Part 1

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

LIBRARY HANDBOOK

1918-1919

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS BERKELEY

CONTENTS

Historical Sketch 1

Description of Building 3

Classification 5

Catalogue 7

Book Stack 10

Circulation Department 11

Reserved Book Room 13

Inter-Library Loans 15

Special Collections 16

Seminar Rooms 18

Departmental Libraries 19

Reference Department 21

Accessions Department 25

Rules and Regulations 28

Index 37

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY HANDBOOK 1918-1919

PREFACE

This handbook has been prepared chiefly for the convenience of students and members of the faculty, but it may also be of interest to university and college librarians and their assistants. It is a directory of the University Library, intended to facilitate the use of the books by indicating their location and arrangement and describing the aids by which easiest access to them may be obtained. The regulations necessary to safeguard their use are appended.

This handbook was approved for printing on April 15, 1918, by the Library Committee.

HISTORICAL SKETCH

The University Library had its origin in the small collection of books that belonged to the College of California. In 1868 the College transferred its library numbering 1036 volumes to the University. Five years later, the collection was moved from Oakland to Berkeley and was located in the north end of South Hall. These quarters soon became too small and in 1876 Henry Douglass Bacon gave $25,000 toward the erection of a separate library building. The State of California in 1878 added an equal amount to this gift and in 1881 the Bacon Library was completed.

The bequest in 1904 by Charles Franklin Doe of twenty-four per cent of his estate made available approximately $750,000 for the present library building. In 1911 a little more than half the building was completed, and in May of that year the collection was moved from the Bacon Library to the new building. A state bond issue made possible its completion in 1917.

The University Library now numbers 375,000 volumes, the average annual increase for the last five years being about 25,000 volumes. This growth has been made possible by a University book appropriation, supplemented by special funds, in particular, the Michael Reese fund, available for purchases in any field, the Jane K. Sather funds for classics, history, and law, the Ernst A. Denicke fund for German philology, and the Eugene Meyer, Jr., fund for history.

Valuable gifts of books in special fields have also been made, such as the many contributions of Mr. J. C. Cebrian in Spanish literature, and the donations of Louis Sloss, Jacob Voorsanger, and Alfred Greenebaum toward a Semitic collection.

DESCRIPTION OF LIBRARY BUILDING

The building is in the classic style of architecture and was designed by John Galen Howard. It is a steel frame, fireproof structure of the highest class, with outside dimensions of 262 feet by 224 feet. The exterior is of California granite with roof of red mission tile. The total cost including furnishing was $1,200,000.

It is rectangular in form, the covered central court, slightly over 100 feet square, being reserved for book storage, in two nine-story stacks of a combined capacity of one million volumes. At present only one of these stacks has been installed. The main entrance is from the north. To the left of the vestibule is the Bancroft Library, a collection under separate administration devoted to the history of California and the Southwest. To the right is the Reserved Book Room where are shelved those books designated by instructors as class references for the current semester. The remainder of the ground floor is given up to seminars 110 to 132.

The main stairway leads directly to the Delivery Hall where is the Loan Desk, with the entrance to the stack directly behind it. Opposite the Loan Desk, facing north, is the Reading Room, 210 feet long and 53 feet wide, with a seating capacity of five hundred and shelf room for about twenty thousand volumes. In it will be found all reference books except indexes, and in addition a fairly representative collection of general literature. At the east end of the Delivery Hall is the Reference Room through which access to the new Periodical Room is obtained. This latter, 135 feet long by 45 feet wide, extends down the east side of the main floor and provides seats for 240 readers and shelf room for the current magazines in most general use. The administration rooms occupy the corresponding position on the western side of this floor, the Associate Librarian’s Office and the Accessions Department, with a common entrance from the Delivery Hall, the Librarian’s Office and the Catalogue Room opening on the west corridor. Two rooms for the use of the library staff, three for instruction in library science, and one for binding preparation and for supplies extend across the south. The Union Card Catalogue will be found in the corridor leading to these.

On the third floor, reached by the western staircase and by the elevator, are the Library of French Thought (room 303), seminars 307 to 317, the map room (318), and a room (320) holding books not suitable for shelving in the regular stack. On the fourth floor are rooms 405 to 438, the majority used as private studies for members of the faculty, but a few of them combination seminar rooms and offices.

