instead of through the intermedium of a distributing bureau. I wish to be distinctly understood as not in any way opposing the furnishing of all such reports to all public libraries of any size throughout the country. I think they are fully entitled to receive copies of everything that is printed for gratuitous distribution by the United States; but I also think it extremely desirable that those scientific men who are especially interested in particular subjects should not have their supply of government reports cut off, and that the bureaus and departments should not be deprived of that stimulus and incentive to work which comes from the power of distributing their own reports and obtaining exchanges for them, and placing it on the lowest possible ground, viz., as a mere question of policy. It seems to me that the librarians should take into consideration the wishes of these bureaus and scientists in recommending any particular action to Congress upon this matter.

Rev. Dr. B. K. PEIRCE, Supt. Newton (Mass.) Free Library. There appears to be so much harmony between the reports that the only question is as to the best way to secure this end. The committee, by conference, might harmonize their differences. We who are interested in public libraries are interested in securing all these important documents. move that both reports be referred back to the committee.

I

Mr. J. N. LARNED, of the Young Men's Library, Buffalo, moved as an amendment that the President, Mr. Poole, of Chicago, and Mr. Linderfelt, of Milwaukee, be added to the original committee, and that this committee take further cognizance of the whole matter, and report at a later session.

The motion passed as amended.

A.L.A. CATALOG.

Mr. DEWEY reported progress on the A.L.A. Catalog:

To bring the matter more clearly to mind let me very briefly summarize the history of the A.L.A. Catalog. After proposing the scheme, with considerable detail, in the Library journal, I submitted it to our Boston meeting in 1879. It was received with no little enthusiasm. I took nearly $1,200 in subscriptions without leaving the floor, thus guaranteeing the publication under the circumstances then existing.

We were to make about 250 pages, 20 titles to the page, classified by subjects, and with the most useful very brief notes we could prepare

or

'appropriate" from our best annotated catalogs and class-lists. This class-list of the 5,000 best books for a general library, representing both in titles and notes the combined wisdom of our Association, was at once begun by Mr. F: B. Perkins, editor of the "Best reading," etc., who resigned at the Boston Public Library, and took up quarters at the general offices of the A.L.A., in 32 Hawley street, Boston. Lists were made or checked by specialists, and much preliminary work was well started, when Mr. Perkins was called west by his election in San Francisco, and was forced to stop all outside work. My own duties grew doubly pressing, and really no advance editorial work has been done since.

We have, however, not abandoned the work, but have been looking for the right editor. The Executive Board and the Coöperation Committee have considered several plans, and finally, at our last meeting, it was put into the hands of the Coöperation Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Secretary, with full power, except that no plan should be adopted which should involve the Association in any expense.

This new committee of seven are soon to meet, and try once more to secure a satisfactory editor. My report, is therefore, of progress. During all these delays constant inquiries for the A.L.A. Catalog have come to me, and an extraordinary number of people have expressed the greatest interest in its early completion, and faith in its great usefulness.

Mr. POOLE.—The subscriptions for the A.L.A. Catalog, which Mr. Dewey says he has brought with him, were made three years ago at the meeting in Boston, and with the understanding that the work would be completed very soon. These expectations, for which no person present is responsible, have not been realized, and it does not appear in Mr. Dewey's report how or by whom he expects the work to be done. The project is still in the shadowy future. I am confident it will remain a subject of annual prophecy and discussion until some competent librarian accepts the duty and responsibility of chief editor, puts his own labor and individuality into it, and calls upon the rest of us to give him such assistance as

he needs. Committees are not worth a farthing to do such work. I do not believe it to be a legitimate function of our Association to publish books, or to take up subscriptions among ourselves to defray the expenses of their publication. Whatever we, as members of the American Library Association, are likely, in the line of bibliography, to coöperate in doing, is merchantable property, and needs no subscriptions in money to carry it through. Publishers will be glad to assume the expense and pay a copyright for the same. We have had too much talk and too little action during these years about the A.L.A. Catalog. If I had a tithe of the interest in it which Mr. Dewey and other members have expressed, I would have done it myself; for I have made half a dozen lists of books for new libraries of about the number of volumes proposed, while this project has been under discussion. The work could be done in six months. I make this estimate on the assumption that the selection of the "five thousand best books for a small library" would express simply the judgment of the chief editor. If the list were submitted to a committee, and they were expected to agree, my estimate would be widely erroneous. A position on that committee would not be an enviable one, and might prove to be a life estate. This is a good time for a new departWe have talked enough about the matter. Let the old subscriptions be cancelled; let Mr. Dewey himself assume the duties of chief editor, and call upon us for coöperation if he needs it. I have heard of one or more New York publishers who were seeking for a model catalog of books for small libraries, and who will bear all the expenses and pay a copyright. The problem which has vexed us for these many years will then have been solved.

ure.

