Chapter 1: 528 copies (1)

2 473
4 589
9 251
12 267
15 475
17 591
20 474
22 617
26 671
-----
Total 4,936

Manuscripts for two more chapters, The library building, by W. R. Eastman, and Proprietary and subscription libraries, by C. K. Bolton, are ready and in the secretary's possession, but funds for printing are not in hand at present, owing to the heavy obligation incurred by the printing of Subject headings and the A. L. A. Catalog, 1904-11, within so short a time of each other. It is hoped, however, to print these and perhaps some others before the end of the year.

=Periodical Cards=--The shipments of periodical cards sent out since the close of the last report of the Board (May 1, 1911) have comprised 3,009 titles and 180,241 cards, not including reprints of cards in which errors have been discovered after the cards have been distributed.

Copy is received regularly by the editor, Mr. William Stetson Merrill, every two weeks, on the fifth and twentieth of the month from the following libraries:--Columbia, Harvard, John Crerar, New York and Yale. This copy is edited promptly and prepared for the printer.

=Advertising=--The Board's publications have been regularly advertised in Library Journal and Public Libraries and in one special number of The Dial. For the rest circularization and correspondence from the headquarters office has been relied upon. During the year over 15,000 pieces of circular matter have been mailed from headquarters office in the interest of our publications.

Particular effort has been made to advertise widely the new List of subject headings and the A. L. A. Catalog. For the latter in addition to circularizing the libraries descriptive postal cards were addressed to 7,000 high school and normal school principals. From these circulars only about 100 orders for the Catalog can be directly traced. It seems plain that it does not pay to advertise our publications among the high schools. Slips advertising the Catalog were sent to the librarians of all the leading colleges, requesting that these slips be distributed to members of the faculty interested in book selection. This resulted in getting orders from many college libraries addressed, but very few from the teaching staff. Experience would indicate that libraries and librarians are the only classes to which advertising can profitably be addressed. We have endeavored to keep the state library commissions regularly informed on all our publications and all of them which issue monthly or quarterly bulletins list our new publications therein, generally with appreciative annotations and descriptions. Exhibits of publications have been made at several state library meetings visited by the secretary.

During the past year the principal libraries of England, Scotland and Ireland have been circularized with lists of our publications, and a very gratifying number of orders have been received as a result. When the revised edition of Subject headings appeared copies were sent to nearly all the library periodicals of the various countries of Europe with the result that they reviewed the book and quite a number of continental orders have been directly traceable to these reviews. Copies of Subject headings and the new A. L. A. Catalog have been ordered from almost every important country in the world.

This report would be incomplete without hearty acknowledgment of the excellent work of the Secretary, Mr. George B. Utley. To his good business judgment and careful and judicious management is due in great measure the splendid financial showing recorded in the accompanying fiscal statement. The affairs of the Board have never been in better shape than now. The sales are increasing encouragingly, the inventory shows a salable stock with less "dead" material than at any time for years back, and the office organization is now well systematized and effective.

HENRY E. LEGLER, Chairman.

FINANCIAL REPORT

=Cash Receipts June 1, 1911, to May 31, 1912.=

Balance, June 1, 1911 $2,337.70
Interest on Carnegie Fund 4,524.33
Receipts from publications:
Cash sales $3,781.47
Payments on account 7,690.89 11,472.36
Interest on bank deposits 4.53
Sundries 1.98 $18,340.90
--------- ----------

=Payments June 1, 1911, to May 31, 1912.=

Cost of publications:
A. L. A. Booklist $1,940.35
Library and social movements
(1250 copies) 25.50
Supplement to Guide to reference books,
1909-10 (3000 copies) 220.12
Subject headings, second edition reprint
(200 copies) 132.30
Subject index to Booklist Vol. 7
(2500 copies) 223.00
Copyright on Hints to small libraries 1.03
Copyright on Supplement to Guide 1.03
Directions to librarian of a small library
(3000 copies) 76.49
Government documents in small libraries,
reprint (1000 copies) 25.50
Manual of library economy, Chap. 1,
2, 4, 17, 22, 26 376.55
Manual of library economy, Chap. 20 48.80
Manual of library economy, Chap. 15 62.80
Manual of library economy, Chap. 9 43.40
Manual of library economy, Chap. 12 37.55
Binding for small libraries, reprint
(1500 copies) 29.00
Reprints from Bulletin 40.91
Cataloging for small libraries,
reprint (1000 copies) 64.00
Library statistics tables 2.25
A. L. A. Index to general literature
(part of reprint) 108.00
Notes on the art section of a library,
reprint (1000 copies) 20.00
Guide to the use of reference books,
reprint (1000 copies) 259.08
Subject headings, third edition
(3000 copies) 3,518.96
Periodical cards 1,516.38 $8,773.00
Addressograph machine supplies 21.84
Furniture and fixtures 103.00
Advertising 282.15
Postage and express 631.49
Rent at Madison office 300.00
Travel 281.35
Salaries 3,670.00
Expense at headquarters 2,000.00
Supplies and incidentals 1,066.36
Printing (stationery, etc.) 43.25
Balance on hand, May 31, 1912 1,168.46 $18,340.90

SALES OF A. L. A. PUBLISHING BOARD PUBLICATIONS

=April 1, 1911, to March 31, 1912.=

A. L. A. Booklist, regular subscriptions 1115 $1,115.00
Additional subs, at reduced rate of 50c 141 70.50
Bulk subscriptions paid 1,083.65
Extra copies 1659 242.78 $2,511.93

