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Special Libraries, 1936 Special Libraries, 1930s

2-1-1936

Special Libraries, February 1936

Special Libraries Association

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Statistical Reference Work . Linda H . Morby 35 Part I . Specifications Affecting Statistical Data Rooks of 1935 That Have Proved Useful to Us . Marguerite Bwnett 38 Imported Books in Special Libraries .....Margaret N . Smith 41 Conference News ...... 42 Work in the Science Museum Library ..II . Philip Spratt 43 A Short Cut for Libraries in Investment Houses . . Mildred A . Lee 48 Correction ...... 49 President's Page ...... 50 When Business Uses the Library . Rebecca B . Rankin 51 What the College or Institutioli Expects of Its Departmental Libraries ...... Karl L . Wildes 53 Snips and Snipes ...... 55 Publications of Special Interest ...... 56 Periodicals Directory 1935 ...... 58 Duplicate Exchange Committee ...... 59 Group Officers ...... 64

Indexed in lndustrisl Arts Index and Public Affair$ Information Service

FEBRUARY 1936

VOLUME 27 NUMBER 2 SPECIAL LIBRARIES MARIANC. MANLEY,Editor Vol. 27, No. 2 -. February, 1936

Statistical Reference Work By Linda H. Morlcy LIBRARIAN,INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COUNSELORS Part I. Specifications Affecting Statistical Data

PECIAL librarians in almost all in mind. For instance, the same statistics S types of organizations are asked for may be published in several places, that statistics both in their own fields and in is, figures compiled by one organization others. The search for quantitative data may be reprinted in one or more journals is generally pleasurable because the re- or books. In some cases, the complete quest can be specific; but it is also often table is reprinted but more often only elusive because there is such variety of sections of it are shown. Government form and manner of presentation of statistics are constantly quoted in this statistical information. It is obvious, way. In searching for certain figures, the however, that in order to be useful in a fact that quoted statistics may be a given situation statistics must conform selection only, suggests that the original to one, and usually several, definite sources may give figures in the form . specifications. desired although the quoted tables do Although special librarians are familiar not. For this reason as well as for pur- with the varying forms of statistical poses of accuracy it is preferable to use presentation and the different types of the original source. quantitative data, it may be of interest Because statistics required for business to assemble the fundamental factors in purposes generally have to conform to regard to the form and use of statistics, such definite specifications the librarian from the point of view of the librarian, will save himself both time and chagrin and in particular from the angle of the if he knows the principal possible forms searcher for statistics, in order that a and varieties of statistics so that he can groundwork may be laid for a reasoned secure from the inquirer at the outset approach to the problem of finding sta- the exact specifications to which such tistical facts and with the hope that more statistics must conform to be useful in search procedures in different subject each particular case. It is disconcerting fields may be formulated. to the librarian and detrimental to the library's prestige to find some figures Variations in Statistical Presenta- after several hours' search, let us say, tion Important Factors in Reference and on giving them to the inquirer to be Work met with the statement, "Oh, but these In meeting requests for statistical in- figures are by months and I need them by formation and in cataloging sources of weeks," or "We need the figures in statistics needed by his organization, the dollars, not in tons.'' Such things should, business librarian keeps certain points and can, be avoided if the business 36 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 27, No. 2

librarian knows the principal forms and numerical data can be supplied. Figures variations in which statistical data may can likewise be translated into charts appear, thinks through far enough when if the services of a draftsman are the request is made, or goes back to the available. inquirer, to get all the limitations and Date and Period specifications that the conditions de- mand, and any possible alternatives. Figures are compiled for standard For no other type of request is it so neces- periods, as weeks, months, years, etc., sary to get limits set in advance of but they may represent either totals or search, by obtaining answers to the averages for such periods. It is obvious questions in the well known formula - that weekly and monthly statistics ordi- "What? When? Where? and Why?" narily may not be used interchangeably, At least an elementary knowledge of since they cannot be converted from one statistical method is almost essential in to the other accurately (at least not until many special libraries. Business librari- the 13-month year comes into use!). On ans find it greatly to their advantage to the other hand, weekly and yearly, or secure such-knowledge either by reading monthly and yearly, data may be used or by taking a formal course in the sub- together readily by conversion from one ject if they have not previously done so. to the other, if yearly figures are to be Some of the more important factors of used. which the librarian needs to be aware Other figures represent conditions as are outlined in succeeding paragraphs. of a specific date and, of course, are not comparable with either totals or aver- Form of Presentation ages for definite periods. Such statistics Statistical data appear in several as stock on hand of different commodi- forms: Actual figures; Charts or graphs; ties, or deposits in different classes of Index numbers. To what extent data in banks, are generally given as of Decem- these three forms may be used inter- ber 31, whereas rates of exchange on the changeably depends upon the purposes franc, let us say, may be for a specific for which they are needed and on the date or an average for any specified person who requires them. For instance, period. Accident data may be for the if a person wants to know the total pro- total number in given periods, or an duction of lead in the United States by average for such periods, or may be in months for a given year, a chart which the form of frequency or severity rates. shows this information with exactness will be as serviceable as the actual Units of Measure figures. The scale of many charts is too Units of measure in great variety are srnaIl to obtain exact figures, however. employed, but most of them fall into one Should index numbers to show trend in of the following classes: price of automobile tires be wanted, Units of time,as days, hours, etc. actual figures will scarcely serve because Units of value, as dollars, pounds there are many sizes and kinds of tires, sterling, etc. and figures for one kind would not be Units of-puanlity, as tons, gallons, so indicative; yet if the information is watts, etc. wanted by a statistician, or there is a In meeting requests, the desired unit statistical department in the organiza- of measure should be ascertained, but it tion, and it is worth the work, an index should be realized that conversion from number can be constructed if sufficient one unit to another is sometimes possible February, 1936 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 37 by simple, sometimes only by difficult, periodicals print figures for two consecu- calculation; but in other cases conversion tive months or weeks in each issue, alter- is not possible at all. Therefore, if data in nate issues may be discarded; or when the desired units are not found, others figures for the same periods in the should be considered with this point in previous year are printed in each issue, mind. alternate years may be disposed of, and If statistical questions are often re- so forth. ceived, it may be advantageous to indi- In cataloging, distinction should be cate the unit of measure as part of the made between current sources which catalog entry. generally give but slight comparative data, frequently one other figure only, or Classification sometimes none, and compilations cover- Tables and charts are generally broken ing more or less extended periods, since down into divisions. The basis of such requests may be for the latest figures breakdown varies according to the appli- available or for data covering a number cation, but some of the most frequently of years. used types of subdivisions are: It is frequently true that for statistics Geographic, i.e., by country, state, prepared by government bodies, compila- etc. tions are issued for varying periods, often Industries as metal industry, auto- annually or sometimes at longer or irregu- mobile industry, etc. lar periods. This makes for ease of use Occupations as carpenter, clerk, etc. and often allows current publications to Sex be discarded. Such compilations do not Age always give as complete data as the Size current publication, therefore the satis- If in calculating statistical data the factoriness of such compilations for the basis of subdivision decision is indicated particular library must be considered. briefly, it is possible to select the appro- priate source directly from the catalog Frequency and Lag entry. In most business organizations certain statistics are wanted at the earliest Comparative Data moment they are available. Therefore, The type and extent of comparative the librarian must study the sources of data given vary greatly in different such current data and find out which publications. In some current sources, publication issues them most frequently figures for the orle or two similar periods and with the least delay. For example, a immediately preceding are sometimes monthly index number indicating trend given to indicate whether the present in production for some commodity of trend is up or down. In other cases, interest to the organization may be especially where the particular figures compiled. This may appear regularly in fluctuate according to the time of year, several journals; in one, a weekly, where the comparative data given are for the the January indes number does not ap- same period in the preceding year. pear until the second weekly Issue for Incidentally, this printing of compara- February, ahd in another monthly tive data in current publications provides journal which is published on the seventh a basis for discarding parts of files that of each month. The lag is therefore less are kept only, or primarily, for the sta- in the monthly journal than in the tistics they contain. For instance, when weekly. In the case of government 38 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 27, No. 2 figures, a press release issued by the or vice versa. The word "monthly" or compiling bureau may appreciably re- "weekly" on the catalog card is not duce the lag. sufficient to cover these two points. If statistical material is fully cataloged, If much statistical reference or re- the method of indicating the "frequency search work is carried on, it may be of issue" must be distinguished from the desirable to indicate the lag and fre- note of "period covered." For example, quency or date of issue on all cards for figures representing a weekly average statistics appearing at regular intervals may be published in a monthly journal, in current publications.

