most conveniently the richness or poverty of the collection. Although a library may possess the most complete of subject catalogues, it cannot be considered in perfect order without classification on the shelves. In carrying out shelf-arrangement ample space should be left for additions, and in fixing upon the places of the bookcases those containing the works in most demand should be nearest the point of delivery. In some libraries the books are located without any classification, and the shelf marks are all in all. At Munich and many other Continental libraries there are thirty or forty classes, designated by single or double letters, and the books are arranged in sets of octavo, quarto, and folio in the different classes under the names of their authors, so that Macaulay's History of England would be found in the octavo alphabet under M of the class "history." Mr Richard Garnett supplies an interesting description of the system of classifying books on the shelves followed at the British Museum in the Trans. of Conf. of Libs. (London, 1878, pp. 108, 188). There are ten classes: (1) theology, (2) jurisprudence, (3) natural history and medicine, (4) archæology and arts, (5) philosophy, (6) history, (7) geography, (8) biography, (9) belles lettres, (10) philology; and the classes have five hundred and fifteen divisions. Periodicals, academical publications, state papers, the Oriental departments, the Grenville Library, and the reference library are all distinct, but the principle of classification is practically identical. By allowing intervals in the numbering of the presses space is allowed for new ones to contain additions, and as the different presses are alike in size, they may be shifted at will and no alteration of press-marks is wanted. Mr Edwards (Mem. of Libs., ii. 814) proposes a system for a public free library of upwards of thirty thousand volumes to be arranged under (1) theology, (2) philosophy, (3) history, (4) politics and commerce, (5) sciences and arts, (6) literature and polygraphy. A novel scheme, marked with many practical advantages, is the Amherst or Dewey system, [1] according to which the library is divided into ten classes, the first being a zero or general class, including bibliography, polygraphy, general periodicals, &c., while the others are philosophy, which is numbered 100; theology, 200; sociology, 300; philology, 400; natural science, 500; useful arts, 600; fine arts, 700; literature, 800; and history, 900. These classes are then separated again into nine special divisions of the main subject, preceded by a zero or general division. Each of these divisions again has nine sections (preceded by a zero). Thus 513 is the third section (geometry) of the first division (mathematics) of the fifth class (natural science). This is the classification or class number, and is affixed to every book and pamphlet belonging to the library. The zero in a class number has its normal power, and signifies a general treatise, so that 500 is a book on natural science in general. The system was devised in the first instance for classifying and indexing, but it can also be used for numbering and arranging books and pamphlets on the shelves. For this purpose the absolute location by shelf and book marks is wholly abandoned, and the relative location by class and book-number used instead. Accompanying the class-number is the book-number, which prevents confusion of different books on the same subject. Thus the first geometry catalogued is marked 513 1, the second 513 2, and so on. The books of each section are all together, arranged by book-numbers, and these sections are also arranged in simple numerical order throughout the library. The number 513 11 will therefore mean the eleventh book in subject 513, or the eleventh geometry belonging to the library.—A representative specimen of the philosophical method is that devised by Dr W. J. Harris for the catalogue of the Public School Library of St Louis, which is classed in a modified form of the Baconian plan. The main classes are (1) science, including philosophy, theology, social and political sciences, and natural science and the useful arts, (2) art, (3) history, (4) appendix, including polygraphy, cyclopædias, and periodicals. These main classes are again divided into one hundred subclasses, many of which are divided still further. Thus, under natural history, class 50 is zoology; 50a, vertebrates; 50a i., mammals, &c.—The divisions Médecine and Histoire de France in the great printed catalogue of the Bibliothèque Nationale are excellent examples of classification. [2]
Every volume upon the shelves should have a mark to indicate its position. One system is to designate each press by a number, each shelf by a letter, and if necessary, each volume on the shelf by another consecutive number, so that 13 D 16 is the sixteenth volume on the fourth shelf of the thirteenth press. The principles underlying numbering systems as well as shelf-arrangement are discussed by Mr Melvil Dewey (see Library Journal, iv. 7, 75, 117, 191), and the combined system of numbering and arranging of Mr J. Schwartz, as well as his mnemonic system of classification (ib., iii. 6; iv. 3), are also well worth attention. The new scheme of classification devised for the use of the Boston Athenæum by Mr Cutter is also described in the Library Journal, iv. 234. A catalogue for the Winchester Library (1879) was prepared by MiCutter on the principles there detailed.
Many authorities strongly recommend that, instead of a fixed mark for the shelves, the location of books should be indicated by a running number or combination of letters and numbers; so that, although the books should not always remain in the same place, their relative position would be unaltered, and, while they could be found just as readily by means of the number, any quantity of additions could be introduced without affecting the whole scheme.
In a circulating library it may be found convenient to designate each press by letter, and to omit to number the shelves from top to bottom, but number each volume consecutively. The shelf-notation may be placed inside each volume or on a label upon the back.
