By HENRY BIRNBAUM

The Research Library and the Scholar

HAT DO SCHOLARS THINK of the re- librarian? What are their ideas in respect Wsearch library and research librar- to the future of research libraries? These ians? Librarians have written extensively questions provide a framework for the of how useful libraries are to scholarship discussions by faculty members, research- and research. Do scholars agree with ers, and directors of research. them? Are libraries essential for national Before entering directly into these dis- survival, for supporting the economic cussions, however, it may be useful to life of the nation, and for providing the describe briefly "the research library," sources of data necessary for a trained "scholar," and "scholarship." youth and informed public?1 Howard Three types of scholarly or research Mumford Jones, professor of English, libraries may be identified: (1) special , states that the pri- libraries serving a small area of learning; mary aim of the research library is to (2) university libraries which undertake collect, enrich, and preserve records of to cover the whole field of scholarship;4 intellectual achievement from every cul- and (3) libraries which fall somewhere ture and all time.2 Richard D. Altick, in between, such as "special collections*)' professor of English, Ohio State Univer- made up largely of rare and out-of-print sity, asserts that the whole edifice of books dealing with the same or related modern scholarship rests upon the foun- subjects.5 Variations in aims and pur- dation of research libraries.3 poses of each type of research library Other scholars have commented on re- occur and influence the collections. search libraries. It is the purpose of this , professor of history, review to examine a selected group of University of Pennsylvania, defines re- such views published since 1945. This search libraries as institutions designed date has been chosen because since to assist those engaged in extending the World War II the demands upon re- boundaries of knowledge,6 and E. H. search libraries have increased substan- Wilkins, Harvard University, sees the tially. What do these views tell us of the research library in a university as the wants and needs of scholars? How does custodian of the world's actual knowl- the problem of library growth appear to edge and the reservoir of its potential them? What do they think of current knowledge.7 practices in cataloging and classification? Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary What do they expect in terms of research defines a scholar as one who has engaged assistance from librarians? What do they in advanced study and has acquired consider to be the attributes of the ideal knowledge in some special field.8 A schol- ar also may be defined as an individual 1 Kurt Peiser, "The Research Library in Contem- porary Society," in Pennsylvania. University. Library. Changing Patterns of Scholarship and the Future of 4 Conyers Read, "Libraries and Scholarship," in Research Libraries (Philadelphia: 1951), p.54. Op. cit., 2 Pennsylvania. University. Library. p.98. "Opportunities and Support for College and Uni- 5 Louis Gottschalk, "Possible Readjustments by the versity Libraries," CRL, XIV (1953), 9-21. Scholar," in Chicago. University. Graduate Library 3 "The Scholar's Paradise," CRL XV (1954), 382. School. Librarians, Scholars and Booksellers at Mid- century (Chicago: 1953), p.49. 8 Loc. cit. 7 "The University Library and Scholarship," Harvard Mr. Birnbaum is Chief Circulation Library Bulletin, IV (1950), 16. 8 Webster"s New Collegiate Dictionary, 5th ed., 1948, Librarian, Brooklyn College Library. p.889.

