implies. In one division, for instance, that of literature, it takes the place of the little "Books of all time" prepared years ago by Mr. Leypoldt and L. E. Jones—which though years old has always been in more or less demand. It is, indeed, in most of its parts an annotated bibliography within modest compass, covering the general fields of fiction, literature, the arts, etc., specialized for women only in the later and smaller divisions of the work. In fact, one criticism that may be passed upon it is that in the first divisions it is, if anything, too general, and that the limits of books for use in girls' clubs have not been always clearly kept in mind. It has been impossible in a work which is almost a pioneer in its field, produced by the cooperation of many contributors, to pattern the several divisions after any one model; indeed, the contrary feature, of variety in method, is a striking feature of the book. This issue is the first publication from the Publishing Section of the A. L. A. which shows adequately the general plan adopted. The adoption of a column of standard width was planned to permit three uses of the material: (1) in an octavo, which in cloth binding would make a permanent feature of the bibliographical shelf in the library; (2) in a cheap paper edition in a page of quarter the size, which could be circulated widely among readers at a low price; and (3) as printed annotations, which could be clipped from either edition and pasted on the standard library cards. The present work carries out this plan quite fully, and will thoroughly illustrate its value. Fiction, making Part 1. and a fair third of the work, has been "chosen and annotated by a reviewer for the Nation”—a lady whose name is known to many, but is not public property and is an extremely interesting piece of work, clever, piquant, and characteristic. These epithets, indeed, give key to both the strength and the weakness of this writer's work, which has the idiosyncrasies that make the Nation so strong and so attractive — and sometimes so surprising. The general plan is an alphabetic arrangement of authors, after whose full name, with birth and death dates, is given a descriptive and often critical note on the author, with the titles of leading works (in few cases all) arranged sometimes in the order of importance, sometimes otherwise. The list has curious omissions, especially in view of its aim. For instance, Charles Dudley Warner, whose "Little journey in the world" is a remarkable study of a woman's career, upward socially and downward spiritually, is not mentioned, nor is Mrs. Rebecca Harding Davis. There are curious inclusions and exclusions also in the individual works of authors, but this is so much a matter of private judgment that each critic would criticise differently. The notes on authors are extremely brilliant and incisive, not always in good perspective and sometimes freaky in their wit, as, for instance, the reference to Mrs. Holmes, of whose books it is said, "The secret of their long popularity has never been divulged by their readers," and Mrs. Harris, of whose it is said, 'To a lively mind they should be conducive of profound sleep," which, whatever its faults, is by no means true of "Rutledge." The note on Fielding is admirable from the general point of view, but his importance in the development of fiction scarcely condones the inclusion of "Tom Jones" in a list for girls, despite the endeavor to side-track it in the undescriptive note, which states that the book "was not written for children and young girls, and they probably would not be paid to read it." Hardy's magnificent and awful tragedy of "Tess," perhaps one of the greatest books in modern fiction, is scarcely less out of place in the library of a girls' club, but the critic turns back on her own standard of literary morality in saying, "His defence of Tess is quite superfluous, and expresses great confusion of mind in regard to decent standards of behavior," a remark which in any one else this critic would probably criticise as Philistine. Professor De Mille's famous and clever "Dodge Club" is omitted, although his less valuable other books are given, and certainly this is more a novel than Howells's "Traveller from Altruria." The note on Nathaniel Hawthorne and those on his "Scarlet letter" and "Marble faun" are remarkable examples of compact, accurate, and effective annotation. Despite the faults we have indicated, the whole fiction list is a remarkable piece of workmanship, and quite aside from its use as a finding list or bibliography, its value as a précis of fiction is very great; an evening could scarcely be better spent either by a librarian or by a general reader than in reading through the biographical and bibliographical annotations in this first part. The general divisions of History, Literature, and Art, constituting parts II. and III. in the smaller edition, make a second third of the work. This portion contains one division