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Special Libraries, 1929 Special Libraries,

2-1-1929

Special Libraries, February 1929

Special Libraries Association

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This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Libraries, 1920s at SJSU ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Special Libraries, 1929 by an authorized administrator of SJSU ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. -- Vol. 20 February, 1924 --- No. 2

LIBRARY OF THE MARYLAND CASUALTY COMPANY

March Issue CLASSIFICATION PROBLEMS

21st CONFERENCE Washington, D. C. MAY 13,14., 15,1929

Entered an second class matter at the Post OfRce, Providence, R. I. under the Act of Mnrch 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at speeml rate of postage provided for in .&tion 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized October 22,1927. Rates: $6.00 a year. Foreign $6.60; single copies 60 cents. Contents

ARTICLES

Reference Work in the Field of Sanitary Engineer- ing. By Ruth Canavan ...... 3 9 Using the Business Library. By L. L. Briggs...... 44 Work of a Child-Welfare Library. By Mrs. Mary Waldo Taylor ...... 42

-NOTES American Library Association Nominating Corn- mittee Report ...... 53 Business Branch Keeps a Diary for a Day ...... 47 International Library and Bibliographical Congress 5 1

Library Tour, May 24-July 22, 1929 , ..... 49 Some Thoughts on a Financial Library ...... 54

DEPARTMENTS

Editorials ...... 48 Institutional Members 36 Events and Publica- tions ...... 55 Science and Technology 52

Special Libraries

Published Monthly September to April, bl-monthly May to August by THE SPECIAL LIBRARIES ASSOCIATION

Publication Office, 11 Nisbet Street, Providence, R. I.

All payments sho~~ldbe made to Rlrs. H. 0. Brigham, Exec~~tiveSecretary, 11 Nisbet Street, hovidence, R. I. SPECIA,L LIBRARIES Institutional Members

California 01[1 Colony Trust Co., Ros~o~i 1,os A~ikelcbI'ul~liv I,~l)r~iry,1.0s AII~CIC~ Social I,nw Lil,mry, 13oston Tcsas Co., 1.0s hngclcs Stone B \Ycbstcr, Boston Connecticut Michigan Phocnix hlutual Lifc Ir~sura~~ccCo., Hartford General hIotors Corporation, Iletroit l'nlc 1;nivcrsity Lib~ary,New ITavcn Missouri Delaware CIU Pcmt clc NCIIIOLIIS,r; I., \V~ll~lingtnn New Jersey Illinois *ILll;c.litc ('111 ~~11~alt1011,I~IIJ~IIII~~cIII.

Allyn, A, (', K ('(1 , ('IIIC~~IJ Ncw Jcrsry 13rll 'l'clcl~l~mc(.omp;iny, NewL~rli Byllesby B Co , I I RI , Ch~cago Newark I'ublir [.ih~,~ry,Uusincss Branch, Krwark Tribunc, Chicago Publlc Ser \.ice Coi poration of Ncw Je~sey, Con~monrrcnltl~Eclison Con~panv,Cl~ir~l~o Newark Ellznbetli McCor~nickRlrmorial Fund, Chi- Standard Oil Dcvelopmcnt Co., I

*Now rnornlm~jninorl slnrtx I:wt l-eur 01 Sp~r~alLtbrnrlcs February, 1929 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 3 7

Child Study Association, New York Ohio Cleanliness Institute Library, New York Co., Rescarcll Lrrboratory, Con~bustionUtilities Corporation, Long Island Clevelnncl City Ohio Oil Co., Findlay Consolidatecl Gas Co, of New York Proctor & Gamble, Cincinnati Electric Bond & Share Co., New York Federal Reserve Bank of New York Fleischmann Company, New York Oklahoma Ford, Bacon & Davis, New Yo1 k U. S. Bureau of Mines, Bartlesville General Electric Co., Main Library, Sche- nectady Pennsylvania Grant Co., W. T., Ncw York Grosvenor Library, Bulfalo hr~~islrongCork Co., Lallcaster Guaranty Conipany of New York 17ranltlin Inst~tute,Philadelphia Haskins & Sclls, N Y. C. IIoughton, E. F. & Co., Ph~ladelpliia Industrial Relations Counselors, New York Jones & Lauglilin Steel Cpnlpany, Pittsburgh Interr~ational Railway Co., Buffalo New Jersey Z~ncCo., Palmerton John Pricc Jones Corporal ion, New York phi lad el phi^^ College of Pha~macy and Sciencc, Longmans, (;reen & Company, New l'orl: Plliladelphin RIcCall Company, Ncw l'ork Philadelpl~iaE~CCLI ic Company, Pl~iladelpllia Merchants Association of New York [-'lliladeIphin Iiapitl Transit Company, Phila hIetropolitan Muscutu of Art, New York clelphia kletropolitan Life Insurance Company, New Pittsburgh R,~il\v~~ysCompany, Pittsburgh York l'rovitlcnt hlutual Iilc Insurance Co., Phila Rlunicipal Hclcrcnce Library, New York School of Fine Arts, Univ. Penna , Phila. National Association of Manufncturcrs, Ncw Wcstinghousc Electric Research Library, E. York Pittsl~urgh \\'yon~issing 'I'r,~clc School, Wyomissirig National Automobile Chan~be~of Comnierce, New York Rhode Island National City Fin:lncii~l I.iLrary, New \'ark New Jersey Zinc Co~npnn)~,Ncw l'ork IZl~orlcISI~IIII~ S~;lte Library, I'rovidencc Ncw York Tclcphonc Conipany, Ncw York New York 'Timcs, 'L'l~e,Ncw Yorl; Wisconsin North American Company, Ncw Yorlr 1;11st \V~sconsin N,itional 13nnk, Milwaukee Price, Waicrl~ousc& Co , New York hl;~rshnllIlslcy Jhk, hlllwaukee Putnam's Sons, G. P., New York Schustcr & Co., Edward Jnc., Milwaukee liussell Sngc Foundation, Ncw York Slnclair Rcfin~ngCo., Ncw York Canada Standard Statistics Conipnny, New York IIytlroclcc~ric Power Conmission of Ontario, United States Rubber Conipnny, New York Toron to IJnionTclcgra~h Corn!Jany, York IVestern New ~~~~~~~i~l~i[cAssur,,llce Co. of Canada, Toronto While c% ICemble, New York Royal Rank of Canada, Montreal Wilson Co., T-1.W , New York Toronto Transportation Comnlission, Toronto

'Now memhers joined slncc laat lasue of Spdcial LiBrnri#s. Special Libraries

VoI. 20 FEBRUARY, 1929 No. 2

The year 1929 is signalized by an International Library and Biblio- graphical Congress to be held at Rome and Venice, June 13 -30. Librarians leaving New York the week Following the Washington Con- ference of the A. L. A. and affiliated associatiok will journey through France, Switzerland and Italy, arriving in Rome in time for the Con- gress. Elsewhere in this issue we present the itinerary of the tour and preliminary announcements.

