To avoid being crushed among the pamphlets, etc., clippings may be placed in an envelope within the pamphlet box; those of special value may be mounted on manila sheets of a size to fit the pamphlet box. When the amount of material is small and not likely to be increased appreciably, it is placed in a manila envelope instead of a pamphlet box, the envelope being fastened in a pamphlet binder. There are also several varieties of fasteners: gummed strips, for example, may be placed in pamphlet binders and their gummed flaps used to fasten in a large amount of thin material.

As further illustration of the disposition of this material, the example of the Conference on the Limitation of Armament, mentioned above, may again be cited. Within a year after the conference had adjourned, the popular interest in this subject waned. By this time several books on the conference had been cataloged and placed on the shelves. The folder was withdrawn and the matter on the conference separated from that on disarmament in general. The great number of clippings were mostly destroyed, only a few exceptionally valuable ones being retained; for the clippings were contained in periodicals to which the books on the shelves provided the date. The matter on the conference was grouped in a pamphlet box and classified under the number which applied. Two copies of the catalog card were made: For the shelf list,

Pamphlets, clippings, and other miscellaneous matter

on the subject of the Conference on the limitation of armament.

and for the public catalog,

WASHINGTON, D. C. CONFERENCE ON THE

LIMITATION OF ARMAMENT, 1921-1922. Pamphlets, clippings, and other miscellaneous matter

on the subject of the Conference on the limitation of armament.

Of course, if there is on hand sufficient material on a definite subject, this may be placed on the shelves in the prescribed manner and not passed through the Information File. But sufficient material on any particular subject is not often available at once; it usually accumulates gradually, and the matter on various subjects develops unevenly, sometimes in surprising ways. To make each item or two the basis of a pamphlet box would necessitate the expenditure of much of the time and labor which it is sought to save; moreover, the pamphlet box might retain its surplus space on the shelves Arrangement and Disposition of Pamphlets and Clippings 13

for years without further addition, but a few items may remain in the Information File indefinitely until the status of their subject matter may be fully realized; besides, there are frequently no permanent, authorized subject headings or classification numbers for the definitive organization of new material for the shelves. Only accumulated subject matter ordinarily receives consideration for shelving. With the gradual shelving of standard subjects, the Information File tends more and more to become a receptacle and clearing house for new and unusual subjects.

Several courses may be pursued when a pamphlet box begins to overflow. Of course the material may be expanded to two or more pamphlet boxes without change in classification or cataloging, but it is best to make other disposition of the contents of an overcrowded pamphlet box. Perhaps, in the light of books acquired since the box was shelved, some of the material may be discarded; perhaps some pamphlets may be passed for separate cataloging. If sufficient pamphlets of nearly uniform size have accumulated, these may be conveniently bound together and cataloged under a descriptive, or binder's title, with the same classification number but making a difference in the book number. But do not be in a hurry to bind such pamphlets; they are more mobile and hence more easily and effectively used when unbound; also a larger accumulation will provide better uniformity in size for making up bound volumes, and also, perhaps, a closer classification for bound volumes than the former subject headings would have indicated. On the whole, however, it is impracticable to attempt such closer classification of this material, considering the great amount of time that such re-examination and analysis would entail.

LENDING. This minor material may be lent under the customary rules of the library. Ordinarily it is sufficient to charge the number of items and take no note of the individual pieces.