matters THE Los Angeles Public Library, in 1894, circulated for home use 10,475 copies of current magazines, forming 20 per cent. of the total circulation. Twenty-six of the leading periodicals are thus issued, from one to 26 copies of each being in circulation for a period of four days for current numbers and one week for back numbers. Nor is their usefulness at an end when all are no longer needed for circulation. Miss Kelso says: "The copies that are not needed for binding are filed away, some to replace worn-out circulating copies, while others are taken apart, the illustrations cut out, sorted, and mounted on gray bristol board, forming invaluable collections of pictures for teaching geography, history, literature, and mythology, besides being samples of the modern school of illustrators and artists. The gift made by F. Augustus Schermerhorn MAKING THE MOST OF PERIODICALS. is as unique as it is curious. The "Townsend library of war records," as is generally known by librarians, consists of an immense collection of newspaper and other printed scraps referring to the civil war. Its compilation was begun six months before the war broke out, and has been continued to the present time. The main work consists of 89 large ledger-like volumes of some 600 pages each, or in all 53,400 pages, and 213,600 columns, in which are pasted an enormous mass of clippings relating to and persons connected with the war. Cuttings from newspapers, magazines and printed addresses, in fact from everything that gives information about the war and the actors in it, make up the "records." Most of the newspapers of the country have been searched, and every column, paragraph or item that could give the information desired has been cut out and pasted in the ledgers. The result is an enormous mass of information, otherwise inaccessible, but so cumbersome as to be absolutely useless had not the compiler furnished an elaborate key to the whole. This key Mr. Townsend has prepared in an "encyclopædia," comprised in 31 volumes of 1300 pages each, in which the clippings in the main volumes are summarized and grouped alphabetically according to subject, while references are made to the original clippings. An index to the "encyclopædia" completes the work, and this has not yet been completed, though its compiler has pledged himself to have it finished before June 1. 1895. The Townsend collection has been offered for sale for some years past and its purchase by Congress has been frequently suggested. SIAMESE BOOKS FOR AMERICAN LIBRARIES. "The articles are sorted into classified groups which are sewed together, some for school, some for library use, some for the hospitals, etc. The comic pictures and advertisement pages are sent to the social settlements, and to kindergartens for scrap-books. For all-around usefulness, attractiveness, and satisfaction, the magazines which are duplicated for home use are unsurpassed. There is no trouble in securing volunteers for the cutting of pictures, for collectors of like material will gladly exchange work for pictures. The report of the teachers on the use of this material in the school-room is a general cry for more." THE LINOTYPE AT THE BOSTON PUB- IT has been proposed to use the linotype for the cataloging of the library, now that it is safely housed in the new building. The Weekly Transcript says: "As soon as the new Public Library building on Copley square is ready for complete occupation, work will be begun, under the direction of the trustees, upon the gigantic task of making a complete catalog of the books in the library, to be printed in bound volumes and offered for sale to the public. Of course, the work will be one of many years. It will be done by means of the Mergenthaler machines, or linotypes. The trustees will own these machines. and employ their own workmen to operate them. A room has already been set apart for this purpose - the large room immediately to the right of the Boylston street entrance, on the ground His Majesty Somdetch Paramindr Maha Chulalonkorn Phra Chula Chom Klao, king of Siam, in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of his reign, recently celebrated, has presented sets of the Tripitaka" to a number of American libraries. The “ Tripitaka” are the sacred writings of the Southern Buddhists, and each set comprises 39 volumes. The books are printed in coarse Siamese type, on smoky Eastern paper. with paragraphs indented at the right-hand margin of the page, the lines reading from side to side, instead of vertically as is the case with Chinese and Japanese books. They are bound in yellow leather and inside the cover is an in-floor, adjacent to the bookbindery. scription, printed in Siamese, English, French, and German, and surmounted by the Siamese royal crest, stating that the edition was published by order of the king and is presented to the library receiving it in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of his ascension to the throne. Among the libraries receiving the " Tripitaka are those of Harvard University, Drury College, Princeton College, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, and Detroit Public Library, " "The linotypes which are to be used will be furnished with a much fuller case of types than that which suffices for newspaper work. This, of course, is made necessary by the greater need for variety in the types and technical signs needed. The most improved machines have been ordered, and it is expected that they will be in every way suited for the library's work. "The new system will be more economical than the present one, as well as more advantageous, The slugs which the linotype sets will American Library Association. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF A. L. A. THE executive board of the A. L. A. sends the following statement of its action regarding be filed away in alphabetical order, after the cards have been printed from them. In a few months the cards for the card catalog will be thus printed, and the slugs filed away. In a year or two it will be possible to issue a complete list of all the books added during that period. At the same time the linotypes will be busy reprinting the titles of the main collection-all the books which have been added since the founding of the library. Thus the linotype catalog will be perpetually kept up to date, at the same time that it is gradually pushed back to include all previous additions. At the end of a term of years a day will be reached when it will be possible to print the complete catalog of the entire library. There is no large library in the world which has succeeded in doing this in book form. That the library should own its machines and operate them on this great scale is the suggestion of Mr. Rich-conference, was voted down, and Denver was ards, of the board of trustees." AMHERST SUMMER SCHOOL. THE season of 1895 will open on July 1 for the usual session of five weeks, conducted by W: I. Fletcher, librarian of Amherst College. There are no special requirements for admis sion to this course, but applicants will be expected to have had a reasonably thorough education, and to show some special aptitude for work among books. This brief course of study cannot be expected to fit one to secure immediate remunerative employment, but it will add considerably to the claims one can make for such employment. It is especially adapted to provide persons already engaged in library work, but who have had no special training, with the means of improving their work and bringing it into accord with the well recognized standards, qualifying them at the same time for promotion to better positions. Instruction will be given daily (except Saturday) from 10 to 12 a. m., in the form of practical lectures by Mr. Fletcher, in which the whole field of library work will be gone over. The class will be furnished with necessary blanks, etc., and required to go through with each process as it is described. The class will be conducted as one of beginners, no previous knowledge of library work being expected. At the same time care will be taken to make the work at each stage so thorough as to be of use to those who are already possessed of the mere rudiments. Cutter's "Rules for cataloging" is used as a text-book, and intending members of the class will be supplied with copies in advance on appliIcation to Mr. Fletcher. The class will also meet afternoons from two to four o'clock, for practice in various forms of library work, according to the needs of the different pupils. The fee for this course is placed at $12.00. Special arrangements will be made to accommodate any pupils who may wish to do more than that of the regular class, and additional tuition will be given at moderate rates. Full information as to all details of the course may be obtained from Mr. Fletcher on application. In the closing hours of the Lake Placid conference an invitation was received from the L. conference in London in 1895. An intimation A. U. K. to join with them in an international of this came by cable the previous day, and was laid before the association. A motion to in struct the executive board to arrange for the 1895 conference at some point accessible to the England to attend the proposed international seashore, to be followed by an excursion to selected as the place of meeting for 1895. (See Conf. Proceed., p. 163.) When the invitation came, on the following day, a motion passed referring the matter to the executive board, coupled with instructions to say that the invitation had been received with pleasure, but too late to be accepted for 1895; that a large delegation have signified their intention of attending a meeting in London, if it can be fixed for 1896. (See Conf. Proceed., p. 171.) The In considering this matter the executive board saw at once that it would be impracticable to undertake to hold successful conferences in successive years in places so distant as Denver and London. Few librarians could afford the time and expense of attending both. result would be that Eastern librarians having in contemplation the London trip would not go to Denver; while librarians of the Middle West who might go to Denver would hardly feel able to go to London the following year. Between this upper and nether millstone the A. L. A. would be a decided sufferer. Accordingly, it was agreed that in responding to the invitation of the L. A. U. K., while expressing cordial appreciation of the same and regret that it could not be accepted, the suggestion be made that negotiations should be opened looking to the selection of a date for an international meeting that would be mutually agreeable to both associations, and that the whole correspondence be laid before the Denver conference. A letter to this effect was prepared and properly authenticated, and was 'duly forwarded to the secretary of the L. A. U. K. No response has been received, nor any acknowledgment of its receipt. Thus the matter stands at the present time. The executive board will not undertake to arrange for a London meeting in 1896, but will refer the whole subject to the association when it meets in Denver. If then the association votes for an international conference in 1896, it will do so with deliberation. Executive H. M. UTLEY, President. SUPPLEMENT TO A. L. A. CATALOG. AT