- Preface
- Chapter I, The beginning—Library law
- Chapter II, Preliminary work
- Chapter III, What does a public library do for a community?
- Chapter IV, General policy of the library
- Chapter V, Trustees
- Chapter VI, The librarian
- Chapter VII, The trained librarian
- Chapter VIII, Rooms, building, fixtures, furniture
- Chapter IX, Things needed in beginning work
- Chapter X, The Library Bureau
- Chapter XI, Selecting books
- Chapter XII, Reference books for a small library
- Chapter XIII, Reference work
- Chapter XIV, Reading room
- Chapter XV, List of periodicals
- Chapter XVI, Buying books
- Chapter XVII, Ink and handwriting
- Chapter XVIII, Care of books
- Chapter XIX, Accessioning
- Chapter XX, Classifying
- Chapter XXI, Decimal classification
- Chapter XXII, Expansive classification
- Chapter XXIII, Author numbers or book marks
- Chapter XXIV, Shelf list
- Chapter XXV, Cataloging
- Chapter XXVI, Preparing books for the shelf
- Chapter XXVII, Binding and mending
- Chapter XXVIII, Pamphlets
- Chapter XXIX, Public documents
- Chapter XXX, Checking the library
- Chapter XXXI, Lists, bulletins, and printed catalogs
- Chapter XXXII, Charging systems
- Chapter XXXIII, Meeting the public
- Chapter XXXIV, The public library for the public
- Chapter XXXV, Advice to a librarian
- Chapter XXXVI, The librarian as a host
- Chapter XXXVII, Making friends for the library
- Chapter XXXVIII, Public libraries and recreation
- Chapter XXXIX, Books as useful tools
- Chapter XL, Village library successfully managed
- Chapter XLI, Rules for the public
- Chapter XLII, Rules for trustees and employés
- Chapter XLIII, Reports
- Chapter XLIV, Library legislation
- Chapter XLV, A. L. A. and other library associations
- Chapter XLVI, Library schools and classes
- Chapter XLVII, Library department of N. E. A.
- Chapter XLVIII, Young people and the schools
- Chapter XLIX, How can the library assist the school
- Chapter L, Children's room
- Chapter LI, Schoolroom libraries
- Chapter LII, Children's home libraries
- Chapter LIII, Literary clubs and libraries
- Chapter LIV, Museums, lectures, etc.
- Chapter LV, Rules for the care of photographs