This is a transcription of a librarian's typed notes in preparation for a bibliographic instruction session with members of the freshman class of the University of Buffalo. They are presented here just as they were found in the librarian's notebook, with formatting, punctuation, and spelling intact. To view a facsimile of the notes, click on the picture to the right:

Freshman Preliminary Course

 
For the last few days you have pro
probably been listening to lectures 
on the idealistic side of college
life and this afternoon I would like t 
to give you some practical points whic[h] 
I hope you will find profitable

Having myself been in your positio[n]
not so many decades ago, I can realize
and remember much of your mental
atitude. When one of my gray haired 
professors said that "this was the most
carefree time of your existance" and a
platitude held by many) I didn't quite 
agree with him. It seemed to me that
not much more could be tucked into
the 24hours. However to a certain 
extent he was right [inserted] There are only 24 hours in the day.[end insertion] I beg of you to 
budget that time most carefully and
somewhere in that budget allot at certain
amount at least twenty minutes for 
reading. Get interested in some subject
and follow it your self. Form the reading
habit for if you dont you will wish th[at]
you had when it is too late. The habit 
of reading is one of the most worth-
while and lasting things which you can
get in college. Therefore make use of 
your University Library.

This is the general library of 
the University of Buffalo. The Medical
College has their library on High Stree[t,]
the Law College their library in the
City Hall, but the libraries of the 
Arts and Science, Pharmacy and Chemist[ry]
are out here. This is a reference
[page]
as well as a circulating library o[f ]
22,000 volumes.

There are very few rules. But
the first and foremost of these is 
the rule of silence. This is the
one spot on the whole campus where
we ask that there be no talking, a[nd]
that is because this room is small
and many people have to use. When
you are studing you hate to be
disturbed by people talking and wh
giggling. If one does it than
every one has the same right and
you know what would happen. If 
you must communicate with a person
write a note or aske the person 
to step into the hall. If you wis[h]
to study together you can always 
have access to the classrooms when 
they are vacant. But this is a co 
common room where the faculty as
well as the students come to study
therefore SILENCE.

There are no fees connected 
with the library with the exceptio[n]
of the overdue fine of which I
shall tell you later.

There are three terms which
we use in designating the collecti[on]
of books; namely: Reference, 
Reserve and Regular. The referenc[e]
collection is shelved behind me.
[page]
This consists of Dictionaries, 
Encyclopedias, Concordances, Indices
Source books crolonogical tables
year books, almanacs etc. 

The Reserve Section is turned 
over to the faculty. On these shelve[s]
thet place books for collateral readi[ng] 
and special study. These books are 
read in the Library but not drawn out
during the day. Fifteen minutes
before closing time at night they may
be taken out for one night only and r
returned within one half hour after 
opening of sometime before 8:30 A.M.
There is a fine of .25 per hour for
all overdue Reserve books. This means
if the time runs five minutes or 15
minutes over the fee is .25 for the 
first hour. All college have this ru[le]
and it is made to insure your having 
the book when you are ready for it.

The third term Regular books is
given to all other books which 
circulate. They may be drawn out for
one week with the previlidge of 
renewing for another week. There is
no limit to the number of books drawn 
at one time. Beware of the .05 per 
day fine for all over due books. Dont 
come in now and say that you thought
it was .02 per day for we will have
no mercy on you..

Besure that you all register i
here, and have a library card made 
out for your use, then you are free
[page]
to draw books any time.

(Show books for charging)

Catalog: Have cat. card for call
	number
Dictionary catalog: author subj.
	and title.

The Library is open from 8:00[crossed out] 7:45 A.M.
until 6:00 P.M. and I hope that 
you will spend many profitable and 
happy hours in it. Your always 
welcome and all we ask is that you 
think of someone elses rights and 
do what you would like to have some
one else do to you. 

[Handwritten notes:]
Bishop, W.W. "Banks of books"
"Training in the use of books"