the meeting of the executive board in September, 1894, it was voted unanimously to make one of the features of the Denver meeting the discussion of a list of books, supplementing the catalog of the A. L. A. library. Miss Mary S. Cutler was named as the chairman of a committee to have the matter in charge, with power to select the rest of the committee. It stands as follows: MARY S. CUTLER, Chairman. New York State Library School. LIBRARY SCHOOL HANDBOOK. has performed the duties of the office at a time Mrs. Mary A. Resag, of the Institute Free IOWA LIBRARY SOCIETY. AT the last session of the Iowa Library Society, in December, 1894, a paper was presented by Miss Esther Crawford, librarian of the Sioux City Public Library, urging the need of a definite system of library work, and outlining “A course of study suited to the needs of Iowa librarians." It was voted, at the same meeting, that the course planned by Miss Crawford be adopted by the society, subject to a few changes, and that the system, as prepared, be put in operation for 1895, and, if successful, continued through succeeding years. The annual meeting of 1895 will then be chiefly devoted to the consideration of the year's course, and to the discussion of individual difficulties. HANDBOOK No. 7 (April, 1895), issued by the University of the State of New York, may be called a manual of the Library School. It sets forth the relations of the school to the library A printed circular has been issued by the sosystem of New York State and to the A. L. A.,ciety and distributed to all Iowa librarians interdescribes its origin, object, and development, and outlines with some detail the course and expenses, preliminary examinations required, methods of study, credentials, and degrees. Announcement is made of summer and correspondence courses, to be established, it is hoped, in 1896, and intended to bring the facilities of the school to librarians and assistants unable to take the regular course. The summer sessions of the school will probably begin about July 15 each year and last four weeks. Fees will be only enough to cover actual extra expenses caused by the class. The correspondence course will comprise a definite outline of study and reading, to be pursued at home under systematic guidance, advice and criticism. In both these departments nothing more than certificates of time spent and work undertaken will be issued to students. State Library Associations. PENNSYLVANIA LIBRARY CLUB. A SPECIAL meeting of the Pennsylvania Library Club was held at Wilmington, Delaware, on the afternoon of Thursday, April 18, 1895. The president, Mr. Thomson, presided. Mr. A. W. Tyler, of the Institute Free Library, Wilmington, addressed the club on the subject of scrap-books. Mr. Carr, of Scranton, Pa., then showed various methods for filing clippings and scraps. A discussion on "The relation of libraries to schools" followed. A pleasant feature of the meeting was the presence of a large number of teachers. The club regrets that the pressure of other duties compelled Mr. Rigling to ask to be relieved of the office of secretary-treasurer. The resignation was reluctantly accepted, and "the thanks of the club were extended to Mr. Alfred Rigling for the very efficient manner in which he❘ ested, which sets forth, as follows, the need of the proposed course and what it is hoped may be accomplished: "The importance of the detail work of a library can be justly estimated only by those who are familiar with it; those who have tested its possibilities, and are prepared to appreciate its demands. This work is quite as important to a library as is the mass of details appertaining to the conduct of a commercial establishment to the business man, and the necessity of applying to it the same systematic principles which obtain in the business world is self-evident. The various schools of library economy which have been established within the past few years in different parts of the country give systematic training in details, the full courses covering a period of two years. These schools are, however, for the most part, located in the Eastern states, at a distance from Iowa librarians which practically precludes their attendance on account of the expense involved, even if the necessary time could be spared from their duties. The need, therefore, of some plan by which the librarians of Iowa may secure for themselves the necessary training within their own state seems unquestionable. The only question is as to the best method of reaching the desired result. "The library work of the state is growing in importance year by year. The standard of qualification is being raised, and the need of technical training for the work is constantly increasing. The demands of the profession, the world over, are growing more stringent, and the librarians of Iowa cannot afford to be found unprepared to respond to these demands. In the future, more than in the past, their tenure of office will depend upon the degree of their qualification. This is as it should be, and is something in which every true member of the profession will find cause for rejoicing. The point now to be considered is, How shall we best meet the increasing requirements?' The need of closer relations among the different libraries of the state is manifest, as well as the necessity for specific training, and a course of study in which all the librarians are interested will furnish a common cause, a community of interest, which will do much to promote the fraternal feeling that is so desirable, and which will contribute largely to the development of the library sentiment of the state. The program of work for