Elements of Library Methods

Printed in Germany.

Libr.
Stechert
5-24-26
13202

PREFACE

For some years a course of instruction in the elements of library methods has been given at West Virginia University. The purpose has been, first, to provide an opportunity for students who desire to study the subject for the sake of using the Library to better advantage; and second, for those preparing to teach in high schools but who also want some knowledge of library methods and work. The substance of the course is set forth in this volume.

While there are some introductory texts for the use of normal school and high school students there is room for another for the use of college students, and the aim in preparing the text has been to meet their needs.

It is impossible to include all the subject matter for a course in a work of this kind; for example the complete outlines of a system of classification. As a matter of fact a general text on methods is a sort of laboratory guide, the books and periodicals of the library being the equipment of the laboratory. While examples of the arrangement of some of the different systems of classification are included for practice in classifying the student is referred to the volumes containing the complete systems. Instructions for cataloguing, based on the rules of the New York State Library School, are given in enough detail to enable a student, with some additional practice, to catalogue a high school library. Questions for practice and review and some references for collateral reading are given at the end of each section. Contrary to the usual method few notes have been given about reference books for the reason that this is primarily a text and better results are obtained if students write their own notes upon examining the different publications.

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The course at West Virginia University, two class periods each week, continues throughout the year and the subject matter of the book is arranged in the order in which the different subjects are studied. Those desiring to take the course for the purpose of learning how to use a library are advised to take the work offered during the first semester only, including reference books, classification, and selection and purchase of books; those expecting to make use of such information in connection with high school work the full course.

The trained librarian will find little that is new in the book except that information on some subjects, heretofore scattered in different publications, has been brought together.

I desire to express my thanks to Dr. Waitman Barbe, and Prof. D. D. Johnson, of the Department of English Literature, West Virginia University, for reading the manuscript and for suggestions; and to the publishers and authors of books from which I have been permitted to use selections.

L. D. ARNETT.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. The catalogue; Three kinds of entries; Kinds of catalogues;

Dictionary catalogue; Division of subjects; Rules for arrangement;

Consulting the catalogue

2. Reference books: Study of reference books; Periodicals; Indexes

to periodicals; Encyclopedias; Dictionaries; Philosophy and

education; Religion; Social science and economics; Customs;

Physical sciences; Biological sciences; Medicine; Engineering;

Agriculture; Music and art; Literature; History; Biography;

Atlases; Genealogy; Classical antiquities; Government documents;

United States documents; Distribution of documents; Using the