Page:Library Administration, 1898.djvu/91

 surplus copies from all the catalogues. The books to be disposed of are to be arranged by size, and numbered in order, the order numbers to be added to the title-slips, and these latter arranged alphabetically. The volumes then await the next Commission of Library Revision. This body will test a number of the volumes to judge if the selection is suitable and accurate. The books, and also any defective books of which it is desired to rid the library, shall be stamped, to show that they have been discarded. The titles shall have added to them information as to the condition of the books, and the selling price (new or second-hand, as the case may be). These titles thus enlarged are to be printed and the list sent to all the other university and "students" libraries, with the request that they will state what books they are prepared to acquire at the prices affixed, or, in the last resort, by offering other books in exchange. The eventual disposal of the duplicates, according to the answers sent in, rests with the librarian or, in the case of university libraries, the academical body controlling him. In contested cases the Minister of Public Instruction shall give the final decision.

A new decree of 3rd May 1897 provides for the duplicates of books published since 1850. The public libraries kept up at State expense have for the future to give away their duplicates. To this end an exchange is to be organised on the one hand among these libraries themselves, on the other between them and the libraries of high schools, seminaries, and institutes. These appear