Chapter III: Part 3

Renewal slips and post-cards, and bespoke cards or forms require no description.

_Information circulars_ and _readers’ handbooks_ are becoming more and more general, and many useful documents of the kind have been issued. The object of all is to direct attention to the library, its uses, and contents, while making more public the rules, newspapers taken, hours of opening, &c. The little handbooks issued from Manchester, Boston (U.S.), Glasgow, and elsewhere, are models.

The barest reference will suffice for such articles as book-marks, cloth or paper, overdue notices and post-cards, issue returns, branch library returns, infectious diseases notification forms, and stock-taking returns, all of which are almost explained by their names. It should be stated as a curious fact that very many persons object to having notices of overdue books or defaulting borrowers sent on post-cards, while others think a charge for the postage of such notices an imposition. Any young librarian desirous of obtaining specimens of these or any other forms will always be sure to get them on application at the various libraries. The Museum, as before stated, contains a number of all kinds of forms.

As regards ordinary STATIONERY it is hardly necessary to say much. Note-paper is usually stamped with the library arms, and envelopes with the name on the flap. Pens, ink, pencils, rulers, date-cases, paper-knives, &c., are all so familiar that it would be waste of time to consider them separately. Any intelligent librarian will find endless suggestion and profit from a visit to a large stationer’s warehouse, and may even pick up wrinkles of some value by keeping his eyes open to the adaptability of many articles of manufactured stationery.

RECIPES.

_Pastes._ Ordinary flour paste is made by mixing flour and water to the consistency of a thin cream, taking care that all knots are rubbed out, and boiling over a slow fire with constant stirring until it becomes translucent. It can be made of almost any thickness and toughness, and by the admixture of a little glue very strong paste is obtained. A few drops of oil of cloves, creasote, or corrosive sublimate, or a few grains of salicylic acid will preserve flour paste for a long time if it is kept in closely covered vessels. The office paste called “Stickphast” is a variety of this preparation, and is much better than gum. There are a number of firms in London and elsewhere who make flour pastes which will keep, and these may be had through any bookbinder or direct from the makers at a cost as small as the home-made kinds, and of a much superior quality. There are various preparations of starch also used as paste, but they are best adapted for mounting photographs. A clean compound called “gloy” used to be sold in bottles, and was found useful for mounting fine plates or for office purposes. Mr. Zaehnsdorf recommends a paste made of rice flour, mixed with cold water and gently boiled, as one admirably adapted for delicate work. For all purposes of book patching which can be accomplished by the library staff Le Page’s soluble glue will be found handier and better than the ordinary kinds.

_Stains_ caused by writing-ink may be removed by (1) Equal quantities of lapis calaminaris, common salt, and rock alum, boiled in white wine for half-an-hour, and applied with a brush or sponge. (2) A small quantity of oxalic or muriatic acid diluted with water, applied with a camel’s hair brush, and dried with clean white blotting paper—two applications. (3) Solution of oxalic acid and water, after which the leaves should be dipped in a weak solution of chloride of lime and water, and thoroughly dried, after washing in clean water. (4) Aniline ink stains can be sponged off with warm water, or completely removed by a bath of alcohol. Grease spots or oil stains can be removed by (1) washing or dabbing the part with ether or benzoline, and afterwards placing between white blotting paper, over which pass a hot iron. Keep the ether and benzoline away from burning lights. (2) Put the leaf between two pieces of white blotting paper and carefully apply a hot iron to both sides. (3) When the stain is caused by a slice of bacon having been used as a book-mark, or by contact with a paraffin lamp, the borrower should be asked to remove it and supply a new copy of the work! (4) In general oxalic, citric, and tartaric acids are safe agents to use for removing stains in books, as they do not affect the letter-press. (5) Water and damp stains are removable by the application of boiling water and alum. (6) Foxing may be removed by dipping the leaves in a weak solution of hydrochloric acid, half ounce of acid to one pint of hot water, or by a weak bath of chlorine water. (7) Mud stains will yield to washing in cold water, then in a weak solution of muriatic acid, and finally in a weak solution of chloride of lime; dry well. For many practical hints on these and other subjects, see the admirable _Art of Bookbinding_, by J. W. Zaehnsdorf, issued as one of Bell’s “Technological Handbooks”. The receipts given in Power’s _Handy Book about Books_, Brannt and Wahl’s _Techno-Chemical Receipt Book_, and Cooley’s _Cyclopædia of Practical Receipts_ will also repay a little study.