Books of 1935 That Have Proved Useful to Us By Marguerite Burnett

columnist recently spoke of during the year, although it was actually ABFKhls 1935 Discovery List," re- published during 1934. I refer to "The served for the few choice titles that had Supply and Control of Money,'' by titillated his jaded appetite. .I immedi- Lauchlin Currie. It concerns monetary ately wondered which of our library's policy, especially as it might be based on acquisitions I would advance to such a the quantity theory. Perhaps the most lofty position. But a search-light turned outspoken of the critics was Dr. Benja- back through the months reveals such an min M. Anderson, Jr., who issued a array of titles crowding and pushing for thirty-two page pamphlet reprint of his equal recognition that, bewildered, I had address before the American Statistical to promise an audition to as many as I Association in April, entitled, "A Critical could crowd on the narrow stage, and Analysis of the Book by Lauchlin abandon the attempt to make stars of a Currie. . . ." Anyone who attended few. So if no one book seemed sufficiently that and similar meetings of the Ameri- outstanding to be listed as a thrilling can Sfatistical Association or of the discovery, nevertheless, the range of Academy of Political Science in the last ideas is in itself stimulating. two or three years must have become The criterion for our choice in this suddenly aware of the explosive quality particular bank library is, strictly, "use- of the economic discussion and writing fulness," and if some interesting and of today. Even the most conservative important titles are among the missing, financial librarian will find that she has 1 refer you for a real comprehensive dynamite on her shelves concealed in statement on the subject to an article in quite harmless-appearing volumes. the Autumn number of the Harvard A bit of such dynamite appeared in the Business Review entitled, "Recent Lit- small volume by Irving Fisher entitled erature on Money and Banking," by " 100% Money, designed to keep check- Joseph B. Hubbard. ing banks 100% liquid." The idea of keeping 100yo reserve in currency behind Monetary and the demand deposits of the banks, with The first book on money that comes its concomitant schemes for monev to my mind is one that provoked much manipulation, seemed preposterous to discussion, including sharp criticism, the average stand-pat banker. However February, 1936 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 39 it has gained considerable attention, and assembles and summarizes the vast this clear presentation of the subject array of conflicting German theories on deserves a place in the financial library. money, prices and business cycles. On the subject of monetary manage- ment or control and stabilization plans Gold and Silver I, with difficulty, select three: Arthur Strangely enough, I could find no one D. Gayer's "Monetary Policy and Eco- comprehensive book this year on either nomic Stabilization," "The Future of of the very pressing problems of gold and Monetary Policy," by the Royal Insti- silver. One must go back to 1932 for an tute of International Affairs, and "Con- outstanding study on silver, a Govern- trolling Depressions," by Paul Douglas. ment pamphlet by Herbert MrBratter, Gayer believes that in spite of the "The Silver Market," and to the "Silver difficulties involved, the case for the gold Memorandum Agreement of 1933 " (U. S. standard is not to be dismissed lightly. Executive Agreement Series No. 63), He is quite critical of the possibility of which shows which countries can and monetary management, in contrast to which cannot sell silver. I feel I must Irving Fisher, who has no reservations at draw attention right here to a silver arti- all on that point. cle of unusual interest that appeared in The second book contains the plat- the "Annalist" for July 5, 1935, en- form of a study group of the Royal titled, "Silver Coins to the Melting Pot; Institute of International Affairs under the Known Supply Awaiting Higher the chairmanship of Sir Charles Addis. Prices," by Dickson H. Leavens. This They do not believe that the trade cycle contains a clever thermometer chart is a purely monetary phenomena. Some which shows what countries will lose their form of international monetary system silver currency, and when, if the price of is favored. silver continues to rise in the United Paul Douglas, the third author is not States. This is important as an indication only Professor of Economics at Chicago of future sources of silver supplies. University, but also chairman of a new The Annual Report of the Bank for political party called "American Com- International Settlements for 1934-5 monwealth Political Federation," whose should be mentioned in passing as a slogan is "Production for Use," (not source for authoritative statistics relating profit). More may yet be heard of his to gold and currency, and for comment ideas for a managed currency, and the on the year's developments, such as the socialization of banking and credit. recent silver policy. Among the less exciting but funda- Two books on gold useful for reference mentally useful books of a long-range purposes are, "British International character that we acquired are, "Theory Gold Movements and Banking Policy, of Money and Credit," by Ludwig Von 1881-1913," by W. ~dwardst~each,and Mises, and "German Monetary Theory," "The Price of Gold; Documents Illus- by Howard Ellis. The Von Mises book trating the Statutory Control Through makes available in English translation a the Bank of England of the Market work long regarded on the continent as a Price of Gold, 1694-1931," by 1.khrigley. standard text book of the Austrian school of thought of which Hayek is an ex- ponent. It is the source of many ideas International Economic Problems which have now found their way into Carl Iversen's book, "Aspects of the common currency here. The other book Theory of International Capital Move- SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 27, No. 2 ments," contains much information not Pennsylvania," published in September readily available. by the Pennsylvania Bankers Association Probably more speculative curiosity as a result of the painstaking work of its has been expended on the subject of ex- Committee on Trust Investments. Its change stabilization funds than on any exhaustive information makes it of great other one subject, chiefly because of the value to trust investment officers. officialsecrecy and reticence. Nothing has yet appeared in print on the operation of Chiefly Facts our own fund, but for the British fund Thus do I classify a few titles that do there is one book entitled "Exchange not belong together except as factual Equalization Account," by Norman F. standbys for the financial librarian. Hall. While not completely satisfying, it One is "The International Money Mar- contains probably all that can be gleaned kets," by J. T. Madden and Marcus by the general public today on the Nadler. This describes the money mar- operating details of the fund. kets of New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam and Switzerland; also dis- Banking cusses conditions in the international The first full report of the Federal money markets generally. Another is Deposit Insurance Corporation for the " Foreign Bondholders and American year ending December 31,1934 does great State Debts," by R. C. McGrane which credit to a new organization in its com- is interesting historically. It recites the prehensive statistics. Besides all con- circumstances surrounding the origin of ceivable figures on deposit insurance and the American State Debt controversy in related banking developments, it includes the hope that it may throw some light on research reports on losses to depositors the subject of repudiation. The National in suspended banks .and basic data on Industrial Conference Board has pub- bank failures. lished some interesting figures in its Two noteworthy books on the sad but " Machinery, Employment and Pur- very topical subject of bank failures are, chasing Power" to show how baseless "American Bank Failures," by C. Daniel are the statements that machinery in Bremer, and "State Bank Failures in displacing men has increased unemploy- Michigan," by Robert G. Rodkey (Mich- ment. igan University). These are pioneer works as little research has been done Stimulating Ideas hitherto in this field. One of our research men told me that Several useful booklets have been he got a "thrill" out of the new ideas in issued on the Banking Act of 1935, the following two books (not so appar- including the very comprehensive eighty- ent, I confess, to a mere librarian): nine page pamphlet of the American "Liquid Claims and National Wealth," Bankers Association, and taro others by by A. A. Berle and V. J. Pederson, and the I~IanufacturersTrust Company of " Industrial Prices and their Relative New York and the Commerce Clearing Inflexibility," by Gardiner Means for House, all of which give the full text as the U. S. Department of Agriculture. well as analysis and comment. The first opens up the question of what An excellent little booklet that has constitutes true liquidity in wealth. created more stir with its brief seventy- It gives "an admirably thorough analysis five pages than many books several of the conception of liquidity distinguish- times its size is "Trust Investments in able as 'shiftability' or 'marketability February, 1936 SPECIAL LIBRARIES -1 1 with price stability' as against the older Capitalist Crisis," by John Strachey. notion of a maturing self-liquidating This is written m readable style and asset flowing toward consumption." briefly summarizes in gratifying fashion Gardiner Means's pamphlet on industrial for the lay reader the various recognized prices breaks down the constituents of explanations for the existence of eco- the Bureau of Labor index of wholesale nomic crises. Many others commenting prices and points out that some prices on current problems, often with ve- hardly move at all while others fluctuate hemence and partisanship, pass over the widely. This would have an important desk of the financial librarian as they bearing on the question of credit control pour forth from the presses but have to and so would be of special interest. be rejected for practical business use, I had hoped to lighten what seems a however stimulating for private perusal. rather "heavy" list by including a few Only the 1935 books of proved useful- books that make interesting reading, if ness in our library have beet1 included somewhat disappointing from a research here, and that fact may make the list and statistical point of view. One might helpful even though its scope is admit- be mentioned, "The Nature of the tedly limited by our own special interests. Imported Books in Special Libraries By Margaret N. Smith YRIADS of words are annually sponsibilities of purchasing and ordering, M poured forth by the presses on how record-keeping, cataloging, circulation to do anything from raising pigs to be- routine, and reference work, it is advan- coming a crooner or movie actor. In all tageous to place orders through an this verbal tonnage of wanted and un- agent, particularly foreign orders. The wanted advice, small bits occasionally necessary reference works for verifying occur which are intended to enlighten information concerning material are not librarians - even special librarians. It usually found in small libraries due to seems odd that so little has been pub- their excessive cost and relatively infre- lished on the seemingly simple feat of quent use, and large public or institu- ordering books, and that little applies tional libraries in which such source generally to public libraries. The charac- material can be found are not always ter of material used by the special library near at hand. Even if such a library is differs markedly from that used by the available, some of the special librarian's average public library, whose main time must be spent to obtain the desired source and supply of material is books. information. While agents have faults, The technical librarian, probably more and make errors like everyone else (cx- than others, must purchase all sorts of cept librarians!) they do offer a consid- foreign as well as American publications erable service to their clientele. for her library, either by direct order or The scientific or technical library with through an agent or jobber. The large its high proportion of foreign publica- library with adequate clerical help may tions, has more to gain through the use of find it to their advantage to place all an agent than a library whose interest is their orders directly with the publishers. in domestic publications. To secure the In the small one-man library where the best service, orders for foreig~lpublica- librarian assumes all the duties and re- tions must be placed with the proper SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 27, No. 2 sources which is sometimes the publisher, publisher and get good service. However, occasionally the printer, the editor, and with some periodicals, particularly Ger- in some instances, the secretary of an man ones which are billed by the volume, organization or institution. The one-man and which issue an indeterminate number library does not have enough orders to of volumes during the year, it is easier to become familiar with all the quirks of transact the business through an agent foreign publications, so that each order than to be continually checking and for uncommon material raises a fresh, paying the bills issued with each volume. problem of where and with whom to This is also true of scientific series and place the order. An agent has not only the monographs, which are published in a advantage of a large volume of foreign long series of volumes, appearing one at orders, but the additional one of a foreign a time over a long period of time, and in correspondent to aid him in locating and some cases, not in sequence. securing information about the material Pamphlets and advertising literature he wishes to purchase. Not only is the vary so much in use and application in librarian relieved of correspondence con- different libraries, that orders for such cerning purchases to be read or trans- materials are best handled directly to the lated but bills are rendered in that source by the librarian. However, ma- medium understood by all accounting terial published by foreign governments departments - United States' dollars can often be secured by an agent more and cents. Nothing can be more startling easily, for, by placing the order with him, than when the accounting department it is not necessary to ascertain the exact show charges for $20.10, -their inter- price, or secure a bank draft to send with pretation of 20 marks, 10 pfennigs! The the order. However, a library using a payment and non-payment of charges great volume of material from any one often causes the librarian considerable government, in all probability, would correspondence in languages other than have a depository account to draw English. against and place their orders directly for Whether or not to order periodicals the publications desired. Some organiza- through an agent is a question with tions have affiliated companies in other strong feelings on both sides. It is quite countries to act as their library's agent possible for the one-man library to order for books and pamphlet material in that foreign periodicals directly from the country.