Mr. DEWEY.-May I remind our Nestor of librarians that we have now waited only four years for the A.L.A. Catalog. We had to wait thirty for Poole's Index, and yet we are all proud of it, in spite of the delay. I trust in a much shorter time we can show an A.L.A. Catalog of which we shall be equally proud. Dr. HOMES, N.Y. State Library. If 5,000 titles are to be included in the original catalog, the supplement should include 500 to 1,000 titles. We ought to print a complete volume for appearance' sake.

Mr. B. P. MANN, of Washington. - Is the

catalog to include 5,000 titles only, and when new titles are put in are old ones to go out? Are you to drop a title for every title added?

Mr. DEWEY. Only those that are superseded are to be dropped out, the additions will constantly increase the scope of the work.

Mr. MANN. If the number of titles is to be limited, the several classes should be classified and a certain number of titles assigned to each. If this be the plan, call on geologists to select say forty best works on geology, and so on. Then why can we not begin at once?

Mr. DEWEY.-This work has already partly been done, and is the plan in view. Lists from many specialists have been collected and partly edited by Mr. F: B. Perkins. We have a good start, and only lack a competent editor to complete the work.

Mr. J. EDMANDS, of Philadelphia. - This catalog is to be of special benefit to the very large number of small libraries, to be as a guide in selecting their collection in due proportion. It will fail of this if printed in sections. Better print in full. Let the committee work on with about 5,000 titles, and do the best they can, and revise according to the demands of the times. Use more faith, and get it all out together.

Dr. PEIRCE. There is a great interest in this catalog, and it will do great good. There is good in both suggestions. The effect of this Association is felt all over the United States, and new libraries are being established. The requisition is for a list for new libraries. We at Newton had the aid of Mr. Poole. The need of the new institutions is a standard list for their foundation to fall back upon. They will buy the new books as they come out. We shall need an additional list once every one, two, or three years; then the section or department lists will be useful. It is desirable to begin with a wellrounded list, and then publish supplemental lists in one or more departments. We at Newton are interested in the first catalog, and will give our aid.

Mr. GREEN. I thought the original plan was for the whole 5,000 titles. Has the plan been changed?

Mr. DEWEY.-Lack of funds decided us to print in sections.

We decided unanimously that the best plan for this A.L.A. Catalog was the classified. If we were able to print all at once, there is no

object in holding back the first class ready for the printer till the last is done. We can print without loss as fast as the copy is ready, and can use the classes as fast as printed.

There is great danger that, looking at one of its many uses, we forget the others; e.g., some here assume that the catalog is for small libraries only. To my thinking it is even more needed in the large. A small library has only a few books on each topic. Choice between them is easy compared to choice from a great library with thousands of works on some subjects. Remember that this A.L.A. list is not a catalog of any library, or a list of all books on the subject, but a SELECTION OF THE BEST only, and it is, therefore, specially needed where there are most chances of not getting the best book.

There is also a great field for this catalog as a guide to individual buyers and readers. The ordinary bibliografy gives no notes of guidance such as we propose, and when a man in doubt which is best of the three books he knows of on his subject, consults the present bibliografy and finds three hundred titles to choose from instead of three, the last state of that man is worse than the first.

Some of you appreciate the usefulness in one direction of our A.L.A. Catalog (that certainly is to be, notwithstanding its cold bath from my friend the great indexer); some its use in other directions; but as yet I have found no one who has noted half the wants that these four years have shown me that it will supply. Libraries, great and small, schools, editors, booksellers, and all individual readers, will be grateful for this work.

Mr. GUILD. I have found Stevens' list useful, but how many use it? Bossange's Bibliothèque français is useful, but how many use it? This catalog must be the work of one

man.

My apology for not giving aid is because we have had our own library to move, and I am too old to do extra work. Old age is a good excuse for not doing extra work. Librarians all have plenty of work. Will the catalog have the influence and sale our good secretary expects?