which is the best possible example of the principle of evaluation, both in what it does and what it leaves undone the division of History, prepared by Reuben G. Thwaites, of the Wisconsin Historical Society. The valuable work of President C. K. Adams has cleared and sown the ground, but that makes it not the less marvellous that within 32 pages Mr. Thwaites has given a wonderfully comprehensive, informing, and accurate bird's-eye view of the whole field of history, carefully classified and systematized, from the point of view of the American reader, beginning with universal history, following with the United States in its several general and special periods, covering Canada and elsewhere in America, giving the European continent in all its leading countries, except Russia, and including methods of historical study and general and special notes which refer to series, to historical societies, to reference-books, etc., etc. Few books are included, but these would be accepted by almost all librarians as the best, and the notes are of admirable workmanship throughout. Certainly, here is the model for all future work of this kind. Alongside it, the division of Biography, by assistant librarians of the New York Free Circulating Library, seems rather thin. The entries are by writers rather than by subjects, which last is the more natural classification in a subject-list of biography, and much space is consequently raphy has three titles only; Geology with wasted in cross-references from subjects to wri- | Mineralogy is covered by Professor Edwin S. ters. There are noticeable omissions: there Burgess in II titles; Botany by Professor D. P. is nothing about Joan of Arc, and Strickland's Penhallow, of McGill University, quite amply; "Queens of England" is not mentioned (though Natural history by Mrs. Olive Thorne Miller; given in the History division), neither of which Psychology by Professor E. W. Scripture, of should be omitted from a list of books for women; Yale; Economic science by Mr. Iles himself; there is no biography of Dickens, though Fors- Philosophy by Professor J. V. Murray, of McGill ter's life is one of the notable books in biogra- University; Physical Culture, including Hyphy, and there is a lack of dates throughout in giene and Nursing, and Self-culture, including reference to the subjects of biography. The Etiquette, etc., are under Mrs. Leypoldt's name. division of Travel and Exploration, as edited These minor divisions differ somewhat in perby Miss Hasse, is subject to much the same criti- spective, but all of them are rather well handled, cism as the Biography. It is not arranged by and probably these lists represent a better buyplaces, and it parallels books without indicating ing selection for girls' clubs than the previously always which is preferable, whereas such a list named divisions. The last part is a novel should be classified and essentially "selected." bibliography, peculiarly of value to girls and The division of Literature, including Poetry women, Livelihoods for women and domestic and Belles lettres, edited by G. Mercer Adam, economy being covered by Mrs. Leypoldt; is scarcely second to Mr. Thwaites's work in its Country occupations by Professor F. H. Bailey, large value. It is not without omissions, for of Cornell, and B. M. Watson, of Harvard; here, also, Charles Dudley Warner finds no Amusements and sports by Miss Alice M. place, but the alphabetic list of authors is Kroeger, of Drexel Institute; Works of refprefaced by a capital little list of general books; erence by Helen Kendrick Johnson, of the the annotations both as to authors and as to indi- American Woman's Journal. In this part are vidual books are very good; and an evening also a list of periodicals of special usefulness passed in mastering these annotations will be to women; hints for a girls' club, which are even more profitable than one spent on the very valuable; an outline constitution and byfiction list. Supplementing this division is a laws for a girls' club, and suggestions for a good selected list of a few titles on Mythology literary club for girls and women, in the preparaand Folk-lore by Stewart Culin, of Philadel- tion of which last features Mr. Iles has had the phia. These are all, in the paper edition, in- help of Miss Dodge and others of experience. cluded in Part II. The octavo edition includes also a list of the publishers whose issues are given, and a full index covering 13 pages. Part III. includes Fine art, by Russell Sturgis, one of the best of American art authorities, and Music, by Henry E. Krehbiel, of the Tribune, of whom the like can be said in his field. Mr. Sturgis has prefaced his portion with what are really little essays on fine art and on the several arts, a feature not included in any of the other divisions, and which, though of considerable value, gets sometimes far afield from the scope of the little book. Mr. Sturgis perhaps more than any other contributor has made a select