Page:The library a magazine of bibliography and library literature, Volume 6.djvu/65

Mechanical Methods of Displaying Catalogues and Indexes. 53 methods is that the lower part of the hinged card forms a counterfoil when firmly clamped. If the accession or other number of the book catalogued on the upper half is written on the clamped part, it will remain in the tray as a record, if anyone accidentally or wilfully tears off and destroys the entry. This is a merit not possessed by any of the ordinary card methods, because when cards are torn from the rods they become lost for ever- more, and nobody can say whether the catalogue is perfect or not. There is another decided merit possessed by these hinged card methods, and that is both sides of each card can be written upon. I have not seen the Bonnange system used in this way, but I have filled up a few Staderini cards to show how it works in actual practice. When this is done, of course each card may carry two or more entries. It will also be observed from the pictures I am about to hand round, that the Staderini trays are intended to lie parallel with the front of the table instead of at right angles, as in ordinary drawer cabinets. 7 When these merits are mentioned, I am afraid their good points are exhausted, because when the very important test of comparative price is applied they will be found among the most expensive of systems. The plan of breaking up " Card" catalogues into trays or boxes holding from 1,000 to 1,500 entries, has been carried even further in Germany, particularly in the university libraries, where small boxes with handles and falling sides are much used. The specimen now shown is used at Giessen, Berlin, and other places, but it is not sufficiently safe-guarded for general public use ; besides which, it is awkward to manipulate, and the boxes are a trifle flimsy. They are generally stored in revolving book- cases with contents labels attached to the flap of each lid. For private use this style of catalogue may be very useful, but it would never do for ordinary public libraries. 8 I think I have now mentioned the more important " Card " methods which present much difference in the manner of arrangement. There are quite a number of varieties of trays, boxes and cabinets, all differing in minor points, but the same in principle, so that it is needless to describe more of them. I have great doubts as to the efficiency of cards for all cataloguing purposes, and fear that the objections 7 Staderini (Aristide) : Brevi cenni sopra due sistemi di schedario per cataloghi. Roma 1890. 8 A small card catalogue case in box form was patented by Mr. Walter Thomas Rogers of the Inner Temple Library, London, in 1890. Patent Spec., No. 17, 599, 1890. 5