the library; and that is to go with your students personally to the shelves, and take down the books which they are to read, and tell them, as no one but a teacher can tell them, their meaning and their value. Every scholar knows the books which have taken hold of him, enlarged his power of thought, given scope to his intellectual vision, made him what he is. He knows the books which have made scholars of other men. Let him not forget that these books may do the same for the generation of students under his training. Let him inspire the student with his own love for the masters in his chosen field of labor. Nowhere can this be done as well as in the library. Here they are represented by their works. Here he can unfold the doctrines they have taught in order, with all the errors they have had to overcome. All this will arise naturally and easily as the books are taken down one after another, and made the subjects of the conversation. Here he has the student face to face. No young man can resist the influence of mature scholarship so devoted to his personal good. He cannot but go from the place resolved to know more of the men and the books which have wrought so much in the history of the world's progress. It is a question which modern teachers may fairly consider, whether an elaborate system of text-books has not drawn them too far from the ancient method of Plato and Aristotle. Would we not do well to revive in our libraries the spirit of the Academy and the Lyceum?

It is not to be denied that there are great difficulties about a work like this. First of all it is laborious, —an extremely hard thing to do and to keep doing year after year. We know no answer to this objection, if it be an objection; but the true teacher is not seeking for the easiest, but the best way of doing his work. And, then, a professor may be taken at a disadvantage. He cannot prepare himself for every question which may come up in a library conversation, as he can upon a lecture for the class-room. So much the better, we say, if he is driven out of the ruts which he is likely to fall into, by the real and pertinent questions of vigorous students. The exercise will often do him as much good as it does

them. If pushed to unfamiliar ground he may serve the student all the better by giving him a real example of chasing down a question in the library. By all means, then, and notwithstanding all objections, let the professor take upon himself the responsibility of guiding the student in his library work, not only by general directions in the class-room, but by personal contact in the alcoves.

When this responsibility has been fully assumed by the professors, each in his own department, there will be good work enough left for the librarian. It would make this paper too long to speak at length of this work; nor is it necessary, for most of it is that which is common to all libraries. By his constant experience with books, and with the wants of students, he will be able, besides having the general care of the whole library, to coöperate with the professors in the work of library instruction which we have described.

Much assistance might be rendered in this work by the right kind of library manuals. The books which college libraries need now more than any others are manuals which shall do for young readers what can be done by books of the work we have prescribed for the professors. What the student wants is the means of learning about books. before he sits down to read them. He wants the outlying facts about the great works and their authors which experience with books has given to scholars, but which he cannot spend time to learn from the works themselves. Nor would there be greater difficulties in making a manual which should contain these facts than in making an ordinary cyclopædia. Indeed much of this work has already been done in the different libraries. What we want now is some good editorial work, collecting and revising what has been done, and filling gaps.

Before closing we wish to add to what has already been given still another important reason why an effort should be made to cultivate the habit of studying special subjects in the library. The prescribed curriculum of study is necessarily limited. A college education is sometimes called a liberal education, and we talk about the thorough course of study prescribed at the best colleges. Thorough, in

deed, but, oh, how narrow when the whole field is considered! Every professor finds that, do the best he can, the course in his department stops with the mere elements of a liberal education in it. New subjects, and new applications of old subjects, are constantly arising and claiming attention. The world of thought widens, but the four years of college life remain the same. Now, there is no better way

to meet this difficulty than to regard the prescribed course as only a preparation for the systematic investigation of subjects, and then encourage and assist the students in making such investigations. This gives a certain scope to individual tastes, and at the same time holds on, for the most part, to the time-honored course of disciplinary study.

IT

T is very desirable that a library manual should be prepared and published. None exists. There are materials, however, for a good one in the contents of the five volumes of the "Library Journal " already published, and of the Special Report issued at Washington in 1876, by the Bureau of Education, and entitled "Public Libraries in the United States of America, their history, condition, and management."

I have been requested to call attention to the more important articles and papers in these publications, and, by grouping them under appropriate headings, make their usefulness more apparent than it is at present to the great body of librarians and persons interested in establishing and maintaining libraries.

I proceed without further introduction to do the work assigned to me, premising only that large portions of both publications having interest as history only, or because they describe different kinds of libraries, or give library news, will not be alluded to.

LIBRARY LEGISLATION.