general bibliography, from a somewhat technical point of view, rather than a choice of books for girls and women; in fact he has forgotten about the girls and women, and emphasized rather the function of art and the relative value of art-works. There is a good deal of sound sense in his brief note on Ruskin, but at least Ruskin's books should have been mentioned and individually described. Mr. Krehbiel's annotations are compact and informing, and both these divisions are valuable contributions to the bibliography of art. The preceding notes will show how wonderfully wide is the field covered by this publication, and how varied is the treatment given to the several divisions. There is a certain advantage in this diversity of treatment which we trust to see utilized in a future edition of this novel and valuable work. All divisions are worth careful study by librarians and by teachers, and are useful also for wide circulation among general readers. We trust to see the work differentiate a couple of years hence into two works-a list of books for general readers, i.e., a select bibliography with the evaluation feature, which would involve the extension of the minor departments; and a reissue in the small size of a list for girls' and women's clubs, which would involve a condensation of the earlier divisions of the present work, and would form a useful purchase list for such clubs when making libraries. Meantime we suggest to the profession that each librarian should keep The remaining portion, somewhat less than a a copy of this publication in its larger form for third, including Parts Iv. and V., cover Educa- annotation, so that when Mr. Iles undertakes a tion and Science and miscellaneous subjects. In revision he may have the benefit of suggestions the first division books on the kindergarten are and co-operation from all quarters, and we well selected by Miss Angeline Brooks, and should be glad to print in the LIBRARY JOURNAL "education as a science and an art, including such criticisms and suggestions as will keep the books on drawing, penmanship, shorthand, subject alive and lead to the interchange of linguistics, mathematics, bookkeeping, astron- views. In the meantime a good many thousand omy, and physics (chiefly electricity)," is covered copies of the present work, especially in its by Professor Edward R. Shaw, who gives a smaller and cheaper form, should be circulated. limited but useful selection of books under each It is gratifying to know that Mr. Iles proposes of these minor heads. Chemistry is covered to go forward with the good work to which he has more fully by Dr. H. Carrington Bolton; Geog-set himself, and is providing first for an extension in the departments of Fine art and Music, which in comparison with the general usefulness of the work. The profession is debtor to Mr. Jones in no small degree for one of the most useful tools that has yet been furnished to the cataloger's desk. Until the Rudolph indexer succeeds in abolishing cataloger and catalog together, we opine that Mr. Jones's list will earn him the gratitude of many old heads as well as many 'prentice hands. Library Economy and History. LOCAL. Amsterdam (N. Y.) L. A. (4th rpt.) Added 322; total 2368. Issued 7980; no. visitors, 18 621. Receipts $2348.17; expenses, $1593.17. "Rejoicing in our free library, there may be danger that the association and the public will forget that a free library needs funds for its support. The great increase in membershipalmost 300 in one month and the large number of books put in circulation, show plainly that a free library is a necessity in our city. Some permanent property has been assured to the association, but the income from that property will not be sufficient to allow the successful carrying on of this work. What means shall be devised for the increase of our funds?" [JONES, Gardner M., Wire, G: E., and Cutter, C: A.] List of subject headings for use in dictionary catalogs; prepared by a committee of the American Library Association. Bost., published for the A. L. A. Publishing Section by the Library Bureau, 1895. 188 p. O. There has been nothing more puzzling to the 'prentice cataloger than the perplexities of subject headings in the various catalogs. The "List of subject headings" which Mr. Gardner M. Jones has prepared, with the approval of Dr. Wire and Mr. Cutter as other members of the A. L. A. committee, furnishes a professional tool which has been much needed. A similar enterprise was projected many years ago in connection with the American Catalogue, and some work was done in its office to that end, but nothing had ever taken final shape until Mr. Jones enterprisingly took up the work. This volume, printed in the larger standard size of the Publishing Section, is arranged in the standard column, printed at the left-hand side of the Anaconda, Mont. Hearst F. L. The library page, leaving the right-hand column blank for given to Anaconda some months since, by Mrs. extension and