The racks just mentioned are all designed to hold periodicals without covers, but there are several kinds in existence for holding them in their covers. Among such are the table supports, in metal and wood, on the same principle as shelf book-holders, in which the magazines lie in their cases on their fore-edges, and are distinguished by having the titles lettered along the back or otherwise. Probably the best of all the racks devised for periodicals in their cases is that on the system of overlapping sloping shelves, shown in the illustration. The idea of this rack is simply that the covers should lie on the shelves with only the title exposed. They are retained in place by a beading just deep enough to afford a catch for one cover, and so avoid the chance of their being hidden by another periodical laid above. These racks can also be made single to stand against the wall if floor space is not available. Oak, walnut, and mahogany are the best woods to use, but pitch or ordinary yellow pine may also be used.
NEWSPAPER STANDS.
Fig. 8.—Newspaper Stand.
The day has not yet come when octavo-sized newspapers will obviate the necessity for expensive and obstructive stands on which the day’s news is spread in the manner least conducive to the comfort of readers. The man who runs and reads has no necessity for much study, while he who stands and reads does so with the consciousness that at any moment he may be elbowed from his studies by impatient news-seekers, and be subjected to the added discomfort of being made a leaning pillar for half-a-dozen persons to embrace. Meanwhile it is necessary to provide convenient reading desks for the broadsheets which are issued. It is cheaper to have double stands, holding four spread papers, than single ones, holding only two, though there is certainly less comfort to readers with the larger size. The illustration shows a single stand, but it should be remembered that the design can be made much heavier and richer. The dimensions should be for double stands 7′ 6″ long, 2′ 6″ high for slope, and about 3′ from floor to bottom of slope. Single ones should be 4′ long, with the other measurements as before. Half-stands for going against the wall have only the slope to the front, and are generally made in long lengths to cover the whole side of a room. The slope should not in any case be made either too steep or too great—the former always causing the papers to droop, and the latter placing the upper parts beyond the sight of short persons. Before adopting any type of stand, it is advisable to visit a few other libraries and examine their fittings. It is so much easier to judge what is liked best by actual examination. Fittings for holding the newspapers in their places are generally made of wood or brass, and there are many different kinds in use. The wooden ones usually consist of a narrow oak bar, fitted with spikes to keep the paper up, hinged at top and secured at bottom of the slope by a staple and padlock, or simply by a button. The brass ones include some patented fittings, such as Cummings’, made by Messrs. Denison of Leeds, and Hills’, invented by the library superintendent of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The former is a rod working on an eccentric bed, and is turned with a key to tighten or loosen it; the latter works on a revolving pivot secured in the middle of the desk, and is intended more particularly for illustrated periodicals, like the Graphic, &c., which require turning about to suit the pictures. The “Burgoyne” spring rod made by the North of England School Furnishing Co., Darlington and London, is very effective, neat, and comparatively inexpensive. It is secured by a catch, which requires a key to open it, but it is simply snapped down over the paper when changes are made. Other varieties of brass holders are those secured by ordinary locks or strong thumb-screws. In cases where the rods have no spikes (which are not recommended) or buttons, or which do not lie in grooves, it is advisable to have on them two stout rubber rings, which will keep the papers firmly pressed in their places, and so prevent slipping. A half-inch beading along the bottom of the slope is sometimes useful in preventing doubling down and slipping. The names of the papers may be either gilded or painted on the title-board, or they may be done in black or blue letters on white enamelled title-pieces and screwed to the head board. These latter are very cheap, durable, and clear. Some librarians prefer movable titles; and in this case grooved holders or brass frames must be provided to hold the names, which can be printed on stiff cards, or painted on wood or bone tablets. The brass rail at the foot of the slope, shown in the illustration, is meant to prevent readers from leaning on the papers with their arms. By some librarians it is thought quite unnecessary, by others it is considered essential; but it is really a matter for the decision of every individual librarian.
CHAIRS AND MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
The chairs made in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire are the best and cheapest in the market, and more satisfaction will result from orders placed direct with the makers than from purchasing at an ordinary furniture dealer’s. It is better to have small chairs made with the back and back legs all in one piece, thus,
rather than with legs and back rails all separately glued into the seat like this,