Conference News LANS are on foot for an informal and the formal activities of the organization. Pdelightful convention at the Mt. Montreal can be the delightful destina- Royal, Montreal, June 16-19, 1936. tion for a motor trip. It can be reached There have been rumors of special efforts expeditiously by overnight trains from to enable people to "get acquainted" New York. It is the objective of many promptly. Perhaps there will be a definite convenient bus routes. The date of the meeting place for tea every afternoon. convention is most appropriate for the Montreal expects to go even further than beginning or the end of a vacation. All other hostess chapters in seeing that all in all, every member of S. L. A. has good comers meet those with allied interests. reason to plan for attendance at the Constructive plans are under way for Montreal convention in June. February, 1936 SPECIAL LIBRARIES

Work in the Science Museum Library By H. Philip Spratt SCIENCEMUSEUM LIBRARY, LONDON

HE Science Museum Library is the mands of the School of Mines, when that TBritish national central library de- institution was founded in 1851, the col- voted to all branches of pure and applied lections were further developed into a science. It is open free to the public, library of natural science, unrivalled of practically without restriction, from its kind. In 1854 a special exhibition of 10:00 A.M. to 550 P.M. on all week-days educational appliances and books was except bank holidays. Admission is by held in London, and much of the material ticket, which can be obtained on written from this was afterwards handed over to application to the "Director, Science the Science and Art Department, under Museum, London, S. W. 7," or by per- whose auspices the (now) Science Mu- sonal application at the entrance to the seum was founded in 1857. This collec- library. The aim of the library is to assist tion was placed in a portion of the those occupied in scientific research museum's temporary iron structure and work, and to render readily accessible the accommodation for readers was also pro- information contained in scientific and vided. The library was then further de- technical literature. The interdependence veloped on the lines of an Educational of the various branches of science has Library, to which was added in 1876 the necessitated this central reference library library that had been formed at the cen- of pure and applied science, in order to tral office of the Committee of the Coun- supplement the more restricted scope and cil on Education. The need of a national - difficult selective task of specialised central library of science was realised as libraries. The staff of the library (under a result of the reconstitution of the De- the Director of the Science Museum) partment of Science and Art, and from consists of a Keeper and three other ad- 1883 onward the scientific books of the ministrative officers, all of whom are Educational Library, enriched from vari- scientific specialists, four lady-assistants ous other sources, have formed what is (also of university honours standard), now known as the Science Museum and an operative personnel of 16 attend- Library. Since that date, the scope of the ants. The accessions department, which library has comprised mathematics, the is at present accommodated in a separate natural and physical sciences, and their office, comprises a clerical staff. of 11 applications: or in other words, all under a clerical officer. branches of pure and technical science. HISTORICALNor~.-The library owes SURVEYOF PUBLICATIONS.-An effi- its existence to Sir Henry de la Beche, cient accessions department should ac- who in 1843 contributed the whole of his quire most of the new publications valuable collection of scientific books to within the special scope of the library on form its nucleus. This was subsequently its own initiative, in order to anticipate increased with purchases and with nu- readers' requirements and thus avoid the merous donations from scientific societies inevitable delay which must occur when both in Great Britain and abroad, as well a publication has to be obtained in as from private donors. To meet the de- response to a requisition. For this pur- 44 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 27, No. 2

pose, a comprehensive survey of new pub- all over the world if international stand- lications is the first essential. From the ardisation would come to the help of commencement of the year 1931, such a international cooperation? With refer- current survey of the world's scientific ence to practical aspects of the work and technical literature has been carried involved in the compilation of this inter- out in the Science hfuseum Library, national card-index of scientific and based on the more important primary technical literature, the fact that special national book-lists which have already one-sided editions of the primary na- been annotated and listed for reference tional book-lists are in most cases unob- in one of the writer's recent articles.' The tainable, emphasizes how little the re- selection there quoted is not exhaustive; quirements of librarians are provided for. it lacks, for example, the Russian "Ihiz- The only alternative is, of course, to order naya Letopis" which on account of its two copies of each (double-sided) issue, different alphabet requires separate treat- since the selected references in these ment, but which in some respects ap- often overlap. The references are cut out proaches our ideal of what a primary and mounted on the international stand- (i.e, uncritical and non-specialised) na- ard size index-cards, 125 x 75 mm. tional book-list should be. (5 x 3 in.) by a special hot-press method CUMULATIVEINTERNATIONAL INDEX. which does not distort the cards. A space -The relevant items are carefully of about 13 mrn. (0.5 inch) is allowed be- selected from these primary national tween the top of the card and the top book-lists, and assembled into a second- of the mounted reference, so that the ary (i.e. critical and specialised) inter- latter can if necessary be re-headed to national current index of the world's accord with the code of the library. This scientific and technical literature. Where cumulative index contains at present references extracted from such diverse about 30,000 entries, and continues to sources have to be intercalated into one be built up at the rate of about 150 refer- uniform alphabetical series, formidable ences per week. difficulties are encountered due to the ACQUISITIONOF PUBLICATIONS.-T~~ present lamentable lack of international above-mentioned index serves to pro- standardisation. For example, a German vide necessary details as to price, date reference to certain publications of the and place of publication, in order to Deutsches Museum had to have the complete the (often) inadequate informa- town-name MUNICHadded in accordance tion on readers' requisition forms; and with our code, before it could be inter- for this purpose it will continue to be- calated into the index. No doubt a come more and more useful, until such German visitor would expect to find the time as most of the publications asked same publications under MUENCHEN, for will be dated subsequent to 1931, the but he would be disappointed; this ex- year of its commencement. But an effi- ample is therefore quoted, not as a com- cient accessions department should an- plaint (we could hardly expect the Ger- ticipate readers' requirements and ac- mans to use the word "Munich" for our quire publications on its own initiative, special benefit), but to show what an and here also our cumulative index Tul- enormous help it would be to librarians fils a useful function as a basis for the selective acquisition of books either as 1Spatt (H P.). "Tnhnicd Science Llbrarles." Year's Work In L~brarianship.Vol. VI (1933), Chap. VII. p. 114. purchases or presentations. The former 'Spatt (H P.). "Further Notes on Sclentlfic and Tech- nical L~brariesof Northern Europc." L~brary Qurkrb. 8 Spmtt (H. P.). "International Coilperation In Technical Vol IV. No. 4 (Oct. 1934), p. 636. Sdence" Buroptan Herald. 28th September 1934, P. 11. February, 1936 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 45 are obtained from H. M. Stationery cles omitted); and the transactions of Office who act as intermediaries for the corporate bodies under the name of the library; the annual purchase vote is respective town or country. The refer- nominally 3,000 pounds (less national ences are first hand-written on paper economy-cuts), and will in fact be 2,900 slips 8 x 3.25 in. (i.e. one-quarter foolscap pounds (14,000 dollars) for this year size), and contain full details of the pub- 1935. The issue of orders for publications lication with decimal classification num- which have been selected for purchase is ber, size in centimetres, and month of commercial routine which can be carried acquisition into the library. These hand- out with an unspecialised clerical staff, written slips with main entries and cross- and this aspect need not concern us references are collected at the end of each further here. For the presentations, the week and reproduced in the form of an library has to thank numerous authors, accession list; this is subsequently cut up editors and scientific institutions all over and its individual entries each mounted the world. As will be readily understood, on a standard card 125 r 75 mm. (5 x 3 this involves an extensive international in.), for intercalation into the library's correspondence, for which the additional author and subject-matter card-indexes. use of French and German places the The former contains at present about library in this respect on as international 172,000 entries, to which some 13,000 are a basis as can reasonably be expected3 added each year; the latter contains The rate of accessions to the library is about 203,000 entries, with an annual now 10,000 volumes per annum, of increment of 16,000. References of all which about 8,000 are presentations. new periodical publications acquired in Some 9,000 current scientific periodicals the library are added to a separate cumu- are received. lative index from which the latest edition REGISTRATION.-A11new acquisitions of the "Hand List of Current Periodicals are entered on the card-indexes of the ac- in the Science Museum Library" will be cessions department immediately on printed in the near future. arrival. To check the current receipt of WEEKLYACCESSION LISTS.-Since the periodicals, a visible card-index is used commencement of the year 1931, full (Kardex system). This is very convenient particulars of the library accessions have in practice for the insertion of new been issued in the form of weekly lists, entries, and the use of coloured celluloid which contain references to all new pub- indicators enables a continual survey of lications received in the library. The the receipt of current periodicals to be references are minutely classified in ac- easily maintained. Publications which cordance with their subject-matter, by have been duly entered in the accessions means of the decimal system. Generally, department are passed up to the library several subject-matter classification num- and are there stamped with their date of bers are provided for each reference, so receipt. Purchases are stamped in red, that copies may be filed under all sub- and presentations in black. jects with which the particular reference CATALOGUEDEPARTMENT.-The code is concerned. The weekly lists of acces- used in the library is in all essentials the sions are printed on one side only of the same as that of the British Museum, with paper, so that the references can be certain small modifications. Text books readily cut up and mounted separately are entered under the surname of the on index cards of the standard interna- author; independent periodicals under tional size, 125 x 75 mm. (5 x 3 in.), and their titles (definite and indefinite arti- incorporated into a cumulative card- SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 27, No. 2

