Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-26
The Story of a Library Book

the demon back again. The purchase of books
requires much thought and care and lest the unin-
itated should think 1t simple matter to handle
will trace for you my record which took believe,
all conceivable forms (barrng a rogues gallery,
based the principle that all guilty until proved
innocent
Through the publishers most favorable review
(whO can conceive of publishers review not being
favorable) attention drawn to and my author
and title These jotted down for future refer
A few days previous to the meeting of the
book committed other records looked up-for
example, a trustworthy review, price publisher, and
last, but least, the Library Of Congress number,
Uncle Sans official card made especially for me,
which Identities me, whether good bad, with the
permanent index the card catalogue. After thor
ough checking is made OF books in the library books
recently received and with the outstanding order and
the titles, with author publisher and price, CLASH
fled and a copy is typewriter and presented at the
meeting of the book committee Escaping the blue
pencil and receiving the official o. H. the list is again
arranged, this time alphabetically, and the for
warded to the dealer who in turn procures the books
from the publishers. In the meantime the cards
(Which are so far, the short history of the book
know it, stamped with the dealers name and
date,of order and then filed in miniature catalogue
known the Book Order remaining there until the
are received. When the dealer supplies these
the cards taken from the order. stamped and filed
in temporary record drawer known Books re-
ceved.' This record has proved very valuable 1t
keeps track OF all DOCKS received on approval as wei
guarding against recorder while the book is pass
ing through the hands of the cataloguer
las publishers reviews, like bargain day adver-
tisements, must be taken with pinch Of salt, the
library is happy in having very good and patient
readers whose reviews conscientious and
whose opinion often seals the fate of spoiled
darling of an authors brain My short probation was
not devoid of interest. l experienced that strange
citation known to mortas anticipation What joy
will bring TO the casual reader who wanders about
seeking brief respite from the routine of this work
a-day world? What soTTOWs be renewed my pages
some soul scans? How many pessimists will I con-
vert to optimism? Does not this speak volumes for
the fact that the library is the place earth
where a modern go, and go regularly, and
not know what he wants? AS someone has said
Where he listen to the immortal stir Of thought
stand the juncture of time and space know
what he wants II is true the feeling fades away
very soon for after little goes to the card
logue like lamb to the slaughter, but the light OF
the spirit does not fade away; IL leaves glow the
pages afterward.'
TO return to my story fell into the hands of a
reader who has been of much help to the library and
whose reviews quite impartial, showing intell-
gence ability discern the gold from the dross
! was fortunate TO receive her favorable verdict and
thus launched upon the reading public. have
now made my Official bow in the Omaha Public library
! a permanent member Of this normal family Of
$4,000 children. Some day soon, alas Will lose my
beautiful OF cloth-ofgold perhaps become what
others have been TO the little boy who comes for a
book for his mother, saying, Please Miss Librarian,
my mother wants blue book; she had only red ones
latelE'"