Decimal system for the arrangement and administration of libraries

Front matter

lUNIVERsiT

BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME FROM THE

^^"'SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND

Preface

The following remarks on the subject of libraries are not written to present a new theory. They are intended only to be descriptive of a system which the writer has introduced into the Pubhc Library of the City of Boston, with the approbation of his co-laborers in the Board of Trustees, and which has been in practical operation there since the summer of 1852.

The Trustees of the Library, from the estabhshment of the Board until the present time, having intrusted him with making "all arrangements and regulations needful for circulating the books and using the Hbrary," he has had the opportxmity of originating from the very commencement the arrangement and working machinery of a large Hbrary, which exhibits a fair promise of extending its usefulness in the most liberal manner for the benefit of a great community of readers. Having, in consequence, informed himself of the various modes of arrangement and management of the principal Hbraries, and having perceived in them what he considered many and great defects,

he was led to perfect a library system which he had elsewhere

4 . PREFACE.

introduced to a Kmited extent, and adapt it to the wants of a large public library. The result of the attempt may be learned from the following pages, and may be witnessed in successful operation in the Public Library above named.

As chairman of various committees it fell to him to propose, not only the system of arrangement hereinafter described, and which he beheves to be new ; but the method of preparing the library for use, which, although some of its details may have been practised before, is original in its routine ; and also the general administration of the library, including the internal arrangements of the edifice, and the various operations for conducting the several departments, which also is prominent among the peculiarities of the library in Boston.

Aiid, as the remarks are chiefly written to elucidate the system and furnish the necessary directions iu carrying it out where it has abeady been adopted, and not in making it extensively known, indulgence is asked for the concise manner, and perhaps too abrupt style, in which they are submitted.

THIS

MEMOIR

OF

A DECIMAL SYSTEM FOR LIBRARIES

IS UESPECTFDMT INSCETBED TO

THE PBIEITD AND BENEPACIOB,

WHO

HAS ESTABLISHED ON A STTBE AND PEBMANENT BASIS

THE PUBLIC LIBRABY

OF THE

CITY OF BOSTON,

IN WHICH THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND DEMONSTKATED.

Contents

DECIMAL SYSTEM FOE LIBRARIES.

I. AeEANGEMENT of the LlBKAEY RoOM AND BOOKS

ALCOVES AND SHELVES, 10 — PLAN OF LIBEAHY HALL AND ALCOVES, 10- NUMBER OF ALCOVES TO BE MULTIPLES OF TEN, 10— TEN RANGES OF SHELVES IN EACH ALCOVE, 11 — TEN COMPARTMENTS, OR SHELVES, IN EACH RANGE, 11

— COUNTER, OR CONSULTING SHELF, 11 — PLAN OF AN ALCOVE AND ITS TEN RANGES, 11 — PLAN OF THE ONE HUNDRED SHELVES OF AN ALCOVE, 12 — SHELVES IN HORIZONTAL LINES AND IMMOVABLE, 12 — SPACES FOR BOOKS GRADUATED TO DIFFERENT CAPACITIES, 12 — SPACE BELOW THE COUNTER CONSTRUCTED FOR THE ADMISSION OF EXTRA ROWS OF BOOKS, 12 — MODE OF CONSTRUCTING THE ADJUSTMENTS IN THE SPACE BELOW THE COUNTER, 13 — THE NINE SHELVES ABOVE THE COUNTER TO BE FIXED, 13 — APPORTIONMENT OF SPACES FOR BOOKS, 14 — MODE OF NUMBERING THE SHELVES, 14— NUM- BERS TO BE ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SHELVES, 16— A NUMBER INDICATES THE ALCOVE, RANGE AND SHELF, 16 — THE SAME UNIT ALWAYS ON THE SAME HORIZONTAL LINE, 17 ~ MODE OF NUMBERING BOOKS, 17— SHELF NUMBER, 17 —BOOK NUMBER, 17— EXTRA COPIES TO BE EXPRESSED BY EXPONENTS, 17— IL- LUSTRATION OF THE MODE OF NUMBERING BOOKS, 18 —WOODEN SUBSTITUTE, 18