index either alphabetically by althor, or periodicals (as distinct from transactions decimally by subject-matter. A brief key of societies), which are shelved in alpha- to the Decimal Classification is provided betical order under their titles. A base- on the back cover of each list. The total ment store contains the library's exten- number of references amounts to about sive collection of patent specifications, 10,000 per year; so that these lists of ac- and such literature as is in relatively in- cessions represent a valuable summary of frequent demand. The free space avail- current scientific and technical literature. able for new books is now nearly ex- References to important literature pub- hausted, and temporary accommodation lished abroad are comparatively numer- has had to be set apart to house acces- ous, and include many items not repre- sions until the planned extensions are sented in any other current index to built. which access in Great Britain is avail- LOANSDEPARTMENT.-In order that able. The lists are issued in return for the widest use may be made of the na- publications which the library desires to tional collections, books are lent within acquire, and their circulation at pres- the British Isles, to approved institutions ent amounts to about 120 copies per at which scientific research is carried out, week. to students and research workers them- BOOK-STORES.-T~~national collec- selves via the libraries of their societies, tions of the Science Museum Library now institutions or universities, and to the contain 240,000 volumes, to which are public via the National Central Library. added about 10,000 each year. The main Loans are not issued direct to the public; store, which is provided with an electric and books which are rare or of excep- book-lift, has a floor area of 2500 square tional value, works of reference, and the feet. Half of this space is occupied with current parts of periodicals are not avail- 150 movable stacks, on rollers which run able for loan outside the library premises. on steel rails let into the floor: while eco- There are now about 350 institutions on nomical of floor space, these 'have been our loan list, to whom some 18,000 books found to have drawbacks, and their use were issued in the course of last year. will therefore not be extended in the This loan list is maintained in the form of future. These movable stacks accommo- a card-index on 8 x 5 in. cards. Separate date some 45,000 volumes of scientific requisitions for each work must be made transactions, which are shelved in alpha- in duplicate on the printed forms, books betical order under the names of the of which are issued to the approved in- towns or countries in which the respec- stitutions. When the work is issued on tive societies or institutions are located loan, one of these requisitions is shelved (i.e. in accordance with the same code in its place as a check, and the other is as that used for the library's author filed in the card-index under the respec- card-index). The other half of the main tive institution. Books on loan must be book-store is provided with fixed stacks returned within two weeks, and a system which contain about 45,000 text books. of coloured tabs affixed to the requisitions These are shelved in broad subject- in the card-index assures that a postcard matter divisions in accordance with the reminder be issued to the respective in- decimal classification scheme, and within stitution when this period becomes due; those broad divisions alphabetically un- in practice it is found that such remind- der the name of the author. The library ers are almost invariably required. As the annex accommodates on fixed stacks bulk of our loans are ultimately for the about 25,000 volumes of independent use of practical research workers, it is February, 1936 SPECIAL LIBRARIES

necessary to emphasize that the books hall lead respectively to the administra- must not be used in laboratories or work- tive offices and to the library annex. shops where there is any risk of their de- SUBJECT-MATTER INDEX.-T~~ library terioration; in some cases it even has to collects the scientific and technical refer- be stipulated that the books shall only ences to books and to articles in periodi- be used in the library of the respective cals extracted from all published docu- institution and not removed therefrom mentation services which are classified in until it is returned to the Science Mu- accordance with the Decimal Classifica- seum Library. tion system. These are incorporatd, at READINGROOM.-This s~acioushall is the rate of about 150,000 entries per situated on the first floor. One enters be- annum, into a colossal card-index which tween the cabinets of the author card- already contains well over two million index which, like an avenue, lead up to cards of the international standard size the Superintendent's counter, where all 125 x 75 mm. (5 x 3 in.) filed in 50 cabi- newly acquired books are exhibited for nets. Since these are systematically filed the period of one month. This side which in very minute classes, readers are able faces the entrance door, contains the readily to locate the articles on any spe- windows, under which are shelved ency- cific subject under the respective classi- clopedias, technical dictionaries, and fication number, which is first ascertained other standard works of reference. The from the alphabetical catch-word index opposite wall as well as the two end walls of subjects. This vast documentation also are lined with book shelves, nine deep on serves for the compilation of reference each of the two upper balconies, where lists on specific subjects. about 35,000 volumes which form the INFORMATION SERVICE.--L~S~Sof ref- older part of the collection of periodicals erences are compiled by the scientific are shelved. The total floor area amounts staff of the library in answer to specific to 3,000 square feet, one-third of which enquiries. Within their specialized sub- . is taken up with the cabinets of the ject-matter, these cover a wider survey subject-matter index described in the than do the lists of accessions mentioned next section; the other two-thirds pro- above, because their references are not vide accommodation for 72 readers. Last restricted to books and articles in the year there were 23,500 visitors to the li- Science Museum Library, nor exclu- brary, and 28,500 books here issued to sively to current publications. About 100 them. Readers are not permitted free to 120 such lists are compiled each year, access to the bookshelves: the available with a total of about 3,000 references. It literature can be ascertain& more read- is of interest to note that two-thirds of ily from the card-indexes. All requisitions the total number of enquiries received for books have to be made on the printed are for references on applied science. forms supplied, only one work ori each This service is free within the British form, which should then be handed to an Empire; otherwise, such lists are com- attendant. The recent parts of some 500 piled at the rate of 2d. per reference, with current periodicals are placed at the im- 5s. as the minimum price of a list. In or- mediate disposal of readers without der to keep them within reasonable size, requisition. Diffused illumination is used, these reference lists compiled in the Sci- and small electric lamps are placed in ence Museum Library must necessarily addition on the readers' tables. Two spiral be selective from one or more points of staircases lead up to the main book-store, view. One of the most extensive lists and small doors in the two ends of the which has been produced in the library 48 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 27, No. 2 was that compiled in connection with the physics, and (b) Lubrication. These ref- special Plastics Industry Exhibition, erence lists, as well as the weekly lists of which opened at the Science Museum in accessions, are also issued in return for April, 1933. This contains a total of about publications which the library desires to 1,500 references, in spite of the fact that acquire. Photostat copies of articles or its scope was restricted by the exclusion illustrations can be supplied at rates of ceramics, artificial stone, paints, var- which are quoted on application. In its nishes and artificial silk. The first section documentation and information services, (56 references) comprises a survey of al- the Science Museum Library acts in ready published reference lists on plastics. close collaboration with the Institut In- The library also publishes two serial or ternational de Documentation, for which current reference lists: (a) Applied Geo- it forms in fact an international centre.

