LO O eg o 'Q THE PHOTOSTAT IN REFERENCE WORK BY CHARLES F. McCOMBS READERS' DIVISION, THB NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 1920 COURTESY OF MRS, CHARLES MIELAT2 REPRODUCED FROM PHOTOSTAT COPY OF ETCHING BY MIELATZ THE PHOTOSTAT IN REFERENCE WORK BY CHARLES F. McCOMBS READERS' DIVISION, THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 1920 REPRINTED. NOVEMBER 1920 FROM THE BULLETIN OF THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY OF OCTOBER. 1920 PRINTED AT THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY form p-M8 Ui-15-20 3c] r// WHOLE BOOKE OFPSALMBS TRANSLATED m/ ENGLISH UUetrc. Wbcrcunto is prefixed a difcourfedc- * laring notooly the lawfullncs, butairoc f the neccffity of the heavenly Ordinance ~ J of (inging scripture Pfalmcs in r ."^( the Churches of L , ;, O//. in. dwS fltnt&ttftj in , in *// ivifctemt) t etching And exhort- one another in Vfelme s^ntmnet^ and tip to the Lordrvith r *> V. 'r"l{*^ tnjbcmtrrj let hint REPRODUCED FROM PHOTOSTAT TITLE-PAGE OF RARE BOOK (Bay Psalm Book) 439091 r * * ., 4 - C/3 t- O i Q i H g S Q > 2 5 O! u (X THE PHOTOSTAT IN REFERENCE WORK THE photostat is a specially-constructed copying camera which makes the photographic reproduction directly on sensitized paper. A roll of paper is fastened in a magazine at the back of the camera box, and is unrolled as needed. The sheets, cut off in the proper length, are dropped into the develop- ing box as fast as the exposures are made. Books, prints, or objects to be copied are placed under glass on an adjustable frame, which may be raised or lowered if enlargement or reduction of the original is desired. The print is a negative, corrected as to position, but with the black and white of the original reversed. If a positive print a facsimile with black letters on a white ground is desired, the negative, when developed, is placed on the frame and photographed again. Each additional positive copy of a print is obtained by repeating this process of photographing the negative, and not, as in the case of a glass nega- tive, printing from it. The prints may be developed in the developing box, or more conveniently in the dark room. When washed, the prints are dried on racks or between blotters. Negative prints white on black are clear, easy to read and for ordi- nary printed matter, almost as satisfactory as the positives. A bromide or mat finished paper is ordinarily used, but if sharper detail is desired a gelatine or glossy paper is needed. The gelatine paper is slower, slightly more difficult to manipulate, and more expensive, but is always used if the prints are for reproduction. For the convenience of readers, The New York Public Library installed a photostat in December, 1912. Reproductions are made only of books or other material in the Library's collections. No outside commercial work is done. In 1913, the first year of its operation, 511 orders were handled. This machine makes prints up to \\ l / 2 by 14 inches in size. The work developed so rapidly that in 1917 a second machine, making prints 14 by 18 inches used for newspapers, maps, etc. was purchased. The order book records 4,150 separate orders for 1919, and the number handled during the present year will probably reach 5,600. In other words, in one month the Library now handles as many orders as were placed during the twelve months of 1913. The number of orders placed merely indicates the number of separate transactions recorded. A single order may be for only one page of a book, requiring but one print, or it may be for the entire book which might require several hundred prints. Usually one order sheet contains items from several books. Large orders requiring hundreds of prints are of frequent occurrence. [3] 4 THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY Why should a library maintain such a photographic service? After all it is merely an important auxiliary to our reference service. The increasing use of photostat reproductions is due to a growing realization of its unlimited possibilities in reference work, in making the resources of a great library more accessible in convenient and usable form, and at comparatively small cost. In university or reference libraries photography has long been employed for copying manuscripts, early printed books, or other material of which facsimiles and not transcripts or tracings are required for study. It is also used for reproducing pictures or portraits for book or periodical illustration. Libraries, however, have seldom maintained photographic departments, but have entrusted the work to reliable commercial photographers. Photographs made from plate negatives are expensive, and the process, as compared with the photostat, slow. They are, of course, better reproductions sharper in detail and finer in finish than the photostat print, although a skilful opera- tor, using a gelatine paper, can make prints with the photostat that 'compare