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Special Libraries, 1937 Special Libraries, 1930s

3-1-1937

Special Libraries, March 1937

Special Libraries Association

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I I &dm

I! Solving the Problems of a Pamphlet Collection Margaret G. Smith 75

Important Books of the Year - A Symposium by Correspondence 80

Convention City ...... S. Richard Giovine 84

On Becoming a Special Librarian . Peter Morgan 87

Group Work Near at Hand ... Howard L. Stebbins 90

What of Membership? ...... Maud E. Martin 91

Over the Editor's Desk ...... 93

Publications of Special Interest ...... 97

Indexed in industrial Arts Index and Public AfFairs information Service

MARCH 1937

VOLUME 28 NUMBER 3 6 SPECIAL LIBRARIES MARIANC. MANLEY,Editor Vol. 28, No. 3 March, 1937

Solving the Problems of a Pamphlet Collection By Margaret G. Smith

ESPITE the assumption that "a And the government apparently issues D pamphlet is any paper-backed pub- pamphlets on everything under the sun. lication of 8 to 100 pages," anything from Today with changes in government a leaflet to a publication an inch or more announced by radio, and the emergence thick is to be found in the pamphlet col- of new systems overnight, a book may lections of both public and special libra- be out of date before it is published. ries. Pamphlets and pamphleteering are Hence there is an increasing volume of as old as the printing press. Many of the pamphlet material appearing on all sorts political battles of both English and early of subjects, presenting special interpre- American history were fought by well- tations which may or not be biased. written pamphlets. Today the word Though biased and transitory, this field pamphlet usually denotes a publication of printed matter offers up-to-the-minute of the government, federal or state, a ideas, facts and interpretations, and is of publication of some manufacturing con- increasing importance to both public and cern for more or less obvious advertising special libraries. purposes, or a publication from some foundation, university, society or similar Standards for the PanzpA2el Collection organization. Much of the information The special librarian finds that on thus published can not be found in books, many questions pamphlets are her only and although available in periodical ma- source books and it is sometimes difficult terial, in a pamphlet it is presented in a for the beginner in the special library compact form, rendering material on a field to recognize that only by long and little known topic or idea easily available patient building is a really good pamphlet without the time and effort of searching collection achieved. The mere addition the literature. Advertising projects have of material to the collection, without a so often used the pamphlet as a medium, thoughtful consideration of standards that the general public is prone to look and aims, will result in a cluttered file of upon all pamphlet material as "just unnecessary bulk, a waste of time and advertising." True, much of the material money, and the establishment of the idea offered is of little worth, but there are that the pamphlet file is of little or no many times that even an advertising value. pamphlet will give more information on The first problem in the establishment a subject than can be gleaned from sev- of a pamphlet collection is naturally eral books, and a periodical search. For where to obtain the necessary pamphlets, example, some of the best material on which in tun] depends upon the purpose household budgets and pottery design for which one is acquiring them. The are to be found in advertising pamphlets. main purpose of a pamphlet collection in 76 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 28, No. 3 most libraries is to supplement deficien- The third source of pamphlet material cies in the book collection. Some libraries, is the most important for the special particularly business or advertising types, librarian, and may be called "trade collect data and statistics by means sources." These pamphlets are published of pamphlets for temporary use, until by associations, manufacturing concerns, digested or more recent figures are avail- foundations, societies, and organizations able. Other libraries, particularly tech- connected with special fields. To these nical ones, collect pamphlets for perma- there is no list or index, and the means of nent use, often finding that theonly source acquiring a good collection is largely de- of certain facts or data is available in one pendent on the librarian's interest in particular pamphlet, such as a bulletin of checking over trade literature, particu- the state experiment stations. There is no larly periodicals, and in scouting the new point in adding pamphlets which are of publications noted. It is often desirable no use to the collection. There will be that one be placed on the mailing lists of enough of them appearing in the ordinary organizations which occasionally publish course of events as gifts to the library information of importance to one's from its clientele. specialty. In the special library it is expedient to Methods of Acquisition have a form letter prepared for the pur- There are many sources from which to pose of requesting literature. A supply of obtain pamphlets, and they can be order cards at hand when checking over grouped under three headings. First, periodicals is advantageous. On these can there are those published by the federal be noted quickly the publication, the and state governments, which may be publishers, the date and the cost, and identified by checking the Monthly Cab- these cards passed along to the typist to log of Public Documents, various govern- send out the necessary letters. In a li- ment price lists, Monthly Check List of brary with more than one on the staff, the State Documents, and the lists published items can merely be checked, and the by the different governmental depart- ordering passed along to someone else. It ments, and state experiment stations. is better to use a letter in requesting Many of these will be noted in the trade pamphlet material, and a special library literature, under captions of new or re- should enclose the necessary amount of cent publications. money. Public libraries may ask for Secondly, there are the general sources, things to be sent to them free, but busi- such as the lists appearing in the Wilson ness organizations are supposed to be Bullelin, the Library Journal, and the able to pay for any information they may Booklzst. In addition is the Vertical File have occasion to use. Service offered by H. W. Wilson Com- An order card has some advantages, pany which includes pamphlets on every although its use is not altogether justified conceivable general topic. Other sources in many cases. In a one-man library, it are the lists or indexes of publications does give a relatively easy method of which the various colleges and universi- checking outstanding orders, and can be ties print. Not all of these are of vital filed and handled in the same routine importance to the special librarian, but along with orders for other sorts of mate- an occasional trip to a public library to rial. When the material is received it can glance over the materials offered is de- be used as a sort of shelf list card. If or- cidedly worthwhile, especially for border- dersare placed through a purchasing agent line material. or department, and a carbon copy sent March, 1937 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 7 7