Binding.Binding.[3]—The best binding is the cheapest in the end, since it lasts longer under all circumstances, and is always better treated by readers. Morocco resists wear and tear and the action of gas and heated air better than any other leather. Vellum is the most durable material, but it is not suitable for all purposes. Then follow in order of merit calf, russia, basil, roan, buckram, and cloth. Morocco should be used as much and russia as little as possible. Buckram, linoleum, cretonne, leatherette, &c., have met with favour from time to time, but are not recommended. Olive, light brown, and red are said to be the most lasting colours; then come dark blue and green, light blue and green. Black is a lasting colour. Some persons assign a particular colour to each class of literature, but, as there are more classes than colours to suit them, such an arrangement consistently carried out can only lead to confusion; besides, a want of variety on the shelves destroys at once the individual appearance which it is always desirable to give to each set of books in order to make them easily distinguishable. The council of the Library Association have suggested as a pattern for ordinary library binding that the volumes should be sewn all along, with the first and last sheets overcast, on strong cords, the slips to be drawn in all along, and the backs made close (flexible); half-bound, with corners of same material; smooth cloth sides; edges cut, sprinkled, and burnished, or, if so directed, top edge only cut, &c., the others trimmed and left with proof; end-papers of stout Cobb's paper, with cloth joints in quartos and folios; lettered with author's name, short title, and date; gilt fillets, but no other tooling; two-page plates to be guarded so as to open out flat; all materials of the best quality, and the work to be done carefully.[4] In making contracts some such specification as that suggested by the Library Association should be decided upon. Full instructions should always accompany work sent out, and a copy must be kept in a binding-register. Rare and valuable books demand special treatment and a special binder. The British Museum authorities have adopted a style of binding in half-morocco, with the leather coining only just over the back to act as a hinge, the sides whole cloth, the corners tipped with vellum.
Pamphlets.How to deal with pamphlets is a troublesome question. At the British Museum each was formerly done up separately in slight binding. This is certainly the best system, but out of the reach of most libraries from its cost. Failing this, the pamphlets can be arranged in solander cases as they come in, and afterwards bound up in volumes according to size and subject, with the contents marked on the fly leaf of each. The rebinding of a MS. is to be avoided; it is better to preserve the old cover and place the book in a case. Drawings and prints are best preserved in sunk mounts, and maps, charts, &c., should be backed with thin linen.
Hints.Practical Hints.—Collate every volume when it comes in, so as to prevent binder's imperfections; remove plate-paper when the book is quite dry; strings and silk registers are to be avoided, as they tear the leaves; preserve old bindings as far as possible, and do not permit book-plates, the names of former owners, and MS. notes of any kind to be destroyed; be careful with metal clasps and corners; let gilding be used sparingly; do not hurry the binder overmuch, as he may retaliate by returning his work insufficiently dried and pressed; be careful with letterings; index dictionaries and works of reference on the fore edges; bind up paper wrappers; never let a binder exercise his fatal proclivity to cut away full margins.
For the removal of grease and ink-spots, and the restoration of old bindings, prints, &c., consult L'art de restaurer Ies estampes et les livres (Paris, 1858) and La réparation des vicilles reliures (ib., 1858), both by A. Bonnardot, and Rouveyre, Connaissances nécessaires à un Bibliophile (Paris, 1880). To restore calf-bindings which have become impoverished, it has been recommended[5] that they should be lightly washed with a soft sponge dipped in a preparation consisting of 12 oz. of the best glue, dissolved in a pint of warm water, to which add a teaspoonful of glycerin and a little flour paste. Should the state of the leather be very bad, a second
- ↑ See A Classification and Subject-Index for Cataloguing and Arranging the Books and Pamphlets of a Library, by Melvil Dewey, Amherst (Mass.}, 1876.
- ↑ A proposal for a new co-ordinative catalogue and subject-index is made by Mr. Hy. Wilson in his contribution, "Classification in Public Libraries." to the Transcations, &c., of Library Association at Manchester (London, 1880, pp. 79, 155); and in the same work (p. 85) may be read some remarks on the various classifications used in reporting statistics of issues in the chief public free libraries.
- ↑ For an account of the history and practice of binding consult the article Bookbinding (vol. iv. p. 41 sq.); also Marius-Michel, La Reliure, Française artistique (Paris, 1880), and La Reliure Française depuis l'invention de l'imprimerie jusqu'à nos jours (Paris, 1881); La Reliure, ancienne et moderne, Paris, 1878; J. W. Zachnsdorf, The Art of Bookbinding, London, 1880.
- ↑ Monthly Notes of Lib. Assoc., vol. ii. p. 52.
- ↑ By Mr C. P. Russell, Oxford Meeting of Library Association, p. 100.
