The librarian can tell, from the book-cards, what books are in circulation, and how many of each class were lent on a certain day.
No. 1. Postal notice. (Reduced.)
The borrower's number, written on the book-card of any given book in circulation, will give, through the register of borrowers, the name and address of the person having that book. Overdue books are automatically indicated, their cards remaining in the tray, behind the card indicating the date they were lent, after the day for their return has passed.
When a borrower returns a book the librarian can learn, from the date on the pocket, whether or no a [fine should be paid on it;] if not, he can, if in haste, immediately take out the borrower's card from the book pocket, stamp the date of its return at the right of the date on which it was lent, thus canceling the charge against the borrower, and lay the book aside and look up its book-card later.
No. 2. Registration card, face. (Reduced; actual size, 7-1/2 x 12-1/2 cm.)
No. 3. Registration card, reverse. (Reduced; actual size, 7-1/2 x 12-1/2 cm.)
[Double and special borrowers' cards are not needed under this system.] It accommodates itself readily to a "two-book" system. On the book-cards belonging to the second book, and all other books after the first, which any borrower may take, the librarian writes the borrower's number preceded by any letter or sign which will serve to indicate that these books are charged, not on the borrower's card, but to the borrower direct, on the strength of a general permission to him to take more than one book.