Appuleius. Metamorphoses, tr. Head. L. 1851. 1
(Reinhardt. Artist’s journey.) Bost. 1872. 1
A briefer shelf-list can be made by merely entering the book’s number and the accessions number, so that the full title can be found if needed by referring to the accessions-book.
(2), (3), and (8) are best kept in books; (4) and (6) on separate sheets of paper; (1), (5), and (7) on cards. When the catalogue is kept on cards (5) can be made by merely separating the cards of such books as are missing.
(1). After some experiments I have preferred the following method of keeping the order-list. The titles of books proposed for purchase are type-written on ruled slips of stiff paper 12½ cm. long by 5 cm. wide. If approved by the committee a check is made at the left of the title. A searcher then ascertains whether the library already has the book; if it has, the card is destroyed or sent with this information to the person who asked for the book; if not, the searcher puts her initials and the date in the lower left-hand corner. The cards are then sorted into parcels for the English, French, or German agents; and an order is written, the writer first making sure, by looking among the cards of previous orders, that none of the books has already been sent for. In the order a running number is given to each title and a corresponding number is put on the card.
The name of the author is entered in a book opposite the running number, and the date is put there against the first number of each order. [73] The cards are then all stamped on the left with the date, and put away in a drawer alphabetically with other cards of books ordered. When a {128} box of books comes, the corresponding cards are picked out and stamped on the right with the date. They receive the accessions-number when the books are entered on the accessions-catalogue, the class-number when the books are placed, and are corrected when the books are catalogued; for, having usually been written from advertisements, these cards are often incorrect. When a number have accumulated they are sorted in the order of class-numbers and the entry on the class-catalogue is made from them. They are then put away alphabetically in drawers accessible only to the library-attendants, and form the index of the accessions-book. When a duplicate volume is exchanged or sold the date, its price, and receiver are noted on the order card.
The system is economical. One card serves many purposes and with little writing answers all the questions likely to come up: Has this book been proposed to the Book Committee? (Books rejected are kept in a separate drawer.) Has it been approved? Ordered? When? From whom? Who is responsible for the error if it turns out a duplicate? When was it received? Where is it entered in the Accessions-catalogue (that we may ascertain its price and condition)? Where was it first located? If any one of the questions is not to be asked then the corresponding process can be dispensed with. The list, of which an example is given in the note below, is not necessary but convenient.
[Specimen.]
Darwin, Charles.
IXHZ Coral reefs. 2d ed. London, 1874. 8º.