favorably with good plate work. The Library is doing more and more of this kind of work for book and magazine illustration. The chief advantages of the photostat, or of similar copying devices, are the simplicity of operation, the rapidity with which prints can be turned out, and the small cost in comparison with other photographic processes. The use of the photostat is by no means limited to reproducing the things previ- ously mentioned. In fact, this material forms a relatively small, though impor- tant, part of the work now done by the Library. The portable typewriting machine is a great aid to the writer whose daily work requires the use of a public library. Note-taking in longhand even dictation to a stenographer is slow and fatiguing work. If one is gather- ing material for an article, one is apt to make a rough digest or summary of the essential sources consulted, or painfully to copy important paragraphs in full. Either method is tedious, and when some time later often far away from books and libraries notes are finally arranged, and the actual writing begun, there is constant worry and uncertainty as to the accuracy and completeness of the notes. Errors of fact occur, due to bad handwriting, and errors in reason- ing due to serious omissions. The use of the typewriter by many professional writers has lessened the drudgery to some degree and has saved much time. Perhaps the photostat will change all that when the advantages of an absolutely accurate copy of a printed page are fully realized. A modern library finds it necessary to provide places apart from readers who desire quiet where typewriting machines may be used, and it is glad to grant such requests as far as space permits. Is it any less important that a great reference library should provide at cost a photographic copying service? Such a service could be maintained by the joint effort of libraries of various types university and special libraries, museums, or other educa- tional institutions in a place where the returns would not justify any one of them in installing such a service, or where the initial cost of equipment and the operating expenses could not be borne. THE PHOTOSTAT IN REFERENCE WORK 5 It is a safe prediction that within the next few years the photostat will change many of the present methods of reference work in research libraries. Few people have any idea of the vital if inconspicuous part which the printed book plays in furthering progress in science, in government, and in all depart- ments of human activity. No real advance would be possible in any field, without an appalling waste of time and energy, if we did not know what had been accomplished in the past, or is now being done in other parts of the world, and that knowledge can only be gained from printed books and other records. There are three services which a library can perform which make its books accessible to scholars everywhere, and which extend its usefulness far beyond its own community. First, the preparation of printed catalogues of notable special collections, or bibliographies on important subjects such as are published in this Bulletin. Second, the further development of inter- library loans of books needed for research, and finally, provision for a rapid and inexpensive photographic copying service. When a library is asked for a book which it does not possess, one which is badly needed for important study, a resourceful reference librarian will endeavor, by means of printed catalogues or special bibliographies, to find a copy in some other library. He will try to borrow it, or if that cannot be done, to obtain photostat reproductions of the pages needed. An examination of our photostat order blanks for any month is illuminat- ing and instructive. Each affords concrete evidence of the practical use made of a reference library. In the main, requests fall into the following groups: (1) Printed matter whether books, periodicals or newspapers of which merely a copy is wanted. A transcript in longhand, or a typewritten copy would serve just as well, but the photostat is quicker, and usually cheaper in the long run. A photographic copy is also free from errors and omissions to which the most careful copyist or typist is at times liable, and the record is more permanent. Orders for prints come from engineers, chemists, makers of everything from explosive powder to paint. The special libraries and laboratories of industrial and manufacturing corporations call upon us for articles in scien- tific and technical journals needed to carry on their own investigations. Banks and social workers want statistical tables and government reports. Musicians, composers, even orchestra conductors, are using photostat copies of music which is out of print, or which can not be easily obtained outside of library collections. For no other two classes of printed matter is the use of the photostat more important than for tables of statistics, and music. A wrong figure or a false note may produce disastrous consequences. Family trees and coats of arms are copied for genealogists, professional and amateur. American, British and foreign patents are photographed for patent lawyers, or for patent departments of large industrial corporations. Probably more than half the prints we make are copies of the specifications and draw- ings of patents. 