Mr. LINDERFELT. I have continual enquiries from new libraries. I think this catalog will be most useful to our new libraries in the West. An idea struck me as I came into this hall. Let us adopt the admirable motto at

the registry desk at the door, "Do it now in parts or as a whole as we can.

Mr. F. M. CRUNDEN, St. Louis Public Library. If we are able to put forth this new catalog we shall not be doing unselfish work. I need it every day. Twenty times a day myself and assistants are called upon for information that this catalog with its class-lists would supply. Obtain subscriptions in advance, to meet the salary of this editor. I subscribed before for twenty copies, and am willing now to make it fifty, if so we can carry through the work.

Mr. DEWEY (taking down the offer). — I never neglect to record such pledges of support. If others will show the same spirit, we can complete our great enterprise at an early day.

Dr. HOMES. A catalog of two hundred pages, twenty-five titles to the page, could be published for fifty cents. Harpers or Monroe would publish it for fifteen cents.

Mr. DEWEY. - Our idea was to charge $2.00 for single copies, and thus get some returns to pay the editor. Library editions could be prepared at a low price. This is one of a hundred applications for this catalog. Library numbers can be printed in the margin of special editions, thus making a better and cheaper catalog. It will be kept in type, and special sections can be struck off for special uses at any time.

Mr. J. W. WARD, Grosvenor Library, Buffalo. - Why not have two or three persons each make such a catalog, and submit it for corrections? I can make a catalog, Mr. Poole can make one, and others, and then the committee revise these, and make up their list.

Mr. DEWEY. This is the original plan, only that provided for more thorough work. Several experts were to check (in colored pencils expressing their estimate) the best printed lists we now have, and the results were to be digested.

Mr. MANN. I will guarantee to furnish a list in certain departments, say entomology and botany, and, with others doing the same, we can have our lists in six months.

Mr. WARD.- Does not this do away with the idea of a salaried editor?

Mr. DEWEY. A competent editor must be had to condense results, do or supervise all clerical and routine work, and see it through

the press. The most we can ask of gratuitous help from our ablest and hardest-worked men is only those things that an ordinary literary worker cannot do.

Mr. CRUNDEN.- We must get that man, and it seems to me that we must have a sale sufficient to pay his salary. Most of my original subscribers of 1879 are dead, but I can find others, and, to help the matter along, I will take fifty copies.

Dr. BILLINGS. If the only difficulty is to get an intelligent proof-reader and editor, and the Association can forego making any profit, there should be little difficulty. This work is peculiarly appropriate to the Bureau of Education at Washington; it has a good man for editorial detail, and I think would take up the idea.

Mr. DEWEY. - No one has ever proposed an income from the publication. Our object is wholly to get the work properly done, and to guard against its quality being sacrificed to personal publishing interests. This plan would meet all the objections.

On motion of the SECRETARY, it was unanimously voted that Dr. Billings be added to the committee of seven, and that it be instructed to open communication with the Bureau of Education in the name of the Association, to represent the importance of the work to general educational library interests, to ask coöperation, and to negotiate for the publication of the A.L.A. Catalog.

COOPERATION.

Mr. C: A. CUTTER presented orally the report of the Coöperation Committee:

Your Committee on Coöperation have had only one meeting during the year, but they have done a little work, and they wish to call your attention to some work done by others.

1. The indexing of obituaries in newspapers has continued during the present year. Some copies of the volume printed by the Index Society have been received in this country, and have been distributed to coöperators. One or two more collaborators are wanted, and if any one wishes to acquire an approving conscience by a little easy labor, he or she would do well to report to me, when I will assign him or her a newspaper to index for obituaries.

2. Mr. Soldan, of Peoria, has made an arrangement with certain foreign booksellers by

which he can import German, French, and English books at more advantageous rates than previously. This he is able to do by forming a union of libraries, which put it in his power to offer large orders to his foreign agents. Of course the more libraries join this league the larger orders he can give and the better terms he can obtain for all. He will himself explain his methods.1

3. The great coöperation, the father of all coöperations, no, the elder brother of them all, who has gone out first into the world to shift for himself, has been remarkably successful there. But the very usefulness of Poole's Index makes us all unwilling to wait another thirty years for a new edition, or even five years for a supplement. Mr. W. K. Stetson, assistant librarian of the Wesleyan University, impressed with the need of more frequent indexes to periodical literature, induced a number of neighboring librarians to join with him in indexing each two of three of the more important quarterlies and monthlies, and exchanging hectograf copies of the references. The arrangement promised well, but he found that to engineer it required more time than he could well spare, and turned it over to this committee. Before long Mr. Leypoldt generously, but I fear I must say rashly, offered the columns of the Library journal for the publication of the monthly index, which Mr. Fletcher undertook to edit. You all know how well the work has been done and how useful it is. Mr. Poole has a plan for the yearly consolidation of these monthly parts, which he will himself explain to you.

