US51823A - Improvement in systems foftlibraries - Google Patents

Description

UNTTnn STATES `AT13NT Tir-ren.

iMPnovswiEN-rm svsrsivis Foe Liennuiss.

Spccilication forming part ot Letters-Patent No. hf, dated January 2,'1866.

x and. State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved System for Managing Sunday-School Libraries 5 and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact descrip'- tion thereof, reference being had to the accomv panying drawings and illustrations, with the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is the face, with its revolving disk, of the library-index; Fig. 2, the back of the same covered 'with a slate-surface; Fig. 3, the index-box, and Fig. 4 the lid or register; Fig. 5, the index-catalogue; Fig. 6, a continuation of the same for lilling in new books; Fig. 7, the inside of the cataloguecover. partly covered with a vslate-surface, for, the purpose shown. Fig.8 illustrates one 'of the index library-tags. 1 f

v Thebject of my invention is .,tofacilitate and systematize the distribution of librarybooks among the respective classes of Suiv 'day-schools in such manner as tol entirely avoid the confusion and delay incident to other plans; to secure a simple, correct, and' reliable record' of thepweekly condition of the library, thereby insuring a large Savin g of books usually lost through accounts; and to greatly simplify the duties and economizey the time of librarian an teachers. n :f s 'Ihe nature of my improvement consists, tiret. in the arrangement of the library into equal divisions, corresponding with the maximum number of classes 1n the school second, l

in the construction and use. of the library-index, index-catalogue, index-box andregister, and the index library-tags.

To enable librarians and others to use my invention, Iv describe the same in detail and operating in combination as a system -as follows:

I. The library/. -The maximum number of the classes in the school having been ascertained, the books in the library are arranged in equal divisions corresponding in number with the classes, and each division or alcove numerically designated from l upward. ln schools which areilot, graded, or where thc number of ,classesd'oes not exceed twenty-six,

imperfect and disputedV y from three d tion of the face, Fig. 1, inclosed by the outer ferent classes.

"flongingto a particular class yshown Glass A or at most thirty-two,.each division is so arranged as to be a complete library in itself,

being thereby adapted to meet the wants ot' and capacity in the pupils of various ages same class, books of the first grade being uniformly apportioned to the several divisions, and so with the second, and as many more grades as the classification of the books will allow. All` serial works are placed in consecutive order in the divisions, so that the scholar who reads the first volume one week will have an opportunity of selecting the secondv the week following, and so on. In larger schools,

where -the classes are graded,fthe-iinportance 1 of which I urge upon all who adopt this system, the school is worked in two or more sections of twenty,twentysix, or thirty-:two classes nach. inwlch case ranged in corresponding sections or grand-divisions to suit the different grades, each being worked by its own librarian and with a separate outt; corresponding. substantially wit-h that described in these specications. l A

Il. The Zibrary-t'ndcm.-This device-tire .prominent feature of the system-is so` called because it indicates or points out a systematic distribution of the books. It is manufactured of a superior article of double-rolled card-y board or metal, or any other suitable material may be used. The index, in its outer form, is to four inches square. rlhat porpink and colored yellow is a revolving disk,

which is pivoted to the back at the center c,

and is moved by a tape loop placed at b. i The' letters oi' the alphabet on-the margin of this disk are the names or designations of the difsix t-he additional classes are designated as vsecond A, (A2,) second B, (B2) and so on. The

iigures on the ixed margin outside the disk correspond'with the divisions of the library, already described, and also with the folios of the catalogue. The back of the index, Fig. 2, which is glued orotherwise secured tothe fixed margin, is covered .with Ieirces patent slatesurface,which, from itslightness, elas-v ticity,l and'durability, vis found to be an admirable composition forthe purpose. Each index is also designated on thevback, Fig. 2, as be- (inthe sample is designated) by being 1athe library is further kar- Where these exceed twenty# 'by this new system.

bers and titles from l to 30, inclusive.

beled respectively A, B, (l, D,&c. The outer edges are covered-with a coating of paraiiinevarnish, which corresponds in color with the slating'suriace and acts as a'preservative of the cardboards where they are joined together. Thus constructed theseindexes are cheap and durable, as with ordinary care they will last a life-time.

