Library hand
Encyclopedia
Library hand is a rounded style of handwriting
once taught in library schools. The intention was to ensure uniformity and legibility in the handwritten cards of library catalog
s. It was Melvil Dewey
and Thomas Edison
who developed and perfected the approved library hand to be taught in library school and used in libraries. The 1903 Handbook of the New York State Library School listed the requirements of library hand. They included legibility, speed, and uniformity. The particular type of ink, inkstands, pens, penholders, and erasers was specified. The standards for lettering were dictated in regards to size, slant, spacing, special letters and figures, and even the proper posture and position of the writer was outlined. The teaching of library hand declined after the widespread introduction of the typewriter
in the early 20th century.
Hand (handwriting)
A Hand, in calligraphy and palaeography refers to one of several historical varieties of formal, impersonal, generic and exemplary writing styles...
once taught in library schools. The intention was to ensure uniformity and legibility in the handwritten cards of library catalog
Library catalog
A library catalog is a register of all bibliographic items found in a library or group of libraries, such as a network of libraries at several locations...
s. It was Melvil Dewey
Melvil Dewey
Melville Louis Kossuth Dewey was an American librarian and educator, inventor of the Dewey Decimal system of library classification, and a founder of the Lake Placid Club....
and Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison
Thomas Alva Edison was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. In addition, he created the world’s first industrial...
who developed and perfected the approved library hand to be taught in library school and used in libraries. The 1903 Handbook of the New York State Library School listed the requirements of library hand. They included legibility, speed, and uniformity. The particular type of ink, inkstands, pens, penholders, and erasers was specified. The standards for lettering were dictated in regards to size, slant, spacing, special letters and figures, and even the proper posture and position of the writer was outlined. The teaching of library hand declined after the widespread introduction of the typewriter
Typewriter
A typewriter is a mechanical or electromechanical device with keys that, when pressed, cause characters to be printed on a medium, usually paper. Typically one character is printed per keypress, and the machine prints the characters by making ink impressions of type elements similar to the pieces...
in the early 20th century.