library 
seems  about  the  ideal  thing. 


PERIODICAL    LIBRARY    BULLETINS. 

BY   WILLIAM    H.  BRETT,    LIBRARIAN,    CLEVELAND    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


T  N  regard  to  the  publication  of  library  bulle- 
tins,  the  experience  of  the  Cleveland  Pub- 
lic Library  is  about  as  follows  : 

The  library  has  not  until  recently  attempted 
the  publication  of  any  regular  bulletin  or  peri- 
odical. In  January  of  the  present  year  it  be- 
gan the  issue  of  a  monthly  book-list,  "The 
Open  Shelf."  The  expense  of  publication  is 
a  serious  objection.  The  cost  of  this,  the  page 
being  about  2^  by  6^  inches,  is  $75.00  for  an 
edition  of  2,000  copies  of  48  pages  with  a 
cover  (making  52  pages  in  all),  or  a  little  less 
than  $1.50  per  page. 

As  to  the  frequency  of  the  publication,  the 
librarian  finds  himself  between  the  Scylla  on 
the  one  hand,  of  having  his  bulletins  issued 
long  after  many  of  the  best  books  have  been 
placed  in  the  library,  if  he  publish  at  too  long 
intervals  ;  and  Charybdis  on  the  other,  of  a 
rapidly  accumulating  pile  of  lists  increasingly 


inconvenient  to  consult.  The  choice  proba- 
bly lies  between  a  monthly  and  a  quarterly 
issue.  The  Cleveland  list  is  published  each 
month,  while  an  alphabetically  arranged  list  of 
the  books  of  the  year  is  kgpt  in  a  Rudolph  In- 
dexer  book. 

The  value  of  annotations  to  the  entries  is 
not  doubtful,  and  their  admission  can  hardly  be 
an  open  question  except  where  the  increased 
cost  is  too  serious  an  objection.  No  part  of 
our  own  bulletin  has  received  so  much  favora- 
ble comment  from  our  readers  at  home. 

The  question  of  admitting  advertisements  is 
a  difficult  one.  On  the  one  hand  they  mater- 
ially lessen  the  cost  of  publication ;  on  the 
other  they  introduce  a  business  element  for- 
eign to  the  purpose  of  the  publication  and 
possibly  distracting  from  it.  The  plan  now 
adopted  in  Cleveland,  and  which  is  a  com- 
promise, is  to  admit  advertisements  of  books 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


and  of  things  pertaining  to  books  and  libraries, 
and  no  others.  These  may  fairly  be  regarded 
as  of  interest  in  connection  with  the  prime 
purpose  of  the  publication.  If  a  bulletin  can- 
not be  supported  without  the  publication  of 
the  ruck  of  advertisements,  possibly  it  had 
better  be  discontinued. 

As  to  their  distribution,  the  plan  adopted  in 
Cleveland  is  to  sell  them  at  one  cent  per  copy 
in  the  library,  on  the  theory  that  a  thing 
which  costs  nothing  is  not  appreciated  nor 
taken  care  of.  To  those  receiving  them  by 
mail  a  price  is  charged  which  covers  cost  of 
mailing. 

The  question  of  their  value  to  the  public  is 
important.  This  consists  principally  in  fur- 
nishing a  list  of  additions  to  the  library  for  the 
use  of  its  readers,  and  also  as  forming  a  con- 


venient medium  for  announcements  and  news 
of  any  kind  in  regard  to  the  library.  Our  ex- 
perience is  so  brief  that  it  may  be  regarded  as 
in  the  experimental  stage. 

There  is  a  question  which  is  really  a  part  of 
the  last ;  that  is,  the  question  of  the  right  of 
the  library  to  publish.  To  issue  a  periodical 
containing  reading-matter  and  advertisements, 
as  well  as  book -lists,  is  practically  to  go  into 
the  publishing  business.  The  propriety  of  a 
library  doing  this  depends  entirely  upon  the 
purpose.  If  all  other  features  are  subordinated 
strictly  to  the  purpose  of  rendering  the  library 
attractive  and  useful,  there  should  be  no  ques- 
tion as  to  its  propriety.  If  business  purposes 
are  allowed  to  control  it,  it  is  manifestly  im- 
proper. 


REPORT   ON    LIBRARY    PROGRESS. 


BY    THE    SECRETARY,    FRANK    P.  HILL,    LIBRARIAN,    NEWARK    FREE    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


'1PHIS  is  an  outline  presentation  of  library 
progress  in  the  several  states  during  the 
past  year.     By  year  is  meant  the  time  from 
Conference  to  Conference. 

Early  in  July  the  following  circular  was  sent 
out : 

DEAR  SIR:  Will  you  kindly  give  me  for  use  of 
the  A.  L.  A. .such  matter  relating  to  library  affairs  in 
your  state  as  may  be  of  interest  to  the  fraternity 
at  large? 

I  particularly  desire  to  obtain  the  following  in- 
formation : 

1.  Is  there  a  state  commission?    If  so,  give  name, 
date  of  appointment  and  number  of  commissioners. 

2.  Is  there  a   state   association  ?     If  so,  give  title. 

3.  Names  of  any  clubs. 

4.  Membership  of  each. 

5.  Frequency  of  meetings. 

6.  What  are  these  organizations  doing  to  promote 
library  interests? 

7.  Number  and   location   of  new  libraries   or  old 
ones  taking  on  new  life  (1893-1894). 

8.  Other  state  items  of  interest. 

The  report  which  follows  includes  only 
those  states  from  which  items  of  interest  and 
information  have  been  feceived.  It  may  be 
taken  for  granted  that  the  omission  of  the 


name  ol  a  state  means  that  library  matters  are 
at  a  stand-still  in  that  state. 

ALABAMA.  •  The  Mobile  Library  has  been 
started,  and  the  Mobile  Reading  Club,  with  a 
membership  of  fifty,  and  meetings  every  two 
weeks,  is  doing  all  in  its  power  to  quicken  li- 
brary interests. 

CALIFORNIA.  While  this  state  has  no  State 
Association  strictly  speaking  it  has  the  South- 
ern California  Library  Club,  which  has  done 
much  good  work  in  the  lower  counties  of  the 
state.  The  club  was  organized  November, 
1891,  and  has  a  membership  of  forty.  The 
efforts  of  the  club  have  resulted  in  establishing 
closer  relations  between  all  libraries  in  Cal- 
ifornia, in  raising  the  standard  of  library  work, 
and  in  supplying  trained  help  to  new  libraries. 

The  state  librarian  "is  collecting  statistics  of 
public  libraries  which  will  be  published  in 
[his]  biennial  report." 

COLORADO.  The  Colorado  Library  Asso- 
ciation, organized  December  29,  1892  has  not 
been  a  very  successful  affair.  An  effort  will 
be  made  to  start  anew  next  winter. 

With  regard  to  new  libraries,  Mr.  Dana  re- 


HILL. 


57 


ports  that  there  are  lots  of  little  ones  starting 
up  all  over  the  state.  Apparently  that  is  a 
true  statement,  inasmuch  as  the  number  of 
libraries  has  increased  75  per  cent,  since  1892. 

CONNECTICUT.  Under  the  law  relating  to 
libraries,  passed  by  the  General  Assembly  of 
1893,  the  State  Board  of  Education  must  an- 
nually appoint  five  persons  who  shall  be  known 
as  the  Connecticut  Public  Library  Committee. 
One  good  section  provides  that  no  person 
shall  be  ineligible  to  serve  on  this  committee 
by  reason  of  sex. 

The  first  committee,  consisting  of  Chas.  D. 
Hine,  Chairman,  Caroline  M.  Hewins,  Secre- 
tary, S.  O.  Seymour,  Nathan  L.  Bishop,  and 
C.  E.  Graves,  was  appointed  in  September, 

1893.  As  a  result  of  the  work  of  this  com- 
mittee new  libraries  have  been  started»in  sev- 
eral towns.     The  report  of  the  committee,  to 
be  published  in  January,  1895,  will  contain  full 
statistics  of  libraries  in  the  state. 

The  Connecticut  Library  Association,  organ- 
ized February  22,  1891,  has  a  membership  of 
seventy-eight.  It  meets  three  times  a  year,  in 
February,  May  and  October.  Miss  Hewins 
writes  :  "Besides  promoting  a  friendly  feel- 
ing among  librarians,  the  association  is  of 
great  use  in  stimulating  the  smaller  libraries, 
and  has  been  the  means  of  forming  the  Li- 
brary Committee." 

A  new  library  has  been  opened  at  Seymour  ; 
and  the  Otis  Library,  Norwich,  Suffield  Pub- 
lic, and  Wethersfield  Public,  have  been  made 
free. 

DELAWARE.  From  this  state  the  only 
cheering  bit  of  news  comes  from  Wilmington, 
where  the  institute  has  been  made  a  free  li- 
brary. 

DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA.  The  Washington 
Library  Association  was  organized  June  15, 

1894,  with  a  membership  of  twenty-five.    The 
constitution  provides  for  monthly  meetings, 
except  during  the  summer. 

GEORGIA.  Miss  Wallace  of  Atlanta  writes  : 
"  Library  growth  in  the  South  has  been  slow 
owing  to  the  impoverished  condition  of  the 
country  ;  only  in  recent  years  has  library  in- 
fluence been  felt." 

ILLINOIS.  The  Chicago  Library  Club,  or- 
ganized December  17,  1891,  has  a  member- 
ship of  ninety.  Meetings  are  held  once  a 


month  from  October  to  March.     There  is  hope 
of  a  state  association  in  the  near  future. 

INDIANA.  The  Library  Association  of  In- 
diana was  organized  in  the  winter  of  1891.  It 
meets  once  a  year  and  has  a  membership  of 
thirty-eight. 

The  meetings  are  not  largely  attended,  ow- 
ing to  the  fact  that,  while  every  little  cross- 
roads town  in  the  state  has  a  library  of  some 
sort,  the  librarian  is  usually  a  person  who 
cannot  afford  the  time  and  money  to  attend. 

The  report  says:  "We  have  aroused  in- 
terest, and  are  stimulating  library  spirit  in  the 
state  ;  we  are  helping  the  new  librarians  and 
encouraging  the  old." 

It  would  appear  so,  as  seven  new  libraries  — 
at  Bluffton,  Anderson,  Richmond,  Kokomo, 
Fort  Wayne,  Logansport,  and  Frankfort  — 
were  opened  to  the  public  during  the  year. 

Mr.  Dunn's  pamphlet  on  the  libraries  of  In- 
diana is  an  interesting  document,  and  con- 
tains valuable  material. 

IOWA.  The  Iowa  Library  Society  was  or- 
ganized September  2,  1890,  and  has  a  mem- 
bership of  thirty-three.  It  is  attempting  to 
bring  the  State  Teachers'  Association  into 
closer  and  more  harmonious  relations  with 
the  Library  Society,  besides  advancing  general 
library  interests  throughout  the  state. 

"It  has  influenced  legislation,  and  secured 
the  adoption  of  a  new  library  law  which  went 
into  effect  July  i,  1894." 

New  libraries  have  been  founded  at  Boone, 
Independence,  Keokuk,  and  Fairfield.  Also 
a  Y.  M.  C.  A.  library  at  Cedar  Rapids,  Public 
School  Library  of  Marshalltown,  Normal 
School  Library,  Woodbine,  and  Des  Moines 
College. 

MAINE.  Maine  has  a  state  association 
called  the  Maine  Library  Association,  organ- 
ized March  19,  1891,  membership  twenty-two. 
It  holds  infrequent  meetings. 

Several  expensive  library  buildings  have 
been  erected  during  the  year.  A  school  for 
teaching  library  economy  has  been  estab- 
lished at  Orono,  in  connection  with  the  State 
College  of  Agriculture. 

MARYLAND.  Reports  the  opening  of  the 
Jacob  Tome  Institute  at  Port  Deposit. 

MASSACHUSETTS.  The  work  in  this  state  is 
so  important  that  it  deserves  a  separate  paper. 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


I  will  merely  allude  to  the  organization  of  the 
Free  Public  Library  Commission,  October  22, 
1890,  composed  of  five  commissioners  ;  to  the 
Massachusetts  Library  Club  with  a  member- 
ship of  two  hundred ;  and  to  the  seven  new 
libraries  established  during  the  year.  The 
commission  is  doing  splendid  work.  Besides 
the  seven  new  libraries  first  mentioned  seven 
others  are  ready  to  accept  the  law,  and  are 
only  awaiting  the  completion  of  details. 

Out  of  352  towns  and  cities  in  the  state  only 
31  are  without  free  public  libraries.  Mr.  Til- 
linghast  reports  at  length  : 

' '  Vigorous  effort,  which  will  soon  bear  fruit, 
is  being  made  in  most  of  these  [31]  towns. 
All  the  spare  time  I  can  find  is  given  to  the 
immediate  care  of  this  work  and  I  have  never 
had  the  time  to  make  anything  more  than  the 
brief  administrative  statement  contained  in 
our  annual  reports.  How  far-reaching  our 
work  has  been  is  known  only  to  the  members 
of  the  commission.  It  has  involved  corres- 
pondence in  every  state  and  territory  of  the 
Union,  every  Grand  Division  and  nearly  every 
civilized  country  of  the  globe.  The  private 
inquiry  and  conference  in  regard  to  the  pro- 
posed erection  of  library  buildings  by  bequest 
or  otherwise,  necessarily  private  in  its  nature, 
is  very  extensive." 

MICHIGAN.  The  Michigan  Library  Asso- 
ciation has  a  membership  of  fifty.  It  was  or- 
ganized September  i,  1891,  and  meets  once  a 
year. 

"The  meetings  are  well  attended  and 
spirited,  and  doing  much  to  instruct  and  en- 
courage the  librarians  of  the  smaller  and 
weaker  libraries.  They  also  do  a  good  work 
in  awakening  public  opinion  and  strengthen- 
ing the  hold  of  the  library  upon  the  commu- 
nity." 

"  We  expect  to  have  the  transactions  of  our 
State  Library  Association  printed  by  the  Supt. 
of  Public  Instruction  in  connection  with  his 
annual  report  and  the  transactions  of  the  State 
Teachers'  Association,  and  thus  distributed 
throughout  the  state.  We  also  have  a  scheme 
to  be  put  through  when  the  legislature  meets, 
by  which  the  State  Library  will  be  brought  in- 
to closer  relations  with  all  the  people,  who 
will  be  permitted  through  the  local  libraries  to 
borrow  from  the  State  library  certain  volumes 
not  to  be  found  in  the  local  collection." 


"  Handsome  new  buildings  have  been  dedi- 
cated recently  at  Kalamazoo  and  Jackson, 
both  gifts  of  public-spirited  citizens.  In  ad- 
dition, bequests  have  been  made  to  the  li- 
brary of  the  State  University,  and  to  the  City 
of  Big  Rapids." 

MINNESOTA.  Minnesota  has  a  State  Li- 
brary Association  (organized  in  December, 
1891),  which  meets  annually.  A  circular  has 
been  issued  by  this  association  calling  atten- 
tion "  to  a  plan  by  which  every  small  town  and 
village  in  Minnesota  may  be  supplied  with  a 
circulating  library." 

New  libraries  have  been  started  at  Anoka 
and  Redwing  ;  and  Mankato  has  just  decided 
to  establish  one.  The  hard  times  have  pre- 
vented any  action,  but  a  great  amount  of  in- 
terest has  been  awakened  in  many  localities. 
It  is  expected  that  the  legislature  to  convene 
this  coming  winter  will  pass  a  law  establishing 
a  library  commission. 

MISSOURI.  Mr.  Crunden  writes  that  he 
knows  of  but  one  new  library  established  under 
the  state  law.  He  says  further  : 

"There  has  been  in  Missouri,  in  the  last 
two  years,  a  movement  for  the  establishment 
of  school  libraries,  analogous  to  that  of  New 
York  some  generations  ago.  The  state  super- 
intendent, Mr.  Wolf,  is  heartily  in  sympathy 
with  the  library  mevement.  He  has  gone 
through  the  state  and  stirred  up  the  farmers  to 
establish  district-school  libraries.  He  told  me 
that  he  had  gathered  and  placed  in  small 
school  libraries  not  less  than  2 5,000  volumes." 

Incidentally  Mr.  Crunden  mentions  that  the 
St.  Louis  Public  Library,  in  becoming  a  free 
one,  has  entered  upon  a  new  career.  In  my 
opinion  the  change  at  St.  Louis  is  one  of  the 
most  important  events  in  library  history  dur- 
ing the  year,  and  Mr.  Crunden  is  just  the  man 
to  take  advantage  of  such  an  opportunity. 
The  report  from  his  state  is  "  of  progress. " 

MONTANA.  Cheering  news  comes  from  this 
state  in  the  shape  of  two  new  libraries  opened 
to  the  public — one,  at  Butte,  the  other  at  Mis- 
soula  ;  the  latter  is  supported  by  a  tax  of  Y* 
mill  on  the  dollar.  The  Bozeman  library  has 
changed  from  a  private  to  a  city  library.  An- 
aconda is  to  have  a  $50,000  building,  and  the 
library  will  be  liberally  endowed.  Great  Falls 
also  has  a  new  library.  Better  library  legisla- 


HILL. 


59 


tion  is  needed,  as  the  present  law  is  inade- 
quate. 

NEBRASKA.  New  public  libraries  have  beeri 
started  in  Beatrice,  Plattsmouth,  York,  Te- 
cumseh,  Webster,  and  South  Omaha.  Miss 
Allan  writes  : 

"  On  Library  Day,  as  adopted  by  the 
Teachers'  Association,  hundreds  of  small 
school  libraries  were  organized  all  over  the 
state.  There  are  undoubtedly  a  number  of 
Library  Clubs,  but  they  all  seem  to  be  too 
lady-like  to  respond  to  my  newspaper  notices. ' ' 

To  show  just  what  Library  Day  means  in 
Nebraska  some  extracts  are  given  from  a  cir- 
cular of  the  State  Superintendent  of  Public 
Instruction  dated  September  19,  1893  : 

' '  In  accordance  with  a  resolution  of  the 
Nebraska  State  Teachers'  Association,  passed 
at  its  last  annual  meeting,  a  program  has  been 
prepared  by  the  committee  appointed  for  that 
purpose  looking  to  the  observance  of  the  anni- 
versary of  the  discovery  of  America  as  Library 
Day  in  the  schools  of  the  state. 

"It  will  be  remembered  that  October  2ist 
was  celebrated  all  over  the  country  last  year 
as  Columbus  Day  ;  it  is  the  thought  of  the 
promoters  of  Library  Day  that  it  would  be 
well  if  Columbus  Day  could  be  perpetuated 
as  an  annual  festival  for  awakening  interest  in 
the  schools,  and  especially  for  the  building  up 
of  school  libraries  in  every  district  in  Ne- 
braska. 

"  It  is  well  known  that  books  of  special  in- 
terest and  profit  to  children  are  no  less  inter- 
esting and  profitable  to  adults,  and  that  the 
books  of  the  children  are  read  with  avidity  by 
the  teachers  and  by  the  parents  of  the  chil- 
dren. 

' '  Good  books  put  into  the  school  library 
soon  find  their  way  to  the  homes  in  the  dis- 
trict ;  they  are  read  by  both  the  school  chil- 
dren and  the  home  children  ;  a  habit  of  read- 
ing is  thereby  encouraged,  or  engendered, 
and  the  good  reading  takes  the  place  of  no 
reading,  or  of  bad  reading,  in  the  community. 

' '  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  call  the  attention 
of  the  teachers  and  patrons  of  the  schools  to 
this  matter  and  to  recommend  that  Friday, 
October  2oth,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be 
deemed  expedient,  be  devoted  to  the  per- 
formance of  the  program  published  in  the 
September  number  of  the  North-Western 


Journal  of  Education,  and  to  efforts  to  arouse 
an  interest  in  the  subject  of  school  libraries 
among  the  children  and  the  patrons. 

"  I  especially  recommend  that  an  effort  be 
made  in  connection  with  this  celebration  to 
create  a  fund,  be  it  ever  so  small,  for  the  pur- 
chase of  books  for  the  school  that  may  serve 
as  a  nucleus  for  a  school  library." 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE.  The  legislature  of  1891 
passed  a  law  establishing  the  Board  of  Library 
Commissioners.  Four  of  the  five  commis- 
sioners are  appointed  by  the  Governor  and 
Council,  the  fifth  member  is  the  State  Librarian, 
ex-officio. 

The  work  of  this  commission  has  been  of 
the  most  excellent  character.  About  60  new 
libraries  have  been  started  during  the  past 
year.  Of  the  233  cities  and  towns  in  the  state 
there  are  not  more  than  60  without  libraries 
owned  and  controlled  by  the  town  ;  and  many 
of  the  60  so  reported  have  excellent  associa- 
tion libraries,  to  which  all  persons  in  the  town 
have  access.  A  good  authority  says  that 
there  are  not  more  than  30  towns  in  the  state 
unsupplied  with  libraries.  (This  compares 
favorably  with  Massachusetts.  To  those  in- 
terested in  state  commissions  I  would  .suggest 
writing  to  Hon.  J.  H.  Whittier,  Secretary, 
East  Rochester,  N.  H.,  for  reports  and  other 
pamphlets. ) 

This  state  also  has  a  Library  Association 
organized  in  1889,  which  meets  three  times  a 
year,  and  has  a  membership  of  forty.  The 
Cocheco  Library  Club,  composed  of  librarians, 
trustees,  and  other  persons  interested  in 
library  matters,  residing  in  the  southeastern 
part  of  the  state,  has  a  membership  of  forty- 
five,  and  meets  three  times  a  year.  It  was 
formed  at  Dover,  September,  1892. 

NEW  JERSEY.  Once  upon  a  time  there  was 
a  New  Jersey  Library  Association  with  a 
membership  of  about  forty.  The  organization 
was  effected  December  29,  1891.  At  the  an- 
nual meeting  in  Oct.  1893,  officers  were  elected, 
but  the  president  declining  to  accept  office 
nothing  has  been  accomplished  during  the 
year.  An  effort  will  be  made  this  fall  to 
effect  a  working  organization. 

No  library  commission  can  be  established 
in  New  Jersey  for  some  years  to  come. 

NEW  YORK.     Rev.  W.  R.  Eastman  reports  : 


6o 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


' '  There  is  no  state  library  commission  in  New 
York  as  in  some  other  states,  but  library  in- 
terests are  cared  for  by  the  Public  Libraries 
Department,  which  is  a  part  of  the  state  library 
and  in  charge  of  the  regents  of  the  University. 
The  secretary  of  the  University  is  director  of 
the  department,  and  it  employs  the  whole 
time  of  an  inspector  with  twp  trained  assist- 
ants, besides  clerks.  Its  work  is, 

1.  To  promote  the  organization  and  devel- 
opment of  libraries. 

2.  To  distribute  the  public  library  money 
appropriated  by  the  legislature  for  buying  ap- 
proved books. 

3.  To  visit  the  libraries  under  state  super- 
vision. 

4.  To  select  and  buy  books  and  prepare 
them  for  lending  under  the  traveling  library 
system. 

5.  To  prepare  annotated  lists  of  traveling 
libraries  and  of  best  books  on  special  sub- 
jects. 

6.  To  send  out  traveling  libraries  of  50  or 
100  volumes  each  and  receive  them  again, 
keeping  full  statistics  of  the- use  of  books. 

7.  To  obtain  and  publish  annual  statistics 
of  all  libraries  in  the  state. 

"  Some  30  libraries  have  been  organized  or 
reorganized  under  the  University  charter  dur- 
ing the  past  year.  Others  have  been  regis- 
tered by  the  University  as  maintaining  a  proper 
standard  and  entitled  to  public  money." 

The  New  York  Library  Association  was 
organized  July  n,  1890.  Its  membership  in- 
cludes all  the  prominent  libraries  in  the  state. 
The  New  York  Library  Club,  organized  June 
18,  1885,  has  a  membership  of  one  hundred. 
Regular  meetings  are  held  on  the  second 
Thursday  of  November,  January,  February, 
March,  and  May. 

OREGON.  An  effort  will  be  made  at  the 
next  biennial  session  of  the  legislature  to 
secure  additional  library  legislation. 

PENNSYLVANIA.  The  Pennsylvania  Library 
Club  was  organized  January  29,  1892.  It  has 
thirty-eight  active  and  seventy-five  interested 
members.  The  club  meets  five  times  a  year. 


Occasional  papers  have  been  published ;  and 
it  is  in  contemplation  to  issue  a  map  of  Penn- 
sylvania indicating  the  locations  of  public 
libraries. 

The  Free  Library  of  Philadelphia  was 
opened  March  12,  1894. 

RHODE  ISLAND.  So  far  as  library  associa- 
tions and  clubs  are  concerned  Rhode  Island  is 
satisfied  to  join  hands  with  Massachusetts. 

"For  the  last  two  years  Rhode  Island  libra- 
rians have  been  eligible  to  membership  in  the 
Massachusetts  Library  Club,  and  have  availed 
themselves  of  this  privilege  to  a  considerable 
extent."  Only  one  new  library — Willetteville 
Free  Library,  Saunderstown,  North  King- 
ston— has  been  founded  in  the  past  year. 

TEXAS.  As  an  item  of  interest,  Mr.  W.  C. 
Felton,  of  Galveston,  writes  that  the  only 
free  library  in  the  state  is  located  at  Galves- 
ton. It  is  also  stated  that  Dallas  and  Deni- 
son  are  each  about  to  establish  free  libraries. 

UTAH.  This  territory  reports  only  one  pub- 
lic library  "  worth  mentioning  " — the  Pioneer 
Library  Association  of  Salt  Lake  City. 

WASHINGTON.  There  are  two  free  public 
libraries  in  the  state  —  one  at  Seattle,  the 
other  at  Tacoma. 

WISCONSIN.  The  Wisconsin  State  Library 
Association  was  organized  March  ir,  1891. 
The  twenty-four  members  encourage  the  im- 
provement of  old  libraries,  and  the  founding 
of  new.  The  towns  of  Chippewa  Falls,  and 
Belleville  have  opened  new  libraries  this 
year. 

"A  special  clerk  in  the  office  of  the  State 
Superintendent  of  Schools  is  detailed  to  take 
charge  of  the  district  libraries  ;  being  a  specially 
well  informed  and  conscientious  man,  he  is 
decidedly  a  library  missionary." 
SUMMARY. 

The  returns  show  that  three  states  have 
library  commmissions  ;  in  thirteen  states,  there 
are  library  associations  ;  and  in  four  states 
there  are  what  may  be  termed  local  organiza- 
tions. 


KEPHART. 


61 


REPORT   ON   GIFTS   AND   BEQUESTS   TO   LIBRARIES. 

BY    HORACE    KEPHART,    LIBRARIAN,    ST.    LOUIS    MERCANTILE    LIBRARY. 


/T*O  gather  the  data  for  this  report,  inquiries 
were  sent  to  a  thousand  libraries,  including 
nearly  all  of  those  within  the  United  States 
which  contain  5,000  volumes  and  upwards.  A 
few  items  are  taken  from  the  Library  Journal, 
as  indicated. 

It  was  at  first  my  intention  to  include  men- 
tion of  all  the  more  noteworthy  gifts  of  books, 
but  when  the  retarns  came  in  I  found  that  such 
gifts  had  been  so  numerous  that  the  shortest 
practicable  list  of  them  would  swell  this  re- 
port to  undue  dimensions,  and  I  have  reluc- 
tantly confined  myself  to  gifts  and  bequests  of 
money,  or  property  yielding  a  revenue. 

The  report  aims  to  cover  the  year  from 
August,  1893,  to  July,  1894,  inclusive.  In  a 
few  instances  it  was  found  impracticable  to 
cover  this  period  exactly,  but  they  were  of 
slight  consequence. 

This  year  has  been  marked  by  one  of  the 
most  serious  commercial  and  industrial  de- 
pressions that  our  country  has  suffered,  and 
we  could  not  expect  that  at  such  a  time  the 
gifts  or  bequests  to  public  institutions  would 
be  many  or  great.  Returns  were  received 
from  over  three  hundred  libraries,  with  the 
following  result : 

CALIFORNIA. 

LELAND  STANFORD,  JR.,  UNIVERSITY,  Palo 
Alto.  Timothy  Hopkins,  $5,000  for  purchase 
of  works  relating  to  railroads  and  for  biologi- 
cal works. 

MERCED,  etc.  "  By  the  will  of  the  late  John 
W.  Mitchell,  of  Turlock,  Cal.,  the  towns  of 
Merced,  Modesto,  Turlock,  and  Atwater  each 
are  given  $5,000  for  a  public  library."  Lib. 

J-,  i9:29- 

NUEVO.  "Work  has  been  begun  on  a  pub- 
lic library  building  given  to  the  town  by  a 
wealthy  citizen.  With  the  building,  which 
will  cost  $10,000,  will  be  given  a  library  of 
5,000  volumes."  Lib.  J.,  18:443. 

SAN  FRANCISCO  MERCANTILE.  A.  B. 
McCreery,  $1,000. 

CONNECTICUT. 

CASE  MEMORIAL,  Hartford.  Aggregate 
gifts  of  money,  $1,343. 


CONN.  HISTORICAL  Soc.,  Hartford.  Ag- 
gregate, $3,750  for  purchase  of  library  of  the 
late  D.  W.  Patterson. 

OTIS,  Norwich.  Bequest  of  Wm.  W. 
Backus,  $15,000.  Popular  one-dollar  subscrip- 
tions for  purchase  of  books,  $150. 

SHELTON.  Bequest  of  David  W.  Plumb, 
$25,000  for  lot  and  library  building.  Lib.}., 
18:443. 

WALLINGFORD.  The  Ladies'  Library  and 
Reading  Room  Assoc.  received  by  will  of  the 
late  Samuel  Simpson  $25,000  for  a  building 
and  $20,000  as  a  permanent  fund.  Lib.  /., 
19:214. 

WESLEYAN  UNIVERSITY,  Middletown.  Al- 
umni, $400  towards  a  fund  of  $2,500,  for  the 
purchase  of  books. 

YALE  UNIVERSITY,  New  Haven.  Mrs. 
Azariah  Eldridge,  bequest  of  $15,000. 

ILLINOIS. 

ALTON  PUBLIC.    Aggregate,  $280.95. 

CHICAGO  UNIVERSITY.  "  It  was  announced 
on  Jan.  2  that  John  D.  Rockefeller  had  sent 
$50,000  to  the  University  of  Chicago  Library 
to  be  spent  at  once  for  books.  This  gift  is 
distinct  from  the  $500,000  due  after  July  next." 
Lib.  J.,  19:67  (Feb.,  '94).  My  two  requests 
for  information  remain  unanswered. 

EAST  ST.  Louis  PUBLIC.  J.  T.  McCasland, 
and  others,  $7,550  for  site  of  new  building. 

GAIL  BORDEN  PUBLIC,  Elgin.  A.  B. 
Church  and  S.  M.  Church,  $12,500  for  site  of 
new  building. 

INDIANA. 

NEW  HARMONY  WORKINGMEN'SINST.  Dr. 
Edward  Murphy,  $20,000. 

IOWA. 

CORNELL  COLLEGE,  Mt.  Vernon.  Willard 
Stuckslager,  $200  for  books. 

UPPER  IOWA  UNIVERSITY,  Fayette.  Cash, 
$100. 

LOUISIANA. 

HOWARD  MEMORIAL,  N.  O.  R.  E.  Moon, 
$1,000.  Mrs.  Annie  T.  Howard,  $600.  Both 
for  books. 


62 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


MAINE. 

BANGOR  PUBLIC.  Nathan  C.  Ayer,  lot  cost- 
ing $7,500. 

DYER,  Saco.  Sarah  C.  Bradbury,  building, 
furnishings,  and  lot,  costing  $24,000. 

HUBBARD,  Hallowell.  (Formerly  Hallo- 
well  Social  Library.)  Gen.  Thos.  Hubbard, 
$20,000. 

MARYLAND. 

MARYLAND  HISTORICAL  Soc.,  Baltimore. 
Bequest  of  J.  Henry  Stickney,  $1,000. 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

BOSTON  PUBLIC.  "  Wm.  C.  Todd  of  Atkin- 
son, N.  H.,  has  given  to  the  trustees  of  the 
Boston  Public  Library  the  sum  of  $50,000  to 
be  so  invested  as  to  secure  a  permanent  an- 
nual income  of  $2,000,  to  be  devoted  to  main- 
taining a  newspaper  reading-room  in  which 
newspapers  representing  every  large  city  in 
the  world  may  be  obtained."  Lib.  J.,  18:300. 
No  answer  to  my  inquiry. 

GARY,  Lexington.  Bequest  of  Geo.  W. 
Robinson,  $1,000.  Lib  J.,  19:66. 

CONGREGATIONAL,  Boston.  Estate  of  Dr. 
L.  P.  Langworthy,  former  librarian,  $10,000. 
Estate  of  J.  H.  Stickney,  $5,000. 

GROTON  PUBLIC.  Bequest  of  Sarah  P. 
Blood,  $1,000,  income  for  books. 

HAVERHILL  PUBLIC.  Hon.  Jas.  H.  Carlton, 
legacy  of  $15,000,  not  available  during  lifetime 
of  an  only  sister. 

LENOX.  Prof.  Thomas  Egleston  and  others, 
$680. 

LEOMINSTER  PUBLIC.  Bequest  of  Alvah 
H.  Burrage,  $5,000.  Lib.  J.,  18:522. 

LYNN  PUBLIC.  Bequest  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
M.  Shute,  about  $100,000  for  new  building. 

MANCHESTER  PUBLIC.  Mrs.  Geo.  D.  Howe, 
$100. 

MELROSE  PUBLIC.  Bequest  of  Wm.  Bailey, 
about  $2,000. 

NEWBURYPORT  PUBLIC.  Bequest  of  Rev. 
Wm.  O.  Moseley,  $10,000  for  permanent  fund. 

NEWTON  THEOL.  INST.,  Newton  Centre. 
$50,000  for  new  library  building,  donor  not 
named. 

No.  ATTLEBOROUGH.  Mrs.  John  A.  Tweedy, 
Edmund  Ira  Richards,  and  Miss  Hattie  T. 
Richards,  a  building  for  memorial  public  li- 
brary, to  cost  about  $25,000.  Lib.}.,  18:443. 

ROBBINS,  Arlington.     Henry  Dexter,  $100. 


SALEM  PUBLIC.  Hon.  J.  B.  F.  Osgood, 
$100. 

SOCIAL  LAW,  Boston.  Bequest  of  Abbott 
Lawrence,  $10,000. 

SPRINGFIELD  PUBLIC.  Bequest  of  Horace 
Smith,  $50,000.  Subscriptions  for  new  build- 
ing. $71,000  (largest  single  donor,  John 
Olmsted,  $10,000). 

WALPOLE  PUBLIC.  Bequest  of  Francis  W. 
Bird,  $2,000  (and  $30,000  prospectively).  Lib. 
/.,  19:246. 

WEST  BROOKFIELD  PUBLIC.  Bequest  of 
Henry  Stickney,  $500. 

WESTON  PUBLIC.     Bequest  of  Chas  Hast- 
ings, $1,000.    Francis  Blake,  $65. 
MICHIGAN. 

BIG  RAPIDS.  Bequest  of  Mrs.  Fitch  Phelps, 
$50,000  for  a  public  library.  Lib.  /.,  18:443. 

HILLSDALE  COLLEGE.  Bequest  of  Albion 
S.  Jaquith,  property  valued  at  $60,000. 

SAGE,  W.  Bay  City.  Wm.  Sage,  $1,000  for 
books.  West  Bay  City,  $1,000. 

UNIVERSITY  OF  MICHIGAN,  Ann  Arbor. 
Bequest  of  Dr.  Corydon  L.  Ford,  $20,000. 
Bequest  of  Miss  Jean  L.  Coyle,  $10,000.  Both 
for  permanent  library  fund. 

MISSOURI. 

DRVRY  COLLEGE,  Springfield.  Mrs.  M.  G. 
Moen,  $1,000  towards  new  library  building. 

ST.  Louis  MERCANTILE.  Robert  S.  Brook- 
ings,  $1,200.  Isaac  W.  Morton,  $500.  Both 
for  electric  lighting  plant. 

ST.  Louis  PUBLIC.  With  McAnally  collec- 
tion of  books  comes  not  less  than  $50  a  year 
for  maintenance. 

NEBRASKA. 

DOANE  COLLEGE,  Crete.  Estate  of  W.  H. 
Whitin,  $5,000.  Jacob  Taft,  $1,000.  N.  A. 
Slater,  $1,000.  Others,  $3,000.  All  for  new 
library  building. 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 

JAFFREY.  Bequest  of  Susan  B.  Clay,  $10,000 
(and  $10,000  more,  prospectively).  Bequest 
of  Joel  Parker,  $10,000.  Both  for  public  li- 
brary. Lib.  J.,  19:214. 

MARLBOROUGH.  Bequest  of  RufusS.  Frost, 
$5,000  conditionally.  Lib.  J.,  19:145. 

NEW  JERSEY. 

COLLEGE  OF  NEW  JERSEY,  Princeton.  C. 
S.  Green  and  C.  E.  Green,  $3,500.  Class  of 
'83,  $1,000. 

ORANGE.     Bequest    of    Mrs.    Pamela    A. 


KEPHART. 


Butterfield,  piece  of  land  and  $500,  condition- 
ally, for  free  library.     Lib.  y.,  19:67. 

PLAINFIELD  PUBLIC.  Bequest  of  Geo.  H. 
Babcock,  $10,000  for  scientific  and  technical 
books,  and  real  estate  yielding  $1,000  a  year 
for  maintenance  of  this  collection. 


BROOKLYN. 


NEW  YORK. 
Cash     donations 


aggregate 


BUFF  A  o.     Hon.  James  M.  Smith,  $5,000. 

BUFFALO  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY.  Hon. 
James  M.  Smith,  $5,000  to  building  fund.  Be- 
quest of  Michael  Hutchinson,  $500. 

CENTURY  ASSOCIATION.  Bequest  of  Rich- 
ard S.  Ely,  $10,000. 

COLUMBIA  COLLEGE,  N.  Y.  Samuel  P. 
Avery,  $10,284.69.  H.  T.  Imbrie,  $250.  Wm. 
Ziegler,  $1,000.  Anonymous,  $20,000.  W. 
C.  Schermerhorn,  $5,000.  A.  C.  Bernheim, 
$  i  oo.  F.  A.  Schermerhorn,  fsoo.  Henry 
Adams,  $1,000. 

CORNELL  UNIVERSITY,  Ithaca.  W.  H. 
Sage,  $5,000  for  purchase  of  Zarncke  collec- 
tion. Geo.  Wm.  Harris,  $1,000  fund  for  form- 
ing collection  of  Victorian  poets.  H.  B.  Lord, 

$50. 

GEN.  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  N.  Y.  So- 
ciety for  Promoting  Religion  and  Learning  in 
the  State  of  N.  Y.,  $1,500  for  books. 

GLOVERSVILLE.  D.  Hays,  $100.  Bequest 
of  A.  J.  Kasson,  $25,000. 

HAMILTON  COLLEGE.  Aggregate,  $495,  be- 
sides trustees'  appropriation. 

ILION  PUBLIC.  Clarence  W.  Seamans, 
$30,000  for  new  building.  Citizens  of  Ilion, 
$6,000  for  books.  A.  H.  Kellogg,  $469  for 
printing  catalogues. 

N.  Y.  FREE  CIRCULATING.  Catherine 
Bruce,  $10,000.  Oswald  Ottendorfer,  $1,000. 
Thomas  Baring,  $200.  Wm.  Salomon,  $200. 

N.  Y.  MERCANTILE.  Bequest  of  Thos. 
Parsons,  $100. 

N.  Y.  Y.  W.  C.  A.     Aggregate,  $1,142. 

TROY  Y.  M.  A.  L.  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Hart,  new 
building  and  site  valued  at  $30,000. 

UNION  COLLEGE,  Schenectady.  Aggregate, 
$580. 

VASSAR  COLLEGE.  John  D.  Rockefeller, 
$i,ooo.  Class  of  '92,  $75.  Class  of  '93,  $150. 
All  for  books. 

WESTFIELD.  Bequest  of  Hannah  W.  Pat- 
terson, $100,000  for  a  public  library. 


HISTORICAL  AND  PHILOS.  Soc.  OF  OHIO, 
Cincinnati.  Aggregate,  $547-55 

WESTERN  RESERVE  UNIVERSITY,  Cleve- 
land. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Samuel  Mather,  $2,180. 
Hon.  John  Hay,  $1,000.  Others,  $320. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

BRYN  MAWR  COLLEGE.  Miss  Mary  Garrett, 
$1,000.  Francis  Cope,  $500.  Anonymous, 

$200. 


MEADVILLE  THEOLOGICAL  SCHOOL.  Mrs. 
H.  P.  Kidder,  $1,000  ;  and  collected  by  her, 
$2,000.  Anonymous,  $200. 

PHILADELPHIA  COLLEGE  OF  PHYSICIANS. 
John  D.  Griscom,  $5,000  for  book  fund. 

.PHILADELPHIA    CITY    INSTITUTE.     Aggre- 
gate, $1,159,92. 

RHODE  ISLAND. 

PA  WTUCKET  PUBLIC.  Bequest  of  Hon.  Wm. 
F.  Sayles,  $100,000  for  building.  Lib.  J., 
19:214. 

PROVIDENCE  PUBLIC.  Mrs.  Cornelia  R. 
Thurston,  $1,000  for  books.  Bequest  of  Miss 
Julia  Bullock,  $5,000.  Others,  $125. 

SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

CHARLESTON  LIBRARY  SOCIETY.  City 
council  (donation),  $500  for  binding.  Ladies' 
Committee  of  Columbian  Exposition,  $100  for 
same.  Miss  Elizabeth  Ann  Pinckney,  $100 
for  Shaksperiana. 

VERMONT. 

ST.  JOHNSBURY  ATHEN^UM.  Mrs.  Horace 
Fairbanks,  $5,000  for  books,  $2,400  for  en- 
largements, $4,000  in  real  estate  for  revenue. 

WINDSOR  LIB.  Assoc.  Bequest  of  Mrs. 
Rebecca  Harlow,  real  estate  yielding  $275 
yearly. 

VIRGINIA. 

ROSEMARY  PUBLIC,  Richmond.  Anony- 
mous, $5,000. 


SUMMARY. 


California, 

Connecticut, 

Illinois, 

Indiana, 

Iowa, 

Louisiana, 

Maine, 

Maryland, 

Massachusetts, 

Michigan, 

Missouri,   . 

Nebraska, 

New  Hampshire, 

New  Jersey, 

New  York, 

Ohio,     .      <  . 

Pennsylvania, 

Rhode  Island, 

South  Carolina, 

Vermont, 

Virginia,    . 


Total, 


$  36,000.00 
105,643-00 

70,330.95 

20,000.00 

300.00 

1,600.00 

51,500.00 

1,000.00 

409,545.00 

142,000.00 

3,700.00 

10,000.00 

25,000.00 

35,000.00 

273,145.69 

4,047-55 

11,059.92 

106,125.00 

700.00 

16,900.00 

5,000.00 

$1,328,597-11 


In  the  above  table,  the  gifts  of  which  capital 
is  not  stated  are  calculated  on  the  basis  of 
yielding  5  per  cent,  yearly. 


64 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


REPORT  ON   PUBLIC   LIBRARIES   AND   UNIVERSITY   EXTENSION. 


BV    T.    L.    MONTGOMERY,    LIBRARIAN,    WAGNER    FREE    INSTITUTE,   AND 
PHILADELPHIA    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


A  SERIES  of  questions  concerning  the  re- 
lation of  public  libraries  to  University 
Extension  was  submitted  to  all  the  free  public 
libraries  having  a  circulation  of  45,000  vols.  and 
over,  named  in  the  list  prepared  by  the  Bureau 
of  Education,  and  to  certain  other  public 
libraries  that  were  known  to  be  equipped  for 
University  Extension  work.  The  list  com- 
prised some  ninety  libraries,  and  answers  were 
received  from  sixty-three. 

Of  the  sixty-three  answers,  twenty-five  re- 
port that  their  libraries  are  connected  with  the 
work,  and  thirty-eight  report  that  they  are  not. 
In  only  five  cases  is  the  work  carried  on  under 
the  auspices  of  the  library.  Eight  will  provide 
class-rooms  and  lecture  hall,  and  two  will  do 
so  next  year.  Eight  provide  duplicate  copies 
of  books  needed,  six  print  lists  of  books,  and 
ten  furnish  single  copies  and  reserve  them  for 
the  use  of  University  Extension  students. 

The  lecturers  come  from  a  dozen  universities 
and  a  college,  and  a  few  are  editors  or  clergy- 
men. 

Two  libraries  report  giving  courses  them- 
selves, but  a  course  in  Bibliography  did  not 
prove  attractive.  Eight  libraries  report  that 
the  courses  were  self-supporting,  three  say 
nay,  and  three  are  doubtful.  Two  libraries 
report  that  ten  per  cent,  of  the  audiences  did 
the  class  work  and  attended  examinations, 
one  from  twenty  to  fifty  per  cent.,  and  four 
say  the  percentage  was  very  small.  The  aver- 
age number  of  courses  given  per  year  is  three, 
while  a  considerable  number  have  only  tried 
one  course  and  are  doubtful  about  trying 
another. 

Thirteen  libraries  report  constant  use  of  li- 
brary by  University  Extension  students,  thirteen 
report  marked  effect  upon  the  character  of  the 
reading,  and  five  say  the  effect  is  not  notice- 
able. To  be  frank  in  the  matter  I  would  say 
that  the  answers  that  have  been  received  are 
of  very  little  value  in  estimating  the  aid  that  has 
been  given  to  the  movement  by  the  libraries. 

I  have  never  been  able  to  understand  why 


the  public  librarian  should  be  expected  to  act 
as  the  business  manager  of  an  educational 
movement  in  order  that  the  books  on  certain 
shelves  of  his  library  should  be  appreciated. 
He  is  busy  enough  without  this  and  some 
branch  of  his  work  will  suffer  if  he  becomes 
an  enthusiast  on  the  subject. 

It  would  be  safe  to  conjecture  that,  in  ninety 
per  cent,  of  the  cases  where  University  Exten- 
sion has  been  successful  in  creating  a  real 
desire  for  study  in  the  subjects  covered  by  the 
lectures,  the  librarian  has  done  all  the  hard 
work.  The  majority  of  the  eight  libraries  that 
report  the  courses  as  self-supporting  probably 
owe  that  result  to  the  fact  that  the  librarian 
devoted  his  attention  to  the  business  arrange- 
ments, and  acted  as  advance  agent  without 
any  remuneration  except  in  the  fact  that  the 
books  on  (say)  Political  Economy  were  being 
read. 

This,  I  regard  as  one  of  the  chief  objections 
to  the  public  library  being  the  instrument  for 
the  advancement  of  this  work.  It  seems  to 
me  that  the  University  Extension  lectures  are 
rather  a  development  of  the  courses  that  used 
to  be  given  in  the  Institutes,  and  that  these 
are  the  proper  authorities  to  provide  facilities 
for  the  work,  and  so  allow  the  public  librarian 
to  devote  his  superfluous  energies  to  furnish- 
ing book-lists  and  seeing  that  students  have 
a  quiet  place  in  which  to  consult  the  reference- 
books  which  relate  to  the  subject  they  are 
working  upon.  In  looking  over  the  "remarks" 
made  by  librarians  one  cannot  fail  to  notice 
the  number  who  think  it  necessary  to  say 
' '  We  have  no  University  Extension  ( So-called ) 
here."  They  also  use  a  capital  S  for  so- 
called,  which  would  indicate  that  they  feel 
deeply  on  the  subject ! 

Whether  the  name  University  Extension  is 
a  good  one  or  not  has  very  little  to  do  witli 
the  merits  of  the  movement.  Experience  has 
proved  that  very  good  work  can  be  done,  if 
the  students  are  given  an  opportunity  to  attend 
courses  arranged  in  sequence,  and  the  least 


MONTGOMERY. 


that  can  be  expected  of  librarians  is  that  they 
should  not  discourage  such  an  improvement 
over  old  methods  without  a  better  cause  for 
complaint. 

Of  the  work  done  by  libraries  during  the 
past  year  that  at  the  Newark  Free  Public 
Library  calls  for  especial  mention.  Three 
courses  of  twelve  lectures  each  were  given, 
the  subjects  being  Painting,  Literature,  and 
Astronomy.  The  library  furnished  hall,  du- 
plicate copies  of  books,  and  printed  lists.  The 
committee  held  themselves  responsible  for 
expenses  to  the  extent  of  $25  each.  A  fee  of  $3 
was  charged  for  one  course,  $1.50  for  second. 
The  expenses  were  $1,268.03  for  the  three 
courses,  and  a  balance  of  $190  is  reported 
after  two  years'  work.  Literature  paid  well  and 
covered  deficit  in  other  courses.  From  twenty 
to  fifty  per  cent,  of  attendance  did  class-work, 
which  is  a  very  good  showing. 

The  Paterson  Free  Public  Library  furnished 
excellent  lists  for  Extension  students.  The 
report  states,  however,  that  some  of  the  lec- 
tures were  not  strictly  of  the  University  Exten- 
sion order,  as  no  class-work  was  done. 

CALIFORNIA. 

The  Los  Angeles  Public  Library  reports  that 
the  result  of  the  courses  was  very  satisfactory. 
The  town  is  500  miles  from  the  universities 
and  professors  can  only  be  secured  when  they 
are  examining  high  schools  in  that  district. 
Special  lists  of  books  are  provided  and  a 
special  attendant  is  deputed  to  assist  the  stu- 
dents. Miss  Kelso  adds  that  the  influence  of 
the  courses  is  permanent,  and  the  demand 
continues  for  books  and  lists  of  books  on 
subjects  considered  two  years  ago. 

CONNECTICUT. 

The  Bridgeport  Public  Library  reports,  "As 
is  usual  in  such  cases  the  Extension  Lectures 
largely  increased  the  number  of  readers  of 
Political  Economy.  As  is  also  usual,  the  de- 
mand for  those  special  books  ceased  with  the 
cessation  of  the  lectures  and  has  never  since 
been  renewed.  This  has  been  the  invariable 
experience  of  this  library  with  Chautauqua 
courses  and  all  similar  royal  roads  to  learning. 
They  create  a  demand  for  certain  books  as  long 
as  certain  courses  last,  but  they  fail  to  make 
students  .  .  .  who  are  eager  to  read  new  books 
upon  those  subjects  as  soon  as  they  are  added 
to  the  library." 

New  London  Public  Library  reports  that  the 


lectures  "Though  called  University  Extension 
have  been  practically  little  more  than  popular 
lectures." 

ILLINOIS. 

Peoria  Public  Library  reports,  "Somebody 
wiser  than  young  Ph.  D.'s  would  be  needed 
to  make  the  name  '  University '  respected 
here." 

INDIANA. 

Indianapolis  Public  Library  reports,  "Con- 
stant and  thorough  use  of  library  by  Extension 
students." 

LOUISIANA. 

Howard  Memorial  Library,  New  Orleans, 
reports  that  "Funds  were  provided  by  Tulane 
University ;  three  or  four  courses  were  given 
in  a  year,  and  the  students  used  the  library 
in  considerable  numbers." 

MARYLAND. 

Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library,  Baltimore.  Libra- 
rian Steiner  remarks,  "You  know  there  hasn't 
a  single  (so-called)  University  Extension 
course  been  heard  of  in  this  town  since  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania  stole  all  the  thun- 
der thereof  from  H.  B.  Adams." 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

Springfield  City  Library  Association  reports 
that  lecture-rooms  will  be  furnished  when  new 
building  is  completed.  Furnishes  lists  of 
books  and  reserves  books  for  students.  Libra- 
rian Rice  says,  "  I  will  only  add  my  most 
hearty  approval  of  the  University  Extension 
idea."  This  is  the  only  report  from  a  Massa- 
chusetts library  that  is  in  any  way  favorable  to 
University  Extension,  and  the  opinion  of  some 
of  them  seems  to  be  summed  up  in  the  remark 
that  "  President  Eliot  is  not  in  sympathy  with 
University  Extension  under  that  name." 

MICHIGAN. 

Detroit  Public  Library  reports  that  "The 
work  has  been  very  successful  under  the  di- 
rection of  Mr.  C.  K.  Backus.  The  small  num- 
ber of  those  who  secure  certificates  is  the  most 
discouraging  feature  of  the  work  ;  the  library- 
is  largely  used  by  students." 

Grand  Rapids  Public  Library.  "The  work 
has  been  dropped  because  it  was  not  self-sup- 
porting ;  while  the  lectures  were  being  given 
the  library  was  constantly  used." 

MINNESOTA. 

Duluth  Public  Library.  "The  management 
is  in  entire  sympathy  with  the  work  and 
would  be  glad  to  help." 


66 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


Minneapolis  Public  Library  states  that  "  For 
several  years  courses  have  been  carried  on 
here,  for  the  most  part  in  the  library  building, 
with  constant  use  of  our  books.  For  a  year 
or  two  interest  has  languished,  but  for  the 
coming  fall  and  winter  vigorous  work  is 
planned." 

St.  Paul  Public  Library.     "  Work  was  car- 
ried on  successfully  one  winter  only." 
MISSOURI. 

Kansas  City  Public  Library  provides  four  to 
six  courses  of  twelve  Jectures  each.  "  About 
ten  per  cent,  do  class  work." 

St.  Louis  Public  Library.  "  Our  experience 
is  too  limited  to  warrant  conclusions  except 
the  general  one  that  University  Extension  is  a 
good  thing,  and  that  a  library  is  the  proper 
agent  to  carry  it  on." 

NEW    HAMPSHIRE. 

Dover  Public  Library.  "  University  Exten- 
sion is  to  be  undertaken  next  year  under  au- 
spices of  the  library,  which  will  furnish  lecture- 
room  and  books." 

NFAV   YORK. 

Gloversville  Public  Library.  Mr.  Peck's 
letter  is  so  interesting  that  I  give  it  in  full  : 
"This  being  an  inland  town,  we  have  not 
been  able  to  secure  lecturers,  as  the  time 
wasted  in  coming  and  going  is  too  great,  and 
this  would  not  only  increase  the  expense  for 
the  lecturer  but  also  make  it  inconvenient  for 
him  to  accept  a  call  in  case  one  should  be  ex- 
tended. However,  I  am  not  so  easily  dis- 
couraged, and  during  the  last  three  years  I 
myself  conducted  these  classes  in  the  follow- 
ing manner :  I  generally  organize  two 
classes  each  winter.  I  select  the  subjects 
which  I  think  would  be  of  greatest  interest  to 
the  largest  number ;  so,  for  example,  last 
year  we  took  up  Monetary  Science.  I  use  the 
syllabus  prepared  by  Prof.  G.  M.  Forbes  of  the 
University  of  Rochester.  Each  student  is 
provided  with  one  copy  of  the  syllabus  and 
the  books  recommended  are  furnished  by  the 
library.  We  meet  once  every  week,  discuss 
the  matter  read,  and  the  members  prepare 
papers,  and  from  time  to  time  hand  in  some 
written  work  on  the  subject  in  hand,  which 
papers  are  again  discussed  by  the  class.  Our 
students  being  of  older  age  are  diffident  in  try- 
ing the  Regents'  examinations,  but  otherwise 
I  think  good  results  have  been  obtained.  I 
try  to  interest  the  members  of  the  legal  frater- 


nity, and  they  have  frequently  taken  hold  of 
the  subject  and  given  brief  talks  before  our 
classes.  You  see,  though  working  under  dis- 
advantages, I  am  not  discouraged." 

Buffalo  Public  Library.  "Our  experience 
was  at  the  very  beginning  of  the  introduction  of 
University  Extension  in  this  country,  and  it 
only  half  applied  the  principles.  It  belongs  to 
the  past." 

I'KNNSYLVANIA. 

Carnegie  Free  Library,  Allegheny.  "Uni- 
versity Extension  here  was  a  failure  from 
the  lack  of  some  public-spirited  man  to  take 
the  lead.  There  was  no  fund  wherewith  to 
hire  lecturers.  Last  year  the  lectures  were 
donated  and  were  well  attended." 

Mechanics'  Library,  Altoona.  "Nearly 
self-supporting  ;  ten  per  cent,  did  class-work. 
An  attempt  was  made  to  have  courses  in 
sequence,  but  lack  of  interest  seemed  to  fol- 
low." 

Scranton  Public  Library.  "'Barkis  is 
willin', '  but  University  Extension  does  not 
seem  to  go  here." 

Osterhout  Free  Library,  Wilkes-Barre. 
"  No  work  done  last  year." 

RHODE  ISLAND. 

Providence  Public  Library.  "The  influ- 
ence of  the  University  Extension  movement  is 
felt  in  every  department  of  the  library  work." 

Pawtucket  Public  Library.  "University 
Extension  has  not  been  the  success  that  it 
would  be  under  different  management.  The 
first  year  it  was  self-supporting  ;  the  second  it 
was  a  failure  ;  the  third  year  funds  were  raised 
by  the  efforts  of  two  ladies  on  the  committee 
and  the  course  was  successful.  Courses  were 
discontinued  last  year  owing  to  the  financial 
depression,  but  another  attempt  will  be  made 
this  winter." 

WISCONSIN. 

Milwaukee  Public  Library.  "Generally 
self-supporting.  The  percentage  of  those  at- 
tending lectures  who  do  class-work  is  very 
small." 

The  character  of  work  done  seems  to  vary 
very  much  in  the  same  state,  and  in  some 
cases  certificates  are  given  without  any  class 
work  having  been  required.  It  is  a  mistake,  in 
my  opinion,  to  suppose  that  graded  courses  of 
study  can  be  supported  by  the  sale  of  tickets. 
There  must  be  a  fund  on  which  the  committee 
can  depend,  or  else  one  of  two  things  will 


CARR. 


happen.  Either  there  will  be  a  bewildering 
change  from  Electricity  to  Sculpture  and 
thence  to  Economics,  to  attract  audiences,  or 
else  the  lectures  will  be  attended  by  students 
only  and  financial  disaster  will  follow.  Very 
few  centres  have  been  able  to  extend  these 
courses  beyond  the  second  series.  If  public 
libraries  had  a  lecture  fund  at  their  disposal 
this  work  could  be  done  well,  but  most  of  them 
are  complaining  that  they  have  not  enough 
money  to  carry  on  the  work  of  the  library 
alone.  Whether  it  is  wise  to  maintain  such 
work  at  the  expense  of  the  library  funds  is  a 
question  that  admits  of  some  argument. 

If  the  work  is  given  up  to  the  Institutes  hav- 
ing a  lecture  fund  the  case  becomes  more  hope- 
ful. When  the  University  Extension  movement 
was  started  in  Philadelphia  the  Wagner  Free 
Institute  of  Science  was  one  of  the  first  centres 
organized.  (Courses  of  lectures  in  sequence 
had  been  given  there,  however,  each  year 
since  1855. )  At  that  time  two  of  the  Trustees 
were  in  favor  of  University  Extension,  two 
were  opposed,  and  two  didn't  care  anything 
about  it  as  long  as  the  lectures  conducted  by 
the  trustees  were  not  affected  by  it.  We  gave 
six  courses,  in  two  years,  on  English  Literature, 
and  Psychology,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time 
the  trustees  were  so  much  impressed  with  the 
success  of  the  experiment  that  they  ordered  a 
syllabus  to  be  prepared  for  each  of  the  Insti- 


tute courses,  and  that  a  class  be  formed  to 
meet  the  lecturer  as  in  the  Extension  lectures. 

Now,  forty  lectures  are  given  on  each  sub- 
ject extending  over  two  years.  The  result  has 
been  that  we  have  five  students  where  we 
formerly  had  one  and  the  audiences  have  in- 
creased slightly.  No  certificates  are  granted 
without  the  student  has  been  regular  in  attend- 
ance and  has  done  the  work  required.  Forty 
lectures  may  not  cover  very  much  of  the  sub- 
ject, but  it  is  a  vast  improvement  over  the 
"Sculpture,  Music  and  Astronomy"  arrange- 
ment. 

These  courses  are  not  given  to  "twenty- 
three  private  governesses,  ten  employes,  four 
artisans  and  a  house-maid,"  as  were  those  on 
Greek  Tragedy  described  by  Charles  Whibley 
in  a  paper  in  the  Nineteenth  Century  called 
"The  farce  of  University  Extension."  The 
people  come  because  they  cannot  devote  time 
during  the  day  to  college  work.  There  are 
school-teachers  and  college-students  in  the 
classes,  manual-training  school  boys,  clerks  and 
mechanics.  If  they  are  not  able  to  do  the  work 
they  soon  drop  out,  and  only  qualified  stu- 
dents remain.  It  is  not  a  royal  road  to  learn- 
ing by  any  means,  and  the  young  man  who 
devotes  his  leisure  time  to  these  courses  cer- 
tainly deserves  some  substantial  acknowledge- 
ment. 


REPORT   ON   COLLECTIONS    OF   THE    MINOR    LITERATURE    OF 

LOCAL    HISTORY. 

BY    HENRY  J.    CARR,    LIBRARIAN,    SCRANTON    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


HP  HE  inquiry  circulars  sent  out  for  the  pur- 
pose of  this  report  were  aimed  more  large- 
ly at  those  public  libraries  which  by  reason  of 
size,  age,  or  location,  might  be  supposed  like- 
ly to  have  done  something,  directly  or  indi- 
rectly, in  the  line  of  work  under  consideration. 
For  the  sake  of  learning  about  the  practice,  or 
methods,  of  other  institutions  of  a  kindred 
nature,  quite  a  number  of  proprietary,  refer- 
ence, state,  and  some  strictly  historical  libra- 
ries and  societies  were  also  included  in  the 
questioning. 

Circulars  and  query  forms  were  sent  to  350, 
and  answers  were  received  from   167,  or  48 


per  cent. ;  108  of  those  came  from  the  north 
Atlantic  states.  Of  such  replies  112  were 
from  "public  libraries  "  as  that  term  is  com- 
monly understood. 

Of  those  responding  122  indicate  a  disposi- 
tion to  obtain  and  use  these  petty  materials  of 
local  history.  For  the  45  who  reply  in  the 
negative  it  may  be  said  that,  usually,  some 
good  reason  or  local  circumstance  to  the  con- 
trary was  adduced.  Such,  for  instance,  as 
limited  quarters  or  opportunity  ;  or,  the  fact 
that  another  institution  near  by  already 
covered  the  same  ground  sufficiently. 

As  regards  the  183  who  did  not  make  any 


LAkE  PLACID 


reply,  it  is  not  safe  to  assume  that  none  of 
them  come  within  the  category  of  libraries 
which  might  have  answered  yes. 

It  is  no  easy  matter  (within  the  proper  lim- 
its of  this  paper)  to  specify  the  various  kinds 
of  material  sought  and  given  place  in  our  li- 
braries, etc.,  as  constituting  such  minor  litera- 
ture. "Everything  in  print,  which  comes  into 
our  possession,"  seems  to  be  the  rule  of 
some  ;  but  in  more  general  terms  it  may  be 
said  that  the  subjoined  list  includes  the  chief 
items  which  usually  receive  any  consideration 
other  than  in  some  exceptional  cases  : 

Annual  reports  of  local  societies,  associa- 
tions, and  institutions ;  those  of  municipal 
and  other  corporations  ;  handbooks,  manuals, 
and  proceedings,  of  district,  town,  borough, 
city,  and  county  executive,  and  governing 
bodies,  or  organizations  ;  newspapers  ;  local 
periodicals  of  every  nature,  however  ephemer- 
al ;  illustrated  catalogs  of  local  manufacturing 
or  industrial  establishments  ;  church-lists  and 
their  other  publications ;  club-lists ;  school 
catalogs,  circulars,  and  commencement  pro- 
grams ;  topic-lists,  and  reading-courses,  of 
literary,  scientific,  or  other  clubs  and  classes  ; 
programs  of  literary,  musical,  theatrical,  or 
amateur  entertainments  ;  sermons  ;  addresses; 
speeches  in  newspaper  print  as  well  as  pamph- 
let ;  newspaper  accounts  of  important  events, 
kept  as  scraps  in  envelopes,  or  made  up  into 
scrap-book  pamphlets,  or  (sometimes,  when 
extensive)  into  scrap-book  volumes  ;  and  bi- 
ographical and  obituary  notices  treated  in 
similar  manner. 

The  sources  from  which  the  material  in 
question  is  usually  obtained,  and  the  methods 
of  so  doing,  may  vary  according  to  local  cir- 
cumstances. They  chiefly  resolve  themselves, 
however,  into  a  matter  of  close  attention  and 
continued  efforts  on  the  part  of  some  one  or 
more  persons,  together  with  repeated  and  per- 
sistent individual  requests  and  searching. 
Varied  phases  of  all  such  appear  in  the  sundry 
replies  received. 

Some  more  or  less  effective  variations  and 
supplementary  measures  have  been  applied, 
too,  in  the  shape  of  circulars,  advertisements 
in  the  local  press,  and  special  printed  appeals. 
Eight  especial  instances  of  such  were  brought 
to  the  notice  of  the  reporter,  respectively,  from 
Bowdoin  College  Library  ;  Historical  Society 
of  the  State  of  Montana  (Helena);  Iowa  Ma- 


sonic Library  (Cedar  Rapids);  Jersey  City 
Free  Public  Library  ;  Kansas  State  Historical 
Library  (Topeka);  Providence  Public  Li- 
brary ;  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Library,  of  New  York 
City  ;  and  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Historical  Library 
at  Springfield,  Mass. 

Scarcely  any  of  our  older  libraries  have 
failed  to  receive  from  time  to  time,  in  a  casual 
way,  somewhat  df  this  minor  literature.  Some- 
times it  has  been  properly  esteemed  and  pre- 
served and  become  the  nucleus  of  collections 
now  quite  extensive  and  highly  valued.  In 
other  cases  it  met  with  the  neglect  usually  ac- 
corded to  inexpensive  productions  and  was 
counted  as  worthless  lumber. 

In  more  recent  years  better  ideas  have  be- 
gun to  prevail  and  both  our  English  cousins 
and  our  American  libraries  have  awakened  to 
a  realization  of  the  fruit  which  might  be 
gathered  from  the  hitherto  neglected  ephem- 
era. A  few  references  and  quotations  may 
here  be  of  interest  and  service  in  that  connec- 
tion. 

Mr.  Cutter,  in  his  President's  address  at 
the  St.  Louis  Conference  (Lib.J.,  14:151),  laid 
down  a  good  rule  to  follow  in  saying  :  "  Every 
town  library  must  collect  exhaustively  and 
preserve  tenaciously  every  book,  pamphlet, 
map,  placard,  poster,  every  scrap  of  written  or 
printed  matter  relating  to  that  town,  and  less 
exhaustively  to  the  neighboring  towns." 

Mr.  Justin  Winsor,  at  the  dedication  of  a  li- 
brary building  at  Somerville,  said  :  "I  think 
there  is  no  more  important  purpose  of  a  local 
library  than  to  preserve  its  local  literature, 
and  the  writings  of  its  local  authors.  There  is 
no  other  sure  way  of  preserving  such  books. 
It  is  those  books  and  tracts  which  are  so  in- 
significant in  their  day  of  freshness,  because 
we  are  too  near  to  them  to  discern  their  rela- 
tions, that  are  preserved  in  obscurity,  to  be- 
come in  one  time  the  treasures  upon  which 
the  binder's  skill  is  exhausted.  The  common- 
ness which  makes  us  despise  them  now,  gives 
the  flavor  which  makes  them  representative 
then." 

In  the  Proceedings  of  the  Catskill  Confer- 
ence (Lib.J.,  13:310-311),  is  reported  an  in- 
teresting and  instructive  discussion  concern- 
ing the  "Collection  of  local  history  by  a  li- 
brary." 

Mr.  W.  R.  Cutter  has  given  in  Lib.  J., 
17:420-422  an  interesting  description  of  the 


NELSON. 


69 


formation  of  a  local  collection  in  the  -Woburn 
Public  Library  and  of  the  practical  manner  in 
which  it  was  treated. 

In  connection  with  the  report  of  a  meeting 
of  the  Massachusetts  Library  Club  (Lib.  J., 
17:428),  is  an  account  of  the  local  collection  of 
the  Concord  Free  Public  Library.  That  li- 
brary is  credited  with  being,  perhaps,  the  first 
to  make  an  especial  collection  of  its  particular 
class. 

The  "  Lancastriana "  of  the  Lancaster 
Town  Library  (brought  together  largely 
through  the  continued  diligence  of  Hon. 
Henry  S.  Nourse  of  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
with  the  painstaking  care  and  continued  as- 
sistance of  Miss  Alice  G.  Chandler,  for  seven- 
teen years  the  librarian),  and  referred  to  in 
Lib.  J.,  19:236,  is  a 'notable  and  model  collec- 
tion of  the  kind.  It  is  described  at  some 
length  in  the  first  report  of  the  Massachusetts 
Free  Library  Commission  (1891) 

That  same  Commission,  in  its  report  of  1894 
(quoted  in  Lib.  J.,  19:198),  gives  good  sugges- 
tions for  the  making,  by  town  libraries,  of  col- 
lections of  local  historical  or  geographical  in- 
terest. Also  suggests  utilizing  the  collec- 
tions in  a  practical  way,  when  made,  in  a  con- 
nection between  libraries  and  schools. 


In  conclusion  it  may  be  said  that  study  of  the 
various  replies  received  seems  to  show  that  all 
through  our  country  the  chief  difficulty  in  the 
way  of  due  preservation  of  material  for  local 
history  lies  in  the  indifference  and  apathy  of 
the  very  public  that  produces  it  and  supplies 
it.  Nor  do  such  institutions  as  the  historical 
societies,  which  exist  almost  solely  for  that 
very  purpose,  appear  to  fare  materially  better 
in  that  respect  than  mere  public  libraries,  un- 
less some  one  person  makes  a  specialty  of 
continually  urging  and  seeking  for  that  which 
is  wanted  and  may  be  had  for  the  asking. 

There  probably  exists  a  greater  need,  there- 
fore, for  educating  all  people  into  a  disposi- 
tion for  saving  and  placing  the  various  ma- 
terial with  some  kind  of  an  institution  (library 
or  other),  than  for  spurring  the  librarians 
themselves  into  any  efforts  for  making  such 
useful.  Genuine  librarians  may  be  trusted  to 
do  the  latter,  once  they  obtain  possession  of 
the  desired  material. 

NOTE. —  Many  persons  having  responded  at  some 
length,  giving  instructive  experiences,  the  reporter  had 
prepared,  in  narrative  form,  quite  a  number  of  abstracts 
from  the  more  striking  replies  and  illustrative  letters  re- 
ceived. Owing  to  considerations  of  space  and  expense, 
however,  it  seems  best  to  omit  such  appendix  in  the 
present  printing  of  this  report. 


REPORT    ON    CLASSIFICATION    AND    CATALOGS. 


BY   CHARLES   ALEXANDER   NELSON,  COLUMBIA   COLLEGE    LIBRARY. 


JV/T R.  Richard  Bliss  in  his  Report  on  Classin- 
cation,  read  at  the  St.  Louis  Conference, 
1889,  discussed  the  question  of  classification 
so  fully  and  clearly,  and  Mr.  Kephart  gave  so 
admirable  a  summary  of  the  subject  in  the 
abstract  of  his  paper  presented  at  Chicago  last 
year,  that  your  reporter  does  not  deem  it 
necessary'  to  renew  the  discussion  at  this  time. 
He  will  simply  endeavor  to  collect  what  of 
major  importance  in  this  field  has  been  noted 
in  the  Library  Journal  or  has  otherwise  come 
to  his  attention  since  the  report  of  1889  was 
published. 

The  Italian  renaissance  in  bibliography  gave 

the  first  important  contribution  in  Dr.  Giuliano 

Bonazzi's  Schema  di>  catalog o  sistemaiico  per 

U  bibliothece,    Parma,    1890,    of  which    Mr. 

10 


Bliss  gives  a  careful  critical  notice  in  Library 
Journal,  16  : 5.  It  is  a  strictly  systematic  clas- 
sification, Mr.  Bliss  says,  with  class-marks, 
suitable  for  libraries  of  moderate  size,  and, 
though  Dr.  Bonazzi  is  a  believer  in  close  classi- 
fication, and  recognizes  that  it  gives  the  most 
satisfactory  results,  he  has  not  worked  out  his 
Schema  with  anything  like  minuteness,  though 
he  has  carried  it  out  on  these  lines.  Mr.  Bliss 
points  out  the  limitations  of  a  base  of  twenty- 
five  capital  letters  to  which  Bonazzi  confines 
his  main  divisions  or  classes  using  but  one  letter 
for  each,  in  which  respect  he  declares  Bonazzi's 
device  shows  no  advance  on  the  schemes  of 
twenty  years  ago.  At  the  same  time  he  com- 
mends some  felicities  of  sub-classification  and 
concludes  that  "  Dr.  Bonazzi  has  attained  a  fair 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


measure  ol  success  in  his  attempt  to  compile 
a  logical  and  simple  classification  for  a  small 
library. ' ' 

His  arrangement  of  classes  is  as  follows  : 
A,  General  works  ;  B,  Ethnic  religions,  my- 
thology, etc.  ;  C,  Christian  religion  ;  D,  Juris- 
prudence ;  E,  Sociology;  F,  Philology;  G, 
Literature  ;  H,  Philosophy  ;  I,  Science,  physi- 
cal and  mathematical ;  K,  Chemistry ;  L, 
Natural  science  ;  M,  Medicine  ;  N,  Surgery ; 
O,  Pharmacy  ;  P,  Veterinary  science  ;  Q,  Ag- 
riculture ;  R,  Industry  and  manufactures  ;  S, 
Fine  arts ;  T,  Music ;  U,  Recreative  arts, 
sport,  theatre ;  V,  Geography  ;  W,  Voyages 
and  travels  ;  X,  Archaeology  ;  Y,  Biography  ; 
Z,  History. 

The  Classification  of  the  Cornell  University 
Library  is  briefly  outlined  by  G.  W.  Harris  in 
Lib.  /.,  16:138.    He  says:  "Hardly  a  single 
professor  whom  I  consulted  about  the  arrange- 
ment of  the  books  in  his  special  line  of  work 
was  willing  to  accept  any  of  the  printed  classi- 
fications without  more  or  less  modification. 
The  result  is  that  ours  is  a  classification  based 
rather  upon  practical   convenience  than  any 
strictly  logical  method.     Our  classes  are  asso- 
ciated rather  than  subordinated  one  to  another. 
We  begin  our  numeration  with    Language, 
followed  by  Literature;  History  comes  next, 
its  arrangement  and  position  largely  the  con- 
sequence of  the  terms  of  the  gift  of  the  White 
Library,  which  had  to  be  placed  in  a  separate 
room,  and  which  we  desired  to  bring  into  as 
close  relation  as  possible  with  allied  subjects 
in  the  General  Library.     After  History  comes 
Law,  followed  by  a  group  comprising  Political 
science,   Political  economy,  Social    life    and 
Education.      Next    comes    Philosophy,   then 
Religion,  followed  by  Ecclesiastical  history. 
In  the  division  Arts  and  Sciences,  we  have 
first  the  Fine  arts,  including  here  Music  and 
Dramatic  art.     We  make  no  general  separa- 
tion of  the  Sciences  from  the  Useful  arts,  as 
is  done  in  most  systems.     The  applications  of 
any  science  are  for  the  most  part  associated 
with  the  science  itself,  an  arrangement  the  re- 
sult of  consultation  with  the  professors  most 
interested  in  the  various  subjects.     The  ar- 
rangement is  somewhat  like  this  : 

"Mathematics,     followed    by  Astronomy, 
Naval  and  Military  science. 
Engineering,  Civil  and  Mechanical. 
Technology  and  Domestic  arts. 
Physics. 


Chemistry,  followed  by  Chemical  technology. 
Mineralogy,  followed  by  Metallurgy. 
Geology  and  Petrography. 
Palaeontology . 

Botany,  Forestry,  Horticulture,  Agriculture. 
Zoology,  Anatomy,  Physiology,  Medicine. 

' '  Of  Biography  we  have  made  no  separate 
class  except  for  dictionaries  and  collective 
biographical  works,  our  biographies  being 
distributed  throughout  the  different  classes, 
the  life  of  an  author  with  his  works,  lives  of 
statesmen  with  the  history  of  their  time,  etc. 
Travels  too,  are,  for  the  most  part,  distributed 
in  a  similar  way.  Bibliography  is  placed  next 
to  general  literature.  Folklore  we  have  de- 
cided to  place  with  the  books  on  Social  life, 
between  Political  economy  and  Education. 
.  .  .  Much  of  their  work  is  done  by  our 
professors  and  advanced  students  among  the 
books,  and  the  arrangement  of  biographies 
and  travels  in  separate  classes  would  be 
extremely  inconvenient  to  the  students  who 
wish  to  study  the  history  or  literature  of  a 
particular  period,  while  it  is,  as  we  know  by 
experience,  a  great  convenience  to  our  histor- 
ical students  to  have  the  lives  of  statesmen 
with  the  histories  of  their  time.  The  same 
thing  is  true  of  our  literary  students,  and  so  we 
have  no  separate  class  of  Fiction. 

"The  literature  of  a  country  we  arrange 
chronologically  by  periods,  sub-dividing, 
where  it  seems  desirable,  the  literature  of  a 
period  by  classes,  as  Poetry,  Drama,  Fiction. 
For  many  libraries  this  would  be,  no  doubt,  a 
very  inconvenient  arrangement.  For  us  it 
seems  much  the  best. 

"As  to  notation  we  have  adopted,  in  the 
main,  an  expansive  system  of  press-numbers 
on  the  British  Museum  plan,  taking  the  num- 
bers from  loo  to  9,999  for  the  presses  in  the 
stacks,  and  leaving  gaps  between  the  numbers 
actually  used  at  present.  A  letter  denotes  the 
shelf,  and  to  each  shelf,  we  allot  99  numbers, 
leaving  gaps  to  be  filled  by  future  additions. 
In  this  way  we  think  we  have  combined  many 
advantages  of  the  fixed  and  relative  location 
systems.  Such  is  a  brief  outline  of  our  scheme, 
which  seems  to  suit  our  needs,  though  for 
another  library  with  different  needs  and  a 
different  constituency  it  might  not  be  found  at 
all  satisfactory. ' ' 

This  last  sentence  of  Mr.  Harris'  brings  us 
at  once  to  C:  H.  Hull's  notice  (in  Library 
Journal,  16:118)  of  Dr.  Arnim  Grasel's 


NELSON. 


Grundzuge  der  BibJiothekslehre  mit  biblio- 
graphischen  und  erlautemden  Anmerkungen, 
Neubearbeitung  vonj.  Petzholdts  Katechismus 
der  Bibliothekslehre,  1890  ;  though  not  a  clas- 
sification the  point  emphasized  by  Mr.  Hull 
bears  distinctly  upon  the  relative  merits  of  clas- 
sifications, and  may  well  be  brought  out  here. 
Referring  to  Dr.  GrasePs  notes  Mr.  Hull  says  : 
"  On  account  of  the  fulness  with  which  they 
cite  the  literature,  especially  the  American 
literature,  of  each  subject  discussed,  they  are, 
for  American  readers,  not  the  least  valuable 
part  of  the  book."  Much  of  value  was  buried, 
too,  in  the  foreign  literature.  "  Dr.  Grasel 
attempts  to  be  the  needed  miner  .  .  .  preserv- 
ing most  of  the  gold  and  washing  away  most 
of  the  gravel.  ...  If  we  find  in  his  book 
much  to  disagree  with,  we  shall  find  much, 
perhaps  more,  that  we  can  approve.  Nor, 
indeed,  need  dissent  from  some  of  the  opinions 
advanced  blind  us  to  the  force  with  which 
they  are  presented.  Indeed,  if  we  feel  that 
library  methods  should  be  adapted  to  the 
library  in  which  they  are  used,  that  they  are 
relative,  not  absolute,  we  may  profit  most  by 
the  very  passages  from  which  we  dissent.  Dr. 
Grasel  himself  is  fully  convinced  of  the  rela- 
tivity of  library  methods.  He  thinks  'that 
system  the  best  which  most  appropriately  and 
completely  corresponds  to  the  special  pecu- 
liarities and  real  needs  of  the  library.'  His 
book  is,  therefore,  rather  suggestive  than 
dogmatic.  It  is,  perhaps,  allowable  to  empha- 
size this  one  of  Dr.  GrasePs  many  merits  be- 
cause the  spirit  which  produces  it  seems  to  be 
vanishing  from  among  us.  The  writer  (Mr. 
Winsor)  of  the  first  paper  ever  printed  in  the 
Library  Journal  appreciated  this  relativity 
fully.  But  that  was  in  the  Dark  Ages  in  1876. 
Since  our  Renaissance  we  are  prone  to  at- 
tempt the  solution  of  all,  or  nearly  all,  problems 
without  reference  to  their  conditions.  Hence 
the  frequent  advocacy  of  various  schemes 
suited,  perhaps,  well  enough  to  the  ideals  of 
the  schemers,  but  without  adaptability  to  any 
collection  of  existing  facts  in  the  heavens 
above  or  the  earth  beneath  or  the  waters  un- 
der the  earth." 

Minute  Classifications  for  Education  are 
given  in  Lib.  J.,  16:  329,  one  by  Mr.  Linder- 
felt,  the  other  the  Seventh  scheme  from  C: 
A.  Cutter's  "Expansive  classification,"  of 
which  more  will  be  said  later  on. 


W.  A.  Borden's  Sun- classification  for  Pho- 
tographic collections  ( Lib.  J.,  17:195)  is  carried 
out  to  eighteen  divisions  which  are  very  un- 
evenly sub-divided.  For  example,  Arts  and 
trades  are  sub-divided  into  General,  Extrac- 
tive arts,  Chemical  arts,  Fabricative  arts,  Con- 
structive arts,  Commercial  arts,  Recording 
arts,  Domestic  arts  and  Miscellaneous,  and 
these  have  forty-four  additional  sub-divisions 
providing  special  places  for  such  peculiar  sub- 
jects of  the  photographic  art  as  lumber,  chem- 
icals, bleaching  and  dyeing,  beverages,  busi- 
ness, book-keeping,  stenography  and  type- 
writing. On  the  other  hand,  Medical  science 
has  no  sub-divisions,  and  Fine  arts  but  nine 
of  the  most  general  character,  such  as  Sculp- 
ture and  allied  arts,  Painting  and  decoration, 
Furniture  and  fabrics  (decorative). 

Mr.  John  Parker,  Assistant-Librarian,  ex- 
plains the  Peabody  Institute  system  of  press- 
marks (Lib.  J.,  17:233)  which  may  be  briefly 
condensed  as  follows  :  The  stories  are  num- 
bered from  i  to  6  and  the  alcoves  from  i  to 
7,  and  on  the  wall  of  every  alcove  is  placed  its 
proper  number.  An  alcove  contains  ten 
presses,  each  having  seven  shelves,  except 
those  on  the  first  story,  which  have  eight ; 
the  presses  are  numbered  from  i  to  10,  and 
the  shelves  from  i  to  7  or  8,  as  the  case  may 
be.  The  books  placed  in  these  alcoves  have 
corresponding  numbers,  and  no  press-mark 
exceeds  four  figures.  A  book  marked  1436 
(to  be  read  one  four  three  six)  belongs  on 
the  first  story,  fourth  alcove,  third  press,  and 
sixth  shelf.  The  same  numbers  are  used  for 
both  sides  of  the  library,  the  sign  —  (minus) 
being  placed  before  the  press-marks  of  all 
books  on  the  east  side  of  the  hall. 

Nothing  is  said  about  any  other  book-num- 
ber, the  press-mark  simply  indicating  the 
shelf  on  which  the  book  maybe  found,  and 
it  appears  that  the  reader  must  give  the  title 
of  the  book  wanted  upon  the  call-slip.  This 
somewhat  resembles  the  fixed  location  shelf- 
number  of  the  Astor  Library. 

Mr.  J.  C.  Rowell,  Librarian  of  the  University 
of  California,  prints  (Lib.  J.,  17:447)  the  Clas- 
sification of  pure  mathematics  devised  for  that 
library  by  Prof.  Irving  Stringham  of  the  Uni- 
versity. Mr.  Rowell  says:  "The  new  clas- 
sification and  notation  has  a  base  of  999,  lower- 
case letters  being  appended  for  sub-divisions 
and  minor  classes.  The  letters  a,  b,  c,  inva- 


LAKE  PL  A  CTD   CONFERENCE. 


riably  represent  bibliography,  dictionaries  and 
cyclopaedias,  and  periodicals  respectively. 

"  The  principle  guiding  the  classification  is 
to  arrange  the  subjects  in  the  '  natural  order,' 
—  the  natural,  consecutive  order  of  study  ;  to 
place  related  subjects  in  proximity  to  each 
other,  and  theories,  generals,  history,  etc., 
before  applications,  particulars.  The  numerals 
from  i  to  999  are  distributed  throughout  to 
the  end  that  no  principal  class  shall  have  more 
than  three  figures  as  its  class-mark.  Author 
numbers  are  added  to  the  class-marks  for 
each  book." 

Mr.  C.  R.  Olin,  Librarian  of  Buchtel  College, 
Akron,  O.,  has  devised  An  order  table  for  col- 
lective biography  (Lib.  J.,  18:144).  "I  have 
made,"  he  says,  "a  table  to  be  used  in  con- 
nection with  Cutter's,  to  bring  together  in  any 
given  class  of  biographies  all  of  those  works 
which  treat  of  the  lives  of  several  persons, 
arid  at  the  same  time  to  have  them  arranged  al- 
phabetically by  their  authors,  editors,  or  col- 
lectors, as  the  case  may  be,  immediately  pre- 
ceding the  individual  biographies  of  the  same 
class  (Decimal  classification)." 

The  use  of  this  table  does  not  seem  neces- 
sarily to  be  limited  to  the  Decimal  classifica- 
tion. 

Miss  Mary  E.  Hawley,  of  the  Library 
School,  in  an  admirable  notice  of  Ed.  Reyer's 
Entwicklung  und  Organisation  der  Volksbiblio- 
theken,  1893,  (Lib.  J.,  19:97)  condenses  the 
author's  observations  on  classification  as  fol- 
lows :  "  As  to  classification,  in  the  interest  of 
international  comparison  a  scheme  should  be 
adopted  not  too  far  differing  from  the  English 
and  American.  The  classes  recommended 
are,  in  brief:  i,  Religion,  philosophy,  educa- 
tion ;  2,  History  and  biography ;  3,  Geog- 
raphy and  travel  ;  4,  Political  economy  and 
sociology  ;  5,  Household  or  domestic  matters 
(for  the  benefit  of  feminine  readers);  6,  Man- 
ufactures, technology ;  7,  Natural  science 
and  mathematics  ;  8,  Art,  including  art  indus- 
tries ;  9,  Language  and  literature  ;  10,  Poetry 
and  drama  ;  n,  Fiction."  Juveniles  should 
be  classified  and  distributed  among  the  other 
books,  but  indicated  by  J.  Periodicals  also 
should  be  classified. 

Mr.  W:  I.  Fletcher  in  his  Public  Libraries  in 
America  devotes  chapter  5  to  "  Classification 
and  catalogues,"  and  submits  in  Appendix  i, 
a  Scheme  of  classification,  which  is  also  pub- 


lished separately  as  Library  classification  ;  re- 
printed, with  alterations,  additions,  and  an 
index,  1894.  Both  of  these  books  are  noticed 
in  Lib.  J.,  19:237.  Your  reporter  is  inclined 
to  the  opinion  of  this  critic  when  he  says  "it 
is  perhaps  to  be  regretted  that  librarians, 
especially  younger  librarians,  should  be  con- 
fronted with  still  another  'system,'  and  that  Mr. 
Fletcher's  influence  should  add  an  additional 
perplexity  to  the  troublesome  decision  as 
to  whether  'Dewey,'  'Cutter,'  or  (now) 
'  Fletcher '  shall  be  adopted  in  individual  li- 
braries." 

Mr.  Fletcher  is  somewhat  dogmatic  in  his 
denunciation  of  the  ""multitudes  of  schemes 
[of  classification  that]  have  been  contrived 
which,"  he  says,  "  have  had  more  or  less  ac- 
ceptance, especially  with  librarians  not  qual- 
ified or  not  disposed  to  do  independent  work 
of  this  sort." 

Mr.  Fletcher's  own  admissions  that  his  first 
small  alphabetical  scheme  will  be  changed  in 
a  larger  library  to  one  in  which  the  classes  will 
be  numbered,  and  that  "when  the  library  has 
outgrown  such  a  system  and  requires  a  more 
definite  arrangement,  a  scheme  of  classes  can 
be  made  out  with  reference  to  the  books  in 
hand  and  to  those  likely  to  be  added,"  simply 
throw  into  the  future  an  amount  of  work  and 
expense  which,  in  a  rapidly  growing  library, 
can  not  be  economically  undertaken  or  met, 
and  which  can  be  wholly  avoided  by  the 
adoption  in  the  beginning  of  one  of  these  ob- 
jectionable "schemes,"  in  which  the  lesser 
needs  of  a  small  library  are  embraced  without 
confusion  in  the  provision  made  for  the  ever 
expanding  and  varying  needs  of  the  largest. 

It  may  be  questioned,  too,  in  what  respect 
the  "sub-divisions"  in  his  own  scheme  of 
classification  (as  under  Physics)  and  such 
other  "  as  may  be  needed  in  any  class  "  differ 
from  "  minor  classes  "  subordinated  "  to  more 
general  ones,  and  these  to  others,  as  happens 
in  the  logical  classifications."  Verily  the 
cacoethes  classificandi  seems  to  prevent  Mr. 
Fletcher  from  seeing  that  since  "no  com- 
pletely satisfactory  results  can  be  obtained  in 
the  effort  to  apply  to  an  individual  library  a 
scheme  imported  from  without "  his  own 
scheme  of  classification  necessarily  falls  into 
the  same  category  with  "all  the  classification 
schemes." 

If  Mr.  Fletcher  had  been  less  sweeping  in 


NELSON. 


objection  to  " all  the  classification  schemes" 
his  own  would  have  been  less  open  to  attack 
from  his  own  words  against  them. 

His  classes  and  sub-divisions  differ  in  order, 
though  but  very  little  in  name,  from  those  of 
all  the  other  schemes.  His  numerical  nota- 
tion, awkwardly  expansive  as  it  is,  is  prefer- 
able to  the  simple  "press-marks"  which  have 
proved  satisfactory  in  instances  referred  to 
above,  as  it  will  allow  of  separate  book-num- 
bers. Many  town  libraries  will  doubtless  find 
his  Library  classification  sufficient  for  their 
needs,  as  they  would  also  find  any  other 
scheme  or  part  of  scheme  of  equal  scope. 

Apropos  to  our  subject  a  letter  of  Mr. 
Kephart's  (Lib. ./.,  17:228)  deserves  reproduc- 
tion here:  "  For  a^ong  time  T  have  not  written 
about  my  struggles  with  the  classification 
problem.  This  was  not  from  lack  of  interest 
in  the  matter,  but  because  I  had  vowed  not  to 
say  anything  about  it  until  I  had  either  adopted 
'Cutter'  or  finished  something  more  to  my 
taste.  Being  of  Pennsylvania  Dutch  stock, 
and  consequently  stubborn,  I  hammered  away 
on  my  scheme,  until  at  last  it  is  fit  to  test  side- 
by-side  with  'Cutter.'  The  test  has  been 
made,  and  I  am  not  sorry  to  say  that  'Cutter' 
has  won.  My  classification  was  really  not 
bad  (pardon  the  egotism),  and  my  notation 
was  good  in  many  ways.  But  neither  of  them 
is  an  all-around  improvement.  They  are  sim- 
ply a  little  better  in  some  ways  and  a  good 
deal  worse  in  others. 

"  I  do  not  regret  the  time  and  energy  con- 
sumed. The  disciplinary  value  of  the  work  is 
worth  what  the  fury  cost  me;  and  I  can  now 
appreciate  the  tremendous  labor  represented 
by  cumulative  classification  —  the  strain  upon 
knowledge,  skill,  and  common  sense,  that  Mr. 
Cutter  has  borne  with  a  smile  all  these  years. 
Make  any  use  of  this  confession  you  please." 

This  brings  us  to  a  brief  consideration  of 
Mr.  Cutter's  Expansive  classification,  Part  i: 
The  first  six  classifications,  1891-93.  Of  the 
Seventh  classification  the  sections  Philosophy, 
15  p.,  part  of  Religion  and  religions,  48  p.,  and 
of  History,  20  p.,  and  the  Local  list,  35  p., 
have  been  received.  Mr.  Cutter's  own  words 
from  his  Introduction  are  moderate  and  to 
the  point:  "We  must  not  expect  too  much 
from  classification.  It  will  never  enable  us 
to  do  away  with  either  the  author  or  subject 
catalogue.  .  .  .  But  within  the  proper  limits  of 


its  work,  and  in  connection  with  the  catalog, 
classification  is  of  the  greatest  value  as  one  of 
the  keys  that  unlocks  the  treasure-house  of 
knowledge.  .  .  .  However  well  a  librarian  may 
know  the  position  of  his  books,  however  in- 
dependent he  may  be  of  catalog  and  classifi- 
cation, when  he  dies  or  resigns  he  will  take 
away  his  knowledge  with  him.  There  is  no 
way  in  which  he  can  transmit  part  of  it  to  his 
successor  so  quickly  and  so  effectually  as  by 
leaving  the  books  well  classified." 

"  Libraries  might  be  arranged  in  an  ascend- 
ing series,  with  reference  to  the  need  and 
gain  of  order.  .  .  .  The  three  factors,  size,  use 
and  degree  of  shelf  access  enter  in  varying 
proportions  into  each  library's  character,  and 
by  the  resulting  product  its  managers  can  de- 
termine how  minute  shall  be  its  classification." 

Referring  to  the  necessity  of  changing  the 
marks  when  change  is  made  from  a  broad  to 
a  closer  classification,  he  warns  "against  the 
inexpediency  of  selecting  a  too  simple  clas- 
sification for  a  fast-growing  library. .  Always 
classify  ahead  of  your  stock  of  books.  I  am 
tempted  to  say  the  farther  ahead  the  better." 

The  first  six  classifications  have  a  general 
index.  Each  division  of  the  Seventh  will  have 
its  own  index.  While  a  general  library  may 
find  its  needs  fully  met  by  the  Fifth  or  Sixth, 
a  special  or  sudden  development  in  any  one 
or  more  directions  can  be  met  by  adopting  the 
corresponding  divisions  from  the  Sixth  or 
Seventh  classifications. 

There  is  neither  time  nor  space  for  your  re- 
porter to  mention  all  the  catalogs  and  bulle- 
tins worthy  of  special  mention  that  have  been 
published  since  the  report  of  1890.  The  selec- 
tions made  must  therefore  not  be  considered 
in  any  way  invidious. 

Mr.  Paul  L.  Ford  reviews  in  terms  of  high 
praise  in  Lib.  J.,  16:14,  The  Charlemagne 
Tou'er  Collection  of  American  colonial  laws 
(by  C:  R.  Hildeburn),  1890,  published  for  the 
Historical  Soc.  of  Pa.,  and  at  p.  55  of  the  same 
volume  the  Catalogue  of  the  N.  Y. Southern  So- 
ciety "  Garden  library^  of  Soiithern  Ameticana, 
1891. 

A  partial  bibliography  of  the  published 
works  of  members  of  the  American  Hist.  Assoc. 
by  Paul  L.  Ford,  1890,  is  given,  p.  163-427  of 
the  annual  report  of  the  Assoc.,  and  is 
noticed  Lib.  J.,  16:150,  by  W:  I.  Fletcher. 
Mrs.  Mary.  H.  Miller's  Biennial  report  of  the 


74 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


State  Librarian  to  the  Gov.  of  Iowa,  July  i, 
1892,  contains  "  a  very  creditable  attempt  to 
catalog  the  publications  of  the  State  govern- 
ment "  in  chronological  order ;  there  are 
adeed  a  "  Check  list  of  Iowa  laws,  1838-90," 
a  "  List  of  Iowa  authors  with  their  publica- 
tions," and  a  table  of  "Statistics  relating  to 
public,  university,  and  school  libraries  in 
Iowa." 

Mr.  Ford,  Lib.  ./.,  17  :  61,  pronounces  "A 
descriptive  catalogue  of  the  official  publications 
of  the  Territory  and  State  of  Indiana  from 
1800  to  1890,"  by  far  the  fullest  and  most  care- 
ful list  of  State  publications  which  has  yet  ap- 
peared," one  which  should  serve  as  a  model  for 
other  catalogs  of  the  kind.  In  Lib.  J.,  16:54, 
17:174  and  18:51,  Mr.  Ford  reviews  respectively 
the  2ist,  22d,  and  23d  annual  Report  of  the  State 
Librarian  of  New  Hampshire,  Arthur  R.  Kim- 
ball.  These  notices  must  be  read  or  the  reports 
themselves  be  examined  to  understand  the 
amount  of  careful  and  valuable  work  they 
contain.  The  twenty-first  gives  :  i."TheN.H. 
official  publications,  1889-90,"  continued  in 
the  others;  2.  "A  list  of  reports  of  depart- 
ments, etc.,  1822  to  1889,"  extended  to  1892 
and  indexed  to  1891  ;  3.  "A  list  of  N.  H. 
regimental  historians  and  histories  ;"  4.  "A 
check-list  of  N.  H.  laws  from  178910  1889," 
also  extended  to  1892  ;  5.  "  An  author-list  of 
N.  H.,  1685-1829."  "An  alphabetical  classed 
list  of  all  the  libraries  in  N.  H."  is  given  in  the 
twenty-third  report,  and  other  valuable  mat- 
ter is  also  given  in  this  as  well  as  in  the 
twenty-second  report. 

Mr.  J :  G.  Ames'  ' '  List  of  Congressional  doc- 
uments from  the  15th  to  the  sist  Congress,  1892, 
is  or  should  be  in  the  hands  of  every  librarian, 
and  is  invaluable  wherever  government  doc- 
uments are  to  be  collected  and  preserved. 

Mr.  J.  C.  Filling's  Bibliography  of  the  Al- 
gonquian  languages,  1891,  and  his  bibliogra- 
phies of  other  Indian  languages  are  wonder- 
ful contributions  "  to  our  knowledge  of  Amer- 
ican literature  as  a  whole." 

Mr.  W:  C.  Lane's  Index  to  recent  reference 
lists;  No.  4,  1890,  with  its  predecessors,  fur- 
nishes a  key  to  a  vast  amount  of  otherwise  ab- 
solutely buried  information,  and  adds  greatly 
to  our  general  indebtedness  to  the  Harvard 
Bibliographical  contributions,  of  which  this  is 
No.  40.  No.  45,  also,  containing  Notes  on 
special  collections  in  American  libraries,  by 


W:  C.  Lane  and  C:  K.  Bolton,  will  prove  in- 
valuable to  students  in  special  lines  of  work. 
Mr.  Ford,  Lib.}.,  17:461,  has  done  good  ser- 
vice in  showing  up,  in  his  notice  of  the  work, 
those  libraries  which  neglected  to  make  care- 
ful response  to  the  circular  letters  of  inquiry 
that  were  issued. 

A  topical  outline  of  the  courses  in  con- 
stitutional and  political  history  of  the  U.  S. 
given  at  Harvard  College,  1889-91,  by  Prof. 
A.  B.  Hart,  though  not  a  catalog,  is  of  so  great 
value  to  librarians  in  general  as  to  call  for 
mention  here. 

Prof.  H:  Carrington  Bolton  deserves  the 
gratitude  of  all  librarians  for  his  labor  of  love 
in  compiling  A  select  bibliography  of  chemistry, 
1492-1892,  published  by  the  Smithsonian  In- 
stitution, Miscel.  coll.  v.  36,  no.  851. 

Mr.  W:  C.  Lane,  Lib.  J.,  16:148,  reviews 
carefully  and  fully  the  Eclectic  card-catalog 
rules  by  Karl  A.  Linderfelt,  and  makes  the 
general  criticism  that  "too  many  distinctions 
and  special  classes  of  books  are  made,"  but 
he  adds  "The  book  may  advantageously  be 
used  as  a  text-book  in  connection  with  Cutter's 
for  training  assistants,  and  in  all  libraries  as  a 
record-book  in  which  to  set  down  the  details 
and  methods  of  work  peculiar  to  each."  The 
book  is  of  value  to  every  cataloger  because  in  it 
are  incorporated  the  rules  of  all  the  other 
systems  of  cataloging  known  to  the  compiler, 
thus  making  it  "a  digest  of  the  accepted 
practices  of  the  art  and  mystery  of  catalog- 
ing." 

The  St.  Louis  Mercantile  Library  Catalogue: 
Sec.  i,  English  prose  fiction,  1892,  is  a  catalog 
of  14,000  v.  and  was  compiled  in  five  months. 
"  It  reflects,"  says  the  late  Miss  H.  E.  Green, 
"the  greatest  credit  both  on  the  library,  and 
on  its  compiler,  Miss  Kate  E.  Sanborn.  It 
shows  no  sign  either  of  haste,  or  of  a  "prentice 
hand,' but  is  a  model  of  clearness,  conciseness, 
and  economy  of  entry.  The  book-numbers 
are  given  for  all  titles,  being  the  Cutter  author- 
numbers,  preceded  by  the  number  7,  denoting 
the  class  English  prose  fiction,  and  followed 
by  the  initial  letter  of  the  special  book-title  ; 
thus  rendering  the  catalog  doubly  valuable  for 
use  in  its  own  library,  and  taking  nothing  from 
its  value  to  persons  who  wish  to  consult  a 
thoroughly  well-arranged  fiction  catalog."  In 
the  appendix  is  given  a  valuable  chronological 
list  (18  pages)  of  historical  fiction. 


NELSON. 


T/ie  Association  of  the  City  oj '  W.  K  Library 
catalogue,  1892,  contains  1135  p.  and  includes 
nearly  40,000  v. ;  is  in  two  parts,  an  author  cat- 
alog in  large  type,  with  medium  titles  and 
imprints  ;  and  a  subject-index  with  very  short 
titles,  compiled  by  W.  J.  C.  Berry  and  J.  H. 
Senter. 

The  Catalogue  of  the  Marsh  library,  Uni- 
versity of  Vermont,  1893,  complied  by  H.  L. 
Koopman,  is  a  handsome  volume  of  742  p. 
giving  in  a  dictionary  form  the  contents  of  that 
important  philological  collection  of  13,000 
volumes.  The  work  has  been  carefully  and 
admirably  done. 

A  subject-index  of  the  modern  works  added 
to  the  Library  of  the  British  Museum  in  1885- 
90,  by  G.  K.  Fortescue,  1891,  notwithstanding 
its  high  cost  (ten  dollars)  is  a  volume  of  great 
value  to  the  librarian  who  would  keep  his  selec- 
tion of  important  books  fully  up  to  date, 
covering  as  it  does  the  best  of  recent  publica- 
tions of  all  lands  arranged  under  the  subjects  of 
which  they  treat. 

An  interesting  paper  on  How  to  catalog 
books,  by  J.  Taylor  Kay,  is  reprinted  Lib.  J., 
19: 125  from  the  Nineteenth  Century  for  July, 

1893- 

Librarians  collecting  works  in  the  Italian 
language  will  welcome  Imigliori  libri  Italiani, 
consigliati  da  cento  illustri  contemporanei, 
Hoepli,  1892,  a  volume  of  about  450  p.,  made 
up  from  lists  selected  by  a  hundred  of  the  best 
known  literary  men  and  scholars  of  Italy,  who 
were  requested  to  name  what  they  considered 
the  best  books  in  the  various  departments  of 
Italian  literature.  It  contains  about  5,000 
titles  of  ancient  and  modern  works. 

Signora  Giulia  Sacconi-Ricci  contributes 
a  paper  entitled  "Observations  on  the 
various  forms  of  catalogues  used  in  modern 
libraries,  with  special  reference  to  a  system  of 
mechanical  binding  "  to  Lib.  J.,  18  423,  which 
will  interest  most  librarians,  and  deserves 
special  mention  here  for  its  admirable  state- 
ment of  the  points  covered. 

The  Harlem  Library  catalogue,  1893,  in- 
cludes the  17,000  volumes  in  the  library  in  a 
simple  dictionary  catalog  of  948  p.,  compiled 
under  the  direction  of  Geo.  M.  Perry,  librarian, 
by  Rev.  Albert  Lee,  formerly  of  Columbia 
College  Library,  and  F.  Weitenkampf  of  the 
Astor  Library. 

Pools' s  Index  to  Periodical  Literature :  The 


second  supplement  from  fan.  i,  1887,  to  Jan  i, 
1892 ;  by  W:  I.  Fletcher  and  others,  1893, 
needs  only  that  its  title  be  rcorded,  as  its 
value  is  familiar  to  all,  and  so  also  of  the 
Annual  literary  index  for  1892  and  1893,  which 
every  library  should  have. 

The  A.  L.  A.  Index  to  general  literature, 
etc.,  1893,  may  not,  but  should,  be  as  well 
known  as  Poole's  Index,  for  they  belong  side 
by  side  in  every  library.  Indeed  the  A.  L.  A. 
Index  should  find  a  place  in  even  the  smallest 
library,  where  Poole's  would  not  be  needed 
because  the  sets  of  periodicals  indexed  by  it 
might  never  find  place  on  its  shelves.  While 
the  list  of  those  books  indexed  in  the  A.  L.  A. 
Index  would  be  a  constant  reminder  of  the 
books  to  be  bought  for  its  small  collection. 

Vol.  15  of  the  Index-catalogue  of  the  Library 
of  the  Surgeon- General's  Office,  U.  S.  A.,  has 
recently  been  published,  covering  from  Uni- 
versidad  to  Vzoroff.  This  volume  includes 
6,152  author-titles,  representing  3,312  volumes 
and  4,235  pamphlets.  It  also  includes  8,596 
subject- titles  of  separate  books  and  pamphlets 
and  35,667  titles  of  articles  in  periodicals. 
The  fifteen  volumes  include  163,605  author- 
titles,  representing  80,806  vols.  and  139,891 
pamphlets ;  and  also  include  160,245  subject- 
titles  of  separate  books  and  pamphlets  and 
497,832  titles  of  articles  in  periodicals.  The 
amount  of  labor  involved  in  these  figures  can 
best  be  appreciated  and  understood  by  the 
catalog-librarian,  who  knows  what  analytical 
work  means.  The  wonder  is  how  Dr.  Billings 
has  been  able  to  secure  the  appropriations 
needed  to  carry  on  this  magnificent  work,  the 
completion  of  which  seems  to  be  clearly  in 
sight.  This  is  the  work  which  a  library  trus- 
tee in  New  York  once  told  your  reporter  "had 
turned  the  heads  of  all  the  librarians  in  the 
country."  As  in  almost  the  same  breath  he 
said  that  "all  librarians  were  cranks,"  the 
enormous  amount  of  "conservation  of  en- 
ergy" in  this  grand  Index  is  evident.  The 
vision  of  Dr.  Billings  transfusing  some  of  his 
magic  power  into  the  library  committees  of 
Congress,  and  the  staff  of  the  Library  of  Con- 
gress, with  the  joined  possibilities  of  the  co- 
operation of  the  ever-ready  and  ever-willing 
workers  in  this  Association,  rises  in  the  ima- 
gination, with  a  promise  of  results  that  seem 
chimerical  to  us  ;  but  why  should  a  General 
subject-index  to  American  libraries  seem  more 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


of  a  chimaera  to  us  than  this  Index  would  have 
seemed  to  the  librarians  of  twenty-five  years 
ago? 

One  of  the  handsomest  catalogs  yet  pub- 
lished is  the  Catalogue  of  the  Library  of  the 
Long  Island  Historical  Society,  1863-93,  1893. 
We  quote  from  the  preface  :  ' '  The  present 
catalogue  makes  no  attempt  to  classify  books 
by  their  subjects,  or  to  give  an  index  to  the 
contents  of  them,  but  simply  to  present 
a  list  of  those  now  possessed  by  the  Society. 
It  is  strictly  a  catalogue  of  books,  not  a  dic- 
tionary of  the  subjects  treated  in  books;  and 
it  assumes  that  those  using  it  will  know  what 
authors  they  wish  to  consult,  and  on  what  sub- 
jects these  have  written.  Each  book  has, 
therefore,  commonly  but  one  full  title,  under 
the  name  of  its  author.  Almost  the  only  ex- 
ception to  this  rule  occurs  in  biographical  and 
genealogical  works,  where  the  full  title  is  given 
under  the  name  of  the  person  or  the  family 
with  whom  the  book  is  concerned,  with  a 
cross-reference  to  or  from  the  author."  The 
catalog  was  made  by  Miss  Jessie  E.  Prentice 
"  with  the  utmost  care,  and,  the  Directors  be- 
lieve, with  an  exact  and  elegant  accuracy. ' ' 
it  contains  801  p.  in  double  columns  of  a  very 
clear  and  distinct  type  the  author's  surname 
in  a  full-face  type,  and  the  contents,  when 
given,  in  a  smaller  type  than  the  regular 
titles.  The  pages  average  a  little  over  50 
titles  each.  The  book  is  beautifully  printed, 
and  bound  in  plain  gray  buckram  with  a  white 
paper  label. 

It  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  mention  here 
the  Catalog  (now  printing)  of  the  Avery  Me- 
morial Library,  Columbia  College,  of  archi- 
tectural and  related  works.  The  collection 
covered  by  the  catalog  embraces  about  12,000 
vols.  presented  to  the  Library  by  Samuel  P. 
Avery,  Esq.  The  catalog  will  contain  1,100 
or  more  pages,  large  octavo.  The  type  is 
small  pica  for  titles  of  books,  the  authors' 
names  in  pica  of  De  Vinne  full-face,  with  con- 
tents and  notes  in  nonpareil.  The  book-num- 
bers are  printed  on  the  right  of  the  titles. 
The  paper  is  a  dead  white  and  the  page  is  re- 
markably clear  and  almost  sumptuous  in  bril- 
liancy. The  classification  and  notation  were 
especially  devised  by  Mr.  Geo.  H.  Baker  for 
the  collection. 

The  Catalog  of  the  "A.  L.  A."  Library, 
1893,  calls  for  mention  only  for  the  sake  of 


record.  Like  good  wine  it  needs  no  bush. 
Not  that  it  is  perfect ;  each  one  of  us  could, 
of  course  (!),  strike  out  a  score  of  titles  and 
replace  them  with  better  ones,  and  these 
would  all  be  different.  But  the  A.  L.  A.  cat- 
alog stands  as  the  model  for  the  general  li- 
brary of  its  size. 

Mention  must  be  made,  too,  of  the  Los  An- 
geles Public  Library  List  of  novels  in  the  En- 
glish, French,  German  and  Spanish  lan- 
guages, 1894.  It  is  an  author-index  of  English 
and  foreign  writers,  in  one  alphabet.  "The 
main  features  of  the  catalog  are  the  simple 
brevity  of  the  entries  —  author,  title  and  call- 
number  only  —  the  system  of  annotation,  the 
list  of  books  of  criticism,  and  the  arrangement 
of  the  subject-index."  It  was  compiled  by 
Miss  Adelaide  R.  Hasse,  assistant  librarian, 
aided  by  members  of  one  of  the  training- 
classes  of  1893. 

It  does  not  often  fall  to  the  lot  of  a  reporter 
to  include  the  romance  of  a  library  in  his  re- 
port, but  the  chance  now  offers  in  the  case  of 
the  Guille-Alks  Library ;  Encyclopedic  cat- 
alogue of  the  lending  department  compiled  un- 
der the  direction  of  A.  Cotgreave,  Guernsey, 
1893.  This  fat  duodecmo  volume  contains  an 
introduction  ot  47  p.,  an  English  section  of 
1220  p.  and  a  Section  Francaise  of  273  p.  It 
contains  8,000  author,  7,000  subject  and 
12,000  title  entries  ;  3,000  biographical  and 
2,000  explanatory  notes  ;  50,000  references  to 
other  works  (or  analytical)  and  the  contents 
of  3,000  works  have  been  given.  Mr.  Cot- 
greave's  claims  for  novel  features  are  dis- 
posed of  in  the  notice  in  Ltb.J.,  18:445.  The 
romance  comes  in  the  history  of  the  founding 
of  the  Library. 

In  1832  Thomas  Guille,  a  lad  of  fourteen, 
left  his  home  in  Guernsey  and  came  to  New 
York  as  apprentice  to  Daniel  Mauger,  a  car- 
penter and  builder.  The  boy  was  fond  of 
reading  and  his  master's  books  were  made 
free  to  him  for  use.  Among  them  was  Dr. 
Adam  Clarke's  Scripture  Commentary  and  "  it 
was  through  the  Doctor's  clever  and  striking 
explanations  of  several  passages  of  Scripture 
by  the  aid  of  physical  science,  that  the  youth- 
ful student's  taste  for"  the  study  of  natural 
science  was  aroused.  In  1834  he  was  intro- 
duced to  the  privileges  of  the  Apprentices' 
Library.  "Never  shall  1  forget,"  he  writes, 
"  the  emotion  of  wonder  and  delight  which 


AUSTIN. 


seized  me,  when,  for  the  first  time,  I  entered 
that  Library.  .  .  .  Up  to  that  evening  I  had 
never  seen  so  many  books  gathered  together, 
and  what  more  especially  surprised  and  de- 
lighted me  was  the  assurance  that  they  were 
all  intended  for  the  special  benefit  of  young 
apprentices  like  myself." 