Reference Work. in the Field of Sanitary Engineering By Ruth Canavan, Librarian, Metcalf & Eddy, Boston, Mass,

HERE is probably no profession less concerns himself with the building of T understood or so difficult to define extensive water distribution systems, as that of sanitary engineering. The reservoirs, dams and standpipes, and general conception seems to be that it with the vast network of sewers which has "something to do with plumbing," serve our communities. These sewerage and by "plumbing" most peopIe under- systems receive not only drainage from stand the mysterious but very necessary house and building connections, but system of piping that brings into our also industrial wastes and in some cases houses and buildings the water supply storm water runoff. and conveys away the waste waters. Having collected all this noxious Where these waste waters eventually putresible conglomeration the sanitary go is a matter not even of conjecture to engineer then has the delightful task of most people. It is a case of "out of disposing of it, and of doing so in such a sight, out of mind." And so it is that way that no offense will be occasioned that very able and carefully trained either to the community contributing public servant, the sanitary engineer, the sewerage or to other neighboring is not known to the general public, and communities, as for instance, those which his activities remain to them a mystery. might suffer from its discharge untreated It is to be regretted that the more into an inadequate water course. So efficient his activities, the less evident he has devised various methods of they become. His fine work in eliminat- treatment, their complexity depending ing substances and conditions which if upon the degree of purification neces- they were not taken care of would be sary before ultimate disposal. Of detrimental to the health and welfare course, where there is an ocean avail- of the whole community, receives all able, a large lake, or an ample water too inadequate recognition. course, an outfall sewer can be provided So the sanitary engineer, leaving to through which the sewage may be dis- the plumber the complications of drain- charged untreated or possibly with just age and piping inside our buildings, the additional refinement of a screen by 40 SPECIAL LIBRARIES February, 1929 which the coarser organic matter is re- before the stern judicial eye, to testify moved. In other instances, however, in a rare suit, to give evidence as to an intensive treatment may be required equitable figure to be paid for a water in order to produce a clear odorless company which is to be taken over by a effluent and to reduce the offensive municipality, or a just price to be solids to stable earthy material. charged by a city for supplying water to There are various processes for ob- a suburban district. So in connection taining the desired degree of purification, with the water works' end of his pro- and they are extremely interesting, but fession the sanitary engineer must how too complicated to be explained here. something of the law, something ol They all, however, depend very largely chemistry and something of public upon bacterial activity either aerobic or health, for there are water-borne epi- anaerobic, for the reduction of the or- demics to be taken into account and pro- ganic matter to a material which is vided against, such as typhoid and odorless and nonputrefactive. This anthrax, and there is the danger of pol- makes a knowledge of bacteriology lution of water sources and of contamina- essential to the sanitary engineer. He tion of the supply during distribution. must have also the structural knowledge In recent years, with the development of the civil engineer and some under- of garbage and refuse disposal the standing of mechanical engineering, in sanitary engineer has been getting more order to design the details of his treat- and more involved in a consideration ment plants and other structures. of this fascinating problem, which pre- In the design of his sewerage system sents almost as great possibilities in the allowance frequently has to be made for way of complexity as the sewage dis- storm water, and this entails a study of posal problem, and even greater promise meteorology to the extent that he must of the recovery of by-products. The be able to prophesy the frequency of recovery of by-products in the sewage storms and the amount and intensity of disposal field has so far been limited to precipitation to be expected. There are utilizing the treatment plant solids as legal questions which arise in con- fertilizer; either turning this substance nection with rights of way, contractors' over in a semi-liquid state to farmers for claims, responsibility for the surcharging ploughing into their agricultural fields, of sewers and consequent flooding, lia- or after rather complicated treatment bility for the dissemination of odors which includes pressing, drying and from treatment plants, or for pollution grinding, putting it on the market as of streams by the discharge of sewage commercial fertilizer base. In the to the detriment of the health and wel- garbage reduction plants grease is re- fare of communities below. covered by a somewhat complicated But, as has been hinted above, the process; in the incinerators the slag from sanitary engineer not only does away the furnaces has been utilized for mak- with waste waters, he supplies also the ing concrete, and steam has been waters that later go to waste. It is to generated; and especially in England the sanitary engineer that the com- very efficient systems of refuse picking munity turns for advice as to a proper and separating have been installed, and adequate source of water supply whereby all the usable materials are and the best means of distributing it. redeemed. It is he who investigates possible sources In connection with the recovery of of supply, has test wells put down, byproducts it might be of interest to examines promising dam sites, gauges add that the latest development in the stream flow, and tests out the quality sewage disposal field is the recovery of of available waters. Here again he is the gas generated by the action of confronted with the legal aspect. There bacteria upon the putrescible organic are riparian rights to be considered, matter in tanks, which results in the diversion damages, and compensation breaking down of this substance into "in kind" (as by a compensating reser- earthy stable matter. These tanks are voir). Again, he is dragged (but not un- supplied with gas vents, the gas col- willingly, because legal work has its lected and utilized for burning about the compensations; and not "in kind") plant. In some instances, notably in February, 1929 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 41

Germany, the gas is being piped to the From the foregoing descriptioll of the municipal gas plant and sold. scope of the sanitary engineering field As an adjunct to and supplementing sollie comprehension may be gained as the municipal sewage treatment plant to the variety of questions which the the sanitary engineer also designs resi- reference worker in this field is called dential, institutional and industrial upon to atis\ver. Perhaps the most usual plants, where it has not seemed feasible and frequent are those relating to or desirable to make connection with the construction methods and equipment, municipal system. The problem of and progress in the art. These can be industrial wastes disposal is estremely answered by reference to the hanclbooks, varied and almost unlimited it1 its testboolts or periodical articles. In- possibilities of development along the dustrial Arts Index and Engineering line of the recovery of byproducts. Indes are helpful, and also U. S. Public To solve a problem of this sort the I-Iealth Engineering Abstracts and sanitary engineer must inform himself Chemical Abstracts. Then there are the as to the process of manufacture in less scientific questions such as checking question, and must determine the char- up addresses, names of city officials, acter and the quantity of the wastes to populations, dates, etc., for which The be expected from every step in that World Almanac, Municipal Indes, I-Ien- process. He must know all the waste dricks' Colnnlercial Register, Sweet's waters that would come from a woolen catalogs (Engineering and Architect- mill, from a tannery, from a laundry, ural), Chemical Catalog, society mem- from pickling works, etc , and be pre- bership lists and directories are useful. pared not only to provide a way of For legal citations Public Utilities Re- satisfactorily disposing of these greasy, ports -4nnotated is reliable, and refer- alkaline or acid wastes, but of saving ence is made to acts and resolves and to such substances as are worth saving and court decisions of the various states and as it is economically practicable to the Federal courts. The patent file, recol7er. both Unitcd States, and foreign, is often The sanitary engineer cannot be consulted. U. S. Geological Survey pub- merely a theorist or an idealist The lications and those of the U. S Dept. financial aspect has ever to be con- of Agriculture are popular, as well as the sidered; the econon~icfeatures always bulletins issued by the engineering ex- must be faced. No manufacturer wants periment stations of the various col- to pay more for the recovery of a product leges. A classed indes to take the place than its value justifies, nor does a of the subject indes has given good ser- municipality want to go to refinements vice for the past year. of treatment when disposal by dilution As the scope 1s so estensive it is neces- is perfectly practicable sary to depend upon the co-operation Above all, the sanitary engineer is an and hospitality of neighboring libraries, economist. Moreover, if he makes the to know, for instance, that through the people in a comn~unity.pay tases for courtesy of the ever genial Mr. Handy, something that they never see, the one may consult a complete file of Fire health of that comn~unity depends Underwriters reports, urtobtainable else- upon their paying tliose taxes. For with- where; that the Boston Society of Civil out his activities in ensuring a safe and Engineerst library is the best bet for dependable water supply and freedom city and town reports; that the Boston from the pestilence and liability to Medical library is open three evenings a disease which have always inevitably week, and that the Boston Society of attended lack of sanitation the doctors Natural I-Iis~oryhas some unsuspected would have no time and no encourage- riches in the way of geological data and ment to devote themselves to the avoid- maps. ance of what might be termed the more So it is that in doing reference work "refined" diseases of the present day, in the field of sanitary engineering, in contrast to the terrible plagues and which is so closely related to other scourges of the eighteenth century fields, the librarian appreciates very before the need for sanitation became much the privilege of occasio?ally tres- recognized. passing., and the opportunity which 4 2 SPECIAL LIBRARIES February, 1929