Handbook 1, Essentials in library administration 492 71.63
Handbook 2, Cataloging for small libraries 677 89.15
Handbook 3, Management of traveling libraries 88 12.73
Handbook 4, Aids in book selection 42 6.23
Handbook 5, Binding for small libraries 139 21.35
Handbook 6, Mending and repair of books 602 78.21
Handbook 7, U. S. Government documents 652 84.87 364.17

Tract 2, How to start a library 80 4.00
Tract 3, Traveling libraries 26 1.30
Tract 8, A village library 219 7.65
Tract 9, Library school training 196 9.55
Tract 10, Why do we need a public library? 390 13.50 36.00

Foreign Lists, German 100 42.25
Foreign Lists, French 150 26.09
Foreign Lists, French fiction 130 4.25
Foreign Lists, Hungarian 95 9.70
Foreign Lists, Norwegian and Danish 98 16.71
Foreign Lists, Swedish 105 18.56 117.56

Reprints, Arbor day list 30 1.50
Reprints, Bird books 33 3.30
Reprints, Christmas Bulletin 65 3.25
Reprints, Library buildings 139 13.78
Reprints, National library problem today 26 1.30
Reprints, Rational library work with children 64 3.20 26.33

Periodical cards, subscriptions 1,197.45
Periodical cards, Old South Leaflets 15.75
Periodical cards, Reed's Modern Eloquence sets 9 22.50
Periodical cards, Smithsonian reports set 1 15.00 1,250.70

A. L. A. Manual of library economy:
Chap. I. American library history 528 46.73
Chap. II. Library of Congress 473 34.60
Chap. IV. College and university library 589 52.67
Chap. IX. Library legislation 251 18.96
Chap. XII. Administration of a public library 267 20.44
Chap. XV. Branch libraries 475 32.71
Chap. XVII. Order and accession department 591 46.25
Chap. XX. Shelf department 474 34.65
Chap. XXII. Reference department 617 55.54
Chap. XXVI. Bookbinding 671 53.78 396.33

A. L. A. Index to general literature 31 177.00
Catalog rules 486 271.06
Children's reading (now out of print) 6 1.48
Girls and women and their clubs 57 13.55
Guide to reference books 686 888.25
Guide to reference books, Supplement 761 181.50
Hints to small libraries 203 136.69
Larned, Literature of American history 29 160.47
Larned, Literature of American history, Supplement 79 64.21
List of music and books about music 82 20.12
List of editions selected for economy in
bookbuying 126 30.99
List of 550 children's books 346 55.85
List of subject headings, 2nd edition 218 397.45
List of subject headings, 3rd edition 1125 2,717.00
Plans of small library buildings 98 120.52
Reading for the young 9 6.61
Reading for the young, Supplement 16 3.94
Subject index to A. L. A. Booklist, v. 1-6 260 66.23
Subject index to A. L. A. Booklist, v. 7 961 84.49 5,397.40

League publications:
Anniversaries and holidays 13 3.25
Directions for librarian of a small library 1186 54.53
Graded list of stories for reading aloud 335 32.71
Library and social movement 1000 31.63
Magazines for the small library 313 29.38 151.50
A. L. A. Bulletin and Proceedings 258 87.96
A. L. A. Bulletin, Hopper reprint 462 11.85 99.81
----- ------- ----------
Total sale of publications $10,351.73

REPORT OF THE CARNEGIE AND ENDOWMENT FUNDS

To the President and Members of the American Library Association:

The Trustees of the Endowment Funds in presenting their annual report for the year ending January 15, 1912, desire to say that there has been no change in the securities held by the Board. The market price of most of them remaining about the same, changes could not be made to the advantage and desired betterment of the fund.

The Trustees are pleased to state that all interest has been promptly paid.

Mr. E. H. Anderson of the New York public library was again deputed to audit the accounts of the Board and inspect the securities, and he gives to the Trustees, as the result of that examination, the following letter:

Dear Mr. Appleton:

Enclosed herewith are the vouchers from Mr. Roden, Treasurer of
the American Library Association, and the receipt for the rent of
the safety deposit box in the vaults of the Union Trust Company.
I have written the chairman of the Finance Committee that I have
examined these vouchers and found them in accordance with your
type written statement.

The four type written sheets which you gave me yesterday I have
checked as correct as to the bonds in your custody, as to the
vouchers referred to above, and as to the cash balance on hand. I
have certified to Mr. Andrews, the chairman of the Committee on
Finance, that to the best of my knowledge and belief the reports
contained on these sheets are correct.

Very sincerely,
(Signed) E. H. ANDERSON.

The General Endowment Fund has been increased during the year by the taking of seven life memberships by the persons named, adding to the Fund, $175.00.

Respectfully submitted,

W. C. KIMBALL,
WM. W. APPLETON,
W. T. PORTER.

Trustees of A. L. A. Endowment Fund.