For instruction in regard to the history of this subject, and the teachings of experience respecting the best forms for library laws, mention should first be made of the excellent Report on Library Legislation (L. J., 4: 300) made by Dr. H. A. Homes, and to a paper which he read before making it, "Legislation for Public Libraries (L. J., 4: 262). The laws proposed as model legislation are printed in the "Library Journal" (5: 79, 109). Read, also, in

this connection editorial notes on pages 76 and 106 in the same volume. Other articles on this subject, which it is desirable to read, are : "State Legislation in the Matter of Libraries," by W. F. Poole (L. J., 2 : 7); "Free Town Libraries," in the Spec. Rep. (p. 445), and “Public Library Government" (L. J., 2: 292). There is a record of a discussion which followed Mr. Poole's paper in the L. J., 2: 20.

FOUNDATION OF LIBRARIES.

Note, especially, the "Organization and Management of Public Libraries," by W. F. Poole (Spec. Rep., p. 476); "How to make Town Libraries successful," by F. B. Perkins (Spec. Rep., p. 419); "A word to Starters of Libraries," by Justin Winsor (L. J., 1: 1); “Some Popular Objections to Public Libraries,” by W. F. Poole (L. J., 1: 45); and Rev. A. M. Pendleton's series of useful articles; "How to Start Libraries in Small Towns" (L. J.: 161, 213,249, 313, 355, 421).

LIBRARY BUILDINGS.

Attention should be called to "Library Buildings," by Justin Winsor (Spec. Rep., 465), and discussions on this subject at the meetings of this association in New York and Boston (L. J., 2: 31; 4: 292).

Examine, also; "Hints for Improved Library Economy drawn from Usages at Princeton," by Frederick Vinton (L. J., 2: 53); "Brown University Library" (L. J., 3: 117); and Elevator in Worcester Public Library" (L. J., 4: 201). A full consideration of the subject of library

buildings is expected at the present meeting of this association.

VENTILATING, HEATING, AND LIGHTING. Note "Ventilation of Libraries," by D. F. Lincoln, M.D. (L. J., 4: 254), and "Warming Libraries," by A. M. Pendleton (L. J., 5: 277). The subjects of ventilating and warming library buildings demand fuller treatment than they have received, and it is pleasant to learn that a paper on the latter subject is to be read at the present meeting of this association by Melvil Dui (Dewey).

Much information regarding the use of the electric light for libraries has appeared in the "Library Journal." I wish to call attention to the following articles, stating only, in advance, that Mr. Richard Garnett, who writes two of them, is keeper of the reading-room in the British Museum, and that the electric light has been in use in this reading-room for a considerable time. Perhaps it would be well to read the articles in the following order: —

The "Electric Light at the British Museum Reading-room" (L. J., 4: 128); "Electric Light" (in the British Museum), in a letter of R. Garnett (L. J., 4: 444); “Electric Light in the British Museum " (L. J., 5: 153); the "Electric Light at the British Museum"; a letter from Richard Garnett (L. J., 5: 171).

Discussion is still going on as to the safety of this light at the British Museum. Mr. W. H. Preece, a gentleman whose special acquirements entitle his opinion to respect, is understood to take an adverse view of the matter. On the other hand, we understand that a distinguished American authority in matters of this kind, Professor John Trowbridge, of Harvard College, states that great advances have been made lately in the direction of rendering the electric light available for illuminating purposes."

Articles treating of the effects of gas in disintegrating leather, will be referred to under the heading Binding.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

One of the latest and best lists of books of reference needed by the officers of libraries is that contained in Mr. Winsor's paper in "College Libraries as aids to instruction." This

pamphlet was issued by the Bureau of Education as "Circular of Information, No. 1, 1880."

In the Special Report issued in 1876 by the Bureau of Education, we have "Works of Reference for Libraries " by A. R. Spofford (p. 686); "Library Bibliography (containing lists of books of reference and of articles in periodicals concerning libraries)," by A. R. Spofford (p. 733); "Scientific Libraries in the United States," by Professor Theodore Gill (p. 183), an article which mentions the best special bibliographies in the different branches of science, namely, anatomy, chemistry, etc. "Medical Libraries in the United States," by General J. S. Billings (p. 171), in which are scheduled the leading reference works needed in medical bibliographical work.

