Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

gives any advice as to whether or not "The" should precede the expression.)

I hope that in the near future we shall have a book that settles the thousand and one interrogations as to good English in business life, and it seems to me the New Standard tends this way more than Webster. Would that all libraries, library schools and colleges might collect mooted questions on matters of English composition and refer them to the makers of our dictionaries, not only for immediate answer, but for attention in the next revision of their work!

(6) CONVENIENCE

By convenience I mean not only typography and the general ease of handling, but the satisfaction in finding brought together in a single publication a wide range of useful information that is easily located in the book. Murray, as noted before, adheres more strictly than others to the bare dictionary idea: pronunciation, spelling, derivation, and definition. The others have also synonyms and illustrations, as referred to under (2) Definition, also proper names (the Century having a separate volume for this and an atlas volume), while the Standard and Webster have many tables (such as comparisons of coins, measures, weights, etc.), and much else, such as we find, or used to find, in appendices. It may be convenient to know that Murray omits all this, as thus we are not disappointed in our hopes. The type in Murray, though small for the most part, is black and prominera for the principal vocabulary entries, the Rords beginning, however, with capital lets, which would be a decided inconvenice had proper names been freely included. (E.g., it does include American and Asiatic and a comparatively few others.) The change in the new Webster in this respect is worthy of note-no longer capitals for every entry. Obviously, it is inconvenient to have different parts of Murray so widely differing in date, but perhaps after the final volume appears we shall have a revised edition of the whole.

The advantage of a single volume, such as the Standard and Webster still offer, is

obvious, though almost necessitating a dictionary stand. The two-volume editions of the Standard and of Webster are particularly acceptable to those who would keep them in a bookcase. The interesting innovation of the one alphabetical order of the Standard is an obvious convenience, though it has its disadvantages. It has not been found possible to include population figures in the consolidated vocabulary, because, I presume, of the difficulty in revising when the statistics are out of date. Hence for population we need to look in the still needed addenda.

There are several other features of convenience claimed by the Standard, some of which have been mentioned under (2) Definition, e.g., antonyms (5000); group illustrations, with plate pages, including several branches of the public service (fire, police, post office, etc.), also safety appliances-all conveniences, though the thicker paper needed for the plates stands in the way of manipulating the leaves for general purposes, as these stiffer plate pages catch the fingers. The listing or tabulation of cognate terms, such as African tribes, battles, flowers, grasses, etc., is a good feature, though Webster tends to do this more and more, as in common with the Standard it does for elements, measures, weights, etc.

A minor feature of the Standard, but well worth imitating, is the giving the antidote to each poison under the poison itself, as well as repeating it under the name of the antidote. Thus, under carbolic acid we have the following statement: "It is a caustic poison, largely used as an antiseptic and disinfectant, especially in surgery, and its antidotes are epsom salts, alcohol, and heat." Likewise it gives the name of the female of an animal under the name of the male, in addition to its regular vocabulary entry: e.g., it says under hart, "the female is called the roe." (Let all the dictionaries do the same!) The placing of the key at the top of the page is another feature that usage may prove to be the proper one to follow.

The inclusion of addenda matter in the regular vocabulary may prove a doubtful expedient, as it is so unnatural. Why not,

for instance, have the list of "more important writers" in the appendix instead of under Author, and cross-reference it under Author?

Perhaps the best known feature of the Standard is its placing the common meaning first, as it did in its original edition, the etymology last, and its spelling Greek words with English letters. Doubtless the Greek scholar would prefer to see Greek words spelled with Greek letters, but certainly English letters could not prevent his knowing the meaning. The general aim to have the Standard serve the greatest number of people in the shortest time is apparent in many of its aspects, though it can hardly claim to be the scholar's dictionary. Personally I like the historical order, and particularly the etymology first, for which I offer the rather trite argument, apropos of what we say of Latin and Greek: If you do not study these in school you never will; so if you do not cast your eye over the etymology in the beginning, you are likely not to take the trouble to do so at the end.

A startling innovation in Webster is the divided page. People are apt to think that in the lower half are to be found only obsolete words, but the publishers' statement is worth noting, as follows: "The division into two sections serves a double purpose: it facilitates convenience of consultation, and it also effects a great saving of space and corresponding increase of matter. The principle of the new arrangement is this: the several vocabularies formerly given separately-Foreign phrases and proverbs, Scripture names, Names of fictitious persons, Abbreviations-have been incorporated with the general vocabulary. Every page now contains all the titles that fall alphabetically between the first and last title words. To the lower section of the page are relegated the foreign phrases, abbreviations, etc.; also words wholly obsolete, obsolete variants, uncommon dialect words, scientific terms of rare occurrence, words defined only by a cross reference, and in general that part of the vocabulary in most infrequent use." In this library we have found the divided page workable, though it took some time during the four

years we have had the New International to become used to this new style of makeup.

It is unsatisfactory to compare the Standard and Webster as to appendices, because, particularly with the former, so much in the new edition has been incorporated into the vocabulary. The "History of the world, told day by day," a new and unique appendix of the Standard, may be useful on rare occasions.