CARNEGIE FUND, PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT

Cash donated by Mr. Andrew Carnegie $100,000.00

=Invested as follows:=

June 1, 1908 5,000 4% Am. Tel. & Tel. Bonds 96-1/2 $ 4,825.00
June 1, 1908 10,000 4% Am. Tel. & Tel. Bonds 94-3/8 9,437.50
June 1, 1908 15,000 4% Cleveland Terminal 100 15,000.00
June 1, 1908 10,000 4% Seaboard Air Line 95-1/2 9,550.00
June 1, 1908 15,000 5% Western Un. Tel. 108-1/2 15,000.00
June 1, 1908 15,000 3-1/2% N. Y. Cen. 90 13,500.00
(Lake Shore Col)
June 1, 1908 15,000 5% Mo. Pacific 104-7/8 15,000.00
May 3, 1909 15,000 5% U. S. Steel 104 15,000.00
Aug. 6, 1909 1,500 U. S. Steel 106-7/8 1,500.00
July 27, 1910 1,000 U. S. Steel 102-1/2 1,000.00
------ ---------
102,500 99,812.50
Jan. 15, 1912 Union Trust Co. on deposit 187.50
-----------
$100,000.00

In addition to the above we have on hand at the Union Trust Company $150 profit on the sale of the Missouri Pacific Bonds, which we have carried to a special surplus account.

CARNEGIE FUND, INCOME ACCOUNT

=1911=

January 15, Balance $2,487.76
February 15, Int. N. Y. Central 262.50
March 1, Int. Missouri Pacific 375.00
March 1, Int. Seaboard Line 200.00
May 2, Int. U. S. Steel 437.50
May 2, Int. Cleveland Terminal 300.00
July 5, Int. Amer. Tel. & Tel. Co. 300.00
July 5, Int. Western Union Tel. Co. 375.00
August 9, Int. N. Y. Central 262.50
September 1, Int. Seaboard Line 200.00
September 1, Int. Missouri Pacific 375.00
November 1, Int. U. S. Steel 437.50
November 1, Int. Cleveland Terminal 300.00
December 31, Int. Union Trust Co. 54.33

=1912=

January 2, Int. Western Union Tel. Co. 375.00
January 2, Int. Am. Tel. & Tel. Co. 300.00 $7,042.09
-------- ---------

=Disbursements:=
=1911=

March 2, Carl B. Roden, Treas. $2,487.76
August 15, Carl B. Roden, Treas. 2,000.00
October 6, Carl B. Roden, Treas. 1,000.00
December 27, Rent Safe Deposit Co. 30.00
January 15, 1912 Cash on hand 1,524.33 $7,042.09
--------- ---------

ENDOWMENT FUND, PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT

=1911=

January 15, On hand, Bonds and Cash $7,111.84
April 1, Life membership Mary E. Hawley 25.00
April 1, Life membership Mary F. Isom 25.00
May 1, Life membership H. W. Craver 25.00
August 9, Life membership M. S. Dudgeon 25.00
August 28, Life membership F. K. Walter 25.00
October 4, Life membership R. G. Thwaites 25.00
November 1, Life membership R. B. Stern 25.00 $7,286.84
--------- ---------

=Invested as follows:=
=1908=

June 1, 2 U. S. Steel Bonds 98-1/2 $1,970.00
October 19, 2 U. S. Steel Bonds 102-5/8 2,000.00
November 5, 1-1/2 U. S. Steel Bonds 101 1,500.00

=1910=

July 27, 1-1/2 U. S. Steel Bonds 102-1/2 1,500.00
January 15, 1912 Cash on hand, Union
Trust Co. 316.84 $7,286.84
--------- ---------

ENDOWMENT FUND, INCOME ACCOUNT

=1911=

January 15, Cash on hand $448.41
May 2, Int. U. S. Steel 175.00
November 1, Int. U. S. Steel 175.00 $798.41
------- -------

=Disbursements:=
=1911=

February 15, C. B. Roden, Treas. $448.41
July 5, C. B. Roden, Treas. 175.00
January 15, 1912 Cash on hand 175.00 $798.41

COMMITTEE ON BOOKBINDING

During the year the special library edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, mentioned in last year's report, and at various times in the library periodicals, was placed on the market under considerable difficulty. As planned at first, three special library editions were all to be bound in England and imported for libraries by the publishers. Unfortunately, it was discovered after orders had been taken that the publishers could not, under the copyright law, import any copies, and notices to that effect were sent to libraries that had ordered these editions. The publishers then found that the cloth bound set, according to the A. L. A. specifications, could be manufactured in this country and again librarians received communications from the publishers. Owing to these various communications from the publishers, together with notices from this committee, many librarians remained without knowledge as to the real state of affairs.

At the present time the committee understands that the cloth bound set, with special reinforcements, can be obtained directly from the publishers in this country, and that sets bound by Mr. Chivers can be obtained directly from him. Several complaints of the new bindings have come to the committee, but upon investigation, it was found in every case that the complaints were due to imperfect or torn pages and not to defective binding. Undoubtedly many imperfect sheets were passed in the first copies that were sold. We have reason to believe, however, that later sets have been more carefully collated. Complaints about the cloth binding have also been received from large libraries. As a matter of fact this edition was not intended for large libraries. From the beginning it has been stated that the cloth edition was for the use of small libraries. Large libraries were expected to get one of the leather editions.