the library, no order card is necessary. pictures, maps, blueprints, photostats, However, some purchasing departments etc. Under the appropriate subject head- do not care to handle small orders such ing all the material on that topic can be as those for pamphlets, and prefer the brought together. The second advantage library to place the order and pay for is that the material needs little physical them out of petty cash. preparation, other than writing the sub- ject heading on, or pasting a typed label Making the Collection Available on the item, which means a saving in Now having considered the acquisition time and money. Hobever, considerable of pamphlets the next problem is what to care must be taken with the cross-ref- do with them. This is determined by erence guides, as the Information File three things - bulk, use, and cost, the is its own index. The references must not principal decision being made with re- only be direct "see" references to some gard to how the information is to be used. other term used as a heading, but "see If the information to be obtained from also" references to other related headings pamphlets is of a general character, and and topics. A poorly cross-referenced In- the entire collection is used to furnish formation File is almost useless. Ref- material on a topic but not specific items erences in the Information File are of on that topic, the Information File, or more importance since the material is the shelved pamphlet collection is the not cataloged, and there are no clues to best means of handling them. If on the identification of a specific pamphlet other hand, these pamphlets are to be asked for, except by looking through used for research purposes, and to cor- other folders referred to. roborate and supply specific data on An Information File lends itself to specific topics, the best process is to cata- either a classified or alphabetical arrange- log them and shelve them with the book ment - most special libraries giving collection. preference to an alphabetical arrange- With regard to bulk, shelving takes less ment. An alphabetical file is easier to floor space, and per cubic foot of Boor handle; for the question of material space will house many more pamphlets which might go under two or more sub- than a four drawer vertical file. The new ject headings equally well, does not arise five drawer units have 20 per cent more so often as does the question of what filing capacity, but still do not hold as classification is best. Those who use a many pamphlets as shelves. However, classified arrangement have an advan- there are libraries especially in industrial tage in the fact that material on a sub- firms, which prefer to use vertical files, ject, and on related subjects are grouped even tho' more expensive, in order to together, and not scattered throughout protect their collection from dust and the file by the alphabetical letter of the dirt, and prevent too rapid disintegra- subject heading. In small libraries with a tion. small permanent collection, the vertical Since most libraries have a small pam- file is often cataloged, and the appro- phlet collection, we will consider first the priate subject heading is put in place of advantages of the Vertical or Information the classification number. In the small File. In a library handling only ephemeral library this gathers together all the ma- material, this will probably be called an terial in the library on a certain topic by Information File. Its greatest advantage means of the catalog. In a large library, is that all sorts of material can be put the cost of cataloging may render this into it, pamphlets, clippings, leaflets, process undesirable, but when pamphlets 78 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 28, No. 3 are not cataloged or a shelf list main- idea which he has read into the title, and tained, it is difficult to produce evmence it is exceedingly difficult to locate the that the publication was or was not the particular pamphlet by means of only property of the library. It occasionally subject headings. An objection to the happens that a pamphlet is asked for by appearance of the material is raised when the author's name, or by bulletin num- every sort of material is placed in the file. ber, or by some other distinguishing Blue prints do not fit very well and clip- characteristic other than the subject mat- pings fall down between pamphlets unless ter, and unless it is cataloged, there is no mounted or placed in a special envelope. direct way of locating it in the Informa- Another disadvantage of the Information tion File. Unless there is the problem of File is that it is expensive with regard to identifying a particular pamphlet and floor space, in comparison with a shelved always being able to locate it without collection. too great a search, there is not much In considering the alternative to the use in cataloging the pamphlet col- Information File, that is, the shelved lection. pamphlet collection, there are several There are in every library some pam- factors. First, it is possible to shelve phlets which are of such importance and pamphlets, either with or without binders everyday use, that they should never be of some sort, but it is next to impossible put in the Information File, but instead to shelve clippings, blue prints, maps, be treated like a book and cataloged as etc., along with them. This generally such. Pamphlets published by trade as- results in a pamphlet file on the shelves sociations or learned societies in the field of those pieces which can without too of a special library's particular interest, great effort be made to stand up, and in should be given special treatment, and addition the maintenance of an Informa- probably cataloged. They may be shelved tion File for clippings, leaflets, etc., which as a separate collection, or even filed in a must be placed in folders of some sort, separate drawer, or if of sufficient im- and are best kept in file cases. If there is a portance, bound. A paint or varnish sufficient bulk of clippings, or mimeo- company could well afford to classify graphed releases, there are ways and and catalog the publications of the Amer- means of binding them together so that ican Institute of Paint and Varnish Man- they can be placed on the shelves. To put ufacturers, or the publications on sol- pamphlets on shelves bespeaks either an vents which are issued by one of the author or a classified arrangement. Most leading chemical concerns. Some of these libraries prefer the classified arrange- publications are purely promotional, and ment. Thesecond consideration is whether some are only statistical or annual re- the pamphlet collection will be shelved ports, but they are worthwhile if they as a separate entity or whether it will be point out new trends in the business, or scattered through the book collection. give new scientific or technical hints con- Again this depends on the use to which it cerning developments. is to be put. If it is to answer questions in There are disadvantages in the In- a general way, or is to provide the ques- formation File, the first being that it is tioner with material which he can look not always easy to locate material which through, it is better to shelve the ma- has not been cataloged. The only clues to terial together as a pamphlet collection. the location of material in the file is by On the other hand, if the material is to the cross reference guides or labels. Often answer specific questions, or is used to a client will ask for a pamphlet by an corroborate statements or statistics, it is March, 1937 SPECIAL LIBRARIES better to catalog and shelve along with terial. Otherwise the material itself does the book collection. not need much physical preparation. Shelving Problems Filing PamPhlels with Books The pamphlet collection shelved as an The other method of shelving pam- entire unit presents two problems, that of phlets is to intersperse them according to classification, and that of identification the classification scheme among the book so that the material can be filed, and er- collection. This process brings about rors in filing detected. Classification is a shelving problems, and practically im- knotty problem, for pamphlets often plies placing pamphlets in boxes, folders, cover material which is not found in any or binders of one sort or another. In fol- book, and is so specific that it can be lowing this procedure, the assumption is placed in any of several classifications. made that the material is of permanent On dubious classifications, it is wise to value and the question of discarding or write down just what that particular weeding does not arise. It is awkward to class is to cover and its limitations and make one thin little ~amphletstand extensions, in order to avoid placing re- alone on the shelf, and necessary to have lated material in several places on the a binder of some sort. Binders necessitate shelves. The second thing to combat in a expense both for material and for the pamphlet collection is mis-filing. Most time it takes for insertion into the binder, of the material is too thin to place a and marking the back. To get around this classification number on the back, and it expense, some libraries use pamphlet is astonishing how much all pamphlets boxes at the end of a major classification look alike when packed on a shelf. Unless group, and therein house all the pam- there is some special scheme devised, the phlets in that class. Unless an index is pamphlet collection will need frequent made, or the material cataloged, it is revisions in orderto check up on mis-filed difficult to locate a specific pamphlet material. The Newark Public Library when necessary. Some libraries put au- has evolved an elaborate color band sys- thor cards in their catalogs for material tem to take care of this problem. In this in their pamphlet boxes. This is a help, system each color stands for one of the but unless the pamphlets are com- ten decimal divisions, and by a glance at pletely cataloged, there is difficulty the bands across the bottom of the encountered in cross-references. There is backs, the proper class can be ascer- no very good method of making cross- tained at once. While few special li- references to other pamphlet boxes, or to braries would need such an elaborate related material in pamphlets in other scheme, nor would have bulk enough to classifications, unless the material is cata- warrant it, the basic idea can be adapted loged. It is possible to carry cross-refer- to the particular condition of any library. ence guide sheets in the pamphlet box; or The great advantage of shelving the pam- the cross-referellces, if few and brief, phlet collection is that it takes care of may be typed on a label and pasted on bulk, with the least cost and effort. The the box. Neither or these methods is very pamphlets are shelved in a classified ar- satisfactory. On individual pamphlets, it rangement, which eliminates the neces- is impossible to indicate any sort of cross- sity of cataloging. In a bulk collection, references without involving more work some sort of identification is needed on and expense than the cost of legitimate the backs to insure easier filing and the cataloging. Closed pamphlet boxes are immediate detection of mis-filed ma- advantageous when the problem of pro- 80 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 28, No. 3 tecting material from dust and dirt arises. and others. One of the largest special In a library which turns over its material libraries in New York has found the in five years, the dirt problem is of no cheapest way to bind pamphlets is by the consequence, but in a library, in which use of creased pressboard cut to size, and the material is put on the shelves for ten the pamphlet, or pamphlets, held in to fifty years, the protection of pam- place by a double stitched binder. The phlet material is of considerable impor- pressboard is of itself stiff enough and tance. A disadvantage of using pamphlet heavy enough to sit squarely on the shelf boxes for storage, is that of mis-filing. and not lean. Several bulletins of the One pamphlet mis-filed in the wrong box same kind (daily reports, or weekly re- can entail not only a great deal of work, ports), may be inserted into the same but a great deal of dissatisfaction with pressboard binders. Mimeographed sheets, the patron who wants that same pam- if of sufficient bulk, can be placed in shoe- phlet again in a hurry. Some system of string binders which will stand up on the using color could be worked out for mate- shelves. Binders have an additional ad- rial housed in the pamphlet boxes, which vantage, besides firmness in structure, in would save the librarian much worry, that they offer better space for marking and easily indicate what was out of place. classification numbers on the back. An- To have shelved pamphlet material other inexpensive method of making find its place on the shelves along with covers entails the use of heavy wrapping books in a particular group, it is neces- paper, cut in the form of a cover and sary to break the pamphlets down into sewed to the pamphlets. For a bulk col- individual units, and consider each one lection this would be out of the question, separately as one would a book. In this as it would involve too much labor. For a case, it is advisable to catalog the pam- research organization, the shelving and phlet material, and it is understood that a cataloging of pamphlets with the regular library employing this procedure would collection is to be recommended. At any have pamphlet material which was of time, a certain publication can be located permanent value. The only way to make by means of the catalog. For a permanent an individual pamphlet sit on the shelves collection, which is to circulate, a book is to put it into some sort of binder. card and pocket of some sort is desirable. There are various varieties of these put It need not be an elaborate affair, only a out by the Library Bureau of Remington simple one which will indicate where the Rand Company, by Gaylord Brothers, publication is when wanted. (To be continued)

Important Books of the Year A Symposium by Correspondence (Continued)

