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Special Libraries, 1931 Special Libraries,

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Special Libraries,

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Recommended Citation Special Libraries Association, "Special Libraries, March 1931" (1931). Special Libraries, 1931. 3. https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_sl_1931/3

This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Libraries, 1930s at SJSU ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Special Libraries, 1931 by an authorized administrator of SJSU ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Vol. 22 March, 1931 No. 3 Public Libraries for Business Use

"A public library should fit itself to its times. It should be first in the field with collections of modern industrial and social material. Librar- ians should be not only ancient and literary; they should be also modern and deadly practical." --John Cotion Dana.

S. L. A. Conference 8 8 a Cleveland, Ohio, JUNE 10-12, 1931

Entored na second clam matter at the Poat OWce, Prov~dcnee,R. I., under the Act of Mnreh 3, 1879. Acceptance for rnnrllng at apecml rate of postwe provided lor in mctlon 1103. Act 01 Ocloher 8. 1917. autborlaed October 22, 1921. Rates: $6 00 n yenr. Ford~n$5.50: single mples 50 cenb. 6 Cleveland Convention

As the magazine passes through the press, the news comes to us that: the Cleveland members are endeavoring in every way to make the forthcoming conference a success. One important feature at the convention will be an exhibit which is being planned by Miss AIta B. Claflin of the Federal Reserve Bank. Cleveland. The committee plans to show all publications of the S. L. A. and its various Groups and Committees articles by and about speclal librarians, publications in printed or mimeographed form repre- senting the work of special libraries. This includes all types of internal publicity, articles about the library in staff magazines or in outside publications, special methods for doing things in the library and, in addition, publications or house organs issued by the corporation, school or institution with which the library is connected in the prepara- tion of which the librarian has been of assistance or in which the librarian in some way collaborates The Program Committee is bringing to us a group of excellent speakers, including some notable Clevelanders. The Association is particularly fortunate in having headquarters in the recently constructed Terminal Group which not only incli~des the hotel itself, but a bank, a department store, ofire buildings and numerous restaurants. The committee plans a well manned information desk where informa- tion of all sorts can be obtained. For those who are going to Cleveland by highway Miss Helen Prouty, Chairman of the Information Com- mittee, will be glad to furnish a highway map. Address her at the Research Service Corporation, Cuyahoga Building, Cleveland. Arrangements are being made to accept the invitation of the Detroit Chapter, extended by Miss Caroline Lutz, Librarian, General Motors Corporation, to spend Saturday, June 13th, in Detroit. The attractions in Detroit are numerous and doubtless many will accept the invitation. A final word of caution! Make your reservation early. Apply direct to the Hotel Cleveland. Contents

How the Private Business Librarian Helps and is Helped by the Public Business Librarian. By Florence Bradley ...... 83 Library Service to Business in . By Mrs. Ann Leidendecker ...... 82 Library Service to Business in San Francisco: Mechanics' Library, The. By Mrs. Mary 0. Carmody...... 80 Public Library, The. By Robert Rea ...... 79 Special Libraries of San Francisco. By William A. Worthington...... 81 Municipal Reference Library and its Service to Business. By Josephine B. Hollingsworth ...... 78 Public Libraries for Business Use. By Marian C. Manley ...... 75

DEPARTMENTS Associations ...... 96 Editorials...... 88 Classification and I n- Events and Publica- dexing ...... 90 tions ...... 99 Digest of Business President's Message .... 89 Book Reviews . . 92 -NOTES Cleveland Convention ...... 70 Trade Catalogs ...... 95 Trade Directories ...... 95

Supplement...... Index, 1930

Special Libraries Published Monthly September to April, bi-monthly May to August by THE SPECIAL LIBRARIES ASSOCIATION Publication Office, 11 Nisbet Street, Providence, R. I. All payments should be made to Special Libraries Association, 11 Nirbct Street, Providence, R. I. SPECIAL LIBRARIES March. 1931 Institutional Members Cali: da Massachusetts State Library, California Academy of Science, San Francisco Metcalf & Eddy, Boston California State Library, Sacramento Social Law Library, Boston United Fruit Company, Boston Standard Oil Company of California, San Francisco Pacific Gas & Electric Co., San Francisco Michigan Technical Book Co., San Francisco Detroit News, Detroit Detroit Public L~brary,Detroit Connecticut General Motors Corporation, Detroit Hartford Pubhc Library Business Branch, University of Detro~t,Detro~t Hartford Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Co., Hartford Missouri YaleUniversity Library, New Haven Kansas City Power & Light Company, ~ank City Delaware du Pont de Nemours, E. I., Wilmington New Jersey Bakelite Corporation, Bloomficld Illinois Combustion Util~ties Corporation, Linden Byllesby & Co., H. M., . N. J. Ch~cagoTribune, Chicago Montclair Free Public Library, Montclair Commonwealth Edison Company, Chicago New Jersey Bell Company, Newark Elizabeth McCormick Memorial Fund, Chi- Newark Public Library, Business Branch, cago Newark Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Chicago Public Service Corporation of New Jersey, 'lllinois State Library, Springfield Newark Insurance Library of Chicago R. C A. Radiotron Co., Inc., Harrison Middle West Utilities Co , Chicago Standard Oil Development: Co., Elizabeth Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago United States Rubber Co., Passaic Peoples Gas Light & Coke Co., Chicago New York Indlana Alexander Hamilton Institute, New York Lincoln National Life Insurance Co., Fort Wayne American Bankers' Association, New York American Electric Railway Aseociation, New Maryland York Consolidated Gas, Electric Light & Power American Geographical Society, New York Co , American Institute of Accountants, New York Maryland Casualty Co , Baltimore American Museum of Natural History, New York Massachusetts American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Baker Library-Harvard School of Business New York Administration, Boston American Telephone & Telegraph Co., General Boston Elevated Railway, Boston Library, New York Boston Globe, Boston American Telephone & Telegraph Co., Law Chriatian Science Monitor, ~dston Library, New York Edison Electric Illuminating Co., Boston Association of Life Insurance Presidents, New Federal Reserve Bank of Boston York First National Bank, Boston Baker & Taylor Co., New York Insurance Library Association of Boston Bankers Trust Co., New York Jackson & Moreland, Boston Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn, New York Massachuaetts Institute of Technology, Li- Bell Telephone Laboratories, New York brary, Cambridge Blackman Co., New York Massachuaetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., British Library of Information, New York Springfield Ediaon Co., Brooklyn 'New mernben joined abm I.at iasue of SMal Mbwdu. March, 1931 SPECIAL LIBRARIES

New York

Brookmire Economic Service, New York Ohio Oil Co., Findlay Child Study Association, New York Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati Cleanliness Institute Library, New York Consolidated Gas Co. of New York Doherty, Henry L. & Co., New York Oklahoma Electric Bond & Share Co , New York Federal Reserve Bank of New York U. S. Bureau of Mines, Bartlesville Ford, Bacon & Davis, New York General Electric Co., Main Library, Sche- nectady Penneylvania Grant Co., W. T., New York Grosvenor L~brary,Buffalo Armstrong Cork Co., Lancaster Guaranty Company of New York Franklin Institute, Haskms & Sells, New York Houghton, E. F.& Co., Philadelphia Industrial Book Company, New York . Jones & Laughlin Steel Con~pany,P~ttaburgh Industrial Relations Counselors, New York Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh International Telephone & Telegraph Co., New Jersey Z~ncCo., Palmerton New York 'Pennsylvania Museum of Art, Philadelphia John Price Jones Corporation, New York Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, L~brary Bureau D~vis~on,Remington Rand Philadelohia Business Serwce, New York Philadelphia Company, Pittsburgh McCall Company, New York Philadelphia Electric Company, Philadelphia McGraw-HIII Publish~ngCo., Inc., New York ~hiladelphiaRapid Transit Company, Phila- Merchants Association of New York delphia . Philadelphia Record, PhiladeIphia Metropolitan Liie Insurance Company, New Pittsburgh Railways Company, Pittsburgh York Provident Mutuat Life Insurance Co., Phila- Municipal Reference Library, New York delphia National Aniline & Chemical Co., Inc., New School of Flne Arts, Univ. Penna., Philadelphia York Westinghouse Electric Research Library, E. National Automobile Chamber of Commerce, Pittsburgh New York Wyomissing Trade School, Wyomissing National City Financial Library, New York National Investors Corporation, New York New Jersey Zinc Company, New York Rhode Islnnd New York Telephone Company, New York Rhode Island State Library, Providence New York Times, The, New York North American Company, New York Port of New York Authority, The, New York Wisconsin Price, Waterhouse & Co., New York First W~sconsinNational Bank, Milwaukee Putnam'a Sons, G. P , New York Hardware Mutual Casualty Company, Stevena Railway & Utilities Investing Corp., New Point York Kimberly-Clark Corp., Kimberly Marshall Ilsley Bank, Milwaukee Russell Sage Foundation, New York Selected Industries, Inc., New York Sinclair Refining Co., New York Canada Standard Brands, Inc., New York Standard Statistics Company, New York Hydroelectric Power Commission of Ontario, Time, Inc., New York Toronto Imperial Life Assurance Co. of Canada, Toronto Telegraph Company, New York Inaurance Institute of Montreal, Montreal White & Kemble, New York Royal Bank of Canada, Montreal Wilson Co., H. W., New York Sun Life Assurance Co., Montreal -- *New membar. joinsd since laat issue of Spacial Ltbrarl~. 6 i~ Special Libraries

Vol. 22 MARCH, 1931 No. 3

issue features the addresses and inate the association. Domination seems THISthe subsequent discussion at the to have been succeeded by other interests San Francisco Conference on the subject and today there is no doubt but what "Public Libraries for Business Use." We the dominating interest in Special Li- have deviated from our usual practice braries Association is the Business Li- and present the material in continuous brary, and this morning's session is to form giving a graphic cross section of be devoted to the subject: Public the second general session on Tuesday, Libraries for Business Use. This pro- June 10, 1930. gram had been arranged by Miss Marian C. Manley, Librarian of the Business PRESIDENTALCOTT: We come to one Branch of the Newark Public Library. of the most in~portantsessions of the As many of you know, she met with conference, and our subject "Public a distressing accident since her arrival in Libraries for Business Use" is one of California and is prevented from being the most pertinent subjects which can here this morning, but the work which be discussed by the Special L~braries she had arranged will be carried on to Association. the best of our ability. The first paper Those of you who read the account will be, "Summary of National Survey by Mr. Brigham a year ago, in the of Public Business Libraries and Sug- Libmry Journal, on the subject of gestions for Cooperation Between Them Development of Special Library As- and Special Libraries." This paper will sociations, will remember that he said be read by Miss Marguerite Burnett that in the early days the municipal of the Federal Reserve Bank of New and reference libraries seemed to dom- York, .