It is quite evident that publishers are beginning to realize that good binding, especially of reference books, is an asset of considerable value when dealing with libraries. During the year the committee has several times been called upon for specifications and suggestions for the binding of large reference books. Perhaps the most noteworthy instance was that of the Century Company, which submitted samples of binding for the new edition of the Century Dictionary. The Century Company and the J. F. Tapley Company, of New York, which did the binding, adopted various methods of strengthening the volumes, and the samples submitted included not only all of the committee's specifications, but several others. The samples were so good and the honesty of purpose of the Century Company and the J. F. Tapley Company so evident that the committee felt no hesitation in stating that the result was the best piece of commercial (machine bound) binding ever brought to its attention. Visits of two members of the committee to the bindery showed that the specifications in every case were being lived up to. The committee, furthermore, obtained full description and specifications of this binding, which, with certain modifications, can be used as a standard for this kind of work.

Specifications for strong binding were also submitted to H. W. Wilson Company for the binding of the new volume of U. S. Catalog; to Robert Glasgow, of Toronto, for a set entitled "Makers of Canada"; and to the Review of Reviews Company for the "Photographic history of the Civil war." The specifications, as submitted, were adopted by the Robert Glasgow Co., and the Review of Reviews Co. The H. W. Wilson Co. adopted them with some slight modifications which met with the approval of the committee.

So far as the reinforcing of fiction and juvenile books by publishers is concerned, matters stand about the same as they have been for the past two years. The plan has practically been dropped by all publishers. In a few cases, books which the publishers have discovered are in constant demand by libraries, are kept in stock in special binding. Examples of these are the Little Cousin Series, published by Page, and the Peter Rabbit Series, by Warne. The number of titles of such books is very few.

It must not be supposed, however, that because the publishers have stopped doing this, such books are unobtainable. On the contrary, it is easier to get reinforced publishers' covers than ever before, and with the surety that the work is well done, which was not always the case when they were bound by the publishers. Those who wish to use the attractive publishers' covers, and at the same time have a book which will outlast the period of extreme popularity, can do so by ordering from one of the several firms which do work of this kind. In most cases the increased cost is greater than was the case when the books were done by the publishers, but the work is far better done and in the opinion of the committee the increased value more than compensates for the increased cost. Furthermore, the books are not injured for rebinding. In fact, in some cases the sewing of the book is designed to last during its lifetime. When the first cover wears out, all that is necessary is to re-case it.

While discussing the question of reinforced bindings it may not be amiss again to call attention to the special binding of the Everyman's Library. Experience in the use of these volumes only emphasizes their serviceability, attractiveness and cheapness. Whenever possible all replacements should be made from this collection.

During the year the publishers of two periodicals, Everybody's and World's Work, adopted a scheme of binding which necessitated cutting off the backs of signatures. It was apparent at once that this scheme made it necessary for libraries which bound these periodicals to have them overcast in sewing. Since few binders understand the proper method of oversewing and moreover generally charge extra for it, many libraries were put to much inconvenience and added expense. Protests from this committee to the publishers were promptly heeded, and as a result all libraries now receive the regular edition with folded sheets.

The correspondence of the committee has largely increased. Inquiries are frequently received from publishers, from binders and from librarians. Inquiries from librarians cover all phases of binding, and not infrequently the committee is asked for opinions as to the work of certain binders. In answering these questions about individual binding the committee has been at a disadvantage, because, except in the case of a very few binders, it has no definite knowledge of their work. To remedy this difficulty the committee has, with some hesitation, planned to establish a collection which shall include samples of the work of all binders which make a specialty of library binding. These samples are to be four in number and will show methods of binding fiction, juvenile books and periodicals. In addition to these samples binders are asked to answer 24 questions which cover methods, materials, and prices. It is hoped that, with these samples and answers to these questions, the committee will be in a position to form more definite opinions about the work of any binder, and librarians who ask for opinions will receive answers based on actual knowledge.

The scheme is yet in its infancy but already samples have been received from several binders, and letters from some of them express approval. The committee realizes that good binding may be done in several ways, and while members of the committee may have individual preferences, every effort will be made to give impartial opinions. Certainly no binder who does good work need fear unjust criticism. Librarians can help in this work by,

1. Sending names of library binders.

2. Urging binders to comply with the requests of the committee.

3. Asking for opinions when the collection is complete.

In view of the facts outlined above, it seems reasonable to suppose that one of the committee's most valuable functions is to act in an advisory capacity, not only to librarians, but to publishers and binders. For this reason all librarians are urged to submit their binding problems to the committee.

=Magazine Binders=

During the year a number of varieties of magazine binders have been examined. Several firms failed to respond to a request for a sample or did so too late. Others doubtless exist of which the committee has not heard. The result of study of this subject during the past three years, aided by the chapter dealing with it in Dana's "Book binding for libraries," Edition 2, is here set forth.

Of course no one binder is best for all libraries or for all requirements of one library. Each must decide for itself by noting the condition of its magazines when they are ready for the bindery whether any binder at all is needed. A library which has no money to spend on the more durable covers or dislikes them for any reason may use one of the methods described in the chapter in Dana referred to above. A method, used to some extent by the Brooklyn public library, consists, in brief, of putting on a brown paper cover and securing it by paste or brass staples to a bunch of advertising pages at front and back.

The best inexpensive binder is that known as the "Springfield." It can be made in any bindery, consisting simply of a cover with a stiff strip at the back in which are three eyelet holes, one at each end and one in the middle. The magazine is laced in with tape or shoe string. This method damages the magazine much less than others similar, some of which require drilling holes through from side to side. In principle the binder made by Cedric Chivers, Brooklyn, N. Y., is a more durable form of the Springfield and is heartily recommended.

