of his death professor of German literature in the University of Berlin, and the greatest authority regarding his subject in the world. His library was well-balanced and very full, and there are but few German texts which one might name that are not to be found here. In works on philology and criticism it is quite as rich as in texts, and original editions, old and rare books, and curiosa abound. It is the endeavor of the college authorities to keep this collection up to date by continual additions.

French literature is well represented in the college library by a collection of more than 2,500 volumes, well selected. Most of the important authors in modern French literature appear in the form of collected or representative works. A good beginning has been made in Old French, and the most important texts are now available. A valuable addition to this department was made two years ago by the purchase of a set of the publications of the Societe des Anciens Textes Francais.

The department of history is fairly large, numbering about five thousand volumes. A collection of books on the French Revolution, presented by Mr. Henry Adams, of Washington, D. C., is especially good, containing many valuable sets, as Le Moniteur Universel, the reprint and part of the original file, and Buchez et Roux - Historie parlementaire de la Revolution Francaise. Among the valuable works in English and American history may be mentioned Dodsley's Annual Register, 17581865, Niles' Weekly Register, and Stevens' Facsimiles of Documents in European Archives relating to America, 25 vols., this last a gift of Col. John Hay.

As one would expect, Latin and Greek literature, philology and archæology are well represented, and we have on file complete sets of most of the important periodicals relating to these subjects.

The general periodical list is a long one, representing many kinds, from the high-class literary magazine to the very technical periodical, dealing with abstruse problems in linguistic, philosophical or physical science. This list ought to supplement fairly well those of the Public Library, Case Library and that of the Western Reserve Historical Society.

While the library is designed mainly for the students and faculty of Adelbert College and the College for Women, yet all book lovers and seekers after knowledge are welcome. Our stock-room doors are always open and access to the shelves is gladly granted.

E. C. WILLIAMS, Librarian.

CLEVELAND.

LIBRARY OF ST. IGNATIUS COLLEGE.

St. Ignatius' College Library was founded September, 1886, with small beginnings, so that a carefully worked out catalogue was not needed for the first three years; and this all the more as the college had not yet sufficient accommodations for a larger library. When, however, in 1889, the wing containing the library hall was finished, the work of a thorough sorting and cataloguing could be taken in hand, and was completed in 1892.

At present the library contains about 7,600 volumes and about 1,100 pamphlets. It is principally intended to furnish the professors all necessary and useful help and therefore the greater part of the volumes are of a scientific character, whereas works not bearing on subjects within the sphere of classical education will not be found in equally great numbers.

In arranging the library a system of modified Decimal Classification has been adopted. To avoid the inconvenience of placing books very different in size but similar as to their contents, on the same shelf, each subdivision is again divided into four classes, the first of which contains the volumes below eight inches, the second those between eight and ten inches, the third those of ten to fourteen inches, the fourth those of folio size.

The complete classification may be seen from the following instance:

3.41

50

Here the first figure 3 shows that the volume is between 10-14 inches in height; the next 4 that it belong to the general heading - History; the next I, to the subdivision — Universal History; the number below the line is the current number.

CLEVELAND.

CASE LIBRARY.

Case Library is the oldest public library in the city. It has had a continuous existence for more than fifty years, but its real origin was of a much earlier date. In 1846 the Young Men's Literary Association was. organized, and it was succeeded by the Cleveland Library Association

which secured a charter in 1848. Under this charter it was organized as a stock company. Two hundred shares were taken at $10.00 per share, which enabled the association to augment the library to 1,600 volumes. It was announced that a librarian would be "constantly in attendance" at the new rooms in Seneca Block. In 1853 an appropriation of $174 was made to purchase the library of the Mercantile Library Association which had maintained a separate organization for about three years. The number of books in the library was then 2,201 and this was increased to

about 3,000 volumes in 1854, when it was removed to a block on the Public Square. In 1858 it was re-organized under the general incorporation act, and a new constitution adopted. In 1859 an earnest effort was made to raise means and a committee was appointed which secured one hundred subscribers who pledged themselves to pay $10.00 per year for two years. The years following to 1866 were somewhat eventful. Good and earnest men worked hard to keep up the interest, with varying success. In some years the revenues which were derived chiefly from membership (at $3.00 per year) and lecture courses, fell short of the expenditures. But means were always found with which to meet the deficit.

The name of Case is indelibly material prosperity and in the

The Case Family and Its Gifts. associated with Cleveland both in its promotion of the cause of education. William Case took a very deep interest in the library during all its early struggles, giving liberally of his time and money. In 1866 it was housed in the building which he had planned, and which contained at that time the finest auditorium in the west, known as Case Hall. It was thought by his intimate friends that he had plans for placing the library upon a secure foundation as to funds; but he died in 1862 before the project was perfected.

In 1870 Leonard Case continuing the interest which had always been shown by his brother, and wishing, no doubt, to carry out his plans,

made his first large gift. This was $20,000 in government bonds, handed to the treasurer by Mr. Case's agent, Mr. Abbey, without a condition or a receipt. In 1876 he conveyed the Case building to the Association with no reservation save the rights of existing leases. It was re-organized as Case Library Association, and the library has since been known as Case Library. By this noble gift the trustees were enabled to reduce the annual membership fee from $3.00 to $1.00, and to add largely to the number of books each year.*

In 1894, the library having long before outgrown its old quarters, the trustees began the work of enlarging. This work was finished early in 1895, and on February 2d of that year the new library was thrown open to the public. The library is complete and modern in all its details. It occupies three floors of the Rockwell street front of the building, with

*Case library building was condemned by the U. S. Government and will give place to a new public building. The award, including damages. was fixed at $507,000. As this sketch goes through the press, Case Library is moving to the Caxton building.