— DISPOSITION OF WORKS WITH LARGE PLATES AND SMALL TEXT, 19 — CABI- NETS FOR LARGE VOLUMES OF PLATES, 19 — ACCOMMODATION FOR THE PRO- SPECTIVE INCREASE OF PERIODICALS, 20 ~ ARRANGEMENT OF BOOKS, 20 — ALCOVES TO BE ASSIGNED TO SUBJECTS, 20 — RANGES TO BE FOR SUBDIVISIONS, 20— BOOKS TO BE ARRANGED ON THE SHELVES ACCORDING TO SIZE, 20 — CER- TAIN ALCOVES TO BE ARRANGED FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES, 21 — PLACE FOR FOLIOS, 21 — ADVANTAGES OF THE DECIMAL SYSTEM, 22 — ADVANTAGES OF FIXED SHELVES FOR THE DECIMAL SYSTEM, 23.

6 CONTENTS.

II. Peepaeation of the Libeaet fob Use

STEPS IN TEE FBOCESS OF PREPARATION, 28 — LIBKAHIAN'S JOURNAL, 28

— SLIPS, 28 — BOOKS TO BE ENTERED IN THE CATALOGUE OF ACCESSIONS", 28

— GIFTS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED, 28 — BOOKS TO BE COLLATED, 28 — IMPER- FECTION BOOK, 28 — BOOKS TO BE STAMPED, 28 — BOOK PLATE TO BE ATTACHED TO BOOKS, 28 — BOOKS TO BE CATALOGUED ON CARDS, 28 — ABBREVIATED RULES TO BE AFFIXED TO BOOKS, 28 — BOOKS TO BE NUMBERED, 29 — BOOKS TO BE ENTERED IN ALCOVE CATALOGUES, 29— BOOKS TO BE PLACED ON SHELVES, 29 — GIFTS TO BE ENTERED IN BOOK OF DONORS AND DONATIONS, 29

— SLIP CATALOGUE, 29 — SLIP NUMBER, 29— CATALOGUE OF ACCESSIONS, 30 — ACCESSION NUMBER, 31 — SIZE OF BOOKS, 31 — SIGNATURE MARKS, 36 — LIBRARIAN'S SCALE, 38 — CHECK BOOK FOR PERIODICALS, 39 — BOOK PLATE, iO — CARD CATALOGUE, 41 — FULL TITLE CARD, 43 — CARDS OF CROSS REFER- ENCES, 44 — ARRANGEMENT OF CARD CATALOGUES IN CASES, 45— FULL TITLES TO BE PRINTED IN ORDER OF ACCESSION, 45 — ILLUSTRATION OF THE MODE OF ARRANGING TITLES ON CARDS, i6 — ALCOVE CATALOGUE, i7 -SHORT TITLE CATALOGUE, 48 — FINDING CATALOGUE, 48 — INDEX CATALOGUE, 48 — INDEX CATALOGUE TO BE PRINTED, 60 — JPTT^Li TITLE CATALOGUE, ITS IM- PORTANCE AND CONSTRUCTION, 50 — INDEX OF DONORS AND DONATIONS, 53 — TREATMENT OF PAMPHLETS, 54 — ARRANGEMENT IN CASES, AND BIND- ING OF PAMPHLETS, 51 — BOOKBINDING, 59 — BINDER'S SCHEDULE, 60 — LET- TERING OF BOOK TITLES, 61 — TREATMENT OF MAPS, CHARTS, PRINTS, NEWS- PAPERS AND PERIODICALS, 62.