Some libraries desire a binder from which a magazine cannot readily be stolen. This is a matter of local opinion. The best for this purpose appear to be the new "Bull dog" binder just put on the market by Gaylord Brothers, Syracuse, N. Y., and the "Buchan" binder mentioned by Mr. Dana. All such binders are heavy, clumsy, and slow in operation. For those magazines deceitfully put together without sewing or staples the "Bull dog" and the "Buchan" binder will both give satisfaction.

Among a multitude of other binders the best type is that whose mechanism consists of a stout rod firmly fastened though playing free at one end, and fastened at the other by a simple catch. Many built on this principle are too clumsy. A few are needlessly flimsy. Of those examined the best are the following:--

"Universal" made by J. J. Ralek, New York City.

"A. L. B." made by American Library Bindery, Philadelphia.

"Torsion" made by Barrett Bindery Co., Chicago.

For covering binders various materials have been used. For long service and good appearance we recommend pig skin back and keratol sides. Cow hide and buckram are cheaper and will not last as long. Canvas is ill suited for this purpose.

Respectfully submitted,

A. L. BAILEY, Chairman.
ROSE G. MURRAY,
N. L. GOODRICH,

Committee.

COMMITTEE ON BOOK BUYING

During the past year the A. L. A. Committee on Book buying has been negotiating with a Committee of the American Booksellers' Association with a view to bringing about a better understanding between the booksellers and the libraries.

Upon the request of the Committee of the Booksellers' Association, your committee made a statement of the situation, which was delivered to them in October, 1911. The booksellers' committee prepared a reply to this statement, which was delivered to your committee in April, 1912.

A meeting of the two committees was held on Thursday, May 6th, 1912, in Cleveland, but it was without any definite result. It was agreed that the two committees report progress to their respective associations and that they submit to their executive committee the statement and reply referred to, with a report upon the present situation and to ask to be allowed to continue the negotiations if the executive committee thought it wise to do so.

WALTER L. BROWN, Chairman,
C. B. RODEN,
C. H. BROWN.

COMMITTEE ON CO-ORDINATION

The following report is the result, in part, of a question referred to the Committee on Co-ordination by a meeting at the Pasadena conference.

The question was, Whether libraries are justified in making a moderate charge in connection with every volume lent, sufficient in the long run, to cover the administrative expense involved in looking up and sending the volume asked for: not as payment for the use of the book, but to relieve the lender of an undue burden of expense, unavoidably attendant upon the system of lending with some freedom to other libraries.

In the opinion of the committee this question could be most profitably discussed only in connection with the whole subject of inter-library loans. It is clear, both from past and present developments, and from the direction these developments are taking that inter-library loans are, as yet, merely in their infancy. It is clear, too, that such loans increase the efficiency of libraries which participate in them. Finally, it is evident that there is a marked tendency not simply to multiply library loans, but to enlarge the field within which it is considered appropriate to effect them--taking "field" both in a geographical sense, and as relating to different classes of borrowers. Accordingly, it is not surprising that additional machinery and new methods should be required, and that some at least, should already have been devised. Also, it is safe to predict that this growth in machinery and in methods will continue.

Therefore, the Committee on Co-ordination has thought that it might be helpful, at the present time, to attempt a discussion (which will partake of the character of a symposium) in regard to the purpose and scope of inter-library loans. It is hoped that, as a result of this and subsequent discussion, it may become practicable to formulate some general rules for the conduct of inter-library loans. If a code of such rules could be framed, even granting that the provisions would, of course, bind no library against its will, one more step would yet have been taken in the direction of systematizing and extending a process which has already produced excellent results, and bids fair in the near future, to modify library practice in important particulars.

While the purpose of inter-library loans is uniform in the main, it varies to some extent, with the nature and duties of the participating libraries.

Neglecting minor differences, such libraries fall into two groups: Reference libraries, including libraries of colleges and universities; and libraries whose work is of a more popular character; or, to state the matter in terms of readers: Libraries, most of whose readers are "serious," and libraries, some, at least, of whose readers are not so very serious.

This distinction is not a sharp one, yet it produces wide divergence in the point of view, and in the practice of these two classes of libraries. A comparison of the third contribution to this symposium with the first and second will make this matter evident. Both points of view are accurate, and varieties of practice, provided only that they exist among the members of a comprehensive system, are the best guarantees of the ultimate achievement of great results.

C. H. GOULD,

Chairman.

I.

The purpose of inter-library loans is to make available the unusual material in one library to an enquirer who cannot visit it in person and does not find available the identical material in some institution nearer at hand or which has a nearer constitutional duty to serve him. The service to him must be subject to the convenience of the constituency of the lending library and can be expected only if the risk and expense of it shall be met by the borrowing library in his behalf.

1. It is not to be expected therefore that a library will lend either (1) books which if not in the applicant library, are within the ordinary duty of the latter to supply; or (2) books in constant use among its own readers; or (3) books for the general reader as against the investigator.

2. It is not to be expected that material will be sought the transportation of which, even with the best precautions, involves a necessary injury,--as for instance, by strain,--or a contingent injury in its use outside of the walls of the institution owning it by persons over whose use it has no supervision. A stipulation for its use within the walls of the borrowing library, while entirely reasonable, may not cover the case completely, as the responsibility for the care of the material cannot, by a mere stipulation for care, be transferred from the owning to the borrowing library.