In Part II. of the Special Report, we have, as Appendix II. to Mr. Cutter's Rules, etc., a list of bibliographical works needed by the cataloguer. Mr. Cutter also states here where fuller lists may be found.

The librarian who consults these lists has to be on the lookout to see that the latest edition of a work is given in them and that supplementary volumes have not been published to works there recorded. For example: a new edition of that very important work Vapereau's "Dictionnaire Universel des Contemporains' has just been completed, and supplementary volumes of Brunet's "Manuel " have been published within a short time.

A sure resource in case of doubt is to read over the lists, under the proper headings, prepared by Mr. Cutter for the department "Bibliography" in the successive numbers of the "Library Journal." The "Library Journal "has other valuable bibliographical matter. We note the following article: "Reference Books in English," by Justin Winsor (1: 147).

The portion of the latest edition of the "Handbook for Readers" with regulations, issued by the Boston Public Library, entitled "Books on Special Subjects; how to find them," contains a valuable list of reference books.

The Chronological Index to Historical Fiction, and the annotated catalogue of books in the Lower Hall of the classes of History, Biography, and Travel, also issued by the Boston Public Library, are of great service in supplying

humble bibliographical needs. Elaborate and valuable bibliographies appear in the Bulletins issued by the library of Harvard College, and it is to be hoped that this library will have money placed at its disposal in sums adequate to enable it to do a large amount of this kind of work. Similar bibliographies have been published in some of the Bulletins of the Boston Public Library. The lists of books issued by the Boston Athenæum, the St. Louis Public School Library, the Young Men's Library in Buffalo, and the Free Public Library in Worcester, and the lists prepared by Mr. W. E. Foster, of Providence, for the State Superintendent of Schools in Rhode Island, are valuable for bibliographical purposes.

Some of the best library catalogues are very useful, such, namely, as that of the Boston Athenæum, the Brooklyn Library, and the subject catalogue of the Library of Congress.

Especial mention should be made here of the "American Catalogue," compiled by L. E. Jones, and published by Frederick Leypoldt; and it should be stated distinctly that the libraries of the country are very much indebted to Mr. Leypoldt for carrying through such an undertaking as this valuable but unremunerative work, and for his generous conduct in publishing the "Library Journal," although incurring heavy loss in doing so.

Attention should be called to the fact that "Poole's Index to Periodical Literature" will soon be published, and mention should be made of the useful indexes which we have of

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the "North American Review" (1815-77), "Christian Examiner" (1824-69), "Bibliotheca Sacra" (Vols. 1 to 30, through the year 1873), "Harper's Monthly " (Vols. 1 to 50; June, 1850, to May, 1875); “ Scribner's Magazine" (Vols. I to 10, Nov. 1870 to Oct. 1875), the "Atlantic Monthly," both that issued by its publishers (1857-76) and a " Supplementary Index to the Atlantic Monthly," " giving gleanings from the volumes already indexed and indexing subsequent volumes up to the beginning of 1881, issued in Bangor, Maine, by Q. P. Index; to other indexes emanating from the same quarter, namely, A General Index to the Nation" (July, 1865-Sept., 1880), and "General Index to the International Review" (1874-80);

also to other indexes which are promised by this publisher, such as "Indexes to Lippincott's Magazine" and to "Scribner's Magazine (Vols. 1-20), and to another index still which is promised by Q. P. Index conditionally upon the receipt of a sufficient number of subscribers, namely, "An Index to Articles on History, Biografy, Travel, Filosofy, Literature, and Politics," contained in collections of Essays, etc., to the "New York Daily Tribune Index” (1875-); "Palmer's Index to the Times Newspaper" (January 1, 1863-Sept. 30, 1880, which is still published and is working back as well as forwards), to say nothing of the indexes to foreign English Reviews and the "Revue des Deux Mondes," to the Chronicles of Facts and Events in the successive annual volumes of the Boston Almanac," the Record of Current Events of "Harper's Magazine," the Week in the "Nation," lists of important events appearing in newspapers at the close or beginning of every year, and "Annals of Our Time, with Supplements," by Joseph Irving (1837-July 22, 1878).

CATALOGUING.