On  his  way  home  that  night  there  flashed 
into  his  mind  the  need  of  just  such  a  library  as 
the  Apprentices'  for  his  native  island.  He  re- 
solved to  save  every  penny  possible  for  the 
purchase  of  books  which  should  form  a  nucleus 
for  a  future  ' '  Guernsey  Library. "  "Ere  I  had 
reached  home,"  he  says,  a  "tolerably  com- 
prehensive outline  of  the  projected  institution 
was  actually  sketched  in  my  mind  .  .  .  and  to 
this  early  outline  I  have,  as  regards  its  main 
features,  ever  since  adhered. ' '  The  same  year 
F.  M.  Alles,  an  old  schoolmate,  came  from 
Guernsey  also  as  apprentice  to  Mr.  Mauger. 
They  renewed  their  companionship  and  having 
similar  tastes  Alles  joined  in  the  plans  of  young 
Guille.  The  latter  kept  his  book-case  in  his 


employer's  office  where  his  selection  of  books 
attracted  the  attention  of  Wm.  C.  Bryant, 
Horace  Greeley,  Dr.  Draper  and  Francis 
Lieber. 

The  young  men  worked  together  for  years 
and  as  partners  were  afterwards  successful  in 
business  and  amassed  fortunes.  In  1856  Mr. 
Guille  established  the  "  Guille  Library  "  and 
supported  it  for  twenty-five  years.  In  1881 
Mr.  Alles  joined  him  in  the  good  work,  and  in 
Nov.,  1888,  the  new  and  enlarged  home  of  the 
Guille- Alfts  Library  and  Museum  was  thrown 
open.  Just  one  hundred  years  earlier,  in  1788, 
Adam  Clarke,  with  a  young  bride,  had  settled 
in  Guernsey  and  resumed  his  classical  and 
scientific  studies  (which  six  years  before  had 
been  relinquished  at  the  bidding  of  a  bigoted 
and  ignorant  brother-minister,  who  had  per- 
suaded him  that  "the  learned  languages" 
were  soul-destroying  snares  of  the  devil), 
little  dreaming  where  the  seeds  of  his  sowing 
would  fall  or  what  fruit  would  ripen  when 
a  century  had  passed. 


REPORT    ON    AIDS    AND    GUIDES. 


BY    WILLARD    H.    AUSTIN,    REFERENCE    LIBRARIAN,    CORNELL    UNIVERSITY    LIBRARY. 


'HPHE  reports  on  aids  and  guides  that  have 
thus  far  been  given  before  the  Associa- 
tion have  not  taken  on  any  uniform  character, 
or  been  based  upon  any  one  principle  of  se- 
lection. They  have  largely  been  the  follow- 
ing out  of  that  which  seemed  to  the  reporter 
to  be  the  most  important  phase  of  the  com- 
prehensive subject.  This  report,  perhaps 
more  than  any  other,  ought  to  be  from  its 
very  nature,  one  of  the  most  important  that  is 
presented,  since  it  contains  something  for 
every  working  librarian  whether  his  field  for 
usefulness  be  large  or  small.  It  ought  to  be  a 
brief  characterization  of  all  the  bibliographi- 
cal aids  and  guides  that  have  appeared  during 
the  year,  should  define  their  exact  scope,  and 
call  attention  to  their  good  and  bad  qualities. 

The  difficulties  attending  the  making  of 
anything  like  a  satisfactory  report  of  this  na- 
ture must  surely  be  realized  by  every  one  who 
has  ever  made  the  attempt.  In  the  first  place 
no  one  person  is  in  the  position  even  to  know 
about  all  the  bibliographical  helps  that  appear, 
II 


much  less  to  have  a  knowledge  of  their 
merits  and  defects  that  would  make  his  opin- 
ion a  safe  guide  for  others  to  follow.  Hun- 
dreds of  titles  of  works  of  this  character  ap- 
pear in  the  various  reviews  and  book  journals 
every  year,  and  the  sight  of  them  there  is  all 
the  knowledge  that  many  ever  get  of  a  large 
part  of  them.  How  unsatisfactory  this  is  we 
all  know.  In  so  many  cases  the  titles  are 
misleading,  giving  one  a  right  to  expect  more 
than  the  work  actually  gives,  and  in  so  many 
instances  failing  to  indicate  all  that  the  books 
themselves  do  contain,  that  an  opinion  of  a 
work  based  upon  other  than  a  personal  ex- 
amination must  be,  necessarily,  very  unsatis- 
factory and  not  altogether  a  safe  one  to  follow. 
For  this  reason  any  attempt  at  a  selection 
from  a  great  many  titles  as  I  have  been  forced 
to  do  is  attended  by  a  great  liability  to  err  on 
the  side  of  keeping  some  which  should  be 
thrown  out  and  omitting  others  which  should 
be  included. 
These  difficulties  forced  me  to  conclude 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


that  this  is  a  report  peculiar  in  itself,  that 
never  can  be  made  satisfactorily  by  one  per- 
son without  the  aid  and  assistance  of  many 
others.  That  it  can  and  ought  to  be  made  an 
invaluable  feature  of  these  annual  conferences 
no  one  doubts.  Indeed,  I  cannot  think  of 
any  one  thing  in  the  way  of  practical  help, 
especially  to  librarians  of  libraries  limited  in 
resources,  that  would  be  more  helpful  than  to 
get  a  reliable  opinion  of  the  exact  scope  and 
value  of  the  principal  helps  that  have  appeared 
during  the  year,  from  persons  who  have  ac- 
tually used  such  helps.  But  no  one  person  is 
in  a  position  to  have  used  more  than  a  small 
part  of  all  that  appear,  nor  consequently  able 
to  speak  with  authority  of  any  but  a  limited 
number  of  such  aids. 

Realizing  this  I  have  thought  I  might  make 
a  suggestion  that  would,  theoretically  at  least, 
solve  the  problem.  The  suggestion  is  that 
this  most  important  report  be  made  coopera- 
tive. That  the  work  of  this  report  be  done  by 
a  committee  composed  of  members  whose 
work  familiarizes  them  with  the  value  of  some 
portion  of  all  the  helps  that  appear  during  the 
year.  Under  the  direction  ot  a  chairman  the 
work  could  be  so  apportioned  that  it  would 
not  fall  heavily  on  any  one  save  the  chairman 
who  would  still  be  the  person  responsible  for 
the  results  obtained.  In  this  way,  while  it 
may  not  be  possible  to  cover  all  the  works 
issued,  we  would  get  valuable  opinions  of  the 
worth  of  a  large  number  from  those  who  had 
actually  used  them.  This  committee,  which 
should  be  large,  could  have  its  work  in  hand 
from  the  close  of  one  conference  to  the  open- 
ing of  the  next,  and  in  this  way  gradually  ac- 
cumulate its  material  for  the  report. 

When  the  force  of  this  plan  came  to  me,  and 
I  realized  that  I  should  add  one  more  to  the 
list  of  unsatisfactory  reports,  I  thought  that 
possibly  I  might  secure  something  like  the 
same  results  as  would  be  obtained  by  the  co- 
operative plan,  which  I  have  mentioned,  by 
getting  from  the  many  specialists,  which  one 
finds  at  a  university  center,  an  opinion  of  the 
value  and  scope  of  the  several  bibliographies 
that  had  appeared  in  their  line  during  the 
year.  The  thought,  however,  came  too  late 
for  me  to  act  upon  it  to  any  extent,  since  these 
men  were  already  scattering  for  the  summer, 
and  I  could  therefore  reach  but  very  few,  and 
not  enough  to  appreciably  change  the  char- 
acter of  this  report. 


There  remained,  therefore,  nothing  for  me  to 
do  but  to  gather  from  the  Publishers'  Weekly, 
Literarische  Centralblatt,  Library  Journal, 
and  the  various  other  publications  of  a  like 
character,  such  information  as  it  was  possible 
to  obtain,  with  the  feeling  that,  however  un- 
satisfactory it  must  be,  it  perhaps  would  be 
better  than  no  report. 

In  doing  this  I  was  confronted  by  such  a 
mass  of  material  as  to  cause  me  to  realize  that 
some  limitations  must  be  sought  within  which 
to  confine  the  lists  of  works  given,  in  order 
that  they  might  not  prove  too  large  to  come 
within  the  measure  of  such  a  report.  This 
treatment  was  made  particularly  necessary  in 
the  present  case,  because  of  the  fact  that  four 
years  had  elapsed  since  the  last  report  of  this 
character  was  made.  It  became  a  question 
whether  it  would  be  the  better  plan  to  cover 
the  more  important  works  of  the  whole  peri- 
od, or  to  attempt  to  cover  as  far  as  possible 
all  the  works  of  the  brief  period  of  one  year. 
The  first  of  these  two  plans  seemed  to  me  to 
be  the  more  desirable.  In  order  to  do  this, 
however,  I  found  it  necessary  to  eliminate 
great  classes  of  helps  which  seemed  to  be  of 
less  importance  to  the  general  reader  and,  for 
this  reason,  of  corresponding  less  importance 
to  the  librarian  in  his  work  of  assisting  the 
general  reader. 

The  first  large  class  of  books  that  I  thought 
it  possible  to  omit  was  that  of  place  biblio- 
graphies, which  I  have  done ;  not  because 
these  works  are  not  important,  but  because 
their  greatest  usefulness  is  local  in  the  main, 
and  they  are  quite  sure  to  be  in  the  hands  of 
those  who  want  to  make  use  of  them.  Another 
class  which  could  be  omitted  was  the  biblio- 
graphies of  special  subjects  confined  to  spe- 
cial collections,  unless  there  was  good  reason 
for  believing  that  such  collections  were  un- 
usually full  and  complete.  For  purposes 
other  than  purely  bibliographical,  it  seems  of 
comparatively  little  importance  to  consult  the 
bibliography  of  a  subject  contained  in  a 
special  collection  which  is  not  accessible  and 
which  makes  no  claim  to  completeness.  For 
similar  reasons  it  was  thought  advisable  to 
omit  bibliographies  of  special  subjects  cover- 
ing only  a  short  period  of  time,  as  such  works 
are  sure  to  be  incorporated  sooner  or  later  in 
a  more  general  bibliography  of  the  subject. 
Also  lists  of  works  on  special  subjects  cover- 
ing a  long  period  of  time,  but  restricted  to 


AUSTIN. 


79 


some  particular  place,  have  been  omitted,  un- 
less the  subject  was  one  peculiar  to  the  place. 

Again,  catalogs  of  inaccessible  libraries  are 
of  little  practical  use  as  aids  and  guides,  un- 
less they  are  of  such  size  and  importance  as 
to  be  really  valuable  contributions  to  the  bib- 
liography of  a  subject  —  such  as  the  Peabody 
catalog,  the  catalog  of  the  Surgeon  General's 
Library,  and  similar  works. 

Lest  to  many  it  may  seem  strange  that  all 
works  on  library  economy  and  such  works  as 
a  librarian  uses  for  his  professional  growth 
have  been  omitted  it  must  be  said  that  for  the 
most  part  such  works  are  pretty  sure  to  be 
known  to  all  live  librarians  and  it  is  safe  to 
assume  that  this  Association  includes  no  dead 
ones.  Readers  ,of  the  Library  Journal  all 
know  how  very  careful  our  official  organ  is  to 
call  attention  to  all  works  of  this  character, 
and  it  is  only  necessary  to  turn  over  its  pages 
for  the  period  of  time  covered  by  this  report  to 
get  more  than  it  would  be  possible  to  give 
here.  Finally  I  have  thought  it  safe  to  omit 
bibliographies  of  special  subjects  which  are 
so  technical  in  their  nature  as  to  be  of  little 
use  to  others  than  specialists,  since  those  per- 
sons who  are  capable  of  making  use  of  such 
works  are  sure  to  have  a  knowledge  of  them 
without  the  assistance  of  any  librarian. 

After  eliminating  all  these  special  classes 
that  have  been  named  there  are  yet  remain- 
ing the  great  number  of  general  and  special 
bibliographies  ;  the  indexes  to  periodical  lit- 
erature, both  general  and  technical ;  together 
with  the  large  number  of  general  indexes  to 
sets  of  periodicals  and  Society  transactions 
and  proceedings  that  have  been  issued.  Dic- 
tionaries and  encyclopedias,  both  general  and 
special,  and  the  miscellaneous  helps  which 
cannot  be  grouped  with  any  of  the  foregoing 
classes,  complete  the  list  of  those  which  were 
deemed  essentials  in  such  a  selection. 

The  increasing  tendency  to  issue  subject 
catalogs  of  such  portions  of  large  collections  as 
can  really  lay  claim  to  a  considerable  degree 
of  fulness  is  enriching  the  field  of  special  sub- 
ject bibliographies.  Worthy  of  mention  in 
this  class  are  the  printed  portions  of  the 
White  Historical  Library  at  Cornell  Univer 
sity,  covering  thus  far  the  works  in  that  col- 
lection on  the  Protestant  Reformation  and 
the  French  Revolution.  The  catalog  of  the 
most  complete  Dante  collection  given  to  Cor- 


nell University  by  Mr.  Willard  Fiske,  which 
is  now  being  prepared,  will  be  the  latest 
contribution  of  real  value  to  that  subject. 

A  large  number  of  the  really  good  diction- 
aries, both  biographical  and  of  special  sub- 
jects, that  are  now  appearing,  give  full  biblio- 
graphies at  the  end  of  each  article.  The 
"Dictionary  of  National  Biography,"  begun 
by  Leslie  Stephen,  which  has  now  reached 
its  4oth  volume,  is  very  valuable  for  this  fea- 
ture. Schaft's  "  History  of  the  Christian 
Church"  likewise  gives  very  valuable  biblio- 
graphical matter  of  the  subjects  of  which  it 
treats. 

Similarly  many  of  the  leading  periodicals 
devoted  to  special  fields  of  thought  are  follow- 
ing the  very  general  disposition  to  give  com- 
prehensive bibliographies  of  the  subjects 
treated.  The  Quarterly  Journal  of  Econom- 
ics issues  four  times  a  year  elaborate  classed 
bibliographies  which  include  both  books  and 
periodical  articles.  The  Zeitschrift  fur  Lit- 
teratur  und  Geschichte  der  Staatsurissen- 
schaft  published  at  Leipzig  contains  in  the 
January  number  for  1893,  a  classified  biblio- 
graphy—  including  books  and  selected  peri- 
odical articles  in  all  languages  —  of  Political 
economy,  Statistics,  Administrative  law  and 
administration,  Constitutional  law  and  politi- 
cal institutions,  International  law  and  treaties. 
It  is  the  intention  of  the  editor  to  issue  from 
time  to  time  exhaustive  bibliographies  of 
special  subjects. 

Miiller's  "Handbuch  der  klassischen  Alter- 
tumswissenschaft ;"  Paul's  "Grundriss  der Ger- 
manischen  Philologie,"  and  Grober's  "Grund- 
riss der  Romanischen  Philologie,"  all  have 
valuable  bibliographical  contributions  to  their 
special  subjects.  In  Ecclesiastical  history  two 
very  excellent  works  have  appeared  : 
Thayer's  "Books  and  their  use,"  and  Jack- 
son's "Bibliography  of  American  Church 
History." 

Worthy  of  mention  in  the  subject  of  history 
is  the  work  of  Lavisse  and  Rambaud, 
"  Histoire  ge"ne*rale  der  quatrieme  siecle  a  nos 
jour,"  of  which  .the  first  three  volumes  have 
appeared,  and  cover  the  Middle  Ages.  At 
the  end  of  each  chapter  the  several  authors 
contributing  to  the  work  add  a  select  biblio- 
graphy of  the  subject  they  treat,  including 
both  sources  and  modern  authorities.  Books 
in  other  languages  than  French  receive  ample 


8o 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


recognition.  Tourneaux's  "  Bibliographic  de 
1'histoire  de  Paris  pendant  la  revolution 
Francaise,"  draws  into  its  scope  all  the  more 
important  general  works  on  the  period,  with 
admirable  descriptive  and  critical  notes. 
"  Le  Livre  d'or  de  Jeanne  d'Arc,"  by  Lanery 
d'Arc,  is,  probably,  the  most  complete  biblio- 
graphy of  the  subject  ever  issued.  The  In- 
ternational Congress  of  Geologists  have  de- 
clared their  intention  to  issue  a  general  bib- 
liography covering  their  field  of  work,  as  have 
also  the  Geological  Survey  of  the  U.  S.  ;  the 
latter  limiting  the  subject  to  the  United 
States. 

Most  excellent  are  the  bibliographies  ap- 
pended to  the  little  volumes  of  the  "  Great 
writer  series;"  they  are  to  be  recommended 
for  editions  of  the  works  of,  and  periodical 
articles  about,  the  authors  included  in  the 
series. 

In  the  way  of  indexes  to  general  periodical 
literature,  a  number  have  sprung  up  along- 
side of  the  annual  edition  of  the  continuation 
of  Poole  ;  the  most  noteworthy,  perhaps,  be- 
ing that  of  the  Review  of  Reviews,  which  has 
recently  added  an  index  to  portraits.  For 
technical  literature,  the  Repertorium  der 
technischen  Jotirnal  -Litteratur  is  the  most 
comprehensive.  It  covers  a  period  from  1823 
to  1893,  indexing  all  the  important  technical 
journals.  The  special  feature  which  makes  it 
desirable  to  mention  it  here  is  that,  beginning 
with  the  1892  number,  the  index  gives  the 
German  equivalent  for  the  English  technical 
terms,  which  practically  serves  for  the  use  of 
English  readers  as  a  key  to  all  the  previous 
volumes. 

We  are  promised  anew  edition  of  the  "Index 
to  law  periodicals,"  by  L.  A.  Jones,  the  last  of 
which  appeared  in  1887.  A  large  number  of 
special  indexes  to  sets  of  periodicals,  and 
Society  transactions,  and  publications  of  a  like 
nature,  have  appeared  within  the  period  cov- 
ered by  this  report.  Closely  allied  to  this  class 
of  works  are  J.  G.  Ames's  "Lists  of  Con- 
gressional Documents"  and  "Finding- 
lists"  which  so  materially  aid  the  consultation 
of  these  most  perplexing  publications.  What 


promises  to  be  an  exceedingly  valuable  con- 
tribution to  this  class  is  the  subject-catalog  of 
the  scientific  papers  of  the  Royal  Society  which 
has  been  recently  announced  as  among  the 
probabilities.  The  index  of  these  papers  has 
been  confined  thus  far  to  an  author-index, 
which  is  of  little  use  for  the  assistance  of 
readers  ;  and  all  will  hail  with  delight  the  key 
that  unlocks  this  storehouse  of  knowledge. 

Some  important  works  in  the  general  class 
of  cyclopedias  and  dictionaries  have  appeared. 
Kirk's  "Supplement  to  Allibone's  Diction- 
ary" is  so  well  known  that  it  needs  no  special 
mention.  The  supplement  to  the  "  Reference 
handbook  of  medical  sciences,"  which  brings 
the  large  work  edited  by  Buck  down  to  date, 
and  adds  a  number  of  new  articles  not  found 
in  the  original  work,  is  of  great  value.  The 
great  English  dictionary,  edited  by  J.  A.  H. 
Murray  on  the  historical  principle,  continues 
to  grow,  having  reached  the  letter  E,  with  D 
yet  to  make  its  appearance. 

Among  the  great  many  miscellaneous  helps 
and  aids  few,  if  any,  call  for  special  mention 
here.  A  useful  little  manual  is  that  called 
"Minerva,"  nowinits  third  year  of  publication. 
Matson's  "References  for  literary  workers" 
does  not  prove  so  helpful  as  at  first  it  was 
thought  it  might,  owing  to  its  too  general 
character  ;  but  it  is  worth  having  at  hand  for 
the  cases  in  which  it  does  give  just  that  in- 
formation which  is  wanted. 


NOTE. — Owing  partly  to  the  number  of  years  covered  by 
Mr.  Austin's  report,  the  several  exhaustive  lists  compiled 
by  him  as  an  appendix  number  several  hundred  entries, 
notwithstanding  the  limitations  which  he  has  specified. 
The  lists  were  not  read  to  the  Conference  and  the  major 
portion  of  the  titles  included  have  been  named  in  the 
Library  Journal,  from  time  to  time,  in  its  department  of 
Bibliography.  Many  of  the  references  also,  are  to  works 
in  foreign  languages. 

Considerations  of  space  seem  to  require  omission  of 
the  appendix  here,  as  was  the  case  in  1890  (White  Mts. 
Conference)  with  that  prepared  by  Mr.  Beer  in  connec- 
tion with  the  last  previous  report  on  the  same  topic. 

Publicationof  the  compilation  in  question,  with  possible 
additions,  as  a  bibliographical  contribution  in  one  of  the 
University  library  bulletins  (such  as  that  of  Cornell  or 
Harvard),  would  render  it  even  more  serviceable  to 
probable  users  than  its  printing  in  this  connection. 


STEARNS. 


81 


REPORT    ON    READING    FOR    THE    YOUNG. 


BY    LUTIE    E.    STEARNS,    MILWAUKEE    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


T^OR  the  purposes  of  this  report  fifteen  ques- 
tions, indicated  by  the  headings  below, 
were  sent  to  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  li- 
braries in  the  United  States  and  Canada.  Full 
and  complete  replies  were  received  from  one 
hundred  and  forty-five  librarians  to  whom 
grateful  acknowledgment  is  now  made. 

i.  At  what  age  may  children  draw  books? 
Why  do  you  have  an  age  limit  ? 

Thirty  per  cent,  of  the  libraries  reporting, 
have  no  age  limit,  the  seventy  per  cent,  vary- 
ing from  eight  to  sixteen  years  of  age  —  the 
average  age  requirement  being  thirteen  years. 

Various  reasons  are  given  for  an  age  restric- 
tion. "  We  must  preserve  our  books  "  is  oft 
repeated. 

Milwaukee  has  never  had  an  age  limit,  and 
the  first  case  of  malicious  destruction  or  injury 
is  yet  to  be  reported.  No  better  recommenda- 
tion can  possibly  be  given  for  a  good  book 
than  to  have  it  literally  wear  out. 

"We  must  draw  the  line  somewhere,"  say 
other  librarians. 

At  the  London  Conference  of  1877,  Sir 
Redmond  Barry,  Librarian  at  Melbourne,  said 
that  if  it  were  necessary  to  deprive  people  of 
seven  years'  reading,  it  would  be  better  to 
strike  off  the  seven  years  at  the  other  end,  and 
disqualify  people  at  sixty-three ;  adding,  that 
that  view  of  his  was  a  very  unprejudiced  one, 
as  such  a  one  would  exclude  himself. 

"Our  books  are  not  suited  to  young 
people." 

Nothing  is  of  more  importance  in  education 
than  furnishing  young  people  with  the  best 
literature.  Mr.  Horace  E.  Scudder  has  said  : 

"There  can  be  no  manner  of  question  that 
between  the  ages  of  six  and  sixteen,  a  large 
part  of  the  best  literature  of  the  world  may  be 
read,  and  that  the  man  or  woman  who  has 
failed  to  become  acquainted  with  great  litera- 
ture in  some  form  during  that  time,  is  little 
likely  to  have  a  taste  formed  later." 

There  has  never  been  a  time  when  a  little 
money,  judiciously  expended,  would  go  so  far 
in  the  purchase  of  the  best  literature  for  chil- 


dren. Stories,  fables,  myths,  and  simple 
poems,  which  have  been  read  with  delight  by 
countless  generations,  may  be  purchased  in 
most  durable  cloth  bindings,  at  an  average 
cost  of  thirty-two  cents. 

Children  will  read  ;  if  wholesome  reading- 
matter  is  not  furnished  them,  they  will  read 
what  they  can  get  of  their  own  accord. 

Many  libraries  report  that  there  is  practically 
no  limit,  as  children  under  fourteen  use  the 
parent's  card ;  but  through  this  method  the 
parent  suffers  from  the  restriction,  as  it  is 
obvious  that  the  parent  and  his  son  cannot 
use  the  card  at  the  same  time.  The  greatest 
complaint  among  the  librarians  is  the  lack  of 
supervision  of  the  children's  reading,  on  the 
part  of  the  parents  ;  and  yet  these  same  neglect- 
ful parents  are  entrusted  with  the  task  of  taking 
out  cards  so  that  their  children  may  receive 
books  at  the  library  ! 

The  tendency  among  progressive  libraries  is 
toward  the  abolishment  of  the  age  restriction. 
J.  C.  Dana,  of  Denver,  Col.,  writes  : 

"  We  give  a  child  a  card  as  soon  as  he  can 
read.  Children  too  young  to  read,  get  cards 
for  books  to  be  read  to  them." 

Miss  Perkins,  Ilion  (N.  Y.)  Free  Public 
Library,  writes  : 

"We  have  no  age  limit,  because  we  wish 
children  trained  to  love  books  from  their  ear- 
liest recollection.  Our  library  contains  linen 
and  pasteboard  nursery  books  which  are 
drawn  on  card  in  name  of  child,  with  parent 
for  guarantor."  (And  this  in  a  library  of  6,000 
volumes,  in  a  city  of  4,000  inhabitants.) 

Miss  Hasse,  Asst.  Librarian  of  Los  Angeles, 
writes  : 

"We  have  an  age  limit  of  twelve  years,  for 
no  other  reason  than  because  we  are  the  vic- 
tims of  an  absurd  library  custom,  adopted  be- 
fore we  knew  better. ' ' 

Mr.  Crunden,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  says : 

"No  age  limit.  Don't  believe  in  it.  Let 
children  take  books  as  soon  as  they  can 
read." 

Mrs.  Wrigley,  Richmond,  Ind.,  says  : 


82 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


"  A  child  may  take  a  hook  when  he  can 
carry  it  home  safely." 

Mrs.  Sanders,  Pawtucket,  R.  I.  : 

"  We  have  no  age  limit.  Every  pupil  of  the 
schools,  either  public  or  private,  is  expected 
to  have  a  card." 

The  librarian  at  Greeley,  Col.,  writes  : 

"Children  take  books  when  they  are  old 
enough  to  know  pictures  —  usually  at  five 
years." 

The  librarian  of  a  Vermont  library,  who  shall 
be  nameless,  for  obvious  reasons,  writes  : 

"Our  trustees  are  not  progressive,  and  not 
willing  to  change." 

Miss  Hewins,  Hartford,  Conn.,  says: 

"  We  have  no  age  limit.  A  child  may  draw 
a  book  as  soon  as  he  can  write  his  name.  I 
wish  that  the  age  limit  might  be  abolished  in 
all  libraries." 

The  librarian  who  studies  school  statistics 
cannot  help  being  impressed  with  the  grave 
necessity  for  the  extension  of  library  privileges 
unto  the  smallest  child.  In  Milwaukee,  out  of 
5,766  children  who  entered  the  schools  in  1885, 
we  find  but  687  graduating  eight  years  later. 
If  we  had  an  age  limit  in  Milwaukee,  we  would 
reach  but  twelve  per  cent,  of  the  number  in 
school,  to  say  nothing  of  the  thousands  out  of 
school. 

In  Jersey  City  (school  census  of  1891),  we 
find  more  than  half  of  those  attending  school 
in  the  first  four  grades,  from  six  to  ten  years  of 
age.  San  Francisco  (census  of  1892)  has 
87,000  children  between  five  and  seventeen 
years  of  age.  Of  this  number,  40,000  attend 
school  (less  than  half),  and  sixty -four  per 
cent,  of  the  number  attending  are  found  in  the 
first  five  grades.  Of  Boston's  school  popula- 
tion, ninety-three  per  cent,  are  found  in  the 
primary  and  grammar  departments.  Minne- 
apolis has  25,000  school  children  —  22,000 
under  fifteen  years  of  age.  St.  Louis  has 
56,000  children  under  fourteen,  each  one  of 
whom  may  have  a  card  as  soon  as  he  can 
write  his  name. 

One  library  with  an  age  limit  of  fourteen 
years,  reports  that  not  more  than  half  a  dozen 
children  under  twelve,  use  the  library  — and 
this  in  the  face  of  the  fact  that  there  are  41,000 
children  under  fourteen  in  that  city. 

Protect  the  library's  interests  by  a  proper 
form  of  guarantee,  remove  the  age  restriction, 
and  bid  every  child  welcome.  In  this  age  of 


trash  and  printed  wickedness,  when  a  professor 
in  one  of  our  western  universities' feels  tempted 
to  say  that  the  youth  of  this  country  would 
grow  up  to  better  citizenship  and  stauncher 
virtue,  were  they  not  taught  to  read,  and  when 
Frederic  Harrison  sees  on  every  side  the 
poisonous  inhalations  of  literary  garbage,  and 
bad  men's  worse  thoughts,  which  drive  him  to 
exclaim  that  he  could  almost  reckon  the  print- 
ing press  as  amongst  the  scourges  of  mankind 
—  when  we  hear  all  this,- and  see  for  ourselves, 
bad  literature  on  every  hand,  is  it  not  a  pitiful 
spectacle  to  see  this  sign  conspicuously  dis- 
played in  one  of  the  circulating  libraries  in  this 
country—  "CHILDREN  NOT  ALLOWED  IN  THIS 

LIBRARY." 

In  opposition  to  such  cruelty  as  this,  let  us 
quote  the  words  of  the  late  Dr.  Poole  of 
Chicago : 

"  I  could  never  see  the  propriety  of  exclud- 
ing young  persons  from  a  library,  any  more 
than  from  a  church.  From  ten  to  fourteen  is 
the  formative  period  of  their  lives.  If  they 
ever  become  readers,  and  acquire  a  love  of 
books,  it  is  before  the  age  of  fourteen  years. 
No  persons  return  their  books  so  promptly, 
give  so  little  trouble,  or  seem  to  appreciate 
more  highly  the  benefits  of  a  library,  as  these 
youth  of  both  sexes. 

"The  young  people  are  our  best  friends, 
and  they  serve  the  interests  of  the  library  by 
enlisting  for  it  the  sympathies  of  their  parents, 
who  are  often  too  busy  to  read." 

No  assistant  should  be  employed  in  the  cir- 
culating, reference,  or  reading-room  depart- 
ments of  a  library,  who  will  not  give  a  child 
as  courteous  and  considerate  attention  as 
she  would  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees. 

ii.  Do  the  children  use  the  library  to  an  ap- 
preciable extent  ? 

This  is  answered  in  the  affirmative  in  nearly 
every  case  ;  variously  stated  as  one-fifth,  one- 
fourth,  one-third,  and  one-half  of  membership 
under  sixteen  years  of  age. 

in.  Is  the  number  of  books  a  child  may 
take  per  week,  restricted  ? 

One  hundred  and  fifteen  libraries  report  no 
restriction.  Oswego,  N.  Y.,  Portsmouth,  N. 
H.,  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  allow  but  one  book 
per  week.  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  issue  but  one  story-book  to  children 
under  fourteen,  while  schools  are  in  session. 


STEARNS. 


Newburgh,   N.   Y.,   allows    those  under  ten 
years,  but  one  book  per  week. 

Two  books  per  week  —  Germantown,  Penn. , 
Memphis,  Tenn.,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  La 
Crosse,  Wis.,  Richmond,  Ind.,  Kalamazoo, 
Mich.,  Nashua,  N.  H.,  Hamilton,  Ont.,  Evans- 
ville,  Ind.,  Watertown,  Mass. 

Three  books  —  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis.,  Evans- 
ton,  111.,  Fitchburg,  Mass.,  Springfield,  Mass., 
San  Francisco,  Cal.,  Barry,  111. 

Twelve  per  week  —  Elgin,  111. 

iv.  What  per  cent,  of  your  circulation,  is 
children's  fiction  ? 

The  average  is  about  twenty  percent,  of  the 
entire  circulation. 

v.  Do  you  circulate  Alger,  Optic,  Castle- 
mon,  Trowbridge,  and  kindred  authors  ? 

Nine  libraries  report  that  they  do  not  circu- 
late any  of  the  above-named.  Eighteen 
libraries  are  allowing  the  first  three  to  wear 
out  without  replacing.  Twenty-five  libraries 
circulate  Trowbridge  only.  There  seems  to 
be  a  great  difference  of  opinion  in  regard  to 
the  relative  value  and  worth  of  these  authors. 
One  librarian  writes  : 

"Our  set  of  Alger  and  Trowbridge  are  worn 
out  and  not  replaced.  Poor,  thin,  much-abused 
Optic  helps  boys  to  read,  and  leads  up  to 
stronger  books;"  while  another  librarian 
says  :  "  I  consider  that  Alger  and  Castlemon 
have  done  irreparable  injury  to  our  boys,  in 
their  taste  for  more  solid  reading.  Since 
their  purchase,  solid  reading  for  children  has 
fallen  off  ten  per  cent." 

Buffalo-,  N.  Y.,  (partly  subscription)  re- 
ports : 

"One  set  of  Alger,  some  of  Optic  and  Cas- 
tlemon's  issued  on  demand  to  holders  of 
membership  tickets,  but  their  use  is  discour- 
aged, and  none  given  to  holders  of  school 
tickets." 

Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  removed  Castlemon  from 
the  shelves,  two  years  ago,  but  circulates 
Trowbridge.  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  has  Trow- 
bridge, only,  for  which  there  is  but  little  de- 
mand. Trowbridge  is  not  sent  to  schools, 
and  we  find,  at  the  main  library,  that  our  boys 
prefer  something  better. 

vi.  Do  you  have  special  lists  or  catalogues 
for  children  ?  State  price,  if  not  free. 

The  majority  of  libraries  merely  designate 
children's  books  by  some  sign  in  the  main 
catalogue.  Twenty-five  libraries  report  special 


printed  catalogues,  varying  in  price  from  one 
cent  to  fifteen  cents.  Many  are  issued  free. 
Many  libraries  use  Sargent's  and  Hardy's  lists, 
with  numbers  inserted.  Four  have  special 
card-catalogues  for  children's  use.  Some 
designate  a  child's  book  by  a  colored  card, 
while  one  librarian  enters  books  for  children 
under  twelve,  on  yellow  cards,  and  from  twelve 
to  eighteen  years  of  age,  on  blue.  Pough- 
keepsie,  N.  Y.,  has  a  set  of  nine  small -lists 
adapted  to  various  ages.  Miss  Hewins' 
(Hartford,  Conn.)  catalogue  is  worthy  of 
special  commendation.  The  "List  of  books 
for  Township  Libraries,"  prepared  by  Mr. 
Frank  A.  Hutchins,  State  Superintendent's 
Office,  Madison,  Wis.,  is  a  model  list,  in 
every  particular,  and  may  be  obtained  for  the 
asking. 

Milwaukee,  Wis.,  has  a  children's  catalogue, 
and  also  prints  little  lists  of  "150  good  books  for 
girls,"  and  "  150 good  books  for  boys,"  which 
are  issued  free,  and  used  as  call-slips  by  the 
children.  The  list  is  kept  in  the  pocket  of  the 
book  with  the  card.  These  lists  are  used  by 
ninety-nine  per  cent,  of  the  children.  We 
thus  direct  the  reading  of  the  young  by  calling 
attention  to  the  best  books.  (We  shall  be 
glad  to  send  these  lists  to  all  who  desire 
them. ) 

vn.  Do  you  have  Teachers'  cards  ?  How 
many  books  may  be  drawn  at  a  time  ?  Are 
these  books  issued  by  teachers  to  pupils,  or 
used  solely  for  reference  ? 

One-third  of  those  reporting  make  no  distinc- 
tion between  teachers  and  other  borrowers. 
Others  issue  a  card  upon  which  teachers  may 
take  from  two  to  twenty  books  —  the  average 
being  six.  Some  libraries  restrict  the  use  of 
these  books  to  reference  in  the  school-room, 
while  others  leave  it  optional  with  the  teacher. 

If  the  object  of  this  privilege  is  for  purposes 
of  reference,  it  is  a  wise  one  to  follow  ;  but  if 
its  aim  is  to  supply  additional  reading-matter 
to  pupils,  it  is  meagre  in  the  extreme  —  the 
tendency  being  to  get  books  dealing  with 
studies  taught,  rather  than  good  literature  for 
children.  To  "Let  teachers  have  as  many  as 
they  can  use"  is  the  rule  in  an  increasing 
number  of  libraries. 

vin.  Do  you  send  books  to  schools  in  pro- 
portion to  size  of  classes,  *.  e. ,  fifty  pupils  — 
fifty  books,  to  be  issued  by  teachers  to  pupils 
for  home  use  ? 


84 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


Some  one  has  truly  said,  "In  the  work  of 
popular  education  through  libraries,  it  is,  after 
all,  not  the  few  great  libraries,  but  the  thousand 
smaller  ones  that  may  do  most  for  the  peo- 
ple." Greatness  of  cities  hampers  individual 
work.  The  librarian  knows,  from  the  school 
census,  that  there  are  34,000  children,  between 
six  and  fourteen  years  of  age,  in  his  city.  By 
abolishing  the  age  requirement,  he  may  reach 
those  in  the  vicinity  of  the  library  ;  but  what 
of  the  thousands  in  the  home  districts  —  many 
of  whom  have  never  heard  of  the  existence  of 
the  library  ? 

It  seems  to  us  that  the  teacher,  the  one  who 
guides  and  educates,  the  one  who  knows  best 
the  individual  preferences  and  capacities  of 
her  pupils  —  it  is  the  teacher  who  should  di- 
rect the  reading.  The  process  is  most  simple. 
The  teacher  comes  to  the  library  and  selects 
from  the  shelves  a  number  of  books,  in  pro- 
portion to  the  size  of  her  class,  *.  e.,  fifty 
pupils  —  fifty  books.  These  are  sent  to  the 
schools,  and  issued  by  the  teachers  for  home 
use.  The  selection  is  made  from  all  branches 
of  literature  —  mythology,  science,  useful  arts, 
fine  arts,  poetry,  history,  travel,  biography, 
fairy  stories,  stories  of  adventure,  &c.,  &c. 
The  books  are  not  intended,  primarily,  to 
supplement  the  school  work.  They  should 
be  "books  of  inspiration"  rather  than  those 
of  information;  for  "knowledge  alone  can- 
not make  character."  Another  great  ob- 
ject should  be  to  create  a  love  for  books  ;  for 
"  What  we  make  children  love  and  desire  is 
more  important  than  what  we  make  them 
learn." 

Each  pupil  should  be  provided  with  a  library 
card  —  with  parent  as  guarantor  —  thus  reliev- 
ing the  teacher's  responsibility. 

Cleveland,  Ohio,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  Hart- 
ford, Conn.,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  Bridgeport, 
Conn.,  Lancaster,  Mass.,  Chicago,  111.,  Bur- 
lington, Vt,  Dover,  N.  H.,  and  Milwaukee, 
Wis.,  carry  on  this  work  to  a  greater  or  less 
extent.  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  sent  14,075  books 
to  the  schools  from  September  1893  to  May 
30,  1894,  a  remarkable  showing.  Grand 
Rapids,  Mich.,  issued  3,415  books,  which  were 
circulated  15,905  times.  Cleveland,  Ohio,  sent 
4,708  volumes,  the  number  of  issues  being 
38,031,  the  books  being  kept  at  the  school 
during  the  school  year.  (See  "The  Open 
Shelf"  for  June  1894,  published  by  Cleveland 


Pub.   Lib.  — for  description  of  school  circu- 
lation. ) 

A  few  statistics  may  demonstrate  the  growth 
of  this  plan  in  Milwaukee.  In  1888  —  the 
year  of  its  inauguration,  1,650  books  were 
issued  by  teachers,  4,702  times.  During  the 
school  year  1893-94,  14,990  books  were  is- 
sued 42,863  times  —  the  number  of  books 
sent  being  limited  only  by  the  supply  at  our 
command.  The  books  were  returned  to  the 
library  at  the  expiration  of  eight  weeks,  when 
a  new  selection  was  made  by  the  teacher.  It 
must  be  understood  that  this  represents  the 
number  of  books  read  at  home  by  the  children. 
Much  of  the  eighty  per  cent,  increase  in  the 
circulation  at  the  library,  during  the  past  win- 
ter, was  due,  not  alone  to  the  hard  times,  but 
to  the  advertising  which  the  library  received 
in  the  homes,  through  the  schools. 

Many  teachers  select  books  for  the  parents 
and  older  brothers  and  sisters  of  their  pupils. 
The  system  of  school  circulation  is  being 
gradually  extended,  until  it  will  eventually 
embrace  every  grade  of  every  school  —  public, 
private,  parochial  and  Sunday-school,  which 
can  be  induced  to  avail  themselves  of  the 
privilege. 

There  are  many  methods  of  awakening  the 
teachers'  interest  in  the  matter  of  school  dis- 
tribution. We  visit  the  class-rooms  of  the 
public  schools  and  tell  the  children  stories, 
thereby  arousing  a  desire  for  books  ;  we  urge 
upon  the  teachers  the  necessity  of  furnishing 
the  young  with  the  best  literature.  Our  su- 
perintendent of  schools  gives  our  system  the 
heartiest  encouragement  and  support.  That 
he  deems  the  plan  of  the  greatest  importance, 
will  be  shown  in  an  article  by  him  on  "The 
Public  Library  and  Public  Schools,"  in  the 
Educational  Review  (Nov.  1894). 

ix.  Do  you  send  a  number  of  copies  of 
the  same  work  to  schools  for  supplemental 
reading  ? 

Detroit,  Jersey  City,  and  St.  Louis  carry  on 
this  work  extensively.  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  has 
six  sets  of  fifty  copies  each  of  Scudder's  Folk 
Tales,  Franklin's  autobiography,  &c.,  which 
are  sent  from  one  school  to  another.  Jersey 
City,  N.  J.,  issued  11,844  volumes  (twenty 
sets),  in  this  manner,  during  the  past  year. 
The  books  are  carefully  graded,  and  meet 
with  much  favor.  Detroit  sent  17,290  books 
to  the  schools,  for  supplemental  reading-mat- 


STEARNS. 


ter.    The  superintendent  of  schools  of  De- 
troit, in  his  annual  report  (1891)  says  : 

"The  benefits  to  the  higher  grades,  from 
the  circulating  library,  furnished  by  the  Public 
Library,  are  very  decided,  and  there  is  a  per- 
ceptible change  for  the  better  in  the  choice 
of  selections  made  by  the  pupils  ;  and  it  is  the 
universal  testimony,  that  there  is  a  growing 
taste  for  good  reading,  among  our  school 
children." 

This  plan  of  school  distribution  has  much 
to  commend  it.  Educators  are  coming  to 
realize  that  the  modern  school  readers  —  the 
"five  inanities" — are  directly  responsible  for 
the  habit  of  desultory  reading.  But  we  main- 
tain that  the  furnishing  of  supplemental  read- 
ing-matter—  to  be^  read  in  school  —  lies  wholly 
within  the  province  of  the  school  authorities 
of  our  cities.  As  Mr.  Cowell,  of  Liverpool, 
says  :  "  We  leave  the  school-board  to  provide 
their  own  books,  as  they  have  more  funds  a 
their  disposal  than  we  have."  But  few  libra- 
ries can  afford  to  furnish  such  books,  the  de- 
mands of  the  individual  tastes  of  the  child 
being  more  than  can  be  ordinarily  supplied. 

x.  Do  you  circulate  pictures  in  schools  and 
homes  ?  In  what  form  issued  ? 

Newton,  Mass.,  Ilion,  N.  Y.,  Wilkes-Barre, 
Penn.,  and  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  circulate  linen 
and  pasteboard  picture-books  among  the 
smallest  children.  Gloversville,  N.  Y.,  sends 
portfolios  of  photographs  to  teachers  who  wish 
to  illustrate  certain  lessons. 

Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  Denver,  Col.,  and  Mil- 
waukee, Wis.,  select  suitable  pictures  from 
Harper's  Weekly  and  Bazar,  Leslie's,  Scien- 
tific American,  &c.,  &c.,  which  are  mounted 
on  manilla,  gray  bristol,  or  tag-board,  and 
sent  to  the  schools.  In  selecting  pictures,  it 
should  be  the  aim  to  choose  those  of  sesthetic 
value  —  training  the  child's  sense  of  beauty 
and  imagination.  Many,  of  course,  may  be 
used  for  language,  geography,  and  history 
work.  Teachers  of  Milwaukee  organize  "past- 
ing and  cutting  bees,"  thus  relieving  the 
library  of  much  of  the  work. 

As  an  evidence  of  the  popularity  of  the 
pictures,  in  Milwaukee,  we  have  but  to  cite  the 
fact  that  thirteen  hundred  pictures  were  cir- 
culated in  the  schools,  during  May  and  June. 
Los  Angeles  has  fifteen  hundred  pictures  at 
the  disposal  of  teachers.  (For  "Pictures  in 
Elementary  Schools"  see  Health  Exhibition 
12 


Literature,  vol.  13,  pp.  54-77,  and  Prang  Edu- 
cational Papers,  Nos.  r  and  4. ) 

xi.  Do  classes  visit  the  library  ? 

Forty-four  libraries  report  visits  of  classes 
for  the  purpose  of  viewing  art  works,  illus- 
trated books  of  travels,  &c.(  &c.  Lack  of 
room,  prevents  many  libraries  from  extending 
this  privilege. 

Gloversville,  N.  Y.,  organizes  children's 
reading  circles,  and  prepares  a  list  of  books  to 
be  used  in  connection  with  the  courses  of 
reading.  The  topics  selected  are  generally 
supplementary  to  the  school  work.  At  the 
weekly  meetings  of  the  circles  in  the  class-room 
at  the  library,  the  current  events  of  the  week 
are  also  discussed  —  in  this  way  guiding  the 
children  in  proper  newspaper  reading. 

xii.  (a)  Have  you  a  children's  reading- 
room?  (b*)  Is  there  a  special  window  in  cir- 
culating department,  for  children? 

(a)  Minneapolis  devotes  the  lower  corridor 
to  children.    They  are  admitted  to  cases  and 
tables  containing  their  books  —  books  being 
charged  by  an  attendant  at  the  gate. 

Watertown,  Mass.,  gives  up  one  reading- 
room  to  children,  placing  therein  periodicals, 
bound  and  current,  and  other  books  suited  to 
the  young.  Cambridge,  Mass.,  are  adding  a 
children's  room,  in  which  they  intend  to  charge 
books.  Cleveland,  Ohio,  has  a  special  alcove 
for  children.  Omaha,  Neb.,  has  a  special 
department,  in  its  new  building,  for  book  and 
picture  displays,  special  study  rooms,  and 
one  "sample"  room,  in  which  will  be  placed 
the  best  books  for  children,  and  where  chil- 
dren, parents  and  teachers  may  make  selec- 
tions. 

Some  libraries  set  aside  a  certain  part  of 
their  reference  and  reading-rooms  for  chil- 
dren's use. 

(b)  Special  window  for  children  : 

Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  "  Disapproves  decidedly 
of  all  such  segregation." 

Dayton,  Ohio,  has  special  window  for  dis- 
play of  children's  literature. 

Aguilar  Library  (New  York  City)  does  not 
permit  children  to  change  books  after  six  p.  m. 
(How  about  boys  and  girls  who  work  from 
seven  a.  m.  to  six  p.  m.?) 

Dover,  N.  H.,  "Have  no  such  pernicious 
things  as  windows  in  our  circulating  depart- 
ment. We  have  an  open  counter  across  which 
human  intercourse  is  easy." 


86 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


xin.  Have  you  a  special  supervisor  of  chil- 
dren's reading  ? 

Many  librarians  report  that  they  overlook 
the  matter  in  a  general  way,  some  making  it 
their  specialty.  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  has  just  en- 
gaged an  experienced  teacher  for  that  purpose. 
Any  one  taking  this  work  could  find  an 
exhaustless  mine  of  opportunities  —  some  of 
which  have  been  hinted  at  under  the  question 
of  school  circulation. 

xiv.  What  other  important  work  are  you 
doing  for  children,  not  included  in  these  ques- 
tions ? 

Indianapolis,  Ind.,  Cambridge,  Mass.,  and 
San  Diego,  Cal.,  publish,  each  week,  in  one  of 
the  daily  papers,  a  list  of  books  for  younger 
readers,  on  electricity,  travel,  stories,  &c.,  or 
on  some  special  topic  of  the  times.  These 
lists  are  very  popular. 

Many  libraries  place  books  pertaining  to 
school  studies,  on  special  shelves,  to  which 
children  have  free  access. 

Bridgeport,  Conn.,  and  Fitchburg,  Mass., 
have  art  departments  with  well-qualified  assist- 
ants to  show  pictures  to  children,  and  adults. 

Medford,  Mass.,  has  had  talks  given  to  the 
children,  upon  various  subjects,  by  friends  of 
the  librarian. 

Omaha,  Neb.,  is  planning  delivery  stations 
for  the  children. 

San  Diego,  Cal.,  "Turns  children  loose 
among  the  shelves  on  Sundays." 

Dover,  N.  H.,  issues  student's  cards,  on 
which  any  student,  old  or  young,  may  take 
out  a  number  of  books  on  any  special  topic. 

Peoria,  111.,  gives  two  cards  to  each  child  or 
adult — one  for  fiction  and  another  for  purposes 
of  study. 

Portland,  Ore.,  Beaver  Dam,  Wis.,  Greeley, 
Col.,  and  others  allow  children  free  access  to 
the  shelves. 

Free  Circulating  Libraries,  of  New  York 
City,  have  "Children's  Shelves"  containing 
the  best  books,  from  which  parents  and  the 
young  may  make  selections. 

Many  libraries  report  special  assistance 
rendered  to  Youths'  Debating  societies,  essay 
writing,  &c. 

Gloversville,  N.  Y.,  organizes  reading  circles 
(to  which  reference  has  already  been  made). 

The  library  classes  at  Pratt  Institute,  Brook- 
lyn, and  Armour  Institute,  Chicago,  are  start- 
ing home  libraries  in  slum  neighborhoods. 


Miss  James,  of  Wilkes-Barre",  has  organized 
a  boys'  and  young  men's  reading-room  in  a 
similar  locality. 

Brookline,  Mass.,  places  college  and  school 
catalogues  in  reference- room  at  the  end  of 
each  school  year. 

xv.  What  ideas  would  you  like  to  see  de- 
veloped in  connection  with  the  broad  subject 
of  Reading  for  the  Young  ? 

Miss  James,  of  Wilkes-Barre",  voices  the 
sentiments  of  many,  when  she  says :  "I 
would  like  to  educate  the  grandparents  for 
three  generations  back  —  ditto,  the  teachers." 
Twenty-five  per  cent,  of  the  librarians  deplore 
lack  of  interest  and  supervision  of  the  child's 
reading,  on  the  part  of  the  parents.  "Over- 
reading"  on  the  part  of  many  children  is 
another  cause  for  complaint.  The  idea  may 
have  its  objections,  but  we  think  that  a  kindly, 
tactful  letter  to  the  parent,  might  have  its  in- 
fluence. 

Great  care  should  be  exercised  in  the  se- 
lection of  books  for  the  young.  Purity  of 
English  is  a  primary  consideration.  Books 
"written  down"  to  children  should  be  avoided, 
also  those  books  which  do  not,  at  once,  fix  the 
attention  of  the  child.  What  the  boy  world 
needs,  are  books  of  incident,  of  lively  action, 
of  absorbing  interest,  wholesome,  interesting, 
attractive,  in  good  English,  and  yet  free  from 
the  ghastliness  and  vulgarity  of  the  alluring 
dime  novel. 

Many  librarians  advocate  courses  of  read- 
ing in  connection  with  the  school  work;  certain 
books  to  be  read  at  home,  by  the  children,  and 
then  discussed  in  the  school  room.  Much 
latitude  should  be  given  children  in  the  choice 
of  books  to  read  —  thus  not  making  it  a  task 
but  encouraging  a  love  of  reading. 

By  addressing  Teachers'  Institutes  and 
meetings,  the  librarian  or  supervisor  of  chil- 
dren's reading  can  do  much  in  the  way  of 
enlisting  the  aid  and  support  of  teachers.  We 
think  the  work  done  by  the  State  Normal 
School,  and  Public  Library,  of  Milwaukee,  is 
unique  in  this  particular.  A  course  of  library 
reading  of  the  best  authors  is  required  of  the 
Normal  students,  thus  cultivating  the  tastes  of 
the  future  teachers  and  bringing  them  in 
contact  with  the  resources  of  the  library. 
Hundreds  of  copies  of  the  best  books  for 
children  are  sent  to  the  Normal  school,  and 
there  read  and  criticised  by  the  students.  Lists 


STEINER    AND    RANCK. 


of  the  best  books  are  printed  for  future  refer- 
ence. Children  in  neighboring  schools  send 
in  lists  of  books  they  prefer,  thus  giving  the 
students  knowledge  of  what  children  really  like 
to  read.  By  talks  to  the  students  at  the  Nor- 
mal school,  we  emphasize  the  importance  of 
the  work  from  the  librarian's,  teacher's  and 
child's  point  of  view. 

We  believe  there  are  many  fields  still  un- 
explored in  the  provinces  of  children's  read- 
ing. Some  means,  for  example,  should  be 
devised,  in  the  large  cities,  to  send  books  to 
factories  where  children  are  employed. 

Reading  rooms  should  be  opened,  evenings, 
in  school  buildings.  They  should  be  supplied 
with  the  best  periodicals  for  old  and  young,  and 
if  possible,  interesting  books  adapted  to  all 
ages. 

Besides  study  and  class  rooms,  the  modern 
library  should  contain  a  hall,  to  which  children 
may  come  for  instructive  and  entertaining  lec- 
tures. That  this  plan  is  feasible  is  shown  by 
the  course  of  free  lectures  given  in  the  reading 
room  of  the  library  at  Alameda,  Cal.,  during 
the  past  winter,  to  which  extended  reference  is 
made  in  the  August  (1894)  Library  Journal. 

The  circulation  of  lanterns  and  lantern 
slides,  tennis  and  croquet  sets  and  the  best 
indoor  games  —  a  plan  advocated  by  Miss 
Kelso  (Los  Angeles,  Cal.) —  meets  with  the 
warmest  approbation  from  all  lovers  of  chil- 
dren ;  for  if  "Books  of  Refreshment,"  why  not 
"  Games  of  Refreshment "  ? 


That  the  child  is  a  volume  to  be  studied,  ap- 
plies as  well  to  library  as  pedagogical  science. 
We  deprecate  the  spirit  which  prompts  a 
librarian  to  say,  "We  prefer  to  transact 
business  with  older  persons,  as  we  lose  time  in 
making  infants  understand."  As  opposed  to 
this  are  the  words  of  another  who  writes,  "Each 
assistant  has  instruction  by  no  means  to  neg- 
lect the  children  for  the  adults."  The  modern 
library  spirit  may  be  expressed  in  the  words 
of  Miss  Perkins  of  Ilion,  N.  Y.,  who  says  : 

"We  always  treat  children  with  the  same 
consideration  and  courtesy  as  grown  people. 
We  make  them  love  to  come  and  stay  here, 
and  keep  in  touch  with  them  in  every  way 
possible." 

In  closing  our  report,  we  desire  to  submit 
five  questions  for  consideration  : 

How  may  we  induce  parents  to  oversee  their 
children's  reading? 

How  may  we  make  the  guiding  of  her  pupils' 
reading  a  part  of  the  teacher's  work  ? 

What  can  be  done  to  help  a  boy  to  like  good 
books  after  he  has  fallen  into  the  dime  novel 
habit? 

What  methods  have  been  used  with  success 
in  developing  the  taste  of  children  ? 

What  form  of  catalogue,  if  any,  is  of  interest 
and  value  to  children  ? 

A  full  discussion  of  these  questions  will  be 
helpful  to  many  librarians  who  have  the  best 
interests  of  their  child  patrons  close  at  heart. 


REPORT    ON    ACCESS    TO    THE    SHELVES. 


BY    BERNARD    C.  STEINER    AND    SAMUEL    H.  RANCK,  ENOCH    PRATT    FREE    LIBRARY    OF 

BALTIMORE    CITY. 


\  A7"E  beg  to  submit  the  following  report  on 
access  of  the  public  to  the  shelves  in  li- 
braries. A  series  of  sixteen  questions  was 
prepared,  which  we  believed  would  cover  the 
field,  and  these  were  sent  to  about  135  of  the 
representative  libraries  of  the  English-speak- 
ing world.  From  105  of  those  libraries  re- 
plies have  been  received  —  most  of  them  very 
promptly. 

The  experience  of  libraries  is  such  that  it  is 
impossible  to  present  the  results,  with  any  de- 
gree of  satisfaction,  in  tabular  form.  There- 


fore, abstracts  of  the  reports  of  libraries,  for 
the  most  part  those  that  have  had  some  ex- 
perience in  granting  access  to  shelves,  are 
given  in  detail. 

On  only  one  point  are  libraries  generally 
agreed  :  The  public  will  misplace  books,  not 
only  occasionally,  but  always,  or  at  least, 
"  whenever  they  get  the  chance."  Only  four 
report  that  books  are  not  misplaced,  and  in 
these  there  are  special  reasons  ;  one  of  which 
is  that  the  rule  is  obeyed,  forbidding  the  pub- 
lic to  return  books  to  the  shelves.  In  some  li- 


88 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


braries  the  misplacement  is  reported  to  be  of 
no  serious  consequence,  though  it  occurs  fre- 
quently ;  and  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  even 
library  attendants  occasionally  put  books 
where  they  do  not  belong. 

Most  libraries  restrict  access  to  certain 
classes  of  books,  and  some,  to  certain  hours. 
Access  to  fiction  and  juvenile  books  is  very 
generally  denied,  at  least  during  the  busiest 
hours.  Nearly  all  libraries  grant  access  to  a 
few,  and  many,  to  all,  or  nearly  all,  reference 
books.  As  to  the  desirability  of  such  access 
almost  all  are  agreed.  The  practical  difficul- 
ties in  the  way  often  prevent  it.  Of  the  li- 
braries allowing  access  to  the  circulating  de- 
partment the  general  verdict  is  against  access 
to  fiction  and  juvenile  books,  which  usually 
comprise  from  75  to  80  per  cent,  of  the  total 
circulation.  In  this  connection  it  is  interest- 
ing to  note  that  three  libraries  (Alamada,  Cal.; 
Ames  Free  Library,  North  Easton,  Mass.; and 
Worcester,  Mass.)  report  an  increased  per- 
centage in  the  reading  of  books  of  the  better 
class,  and  a  corresponding  decrease  in  the 
reading  of  fiction,  as  a  result  of  allowing  ac- 
cess to  the  shelves. 

Six  libraries  that  have  tried  access  to  the 
shelves  in  some  of  its  forms  have  discontinued 
it.  They  are  the  following:  Bangor,  Me.; 
Kansas  City,  Mo.;  Liverpool,  Eng.;  Lynn, 
Mass.;  Rochester,  N.  Y.;  and  Springfield,  111. 
To  this  list  might  be  added  the  Mercantile  Li- 
brary of  Philadelphia  which  has  restricted  the 
freedom  of  former  years.  The  experience  of 
each  may  be  found  in  the  detailed  reports. 

Twenty-seven  libraries  report  access  by 
permit  of  the  librarian  or  board  of  officers. 
The  greatest  variety  in  the  extent  of  this  priv- 
ilege is  found,  no  two  following  exactly  the 
same  practice.  Thirteen  libraries  allow  free 
access  and  ten  restricted  access  to  the  refer- 
ence department.  Of  the  thirty  libraries  re- 
porting "no  access"  three  have  stated  their 
reason  to  be  "lack  of  room  ;"  three  "don't 
believe  in  it ;"  two  cannot  on  account  of  the 
"present  arrangement;"  one,  each,  on  ac- 
count of  "increased  expense,"  "insufficient 
help,"  "  misplacing  of  books,"  and  because 
"  it  does  not  seem  possible." 

But  one  large  library  (Cleveland,  Ohio)  re- 
ports unrestricted  access  of  all  persons,  to  all 
books,  at  all  times,  with  the  exception  of  a 
few  medical  and  special  books.  The  Appren- 


tices' Library,  of  Philadelphia  and  the  library 
of  Galveston,  Texas,  report  the  same.  We 
learn  from  annual  reports,  and  know  from  per- 
sonal observation,  that  there  are  others.  For 
interesting  opinions  on  the  matter  of  access 
we  would  call  attention  to  the  detailed  reports 
of  Jersey  City  and  Salem.  As  to  types  of  li- 
braries and  forms  of  access  the  following  re- 
ports may  be  mentioned  :  Alameda,  Cal. ; 
Auckland,  New  Zealand  ;  Boston  Athen- 
aeum;  Carnegie,  Braddock,  Pa.;  Clerkcn- 
well,  Eng.;  Denver,  Colo.;  Hamilton,  On- 
tario; Minneapolis,  Minn.;  Newark,  N.  J.; 
Princeton  College  ;  and  Stockton,  Cal. 

The  verdict  of  experience  is  that  for  the  suc- 
cessful operation  of  general  access,  the  stack 
system  is  not  suited.  Some  form  of  the  al- 
cove arrangement  is  the  only  one  that  is  satis- 
factory. Those  libraries  having  general  ac- 
cess have  been  obliged  to  adopt  this  arrange- 
ment, or  at  least  find  it  most  advisable  to  do 
so.  High  shelves,  also,  are  found  unsuited 
for  general  access.  In  other  words,  access  to 
shelves  demands  more  space. 

There  is  the  greatest  diversity  of  experience 
on  the  labor  question.  Some  libraries  find 
they  can  save  the  salaries  of  several  attend- 
ants, while  others  find  that  more  attendants 
are  needed.  The  saving  in  salaries  justifies 
the  increased  space  and  loss  of  books,  in  the 
opinion  of  some,  and  the  greater  satisfaction  to 
the  public  counterbalances  added  cost  of  labor, 
in  the  opinion  of  others. 

In  a  large  library  the  labor  involved  in 
keeping  books  in  their  proper  places  is  no 
small  matter.  The  shelving  now  in  use  in  the 
Central  library  building  alone,  of  the  Enoch 
Pratt  Free  Library  is  more  than  two  miles  in 
length.  The  expense  and  time  involved  make 
it  practically  impossible  to  verify  the  order  of 
those  two  miles  of  books  every  day,  much 
less  "every  morning  while  dusting."  This 
library  allows  free  access  to  nearly  200  dic- 
tionaries, encyclopaedias,  etc.,  in  the  reading- 
room.  These  must  be  placed  in  order  every 
morning,  and  sometimes  again  during  the  day, 
by  the  attendant  in  charge.  Though  the 
room  is  visited  by  hundreds  of  people  daily, 
but  one  or  two  books  have  been  lost  in  the 
history  of  the  library.  To  the  other  parts  of 
the  library,  persons  desiring  to  consult  a  great 
number  of  books  may  have  access,  by  ob- 
taining permission  from  the  librarian.  The 


STEINER    AND    RANCK. 


89 


cases  of  access,  however,  are  rare,  as  we  prefer 
to  send  an  almost  unlimited  number  of  books 
to  the  reading-room.  With  us  the  great  disad- 
vantage is  the  narrow  space  between  the 
stacks,  which  prevents  an  attendant  from  pass- 
ing through  if  any  one  is  there  at  work. 

The  loss  of  books,  while  considerable  in 
many  instances,  is  not  so  general  as  always  to 
be  a  serious  objection.  It  depends  on  the 
community  and  the  arrangement  of  the  books. 
The  same  is  true  of  the  increased  wear  and 
tear. 

The  advantages  claimed  are  :  (a)  The  pub- 
lic better  served,  because  they  get  the  books 
they  want  and  do  it  in  less. time;  (6)  the 
economy  in  administration,  requiring  fewer 
attendants ;  (c]  (a  better  class  of  reading. 
The  disadvantages  claimed  are :  (a)  More 
space  for  books  and  consequently  a  larger 
and  more  expensive  building  ;  (6)  misplace- 
ment of  books  ;  (c)  loss  of  books  ;  (d)  in- 
creased wear  and  tear  of  books  ;  (e)  expense 
in  administration,  requiring  more  attendants  ; 
(_/")  general  confusion  in  the  alcoves,  loitering, 
etc. 

From  the  detailed  reports  it  will  be  noticed 
that,  as  a  rule,  the  time  of  trial  in  most  of  the 
larger  libraries  granting  access  is  comparative- 
ly short,  much  less  than  the  time  of  trial  of 
those  libraries  that  have  discarded  the  system. 

The  facts  brought  forth  by  this  report  seem 
to  indicate  that  satisfactory  results  of  access  to 
the  shelves  depend  almost  entirely  on  two 
factors:  (a)  Arrangement  of  books  so  that  a 
large  number  of  people  may  move  about  free- 
ly without  causing  confusion  ;  (d}  the  charac- 
ter of  the  users  of  the  library,  which  must 
include  honesty  and  the  exercise  of  a  reason- 
able amount  of  care  and  good  sense.  It  is 
obvious  that  these  factors  can  be  dealt  with 
much  more  easily  in  a  small,  than  in  a  large 
library  ;  and  each  library  must  deal  with  them 
in  its  own  way.  The  library  must  be  ad- 
ministered for  the  good  of  all  its  patrons,  and 
we  believe  that  while  good  results  would  be 
obtained  in  some  instances  by  extending  the 
freedom  of  access,  in  others  the  usefulness  of 
the  library  would  suffer. 

ABSTRACTS   OF  REPORTS. 

ALAMEDA  (Cal.)  Free  Library.  16,724  v. 
The  isth  annual  report  of  this  library  contains 
the  most  glowing  account  of  free  access  we 


have  seen.  The  number  of  volumes  issued 
for  home  use  for  the  year  ending  May  31,  1891, 
was  45,645  ;  1892,  51,332  ;  1893,  57,949  ;  I&94, 
'101,404.  The  last  year  the  library  had  free 
access,  and  most  of  the  time  the  entire  desk 
work  was  performed  by  one  assistant.  The 
year  showed  a  decrease  in  the  demand  for 
fiction.  Of  the  total  issue  of  books  for  the 
year  48.3  per  cent,  was  fiction,  18.4  per  cent, 
juvenile,  33.3  per  cent,  other  classes.  The 
preceding  year,  under  the  old  system  of  de- 
livery, the  figures  were  as  follows  :  Fiction, 
62.8  per  cent.,  juvenile,  26.3  per  cent.,  and 
other  classes  10.9  per  cent.  "The  public  has 
shown  its  appreciation  of  the  confidence  re- 
posed in  it,  and  of  the  great  and  undoubted 
advantages  of  the  new  system  over  the  old,  by 
seeing  to  it  that  out  of  over  100,000  books 
issued  for  home  use,  39  only  were  missing." 

AMES  Free  Library.  North  Easton,  Mass. 
I3>731  v-  Access  has  been  granted  to  a  very 
limited  extent  since  its  opening  in  1882.  More 
freedom  given  since  the  fall  of  1892.  Permis- 
sion of  librarian  required  ;  usually  desired  by 
students.  ' '  Would  certainly  need  more  clerks 
if  it  were  often  applied  for."  Replacing 
books  on  shelves  generally  forbidden,  be- 
cause books  are  so  often  misplaced  by  those  of 
the  public  having  access  to  them.  It  seems 
to  encourage  the  public  to  read  a  better  class 
of  books,  but  at  the  same  time  increases  work 
for  the  librarian. 

APPRENTICES'  Library  Co.,  Philadelphia. 
16,200  v.  For  eleven  years  this  library  has 
granted  access  to  the  shelves.  There  is  abso- 
lute freedom.  Books  are  misplaced  and 
shelves  must  be  gone  over  twice  a  day  for 
fiction,  and  2  or  3  times  a  week  for  the  rest  of 
the  library,  to  get  books  in  order.  On  the 
whole,  open  shelves  are  most  desirable. 

AUCKLAND  (New  Zealand)  Free  Public  Li- 
brary. 28,000  v.  A  reference,  with  lending 
library  attached.  Incunabula  and  large  art 
works  only  are  kept  under  lock  and  key  to  be 
given  out  when  asked  for.  The  public  for- 
bidden to  replace  books  on  the  shelves,  which 
are  roughly  scanned  over  every  morning  for 
one  hour  by  two  assistants,  to  keep  the  books 
in  order.  The  increased  wear  is  about  2  per 
cent,  for  books  in  leather  and  5  per  cent,  for 
cloth.  40  to  50  shillings  would  cover  the 
yearly  loss.  "  Every  inducement  is  given  here 
to  the  people  to  enter  the  library.  There  are 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


no  barriers  in  the  way,  not  even  compelled  to 
sign  the  visitors  book.  We  have  not  found 
the  library  abused  in  any  way  by  its  free  and 
open  facilities  to  all." 

BANGOR  (Maine)  Public  Library.  36,408  v. 
Access  granted  only  in  case  of  books  too 
large  to  be  carried  to  the  reading-room.  '  'The 
loss  of  500  books  in  2^  years  by  theft,  and 
disarrangement  of  books  on  the  shelves, 
caused  the  closing  of  the  shelves  to  the  public 
in  1876.  We  have  not  since  thought  it  ad- 
visable to  repeat  the  experiment." 

BERKSHIRE  Athenaeum,  Pittsfield,  Mass. 
23,000  v.  Access  granted  under  favor  or  by 
request.  "  Those  who  request  access  to  the 
shelves  are  almost  invariably  those  of  suffi- 
cient intelligence  to  use  books  properly.  To 
such  persons  the  utility  of  the  library  is  im- 
measurably enhanced  by  free  access  to  the 
shelves." 

BOSTON  Athenaeum,  Boston,  Mass.  183,000 
v.  Unrestricted  access  to  the  shelves  is 
granted  to  all  persons  who  have  a  right  to  use 
the  library,  the  families  of  the  owners  of  the 
1049  shares  and,  in  addition  to  these,  about 
800  persons  who  have  cards  of  admission  from 
the  proprietors.  Free  access  has  been  the 
practice  since  the  foundation  of  the  library. 
The  only  exception  is  the  collection  of  news- 
papers and  one  locked  room  where  particu- 
larly valuable  books  are  kept.  Access  to  the 
shelves  has  no  necessary  effect  on  the  capacity 
of  the  library,  but  it  makes  high  shelves  most 
undesirable,  and  a  stack  system  less  conven- 
ient than  an  alcove  system.  The  number  of 
delivery  clerks  and  runners  for  books  is  much 
less,  as  most  people  prefer  to  go  to  the  shelves 
themselves  and  pick  out  what  they  want. 
Readers  are  requested  not  to  return  books  to 
the  shelves,  but  they  are  just  as  likely  not  to 
observe  this  as  to  do  so.  The  misplacement 
of  books  is  not  such  as  to  produce  any  seri- 
ous inconvenience.  The  shelves  are  gone 
over  carefully  with  the  shelf-list  every  year, 
but  the  attendants  are  always  on  the  lookout 
for  misplaced  books  and  put  them  right.  The 
privilege  of  going  to  the  shelves  directly  is 
considered  the  distinguishing  and  principal 
advantage  of  this  library,  and  the  withdrawal 
of  it  would  be  considered  by  the  proprietors 
as  taking  away  what  is  half  the  advantage  of 
owning  a  share  here.  People  can  be  helped 
much  more  effectually  in  this  way  to  find  what 


they  want  than  if  they  had  the  catalogue  alone 
to  consult. 

BRIDGEPORT  (Conn.)  Public  Library.  Ac- 
cess not  allowed.  "  The  subscription  library 
which  was  the  parent  of  the  present  free  li- 
brary permitted  unrestricted  access,  and  the 
results  were  altogether  disastrous.  In  con- 
sequence of  this,  I  think  public  feeling  wonld 
be  against  open  shelves,  and  with  us  there  is 
no  demand  for  them." 

BROOKLYN  Library,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  116,- 
090  v.  Access  in  special  cases  has  been 
granted  for  25  years  or  longer.  Books  are 
quite  often  misplaced  and  the  shelves 
"  s/ioutd  be  examined  every  time  they  are 
used  by  an  outsider." 

BUFFALO  Library,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  73,000  v. 
For  seven  years  some  2,000  reference  books 
have  been  open  to  everybody.  Access  to 
other  shelves  is  allowed  to  any  person  who 
has  a  good  reason  for  examining  a  considera- 
ble number  of  books.  "  I  think  that  if  our 
library  was  constructed  with  reference  to  it,  I 
should  wish  to  make  the  admission  to  shelves 
more  general,  but  I  doubt  the  expediency  of 
throwing  them  entirely  open." 

CAMBRIDGE  (Mass.)  Public  Library.  42,000 
v.  Grants  access  now  and  then,  but  general- 
ly sends  an  attendant  with  the  reader.  Were 
the  practice  general  it  would  require  a  re- 
arrangement of  the  library. 

CARNEGIE  Free  bibrary,  Alleghany,  Pa. 
26,000  v.  Shelf-permits  are  issued  on  appli- 
cation to  all  who  are  in  search  of  solid  read- 
ing. No  shelf-permits  for  fiction.  The  con- 
struction of  the  stacks  will  not  permit  general 
admission. 

CARNEGIE  Free  Library,  Braddock,  Pa. 
10,000  v.  Books  in  cases  with  glass  doors, 
which  trustworthy  people  may  have  unlocked 
so  as  to  go  to  the  books  at  any  time.  "  The 
special  advantage  of  our  system  is  that  it  al- 
lows our  readers  to  see  the  outside  of  the 
books  and  get  some  idea  of  size,  etc.,  which 
seems  to  give  them  an  indefinable  satisfaction  ; 
that  it  exhibits,  as  it  were,  a  classed  catalogue 
of  the  books  which  are  in  ;  that  it  protects  the 
books  from  dirt  in  an  exceedingly  dirty  town  ; 
that  it  serves  as  an  indicator  to  show  whether 
the  book  wanted  is  in  or  out,  and  this  saves 
the  time  of  the  attendants." 

CHICAGO  (111.)  Public  Library.  200,000  v. 
Access  not  granted.  In  the  new  library  build- 


STEINER    AND   RANCK. 


ing  it  is  proposed  to  have  a  large  number  of 
reference-books  accessible  to  readers,  but  no 
access  to  the  stacks. 

CLERKENWELL  Public  Library,  London, 
Eng.  14,000  v.  So  far  as  we  know  this  is  the 
only  public  library  in  England  that  permits 
public  access  to  its  shelves  in  both  the  lending 
and  reference  departments.  It  has  been  tried 
in  the  reference  department  since  1890  and  in 
the  lending  department  since  May  i,  1894.  In 
the  lending  department  admission  to  the 
shelves  is  "only  allowed  to  borrowers  who 
hold  ticket  vouchers  ;"  reference  unrestricted, 
though  the  reference  access  is  confined  to 
directories,  annuals,  &c.,  "but  will  likely  be 
thrown  open  all  over,  soon."  It  was  necessary 
to  change  the  arrangement  of  the  shelves. 
The  salary  of  one  assistant  saved,  which  will 
go  a  long  way  toward  covering  losses  and 
additional  wear  and  tear.  The  public  may 
return  books  to  the  shelves  and  the  misplacing 
of  books  is  "hardly  worth  reckoning  ;  but  this 
is  due  to  our  special  method  of  marking." 
Shelves  are  gone  over  morning,  afternoon 
and  night  (ten  minutes  each  time  suffices)  to 
get  misplaced  books  in  order.  No  loss  dis- 
covered from  May  i,  to  Aug.  4,  the  date  of 
the  report. 

CLEVELAND  (Ohio)  Public  Library.  80,000 
v.  This  library  has  granted  access  for  more 
than  four  years  ;  there  are  no  restrictions,  save 
that  the  medical  cases  and  a  special  collection 
of  about  loo  volumes  are  not  not  open  to 
boys  and  girls.  It  requires  more  room,  but 
fewer  assistants.  Very  few  books  misplaced  ; 
loss  of  books  "more  than  double  in  four 
years."  It  is  an  economy.  It  increases  the 
use  of  the  library  and  renders  it  much  more 
satisfactory  to  users,  and  more  valuable.  It 
is  superior  in  every  respect  to  the  old  plan. 

COLUMBUS  (Ohio)  Public  Library.  20,000 
v.  Access  has  been  tried  five  years,  but  not 
permitted  to  fiction  cases,  nor  on  Saturdays 
or  busy  hours.  Scientific  and  historical 
books  rearranged.  Increases  the  use  of  the  li- 
brary and  calls  for  more  clerks.  The  public 
will  misplace  books  eight  times  out  of  ten. 
No  noticeable  increase  in  loss,  or  wear  and 
tear  of  books.  Deem  it  a  wise  policy  for  as- 
sisting students  and  special  workers. 

CONCORD  (Mass.)  Free  Public  Library. 
26,000  v.  Free  access  to  the  reference  de- 
partment since  1873,  and  the  past  two  years 


new  books  are  kept  on  shelves  open  to  the 
public,  about  three  months.  "Our  loss  is 
very  small,  but  fully  half  of  it  comes  from  free 
access  to  the  shelves." 

DENVER  (Col.)  Public  Library.  20,000  v. 
"To  every  one  if  clean  and  quiet,"  the  library- 
grants  access  to  all  books  except  fiction  (for 
lack  of  room),  and  "  a  few  nice  books."  Re- 
quires more  space  and  adds  to  the  work.  The 
public  forbidden  to  return  books  to  the 
shelves,  but  they  do,  and  misplace  them. 
Shelves  should  be  looked  after  constantly  to 
keep  books  in  order,  but  manage  to  get  along 
by  going  over  them  about  once  a  month.  Ac- 
cess is  popular  and  "to  keep  the  public  away 
from  the  books  is  not  one  of  the  best  ways  of 
increasing  the  usefulness  of  the  library." 

DETROIT  (Mich.)  Public  Library.  i25,ooov. 
The  arrangement  of  the  main  portion  of  the 
library  makes  it  impossible  to  admit  the  pub- 
lic freely  on  account  of  lack  of  space.  Last 
November  the  reference-room,  containing  in 
addition  to  strictly  reference-books,  all  Poole 
sets,  patent  specifications,  &c.,  was  opened 
freely  to  the  public.  Visitors  instructed  to 
leave  books  on  the  tables  after  using  them. 
Always  one  or  two  attendants  about  the 
room  watching.  The  privilege  greatly  appre- 
ciated, and,  as  far  as  known,  no  books  have 
been  stolen  or  damaged. 

FISK  Free  Library,  New  Orleans,  La. — 
14,000  v.  A  reference  library  ;  reports  small 
increase  in  loss  on  account  of  access  to  the 
shelves,  but  lessens  library  force. 

FRIENDS  Free  Library,  Germantown,  Pa. 
17,500  v.  Access  to  shelves  not  restricted  ex- 
cept to  cases  containing  valuable  books.  Ju- 
venile shelves  must  be  looked  after  weekly,  to 
keep  books  in  order.  "  Rather  a  decrease  " 
in  loss  of  books.  Disadvantage  arises  from 
young  persons  who  are  not  earnestly  looking 
for  information,  but  advantages  outbalance 
disadvantages. 

GAIL  BORDEN  Public  Library,  Elgin,  111. 
15,000  v.  This  library  does  not  grant  access 
and  the  librarian  says  :  "We  have  the  vanity 
to  believe  that  we  can  suit  our  patrons  better 
than  they  could  do  it  themselves  —  and  I  think 
that  mighfbz  true  generally  of  small  libraries. " 

GENERAL  Society  of  Mechanics  and  Trades- 
men (Apprentices'  Library),  New  York  City. 
100,000  v.  For  more  than  31  years  this  library 
has  granted  access  "to  any  who  has  a  good 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


reason  that  commends  itself  to  the  librarian." 
Books  often  misplaced  by  employes.  Of  in- 
estimable advantage  to  students —  "decidedly 
opposed  to  allowing  the  general  reader  to  use 
it  as  an  excuse  for  laziness." 

GRAND  RAPIDS  (Mich.)  Public  School  Li- 
brary. 38,500  v.  Access  granted  only  to 
teachers,  except  reference  department,  where 
any  one  may  have  access  to  the  shelves.  Ar- 
rangement of  circulating  department  makes 
free  access  impossible. 

HAMILTON  (Ontario,  Canada)  Public  Library. 
2 1, 1 75v.  Access  to  all  books,  except  fiction 
and  juvenile,  to  those  who  ask  for  it.  General 
admission  would  require  more  space.  Access 
requires  less  force.  Books  occasionally  mis- 
placed, but  no  increased  loss.  The  librarian 
is  a  strong  advocate  of  access,  with  proper 
restrictions.  "Experience  leads  me  to  state 
that  a  comparatively  small  library,  if  carefully 
classed  and  with  fairly  free  access  to  the 
shelves,  will  confer  as  much  practical  good  on 
the  community  and  give  greater  satisfaction  to 
readers,  than  a  library  twice  its  size  which  is 
not  classified,  and  in  which  access  to  the 
shelves  is  practically  prohibited."  Extract 
from  notice  :  "Take  only  one  book  at  a  time 
from  the  shelf,  and  replace  it  in  its  proper 
place,  or  give  to  library  attendant  to  replace. 
Be  very  particular  about  this." 

HARTFORD  (Conn.)  Public  Library.  40,000 
v.  Access  granted  since  opening  as  a  free 
library,  Sept.,  1892,  to  all  shelves  except 
novels  and  children's  books.  "Our  boys 
misplace  more  books  than  the  public."  Never 
publicly  announced,  but  practically  any  one 
may  go  to  the  shelves  for  purposes  of  study. 

HOWARD  Memorial  Library,  New  Orleans, 
La.  22,000  v.  Access  granted  whenever  it 
will  be  useful  to  readers,  only  about  30  per 
cent,  of  whom  are  students  ;  the  rest  enter  to 
fill  up  time.  Public  forbidden  to  put  books 
back  on  the  shelves,  because  they  misplace 
them  "whenever  they  have  the  chance." 

INDIANAPOLIS  (Ind.)  Public  Library.  55,513 
v.  Access  granted  upon  application  to  libra- 
rian, to  any  books  except  fiction.  "  Our  plan 
benefits  those  who  really  need  to  use  the 
shelves,  while  the  other  people  are  deterred 
from  seeking  the  privilege  simply  because  they 
have  to  ask  permission." 

JERSEY  CITY  (N.  J.)  Free  Public  Library. 
42,051  v.  "In  rare  cases,  where  the  privilege 


is  asked,  we  allow  the  applicant  to  visit  the 
shelves  under  the  guidance  of  an  attendant." 
Free  access  is  given  to  all  books  in  the  refer- 
ence room.  The  whole  library  is  inspected 
for  misplaced  books  every  Wednesday.  At- 
tendants are  instructed  to  show  borrowers  as 
many  books  as  they  desire  to  see  at  the  de- 
livery counter.  "  A  library's  efficiency  is  de- 
termined by  the  rapidity  with  which  any  one  of 
its  thousands  of  books  can  be  produced,  and 
placed  before  the  applicant  at  the  delivery 
counter  or  in  the  reference  room,  and  this  can 
only  exist  where  every  book  is  in  its  proper 
place  on  the  shelves."  A  great  many  people 
know  what  they  want  when  they  come  to  the 
library  and  they  will  suffer  from  the  delay. 

KANSAS  CITY  (Mo.)  Public  Library.  20,000 
v.  "We  tried  the  experiment,  for  a  few 
months  last  winter,  of  placing  the  new  books 
on  a  table  in  the  delivery  room,  for  the  public 
to  see  and  handle.  The  experiment  was  not 
a  success,  as  we  had  about  thirty  books  stolen 
during  that  time." 

LIVERPOOL  (Eng. )  Free  Public  Library. 
105,280  v.  "Some years  ago,  in  the  reference 
library,  a  number  of  shelves  were  stored  with 
dictionaries  and  other  books  of  reference  to 
which  the  public  had  access ;  but  after  some 
eighteen  months'  trial  the  privilege  was  with- 
drawn, owing  to  thefts,  to  people  loitering 
before  the  shelves,  and  to  the  misplacing  ot 
the  books  after  consulting  them." 

Los  ANGELES  (Cal. )  Public  Library. 
36,000  v.  Access  granted  to  teachers  and 
specialists,  except  on  Saturday  afternoon. 
Use  is  limited  to  some  500  people.  Want  ot 
space  between  stacks  prevents  general  access 
— "the  only  plan  if  one  has  space,"  but  would 
not  have  access  to  fiction. 

LYNN  (Mass.)  Free  Public  Library. — 
49,000  v.  For  three  years  the  library  has  granted 
access  to  the  shelves  in  the  reference  rooms. 
Shelves  are  inspected  daily  for  misplaced 
books.  Increased  wear  and  tear  is  considera- 
ble, 15  per  cent,  at  least.  A  great  accommo- 
dation to  people  who  wish  to  examine  books 
without  reading  them.  Do  not  believe  in  ad- 
mitting the  general  public  to  fiction  and  juve- 
niles. 

MILWAUKEE  (Wis.)  Public  Library.  74,077 
v.  Access  allowed  in  reference  library  only. 
"We  shall  hope  to  try,  at  least  for  certain 
hours  of  the  day,  access  to  shelves  when  our 


STETNER    AND    RANCK. 


93 


rooms  permit."  Arrangement  not  suited  for 
general  access. 

MINNEAPOLIS  (Minn.)  Public  Library. — 
70,000  v.  The  library  was  built  for  access  to 
the  shelves.  A  shelf-permit  is  given  to  every 
mature  person  having  a  library  purpose.  677 
such  permits  issued  for  1893,  twice  as  many  as 
in  1892.  Fiction  alcoves  open  to  public  only 
at  slack  times.  The  public  not  allowed  to 
put  books  back  on  the  shelves,  which  are 
constantly  watched  to  keep  books  in  order. 
No  increase  in  loss  of  books,  and  wear  and 
tear  rather  diminished  by  doing  away  with 
carrying  a  long  distance  to  the  reference  room. 
"  Great  advantages  —  no  disadvantages." 

NEWARK  (N.  J. )  Free  Public  Library. — 
46,319  v.  Access  to  the  shelves  of  the  reference 
department  has  been  in  operation  five  years  ; 
other  departments  (except  fiction)  two  years. 
The  privilege  is  denied  on  Saturdays  from  i 
to  8:30  p.  m.  The  arrangement,  capacity  of 
the  library  and  number  of  delivery  clerks,  has 
not  been  affected  by  granting  access.  The 
public  may  return  books  to  the  shelves  and 
they  do  "not  very  often"  misplace  them. 
No  increase  in  loss  or  in  wear  and  tear  of 
books.  The  books  are  placed  in  order 
"every  morning  by  messengers  while  doing 
the  general  dusting."  "The  system  is  a 
great  advantage  to  readers."  » 

NEW  BRUNSWICK  (N.  J.)  Free  Public  Li- 
brary. 12,471  v.  Access  within  certain  lim- 
its has  been  in  operation  one  year.  Readers 
excluded  from  fiction  shelves.  Slight  changes 
in  arrangement  were  necessary.  Public  may 
return  books  to  the  shelves.  As  to  loss  and 
wear  and  tear,  "cannot  tell  till  longer  trial  is 
given."  "All  departments,  and  all  classes  of 
books  except  fiction,  should  be  open  to  the 
citizens.  It  has  given  much  satisfaction 
here." 

NEW  YORK  City  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Library.— 
42,000  v.  Access  granted  at  discretion  of  libra- 
rian, to  persons  known  or  introduced,  for  a 
period  of  thirty  years  or  more.  Hight  of 
shelves  should  be  reduced  for  public  access. 
Some  increase  in  wear  and  tear,  but  little  or 
no  increased  loss.  "Access  to  shelves  must 
be  modified  by  circumstances,  location,  class 
of  readers,  object  of  library,  etc.  No  general 
rule  can  be  given." 

OAKLAND  (Cal.)  Free  Public  Library. — 
25,000  v.  This  library  has  wire  doors  to  the 

13 


cases.  The  public  can  see  the  books,  but  not 
handle  them.  It  has  been  in  operation  i^ 
years  and  it  has  increased  the  patronage  of 
the  library,  as  well  as  the  force. 

OTIS  Library,  Norwich,  Conn.  19,181  v. 
Access  to  the  shelves  since  1891,  to  all  classes 
except  fiction.  No  additional  capacity  or  ser- 
vice needed.  The  public  misplace  books 
sometimes,  but  not  very  often.  Shelves 
looked  after  about  once  a  week.  "The  ad- 
vantages to  special  students,  teachers,  and 
even  general  readers  seem  to  me  too  obvious 
to  need  explanation.  The  disadvantages  are 
trifling  in  comparison,  being  only  displace- 
ment of  books,  slight  additional  risk  of  loss, 
and  possibly  a  little  more  wear  and  tear." 

PHILADELPHIA  (Pa.)  City  Institute.  42d 
Annual  Report,  March  26th,  1894.  "We 
again  commend  to  all  free  libraries  the  prac- 
tice of  keeping  the  doors  of  the  book-cases 
wide  open  and  unobstructed  by  wire  netting 
or  wooden  fences,  so  that  visitors  or  readers 
may  have  free  access  to  the  books  during  the 
hours  the  libraries  are  open,  and  have  the 
privilege  of  selecting  books,  they  may  desire 
to  examine,  without  being  obliged  to  call  up- 
on the  librarian.  This  privilege  to  the  reader 
is  a  great  convenience  and  makes  him  feel 
that  to  some  extent  he  is  the  custodian  of  the 
books  and  responsible  for  their  safe  return  to 
the  shelves.  No  library  without  this  privi- 
lege can  really  be  called  a  free  one." 

PHILADELPHIA  (Pa.)  Mercantile  Library. 
172,000  v.  "Until  three  years  ago  all  mem- 
bers had  unrestricted  access,  at  all  hours,  to 
the  cases,  excepting  a  few  that  contained 
books  of  special  value.  Now,  regular  mem- 
bers have  such  access  on  depositing  25  cts. 
for  a  key."  Free  access  requires  more  room. 
"  Since  the  railing  was  put  up  three  years  ago 
the  same  force  has  kept  the  books  in  better 
order."  Some  time  everyday  is  devoted  to 
putting  books  in  order,  which  are  often  mis- 
placed. "A  great  advantage  to  students,  but 
of  little  to  the  general  reader.  I  think  the 
damage  outweighs  the  good." 

PHILADELPHIA  (Pa.)  Public  Library.  (Four 
branches.)  45,000  v.  "Does  the  library 
grant  access  to  the  shelves  ?"  "  YES  ! ! !  ab 
initio ! !"  Some  books  withheld  from  chil- 
dren, the  only  restriction.  "Would  require  at 
least  three  more  assistants  in  each  branch,  if 
shelves  were  closed.  Books  are  often  mis- 


94 


PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


placed,  hence  the  shelves  are  inspected  "at 
least  once  a  day."  "  Increases  wear  and  tear 
very  much. ' '  ' '  People  read  what  they  choose 
from  the  shelves.  They  are  attracted  by  look- 
ing over  a  book  which  they  would  never  think 
of  choosing  from  a  list." 

PRINCETON  College  Library,  Princeton,  N.  J. 
95,000  v.  For  the  last  three  years  all  regis- 
tered borrowers  have  access  to  the  shelves  on 
signing  a  "blue"  alcove  admission  slip  and 
leaving  it  at  the  desk.  Something  of  the  kind 
has  been  in  use  "off  and  on"  for  twenty* 
years.  Users  often  misplace  books  and  the 
library  thinks  of  forbidding  them  to  put  books 
back  on  the  shelves.  The  "boys"  when  not 
otherwise  occupied  are  straightening  books 
on  the  shelves. 

PROVIDENCE  (R.  I.)  Public  Library. — 
63,355  v.  "  We  do  not  supply  the  privilege  of 
access  to  the  shelves,  in  the  full  sense.  How- 
ever, we  place  several  thousand  volumes, 
which  are  works  of  reference,  on  open  shelves 
in  the  portion  of  the  public  room  outside  the 
counter,  where  access  is  free.  We  also  place  on 
open  shelves  in  the  same  part  of  the  room  all 
the  new  books,  for  12  weeks  back  ;  putting  in  a 
new  lot  each  week  and  taking  out  a  lot  12  weeks 
back.  These  begin  to  circulate  as  soon  as 
they  are  placed  there.  We  also  several  years 
ago,  began  trying  the  experiment  of  making 
access  to  the  shelves  in  one  department  of  the 
library  —  fine  art  —  free.  This  has  worked 
well ;  it  has  a  room  by  itself.  In  all  three  of 
the  above  instances  we  have  to  '  verify  the 
shelves '  each  morning,  to  see  that  the  books 
are  in  the  right  order.  In  the  new  building 
which  we  are  planning  to  erect  soon,  we  hope 
to  embody  as  much  of  the  Newberry  library 
principle  as  is  practicable  under  our  condi- 
tions." 

ROCHESTER  (N.  Y.)  Central  Library. — 
23,000  v.  Access  only  to  encyclopaedias,  dic- 
tionaries, etc.  "Until  1892  the  public  had 
access  to  the  shelves.  We  were  losing  books, 
books  were  misplaced,  which  were  almost 
the  same  as  lost.  We  reorganized  the  library, 
adopted  the  Dewey  classification,  catalogue 
cards,  etc., 'and  put  up  railings  around  book- 
cases, alcoves,  etc.  The  books  on  the  shelves 
are  kept  in  perfect  order,  and  the  people  do 
not  complain.  We  no  longer  lose  books  off 
the  shelves." 
ST.  Louis  (Mo.)  Mercantile  Library. — 


88,000  v.  '  'Access  to  main  book  collection  only 
granted  to  those  engaged  in  serious  research. 
Our  membership  does  not  include  many  ad- 
vanced students  or  thorough-going  scholars. 
If  possible,  would  have  a  selected  library  of 
perhaps  20,000  vols.  in  a  public  room,  alcove 
system,  with  free  access.  This  collection 
would  be  constantly  weeded  out  and  added 
to,  the  object  being  to  give  unrestricted  access 
to  the  20,000  books  '  best '  for  our  readers. 
The  other  books  to  be  kept  in  stacks  —  no 
access." 

ST.  Louis  (Mo.)  Public  Library.  92,000  v. 
Access  granted  to  about  30,000  vols.  in  the 
several  reference-rooms  and  to  the  juvenile 
collection.  "  During  school  term  juvenile  col- 
lection restricted  to  the  hours  from  3  to  6  p.  m., 
and  from  9  a.  m.  to  6  p.  m.  during  vacation." 
Any  one  giving  a  good  reason  may  go  to  the 
shelves  of  the  circulating-department.  Little 
or  no  friction  ;  plan  not  tried  long  enough  to 
draw  conclusions. 

SALEM  (Mass.)  Public  Library.  30,000  v. 
Access  allowed  only  in  the  reference  depart- 
ment. "  I  think,  in  the  ideal  system,  readers  at 
a  library  will  be  served  as  are  customers  in  a 
store,  by  clerks  thoroughly  posted  as  to  the 
stock  on  hand.  There  is  no  reason  why  the 
public  should  be  allowed  to  pull  over  the 
general  stock.  They  do  not  in  that  way  come 
any  nearer  to  having  their  real  needs  sup- 
plied. They  are  as  apt  to  get  hold  of  the 
antiquated,  or  unsuitable,  as  much  as  when 
they  select  from  the  catalogue.  One  librarian 
who  admits  to  the  shelves  tells  me  that  read- 
ers select  the  dirtiest  books.  There  may  be 
bargain-counters  of  new  books  and  those  to 
which  the  librarian  wishes  to  call  special  atten- 
tion ;  and  here  the  public  may  be  allowed  to 
handle  freely." 

SCRANTON  (Pa.)  Public  Library.  22,000  v. 
Free  access  to  about  4,000  vols.  in  reference 
department  and  reading-room.  Books  for 
circulation  are  in  stack-rooms.  Individuals 
specially  desirous  are  granted  the  privilege  of 
going  to  the  stacks,  exceptionally.  Narrow 
aisles  would  not  admit  general  public.  In  the 
reference  department  books  are  misplaced 
more  often  than  correctly  placed ;  shelves 
verified  weekly  ;  an  occasional  theft ;  and  in- 
creased wear  and  tear,  "perhaps  one  or  two 
percent."  "  Would  gladly  grant  free  access 
to  the  circulating  department  if  our  quarters 


STEIN ER    AND    RANCK. 


95 


could  be  so  arranged  as  to  admit  of  it.  I 
believe,  however,  that  such  would  not  decrease 
number  of  attendants,  but  rather  require 
more,  if  anything.  It  entails  endless  work  in 
going  over  the  shelves  day  by  day,  if  the  de- 
sired freedom  of  access  is  granted." 

SPRINGFIELD  (111.)  Public  Library.  24,437  v. 
Access  not  granted  "except  to  pastors  of  the 
city  churches."  "  Years  ago  the  library  lost  too 
many  books  by  giving  free  access,  to  try  the 
plan  again." 

SPRINGFIELD  (Mass. )  Public  Library.  87,000 
v.  For  several  years  access  has  been  granted 
to  some  extent,  for  special  purposes.  "We 
place  all  new  books,  when  ready  for  circulation, 
where  they  are  accessible  to  all  our  readers. 
Very  many  who  visit  the  library  are  accustomed 
to  make  their  selections  mainly  from  the 
shelves."  (33d  Annual  Report,  May,  1894.) 
"The  free  use  of  books  for  purpose  of  special 
investigation,  and  the  free  use  of  reference 
books,  we  regard  as  exceedingly  desirable." 

SPRINGFIELD  (Ohio)  Public  Library.  16,000 
v.  Card-holders  have  free  access  to  the 
shelves  from  9  A.  M.  to  9  P.  M.,  others  can 
have  access  to  the  reference  books  on  permis- 
sion. "  Free  access  to  this  department  should 
continue,  but  there  is  need  of  such  restrictions 
as  will  protect  valuable  books  from  careless 
handling,  and  prevent  interruptions  from  those 
who  through  mere  pretext  use  it  to  promote 
their  social  pleasure."  (22d  Annual  Report, 
May,  1894.)  "We  have  tall  stacks  very  much 
against  our  convenience;  are  desirous  to 
change  to  the  alcove  plan."  The  increased 
wear  and  tear  is  very  little  more  than  the  in- 
creased circulation  would  naturally  give.  "I 
am  decidedly  in  favor  of  bringing  books  of  the 
library  close  to  the  people;  have  advocated  it 
for  17  years,  and  for  13  it  has  been  tried  with 
success  in  this  library.  The  day  for  storing  up 
useful  books  from  the  people  should  pass  into 
ancient  history;  nothing  good  should  be  re- 
stricted, futher  than  order  and  proper  records 
require." 

STOCKTON  (Cal.)  Free  Public  Library. 
20,000  v.  Access  allowed  to  all  books,  except 
art  works,  for  four  years.  Increased  loss  of 
books  covered  by  about  $35  per  year.  The 
library  can  do  with  one  assistant  less,  which 
affords  a  net  saving  of  $385  per  year.  The 
public  is  better  satisfied  and  "the  general 
handling  of  books  is  good  for  them  —  gives 


them  fresh  air."  "The  disadvantages  are: 
Crowding  about  the  cases,  with  the  noise  at- 
tendant thereon;  and  disarrangement  of  books 
which  is  hard  on  lazy  assistants." 

"  A  library  that  can  have  a  separate  room  for 
fiction  and  juvenile  works,  and  a  good  finding 
list,  would  do  well  to  close  it  up  and  allow 
none  to  those  cases.  .  .  .  The  novel-reader  and 
the  juvenile  person  are  the  ones  that  make 
most  trouble." 

SYRACUSE  (N.  Y.)  Central  Library.  "We 
do  not  allow  the  multitude  to  go  to  the  shelves, 
but  those  whom  we  know,  and  can  trust,  we 
allow  to  come  in.  Our  help  is  inadequate  to 
doing  what  I  could  wish,  but  with  proper 
oversight,  the  more  people  that  can  be  admit- 
ted to  the  shelves  the  better  the  results  to  the 
readers. ' ' 

TAUNTON  (Mass.)  Public  Library.  37, 257  v. 
Access  to  reference  department  and  new  books. 
"  I  see  no  advantages,  but  apprehend  the  re- 
verse. Better  make  the  catalogue  serve  at- 
tendants and  readers." 

TOLEDO  (Ohio)  Public  Library.  36,000  v. 
Access  to  the  shelves  in  the  reference  depart- 
ment. Would  be  absolutely  necessary  to 
change  the  present  arrangement  of  cases  for 
general  free  access,  requiring  about  twice  the 
room  and  twice  the  number  of  assistants.  "I 
have  not  found  the  general  public  to  know 
what  they  want." 

VICTORIA  Public  'Library,  Melbourne,  Vic- 
toria, Australia.  133,301  v.  Since  its  founda- 
tion, in  1854,  this  library  has  granted  access  to 
the  shelves.  There  is  "  no  restriction,  except 
in  regard  to  medical  and  art  books.  A  per- 
mit from  the  librarian  is  required,  but  once  a 
visitor  is  admitted  to  the  medical  and  art  gal- 
leries he  has  free  access  to  the  shelves  during 
the  hours  the  library  is  open,  viz.,  10  a.  m.  to 
10  p.  m."  "Upon  the  principle  upon  which 
this  library  is  constructed  access  to  the  shelves 
involves  a  great  loss  of  space,  so  much  so  that 
accommodation  cannot  be  provided  for  the 
books  if  the  present  system  is  continued  for 
many  years.  The  trustees  have  decided, 
when  a  new  library  is  being  erected,  to  give 
access  only  to  a  portion  of  the  books,  and  to 
store  the  rest  in  cases  about  three  feet  apart. 
The  cost  of  administration  is  seriously  in- 
creased by  the  present  system."  Books  must 
not  be  returned  to  the  shelves  by  the  public, 
still  they  are  often  misplaced.  For  misplaced 


96 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


books  "a  portion  of  the  library  is  gone  over 
every  morning,  the  whole  circuit  of  the  library 
being  completed  in  a  month."  No  serious 
loss  of  books — only  about  75  a  year  —  and 
these  are  of  small  value.  The  tear  and  wear  is 
increased.  No  doubt  the  public  consider  ac- 
cess to  the  shelves  a  great  advantage,  but  I 
think  they  would  be  better  served  by  a  good 
subject  catalogue.  The  advantage  is  more 
imaginary  than  real." 
WOBURN  (Mass.)  Public  Library.  34,000 


v.  All  persons,  properly  introduced,  may  have 
access  to  all  classes  of  books,  except  fiction  and 
juveniles.  "The  general  objection,  besides 
danger  of  theft  is  the  temporary  loss  by  mis- 
placement of  books." 

WORCESTER  (Mass.)  Free  Public  Library. 
The  34th  annual  report  states  that  new  books 
are  placed  on  shelves  outside  of  the  counter. 
"  It  is  the  belief  of  the  officers  of  the  library 
that  solid  reading  is  much  promoted  by  thus 
displaying  additions  to  the  library." 


REPORT    ON    LIBRARY    ARCHITECTURE. 


BY    THERESA  H.    WEST,    LIBRARIAN,    MILWAUKEE    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


INSTEAD  of  the  usual  annual  report  on 
library  buildings,  I  have  ventured  to  offer  to 
the  Association  a  paper  somewhat  elementary 
in  character.  It  is  founded  on  observations 
made  while  acting  as  secretary  to  the  trustees 
of  the  Public  Library  and  of  the  Public  Mu- 
seum of  Milwaukee  during  a  competition  which 
decided  the  choice  of  an  architect  for  their 
joint  building. 

It  certainly  is  not  necessary,  before  the  A. 
L.  A.,  to  dwell  on  the  fact  that  during  the 
building  of  a  library  the  vyhole  function  of  the 
librarian  is  advisory  ;  he  is  never  the  deciding 
power.  Sometimes,  indeed,  his  opinion  is 
not  once  consulted  ;  but  most  librarians  believe 
that  it  is  common  sense  that  the  executive 
officer  of  an  institution  should  be  an  influential 
advisor. 

Unless  a  librarian  has  taken  pains,  however, 
to  make  his  knowledge  of  the  subject  in  hand 
broader  and  more  sound  than  that  of  any 
other  person  connected  with  the  project,  there 
is  no  real  reason  to  expect  or  desire  that  he 
should  be  consulted.  It  should  not  be  thought 
in  the  least  disloyal  to  the  craft  to  say  that  a 
very  good  librarian  may  yet  have  no  great 
fitness  for  the  task  of  planning  a  building. 
Little  in  his  training  and  less  in  his  daily  life 
tends  toward  education  in  this  direction. 

Usually  there  is  a  long  preliminary  talk 
about  a  new  building,  and  during  this  time  of 
air-castle  building  the  librarian  is  able,  has 
time  at  least,  to  put  foundations  under  his 
knowledge  of  the  subject.  He  has  a  chance 


to  consider  carefully,  once  more,  the  character 
of  his  library  and  its  consequent  policy,  and 
from  that  to  conclude  the  probable  growth  for 
which  it  is  the  part  of  wisdom  to  provide. 

He  will  look  far  for  a  building  wholly  satis- 
factory even  to  those  who  built  it,  but  by  com- 
parison of  what  exists  in  various  places  he 
may  form  a  fairly  trustworthy  ideal  toward 
which  to  work.  He  will  learn  almost  as  much 
from  the  failures  of  others  as  from  their  suc- 
cesses. 

In  all  this  study  and  thought  he  has  been 
making  his  advice  worth  asking,  and  certainly 
this  is  the  surest  course  to  cause  it  to  be  asked 
and  followed.  A  librarian's  opinion  will  often 
be  consulted  when  it  is  not  worth  regarding  ; 
but  an  end  soon  comes  to  such  asking,  just  as 
it  should.  Knowledge  is  power  here  as  else- 
where. 

Trustees  usually  face  this  problem  of  a 
library  building  as  new  to  the  task  as  the 
librarian ;  and,  if  he  has  been  wise,  with  not 
half  his  preparation.  Boards  of  trustees  are 
usually  made  up  of  men  each  of  whom  has  a 
life-work  of  his  own.  He  has  succeeded 
in  this  life-work  because  to  it  his  time  is  given, 
and  in  it  his  attention  centers.  As  a  rule 
trustees  do  not,  comparatively  speaking,  give 
much  time  or  thought  to  the  institution  which 
they  govern.  It  is  not,  and  cannot  be,  ex- 
pected that  they  should.  They  do  wish,  how- 
ever, that  the  institution  should  be  a  distinct 
success  ;  that  it  should  be  a  recognized  power 
in  the  community.  This  wish  is  rooted  not 


WEST. 


97 


alone  in  their  interest  in  the  institution,  but 
also  in  a  wholesome  desire  for  public  ap- 
proval. A  well-managed  institution  is  the 
best  proof  of  the  wisdom  of  its  trustees. 

A  librarian  usually  comes  into  office  with 
the  confidence  of  at  least  a  majority  of  his 
board.  If,  as  the  months  go  by,  they  find 
him  quietly  equal  to  every  emergency,  if  they 
find  his  policy  steadily  wise  and  trustworthy, 
he  is  likely  to  be  given  all  the  latitude  which 
he  can  possibly  desire.  Such  freedom  ought 
not  to  be  granted  if  these  tests  are  not  so  ful- 
filled. 

In  library-building,  the  experience  of  others 
is  the  most  available  help  to  a  wise  policy. 
Under  such  circumstances  that  debt  which 
every  man  owes  to  his  profession  demands 
that  each  one  of  us  should  frankly  record  the 
results  of  his  own  experience  for  the  common 
good. 

Former  papers  and  reports  on  the  subject 
of  library  architecture  from  some  of  the  most 
revered  members  of  the  A.  L.  A.  give  many 
sound  principles  and  much  practical  sugges- 
tion. 

In  my  own  need  I  found  little  or  no  help  on 
a  difficulty  which  is  met  at  the  very  threshold 
of  the  subject.  Any  discussion  of  the  ways  by 
which  the  architect  may  at  first  come  into  re- 
lation with  the  trustees  and  the  librarian,  has 
been  almost  wholly  omitted.  This  is  an  im- 
portant matter.  The  choice  of  an  architect 
involves  much  more  than  the  selection  of  that 
technical  skill  which  produces  good  plans  and 
a  fine  design.  The  well-being  of  the  enter- 
prise depends  almost  as  much  upon  the  char- 
acter and  integrity  of  the  architect  as  upon 
his  professional  ability. 

This  choice  of  the  architect  is  usually  the 
first  public  step  after  the  necessary  funds  are 
in  hand  or,  at  least,  in  sight.  It  is  not  pos- 
sible to  say  what  is  abstractly  the  best  course 
in  all  cases.  It  would  have  been  useful  to  us 
to  have  had  the  fact  placed  clearly  before  us 
that  there  were  not  only  different  roads  to  our 
goal,  but  that  there  were  in  each  road  certain 
rocks  and  ruts.  To  change  the  metaphor,  it 
is  well  to  keep  in  mind  that  in  avoiding  Scylla 
it  is  also  necessary  not  to  fall  into  Charybdis. 

A  public  library  is  usually  a  relatively  large 
building  in  a  town.  Its  erection  is,  therefore, 
a  piece  of  work  likely  to  be  sought,  or  at  least 


desired,  by  all  the  architects  of  the  town.  In 
case  the  town  is  a  city  the  work  will  be  sought 
too  by  architects  of  other  places.  How,  from 
among  these  candidates,  shall  the  architect  be 
chosen  ?  There  are  three  common  methods  : 

First.  The  board  of  trustees  may  select  out- 
right a  man  whom  they  have  reason  to  believe 
competent  and  trustworthy  and  instruct  him 
to  prepare  plans. 

Second.  The  board  of  trustees  may  select  a 
number  of  men,  all  of  whom  they  believe  to 
have  the  wished-for  qualifications,  and  invite 
each  of  them  to  prepare  plans  in  competition 
with  one  another. 

Third.  The  board  of  trustees  may  inaugur- 
ate what  is  known  as  an  open  competition  ; 
i.  e.,  they  may  advertise  in  the  public  press  and 
in  the  architectural  journals  that  they  are 
ready  to  receive  plans  for  such  and  such  a 
building.  There  are  various  possible  modifi- 
cations of  the  method,  but  it  is,  practically,  a 
free-for-all. 

It  may  as  well  be  accepted  from  the  outset 
that  some  criticism  will  be  incurred  by  those 
having  the  enterprise  in  charge,  whatever 
method  of  choice  is  adopted.  "Public  office 
is  a  public  trust  "  and,  in  common  with  other 
trusts,  is  apt  to  be  regarded  with  doubt  by 
those  on  the  outside.  Under  the  first  two 
methods,  criticism  is  encountered  from  the 
first.  Under  the  third  it  is  usually  deferred 
until  a  decision  is  reached  ;  it  does  not  there- 
by lose.  I  have  yet  to  find  record  of  the 
modern  public  building  which  has  not  in  some 
way  provoked  criticism.  It  is  certainly  worth 
while  to  take  every  care  to  forestall  just  crit- 
icism. No  other  to  be  dreaded. 

The  first  method,  the  choice  of  the  architect 
outright,  has  much  to  commend  it.  It  is  by 
far  the  simplest,  most  direct  solution  of  the 
problem.  If  honesty  and  intelligence  go  to 
the  choice,  perhaps  the  chances  for  mistake 
are  not  greater  than  by  any  other  method. 
The  individual  man  usually  acts  in  this  way 
when  he  has  a  building  to  erect  and  this  is  a 
fair  argument  for  its  practical  good  sense. 
When  a  man  conducts  his  public  duties  on  the 
lines  upon  which  he  does  his  private  business, 
he  is  apt  to  be  using  the  best  sense  that  he 
has. 

The  glitter  of  a  famous  name  is  apt,  under 
these  circumstances,  to  attract  the  eyes  which 
govern  the  choice.  Unfortunately  a  famous 


98 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


name  is  not  an  unfailing  mascotte  for  suc- 
cess. The  board  of  trustees,  under  this 
method,  will  have  the  ideas,  suggestions  and 
resources  of  but  one  man,  or  firm,  to  draw 
on.  But  on  the  other  hand,  this  man  will  be 
able  to  go  directly  and  hopefully  at  the  prob- 
lem, sure  of  the  cordial  co-operation  of  all 
concerned. 

The  plans  first  submitted  by  an  architect  so 
chosen  will  be  sketch-plans,  without  working 
drawings  or  specifications  for  building.  These 
sketch-plans  are,  of  course,  simply  the  archi- 
tect's solution  of  the  problem  and  are  suscep- 
tible of  modification  to  any  extent  that  the 
desires  of  those  concerned  may  indicate  and 
the  capacity  of  the  architect  work  out. 

If,  however,  the  architect  is  unable  to  pro- 
duce a  satisfactory  scheme,  the  experiment 
proves  an  expensive  one.  Even  if  his  design 
is  entirely  rejected  he  has  earned  and  can  col- 
lect his  fee.  This  fee  is  somewhat  of  the 
nature  of  a  lawyer's  retainer,  and  is  usually 
reckoned  as  one  per  cent,  on  the  proposed 
cost  of  the  building.  If  the  plans  are  accepted 
this  fee  is  merged  in  the  commission,  which 
varies  from  three  per  cent,  to  seven  and  one- 
half  per  cent,  on  the  cost  of  the  building,  ac- 
cording to  the  fame  of  the  architect  and  the 
locality.  The  American  Institute  of  Archi- 
tects recognizes  as  just  and  right  five  per 
cent,  as  a  minimum  charge  for  full  services. 