3. Subject to 2, the important service in inter-library loans being to make generally available the unusual book for the unusual need of the serious investigator, the fact that the book needed is either rare, or part of a set which may be marred by the loss of a single volume, or that it is even unique, as for instance a manuscript, ought not to be conclusive against the loan, for it is just through such material that the inter-library loans may render their most important service.

4. The applicant library should refrain from applying (a) for ordinary books which are within its constitutional duty to supply to its immediate readers, or (b) for unusual books requested for a purpose which it knows to be trivial, or by a person of whose discretion and seriousness it is not assured, or (c) for books which, within the legitimate provisions of a loan are to be had from some institution nearer at hand, or having a nearer constitutional duty to it and to the constituency which it serves, or (d) for books which upon their face must be in constant use in any library possessing them.

5. The lending library may reasonably stipulate: (a) That the entire cost of the service shall be met by the borrowing library, and may look to this library alone as responsible both for the safety and prompt return of the material and for the replacement of the material if lost or damaged, and (b) it may reasonably include as part of the expense: (1) packing; (2) carriage; (3) insurance; (4) the fraction, if estimable, which the particular loan should bear of the expense of administering the service. (c) As to the duration of the loan: that it shall not exceed the period of its local loans, with an allowance added for the transit both ways; and the lender may reasonably couple with this a right of summary recall. It may also impose penalties for delays in returning material, or for carelessness in its use or in repacking. It may of course reserve the right to decline further loans to a library which has shown indifference in these regards, or whose applications have been incessantly frivolous. (d) It may of course limit the number of volumes lent to any one library or for the use of any one investigator at any one time. (e) It may, without prejudicing applications from other institutions, deny the application of any particular library, because of lack of assurance as to the safety or intelligent use of the material if lent. Its decisions in this regard resting often upon the impressions of a general experience, ought to be unembarrassed. It should not therefore be called upon to explain them.

HERBERT PUTNAM.

II

=A statement of general policy in regard to inter-library loans=

The primary purpose of inter-library loans is the promotion of scholarship by placing books not commonly accessible and not in use in one library, temporarily at the service of a scholar who has access to some other library. It should not be allowed to interfere with the reasonable and customary use of books by home readers, and the extent to which sending can be carried depends on the local conditions of the lending library, the importance of the service to be rendered, the character of the books desired, the distance to which they are to be sent, and a number of other circumstances.

The larger university libraries, having large numbers of professors, advanced students and other professional scholars immediately dependent on them, may find it necessary to restrict the scope of their loans in justice to their local constituency, while others may rightly extend the system beyond the limits indicated, so as to meet the wants of readers in public libraries, teachers in high schools, and others.

Libraries should not be expected to lend text-books for general class use, popular manuals or books for the general reader, inexpensive books and those which can easily be procured through the book-trade, books to assist in school or college debates, or books for ordinary purposes of school or undergraduate study. Neither should they lend books which are likely to be in frequent demand by their own readers, or books which they do not lend at home on the ground that they ought always to be accessible on the shelves. In this respect practice will naturally differ widely, one library being ready to lend books which another would consider it necessary to keep always at hand.

Caution should be exercised in lending volumes of newspapers, periodicals or society transactions and parts of expensive sets, since such volumes, if lost, are disproportionately expensive and sometimes practically impossible to replace. Moreover, periodicals and society publications are often unexpectedly wanted for the purpose of verifying references, etc., and students may justly expect that they will always be accessible with a minimum of delay.

The borrowing library should bear the expense of transportation both ways, and additional charges, if required, for the insurance of specially valuable books. It should be financially responsible for the replacement of books lost or injured in transit.

Borrowing libraries should take pains to borrow from sources nearest at hand or most naturally under obligation to lend.

Titles of books wanted should be given with all practicable precision, both to insure getting the very thing asked for and to make the labor of finding the book as light as possible for the lending library.

Applications for loans should always be made through the librarian of the borrowing library and not directly by the professor or student for whose advantage the loan is desired. If books are lent on direct request of the individual, not transmitted through the library with which he is associated, this library cannot be held responsible for the prompt and safe return of the books or for replacing them if lost in transit. Librarians are therefore justified in declining to lend on direct request and in insisting that application must be made through the librarian.

A library is justified in placing a limit on the number of volumes which it may be expected to lend at one time to a single institution--say five or ten volumes.

Loans should be made for a definite period, but the length of this period naturally varies with the occasion. The period begins with the despatch of the book from the lending library and ends with the day on or before which the book should be sent off by the borrowing library. If an extension of time is desired, it should be asked for long enough in advance of the book's being due to enable an answer to be received. Books may always be recalled by the lending library in advance of the date originally named if needed for the reasonable service of its home readers.

In lending rare books, large volumes, portfolios of plates, etc., a library may be expected to insist that they must be used only within the building of the borrowing library. In some cases, it may be advisable to put the same restriction on all books lent.

Fines may properly be charged and collected for books detained beyond the allotted time without request for extension. Repeated failure to return books promptly, or negligence in packing them safely is sufficient ground for declining to make further loans. When books are sent out or returned, separate notice of the fact should be sent by mail, stating date of shipment, mode of conveyance, etc. It is recommended that blank forms prepared for this purpose be used. Applications for loans may also most conveniently be made on suitable blanks.