The Special Libraries Association offers only a personal gratification in the for becoming conversant with the re- meeting if friends; it is an sources of other libraries and of getting education and an inspiratioll. lt may acquainted with those in charge of them. almost be said to be a professional neces- ~h~~ attending---- of the meetings of the local chapte; becomes, thereufore, not sit~. The Work of a Child-Welfare Library* By Mrs. Mary Waldo Taylor, Librarian, Elizabeth McCormick Memorial Fund, Chicago HERE was a time when the field From the beginning our users have of child welfare went through a been drawn from the ranks of social Tstage in which propaganda played the workers, teachers, students, librarians, leading rdle. Exhibits and speakers physicians, nurses, child study groups, throughout the country called atten- parent-teacher groups, and women's tion to the needs of children. As in the clubs. As knowledge has spread of the case of most public welfare work, much service available through our library, of the propaganda was valuable. That its activities have grown beyond any propaganda period is practically over, expectation. During 1927 and 1925 to and we are now in the stage where date, a total of 775 child-welfare bib- serious study is being given various liographies have been sent out to 41 phases of the subject, not only by states and 12 foreign countries. During professional workers, but by the lay the same period 228 loan packages have public as well. In such a stage the gone to 23 states. Our guest book specialized library finds a very real records visitors from 36 states, including place. the District of Columbia, and from The Elizabeth McCormick Memorial fourteen foreign countries. Fund established its child welfare li- We have also sent shelves of books to brary in 1922. Fourteen years of ac- schools and to hospitals for the use of tivity by the Fund preceded this under- teachers, nurses, and social workers in taking. During this period, through its those fields. This has been done in co- contacts with health and child-welfare operation with departments of work in workers and its educational programs our own organization. There is no among citizen groups, the need for a doubt that there is additional value in central specialized library of this kind having the library connected with an became evident. Those directing the organization which is doing scientific Fund's program felt that its object "to work along several lines. It gives the improve the coudition of child life in library an opportunity to come i?to the United States," would be definitely close touch with many lines of chdd promoted by a service making accessible welfare work and to render service just to those working in behalf of children when and where it is most needed. the literature which had grown up. Notices concerning the library were This connection provides not only an sent to the official publications of avenue of service, but one of publicity. social agencies dealing with children. Whenever the organization sends an The response was immediate. We ex- exhibit of its activities to professional pected that it would develop as a refer- or educational groups, the library is ence library entirely. It became evident included with a poster announcing its almost at once that if we were to give services, with sample bibliographies, the service demanded, we must also and very often with a shelf of books. circulate books. We found it necessary Booklets descriptive of the Fund's to organize the work to include a projects also include a description of bibliography service, loan packages, the library service. relerence work in the library and There is nothing stereotyped about reference work by correspondence. either our bibliographies or our loan 'Presented at Meeting of Illinoin Library Association, October 18, 1928.

I February, 1929 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 43 packages. We do not have set packages kept pace with by persons who are not already made up. While the same prepared to give practically their entire bibliography often answers for more time to the subject. It is here that the than one worker, we are always glad to special library may serve the public prepare special ones on any phase of library. child welfare. Students and readers are It is always gratifying when a librarian urged to be as frank with us as they writes that she will not need a loan shelf would be with their lawyers, because if again because the use made of our books we can understand exactly what they has justified the purchase of a col- are trying to do, we attempt to make the lection for the library. We are frequent- service rendered cover their particular IJ~asked to help with suggestions as to needs. the selection to be made. On the Eliza- From the very start, we have courted beth McCormick Memorial Fund screen relations with public libraries, because in the exhibits you will find two such there lies the great opportunity to reach selections. One librarian wished to large numbers of people and to do buy twenty-five books as a nucleus for a individual work. A special library car1 parent-teacher child-study circle. An- only hope to reach the leaders. In our other larger library asked a group of loan package service, while we do send physicians for a list of books on child books to responsible individuals, we are health which should be in a public more and more encouraging them to library in a small city, and they referred request their local libraries to send for the request to us. the loan. Naturally this secures greater Also on the screen is a list of child- safety for our books, but more import- welfare subjects on which bibliographies ant than that is the opportunity to have already been prepared. In addition, encourage that person to use her local you will find some esamples of subject library. From time to time we have heads in use in our catalog. published suggested lists of books for I have here a bibliography entitled parental reading. We have also stood "The Parents' Bookshelf." The entries ready to loan a shelf of such books to have been selected with the average libraries req~lestingit. parent in mind, and technical refer- Librarians are often astonished to ences have been omitted. find the interest which is aroused in a We now have upward of ten thousand comnlunity by featuring a "Parents' books and pamphlets in the library Bookshelf" for three or four weeks. If covering every phase of child welfare the books are placed in the lobby with with the esception of the broad field of appropriate signs so that they may be education. Here we have limited our- seen and handled by all who enter, selves to the smaller subject of health and if proper publicity is given through education, since that is one of the major newspapers and by announcement at subjects of the Fund's activities. VTe club meetings, many new readers are receive regularly about one hundred attracted to the library. With the periodicals-magazines and regular pub- growth of the child study or parental lications of private or public organiza- education movement over the country, tions. this is more and Inore the case, and lye treat all pamphlets as books and public libraries have a rare opportul~ity place them on the shelves with the to bring parents to a realization that the books. We catalog not only the books, library is an agency ready to help in but also magazine articles which treat solving their many problems of child of child welfare topics. training. I do not wish to take time to go il!to Great care must be esercised in the details of library practice. Suffice to selection of books for parent reading. say that we try to be constantly on the The field is so fertile just now with the alert for ways and means of reaching and steady growth of parents' interest irr interesting greater numbers in scientific reading, that the literature on the sub- methods of child welfare work. And we ject of child welfare, and particularly wish the members of the Illinois State that phase having to do with child train- Library Association to feel that when ing and the mental hygiene of childhood, demands are made along this line, we is increasing much too rapidly to be stand ready to serve them. SPECIAL LIBRARIES February, 1929 Using the Business Library By L. L. Briggs, Professor of Economics, University of Vermont ibrarian is Responsible for Use. A department may function to better ad- business library may contain the vantage. One of the large banks of the latestL and best information, be well or- country requires its librarian to read ganized and administered by a pro- the daily mail that is circulated among fessional librarian and still be a liability the offices. This enables him to quickly to the organization if its use is not learn the needs for inforn~ationand he commensurate with its cost. It some- manages the library accordingly. Ano- times happens that an executive installs ther organization has its librarian present an excellent library from which his busi- at all conlercnces of department heads. ness receives little service because there At these meetings he learns what the is no one to show the en~ployeeshow it various departments reqdre along the can assist them in their daily work. The line of print and this knowledge makes librarian is responsible for putting the it possible for him to take steps to meet information which has been collected those requirementsl. The concern that into practical use and he must make the has its librarian informed in these ways library an integral part of the organiza- as to what is expected of the library has tion which it serves. In order to ac- done much to make it a valuable unit complish this objective he cannot wait of its organization. until he is called upon for service but Salesnzanslzip is Necessary. The suc- must visualize informational needs in cessful business librarian must be an advance and satisfy those needs. Con- expert salesman of his stock of inlorma- sequently, he must keep in close touch tion because many of those needing with the information requirements of his it are unaware of their lack of lrnowl- concern; see that the library service is edge. I-le should be able to show the constantly kept before the esecutives executives and the en~ployeesthe value and the employees and place the facts of the print which he has collected and in a form readily usable by them. organized for them. People connected Co-operation of Executives is Necessary. with the business who are neglecting Although the responsibility for the use information to their own loss and that of the business library falls upon the of their employer should be shown the librarian, he can give the best service error of their ways. The librarian in only when the executives, department putting his print into practical use is heads and the rank and file of em- justified in using the various methods ployees tell him what their needs are. of salesmanship as talking, displaying, It is only in this way that he can fully giving out samples and making friends. realize the fact requirements of his Material Brought to Attention. The concern and understand the trend of the successful business librarian always is business. It is an axiom among business on the lookout for print that will be librarians that, "The business library useful to the concern. He keeps a list cannot adequately function without of the subjects in which the members the complete confidence and co-operation of his organization are interested. The of the executives of the organization." incoming material is examined with However, the librarian may learn a great these subjects in mind and when some deal about the needs of the business by valuable information is discovered it is careful observation. immediately brought to the attention Methods of Learni~zgNeeds. There are of those concerned. It is essential that several methods by which the librarian he have an all around understanding is allowed to catch a glimpse of the of the business from the standpoint of inside workings of the business in order the service which print can render to to determine upon ways by which his the solution of its problems*. If he is

ILoomis, Metta M. Libraries That Pay. Independent, June 26, 1919. Page 1496. Xrause, Louise B. Better Business Librariee. Chaptor X. Page 91. February, 1929 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 45 such an espert in his line and is so fam- the employees. These reports may iliar with the material with which he cover an almost unlimited variety of works that he can forecast areas of topics. Some of them may be: history interest in the industry and be pre- of the firm; prices of products manu- pared beforehand for inquiries he will factured ; description of products; special be able to make his services almost in- uses of products; market analysis and valuable. special information for salesmen.8 Distrib~dtionof I7zjormalio1z. Another Nezvs Letters. In order to answer duty of the special librarian is to devise minor questions and inquiries many means for the distribution of informa- concerns have the librarian issue what tion. That he be able to perform this is kllowll as a News Letter or Service duty effectively it is best that he be Bulletin, combining news and notes given full authority over the receipt regarding current developments in the as well as over the distribution of all business. This letter frequently has library material. The print should come some characteristic that holds the at- to the library first and from there be tention of the employees. A successful distributed to the various departments news letter service has often become a of the organization. The librarian knows very valuable asset to the firm issuing it. better than anyone else how this material should be handled in relation to the Development of a Nailinglist. When needs. the business librarian makes his prelimi- nary informational survey he usually rec- Means of Distribzilion. Many service ords the sources from which the various organizations have failed because the inquiries come. Using this as a basis a problem of distribution was not solved. mailing list may be developed. It can The service of the business library fails be arranged so as to indicate the special if the distribution is not prompt and subject in which each person is in- carefully gauged to meet the demands terested. Group interests may also be of those served. It is important that taken into account'. great care be taken in regard to the form and manner in which information is Service ~l/liut be Kept Before the Or- sent out. Fact information is generally ganization. The librarian should see given out by one or more of the follow- that the service his library can render ing methods: verbal reports to in- is constantly kept before the executives quirers; letters or typewritten memo- and employees. One of the best means randa; news letters or bulletins and to this end is a full knowledge of the special reports or monographs. contents of the collection. Another is Verbal Re$orls. Verbal reports are the ability to obtain accurately and made by the librarian after reference quickly information of all kinds. By to his materials for information concern- telephone, telegraph or correspondence ing the subject about which his inquirer he should be able to bring to the desk wishes to learn. He should show a of the executive, the right data at the prompt and courteous desire to be of right time. New books should be service. When he answers letters he brought to the attention of the members has more time to study the data and of the organization and an attempt made these reports are more in the nature of to see that all clippings and articles of abstracts. interest to any person are taken to him as soon as possible. This last service Special Reports or Monographs. Since is a valuable help to the business man he is in constant contact with the and takes very little extra effort on the problems of the business, the librarian part of the librarian'. soon finds that certain questions come up frequently. Often when a subject Issue 01 Digests .and Indexes. The becomes very prominent, he will per- putting of periodicals to work through form a valuable service by making a the library is of the utmost importance. study of this subject and writing a Several organizations that have a lar e special report for distribution among number of employees issue weekly fi- 'H~dc,Dorsey W., Jr. Worknhops for Aeaembllng Business Facts. Pagon 17-18. 4Ibid. Pagc 19. IKerr, Eleanor. Building Up the Special Library. Special Libraries, April, 1018. Pagea 96-96. 46 SPECIAL LIBRARIES February, 1929

gests and indeses to leading articles in reference or not. Improvements in the the current periodicals, thus making it employees usually tell the story. They possible for them to receive in brief soon learn that by reading the books form references to the most important referred to they can discover in a few journal articles for the period. Abstracts minutes what they would not otherwise from the business literature assist re- be able to find out except by hard ex- search men in using the library. perience and discouraging mistakes'. Bulletins May be Issued. Some busi- ness libraries issue mimeographed bul- Methods of Directzng Print to Users. letins at regular intervals. The libraries One large company employes a method of the larger concerns issue them daily that involves the following procedure : while those of the smaller organizations When the librarian receives a book or a put them out weekly or bi-weekly. The periodical he goes through the table of library of the National Bank of Com- contents and makes a list of individuals merce of New York sends out a daily or departments to whom the print should summary of news items that are of be useful. He then circulates the mater- particular interest to that institution. ial among the employees whose names The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland appear on the list. There is a time limit publishes a semi-monthly service bulle- to the use of it on the first trip, since tin which is mainly a digest of articles the purpose is to inform those who might that are of interest to bankers in the be interested that it is in the library Fourth Federal Reserve District. Each and consequently they are not expected digest is headed with the name of the to read it through. After it has made periodical from which it was taken. the circle of the list it is returned to the The subscription rate of the magazine librarian and is cross-indexed. After and the address of the publisher are that it may be consulted by anyone given so that if a man desires a copy whenever desired and unless it is a containing an article of interest it will reference book which must remain on be easy for him to obtain it. Many con- the shelves, it may be taken out for a cerns send out mimeographed lists of week at a time. The main virtue of this periodical articles entered under the method is that it makes everyone fam- subjects with which the articles deal. iliar with at least the title and subject These lists are often in the form of news matter of all new books and periodicals bulletins and they not only inform the likely to be in demand. It also helps employees, but also attract attention to establish the habit of consulting books and create interesto. that may contain the information sought Direcling Information to the Users. before going ahead with experiments It is essential that the librarian have a that would be a waste of time even system whereby information is directed though they turn out wells. to the employee who has the greatest Method of an Engineering Firm. An need for it. This is the secret of making engineering firm puts its material before the business library of practical interest the eyes of its en~ployeesin still another and of real value to the concern. One manner. The librarian prepares a list company has a scheme like this. All of all employees interested in any employees are free to consult or borrow periodicals received. There are several books or periodicals from the library typewritten copies of this list. Each is at any time although no one is ever headed, "Circulation List," "Please urged to do these things. Every few check your name and pass on." One of days various individuals receive a card these slips is posted on the front cover calling their attention to the fact that of each book or magazine as it is re- in a certain book on a given page is ceived. Each employee has opposite some information that will be found his name the page number of the article interesting and that they are free to which would be likely to appeal to him. take the book and read it. If they do The print is then ready for circulation not see fit to take the book nothing is and is placed on the desk of the man said. It is made clear that no one whose name is at the head of the list. watches to learn whether they read the He looks it through, checks his name OKrause, Louise B. Better Business L~brariea.Chapter X. Pago 91. 'Gdbert, Eleanor. The Five Foot Shelf in the Busincss OfFice. The Office Economlst. July and Auguat, 1922.Page 6. rGllbert, Eleanor. The Bwe Foot Shelf in t,he Buslneas OtAce. The Office Economlst. July and August, 1922. Page 6. February, 1929 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 47 and passes it on or ii he desires to read ployees can read it. The list contains it more carefully he takes it home over the title of all boolts, pamphlets alld night. Should he discover data which bulletins as they come in ~viththe date he thinks important enough to be ol receip~and the filing uumber~. Tllere abstracted, he ~nalresnote of the fact are nmly other methods by which busi- at the bottom of the slip. He also ~nakes ness librarians bring their material to a note if he finds references to boolts, the attention of the esec~~tivesalld bulletins or any other matter which lie employees. These methods vary ac- thinks should be in the library. The cording to the business wl~ich the nest day the material is passed to hbrary serveslo. Each is of service in the second man on the list. The last proportion to the interest take11 by the inan returns it to the librarian. In order esccutives and the aggressivel~essof the to keep everyone inlormed in regard librarian in familiarizing the entire or- to the new material in the library a sheet ganization with the resources of the is prepared and headed "New Acquaint- library and promptly meeting all de- ances." This is placed where the em- mands for information". Gmavan, lluth. Ofice Clrculntion of Now Lileralure. Engincer~ngNews Rcrord, Fobrunry 16, 1!l22. Pnge288. loloomis, Melta M. Libraries Thnt Pay. Independent, June 26, 1913. Pngc 1436. 11Ihid. Business Branch Keeps a Diary for a Day* E~ght-thirtyand the morning mail. Clean around. Two advertising men discuss samples newspapers and fresh magazines. Energetic of cotnmercial art displayed on the bulletin early customers dash in with, plainly, a busy board. The back file aE a newspaper is called day ahead. Others, more le~surely,stroll in for for. The School Business Office in the samc a quiet hour with a favorite journal. A sten- building wants the city building code. Books ographer leaves a book on her way to work. A and rnagazincs arc bemg lent in a steady stream. housewife breaks her journey to market to A list of magazine references must be looked up. make use of the daily delivery service to get or Girls from a department store ask for books on return Central Library books. The crowd selling. A banker telephones for a book and grows thicker. C~tyand telephone director~es sends his messenger for it in hot haste. Three from other cities are in demand. Special trade men pour over geological maps from a western d~rectoriesare consulted. Many a mailing list state. gets its start here. A huge book of niaps has SuddcnIy the storm dics down. Thcre is a been pulled out of the atlas case. The b~g lull before the afiernoon's onsct. And now, dictionary is never idle long. Massive refere~lce along with business men and won~cn,troop in volunles lie around, evidence of thc search for Iiigh school pupils from comnlercial classes information. The morning Icngthens and lnorc and college students from courses in busmcss. cllails are occupicd. Colorful trade papers arc And thcir professors, too. Grade school tea- scattered about. Pamphlets, clippings, maps chers drop in irom their Teaclicrs' Special and pictures, taken fro111 the filcs to furnish L~braryin the next room for a volume from spccial data, strew the tables. All tlus must be Narvard Classics, Everyman's hlodern Li- straightened before the noon rush begins. brary or the pay collcctwn of new fiction. Noon-with both copies of the local directory These arc I~ooks Imsy mcn re4 also. By working hard. R~valrydevelops over the big- 5 o'clock the t~tlchas clcfinitely turned. Folks gcst trade directory, the brand new Chicago atc on their way home IIOW fro111 dcsks and directory and the Indiana Gazetteer. IVatch oSfices. Adult students taking cxtension accountants, insurance men, realtors, salesmen, courses in business stop for iiss~gnedI)ooks or advertisers! They all know just where the an 11o11r's sti~tly. 1)ircclories lie neglected books of thclr trades are. Research workers, Thc tclcplionc grows cluict. The few who statisticians and investors need not he told rc~nainare absorbed in their reading, Once twice where to find thc economic, financial and nlorc is order restored out of the chaos on the statistical services. One Inan pauses at the tables. Books are shelved. The day's Ioans are "New Book" shelf, another at the "Take counted. A last energetic customer dashes in One" table to examine the gay-colored lists of business books. The latest one is on advert~sing. for a last book. The last reader, oblivious of The next will be on accounting. A regular time, is gently urged out. Six o'clock and the patron brings 111 a friend and shows him door is closed for the day. *From Readers' Ink Indianapolis L~braryService for Januorry, 1D29,by Miss Elhel Clelnnd, Lbmrian, Busmeen Branch 48 SPECIA* LIBRARIES February, 1929 Editorial Board EDITOR, Herbert 0. Brigham, State Library, Providence, R. I. Associate Editors William Alcott, Boston Globe; D. N. Handy, Insurance Library Association of Boston; M. E. Pellett, Librarian, The Port of New York Authority. Department Editors Charlotte L. Carmody, Deparrnent of Commerce Library, Washington, D. Ca Ethel Cleland, Business Branch, Public Library, Indianapolis, Ind. Elizabctli 0. Cullen, Bureau of Railway Economics, Washington, D. C. Mary C. Parker, Federal Reserve Bank, New York City. Rebecca B. Rankin, Municipal Reference Library, New York City. Margaret Reynolds, First Wisconsin National Bank, Milwaukee, Wis. A. A. Slobod, General Electric Co., Schenectady, N. Y.

Duties-Contracts-Ob jectives HE Edit01 finds his task handicapped these days by press of official duties, by the prevailing epidemic in which the whole family shared ancl by the constant outsideT demands which must in some cases be granted. With the routine of legisla- tion completed, the lengthening days and the return of good health, the pleasurable task of actually editing the magazine will again be undertaken. We realize fully the possibilities of the journal of the Association and also realize that after all, we only achieve a partial success. A casual syrvey of the library and research field in our specific sphere of influence indicates that it would require an extensive staff to properly cover the news developments of this cross section of the business and technical world. If our editorial staff, the chairmen of the various groups and committees as well as the research members of our organization would send to the Editor the numerous items of interest coming within their purview these items reproduced would require a magazine of twice the present pagination. In other words, we only cull here and there from the great mass of printed matter. There is also the question of our contacts with other associations and research organizations in the United States and Canada. The strengthening of these bonds is most imperative if our association is to take its proper place in the research wprld. Our library contacts are surely strong enough not to warrant further energizmg in that direction, but in the held of commercial research, of technical research, of transportation, of foreign trade, of investments, of education, especially research among the universities and of many other activities we must broaden our relations and we must eventually give each one of these groups a definite contribution wh~h will be of mutual benefit. We are living in a period when scientific research properly applied is developing the American people. Within a few weeks the presidency of the United States passes into the hands of a man whose background and training is based on engineer- ing skill and technical attainments; a man whose administration of a vital depart- ment of the government in recent years has been an example of marked efficiency. Our conference at the Federal capitol in May should be a challenge to us all to upbuild our own work, to improve the morale and standing of the Special Libraries Association and to create vital contacts with other associations having similar objectives. February, 1929 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 49 Library Tour-May 24July 22,1929

May 24 Sail from New York at midnight on S.S. "Caronia" of the Cuiidrcl Line (cabin berth at rate of $162.50 included). FRANCE June 2 Arrive Havre; train to I'aris. June 3, 4, 5, 6 PARIS. Two half clay drives in the city with special lecturer, visiting the right and left hanks of the Seine; one entire day excursion by motor to XIalmiiison and Versailles with special Iccturel. June 7 To Montreux. SHrI1'ZE RLA A7D Junc X d40NTREUX. One entire day motor excursion around Lnke Geneva, going by way of Chillon (visit), Bouveret, Evian and Thonon to Geneva (luncheon and slglitseeing tlierc) and returning through NJ~on, Madame de Stael's country, Morgcs near which Paderetvski re- sides, Lausnnne, the vineyards of Lavaux, Vcvey and Clarcns. June 9 Through the nmgn~ficentscenery of the Rernese Oherla~ldto Inter- laken. Thc wonderful Bernesc Oberlantl Electric l

gondola up the Grand Canal flanked by stately palaces to the shop. lined Rialto Brldge, and through the snlaller canals to see lace works and glass factories. Excursion to the Lido if Convent~on programs permit. Late afternoon train back to Florence. June 27, 28 FLORENCE, "Lily of the Arno" and "Cradle of the Renaissance." Three half days sightseeing in this beautiful old city, the great- est art center in the world. We vislt her churches, the great Cathedral with Giotto's Campanile beside it, Ghiberti's bronze doors, Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce with thcir priceless frescoes, and the unrivaled collections of painting and sculpture in the PiLti and Ufizi Palaces. We drive to the I'iazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato, with commanding views of the city and valley of the Arno. June 29 Morning train to Pisn. Visit the Cathedral, the Baptistry and the Leaning Tower. After luncheon, continue to Genoa. June 30 GENOA. Morning drwe about the city. Late forenoon train to iVila?s. Visit the great Duomo. To Bolzano. Motor tlwo~rgl~the Dolomites over the famous Dolomite Road, a wonderful piece of road-engineering, The route traverses the porphyry gorge of the Eggen Tal and passes Lake Carezza (or Karersee) in which are mirrorecl thc mountain crags that surround it; it runs high above and then through green Alpine Valleys; it lies over im- pressiw nlountain passes, the Carezza, Pordoi and Falzarego, from whose sunlmits may be seen a bewildering panorama of fantastically shaped peaks; and linally it brings us into Cortina, which lies in the heart of the green amphitheatre of the Alnpezzo Valley. A USTRIA Over the Brenner Pass to Imsbruck in the Austrian Tyrol. To Vienna. VIENNA, old ~rnperialcity of the Hapsburgs, beautiful, melodious, gay, splenclid, with palaces, park-lined Avenues and monuments. Visit old St. Stephens, the Palace and the Arts' Museun~;also the Liechtenstein Galleries, Motor through the fine Ring-Strasse, IColil~i~arkt,Grabcn, the parlcs and out to Schonbrunn, the mag- nificent summer palace of the emperors. To Dresden. GERMANY DRESDEN Our motor trip through this beautiful city, famous for its music and its art, will be one of constant delight Separate visits will be rnadc to the Royal Historical Collection, the Grccn Vault, with its \vonderful collection of 18th Century jewelry, and above all, the Zwingcr, with its priceless collection of painlings, including tlie "Sistme \ladonna " July 9, 10 BEKLIN, great hustling, moclcrn capital of Germany, with many monu- ments remin~sccnt of the late I-Iohcnzollern dynasty. Motor around the city through fanlous "Unter dcn Linden," the Leip- ziger Strasse and the beautiful Tlergart.cn. Vislt the old Imperial Palace and the Frederick's Museum. Motor through tlie fine residential suburb of Charlottenburg to Potsdani, and visit the New Palacc, theparkand Sans-Souci Palace of Frederick the Great. July 11 To Hamburg. July 12 Sail from Hamburg on ncw S.S. "St. Louis" of the Hamburg-American Line (cabin berth at $162.50 included). July 22 Arrive New York. PRICE: $860.00 February, 1929 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 51

WHAT THE PRICE INCLUDES Ocean Passages at the rates stated. European Transporlalz'oi~. In Italy first-class; in other continental countries, second class; on all lakes and river stea~nersfirst-class. Hotels. Roonls and thrce meals a day according to the custom of the country at excellent hotels. A11 necessary fees at hotels and elsewhere, except on Atlantic steamers. Taxes. United States war tax, landing tax at foreign ports, taxes de luxe, taxes de dejour. Transfers between stations, docks and hotels. Sightseeing as per details show in the itinerary. In Rome special sightseeing privileges will be accorded by the authorities to those attending the Convention and no program is included in the price of this tour. Services of a cotzddor will be providcd from arrival at Havre to departure from Hamburg. Baggage. We give each member a special traveling case and look after it throughout the trip. We handle no other baggage.

Tzps, deck ckair~and rzlgs on Atlantic steamers. Exlras at Table. Wines, bottled waters and other articles not on tlie regular hotel bill of fare. Persolla1 Expenses, such as laundry, baths, postage and purchases. Passport Expcrzses. We send full passport directions shot tly after advance deposit is received. RESPONSIBILITY The Teniplc Tours Spcclal Bulletin of Information lor 1929 contains clauses about deposits, re- funds, responsib~hty,witl~drawals, etc., that are an essential part of the conipany's contract w~thall of its patrons, and that by this reference are hereby incorporated inlo this itinerary. Please serltl for a copy of tlic Bulletin ancl examine these cl,luses carefully. International Library and Bibliographical Congress The first intcrnational Library ancl nib- tlic gccnt librarics of the city. Florence will liographical Congress will be held in Rome arid offcr an exhibition of tlic Itallan book Iron1 the ~enicc,June 15-30, Dr. Isak Collijn, Royal invention of pr~ntingLO thc tin~eof Bocloni, Library, Stockholm, Swctlcn, pi-csiding. In- ad, in thc B~bllotrca11cdlcea Lnurcnziilnn, ternational sclicmes of classification, inter- an eshibition ul miulnturcs. In Venice therc national cataloging lulcs, scliolarships and fcl- will bc an cshihilion of book I~intling in the lowsh~ps,exchange of librarians, library rcln- Bil~liotcca Snzion,ile Malciana. Spccial cx- tions and bibliography are ainong tlic subjccts hibitions uill also be organized in otlicr Italian to be discussed. cities. Accorchng to the tentative prograln just To facilitiltc action, the Cangrcss will be recei\-ed from Dr. Sinccnzo Fago, ol thc clivitlcd into Lwelvc sect~ons. E~chsectloll wdl llinislry of Public Instruction in Tialy, the have its own prcsitlent ant1 will discuss a dif- dclcgates will arrlve in Iioliie on Junc 13 and 14. feren~subjcct. TWOAlilericans haw bcen ap- Thc opening scssion ~villbe held in Romc, June poinlecl as prcs~tlentsof two of thc scctlons- 15. From June 17 to 19 there will be sessions \V. n!. Bishop, llbrariall, University of \Ilcliigdn of the varlous sections. June 25 and SG will be L~brnry,of ihc Interliationnl Scliol~~sl~ipsand devoted to general nssemblics, tlie making of Fello\vships Section, an(l T. \V. Kocli, lil~rnrian, resolutions and closing sessluns, in l'enicc. Sorthwcstcrn Universily, of thc Book 'T~ade On June 20-2-1: ,lnd 27-30, theie will Ix no nncl Book Collectmg Section. On bch.tlf of the in~cr~iniionaland local Specla1 cscurslons will bc .irr;inged to gisc committees, Dr. Fago scncls a ivelcome, not the delegates an opportun~tyto \visit points of only to Lhe ol'fici:d clclcgatcs, but also to all intclcst and thc various exhibi~ionswhich arc librarians and lihrrll~'~orkcrs, bibllographcrs, being plannctl especi:~lly for tliern 111 Ro~nc publishers, book-scllcrs and book collectors there will be an intc-r~iiltional esliil>ition of in the United States and Cnnnda. It IS hoped library work. tn addition thcrc ~111hc local ~IMLlibrari,~ns tra\lcllng in Europe this summr exh~bitionsof the lustory of nnc~entand modern will include the Congress in their it~ncrary. Rome, of the Italian book from Botloni to the The culnlnittees have been assured of the present time, and otlicr specd csh~bitionsin hem ty co-opcmtion of the Italian Governnient. SPECIAL LIBRA R IES February, 1929 Science and Technology A. A. Slobod, Department Editor SOTE-\Ye hope in futurc to present more thc clcctrical ind~~stryunder such titles as: frequently Mr. Slobod's valuable notes on tech- Eleclric Ruil~uays,Electrical, Power Plnnls and nological matters This contribution supplied Rnrlio. McGrnw's Central Station Dzrectory and on our request, summarizes ~eccntand "stale" Razlway Dircctorjt <,re ~cllknown; less known statistics on the elcctrical industry.--Edilor is the Swrley of Power and Lzglrt Conzpniries of the C~iledSLdes formcrly publ~shedby Bon- Sources of Statistics for the Electrical bright Sr Co , IIUL now issued by the McGraw Industry interests For rates we must consult the \Then in nccd of statistical data for the elec- N. E. L. A. Rnte Rook and its supplements. trical inrlustry we naturally think of the first As potcntial sources of published or un- issuc in Jan~l'lryof the Bleclrical World which published statistical information wc may name usually glves a very good picture of the prog- the National Electric Light Associat~on ress made by the inclustry as n whole. Other (NEI,.4), National Electrical Manufacturers' periodicals give surveys of speciahzed fieltls, Association (XEhIA), and the Society for thus, thc January issue of Electricnl il/Ier- Electr~cal Development, Inca--all at 420 clrc~i~drsi~rgprovides cletailcd figures of wired Lexington Avenue, N. Y. hon~cs,sales and degree of saturation of the Below we mention a few additional rccent various electrical appliances, etc. The rnclio publications which are of valuc as sourccs of inclustry is wcll portrayed in figures hy the slatistical informat~on. Radzo Retailz~~gin its March issue. The field British Electrical & Allied Manufacturers' of electric transportation is fully covcrctl by Assoclatlon. the annual statistical and progress nunibcr of R.Ionograph on the electrical inclustry. Electric Rarlncay Jortrilal, it is usually the first 1927. or second issue of the year. Thr. electrification The Association. London. of railrods is also reviewcd in the first Jan- Tabulatctl statislics on production mar- uary issue of the Rnilway rlxc. The electr~cal kets, pr~ces and manufacturing costs industrics of thc various foreign countries and for electrical machinery, and on pro- clcctrical import and export tlatn arc \\-ell duction of electricity. I'ertains to world covcred by the Electrical Review, London. conditions, with special attention to The periodicals usu:llly givc us the latest Great Britain, Germany, nncl thc U. S. figures available. Thc "staler," 11ut morc con- scrvahve data wdl be found In pamphlet or Llaugherty, C. R, and others Power capacity and production in the book form. The most important of these is the Cerrsus of Electrical Indmtries, by the U. S. United States 1928. U. S. Geological Bureau of the Census. It consists of four Survey. Wakr-supply paper 579. scparate pamphlets: (1) Ce?rtral Electric Light \Vashington, D. C. and Power Slatz'ons, (2) Electric Railways, (3) Extensive staListics of the electric power Telephom-s and (4) Telegraph The Census of generating industry, with special at- clcctrical ~ndustricshas been taken quinquen- tention to watel power Inclucles data on development of horsepower equip- nially, and the latest available in print IS that for 1922. The Census Bureau also publishes ment in the U. S., on developed and biennially the Cemus of Matzufactures which potential water power, on production of includes a report on BlccLrzcal l4"uclrinery, electricity, and on growth of water- Apparatus and SlrPplm. The latest available power development in U. S. is that for 1925. The Electrical Equipment Bibliography, p. 43-44. Divislon of the U. S. Bureau of Foreign and Federal Trade Cornnlission. Domestic Commerce has issued a number of Electric power inclustry; control of power Trade I~dorntalion Bdletzns dealing with the companies. 272p. 1927. 69th Congress, electrical development and m.irketing of 2d Session. Senate document 213. electrical equipments in the various foreign Federal Trade Commission. countries. The Conmerce Yearbook gives a Electric-power industry, supply of electrical good annual summary of the e!ectric light and equipment and competitive conditions. power industry. C~ain'sMarkel Data Book 282p. 1928. 70th Congress, 1st Session. (an annual) has served statistical sketches ol Senate clocun~ent46. February, 1929 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 53

Thc second and conclucIing volu~nedevoted [Jseful misccllnneous statislics, in tabu- to the conduct of business in the lated nncl graphic foi ni. electrical manufacturing industry, par- National Electric L~ghtAssociation ticularly in the case of the larger corn- Report of Lamp Committee, 1927-1928. 15p. panies such as Gencral Electric and The Association. N. k' Wcs~~ngl~ouse.Tncludes a wealth of An annual report gixing complctc stn- statistical data. tislics oi the lamp inclustry in the Great Britain. Electricity Cominission. United Statcs. Elcctriclty supply-1925-26, 1928. London. National Electric Light Associ;~tion. Extensive tabulated statistics on details Statistical data for thc clcctlic light and of station equipment, operating clnta, power industry, 1927. Statistical power production, etc., for the central bulletin, no. 2. 1928. The Association. stations of Englancl. N. Y. 'rabulated data on sales and consunlption Ilarvard University.-Bureau of Business Re- of energy, Earrn service, power house Research. equipment, sources and disposal of Interstate transmission of power by electric energy, construction expenditures, etc. light and power companies in 1926. U. S. Geological Survey-Power Resources Bureau of Business Research Bulletin, Division. no. 68. 1978. Boston. Production ol electric power and consump- International Magazine Co., 1nc.-Marketing tion of fuels by public utility power Division. plants in the United States. Issued Small electrical appliances; a spotlight on the monthly. big market for these products. 23p. c 1928. Tabulated statistics showing kilowatt- 57th Str. at 8th Ave. N. Y. C. hours produced by fuels and by water League of Nat~ons. Economic and Financial power in cach; also corresponding Section. figures on thc consuinption of coal, fuel, oil anti gas. Electrical industry. 121p. 1927. Geneva. Windel, W, and IC~omer,C. TI]., ed. A document for the International Eco- Aufbau untl entwicklungs~noglichkcite~~der nomic Conference, Geneva, May, 1927. curoplischen clelctrizitdtswirtschnft. 511 National Electric Light Association. p. 20 p. 1928. Schwarz, Goldschidt 8r Electric light and power. Facts and figures Co. Berlln. on the development and scope of the in- A statistical revicw of the clectrical indus- dustry In the United States. 1928. The tries of the leading European countries Association. N. Y. publ~shedby a German banking house.

American Library Association, Nominating Committee Report

Results of the clection will be niade public pany, Chicago, Illinois at the close of the fifty-first anr~ualconference hlernbers of the Executive Board of the Association at Washington, D. C., hIay Linda A. Easlman, Public Library, Clcvc- 13-18. The date is as follows: Iancl, Ohio President Judson T. Jennings, Public Library, Andrew Keogh, Yale University Library, Seattle, Washinglon New Haven, Conn. Members of the Council First Vice-President Robert J. Usher, Howard Mernor~al Everett R. Pcrry, Public Library, Los Library, New Orleans, La. Angelcs, Calif. Charles H. Compton, Public Library, St. Second Vice-Prcsiclcnt Louis, Missouri Jennie M. Flexner, Public Library, New Halsep W. Wilson, H. W. Wilson CO., York, N. Y. 958 University ' Avenue, New York, Treasurer N. Y. Matthew S. Dudgeon, Public Library, Essae M. Culver, State Library Com- Milwaukee, Wisconsin. rn~ssion,Baton Rouge, La. Trustee of Endowment Fund R. R. Bowker, The Library Journal, 62 John W. OILeary, Chicago Trust Coin- W. 45th St., New York, N. Y. SPECIAL LIBRARIES February, -.

Some Thoughts on a Financial Library

By K. Dorothy Ferguson, Head Librarian, Bank of Italy, San Francisco.

x~~~-Originallyprinted in tlie Southern nomic Imes. She must keep in close touch with California Banker the article is wcll worth re- all the differcnt activities and departnlents of producing for our readers.--Editor. her bank, so as to know what information is liable to be needed. To understancl and appreciate the financial This material whether in forni of newspaper library of today, one must cliscarcl the olcl- articles, pamphlets, or speeches delivered at fashioned idea that a library must necessarily conventions is filed alphabetically by subject. be a depository of books, and a refuge for all Magazine articles are indexed by subject and the discards fro111 other departmental files. are often digcsted so that a resume can be sent A financial l~brarpIS an alive tool, soniethmp to a busy executive. that is wo~kingevery minute of the day to As a last resource the alert librarian will help create better and more efficient service. keep an S. 0. S. file. There she will list under It is more a collection and a clearing house of subject the names of cxperts who will be able ideas, and a source of information on banking to supplcnient any information she may al- and economic subjects. ready have In her files. 1L is a gathering of all thc constructive Lastly, tlie library will have tabulation of thoughts brought out during the discussions statistics and directors for the research worlce~ at conventions, it is thc ccntral place in which and statistician and a small collection of boolzs any new idea is sorted ancl classified so that it on the practice and principles of banking for the can be again passed on to thc student or the junior employees For the ambitious youth expcrt, so that hc also may profit by the real~zesthat if he is to succeed and some day thought ancl esperlence of others. fill an important executive posit~onhe must Success today is a matter of fighting com- first acquire as much background as possible petition. He who gets a constructive idea and this he can do by studying what othcrs ahead of others and acts on it, will outdistance have found ~t wise to do or wiser not to do. He all In the race. Banking used to be considered a will thus build his own success or a foundation too dignified call~ngio cnter into this com- of banking experience that has already been pethi\-e racc, and a profession which of its tested. nature did not need compet~tionto make it So think of your financial library not only as successful. Now conipetition has come into a collection ol books, but also as a collection of banking antl lie who does not enter the race ideas, of ideas that have already stood the test with thc beit qualifications will not succced. of time, of ideas that have not yet becn ac- If conlpetition is keen today, the Spirit of cepted, but are being talked of and then it will Mutual IIelpfulness is also GI sign of thc times bccome n tangible asset to any financial house. antl Lhcrc is much more reacliness to give out Long ago Kipling gavc us this key to suc- infor~nal~onto others. cess when hc put these words into the mouth Calls for information conic to a financial of Sir Anthony Glostcr, that merchant who on library f~omall over the \rorld: From hls death hed told his worthless son how he corrcs~mnrlent I~anks,from research workers won succcss: far antl near, and if Lhr: answers to these rc- quests arc not confitlenlinl thc inform;~tionis "And they asked me how I d~clit, antl I gave passed out inipartially. 'em the Scripturc Text. So ~111sis the meaning of a financial library. You kcep your lighi so shi.ning a little in front I-Ton- docs iL function? How does it collcct thc of thc next! material, how docs it lnnke it available to all They copied all they could follow, but they with the least possible rcd tape? couldn't copy my mind To amass this material, the librarian must And I left 'em sweating and stealing a year put out fcclers, and draw to thc filcs all the in- and a half behind." formation posslble along financial and eco- February, 1929 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Events and Publications

Rebecca B. Rankin, Department Editor

nit1 you see thr note on this Ic;dlet ill hlirtios'.s Bi~sr~rcssfor Jan., 1020, whirl1 is :ls follows:

vices, Iiantll)ool:q, anti rcccnt boolts aurl iuvcst- mcnt magazines. It 1s a convcnient list, to I)c ol~tninetlotl~crwisc only at tlic espcnsc of 111uc1i trouble. Libraries Association Special- Founded 1909 A CLEARING HOUSE OF INFORMATION Created to promote the interests of the co~iin~ercial,industrial, technical, civic, municipal, legislative, welfare libraries, statistical bureaus and research organizations. Also to serve special departments of public libraries and universities. PUTTING KNOWLEDGE TO WORK

General Office Ex~cu-r~vl:Sl.:rxrrr.\~v -- Mrs. I I. 0. 13riyha111,I1 Nisbet Strcct, Providence, R I. Phonc, Plantations 0798. Executive Board PKESIDENT-F~~I~C~SE. Caciy, Rescarrh Laboratory, I\Teln Park, Cleveland, Ohio. IST V1c~-P~lcsme~~-Ethe1Clelantl, IJus~ncssB~,lncli Intl~.lnapolis Public L~brary,Indianapolis, Ind. ~NDVICE-PRESIDENT-Ang11s ~~CLC~ICT, Rri~ish Idib~,ir)r of Inforniatioll, New York City. SEC~TARY-RoseI*. Vormelltcr, Bnsiness Kescarch I,il~rarian,Clevcland Public Library, Clevc- land, Ohio. TREASIIWI.:LI---Elizabeth Baxtcr, Ilaskins ~untlbells, Nvw York C~ty. L~OAUD Mr?hr~lr~{s-Elizabeth 0. Cullcn, Brlrc.1~ ul RailwLly Ikonomics, WashingLon, D C' , Joseph Kwnpil, Public Lcdger, l'hilndelphia, Pa. Committees CLASSIFICATION Cl11u.-Louise Keller, Indcpentlence Burenu, I'llilatlelphia, Pa. CONTINUATION READING Chin.-Grace Aikenhead, W. T. Grant Co~npa~i!,Ncw York C~ty. COOPERATION WITH CHAMBER OF CT)MhII