When completed, the work to be measured up and charges allowed according to the quantity of brevier and nonpareil used, and payment made within three months afterwards.
The Committee do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender.
Tenders, with samples of the paper to be used, to be sent in sealed envelopes endorsed “Catalogue,” to the undersigned on or before the 20th day of November, 1898.
John E. Burkett, Librarian.
122.—The printer and price having been fixed a supply of “copy” is sent and in due time proofs in “galley,” i.e. in long columns before the matter is “broken up” into pages, are received. The first proofs will not comprise the title-page, preface, and other preliminary pages, which are invariably printed last though first in order when the work is completed, and therefore the copy for this part of the catalogue need not be sent to the printer until the work is nearing its completion. The manuscript or other “copy” will be returned with the proofs and should be carefully and clearly read aloud by some qualified person to the cataloguer, who will correct the proofs by marking the corrections on the margin. When the proofs in hand have been so read over, it is advisable for the cataloguer to again read them carefully through apart from the copy before returning to the printer, as it is a much simpler matter to correct in galley than in page. At this point any additions to be inserted must be given, as they cannot be added to proofs in page without very great trouble, entailing the upsetting of work done, and consequently delay. The proofs after being fully corrected, will be returned by the printer with a clean proof (or “revise” as a proof after correction is termed) in page when all the corrections marked on the galley must be compared with the entries or the revise, to see that they have been properly attended to. At this time the headings, catch words, and numbering of the pages must be checked, and when the entries under a subject-heading have been divided by the end of a page or column the repeated headings upon the next column or page must be carefully examined. When books under an author’s name are so divided, his name should be repeated in the same way at the top of the next column or page.
These being attended to, the whole sheet should again be read through before finally sending it to press, and even with the care already expended, it is remarkable how many mistakes will then be discovered for the first time. If the corrections in page are somewhat numerous, or if any doubt exists as to their receiving proper attention, or a particular correction is one of some moment, it is as well to have another “pull” of the sheet when corrected, and make quite certain before marking it to “go to press.”
123.—In correcting proofs there are other mistakes to look for besides the misspelling, misplacing, or omission of words. It is of the utmost importance that the numbers or other marks whereby the books are asked for or found should be as correct as possible, as mistakes of this kind lead to vexation both on the part of the readers and officials. Attention is also required to the proper dividing of words in turning over lines, the use of letters of the right fount of type as others get sorted in, and if not changed mar the look of the page when printed, the removal of broken letters, the correct guage for indents and parts “standing clear,” the removal of quadrats or space pieces, so that they do not stand up in evidence on the printed page, and other items of this nature. The column of catalogue matter given in [Appendix D] has most of the errors usually made upon it with the signs used in correcting it, and is accompanied by explanations of them. The corrections are to be marked in the margins as shown in the specimen, and not upon the printed matter, else they will be overlooked. The same page as corrected is given.
If after due attention to all these details the cataloguer is enabled to produce a work free from blemish of compilation or printing he may heartily congratulate himself, though the public who use the library having such a catalogue will even then not fully appreciate the care and anxiety expended on it, and will soon after prove this by asking when “a new one will be out.”