IN

N speaking of the prospects and possibilities in index work—I mean, of course, co-operative work in the advancement of the cause of indexing - I do not wish to have it regarded as presented at all as a matter of enthusiastic anticipation; nor as the riding of a rose-colored hobby; but rather as a matter of calculation and estimation of real and reasonable probabilities. By way of introduction, I wish to speak for a moment of this general idea of co-operative work among libraries. I have been closely connected with it now for a long while, and it has been constantly brought to my notice that it excites some suspicion and question among some of our best and ablest librarians. Such suspicion is reasonable, and I have never been at all surprised by it. In conversation recently with Dr. Billings he expressed, as Dr. Poole used to express, that rather conservative view as to this co-operative library work. It is a question of whether our libraries are to be run, each one as part of a great machine; whether there is to be for this and that a great central bureau, with the individual library and librarians left to be nothing but a little part of a great machine. That is a crude and perhaps not very fair way of stating this suspicion, but I think it may answer the purpose. I do not think any one shares this general view more than I, or has more decided views on the subject. For you will find in the Library Journal that I said, quite a number of years ago at one of our meetings, that it seemed as if there was a disposition to drive from libraries the genius of learning and culture and substitute a set of cog-wheels [L. J., II: 211].

Making all the allowance that need be made for the doubtfulness of the work of bringing libraries into co-operation, I am not prepared to admit this as any argument against what we have done or are trying to do along these lines. That view of the matter suggested the danger that our libraries might be deprived of that atmosphere of literary and bibliographic culture for which no substitute can be furnished in making them what they ought to be as ministers of literature to the public. It

seems to me any such objection is hardly worth considering. Supposing that all the work we now do in our libraries, as cataloging in all its branches and indexing, be taken away; does it not remain true that there would be an abundance of work left for every librarian and every assistant in providing for the individual wants, the temporary and immediate wants of users of the library? It seems to me there is an opening left to meet all the demands for the culture of the librarian and assistants and to give the library the atmosphere of an individual institution of learning.

"

Coming to the question of the prospects and the possibilities of this work as it stands now, I would naturally speak first of 'Poole's index," which was the first of these co-operative index undertakings, and I take pleasure in saying that I have proof pages nearly half way through the five-year supplement for the years 1892 to 1896 inclusive, up to the first of January, 1897.

As to the "A. L. A. index," I would like to say frankly that I was never at all satisfied with the "A. L. A. index" and have always felt apologetic towards it. But material is being collected for supplement to that work, which may be published as a supplement, or the whole work may be made over into a new edition incorporating the old matter and the new. One feature intended to be made prominent in the new edition or supplement is to include in it all available reference lists, so that on turning to a subject the first thing seen would be a reference-perhaps printed in different type, so as to be at once recognized — to some place where a special list to that subject can be found. No adequate "A. L. A. index" can be made without a collection of such reference lists. That is to say, if you look in the index for Carlyle, for instance, you cannot expect to find in it any such work on Carlyle as in Anderson's bibliography. The best treatment, perhaps, of Carlyle for such an index would be to say See Anderson's bibliography. The book can hardly go into the printer's hands much inside of a year, and it will, of course, incorporate all the references

that have been made in the second portion of the "Annual literary index" since the "A. L. A. index" was first published.

It is a little doubtful as to where we pass from prospects to possibilities. What I have been speaking of is fairly within reach. There is also a project before us for an international catalog of scientific papers, and there is the scheme of which Dr. Billings is to speak. I wish, however, to refer to a matter which came to my notice only the other day. On my visit to the Commercial Museums in Philadelphia, I found there a card catalog index for the trade journals during the last two years. It is made on standard size cards and kept in a case already numbering some hundreds of drawers. It illustrates this general subject of the need of co-operation when we find in the city of Philadelphia, unknown to nearly all the librarians in the country, a work in the same direction as ours by persons who knew little if anything of our attempts.