_To repair torn leaves_: lay the torn leaf upon a piece of tissue paper of the same colour as the leaf itself. Touch the edges of the torn pieces, lightly, with good paste, _applied by the finger_,—bring them carefully together in proper position and place on top another piece of tissue paper; then put the volume under a heavy weight or in a press and leave it till next day. Finally, with great care, tear off the tissue paper which will adhere wherever it has touched the paste. The fibres of the tissue which remain, together with the paste, result in an almost invisible union of the torn fragments.

FOOTNOTES

[1] For Figures 1, 3, and 7 we are indebted to Mr. Thomas Greenwood, in whose work on Public Libraries they appear.

[2] For Figures 2 and 4 we have to thank Messrs. Wake & Dean, library furnishers, London.

[3] We believe the credit of this really most ingenious invention belongs to the late Dr. Tyler, one of the founders of Bethnal Green Free Library.—EDITORS.

[4] See _Library Chronicle_, vol. iv. p. 88; Library Notes (American); and _The Library_, vol. III. p. 414.

[5] An ingenious adaptation of this invention is suggested and described by Mr. Lymburn, Librarian of Glasgow University Library—in _The Library_ for July-August, 1892—EDITORS.

[6] Figures 5, 6, and 8 are inserted by kind permission of Messrs. Hammer & Co., library furnishers, London.

[7] For Figures 9, 11, 13, 14, and 17 we are indebted to Mr. Greenwood’s work on Public Libraries.

[8] We are obliged to Messrs. Wake & Dean for the Figures Nos. 10, 15 and 16.

INDEX.

Accession frames, 34.

Accessions book, 44;
(order book), 44.

Acknowledgment forms, 48.

Advertising whereabouts of libraries, 42.

Agenda book, 42.

Alphabetical files, 37.

Amberg files, 37.

Anchor copying press, 37.

Application form boxes, 39.

Application forms for books, 49;
(lending), 24;
(reference), 33.

Arm-chairs, 19.

Assistants’ time-book, 48.

Bar-lock typewriter, 36.

Battersea P. L. card catalogue, 33.

Bespoke cards and forms, 51.

Bethnal Green L. (sliding cases), 9.

Binder files, 37.

Binding (order) books and sheets, 47.

Birmingham Public Library accession shelves, 34.

Blanks, 48.

Book-cases, 2-6.

Book-cases (arrangement), 6;
(blinds), 10;
(British Museum sliding), 8;
(double), 2;
(glazed), 10;
(iron), 8;
(locked), 10;
(materials), 6;
(reference library), 5;
(revolving), 9;
(single with ledge), 6;
(skeleton), 4;
(wire fronts), 10.

Book-holders, 39.

Book-marks, 51.

Book-plates, 48.

Booking systems, 20.

Books of record, 42.

Borrowers (applications), 24;
(register), 47;
(tickets), 49.

Boxes for pamphlets, &c., 37.

Braby & Co.’s book-support, 40.

Bradford P. L. (accessions book), 45;
(binding order book), 47;
(charging system), 25.

Branch library returns, 48.

British Museum (issue system), 50;
(sliding cases), 8.

Burgoyne newspaper holder, 18.

Business books, 43.

Caligraph typewriter, 36.

Call slips, 24.

Card catalogues, 33.

Card-charging systems, 25.

Cardiff P. L. accession frame, 34.

Cards for press classification, 10.

Cases for books, 2-6.

Catalogue cabinets, 33.

Cataloguing apparatus, 33.

Chairs, 19.

Charging systems, 20-33.

Chelsea P. L. (charging system), 26;
(stock book), 46.

Chivers’ magazine case, 39.

Circulars of information, 51.

Classification book, 46.

Classification frames, 9-10.

Clerkenwell P. L. card catalogue, 33.

Cloth-covered boxes, 37.

Contents frames, 9-10.

Contract book, 43.

Copying machines, 35.

Cotgreave’s indicator, 29;
(periodical rack), 15.

Counters, 10-12.