Almost  all  of  the  famous  Richardson  libra- 
ries, the  Newberry  library,  and  the  beautiful 
and  practical  new  Albright  memorial  building 
at  Scranton,  were  designed  by  architects  thus 
chosen. 

The  second  method,  the  limited  competi- 
tion, gives  an  opportunity  for  a  somewhat 
wider  range  of  choice.  Men  eminent  for  their 
treatment  of  various  styles  of  architecture  may 
be  chosen  and  thus  a  comparison  of  the  rel- 
ative adaptation  of  the  style  to  the  problem 
may  be  had.  Each  man  knows  his  compet- 
itors and  is  thus  spurred  to  do  his  best.  In 
the  selection  of  six  competitors,  which  is  a 
common  number,  the  standing  of  all  the  men 
may  be  such  that  the  enterprise  will  be  safe 
in  the  hands  of  any  one  of  them. 

In  this,  as  under  the  first  method,  the  man 
with  the  very  best  ideas  for  the  work  in  hand 
may  be  overlooked.  But  there  is  small 
chance  that  a  real  incompetent  will  be 
chosen.  It  is  usual  under  this  form  of  com- 


petition to  offer  a  series  of  prizes,  graduated 
in  value  according  to  the  adjudged  merit  of 
the  designs  submitted.  The  value  of  the 
premiums  is,  of  course,  dependent  upon  the 
proposed  cost  of  the  building. 

The  architects  of  the  Buffalo  library,  the 
Minneapolis  public  library  and  the  new  Chicago 
public  library  were  chosen  after  this  form  of 
competition. 

The  third  method,  the  free-for-all,  is  very 
common  in  the  erection  of  public  buildings  of 
all  sorts.  It  is  eyed  askance  by  architects. 
It  is  less  than  thirty  years  since  the  discussion 
of  the  subject  of  competitions  was  admitted  to 
the  professional  papers.  Some  able  men  will 
not  enter  an  open  competition  however  fair 
the  conditions  may  seem  to  be.  There  is 
probably  reason  for  this  feeling  in  the  profes- 
sion, for  many  of  the  scandals  about  public 
buildings  have  arisen  under  competitions  of 
this  kind. 

And  yet  a  revered  and  much-loved  profes- 
sor of  architecture  defended  the  custom  by 
saying  that  few  men  had  opportunity  to  de- 
sign more  than  three  or  four  great  buildings,  at 
most,  in  the  course  of  their  professional  career. 
The  open  competition,  he  said,  gave  the  op- 
portunity to  attempt  such  designs  under  ac- 
tual conditions,  and  whether  successful  or  not 
the  education  of  the  attempt  was  secured. 

Whatever  may  be  the  truth  of  the  matter 
from  the  architect's  point  of  view,  the  prac- 
tice involves  some  serious  considerations 
from  the  layman's  side.  In  the  first  place,  in 
order  to  attract  competitors  of  a  high  order 
of  talent  the  conditions  must  be  favorable, 
must  promise  a  reasonable  degree  of  fairness. 
A  competition  which  does  not  succeed  in  at- 
tracting such  competitors  is  a  dreary  waste 
indeed. 

If,  however,  the  conditions  are  such  as  to  be 
satisfactory,  there  will  be  submitted  a  great 
mass  of  mediocre  drawings  which  are  of  no 
possible  value  to  the  enterprise.  That  is,  if 
a  large,  well-baited  net  is  spread,  along  with 
the  big  fishes  will  be  gathered  a  great  num- 
ber of  little,  useless,  ones  which  add  seriously 
to  the  weight  of  the  net.  A  few  figures  will 
demonstrate  clearly  how  considerable  the 
burden  of  drawings  in  an  open  competition 
may  prove.  The  design  of  a  large  building 
cannot  be  adequately  set  forth  in  less  than 
eight  drawings  to  the  set.  In  many  cases  it 


99 


is  necessary  to  call  for  more.  The  drawings 
to  be  clear  must  be  of  large  scale,  making 
them  awkward  to  handle.  The  Milwaukee 
competition,  not  a  specially  attractive  one, 
contained  seventy-four  sets  of  plans.  The 
reception,  care,  exhibition  and  return  of  five 
hundred  and  ninety-two  drawings  is  not  a  task 
to  be  desired. 

Still  another  consideration  is  that,  for  this 
style  of  competition,  the  architects  are  de- 
pendent for  guidance  upon  a  printed  scheme 
called,  usually,  the  "Instructions  to  Archi- 
tects." The  conditions  of  the  competition 
and  the  needs  of  the  building  must  be  plainly- 
set  forth.  In  order  to  do  this  some  one  must 
have  the  scheme  very  clearly  in  mind.  It 
may  seem  very  easy  to  know  what  you  want ; 
it  does  not  prove  so  easy  to  say  it  so  that 
there  is  no  chance  for  serious  misunderstand- 
ing, by  those  whose  only  information  is  gained 
from  a  printed  description. 

Moreover,  it  is  next  to  impossible  to  make  a 
printed  scheme  which  cannot  be  supplemented, 
to  the  great  advantage  of  the  enterprise,  by 
word-of-mouth  interviews  between  the  archi- 
tects and  those  to  be  served.  The  trained, 
perceptive  minds  of  the  architects  see  possi- 
bilities and  difficulties  of  which  the  layman 
would  never  think.  Practical  alternatives  can 
usually  be  arranged  by  discussion.  To  fore- 
go these  discussions  is  a  great  loss  to  the  en- 
terprise. On  the  other  hand,  however,  if 
some  competitors  have  this  advantage  and 
others  do  not,  an  inequality  of  conditions  re- 
sults, which  justly  enough  makes  dissatisfac- 
tion. 

It  must  be  faced,  too,  that  it  is  not  possible 
for  any  board  of  laymen,  however  honest  and 
intelligent,  to  form  a  just  judgment,  architect- 
urally, of  a  large  number  of  plans.  The  lay- 
man thinks  that  he  knows  what  he  likes. 
What  he  likes  may  very  possibly  be  as  far  as 
possible  from  bearing  any  relation  to  the  real 
merits  of  the  case.  The  question  is  not  a 
matter  of  taste,  it  is  a  matter  of  knowledge. 
The  layman  is  not  versed  in  the  laws  which 
govern  this  realm. 

The  resource  is  to  take  the  verdict  of  a  pro- 
fessional expert ;  but  here  again  there  may 
be  danger.  An  unprejudiced  professional 
man  will  probably  know  nothing  of  the  in- 
dividual needs,  or  ideals,  of  the  given  institu- 
tion. He  may  give  the  wisest  possible 


judgment  from  the  architectural  point  view  of 
and  yet  leave  out  of  consideration  items  of 
the  utmost  practical  importance.  One  horn 
of  the  dilemma  is  not  much  more  comforta- 
ble than  the  other.  If  the  expert  is  so  quick, 
so  open-minded,  so  kindly-courteous  as  to  be 
ready  to  hear  and  weigh  with  patience  the 
comments  of  the  librarian,  the  resulting  judg- 
ment is  likely  to  be  a  wise  one. 

There  is  one  consoling  fact  which  may  be 
considered  when  in  fear  of  the  neglect  of  in- 
terior convenience  for  exterior  beauty,  or  vice 
versa  ;  an  architect  who  is  capable  of  working 
out  a  simple,  convenient,  symmetrical  plan  for 
the  interior  is  usually  able  to  clothe  it  in  a 
reasonably  effective  and  correct  design. 

The  matter  of  expense  is  also  to  be  consid- 
ered under  the  open  competition.  The  pre- 
miums, prizes,  or  price,  of  the  best  plans  (the 
charters  of  some  cities  forbid  the  payment  of 
prizes)  are  a  part  of  the  necessary  attractiveness 
of  the  conditions.  They  are  proportioned,  as 
in  the  limited  competition,  to  the  magnitude 
of  the  building.  An  unwise  economy  in  this 
direction  defeats  itself ;  the  prizes  must  be  ad- 
equate, or  desirable  competitors  will  not  enter. 

The  expense  does  not  end  with  the  prizes, 
however.  The  advertising  for  plans ;  the 
printing  of  instructions,  with  the  necessary 
plats,  etc.  ;  the  reception,  care,  exhibition  and 
return  of  the  drawings ;  and  the  professional 
expert's  fee  form  no  inconsiderable  items.  To 
these  actual  money  outlays  will  be  added  a 
voluminous  correspondence  and  innumerable 
interviews  for  the  librarian  ;  and  interminable 
meetings,  not  to  mention  inexhaustible  lobby- 
ing for  the  trustees. 

Some  modifications  of  the  open  competition 
might  do  much  to  obviate,  or  at  least  amelior- 
ate, some  of  the  most  trying  and  dangerous 
conditions. 

First.  The  board  of  trustees  may  select  at 
the  very  outset  an  adviser  in  whom  the  archi- 
tects of  the  country  have  confidence.  The 
name  of  this  adviser,  will  form  a  part  of  the 
official  advertisement.  This  first  modification 
is  by  far  the  most  important  of  all  because 
nearly  all  the  rest  will  come  as  natural  sug- 
gestions from  him. 

A  wise  adviser  not  only  ensures  a  just  judg- 
ment of  the  plans  in  the  end  but  gives  the 
dignity  of  his  name  as  a  guarantee  of  the  good 
faith  of  those  having  the  enterprise  in  charge. 


ioo 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


The  advertising  of  the  fact  of  the  willingness  of 
a  board  to  call  such  wisdom  to  their  help  will 
go  far  toward  encouraging  just  the  talent  that 
is  desired  to  enter  the  competition. 

Many  minor  difficulties  disappear  at  once  by 
the  help  of  his  counsel.  For  example,  a  board 
of  laymen  will  find  it  difficult  to  know  just  how 
to  specify  the  drawings  which  are  required  to 
perfectly  reveal  the  merits  and  defects  of  a 
design.  Uniformity  of  size  of  drawings,  of  the 
point  of  view  of  perspectives,  of  the  finish  of 
drawings,  greatly  aid  a  just  comparison  of  de- 
signs. All  these  things  a  thoughtful,  experi- 
enced adviser  makes  perfectly  plain. 

Second.  The  competition  should  be  abso- 
lutely anonymous.  It  is  hard  to  be  unbiassed 
in  judgment  when  the  names,  characters,  and 
previous  records  of  the  architects  are  known. 
The  professional  adviser  will  find  an  easy  way 
to  obviate  the  only  honest  objections  to  this 
plan. 

Third.  The  name  and  address  of  the  person 
from  whom  any  additional  information  or  ex- 
planation may  be  had  should  be  printed  plainly 
in  the  advertisement.  It  might  be  wise  for  the 
committee  to  announce  that  no  inquiries  ad- 
dressed to  individual  members  of  the  committee 
would  be  answered. 

Fourth.  The  imperative  instructions  to  ar- 
chitects should  be  few.  The  general  descrip- 
tion of  the  accommodations  required  should  be 
headed  by  a  most  explicit  statement  that  the 
description  is  intended  to  be  suggestive,  not 


imperative.  The  really  imperative  require- 
ments should  be  grouped  by  themselves. 
With  this  understood  the  explanations  may 
wisely  be  quite  voluminous.  All  the  benefit 
that  the  experience  and  ideals  of  the  librarian 
can  give  may  thus  be  brought  to  the  help  of  the 
architect  without  crippling  him  unnecessarily. 

Fifth.  In  cases  where  it  is  believed  that  cer- 
tain arrangements  are  very  desirable,  or  neces- 
sary, it  is  wise  to  give  brief  reasons.  An 
able  architect  will  see  and  often  concede 
a  practical  point  even  when  it  conflicts  with 
an  effect  which  he  would  like  to  produce. 
Sometimes  he  will  reach  the  same  end  by 
another  course.  The  architect  is  anxious  not 
only  to  make  a  fine  building  but  one  that  is 
esteemed  a  practical  success.  It  is  immensely 
for  his  interest  to  so  succeed,  as  well  as  for 
his  pride  and  pleasure. 

Finally  it  may  be  conceded  that,  as  the  open 
competition  is  still  interesting  and  still  popular, 
in  spite  of  any  and  all  objections,  there  are 
likely  to  be  many  more  as  time  goes  on.  Un- 
der such  circumstances  it  is  wise  to  use  every 
possible  means  to  promote  cordial  relation- 
between  architects  and  librarians.  If  there  is 
any  lack  of  mutual  appreciation  the  cause  may 
be  illustrated  by  a  story  told  of  Charles  Lamb. 
Lamb  said  one  day  to  a  friend,  "Oh  !  I  hate 
So-and-So  !  "  "Why,  Charles,"  said  his  friend, 
"you  don't  know  him  !"  "No,  I  don't,"  said 
Lamb,  "that's  why  I  hate  him." 


ON    LIBRARY    FLOORS    AND    FLOOR-COVERINGS. 


BY    WILLIAM    BEER,    LIBRARIAN,  HOWARD    MEMORIAL    LIBRARY,    NEW    ORLEANS. 


T  IBRARY  floors  are  not  often  beautiful. 
Few,  it  is  hoped,  possess  that  element  of 
beauty  which  Ruskin  found  in  the  floor  of  the 
Duomo  of  Venice.  To  him,  it  recalled  the 
rippling  surface  of  the  Adriatic,  on  whose 
waters  the  warlike  Venetians  had  gathered 
the  treasures  they  lavished  on  their  Cathedral. 
Except  in  a  few  monumental  buildings,  the 
intrinsic  beauty  of  a  flooring  is  a  secondary 
consideration.  To  most  of  us,  that  floor  on 
which  the  footprints  of  time  and  of  the  ever- 
increasing  c  rowd  of  readers  shall  make  no 


change,  and  in  the  cleaning  of  which  no  dust 
shall  be  raised,  is  the  best. 

It  is  the  object  of  my  paper  to  bring  out  in 
discussion  the  varied  experience  of  those  who 
hear  it.  In  order  to  leave  as  much  time  as 
possible  I  shall  merely  lay  before  you  a  few 
general  considerations  and  give  the  result  of 
five  years'  wear  on  the  flooring  of  my  own 
library. 

The  following  letter  from  the  architects  of 
our  building  sufficiently  describes  our 
flooring  : 


BEER. 


lot 


"  Jf  we  were  building  another  library  we  do 
not  know  of  any  more  satisfactory  floor  than  a 
Georgia  pine,  rift-sawed,  floor.  Any  wooden 
floor  will  show  wear,  where  the  crowds  pass 
over  it,  provided  it  is  not  repolished  every 
year.  Of  course,  a  floor  of  marble  could  be 
put  down  which  would  not  show  the  wear, 
but  it  would  be  very  uncomfortable  for  people 
to  stand  on.  In  order  to  keep  your  floor  in 
good  condition  the  hard  oil  finish  should  be 
renewed  once  a  year  ;  or,  if  it  is  desired  to  re- 
new it  more  frequently,  orange  shellac  which 
dries  very  rapidly,  may  be  used." 

After  five  years,  in  which  the  repolishing 
has  been  neglected,  we  find  in  the  reading- 
room,  the  floor  of  which  is  unprotected  by 
covering,  that  th.e  frequented  paths  have 
not  only  lost  their  polish,  but  have  become 
indelibly  stained  black  from  the  quantity  of 
soot  and  acid  in  the  air,  coming  from  the 
smoke  of  a  neighboring  brewery.  The  un- 
trodden parts  retain  their  pristine  beauty. 

By  the  use  of  soda  and  ammonia  we  have 
brought  about  a  not  very  beautiful  uniform- 
ity ;  but,  by  those  who  know  the  beauty  of 
the  room,  it  will  be  easily  understood  that 
this  floor  will  not  be  allowed  to  remain  in  this 
condition  —  the  question  is,  what  had  best  be 
done? 

The  local  architect  recommends  planing  off 
an  eighth  of  an  inch  and  putting  on  fresh  oil- 
polish.  Experience  shows  that  in  a  shorter 
time  than  before  a  repetition,  and  shortly  a 
new  floor,  would  be  needed.  As  there  is  no 
way  of  restoring  the  color  of  the  surface  we 
have  to  choose  between  painting,  which 
would  in  that  room  be  a  crime,  waxing  with  a 
colored  wax  so  as  to  bring  the  whole  to  a 
uniform  but  deeper  color,  and  a  new  depart- 
ure—  covering  with  some  textile  fabric. 

The  use  of  fiber  matting  in  libraries  is,  I 
think,  wrong  from  the  two  most  important 
points  of  view  —  those  regarding  sanitation 


and  dust.  On  fibre  matting  every  footstep 
sends  into  the  air  an  impalpable  and,  occa- 
sionally deadly,  dust  which  either  enters  the 
lungs  of  the  unsuspecting  reader  or  adds  to 
the  already  too  large  quantity  of  dust  on  the 
books.  The  following  letter  from  Mr.  Hos- 
mer  of  the  Minneapolis  Public  Library  gives 
an  admirable  answer  to  the  question  "What 
shall  we  use  as  a  cover  to  library  floors  ?' ' 

"  As  you  remark,  our  building  is  handsome  ; 
it  is  also,  I  believe,  in  every  way  well  con- 
structed. The  floors  are  primarily  of  iron  and 
masonry  upon  which  has  been  put,  for  con- 
venience, a  layer  of  maple.  This  in  our  more 
frequented  rooms,  again,  is  covered  with 
corticine  or  linoleum  —  the  difference  is 
small,  I  believe,  between  the  articles.  The 
corticine  we  find  thoroughly  satisfactory.  It 
deadens  noise,  is  easily  cleaned,  and  wears 
like  iron. 

"The  spots  most  trodden  wear  best.  In 
nearly  five  years  hard  and  constant  service  we 
see  no  signs  of  wearing  out.  Our  floors  are 
entirely  satisfactory.  The  maple  layer  has  in 
one  of  the  rooms  of  the  basement,  to  some 
extent,  rotted  out ;  but  it  was  exposed  in  a 
peculiar  way  to  dampness.  Elsewhere  it  is 
sound  ;  it  does  not  make  the  building  any 
less  fire-proof,  and,  when  covered  by  the  lin- 
oleum, with  the  substruction  of  iron  and  mas- 
onry, gives  us  something  very  firm,  quiet  and 
safe. ' ' 

There  is  one  other  matter  on  which  I  will 
touch  —  it  is  of  importance  to  all.  The  use  of 
the  dry  bristle  brush  for  sweeping  ought  to 
be  absolutely  prohibited  in  a  library.  The 
mop,  or  damp  cloth,  dragged  in  a  holder,  or 
else  damp  saw  dust,  is  the  only  means  where- 
by dust  can  be  removed  from  floors,  covered 
or  uncovered,  varnished  or  painted,  without 
sending  the  larger  proportion  into  fresh  circu- 
lation, generally  to  rest  on  the  books. 


IO2 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


THE    WORK    OF    THE    PUBLISHING    SECTION. 


BY     \V.    I.    FLETCHER,   LIBRARIAN,    AMHERST    COLLEGE. 


/"PHE  Publishing  Section  was  organized  in 
•*•  1886,  so  that  we  have  eight  years  of  its 
work  under  review.  In  that  time  much  less 
has  been  accomplished  than  some  of  us  hoped, 
but  enough  has  been  done  to  show  the  need 
and  use  of  its  efforts.  Financially  the  Section 
has  been  a  success,  having  to-day  a  small  bal- 
ance in  its  treasury  over  all  claims  against  it, 
and  owning  some  valuable  copyrights  and 
other  property. 

Of  Sargent's  "Reading  for  the  Young," 
which  was  its  first  publication,  several  editions 
have  been  published,  and  it  is  still  much  in 
demand.  The  editors  have  material  in  hand 
for  a  supplement  to  bring  the  work  down  to 
date. 

The  "A.  L.  A.  Index,"  the  most  important 
work  yet  brought  out  by  the  Section,  has 
met  all  the  expenses  of  publication  and 
is  beginning  to  yield  a  profit ;  of  which,  by 
the  original  arrangement,  the  editor  is  to  re- 
ceive the  first  $750.  This  work,  while  it  is  far 
from  being  as  complete  and  accurate  as  it 
should  be,  is  finding  a  place  in  most  libraries 
and  can  hardly  be  dispensed  with.  Material 
for  an  extensive  supplement  is  being  accumu- 
lated which  should  be  published  before  long, 
and  will  add  greatly  to  the  value  of  the  book. 

The  "List  of  Subject  Headings"  prepared 
by  a  committee  of  the  A.  L.  A.,  of  which  sam- 
ple pages  have  been  distributed  at  this 
meeting,  should  be  issued  at  once,  and  an 
edition  of  500  copies,  if  sold  at  $1.00,  will 
cover  the  expense  and  more. 

A  carefully  annotated  list  of  select  books  for 
girls'  and  women's  clubs  is  in  preparation  by 
Miss  Ellen  M.  Coe,  of  New  York,  with  the  col- 
laboration of  several  very  competent  persons. 
This  list  will  be  useful  not  only  to  the  clubs, 


but  to  all  libraries  where  the  reading  of  the 
young  is  an  object  of  attention,  and  is  a  very 
appropriate  publication  for  the  Section. 

In  order  to  carry  out  the  wish  often  ex- 
pressed for  large  editions  of  some  of  the  im- 
portant papers  (such  as  President  Larned's 
address)  presented  to  the  A.  L.  A.  meetings, 
it  seems  quite  feasible  for  the  Section  to  se- 
cure electrotype  plates  from  the  types  set  up 
for  the  Proceedings,  for  the  pages  containing 
such  papers,  and  thus  be  prepared  to  fill  orders 
for  them  in  large  or  small  quantities. 

When  the  Section  was  started  it  was  hoped 
that  it  might  secure  electrotype  plates  or  at 
least  special  editions  (paying  the  cost  or  a 
little  more)  of  many  valuable  pieces  of  index 
or  bibliographical  work  done  by  individual 
libraries  for  their  own  benefit — as,  e.  g.,  in 
the  bulletins  of  some  of  the  leading  libraries 
—  and  so  extend  the  usefulness  of  these  pub- 
lications far  beyond  the  small  circle  of  libra- 
ries to  which  they  are  likely  to  be  sent  as  a 
gift.  No  success  has  as  yet  attended  efforts 
in  this  direction,  but  there  are  evidently  great 
possibilities  here  if  the  larger  libraries  can  be 
induced  to  co-operate. 

With  all  these  openings  for  valuable  work 
before  the  Section,  it  is  highly  desirable  that 
its  membership  be  increased,  and  that  all  who 
are  interested  in  seeing  the  good  work  de- 
scribed in  this  paper  go  forward  should  lend 
the  aid  of  their  subscriptions,  and  of  their  per- 
sonal help,  in  advancing  this  most  practical 
and  effective  agency  for  library  co-operation. 
It  cannot  be  doubted  that  there  is  sufficient 
enterprise  and  intelligent  skill,  in  the  American 
Library  Association,  to  make  this  work  much 
more  effective  and  useful  if  it  were  fairly 
brought  to  bear  upon  it. 


SOULE. 


103 


LAW    BOOKS    FOR    GENERAL    LIBRARIES. 


BY    CHARLES    C.    SOULE,    TRUSTEE    OF    THE    BROOKLINE    PUBLIC    LIBRARY. 


/T*HIS  paper  fulfils  a  promise  made  several 
years  ago  to  the  Association  —  the  ex- 
ecution of  which  has  been  deferred  by  illness 
and  absence.  It  is  intended  to  suggest  a  prac- 
tical answer  to  the  question  pressing  on  many 
libraries  :  "  How  far  shall  we  yield  to  the  de- 
mand of  lawyers  or  law  students,  in  putting 
law  books  on  our  shelves  ?"  If  an  intelligible 
rule  or  principle  can  be  found,  to  solve  this 
problem,  it  may  serve  farther  to  simplify  simi- 
lar problems  as  to  other  technical  literature. 

The  embarrassment  in  considering  the 
purchase  of  law  books  for  general  libraries 
lies  in  the  fact  that  the  topics  included  under 
the  phrase,  "Law  and  jurisprudence,"  border 
upon,  or  interweave  with  History,  Sociology, 
and  Political  Science.  Is  there  any  definite 
line  of  demarcation  between  those  law  books 
which  most  interest  the  general  reader,  and 
those  which  have  only,  or  mainly,  professional 
application  ? 

A  rule  of  exclusion  suggests  itself  first,  which 
may  be  thus  stated:  No  law  book  should  be 
bought  for  a  general  library,  ivhich  is  merely 
a  tool  for  the  practising  lawyer. 

This  rule  is  easy  of  application  by  lawyer 
and  layman  alike.  If  adopted,  it  rules  out 
nearly  all  the  reports,  text  books,  and  digests 
which  constitute  the  bulk  of  legal  literature. 

A  proper  rule  of  inclusion  cannot  be  so  con- 
cisely or  definitely  stated.     Certain  groups  of 
law  books  however,  can  be  included  as  the 
means  and  shelf-room  of  a  library  allow. 

Even  a  small  library  may  properly  contain: 

1.  One  or  two  of  the  classic  summaries  of  law, 
such  as  Blackstone  and  Kent ;  with  such  pop- 
ular compendiums  as  Parsons'  Laws  of  Busi- 
ness, and  a  few  of  the  best  general  introduc- 
tory or  review  books  for  students. 

2.  A  good  law  dictionary,  defining   legal 
terms. 


3.  Histories    of   the    law   in   its    different 
branches. 

4.  The  Statutes  of  the  State  in  which  the 
libraryjs  situated,  and  of  the  United  States; 
with  a  digest  of  the  Statutes  of  the  other  States. 
This  feature,  in  a  large  library,  may  properly 
be  expanded  to  include  all  the  session-laws, 
older  compilations,  and  legislative  journals  of 
the  State  in  which  the  library  is  situated  — 
which  are  in  the  nature  of  historic  material. 

5.  The  best  and  latest  books  on  Constitu- 
tional law. 

6.  The  best  books  on  International  law. 
For  large  libraries  there  is  a  narrow  range 

of  legal  bibliography,  a  wide  range  of  legal 
biography  and  humor,  a  number  of  entertain- 
ing special  reports  of  trials  (the  raw  material 
of  romance),  and  a  few  works  on  the  philos- 
ophy of  law  and  the  science  of  jurisprudence. 
If  it  is  considered  desirable  to  go  further, 
there  are  certain  topics  of  every  day  business 
—  such  as  Wills,  Patents,  Landlord  and  Ten- 
ant, Municipal  law,  etc., —  which  the  reader 
might  like  to  look  up  for  himself,  without  the 
intervention  of  a  lawyer,  and  which  may 
therefore  properly  be  represented  on  the 
shelves  by  a  selection  of  the  best  and  least- 
technical  text-books. 

For  the  largest  libraries,  those  series  of  law 
magazines  which  contain  biographical,  socio- 
logical, political,  and  critical  articles,  will  be 
found  to  be  of  general  interest  —  especially 
since  they  have  been  rendered  accessible  by 
Jones'  Index  to  Legal  Periodicals. 

In  the  larger  libraries,  also,  it  might  possi- 
bly be  interesting  to  include  the  early  editions 
of  the  English  statutes,  the  Year-Books,  and 
those  old  Abridgments  and  treatises  which 
are  so  ancient  as  to  fall  as  much  under  the 
head  of  history,  as  of  law.  There  are  also 
old  books  on  Civil,  Feudal,  and  Ecclesiastical 


IO4 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


law,  which  are  interesting  historical  material. 
The  choice  among  these  will  be  governed  by 
the  circumstances  of  the  library,  and  the 
scholarly  tastes  of  the  librarian  and  trus- 
tees. 

Even  if  all  these  classes  were  accepted,  they 
do  not  include  five  per  cent,  of  the  entire  mass 
of  legal  literature  ;  and  the  rules  of  exclusion 
and  inclusion  here  outlined  may  therefore 
suggest  to  librarians  a  practical  line  of  pur- 


chase, not  only  in  regard  to  law,  but  also,  by 
analogy,  as  to  other  sciences.* 

*NOTK.  By  vote  of  the  Conference,  Mr.  Soule  was 
requested  to  furnish,  for  publication  with  the  above 
paper,  a  list  of  one  hundred  best  law  books  for  general 
libraries. 

Being  suddenly  called  away,  afterwards,  and  pressed 
with  other  duties  upon  his  return,  he  was  unable  to  fully 
prepare  the  list  in  time  for  its  printing  here. 

It  is  hoped  that  this  list  may  be  given  subsequently 
in  the  Library  Journal. 


"DON'T;"    WARNINGS    OF    EXPERIENCE.* 

COMMUNICATED    BY    A    NUMBER    OF    LIBRARIANS. 


"TNON'T  attempt  to  go  on  with  your  work 
without  a  high  "  ideal"  towards  which 
you  can  constantly  approach,  even  if  you 
cannot  quite  reach  it. 

Don't  forget  that  the  chief  aim  in  library 
work  is  usefulness  —  therefore  don't  be  care- 
less in  the  choice  of  books  for  purchase. 

Don't  be  satisfied  with  anything;  less  than 
full  systematic  records. 

Don't  have  much  "  red  tape." 

Don't  waste  time  and  money  in  rebinding 
old  books  that  can  be  dispensed  with  or  re- 
placed by  new  copies  of  the  same. 

Don't  lose  sight  of  the  "golden  rule"  in 
your  dealings  with  the  public  ;  and 

Don't  fail  to  impress  the  same  spirit  upon 
book-takers,  old  and  young,  and  upon  all  per- 
sons who  are  employed  with  or  by  you  in  the 
library  service. 

Put  your  dont's,  if  possible,  into  the  Gen- 
eral Rules  of  the  library,  and  don't  say  "don't" 
too  often. 

IF  you  are  librarian  of  a  library  which 
changes  hands  every  three  or  four  years,  and 
whose  income  is  not  large  —  "Don't "  hamper 
your  successor  with  subscriptions  to  works 
issued  in  parts  and  at  long  intervals. 

DON'T  apply  number-tags,  nor  place 
gilded  call-numbers  or  class-marks  upon 
books  for  public  circulation,  at  or  near  the 


lower  part  of  the  backs.  At  all  events  not 
within  a  hand's  width  of  the  under  edge,  if 
possible  to  avoid  doing  so. 

Don't  try  to  make  the  open,  public  rooms 
of  a  library  an  awful  tomb  of  silence,  and  there- 
by chill  or  drive  away  the  very  persons  who 
most  need  the  influences  of  the  library.  In 
other  words,  except  for  marked  reasons  or  in 
case  of  special  study-rooms,  such  signs  as, 
"Silence  is  the  law  of  this  room,"  had  bet- 
ter be  relegated  to  the  attic  or  the  stack- 
rooms. 

DON'T  buy  any  books  issued  by  those  pub- 
lishers who  resort  to  the  cheap,  nasty,  spongy, 
and  altogether  objectionable  quality  of  paper 
now  so  frequently  used  in  this  country  since 
the  days  of  wood-pulp  prevail. 

The  best  print  and  paper  attainable  at  this 
time  from  our  American  publishers,  are  none 
too  good  or  too  durable  for  library  use  ;  and 
if  a  bookmaking  concern  begins  to  sin  by 
using  anything  else,  then  it  is  liable  to  apply 
such  to  all  of  its  issues,  sooner  or  later. 
"Shoddy"  is  evidently  in  vogue  among  the 
publishers  as  among  other  manufacturers,  and 
with  a  similar  result. 

Happily  the  question  of  excluding  poor  or 
objectionable  fiction  from  library  shelves  may 
thus  meet  its  solution  in  a  certain  degree, 
since  the  publishers  of  much  of  the  trashy  and 


*To  Miss  Ellen  M.  Chandler,  of  the  Buffalo  Library,  credit  should  be  given  for  the  happy  suggestions 
which  led  to  the  collection  of  these  interesting  and  varied  expressions  from  individual  contributors. 

As  some  of  the  writers  preferred  not  to  be  named,  while  others  had  no  objections,  it  seemed  best 
to  treat  them  all  as  anonymous  and  thus  avoid  making  any  invidious  distinction. 


DON'TS." 


105 


least  desirable  writings  are  seemingly  the  most 
prone  to  take  advantage  of  the  cheapening  of 
quality  in  manufacture.  Whatever  may  have 
been  the  reasons  for  retaining  Southworth, 
Stephens,  Dupuy,  and  the  like,  among  library 
lists  in  the  past,  the  present  material  used  for 
their  production  certainly  removes  all  excuse 
for  continuing  the  practice. 

DON'T  rush  into  print  with  your  experi- 
ments directly  you  begin  them.  Many  things 
appear  to  succeed  at  first.  Wait  a  year. 

Don't  change  the  library  routine  too  often. 
It  is  bad  for  the  library  staff,  and  worse  for 
the  public. 

Don't  imagine  that  elaborate  catalogs 
can  take  the  place  of  educated  attendants. 
Spend  less  in  machinery  and  more  for  brains. 

DON'T  fill  up  the  catalog  with  references 
which  are  in  the  A.  L.  A.  index.  Keep  the 
index  near  the  catalog  case,  and  have  library 
numbers  written  against  the  references. 

Don't  waste  time  pasting  labels  on  new 
books,  if  these  are  placed  where  patrons  can 
handle  them.  When  the  books  are  old 
enough  to  be  placed  on  the  shelf  is  time 
enough  ;  and  time  and  trouble  have  been 
saved. 

DON'T  employ  a  binder  because  his  prices 
are  lower  than  any  one  else's. 

Don't  let  readers  come  to  your  library  in 
vain,  if  you  can  possibly  help  it.  If  you 
haven't  the  special  book  they  inquire  for,  you 
may  have  what  will  answer  their  inquiries. 

Don't  make  purchases  too  hastily,  and  fill 
your  shelves  with  what  will  soon  be  dead 
wood. 

Don't  hesitate  too  long  about  buying  cer- 
tain limited  editions. 

DON'T  answer  to-day's  letters  to-morrow. 
Don't  fail  to  ask  for  what  you  need  nor  to 
be  thankful  for  what  you  have! 

DON'T  pay  too  much  attention  to  other 
people's  Don'ts.  Many  a  person  makes  a 
success  of  what  another  has  failed  on.  If  you 
have  a  plan  to  try  go  ahead  and  try  it,  and 
very  likely  you  can  make  a  success  of  it,  even 
f  some  one  else  hasn't. 

DON'T  employ  young  ladies  who  are  too 


good-looking,  or  young  ladies  with  marriage 
anticipations  ;  they  become  uneasy  and  soon 
leave,  or  have  callers  of  the  male  persuasion 
who  take  up  their  attention  in  working-hours, 
and  hence  follows  a  row.  Besides,  such  young 
ladies  expect  too  much  and  need  too  many 
favors.  Women  of  middle  life  are  preferable, 
and  having  no  unreasonable  expectations 
devote  themselves  more  thoroughly  to  their 
work,  and  for  the  amount  they  accomplish  are 
worth  three  to  one  of  the  susceptible  young 
girl. 

Young  girls,  also,  are  apt  to  be  too  conceited, 
especially  if  trained  in  some  theoretical  school 
of  instruction.  A  busy  librarian  has  no  time 
to  explain  the  why  and  wherefore  of  what  he 
does. 

DON'T  employ  a  boy  or  young  man  who  is 
old  enough  for  sentiment,  and  not  old  enough 
for  sense. 

DON'T  withhold  a  borrower's  card  for  one 
unpaid  fine.  Let  him  take  a  book  and  pay 
the  fine  next  time.  If  not  paid  then,  withhold 
card. 

Don't  use  a  double  charging  system  if  you 
have  a  large  circulation  and  a  small  force. 

Don't  have  a  single  rule  that  you  will  be  un- 
willing to  break  for  a  reasonable  patron. 

DON'T  transfer  books  from  one  person  to 
another. 

Don't,  out  of  the  kindness  of  your  heart, 
make  exceptions  to  rules  unless  you  wish  to 
be  imposed  upon. 

DON'T  publish  a  monthly  magazine  in 
connection  with  a  library,  unless  you  have 
time  to  spare  and  money  to  spend. 

DON'T  separate  volumes,  when  there  are 
but  two  ;  especially  in  the  case  of  the  pre- 
vailing two-volume  novels.  There  is  no  gain  ; 
and  there  is  frequently  the  great  annoyance  of 
a  long  waiting  for  the  second  part  of  a  work 
that  should  have  been  in  one  set  of  covers. 

Don't  require  the  return  of  books  to  the 
library  when  a  renewal  is  desired.  If  but  one 
renewal  be  permitted,  as  is  usually  the  case, 
there  is  little  gain,  and  unnecessary  risk  of  in- 
jury or  wetting  is  constantly  incurred. 

Don't  make    renewals   or  the   getting  of 


io6 


LAKE  PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


books  needlessly  difficult.  Simplify  every- 
thing possible,  keep  up  with  the  times,  and 
popularize  your  library  in  every  possible  way. 

Don't  confuse  new  copies,  or  new  pur- 
chases, with  new  publications.  This  besetting 
sin  of  the  now  popular  "bulletins"  causes 
needless  and  constant  trouble  to  readers  who 
really  want  the  most  recent  works  in  their  line 
of  research.  Therefore: 

Don't  fail  to  give  the  true  date  of  publica- 
tion in  bulletins  as  well  as  in  catalogs. 

Don't  use  a,  for  A,  capital.  In  a  new  Find- 
ing List,  just  issued,  two  of  the  most  aggra- 
vating blunders  in  the  shelf-marks  were 
caused  by  this  fault.  The  A,  N,  and  M,  that 
resemble  printed  capitals  are  in  every  way 
preferable  to  those  that  resemble  enlarged 
lower-case  letters. 

Don't  fail  to  remember  that  a  library  is  as 
much  a  business  house  as  is  a  bank,  and  that 
a  borrower  or  reader's  time  may  be  of  great 
value  to  him.  Therefore  be  courteous  and 
expeditious  in  all  things,  so  that  time,  pa- 
tience, and  temper  may  be  saved  to  both 
visitor  and  attendant. 

WHEN  you  are  asked  for  a  communication 
by  the  President  of  the  A.  L.  A.  don't  put  off 
answering,  thinking  that  you  will  get  time  to 
do  it  later. 

Don't  fail  to  attend  the  A.  L.  A.  meetings 
unless  you  have  good  reasons  for  staying 
away. 

Don't  kick  against  the  goad.  For  myself  I 
am  fortunate  in  having  a  driver  whose  goad 
one  would  have  to  kick  in  order  to  reach,  but 
I  have  seen  librarians  pricked  and  kicking 
when  they  might  much  better  pick  up  their 
feet  "for  business  "  and  break  the  yoke. 

Don't  allow  too  much  kicking  in  your  own 
team.  Feed  well.  House  well.  Don't  over- 
work, and  do  as  you  would  be  done  by  on 
kicking. 

Don't  get  a  (too)  cheap  typewriter. 

Don't  economize  on  labor-saving  apparatus. 

Don't  hesitate  to  waste  a  penny  and  save  a 
pound  in  discarding  one  instrument  or  system 
for  one  clearly  better.  It  is  hardly  necessary 
to  say  that  this  law  needs  the  greatest  care  in 
its  operation.  The  rule  is,  don't  change  un- 
less the  gain  is  clear,  but  hesitation  often 
invites  great  loss  when  a  stitch  in  time  would 
save  nine.  Finally  there  are  two  great  don'ts  : 


Don't  do  yourself,  anything  which  one 
poorer  paid  can  do  as  well,  and  so  on  through 
the  whole  organization.  This  is  the  bottom 
principle  common  to  all  business  organiza- 
tions and  one  a  good  deal  violated  in  library 
administrations. 

"  Don't  bite  off  more  than  you  can  chew." 
One  must,  in  a  library,  keep  a  vast  number  of 
jobs  going.  There  must  be  many  unfinished 
lines  all  the  time,  but  everything  must  be 
clearly  "  in  hand,"  and  a  good  bit  of  time  put 
on  thinking  down  the  work  in  hand  is  well 
spent.  On  the  other  hand,  one  must  not  over- 
time, push,  and  worry  himself  and  his  force  and 
produce  general  dissatisfaction  in  the  public, 
in  his  force  and  in  himself,  and  in  the  end  have 
less  substantial  results,  if  he  over-plans  his 
time  and  strength. 

DON'T,  in  arranging  the  rooms  of  a  library, 
put  your  administration  rooms,  especially  the 
rooms  for  the  catalogers,  at  any  distance  from 
the  reference  or  circulating  rooms.  They 
should  be  adjoining,  with  the  catalog  between. 
.  .  .  Isolate  the  catalogers,  give  them  quiet 
and  absolute  freedom  from  disturbance,  but 
do  not  place  distance  between  them  and  the 
readers  who  want  the  same  reference-books 
and  the  same  catalog. 

Don't  systematize  so  much  as  to  render 
your  helpers  entirely  ignorant  of  any  branch 
of  work  in  the  library  except  their  own,  unless 
you  intend  to  employ  none  but  those  trained 
in  all  departments  by  a  library  training-school. 
Workers  work  so  much  better  to  have  variety 
in  their  work,  and  to  know  their  part  in  the 
grand  total. 

DON'T  erect  a  barrier  between  your  cata- 
logers and  your  desk-attendants.  Draw  on 
your  cataloging  force  during  busy  times  at  the 
desk  ;  and,  when  they  can  be  spared,  borrow 
from  the  force  at  the  desk  for  office- work. 
The  change  of  work  is  pleasant  for  all,  enables 
one  set  to  see  the  catalog  from  the  reader's 
side  and  the  other  to  keep  in  touch  with  the 
newly  arrived  and  ordered  books,  and  pro- 
vides you  with  substitutes  in  case  of  absence. 
By  keeping  your  force  flexible  you  can  con- 
centrate it  where  needed  and  save  in  numbers. 

IF  the  librarian  who  reads  is  lost,  don't  fail 
to  lose  yourselves. 


"DON'TS." 


107 


Don't  make  your  cataloging^mill  grind  so 
fine  that  the  newness  of  new  books  is  worn  off 
in  the  hopper. 

Don't  distribute  your  orders  among  more 
booksellers  than  you  are  obliged  to. 

Don't  lavish  hospitality  on  the  books  of 
those  writers  who  rub  some  French  nastiness 
into  their  ink  and  spatter  it  as  an  offering  to 
"Art  for  Art's  sake." 

Don't  try  to  find  a  convenient  form  of  ar- 
rangement for  maps.  There  is  none. 

DON'T  arrange  dissected  maps  on  rollers 
unless  you  have  need  of  a  corrugated  roof. 

Don't  open  a  ladies'  reading-room  unless 
you  can  provide  an  attendant  for  it ;  unless, 
indeed,  it  is  near  enough  the  desk  or  office  to 
be  under  general  supervision.  It  will  only 
attract  picnickers. 

DON'T  ornament  your  lobby  with  statues 
or  busts,  for  boys  to  hang  their  hats  on. 

Don't  screen  thieves  and  mutilators  of  mag- 
azines by  placing  high  cases  of  pigeon-holes 
in  the  center  of  your  periodical  room. 

Don't  employ  cheap  labor  unless  you  have 
enough  work  of  the  kind  it  can  do,  to  keep  it 
busy  all  the  time.  If  it  is  not  sufficiently  in- 
telligent to  learn  you  will  waste  an  amazing 
amount  of  time  trying  to  teach  or  providing 
work. 

Don't  omit  to  enter  date  of  ordering,  on 
your  order-list,  even  though  this  item  is  not 
included  in  the  list  given  in  the  excellent 
"Hints  to  Small  Libraries"  recently  issued 
by  Pratt  Institute. 

Don't  invest  in  the  Van  Everen  adjustable 
book-covers  called  "  Fitsanybook."  There  is 
more  tear  than  wear  in  them. 

DON'T  allow  your  attendants  to  tell  readers 
that  the  library  does  not  possess  or  has  not 
yet  received  a  certain  book,  especially  if  it  be 
a  new  one,  without  inquiring  in  the  catalog 
department,  after  consulting  catalog  and  bul- 
letins. The  reader  will  gladly  wait  ten  or 
fifteen  minutes  for  a  newly  arrived  book  to  be 


made  ready,  rather  than  go  without  it.     Our 
motto  is  "  Cataloging  done  while  you  wait." 

Don't  have  your  cataloging  department  so 
far  away  from  the  desk  that  this  is  impossible. 

DON'T  expect  to  reform,  all  at  once,  sub- 
jects you  are  laboring  with. 

Don't  recommend  your  favorite  books  and 
pet  passages  miscellaneously.  Only  rarely 
one  finds  a  kindred  soul. 

Don't  do  too  much  searching,  especially  for 
scholars.  Help  them  wisely  to  help  them- 
selves. 

Don't  expect  the  boy  who  has  been  indulg- 
ing in  Alger  one  day,  even  though  a  bright 
boy,  to  take  up  the  study  of  bacteria  the  next. 

Don't  allow  people  with  soiled  hands  to  use 
your  books —  Germs! 

DON'T  allow  books  to  go  to  branches  with- 
out charging  at  the  central  library. 

IF  any  one  is  planning  to  introduce  the 
Leyden  book  catalog  as  used  at  Harvard 
College,  don't  do  so  without  first  communicat- 
ing with  that  library. 

DON'T  begin  to  print  your  catalog  till  the 
whole  is  ready  for  the  printer. 

DON'T  try  to  re-classify  a  library,  especially 
one  of  35,000  volumes,  while  it  is  lying  on  the 
floor  of  a  large  room  with  a  leaky  ceiling.  If 
the  books  have  to  be  moved  to  keep  them  out 
of  the  wet,  volumes  get  separated,  and  are 
sometimes  found  after  a  year  or  two  in  differ- 
ent classes. 

DON'T  buy  incomplete  sets,  especially  of 
periodicals,  hoping  to  complete  them  at  a 
trivial  cost.  Ten  to  one  the  missing  volumes 
are  those  most  rare  and  difficult  to  procure. 

Don't  fail  to  put  the  accession  number  on 
the  book-card,  if  your  charging  system  makes 
use  of  the  latter ;  especially  so  in  the  case  of 
duplicate  copies. 

Don't  send/^r^wa/mail-matter  to  librarians 
under  their  official  addresses. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


109 


THE  PROCEEDINGS. 


LAKE  PLACID,  N.  Y.,  MONDAY— SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  17-22,  1894. 


FIRST  SESSION. 

(GRAND  VIEW  HOTEL,  MONDAY  MORNING 

SEPTEMBER  17.) 

President  J.  N.  LARNED  called  the  meeting 
to  order  at  9. 50,  and  announced  the  following 
committees : 

Reception. — Mrs.  Henry  J.  Carr,  Mary  S. 
Cutler,  Katherine  L.  Sharp,  Mary  E.  Sargent, 
Melvil  Dewey,  F:  M.  Crunden,  C:  C.  Soule, 
Frank  P.  Hill. 

Place  of  next  meeting. — C:  A.  Cutter,  C:  C. 
Soule,  H:  M.  Utley,  Theresa  H.  West,  G:  E. 
Wire. 

Social  evening. — New  York  State  Library 
School,  Mary  S.  Cutler,  chairman. 

Resolutions. — James  K.  Hosmer,  G:  H. 
Baker,  W:  H.  Brett,  Edith  E.  Clarke,  Caroline 
H.  Garland. 

CONSIDERATION    OF    REPORT    OF   LAST   MEETING. 

Voted. — That  the  report  of  the  Chicago 
meeting  be  approved  and  adopted  as  printed. 

PRESIDENT'S  ADDRESS. 

After  expressing  his  regret  at  not  being  able 
to  attend  the  Chicago  meeting,  and  thanking 
the  Association  for  his  election  to  the  presi- 
dency, President  LARNED  read  his  address. 

(See  p.  /.) 
Secretary  HILL  read  his 

SECRETARY'S  REPORT. 

Without  interfering  with  the  reports  of  the 
various  committees, the  Secretary  has  attempted 
to  give  a  rough  outline  of  library  progress  in 
the  several  States  since  the  last  Conference. 
(.See  Report  on  Library  Progress,  p.  so.) 

Last  year  every  effort  was  put  forth  to  make 
the  Chicago  meeting  the  most  eventful  one  in 
the  history  of  the  Association.  By  the  assi- 
duity of  the  then  President  the  conference  was 


indeed  a  success.  The  attendance  was  larger 
than  at  any  previous  meeting,  and  the  interest 
manifested  at  each  session  was  as  marked  as 
though  no  World's  Columbian  Exposition 
offered  its  many  attractions  to  our  members. 

Undoubtedly  much  of  this  interest  was  occa- 
sioned by  the  fact  that  it  was  to  be  "review 
year;"  the  time  when  we  were  to  learn  from 
competent  reporters  just  what  was  best  in  li- 
brary science.  Were  we  not  preparing  for  that 
great  A.  L.  A.  manual  ?  Indeed  we  were. 
Some  one  asked  me  the  other  day  where  that 
long-looked-for  manual  was,  and  I  replied  that 
I  knew  nothing  about  it,  except  that  it  was  still 
long-looked-for.  "Well,"  she  said,  "please 
remember  that  we  are  looking  longingly  for 
it."  And  I  remembered.  But  I  am  not  going 
to  tell  you  anything  about  it,  for  at  some  later 
session  you  will  hear  from  Mr.  Dewey  all  the 
various  reasons  for  its  non-appearance. 

Changes  in  the  library  profession  are  of  in- 
frequent occurrence.  At  the  time  of  making 
this  report  the  great  Boston  Public  Library  is 
still  without  a  head  ;  the  Crerar  has  no 
librarian ;  and  the  Tilden  remains  an  unknown 
quantity. 

The  death  of  Dr.  William  F.  Poole  (to  whose 
memory  the  A.  L.  A.  gives  up  one  session) 
created  a  vacancy  at  the  Newberry,  not  yet 
filled. 

Dr.  Reuben  A.  Guild,  who  resigned  his 
position  as  librarian  of  Brown  University,  after 
a  continuous  service  of  forty -six  years,  has  re- 
cently been  made  librarian  emeritus.  A 
merited  recognition,  we  all  say. 

We  note,  with  pleasure,  that  Mr.  Charles  K. 
Bolton  (Miss  Bean's  successor,  at  Brookline, 
Mass.)  is  taking  up  the  work  with  vigor,  en- 
thusiasm, and  ability.  His  scheme  for  issuing 
two  books  on  the  same  card  has  attracted  de- 
served attention,  and  has  served  to  stir  up 
some  of  the  older  librarians,  who  are  ever 


no  LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 

ready  to  accept  a  good,  though  new  thing,  for  move,    that  when   the   type  is  set  up,  extra 

free  public  libraries.  copies  be  stricken  off  and  sold  at  cost  price. 

Mr.  Charles  As  Cutter  is  once  more  a  full-  The  motion  of  Mr.  Crunden  was  supported, 

fledged  librarian,  having  assumed  his  duties  and  Mr.  S:  S.  Green  moved,  as  a  substitute, 
as  head  of  the  Forbes  Library,  at  Northamp-  »  that  the  whole  matter  be  referred  to  the  execu- 

ton.  tive  board,  to  report  at  a  later  period. 

Finally,    the    A.   L.   A.  Library    has    been  Mr.  Crunden  accepted  the  substitute  offered 

ordered  by  at  least  three  libraries.  by  Mr.  Green.    Secretary  Hill  put  the  question, 

DISTRIBUTION  OF  PRESIDENT'S  ADDRESS.  and  it  was  carried  unanimously. 

F:  M.  CRUNDEN.— I  think  that  the  address  of  F:  M.  CRUNDEN.— I  suggest  that  the  Secre- 

our  President  was  such  an  able  one,  will  be  so  tarY.  if  possible,  send  a  copy  to  the  New  York 

valuable  as  an  educational  document,  was  so  papers. 

broad,  and  took  such  high  ground,  and,  as  a  SEC'Y  HILL. — We  have  with  us  a  representa- 

whole,   is  of   such  general  interest,  that  we  tive  of  the  Associated  Press,  and  a  representa- 

ought  to  take  measures  to  circulate  it  as  widely  tive  of  the   United  Press,    and  each  one  has 

as  possible.     It  ought  to  go  beyond  the  bounds  requested  the  paper  for  the  purpose  of  making 

of  our  Proceedings,  and  I  would  suggest,  and  extracts. 

TREASURER'S    REPORT. 
GEORGE  WATSON  COLE  read  his  report,  which  was  referred  to  the  Finance  Committee. 

A. 
HENRY  J.  CARR,  Treasurer,  in  account  with  the  AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION. 

1893.  DR. 

July  10.     To  old  balance  (Chicago  Conference,  p.  3) $181  72 

July  to  to  Sept.  7,  1893: 

To  fees  from  Annual  Memberships,  at  $2 .  oo  each : 

Dues  for  1891,  2 ;  for  1892,  2 ;  for  1893,  171 ;  =  175 350  oo 

To  fees  of  Fellows  additional,  at  $3 .  oo  each : 

For  1892,  i ;  for  1893,  25  =  3 9  oo 

To  fees  from  Library  Memberships,  at  $5.00  each: 

For  1893,  i 5  oo 

Total $545  72 

1893.  CR. 

July  18.     Paid  Frank  T.  Boland,  Stenographer,  bill  of  July  22,  for  reporting 

Chicago  Conference «. $m  35 

July  20.     Paid  Frank  P.  Hill,  bill  of  July  18,  expenses  of  Secretary's  office, 

1892-93 34  05 

Sept.  4.     Paid  A.  C.  McClurg  &  Co.,  Chicago,  bill  of  July  10,  360  badges  for 

Chicago  Conference 33  oo 

Sept.  13.  Paid  Frank  T.  Boland,   Stenographer,  bill  of  July  8,  transcript  of 

Proceedings,   Chicago  Conference no  75 

July  14  to  Sept.  9.     Expenses  of  Treasurer's  office,  viz. : 

July  14.     Express  on  money  to  bank $    35 

July  20.     Telegram  (Secretary  to  President) 25 

Aug.   7.     Postage  stamps 2  oo 

Sept.  9.  "  "     25 

Sept.  9.     Blank  Book 75        3  60 

$292  75 
Sept.  13.  Balance  transferred  to  Geo.  Watson  Cole,  Treasurer 252  97 

Total $545  72 

Attest:  HENRY  J.  CARR,    Treasurer. 


FIRST  SESSION.  in 


B. 

GEORGE  WATSON  COLE,    Treasurer,  in  account  with  the  AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION. 

1893.  DR. 

Sept.  18.     To  balance  received  from  Henry  J .  Carr,  Treasurer $    252  97 

Sept.  18,  1893,  to  Sept.  12,  1894: 

To  fees  from  Annual  Memberships,  at  $2.00  each: 

For  1891,  i $    2  oo 

For  1892,  2 4  oo 

For  1893,  172 344  oo 

For  1894,  394 788  oo 

For  1895,  3 600 

For  1895,  i  (part  payment) i  oo 

To  fees  for  Annual  Fellowships,  at  $5.00  each:  $1,145  °° 

For  1893,  ii $    55  oo 

For  1893,  6  (balance  of  $3 .  oo  each) 1800 

For  1894,  18 go  oo 

To  fees  from  Library  Memberships,  at  $5.00  each:  $     l(>3  °° 

For  1892,  5  (balance  of  $3.00  each) $    15  oo 

For  1893,  20 loo  oo 

For  1894,  26 130  oo 

To  3  Life  Memberships,  viz. :  $     245  oo 

George  lies $    25  oo 

Weston  Flint 25  oo 

Mrs.  Frederick  M.  Crunden  (balance) 23  oo 

To  i  Life  Membership,  increased  to  Life  Fellowship,  viz. :  $      73  °° 

(Melvil  Dewey) 75  oo 

To  Interest  on  deposit,  Sept.  18.  1893,  to  date 15  54 

Total $1,969  51 

1893.  CR. 

Oct.  17.      By  Grover  Brothers,  Newark;  bill  for  1,500  envelopes,  leaflets,  and  tags  for 

Secretary $       12  25 

Oct.  28.      By  L.  J.  Hardman,  Newark;  bill  for  300  circulars  and  stamped  envelopes 

for  Secretary 1025 

1894. 
Feb.   i.       By  Publishers'    Weekly ;   bill  for  printing  550  copies  Chicago  Proceedings 

(106  pages)  and  postage  on  same 385  49 

Feb.  13.     By  same ;  bill  for  additional  postage  on  Proceedings i  35 

Feb.  13.     By  A.  L.  A.  Endowment   Fund;  transferred  to   E.  C.  Hovey,    Treasurer, 

amount  of  Life  Membership  of  George  lies 25  oo 

Feb.  21.     By  Library  Bureau;  bill  for  250  letter-heads  for  President 3  50 

Feb.  24.     By  same;  bills  for  250  letter-heads  for  Treasurer,  and  500  letter-heads  for 

Secretary 8  15 

March  2.    By  A.  L.  A.  Endowment  Fund;  transferred  to   E.    C.    Hovey,    Treasurer, 

amount  of  Life  Membership  of  Weston  Flint 25  oo 

May  23.      By  C.  F.  Williams,  Albany ;  bill  for  4, 500  Year  Books  for  1894 86  50 

Aug.  i.      By  same;  bill  for  printing  11,000  Year  Books  1893,  1,000  Programmes  of 

Chicago  Conference,  4,500  envelopes,  circulars,  slips,  etc.,  for  Mr.  Dewey.         258  85 

Aug.  4.      By  Melvil  Dewey;  cash  paid  by  him  for  various  printing  bills 13  47 

Aug.  8.      By  A.  L.   A.  Endowment   Fund;  transferred  to   E.  C.  Hovey,  Treasurer, 

balance  of  Life  Fellowship  of  Melvil  Dewey 75  oo 

Aug.  14.    By  F.  P.  Hill;  bill  for  postage  on  circulars  of  Lake  Placid  meeting 9  oo 

Aug.  27.    By  John  E.  Rowe  &  Son,  Newark;  bill  for  500  Membership  cards  and  100 

solicitation  slips,  for  Secretary 4  oo 

Aug.  27.    By  W.  B.  Morningstern,  Newark  :  bill  for  clerical  help  for  Secretary 4  35 

Sept.  12.    By  Matthias  Plum,  Newark;  bill  for  1,000  envelopes,  for  Secretary 3  oo 

Sept.  12.    By  A.  L.  A.  Endowment  Fund;   transferred  to  E.  C.  Hovey,  Treasurer, 

amount  of  Life  Membership  of  Mrs.  Frederick  M.  Crunden 25  oo 

Sept.  12.    By  Treasurer's  office ;  current  expenses,  Sept.  18,  1893,  to  Sept.  12,  1894,  as 

per  detailed  voucher 55  25 

Aggregate  payments $1,005  41 

Sept.  12.    Balance  on  deposit  with  the  N.  J.  Title  Guarantee  and  Trust  Company. . . .         964  10 
Total , $1,969  51 


112 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


The  present  status  of  membership  (Sept.  12, 
1894)  is  as  follows  : — 
Honorary  Member  (Dr.  Henry  Barnard). . .     i 

Life  Fellowships ; 2 

Life  Memberships 29 

Annual  Fellowships,  paid  for  1894 18 

Annual  Memberships,  paid  for  1894 394 

Library  Memberships,  paid  for  1894 26 

Total ..47o 

During  the  period  covered  by  this  report,  54 
new  members  have  joined  the  Association,  38 
have  resigned,  and  death  has  removed  8  from 
our  ranks.  Three  have  become  life  members, 
and  one  life  member  has  become  a  life  fellow. 
Your  Treasurer  has  put  forth  every  effort  in 
his  power  to  collect  all  outstanding  dues,  yet 
there  remain  unpaid  on  his  books  : — 

28  Annual  Memberships  for  1893, 

78  Annual  Memberships  for  1894, 

2  Annual  Fellowships  for  1894, 

2  Library  Memberships  for  1894, 

representing  a  total  of  $232  still  due.     There 

is  reason  to  believe  that  little  of  this  amount 

will  ever  find  its  way  into  the  treasury  of  the 

A.  L.  A.,  as  most  of  those  in  arrears  seem  to 

take  but  slight  interest  in  the  cause  which  this 

Association  represents.      Certainly  no  future 

financial  policy  should  be  adopted  which  calls 

for  the  expenditure  of  a  larger  amount  than  is 

now  in  the  treasury. 

No  sales  of  the  papers  and  proceedings  of 
prior  years  have  been  made  during  the  year. 
Several  copies  have  been  sent  to  members 
who  have  rejoined  the  Association ;  to  those 
who  have  reported  gaps  in  their  series ;  to  re- 
place several  lost  in  the  mails ;  and  to  complete 
the  set  in  the  Secretary's  office. 
There  are  now  on  hand  the  following  : — 

4  copies  of  Milwaukee  Conference  (1886). 
36      "       "  Thousand    Islands    Conference 

(1887). 

79       ''       "St.  Louis  Conference  (1889). 
22       "       "  White    Mountains    Conference 

(1890). 

25  '    San  Francisco  Conference  (1891). 

7      "       "  Lakewood  Conference  (1892). 
1 8      "       "  Chicago  Conference  (1893). 

NECROLOGY. 

During  the  year  just  passed  the  Treasurer 
has  learned  of  the  death  of  eight  members  Of 


the  Association.  With  two  of  these  he  was 
for  a  time  most  pleasantly  associated  in  the 
Newberry  Library,  at  Chicago,  and  it  is  with 
sincere  sorrow  that  he  now  finds  it  his  duty  to 
here  chronicle  their  lamented  deaths.  He  de- 
sires to  acknowledge  his  indebtedness  to  Mr. 
Frederick  M.  Crunden,  Librarian  of  the  Public 
Library  of  St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  Mr.  Addison  Van 
Name,  Librarian  of  Yale  University;  Presi- 
dent James  H.  Baker,  LL.  D.,  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Colorado,  Boulder,  Col. ;  the  June  (1884) 
number  of  The  Library;  and  the  Library 
Journal,  for  several  of  the  appended  sketches. 
They  have  been  arranged  in  the  order  in  which 
the  deaths  took  place. 

I.  Miss  MARY  ABBIE  BEAN,  Librarian  of  the 
Public  Library  of  Brookline,  Mass. ,  died  Sep- 
tember 4,  1893,  at  her  home  in  Brookline,  after 
a  painful  illness  of  eight  weeks  She  joined 
the  Association  in  1876  (registration  No.  87). 
She  had  been  Librarian  of  the  Brookline 
Library  for  22  years,  and  by  her  enthusiasm, 
capability,  and  unselfish  devotion  to  her  work, 
had  raised  the  library  to  an  exceptionally  high 
standard  of  efficiency.  Miss  Bean  was  born 
in  Laconia,  N.  H.,  March  23,  1840,  and  entered 
her  chosen  career  of  library  work  at  the  age 
of  fifteen,  when,  after  graduation  from  the 
schools  of  Boston,  she  became  an  assistant  in 
the  Boston  Athenaeum,  where,  under  the 
guidance  of  Dr.  William  F.  Poole  and  Mr. 
Charles  Russell  Lowell,  she  acquired  a  good 
knowledge  of  library  work.  After  nine  years' 
connection  with  the  Boston  Athenaeum  she  re- 
signed, and  with  Miss  Ames,  also  a  graduate 
of  the  Athenaeum,  catalogued  the  Naval 
Academy  Library,  at  Annapolis ;  the  Fairbanks 
Library,  at  St.  Johnsbury ;  the  private  library 
of  Henry  Probasco,  of  Cincinnati;  and  the 
Public  Library  of  Brookline. 

In  the  autumn  of  1871,  she  was  appointed 
librarian  of  the  Brookline  Library,  which  posi- 
tion she  held  until  her  death.  She  was  of  the 
older  race  of  librarians,  and  clung  to  the  tradi- 
tions of  time-honored  practice,  but  acquiesced 
cheerfully  in  changes  which  she  found  to  be 
inevitable.  She  was  very  proud  of  her  library 
and  her  profession,  and  had  many  friends 
among  library  workers  generally.  She  was  a 
member  of  the  Massachusetts  Library  Club. 
—(Library Journal,  18:  443.) 


FIRST  SESSION. 


II.  Miss  BESSIE  LANNING,  an  Assistant  of  the 
Free  Public  Library  of  Paterson,  N.  J.,  died  of 
consumption,   December  3,  1893.     She  joined 
the  Association  at  the  Lakewood  Conference, 
May  17,  1892  (registration  No.  1,069).     She  was 
connected  with  the  Paterson  Free  Public  Li- 
brary   for    about    two    years,    until   she  was 
obliged  to  relinquish   her  position    in    June, 

1893,  because  of  failing  health.     She  was  a 
bright  and  talented  young  lady,  and  by  her 
sunny  and  social  disposition  had  endeared  her- 
self to  a  large  circle  of  friends. 

III.  REV.  JOHN  C.  LEARNED,  who  died  De- 
cember  8,   1893,  was  born  in  Dublin,  N.    H., 
August   7,    1834.     He  joined  the  Association 
in  1890  (registration   No.  879).     He  prepared 
for  Dartmouth  College  in  1853,  but  was  pre- 
vented from   entering   that    institution.      He 
went  to  Missouri  about  1856  and  taught  school 
at  Ozark  for  several  years.     Returning  to  the 
East,  he  entered  the  Divinity  School  at  Har- 
vard University  in   1859-60,    remained  _  three 
years,  and  then  spent  a  few  months  in  Europe. 
He  received  his  first  call  as  a  Unitarian  minis- 
ter to  the  church  at  Exeter,  N.  H. ,  in  1863  ; 
was  married    to    Miss    Lucelia  Wakefield  in 
1864,  and  in  April,  1870,  removed  to  St.  Louis 
and  became  the  first  pastor  of  the  Church  of 
the  Unity,  which  position  he  retained  till  death 
removed  him.     His  wife   and  three  children 
survive. 

For  eight  years,  from  1884-92,  Mr.  Learned 
was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of 
the  St.  Louis  Public  Library,  serving  half  the 
time  as  Vice -President  and  the  remainder  as 
President,  with  two  years  as  Chairman  of  the 
Book  Committee. — (Frederick  M.  Crunden.} 

IV.  DR.  WILLIAM  FREDERICK  POOLE,  LL.  D., 
Librarian  of  the  Newberry  Library  of  Chicago, 
died  at  his  home  in  Evanston,  111.,  March  i, 

1894.  He  joined  the  Association  in  1876  (regis- 
tration No.  45).     He  was  one  of  the  original 
founders  of  this  Association,  and  a  regular  at- 
tendant at  nearly  all,  if  not  all,  of  its  meetings. 
So  prominent  has   been   his  connection  with 
this  Association  that  it  is  unnecessary  here  to 
recall  in  succession  the  meetings  he  attended, 
the  offices  he  held,  or  the  papers  he  read.     His 
death  has  left  a  gap  among  American  libra- 
rians that  cannot  be  readily  filled.     He  digni- 
fied the  library  profession  of  this  country  by 


hi.;  profound  learning  and  extended  expe- 
rience, and  honored  this  Association  by  his 
timely  counsels  which  always  displayed  his 
practical  good  sense.  Now  that  he  is  no  more, 
the  members  of  his  profession,  here  assembled, 
consider  it  a  privilege  to  set  apart  a  portion  of 
the  time  allotted  to  this  conference,  for  a  me- 
morial exercise  in  his  honor.  It  is  unneces- 
sary to  say  more,  at  this  time,  as  an  apprecia- 
tive and  timely  tribute  to  Dr.  Poole,  written  by 
Mr.  William  I.  Fletcher,  appeared  in  the  March 
number  of  the  Library  Journal,  to  which  those 
desiring  full  biographical  details  of  Dr.  Poole' s 
extended  career  are  referred. 

V.  MRS.  JOHN  W.  NOBLE,  Library  Trustee  of 
the  St.  Louis  Free  Public  Library,  died  March 
1 8,  1894.     She  joined  the  Association  in  1893 
(registration  No.   1134).     Mrs.  Noble,  prior  to 
her  marriage,    was  Miss   Elizabeth    Halsted, 
and  was  born  at  Northampton,  Mass.,  in  1837. 
She  was  one  of  a  family  of  six  sisters,  four  of 
whom  survive  her.     She  was  married  to  Gen- 
eral Noble  in  1864.     He  was  then  at  the  front, 
but  came  home  on  a  furlough  to  be  married, 
his  bride  accompanying  him  on  his  return. 

Mrs.  Noble  was  well  known  for  her  great 
work  in  behalf  of  the  poorer  classes,  especially 
of  her  own  sex ;  and  her  death  came  as  a  great 
blow  to  the  many  enterprises  with  which  she 
was  connected  for  bettering  the  condition  of  her 
unfortunate  sisters.  She  was  the  only  woman 
on  the  first  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  St.  Louis 
Free  Public  Library  and  did  not  live  to  serve 
out  her  term.  — (Frederick  M.  Crunden.} 

VI.  W.  J.  HAGGERSTON,  Librarian  of  the  Free 
Public  Library  of  Newcastle-upon-Tyne,  Eng. , 
died  May  6,  1.894.     He  joined  the  Association 
in  1877  (registration  No.  105).     He  had  been  ill 
for  the  last  two  years,   and  the  Library  Com- 
mittee had  on  several  occasions  given  him  pro- 
longed leave   of  absence,    but  no  permanent 
good  ensued.     He  was  born  in  1848  at  Brecon, 
Wales.     In  1861  his  parents  removed  to  New- 
castle-upon-Tyne, and  in  1867  young  Haggers- 
ton  was  appointed  junior  assistant  in  the  library 
of    the    Library    and    Philosophical    Society. 
Five  years  afterwards  he  obtained  the  position 
of  librarian  of  the  new  public  library  at  South 
Shields,    which  was  opened  in    1873;  and  in 
1879  he  was  appointed  first  librarian  of  the 
Newcastle  Public  Library.    ^This  library  was 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


opened  in  1880  with  20,000  volumes,  a  number 
which  has  increased  in  fourteen  years  to 
nearly  80,000,  a  result  greatly  due  to  the 
marked  ability  with  which  he  advised  the  pur- 
chases of  the  Books  Committee. 

Mr.  Haggerston  was  present  at  the  Library 
Conference  held  in  London  in  1877,  and  was 
for  many  years  a  member  of  the  Council  of 
the  L.  A.  U.  K.,  but  he  had  not  attended  an 
annual  meeting  since  that  of  Dublin  in  1884. 

—(The  Library,  6:  189.) 

VII.  EDWARD  J.  F.   WERDER,  for  the  past 
four  years  assistant  in  the  catalogue  depart- 
ment of  Yale  University,  died  May  26,  1894,  at 
the  Yale  Infirmary,  of  heart  failure,  following 
an  operation  for  appendicitis.     He  joined  this 
Association,  April   2,    1889    (registration    No. 
745),  and  attended  the  St.  Louis  and  Fabyans 
Conferences.     He  was  born  February  2,   1-846, 
at  Sagan,  Silesia,  where  he  also  pursued  his 
gymnasial  studies.     At    the   outbreak  of  the 
Prussian- Austrian  War  of  1866,  he  entered  the 
army,  and  in  1868,  after  the  prescribed  course 
of  study  in  a  military  school,    was  appointed 
lieutenant  in  the  Sixth  Battalion  of  Prussian 
Rifles.     He  remained  in  service  until  the  close 
of  the  Franco-German  War,  when  he  resigned 
his  commission,    and    in  1872  came  to  New 
York.     Here  he  lived  for  sixteen  years,  em- 
ployed at  first  as  a  private  tutor,  and  later  in 
the  study  and  practice  of  law,  having  received 
the  degree  of   LL.B.   from  the  University  of 
the  City  of  New  York,  in  1880.     Becoming  in- 
terested in  library  work,  he  secured,  in  1888,  a 
position  in  the  Newberry  Library,  which  he 
held  until  his  removal  to  New   Haven.      In 
both  libraries  he  rendered  most  faithful  and 
efficient  service,  and  in  both  he  gained,  by  his 
character  and  attainments,  the  respect  and  es- 
teem of  his  associates. — (Addtson  Van  Name.} 

VIII.  PROF.  CHARLES  EMMET  LOWREY,  Libra- 
rian of  the  University  of  Colorado,  at  Boulder, 
Col.,  died  August  18,  1894.  He  joined  the  Asso- 
ciation in  1891   (registration   No.  904  .     Prof. 
Lowrey  was  born  at  Hackettstown,    Warren 
Co.,  N.  J.,  July  6,  1855,  and  received  his  prep- 
aration for  college  in    the    academy  of    that 
place.     In  1873  he  entered  the  University  of 
Michigan,  and  after  four  years  was  graduated 
A.  B.     From  1877-79  he  taught  at  Anderson, 
N.  J.,  and  privately  prepared  two  young  men 
for  the  sophomore  class  at  Lafayette.     During 


the  following  two  years  he  was  Principal  of 
the  Calumet,  Mich.,  high  school.  In  the  au- 
tumn of  1 88 1  Mr.  Lowrey  returned  to  Ann  Ar- 
bor for  advanced  studies,  supporting  himself 
by  private  tutoring  and  engaging  in  various 
literary  enterprises.  Hundreds  of  students 
came  under  the  influence  of  his  thorough  in- 
struction, and  received  inspiration  from  his 
enthusiastic  scholarship  and  noble  life.  In 
1882  he  received,  on  examination,  the  Master's 
degree,  and  in  1884  became  Doctor  of  Philos- 
ophy, presenting  as  his  dissertation  "The 
Philosophy  of  Ralph  Cudworth,"  published  by 
Phillips  &  Hunt. 

Dr.  Lowrey  enjoyed  for  many  years  the  in- 
timate friendship  of  Drs.  Cocker  and  Morris. 
He  had  a  decidedly  philosophical  turn  of  mind, 
idealistic  in  tendency,  and  was  a  great  admirer 
of  Plato  and  Aristotle,  being  thoroughly  con- 
versant with  the  Greek  originals.  He  re- 
mained at  Ann  Arbor  until  the  fall  of  1886,  be- 
ing associated  with  Dr.  Wm.  H.  Payne  in 
editing  and  translating  pedagogical  literature, 
when  suddenly  his  greatly  impaired  health 
compelled  him  to  seek  relief  in  the  climate  of 
Wyoming  and  Colorado.  In  1889  he  had  suffi- 
ciently recovered  to  take  charge  of  the  library 
of  the  University  of  Colorado,  and  in  1890  was 
duly  elected  librarian.  He  at  once  applied 
himself  with  the  same  conscientiousness,  so 
characteristic  of  his  mind,  to  his  new  field  of 
labor,  and  for  five  years  the  university  was  the 
beneficiary  of  his  systematic  mind  and  broad 
scholarship.  He  always  manifested  intense  in- 
terest in  all  educational  matters,  and  fre- 
quently contributed  valuable  articles  to  var- 
ious prominent  periodicals.  In  1893  he  was 
ranked  as  full  professor,  and  delivered,  during 
two  semesters,  lectures  on  "  Library  Technics" 
and  ' '  Systematic  Bibliography."  But  the  close 
confinement  of  his  literary  duties  gradually 
undermined  his  constitution,  and  on  Sunday 
evening,  August  18,  1894,  he  quietly  passed 
away  at  Gold  Hill,  whither  he  had  gone  for 
temporary  relief.  He  made  an  heroic  struggle 
for  life,  and  nothing  but  his  indomitable  will 
sustained  him  so  long.  His  body  rests  in 
Boulder  Hill  Cemetery.  —(Dr.  James  H.  Baker.} 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

GEORGE  WATSON  COLE,  Treasurer. 
JERSEY  CITY,  N.  J.,  Sept  12,  1894. 


FIRST  SESSION. 


REPORT  OF  EXECUTIVE  BOARD. 

Pres.  LARNED. — The  single  meeting  of  the 
executive  board  was  held  in  November  last, 
and  was  reported  in  the  Library  Journal.  I 
think  it  is  sufficient  to  refer  to  that  report  as 
printed,  and  say  nothing  further  about  the 
subject. 

C:  C.  SOULE  read  the 

REPORT  OF  THE  FINANCE  COMMITTEE. 

Section  14  of  the  constitution  prescribes  that 
"The  finance  committee  shall  make  all  needed 
appropriations,  audit  bills,  and  give  orders  on 
the  treasurer  for  payment;  and  no  expense 
shall  be  incurred  on  behalf  of  the  Association 
by  any  officer  or  committee,  in  excess  of  the 
appropriation  made  for  the  purpose  by  the 
finance  committee." 

The  committee,  during  the  last  year,  has 
discharged  its  duties  so  far  as  auditing  bills  is 
concerned,  and  has  been  ready  to  make  appro- 
priations when  applied  to,  either  formally  or 
informally.  It  has  been  somewhat  embarrassed 
by  the  inattention  of  officers  and  committees 
to  this  provision  of  the  constitution,  and  by 
the  presentation  of  a  large  number  of  bills  for 
expenses  for  which  no  appropriation  had  been 
asked.  In  such  cases  the  committee  has  only 
considered  whether  the  expenses  were  incurred 
prudently,  and  in  good  faith,  and  has  given 
audit  and  ordered  payment  on  all  bills  which 
appeared  to  come  within  these  limits.  It  ven- 
tures to  suggest,  however,  that  the  officers  and 
committees  appointed  for  the  coming  year 
should  read  section  14,  and  comply  with  its 
requirements. 

The  treasurer's  report  gives  evidence  of 
assiduity  in  collections,  and  of  a  healthy  state 
of  the  treasury.  The  Association  should  bear 
in  mind,  however,  that  the  present  balance  of 
nearly  a  thousand  dollars  is  subject  to  drafts 
for  the  expenses  of  this  Conference,  and  the 
printing  of  its  proceedings.  Over  $600  will  be 
required  for  these  purposes,  which  will  leave 
$300,  or  less,  as  the  actual  cash  on  hand  at  the 
end  of  the  financial  year.  This  is  far  better 
than  some  former  experiences,  when  Confer- 
ence expenses  have  drawn  on  the  income  of 
the  following  year ;  but  the  balance  is  not  large 
enough  to  justify  extravagance. 

The  committee  has  audited  the  treasurer's 
accounts  as  presented  to  this  Conference,  and 


finds  them  to  be  correctly  cast,  with  proper 
vouchers,  and  bank  book  showing  balance  on 
hand  as  reported. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

JAMES  L.  WHITNEY,  \ 
CHARLES  C.  SOULE,     >-  Committae. 
A.  W.  WHELPLEY,      ) 

Voted. — That    the     report    of    the    finance 
committee  be  received  and  placed  on  file. 

REPORT   OF   COOPERATION    COMMITTEE. 

JAMES  K.  HOSMER,  Chairman,  made  the  fol- 
lowing verbal  statement  :  It  has  been  felt  that 
the  way  in  which  statistics  were  presented  in 
annual  reports  was  not  convenient.  It  seems 
to  rrie,  and  I  think  that  the  committee  are 
with  me  in  the  matter,  that  it  is  quite  im- 
possible there  should  be  a  uniform  scheme  of 
statistics.  The  libraries  which  we  represent 
are  exceedingly  varied  in  their  character. 
Some  are  state  libraries,  some  city  libraries, 
some  proprietary  libraries,  while  others  are 
school  and  college  libraries.  The  conditions 
in  each  case  require  a  different  scheme  of 
statistics.  It  is  quite  impossible  that  there 
should  be  anything  like  a  uniform  scheme. 
However,  it  has  seemed  to  the  committee 
possible  to  make  the  matter  of  comparison 
somewhat  more  convenient  by  providing  at 
the  end  of  the  detailed  scheme  of  statistics,  a 
summary  in  which  the  more  salient  things 
could  be  given.  In  the  case  of  the  library  at 
Minneapolis,  my  predecessor,  Mr.  Herbert 
Putnam,  was  in  the  habit,  in  his  annual  reports, 
of  presenting  his  statistics  in  that  way.  He 
gave  in  the  first  place  the  scheme  in  detail 
such  as  the  conditions  of  the  situation  de- 
manded. Then  he  gave  in  the  space  of  one 
page,  a  summary.  The  plan  has  been  con- 
tinued by  me.  The  aim  in  the  summary  is  to 
present  the  most  essential  things,  and  any 
librarian  wishing  to  make  comparisons,  if  he 
has  before  him  in  each  annual  report  such  a 
summary,  will  not  need  to  search  long  to  hit 
upon  the  item  which  he  requires,. 

It  has  been  impossible  for  the  committee  to 
meet  until  this  morning,  when  our  conference 
was  very  brief;  but  I  believe  I  am  right  in 
saying  they  recommend  that  in  the  statistics, 
in  the  annual  reports,  there  should  be  in  the 
first  place  a  detailed  statement,  and  after  that 
a  summary;  the  summary  to  consist  of  the 


n6 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


essential  things  given  in  the  shortest  and 
briefest  form.  As  we  talked  about  the  sum- 
mary these  points  came  up  :  in  the  first  place, 
an  itemized  financial  statement;  under  that 
would  come  salaries,  binding,  insurance,  and 
books.  Then,  second,  a  head  relating  to  cir- 
culation ;  book  issue  might  be  a  general  title, 
subdivided  into  issue  for  home  use,  and  issue 
for  library  use.  Then  there  might  be  a  gen- 
eral heading  relating  to  the  number  and  con- 
dition of  books.  The  committee  have  not 
agreed  upon  what  the  essential  things  are  for 
such  a  summary,  and  perhaps  the  matter  had 
better  be  recommitted. 

I  am  not  able,  Mr.  President,  to  make  any 

more  coherent  or  satisfactory  report  than  this. 

Voted. — That  this  matter  be  recommitted  to 

the  present  committee  for  a  printed  report  of 

what  this  summary  should  be. 

The  following  is  the  subsequent  written 
report  of  that  committee,  in  accordance  with 
the  vote. 

The  cooperation  committee  report  concern- 
ing a  proper  form  for  a  scheme  of  statistics, 
as  follows  : 

That  inasmuch  as  libraries  vary  widely  in 
their  character,  and  inasmuch  as  the  demands 
of  constituencies  as  regards  statistics  also 
vary  widely,  it  is  impossible  to  settle  upon  any 
one  form  which  all  may  adopt.  We  recommend 
the  scheme  suggested  by  the  cooperation  com- 
mittee of  1877,  and  published  in  the  Library 
Journal  for  that  year,  as  a  good  example  of  a 
form  of  statistics,  though  it  will  undoubtedly 
need  to  be  modified  wherever  used,  as  the 
conditions  of  each  case  may  require.  We 
further  recommend  :  That  at  the  end  of  the 
detailed  scheme  of  statistics,  a  summary  of 
statistics  be  supplied,  in  which  the  information 
previously  given  shall  be  repeated  in  a  form 
as  condensed  as  possible,  and  in  the  following 
order : 

i St.  Number  of  books  in  the  library;  acces- 
sions; losses,  etc. 

ad.  Circulation ;  number  of  cards  issued ; 
home  issue  for  Central  and  Branches;  library 
issue  for  Central  and  Branches  (a  careful  dis- 
tinction to  be  made  here  between  home  and 
library  use). 

3d.  Receipts:  From  appropriations;  from 
special  funds;  from  fines;  from  sale  of  cata- 
logues ;  from  fees ;  from  other  sources. 


4th.  Expenses:  Salaries;  janitorial;  books; 
building;  repairs;  binding,  etc. 

We  believe  that  in    such  a  summary,    an 
approach  may  be  made  to  uniformity,    how- 
ever varying  the  conditions,  and  that  thereby 
the  task  of  comparison  will  be  much  alleviated. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

JAMES  K.  HOSMER, 
For  the  Cooperation  Committee. 

G:  T.  LITTLE  read  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee on 

LIBRARY    SCHOOL   AND   TRAINING   CLASSES.* 

In  presenting  the  seventh  annual  report  on 
the  Library  School,  your  committee  are  com- 
pelled to  devote  less  space  than  usual  to  this 
admirably  conducted  institution  in  order  to 
briefly  characterize  the  various  training  classes 
which  are  for  the  first  time  included  in  the 
province  of  this  report.  The  fact,  however, 
that  four  out  of  the  eight  other  places  in  which 
formal  instruction  in  library  economy  is  now 
given,  are  under  the  direction  of  graduates  of 
the  New  York  State  Library  School,  indicates 
clearly  the  important  and  widespread  influ- 
ence exerted  by  its  curriculum  and  its  in- 
structors. 

The  members  of  your  committee,  who  were 
able  to  visit  the  school,  selected  a  day  when  it 
was  in  its  ordinary  running  order,  so  that  a 
typical  day's  work  might  be  seen.  No  day  can 
be  more  profitably  spent  by  a  librarian .  The 
school  is  magnificently  housed.  The  state 
capitol  is  set  on  a  hill,  and  there  is  a  sense  of 
dignity  in  the  very  approach.  The  visitor  is 
conducted  through  long  corridors,  past  marble 
columns,  along  arched  passages  to  a  large  cor- 
ner room,  where  sit  the  faculty  and  members 
of  the  Library  School. 

The  room  is  a  very  handsome  one.  The 
ceiling  is  rich,  the  walls  handsomely  panelled 
in  oak,  the  carpets  soft,  the  view  from  the 
windows  delightful.  Fireplaces,  upholstered 
chairs.hassocks,  give  the  impression  of  physical 
comfort.  But  while  the  eye  is  gratified  by  all 
this,  the  mind  of  the  librarian  is  turning 
towards  utility.  Here  again  it  is  at  once  satis- 
fied. Every  member  of  the  faculty  and  every 

*  The  statistics  and  material  of  this  report  were 
collected  previous  to  the  appearance  of  an  article  on 
the  same  subject  in  the  Library  Journal  for  Sep- 
tember. 


FIRST  SESSH*\. 


117 


pupil  in  the  school  is  provided  with  a  desk  of 
ample  size,  and  the  desks  are  well  littered. 
Around  the  room  appliances  of  every  kind 
abound.  Lifts,  speaking  tubes,  pigeon  holes, 
bulletin  boards,  memorandum  trays,  all  are  in 
active  use,  and  accustom  the  librarian -in-train- 
ing to  use  and  devise  for  himself  and  others 
those  minor  conveniences  that  add  greatly  to  the 
efficiency  of  library  service. 

There  were,  in  June,  twenty -three  pupils  in 
the  school.  A  list  of  the  faculty  and  statistics 
as  to  expenses  and  the  curriculum  are  given 
in  the  little  hand-book  which  the  school  issues, 
entitled,  Course  and  Expenses.  A  complete  list 
of  the  students,  from  the  first,  is  printed  in  the 
Library  Journal  for  September.  It  is,  there- 
fore, unnecessary  to  summarize  that  material 
here.  Former  reports,  too,  have  given  so  full 
an  account  of  the  work  of  the  school,  that  it 
will  be  best  to  notice,  especially  at  this  time, 
the  changes  and  additions  that  have  been  made 
the  last  year. 

The  requirements  for  entrance  have  been 
advanced, — as,  indeed,  has  been  the  case  each 
year, — and  new  details  added  to  the  curricu- 
lum. In  order  to  receive  a  diploma,  it  is  now 
necessary,  besides  passing  satisfactory  exam- 
inations in  each  of  sixteen  subjects,  for  each 
pupil  to  obtain  from  his  teachers  in  the  respec- 
tive subjects,  a  pass  card,  stating  that  the  class 
work  has  been  done  satisfactorily.  No  pass 
card,  no  diploma — despite  good  examinations. 
This  adds  importance  to  the  regular  daily 
work,  and  makes  it  impossible  for  the  one  who 
can  pass  good  examinations  to  have  an  undue 
advantage  over  the  one  .who  can  live  up  to 
good  standards  in  daily  work. 

Another  new  feature  is  the  encouragement 
of  the  collecting  of  sample  cards  and  blanks 
from  different  libraries.  A  good  collection 
would  count  towards  a  degree.  The  notes 
taken  of  lectures  are  also  inspected  by  the 
teachers,  who  require  the  notes  of  the  two 
years'  course  to  be  preserved  in  convenient 
form  for  future  reference. 

The  classes  have  had  reading  seminars  once 
a  week  since  1889,  the  subject  being  settled  by 
the  vote  of  the  class.  This  year,  however,  a 
systematic  course  has  been  pursued.  For  the 
first  half  of  -the  first  year  Amei'ican  authors 
are  considered;  the  second  half,  foreign 
authors,  except  French  and  English  ;  for  the 


first  two-thirds  of  the  second  year,  English 
authors;  the  last  third,  French. 

One  of  the  most  useful  of  the  new  features 
is  the  establishment  of  physical  culture  as  a 
part  of  the  regular  course.  This  practical 
study  made  its  way  into  the  curriculum  by 
force  of  its  own  merits,  and  has  evidently  come 
to  stay.  Three  years  ago  the  class  took  up  a 
course  voluntarily,  the  members  uniting  to  pay 
the  necessary  expenses.  The  next  year  the 
alumni  clubbed  together,  and  each  one  gave 
an  amount  equivalent  to  that  received  for  a 
day's  work,  so  that  a  regular  teacher  was  se- 
cured. It  is  now  a  part  of  the  regular  course, 
one  lesson  a  wee^being  given. 

Excellent  language  work  is  done  under  the 
direction  of  Miss  Hawley.  Reyer's  Entvvick- 
lung,  a  history  of  the  library  movement  in 
Germany,  is  used  as  a  text-book,  in  German, 
so  that  the  information  gained,  as  well  as  the 
work  of  translation,  is  of  value.  This  course 
belongs  to  the  senior  year,  but  many  juniors 
elect  it.  A  good  working  vocabulary  is  ac- 
quired even  by  one  previously  unacquainted 
with  the  language,  and  this  vocabulary,  pre- 
served on  slips,  forms  part  of  the  equipment 
each  pupil  carries  away  with  him.  In  Latin, 
the  work  consists  largely  of  translating  title 
pages.  In  Italian,  instruction  is  given  by  Miss 
.Edith  Fuller. 

There  have  been  improvements  also  in  the 
accommodations.  A  gallery  newly  built  around 
the  room  gives  space  for  enough  additional 
desks  to  accommodate  the  pupils,  and  electric 
lights  have  been  added.  The  Hammond  Type- 
writer Company  have  put  in  five  machines,  so 
that  all  may  become  familiar  with  their  use. 
A  library  has  been  established  for  the  benefit 
of  the  hundreds  of  workmen  in  the  capitol. 

No  one  who  visits  the  school  can  fail  to  be 
impressed  with  the  active,  workful  purpose 
that  pervades  the  place.  As  late  as  six,  that 
June  afternoon,  everything  was  in  full  opera- 
tion. Yet,  recreation  is  insisted  upon.  Bicy- 
cles are  rampant.  Pupils  and  faculty  ride ;  to- 
gether, separately,  on  different  makes,  in 
varying  ways.  The  bicycle  house,  on  a  neigh- 
boring street,  to  which  all  pupils  are  made 
welcome,  and  from  which  they  may  ride  at 
their  pleasure,  is  a  curiosity.  It  is  also  a  strik- 
ing example  of  the  open  hand  and  heart  of  the 
director  of  the  school. 


u8 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


In  1890  the  Pratt  Institute  of  Brooklyn  be- 
gan a  training  class  in  library  work  to  meet 
the  need  of  those  who  could  not  afford  the 
time  or  the  money  necessary  to  attend  the 
New  York  State  School.  The  courses  in  cata- 
loguing and  in  library  economy  have  from  year 
to  year  been  supplemented  by  courses  in 
American  and  English  literature,  in  composi- 
tion and  in  German,  until  the  class  entering  this 
fall  will  have  before  it  a  well-arranged  course  of 
three  terms,  extending  from  October  to  June. 
The  total  tuition  charges  are  sixteen  dollars  a 
term.  The  total  number  of  pupils  has  been 
ninety-five,  and  forty-four  of  these  have  subse- 
quently entered  upon  librSry  work.  A  class 
of  more  than  twenty-five  persons  is  not  desired. 

The  Drexel  Institute  of  Philadelphia,  in  Oc- 
tober, 1892,  and  the  Armour  Institute  of  Chi- 
cago, the  following  September,  organized  simi- 
lar library  classes,  which  have  been  success- 
fully conducted.  At  the  former,  twenty-four 
pupils  have  been  enrolled,  of  whom  twelve 
have  found  positions  as  library  assistants.  The 
tuition  for  each  of  the  two  terms  which  make 
up  the  course,  is  twenty  dollars.  At  the  Armour 
Institute  the  school  year  is  divided  into  three 
terms,  and  the  tuition  fees  amount  to  sixty  dol- 
lars. The  course  can  be  supplemented,  if  de- 
sired, by  a  second  year  of  advanced  work.  The 
first  class  consisted  of  twelve,  of  whom  eight 
have  already  secured  positions  in  libraries. 

In  these  three  Institutes  the  requirements  for 
admission  are  essentially  the  same,  a  good  ed- 
ucation, equivalent  to  that  afforded  by  a  high 
school  course,  and  examinations  to  test  the 
candidate's  knowledge  of  literature,  history 
and  current  topics  The  Drexel  Institute  gives 
a  fine  course  of  lectures  by  its  president,  James 
MacAlister,  LL.  D.,  and  other  eminent  special- 
ists, on  bibliography  and  general  literature, 
besides  its  well  mapped  out  course  of  instruc- 
tion in  English  literature  given  by  the  librarian 
and  her  assistant.  The  Armour  Institute  has 
also  made  excellent  progress  during  the  first 
year  of  its  existence,  in  the  arrangement  of  its 
lecture  courses  on  bibliography  and  general 
library  topics.  The  curriculum  in  library 
economy  at  all  three  present  no  striking  points 
of  difference,  and  to  enlarge  upon  their  com- 
parative merit  as  far  as  differences  do  appear, 
would  be  as  unwise  as  unjust.  Each  seems 
'  well  adapted  to  enable  a  high  school  graduate 


of  industry  and  natural  aptitude  for  library 
work,  to  prepare  himself  or  herself  as  an  effi- 
cient library  assistant.  In  each,  the  experience 
of  succeeding  years  is  constantly  changing  and 
improving  the  curriculum  pursued. 

The  Los  Angeles  Public  Library  Training 
Class,  as  its  name  indicates,  is  a  modification 
of  the  apprentice  system  of  making  librarians. 
It  was  started  primarily  for  the  advantage  of 
the  library  itself,  as  a  method  of  training  ap- 
plicants for  library  positions,  before,  rather 
than  after  they  began  to  receive  a  salary,  and 
of  avoiding  all  danger  of  political  or  .personal 
influence  by  making  appointments  depend 
solely  on  individual  merit.  The  systematic 
curriculum,  the  number  of  those  who  have 
completed  it,  the  character  of  the  instruction 
as  indicated  by  the  examination  papers,  estab- 
lish clearly  its  right  to  be  ranked  as  a  school 
of  library  economy. 

The  first  class  was  organized  in  November, 
1891.  Of  thirty-three  pupils,  seventeen  have 
completed  the  course  and  fourteen  have  en- 
tered upon  library  work.  The  class  is  limited 
to  six  young  women,  who  must  be  at  least 
seventeen  years  of  age,  and  satisfy  the  com- 
mittee of  examination  that  by  previous  educa- 
tion and  natural  adaptability  they  possess 
qualifications  sufficient  to  warrant  their  under- 
taking library  work.  Five  or  more  classes 
may  be  conducted  at  one  time.  After  giving 
three  hours  daily  for  six  months  to  the  first 
course,  presenting  a  thesis  upon  some  ap- 
proved subject  of  library  economy,  and  passing 
satisfactorily  a  technical  examination  in  acces- 
sion, reference,  shelf  and  loan  department 
work,  the  pupil  is  entitled  to  a  place  on  the 
list  of  substitutes,  and  to  enter  upon  the  second 
course.  This  is  of  the  same  length  as  the  first, 
and  is  devoted  to  cataloguing  and  to  theoret- 
ical work  in  library  administration.  There  is 
no  charge  for  tuition,  and  the  attainment  of 
eighty-five  per  cent,  in  examinations,  ensures 
the  pupil  six  months'  half -day  service  at  the 
rate  of  ten  dollars  a  month. 

Somewhat  similar  in  purpose  and  in  certain 
details  is  the  Denver  Public  Library  Training 
Class,  which  was  organized  last  September, 
with  five  pupils  and  which  is  described  in  the 
current  number  of  the  Library  Journal. 

The  Amherst  Summer  School  of  Library 
Economy,  organized  in  1891,  has  had  four  well 


FIRST  SESSION. 


119 


attended  sessions,  the  total  registration 
amounting  to  ninety-eight,  of  whom  over  one- 
half  have  entered  upon  library  work.  In- 
struction is  given  entirely  by  the  well  known 
librarian  of  Amherst  College.  The  aim  is  to 
afford  as  complete  and  thorough  a  course  in 
the  theory  and  practice  of  library  work  as  can 
be  given  in  five  weeks.  "The  course  of  study 
is  as  follows: — Two  hours  daily  of  instruction, 
and  two  hours  of  practice  work.  Of  the  first 
two  hours,  one  throughout  the  course  is  de- 
voted to  Cutter's  rules  [running  exposition  and 
explanation] ;  and  in  the  other,  the  following 
subjects  are  taken  up  successively:  library 
hand,  selection  and  purchase  of  books,  pre- 
paring new  books,  accession  catalogue,  shelf 
list,  charging  systems,  reference  work,  bind- 
ing and  repairs.  Of  the  practice  time,  about 
one-half  is  devoted  to  actual  cataloguing,  and 
the  other  half  to  the  review  of  the  same  by  the 
instructor,  with  constant  use  of  the  black- 
board." 

It  is  obvious  that  so  brief  a  course  is  best 
adapted  to  those  who  have  had  either  some  ac- 
quaintance with  library  work,  or  are  possessed 
of  especially  well  trained  and  receptive  minds. 
To  the  many  custodians  of  small  libraries,  who 
have  come  to  feel  their  ignorance,  and  to 
quick  witted  men  and  women,  who  need  a 
basis  for  future  study  and  self  instruction, 
this  course  offers  special  advantages  at  a  slight 
expenditure  of  time  and  money. 

The  latest  additions  to  the  facilities  for  for- 
mal instruction  in  library  science,  that  have 
come  to  the  knowledge  of  your  committee,  are 
in  widely  separated  states,  but  in  somewhat 
similar  surroundings.  They  are  conducted  by 
college  librarians  in  connection  with  their  reg- 
.  ular  work,  and  the  technical  courses  are  sup- 
plemented by  instruction  in  the  college  classes. 
The  course  offered  at  the  Maine  State  College 
of  Agriculture  and  the  Mechanic  Arts,  at 
Orono,  is  described  in  the  August  number  of 
the  Library  Journal,  and  no  further  informa- 
tion is  necessary,  save  to  remark  that  it  has 
already  attracted  pupils.  The  last  catalogue 
of  the  University  of  Colorado,  at  Boulder,  de- 
scribes two  courses:  one  in  library  technics, 
the  other  in  systematic  bibliography,  which  to- 
gether extend  throughout  the  academic  year, 
and  are  conducted  by  the  librarian  of  the  Uni- 
versity. Though  intended  primarily  for  the 


general  student,  a  limited  number  of  those  who 
take  them  have  the  privilege  of  learning  the 
practical  details  of  library  administration  un- 
der the  personal  supervision  of  the  librarian.'"" 

When  the  founder  of  the  Library  School 
brought  his  project  before  the  Association  in 
1883,  a  prominent  librarian  expressed  his  be- 
lief "  that  practical  work  in  a  library  based  on 
a  good  previous  education  in  the  schools  was 
the  only  proper  way  to  train  good  librarians." 
To  ascertain  how  far  it  is  possible  at  the  present 
time  to  enter  the  profession  in  this  way,  your 
committee  have  written  to  one  hundred  libra- 
ries throughout  the  country,  selecting  those 
that  from  their  size  or  circumstances  could  be 
supposed  to  offer  facilities  for  training  in 
library  work.  Out  of  eighty  replies,  only 
seven  express  a  willingness  to  receive  appren- 
tices. These  seven,  however,  represent  libra- 
ries in  large  cities,  where  this  pathway  to  the 
librarian's  vocation  will  surely  find  some  to 
walk  in  it. 

The  following,  from  the  librarian  of  the 
Minneapolis  Public  Library,  indicates  at  once 
the  advantages  and  the  limitations  of  this* 
method  of  learning  library  work:  "  We  have 
in  this  library  a  system  of  apprenticeship 
which  is  working  satisfactorily.  Last  January 
an  examination  was  held,  at  which  forty  can- 
didates appeared.  Out  of  this  number  eight 
were  successful.  One  received  an  appoint- 
ment, two  resigned,  five  are  now  connected 
with  us  as  substitutes.  They  are  given  an  op- 
portunity to  learn  library  work,  but  receive  no 
pay,  except  when  serving  as  substitutes  for 
regular  members  of  the  staff.  They  are  then 
paid  at  a  low  rate,  twenty  cents  per  hour  for 
day  work,  twenty-five  cents  an  hour  for  even- 
ing and  Sunday  work.  Any  vacancy  in  the 
staff  will  be  filled  by  the  appointment  of  the 
most  promising  apprentice.  We  do  not  care 
to  have  our  class  of  apprentices  larger  than 
it  is  at  present,  and  should  admit  to  it  only 
such  as  have  passed  our  examinations." 

Of  the  seventy-three  libraries  that  did  not 
care  to  receive  apprentices,  a  majority  said 
that  they  trained  their  own  assistants.  This 
circumstance  shows — if,  indeed,  any  one 
doubted  it — that  despite  the  growing  demand 
for  trained  assistants  and  librarians,  most  po- 

*  The  recent  death  of  Dr.  Lowrey  will  probably  lead 
to  the  discontinuance  of  this  course. 


I2O 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


sitions  continue  to  be  filled,  so  to  speak,  with 
raw  material. 

The  report  on  Library  School  and  Training 
Classes  was  accepted  and  placed  on  file. 

S:  S.  GREEN. — At  the  University  of  Mich- 
igan there  is  a  good  deal  of  bibliography  in- 
struction by  Mr.  Davis,  and  I  understand  that 
at  several  other  colleges  instruction  is  given. 
I  would  suggest  that  in  future  reports  of  this 
committee,  that  kind  of  library  instruction  be 
also  considered,  and  the  place  mentioned 
where  it  is  given. 

Treasurer  COLE  read  the 

REPORT      OF      TRUSTEES      OF       THE      ENDOWMENT 
FUND. 

E.    C.   HOVEY,    Treasurer,   in  account  with 

A.  L.  A.  ENDOWMENT  FUND. 
1893.  DR. 

July  19.     To  balance  old  account $199  63 

To  Life  membership 
fees  received  from 
Mr.  Cole,  Treas. 
American  Library 

Assoc'n $125  oo 

To  Interest  received 
on  bank  balance 
and  investments. . .  380  95 

$505  95 


$705  58 


CR. 


By  amount  invested  in  bond 
and  mortgage $400  oo 

By  accrued  interest  on  said 
mortgage 25  oo 

By  amount  paid  for  rent  of 
safe. .  10  oo 


$435  oo 
By  balance 270  58 

$705  58 


E.  &  O.  E.     Sept.  ist,  1894. 

E.  C.  HOVEY,  Treas. 
Examined  and  approved. 

JAMES  L.  WHITNEY, 

CHARLES  C.  SOULE, 

A.  W.  WHELPLEY, 

E.   C.   HOVEY,    Treasurer,   in   account  with 
A.  L.  A.  ENDOWMENT  FUND. 

DR. 
To  subscriptions  received . .  $4, 540  50 

To  Life  memberships 747  47 

To  interest  on  bank  balances 

and  from  investments. . . .      658  93 


CR. 

By  amount  invested $4,800  oo 

By      note     of     publishing 

section 650  oo 

By  printing  bills 135  10 

By  accrued  interest  71  22 

By  rent  of  vault 20  oo 

By  balance 


$5,676  32 
270  58 

$5,946  90 

E.  &  O.  E.     Sept.  ist,  1894. 

E.  C.  HOVEY,  Treas. 

FINANCIAL   CONDITION. 

ASSETS. 

Invested  in  mortgage $4, 800  oo 

Note  of  publishing  section..       65000 
Cash  in  bank 270  58 


There  are  no  Liabilities. 
MARY  S.  CUTLER  read  the 


-$5,720  58 


E.  C.  HOVEY. 


5,946  90 


FINAL  REPORT   OF   THE    A.  L.  A.  COLUMBIAN    EXPO- 
SITION   COMMITTEE. 

Your  committee  reported  in  July,  1893,  the 
remarkable  interest  displayed  by  visitors  con- 
cerning the  library  exhibit.  This  interest  was 
kept  up  till  the  close  of  the  Exposition.  At  the 
time  of  that  report,  parts  i  and  2  of  the  cata- 
log were  in  type.  They  were  completed 
and  a  partial  distribution  made  July  25.  The 
printing  of  part  3,  the  dictionary  catalog, 
still  remained.  Owing  to  the  press  of  work  in 
the  Government  printing  office,  caused  by  the 
special  session  of  Congress,  this  was  not  com- 
pleted till  the  middle  of  February,  1894,  and 
then  20,000  copies  were  printed.  Many  letters 
of  appreciation  and  commendation  have  been 
received  by  the  chairman. 

The  A.  L.  A.  Library  is  deposited  with  the 
Bureau  of  Education,  Washington,  where  visit- 
ors are  made  welcome  by  the  officials  of  the 
department.  The  comparative  exhibit  is  ar- 
ranged in  ample  and  convenient  quarters,  in 
the  New  York  State  Library,  and  awaits  the 
inspection  and  study  of  all  interested  in  library 
methods,  during  every  week  day  in  the  year. 

A  complete  report  is  given  below  of  the 
emergency  fund  which  was  raised  to  finish  the 
work  of  the  A.  L.  A.  catalog,  owing  to  the 
unexpected  reductions  in  the  appropriations 
of  the  Bureau  of  Education.  Vouchers  for  the 
expenditure  of  the  entire  amount  are  deposited 
with  the  treasurer  of  the  Association. 


FIRST  SESSION. 


121 


CONTRIBUTIONS  RECEIVED.  nccted  with  the  exhibit  were  defrayed  by  the 

-HIT    i-i'      Tf  •      r>  Bureau    of    Education,     through    its    regular 

Massachusetts  World  s    Fair    Com-  „ 

mittee,  through  E.  C.  Hovey. . .    $1,000  33  agent. 

R.  R.  Bowker 100  oo  The  committee  desires  to  thank  the  Asso- 

Hannah  P.  James 50  oo  ciation  for  its  very  sincere  and  hearty  appre- 

Osterhout  Free  Library 50  oo  d    {        f  h{          fc 

John  M.  Glenn 25  oo 

Anonymous  donor 100  oo  Respectfully  submitted, 

Mary  S.  Cutler 14  36  MARY  S.  CUTLER,  Chairman. 

FRANK  P.  HILL, 

$x'339  69  c   ALEX   NELSON> 

PAID  OUT    FOR     SERVICES   ON    A.   L.  A.  CATALOG.  WfiSTON  FLINT, 

Louisa  S.  Cutler,  March,  April  and  CHARLES  A.  CUTTER, 

May,  1893 $30000  FREDERICK  H.  HILD, 

Bessie  Baker,   March  i  to  April  15,  HANNAH  P.  JAMES. 

l-  ^A' '  ^  "  Y '  V/  ' '  i.' '  A ' '  '-i ' ' '  i  The  chairman  added:   I  wish  to  remind  the 

Henrietta  Church,  March,  April  and 

May    1803  150  oo      Association  that  to  MY.    Frank  P.  Hill  belongs 

John  G.  Moulton,  '100  hours  special  the  honor  of  conceiving  the  ir'ea  of  a  library 

work 20  oo  exhibit,  and  of  first  presenting  it;  also,  that  on 

William  S.    Burns,   April,    1893,    to  {       fi         presentation,  September,    1890,    Col. 

January    1894              516  40 

Helen  G.  Sheldon 66  oo  Weston  Flint  immediately  suggested  the  coop- 
Mary  E.   Farr 14  oo  eration  between  the  Bureau  of  Education  and 

Mary  L.  Jones,  special  work 6  25  the  American  Library  Association,  which  was 

nald'    SPedal   W°rk>    ^  2     o      so  happily  carried  out. 

The  report  was  accepted  and  placed  on  file. 
EXPENSES  OF  COMMITTEE.  WILLIAM  BEER  made  a  verbal  report  on 

PA  Hi11'' 49    50  LIBRARIES   IN   THE   SOUTH. 

Charles  A.  Cutter 24  50 

Hannah  P.  James 20  50          When  I   was   asked  to   make  this  report  I 

Mary  S.  Cutler 62  50      wished  to  bring  up  to  date  the  statistics  given 

in  the  report  of  the  Bureau  of  Education.     I 
PRINTING. 

think  every  one  present  who  received  those 

C.  F.  Williams 6  90      statistics  has  recognized  in  them  that  many 

2  °5      libraries  were  not  named,   and   that  a  great 
.  9  40 

many  others  that  were  named  should  not  have 

MISCELLANEOUS.  been  there  as  public  libraries.     The  statistics, 

too,  were  statistics  of  a  very  ancient  date.     I 
Supplies ......... . . . .  10  64      h        to  compiie  a  complete  list  for  the  southern 

Sign  for  A.  L.  A.  Library 3  75 

states.    I  have  seen  Dr.  Harris,  and  he  is  pre- 

$1,339  69      pared  to  publish  corrected  statistics  in  leaflets 

for  distribution. 
The  following  money  transaction   was  also  **.«_*•«.       •         « *i.     «.•.«.   T 

carried  out  by  the  chairman:  In  speaking  of  the  libraries  of  the  South,  I 

have  particularly  examined  those  which    are 
Received  from  Com.  W.  T.  Harris..      $100  oo      concentrated  a]most  entirely  in  New  Orleans. 

There  is  one  thing  that  has  recently  occurred 

PAID   OUT,    SERVICES    FEBRUARY    15    TO    MARCH  I,  ,       ,, 

there  that  will  help  very  much  the  cause  of 
education  in  the  state  and  in  the  city.     The 

Louisa  S.  Cutler $  50  oo      University  of  Tulane,  which  occupies  the  old 

Bessie  Baker 2500  .        .  .  .  .,       .       ,* 

Henrietta  Church 25  oo      buildings  in  the  heart  of  the  city,  has  recently 

built  some  very  handsome  buildings,  and  two 

$100  oo      of  the  libraries  which  were  in  the  same  build- 
Vouchers  for  the    same  are  also  deposited      ing — the  library  of  Tulane  University,  and  the 
with  the  treasurer.     All  other  expenses  con-      Fisk  Free  Library — have  been  separated.  They 


122 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


now  start  out  each  one  free  to  build  itself  up : 
the  Fisk  Free  Library  on  popular  lines,  and  the 
Tulane  University  on  the  lines  of  the  chairs 
on  which  lectures  are  given  in  the  University 
Therefore,  instead  of  their  being  two  half 
libraries,  fitting  one  into  another,  there  will 
now  be  created  two  separate  libraries  for  the 
good  of  the  city. 

There  is  one  other  thing  in  the  South  that  is 
very  encouraging.  A  gentleman  in  Galveston 
has  recently  left  a  sum  of  money,  the  residue  of 
which  will  amount  to  over  $500,000,  and  this 
will  be  used  in  Galveston  to  found  a  great  free 
library.  My  paper  on  The  Libraries  of  the 
South  will  really  consist  of  statistics  which  are 
not  adapted  for  reading  here,  but  will  be  very 
interesting,  and  will  appear  in  due  course  in  a 
leaflet  furnished  by  the  Bureau  of  Education. 

MELVIL  DEWEY. — May  I  say  a  word  about 
the  Bureau  of  Education  ?  Those  of  you  who 
know  how  that  is  organized,  know  that  the 
annual  report  comes  out  two,  three,  and  almost 
four  years  behind  time,  on  account  of  pressure 
of  work  in  the  office.  Our  arrangements  in 
regard  to  getting  out  the  library  volume  were 
made  with  Commissioner  Harris  last  year. 
He  wrote  me  a  letter  some  time  ago,  asking 
that  it  be  confidential,  and  in  it  explained  to 
me  what  had  happened.  The  appropriation 
to  the  Interior  Department  had  been  used  up 
by  the  Patent  Office  and  some  others  of  the  de- 
partment, so  that  the  Bureau  of  Education 
was  stranded,  but  he  did  not  care  to  have  the 
matter  made  public.  He  was  very  anxious  to 
publish  our  volume.  The  committee  said  to 
him  that  unless  he  could  publish  it  we  would 
find  means  of  publishing  it  otherwise,  and  we 
felt  the  Association  would  be  with  us  in  the 
matter. 

It  was  very  desirable  to  have  it  published  by 
the  government,  because  that  would  give  it 
a  large  circulation.  We  could  thus  put  it  in 
every  library  in  the  United  States,  and  make 
exchanges  abroad,  which  would  be  infinitely 
more  desirable  than  to  have  a  publishing 
house  issue  it.  I  told  Dr.  Harris  that  there 
were  publishers  who  would  take  it,  and  that 
some  of  the  states  were  willing  to  publish  it, 
but  that  it  was  of  vital  interest  that  it  should 
be  printed  by  the  government.  He  felt  a 
keen  interest,  but  the  matter  was  deferred 
every  little  while.  I  wrote  him  two  or  three 


months  ago  that  we  must  have  the  thing  de- 
cided at  this  meeting  as  to  how  it  should  be 
published.  He  expressed  the  hope  that  he 
might  manage  it,  and  sent  on  for  the  manu- 
script. He  wrote  me  after  going  over  that, 
that  he  was  more  than  pleased  with  it,  and 
that  it  was  much  better,  even,  than  he  expect- 
ed, and  he  hoped  that  it  could  be  carried 
through.  I  wrote  him  some  two  weeks  ago 
asking  him  to  write,  and  if  he  were  out  of  town 
to  telegraph  us,  before  the  close  of  this  meet- 
ing the  strongest  assurance  he  was  able  to  give 
as  to  the  time  when  he  would  be  able  to  publish 
it.  The  delay  is  exasperating,  but  the  gain  is 
so  great  that  I  am  sure  we  will  all  be  patient. 