I can take but a moment to refer to the pros

pects as to the indexing of portraits. It is pleasant to speak here of the extended work already done in that direction by Mr. Bunford Samuel, of the Ridgway Branch Library. He has entered heartily into the co-operative plan, furnishing us his material without any compensation to himself for the great labor that he has expended upon it. His material is being placed on cards prepared under the direction of Mr. Lane, of the Boston Athenæum, who has assumed editorial charge of the portrait index. As most of you have read in the Library Journal, much additional work is being done and it is planned to make the index cover a pretty complete list of books containing good collected portraits.

You will see that though I undertook to speak of index prospects and possibilities, these are all prospects, and I will, with your permission, let the possibilities be omitted, and ask you to understand that I prefer to speak of accomplished facts and facts that are in a fair way to be accomplished.

THE definition of a catalog, according to the dictionary, is "an orderly arrangement of titles." Passing to the definition of its purpose, we ask: What is a catalog for? It is supposed to be for the purpose of helping to find information. We hope, or are supposed to hope that it will help people to find books. But does it? It is only a means to an end, and no reader is foolish enough to waste his time over a catalog if he can get his books in any easier way. It is of no earthly use to suppose that a reader is going to worship your catalog for your glorification. And yet that is the idea that some catalogers have. I heard one of this kind say once: "We must go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in." It is more likely that that particular catalog would compel the reader to go out, and that right speedily.

Of what use is a catalog filled with Sees, See alsos, and analyticals? These only aggravate the reader. What he wants is information, not snubs and invitations to look elsewhere. It

is cold comfort to come up against this item: Birds. See Ornithology. Why not put birds under birds? No wonder readers are disappointed and the librarian blamed — the latter rightly. It is not to be supposed that persons will poke over the cards of a catalog for the fun of chasing the so elusive entries from one place to another. What they want is their books, and if by some subtle process of mental telepathy these could be handed them the minute they came within the door, that would be all they wanted. It is no use to suppose that fiction habitués will pore over a card catalog. Print some sort of a finding list for them as soon as possible.

About subjects: Avoid those miserable entries taken from some word or words on the titlepage. Use a double subject frequently, as Fractures and dislocations. I direct always that in cases where a close relationship does not occur between words found on a title-page that two cards or more, as the case may be, be made for the work. These should be simply

made. Time and strength should not be sacrificed to absolute mathematical accuracy in all headings of a similar class. Suppose there are slight differences? Let them go, and put in your time on something more valuable. I have known some examples of egregious blunders. One of these concerned a reprint of one of the Cramoisy Jesuit Relations. In checking up an auction catalog I came to an item which I knew was a reprint of a Jesuit letter. In looking the matter up in our card catalog I found that according to the card it appeared that we had a genuine Jesuit relation. You know that these are very rare, and I knew that we had no genuine one in the library, but for certainty went to the shelves and got the book indicated. The title-page read correctly, and the cataloger had faithfully followed rules and copied it literatim, but I knew from the paper, type, and general

appearance, that the book was a reprint, and, turning the leaf, found that it had been reproduced at the charges of Mr. Lenox, of New York. I called the attention of the cataloger to it and stated the case. The card was removed and consulted upon, but there was no provision in the rules for a note on the bottom of the card simply stating that it was a reprint, and it finally found its way back to the cabinet as false and misleading as before. Now this was a flat lie, and an example of what cataloging should not be.

About rules: Be not bound to them, but after getting the principle, make variations to fit the case. The main thing is to get the idea of cataloging - what it is for — and then adapt your rules to the size and scope of your library, to the grasp of your public, and, if necessary, to the minds of your attendants.

IT is my purpose to-day to speak to those members of the A. L. A. who have neither studied the subject of charging systems nor had much experience in their manipulation. In so doing my words cannot fail to be to many as a tale that has been many times told. Probably foreseeing this, our chairman wrote to me: "We want original ideas." My dear Mr. Chairman and ladies and gentlemen, to supply anything whatever from a field which has never lain fallow, but has, on the contrary, yielded yearly to the Library Journal and other storehouses crop after crop of value, is almost more than common clay can do.

