For transmitting the order to the book dealer, a list on sheets should be made from the order slips, arranged either by publishers or alphabetically by authors.  This list may be written on one side of the paper only, with copying ink, and a letter-press copy taken; or, make a carbon copy of the sheet sent to the dealer.  The carbon copy has the advantage of being easier to handle and better to write on.  The books as received should be checked by this copy, or by the order cards.  The cards for books received should be put by themselves, alphabetically, and kept until the books they represent have been cataloged and the cards for them have been properly entered in the card catalog.  You thus will have lists 1) of books ordered and not received; 2) of books received and not cataloged; 3) of books cataloged.  If few books are bought this work is unnecessary.

[Illustration:  Simple form of order slip on plain paper. (Reduced; actual size, 7-1/2 x 12-1/2 cm.)

Sent 27 Aug ’93
Fiske, J Discovery of America
Houghton Miff. ’93
2v. 4.00

Notify J. Winson
1247 Arapahoe]

Books will often be ordered at the request of interested persons.  In such cases the name and address of the person asking for the book should be entered on the bottom of the order slip for that book.  When the book comes, and has been made ready for use, send a note to this person, notifying him of the fact of its arrival.

[Illustration:  Order slip. (Reduced; actual size, 7-1/2 x 12-1/2 cm.)

Library No. 10
Order No. 21
Ordered 6F96
Of McC
Received 9 Mr
Cost $1.75
Approved 7
Not now ordered [Checkmark]
Not in library [Checkmark]

WRITE LEGIBLY
Author’s surname, followed by given names or initials:  Howard, George
Title:  Second Marriages
Edition:  2
Place:  N.Y. 
Publisher:  Stone
Year:  1889
No. of Vols. 
Size:  D
Total Price:  $2
NOT in great haste
NOT [stricken out] in haste
I recommend the above for the library.  Notice of receipt is NOT asked
Signature:  John Carr
Address:  Anderson
Fill above as fully as possible.  Cross out NOT, if notice is wanted,
if in great need or special haste
Put a ? before items of which you are not sure.  Give reasons for
recommending ON THE BACK.]

Do not be tempted by a large discount to give orders to irresponsible persons.  A library should secure from 25 to 35 per cent discount.  Do not buy ordinary subscription books or books on the installment plan.  Do not anticipate revenues, and do not spend all your money at once; if you do you will miss many a bargain, and have to go without books that are needed more than those you have bought.  Buy good but not expensive editions.  Do not spend on a single costly work, of interest to few and seldom used by that few, a sum that would buy 20 or perhaps 100 volumes that would be in constant and profitable use by many.