I  ought  to  say,  that  of  the  people  who  con- 
tributed to  the  work  at  Chicago,  nine-tenths  of 
them  got  their  manuscript  in  in  time.  Dr. 
Harris  said  that  he  would  probably  be  able  to 
take  it  in  October,  and  the  two  or  three  who 
were  delayed  in  the  matter  held  themselves  in 
readiness,  if  the  work  was  begun,  to  push  it 
through;  so  I  notified  Dr.  Harris  that  the 
manuscript  was  ready  for  him  any  time  that  he 
would  give  us  two  weeks'  notice,  and  then  I 
would  be  able  to  telegraph  those  people  who 
were  crowded  with  work  when  we  began  to 
print  it.  I  hope  in  this  way  that  it  will  be 
printed.  Dr.  Harris  did  not  know  for  some 
time  whether  he  would  be  continued  in  the 
office  or  not,  and  that  delayed  matters.  My 
last  letter  from  him  was  the  most  encouraging 
that  I  have  had  for  nearly  a  year.  I  hope  we 
will  have  the  telegram  before  the  end  of  the 
week,  and  if  not,  we  must  decide  how  long  we 
will  wait,  and  if  it  cannot  be  done  there,  how 
we  will  get  it  in  shape. 

S:  S.  GREEN. — I  would  ask  whether  the  pa- 
pers read  at  the  International  Congress  are  to 
be  printed  or  not. 

MELVIL  DEWEY. — Mr.  Hild  had  charge  of 
that.  Their  plan  was  to  bring  out  a  library 
volume.  I  do  not  know  whether  that  is  to  go 
through  or  not.  It  would  be  a  very  good  idea, 
if  that  fails,  to  include  it  in  the  government 
volume.  You  understand,  of  course,  that  of 
all  the  papers  read  at  Chicago,  each  author 
revised  his  paper  in  the  light  of  the  discussion 
that  was  held  there ;  and  it  might  be  possible, 
if  the  Commissioner  should  say  to  us  that  he 
could  print  this,  that  that  might  allow  each 
man  to  read  his  manuscript  still  again,  touch- 


SECOND  SESSION. 


123 


ing  anything  that  has  arisen  since  he  saw  it, 

so  that  when  it  is  printed  it  will  be  up  to  date 

as  the  best  thing  we  can  do  as  an  Association. 

Adjourned  at  12.30  P.M.  till  Monday  evening. 

SECOND  SESSION. 

(GRAND  VIEW  HOTEL,  MONDAY  EVENING,  SEP- 
TEMBER 17.) 

President  LARNED  called  the  meeting  to 
order  at  8.00  P.  M. 

C:  W.  BIRTWELL,  general   secretary,  Boston 
•  Children's  Aid  Society,  spoke  upon 

HOME   LIBRARIES. 

(See  p.  9.) 

Miss  MARY  S.  CUTLER  spoke  upon  the  same 
topic. 

(See  p.  /j.) 
MELVIL  DEWEY  gave  orally  his 

REPORT  ON  LIBRARY  LEGISLATION. 

It  was  in  the  main  a  chronological  summary 
of  the  legislation  of  the  past  four  years,  point- 
ing out  the  steady  trend  toward  recognizing 
libraries  as  an  essential  part  of  the  educational 
system;  the  establishment  of  state  commis- 
sions, or  departments,  to  promote  the  forma- 
tion and  development  of  public  libraries ;  the 
increase  in  salaries;  the  assignment  to  state 
libraries,  of  various  functions  in  regard  to  state 
publications,  exchange  of  duplicates  and  allied 
duties,  which  formerly  were  in  the  hands  of 
other  officials;  and,  in  short,  a  steady  incor- 
poration in  the  statute  laws  of  the  various 
states  of  the  spirit  that  underlies  the  modern 
library  movement. 

The  record  of  the  library  legislation  for  all 
the  states  is  published  in  a  summary  of  com- 
parative legislation  issued  by  the  New  York 
State  Library  on  January  i  of  each  year ;  and 
as  this  record,  with  comments,  is  shortly  to  be 
printed  in  a  bulletin  on  library  legislation,  the 
report  of  Mr.  Dewey's  remarks  is  omitted  in 
these  proceedings. 

W:  H.  BRETT  read  the 

REPORT    OF    THE    COMMITTEE    ON    FOREIGN    DOCU- 
MENTS. 

The  committee  on  the  official  publications 
of  foreign  governments  begs  to  report  that 
during  the  year  it  has  endeavored  to  ascertain 
what  is  being  done  in  this  country  to  procure 
their  publications,  a  consensus  of  opinion  as 


to  what  is  advisable,  and  information  as  to 
what  is  possible  to  do.  They  regret  that  the 
information  which  they  are  able  to  lay  before 
the  Association  is  so  meagre.  Many  libraries 
are  doing  nothing.  Some  even  doubt  the  use- 
fulness of  it.  The  general  opinion,  however, 
coming  from  the  larger  libraries  is  that  a  sys- 
tematic effort  to  procure  them  is  desirable, 
though  the  opinion  is  expressed  that  the 
reports  of  the  English-speaking  countries  are 
the  most  important.  Buffalo,  Detroit,  Cleve- 
land, and  Yale  are  receiving  the  Canadian 
publications  very  fully.  Detroit  is  receiving 
the  British  abstracts  of  patents,  and  has  a  set 
of  Hansard's  Parliamentary  reports  (which  is 
of  interest  in  this  connection,  though  not  a 
government  publication).  Several  other  libra- 
ries note  that  they  buy  such  as  are  of  special 
interest  to  them.  Among  the  subjects  noted 
are  patents,  labor,  hygiene,  and  education. 

As  is  well  known,  the  Smithsonian  Institu- 
tion has  been  engaged  for  several  years  past, 
through  the  international  exchange  service, 
in  distributing  to  foreign  governments  the 
publications  of  the  United  States,  and  receiv- 
ing in  return  similar  publications  of  other 
governments,  and  depositing  these  in  the 
Library  of  Congress.  The  United  States  is 
under  treaty  to  maintain  this  exchange  with 
several  of  these  countries,  while  with  others 
special  agreements  are  made  to  that  end. 

The  Smithsonian  Institution  is  informed  that 
a  number  of  state  libraries  are  engaged  in 
negotiations  looking  to  the  establishment  of 
similar  exchanges.  The  Smithsonian  Institu- 
tion assures  the  American  Library  Association 
that  it  will  co-operate  in  any  way  practicable. 

From  the  Library  of  Congress  it  is  learned, 
that  the  documents  received  in  this  manner 
are  at  present  packed  away  and  inaccessible 
for  lack  of  room  to  handle  them. 

From  the  Smithsonian  Institution  we  also 
learn,  indirectly,  that  any  detailed  information 
in  regard  to  this  subject  has  never  been  col- 
lected. That  they  recognize  its  desirability, 
but,  owing  to  their  limited  clerical  force,  have 
never  been  able  to  undertake  it. 

For  much  of  the  information  received  from 
Washington  we  are  indebted  to  Mr.  Francis 
H.  Parsons,  late  librarian  of  the  Coast  and 
Geodetic  Survey.  Mr.  Parsons  also  makes  a 
suggestion,  which  we  think  it  well  to  adopt, 


124 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


and  therefore  make  it  part  of  our  report.  It 
is  as  follows:  We  would  recommend  that  this 
Association  pass  a  resolution  asking  the  Secre- 
tary of  State  to  obtain  from  the  United  States 
legations  abroad  full  information  upon  this 
subject  ;  and  that  this  resolution  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  Secretary  of  State  by  the  secre- 
tary of  the  Association. 

Possibly  it  would  be  well  to  secure  the  co- 
operation of  the  Bureau  of  Education  and  the 
Smithsonian  Institution.  The  questions  should 
be  carefully  drafted  to  cover  the  ground  fully. 

The  results  of  our  own  attempts  to  collect 
the  information  have  been  very  meagre.  We 
are,  however  able  to  give  some  details  as  to 
the  following  countries  : 

Austria  publishes  nearly  all  through  the 
government  printer.  These  can  be  purchased, 
and,  to  some  extent,  are  distributed  free. 

Costa  Rica,  published  by  the  government, 
and  distributed  by  the  various  departments 
issuing  them. 

France,  partly  by  government  and  partly 
by  private  enterprise.  The  government  pub- 
lications are  difficult  to  obtain,  the  private  ones 
can  be  purchased. 

Germany,  same  as  France,  except  that  more 
are  published  privately. 

Great  Britain,  published  entirely  through 
Her  Majesty's  Stationery  office.  Free  distri- 
bution limited,  but  they  can  be  purchased  at 
cost.  They  publish  a  quarterly  list. 

Newfoundland,  published  privately  and 
sold. 

Victoria,  New  South  Wales,  and  New  Zea- 
land, are  distributed  free. 

Servia,  printed  at  the  government  printing 
office,  can  be  obtained  through  booksellers; 
free  distribution  limited. 

Sweden,  published  by  a  private  house  and 
distributed  by  the  authorities  issuing  them. 

Switzerland,  published  by  the  government, 
which  exchanges  with  foreign  governments, 
and  publishes  an  annual  list. 

Uruguay,  distributed  free;  has  a  "Bureau 
de  Dep6t,  Distribution  et  Echanges  Interna- 
tionaux  de  Publications." 

The    Argentine    Republic,     Bermuda    and 
Denmark  appear  to  publish  through  private 
houses.     All  others,    so    far    as    ascertained, 
publish  through  government  houses. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

WILLIAM  H.  BRETT, 
CLEMENT  W.  ANDREWS, 
JAMES  BAIN,  JR., 

Committee. 


W.  P.  CUTTER. — I  may  say  that  in  a  great 
many  libraries  there  are  sets  of  publications 
from  foreign  governments.  In  the  Bureau  of 
Labor  at  Washington,  they  have  an  almost 
complete  set  of  the  reports  from  every  country. 
In  the  Bureau  of  Education  they  have  com- 
plete sets  of  the  educational  reports  of  other 
countries.  It  is  the  same  in  the  Patent  Office. 
In  the  Surgeon-General's  Office  they  have  com- 
plete sets  of  the  reports  of  the  medical  depart- 
ments and  surgical  departments  of  every 
country.  In  the  Department  of  Agriculture  I 
have  sets  of  almost  all  of  the  agricultural 
reports.  In  the  Bureau  of  Statistics  and 
in  the  Treasury  Department  they  have 
sets  of  the  statistical  publications  of  other 
countries.  I  think  that  any  one  coming  to 
Washington  will  find  in  the  various  libraries 
there  all  the  publications  of  almost  every 
country,  separated  in  this  way  by  subjects. 

I  might  say  that  almost  all  of  these  are  ob- 
tained by  exchanges.  Of  course,  the  govern- 
ment is  more  able  to  exchange  than  a  private 
library,  but  I  should  think  that  state  libraries 
might  be  able  to  carry  out  the  same  scheme.  I 
have  always  found  that  the  foreign  govern- 
ments were  very  glad  to  exchange  publica- 
tions. They  are  very  kind  indeed  in  sending 
complete  sets  of  their  publications. 

C.  W.  ANDREWS. — I  think,  so  far  as  private 
libraries  are  concerned,  that  the  experience  in 
procuring  public  documents  from  foreign 
countries  is  entirely  against  the  possibility  of 
obtaining  them  by  exchange,  or  gratis.  I  am 
speaking  largely  from  the  experience  of  the 
state  librarian  of  Massachusetts,  with  whom  I 
had  a  long  conversation  on  this  subject  ;  and 
certainly  he  can  approach  a  foreign  govern- 
ment much  better  than  any  one  else  except  an 
official  of  the  United  States  government.  I 
have  not  any  doubt  that  what  has  been  said 
just  now  is  perfectly  true  of  an  official  of  the 
United  States  government,  but  when  it  comes 
to  us,  who  are  not,  then,  I  say,  it  might  go 
under  the  head  of  "  Don'ts."  Don't  try  to  get 
foreign  publications  by  exchange.  It  is  wear- 
ing on  your  temper,  and  it  is  very  expensive  in 
time  and  stationery. 

Mr.  Tillinghast  has  a  collection  of  replies 
from  the  various  governments  which  is  ex- 
tremely instructive,  and  closely  confirms  the 
results  of  my  own  experience.  In  one  case  I 


SECOND   SESSION. 


125 


mentioned  to  him  the  fact  that  I  had  written 
twice,  and  sent  the  publications  of  the  Insti- 
tute to  a  minister  of  public  instruction,  think- 
ing that  the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Tech- 
nology could  claim  some  consideration  from 
such  an  official.  There  was  no  reply  to  the 
letter,  and  I  was  inclined  to  consider  it  some 
fault  of  the  mails,  till  my  talk  with  Mr. 
Tillinghast.  He  said  :  "  Did  you  get  an 
answer  to  this  ?  I  ask,  because  that  minister 
wrote  to  me  for  certain  documents  which  I 
sent  to  him,  requesting  something  in  return  ; 
but  I  have  never  received  the  slightest  an- 
swer." I  doubt  if  any  of  us  would  be  more 
successful. 

I  should  like  very  much  to  obtain  official  in- 
formation as  to  where  government  publications 
can  be  obtained  by  purchase.  I  do  not  think 
that  the  Institute  cares  to  become  a  beggar  in 
the  matter.  As  it  happens  now,  we  can  not 
get  publications  in  any  way. 

G:  H.  BAKER. — We  have  been  paying  some 
attention  to  foreign  documents,  in  our  library  ; 
and  in  some  respects  our  experience  has  not 
been  so  unfortunate.  It  is  very  true  that  the 
public  documents  of  some  of  the  European 
states  cannot  be  obtained  usually  by  gift.  The 
German  publications,  I  think,  can  all  be  ob- 
tained in  the  regular  book  trade.  They  are 
not  very  voluminous,  nor  are  they  particularly 
expensive.  The  most  expensive  publications  in 
Germany  are  the  reports  of  the  Reichstag. 
Executive  reports,  like  those  which  make  up 
the  great  bulk  of  our  public  documents  at 
Washington,  are  comparatively  small  in  their 
volume,  in  Germany. 

It  is  difficult  to  get  the  English  public  docu- 
ments. I  suppose  a  set  comes  to  Washington, 
and  to  one  or  two  other  places ;  but,  so  far  as  I 
know,  no  private  library  gets  blue  books  with- 
out paying  for  them.  The  subscription  is 
about  $90  a  year  for  all  the  blue  books,  and 
about  $28  or  $30  for  the  debates,  besides  the 
cost  of  binding.  The  country  that  has  been 
the  most  liberal  with  us  is  Italy.  I  think  the 
Italian  public  documents  can  be  obtained  by 
those  libraries  that  will  go  rightly  about  it, 
and  show  that  they  have  need  of  them  here, 
and  that  they  will  be  of  use.  My  opinion  is 
that  there  are  very  few  libraries  in  the  country 
that  will  find  it  worth  while  to  go  very  largely 
into  the  matter  of  foreign  public  documen  s. 


We  have  bought  for  our  library,  during  the 
last  few  months,  one  immense  set  of  public 
documents,  the  French  legislative  debates 
from  the  French  Revolution  down  to  the  pres- 
ent time.  I  do  not  know  whether  this  could 
be  gotten  by  request,  or  not  ;  but  my  impres- 
sion has  been  that  a  library  which  can  ap- 
proach the  French  authorities  carefully,  per- 
haps through  our  minister  or  otherwise,  might 
get  them.  We  have  never  done  it,  nor  have 
we  anything  except  this  one  set. 

R.  G.  THWAITES. — Last  winter  in  the  inves- 
tigation of  the  railway  question  in  Wisconsin,  I 
sent  to  the  railway  bureaus  of  the  leading 
countries  for  reports.  I  must  say  that  in  sev- 
eral instances  we  were  accorded  the  utmost 
courtesy— in  England,  France,  and  Germany. 
We  were  .told  that  they  were  printed  by  prir 
vate  firms,  but  the  commissioners  offered  to 
get  them  for  us  on  receipt  of  the  price.  From 
all  the  other  countries  the  documents  were 
sent  very  promptly,  and  in  some  cases  a  great 
many  more  than  we  requested.  We  asked  for 
the  documents  of  the  past  five  years,  and  in 
some  cases  we  got  them  for  the  last  ten ; 
amongst  all  the  rest,  I  think,  Italy,  Belgium, 
and  the  various  provinces  of  Australia,  and 
the  Central  American  countries  were  most 
generous.  Our  experience  in  getting  railway 
reports  was  so  interesting  that  it  has  quite  en- 
couraged us  to  go  into  other  fields. 

F:  M.  CRUNDEN. — I  should  like  to  know  how 
many  members  receive  sets  of  the  British 
patents. 

H:  M.  UTLEY. — There  are  two  forms  of  the 
British  patents :  an  abridgment,  and  the  full 
specifications.  I  think  that  in  the  Chicago 
Public  Library  they  have  the  full  specifica- 
tions. In  my  library  we  have  the  abridgment, 
which,  to  all  practical  intents  and  purposes, 
proves  quite  as  satisfactory  and  can  be  easily 
gotten.  I  doubt  whether  the  full  specifications 
could  be  so  readily  obtained. 

S:  S.  GREEN. — I  think  the  British  govern- 
ment has  a  strict  rule  in  regard  to  giving  sets 
of  the  patent  reports  to  localities  in  the  United 
States.  They  are  ready  to  give  one  set  to  a 
state,  to  be  deposited  at  the  capital;  and,  in 
case  the  capital  is  not  the  largest  city,  they 
are  willing  to  give  two  sets — one  for  the 
largest  city  and  another  for  the  capital.  In 
Massachusetts,  Boston  is  the  largest  city,  and 


126 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


is  also  the  capital,  so  that  it  is  the  only  city  in 
the  state  that  gets  a  set. 

J.  K.  HOSMER. — The  question  I  was  about  to 
ask  has  been  largely  answered.  Minneapolis, 
like  Worcester,  is  a  centre  of  invention.  It 
would  be  of  great  value  in  my  library  if  we 
had  a  set  of  the  British  patent  reports.  I  have 
not  known  how  to  go  to  work  to  obtain  them. 
I  know  that  in  Chicago,  as  Mr.  Utley  has 
said,  they  have  a  complete  set  of  the  specifica- 
tions. I  would  like  to  know  what  they  cost. 

R.  G.  THWAITES.—  We  have  a  full  set  of  those 
specifications,  and  also  of  the  abridgment.  We 
get  them  for  nothing,  but  upon  agreement 
to  bind  them  in  half  calf. 

MISCELLANEOUS  BUSINESS. 

MELVIL  DEWEY  presented  an  invitation  from 
the  manager  of  the  Mirror  Lake  Hotel,  invit- 
ing the  Association  to  a  social  evening  at  that 
place,  on  Friday  evening. 

Sec.  HILL. — I  move  that  the  social  meeting 
be  held  at  the  Grand  View  Hotel. 

MELVIL  DEWEY. — I  move  that  this  matter  be 
referred  to  the  executive  board. 

Voted,  Sec.  Hill  having  withdrawn  his  mo- 
tion. Adjourned  at  10.15  p-  M- 

THIRD  SESSION. 

(GRAND  VIEW  HOTEL,  TUESDAY  MORNING,  SEP- 
TEMBER 1 8.) 

Pres.  LARNED  called  the  meeting  to  order  at 
9.45  A.  M. 

Sec.  HILL. — I  have  an  amendment  to  offer 
to  the  constitution,  viz. :  That  the  recorder  be 
made  a  member  of  the  executive  board,  and 
be  an  elective  officer.  It  will  necessitate  in 
sertingthe  word  "recorder"  after  "secretary" 
n  article  9  of  the  constitution.  He  is  at  pres- 
ent chosen  by  the  executive  board,  not  by  the 
Association. 

W:  I.  FLETCHER. — I  second  the  motion. 

MELVIL  DEWEY. — I  think  we  ought  to  pass 
that  resolution,  for  if  we  are  going  to  elect  the 
treasurer,  and  the  vice-presidents,  and  secre- 
tary by  ballot,  the  recorder  certainly  ought  to 
be  in.  I  vote  for  it  heartily,  but  suggest  that 
we  all  observe  'the  working  of  this  new  consti- 
tution. We  are  entering  on  a  new  plan. 
Twenty  different  people  said  to  me  last  year 
that  they  should  like  to  change  their  votes, 


after  the  new  constitution  was  adopted,  which 
reversed  the  practice  of  the  Association  in 
electing  officers.  The  recorder  certainly  be- 
longs on  the  board.  The  question  next  year 
will  probably  be,  whether  we  shall  vote  to  have 
the  president  elected  by  the  Australian  ballot, 
and  have  the  recorder,  treasurer,  and  perhaps 
others,  elected  by  the  executive  board.  I 
should  say,  vote  for  it,  now;  but  bear  in  mind 
to  consider  next  year,  whether  we  shall  pass 
the  whole  amendment,  or  put  the  treasurer 
with  the  recorder,  in  respect  to  election  by  the 
board. 

Sec'y  HILL'S  motion  was  carried. 

D.  V.  R.  JOHNSTON,  in  the  absence  of  chair- 
man R.  R.  Bowker,  read  the 

REPORT   OF     THE     COMMITTEE     ON    PUBLIC    DOCU- 
MENTS. 

The  public  documents  committee  has,  as 
usual,  acted  chiefly  by  correspondence  and  by 
the  individual  efforts  of  members,  rather  than 
by  formal  meeting  ;  the  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee has  twice  visited  Washington  with  refer- 
ence to  the  passage  of  the  bill. 

The  public  documents  bill  was  prepared 
under  a  concurrent  resolution  of  the  two  houses 
of  Congress,  passed  on  the  last  day  of  the  fifty- 
first  Congress  ;  chiefly  under  the  direction  of 
Senator  Manderson,  then  chairman  of  the  joint- 
committee  on  printing.  In  the  fifty-second 
Congress,  the  bill  passed  the  Senate,  and  was 
considered  and  passed  with  some  amendments 
in  the  House.  But  the  House  amendments 
were  not  considered  by  the  Senate  and  it  did 
not  then  become  a  law.  The  same  bill,  with 
some  modifications,  was  introduced  into  the 
present  Congress ;  and  under  the  leadership  of 
Mr.  Richardson  of  the  House,  passed  the 
House  in  December,  1893.  The  political  com- 
plexion of  the  Senate  having  meanwhile 
changed,  Senator  Manderson,  the  former  chair- 
man of  the  joint  committee  on  printing,  be- 
came the  minority  member;  and  Senator 
Gorman,  formerly  the  minority  member,  be- 
came chairman,  with  Senator  Ransom  as  his 
associate.  Senator  Manderson,  though  the 
father  of  the  bill,  was  no  longer  charged  with 
its  progress  in  the  Senate,  the  responsibility 
for  which  came  into  the  hands  of  Senator 
Gorman.  Endeavors  were  made  to  bring  the 
bill  to  passage  in  the  Senate  previous  to  the 


THIRD    SESSION. 


127 


tariff  debate,  but  Senator  Gorman  did  not  find 
opportunity  to  formulate  the  amendments 
which  he  desired  to  offer,  until  too  late  in  the 
session  for  that  purpose.  After  the  tariff  de- 
bate in  the  Senate,  the  bill  was  brought  to  a 
vote  and  passed  in  August  last,  with  the 
amendments  submitted  by  Senator  Gorman. 
It  was  then  returned  to  the  House  with  the 
amendments  for  consideration  and  for  ap- 
proval or  conference. 

The  objection  was  raised,  however,  by 
Representative  Warner  in  the  House,  who  was 
in  general  a  friend  of  the  bill,  supported  by 
other  friends  of  the  bill,  that  the  amendments 
introduced  in  the  Senate,  while  not  curtailing 
the  library  privileges,  put  into  the  bill  provis- 
ion for  a  political  machine  in  connection  with 
the  Government  Printing  Office,  and  with  the 
distribution  of  documents  outside  the  civil 
service  rules,  and  decidedly  objectionable  as  a 
' '  rider ' '  on  this  bill.  Under  the  circumstances, 
Representative  Warner  insisted  that  the 
amendments  should  be  duly  considered  by  the 
House,  and  declined  to  assent  to  its  passage 
with  the  Senate  amendments.  Mr.  Richard- 
son offered  to  modify  one  of  the  obnoxious 
amendments,  but  others  remained.  The  con- 
sequence was  that  for  a  second  time  Congress 
adjourned,  both  houses  having  acted  favorably 
on  the  bill  without  its  final  passage. 

As  the  December  session  will  be  a  continua- 
tion of  the  present  Congress,  the  bill  is  in  a 
favorable  position  for  action,  and  it  is  to  be 
hoped  can  be  passed  before  March  4,  1895, 
when  the  present  Congress  comes  to  an  end. 
In  other  words,  the  bill  is  in  a  more  favorable 
position  than  ever  before,  and  there  is  good 
hope  of  its  passage.  Doubtless,  librarians 
who,  perhaps  more  than  any  one  class,  have 
reason  to  emphasize  the  importance  of  sepa- 
rating business  administration  from  political 
control,  will  agree  that  the  postponement  of  the 
bill  is  preferable  to  accepting  it  with  objection- 
able provisions  of  the  kind  indicated. 

The  essential  portions  of  the  bill  as  origi- 
nally reported  by  Senator  Manderson,  January 
12,  1892,  are  given  in  the  Library  Journal  tor 
January,  1892  (17:8-17),  and  the  amendments 
of  that  session  are  given  in  the  February  num- 
ber of  the  Journal  (17:53-54).  A  circular  let- 
ler  from  the  president  of  the  American  Library 
Association  and  Mr.  Bynum's  substitute  bill 


were  given  in  the  number  for  April,  1892 
(17:123-124),  and  further  amendments  are 
printed  in  the  May  number  (17: 165).  The  bill, 
as  amended  and  passed  by  the  House  during 
the  recent  session,  was,  as  stated,  much  the 
same  as  the  bill  of  the  previous  session  ;  but 
the  important  amendments  are  given  in  the 
Library  Journal  for  December,  1893  (18:507-8), 
as  also  the  amendments  suggested  by  Mr. 
Dunn  and  Miss  Ahern,  of  the  Indiana  State 
Library. 

The  amendments  offered  and  passed  in  the 
Senate  have  not  been  given  in  the  Journal,  as 
they  related  to  the  administrative  rather  than 
to  the  library  side  of  the  bill.  The  postpone- 
ment of  the  passage  of  the  bill  to  the  next  ses- 
sion of  the  present  Congress  will  give  oppor- 
tunity, doubtless,  for  some  modifications  in  the 
library  interest;  and  it  is  gratifying  to  note 
thot  both  in  the  Senate  and  in  the  House,  a 
large  majority  of  members  desired  the  passage 
of  the  bill,  and  are  cordially  willing  to  accept, 
as  far  as  practicable,  the  suggestions  of  the 
American  Library  Association  towards  its 
perfection.  It  is  probable,  however,  that  not 
everything  desired  by  the  library  interest  can 
be  had  in  the  bill,  and  it  would  seem  to  be  the 
policy  of  your  committee  to  labor  for  the  pas- 
sage of  the  bill,  even  in  an  imperfect  shape, 
but  not  with  provisions  that  would  deteriorate 
the  distribution  of  public  documents  by  mak- 
ing the  personnel  a  political  machine. 

In  regard  to  state  publications  there  is  little 
to  report,  the  present  year.  The  chairman  of 
the  committee  has  visited  several  state  libra- 
ries, particularly  in  the  Northwest,  and  some 
progress  has  been  made  both  toward  making 
state  libraries,  in  general,  repositories  of  the 
historical  documents  concerning  the  state  as 
well  as  of  a  complete  set  of  state  publications, 
and  toward  more  careful  record  and  better 
bibliography  of  state  publications.  It  is  pro- 
posed to  continue  in  the  American  Catalogue 
for  1890-1895  the  record  of  state  publications, 
inaugurated  in  the  previous  volume  as  one  of 
the  appendixes.  Advantage  will  be  taken  of 
this  opportunity  to  endeavor  to.  obtain  as 
nearly  complete  lists,  as  practicable,  of  the 
publications  of  the  several  states  from  the 
beginning  ;  with  a  view  of  making  these  a  fea- 
ture of  the  catalogue  of  books  from  1800-1876, 


128 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


not  otherwise  recorded.  The  increase  of  in- 
terest in  bibliographical  work  among  state 
librarians,  since  the  efforts  of  the  American 
Library  Association  were  turned  in  that  direc- 
tion, has  been  very  satisfactory  and  creditable. 
Very  respectfully, 

R.  R.  BOWKER,          i 

D.  V.  R.  JOHNSTON,  \  Committee. 

MR.  JOHNSTON  also  read  a  set  of  resolutions 
relating  to  the  distribution  of  United  States 
documents,  and  bill  H.  R.  2,650. 

DR.  JOHN  G.  AMES,  Superintendent  of  Docu- 
ments, Washington,  D.  C.,  following  the  re- 
port of  the  committee,  and  its  resolutions, 
spoke  on 

PUBLIC  DOCUMENTS. 

Before  addressing  myself  to  the  subject  un- 
der discussion,  I  wish  to  say  that  it  gives  me 
very  great  pleasure  to  meet  so  large  a  number 
of  the  members  of  the  American  Library  Asso- 
ciation, with  many  of  whom  I  have  been  in 
correspondence  for  years,  and  with  whose  au- 
tographs, therefore,  I  am  very  familiar.  I  de- 
sire also  to  express  my  great  obligation  to  the 
members  of  the  Association,  for  their  cordial 
and  generous  support,  and  encouragement  in 
the  efforts  I  have  been  making,  especially  in 
behalf  of  public  and  college  libraries,  in  the 
matter  of  the  distribution  of  public  documents, 
and  also  for  their  very  warm  and  liberal  com- 
mendation of  my  work. 

Turning  now  to  the  subject  of  public  docu- 
ments, I  cannot  attempt  to  discuss  this,  in  its 
general  features,  in  the  time  that  it  will  be 
proper  for  me  to  take  here  this  morning.  I 
should  want  the  whole  day  for  that.  There- 
fore, my  remarks  will  be  limited  chiefly  to  the 
present  status  of  legislation  in  regard  to  doc- 
uments, and  to  certain  suggestions  as  to  what, 
in  my  view,  ought  to  be  done  by  the  members 
of  this  Association  towards  securing  such  ac- 
tion on  the  part  of  Congress  as  will  be  satis- 
factory. 

You  all  know  that  the  efforts  for  some  reform 
in  the  matter  of  printing  and  distribution  of 
public  documents  has  been  a  very  protracted 
one,  both  on  the  part  of  members  of  this  Asso- 
ciation and  among  the  friends  of  libraries  at 
Washington.  We  have  been  laboring  for  the 
last  ten  or  fifteen  years  to  secure  some  legisla- 


tion more  favorable  to  public  libraries  than 
now  exists,  but  have  all  along  encountered 
obstacles  and  met  with  frequent  opposition 
from  quarters  where  we  did  not  expect  it. 
Accordingly,  this  legislation,  though  proposed 
from  time  to  time  in  Congress,  has  never  been 
consummated.  I  suppose  that  few  of  the 
members  of  this  Association  have  any  adequate 
conception  of  the  difficulties  which  beset  a 
question  of  this  character  when  presented  for 
consideration  to  a  body  composed  of  400  men 
from  all  sections  of  the  country,  many  of  whom 
feel  very  little  interest  in  the  subject,  while 
some,  at  least,  are  always  ready  persistently 
to  oppose  favorable  action. 

These  efforts,  as  has  been  stated  in  the  report 
just  read  by  Mr.  Johnston,  culminated  about 
three  years  ago  in  the  preparation  of  a  com- 
prehensive bill,  formulated  chiefly  by  Mr. 
Manderson  of  the  Senate  and  Mr.  Richardson 
of  the  House.  This  bill  contained,  to  all  intents 
and  purposes,  what  the  librarians  desire,  and 
was  presented  in  the  Senate  and  in  the  House 
at  the  same  time  during  the  fifty-second  Con- 
gress. After  it  had  been  very  briefly  discussed 
in  the  House,  a  member  from  a  distant  part  of 
the  country  moved  that  the  bill  be  laid  upon 
the  table.  As  I  was  afterwards  informed,  he 
remarked  to  a  friend  that  he  had  never  read 
the  thing  and  never  in  tended  to  read  it.  Never- 
theless, on  his  motion,  the  bill  was  laid  upon 
the  table.  This  is  a  sample  of  the  difficulties 
which  a  bill  of  this  character  has  to  meet. 

Afterwards,  however,  it  came  up  in  the 
Senate  and  passed  that  body,  and  so  came  over 
to  the  House  as  a  Senate  measure,  thereby 
securing  another  opportunity  for  being  con- 
sidered. This  time,  in  virtue  of  what  had  been 
heard  from  friends  of  the  bill  at  home,  it  was 
fully  discussed  and  passed  with  sundry  amend- 
ments. It  then  went  into  conference  six  weeks 
before  the  expiration  of  the  fifty -second  Con- 
gress. There  was,  therefore,  an  abundance  of 
time  for  its  full  consideration  by  the  conference 
committee,  but  the  six  weeks  passed  and  no 
conference  was  held,  and  so  the  bill  was  al- 
lowed to  die  in  the  house  of  its  friends.  It  is  a 
matter  of  conjecture  why  this  was  permitted. 
I  merely  state  the  facts. 

This  rendered  it  necessary  to  begin  de  novo. 
Accordingly,  the  same  bill  in  substance  was 
introduced  in  both  houses  early  in  the  present 


THIRD   SESSION. 


129 


Congress,  and  was  first  taken  up  for  considera- 
tion in  the  House  of  Representatives,  which  it 
passed  during  the  first  session,  and  then  went 
to  the  Senate.  The  silver  and  tariff  bills  oc- 
cupied the  attention  of  that  body  so  exclusively 
that  it  was  not  until  near  the  termination  of 
the  second  session  that  the  printing  bill  was 
reported,  with  sundry  amendments,  by  the 
committee,  and  after  brief  debate  was  passed. 
It  then  went  back  to  the  House,  and  Mr.  Rich- 
ardson, the  chairman  of  the  committee,  re- 
ported it  at  once,  with  the  recommendation 
that  all  the  Senate  amendments  be  accepted 
in  bulk.  Immediately  objections  were  urged 
against  this  on  the  ground  that  some  of  the 
Senate  amendments  interfered  with  the  rights 
of  certain  executive  departments  in  the  matter 
of  appointments ;  and  accordingly,  after  some 
discussion,  the  bill  was  referred  back  to  the 
joint  committee,  as  a  committee  on  conference, 
in  order  that  Senator  Gorman  and  Mr.  Rich- 
ardson, having  heard  these  criticisms,  might 
together  eliminate  the  objectionable  features 
and  secure  a  bill  that  would  pass  the  House. 

The  conference  was  duly  held.  Mr.  Richard- 
son informed  me  that  the  Senate  committee 
had  receded  from  certain  of  its  amendments, 
notably  the  one  giving  the  joint  committee  on 
printing  the  control  of  the  appointment  of 
chief  clerk  and  other  officers  of  the  printing 
office,  but  they  had  insisted  upon  retaining 
that  clause  of  the  bill  which  puts  the  office  of 
superintendent  of  documents  under  the  public 
printer  on  the  nomination  of  the  joint  commit- 
tee. Mr.  Richardson  was  ready  to  report  the 
bill,  but  unfortunately,  before  he  could  call  it 
up,  the  tariff  bill  again  intervened,  and  made 
it  necessary  to  defer  final  action  till  the  next 
session.  He  can  therefore  report  the  results  of 
the  conference  immediately  upon  the  conven- 
ing of  Congress  in  December.  Such  is  the 
present  status  of  the  bill. 

It  is  the  central  portion  of  the  bill  in  which 
we  are  all  specially  interested.  This  relates 
chiefly  to  the  distribution  and  to  the  catalog- 
ing and  indexing  of  public  documents.  What 
advantages  does  the  bill  give  to  public  libra- 
ries that  they  do  not  now  enjoy  ?  I  reply,  first, 
it  increases  the  number  of  depositories.  These 
cannot  at  present  exceed  420.  This  bill  in- 
creases the  number  to  500.  So,  by  its  provis- 
ions, a  larger  number  of  libraries  can  be 


regularly  supplied  with  government  publica- 
tions. In  the  second  place,  it  adds  to  the  set 
that  shall  hereafter  go  to  depositories  a  great 
many  valuable  documents.  Depositories  are 
now  receiving  a  copy,  each,  of  what  is  known 
as  the  congressional  set;  that  is,  the  journals, 
the  reports  of  committees,  the  executive  and 
miscellaneous  documents  of  the  two  houses  of 
Congress  bound  in  leather.  There,  existing 
provisions  stop.  You  will  see  at  once  that 
there  are  many  documents  which  are  not  now 
being  sent  to  depositories.  This  defect  is 
remedied  by  the  present  bill.  For  instance,  it 
puts  the  Congressional  Record,  which  is 
perhaps  the  most  valuable  of  all  the  publica- 
tions of  the  government,  upon  the  list.  This 
is  true,  also,  of  the  pamphlet  edition  of  the 
laws  passed  at  each  session  ;  and  of  the  Sta- 
tutes at  Large,  a  biennial  publication,  contain- 
ing all  the  laws,  proclamations,  etc. ,  of  the 
entire  Congress. 

It  puts  on  the  list,  also,  a  large  number  of 
the  special  publications  of  the  different  execu- 
tive departments,  that  are  now  received  only 
by  virtue  of  the  courtesy  of  the  heads  of  these 
departments  or  bureaus  ;  as,  for  instance,  the 
circulars  of  information  of  the  Bureau  of 
Education,  certain  publications  of  the  War  De- 
partment, and  of  the  Navy  and  other  depart- 
ments. All  these  are  added  to  the  documents 
to  be  sent  to  the  500  depositories,  so  that  there 
is  to  be  a  large  increase  in  the  number  of 
government  publications  received  by  them. 
This,  I  think,  is  a  very  great  gain  over  any- 
thing which  we  have  had  before,  and  it  is  one 
of  the  special  things  for  which  the  librarians 
have  been  asking,  for  the  last  10  or  15  years. 

If  this  bill,  therefore,  becomes  a  law,  there 
will  be  comparatively  few  valuable  publica- 
tions of  the  government  that  will  not  go  to 
depositories.  Certain  documents,  however, 
are  still  omitted.  I  call  attention  to  one  which 
is  referred  to  in  one  of  the  resolutions  just  re- 
ported by  the  committee ;  namely,  the  journals 
of  the  two  houses  of  Congress.  The  House 
bill  contained  a  provision  that  500  copies  of  the 
journals  should  be  sent  to  the  superintendent 
of  public  documents  for  transmission  to  depos- 
itories. The  Senate  struck  that  out,  and, 
therefore,  if  the  bill  becomes  a  law  with  the 
Senate  amendment,  depositories  will  hence- 
forth not  receive  the  journals.  I  regard  this 


I30 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


as  a  very  serious  omission.  I  think  that  per- 
haps depositories  would  prefer  to  have  some 
other  document  left  out.  The  resolution 
referred  to  is  designed  to  bring  about  the  re- 
cession of  the  Senate  from  that  amendment. 

I  call  attention  to  another  provision  which 
passed  the  House  and  was  cut  out  by  the  Sen- 
ate, namely,  that  providing  that  depositories 
should  be  supplied  with  bills,  and  joint  and 
concurrent  resolutions.  It  is  the  wish  of  some 
depositories,  at  least,  that  immediately  upon 
the  introduction  of  bills  into  the  two  houses  of 
Congress  they  shall  be  supplied  with  copies  in 
order  that  their  patrons  may  examine  them  at 
once  I  think  that  is  a  very  important  pro- 
vision. Not  more  than  one-quarter  of  the  de- 
positories might  desire  these  bills,  but  those 
who  do  wish  them  should  have  the  privilege  of 
securing  them.  It  is  not  mandatory ;  it  simply 
says  that  upon  application  of  the  depositories, 
they  shall  be  supplied.  I  think  if  the  influence 
of  this  Association  is  brought  to  bear  upon 
Congress  in  the  matter  of  these  bills,  and  of 
the  journals,  there  will  be  very  little  difficulty 
in  securing  the  desired  provisions  in  the  bill. 
The  additional  expense  would  be  very  trifling 
compared  with  the  advantages  that  would  be 
secured. 

You  will  all  be  glad  to  know  that  one  sec- 
tion of  the  bill  authorizes  and  directs  the  public 
printer  to  give  precedence,  in  the  matter  of 
binding,  to  the  volumes  that  are  to  be  dis- 
tributed to  depositories.  Heretofore  these 
"reserve"  documents  have  been  put  away  in 
the  storehouse,  to  be  bound  whenever  most 
convenient  for  the  public  printer.  This  might 
be  one  or  two  years  after  the  document  had 
been  printed.  Hereafter,  if  the  bill  becomes 
a  law,  they  will  be  the  first  to  be  bound. 

So  far  we  have  dealt  only  with  depositories, 
but,  unfortunately,  not  all  depositories  are  first- 
class  libraries.  The  designation  of  deposi- 
tories in  the  several  States  and  Congressional 
districts  is  made  exclusively  by  Senators  and 
Representatives,  who  sometimes  name  inferior 
libraries  for  this  purpose.  The  executive  de- 
partments have  no  authority  over  this  matter. 
There  are,  therefore,  many  important  libraries 
which  can  find  no  place  in  this  list. 

The  needs  of  these  libraries  are  in  a  meagre 
and  altogether  insufficient  measure  met  by 
that  section  of  the  bill  which  provides  for  the 


distribution  of  the  surplusage  assigned  to  the 
Senate  and  House.  Under  our  methods  of 
doing  business  in  Washington,  resolutions 
authorizing  the  printing  of  documents  gener- 
ally provide  a  definite  number  for  the  Senate 
and  tor  the  House,  and  often  for  the  depart- 
ment or  bureau  from  which  the  document 
emanates.  In  dividing  those  assigned  to  the 
two  Houses  of  Congress,  there  is  almost 
always  a  number  of  copies  of  each  document 
left  over.  This  surplusage  sometimes  amounts 
to  50,000  volumes  per  Congress.  The  new 
bill  provides  for  the  turning  over  of  all  these 
publications  to  the  superintendent  of  docu- 
ments for  the  benefit  of  libraries,  thus  secur- 
ing their  proper  distribution. 

A  much  more  satisfactory  provision  for 
libraries,  not  depositories,  is  found  in  section 
66  of  the  bill  as  it  passed  the  House,  to  the 
effect  that  when  a  document  is  ordered  for  the 
use  of  Congress,  one-tenth  of  the  edition,  the 
entire  number  of  which  does  not  exceed  5,000, 
shall  be  delivered  to  the  superintendent  of 
documents,  to  be  distributed  to  said  libraries. 
This  was  intended  to  secure  to  nearly  500 
libraries,  additional  to  those  known  as  deposi- 
tories, nearly  all  the  most  valuable  publica- 
tions of  the  government.  Unfortunately  this 
section  was  struck  out  in  the  Senate,  and  if 
not  restored  the  libraries  in  question  will  be 
left  as  heretofore,  to  depend  upon  the  inter- 
mittent courtesy  of  Senators  and  Representa- 
tives. There  is  a  further  provision  which 
will  accrue  to  the  benefit  of  libraries,  if  libra- 
rians will  take  heed  to  the  matter.  I  refer  to 
that  section  which  turns  over  to  members  of 
Congress  the  accumulations  of  past  years, 
which  are  supposed  to  amount  in  the  aggre- 
gate to  nearly  1,000,000  volumes.  These  are 
stored  about  the  basement  of  the  Capitol,  and 
in  other  places,  many  of  them  old  documents 
running  back  thirty  or  forty  years.  Some  of 
these  are  very  valuable,  and  especially  so  for 
filling  gaps  in  libraries.  I  endeavored  to 
secure  all  these  documents  for  libraries,  but 
when  the  matter  came  up  for  discussion  it  was 
decided  that  all  these  publications  should  be 
assigned  to  Senators  and  Representative  for 
distribution,  rather  than  turned  over  to  any 
officer  of  the  government,  even  for  the  benefit 
of  libraries.  However,  you  can  secure  some 
of  them  if,  when  the  bill  becomes  a  law,  you 


THIRD    SESSION. 


apply  to  your  Senators  and  Representatives 
for  your  portion.  This  should  not  be  forgotten. 

These  are  the  principal  provisions  of  the 
bill  redounding  to  the  advantage  of  the  libra- 
ries in  the  matter  of  the  distribution  of  public 
documents. 

While  I  am  on  this  point,  I  may  remark  that 
the  bill  makes  no  change  in  the  general  sys- 
tem of  distribution.  This  system  is  in  an  ex- 
treme degree  unbusiness-like,  wasteful  and  un- 
satisfactory. The  propositions  which,  as  many 
of  you  know,  I  have  from  time  to  time  made 
in  my  reports,  for  the  consolidation  of  the 
whole  business  of  the  distribution  of  docu- 
ments in  a  single  bureau,  so  as  to  simplify, 
unify  and  economize  the  business,  and  which 
were,  in  a  large  rneasure,  embodied  in  the 
first  draft  of  the  bill  presented  to  the  two 
houses  of  Congress,  did  not  prove  acceptable 
to  those  bodies. 

Such  arrangement  would,  I  think,  commend 
itself  to  the  approval  of  any  business  man ,  and 
also  to  that  of  almost  all  members  of  Con- 
gress as  individuals ;  but  when  it  comes  to  be 
presented  in  Congress  there  is  always  a  suf- 
ficient number  opposing  it  to  prevent  its 
adoption.  1  have  therefore  given  up  all  hope 
of  securing,  at  present,  any  improvement  in 
the  system  of  distributing  documents. 

Turning  now  to  another  point,  I  am  glad  to 
say  that  this  bill  contains  adequate  and  satis- 
factory provision  for  cataloging  and  indexing 
public  documents,  as  it  authorizes  and  directs 
the  superintendent  of  documents  to  prepare 
at  the  close  of  each  regular  session,  a  com- 
prehensive index  of  government  publications 
issued  during  such  session.  He  is  further- 
more required  to  prepare  and  print  a  consoli- 
dated index  of  Congressional  documents,  and, 
in  addition,  to  publish  a  monthly  catalog  of 
government  publications,  of  which  an  edition 
of  2,000  copies  is  authorized  for  distribution. 

Should  this  bill,  therefore,  become  a  law,  we 
will  have  secured  what  many  regard,  and  that 
justly,  as  the  most  important  desideratum  in 
connection  with  public  documents.  In  my 
judgment,  the  bill  contains  no  provision  more 
important  than  these. 

In  this  connection  I  would  say  that  I  have 
been  working  for  the  last  two  or  three  years  as 
opportunity  offered,  upon  a  comprehensive 
index  of  the  publications  of  the  last  four  years 


— the  four  years  covered  by  the  fifty-first  and 
fifty-second  Congresses.  It  will  be  published 
about  the  first  of  December.  Of  this  index, 
which  will  contain  about  500  quarto  pages,  the 
libraries  represented  here  will  receive  each  a 
copy.  If  any  desire  additional  copies,  they 
will  have  to  secure  them  through  their  Senators 
or  Representatives. 

Any  one  who  has  considered  the  subject  of 
indexing  will  understand,  at  once,  that  a  satis- 
factory index  of  public  documents  cannot  be 
made  on  any  plan  or  system  that  would  be 
applicable  to  an  ordinary  series  of  documents. 
Their  classification  is  so  complicated,  and  edi- 
tions so  multiplied,  that  a  form  peculiar  to 
itself  must  be  adopted.  I  have  endeavored  in 
this  index  to  cite,  under  its  proper  title,  every 
document  published  during  those  four  years. 
In  the  first  column  is  indicated  the  origin  of 
every  document,  the  department  of  the 
government  from  which  it  emanates,  and  in 
most  cases  the  author.  The  second  column  is 
the  index  proper,  in  alphabetical  arrangement. 
This  column  shows  the  subject  of  the  docu- 
ment and  its  date.  If  it  is  a  report  of  a  com- 
mittee of  Congress  the  serial  number  of  the 
bill  of  the  Senate  or  House  upon  which  the  re- 
port is  based  is  given,  so  that  the  discussion  of 
the  subject  in  Congress  can  be  readily  traced 
by  referring  to  the  history  of  the  bill  in  the 
Congressional  Record.  If  the  bill  becomes  a 
law,  a  reference  to  the  law  as  found  in  the 
Statutes  at  Large  is  also  added.  In  the  last 
column  the  Congressional  classification  of  the 
document  is  shown ;  i.e.,  whether  it  is  a  Senate 
or  House  executive,  or  miscellaneous  docu- 
ment, or  report  of  committee,  together  with  the 
Congress  and  session  to  which  it  appertains, 
the  volume  in  which  it  is  found,  the  serial 
number  of  the  document,  and  the  number  of 
pages  it  contains.  If  the  document  is  published 
in  two  or  three  editions,  reference  to  the  other 
editions  is  found  in  the  main  column,  and 
whenever  it  is  published  in  a  separate  edition, 
as  an  extract  from  a  larger  work,  this  is  shown 
by  the  abbreviation  "sep."  When  this  index 
is  published  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  receive 
your  criticisms,  for  the  purpose  of  embodying 
in  a  final  edition  anything  that  may  be  wisely 
said  in  the  way  of  suggestion. 

Provision  is  made  in  the  printing  bill  for  the 
future  indexing  of  documents.  No  provision, 


LAKE  PLACID  CONFERENCE. 


however,  is  made  for  those  prior  to  the  fifty- 
first  Congress.  This  ought  to  be  done,  and  it 
might  very  appropriately  have  been  added  as 
an  amendment  to  this  bill.  A  bill,  how- 
ever, was  reported  in  the  Senate  by  the  com- 
mittee on  printing,  and  passed  that  body  dur- 
ing the  last  days  of  the  session,  providing  for 
a  catalogue  and  index  similar  to  Major  Poore's 
catalogue,  covering  the  forty-eighth  to  fifty- 
second  Congresses,  inclusive.  This  work  is  to 
be  done  under  the  direction  of  the  joint  com- 
mittee on  printing,  and  $2,500  is  appropriated 
for  the  same.  The  bill  went  to  the  House,  and 
Mr.  Richardson  reported  it  favorably  on  the 
second  day  before  adjournment.  This  gave 
rise  to  a  brief  discussion,  which  is  found  in  the 
Congressional  Record  of  August  25th,  from 
which  I  read:  A  member  says,  "Who  is  to 
prepare  this  list  ?"  to  which  Mr.  Richardson 
replied :  "  It  has  been  prepared,  as  I  under- 
stand, under  direction  of  the  Senate  com- 
mittee, and  by  the  clerk  of  said  committee." 
A  member  asks,  "Does  the  bill  provide  for 
paying  him  for  preparing  it  ?"  On  being  as- 
sured that  it  does,  he  then  objects  to  the  bill. 
Another  prominent  member  of  the  House  rises 
and  asks:  "What  is  the  necessity  for  this 
work  anyway  ?  I  never  saw  any  good  in  a 
publication  of  this  kind,"  adding,  "  I  have 
heard  a  great  deal  about  these  catalogues,  and 
have  seen  some  of  them.  I  believe  that  about 
the  only  utility  they  have  is  to  inform  the 
junk  shop  dealers  what  publications  we  are 
making,  so  that  they  may  get  hold  of  them. 
I  think  we  ought  to  discountenance  this  whole 
business,  and  ought  to  repeal  any  law  which 
authorizes  it.  I  object  to  the  consideration  of 
the  resolution."  And  so  the  bill  went  over  to 
the  next  session.  This  is  a  fair  and  forcible 
illustration  of  the  difficulties  encountered  in 
our  efforts  to  secure  any  adequate  legislation 
on  this  subject. 

Let  me  refer  now,  for  a  moment,  to  the  mat- 
ter of  the  exchange  of  documents.  You  all 
know  somewhat  of  the  work  I  have  been  doing 
in  making  my  office  a  clearing  house  for  libra- 
ries. This  work  is  going  on,  interrupted  occa- 
sionally because  I  have  not  the  time  to  give  to 
it.  We  shall  resume  it  as  soon  as  I  return, 
and  I  want  to  ask  the  cooperation  of  all  the 
librarians  here.  Let  us  have  your  duplicates, 
and  we  will  turn  over  the  publications  that  are 


accumulating,  supplying,  as  far  as  possible, 
deficiencies  reported  by  you. 

My  last  point  is  this:  The  bill  which  has 
been  the  basis  of  most  of  my  remarks  will 
come  up  for  final  action  on  the  convening  of 
Congress  in  December.  I  would  therefore  sug- 
gest that  you  appoint  a  committee  of  at  least 
three,  who  will  make  it  their  business,  without 
fail,  to  come  to  Washington  at  that  time  to  in- 
terview the  committee  on  printing  of  the  two 
houses,  and  to  do  missionary  work  among 
members  of  Congress  in  advocacy  of  this  bill. 
This  must  be  done.  It  will  not  do  for  this 
committee  to  stay  at  home  and  write  letters. 
The  committees  of  the  two  houses  are  very 
anxious  that  the  bill  pass.  They  will,  I  am 
sure,  be  glad  to  meet  a  committee  of  this  body 
and  to  have  the  aid  of  its  influence  in  securing 
its  passage. 

I  hope,  furthermore,  that  the  resolutions 
which  have  just  been  presented  by  our  com- 
mittee on  public  documents  will  meet  the 
unanimous  approval  of  this  body,  so  that  the 
secretary  can  communicate  them  to  Congress 
as  the  united  voice  of  the  American  Library 
Association.  Such  an  expression  of  the  wishes 
of  this  body  will  have  large  influence ;  for,  as 
Representative  Cooper,  of  Indiana,  said,  it 
is  only  the  librarians  that  can  get  this  bill 
through. 

Then  I  would  suggest  that  each  individual 
member  of  this  body  use  his  influence  with 
Senators  and  Representatives  in  this  matter. 
Some  can  reach  them  personally  and  others  by 
letter,  urging  the  passage  of  this  bill  in  the  in- 
terest of  libraries.  It  is  the  best  bill  we  have 
ever  gotten  or  are  likely  to  get. 

Miss  M.  E.  AHERN. — When  I  talked  with  Mr. 
Cooper  about  the  document  bill  once,  he  said: 
"What  is  it  you  want?  I  have  heard  about 
this  distribution,  but  what  is  it  you  want  ?" 
That  suggested  to  me  that  the  reason  why 
there  has  been  such  an  utter  failure  to  get 
something  that  was  definite  and  in  shape,  was, 
perhaps,  that  we  did  not  know  definitely  what 
we  wanted.  I  have  not  the  least  desire  to  criticise 
the  committee  appointed  by  the  A.  L.  A. ;  but 
when  we  said  to  our  Representatives  that  we 
wanted  to  have  certain  amendments  made  in 
the  House  bill,  although  it  was  a  machine 
letter,  it  stated  just  what  was  wanted,  and 
through  the  combined  efforts  of  the  Represent- 


THIRD   SESSION. 


atives  from  the  several  states  backing  up 
those  of  Mr.  Cooper,  we  got  this  amendment 
that  Dr.  Ames  thinks  will  be  stricken  out. 
That  was  the  only  thing  I  wanted.  There  was 
a  number  of  other  librarians  asking  for  it,  and 
not  the  committee  appointed  by  the  American 
Library  Association.  Librarians  are  intelli- 
gent enough  to  know  what  they  want,  and  the 
point  that  Dr.  Ames  made  in  his  closing  state- 
ment seems  to  me  the  key  to  the  whole  situa- 
tion. The  thing  that  we  want  we  must  ask 
from  the  man  that  goes  from  our  own  neigh- 
borhood, and  if  we  want  any  extra  help  we 
must  rely  on  the  committee  appointed  by  the 
Association. 

F:  M.  CRUNDEN. — There  is  nothing  in  my 
experience  that  has  been  more  aggravating 
than  this  public  document  matter.  It  seems 
so  absurd  for  a  great  country  like  ours  to  be 
spending  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  in 
printing  matter  which  finds  its  way  back  to  the 
paper  mill,  and  in  the  meantime  has  served  no 
particular  purpose.  In  farm  houses  through- 
out the  West  you  can  find  public  documents 
used  for  scrap-books. 

A  few  years  ago  a  member  of  the  school 
board  (who  by  virtue  of  his  office  in  the  school 
board  was  also  a  member  of  the  Library 
board,  and  who  was  also  a  saloon  keeper)  came 
into  the  library  one  day  with  a  report  of  the 
Commissioner  of  Education,  and  wanted  to 
know  if  I  would  not  like  to  have  it.  He  said  a 
hack  driver  brought  it  over  to  him  and  asked 
him  if  he  wanted  it.  So  he  took  it,  having  the 
library  in  mind.  That  document  had  been 
sent  to  the  hack  driver  by  a  member  of  Con- 
gress in  recognition  of  his  services  at  the  last 
election.  Let  me  give  you  another  illustration. 
There  was  an  important  document  that  I  had 
in  vain  tried  to  get  through  the  department, 
and  through  the  three  Representatives  from  St. 
Louis  and  the  two  Senators  from  Missouri, 
receiving  word  from  those  men  that  their 
quota  had  been  already  distributed.  Finally  I 
secured  it  through  a  personal  friend  of  Senator 
Evarts,  of  New  York. 

All  talk  about  expense  is  ridiculous  in  view 
of  the  enormous  waste  and  extravagance  that 
goes  on  in  the  printing  and  distribution  of 
public  documents.  Therefore  I  would  like  the 
Association  to  speak  out  plainly  and  tell  what 
it  believes  on  this  subject,  and  let  Congress 


then  do  as  it  pleases  about  it.  In  all  my  let- 
ters to  our  Senators  and  Representatives,  I 
have  always  argued  that  these  documents 
were  printed  at  the  expense  of  the  people,  and 
for  the  information  of  the  people,  and  that 
people  therefore  had  the  right  of  access  to 
them ;  and  that  access  could  be  obtained  only 
in  one  way,  by  sending  them  out  freely  and 
promptly  to  public  libraries.  Therefore,  while 
Mr.  Ames  was  talking,  I  jotted  down  this  reso- 
lution, which  I  would  suggest  as  an  amend- 
ment: 

Whereas,  All  government  documents  are 
printed  at  the  expense,  and  for  the  informa- 
tion, of  the  people  of  the  United  States ;  and 

Whereas,  The  present  method  of  distribu- 
tion is  extravagant  and  wasteful,  and  fails  to 
accomplish  the  purpose  of  such  distribution ; 
and 

Whereas,  The  only  practicable  method  to 
make  the  information  contained  in  public 
documents  accessible  to  the  people  is  to  place 
them  in  the  libraries  of  the  country ;  therefore 
be  it 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  every  volume, 
pamphlet,  bill  or  broadside  not  of  a  confiden- 
tial character,  should  be  sent  promptly  to  1,000 
libraries  of  ihe  country,  to  be  selected  accord- 
ing to  their  size,  character  and  location. 

W:  I.  FLETCHER. — It  seems  to  me  that  Mr. 
Crunden  is  a  little  up  in  the  clouds,  and  while 
such  a  thing  as  he  speaks  of  is  ideal,  and  I 
should  go  for  it  every  time,  yet  it  seems  to  me 
for  all  practical  purposes  it  is  in  the  clouds.  I 
do  not  care  what  becomes  of  any  such  resolu- 
tion as  that.  It  does  not  seem  to  me  that  it 
would  ever  do  any  good. 

I  was  going  to  speak  entirely  on  another 
line.  I  myself  occupy  a  very  hopeful  attitude 
in  regard  to  this  matter  of  public  documents, 
in  connection  with  the  bill  in  its  present  state. 
I  am  hopeful  that  there  is  going  to  be  a  great 
improvement  accomplished  through  that  bill, 
and  that  is  all  we  can  expect,  I  think.  We 
ought  to  appreciate  the  fact  that  a  good  many 
members  of  Congress  have  taken  a  great  deal 
of  pains  to  help  the  libraries  of  the  country. 
We  owe  them .  our  thanks,  and  I  should  not 
like  to  see  the  Association  seem  to  go  before 
Congress  in  a  scolding  attitude,  representing 
that  we  know  a  great  deal  more  about  the 
matter  than  they  do,  and  altogether  that  we 


134 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


are  in  an  attitude  of  disrespect  and  contempt 
for  Congress  in  the  matter.  We  ought  to 
recognize  the  great  services  that  have  been 
rendered  to  the  public  in  connection  with  this 
movement,  and  I  can  speak  with  special  sig- 
nificance as  to  the  Congressman  from  my  own 
district,  and  the  Senators  from  my  own  state. 

I  should  like  to  suggest  that  we  have  these 
resolutions,  if  adopted,  printed  in  such  shape 
that  every  librarian  who  cares  to  do  so  might 
send  them  to  his  member  of  Congress,  incor- 
porating them  in  a  letter  explanatory  of  his 
own  ideas  on  the  subject.  It  seems  to  me  that 
that  would  be  of  great  value. 

I  want  to  say  a  word  about  this  index.  It  seems 
to  me  that  we  ought  most  heartily  to  approve 
such  an  admirable  index  of  documents  as  this 
of  Dr.  Ames.  If  this  index  can  be  out  and  in 
use  for  a  while  before  any  measure  has  been 
passed  in  Congress  to  get  out  another  index 
like  Major  Poore's,  it  seems  to  me  that  men  of 
sense  in  Washington  would  understand  that  if 
any  model  was  to  be  taken  his  should  be 
the  one. 

S:  S.  GREEN. — I  think  we  ought  to  bring  this 
discussion  to  a  close,  and  1  am  going  to  ask 
Mr.  Crunden  if  he  will  withdraw  that  amend- 
ment. It  is  very  important  that  we  should  be 
united  in  our  action.  We  have  before  us  the 
bill  that  is  now  in  Congress,  and  it  seems  to 
me  that  the  wise  thing  now  is  to  second  the 
movement  already  on  foot. 

J:  G.  AMES. — Lest  a  misapprehension  may 
exist  in  the  minds  of  any  as  to  the  attitude  of 
members  of  Congress  in  general  towards  the 
legislation  desired  by  this  Association,  I  wish 
to  say  that  I  believe  a  large  majority  of  both 
houses  are  favorable  to  nearly  all  the  pro- 
visions of  the  bill  which  we  have  been  con- 
sidering. It  is  only  here  and  there  a  member 
that  will  urge  any  general  opposition  to  it. 
If  a  few  of  the  amendments  which  were  at- 
tached to  the  bill  in  the  Senate  were  with- 
drawn, it  would,  in  my  judgment,  pass  with- 
out any  serious  opposition  and  with  little  delay. 

I  should,  therefore,  advise  the  association  to 
accept  the  bill  as  it  is,  with  the  few  amend- 
ments suggested  in  the  resolutions  proposed 
by  our  committee.  We  shall  then  have  secured 
nearly  all  that  we  have  been  urgently  seeking 
for  years.  Afterwards,  if  further  action  is  de- 
sired, I  think  we  shall  find  Congress  ready  to 


pass  such  supplemental  legislation  as  the 
librarians  will  unite  in  requesting. 

W:  I.  FLETCHER. — I  move  that  the  resolu- 
tions, read  by  Mr.  Johnston,  be  referred  to  the 
committee  on  resolutions.  Voted. 

Successive  papers  were  read,  by  those  named 
below,  on 

THE    SELECTION    OF   BOOKS. 

Miss  ELLEN  M.  COE  (see  p.  30);  Miss  CARO- 
LINE M.  HEWINS  (see  p.  32);  W:  E.  FOSTKK 
(see  p.  34) ;  D.  V.  R.  JOHNSTON  (see  p.  j6)  ; 
W.  A.  BARDWELL,  by  title  only,  in  his  absence 
(see  p.  37);  W:  H.  BRETT  (see  p.  38);  H:  M. 
UTLEY  (see  p.  JQ)  ;  F:  M.  CRUNDEN  (see  p.  41}. 

J.  K.  HOSMER. — My  own  methods  do  not 
differ  essentially  from  those  which  have  been 
described.  It  has  occurred  to  me,  as  I  have 
listened  to  the  discussion  of  the  subject  by  my 
predecessors,  that  one  or  two  points  might  be 
dwelt  upon. 

As  regards  the  book  committee,  I  think  it 
is  an  excellent  thing  if  a  library  has  an  effi- 
cient one  ;  and,  as  I  look  back  upon  my  St. 
Louis  days,  I  remember  with  great  interest  my 
service  on  Mr.  Crunden's  book  committee.  I 
think  that  as  Mr.  Crunden  managed  the  mat- 
ter, we  approached  the  ideal  state  of  things  in 
that  book  committee.  It  consisted  of  a  clergy- 
man of  the  city,  who  was  noted  as  a  scholar 
and  as  a  man  of  the  finest  intellectual  tastes  ; 
of  a  strong  business  man;  of  two  strong 
women  who  were  among  the  best  teachers  of 
the  city ;  and  of  myself,  then  a  professor  in  the 
university  of  St.  Louis.  We  met  every  fort- 
night on  Saturday  afternoon.  Mr.  Crunden 
had  prepared,  before  each  meeting,  a  list  of 
books  which  he  presented  to  us,  and  each  title 
was  discussed.  We  spent  hours  in  that  way, 
each  one  of  us  reading  as  he  had  oppor- 
tunity. The  work  was  faithfully  done,  and  I 
do  not  know  how  it  could  have  been  better  or 
more  effectively  done  than  it  was  by  that 
committee.  Since  I  have  been  in  Minneapolis, 
I  have  often  wished  that  my  own  book  com- 
mittee would  take  a  similar  interest,  but  the 
selection  is  left  almost  entirely  to  me,  and  I 
feel  that  the  responsibility  is  very  great.  I 
receive  quantities  of  books  on  approval,  which 
I  examine.  The  only  books  which  I  carefully 
read  are  novels.  All  the  novels  that  come  to 
us  are  carefully  read,  not  necessarily  by  my- 


THIRD    SESSION. 


self,  but  by  people  in  whom  I  have  confidence. 
If  not  carefully  read,  they  are  so  far  examined 
that  their  character  can  be  thoroughly  ascer- 
tained. We  have  a  feeling  that  that  is  a  mat- 
ter of  considerable  importance.  No  novel 
comes  into  the  library  whose  character  we  do 
not  know  fully  about. 

With  regard  to  critical  aids,  I  have  been 
accustomed  to  depend  upon  the  authorities 
which  have  been  so  frequently  mentioned  by 
my  predecessors  in  this  discussion.  I  would 
like  to  say  this:  That  I  dissent  from  what 
seems  to  be  the  almost  universal  feeling  of  the 
Association,  with  regard  to  the  plan  which  Mr. 
lies  presented  at  Chicago  last  year.  It  does 
not  seem  to  me  at  all  likely  that  we  should  get 
any  better  criticisms,  than  we  have  now  in  the 
best  critical  reviews.  Take  the  Nation,  which 
Mr.  Crunden  has  spoken  of  in  so  nattering  a 
manner.  Whatever  may  be  the  character  of 
the  Nation,  politically — many  of  us,  no  doubt, 
differ  from  it  very  much  there — we  must  ad- 
mit that,  as  regards  its  literary  articles,  it  is  a 
publication  of  the  very  highest  character,  and 
that  those  who  write  the  articles  are  experts 
and  men  of  scholarship  and  ability.  Is  it  at 
all  likely  that  in  any  periodical  that  could  be 
established  by  the  Library  Association,  we 
should  have  any  better  state  of  things  than 
when  we  have  at  hand  the  present  aids  ?  I 
have  no  reason  to  believe  that  any  better 
thing  would  come  out  of  the  proposition  which 
was  submitted  last  year  by  Mr.  lies. 

Miss  ELLEN  M.  COE. — I  am  under  commission 
from  Mr.  lies  to  say  a  word.  Since  his  plan  of 
annotation  has  been  alluded  to  twice,  I  feel 
that  it  is  right  for  me  to  make  the  communica- 
tion here. 

I  have  been  in  constant  communication  with 
Mr.  lies  this  year,  in  the  work  of  preparing  a 
list  of  i, ooo  volumes  best  suited  to  working- 
girls'  clubs.  He  has  given  a  great  deal  of  time 
to  it,  and  is  being  aided  by  experts.  Mr.  lies 
asked  me  to  say  to  the  publication  committee 
that  he  had  further  promises  of  immediate 
help. 

I  want  to  say,  just  now,  that  with  the  anno- 
tations which  we  are  making  we  use  these 
criticisms,  which,  as  Mr.  Hosmer  says,  can  not 
be  bettered.  It  is  not  intended  that  the  experts 
shall  in  all,  or  in  many  cases,  give  their  own 
opinions.  I  wish  I  had  here  the  list  on  zoology 


which  Olive  Thorne  Miller  has  just  sent  me. 
She  does  not  use  her  own  words.  I  wish,  also, 
that  I  had  the  list  on  kindergartening  sent  me 
by  Miss  Brooks  of  the  Teachers  college,  and 
the  list  on  self-culture  from  the  same  college. 
They  almost  always  give  their  authority,  per- 
haps Ruskin  or  the  Nation.  These  experts 
have  each  undertaken  the  criticism  of  perhaps 
one  hundred  volumes.  They  would  not  admit 
anything  that  had  not  commendation  from 
these  reliable  critical  journals.  They  would 
only  use,  I  think,  their  own  words  if  others 
failed  to  express  the  purport  of  the  book.  I 
believe  that  this  terrific  problem  that  is  before 
libraries,  as  to  the  selection  of  books,  can  be 
solved  in  no  other  way  than  that  which  Mr.  lies 
so  ably  presented. 

F:M.  CRUNDEN. —Miss  Coe  has  already  said 
what  I  had  a  mind  to  say.  Dr.  Hosmer  over- 
looks the  time-saving  feature  of  this,  which  is 
one  of  the  great  considerations  with  us.  You 
take  a  long  book  review  in  the  Nation — it  may 
be  four  or  five  columns.  All  that  I  care  to 
know  about  it  is  the  little  extract  of  four  or 
five  lines.  That  will  be  a  great  saving  to  us. 
If  we  can  get  the  work  Miss  Coe  has  outlined, 
done  and  presented  to  us  in  that  size  and  form, 
it  will  save  us  a  great  deal  of  time. 

W:  I.  FLETCHER. — I  would  ask  Mr.  Utley 
how  much  he  has  to  pay  for  getting  books  twice 
a  week  ? 

H:  M.  UTLEY. — The  discount  on  regular 
American  books  is  34  per  cent.,  and  the  dis- 
count on  educational  books  and  other  special 
books  varies  from  12^  to  15  and  20  per  cent. 
But  on  the  great  mass  of  books  the  discount  is 
34  per  cent. ;  and  that,  I  think,  is  as  favorable 
an  offer  as  librarians  usually  get.  It  has  not 
cost  us  any  more  to  have  the  privilege  of  look- 
ing at  these  books,  because  the  booksellers  can 
sell  them  to  some  one  else  if  we  do  not  want 
them. 

REPORT      OF      COMMITTEE      ON      PLACE     OF     NEXT 
MEETING. 

C:  A.  CUTTER. — It  is  very  appropriate  that 
our  report  should  come  immediately  after  this 
discussion,  for  the  selection  of  a  place  of  meet- 
ing is  quite  as  hard  as  the  selection  of  books. 
I  will  divide  this  report  into  two  parts:  the 
news  department  and  the  editorial. 

The  news  department   is    simply  this:    We 


i36 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


have  been  favored  with  two  invitations  and 
one  suggestion,  which  1  will  give  in  the  order 
in  which  they  came.  The  first  is  the  Chau- 
tauqua  region,  and  the  arguments  urged  in 
favor  of  our  going  there  are,  that  we  can  do 
good  missionary  work  in  Jamestown ;  that  it  is 
easy  of  access;  and  that  the  railroads  and 
hotels  are  accustomed  to  handling  large  crowds 
of  people. 

The  second  is  Denver,  where  we  were  in- 
vited by  both  librarians,  and  the  arguments  in 
favor  of  our  going  there  are,  that  we  can  do 
good  missionary  work,  which  is  very  much 
needed;  and  that  we  shall  meet  a  reception 
only  second  to  that  which  we  received  in  Cali- 
fornia. Their  words  were  more  modest  than  that, 
but  I  fancy  their  intention  was,  probably,  less 
modest.  Furthermore,  that  all  the  librarians 
in  the  Mississippi  valley  are  immensely  desir- 
ous that  the  Association  should  meet  there,  and 
would  be  very  glad  to  have  us  go  there.  Also, 
that  we  can  have  a  very  good  post-conference 
trip,  as  we  who  were  to  California  well  know. 
I  should  mention,  also,  that  that  was  one  of  the 
advantages  urged  in  favor  of  the  Chautauqua 
invitation,  because  the  country  around  there 
is  attractive  and  pleasing. 

The  third,  which  is  merely  a  suggestion,  for 
we  have  received  no  invitation,  is  that  we 
should  meet  next  year  in  some  seaboard  city, 
and  afterwards  make  a  post-conference  trip  to 
England.  It  is  said  that  we  can  do  that  in  five 
weeks  at  a  moderate  expense,  or  for  nut  much 
more  than  the  excursion  to  Denver  would  cost. 
So  much  for  news. 

For  the  editorial  remarks,  it  is  no  part  of  the 
committee's  duties  to  give  advice  to  the  Asso- 
ciation, and  they  will  not  attempt  it.  They 
have  been  warned  what  would  happen  if  they 
did  attempt  it.  They  have  been  sufficiently 
supplied  with  coffee  at  the  regular  meals  of  the 
hotel,  and  they  have  no  pistols,  not  even 
pocket  pistols. 

But  we  do  desire  to  remind  the  Association 
of  the  traditional  practice,  which,  probably, 
is  a  very  good  one,  and  has  gradually  grown 
up  like  the  constitution  of  England.  It  has 
been  our  wont  to  go  first  to  the  West,  and  then 
to  the  East ;  to  meet  first  in  a  city  where  we 
can  do  missionary  work  and  see  libraries  and 
the  ladies  can  do  shopping,  and  then  to  go  to 
a  summer  resort  where  we  can  attend  to  busi- 


ness and  have  a  good  time  and  talk  shop.  We 
want  to  call  your  attention  to  the  fact  that  a 
seaboard  city  and  Denver  are  both  cities,  and 
that  we  met  this  year  at  a  summer  resort ;  that 
we  are  not  doing  any  missionary  work  here, 
and  that  we  can  do  missionary  work  at  Chau- 
tauqua and  Denver.  As  to  the  seaboard  city 
it  would  depend  a  great  deal  on  where  it  was, 
and  as  to  whether  our  missionary  work  would 
be  likely  to  be  effectual. 

MELVIL  DEWEY  read  a  telegram  from  George 
E.  Vincent,  of  Chautauqua,  inviting  the  Asso- 
ciation to  meet  there  next  year,  in  either  the 
first  week  in  July  or  the  last  week  in  August. 

Recess  was  declared  till  7.15  P.M. 

FOURTH  SESSION. 

(GRAND  VIEW  HOTEL,  TUESDAY  EVENING,  SEP- 
TEMBER 1 8.) 

Pres.  LARNED  called  the  meeting  to  order  at 
7.30  P.  M. 

Sec.  HILL  announced  that  the  meetings  of 
the  Association,  commencing  with  Thursday 
morning,  would  be  held  at  the  Mirror  Lake 
Hotel. 

W:  R.  EASTMAN  read  his  paper  on 

TRAVELING    LIBRARIES     OF     THE     STATE    OF    NEW 
YORK. 

(Mr.  Eastman's  paper  appears,  subsequently, 
in  the  Forum  for  January,  1895,  and  is  not 
printed  in  the  Conference  report.  Copies  of 
the  paper  can  be  obtained  on  application  to  the 
Public  Libraries  Department,  Albany,  N.  Y.) 

Miss  LUTIE  E.  STEARNS  read  her  report  on 

READING  FOR  THE  YOUNG. 

(See  p.  8 1.) 

S.  H.  BERRY. — One  field  in  which  there  has 
been  considerable  work  done  as  to  reading  for 
the  young,  Miss  Stearns  has  overlooked, 
namely,  the  junior  departments  of  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  associations,  with  one  of 
which  I  am  very  closely  associated  in  our  own 
city  of  Brooklyn.  I  can  speak  for  them  defi- 
nitely. Others,  I  know,  are  doing  very  excel- 
lent work,  and  taking  great  pains  to  get  the 
right  sort  of  reading  into  the  hands  of  boys, 
having  an  age  limit,  of  course,  from  about 
seven  years  up  to  sixteen. 

In  our  association  we  circulate  the  books 
from  the  boys'  department,  throughout  all  the 


FOURTH   SESSION, 


branches  of  the  association  in  the  city,  just  the 
same  as  we  do  from  the  men's  library;  the 
books  go  by  the  hands  of  the  same  messen- 
gers, and  are  doing  excellent  work.  They 
have  a  secretary  in  charge  of  the  boys'  branch, 
who  pays  special  attention  to  getting  the  right 
sort  of  books,  and  seeing  that  they  are  cata- 
loged by  authors  and  subjects,  and  the  boys 
are  taking  great  interest  in  the  work  in  this 
line.  Of  course  there  are  others  in  the  city, 
such  as  the  Newsboys'  Home  and  the  Chil- 
dren's Aid  Society,  who  are  doing  a  large  work 
for  young  people's  reading  in  what,  sometimes, 
is  called  the  lower  wards.  But  now  we  are 
having  a  great  influx  of  something  that  is 
much  worse  than  the  dime  novel  that  has  been 
spoken  of.  We  are  having  a  good  deal  of  the 
nickel  library,  and  a  great  deal  of  the  "  Old 
Sleuth  "  material ;  and  perhaps  we  may  expect 
more  of  that,  now  that  "Old  Sleuth"  has  re- 
signed from  the  school  board  and  may  have 
more  time.  We  are  trying  to  do  a  good  deal 
for  the  boys'  department  toward  having  this 
sort  of  material  suppressed. 

Short  papers  were  read,  by  those  named  be- 
low, on 

COMMON  NOVELS  IN  PUBLIC  LIBRARIES. 

Miss  CAROLINE  H.  GARLAND  (see p.  14);  Miss 
ELLEN  M.  COE  (see  p.  2j);  Miss  ELIZABETH  P. 
THURSTON  (see  p.  16);  GEO.  WATSON  COLE  (see 
P.  18);  A.  W.  WHELPLEY,  by  title  only,  in  his 
absence  (see  p.  21). 

A.  L.  PECK. — I  request  that  the  subject  of 
novels  be  continued  in  some  other  session. 
There  are  some  points  that  ought  to  be  brought 
to  the  attention  of  the  Association.  Although 
I  have  tried  very  hard  to  have  only  the  best 
novels  on  my  shelves,  I  find  that  some  of  my 
younger  readers  will  go  to  book  dealers  and 
get  books  that  are  absolutely  worthless,  trashy, 
immoral — in  fact  there  are  no  adjectives  bad 
enough  to  express  what  they  are.  Every  year 
we  find  in  some  of  the  schoolrooms  bad  liter- 
ature cropping  out,  and  we  have  had  to  go  from 
store  to  store,  where  these  books  came  from, 
and  even  to  make  inquiries  at  the  post  office. 
It  is  not  only  our  duty  to  buy  good  books,  but 
also  to  prevent  the  sale  and  distribution  of  bad 
and  poor  books.  The  same  thing  is  true  of  the 
penny  dreadfuls  and  the  Police  News  and 
Police  Gazette.  I  think  it  is  the  librarian's 


duty  to  suppress  the  sale  of  the  Police  News 
and  the  Police  Gazette ;  especially  in  New 
York  State,  where  there  is  a  good  law.  I  think 
it  can  be  done  ;  I  did  it.  I  simply  sent  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  State  of  New  York  for  copies 
of  the  law,  and  then  took  the  District  Attorney 
by  the  hand,  and  went  from  book  store  to  book 
store  and  said  the  Police  Gazette  shall  not  be 
exhibited  here  hereafter.  I  did  the  same  thing 
with  black  literature.  I  bought  it  myself  and 
had  the  salesman  convicted. 
Adjourned  at  10.15  p-M- 

FIFTH  SESSION. 

(GRAND   VIEW   HOTEL,  WEDNESDAY   MORNING, 
SEPTEMBER  19.) 

Pres.  LARNED  called  the  meeting  to  order  at 
9.45  A.  M. 

REPORT  OF  THE  EXECUTIVE  BOARD. 

Sec.  HILL. — The  matter  of  printing  the  presi- 
dent's address  was  referred  to  the  executive 
board,  and  the  board  wishes  to  report  the  fol- 
lowing recommendation  : 

The  executive  board  recommend  that  1,000, 
or  as  many  more  extra  copies  of  the  president's 
address  as  may  be  subscribed  for,  be  printed, 
and  that  they  be  sold  by  the  treasurer  at  cost 
price. 

W.  I.  FLETCHER. — It  seems  to  me  that  the 
wisest  course  in  the  matter  would  be  to  have  the 
address  electrotyped  in  such  form  that  the  execu- 
tive board  can  furnish  copies  at  any  time  on 
order.  The  Massachusetts  Library  club  has 
some  money  in  the  treasury  and  does  not  know 
what  to  do  with  it ;  and  I  said  we  could  buy 
enough  copies  of  the  president's  address  to 
give  one  copy  to  every  man,  woman  and  child 
in  the  state.  There  should  be  a  provision  for 
many  thousand  extra  copies. 

Sec.  HILL. — There  have  been  requests  for 
several  papers  read  before  the  Association.  In 
this  connection  I  was  going  to  bring  up  the 
matter  of  printing  extra  copies  of  such  papers 
as  may  be  subscribed  for  at  this  meeting,  and 
have  that  referred  to  the  executive  board  for 
consideration,  to  report  at  a  later  meeting.  I 
think  that  we  ought  to  print  some  of  these 
papers  every  year,  enough  so  that  those  who 
want  these  extra  copies  to  distribute  among 
friends  of  library  interests  can  do  so  at  a  very 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


little  cost,  and  if  we  could  have  them  electro- 
typed,  so  much  the  better. 

GARDNER  M.  JONES. — I  move  that  this  whole 
subject  of  printing  extras  from  the  proceedings 
of  the  Association  be  recommitted  to  the  execu- 
tive board  for  further  consideration.  Voted. 

WILLARD  H.  AUSTIN  read  his 

REPORT   ON   LIBRARY    AIDS   AND   GUIDES. 

(See  p.  77.) 

Pres.  LARNED. — I  would  suggest  a  reference 
to  the  executive  board  for  the  coming  year,  as 
to  the  recommendation  made  by  Mr.  Austin, 
regarding  a  committee  on  aids  and  guides. 

W:  I.  FLETCHER. — I  move  that  it  be  so  re- 
ferred. Voted. 

GARDNER  M.  JONES  read  a 

REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  AN  INDEX    TO 
SUBJECT  HEADINGS. 

The  committee  is  pleased  to  report  that  the 
Index  to  Subject  Headings  is  now  practically 
completed,  and  after  final  editing  and  copying 
will  be  ready  for  the  printer.  The  sample 
page  in  your  ha/ids  shows  the  proposed  form  of 
publication. 

Most  of  the  members  of  the  A.  L.  A.  prob- 
ably know  the  object  and  scope  of  this  index, 
but  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  do  not,  the 
committee  makes  the  following  statement  : 

Every  compiler  of  a  dictionary  catalog 
finds  two  great  difficulties:  ist,  the  choice 
between  synonymous  or  related  headings ;  ad, 
the  making  of  the  necessary  cross-references. 
The  best  catalogs  show  great  diversity  of 
usage,  and  it  has  often  been  suggested  that  by 
a  collation  of  these  catalogs,  a  list  of  subject 
headings  might  be  made,  which  would  sim- 
plify the  work  of  the  cataloger  and  lead  to 
more  uniformity.  At  the  Lakewood  confer- 
ence a  committee  for  this  purpose  was  ap- 
pointed. At  Chicago,  the  committee  reported 
progress,  and  to-day  announces  the  approach- 
ing end  of  its  work.  The  catalogs  on  which 
the  index  is  based  are  the  Boston  Athenaeum, 
Peabody  Institute,  Cleveland,  American,  and 
the  Harvard  subject  index. 

Of  course  no  such  list  can  be  complete,  nor 
is  this  intended  to  be  so.  It  is  limited  to  the 
headings  most  often  needed  in  the  small,  or 
medium  sized,  public  library.  The  following 
classes  of  headings  have  been  omitted  : 


i.  Personal  names. 

2  Geographical  headings,  such  as  names  of 
countries,  places,  languages,  literatures, 
etc.  (See  Library  Journal,  18:  C  79-80, 
for  treatment  of  these.) 

3.  Technical  and  scientific  names,  unless  there 

are  equivalent  common  names  and  for 
purposes  of  cross-reference. 

4.  Animals,    and    plants,    and    chemical   and 

medicinal  substances. 

5.  Books  and  other  parts  of  the  Bible.     These 
should  be    entered    as    sub-heads    under 
Bible,  with  reference  from  their  names. 

6.  The  following  special  classes  :    Names  of 
months,    days,     processes    in    arithmetic, 
parts  of  speech,  headings  beginning  with 
numbers  (as  eighteenth  century),  virtues 
and  vices,  diseases  (with  a  few  exceptions). 

7.  Other  specific  headings  where  there  seemed 

to  be  no  doubt  as  to  name  or  references, 
as  most  games,  foods,  etc. 

It  is  thought  that  the  list  is  sufficiently  full 
for  ordinary  use.  The  headings  for  any  new 
subject  can  be  settled  by  the  application  of  the 
rules  given  below,  and  by  the  analogies  of 
headings  already  in  the  list.  For  full  discus- 
sion of  principles  the  cataloger  is  referred  to 
Cutter's  rules.  Any  cataloger  having  to  deal 
with  unusual  books  will  consult  special  cata- 
logs, or  reference  books,  such  as  the  Surgeon- 
general's  catalog,  Soule's  Lawyers'  reference 
manual,  Bouvier's  Law  dictionary,  McClintock 
and  Strong's  Cyclopaedia,  etc. 

It  will  be  asked,  What  have  been  the  prin- 
ciples of  decision  ? 

The  general  principle  is  that  the  heading 
should  be  that  under  which  it  is  supposed  that 
the  majority  of  educated  Americans  would 
look,  with  cross-references  from  other  forms  of 
headings. 

In  carrying  out  this  principle  the  following 
rules  have  been  observed  as  far  as  possible : 

1.  Use  common  names  instead  of  technical, 

English  instead  of  foreign ;  but  not  if  the 
common  or  English  name  is  ambiguous  or 
of  ill-defined  extent. 

2.  Use  singular  rather  than  plural  ;  but  many 

subjects  are  only  thought  of  under  the 
plural. 

3.  Use  headings  most  generally  found  in  the 

leading  catalogs  ;  but  usage  is  changing. 


FIFTH  SESSION. 


'39 


An  example  is,  Moral  philosophy,  now 
almost  universally  called  Ethics. 
4.  Put  compound  names  under  the  first  word, 
unless  some  other  is  more  significant 
(Agricultural  botany,  rather  than  Botany, 
agricultural). 

The  opponents  of  the  dictionary  catalog 
claim  that  it  fails  to  bring  together  all  the 
books  on  a  subject.  This  is  a  valid  objection 
unless  cross-references  are  liberally  supplied. 
For  this  reason  the  list  of  "see-alsos"  is 
especially  full. 

Particular  attention  is  called  to  the  "refer- 
froms."  These  are  the  "  see-alsos  "  reversed, 
and  group  under  each  heading  the  references 
that  should  be  made  from  other  subjects.  Of 
course  these  references  are  not  to  be  made  un- 
less the  book  cataloged  actually  illustrates  the 
subject  from  which  reference  is  made.  They 
are  suggestions,  rather  than  directions,  and  do 
not  relieve  the  cataloger  from  using  his 
brains. 

The  index  should  be  printed  with  a  single 
column,  the  other  being  left  blank  for  addi- 
tions. The  cataloger  can  check  headings  and 
references,  as  used,  and  add  new  headings 
when  necessary.  A  complete  list  of  all  the 
subject  headings  and  references  in  his  catalog 
will  then  be  at  hand  without  reference  to  the 
catalog  itself.  Unless  the  library  is  quite 
small,  personal  and  geographical  headings 
should  be  kept  on  slips  as  a  supplementary  list. 
When  there  is  a  great  accumulation  of 
entries  under  a  heading,  it  is  well  to  subdivide. 
The  Boston  Athenaeum  and  Peabody  Institute 
catalogs,  furnish  good  models  for  such  sub- 
divisions. 

At  the  Chicago  conference  the  Publishing 
Section  was  instructed  to  proceed  with  the 
publication  of  the  list  as  soon  as  practicable. 
We  hope  that  in  a  few  months  the  Index  will 
be  printed  and  in  your  hands.  Notwithstand- 
ing its  many  defects  we  are  satisfied  that  it ' 
will  be  found  useful. 

GARDNER  M.  JONES. 
CHARLES  A.  CUTTER. 
G.  E.  WIRE. 
Miss  THERESA  H.  WEST  read  her 

REPORT   ON  LIBRARY  ARCHITECTURE. 

(See  p.  96.) 

C:  C.  SOULE. — As  chairman  of  the  committee 
on  architecture  I  would  like  to  say  a  word. 


I  think  the  architects  are  earnestly  desirous  of 
following  the  principles  we  have  laid  out,  that 
is,  of  studying  up  the  utility  of  the  building 
first  of  all.  I  think  also,  that  what  has  been 
done  and  said  by  the  American  Library  Asso- 
ciation, and  individual  librarians,  has  had  a 
great  deal  of  effect.  While  we  see  a  good  many 
buildings  not  appropriate  to  library  purposes, 
the  trend  and  tendency  is  in  the  right  direc- 
tion. The  architects  are  awakened,  and  I  think 
the  work  of  this  Association  has  had  a  great 
deal  to  do  with  the  improvement  in  library 
architecture.  Such  intelligent  initiation  as  is 
shown  in  the  course  of  the  Milwaukee  library 
building,  and  in  what  the  Providence  library 
is  now  doing,  will  be  of  great  help.  There  are 
a  few  architects  who  will  sacrifice  the  exterior 
to  the  interior,  but  I  think  the  fault  is  very 
largely  with  the  trustees  and  building  com- 
mittees. They  do  not  take  proper  advice  and 
formulate  their  conditions  of  x:se  for  the  archi- 
tects, early  enough  before  plans  are  decided 
upon. 

Let  me  tell  a  little  anecdote.  Some  little 
time  ago  a  firm  of  celebrated  .architects  came 
to  me  and  said:  "Mr.  Soule,  you  are  chairman 
of  the  committee  on  architecture  of  the  Ameri- 
can Library  Association?"  "Yes."  "You 
have  given  considerable  study  to  library  con- 
struction ?"  "I  have  given  some  study  to  the 
principles  of  it."  "  You  can  get  the  advice  of 
leading  librarians  ? "  "  Yes."  "Will  you  join 
us  in  preparing  plans  for  such  and  such  a  com- 
petition?" I  said  yes,  and  we  made  up  some  plans 
which  I  think  were  fairly  good.  I  took  the 
advice  of  a  great  many  librarians,  and  studied 
up  the  interior  with  the  idea  of  concentration, 
proper  distribution  of  the  administrative  de- 
partments, ease  of  access  to  the  public,  and  all 
other  points  essential  in  a  library  building. 
The  architects  made  many  successive  sketches, 
and  we  thought  and  worked  over  the  thing  for 
several  weeks. 

When  we  got  through  with  the  plans,  being 
optimistic  in  my  disposition,  I  thought  that 
they  would  be  ranked  high  among  those  sub- 
mitted. The  architect  who  had  been  working 
them  up,  thought,  on  the  contrary,  that  they 
would  not  be  accepted  because  they  were  a 
little  too  conscientious.  He  said:  "From  my 
point  of  view  we  come  too  much  within  the 
limits  of  the  competition.  Our  building  is 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


planned  and  can  be  built  for  the  money  speci- 
fied. When  the  plans  come  in  there  will  be 
some  very  taking  exteriors.  The  trustees  will 
have  a  committee  and  won't  ask  the  opinion  of 
librarians  about  the  matter.  There  will  be  one 
or  two  fascinating  plans  there,  whose  architect- 
ure will  be  so  much  finer  than  ours,  that  they 
will  capture  the  prizes.  You  will  find  that  the 
plan  selected  will  take  more  money  than  the 
amount  mentioned  in  the  competition,  but  by 
that  time  the  trustee  will  have  become  so 
taken  with  the  idea  of  architectural  adornment 
that  those  plans  will  get  prizes,  and  plans  like  the 
one  that  we  have  worked  out  will  be  set  aside." 
He  was  right,  and  a  plan  was  selected  for  the 
library  which  certainly  cost  more  and  was  not 
as  good,  from  a  library  standpoint,  as  the  plan 
we  had  submitted. 

I  am  very  glad,  howevej,  to  say  to  the  Asso- 
ciation that  such  instances  are  becoming  rare, 
and  that  practicable  library  buildings  are  get- 
ting to  be  the  rule  rather  than  the  exception. 
Many  architects  have  been  to  me  for  sugges- 
tions and  criticism,  and  all  have  said  that  they 
were  willing,  if  necessary,  to  sacrifice  the  ex- 
terior in  order  to  get  for  the  public  a  good 
working  library. 

W:  E.  FOSTER. — I  wish  to  corroborate  very 
emphatically  what  Mr.  Soule  has  said  in  regard 
to  the  readiness  existing  on  the  part  of  archi- 
tects to  ascertain,  first  of  all,  what  appears  to 
be  the  principles  regarded  as  important  from 
the  point  of  view  of  librarians,  and  to  endeavor 
to  approach  as  near  to  those  principles  as  pos- 
sible. For  several  years  past  it  has  been  the 
practice  of  a  large  number  of  architects  to  bor- 
row of  me  those  publications  which  contained 
the  discussions  on  library  architecture  on  the 
part  of  the  American  Library  Association,  and 
those  discussions  have  received  very  thorough 
stiidy.  In  the  case  of  the  local  chapter  of  the 
American  Institute  of  Architects  the  subject 
has  more  than  once  been  before  them  for  dis- 
cussion, and  on  one  occasion  I  was  called  in  to 
participate  in  the  discussion  with  them. 

R.  B.  POOLE — Architects  in  New  York  who 
are  bidding  for  the  building  of  library  build- 
ings often  come  to  my  library  to  consult  the 
Library  Journal,  They  seem  to  find  that  a 
valuable  source  of  information  and  help,  and 
appear  desirous  to  know  what  librarians  think 
about  library  architecture.  They  therefore 


come  and  take  out,  sometimes,  the  whole  set 
of  the  Journal  and  study  out  that  phase. 

F.  B.  GAY. — I  have  been  through  part  of  this 
mill.  If  you  are  choosing  an  architect,  choose 
a  young  man  well  trained  in  a  good  office  or 
good  school.  You  will  find  his  adaptability 
will  make  up,  possibly,  for  his  lack  of  a  wide 
experience.  You  cannot  tell  an  old  architect 
what  you  can  a  younger  one.  An  old  architect 
made  my  shelves  52  inches  long. 

WILLIAM  BEER  read  his  paper  on 

LIBRARY    FLOORS   AND   FLOOR    COVERINGS. 

(See  p.  100.) 

Pres.  LARNED. — I  can  add  my  testimony  in 
regard  to  the  virtues  of  corticine  on  library 
floors.  We  covered  the  floors  of  the  Buffalo 
library  with  corticine  material  seven  years 
ago,  and  last  year  we  had  occasion  to  renew 
the  small  section  in  front  of  the  delivery  desk, 
where  it  had  been  ground  under  the  heels  of 
many  thousands  during  the  seven  years. 
With  that  exception,  there  is  no  sign  of  its 
wear  anywhere  in  the  building  as  yet. 

WILLARD  H.  AUSTIN. — We  covered  the  new 
university  library  building  floor  with  corticine 
three  years  ago.  Our  library  is  a  centre  of 
student  congregation,  but  the  corticine  does 
not  yet  show  any  sign  of  wear,  and  it  has  a 
tendency  to  harden  as  it  grows  older.  In  my 
opinion,  it  ought  to  be  redressed  with  oil  occa- 
sionally, although  the  makers  claim  that  the 
more  frequent  mopping  given  it  the  better  it 
is.  In  my  investigation  of  floor  covering,  it 
seems  to  me  the  best  thing  that  can  be  used. 

J.  N.  WING. — In  the  book  store  of  Charles 
Scribner's  Sons,  just  finished,  there  is  a  new 
floor  of  oak.  It  is  polished,  and  is  a  very 
beautiful  floor  indeed.  The  ceiling  is  of  a 
light  sky  blue,  and  this  oak  floor  has  a  very 
beautiful  effect.  The  first  men  who  dressed  it 
put  on  some  kind  of  a  dark  substance.  Then 
they  planed  off  the  whole  floor.  A  new  set  of 
men  came  in  and  repolished  it  with  a  peculiar 
substance,  so  that  the  floor,  when  I  left  it — 
and  it  had  been  in  use  for  three  or  four  weeks 
with  a  great  deal  of  tramping  on  it — was  per- 
fectly clear.  They  left  a  certain  preparation, 
which,  they  said,  if  used,  would  always  keep 
the  floor  perfectly  bright,  if  our  janitor  would 
follow  instructions.  Thus  far  it  has  remained 
so,  and  he  goes  over  it  every  morning  with  a 


FIFTH  SESSION. 


141 


heavy  cloth.  When  he  gets  through,  it  shiues 
perfectly,  and  every  bit  of  dust  is  swept  up. 
How  this  will  wear,  in  time,  I  do  not  know ; 
but  the  architect  assures  us  that  the  floor  will 
last  for  years  and  years,  and  always  look 
bright  with  a  reasonable  amount  of  care. 

S.  H.  BERRY. — Quartering  oak  is  the  only 
process  that  will  prevent  the  wood  from 
splintering  up.  The  best  of  wood  needs  to  be 
quartered  before  it  is  sawed,  in  order  not  to 
have  slivers  that  will  sometimes  run  under  the 
soles  of  people's  shoes.  If  it  is  quartered  be- 
fore it  is  sawed  you  will  not  have  any  of  that 
difficulty,  and  you  will  have  a  perfectly  smooth 
floor.  And  if  it  is  waxed  you  will  have  some- 
thing that  is  very  easily  kept  clean,  and  very 
easy  to  slip  down  on,  too. 

F.  B.  GAY. — May  I  ask  Mr.  Wing  what  that 
preparation  is  that  is  put  on  the  floor? 

J.  M.  WING. — It  seems  to  be  a  kind  of  wax 
varnish.  It  is  somewhat  of  the  tint  of  oak, 
and  with  its  use  the  handsome  floor  gives  an 
altogether  different  appearance  to  the  building. 
The  floor  is  now  a  most  attractive  part  of  the 
store,  and  it  is  claimed  that  it  can  be  kept  in 
good  repair  and  bright  and  nice  for  years. 

F.  B.  GAY. — I  have  quartered  oak  floors 
in  my  halls.  They  were  very  carefully  pol- 
ished down  four  or  five  times  with  pumice  in 
oil  and  then  covered  with  some  sort  of  a  dress- 
ing on  top.  It  was  very  beautiful  for  about 
four  weeks.  Now,  after  two  years'  use,  that  is 
all  worn  off  where  people  go.  It  was  an  ex- 
ceptionally well  done  job.  Men  who  have  had 
a  wider  experience  than  I  have  said  that 
there  was  only  one  way  to  keep  oak — keep  it 
clean  and  kept  it  well  oiled ;  then  if  the  dirt 
works  in  you  have  a  still  more  solid  surface. 
Oil  an  oak  floor  once  in  six  months,  or  a  year, 
and  you  will  have  always  a  handsomer  floor ; 
but  do  not  put  on  any  substance  that  will  not 
thoroughly  soak  in. 

J.  N.  WING. — This,  that  we  use,  is  a  prepara- 
tion supplied  by  the  man  who  made  the  floor. 
He  puts  on  a  very  small  quantity,  and  the 
moment  he  puts  it  on  you  can  walk  over  it.  It 
is  put  on  about  once  every  week. 

WILLIAM  BEER. — I  very  much  admire  the 
floor  of  which  Mr.  Wing  speaks.  It  is  the  only 
floor  of  the  kind  in  the  United  States.  The  de- 
sign was  taken  from  one  in  Paris.  The  ground 
work  is  concrete ;  on  that  was  laid  hot  asphalt, 


and  into  the  hot  asphalt  were  fitted  small  pieces 
of  oak  about  twelve  inches  by  four,  two  inches 
thick,  and  in  the  bottom  of  each  piece  a  dove- 
tail is  cut.  The  oak  pieces  were  pressed  down 
into  the  hot  asphalt  so  that  the  asphalt  has  got- 
ten into  these  dovetails,  and  there  they  are 
firmly  fixed.  After  that  was  done  the  surface 
was  planed ;  and  the  substance  for  the  dressing 
spoken  of,  is  paraffine.  Mr.  Scribner  gave  me 
these  particulars.  It  is  a  very  beautiful  floor- 
ing, and  I  advise  every  one  who  passes  through 
New  York  to  see  it.  I  should  also  say  that  it 
is  silent,  and  that  there  is  no  spring  whatever. 

F:  M.  CRUNDEN. — I  want  to  add  a  word  from 
our  experience  in  the  matter  of  flooring.  My 
advice  to  any  one  who  was  thinking  of  fancy 
flooring,  such  as  you  see  in  private  residences 
and  clubs,  would  be  "don't."  Don't  spend 
your  money  in  that  way. 

I  got  our  board  to  appropriate  money  for 
putting  down  a  polished  floor.  One  of  the 
members  of  the  board,  when  he  saw  it,  thought 
it  was  all  right,  and  wished  that  we  had  had 
the  whole  building  done  in  that  way.  The 
beauty  of  it  lasted  about  three  weeks.  There 
is  one  room,  the  floor  of  which  is  not  walked 
upon  much,  which  still  retains  some  of  it,  but 
the  rest  has  disappeared  utterly.  Unless  you 
can  afford  to  have  hard  wood,  and  unless  you 
can  have  the  janitor  polish  it  every  few  days, 
it  is  not  an  advisable  thing  to  do.  After  the 
wear  had  gone  on  for  perhaps  a  couple  of 
months,  I  set  one  of  my  janitors  at  work  with 
one  other  man,  and  got  a  lot  of  wax  and  a 
heavy  brush.  They  worked  several  days  and 
brought  it  back  to  its  former  state,  but  it  dis- 
appeared sooner  than  before. 

My  conclusion  is  that  the  best  way  is  to  have 
the  ordinary  wood  floor,  and  cover  it  with  lino- 
leum and  corticine. 

Miss  ELLEN  M.  COE. — Mr.  Crunden  will  do 
well  not  to  use  the  linoleum.  I  had  to  give  it 
up.  I  tried  it  twice,  and  had  to  give  it  up  in 
the  space  of  three  years. 

I  want  to  give  you  a  very  simply  way  of  keep- 
ing oak  in  good  order.  In  the  first  place  get  a 
conscientious  janitor.  If  you  begin  with  oak, 
or  any  other  hard  wood,  and  a  conscientious 
janitor  who  will  follow  this  process,  you  will 
have  no  difficulty.  I  suppose  where  the  floors 
are  used  as  much  as  mine  are,  in  the  reading 
room  and  the  delivery  room,  a  broom  has  to  be 


142 


LAKE  PLACID  CONFERENCE. 


used.  But  it  should  not  be  used  except  with 
quite  a  quantity  of  slightly  moistened  sawdust. 
After  that  the  floor  should  be  wiped  up  with  a 
damp,  or  sometimes  very  wet  cloth.  We  use 
after  that  a  flannel  cloth  which  has  been  sat- 
urated with  crude  oil .  One  floor  is  treated  one 
day,  and  is  left  to  become  perfectly  dry  before 
it  is  used. 

If  the  oily  cloth  is  allowed  to  become  per- 
fectly dry  it  can  be  used  as  a  polisher.  It  can 
be  used  as  a  duster  at  the  same  time.  If  the 
wood  is  polished  off  every  day  or  two  with  the 
dry  but  oily  cloth,  it  is  kept  in  perfect  condi- 
tion. 

J.  K.  HOSMER. — I  think  an  uncovered  floor 
is  out  of  place  in  a  library,  because  such  a  floor, 
either  of  wood  or  of  stone,  is  noisy.  I  should 
say  that  one  of  the  great  advantages  of  using 
the  corticine,  which  we  find  so  satisfactory,  is 
that  the  floors  approximate  to  noiselessness. 
That  is  a  primary  consideration. 

Pres  LARNED. — There  are  two  qualities  of 
the  corticine.  We  have  used  them  both  in  the 
Buffalo  library.  The  corticine,  which  is  a  de- 
sirable article,  is  called  noiseless  corticine.  It 
is  an  English  product.  Whether  it  is  manu- 
factured in  this  country  of  the  same  quality  or 
not  I  do  not  know.  I  know  that  this  which 
comes  from  England,  the  noiseless  corticine, 
which  is  of  a  thickness  of  very  nearly  half  an 
inch,  is  a  very  desirable  floor  covering.  It  is 
noiseless,  and  assumes  after  a  little  use  a  slaty 
color,  which  is  not  at  all  a  detraction  from  the 
appearance  of  any  room,  I  think.  In  our 
library  it  is  mopped  every  morning.  There  is 
no  broom  used  in  the  library.  We  have  plenty 
of  dust  and  dirt  which  comes  from  the  air  out- 
side, and  not  from  the  floor.  I  think  that  when 
the  surface  becomes  hardened  it  is  mopped 
easily  every  morning,  as  a  floor  might  be.  It 
seems  to  me  that  it  is  more  easily  treated,  is 
more  durable  and  more  noiseless  than  any 
other  library  floor  covering  that  I  have  ever  seen. 

HENRY  J.  CARR. — I  have  had  occasion  to  use 
both  linoleum  and  corticine,  more  or  less,  for 
eight  years,  and  will  simply  say  in  answer  to 
Miss  Coe,  that  there  is  linoleum  and  linoleum. 
There  are  two  distinct  qualities  of  it :  the  best, 
known  as  tile  or  inlaid,  and  a  cheaper  kind,  the 
printed.  Corticine  is  usually  without  figure 
and  of  one  uniform  plain  color;  either  light 
cork,  or  slate,  or  other  tints  of  that  kind. 


In  the  cheaper  grades  of  the  linoleum,  the 
printed,  the  pattern  which  is  on  the  surface 
only,  will  wear  off,  and  then  you  have  an  un- 
sightly article  underneath.  Then  there  is  the 
other  linoleum,  the  inlaid,  in  which  the  figure 
goes  through  the  entire  fabric.  That  will  wear 
clear  down  to  the  fibre  backing  and  yet  retain 
a  fair  appearance.  The  plain  cork  carpet 
sometimes  used  is  not  as  good  as  the  corticine. 
To  guard  against  dry  rot,  where  these  impervi- 
ous coverings  are  applied,  the  floors  should  first 
have  had  a  chance  to  become  thoroughly  dry. 
With  well  seasoned  floors  there  is  usually  no 
trouble  on  that  score. 

The  secret  of  satisfactory  use  of  linoleums,  or 
corticine,  lies  in  always  getting  a  first-class 
article.  The  original  expense  of  such  is  about 
the  same  as  Brussels  carpet.  Linoleums  can  be 
had  in  many  different  patterns,  as  well  as  very 
wide,  and  will  resist  wear  very  well  in  the  places 
most  used,  even  before  the  delivery  desk.  At 
Scran  ton  we  saved  quite  a  little  money  by 
placing  printed  linoleum  in  the  galleries  where 
we  have  the  least  tramping ;  but  in  the  places 
where  it  is  subject  to  much  wear  we  used  none 
but  the  very  best  quality. 

Miss  A.  V.  MILNER. — I  would  say  a  word 
about  fibrous  floor  coverings.  Our  library  is  a 
school  library  placed  in  a  large  campus,  two 
miles  from  any  factories.  The  reading-room 
floor  is  covered  with  plain  matting.  It  wears 
excellently,  and  has  been  used  for  two  years. 
We  take  it  up  once  a  year  for  cleaning.  The 
only  places  that  are  worn  at  all  are  in  front  of 
the  two  entrance  doors.  It  is  perfectly  noise- 
less. It  is  cleaned  every  morning  with  a  carpet 
sweeper,  and  the  dust  that  comes  from  it  is  so 
little  that  I  have  not  noticed  it,  although  the 
room  is  in  constant  use  by  many  people  all  day 
long.  I  can  recommend  it  to  small  libraries, 
at  least. 

Miss  EDITH  E.  CLARKE. — One  word  in  favor  of 
stone  floors.  At  the  Newberry  we  have  brick 
floors  throughout,  except  in  the  hallways, 
where  we  have  mosaic  floors.  It  was  stated  a 
moment  ago  that  they  were  noisy.  We  do 
not  think  so.  Our  cataloging  room  has  no 
matting  of  any  kind  on  it.  There  is  a  fibrous 
matting  in  the  hall.  The  floor  is  not  cold,  be- 
cause of  the  steam  pipes.  It  is  washed  off 
every  morning,  and  the  only  criticism  against 
it  is  that  it  is  slightly  cheerless. 


FIFTH  SESSION. 


G.  M.  JONES. — I  wish  to  say  a  word  in  favor 
of  the  stone  or  tile  flooring  in  preference  to  the 
wood  floor,  if  you  use  uncarpeted  floors  of  any 
kind.  Our  room  where  the  most  tramping  oc- 
curs is  tiled,  and  we  do  not  notice  the  noise. 
Our  difficulty  is  with  the  hard-pine  floors,  which 
are  very  noisy.  In  the  Salem  law  library  they 
have  a  brick  floor,  with  the  brick  set  on  edge, 
and  that  is  very  nearly  noiseless. 

F :  M.  CRUNDEN  spoke  on 

SUPPLYING    OF     CURRENT     DAILY    NEWSPAPERS   IN 
FREE   LIBRARY    READING-ROOMS. 

(Seep.  46.} 

Papers  in  discussion  of  the  same  subject  were 
read  by 

H:  M.  UTLEY  (see  p.  44);  JOHN  THOMSON 
(see  p.  47) ;  A.  W.  WHELPLEY  (see  p.  42),  and 
JAMES  BAIN,  JR.  (see  p.  49).  The  last  two 
papers  by  title  only,  in  the  absence  of  their 
writers. 

R.  B.  POOLE. — There  is  another  aspect  of  this 
question  when  applied  to  the  library  of  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association. 

I  think  what  Mr.  Crunden  has  said  applies  to 
the  public  library.  Newspapers  in  a  public 
library  are  for  the  citizens  of  the  place  and  not 
so  much  for  those  who  come  as  strangers  to  the 
city.  There  is  nothing  that  we  read  more  than 
the  daily  newspapers.  Every  one  of  us  reads 
the  daily  papers,  and  if  a  man  comes  into 
the  city  as  a  stranger  he  wants  to  see  a  paper 
from  his  own  part  of  the  country.  The  New 
York  Association  takes  a  paper  from  about 
every  state  in  the  United  States  ;  from  our 
leading  cities;  and  from  London,  Paris,  Berlin, 
Liverpool,  Glasgow,  and  Dublin  ;  and  some  of 
the  weekly  papers  from  other  points,  like 
Stockholm  and  Amsterdam.  These  papers,  I 
think,  are  as  a  rule  well  used.  They  are  in  a 
room  separate  from  the  library,  on  the  floor 
below.  We  take,  I  should  think;  about  75 
dailies.  These  papers,  after  they  have  been 
removed  from  the  files  are  sent  to  the  U.  S. 
army  posts.  Four  of  the  New  York  dailies  are 
taken  for  binding,  and  these  are  in  constant 
daily  use  in  our  library. 

There  has  been  sometimes  a  question  whether 
we  should  take  so  many  daily  papers.  They  are 
costly,  but  on  some  of  them  we  get  50$  off,  and 
in  almost  every  case  a  reduction  of  from  20$  or 


more  is  allowed  to  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association. 

Our  library  is  different  from  the  public 
library.  Young  men  come  to  New  York  from 
every  part  of  the  country  and  from  every  part 
of  the  world,  and  they  are  pleased  to  find  in  our 
reading-room  a  paper  from  the  locality  from 
which  they  come,  or  somewhere  near  it.  In 
this  way  the  daily  papers  are  made  of  great 
value  and  use  to  the  young  men  who  come  to 
the  city. 

