Check It Out
by
Laine Farley
 In an obscure corner of library history, it is possible to trace the evolution of the mechanics of checking out books and how bookmarks have played a part. In the first issue of Library Journal (then called American Library Journal) dated September 30, 1876, p. 23, a reader posed the question of how to “prevent or check a tendency to mark books with the date drawn, and similar things which deface, but not maliciously?” The librarian at Colby University helpfully responded in the January 31, 1877 issue, p. 194, that he had checked this practice by supplying a strip of paper about 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" stamped with the date. He noted that the strip served as a “book-mark,” preventing readers from turning down leaves and that very few volumes were returned without them. Even more important, few volumes were kept over time.  Later, in the May 31, 1877 issue, p. 326, several examples of slips used as bookmarks and reminders of return dates were described. Amherst College Library used a stern warning on its bookmark that “any corrections of the press, notes, or marks of any kind on books belonging to the Library are unconditionally forbidden” and even offered a $25 reward to evidence leading to the conviction of “any person found guilty of writing upon or otherwise wantonly defacing any book.” The other side of the bookmark which users were instructed to leave in the book described a complex algorithm for determining how long a book could be checked out along with intimidating language on fines. The article goes on to suggest several ways to incorporate the due date, either by omitting some of the text on the bookmark (presumably the complex algorithm since no one could decipher it anyway), or by adding a special slip, a “temporary register” attached to the inside cover with a gummed edge. There is even an illustration of such a slip with ruled lines for recording due dates. It seems that the Evansville, Indiana library used an “ingenious combination of the book-mark and number-slip” that had “cautionary matter at the top, with a motto, and below [were] lines for numbers.” It had a gummed edge for mounting on the back cover and a slanted edge which “threw the bookmark outside the volume.” A local manufacturer patented this bookmark although I haven’t located anything resembling it in the patent literature.  In 1887, Melvil Dewey returned to this subject in the December issue of Library Notes and described a bookmark used by Professor H. Carrington Bolton of Trinity College. An example of the bookmark is illustrated on p. 219 where Professor Bolton notes that “This book-mark will serve the reader as a constant reminder of his duty; will often prevent thoughtless defacement of volumes, and may even prevent misunderstandings as to amount of fine.” Apparently Professor Bolton takes it as a given that readers will always return books late, even when they have a reminder on his handy bookmark. Dewey mentions that some libraries will replace the book card with a bookmark of the same size. At Columbia where he made his mark (so to speak), the practice was to put a blank slip into the pocket with “date of return stampt [sic] on,” and he also notes that publishers provide free advertising slips for this purpose. Dewey was known for advocating a more economic method of spelling, other examples of which appear in this short article such as “bibliografy,” “wil,” and “fild.” Mrs. Sanders added to the discussion by unashamedly advocating for using bookmarks to promote library services, rather than to remind about due dates. With the benefit of an advertising sponsor, she created bookmarks with the message “When in doubt on any subject, consult the Public Library” which her readers found quite dignified. These bookmarks were so successful that she printed another batch with the tag line on one side and “The library is a great kingdom” on the other. Her approach is quite a change to the Amherst goal to hunt down delinquent readers.  Another participant described her library’s hybrid use of bookmarks to publish rules against soiling books and turning down pages on one side, with calling attention to special books (e.g., “Read the history of your own town”) on the other. This remark led to a discussion of whether these bookmarks actually reduced the usual damage to books from dog-earring and the like. One person carefully explained that to answer such a question it would be necessary to appoint a committee “to investigate the matter for about a year” but a definitive answer was doubtful. The library world would have to wait for real evidence that bookmarks could prevent book crimes.  And as to the question of whether to use a bookmark or a book pocket slip or both, the 1921 publication, How to Organize a Library by Zana K. Miller makes it clear in a section on “Preparing Books for Circulation.” She states that a book pocket should be placed at the back of the book and may be printed with very simple rules. But details about fines, hours, and number of books that can be borrowed should be printed on a bookmark since they are likely to change. An illustration on p. 13 shows exactly how the book pocket, book card and date slip should be placed and what should be written on each. The book pocket is slanted for ease of inserting and removing the book card which is kept in the library when a book is checked out. The book slip has the return date stamped on it to remind the reader when to return it. And the bookmark’s real estate can be used for both practical and inspirational information.  What a relief to have this practice clearly stated once and for all—it only took forty-four years. Book cards disappeared with the advent of computerized circulation systems that automatically could record borrowers, loan periods, renewals and fines, but the book slips were still used to stamp the due date. Now that many libraries use automated self-checkout machines, these slips that were once attached to books are being replaced with loose receipts, many of which are used for bookmarks. Books are no longer carrying the history of their popularity inside their back covers, but ephemeral reminders of their journeys may stay inside their pages for a while as bookmarks in disguise.
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