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Special Libraries, 1938 Special Libraries, 1930s

2-1-1938

Special Libraries, February 1938

Special Libraries Association

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Microfilms Make Information Accessible ...Watson Dmi.s 35 NineYearsof Broadcasting . M. Margaret Kehl 37 Confessions of a Layman Organizing a Special Library H. R. Wilson 40 DisseminatingInformation . AZmaC.MitcI~d1 45 PublicizingTechnicalLiterature . Arthur C.Stern 45: Where's That Book? A Radio Broadcast ...51- Library Magazine Articles of Interest ...... 5P S. L. A. Executive Board and Advisory Council 1937-1938 ....5.: From the Editor's Point of View ...... 5-1 Shall We Publish Conference Proceedings Separately? A Word on Our Index; Do Its Readers Edit Special Libraries? Surveys Again! Letters to the Editor ...... 5C It's Not Only the Magazine But the Association - T. V. Mountaer; The Nature of Special Libraries - lone M. Dority; A Government Publication - Angus Fletcher; Some Observations On What B~lsi- ness Executives Read - P. W. Combs, Sr. cr: Publications of Special Interest ...... -. Events and Publications ...... 6' .

Indexed in Industrial Arts Index and Public Affairs Information Service

FEBRUARY 193 8

VOLUME 29 SPECIAL LIBRARIES MARIANC. MANLEY,Editor Vol. 29, No. 2 February, 1938

Microfilms Make Information Accessible By Watmn Davis, President American Documentation Institute, Washington, D. C.

ICROFILM promises to become American Documentation Institute, has M one of our most important tools in been microfilming in the Library of the making information accessible. U. S. Department of Agriculture since The little strips of what appear to be 1934 and scores of thousands of pages movie film can get the desired contents of have been serviced. Bibliofilm Service libraries and files to the desks of the users. now has access to some 90 per cent of the They can publish at insignificant cost ex- world's literature through cameras in the tensive and detailed research reports that Library of the U. S. Department of Agri- would otherwise never be read into the in- culture, the Library of Congress and the tellectual record. They can make complex Army Medical Library in Washington. photographs, drawings and illustrations For little more than a cent a page the as easily available as typed manuscript. research and information worker can get The difficult problem of bibliography, the what he wants by the simple process of compiling and distribution of the keys to filling out an order blank. This is no more existing literature, will, it can be pre- trouble than filling out a call card in a dicted, come nearer to solution through library merely to borrow a book. Micro- the use of microfilm. filming is far cheaper than photostating. Microfilms compress material to one- When material must be borrowed by hundredth to one-two hundredth areas. mail or express the cost of microfilms is They preserve as they copy and reduce in usually less than transportation costs. . volume, because microfilm being cellulose Most immediate and practical to put acetate base film is noninflammable and into operation is this microfilming of will last for at least scores of years. material in libraries upon demand. It is Reading microfilm with a reading ma- fashionable and economical to send a po- chine in research and information centers tential book borrower a little strip of will be as common as typewriting with a microfilm for his permanent possession writing machine. A satisfactory microfilm instead of the book and then badgering reading machine can be had at a cost less him to return it before he has had a than a standard typewriter. Often the chance to use it effectively. Reading ma- microfilm images as seen on the reading chines for microfilm will soon become as machine are larger and clearer than the common as typewriters in studies and original material. laboratories. If the principal libraries and Microfilms have been used successfully information centers of the world will co- by thousands of persons and institutions. operate in such " Bibliofilm Services," as The Bibliofilm Service, now operated by they are called, if they exchange orders 36 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 29, No. 2 and have essentially uniform methods, full article with diagrams, pictures, etc., forms for ordering, standard microfilm can be obtained by remitting a certain format and production methods and price and specifying the document num- comparable if not uniform prices, the re- ber under which this full article has been sources of any library will be placed at deposited at the central agency operating the disposal of any scholar or scientist the auxiliary publication service. Orders anywhere in the world. All the libraries are sent by readers directly to this central cooperating will merge into one world agency, which is the American Documen- library without loss of identity or indi- tation Institute at Washington, D. C. viduality. The world's documentation Microfilms of the document are made will become available to even the most only if and when ordered. In this way the isolated and individualistic scholar. document is perpetually "in print" but The practical nature of this project is no extensive, space-consuming stocks indicated by the successful operation of need be stored, only the document itself Bibliofilm Service in Washington. and the microfilm negative from which Supplementary to the problem of mak- positives are made for distribution. The ing available existing literature is the operation of the plan is simple and un- securing of publication for all the ma- complicated and editors may use it when, terial that should be recorded and made how and if they find it helpful. No finan- available to the intellectual workers of cial participation or guarantees on the the world. In this microfilm can play an part of the editor or author are required. important role, giving publication with While the plan of auxiliary publication economy and effectiveness. suggested could be used with other meth- The microfilm can be used to secure ods of duplication, microfilm is the least what can be called "auxiliary publica- expensive and most universal in that it tion." It will supplement other forms of will handle text and illustration of any publication and make accessible material sort. of all sorts that can not now be printed Microfilms can aid another documenta- because of economic factors. It will make tion project of importance to the world available valuable research data that now that will need much planning, develop- go unrecorded. It will make available ment and international cooperation. This out-of-print and rare books. It is adapted is the possibility of a world bibliography, to the publication of photographs and beginning in the field of science but even- other illustrations. Auxiliary publication tually extending to all fields. service (which might be named Docufilm The economy and compactness of mi- Service) is auxiliary to established chan- crofilm gives new hope that a world nels of scholarly publication and aids and science bibliography may be accom- does not hinder journals. Editors of plished without ambitious hopes and journals and institutions act as inter- promising plans being drowned in a sea mediaries between the authors of papers of cards and smothered in a maze of de- and the " Docufilm Service." tails. It is possible to visualize the crea- Auxiliary publication service is in ac- tion in some world center of a card file tual operation. A journal editor can pub- with a card for every article, paper, book lish as much or as little of a technical or document published in science that is paper as he wishes. In the case of a very important to the wriLten record of sci- specialized paper it may be only an ab- ence. Each card could be given multiple stract or summary. He appends to the classifications. Now if for each of these notice or article a note saying that the classifications the card were microfilmed, February, 1938 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 37 with a pattern representing that classifi- tute, formed on behalf of some 50 of cation, and if selection from microfilm is America's leading scientific and scholarly developed so that a roll of microfilm is societies, councils and institutions, arose run through a selector which prints only out of the need for a broad, energetic and microfilm bearing a predetermined classi- intellectually motivated development of fication pattern, we shall have the mech- all phases of documentation, particularly anism whereby a great world file of bibli- microphotographic duplication and its ography can be made to produce special ramifications, in the fields of physical, bibliographies in any subject to order. natural, social and historical sciences and And this should be done at a cost that the general sphere of libraries and in- would allow its use by every scientific formation services. research worker. In its operational aspects, AD1 is now When it is considered that most of the primarily concerned with microfilming. scientific literature of the world has been It should be recognized, however, that listed by title or abstract bibliography the scientific and scholarly agencies of somewhere in abstract journals, in special America have in AD1 an institution that bibliographies or such large card compila- is capable of doing what they wish in the tions as exist in the Science Museum Li- broad field of documentation. Without brary at London, the task while gigantic the burden of private profit, with control does not seem impossible. The last and solidly vested in America's organized in- essential link in the possibility is the use tellectual world, AD1 will be able to ad- of microfilm for multiplying the cards minister, organize or operate activities under various classifications and in copy- that would be uneconomical for any one ing for distribution. I repeat that this is institution. Significantly AD1 brings into a large project needing international the'same community of interest sectors thought and probably years of gestation. of the intellectual world that otherwise do Classification, the technique of bibliog- not often cooperate; in its councils and raphy and a dozen other factors in docu- activities physicists, astronomers, biolo- mentation to which many have unsel- gists, economists, librarians, historians, fishly given their lives will find fruition in bibliographers, archivists and many other such a project. varieties of specialists come together to The American Documentation Insti- solve problems common to all. Nine Years of Broadcasting By M. Margaret Kehl New York PlIunicipal Reference Library N 1928," according lo an N.B.C. Telegraphy behind. It was hard to get I report, "radio was still a relatively WNYC -some sections of the city, it- new and undeveloped medium." In 1928 self, were unable to tune it in. In short, there were only seven million radio fam- when the Municipal Reference Library ilies as contrasted to a figure estimated at took to the ether in March of 1928, it well over twenty million today. In 1928, was virtually pioneering. you may remember, the horn was still I said, "Took to the ether," hoping being used to amplify radio programs in you will understand, that the last thing the home. Radio broadcasting as a library we wanted was to use that ether in the subject heading had scarcely left Wireless usual medical sense. Our prinie purpose 38 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 29, No. 2 was to appear so wide-awake that every- Eat," "Fires That Have Startled New one would want to visit the library. We York," "A City of Bridges," "The City were anxious to make a name for Munic- Chemists" - to name but a few of the ipal Reference Library as surely as any 1929 series. The time we were on the air commercial advertising program. varied from 5:15, 5 :30, 5 :40 to 5 50. The Dr. Williamson of Columbia Univer- speakers, too, included five members of sity, former head of Municipal Reference the staff beside Miss Rankin. As the Library gave us a very complimentary library was scheduled every two weeks introduction on March 5, 1928, and at it would have been difficult for Miss the same time, by the way, mentioned Rankin to carry all the talks, but may I the Special Libraries Association. He say here that she had had more than half quoted its slogan - "Putting Knowl- of the burden. edge to Work" -and suggested that It seems to be the gist of opinion that the radio listeners might write to head- one voice is preferable to different ones auarters then in Providence for informa- for successive weeks. It is also said that tion on the Association. scholars (and I'm presupposing that li- Perhaps you may be interested to brarians fall in that category) are not know a little about how we happened to usually good broadcasters - knowing start broadcasting in the first place. We too much about the subject and too little were approaching our Fifteenth Anniver- of the mental makeup of their audience. sary. Miss Rankin planned a party to Miss Rankin was willing to take that which, I'm sure, many of you came. We chance and gave her staff the opportu- were then on the fifth floor of this build- nity of speaking over the radio. I doubt ing with an entirely different layout. So if you could collect five more different we even had dancing at our gala affair viewpoints or manners of speech. Read- supplied by city department bands. With ing over some of our early talks this is her usual effort to leave no stone up- quite apparent, but to my way of think- turned, and with all the fanfare of our ing - though I doubt if I'm qualified to celebration, Miss Rankin approached the say - it lent variety. There were definite municipal broadcasting station about reactions from our listeners, too. I mean publicizing it. She found a ready response besides our immediate families. Several and after Dr. Williamson's initial talk, of Mr. Gossage's talks were printed in Miss Rankin herself devoted two fifteen- "The Citizen," the one on New York's minute periods to describing the library eating places brought correspondence, further. By such a pleasant partnership and an editorial in the New York Sun. Re- was the radio ship launched which has porters snapped Miss Jaboolian against carried us over the waves for these nine a map of Jamaica Bay, and listeners even years in three hundred talks. asked for her advice on selling property The series themselves have developed in the vicinity. To cap the climax, after logically. At first, as I have said, we were her Jamaica Bay speech, she was offered especially anxious to interest the listen- a flight from Floyd Bennett Field, then ers in the library. This was done by in the making. popular chats of fifteen and twenty Considering the number of talks given, minutes on subjects as various as the however, the response was small. But great: city we pictured. "New Yorkers," please remember we were not giving "The Battle of the Streets," "The City away samples. We were simply inviting of Islands," "Art Ventures," "Children the public to delve into our treasure of the City," "Where New Yorkers house, and a public library can scarcely February, 1938 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 39 gage such respo accurately. Statistics Your Government" series used experts. show that the deimnds on the Municipal "What the City Does For You" con- Reference Library have grown consist- tinued the interview method through ently in past years. Isn't it possible that 1935-36, returning to miscellaneous sub- radio has helwd? jects, instead of specific departments. If a fifteen-minute essay seems short Miss Rankin, for instance, gave four to you, it seemed long to us. We were talks on "Municipal Power Plants," usually given about a month to prepare when New York was considering it- the subject. It was not too much time, There was one on "The Unnecessary for a reference desk is not conducive to County," on "A World's Fair for 1939," uninterrupted concentration. In spite of the "Hayden Planetarium," and "Im- ourselves we each became so interested provements in Water Supply." Had we in the particular topic, that the result had more than the fifteen minutes al- must be evident. We were each more or lotted to us, the interviews might have less experts in that field. I know Miss been more feasible, for it is difficult to Rankin agrees - because she has always break up a thought with questions and tried to encourage each of us along the at the same time cover a large territory line we seem most adapted for. The radio in such a short space of time. talks were good for us all, and the com- From 5:00 to 5:15, later 4:45 to 5100 pulsory research gave us more than a and in the 1936 New York Adamwing smattering acquaintance with our sub- series from 4:30 to 4:45, Muniapal Ref- jects. erence Library representatives stad or When we resumed broadcasting, it was sat before the WNYC "mike." Seldom from another angle of governmental ac- was it necessary to replace speakers k- tivity. In "What Our Cities Are Doing," cause of illness, although colds were and these continued straight through special hoodoos for the voice. Sometimes 1934, it is my humble opinion that we did the studio was terribly hot, sometimes our best work. We compared New York there was confusion. We grew into it with othcr cities, speaking on such am- and less afraid of the "mike". bitious titles as "Tax Relief - How "?, Mr. Denny of that very succesdul "The Council Manager Plan," "Me- "Town Meeting of the Air" had said, dium Security and the Prison's Future," "Libraries are the greatest single force "State Supervision of Local Finance," for genuine adult education in America " Business and Occupational Taxes," and today." Of course he doesn't say libraries "Municipal Ownership." During this pe- on ike radio. We have tried to live uv to riod our broadcasting time was unfortu- our appelation as a fact-finding center. nately 3:45 to 4:OO. The talks were Our talks have been many-sided, non- carefully tuned to a timely topic. They partisan and up-to-the-minute. While were so good -we say in all modesty - we are selling our service through books, that several of them were printed in the few of the talks were on b~ksdu- New York Times,the New York Sun,the sively, and usually the references were Tax Digest,Real Estate New,and Amer- purposely subtle, rather than spedc. ican City. We wanted our audience to visit or dl That brings us to October, 1934, and on the Municipal Reference Library. We "You and Your Government." This have attempted to make the citizen con- question and answer type of broadcast- scious of his government. We can only ing presupposes that both parties know hope that we have achieved some meas their subject thoroughly. The "You and ure of success in this radio program. SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 29, No. 2