J:  C.  DANA. — The  question  of  newspapers  in 
libraries  would  seem  to  be  purely  a  relative 
one.  No  matter  how  large  the  fund  may  be 
that  a  city  gives  for  the  support  of  a  public 
library,  no  matter  if  it  is  as  generous  as  that 
given,  for  instance,  to  the  public  library  of 
Detroit,  there  is  a  limit  to  the  work  that  that 
fund  will  do.  It  is  very  manifest  that  if  a 
certain  amount  of  it  be  diverted  to  the  pur- 
chase of  newspapers  and  to  the  keeping  open 
of  a  reading-room  for  the  use  of  those  news- 
papers, then  that  part  of  it  cannot  be  used,  for 
instance,  for  work  in  the  schools,  or  for  the 
hiring  of  more,  or  more  expert  assistants  who 
shall  give  particular  and  personal  attention  to 
the  people  who  come  to  the  library  for  pur- 
poses that  we  consider  more  serious  and  of 
more  importance  than  the  reading  of  the  daily 
paper.  A  little  consideration  of  the  subject 
from  this  point  of  view  answers  once  and  for 
all,  it  seems,  in  most  cases  at  least,  the  ques- 
tion whether  or  not  it  is  desirable  to  keep  a 
supply  of  newspapers  in  a  public  library.  The 
question  is  not,  Is  this  a  thing  well  to  be  done  ? 
but,  Is  this  a  thing  that  is  the  best  that  can  be 
done  with  the  means  and  money  in  hand  ? 
If  you  put  the  question  in  that  form  it  seems 
to  answer  itself  at  once. 

A.  L.  PECK. — I  represent  a  small  library, 
but  it  is  one  with  large  aspirations.  From  the 
very  beginning  of  the  library,  fourteen  years 
ago,  in  a  small  community  mainly  consisting 
of  working  men  and  working  women,  we  estab- 
lished a  public  reading-room.  From  the  first 
day  we  supplied  twelve  daily  papers.  We 
tried  very  carefully  to  get  the  best  daily 
papers.  We  also  tried  as  carefully  to  do 
justice  to  political  parties. 

I  find  that  as  soon  as  the  morning  papers  are 
received  our  reading-room  is  filled  with  a  cer- 
tain number  of  so-called  professional  news- 


144 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


paper  readers,  whom  my  assistants  call  ' '  the 
boarders."  Between  twelve  and  one  o'clock  a 
different  aspect  is  presented.  Then  the  young 
men  and  some  of  our  young  women  will  come 
in,  look  at  the  headings  of  the  large  daily 
papers,  get  the  main  events,  go  to  their  dinner 
and  afterwards  return  to  their  shops.  A  little 
past  one  o'clock  there  is  still  another  assem- 
blage in  that  reading-room.  These  are  the  boys 
and  girls  who  are  appointed  by  their  teachers, 
as  reporters  of  daily  events.  If  you  will  step 
into  the  Gloversville  schools,  no  matter  how 
small  the  children  are,  you  will  see  a  black- 
board set  aside  for  current  events  ;  and  every 
child  has  the  privilege  of  going  to  the  black- 
board and  writing  down  what  he  considers  the 
current  event  of  the  day,  even  if  it  is  the  an- 
nouncement of  a  marriage. 

Between  two  and  four  o'clock  our  lady  visit- 
ors come,  and  they  patronize  the  daily  news- 
papers fully  as  much  as  the  others.  Immedi- 
ately after  four  o'clock  our  rooms  are  filled  with 
school  children,  and  there  I  begin  my  work. 
When  the  children  come  in  I  believe  it  is  the 
librarian's  duty  to  be  there,  and  not  to  wait 
till  the  children  come  to  him,  but  to  go  to  the 
children.  The  boys  and  girls  will  inquire  for 
all  our  illustrated  papers  and  will  ask  whether 
anything  has  happened  that  is  worth  putting 
down  on  the  blackboard.  They  bring  topic 
lists  from  school,  such  as,  ' '  Please  give  Mary 
something  on  the  Nicaragua  canal,"  etc. 

I  believe  that  in  our  place  the  daily  news- 
paper is  very  much  needed,  and  that  it  is  a 
real  educator.  I  do  think  that  these  children 
and  these  young  men  and  young  women  who 
come  to  the  reading-room  to  get  the  current 
events  of  the  day,  and  thereby  get  in  touch 
with  the  world,  will  grow  up  bright  minded 
and  cultured  men  and  women ;  and  despite 
certain  unpleasant  things  about  the  so-called 
"  boarders,"  we  are  very  glad  to  welcome  even 
them.  We  have  a  small  town  and  we  have 
only  a  few  tramps.  Those  we  refer  to  police 
headquarters.  On  the  other  hand,  we  wel- 
come every  man,  no  matter  whether  he 
conies  for  newspaper  reading  or  for  picture 
gazing.  I  am  making  a  plea  for  newspapers 
in  libraries,  and  especially  in  small  libraries ; 
therefore,  I  think  it  would  be  wrong  to  banish 
newspapers  from  free  libraries. 

W:  I.  FLETCHER. — I  feel  deeply  on  this  sub- 


ject. I  wish  Dr.  Poole  were  here  to  give,  in 
his  broad  way,  his  idea  of  the  reasons  why 
newspapers  should  be  in  our  public  libraries 
and  why  the  newspaper  reader  should  be  wel- 
come. It  is  singular  that  people  can  hardly 
talk  upon  any  subject  to-day  but  that  the 
character  and  tendency  of  the  newspaper  press 
must  enter  into  discussion.  I  applauded  every 
word  of  our  president's  address  upon  the  news- 
paper as  a  possible  supplanter  of  other  methods 
of  public  enlightenment.  The  newspaper  is 
not  to  supplant  the  church  or  the  school,  or 
the  library ;  but  it  has  a  proper  place,  and  I 
wish  we  had  some  of  those  men  who  are 
prophets  and  apostles  of  the  newspaper  era  to 
tell  us  what  is  the  function  of  the  daily  press. 
I  do  not  want  to  be  deprived  of  my  newspaper 
or  novel.  We  have  no  right  to  deprive  the 
public  of  its  newspaper  any  more  than  others 
have  a  right  to  deprive  us.  I  read  newspapers 
very  little  indeed,  but  I  could  not  do  without 
them  in  the  effort,  so  necessary  for  us  all  to 
make,  of  keeping  abreast  of  the  world-move- 
ment in  literature,  in  science,  in  politics,  in 
sociology,  and  in  every  other  department  that 
we  might  name. 

F.  B.  GAY. — Is  there  not  a  slight  misunder- 
standing of  this  question  ?  It  is  not  as  to  our 
taking  some  newspapers,  but  all  the  daily 
newspapers.  I  come  from  a  small,  inland 
city,  but  I  see  no  reason  why  Mr.  Crunden 
should  spend  $8,  $16,  or  $24  a  year  to  take  the 
three  Hartford  daily  papers,  and  I  suppose 
that  is  the  question.  Mr.  Crunden  will  prob- 
ably not  debate  about  taking  New  York  papers, 
but  whether  he  should  take  the  thousands 
of  other  papers  through  the  country.  The 
local  news  of  the  Hartford  paper  would  inter- 
est few  or  none  in  St.  Louis.  It  would  interest 
me  if  I  were  in  St.  Louis,  but  ought  Mr.  Crun- 
den to  spend  $24  a  year  to  supply  me  with 
home  news  when  I  go  to  St.  Louis  ? 

H :  M.  UTLEY. — I  understand  the  question 
to  be  whether  we  should  have  any  newspapers, 
not  how  many.  The  number  and  the  selec- 
tion would  be  a  mere  matter  of  judgment  and 
discretion  on  the  part  of  the  management  of 
the  library.  The  question,  as  I  understand  it, 
is  whether  we  should  exclude  newspapers 
altogether. 

J:  C.  DANA. — I  have  not  attended  many  of 
the  conferences,  but  when  I  am  fortunate 


FIFTH  SESSION. 


'45 


enough  to  attend,  I  get  well  filled  with  ideas. 
Mr.  Fletcher  just  now  added  certain  new  in- 
formation to  my  stock  in  hand.  He  would  imply, 
though  he  did  not  say  so  directly,  that  the 
purpose  of  the  public  library  is  to  supply  those 
who  wish  it,  with  newspapers  and  novels,  for 
he  protested  against  what  some  of  us  have 
said  here  in  favor  of  excluding  newspapers, 
and  to  some  extent  novels,  from  public  libraries, 
intimating  that  we  thereby  express  a  wish  to 
"deprive"  people  of  their  novels  and  their 
newspapers.  His  thought  apparently  is,  you 
see,  that  if  the  library  does  not  supply  them, 
nobody  will.  Omitting  newspapers  from  libra- 
ries is  not  "  depriving"  anybody  of  them,  any 
more  than  omitting  Sanskrit  texts  is  "  depriv- 
ing "  any  one  of  his  'due  philological  privileges. 

The  question  seems  to  be,  not  whether  it  is  a 
proper  thing  for  people  to  read  newspapers, 
or  whether  it  is  a  desirable  thing.  Nobody 
questions  that.  The  question  is  this,  whether 
the  proper  function,  or  a  proper  and  primary 
function  of  the  public  library,  is  to  furnish 
free  newspapers,  and,  to  any  large  extent,  free 
fiction.  Taking  money  by  force  from  the  pock- 
ets* of  the  taxpayers  to  support  a  free  library 
is,  after  all,  only  justified  when  the  library  is 
at  the  highest  pitch  of  its  efficiency.  Is  a 
library  at  the  highest  pitch  of  its  efficiency  when 
it  spends,  let  us  say,  $1,000  a  year  in  the  fitting 
up  of  a  reading  room  and  supplying  it  with 
daily  newspapers  ?  I  would  ask  Mr.  Peck  if  in 
his  own  case  the  money  he  has  spent  on  his 
daily  newspapers,  and  the  room  that  he  gives 
up  to  his  "  boarders,"  as  he  calls  them,  and  to 
others  who  read  the  daily  papers,  are  not  all 
needed  for  books  asked  for  by  the  children  or 
by  the  students;  and  if  the  time  and  energy 
and  money  that  go  into  those  newspapers,  and 
that  newspaper  room,  could  not  in  his  opinion 
be  better  spent  in  work  that  we  believe  to  be 
of  a  higher  class  ? 

A.  L.  PECK. — I  simply  say,  emphatically,  no. 
I  think  that  money  is  well  employed.  We  have 
made  a  great  many  readers  by  starting  them 
with  the  daily  newspaper,  and  we  have  kept 
many  a  man  from  the  saloons  by  having  the 
newspapers.  They  brought  their  children 
there  first  to  read  the  newspapers,  and  we  gave 
them  books.  I  think  newspapers  in  a  small 
library  are  very  important;  more  so  than  the 
Encyclopaedia  Britannica. 


F:  M.  CRUNDEN. — No  appreciable  portion  of 
the  St.  Louis  public  comes  to  our  newspaper 
reading-rooms;  no  considerable  number  that 
counts  for  anything.  The  people  whose 
opinions  amount  to  anything  get  the  papers 
somewhere  else.  So  far  as  the  trend  of  opinion 
on  current  events  is  concerned,  that  is  to  be 
obtained  very  much  better  from  newspapers 
like  Harper' s  Weekly  and  others,  of  which  we 
have  an  abundant  supply  in  the  regular  read- 
ing-room. There  is  scarcely  anything  in  the 
daily  newspapers  which  is  not  to  be  had  in 
much  better  shape  in  the  weekly  period- 
icals like  the  Nation,  Harper's  Weekly, 
etc.  So  far  as  I  have  observed,  the  people 
who  come  to  the  newspaper  reading-room 
only  are  the  people  who  really  do  not  count  for 
much,  anyway.  They  are  the  driftwood  of 
society  that  has  little  influence  one  way  or 
another. 

The  question  is  whether  it  would  not  be 
better  to  apply  .the  $1,000  that  is  spent  on  the 
newspaper  reading  room  to  the  hiring  of  a 
competent  woman  to  look  after  the  children's 
reading  where  there  is  some  hope.  There  is  very 
little  hope  in  men  who  drift  around  the  public 
reading-rooms.  The  best  thing  that  I  can  say 
of  it  is  that  it  keeps  those  men  out  of  the 
saloons.  That  is  in  itself  a  good  thing.  They 
go,  perhaps,  some  of  them,  to  the  saloon  be- 
cause they  have  nowhere  else  to  go.  The 
question  arises  whether  it  is  not  better  to 
spend  the  $1,000  in  hiring  a  competent  woman 
to  direct  the  children's  reading.  In  other 
words,  is  not  the  money  spent  for  Miss  Stearns' 
salary  much  better  employed,  and  would  it 
not  be  better  to  take  the  rest  of  the  money 
that  is  now  spent  in  the  newspapers  in  Mil- 
waukee "and  get  another  woman  like  her  (if 
she  could  be  duplicated),  and  expend  that 
money  in  still  further  stimulating  and  guiding 
the  reading  of  those  children  ? 

Pres.  LARNED. — I  think,  for  my  own  part, 
that  I  would  rather  pay  $1,000  for  Miss  Stearns 
than  pay  $1,000  for  all  the  newspapers  pub- 
lished on  the  American  continent. 

F:M.  CRUNDEN. — In  reply  to  Mr.  Peck  about 
the  current  events,  I  think  that  is  going  off  on 
the  wrong  track.  Sending  children  to  the 
newspapers  is  one  otf  the  last  things  I  should 
do.  All  the  current  events  that  those  children 
need  to  know  can  be  had  from  good  period- 


146 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


icals  like  the  Youth's  Companion.  If  you  are 
talking  about  that  kind  of  newspaper,  it  is  a 
different  thing;  but  we  are  not  speaking  of 
that  kind.  I  would  get  forty  copies  of  the 
Youth's  Companion,  if  necessary,  in  order  that 
every  child  should  have  a  copy  of  it.  There 
he  will  get  the  news  condensed.  It  will  save  his 
time,  and  save  the  demoralization  that  comes 
from  miscellaneous  newspaper  reading. 
Recess  taken  till  2.30  P.  M. 

SIXTH  SESSION. 

(GRAND  VIEW  HOTEL,  WEDNESDAY  AFTERNOON, 
SEPTEMBER  19,  1894.) 

Pres.  LARNED  called  the  meeting  to  order  at 
2.45  P.  M. 

PERIODICAL  LIBRARY  BULLETINS. 

Papers  on  the  publishing  of  library  bulletins 
were  read  by 

GEO.  WATSON  COLE  (seep.  51);  GARDNER  M. 
JONES  (see  p.  50);  W:  H.  BRETT  (see  p.  55);  J:  C. 
DANA  (see p.  54);  Miss  C.  M.  HEWINS(.JI?^.  52); 
JOHN  EDMANDS  (see  p.  54).  The  latter  by  title 
only,  in  the  absence  of  the  writer. 

J :  C.  DANA. — I  notice  that  some  of  the  older 
members  of  the  Association,  when  they  rise  to 
speak  on  the  special  subject  under  discussion, 
occasionally  take  advantage  of  the  possession 
of  the  floor,  and  slide  gently  off  onto  some 
other  topic.  I  would  like  to  ask  that  the  same 
obiter  dicta  privilege  be  extended  to  me. 

It  is  not  on  another  subject  really  that  I  wish 
to  speak.  I  have  told  you  something  of  the 
missionary  work  we  have  tried  to  do  in  the 
State  of  Colorado.  It  has  many  times  occurred 
to  me  that  such  work  would  be  furthered  to 
a  large  extent  if  we  had  available  certain 
library  tracts.  I  would  prefer,  of  course,  that 
they  should  not  be  in  such  form  that  they 
would  be  mistaken  for  religious  tracts.  But 
something  of  the  nature  of  bibliothecal  dodgers 
would  be,  I  believe,  quite  valuable,  in  certain 
parts  of  this  country  at  least,  in  the  matter  of 
arousing  library  interest ;  reprints,  for  instance, 
of  articles,  or  parts  of  articles,  from  the 
Library  Journal  or  from  the  proceedings  of 
this  Association.  We  would  ourselves  very 
gladly  pay  for  such  of  these  as  we  could 
use.  I  would  have  my  library  print  them 
if  it  could  afford  to  do  it.  Something  of 


the  kind  might  be  undertaken,  perhaps,  by 
the  Publishing  Section,  and  offered  for  sale 
to  those  libraries  throughout  the  country 
which  are  inclined  to  attempt  to  arouse  in 
neighboring  towns  some  interest  in  library 
matters.  I  have  long  been  of  the  opinion  that 
it  is  doubtful  if  the  American  Library  A  ssocia- 
tion  itself  uses  sufficient  printer's  ink.  The 
Library  Journal  is  expensive,  and  cannot 
expect  a  wide  circulation.  It  is,  perhaps,  im- 
possible that  it  should  be  otherwise.  Under- 
stand me  not  as  criticising  the  people  who 
have  been  active  in  pushing  forward  the  work 
of  the  American  Library  Association,  and  cer- 
tainly not  those  who  have  supported  and 
carried  on  the  work  of  the  Library  Journal. 
But  I  believe  it  would  be  possible  either  to 
reduce  the  price  of  the  Library  Journal,  or 
else  to  supplement  it  by  some  such  device  as 
I  suggest,  so  that  more  good  literature  could 
be  at  hand  for  libraries  in  country7  districts, 
and  especially,  if  you  will  permit  me,  on  the 
populistic  plains  and  in  the  mountain  fast- 
nesses of  Colorado. 

F:  M.  CRUNDEN. — I  think  that  is  an  excellent 
suggestion  of  Mr.  Dana's  and  ought  to'be 
further  considered.  I  move  its  reference  to 
the  Publishing  Section.  Voted. 

GEO.  WATSON  COLE  introduced  a  resolution 
to  the  effect  that  all  periodical  bulletin  publi- 
cations of  libraries  issued  to  their  own  readers, 
and  for  the  purpose  of  exchange,  should  be 
admitted  in  the  mails  as  second  class  matter. 

Referred  to  committee  on  resolutions. 

C:  C.  SOULE. — I  want  to  enter  an  earnest 
protest  against  the  practice  of  interweaving 
advertisements  and  catalog  matters  in 
bulletins.  If  the  advertising  is  worth  any- 
thing, it  weakens  the  effect  of  the  library 
announcement.  Any  publisher  will  tell  you 
that  it  is  very  unwise  to  put  by  the  side  of  the 
chief  features  any  other  interesting  matter 
that  diverts  attention.  It  is  on  the  ground  of 
good  taste  that  I  wish  to  emphasize  this  idea. 
What  would  you  think  of  a  book  for  your  library 
with  advertisements  and  text,  side  by  side? 
What  would  you  think  of  a  first-class  maga- 
zine that  had  advertisements  of  Pear's  soap,  in 
with  a  poem  or  essay?  What  do  you  think  of 
a  newspaper  that  interweaves  advertising 
matter  with  its  editorials?  Is  it  not  ranked  at 
once  as  being  either  provincial  or  sensational? 


SIXTH   SESSION. 


If  the  great  aim  of  the  library  is  education, 
why  should  you  educate  the  public  taste  down- 
ward? It  seems  to  me  that  if  a  library  has 
funds  for  educational  work  it  had  better  issue 
its  bulletin  without  advertisements.  If  it 
must  admit  advertisements,  let  the  librarian 
first  try  to  place  his  advertisements  without 
mixing  them  with  the  printed  matter.  Have 
them  as  a  magazine  does,  on  separate  pages. 
Take  them  under  the  canons  that  are  accepted 
by  publishers  as  deciding  what  is  good  taste. 
Do  not  mix  your  advertisements  with  your 
lists,  unless  poverty  compels  you  to  do  so. 

Sec.  HILL. — Some  libraries  cannot  afford 
to  issue  a  bulletin  unless  they  do  get  adver- 
tisements. Some  libraries  cannot  have  en- 
tire control  of  the, bulletin,  and  unless  they 
can  put  in  advertisements  can  issue  no 
bulletin ;  and  thus  the  public  does  not  have 
any  knowledge  of  the  new  books  that  are 
placed  in  the  library. 

I  would  like  to  ask  Mr.  Brett  as  to  whether 
he  feels  that  the  result  has  justified  the  large 
sum  which  his  bulletin  costs,  and  as  to  whether 
he  intends  to  continue  the  issue  of  that 
bulletin. 

W:  H.  BRETT. — The  bulletin  has  been  pub- 
lished for  so  short  a  time  that  I  regard  it  as  an 
experiment.  I  may  say,  however,  that  with- 
out interweaving  the  advertising  matter  with 
the  book  list,  but  confining  it  to  a  few  pages, 
the  net  cost  is  not  very  large.  The  advertis- 
ing in  our  bulletin  is  $10  a  page,  and  thus  far 
we  have  had  no  difficulty  in  securing  several 
pages.  In  addition  to  that,  we  have  a  paid 
subscription  list  of  something  like  300.  The 
aim  in  issuing  the  bulletin  was  to  make  it  so 
attractive  that  it  would  be  an  advertising 
medium  of  some  value  ;  and  the  hope  was  that 
it  would  eventually  be  a  matter  of  very  slight 
expense  to  the  library.  The  gross  amount  is 
$75  a  month,  and  then  there  are  several  adver- 
tisements to  be  deducted.  The  final  expense 
has  been  less  than  half  of  that.  If  we  could 
reduce  the  net  amount  to  $300  a  year  we 
should  be  satisfied. 

F:  M.  CRUNDEN. — It  used  to  cost  $300  a  year, 
advertisements  and  all,  net  cost,  when  we 
published  a  bulletin,  as  we  did  for  several 
years. 

W:  H.  BRETT. — I  believe  now,  with  the  ex- 
perience I  have  had,  and  knowing  what  Mr. 


Jones  is  doing,  that  I  should  prefer  to  keep 
clear  of  advertisements  entirely. 

S.  H.  BERRY. — I  found  that  we  were  able  to 
issue  a  bulletin  of  new  books,  every  time  we 
had  ^nough  new  books  to  make  a  list  of  about 
75  or  100  titles,  and  sell  it  at  one  cent  apiece 
to  pay  the  cost  of  printing.  The  people  are 
anxious  for  it,  but  there  is  no  money  with 
which  we  can  print  it.  We  could  easily  sell 
enough  to  pay  the  cost  of  printing. 

GEO.  WATSON  COLE. — In  regard  to  the  in- 
sertion of  advertisements,  as  I  said  in  my 
paper,  our  policy  has  been  to  produce  the  bul- 
letin without  cost  to  the  library ;  but  the  libra- 
rian is  not  always  able  to  determine  the 
policy,  and  has  to  do  as  his  trustees  say,  in  the 
matter.  One  of  the  redeeming  features  is, 
that  the  $300  or  more  money  which  would  go 
to  the  printer  for  this  bulletin,  we  save  for 
buying  books  to  send  to  schools  and  for  work 
in  other  directions.  It  is  better  to  have  half  a 
loaf  than  no  bread. 

Miss  L.  E.  STEARNS. — I  find  that  upon  the 
program  only  the  larger  libraries  are  repre- 
sented. I  think  that  in  this  discussion  you  are 
helping  only  the  larger  libraries.  It  is  the 
country  towns  and  the  smaller  libraries  here 
represented  that  should  receive  consideration. 

GARDNER  M.  JONES. — I  can  speak  from  knowl- 
edge of  my  sister's  library,  which  is  in  a  small 
country  town.  When  they  buy  books  the  list 
is  printed  in  the  county  newspaper.  It  makes 
a  short  list,  and  1  think  the  smaller  libraries 
can  easily  do  that.  The  issue  of  a  library 
bulletin,  monthly,  would  only  be  necessary  in 
a  place  of  some  size. 

T  :  L.  MONTGOMERY  read  his  report  on 

PUBLIC   LIBRARIES   AND    UNIVERSITY    EXTENSION. 

(Seep.  64.) 

W:  H.  TILLINGHAST. — I  would  like  to  say  a 
word  in  regard  to  the  impression  which  Mr. 
Montgomery  may  have  given  in  regard  to  the 
attitude  of  Harvard  University  toward  univer- 
sity extension.  It  is  true  that  no  scheme  of 
university  extension  is  carried  on  under  the 
direct  influence  of  the  college.  At  the  same 
time,  it  should  be  said  that  in  the  city  of  Cam- 
bridge there  is  a  movement,  constantly  in- 
creasing, in  very  much  the  direction  of  uni- 
versity extension,  although  not  appealing  to 


148 


LAKE  PLACID  CONFERENCE. 


precisely  the  same  class  which  receives,  and 
could  not  be  carried  on  without,  the  cordial 
though  unofficial  aid  of  officers  and  students 
of  the  university. 

In  1891,  a  clergyman  in  Cambridge  estab- 
lished what  is  now  known  as  the  Prospect 
Union.  That  movement  has  two  objects: 
First,  to  give  the  advantages  of  university 
education  to  the  working  classes ;  secondly ,  to 
provide  a  place  where  people  of  all  intellectual 
grades,  and  of  all  beliefs,  religious  or  eco- 
nomic, can  meet  socially  on  a  common  basis. 
The  Union  was  organized  among  working 
classes,  and  is  supported,  so  far  as  money  is 
concerned,  almost  wholly  by  them.  They 
obtain  teachers  and  lecturers  from  among  the 
advanced  students  and  the  professors  of  the 
university ;  but  the  university,  officially,  has  no- 
thing whatever  to  do  with  the  movement. 
There  were  last  year  some  600  members  who 
took  the  courses  at  the  Prospect  Union,  besides 
a  number  who  used  the  rooms,  and  they  expect 
this  year  to  increase  the  membership  at  least 
one  half. 

The  courses  given  are  regular  college 
courses,  repeated  by  advanced  students  who 
show  an  aptness  for  teaching.  The  courses 
are  supplemented  by  numerous  lectures  given 
by  the  professors,  on  various  topics.  It  is  a 
peculiar  feature  of  this  work  that  it  does  good 
in  the  university  as  well  as  in  the  town,  and  if 
I  had  time,  I  should  be  glad  to  read  some  selec- 
tions from  letters  to  the  superintendent  of  the 
Prospect  Union  from  college  students  who  had 
taught  there,  showing  the  good  which  they 
believed  themselves  to  have  got  from  the 
teaching  and  from  the  personal  intercourse 
with  the  people  whom  they  met  in  their  classes. 
This  is  not  what  is  understood  by  university 
extension,  but  it  is  in  somewhat  the  same 
direction.  Under  more  favorable  circum- 
stances, when  we  have  better  facilities  for 
dealing  with  large  numbers,  I  do  not  doubt 
that  a  satisfactory  arrangement  could  be  made 
with  the  college  library  for  helping  in  that 
work. 

MELVIL  DEWEY. — It  is  a  fashion  with  many 
people  to  get  every  little  while  a  new  fad,  and 
say  it  is  something  the  librarian  surely  ought 
to  do.  It  was  seven  years  ago  that  Herbert 
Adams  presented,  at  our  meeting  at  the  Thou- 
sand Islands,  the  idea  of  the  university  exten- 


sion movement  for  American  libraries.  A  good 
many  experiments  have  been  tried  since.  Some 
of  you  were  discouraged  when  you  heard  Mr. 
Montgomery's  report  this  afternoon  on  univer- 
sity extension,  and  of  the  trials,  where  during 
the  first  year  it  was  a  success  and  the  next 
year  almost  a  failure.  It  is  of  vital  importance 
to  us  in  this  country  that  the  librarians  should 
look  at  this  soberly  and  seriously,  and  recog- 
nize their  duty  in  connection  with  this  move- 
ment. 

I  have  been  carefully  studying  it  for  seven 
years,  and  have  gone  twice  to  England  to 
study  the  question  there.  We  have  organized 
a  distinct  department  for  this  work  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  the  State  of  New  York.  From  the 
first,  we  have  given  constantly  this  warning 
against  the  people  who  injure  a  cause  by  their 
unwise  advocacy  and  by  their  wild  notions  of 
the  wonderful  things  to  be  done.  Any  intelli- 
gent man  knowing  the  history  of  similar  move- 
ments, could  predict  in  advance  what  you  find 
recorded  in  our  printed  matter.  I  have  said, 
over  and  over,  that  as  a  rule  the  first  course  was 
likely  to  be  successful,  and  the  second  to  fail, 
and  perhaps  go  down  for  three,  four  or  five 
years.  Still,  it  is  a  permanent  movement ;  it  is  a 
permanent  force  in  education,  and  if  you 
neglect  it  you  will  throw  your  libraries  just  so 
much  out  of  the  trend  of  the  time.  The  libra- 
rian who  says,  My  business  is  to  circulate  books 
and  that  only,  is  belittling  his  profession.  He 
must  have  a  lively  interest  in  any  great  educa- 
tional movement. 

Education  is  divided  into  two  great  lines, 
school  and  home  education.  Home  education 
is  divided  into  five  groups,  of  which  the  library 
is  first,  most  important,  and  in  fact  the 
corner  stone.  School  education  includes  kin- 
dergartens, elementary  schools,  high  schools, 
colleges,  universities,  and  professional  and 
technical  schools.  All  these  are  marked  by  the 
peculiarity  that  their  students  get  their  educa- 
tion in  residence;  theoretically  they  reside  at 
the  school,  and  their  time  is  chiefly  given  to 
acquiring  an  education.  This  school  plan  has 
been  tried  for  centuries,  still  we  have  learned 
the  lesson  that  it  is  not  enough.  By  it  the 
masses  can  learn  only  to  read  and  write  before 
they  must  earn  their  bread. 

What  is  to  be  done  ?  The  public  library  came 
as  a  partial  answer  to  that  question,  but  we 


SIXTH  SESSION. 


149 


are  doing  only  a  part  of  our  work.  It  is  a  great 
work,  and  the  world  is  recognizing  what  we 
are  doing,  but  we  have  a  great  deal  more  to 
do.  The  educational  people  of  the  world  (I  am 
not  speaking  from  a  library  standpoint  now), 
the  best  educators,  not  only  of  this  country  but 
abroad,  all  recognize  that  the  time  has  come 
when  we  must  distinctively  recognize  educa- 
tion in  two  parts,  the  old  education  of  the 
schools  and  the  new,  or  home  education ;  the 
education  that  is  not  only  in  the  institutions 
but  in  the  home;  not  only  for  youth  but  from 
boyhood  to  the  grave.  That  education  is 
divided  into  five  parts  : 

1.  The    library.      That  takes   all  reading, 
the  periodical,  the  press,  reading-room,  refer- 
ence, and  circulating  libraries. 

2.  The  museum.     It  has  been  the  fashion 
to   decry   associating  the  museum    with   the 
library,  but  it  is  an  essential  part  and  belongs 
in  the  same  building,  and  should  be  associated 
with  it,  not  only  in  the  great  city  but  in  the 
little  village.      In  Lake  Placid,  for  instance,  if 
some  one  has  something  of  general  interest  he 
has  in  our  little  public  library  the  best  place  to 
put  it.     If  the  town  grows  into  a  large  one,  the 
library  and  the  museum  grow  together.     By 
the  museum  I  mean  not  only  a  collection  of 
pictures,  works  of  nature,  or  works  of  art,  but 
all    education,   except    reading,    that    comes 
through  the  eye. 

3.  Then  there  is  the  great  field  of  extension 
teaching,  by  which  we  mean  all  teaching  done 
outside  ordinary  schools  ;   teaching  by  corre- 
spondence and  by  lectures;  that  class  of  help 
that  comes  from  the  older  brother,  or  friend,  or 
that  help  that  comes  from  any  wiser  or  more 
experienced  person  outside  the  ordinary  teach- 
ing of  the  schools. 

4.  Then  there  is  what  comes  from  associa- 
tion,   clubs,    reading    circles,    anything   that 
brings  people  together,  where  a  subtle  mental 
chemistry  helps  people  to  think  and  say  and  do 
things,  that  they  never  would  attain  to  other- 
wise.    We  get  it  in  Chautauqua,  we  get  it  here 
in  this  meeting. 

5.  Finally,  the  tests  of  examinations  and 
credentials  showing  what  has  been  already  ac- 
complished and  stimulating  to  new  endeavor. 

The  library  is  the  corner  stone  of  the  whole 
movement.  It  is  the  easiest  institution  to  start. 
It  is  the  cheapest  method  by  which  to  advance 


popular  education.  The  ideal  library  will  no 
longer  content  itself  with  being  a  mere  dis- 
tributer of  books,  but  will  feel  that  it  is  re- 
sponsible for  the  education  of  the  community 
outside  the  schools,  and  yet  will  always  be  in 
hearty  cooperation  with  the  schools. 

Without  expecting  to  do  wonderful  things  in 
the  first  one,  or  two,  or  three  years;  bear  in 
mind  that  this  extension  movement  is  no  longer 
a  fad  or  experiment.  It  has  been  going  on  for 
20  years.  It  has  been  studied  by  the  most  care- 
ful men,  and  the  people  who  know  about  it  are 
the  people  who  believe  in  it;  the  people  who 
write  doubtful  articles  on  it  are  the  superficial 
observers  who  have  fluent  pens,  perhaps,  but 
competent  men  read  the  articles  and  see  that 
the  writers  have  not  studied  the  question 
deeply.  I  do  not  know  a  competent  educa- 
tor who  has  really  studied  this  question 
thoroughly  in  this  country  or  in  Europe,  who 
is  not  clear  that  it  is  a  permanent  movement. 
In  England  I  find  growth  in  the  cities  and 
towns,  a  steady  growth,  and  the  people  are 
united  in  recognition  of  this  great  educational 
force.  There  was,  the  other  day,  an  inter- 
national conference  on  university  extension  in 
London,  to  which  we  sent  over  a  delegate. 
He  came  home  with  a  new  outlook  and  a  broader 
idea  of  what  the  movement  is.  He  said  that 
there  had  seldom  been  a  meeting  in  the  metrop- 
olis of  the  world  that  was  so  representative  of 
the  greatest  interests.  The  best  men  from  the 
different  European  universities  and  the  best 
men  in  the  government,  the  richest  and  the 
poorest,  came  together  in  recognition  of  the 
fact  that  this  work  was  a  permanent  move- 
ment of  the  first  importance.  It  is  no  longer 
an  experiment,  but  after  20  years'  of  trial  it  has 
forced  its  way  till  Oxford  and  Cambridge,  and 
other  conservative  institutions  of  the  Old 
World,  are  vying  with  each  other  in  offering 
freely  to  the  artisan  and  laborer,  to  the  son  and 
daughter  of  the  poor,  the  best  that  they  have. 

Be  not  discouraged  because  some  writer  tries 
the  experiment  and  says  that  the  first  year  it 
was  a  success,  and  the  second  year  a  failure. 
Some  of  the  strongest  institutions  in  the  world 
have  had  that,  experience,  but  year  after  year 
the  strong,  splendid  work  has  gone  on. 

Miss  M.  E.  AHERN. — I  have  been  worrying 
for  fear  that  ^should  go  away  from  this  con- 
ference without  getting  very  much  encourage- 


'5° 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


ment.  I  can  now  go  home  with  the  feeling 
that  I  obtained  some  satisfaction  from  this  ses- 
sion, at  all  events. 

In  Indiana  our  library  movement  is  at  a  low 
ebb,  but  I  can  give  a  glowing  report  of  our 
university  extension.  It  not  only  is  so-called, 
but  it  really  is  university  teaching  extended  to 
our  teachers,  to  our  professions,  to  our  arti- 
sans and  mechanics,  and  to  every  other  class. 
We  have  in  that  state  seven  centers  of  univer- 
sity extension  in  a  flourishing  condition.  We 
are  entering  the  fourth  year  of  it  in  Indian- 
apolis, and  for  three  years  the  gatherings 
have  been  compelled  to  move  from  one  build- 
ing to  another,  because  the  audiences  were  so 
large  that  they  could  not  be  accommodated. 

I  may  say,  however,  that  they  have  been 
organized  and  carried  on  without  very  much 
help  from  the  librarians,  except  in  so  much  as 
the  public  library  and  the  state  library  have 
placed  at  their  disposal  the  books  which  they 
needed,  and  extra  sets,  so  that  those  who  were 
interested  in  the  university  extension  move- 
ment could  have  access  to  the  books  without 
purchasing  them.  Mr.  Montgomery  asked  the 
question,  I  believe,  if  any  one  had  gone  be- 
yond the  second  year .  We  are  entering  now 
on  the  fourth  year. 

F:  M.  CRUNDEN. — It  is  a  far  cry  from  Lon- 
don to  St.  Louis,  and  a  great  falling  off  from 
the  well  organized  university  extension  move- 
ment in  England,  to  the  one  sporadic  attempt 
made  under  the  auspices  of  the  St.  Louis  Public 
Library.  The  one  fact  that  I  want  to  call  atten- 
tion to  is,  that  seeming  failure,  or  rather  lack  of 
success,  is  not  always  a  real  failure.  At  th"e 
close  of  that  course  I  had  a  feeling  of  disap- 
pointment. Not  everything  had  come  up  to 
my  expectations.  There  were  not  nearly  so 
many  people  in  attendance  as  I  had  hoped. 
Moreover,  I  had  a  considerable  deficit  to  face. 
But  the  work  did  not  stop  there ;  it  has  gone 
on  ever  since.  I  have  been  able  to  trace  it 
from  one  channel  to  another,  and  have  contin- 
ually seen  it  crop  out  in  various  places. 

The  following  year  a  small  class  was  organ- 
ized that  met  every  second  week  in  -my  office. 
The  course  was  on  economics.  It  was  com- 
posed of  two  or  three  lawyers,  four  or  five 
business  men,  and  five  or  six  mechanics.  The 
mechanics  were  always  regular^ln  attendance ; 
they  missed  scarcely  a  meeting.  Among  the 


business  men  was  one  who  told  me,  not  long 
ago,  that  he  has  since  become  quite  active  in 
the  study  of  economics.  He  said  he  had  be- 
fore simply  followed  out  the  economic  ideas 
connected  with  his  political  party,  without  giv- 
ing them  any  thought,  but  that  since  then  he 
has  become  a  very  close  student  of  economics. 
So  then,  if  you  try  a  course,  and  it  does  not 
meet  your  expectations,  does  not  result  in  a 
grand  movement  that  upheaves  the  entire 
community,  do  not  be  discouraged.  It  may 
work  silently  and  quietly,  but  the  work  is 
going  on. 

J:  C.  DANA. — Some  one  asks  why  people 
object  to  university  extension.  I  do  not  like 
the  term,  or  the  thing  itself,  for  several 
reasons.  It  is  Walter  Bagehot,  I  believe,  who 
speaks  often  in  his  essay  on  politics  about  the 
"cake  of  custom,"  and  of  the  danger  there  is 
that  a  community  of  intelligent  people  should, 
in  the  course  of  their  development,  stiffen  into 
a  cake;  that  they  should  cease  to  be  plastic, 
cease  to  have  that  flexibility  of  mind  to  which 
Matthew  Arnold  is  fond  of  alluding.  Uni- 
versity extension,  one  feels,  goes  against 
plasticity  and  makes  toward  the  "cake." 

The  university  extension  scheme,  again,  is 
in  direct  opposition  to  the  spirit  of  a  remark 
that  a  friend  of  mine  is  fond  of  making,  to  the 
effect  that  we  shall  not  have  true  education  in 
this  or  any  other  country  until  we  have  utterly 
eliminated  the  teacher.  There  is  a  grain  of 
truth,  perhaps  more  than  a  grain,  in  his  para- 
dox. We  are  in  danger  of  being  overtaught. 
We  are  always  in  danger  of  submitting  too 
much  to  authority.  There  is  a  growing  tend- 
ency in  this  country,  as  in  others,  to  unify  all 
systems  of  education ;  so  far  to  unify  them  that 
the  child  shall  be,  from  the  beginning  to  the 
very  end  of  his  school  life,  though  he  graduate 
from  university  or  technical  school,  in  the 
hands  of  people  of  one  mind  and  one  thought 
as  regards  what  constitutes  education,  and 
what  are  the  proper  and  axiomatic  views  on  all 
questions.  I  question  if  this  tendency  is 
altogether  desirable.  The  trend  of  it  goes 
naturally  with  the  trend  towards  socialism 
which  we  have  in  this  country  to-day;  with 
the  wider  and  wider  acceptance  of  the  thought 
of  a  general  supervision  of  all  people,  and  so 
of  all  education,  by  a  comparatively  few  heads 
of  departments. 


SIXTH   SESSION. 


If  this  university  extension  work  can  be 
kept,  in  the  main,  apart  from  the  universities, 
and  be  work  of  the  kind  of  which  Mr.  Crunden 
speaks,  in  which  he  and  a  few  other  men  sit 
down  and  discuss  things  frankly  and  freely, 
with  no  thought  of  subjection  to  text-books, 
teachers,  university  degrees,  or  accepted 
canons,  each  one  putting  forth  heartily  his  own 
ideas,  it  would  be  difficult  to  offer  any  objec- 
tion to  it.  But  for  a  man  from  an  old  established 
university  (which  is,  in  all  likelihood,  a  part 
of  the  great  systematized  and  unified  educa- 
tional system  of  a  given  state  or  of  the  United 
States),  to  go  from  one  community  to  another, 
and  attempt  to  fasten  onto  those  communities 
the  ideas  dominant  in  that  university,  is  to 
some  extent  an  injurious  thing.  You  can  have 
one  student,  and  another  student  with  him, 
and  even  students  by  the  scores  and  the 
thousands ;  but  the  moment  one  of  them  steps 
out  of  the  student  world  and  into  the  teachers' 
world,  you  have  handicapped  the  student  spirit, 
and  love  of  learning  is  diluted  with  the  egotism 
of  teaching.  The  university  has  enough  to  do 
at  home,  and  though  it  stay  at  home  its  influ- 
ence will  be  as  potent  as,  if  we  are  wise,  we 
shall  permit  it  to  be. 

H.  L.  KOOPMAN  read  his  paper  on 

THE   FUNCTIONS   OF   A   UNIVERSITY    LIBRARY. 

(See  p.  24.) 

W.  H.  AUSTIN. — Mr.  Koopman  was  formerly 
of  Cornell,  but  has  not  been  there  recently 
enough  to  know  what  we  are  now  doing.  I 
have  followed  the  outline  of  his  plans  as 
closely  as  I  was  able  to  do,  and  think  that  we 
have  exactly  that  kind  of  a  library  of  which  he 
speaks.  It  will  eventually  be  10,000  volumes 
as  he  said.  Mr.  Koopman  and  I  have  ex- 
changed not  a  word  on  this  question,  but  our 
figures  and  everything  else  seem  to  agree.  We 
do  not  call  it  a  student  library.  We  call  it  a 
reference  library  and  reading-room.  That 
takes  in  a  great  deal,  reading-room  meaning 
that  this  room  is  not  for  periodicals. 

We  do  not  have  a  special  catalog  that  is  in 
form  to  be  consulted  by  the  students.  This 
library  is  but  three  years  old.  Eventually 
when  the  shelves  shall  become  pretty  well 
filled,  when  we  shall  approach  the  number  of 
10,000  volumes,  we  shall  print  a  catalog.  At 
present  we  designate  in  our  general  catalog, 


by  a  certain  device,  what  books  are  to  be  found 
in  this  library.  We  do  just  as  he  recommends 
to  do.  We  supplement  the  books  there  by  new 
books  as  fast  as  they  come  out.  Books  that 
are  later  may  take  the  place  of  books  that 
were  there  before. 

I  want  to  add  a  word  on  the  general  subject 
of  the  duty  and  position  of  the  university 
library,  which  seems  to  me  of  very  great  im- 
portance and  of  which  Mr.  Koopman  did  not 
speak  at  any  length ;  and  that  is,  the  manner 
of  instructing  the  students  in  the  university, 
in  the  use  of  catalogs  and  helps,  and  those 
things.  A  large  part  of  my  work  is  person- 
ally teaching  the  students  how  to  use  the 
catalog  and  on  what  principles  the  catalog 
is  constructed. 

W:  H.  TILLINGHAST. — Mr.  Koopman's  sug- 
gestion of  a  student's  library  needs  no  praise. 
It  is  very  evident  that  Cornell  has  in  this  re- 
spect considerable  advantage  over  Harvard  at 
present.  But  when  our  longed  for  and  hitherto 
illusive  reading-room  becomes  a  fact,  we  shall 
have  a  library  on  those  lines. 

It  will,  I  hope,  fill  one  need  which  has  not 
been  mentioned,  to  meet  which  should  be  one 
function  of  the  university  library.  There  is 
no  doubt  that  a  private  library  is  not  esteemed 
as  it  used  to  be,  although  its  value  is  quite  as 
great  to-day  as  it  ever  was.  There  is  a  vast 
difference  between  owning  books  and  borrow- 
ing them,  even  on  the  most  approved  system. 
Any  one  who  turns  from  his  work  to  take  up  a 
book  for  relaxation  takes  it  with  the  most 
satisfaction  from  his  own  collection.  Another 
privilege  the  public  library  cannot  give  the 
tired  student :  I  am  not  ashamed  to  say  that 
I  have  spent  sometimes  an  hour,  after  work, 
in  deciding  what  book  I  would  read  for  rest 
and  enjoyment,  and  then  found  that  it  was  too 
late  to  read  any.  But  that  hour,  if  given  to 
looking  over  the  shelves  and  considering  the 
character  of  the  books,  was,  I  maintain,  not 
wasted;  certainly  it  was  not  unpleasantly  spent. 

A  university  library  might  do  much  worse 
than  to  devote  a  part  of  its  strength  to  urging 
and  to  aiding  students  to  buy  books  of  their 
own  and  to  keep  them  after  they  are  bought. 
A  great  many  students  acquire  the  books 
necessary  to  their  work,  and  at  the  end  of  four 
years  sell  them  for  what  they  can  get.  They 
used  to  get  10  cents  a  volume.  I  sold  mine,  and 


152 


LAKE  PLACID  CONFERENCE. 


have  been  buying  them  back  ever  since  and 
paying  from  40  to  50  cents  a  volume  for  them. 
The  university  library  can  do  much  to  induce 
students  not  only  to  keep  their  text-books, 
but  to  buy  more  freely  than  they  do  in  general 
literature  and  on  a  well-considered  plan,  and 
can  aid  them,  also,  in  selecting  the  proper  edi- 
tions and  the  proper  authors  to  meet  each  case. 
I  think  such  a  library  as  Mr.  Koopman  out- 
lines, would  be  a  very  good  object-lesson,  and 
help  in  that  work. 

W  :  E.  FOSTER. — I  am  not  a  university  libra- 
rian, but  it  has  occurred  to  me,  in  listening  to 
this  paper,  that  it  becomes  a  librarian  of  a 
public  library  to  reflect  whether  there  may  not 
be  in  it  something  which  he  can  turn  to  advan- 
tage in  his  own  field. 

MISCELLANEOUS  BUSINESS. 

C :  R.  DUDLEY. — There  was  a  distinct  under- 
standing between  my  colleague,  Mr.  Dana,  and 
myself  before  coming  here,  that  I  should  not 
speak  at  any  of  the  meetings.  I  was  to  pre- 
pare the  addresses  and  he  was  to  deliver  them. 
As  he  has  taken  up  so  much  valuable  time 
talking  about  unimportant  matters,  I  feel  justi- 
fied in  breaking  the  agreement. 

There  is  one  thing  that  I  think  this  Associa- 
tion ought  to  consider  which  has,  so  far  as  I 
know,  never  received  any  attention,  and  that 
is  obtaining  better  editions  of  popular  books. 
There  was  printed  in  the  Library  Journal  of 
May,  1893,  a  letter  written  to  me  by  the  chair- 
man of  our  library  committee,  asking  if  it 
were  not  possible  to  induce  publishers  to  issue 
substantial  editions  of  popular  and  standard 
works,  and  thus  reduce  the  losses  to  libraries 
from  worn-out  books.  I  sent  the  letter  to  Mr. 
Dewey,  and  he  forwarded  it  to  the  Library 
Journal  with  a  note  added,  saying  that  he 
thought  the  suggestion  had  merit  and  would 
be  a  good  subject  for  discussion  at  the  next 
meeting  of  the  Association.  Nothing  was  done 
with  it,  as  I  understand,  at  the  meeting  last 
year. 

The  idea  as  it  occurs  to  me  is,  that  this 
Association  with  the  combined  efforts  of  the 
libraries  of  the  country,  can  force  publishers  to 
issue  editions  of  books  for  library  purposes 
that  will  outwear  one  usage.  Take,  for  in- 
stance, the  popular  juvenile  books.  Every  one 
knows  what  miserable  paper  they  are  printed 


on.  The  works  of  Mayne  Reid  are  printed  on 
paper  that  will  hardly  hold  together  for  one 
opening.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  have  the 
books  rebound  on  account  of  the  pulp-paper 
from  which  they  are  made.  The  covers  come 
off  after  one  or  two  usings. 

It  seems  to  me  that  a  library  edition  of  the 
books  that  are  most  used  could  be  provided 
for,  by  the  publishers,  and  would  be  if  the 
thing  were  brought  to  their  notice  by  the 
Library  Association,  and  if  asked  that  they 
publish  a  certain  number  of  their  popular 
books  on  paper,  say,  something  like  that  used 
in  the  Oxford  Bible,  a  very  tough  and  a  very 
flexible  paper  that  does  not  tear  the  bind- 
ing to  pieces  every  time  the  book  is  opened. 
Those  books  should  be  sewed  on  tapes  and 
more  substantially  bound  than  the  average 
cloth  binding.  The  expense  for  paper  and  the 
extra  binding,  it  seems  to  me,  would  not  be 
more  than  25  per  cent,  of  the  present  price 
of  the  books,  and  they  would  wear  four  or 
five  times  as  long  as  the  editions  issued 
to-day. 

Miss  THERESA  H.  WEST. — The  office  of  the 
State  Superintendent,  in  Wisconsin,  has  car- 
ried on  a  system  of  district  libraries  under  the 
charge  of  a  clerk,  who  is  called  the  library 
clerk.  This  district  library  business  is  calling 
for  a  great  many  books,  and  it  is  found  that 
many  publishers  are  paying  more  or  less  atten- 
tion to  the  contracts  which  are  to  be  let  by  the 
state  in  that  way. 

I  can  give  you  some  instances  of  changes  in 
books,  that  have  resulted  from  it:  The  Bird's 
Christmas  Carol  has  been  changed  in  cover  en- 
tirely. The  design  for  the  Riverside  Young 
Folks'  library  was  submitted  to  Mr.  Hutchins 
before  it  was  adopted,  and  the  new  edition  of 
Stoddard's  Little  Smoke  has  been  changed  to 
suit  Mr.  Hutchins'  views.  You  will  find  that 
most  of  the  books  in  that  list  are  supplied  in 
reasonable  bindings  and  on  reasonable  paper ; 
and  Mr.  Hutchins  is  of  the  opinion  that  if  we 
will  all  combine  in  this  matter  we  might  have 
a  very  wholesome  influence  on  our  book  pub- 
lishers. He  will  not  put  into  that  list  a  book 
that  he  believes  is  unworthy  of  the  place,  ex- 
cept in  very  rare  instances  when  he  cannot 
help  himself. 

J :  C.  DANA  introduced  the  following  resolu- 
tion: 


SIXTH   SESSION. 


Resolved,  That  the  Publishing  Section  be 
requested  to  look  into  the  matter  of  library 
editions  of  certain  popular  books;  that  it  be 
requested  further,  after  having  obtained  such 
information  as  necessary,  to  send  to  all  libraries 
of  any  consequence  in  the  country  a  circular 
making  a  general  statement  in  regard  to  the 
possibilities  of  library  editions,  and  asking 
which  of  these  libraries  will  agree  to  purchase 
hereafter  the  library  editions  of  certain  books 
that  may  be  published  by  any  given  publishing 
house;  and  then  that  the  Publishing  Section 
proceed  to  do  what  next  it  can. 

MELVIL  DEWEY. — I  rise  to  second  the  reso- 
lution. Five  or  six  leading  publishers  have 
sent  their  representatives  to  our  office  to  see  if 
we  would  tell  them  what  we  wanted,  and  said 
they  were  prepared  to  make  any  kind  of  an 
edition  that  there  was  a  demand  for.  They 
send  out  these  cheap  books  to  meet  the  bargain 
counter  trade.  If  the  libraries  want  good  books 
they  will  make  them .  If  the  Publishing  Section 
will  take  the  matter  up  and  carry  out  Mr. 
Dana's  suggestion,  saying  that  there  are  so 
many  libraries  wishing  a  certain  form,  with  the 
understanding  that  that  edition  is  made  as  the 
fruit  of  the  effort  of  the  librarians,  they  would 
be  very  glad  to  bring  out  a  special  library 
edition  at  a  somewhat  higher  price. 

J.  N.  WING. — This  is  a  matter  purely  of 
dollars  and '  cents.  You  will  remember  that 
most  of  the  libraries  have  been  already  sup- 
plied with  these  cheap  books.  The  plates 
have  become  worn,  and  were  publishers  to  now 
print  them  on  better  paper  there  would  be  but 
little  improvement.  The  only  way  to  get  good 
books  and  good  type  is  to  set  them  up  again, 
and  that,  I  assure  you,  is  a  very  expensive 
operation.  If  you  can  make  the  publishers 
believe  that  it  will  prove  a  financial  success 
for  them  to  set  those  books  up  again,  they  will 
do  it  for  you. 

With  the  new  books  I  do  not  think  you  have 
so  much  cause  for  complaint ;  I  mean  the  new 
editions,  coming  out  fresh  from  the  press. 
You  must  remember  that  editions  are  soon  ex- 
hausted or  the  demand  ceases  for  those  books, 
and  they  soon  go  out  of  fashion.  If  you  can 
arrange  with  publishers  to  send  you  word 
when  they  are  prepared  to  publish  a  new 
edition,  and  then  let  them  know  how  many 
you  will  take,  they  certainly  will  print  an 


edition  such  as  you  want,  every  time,  provided 
you  can  make  it  an  object  for  them  to  do  so. 
The  resolution  was  adopted. 

INVITATION   FROM    CLEVELAND. 

W:  H.  BRETT  presented  an  invitation  from 
the  board  of  the  Cleveland  Public  Library  for 
the  Association  to  meet  in  Cleveland  in  1895. 

DICTIONARY    OF    LIBRARY    ECONOMY. 

J:  C.  DANA. — I  would  like  to  refer  to  the 
Publishing  Section  the  question  of  the  possi- 
bility of  the  Association's  compiling,  within  a 
few  years,  a  dictionary  of  library  economy. 
This  would  not  be  exactly  the  book  which  is  to 
be  published  by  the  Bureau  of  Education,  nor 
would  it  be  a  library  handbook.  It  would  be 
arranged  on  some  such  plan  as  that  admirable 
dictionary  of  electricity  you  are  all  familiar 
with,  giving  briefly,  each  under  its  proper 
entry,  directions  in  regard  to  the  minor  details 
as  well  as  the  more  important  subjects  in 
library  work. 

I  would  like  to  make  another  suggestion. 
We  come  a  long  distance,  some  of  us,  to  attend 
this  meeting,  and  the  greatest  benefit  we  get 
from  it,  if  I  may  judge  from  my  own  experi- 
ence, is  from  personal  contact  with  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Association,  and  from  listening  to 
their  views  as  struck  out  in  the  heat  of  dis- 
cussion and  enforced  by  personal  presence.  It 
is  sometimes,  by  no  means  always,  a  bit  of  a 
disappointment  to  us  that  so  much  time  is 
taken  up  with  the  reading  of  a  paper.  This 
matter  has  been  spoken  of  before.  Of  course 
1  know  that  the  element  of  personal  presence 
adds  to  the  value  of  a  paper,  as  it  doestto  the 
impromptu  expression  of  opinion  or  statement 
of  experience.  But  the  plan  suggested  at  the 
San  Francisco  Conference  and  carried  out  last 
year  might  be  adopted ;  let  all  papers  be  pre- 
viously printed  and  distributed  to  all  members 
of  the  Association ;  and  then,  at  the  meeting, 
let  there  be  presented,  as  I  understand  was 
done  at  Chicago  last  year,  merely  the  briefest 
syllabus  of  the  contents  of  the  papers,  and 
thus  let  the  rest  of  the  time  be  given  up  to  dis- 
cussion. Such  papers  as  would  be,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  proper  committee,  better  fitted 
to  be  read  to  us  in  full  by  the  writer  at  the 
Association  meeting,  could  and  should  be  so 
read. 


154 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


NOMINATION   OF   OFFICERS. 

For  the  office  of  president  there  were  placed 
in  nomination:  H:  M.  Utley,  of  Detroit;  Miss 
Theresa  H.  West,  of  Milwaukee;  W:  H.  Brett, 
of  Cleveland. 

For  vice-presidents:  F:  H.  Hild,  of  Chicago; 
Miss  Ellen  M.  Coe,  of  New  York;  A.  W. 
Whelpley,  of  Cincinnati;  W:  E.  Foster,  of 
Providence ;  Miss  Mary  S.  Cutler,  of  Albany. 

For  secretary:     Frank  P.  Hill,  of  Newark. 

For  treasurer:  Geo.  Watson  Cole,  of  Jersey 
City. 

For  trustee  of  the  endowment  fund :  J :  M. 
Glenn,  of  Baltimore,  for  a  term  of  three  years, 
to  succeed  himself. 

For  A.  L.  A.  Council,  its  committee  pre- 
sented eight  nominations,  from  which  to  elect 
four,  for  a  term  of  five  years:  H:  M.  Utley, 
of  Detroit;  W:  C.  Lane,  of  Boston;  Miss  Caro- 
line M.  Hewins,  of  Hartford;  Miss  Theresa 
H.  West,  of  Milwaukee;  G:  T.  Little,  of 
Brunswick;  Miss  Caroline  H.  Garland,  of 
Dover ;  George  lies,  of  New  York  City ;  G :  W : 
Harris,  of  Ithaca. 

Sec.  HILL  gave  an  explanation  of  the 
Australian  ballot  form,  which  had  been  pre- 
pared for  the  purposes  of  the  election  of  officers 
at  this  Conference. 

Voted. — That  there  be  three  ballots,  one  for 
president,  one  for  the  three  vice-presidents,  and 
one  for  the  remaining  officers. 

The  matter  of  ballot  box,  hours  for  deposit- 
ing votes,  and  of  counting  and  reporting  the 
same,  was  referred  to  the  executive  board. 

Session  adjourned  at  5.45  p.  M. 

SEVENTH  SESSION. 

(MIRROR   LAKE   HOTEL,    THURSDAY   MORNING, 
SEPTEMBER  20,  1894.) 

Pres.  LARNED  called  the  meeting  to  order  at 
11.35  A.  M. 
HENRY  J.  CARR  read  his 

REPORT     ON      LOCAL     HISTORY     COLLECTIONS      IN 
PUBLIC    LIBRARIES. 

(Seep.  67.) 

G.  M.  JONES. — Perhaps  you  know  about  the 
old  school  system  of  Massachusetts,  where  the 
town  was  divided  into  districts  and  each  dis- 
trict had  its  record  book.  One  of  the  trustees 
of  our  public  library  has  succeeded  in  getting 


a  complete  set  of  the  record  books  of  these 
various  school  districts.  In  running  them 
through  I  found  most  interesting  material ; 
not  especially  for  the  history  of  education,  but 
concerning  economical  matters,  such  as  the 
rate  of  pay  and  the  rate  of  board  for  school 
teachers. 

I  was  very  much  interested  early  in  this  year 
by  an  article  of  Mr.  Cole's  in  the  Library 
Jotirnal  on  the  limits  of  local  bibliography, 
and  I  had  hoped  that  somebody  might  take  up 
the  subject  and  carry  it  through.  The  question 
is :  What  ought  to  be  its  limitations  ?  If  we 
should  include  everything  that  some  people 
might  wish,  it  would  make  a  very  large  book. 
I  hope  that  at  some  meeting  of  the  Associa- 
tion the  subject  may  be  thoroughly  talked  out. 

C:  C.  SOULE. — At  a  previous  meeting  I  was 
reported  to  have  said  that  the  town  of  Brook - 
line  had  adopted  the  system  which  I  described. 
I  said,  on  the  contrary,  that  it  had  not  been 
adopted.  I  would  like  to  say  again  what  I  said 
then. 

We  were  considering  the  matter  in  the  town 
of  Brookline,  and  we  found  that  as  much  work 
as  could  be  done  in  two  or  three  years,  had 
already  been  planned  out  for  the  librarian. 
When  this  question  came  up  there  was  a  great 
deal  more  material  than  we  could  handle,  and 
it  was  suggested  that  it  should  be  done  with 
the  aid  of  a  local  historical  society,  formed  and 
conducted  as  an  adjunct  to  the  library.  Our 
plan  was  to  organize  a  society  in  which  we 
should  enlist  every  one  in  the  community  who, 
we  thought,  would  be  willing  to  do  any  of  the 
work.  We  should  ask  rich  men  to  become 
paying  members,  charging  them  $5  a  year. 
We  should  invite  other  people  to  become  mem- 
bers, as  a  class  to  subscribe  material  other  than 
money.  Then  we  proposed  to  enlist  another 
and  still  more  important  class  of  the  community 
in  the  way  of  active  workers  who  should  pay 
for  their  membership  by  personal  services ;  and 
here  is  where  the  strong  point  of  this  plan 
comes.  There  is  so  much  that  you  want  to 
preserve  (especially  if  you  include — as  you 
ought  to  include — cuttings  from  newspapers 
of  the  neighboring  cities  and  counties  of 
the  state,  and  if  you  include  an  index  of  the 
new  and  old  material),  that  you  have  an  im- 
mense amount  of  work  to  be  done.  The  way 
we  proposed  to  get  it  done  was  to  harness  in 


SEVENTH  SESSION. 


the  "antiquarian  cranks"  in  their  specialty, 
and  also  pupils  of  the  public  schools.  I  am 
very  confident  that  in  every  high  school  there 
will  be  found  a  number  of  intelligent  scholars 
who  will  be  very  glad  to  devote  an  hour  or  two 
a  day  to  that  kind  of  work.  Our  plan  was  to 
assign  the  clipping  and  the  pasting  of  the  ma- 
terial to  these  young  people,  who  should  be 
assessed  nothing  in  the  way  of  material  or 
money,  but  only  in  the  way  of  work. 

C  :  K.  BOLTON. — Late  in  the  spring  we  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  a  number  of  the  high  school 
boys  together  and  I  told  them  of  our  collections. 
I  succeeded  in  getting  a  sufficient  number 
promised  to  take  each  a  volume  of  the  Brook- 
line  papers  and  make  an  index,  so  eventually 
we  hope  to  have  an  index  of  subjects  of  all  of 
the  home  newspapers.  It  seems  to  me  that 
the  papers,  after  all,  are  one  of  the  chief 
sources  of  local  history. 

WILLIAM  IVES. — A  few  years  ago  there  were 
deposited  in  the  Buffalo  Library  the  first  vol- 
umes of  a  newspaper  covering  a  number  of 
years.  I  had  copied  from  those  volumes  the 
marriage  notices  running  all  through  those 
years,  and  indexed  them,  giving  the  maiden's 
name  and  the  priest  or  squire  doing  the  job. 
A  few  years  after  a  pension  agent  came  in  to 
see  if  we  had  the  notice  of  such-and-such  a 
marriage.  I  turned  to  the  date  and  found  to 
my  amazement  that  the  wedding  notice  was 
cut  out.  1  told  the  agent  I  had  a  copy  of  that. 
I  went  to  my  book  and  found  it,  and  he  took 
my  sworn  statement  as  to  the  truth  of  it,  and 
got  a  pension  for  the  widow  of  an  1812 
soldier. 

H:  J.  CARR. — I  am  satisfied  from  the  answers 
I  have  received  that  if  one  could  make  a  proper 
sort  of  inquiry,  probably  enough  information, 
similar  to  that  of  Mr.  Ives'  showing  the  value 
of  this  material  to  individual  persons  through- 
out the  country,  could  be  obtained  to  fill  a  very 
large  book. 

I  had  one  strong  reply  from  a  gentleman 
who  has  had  experience  in  handling  these 
matters.  He  urges  making  the  material  use- 
ful as  you  go  along,  unless  the  expense  is  very 
large,  and  not  to  attempt  anything  more  than 
index.  To  not  catalog  it,  but  thoroughly  index 
it,  from  the  very  beginning.  The  application 
of  the  term  index  might  vary  with  different 
people. 


R.  B.  POOLE. — I  had  a  volume  of  pamphlets 
relating  to  the  Northwest  territory,  and  also 
another  pamphlet  in  regard  to  a  convention 
which  was  held  in  the  State  of  Ohio.  One  day 
a  librarian  came  in  from  the  law  library  (he 
had  been  in  some  time  previous)  and  said  he 
would  give  me  $50  for  the  book  if  I  would  sell 
it.  I  got  permission  from  my  board  to  make  a 
disposition  of  the  book,  but  first  inquired  of 
some  experts  as  to  its  value,  and  found  it  was 
worth  a  great  deal  more  money.  It  resulted 
in  my  getting  $275  from  a  dealer.  It  is  now 
in  the  Lenox  Library. 

The  library  with  which  I  am  connected  is 
engaged  in  collecting  the  reports  of  societies 
in  New  York  City,  and  some  of  those  of  state 
and  national  societies,  and  preserving  them. 
There  are  some  pamphlets  that  come  in  that  I 
think  should  be  bound  and  put  into  the  library 
at  once ;  but  the  question  is,  as  to  how  much 
money  should  be  spent  upon  them.  I  find  I 
can  get  them  done  for  12  cents  by  getting  a 
cheap  board,  or  manila  paper,  and  writing  the 
title  on  the  backs.  We  then  put  them  into  the 
library,  and  when  cataloged  they  are  ready  for 
immediate  use. 

F.  B.  GAY. — I  had  some  experience  last 
spring  in  the  line  of  which  Mr.  Poole  speaks. 
I  had  a  number  of  pamphlets  that  needed  to 
go  on  to  the  shelves  immediately,  and  we 
bound  them  for  fifteen  cents  in  a  board  cover, 
cloth  sewed,  and  then  used  the  Dennison 
shipping  tag  for  the  title.  I  would  like  to  ask 
if  that  is  a  fair  price  to  pay  for  pamphlets  put 
up  in  that  condition  ? 

W:  I.  FLETCHER. — I  think  it  is  worth  three 
cents  more  to  put  in  cloth  than  paper,  as  Mr. 
Poole  does. 

S.  H.  BERRY. — As  to  the  price  of  binding 
pamphlets,  I  have  seen  in  the  Long  Island 
Historical  Society  (which  binds  up  everything 
in  the  way  of  pamphlets,  each  one  in  a  sepa- 
rate cover)  a  great  many  pamphlets  done  at 
fifteen  cents  apiece,  sewed  and  laced  in  cloth 
covers,  with  a  straight  line  of  gilding  length- 
wise with  the  back  of  the  book. 

Miss  MARY  MEDLICOTT. — May  I  say  a  word 
on  the  line  of  national  history  collections  ? 
Within  the  course  of  a  few  months  we  hope  to 
be  able  to  move  into  the  new  building  that  has 
just  been  completed,  to  be  used  for  the  art 
museum  and  also  a  natural  history  museum. 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


In  the  museum  local  collections  are  to  be  kept 
distinct  from  those  of  more  general  interest. 

In  one  of  our  late  monthly  bulletins  is  an 
article  prepared  by  the  science  teacher  in  the 
high  school,  who  is  going  to  take  special 
charge  of  this  natural  history  museum,  and 
he  has  outlined  a  brief  plan — not  merely  a  de- 
scription of  the  building,  but  has  given  the 
floor  plan  in  the  way  in  which  the  cases  are 
to  be  divided  between  the  different  collec- 
tions. Being  so  near  our  high  school,  the  mu- 
seum will  be  used  as  a  laboratory  for  science 
work  in  that  school,  and  will  be  so  closely  con- 
nected, also,  with  our  library,  that  they  can 
have  access  to  all  the  books.  I  think  it  will 
lead  in  a  short  time  to  having  duplicate  copies 
of  books — or,  at  least,  to  having  a  library 
more  specially  in  connection  with  their  science 
work  in  the  museum. 

The  way  I  thought  the  connection  came 
with  the  topic  under  discussion  was  the  way 
in  which  we  hope  to  increase  our  collections 
of  local  interest.  Dr.  Rice  told  me,  just  before 
I  left,  that  he  had  made  arrangements  with 
the  ornithological  society  to  obtain  a  collec- 
tion of  the  birds  in  our  neighborhood  ;  also 
with  the  botanical  society  that  they  should 
procure  specimens  and  place  them  there. 
Nothing  has  been  done,  as  yet,  to  bring  the 
high  school  scholars  directly  into  the  work, 
but  I  hope  that  that  will  grow  out  of  it. 

R.  G.  THWAITES. — It  is  so  delightful  to  hear 
my  genial  friend  from  Massachusetts  speak  of 
members  of  historical  societies  as  ' '  antiquarian 
cranks"!  What  interests  me  very  largely  in 
this  discussion,  is  the  matter  of  local  collec- 
tions. We  do  a  great  deal  of  that  sort  of  thing, 
in  the  library  of  the  Wisconsin  Historical  So- 
ciety. I  do  not  like  to  hear  the  constant  stress, 
laid  by  so  many  librarians  who  have  spoken 
this  morning,  on  the  immense  amount  of  time 
it  takes  on  the  part  of  the  librarian  to  make 
these  local  collections.  The  librarian,  if  he 
amounts  to  anything,  must  expect  to  work, 
and  to  work  hard.  It  seems  to  me  that  if  the 
thing  is  systematically  done,  it  can  be  accom- 
plished without  very  great  addition  to  the 
amount  of  labor  which  is  already  placed  upon 
the  librarian.  Let  me  speak  for  a  moment, 
merely  upon  our  treatment  of  newspaper  clip- 
pings, as  one  of  many  means  to  this  desirable 
end. 


A  bright  young  lady  has  charge  of  our  de- 
livery counter.  Occasionally  there  are  days 
when,  for  an  hour  or  two  at  a  time,  especially 
in  the  morning,  when  the  State  University 
students  are  in  at  their  classes  and  lectures, 
she  has  a  little  time  to  spare.  We  take  every 
important  local  paper  in  Wisconsin,  perhaps 
325  weeklies  and  a  dozen  dailies  in  all.  Be- 
sides these  Wisconsin  papers  we  take  from 
other  parts  of  the  country,  for  binding,  possi- 
bly 175  reputable  news  journals,  many  of  them 
dailies.  It  is  the  business  of  this  young  lady 
to  scan  all  these  newspapers.  Sometimes  we 
have  from  100  to  125  students  and  professors 
in  the  reading-room  of  an  afternoon,  and  it  is 
busy  times  at  the  delivery  desk.  Yet  this 
young  lady  does  it  all,  and  very  well,  too. 
Being  an  old  newspaper  man  myself,  I  trained 
her  somewhat  as  to  the  manner  of  rapHly 
reading  the  papers.  The  country  papers  are, 
for  the  most  part,  "patent  insides."  In  Wis- 
consin papers  our  "exchange  editor,"  as  we 
call  her,  looks  out  for  pioneer  reminiscences ; 
sometimes  there  is  an  account  of  a  pioneer 
picnic,  at  which  speeches  have  been  made ;  or 
there  may  be  obituary  notices  of  more  or  less 
distinguished  pioneers.  She  marks  such  arti- 
cles and  items  with  a  colored  lead  pencil,  and 
lays  them  aside.  We  use  blanks,  whenever 
they  can  be  used.  She  sends  out  a  blank  to 
the  publisher,  asking  for  an  extra  copy  of  the 
paper.  If  the  article  runs  on  to  two  pages  she 
gets  two  copies;  when  it  comes  she  clips  it. 
She  mounts  all  these  clippings  in  pamphlet 
form,  save  in  some  cases,  when  indexed  scrap- 
books  of  manila  paper  are  used.  If  the 
mounted  clippings,  done  into  pamphlet 
form,  are  large  enough  to  be  cataloged, 
they  are  promptly  cataloged  and  placed  in 
their  various  alcoves.  In  the  papers  outside 
of  Wisconsin  she  is  looking  for  historical  items 
of  a  unique  character  that  are  not  likely  to 
soon  get  into  books:  for  instance,  something 
new  on  archaeology,  something  new  about  our 
Indian  races,  reminiscences  brought  out  by 
notable  events  or  anniversaries,  etc. 

As  an  example,  when  Jefferson  Davis  died, 
we  sent  for  all  the  leading  newspapers  in  his 
section  of  the  country,  that  were  likely  to 
mention  him  in  detail.  We  sent  to  seventy-five 
representative  papers  of  the  South  for  two  copies 
of  each,  until  the  funeral  had  occurred.  These 


EIGHTH  SESSION. 


'57 


papers  were  brim  full  of  excellent  material, 
which  we  mounted  and  made  up  into  a  con- 
siderable volume :  ij'  The  Opinions  of  the  South- 
ern Press  on  Jefferson  Davis."  We  did  the 
same  with  General  Lee,  with  General  Sheridan, 
with  General  Grant,  and  with  others  of  our 
distinguished  men ;  and  shall  keep  on  doing  it 
for  others  yet  to  come.  When  systematically 
done,  this  sort  of  thing  does  not  take  so  much 
time  as  one  is  apt  to  suppose,  who  never  did  it. 
In  any  event,  it  is,  in  my  estimation,  well  worth 
doing. 

W:  I.  FLETCHER  read  his  paper  on 

THE   WORK   OF   THE   PUBLISHING    SECTION. 

(See  p,  102.) 
Sec.  HILL  read  the. following 

REPORT  OF  THE  EXECUTIVE  BOARD. 

The  board  recommends  that  the  vote  for 
president  of  A.  L.  A.  be  taken  at  10  A.  M.  Fri- 
day; for  vice-presidents,  at  10.30  A.  M.  ;  for 
other  officers,  at  n  A.  M. 

That  members  in  attendance  and  duly  reg- 
istered, but  unable  to  be  present  at  those  hours, 
be  permitted  to  leave  endorsed  ballots  with 
the  tellers. 

That  H:  J.  Carr  and  F:  M.  Crunden  act  as 
tellers. 

Also  recommends  the  adoption  of  the  A.  L. 
A.  badge  in  form  of  pin  or  button.  Miss  Nina 
E.  Browne,  assistant  secretary,  is  prepared  to 
take  subscriptions  at  $2. 50  each. 

It  further  recommends  that  the  A.  L.  A. 
subscribe  for  the  Library  Journal. 

Also  recommends  that  the  Publishing  Section 
be  requested  to  take  subscriptions  for  copies  of 
the  president's  address  and  such  other  papers 
as  may  be  requested  by  members,  and  to 
formulate  some  scheme  by  which  papers,  in  a 
uniform  and  numbered  series,  may  be  printed 
as  called  for  by  interested  members. 

And  further  recommends  adoption  of  the 
following  by-law : 

The  executive  board  shall  provide  a  printed 
ballot  containing  not  less  than  three  nominees 
for  each  office,  including  any  names  filed  with 
the  secretary  48  hours  before  the  election  by 
five  members  of  the  Association. 

The  report  of  the  executive  board,  as  a  whole, 
was  unanimously  adopted. 

Recess  taken  at  i  P.  M. 


EIGHTH  SESSION. 

(MIRROR  LAKE  HOTEL,  THURSDAY  AFTERNOON, 
SEPTEMBER  20.) 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  at  2.45  p.  M. 
by  the  president. 

W:  H.  BRETT  read  his  paper  on 

THE  PRESENT  PROBLEM. 

(S*ep.s-\ 

W:  I.  FLETCHER. — I  am  not  at  all  prepared  to 
enter  upon  any  discussion  of  this  paper,  which 
would  demand  preparation  to  do  it  any  justice. 
I  would  like,  however,  to  call  attention  to 
certain  features  of  the  paper  which  seem  to 
me  ought  not  to  pass  with  a  mere  approval 
such  as  I  should  most  heartily  give  to  the  whole 
paper.  All  human  though  t  passes  on  by  action 
and  reaction ;  we  seem  now  to  be  at  the  top 
wave  of  that  opinion  with  regard  to  the  func- 
tions and  value  of  the  work  of  the  public 
library,  which  may  be  expressed  by  saying  that 
its  object  is  education.  We  have  been  climb- 
ing that  wave,  and  it  is  hard  to  see  how  we  can 
be  nearer  to  the  top  of  it  than  we  are  in  the 
paper  now  presented.  I  heartily  agree  with 
what  has  been  said,  so  far  as  it  is  true  that  the 
function  of  the  library  is  an  educational  one. 

The  paper  has  dealt  largely  in  analogies. 
We  are  often  reminded  that  analogies  are 
dangerous.  They  are  well  in  their  place,  but 
likely  to  lead  us  astray.  Are  there  good 
grounds  for  making  a  complete  analogy  be- 
tween the  library  and  our  educational  institu- 
tions ?  If  that  were  granted  the  paper  seems 
to  be  absolutely  true.  But  it  seems  to  me  that 
that  is  an  analogy  that  can  be  followed  too  far. 
Supposing  I,  for  instance,  should  take  another 
analogy,  which  would  lead  to  quite  different 
conclusions — that  of  the  public  park  and 
museum  ?  The  library  has  numerous  func- 
tions, as  the  park  and  museum  have,  and  it 
requires  better  thought  than  I  could  give,  even 
if  I  had  time,  to  define  and  limit  those  func- 
tions. 

I  should,  at  least,  say  that  to  make  the  func- 
tion of  the  library  strictly  educational,  in  the 
sense  in  which  we  apply  the  word  to  our 
schools,  is  seriously  to  narrow  it.  Beyond  the 
merely  educational  influence  of  the  library  it 
has  a  large  mission  to  enrich  the  individual  life 
and  mind,  the  end  being  the  greatest  good  to 


158 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


the  greatest  number.  Utilitarianism  seems  to 
be  the  central  principle  of  this  paper,  and  I 
prefer  a  different  and  a  higher  idea  as  the 
watchword  of  the  public  library  movement. 

J.  K.  HOSMER.— I  have  found  the  paper  of 
Mr.  Brett  very  suggestive.  I  wish  to  address 
what  I  have  to  say  to  one  point  which  he  con- 
sidered in  the  paper  only  briefly,  and  that  is 
the  matter  of  unrestricted  access  to  books. 

I  am  a  great  advocate  of  making  the  re- 
strictions just  as  slight  as  they  possibly  can 
be.  I  am  glad  to  make  that  statement,  because 
I  judge  from  some  things  that  have  been  said 
to  me  here,  that  a  wrong  impression  prevails 
in  regard  to  the  library  with  which  I  am  con- 
nected. I  have  been  asked  if  it  is  not  the  case 
that  the  Minneapolis  Public  Library  has  intro- 
duced restrictions,  and  whether  it  does  not  find 
that  the  policy  which  it  has  pursued  is  a  bad 
policy.  I  wish  to  say  emphatically,  no;  that 
with  us  the  tendency  is  all  in  the  other  direc- 
tion. My  impression  is  that  the  library  world 
shows  a  general  tendency  to  do  away  with 
restrictions. 

A  few  months  ago  the  Library,  the  organ 
of  the  Library  Association  of  the  United 
Kingdom,  contained  a  crisp  article,  which  ad- 
vocated putting  the  public  inside  of  the 
library,  and  the  staff  outside.  We  do  that  to 
some  extent.  For  instance,  our  children's  de- 
partment is,  as  was  stated  in  the  paper  of  Miss 
Stearns,  in  the  lower  corridor  of  our  building. 
The  greater  part  of  the  space  is  railed  in. 
Within  the  railed  space  are  racks,  in  which 
are  placed  all  the  children's  books  that  the 
library  contains.  The  children  are  admitted 
to  these  racks,  which  slope  up,  the  books  being 
all  within  easy  reach.  The  children  go  in  and 
help  themselves  to  these  books,  having  free- 
dom within  the  railed  space.  There  is  only 
one  way  of  getting  out  of  the  railed  space,  and 
at  that  one  egress  sits  an  attendant ;  but  within 
the  space  the  children  are  free.  To  that  ex- 
tent the  public  is  inside  the  library  and  the 
attendant  is  at  the  outside. 

Again,  at  the  right-hand  end  of  our  issue- 
desk  there  is  a  railed  space  within  which  stand 
six  large  racks.  Into  those  racks  go  all  the 
new  books  as  soon  as  they  enter  the  library. 
Two  racks  are  given  up  to  novels,  the  other 
four  to  books  of  other  classes.  There  is  only 
one  way  of  getting  into  the  space,  and  only 


one  way  of  getting  out.  The  public  have 
freedom  within  the  space,  but  at  the  one  egress 
sits  an  attendant,  and  no  book  can  go  out  of 
this  space  till  it  is  charged. 

It  is  in  contemplation  with  us  to  make  a  still 
farther  extension  of  this  idea.  If  I  can  get  my 
board  to  allow  me  to  do  so,  I  propose,  when 
our  new  building  is  completed,  to  take  one 
large  room  for  fiction.  I  should  have  a  room 
fitted  up,  not  with  ordinary  cases  but  with 
racks,  such  as  I  have  described.  Upon  these 
racks  the  books  of  fiction  should  be  displayed 
within  easy  reach  of  the  hand.  To  that  room 
there  should  be  only  one  place  of  ingress,  and 
one  of  egress.  The  public  should  be  admitted 
freely  to  the  room ;  while  in  the  room  they 
should  have  freedom  of  handling,  reading,  and 
consulting ;  but  nothing  could  be  taken  out  of 
the  room  without  being  charged,  for  at  the 
door  would  sit  an  attendant.  At  present,  in 
our  library,  there  is  granted  to  every  mature 
person  making  application  for  it,  who  has  an 
earnest  literary  purpose,  a  permit  for  admis- 
sion among  the  alcoves ;  but  full  freedom  exists 
as  regards  the  departments  that  I  have  men- 
tioned— the  children's  department  and  the  de- 
partment for  new  books. 

In  a  late  number  of  the  Library  an  account 
is  given  of  the  opening  of  the  library  at  Clerk- 
enwell,  which  is  said  to  be  administered  upon 
the  principle  I  have  endeavored  to  outline, 
and  which  is  described  as  going  forward,  so 
far,  with  entire  success.  I  feel  that  in  allow- 
ing this  freedom  we  are  doing  a  great  thing 
for  our  readers.  Our  book  issue  this  year  will 
be  close  upon  500,000;  and  although  the  num- 
ber is  large,  we  have  had  no  excessive  loss 
and  no  great  inconvenience.  At  least,  the  loss 
and  inconvenience  which  we  have  suffered  are 
very  much  counterbalanced,  we  think,  by  the 
advantages  which  have  resulted. 

F:  M.  CRUNDEN. — It  seems  to  me  there  is  a 
little  bit  of  false  premise  on  one  point,  and 
that  is  the  statement  that  was  rather  dwelt  on, 
that  there  are  some  people  who  are  paying  for 
privileges  that  other  people  enjoy.  We  are,  to 
a  certain  extent,  a  cooperative  community,  but 
it  is  not  right  to  assume  that  we  are  collecting 
taxes  from  A  for  B's  benefit;  for  A  gets  just 
as  much  benefit  as  B  does.  Edward  Everett 
Hale  said  it  was  just  as  important  that  your 
neighbor's  children  should  read  good  books  as 


EIGHTH   SESSION. 


your  own.  I  think  you  will  all  agree  with  that. 
And  he  said,  too,  "  I  would  advise  any  man  or 
woman  to  give  time  and  money  to  the  building 
up  of  a  library  for  the  community  or  neighbor- 
hood, rather  than  his  private  library." 

As  a  cooperative  community,  it  is  a  perfectly 
legitimate  thing  for  us  to  combine  for  any- 
thing which  may  be  considered  to  inure  to  the 
general  benefit.  Under  this  head  come  parks, 
and  the  music  in  the  parks,  and  the  lighted 
streets.  It  may  be  said  with  regard  to  that 
that  we  are  collecting  from  A  for  the  benefit  of 
B.  The  rich  man  may  be  one  who  goes  to 
bed  early  and  has  no  need  for  street  lamps, 
and  can  have  his  own  premises  surrounded  by 
lamps ;  but  he  has  to  pay  for  lighting  up  the 
premises  where  poor  people  live.  Yet  it  is  for 
his  benefit  that  all  the  city  should  be  illumi- 
nated. It  is  the  same  with  the  light  of  in- 
telligence that  flows  from  the  public  library. 

J:  C.  DANA. — I  would  like  to  call  Mr. 
Crunden's  attention  to  the  fact  that  there  is  a 
great  difference  between  cooperations.  There 
is  voluntary  cooperation,  and  there  is  com- 
pulsory cooperation;  and  the  running  of  a 
public  library  is  the  outcome  of  compulsory 
cooperation.  You  introduce  the  element  of 
force  when  you  collect  the  taxes  for  a  public 
library.  I  was  pleased  to  hear  Mr.  Brett  offer 
the  opinion  that  if  you  do  introduce  the  ele- 
ment of  force  into  the  collecting  of  books  for 
a  public  library,  you  must  be  careful  to  justify 
yourself  by  the  results. 

So  f  af  as  I  understand  the  doctrine  of  pessi- 
mism I  am  a  thorough  going  pessimist ;  but  as 
regards  the  present  social  condition  of  the 
people  of  this  part  of  the  world.  I  am  by  no 
means  so.  The  very  things  that  have  been  cited 
here  as  reasons  for  a  pessimistic  view  of  the 
present  social  condition,  are  the  things  that 
should  give  us  comfort.  The  president  in  his 
address,  and,  as  I  understood  him,  Mr.  Brett 
again  in  his  paper,  alluded  to  the  social  unrest, 
and  to  the  wild  and  ignorant  theories,  and  to 
the  strikes  and  disturbances  of  one  kind  and 
another,  that  are  continually  taking  place  in 
this  country,  as  themselves  ills,  and  as  omens 
of  greater  ills.  It  takes,  however,  only  half  a 
thought  to  gather  from  these  things  comfort 
and  consolation .  May  we  not  believe  that  the 
fact  that  the  people  are  in  a  state  of  unrest  is  a 
good  thing  rather  than  a  bad  one  ?  It  assures 


us  to  a  degree,  of  the  continuance  of  the  pro- 
gress we  think  we  have  been  making  in  the 
last  200  years. 

Toward  this  belief  in  new  doctrines,  toward 
this  acceptance  of  the  latest  startling  fad  in 
sociology,  toward  all  these  things — factors  in 
the  general  unrest — the  public  library  happily 
does  its  part.  It  does  its  part  in  this  way, 
that  it  is  not  an  institution  in  which  the  ac- 
cepted canons  alone  are  taught.  It  is  not  the 
university  extension,  it  is  not  the  extension  of 
any  set  system  of  instruction.  It  is  the  exten- 
sion into  every  man's  home  of  the  possibility 
of  knowledge,  of  the  opportunity  of  wisdom. 
It  is  the  extension  to  the  humblest  of  the 
chance  of  learning  the  latest  thing  that  is  being 
taught  and  being  said.  The  average  man  will 
go  wrong  at  first,  no  doubt.  But  if  the  world 
is  to  go  on,  its  units  must  at  least  "  go." 
Wrong  views  are  the  steps  to  the  right  views. 
No  views  are  not  even  the  beginnings  of  wis- 
dom. So,  the  public  library  is,  above  all  things, 
educating  the  individual,  educating  for  per- 
sonality, educating  for  the  one  thing  that  it 
seems  to  me  is  to  be  desired,  and  is  above  all 
others  essential  for  the  continued  progress  of 
the  human  race,  that  there  shall  be  a  multitude 
of  differing  opinions. 

From  this  point  of  view,  you  see,  it  is  not 
altogether  correct  to  consider  that  the  public 
library  is  primarily  a  great  engine  for  creating 
good  citizens.  It  is  primarily  a  great  engine 
for  creating  good  individuals.  Let  us  bear  in 
mind  the  remark  that  a  good  man  will  not  obey 
the  laws  too  well.  We  should  rejoice  that  we 
have  in  our  hands  an  instrument  by  means  of 
which  we  may  create,  perhaps,  not  the  man 
who  fits  exactly  into  the  social  order  to-day, 
but  possibly  here  and  there  the  man  who  does 
not  fit  into  the  social  order  to-day,  but  may, 
none  the  less,  prove  to  be  the  man  who  will 
give  the  world  a  fillip  on  its  way. 

F:  M.  CRUNDEN. — I  want  to  back  up  what 
Mr.  Dana  said,  heartily.  Especially  his  last 
statement,  that  it  is  the  man  who  does  not  fit 
into  the  social  order  of  the  day  that  is  likely  to 
be  the  man  who  is  working  the  most  for  progress. 
In  so  far  as  Mr.  Brett's  paper  deprecated  the 
use  of  the  library  in  exploiting  new  opinions, 
I  disagree  with  him.  I  welcome  to  the  library 
all  sorts  of  opinions,  on  all  sorts  of  subjects. 
Some  of  them  are  perfectly  ridiculous,  it  seems 


i6o 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


to  me,  and  yet  they  may  be  the  opinions  that 
fifty  years  from  now  will  be  accepted. 

W:  H.  BRETT. — I  do  not  see  that  any  of  the 
comments  touch  the  pith  of  the  paper  at  all. 
Mr.  Crunden  furnished  me  two  or  three  further 
anolagies:  one,  in  quoting  the  remark  of  Ed- 
ward Everett  Hale,  in  which  he  said  that  it  was 
just  as  important  that  my  neighbor's  children 
should  read  a  good  book,  as  that  my  own  child 
should.  That  is  true ;  but  for  this  reason,  that 
my  neighbor's  child  will  therefore  become  a 
better  neighbor  and  more  valuable,  not  only  to 
me  and  my  child,  but  to  all  the  other  families 
in  the  community;  and  unless  my  neighbor's 
child  was  going  to  be  bettered  by  reading  a 
good  book,  I  do  not  see  why  I  should  pay  any 
money  to  have  it  do  so.  We  have  no  right  to 
spend  money  for  public  libraries  unless  the 
community  is  thereby  benefited  by  it. 

F:  M.  CRUNDEN. — The  reason  why  a  com- 
munity can  support  a  public  library  is  because 
it  chooses  to  do  it.  It  says  we  want  a  public 
library;  we  want  a  place  where  we  can  go  and 
get  the  new  books  that  come  out  without  each 
of  us  having  to  buy  them  ourselves.  It  is  a 
general  principle  of  cooperation.  We  want  a 
public  library  for  the  same  reason  that  we  want 
a  public  reservoir.  So  far  as  compulsory  co- 
operation is  concerned,  all  governmental  co- 
operation is  compulsory ;  that  is,  it  is  the  law 
of  the  majority  expressed  in  governmental  or- 
ganization, even  against  the  will  of  the  mi- 
nority. 

C:  C.  SOULE  read  his  paper  on 

LAW  BOOKS  FOR  GENERAL  LIBRARIES. 

(Seep.  loj.) 

Request  was  voted  that  Mr.  Soule  add,  for 
publication,  a  list  of  one  hundred  best  law 
books,  within  the  scope  indicated  by  his  paper. 

DR.  O.  HARTWIG'S  project  for  the 

REPRODUCTION      AND     INTERCHANGE      OF      MANU- 
SCRIPTS 

was  to  have  been  presented  by  Justin  Winsor. 
It  was  necessarily  omitted,  both  on  account  of 
his  absence  and  because  the  paper  itself  was  not 
at  hand. 

Pres.  LARNED. — It  is  estimated  that,  at  a 
cost  of  zoo  francs  to  as  many  libraries  as  might 
reasonably  be  expected  to  take  part  in  this 
scheme,  there  can  be  an  extensive  reproduc- 


tion of  certain  rare  manuscripts.  The  feeling 
of  my  trustees  is  that  we  should  not  hesitate 
for  a  moment  to  become  subscribers  to  this, 
and  for  two  reasons.  If  it  is  not  done  now  it 
will  not  be  proposed  again  for  a  long  time  to 
come.  It  might  afford  librarians  the  only 
opportunity  they  may  have  for  a  century,  to 
get  copies  of  these  manuscripts.  In  the  second 
place,  even  if  we  are  poor,  we  ought  to  be 
willing  to  give  at  least  $20  a  year  for  the  en- 
couragement of  such  a  proposition  as  this  of 
Dr.  Hartwig's. 

W:  I.  FLETCHER. — What  sort  of  manuscripts 
were  referred  to  ?  Are  they  those  of  a  literary 
value  or  historical  value ;  more  one  or  the 
other  ? 

Pres.  LARNED. — It  is  my  impression  that 
they  refer  more  to  the  manuscripts  of  literary 
value.  As  I  remember  the  paper  I  do  not 
think  that  there  was  a  very  definite  statement 
as  to  the  character.  The  idea,  generally,  was 
that  libraries  would  be  able  in  that  way  to  get 
copies  of  manuscripts  which  scholars  wanted 
and  could  not  borrow. 

R.  B.  POOLE. — I  do  not  think  we  can  do  very 
much  without  more  exact  information.  Some 
would  like  one  class  of  manuscripts  and  some 
another,  and  the  question  would  arise  what 
number  of  manuscripts  we  should  get.  It  de- 
pends very  much  on  the  character  of  the  manu- 
scripts. Some  of  us  might  like  Biblical  manu- 
scripts, and  others  might  like  those  of  a 
historical  nature. 

Sec.  HILL. — I  move  that  this  matter  15e  refer- 
red to  the  cooperation  committee,  with  the 
request  to  investigate  and  get  as  much  informa- 
tion on  the  subject  as  they  can.  Voted. 

B.  C.  STEINER  and  S :  H.  RANCK  being  absent 
Recorder  CARR  read  their 

REPORT  ON   ACCESS   TO   THE   SHELVES. 

(See  p.  87.) 

W:  H.  BRETT. — As  to  the  displacement  of 
books  on  the  shelves,  it  is  a  slight  objection, 
but  not  at  all  a  serious  one.  In  our  library  we 
are  doing  our  work  with  not  more  than  three- 
fourths  the  attendants  and  are  saving  not  less 
than  $3,000  in  salaries  every  year. 

As  to  the  question  of  more  room,  it  should  be 
borne  in  mind  that  all  floor  space  in  the  alcoves 
is  so  much  space  added  to  the  public  room.  If 
you  shut  the  books  up  you  must  still  provide 


EIGHTH  SESSION. 


161 


sufficient  public  room.  The  difference  is  not 
so  large  as  might  appear  at  first  thought. 

As  to  its  being  experimental,  the  plan  has 
been  in  operation  in  Cleveland  for  four  and  a 
half  years,  and  the  circulation  of  the  library 
has  considerably  more  than  doubled.  I  think 
it  is  beyond  the  experimental  stage  there. 

Miss  THERESA  H.  WEST. — I  should  like  to 
ask  what  is  the  definition  of  access  to  shelves. 
Can  a  library  be  said  to  grant  access  to  shelves 
when  it  has  glass  doors  in  front  of  its  cases  ? 

W:  H.  BRETT. — The  Cleveland  Public  Library 
has  glass  doors.  They  serve  the  very  useful 
purpose  of  protecting  the  books  from  dust 
while  the  janitor  is  sweeping.  They  are 
thrown  open  with  the  utmost  freedom,  and  left 
open  during  the  clay. 

Sec.  HILL. — The  Newark  Free  Public  Li- 
brary grants  access  to  shelves  in  all  depart- 
ments except  fiction.  It  would  be  very  glad 
to  open  the  fiction  department  if  the  books 
were  easily  accessible,  but  if  three  or  four 
persons  get  into  the  passageway  it  blocks  it 
up  so  that  we  can  not  get  at  the  books  to  issue 
them  from  the  delivery  desk. 

We  have  had  this  open  privilege  for  some 
two  years  and  a  half.  The  reference  depart- 
ment has  been  free  for  five  years,  or  ever  since 
we  started.  Our  total  loss  from  home  issues 
and  the  use  of  books  in  the  library  in  the  ref- 
erence department,  and  with  free  shelves,  has 
amounted  to  32  in  a  year,  which  I  think  is  say- 
ing a  good  word  for  the 'free  use  of  the  library 
or  access  to  shelves. 

A  quotation  is  made  in  Dr.  Steirier's  report  in 
regard  to  looking  over  the  shelves  every  morn- 
ing, when  the  dusting  is  done.  That  quota- 
tion, I  presume,  is  from  a  letter  which  I  wrote 
Dr.  Steiner.  When  he  sent  his  paper  to  me  he 
said  that  he  did  not  think  it  could  be  done.  I 
did  not  mean  to  state  that  every  book  was 
taken  down  every  morning,  and  carefully 
dusted  and  put  back  in  its  place  and  the  shelf 
list  verified  at  the  same  time.  What  I  did 
mean  to  say  was,  that  the  six  or  seven  messen- 
gers and  the  three  or  four  delivery  clerks  do 
go  over  the  shelves  with  dust  cloth,  etc. ,  and 
read  the  shelves  as  they  go  along  and  put  the 
books  up  in  their  places.  They  do  that  every 
morning,  and  we  have  very  little  trouble  with 
the  books  being  out  of  place.  We  are  very 
well  satisfied  with  our  experiment  with  open 


shelves,  and  if  we  had  plenty  of  room,  lack  of 
which  is  the  only  drawback,  we  would  open 
our  fiction  department  to  the  public  absolutely 
free. 

Miss  THERESA  H.  WEST. — It  seems  to  me 
there  is  one  point  in  favor  of  free  access  that 
has  not  been  brought  out,  which  is  that  our 
assistants  have  certain  rights  we  ought  to  re- 
gard. If  assistants  are  given  the  charge  of 
certain  classes  of  literature  they  can  fit  them- 
selves to  know  about  and  assist  users  of  each 
class.  They  can  make  themselves  specialists 
in  history,  sociology,  or  science.  They  cannot 
well  spread  themselves  all  over  the  library, 
but  can  know  fully  the  one  class  that  they 
have  charge  of. 

J  :  C.  DANA. — I  think  that  question  might  be 
put  personally,  like  this :  Which  of  these  two 
plans  would  any  of  you  prefer  if  you  were 
students,  or  wanted  to  be  students,  or  thought 
you  were  students  ?  Suppose  you  go  to  a  pub- 
lic library,  or  any  other  library,  and  are  inter- 
ested in  the  money  question.  You  may  say 
you  would  like  to  read  something  on  the  sub- 
ject, or  that  you  are  preparing  a  paper  on  that 
subject.  This  special  librarian  who  is  familiar 
with  books  on  social  science,  and  perhaps  with 
books  on  finance,  may  say  to  you,  "  I  made  for 
several  years  a  study  of  familiarizing  myself 
with  books  on  finance.  I  can  tell  you  all  you 
want  to  know  about  it."  You  then  say,  "  Well, 
tell  me  what  kind  of  books  I  ought  to  read." 
She  tells  you.  She  brings  one  or  two  or  three 
books  to  you.  Are  you  satisfied  ?  I  think  not. 

But  supposing  she  shows  you  the  shelves  of 
books  on  finance.  She  stands  beside  you  and 
says:  "  This  book  is  now  out  of  date,  but  here 
are  fifteen  books  written  recently  on  the 
finance"  question.  Sit  down  here  and  look 
them  over,  and  when  satisfied  what  you  want, 
you  can  take  it  away  with  you." 

G.  M.  JONES. — Mr.  Dana  has  given  the  best 
possible  explanation  of  the  practical  working 
of  my  idea.  The  readers  who  come  to  the 
library  aye  of  two  classes — first,  the  readers 
that  want  a  particular  book;  second,  those 
that  do  not  know  what  they  want,  and,  unless 
the  attendant  knows  something  about  the  sub- 
ject, are  more  likely  to  get  the  wrong  book 
than  the  right  one.  This  work  requires  a 
higher  class  of  attendants  than  we  usually 
have.  Mr.  Green,  of  Worcester,  in  a  letter  to 


162 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


me  in  regard  to  the  number  of  attendants, 
pay,  etc.,  spoke  of  having  the  very  best  class 
of  attendants  and  paying  them  well.  I  think 
he  partly  applies  that  plan  in  his  library. 

J :  C.  DANA. — When  I  go  to  a  drygoods  store 
I  stand  on  the  outside  of  the  counter.  I  ask 
5'ou  again  if,  when  you  to  go  to  a  library  to 
make  investigations,  you  want  to  stay  on  the 
outside  of  the  counter  ?  I  do  not  pretend  to 
say  that  we  have  in  the  libraries  of  Denver 
assistants  who  can  tell  anybody  what  is  the 
right  book  to  read  in  finance,  but  we  do  have 
somebody  in  the  library  who  can  say :  ' '  We 
have  not  a  great  many  books  on  finance,  but 
we  have  a  few  here.  We  have  Bowker  and 
lies'  "Reader's  Guide;"  take  this  guide  and 
pick  out  what  you  wish."  This  differs,  accord- 
ing to  my  observation,  from  the  personal  feel- 
ing of  being  fed  with  the  books  through  a  hole 
in  a  wire  fence. 

H:  J.  CARR.— I  think  that  if  Mr.  Dana  will 
take  a  little  broader  view  he  will  find  three  of 
us  here  in  accord.  It  depends  on  the  cus- 
tomer, the  kind  of  stock,  and  what  he  wants. 
I  have  frequent  occasion  to  buy  hardware, 
and  it's  a  matter  I  know  something  about, 
yet  I  go  to  the  store,  sometimes,  and  say,  "I 
want  to  accomplish  such  and  such  things; 
what  is  there  that  will  fit  my  purpose  ?"  The 
clerk  produces  an  article  that  answers  my 
purpose,  and  I  take  it  and  go  away.  I  go 
into  the  store  another  time  and  he  starts  to 
show  me  some  goods.  I  say,  "  Can't  I  go  in 
there  to  the  shelves  and  see  those  things  ? " 
He  serves  me  that  way.  Again,  I  go  to  the 
store,  and  desiring  something  not  commonly  in 
stock,  I  ask  to  see  the  catalog.  We  look  over 
the  catalog  together,  and  he  helps  me  about  it. 
I  think  that  if  we  take  a  broad  view  of  it  we 
will  find  there  are  several  ways  of  arriving  at 
the  same  result. 

J.  K.  HOSMER. — Mr.  Carr  says  he  knows 
something  about  hardware,  and  so  he  describes 
what  he  would  like  to  do  if  he  went  into  a 
hardware  store.  People  who  come  to  us  know 
something  about  books;  they  know  a  good 
deal  about  books,  too,  and  it  seems  to  me  such 
a  course  as  would  be  congenial  to  him  would 
be  congenial  to  the  borrowers  who  are  search- 
ing for  books.  I  think  I  may  have  been  mis- 
apprehended, perhaps,  in  what  I  said  about 
putting  the  public  inside,  and  the  staff  outside 


of  the  library.  I  would  by  no  means  have 
only  an  attendant  at  the  gate.  It  seems  to  me 
that  there  should  be  intelligent  guidance 
among  the  alcoves  and  about  the  racks 
wherever  they  are.  In  our  own  library,  at 
Minneapolis,  when  a  person  makes  application 
for  books  the  catalog  is  first  put  at  his  dis- 
posal; then  the  reference  librarian,  or  some 
one  of  the  attendants,  or  myself,  is  in  the 
habit  of  going  to  the  shelves  with  the  applicant 
and  doing  what  we  can  towards  pointing  out 
what  is  a  good  book  and  what  is  an  undesirable 
one.  Then  we  leave  the  individual  free  to 
choose. 

W.  H.  AUSTIN. — It  seems  to  me  that  at 
Cornell  we  have  arrived  at  a  solution  of  the 
problem  that  is  quite  as  near  as  we  can  hope 
for.  We  put  out  in  the  reading-room  the  best 
books  on  all  subjects  and  let  users  go  to  the 
books  freely,  and  make  them  feel  that  we  give 
the  best  general  selection  of  the  latest  books. 
It  is  only  a  specialist  wanting  to  get  at  the 
whole  literature,  good,  bad,  or  indifferent,  of 
any  subject,  that  needs  to  go  into  the  large 
reservoir  of  books  kept  in  the  stack-rooms.  To 
such  persons,  of  course,  we  do  as  you  all  do, 
grant  free  admission.  But  those  books  that 
are  put  out  where  they  can  get  to  them  freely, 
in  most  cases  answer  all  purposes. 

R.  G.  THWAITES. — My  own  library  is  prac- 
tically a  college  library;  90  per  cent,  of  our 
users  are  college  students.  I  have  somewhat 
the  same  experience  as  the  speaker  preceding 
me.  We  put  in  our  reading-room  all  ency- 
clopaedias, and  all  the  special  handbooks,  and 
everything  of  that  sort.  We  find  that  the 
students  in  the  freshman  and  sophomore  classes 
are  not  benefited  at  all  by  being  let  into  the 
reservoir,  as  he  says,  of  general  literature. 
Their  researches  are  of  a  very  limited  char- 
acter. They  state  to  the  attendant  what  they 
want,  and  as  we  are  fortunate  in  having  a  grad- 
uate of  Brown  University  for  an  attendant, 
who  is  very  competent  indeed,  we  find  that  the 
students  are  much  better  served  by  letting  him 
select  their  books  for  them.  The  professors, 
and  the  students  who  are  doing  more  serious 
work,  are  allowed  the  utmost  liberty  of  the 
shelves.  They  get  whatever  assistance  we 
can  give  them  in  the  alcoves;  but,  certainly, 
with  the  lower-class  men  an  intelligent  at- 
tendant at  the  counter  will  be  of  more  use  than 


NINTH  SESSION. 


163 


to  allow  them  to  ramble  among  the  shelves. 
Many  a  young  freshman  has  come  back  to  the 
attendant  saying,  "  I  don't  know  what  I  want, 
give  me  something."  We  practically  let  every- 
body go  to  the  shelves  who  can  use  them 
properly  and  understandingly. 

Miss  ELLEN  M.  CHANDLER  read  the  general 
contribution  of 

"  DON'TS." 
(See  p.  104.) 

Sec.  HILL  read  the  various  items  and  queries 
which  were  found  in  the 

QUESTION   BOX. 

W:  C.  LANE'S  letter  of  September  12,  1894, 
was  read  by  the  secretary.  It  described  with 
considerable  detail '  certain  experiments  in  li- 
brary work  at  the  Boston  Athenaeum,  now 
communicated  by  Mr.  Lane  as  suggestions,  as 
well  as  furnishing,  perhaps,  a  basis  for  some 
cooperative  work  on  the  part  of  other  libraries. 
The  points  which  he  named  included  more 
particularly  : 

1.  A  plan  of  using  a  special  card  with  a 
printed  scheme  upon  it,  for  cataloging  portraits 
and  other  illustrations,  including  photographs 
separately  mounted  or  in  albums,  and  engrav- 
ings and  other  plates  in  books.     Samples  of 
the  various  cards  accompanied  the  letter. 

2.  A  method  of  consolidating  and  making 
most  useful  the  various  reading  lists  and  spe- 
cial bibliographies  published  in  library  bulletins 
or    in  separate  pamphlet  form.      Mainly  by 
cutting  out  the  sundry  items   and  mounting 
them  on  sheets  of  manila,   six  by  nine  inches 
in  size,  bearing  the  name  of  the  subject  on 
upper  margin    and   placed    alphabetically   in 
boxes  for  consultation.     Brief  descriptive  no- 
tices of  new  books,  also  treated  in  a  similar 
manner,  and  arranged  alphabetically  in  a  box 
kept  in  the  same  room  where  new  books  are 
exposed  for  inspection,  taking  the  place,  in 
some  respects,  of  the  notes  formerly  inserted 
in  printed  "  Lists  of  Additions." 

Adjourned  at  5:55  P.M. 

NINTH  SESSION. 

(MIRROR    LAKE    HOTEL,     FRIDAY     MORNING, 

SEPTEMBER  21.) 

Pres.  LARNED  called  the  meeting  to  order  at 
9-45  A.M. 


PLACE   OF  NEXT  MEETING. 

Advice  came  by  cable  through  the  Library 
Bureau  that  there  had  been  mailed  by  Secretary 
MAC-ALISTER  of  the  L.  A.  U.  K. ,  an  invitation 
to  meet  with  that  association  in  International 
Conference  in  London,  in  1895. 

That  invitation,  bearing  date  Sept.  10,  1894, 
was  subsequently  received  and  read  at  the 
loth  session. 

W:  R.  EASTMAN  read  a  telegram  from  the 
mayor  of  Jamestown  inviting  the  Association 
to  hold  its  1895  meeting  in  that  city. 

R.  B.  POOLE. — As  we  have  met  in  New  York 
state  this  year,  I  move  that  we  omit  Chautau- 
qua  from  the  list  of  places  under  consideration. 
Voted. 

C:  C.  SOULE. — I  move  that  the  executive 
board  arrange  for  a  conference  at  the  seaside, 
to  be  followed  by  an  excursion  to  England  to 
attend  the  proposed  International  Conference ; 
the  time  to  be  determined  by  later  information 
in  regard  to  the  date  of  that  meeting.  Lost. 

W:  I.  FLETCHER. — I  move  that  we  take  an 
informal  ballot  for  place  of  next  meeting  as 
between  Denver  and  Cleveland.  Voted. 

The  secretary  and  recorder  were  appointed 
tellers,  and  the  result  of  the  informal  ballot 
showed  a  majority  for  Denver. 

R.  G.  THWAITES. — I  move  that  the  informal 
ballot  be  declared  formal.  Voted. 

W:  H.  BRETT. — I  move  that  the  vote  be 
made  unanimous.  Voted. 

MELVIL  DEWEY. — I  move  that  the  invitation 
for  a  meeting  in  England  be  accepted  for  1896, 
if  agreeable  to  the  L.  A.  U.  K. ,  and  practicable 
to  do  so ;  and  that  otherwise  it  be  left  to  the 
executive  board  with  power.  Voted. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Utley,  and  amendment  by 
Mr.  Jones,  it  was  Voted — That  it  is  the  opinion 
of  the  Association  that  the  next  meeting 
should  be  held  about  the  middle  of  June,  but 
that  the  whole  matter  be  referred  to  the  exec- 
utive board. 

ELECTION  OF   PRESIDENT. 

First  ballot.  Number  of  votes  cast,  138;  of 
which  H:  M.  Utley  received  64,  W:  H.  Brett 
43,  Theresa  H.  West  29,  Caroline  M.  Hewins  2. 

The  name  of  Miss  West  was  withdrawn. 

Second  ballot.  Number  of  votes  cast,  108 ; 
of  which  H:  M.  Utley  received  64,  W:  H. 
Brett  42,  Caroline  M.  Hewins  2.  (The  first 


164 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


ballot  contained  many  endorsed  votes  left  with 
the  tellers  on  the  part  of  those  going  away 
before  the  hour  set  for  close  of  the  voting  as 
authorized;  and  those  absentees  had  no  par- 
ticipation in  the  second  ballot.) 

W:  H.  Brett  moved  that  the  election  of  Mr. 
Utley  be  made  unanimous.  Voted. 

FURTHER     NOMINATIONS. 

J:  C.  DANA,  W:  C.  LANE,  W:  H.  BRETT,  and 
THERESA  H.  WEST  were  put  in  nomination  for 
vice-president. 

C:  C.  SOULE  was  nominated  for  trustee  of 
the  endowment  fund. 

Sec.  HILL. — I  move  that  in  the  vote  for  vice- 
president  the  three  highest  on  the  list  shall  be 
declared  elected.  Amended  to  the  effect  that 
the  same  rule  be  applied  in  the  case  of  the 
other  officers.  Voted, 

ELECTION  OF  OTHER  OFFICERS. 

Vice-President — J:  C.  Dana,  70;  Mary  S. 
Cutler,  58;  Ellen  M.  Coe,  44  (seven  others 
received  votes  varying  from  2  to  41). 

Secretary — Frank  P.  Hill,  77  (eight  others 
scattering). 

Treasurer  —  George  Watson  Cole,  89  (two 
others  scattering). 

Trustee  of  Endowment  Fitnd — C:  C.  Soule, 
48  (38  votes  were  cast  for  J:  M.  Glenn). 

Council — W:  C.  Lane,  72;  Theresa  H.  West, 
61 ;  Caroline  M.  Hewins,  57;  Caroline  H.  Gar- 
land, 48  (four  others  received  votes  from  28 
to  35  each). 

Voted. — That  the  above  be  declared  elected 
unanimously. 

MISCELLANEOUS   BUSINESS. 

J.  N.  WING  explained  the  work  of  the  Book- 
sellers and  Stationers'  Provident  Association, 
and  presented  a  resolution  recommending  said 
Association  to  librarians  as  a  desirable,  safe 
and  economical  means  of  life  insurance. 

MELVIL  DEWEY. — There  is  a  provision  in  our 
constitution  which  forbids  this  Association 
promulgating  any  recommendation  in  regard  to 
library  administration  till  approved  by  the 
council.  I  therefore  move  that  we  refer  the 
resolution  to  the  council.  I  do  it  as  a  friend 
of  the  movement,  but  think  we  ought  to  act 
in  this  matter  as  individuals,  not  as  an  Asso- 
ciation. Voted. 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL  SOCIETY  OF  LONDON. 

GEO.  WATSON  COLE. — Early  in  April  or  May 
it  came  to  my  knowledge  that  the  Bibliograph- 
ical Society  of  London  had  determined  to  close 
their  list  of  membership  and  I  immediately 
sent  on  my  subscription.  Since  then  the  mem- 
bership has  been  extended  and  fifty  members 
have  been  allotted  to  America.  I  understand 
that  fifteen  vacancies  have  occurred,  and  it 
seems  to  me  that  this  is  in  the  line  of  our 
work.  This  society  was  formed  in  1892.  Its  , 
objects  are  stated  to  be: 

1.  The  acquisition  of  information  upon  sub- 
jects connected  with  bibliography. 

2.  The  promotion    and    encouragement  of 
bibliographical  studies  and  researches. 

3.  Printing  and  publishing  of    works  con- 
nected with  bibliography,  and  the  formation  of 
a  bibliographical  library. 