Counters (card catalogues in), 12;
(sizes), 11;
(tills), 11.

Cumming’s newspaper holder, 18.

Cupboards, 12.

Cyclostyle copying machine, 36.

Cylindrical catalogue holder, 35.

Daily issue sheets, 48.

Date-labels, 49.

Dating stamps, 40.

Day books, 21.

Day issue sheets, 20.

Demand notes, 24.

Desk-tables, 12.

Desks (reading), 14;
(staff), 12.

Document files, 37.

Donation book, 43.

Drawers for card catalogues, 33.

Duplex indicator, 30.

Duplicate registers, 47.

Dust protectors, 10.

Elliot’s indicator, 27.

Embossing stamps for books, 40.

Enamelled iron lamp tablets, 42.

Enamelled title labels, 9, 18.

Estimate book, 43.

Fauntleroy magazine case, 39.

Files, 37.

Fineham & Co.’s pamphlet boxes, 37.

Fine receipt books, 43, 49.

Fittings, 2.

Forms, 48.

Found property register, 48.

Foxing of plates, to remove, 52.

Furniture, 12.

Giessen University catalogue case, 35.

Glass-fronted book-cases, 10.

Glass show-cases, 20.

Gloy paste, 52.

Glue (Le Page’s soluble), 52.

Grease stains, to remove, 52.

Guarantor’s register, 47.

Guard-book catalogues, 35.

Guides for card catalogues, 34.

Guildhall Library card catalogue, 33.

Hammond typewriter, 36.

Hat racks, 20;
(rails on chairs), 19.

Hill’s newspaper holder, 18.

Holders for newspapers, 18.

Indicators, 27-33.

Information circulars, 51.

Ink stamps for books, 40.

Ink wells, 14.

Inventory book, 43.

Invoice book, 44.

Iron book-cases, 8.

Issue book, 47;
(labels), 46-49;
(recording systems), 20;
(stamps), 24.

James’ book carrier, 42.

Journal charging system, 22.

Kensington Public Library ladder, 41.

Key cupboards, 12.

Labels for books, 48.

Ladders, 41.

Lambeth Public Library (accession shelves), 34;
(stock book), 45.

Leather for chair legs, 19.

Ledger charging systems, 21.

Lending library application forms, 50.

Lending systems, 20.

Letter book, 47.

Letter copying presses, 37.

Lewis and Grundy’s book-holder, 40.

Lists of wants, 24.

Liverpool Public Library (accession frame), 34;
(card catalogue), 33;
(charging system), 26;
(stock book), 46.

Location book, 44.

London Institution, 15, 26.

Lost property register, 48.

Lucy & Co.’s iron book shelves, 8.

Lupton’s borrowers’ note-book, 24.

MacAlister’s shelved ladder, 41.

Magazine racks, 14-17.

Manchester P.L. (binding order book), 47;
(card catalogue), 35;
(readers’ handbook), 51;
(stock book), 45;
(periodical arrangement), 15.

Manifolding machines, 35-36.

Marlborough pamphlet cases, 37.

Mason’s book-holder, 40;
(catalogue holder), 35.

Mimeograph copying machine, 36, 37.

Minute book, 42.

Mitchell Library, Glasgow, 12, 15;
(binding order book), 47;
(stock book), 45.

Movable location finding register, 44.

Museum cases, 20.

Museum of Library Association, 48, 51.

Music boxes, 37.

National Liberal Club, London, 16.

Newspapers (holders), 18;
(stands), 17-19.

Notices to the public, 48.

Nottingham P. L. card catalogue, 33.

Numbers for shelves, 9.

Order book, 47.

Overdue books, detection of, 22, 23, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 33;
(notices), 51.

Pamphlet boxes, 37.

Parr’s card-charging system, 26.

Paste for mending, 51.

Pedestal tables, 14.

Pegs for shelves, 8.

Perforating stamps for books, 40.

Periodicals (arrangement), 14-15;
(binders), 37;
(check book), 47;
(files), 37;
(racks), 14-17;
(receipt book), 47;
(stock book), 46.

Precept form, 48.

Press marks, 9-10.

Presses for books, 2-6.

Print boxes, 37.

Proposition book, 43.

