Book Rules

Today while thumbing through some books in my LMLK library, a note on an old checkout card made me giggle, so I thought I'd share it here. It's in a 1906 copy of "Bible Side-Lights from the Mound of Gezer" by R.A. Stewart Macalister, formerly in General Theological Library, formerly located in Boston, now in Portland:

Book Rules

Old books are loaned for 3 weeks, new books for 2 weeks. Three-week books may be renewed for 3 weeks, two-week books for 1 week, upon application in person or by postal card.

Two days allowed on books sent to a distance.

Assessment for delay, two cents a day each book.

Books returned by mail must have THICK and secure wrappings.

Times have changed a little, but not much as it turns out. Here's the current version on their website:

Borrowing By Mail
Members of the former General Theological Library may borrow up to four books per request by mail. Although the Library pays postage to the borrower, contributions to offset the Library's postage costs are welcome. The borrower pays for the return postage. The regular loan period is five weeks. Books for which there is no waiting list may be renewed upon request by telephone or mail. Some reference books are kept in the Library for reference use and hence are not available for loan.

Procedures for Mailing Books
A return mailing label is provided with each book sent out. Borrowers can mail a book back in the same mailer in which it was received if the package was not damaged, and they are entitled to use LIBRARY RATE, which is cheaper than BOOK RATE.

I didn't even know there was such a thing as a Library Rate, but there is!

G.M. Grena