The librarian of a bank library write8 ing money and banking, industry and For the financial librarian, the year trade have become sufficiently crystal- 1936 was outstanding in the publications lized to permit incorporation in book which bear its imprint. After five years of form. Thus, the books which have proved changing economic conditions, many of of greatest interest to this library are the new concepts and regulations affect- either the revisions of old stand-bys or March, 1937 SPECIAL LIBRARIES discussions of those new problems which tistical section on the relation of depre- are assuming growing importance in the ciation to trade, prices, and production economic world. but a stimulating discussion of deprecia- Especially in the light of recent legis- tion in the United States and the effect lative action. the value of the revised of New Deal legislation and monetary editions cannot be overestimated. Chief policies. Of further interest is the section among these is Reserve banks and the devoted to the British Equalization Fund money market, by W. R. Burgess. At and the effect of British monetary poli- this time when the question of,excess re- cies on their trade and prices. An illumi- serves fills the financial pages of the nating side-light is thrown on this prob- newspapers, Mr. Burgess' scholarly pres- lem in the Brookings report "Is there entation of the problem of credit control enough goi'd?" by Charles G. Hardy, and the effect of open market operations which includes an analysis of the changes on the behavior of money rates is of in international distribution of the gold particular interest. supply. For a standard text on the Federal In this connection, the interrelation- Reserve System, a second welcome revi- ships of foreign trade and the question sion comes in the 10th edition of ABC of the balance of payments have as- of the federal reserve system, by E. W. sumed new proportions. The National Kemmerer. Industrial Conference Board, in a recent For a broader discussion of central study, International transactions of the banking, with special emphasis on the United Slates, an audit and inter#reta- experience in this country, one may turn tion of balance of Payments estimates, to Theory and practice of central bank- has contributed to a clearer understand- ing, by H. Parker Willis. A stimulating ing of this complex subject. Special men- section on the international aspects of tion should be made of two chapters; the central banking is included. first, an analysis of the figures compiled The general subject of banking should by George N. Peek, special advisor on not be passed without reference to the foreign trade, sent as open letters to excellent text, Money and banking, by president Roosevelt, and the second, a Bogen, Foster, Nadler and Rodgers, and discussion of the United States as a Present day banking, published by creditor nation. "Banking." The first of these is note- For ready reference on the monetary worthy for its approach to problems of situation in the various countries of the bank management and operations as world, this year has brought forth two related to the financial structure as a works of special note. The first is the new whole. The second provides interesting edition of the Handbook of foreign cur- discussions of various phases of banking rencies, published by the Bureau of taken from the proceedings of the 1935 Foreign and Domestic Commerce, and regional conferences of the American the second League of Nations' Monetary Bankers Association. review, which appears for the first time In turning to the field of money and ex- as a separate part of their study on change, grateful thanks are due Mr. S. Commercial banks. E. Harris for Exchange depreciation, I have left to the last, two books on ~ublishedthis fall. In this well-docu- the theory of money which have aroused mented study of the history and theory much comment. The first is Value of of exchange depreciation, 1931-1935, money, by B. M. Anderson, which ap- Mr. Harris has not only included a sta- peared in a revised edition late in the 82 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 28, No. 3 year. The second, General theory of em- come out of Washington during the past filoyment, inkrest and money, is from the few months. Perhaps none has caused as pen of that prolific writer, J. M. Keynes. wide comment as the report on "hot Since Mr. Keynes has admittedly set money" released by the U. S. Treasury forth his theory for his fellow economists, Department. This new compilation, Sta- I would direct attention to the excellent tistics of capital movements between the digest and review appearing in the Octo- United States and foreign countries and ber, 1936 issue of the International Labor sales of foreign exchange in the United Review. States, is to be continued at quarterly From the wealth of general economic intervals in the future. discussion which has appeared this year, The Securities and Exchange Commis- I have selected only those which have sion in its Study and investigation of the seemed to meet the need for more de- work, activities, personnel and functions tailed information on a variety of spe- of protective and reorganization com- cific questions. Under the general head- mittees, three parts of which have already ing of price control, for example, The appeared, has provided valuable infor- .?%conomicsof open firice systems, by Lev- mation for the investment library. erett S. Lyon and Victor Abramson, For new and enlightening statistical should be mentioned. Although this book data, the broadened scope of the Census is fairly general in scope, it presents an of Business: 1935 deserves special atten- interesting study of the effects of the tion. -Ruth von Roeschlaub, Financial open price plans on the economic system. Library, Central Hanover Bank and Trust I\IIore important from an industrial Company. standpoint is Markets and men, a study of artificial control schemes in some A librarian writes on rnudc

I.. , primary industries, by J. W. F. Rowe. No matter how little music is in your An excellent description of the way these make-up, a bit of reading about music schemes have affected the producers and and musicians should interest you, pos- the workers is included. A brief summary sibly fascinate you. One method ofstudy, on the same subject may be found in Ad- and probably the most absorbing, is to ventures in pricefixing, by Jules Backman. read biographies of the few greatest Two books of interest in the field of musicians (Handel, Bach, Gluck, Haydn, cotjperation have been published this Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven, Schu- year. The first, Cooperative consumer mann, Brahms, Vercli, Wagner, Franck, credit with special reference to credit Debussy, etc.). Some interesting biogra- unions, by M. R. Neifeld, serves as an phies are: Davenport, Marcia, Moeart; historical approach to the subject with Schauffler, Robert Haven, Beethoven; special reference to the displacement of Specht, Richard, Johannes Brahms;New- other lenders. The second, Denmark, the man, Ernest, Fact and fiction about Wag- codperative way, by F. C. Howe, pro- ner; Rolland, Romain, Musicians of vides an excellent description of the today (late 19th and early 20th centuries) movement in Denmark as well as a dis- Rimski-Korsakov, Nicolas A., My musi- cussion of the political and economic cal life (an excellent picture of a group of implications of coijperation. Russian musicians who were professional No review of the publications of in- men as well as musicians); Goldberg, terest released during the last year would Isaac, Gilbert and Sullivan; Chaliapin, be complete without some mention of the Feodor, Man and mask (the artistic new releases and studies which have growth of a fearless and great man). March, 1937 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 83