4. He will also have something to say in regard to the long-wanted index of essays, in which this committee will take at least a friendly interest. We are encouraged to hope that coöperation can do much in this field, because the unassisted labor of one man has already accomplished so much in Mr. Griswold's lately issued volume.

CATALOG RULES.

Your committee, as directed at the Cincinnati meeting, have carefully compared our cataloging rules with those of the Library Association

1 This Mr. Soldan had no opportunity to do during the convention. The plan is to be brought before the Co. operation Committee at its first meeting, and will probably be reported upon in the Library journal.

of the United Kingdom, and, also, though not ordered to, with the "6 Compendious rules" issued by Mr. E. B. Nicholson, Bodley's librarian. They find that the three sets of rules are substantially the same. There are, however, seven cases in which the English Association differs from us, in which, in our opinion, we must continue to differ, and three cases in which we think the American rule should be altered to coincide with the English. There are also certain changes of phraseology, which we have adopted, to bring the rules verbally into greater agreement.

The instances of non-concurrence are these: I. We retain the entry of pseudonymous books under the real name, instead of under the pseudonym, although we allow the use of the pseudonym as a heading, instead of the real name, when the pseudonym is much better known (as George Eliot, instead of Mrs. Lewes or Mrs. Cross).

2. We retain the entry of anonymous books under the first word, in place of entry under the. chief subject-word.

3. We retain our own order for the imprint entries.

4. We object to putting the author's forename in brackets, and see no advantage in putting it in parentheses.

5. We object decidedly to the intrusion of the form-catalogue into the author-catalogue by putting service and prayer-books under the head of Liturgies.

6. We cannot recommend that in an authorcatalogue references should be made from the subjects of biographies to the writers.

7. We adhere to the practice of treating German letters with the umlaut like the same letters without the umlaut, because we find that the general rule in German catalogues, and because we think there is little more reason for separating a and ä in German than there is for separating e and é in French.

On the other hand we have changed our rule of entry under a married woman's last name to read, like the English, "under the name best known," that being in accordance with the principle which led to the entry of noblemen under their titles, instead of under their family names, and to entry under noted pseudonyms, instead of in all cases under the real name.

The other points in which we have altered our rule to follow the English rule are in the

capitalization of titles of honor, and in making some directions regarding the imprint permissive instead of obligatory.

The English code treats of several matters which we thought it unnecessary to touch upon in the very brief compendium published in 1878. Most of these additional rules we have included in the present code, as they are in accordance with the general American practice. (The rules are printed on p. 89. See also p. 136.)

Mr. WARD, of the Committee on Reception, called attention to the invitations on the program and moved their acceptance. Voted, with thanks.

On motion of the SECRETARY, it was voted that the morning sessions be called to order at 10 o'clock A.M., the afternoon sessions at 3 o'clock P.M., and the evening sessions at 8 o'clock P.M.

A recess was taken till 3 P.M., when the parties started on a tour of the Buffalo libraries and societies which had extended invitations.

The meeting was called to order by the PRESIDENT at 8 o'clock. In the absence of Mr. F: B. PERKINS, of San Francisco, his Report on Shelfclassification was read by Mr. LINDERFELT.

(The report was accidentally lost; we have found it impossible to get a duplicate from the author, and reluctantly go to press without it.) Mr. DEWEY answered the objections brought forward by Mr. Perkins to the relative shelfarrangement.

The PRESIDENT read an extract from a private letter just received from Professor Foxwell, of the chair of political economy in the University of Cambridge, England, and a fellow of St. John's College in that University, in which he writes: "I always look on the work of American librarians with despairing admiration. Whatever else your country may or may not be destined to take the lead in, it is certainly easily first in bibliography and the management of libraries."

Mr. DEWEY.-One of the gratifying items, today, vouching for the value of our meetings, is the number I see present who had written me that it was quite impossible to get away this year from pressing engagements at home.