A Library Primer | Page 9

together libraries
and librarians; consultation, to give expert advice on any phase of any
library question; publication, to publish the various needed helps (from
point of usefulness to libraries rather than profit to publishers); supply,
to furnish at lower prices all articles recommended by the A.L.A., and
to equip any library with best known devices in everything needful.
Among the things noticed in these departments are catalog cards, cases,
trays, and outfits, book supports, blanks, book pockets, boxes, desks,
inks, etc. Some specialties are noted in library devices, and helpful
advice as to their economical use is given. The successive catalogs
follow the same line, attention being directed toward all improvements
in old material, and to all advanced work in library administration
wherever found. Not all the material recommended was manufactured
by the Library Bureau, but a generous spirit is shown in recommending
any device, plan, or publication known to be helpful to the library
profession. It has brought to notice many notable contributions to
library literature, such as the Author table, by C.A. Cutter, of the
Boston athenæum; Decimal classification and relative index and
Library notes, by Melvil Dewey; Library journal; Library school rules;
Perkins' manual; Linderfelt's rules; Sargent's Reading for the young;
Lists of books for different clubs; Subject headings of A.L.A., etc. The
Library Bureau catalog itself is one of the best library aids ever
published. These catalogs have always been sent free to library
workers.
Libraries grew in numbers and size largely because of the enthusiasm
of earnest workers, but very frequently with hardly enough financial

assistance to warrant more than the purchase of a few books, and
frequently with limited knowledge of how to make the small store of
use to the waiting public. The management of the Library Bureau at
this time was certainly doing a missionary work; but its chief problem
was the financial one, or how to make both ends meet, and it was not
until library methods were introduced into business houses that this
question was solved. The constant and untiring efforts of the
management of the Library Bureau toward the assistance and
upbuilding of the smaller and younger libraries have had much to do
with the growth of library sentiment, which is now so apparent on
every hand, and indirectly this knowledge of library work and library
methods has done much to enlarge the facilities of the Library Bureau.
From a very unpretentious concern, publishing a few library aids,
manufacturing such library devices as could not be obtained elsewhere,
and keeping for sale a few articles of library furnishing, the Library
Bureau has grown to be a corporation of no small proportions, having
numerous branches both in this country and Europe, maintaining a card
factory, cabinet works in Boston and Chicago, and facilities for the
manufacture of steel stacks unexcelled in this country.
The Library Bureau, however, has never forgotten the cause of its birth
or the teachings of its youth, as is clearly evidenced from year to year
by the various undertakings and publications which a careful observer
can clearly see are not put forward with any presage of success when
viewed entirely from a business standpoint. This lesson is constantly
taught to the employés of the Library Bureau, and they are positively
instructed that, regardless of the promise of success in other directions,
the attention to library requirements is the first demand.
The Library Bureau maintains at its various offices persons thoroughly
versed in library economy, for the express purpose of furnishing
detailed information and aid to those younger members of the
profession whom they have the pleasure and opportunity of assisting
over the stumbling-blocks in their daily work. With this same idea in
view it publishes from the Chicago office a monthly magazine called
PUBLIC LIBRARIES, of an elementary character, which is

entertaining, instructive, and inspiring, and helps to encourage a
sentiment favorable to public libraries and to make librarianship a
profession of high standing.
CHAPTER XI
Selecting books--Fitting the library to its owners
The selection of books should be left to the librarian, under the general
direction of trustees or book committee.
There should be made at the start a collection of encyclopedias,
dictionaries, gazetteers, and scientific compendiums, which should not
be lent. The extent of this collection will depend on the scope and
purposes of the library. No library, however small, can dispense with
some books of reference. But for a small library don't buy expensive
works. The Encyclopædia Britannica is an example of what not to get.
There must be taken into consideration, in determining the character of
the books to be purchased, these factors among others:
a) Presence or absence of other libraries in the vicinity, and their
character, if present.
b) The avowed purposes of the free, tax-supported public library, to-wit:
1) To help