, III. The ndew-catalogua+Essential as catalogues are to the complete workin g of a library, i

they have been objectionable under the old plans on account of the expense of keeping them up-any material changes made in the library involving the expense of new catalogues. To avoid this serious objection is the Object of my improved catalogues, as a single set will last for years, and admit of any desired additionsto the library without impairing the uniform system of numbering secured This result is attained by so arranging the pages (Fig. 5, page 20) in uniform divisions that, while the numbers of the books are always consecutiva. blanks are left on each leaf or alternate page for the titles and numbers of new books, (Fig. 6, page 20,) each page being always a record 'of the booksin the corresponding division of the library. Thus in a library containing seven hundred and eightyvolumes arranged in twenty-six divisions, each division containing thirty, the rst page of the catalogue embraces the num- The second begins with 5l, and contains the inter- Vening numbers to 80, the third from V101 to 130, the fourth from 151 to 180, &c. This leaves twenty blanks for inserting new titles as books are added from time to time to the corresponding divisions of the library. The additions can be either written on the blank lines, Fig. 6, arranged forthat purpose, (the catalogues being printed on a good quality of writing-paper,) or they may be printed on slips, then cut into twenty-six parts and one part pastedon the blank ot' each page In addition to the 'numbers of the books placed4 before the title, I add ina column on the right the number of pages in each volume, which aids the teacher in selecting books adapted to the age and capacity of the pupil. 'And to make the index-catalogue available as a class-book the inside of each lid is partially covered with a slated surface, with blank lines for the names of the scholars, in which the teacher can keep a record of their attendance, charge their books, or such other memorandaa's may bedesired, (Fig.7 illustrates the c'over,) thus saving the expense and avoiding the inconvenience of carrying more than onebook. v y

For the accommodation of such schools as may not feel able to incur the expense ot'printed catalogues I have modified my improvement in such manner that thelibrary can be worked under the index system with a single copy of a written catalogue arranged as follows: `The titles of the books, with theirl numerical designations and number of pages, are written on fot the library sheetsof paper equal to and numbered to correspond with the divisions of the library.

For greater convenience and durability these sheets may be pasted on card-board or its equivalent. WVhen the librarian distributes the indexes he sends withthe one belonging to each 'class the page or sheet corresponding with the index ligure opposite the'lettcr of that class, changing the'order of distribution each Sunday, as indicated by the movement of the disk. The result is practically the same as if each class had a full catalogue.

lV. The index-boaf-Tofacilitate the working of this system, the indexes are putnpin boxes, Fig. 3, and numbered in sets according to the size ofthe school. No. 2, which is rep- `resented by the drawings reduced to half-size, (shown 'in perspective by Fig. 3,) being designed for a school of twenty-six classes, contains twenty-seven indexes, one for each class and one for the special use of the librarian. The box is constructed with compartments, each having an alphabeticaldesignation to show where each index belongs.. The inside of the sliding` lid (shown in perspective over the box by Fig. 4) is covered with Peirces patent slate-` surface, and contains the designations of the classes'down theleft margin and a blank line opposite each one. There is alsol a-dividing-line shown down the middle. This is used as a register of unreturned books, the index-box thus containing wit-hin itself all the appliances for'workin g a library and keep- `ing a full, correct,and always reliable record of its condition, entirely dispensing with the complex, laborious, and imperfect plans of rec, ord hitherto in use.

V.-Theginde.v lbrary-tags.-As a part of this system, and included in each outfit, is one or more sets of library-tags, (Fig. S illustrates one of them,) being neatly-prin ted labels, showing, inaddition to the usual numerical designation of each volume, the particular division to which such book belongs'. which greatly facilitates thepperations of the librarian in taking outand returning books. These are furnished in sheets arranged in divisions, each division containing fifty tags. These tags are made adhesive by iirst saturating the paper on which they are printed with a solution of tannic aci'd, andthen coatingl the sheet with a preparation of.' isinglass or its equivalent. The adhesion to the book is rendered perfect bywettin g the binding with said acid before attaching the tag. The isinglass (ichthyocolla) having a strong affinity for tannin,the tag adheres as rrnly as if it were a part of the book.

Operation'of the system: The operation of the index system, of which the foregoing-described appliances each constitute a part, lmy

be briefly vsett'orth as follows: The library having been properly arranged, the classes named in` alphabetical order around the room', and `each furnished with a catalogue, the librarian sets the rotating disks ofthe indexes unienses 3 formly, the first class, A, pointing to the figure l; the second, B, to the figure 2, etc. rlhe indexes are then distributed to the classes in order, who select the books they may want from the page of the catalogue corresponding with the figure opposite the letter of the class and write the numbers of' the books thus chosen on the back of the index. rlhe indexes are then returned to the librarian, who will find the books selected by class A in the first division and by class B in the second division, and so on, and he distributes them accordingly. The indexes are then placed in their respective compartments in the index-box, the'numbers written thereon by the teachers being the only record or charge necessary to make against the respective classes for the books taken ont. 0n the following Sunday, if' all the books are returneda rule which is enjoined as absolute by this system-the librarian erases these num.- bers, which squares the account between him v and the classes for the previous Sunday. The returned books having been replaced, thelibrarian moves the disk of each index one point to the right, which throws every class into a new division of the library, when the selections and distribution are made as before,the operation being substantially the same on each successive Sunday.