III. Admhtisteation of the Libeaey

SUCCESS DEPENDS UPON AN ADEQUATE AND UNIFORM SYSTEM, G3 — LIBRARY BUILDING, 64 — PRECAUTIONS AGAINST DAMPNESS AND FIRE, 64 — CELLAR TO CONTAIN HEATING APPARATUS, WORK AND STORE ROOMS, APARTMENTS FOR BOOKBINDER AND JANITOR, &a, 65— BASEMENT STORY TO CONTAIN HALLS FOR DELIVERY OF BOOKS, FOR CONVERSATION, AND FOR BOOKS OF CURRENT CIRCULATION, READING ROOMS AND LIBRARIAN'S ROOM, 66 — ROOMS FOR STUDENTS, UNBOUND PAMPHLETS, NEWSPAPERS, AND WORK

CONTENTS. 7

BOOMS FOR LIBRARIAN, Sec, 66 — PRINCIPAL STORY, 66 — LARGfE LIBRARY HALL, 66 — ALCOVES TO BE CONNECTED WITH EACH OTHER, AND NOT ACCES- SIBLE TO THE PUBLIC, 67 — SHELVES FIXED AND ARRANGED DECIMALLY, 67 — GALLERIES, 67 — STAIRCASE, 67— BUILDING LIGHTED BY IMMOVABLE BURNERS, 67 — VENTILATION ESSENTIAL, 67 — OF TSE LIBRARY IN GENERAL, 68— FREE LIBRARY TO BE OPEN TO GREATEST NUMBER POSSIBLE, AND TO CONTAIN MANY EXTRA COPIES OF BOOKS, 68 — DISTRICT LIBRARIES, 68 — SALE DUPLICATES, 69 — BOOKSASKEDFOB, 69— BOOKS ORDERED, 69 — SIGNATURE BOOK, 70 — DIRECTO- RY OF THOSE USING THE LIBRARY, 70— MINORS' CERTIFICATES, 71 — DEPOSIT OF MONEY, 71 — STRANGERS' BOOK, 72 — BOOKS TO BE CALLED FOR BY THEIR NUMBER, 72 — RED CARD FOR READING ROOM, 73 — WHITE CARD FOR BORROW- ERS, 73 — BOOKS OBTAINED ONLY BY THE CARDS, 73 — BOOKS NOT TO BE RE- MOVED FROM SHELVES EXCEPT BY THE OFFICERS OF THE LIBRARY, 74 — RULES AND REGULATIONS TO BE ADOPTED AND PROMULGATED, 74 — DIRECTORS TO KEEP RECORDS, FILES OF PAPERS AND COPIES OF CORRESPONDENCE, 74 — LIBRARY TO BE CLOSED FOR EXAMINATION, &c., 75 — ANNUAL VISITATION BY COMMITTEE, 75 — LIBRARIAN'S REPORT, 75 — FULL TITLE CATALOGUE OF BOOKS ADDED TO BE APPENDED TO REPORT, 75 — Oi^ THS READING ROOM, 75 — ARRANGEMENT OF MAGAZINES, &o., 76 —READING ROOM NUMBER, 76— MANNER OF OBTAINING PRIVILEGES OF THE READING ROOM, 76 — USE OF THE READ- ING ROOM CARD, 76— BOOKS NOT TO BE REMOVED FROM THE ROOM, 76 — ALPHABETICAL LIST TO BE ACCESSIBLE, 17 -'OF THE CIRCULATING DEPART- MENT, 77 — TO WHOM PRIVILEGES SHOULD BE GRANTED, 77 — MANNER OF OBTAINING BOOKS FOR HOME USE, 77 — WHITE OR BORROWING CARD, 77 — HOW EXTRA COPIES ARE TO BE ASKED FOR, 78 — NUMBER OF VOLUMES AND DURATION OF LOAN TO BE LIMITED, 78 — INJURIES AND LOSSES TO BE MADE GOOD, 78 — DESCRIPTION OF LOAN BOOK ON THE DECIMAL PLAN, 78 — CHARGES TO BE MADE IN PENCIL, 79— LOAN BOOKS FOR DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE ALPHABET, 79 — LOAN BOOK TO BE EXAMINED FOR DEFICIENCIES, 79 — DEAD ACCOUNTS IN LOAN BOOKS, 80 — OF THE LIBRARY OF REFERENCE, 80 — WHERE BOOKS OF REFERENCE SHOULD BE KEPT AND HOW DISTIN- GUISHED, 80 — SPECIAL ROOMS AND PRIVILEGES FOR SCHOLARS, 80.

