advantages over the common scrap and note-books that the Subject
Catalogue has over the Accessions Book, in looking up the resources of
the library on any given subject. Those who have tried this method are
so enthusiastic in its praise that it seemed worthy of mention in this
place.

The plan was adopted in the Amherst College Library in 1873, and the
work of transferring the entire library to the new catalogue at once
commenced. It was found entirely practicable to make the change
gradually, as means allowed, without interfering in any appreciable
degree with the circulation of the books. The three years trial to which
it has been there subjected has more than justified the claims of its
friends, and it is now printed with the more confidence on this account.
It has been kept in manuscript up to this time, in order that the many
minor details might be subjected to actual trial and modified where
improvement was possible. The labor involved in preparing the
Classification and Index has been wholly beyond the appreciation of any
who have never attempted a similar task. Much valuable aid has been
rendered by specialists in many departments, and nearly every member of
the Faculty has given advice from time to time. Among the many to whom
thanks are due, special mention should be made of Mr. C.A. Cutter, the
librarian of the Boston Athenæum, and Mr. John Fiske, of the Harvard
University library, for valuable suggestions and appreciative criticism.
While these friends are in no way responsible for any remaining
imperfections in the scheme, they should have credit for many
improvements which have been made during these three years of revision.
The essential character of the plan has remained unchanged from the
first. Doubtless other improvements are still possible, and it is hoped
that users of the scheme will call attention to any proposed change in
the naming or arrangement of the headings, or to any omission which