Another approach is to read the his- and rendering in pencil. Many of the il- tory of music, interestingly told in Bekker, lustrations have been published in Pencil Paul, Story of music; Spaeth, Sigmund, Points magazine over a period of years, Art of enjoying music; Bauer, hfarion, and it is very useful to have them all and Peyser, E. R., How music grew; compiled in one book. However, there Neff, Karl, Outline of the history of music; are many additional illustrations, and Elson, Arthur, Book of musical knowledge; charts of color schemes, and the text fills Bauer, Marion, Twentieth century music. a long-felt need in this subject. A third approach, particularly inter- The second edition of Ramsey and esting to those familiar with a certain Sleeper, Architectural graphic standards, period of history, is to read about the should be mentioned because much addi- musicians of that period in relation to tional material of current interest has their background as in Phillips, Charles, been included. Diagrams and charts giv- Paderewski, &he story of a modern im- ing sizes of automobiles, garage roads and mortal. (Everyone should read of this turns, layouts for restaurants, bars and man's life as a statesman.) cafbs, tennis courts, swimming pools, Naturally a thorough study is not pos- school seating, lettering alphabets, are sible for the majority of people, but included as well as roof construction, everyone should certainly read one short window details, and panelling. In short, outline of music. In your library the rnu- it is a very valuable library tool and sic magazines may have a paragraph or makes quick reference work possible for a two on your favorite singer or pianist, variety of questions. and in the same magazine you will find Professor G. H. Perkins of Harvard something else of interest. This is one of University has just completed his re- the best ways of acquainting yourself vision of Comparative outlines of architec- with current musical affairs. Those some- lural history - 3000 B.C.4936 A.D., what acquainted with music should never two pts. Although published only in fail to read the introductory pages to planograph form, they are very useful for piano or song collections. Here is a giving a brief survey of important his- wealth of .valuable information. - Morli- toric and architectural developments in mer H. Dawenport, Museum for the Arts of Europe for the various periods. The latest Decoration, Cooper Union, entry reports historically the conquering of Ethiopia by the Italians; architec- The librarian of an architectural 1i- turally the Lovell house of Neutra in Los brary writes Angeles. The illustrations show the de- In writing about some recent books of velopment of architecture from 3000 importance in the field of architecture B.c.-1936 AD. in plan only. No elevations the viewpoint that has been taken is that or sections are included. But these same possibly libraries with other interests plans save hours of searching, for the may wish to add titles of architectural elevations are more usual in the average material, so titles of more general appeal history text. have been suggested. Several books pub- In the field of autobiography and biog- lished in 1935 have been included as well raphy there are several fascinating titles as 1936 titles. which present our own American scene. Guptill's Color in sketchzng and render- Henry Russell Hitchcock, Jr.'s Archikc- ing is a welcome addition as a companion lure of II. 31. RRichardson and his times very volume to the earlier books by Guptill: ably supplements Mrs. Van Rensselaer's draw in^ with pen and ink and Sketching book on Richardson published in 1888, SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 28, No. 3 and shows the origin of many of our used in modern architecture and decora- Romanesque type buildings. tion : Yoshida, Das JaMnische wohnhaus; Hugh Morrison's Louis Sullivan: proph- Taut, Fundamentals of Japanese archi- et of modern architecture is a very im- tecture; Harada, Lessons of Japanese portant addition. This book brings to- architecture; Antonin Raymond, his work gether much valuable information which in Japan, 1920-1935. was rapidly being lost to posterity and With the increasing demand for books illustrations of Louis Sullivan's work on small houses it seems well to mention which prior to that time have been found several, although almost every magazine very laboriously -or many not at all. contains some information of this kind. Mr. Thomas Tallmadge in his Story of American country houses of today architecture in America had a chapter answers many questions, since various heading Louis Sullivan and the lost cause, styles of houses are shown with plans. but in the new, enlarged and revisd edi- The 1936 book of small houses, by the tion just out, the chapter heading has editors of the Architectural Forum: The been changed to Louis Sullivan, parent illustrations are poorly reproduced, but and prophet. This new edition should be it includes plans and a construction even more widely read than the earlier outline. Yorke's The modern house - for edition, as the interest in American archi- those interested in " modernist" type tecture has increased bv tremendous construction as typified by Neutra, Lur- strides in the last five years. sat and others. Architedural digest, vol- Cram's My life in architecture is written ume 9, number 3, includes plans and . by one of the deans of architecture whose manv interiors. feet are firmly planted in the middle Now if vacation memories have worn ages - namely the Gothic period - thin and the cold wintrv winds are and who with Goodhue was most re- whirling outside the window, take up sponsible for the use of Gothic forms for Samuel Chamberlain's A small house in our ecclesiastic and collegiate buildings. the sun and be transported into Colonial Whereas there has previously been a New England - quiet and peaceful, dearth of information on Japanese archi- ready to give rest and encouragement to tecture, several very interesting mono- start the busy days ahead. -Marion graphs have appeared recently which Rawls, The Burnham Library of Architec- suggest the origin of the simple forms ture, Art Institute of Chicago. Convention City By S. Richard Giovine, Assistant Librarian New York Herald Tribune HERE were 443 conventions of one the time of the S. L. A. Convention, June Tsort or another held in New York 16th-lgth, is most assuredly New York City during the year 1936. The city is at its loveliest. A stroll UD Fifth Avenue playing host to over 450 conventions and at this time is a never-to-be-forgotten to approximately 300,000 out-of-town experience. From its birthplace deep in visitors in 1937. We need not seek long Washington Square, past enchanting for an explanation. Conventions, it private homes - huge hotels - inspir- should be remembered, have a reputa- ing churches, one may wander. Hun- tion to uphold, and New York City at dreds of little shops temptingly set along March, 1937 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 85 the Avenue provide a rare opportunity States where this can be done most easily for window shopping, and many side- is New York City; for it abounds with walk cafbs can be found for a long, cool- restaurants and even entire quarters ing drink while watching the crowd go which duplicate exactly all the old-world by. After this the stroll may well end at atmosphere of Continental cities. From the Plaza and the magnificent equestrian the Ghetto - that Babel of races and statue of Sherman, by St. Gaudens, with tongues - to the Syrian center located its background of central Park, a breath- just off the piers in the lower west end taking expanse of green in a million of the Island, one may ask for "Ham and shades, set deep among aspiring sky- Eggs" in any language in the world, and scrapers and stretching as far to the usually get something a good deal like north as eye can reach. ham and eggs. Libraries are waiting to be seen - in Among the most picturesque corners moderation. Seeing- them all would be an of the city must be counted Greenwich impossible task, since according to latest Village, a bohemia which still strives and statistics there are at least 300 separate succeeds to no little degree in living ;tp to libraries which we might visit. However, its naughty past. Home of a great many the forthcoming directory of Special Li- of the literary lights of America, both braries in New York will help each visi- past and present, it still provides inspira- tor to meet his special interests. tion and soul-solace for embryo writers, A trip to the tallest building in the artists, and intellectuals. Among its world - The Emvire State -will be a favorite haunts are many a famous eat- well-worth-remembering occasion, since ing-place, - Alice McCollisters, Lee it leads to one of the most remarkable Chumley, Jimmy Kelly's, the Green- scenic views in existence. Great broad wich Village Nut Club, the Cherry Lane bays gleam in the sun. Long silver- Theatre, etc. banded rivers trudge their way north- The City has been described as "a ward, carrying on their broad backs perpetual Grove of Daphne - an inex- ships of all varieties and descriptions. haustible haunt of play and pleasure - Powerful bridges like huge insects unite the grandest circus under the tent of cities. Cathedrals, which a moment ago heaven " ; and Broadway at Times Square seemed so vast and inspiring, are sud- is a starting place for testing the truth of denly transformed into miniature toys. this. A Broadway journey may begin Twilight comes, and with the slow drop- with a bite at either Steubens, Childs, or ping of the sun over the distant horizon Longchamps, or perhaps dropping nickels the sky becomes a huge palette of bril- into holes in the Automat -along with liant color. Time passes, and lights begin many a Broadway and Hollywood celeb- their slow blinking as darkness settles rity. Outside idlers stare at the moving over the city. A million lights look out newspaper on the Times Building, which from a million towers. In the midst of brings the news of the world almost as these, a shaft of light makes its way up fast as it happens. The lights atop the the deep gorge in the center of the city, buildings are brilliant, especially the the lights of Broadway, a newly man- Wrigley sign, the largest moving electric created Milky Way. light signboard in the world. With an evening free, what better way A choice of theatres is difficult, for to use it than to test moss-covered for- New York is the Hub of the Theatrical eign languages upon an unsuspecting World, and playhouses are aplenty. As waiter? And the one spot in the United the evening moves on, the way may lead 86 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 28. No. 3 to the Astor Grill to dance to tuneful Brooklyn Bridge - still called the most melodies, or maybe the French Casino - beautiful bridge in the world. offering a treat to eye and ear with its Nor shall other monuments be for- Follies after the Parisienne manner and gotten ; the great Tri-Borough Bridge, - swingy music. A White Way trip may holding three great cities in a single firm well be finished by a brisk walk to Colum- grasp; the Hayden Planetarium, truly bus Circle and a quiet ride in a horse- worth crossing the continent to see; Fort drawn carriage through the moonlit Tryon Park, a little bit of fairyland park. beauty at the upper tip of the Island; A notable addition to the entertain- City Hall, a beautiful example of Italian ment facilities of the City has been made Renaissance architecture; Ellis Island, a through the scores of theatrical groups solemn Gateway to the New World; under the auspices of the W. P. A. offer- Grant's Tomb; St. Patrick's Cathedral, ing the best that dramatic literature has gray, solemn and majestic. The Statue produced on stages built in libraries, of Liberty, which has been taking on a museums and other public buildings. new significance in the past few years; The productions have been running to Wall Street, a Canyon City; Coney crowded houses and received great ac- Island, the Riviera for a great many claim from the Critics' Circle; as witness New Yorkers. One should top the visit the results of the W. P. A. staging of "It with either of two excellent ways of see- Can't Happen Here" and "The Living ing New York in a single trip. One is an Newspaper." These exhibitions are usu- airplane ride over the city, and the other ally at very low entrance prices and a a ride in one of the new Fifth Avenue good many of them are free. busses. To the shopper, New York is literally But it is perfectly useless to attempt a paradise. Its large department stores to enumerate the many ways one may cover at least one, and some of them two, enjoy one's self in the Big City. New square blocks and reach up into the air York cannot be adequately described in ten or more stories. On every floor will black and white, especially by a native be found beautiful displays of merchan- New Yorker. It is a metropolis at once dise. Much of it is the product of New hard and cold and warm and happy. York manufacturers, but the choicest Thousands of writers have tried to put goods, drawn from the four corners of New York on paper and have failed. the world, are included. Some see skyscrapers - greatness - And who would leave the Big City power, and nothing else. Others see it as without seeing the Cathedral of St. John the center of control over the money the Divine, Radio City Music Hall - bags of the world. To others it is a fash- that mammoth of movie houses; Rocke- ion center. And the secret of all this is feller Center and Gramercy Park, -a that each of them alone is wrong, and little bit of the New York of the 80's in all together are right. It is a huge fac- the New York of the 30's; Union Square, tory, a playground, a vast melting pot of New York's Hyde Park, a far-famed po- races, a gigantic social laboratory, a litical steam valve still in constant use; spreading harbor; it is all of these and to the Battery and particularly the Aqua- be appreciated and believed it must be rium, the Castle Garden of another day seen. And to see it - the chance of a and age; Riverside Drive, a much used lifetime presents itself with the Conven- rendezvous for nurses, sailors, mothers, tion of the Special Libraries Association children and lovers; Bronx Park; the at the Roosevelt this June. March, 1937 SPECIAL LIBRARIES On Becoming a Special Librarian (An Open Letter to Beginners by One of Their Number) By Peter' Morgan, Librarian Confederation Life Association, Toronto, Canada

