Library Rules c1910
The Carnegie Library in Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory (OT) was built 1901-1903, opening 4 years before statehood in what was then the state capitol of Oklahoma. [Do you know the story about the state seal being stolen from Guthrie and moved to Oklahoma City?] It is a beautiful building now used as the Territorial Museum. Carnegie was evidently peeved that the building included a dome–right over the librarian’s desk. It’s actually a pretty good design–the librarian’s desk was in the middle of the reading rooms around the perimeter.
This week I found a book that was evidently held by this library, and pasted in the front were the rules for using the library. The book was published in 1908, so I assume these rules were in effect about that time and shortly thereafter. I found the rules fascinating–the hours were long–open until 10 pm during the week and then there is Rule No. 7–pertaining to library books in households with contagious disease. This actually made me wonder if these rules might have been formulated during the influenza epidemic, but I can’t determine that for now. It does indicate the depth of concern about health in those pre-antiobotic days. Here are the rules:
No. 1 — The Library will be open from 9 A.M. to 10 P.M. on all days of the week except Sunday–on Sunday from 10 A.M. to 9 P.M., for reading only.
No. 2 — Books of reference and periodicals may be used in the Library, but must not be taken from the building.
No. 3 — Only persons holding membership cards are entitled to draw books from the Library.
No. 4 — Each person receiving a book shall be responsible for any injury it may receive while in their possession and for its safe return to the Library.
No. 5 — No person shall be allowed to hold more than one book at a time, nor shall any book be retained more than two weeks, nor a five-cent book over seven days. Any person retaining a fourteen-day book over two weeks or seven-day book over one week, will be fined five cents per day, until the book is returned.
No. 6 — Writing, or in any way defacting a book is prohibited, and any injury to books beyond reasonable wear must be adjusted to the satisfaction of the Librarian by replacing the book or paying for damage.
No. 7 — Any Library book in the possession of a member of a household where contagious disease exists MUST NOT be returned to the Library under any circumstances, and the member will be held responsible for the price of the book.
No. 8 — Immediate notice of change of residence must be given at the Library.
No. 9 — Transient people may make a deposit of $1.50.
So you not only couldn’t return the book if the measles were at your house, you had to pay for the book! The other thing I noticed here is that the fine is a nickle a day–my local public library charges $.10 a day–not much of a raise in a 100 years or so and a much smaller portion of income. Interesting.
And, of course, I love that the Librarian comes with a capital L. 
Interesting story about the state seal. What was a 5 cent book? Did they “rent” books? I think the fine was 5 cents when I got my first library card! Now if we can’t finish a book in 2 weeks we just call them up and renew it for another 2 weeks.
I think a 5 cent book might have been a paperback–or at least something like one of the early paperbacks. It’s interesting that they could only be kept a week, though, so I’m not absolutely sure. I’ll have to do a little research. Isn’t that the way it always goes? And I love that renewal thing, too–not to mention being able to check out up to 30 items at once!
As a former librarian in Guthrie I was glad to see the old building get some attention. I often wonder what would have happened to the library if the capitol had stayed in Guthrie, since it was located in such a strategic spot for access to the site of the proposed capitol building. Today you will find the Masonic Temple on that site. We had a few of those old books left in the library when I was there, but most of the original collection had been donated to the Territorial Museum. Thanks for reminding me about some of our heritage.