annotations. It includes the sub- Phebe Hearst, has reached a circulation and ject-headings of the Boston Athenæum, Peabody Institute, Cleveland and American cat-giver. The issue of cards for home use has inpopularity quite beyond the expectation of its alogs, and the Harvard subject index, omitting, creased from 50 to 580, while the readingof course, such headings, as personal names, geographical names, technical and scientific When first opened, card playing was allowed in rooms are crowded afternoon and evening. names, individual animals, substances, etc.. parts of the Bible, and certain specific lines of with, as it was found to disturb the readers. the reading-room, but this had to be dispensed headings which are their own index. In place of this a writing-room has been established, supplied with stationery, etc. In the preliminary discussions connected with the publication of this list it was proposed that the headings used by the several catalogs utilized should be indicated, but this was found to be impracticable in the present edition. The work, however, does indicate what the committee consider the preferable heading, the committee being in unison except as to whether Ancient, Classical, and Mediæval divisions of art, etc., should serve as main or sub-entries, in which Mr. Cutter differs from his colleagues. Thus, under each entry there is a see reference to the form of heading used, or a see also reference to correlative headings, or a refer from reference as a guide to cross-referencing. The general principle, as stated in the brief but comprehensive preface, has been to use common names instead of technical, English instead of foreign, etc., and this wise principle is generally adhered to. There are exceptions; for instance, books on animals are put, not under Animals but under Zoology, which is the practice, of doubtful wisdom, of the American and other catalogs. To review this volume technically and adequately would be so minute and individual a task as to be of comparatively little service, and the faults would doubtless be few Boston P. L. On Nov. 4 the special libraries floor of the library, which has been undergoing rearrangement, was opened to the public. A plan of this floor, with descriptions of the location of the various libraries, was given by Mr. Putnam in the Boston Herald of Nov. 4. In this "open letter" Mr. Putnam said: "In the old building these collections were for the most part in locked rooms, or otherwise inaccessible, except as the volumes might be called for individually on call slips. Hereafter, readers will be enabled to consult them upon the special libraries floor with almost as little formality as attends the use of the books placed in the Bates Hall readingrooms. The collections will be accessible to all persons, without credential or special permit. As, however, they contain books of great rarity, and books requiring careful handling-books of both classes given to the library upon assurance that their use should be carefully guarded-two regulations will, for the present at least, need to be observed: 1, readers on entering will register their names and addresses, and 2, only the attendants may take the books from the shelves or replace them. Readers may, however, examine the titles of books as they stand upon the shelves, may indicate to the attendants such as they desire to have brought to the tables, and these to any reasonable number will be taken down for their use. No callslips need be made out." "During the month of October, of the 2413 cases investigated, in which readers in Bates Hall failed to receive their books within a reasonable time, or failed to receive at all books which should have reached them, 2286 were cases in which the readers failed to put their names or table numbers upon the slips, or could not be found at the tables designated. "Whatever the defects in the administration of the library, the facilities for complaint of these defects are ample. Opposite the main door of Bates Hall is an official whose chief duty is to receive and investigate complaints of the service there. In the delivery-room is the desk of the official who, as the head of the delivery department, is at all times ready to receive and investigate complaints of the service there. Directly off the delivery-room is the office of the librarian, who is never too busy to receive and confer with persons who send in word that they wish to make suggestion or complaint of the service anywhere. In the delivery-room and in Bates Hall, near the card catalog, are boxes lettered "Complaints and suggestions for the trustees." All communications placed in these are not merely laid before' the trustees, but are read in full to the trustees, are duly considered, investigated, and, if practicable, the suggestion followed or the matter of grievance remedied." The first half of the series of mural paintings of M. Puvis de Chavannes were placed in posisition in the library on Oct. 10, and