A Short Cut for Libraries in Investment Houses By Mildred A. Lee

Y EXPERIENCE, as well as that making up these corporate files, thus M of other librarians, has been that everybody was able to familiarize them- it is difficult to serve officers and directors selves with what was in the library. of the corporation selectively. When they Incidentally, it gave the research staff a request information on a certain corpora- quick method of determining how much, tion or industry, they should not be over- or I might also say how little, informa- whelmed with a mass of material, but at tion there was on a corporation in the the same time they should receive suffi- library. cient data on which to base a general idea In these corporate files we have placed of the value of a corporation or the the last two annual reports, the latest statistical position of the industry. interim reports if available, otherwise Consequently we have set up what we news clippings of earnings or estimates of call our "Special Files" as follows: earnings, the latest listings, statements, prospectuses, reports by the statistical A. Corporation files department, good analyses by invest- These files include material on about ment firms or the services and any other 150 corporations contained in our port- pertinent data. The purpose is to keep folio, together with data on other com- these files as small as possible, by re- panies which we considered important. placing reports with later ones as they The files are divided into four classifica- are issued. The library might have seven tions, namely, Utilities, Oils, Railroads or eight different folders on a corpora- and Industrials, since the practice of tion, which would scare anyone not in- covering one of these groups at a time at terested in making a detailed study of a the portfolio meetings made this con- corporation. On the other hand I have venient. These files are frequently con- noticed that there is in many cases just sulted then and a good bit of time is enough in these special files to arouse the saved by this arrangement. All members interest of officers and directors and of the Statistical Department assisted in make them ask for more. February, 1936 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 49

B. Industry flles The subjects were made as broad as For the particular purpose of the in- possible and were drawn from Standard, dustry files, it was decided to set up 45 Fitch. Poors and New York Stock Ex- separate folders pertaining to the follow- change classifications of industries. Fol- ing divisions: lowing the method used in making up the corporate files, members of the Statis- Advertising, Publishing and Printing tical Department went through the Agricultural Machinery library files and selected for these forty- Aircraft-Manufacturing and Transport five folders, important analyses of the Alcohol-Industrial and Beverage industries, latest government statistical Amusements-Motion Pictures and Theatres reports, trade association bulletins, etc. Automobile accessories Even reports from Poor, Fitch and Automobiles Building-Materials and Construction Standard Trade and Securities Sewice Chemicals were taken out of the binders. This has Coal been a time saver for the library since it Communications means looking in one place instead of Containers-Metal and Glass three. Where detailed statistics are kept Drugs, Soap and Cosmetics currently we have not placed any Electrical Equipment-Industrial and House- monthly or weekly reports in the indus- hold try files as those are already included Financing and Credit in records kept. Food Products (Dairy) Of course it must be borne in mind that ,I " (Meat Packing) these special files are not for the use of 4 I " (Misc.) Furniture and Floor Covering those making a detailed study. Their pur- Investment Trusts pose is simply to furnish a cross section Iron and Steel of the whole library. Machinery and Machine Tools Mining and Metals (Gold and Silver) Correction '1 I' (Copper) In SPECIALLIBRARIES for December, 8 8 " (Tin) page 290, the Technical Book Review ‘a " (Lead) Bulletin, published by the New York I( (Zinc) Public Library was listed witlioul price. I I " (Nickel) According to later information, the 8 6 " (Misc.) charge is 25 cents a year. The publi- Office Equipment Oils cation is issued quarterly and the full title Paper is "New Technical Books; A Selected Railroad Equipment List on Industrial Arts and Engineering." Railroads Retail (Chain Store and Restaurants) Note! " (Department Stores) "The assemblage of any considerable " (Mail Order) body of chemists always makes it ad- " (Misc.) visable to provide proper intelligence Rubber and Tires service. This consists of a chemically Shoes and Leather Sugars trained personnel, preferably with library Textiles and Apparel experience. This intelligence service is Tobacco and Tobacco Products called upon to answer innumerable ques- Utilities (Electric Power and Gas) tions and it can save for the research " (Transit) chemist days or weeks of time." SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 27, No. 2

President's Page

FEW remarks this month on our York for a grant of three thousand dol- A newest periodical, the Technical lars for the support of the Index. A letter, Book Review index. I speak of it as our dated November 12th, brought the in- publication. It is a separate, self-sup- formation that our request had been porting production, sponsored and moti- approved in full. vated by Special Libraries Association Quite aside from the money angle, I and edited by one of our most efficient was much gratified at a prominent im- members. plication of this grant. The Corporation Prior to 1928 the Carnegie Library of is governed by a board, composed of Pittsburgh published a somewhat similar scientists, financiers, lawyers, doctors index under the direction of Elwood H. and directors of large commercial and McClelland. Each year following its industrial enterprises, which applies the demise revealed more clearly that it had knowledge and experience of the world of filled a real need and that librarians were affairs to the visionary and idealistic now being handicapped in their selection plans of specialists, librarians, social of technical books for purchase. workers and others who seek funds. So. By the Spring of 1934 certain forward when I learned that our request had suc- looking members of S. L. A. were con- cessfully run the gauntlet, I was very sidering the possibilities of currently proud to feel that Special Libraries As- presenting this information. In June the sociation has acquired a reputation for &iince-~echnolo~~Group came to the bringing its projects to satisfactory con- fore, asking the Executive Board to con- clusion -for successfully mingling the sider the feasibility, sponsorship, form, practical and the ideal. frequency and selling price of such a The Technical Bpok Review Index publication and to take suitable action. Committee presented, on December 7th, A special committee was appointed to a well-balanced ulan for a limited in- canvass the situation; a publicity pro- crease in size, a better subject index, ad- gram was approved; and a pre-publica- ditional editorial work and a promotional tion selling campaign was put in motion. campaign in foreign countries, where the A minimum of three hundred subscrip- Index has already attracted favorable tions was required by the Board. At the attention. The Executive Board approved Boston Convention in June, 1935, this the expenditure of not over seven hun- mark having been surpassed, publication dred dollars along these lines and di- was definitely authorized. rected that the balance of twenty-three Beginning last September, monthly hundred be held in a savings account. numbers of twenty or more pages have Such, in brief, is the history and pres- appeared. The most acute problem has ent situation. Individual mention may be been that of cutting material to space made of Miss Marian C. Manley for requirements, without sacrificing essen- intensive promotional work, of -Miss tial items in the process. Ruth Savord for tactful negotiations In the hope of strengthening the rather with the Carnegie Corporation, and of precarious position of this infant periodi- Miss Granville Meixell for very com- cal, an application was made last Summer petent and painstaking editorship. to the Carnegie Corporation of New HOWARDL. STEBBINS,President. February, 1936 SPECIAL LIBRARIES

When Business Uses the Library By Rebecca B. Rankiw Librarian

Extra& from paper ple#red fm the ScdInln&'d Congress of Libraries, Modrid, May 1935 and printed in the Prweedifigs of the Ass~ion

UTTING knowledge to work" is studies by other firms or educational in- "Pthe slogan of the Special Libraries stitutions, and thirdly, it may give all Association and nowhere can it be better theoretical material which is available in exemplified than in the business libraries. print, or the librarian usually can advise Business has taken on many of the char- as to other sources of information. A acteristics of a new science in the past special library many times can produce few decades, and these developments are just the type of information which the reflected in a whole new body of business firm needs to guide it in a projected en- literature. That part of the field of busi- terprise, and thereby much expense is ness which is known and available to all saved; it was common a few decades ago has found its way into books; but busi- for business to make all its researches ness as a science is constantly growing directly in the field and without recourse and new methods and new processes are to the printed word. described in magazines, in pamphlets and The special library also is the last re- other ephemeral material. These too form sort of a business research; the library is an important part of a special library and the conservator of facts. The business its informational files. Altogether there is librarian is careful to store up the facts a flood of material for the. business of current experience, arranging them in library, and the business librarian must files and indexing sufficiently so they possess a fine sense of discrimination and may be brought forth again after the be very familiar with sources in order to discovery or creation has been forgotten. choose the type of information which will The alert special librarian not only is a prove most valuable to the company for conservator, salvaging scraps of informa- which he serves as a bureau of informa- tion here and there but he keeps track tion. of all developments within the company The Special Library in an industrial or and is ever watchful of similar develop- commercial firm is usually the first ap- ments elsewhere and acquires them, be- p~oachto any problem. The library fore demanded by busy executives, serves as the heart of the organization visualizing the probable informational and is the one place which has a record of needs in advance. The business librarian all past experimentations and accom- actually selects the printed material plishments. One large industrial corpora- which can be put to work and then sees tion, for instance, has a standing rule to it that the knowledge therein is put that all researchers, specialists and ex- to work. perts must consult the library first before Some of America's largest corporations starting any new work. By this means, have several special libraries, in accord- the specialist is informed of any previous ance with the division of its responsibili- attempt along a similar line by any of the ties - for example, a legal library, an divisions and can readily learn of any engineering library and an economic 5 52 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 27, No. 2 collection. But more likely all of such to it. This is a natural and logical develop- functionswould fall to one librarian. In a ment. Often as not the special librarian typical day you might find any business may be the head of the research depart- librarian called upon to do such tasks as ment as well, or designated as director of these: supplying facts and illustrations to information, either of which titles indi- its advertising department to be used as cate his functions. the basis for copy; making a digest of all The business library is called upon to state laws affecting the manufacture or prepare memoranda or to make a more sale of a certain new product; looking up extensive study and report or to direct a patents of a specific kind; furnishing questionnaire for a specific purpose, to specific trade and geographical facts to edit a house organ or magazine, to com- the foreign trade department; compiling pile bibliographies or extensive study for a vice-president the new materials lists of books or reading, to prepare for an address on a certain subject; gath- digests of magazine articles or abstracts ering together the tax rates of many of foreign literature and books. Its work states and cities on a certain type of may be very diversified and its librarian product; advising the accounting depart- must be well, versed in the commercial or ment of new books and current magazine industrial field covered. articles in its field; sending descriptions Arthur D. Little, head of one of the of a new process of manufacture to the leading chemical laboratories in the engineering department. The business United States, makes this statement: librarian actually serves as eyes and ears "These laboratories should each be de- for the busy executives of his company. veloped around a special library, the He sweeps the field of progress for prece- business of which should be to collect, dents, indexes, guides and dangers in compile, and classify in a way to make order that he may relay them to the instantly available every scrap of in- officials and the workers who have the formation bearing upon the materials, responsibility of carrying on a business methods, products, and requirements of which involves great investment of capi- the industry concerned. . . . As it is tal and which looks toward profits. The the function of such a laboratory to library has its indirect share in creating extend our knowledge, it cannot function those profits. More likely the special properly unless its working units are library can point to direct savings which strengthened and refreshed and stim- it has been able to effectuate for the ulated by the constant stream of facts, company. theories, and opinions which it is the The library of a commercial or indus- purpose of the library to supply." trial firm is primarily a service depart- Such libraries in the United States are ment but its efficiency is not dependent marching ahead constantly; where in on office mechanics but on proper de- 1909 there were only a handful there are velopment of policy and on cooperation now about seven hundred well-organized with and from every other department in libraries. The growth has been steady the firm. Often the library is directly and in one sense phenomenal and yet we under the supervision of a vice-president feel we are on the threshold of greater or high executive where it is on par with expansion. Large business corporations other large departments as the legal or to the number of 500,000 exist in the accounting departments. In many in- United States and that gives us untold stances also, the library may be a part of possibilities for growth and equally great the research department or closely allied opportunities for service. February, 1936 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 53