There are also basements on the south and west sides, the former used by the University Press as a storage room, the latter, furnished with a freight entrance and a staff elevator, being the library receiving and unpacking room. From the rear of the building between these is a public entrance. This by means of a corridor and stairway, enables readers from the south to reach the ground floor.

CLASSIFICATION

The books in the Library are at present arranged according to two systems:

1. =The Library of Congress classification=, slightly modified. It is expected that the entire library will ultimately be reclassified by this system. Letters are used for main classes, subdivisions are chiefly indicated by numbers. The subjects now included in this classification are:

CJ Numismatics

CR Heraldry

D History and topography, except America (in progress)

E American history

F ” ” (local)

G Geography, Anthropology, Folk-lore, Manners and customs, Sports and games

H Social sciences

J Political sciences

L Education

2. =The Rowell classification= which covers all subjects not reclassified. In it instead of letters, the classes are indicated by numbers from 1 to 999 with some sub-classes given lower case letters following these. A brief table of important main classes follows.

1-15 Philosophy 16-51 Religion 289-299 Law 333-561 Science 578-599 Industrial arts 600-681 Fine arts 682-999 Philology and literature

All books in the stacks are arranged according to these classifications and shelf lists on cards are available in the Catalogue Room. These are useful because they show all books in a class whether or not they happen to be on the shelves at any one time.

CATALOGUE

The library card catalogue is filed in cases in the east end of the Delivery Hall and is in two parts.

=The Main Catalogue= is a record of the works in the library. It gives an entry under author, under title, if distinctive or in case of periodicals, and also under specific subject or subjects if the books have been classified according to the Library of Congress scheme. For example, James Allan’s “Under the dragon flag” (reclassified) is entered in the catalogue under Allan, James; by title: Under the dragon flag; and by subject: Chinese-Japanese war, 1894-1895. Thus there are three avenues of approach, one for the reader who knows the author’s name, another for the reader who remembers the title, but cannot recall the author, and a third for the reader who wishes something on the Chinese-Japanese war and has no definite book in mind. Books not classified by the Library of Congress scheme but still under the Rowell classification have the usual author and distinctive title cards in the main catalogue, but in place of a subject entry will be found a reference from the subject to that number in the classed subject catalogue where it will be found. For example, Freud’s “Interpretation of dreams” appears in the main catalogue under Freud, Sigmund, and under Interpretation of dreams; but instead of appearing under the subject Dreams there is a reference card under that word which reads: Dreams, see subject catalogue under 11 _d._ On turning to the subject catalogue at that number the reader finds not only Freud’s book, but all other books in the library on the subject of dreams.

=The Classed Subject Catalogue= occupies one face of the two cases nearest the entrance to the Reference Room and covers only the subjects still under the Rowell classification. It is a numerical arrangement of the cards in the order in which the books stand on the shelves i.e., all cards on a given subject are grouped together under one number. Indexes in book form referring from subject to number are to be found on the tables reserved for consulting the catalogue.

The reader wishing books on meteors, for example, finds in the index opposite the word meteors the number 369. He turns to the classed subject catalogue at that number and sees there the library’s resources on that subject. He will also find in the main catalogue under the word meteors, a reference card: Meteors, see subject catalogue under 369. So whether he consults the printed index or the main catalogue, he will be referred to the same place in the classed subject catalogue.

=The Call Number= (which indicates the classification and the shelf location of the book) is in the upper left hand corner of the catalogue card. It must be exactly copied in the corresponding place on the call slip to enable an attendant to find the book.

=Removal Slips.=--For various reasons it is frequently necessary to remove cards from the catalogue. When this is done a colored removal slip is placed in the catalogue bearing the author’s name, title, and call number, and the initials of the assistant who has the card. This does not indicate that the book is off the shelf. It may as readily be obtained by copying the call number, author and title from the removal slip, as from the original card.

In the process of reclassification, it is necessary to remove the books from the shelves and the cards from the catalogue. When this is done, a card stamped RECLASSIFICATION, bearing the author’s name and the title of the book, is filed in the place of the author card removed. If the book is desired by a reader, it must be requested at the Loan Desk with the statement that the card is marked RECLASSIFICATION.

When difficulty is found in using the catalogues or in locating references to material supposedly in the library, inquiry should always be made at the Reference Department.

=Other Library Catalogues.=--The catalogues of other large libraries form important bibliographic aids. The following are available in this library:

The Union Depository Catalogue, filed in cases in the south corridor, main floor; this includes author cards for the books in the Library of Congress, various government departmental libraries in Washington, D.C., and such cards as have been printed by the John Crerar Library, Harvard University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, and Newberry libraries.

