Page:Library Administration, 1898.djvu/70

 methods of their acquisition is entered. Such a register is insisted on in the regulations of the Italian Government libraries and many German university libraries.

In many libraries' it is the rule to collate every book received, in order to detect accidental imperfections, the binding up of a wrong sheet, and so forth. Many American librarians recommend this, and in the Italian Government libraries it is regarded as essential. In the case of fifteenth century books and books of later date, but specially precious, collation is strongly to be recommended, but its thorough application to all purchases would mean an enormous waste of time considering the meagre results attained.

Periodicals (including newspapers) and "works in progress" need special registration as they are received. Slips or cards corresponding to each should be kept in boxes in alphabetical order, and the receipt of each number or part noted. It is a convenience to have a ruled or printed form to ensure clearness when the entries become numerous. As the best of booksellers will sometimes fail to keep up sets of periodicals, it is advisable from time to time to inspect the slips or cards, and demand explanations where there seem to be defects. The cost of periodicals is always a large item in a library budget, but in few so large as at Brussels, where they cost 25,000 francs per annum, as against 12,000 francs for other purchases.

Donations. — There probably exists no library