Confessions of a Layman Organizing a Special Library By H. R. Wilson Weyerhaeuser Sales Company, Saint Paul

COMPOSITE picture of the average and experts of experts on insulation, A layman collecting a library would paper and pulp, forest products, lumber compromise an amnesia victim worn and lumbering. All the author could do down by too many things to remember, was to fall back on a very varied business a novice picking his way about on a experience of twenty years and hope it typewriter, a blind-folded man trying to would help. pin on the donkey's tail, with a few With more luck than vision on the lobster nightmares thrown in! author's part, an attorney friend heard Add to the picture the variety of emo- about the library over a morning cup of tions one experiences as the work begins coffee. These lawyers, you know, have and progresses - amazement, bewilder- library problems, too. Mr. Knapp's ment, perplexity, confusion, encourage- ideas were particularly valued by the ment, anger, hope, gratitude, doubt, dis- writer as he is a serious scholar, an ac- couragement and growing satisfaction complished after-dinner speaker and a and the feeling of accomplishn~ent.This man of broad vision. He said, "Go up layman had them all and with the hope and talk with Miss Mathies of the Public that it will help someone in the future Library, and Miss Humphrey of the Hill he tells how he got that way and what he Reference Library." Without appreci- did about it - cause and effect with the ating it at the time, the library got its possible solution. proper start with this advice. Moral, Amazement - this is caused by the when starting a library, the layman surprise of the assignment to organize a should always see his lawyer first! I will library. Nothing much can be done about be eternally grateful to Miss Humphrey this nor is it serious. Other things crowd and Miss Mathies for their tolerance it out of your mind, bewilderment for and assistance in this most important example. first step - pre-planning is the word This is the point at which you start for it. developing chills and fever, when you From Saint Paul the pre-planning comprehend an office accumulation of route led to Mr. Phillips Hayward of twenty years to straighten out in six the United States Forest Service in different companies, the formidable task Washington, D. C., and what a grand of having the library useful to the ex- port in a storm he was! Various Govern- perts on research, product development, ment departments were consulted - sales, traffic, accounting, economic re- Mr. Webber and Miss Hoffman of the search, trade promotion, financing, pur- United States Forest Products Labora- chasing, credits, installment and mort- tory at Madison, Wisconsin, Miss Man- gage real estate financing, retail yard ley of the Newark Business Branch, Mr. management, advertising, taxation, to Smitley of the Dixie Business Book Shop say nothing about experts in silviculture, of New York, and others. forestry, species, wood uses, building If any of you who read this article February, 1938 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 41 were among those consulted, please ac- following their graduation. Miss Ryan cept my grateful thanks. SO again let's later left to join the staff of Ford- repeat - " Pre-planning is half the bat- ham University as head cataloger -her tle" and the best remedy of all for place now filled by a classmate - Miss perplexity and bewilderment. O'Toole. This we interpreted as a com- But it was just about here that the pliment to our library. Without fail, add train went off the track for the first time. student librarians to your project- When the first request for material was they taught this layman a lot-and made to the executives, the great mistake hope for as good fortune as we had in the was made of having the material sent to ability and energy of others in our office the author's office instead of to the work- who helped the author. room. A full open window in January Confusion wanes under the loyalty won't kill the musty odor, to say nothing and spontaneous interest of the students of the confused and discouraged mental and others. Order starts shaping from attitude caused by the array of books, chaos, confusion gives way to encour- pamphlets, periodicals, old files, scrap agement. books, packing cases- all in utter We didn't hesitate to break a new chaos, piled to the ceiling -you just path or do the unorLhodox thing, pro- bet you would accept a good job if it viding the librarians didn't get too dis- were offered, especially the presidency turbed. This was necessary for the of X, Inc., if they didn't have a library. solution of our varied problems on a Phooey on library work! And a pick and practical basis. shovel job at $1.00 per diem is your idea While the students were sorting to of heaven. eliminate duplicates and piling by source, If your desk isn't in the center of such the author was off on a bibliography a mess, those discouraging thoughts will hunt - trade associations, publishers of be at least 50 per cent less, if at all. So, trade publications, books and maga- for efficiency and peace of mind, the zines, Government departments, forestry material should be sent to a workroom schools, ctc. You would be surprised - and not to a private office, especially if or would you? -how much material it's yours! can be prepared by a large national Right here, when you wouldn't object lumber organization when aided and if it all blew out of the window, take abetted by the other factors mentioned heart, because something good is bound above. These bibliographies were checked to happen. Things can't get worse! How for duplications. Nothing but raw mem- many surprises we get by mail and tele- ory, if any, will help you here unless you phone - some good, some bad, but ours card your bibliography and if this is was a life saver. It was a letter from done you will never finish the library. Sister Marie Cecelia, the Director of the At a rough guess over 150,000 titles were Library School at the College of St. examined and the examiner still lives! Catherine - "Would we like to have Library work is like unsnarling a piece two students get their practice work of string -one knot leads to another, (sixty hours and two credits toward their which brings up that all encompassing diplomas) in our library?" Would we!! word "Classification." There is a word Our telephone hasn't recovered yet from for you1 It can conceal more headaches such fast usage! Might I add in passing, to the letter than any word in the both young ladies - Miss Brettner and English language. There just wasn't a Miss Ryan -joined our payroll the day classification in existence to fit the needs SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 29, No. 2