for several successive days were the object of the admiration of many visitors. On Oct. 8 the annual meeting of the library trustees was held and Hon. F: O. Prince, exmayor of Boston, was unanimously elected president. The examining board, appointed for 1895, was increased in membership over previous years, owing to the more arduous duties now involved. It is now composed of Dr. S: A. Green, librarian of the Mass. Historical Society; State Librarian Caleb T. Tillinghast; Professor Barrett Wendell, of Harvard; E. H. Clement, Dr. Hasket Derby, C. E. Hellier, Rev. R. J. Barry, Dr. G. M. Garland, J. J. O'Callaghan, Sidney Everett, Azariah Smith, J. E. Hudson, Heloise Hersey, Mary Morison, Emma Hutch ins, and, by virtue of their official positions, F: O. Prince, president of the board of trustees of the library, and Herbert Putnam, the li brarian. On Oct. 20 a report was submitted by the joint committee appointed last spring by the school authorities and the library trustees to confer on the means of increasing the usefulness of the library in the schools. The report urges the necessity of the work and outlines plans for supplying books to the schools for the use of teachers and pupils and for arranging for reference use of the library by pupils. BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY. Handbook; compiled by Herbert Small. Bost., Curtis & Co., 1895. il. 78+32 p. D. pap., 10 c. An attractive little volume of interesting and accurate information regarding the beautiful new building and its contents. It is fully illustrated with half-tone cuts made from photographs of all parts of the library the façades, the rooms, and the chief architectural and decorative details. The beauties of the building are described with accuracy and appreciation, and the compiler evidently combines sound artistic judgment with knowledge of his subject. A paper on "The architecture of the library" is contributed by C. Howard Walker, and "The significance of the library" is treated by Lindsay Swift. tistic posters was opened in the art gallery of Bridgeport (Ct.) P. L. An exhibition of arthe library on Nov. 9, to continue during the month. Cleveland, O. Case L. An interesting exhibition of books and pictures relating to the cathedrals of Europe was opened in the library on October 26. All the cathedrals of England, and the most notable ones of France, Germany, and Italy were represented by descriptions or illustrations. Clinton, N. Y. Hamilton College L. (From annual catalog, 1895.) Added 898 v., 2499 pm.; total 33,758 v., 13,290 pm. "The library is open every college week-day from 9 o'clock to 12, and from 2 to 5. Students are allowed free access to the alcoves. Books from the reference library, and those reserved by request of instructors as collateral reading, may be drawn only at the close of the library hours and must be returned upon the opening of the library. Other books may be retained, not more than three at a time, for two weeks, and may then be drawn anew if not applied for by another. "In June, 1895, a third annual appropriation was made of $1000 for the immediate purchase of books. With these three sums beginnings have been made toward meeting some of the most imperative needs of the departments of instruction, but much more is needed to make a thorough library of reference and research." Columbus (0.) P. L. Plans have been accepted for the construction of an annex to the library building. The new building, which will be connected with the library proper by a gothic arch, is to contain a general reading-room and trustees' room, and toilet-rooms. It will 102 x 30, a reference-room 26 x 30, librarians' give 1800 square feet of additional book space reference rooms under the direct oversight of to the old building, and will place reading and the librarian. Dayton (O.) P. L. Mr. E. H. Routzahn, secretary of the local Y. M. C. A., has made instruction in the use of the city library a feature of the Y. M. C. A. course. By short talks on the subject, visits to the library, and questions on the use of books and catalogs, he has made the boy members of the association familiar with its use and helpfulness. Denver (Col.) City L. The chamber of commerce voted on October 20 to offer to the city the entire control and direction of the city library. The conditions of the transfer are that there shall be six members of the board of directors, of whom three shall be recommended by the chamber of commerce; that a rental of $1000 a year shall be paid for the quarters now occupied by the library; and that the running expenses be met by the city. It is probable that the city will accept the offer. Evanston, Ill. Northwestern Univ. Garrett Institute, of Northwestern University, has received the notable Jackson collection of Methodist literature, which is to be housed in the memorial hall of the institute. This collection is the work of three generations of the Jackson family, of Southport, England; its originator, the Rev. Thomas