Forbes Library. Browne system. Borrower's pockets filed numerically under each letter of alphabet in order of registration. Fiction and non-fiction pockets kept in separate file. When book is issued borrower gives his number by which his pocket is found. Book card is taken from book pocket and put in borrower's pocket and date of return is stamped on book pocket. Book record is kept by arranging under date, book cards in pockets alphabetically under author and title. (Details of information on book card not given). Book is discharged by withdrawing book card from borrower's pocket and transferring to book pocket. Recent books (last two years) are evidently discharged and shelved at once. Others three times a day. Empty borrower's pockets are filed throughout the day.
New York Public. Newark system. Book card has author's surname, title of book, class number and accession number. Variously colored book cards are used to indicate various classes. Assistant makes hurried examination of book to be issued and copies borrower's card number on book card and stamps date with dating pencil on reader's card, book pocket and book card—the latter to be done at leisure if there is a rush. Puts borrower's card in pocket and gives books to reader. Book card is dropped in proper slot in desk (ten slots indicating the ten classes). Book cards filed under date of issue by class author and accession number. Book cards for foreign books are arranged alphabetically after book cards in English. When book is discharged, assistant checks off book comparing date of card with that of book, examines book for damage and then cancels date on reader's card, restoring card to reader. (Note. It hardly seems that this checking off before cancelling date on reader's card can be done except in a very slack hour, and must cause annoying delay to reader). Books are then placed on truck to right of assistant, later revised and shelved.
System has many exceptions, one of which is to write reader's card number on dating slip as well as book card. Others are the writing of Special or Sp. on book card, opposite card number to indicate the privilege of extended time to special cardholder, as well as on dating slip. In this case, call number or accession number is written on card (presumably reader's card) and the use of branch initial on reader's card to show card issued from a branch other than that from which book is borrowed.
This library uses a reader's receipt file for books returned without card—a slip giving name, address, card number, class number, date of issue and return. This system with variations is also in use in the St. Louis public library (called the "write-ups") and also in the Pratt Institute free library and supposedly many others.
Pratt Institute Free Library. Newark System. Uses different ink pads for fiction and non-fiction, and dating pencils. Puts book cards into slots in desk; fiction, non-fiction and teachers. Stamps dates first and then writes card number. Uses different ink pad for discharging. Charging and discharging (including checking off done at same desk) done by same assistant except in a rush hour. Checking off however is done at assistant's leisure—that is, the reader's card is stamped off before book card is found. Book cards are filed by class under date. Keeps a separate renewal file.
St. Louis Mercantile Library. Browne system, with separate reader's identification card, seldom used. Uses blue reader's pocket for fiction, salmon color for non-fiction, and manilla pockets for pay duplicates. Book card corresponds in color, except in case of regular books issued as extras. Book card has Cutter class number, author and title. Assistant stamps date due on dating slip and book card which is placed in reader's pocket. Pockets are put temporarily in tray near issue desk and later filed by class, under date due. Books are discharged by charging assistant at charging desk, by taking book card from pocket and slipping it into book. Empty reader's pockets are constantly being filed in regular reader's file.
St. Louis Public Library. Newark system. Different colored ink-pads for seven day and fourteen day books and for discharging. Reader's number first written on bookcard, then book card, dating slip and reader's card stamped. Reading-room books charged on slips filled out by reader. Two books generally are issued on one card but "Additional Books" stamped on reader's card entitles cardholder to a greater number of volumes, of non-fiction, usually six. This privilege is granted to educators, social workers and others engaged in serious study, at the discretion of the head of the circulation department.
Discharging is done at a separate desk in the usual way, receipts being filed for books returned without reader's card. Books are placed on a truck and checked off by a special assistant.
Society Library
The Medical Society of the County of Kings—Uses a borrower's receipt, giving author, title, accession number and borrower's signature. These receipts are filed by borrower's name. When book is returned, it is discharged by stamping date of return on receipt and placing in file of cancelled loans.