DECIMAL SYSTEM

FOE THE

ARRANGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OE LIBRARIES.

IN the administration of large public libraries nothing is more important than a lucid arrangement of the books and other appurtenances on some determinate plan, which, while it is capable of preserving a judicious classification of them according to their subjects, nevertheless admits of their being easily accessible to proper persons, and of being found with the least possible consumption of time and labor, charged and delivered to borrowers or readers with the greatest promptitude and despatch, and at the same time presents them to the eye in the most orderly, neat and agreeable manner.

In order to secure the attainment of the above objects the library system must be comprehensive, positive, intelligible and immutable. For this purpose a Decimal System has been devised, and a description of it printed in the following brief memoir, for private distribution among those persons who have an interest

in the subject. 2

DECIMAL SYSTEM FOR LIBRARIES.

Perspicuity requires that tlie subject should be treated of in three distinct parts : — by describing, first, the arrangement of the library room and books ; second, the preparation of the books aiid other appurtenances of the library for use ; and third, the manner of administering the circulating and reference departments of the library when used.

Arrangement of the Library Eoom and Books,

1. Alcoves and Shelves.

A very important part of the Decimal System of managing libraries consists in the arrangement of the books, by placing them upon shelves so constructed and disposed that the number of alcoves shall be multiples of ten ; in other words, there should be 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, &c., alcoves in the library hall, as represented by the following diagram :

FiaUBE 1.

n

LIBKART HALL AND ALCOTES.

ARKANGEMBNTS.

Each of the alcoves should be subdivided by means of perpendicular partitions, so as to contain exactly ten ranges of shelves ; and each range should contain exactly ten compartments or shelves. One of these compartments, to carry out the system well, should be situated below a wide shelf or counter, which, while it supplies a proper and convenient place for the examination and consultation of books, also affords ample accommodation for the larger folio volumes. The remaining nine shelves should occupy the space above the counter. Figure 2 gives an outline of an alcove and its ten ranges of shelves ; and figures 3 and 4 show the division of the ten ranges into the appropriate number of shelves and their numbering.

EianBi: 2.

PLAN OP AN ALCOVE AND ITS TEN KANGES.

DECIMAL SYSTEM EOB LIBRAKIES.

Viama i.

PLAN OP THE 100 SHELVES OT AN ALCOTE.

As the most important feature in this system — not for appearance only, but for actual assistance in the administration of the library — is that the shelves in the alcoves should be in perfectly horizontal lines, for reasons which will be mentioned hereafter, the nine shelves above the counter (or consulting shelf) should be immovably fixed at different distances apart, with the spaces for books graduated to different capacities. For important reasons the space below the counter should be so constructed as to admit, if required, of one or two extra rows of books, of any size that may be placed in it. The space last mentioned thus becomes the principal flexible part of the system of shelving ; and, when well managed, will be found to possess great capabilities and conveniences.

AKEANGBMENTS. 13

The least objectionable mode of constructing the adjustments for the spaces below the counter, for the accommodation of extra rows of books, and which is an improvement for this particular purpose on the old mode of ratchets, and which is capable of the very nicest adjustment without waste of space, injury to the sides of books, and also without deranging the appearance of the alcoves, consists in having two perpendicular grooves, one inch in width, made in each standard. These grooves do not interfere in the slightest degree with the books, and can serve for the insertion of the tongues at the ends of shelves, when extra rows of books are needed in the spaces. The tongues at the ends of the shelves are supported in place by means of upright pieces of wood of sufficient strength to sustain the necessary weight. The accompanying figures, representing a horizontal section of a standard and the tongues of a shelf, will present the idea more clearly than any written description.

"" " FigmiB e.

GROOVED STANDARD. TONQITBS OV A SHELF.