Public Libraries for Private Use Summary of National Survey of Public Business Libraries and Sug- gestions for Cooperation Between Them and Special Libraries

By Miss Marian C. Manley, Librarian, Business Branch, Newark Public Library HAVE wondered if, in reading over Miss Vormelker is to talk on individ- [ the program for the Special Li- ual cooperation between special libra- braries Association meetings as it ap- rians and public librarians My theme peared in the library periodicals, a few is the promotion of business work in were not somewhat surprised that a public libraries, and the responsibility report on the Survey of Business Ser- of the S. L. A. for its adequate growth. vice in Public Libraries in 109 Large Special librarians are accustomed to Cities should be given before a session dealing with a different type of material of the S. L. A, instead of before, for from that in general ~ubliclibraries examplc, a section of the American and with the frkedom possible. Library Association? The reason for It is this new point of view that public this is that this Association, especially librarians must acquire in dealing with those members in the business world, material for business development. can probably do more to help in the Special libraries in business houses development of this work in the country and business sections or branches in than can any other professional organiza- public libraries are closely allied in tion. interests. The public library collection 16 SPECIAL LIBRARIES March, 1931 consisting of material for business work terested in work for the business man, such as trade directories, city directories, the library's most Important support. business magazines, business services, In 1904 he took his first: definite step etc., must be handled from this different in their service by establishing in a small point of view if the work is to be efficient. downtown branch of the library a col- The methods must much more closely lection of trade and city directories. follow those in effect in the private His interest in business service re- libraries of business houses. There red mained unabated with the result that tape and rockbound methods of pre- in 1930 we have our own building three servation have been to a great extent years old, an income of around $30,000 eliminated. a year for the support of this separate department, a staff of twelve people It is because of this community of handling the work and the enthusiastic interests that we can so emphatically support-of the librarian, the Board of say that the Special Libraries Associa- Trustees and the tax-payers of the city tion and its members can do more to of Newark. foster the adequate development of public library work for business men In Newark we knew that many busi- than can any other body. As for special ness libraries had developed throughout librarians themselves, what benefits ac- the country. For years we had friends crue to them through the satisfactory and comrades in the Minneapolis and development of an adequate public Indianapolis Business Branches. Pitts- business library collection in their vicin- burgh was a comparative newcomer in ity? Such a collection gives the special the field. Savannah had taken first steps librarian access to a much more corn- in the development of the work. We prehensive directory collection than she had heard from San Francisco and we would have occasion to develop in her knew that Boston was preparing for own library. City directories with their their new branch, while Hartford we thousand uses are there available. Trade considered our special foster child. directories for fields other than her own are on the shelves. The most important We knew that more activities must state documents, market surveys, special be underway in the country It seemed reports, can be consulted there rather a good move to take stock, so we planned than encumber the always limited space a questionnaire which would bring out of the special library. The special to some extent the special business librarian's course can be made easier branches or departments and definite time after time through access to a good sections in the public libraries doing public library and when that good this work, the annual cost of the work public library includes the forward- for each library, the number of assistants looking development of business col- engaged in it, the amount of' money lections, the special librarian may con- spent on investment material, on trade sider herself blessed. directories, on magazines, the scope of the business book collection, the With the future development of the amount of advertising done and the work under consideration, a more thor- type. We found, in sending out this ough knowledge of its present stage was questionnaire to all public libraries in desirable. Just what was the status of cities in the country with a population development of business library work of 70,000 and over, interesting develop- in public libraries? Because we had ments. every reason to know that the interest along this line was growing more pro- Peoria, Illinois, had started a business nounced each year, and because we could room. San Diego had a separate business not tell how far it had developed in and technical annex. Portland, Oregon, all sections of the country, a survey of had an active business and industrial the field seemed advisable. The Business department. Here and there around the Branch of the Newark, New Jersey, country other libraries were working Public Library is longer established than along these lines. In Duluth, in El any other. Mr. Dana was always in- Paso, in Knoxville, in Little Rock, in March, 1931 SPEC1 AL LIBRARIES 77

Richmond, there was not only an acute the Special Libraries Association and interest, but a very definite effort under its members have the means of knowing way to acquire funds for this work. what public libraries are already doing along these lines and to what extent We found that some 62 libraries and where your help is needed as regional supplied investment services and allied associations, as a national association material for the use of their public. and as individuals. We found that other libraries had ex- tensive directory collections. Again, From a study of the survey it seems we found other libraries vague as to that certain steps are advisable: extent of their business work. Little was known about the actual cost. Gen- 1. That in some way a definite eral statements were of necessity made standard for public librarian's service in many things. to business men be established and given The librarians that could segregate appropriate publicity, such a standard annual costs for the departments were to cover both collections and type of not many. In this group, however, the administration. amount ranged from $7,500.00 in Fort Wayne to $12,000.00 in Minneapolis 2. That special librarians make to $27,000.00 in Newark. Again, not known their willingness to cooperate many libraries gave the number of in developing this work both individ- people employed. All in all, one of the ually and as an association. principal needs seems to be a more care- fully defined statement of what con- I am inclined to urge a very definite stitutes business work in public libraries, step in this direction for the S. L. A. and another, definite support in efforts I should like to see a committee of the to obtain funds as well as a wider under- Association as a whole appointed to standing by business men of the pur- foster and cooperate in the adequate pose of a library of this type. development of business service in public libraries. The duties of this committee And what can the Special Libraries would be to study the geographical Association do in connection with these distribution of this work and offer problems? For the individual, one great advice and help where it is needed. tool in promotion is friendly relations. To act as a clearinghouse for much As one librarian said, it is most difficult valuable and duplicate material that for any of us to get out of our own rut to know what others are doing, even you discard each year. To discover and in the same community. Promotion consider vexed problems in this field. of adequate business work will follow I recommend, therefore, that this upon the friendly relationship with Association, because of its specialized knowledge of each other's needs that knowledge of commercial research and may exist between the public librarian its needs, consider the appointment of and the special librarian in her com- such a committee to aid in the develop- munity. This may lead to a definite cooperation in the matter of collections. ment of adequate service to business men in public libraries, since the ac- There is the definite promotion in the tivities of such a committee would be matter of funds, first by advertising of benefit not only to public but to the public library and its aid to you, special librarians. and to your company and getting them to support it through public commenda- It we voted that committee on Cooperation in Bumi- tion and support. There are other pos- nws Library Servlee be appointed by the incom~ngpd- dent. See editorfd concerning the matter snd the mm- sibilities. These are details. The point, mlth pamnnel in SPECIAL LIBRARIES, Novsmbar. however, is that through the survey 1930, p. 888. 78 SPECIAL LIBRARIES March, 1931 Municipal Reference Library and Its Service to Business By Josephine B. Hollingeworth, Librarian, Municipal Reference Library, hsAngeles NY large city has the problem of with a purpose. We found that we had, giving facilities to business men I think, twenty-eight firemen who were ofA different types, to the business man eligible for promotion examination to who pays taxes and to the business man become Fire Captain, so we wrote to who spends those taxes. The private each one of those and offered them a business man, who pays our taxes in reading course for firemen. Out of the Los Angeles, is well provided for in twenty-eight that we had written to our central library building, which is twenty-six enrolled, ten of them the right down the business center, but first hour of the next morning. We that will be taken up later on. The thought that was encouraging. A great public business man is located in our many of them finished their course and Civic Center which is about a half we are getting ready another course hour's ride from the Central Library, along the same line. in the most business part of the town. Then we wanted $I take office work- So we have concentrated our services ers We had twen~y-fiveper cent of to him up in our new City Hall, which those that had come to the library. was completed about two years ago. We started at the beginning and had a So many of our special libraries are course for juniors, so that the messenger part of a big organization. We have a boys studied office practice, elementary large number of office workers and we practice, filing, etc. Three of the have a large number of technical people, boys who took that course passed first, but in every case there is this group of so that we felt proud and one of them people who are not doing the spectacular got the job. but upon whom depends the real val- Now we are giving secretarial prac- uable result. We have spent a good deal tice. Again, we have other courses, of time lately, studying what they are police administration for criminal pro- doing and how we can help them. We cedure and others. We have one for found that we had first better find out playground work, police women, sani- the kinds of jobs the people have that tary inspectors. We found our books are coming to our library. About a year were read r~ghtaway, as soon as we ago we had about 1200 registered sent out those suggested courses. patrons and we took that as a starting In all of these different ways we felt point and we went to the Civil Service we were getting them to acquire the Department and found code numbers library habit. Beginning at the bottom, for each one of the employes, just what they will learn that the library is a place he was employed to do, how many in which to study their job, and that draftsmen there were, how many sten- they will make better enlployees if they ographers, how many police chemists, do. We believe this to be a fact and feel or whatever they might be. Then we they would be in a better position to studied the field and thought we might advance themselves. find some definite reading for them. I don't know if many of you have had Mrss FLORENCEBRADLEY : TO whom much experience with civil service ex- do you send suggestions as to courses? aminations, and it is never a welcome How do you manage that? thing when they come to us for hordes MISS HOLLINGSWORTH: We started of one subject one time and two weeks 'out with the list of names of the people later not at all. who were registered with us. We send So we thought our employe would out a mimeographed letter and say that work better and would pass his promo- "Such and such a course is offered to tion examination, which is a regulai you and nobody else can join in this way for him to get ahead, if he read course until after you have had your throughout the year. So after analyzing chance." We say that after a certain our field we began studying what we date others can be let in. However, could do with the A. L. A. idea of reading we are now in our second year and we MPrch. 1931 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 79 will be able to offer them generally, the Public Business Librarian Offers the and we shall let them know through Special Librarian and Vice Versa." bulletin boards and so on [We regret that this paper is not a~lail- When we talk the matter over with able for publication. We hope to print the heads of departments we say "What in a later issue. Editor.] do you think your junior clerks should know?" They immediately become PRESIDENTALCOTT: NOW we have a interested and some of them have taken group of speakers who in five minutes courses themselves. each will tell us about "Library Service PRESIDENTALCOTT: The next speaker to Business in San Francisco," and Mr. will be Miss Rose L. Vormelker, Busi- Robert Rea is going to speak for the ness Research Librarian, Cleveland Pub- Public Library. lic Library, who will speak on "What Mr. Robert Rea!

Library Service to Business in San Francisco-The Public Library By Robert Rea, Librarian, San Francisco Public Library FTER the fire of 1906 the San lection of 1500 up-to-date business A Francisco Public Library was reor- books, financial services as well as ganized and the trend of its growth was periodicals and newspapers. The room, influenced by the urgent needs of the however, is so small that it does not time. In meeting these needs, because permit us to expand the collection and of San Francisco's geographic position carry on the activities that are essential and traditions, the work of supplying to give adequate service to the business information for business men and or- community of a city of that size. This ganizations took first place. The con- experiment has proven so successful tacts established then made the library that we have hopes in the future of part of the business life of the city in the procuring larger quarters and making same degree that it became part of our this business hranch a more permanent cultural world. and active feature of our system. Notwithstanding that a great part While the value of a business branch of the work in the reference department is unquestioned, I firmly believe that is business research, we have always the central library will always be the realized the necessity of a downtown final court of appeal for more thorough business branch. As a preparatory step, and exhaustive work on business prob- a few years ago we made a survey of the lems. Such material as bound files of firms then maintaining special libraries newspapers and periodicals will always to ascertain if a business branch of the play an important part in business Public Library would relieve them of research and are too cumbersome and too this expense. The decision was unan- expensive to duplicate and of necessity imous that such a branch could not give must be housed in the main library, the specialized servlce that they re- leaving the business branch free to ac- quired but would be invaluable by quire that material which will be of acting in a supplementary manner most immediate use. to them. A branch of this kind would There is one more problem that I also be of great assistance to firms and think we should study if we are going business men who could not afford to to carry out the work of the business maintain a special library of their own. branch in the downtown districts. I Unfortunately, on account of limited think a business branch will be almost funds we were not able to carry out the same as a main library to its our plan until a year ago when we took branches. the initial step in this direction. The The trend of the modern office build- Russ Building in the heart of the finan- ings, with their thousands of workers, cial district generously offered us a room is to be self-sustained, and I think the with all accommodations. We took ad- business branch will be the center and vantage of the offer and installed a col- deposits will be placed in these build- 80 SPECIAL LIBRARIES March, 1931 ings because they are building those that we must make deposits in all of buildings nowadays to house specific these buildings in order to carry on this industries, such as insurance, fire. active work. bondings, printing and other busi- nesses I feel that if we are going to PRESIDIENTALCOTT:The next speaker keep in touch with the business man, will be Mrs. Mary 0. Carniody for to give immediate and active service, The Mechanics' Library.