In the Catalogue Room will also be found certain printed catalogues in book form, chief among which are those of the British Museum, Bibliothèque Nationale, Boston Athenaeum, London Library, Peabody Institute Library, and Surgeon General’s Library. These may be consulted in the Catalogue Room between 9 A.M. and 5 P.M. At other hours apply to the Reference Department.

THE BOOK STACK

Members of the faculty have free access to the stack. Permits are required of all others. Card for stack permit may be obtained at the Loan Desk by a graduate student and should be filled out and signed by his instructor before being presented to the Associate Librarian for approval. Though undergraduates presenting a reasonable request at the Reference Desk will be given an opportunity to look over the literature of any particular subject, permits for any length of time will only be issued in exceptional cases for, in general, undergraduate needs are met by the Reading Room and Reserved Book collections.

As far as possible books are arranged on the nine floors of the stack in proper classification sequence, but as convenience of access has caused some exceptions, a guide is posted on the central case as one enters the stack on the main floor. More detailed charts will be found on each floor.

CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT

=To call for a book not on open shelves.=--As it has been found impossible to allow free access to the stack, it is necessary to apply for books at the Loan Desk. The procedure in drawing a book is as follows:

A call slip when properly filled out, giving call number, author, title, name and address of the borrower, should be presented at the east end of the Loan Desk. An attendant at the desk will procure the book from the stack or make a report as to its location.

If the book is to be used in the library a white “Library Use Slip” should be filled out; if for home use a manila “Home Use Slip” is required. This distinction is important for a book taken out on a Library Use Slip is overdue if not returned the day issued. A reader must return books drawn on the Library Use Slip to the Loan Desk before leaving the library. He will be held responsible for books drawn in his name so long as his slips remain unclaimed.

=To have a book held.=--A book which is on loan and is desired by another reader will be reserved on its return if request is made. The inquirer will be given a postcard which should be filled out and left with a loan desk attendant. When the book is returned this card will be mailed notifying the inquirer that the book will be held four days.

=To renew a book.=--A book may be renewed if not in demand by another reader and if request for renewal is made before it becomes overdue. To renew a book it is necessary to give the attendant at the Loan Desk either the book or the call number and the name of the person to whom the book is charged. Wait until the attendant reports whether or not the book can be renewed. Misunderstandings occur because a book cannot be renewed and the borrower has left without waiting to get this report. A renewal may be made by mail or by telephone but there is less chance of error when the borrower calls in person. A book which is overdue will not be renewed and cannot be drawn out again by the same person until the following day.

RESERVED BOOK ROOM

Books selected by members of the faculty as assigned readings for their students are known as reserved books and are shelved in the Reserved Book Room on the ground floor of the library, to the right of the main entrance. They are grouped on the reserve shelves according to courses of instruction and a list giving the name of the course and the number of the case where the books for that course are shelved is posted on the bulletin board.

An alphabetic author catalogue of the books on reserve, giving their location by case and shelf, is on file just inside the entrance. If the desired book is not readily found on the shelves, consult this, for occasionally the same book is wanted for more than one course, or there are copies of the same title in different reserves. When class references are given try this catalogue before asking at the Loan Desk.

The books forming the History 1 collection are arranged in call number order in cases 14 to 92. There is a separate card catalogue giving a list of these books and their call numbers also a chart to aid in locating the book by the call number.

To draw a book from the room go through the turnstile, select the book, copy author’s name, short title, and the call number as it appears on the back of the book. Sign name and address, and present slip and book to the attendant at exit.

Readers are requested not to take books or handbags into the enclosure. They should also note that while books may be carried from this room to other parts of the library, excepting for overnight charges, they are issued only for use in the building and should be returned as soon as continuous reading is over. They should not be passed on to other readers or left out of use on some shelf or table while the borrower is away at class or meals. To allow most equitable use of these books readers may have only one out at a time, but a dictionary or atlas may be taken in addition.

Before leaving the library, return to the discharging desk in the Reserved Book Room all books drawn out, and reclaim and destroy slips. Readers who do not care to wait for call slips may leave books on the return desk or drop them in the slot cut in it, but as they are responsible for books as long as their slips remain on file, reclaiming them insures against possible error.

