The Library History Buff

Promoting the appreciation, enjoyment, and preservation of library history

Library Bookmarks

Bookmarks have been a common library handout for more than a century. They have been used by libraries to accomplish a variety of purposes. Protection of books has been a primary purpose. Providing bookmarks theoretically avoids having patrons turn down the corners of pages. They also discourage patrons from using other objects as bookmarks. Early bookmarks intended for use by children often included guidance on the care of books. Another purpose of bookmarks was to convey the rules of the library. They were used by some libraries as date due reminders. An ongoing purpose has been promoting reading. National Library Week promotional materials always include bookmarks. Summer library programs routinely include bookmarks as one of the freebies. Because of the wide variety of library and other bookmarks, they are a natural collectible. I'm not a serious collector of library bookmarks but I have managed to accumulate a card catalog drawer full of them. I've put images of some favorites below.

  For more on this bookmark click here.

Front of a bookmark distributed by the American Library Association's Library War Service to help raise funds for the activities of the Library War Service.

Back of Library War Service bookmark above with a list of activities carried out by the Service.

This bookmark with a seasonal tribute to the Boston Public Library was copyrighted in 1913 by Solatia M. Taylor (S.M.T.). I don't know if it was distributed by the Boston Public Library or was sold or given away by Taylor.

The BiblioBuffet Blog has done such a nice job of compiling a list of bookmark blogs and websites that I don't need to try to replicate it:
http://www.bibliobuffet.com/books-and-more-books/bookmark-blogs-a-sites-mainmenu-290

Link on the Maxon bookmark:
http://heritage.wisconsinlibraries.org/2009/02/maxon-bookmark.html.

This site created and maintained by Larry T. Nix
Send comments or questions to nix@libraryhistorybuff.org
Last updated: 12-14-11  © 2005-2011 Larry T. Nix
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