Library Service to Business in San Francisco-The Mechanics' Library

By Mrs. Mary 0. Carmody, Librarian, Mechanics' Institute

HE president of the Mechanics' interest to the technical section are Institute was to speak today, but bound The files that were clestroyecl owingT to ill health he was obliged to l~yfire lia1.e been replaced as fat as retire. I was next chosen to speak, possible These books are on open but am very sorry that he could not be shelves and are easily accessible to the here so that you could hear him, and members. There are some five hunclred also that he is going to miss the privilege technical rnagaeines-not all technical, of speaking to you. He is the appro- but five hundred magazines About priate person to represent our library three hundred are bound, but most He is a pioneer engineer who, for many of those are technical. All this material, years, has been closely associated with both the bound and unbound, with tlic the various technical and scientific exception of just the current ~ssucis societies of the Pacific Coast. cilculated. That means that a menlher We have a legitimate opportunity for of the library may have any of this reminiscing, for our library was estab- inaterial which IS the latest and best lished in 1855, seventy-five years ago. there is. He may have this in hi5 own This is Jubllee Year. Twenty-one years office or at his home, so that it would be later the American Library Association conven~entfor his reference work and was established and forty years latcr would be part of hls own hbrary, prac- the Association of California. Their tically. proceeclings this year narrate quite Everything is done to aid the librarian interestingly how actively these older to do that wollderful thing, to place the libraries in the bay region aided them results of her research work actually in their organization. on the desk of her executive. What Of course, the interesting event in is interesting 11s most at present is this modern library history is the Special engineering card index. It is an expen- Libraries Associat~on. One wonders sive service, but many of the special when in a public library how they ever librarians are actively alive to the value manage to get along, these business of something so good. men, without their special library, for We hope, in the course of the next certainly every question that has ever year, to subscribe to this and find out been propounded to a business man he how useful it may prove to be. Of turns over to the special librarian. She course, any experiment is worth trying, knows the libraries in the conmunity to improve a special library service. and the resources of each. Our library was established as a gen- eral library for circulatio~lant1 reference, hut it tends strongly towards the tech- Puasrnexr Ar.co.r.r : The third speaker nical. on the subjecl of 1-lbrary Service to There is a IT. S, depository. All of the Business in San Francisco, is Mr. W. A. doyments that would be of special Worthington. March, 1931 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 81 Library Service to Business in San Francisco-Special Libraries of San Francisco

By William A. Worthington, Assistant Engineer, Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

E are particularly pleased to wel- outside interests when the requests are W come the Special Libraries As- within reason. From time to time people sociation to San Francisco in this its in need of data call upon a business twenty-first ycar For now it has library for assistance and when possible reached majority. It has reached its full it is readily given. Thus many are im- legal age. It has attained the stage of pressed with the service rendered, and being greater. Based as it is, upon the friends are made for their organization. foundation laid by that great pioneer One of the large banks serves its John Cotton Dana, and carried along officials and employees located through- for over two score years by capable out the whole state. With the main busi- leadership, with a present membership ness library in the northern portion of more than 1200, it has not only and a business branch in the southern reached the age of majority, of being portion of the state, service is rendered greater but with the high type of per- to the personnel of the company in 291 sonnel conlprising its membership it branches located in 86 cities. will continue to grow, reachmg greater An oil company that desires to call heights than probably the founders to the attention of certain departments, ever dreamed of specific material that particularly ap- The San Francisco Association orig- plies to their work, issues highly selective inally started in 1921 with a membership monthly summaries of current material. of ten, several of whom were members of the National Association. It ,more A railroad library, one of the oldest or less functioned during the period of in San Francisco, had its beginning as a 1921 to 1924, at which time it took a recreational library. Showing the growth new lease on life and was the first local of demands for business information association to affiliate with the national and wise guidance by the librarian, association under the amended by- fiction now forms only a small phase of laws. the library's activities Today it is The complexities of business life primarily a highly specialized reference demand specialized work along many and transportation library, furnishing more lines than formerly-libraries are material to thousands of employees, also one of these specialties The business havmg jurisdiction over the direction library has sprung into full being. in of service to railway clubs throughout many industries. It is a tool bringing the system. to business much information in a com- One of the public utilities publishes paratively short space of time, a time the additions to the library during the saver for executives and employees. It month, thus making available to more is an aid to efficiency and up-io-date- than 10,000 employees, scattered ness in methods and practice. Business throughout thirty-eight counties, cover- no longer plays a lone hand, but wishes ing an 61,000 miles, larger than the to know the other firm's problems and combined area of New Hampshire, New how they are solved. Jersey, Vermont, Maryland, Massa- By dispersing organized knowledge, chusetts, Delaware, Connecticut and by means of research, through indexes, Rhode Island, the latest material avail- bibliographies, reports and services, the able. Requests for material from any library gives to its company help in part of the system are filled from the technical problems, educational work general office library. and recreation. The State Chamber of Commerce, The business library is used by the through their research department and employees as the librarians like it to library not only serve the business of be used. The business libraries of San San Francisco, but give statewide ser- Francisco also stand ready to serve vice. 82 SPECIAL LIBRARIES March, 1931

The California Economic Research and with the persuasion of a trained Council, cooperating with the Executive librarian eager to create a library, the Research Committee of the State Cham- way is made a bit easier ber of Commerce, initiated and fostered The business librarians have always a movement to coordinate and strength- had the fullest cooperation from the en research and fact-finding activities State Librarian and from the County They listed and published an outline Librarians. Evidences of this are in- of the information compiled by one dicated by the ready response to re- hundred and fifty agencies. quests for material from the state library. We are fortunate in having a very well About one year ago the San Fran- equipped State Library at Sacramento, cisco Public Library established a busi- our Capital City, with facilities for Ful- ness branch library in the financial filling requests throughout the state district. That this branch is being ad- This service is a factor in assisting the ministered satisfactorily is indicated by business librarians in serving the busi- its growing popularity. It is the first ness man. business branch of a public library to be Throughout the members of the established on the Pacific Coast. San Special Libraries Association of San Francisco, like other cities, has many Francisco there is a fine spirit of co- business firms who have not found it operation. The various hbraries reali~e convenient to establish their own li- that they are dependent upon one braries. The business branch thus another at various times for information. serves these firms and in turn helps to sell the idea of a business library, for if PRESIDENTALCOTT: There is one a business man finds that a public other paper which does not appear on business lit:al-y serves his needs he the revised program, a paper prepared will use it more and more and the germ by Mrs. Leidendecker of Los Angeles. of the seed of a library of his own is sown It will be read by Miss Robertson

Library Service to Business in Los Angeles

By Mrs. Ann Leidendecker, Science Department, Lor Angeles Public Library

E are very grateful to Miss Robert- and care of seldom-used materials would W son of the Bank of Italy for con- be uneconomical. senting to bring our greetings to you, The heavy taxpayers of the com- and to tell you of the very cordial and munity are the business firms of that cooperative relations existing between community and, as such, have a right the strictly special librarians and the to, look to their tax-supported public public library members of our section. library for very definite sources of help We find that most special libraries for their business and technical prob- cover the fields of business, science and lems. The firms having their own special industry. In our central building, in the and specific needs well covered in a heart of the business center of Los An- special library, (and because they are geles, Sociology (the 300's) and Science aggressive and alive, need much sup- and Industry (the 500's and 600's) are plementary material) know what general immediate neighbours in the west part "source" background materials arewant- of the building. ed so they use the Central public library, For the firm or institution largeenough this general source background which to afford a special library and a librarian is easily accessible to most, and because (any so-called "library" with an office the central library houses the large boy or girl in charge might just as well reference collections in every subject not be) that library is usually very it is the logical mecca for all searches. closely restricted to the very special The Public Library tries to understand needs of the business of the firm or these needs and gives to the firms having institution-to that institution any large a special librarian a "Corporation Card" digression necessitating the purchase which allows that firm to have twenty- March, 1931 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 83 five titles charged at one time instead cause of the highly restricted field of the of the usual five; and again, each depart- regular special library, the librarian has ment, appreciative of the urgent need the opportunity of either advanced of time allows the special librarian to information or out-of-the-way sources take out reference materials for special of information in their speciality that or specific emergencies, and this loan the public librarian cannot contact. is for the minimum time of one hour to Unless the information is a firm secret forty-eight hours, depending upon the the library is enabled to ask for evalua- general public need. tions on technical questions and books In the very vital field of serials we for the special statistics compiled only feel the public library renders its great- by that firm or association or other trade est service to the Special Librarians, information. serials of constantly growing importance, PRESIDENTALCOTT : Miss Florence which are expensive and expansive in Bradley of the Metropolitan Life In- purchasing, caring for, binding and surance Company is going to do two housing. This is one of the broadest things. She is going to speak on "How "source" fields for the special searcher the Private Business Librarian Helps and it is here that the public library and Is Helped by the Public Business can and does render service. Librarian," and she will then undertake We have touched on the library service to sum up some of the items presented to the Special Librarian. We want to here today and will lead in the discussion emphasize the aid given by the Special in which we hope there will be general Librarian to the Public Library Be- participation. .

How the Private Business Librarian Helps and is Helped by the Public Business Librarian By Florence Bradley, Librarian, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, New York City various discussions, I think The using of the library tools-our cover the few words I had to say indexes and bibliography, "Reading with THEon my assigned topic. So I would like a purpose" which Miss Hollingsworth to omit my paper and say a few words spoke of-the using of those tools is on our common client, the business man. taken too much for granted by us To me the modern business man is the librarians. True our business man ex- most important point in our picture. pects us to know them all, still he does Are we as a profession watching him, like to have them brought to his at- measuring him today with a generation tention occasionally. For example ago. In my own company the contrast one of our officers discovered P. A. I. S. that has been brought out very clearly not so long ago. We have always had to me is the difference between the it in the library. His work has demanded university product and the old-school its constant use, but he had never hap- business man. The university graduate pened to see a weekly issue of P. A. I. S. who enters business for the first time, before. Now when we hand over a looks upon a library within the company finished job his question is, "Did you as a most acceptable but obvious service. use P. A. I. S.?" It is simply that he is If it is good he uses it more and more. delighted to know therc is in existence If not then he discards it and trains his such efficient magic as that weekly, secretary or some group of workers monthly and cumulative service. One within his bureau to do his research or two others have discovered that the work. I wonder how many librarians Reading with a Purpose series which we are keeping in mind, that they have an sell are again perfectly obvious tools enormous opportunity with the junior that all libraries have. They recognize officer, an opportunity with the new the necessity of good working tools and business man just starting out in his are highly delighted that they are avail- career, to advertize not only our pro- able. Surely it is intelligent to advertise fession but our Association. our wares and call to the attention of 84 SPECIAL LIBRARIES March, 1931

