The present state of the question of charging turns largely on the
respective merits of indicator and non-indicator systems, or, in other
words, whether the burden of ascertaining if books are _in_ or _out_
should be placed on readers or the staff. There is much to be said on
both sides, and reason to suppose that the final solution lies with
neither. The non-indicator systems come first as a matter of seniority.
The advantages of all ledger and card-charging systems are claimed to be
that readers are admitted directly to the benefit of intercourse with the
staff; that they are saved the trouble of discovering if the numbers they
want are in; that they are in very many cases better served, because more
accustomed to explain their wants; that less counter space is required;
that the initial expense of an indicator is saved; and, finally, that
with a good staff borrowers can be more quickly attended to. Some of
these statements may be called in question, but they represent the views
of librarians who have tried both systems. From the readers’ point of
view there can hardly be a doubt but that the least troublesome system
is the most acceptable; and it is only fair to the non-indicator systems
to assert that they _are_ the least troublesome to borrowers. The
original method of charging, still used in many libraries, consisted in
making entries of all issues in a day-book ruled to show the following
particulars:—