SEPTEMBER 1959 355 who is engaged in extending the bound- that some selectivity is inevitable. Baugh aries of knowledge, who develops new suggests that the available funds be dis- or syntheses of knowledge, and who tributed among four categories: (1) basic needs and uses research libraries to at- tools such as bibliographies, works of tain his goal. reference, and the important serials A narrower definition of a scholar, by which should be purchased no matter Louis Gottschalk, professor of modern what else the library does; (2) the most history, University of Chicago, is that he important books in most fields; (3) spe- is an investigator whose research material cial collections in those fields where spe- is to be found in printed sources that cial work is being done by the faculty; are relatively rare or out-of-print; hence and, (4) a luxury sum for modest ad- the investigator who, for the most part, ditions to collectors' items, rarities, and 11 is engaged in either historical or human- manuscripts. istic research. This definition is not James D. Hart, professor of English, meant to exclude the natural scientist University of California at Berkeley, con- concerned with the study of the history curring, notes that if a university is to of his science from rare and out-of-print be maintained as a scholarly institution, books, or the social scientist concerned its library must not only possess a vast with the more remote historical develop- basic collection of research materials, but ment of either the thought or the institu- it must each year buy the many pub- lished books and journals which repre- tions that fall within his field.9 sent its appropriate coverage of the Scholarship is defined by Merle E. world's knowledge put into print. He Curti, professor of history, University of and John D. Millett, president, Miami Wisconsin, as high competence in a de- University, Oxford, Ohio, agree how- limited field of conscious and sustained ever, that a ceiling can be placed on an inquiry for related facts, valid generaliza- undergraduate book collection, because tions, and workable truths.10 a library with more than a quarter mil- The Scholar's Wants and Needs. The lion volumes seems to present college literature reveals that the wants and students with almost as many problems needs of scholars in libraries are related as solutions. On the other hand, Hart to subject interests. The statements believes that no simple limits can be selected, therefore, have been separated put on the library of an educational in- into two groups, those from humanists stitution offering strong graduate pro- and social scientists, and those from nat- grams in a large number of subjects.12 ural scientists. According to Crane Brinton, professor Albert C. Baugh, professor of English, of ancient and modern history, Harvard University of Pennsylvania, points out University, and John F. McDermott, as- that for the humanists and social scien- sociate professor of English, Washington tists, the research library has to be the University, the humanist and social laboratory as well as the research tool, scientist also will demand obscure ma- providing a key to the results of previous terials and materials that in the past did scholarship. Not only are current ma- not attain the dignity of "literature," terials needed, but also original texts such as old Sears, Roebuck catalogs, out- and documents of all kinds. He recog- 11 "The Balance of Conflicting Interests in the Build- nizes, however, that the ideal of com- ing of Collections. Discussion," in Pennsylvania. Uni- versity. Library. Op. cit., pp.80, 82. pleteness is impossible in all fields, and 12 Hart, "What a Scholar Expects of Acquisitions," in Edwin E. Williams, ed. Problems and Prospects of 9 Loc. cit. the Research Library (New Brunswick, N.J.: Scare- 10 American Scholarship in the Twentieth Century crow Press, 1955), p.59; Millett, Financing Higher (Cambridge, Mass.: , 1953), Education in the United States (New York: Columbia pp. 1-2. University Press, 1952), p.123.

356 COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES of-date textbooks, dime novels, and other Library Growth. It is perhaps natural fugitive writings. These materials, Brin- for the scholar to desire and demand all ton believes, are needed to satisfy the de- that he thinks he needs for his research. mand for what is called "the new history However, Hart recognizes that there and the new criticism," and are an at- must be limitations, despite the necessity tempt to get as great a range of concrete for growth of the library if his university facts as possible on which to test con- is not to stagnate. But, Hart also realizes cepts, hypotheses, and ideas about hu- that while the making of books for li- man behavior.13 braries is endless, the balancing of books Meeting the demands of the natural in the comptroller's office has a definite scientists is no easier task for a research end. His suggestions for controlling library than meeting the needs of the growth are an increased move towards humanists and social scientists. While cooperative storage libraries and the use natural scientists will want materials of more microreproductions.17 that cover the historical aspects of their Altick recognizes that the modern uni- particular field, Philip M. Morse, pro- versity library fulfills a highly complex fessor of physics, Massachusetts Institute purpose and he views it as inescapable of Technology, finds that the main em- that the book-stock must be distributed phasis is on current literature. Contrary in a number of places in addition to the to the humanists and social scientists, he main stack. His hope is that decentrali- feels that the research physicist's library, zation be minimized. On the other hand, for instance, is much better if it does not if the books do have to be decentralized contain books that are very rarely used.14 and in some instances stored, he pleads According to Fred L. Pundsack, senior that their current whereabouts be clearly research chemist, Johns-Manville Cor- noted in the public catalog.18 poration, the user of a scientific library Millett blames the librarians for the expects to find a comprehensive file of growth of research libraries in universi- periodicals relating to his field of in- ties. He states that librarians hesitate to terest, as well as a relatively extensive throw anything away because they always holding of reference books and texts.15 fear that the book they discard will be A final comment equally applicable the one someone wants next month, and, • to all groups is made by Altick. He pro- he says, they are always chagrined when tests the practice of withholding such they cannot at once produce what is materials as manuscripts from the use of wanted.19 Later comments by Millett in- all but some privileged person who has dicate that he was more concerned with successfully asserted his right to a mo- college, rather than university, libraries. nopoly. Altick agrees that a faculty mem- A primary problem of the researcher ber who has materially aided in the in science is keeping up with the litera- acquisition of a certain collection is en- ture. To find a solution to this problem titled to first use, provided that he does is the central concern of suggestions. so within a reasonable time. After the Ralph E. Cleland, department of expiration of that time, the collection botany, Indiana University, and Mil- should be thrown open with as few re- dred C. Rebstock, research department, strictions as possible to all scholars.16 Parke, Davis 8c Company, Detroit, sug- 13 Brinton, "Patterns of Research and Changing Li- gest that scientific journals, instead of brary Needs," in Pennsylvania. University. Library. Op. cit., p.10; McDermott, "A University Professor publishing full-length papers, as is cur- Appraises the University Library," Missouri Library Association Quarterly, XII (1951), 231. rent practice, should present concise yet 14 "What Scholars Expect of Library Service to Readers," in Williams, ed. Op. cit., p.78. 13 "What the User Expects from the Library," 17 Op. cit., pp.61-62. Special Libraries, XL (1955), 163. 18 Of. cit., p.379. M Op. cit., p.381. 19 Loc. cit.