What the College or Institution Expects of Its Departmental Libraries

HE three requirements for a De- treatises, are also important in order to Tpartmental Library are that it intensify as well as to broaden the treat- should be: First-adequate in scope ments found in text books. Second -easily accessible Third - ad- A collection of rare books which might ministered in such a way as to promote constitute a museum is stimulating and its use. Departmental Libraries usually interesting, but of course not absolutely have their origin in personal collections essential from the utilitarian point of of professors who find a need for books view. and periodicals in a special field. The It is assumed, of course, that access time soon arrives, however, when the may be had to a good general library 'demand by students is greater than can outside of the departmental collection, be borne by these personal accumula- for fiction, biography and travel. It is tions, and a move has to be made in the also advisable to have this departmental direction of organization for the loan of library tied in with others in related special books. fields. In the case of our Vail Library of In order to be adequate to the needs Electrical Engineering, for example, it is of the students and staff the collection very important that our students should should contain all of the important text have access to books on mathematics, books in the field, both recent and old. physics, economics and social science. From these text books teachers will get The question of accessibility has gone new viewpoints and will be helped in the through considerable evolution in our presentation of subject matter in class case. A departmental library probably and in conference, the older books serving existed in the early days of the depart- to show the historic development of any ment, but the addition of the Vail col- particular phase of a subject. These lection in 1913 made the Electrical books will also be of use to the student Engineering departmental library so attempting to obtain an understanding notable that it needed a librarian of its of points which may have been missed own. in class, or not adequately treated in his The origin of this Vail collection is own text book. interesting. An eccentric Englishman by There should be bound copies, as com- the name of George Edward Dering be- plete as possible, of all important peri- came interested in the telegraphic and odicals in the field, both domestic and physical sciences. In order to keep his foreign. There should also be on display information abreast of the times, he for reference use a good variety of semi- asked a London bookseller to send down popular magazines, as well as the pub- to his new library all books on electricity lications of the learned societies of the which he could collect from all parts of profession or closely related professions. the world. The order was filled and the Collateral books, classics and current cases of books were sent to Mr. Dering's SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 27, No. 2 library, but strangely enough were never with conveniently located branch li- opened due to a change in Mr. Dering's braries of group character as far as prac- interests.* ticable, and no further such small li- Mr. Theodore N. Vail, then President braries be maintained independently of the American Telephone and Tele- from Institute funds. graph Company, heard that these books The whole policy of arrangement is were available and immediately pur- continually being worked out with a chased them and presented them to view to improvement in accessibility. M.I.T. This nucleus, with its subsequent The administration of the library is additions, is called the Vail Library in perhaps the most important of the three honor of its donor. requirements I have laid down. The This collection, now pretty complete in setting of the policies by the general the field of electrical engineering, was librarian and by general or special com- given quarters near the offices, class- mittees of the Institution are, of course, rooms and laboratories of the deoartment very important, but the value of the it was to serve. The advantageous loca- departmental library is largely dependent tion, together with the services of the upon the capabilities of the departmental Vail Librarian, made the books and librarian. We have been fortunate in periodicals easily accessible to the people having, within my association with the who would use them most. Vail Library, two librarians, Mrs. Ruth It was not long, however, before the M. Lane, and Mrs. Katharine Maynard, isolation of the electrical engineering both exceptionally good reference li- library from the other collections, espe- brarians, and also excellent in their abil- cially in mathematics, physics, eco- ity to instruct students in the use of the nomics and social science, and the sep- library and to publicize the advantages arate cataloguing were felt to be un- of the departmental collection and thus fortunate. This situation was remedied to stimulate its use. first by moving the Vail Library to the One of the functions of the Vail Li- Central Library and merging the two brarian and her assistant is to keep the catalogues. collection adequate. This is done by In December 1931, the report of a scanning the technical publishers' ad- special committee on the library was vance notices and keeping a file of adopted by the Faculty, and this brought "Books to be Published" with dates, by about a change in policy in connection reading book review columns in all elec- with the several departmental libraries trical and allied periodicals and keeping a which had sprung up all over the In- file of interesting items, and by ordering, stitute. The new policy provided that: sometimes after consultation with mem- 1. That the principal library collec- bers of the staff,any books or pamphlets tions be maintained as a central library, which promise to he useful. and that branch libraries be concentrated The Vail Librarian publicizes the new in a few group libraries (instead of many acquisitions by posting attractive lists on small collections), each with suitable department bulletin boards, and by call- professional library attendance under ing the attention of staff members or the direction of the Institute Librarian. graduate students to new books or arti- 2. That small branch or departmental cles in a specific field of investigation. libraries be abolished by consolidation She gives a lecture to the students enter- *Srr "The Val1 Llbrory at M.I.T." by Ruth M. Lane. ing upon their professional work in the Vall UbrPrim. The Library Journnl. Vol. 49. No. 5, 1924. sophomore year in order to show them February, 1936 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 5 5 the facilities at their disposal, and to as Mrs. Maynard placed at my disposal show them what can be done with library on this occasion. This reference work is reference and research. She publishes also indispensable in the cases of students articles in the Technology R&ew and doing-seminar or thesis work. in the Tech Engineering News, in order It would be impossible to make an ex- to call to the attention of Alumni or stu- haustive list of the functions of the Vail dents, special facilities or exhibits of the Librarian. Perhaps a concise way to put Vail Library. it is to say that she keeps closely in touch The reference work done by the de- with the needs and desires of the depart- partmental librarian is of great value, ment and then promptly sees that these especially to the teaching and research needs and desires are supplied. staff. Perhaps the best example I can The Department of Electrical Engi- give from my personal experience is the neering is continually developing new help Mrs. Maynard gave me when, in the educational processes, such as honors first years of my association with our groups, individualized programs of stud- Cooperative Course in Electrical Engi- ies, and special handling of laboratory neering, I made an extensive study of the work, each of which imposes a special development of cooperative education. function upon the Vail Library. From The technique of collecting reference the user's point of view, I find this library material is a real art and I confess it is adequate in scope, readily accessible and still a mystery to me how a librarian it is administered with excellent personal finds with such competence such material attention and efficiency. Snips and Snipes Open Let&. . . . Dear Meg Man- nouncements have come to us whichseem leygree, while yo' all 're baskin' in Flor- particularly nice and are for all that we ida, we're snowed in by nine inches of know, precedents: The MacFadden Pub- snow, our river is choked with ice and the lications, Inc., sent out an attractive paper says "Fair and colder tomorrow," printed leaflet telling about their Divi- but we hope in spite of the unfairness of sion of Marketing and Research and life, that you're having a good time. . . . offering the cooperation of its research and library resources, Mrs. Allen is the S'il Vous Plail. . . . "What do Ethi- librarian. . . . The other is the mimeo- opians eat for breakfast?" "How much graphed Special Bulletin of the Financial does a gas mask cost in Russia?" "What Advertisers Association reprinting in full station does the Bordeaux train leave the announcement of the opening of the from?" Just dial S. V. P. the next time Peoples-Pittsburgh Trust Company Li- you're in Paris and the Service Bureau of brary with Ella J. Chalfant as librarian. the Paris Telephone Company will tell . . . And in Printers' Ink for January 2, you -for a price. This new department 1936, we find that the Byron G. Moon has just been installed according to the Company, New York, has established a Willimantic Chronicle. We feel with textile library and trade-mark bureau in Florence Grant who sent us the clipping the interests of Sanfordized-shrunk fab- that Paris will need some (and also rics and trade-marked lines. . . . sume) special librarians. . . . No Not One. . . . Secretary Clarke We Beg to Announce. . . . Two an- ran a little advertisement of her own in 5 * 56 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 27, No. 2 the September SPECIAL LIBRARIES,grand and profitable time on his recent "Wanted" - she said, "Back numbers junket. . . . Beatrice Hager of the New of SPECIALLIBRARIES, Vol. I, nos. 2, 7 York Municipal Reference Library has and 9." To date (we quote) "not even one just finished indexing the latest volume of response has been received." Someone SPECIALLIBRARIES. It's the second time had better come across quick or she'll she's done it and we think she deserves suspend the warrant and search laws and some kind of a decoration. . . . Jean go get 'em. . . . Taylor who used to be head of the Science-Technology Division in the S. L. A, i7z Print. . . . "Then there Queens Public Library is now Chief was and is Mary L. Alexander, the li- Reference Librarian of the system. . . brarian the only person I ever met . - We like the way Cincinnati girded up its who made copywriting accurate and even loins and waded in to clear up a printer's easy." Harford Powel, in Advertising Gr debt incurred for the Chapter. They've sell in^, December 19, 1935. Ethel . . . sold applets, theatre tickets and haven't Wigmore, librarian of the Bellevue yet reached the end of their inge- School of Nursing, begins a regular de- nuity. partment, "Book Parade" in the Jan- . . . uary issue of the American Journal of Our Patron Saint. When we read Nursing. "A Vertical File for Busi- ...... in a recent New Yorker that Saint ness Information," Eleanor Cavanaugh's Catherine of Alexandria was the patron paper read before the regional conference saint of librarians we were minded io of the New York Library Association at write a screed on the blessed lady. We're Lake George, September 13, is reprinted in the January Wilson Bulletin. . . . still minded but we can't find any au- thority that says she is. In fact the And the December 14 Editor 6 Publisher carries a story on a subject which is the Britannica assigns her to wheelwrights black beast of all Specials who have and mechanics. However, since "she was files. It's not only newspaper librarians exceeding fair and of a wondrous in- who have to solve "the serious question tellect" and since "her form and face of how not to grow." Read John G. were equally beautiful, and her intelli- gence was so far above the average that Baker's " Reference Revision Sadly Needed" for some good suggestions on the learned men were puzzled and as- weeding. Mr. Baker is assistant News tounded by her wisdom ahd understand- Editor of the Milwaukee Jozmal. . . . ing" we think we'd better claim her. Won't some helpful sister who knows her Snippets. . . . Both President Steb- book of martyrs and calendar of saints bins and the chapters seem to have had a substantiate our claim? . . . Publications of Special Interest - Addams, Jane. My friend, Julia Lathrop., Astronomy Club of the Museum of Natural History. Macmillan, N. Y. 1935. 228 D. S2.00. Clear discussions of astronomical nhcnomena and fine

