The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1886-08-27
DEER LODGE, MONTANA, AUGUST 27, 1886.
BOUK THIEVES WAYS.
GENERALLY MoNoMANIAcs AND pit
.FERERs WITHOUT REASON.


Chat with a Eoston Librarian-A Clever
Thief Valuable Part of Library.
Safeguards Which are zAdopted-Muti-
lation by Picture Cranks.
"Boston people arc exceptionally honest in
the handling of books - said one of the assist
ant librarians to reporter at the Boston
public library yesterday. SIN New York
and cities abroad librarians and dealers have
to exercise much greater precaution TO pro
tect their books than in Boston At eire-
Astor library in New York, for instance, an
officer is stationed at the door to inspect
people as they pass in and out He sees that
books withdrawn by patrons OF the library
are properly charged, and permits nobody to
leave the building with book or parcel that
is not accounted for according to the methods
of the library. If you go in there with
book that is your personal property you must
have it!checked at the door, or deposit it there
until You 60 away again This is, OF course,
to prevent anybody from substituting
cheap book of his own for a valuable number
in the library We have not had to adopt
such severe measures in Boston, however,
and do not think it will ever be necessary.
"You do occasionally lose books, do you
notW
"Oh, yes; but the loss is not Of sufficient
consequence to justify us in restricting the
advantages of the library by more stringent
regulations The numerous marks by which
our books can be Identified make successful
pilfering very difficult. Each book, as you
have probably noticed, has a large printed
label ON the inside of each cover, number
and shelf label on the back, and the seal OF
the library stamped in raised letters on the
title page and in various parts OF the volume.
We had some trouble a while ago in detecting
a thief who had conducted his operations very
cleverly. Having withdrawn book he
soaked off the various labels and transferred
them to their respective places on worthless
book, which he in due time passed in at the
returning counter. 1t was put in its proper
place ON the shelf and nothing was known OF
the trick until somebody called for the same
book. 1t was then discovered, of course, that
transfer had been made, and steps were
taken to recover the missing property. 1t
was eventually found in the possession OF the
thief. He had been afraid to offer it for sale,
because he could not erase the marks of the
library seal. E-
VULNERABLE PART OF A LIBRARY.
1.-THE most vulnerable part of the library is,
naturally, the reference shelves Books on
these shelves cannot be guarded as those let
out by card, and renewals are now and then
necessary by reason of losses from theft.
Perhaps the most remarkable case of book
stealing on record occurred here when, on
the same day, somebody walked off with our
Worcester's and Websters unabridged die
tionaries We puzzled considerably over the
problem of how it was done, and concluded
that two trips must have been made, and that
the book was held open against the thief's
chest and concealed by d loose oTercoat."
"Does your experience show that book
thieves are generally monomaniacsp
HAs rule they are. The book thief Is
usually unable to show any adequate reason
for p1Ifering. Sometimes no is an enthusiast
on a certain subject, and strives to accumu-
late special library; but in cases of this
kind the thief is generally rich enough to pay
for all the books he wants. Again, a man
will steal book without any idea of its
nature, apparently being overcome with a
desire to steal, and taking the first book he
can lay his hands on.
"Eminently respectable people, professional
men, are sometimes caught in the act. A re-
markable case was that concerning justice
on the supreme bench of Massachusetts, an
old story, but being o true one, worth repeat
ing This gentleman was very old and pos
sessed of mania for collecting funeral ser
mons. He purposed to bestow his collection
upon the college from which he graduated.
He went nosing about III libraries, searching
among the pamphlets. No one ever thought
of watching him. he stood SO highly in the
community One day he was examining lot
of pamphlets hound together, and somebody
heard him rip and tear the volume. After
he had gone an investigation was made and
it was found that a funeral sermon had been
distracted. A note was sent to him request
ing the return of the missing pamphlet, and
it is hardly necessary to say that the sermon
came back by the nezst mail 1t was further
found that his collection contained quite a
number of pamphlets stolen In similar way,
but the discovery ended his eminent pilfering
SO far as is Known
THIEvING REDUCED TO MINIMUM.
There are 10000 volumes in the state
library, large collection when it is con-
sidered that it includes no fiction. 1t is in-
valuable as reference library and is used
for this purpose exclusively. No books are
taken out and there is no red tape in the man.
arcmcnt. The visitor names the book he de-
sires to consult, and q courteous attendant
of any Kind. The rules of the institution are
very simple, requiring that the visitor behave
well, let the shelves alone, and refrain from
mutilating the books. In spite of this aT-
parent lack of precautioa Librarian Tilling
8 hast regards the danger from thieving re-
duced to minimum.
II am in the library almost all the time,"
he said. "and the assistants are always busy
about the room. People who consult the
books are right under our eyes all the time,
and when it is necessary VIC exercise especial
watchfulness. Moreover, there are certain
safeguards that I will not detail, but which
secure us amply. The labels and stamps
amount to almost nothing, for they are the
first things thief would remove Or cover up.
Private marks, inconspicuous to the general
reader. but clear as day to the librarian, are
very important, Another thing in our favor
is the fact that the rotation of the books from
the shelves to consulting tables is SO rapid
Almost any book would be quickly missed, SO
great is the. call and so limited the number.
.sThe greatest danger to which libraries are
subject from their patrons, !" continued Mr..
TiIlinghast, sis nlutilation by picture cranks,
Imean men who have passion for collecting
portraits or engravings. You can't trust
biography or magazine with them. First
thing you know they win tear out page
containing picture, map or some kind of IL
lustration OF course do not mean to say
that all collectors of engravings arc inclined
to acts of vandalism, but it is q fact that with
many of them the passion is SO strong as to
overcome all seruples of honesty or pro-
priety. You cannot catch thena at it either,
except by lucky accident, and unless caught
I'm the act they can never be convicted. .-Bos-
ton Globe.
A Discovery OF Antiquarian Interest.