SEPTEMBER 1959 357 comprehensive abstracts of the author's R. M. Hartwell, head of the School of work, written by the author, and then Humanities and Social Sciences, New make the entire paper available on mic- South Wales University of Technology, rocard or microfilm. This practice, they believes that in universities the choice believe, would make for publishing is usually the prerogative of the scholar, economy. Rebstock adds that another even though the librarian argues that course which many scientific researchers he is the more impartial buyer and that believe would help control the volume too often when the scholar directs the of the scientific literature involves the buying, he buys only to suit his indi- use of more restraint on the part of vidual research.22 Hart suggests increased authors and editors alike in deciding specialization in acquisitions and in- what is really worth publishing. There creased attention to interlibrary loans. has been a tendency, she says, particu- He reasons that these two activities larly in some academic circles, to eval- might help keep down the need for du- uate a person by the number of papers plication of books in one research library he publishes rather than by the quality after another.23 of his work.20 Comments by scholars on catalogs, Another suggestion for coping with cataloging, and classification point up the vast amount of scientific literature is the difficulty librarians have in coping advanced by Watson Davis, director of with these problems to everyone's sat- Science Service. Instead of traditional isfaction, especially since there is a di- publication, he recommends auxiliary vergence of opinion between the human- publication through the deposit of the ists and social scientists on the one hand manuscript in a central place, to be and the natural scientists on the other. numbered and abstracted without cost Hartwell, speaking for the humanists by the central agency. The central agency and social scientists, recognizes that the could then send out film copies of any important link between the reader and deposited manuscript, as requested, the books of a library is the catalog, and through the abstracting service. This that the catalog is of great use both to idea, he points out, is already in oper- the scholar and to the general reader. ation in the Bibliography of Scientific For the general reader, however, he be- and Industrial Reports, prepared by the lieves the catalog need be little more Office of the Publication Board, Depart- than a finding list. For the scholar, on ment of Commerce.21 the other hand, it should be a reference The Scholar's Viewpoint on the Tech- tool in its own right. To avoid delay and nical Services. The area of technical duplication in cataloging, he supports centralized cataloging programs.24 Mc- services is one with which scholars are Dermott admits that books must be cat- generally not too familiar. They should aloged for convenience of storing and not be expected to be, although some finding, but he complains that some- understanding on their part of technical times rules are neither reasonable nor procedures would lead to increased un- applicable. The fact is, he says, that derstanding of what services a research cataloging appears to be one of the great library can provide. mysteries to the non-librarian.25 One of the questions raised by schol- ars is who shoidd choose the books to Read claims that there is a lack of 26 be acquired, the scholar or the librarian. good comprehensive subject catalogs.

22 "The Librarian and the Scholar," Australian Li- 20 Cleland, "The Use of Material," Science CXXI brary Journal, II (1953), 93. (1955), 519; Rebstock, "Chemist, the Library and the 23 Op. cit., p.63. Laboratory," Special Libraries, XLVII (1956), 19, 20. 24 Op. cit., p.94. 21 William H. Carlson, "Research Worker and the 25 Op. cit., p.232. Library," CRL, VII (1946), 296. mOp. cit., p.101.