The advantages of' such-a system are obvious, as it places all the classes on an equal footing, prevents the confusion of' two or more classes selecting the same books on the saine day, and the disappointment necessarily aris-4v ing therefrom establishes a system of recording about which there can be no disputes, saving both librarian an d teach ers much vexa-tion and loss of' time, while it also prevents particular. classes from vmonopoliz'ing the use of favorite books to the prejudice of others with equal claims, at the same time giving every class an opportunity to select, in their turn, any book in the library; all these advantages bein g t secured at a cost not exceeding the rate of fifty cents per class.

Register oi' unreturned books: ln case any books are not returned the Sunday after they are taken out, as required by the rule, the scholars Selecting from the division to which such books belong would be liable to choose books not in the library, and thus loss of' time in making a new selection, as well as a defect in the librarians accounts, would result. To meet this difficulty the register of unreturned :books is provided as follows: Suppose class B does not return Nos. 51 and 8,0 belonging to the second division, the librarian will charge them on the register on the box-lid opposite B, Fig. 4, and mark them on the next preceding index (which is A) thus, out, 5l, 80, Fig. 2. Class A, seeing that these books are out of their divisions for the day, will of course not select them. The same course is pursued with all other classes not returning books, the simple rule being to enter their numbers on the next preceding index and charge them of' the library contrary lo rule.

on thc register opposite the letter of the class which kept them out. And in case any books are kept out over the second Sunday they must be again entered as out on the index of the class thro-wn into the division to which such bookbclongs, which can be ascertained by a glance at the register after the collection of' books is completed for the day, the register then being a complete record ofl all books ont To facilitate this thel numbers of all books kept out over one week should be kept on the left of' the line running-down the middle of the register, and those unreturned on that day placed on the right of the same.

The index marked librarian is used by him in case he may have occasion to consult its indications when the other indexes are in the hands of' `the teachers, and also for the purpose of charging any books which he may loan to persons not 'connected with any particular class.

This system may also be worked with asingle index in the hands of the librarian, in connection with the catalogue sheets or cards previously described, which may be backed with slate-surface to enable the teachers to write thereon the number of the books selected, or separate slates or cards-may be used for that ur ose the librarian chan infrthecataloeue- 7 g e e sheets each Sunday from class to class, as indicated bythe index Abut while this plan costs but a trifle less than the other it is not so complete, and consequently less 'satisfactor t.

As printed instructions for working the. index system, covering the minutest details of' the practical operation in the school-room, are furnished with each outfit, the foregoing explanations are deemed amply sufficient for the purpose of' these specifications. I

I am aware that revolying disks made of metal orcard-board have been employed. for various purposes. I therefore do not simply lclaim a revolving disk, nor, in fact, any ofthe devices employed, independently considered,

apart from its appropriate place appertainin g to my system for regulating Sunday-school libraries. Believing, however, that l haveinventednovel and useful modes (in the respective 'departments constituting my entire system) both in the device employed and manner ot' application, constituting separate claims, What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isy 1. Thearrangement of' Sunday-school libraries into uniform divisions, numerically corresponding with the classes of the schools, in combinat'ion with the ligures on the fixed margin of' the index and the folios of the catalogue,

substantially in the manner and for the pur-` pose specified. I

2. The employment of the index, with its revolving disk, for the designation of classes and divisions, substantially as shown, for the purpose specified.

3. The arrangement of the catalogue into' uniform divisions (with uniforin intervening blanks consecutively numbered) corresponding with the divisions of the library and the classes in the scliooi, also the application of the catalogue as a t'eachers class-book, sul)- stantilly in the manner specified.

4. The construction and use ol' the indexbox and its sliding` lid with its slate-surface,

or equivalent, and designations of classes as.

a register, substantially as shown, and for the purposespecied.

5.. Thepeculiar method of securing librarytags by the use of isinglass and tannic acid independently applied, in the manner and for the purpose specified.

6. The combination and use vofthe vindex, index-box, and register, catalogue, and tags asa system, arranged and operating snbstantially as and for the purpose fully set forth and `shown in the foregoing specification.

. JVM. W. GEIST. Witnesses:

WM. B. WILEY,

J Aeon STAUFFER.

Images