A history of catalogue-making and a criticism of the different kinds of catalogues are contained in the article "Library Catalogues," by C. A. Cutter, in the Special Report (p. 526). Persons interested should study this paper, for it is very important to learn what experience has taught before undertaking to make a catalogue. Part II. of the Special Report is Rules for a printed Dictionary Catalogue, by C. A. Cutter. We have here the first printed rules for making a catalogue on the dictionary plan. The writings of Mr. Cutter on the subject of cataloguing, and the work he has done in preparing catalogues, have shown that he is an authority in this matter second to none.

For expositions of other systems of cataloguing, mixed and classed, see "Catalogues and Cataloguing," by S. B. Noyes, Jacob Schwartz, John J. Bailey (Special Rep., p, 648), and the remarks of Melvil Dewey in "Decimal Classification and Subject Index" (Spec. Rep., p. 623).

Four volumes of the catalogue of the Boston Athenæum (A-S) have been issued, and it is hoped that the work will be completed before

the close of the present year. This is the best example that we have of a printed catalogue, prepared on the dictionary plan. It was made by Mr. Charles R. Lowell, but has been carefully revised and greatly improved by Mr. Cutter during its preparation for printing, and although he is unwilling to have it regarded as his ideal catalogue, yet owing to his work it has proved the most valuable contribution yet made anywhere to the list of printed catalogues of large libraries.

Mr. Noyes's catalogue of the Brooklyn Library is now complete. It is constructed on the dictionary plan, with modifications, the most important of which are the introduction in alphabetical order of carefully classed lists of books on the various branches of knowledge and the frequent use of references to periodicals. Mr. Noyes's catalogue is an admirable piece of work and one for which all students are indebted to him.

The Report of the Committee on Uniform Entries, appointed at the meeting of this association in New York, is published in the "Library Journal" (3: 12); and the majority report there given contains the rules for cataloguing that stand as the rules recommended for use by this association until amended by it.

With Mr. Cutter's Rules, this Report, and good catalogues, such as those of the Boston Athenæum and the Mercantile Library of Brooklyn, at hand, libraries are now well equipped for beginning, under guidance, the work of good cataloguing.

We do not realize how great our indebtedness is to the institutions which have incurred the expense of issuing the best printed catalogues. Why do not all librarians buy both of the catalogues just mentioned, for the sake of the advantages to themselves which would result from their free use, and to encourage other institutions to issue similar catalogues? With the rules we now have, and the good examples of catalogues which we may acquire by purchase at what, considering their cost, is a nominal price, the work of cataloguing is half done, and can be entrusted to skilful persons who have had only elementary training in this kind of work with a little supervision on the part of a specially trained cataloguer.

As examples of annotated catalogues we must still refer to the catalogue of the books in the Lower Hall of the Boston Public Library; of the classes of History, Biography, and Travel, the Fiction list of the same library, and to the Catalogue of the Public Library at Quincy, Massachusetts. Excellent papers on Cataloguing are those read at the Boston meeting of this association by Fred. B. Perkins and James L. Whitney, entitled respectively “Classification in Dictionary Catalogues " (L. J., 4: 226), and “Catalogues of Town Libraries" (L. J., 4: 268). See, too, Mr. Garnett on "Public Libraries and their Catalogues,” by C. A. Cutter (L. J., 4: 452). It should be noted here with great satisfaction that Congress has enabled Dr. J. S. Billings to issue the first volume (A― Berlinski) of his valuable "Index Catalogue of the Library of the Surgeon-General's Office, United States Army." Reference should be made to the lists of "Additions,” issued by several libraries which are mentioned by name under the head of "Bibliography," and to the "Index Medicus," a monthly classified record of the current medical literature of the world, compiled under the supervision of Dr. John S. Billings and Dr. Robert Fletcher. An inexpensive catalogue is described in the "Library Journal" (1: 436).

There is much interesting matter about indexing in the "Special Report" and in the "Library Journal," particularly in the latter. Thus we have "The Plan of the New Poole's Index, A Library Symposium," by S. B. Noyes, Justin Winsor, F. B. Perkins, J. L. Whitney, J. Schwartz, W. I. Fletcher, C. A. Cutter (L. J., 3: 141); “The Index Symposium and its Moral," by W. F. Poole (L. J., 3: 178); "Some Points in Indexing," by W. I. Fletcher (L. J., 4: 243), and “ Book Indexes," by F. B. Perkins (Spec. Rep., p. 727).

Added to the Report of the Committee on Uniform Title Entries are a general list of