The thin paper editions of dictionaries are likely to be a feature of popular demand. I understand that the publishers do not especially fancy them. I have a thin Webster. It is easy to lift and nerve-racking to use hurriedly or steadily, as one would naturally expect.

(7) SUMMARY

To arrive at a just estimate of the value of various dictionaries, it is necessary to look at them from diverse points of view. The man of business and his stenographer generally need a dictionary for a different purpose from the clergyman, the college professor, or the householder; and in the following summary I have in mind the various needs.

a

Murray ("Oxford English"): Completed nearly through the letter T, after beginning with A some twenty-five years ago, so that each successive volume is more up-todate than its predecessors. The largest of the dictionaries, and confined strictly to words of the English language, their derivation and definition, in historical order, based on quotations, for which exact references are given. Addenda and all su lementary statistics rigidly omitted, eve to the exclusion of proper names. "Brinh" in pronunciation and spelling, which differ in many instances from established American practice. A splendid source book within its field, and particularly for the scholar. It would, of course, not be satisfactory as the only large dictionary of any public library in America. The Concise Oxford, a one dollar publication (1911), and widely sold in the United States, is largely based upon Murray, but includes phrases from all languages.

The Century (dictionary and encyclopedia): Twelve volumes (I-X, vocabulary; XI, names; XII, atlas). All the volumes revised for the new edition of 1911, and enlarged over previous edition by an appendix of two volumes of 1909 (also revised to 1911), whose contents have been distributed as addenda to the other volumes, according to the respective letters of the alphabet. Full, to encyclopedic, in definition, with illustrative quotation and synonym; also abounding in pictorial illustrations. Of high reputation for pronunciation and spelling. Very little of an addenda nature, apart from proper names and atlas, though with appendix to volume X of amended spellings. Almost indispensable to any public library of city or town.

The New Standard: A revision to 1913 of the Standard; in one or two volumes, as desired. Notably full in terms of varied description, and in synonym and discussion of same, but with less of the obsolete. Good as a check list of scientific compounds, hence for the foreigner who may be studying the English language. Gives meaning first, etymology last. Full in illustrative quotation, with exact page and date references, also in pictorial illustration. Special features: cognate terms grouped and several plates showing groups or departments and features of public service. The matter generally included in addenda worked into the vocabulary, including proper names, geography, etc. Still some addenda, including consensus on pronunciation, and notably the new feature of chronological history according to day of the year. Reformed spelling included for most words, after the regular entry in the vo

cabulary, and incidentally well up-to-date in the inclusion of recent terms. Several minor features, such as hints on correct English, inclusion of antidotes, etc. A popularly arranged and good all-around dictionary, particularly for office and journalistic use.

Webster (New International): Revision to 1909, with minor revisions in succeeding impressions. In one or two volumes, as desired. Vocabulary with double the number of words over the previous edition (1900), but not so full as the Standard, whose scientific compounds are a notable feature; fuller, however, in obsolete terms and etymology. Concise and generally ample in definitions. Quotations illustrative of meaning plentiful, but with reference merely to author's name. Good in synonym and discussion of synonym. Fewer illustrations than the Standard and fewer plates, but all well chosen. Orthodox in spelling, with recognition of variance, fair in discussion as to grammatical use and good taste. Supplemental material in the nature of gazetteer, history, names, etc., but also considerable of former supplement worked into the vocabulary, more especially into the lower half of the divided page-a new departure. Dictionary of long standing and reputation for all-round usefulness. for the scholar than the Standard.

More

Prices of the dictionaries range from $12 for trade editions of the Standard and Webster to $130 or more for Murray.

Mention of other dictionaries, large and small, will need to be postponed for a possible further article, which may also supplement the preceding one on encyclopedias.

THE LIBRARIAN'S MOTHER GOOSE

III. INFORMATION DESK

Jack Spratt could read no rhyme
His wife could read no prose.

To find one book to suit them both
What would you propose?

-Renée B. Stern.

BY JOSEPHINE ADAMS RATHBONE, Vice-Director, Pratt Institute School of
Library Science

It has been thought that the results of a questionnaire recently sent out by the Pratt Institute Library School to its graduates may not be without interest for the profession at large. There are nowhere in print, so far as I am aware, recent statistics giving details as to the conditions of employment, salaries, hours of work, vacations, etc., for so large a number of trained librarians as are here presented.

Whether these results can be taken as representative for the graduates of other library schools, I cannot say. Judging from our experience, the classes whose members have been out in the field from ten to twenty years show the highest salary averages, so that library schools established since 1900 would probably not average as well as Pratt Institute, while an older school would doubtless show higher averages for its earlier classes at least.

Questionnaires were sent out to 284 graduates now in the field, 267 of whom responded. Of these 262 are in active work; 160 of them are employed in public libraries, 39 in college and school libraries, 30 are in special libraries, 18 are in federal or state libraries (including library commissions).