of our companies, so we made the best there just wasn't a combination of of it and constructed one, assisted by lumberman and librarian available. guides we found along the way such as Of course, the small, quiet voice of the American Institute of Architects doubt has crept in - "Will the libary classi6.caiion, United States Forest Prod- be used?" "Will the expense be justi- ucts Laboratory, H. W. Wilson (Baker fied?" Although we are only servicing in Library of Harvard Business), etc. Our an emergency and our formal opening system doesn't fit in with any other. If will not take place for several months you ever hear a good loud noise, it will yet, value has been given which has paid ' be the Congressional Library rocking for the library many years in advance in from shock or Mr. Dewey Decimal our opinion. blushing with embarrassment at our Briefly the purposes of our library are dasiiication - but it works ! as follows: And here comes Trouble with a capital 1. To organize material on hand. "T." which brings on Anger with a capi- 2. Make the material more generally tal "A" It was the usual situation - useful and available. seccetaries who block the wheels of 3. Save time for key men and executives. progress by not turning in material lest 4. Provide material for solution of the Boss's bailiwick be infringed upon or problems. key men who are afraid of I-don't-know- 5. Provide informative reading for our what yes, there is temperament and Oh personnel. human nature in the lumber business, 6. Provide inspiration, facts and ideas in top. There is only one way with a lot of the material angles to correct this difficulty di- - and lastly plomacy, persuasiveness, getting tough, and if these don't work, get the General Provide means for our associated com- Manager or President to press the buzzer panies to keep informed about develop- or issue a bulletin to make the rebels ments in their industry and general surrender. Fortunately these cases were business trends. very much in the minority, but keep at We have endeavored to include the it until you get your material. minimum of red tape and worked to- After the storm was over, matters ran wards the utmost simplicity for as yet smoothly. All through we have had more we don't know how easily lumbermen than our share of good luck and you need will scare when they see a lot of letters a quantity of this material - it will get and numbers, so we are taking no you through a tight spot when nothing chances, but clearly and simply labeling else will. So our hopes rose as did our our shelves in broad classifications and gratitude to those who in many places keeping the technical aspect behind the were contributing their experience, wis- scenes. dom and ideas to the evolution of the We are following the advice of experts library. Here may I add that the people who have gone before. As an example, in library work are the most cooperative, it is a definitely independent unit, re- dfish,helpful group it has ever been porting to'a committee representing our my pleasure to work with. Our problems associated companies, which recent move are those faced by a professional librarian is a sign that our library is growing up mpt that we probably have been with a committee of four department dower and fumbled around more than heads and a fifth- the author - as otherwise might have been the case, but chairman. The four are: the Executive February, 1938 SPECIAL LIBRARIES

Vice President of one company; another the Assistant to the Vice President and 1. Pre-planning. The local libraries were General Manager of another company; visited and a number of authorities and the Manager of the Merchandising De- expert librarians were consulted in per- partment of the Sales Company; the son and by correspondence. Sales Manager of the acoustics and 2. Material on Hand. This was col1ede.d insulation company. from the offices of key men and execu- Until recently the library was spon- tives, from old engineering, agricultural sored and fostered and paid for by the and advertising files, and took the form Merchandising Department, but from of reports, books, pamphlets, bulletins, here on out all affiliated companies will magazines, trade papers and other ma- pay a fair share. terial. In addition to making it an independ- ent unit, a combination library and 3. Sorting Material and Eliminating Du- reading room, centrally located, well plicates. This material was sorted by equipped and attractively decorated, is source to eliminate duplications and to in process with such material and en- make it easier to check against our vironment that it will attract the cus- bibliographies. tomers, but - 4. Bibliografihies. While the sorting was Did the little zigzag recession wreck taking place, bibliographies on "Wood" your plans and budget? It did not only and related subjkts were accumulated. wreck ours, but nearly sank the ship. This was accomplished by writing the However, people decided they needed U. S. Forest Products Laboratory, for- lots of lumber in spite of everything, so estry schools, lumber associations. pub- the Good Ship Library is sailing smoothly lishers, building material manufacturers, once again and we are feeling a growing trade associations, colleges of busin- sense of accomplishment, but with administration and Government De- reserve - not knowing what may turn partments, including the Department of up next. Agriculture, Bureau of Census, Depart- The high spots of organizing a library ment of Commerce, Department of the for a layman are pre-planning, personnel, Interior, Bureau of Mines, Bureau of material on hand, bibliographies, new Standards, Treasury Department, Su- material for the base collection, classi- perintendent of Documents and the fication, cataloging, organizing current United States Forest Service. material, piping into channels to keep 5. Elimination of Duplicates. All dupli- posted on new material, a sympathetic cations on these lists were eliminated. committee, proper location, suitable and equipment and surroundings and effi- 6. Selection of Maierial Biblwgra- cient administration. $hies. The bibliographies were then gone To sum up and as a possible guide over again and a check mark placed by and for assistance to some poor bedeviled a desired title. layman in the future, below is a list of 7. Checking Material on Hand Against the steps taken in organizing our library. Base Bibliografihy and Making Base Some were taken separately - others Selection. After all books and other simultaneously and although not all of material were sorted each piece was the steps will be applicable to your checked against our base bibliography problem, the equivalent will probably be on which was noted material desired for in your picture. the library. If we already had a copy of 44 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 29, No. 2 the title on the list, the order mark was 18. Equipment and Supplies. The list of eliminated on the bibliography. The permanent equipment and supplies was marks remaining on the list covered the made up and ordered. titles to be purchased. 19. Arrangin~ Material. The material 8. Personnel and Preliminary Equip- was numbered according to the classifi- ment. Personnel and working space were cation, repaired or bound where neces- arranged for, with several large sorting sary, the pamphlet boxes were labeled, tables and temporary shelving installed. the company mark or seal was placed on Wood card files with index and subject the material and other than books, etc., cards were added. were placed in the pamphlet boxes. 9. Clussifications. A classification was 20. The Business Seclion. Don't under- worked out the main divisions of which take too much at one time. Order your were silviculture, forestry, lumber and material gradually or you will be flooded. lumbering, species, wood uses, building After we finished the "Wood" section, and a business section. the general business division was han- 10. Second Sorting of Material on Hand. dled step by step as were the "Wood" The material was re-arranged according and "Building" part of the library. to the, classification by subjects. 21. Tentative Order List. Lists of the 11. Cataloging. The cataloging was material in the offices of the other com- started - alphabetically by author, title panies were made out. Only the Sales and subject with cross references and Company was organized in the begin- indexes. ning. These lists were checked against 12. Check-up. At this point the author our all-encompassing base bibliography traveled to Madison, Wisconson, to con- - few duplicates being found because fer with the librarian of librarians on of the different functions of the coop- wood - Miss Ellen Hoffman of the erating companies. The net list thus United States Forest Products Labora- obtained was the final list of material to tory. The purpose of this trip was to be added to round out and complete our check up and see how we were doing and base selection. to get criticism and further suggestions. 22. Moving All Material. The material was moved to the permanent quarters 13. New Material Added. Requisitions and purchase orders were sent out on and the shelving labeled. the material selected to date from the 23. Private Ofice Material. The material base bibliography. retained in the individual departments 14. Librarian. The permanent librarian and offices due to their need in everyday was appointed. use was cataloged and included in the card file. 15. Library Cornmiltee. The Library 24. Policy. The future policy of the Committee was appointed with a perma- library was established as to purchases, nent chairman and organized. activities, scope, services and those sec- 16. The Budget. The budget was estab- tions which should receive special at- lished as were the assessments for the tention. different cooperating departments and 25. Rules. Simple library rules were companies and the accounting corre- established. lated with the Accounting Department. 26. Supemasion. Supervision routine and 17. Location. The permanent location of assistant librarian for noon-hour were the library was selected. provided. February, 1938 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 45

