Part 16 (2/2)

The borrower's card he places in the book pocket, the book-card he retains as a record of the loan, and the borrower takes the book away.

The book-card, with all others representing the books issued on the same day, he places in a tray behind a card bearing the date of the day of issue. All the book-cards representing books issued on a certain day are arranged in the order of their call-numbers.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Tray for book-cards.]

Under this system the borrower can tell, by looking at his card, on what date the book he has was taken from the library. If he wishes to renew it without taking it back to the library, he can do so by a letter stating that he took on a certain day a book bearing a certain number, and wishes it renewed.

The librarian can tell, from the book-cards, what books are in circulation, and how many of each cla.s.s were lent on a certain day.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 1. Postal notice. (Reduced.)

City Library a.s.sociation Springfield, Ma.s.s. Feb. 14, 1899.

The book noted below is now in the library and will be reserved for you until 9 P.M., Feb. 15.

_Please present this notice and your library card._ A charge of two cents is made for this notice.

JOHN COTTON DANA, _Librarian_.

Per. S.M.J.

_Book No._ 2173.54 _t.i.tle, etc._ Ave Roma Immortalis.

Reserve Postal, Form 1, Jan. 30. '98, 500]

The borrower's number, written on the book-card of any given book in circulation, will give, through the register of borrowers, the name and address of the person having that book. Overdue books are automatically indicated, their cards remaining in the tray, behind the card indicating the date they were lent, after the day for their return has pa.s.sed.

When a borrower returns a book the librarian can learn, from the date on the pocket, whether or no a fine should be paid on it; if not, he can, if in haste, immediately take out the borrower's card from the book pocket, stamp the date of its return at the right of the date on which it was lent, thus canceling the charge against the borrower, and lay the book aside and look up its book-card later.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 2. Registration card, face. (Reduced; actual size, 7-1/2 x 12-1/2 cm.)

Name. Geo. Brown No. 80 Residence. 72 Vernon.

Employment. Machinist.

Employer. Smith & Wesson's.

Place of business. 85 Main.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 3. Registration card, reverse. (Reduced; actual size, 7-1/2 x 12-1/2 cm.)

Feb. 14, 1899.

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