The 262 represent 23 classes and earn (excluding three who are doing private cataloging or other piece work) a total salary fund of $282,340, or an average salary of $1081. Salary statistics were first collected by the school in 1896 when there were six classes in the field, at which time the average salary was $607. An average for the last six classes (1908-1913), which is a fair basis of comparison, is $901, ranging from $773 for the graduates of 1913 to $1138 for the class of 1908. That would indicate that the average salary paid trained workers during their first six years of service has risen from $607 in 1896 to $901 in 1914, or nearly 50 per cent. The average salary paid our graduates in

1910, when the last statistics were gathered, was $939 as against $1081 in 1913, showing a gain of $142 in three years. There were 131 salaries over $1000 reported in 1913 when there were only 84 in 1910.

A classification by kinds of position shows 76 librarians with an average salary of $1176. This number includes 42 librarians of public libraries with an average salary of $1189, the range being from two at $600 to one at $3600; eight high school librarians with a range of $720 to $1400, the average being $1181; seven normal school librarians with an average of $1209, and twelve librarians of special libraries with an average of $1295. Ten librarians of private schools and small colleges whose salaries only average $1000 help bring down the average for librarians, but in many of these cases, easy hours and long vacations compensate for a smaller wage.

Heads of departments, 43 in all, receive an average salary of $1208, libraries large enough for a classified service paying more to department heads than many small libraries can give their librarians. Analyzing these figures we find 12 head catalogers with an average salary of $1223, 10 heads of circulation departments with an average of $1324, 8 reference librarians averaging $1088, 7 heads of special reference departments averaging $1257. Of other department heads, supervisors of children's work, heads of order departments, of departments of extension and instruction, there are too few to make the average significant.

There are 23 branch librarians among our graduates receiving an average of $1023, with a range of from $720 to $1500, and six first assistants in branches who receive an average salary of $870.

In children's work there are 14 children's librarians who average $949; counting in with these three supervisors of children's departments raises the average to $1271.

Nine assistants in children's rooms average $654.

Besides the 8 head catalogers there are 34 catalogers, whose work is not administrative in nature, who receive an average salary of $948 with a range of from $600 to $1500.

Nine assistants in circulation departments receive an average of $751 with a range of from $650 to $1020. Five reference assistants receive an average of $756; 10 assistants in special libraries receive $1036 on the average, and 11 miscellaneous assistants whose duties refuse to be classified receive an average of $753.

Grouping by the size of the employing library gives results that are interesting, though in many cases the groups are too small to be conclusive and are hence not included here. Forty libraries under 10,000 volumes pay an average salary to the librarian of $963. But this group includes most of the high school and normal school libraries where conditions and standards differ from those of the average public library. Excluding these we find an average salary of $903. Twenty-eight libraries of 10,000 to 50,000 volumes pay an average salary of $1172 to their librarians. Excluding one New England library of over 20,000 that pays its librarian only $600 would bring the average up to $1192. Six libraries of from 50,000 to 150,000 volumes give an average of $2400 to their librarians.

Six branch librarians in library systems of from 100,000 to 200,000 volumes get an average of $820; in libraries of 200,000 to 500,000 volumes, five branch librarians get $1005, while in systems of over 500,000 volumes, twelve branch librarians average $1095.

There is less difference in the salaries of catalogers in libraries of different size. Five head catalogers in libraries of from 50,000 to 100,000 volumes get an average of $1280; in libraries of 100,000 to 200,000 the same number receive an average of $1295; assistant catalogers in the first instance receive $856 while in the second $974.

A grouping of executive positions by the number of persons over whom supervision

is exercised showed significant results. Those having but one person under their direction, of whom there were 21, get an average of $892. Twenty-seven persons responsible for two assistants' work average $990; 19 who are responsible for the three persons receive $1037 on the average; a fourth subordinate raises the salary of 13 executives to $1042. Twelve having headship over five assistants receive $1260. Twenty having from 6 to 10 under them are paid at an average rate of $1266; eight receiving an average of $1454 exercise authority over from 10 to 20 persons; five chiefs over 20 to 30 subordinates average $1560, and five having from 30 to 100 under their charge average $2135. Beyond that the number is too small for grouping, but the salaries increase rapidly.

It would be interesting to see how far the circulation of a library entered into the problem, but unfortunately, not anticipating its desirability, the questionnaire did not include a request for circulation statistics, and to discover the latest figures for all the libraries involved would take more time than is feasible, and a further analysis showing the average salary for executive positions, in which the size of the library, amount of responsibility, and type of position are combined, is also impossible for the same reason.

A word before closing as to hours and vacations. Forty-two hours a week is still the schedule in 66 cases, but 114 persons work less than 42 hours a week, while only 36 report more than 42 hours a week, 38 work 40 hours a week and the average for all is 401⁄2 hours; 23 reported that no specified time was required of them.

A month's vacation is preponderatingly the amount allowed in public libraries; it is almost universal except for heads of departments, some of whom report two months. Only 41 report less than a month, and these are mainly in business and special libraries, while 43 report more than four weeks, these being in educational libraries, for the most part. So many of these have 8 to 10 weeks, however, that they bring up the average vacation to six weeks.

Summing up we find that while in

« EdellinenJatka »