6 THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY The names of writers, critics, editors, journalists especially the special feature writer, scholars, university professors, graduate students, govern- ment officials and diplomats, may be found in our index to orders received. (2) In the second group are included the following classes of material: maps, diagrams, architectural plans, and all forms of graphic or pictorial art, whether original prints or illustrations found in books. Were it not for the inexpensive photostat such material would be photographed by the slower plate process if desired for book, magazine or newspaper illustration. If copies are wanted for study only, or for use in designing, tracings (if permitted) or sketches might be used. Artists, architects, landscape gardeners, designers of furniture, textiles, rugs, jewelry, actors, stage managers, and moving picture managers (for details as to costumes, stage settings, makeup of historical characters), and advertising men are among the many classes of people who wish reproduc- tions of all sorts of pictures. Newspapers and magazines make frequent requests for portraits of persons who have suddenly achieved celebrity, or for views scenes or buildings from some part of the world brought to public attention by current events. (3) The. third and last group of this rough classification comprises manuscripts, incunabula, first editions, rarities of all sorts, of which photo- graphic copies are almost a necessity for satisfactory study or collation, if access cannot be had to the originals. Furthermore, the originals, which are frequently of great value, and practically irreplaceable (manuscripts, of course, are unique), are saved the wear and tear to which even the most careful hand- ling subjects them, if they are frequently consulted. The average person is not apt to think that books of this class are of much use except in museums. They have a certain interest on account of their beauty or value or rarity, and he enjoys seeing them on -exhibition, but he does not know that they are necessary for studies in history, or literature, or the development of the art of printing. A large reference library, as was shown in "A Librarian's Mail," which appeared in the July issue of the Bulletin, receives many letters which can not be satisfactorily answered, because of the time which the search, collec- tion of material and copying would require of the reference staff, already unable to meet the more legitimate demands of readers in this Library. The photostat is frequently mentioned, and in many cases where the books sug- gested can not be obtained in libraries nearer the writer's home, a request is received for a photostat copy of the picture or page or chapter. The use of the photostat in handling a reference library's correspondence has not begun to be developed. A properly organized photostat service involves far more than a machine, a dark room, and an operator. The actual process of photographing and developing is after all a small part of the job. The greater part of the orders received are placed directly by readers at the Library. An increasing number are received by letter, or formal written order, and many chiefly for patents (iTti:i,ixio\ MERCURY EXTRA: Pax*((l untinhnotisly at 1.15 oV/orA", i*. .P/. Itecembtr AJi OIlDI.VtJiC K 7'o tlixxolre the t nion brlirft-n tin- Stair of South Carolina ami ot/n-r Halt'* iinilul irit/i In r until / Hit- < <,i,iji,;rt , nli/lt ,<. in ' - : : it it kereby declared mid ordain* d, Thai the Onliiiance adpii>il by us in '..!n.'iiii..n. ,.M \\,.- t,'My-tliir-l >la\ ! M;iy. in tho year wf our Lurd IH- tbini.-uii-l -'Mn hundred ^n>] i-ii-liH . i.-hi. lnn-l>y the <',iii>titutioD uf the I'nitca States of Aincriea a> ralilu'd. and al.-o. ;ili A. :- .md part- .'f Ael.- of the General Assembly of this State, ratifying ainendmeiu> i>l the >,iid r,.ii-tiluli'>n. are hereby repealed; and that the union now julisistini: bet"eeii South Carolina and other States, under the name of ' The I'nited States of America." is herein dissolved. THE UNION DISSOLVED! REPRODUCED FROM PHOTOSTAT COPY OF BROADSIDE 294 TRADE AND COMMERCE 5.-~Ex ports to the Halted Kingdom, to the United States and to Other Countries of Merchandise the produce of Canada, 1868-192*. Fiscal Year. United > Kingdom. United States. Other Countries. Totals. 