ODAY the majority of those enter- ion, study the library. Make a journey Ting special library work have never of exploration through the shelves. Go attended a library school, and many of over all the books until you have a vague those entering the profession have had idea what each shelf contains. Try to no previous library training. During the visualize the library as you will make it. first six months they are called upon to Jot down your ideas as they run through do work and to meet problems of an en- your head, but don't attempt to carry tirely different sort to those in any other them out at this stage. You should soon branch of business. And it is the result of have hundreds of ideas for reformation. this probationary period that will govern After this brief inspection mentally to a great extent the future of the libra- divide the library into sections. Each day rian in his relation to the company. If thereafter, take a section and become the officers of a business association feel thoroughly familiar with the books in it. the need of a library, and if they have Be assured you will never regret the the confidence to place you in charge of time so spent. , its organization, it is because they feel In a small highly specialized library, that there is room for such growth both it is absolutely necessary that you know in you and in the firm. No sentimental every book that you can weigh its value strings are attached to the library. Busi- to fill a given request instantaneously. ness firms do not run them for charity. People will expect you to produce a book A library, like any other department, from the vague description that they must pay for itself. It is your job as make of its contents, size, shape or librarian to see that it does, and if you colour. Depending of course upon the don't, rest assured that someone else will. library, the majority of books will be Let us assume, then, that you have texts, year books, handbooks, diction- been appointed librarian on trial. Having aries, directories and encyclopaedias of accepted the congratulations and condo- the business in which your company is lences of your friends, it is.a good idea to engaged. Try to classify the books proceed to the library. Probably this roughly so that when asked for a particu- will be found to be a room having a col- lar bit of information it will be possible lection of books, with the more valuable to confine your search to just a few books. ones missing. You are fortunate if anyone Gradually you will find it possible to go has preceded you in attempting to or- directly to the correct book at once. ganize the library. You may find, too, Perhaps you will inherit several files that you are just a link in a chain of of miscellaneous material and clippings. feeble, half-hearted attempts to put the Make a particular hour each day to go library on its feet, which have been made through the file. Don't attempt to re- periodically during the last five or ten arrange any of the folders of material years. If you are very lucky, you may until you are absolutely certain of what discover a catalogue ! you are doing. Rather try and compre- For the first week in your new domin- hend why each article has been filed un- 88 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 28, No. 3 der that specific heading. See what sort in preventing daydreaming for, if there of material your predecessor has col- is a minimum time estimate, one un- lected. A lot will seem useless to you; but consciously keeps one eye on the clock. remember that some attempt has been It should not take you long to discover made to classify it, and you may not do that a library is an easy place wherein to as well. A good idea is to keep a record waste time. Repeatedly, articles of per- in catalogue form on 3" x 5" cards of all sonal interest will be read in preference subject headings you add as well as the to those of a strictly business nature original. All "see," "see also," arid "re- when clipping and abstracting is in proc- ferred from" references are entered on ess. Only by planning an orderly, effi- these cards. A perfect picture of the ref- cient routine can this be controlled to a erence file is thus seen at a glance. New minimum. If you are organizing a library headings can be added, and old ones department, the number of small per- discarded with a minimum of effort, and sonal libraries in the company will be a the catalogue is always up to date. source of constant annoyance. Every In a one-man library, the idiosyn- chief clerk and junior officer will have a crasies of the person in charge will be collection of books that are absolutely revealed in every nook and cranny. necessary to him in his daily work, even Drawers will be found hidden in the if he never looks at them from one week most surprising places crammed with to another. It is amazing what impor- dirty papers and old files. Here is a grand tance this miscellany will assume the opportunity for legitimate snooping and minute you suggest removing them to prying. Search everywhere as if your the library. Appeals for centralized effi- life depended upon the result. You will be ciency mean nothing. Only through co- amazed at your discokeries if you are operation, and by making such gentle- in anything like an average office. men realize that you are rendering them From your first day in the library, a personal service, can you hope to ab- develop a routine. Plan each phase of sorb such loci of irritation. your work. Time with a watch each Daily give up a period for studying particular job. Then list all the work that yourself and your position. During this requires to be done regularly and assess time endeavour to learn more about the required amount of time needed. Be your place in the library and how you fit generous in your time estimates. Do not into it. Get in touch with other librari- be surprised if you find yourself faced ans. They are on the whole rather nice with the task of fitting sixteen hours of people, and are always willing to help. work into an eight-hour day. Group like Go to every library in town, see how it jobs together, planning to do one particu- is being run, and don't be afraid to ask lar piece of work from that group, not questions. Borrow every book on library muddling through every job and never science that you can lay your hands completing any. It is only by viewing the upon. Back issues of SPECIALLIBRARIES day as a whole that you will get the most will supply you with a food for a lot more out of it. Arrange your plan of working than thought. In addition, the Associa- to fit your personality. tion has sponsored a number of pam- Needless to say, there will be times phlets. If you haven't read these it is when it is impossible to adhere to a rou- high time you did. (And pleasedon't think tine. By efficient planning these times I get a commission on all future sales.) may be cut to a minimum. A routine During this first period you should such as suggested will aid materially commence your missionary work. Spread March, 1937 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 89 the gospel of a new deal for the library catalogued or classified. New systems department. Get others enthusiastic. must be worked out, and when all the There will be a certain number ofpeople work is done by one person, advancement who will instinctively find their way to is almost static. the library. Interest them in its develop- In a business firm the relation of the ment. Seek their advice. They can tell librarian to the staffis important. The you what has been done in the past. library may be made the educational Try through tactfully diwussing the situ- centre of the organization, and whether ation to discover the company's policy. it is or not, depends dntirely on the atti- Endeavour to discover the attitude of tude of the librarian. If the librarian is the executive towards the library. Then wise, he will make every effort to en- act accordingly. Use every known means courage the staff to use the library. The of publicity to build your library into an policy of the firm must be taken into important part of the firm. By interesting consideration in this regard, but if the people in the library, by making them feel library is getting a "new deal," it will that the library is for their convenience, remain for the librarian to resolve the you will gain coaperation and goodwill. balance. Don't be afraid to let people know what To those contemplating special library you are doing; but don't overrate your work, the salary offered will come as own ability.. Try and get the point of something of a shock with a distinctly view of each person that you meet during negative slant. Business has yet to ap- the day, and don't pump people. preciate the fact that special library work Duing the early stages of the library, cannot be learnt overnight from a book. there will be a number of books that are Business men must be made to realize standard reference for which you will that whatever use a library is to an or- constantly feel the need, but which are ganization depends solely on the libra- not in the library. As a result it is almost rian. It is easy for anyone to collect a impossible to fill requests speedily. Ex- number of books, to line them on shelves haust every possible channel of informa- around a room and call it a library. It tion in your own library. Don't look requires little brains to keep track of through one or two books that it "might" each book. One need not have very much be in, but through everything that there intelligence to guard the periodicals, . is a ghostly chance of it being in. Work to check them as they are received, cir- systematically. Consult other libraries in culate, and then file them away. But it the city and, lastly, seek the advice of does require brains, personality and in- some member of the company whom you telligence to make a library useful, to think might be able to give you a lead. anticipate developments, to observe fu- Each request must be weighed on its own ture trends, to edit and abstract mate- merits, importance and value. Remember rial, to build up living files, to intelli- that every time you cannot supply in- gently catalogue books so that the maxi- formation you are failing in your job. mum value is squeezed from them, and If you repeatedly fail it will reflect on in short, to supply all the services that you, and not on the material at hand. remove the library from the filing de- Complaining about lack of material will partment. While a library is still in the be useless, only a willingness to cobperate embryo stage, one must be prepared to will net any reward. Compiling material accept a pittance; we can look for re- in a special library is a slow process dur- turns only as we prove ourselves. ing the early years. The library is rarely And this is where the Special Libraries' 7 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 28, No. 3

Association can help each of us individ- something, in order to receive. Your ually. It supplies the melting pot where, problems as an individual are the prob- through concerted effort, and by the lems of each of us. One can get from the mutual sharing of our experiences and association only in proportion to what knowledge, we can attain maximum effi- they give. That is why it is so important ciency in minimum of time. Through or- for each of us to take active membership. ganization, we obtain prestige in the eyes By helping others we help ourselves. of our fellow workers. We are recognized By helping you in your early years to as body. The individuality of each, cre- seek recognition, you are expected in turn ates an individuality for all, a common to contribute when you can. Platitudes cooperative to which each must give if you like! But isn't it true?