27. Shelf List. A shelf list was prepared. (b) Call for loans and gifts. 28. Relative Index. A relative index was (c) Distributing copies of classifica- prepared. tion. 29. Periodical Section. A periodical sec- (d) A bulletin on library rules. tion was organized and taken over in- (e) Bulletins on accessions. cluding routing to individuals and cata- 33. Exhibits. Exhibits were planned. loging. A few of the steps in the foregoing are 30. Sflecial Senn'ces. The recording and not completed, but it outlines the path distribution of economic, taxation, re- as trodden and the route to be followed search and other services were brought in the future. into the library at this point together If you haven't turned the dial up to with the filing of this type of material this point, will you bear with me for one after it had gone its routing. final statement? 31. New Material. Arrangements were In , spite of temporary discourage- ~erfectedto maintain contact with new ments, the organization of the library publishings (the accumulative index, discussed has been one of the writer's agricultural index, industrial arts index, most informative and valuable experi- monthly catalog of U. S. Public Docu- ences. Such an experience is of inesti- ments, etc.). mable benefit to anyone and as a result 32. Bulktins. Bulletins were planned as of it, if this article proves helpful to any- follows: ' one in the library profession, present or (a) Announcement of Committee future, I will be "very happy about the appointed. whole thing." Disseminating Information By Alma C. Mitehill, Librarian Public Service Corporation of New Jersey " Boob on the shelf, boob in a row material to the attention and desks of Are so and so, just ao and so - those whom we wish to serve. If on the shelf, and in a row1 BUT If a library is new, one of the best ways Boob in the hand, boob in the mind, of attracting attention to it is by having Are wealth, and kind, richer and kind - placed conspicuously throughout the If in the hand; and in the mindl" building, attractive posters symbolizing what the library has to offer. These OW true these words are! Books, posters may be changed from time to H pamphlets, magazines, services are time. I know of a couple of librarians who just so much paper or decoration if used used this method for quite a while. One only to make a library look well stocked. of the posters pictured an Indian point- Suppose we,have acquired either by pur- ing his arrow high in.the air with the chase or as many business libraries have words, "Aim high - use the company grown, by acquisition of material from library." Questions such as these fol- other departments, a well balanced lowed: "Do you know that there are library to serve our company. What are times when you desire information re- we as librarians going to do with it? garding your work or similar work in How are we going to bring this wealth of other companies? Do you know that 46 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 29, No. 2

your company has a library? What that acquisitions and government statistics. library contains? What its use will do for Each item is numbered. A request blank you? How it can Ix used?" Another is enclosed with each copy and articles poster was worded "Edison reads 52 desired are noted on the blank which is magazines a month, how many do you returned to the library. The library of read?" followed by a list of the maga- the Du Pont Company in Wilmington, zines to which the library subscribed. and its Intelligence Division are very One method of supplying information closely allied. The library compiles a which seems to be used by nine libraries monthly list of accessions arranged by .out of ten is that of sending out bulle- subjects. The chemists in the Intelligence tins. These bulletins may consist of but Division prepare a bulletin covering one sheet issued daily or they may be current journal articles and a bulletin distributed monthly as an elaborate covering new patents each week. In the pamphlet printed on one side of a page, Journal Article Bulletin the exact title is leaving the other free for annotations. not quoted, but the subject, brief ab- The Daily Bulletin, as in the case of the stract, and exact reference give the in- Public Service library, seldom mentions formation needed in locating the article. new acquisitions but is used to inform The Patent Bulletin covers both the the executives and department heads of patents they purchase and those read in rate changes, new incorporations, current abstract journals. Both bulletins are a market prices, labor conditions, commis- classified list of material and are dis- sion rulings, court decisions, new con- tributed to company plants and labora- struction projects, as they appear in the tories. The library of the Maryland financial and technical press. Another Casualty Company of Baltimore com- bulletin which the Public Service library piles a monthly bulletin of abstracts issues as a single sheet is entitled "Across taken from articles appearing the previ- the Librarian's Desk" and lists State, ous week in papers and magazines. This Municipal or Federal reports, Engineer- bulletin is sent to all branch offices, larger ing Experiment Station Bulletins, An- agents and officers and officials of the nual Reports of Corporations, pamphlets company located in the Home Office. If a on various subjects, papers presented book is purchased which promises to be before trade associations, etc. This bulle- of particular interest to several indi- tin is distributed regularly, probably five viduals it is commented upon in these or six times a month. Some libraries weekly bulletins, otherwise a personally compile monthly one- or two-page bulle- typed "memo" is mailed the few men tins giving the time, place of convention whom it will particularly serve. The meetings and titles of the papers to be librarian of the U. S. Bureau of Public presented. Roads in Washington, D. C., prepares a The most popular form of bulletin is weekly annotated current literature list the one issued weekly or monthly an- of sixteen or more pages entitled High- nouncing new books, current journal ways. One of the most valuable features articles and patents. These items are of this bulletin is the note following the generally either abstracted or annotated. title of the articles when the title is not Here are a few examples of what they sufficiently descriptive, which explains contain and how they are circulated. the nature of the article or gives a brief The New Jersey Zinc Company publishes resum6 of the findings. This publication its bulletin weekly. Its contents include is sent regularly to members of the Bu- articles indexed from periodicals, new reau Staff, to district offices, State High- February, 1938 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 47 way Departments, university professors Educational Committee and the Libra- and research organizations outside the rian in acknowledgment of his completing Bureau. The T.V.A. library issues a the course. news index daily which includes short Many libraries keep a personal file of abstracts of newspapers and magazine information of special interest to indi- articles pertaining to the work of the viduals and send them immediately new Authority. On the first of each month a books, pamphlets, and magazine articles short annotated list of book reviews is on these subjects as soon as received. distributed and in the middle of the If the material is not sent them, a note or month a list of ten important magazine telephone call informs the individual articles is prepared. The National City that such and such a book or article is Financial Library routes its shelf lists of available if wanted. House organs are new acquisitions at the end of each week also a valuable aid in advertising the to its reference workers. Everyone is library. Most organizations today pub- familiar with the unusually fine Library lish some kind of a company magazine Bulletin printed monthly by the Con- and if the librarian can be assured of a solidated Edison Company of New York. column in each number it is an excellent The arrangement of the included items medium for acquainting the readers with and abstracts is such that they may be new material or for articles describing clipped and pasted by the individual re- some phase of the library service. ceiving it on 3 x 5 inch cards and filed in Other ways of bringing the library or his personal file. Some libraries clip from rather the material in the library to the two to ten newspapers, mount the clip- attention of both executives and em- pings in bulletin form and then circulate ployes might be by book talks given by them daily to executives. Another com- the librarian, exhibits on certain subjects pany mimeographs a "Synopsis of Press displayed either in the library or in con- Clippings." Several local newspapers are spicuous places throughout the offices, read daily and items of particular interest book covers tacked up on bulletin to the organization are abstracted. boards, desk cards, 3 x 5, calling attention Another means of disseminating in- to the library service and placed under formation is through Reading Courses. glass-top desks, preparation of bulletins At the present time in Public Service we covering specific subjects on file in the have reading courses on "Accountancy library, i.e. one list to contain govern- and Bookkeeping," "Public Utility Eco- ment or state publications, another dic- nomics," "Business Administration," tionaries, directories and encyclopedias, "Credits and Collections," "Air Condi- another types of services, etc. Bibliogra- tioning," "Advertising and Salesman- phies are also informative although I ship" and "Office Methods." These think they serve their purpose best when reading lists consist of seven books for compiled upon request for a special study study purposes and about five for supple- or report. I have not discussed the rout- mentary reading. Each book may be kept ing of magazines as practically all libra- for one month. When an employe has ries whether large or small employ this concluded this course a questionnaire is method of circulating new periodicals to given him based on material he has read. those individuals wishing to consult The answering of these questions, how- certain ones regularly. But this method ever, is not compulsory, but if he does is one of the most prevalent in dissem- answer them, he is presented with a inating information. Many an individual certificate signed by the Chairman of the will ask to be placed on the circulating 48 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 29, No. 2

