Library Review

SCOULLER, EDWARD

1941 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012908

SINCE literature in any real sense of the term must be a reflection or a portraiture of life, any historical event or movement must have its due effect on literary production. The obviousness of this truism has obscured it from the majority of those who write histories of literature.

HILL, FRANK P.

1941 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012909

FORTYEIGHT years in any profession or business is a fairly long record. In my case this period of time stretches from 1882when library influence was just beginning to make itself feltto 1930, when that influence had become a real factor in modern educational systems throughout the world. After graduation from Dartmouth College in 1876, having in mind no business or profession, I drifted from one thing to another first studying medicine for a few months the sight of a slight operation turning me from this profession, then as a chainbearer for a civil engineer, and finally as a clerk in a hardware store, until 1882, when I seemed to get my bearings.

BROWN, TAYLOR

1941 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012910

THE reading of books has ever been fostered in Scotland, and in the eighteenth century Scottish education maintained a position hardly inferior to that of other European countries. With many Scotsmen of that period education was almost a passion which had much in common with their other passionreligion. From out of this feeling sprung a desire to lend books as a means of encouraging religious enthusiasm and conversion. To instance only two such schemes we may mention the Leighton Library at Dunblane founded by Archbishop Robert Leighton, and the parochial and presbyterial libraries for the use of ministers, students and schoolmasters in the highlands and islands, established in the eighteen hundreds by the General Assembly of Scotland. The East Lothian itinerating libraries scheme was started to increase the reading of theological books, and a large part of the finances were derived from the profits of the sale of religious periodicals, pamphlets and tracts. The story of Brown's life and scheme deserves retelling.

L.R.,

1941 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012911

THE destruction of publishing houses in London by enemy attack is but one of the factors that has caused wartime difficulties in the book trade. The wreckage of premises and loss of stock will certainly continue to have repercussions, as a large number of editions of books were entirely lost, and many of them will not be reprinted. Some of these books were of value. Apart from that, there has been the difficulty of transport, and the paper shortage, while loss of staff owing to calling up has been a factor in the case. It is to be hoped that the Government may release more paper for the publishing trade. When one looks at the mass of circulars of no consequence that continue to be issued and to the waste of paper by Government bodies one reflects sardonically on the fact that the paper quota for books amounts to about 1 of the paper available. Libraries of every character tell of enormously increased demands for books, while the bookshops themselves are busier than ever in history. As the distribution of books is a social service, we trust the Government will realise the position and raise the quota to a point which may meet requirements. If this is not done quickly the book trade will contract, and will be unable to meet the public demand while libraries of every kind will find their stocks becoming out of date, if not derelict. We are obliged to the publishers who have contributed to the symposium.