Group Work Near at Hand S OUR national membership in- the few in a recognized area of knowledge A creases, the number of people in the to have means of contact with each various chapters follows a similar curve. other. This is a very definite talking As those affiliated with a definite group point in selling membership to prospects. become more numerous, the question of Moreover, it sometimes happens that a local organization comes to the fore. one's line of work cuts across the fields of Presidents of several chapters have re- as many as five or six groups, and our cently consulted me on the advisability constitution provides for duplicate affili- of local group organizations in the smaller ation on a sliding scale as the type of chapters. membership rises. The present situation is this: Every Naturally, people in similar work in one of the ten national groups has a defi- and around the same city wish to gather nite organization of its New York Chap- occasionally for talking shop and com- ter members, holding meetings at various paring notes. That, I know, is why the intervals. Three or four groups are organ- ten local groups in New York have come ized in Boston, Pittsburgh has one such into operation and why their meetings' unit, and some other chapters have one are in the main enthusiastic. That, too, or more. is the main reason for the Junior Confer- The importance of every member's ence Group of the New York Chapter, of affiliation with his or her national group which we shall hear more at the June cannot be overemphasized. Only in this convention. That, too, is why local way can the member be assured of re- groups have been organized here and ceiving the benefits bearing directly on there in other cities. his or her line of work. Practically all Some chapter presidents have raised national groups distribute literature of the question whether this movement some sort to their members. In this way should be stimulated and urged or and through group programs at conven- whether a laissez faire policy should con- tion one keeps in touch with what relates tinue. The advantage of group contacts most closely to one's daily professional both national and local is everywhere activities. conceded. Every chapter president has Because we are engaged in such ex- sensed the possible adverse factor- that tremely diversified fields of industry and with interesting group meetings being the professions, it is vitally essential for held people may cease attending chapter March, 1937 SPECIAL LIBRARIES

meetings in which the year's program is participation of "Local" chapter mem- more general and diffuse. To the small bers in subdivisions of national groups chapters this would be a severe blow. financed by national funds. As in most A happy solution seems to me to ask chapters, the trend is very definitely local group representatives to plan and away from "Local" membership, this run a few general meetings of the chap- problem does not seem acute. ter. Group A might put on a program The consensus of opinion has been definitely in line with its own interests, that when the members of a national which would take the place of a group group manifest a desire to organize meeting. Group B might furnish the within a chapter the movement should program for the next chapter meeting, be encouraged. On the other hand, it is and later on Group C. The competitive felt that the advantages to be gained do spirit would insure worthwhile programs ; not warrant forcing formal organization the chapter would have a diversified sur- until the desire for it is manifest. Shop vey of its interests, and the local group talk can be enjoyable and beneficial members would be drawn together and with a complete absence of compulsion stimulated. or formality. Another possible problem is that of HOWARDL. STEBBINS,President What of Membership? By Maud E. Martin, Montreal HE membership question like the consistently and generously of their Tpoor is always with us. It is perhaps services, because of this belief. And to the general membership, the least S. L. A. has more than justified itself, as interesting of all the regular activities of we all know. S. L. A., but nevertheless, upon its suc- Emphasis has been laid many times on cess rests the welfare of the entire Asso- the fact that an increase in members will ciation, both from the point of view of provide us with those funds essential to finances and equally important, from maintaining our present activities, and that of quality of the organization. to enable us to undertake further proj- What does membership mean to each ects. During the depression we were of us? It means all the benefits we have obliged to trim our sails a bit, in our been garnering year after year, the bene- ambitions and hopes, but it is now fits that come to us from the contributions fortunately behind us, and we have much of our members who support the Asso- ground to make up. There is another and ciation through their work on publica- quite as important side to the necessity tions, exhibits and conventions, through for an increase in membership, which is accepting offices and assuming the re- apt to be overlooked. That is the fact that sponsibilities of those offices, and through an increase in membership brings us an the stimulus we all derive from our ever expanding group of valuable people contacts with other members. It is some- - people whom S. L. A. needs - their thing to marvel at, the realization that ideas, their abilities and contributions. S. L. A. was reared during its childhood Our history has been one that points and brought to maturity by members clearly to the fact that the calibre and who were interesled, who believed that it personalities of our increasing member- was worth while, and who have given ship have been responsible for our healthy SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 28, No. 3 growth. This is equally true today. There realize that directories, surveys, union must be many non-members, who would lists, attractive and stimulating meet- be most desirable assets to us, and we ings do more good in selling member- need their support. Our own experiences ship in S. L. A. than all the talking and show us how essential S. L. A. is, we writing that the Membership Committee know that in urging membership upon can do? these people we are offering something As all members know, under the provi- equally valuable to them. sions of the new Constitution, members The Membership Committee spends are dropped who have been in arrears all its time trying to find out the names more than one year. Consequently, it is of such people, and then inviting them necessary to clear out the disinterested to join. The present Chairman does not members, and we can proceed from that feel that high-pressure selling methods point on a very sound basis for future are desirable as a means in themselves, development. All the members of the feeling in part that new members brought Committee have been urged to press in on this basis will not be of lasting Active and Institutional membership, and benefit to us. This type of membership the President's article, November, 1936 promotion tends to collect too large a issue of SPECIALLIBRARIES is an excellent group just for the sake of numbers, with plea in favor of the ,latter type. The the ever-present danger of a breakdown Membership Committee has a difficult into smaller units, thereby destroying the task, and the work is apt to be dis- strength of the unified S. L. A. But all couraging. We ask every member of members who join because they are S. L. A. to join with us in making our persuaded that there is something in it Association a continually progressing ' for them immediately become assets, and affair, and to bend their efforts toward our job is to keep them interested. making it an irresistible organization for What, then, is each member doing to those at present without the fold. keep the organization worth while? What Below ire some significant statistics - are the Chapters doing to attract and may we count on the support- - of each hold members in their districts? Do they member? S. L. A. Membership Statistics -Membership by Chapters As of Januury 31, 1937 - As of June 1,1936 Albany ...... Baltimore...... Boston...... , . Cincinnati...... Cleveland...... Connecticut...... Illinois...... Michigan...... Milwaukee...... Montreal...... New ersey ...... Newbork.:::::: ...... Philadelphia...... Pittsburgh...... San Francisco...... Southern California ...... Unaffiliated...... Total...... I - Institutional; A -Active; As - Aasociate; T - Total. March. 1937 SPECIAL LIBRARIES

Members Dropped and Resigned * Members Addcd f < + 6/1/36 -- 1/31/37 6/1/36 -- 1/31/37 IAAIT IAAsT Albany ...... 2 1 3 ...... Baltimore ...... 4 3 7 1 .. 1 2 Boston ...... 5 43 48 .. 5 19 24 Cincinnati ...... 3 3 .... 22 Cleveland ...... 1 2 5 8 .. 4 4 8 Connecticut ...... 1 .. 1 Illinois ...... 1 4 10 15 .. 8 6 14 Michigan ...... 1 2 4 7 1416 Milwaukee ...... 1 1 2 4 c.134 Montreal ...... 1 4 5 .. 2 8 10 Newereey ...... 1 3 7 11 2 11 9 22 New bork ...... 1 13 23 37 9 29 42 80 Philadelphia ...... 14 14 1 5 10 16 Pittoburgh ...... 4 4 1236 San Francisco ...... 2 11 13 1258 Southern California ...... 2 5 7 1214 Unaffiliated ...... 1 15 7 23 19111 --- - I- Tobl ...... 7 56 146 209 18 85 115 218 Including Dd.,Drop Resigned, and Transferred Members. t Includmg New, Remstatee~dTransferred Member8 . Percentage Change by Chapters 1936 as Compared with 1935. by Income Paid-up Membsrs