Racks (periodicals), 14-17;
(hats, &c.), 20.

Readers’ handbooks, 51.

Reading slopes, 14.

Reading stands (newspapers), 17.

Receipts for fines, 49.

Recipes for paste, stain-removal, &c., 51.

Records of library work, 42.

Reference library (application forms), 50;
(charging), 33.

Remington typewriter, 36.

Renewal forms for books, 51.

Requisition forms (staff), 48.

Revolving book-cases, 9.

Revolving catalogue holder, 35.

Robertson’s indicator, 30.

Rotherham P. L. note-book, 24.

Routine (invoice) book, 44.

Royal College of Surgeons, London, 33.

Rubber stamp ink (Stephens’), 40.

Rubber stamps, 24.

Rubber stamps for books, 40.

Rule-labels, 49.

Rules and regulations, 48.

St. Martin’s Public Library, 15.

Screw newspaper holder, 18.

Seals for Library Boards, 40.

Shannon files, 37.

Shelf-edging, 10;
(fittings), 7;
(numbers), 9;
(registers), 46.

Shelves, 5.

Show cases, 20.

Stains, to remove, 52.

Stamps for books, 40;
(dating), 40;
(issues), 21.

Stationery, 48-51.

Stationery cupboards, 12.

Steps for libraries, 41.

Stickphast paste, 52.

Stitching machines, 38.

Stock book, 44.

Stone’s card catalogue cabinet, 34.

Store presses, 12.

Studs for shelves, 8.

Suggestion book, 43.

Superintendents’ desks, 12.

Tables, 12-14.

Tablets for directing to libraries, 42.

Technical appliances, 20.

Thanks circulars, 43, 48.

Ticket-books, 24.

Tickets for borrowers, 49.

Time (assistants’) book, 48.

Tonks’ shelf fitting, 7.

Tray book-cases, 6.

Trucks for books, 42.

Trypograph copying machine, 37.

Typewriters, 35-36.

Umbrella stands, 19.

Voucher forms, 49.

Wake and Dean’s book-holder, 40.

Walker’s book-rack, 39.

Waterston’s borrowers’ note-book, 24.

Wire-fronted book-cases, 10.

Wire-stitching machines, 38.

Wolverhampton Public Library, 15.

Work book, 48.

Yost typewriter, 36.

Zaehnsdorf’s paste, 52.

ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY PRESS.

WAKE & DEAN,

School, Church, & Library Furniture Manufacturers.

111 LONDON ROAD, LONDON, S.E.

SILVER MEDAL, ANTWERP, 1885.]

Manufacturers to Her Majesty’s Stationery Office and War Office.

LONDON SCHOOL BOARD, AND OTHER SCHOOL BOARDS THROUGHOUT ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES.

MANUFACTURERS OF AND ESTIMATES GIVEN FOR

Book-Shelves and Book-Cases, Reading Tables, Counters, Seats and Chairs, Newspaper Stands, Screens, Librarians’ Tables, Periodical Racks, And every description of Fittings for Public & other Libraries.

_PLEASE APPLY FOR LIST OF NEW CARD CATALOGUE CABINET._

THE FOLLOWING LIBRARIES HAVE BEEN FITTED BY WAKE AND DEAN:—

ST. MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS LIBRARY, Trafalgar Square.
CHRISTCHURCH ” Blackfriars.
CAMBERWELL ” Peckham.
CAMBERWELL ” Dulwich.
HAMMERSMITH ” Hammersmith.
PETERBOROUGH ”
BERMONDSEY ” Bermondsey.
CHISWICK ” Acton Green.
GOLDSMITHS’ ” New Cross.
DURNING (Lambeth) ” Kennington.
STOKE NEWINGTON ” Stoke Newington.
WATFORD ” Watford.
KENDAL ”
AND MANY OTHERS.

_Also all the Book-cases and Cupboards in the offices of the London School Board, and 300 Museums to the different Schools._

Catalogues and Special Designs on Application.

ARCHITECTS’ DESIGNS CAREFULLY EXECUTED.

Sole Manufacturers of Mason’s Improved Book-holder.

=WAKE & DEAN=, Public Library Fitters,
111 LONDON ROAD, LONDON, S.E.
STEAM FACTORY, BATH STREET.