executives and likely business men the Bulletin that they make a great point of interesting things we do within our advertising that if any member of the profession, and not look upon them as Filene Store is not a resident of the city just books and ordinary devices Busi- of Boston the firm will stand for them ness men should know that we are a and endorse their membership in the group of special librarians working on new business library that Boston has these things; that thinking about them just opened this last year. Miss Leiden- and devising them, is a professional decker's paper I think also brought out matter. I think they would be very the point of having a firm card. much more impressed than any of us Some relation should be established realize. between business libraries and public I think Mr. Rea's point about the libraries, whereby an institutional metn- new form of architecture, or the new bership or firm card would make it trend toward specialized business build- possible for an exchange of books to be ings, is quite interesting. 1 would not arranged, instead of limitmg us to the say that every business library in every usual personal library card allowing only city will find it feasible to make deposits two, four or sls books at a time. of books in those buildings, but possibly Would it be poss~bleto have in every the business libraries that are established public business library a key person, in those buildings might be looked upon to whom special librarians might turn? as deposits of books, while the librarians It might be a great nuisance to a public in charge, closely in touch with the library if all of the special librarians business librarian of the sty, will in the city asked the same questions closely coordinate their work in such a every single day, many times a da)~ way, that the effect would be as sug- In New York city it helps a great deal gested by Mr. Rea. Miss Vorrnelker's for us to have one person to turn to, scheme will probably demonstrate that and there it happens to be the inter- by creating an interest among the busi- branch loan person who stands between ness concerns, more private libraries the reference and circulating department will be organized. She will find that the and the branches We have the facilities librarians appointed to be in charge of of all the branches at our disposal, in those future libraries will look to her, addition to the reference department and informally as their head or chief ad- circulating department. I think that to visor which will make for exactly the concentrate on one key person in every same scheme of deposit relationship public library, someone to whom the that Mr. Rea has in mind. special librarians might legitimately It seems to me that is the professional turn with the~rquestions, would be one point we want to keep in mind and budd simplification. toward, all working in parallel lines Will it be possible for special librarians instead of at cross purposes. to indicate to the public library oc- Now there are one or two details casional publications we would like to we all want to agree on,-the points have issued? In New York City we do that this future committee will prob- not know the things that are at our ably want to take up are such things as disposal in the public library. have been brought out this morning. If our Public Library would issue One is the matter of discards. It is the among their regular publications a greatest relief to me to be able to send bulletin of special services, it would be my discards off to the public library. a great help to all of us to use intelligent- I do dislike to throw away duplicates ly the resources of as large an institution of things that we had paid large sums as the New York Public Library-so of money for, and that could still be of rich it is that even librarians can not use to someone. know it all. But it is to study further The matter of firm cards is going to questions of this sort that this new com- be another point on which we would mittee will probably do for us, Mr. like to have some uniform practice. Alcott. In New York City this does not seem Now are there any questions about to be a feasible thing. I noticed in the the papers that have been read this Filpne Cooperative Association Library morning? It seemed interesting and March, 1931 , SPECIAL LIBRARIES 85 quite significant, in many ways, that special person, to which all special when this very excellent April issue of librar~anshave access. Anything we have SPECIAL LIBRARIES came out it is available. While we give them help, was followed by the Special Libraries they have the additional privilege of number of the Library Journal. It was, going to the shelves. I suppose, rather a coincidence that the I was very much interested in what two should have been issued together; has been said here this morning about but if you read and balance them a bit development of special libraries, tech- in your mind, you will realize how far nical divisions, etc. As a business man along we really have gotten in just these I was interested in the expansion of the points that we have been discussing this business department. I have always morning,-the public library work and said, with Mr. Dana, once you convince business library work are fitting-much business men that a library is an asset more into one proper, professional point and not a liabihty, they will see that of view. I think it is something we not you get the proper support. We have only want to'recognize, but also cherish the backing of our business men in -that these two magazines should have Kansas City. appeared simultaneously and demon- I would like to further say that we strated how much we are really thinking do not hesitate to call the Kansas City along similar lines. Star or the Telephone Company or Mrss MARY LOUISE ALEXANDER,anybody else that has information to (Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn, help us When we call upon them there New York City) : I was thinking of the is no difficulty at all. The relations splendid work the public librarians are between all our institutions is something doing for the special librarians, and that we are especially proud of. wondering if we weren't falling down MISSMARJORIE G. ROBERTSON,Bank in our possible cooperation I wish of Italy, Los Angeles: May I ask Mr. that we might hear definitely from Wright what special privileges libraries public librarians that they have some- give to the business libraries there. thing in mind for us to do. Isn't there Do you give them special service in the something, really, that we could con- way of lending-pamphlets or bound tribute to public library work? Couldn't material overnight? Mr. Wright, for instance, make a few MR.WRIGHT: That depends ab- practical suggestions? solutely on the material wanted. Any MR. PURDWRIGHT, Kansas City. reference material is issued subject to I was a charter member of this Special cost. Libraries Association with Mr. Dana I was very much interested because MISS MARJORIE G. RO~ERTSON: I came into library work from the print- Would you circulate, for example, a - ing standpoint-editor, Secretary of the bound volume of the American Bankers Chamber of Commerce-so that I have Journal for overnight work? known some broad fields not covered MR. WRIGHT:For a limited time any by public libraries. We have our special business man can get anything we have librarians trained. We regard the busi- -but for a limited time. That means ness hbraries as branches of the public bound magazines. library and that we are entitled to the MISS MARY LOUISE ALEXANDER- same service (New York City) : To get back to There are many special libraries in a possible bulletin-would it be pos- Kansas City We have the Chamber of sible for public libraries to tell us not Commerce Library, the Street Railway only of their big undertakings, but Company Library, the Telephone Com- also issue lists of their services? So pany Library, and quite a number of often I have wondered which li- others. Unfortunately they don't know braries have a certain advertising regis- much about the library, escept their ter that costs $150.00 per year. Not own end of the work, but we do con- every library would buy it. Wouldn't sider then1 as branch libraries. it save us all money if we could know In our Reference Room there is where to place the important informa- practically a division, in charge of a tion services? 7. 86 SPECIAL LIBRARIES March. 1931

MR. WRIGHT: Another thing is the MISS FLORENCEBRADLEY: Mr. Rea's Clipping Department. Every special point brings to mind once more how library lets us know of the things in unfortunate it is that this morning which they are especially interested. we could not have Miss Manley with us. MISS MARYLOUISE ALEXANDER: But Miss Manley has circularized quite a would it be possible or feasible for the list of public librarians and put to them public libraries to issue a list of ex- certain questions. I think she has the pensive services, directories and other beginning of just that kind of a fund similar material that might be time- of information. Whatever she can turn savers and money-savers for special over to this committee, when it is librarians if they knew all of the things formed for next year, will be a very available in public libraries? great help to them. Mr. Rea's sug- gestion is one that we must pass on to MISS ROSE L. VORMELKER(Cleve- that committee. land Public Library, Cleveland, Ohio) : MISS MARGARETREYNOLDS (First The Cleveland Library is issuing a Wisconsin National Bank, Milwaukee, monthly bulletin and if it does not cause Wisconsin) : Has anybody thought of too much demand I would recommend what we are doing for the public library? it as being one of the most useful month- Are you giving your Reference Librarian, ly publications that I have ever seen. in your home town, the list of all of PRESIDENTALCOTT : Miss Vormelker expensive services and directories to lists not only new books or the funda- which you subscribe each year? Are mental authorities on the subject that you making them available? That is she is dealing with but she does include one of my good-will builders and that just such things as Miss Alexander has is why we can draw from the Milwaukee suggested. Whatever services there are Public Library books in unlimited quan- having to do with a given subject are tities. We don't have to think at all listed, outlined and annotated, in such about cards-we have only one card a way that a special librarian, business They are glad to let us have five or six man or the least technical reader would hundred books at a time, but it is not understand exactly what resources the all fiction-very little of it. By way of Cleveland Public Library offers. exchange we have the back files of MISS K. DOROTHYFERGUSON (Bank services for which they cannot afford to of Italy, N. T. & S. A., San Francisco, subscribe. We also receive cooperation Cahfornia) : Wouldn't it be possible for from the University of Wisconsin. Many the incoming committee to make a list of their men have to come to us to do of the public libraries that issue bulle- their theses. tins, with perhaps a little notation of If you send out your list regularly something special that each bulletin so they may know what you have, contains? I think that would help us they will bring you business in return. because I don't think everybody knows Business goes all around throughout the what public libraries are covering in service with a valuable reaction, tho their bulletins. I know a lot of special librarians wouldn't encourage outside users. MR.WRIGHT: Yes. Mrs. Louise P. Dorn (Detroit Edison MR. ROBERT REA (San Francisco Company, Detroit, Michigan) : Of Public Library): May I make a sug- course, Detroit is very, very largely gestion? Would it not be better for this industrial. We have duplicate copies committee to circularize the various of many technical periodicals. As the public libraries and try as far as possible public library cannot afford to put sub- to secure uniform privileges for special scriptions into each of its branches libraries? You speak of the cards for they are deeply grateful for our old special libraries, the number of books copies which they bind and put into they have. You are really agents of their branch libraries. public libraries and I think it would be Our relations are extremely pleasant a commendable thing for all public with both the public library and the libraries in the United States to concede University of Michigan Library. They to your demands. are most courteous to us. We try to March, 1931 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 87 reciprocate and often wish they would FROMTHE FLOOR:Mr. President, call upon us more than they do. We we are a little more liberal here in San have had the Engineering Index Service Francisco. The newspapers here in since its inception The Public Library San Francisco are a little more liberal couldn't order it for quite a while and than the President here is permitted to many times different ones, professbrs be. Probably his superior officers hold and others, would come in and go him down but I have to hold my through the Engineering Index File. superior officers down when it comes to I think they both have it now But I lending matter out of the library. They do think that often we are thoughtless are quite liberal, and we in turn some- in discarding material which might be times borrow from ihe other papers here, of incalculable value to the public li- even to a cut or photograph of a going braries. story. I myself like that attitude, al- PKESIDENTALCOTT: May I bring out though I have to keep right on the trail the point on which Miss Alexander of that piece of matter and see that it spoke, as to what the Special Library gets back to the library. I am glad the may do for the Public Library? In our other newspapers help us out oc- newspaper library at Boston-and I casionally. I don't see why we shouldn't think it is perhaps true of some other do that. libraries-not a thing may go out of our library. It is absolutely for our own MISS FLORENCEBRA~LEY (Metropol- service, but we make a distinction be- itan Life Insurance Company, New tween material and information. We York City): As there seem to be no will give any kind of information and other special point for us to bring out in are very glad indeed to give it to another discussion this morning, I think we will special librarian. Nearly always in- leave it to further thought, meditation formation is given over the telephone. and prayer as we all feel this thing very That is a problem the newspaper li- deeply and very keenly. We want to brarians had to work out first of all, thank Mr. Wright very much for his even before holding an association meet- coming into our meeting because we ing. We couldn't give anything to rival look upon these charter members of our newspapers-not clippings, not photo- association as the most valuable people graphs, not a cut, not a book, not a that we have. They add greatly to our thing-but we would gladly supply conviction as well as to the suggestions information. that are made.