The nine shelves above the counter should be fixed, and should be placed at such distances from each other, or, in other words, should be so graduated as to accom-

14 DECIMAL SYSTEM FOE LIBRARIES,

modate small folios or large quartos on the counter, duodecimos on the uppermost shelf, and other books of various sizes on the seven intermediate shelves.

In apportioning the spaces between the shelves, the following proportions will be found to be very nearly what is necessary, when the whole height of the space given between the floor and ceiling of the room or gallery is about twelve feet. In this case 13 inches in the clear should be allowed for the first space above the counter, Hi for the second, 11 for the third, lOJ for the fourth, 10 for the fifth, 91 for the sixth and seventh, 9 for the eighth, and 8i for the ninth or upper space. The remaining part of the twelve feet, which is about forty inches, is for the space below the counter. The shelves are supposed to be from three quarters of an inch to an inch in thickness.

The distances laid down above, have been calculated after examining and measuring many large collections of books, both in public and private libraries; nevertheless in small libraries of specialities, the spaces should undoubtedly vary from the above mentioned, and the shelving should be constructed to meet individual cases.

2. Mode of Nvmbering the Shelves.

The compartment below the counter, intended for the very large volumes, should, as in figures 3 and 4, whether containing one or more rows of books, be num-

ARKANGEMBNTS. 15

bered 110 in the first range, 120 in tlie second range, 130 in the third range, and so on to the last range in the alcove, where it should be numbered 200. In the other alcoves the similar portions should bear the same numbers increased by 100 for the second alcove, 200 for the third alcove, and 300 for the fourth alcove.

The first 109 numbers, it will be noticed, are not used. These may be employed or not. But the numbering is- much better, as will be perceived, when they are omitted altogether, or are used only for shelves not included in any alcove.

The shelf formed by the counter, being the first upon which books are placed above the counter space, should in the first alcove be numbered 111 in the first range, 121 in the second range, 131 in the third, and so on. The shelf next above should be 112 in the first range, 122 in the second range, and 132 in the third, and so on to the upper shelf, which should be 119 in the first range, 129 in the second, and 139 in the third range. In this manner the shelves of the first range of the first alcove will be numbered 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118 and 119 ; of the second range, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128 and 129, and so on for the other ranges.

By examining figure 3 it will be noticed that there is an apparent exception to the rule. This is easily provided for in the following manner : When occupies the place of tens, it denotes that the range is the tenth of the alcove ; and 1 must be deducted from the figure

16 DECIMAL SYSTEM FOE LIBRAEHS.

in the place of hundreds, in order to denote correctly the number of the alcove. Thus, for instance, if a book is on shelf JN^o. 208, it will be found on the 8th shelf of the 10th range, and (deducting 1 from the 2 in the place of hundreds) of the 1st alcove.*

Each shelf should be numbered on its front edge, and each range in the cornice immediately over it with the number of tens of shelves. Thus in the first alcove the first range should be numbered 11, the second range 12, the third 13, and so on.

If the alcoves are numbered by prominent Arabic figures, the numbering of the shelves will be complete.

By the mode of shelving and numbering just described, any shelf may be found with the greatest ease and expedition, the unit figure always indicating the position of the shelf from the counter, the number of tens indicating the range, and the number of hundreds the alcove. When occupies the place of units, the hundreds and tens denote the alcove and range, and the that the space is below the counter : thus, shelf 365 is the fifth shelf above the counter, in the sixth range, in the third alcove. '

* Another expedient for avoiding In small reference libraries, ■where

the occurrence of the figure 2 in the the book number is not so much needed,

place of hundreds ia the first alcove, the 208th shelf of the first alcove might

would be, to write the number of the be numbered so as to give a distinct

tenth or last range of the alcove thus, number and a separate line each to the

JOS instead of 208 ; but this would be hundreds, tens and units of the alcove,

carrying the matter to a greater nicety range and shelf numbers. The num-

than is necessary. bering will then appear thus : ^\,

It will be observed that the same unit is always on the same horizontal line. This one feature of the decimal system more than any other facilitates the speedy finding of the shelves, and for this reason is most desirable of preservation. Consequently, any thing that in the least degree impairs the integrity of the horizontal line is an impediment to the well working of the system which should not be allowed.