To the beginner in library science I would therefore say that most original thing, "read the Library Journal." Everything which is ever likely to be said has already there been said, and all the most approved systems have been described. Read the Journal, then, always remembering that the ledger, indicator, and dummy systems are relics of the dark ages, and bearing in mind that the kind of library should influence one in the selection of a charging system, that one suited to a college library is not the one for a public library with a large circulation, and that it is better to adopt a system to

which your library will grow than one which it will outgrow.

A few small points, not new, but which help to make a charging system what it should be, may be suggested here.

(1) If for any reason a reader is debarred the use of the library, place among the registration blanks in front of his blank, a yellow card — (the initiated will recognize the criticism card). On the top line write his name and below the reason for the withdrawal of his privilege.

(2) When pasting a pocket in a book, put it on the last page of the book, not on the cover, as continued stamping of the cover loosens the binding.

(3) Write the book number on the pocket. This obviates the necessity of turning the book to look at the book-plate.

(4) Put a, b, c, etc., at the left of the call number, instead of the usual cop. I, cop. 2, etc. It is easier, shorter, and answers the same purpose. (5) Stamp on the reader's card, etc., the date when the book is due; not, as is often done, the date of issue.

(6) If your circulation is small enough to admit of it, put the book number, as well as the date, on the reader's card. It is often of use.

THE

HE aim of the reference department is, as you all know, to afford to readers the simplest, easiest, and quickest access to the resources of the library on any subject in which they may be interested or desire information. This may be accomplished by either introducing the inquirer directly to the books where his questions will be answered, or helping him to an understanding of the mysteries of the catalog, or explaining the use of indexes, bibliographies, and other library tools, or compiling lists for him - in short, by doing anything and everything which will conduce to getting him the right book at the right moment.

In a library where this work must be performed with a very limited number of books, the importance of the selection of the books and the skill of the attendant in handling them can hardly be overestimated.

Whether or no the books will do all the work of which they are capable, will depend upon the expertness of the attendant. The complete knowledge of the books requisite for a ready and effective handling can be gained only by long experience in their use, but as aids toward acquiring this familiarity with the books I would suggest a study of what they have to say of themselves, their scope and limitations as set forth in the preface or introduction, the title-page, or the table of contents. If, for example, the title-page of a biographical dictionary claims to treat only of English contemporaries, you may be saved the time and trouble of searching that book for a German who died in the 18th century. Where definite information cannot be drawn from these sources, test the book for yourselves, propose questions that have been brought in or that you may originate, look up subjects under various headings, observe what departments of knowledge are most fully and satisfactorily treated, notice whether there are illustrations, and whether these are explanatory or merely ornamental. Before you are thoroughly familiar with a work, and sometimes after you think you know it pretty well, make free use of the index. Even though it seem to put you one step farther from

the matter you seek, it will often prove the shortest way in the end. In the index you will frequently find names and subjects not brought out in the body of the work, and by its help will avoid the risk of material evading you because the particular heading used did not suggest itself.

In addition to the usual reference-books, by all means have the sets of bound periodicals stacked in the reference-room. This plan has been tried for years in the Pratt Institute Library and has proved most satisfactory in its working. Even should loss or injury occur in a few cases, it is not too great a price to pay for the increased usefulness of the books. When there is free access to the shelves, very little assistance from the person in charge will enable visitors to use the indexes compiled by Dr. Poole, Mr. Fletcher, and the Cleveland Library, and with these as guides, teachers and students, members of clubs and debating societies, scholars and newspaper reporters will be able to find for themselves the latest word of the best authority on their respective subjects.

Several of the magazines that every library is sure to possess - Harper's Monthly, the Atlantic, Popular Science Monthly, etc. — have published invaluable indexes of their own. The field covered is so much narrower that the work has gone deeper than is possible with the general indexes, and the same article appears under several headings with numerous crossreferences, while portraits and engravings are also brought out.

From the nature of the case it is impossible for any index to be absolutely up to date. Not to be unprepared for requests for articles appearing in the interim, the reference librarian should spend a few moments each day in running through the periodicals, including newspapers.

With the multifarious duties that fall to the lot of each worker in a library, no one can afford the time for a thorough perusal of the papers, but if he take time for nothing more than a glance at the tables of contents and the headlines he will, by this means, keep posted