The purpose of the accompanying book stand is to accommodate the current books that are being read and have not yet found their way to the library. Being light and easily moved about, it is a great convenience in the living room.

First trim the material for the four legs up to length and size, then plane it to a uniform taper, after which make the mortises for the crosspieces just under the top. Tenon these to match, and fit the whole temporarily together, after which the small shelf can be prepared and fitted in place.

This piece is fastened to the legs by cutting off its corners slightly and then notching out the inner corners of the legs to match, all of which must be accurately done, or the legs will not stand parallel. You can now set up the whole with glue, and put in a few small brads where they will not be seen. Clamp firmly while setting.

The top is now in order, and after squaring it up to size mark off the four vertical pieces. Cross grooves must now be cut so that these latter will sit in; and, in order to give added strength, at two points for about an inch each groove should be mortised clear through.

Two corresponding tongues will then be formed on each of the four vertical pieces, and when the whole is set up with glue no danger need be feared from hard usage. It now remains only to place the top and secure it with glue and a few screws set in at an angle from below.