There  were  eight  meetings  held  this  year, 
and  they  have  already  issued  their  first  volume 
of  transactions.  One  of  the  works  which  this 
society  proposes  to  undertake  is  a  bibliography 
of  English  literature;  also  monographs  on 
other  bibliographical  subjects.  The  edition  of 
their  publications  is  restricted  to  the  number  of 
members.  That  number  is  limited,  and  the 
librarians  in  this  country  ought  to  be  well 
represented.  The  price  of  membership  is  a 
guinea  a  year;  and  the  publications  which 
have  already  been  prepared,  including  the 
volume  of  transactions,  the  annual  year  book, 
and  other  papers,  can  be  supplied  for  $7. 75. 

If  any  would  like  to  become  members  of  the 
society  they  can  communicate  with  Mr.  Wing 
or  with  me,  and  we  shall  be  glad  to  forward 
their  names  to  the  secretary  in  New  York. 

J.  K.  HOSMER,  chairman,  presented  the  fol- 
lowing as  the 

REPORT   OF   COMMITTEE   ON    RESOLUTIONS. 

Resolved,  That  the  A.  L.  A.  hereby  expresses 
grateful  appreciation  of  the  consideration  given 
by  the  committee  on  printing  of  the  Senate 
and  House  of  Representatives  to  requests 
for  more  favorable  legislation  in  the  matter 
of  distributing  public  documents  to  the  libraries 
of  the  country,  as  shown  by  the  incorporation 
in  the  printing  bill  H.  R.  2,650,  now  pending 
in  Congress,  of  a  provision  for  supplying  de- 
positories of  documents  with  many  publications 
not  hitherto  regularly  furnished  them,  and  for 
cataloging  and  indexing  documents  hereafter 
to  be  issued;  which  bill  the  Association  most 
earnestly  hopes  may  become  a  law. 


TENTH  SESSION. 


165 


Resolved,  That  inasmuch  as  regular  de- 
positories are  limited  in  number  to  500  (or  less 
than  one-tenth  of  the  libraries  of  the  country), 
and  therefore  many  important  libraries  cannot 
be  placed  upon  the  list  of  depositories,  the 
Association  respectfully  urges  that  original 
Sec.  66  of  the  beforementioned  bill  be  retained, 
to  the  end  at  least  500  additional  libraries  may 
be  regularly,  and  in  virtue  of  statutory  enact- 
ments, supplied  with  the  more  valuable  publi- 
cations of  the  government. 

Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  utility  of 
satisfactory  indexes  of  public  documents  and 
of  the  great  need  of  a  comprehensive  index  of 
all  documents  heretofore  published,  the  Asso- 
ciation most  earnestly  recommends  that  pro- 
vision be  made  by  Congress  for  the  early  prep- 
aration of  a  complete  alphabetic  index  of  said 
documents;  or,  at  least,  of  all  documents  issued 
since  the  publication  of  the  catalog  prepared  by 
the  late  Major  Poore. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  judgment  of  this 
Association,  that  depositories  should  by  all 
means  be  supplied  with  the  journals  of  the 
Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  and  it 
therefore  requests  the  Senate  to  recede  from 
its  amendment  No.  85,  and  allow  the  original 
provision  of  the  bill  to  stand;  also,  that  the 
Senate  likewise  recede  from  its  amendment 
No.  77,  and  substitute  therefor  a  provision  for 
supplying  such  depositories  as  may  desire 
them  with  copies  of  all  bills  and  resolutions. 

Whereas,  The  libraries  of  the  United  States 
find  it  difficult  to  procure  desirable  official  pub- 
lications of  foreign  governments,  owing  to  lack 
of  full  and  definite  information  in  regard  to 
them, 

Resolved,  That  the  A.  L.  A.  request  the 
Secretary  of  State  of  the  United  States  to  pro- 
cure, if  possible,  through  the  accredited  agents 
of  the  diplomatic  service  abroad,  such  detailed 
information  as  shall  furnish  the  material  for  a 
list  of  the  official  publications  of  foreign  gov- 
ernments. 

Also,  That  the  secretary  of  this  Association 
forward  a  copy  of  this  request  to  the  Secretary 
of  State,  and  that  the  Bureau  of  Education  be 
requested  to  cooperate. 

Also,  That  the  matter  be  referred  to  a  spe- 
cial committee,  which,  in  the  event  of  the  Sec- 
retary of  State  acceding  to  this  request,  shall 
furnish  full  details  of  the  information  desired. 

Resolved ',  That  the  A.  L.  A.  requests  that  all 
periodical  library  publications  issued  to  give 
information  on  new  books  and  kindred  sub- 
jects, even  though  distributed  gratuitously,  be 
permitted  to  be  entered  as  second-class  mail 
matter  by  the  United  States  Postal  authorities. 

Also,  That  a  copy  of  this  Resolution  be  sent 
by  the  secretary  of  this  Association  to  the  Post 
Master  General. 

Resolved,  That  the  A.  L.  A.  desires  and  will 
encourage  by  every  means  in  its  power  the  use 


of  strong  paper  and  substantial  binding  in  book 
publishing,  and  that  it  urges  all  publishers  to 
supply  good  library  editions  fulfilling  these  re- 
quirements. 

Resolved,  That  the  A.  L.  A.  requests  pub- 
lishers of  magazines,  who  do  not  fold  title 
pages  and  indexes  with  their  publications,  to 
forward  to  all  libraries  on  their  mailing  lists 
title  pages  and  indexes  as  soon  as  published. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  with  sorrow  this  Associa- 
tion learns  of  the  death  of  one  of  its  members, 
Charles  E.  Lowrey,  librarian  of  the  University 
of  Colorado,  a  man  distinguished  among  his 
co-workers  for  the  deep  interest  he  took  in  his 
profession  and  for  his  high  scholarship,  and 
tenders  its  earnest  sympathy  to  the  family  of 
the  deceased. 

Resolved,  That  the  executive  board  be  in- 
structed to  obtain,  when  possible,  all  papers  to 
be  read  at  an  A.  L.  A.  meeting,  at  least  one 
month  before  the  meeting ;  that  they  cause  to 
be  printed  and  distributed  to  all  members  of 
the  Association  such  of  those  papers  as  in  their 
opinion  it  would  be  advisable  to  have  read  at 
the  meeting  in  abstract  only,  and  that  such 
papers  be  so  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  A.  L.  A.  greets  with 
pleasure  the  publication  of  a  compend  of  liter- 
ary routine,  such  as  "  Hints  to  small  libraries," 
prepared  by  Miss  Plummer  and  published  by 
the  Pratt  Institute,  and  recognizes  it  as  a  useful 
and  timely  addition  to  library  science. 

The  several  resolutions  were  all  adopted  ex- 
cept the  last  one,  and  that  was  accepted  and 
referred  to  the  council. 

The  matter  of  the  appointment  of  a  committee 
to  visit  Washington  at  the  proper  time  to  aid 
in  the  passage  of  the  bill  relating  to  public 
documents,  was  referred  to  the  executive 
board. 

Adjourned  at  12.55  p-  M- 

TENTH  SESSION. 

(MIRROR    LAKE    HOTEL,   SATURDAY    MORNING, 
SEPTEMBER  22.) 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Pres. 
LARNED  at  9.45  A.  M. 

The  session  was  chiefly  devoted  to  remarks 
by  various  speakers 

IN    MEMORY    OF    THE    LATE    WILLIAM    FREDERICK 
POOLE,  LL.D. 

W:  I.  FLETCHER. — I  have  been  asked  to 
speak  to-day  of  "Dr.  Poole  as  an  indexer," 
but  1  am  unwilling  that  the  inference  should 


i66 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


be  drawn  by  those  not  familiar  with  the 
circumstances,  that  my  acquaintance  with  Dr. 
Poole  was  mainly  in  connection  with  the  index, 
on  which  we  collaborated  for  years.  On  the 
contrary,  this  was  but  one  of  the  ways,  and 
not  the  chief  one,  in  which  I  had  been  asso- 
ciated with  him. 

Beginning  in  my  boyhood,  I  was  in  daily 
association  with  him  for  five  years,  as  his 
assistant  in  the  Boston  Athenaeum  library, 
and  then  it  was  that  I  came  to  love  and  honor 
him  as  a  man  and  a  friend.  He  was  one  of 
God's  noblemen,  and  while  he  was  highly  ap- 
preciated and  honored  by  the  great  world  in 
which  he  came  to  be  so  well  known,  there  was 
a  tender  and  intimate  phase  of  his  character 
which  only  those  who  were  privileged  to  know 
him  well  could  rightly  estimate . 

To  have  known  him  well,  to  have  felt  the 
sweetness  of  his  loving  disposition,  was  a 
blessing  for  a  lifetime .  How  much  those  of  us 
who  grew  up  under  his  guidance  and  thought- 
ful oversight  owe  to  him  we  shall  probably 
never  know ;  but  we  do  know  that  the  world 
seems  empty  with  him  no  longer  here. 

There  are  some  things  about  Dr.  Poole' s 
work  as  an  indexer  which  it  may  be  interest- 
ing to  recount.  The  origin  of  his  index  work 
is  significant.  It  grew  out  of  the  demands  of 
his  work  as  a  librarian,  and  not  from  any 
desire  to  figure  as  an  author  or  editor.  Find- 
ing that  there  was  a  mine  of  wealth  hidden 
away  in  the  sets  of  old  periodicals  which  were 
accumulating  dust  on  the  shelves  of  the  college 
society's  library,  of  which  he  had  charge,  he 
began  a  manuscript  index  to  them,  without 
thought  of  printing  it.  But  by  his  indefati- 
gable industry,  his  index  was  soon  so  complete, 
and  it  became  so  useful,  that  its  printing  was 
demanded.  The  first  edition  was  printed  in 
1848,  while  he  was  yet  a  junior  in  college. 
[Mr.  Fletcher  exhibited  a  copy  of  this  first 
edition,  which  was  passed  about  the  room.] 

Dr.  Poole' s  method  as  an  indexer  is  worth 
noting.  He  always  had  a  definite  idea  of  the 
superiority  of  purely  alphabetical  arrangement, 
and  would  never  hear  of  any  form  of  classi- 
fied list  to  be  substituted  for  the  alphabetical. 
If  you  will  look  at  this  first  edition,  you  will 
observe  that  while  some  of  the  details  are 
different,  the  same  general  methods  and  prin- 
ciples are  employed  that  appear  in  the  latest 


edition.  That  this  junior  in  Yale  College 
should  have  been  able  to  decide  upon  the 
arrangement  of  this  index  so  well  that  in  all 
these  years  it  has  not  been  found  expedient  to 
make  any  radical  change,  is  an  indication  of 
his  clear-headed  appreciation  of  library  wants, 
and  how  to  meet  them. 

As  collaborator  with  Dr.  Poole  in  this  work 
for  many  years,  I  have  to  testify  that  in  nearly 
every  case  where  I  differed  from  him  as  to  a 
question  of  arrangement  or  style,  I  became 
satisfied  that  he  was  right.  He  was  so  self- 
reliant  a  man  that  he  was  impatient  of  rules 
when  they  became  a  restraint.  I  venture  to 
say,  however,  that  from  the  standpoint  of 
practical  utility  his  decisions  of  most  points, 
even  against  well-accepted  catalogue  rules,  will 
be  generally  accepted. 

I  remember  when  the  question  arose  about 
the  different  St.  Thomas's,  and  I  was  in  favor 
of  a  simple  adherence  to  the  rule  that  all  per- 
sons canonized  should  be  entered  under  the 
Christian  name.  But  the  Doctor  would  not 
allow  Becket  to  follow  this  rule.  As  between 
Aquinas  and  Becket,  he  offered  to  compromise 
with  me,  I  to  take  Aquinas  for  the  Thomas's, 
he  to  take  Becket. 

A  strange  way,  this,  to  settle  such  a  ques- 
tion !  the  martinet  in  indexing  would  say. 
But,  as  I  have  already  intimated,  Dr.  Poole' s 
common  sense  taught  him  when  rules  should 
be  broken  in  the  interest  of  intelligent  readers, 
unfamiliar  with  technicalities,  and  it  can  hardly 
be  doubted  that  his  index  is  more  useful  than 
it  would  be  without  these  departures  from 
established  usage. 

As  the  principal  collaborator  with  Dr.  Poole 
in  his  index-work,  I  am  glad  of  this  opportunity 
to  testify  to  my  admiration  for  his  qualities, 
not  only  as  a  man  and  a  friend,  but  as  a 
literary  workman,  especially  as  an  indexer. 
To  him,  mainly,  still  belongs  the  credit  for 
whatever  is  good  and  useful  in  the  great  work 
which  will  always  be  his  chief  monument. 

Dr.  G:  E.  WIRE.— Mr.  Fletcher  has  just 
given  you  some  reminiscences  of  Dr.  Poole, 
particularly  of  his  earlier  years.  He  has  also 
spoken  quite  at  length  as  to  his  characteristics 
and  his  peculiarities.  Mr.  Fletcher  had  known 
him  for  many  years,  and  been  associated  with 
him  at  an  earlier  period  of  his  life.  I  am  to 
make  some  remarks  on  the  later  years  of  his 


TENTH   SESSION. 


167 


life,  when  I  was  thrown  into  daily  contact  with 
him  in  the  library.  We  also  lived  in  the  same 
suburb,  and  frequently  used  to  be  on  the  same 
train,  either  going  or  coming. 

My  acquaintance  with  Dr.  Poole  dates  from 
1887,  when  I  first  met  him  in  the  Chicago  Pub- 
lic Library.  I  had  the  pleasure,  too,  of  being  in 
the  office  when  he  announced  to  us  that  he  had 
been  elected  librarian  of  the  Newberry  Library, 
and  of  being  one  of  the  first  to  congratulate 
him  on  his  appointment.  I  remember  with 
what  eagerness  and  with  how  much  enthu- 
siasm he  entered  on  this  work,  which  he  be- 
lieved to  be,  and  which  was,  the  crowning 
work  of  his  life.  In  1890  I  entered  the  New- 
berry  Library,  and  for  three  and  a  half  years 
was  associated  with  him  very  closely,  as  I 
have  remarked.  My  impressions  of  him  will, 
of  course,  be  those  of  one  whom  time  has 
already  touched,  gently  and  lightly,  but  none 
the  less  surely — of  one  who  was  ripening  to 
good  old  age. 

Born  of  sturdy  New  England  stock,  blessed 
with  splendid  physique  and  always  gifted 
with  good  health,  it  was  amazing  to  see  him 
at  his  work  of  building  up  a  great  reference 
library.  I  have  just  alluded  to  the  eagerness 
and  enthusiasm  with  which  he  entered  on  this 
work.  He,  of  course,  realized  that  his  days 
were  fast  numbering,  and  that  what  he  did 
must  be  done  quickly. 

Those  of  us  who  were  with  him  know  how 
hard  he  worked,  bending  all  his  energies  and 
exerting  all  his  strength  to  this  pleasing  task. 
All  the  immense  bibliographical  knowledge 
which  he  had  gained  in  his  long  life  as  a  libra- 
rian, all  the  knowledge  of  details,  was  available 
and  freely  used  to  further  his  aim.  His  eye  was 
as  bright,  his  brain  as  active  and  his  wit  as  keen 
as  it  had  ever  been.  There  still  remained  all  of 
his  old  versatility  to  give  flavor  and  piquancy 
to  his  conversations,  and  it  was  gratifying  to 
see  the  zest  with  which  he  entered  into  a  dis- 
cussion on  some  of  his  favorite  topics,  with 
any  of  his  friends. 

He  had  the  advice  and  assistance  of  scores 
of  people  whom  he  had  made  his  friends  dur- 
ing the  long  years  of  his  varied  career.  His 
friends  were  warm  friends,  and  he  loved  them 
dearly.  He  was  never  too  tired  nor  too  busy 
to  greet  them.  I  remember,  particularly,  his 
habit  of  taking  their  hand  in  both  of  his — while 


his  handsome  brown  eyes  would  gleam  and 
his  face  light  up  with  a  benignant  smile. 

As  to  his  enemies,  I  know  not  whether  he 
had  any.  His  criticisms  were  sharp  and  pun- 
gent and  awakened  hostility  in  some  quarters, 
I  believe,  but  I  am  not  aware  that  the  hos- 
tility extended  to  him  personally.  It  was  im- 
possible that  a  man  living  as  he  did  and  think- 
ing as  he  did,  a  man  of  positive  convictions 
and  extreme  opinions  on  so  many  subjects, 
should  not  excite  opposition.  As  a  historian 
he  pricked  more  than  one  historic  bubble. 
It  will  be  remembered  that  his  solution  of 
the  witchcraft  delusion  was  one  of  the  first,  if 
not  the  first,  rational  explanations  of  that 
strange  and  unfortunate  phenomenon.  His 
work  in  other  fields  was  equally  important,  but 
we  know  him  best  as  an  all-round  librarian, 
combining  many  qualities  in  one  man. 

He  gained  his  knowledge  by  experience,  and 
came  to  be  known  as  a  library  expert,  so  that 
his  advice  on  matters  of  libraay  economy  was 
much  sought  after.  He  was  constantly  con- 
sulted on  these  subjects  by  architects,  college 
presidents  and  librarians  ;  and  many  of  those 
in  the  Association  will  bear  witness  to  the 
patience  and  kindness  with  which  he  dealt 
with  persons  seeking  his  advice.  As  a  coun- 
selor of  the  newly  elected  librarian — the  person 
who  wanted  to  know  all  about  the  craft  in 
one  short  morning — he  was  unique.  During 
the  time  that  I  knew  him,  however,  he  did  not 
pay  so  much  attention  to  details  of  adminis- 
tration, having  able  assistants  in  the  library, 
to  whom  were  left  many  of  the  details.  This 
gave  him  more  time  for  his  own  particular 
work,  which  he  alone  could  do,  the  selection  of 
books  for  this  great  reference  library. 

Outside  of  library  hours  he  was  no  less  in- 
dustrious. He  invariably  read  on  the  trains, 
both  night  and  morning,  and  usually  carried  a 
bundle  of  books  home  for  evening  work.  Not 
only  his  evenings,  but  a  good  share  of  his  nights, 
were  devoted  to  this  work,  which  he  used  to  call 
play.  In  fact,  most  of  his  work  on  the  third 
edition  of  his  index  was  done  after  the  hours  of 
evening  were  over;  and  sometimes  his  work 
went  far  into  the  night.  He  was,  in  no  sense 
of  the  word,  a  society  man,  and  preferred  his 
home  to  all  the  allurements  of  a  social  life. 

He  was  not  only  an  indefatigable  worker, 
but  always  on  hand  when  the  library  opened 


i68 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


in  the  morning.  Few  men  of  his  age  could,  or 
would,  work  as  he  did.  He  took  no  long 
vacations,  and  sometimes  no  vacation  at  all. 
His  family  often  begged  him  to  spare  himself; 
but  his  heart  was  in  his  work,  and  he  was 
happy  only  when  at  work.  The  year  of  the 
World's  Fair  he  took  no  vacation,  and  did  not, 
I  believe,  visit  the  Fair,  except  to  attend  some 
A.  L.  A.  meetings.  Holidays,  when  the 
library  was  closed,  were  generally  spent  at 
the  library,  and  he  used  to  say  they  were  his 
best  times  for  work. 

I  have  before  alluded  to  his  splendid 
physique.  The  strength  of  his  constitution 
was  seen  in  his  recovery  from  a  fall,  which 
broke  his  right  arm  and  dislocated  his  right 
shoulder,  besides  bruising  and  jarring  him 
generally.  He  sustained  this  injury  the  day 
before  election,  in  November,  1892,  yet  he  per- 
sisted in  going  out  the  next  day  to  vote  the 
straight  Republican  ticket,  as  if  nothing  had 
happened  to  him.  He  was  at  his  desk  again 
by  New  Year's  time,  but  never  fully  recovered 
from  that  accident.  Although,  as  I  have  said, 
he  continued  to  work  all  through  1893,  it  was 
evident  to  those  of  us  who  saw  him  daily  and 
watched  him  closely,  that  he  was  failing. 

Those  who  met  him  at  the  Chicago  Confer- 
ence must  have  noticed  the  change  which  was 
then  apparent.  It  was  touching  to  see  the 
mellowing  effects  of  time  on  him.  He  seemed 
more  kindly  than  ever,  if  possible,  in  greeting 
his  friends,  and  loved  especially  to  meet  those 
who,  like  him,  were  in  the  autumn  of  life. 

He  did  not  say  anything  to  either  his  family 
or  to  his  assistants  about  himself,  as  was  his 
wont ;  yet  they  could  see  that  the  accident  of 
a  year  before  was  but  the  beginning  of  the 
end.  He  continued  at  his  work  until  within  a 
couple  of  weeks  of  his  death.  For  a  few  days 
his  illness  was  not  serious,  but  soon  symptoms 
of  the  disease  common  to  elderly  people, 
atheroma  of  the  blood  vessels,  set  in.  It  is  a 
comfort  to  know  that  his  end  was  peaceful,  and 
that  without  any  pain  whatever  he  sank  to  his 
long  rest. 

S:  S.  GREEN.— Mr.  Ward  Poole,  the  father  of 
William  Frederick  Poole,  resided  in  Worcester, 
Mass.,  at  the  time  when  William  went  to  col- 
lege. The  records  of  Yale  College  state  that 
the  latter  was  a  resident  of  Worcester  when  he 
entered  college  in  1842. 


When  eleven  years  old,  William  gave  up  the 
idea  of  becoming  a  student,  and  he  told  the 
writer  the  following  anecdote  to  show  how  he 
was  induced  to  change  his  plans.  In  1839  ne 
was  acting  as  a  teamster  for  a  tannery  in  Salem 
or  Danvers.  His  mother  was  unwilling  that 
he  should  not  pursue  his  education  further, 
and  went  from  Worcester  to  the  house  of  a 
friend  in  Danvers,  past  which  she  knew  that  her 
son  often  had  to  drive,  to  await  his  appearance. 
While  he  was  passing  the  house  she  had  him 
stopped,  and  in  a  conference  pleaded  with  him 
to  go  home  to  Worcester  and  go  to  school.  He 
yielded,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1839  entered 
Leicester  Academy,  graduating  in  1842. 

In  the  latter  year,  as  stated  above,  he  entered 
Yale  College. 

Dr.  Poole,  as  is  well  known,  when  in  his 
junior  year  in  college,  1848,  published  the  first 
edition  of  his  famous  index.  He  told  the 
writer  of  this  notice  that  after  he  had  prepared 
the  manuscript  of  this  edition  for  the  printer 
he  carried  it  from  Boston  to  his  home  in  Wor- 
cester one  afternoon  in  1848,  and,  as  the  late 
Hon.  Charles  Allen  was  to  speak  in  the  evening 
in  the  City  Hall,  waited  in  the  centre  of  the 
town  to  hear  him  before  returning  home.  He 
left  the  manuscript  in  a  buggy  near  the  hall 
while  he  went  in  to  listen  to  Mr.  Allen.  On 
coming  out  he  found  that  it  was  gone,  and  had 
to  do  the  work  over  again,  aided  in  doing  it 
only  by  unsatisfactory  memoranda. 

Several  persons  in  Worcester  remember  Mr. 
Ward  Poole,  the  father  of  William  F.  Poole. 
Not  long  after  the  occurrences  mentioned 
above  he  moved,  with  his  family,  away  from 
Worcester,  and  went  back  to  Salem  or 
Danvers.* 

Pres.  J.  N.  LARNED. — I  think  it  is  difficult 
for  those  of  us  who  were  intimately  acquainted 
with  Dr.  Poole  only  in  his  later  years,  when 
the  library  movement  of  our  generation  had 
overtaken  him,  to  realize  how  much  of  a  pio- 
neer and  leader  he  really  had  been  in  that 
movement.  It  seems  to  me  that,  more  than 
any  other  man  of  his  time,  he  imparted  to  the 
library  movement  its  character  and  purpose  at 
the  beginning. 

*  NOTE. — Mr.  Green  was  not  present  at  this  session, 
but  submitted  his  remarks,  as  above,  in  writing  after- 
wards, having  been  so  requested  at  a  previous  session 
upon  announcing  that  he  would  unavoidably  be  away 
at  the  time  set  for  the  memorial  session. 


TENTH   SESSION. 


169 


If  there  is  one  thing  more  than  another 
which  differentiates  the  American  librarians 
from  those  of  other  countries,  it  is  the  eager- 
ness and  earnestness  with  which  they  dig  for 
buried  treasures  in  the  "  tells"  and  dust-heaps 
of  literature  to  find  what  there  is  out  of  sight 
that  can  be  brought  into  sight  and  made  valu- 
able. There  were  librarians  before  Dr.  Poole 
who  had  done  a  great  deal  in  the  way  of  per- 
fecting catalogs  and  cataloging  systems,  but 
all  that  was  rather  a  continuation  of  older 
work.  Dr.  Poole' s  undertaking  to  index  peri- 
odical literature,  was  more  an  origination  of 
what  has  since  distinguished  the  work  of  the 
American  librarians. 

He  was  not  only  a  pioneer  and  a  leader  in 
that  direction,  but,  more  than  any  other  man, 
he  popularized  the  idea  of  librarianship  as  a 
profession.  There  were  others,  like  Dr. 
Jewett,  who  had  made  it  a  profession  in  the 
understanding  of  the  more  learned  part  of  the 
community,  but  it  was  Dr.  Poole  who  brought 
librarianship  as  a  profession  distinctly  before 
the  public.  I  can  remember  the  impression  to 
that  effect  which  was  made  on  my  mind  in  the 
first  instance  of  my  hearing  of  Dr.  Poole.  It 
was  in  connection  with  a  discussion  that  arose 
in  my  city  concerning  the  library  that  was 
then  known  as  the  library  of  the  Young  Men's 
Association,  now  called  the  Buffalo  Library. 
There  had  grown  up  much  discontent  with  the 
mode  in  which  it  was  being  formed,  and  a 
good  deal  of  discussion  as  to  what  could  be 
done  to  better  that  mode  by  those  who  were 
then  in  charge  of  the  library.  Among  the 
managers  were  some  who  happened  to  know 
Dr.  Poole,  and  he  was  called  into  consultation. 
He  came  among  us  in  Buffalo,  and  there  was 
considerable  talk  with  reference  to  his  becom- 
ing temporarily  connected  with  the  library  for 
the  purpose  of  organizing  some  system  in  it. 
I  can  remember  very  well  the  new  impression 
that  was  made  upon  me  at  that  time — the  reve- 
lation, as  it  were,  that  the  librarian  was  some- 
thing more  than  we  had  been  accustomed  to 
consider  him.  It  was  just  as  though  in  a 
country  town  an  architect  had  been  called  in 
to  take  part  in  the  discussion  of  plans  for  a 
new  church,  and  had  given  to  the  people  for 
the  first  time  the  idea  that  the  village  carpen- 
ter was  not  sufficient  for  all  that  ought  to  be 
done.  I  think  that  Dr.  Poole  carried  that  idea 


into  many  places,  and  did  much  in  this  country 
to  lift  the  profession  of  the  librarian  to  a  new 
height. 

Then  again  he  did  another  great  work,  and 
that  was  to  break  the  antique  type  of  what  he 
called  "cathedral  architecture"  for  libraries. 
We  may  not  all  of  us  agree  with  the  ideas  of 
library  architecture  which  he  promoted  and 
advocated  for  so  long  a  time,  but  we  certainly 
can  recognize  the  fact  that  he  did  break  the  old 
type,  and  that  he  cleared  the  ground  for  the 
construction  of  library  buildings  of  a  new 
character  and  of  new  usefulness, in  our  country. 

These  alone  would  be  great  distinctions,  and 
I  think  that  they  all  belonged  to  Dr.  Poole, 
along  with  very  much  besides,  that  was  noble 
and  dignified  and  most  interesting  and  lovable 
in  his  character. 

Miss  THERESA  WEST. — Possibly  it  may  be 
well  to  add,  from  the  immediate  neighborhood 
in  which  Dr.  Poole  worked,  a  word  as  to  the 
patience  and  kindness  with  which  he  always 
treated  those  of  us  who  were  starting  the  work, 
and  of  the  solid  foundation  he  gave  us  to  build  on. 
Our  circumstances  might  make  us  change  our 
methods  from  those  originally  devised  by  him, 
but  we  have  all  of  us  very  great  occasion  to  be 
grateful  for  that  first  help,  for  that  first  wise 
and  trustworthy  foundation  which  he  gave  us. 

MELVIL  DEWEY. — Mr.  President,  I  want  to 
say  what  I  so  often  have  said  to  the  students  in 
the  Library  School  about  Dr.  Poole,  and  what 
you  have  already  said  here  to-day,  that  this 
later  generation  did  not  realize  how  much  Dr. 
William  F.  Poole  had  been  and  done  in  the 
American  library  movement  a  quarter  of  a 
century  ago.  He  was  the  man  that  stood  most 
for  the  stimulating  element  in  organizing  new 
libraries  and  giving  them  some  tangible  method, 
and  a  great  many  who  knew  him  in  these  last 
years  after  he  had  worked  for  so  many  years  as 
the  leader  and  recognized  expert  (he  said  some- 
times in  our  meetings  with  more  frankness 
than  modesty,  that  he  thought  he  knew  all 
that  was  worth  knowing  about  librarianship), 
forgot  that  for  many  years  he  stood  for  as 
much  as  almost  all  the  rest  of  the  librarians 
together . 

Another  thing  is  to  me  a  very  delightful 
memory ;  his  best  friends  were  those  who  knew 
him  best.  His  associates  were  his  most  loyal 
and  enthusiastic  friends.  He  was  a  born 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


fighter.  Nothing  would  bring  him  to  his  feet 
so  quickly  as  a  chance  to  attack  something. 
When  we  were  in  England  seventeen  years 
ago,  we  were  all  proud  when  Dr.  Poole  took 
the  floor  to  make  an  address.  With  his  fine 
presence,  his  strong  voice  and  earnest  manner, 
there  was  no  man  in  either  Association  that 
made  so  splendid  an  impression  as  he.  Those 
of  us  who  used  to  have  frequent  tussles  with 
him  have  always  retained  our  affection  for  the 
man,  though  we  may  have  differed  on  some 
question  of  policy. 

I  remember  well  my  first  meeting  with  Dr. 
Poole.  He  brought  out  his  index  the  year  that 
I  was  born,  and  I  had  from  boyhood  known  his 
name  as  the  great  librarian.  When  coming 
out  of  college  in  1876  the  notion  took  possession 
of  me  that  we  should  have  a  library  asso- 
ciation, but  I  was  very  shy  about  the  first 
approaches  for  calling  a  meeting.  The  same 
was  true  of  Mr.  Winsor.  The  one  man  who 
from  the  first,  through  the  whole  history  of 
the  Association,  has  always  had  faith,  not  only 
said,  "I  think  it  can  be  done,"  but  also  "I 
will  help,"  and  did  help,  was  Charles  A. 
Cutter  of  the  Boston  Athenteum.  The  other 
older  librarians  were  often  in  doubt,  but  Mr. 
Cutter  never  failed  to  join  heartily  in  every 
advance  movement.  In  the  early  years, 
especially,  as  some  of  you  know,  there  was  a 
great  deal  of  distrust  as  to  what  we  should 
accomplish,  and  Dr.  Poole  was  very  shy  in- 
deed. At  first  he  withheld  his  name  entirely, 
but,  at  the  last,  consented  to  have  it  appear  on 
the  organizing  committee  with  that  of  Mr. 
Winsor,  Mr.  Lloyd  P.  Smith  of  Philadelphia, 
and  myself. 

We  met  first  in  Mr.  Smith's  house,  and  it 
was  the  first  time  I  ever  saw  Dr.  Poole' s  face. 
As  I  came  into  the  parlor  late  in  the  evening, 
he  came  across  the  room  and  drawing  himself 
to  his  full  height  burst  out  laughing.  "  Well," 
he  said,  "  Dewey,  you  are  a  better  looking 
man  than  I  thought  you  were.  I  had  a  clear 
picture  in  mind  of  you  as  about  70  years 
old,  with  white  hair  and  glasses  and  round 
shoulders."  In  fact  I  was  then  the  youngest 
man  in  the  association.  My  picture  of  our 
Nestor  was  equally  wide  of  the  mark.  Dr. 
Poole's  soldierly  bearing  gave  me  the  im- 
pression of  a  generation  younger  than  I  had 
been  prepared  to  meet.  The  surprise  was  a 


most  delightful  one  to  me,  and  from  that  time 
till  he  died  I  always  enjoyed  very  much  my 
relations  with  Dr.  Poole.  When  an  issue  came 
up  you  did  not  lose  your  affection  for  him  if 
you  voted  on  the  other  side  or  differed  from 
him.  If  the  people  who  work  with  a  man  and 
know  him  intimately  like  him  best,  it  is  a  very 
good  sign.  I  am  afraid  of  the  man  who  is 
liked  best  by  those  who  know  him  least. 

William  F.  Poole,  far  above  all  others,  was 
the  apostle  of  the  modern  library  movement 
for  many  years.  Nearly  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury ago  he  stood  almost  alone  in  his  active 
and  earnest  efforts  for  library  advancement. 
As  I  have  dipped  here  and  there  into  the  his- 
tory of  American  libraries  this  fact  has  con- 
tinually come  back  to  me,  as  I  have  found 
traces  of  his  work  in  stimulating  and  shaping 
their  growth.  No  other  man  deserves  so  much 
credit  for  those  early  years  as  our  dear  friend, 
Dr.  William  F.  Poole. 

R.  B.  POOLE. — We  as  librarians  knew  Dr. 
Poole  as  a  librarian  and  as  an  architect.  He 
was  known  in  wider  circles,  perhaps,  as  a 
writer,  but  he  was  known  in  a  still  wider  sense 
for  his  Index.  Every  day,  as  I  am  in  my 
library,  I  hear  expressons  of  appreciation  of 
that  work.  A  young  man  comes  in  and  says, 
"  Where  can  I  get  some  information  to  prepare 
a  debate  on  such-and-such  a  question,"  and  I 
refer  him  to  Poole's  Index.  An  old  gentle- 
man comes  in  and  he  is  referred  to  Poole's 
Index.  Constantly  we  are  referring  people  to 
Poole's  Index,  and  they  are  delighted  with  the 
fund  of  information  that  they  obtain  through 
this  great  work.  Dr.  Poole's  name  is,  I  think, 
going  down  to  posterity  through  this  great 
work  of  his  more  than  in  any  other  way. 

I  am  proud  to  have  in  my  library  the  small 
volume  which  Mr.  Fletcher  showed  us,  indicat- 
ing how  from  this  small  beginning  in  college 
his  work  has  grown  to  be  of  such  magnitude 
and  to  be  of  such  public  importance.  The 
man  who  does  not  know  Poole's  Index  is  cer- 
tainly far  behind  the  times.  Everybody  has 
heard  of  it  and  everybody  is  using  it. 

W:  H.  BRETT. — 1  had  not  so  good  an  oppor- 
tunity to  know  Dr.  Poole  as  those  older  in  the 
profession,  but  I  shall  never  forget  the  one 
visit  he  paid  to  the  Cleveland  Public  Library 
since  I  have  been  connected  with  it.  It  was 
on  the  occasion  of  the  meeting  of  the  Mission- 


TENTH  SESSION. 


171 


ary  Society  in  Cleveland.  He  came  into  the 
library  with  his  usual  dignified  and  leisurely 
air  and  spent  an  hour,  perhaps,  and  his  kindly 
interest  in  the  work  I  was  attempting  to  do, 
and  his  wise  comments  and  advice  on  some 
points,  and  his  general  interest  in  the  work 
going  on,  made  an  impression  on  me  that  I 
shall  never  forget.  The  advice  that  he  gave  me 
on  some  points  was  a  help  to  me,  and  it  has 
been  an  inspiration,  I  think.  I  saw  very  little 
of  Dr.  Poole  after  that.  I  met  him  at  nearly 
every  meeting  of  the  Association,  and  always 
took  him  by  the  hand  and  had  a  few  words 
with  him.  Though  I  never  had  a  chance  to 
see  him  much,  his  influence  on  me  has  been 
great. 

Mrs.  MELVIL  DEWEY. — I  remember  a  pleasing 
incident  that  occurred  in  our  library  confer- 
ence trip  abroad  in  1877.  I  think  it  was  in  one 
of  the  Scotch  libraries  in  Edinburgh.  As  the 
party  were  introduced  to  the  librarian  he 
stepped  to  the  shelf  and  took  down  a  well  worn 
copy  of  Poole's  Index.  I  remember  exactly 
how  the  book  looked,  and  the  expression  of 
pleasure  and  pride  that  came  over  Dr.  Poole's 
face  as  the  book  was  placed  in  his  hands. 

Pres.  LARNARD. — Miss  Hewins  asked  me  to 
say  on  this  occasion  that  she  owed  to  Dr. 
Poole  her  first  introduction  into  library  work. 
In  her  girlhood  she  was  engaged  during  one 
winter  in  some  work  of  study  or  investigation 
in  the  Boston  Athenaeum,  and  became  exceed- 
ingly fond  of  the  place,  and  exceedingly 
unwilling  to  surrender  the  privilege  which  had 
been  temporarily  conceded  to  her.  She 
mustered  courage  one  morning  to  say  to  Dr. 
Poole  that  if  there  should  be  a  vacancy  in  the 
library  which  she  could  fill  she  would  be  very 
glad  to  have  the  opportunity.  He  asked  her 
name  and  address,  and  about  a  month  later  she 
received  notice  of  her  appointment  to  a  place. 
This  was  the  beginning  of  the  library  career  of 
Miss  Hewins,  and  there  she  received  her  first 
education  in  library  work.  I  think  Dr.  Poole 
was  the  teacher  of  many  who  have  risen  to 
prominent  places  in  the  library  world. 

INVITATION   AND    RESOLUTIONS. 

Pres.  LARNED  read  the  following  invitation 
from  the  Library  Association  of  the  United 
Kingdom,  dated  London,  Sept.  10,  1894: 

"  At  the  seventeenth  annual  meeting  of  the 
Library  Association,  which  has  just  been  held 


at  Belfast,  it  was  unanimously  resolved  that 
the  next  annual  meeting  should  be  held  in 
London ;  and  that  the  American  Library  Asso- 
ciation should  be  cordially  invited  to  hold  its 
next  annual  meeting  at  the  same  time  and 
place.  Permit  me  to  say  on  behalf  of  my 
fellow-members  that  a  large  delegation  from 
your  body  would  be  most  heartily  welcomed ; 
and  if  at  your  present  meeting  you  resolve  to 
accept  our  invitation,  I  shall  endeavor  to  secure 
the  adhesion  of  librarians  from  France,  Ger- 
many and  Italy,  and  thus  make  our  joint  meet- 
ing an  International  Conference." 

W:  H.  BRETT,  from  the  committee  on  reso- 
lutions, submitted  a  resolution  expressing  the 
cordial  appreciation  of  this  Association  for  the 
courtesy  extended  to  it  by  the  invitation  from 
the  L.  A.  U.  K. 

W:  I.  FLETCHER. — I  move  that  this  resolu- 
tion be  referred  to  the  executive  board  with 
power. 

MELVIL  DEWEY. — I  move  to  amend  the  mo- 
tion to  the  effect  that  we  instruct  the  board  to 
say  that  we  have  received  with  great  pleasure 
the  invitation  of  the  L.  A.  U.  K.  to  an  Interna- 
tional meeting  to  be  held  in  London.  That  as 
the  invitation  arrived  just  at  the  adjournment 
of  this  conference  we  are  unable  to  accept  it 
for  1895  because  arrangements  had  been  defi- 
nitely completed  to  meet  in  Denver,  but  that  a 
large  delegation  have  signified  their  intention 
of  attending  a  meeting  in  London  if  it  can  be 
fixed  for  1896.  And,  furthermore,  that  our  re- 
sponse be  a  cordial  acceptance,  without  any 
tinge  of  regret.  Voted. 

W:  H.  BRETT  read  the  following  resolution 
of  thanks  to  the  hotel  proprietors,  which  was 
adopted  unanimously: 

Whereas,  Appreciating  the  courtesy  and 
kindness  which  the  members  of  the  A.  L.  A. 
have  received  during  their  stay  at  Lake  Placid, 
and  realizing  also  that  the  managers  have  done 
much  which  is  not  required  by  the  ordinary 
relations  of  guest  and  hotel  proprietor  to  render 
that  stay  a  pleasant  one, 

Resolved,  That  a  vote  of  thanks  be  hereby 
tendered  to  the  proprietors  of  the  Mirror  Lake 
and  Grand  View  Hotels. 

AMENDMENT   TO  CONSTITUTION. 

F:  M.  CRUNDEN. — I  desire  an  amendment  to 
the  constitution,  so  that  we  may  return  to  the 
former  way  of  electing  officers.  These  two 
years'  experience  have  shown  that  the  old  way 
was  the  better  one,  and  the  result,  it  seems  to 
me,  is  about  the  same.  I  feel  certain  that  last 
year  at  Chicago  our  present  president  would 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


have  been  elected  under  the  old  method.  Also, 
that  under  our  old  method  Mr.  Utley,  as  now, 
would  have  been  elected  just  the  same,  this 
year.  The  net  result  is  the  same,  but  the 
machinery  is  much  more  complicated,  cum- 
brous, and  wasteful  of  our  time. 

Mrs.  H:  J.  CARR. — I,  for  one,  want  to  go 
back  to  the  old  way,  and  I  should  like  to  see 
an  amendment,  such  as  Mr.  Crunden  mentions, 
voted  on  this  year. 

MELVIL  DEWEY. — I  think  that  over  20  mem- 
bers of  the  Association  have  said  to  me,  since 
last  year,  just  what  Mrs.  Carr  has  said  now. 
I  was  heartily  opposed  to  that  change,  but 
having  done  it,  let  us  stick  to  it  long  enough 
to  try  it.  Mr.  Hill  arose  once  yesterday  to 
offer  an  amendment  to  the  same  effect.  The 
election  next  year  would  be  taken  on  the  pres- 
ent system.  After  we  have  tried  three  years 
by  the  ballot  system  the  Association  can  see 
whether  it  likes  that  better.  That  would  give 
us  a  chance  to  perfect  the  ballot  system, 
and  then  perhaps  we  would  be  satisfied 
with  it. 

It  seems  bad  practice  to  be  dodging  back 
and  forth,  yet  I  should  vote  in  favor  of  an 
amendment  now.  You  can  not  always,  by  the 
ballot  system,  fit  the  right  people  into  the 
right  office.  A  man  nominated  for  an  office, 
who  is  singularly  unfit  for  it,  may  yet  be 
elected,  if  he  is  a  popular  man.  The  point  that 
was  forgotten  last  year  was  that  we  can  have 
our  Australian  ballot  system  apply  on  electing 
five  members  of  the  executive  board.  I  think 
I  would  have  the  president  elected  by  direct 
ballot,  too.  If  you  elect  a  president,  and  then 
elect  five  men  by  ballot,  those  people  can  after- 
wards take  all  day  long  in  canvassing  further 
matters.  They  can  best  decide  where  we 
should  meet,  and  would  be  guided  in  the 
selection  of  officers  by  the  place  of  next 
meeing. 

W:  I.  FLETCHER. — I  am  entirely  in  agree- 
ment with  all  that  Mr.  Dewey  has  said  upon 
the  subject. 

F:  M.  CRUNDEN. — I  move  that  the  executive 
board  be  instructed  to  prepare  an  amendment 
to  the  constitution  to  that  effect,  and  have 
it  printed  a  month  before  the  next  meeting,  so 
that  all  members  can  have  it ;  and  that  it  be 
considered  at  the  next  meeting,  at  which  the 
first  vote  will  be  taken.  Voted. 


MISCELLANEOUS   BUSINESS. 

F:  M.  CRUNDEN. — I  hesitated  during  the 
memorial  session  in  regard  to  Dr.  Poole  to  offer 
any  undigested  remarks.  I  might  have  said 
something  on  one  topic,  if  I  had  not  been  an- 
ticipated and  what  I  had  in  mind  been  said 
much  better  than  I  could  have  said  it,  regard- 
ing the  debt  which  the  Association  owes  Dr. 
Poole  for  what  he  has  done  to  give  a  recogni- 
tion to  the  profession  and  make  the  work 
enjoyable. 

What  I  have  now  to  say,  at  the  close  of  this, 
which  I  consider  the  most  successful  convention 
of  the  Association,  is  what  leads  out  from  that. 
In  preparing  my  paper  for  the  Chicago  confer- 
ence last  year,  I  was  struck  with  the  amount  of 
work  that  had  been  done  by  a  few  men,  by  half 
a  dozen  men,  perhaps,  towards  creating  a 
library  science — creating  a  science  on  which 
our  profession  was  based.  I  was  struck  by 
the  amount  of  writing  that  had  been  done  by 
Dr.  Poole,  Mr.  Dewey,  Mr.  Cutter,  Mr.  Green, 
Mr.  Fletcher,  and  Mr.  Foster,  and  I  felt  a  sense 
of  gratitude  towards  those  men  for  the  pioneer 
work  that  they  had  done,  by  which  I,  in  com- 
mon with  others,  was  profiting. 

It  seems  to  me,  that  never  before  has  there 
been  such  an  outlook.  The  pleasing  thing  is  to 
see  the  young  men  and  young  women  coming 
in  who  are  going  to  raise  the  profession  to  still 
greater  heights.  On  those  of  us  who  occupy, 
as  it  were,  the  middle  position,  it  is  incumbent 
to  hand  down  augmented  the  contributions 
which  we  have  gratefully  received  from  Dr. 
Poole  and  our  earlier  contemporaries.  Espe- 
cially am  I  pleased  to  see  so  many  young  men 
and  young  women  fitting  themselves  in  their 
youth  for  this  work.  That  was  one  of  the 
causes,  I  think,  of  Dr.  Poole's  success,  that  he 
began  in  his  youth  to  fit  himself  for  his  pro- 
fession. In  the  case  of  many  of  us  we  did  not 
start  out  to  be  librarians. 

I  am  pleased,  too,  to  see  an  increasing  num- 
ber of  young  men.  It  was  to  be  expected  that 
young  women  would  take  advantage  of  the 
new  field  opened  to  them ;  but  the  particularly 
gratifying  thing  is  that  young  men  at  the  out- 
set of  their  careers  are  fitting  themselves  for 
this  profession.  This  promises  a  success  that 
heretofore  none  of  us  have  attained,  for  I  think 
that  the  ideal  librarian  is  yet  to  come. 

I  congratulate  the  Association  on  the  success 


PUBLISHING    SECTION. 


of  this  meeting,  and  I  think  that  great  thanks 
are  due  to  the  president  for  his  admirable 
management. 

J.  N.  WING. — First  of  all  I  am  a  librarian. 
I  used  Dr.  Poole's  Index  a  great  deal,  and  use 
it  at  the  present  time.  It  has  occurred  to  me 
that  it  would  be  a  suitable  thing  for  this  Asso- 
ciation, in  recognition  of  Dr.  Poole's  great  ser- 
vices, to  erect  either  a  monument  or  a  tablet 
in  some  appropriate  institution,  college  or 
library  of  this  country,  which  would  be  known 
as  the  monument  or  tablet  erected  by  the  A. 
L.  A.  in  memory  of  Dr.  Poole.  I.  for  one, 
would  be  willing  to  subscribe.  I  make  a  mo- 
tion to  this  effect,  and  you  may  put  me  down 
for  $5. 

F:  M.  CRUNDEN. — I  second  the  motion  and 
make  the  same  contribution.  I  suggest  that 
the  most  appropriate  place  would  be  the  New- 
berry  Library. 

G:  W.  COLE. — It  seems  to  me  that  it  would 
be  well  to  add  an  amendment  that  a  committee 
be  appointed  to  carry  this  through.  I  move 
such  an  amendment. 


Mr.  WING  asked  to  be  excused  from  acting 
as  a  member  of  that  committee. 

(Neither  the  recorder's  notes  nor  the  stenog- 
rapher's report  shows  any  vote  or  further  action 
to  have  been  taken  upon  the  above  motions.) 

MELVIL  DEWEY. — I  had  another  scheme  to 
suggest  which  I  think  will  approve  itself  to  the 
members.  I  move  that  the  Publishing  Section 
be  directed  to  prepare  a  suitable  inscription  for 
one  of  its  principal  works,  as  a  memorial  to 
Dr.  Poole's  distinguished  services.  Voted. 

Pres.  LARNED. — Before  we  adjourn  I  beg 
leave  to  thank  the  Association  for  the  great 
considerateness  with  which  my  inexperience 
has  been  borne,  the  kindness  with  which  my 
duties  have  been  made  easy,  and  the  very 
happy  memory  which  I  shall  keep  of  what  I 
anticipated  as  a  serious  trial. 

MELVIL  DEWEY. — I  move  that  we  now  take  a 
recess,  and  that  final  adjournment  be  made  at 
the  close  of  the  post-conference  excursion. 
Voted,  11.30  A.  M. 

Final  adjournment  was  made  at  Caldwell, 
Lake  George,  Friday,  September  28,  1894. 


A.  L.  A.   PUBLISHING  SECTION. 


The  Publishing  Section  met  in  the  parlor  of 
the  Mirror  Lake  Hotel  on  Friday,  Sept.  21,  at 
2.30  P.M.  President  DEWEY  in  the  chair.  In 
the  absence  of  the  secretary,  W.  I.  FLETCHER 
was  chosen  secretary  pro  tern.  The  secre- 
tary's report,  including  a  statement  of  the 
financial  condition  of  the  Section,  was  read  as 
follows : 

The  executive  board  of  the  Publishing  Sec- 
tion having  held  no  meetings  since  the  Chicago 
session  of  the  A.  L.  A.,  the  secretary  is  obliged 
to  report  in  its  behalf  that  no  progress  has 
been  made  during  the  past  year  in  developing 
the  future  work  of  the  Section.  Several 
changes  were  made  in  the  membership  of  the 
board  last  year,  but  none  of  the  members,  espe- 
cially the  older  members,  have  found  time  that 
they  could  take  from  other  engrossing  duties 
to  set  the  wheels  in  motion. 

At  the  last  meeting  the  annual  fee  of  mem- 
bership in  the  Section  was  set  at  $5.00  instead 
of  $10.00,  with  the  understanding  that  the 
money  should  be  collected  annually ;  and  that 
the  members  should  receive  in  return  one  copy 
of  every  publication  issued,  and  might  take  the 
balance,  if  any,  of  what  was  due  them  in  addi- 


tional copies  at  their  pleasure.  It  was  the  in- 
tention also  to  issue  immediately  a  small  hand- 
book giving  information  about  the  Section, 
what  it  had  done  and  what  it  intended  to  do ; 
and  by  distribution  of  this  handbook  and  in 
other  ways  to  enlarge  the  membership  of  the 
Section.  The  handbook  has  not  been  made,  but 
it  continues  to  be  the  first  need  of  the  Section. 
The  secretary  has  many  times  during  the 
past  year  received  enquiries  in  regard  to  the 
Section,  and  its  publications,  to  which  he  has 
had  to  reply  by  hand,  and  necessarily  in  brief 
form,  not  giving  as  satisfactory  information  as 
could  be  conveyed  in  a  few  printed  pages. 
Before  any  respectable  attempt  can  be  made  to 
increase  the  membership,  one  other  thing  in 
addition  to  the  handbook  is  equally  necessary, 
viz.,  some  more  definite  plan  for  the  future 
work  of  the  body.  Libraries  and  bibliogra- 
phers cannot  fairly  be  asked  to  subscribe  five 
dollars  a  year  toward  the  work  of  a  society  or 
board  without  being  told  somewhat  definitely 
what  the  board  wants  to  accomplish,  and  with- 
out being  assured  that  there  is  some  proba- 
bility that  what  they  want  they  have  the 
means  to  bring  to  pass. 


174 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


The  financial  condition  of  the  Section  is  ex- 
cellent. The  treasurer  states,  with  satisfac- 
tion, that  the  A.  L.  A.  Index  has  already  paid 
for  all  its  expenses  of  publication,  and  that  we 
were  able  to  pay  over  to  the  editor  on  the  first 
of  September  the  sum  of  $127.77  as  a  first  in- 
stalment of  the  payments  to  be  made  him 
under  his  agreement  with  the  board. 

The   items  of  expense  of  publication  have 
been  as  follows: 
Expenses  of  preparation   under  Mr. 

Fletcher $750  oo 

Composition  and  electrotyping 1,029  41 

Printing  and  paper 219  65 

Binding 371  03 

Distribution,  etc 98  37 

Advertising 106  37 

Total $2,574  83 

644  copies  out  of  750  printed  have  been 
sold;  254  of  these  by  the  treasurer  of  the 
Section  directly  to  members,  and  on  advance 
orders  to  others,  bringing  in  $1,303.90;  and 
390  through  Houghton,  Mifflin  &  Co.  after  pub- 
lication, from  which  the  Section  has  received 
$1,398.70;  making  the  total  receipts  to  August 
31,  1894,  $2,702.60,  and  giving  us  a  balance  of 
$127.77  to  pay  to  the  editor. 

Our  arrangement  with  Houghton,  Mifflin  & 
Co.  for  the  sale  of  the  work  after  publication  is 
a  reasonable  and  customary  one,  but  it  is  in- 
teresting to  remark  that  a  very  considerable 
saving  has  been  made  by  keeping  the  original 
distribution  of  members'  copies,  and  those 
ordered  in  advance,  in  the  hands  of  the 
Section.  The  254  copies  distributed  by  the 
treasurer  directly,  brought  in  $1,303.90;  de- 
ducting from  this  $98.37,  expense  of  wrapping, 
express,  etc.,  leaves  us  $1,205.53  as  the  net  re- 
ceipts from  these  copies.  If,  however,  they 
had  been  sold  by  an  agent  on  the  same  terms 
as  the  copies  distributed  later  we  should  have 
received  only  $909.32;  which  shows  that 
$296.21  has  been  saved  in  the  distribution. 

Only  77  copies  remain  unsold.  It  is  there- 
fore evident  that  the  work  will  before  very 
l°ng  S°  out  °f  print,  and  it  is  not  likely  that 
we  should  want  to  reprint  the  book  in  its  pres- 
ent form,  or  be  able  at  present  to  print  an  en- 
larged edition.  In  spite  of  its  many  short- 
comings, which  have  been  repeatedly  pointed 
out,  and  which  the  executive  board  is  quite 


ready  to  acknowledge  beforehand,  it  is  a  book 
of  reference  which  no  well-equipped  library 
should  be  without.  Those  libraries  which  have 
not  yet  purchased  it  should  take  warning  that 
they  will  soon  be  unable  to  do  so,  and  should 
order  it  promptly. 

The  financial  result  of  the  publication  of 
"  Reading  for  the  Young"  is  not  so  good,  but 
still  not  unsatisfactory.  A  new  edition,  of  a 
thousand  copies,  was  needed  a  little  more  than 
a  year  ago,  and  of  the  whole  number  of  4,250 
copies  printed,  3,464  have  been  sold,  from 
which  the  receipts  have  been  $1,572.02.  The 
expenses  to  date  have  been  $1,729.16,  so  that  a 
balance  of  $157.14  still  remains  to  be  made  up 
by  sales  before  the  expenses  will  be  covered. 
The  sales  of  the  twelve  months,  July,  1893,  to 
June,  1894,  have  been  117  copies,  netting  $84. 62. 

The  expense  for  stationary  and  postage 
since  January  i,  1892,  has  been  but  $12.22,  and 
the  interest  received  from  money  on  deposit, 
$8.91. 

For  the  publication  of  the  A.  L.  A.  Index 
$650  was  borrowed  from  the  Endowment  Fund. 
The  cash  on  hand  in  the  Charles  River  Bank, 
Cambridge,  and  the  Cambridge  Savings  Bank, 
amounts  to  $613.82,  while  $55. 77  is  due  from 
the  Library  Bureau.  It  will  be  seen  therefore 
that  the  larger  part  of  the  money  borrowed 
might  be  now  repaid  to  the  Endowment  Fund 
if  it  is  desirable  for  either  party  that  it  should 
be,  and  as  far  as  the  Publishing  Section  is  con- 
cerned, this  depends  upon  whether  any  plans 
which  it  is  about  to  set  on  foot  will  require  the 
immediate  expenditure  of  money  or  not.  If 
the  sum  is  simply  kept  as  an  investment,  it  is 
better  off  in  the  hands  of  the  Endowment 
Fund's  trustees  and  should  be  returned  to 
them. 

All  the  financial  operations  of  the  Section  are 
comprised  in  the  above  statements,  and  make 
any  more  formal  treasurer's  report  unneces- 
sary. The  treasurer's  journal  and  ledger,  with 
a  trial-balance,  and  the  corresponding  bills  and 
vouchers  since  January  i,  1892,  are  presented 
herewith  to  be  audited. 

Respectfully  submitted  on  behalf  of  the  ex- 
ecutive board, 

WM.  C.  LANE, 
Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

Voted,  That  the  secretary's  report  be  re- 
ceived and  placed  on  file. 


COLLEGE    LIBRARY   SECTION. 


'75 


Voted,  That  a  committee  to  audit  the  treas- 
urer's accounts  be  appointed,  to  act  under 
direction  of  the  executive  board,  and  to  con- 
tinue in  office  through  the  year,  in  order  that 
next  year's  report  and  accounts  may  be 
audited  before  the  annual  meeting.  Commit- 
tee :  Gardner  M.  Jones,  J.  N.Wing,  A.  L.  Peck. 

Voted,  That  the  treasurer  be  instructed  to 
pay  to  W.  I.  Fletcher  the  balance  of  $127.77 
due  him  under  the  agreement  as  to  the  prepar- 
ation of  the  A.  L.  A.  Index. 

Voted,  To  refer  to  the  executive  board  with 
power,  that  part  of  the  secretary's  report  re- 
lating to  the  Endowment  Fund  and  its  loan  to 
the  Section. 

Voted,  That  the  executive  board  be  in- 
structed to  proceed  at  once  with  the  publica- 
tion of  the  Index  of  Subject  Headings,  reported 
as  nearly  ready  by  the  committee,  G.  M. 
Jones,  chairman,  charged  by  the  A.  L.  A. 
with  the  preparation  of  such  a  list. 

Voted,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  chair  to  submit  to  the  executive 
board  a  revised  scheme  for  the  various  publi- 
cations of  the  Publishing  Section,  including 
for  each  series,  name,  size,  paper,  type  and 
other  mechanical  features.  [This  committee, 
appointed  later,  was  J.  N.  Lamed,  R.  R.  Bow- 
ker,  Miss  Ellen  M.  Coe.] 

Voted,  That  the  executive  board  print  a 
schedule  of  leaflets,  or  minor  publications 
issued  or  prepared  by  the  Section,  if  the  de- 
mand warrants;  such  schedules  to  be  dis- 
tributed to  libraries  as  an  order-list. 

Mr.  lies  of  the  executive  board,  being  unable 
to  attend,  sent  a  letter  relative  to  the  annotated 
list  of  books  for  girls'  and  women's  clubs,  in 


preparation  by  collaboration  under  direction  of 
Miss  Ellen  M.  Coe. 

Voted,  That  the  executive  board  be  in- 
structed to  publish  this  work  by  sections  as 
fast  as  completed,  and  in  the  form  of  leaflets 
for  each  subject. 

The  subject  of  a  new  edition  of  "  Reading 
for  the  Young  "  was  discussed,  and  it  was 

Voted,  That  a  Supplement  to  "  Reading  for 
the  Young"  be  issued,  including  an  index  to 
the  leading  children's  periodicals. 

Voted,  That  arrangements  be  made  for 
bringing  out  a  brief  selected  list  of  children's 
reading  that  can  be  distributed  at  a  cost  of 
about  five  cents,  so  that  libraries  can  use  them 
very  freely. 

Voted,  That  a  circular  be  sent  to  libraries 
inviting  notice  to  the  Section  of  suitable  manu- 
script material  which  the  Section  ought  to 
publish. 

Voted,  That  the  executive  board  be  rec- 
ommended to  establish  as  a  part  of  their 
work  a  distributing  agency  for  gifts,  if  found 
practicable. 

Voted,  That  the  executive  board  prepare 
for  private  circulation  an  annotated  list  of  un- 
desirable fiction. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Larned  it  was 

Voted,  That  the  officers  of  the  Section  for 
the  past  year  be  re-elected  for  the  year  to 
come,  as  follows  :  President,  Melvil  Dewey ; 
Secretary  and  Treasurer,  W.  C.  Lane;  Ex- 
ecutive Board,  in  addition  to  the  above,  W. 
I.  Fletcher,  R.  R.  Bowker,  George  lies. 

Adjourned. 

W.  I.  FLETCHER, 

Secretary  pro  tempore. 


COLLEGE   LIBRARY    SECTION. 


At  the  preliminary  meeting,  Wednesday, 
September  19,  in  the  absence  of  Professor 
Harris,  Mr.  W.  I.  Fletcher,  of  Amherst 
College,  was  asked  to  act  as  chairman  at  the 
meetings  of  the  Section. 

Two  regular  meetings  were  held,  on  the 
afternoons  of  Thursday  and  Friday,  Septem- 
ber 20  and  21.  At  these  meetings  no  formal 
papers  were  read,  but  the  time  was  occupied 
by  brief  statements  of  the  practice  of  the 
institutions  represented,  on  some  points  of 
particular  interest  to  the  Section. 

At  the  first  meeting,  in  the  absence  of  the 


secretary,  Mr.  Austin,  of  Cornell  University, 
acted  as  secretary  pro  tern.  The  subject  dis- 
cussed was  "Departmental  and  Seminary 
Libraries."  Amherst  and  Bowdoin  colleges 
have  no  such  libraries ;  the  other  institutions, 
so  far  as  reported,  all  have  them,  though  in 
varying  numbers  and  under  varying  conditions 
of  use  and  control.  Opinions  on  the  advis- 
ability of  their  establishment  were  divided, 
but  their  especial  usefulness  to  those  depart- 
ments in  which  the  instruction  is  given  in 
special  laboratories  was  generally  admitted. 
It  was  also  agreed  that  it  is  difficult  to  obtain 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


satisfactory  supervision  without  having  an 
attendant  in  each  library. 

At  the  second  meeting  the  subject-catalogue 
of  a  college  library,  access  to  the  shelves,  and 
instruction  in  the  use  of  the  library,  were  dis- 
cussed. As  to  the  second  point  it  was  found 
that  Amherst  College,  the  Illinois  State  Normal 
University,  and  the  Massachusetts  Institute  of 
Technology  give  free  access  to  all  students, 
and  Harvard  and  Cornell  to  all  graduate  stu- 
dents and  to  specially  recommended  under- 
graduates. In  regard  to  the  third  point,  the 
opinion  of  those  who  had  tried  class  instruction 
in  the  use  of  the  library  by  lectures  was  against 
the  method  and  in  favor  of  instruction  of  in- 
dividuals or  of  small  sections  in  the  library  itself. 

The  chairman's  suggestion  that  the  subject 
of  ' '  Specialization  in  college  libraries,  is  or  is 
it  not  made  at  the  expense  of  general  culture  ?" 
be  considered  at  the  meeting  of  the  Section 
next  year,  was  approved. 

The  Section  voted  that  the  Executive  board 
of  the  A.  L.  A.  be  requested  to  assign  to  some 
one  session  those  subjects  which  are  not 
particularly  interesting  to  the  College  Section, 
and  to  allow  the  latter  to  hold  its  meeting  at 
the  time  of  that  session. 


On  motion  of  Miss  Milner  it  was  voted  that 
the  Executive  board  be  requested  to  consider, 
when  determining  the  time  for  the  next  con- 
ference, the  facts  that  the  vacations  of  school 
and  college  librarians  begin  in  the  very  last  of 
June,  and  that  the  first  two  weeks  in  Septem- 
ber are  the  most  convenient  for  them. 

Mr.  Clement  W.  Andrews,  of  the  Massachu- 
setts Institute  of  Technology,  was  chosen  chair- 
man, and  Mr.  W.  H.  Austin,  of  Cornell  Uni- 
versity, secretary,  for  the  ensuing  year. 

The  Section  then  adjourned. 

CLEMENT  W.  ANDREWS, 

Secretary. 

Libraries  of  the  following  institutions  were 
represented:  Amherst  College,  Armour  Insti- 
tute, Bowdoin  College,  Brown  University, 
Columbia  College,  Cornell  University,  Uni- 
versity of  Colorado,  Harvard  University, 
Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology,  Mc- 
Gill  University,  Illinois  State  Normal  Univer- 
sity, University  of  Nebraska,  Teachers' 
College,  N.  Y.,  University  of  Vermont, 
Wellesley  College,  Wesleyan  University,  and 
University  of  Wisconsin. 


THE    SOCIAL    SIDE    OF    THE    CONFERENCE. 


There  was  abundant  liberality  displayed  in 
planning  the  social  features  of  the  Conference 
of  1894.  Three  entire  evenings  were  given  up 
to  enjoyment.  On  Wednesday  evening,  Sep- 
tember 19,  there  was  "  a  social  meeting  under 
the  auspices  of  the  Library  School;"  Thursday 
evening  was  the  occasion  of  the  annual  dinner ; 
and  Friday  evening  was  given  up  to  a  dance 
and  "social"  arranged  by  the  entertainment 
committee.  Lack  of  space  forbids  even  brief 
mention  of  the  many  pleasant  details  of  these 
three  evenings.  A  bare  outline  of  the  whole 
must  suffice — enough,  it  is  hoped,  to  revive 
and  freshen  pleasant  memories. 

Chronologically,  the  social  evening  conducted 
by  "  the"  Library  School  deserves  first  place. 
At  half -past  eight  on  Wednesday  evening  the 
members,  some  200  strong,  gathered  in  the 
big  hall  of  the  Grand  View  Hotel,  about  the 
great  open  fireplace,  where  a  cheery  fire 
burned.  Mr.  Crunden  made  an  effective 
master  of  ceremonies.  The  evening  opened 


with  a  little  music ;  then  came  a  ' '  fagot 
party,"  when  various  persons  were  called  upon 
to  amuse  the  company  while  their  "fagots" 
burned  on  the  hearth.  The  fagots,  by  the 
way,  were  fragrant  bundles  of  fir  branches. 
Among  those  who  contributed  fagots  to  the 
social  blaze  were  Mr.  Dewey,  Mr.  Cutter,  Mr. 
W.  I.  Fletcher,  Mr.  Soule,  Mr.  Bolton,  Miss 
McMillan,  Miss  McGuffey  and  Miss  Browning. 
An  interesting  debate  was  held  on  the  ques- 
tion, "Did  Mr.  Cutter  ascend  Whiteface?" 
Mr.  Dewey  taking  the  negative,  Mr.  Fletcher 
the  affirmative ;  after  which,  Mr.  Crunden  gave, 
in  inimitable  French-English,  a  Frenchman's 
views  on  "  Hamlet."  Then  followed  the  sing- 
ing of  college  glees  and  choruses  by  the  whole 
gathering,  given  with  hearty  good  will,  for  by 
this  time  every  one  was  at  ease  and  "  went 
in"  with  enthusiasm.  "  America"  was  sung, 
standing,  as  a  finale,  and  then  refreshments 
were  served,  consisting  of  crackers  and  cheese, 
doughnuts  and  cider,  peanuts  and  maple 


SOCIAL    FEATURES. 


177 


sugar — a  regular  mountain  Hallowe'en  spread. 
This  closed  a  program  that  was  not  only 
enjoyable  but  delightfully  original  and  un- 
expected. 

The  annual  dinner  on  Thursday  evening 
differed  little  from  its  predecessors  of  former 
conferences.  It  was  served  in  the  dining- 
rooms  of  the  Grand  View  Hotel,  and  the  menu 
— "  d  la  Dewey  and  Cutter" — deserves  to  be 
commemorated  in  the  records  of  the  A.  L.  A. 
It  consisted  of: 

613.28  plus  536.42  a  la  396.923.144 

RN  plus  MJB  a  la  e  u  3 

614.324  of  583.32  a  la  944.36 

RNC  of  RGP  a  la  39 

974.16  597.5  0944.276 

84iK'PBS  D  18 

583.32  a  la  944 

RGP  a  la  39 


636.2 — 591-49  a  la  G  54 

RM  a  la  G  54 

583.79  944.36 

RGP  39  P 


957  621.96 


RRLP  65 


598.6  plus  614.132  plus  536.46 

RJND  plus  RZQ 

583.55  plus  665.3  plus  664.5 

RGL  plus  RRBV  plus  RRBO 


945.73    642    RZU  35  N 
613.19  in  641  MHJ  RZT 


634    613.38    RH  and  R.  2  B.  C. 

Fortunately,  a  "  key  "  was  appended,  where- 
by the  poetry  of  Dewey  and  Cutter  was  ren- 
dered into  plain  English  prose.  After  the 
dinner  came  the  toasts  and  speeches.  Find- 
ing, however,  that  it  was  impossible,  as  the 
tables  were  arranged,  for  all  to  hear,  the 
diners  carried  their  chairs  into  the  spacious 
parlors,  where  they  settled  themselves  for  "the 
feast  of  reason  and  the  flow  of  soul "  that  ac- 
company all  A.  L.  A.  festivities.  Mr.  Soule 
presided,  and  made  the  first  speech  of  the 
evening,  tendering  to  Pres.  Lamed  the  con- 
gratulations of  the  Association  on  the  comple- 
tion of  his  great  work,  "History  for  Ready 
Reference."  Mr.  Larned's  happy  response 
was  followed  by  brief  and  witty  speeches  from 
Mr.  Crunden,  Dr.  Wire,  Miss  Ahern,  Major 
McClintock,  Mr.  Thomson,  Mr.  Cutter,  Mr. 
Thwaites,  Mr.  Gould,  and  others.  Mr.  H.  L. 
Koopman  read  an  original  poem,  and  the  fol- 


lowing verses,  by  Miss  Almira  L.  Hayward, 
were  listened  to  with  interest  and  amusement: 

"  A  Lamed  company  met  one  day 
Upon  a  Hill  not  far  away, 
Each  having  first  his  views  expressed 
By  Carrs  they  came,  from  east  and  West, 
From  Dewey  Lane  and  lies  so  Green, 
From  Glenns  where  Garlands  Gay  are  seen, 
From  quiet  Pools  where  Clouds  look  down 
To  Seymour  clear  where  they  will  drown. 
On  Mundy  Sharp  these  wise  ones  met, 
The  King  had  called,  the  time  was  set. 
The  Faxon  which  they  then  debated, 
Each  Bill  they  passed,  opinion  stated, 
Are  they  not  entered  in  his  book 
Who'll  Dana  'nother  year  to  brook 
The  Pecks  and  frowns  of  thankless  men, 
And  be  our  secretary  again  ? 
This  lesson  learn,  if  you  would  Winsor, 
Keep  watch  and  Ward  o'er  every  Mann,  sir; 
Maintain  the  Chase  by  Wing  and  Wire, 
And  time  will  bring  your  heart's  desire. 
The  memory  of  this  time  we'll  treasure, 
And  Foster  well  these  springs  of  pleasure; 
Each  Little  Cole  of  fire  we'll  cover 
As  tenderly  as  bashful  lover; 
Thus  keeping  each,  within  his  Soule, 
The  fire  of  loyalty  and  truth. 

Indeed  so  abundant  was  the  supply  of  wit 
and  wisdom,  that  it  was  "all  hours"  when  the 
sixteenth  annual  dinner  of  the  A.  L.  A.  was 
declared  finis. 

As  if  one  social  evening  was  not  enough,  the 
entertainment  committee  had  arranged  that 
Friday  evening,  September  21,  should  be  given 
up  to  festivity  at  the  Mirror  Lake  Hotel. 
Large  placards  conveyed  the  information  that 
this  was  "  A  LAst  night;"  but  even  this  fact 
could  not  cast  a  gloom  upon  the  evening. 
There  was  dancing  from  9  till  u,  followed  by 
a  "sing."  The  fascinations  of  an  "Art 
gallery"  and  a  "Hall  of  curios"  combined, 
attracted  those  who  were  not  disciples  of 
Terpsichore,  and  when  the  dancing  was  over, 
refreshments  were  served  in  the  pleasant 
dining-room  of  the  hotel.  A  vote  of  thanks 
was  unanimously  tendered  to  Mr.  Martin, 
proprietor  of  the  Mirror  Lake  Hotel,  and  of 
course  there  were  more  speeches,  recitations 
and  toasts.  Among  those  who  thus  helped  to 
speed  the  hours  of  the  "A  LAst  night"  were 
Messrs.  Crunden,  Thwaites,  Soule,  Dudley  and 
Dana.  Then  the  "good  nights  "  were  said,  and 
the  social  features  of  the  Conference  were  at  an 
end,  save  as  they  should  be  continued,  in  modi- 
fied form,  during  the  Post-Conference  week. 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


THE   POST-CONFERENCE    EXCURSION. 
SATURDAY- WEDNESDAY,  BY  HELEN  E.  HAINES. 


First,  it  was  one  of  the  largest  parties  that  has 
ever  taken  a  Post-Conference  trip;  secondly, 
the  Weather  Bureau  had  frowned  upon  frivolity 
and  had  so  arranged  that  the  Conference  week 
proper  was  kept  clear  (indoors)  for  business, 
with  but  few  pleasure  trips,  so  that  when  play- 
time came  all  were  ready  for  it;  lastly,  the 
sentiments  of  the  party  were  fitly  expressed  by 
a  member  when  she  said,  "  When  I  am  at  play 
I  play  just  as  hard  as  I  can;  when  I  am  at 
work  I  work  just  as  hard  as  I  play— -and  you 
see  how  hard  I  play!"  Therefore,  the  Post- 
Conference  was  a  SU  CCESS,  in  big  capitals. 
Q.  E.  D. 

It  began  on  Saturday,  September  22,  when 
at  2.30  P.  M.,  the  members  gathered  about  the 
Mirror  Lake  and  Grand  View  Hotels,  ex- 
changed adieus  with  their  friends,  old  and 
new,  who  were  not  "in  it,"  mounted  tally- 
hos,  ensconced  themselves  in  carryalls  and 
mountain  wagons,  and  were  driven  through  the 
September  sunshine  to  the  little  Lake  Placid 
railway  station,  bidding  a  regretful  farewell 
to  the  beautiful  twin  lakes,  to  Little  Cobble, 
Big  Cobble,  and  Old  Whiteface,  for  by  this 
time  we 
"  Hailed  in  each  crag  a  friend's  familiar  face, 

And  clasped  the  mountains  in  our  mind's  embrace." 

Then  came  the  rapid  run  by  the  Chateaugay 
R.  R.  to  Saranac  Lake.  Here  all  emerged; 
bags,  portmanteaus  and  "  sich "  were  stowed 
away  in  the  waiting  wagons,  more  farewells 
were  exchanged  with  those  whom  unkind  fate 
sent  homeward,  and  the  Post-Conferrees, 
numbering  sixty-odd,  again  piled  into  tallyhos 
and  coaches  and  were  conveyed  along  the 
winding  road  to  the  hotels  Ampersand  and 
Algonquin. 

But  fifteen  were  quartered  at  the  latter  house ; 
the  others  flocked  into  the  Ampersand,  pre- 
empted all  available  rooms,  and  overflowed  into 
tents,  cabins  and  "  annexed  districts,"  whence 
after  some  sprucing  up  they  emerged  ready  for 
supper — and  plenty  of  it.  What  befell  after 
supper  this  chronicle  saith  not.  It  is  rumored 
that  there  was  dancing;  but  this  is  not  credited, 
as  the  Mountain  Climber  and  Devotee  of  Terp- 
sichore is  known  to  have  retired  at  8. 30.  Most 
of  the  members  soon  followed  his  example  and 


sought  repose — some  in  prosaic  hotel  chambers, 
some  in  airy  tents,  where  the  wind  whistled, 
the  canvas  flapped,  and  all  was  eerie,  queery 
and  skeery ;  some  in  quaint  little  cabins  hidden 
in  the  birch  grove,  and  some  in  the  humble 
"annex"  over  the  woodshed. 

On  Sunday  the  librarians  followed  their  own 
sweet  wills.  They  walked  and  talked,  and  ex- 
plored the  woods  and  shore,  they  held  learned 
discourse  upon  the  raison  d'etre  of  the  word 
"ampersand"  (&)  as  applied  to  the  adjacent 
lakes  and  mountain ;  some  went  to  church —  a 
morning  service  was  held  in  the  hotel  parlors — 
and  a  few  lucky  mortals  spent  the  day  in  a 
never-to-be-forgotten  trip  up  the  Lower  Sar- 
anac, through  the  Saranac  River,  across  Round 
Lake,  to  Saranac  Club  Inn  and  back  again. 

Just  a  word  for  this  trip:  it  deserves  more 
than  a  brief  title  entry.  The  parties,  two  boat- 
loads, left  at  9.30  A.  M.,  were  rowed  by  the 
guides  to  Saranac  Club  Inn,  where  they  dined 
(and  such  a  dinner!),  and  returned,  reaching 
l<  home"  at  six.  Literally,  the  day  was  far  from 
perfect,  but  practically  it  was  better  than  per- 
fect, for  it  showed  the  lakes  under  the  varying 
aspects  of  storm  and  quiet,  sunshine  and  cloud, 
wind,  rain  and  calm.  On  the  homeward  way 
there  came  a  smart  shower ;  but  then  the  setting 
sun  shone  out,  and  that  sunset  was,  in  truth,  as 
though  our  eyes  had  "  seen  the  glory  of  the 
coming  of  the  Lord."  There  was  no  warmth 
of  color,  no  red  glow,  but  all  the  world  was 
bathed  in  paly  gold,  lighting  up  the  brown  and 
olive  storm  clouds,  turning  the  hills  into  a  glory 
of  greens  and  browns  and  reds,  casting  myriad 
halos  upon  the  dancing  water, — while  to  the 
east  shone  steadily  the  bow  of  promise. 

The  Weather  Sharp  said  it  meant  rain.  Anp 
it  did.  That  night  we  could  say  with  Long- 
fellow : 

"  The  wind  is  rising,  it  seizes  and  shakes 
The  doors  and  window-blinds,  and  makes 
Mysterious  meanings  in  the  halls — " 

and  especially  in  the  tents.  As  the  wind  rose 
the  temperature  fell,  and  the  warm  wraps 
which  Mr.  Dewey  had  so  emphasized,  and 
which  had  until  now  been  a  delusion  and  a 
snare,  were  rummaged  out  and  donned  three 
deep. 


POST-CONFERENCE    EXCURSION. 


179 


On  Monday  morning,  fortified  by  a  good 
breakfast  and  well  wrapped,  the  party  set  forth 
for  the  ten-mile  drive  by  tallyho  to  Paul 
Smith's.  It  was  arranged  that  those  who 
rode  outside  in  the  morning  should  ride  inside 
in  the  afternoon,  during  the  drive  from  Paul 
Smith's  to  Bloomingdale,  and  it  proved  that 
the  self-sacrificing  ones  who  gave  up  first  place 
chose  literally  "  the  better  part."  The  coaches 
were  full,  outside  and  inside,  and  the  on- 
toppers  packed  themselves  in  so  closely  that  it 
was  hinted  that  the  roof  of  one  coach  was 
weakening,  in  which  case,  some  one  said,  there 
would  be  a  fine  mess  of  library  jelly. 

That  morning's  drive  was  not  hilarious.  The 
coaches  rattled  over  the  "  thank-you-marm's," 
through  the  pines,  over  the  hills  and  far  away ; 
but  the  wind  and  the  rain  and  the  cold  had 
apparently  a  soothing  effect  on  the  spirits  of 
the  party.  But  when  will  we  forget  the  blazing 
wood  fires  in  Paul  Smith's  hospitable  parlors  ? 
How  we  stood  around  them  and  revelled  in 
their  warmth,  thawing  by  degrees,  relaxing 
stiffened  muscles,  and  deciding  that  life  was 
worth  living  after  all,  and  that  the  half-hour 
before  dinner  had  best  be  spent  in  exploring. 

Out  then  the  clans  trooped,  by  twos  and 
threes  and  half-dozens,  rambling  among  the 
big  pines,  along  the  lake,  past  the  charming 
log  cabins — summer  homes  available  only  for 
capitalists — down  the  wooded  knolls  to  the 
lake  shore,  and  then  doing  it  all  over  again. 
There  was  but  one  little  rift  within  the  lute. 
This  was  no  lodge  in  a  vast  wilderness,  but  a 
civilized,  expensive  summer  hotel,  with  modern 
improvements,  and  the  untamed  librarians 
yearned  for  forest  solitudes,  for  wilderness 
and  "  b'ars."  But  civilization  has  its  compen- 
sations : 

"  All  human  history  attests 
That  happiness  for  man — the  hungry  sinner — 
Since  Eve  ate  apples,  much  depends  on  dinner,'' 

and  that  dinner  at  Paul  Smith's  reconciled  us 
to  Nineteenth  Century  existence,  as  demon- 
strated in  fried  chicken,  venison  a  la  chasseur, 
Neapolitan  macaroni,  and  accompaniments. 

Then  came  the  eight  mile  drive  to  Blooming- 
dale  station,  when  the  former  outsiders  went 
inside  and  the  insiders  came  out.  By  this 
time  the  storm  had  cleared,  the  sun  smiled  in 
a  wintry  way  but  with  signs  of  relenting,  and 
the  wind  had  subsided.  It  was  a  very  jolly 


drive  among  the  pines,  first  going  up,  up,  up, 
then  coming  down,  down,  downy,  and,  in  the 
words  of  the  poet, 

"  There  was  music  in  the  air  as  the  A.  L.  A.  went  by, 
And  clear  their  voices  rang  in  the  gray  September 
sky! " 

By  the  time  the  coaches  reached  Blooming- 
dale  station  the  star  spangled  banner  had 
waved,  the  gem  of  the  ocean  had  sparkled, 
Bonnie  had  been  brought  back  several  times, 
Nellie  had  been  seen  home  assiduously,  and 
the  yearnings  of  the  librarians  had  found  vent 
in  musical  appeals  for  "  Mush,  mushr  mush ! " 

Bloomingdale  station  was  taken  by  a  strategic 
movement,  and  the  host  rested  on  their  arms  and 
entertained  "  the  lively  shadow- world  of  song," 
to  the  edification  (?)  of  the  natives,  until  the 
Loon  Lake  train  appeared,  and  was  promptly 
carried  by  assault.  From  Loon  Lake  station 
to  Loon  Lake  House  was  a  three  mile  drive 
through  the  lengthening  shadows,  among  the 
loveliest  surroundings,  each  woodsy  vista 
revealing  fresh  beauties  of  tinted  foliage, 
purple  hills  and  glimpses  of  the  hidden  lake. 

Loon  Lake  House  "is  chiefly  noted  for  "  its 
supper — and  those  members  who  expatiate, 
instead,  upon  the  attractions  of  the  charming 
views,  the  wooded  hills  and  the  lakeside  paths, 
are  to  be  regarded  with  distrust.  After  supper 
the  party  gathered  in  the  delightful  main  hall 
and  office,  around  the  blazing  open  fires,  where 
some  wrote  letters,  but  the  majority  talked  and 
talked  and  talked  again. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  the  Outsider  that  libra- 
rians are  distinctively  a  Gregarious  Species, 
and  it  is  another  opinion  of  the  same  observer 
that  had  an  American  librarian  participated  in 
the  famous  talking  match  between  the  French- 
man, the  Englishman  and  the  German,  the  re- 
sult of  that  contest  would  have  been  different. 
It  was  amusing  to  listen  to  the  babble  of  con- 
versation and  to  note  how  "shop"  was  omni- 
present even  in  playtime,  and  how,  though  the 
talk  might  stray  far  afield  from  shelf-lists, 
fixed  location,  catalogs  and  stacks,  it  was  sure 
to  return  anon  to  those  mysterious  library 
realms. 

It  has  been  intimated  that  the  spirits  of  the 
party  were  high ;  but  how  unrestrained  those 
spirits  were  was  not  known  until  that  evening 
at  Loon  Lake  House,  when  they  (the  spirits) 
performed  weird  antics  of  table-tipping,  and 


i8o 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


even  sent  a  solemn  grand  piano  curveting 
about  the  room,  much  to  the  delectation  of  the 
guests  of  the  hotel,  who — in  common  with  the 
ordinary  folk  at  most  of  our  stopping-places — 
seemed  to  regard  the  A.  L.  A.  party  as  a 
"sideshow"  provided  for  their  special  enter- 
tainment. 

At  nine  o'clock  on  Tuesday  morning,  in  a 
misty  rain,  the  tribes  left  Loon  Lake  for 
Plattsburgh,  the  indefatigable  secretary  being 
reenforced  by  the  courteous  agent  of  the  D.  & 
H.  C.  Co.,  who  was  to  "personally  conduct" 
us  as  far  as  Lake  George.  The  trip  from  Loon 
Lake  to  Plattsburgh  occupied  about  two  hours, 
and  was  chiefly  given  up  to  watching  the  mag- 
nificent mountain  panorama  that  was  unrolled 
as  the  train  rushed  up  the  steep  grades,  ' '  way 
up  on  the  mountain  top,  tip-top,"  or  swung 
around  sharp  curves  that  left  one  breathless. 

A  few  enterprising  spirits  stationed  them- 
selves on  the  rear  platform  of  the  train 
and  drank  in  the  wonderful  view,  imbibing  at 
the  same  time  a  plentiful  modicum  of  coal  dust 
and  cinders.  Specially  interesting  were  the 
deserted  villages,  formerly  thriving  charcoal- 
burning  or  iron-mining  settlements,  now  bare 
and  desolate,  the  cabins,  workshops  and  general 
store  shuttered  up  or  gaping  forlornly.  Dan- 
nemora,  too,  was  interesting,  with  the  battle- 
mented  walls  of  the  prison,  which,  a  small  boy 
informed  us,  contained  "more'n  a  thousand 
men." 

During  the  trip  the  mist  cleared  away  and 
the  sun  shone  fair  and  promising,  turning  the 
hills  into  wonderful  kaleidoscopes  of  greens, 
bronzes  and  reds.  Plattsburgh  was  reached 
at  noon,  and  the  company  trooped  into  Paul 
Smith's  Fouquet  House,  whence  some  made 
their  way  to  the  town  and  invested  in  "rub- 
bers," "goloshes"  and  "gums" — according  to 
where  they  were  "raised" — with  which  to 
brave  the  slipperiness  of  Au  Sable  Chasm,  and 
which,  parenthetically,  were  quite  unnecessary. 
Dinner  over,  the  train  was  boarded  for  the 
Chasm,  stopping  by  the  way  at  Bluff  Point, 
where  all  baggage  was  left,  to  be  taken  to  the 
Hotel  Champlain. 

The  Chasm  was  reached  at  three  o'clock, 
and  the  party  made  their  way  to  the  little  pa- 
goda, the  entrance  to  the  gorge,  where  they 
peered  through  the  panes  of  blue  and  yellow 
glass  and  exclaimed  at  the  wonderful  color 


effects  cast  upon  the  rocks  and  the  river  below. 
Then  down  the  winding  stairway  to  the  Chasm 
they  filed,  enthusiastic  at  first,  exclaiming 
over  the  coloring,  the  rocks,  the  sky,  the  sun- 
light and  the  river,  but  gradually  growing 
silent  as  the  full  beauty  of  the  scene  made  it- 
self felt.  Frederika  Bremer  once  said  that  "  a 
visit  to  the  Chasm  would  reward  a  voyage  from 
Europe,"  and  this  afternoon  was  undoubtedly 
the  crown  and  climax  of  our  trip. 

Turn  for  a  moment  to  the  guide-book: 
' '  Near  Keeseville  the  Au  Sable  River  flows  over 
the  Alice  Falls,  and  then  descends,  a  line  of 
swirling  rapids,  to  the  Birmingham  Falls. 
Below  it  grows  narrower  and  deeper,  and 
rushes  through  Au  Sable  Chasm,  where,  at  the 
narrowest  point,  a  wedged  bowlder  cramps 
the  channel  to  the  width  of  six  or  eight  feet. 
Still  lower  down,  the  walls  stand  about  fifty 
feet  apart,  and  are  more  than  one  hundred 
feet  high,  descending  to  the  water's  edge  in 
sheer  perpendicular  line."  For  nearly  two 
miles  the  river  makes  its  way  within  these 
rocky  walls,  breaking  out  into  wonderful 
fissures,  clefts  and  gullies;  now  fretting  and 
storming  in  a  foaming  torrent;  now  hardly 
moving,  a  waveless,  inky  pool ;  while  on  either 
side  the  sheer  cliffs  rise  like  piers  of  masonry, 
crowned  with  cedars,  and  fringed  and  garlanded 
with  moss  and  evergreens. 

There  was  no  order  in  our  wanderings.  By 
twos  and  threes  we  visited  the  deep  cave, 
peered  down  the  great  pot-hole  known  as 
"Jacob's  Well,"  clambered  over  the  rocks, 
and  mounted  the  winding  galleries  and  stair- 
ways. The  Western  Antiquarian  and  the 
Mountain  Climber  held  sage  'ological  discus- 
sions upon  Potsdam  sandstone,  volcanic  forma- 
tions and  friable  rock;  some  grosser  souls 
were,  not  above  the  charms  of  peanuts,  and 
others  loaded  themselves  with  stone  "relics" 
of  the  trip.  Then  came  the  gathering  on  Table 
Rock,  where  the  boat  landing  is,  and  where 
photographs  and  "soft"  drinks  are  obtainable; 
then,  the  too  short  "boat  ride,"  the  shooting 
of  the  rapids;  and  then — 'twas  over,  and  the 
librarians  stowed  themselves  into  the  waiting 
wagons,  and  were  driven  in  hilarious  mood  to 
the  little  Au  Sable  station,  whence  the  train 
was  to  convey  them  to  Hotel  Champlain. 

Here,  in  the  rustic  shed  that  served  as  depot, 
the  meeting  was  called  to  order,  and  the  closing 


POST-CONFERENCE    EXCURSION. 


181 


exercises  of  "  Au  Sable  Day"  were  held, 
Secretary  Hill  reading  the  following  communi- 
cation, which  had  reached  him  that  morning 
and  been  held  in  reserve  all  day: 

Au  SABLE  CHASM,  September  23, 1894. 
This  comes  to  inform  you,  O  dear  A.  L.  A., 
Who  are  just  in  the  midst  of  a  week's  holiday, 
That  we  two,  who  cut  across  country,  instead 
Of  following  where  the  Post-Conference  led, 
Ai  e  here  at  this  chasm,  which  some  people  label 
Au  Sahble,  some  Ossible,  others  Au  Sable. 

We  left  the  hotels  in  most  excellent  style, 

And  went  without  stopping  for  nearly  a  mile, 

When  we  paused  to  take  on  summer  boarders  and 

trunks 

(The  latter  might  well  have  been  fitted  with  bunks, 
And  each  used  for  a  cottage,  so  bulky  were  they, 
But  at  last  on  a  buckboard  they  hied  them  away). 

Then  we  stopped  for  a  bundle.  "This  side  up, with  care, 

Leave  at  Toby's  old  tenant-haouse,  I'll  pay  the  fare." 

After  this  nothing  happened  till  Wilmington  Notch, 

Where  a  strap  badly  fastened  created  a  botch, 

For  just  as  we  came  to  the  foot  of  the  hill, 

A  passenger  cried,  "  Look  behind  !   There's  a  spill ! " 

And  suddenly,  with  a  dull,  sickening  thud, 
Down  went  the  librarian's  trunk  in  the  mud  ; 
This  being  recovered,  we  saw  a  fresh  trail 
On  Whiteface's  eastern  side  scarred  and  pale. 

'Twas  a  serpentine  path,  made  in  order  to  guide 

A  party  of  six  through  waltz,  polka  and  glide, 

Led  on  by  one  Cutter,  of  catalog  fame, 

To  keep  up  their  spirits,  as  downward  they  came, 

Wet  and  chilled,  but  still  dancing  with  zeal  ever  new, 

Over  ten  miles  of  road,  till  they  found  the  Grand  View. 

At  noontide,  we  halted  at  Baldwin's  good  inn, 
Where  everything's  tidy,  and  neat  as  a  pin. 
'Twas  there  we  changed  horses,  and  sped  to  the  town, 
Where  Au  Sable's  two  branches  come  rapidly  down. 

We  had  brought  such  a  thirst  from  the  top  of  the 

mountain, 

That  we  instantly  looked  for  a  near  soda  fountain; 
In  the  shop  where  we  found  it,  were  watches  and  drugs, 
Huyler's  candy  (not  fresh)  and  some  gilt  cups  and 

mugs. 

And  Miss  Garland  will  doubtless  be  happy  to  know, 
Books  by  Mary  J.  Holmes,  and  our  friend,  "poor  old 

Roe." 

Lest  this  statement  should  give  any  A.  L.  A.  pain, 
Let  me  say  that  beside  them  were  Scott  and  Montaigne. 

It  was  just  five  o'clock  when  we  drove  to  the  door 
Of  the  quiet  "Lake  View,"  close  to Champlain's  west 

shore; 

To-day  we  have  come  to  the  Chasm  with  speed, 
For  "  the  better  the  day,  the  better  the  deed." 

And  we  think,  as  we  sit  in  a  cave  in  the  wall, 
And  hear  the  wild  roar  of  the  river  and  fall, 
'Tis  a  bit  of  the  Rockies,  a  canon  that  we 
Only  wish  our  "  Arapahoe  "  friends  here  to  see. 

C.  M.  H.  I    X    their 
M.  F.        (X  marks. 


It  was  a  very  merry  party  that  boarded  the 
train  at  Au  Sable.  The  half-hour's  wait  had 
been  employed,  in  scrambling  about,  taking  last 
looks  at  the  Chasm,  and  gathering  "  weeds"  ; 
indeed,  almost  every  one  was  more  or  less 
decorated  with  goldenrod,  asters  and  bitter- 
sweet berries,  and  laden  down  with  ferns, 
vines  and  autumn  leaves.  At  Port  Kent  there 
was  a  wait  of  three-quarters  of  an  hour,  chiefly 
given  over  to  a  musicale,  the  crowning  feature 
of  which  was  "John  Brown's  Body,"  "cur- 
tailed" in  good,  old-fashioned  style.  A  small 
boy  with  a  big  basket  full  of  apples,  pears  and 
plums,  wandered  into  the  Port  Kent  station 
while  it  was  in  the  hands  of  the  library  horde ; 
in  less  time  than  it  takes  to  write  it  his  basket 
was  empty,  and  the  youth,  in  a  state  of  happy 
bewilderment,  was  counting  over  the  "thirty- 
nine  or  forty  cents,"  which  was,  he  said,  the 
most  he  had  ever  made  "  'cept  once  two  weeks 
ago,  when  he'd  made  mor'n  thirty-five  cents 
off  n  'nother  lot  o'  people." 

Bluff  Point  was  reached  at  6. 50 ;  there  was 
a  short  drive  to  the  hotel,  and  soon  all,  clothed 
and  in  their  right  minds,  were  doing  justice  to 
the  elaborate  menu  of  the  Hotel  Champlain, 
which  stated  in  a  footnote,  "  Hotel  Champlain 
will  close  September  26,  after  breakfast."  It 
was  a  pleasant  surprise,  at  supper  time,  to  be 
greeted  by  the  Arapahoe  and  the  Lady  from 
Milwaukee,  who  were  bound  for  Burlington  by 
Wednesday's  steamer.  The  Arapahoe,  being 
a  sceptic  as  well  as  a  pessimist,  had  travelled 
down  from  Lake  Placid  for  the  express  purpose 
of  disproving  and  confounding  the  table-tippers. 
So  that  evening  the  "  spirits"  had  another  ses- 
sion, which  was  satisfactory  in  that  it  confirmed 
both  parties  in  their  previous  convictions . 

After  supper  there  was  a  display  of  fireworks 
on  the  hotel  grounds,  which  the  A.  L.  A.  ac- 
cepted, perhaps  mistakenly,  as  a  tribute  to 
their  presence.  There  was  also  a  concert,  the 
sixth  number  being  "March:  American  Library 
Association,"  and  then  an  informal  meeting 
was  held  in  the  white  parlor,  where  resolutions 
were  passed  thanking  the  proprietors  for  their 
courtesy  in  keeping  the  hotel  open  for  the 
special  accommodation  of  the  A.  L.  A. 

Let  us  draw  a  veil  over  Wednesday  morning. 
It  is  not  a  pleasant  memory.  It  recalls  the 
stentorian  voice  of  the  porter,  as  he  thundered 
at  each  door — "Five-thirty!"  "  Fi ve -thirty !" 


182 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


But  five-thirty  it  was,  perforce,  so  the  unwilling 
ones  arose,  donned  their  clothes,  and  went  in 
search  of  the  magnificent  view,  which  had  been 
ingeniously  used  as  a  reason  for  this  early 
reveille.  And  it  was  magnificent,  that  glo- 
rious morning,  from  the  observatory  of  the 
hotel,  to  gaze  upon  the  beautiful  lake,  the 
wooded  shores,  the  distant  hills,  and  to  feel 
the  intoxication  of  the  sunshine  and  the  fresh, 
invigorating  air.  Breakfast  was  at  6. 30,  and 
all  was  business  and  activity,  for  the  hotel 
force  were  intent  upon  the  closing  that  was  to 
follow.  Then  came  a  brisk  walk  to  the  dock, 
and  soon  the  whole  party,  with  bag  and  bag- 
gage, were  on  board  the  Vermont,  bound  for 
the  Sagamore,  Lake  George. 

That  lake  trip  is  another  "white  day"  which 
will  long  remain  a  delightful  memory.  It  was 
glorious  "A.  L.  A.  weather,"  the  scenery,  the 
company,  each  was  perfect — what  more  could 
one  desire  ?  For  hours  the  white  hotel  was  in 
view,  overlooking  the  beautiful  expanse  of  the 
lake,  and  all  the  morning  Mount  Mansfield 
bore  us  company,  glistening  with  the  first  snow 
of  the  season.  Nor  did  we  simply  gaze  and 
admire.  Being  "a  literary  lot,"  we  sought  in- 
formation likewise. 

The  Western  Antiquarian,  being  naturally 
at  home  upon  an  historic  waterway,  was  all 
that  morning  the  centre  of  an  animated 
"history  group"  devoted  to  the  discussion  of 
the  War  of  Independence,  the  French  and 
Indian  Wars,  the  early  voyageurs  and  pioneers, 
and  the  historic  episodes  brought  to  mind  by 
the  region  through  which  we  were  passing.  At 
Burlington  we  said  farewell  to  the  Arapahoe 
and  his  companion,  but  here  there  was  a 
pleasant  surprise  as  well,  for  two  members 
who  had  been  left  behind  at  Saranac  station 
made  their  appearance,  to  accompany  the 
party  as  far  as  the  Sagamore.  Dinner  was 
served  on  the  steamer,  and  at  noon  Fort 
Ticonderoga  was  reached,  whence  the  train 
bore  us  to  Baldwin  and  Lake  George. 

What  can  be  said  of  that  voyage  down  Lake 
George  on  the  Horicon  f  It  is  reiteration  to 
say  that  this  was  the  loveliest  of  all;  never- 
theless it  was.  Every  one  was  forward  on  the 
upper  deck,  giving  themselves  up  to  rapt  en- 
joyment of  the  glorious  day,  the  beautiful 
shores,  the  islands,  the  glittering  expanse  of 
sunlit  water.  Here,  too,  we  had  a  cicerone. 


The  captain,  animated  by  a  laudable  desire  to 
"beat  the  Adirondacks,"  pointed  out  the 
features  of  the  route.  He  showed  us  Rogers' 
Slide  and  told  its  story;  he  told  the  tale  of 
Sabbath-day  JPoint;  he  showed  us  Anthony's 
Nose,  the  Elephant,  sunning  himself  lazily 
upon  the  mountain  side,  the  Old  Man,  with  his 
magic  transformations,  the  Shanghai  Cock, 
precariously  perched  upon  the  rock  wall;  he 
told  the  history  of  the  lake  steamers,  pointed 
out  Black  Mountain  and  the  Sugar  Loaf,  and 
showed  us  an  eagle,  idly  resting  on  a  ragged 
pine  tree. 

Three  o'clock  came  all  too  soon.  Hasty 
farewells  were  exchanged  with  the  two  we  left 
behind  us,  and  with  our  kindly  "personal 
conductor,"  to  whom  was  tendered  an  informal 
but  hearty  resolutio'n  of  thanks.  Then  the 
cohorts  trooped  from  the  steamer  to  the  Saga- 
more, where  they  were  quartered  in  luxurious 
rooms  with  open  fireplaces  and  long  French 
windows  opening  on  broad  verandas.  After 
removing  an  upper  layer  of  dust  the  visitors 
hurried  down  and  out  to  explore  the  beautiful 
island,  and  the  rest  of  the  afternoon  was  given 
up  to  a  lovely  ramble  along  the  shore,  over  the 
rustic  bridge,  out  to  the  summer-house  on  the 
furthermost  point,  and  then  to  the  hotel  by  a 
charming  path  through  the  woods,  bordered 
with  ferns,  with  moss  and  scarlet  partridge- 
berries.  Then,  to  come  down  to  material 
needs,  how  good  the  supper  was,  in  the  big 
dining-room,  and  how  heartily  every  one  ap- 
preciated the  skill  of  the  Sagamore's  chefs, 
especially  as  illustrated  in  milk-toast  and  pota- 
toes hashed  in  cream. 

After  dinner  the  tribes  separated.  Some 
gathered  about  the  great  wood  fires,  toasted 
their  toes,  and  talked.  Four  indefatigable 
dancers,  who  had  been  denied  their  favorite 
pastime  till  patience  was  no  longer  a  virtue, 
assembled  in  the  great  dancing  hall,  illuminated 
with  a  few  melancholy  jets,  and  while  one 
played  and  one  looked  on  and  waited  "  turns," 
the  solitary  couple  had  a  solitary  but  satisfac- 
tory dance.  Then  all  gathered  for  a  meeting, 
held  in  the  deserted  dining-room,  where  Pres. 
Larned  presented  for  discussion  the  history 
division  of  Miss  Coe's  list  of  books  for  work- 
ing girls'  clubs,  which  was  amended,  criti- 
cised and  dissected  until  fatigue  conquered 
and  the  session  was  declared  adjourned. 


POST-CONFERENCE    EXCURSION. 


183 


THURSDAY-SATURDAY. 
BY  CAROLINE  HARWOOD  GARLAND. 

Thursday  was  the  one  day  for  which  no  pro- 
gram had  been  arranged,  the  itinerary  reading 
modestly:  "  Thursday,  at  Sagamore  House." 
There  were  those  who  believed  that  simple 
legend,  and  having  been  told  that  the  Saga- 
more was  the  most  delightful  place  in  the 
world,  innocently  supposed  that  the  day  was 
to  be  devoted  to  a  quiet  and  peaceful  contem- 
plation of  its  delights. 

In  point  of  fact,  the  company  had  hardly 
arrived  before  a  stalwart  Appalachian  was  in 
active  circulation  inciting  a  party  to  go  off  and 
climb  Black  Mountain,  over  on  the  other  side 
of  the  lake.  Incredible  to  say,  he  found  ardent 
supporters,  and  on  the  morning  of  Thursday 
twenty-five  persons,  goaded  by  evil  consciences 
or  some  other  cause  of  restless  activity,  turned 
their  backs  on  the  most  delightful  place  in  the 
world  and  set  sail  in  a  steamer  for  the  foot  of 
Black  Mountain. 

The  clouds  were  threatening  and  the  wind 
was  chilly,  but  nothing  venture,  nothing 
have.  So  the  weather,  taken  by  the  horns — 
if  the  figure  may  be  permitted — capitulated. 
The  clouds  broke  up  into  masses  of  white  on 
a  clear,  blue  sky.  The  wind  came  out  west- 
erly. The  view  of  the  heavens,  as  well  as  of 
the  earth  that  day  from  the  mountain,  was 
something  to  see  but  not  to  describe. 

There  were  fourteen  people  who  climbed  the 
mountain.  The  other  eleven  kept  on  in  the 
steamer,  went  around  Paradise  Bay,  landed, 
explored,  lunched — mostly  on  sorrel — and  de- 
clared, on  their  return,  that  their  day  had 
been  the  best  day  of  all.  Those  who  did  not 
leave  the  Sagamore  hotly  disputed  this,  con- 
tending that  no  day  could  be  so  fine  as  theirs. 
The  president,  who  had  resisted  all  tempta- 
tions to  drive,  or  walk  or  climb,  boldly  declar- 
ing that  on  this  one  day  he  wanted  to  loaf 
and  invite  his  soul,  lent  the  dignity  of  his  sanc- 
tion to  a  similar  verdict. 

Those  who  followed  Artist's  Brook  a  little 
ways  above  the  saw-mill,  and  sitting  down 
quietly  in  an  opening  of  the  woods,  let 
the  picture  before  them  imprint  itself  slowly 
and  indelibly  upon  their  minds — those  are 
more  than  content  to  believe  that  the  best  was 
theirs.  As  for  that  vain-glorious  fourteen  who 


scaled  the  mountain  heights,  they  were  so  sure 
that  they  were  to  be  envied  of  all  men,  that 
they  sat  down  on  the  summit  and  begged  the 
Antiquarian  to  write  some  verses,  with  the  fol- 
lowing result : 

A  HILL-TOP  MEDLEY  IN  DOGGEREL. 


Top  of  Blackface  Mt.,  Lake  George,  I 
i  P.  M.,  Thursday,  Sept.  27, 1894.     ) 


TO    THE     FAINT-HEARTS    WHO    TURNED     BACK     FROM 
WHITEFACE  : 


Here  on  top  of  Blackface  Mountain, 
Which  for  hours  we  have  been  mounting, 

Our  thoughts  are  fondly  with  you,  far  away; 
For  though  Whiteface  not  ascending, 
You  have  been  most  condescending, 

To  praise  the  toilsome  effort  of  that  day. 


There  had  spread  a  queer  impression, 
During  the  labors  of  the  session, 

That  Whiteface  was  the  fable  of  a  day  ; 
Mayhap  there  was  apparent  reason, 
In  that  very  gruesome  season, 

For  misbelief  in  even  Cutter's  say. 


But  very  sad  this  harsh  reflection, 
On  the  mountaineering  section 

Of  the  worthy  A.  L.  A.; 
Hence  to  save  its  reputation, 
Eat  we  here  a  slight  collation 

In  the  middle  of  the  day. 


We  have  clambered  to  the  top, 
Into  limping  verse  to  drop, 

As  we  our  bones  are  resting  on  the  way  ; 
For  we  wish  you  all  to  know 
That  we  are  in  the  land  of  snow, 

And  find  our  mountaineering  only  play. 

ENSEMBLE. 

In  the  distance,  clouded  Whiteface, 

Finest  mountain  of  the  chain, 
And  here  about  us  Blackface, 

With;nary  a  drop  of  rain, 
Which  hill  is  the  grander, 

'Tis  not  for  us  to  choose. 
Just  as  an  Ampersander 

Would  his  bottom  dollar  lose, 
Than  express  a  cold  opinion 

On  tents  or  annex  sheds, 
Or  whether  neck  or  pinion 

Is  better  than  chicken  legs. 


184 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


Over  there,  is  Loon  Lake  Station; 

Just  beyond,  the  Singing  Sand, 
And  the  warriors  of  the  nation 

On  Plattsburg's  glist'ning  strand. 
Paul  Smith's  a  trifle  yonder, 

With  his  white-horse  tally-ho, 
Which  makes  the  yokels  wonder 

That  a  man  can  ride  below. 
At  our  feet  the  limpid  George, 

And  the  turreted  Sagamore, 
,         All  by  the  mountain  gorge, 

And  lovers'  leaps  galore. 

But  why  linger  here  much  longer, 
Courting  the  muse  on  lofty  plane, 

When  we  are  beset  with  hunger, 
And  to  have  more  lunch  would  fane. 

No  Grand  View  sandwich  doth  regale 

The  heroes  of  this  limping  tale  : 

They  naught  but  oxygen  inhale, 

Lacking  "The  Bottle  of  Kinsale." 

Oh,  how  can  Muse  her  lovers  'thuse, 

When  famine  dread  doth  rear  its  head  ? 
'Tis  enough  to  create  defection 
E'en  in  the  mountaineering  section. 

From  all  quarters  of  the  globe,  the  parties 
returned  with  singular  unanimity  for  dinner ; 
and  the  short  afternoon  was  spent  in  driving — 
happy  were  they  who  took  the  magnificent 
drive  over  Federal  Hill — in  walking  a  little,  in 
talking  a  good  deal  and  in  being  photographed. 
Then  there  was  the  sunset,  with  the  shadows 
creeping  upward  on  the  mountain  sides,  the 
warm  flush,  pink,  and  then  fading  to  tender 
gray,  and  later  the  soft,  bright  after  glow. 
And  who  that  came  walking  up  that  woodland 
road  from  the  little  rustic  observatory  to  the 
hotel,  can  ever  forget  it  ? — the  gathering 
shadows ;  the  stately  trees  almost  meeting  far 
overhead ;  the  springy  loam,  yielding  to  the 
foot  at  every  step ;  the  air  laden  with  fra- 
grance of  balsam  and  pine ;  and  at  the  end,  a 
rocker  and  an  open  fire. 

That  evening  was  devoted  to  social  features. 
At  the  supper  tables  a  more  or  less  suppressed 
excitement  made  itself  felt.  Certain  import- 
ant personages  "  wanted  to  see"  somebody  in 
the  little  parlor,  in  the  writing  room,  in  the 
room  at  the  head  of  the  stairs.  The  result 
was  that  everybody  went  to  everybody  else's 
room,  which  did  not  mix  matters  up  at  all,  but 
only  made  them  more  entertaining.  Once 
gathered  in  the  parlor,  charades  were  an- 
nounced, in  the  course  of  which  were  dis- 
played several  clever  bits  of  impromptu  act- 


ing. The  audience  was  equal  to  the  demands 
upon  it  and  guessed  successively,  Catalogue, 
Periodical,  Cross-reference,  Poole's  Index,  but 
had  to  be  assisted  to  Bibliography. 

Charades  gave  way  to  characters,  and  after 
these  were  guessed,  divers  dignified  members 
of  the  party  got  down  on  their  knees  before 
the  open  fire  and  popped  corn  and  roasted 
chestnuts.  It  had  been  planned  that  at  this 
point  the  Recorder  of  the  A.  L.  A.  and  his 
wife  should  present  the  balcony  scene  from 
Romeo  and  Juliet — the  Sagamore  being  the 
place  of  tender  memory  to  them — but  they 
were  not  to  be  found,  so  the  evening  wound  up 
with  a  Virginia  reel,  after  which  some  folks 
went  to  bed  immediately  and  some  folks 
didn't. 

On  Friday  morning  that  which  had  befallen 
us  at  Hotel  Champlain  again  befel  us.  Be- 
ing the  last  guests  of  the  season  we  saw  the 
shrouding  of  the  carpets  and  furniture,  and  the 
ghostly  array  of  white  served  to  lessen  the 
sorrow  with  which  the  pilgrims  took  a  farewell 
of  the  house  and  went  out  to  be  photographed. 
From  the  lawn  to  the  steamer  landing  was 
only  a  step ;  a  reluctant  step  at  the  time,  yet 
once  embarked  there  was  no  occasion  for  lin- 
gering regret. 

The  morning  was  royal.  Clear  fine  air, 
bright  sunlight,  blue  water.  Two  little  steam- 
ers placed  themselves  on  either  side  a  great 
scow,  and  the  pilgrims  were  invited  to  the 
steamers,  and  the  trunks  were  rolled  into  the 
scow.  It  required  but  a  glance  to  windward 
to  see  that  the  scow  was  a  more  excellent  place 
for  view,  and  presently  every  trunk  had  a  pil- 
grim sitting  on  it. 

Caldwell  is  only  ten  miles  from  the  Saga- 
more, so  there  was  only  about  an  hour's  sail. 
But  what  an  hour!  The  lake  lay  blue  and 
sparkling  in  the  sunlight.  On  the  east  rose 
Buck  Mountain,  lofty  and  fair,  and  Pilot,  with 
its  divided  peak.  Behind  was  Black  Mountain, 
gaunt  and  rocky.  Away  to  the  south  stretched 
French  Mountain.  By  turning  our  heads  we 
could  still  see  Dome  Island,  its  slopes  covered 
with  the  greens  of  many  varieties  of  tree. 
Further  on  the  Three  Sisters  greeted  us,  as 
had,  down  the  lake,  the  Three  Brothers.  For 
miles  along  the  shore  line  no  house  would  be 
seen,  and  then  an  opening  in  the  woods  would 
reveal  a  group  of  summer  cottages,  more  or 


POST-CONFERENCE    EXCURSION. 


185 


less  pretentious.  But  these  did  not  seem  so 
much  a  part  of  it  all  as  did  the  little  village  of 
Hillville,  sitting  close  to  the  water's  edge  at 
the  westerly  base  of  the  hills,  its  one  little 
church  sending  a  white  spire  heavenward. 

Of  all  the  company  who  took  that  beautiful 
ride  no  two  saw  or  heard  or  felt  the  same 
things.  One,  remembers  the  hawk  that  sailed 
over.  One,  will  say  that  never  was  blue  like 
unto  the  blue  of  the  water  that  morning. 
Another,  will  close  his  eyes  and  feel  again  on 
his  face  the  keen  freshness  of  that  September 
air.  But  no  one  of  us  all  can  have  had  that 
hour  of  nature  without  being  the  better 
for  it. 