the next meeting of the library association is to be so arranged that one-half the time of the session will be given to a review of the year's study, in such form that the proceedings will partake of the nature of a normal institute session. The review will be accompanied by exhibits from different libraries illustrating the application of the various methods outlined in the course of study, and this will unquestionably prove a valuable feature of the session. There can be no doubt that such a systematic course of study as is proposed will prove of inestimable value to every librarian whɔ will take it up and follow it persistently." Accompanying the circular is an outline of the year's work. It covers "Accession and acquisition" and "Classification," these subjects being subdivided into selection and purchase, order department, mechanical preparation of books, and systems and applications of classification. Under each subdivision the routine of study is briefly set forth. Carefully prepared lists of the "General references absolutely necessary throughout entire course of study," and the "special references and supplies for the course of 1895" are given, with information as to where they may be obtained and their cost. Supplies that are "absolutely essential" are designated by an asterisk, but care has been taken to comprise only the most necessary aids, and to prune the list of all superfluities. LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL CALI FORNIA. THE April meeting of the Library Association of Central California was held in the Court Room of Department 5, New City Hall, April 12, 1895, the topic being "Should the public have access to the shelves of the library?" Library, who read a paper giving a summary of the question. He quoted from reports to show that free access to shelves had proved satisfactory in some instances, while in other cases it had been found detrimental. He showed that nearly all of the libraries of this country grant access to a few, and many to all, referencebooks. In the libraries of the East, especially in New England, the conservative spirit which places a barrier between the public and the books is still found, but in the younger cities of the West the experiment of entire freedom of access is being successfully operated. Mr. Harbourne, of the Alameda Public Library, followed. He said that the principal arguments against open shelves are loss of books, displacement on the shelves, and added wear and tear of the bindings, but all these objections are easily answered, and the advantages of open shelves are many and important. The stimulus given to young and old by the free handling of books is a great factor in educational progress. The circulation of the Alameda library has more than doubled since the shelves were opened to the public. Mr. Peterson, of the Oakland Public Library, favored limited access, and described the method in use at that library, where the books are shelved behind doors formed of wire netting, through which the books may be readily seen, and gave an interesting account of the adoption and success of this method. Prof. Woodruff, of Stanford University, said that the whole question seemed to depend upon the point of view. We have inherited the idea that free access is not possible. He thought that the line of progress should be towards free access until absolute freedom to the books, for all readers, was obtained. Mr. F. P. Allen said that the value of books was in the use of them, and "he liked to see them wear out." He considered every library a school, with each reader his own teacher. A general discussion followed, in which the majority seemed to be decidedly in favor of free A. M. JELLISON, Secretary. access. Library Clubs. WASHINGTON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. THE Seventh regular meeting of the Washington Library Association was held at Columbian Before opening the discussion, President Rowell introduced Dr. E. R. Taylor, who made a short address, in which the advantages of organization for library workers were outlined. He spoke of the good to be derived from meet-University, Wednesday evening, April 24, Presings where a general interchange of ideas on the subject of library work could be indulged in. He dwelt upon the duties and influence of such associations, and advocated frequent meetings and a wider discussion of matters relating to library interests. President Rowell replied, thanking the trustees of the San Francisco Free Public Library for their courtesy in extending the hospitality of their rooms to the association. He compared the theoretical and the practical librarian, and made an earnest plea for co-operation and fraternity among those interested in the work. ident A. R. Spofford presiding. Mr. F. A. Crandall, the recently appointed Superintendent of Public Documents, was elected a member of the association. Mr. Spofford then read a communication of more than local interest upon "Periodicals of the past in the District of Columbia." The paper was printed in full in the Washington Evening Star in its issue of April 25. Last fall a committee of the association was appointed to consider the preparation of a union list of periodicals in Washington libraries. This committee, consisting of Dr. Cyrus Adler, Mr. The discussion of the evening was then opened W. P. Cutter and Mr. Oliver L. Fassig, submitby Mr. Clark, of the San Francisco Free Publicted a report at the present meeting, favoring the preparation of such a list, to include magazines, journals, newspapers and all serial publications of learned societies and institutions, and those of governments. The first step