Members Member Albany ...... 20 32 Baltimore ...... 34 40 Boston ...... 207 3 20 Cincinnati ...... 22 43 Cleveland ...... 47 45 Connecticut ...... 3 1 27 Illinois ...... 98 102 Michigan ...... 59 49 Milwaukee ...... 35 37 Montreal ...... 65 39 New ersey ...... 100 70 New &ork '...... 456 472 Philadelphia ...... 127 148 Pittsburgh ...... 45 40 San Francisco ...... 72 72 Southern California ...... 43 46 Unaffiliated ...... 108 124 Total ...... 1, 569 $7, 518 1, 706 $6, 156 $1, 362 22.1 *Including 60 members transferred from New York Chapter to New Jersey Chapter in 1935 . Over the Editor's Desk Moving Day ....Presidents. past Alexander has moved from one floor to presidents and possible presidents of another and has re-arranged her library . S . L . A . have been going through the la- William F . Jacob is moving from one bor of planning for moving. actual mov- building to another and is estimating on ing. and estimating how much space' the space requirements . And Florence Brad- future expansion of their respective ley has also been involved in shifts. libraries will take . Howard L . Stebbins Cooperation A$preciated ....In 1935 is working on the plans for larger library the Engineering Index. Inc., asked space in a new building . Mary Louise S. L . A . to appoint a committee to ex- 7 * SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 28, No. 3 amine and make suggestions on the an- V. Hartzell, supervisor of the Boston nual volume of the Engineering Index. Public Library Training Class. Miss Ruth The committee completed its work in the Canavan, librarian of Metcalf and Eddy, spring of 1936. Recently Collins P. Bliss, sang two groups of folk songs. president of the Engineering Index The New Jersey ChapterIs March National Committee, wrote to Mr. meeting was devoted to a consideration Stebbins as follows: of the central topic, "Selling the Li- "The Board of Directors, at the Annual brary." The discussion was based on Meeting, asked me to express their sincere "The Place of the Library in the Or- appreciation of the constructive report pre- ganization " ; " Ways of ' Putting the sented during 1936 by the Special Committee Library Over' " ; and " How the Library under the chairmanship of Miss Granville Proves Its Value." The Southern Cali- Meixell, on improvements in our Annual fornia Chapter had a similar meeting in Volume. This committee was so representative February, with particular stress laid on that we believe the suggestions made should forms and vertical file treatment. be followed at the earliest possible moment. The January meeting of the San Fran- We therefore have applied them, in so far as cisco Bay Region Chapter celebrated practicable, this year, to the forthcoming vol- ume for 1936 and sincerely hope this will Sacramento and California State Library have the approval of your association. Night with talks on the borrowing proc- "In our line of work we look upon the esses and opportunities for coijperation Special Libraries Association as a sort of between the special libraries, the State supreme court which can give us a fair un- Library, and the public library. Problems biased verdict on the effectiveness of both the and organization of a business branch Card Service and the Annual Volume. Your in Sacramento were also discussed. . . . members are the ones who are experts regard- At the Cleveland meeting for January, ing the use of technical publications and we Dr. Walter R. Goetsch, registrar of Fenn will always welcome comments and guidance College, spoke on "College Education - from such a source." A Panacea." The February meeting in- Vhen S$ecial Librarians Meet. . . . A cluded a trip to the Cleveland Clinic, joint meeting of the Commerce and Fi- with a visit to the library and the new nancial Groups of the New York Chapter clinic museum. The feature of the eve- was held at the Hotel Parkside on Feb- ning was a talk by Dr. Daniel P. Quier- ruary 24th, with Dr. Vergil D. Reed, ing, "Notes on an African Safari." . . . assistant director of the Bureau of the The Albany Chapter had its January Census, as speaker. Dr. Reed, whose sup- meeting at the New York State Labora- port of research information use is well tory, with the meeting in the library known, told of the general work of the where the work of that institution was Department of Commerce and what it discussed. did to help business libraries. . . . The At the last monthly dinner of the group February meeting of the Boston Chapter of Hartford special librarians, Harold was held at Boston University School of Burt, state examiner, spoke informally Education, and celebrated the 50th anni- on the state's supervision of public versary of library schools in the United records. The same group attended a States. Dr. Jesse L. Davis, dean of the luncheon at the Massachusetts Mutual School of Education, welcomed the Life Insurance Company in Springfield, guests. The speakers were Miss June R. and inspected its library on February Dopnelly, director of the Simmons Col- 27th. . . . The second meeting of the lege Library School, and Mrs. Bertha Indianapolis group of special librarians March, 1937 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 95 took place February 15th, with 44 pres- Library, is on the School Committee ent. A11 assistants in various special for Milton, Mass. . . . Claire Dxby of libraries were invited, as well as those in the Technology Division of the Cleve- charge of special collections at the public land Public Library, is now Mrs. Kissan. library and the Indiana State Library. . . . James McLeod, librarian of the Mrs. Grimm, of the American Legion, Boston Herald-Traveler since 1929, has acted as chairman. Miss Cleland, of the retired. His successor is Thomas J. Indianapolis Business Branch, distrib- McManus, who has been in newspaper uted as place cards a mimeographed re- library work for the past 30 years. . . . production of the Reader's Digest note Arline Rush has been appointed librarian on special libraries, with a neat illustra- of the Foreign Affairs Council in Cleve- tion of a particularly debonnaire li- land, with offices in the Society for Sav- brarian presenting data to overworked ing Building. . . . Hilda Palache, li- executives. . . . The February meeting brarian of the Wells Fargo Bank Library, of the Illinois Chapter was held at the San Francisco, resigned December 15th Cloister Club of the University of Chi- to be married. Edna Durkee, of the same cago. Dr. Henry M. Leppard gave a institution, has been appointed libra- fascinating talk on "The Map Collec- rian. . . . Josephine Rayne, who was tion of the University." The members of connected with the library of the New the Chicago Library Club were guests England Historic Genealogical Society at the meeting. for 34 years, and had been librarian Parlor Games. . . . A new kind of since 1929, retired from that position on "Ask Me Another" has appeared. It is December 1st. . . . Mildred Potter of called "Around the World Almanac in Hartford spent her usual winter vaca- 80 Questions" and is available through tion in Florida. . . . Howard Dakin Carter Alexander, publisher, 525 West French has been elected librarian of the 120th Street, New York City. It is par- New England Historic Genealogical ticularly interesting to SPECIALLIBXA- Society. For the past 12 years he has RIES readers who enjoyed Mr. Alexan- used the libraty as a professional gene- der's technique through the pages of the alogist, and was a member of the library September 1936 issue of SPECIAL LI- committee for nine years. BRARIES. It is also interesting to see our Celebrations. . . . The Lieb Memorial favorite, "The World Almanac," treated collection of Vinciana of Stevens Insti- in a popular style. tute was on display on February 19th so News Notes Here and There. . . . Rose that friends of the library might celebrate Vormelker is one of the many members of the occasion of the publication of the first S. L. A. who takes an ardent interest in complete catalog of the collection. This the meetings of the American Statistical catalog was compiled by Maureen Cobb Association, so part of her holidays in Mabbott and is a noteworthy example of Chicago were spent at that convention bibliographical work. The da Vinci col- where she was pleased to find a display lection is an amazing record of his genius. of S. L. A. publications shown at each New Jersey is indeed fortunate that such session by Chicago special librarians. a collection should be given to an institu- . . . Elizabeth Scarf is recataloging the tion in the state. Many notables gathered library of the American Institute of at this tea given by the President of Banking, San Francisco. . . . Besides Stevens Institute. . . . One of our new his many other activities, James F. institutional members, the Mercantile- Ballard, director of the Boston Medical Commerce Bank and Trust Company of 96 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 28, No. 3 St. Louis, of which Cecilia Kiel is libra- Comment in Print. . . . Modern Ad- rian, has celebrated its 80th anniversary vertising for the Fall of 1936 refers to an by issuing a booklet commemorating the article in the May issue of Copy, a pro- 80 years of banking history in Missouri, motional magazine in the New York and beautifully illustrated with old en- Herald-Tribune. This brief article de- gravings and photographs of St. Louis scribes the newspaper reference system and its development. and quotes the librarian, David Rogers, The Hartford County Bar celebrated of the Herald-Tribune, as saying, "A the 25th anniversary of Mrs. Gladys newspaper's library is the memory of its Judd Day's appointment as bar librarian editorial brain and to have a brilliant with a congratulatory meeting and by brain, one must have a fruitful memory." the presentation of a handsome clock. What is more, Modern Advertising de- The-library was gay with flowers from velops the idea of newspaper library the library staff, the State Library staff, methods as they might be applied to a and many outside friends. Those whose cross reference file for copy ideas. (Ad- 25th anniversaries have passed by more vertising librarians, please note.) quietly may easily be envious. The Library Quarterly for January Libraries Here and There. . . . United 1937 has a 250-word review on "Special Empire for December 1936 (the journal Library Problems," the report of New of the Royal Empire Society) has an in- Jersey's educational experiment. Peyton teresting account of the library of that Hurt, of the University of California, re- society, including pictures of the library views the pamphlet and expresses the and a careful description of the arrange- hope that the chapters of S. L. A. may ment. . . . A complete film library will continue along the lines of this educa- be established for the Universitv of Cali- tional experiment and arrange training fornia, since the increased use of educa- courses for the untrained practicing li- tional films for classroom instruction is brarians, an interesting recognition from anticipated; $27,000 is to be spent on the weightiest publication in the library equipping the library with educational profession. . . . An article on "Using films. the Public Library: what it is doing to The New York st& Department of serve business men who will use its facili- Labor has issued its first annual report ties," by Marian C. Manley, branch for the Division of Placement and Un- librarian of the Business Branch of the employment Insurance, which includes a Newark Public Library, is appearing in reoort of the Bureau of Research and a number of Chamber of Commerce Statistics, and a note on the library, a bulletins for February and March 1937. part of this bureau. . . . The annual re- This article is illustrated with pictures of port of the Governor of Hawaii for 1936 the Business Information Bureau of the covers the libraries of Hawaii and shows Cleveland Public Library, the library of that they are circulating books among the Metropolitan Life Insurance Com- the Islands by Pan-American Airways - pany in New York, and the Business probably one of the first illustrations of Branch in Newark. flying service. An annual report with an interesting The Detroit Nms library is trying an description of the year's work is that interesting experiment in having all the of Henry Black, librarian of the Com- bound volumes photographed by East- monwealth College, Mena, Arkansas. man on 35 millimeter film. This work will The treatment of the clipping storage necessitate borrowing from the public problem there is well worth consider- library to fill in missing numbers. ation. March, 1937 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 97