For the rules and regulations regarding library and home use of books and for the penalties prescribed for failure to observe them, reference should be made to pages 29-36 of this handbook.

INTER-LIBRARY LOANS

The resources of the library are supplemented by borrowing from other libraries books not readily obtainable by purchase. The individual in whose behalf a loan is solicited pays all transportation charges and undertakes to conform to the conditions of use made by the lending library. This library also lends many books to other libraries. Individuals living some distance from Berkeley should request loans through their local libraries. As this library is primarily for the use of the university faculty and students, applications for loans by other libraries should be restricted to books difficult to obtain by purchase and not available in a nearer library. All requests for inter-library loans should be made to the Librarian, who alone is authorized to lend books to other libraries or borrow from them.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

The few special collections of this library are housed in separate rooms and the books in them are restricted to use in the building.

=The Archives Room= on the mezzanine floor over the Reference Room is open only to those having the permission of the Librarian; others needing material kept there should apply for it at the Reference Desk. Very complete files of faculty and student publications and all available material illustrating the history of the University are shelved in this room.

=California literature= has for many years been made the object of a special collection, and several hundred volumes of poetry, drama, and general literature by Californians will be found shelved in the book stack under nos. 984-985. The portion of the collection classified as fiction (986) is separately shelved in room 320 and is not for general use. To consult the fiction a special permit must be obtained from the Librarian who will consider only applicants doing serious work in that field.

=California and Pacific Coast history collections= will be found in the Bancroft Library, on the ground floor to the left of the main entrance. This, the most complete collection of material in its field, is under separate administration and for the most part its books are not included in the General Library catalogue.

=The Chinese collection=, about 3600 individual works, shelved in room 425, is the gift of Mr. S. C. Kiang, whose family for generations had been gathering together this library of Chinese literature. A card catalogue of the contents will be found in the room. Students in Chinese also have access to the private collection of Professor Emeritus John Fryer, who has very kindly shelved his Chinese library in room 416 and made it available to scholars.

=The Library of French Thought=, to be found in room 303, was presented to the University by the French Government through The Friends of France. The titles were selected by professors of the Sorbonne as the leading contributions of French writers in all fields of knowledge. It consists of about 2500 volumes and originally formed part of the French exhibit at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition.

=The Karl Weinhold Library=, presented to the University by John D. Spreckels, is now in seminar 113. It was the private library of the late Professor Weinhold of the University of Berlin, who had gathered together in it over 6000 volumes and more than 2000 pamphlets devoted to Germanic language, literature, folklore, and antiquities. The original editions of works of literature in which it is especially rich are listed in Library Bulletin 16.

SEMINAR ROOMS

These rooms are for the exclusive use of faculty and students of the departments to which they are assigned. Keys may be obtained at the Reference Desk but will be issued only to those who secure an application card, have it approved by a professor or instructor holding classes in the room, and make a deposit of one dollar with the University Cashier. Keys to table drawers may also be obtained on additional deposit of one dollar per key. No exemption from key deposit will be made to any but those holding Regents’ appointments. Reference should be made to page 33 for seminar regulations.

The present assignment follows:

_Ground Floor_

110-111 Agriculture 112 German 113 German (Weinhold Library) 114-117 Economics 118-120 Political Science 121 Anthropology 122-123 Philosophy 124-127 English 128 Public Speaking 129 History Sources Library 130-132 History

_Third Floor_

303 Library of French Thought 307 French 308 Spanish 309 Mathematics 310 Astronomy 311 Latin 312 Classical Archaeology and Ancient History 313 Classical Library 314 Greek 315-316 Education 317 Geography

_Fourth Floor_

416 Oriental Languages 419 Slavic Languages 421 Semitic Languages 425 Kiang Library of Chinese Literature

DEPARTMENTAL LIBRARIES

The University Library comprises not only the General Library, but also a large number of departmental libraries, seventeen on the campus, five in other parts of the state. They are under the control of the departments, who set the hours and conditions of their use, and therefore applicants for their books should go direct to them. They are for the most part made up of books purchased on departmental budgets, supplemented in some cases by deposits from the General Library. All books are purchased through the General Library and in the case of campus departments they are all included in the main catalogue with an indication of the department in which they will be found in the place of the usual call number. For those departments outside of Berkeley only such books as cannot be found on the campus are included in the public catalogue, but a shelf list of all books in each library is in the Catalogue Room.

DEPARTMENTAL LIBRARIES IN BERKELEY