Jackson, having been one of Wesley's early followers. It includes about 5000 books and mss. relating to Wesleyan biography and the history of Methodism. Hartford (Ct.) P. L. (57th rpt.) Added 6012; total "about 47,000." Issued, home use 207,685 (fict. 126,725; juv. fict. 45,238); no account of ref. use is kept; visitors to readingroom 59,498. New card-holders 2563; total registration 13.624. Books repaired or rebound 3201; discarded 1052. Receipts $15,571.40; expenses $15,903.91, leaving a net deficit of $398.88. The president of the executive committee says: "When the free library project was first proposed, it was enthusiastically prophesied of it that the result would be to increase its annual circulation from its then figure of about 28,000 to a little upward of 100,000. One long-time friend of the library in the course of a public address, in the exuberance of his enthusiasm, ventured what most doubtless regarded as a rash prediction, that some of those present would live to see the day when 1000 books would be drawn. We have not yet lived three years, and yet we have seen the day when more than 1500 have been taken out. We have also seen more than 2000 charged during the year just closed. This record, unprecedented, we believe, in library experience, tells its own story of public appreciation and usefulness." The library has no place on its shelves for sensational or trashy fiction, or for that which, though of a distinctly better class, is characterized by lightness and insipidity; on the other hand it endeavors, as far as possible, to furnish liberally popular and meritorious fiction. "The purchase of duplicates of this last class has been extensively resorted to, so that the better fiction of the last two or three years is represented in very many instances by from 20 to 40 copies. 'Trilby' claims the largest place, with 42 copies." A music department has been inaugurated by the addition of about 150 v. of bound sheetmusic for circulation. Jersey City (N. J.) P. L. The city board of finance at a meeting held November 6 formally concurred in the resolution passed by the library trustees in June of this year, authorizing the purchase of a suitable site for a new library building. The site will be paid for out of funds held by the library trustees, who for the past four years have conducted the library as economically as possible, with the purpose of accumulating a building fund. It is unlikely that any further steps will be taken until Librarian Cole, who is now seriously ill with typhoid fever, is able to take part in the plans. Kennett Square, Pa. Bayard Taylor Memorial L. The corner-stone of the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library was laid on the afternoon of October 27. The building is to be located in the centre of the town, and not more than 100 yards from Taylor's birth place. It is to be about 35 x 50, costing from $3000 to $5000, and built of stone and brick. The first floor will be devoted to the library, reading-room, and museum; the second to a lecture-hall. The building is erected by donation and subscription, and is to be a free public library. Madison, Wis. State Hist. Soc. L. The board of commissioners for erecting the new library building, who engaged Prof. W: R. Ware, of Columbia College, to come to Madison and study and report on the plans submitted by the competing architects, met on Nov. 13 to consider Prof. Ware's report and the plans endorsed by him. Five of the competitors were awarded prizes of $500 each, and final choice was suspended between two plans, the architects submitting them being invited to enter a fresh competition, confined to them only. Milwaukee (Wis.) P. L. In view of the fact that the bids for the work on the new librarymuseum building are much under the appropriation of $500,000, the trustees plan to devote the surplus to decorative purposes. It is estimated that about $25,000 can be spent in this way. Montpelier, Vt. Kellogg-Hubbard L. The new Kellogg-Hubbard Library was opened for readers early in October. The substantial building, designed by Mr. Cutting, of Worcester, is of fine granite, and is situated on the corner of Main and School streets, with ample space on all sides. Inside the arrangement of rooms is excellent, allowing for an increase of the library to the number of 50,000 volumes. The library is in charge of Miss M. E. Macomber, formerly of the Montpelier Public Library. New York F. C. L. The library class of the N. Y. F. C. L. began a new year's work on Oct. 4, 1895. In addition to the regular course of cataloging, which is being continued, several new features have been introduced. Miss Theresa Hitchler, the cataloger and instructor of the class, has outlined a plan of study and prepared a list of the most popular authors to be taken up, beginning with those of the present day and working backward; in connection with this an attempt is being made to procure portraits of the different authors as they come |