358 COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES William B. Hamilton, professor of his- requires material in the field of geology. tory, Duke University, in agreement with In his judgment the wisest course for Read, states that the tremendous range him to follow would be to ask his col- of the social scientist and the humanist leagues in the geology department for is sufficient justification for plenty of help rather than tackle the subject cards subject cards in the catalog. This seems for geology in the library catalog. For to him to be the only answer to refute this reason he does not think an elab the view held by some extremists that orate system of subject cards can be jus- a scholar is a specialist who already tified on the ground that occasional ma- knows the literature of his field or can terial outside his area of specialization readily explore it through bibliographies may be required. He believes that pre- and indexes. In his opinion, the scholar paring and circulating classified lists of must place heavy dependence on the new accessions would help more than subject catalog in research libraries. For making subject entries for card catalogs. this reason, Hamilton expects and hopes Fruton also comments on descriptive that a catalog constitutes an exhaustive cataloging. To him, the card catalog is bibliography on a subject; that it opens of secondary importance, and is consult- up most subjects to the uninitiated; that ed only as a finding list to help locate it pinpoints for the scholar the works items which cannot readily be found on and keys that will lead to a thorough the shelves. Fruton believes that scien- exploration of his subjects; and that the tists generally would like all data on catalog lists the holdings of the library catalog cards to be accurate and reli- under headings currently in use with able, but he would be content with mere both a little ingenuity and a little knowl- identification. He finds that catalogers edge of the conventions of subject head- often set up technical headings which ings. Finally, documents ought to take are difficult for library users to locate. their place in the subject catalog.27 His experience has been that entries Allen T. Hazen, professor of English, under personal names are not hard to School of Library Service, Columbia find, but he has trouble with items list- University, comments that it is his belief ed under the names of institutions, espe- that the researcher approaches the sub- cially government agencies. And, finally, ject catalog by cutting across the lines Fruton suggests that the filing rules necessarily laid down by the subject should be as non-technical as possible cataloger. He suggests that the cataloger so that entries can be easily found.29 is unable to foresee all possible paths In the area of the technical services that may be taken by a scholar.28 the scientists are the most vocal about Joseph S. Fruton, professor of bio- classification. Fruton states flatly that the chemistry, Yale University, representing fact there are so many classification sys- the point of view of natural scientists, tems suggests that there is something makes some remarks concerning, catalogs wrong with all of them. He feels that one and cataloging that seem to be contrary of the major difficulties in the organizing to those of humanists and social scien- of current scientific works is the impossi- tists. He states that it is often said that bility of accommodating a necessarily rig- library subject headings may be helpful id classification scheme to major changes to a person working in a field other than in the trend of scientific research and his own. He asks us to suppose that he emergence of new scientific disciplines.30 Morse expresses his doubts concerning 27 "What Scholars Expect of Library Cataloguing," in Williams, ed. Op. cit., pp.66, 67. classification systems by stating that any 28 "Reflections and Observations on Subject Anal- ysis," in Maurice F. Tauber, ed. The Subject Anal- 28 "What Scholars Expect of Library Cataloguing," ysis of Library Materials (New York: Columbia Uni- in Williams, ed. Op. cit., pp.73-75. versity, School of Library Service, 19S3), p.195. 30 Ibid., pp.61, 72. 486 SEPTEMBER 1959 system attempting to classify things on a publication according to some prear- linear basis—one-dimensionally—cannot ranged system.32 succeed much better than the present Research Assistance and the Scholar. classifications do.31 It is important to know what special The scientist Vannevar Bush recog- services the scholars would like to have nizes that the investigator constantly is in addition to the materials they want seeking to isolate the findings and con- available. Some libraries have provided clusions of thousands of other research research assistance to the scholars; how- workers, but finds it impossible to keep ever, the success or failure of such as- abreast of current thought, even in re- sistance has depended on the local situ- stricted fields. He feels, however, that the ation. Altick believes that on the staff difficulty is not so much that there is an of every large research library there undue amount of publishing in view of should be at least a few persons whose the extent and variety of present day in- major training has been not in library terests, but rather that publication has science, but in the various fields of the been extended far beyond present ability humanities and the social sciences. These to make real use of the record. He finds that professionally the methods of trans- people should have had not only exten- mitting and reviewing the results of re- sive personal experience in research, but search are old and inadequate. The real what is even more important they should heart of the matter of selection, he feels, be expected to keep up with all the lat- goes deeper than a lag in the adoption of est developments in their fields, such as mechanisms by libraries, or a lack of de- the appearance of new reference works velopment of devices for their use. The and bibliographies.33 ineptitude in getting at the record is Testimony has been presented earlier largely caused by the artificiality of sys- to the effect that the literature in any tems of indexing. He points out that one subject is getting to be so vast that when data of any sort are placed, in stor- the researcher can keep up with it only age, they are filed alphabetically or nu- with the greatest difficulty. Henry Gil- merically and the information is found man, professor of organic chemistry, by tracing down from subclass to sub- Iowa State College, feels that the scien- class. It can be in only one place unless tist wants to be liberated from the in- duplicates are vised. Having found an creasing drudgery of literature search- item, he says, one has to emerge from es.34 Pundsack, on the other hand, be- the system and re-enter on a new path. lieves that a research man should make He contends that the human mind does his own literature surveys,35 and Ed- not work that way. It operates by associ- ward G. Lewis, associate professor of ation and man cannot hope to duplicate fully this mental process artificially, but political science, University of Illinois, he certainly ought to be able to learn feels that the political scientist of some from it. The first idea, therefore, to be experience does not expect help on the drawn from the analogy concerns selec- body of his material, but on the all- tion. He predicts that selection by asso- important and often elusive peripheral ciation rather than indexing may yet be details. He thinks that the reference li- mechanized. In the future, Bush be- brarian should be the one to be called lieves, the problem of classification will on for this type of assistance, as well as be met by arranging for the classifica- 32 Science, the Endless Frontier (Washington: Govt. tion of every article and report prior to Print. Off., 1945), pp.112-15. • .:.. ..'.) ..:".'• ' it! ' : 33 Op. cit., p.377. 34 "What the Scientist Expects of the Librarian," 31 Op. cit., p.79. CRL. VIII (1947), 331. 35 Op. cit., p.165.