towards the preparation of this list would be the transfer to cards of all entries which have already appeared in print in the various published catalogs of Washington libraries. The committee recommended that the list be prepared on the postal size card of the Library Bureau, combined into one catalog, edited and prepared for printing. No definite system of title entry was recommended in this preliminary report. It was suggested, however, that each entry should comprise the title under the first significant word of the latest form, the place of publication, and the dates of publication of the first and latest volumes in the respective libraries. The association heard with pleasure from Prof. H. Carrington Bolton, who was present, that plans for a union list of periodicals were being discussed by the New York and the Philadelphia Library Clubs. Later it was announced that a similar plan is proposed for the periodicals and serials in the Boston libraries. As the preparation of such a list for any of the above-mentioned cities would involve considerable expense, and as much duplication of work would result in separate lists for each of the cities, some plan of co-operation naturally suggests itself. The scope recommended by the committee would include fully 8000 serial publications in Washington alone. To print such a list would involve an expense much too large to be undertaken by the association unaided. Prof. Bolton gave an interesting account of his success in co-operative indexing of chemical literature. A circular letter from General A. W. Greely, chairman of the committee on the establishment of a free public library was read, in which all subscribers were invited to meet at the home of the general on April 26, to discuss further plans for the proposed library. The letter stated that $10,000 have thus far been subscribed, to be paid in annual instalments of $2000 a year for five years. As this amount has been secured almost entirely through the personal efforts of General Greely himself, the establishment of a library to continue at least during five years is assured; a general canvass of the city will soon be made by a special committee. At the above-mentioned meeting it was unanimously decided that steps should be taken to effect a legal organization, and that every effort consistent with the speedy opening of a library should be made to harmonize all interests looking to the founding of a library in Washington, and to utilize such other literary collections as may subserve this interest. For these purposes a committee was appointed, to consist of Gen. Greely, Judge Hagner, Mr. Pellew, Dr. Reyburn, and Col. Colton, who are to report at a subsequent meeting, which all subscribers will be urged to attend. Mr. W. A. De Caindry was designated as temporary trustee to take charge of all cash subscriptions. OLIVER L. FASSIG, Secretary. Library Economy and History. GENERAL. THE Bookman (N. Y., Dodd, Mead & Co.) inaugurates in its April issue a department entitled "Among the libraries," conducted by Melvil Dewey. It is devoted to brief notes on library matters, the first instalment chronicling the several new libraries established within the past few months. The development of the Crerar Library, and the plan for library consolidation in New York City are also noted." "PUBLIC LIBRARY Systems of lending out and recording books" is the title of a four-page pamphlet issued by the office of London, 125 Fleet street, London. It is a tabulated record of the methods in use in 140 English libraries, arranged by name of place, and giving the librarian's answers to the following questions: Do you approve of all the borrowers having free access to the shelves? What system of issue and record do you use? What system do you consider best? Space is also given for "remarks." The figures were compiled as the result of the library controversy on "free access," waged during the year in the columns of London, and in order to obtain a "general consensus of opinion," circulars were issued to librarians, directing their attention to the controversy, and asking their opinion on the subject. But 15 of those responding express themselves in favor of free access, and of these 10 modify or qualify their approval; 73 use an indicator, and find that method satisfactory. The objections to free access are many and varied, though some seem based on insufficient premises. LOCAL. Belfast (Me.) F. L. (Rpt.) Added 456; total 6560. Issued, home use 22,526 (fict. 56 %); reading-room use 1537. New registration 193. The circulation shows an increase of 1552 over the previous year. Work on the catalog has been completed, the copy is ready for the printer, and it is hoped that the catalog may be issued within a few months. The librarian recommends that the public be given more time in which to use the library, and that cases for encyclopædias and reference books be placed in the reading-room. Boston P. L. Among the new methods which have been adopted in the library is the extension of the hours of opening. Heretofore the library has closed at 9 p.m., but Mr. Putnam has decided to keep it open henceforth until 10 p.m., although no books will be issued after 9 o'clock. The library will also be open all day Sunday, and there will be no difference, as to circulation of books, evening hours, etc., between Sundays and week-days. The beginnings of a juvenile department have also been established in a collection of books and children's magazines gathered in a room at the further end of Bates Hall, where "without slips or like formality the children can amuse themselves as they please." The routine work of the library |