New-York tribune., 1901-03-02
DISINFECTING BOOKS.
METHODS OF GUARDING AGAINST THE
SPREAD OF CONTAGION IN THE
PUBLIC LIBRARIES

M little apprehension has been felt this winter
,v careful persons who dread the deadly microbe
lest the circulating libraries be one of the factors
,u the spread Of coatagion. The New-Iork Free
Circulating libraries and the Angular Library Of
.he Educational Alliance. all OF which send books
spto the thickIy populated parts OF the city, make
no attempt TO disinfect their books. Every library
in the city daily receives list OF the infected
houses in its borough, and no loans are made in
those quarters If IL is known that book has
been in a family with smallpox. diphtheria
scarlet fever the book is burned once. In cases
of measles and less contagious diseases the books
in the libraries mentioned above are aired for
few days In the library of Pratt Institute, Brook
iyn they fumigated with formalne. In the
Brooklyn Public Library, under a previous admin
.stration, such books fumgated in sulphur
fumes but this has not been done recently. When
Il is known that there is sickness of a dangerous
character in borrowers family. notice IS given
burn the book or books without returning them
and charge is made by the institution for the
loss.
Plans for disinfecting every book when it is re-
turned have been considered in some our of town
libraries, but this is out of the question where
hundreds handled daily. The usual method OF
fumigaton is simple. The outfit consists of a
tight tin box, fitted with a wire. upon which the
books are hung, and of the purifying substance
which is placed below and allowed burn slowly
Mrs. c. O. II. Craigie, during her administration
In the Brooklyn Public Library, made effort TO
Keep the books clean, and toward this end insti-
tuted the Library League, with its motto Clean
Hearts, Clean Hands. Clean Books" pretty blue
button, bearing the legend Brooklyn Public Ii
brary" and device in the form OF book was
worn by each member reminder of his or her
responsibilities a book borrower. Each signed a
pledge 10 protect the books, not TO tear or mutt
late them and 10 keep the hands as clean as posi-
bic while reading them.
When seen by a Tribune reporter Yesterday Mrs
Craigie, who is in charge Of the travelling library
department Of the Brooklyn Public Library. was
is she expressed IL, giving her children bath"
BOOKS which showed all stages of soil filled table
81 one side, while at the other side stood row of
cIeah brightly covered ones. A basin OF water in q
char in front OF her, a towel over her Ian a
sponge in one hand and a book in the other told
Inc story With firm but gentle strokes she sponged
'he siaes and back OF the book taking especial
care 10 remove the dust from the creases on each
sloe OF the back. Placing the volume with the
o'her freshened ones she said:
ms Is the way all my soied books get treated
ue'Ole they are sent away. Many of our books
- 80 SIe purchased from second hand stores where
- 49, nave lain on shelves ever since they were nub
- e Sro|n dusty and dingy with accumulations
v 'ie years. bath brings out their colors again
GIVING BOOK A BATH.
book bathing however, is a knack, and unless
s14Ies IL more harm than good will be accom-
g. - lou nave seen calsomining a CELL
"e4i' you know the first stroke Of the brush
~ ~es smooth surface. but second a brush
- NAaC1S 50 Win book SpOnging: unless
,1 ne sponge should be wrung drv Tor a ill., 1oo
Tbe ~ luFe @iIl produce blister. After the bath
eho,,SSS Yer should not be touched and the hook
IT, & De placed in standing position until dry
,s. -e wear and tear Of books and CONSEQUENT er
Tbe tbSInlsh a Welghty problem 20 every library
the &c DlcycIe has been modern foe TO the books
re strap which binds them to the bar nreseir1
snT Lr ~ OF shape. The old time method OF coyere
.uSn,sne Mnne destroying much OF the individualtv
seInsned by the binding was somefbine Of a nrc
-, we OUT this is longer practised There
prese,t a. 49, q ifAe Enen books were cheap as at
IS rhaar,
ne ,ae DOCKS wear quickly In public librarv sew
- however. Mrs. craigie thinks il NAV b,, well
oNe lhe books, especially in the chilGren's de-
p1Ttnent give before they are too badiv so,lad
cor1o ne 100 true, Angelina" type who leaves her
sss..hlnents upon the margins Of the paees Is roo
ol'eh found among book borrowers al rf,e ihraries
- X IS they who add no small part 10 tho daiIx,
soth Every book is looked over Carefully II,or 80
.b suiA ano All such efusions are erased unless
ienoing list F '' '''S
ttsnolng as well in the reference departments
-s considering the number of people using the H.
ne reading rooms especially with the daily t,aners
esat me most havoc is done. While the ma iorffv
:, peopIe patronizing reading rooms and libraries
,moula DE Mortified at the thought of steal ling a
saIse number OF the awless sort who have
Strange ideas OF right and wrong OF mine and
sLahe when such persons articles, items or
soserusements OF especial interest them in news
papers they unhesitatingly them out seemingly
plete. ' INC i''e - 'eit H'eoh-
A controversy is going on al present among IL
ssa.lahs az regarding the open book shelf system
80 70 lts advantages and disadvantages. This has
s 1een adopted In the Brooklyn Public Library and
~ ~ Frat Library. IN the former there have been
trouble. IL the numbers who are 10 be seen daily
tsaSS@sing among the contents OF the shelves and
nlsn The libraries there is no disagreement as 10
the merits OF the plan.
Anent the discussion that has been going on re-