focused on work for stat; institutions, civil service re- Bicknell, E. P. Pioneerina with the Red fwm, and work wlth soc~alagencies Should he read with Cross. Macrnillan, N. Y. 1935. 281 p. $2.00. [.inn's hie uf Jane Addams. A colorful otcture of the develonment of a areat social Bernard, ,. and of the agency. It comhlnes notes on changes In organization administration due to expansion, with graphic and moving heavens. McGraw, N. Y.1935. 131 P. 51.00. plcturcs of disasters and service for desolate humanity. Wrttten for amateurs by the members of the Junior An effective treatment of a phase of aoctal service. February, 1936 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 57

Bray, F. C. World of myths. Crowell, N. Y. tmal Research Council. The 2649 dissertations are 1935. 323 p. $2.00. listed under broad subject headings. Includes author index. A record of the intensive work done in many A usclul handbaok of the different mythologies de- spccial~zed fields, especially in the physical, biological fining the characters alphabetically in national classifica- and social scicnces. tions. The descriptions are condensed, but clear. Includes a stra~ghtalphabct~cal index. Gourley, J. E. and Lester, R. M. Diffusion of knowledge. Carnegie Corp., N. Y. 1935. Council of State Governments. Book of the 314 p. Limited free distribution. States. Above, and American Legislators' A list of some 1300 books, with h~bliographical details Assoc., Chicago. 1935. 505 p. $2.00. but without annotations, made psshle wholly or in part U~efulniater~al on the lawmakers of the 48 states and by grants front the Corporation between 1911 and 1935. ~llutninat~ngdiscussion of the joint reference services The variety of topics is amazing and the groupings under develop~ngfor their use. Includes an extensive section agencies receiving. grants is particularly illuminatmg. on the legdative reference services of the d~fferentstates with full data on their organization, scope and personnel, Haas, Irvin. Bibliography of modern Amer- 5alarles and other expenses. ican presses. Black Cat Press, Chicago. 1935. 98 p. $3.50. Curtis, M. M.Story of snuffand snuffboxes. A 11st of private presses and thew books, to a great Liveright, N. Y. 1935.206 p. $3.50. extent supplementing the work of Will Ransom. Name, Conc~se,readable h~storyof the use of snuff with marry proprietor's address and brief description heads each l~tcraryreferences. The artistic development of snuff numbered list A charmlng illustration of typographic hottles and containers illustrated by 118 fine half tones, bkill and a key to niuch ~ntcrestingwork. with annotations Long bibliography included. No index. Haslett, A. W. Unsolved problems of sci- Darlington, G. M. Officemanagement. Ron- ence. Macmillan, N. Y. 1935. 317 p. $2.00. ald, N. Y. 1935. 203 p. $2.00. The fundamental problen~s of creation, other worlds, A med~ocrcbook on the subject. Clear and simple for the origin of man, the riddlc of sex, and the attempts the beg~nnet. but hardly up-to.date. The reading list of at their solut~on,discsssed by a scholar who comblncs 16 titles ~ncludesbut four titles published since 1930. simplicity and charm of stytc with knowledge of the many efforts made by scientists to further knowledge. Denison, J. H. Mark Hopkins. Scribner, Heffner, H. C. and others. Modern theatre N. Y. 1935. 327 p. $3.00. practice. Crofts, N. Y. 1935. 318 p. $4.00. A rather mnplc and appealing biography of the famous president of Wdllams College. Part~cularstress is laid A spec~fiehandbook giving complete and detailed in. on the strong influence of the strenuous theology of that format~onfor the director, and those who design the earher day A qu~techarming picture of fan111y life In setting and the liglltlt~g. Thorough, workmanlike and Mark Hopk~ns'youth. No bibliography, Well indexed intcrcst~ng. Many working drawings for scenery and setting details. Long, classified bibliography with excel- Diehl, H. S. Healthful living. McGraw, lent annotations. N. Y. 1935. 354 p. $2.50. Hungerford, Edward. Pathway of empire. A clear, ~ntelligent and practical book on various McBride, N. Y. 1935. 325 p. $3.50. phases of health, discussing the benefits of many fads An fnscinnting story of New York State whde d~scount~ngexaggerated claims; filled w~thspecific intensive w~th~ts m~xture of history, legend and contenlwrary suggestions of value. Includes long llst of add~tional notes. The author knows his atate intimately. Its story readlngs. Good ~ndcx. loses no luster In his hands. Excellent photographs. De- Eaatman, E. G. Pratt, the red man's Moses. cause of the wealth of detail, the lack of an index is Univ. of Oklahoma Press, Norman. 1935. regrettable 285 p. $3.00. Huxley, Julian and da Andrade, E. N. Sim- A unique phase of America's development appears in ple science. Harper, N. Y. 1935. 688 p. this record of the energet~cboy who, from service in the $3.50. Civil War, went into the frontier service of the Army A slmplc and natural approach to the wl~olcfield of and on to work for the Indian and the development of science for the person wlth no scientific background Carlisle. An interesting account of the conflicting theories wl~atsoevcr. Clearly written and well illustrated. The and interesta lnvolvcd Brief bibliography. autl~orshave leaned over backward In their attempt at Bloherty, J. J. Movie-makers. Doubleday- b~nlplificat~on,so mrnc of their statements are somewhat Doran, N. Y. 1935. 100 p. $2.00. misleading. Useful for first readers of sclence and for answering elementary q~~rs~ions,particularly those cdhg Effect~veand clcar, if elementary, presentation of the for pictures of simple nppratus. Ratl~c~inadequate Index. ninny phases mvolvcd in motion pictures Blne photo. grapll~c~llustratlons. Brief notes on the spccial library Illick, J. S. Outline of general forestry. developments. Not indexed. Barnes & Noble, N. Y. 1935. 259 p. $1.50. Gilchrist, D. B., ed. Doctoral dissertations A well arranged outline full of specific information on accepted by American 1934- the growing opl~ortui~itiesin forestry, mclud~ngdata on universities, tra~n~ng,salaries, range of position, ctc. Many reading 1935. Wilson, N. Y. 1935. 102 p. $1.00. refercncer at end of chapter. Illustrated charts and The second of these annual lists compiled for the Na- p~ctopraphs. A IIICI~and comprehensive treatn~ent. 5 8 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 27, No. 2 and welfare activities, chiefly of Republican and Demo- Johnson, I. F. William Rockhill Nelson and cratic clubs. Some slight attention given to Socialid and the Kansas C~tyStar. Burton Pub. Co., Communist organizations. Many fwtnotes, referencea to Kansas City. 1935. 208 p. $2.00. detailed discussion. Extensive bibliography. The story of the huilding of a great newspapr and Sandoz, Mari. Old Jules. Little, Brown, of the vision of a far-s~ghted,courageous and stubtarn man who saw what Kansas City mlght become and fought Boston. 1935.424 p. $3.00. to make that vision come true. A turbulent, valiant, erratlc, brilliant Swiss conquers the sand hills of Nebraska and helps to establish settlers Lincoln, J. C. Cape Cod yesterdays. Little, there against the forces of cattlemen, wmd, drought and Brown, Boston. 1935. 286 p. $4.00. snow. His work as frontier doctor, his experiments with A delightful series of essays portraying the life on fruit and gram, his violent personal life all are told. A Cape Cod in the late Victorian days. Cranberry crops. vltal record in any picture of the country's growth. fish weirs, clams and quahaugs, the old mills, all are Todd, M. College conundrum. Round graphically and sympathetically described. Beautifully J. illustrated by Harold Brett. Table Press, N. Y. 1935.257 p. $1.50. Parker, A. C. Manual for history museums. The members of the faculty of Beloit College glve thew respective replies to the question, "How can the Columbia Univ. Press, N. Y. 1935. 204 p. instructor and the student find the most fruitful contact?" $3.00. The wlde difference in opinions and their freedom of ex- All the problems of museum management, support, prcsslon form an interestrng basis for further con- orpamratlon, selection, relations with schmlr, research slderation. and llhrary methods discussed primarily from the history Vorse, M. H. Footnote to folly. Farrar & museum angle, but applicable to other types. Gmd hrlef bibliography rncluded Clear and interesting in style. Rinehart, N. Y. 1935. 407 p. $3.00. Well illustrated. The v~vld, caustic and heartbreaking record of the Peel, R. V. Polltical clubs of New York struggle for freedom and justice of workers here and abroad, seen through the eyes of a brilliant and under. City. Putnam, N. Y.1935. 360 p. $3.00. standing woman from a d~fferentenvironment. One more Matter-of-fact dexription and analyns of rnclal, civic vital document in the collect~onon social progresa. Periodicals Directory 1935 OR all types of libraries, the "Period- general characteristics of the periodicals Ficals Directory," edited by Carolyn are shown by abbreviations. F. Ulrich and published by R. R. Bowker The second edition likewise has the Company of New York, is a handy tool. added feature of bibliographies which are But the special library should naturally entered under each subject following the turn to it as a guide perhaps more often list of the current periodicals. We cite than others. Many a special library as an example, the general subject head- finds itself particularly dependent on ing " Business, Commerce and Indus- periodicals, and a well-selected list, world try." Here we find 268 titles of maga- wide in scope, classified by subjects is zines, with many indicated under the indeed a much desired reference book to sub-head of Exports and Imports, some have available on your desk. under Corporations, and some under Sta- This second edition (1935) of Miss tistics. The Bibliography following the Ulrich's list of current foreign and do- list includes thirteen items, several of mestic periodicals is a revision of the 1932 which are Special Libraries Association edition; it has also been markedly en- publications as the "Guides to business larged by 2,500 additional titles. facts and figures." The purpose of the