It  was  a  chattering  throng  that  scrambled 
off  the  trunks  and  out  of  the  boats  and 
clambered  up  on  to  the  wharf  to  identify  bag- 
gage. In  the  midst  of  it  all  a  business  meeting 
was  called.  And  here,  on  the  morning  of  the 
28th,  with  trunks  thumping  in  the  hands  of 
sprightly  baggagemen,  an  engine  puffing  on 
the  track,  amid  the  amazement  of  the  small 
boys  and  the  mild  curiosity  of  the  dignified 
guests  of  the  great  Fort  William  Henry  House 
the  A.  L.  A.  adjourned  sine  die,  and  President 
Larned  turned  over  the  reponsibilities  to  Presi- 
dent Utley. 

From  Caldwell  to  Saratoga  the  car  ride  was 
not  particularly  interesting.  Moreover  the 
shadow  of  coming  farewells  made  itself  felt. 
A  procession  of  autograph  seekers  and 
souvenir  collectors  filed  through  the  car.  One 
or  two  began  counting  up  to  see  how  much 
money  they  had  left,  with  very  gloomy  results. 
Here,  too,  a  calamity  befell  us.  This  was  no 
less  than  the  loss  to  the  company  of  Mr. 
Reuben  Gold  Thwaites,  who  elected  to  "go 
right  on."  Even  in  a  company  where  each 
member  contributed  to  the  general  fund  of 
entertainment,  it  will  be  cheerfully  conceded 
that  to  his  ready  tongue  and  fertile  mind  there 
was  a  special  indebtedness. 

At  Saratoga  colored  porters  took  us  in 
charge,  led  us  through  the  dreary,  magnificent 
courtyard  of  the  United  States  Hotel,  and  de- 
posited us  in  the  office,  where  our  arrival, 
important  as  it  was,  produced  not  a  ripple  of 
excitement  among  the  blase  bell  boys.  A 
large  Unitarian  conference  had  that  morning 
left  the  house.  The  librarians  were  quickly 
stowed  away  in  their  vacant  rooms,  and  find- 


ing there  was  still  an  hour  before  dinner  time, 
scattered  to  see  the  sights. 

It  was  evident  that  city  influences  made 
themselves  felt  at  once.  The  men  furtively 
bought  newspapers.  The  women  began  to 
wear  gloves.  All  talked  in  subdued  tones,  and 
nobody  whistled.  After  the  fashion  of  the 
place,  we  loitered  about  the  office,  strolled  out 
along  the  broad  pavements,  and  gazed  at  the 
marvels  in  the  shop  windows.  Part  of  the 
company  went  across  the  street  to  Congress 
Park,  and  recalling  as  best  they  could  after 
such  a  sojourn  in  primeval  wilds,  the  traditions 
of  city  life,  kept  off  the  grass  and  demeaned 
themselves  with  propriety  as  they  wandered 
along  the  well-kept  paths,  and  admired  the 
varying  rainbow  effects  in  the  elaborate  foun- 
tains. There  were  a  few  who  adventurously 
tried  the  waters,  which  bubble  up  invitingly 
in  the  great  glass  globes,  but  the  after- 
pucker  was  generally  too  strong  to  be  con- 
cealed. 

The  afternoon  was  superb  in  air  and  tempera- 
ture, and  was  devoted  to  exploration.  Some 
went  to  Mt.  McGregor,  made  famous  by  the 
last  hours  of  General  Grant;  some  took  the 
electric  car  and  rode  their  money's  worth; 
some  drove  through  Hilton  Park  and  out  along 
the  grand  boulevard  to  the  Lake  and  then  to 
the  Geyser  and  the  Vichy  Springs. 

In  the  evening  the  librarians  accepted  in 
body  the  invitation  of  Mr.  Franklin  W.  Smith 
to  visit  the  House  of  Pansa  and  listen  to  a 
lecture  on  the  manners  and  customs  of  the 
ancient  Romans.  The  house  is  a  perfect  re- 
production of  a  Pompeian  villa,  and  is  a  treasure- 
house  of  beauty  and  information.  The  lecture 
was  extremely  interesting ;  but  the  hour  was 
late,  the  day  had  been  long  and  eventful,  and 
though  the  spirit  was  willing,  an  occasional 
eyelid  drooped,  and  shortly  after  the  close  of 
the  lecture  the  librarians  hied  them  hotelward 
and  sought  repose. 

The  next  morning  we  were  astir  betimes, 
and  gathered  at  the  breakfast  tables  with 
lengthening  faces.  The  melancholy  hour  had 
come,  the  saddest  of  the  trip.  Goodbyes  began 
to  be  said.  Last  entries  were  made  in  memo- 
randum-books. A  sober-faced  and  lugubrious 
company  reluctantly  shouldered  wraps  and 
grips  and  filed  along  the  courtyard  corridor  to 
the  station.  Here  were  more  adieus — several 


1 86 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


times  repeated,  for  the  train  was  late.  When 
at  last  it  rolled  into  the  station  it  was  pretty 
well  filled,  and  the  librarians,  who  had  become 
accustomed  to  special  cars  and  monopoly 
privileges,  found  themselves  obliged  to  take 
seats  where  they  could.  Thus  rudely  were  we 
brought  back  to  the  rough  world  again. 

At  Albany  the  station  resolved  itself  into  a 
great  clearing-house.  Many  of  the  party  re- 
mained in  the  city  several  hours,  making  a 
delightful  and  profitable  visit  to  the  Library 
School,  and  later  started  westward.  Some 


went  on  at  once.  The  Boston  party,  few  but 
very  select,  took  the  eastward  bound  train  at 
ten  o'clock  and  arrived  at  the  Hub  that  after- 
noon. 

The  trip  was  over.  It  had  been  a  delight  to 
body  and  spirit  from  beginning  to  end.  It 
will  be  a  delight  to  recall  in  fancy  when  the 
winter  storms  howl  and  the  work  presses  close 
upon  hard-driven  fingers.  Many  and  warm 
thanks  are  cordially  given  by  those  who  en- 
joyed it  to  those  who  planned  it  and  made  it 
possible. 


ATTENDANCE     REGISTER. 

ABBREVIATIONS:  F.,  Free;  L.,  Library;  Ln.,  Librarian;  P.,  Public;  As.,  Assistant ;  R-R.  Reading-room. 
*  Prefixed  indicates  participation  in  part,  or  all,  of  the  Post-Conference  Excursion,  Sept.  22-29. 


*Ahern,   Mary  E.,  Ln.  Indiana  State  L.,  In- 
dianapolis, Ind. 
Ames,  Rev.  J:  G.,  Supt.  of  Documents,  Dept. 

of  the  Interior,  Washington,  D.  C. 
Andrews,  Clement  W.,  Ln.  Mass.  Institute  of 

Technology,  Boston,  Mass. 
Austin,    Willard   H.,    Reference  Ln.,    Cornell 

University,  Ithaca,  N.  Y. 
Avery,  Myrtilla,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  class  '95,  N.  Y. 

State  Library  School. 
Baker,  G:  H.,  Ln.  Columbia  College  L.,  New 

York  City. 
*Baldwin,  Elizabeth  G . ,  Reviser  in  Cataloging 

Dept.,  Columbia  College  L.,  New  York  City. 
Barnum,  T:  R.,  Ln.   University  of  Vermont, 

Burlington,  Vt. 
Bartlett,  Louise  L.,  Ln.  St.  Johnsbury  Athe- 

nseum,  St.  Johnsbury,  Vt. 
Beckwith,   Daniel,  Ex-Ln.  Providence    Athe- 
naeum, Providence,  R.  I. 
Beckwith,  Mrs.  Daniel,  Providence,  R.  I. 
Beer,  William,  Ln.  Howard  Memorial  Library, 

New  Orleans,  La. 
Berry,  Silas  H.,   Ln.  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Brooklyn, 

N.  Y. 

Bill,  Mrs.  Mary  E.,Ln.  P.  L.,  Waltham,  Mass. 
Birtwell,   C:   W.,   General    Secretary   Boston 

Children's  Aid  Society;  in  charge  of  Home 

Libraries. 
Biscoe,  Walter  S.,  Catalog  Ln.  N.  Y.  State  L., 

Albany,  N.  Y. 

*Boardman,  Anna  E.,  Brookline,  Mass. 
Boland,  Frank  T.,  Stenographer  N.  Y.  State 

L.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 


Bolton,  C:  Knowles,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Brookline,  Mass. 
Bowerman,   G:   F.,  Cataloger  N.  Y.  State  L., 

Albany,  N.  Y. 

Brainerd,  Helen  E.,  Cataloger  Columbia  Col- 
lege L. ,  New  York  City. 
*Brett,  W:  H.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Cleveland,  O. 
Bronner,  S.,    Trustee    Syracuse    Central   L., 

Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
*Browne,  Nina  E. ,  Ln.  Library  Bureau,  Boston, 

Mass. 
*Browning,   Eliza  G.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Indianapolis, 

Ind. 
Bullock,  Edna  D.,  Cataloger  State  University 

L.,  Lincoln,  Neb. 
Bunnell,    Ada,    Classifier    N.    Y.     State    L., 

Albany,  N.  Y. 

*Carr,  Henry  J.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Scranton,  Pa. 
*Carr,  Mrs.  Henry  J. ,  Scranton,  Pa. 
•Cattell,  Sarah  W.,  Ln.  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  New  York 

City. 
*Champlin,  G:  G.,  Cataloger  N.  Y.  State  L., 

Albany,  N.  Y. 

*Champlm,  Mrs.  G:  G.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 
*Chandler,    Ellen   M.,    Cataloger  Buffalo   L., 

Buffalo,  N.  Y. 
*Chapell,  Mrs.     Cornelia   W.,    New   London, 

Conn. 
*Chapell,  Cornelia  W.,  jr.,  Trustee  P.  L.,  New 

London,  Conn. 

*Chapell,  Elizabeth  H. ,  New  London,  Conn. 
Chase,  F:  H.,  Ln.  City  L.,  Lowell,  Mass. 
*Churchman,  Anna  L.,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 
*Clarke,    Edith   E.,  Head  of  Catalog  Dept., 

Newberry  L.,  Chicago,  111. 


ATTENDANCE  REGISTER. 


187 


Cleveland,  Josephine  P.,  Ln.  Illinois  State 
Historical  Society,  Springfield,  111. 

Cloud,  H.  Carrie,  Lji.  F.  L.,  Gilbertsville,  N.  Y. 

Cloud,  Josephine,  Supt.  of  Circulation  P.  L., 
Minneapolis,  Minn. 

Coe,  Ellen  M.,  Ln.  N.  Y.  Free  Circulating  L., 
New  York  City. 

*Colby,  AdahM.,  As.  Ln.  P.  L.,  Concord,  N.  H. 

*Cole,  G:  W.,  Ln.  F.  P.  L.,  Jersey  City,  N.  J. 

*Cole,  Mrs.  G:  W.,  Jersey  City,  N.  J. 

Collins,  Alfred  S.,  Ln.  Reynolds  L.,  Roches- 
ter, N.  Y. 

Cone,  Jessica  G.,  Eaton,  N.  Y.,  class  '95,  N.  Y. 
State  Library  School,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Creighton,  Mrs.  Laura,  Ln.  State  L.,  Des 
Moines,  la. 

Crew,  Florence  B.,  As.  Apprentices'  L.,  Phila- 
delphia, Pa. 

Crunden,  F:  M.,  Ln.  F.  P.  L.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Curran,  Mrs.  Mary  H.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Bangor,  Me. 

*Cutler,  Louisa  S.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Utica,  N.  Y. 

•"-Cutler,  Mary  S.,  Vice-Director  N.  Y.  State 
Library  School,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

*Cutter,  C :  A. ,  Ln.  Forbes  L. ,  Northampton, 
Mass. 

Cutter,  W.  P.,  Ln.  Dept.  of  Agriculture, 
Washington,  D.  C. 

*Cutter,  W:  R.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Woburn,  Mass. 

Dana,  J:  C.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Denver,  Col. 

Davis,  Mary.L.,  Ln.  Lawson  McGhee  L., 
Knoxville,  Tenn. 

*Day,  Mrs.  Robert  E. ,  Hartford,  Conn. 

Denio,  Herbert  W.,  Cataloger  N.  Y.  State  L., 
Albany,  N.  Y. 

*Denio,  Lilian,  Ln.  Bryson  L.,  Teachers  Col- 
lege, New  York  City. 

Dewey,  Melvil,  Director  N.  Y.  State  L.,  Al- 
bany, N.  Y. 

Dewey,  Mrs .  Melvil,  Chairman  Albany  Y.  W. 
C.  A.  and  of  Diocesan  Lending  L.,  Albany, 
N.  Y. 

Dexter,  Lydia  A.,  Cataloger  Newberry  L., 
Chicago,  111. 

*Doren,  Electra  C.,  As.  Ln.  P.  L.,  Dayton,  O. 

Dudley,  C:  R.,  Ln.  City  L.,  Denver,  Col. 

Dunton,  C.  Augusta,  Ln.  P.  L.,  North  Adams, 
Mass. 

*Eastman,  Linda  A.,  As.  P.  L.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Eastman,  Rev.  W:  R.,  Inspector  P.  L.  Dept., 
N.  Y.  State  L.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Ellis,  Mary,  Cataloger  P.  L.  Dept.,  N.  Y. 
State  L.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 


Elmendorf,  H.  L.,  Ln.  F.  P.  L.,  St.  Joseph, 

Mo. 
*Fassig,  Oliver  L.,  Ln.  U.  S.  Weather  Bureau, 

Washington,  D.  C. 
*Faxon,   F :  W. ,  Library  Dept. ,    Boston  Book 

Co.,  Boston,  Mass. 
*Feary,  Charlotte  S.,  Cataloger  N.  Y.  State  L., 

Albany,  N.  Y. 
Fletcher,     F.     Richmond,     Library    Bureau, 

Boston,  Mass. 
Fletcher.  W:  I:,  Ln.  Amherst  College  L.,  Am- 

herst,  Mass. 
Foote,   Elizabeth  L.,  As.  P.  L.  Dept.  N.  Y. 

State,  L.,  Albany,  N.Y. 
Forsyth,   Walter,  G.,  Reference  Ln.  Library 

Co.  of  Philadelphia,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Foster,  W:  E.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Providence,  R.  I. 
Francis,  M-ary,  Hartford,  Conn. 
Fuller,  Edith  D.,   Ln.   Episcopal  Theological 

School,  Cambridge,  Mass. 
*Garland,  Caroline  H.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Dover,  N.  H. 
Gay,  Clara  F.,  Norwood,  Mass. 
Gay,  Frank  B.,  Ln.  Watkinson  L.,  Hartford, 

Conn. 

Gay,  Mrs.  Frank  B.,  Hartford,  Conn. 
Godfrey,  C:  B.,  Library  Bureau,  Boston,  Mass. 
Godfrey,  Lydia  B.,  Ln.  Wellesley  College  L., 

Wellesley,  Mass. 

Gould,  C.  H.,  Ln.  McGill University  L.,  Mont- 
real, P.  Q. 
Grant,  W.    Henry.,  Honorary  Ln.    Board   of 

Foreign  Missions  Presbyterian  Church,  New 

York  City. 

Green,  S:  S.,  Ln.  F.  P.  L.,  Worcester,  Mass. 
*Hagar,  Sarah  C.,   Ln.  Fletcher  F.  L.,  Bur- 
lington, Vt. 
*Haines,  Helen  E.,  As.  Library  Journal,  New 

York  City. 

Harrison,   Joseph  L.,   Ln.   Providence  Athe- 
naeum, Providence,  R.  I. 
Hawes,   Clara  S.,  Ex-Cataloger  Young  Men's 

Library  Association,  Palmer,  Mass. 
Hawley,  Mary  E.,  Cataloger  N.  Y.  State  L., 

Albany,  N.  Y. 

Hayes,  J:  S.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Somerville,  Mass. 
Hayward,  Almira  L.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Cambridge, 

Mass. 
*Hazeltine,  M.  Emogene,  Ln.  James  Prender- 

gast  F.  L.,  Jamestown,  N.  Y. 
Herrick,   Cate  E.,  As.  F.  P.  L.,  New  Haven, 

Conn. 
*Herzog,  Alfred  C.,  Ln.  F.  P.  L.,  Bayonne,  N.  J. 


i88 


LAKE    PLACID    CONFERENCE. 


Hewins,   Caroline  M.,    Ln.  P.   L.,   Hartford, 

Conn. 
*Heydrick,    Josephine    S.,     Ln.    Pequot    L., 

Southport,  Conn. 

*Hill,  Frank  P.,  Ln.  F.  P.  L.,  Newark,  N.  J. 
*Hill,  Mrs.  Frank  P.,  Newark,  N.  J. 
Hills,   Mrs.   Agnes,    Ln.   P.    L.,    Bridgeport, 

Conn. 

Hopkins,  Anderson  H. ,  As.  University  of  Mich- 
igan L.,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 
Hosmer,   James  K.,   Ln.   P.  L.,  Minneapolis, 

Minn. 
Hull,  Fanny,  Ln.  Union  for  Christian  Work, 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

*Hutson,  Cecilia  M.,  As.  P.  L.,  Cleveland,  O. 
Ives,  William,  Ln.  Buffalo  L.,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 
Jacobs,  Mary  C.,  Dorchester,  Mass. 
James,  W.  J.,  Ln.  Wesleyan  University  L., 

MicMletown,  Conn. 

James,  Mrs.  W.  J.,  Middletown,  Conn. 
Jenks,   Rev.   H:  F.,   Trustee  P.  L.,   Canton, 

Mass. 

Jenks,  Mrs.  H:  F.,  Canton,  Mass. 
Johnston,    D.  V.    R.,    Reference   Ln.    N.    Y. 

State  L.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 
Jones,    Ada    Alice,    Head    Cataloger    N.     Y. 

State  L.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

*Jones,  Clara  A.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Warwick,  Mass. 
*Jones,  Gardner  M.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Salem,  Mass. 
Kates,  Clarence  Sears,  Ln.  P.  L.  Branch 

No.  4,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Kates,  Mrs.  Clarence  Sears,   Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Keating,   Jeraldine,    K.,    London,    Eng.,  class 

'96,    N.    Y.    State  Library  School,    Albany, 

N.  Y. 

*King,  Anna,  C.,  Albion,  N.  Y. 
Koopman,   H.    L.,    Ln.  Brown  University  L., 

Providence,  R.  I. 
*Lane,  Charlotte  G. ,  As.  Bowdoin  College  L. , 

Brunswick,  Me. 

*Larned,  J.  N.,  Supt.  Buffalo  L.,  Buffalo,  N.Y. 
*Larned,  Mary,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 
*Lemcke,  Ernst,  of  B.  Westermann  &  Co. ,  New 

York  City. 

*Lemcke,  Mrs.  Ernst,  New  York  City. 
Lemcke,  Master  E.  G.,  New  York  City. 
Lemcke,  Master  G.  R. ,  New  York  City. 
*Little,  G:  T.,  Ln.  Bowdoin  College  L.,  Bruns- 
wick, Me. 

M'Clintock,  C.  W.  M.,  Oil  City,  Pa. 
M'Clintock,  Mrs.  C.  W.  M.,  Oil  City,  Pa. 
M'Clintock,  MissF.  B.,  Oil  City,  Pa. 


Macdonald,  G:  A.,  Publisher,  New  York  City. 

McGuff y,  Mrs.  Caroline  V. ,  Cincinnati,  O. 

McGuffy,  Margaret  D.,  Cincinnati,  O.,  class '95, 
N.  Y.  State  Library  School,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

McMillan,  Jessie,  Ln.  Minneapolis  Athenaeum, 
Minneapolis,  Minn. 

Mann,  Frances  M.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Dedham,  Ma<-s. 

*Medlicott,  Mary,  Reference  Ln.  City  L., 
Springfield,  Mass. 

Merrill.  W:  Stetson,  Accession  Dept.  New- 
berry  L. ,  Chicago,  111. 

*Millard,  Mrs.  E.  M.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Miller,  Eleanor  S.,  Ln.  Adirondack  L.,  Saranac 
Lake,  N.  Y. 

Milner,  Angie  V.,  Ln.  Illinois  State  Normal 
University,  Normal,  111. 

Montgomery,  T:  L.,  Ln.  Wagner  Free  Insti- 
tute of  Science,  and  Philadelphia  P.  L., 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Mundy,  Rev.  Ezekiel  W.,  Ln.  Syracuse  Cen- 
tral L.,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Neisser,  Emma  Rittenhouse,  As.  Philadelphia 
P.  L.  Branch  No.  2,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

*Nelson,  Sarah  C.,  Cataloger  Institute  F.  L., 
Wilmington,  Del. 

Neumann,  C:  G.,  Bookbinder,  New  York  City. 

Newell,  Margaret  F.,  As.  Ln.  St.  Johnsbury 
Athenaeum,  St.  Johnsbury,  Vt. 

Peck,  A.  L.,  Ln.  F.  L.,  Gloversville,  N.  Y. 

Plympton,  C:  W.,  Accession  Dept.  N.  Y. 
State  L.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

*Poole,  Reuben  B.,  Ln.  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  New 
York  City. 

Prescott,  Harriet  B.,  Cataloger  Columbia  Col- 
lege L.,  New  York  City. 

,   Rathbone,  Josephine  A.,  As.  Pratt  Institute, 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

*Rice,  Mrs.  David  Hall,  Brookline,  Mass. 

Ricker,  Oliver  P.,  with  Neilson  Mfg.  Co.,  Bos- 
ton, Mass. 

*Richardson,  Mary  A. ,  Ln.  P.  L.,  New  Lon- 
don, Conn. 

Rupp,  G:  P.,  As.  Ln.  Philadelphia  P.  L., 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 

*Sargent,  Abby  L.,  Ln.  Middlesex  Mechanics' 
Assoc.,  Lowell,  Mass. 

*Sargent,  Mary  E.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Medford,  Mass. 

See,  Cornelia  A.,  Ln.  F.  P.  L.,  New  Bruns- 
wick, N.  J. 

*Selby,  Emily  H.,  Springfield,  111. 

Seymour,  May,  Sub-Ln.  N.  Y.  State  L., 
Albany,  N.  Y. 


ATTENDANCE   REGISTER. 


189 


Sharp,  Katharine   L.,  Ln.  Armour  Institute, 

Chicago,  111. 
*Sheldon,  Helen  G.,  Ln.  Tome  Institute,  Port 

Deposit,  Md. 
Sherman,  Deborah  Keith,  Director  Y.  W.  C.  A.  . 

of  N.  Y.,  and  Woman's  Institute,  Yonkers, 

N.  Y. 

Soule,  C:  C.,  Trustee  P.  L.,  Brookline,  Mass. 
Stearns,  Mrs.  C.  M.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 
Stearns,    Lutie    E.,    Supt.   Circulating    Dept. 

P.L.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Stechert,  G.  E.,  Bookseller,  New  York  City. 
Stechert,  Mrs.  G.  E,,  New  York  City. 
Stetson,  Willis  K.,  Ln.  F.  P.  L.,  New  Haven, 

Conn. 

Stevenson,  W:  M.,  Ln.  Carnegie  F.  L.,  Alle- 
gheny, Pa. 

*Stewart,  Rose  G.,  Cataloger  F.  L.,  Philadel- 
phia, Pa. 
Sutermeister,  Louise  M.,  Cataloger  Library  Co. 

of  Philadelphia,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Talcott,   Eliza  S.,  Cataloger  P.  L.,  Hartford, 

Conn. 
Temple,  Mabel,  Cataloger  Brown  University 

L.,  Providence,  R.  I. 
*Thwaites,   Reuben  G.,  Sec.  State  Historical 

Society  of  Wisconsin,  Madison,  Wis. 
*Thompson,  Leonard,  Trustee  P.  L.,  Woburn, 

Mass. 

Thomson,  John,  Ln.  F.  L.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
*Thurston,  Elizabeth  P.,   Ln.  F.  L.,  Newton, 

Mass. 


*Tillinghast,  W:  H.,  As.  Ln.  Harvard  College 

L.,  Cambridge,  Mass. 

*Tillinghast,  Mrs.  W:  H.,  Cambridge,  Mass. 
Titcomb,  Mary  L.,  Ln.  F.  L.,  Rutland,  Vt. 
Truax,   Ella  S.,  As.  Ln.  St.  Johnsbury  Athe- 
naeum, St.  Johnsbury,  Vt. 
*Tyler,  Charlotte,  Hartford,  Conn. 
Underbill,  Caroline  M.,  Derry,  N.  H. 
*Utley,  H:  M.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Detroit,  Mich. 
*Utley,  Jennie  M. ,  Detroit,  Mich. 
Ward,  Anna  H.,  Amherst,  Mass. 
Watson,  W:  R:,  class  '95,  N.  Y.  State  Library 

School,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

West,  Theresa  H.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 
Wetzell,     Bertha    S.,     Ex-Cataloger     P.    L., 

Scranton,  Pa. 
Wheeler,   Martha  T.,  Cataloger  N.  Y.  State 

L.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 
White,  Andrew  C.,  As.  Ln.  Cornell  University 

L.,  Ithaca,  N.  Y. 
Whittier,  J.  H.,  East  Rochester,  N.  H.,  Sec'y. 

N.  H.  Board  of  Library  Commissioners  and 

Trustee  Rochester  P.  L. 

*Williams,  Lizzie  A.,  Ln.  P.  L.,  Maiden,  Mass. 
*Wing,     J.     N.,     Bookseller,     with     Charles 

Scribner's  Sons,    New  York  City. 
*Wing,  Mrs.  J.  N.,  New  York  City. 
*Wire,  G:  E.,  Supt.  Medical  Dept.,  Newberry 

L.,  Chicago,  111. 
Woodworth,    Florence,   Directors'    Assistant, 

N.  Y.  State  L.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 
Woodworth,  Margaret,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 


190 


LAKE  PLACID   CONFERENCE. 


ATTENDANCE    SUMMARIES. 
BY  ASSISTANT   SECRETARY  NINA  E.  BROWNE,  LIBRARIAN  OF  LIBRARY  BUREAU,  BOSTON. 


BY   POSITION   AND   SEX. 

Men.  Women.  Total. 

Trustees  and  other  officers . .   5           3  8 

Chief  librarians 50          39  89 

Sub-librarians  and  assistants  1 5          37  52 
Library  school,  present  and 

former  students 10          39  49 

Library   Bureau,  publishers, 

etc 10            2  12 

Others 4          35  39 

94        155  249 
Deduct  those  counted  in  two 

classes 9          35  44 

85        120  205 

BY   GEOGRAPHICAL  SECTIONS. 

9  of  the  9  No.  Atlantic  States  sent 164 


3 

2      " 
8      " 

2         " 

Canada 


9  So.  Atlantic  States 

8  Gulf  States 

8  Lake  States 

8  Mountain  States 


5 

2 
30 

3 

i 


BY   STATES. 

A  cataloger  living  in  one  State  and  engaged  for  a  year 
in  another  is  recorded  as  from  the  State  in  which  the 
library  represented  is  located.  Library  School  students 
residing  in  New  York  during  their  two  years'  course,  are 
registered  from  New  York  State. 


Total. 


Me  

- 

Tenn 

j 

N.  H  

A 

Ohio  

i 

Vt  

.,  6 

Ind  

Mass  

10 

Ill  

8 

R.  I  

Mich  

Conn  

17 

Wis  

A 

N.  Y 

66 

Minn  

•J 

Penn 

La  

I 

N    T 

f. 

Mo  

2 

iN  •  J  

Neb  

I 

6  

Col  

.  .  .  .           2 

Md  

i 

Canada  .... 

I 

D.  C  

-i 

La.. 

i 

Total.. 

.  .  20* 

December^  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


191 


EDW.  G.  ALLEN'S 

London  Agency  for  American  Libraries, 

28   HENRIETTA   STREET,   COVENT   GARDEN, 

LONDON. 
(FORMERLY   RICH   &  SONS.) 

EDW.  G.  ALLEN  devotes  himself  entirely  to  library  business.  His  long  experience  enables  him 
to  execute  the  orders  of  correspondents  promptly,  cheaply,  and  with  thorough  efficiency.  His  con- 
nection with  all  the  Book  Dealers  in  the  United  Kingdom  gives  him  the  command  of  the  British 
Book  Market,  and  qualifies  him  to  serve  his  customers  with  special  advantage,  and  to  bring  promptly 
under  their  notice  all  the  stores  of  Literature,  old  and  new,  on  sale  in  Great  Britain. 

Books  Supplied  at  a  Small   Commission  on  the  Cost  Price,  with  the  usual  Trade 

deductions,  and  forwarded  by  the  quickest  and  cheapest  routes.    Second-hand 

Catalogues  by  early  Mails,  and  no  Commission  charged  on  Orders 

from  them.      Periodicals  and  Newspapers  Posted  Promptly. 

xpensive  sub-agencies  at  home  or  abroad.  Foreign  books  on  easy  terms. 


Agency  for  the  following  Libraries  and  many  others: 


Library  of  Congress,  Washington. 
Libraries  of  Parliament,   Ottawa,  Toronto, 

and  Quebec. 
Amherst  College. 
Boston  Public  Library. 
Brooklyn  Library. 
Brown  University. 
Cornell  University. 
Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library. 
California  University. 


Colorado  University. 
Johns  Hopkins  University. 
Philadelphia  Library  Co. 
Peabody  Institute,  Baltimore. 
University  of  Pennsylvania. 
University  of  Toronto,  Can. 
Watkinson  Library,  Hartford,  Conn. 
Yale  University. 
Minneapolis  Public  Library. 


Oheap  and  Durable  for  Circulating  Libraries.    Specially  Strong  for  Books  of  Reference.    Superior 

Style  for  Works  of  Art.     Imitation  Antique  for  Rare  Old   Books.     Calf  Extra  In  Every  Variety. 

Best  Half-Binding  for  General  Library  Use.     Pamphlets  Bound  at  Cheap  Rates.     Law- 

Boo  ks  In  Law  Calf.     Cheap  Binding  In  Cloth.     Hard-Grained    Roan,  etc.     Dilapi- 

dated Binding  Neatly  Repaired.     Deficiencies  of  Rare  Books  Supplied  In 

Exact  Fac-Simile.     Library  Stamps  to  Order. 


We  have  been,  for  the  last  twenty  years,  personally  cognizant  of  Mr.  Allen's  faitnfulness  to  the  interests  of 
his  American  customers.  When  a  resident  in  Washington,  ten  years  ago,  we  found  that  the  immense  Congressional 
Library  largely  supplied  its  shelves  through  Mr.  Allen's  London  Agency.  Many  of  the  extensive  libraries  belonging 
to  the  Universities  and  Colleges  in  the  East  have  also  secured  their  Foreign  Books  from  the  same  source,  and  we 
have  heard  from  the  officers  of  these  Institutions  frequent  testimony  to  the  scrupulous  exactness  with  which  their 
orders  were  always  filled. 

"  We  cannot,  therefore,  do  a  greater  service  to  the  Colleges  and  Universities  of  the  West,  to  which  these  pres- 
ents shall  come,  than  to  advise  that  they  employ  this  inexpensive  agency  for  replenishing  their  Libraries  with  Eng- 
lish Books." — PRESIDENT  WELCH,  Iowa  State  Agricultural  College. 

"No  better  indorsement  of  Mr.  Allen's  Agency  is  possible  than  the  list  of  leading  libraries  that  continue  to  use 
it.  For  30  years,  strict  integrity  and  unexcelled  facilities  have  held  the  oid  and  made  new  patrons.  The  very  large 
business  built  up  demands  only  a  small  commission  instead  of  the  customary  10  per  cent.  A  library  can  safely 
entniftt  all  its  London  orders  to  Mr.  Allen  without  getting  other  estimates  and  feei  sure  that  it  is  not  making  a 
mistake." — MELVIL  DEWEV,  State  Library,  New  York. 


Edw.  G.  Allen's  American  Library  Agency, 

COVENT  GARDEN,  LONDON. 

MEMBER    AMERICAN    LIBRARY    ASSOCIATION. 


SPECIAL  TERMS  FOR  LARGE  ORDERS. 


192  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  {December,  '94 


BINDER. 


The  Only  Perfect  Binder  for  Library  Use. 

OF  THE  many  devices  for  temporary  binding  of  magazines,  papers,  etc.,  there  is  not  one 
that  does  not  in  some  way  mutilate  or  destroy  their  contents,  causing  a  large  lose 
annually.  We  have  succeeded  in  making  a  binder  that  is  acknowledged  by  leading  librarians  ts 
be  the  best  article  of  the  kind  ever  produced.  The  contents  are  held  firmly  and  at  the  same 
time  open  freely.  There  is  absolutely  no  wear  on  the  back  of  papers,  and  therefore  no  mutila- 
tion. The  covers  are  heavy  board,  cloth  sides,  leather  back  and  corners,  strong,  well  made,  and 
will  outwear  any  ordinary  covers.  The  binding  device  consists  of  flat  steel  rods,  pivoted  at  one 
end,  the  other  end  being  securely  locked,  thus  preventing  unauthorized  removal  of  papers. 
All  metal  parts  full  nickeled.  We  confidently  offer  the 

NEILSON    BINDER 

as  the  strongest  and  most  practical  binder  in  the  market,  and  solicit  sample  orders,  which  will  be 
sent  on  approval. 

PRICE-LIST: 

Magazine  size,          ......        $1.25. 

Puck  or  Judge  size,  ......       1.50. 

Harper's  Weekly  size,    .....  1-75. 

As  the  patent  parts  are  practically  indestructible,  and  repairs  or  renewals  of  covers  can  be 
made  for  a  comparatively  small  sum,  this  is  not  only  the  best,  but  the  cheapest  binder.  Address 
all  orders  to  the 

NEILSON  MANUFACTURING  CO., 

383   Federal   Street,    BOSTON,   MASS. 
LONDON.  LEIPZIG.  PARI5. 

B.  WESTERMANN  &  CO., 

812    BROADWAY,    NKW    YORK. 

(ESTABLISHED    1848.) 

FOREIGN    OFFICES   AT   LONDON,    LEIPZIG,  AND    PARIS. 

Agents  by  appointment  to  many  of  the  largest  American  and  Foreign 
College   and    Public  Libraries. 

SPECIAL   TERMS   FOR    LARGE   ORDERS. 


Terms  on  direct  application  for  the  supply  of  Foreign  and  American  Books  and  Periodicals. 

Weekly  shipments  by  the  fleetest  steamers  from  England,  Germany,  and  France.  Periodicals 
supplied  at  lower  rates  than  mail  copies  and  in  better  shape  for  binding. 

Rare  Books  and  Sets  of  Serials  procured  at  the  lowest  terms.  Regular  connections  with 
Central  and  South  America  and  all  Oriental  countries. 

Binding  done  here  and  abroad  in  every  style. 

Auction  Sales  attended  to. 

The  Catalogues  of  Foreign  Dealers — English,  German,  French,  Italian,  and  Spanish — fur- 
nished on  application. 

Monthly  Bulletins  of  New  Books  issued  regularly. 

With  the  help  of  a  most  complete  Bibliographical  Outfit  in  all  languages  and  on  all  subjects, 
and  the  experience  of  many  years  in  this  particular  line,  estimates  can  be  furnished  promptly  and 
information  given  on  topics  of  Interest  to  Librarians. 


December,  '94]  THE  JJBRARY  JOURNAL  193 

Library  Bureau  Steel  Stack. 

This  is  an  entirely  new  invention  based  upon  quite  different  principles  from 
any  other  ever  offered.  Three  distinct  requisites  for  a  perfect  stack  are  :  i,  to 
make  each  shelf  absolutely  adjustable  ;  2,  to  obtain  a  construction  which  should 
furnish  needed  structural  support  for  two,  three,  or  even  four,  storied  stacks,  and 
at  the  same  time  present  a  compact  and  graceful  appearance,  for  a  single  hight, 
so  often  required  in  the  reference  or  reading  room  ;  3,  to  give  the  least  possible 
obstruction  of  light  and  air.  After  years  of  study  and  experiment  this  has  been 
accomplished. 

The  uprights  are  of  cold  rolled  steel,  one  upright  carrying  the  end  of  two 
tiers  of  shelves  to  the  full  hight  of  stack,  giving  the  strongest  support  and  a  great 
gain  over  any  other  form,  e.  g.  the  pipe  stack  requires  three  uprights  instead 
of  one. 

The  shelves  are  held  in  place  by  brackets  sliding  in  the  grooves  of  the  up- 
rights, which  in  their  turn  are  held  by  set  screws,  instantly  and  easily  adjustable. 
Absolute  adjustability  of  each  shelf  is  the  chief  feature  of  the  stack.  These 
are  readily  adjusted  when  loaded  with  books. 

The  slight  advantage  gained  on  each  shelf  by  this  exact  adjustment  fre- 
quently enables  another  shelf  to  be  placed  in  the  stack,  increasing  the  capacity  of 
the  library  from  10  to  15  per  cent.  Such  saving  should  be  considered  in  the  cost 
of  the  stack. 

The  stack,  unlike  many  others,  presents  no  rough  surfaces  to  the  books,  and 
is  constructed  so  that  it  is  impossible  for  the  shelves  to  tip  downward,  however 
great  the  weight  placed  on  the  front.  Every  detail  has  been  carefully  studied  to 
secure  the  best  possible  results,  and  represents  not  only  our  experience  but  that 
of  many  libraries. 

Libraries  sometimes  make  the  mistake  of  having  too  wide  as  well  as  too  long 
shelves  ;  some  stacks  having  been  built  with  all  shelving  twelve  inches  wide. 
Eight  inches  is  ample  for  all  except  large  books,  of  which  the  number  is  compara- 
tively small  in  any  library.  This  extra  width  beyond  the  eight  inches  is  worse 
than  lost,  for  besides  losing  much  from  the  aisle  space  between  the  stacks,  which 
may  mean  the  loss  of  several  stacks  in  a  large  room,  it  furnishes  a  place  at  the 
back  of  the  shelf  for  dust  to  collect  and  the  books  to  become  hidden. 

We  recommend  that  the  shelves  be  of  wood,  though  the  rest  of  the  stack  is 
constructed  of  iron  and  steel ;  they  are  lighter  and  more  easily  handled,  are  pleas- 
anter  to  the  touch  and  less  wearing  on  the  books  ;  they  occupy  no  more  space, 


i94  THE   LTRRARY  JOURNAL  \Dcccmbcr,  '94 

cost  less,  and  are  more  ornamental.  It  is  a  fallacy  that  there  is  protection  from 
fire  in  steel  shelves,  which  is  the  only  argument  claimed  for  them.  Steel  shelves 
would  in  no  case  prevent  fire,  and  a  fire  once  started  in  a  building,  they  are  a 
menace,  since  steel  is  a  conductor  of  heat  and  warps  under  its  influence.  A 
stronger  argument  could  be  made  for  printing  and  binding  books  in  asbestos. 
Instances  have  come  under  our  notice  where  books  have  been  saved  from  fire  by 
wooden  shelves.  Again  steel  shelves,  whatever  their  finish,  are  liable  through 
abrasion  to  rust,  and  thus  present  'a  rough  surface  to  the  edges  of  books.  Still 
more  important,  they  collect  moisture  in  warm,  damp  weather,  which  wood 
does  not. 

While  we  consider  wood  shelves  the  best,  we  supply  steel  when  desired. 

Although  the  L.  B.  stack  is  a  recent  invention,  having  been  on  the  market 
scarcely  a  year  (1894),  it  has  been  adopted  by  the  following  libraries  :— 

Howard  Whittemore  Memorial  Library,  U.  S.  Dep't  of  Agriculture,  Washington,  D.C. 

Naugatuck,  Conn.  Gail  Horden  Library,  Klgin,  HI. 

Warder  Free  Library,  Springfield,  Ohio.  Jackson  Public  Library,  Jackson,  Mich. 

Ohio  State  University,  Columbus,  Ol  io.  Imperial  Building  Co.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

University  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  Hiistol  County  Court  House,  Taunton,  Mass. 

Chapel  Hill,  N.  C.  Free  Public  Library,  Newark.  X.  J. 

Cossirt  Library,  Memphis,  Term.  Hrockton  Free  Library,  lirockton,  Mass. 

McGill  College  Library,  Montreal,  Canada.  Fort  Wayne  Public  Library,  Fort  Wayne,  Ind. 

Springfield  City  Library,  Springfield,  Mass. 

Correspondence  is  solicited  with  any  library  considering  new  shelving.  The 
L.  B.  stack  has  been  constructed  to  give  the  most  perfect  details  at  reasonable 
prices.  Comparison  of  cost  with  wooden  cases  will  be  found  favorable  when 
durability  is  considered. 

Designs  and  estimates  for  any  shelving  that  involves  the  use  of  the  L.  B. 
patents  will  be  furnished  upon  application.  No  library  should  decide  upon  any 
form  without  considering  this,  recently  pronounced  by  leading  librarians  the  best 
yet  devised. 

Manufactured  and  controlled  solely  by  the 


Library    Bureau 


Boston,  146  Franklin  St. 

New  York,  273  Stewart  Building  (280  Broadway) 
Chicago,  125  Franklin  St. 

Philadelphia,  603  Chestnut  St. 

London,  io  Bloomsbury  St. 


December,  94]  7  '//A'    /  //,'  RAR  V  JO  URNA  L 

gL^^if^^^-^-"-.  J^Ufa!k  ...P^'.      il 


'95 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


December,  '94] 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL 


197 


Bibliographical  Publications. 

For  all  American  books  as  they  appear,  take  THE  PUBLISHERS'  WEEKLY  ;  for  an  hour's  glanct 
each  month  at  the  important  books  and  magazine  papers,  take  THE  LITERARY  NEWS  ;  for  library 
matters  take  THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL  ;  for  magazine  articles  in  general,  consult  THE  ANNUAL  LITERARY 
INDEX  ;  for  books  in  print  or  issued  of  late  years,  see  the  AMERICAN  and  ANNUAL  CATALOGUES. 


THE    F  UBLISHERS'      WEKK  L  T. 

Established  in  1872,  with  which  was  incorporated  the 
American  Literary  Gazette  and  Publishers'  Circular 
(established  in  1852),  by  purchase  from  Mr.  George  W. 
Childs.  Recognized  as  the  representative  of  the  pub- 
lishing and  bookselling  interests  in  the  United  States. 
Contains  full  weekly  record  of  American  publications, 
with  monthly  indexes,  etc.  Subscription,  $3.00  per  an- 
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THE  LITER AR  Y  NE  WS.  An  Eclectic 
Review  of  Current  Literature.  Published  monthly,  and 
containing  the  freshest  news  concerning  books  and 
authors;  lists  of  new  publications;  reviews  and  critical 
comments;  characteristic  extracts ;  sketches  and  anec- 
dotes of  authors;  courses  of  reading;  bibliographical 
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etc.,  etc.  Subscription,  $1.00  per  annum,  postpaid; 
single  nos.,  10  cts. 

THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL.    Month- 

ly.  Official  Organ  of  the  American  Library  Association. 
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paid ;  single  nos.,  50  cents.  (THE  LITERARY  NEWS  is 
tent  free  to  subscribers  ofTn*  LIBRARY  JOURNAL.) 


THE     A  MERICAN    CA  TALOG  UE 

of  books  in  print  and  for  sale  (including  reprints  and 
importations)  July  i,  1876.  Compiled  (under  the  direc- 
tion of  F.  LKYPOLDT)  by  LYNDS  E.  JONES.  Subject- 
rolume,  410,  half  morocco,  $15.  \_Author-and-title  vol- 
ume is  out  of  print. ~\ 

THE    AMERICAN    CATALOGUE, 

1876-1884.  Books  recorded  (including  reprints  and 
importations)  July  i,  i87<5-June  30,  1884.  Compiled, 
under  the  editorial  direction  of  R.  R.  BOWKBR,  by  Miss 
A.  I.  APPLE-TON  410,  half  morocco,  $25.00  (only  9 
copies  left,  and  these  are  subject  to  raise  in  price). 

AMERICAN   CATALOGUE,  1884- 

9O.  Compiled,  under  the  editorial  direction  of  R.  R. 
BOWKER,  by  Miss  A.  I.  APPLKTON  and  others.  410,  half 
leather,  $15. 

THE  ANN  UA  L  AMERICAN  CA  TA- 

LOGUE.  Being  the  full  titles,  with  descriptive  notes, 
of  all  books  recorded  in  THE  PUBLISHERS' W  EEKLY 
during  the  calendar  year,  with  author,  title  and  subject 
index,  publishers'  annual  lists  and  directory  of  pub- 
lishers. Published  annually  since  1886.  8vo,  net,  sheets, 
$3.00;  half  morocco,  $3.50.  [Volumes  for  1886,  1891 
and  1892  are  out  of  fir  int.] 

THE    ANNUAL    LITERARY    IN- 

TtEX,  including  Periodicals,  American  and  English 
Essays,  Book-Chapters,  etc.,  Special  Bibliographies  and 
Necrology  of  Authors.  Edited  by  W.  I.  FLETCHER  and 
R.  R.  BOWKER,  with  the  co-operation  of  members  of  the 
American  Library  Association  and  of  the  Library  Jour- 
nal staff.  8°,  cloth,  $3.50. 


THE  P  UBLISHERS'  TRADE  LIST 

ANNUAL.    Large  8vo,  with  "Duplex  Index,"  *et, 

fa.oo.    Contains: 
i.    THE  LATEST  CATALOGUES  OF  AMERICAN  PUBLISHERS 

arranged  alphabetically  by  firm-names, 
a.    THE  F.DUCATIONAL  CATALOGUE.—  (Per  description  set 

belovi.) 
3.    A   complete  short-title  list  of  all  books  recorded  in 

THE  PUBLISHERS'  WEEKLY  from  July  to  June,  arranged 

so  that  every  book  on  record  can  be  found,  whether  it 

is  looked  for  under  author,  title  or  subject. 

THE  AMERICAN  ED  UCA  TIONAL 

CATALOGUE  includes  a  price-list  of  all  the  text- 
hooks  in  use  in  the  United  States,  arranged  alphabet- 
ically by  author's  or  editor's  name,  and  a  detailed 
subject-index,  referring  from  each  specific  subject  to 
authors  of  books  on  that  subject.  Price,  separately, 
25  cts.;  leatherette,  50  cts. 

THE  ENGLISH  CATALOGUE  [An- 

nual]  containing  a.complete  list  of  all  the  books  pub- 
lished in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  in  the  calendar  year, 
with  index  to  subjects.  A  continuation  of  the  Lon  • 
don  and  British  Catalogues.  [London:  Sampson  Low, 
Marston  &  Co.]  8vo,  paper,  net,  $1.50.  THE  ENGLISH 
CATALOGUE  and  THE  ANNUAL  AMERICAN  CATALOGUE 
bound  in  one  volume,  half  leather,  $5.00. 

HANDY    LIST    OF    AMERICAN 

PUBLISHERS.  A  comprehensive  list  of  all  the 
book-publishing  houses  in  the  United  States  in  business 
at  the  present  time.  The  street  address  is  given  in 
nearly  every  case,  and  the  abbreviation  under  which 
the  firm's  books  are  entered  in  the  "American  Cata- 
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JUST   PUBLISHED: 

POPULAR   SCIENTIFIC   LECTURES. 

By  ERNST  MACH,  Professor  of  Physics  in  the 
University  of  Prague.    Translated  by  Thomas 
J.  McCormack.    Cloth,  gilt  top.    Exhaustive- 
ly indexed.     Pages,  313.     Price,  $1.00. 
Titles  of  the  Lectures  :   d)  The  Forms  of  Liquids  ;  (2) 
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of  Energy;  (9)  On  the  Economical  Nature  of  Physical 
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authors  of  whom  he  was  a  special  admirer  and  student  is  so 
far  complete  as  to  be  valuable  to  collectors  for  that  complete- 
ness. They  are  in  each  case  supplemented  by  collections  of 
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has  always  guarded  our  interests  very  carefully.  We  find  it  a  great  convenience  to  have  one  agency  in  New  York,  represented 
by  branches  in  different  European  countries." 


Prof.  ARTHUR  H.  PALMER,  Librarian  of  Adelbert  College,  Cleveland,  O. 


"  Your  methods  and  facilities  for  doing  business,  as  I  have  examined  them  here  as  well  as  at  tlie  Leipzig  and  London  ends, 
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ERNEST  C.  RICHARDSON,  Librarian  tf  College  of  Neva  Jersey,  Princeton,  N.J. 


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GUSTAV     K.    STKCHKRT, 

IOM«>ON.         PARIS.         LEIPZIG.         NEW  YORK. 


INDEX. 

LIBRARY  JOURNAL,  v.    19.     JAN.-DEC.,   1894. 

BY   HELEN   E.   HAINES. 

The  colon  after  an  initial  of  a  given  name  means  that  it  is  the  most  common  name  beginning  with  that  initial, 
e.g.,  A:  means  Augustus ;  B:  Benjamin;  C:  Charles;  D:  David;  E:  Edward;  F:  Frederick;  G:  George;  H:  Henry  ; 
I:  Isaac;  J:  John  ;  K:  Karl;  L:  Louis;  M:  Mark;  N:  Nicholas:  O:  Otto;  P.  Peter;  R:  Richard;  S:  Samuel;  T: 
Thomas;  V:  Victor  ;  W:  William  ;  C..  Charlotte  ;  E..  Elizabeth  ;  F..  Fanny;  G..  Grace;  H..  Helen;  J..  Jane  ;  K.. 
Katharine,  Kate  ;  L..  Louisa;  M..  Mary  ;  S..  Sarah;  V..  Victoria. 


The  index  to  Pseudonyms  and  Anonyms  follows  this. 


Abbott,  S:  A.  B.,  new  methods  of  ad-     Amer.  Geographical  Soc.  L.,  15 


ministration  proposed  for  Bost.  P. 
L.,  92-93. 

Aberdeen  (Scotl.)  P.  L.,  106. 

Access  to  shelves,  (Hosmer)  Cis8;  at 
Alameda  (Cal.)  P.  L.,  24,  274;  at 
Cleveland  (O.)  P.  L.,  60;  at  Colum- 
bia Coll.  L.,  133;  at  Clerkenwell 
(Eng.)  P.  L..  144;  at  Newark  (N.  J.) 
F.  P.  L.,  210;  at  Hudson,  Mass., 
235;  rpt.  on  (Steiner,  Ranck),  C&j- 
96,  Ci6o;  A.  L.  A.  discussion  on, 
060-163. 

Adams,  Emma  L.,  Treas.  N.  J.  L.  As- 
soo.,  384. 

Addis,  W.,  bibl.  of  legal  education, 
215. 

Adelphi  Academy  L.,  Brooklyn,  N. 
Y.,  17. 

Adickes,  Erich,  bibl.  of  Kant,  107. 

Adler,  Dr.  Cyrus,  libn.  Smithsonian 
Inst.,  65;  ist  vice-pres.  Wash.  L. 
Assoc.,  236. 

Adler,  Herman,  bibl.  of  alternating 
generations,  397. 

Africa,  list  of  books  on  (Bost.  P.  L. 
bulletin)  107;  books  on  (Keltic),  68, 
(Luzac),  398. 

Agriculture,  catalogo  della  bibliote- 
ca,  ministero  di  agricoltura,  indus- 
tria  e  commercio,  146. 

Aguilar  F.  L.,  N.  Y.,  16.  96,  133   179. 

Ahern,  M..  E.,  Ci86;  Standingcomtn. 
on  foreign  documents,  348;  pub- 
lic documents  bill,  032-133;  libs, 
and  univ.  exten»ion,  049-150. 

Aids  and  guides,  rpt.  on  (Austin), 
C77-8o,  038. 

Alameda  (Cal.)  P.  L.,  24,  274. 

Albanes,  A.  Catalogue  general  des 
manuscrits  des  bibliothdques  pub- 
liques  de  France,  246. 

Albany  fN.  Y.)  F.  L.,  59. 

Albee,  Lulu,  146 

Alblas,  J.,  bibl.  der  werken  van  Th. 
Rodenburgh,  280. 

Albright  Memorial  L.,  see  Scranton 
(Pa.)  P.  L. 

Al'an,  Jessie,  57,  181,  278. 

Allen,  E.  H.  De  fidiculis  bibliogra- 
phia,  147. 

Alps,  list  of  books  on  (Bost.  P.  L. 
bulletin),  107. 

Ambrose,      Lodilla    M.,    Orrington 


Amer.  Institute  of  Electrical  Engi- 
neers, lib.  of,  16. 

Amer.  Institute  L.,  14. 

Amer.  libraries,  answer  to  Eng.  criti- 
cism of,  79 ;  an  Englishman  on 
(Brown),  88-90. 

Amer.  L.  Assoc.,  Chicago  conference, 
3;  reprint  of  hand-book,  52-57;  in 
•ntemoriam,  W:  F:  Poole,  92,  065- 
171,  072-173;  circular  regarding 
collection  of  "Don'ts,"  171;  rela- 
tions with  LIBRARY  JOURNAL,  (Bow- 
ker)  191-192;  plan  and  itinerary  of 
Lake  Placid  conference,  201-202, 
234,269-271  ;  program  of  Lake  Plac- 
id conference,  268-269  ;  Lake  Placid 
conference,  287,  327,  (Fletcher)  344- 
347;  transactions  of  executive  board, 
347;  officers  and  organization  for 
1894-95,  347-348;  badge,  348,  057; 
sub-committees,  dog  ;  Secretary's 
ann.  rpt.,  Cs7-6o,  Oog;  Treasurer's 
ann.  rpt.,  Oio-Oi4 ;  necrology, 
012-114;  rpt.  of  Finance  comm., 
Ois;  rpt.  of  Co-operation  comm., 
Ois-n6;  rpt.  on  Lib.  school  and 
training  classes,  0 16-120;  rpt.  of 
trustees  of  Endowment  fund,  Ci2o; 
final  rpt.  of  A.  L.  A.  Columb. 
expos,  comm.,  C 120-1 21;  A.  L.  A. 
manual  (Dewey),  022;  rpt.  of 
comm.  on  Foreign  documents* 
023-124;  rpt.  of  Public  documents 
comm.,  026-128;  place  of  next 
meeting,  035-136,  063;  rpt.  of  ex- 
ecutive board  on  printing  presi- 
dent's address,  037;  resolution  for 
better  editions  of  popular  books, 
053;  proposal  for  dictionary  of  lib. 
economy,  053;  election  of  officers, 
054,  057.064,072;  rpt. of  Pub- 
lishing section,  057;  rpt.  of  execu- 
tive board,  057;  question  box, 
063;  suggestions  for  co-operation, 
063:  insurance,  064;  rpt.  of  comm. 
on  resolutions,  064-165;  additional 
resolutions,  071;  amendment  to 
constitution.  071-172;  social  side 
of  the  conference,  O86-i8o;  attend- 
ance register  and  summaries,  090. 

A.  L.  A.  catalog,  119;  correction  of, 
(James)  120;  poem  on  (Nelson),  134; 
review  of  (Ford),  137-138. 


Lunt  L.,  Northwestern  Univ.,  338-  A.  L.  A.  College  L.  Section,  075-176. 

34o.  A.  L.  A.  post-conference  excursion 

American  Catalogue,  1800-1876,  3,  40-  (Haines,  Garland),  078-186. 

41,    119;    suggested    extension    of,  A.  L.  A.  Publishing  Section,  rpt.  on, 

(Josephson)  120:  plan  of  (Bowker),  (Fletcher)  Oo2,  €173-175. 

i7S  ;  N.  Y.  L.  Club  discussion  on,  Amer.  Mus.  Nat.  Hist.,  lib.  of,  16. 

,75  Amer.  Numismatic  and  Archaeologi- 

Amer.  Chemical  Soc.,  N.  Y.  Section,  cal  Soc.,  lib..  15. 

(Bolton)  13,  15.  Amer.  Soc.  of  Civil  Engineers,  lib.,is. 


Amer.  Soc.  of  Mechanical  Engineers, 
lib.  of,  16. 

Americana,  catalog  of,  183. 

Ames,  J:  G.,  O86;  legislation  as  to 
public  documents,  028-132,  034. 

Amherst  summer  school,  130,  274, 
308. 

Anderson,  E.  H.,  Standing  comm.  on 
endowment,  348. 

Anderson.  H:  C.  L.,  libn.  Sydney 
(N.  S.  W.)  F.  P.  L.,  146. 

Anderson,  W:  C.,  list  of  law  lexicog- 
raphers, 719. 

Andrews,  Clement  W.,  O86;  foreign 
documents,  024-125;  Chairman 
College  L.  Section,  076. 

Andrews,  Loring  W.,  gift  to  Yale 
Univ.  L.,  278. 

Anglo-Saxons,  books  on,  (Baye)  68. 

Annotations,  on  catalog  cards,  3, 
(lies)  43;  in  printed  lists,  119. 

Annual  American  Catalogue,  1893, 
107. 

Annual  literary  index,  1893  (Fletcher, 
Bowker),  108. 

Anonyms  and  pseudonyms  (dep.),  30, 
148,  216,  280,  320. 

Appletpn,  W:  Hyde.  Greek  poets  in 
English  verse,  107. 

Apprentices'  L.,  N.  Y.,  see  N.  Y.,  F. 
L.Gen.  Soc.  Mechanics  and  Trades- 
men. 

Apprentices'  L.,  Phila.,  353;  bulletin, 
Dec.,  '93,  67. 

Arc,  Jeanne  d',  bibl.  of  (Lanery  d' 
Arc),  247. 

Archaeology,  class-list  on  (Notting- 
ham F.  P.  R.  L.),i47. 

Arctic  and  Antarctic  regions,  read- 
ing-list on  (Bost.  P.  L.  bulletin),i82. 

Armour  Institute,  Chicago,  dept.  of 
lib.  science  of  (Sharp),  162-166;  rec- 
ord of  lib.  training  classes,  308. 

Arnaud,  E.,  bibl.  huguenote  de 
Dauphine,  319. 

Art,  reading-list  on  Greek,  Hellenist- 
ic and  Roman  (Newark  P.  L.), 
396;  reading-list  on  Italian  and 
French  (Newark  P.  L.),  396. 

Ashton,  C:,  Welsh  bibl.,  397. 

Assistant,  wail  of  the  (poem),  125. 

Assistants,  methods  of  selecting 
(Carr),  94. 

Associazione  Tipografico,  libraria 
Italiana,  catalogo  collettivo  della 
libreria  Italiana,  29. 

Astor  L.,  N.  Y.,  14,  103. 

Astronomy,  reading-list  on  (Salem  P. 
L.),  67;  list  of  books  on  (Paterson 
P.  L.),  147;  bibl.  of  astronomical 
spectroscopy,  319. 

Atwater,  Cal.,  bequest  for  lib.  from 
J:  W.  Mitchell,  29. 


6io 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL. 


The  index  to  Pseudonyms  and  Anonyms  follows  this. 


Austin,  Willard  H:  Ci86;  rpt.  on 
aids  and  guides,  €77-80,  €138;  cor- 
ticine  for  lib.  floors,  €140;  functions 
of  univ.  lib.,Cisi;  access  to  shelves, 
Ci6a;  Sec.  College  L.  Section,  €176. 

Avery,  Myrtilla,  Ci86. 

Ayer  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  dedication  of 
new  lib.  building,  59-60. 

Babcock,  G:  H.,  bequest  to  Plainfield 
(N.  J.)P.  L.,39. 

Bailey,  W:  W.,  Pres.  N.  H.  L.  As- 
soc.,  57. 

Bain,  Ja.,  newspapers  in  free  lib. 
reading-rooms,  €49,  €143. 

Baker,  G:  H.,  Ci86;  collecting  lib. 
statistics,  05;  comin.  on  resolutions 
A.  L.  A.,  Ctog;  foreign  documents, 
€125. 

Baker,  W:  S.  Early  sketches  of 
George  Washington,  68. 

Baldwin,  E..  G.,  Ci86. 

Balfour,  H.,  bibl.  of  decorative-art,  68. 

Ball,  Lucy,  Treas.  Mich.  L.  Assoc., 
386. 

Bangor  (Me.)  P.  L.,  207. 

Banks  and  banking,  list  of  books  on 
(Portland  P.  L.),  397. 

Bar  Association  L.,  N.  Y.,  15. 

Bardwell,  Willis  A.,  printed  catalog 
cards,  22  ;  inks  for  lib.  use,  85  ;  se- 
lection of  books,  037-38,  Ci34. 

Barnum,  T:  R.,  Ci86. 

Barnwell,  Ja.  C.,  Vice-pres.  Pa.  L. 
Club,  94. 

Bartlett,  J.  Vernon.  Early  church 
history,  247.  . 

Bartlett,  L..  L.,  Ci86. 

Batchellor,  Hon.  A.  S.,  Corres.  sec. 
N.  H.  L.  Assoc.,  57. 

Battersea  (Eng.)  P.  Ls.,  245. 

Baye,  Jos.  de,  Industrial  arts  of  the 
Anglo-Saxons,  68. 

Bayonne  (N.  J.)  F.  P.  L.,  389 ;  two- 
book  plan  adopted,  389. 

Bean,  M. .  A.,  tribute  to,  207  ;  death 

Of,  ClI2. 

Beckwith,  D:,  Ci86.        ' 

Beckwith,  Mrs.  D:,  Ci86. 

Beer,  W:,  Ci86;  lectures  on  bibliog- 
raphy at  Tulane  Univ.,  146;  rpt. 
on  floors  and  floor-coverings,  Cioo- 
IOI.CMO,  0141;  rpt.  on  libs,  in  the 

South,  Cl2I-I22. 

Belden,  Ja.,  withdraws  proposed  gift 
of  new  lib.  to  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  28. 

Belfast  (Irel  )  F.  P.  L.,  28. 

Belfast  (Me.)  F.  L.,  177. 

Berkeley  Divinity  School,  Middle- 
town,  Ct.,  new  lib.  building  pro- 
posed, 103. 

Berry,  Silas  H.,  Ci86;  perforating 
punch,  66-67;  Vice-pres.  N.  Y.  State 
L.  Assoc.,  384 ;  reading  for  the 
young,  0136-137;  lib.  bulletins, 
€147;  binding  pamphlets.  Ciss. 

Betting  news,  blacking  out  of  (Elliot), 

Bible,  bibl.  of  English  (Lovett),  247, 
(Pattison),  247. 

Bibles,  Copinger  collection  of  Latin, 
17-18. 

Bibliografy  (dep.),  30,  68,  107,  147, 
183, -215,  247,  280,  319,  356-  397- 

Bibliographers,  early  (Thomson), 
131-132. 

Bibliographica,  147,  200. 

Bibliographical    societies,    need 
(Campbell),  397-398. 

Bibliographical  Soc..  London.  €164. 

Bibliography,  American  (Cole).  5-9, 
40-41;  N.  Y.  L.  Club  discussion  on, 
175;  international  subject  (Joseph- 
son),  226-227 ;  general,  French  and 
English  (Cole),  333;  project  for 
general  French  (Vander  Haaghen), 
334-336;  plan  for  general  English 
(Wheatley),  336-338. 

Bibliotheque  Mazarine,  list  of  in- 
cunabula of  (Delisle),  398. 


of 


Bibliotht-que  Nationale,  Paris,  (Cut- 
ter) 289-290,  (Malteste)  393;  pro- 
posed catalog  of,  191, 196-197;  notes 
on  (Cutter),  193-194;  rpt.  of  comm. 
des  bibliotheques  nationales  et 
municipales,  215. 

Bicknell,  Percy  F.,  Exec.  comm. 
Pa.  L.  Club,  132. 

Bill,  Mrs.  M.  E.,  Ci86. 

Bill  L.,  Ledyard,  Ct.,  27th  anniv.  of, 
352. 

Billstein,  Nathan,  linotyping  lib. 
catalogs,  257-258. 

Binder,  Neilson,  354. 

Binding,  new  mechanical,  145;  Mass. 
L.  Club  discussion  on.  172-173; 

.  BucheinbSnde  der  kgl.  offentlichen 
Biblipthek  zu  Dresden  (Lier),  247; 
for  lib.  use  (Sargent),  262 ;  speci- 
mens of,  from  Royal  L.,  Windsor 
(Griggs),  398;  for  pamphlets,  dss. 

Biology,  books  on  (Dodge),  108;  bibl. 
of  alternating  generations  (Adler), 

397- 
Bird,  Francis  W.,  bequest  to  Walpole 

(Mass.)  P.  L.,  246. 
Birds,  reading  list  on  (Salem  P.  L.), 

215. 

Birmingham  (Eng.)  F.  Ls.  144. 
Birtwefl,  C:  W.,  €123,  Ci86;  home 

libs.,  09-13. 

Biscoe,  Walter  S.,  Ci86. 
Blackstone  Memorial  L.,   Branford, 

Ct.,  24-25. 
Blake,  Grace,  libn.  Windsor  (Ct.),  L. 

A.,  146. 
Blakeman,    Birdseye,    gift     of    lib. 

building     to  Stratford,    Ct.,   212; 

death  of,  393. 
Blakely,  Bertha  E.,  libn.  N.  J.  State 

Normal  School,  354. 
Blind,  books  relating  to  (Bost.  P.  L. 

bulletin),  107;  books  for,  at  Somer- 

ville   (Mass.)    P.    L.,    243,    at    St. 

Joseph  (Mo.)  P.  L.,  353. 
Blood,    S..    P.,    bequest    to  Groton 

Mass.,  214. 
Bloomington    (111.)  L.  A.,  proposed 

transfer  of  L.  A.  lib.  to  city,  100, 

177. 

Blount,  T.  Boscobel,  319. 
Boardman,  Anna  E.,  Ci86. 
Bodleian  L.,  Oxford,  Eng.,  extr.  fr. 

rpt.,  214;  appeal  for  financial  aid, 

393-394- 

Boland,  Frank  T.,  Ci86. 

Bolton,  C:  Knowles,Cio9,Ci86;  Har- 
vard Univ.  L.,  24;  libn.  Brook- 
line  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  29;  the  two- book 
system,  161-162;  charging  systems, 
173;  correction,  192  ;  charging  sys- 
tems and  statistics,  225-226  ;  Vice- 
pres.  Mass.  L.  Club,  384;  local  col- 
lections in  libs.,  Ciss. 

Bolton,  H:  Carrington,  plea  for  lib. 
of  science  in  N.  Y.  city,  12-17. 

Bonaparte,  Prince  L.  L.,  philolog- 
ical lib.  of,  106;  catalog  of  philolog- 
ical lib.,  review,  176. 

Bongartz,  J.  H:  Check-list  of  Rhode 
Island  laws,  147. 

Bonzano,  Adolphus,  gift  of  scien- 
tific lib.  to  Howard  Memorial  L., 
313-314. 

Book-plates,  bibl.  of  English  (Castle), 
107  ;  treatise  on  (Hamilton),  356. 

Book-supports,  information  desired 
on  (Rigling),  256. 

Books,  lending  to  small  libs.,  145; 
for  boys,  147;  popularity  of  special, 
169-170;  extra  copies  of  popular 
(Edmands),  192,  (Peoples)  224  ;  cata- 
log of  paper  covered  (Price),  319; 
books  wanted  and  for  exchange, 
328;  selection  of  (Ct.  L.  Assoc.), 
349,  (Coe)  030-32,  (Hewins)  032- 
34,  (Foster)  034-36,  (Johnston)  036- 
37,  (Bardwell)  037-38,  (Brett)  038- 
39,  (Utley)  039-41,  (Crunden)  041- 
42,  A.  L.  A.  discussion  on,  034- 


135;  list  of,  for  women's  and  girls 
clubs,  381 ;  better  editions  of  popu- 
lar (Dudley)  0152,  (West)  0152,  A. 
L.  A.  resolution  as  to,  €153,  Ci6s, 
A.  L.  A.  discussion  on,  0153. 

Bookworms,  ravages  of  (Green),  230, 
(Garman)  231. 

Boone(Ia.)  F.  P.  L.,  organization, 274. 

Boscobel,  with  bibl.  (Blount),  319. 

Boston  Athenaeum,  inks,  86  ;  catalog 
of  (Cutter),  288,  (Fletcher)  288. 

Boston  P.  L.,  139,  240-241,  312,  363, 
new  methods  of  administration 
proposed,  80,  92-93;  bulletin,  Jan., 
107;  bulletin,  April,  182;  printed 
lists  and  bulletins  of,  223,  229;  sug- 
gested "  popularizing"  of,  229;  new 
building,  241,  (Gray)  365-368;  bulle- 
tin, July,  279;  gift  of  music  lib.  to, 
312;  removal  to  new  building,  313  ; 
bulletin,  Oct.,  396. 

Botany,  reading-list  on  (Cleveland 
P.  L.),  182. 

Bowerman,  G:  F.,  Ci86. 

Bowes,  Rob.,  catalog  of  books  re- 
lating to  Cambridge,  216. 

Bowker,  R:  R.,  printed  catalog  cards, 
21-22;  Annual  literary  index,  1893, 
108;  plan  of  Amer.  Catalogue  1800- 
1876,175;  relations  of  LIBRARY  JOUR- 
NAL and  A.  L.  'A.,  191-192;  Stand- 
ing comm.  on  U.  S.  public  docu- 
ments, 348;  Councillor  A.  L.  A. ,348; 
Exec,  board  Publishing  section, 
0175. 

Bradford  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  139. 

Brainerd,  H..  E.,  Ci86. 

Branch  libraries  proposed  at  Detroit, 
61. 

Branford,  Ct.,  lib.  building  given  by 
T.  Blackstone,  24-25. 

Brett,  W:  H.,  0154,  Ci64,  Ci86;  Coun- 
cillor A.  L.  A.,  348;  present  prob- 
lem, libs,  as  aids  to  citizenship, 
Cs-9,  Ci57,  Ci6o;  selection  of  books, 
038-39,  0134  ;  publishing  lib.  bul- 
letins, 055-56,  0146,  0147;  A.  L.  A. 
comm.  on  resolutions,  Ciog ;  rpt. 
comm.  on  Foreign  documents,  0123- 
124;  invitation  to  A.  L.  A.  from 
Cleveland,  0153;  access  to  shelves, 
Ci6o-i6i;  place  of  A.  L.  A.  meet- 
ing, 1895,  0163;  Dr.  W:  F.  Poole, 
0170;  invitation  to  A.  L.  A.  from 
L.  A.  U.  K.,Ci7i. 

Bridgeport  (Ct.)  P.  L.,  274-275  ;  art 
department  of,  60;  exhibit  of  Sella 
photographs  at,  241. 

Brighton  (Eng.)  P.  L.,  extr.  fr.  rpt., 
66. 

British  and  Amer.  Archaeological 
Soc.  of  Rome,  catalog  of  lib.,  30. 

British  Museum,  (Cutter) 289-292,  353; 
Martin  libel  suit  vs.,  119-120,  130, 
(Garnett)  192,  342-343;  proposed  en- 
largement of,  129-130  ;  cataloging 
practice  of,  191  ;  Descriptive  list  of 
Hebrew  and  Samaritan  ness,  in 
(Margoliouth),  216  ;  catalog  of  ro- 
mances in  dept.  of  mss.  in  (Ward), 
216. 

Brockhaus,  F.  A.,  Universal  index  to 
scientific  and  technical  literature, 
216. 

Brockton  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  207. 

Bronner,  S.,  Ci86. 

Brookfield,  Mass.,  bequest  to,  for 
public  lib.,  317. 

Brookline  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  177. 207;  two- 
book  system  at  (Bolton),  161-162, 
177;  plan  of  cataloging  pamphlets, 
389. 

Brooklyn  (N.  Y.)  Institute  of  Arts 
and  Sciences,  lib.  of,  16. 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  law  libs.,  16. 

Brooklyn  (N.  Y.)  L.,  17,  96,  177, 
(Stanford)  393;  bulletin  of  new 
books,  39;  inks,  85;  alteration  of 
building,  312-313;  catalog  of  Eng. 
prose  fiction  (review),  349-350. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL. 


The  index  to  Pseudonyms  and  Anonyms  follows  this. 


Brooks,  Florence,  new  reading-room 
in  Newberry  L.,  168-169. 

Brown,  Allen  A.,  gift  of  music  lib. 
to  Boston  P.  L.,  312. 

Brown,  Ja.  D.,  answer  to  his  criti- 
cisms of  Amer.  libs.,  79;  Amer. 
libs.,  88-90. 

Browne,  Nina  E.,  Ci86,  Cioo;  Asst. 
recorder  A.  L.  A.,  347;  agent  for 

"  A.  L.  A.  badge,  348. 

Browning,  Eliza  G.,  Ci86;  account 
of  Morrison-Reeves  L.,  233;  Stand- 
ing comm.  on  co-operation,  347. 

Browning,  Rob.,  bibl.  of  (Wise),  280, 
320. 

Bryn  Mawr  (Pa.)  Coll.  L.,  139. 

Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  gift  for  memorial  lib. 

Buffalo  (N.  Y.)  L.,  241;  inks,  85-86. 


Carnegie  L.,  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  inscrip- 
tions for,  392 ;  branches  to  be  erect- 
ed, 392. 
Carnegie  P.  L.,  Ayr,  Scotl.,  catalog, 

279. 

Carr,  H:  J.,  Ci86;  inks    for  lib.  use, 
_  84;  methods  of  selecting  lib.  assist- 
—  ants,  94;  Recorder  A.  L.  A.,   347; 
rpt.  on  collections  of  local  literature 
(367-69,  Cis4,Cjss;  linoleum,  Ci42; 
access  to  shelves,  C 162. 
Carr,  Mrs.  H :  J.,  Ci86 ;  on  A.  L.  A. 
reception    comm.,    Ciog;     amend- 
ment to  constitution,  €172. 


Carr,  Spencer  E.,  plans  of  Rudolph 

Indexer  Co.,  20-21. 
Carrington,  J.  T.,  scientific  books  in 

free  libs.,  342. 
Carrington,    L..    M.,   Sec.    Ct.    L. 


Cheney,  J:  Vance,  libn.   Newberry 

L.,  394. 
Chester  (Pa.)  F.  L.,  opening  of  new 

building,  177. 
Chevalier,  U.   Repertoire  des  sources 

historiques    du    moyen-age,    fasc. 

i,  147. 
Chicago  L.  Club,  i3th  meeting,  22-23; 

i4th  meeting,  23;  isth  meeting,  59; 

i6th  meeting,  96-97^  i7th  meeting, 

134;  i8th  meeting,  387. 
Chicago  P.  L.,  improvement  in  read- 
ing at,  159-160,  1 68. 
Chile,  books  on  hist,  of,  184  ;  list  of 


books  published  in,  398. 
China.    Biblioteca  Sinica,  diet.  bibl. 
des  ouvrages    relatifs   a    1'empire 
chinois  (Cordier),  183;  reading-list 
on  China,  Corea  and  japan  (Salem 

Buildings,  library.    Blackstone  Me-         Assoc. ,94.  P.  L.),  319. 

morial   L.,   Branford,    Ct.,     24-25;     Gary  L.,  Lexington,  Mass.,  bequest     Church  history,  bibl.  of  (Bartlett), 


Goodnow  L.,  Charlemont,  Mass., 

"  25;  Gail  Borden  P.  L.,  Elgin,  111., 
25-26;  Webster  F.  L.,  N.  Y.,  27; 
Pequot  L.,  Southport,  Ct.,  27-28; 
Ayer  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  59-60;  Essex 
(Mass.)  P.  L.,  102;  Stevens  L.,  At- 
tica, N.  Y.,  139;  Bradford  (Mass.) 
P.  L.,  139;  Coburn  L.,  Colorado 
Springs,  Col.,  140;  La  Grange  (III.) 
P.  L.,  141-142;  Chester  (Pa.)  F.  L., 
177;  Hazen  L.,  Shirley,  Mass.,  211; 
Stratford  (Ct.)  L.,  212;  Wallingford 
(Vt.)  F.  L.,  212;  Morrison-Reeves 
L.,  Richmond,  Ind.  (Browning), 
233;  Thayer  Memorial  L.,  Ux- 
bridge,  Mass.,  243-244;  Syracuse  (N. 
Y.)  P.  L.,  315;  Troy  (N.  Y.)  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  L.,  memorial  building,  315- 
316;  Orrington  Lunt  L.,  North- 
western Univ.,  Evanston,  111. 
(Ambrose),  338-340;  Hasten  L.,^ 
North  Brookfield/  Mass.,  341; 
Forbes  L.,  Northampton,  Mass., 
376-378;  Columbia  Coll.  L.,  379-380.  - 

Bullock,  Edna  D.,  Ci86. 

Buncher,  Mrs.  M..  J.,  107. 

Bunnell,  Ada,  Ci86. 

Burlington  (la.)  F.  P.  L.,  275. 

Butler,  Wentworth  S.,  232. 

Butte  (Mont.)  F.  P.  L.,  140,241;  dedi- 
cation, 100;  catalog  of,  review,  311. 

Butterfield,  Mrs.  Pamela,  bequest  of 
lib.  site  to  Orange,  N.  J.,  67. 

Caddie,  A,,  246. 

Cajori,  Florian,  books  on  mathemat- 
ics, 183. 
Call-numbers,    location    on    catalog 

cards  (Koopman),  4.  « 
Cambridge,   Eng.,  catalog  of  books 

relating  to,  184,  216. 
Cambridge  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  60;  Sunday 

opening  at,  313  ;  alterations,  351. 
Cameron,  A.  Guyot,  bibl.  of  Prosper 

M^rime'e,  247. 

Campbell,  F.  B.  F.,  need  of  biblio- 
graphical societies,  397-398. 
Campbell,  Mrs.  H..,  bibl.  of  women's 

labor,  30. 
Campbell,  J.  W.,  libel  suit  brought 

against,  by  Miss  Kelso,  340. 
Canals,  bibl.  of   inland    waterways 

(Johnson),  108. 
Cannan,    Edwin,    English    political 

economy,  1776-1848,  68, 183. 
Canton  (111.)  P.  L.,  opening  of  new 

building,  351. 
Canton  (O.)  P.  L.,  proposed  removal, 

241. 

Carlisle,  Mass.,  gift  for  lib.  to,  354. 
Carlton,  Mrs.  Harriet  E.,  bequest  to 

Ilion(N.  Y.)F.  P.  L.,354. 
Carlyle,  T:  bibl.  essay  on  (Muir),  184. 
Carnegie,  Andrew,  gift  to  Jedburgh, 

Carnegie  F.  L.,  Allegheny,  Pa.,  311- 
312 ;  death  of  J.  B.  Scott,  100 ; 
appointment  of  W:  N.  Frew  to 
board  of  trustees,  139 


to,  67. 

Cash  register,  combined  receipt  and 
(Kephart),  86-87. 

Caspar,  C.  N.,  catalog  of  law  books, 
107. 

Castle,Egerton.  English  book-plates, 
107. 

Catalog,  suggested  card-book  (Mack- 
ay),  160  ;  for  the  Bibliothfeque  Na- 
tionale,  191,  196-197. 

Catalog  cards,  printing  of,  3 ;  dis- 
cussion on  printed  (N.  Y.  L. 
Club),  20-32;  of  Lib.  Bureau  (Ed- 
mands)  224, 329,  (Parker)  256;  letter- 
pressing  of  (Parsons),  224. 

Cataloging,  women '  s  names  in 
(Clarke),  48-49 ;  economies  in,  105; 

r  methods  of  (Kay),  125-128;  anon- 
ymous works  and  works  published 
under  initials,  191  ;  pamphlets  at 
Brookline  P.  L.,  389. 

Cataloging  and  classification  (dep.), 
29,  67,  107,  146,  182,  215,  246,  279, 
354i  397 


247;  (Jackson),  348. 

Churchman,  Anna  L.,  Ci86. 

Cincinnati  (O.)  Hospital  L.,  243. 

Cincinnati  (O.)  Law  L.,  242. 

Cincinnati  (O.)  P.  LM  390;  bulletin  of 
books  added,  1893,  146;  quarterly 
bulletin,  no.  120,  246;  quarterly  bul- 
letin, no.  i3i,  396. 

Cincinnati  Southern  Ry.,  bibl.  of 
(Hollander),  68. 

Cinderella,  bibl.  of  (Cox),  68. 

Clarke,  Edith  E.,  59,  Ci86;  Woman's 
L.  at  Columb.  Expos.,  47-48;  wom- 
en's names  in  cataloging,  48-49;  ist 
vice-pres.  Chicago  L.  Club,  59; 
resignation  from  Newberry  L. ,  394; 

JfA.  L.  A.  comm.  on  resolutions, 
109  ;  lib.  floors,  Ci42. 

Clarke,  H:  Butler.  Spanish  litera- 
ture, 68. 

Clarke,  J.  W.,  libs,  in  mediaeval  and 
renaissance  periods,  273. 

Classification  (Fletcher),  238;  meth- 
ods of  (Kay),  127-128. 


(Nelson),  €69-77. 
Clay,  Susan  B.,  bequest  to  Jaffrey, 

N.  H.,  214. 
Clerkenwell   (Eng.)  P.   L.,  144-145; 

'•  two-book"  method  jit,  255. 
lleveland,  Josephi 

W:  F.  Poole,  234. 


Cleveland,  Josephine  P.,  Ci86;  Dr. 


it.  255 
.,  Ci£ 


Catalogs,  use  of  linotype  for  print-     Classification  and  catalogs,  rpt.  on 

ing,  255,  (Billstein)    257-258,  (sym-         /XT-' 4  ™~  - 

posium  on)    259-260;  rpt.  on  clas- 
sification  and    (Nelson),    069-77; 

value  of  printed  (Fletcher),  256. 
Catalogue  annuel  dela  librairie  Fran- 

9<'dse,  1893,  review,  136. 
Cathedral   L.,  N.  Y.,  catalog,  pt.  3, 

67  ;  catalog,  section  i,  182. 
Cathedrals,  bibl.  of  French  (Ferree), 

183. 

Catskill  (N.  Y.)  P.  L.,375. 
Cattell,  S..  W.,  Ci86;  Women's  Chris- 
tian Assoc.  libs.,  121-124. 
Chaffee,  Nellie  E.,  Asst.  sec.  Ct.  L. 

Assoc.,  94. 

Champlin,  G:  G.,  Ci86. 
Champlin,  Mrs.  G:  G.,  Ci86. 
Chandler,  Ellen  M.,  Ci86;  Standing 

comm.  on  Lib.  school  and  training 

classes,  348;  collection  of  "  Don'ts, 

Ci63. 

Changed  titles,  319. 
Chappell,  Mrs.  C.  W.,  Ci86. 
Chappell,  Cornelia  W.,  Ci86. 
Chappell,  E..  W.,  Ci86. 
Charging     systems    (Bolton),      173, 

(Foster)    173-174;    Mass.   L.  Club 

discussion    on,    173-174 ;     of 


Cleveland  (O.)  P.  L.,  60;  Open  Shelf, 
pub.  by,  147,  182,  215,  279,  318;  es- 
tablishment of  bindery,  275;  open- 
ing of  branch,  351. 

Cloud,  H.  Carrie,  Ci86. 

Cloud,  Josephine,  Ci86. 

Clubs,  girls'  and  women's,  list  of 
books  tor,  381. 

Coburn  L.,  Colorado  Springs,  Col., 
dedication,  140. 

Coe,  Ellen  M.,  Ci54,  CiS?;  collecting 
lib.  statistics,  95,  96;  charging  sys- 
tems of  Los  Angeles  P.  L.  and  N. 
Y.  F.  C.  L.,  288;  Vice-pres.  A.  L. 
A.,  347,  Ci64;  on  Exec,  board  A. 
L.  A.,  347;  Councillor  A.  L.  A., 
348;  list  of  books  for  women's  and 
girls' clubs,  381;  common  novels  in 
public  libs.,  C23-24,  Ci37;  selection 
of  books,  C30-32,  Ci34  ;  lib.  floors, 


Hampshire,  394. 

Chase,  F.  H.,  Ci86. 

Chatelain,  Heli.  Folk-tales  of  Ango- 
la, 216. 

Chattanooga  (Tenn.)  L.  A.,  100. 

Chelsea  (Eng.)  P.  Ls.,  245. 

Chelsea,  Vt.,  dedication  of  Speare 
Memorial  L.,  389. 


347;  Pres.  N.  J.  L.  Assoc.,  384;  fic- 
tion in  libs.,  Ci8-2i,  €1-37',  pub- 
ishing  of  lib.  bulletins,  050-52, 
Ci46,  Ci47;  rpt.  as  Treas.  A.  L. 
A.,  Ciio-ii4:  Bibliographical  Soc. 
of  London,  Ci64;  proposed  memo- 
rial to  Dr.  W:  F.  Poole,  Ci73. 
Cole,  Mrs.  G:  W.,  CiS;. 


6l2 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL. 


The  index  to  Pseudonyms  and  Anonyms  follows  ihis. 


Colines,  Simon  de,  bibl.  des  editions 
de  (Renouard),  148. 

College  libraries,  statistics  of  their 
relations  to  the  people  (Rowell,  50; 
relations  of,  to  curriculum  (Poole), 
100;  recognition  of,  in  higher  edu- 
cation (Lowrey),  264-267;  functions 
of  (Koopman),  024-30,  Cisi;  A.  L. 
A.  discussion  on,  0151-152. 

Coll.  of  City  of  N.  Y.,  15.; 

Coll.  of  Pharmacy  of  City  of  N.  Y., 
lib.,  15. 

College  Settlement  L.,  N.  Y.,  16. 

Collins,  Alfred  S.,  CiS;. 

Collins,  Victor,  catalog  of  lib.  of 
Prince  L.  L.  Bonaparte,  review, 
176. 

Colombo  (Ceylon)  Mus.  L.,  317. 

Colorado  Springs,  Col.,  Coburn  L., 
dedication,  140. 

Columbia  Coll.  L.,  14;  methods  of 
keeping  lib.  statistics,  95;  additions 
to,  133,  352;  new  building  for,  379- 
380. 

Columb.  Expos.,  A.  L.  A.  lib.  ex- 
hibit at,  3;  lib.  of  Woman's  Build- 
ing (Clarke),  47-48;  effect  of,  on 
reading  at  Chicago  P.  L.,  159-160, 
168;  list  of  books  in  lib.  of  woman's 
building,  397. 

Columbus  (O.)  City  L.,  207. 

Columbus  (O.)  Public  School  L.,  101. 

Communications  (dep.),  4,  43,  120, 
160,  192,  224,  256,  288,  329,  364. 

Concord  (Mass.)  F.  P.  L.,  177-178, 
bulletin  no.  16,  182. 

Cone,  Jessica  G.,  0187. 

Congress  of  librarians.  See  World's 
congress. 

Conkling,  Roscoe,  selection  from  his 
lib.  given  to  Utica  (N.  Y.)  P.  L., 
314. 

Connecticut  L.  Assoc.,  3d  ann.  meet- 
ing, 93-94;  May  meeting.  204;  Sept. 
meeting,  349;  rpt.  on  badge,  349. 

Connecticut  State  L.  Commission,  94. 

Cook,  C:  P.,  gift  for  lib.  to  Tarn- 
worth,  N.  H.,  354. 

Cooper  Union  (N.  Y.)  L.,  15. 

Copenhagen,  Royal  L.,  317. 

Copinger  collection  of  Latin  Bibles, 

account  of,  17-18. 
Cordier,  H.     Biblioteca  Sinica,  183. 

Corea,  reading  list  on.    See  China. 

Cornell  Univ.  L.  bulletin,   Oct.  29; 
account  of  Zarncke  lib.  (Crandall), 
60;     catalog    of    Rhaeto-Romanic 
collection,    182;     bulletin,    March, 
215;  bulletin,  June,  355. 
Corre^gio  bibl.,  398. 
Corticine  for  lib.  floors,  Ci4o,  (Larned) 

0142. 

Cossitt  L.,  Memphis,  Tenn.,  391. 
Couderc,  Camille.  Catalogue  g&ie'ral 
des    bibliothdques    publiques     de 
France,  246. 


44-47;  increase  in  salary,  143;  Coun- 
cillor A.  L.  A.,  348 ;  selection  of 
books,  041-42,  0134;  newspapers  in 
free  lib.  reading-rooms  046-47, 0143, 
0145-146;  on  A.  L.  A.  reception 
comm.,  Clog;  lib.  floors,  Ci4i;  lib. 
bulletins,  0146,  Ci47;  libs,  and  univ. 
extension,  Ci.so;  libs,  as  aids  to 
citizenship,  0158-159,  Ci6o;  amend- 
ment to  constitution,  0171-172;  Dr. 
W:  F.  Poole,  0172,  0173. 
Crusades,  list  of  books  on  (Mombert), 
216. 


cillor  A.  L.  A.,  348 ;  on  A.  L.  A. 
reception  comm.,  Ciog  ;  A.  L.  A. 
Manual,  Ci22  ;  rpt.  on  lib.  legisla- 
tion, 0123;  libs,  and  univ.  exten- 
tension,  0148-149;  better  editions 
of  popular  books,  0153;  place  of  A. 
L.  A.  meeting,  1895,  £163;  insur- 
ance, 0164;  Dr.  W:  F.  Poole,  0169- 
170  ;  invitation  to  A.  L.  A.  from  L. 
A.  U.  K.,  €171;  amendment  to  con- 
stitution, 0172;  proposed  memorial 
to  Dr.  W:  F.  Poole,  0173;  Pres. 
Publishing  section,  0175. 


Cursitor,  J.  W.,  list  of  books  on  Ork-     Dewey,  Mrt.  Melvil,  0187;  Dr.  W: 


ney  and  Shetland,  398. 

Cyrlis,  Newton  Martin,  bibl.  of 
criminal  law,  147. 

Cutler,  Louisa  S.,  0187;  Asst.  sec.  A. 
L.  A.  347 ;  Vice-pres.  N.  Y.  State 
L.  Assoc.,  348. 

Cutler.  M..  S.,  0154,  CiS?;  Lib. 
school  visit  to  Boston,  202-203;  Vice- 
pres.  A.  L.  A.,  347,  0164;  on  Exec. 
board  A.  L.  A.,  347;  Councillor 
A.  L.  A.,  348;  home  libs.  013-14, 
0123  ;  on  A.  L.  A.  reception  comm., 
Ciog;  Chairman  A.  L.  A.,  comm. 
on  social  evening,  Ciog  ;  rpt.  of  A. 
L.  A.  Columb.  expos,  comm.,  Ci2o- 
121. 

Cutter,  C:  A.,  246,  Cuo,  CiBj;  review 
of  Wilson's  All-time  library,  176; 
notes  on  Bibliotheque  Nationale, 
193,  libn.  Forbes  L.,  Northampton, 
Mass.,  246;  catalog  of  Post.  Athe- 
nfeum,  288;  European  libs.,  Biblio- 
theque Nationale  and  Brit.  Mus., 
289-292;  Councillor  A.  L.  A. ,348; 
remarks  at  dedication  of  Forbes  L., 
376;  on  A.  L.  A.  comm.  on  place  of 
meeting,  Ciog,  0135-136. 

Cutter,  W.  P.,  CiS?;  Exec.  comm. 
Wash.  L.  Assoc.,  236;  foreign  docu- 
ments, ('124. 

Cutter,  W:  R.,  Ci87. 

Dana,  J:  C.,  0164,  CiS?;  Vice-pres. 
A.  L.  A.  347,  0164;  on  Exec, 
board  A.  L.  A.t  347  ;  publishing  of 
lib.  bulletins  054-55,  Ci46;  news- 
papers in  libs.,  0143,  0144-145;  libs, 
and  univ.  extension,  0150-151;  bet- 
ter editions  of  popular  books,  0152- 
153;  A.  L.  A.  diet,  of  lib.  economy, 
Ciss;  libs,  as  aids  to  citizenship, 
Cis9;  access  to  shelves,  Ci6i,  C>62. 

Dartmouth  Coll.  L.,  178. 

Darwin,  C.  C.,  Exec.  comm.  Wash. 
L.  Assoc.,  236. 

Davies,  J:  F.,  100. 

Davis,  M..  F.,  Ci87. 

Day,  Mrs.  Rob.  E.,  CiSj. 

Dayton  (O.)  P.  L.,  101. 

Decatur  (111.)  P.  L.,  242. 

Decimal  classification,  extension  of, 
199-200. 


F.  Poole,  0171. 
Dewey  numbering,  extension  of,  199- 

200. 

Dexter,  Lydia  A.,  0187. 
Dillingham,    J.    H.,     Exec.    comm. 

Pa.  L.  Club,  132. 
Dobson,  Austin.      Horace  Walpole, 

30. 
Dodge,  C:  Wright,  books  on  biology; 

108. 
Dollinger,  Pref.  J.  J.  J.  v.,  Biblio- 

theca  Dollinjjeriana,  182. 
Don't:  warnings  of  experience,  0104- 

107,  0163. 
Doren,  Electra  C.,  CiS?;    Standing 

comm.  on  endowment,  348. 
Dover  (Del.)  L.,  207. 
Dover  (N.  H.)P.  L.,  140. 
Dresden,  Kgl.    offentlichen    Biblio- 

thek  zu,  Bucheinbande  der  (Lier), 

247. 
Drevv,  Hon.   Irving  W.,  Vice-pres. 

N.  H.  L.  Assoc.,  57. 
Drexel  Institute,  Phila.,  lectures  on 

bibliography  at,  64;    visit  of  lib. 

class  to  N.  Y.,  179  ;  lib.  class  grad- 

uation, 234  ;  record  of  lib.  training 

classes,  307-308. 
Dubarat,  V.   Melanges  de  bibliogra- 

phic et  d'histoire  locale,  183. 
Dubuque  (la.)  Y.  M.  L.  A.,  207. 
Dudley,  C:  R.,  0187;    Asst.  sec.  A. 

L.  A.,  347;  better  editions  of  popu- 

lar books,  0152. 
Dunn,  J:  P.,  Indiana  libs.,  58. 
Duntpn,  C.  Augusta,  0187. 
Duplicates   of    new    books,    at    St. 

Louis  Mercantile  L.,  104-105;  no.  of 

bought   by  libns.   (Edmands),  192; 
'    (Peoples),  224. 
Duruy,  V.  History  of  modern  times, 

280. 
Dwight,    Theodore    Frelinghuysen, 

resignation  from  Bost.  P.  L.,  29. 
Dye,  M..,  methods  of  lib.  training,  57. 
Dziatzko,  K:  Theorie  u.  praxis  des 

buch-u.  bibliothekswesens,    pt.    i 

review,  97. 

Earle,  Dr.   Pliny,  378;    bequest  for 
lib.  buildingto  Leicester,  Mass.,  354. 
East  Bridgewater,  Mass.,  gift  for  lib. 


Council  Bluffs  (la.)  F.  P.  L.,  101,  390.     Decorative  art,  bibl.  of  (Balfour),  68.          to,  278. 

Cox,  Marian    Roalfe,    bibl.  of  Cin-     Delisle,    L.,  incunables  de  la  Bibl.     East  St.  Louis  (111.)  P.  L.,  new  build- 


derella,  68. 

Cramer,  Rev.  M.  J.,  gift  of  private 
lib.  to  Ohio  Wesleyan  Univ.,  317. 

Crandall,  M..  I.,  account  of  Zarncke 
lib.,  60;  Standing  comm.  on  Lib. 
School  and  training  classes,  348. 

Crane  P.  L.,  Quincy,  Mass.,  210. 

Crawford,  Esther,  58. 

Creighton,  Mrs.  Laura,  Ci&j;  state 
libn.  Iowa,  215. 

Crerar  L.,  arrangement  for  incorpo- 
ration of,  275 ;  incorporation  of, 

Crew',  Florence  B.,  Ci87. 

Crocker's  index  scrap  file,  245. 

Crooks,  G:  R.  Theological  encyclo- 
paedia, 319. 

Croydon  (Eng.)  Ls.,  245. 

Crufts,  Gen.  G:  T.,  Vice-pres.  N.  H. 
L.  Assoc.,  57. 

Crunden,  F:  M.,  181,  Cuo,  0125, 
Ci33,  0187;  libn.  as  administrator, 


Mazarine,  398. 

Delivery  stations,  proposed  at  De- 
troit, 61 ;  in  Jersey  City,  141. 

Denio,  Herbert  W.,  0187. 

Denio,  Lilian  K.,  0187;  Vice-pres. 
N.Y.L.  Club,  175. 

Dennis,  Hamilton  James,  death  of 
(loman),  394-395. 

Denver  (Col.)  City  L.,  101. 

Denver  (Col.)  P.  L.,  101,  178,  Books, 
pub.  by,  182,  313,  record  of  lib. 
training  classes,  308 ;  art  depart- 
ment of,  341-342 ;  alterations  at,  351. 

Des  Moines  (la.)  P.  L.,  313. 

Detroit  (Mich.)  P.  L.,  101,  delivery 
stations  recommended,  61 ;  general 
catalog,  ist  supp.,  318. 

Dewey,  K..,  Vice-pres.  Ct.  L.  Assoc., 
94- 

Dewey,  Melvil,  Ci26,  0187;  lecture 
at  Pratt  Institute,  25 ;  Standing 
comm.  on  co-operation,  347  ;  Coun- 


ing  planned,  140. 
Eastman,  Edith  V.    Musical  educa- 

tion and  musical  art,  30. 
Eastman,  Linda  A.,  0187. 
Eastman,  W:  R.,  0187;  Sec.  N.  Y. 

State  L.  Assoc.,  384;  travelling  libs., 

0136;  place  of  A.  L.  A.  meeting, 

1895,  0163. 
Edmands,  J:,  extra  copies  of  popular 

books,  192;  catalog  system  of  Lib. 

Bureau,  224;  uniformity  in  lib.  rpts., 

256;   publishing   of   lib.    bulletins, 

054,  0146. 

Education,  books  on,  68. 
Egle,  W:  H.,  libn.  Pa.  State  L.,  107. 
Egyptian  grammar    and    bibl.   (Er- 

man),  108. 
Electricity  and    magnetism,    list    of 

books  on  (Springfield  P.   L.),  107; 

(Newark  P.  L.),  396. 
Elliot,  J:,   blacking    out  of  betting 

news,  51. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL. 


613 


Elliott,  Carrie  L.,  Sec.  Chicago  L. 
Club,  59- 

Ellis,  M.,  Ci87. 

Elmendorf,  H:  L.,  Ci87. 

Elmer  (Pa.)  P.  L.  A.,  26. 

Ely,  R:  T.    Socialism,  247. 

Engineering,  bibl.  delle  opere  italiani 
e  straniere  di,  30. 

English  criticism,  bibl.  of  (Wylie),  248 

Enoch  Pratt  F.  L.,  Bait.,  100;  fina- 
ing-list  for  branch  libs.,  67;  correc- 
tion of  statistics  of,  139;  finding-list 
of  central  lib.,  pt.  2,  182;  use  of 
linotype  at,  259-260;  finding-list  of 
central  lib.,  pt.  3,  396. 

Equitable  Law  L.,  N.  Y.,  16. 

Erasmus,  bibl.  of  (Vander  Haeghen), 
320. 

Erman,  E.   Egyptian  grammar,  108. 

Essex  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  dedication  of 
new  building,  102. 

Estabrook,  W.  B.,  libn.  Buffalo  Law 
L.,  146. 

Ethics,  books  on  (Ryland),  68. 

Euclid,  bibl.  of  (Riccardi),  319. 

European  libraries,  Bibliotheque 
Nationaleand  Brit.,Mus.  (Cutter), 
289-292. 

Evaluation  of  books,  critical  difficul- 
ties, 3-4;  dating  note-cards  (lies) 
43;  annotated  printed  lists,  119. 

Evanston  (111.)  F.  P.  L.,  313. 

Everett  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  61;  new  build- 
ing to  be  erected,  242,  351. 

Exchanges  (Kelso),  120  ;  advertising 
for,  328. 

Fairfield,  la.,  dedication  of  new  lib. 
building,  26. 


The  index  io  Pseudonyms  and  Anonyms  follows  this. 

Athenaeum,   288;  rpt.  of  A.   L.  A.     Carman,  S.,  ravages  of  book-worms, 
Conference,  344-347;  Councillor  A.         230-231. 

L.  A.,  348;  rpt.  on  A.  L.  A.  Publish-  Garnett,  R:,  suit  of  Martin  vs.  British 
ing  Section,  Cio2,  Cis?;  news- 
papers in  libs.,  €144;  binding 
pamphlets,  Ciss:  functions  of  the 
lib.,  Ci57-is8;  reproduction  and 
interchange  of  mss.,  Ci6o;  place  of 
A.  L.  A.  meeting,  1895,  Ci63;  in- 
vitation to  A.  L.  A.  from  L.  A.  U. 


Museum,  192,  342-343. 

Gaspari,  Gael.,  Catalogo  dellabiblio- 

teca  del  liceo  musicale  di  Bologna, 

147. 


Gauss,  E.  F.  L.,  181;  Pres.  Chicago 

L.  Club,  59. 
Gay,  Clara  F.,  Ci87. 


K.,  Ci?!;  amendment  to  constitu-     Gay,  Frank  B.,  94,  CiS?;  lib.  floors, 


tion,  Ci72;  on  Exec,  board  Publish- 
ing Section,  Ci7s. 

Floors  and  floor  coverings,  rpt.  on 
(Beer),  Cioo-ioi,  Ci4o-i43. 

Folk-lore,  reading-list  on  (Salem  P. 
L.),  29;  books  on  African  (Chate- 
lain),  216 ;  bibl.  delle  tradizioni 
popolari  in  Italia  (Pitre),  216. 

Foote,  E..  L.,  Ci87. 

Forbes,  Judge  C.  C.,  378. 

Forbes  L.,  Northampton, Mass.,  dedi- 
cation of  building,  376-378. 

Ford,  Cory  don  L.,  bequest  to  Univ.  of 
Mich.,  214,  246. 

Ford,  Paul  Leicester,  review  of 
Bulletin  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Rolls  and 
Records,  23-24;  review  of  catalog  of 
Kings  College  lib.,  Windsor,  N.S., 
135-136;  review  of  A.  L.  A.  catalog, 
"37-138 ;  Josiah  Tucker  and  his 
writings,  148 ;  review  of  Public 
libraries  in  America,  237-238;  novel 
by,  395- 

Foreign  books  in  Amer.  libs.,  328, 
(Josephson)  364. 

Foreign  documents,  A.  L.  A.  rpt. 
on,  Ci23-i24;  A.  L.  A.  resolution 
on,  Ci6s. 


Ci4i;  newspapers   in    libs.,    Ci44; 

binding  pamphlets,  Ciss 
Gay,  Mrs.  Frank  B.,  CiS?. 
Genealogies,  list  of  New  England 

(Springfield  P.  L.),  215. 
General  catalogue  of  American  publi- 
cations of  igth  cent.,  3,  (Cole)  5,  8. 
Genera)    Theol.    Seminary,    N.    Y., 

Coppinger    collection    given     to, 

17. 
Geuiogy,  reading  list  on  (Salem  P.  L.), 

182. 


Georgia,Jib.  sentiment  in,  328-^29. 

inces  A.  Angelica  K; 
mann,68. 


Gerard,  Frances  A.  Angelica  Kauff- 


German  printing  in  America,  bibl. 
of  (Seidensticker),  68. 

Germany.  Katalog  der  Bucher  eines 
deutschen  Bibliophilen,  182;  Bibli- 
ographic, Allgemeine,  der  Staats- 
und  Rechtwissenschaften,  183;  Al- 
legemeiner  deutscher  Theaterkata- 
log  (Gretlein),  398. 

Giacosa,  P.,  bibl.   medica  Italiana, 

Gifts  and  bequests,  annual  rpt.  on 

(Kephart),  C6i-63. 
Gifts  and  bequests  (dep.),  67, 145,214, 


Falconer,  C.  M.,  proposed    bibl.  of     Forsyth,  Walter  G:    CiS?;  ref.  libn.         246,279,317.354. 

Andrew  Lang,  216.  Phila.  L.  Co.,  354.  Gilman,  Col.  E.  H.,  Vice-pres.  N.  H. 

Fall  River  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  275.  Foster,  W:    E.,    CMO,    €154,    Cis?;         L.  Assoc., 


Familists,  books  relating"  to  the 
(Thomas),  108. 

Fassig,  Oliver  L.,  Ci87;  Sec.  and 
Treas.  Wash.  L.  Assoc,,  236. 

Faulkner,  Col.  F.  C.,  Vice-pres.  N. 
H.  L.  Assoc. ,57. 

Faxon,  F.  W.,Ci87- 

Feary,  Ctte.  S  ,  Ci87. 

Felt,  B:  F.,  gift  of  lib.  to  Galena,  111., 
317,  390-391 

Ferguson,  Lady,  bibl.  of  Bishop 
Reeves'  works,  183. 

Ferree,  Barr,  bibl.  of  French  cathe- 
drals, 183. 

Fiction,  (Thomson),  205,  240;  chron- 
ological lists  of  historical  (Bost. 
P.  L.  bulletins),  107,  182,  279,  396; 
purchase  of,  in  paper  covers(Scott), 
227-229;  Guide  to  British  and  Amer. 
(Russell),  356  ;  common  novels  in 
public  libs.,  (Garland)  Ci4-i6; 
(Thurston)  Ci6-i8,  (Cole)  Ci8-2i, 
(Whelpley)  C2I-22,  (Coe)  C23-24, 
(Peck)  Ci37. 

Finance,  reading-list  on  (Springfield 
P.  L.),  67;  reading  notes  on,  Phila. 
(Merc.  L.)  146. 

Finding-lists  (Henneberry),  9-11;  of 
Boston  P.  L.,  223  ;  use  of  linotype 
for,  255, (Billstein) 257-258,  (symposi- 
um) 259-261. 

Fiske,  J:,  Writings  of  E:  L.  Youmans, 
183;  Hist,  of  U.  S.,  356. 

Fitchburg  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  bulletin  no. 
a,  182. 

Fietcner,  F.  Richmond,  Ci87;  printed 
catalog  cards  issued  by  Lib.  Bureau, 
21;  Asst.  sec.  A.  L.  A.,  347. 

Fletcher,  W:  I.,  29,  Ci33-i34,  Ci87; 
W:  F:  Poole  — a  tribute,  81-83; 
Annual  literary  index,  1893,  1o8; 
Amherst  summer  school,  130;  Dr. 
W:  F:  Poole,  171-172,  Ci6s-i66 ; 
correction,  191 ;  Public  libraries 
in  America,  review,  237-238;  Library 
classification,  review,  238;  value  of 
printed  catalogs,  256;  great  libs,  of 
U.  S.,  273;  catalog  of  Boston 


newspapers,  magazi  nes, serials,  etc. , 
93;  charging  systems,  173-174; 
Councillor  A.  L.  A.,  348;  informa- 
tion desk,  368-370;  Pres.  Mass.  L. 
Club,  384;  selection  of  books,  C34- 
36,  Ci34;  functions  of  univ.  lib., 
Cisz. 

France.  Melanges  de  bibliographic 
et  d'histoire  locale  (Dubarat),  183; 
bibl.  of  French  cathedrals  (Ferree), 
183;  rpt.  of  comm.  desbibliotheques 
natiooaleset  municipales,  215  ;  Ca- 
talogue ge'ne'rale  des  bibliotheques 
publiques  de  France  (Albanes) 
246,  (Couderc)  246;  projet  d'organi- 
sation  d'un  service  d'archives  pho- 
tographique  documentaires  (Vidal), 
317;  project  for  general  catalog  of 
French  libs.  (Cole)  333,  (Vander- 
haeghen)  334-336. 

Francis,  M..,Ci87. 

Freis,  Andr£,  death  of,  146. 

Friends'  F.  L.,  Germantown,  Phila., 
178. 

Frost,  Rufus  S.,  lib.  bequest  to  Marl- 
borough,  N.  H.,  145. 

Full  names,  30,  67, 107,  147,  184,  248, 
279,  356.  397- 

Fuller,  Edith  D.  Ci8?. 

Gail  Bprden  P.  L.,  Elgin,  111.,  178; 
description  of  building,  25-26;  open- 
ing, 101. 

Galena,  III.,  gift  of  lib.  to,  317;  organ- 
ization of  lib., 390-391. 

Gallaher,  Ja.,  death  of,  146. 

Galveston,  Tex.,  bequest  for  lib.,  to, 
317. 

Garbe,  R.,  and  others^  Orientalische 
bibliographie,  247. 

Gardner  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  61. 

Garland,  Caroline  H.,  Ci54,  Ci87; 
Exec.  comm.  N.  H.  L.  Assoc.,  57; 
Councillor  A.  L.  A.,  348,  Ci64; 
common  novels  in  public  libs.,  Ci4- 
16,  Ci37 ;  A.  L.  A.  comm.  on  resolu- 
tions, Cio9;  A.  L.  A.  post  confer- 
ence excursion,  Ci82-i86. 


Gilmore,  G:  C,  57. 

Girls'  clubs,  list  of  books  for.    See 

women's  clubs. 
Gleason,  Mrs.  Joanna,  gift  for  lib.  to 

Carlisle,  Mass.,  354. 
Glenn,  J:  M.,  Ci54- 
Gloversville  (N.  Y.)  F.  L.,  208. 
Godfrey,  C:  B.,  CiS?. 
Godfrey,  Lydia  B.,  Ci87. 
Goodnow    L.,    Charlemont,    Mass., 

dedication  of,  25. 
Gould,  C:  H:,  Ci87;  Standing  comm. 

on  foreign  documents,  348. 
Gowing,  F:,  Exec.  comm.  N.  H.  L. 


Assoc.,  57. 
Grant,  W.  H:, 


Gray,  L:  F.,  new  public  library  of 

Boston,  365-368. 
Gray,  T:,  bibl.  of  183. 
Greek  poetry  (AppletonJ.io?. 
Green,    S.    A.,    pamphlets,    198-199; 

Mass.  Hist.  Soc.  L.,  208  ;  ravages 

of  bookworms,  230-231. 
Green,  S:  S.,  Ci2o,  Ci22.  €125,  Ci87; 

Councillor  A.  L.  A.,  348 ;  reference 

and   information  desk  work,  382; 

Dr.  W:  F.  Poole,  Ci68. 
Gretlein,  K.,  Allegemeiner  deutscher 

Theater  Katalog,  398. 
Griffin,  Appleton  P.  C.,  resignation 

from  Bost.  P.  L..  395. 
Griggs,  W.,  specimens  of  bookbind- 
ing, 398. 
Grisebach,  E:    Katalog  der  Bucher 

eines  Deutschen  Bibliophilen,  184. 
Groton  (Mass.)  P.  L.  bequest  to,  214 
Guild,  Dr.  Reuben  A.,  Ciog. 
Gunzbourg,  D.,  and  others,  Onenta 

mss.,  183-184. 

Hagar,  S..  C.,  CiS?. 

Haggerston,    W.   J.,  death  of,  214, 

Haines,  Helen  E.,  CiS?;  A.   L.    A. 

post-conference    excursion,    Ci78- 

182. 
Halifax  (N.  S.)  Citizens'  F.  L.,  245  ; 

catalog  of,  396. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOVRttAL. 


The  index  to  Pseudonyms  and  Anonyms  follows  this. 


Hallowell,  Me.,  dedication  of  Hub- 
bard  F.  L.,  140. 

Hamilton,  Walter.  Dated  book-plates 
(ex  libris),  356. 

Hamilton  (Ont.)  P.  L.,  245  ;  catalog 
of,  355. 

Hammond,  Mrs.  W.  G.,  gift  to  Iowa 
State  Univ.,  214. 

Hancock,  A.  U.  History  of  Chile, 
184. 

Handwriting.    See  Penmanship. 

Hardy,  T:,  bibl.  of  (Johnson)  398. 

Harlem  (N.  Y.)  L.,  extr.  fr.  rpt.,  63, 
313,  catalog  of,  67. 

Harris,  G:  W.,  Ci87. 

Harrison,  Jos.  Leroy.CiS?;  public  lib. 
movement  in  U.S. ,273-274;  Stand- 
ing comm.  on  co-operation,  347. 

Hart,  Gilbert,  gift  of  lib.  building  to 
Wallingford,  Vt.,  212. 

Hart,  Mrs.  M..  E.,  gift  of  lib.  build- 
ing to  Troy  Y.  M.  L.  A.,  145. 

Hart,  S:,  Pres.  Ct.  L.  Assoc.,  94. 

Hartford  (Ct.)  P.  L.,  351-352,  inks, 
85 ;  bulletin,  Jan.  '94,  147 ;  'and  the 
public  schools  (Hewins),  292-295  ; 
reading-lists  issued  by,  351-352. 

Hartwig,  Dr.  O.,  reproduction  and 
interchange  of  mss.,  Ci6o. 

Harvard  Univ.  L.,  (Bolton)  24,  139, 
140 

Haston,  Erasmus,  gift  of  lib.  building 
to  North  Brookfield,  Mass.,  341. 

Haston  L.,  North  Brookfield,  Mass. 
See  North  Brookfield  (Mass.)  P.  L. 

Hasse,  Adelaide  R.,  new  charging 
system  of  Los  Angeles  P.  L.,  195- 
196,  329. 

Hawaii.  List  of  books  on  Hawaiian 
islands  (Jersey  City  P.  L.),  107; 
reading  notes  on  Hawaiian  ques- 
tion (Phila.  Merc.  L.),  146;  books 
on  (Springfield  P.  L.),  147. 

Hawes,  Clara  S.,  Ci&j;  reorganizer 
Y.  M.  L.  A.,  Palmer,  Mass.,  354. 

