The Life of a Card Catalogue never ends. Additions can be made at any time, and in any place.
In all libraries, whether private or public, the Card Catalogue is an essential. In a large public library, where the stock of books is being constantly added to, it is necessary, in order to save a weary search through pages of MSS. and numerous printed supplements to have a complete index on cards carefully kept up-to-date, where the public or the staff can readily ascertain by one reference whether any particular book is in the library. In the reference library the necessity of the Card Catalogue cannot be questioned. To print a catalogue of the reference library is an expensive proceeding, as the sales seldom reach one-tenth part of the cost; and frequently the printed catalogue suffers in usefulness by the need of keeping it within certain limits.
We recommend the “Libraco” Tray Cabinets for use in Libraries, as they divide up a catalogue into many parts, and allow several persons to consult the Catalogue at one time.
Send for full descriptive list of the Applications of the Card System—Sectional Catalogue, No. 10.
“LIBRACO” TRAY CABINETS.
The enormous advantages of the Card Indexing System for Libraries are beyond question. The only disadvantage alleged against the system is that only a limited number of people can consult the card catalogue at one time. The Cabinet illustrated on this page holds 18,000 cards, and is suitable for a library of 6,000 volumes. The Cabinet therefore divides the catalogue into 15 parts and allows 15 persons to use it. The trays are removable and may be carried to a counter for consultation. In a reference library it is seldom that at any given time during the day more than three or four people are desirous of consulting the catalogue, therefore the one and only disadvantage alleged against the Card System is imaginary. A properly guided Card Catalogue is easier to handle than the MSS. book. Stout cards and perfect arrangement render consultation a pleasure.
No. 15a. Fifteen Tray Cabinet.