But even the inclusion of 8.200 titles~ ~~ bibliography is to group together for the of magazines which have been found user additional sources to which he may most useful does not make the list ex- turn easily. haustive. The entries include full title, A Key to Subjects at the beginning of date of origin, frequency, size, price, the volume is very complete and carefully publisher, place and indication of sup- cross-indexed so that the business man plements. No evaluation is attempted or the industrialist, not accustomed to but indexing sewices are indicated, and bibliographic tools, can not go astray. February, 1936 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 59

The volume likewise contains at the back Amerlcan city, v. M. Ian.-June 1932 Bankera mag., v. 72-102, Jan. 1906-June 1921 a complete Title Index, arranged alpha- CIvll endneering. v. 1. 1931 Corn. & Fin. Chron. - Pub. util. mmpcnd. prior to betically. 1935 REBECCAB. RANKIN,Librarian Experiment atatlon remrd, v. 2,3,4,13; v. 14, No. 1.10 New York hhnicipal Reference Library Fed Reurve bulletin May 1924 lntcrnational cotton buyv Wewe. Remiruseenma of a 8toek broker. 1923 Duplicate Exchange List Mech k Met. JI. v 1. no. 2. 1917; v. I. no. 3, 1920 HE following titles are offered free except N. Y. Ch. of Com. annual remrt v. 9. 1-7 Offidal ddefor ahipmra & traveller8 Tfor transportation charges. Please apply Pat. M.gazette, Sept. 25, Dec. 11, 1883; Dec. 4, 1894; to Miss Rosamond Cruikshank, Chairman, Am 1. 1913 Duplicate Exchange Committee, Hartford U. S. ail of A~icBUI. 6W,apt. 1911 Public Library, Hartford, Conn. U. S. Cenrw - Outlying terrltorler & wsacsslo~ Walkinr. Prod. k pncc of cotton for IW ma. 1895 Am. inst. of min. &met. err. - v. 67, 1922 Am. soc. ojmrch. #HI. Trana., v. 3W;alm 1923--26 &st's Illuctratlons, 1930. '31, '32. '33 &st's Llfe report& 1930 THE PNEUMONOKONIOSES Blue book of mutherrl promem, 1929. 1934 Conf, of charitlea and correctiona. 1899. 1900. 1906 (SILICOSIS) Decorative fumeher directory, 1933-34 and Laws of Directory of directon - Boaton. 1920 Literature 1934 Directory of dlrectora - Near York, 1921-22 nv Fraternal Ins compend., 1928 Davis, Salmonun and Earlywim Habana, directory. 1899 Prica 17-50 Kelly's directory of Great Brltatn. 1915 Logvc of Nafrou'r atat. yearbook, 1931-32 1930 CHICAGO MEDICAL PRESS Lloyd's calendar (Nd IIK.) Merchant marlne vesscla, 1912. '15. '17. '19. '20-21, '23 Moody's Banka 1931 30s South Canal Shod Moody's Government 1916. 1931, 1933 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Moody's Industriala 1927. 1931 Moody's Public util~tiea,1927-28, 193 1 Mmdy's Rallroada 1927. 1931. 1932 N. Y. Stock Erchangs yearbook, 1932-33 Oflieral gulde of the allways. 1935 Patlnson's AID. educ. dlr.. 1929, 1931 Now Publiehed- Petroleum reglater 1933 Pmr's Induatnaln 1922. 1923 Pm's Public utll~tles1920. 1922. 1925-31. I933 Pm & Moody Indurtrinln, 1924 Poatsl guide, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932 Purchaeer'a guide to the mudc traden, 1931, 1932 Radio adv. ratea & data, 1932, 1933 Rnte reaarch. 1912-1930 Mmu buyer'a dlrectow. 1932 , WHO'S WHO IN Security dealers of No. Amer. - 1929-1934 S,rus of Ihe Tsms directory, 1933, 1934 COMMERCE Standard Advnlising ILn~slnagency Ilat. 1932, 1935 Thomas, A. H. Laboratory apparatus & reagcnta. 1931 Thomas whole~legrocery redater 1933 AND INDUSTRY Thompson. Population and dlntrlbutton, cd. 4 contains sketches Ulrich. Perlodlcaln dlrectory 1932 6,500 biographical of Who'a who In egg & poultry lndustrlea, 1933 the most important industrial and World almanac, 1931 financial leaders. Alw gives the names and addresses of Wanted! 4,400 largest corporations and banks. AN anyone supply these items, jree except and lists the names and poeitiona of C tor transportation charges, to the libra- their highest offietrs. ries that have asked for them? If so, please 1200 Poges notify Miss Rosamond Cruikshank, Chairman, PRICE $15.00 COMPLETE Duplicate Exchange Committee, Hartford Public Library, Hartford, Conn. Gmpiled and published by INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCHIN BIOGRAPIIY. INC. Arad. of pd sri. -Proc. v. 1, No 3; v. 2. No. 3; V. 6. 205 East 42nd Street, New York No. 2 Amn. bankers assoc. - Jouronl. Mar. 1920. v. 12 Am. Lnkns assoc. - Proc. prior to 1877

Pages 60-64 deleted, advertising.