It was stated that for this discussion "small library" meant any library with less than 5,000 volumes.
As to the accession book, the general opinion seemed to be that there was more reason for keeping it in a library without trained service than in a larger one, and that the trustees usually liked to have it kept. A very simple entry was recommended. Miss Brown suggested that where, in reorganizing, it was necessary to accession the books already in the library, the quickest way was to number them when the first, or shelf-list, card was written. These cards might be kept in numerical order, and the accession book written from them, thus saving one handling of the books. She said one reason for keeping an accession book in a small library is that the accession number may be used for charging; this led to a discussion of the use of Cutter numbers in a small library; Miss Wright, of Vermont, uses them and has found no trouble. Miss Brown thinks they add considerably to the labor and expense of reorganizing, and she has found them likely to fall into confusion with untrained librarians. No conclusion was reached.
As to classification, the preference was for a simplified form of the D. C., using only three figures in most cases, and combining some classes.
The leader then asked how many organizers favored a dictionary catalog, with an untrained librarian. Miss Hazeltine, of Wisconsin, said that in that state they start only a shelf-list, to be used as a classed catalog, until the librarian can attend summer school, and then a dictionary catalog is made. Miss Askew stated that in New Jersey a dictionary catalog is made even for a small library, if the librarian and trustees wish it. In Vermont, also, the organizer starts a dictionary catalog.
Miss Frances Hobart, librarian at Vergennes, Vt., reported that when she classified she placed a slip in the book giving the class and book number, and the subject headings to be used, for the guidance of the cataloger. These slips are kept, to form a rough shelf-list, and serve the purpose in assigning Cutter numbers. A number of those present said that they thought it not necessary to make a shelf-list simply for taking an inventory, as many libraries do not take inventory, and it is not worth the labor of the shelf-list. Mr. Olin Davis, librarian at Laconia, N. H., described a method of taking inventory from the accession book, thus making a shelf-list for that purpose unnecessary. The discussion showed that in some states the custom of the state organizer is to start a dictionary catalog, and to make a shelf-list only if Cutter numbers are used, or if the additional labor can be easily afforded. Miss Brown, of Massachusetts, said that she preferred, with an untrained librarian, to make an author and title catalog, and to use the shelf-list for a subject catalog. She makes an alphabetic index to the shelf-list, which also serves as a guide for classification, and includes in this index analyticals and secondary subject cards. She feels that this method reduces to a minimum the difficulty of assigning subject headings, and the danger of scattering material through doing this poorly. The objection to her method was made that such a catalog is not so easy for the public to use; she admitted this, but said that in a small library the catalog is mainly a tool for the librarian. Mrs. Budlong, of North Dakota, recommended using the order card for the shelf-list.
The discussion showed that in New Jersey and Vermont the organizer usually starts a dictionary catalog; and in Minnesota, Indiana, Wisconsin and Massachusetts the shelf-list is used as a subject catalog unless the librarian has at least summer school training.
As to the use of Library of Congress cards, the general testimony seemed to be that the labor of ordering them, and adding numbers and headings, is about equal to that of making simple cards, with a typewriter. Miss Brown stated that the added expense for cards per 1,000 volumes is about $35, if the order is by author and title. Miss Farr, of Maryland, said that she could catalog about 1,000 volumes a month, making a dictionary catalog, if she made her own cards, and about 1,100 if she used Library of Congress cards—showing that the labor is nearly the same.
It was not possible to give definite estimates of the cost of reorganization or the time required, as conditions vary so greatly; but some general averages were obtained. Mr. Milam, of Indiana, stated that the cost of supplies and labor, including the time and expenses of the state organizer, was about $50 to $60 per 1,000 volumes. One organizer said that a cataloger should average 40 volumes a day, assigning Cutter numbers and making a dictionary catalog. Miss Askew, of New Jersey, thought this number too small, and said she expected one person to make a dictionary catalog for 1,000 volumes in two weeks. Miss Brown, of Massachusetts, said that the number of volumes done in a week varied from 500 to 1,000 volumes, according to the amount of local help received. She finds it possible to get volunteer workers for a good deal of the work, including writing the cards, and doing the mechanical work involved by a new charging system. This estimate is not for a dictionary catalog, but for an author and title list, and a shelf-list for non-fiction with subject index—no imprint being given on most of the cards. To show the cost of reorganization where there was practically no volunteer labor, Miss Brown gave the figures for a library at West Bridgewater, Mass., which contained about 6,500 volumes. The state library commission gave about a week of Miss Brown's time, which is not included in the estimate, a cataloger was engaged at $75 a month, and an assistant at $50. Local workers were paid about twelve cents an hour. The books were accessioned, classified, an author and title catalog made, and a shelf-list for non-fiction with subject index. Book-pockets and book-cards were placed in the books. Copy for a printed catalog was made. This catalog was later printed, at a cost of about $125. The entire cost of the work, including printing the catalog, was between $600 and $700, or about ten cents per volume. The time required was about seven weeks.