"The Lippincott Library GuideWmade ment, there are descriptive notes for the its bow in January and is an engrossing important collections, and there is a fas- illustration of a library guide where many cinating chart of the arrangement of the agencies have combined to develop the room. The pamphlet sells for 15 cents a best features. It is illustrated with pic- copy, and as an illustration of an effective tures of the library, it includes a guide to analysis and guide for the library's col- the classification and subject arrange- lections is much too moaestly priced. Publications of Special Interest Amer. Asso. of Social Workers. This busi- colonics an papolation outlets and as trade incentrvea are ness of relief. N. Y. 1936. 179 p. $1.00. clearly upowd. The relat~vevalues of a mercantilist as againat a self governing development are outlined. All in The social workers who arc most fully informed on all the author presents an intelligent consideration of in- the problems of relief drxuss them dispassionstely and ternational plicres that, applred, could do much for world show clearly the need for a long range unified program race. and the collection of adequate statrstics and other factual data as an aid in determrning the program. Duffus, R. L. Democracy enters college. Barker, L. F. Live long and be happy. Ap- Scribners, N. Y. 1936.244 p. $1.50. pleton-Century, N. Y. 1936. 224 p. $2.00. A rather un~nspiredsurvey of the changes in wllege crcdrt requirements giving much factual data but with- A discussion of nome aimple health rules followcd by a out many illuminating deductions. Freely documented. description of symptoms of diseases and notcs on their treatment. Reasonably clear and well arranged. Some surprising omissions of common diraaea and rather in- Eisenbcrg, A. L. Children and radio pro- adequate descriptions of others. grams. Columbia Univ. Press. 1936.240 p. $3.00. Beckcr, C. L. Progress and power. Stanford An intensive analysis of the drawing qual~tiesof va- Univ. Press. 1936. 102 p. $1.50. rious radio programs, their effect on ch~ldren,and the Three lecturea delivered on the Raymond Fred West factors covering the association of the sponsor with the Memorial Foundation baaed on three motivating factors program. Many tables comprled. Well documented. Bibll- in man'a progress, the discovery of fire, the development ography and descrlption of lead~nnprograms included. of wrlting and the realization of magnetic force. Altogether a comprchens~vesurvey. Buchler, E. C,, Ed. Should the government Fisk, Dorothy. Modern alchemy. Appleton- own and operate electric utilities? Noble Century, N. Y. 1936. 169 p. $1.75. & Noble, N. Y. 1936. 350 p. $2.00. Another one of the many bmks populartrng acrence The third volume in the Debater's Help Book series in glvrng a survey of the steps and rndrvidualr In scientific a well selected collection of data for and against the ques- progress from the alchemist of ancient days to the world tion with a long annotated bibliography. The hook in. of modern chcniistry and physics. Wrrtten w~thmore cludes an analysis of the questions ~nvolvedand detailed literary values than many similar works and hclphd in definition3 of the terms In m6st frequent use as well as illustrating scrent~ficprogreas to the layman outlines for both sides of the qircstron. A useful volume for speedy consideration, Glueck, S. & E., Ed. Preventing crime. Butler, G. D., Ed. Playgrounds. Barnes, McGraw-Hill, N. Y.1936. 509 p. $4.00. N. Y. 1936. 402 p. $3.00. This sympasium by social welfare workers covers many An excellent study of the administration and operation developments under the general divisions, coSrdrnatcd of playgrounds. Includes checklists of activities, defini- community programs, school, police, bays clubs, intra- (lons of duties of all types of personnel, qualificst~ons, mural and extra-mural gu~donceprograms. Descriptions aalar~esand regulatrons, and discussion of all phases. A of the programs, thelr object~vesand possible results to. revelation of the scope and opportunities of such work, gether with many case histories are glven. A br~efbib. and an intelligent, well arranged guide to the posaibilitiea. liograph~calnote for each author is rncluded. Well in- Good bibliography of bookr, pamphlet and magazine ref- dexed. A comprehensrve and mteresting puture of chdd erences included. rescue work m this country. Chase, M. E. This England. Macmillan, Goldston, Iago, Ed. Medrcine and mankind. N. Y. 1936. 198 p. $2.50. Appleton-Century, N. Y. 1936. 217 p. Delightful essays on the little things of England that $2.00. are so essentially n part of English character. Bricf notes A series of lccturcs give11 to the larty by leaders of written with sympathetic yet shrewd comprehension. the medical profesrron at the New York Academy of Medicine. Lecturers ~ncludeBenjam~n P. Watson. IIar- Clark, Grover. Place in the sun. Macmillan, low Brooks, Alexis Carrel, etc Jhe, clear and engross- N. Y. 1936. 235 p. $2.50. ing drrcussions on h~rtoryof m-dic~oeand devclopmenta A fine analysis of the profits and lossea to nat~onaof of spcc~alphases includinlr one on contribut~onof prm- colonla1 expaneion. The old fallacies of the necessity for itive American to mcdiciue. A,i exceptionally fine bmk. 98 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 28, No. 3

Hagedorn, Harrnann. Brookhgs, a biogra- phy. Macmillan, N. Y. 1936. 334 p. $3.50. A graph~cpartrayal of a fascinating career The story of the pmr man who hecame the extraord~narysuccessful merchant and promoter and who developed from that Into the far-seeing servant of education and government re- . search. A delightful character whose personal growth was as unusual and fascinatmg as his place in the eco. Just Published nomic history of the middle west and In the dcvelo~~mcnt of political sclencc here. Excellent hlhl~ography. SALARY DIRECTORY Hollander, H. S. Spoils. Wm. Ullman, of the Washington. 1936. 127 p. $1.25. A stlcclnct account of the growth and dificultiev of the PRINCIPAL AMERICAN Federal Civil Service program including the history EXECUTIVES of the movement, the situation in other countries, the editorlal expressions of lcad~ngU. S. newspapcrs and a Rated by their annual salaries from rclecled h~bliography Ilst~ng hth books and orwinal $5,000 up to $500,000, wlth office murces and home addresses. In loose leaf Humphrey, Lucius. It shall be done unto book w~thblack leatheretre cover. you. Richard S. Smith, N. Y. 1936. 262 p. 12,200 names for $10.00 $2.50. 6,200 names for $5.00 A technique of thinking based on the development of pos~tiverathcr than negative qualities and on the aware- UNIVERSAL SYNDICATE ness of and reliance on a creatlve principle. Particularly Pwblisbrrs rnterestlng for those who are try~ngto combine Christian 110 Midland Avenue S.L. training with current living. Not indexed. Montclair, N. J. Logan, E. B., Ed. American political scene. Harper, N. Y. 1936.264 p. $1.50. A collection of able papers on party organization, pres- ident~al campaigns, pressure groups, etc., by Ch~lds, Salter, Pollock, etc. Extensively documented. Material well presented. Reasonable, intelligent evaluations of a altuation w~thmany conflicting factors. Maxim, H. P. A genius in the family. Har- per, N. Y. 1936. 193 p. $2.00. An amazing, abaurd and enchanting record of the Both Recommended for Lurder Libmries companionship between a brilliant, and erratic father. and a serious, admiring, and trustful little son. The in- and Special Libraries by the A. L. A. ventor of the Maxim gun showed a fascinating, bewil- Subscription Books Bulletin derlng side to his household, and these sketches add a unique picture to the l~tcraturcof happy and enlivening rdat~onships.Not to be mlsscd. Who's Who in Commerce Neifeld, M. R. Cotiperative consumer and Industry credit. Harper, N. Y. 1936. 223 p. 52.50. a combined Business " Who'a Whon and A comprehensive survey of the situation especially w~threference to credit unions. The author is associated Corporation Directory at a popular price; with a personal finance company so his rathcr discourag- contains names and addressee and corn- ing att~tudetoward the value of credit unions is natural plete biographies of officers of 4,445 but also apparently well substantiated by offic~alreports largest corporationr and banka. and other authent~csources. The book is well arranged $15.00 wlth brlef summaries following each chapter. B~bliog- Prim raph~cs~ncluded. Nicoll, Allardyce. Film and theatre. Crow- Who's Who Among ell, N. Y. 1936. 255 p. $2.50. Aseooiatlon Exeoetivea A scholarly and interesting discussion of the theory of cxpresslon in the cinema as contrasted with theatrical a lit of important trade and professional technique Full of effective illustration Includes an ex- associations, and biographical data relat- tenslve biblmgraphy of books and articles in many lan- ing to 2.700 of their secretaries and guages and also a l~stof period~calspublished both here and abroad and dealmg w~ththe cinema. managen. Price $8.50 Rado, William. Seven ways to make a liv- Order from ing. Liveright, N. Y. 1936. 256 p. $2.00. Iatltnt. for Remmroh In Blopmphy. Lo. A pseudo-philosoph~cal d~scussion of the "ascent of 205 Emnt Und Sweet. Now York man" and the development of taboos and mores. Slightly hysterical in style hut rather dull. Pages 99-104 deleted, advertising.