list for ten or more magazines, who eliminated in time of depression simply seldom calls upon the library for other because the service idea had not been information. successfully sold to the executives. The The value of a library to any organi- success or failure of a company library zation depends primarily upon the rests upon the librarian. The librarian methods used to broadcast its informa- who is new in the profession should tion. These methods should be carefully avoid spending too much time on detail planned so that everyone within the and so neglecting the needs of her cli- company will be reached and benefited. entele. It is well to remember relative Many a business library has failed and values and that factual information is been- among the first departments to be useful only as it serves the individual. Publicizing Technical Literature By Arthur C. Stern, Editor Current Titles from Engineering Journals, New York OLLOWING very closely the format subject index will be described in greater Foriginated by Dr. L. R. Kuhn, of the detail later in this article. The remainder University of Chicago for a magazine of the magazine is devoted almost ex- named "Current Titles from Biological clusively to photographic reproductions Journals," the monthly magazine now of the tables of contents of the journals known as " Current Titles " first made its listed in each issue. appearance in November 1937. Whereas Journals are listed in "Current Titles" "Current Titles from Biological Jour- only when their publisher sends to the nals" was devoted to the biological and " Current Titles " editorial office either an medical field, was polylingual, and was exchange copy of the periodical, a tear without a subject index, the present sheet of the table of contents page, a "Current Titles" has a subject index, press proof of that page or a typewritten covers only English language publica- copy thereof. These contents pages are tions and is limited, as the sub-title on its then edited to eliminate editorials, obitu- masthead indicates, to the fields of "En- aries, trade news, personal news, biogra- gineering,-!Physics - Chemistry-Geology- phies, meeting notices, reprints and all Technology." In these fields, it plans to other matter neither original nor techni- assemble and print the tables of contents cal. Therefore, the only titles listed in of the leading English language periodi- " Current Titles " are those of original cals the world over in a magazine whose technical articles. Moreover, in listing mechanical specifications are as follows: these titles, the only editing consists of overall size - 6" x 9"; printed by the the omission of extraneous matter as photo-offset process in black ink on white noted above, insofar as no attempt is paper; bound with self-cover by wire made to abstract, digest, annotate or saddle-stitching ; each issue normally con- exaluate the substance of the articles taining 96 pages. Each issue has a t~vo whose titles are listed. It should be noted page alphabetical index to periodicals In- that " Current Tttles " is, in no way, try- cluded therein on the front cover and in- ing to supplant the many excellent ab- side front cover, and has a two-page stracting services now available in the alphabetically arranged subject index on fields it covers, but is designed to fill a the rear cover and inside rear cover. This need not covered by any of them. February, 1938 SPECIAL LIBMRIES

The last two issues of "Current Titles" frequency with which it includes articles have each listed the tables of contents of of original technical merit in the fields about 210 different periodicals. However, covered by " Current Titles." it should be noted that a large number of The first three issues of "Current publications are bi-monthly, quarterly, Titles" were each published during the semi-annually, annually or irregularly month succeeding the nominal month of issued. Therefore, although individual issue and two months after the nominal issues of "Current Titles" list about 210 month of the tables of contents includecl. journals, the total number of periodicals However, by publishing the January listed, as issued, numbers more than 350. 1938 issue in the latter part of January Since the magazine is but four months and including therein all tables of con- old, the list of journals included is at tents received at the "Current Titles" present in a state of rapid expansion, editorial office prior to January 12th, the more than 50 having been added in the magazine was brought up to date. There- last month alone. Therefore, journals fore, the February issue includes all copy omitted from present issues may be in- received between January 12th and Feb- cluded in subsequent issues. ruary 12th and is mailed to subscribers Using the list of English language on about February 25th; similarly the periodicals indexed by " Chemical Ab- March issue covers the interval February stracts," "Engineering Index," and " In- 12th-March 12th and is published March dustrial Arts Index" as a basis, an 25th, etc. Insofar as a number of the original list of 250 journals of record of tables of contents included in "Current learned societies, educational institutions Titles" are received in its editorial office and governmental agencies was compiled, as proof pages or typewritten lists in covering principally the United States advance of publication, the February, and all parts of the British Common- March and following issues will be pub- wealth of Nations. It was decided to lished on the average, less than three abandon the idea of publishing "Current weeks after the publication of the Ameri- Titles" unless the cooperation of pub- can journals listed. In fact in cases of lishers of at least three-quarters of these certain foreign publications which make journals could be obtained. In actual advance proof pages available to "Cur- fact, "Current Titles" is now including rent Titles," the tables of contents are over 90 per cent of the journals on its published in "Current Titles" prior to original basic list. It was not until after the arrival of the publications themselves the above fact became clear that the in the United States. publishers of trade periodicals were ap- The features of " Current Titles" are proached to obtain their cooperation in its timeliness, coverage, and compact- making their tables of contents available ness; the fact that the use of the photo- for inclusion in "Current Titles." This offset process allows the periodical to be effort is still in progress. In this latter produced at a very low cost; and, lastly, group the problem of selection is quite its subject index. The subject index difficult, because although there are sev- works as follows: Each journal is given eral thousand English language trade an identifying number which is printed publications in technological fields, space in the margin of the page on which it ap- considerations limit the number that can pears -beneath the page number and be included. The principal criterion in- opposite the listing of its table of con- fluencing the decision to include a trade tents. Every titlein that tableof contents publication in "Current Titles" is the is thus identified by both page number 50 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 29, No. 2 ' and journal number. Thus in the Decem- coverage of "Current Titles" can be ber issue of "Current Titles," the NO- compared with that of "Engineering vember issue of the "Journal of the Index," "Chemical Abstracts" and " Ip- International Society of Leather Trades' dustrial Arts Index" only on the basis of Chemists" is journal number 171 on page English language publications. Nor does 72 and is identified as 72 (171) in the 'I Current Titles " cover the numerous subject index. This magazine has two insurance, banking and economic jour- English language articles, "Water Ab- nals included in " Industrial Arts Index." sorption of Vegetable Tanned Sole It covers far fewer trade publications Leather" and "On pH Measurements than either "Chemical Abstracts " or with 'the Glass Electrode." Therefore, "Engineering Index." under the following listings in the subject Almost all the journals included in index - Physical Chemistry; Leather; "Current Titles" will be found in at least and MaterialsTesting -will be found the one of the aforementioned indices. How- numbers 72 (171) indicating that in that ever, with respect to the group of basic journal an article relating to the subject journals of record, "Current Titles" is to be found. In all there are over sixty includes a large enough number of jour- different subject index headings ranging nals from each list to give coverage in from Acoustics to X-rays, including such the chemical and physical field of publi- headings as: Air Conditioning; Ceramics; cations not to be found in "Engineering Electrical Machinery; Fluid Flow; High- Index," coverage in the engineering and ways, Roads and Streets; Lubrication; technological field of publications not to Non-Ferrous Metals; Radio and Elec- be found in "Chemical Abstracts " ; and, tronics; Steam Power Plants; and lastly, coverage in both fields of journals Welding. not to be found in "Industrial Arts Because they are all polylingual, the Index," Where's That Book? The Way in Which Libraries Supply Business ~nformation A Special Library Broadcast over KRKD,December 14, 1937 Mrs. Mary Duncan Carter, Director of the School of Library Service of the University of Southern California,interviews Miss Frances WilZiams, Librarian of the Security-First National Bank and V$ce-President of the Southern Calzforn~aChapter of the S9ecial Libraries Association.