360 COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES to keep the scholar informed about new that as much as one-third of the entire bibliographies.36 cost of research projects may lie in gath- Among the services that Pundsack and ering and interpreting literature per- others would like to have are abstract taining to the subject.41 As a corollary to bulletins published by the library. These being taught how to use the research bulletins should contain abstracts from library, Pundsack urges that the librar- current periodicals, patent abstracts, and ian of a research library prepare a writ- information about current acquisitions. ten introduction to the library to give He would also have the research library the user a background.42 furnish some type of translation service The Scholar's Version of the Ideal Li- by either sending the articles to an out- brarian. One of the most important in- side translator or by maintaining a staff gredients of a successful library of any which can translate. Finally, he would type is the librarian, and scholars have like to have research libraries circulate become very familiar with this profes- reference books, or put them on perma- sional collaborator in research. Altick nent loan to frequent users.37 finds, however, that as the library pro- Research libraries are admittedly com- fession has grown more specialized and plex. It is to be expected, therefore, that complicated, its members have lost the user may need some guidance and touch, to some extent, with the people training in their use. However, Fruton they serve. He urges that the best way states that it is the responsibility of the of closing the gap is to encourage more scientist to know the library, and the librarians to have a broad training and responsibility of the library to make a continuing interest in subject areas. books easily available and to send regu- He finds it especially regrettable that so larly to the research user lists of new many people in the top echelons of li- accessions in his general field of inter- braries have not had personal experi- est.38 Morse agrees with this position ence in humanistic research and he feels and states that the research man must that with the best will in the world they know his way around the working li- cannot possibly see things as the scholar brary. Normally, he should not have to sees them. At the same time, he finds go to the card catalog, except to find a that too often the manner of library book in some branch of his subject that people, in dealing with their patrons, is is relatively unfamiliar to him.39 Con- exasperating. He points out that he is way Zirkle, professor of botany, Univer- not speaking of department heads or sity of Pennsylvania, on the other hand, other dignitaries, but of the people un- feels that the research man will have to der them, the clerks, attendants, and as- be taught how to use the library. Few sistants, with whom the scholar has the scientists realize, he believes, that library most frequent dealings. He feels that research is actually a form of scientific the habitual discourtesy or indifference research, and therefore must be learned.40 of certain library people when dealing W. F. Waldeck, director of Research and with patrons, be they freshmen or world- Development Division, Wyandotte Chem- famed scholars, gives substance to the icals Corporation, notes that research impression held by some that libraries projects almost invariably start with a are operated not to be of all possible survey of the available information, and service to readers, but for the private convenience of the management.43 Mil- 38 "The Political Scientist in the Reference Library," let states that librarians rate the impor- CRL, XIII (1952), 162. 37 Op. cit., p. 164. 38 Op. cit., p.75. 39 Op. cit., p. 79. 41 "Research Management Looks at the Library," 40 "Patterns of Research and Changing Library Special Libraries, XL (1956), 22. Needs," in Pennsylvania. University. Library. Op. 42 Op. cit., p.166. cit., p. 17. 43 Op cit., pp.376, 377.

