The simplified Newark charging system
GOOD results have been obtained from the use of what has come to be known as the simplified Newark system. This omits the commonly known borrowers' cards (Cat. no. 1127.1). The system may be used only when there is no restriction as to the number of books loaned to one person, and is best adapted to libraries in small or medium sized cities. Permitting the borrower to take any reasonable number of books at one time is in keeping with the modern library spirit. The borrower's card is often a great nuisance, as it is easily misplaced or lost, if retained by the borrower when not in use, and is very apt to be left at home when most wanted.
Plan of use
An application blank printed only on one side of the card is signed in the usual manner by the borrower. It gives in addition the borrower's number. In charging a book to the borrower the date slip and book card are stamped with date of issue or date due, preferably the latter, and the borrower's number is written on the book card, with the same date added. The book cards are then filed in the charging tray under the date due, using date guides (Cat. no. 43531E).
The application cards should be filed alphabetically within easy reach at the charging desk. It saves space to file the cards on end in trays (Cat. no. 1203, 1203.1, or 1200) or in drawers of the desk. The size and number of trays or drawers needed will depend upon the number of borrowers the library is likely to have.
On the blank side of the card, at one end, is typed the borrower's number, name, and address. Space should be left below for memorandum of fines or notes of damages, etc., or a record may be kept on slips (3" x 4") filed in front of the application card.
The application file is consulted whenever books are to be issued to a borrower. This is done in order to ascertain his number, which must be used in charging, and also to determine whether there are fines due.
The advantages of this system lie in saving time both for borrower and assistant. There is less clerical work, requiring the filing of cards not in use, in replacing lost cards, and in rewriting filled cards. It is popular with both the public and librarian, as it removes many causes of friction. It tends to increase circulation, as a borrower may draw a book at any time he has the impulse to do so, regardless of how many he may already have out.
To discharge a book, the date slip is consulted to find when the book is due. The book card is then located in the charging system under the same date and merely replaced in the book without the bother of a discharge date.
If a borrower claims that the book has been returned and the library record still shows that it is charged to him, he is asked to make a thorough search at home and is assured that the library will do the same. The matter usually clears itself. The same difficulty could happen with the use of a borrower's card, as the claim may be made that the librarian failed to stamp the discharge date.
The outfit for such a charging system consists of :
- An application card for each borrower. Cat. no. 1123.
- A book pocket for each book. Cat. no. 1173L.
- A date slip for each book. Cat. no. 1140.
- A book or charging card for each book. Cat. no. 1150.
- One set of date guides printed with days of the month, celluloided tabs. Cat. no. 43531E.
- One set of A-Z guides for filing application cards, celluloided tabs. Cat. no. 43525E.
- A charging tray. Cat no. 1203, 1203.1, or 1200. Larger libraries will need several trays or a specially constructed compartment in the loan desk.
- A register of borrowers, arranged numerically, either card or book form. Cat. no. 1087 for book, or Cat. no. 33110P for cards.
- Dating outfit, consisting of rubber type, ink pad, and holder for attaching type to pencil. Cat. no. 1303.
Other charging systems described in Library Bureau "Library supplies" catalog may be preferred.
