proper classification of the titles arid the preparation of catalogue 

 cards by means of which the books are made available for use must 

 be completed. After the necessary repairs have been made on the 

 books, proper binders must be provided for the Chinese-style vol- 

 umes, many of which are in numbered sets. Such binders are stand- 

 ard in the handling of Oriental books because they tend to prevent 

 losses and also protect the delicate paper against dirt and abuse. 

 Temporarily the books have been bound in heavy wrapping paper 

 and tied with string. Tight cabinets will be provided for the unique, 

 rare, or extremely fine works so that they will be protected. 



The interlibrary-loan system is an agreement between libraries 

 whereby each library is responsible for the successful completion of 

 the transaction and the return in good condition of all material bor- 

 rowed and lent. It is a courtesy extended by libraries to each other. 

 Although some libraries charge the individual for the costs incurred 

 in an interlibrary-loan transaction, the Museum assumes the expense 

 for the maintenance of this service. In order that costs may be held 

 to a minimum the Library consistently checks the information sup- 

 plied in requests for loans because shipments of the wrong material 

 would be expensive and serve no purpose. Much time is spent by 

 the Library in keeping accurate interlibrary-loan records. Both out- 

 going and incoming shipments are evaluated for insurance against 

 the cost of replacement if lost or damaged in transit. Interlibrary- 

 loan activities during the year included many requests for photo- 

 duplications and microfilms. A total of 262 volumes was lent. 



The proper care of the book collection continues endlessly. Peri- 

 odic surveys are made of the shelves to determine the condition of 

 the volumes and to withdraw those in need of repair or rebinding. 

 Inasmuch as many publishers are issuing publications in paper bind- 

 ings it is necessary to add the paperbound acquisitions to the regular 

 bindery program. During the year 1,208 volumes were prepared for 

 the commercial bindery, 816 volumes were repaired, and 3,400 vol- 

 umes were labeled and bookplated. This division of the Library also 

 labeled, captioned, lettered, stamped, boxed, collated, accessioned, 

 and applied ownership marks to the volumes catalogued during the 

 year. Reshelving and arranging books in the order of their classifi- 

 cation and packing and wrapping material shipped on interlibrary 

 loan are further responsibilities of this division. 



Overcrowding of the anthropology and botany libraries and lack 

 of space to house the additions are again serious problems. Study 

 was given to the Library's problem of space, and plans for installa- 

 tion of stacks in the room opposite the main anthropology library 

 have been under consideration. 



75 



