Nineteenth century (monthly).  N.Y.  Leonard Scott Co., $4.50.

Review of reviews (monthly), illus.  N.Y.  Ed. by Albert Shaw, $2.50.

Contemporary review (monthly).  N.Y.  Leonard Scott Co., $4.50.

Critic (monthly), illus.  N.Y.  Critic Co., $2.

Nation (weekly).  N.Y.  Evening Post Co., $3.

Educational review (monthly), N.Y.  Holt, $3.

Kindergarten magazine (monthly), illus.  Chicago Kindergarten
Literature Co., $2.

Appleton’s popular science monthly, illus.  N.Y.  Appleton, $5.

Scientific American (weekly), illus.  N.Y.  Munn, $3.  With supplement, $7.

Scientific American supplement (weekly), illus.  N.Y.  Munn, $5.

Art amateur (monthly), illus.  N.Y.  Montague Marks. $4.

Outing (monthly), illus.  N.Y.  Outing Co., $3.

CHAPTER XVI

Buying books

A good book for a library, speaking of the book as to its wearing qualities and as to the comfort of its users, is printed on paper which is thin and pliable, but tough and opaque.  Its type is not necessarily large, but is clear-cut and uniform, and set forth with ink that is black, not muddy.  It is well bound, the book opening easily at any point.  The threads in the back are strong and generously put in.  The strings or tapes onto which it is sewn are stout, and are laced into the inside edges of the covers, or are strong enough to admit of a secure fastening with paste and paper.  In ordering books of which several editions are on the market, specify the edition you wish.  When you have found a good edition of a popular author like Scott or Dickens, make a note of it on the shelf-list.

In giving your orders, always try your local dealer first.  If he cannot give you good terms, or, as is very likely to be the case, has not the information or the facilities which enable him to serve you well, submit a copy of the list to several large book dealers, choosing those nearest your town, and ask for their discounts.  It is economical, generally, to purchase all your books through one dealer, thus saving letter writing, misunderstandings, freight, express, and general discomfort.

Keep a record of all books ordered.  The best form of record is on slips, using a separate slip for each book.  These order slips should have on them the author’s surname, brief title, number of volumes, abbreviated note of place, publisher, year, publisher’s price if known, name of dealer of whom ordered, date when ordered, and if its purchase has been requested by anyone that person’s name and address.