Hawley,  M..  E.,  Ci87  ;  review  of 
Ryer's  Entwicklung  u.  organisa- 
tion der  volks  bibliotheken,  97-99. 

Hayes,  J:  S.,  CiS?. 

Hayward,  Almira  L.,  CiS?;  death  of, 

,334,395- 

Hazeltine,  M.  Emogene,  CiZj. 

Hazeltine,  Miron  W. ,  Exec.  comm. 
N.  H.  L.  Assoc.,  57. 

Hazen  Memorial  L.,  Shirley,  Mass., 
211;  dedication,  180. 

Heinsius,  W.  Allegemeines  Bucher- 
Lexikon,  '89-92, 147. 

Helena  (Mont.)  P.  L.,  208;  monthly 
bulletin,  pub.  by,  246;  list  of  books 
for  young  people,  279. 

Henneberry,  K..  M.,  23;  preparation 
of  printed  lists,  o-n. 

Herzog,  Alfred  C.,  CiS?;  Vice-pres. 
N.  J.  L.  Assoc.,  384. 

Hewins,  Caroline  M.,Ci54,Ci88;  inks 
for  lib.  use,  85;  Hartford  P.  L.  and 
public  schools,  292-295;  Councillor 
A.  L.  A.,  348,  6164;  selection  of 
books  C32-34,  Ci34;  publishing  of 
lib.  bulletins,  ^52-53,  Ci46. 

Heydrick,  Josephine  S.,  Ci88. 

Hild,  F.  H.,  CiS4. 

Hildeburn,  C:  Riche1,  issues  of  the 

N.  Y.  press,  1693-1784,  147. 
Hill,   Frank    P.,   Ciog,    Ci26,    Ci54, 
Ci64,    Ci88;    Sec.   A.    L.  A.,   347, 
Ci64;  on  Exec,  board  A.  L.  A.,  347; 
rpt.  on  lib.    progress,  Cs6~6o;  on 
A.    L.  A.  reception    comm.,   Ciog; 
lib.  bulletins,  Ci47;    reproduction 
and  interchange  of  mss.,  Ci6o;  ac- 
cess to  shelves,  Ci6i. 
Hill,  Mrs.  F.  P.,  Ci88. 
Hilliard,  Jos.    C.,    gift    of   lib.    to 

Kensington,  N.  H., 317. 
Hills,  Mrs.  Agnes,  Ci88. 
Hills,  W.  J.,  Treas.  Ct.  L.  Assoc.,  94. 
Hilton  (N.  J.)  P.  L.,  class  catalog, 
3'8. 


Hints  to  small  libraries  (Plummer), 
206-207. 

History,  bibl.  of  methods*of  studying, 
107-108;  books  on  modern,  280;  read- 
ing-lists on  U.  S.  (Fiske),  356. 

History  for  ready  reference  (Larned) 
review,  239-240,  273,  388. 

Hitchler,  T.,  account  of  lib.  of  Zwit- 
tan,  Austria,  380-381. 

Hoagland  laboratory,  Brooklyn,  N. 
Y.,  lib.  of,  17. 

Hoboken(N.  J.)  F.  P.  L.,  17;  new 
building  authorized,  26;  petition 
for  new  building  denied,  140-141. 

Hoi  brook  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  178. 

Hollander,  J.  H.,  bibl.  of  Cincinnati 
Southern  Ry.,  68. 

Holyoke  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  208. 

Home  libraries  (Birtwell),  Cg-is, 
(Cutler),  Ci3-i4. 

Hopkins,  Anderson  H.,  Ci88. 

Hosmer,  Ja.  K.,  Ci26,  Ci34,  Ci88;  A. 
L.  A.  comm.  on  resolutions,  Cio9, 
Ci64-i6s;  rpt.  of  co-operation 
comm.,  Ciis  116;  access  to  shelves, 
Cis8,  Ci62. 

Hovey,  E.  C.,  Standing  comm.  on  U. 
S.  public  documents,  348;  Trustee 
endowment  fund,  348. 

Howard  Memorial  L.,  New  Orleans, 
La.,  gift  of  scientific  lib.  to,  313-314. 

Hubbard  F.  L.,  Hallowell,  Me.,  dedi- 
cation, 140. 

Huguenot  bibl.  of  Dauphine  (Ar- 
naud),  319. 

Hull,  F..,  Ci88;  inks  for  lib.  use,84-8s. 

Humors  and  blunders  (dep.),  30,  148, 
184,  2_8i,  356. 


Iowa  Masonic  L.,  Cedar  Rapids,  241- 

242. 
Iowa  L.  Soc.,  4th  ana.  meeting,  58; 

digest  of  minutes  of  4th  meeting, 

3'3- 

Iowa  State  Univ.,  gift  of  lib.  to.  314. 
Italy.      Catalogo  co'.lettivo  della  li- 

breria  Italians,  29;  noti/.ie  storiche, 

bibl.  e  statistiche  su  le  biblipteche 

gpvernative  del  regno  d'ltalia,  30; 

bibl.  delle   tradizioni   popolari    in 

Italia  (Pitre),  216. 
Ives,  W:  Ci88;    local  collections  in 

libs.,  Ciss. 

Jackson,  Ja.,  medal  presented  to,  254- 

255- 
Jackson,  J:  Theory  and   practice  of 

handwriting,  247. 
Jackson,  S:  Macauley,  bibl.  of  Amer. 

church  hist.,  248. 
Jackson  (Mich.)  P.  L.,  dedication  of, 

208. 
Jacobs,  H:  Eyster,  bibl.  of  Lutheran 

church,  68. 
Jacobs,  M..  C.,  Ci88. 
Jaffrey,  N.  H.,  bequest  for  public  lib. 

to,  214. 
James,  Hannah  P.,  Vice-pres.  Pa.  L. 

Club,   94  ;    price  of   Osterhout   F. 

L.  catalog,  120;  Councillor  A.   L. 

A.,  348. 
James,  W:  J.  Ci88:  Vice-pres.  Ct.  L. 

Assoc.,  94. 

James,  Mrs.  W:  J.  Ci88. 
James  Prendergast  F.L.,  Jamestown, 

N.  Y.,  275-276. 


soc.,  57. 
notes  on  Hawaiian  ques-     Hurst,  T:,  death  of,  181. 

Hutchins,  F.   A.,  Pres.  Wis.  L.  As- 
soc., 273. 

Hutson,  Cecilia  M.,  Ci88. 

Hyde,  Mr*.  M..  W.,  bequest  to  Brook- 
field,  Mass.,  for  public  lib.,  317. 

Hygiene,  bibl.  of  (Bost.  P.   L.  bulle- 
tin), 279. 


184,  281,  350.  Japan,  libs,  in,  317;  reading-list  on 

Hunt,  N.  P.,  Vice-pres.  N.  H.  L.  As-  (Salem  P.  L.),  319;  bibl.  of  (Wenck- 

stern),  398. 

Jedburgh,  Scotl.,  gift  for  public  lib. 
to,  353. 

Jefferies,  R:,  bibl.  of  (Salt),  68. 

Jenkins,  M..  A., Vice-pres.  Mass.  L. 
Club,  384. 

Jenks,  Rev.  H:  F.,  Ci88. 

Jenks,  Mrs.  H:  F.,  Ci88. 

Jersey  City  (N.  J.)  F.  P.  L.,  17, 96, 141; 
Library  record^  Jan.  '94,  107;  Li- 
brary record^  Apr..  '94,  215. 

Jewell,  Hon.  E.  P.,  Vice-pres.  N.  H. 
L.  Assoc.,  57. 

John, St.,  bibl.  of  gospels  and  epistles 
of  (Stevens),  356. 

{ohns  Hopkins  Univ.  L.,  gift  to,  145. 
ohnson,  Emory  R.,  bibl.  of  inland 

waterways,  108. 
Johnson,  Lionel,  bibl.  of  T:  Hardy, 

398. 
Johnston,  D.  V.  R.,  Ci88;  Standing 

comm.  on  U.  S.  public  documents, 

348;  selection  of  books, C36-37,  Ci34; 

rpt.  of  Public  documents  comm., 

Ci26-u8. 

Jones,  Ada  Alice,  Ci88. 
Jones,  Clara  A.,  Ci88. 
Jones,  Gardner  M.,  Ci88;  Standing 

comm.  on  finance,  347;  publishing 

of  lib.  bulletins,  Cso,  Ci46,  CM?; 

rpt.  of  comm.  on  index  to  subject 
llec- 


lies, G:  Ci54;  evaluation  of  books, 
critical  difficulties,  3-4;  dating  note- 
cards,  43;  specimen  of  book  anno- 
tation, 119;  Standing  comm.  on  en- 
dowment, 348;  Exec,  board  Pub- 
lishing Section,  Ci75. 

Illinois  literature  wanted,  234. 

Illinois  public  libraries,  statistics  of, 
141. 

Illinois  State  Hist.  Soc.  L.,  resolu- 
tions on  death  of  W:  F:  Poole,  233- 
234;  Illinois  literature  wanted  by, 
234. 

Ilion  (N.  Y.)'  F.  P.  L.,  208;  bequest 
to,  354. 

Income  tax,  reading-notes  on  (Phila. 
Merc.  L.),  146. 

Independence,  la.,  bequest  to,  for 
lib.,  67. 

Indexes,  to  literature  of  IT.  S.  Agri- 
cultural experiment  stations,  108;  to 
world's  technical  and  scientific 
literature,  216;  to  poetry  and  prose 
(Jordan),  320. 

Indexing,  notes  on  geographical 
(Nichols),  330-331. 

Indiana  L.  Assoc.,  ad  ann.  meeting, 
57-58. 

Indianapolis  (Ind.)  P.  L.,  275. 

Information  desk,  (Foster)  368-370, 
(Green)  382. 

Inks,  relative  values  of,  80;  for  lib. 
use,  84-86, 124-125. 

Inman,  Col.  H:,  H.  J.  Dennis,  394- 
395- 

Insects,  reading-list  on  (Salem  P.  L.), 
247. 

International  "subject  bibliographies 
(Josephson),  226-227. 

Iowa,  lib.  appointments  in,  192;  lib. 
legislation  in  (Wakefield),  331-333. 


headings,    Ci38-i39;    local    coll 
tions  in  libs. ,Cfi  54;  access  to  shelves, 
£161-162;  Auditing  comm.  Publish- 
ing section,  Ci75. 

Jones,  S:  A.,  bibl.  of  Thoreau,  356. 

Jordan,  W:  G:,  index  to  poetry  and 
prose,  320. 

Jordell,  D.  Catalogue  annuel  de  la 
librairie  Fran9aise,  1893,  136. 

Josephson,  Aksel  G.S.,  Scandinavian 
books  in  Amer.  libs.,  4;  bibl.  of 
Swedish  dissertations,  30;  sug- 
gested extension  of  Amer.  cata- 
logue of  books  previous  to  1876, 
120;  proposed  list  of  Swedish 
books,  224,  340-341;  international 
subject  bibliographies,  226-227; 
foreign  books  in  Amer.  libs.,  364. 

Joyaux,  —  Petites  bibliophiliques, 
398. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL. 


The  index  to  Pseudonyms  and  Anonyms  follows  this. 


Kansas  City  (Mo.)  P.  L.,  new  lib. 
building-  proposed,  102,  242;  gift  of 
G:  Shiedley  for,  352. 

Kant,  bibl.  of  (Adickes)  107. 

Kates,  Clarence  S.,  Ci88. 

Kates,  Mrs.  Clarence  S.,  Ci88. 

Kauffmann,  Angelica  (Gerard),  68. 

Kay,  J.  Taylor,  how  to  catalog  books, 
125-128. 

Keating,  Jeraldine  K.,  Ci88. 

Kelso,  Tessa  L.,  62;  proposed  ex- 
change of  lib.  club  reports,  43;  ex- 
changes, 120;  libel  suit  brought  by, 
329,  340. 

Keltic,  J:  Scott.  Partition  of  Africa, 
68. 

Kennett  Square,  Pa.,  proposed  Bay- 
ard Taylor  Memorial  L.  at,  141. 

Kensington,  N.  H.,  gift  of  lib.  to, 
317-318. 

Keokuk  (la.)  L.  A.,  proposed  trans- 
fer of  L.  A.  lib.  to  city,  61. 

Kephart,  Horace,  inks  for  lib.  use, 
86;  combined  receipt  and  cash 
register,  86-87,  annual  rpt.  on  gifts 
and  bequests,  C6i-6s. 

Kilburn  L.,  London,  opening,  393. 

Kimball,  Arth.  R.,  Rec.  sec.  and 
clerk  N.  H.  L.  Assoc.,  57. 

Kimball,  Mrs.  E.  L.  McL.,  Exec, 
comm.  Wash.  L.  Assoc.,  236. 

Kindergarten,  list  of  books  on  (Os- 
terhout  F.  L.),  355. 

King,  Anna  C.,  Ci88. 

Kings  College,  Windsor,  N.  S.,  cata- 
log of  lib.,  review  (Ford),  135-136. 

Kirkby,  C.  V.,  catalog 'of  books  on 
Leicestershire,  66. 

Koopman,  H:  L.,  Ci88;  location  of 
call  numbers,  4;  qualifications  of  a 
libn.  in  Prussia,  170;  functions  of  a 
univ.  lib.,  C24-30,  Ctsi. 

Kroeger,  Alice  B.,  Exec.  comm.  Pa. 
L.  Club,  132. 

La  Grange,  111.,  new  lib.  building  at, 

141-142. 
Labor    and    socialism,     reading-list 

on  (Salem  P.   L.),  319,  (Osterhout 

F.  L.)397. 
Lagarde  lib.,  at  Univ.  of  City  of  N. 

Y.,  209-210. 

Lake  Forest  (111.)  Univ.  L.,  finding- 
list,  107. 

Lakewood  (N.  J.)  L.,  61. 
Lamb,  C:,  bibl.  of  (North),  108. 
Lancaster  (Mass.)    Town    L.,    178; 

"  two-book  "  system  at,  255,  391. 
Lancefield,   R:    T.,    linotyping    lib. 

catalogs,  261. 
Land,  J.   P.  N.,    bibl.    annotations, 

319- 

Lane,  Ctte.  J.,  Ci88. 

Lane,  W:  C.,  Ci54,  Ci64;  inks  for 
lib.  use,  86;  Councillor  A.  L.  A., 
348,  Ci64;  suggestions  for  co-oper- 
ation, Ci63;  rpt.  of  Publishing  sec- 
tion, Ci73-i74;  Sec.  Publishing 
section,  6175. 

Lanery  d'Arc,  P.,  bibl.  des  ouvrages 
relatifs  a  Jeanne  d'Arc,  247. 

Lang,  Andrew,  proposed  bibl.  of 
(Falconer).  216. 

Language,  reading-list  on  (Salem  P. 
L-).  355. 

Lanning,  Bessie,  death  of,  Cii3. 

Lamed,  Josephus  N.,i8i,  6109,  Ci23, 
Ci38,  Ci46,  Ci73,  Ci88;  inks  for 
lib.  use,  85-86;  A.  L.  A.  circular 
regarding  collection  of  "  Don'ts," 
171;  History  for  ready  reference, 
review,  239-240,  273,  388;  on  Exec, 
board  A.  L.  A.,  347;  Councillor 
A.  L.  A.,  348;  address  at  A.  L.  A. 
conference,  Ci-4;  conicine  for  lib. 
floors,  C 140,  C 1 42;  reproduction  and 
interchange  of  mss..  Ci6o;  Dr.  W: 
F.  Poole,  CT68-i69,  €171. 

Lamed,  M..,  Ci88. 

Law,  books  on  international  (Walk- 


er), 68;  catalog  of  books  on  (Cas- 
par), 107;  bibl.  of  criminal  (Curtis), 
147;  bibl.  of  legal  education  (Addis), 
315;  list  of  law  lexicographers  (An- 
derson), 319. 

Law  books  for  general  libraries 
(Soule),  Cio3-io4,  Ci6o. 

Law  Soc.  of  Upper  Canada  L.,  181. 

Lawrence  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  102. 

Learned,  Rev.  J:  C.,  death  of,  Cii3. 

Lectures,  free  evening,  at  Phila.  F. 
L.,  364. 

Leeds  (Eng.)  F.  P.  L.,  317. 

Leicester  (Eng.)  F.  L.,  local  catalog, 
66. 

Leicester,  Mass.,  bequestj  for  lib. 
building  to,  354. 

Leland  Stanford  Univ.,  new  build- 
ings for,  353. 

Lemcke,  Ernest,  Ci88. 

Lemcke,  Mrs.  Ernest,  Ci88. 

Lenox  L.,  N.  Y.,  15,  63,  314;  news- 
paper collections  at,  104 ;  bequest 
to,  318. 

Lessing,  G.  E.,  bibl.  of  "  Nathan  der 
Weise,"  356. 

Libel,  suit  for,  against  British  Mu- 
seum, 119-120,  130,  (Garnett)  192, 
342-343 ;  suit  for,  brought  by  Miss 
Kelso,  329,  340. 

Librarian,  described  by  an  assistant, 
18-19;  as  an  administrator  (Crun- 
den),  44-47 ;  in  Prussia,  170. 

Librarians  (dep.),  29,  67, 107,  146, 181, 
214,  247,  278,  318,  354,  395. 

Libraries,  administration  of,  (Crun- 
den),  44-47;  statistics  of,  51;  and 
schools, 62,  101,  142,  198,  211,  (Hew- 
ins)  292-295,  313;  Theorie  u.  praxis 
des  Buch-u.  Bibliothekwesens,  pt. 
i  (Dziatzko),  review,  97-99 ;  better- 
ing circulation  in  (Bolton)  161-162; 
Musterkatalog  fiir  Volksbibliothek- 
en,  182 ;  local  museums  in  con- 
nection with,  204 ;  hints  to  small 
(Plummer),  206-207 ;  promoting 
usefulness  of  (Mass.  L.  Club  dis- 
cussion), 235-236;  "two-book  "  sys- 
tem adopted  by,  255  ;  in  mediaeval 
and  renaissance  periods  (Clarke), 
273;  great  libs,  of  U.  S.  (Fletcher), 
273;  development  of  (Winsor),  370- 
375  ;  co-operation  of,  with  teachers 
(N.  Y.  L.  Club  discussion),  386-387  ; 
as  aids  to  citizenship  (Brett),  Cs-g, 
Ci57,  (A.  L.  A.  discussion  on)  Cis?- 
160;  in  the  South  (Beer),  Ci2i-i22. 

Library  administration  and  manage- 
ment (Crunden),  44-47. 

Library  architecture,  rpt.  on  (West) 
Cg6-ioo,  Ci39,  (Soule)  Ci39-i4o  ; 
A.  L.  A.  discussion  on,  Ci4o. 

L.  A.  U.  K.,  announcement  of  171  h 
ann.  meeting,  268  ;  i7thann.  meet- 
ing, 327,  342-344;  invitation  to  A.  L. 
A  ,  Ci63,  Ci?!. 

Library  bulletins,  on  the  publishing 
of  (Jones)  CSQ,  6146,  (Cole)  Cso-s2, 
Ci46,  (Hewins)  52-53,  Ci46,  (Ed- 
mands)  Cs4,  Ci46,  (Oana)  654-55, 
046,  (Brett)  Css-56,  Ci46;  A.  L.  A. 
discussion  on,  6146-147;  A.  L.  A. 
resolution  regarding,  Ci6s. 

Library  Bureau,  issue  of  printed 
catalog  cards  (discussion  by  N.  Y. 
L.  Club),  20-22;  catalog  system  of 
(Edmands),  224,  329,  (Parker)  256. 

Library  club  reports,  42;  exchange 
of  (Kelso),  43. 

Library  clubs  (dep.),  20,  59,  95,  133, 

i75.  387- 

Library  day,  381. 

Library  economy  and  history  (dep.), 
24,  59,  loo,  139,  177,  207,  240,  273, 
311,  351,  389. 

Library  legislation,  in  Iowa  (Wake- 
field),  331-333  ;  for  N.  J.,  384;  rpt.  on 
(Dewey),  £123. 

LIBRARY  JOURNAL,  relations  with  A. 
L.  A.  (Bowker),  191-192. 


Library  of  science  in  N.  Y.  City,  plea 
for  (Bolton),  12-17. 

Library  progress,  rpt.  on  (Hill), 
Cs6-6o. 

Library  reports,  uniformity  in  (Ed- 
mands), 256. 

Library  School.  Set  N.  Y.  State  L. 
School . 

Library  schools  and  training  classes, 
287,  296 ;  rpt.  of  A.  L.  A.  comm.  on 
(Little), Cn6-i2o;  Los  Angeles,Cal., 
90-92,  306-307;  Amherst,  Mass.,  130, 
274,  308;  Armour  Institute,  Chica- 
go (Sharp),  162-166,  308;  Denver 
(Col.)  P.  L.,  178,  308  ;  Drexel  Insti- 
tute, Phila.,  234,  307-308  ;  Pratt  In- 
stitute, Brooklyn,  234,  241,  305-306; 
Maine  State  Coll.,  268. 

Library  statistics,  N.  Y.  L.  Club 
discussion  on,  95-96;  overproduction 
of,  224;  charging  systems  and  (Bol- 
ton), 225-226;  at  Carnegie  P.  L., 
3". 

Lier,  H.  A.,  Bucheinbande  der  kgl. 
offentlichen  Bibliothek  zu  Dresden, 
247. 

Lindsay,  M..  B.,  libn.  Evanston  (111.) 
P.  L.,  214. 

Linnaean  Soc.,  N.  Y.,lib.  of  (Bolton), 
13,  16. 

Linoleum  for  floors,  (Coe)  Ci4i, 
(Carr)  Ci43. 

Linotype,  (Henneberry)  n;  N.  Y.  L. 
Club  discussion  on,  isjjNew  Haven 
(Ct.)  P.  L.  catalog  printed  by,  246- 
247;  printing  lib.  catalogs  by,  255, 
(Billstein)  257-258,  (symposium  on) 
259-261. 

Lippincott,  J.  B.,  Co.,  list  of  books  in 
A.  L.  A.  lib.,  396. 

Literature,  reading-list  on  Eng 
(Newark  P.  L.),  396. 

Lithgow  L.,  Augusta,  Me.,  corner- 
stone of  new  building  laid,  240. 

Little,  G:  T.,  318,  Ci54,  Ci88;  rpt.  of 
comm.  on  Lib.  School  and  train- 
ing classes,  Cn6-i2o. 

Liverpool  (Eng.)  F.  P.  L.,  144;  hand- 
lists issued  by,  393. 

Local  collections,'  rpt.  on  (Carr),  C6j- 
69,  Cis4;  A.  L.  A.  discussion  on, 
€154-157. 

London,  bibl.  of  (Sala),  398. 

London  L.,  278. 

Long  Island  Hist.  Soc.  L.,  17. 

Loomis,  Mr*.  M..  W.,  379,  Sec.  Iowa 
L.  Soc.,  58. 

Los  Angeles  (Cal.)  P.  L.,  61-62  ;  re- 
marks on  rpt.,  42  ;  list  of  records 
kept  at,  42-43,  (Kelso)  43;  circula- 
tion of  magazines,  43;  public  lib. 
statistics,  51;  lib.  training  classes, 
90-92,  306-307  ;  list  of  novels  and 
tales,  review,  136-137;  new  charging 
system  of  (Hasse),  195-196,  329, 
(Coe)  288. 

Lovett,  R:,  Printed  English  Bible,  247 

Lowdermilk,  W:  H.  ad  vice-pres. 
Wash.  L.  Assoc.,  236. 

Lowrey,  C:  E.,  181,  university  libs., 
264-267;  lib.  of  Univ.  of  Colorado, 
266-267;  death  of,  355,  Cii4,  €165. 

Lunt,  Orrington,  gift  of  lib.  building 
to  Northwestern  Univ.  (Ambrose), 
338-340. 

Lutheran  church  bibl.  (Jacobs),  68. 

Luzac,  C.  G.,  list  of  books  on  Africa 
and  the  east,  398. 

.Lynn  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  102;  bequest  for 
new  building,  io«. 

McClintock,  C:  W.,  Ci88;  Standing 
comm.  on  endowment,  348. 

McClintock,  Mrs.  C:  W.,  Ci88. 

McClintock,  Miss  F.  B.,  Ci88. 

McDonald,  G:  A.,  Ci88. 

McGuffy,y»/»-j.  C.  V.,  d88. 

McGuffy,  Margaret  D.,  Ci88. 

Mackay,  H.  W.  B.,  suggested  card- 
book  catalog,  160. 


6i6 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL. 


The  index  io  Pseudonyms  and  Anonyms  follows  this. 


McLoney,  Ella,  Treas.  Iowa  L.  Soc., 

58. 
McMillan,     Jessie,    Ci88;    Sunding 

comm.  on  endowment,  348. 
McNamee,  J.  H.  H.,  binding,  172-173. 
Macon  (Ga.)  P.  L.,  26,  352. 
Maimonides  L.,  N.  Y.,  15,  242. 


Michigan  L.  Assoc.,  4th  aun.  meet- 
ing, 385. 

Michigan  Mining  School  L.,  276. 

Michigan  State  L.,  Lansing,  391. 

Michel,  E.    Rembrandt,  30. 

Middleton,  Jennie  Y.,  libn.  Appren- 
tices' L.,  Phila., 


Maimonides  L.,  N.  Y..  15,  242.  tices'  L.,  Pnila.,  214-215. 

Main,  Hubert  P. .collection  of  music     Milford  (Mass.)  F.  P.  L.,  103. 


purchased  by  Newberry  L.,  390. 
Maine  State  Coll.,  lib.  course  of,  268. 
Maiden  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  208-209. 
Maltbie,  C.  Belle,  Vice-pres.  Ct.  L. 

Assoc.,  94. 
Malteste,  L:,  Bibliotheque  Nationale, 

393. 

Mann,  Frances  M.,  Ci88. 
Manchester,  Eng.,  new  lib.  building 

at,  145. 

Manchester  (Eng.)  F.  P.  L.S.,  28-29. 
Manchester  (N.  H.)  City  L.,  352. 
Manitoba  Hist,  and  Sci.  Soc.  L.,  Win- 


nipeg, Can.,  31 
Manno,    Ant.,    Bibl.    storica    degli 

Savoia,  v.  5,  30. 

Manuscripts,  reproduction  and  inter- 
change of,  Ci6o. 
Margoliouth,  G.    Descriptive  list  of 

Hebrew    and    Samaritan    mss.    in 

Brit.  Mus.,  216. 
Marlborough,  N.  H.,  lib.  bequest  to, 

145. 
Marston,  E.  L.,  vice-pres.  N.  H.  L. 

Assoc.,  57. 
Martie,  B:  Ellis.    In  the  footprints  of 

Charles  Lamb,  108. 
Martin,  Mrs.  J:  Biddulph,  libel  suit 

vs.   British  Museum,   119-120,  130, 

(Garnett)  192,  342-343. 
Mass.   F.  P.  L.  Commission,  102-103; 

work  with  the  schools,  198. 
Mass.    Hist.  Soc.    L.,  pamphlets   in 

(Green),  198-199;  origin  and  growth 

of  (Green),  208. 

Mass.  Inst.  of  Technol.  L.,  178. 
Mass.  L.  Club,  160;  i4th  meeting.  92- 

93;  isth  meeting,  171-174;  hand-book 

of,  178;  i6th  meeting,  235-236;  i?th 

meeting,  382-384. 

Mass.  State  L.,  352;  extr.  fr.  rpt.,  26. 
Mathematics,  books  on  (Cajori),  183. 
Maury,  Nannie  B.,  Congressional 

L.,  178. 
Mechanical  engineering,  list  of  books 

on  (Milwaukee  P.  L.),  315. 
Medford  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  209. 
Medical  bibl.  (Giacosa),  319. 
Medical  Soc.  of  Kings  County,  N. 

Y.,  lib.  of,  17. 
Medlicott,  M..,  Ci88;  univ.  extension 

work,  382-383;  national  history  col- 
lections, Ci  55-156. 
Meekins,  Stephen,  bequest  for  lib.  to 

Williamsburg,  Mass., 3 54. 
Meleney,  G:   B.,    23;    yd    vice-pres. 

Chicago  L.  Club,  59. 
Mentz,  G.  W.,  books  on  naval  sci- 
ence. 108. 
Mercantile  L.,  N.  Y.,  14;  ann.  exhibit 

of  rare  books,  104. 
Mercantile  L.,  Phila.,  143;  bulletin, 

Jan.,  '94,  146;  decline  in  circulation 

at,  159;  bulletin,  Apr. ,'94,  246;  bul- 
'  letin,  July,  '94,  396. 
Mercantile    L.,    St.   Louis,    104-105; 

inks,    86;    combined    receipt  and 

cash    register  at  (Kephart),  86-87; 

duplicate  new-book  system  at,  104- 

105. 

Mercantile  L.,  San  Francisco,  105. 
Merced,  Cal.,  bequest  for  lib.  from  J: 

W.  Mitchell,  29. 
Merime'e,  Prosper,  bibl.  of(Cameron), 

247- 

Merrill  W:  Stetson,  Ci88;  how  the 
Newberry  L.  was  moved,  11-12; 
Treas.  Chicago  L.  Club,  59;  special 
rates  for  western  libns.  to  Lake 
Placid  conference,  201-202. 

Meteorology,  reading-list  on  (Salem 
P.  L.),  147- 


Military  science.  Bibliotheca  histori- 
co-militaris  (Pohler),  183. 

Millard,  Mrs.  E.  M.,  Ci88. 

Miller,  Dewitt,  fifty  Amer.  bibliog- 
raphies, 398. 

Miller,  Eleanor  S.,  Ci88. 

Miller,,  Mrt.  M..  H.,  removal  from 
State  L.  of  Iowa,  192.  215. 

Milner,  Angie  V.,  Ci88;  lib.  floors, 

CM*- 

Milwaukee  (Wis.)  P.  L.,  26, 142;  Our 
books,  Apr.,  215;  fire  at,  391. 

Mi  net  P.  L,,  London,  28. 

Minneapolis  (Minn.)  P.  L.,352,  open- 
ing of  North  Side  branch,  62-63, 
books  missing  from,  391. 

Minnesota  L.  Assoc.,  3d  ann.  meet- 
ing, 94-95. 

Mitchell,  J:  W.,  bequests  for  Calif. 


libs.,  29. 

Modesto,  Cal.,  bequest  for  lib.  from 
J:  W.  Mitchell,  29. 

Mombert,  J.  I.  Short  hist,   of  Cru- 
sades, 216.  to  finding-list.  215. 

Monroe,  Mr.  and  Mrt.  L.  A.,  gift  of     New  York  Acad.  of  Medicine  L.,  15. 

New  York  Acad.  of   Sciences,   lib. 


Nelson,  Martha  F.,  Vice-pres.  N.  J. 
L.  Assoc.,  384. 

Nelson,  S..  C.,  Ci88. 

Netherland  bibliography,  Bibl.  ad- 
versaria, 215-216;  bibl.  van  Noord- 
Nederlandsche  Plaatsbeschrijvin- 
gen  (Nijhoff),  319. 

Nevin,  H..  A.,  91,  92,  200. 

New  Albany  (Ind.)  P.  L.,  63. 

New  Bedford  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  209. 

New  Britain  (Ct.)  Institute  L.,  209. 

New  Brunswick  (N.  J.)  F.  P.  L.,  63, 
209. 

New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  Theol.  Semi- 
nary Ref.  (Dutch)  Church,  SageL., 
26. 

New  England  life,  fiction  illustrating 
(Springfield  P.  L.),  319. 

New  Hampshire  L.  Assoc.,  4th  ann. 
meeting,  57;  Apr.  meeting,  174. 

New  Hampshire  State  L.,  63. 

New  Hampton,  N.  H.,  bequest  for 
lib.  to,  214. 

New  Haven  (Ct.)  F.  P.  L.,  178,  391- 
392;  corrected  statistics,  26-27;  ist 
supp.  to  catalog,  pt.  i,  246-247; 
use  of  linotype  at,  259. 

New  Jersey  L.  Assoc.,  sth  ann.  meet- 
ing, 384. 

New  Jersey  State  L.,  142. 

New  London  (Ct.)  P.  L.,  209;  supp. 


\...  gift  of 

lib.  building  to  Southport,  Ct.,  27- 

28. 

Montclair  (N.  J.)  F.  P.  L.,  26,  209. 
Montgomery,  T:  L.,  Ci88;   Pres.  Pa. 

L.  Club,  94;  Standing  comm.  on 

Lib.  School  and  training  classes, 

348;  rpt.  on  public  libs,  and   univ. 

extension,  C64-67,  Ci47. 
Morrison-Reeves  L. ,  Richmond,  Ind. 

(Browning)  233. 
Morse,  Prof.  E:   S.,  distribution  of 

public  documents,  263-264. 
Mott  Memorial  L.,  N.  Y.,  15. 
Moulton,  J:  Grant,  libn. ,  Quincy  (111.) 

P.  L.,355. 
Muhlbrecht,  O.  Die  bibliographic  im 

Dienste  des  buchhandels,  184. 
Muir,  J.     Carlyle's   apprenticeship, 

184. 

Mundy,  Rev.  E.  W.,  Ci88. 
Municipal  government,  bibl.  of,  216. 
Munson,  Perry,  bequest  for  lib.  to 

Independence,  la.,  67.          f 
Murphy,  Annie  A.,  63. 
Murray,  Frank,  resignation,  146. 
Museums,  local,  in  connection  with 

libs.,  204. 
Music,  books  on  (Eastman),  30;  cata- 


of  (Bolton),  12,  14. 

New  York  F.  C.  L.,  16,  103-104 ;  6th 
branch,  63;  charging  system  of 
(Coe),  288. 

New  York,  F.  L.  Gen.  Soc.  Mechan- 
ics and  Tradesmen,  14 ;  supp.  no. 
6  to  finding-list,  107. 

New  York  Genealog.  and  Biog. 
Soc.,  lib.,  15. 

New  York  Hist.  Soc.  L.,  14. 

New  York  Hospital  L.,  14. 

New  York  Law  Institute  L.,  14. 

New  York  L.  Club,  Jan.  meeting,  20- 
22;  Feb.  meeting,  95-96;  March 
meeting,  133-134;  May  meeting, 
175 ;  Nov.  meeting,  386-387 ;  Man- 
ual of  the  club,  387. 

New  York  Mathematical  Soc.  (Bol- 
ton), 13;  lib.,  16. 

New  York  Microscopical  Soc.,  lib.  of 
(Bolton),  13,  16. 

New  York  Minera 
ton),  13. 

New  York  Soc.  L.,  14,  231-232,  242. 

New  York  State  L.  Assoc.,  hand- 
book of,  384 ;  officers  for  1894-95, 
384. 


ralogical  Club  (Bol- 


logo  della  biblioteca  del  liceo  musi-     New  York  state,  libs,  in,  314  ;  bulle- 
r-  J;  r>.,  ----  /^  -----  :,   ----  i:.»         tin  of  libs,  in,  350. 

New  York  State  L.  School,  287;  "Van 
Bibber  entertainment,"  92;  "faggot 
party,"  132;  Boston  visit  171,  (Cut- 
ler) 202-203;  graduation,  1893,  1894, 
272;  register,  1887-94,  297-305; 
list  of  students,  1894-95  (Cutler). 
348  ;  life  at  (Robbins),  349  ;  Hallow- 
e'en festivities,  382. 
New  York  State  Medical  Assoc.  L., 

15- 

New  York  Univ.  Club  L.,  209. 
Newark  (N.  J.)  F.   P.    L.,   210;  exhi- 

bition   of  art    works    at,   27,  392  ; 

Library  news,  May-Nov.,  '93,  107  ; 

work  with  the  schools  at,  198;  new 

stack  for,276;  two-book  plan  adopt- 

ed,   352;  Library    news,  July-Oct. 

'94,  396;  special  reading-lists,  nos. 


cale  di  Bologna  (Gaspari),  147;  list 
of   books  on  (Phil.  Merc.  L.),  246; 
Mystic,  Ct.,  openingof  Spicer  Memo- 
rial L.,  63. 

Nahant  (Mass)  P.  L.,  laying  of  cor- 
ner-stone, 276. 
Napa  (Cal.)  F.  L.,  313. 
Nash,  Judge  Stephen  J.,  bequest  for 

lib.  to  New  Hampton,  N.  H.,  214. 
National    conference   for  good  city 

government,  proceedings  and  bibl., 

216. 
National  L.,  Santiago,  Chili,  catalog 

of  books  printed  in  Chili  in  1892, 

398. 
Natural    history,   list    of    books   on 

(Cleveland  P.  L.),  318,  (Springfield 

P.  L.),  356. 
Naval   science,    books    on    (Mentz), 

iot. 

Neilson  binder,  354. 
Neisser,     Emma    R.,    Ci88  ;    Exec. 

comm.  Pa.  L.  Club,  132. 
Nelson,  C:  Alex.,  A.  L.  A.  lib.  cata- 
log  (poem),  134;    Pres.   N.   Y.    L. 

Club,  175;  rpt.  on  classification  and 

catalogs,  C69-77. 


Newberry  L.  Chicago,  how  it  was 
moved  (Merrill),  11-12;  presenta- 
tion of  Senn  Medical  lib.  to,  29  ; 
resolutions  of  staff  respecting  Dr. 
Poole,  101;  new  reading-room  at 
(Brooks),  168-169;  arrangement  of 
Senn  Medical  lib.,  242;  purchase  of 
music  collection,  390. 


THE   LIBRARY  JOURNAL. 


The  index  to  Pseudonyms  and  Anonyms  follows  this. 

Newburyport  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  bulletin,     Parvin,  T:   S.,  Pres.  Iowa  L.  Soc., 

no.  19,  67.  S8. 

Newell,  Margaret  F.,  Ci88.  Parsons,  Mrs.  Annie  F.,  Sec.  Mich. 

L.  Assoc.,  386. 
Parsons,  Francis  H. ,  letter-pressing 

catalog  cards,  224. 
Pasadena  (Cal.)  P.  L.,  314. 
Paterson  (N.  J.)   F.  P.   L.,  142-143; 
list  of  books   on   astronomy,  119, 
'47- 

Patten  F.  L.  A.,  Bath,  Me.,  60. 
Patterson,   Hannah  W.,   bequest  to 
Westfield,  N.  Y.,  forlib.,  246. 


Newman,  C:  G.,  Ci  _ . . 

Newspapers,  advisability  of  supply- 
ing, in  free  lib.  reading-rooms 
(Whelpley),  €42-44,  0143;  (Utley), 
€44-45,  €143;  (Crunden),  €46-47, 
€143;  (Thomson),  €47-48,  €143; 
(Bain),  €49,  €143;  A.  L.  A.  discus- 
sion on,  €143-146;  collection  of  in 
Wis.  State  Hist.  Soc.  L.,  €156-157. 

Newton  (Mass.)  F.  L.,  210. 


Nichols,  J.  Ben.,  notes  on  geograph-     Pattison,  T.  Harwood.  Hist,  of  Eng. 


ical  indexing,  330-331. 

Nijhoff/.W.,  bibl.  van  Noord-Neder- 
landsche  plaatsbeschrijvingen,  319. 

Noble,  Mrs.  J:  W.,  death  of,  €113. 

Norfolk  (Va  )  L.  A.,  27. 

Norristown  (Pa.)  L.  Co.,  142. 

North,  Mrs.  Ada,  Vice-pres.  Iowa  L. 
Soc.,  58. 

North,  E.  D.,  bibl.  of  Charles  Lamb, 
108. 

North  Adams  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  276. 

North  Attleborough,  R.  I.,  Richards 
Memorial  L.,  corner-stone  laid,  242- 
243- 

North  Brookfield  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  dedi- 
cation of  Haston  lib.  building,  341. 

North  Scituate,  Mass.,  dedication  of 
Pierce  Memorial  L.,  243. 

Northwestern  Univ.,Orrington  Lunt 
L.,  Evanston,  111.,  decoration  of 
lib.,  208;  dedication  and  account  of 
building  ( Ambrose),338-34o;  address 
at  dedication  of  (Winsor),  370-375. 

Norwich  (Eng.)  F.  L.,  245. 

Nottingham  (Eng.)  F.  P.  Ref.  L., 
class-list  *  of  archaeology  and  an- 
tiquities, 147;  author-list  of  fiction, 
poetry  and  drama,  318. 

Nyack  (N.  Y.)  F.  L.,  27. 

Oakland  (Cal.)  F.  P.  L.,  64,  276;  new 
lib.  building  planned,  142. 

Oakman,  Mrs.  W.  G.,  gift  to  Utica 
(N.  Y.)  P.  L.,  214. 

Oconomowoc  (Wis.)  L.  A.,  27. 

Odhner,  C.Th.,bibl.  of  Swedenbor- 
gian  literature,  108. 

Ogdensburg  (N.  Y.)  P.  L.,  142. 

Ohio  Wesleyan  Univ.  L.,  Delaware, 
O.,  gift  of  private  lib.  to,  317;  gift 
for  lib.  building  to,  354. 

Omaha  (Neb.)  P.  L.,  new  building 
opened,  276. 

Orange,  N.  J.,  bequest  of  lib.  site  to, 
67. 

Oregon  State  L.,  Salem,  Ore.,  314. 

Oriental  mss.  (Gunzbourg),  183- 
184. 

Orientalische  Bibliographic,  247. 

Orkney,  books  on  (Cursitor),  398. 

Orrington  Lunt  L.,  See  Northwest- 
ern Univ. 

Oshkosh  (Wis.),  to  establish  free  lib. 
at,  210. 

Osterhout  F.  L.  Wilkesbarre",  Pa., 
244-245;  price  of  catalog  (James), 
120;  list  of  books  on  kindergarten, 
355;  list  of  books  on  questions  of 
the  day,  397. 

Ottendorfer,  Oswald,  gift  of  lib.  to 
Zwittau,  Austria,  380-381. 

Pamphlets,  (Green)  198-199;  plan  for 

cataloging,    at    Brookline,    P.    L., 

388;  binding,  €155. 
Paris,  bibl.  of  (Tourneaux),  248. 
Paris  libraries,  percentage  of  fiction 

read  in,  66. 
Parker,  W.  E.,  printed  catalog  cards 

issued  by  Lib.  Bureau,  21;  reply  to 

criticisms  of  Lib.  Bureau  catalog 

cards,  256. 
Parker,   W:    K.,    bibl.   of   (Parker), 

toft. 
Parlin  Memorial  L.,  Everett,  Mass., 

35*. 


Political  economy,  books  of  reference 
on  (Portland  P.  L.),  182;  books  on 
Eng.  (Cannan),  68, 183. 

Pool,  Frank  J.,  private  lib.  of,  248. 

Poole,  Reuben  B.,  €188;  inks  for  lib. 
use,  85;  collecting  lib.  statistics,  95- 
96;  Pres.  N.  Y.  L.  Assoc.,  384;  news- 
papers in  Y.  M.  C.  A.  L.,  €143;  local 
collections  in  libs,  €155;  reproduc- 
tion and  interchange  of  mss.,  €160; 
place  of  A.  L.  A.  meeting,  1895, 
€163;  Dr.  W:  F.  Poole,  €170. 

Poole,  W:  F:  (Crunden)  47,  79,  (Flet- 
cher) 81-83, 171-172.  €109,  €113,  in 
memoriam,  minute  of  A.  L.  A. 
on  death  of,  92;  University  lib. 
and  university  curriculum,  100; 
resolutions  of  staff  of  Newberry 
L.  on  death  of,  101;  portrait  of, 
facing  119,  120;  resolutions  of 


Bible,  247. 

Pawtucket  (R.  I.)  F.  P.  L.,  179;  be- 
quest for  lib.  building  to,  214. 

Pearl,  I.  E.,  Vice-pres.  N.  H.  L. 
Assoc.,  57. 

Peck,  A.  L.,  €188;  fiction  in  libs., 
€137?  newspapers  in  libs.,  €143, 
Ci4§;  Auditing  comm.  Publishing 
section,  €175. 

Pedagogy,  list  of  books  on,  356. 

Peddie,  Rob.  Alec.,  bibl.  of  trade 
unionism,  248. 

Penmanship,  bibl.  of  (Jackson),  247. 

Pennsylvania  L.  Club,  Jan.  meeting, 
59;  Feb.  meeting,  94;  March  meet- 
ing, 132  ;  May  meeting,  204-206  ; 
Occasional  papers,  no.  i,  240. 

Pennsylvania  State  L.,  corner-stone 
of  new  building  laid,  27. 

Peoples,  W:  T.,  extra  copies  of  popu- 
lar books  in  Mercantile  L.,  224. 

People's  Palace  L.,  London,  lib.  of 
fiction  at,  106. 

Peoria  (111.)  P.  L.,  64,  276-277;  list 
of  books  added,  Nov.  and  D«c., 
l893>  67 ;  new  building  proposed, 
143 ;  list  of  fiction  and  juveniles, 
279. 

Pequot  L.,  given  to  Southport,  Ct., 
27-28;  opening  of,  144. 

Perforating  punch  (Berry),  66-67  ;  96. 

Periodicals,  indice  sistematico  dei 
periodici,  108. 

Petaluma  (Cal.)  F.  L.,  277. 

Petrarch  bibl.,  (Rearden  (68. 

Philadelphia,  lib.  movement  in,  159, 
(Thomson)  166-167, 167-168. 

Philadelphia  F.  L.,  64,  159,  (Thom- 
son) 166-167,  167-168,  180,  392; 
opening  of,  143;  opening  of  branch 
no.  4,  180;  exhibit  of  medical  in- 
cunabula, 180;  branch  at  St.  Mary 
Street  College  Settlement,  210,  314, 
363-364,  392;  exhibit  of  early  ex- 
amples of  printing,  243 ;  free  lec- 
tures at,  364,  392 ;  finding-list  of 
fiction,  397. 

Philadelphia  L.  Co.,  353. 

Philology,  classical.  Catalogus  dis- 
sertationum  philologicarum  classi- 
carum,  68;  Bibliotheca  philologica, 
183;  Bibliotheca  philologica  classi- 
ca,  247. 

Physical  geography,  reading-list  on 
(Salem  P.  L.),  147. 

Pierce  Memorial  L.,  North  Scituate, 
Mass.,  dedication,  243. 

Piers,  Harry,  catalog  of  lib.  of 
King's  College,  review  (Ford),  135- 

136. 

Pilling,  Ja.  C.,  bibl.  of  Wakashan 
languages,  247. 

Pitre,  G.,  bibl.  delle  tradizioni  popu- 
lar! in  Italia,  216. 

Plainfield  (N.  J.)  P.  L.,  bequest  from 
G:  H.  Babcock,  29;  "  Washington 
day  "  at,  104. 

Plummer,  M..  W.,  246,  355,  Hints  to         <.i;  H.VKJ >•,*.,/-.< ju. 
small  libraries,  206-207,  €165;  lino-     Public  library   movement  in  U.    S. 


N.  Y.  L.  Club  on  death  of,  133; 
memorial  minute  of  Chicago  L. 
Club,  134-135;  resolutions  of  N.  H. 
L.  Club  on  death  of,  174;  resolu- 
tions of  Illinois  State  Hist.  L.  on 
death  of,  233-234;  memorial  meeting 
of  A.  L.  A.,  €165-171,  €172-173. 

Pope,  Abby  E.,  private  lib.  of,  248. 

Poplar  F.  L.  London,  393. 

Port  Jervis  (N.  Y.)  F.  L.,  314. 

Portland  (Me.)  P.  L.,  180. 

Portland  (Ore.)  P.  L.,  64;  Oregon  lit- 
erature wanted  by,  143;  Our  libra- 
ry, pub.  by,  182,  319,  decision  as  to 
Sunday  opening,  243;  list  of  books 
on  banks  and  banking,  397. 

Practical  notes,  66-67,  '45.  278>  354- 

Pratt  Institute  F.  L.,  Brooklyn,  N. 
Y.,  17,  25,  96,  177;  inks,  85;  bulletin 
no.  13,  182;  lib.  class  graduation, 
234;  visit  of  lib.  class  to  Albany, 
241;  bulletin  no.  14,  247;  use  of 
linotype  at,  261 ;  record  of  lib. 
training  classes,  305-306;  establish- 
ment of  "home  lib."  at,  351;  bul- 
letin no.  15,  list  of  gov.  documents 
(review),  388;  ground  broken  for 
new  building,  389. 

Prescott,  Harriet  B.,  €188;  Sec.  N. 
Y.  L.  Club,  175. 

Price,  W.  Catalog  of  paper-covered 
books,  319. 

Prints,  Seltene  Drucke  in  Nach- 
bildungen  (Schorbach).  280. 

Printed  catalog  cards,  3;  discussion 
on  (N.  Y.  L.  Club),  20-22;  of  Lib. 
Bureau  (Edmands),  224,  329,  (Par- 
ker) 256. 

Printed  lists,  preparation  of ,  (Henne- 
berry),  9-11;  of  Boston  P.  L.,  223; 
use  of  linotype  for,  255,  (Billstein) 
257-258,  (symposium  on)  259-261. 

Private  libraries  (dep.),  248. 

Private  libraries,  destroyed  by  fire  in 
Washington,  316. 

Providence  (R.  I.)  P.  L.,  plans  for 
new  building,  277. 

Prussia,  qualifications  of  a  libn.  in, 
170. 

sychology,  lis( 
ford  P.  L.),  147. 

Public  documents,  distribution  of 
(Morse),  263-264;  list  of,  Pratt  In- 
stitute bulletin,  no.  15,  388. 

Public  Documents  bill,  40,  119,  256, 
288,  €126-127,  (Ames)  €128-132; 
resolution  of  Minn.  L.  Assoc.  on, 
95;  discussion  regarding,  €132-134; 
A.  L.  A.  resolution  regarding, 
€164. 

Public  libraries  in  America  (Fletch- 
er) review, 


typing  lib.  catalogs,  261. 
Plympton,  C:  W.,  Ci88. 
Pohler,  Dr.  J:,  Bibliotheca  historico- 

militaris,  183. 
Poindexter,  C:,  215. 
Poland.  Bibliografia  polonica  ( Wierz- 

bowski),  216. 


(Harrison),  273-274. 
Public  library  statistics,  51. 
Putnam,  G:  Haven.     Authors   and 

their  public  in  ancient  times,  30. 

Question-box,  €163. 
Quincy  (111.)  P.  L.,  353. 


6i8 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL. 


The  index  to  Pseudonyms  and  Anonyms  follows  this. 


Railroad  Men's  L.,  N.  Y.,  143. 

Ranck,  S:  H.,  rpt.  on  access  to 
shelves.  €87-96,  €160. 

Rand,  Rev.  Silas  T.  Legends  of  the 
Micmacs,  108. 

Rathbone,  Josephine  A.,  Ci88. 

Reading,  hints  on  (Thomson),  133; 
for  boys,  147;  for  the  young  at 
Ilion  (N.  Y.)  F.  P.  L.,  208;  for  the 
young,  rpt.  on  (Stearns),  C8i-C87, 
(Berry),  €136-137. 

Reading-room  Assoc.,  Wilkesbarre, 
Pa.,  232-233. 

Reading-stand,  new,  278. 

Rearden,  Tim.  H.,  bibl.  of  Petrarch, 
68. 

Receipts,  duplicate  method  of  regis- 
tering (Kephart),  86-87. 

Red  Wmg  (Minn.)  P.  L.,  opening, 
64. 

Reddiclc  L.,  Ottawa,  111.,  243. 

Redlands  (Cal.)  P.  L.,  aoo. 

Reeves,  Biihof  W:,  bibl.  of  (Fer- 
guson), 183. 

Reference  work,  Mass.  L.  Club  dis- 
cussion on,  382-383. 

Reform  Club,  London,  catalog  of 
lib.,  398. 

Rembrandt,  bibl.  of  (Michel),  30. 

Renouard,  P.,  bibl.  des  editions  de 
Simon  de  Colines,  148. 

Reviews  (dep.),  23,  97,  133, 176,  206, 
»37»  "73.  3«i  349,  388. 

Revolution,  American,  reading-list 
on  (Salem  P.  L.),  397. 

Reyer,  Ed.  Entwicklung  u.  organi- 
sation der  volksbibliotheken,  re- 
view (Hawley),  97-99. 

Reynolds  L.,  Rochester,  N.  Y.,392. 

Rhode  Island,  check-list  of  laws  of 
(Bongartz)  147;  reprint  of  digest  of, 
184. 

Riccardi,  P.,  bibl.  euclidea,  319. 

Rice,  Mrs.  David  H.,  Ci88. 

Richards,  Col.  Seth  M.,  Vice-pres. 
N.  H.  L.  Assoc.,  57. 

Richards  Memorial  L.,  North  Attle- 
borough,  R.  I.,  242-243. 

Richardson,  Ernest  C.,  linotyping 
lib.  catalogs,  260-261. 

Richardson,  M..  A.,  Ci88. 

Richmond,  Ind.,  Morrison-Reeves 
L.  (Browning),  273. 

Ricker,  Oliver  P.,  Ci88. 

Rigling,  Alfred,  Sec.  Pa.  L.  Club, 
94;  information  desired  on  book- 
supports,  256. 

Riverside  (Cal.)  P.  L.,  277. 

Riverside  (R.  I.)  P.  L.,  314. 

Rivoli,  due  de,  fitudes  sur  1'art  de  la 
gravure  sur  bois  a  Venise,  319. 

Robbins,  M..  E.,  life  at  the  Lib. 
school,  349;  cataloger  Univ.  Ne- 
braska, 395-396. 

Robinson,  G:  W.,  bequest  toCary  L., 
Lexington,  Mass.,  67. 

Rockefeller,  J:  D.,  gift  to  Univ.  of 
Chicago  L.,  67. 

Rockwell,  Anna  G.,libn.  New  Britain 
(Ct.)  Institute,  396. 

Rodenburgh,  Th.,  bibl.  of  (Alblas), 
280. 

Rosemary   P.    L.,    Richmond,    Va., 

gift  to,  29. 
Rosenberg,   H:   bequest  for  lib.    to 

Galvetton,  Tex.,  317. 
Rounds,  C.  C.,  Exec.  comm.  N.  H. 

L.  Assoc.,  57. 
Rowell,    J.  C.,  statistics  of  college 

libs.,  50. 
Rowfant    Club,    bibl.    of    Thoreau 

(Jones),  356. 

Royal  Soc.,  London,  catalog  of  scien- 
tific papers,  1874-1883,  279. 
Rudolph  Indexer  Co.,  plan  for  print- 
ing catalog  cards  (N.  Y.  L.  Club 
discussion),  20-22. 
Rupp,  G:  P.,  Ci88. 
Ruprecht,  Gust.,    Bibliotheca  tlieo- 
logica,  248. 


Ruskin,  J:,  list  of  writings  of,  319. 
Russell,    P.,    guide  to    British   and 

Amer.  fiction,  356. 
Rutherford  (N.  /.)  F.  P.  L.,  opening 

Of,  2IO-2II. 

Rutland  (Vt.)  F.  L.  A.,  143. 
Ryland,  F:    Ethics,  68. 

Sacconi-Ricci,  Giulia.  Visita  ad  al- 
cune  biblioteche  della  Svizzera, 
Germaniae  dell'  Austria,  145. 

Sacramento  (Cal.)  F.  P.  L.,  315,  392- 
393/ 

St.  Joseph  (Mo.)  P.  L.,  353:  list  of 
German  books,  246;  books  for  the 
blind  at,  353. 

St.  Louis  (Mo.)  F.P.L.,  315,  393;  delay 
la  transfer  of  lib.  to  city ,64;  transfer 
of  lib.  to  city,  143;  lib.  paper  to  be 
published  by,  211;  opening  as  a  free 
lib.,  243;  readers'  guide  issued  by, 
243- 

St.  Paul  (Minn.)  P.  L.,  143-144. 

St.  Roch's,  Quebec,  public  lib.  for. 
181. 

Sala,  G:  A.,  bibl.  of  London,  398. 

Salem  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  144;  gift  from 
G:  W.  Wales,  29;  bulletins,  29,  67, 
i°7.  '47.  182,  215,  247,  279,  319,  355, 
397- 

Salt,  H.  S.,  bibl.  of  R:  Jefferies,  68. 

San  Diego  (Cal.)  P.  L.,  144. 

San  Francisco  (Cal.  )  P.  L.,  financial 
straits  of,  353. 

Sanborn,  K..  E.,  libn.  Manchester 
(N.  H.)  P.  L.,  107. 

Sanger,  Adolph,  death  of,  27. 

Santa  Ana  (Cal.)  P.  L.,  315. 

Santa  Rosa  (Cal.)  P.  L.,  315. 

Sargent,  Abby  L.,  Ci88;  Treas.  Mass. 
L.  Club,  384. 

Sargent,  M..  E.,  Ci88;  binding  for 
lib.  use,  262;  on  A.  L.  A.  reception 
comm.,  Cio9. 

Saunders,  F:    Character  studies,  396. 

Savoy,  bibl.  storica  degli  (Manno),  30. 

Sayles,  Hon.  W:  F.,  bequest  for  lib. 
building  to  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  214. 

Scandinavian  books,  in  Amer.  libs. 
(Josephson),  4 ;  proposed  list  of 
(Josephson),  224;  catalog  of,  319, 
328,340-341. 

Schemer,  J.,  astronomical  spectro- 
scopy,  319. 

Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  movement  to  es- 
tablish a  public  lib.,  393. 

Schools,  libraries  and,  62,  101,  142, 
198,  an,  (Hewins)  292-295,  313, 
(N.  Y.  L.  Club  discussion)  386  -  387. 

Schorbach,  K.,  Seltene  drucke  in 
Nachbildungen,  280. 

Science,  plea  for  a  lib.  of  (Bolton), 
12-17;  books  on,  in  N.  Y.  libs. 
(Bolton),  14-17;  books  on,  in  free 
libs.  (Carrington),  342. 

Scientific  libraries  in  N.  Y.  City 
(Bolton),  12-13. 

Scott,  Angeline,  buying  fiction  in 
paper  covers,  227-229. 

Scott,  Ja.  B.,  death  of,  too. 

Scranton  (Pa.)  P.  L.,  105,  277;  inks, 
84. 

Scrap  file,  Crocker's  index,  246. 

Seattle  (Wash.)  P.  L.,  105,  180 ;  open- 
ing of  new  rooms,  277. 

Secomb,  D.  F.,  Libn.  and  treas.  N. 
H.  L.  Assoc.,  57. 

See,  Cornelia  A.,  Ci88. 

See,  Grace  H.,  Vice-pres.  N.  J.  L. 
Assoc. j  384. 

Seidensticker,  Oswald,  bibl.  of  early 
German  printing  in  America,  1728- 
1830,  68. 

Selby,  Emily  H.,  355,  Ci88. 

Selection  of  books,  (Ct.  L.  Assoc.) 
349,  (Coe)  €30-32,  (Hewins)  €32-34, 
(Foster)  €34-36,  (Johnston)  €36-37, 
(Bardwell)  €37-38,  (Brett)  €38-39, 
(Utley)  €39-41,  (Crunden)  €41-42, 
A.  L.  A.  discussion  on,  €134-135. 


Seligman,  E.  R.  A.,  bibl.  of  taxation, 
216. 

Seneca  Falls,  N.  Y.,  393. 

Senn,  Dr.  N:,  presentation  of  his 
medical  lib.  to  Newberry  L.,  29, 
242. 

Sexton,  Pliny  T.,  Standing  comm.  on 
endowment,  348. 

Seymour,  May,  €188. 

Sharp,  K..  L.,  €189:  dept.  of  lib.  sci- 
ence of  Armour  Institute,  162-166; 
on  A.  L.  A.  reception  comm. ,€109. 

Sheldon,  Helen  G.,  €189. 

Shelving,  for  U.  S.  Congressional  L., 
106. 

Sherman,  Deborah  K.,  €189. 

Shetland,  books  on  (Cursitor),  398. 

Shiedley,  G:  F.,  gift  of  $25,000  to 
Kansas  City  P.  L.,  102,  352. 

Shirley,  Mass.,  Hazen  Memorial  L., 
211 ;  dedication,  180. 

Shuttleworth,  H.  A.,  new  reading- 
stand,  278. 

Simpson,  S:,  bequest  for  lib.  build- 
ing to  Wallingford,  Ct.,  214. 

Sioux  City  (la.)  P.  L.,  277. 

Slpcum,  Dr.  C:  E.,  gift  for  lib.  build- 
ing to  Ohio  Wesleyan  Univ.,  354. 

Smith,  Capt.  J:  Donnel,  gift  to  Johns 
Hopkins  Univ.  L.,  145. 

Smith,  Walter  M.,  Vice-pres.  Wis.  L. 
Assoc.,  273. 

Smith,  Prof.  W:  Robertson,  death  of, 
146. 

Smithsonian  Inst.,  Washington,  D. 
C.,  extr.  fr.  rpt.,  65 ;  bibl.  of,  Na- 
tional Mus.,  280. 

Socialism,  bibl.  of  (Stammhammer) 
148,  (Ely)  247,  (Waentig)  320  ;  read- 
ing-list on  labor  and  (Salem  P.  L.), 
319;  list  of  books  on  (Osterhout  F. 

L-).  397- 

Somerville  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  243. 

Soule,  C:  €.,  €164,  €189;  Trustee 
endowment  fund,  348,  €164;  Coun- 
cillor A.  L.  A.,  248  ;  law  books  for 
general  libs.,  €103-104,  Ci6o  ;  on  A. 
L.  A.  reception  comm.,  €109;  on 

A.  L.  A.  comm.  on  place  of  meet- 
ing, €109;  rpt.  of  Finance  comm., 
€115;    lib.  architecture,  €139-140; 
lib.  bulletin,  €146-147;  local  collec- 
tions in  libs.,  €154-155  ;  place  of  A. 
L.  A.  meeting,  1896,  €163. 

South   London  L.,  London,  opening, 

393- 

South  Orange  (N.  J.)  F.  L.  A.,  an. 
Southbridge  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  180. 
Southern   California    L.  Club,    Jan. 

meeting,  95  ;  April  meeting,  175. 
Southport,  Ct.,  lib.  building  given  to 

Pequot  L.  A.  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E. 

B.  Monroe,  27-28. 

Spanish  literature  (Clarke),  68. 
Speare  Memorial   L.,  Chelsea,   Vt., 

dedication,  389. 
Spencer,  Mrs.    M..    C.,    Vice-pres. 

Mich.  L.  Assoc.,  386. 
Spencer,  Herbert,  list  of  works  of, 

184. 
Spicer    Memorial     L.,    Mystic,    Ct. 

opening  of,  63. 
Spofford,   Ainsworth    R.,    246,    309, 

Pres.  Wash.  L.  Assoc.,  236  ;  Coun- 
cillor A.  L.  A.,  348. 
Spofford,  C.   B.,  Exec.  comm.  N.  H. 

L.  Assoc.,  57. 
Sport,    bibl.    of    big-game   shooting 

(Wolley),  184. 
Springfield  (Mass.)  City  L.  Assoc., 

211,  315;   list  of  periodicals,  29-30; 

special  lists,  67,  107,  147,  182,  215, 

247,  249,  319,  356. 
Stammhammer,  Jos.,  bibl.  des  social- 

ismus  und  communismus,  148. 
Stanford,  L.  B.,  Brooklyn  L.,  393. 
Stanley,  Dean,  Life  and  correspond- 
ence of  (Prothero),  108. 
State  library  associations  (dep.),  57, 

92,  132, 171,  204,  235,  373,  348,  382. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL. 


619 


Steam-engines,  list  of  books  on  (Host. 
P.  L.  bulletin),  107. 

Stearns,  Mrs.  C.  M.,  OSg. 

Stearns,  Lutie  E.,  €189;  Sec.  and 
treas.  Wis.  L.  Assoc.,  273;  relations 
of  public  lib.  to  public  schools,  272; 
Standing  comm.  on  lib.  school  and 
training  classes,  348;  rpt.  on  reading 
for  the  young,  CSi-CS?,  €136. 

Stechert,  G.  E..Ci89. 

Steelier t,  Mrs.  G.  E.,  Ci8g. 

Steiner,  Bernard  C.,  59;  linotyping 
lib.  catalogs,  259-260;  rpt.  on  access 
to  shelves,  087-96,  Ci6o. 

Stetson,  Willis  K^OSg;  printed  cata- 


The  index  (o  Pseudonyms  and  Anonyms  follows  this. 

University    extension,   lib.    aid    to 


Church,  New  Brunswick,  N.  J., 
Sage  L.,  26. 

Theology.  Bibliotheca  theologica 
(Ruprecht),  248;  bibl.  of  (Crooks), 
319;  bibl.  of  Johannine  (Stevens), 
356. 

Thomas,  Allen  Clapp,  books  on  the 
Familists,  108 

Thomson,  J:,  246,  O8g;  early  bibliog- 
raphers, 131-133;  hints  on  reading, 
132;  Exec.  comm.  Pa.  L.  Club,  132; 
free  lib.  movement  in  Phila.,  166- 
167;  fiction,  205,  240;  free  lectures 
by,  364,  392;  newspapers  in  free 
lib.  reading-rooms,  £47-48,  Ci43. 


og  cards,  22;   Vice-pres.  N.  Y.  L.     Thoreau,  H:  D.,  bibi.  of  (Jones),  356. 
31ub,  175;  linotyping  lib.  catalogs,     Thurston,  E.  P.,  Ci8q;  common  nov- 


359-261. 

Stevens,  G.  B.,  bibl.  of  St.  John's 
gospel  and  epistles,  356. 

Stevens,W.  F.,  catalog  of  Chesapeake 
and  Ohio  R.  R.  dept.  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
L.,  247. 

Stevens  Inst.  of  Technol.,  Hoboken, 
N.  J.,  lib.  of,  17. 

Stevens  Memorial  L.,  Attica,  N.  Y., 
opening  of,  139.  ' 

Stevenson,  W:  M.,  O8g. 

Stewart,  Rose  G.,  Ci8g. 

Stratford  (Ct.)  L.  A.,  lib.  building 
given  to,  212,  393. 

Stuart,  Mrs.  M..,  bequest  to  Lenox 
L.,  N.Y.,  318. 

Subject  headings,  rpt.  of  comm.  on 
index  to,  038-139. 

Suffield  (Ct.)  L.  A.,  proposed  pur- 
chase of  L.  A.  lib.  by  city,  144;  dis- 
solution of  assoc.,  212. 

Summer  resorts,  reading-list  on  (Sa- 
lem P.  L.),  247. 

Sunday  opening,  in  Concord  (Mass.) 
P.  L.,  177-178;  in  Pawtucket(R.  I.) 
F.  P.  L.,  179;  in  Maiden  (Mass.)  P. 
L.,  208-209;  in  New  Britain  (Ct.) 
Institute  L.,  209;  in  Cambridge 
(Mass.)  P.  L.,  313. 

Sutro,  Adolf,  Hebrew  ms.  found  in 
his  lib.,  248. 

Sutermeister,  L..  M.,  Ci8p. 

Swan,  Lizzie  P.,  organizer  Galena 
(111.)  P.  L.,  396. 

Swedenborgian  literature,  bibl.  of 
(Odhner),  108. 

Swedish  books,  rn  Amer.  libs.  (Jo- 
sephson),  4;  list  of  proposed  (Jo- 
sephson),  224;  catalog  of,  319,  328, 
340-341. 

Sydney  (N.  S.  W.)  F.  P.  L.,  145. 

Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  withdrawal  of  offer 
of  new  lib.  by  Ja.  Belden,  28. 

Syracuse  (N.  Y.)  P.  L.,  new  building, 
3T5- 

Syracuse  (N.  Y.)  Univ.  L.,  course  in 
lib.  economics  at,  64-65. 


Tacoma  (Wash.)  P.  L.,6s. 

Talcott,  Eliza  S.,  O8g. 

Tamworth,  N.  H.,  bequest  for  lib.  to, 
354. 

Tate  P.  L.,  Streatham,  Eng.,  278. 

Taunton  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  3d  supp.  to 
catalog,  356. 

Taxation,  bibl.  of  inheritance  tax 
(West),  108;  bibl.  of  progressive 
(Seligman),  216;  bibl.  of,  in  Ver- 
mont (Wood),  248. 

Teachers,  list  of  books  for  primary 
(Walton),  386;  co-operation  of,  with 
libns.  (N.  Y.  L.  Club  discussion), 
386-387. 

Teachers'  College,  N.  Y.,  Bryson  L., 
63-64. 

Temple,  Lizzie,  25. 

Temple,  Mabel,  Ci8g;  head  cataloger 
Brown  Univ.  L.,  355. 

Terre  Haute  (Ind.)  P.  L.,  105. 

Thayer  Memorial  L.,  Uxbridge, 
Mass.,  dedication,  243. 

Theol.      Seminary      Ref.       (Dutch) 


els  in  public  libs.,  O6-i8,  Ci37. 

Thwaites,  Reuben  G.,  Ci8g;  Standing 
comm.  on  foreign  documents,  348; 
foreign  documents,  Ci2s;  local  col- 
lections, 056-157;  access  toshelves, 
Ci62  ;  place  of  A.  L.  A.  meeting, 
i8gs,  063. 

Tidal  rivers,  books  relating  to 
(Wheeler),  108. 

Tiilinghast,  W:  H.,  Ci8g;  inks  for 
lib.  use,  125;  Standing  comm.  on 
co-operation,  347;  Sec.  Mass.  L. 
Club,  384;  libs,  and  univ.  exten- 
sion, 047-148;  functions  of  univ. 
lib.,  051-152. 

Tiilinghast,  Mrs.  W:  H.,  O8g. 

Titcomb,  M..  E.,  CiSg. 

Tokyo  (Japan)  L.,  278;  catalog  of 
Japanese  and  Chinese  books,  supp. 
3,  279. 

Topeka  (Kan.)  F.  P.  L.,  212. 

Torry  Botanical  Club,  lib.  of  (Bol- 
ton),  12,  15. 

Tourneaux,  M.,  bibl.  de  1'hist.  de 
Paris. pend.  Revolution  Fran9aise, 
248. 

Town  and  county  histories,  reading- 
list  on  (Salem  P.  L.),  247,  379. 

Townsend  L.,  N.  Y.,  16. 

Trade  unionism,  reading-list  on 
(Springfield  P.  L.),  182;  bibl.  of 
(Peddie),  248;  list  of  books  on  (Os- 
terhout  F.  L.),  397. 

Travelling  libraries,  N.  Y.  State  L. 
(Eastman),  036. 

Trinidad  (Col.)  F.  P.  L.,  180. 

Truax,  Ella  S.,  O8g. 

True,  Prof.  A.  C.,  compilation  of 
index  to  agricultural  literature,  108. 

Truro,  Mass.,  public  lib.  for,  180. 

Tufts  L.,  Weymouth,  Mass.,  144; 
bulletin  no.  27,  67. 

Tulane  Univ.,  New  Orleans,  La., 
lectures  on  bibliography  at,  146. 

Turlock,  Cal.,  bequest  for  lib.  from 
J:  W.Mitchell,  29. 

Turner  F.  L.,  Randolph,  Mass.,  180. 

Tuttle,  Eliz.  R.,  Treas.  N.  Y.  L. 
Club,  175. 

Two-book  system  for  small  libraries 
(Bolton),  161-162,  255;  at  Newark 
P.  L.,  352-353;  at  Bayonne  (N.  J.) 
P.  L.,  389;  at  Lancaster  (Mass.) 
Town  L  ,  391;  at  Phila.  F.  L.,  392. 

Tyler,  B.  B.,  and  others.  Hist,  of 
Disciples  of  Christ,  etc.,  248. 

Tyler,  Ctte.,  O8g. 

Underbill,  Caroline  M.,  O8g;  Treas. 

Pa.  L.Club,  g4;  resignation,  214-215. 
Union  for  Christian  Work  F.  L., 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  17,  241;  inks,  84-85. 
U.  S.  Bureau  of  Rolls  and  Records, 

bulletin  no.  i,  review  (Ford),  23-24 


(Medlicott),  382-383;  rpt.  on  public 
libs,  and  (Montgomery),  (,65-67, 
047;  A.  L.  A.  discussion  on,  047- 
151. 

University  library,  and  university 
curriculum  (Poole),  too;  recogni- 
tion of,  in  higher  education 
(Lowrey),  264-267;  functions  of 
(Koopman),  C24-30,  €151  ;  A.  L.  A. 
discussion  on,  051-152. 

University  of  California,  catalog  of 
books  in  pedagogical  dept.,  356. 

University  of  Chicago  L.,  gift  to, 
from  J:  D.  Rockefeller,  67;  division 
of  J:  D.  Rockefeller's  gift,  101; 
transfer  of  Walker  lib.  to,  178. 

University  of  City  of  N.  Y.,  lib.  15, 
Lagarde  lib.  at,  209-210. 

University  of  Colorado,  extr.  fr. 
rpt.  isg;  course  in  bibliography 
at,  177;  lib.  of  (Lowrey),  266-267. 

University  of  Michigan  L.,  105-106; 
bibl.  of  methods  of  studying  his- 
tory, 107-108;  bequest  to,  214,  246. 

University  of  Pennsylvania  L.,  addi- 
tions to,  65. 

University  of  State  of  New  York, 
Regents'  bulletin,  no.  22,  68 ; 
io6th  ann.  rpt.  of  regents,  review, 
99-100;  regents'  bulletin,  no.  26, 
review,  273;  extr.  fr.  regents'  bul- 
letin, no.  28,  314;  state  lib.  bul- 
letin, Public  libs.,  no.  2  (review), 
350. 

Upsala  (Sweden)  Univ.  L.,  394. 

Utica  (N.  Y.)  P.  L.,  selection  from 
Senator  Conkling's  lib.  given  to, 
214. 


.  386;  sei 
039-41,  €.134;  newspapers  in  free 
lib.  reading-rooms,  044-45,  £143, 
044;  on  A.  L.  A.  comm.  on  place 
of  meeting,  dog. 

Utley,  Jennie  M.,  O8g. 

Uxbridge  (Mass.)  F.  P.  L.,  180;  dedi- 
cation   of    Thayer    Memorial    L., 


Vacation  reading,  classed  reading-list 

on  (Salem  P.  L.),  27g. 
Vacations,  94. 

Van  Hoevenberg,  Alma  H.,  355. 
Van  Hoevenberg,   E..,  libn.    South 

Orange  F.  P.  L.,  355. 
Van     Name,     Addison,     Vice-pres. 

Ct.  L.  Assoc.,  g4. 
Vancouver  (B.  C.)  F.  L.,  181. 
Vander  Haeghen,   F.,  bibl.  of  Eras- 

mus, 320  ;   plan  for  general  cata- 

log of  French  libs.  (Cole),  333,  334- 

33<5. 
Vidal,  L:  Projet  d'organisation  d'un 

service  d'archives  photographiques 

documentaires,  317. 
Violin,  bibl.  of  (Allen),  147. 
Virginia  Hist.  Soc.,  i8t. 
Vones,   Hervey  D.,  state  lib.   laws, 

57. 

Wade,  Emily  I.,  Standing  comm.  on 

co-operation,  347. 

Waentig,  H:,  bibl.  of  socialism,  320. 
Wakashan  languages,  bibl.  of  (Pil- 

ling), 247. 
Wakefield,  G:  W.,  Iowa  lib.  legisla- 

tion, 331-3 


bulletin  no.  i,  review  (ford),  23-24.         tion,  331-333. 
U.  S.  Congressional  L.   (Maury)  178,     Wales,  G.  W.,  gift  to  Salem  (Mass.) 


244,  309-310,  393;  progress  of  new 
building,  28,  316;  shelving  for,  106. 

U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture,  index  to 
literature  of  experiment  stations, 
109;  lib.  bulletin,  April,  '94,  215; 
lib.  bulletin,  June,  '94,  247. 

U.  S.  Patent  Office,  Scientific  L.  of, 
316. 


P.  L.,  29. 

Wales,  bibl.  of  (Ashton),  397. 

Walker,  Hon.  Jos.B.,  Vice-pres.  N.  H. 

%  L.  Assoc.,  57. 

Walker,  Rob.  Cooper,  trustee  Sydney 
(N.  S.  W.)  F.  P.  L.,  146. 

Walker,  T:  Alfred.  Science  of  inter- 
national law,  68. 


620 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL. 


The  index  to  Pseudonyms  and  Anonyms  follows  this. 


Walker  L.,  Morgan  Park,  111.,  trans- 
fer to  Univ.  of  Chicago,  178. 

Wallingford,  Ct.,  bequest  for  lib. 
building  to,  214. 

Wallingford  (Vt.)  F.  L.,  new  lib. 
building  of,  312;  dedication,  316. 

Wai  pole,  Horace  (Dobson),  30. 

Walpole  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  bequest  to, 
246. 

Walton,  Alice.  Cult  of  Asklepios,  280. 

Walton,  Genevieve  M.,  list  of  books 
for  primary  teachers,  386 ;  Vice- 
pres.  Mich.  L.  Assoc.,  386. 

Walton,  I:,  bibl.  of,  148. 

Ward,  AnnaH.,  CiSg. 

Ward,  H.  L.  D.,  Catalogue  of  ro- 
mances in  dept.  of  mss.  in  Brit. 
Mus.,  216. 

Warder  P.  L.,  Springfield,  O.,  an. 

Washburn,  Cyrus,  gift  for  lib.  to 
East  Bridgewater,  Mass.,  278. 

Washington,  D.  C.,  bill  to  establish 
free  lib.  in,  180,  244. 

Washington  (D.  C.)  L.  Assoc.,  organ- 
ization meeting,  236;  ist  meeting, 
384-385. 

Washington,  G:,  bibl.  notes  on  (Ba- 
ker), 68. 

Washington  Heights  F.  L.,  N.  Y.,  15. 

Washington  State  L.  catalog,  319. 

Watertown  (Mass.)  F.  P.  L.,  244. 

Watkins,  J.  Elfrith,  65. 

Watson,  W:  R:  Ci&g. 

Webb,  Sidney  and  Beatrice.  Hist,  of 
trade  unionism,  248. 

Webster  F.  L.,  N.  Y.,  plan  of  new 


building,  27;  opening  of,  63. 

'     of  J 

398. 


Wenckstern,  F.  v.,   bibl.  of  Japan, 


Werder,  E:  J.  F.,  death  of,  215,  Cii4. 

Wesleyan  Univ.,  Middletown,  Ct., 
correction  of  statistics,  106. 

West,  Max,  bibl.  of  inheritance  tax, 
108. 

West,  Theresa  H.,  Cis4,  064.  CiSp; 
Councillor  A.  L.  A.,  348,  064;  rpt. 
on  library  architecture,  Cge-too, 
Ciso;  on  A.  L.  A.  comm.  on  place 
of  meeting,  CIOQ;  better  editions  of 
popular  books,  Cisa;  access  to 
shelves,  Ci6t;  Dr.  W:  F.  Poole, 
Ci69. 

Westerly  (R.  I.)  P.    L.,  dedication, 

31?- 

Westfield,  N.  Y.,  bequest  to,  for  pub- 
lic lib.,  246. 

Wethersfield  (Ct.)  L.  A.,  65. 

Wethersfield  (Ct.)  P.  L., opening,  393. 

Wetzell,  Bertha  S.,  Ci&g. 

Wheatley,  H:  B.,  plan  for  general 
bibliography  of  English  literature 
(Cole),  333,  336-338. 

Wheeler,  Martin  T.,  CtSg. 

Wheeler,  W.  H.,  books  relating  to 
tidal  rivers,  108. 

Whelpley,  A.  W.,  Ci54;  Standing 
comm.  on  finance,  347;  common 
novels  in  public  libs.,  £21-22,  Ci37; 


newspapers  in  free  lib.  reading- 
rooms,  €42-44,  Ci43. 

Whitaker,  J:  and  Sons.  Reference 
catalogue  of  current  literature,  398. 

White,  Alice  G.,  making  a  small  lib. 
useful,  234. 

White,  Andrew  C.,  CiSg. 

Whitney,  J.  L.,  Standing  comm.  on 
finance,  347;  Councillor  A.  L.  A., 
348. 

Whittier,  J.  H.,  Ci8g;  Exec.  comm. 
N.  H.  L.  Assoc.,  57. 

Wien,  H:,  universal  index  to  tech- 
nical and  scientific  literature,  216. 

Wierzbowski,  Th.  Bibliografia  po- 
lonica,  216. 

Wilcox,  E.  S.,  355. 

Wilkesbarr^  (Pa.)  Reading-room 
Assoc.,  232-233. 

Williams,  C:  H.,  gift  for  memorial 
lib.  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  214. 

Williams,  Lizzie  A.,  CiSg. 

Williams,  Norman,  Trustee  endow- 
ment fund,  348. 

Williamsburg,  Mass.,  bequest  for  lib. 

to.  354- 

Wilmington  (Del.)  Institute  F.  L., 
opening,  106;  financial  condition  of, 

212. 

Wilson,  F:  J.  The  all-time   library, 

review  (Cutter),  176. 
Wilson,  Horace,  removal,  279. 
Wilson,  W:  H:,  death  of,  379,  318. 
Windsor  (Ct.),  L.  A.,  plan  to  make 

lib.  free,  212. 

Windsor  (Vt.)  L.,  extr.  fr.  rpt.,  65. 
Wing,  J.  N.,  Ci89;  Treas.  N.  Y.  State 

L.  Assoc.,  384;  lib.  floors,  Ci4o-i4i; 

better  editions  of  popular  books, 

Cis3;  proposed  memorial  to  Dr.  W: 

F.   Poole,    Ci7.i;  Auditing  comm. 

Publishing  section,  Ci7s. 
Wing,  Mrs.  J.  N.,  CiSg. 
Winona  (Minn.),  F.  P.  L.,  212. 
Winser,    Beatrice,  asst.  libn.   New- 
ark (N.  J.)  F.  P.  L.,  215;  Sec.  N.  J. 

L.  Assoc.,  384. 
Winsor,  Justin,  Councillor  A.  L.  A., 

348;  address  at  dedication  of  Or- 

rington  Lunt  L,.,  370-375. 
Wire,  Dr.  G:  E.,  22,  CiSg;  Asst.  sec. 

A.  L.  A.,  347;  on  A.  L.  A.  comm. 

on  place  of  meeting,  Ciog;  Dr.  W: 

F.  Poole,  Cz66-i68. 
Wisconsin,  list  of  books  in  township 

libs.,  319. 
Wisconsin  L.  Assoc.,  annual  meeting, 

272-273. 
Wisconsin    State  Hist.  Soc.   L.,  62, 

extr.  fr.  rpt.,  102;  newspapers  in, 

Cis6-t57- 
Wise,    T:  J.   Browning   bibl.,     280, 

320. 

Woburn  (Mass.)  P.  L.,  212. 
Wolley,  Clive  P.,  bibl.  of  big-game 

hunting,  184. 
Woman,  bibl.  of  women's  labor  and 

woman   question    (Campbell),   30; 


bibl.      des     ouvrages     relatlfs     a 

1'amour,  aux  femmes,  au  mariage, 

etc.,  183. 
Woman's     L.  at    Columb.     Expos. 

(Clarke),  47-48;  list  of  books  in,  397. 
Woman's  Medical  Coll.,  N.  Y.  Infir- 
mary, lib.,  16. 
Women's     Christian     Assoc.     libs. 

(Cattell),  121-124. 
Women's  clubs,  list  of    books   for, 

381. 
Women,    names    of,    in    cataloging 

(Clarke),  48-49. 

Wonner,  Lucy  C.,  resignation,  396. 
Wood,     Ella     S.,    libn.     Lancaster 

(Mass.)  Town  L.,  246. 
Wood,  F.  A.    Taxation  in  Vermont, 

248. 
Wood  engraving,  Venetian  (Rivoli), 

319. 
Woodbury  (N.  J.)  L.  Co.,  centennial 

anniv.  of,  213. 
Wooding,   C.   S.,  Vice-pres.  Ct.   L. 

Assoct,  94. 
Woodruff,  E.  H.,  Standing  comm.  on 

endowment,  348. 
Woodworth,  Florence,  Ci8g. 
Woodworth,  Margaret,  CiSg. 
Worcester  (Mass.)  F.    P.   L.,   65-66, 

2:3;  art  exhibitions  at,  66,  213. 
World's  congress  of  librarians,  3. 
World's  Fair,  see  Columb.  Expos. 
Wylie,  Laura  Johnson,  Studies  in  the 

evolution  of  Eng.  criticism,  248. 


Yale  Univ.  L.,  213;  gift  to,  278. 
York,  Neb.,  consolidation  of  society 

libs,  to  form  public  lib.,  66. 
Youmans,  E:  L.,  writings  of  (Fiske), 

183. 
Young,  reading  for  the,  at  Ilion  (N. 

Y.)  F.  P.  L.,  208;  rpt.  on  (Stearns), 

C8i-87,  (Berry)  Ci36-i37. 
Y.  M.  C.  A.,   Chesapeake  and  Ohio 

R.R.  dept.,  catalog  of  lib.  (Stevens), 

Y.  M.  C.  A.  L.,  Brooklyn,  17,  96. 

Y.  M.  C.  A.  L.,  N.  Y.,  15,  179;  Rail- 
road branch,  16;  inks,  85;  methods 
of  keeping  lib.  statistics,  95-96;  site 
for  new  building  purchased,  242. 

Y.  M.  C.  A.  L.,  Troy,  N.  Y.,  gift  of 
lib.  building  to,  145,  315-316. 

Y.  W.  C.  A.  L.,N.  Y.,  15. 

Youngstown  (O.)  F.  P.  L.,  213. 


Zanolini,  Francesco,  catalog  of  lib. 

of,  68. 
Zarncke  lib.  at  Cornell  Univ.  (Cran- 

dall),  60. 
Zoology,  Bibliotheca  zoologica,  183; 

reading-list  on  marine  (Salem    P. 

L.),  247;  reading-list  on  (Salem  P. 

L.),  279;  (Springfield  P.  L.),  356. 
Zwittau  (Austria)  F.  P.  L.,  account 

of  (Hitchler),  380-381. 


THE  LIBRARY  JOURNAL. 


621 


PSEUDONYMS  AND  ANONYMS. 


PSEUDONYMS. 

Ajax — Mrs.  Annie  Betant,  148. 
Alexis,  Willibald— Wilhelm  Ha'ring, 

148. 
Allen,    F.    M.— Edmund    Downey, 

280. 

Ardor — Mme.  Blaramberg,  320. 
Bentzon,    Th.  —  Theresc    de    Solms 

(Mme.  Blanc;,  30. 

Blake,  Claude— Mathilde  Blind,  320. 
Caliban— Emile  Bergerat,  320. 
Cephak,  Abel — Clovis  Pierre,  148. 
Chauncey,  Shelton— C:W.  De  Lyons 

Nichol,  30. 
Cobbleigh,  Tom— Walter  Raymond, 

320. 

Collodi,  C. Lorenzini,  148. 

Colmore,  G.— Mrs.  Georgina  Dunn, 

280. 

Conrad,  G. — Prince  Georg  of  Prus- 
sia, 148. 
Egestoff,  Georg — Georg  Freiherr  von 

Ompteda,  148. 
Fergunt,    Jan  —  M.    von    Droogen- 

brock,  148. 
Fulvia — Signorina  Rachele  Saporiti, 

148. 
Graind'orgu — Hippolyte  Taine,  148. 


Gray,  Maxwell— not  Maxwell  Grey, 
148. 

Heiter,  Amalia— Princest  Amalia  of 
Saxony^  148. 

Hobbes,  John  Oliver— Mrs.  P.  W. 
Craigie,  320. 

Jarvis,  W.  W.— W.  J.  Wetmore,  148. 

Java,  Melati  v. — Miss  Sloot,  148. 

Kipling,  Beatrice— now  Mrs.  Flem- 
ing, 320. 

Krestovski,  V. — Mme.  Khvostchin- 
ski,  148. 

Lesan— A.  Kl&stersky,  148. 

Lynch,  L.  L.— E.  M.  Van  Deventer, 
320. 

Manchecourt — Henri  Lavedan,  148. 

Manuel,  E. — Ernest  L'Epine,  148. 

Mi/.pali — Anna  DeW.  Pearce,  356. 

Multatuli — E.  Douwes,  320. 

Neera — Anna  Rading,  320. 

Nerval,  Gerard  de — Gerard  Labrunie, 
148. 

O'Neill,  Moira  —  Nesta  Higginson, 
320. 

Porz6— Dr.  Adolf  Agai,  148, 

Prunier,  Joseph — Guy  de  Maupas- 
sant, 320. 

Quatrelles— Ernest  L'Epine,  148. 

Ripton,  Wit— Prof.  J:  Tyndall,  18. 


Rivers,    Pearl  —  Mrs.  G:  Nicholson, 

148. 

Setoun,  Gabriel — T:  Hepburn,  320. 
Sigurd — A.  Hedenstierna,  148. 
Sipalusz— Victor  R&kosi,  320. 
Stuart,  Esm£ — Miss  Levy,  320. 
Tracy,    Albert  — Albert   Leffingwell, 

M.D.,  30. 

Two— Mrs.  Stewart,  320. 
V.  V.— Vasili  Voromtzov,  320. 
Van  Westervoort,   Floris— L.    Kelt- 
man,  320. 
Van    Woude,  Johanna  —  Mrs.  Van 

Wermeskerken-Junius,  320. 
Vicomte  de  Launay — Mme.  de  Girar- 

din,  148. 

v.  Miris— Franz  Bonn,  148. 
Waller,  Max  —  Maurice  Warlomont, 

148. 

Walsh,  Marie — Mary  Cahill,  320. 
Zena,  Remigio  —  Mar  chest  Gaspare 

d'Invrea,  148. 

ANONYMS. 

Story  of  Margrddel— D.  Storrar  Mel- 
drum,  216. 

Woman's  conquest  of  New  York — 
T:  Janvier,  280. 


INDEX  TO  LISTS  Of  FULL  NAMES  IN  V.  15-19. 


Abbott,  Stephen  Gano. 
Alden,  Edmund  Kimball. 
Aler,  Frank  Vernon. 
Allen,  E.,  Waterhouse. 
Amaron,  Calvin  Elijah. 
Ames,  J:  Griffith. 
Angell,  Alexis  Caswell. 
Armstrong,  Joseph  Lamb. 
Arnold,  James  Newell. 
Ashmead,  W:  Harris. 

Babcock,  W:  H: 
Bachelder,  Nahum  Josiah. 
Badt,  Francis  Beatus. 
Baldwin,  W:  James. 
Bandy,  James  Marcus. 
Barber,  Ohio  Columbus. 
Barry,  C: 
Bartlett,  C:  H: 
Bartley,  Elias  Hudson. 
Bassett,  Fletcher  Stewart. 
Batchelder,  Ira  Kendrick. 
Beauchamp,  W:  Martin. 
Bedard,  The"ophile  Pierre. 
Beebe,  Levi  Nichols. 
Beebe,  W:  Sully. 
Beitler,  Abraham  Merklee. 
Bell,  J:  Wesley. 
Bellows,  C:  Fitz  Roy. 
Bentley,  Alexander  Jackson. 
Bernard,  Victor  Fernand. 
Blackall,  Clarence  Howard. 
Blanchard,  G:  Roberts. 
Block,  L:  James. 
Borcke,  Heros  von. 
Brann,  H:  Athanasius. 
Brannt,  W:  Theodore. 
Brantly,  W:  Theophilus. 
Briggs,  Lloyd  Vernon. 
Brigham,  Albert  Perry. 
Brightly,  Frank  F: 
Brodhead,  J..  Milliken  Napier. 
Bromley,  G:  Washington. 
Bromley,  Walter  Scott. 
Brown,  Alonzo  Leighton. 
Brown,  J:  Fenner. 
Brown,  Mrs,  Rebecca  Warren, 

Brownson,  H:  Francis. 
Bucke,  R:  Maurice. 
Burdett,  Everett  Watson. 
Byrne,  T:  Aubrey. 

Cahoone,  S..  Sayer, 

Canby,  W:  Marriott. 

Cannon,  G:  Quayle. 

Capp,  W:  Musser. 

Carlisle,  James  H: 

Carman,  Ezra  Ayers. 

Catlin,  W:  Wilkins. 

Chapin,  G:  Leander. 

Cheseborough,  Robert  A: 

Chester,  Arthur  Herbert. 

Chisholm,  G:  Goudie. 

Church,  James  Robb. 

Claflin,  M:  Buckling. 

Clark,  C:  Merrill. 

Clark,  F:  W: 

Clark,  Willis  Gaylord. 

Clarke,  H:  De  Forest. 

Clarke,  Joseph  Ignatius  Constan- 

tine. 

Cleaveland,  G:  Aaron. 
Clouston,  W:  Alexander. 
Cobern,  Camden  McCormick. 
Colburn,  W:  Wallace. 
Cole,  Grenrille  Arthur  James. 
Collum,  R:  Strader. 
Conger,  Norman  Beach. 
Conklin,  B:  Young. 
Coughlin,  W:  James. 


15:317 

Cowperthwait,  J:  Howard. 

17:146 

Glatfelter,  Noah  Miller. 

19:184 

18:165 

Coyle,  J:  Patterson. 

15:221 

Goding,  F:  Webster. 

19:184 

17:75 

Crane,  Aaron  Martin. 

19:248 

GoebeT,  Herman  Phillip. 

'5:3'? 

16:161 

Crawford,  Jay  Boyd. 

18:27 

Gordon,  Hanford  Lennox. 

17:251 

17:146 

Cresson,  Hilborne  Thomson. 

17:469 

Gordon,  Joseph  C'aybaugh. 

18:61 

18:98 

Crofutt,  G:  Andrews. 

'6:357 

Gordy,  Wilbur  Fisk. 

18:485 

16:62 

Crook,  Harriett  Booth. 

16:93 

Gottheil,  R:  James  Horatio. 

19:397 

16:192 

Crowe,  Winfield  Scott. 

19:248 

Gracey,  Mrs,  Annie  Ryder. 

19:184 

16:127 

Crozier,  Arthur  Alger. 

17:74 

Grant,  Roland  Dwight. 

15:189 

19:147 

Curtis,  G:  Washington. 

'7:436 

Green,  Edmund  Fiske. 

15=35° 

Green,  J:  Pugh. 

'7:397 

15:350 

Dana,  Mrs.  F..  Theodora. 

18:202 

Green,  Sanford  Moon. 

15:61 

16:287 

Darlington,  Joseph  James. 

17:184 

Greene,  Harris  Ray. 

15:189 

19:67 

Davidson,  H:  Martin. 

16:62 

Greene,  Jacob  Lyman. 

19:184 

'5:157 

Davis,  C:  E:,/r. 

19:107 

Griffin,  Ida  Lovina. 

'6:357 

17:110 

Davis,  C:  Wood. 

19:248 

Griffin,  Martin  Ignatius. 

15:124 

16:62 

Davis,  Minor  Meek. 

'6:357 

Guiteau,  J:  Wilson. 

15:253 

'7:75 

De  Leon,  T:  Cooper. 

15:317 

Guthrie,  T:  Anstey. 

'7:397 

16:357 

De  Veiling,  C:  Theodore. 

15:188 

'5:253 

Dean,  B:  Angier. 

15:61 

Hale,  G:  Wesley. 

17:469 

19:67 

Dearborn,  J:  Jacob. 

17:251 

Halliday,  S:  Dumont. 

'7=436 

16:192 

Derthick,  Wilbur  Morris. 

16:192 

Halsey,  Edmund  Drake. 

17:397 

17:469 

Dewey,  F:  Perkins. 

17:469 

Halsey,  Frederic  Arthur. 

17:436 

17:75 

Dewey,  Lyster  Hoxie. 

19:184 

Hammond,  C:  Adrian. 

16:321 

16:357 

Dickey,  J:  Marcus. 

18:301 

Hand,  Marcus  Christian. 

'5:3'7 

16:258 

Dickinson,  Jacob  McGavock. 

18:202 

Hark,  Joseph  Maximilian. 

17:146 

>6:357 

Dodge,  J:  Wilbur. 

'6:357 

Harlow,  L:  Kinney. 

18:302 

18:130 

Dodge,  W:  Castle. 

17:469 

Harned.T:  Biggs. 

19:30 

19:397 

Douglas,  Walter  Cazenove. 

17:469 

Harper,  Francis  Perego. 

17:146 

15:29 

Dowd,  Daniel  Lawrence. 

16:192 

Harris,  H:  R: 

18:165 

'7:75 

Drinker,  H:  Sturgis. 

17:501 

Harvey,  C:  Alexander. 

15:124 

15:124 

Dubuque,  Hugo  Ade'lard. 

'5:317 

Hasluck,  Paul  Nooncree. 

15:124 

19:147 

Dyer,  C:  Newell. 

'6:357 

Hassam,  F:  Fitch. 

16:258 

17:146 

Hatcher,  Edmund  Neuson. 

'7:75 

16:62 

Echols,  S:  Anthony. 

17:184 

Hawley,  Elias  Sill. 

15:157 

18:202 

Eis,  J:  Baptist. 

15:61 

Hebberd,  Stephen  Southrick. 

16:62 

19:397 

Ellis,  Job  Bicknell. 

17:501 

Heitmann,  Francis  Bernard. 

16:62 

*  ^^  i 
16:223 

Enebuske,  Claes  Julius. 

19:30 

Henderson,  W:  James. 

17:184 

15:61 

Ernst,  Carl  Wilhelm. 

15:253 

Henrici,  Olaus  Magnus  F:  Erd- 

18:98 

Evans,  G:  Greenlief. 

18:61 

mann. 

15:124 

16:62 

Evans,  Lawton  Bryan. 

15:61 

Herr,  G:  Washington. 

16:62 

19:248 

Eve,  Frances  Edgeworth. 

'7:397 

Hewes,  Fletcher  Willis 

15:29 

19:30 

Everhart,  B:  Matlack. 

17:501 

Hibben,  H:  Bascom. 

'5:253 

19:30 

High,  James  Lambert. 

16:62 

i8:6t 

Fagan,  W:  Long. 

16:62 

Hill,  Herbert  Enos. 

16:192 

18:446 

Fairchild,  C:  Bryant. 

19:30 

Hinton,  R:  Josiah. 

16:193 

17:146 

Falkner,  Roland  Post. 

16:62 

Hitchcock,  Albert  Spear. 

18:302 

Farrar,  C:  S: 

16:321 

Hodgman,  Francis. 

19:397 

18:485 

Fernow,  Bernard  E: 

15:124 

Hodskins,  Georgia  Adams. 

19:397 

19:30 

Findlay,  G:  James. 

15:124 

Holbrook,  Zephaniah  Swift. 

19:184 

16:223 

Finley,  J:  Park. 

16:127 

Holman,  Silas  Whitcomb. 

18:98 

15:61 

Fisher,  Gilman  Clark. 

17:251 

Holt,  G:  Chandler. 

15:29 

16:127 

Fishley,  E:  Eugene. 
Fitz  Gerald,  J:  E. 

17:251 
17:110 

Hornaday,  W:  Temple. 
Hoskins,  Leander  Miller. 

17:146 
17:^01 

18:301 

Flather,  J:  Joseph. 

17:501 

Hoss,  Eliiah  Embree. 

16:62 

18:301 

Flower,  Frank  Abial. 

16:287 

Howard,  "H:  Ward  Beecher. 

18:446 

17:469 

Foote,  Allen  Ripley.         15:93; 

16:192 

Hubbard,  Lester  Coe. 

'7:75 

19:397 

Foster,  James  Mitchell. 

'6:357 

Hudson,  Sanford  Amos. 

17:469 

18:301 

Foster,  Robert  F. 

16:192 

Hull,  J:  T: 

17:75 

18:130 

Foster,  Wolcott  Cronk. 

17:501 

Humphreys,  R:  Clapp. 

15:124 

18:61 

Fotsch,  W: 

17:146 

Hunt,  T:  Forsylh. 

17:501 

18:61 

Fowler,  F:  Homer. 

19:356 

Hutchinscn,  Nelson  Vinal. 

16:62 

16:93 

Frederick,  James  Mack  H: 

18:27 

Hutton,  W:  Rich. 

17:146 

17:436 

Freeman,  J:  Ripley. 

17:110 

Hylton,  J:  Dunbar. 

17:152 

18:522 

Friese,  Philip  Christopher. 

15:157 

Hyslop,  James  Hervey. 

17:251 

16:62 

Frothingham,  Arthur  Lincoln 

16:223 

/»•• 

'5:253 

Idell,  Frank  Edgar. 

19:30 

15:29 

Frye,  Alexander  Everett. 

16:321 

Ingersoll,  Edwin  Dwight. 

17:110 

16:93 

Funk,  I:  Kauffman. 

19:147 

Isaacs,  Abram  S: 

18:202 

18:485 

Furness,  H:  B: 

16:62 

Isham,  Asa  Brainerd. 

16:62 

in* 

15:188 

Gambrall,  Theodore  C: 

18:165 

Jack,  J:  G: 

19:184 

19:67 
17=436 

Garfett,  Philip  Cresson. 
Gates,  Ephraim  Barton. 

18:98 
15:93 

Jackson,  Dugald  Caleb. 
James,  Davis  Lawlor. 

19:30 
19:356 

17:469 

Gee,  W:  Wilson  Haldane. 

15:124 

Janes,  Lewis  G: 

18:302 

'6:357 

Gibbens,  Alvaro  Franklin. 

17:146 

Jeans,  James  Stephen. 

15:124 

'7:75 

Gilbert,  E:  Hooker. 

17:110 

Jeffery,  E:  Turner. 

15:124 

18:165 

Giles,  Alfred  Ellenwood. 

16:93 

Jenkin,  H:C:  Fleeming. 

15:124 

18:446 

Gilmore,  Evelyn  Langdon. 

18:485 

Jennings,  Herman  Atwell. 

17:146 

'9:397 

Gilmore,  G:  Clinton. 

l6:357 

Johnson,     Catharine     Harden- 

18:61 

Gilmore,  H:  Hubbard. 

I5:'S7 

bergh. 

18:202 

THE  LIBRARY  JO  URN  A  L. 


623 


Johnson,  Lorenzo  Nickerson. 
Jones,  S:  Arthur. 
Jordan,  James  Reilly. 
Judson,  F:  Newton. 

Keely,  Robert  Neff. 
Kendall,  Franklin  Mason. 
Kimball,  Ivory  G: 
King,  Franklin  Hiram. 
King,  James  Marcus. 
Klein,  E:  Emanuel. 
Kohler,  Jacob  Adams. 

La  Rue,  B:  Franklin. 
Landsberg,  Moses  Gercon. 
Lang,  Ossian  Herbert. 
Langley,  Alfred  Gideon. 
Lamborn,  Robert  H: 
Lansing,  J:  Gulian. 
Laurie,  Simon  Somerville. 
Leffingwell,  Albert  Tracy. 
Letch  worth,  W:  Pry  or. 
Lewis,  James  Nelson. 
Lewis,  Virgil  Anson. 
Locke,  J:  Lymburner. 
Lockwood,  Mrs.  Sara  E..  Hu- 

sted. 

Lockwood,  T:  De  Lisle. 
Lord,  C:  Chase. 
Lotharius,  Carl  Fredrik,  Baron 

Hochschild. 
Lueders,  Herman  F: 

McAdams,  Francis  Marion: 
McArdle,  W:  H: 
McCall,  J:  Augustine. 
McDonough,  J:  Joseph. 
McGuckin,  W:  G: 
McLaurin,  J:  James. 
McMurry,  C:  Alexander. 
Mahan,  Alfred  Thayer. 
Makepeace,  Frank  Barrow. 
Manchester,  Daniel  Wilbur. 
Manson,  Nathaniel  J. 
Marshall,  W:  Blanchard. 
Mason,  Eveleen  Laura. 
Mather,  Horace  Eli. 
Maurice,  Col.  J:  F: 
May,  S:  Pearce. 
Meadowcroft,  W:  H: 
Mears,  Mrs.  Amelia  Garland. 
Mechelen,  Leopold   Henrik 

Stanislaus. 
Meehan,  W:  F.- 
Merrill, G:  Perkins. 
Merrill,  G:  Sargent. 
Metcalf,  Robert  Comfort. 
Miller,  G:  Abraham. 
Miller,  H:  Giles. 
Miller,  Horace  Elmer. 
Miller,  W:  J:  Clarke. 
Mills,  C:  Karsner. 
Mills,  T:  Wesley. 
Milne,  W:  James. 
Montgomery,  Morton  Luther. 
Mooney,  J:  Aloysius. 
Moorehead,  Warren  King. 
Morgan,  T:  Jefferson.      16:192 
Morris,  Robert  Oliver. 
Morrison,  Gilbert  Burnet. 
Moxom,  Philip  Stafford. 
Munsey,  Frank  Andrew. 
Murray,  W:  Porter. 

Newell,  C:  Martin. 
Newhall,  C:  Steadman. 
North,  Simon  Newton. 

Orr,  Robert  Hunter. 
Orton,  R:  H: 


19:184 

Osgood,  W:  Newton.  18:202 

Squires,  H:  Chadwick. 

15:IS7 

15:221 

Owen,  Daniel  E:  16:258 

Stearns,  J:  Milton. 

17:110 

•LS-W 

Steele,  G:  McKendree. 

17:146 

15:221 

Page,  W:  Masters.  15:317 
Painter,  Franklin  Verzelius  New- 

Sterrett, J:  Robert  Sitlington. 
Stetson,  Amos  W: 

17:436 
19:147 

18:61 

ton.                                              10:147 

Stevens,  C:  A: 

18:61 

17:436 
16:62 

Pancoast,  H:  Spackman.  19:30 
Parish,  S:  Bonsai.  19:184 

Stewardson,  Langdon  Cheves. 
Stickney,  Alpheus  Beede. 

18:302 
17:75 

18:98 

Parker,  E:  Hazen.  19:356 

Stine,  James  H: 

17:469 

16:357 

Partridge,  C:  Sumner.  19:184 

Stromeyer,  Johann  Philip  Ed- 

15:124 

Patterson,  W:  Davis.  19:184 

mund  C: 

15:124 

16:62 

Peabody,  Cecil  Hobart.  16:62 
Perkins,  W:  Rufus.  17:252 

Stubbs,  G:  E: 
Sulgrove,  Berry  Robinson. 

16:62 
15:61 

19:107 
18:165 

Pierson,  G:  Spencer.  15:124 
Pieters,  Adrian  J:  J9:397 

Super,  C:  W: 
Super,  Ovando  Byron. 

19:397 
16:321 

19:397 

Pond,  Nathan  Gillett.  16:192 

Sutherland,  Jabez  Gridley. 

16:223 

16:192 

Porter,  Edwin  H:  19:67 

Sweet,  C:  Arthur. 

15:93 

17:469 

Porter,  Luther  H:  16:192 

Sweet,  C:  Filkins. 

19:279 

17:501 

Porter,  W:  Wagener.  17:184 

Swezey,  Goodwin  Deloss. 

i6:6a 

15:124 

Pratt,  C.  Eadward.  15:189 

18:27 

Preyer,  Thierry  Wilhelm.  15:124 

Taylor,  Barton  Stout. 

17:253 

16:287 

Prince,  John  Tilden.  17:184 

Taylor,  C:  H:  James. 

15:221 

'S^S? 

Pringle,  James  Robert.  18:130 

Taylor,  D:  Watson. 

18:522 

15:93 

Prudden,  The"ophile  Mitchell.  15:124 

Taylor,  E:  Matthew. 

»5:93 

15:188 

Taylor,  G:  H: 

18:446 

15:124 
16:357 

Randall,  Caleb  Dwight.  17:184 
Ray,  Robert  Allen.  16:223 
Reeve,  C:  Howell.  18:165 

Taylor,  James  Morford. 
Teufel,  Blanche  Howard. 
Thomas,  Allen  Clapp. 

16:62 
15:317 
18:302 

16:128 
( 
16:258 

Reichert,  E:  Tyson.  15:317 
Reid,  T:  Mayne.  15:253 
Reily,  J:Timon.  17:184 

Thorne,  W:  H;                              19:147 
Thruston,  Gates  Phillips.          15:317 
Tiedeman,  Christoper  Gustavus. 

19:184 

Remsen,  Daniel  Smith.  19:279 
Rhawn,  W:  H:  16:128 

Tolman,  Albert  Harris. 

15:3*7 
16:161 

16:223 
16:357 
18:446 
17=252 
18:202 

Rhoads,  S:  Nicholson.  19:397 
Richards,  Mrs.  Anna  Matlack.  18:98 
Richards,  C:  Russell.  15:157 
Richardson,  H:  Tucker.  17:184 
Riis,  Jacob  August.  18:61 

Torrey,  Dolphus. 
Tratman,  E:  Ernest  Russell. 
Traubel,  Horace  Logo. 
Trenholm,  W:  Lee. 
Triggs,  Oscar  Lovell. 

16:127 
16:62 
19:30 
18:446 
18:130 

17=75 
18:522 
16:62 
17:152 
17:184 
18:522 

Rippon,  Robert  H:  Fernando.  17:75 
Roberts,  Millard  Fillmore.  17:469 
Roe,  Alfred  Seelye.  17:75 
Roe,  J:  Elisha.  17:146 
Rogers,  C:  Custis.  15:93 
Rogers,  E:  H:  18:446 

True,  F:  W: 
Tucker,  Gideon  J: 
Twining,  T:  Jefferson. 
Twitchell,  Albert  Sobieski. 
Twitchell,  Willis  Ira. 
Tyler,  B:  Bushrod. 

15:93 
18:61 
16:62 
18:27 
18:485 
19:356 

17:152 

Rose,  E:  Alsworth.  ^7-4^9 

18:165 

Rose,  Joseph  Nelson.  18:301 

Varney,  G:  Jones. 

15:189 

16:62 

Rudisill,  H:  Johns.  17:146 

Veeder,  Major  Albert. 

18:165 

15:188 

Rusby,  H:  Hurd.  19:184 

15:253 

Ryan,  Daniel  Joseph.  18:61 

Wade,  Rufus  Robbins. 

17:110 

15:317 

Wait,  F:  Scott. 

15:61 

18:27 

15:35° 
19:184 
17:184 
15:61 
15:124 

Sampson,  F:  Asbury.  16:128 
Sargent,  J:  F:  15:317 
Sargent,  J:  Harris.  17:501 
Saunders,  W:  Laurence.  16:192 
Schmitt,  Edmond  J:  Peter.  16:93 
Schmitt-Wartenberg,  Hans  Max. 

Waite,  H:  E: 
Walker,  Byron  Edmund. 
Walker,  Reuben  Eugene. 
Ward,  Cyrenus  Osborne. 
Warren,  B:  Harry. 
Way,  Daisy  Maxon. 
Welch,  S:  Manning.         16:128; 

15:189 
18:98 
16:223 
15:61 
16:93 
18:98 
'7:75 

17:469 
19:184 
16:62 

Schneck,  Jacob.  16:192 
Schwetzky,  Otto  Henrich  Ludwig. 

Wells,  Daniel  Halsey. 
Wenner,  G:  Unangst. 
West,  T:  Dyson. 

17:110 
18:165 
19:67 

15:124 
17:146 
15:124 
18:202 
19:356 
17:146 

W-TS 
Scott,  Erastus  Howard.  T9:397 
Selby,  Augustine  Dawson.  19:184 
Seymour,  Horatio  Winslow.  19:147 
Shaw,  E:  R:  18:446 
Shriver,  E:  Johns.  16:192 
Siebert,  J.  Selmar.  15:61 

Whitney,  H:  Melville. 
Whitney,  S:  Worcester. 
Wilkie,  Daniel  Robert. 
Wilkins,  M..  Elinor. 
Williams,  Fred  Homer. 
Williams,  J:  Melville. 

16:62 
17:469 
18:98 
16:258 

15:29 
16:62 

I5:93 

;  '7:75 
'6:357 
17:252 
16:62 
19:397 

*5'-3*7 

19:356 
16:287 
18:202 

Singley,  J:  Allen.  J9:279 
Small,  J:  Kunkel.  18:302 
Smith,  Annie  Tolman.  ^S-^4 
Smith,  Jared  Gage.  19:356 
Smith,  J:  Canchois.  18:165 
Smith,  Lyndon  Ambrose.  *5:I24 
Smith,  Roderick  H:  15:124 
Smith,  W:  Rudolph.  17:251 
Smyth,  Bernhard  Bryan.  18:61 
Smyth,  Julian  Kennedy.  16:192 
Snyder,  J:  Francis.  19:14? 
Southwick,  S.  .  Hussey.  19:30 

Willis,  H:  A: 
Willis,  James  Florence. 
Wilson,  G.  Grafton. 
Wilson,  T:  Woodrow. 
Winship,  Albert  E: 
Woerner,  J:  Gabriel. 
Wood,  Horace  Gay. 
Wood  bridge,  S:  Homer. 
Woodbury,  C:  Jeptha  Hill. 
Woodruff,  F:  G:  Bowen. 
Woodward,  Brinton  Webb. 
Wright,  Walter  Channing. 

'5:93 
18:61 
15:29 
15:124 
16:93 
16:223 
15:61 
18:165 
18:98 
I5:3'7 
17:253 
19:107 

15:61 

Spalding,  J:  A:  16:357 

16:127 

Spalding,  Warren  Foster.  18:302 

Zahm,  J:  Augustine. 

18:446 

0 


JAN  2  9  1968 


Z      Library  Journal 

671 

L7 

v.19 


UNIVERSITY  OF  TORONTO  LIBRARY