Reference might be made here to the “Fauntleroy” magazine case designed by Mr. Chivers of Bath, in which an ingenious and neat brass fastener is substituted for elastic or leather thongs.
Figs. 15-16.
Application forms are sometimes strung in bundles and left hanging or lying about, but boxes made to their size and provided with thumb-holes in the sides will be found more convenient and tidy. Various sorts of holders are made for keeping books erect on the shelves or on tables, among which the kinds illustrated above are probably best known. The one shown in Fig. 12, manufactured by Walker & Co. of London, makes an extremely useful device for arranging cards or slips, as it can be adjusted to any space from ¼ of an inch. The others are best adapted for ordinary shelf use. Figs. 13-14 are made by Messrs. Braby & Co. of Deptford, London, and Messrs. Lewis & Grundy of Nottingham. Figs. 15-16 were designed by Mr. Mason, one of the secretaries of the Library Association, and are supplied by Messrs. Wake & Dean of London.
STAMPS, SEALS, &c.
In addition to labels on the boards, it is usual in public libraries to stamp the name of the institution on certain fixed places throughout books, in order to simplify identification in cases of loss, and to deter intending pilferers from stealing. Metal and rubber ink stamps have been in use for a long time, and are doubtless the simplest to apply and cheapest to procure. The ordinary aniline inks supplied with these stamps are not reliable, as they can be quite easily removed by the aid of various chemicals. The best ink for the purpose which can be used is printing ink, but unfortunately it is difficult to apply and takes a very long time to dry thoroughly. The best substitute appears to be the ink for rubber stamps manufactured by Messrs. Stephens of London, which is not by any means so easily removed as the purely aniline kinds. Embossing stamps are perhaps more satisfactory as regards indelibility than any of those just mentioned, but they are generally somewhat clumsy in make and slow in application. The best method of marking books to indicate proprietorship and to insure impossibility of removal is by the use of a perforating stamp, which will bite several pages at once without disfiguring the book. Most of the kinds at present made are rather awkward, but there seems no reason why a handy perforator in the shape of a pair of pincers should not be well within the mechanical abilities of the average embossing stamp maker. The difficulty with perforating stamps will always be that of having sufficient points to make the letters clear without being too large. Dating stamps for lending library labels can be had in revolving form for continuous use, or in small galleys which can be altered from day to day. The latter are cheaper and more easily applied. Seals for public library Boards which are incorporated can be procured of any engraver at prices ranging from £5 to £50 according to design and elaboration. Those in lever presses are just as effective as those in screw presses.
LADDERS, &c.
Ladders should always be shod with rubber or leather at the foot to prevent slipping, and an arrangement like that shown in the illustration will be found of service in preventing books from being pushed back in the shelves. The hinged top and top shelf are the invention of Mr. MacAlister, one of the secretaries of the Library Association, and the shelf for the books being replaced or taken down was first used at the Kensington Public Library, London. If steps are used instead of ladders they should be made with treads on both sides so that assistants need not turn them about before using. Lightness is a very desirable quality both in steps and ladders, and should be aimed at before durability. There is nothing more tiresome than having to drag about a heavy pair of steps, and the assistants who are entirely free from them have to be congratulated.