3. Mode of Numhering the Books.

Every volume of every book on each shelf should bear the shelf number upon its back. In addition to this number, each individual book (not volume) should have another number, which should be placed on each volume of the book, in order to designate its true position on its shelf. The book number should commence with 1 at the left, and continue to the right, all of the rows of books in the space under the counter, if more than one row should be required, being considered in one range as one shelf. Thus "^ signifies the first book on the 111th shelf, ""^ the second, ^^^ the third, and so on with all the books on the shelf.

Duplicates, triplicates, &c., should be expressed by alphabetical exponents. Thus "\ Vm \V, \V, designate four extra copies of book 1 on the 111th shelf.

The mode of numbering is shown in the following figure, which represents a shelf of books, numbered to meet several emergencies : — a, a, a, f, the ordinary way 3

DECIMAL SYSTEM FOR LIBBARIES.

of numbering books by the decimal system ; h, 5, h, duplicates of a, a, a; c, a, wooden substitute to show that a large volume of plates belonging to the work may be found in the space below the counter, where it occupies the first place; d, another wooden substitute, showing that a duplicate copy of "^ may be found as the 3d book on the 142d shelf; e, a volume that has been introduced among the books for some special reason ; / a book which has been added to those already placed upon the shelf.

riGUKE 7.

a

■ a b '

b '

C

110 1 d '

142 3 e a b

VOL. 1

VOL.

VOL. 1

VOL.

111 1

111 1 la

HI

laj

111 1

111 2

NUMBERING ON BACKS OS BOOKS.

There are certain cases that occur with every system or mode of arrangement which require practical contrivances. Some of these cases have given much trouble in the old systems, and are so easily provided for in the decimal system, that it will not be irrelevant to mention them in this connection. These give occasion for the use of an imitation book, made of wood, which, for want of a better name, may be called a substitute.

It is not an uncommon occurrence that an octavo set of volumes may have accompanying them one or more folio volumes of plates, which cannot be folded and bound to correspond in size with the text. Such, for instance, is the case of Audubon's large work on the birds of America. In such cases, the volumes of text should be placed on the shelves where they individually belong among the quartos or octavos, as the case may be; and the folio volumes of plates should be placed in the appropriate compartment for folios, in the same range, or in a. particular cabinet constructed for the purpose, note to that effect having been made in the first volume of the set. But to carry this whole matter to a nicety, and anticipate any trouble or doubt that might arise, in the absence of the volume in which the place of the plates is noted, one of the wooden book substitutes should be put with the volumes of text, and be numbered as though it was the actual volume or volumes of plates, at the bottom of the back, and also should bear higher up on its back another numbering, which will point out the actual place where the plates may be found. For an illustration, see c, figure 7.

It may happen that a new and unexpected volume may be added to a set, and that the new book is too large to occupy a place on the same shelf with its fellows, or that no place can be made for it with them. The same contrivance will indicate at what near place the new book, or books, if there be more than one, can be found.

A case which presents itself in very strong relief is that wherein periodicals are concerned. Boom must be left for the accommodation of prospective increase. This is easily done by the decimal system; and, if there is an objection to empty shelves, the reserved spaces can be filled with a portion of the least called for duplicates, reference being made to them by means of the wooden substitute. See d, figure 7.

Indeed, no case will probably occur, where this system, if properly carried out, will not provide relief, — perfect, easy, and in every sense unobjectionable and strictly orderly.