SEPTEMBER 1959 361 tance of their jobs and examine their ting at them, then the librarian need be salary scale in the light of the size of little more than an attendant. He also book collections, number of employees, criticizes librarians by pointing out that and total expenditures; they put little the feeling of proprietorship is the most emphasis on economy.44 common failing of librarians. The dan- 46 Jacques Barzun, Columbia Univer- ger sign is the term "my library." sity, observes that the first virtue of the Speaking for scientists, Gilman first librarian should be that of attentiveness, suggests the expectation of adequate, ef- and, his second virtue, general knowl- ficient, and courteous service. In addi- edge. Regarding the second virtue—gen- tion, the librarian should have thorough eral knowledge—Barzun believes that familiarity with indexing systems, clas- the ideal would be to have no distinc- sification, interlibrary loans, photostat- tions whatever between librarians and ing and microfilm problems, the pub- scholars: scholars should be librarians lishing habits of domestic and foreign and librarians should be scholars. To- periodicals, sources of manuscripts, re- gether, they should emphasize the using prints, and patents. The librarian should of books.45 Hartwell maintains that the also be capable of reading German, bond that should hold scholars and li- French, and Russian. He should have brarians together is their love of books. sufficient scientific background to know The librarian, like the scholar, should technical language and nomenclature, be a bibliophile. As a custodian of books, and above all, he should know at all he believes, the librarian is custodian of times where his books are and should , of the cultural heritage know how to supplement catalog infor- which is the basis of civilized living. In mation with suggestions of likely places consideration of these principles, Hart- and people capable of supplying infor- well expects from the librarian a full mation not conventionally accessible. knowledge of the resources of the li- Gilman continues that in addition to brary and of its catalogs and indexes. A knowing where his books are the librar- librarian, he states, should have knowl- ian should help his patrons by guiding edge of books as well as of library or- and instructing them in one manner or ganization, and the research librarian another to locate material quickly and should be a scholar-librarian, for only confidently without too much trial and such a person has a complete under- error. A librarian who is capable of all standing of the needs of scholars. Alter- of this should have compensation not natively, Hartwell believes, each research only in terms of money, but in rank and library should have, in addition to the prestige commensurate with the great 47 librarian, a director of research and a importance and dignity of his work. research staff who would play vital roles Librarians should find encouragement 48 in the library and its organization. in the observations of Hart. Not only is the library essential for the great uni- Hartwell makes these statements with versity, he notes, but qualified reference firmness and conviction. However, when librarians are indispensable in guiding discussing the ordering of books he re- users to the contents of the collections. verses his original opinions by proclaim- Hart shows by example how librarians ing that it is far better for the scholar to have good books than good librarians. and scholars working together assist the In fact, he contends, if the books are researcher in the completion of projects. available and there is some means of get- The Scholar Predicts the Future of 46 Op. cit., pp.91-93. 44 Loc. cit. 47 Op. cit., pp.329, 332. 45 "The Scholar Looks at the Library," CRL, VII 48 "Search and Research: The Librarian and the (1946), 115-16. Scholar," CRL, XIX (1958), 365-74.

