A simple and cheap manual double entry continuous transaction posting system with running balances is developed for bookkeeping by small libraries. A very small library may operate without any system of fiscal control but when a library's budget approaches three figures, some kind of bookkeeping must be introduced. To maintain control over his operations, the librarian will want to monitor his library's financial condition to keep expenditures within the budget and avoid over or underspending. He will also want to have a record of all the money spent for the many purposes of the library as a basis for planning operations, preparing budgets, for annual reports, monthly summaries that provide background for wise purchasing decisions, for comparisons with other institutions, for trend studies, and similar management purposes. The system presented is suitable for the control of any number of library allocations, for purchases of books, periodicals, audiovisual media, library supplies, bindery work, and related expense categories. The control of salaries, taxes, capital investments, depreciation, and similar problems of public accounting, however, are considered to be outside the scope of simple library bookkeeping. Numerous illustrations and a sample combination journal and ledger form are provided. (Author/RAA)