1868 $ 17,905,808 20,486,389 22,512,991 21,733,556 25,223,785 31,402,234 35,769,190 34,199,134 34,379,005 35,491,671 35,861,110 29,393,424 35,208,031 42,637,219 39,816,813 39,538,067 37,410,870 36,479,051 36,694,263 38,714,331 33,648,284 33,504,281 41,499,149 43,243,784 54,949,055 58,409,606 60,878,056 57,903,564 62,717.941 69,533,852 93,065,019 85,113,681 96,562,875 92,857,525 109,347,345 125,199,980 110,120,892 97,114,867 127,456,465 98,691,186 126,194,124 126,384,724 139,482,945 132,156,924 147,240,413 170,161.903 215,253 969 $ 22,387.846 23,640,188 27,398,930 26,715,690 29,984,440 33,421,725 30,380,556 25,683,818 27,451,150 22,160,666 22,131,343 23,149,909 26,762,705 31,015,109 41,687,638 36,096,501 31,631,622 32,618,593 31,503,292 32,273,033 37,323,161 36,449,288 33,291,207 34,829,436 31,317,857 33,813,802 29,297,598 32,303,773 34,460,428 39,717,057 34.361,795 34,766,955 52,534,977 67,983,673 66,567,784 67.766,367 66,856,885 70,426,765 83.546,306 62,257,299 90,814,871 85,334,806 104,199.675 104,115,823 102.041,222 139.725,953 163,372,825 173,320,216 201,106,488 280,616,330 417,2:,287 r>l.s73,l70 4ti4.029.014 S 5,249,523 5,196,727 6,169,271 6,732,110 7.735,802 8,421,647 7,777,002 7,607,941 8,031,694 8.212,543 7,747,681 7,546,245 8,125,455 7.269,051 8,538,260 8,651,139 8,089,587 7,085,874 6,777,951 6,976,656 7,320,305 7,248,235 7,545,158 7,684,524 9,417,341 9,783.082 10,411,199 9,321,014 9,200,383 10,434,501 12,494,118 12,920,626 . 14,412,938 16,590,188 20,104,634 21,435,327 21,436,662 23,313,314 24.481,185 19,596,821 29,951,973 30,884,054 35,564,931 38,043,806 40,942,222 45,866,744 52,961,645 49,430,066 88,651,751 128,611,901 277.314.432 220.Sl'.i.fM(( 2-S6..'UI,.'7s $ 4o.543.17; 49,323,304 66,081,182 55,181,356 62,944,027 73,245,606 73,926,748 67.490,893 69,861,849 tw, 864,880 65,740,134 60,089.575 70,096,191 80,921.379 90,042,711 84,285,707 77,132,079 76,183,518 74.975,506 77.964,020 78.297,750 77,201,804 82,335,514 85,757,744 95,6S4,-.!j:; 102.006.4W) 100,586,8.53 99,528,351 106.378,752 119,685,410 139,920,932 132,801.262 163,510,790 177,431,386 196,019,703 214,401,074 l'.t.S,4 14,439 190,554,946 j:;."),483,956 180,545,306 'J4r, ,'.160,968 242,603.584 279,247,551 274,316,553 290.223. s:,7 .Vi". 7.54, H)0 4:n,.>ss.43'j 400,418,836 741.610.63S 1,151.375,76s 1,540.027.788 1, --.'Hi. 4 Ci.Mi'i i.iw.i.i'J-'.im 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 ' 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 (9 months) 1908 1909 , 1910 1911.... 1912 1913 ... ... 1914 1915 186.668,554 451,852,399 742.147,537 845,480 01.9 1916... 1917 1918.. . . lil! 540.750,977 4S9,151,XOi 1920 NOTB. For the years 1868 to 1900, the amounts estimated "short" were not im-lu >l-i. REPRODUCED FROM PHOTOSTAT COPY OF STATISTICAL TABLE THE PHOTOSTAT IN REFERENCE WORK 7 are telephoned. The service is at present organized as a section of the Readers' Division', its headquarters at the delivery desk in the Main Reading Room, with a reference assistant in immediate charge. There is also at the delivery desk a clerical assistant, and a page is regularly assigned for mes- senger duty. In the photographing room the force consists of a skilled photographer, an assistant operator and a page. All correspondence, save routine notices, is handled through the Direc- tor's office. The service must be supervised by an assistant with reference experience, familiar with library methods, having, some knowledge of bibliog- raphy and reference books. Orders are frequently vague and inexact in describing the material to be photographed, and the same problems that occur in reference work constantly arise the books must be collected from all over the Library, the pages or plates to be photographed carefully marked, and explicit directions given on the order sheet. The prints when made and assembled in the photographing room, must then be checked with the order, omissions noted and filled in, and the completed work filed for delivery or pre- pared for mailing. In 1913 the orders were handled through the Director's office and the work done by one of the stack assistants who spent a few hours each week in the photographing room. REFERENCES ON THE PHOTOSTAT Westphal, Thos. H. ff VFA Use of photostats in plant layouts. (In: American machinist. April 8, 1920. v. 52, p. 803.) *Leach, Howard S. f VA The photostat as an aid to research. (In: Scientific Ameri- can. March 13, 1920. v. 122, p. 276; 291-292.) VDA Photography in the drafting room. (In: Engineering maga- zine [now Industrial management]. 1913. v. 45, p. 109-111.) *Burlingame, Luther D. ft VFA The photostat and its use. (In: Machinery. 1915. v. 21, p. 951-954.) ffVHA New reproducing machine. (In: Iron trade review. June 3, 1915. v. 56, p. 1106-1107.) Palmer, H. P. f VHWA Photography in the drafting room. (In: Coal age. Feb. 17, 1917. v. 11, p. 310-311.) *Princeton University. Library. MFS Photostat exhibition. 1916. 8 p. * Recommended. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY BERKELEY Return to desk from which borrowed. This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. XLD NPV 19 1356 LD 21-100jn-9,'47(A5702sl6)476