Libraries that are called upon for frequent loans are justified in making a moderate charge in connection with every volume lent, sufficient in the long run to cover the administrative expense involved in looking up and sending off volumes asked for. This charge is not to be considered as a payment for the use of the book, but is intended simply to relieve the lending library of an undue burden of expense unavoidably attendant upon the system of lending with some freedom to other libraries.

It is recommended that libraries arrange so that the services of some competent person may be regularly available at a moderate charge for looking up information, verifying references, etc., when the time and labor involved in such inquiries seem to exceed what may reasonably be demanded of the library staff. The employment of such a person to obtain specific information will also occasionally serve in place of making a loan.

It is also suggested that the possession of a cameragraph, for making rotary bromide prints, or other similar device by which facsimile copies can be made inexpensively, would often enable a library to send a satisfactory copy of portions of a rare book or manuscript in place of lending the original.

WILLIAM COOLIDGE LANE.

III

=Inter-library loans=

I. Purpose.

(1) Prompt service. (a) The book, if purchased, might have to come from a greater distance and so cause delay. (b) The book, if out of print, would take time to find or might not be possible for an agent to locate for a very long time, if at all.

(2) Economical service. (a) The library that loans the book. Rather than have a book, that has cost time and money, stand idle on the shelves, the library owning it would be better repaid for the expenditure if the book were used by more people. (b) The library that borrows the book. Rather than purchase a book which would seldom be requested, it would be better to borrow it, and use one's funds and time and shelf room for books that would be in constant demand. For example: take two special lines of library service here in California at the present time.

(1) Books for the blind. Aside from a small collection in the San Francisco reading room and library for the blind for the local blind, and the small collection for the students in the Berkeley California institute for the education of the blind and the deaf, the state library has almost all the books and magazines used by the blind of the state. It would not be economical for other libraries or individuals to undertake to carry on this work, so the state library discourages anyone else buying such books and undertakes to furnish them to anyone needing them. If many want to read certain periodicals they are duplicated several times and sent in order to the various blind borrowers.

(2) Medical books and periodicals. The Lane medical library in San Francisco and the Barlow medical library in Los Angeles have perhaps the best medical collections in the state. The state library of course has and is building up a collection in this line for the use of the whole state, but it often borrows from the first two mentioned.

II. Scope.

There will be no limit, apparently, to the scope of inter-library loans in California. Each library at present makes an effort to loan anything asked of it by any other library. For example, the state library buys no fiction, but from the union catalogs of the county free libraries which is located at the state library, it is possible to tell where a certain book is located and to direct one to the other for a rush request of fiction.

Rare books are loaned by library to library and used by the borrower at the library.

Newspapers it is not necessary now to loan as by cameragraphing the needed extract from them, the expense, wear and tear, and risk of such loans are avoided. The same applies to articles in unbound or bound periodicals. Cameragraphing an article in a periodical also makes unnecessary the duplicating of certain periodicals because of some especially needed article. Cameragraphing is also economical in that it keeps the files in the library and so more material is always available for reference use.

Even reference books, however, are loaned or borrowed frequently to meet certain needs. So the scope is of necessity a matter of judgment of the particular case in question.

III. Extent of borrower's financial responsibility.

When a library borrows, it takes the financial responsibility, in case of loss or injury, and if the borrower is an individual, he takes it. The State library pays transportation on all loans to and from the county free libraries, and the county free library on all loans within the county. Loans to other libraries are usually paid--sending charge by the library sending the book and returning charge by the library returning the book.

The expense of administering the service of inter-library loans is not being considered here in California, and we believe that question will never arise here, no matter how great the demands on each other grow to be.

The spirit of co-operation is growing so rapidly here that the rivalry seems to be more who has and can give more rather than who can take more.

IV. Order in which libraries should be applied to for a loan.

There is no order here in California except that almost all libraries apply first to the State library and the State library being naturally the best informed on the special lines of strength in the various libraries in California, can request the library that is either known to have it or is likely to have it, to forward it to the library needing it. This is already possible for periodical files as there is at the State library a union list of periodical files in California libraries. Periodicals which are not in any California library, are borrowed with least loss of time, from the Library of Congress or Surgeon General's library.

V. Average duration of loans.

It would not be economical to plan a time limit on loans, as usually the library requesting it states the time the book will be needed and it is, if possible, loaned for that period. As soon as the library borrowing it is through with it, even if sooner than the time it expected to need it, the book is returned. Any book must of necessity be subject to recall by the library loaning it. There cannot well be a limit to the number of volumes loaned at any one time. That would naturally depend upon the need. No fines or other penalties for negligence in returning loans are necessary where there is a spirit of perfect co-operation, as librarians all understand the necessity of system, and in California at least, show great consideration for each other.

VI. Forms of application for loans; notice of shipment, etc.

The forms used by the State library and county free libraries in California have been found to be perfectly satisfactory. Requests are sent in to the State library in duplicate. One is returned with the disposition made of it written on it and the duplicate is kept on file as a record at the State library. If not in the State library a similar duplicated request is sent to some other library.

VII. Inter-library loans in California.

We in California find that a request is never refused and that requesting such loans in itself makes a library proud of its strength and of its place in the system and builds up in this way a strong feeling for co-operation.

The rules to be adopted for inter-library loans in California will be those that experience shows are necessary, and are likely to give the best results for California conditions.