C. There is a vast amount of research C. Can you give me some examples? and specialized library work being done W. One would concern the dollar behind the scenes, as it were. Most peo- amount of the largest grape crop on rec- ple, unless they happen to be employed ord; another might be to find the middle in a business that has such a Research initial of a glue manufacturer in Pitts- Department, have no idea of what this burgh, or the total deposits of the First work is ar how'it is done. Miss Williams, National Bank of Kalamazoo, can you t~llme what kind of questions a C. If your bank had no special libra- special librarian is asked? rian, how would the answers be found? W. Yes, Mrs. Carter, we are asked a W. Probably the vice-president's sec- variety of questions on all sorts of sub- retary would call the public library. Then jects. the information would have to be com- February, 1938 SPECIAL LIBRARIES piled, and relayed back to the secretary, C. Business firms must think a good to the vice-president. If the question had deal of their libraries if they are saved a long answer, found in books that circu- that much money. I wonder what value late, a boy could be sent for them. If they the business man would put on his spe- didn't circulate, the secretary would have cial library? to go and copy it. W. I know that when bonds were is- C. Could you say off-hand about how sued for the Chicago Daily News Build- much time it would take to get an an- ing, $6,000,000 was the value placed on swer from the public library? its Associated Press franchise, its good TV. Of course, for a financial question will, and its reference library, and the it would take a librarian who wasn't Detroit News library was appraised by particularly familiar with the field much underwriters at $6,000. longer to find it than it would a librarian C. There seem to be a good many who works with the material every day. different kinds of special libraries. I C. They say "Time is Money" in should think that each special librarian business. Have you any idea how much would have such individualistic interests money is saved by business organizations that she'd have very little in common who use special libraries? with other special librarians. W. Minneapolis Business Branch esti- W. Our aims are the same, although mates it saves its patrons $23,000 a our tools are different. year. Newark claims it saves $50,000 C. What aims do you have in com- annually. mon? C. That seems a lot of monev. How W. That's answered by the slogan of the did they come to those conclusions? Special Libraries Association- " Putting W. The location of the Minneapolis knowledge to work.'' library saves an average of one-half hour C. Oh, I see, you have a slogan too. of time for each patron because of its Just like the American Library Associa- location. They range from bank presi- tion and their "The best reading for the dents to messenger boys, so an average largest number at the least cost." But salary of one dollar an hour is safe; just what do you mean by "Putting 57,000 patrons multiplied by 50 cents for knowledge to work" ? the half-hour's saving equals $28,000. W. We are all trying to make our C. But these business branches are users feel that their "business is in the really branches of the public library. library." Then, again, our fields are often W. Yes. Some cities have them. overlapping, and we can air our interests C. Do you think that the city whose in the group meetings of Special Libraries public library has a business branch is Association. lacking in special libraries in business? C. In what group would you classify W. On the contrarv,-. the cities with your library at the Security-First Na- business branches are often the very ones tional Bank? that have many other special libraries. TV. Primarily, of course, we are in the C. Why is that? financial group, but a good many of our W. Perhaps, the very fact of the exist- interests are in other fields, such as our ence of a business branch makes the busi- big agricultural loans, and what the ness man more aware of what specialized Special Libraries Association calls the library service can mean -of the thou- Commerce Group. sands of dollars and the hours of time C. Just what is the Commerce Group? such library service can save. W. That includes those interested in 5 * SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 29, No. 2 advertising, industrial corporations, pub- ing, and on the other hand the trained lic relations, trade and industry and librarian with a general knowledge of the others. field in such a library. C. How do these groups get together? C. I suppose each method has its Just at the annual conferences? advantages. W. Groups are within local chapters. W. Of course. However, the second There are sixteen of these in the United type seems to have been adding increased States and Canada. numbers in recent years. C. That's right, there is one here, I C. That's very much as it is in the know, because you are the vice-president general library field. In the old days the of it. What are the activities of your librarian grew up as an apprentice in the chapter? library. Now library training is essen- W. We meet monthly at the widely tial. What kind of training do you think varied organizations represented in our the special librarian should have? membership and at present we are at W. Start with a general subject knowl- work compiling a union list of periodicals edge in college; for example, chemistry in the libraries of Southern California. for a future chemical librarian, then In this we're being aided by most of the languages. In library school the basic li- librarians in this region. brary courses and a final course in adapt- C. Are special librarians any different ing general library principles to special from other kinds of librarians? library problems. W. Yes, they are. Special librarians C. How would you sum up the special have come about in two different ways. librarian? There is, for instance, the engineer who W. She must be reliable, efficient, re- takes charge of the science library be- sourceful, enthusiastic, patient and quiet, cause of his special knowledge and train- and still remain human!

Library Magazine Articles of Interest

Bzrllelin of the American Library Association, bibliographical terms, p. 663-637. A short January 1938. article summing up the existing resources. Brown, C. H. What shall we do with the Library Journal, January 1, 1938. A.L.A.?, p. 29-31. Considers the problems be- Manks, D. St. J. Why libraries- another fore the A.L.A. in meeting its future and out- point of view (letter), p. 2. A discerning and lines some of the objectives of the third Activi- objective consideration of the inadvisability of ties Committee. a library's claim to omniscience. Craver, H. W. You can't afford to stay out, Doud, Margery. Reading without rule or p. 5-6. A lucid and stimulating discussion of reason, p 7-10. Some caustic but well deserved the reasons for joining a professional asso- comment on slipshod reviewing and its rela- ciation. tion to popular books in libraries. Reece, E. J. Look ahead for library schools, Woostcr, H. A. Library profession, p. 14-16. p. 3216. A comprehensive discussion stressing A constructive consideration of some aspects the need for a broader training in the philo- of our professional problems that may apply sophic aspects and the discarding from the to any phase of librarianship. curriculum of clerical phases. Includes some 1938. consideration of special library needs. Librury Journal, January 15, Cowles, Barbara Subject classification of lihrary /issocaaliorr Record, December 1937. the titles in the "Union List of Serials," p. Collision, I<. L. \ir.Translation of foreign 47-49. The reasons for and steps in the devel- SPECIAL LIBRAKIES

opment of this ambitious and valuable project Library Review, Wlnter 1937. discussed. Fyle, Hamilton. Our comtnercinlized press, p. 165-170. An analysis of the effect on North- Library Quortcily, Octobcr 1937. cliffe's developnlcnt of the Daily Mail. Condit, Lester. Bibliography in its prenatal Wilsole Bulleti~t,December 1937. existence, p. 564-576. An account of the carli- Fredricks, J. M. Glance at Russian li- est efforts from the work of the Alexandrian braries, p. 233-237. Publ~clibraries of Lenin- library through the Myriobiblion begun at grad, Moscow show rapid expansion and Samarra, through Pre-Renaissance days to many special departn~ents. union catalogs in Great Britain in the 15th century. Wilson B~clletin,January 1938. Miller, Robert A. Cost accounting for li- Shores, Louis. Current reference books, p. braries, p. 511-536. Deals mainly with acqui- 310-313. The department begun in this issue sition and cataloging processes. Includes close commenting on reference books of ilie current analysis. year and on other discussions of them.