1909 Special Libraries Association 1931 Executive Board PaEsro~~~--MissMargaret Reynolds, First Wisconsin National Bank, Milwaukee, Wia, FIRSTVICE-PRESIDENT-Miss Jessie Callan, Librarian, Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad, Pitte- burgh, Penn. SECONDVICE-PRESIDENT-Mrs. Louise P. Dorn, Librarian, Detroit Ediaon Company, Detroit, Mich. T~~asu~~a-hfissElizabeth 0. Cullen, Reference Librarian, Bureau of Railway Economics. Washington, D C. D~EcToRs-W~~~~~~Alcott, Librarian, Boston Globe, Boston, Mass. Miss Eleanor S. Cavanaugh, Librarian, Standard Statistics Co., New York City. Arthur E. Boatwick, Librarian, Public Library, St. Louis, Mo. Angus Fletcher, Librarian, British Library of Information, New York, N. Y. Genera1 Office EXECUTIVESECRETARY-Mra. Mary H. Brighnm, I I Niabet Street, Providence, R. I. Phone, Plantations 0798. 88 SPECIAL LlBRARf ES March, 1931. , Editorial Board EDITOR, Herbert 0. Brigham, State Library, Providence, R. I. Associate Editors D. N. Handy, Insurance Library Association'of Boston; M. E. Pellett, Library The Port of New York Authority; Rebecca B. Rankin, Municipal Reference Library, New York City. Department Editors Charlotte L. Carmody, Department of Commerce Library, Washington, D. C. Ethel Cleland, Business Branch, Public Library, Indianapolis, Ind. Thomas Cowles, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, Cal. Elizabeth 0 Cullen, Bureau of Railway Economics, Washington, D. C. Louise Keller, Independence Bureau, Philadelphia, Pa. Marian C. Manley, Business Branch, Public Library, Newark, N. J. Emilie Mueser, Engineering Societies Library, New York City. A. A. Slobod, General Electric Co., Schenectady, N. Y.

Inactive Members HE Special Libraries Association is blessed with a splendid active membership. T They are a group always alert and ready to do any job which is suggested io or assigned them which is for the welfare of the Association. I wonder if it has occurred to each member that he or she has something to con- tribute CONTINUALLY to the Association. Perhaps you have not thought of it. The Secretary's Oftice should be the clearing house of information for the entire membership and for any outsider wanting information about special libraries. But the Secretary's Office can not function in that way unless it has the ammunition always ready at hand. You as an inclividual member are THE ONE to supply that ammunition. How? do you ask? First, if your library issues a bulletin or regular publication of any kind, is ii mailed as soon as issued to the Secretary's Office at Providence? Second, if you publish a special list of books or a new bibliography do you present a copy to the Secretary's Office? Third, should an article about your library appear in your company's house organ, is a marked copy forwarded to the Secretary's Office? Fourth, do you send news oi your library which is of interest to all special li- brarians that may be used in SPECIAL LIBRARIES? Fifth, when you have a'bright idea one of these days, take time to write it in an article and submit to the editor of SPECIAL LIBRARIES. He rnay get a shock-but try it! Sixth, if you adopt new methods in your library, tell the Secretary's Office about it. Are you a really active member? Prove it by having your professional associati011 always in mind and keep it apprized of your library accomplishments and activities. K. B. RANKIN. March, 1931 SPECIAL LIBRARIES

Our President Says: ETWIXTand between." This menns that our present officers ancl board have but a few more ~nonthsto remain In office Miss Ruth G. Nichols, librarian of"B the Federal Reserve Bank, Chicago, has been chosen as chail-marl of the Nominat- ing Committee. Send suggestions to her Are you making your plans for Cleveland? The tentative program amazed me. So much good material right in Cleveland. Rose Vormelker is eating, sleeping ancl thinking conference. If you have a special hankering for something or feel that you would like to help in some specific way, offer your services to General Vormelker. The groups are all making plans. Those for the Financial Group are the first to come to me. That program will have some features of practical value to all reference librarians. We want more members, institutional, active and associate. \\'hat are Y0lJ doing to help us=' We expect to welcome the Milwaukee Chapter at ihc Pittsburgh board meeting. Any ideas as to other future chapters? Two simmering. M.-~GAHI~TREYNOI.DS. February 12,1931.

HE May-June issue of SPECIAL LIBRARIES will be a convention number, wi'th stories about Cleveland libraries, description of notable points in the city, Tinteresting notes about local restaurants and tea rooms, an advancc write up on the program, and many other features. The Librarians of Cleveland are all helping to make this issue a success. *** regret that in our story concerning the Mellon Institute of Industrial Re- WEsearch which appeared in the February issue of Speml Libraries we made an erroneous statement concerning the recent improvements at the Institute. The last sentence should have read: "The facilities of the Department of Research in Pure Chemistry will be expanded and cammodious laboratories will be provided for the estension of its work." *** HE Financial Group are making estensive plans for the Cleveland con\.e~ition and are sending out a questionnaire to thc members of the Group asking for suggestionsT concerning the program, inviting cornme~itson the work of the Gro~l~, and requesting names of persons who might be interested in its activities. The questionnaire idea is excellent and well worth emulating by other Groups. *** N less than three months we shall be in conference at Clevelalid. Send ideas to I Miss Rose Vormelker or to Miss Alta Claflin. Begin now to plan your trip. **C HROUGH oversight at the printers, the Index lor 1930 issued as supplelnerlt T to the February Issue was omitted. The Index is appended to this number. * .* * E are indebted to Miss Manley and Misb Bradley for valued assistance ill w preparing this issue 7 * SPECIAL LIBRARIES March, 1931 Classification and Indexing Louise Keller and Emilie Mueger, Department Editors Advi~oryCouncil: Florence Bradley, Constance Beal, Harriet D. MacPherson, Isabel Rhodes Kathrine Malterud The Classification Committee is doing some The Committee on Classificatior~s has re- self analysis and in order to get opinions, ceived but one injunction from the government unknown to the Editor of SPECIAL LI- of the Special Libraries Assoc~ation-which is BRARIES asked some of our readers for that it make itself serviceable to the members. opinions. The results were most gratifying Individual members of the Association have and the department ed~torsapproach the new had more definite ideas as to how that might year with renewed courage and stimulated be done. From the correspondence of the incentive. Editor. Committee it is poss~bleto deduce five possible The Highway of Classification functions, which the Committee has been When a business man wants a Library he is asked, directly or indirectly, to undertake. demanding organized information tho he 1-The preparation or alteration of class- probably labels it Service. Do our business ifications. men know that the librarian's key to this 2-The preparation of lists of subject objective under either name is Classification, headings. or do we let them go on assuming that we 3-The trainmg of inexperienced persons simply press a button and that Service is the in classification and cataloging. result? What progress have we made within 4-The collect~onand loan of classifications our profession this last ten years in matters of and works on classifications. classification when we admit that we have not 5-The givmg of authoritative advice as even taught our business men the significance to the best classification. of Classification as a technical term. In fact A little thought will show that projects 1 this thmg of Service has raised about us a and 2 cannot be carried on by our committee. tremendous cloud of dust. Is ~t not time to let How shall a few busy people, whose livelihood it settle a bit instead of continuing to throw is dependent upon other work, find time to pre- dust in our own eyes? pare classifications and subject lists for urgent Constant loads of research have been passing demands. Take also illto consideration that the over the highways we have built. We have requests will cover highly technical subjects, supplied signals of every kind to direct this in which the committee may frequently lack traffic but surely the time has come for us both experience and data. to mend our road beds, see that they are better Project 3, education in classification may built and more logically la~dout. Only then range from mere suggestions in self help to a will Service be easy and swift, directing the full correspondence course. The first IS not heaviest traffic that may come our way. without pitfalls. The last requlres time and Whither Go We? money not now available. Perhaps on the The Classification Department is a year old whole, educational work rightly belongs to the and the Advisory Committee is pausing to local associations, with some suggestive help ponder what it has done and what it should do. from the National Committee. Here the Our columns have been fa~thfully filled, Classification Department rrl Special Libraries month by month. We have answered requests, can aid Inexperienced Classifiers are apt to not merely by the opinion of one person, but be near sighted. Not bemg mterested for the with the assent and criticisms of all. We have moment In Advertising they may omit to read admitted articles that ill our judgment were the answer to questions on the classification helpful in adv~ce,or ingenious in suggestions of advertismg and thus miss an interesting We have invited correspondence and comments illustration of the number budding of the from our membership, and the library world, Brussels Classification, or else they may fail so far wlth scant results. to find 111 Classification for a Law Library some What do our readers think of us? That is the s~delight on the general subject of classification. question, and with that question is intertw~ned Again in the recently published art~cleon the another-what does our membersh~pthink of classified vs the dictionary catalogue, while the the National Committee on Classifications. subject is catalogue arrangement the thoughtful March, 1931 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 91 reader will find outlined the basic arguments This ie what some of our readers think. for log~calclass~fication versus alphabetic class- It seem to me that we should not consider ification, whether applied to cards, books or discontinumg this department because it 1s file material articles such as these that make our files or To make the Classification Department a Special Libraries valuable. I have usually valuable aid to education we need contribu- found that literature on these practical prob- tions, and above all readers Readers who will lems of special library work are more or less be suficiently interested to contribute thew difficult to locate. Not only do we have to comments and makc known their needs. struggle with these two subjects in our own The fourth function, the collecting and lend- files, but we are frequently co~isulted by ing of classifications, has been the work of the various departments who use Dewcy classifica- Committee on Classificat~ons from its begin- tion for their correspondence. 111 my short ning. It is a service that seems to be much ap- career as a municipal reference librarian, I preciated by those who have occaslon to use it have already had to give advice and counsel How far from complete the collection IS, no concerning a classification for the correspond- one can say, but one zealous collection in ence files of the Board of Public Ut~lit~es,the each local assoc~ation would undoubtedly map collection of the Park Department and the show how far short we now fall. Office Manual of the Bureau of Engineering, The question has been raised whether the all using numerical systems. indiscriminate collectmg and lending of class- Art~cles on particular types ol collec~ions lfications is wise Is it right for us to aid in are especrally useful, such as hfiss Giblin's spreading the use of an inferlor classification? In the October issue and the arricle on law Should we not rather endeavor to achieve library classification in the October issue un~forrnity by advocating only the standard and the article on law library clnssilication in classificatio~~? 'rheoretically the Advisory the hlay-June issue. The bibliography in the Committee of this Department hold various latter 1s unusually valuable. shades of opinion. Practically, when in con- It may be true that all of us do not read ference on a particular case, we have had no these when they first appear, but we turn to difficulties In arriving at reasonable conclusions. them in our hour of need. Insensibly we have arrivecl at the fifth I am still hoping for a special library manual functior~, the giving of authoritative advice. which can be put in the hands of new recruits The Chairman of the Committee on Classifica- or amb~tious untrained librarians. Articles tions has always disclaimed assuming this such as these could form the nucleus for book- responsibihty. "The Committee is a clearmg lets on individual types of libraries. house only," she has asserted, and has no right Josephine B. I-lollingsworth, to commit the Association to advocating or Los Angelcs. rejecting any one classification." Yet the pressure to aid in making decisions is almost I have done as you asked and really re- irresistible As a practical matter how far viewed the department for all last year . . , may the Association go? The Cha~rmanof the It was my impression that they had all in- Classifications Committee still asserts the terested me as they came out and I found that Association as an Association should take no this was true. part in discounting or accla~rningany class- I do not seem to have many problems here ification. Let it rather encourage the Advisory personally but 1 do like to keep up with what Committee of this Department to use its best other people are doing. And there are always collective opinion as occasion seems to require, new tricks to be learned about the smallest let the Associat~on encourage the study and sections of one's files. I hope you will keep the criticism of classificat~onby local groups and department on and encourage letters from individuals, or as an alternative, let us drop people who have small libraries and l~ttle the matter entirely. Shall we say to the world help so that they have to do what is absolutely of technology, of science and of business, we necessary and let the rest go special librarians have not interest in class- That is our case here. And our one aim has ification, we have other less trouble~omemat- to be to find obscure subjects swiftly and get ters that interest us more. them into the hands of the man asking for What do our readers th~nk? information before we stop to charge them out! LOUISE KELLER, Marion G. Eaton, Chairman. Boston. SPECIAL LIBRARIES March, 1931