362 COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES Research Libraries. No one can predict interlibrary loans. Finally, according to with certainty what the future holds for Gottschalk, this plan would diminish research libraries. However, there are the cost and difficulty of policing rare certain tendencies that are evident, and and costly items.49 one scholar has availed himself of the Jones adds the admonition that as opportunity to comment. government pours its millions into sci- Gottschalk feels that the foremost in- ence and the social sciences, neglecting fluence upon the university research li- the humanities, we must, if we are not brary is likely to be the international ten- to throw our whole cultural life into sion to which it will have to adjust itself. the discard, pour more money rather He feels that one of the important effects than less into university research librar- on scholarship of prolonged animosities ies, for they are the laboratories and the will be an intensification of the national refuge of the scholar, the humanist, the spirit. Therefore, the university library writer, and the philosopher.50 of the future will be able to devote less Conclusions. The preceding state- and less space to the fewer and fewer ments have revealed no startling new scholars who will be interested in rare suggestions concerning scholars' relations books and other out-of-print materials. to the research library. However, the Most research libraries will become more one truth that seems abundantly clear definitely than they are now, collections is that what may be true of one type of of reference, teaching, serial, and recent research library may not be true of an- titles, and will become less concerned other, and what may serve one scholar than now with special collections made does not necessarily serve another. up largely of rare and out-of-print books. Therefore, it is the librarian's first duty Gottschalk offers a plan to cope with to define the policies of his library based these predicted developments. He sug- on the general aims that have evolved. gests that the scholar in American uni- Special libraries and special collec- versities become less dependent upon tions present many problems. However, the university library and more willing since the purposes and aims of special to make his own special collection for libraries and special collections are usu- each of his scholarly projects in turn. ally narrower and more clearly defined, In order to facilitate this, the funds their problems are relatively simple com- now made available to librarians by pared to those of a university library. universities and foundations for special The university research library must, collections should go directly to the on the other hand, serve the entire range working scholar. Furthermore, the li- of scholarship. There are conflicting de- braries should break up the special col- mands and needs to be met. The human- lections that are not in active use and ists and social scientists would like to make the rare and out-of-print materials have everything that is in print; the in them available for long periods, either natural scientists want less of the older by loan or purchase, to the scholars who historical materials and would rather actually need them. The advantages to have current periodicals and books. In the scholar of this proposal would be fact, they would rather have librarians that he would not have to use micro- spend more time abstracting articles and films or photostats, but would have the making accession lists than caring for use of the original. The advantages to old and rarely used materials. the library would be the release of space In respect to the rapid growth of hold- that is now occupied by seldom-used ings, the humanists and social scientists works. It would reduce the number of 4S0p. cit., pp.49, SO, 51, 54, 57. visitors, of microfilm requests, and of 50 Op. cit., p.21.

SEPTEMBER 1959 363 suggest curbs by assigning priorities to to be independent workers, others would purchases. There was no suggestion from like to be relieved of some of the tedious them to reduce the amount of publishing chores that are part of scholarly re- such as proposed by the natural scien- search. There is no doubt, however, that tists. The suggestion that publishers is- assistance of some kind should be avail- sue only what is worth publishing is able. The form and nature of the serv- courageous, but not realistic. Who is to ices supplied are, of course, circum- decide what is not worth publishing? scribed by the budgets as well as the abil- The answer for libraries lies in selection ities and limitations of the librarians in after publication. A positive approach question. So far as the future is con- to coverage urges that authors abstract cerned, research libraries will probably or summarize their contribution to the continue to collect everything they deem literature. This would enable the user to get an overview of the literature in necessary to preserve the record and to his field and would conserve space in the enhance scholarship in the fields in library. which their institutions have a stake. On the other hand, improved techniques The catalog represents an area of dif- will take the path toward speedier han- ference of opinion between humanists and social scientists as opposed to natu- dling, toward improved methods of re- ral scientists. The former want as de- duction of space needs through reduc- tailed a catalog as is possible with com- tion in bulk, and toward improved meth- plete descriptions of the items cataloged ods of reproduction of materials for and with extensive subject headings. wider dissemination and use. The latter claim that many subject head- Scholars will be able to depend on the ings are unnecessary, and that a mere librarians for their future needs because finding list would be satisfactory. in the past it has been the librarians The problem of research assistance is who, through diligent and conscientious rather confused. There is disagreement effort, and often in the face of deter- among all groups of scholars, probably mined opposition by scholars and ad- based on the work methods of the indi- ministrators, have achieved whatever viduals involved. Some scholars appear improvements have been made.

Standards Reprints Available

Reprints of the "Standards for College Libraries" which appeared in the July 1959 issue of CRL are now available from the ACRL office, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago 11. Single copies will be mailed free on request. For orders of five or more reprints the price per copy is twenty cents. Prepayment will expedite de- livery of orders and it is requested that cash or check accompany orders if possible.

364 COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES