New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-07
NITJDNAL CATaLOG UE.

The modern Librarian is fast OutgrowinS
what we take to have been the Old-fashl0ned
conception OF library, place il which
to conceal books, and has come to have
almost a trndesman's eagernesS to make his
wares public and accessible. The various de-
vices by which the Public Library in Boston,
for example. has aimed 10 increase the use OF
its treasures indicate sense OF the relation
which the library holds to tho public very
different from what was once i'll vogue; In IA
word, the library is held to be for the con-
venence of the public, and every pains Is
taken to give the public knowledge OF Its
contents, to get what the public really wants,
and is administered as a trust, so that besides
trustees there are trusted users of its treas
urcs. A great public library must we suppose
be largely local in use at present, though
it is not impossible that at some future time
facilities may be increased by which the coun-
try NAV draw on the city for its books as well
for its daily journal. Now those who would
use library must enact the part OF M0hammed
and go to their literary mountain, but we de-
sire to point out one way in which our Ma
tional Library, which begins already to loom
maiestically at Washington, may be made
something more than local in its use ; 1t Is
very modest service which we ask of it, but
one not to be despised.
According to the present law every author
or publisher is required to deposit two copies
of each book or pamphlet published by him
in the Library of Congress at Washington in
order to make good his copyright title. This
is not heavy tax on the individual, and It's
result is to swell the library steadily. II
faithfully carried out, as we believe IN the
main it is, the law will result in the deposit
in the National Library of all the current
ISSUES of American authors. We say all, for
the slight fee required and the great right Sc
cured render it quite certain that no book OF
any consequence will be omitted, though there
remains tolcrably large class OF privately
printed books and cphemcra which every libra
Ran must continue to hunt for and obtain by
unceasing vigilance.
The library at Washington, therefore, be-
comes the deposit and it, catalogue the record
Of all native literature but while the books
flow to the National center IN myriad
streams, there is great multitude OF libraries
small and great, private and public, all over
the country which are engaged IN the accu-
mutation and record of the same books
These are obliged, through booksellers cata-
Iogues and otherwise, to learn what new
hooks are issued, and then, having purchased
them. to enter them upon their catalogues
The system of card catalogues, as 1t comes to
he understood, is making its way into libra
rics generally, and is likely to become the
prevalent method. Now our suggestion Is that
the great central library at Washington should
become the great cataloguer Tor the other
libraries in the country, thus simplifying the
process by which now great many libraries
duplicate labor. Upon receiving each book
let tho librarian make an accurate entry In
the most approved form of card catalogues,
setting up the title and all necessary informa-
ton in type, and then striking off rs many
copies as he has libraries on his list of CORE
spondence. A very slight annual subscription
fee would enable any library to secure the
privilege of receiving regularly from Washing
ton printed card, ready for the catalogue
drawer, of each book added to the central
library, thus saving vast amount of clerical
| labor. The advantage would be not only in
| obtaining thus the titles of books but in
obtaining also the valuable cross references and
sub titles which great library now requires
That is to say, the Washington catalogue would
give the regular title of book and in many
cases three, four, or more supplementary cards,
facilitating reference. A volume of biographical
essays, for example, includi4x four essays on
! Washington, Franklin. Adams, aud Jefferson.