Ry all means continue the Department of ful suggestions from time to time I believe Classification and Indexing in Special ,Li- we need such a clearing house of information Lraries. on th~simportant phase of our work. I have had occasion to use the Department to determine the best practice in the classifica- Geraldine Rammer, tion of legal books and have found other help- Stevens Point, Wis

Digest of Business Book Reviews Compiled by the Staff of the Newark Business Branch Library

Balderston, C. C. Grnup incentives. Univ. F. A. Fall. Credit Monthly, November, 1930, of Penn. Press, 1930. $2.50. p. 42. 560 words "A comparison is made of group earnings "This book, which is publ~shed under' the and unlt labor costs result~ngfrom plans now auspices of the Amer~rar~Institute of Ac- in use including piece-~ork standard time, countants, should prove a valuable guide to Gantt, Emerson, \\:ennerlund, Recleaux and all pract~singaccountants . . . It should be of Rowan." Automotive Abstracts, December, value to executives, controllers and aud~tors 1930, p. 305. 55 words. 111 planning their account~ngand other de- "It 1s based upon a serious and detailed partmental organization, as well as the method study of group incentive plans as successfully by \\hich transactions shall flow through the operated in more than fifty industr~esand books." F. H. Hurdman Journal of Account- offices of various sizes and in many local~ties." ancy, November, 1930, p. 388. 200 words. E. G. Brown Bulletin of the Taylor Society, "The purpose of this volume is to show the October, 1930, p 250. 400 words. legal aspects of fraud in accounts, and to sug- "Dr. Balderson's study goes into details as gest general remedies to prevent fraud, with to methods of setting standards and the varlous particular reference to the utrlization of the problems of size of group, choice of plans, principles of internal check as a means of unlts of payment, and ad mini strati or^." H. P. curtailmg, even preventing, irregularities in Dutton. Factory and Industrial Management, accounts." Lefax, December, 1930, p 30. June, 1930, p 1369. 155 words. 135 words. "The book takes up in considerable detail Business Briefs. January, 1931, p. 315 91 the place of such incentives, the d~fficulttesto words. be encountered 111 certain types of industries, Denny, Ludwell. America conquers Brit- the more saltsfactory types of industrial work ain. Knopf, 1930. $4.00. for posslble and easier success of such plans, and the effect in glven cases of such plans from "Mr. Denny directs the bitterest shafts of the viewpoint of management, workers and his scorn at the Hoover reglnie in the United society." D J. Hornbergcr. Journal of Ac- States Department of Commerce . . . With countancy, February, 1931, p. 148. 400 words. the aid of a remarkable grasp of economic and "It gives advanlages claimed for group in- political fact, the author counts the scalps cenlives, d~fficult~esencour~terecl in their in- which hang at the belts of American indus- stallat~on and use, and social effects of the trial~stsand bankers." H. M. Sinclair. Ameri- 1930, 294. plan Factors determining the compos~tion can Economic Review, June, p. 275 of the group are dealt with and names of com- words. panies and departments where thts type of "It is capably written, it contains a mass of compensation 1s successfully used are given." basw facts, clever but not unjustifiable argu- Management Review, January, 1931, p 29. ment, and 1s very up-to-date In outlook. It is, 147 n ords. as its t~tlesuggests, intensely nationalist in statement, but it would be difficult to sustam Bennett, G. E. Fraud-its control through , the charge of bias." The Banker, August, 1930, accounts. Century, 1930. $1.50. p. 202. 270 words. "This subject has been treaietl In a general "Some of his language is inflammatory and way In texts on accounti~igand auditing, but his deductions are open to flat contradiction, Dr. DennetL has developed it tntensively, and but his book is a valuahle comp~lationof the has Llierel~yrendered a real service Lo business." outstanding inslances of economic friction March, 1931 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 93 between the two nations." John Carter. Forbes, with unfamiliar lines of business." F. W. Thorn- , 1930, p. 90. 215 words. ton. Journal of Accountancy, May, 1930, p. 384. 440 words. Dubreuil. 11. Robots or men. Harper. 1930. $3.00 Eldridge. K. F. Financing export ship- "As a whole, he sees America as leading ments. Harper, 1930. $3.50. Europe. Surpr~singlyenough, it IS not our material eflic~ency wh~ch awakens his en- "Mr. Eldritlge endeavors to give a thorough, thusiasm as much as the true democracy." yet simple, description of the most commonly H P. Dutto~i Factory and Industrial Man- used forms of export financing and he tells agement, April, 1930, p. 843. 265 \fords. why these different methods are util~zedunder "Thc resourcefulness required in getting a varying circumstances " Dartnell Reference job, the democracy of factory life, the quick Index lunch and noon baseball and also American "Documents used. In foreign trade are re- tohacco cheaing are described in a style that produced in facsimile " American Bankers reminds onc of Ernest Dirnnet or Andre Associatmn Journal, May, 1930, p. 1096. 72 hlaurois." E. E. Brinkman. Management Re- words. view, September, 1930, p. 313. 1050 \\ords "Exporters will find . a thorough and "Dubreuil is a French mechanic, aho since analytical presentallon of a subject with a h~ch 1920 has been Secretary of the French Federa- comparati\ely few American firnis have yet t~onof Labor. In 1927 he came to the United had extensive esper~ence." H. P. Dutton States where he I~verlarid worked for 15 mos., Factor) and Industrial Management , Septem- stud} ing American industrial condit~ons. I-le ber, 1930, p 530 40 words writes, not as an object~veobserver, but as a "It IS regrettable that n btbl~ograpl~ywas not mall \tho has toiled with his hands in the new included so that a reader interested in pursuing and the old country, and who is trymg to make the subject furthc~could do so more easily " an honest appraisal of the worker's lot In the Nat~on's Rus~ness,July, 1930, p. 128. 105 two continents " \\'~lliarn Feather. Nation's words. Business, May, 1930, p. 227. 645 words "He found that American workers are not Harrison, G. C. Standard costs. Ronald. Robots, and are not likely to become Robots. 1930. $5.00. It is true that the era of the machine requires less purely manual dexter~tyin many cases, " 'This book, therefore, has been written to but at the same time it demands a higher provide a complete manual of accepted practise degree of techn~calknonledge." M. G. Myers. in regard to standard costs, which give the Personnel Journal, October, 1930, p. 264. only means for predicting costs in advance, for 742 words. checking actual costs ng~~ristpre-estimatcs, "The Amcricau workman, Mr. Dubreuil and for deterniining the causes of variations.' " finds, is no nh~tbetter than the European American Accountant, September, 1930, p. 426. It is nmnagement which accounts for our in- 700 words. dustr~alsuccess " System, August, 1930,p. 132. "By arranging In a unique series of charts 189 I\ ortls. the form on wli~ch the necessary data are entered, Jlr. Harrison traces graphically the Eggleuton, D. C. Modern accounting various t rarisactlolis of a standard cost sysle~n." theory and practlce. Wiley, 1930. $5.00. Certified I'ul~lic Accountant, Septen~ber, 1930. "The reviewer has been impressed with the p. 288. 160 words large number of subjects treated and also \wth "The book on the \\hole is rather more an the sound theories which have been prescntetl." expos~t~onof the author's methods of pro- F. \\' G~bbs Account~ngRev~ew, December, cedure in designing and installing standard 1930,p. 325. 875 \\ords. cost systems than a ~nanualof standard costs "Anothe,r new feature is lhe cornplete ex- or a tertbook of the subject." 13. R. Atkins. plan,ition for the procedure in preparing cor- Journal of Accountancy, August, 1930, p. 147 poration Federal i~icometax relurns." Cerlifietl 6 16 words. Publ~cAccountant, September, 1930, p. 288. "This book \\dl serve as a reference manual 160 nortls. to experienced cost accountants and esecuti~es "The contents will be of value to experienced and ill addition w11I be a ver). fine ~iianualfor professional accountants, especially if they are students." hlanagernent Re\ ien , January, called upon to do work on accounts dealing 1931, p. 29. 300 words. 94 . SPECIAL LIBRARIES March, 1931

Kester, R. B. Accounting theory and ume the strategy used by successful men to practise. Ronald, 1930. $4.00. influence other people." Dartnell Reference "The conlpleteness of the work makes it an Index. admirable reference book and should be In the "This book bids lair to be to the husiness hands of every accountant and business ex- world what Machiavelli is to the world of . ecutive " Accounting Review, December, politics: a sound education in the art of man- 1930, p. 335. P. H.Hensel. 575 words. aging other people." John Carter. Forbes, "It 1s at once authoritat~vefrom the theo- November 15, 1930. 195 words. retical standpoint and practical from the in- "From all kinds of sources, with a multitude structional standpoint." American Account- of anecdote, they tell exactly what strategy ant, September, 1930, p. 424. 616 words. was employed by men like Lincoln, Roosevelt, "It explains In deta~lthe handling of all of Andrew Carnegie, Ed~son,Ford, Rockefeller, the various types of transactions and the suc- and a host of others." Granite, January, 1931, cessive steps in the mechanics of record keep- p. 16. 340 words. ing." Certified Public Accountant, September, "Many 11v1ngmen who occupy the present- 1930, p. 288 140 words day stage appear within the covers of th~s "In the present edition Professor Kester ad- human document." G. L. Wilson. Lefax, dresses h~mself more to busmess executives- December, 1930, p. 25. 280 words the student of accountancy takes second place." "Is it north reading? As entertainment- W. H. Lawton. Journal of Accountancy, Aug- yes. As a check list to see how many of the ust, 1930, p. 149. 418 words. principles you have found to work in your own Kurtz, E. B. Life expectancy of physical experience-yes." J. W. Dietz. Management 1930, 385. 539 property. Ronald, 1930. 56.00. Rev~ew,November, p. words. "How to make people like you; how to "The author applies the pri~wples and Impress strangers, how to establish your in- methods used by I~fe-insuranceactuaries to the fluence over superiors and subordinates and life problems of structures, machinery, equip- friends." System, January, 1931, p. 50. 95 ment, and other physical property." Auto- words. motive Abstracts, December, 1930, p. 305. White, W. L. Cooperative retail buying 50 words. associations. McCraw-Hill, 1930. 53.00. "The book gives a sound basis for calculat- "Mr White endeavors in this book to deter- ing the annual cost of renewal of depreciation mine whether the cooperative retail buying losses, and offers at least an approach to a association is a more economical distributor solution of the difficult problem of obsoles- of merchandise than the customary service cence." H. P. Dutton Factory and Industr~al wholesaler. The material he presents has been Management, September, 1930, p. 530. 210 secured through both persolla1 calla and the words. use of questionnaires." Dartnell Reference "The chemical engineer concerned with ap- Index. 120 words praisals, valuations, and determinations of de- "With independent retailers, chain stores, preciations will, despite the d~fficulties of and cooperative groups waging an increasing applying Professor Kurtz' methods to chemical bitter war against each other, the business man equipment, find in this book much suggestive who feels his ideas of functional denlarcat~on matter applicable to the depreciation factors in marketing growing hazy will turn urith eager of mechan~caladjuncts of a chemical factory " interest to this book." L C. Lockley. Ad- A. E. Marshall. Industrial and Engineering vertising and Selling, May 14, 1930, p. 44. Chemistry, November, 1930, p. 1260 380words. 400 words. "The financ~al and accounting features of "Whereas chain stores and contract whole- depreciation are completely overlooked, so sale systems may be able to improve mer- while Professor Kurtz' study may have value chandising methods and reduce both wholesale for the statistician and perhaps the public- 'and retail expense, the advantages of the co- utility engineer, it is useless to the accountant." operative are largely confined to the reduction M. E. Peloubet Journal of Accountancy, of wholesale expense." F. E. Clark. American October, 1930, p. 312. 440 words. Economic Review, September, 1930, p. 513. Webb, E. T. and Morgan, J. J. B. Strategy 319 words. in handling people. Boulton, Pierce, "A history of these associations is given, 1930. 53.00. their causes and present strength, comparative "Mr Webb, a business man, and Mr. costs of doing business, also their problemn of Morgan, a psychologist, tell you in this vol- selling, credit, delivery, buying, atorage, or- March, 1931 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 95

