Library Review

SWINNERTON, FRANK

1961 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012353

Luck, altruism, shrewdness, parsimony, industry, generosity, and what some authors and librarians, perhaps call hardness of heart have always been the characteristics of a successful publisher. He has first of all been a man of energy, sure of his own judgement, ready to accept losses, and after success conceited about his flair. In early days ready to work until all hours and to read every manuscript submitted to him although comparatively few unsolicited manuscripts are worth publishing, he has been forced with the growth of his business to accept advice from employees of a peculiar typethose who, with no wish for glittering rewards, can tell him exactly what he needs to know about the inevitable avalanche. He has made friends in all professions and these friends, also disinterested, have lent him their brains, instructing him in all sorts of possibilities in their own fields. He has used these friends without scruple.

FRANKLIN, R.D.

1961 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012354

As stated in my previous article, the content and layout of a library's annual report depends on the kind of readers it is expected to reach. The examples that follow, except where otherwise noted, are from publications aimed at the general public or a wide selection of officials, club leaders and individuals thought to be interested and influential. If you should want to see any of the reports mentioned it is likely that the institution will send you one in response to a card requesting it.

DITMAS, E.M.R.

1961 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012355

These are personal reminiscences only and my connection with Aslib did not begin until May 1933. Nevertheless, to understand the situation as I found it, it is necessary to sketch very briefly an outline of the previous nine years of Aslib's existence.

HARRISON, K.C.

1961 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012356

In April the London and Home Counties Branch held its usual weekend conference, the theme this year being The changing pattern of librarianship. Papers were given on such topics as libraries and local government reorganisation, librarianship as a career, the training of librarians, the division of staffs into professional and nonprofessional, the reorganisation of the Library Association, and public relations. The conference, and I attended it myself, was quite useful as conferences go, and its utility has been increased by the issue of the Conference Proceedings, complete with summaries of the discussions. A review copy to hand has prompted these reflections.

HOY, R.J.

1961 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012357

In the previous paper attention was concentrated upon the Library Association and Aslib if, now, we turn our attention away from these we find a group of societies which tend to be overlooked, namely the bibliographical societies. Members of these bodies pursue interests which are not provided for in the L.A. and Aslib, though there is no reason, on the face of it, why there should not be a Bibliographical Section of the Library Association. It would be interesting to know to what extent students at the Schools of Librarianship have their appetites whetted in this direction. One gets the impression that the main membership of the bibliographical societies derives from the older academictype library, e.g., the British Museum, the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh, and too few of their library staffs are encouraged to be interested in professional qualifications. All the same, there is no necessary antagonism between the interests of these societies and those of the Library Association and Aslib, and one would like to see an occasional rapprochement between the two sides so that each could have the opportunity of appreciating what the other is trying to do.

DARLINGTON, IDA

1961 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/eb012358

Professional enthusiasm is always refreshing and in his article, Archives in Libraries in the Summer issue, Mr. Hepworth says much that is worth while, but in his desire to enhance the prestige of libraries he does less than justice to the responsibilities of another professionthat of clerks of local authoritiesand he shows little appreciation of the true nature of archives.