Library Review

PATON, WILLIAM B.

1955 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012242

The passing of the Public Libraries Scotland Act, 1955, is an important event, comprising as it does the first step forward in library legislation in the United Kingdom for more than thirty years. True, it is a modest measure which in the main does little more than bring Scotland into line with England and Wales and Northern Ireland in the extent of the statutory library powers of local authorities, and still leaves unsolved several problems for the future. Its first clause removes the statutory rate limitation on expenditure and on borrowing powers of Scottish library authorities, thus bringing to a belated end the eras of penny and threepenny rates. This was a move urgently required, especially in the smaller burghs, though it should be realised that probably more than half the population of Scotland had already been freed from the crippling effect of rate restriction through the passing of local acts, and that no statutory restriction has ever operated on library expenditure in the county libraries of Scotland. The effect of the repeal of the 3d. rate limit will, therefore, be much less marked in the country as a whole than might at first be supposed.

DOW, ALEXANDER

1955 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012243

For thirtyfive years the Council of the Scottish Library Association fought for new legislation. Despite opposition from other bodies, refusals from succeeding Secretaries for Scotland to countenance differing proposals, and financial crisis and war, the Council never wavered in its campaign. Memorandum after Memorandum was produced, each succeeding version containing additional points.

DUNSANY, LORD

1955 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012244

When the editor kindly consulted me about an answer to my article on modern socalled verse, I urged him to allow it in common fairness. Now, with both points of view stated, I had thought there was no need of more. But, on the editor suggesting a reply from me, I feel bound to follow his suggestion, since he was kind enough to follow mine.

HARLEY, JOHN

1955 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012245

I am going to begin rashly. I am going to assume that my views on the purposes of a public library are correct, I hold that it is a place of education not the formal education of a school, nor yet of the haphazard education that the world provides, but something in between. I believe this notion of the use of a public collection of books to have been in the minds of the founders of public libraries.

MACMURCHADHA, FEARGUS

1955 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012246

On 4th December, 1947, Dail Eireann rushed through the Public Libraries Bill, 1947, in a week to ten days, on the eve of a General Election. The promised final consultation with the Library Association of Ireland on the question of the bill's provisions did not take place, and Irish public librarians were rudely awakened to the fact that the measure on which they pinned their hopes had been disposed of with indecent haste.

GUNSTON, DAVID

1955 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012247

How long does it take to write a book Authors often get asked this question. There is, of course, no straightforward universal answer so much depends on the book, on the author concerned, and also on many other circumstances. Some books are generated slowly, some quickly, a few at immense speed. Some may even be the work of very many years, or even a lifetime. The question of the actual time taken over writing is one that always interests readers.

1955 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012248

In our last number we presented an article by Mr. J. C. Harrison of the Manchester School of Librarianship on The Library Schools and a Historical Dilemma in which professional education and examination policy were reviewed. The following comments are to hand on the article.