from two to five inches if necessary. With these kinds of step an end pad of stout leather should be used, to prevent the binding of the books being damaged by the projecting iron work.

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A cheap form of step and handle is that shown in Fig. 38. It is fixed by screws to the uprights, as high as may be needed. In narrow gangways it is an advantage to place the steps opposite each other, so that an attendant can stand upon them, and have his hands free without holding on to the bracket above. Besides the regular use for reaching books, steps of this kind are useful for reaching door and window bolts, gas jets, ventilators, &c. Book supports of various kinds are in use for supporting the books in an upright position on half-filled shelves. The simplest, probably, is a rectangular piece of heavy wood, about 3 inches in thickness, and (if used for ordinary octavos) 8 inches in height. These may be cut diagonally across, so forming two supports out of one block. There are various forms of bent metal supports in the market. Different varieties are shown in Figs. 39 to 41.

The "Crocker" Book Brace is a plate of wood,