J. L. GILLIS.

COMMITTEE ON CO-OPERATION WITH THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

The Committee on Co-operation with the National Education Association is in a position to report that an appointment has been made by the executive board of the National Education Association of a representative of the American Library Association to speak at the third general session of its meeting in Chicago on the place of the library in educational movements. The committee feels that this recognition of the work of the library on the part of the National Education Association is a decided victory, as for many years the authorities of the National Education Association have courteously but constantly turned away from the request made by the American Library Association committee for a representative on their program.

A selection was made of Dr. Arthur E. Bostwick, librarian of the St. Louis public library, to present the library cause before the National Education Association. It is needless to add with full assurance, that the matter is safe in his hands.

At the invitation of the president of the library department of the National Education Association, Mr. E. W. Gaillard of New York, the committee has endeavored as best it could in the short time allowed, owing to the lateness of the invitation, to make an exhibit of American Library Association material, booklists and material illustrative of the relations between libraries and schools, to be in place at the National Education Association meeting to be held in Chicago.

It seems, therefore, that the work of the past year is one that should afford satisfaction in the recognition that the American Library Association has received from the National Education Association.

President George E. Vincent, of the University of Minnesota, who will deliver an address at the Ottawa conference, at the invitation of the American Library Association program committee, has been invited to present the official greetings of the National Education Association to the American Library Association.

The committee through its chairman has advised with several groups of school librarians, but it has been the policy to confine action to affairs in which the national organizations as individual units were concerned.

MARY EILEEN AHERN, Chairman,
GENEVIEVE M. WALTON,
IRENE WARREN,
GEORGE H. LOCKE,
J. C. DANA.

The PRESIDENT: The next report is that of the committee on catalog rules for small libraries.

The SECRETARY: The chairman of this committee, Miss Theresa Hitchler, wrote me that she hoped to make a report through some other member of the committee, and that it was the hope of the committee to have that work finished by fall.

The PRESIDENT: Then the chair will accept that as a report of information.

Adjourned.

SECOND GENERAL SESSION

(Russell Theatre, Friday, June 28, 9:30 a. m.)

First Vice-President Henry E. Legler presided.

The FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT: It has always been a moot question as to what vice-presidents were for. Mrs. Elmendorf has undertaken the very doubtful experiment of endeavoring to find out, and so she has designated the respective vice-presidents in their order to preside over the meetings of the conference.

We shall reverse the order of the program and call for the committee reports first.

The following reports were presented and received, all having been previously printed, with the exception of the supplement to the report of the committee on library administration and that on work with the blind. The committee on international relations stated that they had no report to make.

COMMITTEE ON FEDERAL AND STATE RELATIONS

Your committee's chief activity has been along the line of a parcels post, as we have felt that was the most feasible measure for obtaining lower postal rates. The chairman of the committee had personal interviews with the chairmen of the House and Senate committees on Post Office, and filed with the latter a formal endorsement of the parcels post, as well as the resolution looking in that direction, passed by the Council at its meeting in January last. The committee recommends that the continuance of this advocacy be authorized by the association.

We also recommend that the association endorse a movement for the better safeguarding of the national archives and rendering them accessible to students, feeling that the preservation of these governmental records is one of considerable importance, and one in which librarians have an especial interest, inasmuch as they have under their care manuscripts as well as printed books.

The attention of depository libraries is called to the report of Senator Smoot, on the revision of printing laws (62nd Congress, second session. Report 414, p. 33 and following) which discusses the proposed amendments to the laws with reference to depository libraries.

BERNARD C. STEINER.

COMMITTEE ON LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION

Your committee has not been active during the whole year, the present chairman having been appointed to fill a vacancy. What it has done has been in the way of a small beginning toward a general survey of methods in public libraries, which it is hoped may be carried forward to completion in future years.

The scientific position that the first thing to do, in making an investigation, is to find out the facts, has only recently been taken in work of this kind. It has generally been assumed by those who have desired to better conditions of any sort that the existing conditions were well known to all. The fact is that no one person or group of persons is in a position to know all the conditions thoroughly and that the elementary task of ascertaining them and stating them is usually by no means easy. It is now generally recognized that we must have a Survey--an ascertainment and plain statement of the facts as they are--as a preliminary to action or even to discussion.

It has seemed to your committee that the general feeling, shared by the educational and industrial worlds, that methods are not always efficiently adjusted to aims should find some place also in the library. We are spending large sums of public money, and investigations by "economy committees," "efficiency bureaus" and the like are taking place all around us. It will be well for us to take a step in advance of these and get for ourselves some sort of a birds-eye view of our work, from the standpoint of its possible lack of complete efficiency--adaptation of end to aim. In order to do this we must first have a survey, which we conceive to involve in this case a statement of just what libraries are trying to do and just how, in some minuteness of detail, they are trying to do it. Comparison and discussion of methods will naturally follow later.

The method of taking up this matter was suggested by some very preliminary work done in the St. Louis public library. The head of each of the various branches and departments was asked to make a detailed written list of the various operations performed by the assistants in that particular department, dividing them into purely mechanical acts and those involving some thought or judgment. This in itself proved to be an interesting task and both information and stimulation resulted from it. Certain operations, common to the largest number of kinds of work, were then selected and tests were made, involving both speed of performance and efficiency of result. From a large number of such tests it is expected that some standardization of operations may result, or at any rate the cutting out of useless details and the saving of time for needed extensions of work. The object of an investigation of this kind is of course not to discover ways of making assistants work harder and faster but to find out whether the same amount of work, or more of it, may not be done with less effort.