ganization, management, location, and co- "Information regarding the railroad terminal operation." Management Review, January, services of the chief cities of the United Staterr, 1931, p. 30. 210 words. Canada, and England should prove of aid to Wilson, G. L. Co-ordinated motor-rail- the shipper." System, October, 1930, p. 550. eteamshlp transportation. Appleton, 140 words. 1930. $3.00. Withers, Ilartley. Meaning of money. "It is a book especially interesting to traffic Dutton, 1930. $2.00. managers and warehousemen because it brings within one cover a condensed statement of "The fifth edition of Mr. Withers' book store-door deliveries, 'constructive' off-line contams chapters discussing new aspects of the stations of the railroads, container car services gold standard, America's recently acquired and a dozen other railroad facilities of whlch leadership in world finance and the need for co- we all know something but seldom know much operation among central bank executives." in detail." Distribution & Warehousing, American Bankers Association Journal, Septem- August, 1930, p. 36. 1143 words. ber, 1930, p. 245. 50 words. "The automotive highway carrier, 'the lusty "hlr. Withers describes and analyzes the infant of the Amer~cantransportation family," English monetary and banking system, the plays a major part in the book." Industr~al functioning of the money market, and the Digest, July, 1930, p. 23. 330 words intr~caciesof mternational financial relations "This volume not only describes what has in a delightful manner " F. A. Bradford. taken place in coordinating motor, rail, and American Economic Review, December, 1930, steamship facilities, but goes on to show the p. 770 185 words. definite results and to outline the future ob- jectives and possibilities. Lefax, September, "The Meaning of Money is an early volume 1930, p. 29. 330 words. which, after twenty-seven ~nlpressions, has "The author of 'Traffic Management' dis- now appeared in a fifth edition." The Banker, cusses thoughtfully a plan for a national, March, 1930, p. 446. 520 words. privately owned, publicly regulated system of "The author's aim has been, and continues transportation which would utilize each agency to be, to meet the difficulty experienced by the of transportation in the services to which it is average reader in understanding newgpaper especially fitted and for which it is most articles which deal with the money market." economical and efficient." Management Re- Industrial Digest, September, 1930, p. 19. view, January, 1931, p. 30. 90 words. 650 words. Trade Directories Trade Catalogs The fact was brought out at the meeting At one time, the Special Librar~esAssocia- of the Special Libraries association in San tion had an active Committee on Trade Francisco that there was no annual list of trade Catalogs. What has become of it? At any mte, and general directories with any pretentions that question of how to handle trade cataIogs to completeness. As a result, it was suggested in a special l~braryis a dimcult one. One con- that the Commercial-Technical group take tribution to a possible solution of the problenl steps to secure the publication of such a list. is now niade by the National Association of Under the general heading of "Directories," Purchasing Agents. ' the "Public Affairs Information Service Bul- letin" will undertake to supply the lack. Clari- That Association has a Contn~itteeon Pur- be1 R. Barnett, I~brarianof the U. S. Depart- chasing Department Organization and Pro- ment of Agriculture, will co-operate with Mr. cedure and one of their studtes issued in printed Sawyer, chairman of the Publication committee, form is "Indexing and Filing of Catalogs." in securing information on new editions of these directories. The committee will be composed Perhaps you also know that the National of members closely in touch with new publica- Association of Purchasing Agents, Wool- tions in this field, thereby making available worth Building, New York, N. Y., has adopted a weekly record of new directory publications a national standard catalog size (7%" x 10%") under that heading where, before, they were which is backed by eleven of the large influential listed only by subject, and in the annual vol- ume of the P. A. I. S. Bulletin there will be a associations interested in this matter of trade check list of publications of this type. catalogs. SPECIAL LIBRARIES March, 1931 Associations Boaton Dinner was served at six fifteen in the Coffee The Boston Chapter met at the Federal I-louse and later the meeting was called to Reserve Bank on Monday evening, March order by the Pres~dent, Mr. Conforti. He Znd, with e~ghty-fivemembers present. Prior announced that plans were bcing made for a to the meeting over fifty members met for jo~ntmeeting ol the Illinois Chapter and the dinner at the Insurance Society of Massa- Chicago Library Club during the month of chusetts Lunch Club on Milk Street. Miss March. The results from such a meeting should Marion G Eaton, hostess of the evenmg, prove interesting and entertaining. welcomed the members of the Association to The Presiden~then presented the guest and the Federal Reserve Bank and described speaker of the evening, hliss Jane Addan~s. briefly some of the functions of her library. Miss Addams talked for about forty-five The President, hliss Abbie G. Glover, intro- mmutes, visual~~ingthe sirndarity of proceclurc duced the speaker of the evening, Mr. Roy A. in the work of the settlement worker and the Young, Governor of the Federal Reserve Rank special lihrar~an. She went on to explain the of Boston. Mr Young spoke all too briefly orig~nof Hull House, a few of its many ac- on present day business condit~onsand at the complishments, hon it is financed and some- conclusion of h19 talk the members of the thing about the various nationalities in the Associat~onxere given an opportunity to ask location. quest~ons. After the reading of the secretary's After Miss Addams' talk, three guides con- and treasurer's report the president ga\e the ducted the group through I-lull i-lousc. Such ed~torof SPECIAL LIBRARIES an oppor- an interesting tr~pwill renialn for many years tunity to talk about the magazme. Four ncw in the mmds of those who were present. members were admitted to membership and The Illinois Chapter hcld a joint meeting announcements made concerning the Cleveland at the Chicago Library Club on Thursday, Convention. Miss Druenig brought a word hlarch 12, at ihe Newberry Library. Dinner of greeting from the New York Chapter and Has served at the McCormick Y. W. C. A. the president stated that the next meeting prlor to the meetmg. A report of this ~neet- would be held on March 30th at the Museum ing will be found in the next issue of SPECIAL of Fine Arts. LIBRARIES. Cleveland Milwaukee The February meeting of Cleveland Chapter Special l~brariansof Milwaukee and Wis- was a jomt one with Pittsburgh Chapter on consln met on December 2 at dinner to get February 23. F~vemembers from Cleveland acquainted and to discuss the possibility of spent the day In Pittsburgh where they were organizing a Milwaukee Chapter of the Special delightfully entertained by P~ttsburgh li- Libraries Association. Thirteen librarians were brarians together u~thmembers of the National present. Board. On January 20, fourteen librarians met for the purpose of organizing. An explanation ol The visitors were shown about P~ttsburgh the three types of menlbership was followed and Pittsburgh libraries durmg the morning by a discussion of the possible benefits resulting and afternoon. The dinner at the Rittenhouse from a local organization. When the petitior~ Hotel, and the speeches following ~t were most for admittance into the assoc~a~ior~was cir- enjoyable. Miss Reynolds' address on "Li- culated, ten of those presenL signed. \\'~ththe brar~ans'Lure," and the ~llustratetl talk by adcl~tlon of three out of town librarians who Mr Harold J. Rose of Koppers Research had signified thew desire to sign, thc number of Corporation on "Coal,-Cinderella of the petitioners became th~rteen. One more was Chemical Industry," will always be remembered added later. by those who were present. Miss Ethel B. Slattery, librarian of The Three Schuster Stores was unanimously chosen for Illinois pres~dent. Other officers elected were, vice The Ill~noisChapter held a dinner meeting president, Miss Margaret Bellinghausen, li- on Monday, January 26, 1931, at Hull House, brarian of the Wisconsin Telephone Conlpany, Chicago. This meeting established an all-time and secretary-treasurer, Mrs. Zilla R McClure, record for attendance with more than 85 special hbrarian of The Milwaukee Electric Rail~bay librarians and guests present. and L~ghtCompany. M.mch, 1931 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 97

Since the first object is to become better bemg Mr. Joseph Kwapil, Librarian of the acquamted, it was decided that for the first Public Ledger. He described his practical few meetmgs one librarian of the group would and dmct methods in filmg newspaper clip- outline the functions and organization of her pings and a lively discussion ensued concerning library, the meeting to be held in that member's the problem of subject headings. On February I~brary,if possible. The group was very glad 20th another conference was held with Mr. to accept the mvltat~onof Margaret Reynolds, Paul Vanderbilt, Librarian of The Pennsylvania President of S. L. A., to meet in the library Museum, as chairman. The general topic was of the First Wisconsin National Bank. This classification, with an attempt to avoid general- meetmg was held on February 10, preceded ities and obta~nclear statements on classifica- by a dinner and business meeting at the City tion problems. To make the meeting more Club. Seventeen librarians were present. effective a group of questions nnd topics for So interesting was Miss Reynolds' talk, and dlscuss~onwas submitted prior to the meeting. so many were the questions asked by the It is planned to repoFt at a later date the re- group, that the meeting lasted an hour and one- sults and findings of these discussions and a quarter later than the time originally proposed copy of the questions submitted at the Fet- for adjournment ruary meeting may be obtained from Miss Helen M Rankin, Secretary of the Council. New York Free Publ~cLibrary, Philadelphia. The February meeting of the New York "Books" was the subject under discugsion Special Libraries Association, held on Thursday at the February meeting of the Special Li- the 19th, was in the nature of an mspection braries Council of Philadelphia, held in Logan tour of the new Western Un~on Telegraph Hall of the University of Pennsylvania. The Building, 60 Hudson Street. It would take a speakers included Florence Bradley, librarian book to descr~bethe wonders that Here seen of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., New and the awe that was felt at the hundreds of York City, who spoke oti "The Business Man mechan~calmarvels moving beforetheeyes. The and His Books," Robert Hoag, treasurer of building itself and the training of the personnel Leary, Stuart and Co., who described at sonie would deserve at least a chapter each. II we length the circumstances which attended the were writing such a book we should dedicate erection of his company's present building, it to our hosts, Mr. H. J Forbes, Miss Edith Mrs. John King Leister of the Free Library, Shearer, the Librarian, and to all our gracious who reviewed recent governnient documents, guides and Charlotte Noyes, of the Du Pont Compa~~y, During the dinner, which was served in the who reviewed recent technical and business Western Union Cafeteria, telegrams containing books. The next meeting of the Counc~l not too serious messages were delivered to will be held in the Leary, Stuart and Co. store, various members, thus adding "jest" to the March 6th. party. Adjourning to the auditorium, Mr. Forbes, who is manager of the Cable Division, Pittsburgh completed the evening by showing a moti'on The Pittsburgh Special Libraries Association picture of the Cable-ship "Dominia" laying a cable from Newfoundland to the Azores. held no regular meeting in February. Instead, a joint dmner meeting of the Cleveland and HIS brief talk beforehand made the picture more interesting and understandable. Pittsburgh chapters was held in Pittsburgh Miss Marguerite Burnett, president of the on February 23rd. Those who came from association, presided at the meetlng wh~cl~was from Cleveland \\ere-Miss Nell G. Sill, attended by 168 members and friends. She Cleveland Museum of Art; bliss Rose \'omel- ker, Business Research Bureau, Cleveland took occasion to introduce for a br~efgreeting, Mrs. Louise Dorn of the Detroit Ed~sor~Com- Public Library; Miss Alta B. Claflin, Federal Reserve Bank; h4iss Emma Boyer, Union pany, one of the national vice presidents, who Trust Bank: and Miss Eunice Abel. had come on to New York to attend a rlational committee meeting. On the same day the national Executive Committee held its meeting in Pittsburgh; Philadelphia the members present were-Miss Margaret The Special Libraries Council of Philadel- Reynolds, Miss Elnabeth Cullen, Miss Eleanor phia and vicin~tyhave held several small group Cavanaugh, Miss Jessie Callan, Mrs. Louise conferences on library problems the first of Dorn, Mrs. Mary H. Brigham, and Mr. Angus which took place on December 12th, the leader Fletcher. 98 SPECIAL LIBRARIES March, 1431