Officers of the Special Libraries Association 1937-1938 OFFICERS EmPloymrt~l- Margaret R. Bonnell. Melropolllnn Llfe Insumnce Company, 1 Mndlmn Avenue, New York Presrdenl-Willlam F, Jacob, Ma~nLlbrary, General Finance - Howard L. Stebbina, Suc~alLaw Library, Court Elcclric Company, 1 Rlver Road, Schet~ecbdy House, Boston Vice Presidenls - Mrs Luc~leL. Keck, Jomt Refcrcnce Indexes to Sources oj Slnlislicol Infnrnralron- Murla C. Llbmry, 850 East F~fty-e~gbthStreet. Chicago; Alma C. Brace. Department of BusIncas and Economlcr, Enoch M~tch~ll.Publlc Service Corporation of New Jersey, Pmtt Free Llbrnry. Cathedral, Fmnklln, and Mtllberry 80 Park Place, Newark Streets, Bnltlrnore Srcrclary- Elizabeth Lola Clarke. 345 Hudson Street. Mcmlrrrdip Mnry Plerson McLenn, Amerlcnn Bankem New York - Aaaoc~at~on,22 BasL Fortieth Street, New York Treasurrr - hdcllne hhcrum, Induslrial Arts Index, Tbe W. Mrlhods-Vlrglnln L. Garland, The Plrlludclpl~ia Corn- H W~lsonCompany, 950-972 Unlverslty Avenue, pnny. 435 Six111 Avenue, Plttsburah New York Direclorr-Mnrpuente Burnett, Federal Reserve Dank of Nominalinn- Mrs. Louise P. Dorn, Dclrolt Edlson Com- pany, 2000 Sccond Avenue, Dclrolt Ncw York. 33 Llbcrty Street. New York; Mrs. Cl~arlottc Pubhcal~ons- hinnon G. Eaton, Fcdernl Reserve Rnnk oi Noyes Taylor, Chemlcal Dennrtment, Bxpcrlmentnl Boston. 30 Pearl Strccl, Boslon Statlon, E. I. du Pont de Ncmoura & Company. lnc., Technical Book Revrcru Index- Grnnvdle Mclxcll, Appllcd W~lmlnaton;Mary Jane Henderson. Sun Llfc Assurance Sclence L~brary,Columb~a Unlverslty. Broadwny and Company of Conada, Dommlon Square. Montreal; 116tll Slrect. New York Howard L Stcbblns, Social Law Llbrary, Court Houae, Trade Associalion Mnry Lou~seAlexander, Libnry-Re- Boston - march Department. Baltcn, Barlon. Durstine S; Osborn EDITORS Inc , 383 Madlaon Avenue, New York Trarning and Recruilrirg- Marian C Manlcy, Buslneas Spcnal Ltbrarres- Marian C. Manley, Buaineas Branch of Branch of the Newark Publlc Llbrory. 34 Comnwcc the Newark Public Llbrary, 34 Commerce Street, Street. Newark Newark Associale Members' Bullelin - hlarpuerlte Burnett, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 33 Liberty Street. New GROUP CHAIRMEN York Biological Sc~enccs- Anna Holt. Harvard hled~colSchool, Chaglrr Town Crw- Marguente Burnett, Federal Re- 25 Sllattuck Street, Boston serve Bank of New York, 33 Llberty Street, New York Commerce- Barbara Peterson, Mctropolllan Llfe Insur- Ttchnical Book Raiw Indrr-Grnnvllle Memll, Applied ance Company. 1 Madlson Avenuc, New York Science Llbrary, Columbia U~veraity.Broadmy and Financial - Rut11 von Roeucl~laub, Flnanclnl Lrbrary. 116th Street, New York Central Hanover Bank and Trust Company, 70 Broad- way, New York COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Insurance- Emily C. Coates, Tlavclera Insurance Corn- puny, Hartford Business Lrbrary Promol~on- Alma C. M~tchlll.Publlc Museum- Florence Ward Stlles. School of hrchltccturc, Service Corporation of New leraey, 80 Park Place, hfassachusetts Inst~tulcof Tecllnology, 491 Boylston Newark Street, Boalon Classijcolbn - Mrs. Constance Beal Adams, Rusaell Sam Newspogcr - Mary H. Wclcl~,The Borlon Globe Reference Foundatlon. 130 Enat Twenty-second Street, New York Library, 244 Waslllnglon Street, Boslon Cmsfifulion and By-Laws-Dorsey W. Hyde, Jr., The Public Business Librarians- Rose L. Vormclker, Ruslnese Nallonnl Archwen. Washindon, D. C. Information Bureau. Cleveland Publlc Llbrnry, 325 Conuenlion - Mrs. Jolan M. Gertig. Research Laboratorles. Superior Avenue Northenst, Clevclnnd Westinghouse Electric & Mnnufactudne Company, Sciencc-Tcrhndoay - Ellzabeth Joy Cole. Calco Chcmlcal East P~ttsburizh Company. Inc.. Round Brook. New Jeraey Dupliculr Brchange - Beatrice Howell. Insurance Institute Socini Scrrnct - Mnry Elizabe~t~Wrbeck. Publrc Affair3 of Montreal, 410 St. Nicholas Street, Montreal Informalion Scruicc, 11 West Fortleth Street. New York 54 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 29, No. 2

Uni~arnly and Cdla#c D~pnrlmcnlnl Librarians-Mrs. Detmlt Publlc Llhw. Woodward and Kirby Avenues. Juha L. Stanlland, School of Medicine, Utllveraity of -Detroit ....~- P~tlaburgh,Pitlaburgh MBwaukcc- Elm L. Jacck, University Extenmon DlvIdon Unlversltr of Wlaconen. 623 Weat State Street, MU: waukee CHAPTER PRESIDENTS Mmlrcal- T. V. Mounteer. Dlrector of the Llhrary, The

Albnnu--~ Cnbllol Dislrrcl-Haniet R. Peck. Renwlaer Bell Telephone Company of Canada, 1050 Beaver Hdl poiytcchnic Inatitute, Troy HIII, Montreal Bolfimora-Samuel H. Feldsteln, Mmt Natlonal Bank New Jersey -Marian C. Manley, Bualnesa Branch of the Bulldlng. Room 4Q5, Baltimore Newark Public Library, 34 Commerce Street, Newark Botlon - Elinor Gremrv.- - Boston Athenaeum, 10% Bacon Ncu York-Dorothy M. AVW, General Library, New ~treet,Boaton York Telephone Company. 140 Went Street. New York Circinnafl-Alma J. L'ITommedleu. Teachera' College, Phrladclghca Council - Charles L. Katz. Reference Dc Athenaeum of Ohio, 28 Calhoun Street, Clndnnatl mrtment. Temple Univermty Llbrary, Broad Stmtmud Clmclnnd.. . - - Ruth Barber. Federal Reserve Bank of Clevc- Montnomerv Avenue. Phladelnhia land, ~osl6iieeB& 387, Cleveland Pcllsburgh - Edith Portman, Melion Inatltute of IndurLrld Cmnadmu - Lerlle Reid French. Catalog Department, Renearclr. Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh Connecticut State Llbrary, Hatiford Sar Frascrsco Bay Rcgcon- Anita F. Levy, Budnev IU~nois- Manon Rawls. Burnham Library of Architecture, Branch. San Frandro Publlc Lib-. 629 RUMBuild-

The Art Institute of Chlago. Ylch~gan Avenue at ing. -San Franc~aco- - ~ ~ ....-. Adam Street, Chlcago Sovlhcrn Cnlijornin- Mrs. Thelma Jackman, haAngelel Mschitan - Helene Thorpe. Department of Socld Sdencea, Mllnlclpal Reference Library, 300 Clty Hull, Lo1 Anpclu From the Editor's Point of View Shall We Publish Conference Proceed- used as the basis for a revolJing fund to ings Separately? publish, as a separate Association publica- N THE January issue of SPECIALLI- tion, the conference proceedings in one I BRARIES there were several letters volume; these proceedings to be available stressing the need for the publication of to members on the same terms as are other conference proceedings as a separate Association publications, -that is, free to S.L.A. publication ana not a part of the institutional members and available to ac- magazine. A number of readers have found tive and associate members at a small two things wrong with the present treat- charge. The members would benefit in two ment of conference papers. First, they find ways, -through the concentration and the delay in their appearance trying; and early publication of all conference pro- second, they object to picking up SPECIALceedings in one volume, and through LIBRARIESwith the idea of finding fresh the possibility of placing in SPECIALLI- articles and instead discovermg papers that BRARIES articles particularly adapted to they have already heard at the conventions. its needs. Heretofore the Editor has felt that the This question has been discussed in the publication of conference papers in SPE- columns of SPECIALLIBRARIES and to CIAL LIBRARIESwas a necessary feature, - some extent among the officials of the As- one might almost say evil. Prom the Edi- sociation. Would this not be a good subject tor's point of view, this procedure is a to bring up at the Executive Board and handicap, as it means the inclusion of mate- Advisory Council meeting in March? The ria[ that has not been carefully selected for question is, of immediate interest to all its value to the Association as a whole. It members of the Association. An expres- has the added disadvantage of taking up sion of opinion from the members either much of the limited space in SFECIALLI- to the Editor or to the officers of the As- BRARIES and so interfering with the selec- sociation or members of the Advisory tion of timely articles on developments of Council would be distinctly helpful in particular interest to the magazine's read- future plans. Such communications ers. should be mailed before the 1st of A suggestion has been made that some March- so "obey that impulse" and of the surplus funds of the Association be write now ! February, 1938 SPECIAL LIBRARIES A Word On Our Index Music, Newspaper, Religious, Social-Sci- ITH this issue of SPECIALLI- ence, Technical, University, and Univer- WBRARIES will be distributed the index sity Departmental; while the number of to Volume 28. This is not an uninteresting refcrences had jumped to 42. A new phase list of separate items. It is rather a con- of the subject was shown in the subhead, densed picture of the interests of the Spe- Costs, new in 1936 with one entry, and cial Libraries Association as represented going on in 1937 with five entries. in its official organ. Again, the work of the Association itself The shift in interests from one year to is completely pictured in the various divi- another is epitomized in the indexes. AS sions of the indcx under Special Libraries the magazine has grown in the last four Association. All 16 of the Chapters are rep- years, so have the entries expanded, but in resented with references to various activi- different ways. Volume 25, for 1934, had ties. The record of Committee work as 292 pages. Volume 28, for 1937, has 380 shown in reports and special notes is pic- pages - an increase of one-third. What tured in the index. The activities of the does this expansion indicate? A glance at Groups are featured and the work of the the division, Librarians, Special, shows officers. Perhaps the expansion is illus- growing interest in the preparation of the trated as clearly in the work of the Com- librarian. In 1934 there were six entries on mittees as in any other way. Under this training. The increasing interest is shown heading in 1934 there were three subdivi- by the 13 references given in 1937. In these sions and 11 references. In 1937 there are sections of the index for the last four 16 subdivisions and 68 references. The years, a picture of the Association's re- records and activities of the Association action to the subject of training is pre- are, through the index, available to all in- sented. terested members. The increasing interest The same thing is true of other topics. shown in its various phases are a marked Under Libraries, Sfecial, are many sub- indication of an energetic constructive or- divisions, of which Methods and Types are ganization. two of the most important. In 1934 under Sometin~esthe value of such an indcx Methods were given three divisions, - has been a question. Who uses it after it Classification, Reference Work, Subject appears? Who appreciates the work that Headings, while the references covered 9 has gone into its compilation? While it is articles. In 1937 the treatment in SPECIAL not for light reading, with these four sepa- LIBRARIEShad so expanded that seven en- rate issues available for study and com- tries were used, -the three used in 1934 parison, can we fail to appreciate the value plus Cataloging, Equipment, Order Work, of the work of the members of the Special and Purchasing. The number of entries Libraries Association and what coopera- had grown to 31. tion means? We cannot hesitate to express In connection with the material on appreciation to the two members who have types of special libraries, the same thing is made this record possible,'- Beatrice true. In 1934 material was included on nine Hager, of the New York Municipal Refer- types, -Art, Chemical, Commercial, In- ence Library, who indexed Volumes 25 surance, Medical, Newspaper, Religious, and 26, and Mary E. Hunt, of the Business Scientific, and Social Welfare; and a total Branch of the Newark Public Library, who of 19 references were listed. In 1937 the indexed the last two volumes. To Ruth types covered were Architectural, Chemi- Savord, who, in her index to Volume 24, cal, Commercial, Federal, Financial, In- set up a model, the Association owes a dis- surance, Medical, Municipal Ref erenct, tinct debt of gratitude. SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 29, No. 2