4. Arrangement of Books.

It is not intended, in these limited remarks, to lay down any system for the classification of libraries. Indeed, the individual purposes of libraries are so various, that an attempt to supply a system for all cases would surely end in a failure. But whatever classification may be adopted for a library, before arranging the books upon their shelves, the alcoves should first be assigned, as far as practicable, to subjects; a certain number, for instance, to history, some to theology, and others to the different departments ; and certain ranges of each should be for the various subdivisions of these general subjects. The shelves above the counter should be used first, and the books, according to subjects, should be placed on the shelves they fit the best, taking care, when the different volumes of a set vary in height, to take the highest of the set as a standard. Place the books that remain after filling the permanent shelves, whether they are folios, quartos or octavos, below the counter, and, when required, put in and adjust for them the movable shelves, for which preparation has been made in the compartment below the counter. If a tall volume of plates or maps accompanies a set of volumes, and it cannot be reduced to proper size without injury, put it in the most convenient place in the same alcove, and in the same range, even among the folios, if necessary, and mark its reference in the first volume, and use the wooden substitute, as suggested in the earlier portion of these remarks.

When it is understood that a certain alcove or part of the library is to be appropriated for the disposition of documents, or periodicals, or encyclopaedias, or the transactions of learned societies, and other volumes with similar characteristics, which have a great evenness in their size, the shelves of such part can be arranged specially for their accommodation, care being taken to preserve nine shelves above the counter, and commencing to measure off the shelves from the top, so that the lowermost of the nine shelves shall take all that is left, which will generally give sufficient room for quartos or small folios next to the counter shelf.

In no case, in the principal halls of the library, should folios be placed in more than one row above the counter, and that on the first shelf over the counter : 1. Because, in a library shelved as contemplated in these remarks, there will be more room for them in their true places than they need ; 2. Because a disposition of more than one row would seriously interfere with the system; 3. Because they are too bulky and heavy to be handled in any other position by the attendants ; 4. Because the shelves cannot, without great loss of space to the alcove, be made wide enough for them ; 5. Because, if they are so placed, the increase in the width of the shelves would consume much more material in their construction, cost more, and leave the compartment below the counter with an undesirable waste of space and material; and lastly, because of the very bad architectural effects that would be produced. The want of shelving space under counters has compelled many librarians to commit this breach of order and good taste.

5. Advantages of the Decimal System.

The Decimal System in the arrangement of libraries can meet any emergency, and, when judiciously carried out, can overcome the usual diificulties which are constantly occurring in libraries conducted on other plans. The only exceptions are, that it does not admit of the many irregularities into which negligent librarians are very apt to fall, and also prevents many of the common inconveniences of libraries. So clear and comprehensive is it, that a novice can learn the use of it with a few; minutes' instruction, and, when learned, can accomplish very much more work with it, and with greater ease and in less time, than with any of the usual modes of managing large libraries. On this account, it is peculiarly adapted to large public libraries, whose books have an extensive circulation.

In many of the libraries of Europe, books are asked for on one day, and obtained on the next. No such delay as this is required where the decimal system is employed.

When a library is shelved and otherwise arranged as indicated by this system, so sure and positive will be the position of the books, that any person who has had a few minutes' instruction as to the arrangement can sit in his own house, and, by simply referring to a catalogue, know the exact place of any and every book in the library. It would be preposterous to say that this could be done with any other plan of arrangement now in use ; nor is there any that can do it, even in the very library room with the books.

For small libraries, of very limited circulation, this system is not urged, though even in such it would be found of great utility.

6. Advantages of Fixed Shelves for the Decimal System.

A great end attained by the fixed shelves above the counter is, the firm, regular and architectural appearance of the library. The large books are placed near at hand, where they should be, and the smaller ones are in more elevated positions ; and in cases where there may be good reason for it, as in the alcoves of light reading, the small books, which in this department are very frequently asked for, can be placed below a counter, and the otherwise waste room behind them occupied by duplicates of the books on the same shelves — a great help in the administration of the circulating department of a library. All the books can be placed where they should be, and where they would not be if movable shelves were in use, unless the persons employed in their arrangement should happen to possess an uncommon degree of precision, patience, ingenuity, and good nature. The best classified arrangement can thus be strictly carried out, without violating good taste, convenience of access, harmony of appearance, and architectural rules.