Miss Margaret Reynolds, President of, round table discussions and a banquet on Special Libraries Association, Mr. Ralph Saturday evening. On Sunday, April 12th, Munn, Director of Carnegie Library, and Mr. opportunity will be given to attend services Harold J. Rose, Director of General Labora- at the Mission San Carlos and the Carmel tories, Koppera Research Corporation, were Mission. the speakers at the dinner. Miss Reynolds Southern Cdifornim addressed the group on Librarians' Lure, and Mr. Rose spoke on Coal-Cinderella of the The Southern California Chapter of Spec~al Chemical Industry. MISS Adeline Macrum Libraries Association, after dmner at the Casa presided. Mrs. Blanche K. S. Wappat, former- de Rosas, was admitted by special arrangement ly librarian of Carnegie Inst~iuteof Technol- to the Los Angeles Museum for the regular ogy, was toastmistress. On Sunday afternoon, meeting January 20, 1931. Forty-five members February 22nd, an informal tea was given in and friends were present, making this the the College of Fine Arts Library, Carnegie largest meeting of the year. Institute of Technology, in honor of the mem- The pres~dentcalled the meeting to order bers of the Executive Committee who were at 8.15 p. m. Miss Faith E. Smith, Cha~rman in the city. of the Employment Committee which had planned the program for the evening, told of the library student interested in publicity The January meeting of the Special Libraries methods wh'o would l~keto work with the Association of San Francisco was devoted to Employment and Publicity Comm~ttees In plans of the Publ~cityCommittee and the Com- circularizing busmess firms and writing articles mittee on Cooperation in Business Library for different busmess house organs, for ex- Service. MISS Margaret Hatch, Chairman gf perlence and practice. This plan was heartily the Publicity Committee, reported on the approved by the members progress made since the inception of the com- Miss Lenore Greene, Librarian of the Los mittee last October. Miss K. Dorothy Fergu- Angeles Museum, then introduced Mr. Arthur son, local member of the Committee on Co- operation in Business Library Service ex- S. Woodward, Curator of History, who gave a plained the committee's present project for very interesting talk on the museum exped~tion distributing discards of special libraries to to the Gila Valley, Arizona, last summer. The publ~clibraries or other special libraries which discover~esmade by the exped~t~onhave been desire to complete their files. Each special rated as the most important discoveries in the library has been requested to submit to Miss Southwest in a decade. We were shown urns, paint palettes, carved bones, bracelets, rings Ferguson a list of the annuals, directories, magazines or other valuable material to be and incense burners, truly "modernist~c" discarded, to add to their collections. Mr. in design, though of almost unbelievable Richards, assistant librarian of the University antiquity. The room containing these treasures of Cal~forniaand Mr. Rea, librarian of the was of course the place of greatest interest, San Francisco Public Library, who were but the beautiful African anmals' hall proved present at the meeting expressed their hearty so fascinatmg that the meeting broke up later co-operation with the plan. than usual, In splte of a short program. **I The February meeting was held at the Lane The regular February meeting of the South- Medlcal Library, on Thursday, February ern California Chapter, Special Libraries As- 19th, with a dinner at the Special Diet Labora- sociation, was held on February If, 1931 at tory, Stanford University Hospital, prlor to the Los Angeles Chzimber of Commerce, under the meeting. The valuable collection of the the direction of MISSBlanche McKown, Chair- Lane Med~calLibrary was open for inspection man of Lhe Publ~cityCommittee, and our host, and there was an exhibition of rare ~ncunabula, .Mr. Guy E. Marion, Manager, Research Arabian and Pers~an manuscripts, and other Department, Chdniber of Commerce. 28 examples of printing, illustrating and binding. members and friends were present. Dinner Miss Louise Ophuels, librarian of the Library was served and the entire meeting was held was hostess. 111 a private d~ningroom, the program preceding *** the business meeting The April meetmg of the Association will be Mr Wayne H F~sher, President of the held at Del Monte on April 11 and 12. Plans Walter H. Fisher Corporation, who 1s much are being made for an interesting meeting, with interested in the Colorado River Project, March, 1931 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 99

outlined the work to be done at the Hoover the purpose and valuc of the Olympic Games, Dam site. A trip taken by Mr. Fisher and stressing business sportsmanship, and competi- his party up the Colorado River in a small tion between nationa for excellence instead of power boat, and again by airplane, illustrated destructron. by his own movie camera record, proved in- The business meeting has then called to tensely interesting. order, Miss Anna F. Frey acting as secretary The second speaker, Mr. Ralph G. Lmd- pro-tern. The main event of the evening was strom, Comptroller of the Q. R. S. Neon thc author~zationof the contract for the prmt- Corporation, Ltd., gave an inspiring talk on ing of the Union List of Periodicals. Events and Publications Rebecca B. Rankin, Department Editor

William Alcott, Librarian of the Boston The Library Bulletin of the Industrial Re- Globe, described the organization and operation lations Counsellors, New York, for January, of a newspaper library to the students of 1931, contams the usual semi-annual review Simmons College on February 25th. and a selected bibliography on the five-day week. a** John A. Lapp 1s the subject of an article in the World Tomorrow for December in which Dorsey W. Hyde, Jr., is not only the aecre- the writer descr~besin a sympathetic manner tary of the Washington Chamber of Commerce the work of Dr. Lapp. The story was also given but also editor of its new publication, Greater space in the M~lwaukeeJournal for February Washington The issue is most 5, 1931 with the caption "John A. Lapp, the attractive with its illustrated cover in blue. Radical Who Finds Radicalism and Chris- The contributors are Merle Thorpe, Amelia tianity Close Kin." Earhart and Dr. Luther H. Re~chelderferare *** well-known and their articles are good. The The Way Bill, published monthly by the purpose of the magazine is to keep Washing- Traffic Club of Chicago, has for its cover on tonians abreast with civic and commcrcial the February issue a photograph of the beauti- progress of their city We find the Public ful library of the Club. The opening article Library has contributed a column on Business entitled "Library houses interesting books," Books. You would expect this from an ex- is illustrated with a clever picture shouving the special librarian like Mr. Hyde. covers of current railroad magazines to be found *** in the lrbrary. An interestrng experiment of newspaper co- *** operation with a public library in presenting Bustness Literature, published by the Busi- book news on books not of the current season, ness Branch of the Newark Public Library, occurred during the past year between the devoted the February issue to Investment Public Library, Newark, New Jersey, and the Literature, including some recent investment "Newark Evening News." Upon invitation books, a list of important investment services of the "News," thelibrary conducted a column and a group of titles on investment trusts, "Are You Too Busy to Read?" every Monday supplementary to the list published in the evening from , 1930 to January 5 April, 1930 edition of B~rsincssLitemlure. of this year. The columns were prepared by various members of the library staff, under the " In 1927 Mr. Lewis Armistead, librarian of supervision of Catherine Van Dyne. Each the Boston Elevated Railway con~plieda com- column was butlt around one topic which was prehensive bibliography, "Reference List of calculated to appeal to a person while reading Literature on Urban Electric Railways, In- his newspaper, and each article was intended dexed by Cities" That first list has now been to be read with the continuous interest that supplemented by another, a more general list characterizes the best newspaper features. which is "Urban and Inter~irbanElectric Rail- Every story carried references to from four ways; a selected reference lrst of general to ten books that might not be called to the literature." It may be obtained upon request reader's attentton through book reviews or to Mr. Armistead, Boston Elevated Rarlway. publisher's promotion. 100 SPECIAL LIBRARIES March, 1931

The Branch Library Book News of the New In the "Monthly Labor Review" of Feb- York Public Library for March, 1931, has a full ruary, 1931 is an up-to-date bibliography by description of all of the spec~alcollections and Laura A. Thompson, hbrarian of the U. S. activities of the Circulat~on Department Department of Labor on "Five-Day Week and Special l~brariansin New York City should be Other Proposals for a Shorter Work Week." informed about these. *** "Management of Unit Banks" is a new The Special Libraries Association "Handbook publication iron1 the Bureau of Business Re- of Commercial and Financial Services," re- search of the Univermty of Michigan, Ann cently published is very much rn demand by Arbor. This study of the management policies ,business houses as well as by special libraries and profits of unit banks is confined to banks It is the only guide to organizations that com- which are not members of the Federal Reserve pile and publish for general distribution data System. and statistics on given subjects kept up-to-date by regularly revised and supplemental data. The Association of North American D~rectory Publishers, 524 , New York, N. Y., have in the printer's hands at present a "Di- Statist~calbulletins, issued by the Institute rectory of Directories of Norili America." oi lnternat~onalFmance. (These new quarterly Th~sDirectory includes city, county and state bulletins cover statistical information on a directories but does NOT include TRADE number of foreign countries, collected and directories. This publication is to be available condensed. In each case the source of the in- for free distribution about March 15. fornlation is indicated. The first bulletin con- I** tains tables on foreign exchange rates, discount The H. W W~lsonCompany issues a report rates, short-tern1 and long-term interest rates, on its sales growing out of the first edition of legal reserves of fore~gncentral banks, reserve the "Catalog of Per~odicalDuplicates" issued posit~onof same, indices of stock prices, gold by the Co-operative Clearing House. The total movements, wholesale prlce indxes, indices sales were $8,500. A second edition of the of production, 'unemployment and foreign "Catalog" is to be issued the last of February, trade ) 1931. We wonder if special libraries are avad- * $ ing themselves of this method of selling their The New York Special Libraries Association magazine duplicates. The Co-operative Clear- is planning a new 1931 Directory of New York ing House was established as an agency through special hbrarics. It is to be more comprehensive which libraries could exchange their periodical than any former directory, as it will attempt duplicates without the necessity of makmg and to give the subject content of all the special circulating neparate hsts of their own. The I~braries,list spec~alcollections in each, enu- Wilson Company is assembling the data and merate the names of all persons on the staffs, publishing a union catalog, and serves as a etc. A committee is now at work collecting clearing house for the transactions on a 25% and comp~l~ngthe information. A representa- commission on sales. This is a wonderful tive from each Group is on the committee. service to the public and university libraries, Rebecca B. Rankin is Chairman. and perhaps may be to the special libraries.

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