Do Its Readers Edit Special Libraries? and another by the editor of a new tool THE" reat help, to the Editor, given useful to scientific and technical librarians. 'by the recent stimulating discussion, These two artlcles have direct bearing on and correspondence about the contents of the problems of certain groups, but are SPECIALLIBRARIES is shown by the inclu- of related interest to all members. sion of certain material in th~sissue. In Another type of article that should December a member of the Executive prove stimulating is "Confessions of a Board made two pertinent suggestions for Layman on Organizing a Special Library." SPECIALLIBRARIES : one, the inclusion of a Often we have wanted to know the reac- note of the contents of other library peri- tion of a business corporation to a prob- odicals; and the other, the occas~onalap- lem of this kind. Here we have the an- pearance of the names of the officers, swer. While we will not all agree with all Executive Board and Advisory Council in that is In that artlcle, the enthusiasm it the body of SPECIALLIBRARIES. AS a re- reflects and the comprehensive attention sult, this list, which has heretofore been and systematic treatment given to the li- printed twice a year on the back cover of brary problem will be stimulating to many. SPECIALLIBRARIES, is now printed on page 53. Thc list of references from library Surveys Again! literature was inaugurated with the Janu- Word comes from Miss Savord that re- ary issue and the Editor hopes to find in plies to the salary survey are coming in later issues as many interesting articles as rapidly and that the anonymous feature is were noted at that time. proving satisfactory. Of the several hun- As a result of conlment in the magazine, dred already received, none can be identi- this issue includes an article by Watson fied as from any one library; another Davis, an authority on docun~entation, anxiety gone.

Letters to the Editor

It's Not Only the Magazine But the vagueness it is comparable to the utterances of Association many a leading statesman who can't quite see the way out of an embarrassing situation. ISS PRUDEN'S letter in the December How, then, can we decide what to do about M number poses not only the question "Are SPECIALLIBURIES until we know what we're we aatisfied with SPECIALLIBRAR~ES?" but more going to do about S.L.A.? Is it S.L.A.'s n~ission important still, the question "Are we satisfied to improve the technical capabilities of its mem- with S.L.A.?" bers? If so, to whose greatest benefit? I would Perhaps Miss Pruden didn't mean it that way, suggest rather that in this day and age our pri- but to me the connection seems to be direct and mary purpose should be to promote the collective inevitable. No association journal can do more and individual well-being of our membership than reflect the collectwe state of mind of the That would mean placmg the questions of sal- membership, and no amount of coaxing and aries and working conditions ahead of classifica- prodding by an editor, no matter how capable, tion and documentation, the question of our can induce any different state of mind. It is the collective relationship to economic and soclal responsibility of the membership to make up its forces ahead of library methods and techniques. mind. In that case, the deliberations of our membership I believe that as a body we haven't any clear and the conduct of our business become vitally idea what we want of S L.A. and, consequently, important material for our journal. of SPECIALLIBRARIES. Study the "Object" We are to have our annual convention within clause of our constitution (Art. I, Sec. 2) and a few months Could we look to that for a clearer decide, if you can, what it means. In its delightful line of direction for the future? After that, Miss February, 1938 SPECIAL LIBRARIES 57

Pruden's pertinent suggestions could be given the was recently referred to by Mr. Lewis Meriam consideration they demand. in discussing the library of U. S. Children's Bu- T. V. MOUNTBER, reau, Mr. Meriam says: "The operating oRi- Monlreal. ccrs rarely go to the librarian to ask her to get then1 certain hooks they want to read They ex- The Nature of Special Libraries pcct the libranan to know the field of the de- "SPECIAL LIBRARY" as defined. by partment intimately, to keep in touch with the A Miss Alexander is "a name used to den- ceaseless flow of I~tcmture,and to bring to the tify collections of information on specialized attention of the employees and the department subjects that serve a limited clientele "'This the things thcy should see - to keep the collec- excellent definition needs some amplification if tion ir~perfect harmony with the work 01 the it is to stand as a clear statement of the nature department." ' of special libraries. It does not seem entirely Here we have then, definitely, two distinguish- adequate. A graduate reading room, for exam- ing services. ple, need not be a specla1 library, even though Many excellent rcfcrence collections and ref- it has a collection of information on a special ercnce staffs do not serve continuing, or special- subject and serves a limited clientele. Such a li- ized clienteles. The questions that come to the brary does not necessar~ly give special library desk of a public library reference department or servicc. If the library serves simply as a store- even a specialized division of such a department house of sources of information, and the infor-. may origmate, aln~ostcntirely, from a relatwely mation is usually brought together or selected by unknown and chang~nggeneral public. This is the client rather than by the librarian, we may not necessar~lytrue since the department may be have a specialized reference library which is not, so adininistcred as to include spccial l~brary of necessity, a special library. service. It may establ~sha continuous and spe- In the special library movement, we find im- cial associat~onwith experts and organizations plicit throughout its history the recognition of throughout the city in its special field. Some pub- two "special" library duties, neither of which lic library reference departments are proud of are indicated in the definition quoted. development of this service; others discourage I. Selecting, S1rnlmat4'~ing, Collecting and it. Whether or not such a department functions Compiling Ittformation. - Mr. Dudgeon's as a special library depends largely upon ad- phraseology, in stressing this service, is a little ministrative policies unfortunate He says, "In a special reference li- Again, in university special collections there brary the information 1s already gleaned . . . is great variance in the service given Is the col- to be delivered to the spccial worker too busy lection a storehouse of dormation to be ex- to investigate for himself."' The point is not that plored by the student and scholar under certain the investigator is too busy, for no investigator library administratwe regulations? Or does the is so busy that he dare proceed without basic librarian in charge serve as a refercnce and re- information The important thing is the library search assistant for the selected cl~cntele he at this point substitutes for the expensive and serves? The answer to the question depends upon tedious hours of l~braryresearch of a highly paid the amount of service possible under the library and creative technician or an unskilled novice, budgct as well as upon the conception of desir- the efficient, dollar-saving service of a librarian able service in the minds of the administrators trained to this particular task. Such service is oE the library. But it is only by answering ques- bascd on the sound personnel princ~~leof dele- tions such as these that the librarian can deter- gating to the proper staff members such work as mine whether or not he has a special library, or the more highly paid specialist or administrator simply a specialized collect~onor reference li- cat1 have effectively performed by another. brary. 11. Tlic Corryhtg of Infornto!iot~ to thc Clicn- Once again referring to Mr. Lewis Meriam tele, - Dr. Bishop early recognized this specla1 (the tlepartmcntal library of wh~chhe speaks is service of special librar~es and the same servicc also a special l~brary)wc find this stntcn~e~~t, 1 Alexander, hl L., New Deal Emphasizes Nced far "-4 departmental library is primarily a techni- Busit~ess Libraries. Readirig For Profit. Vol. I, p. 3, cal specializccl service." He adds, "It is the October, 1933. prompt service that counts " This irnplics that a ?Dudgeon, BI. S., The Scope and Purposes of Spe. special library l nu st be so organ~zedthat proc- cia1 Llbmrles. SP~CI.~LI~RARIPS. Vol. 3, p. 131, June, 1912. esscs for care of the collection are subordinated a B~shop, W. W., Tlis Backs of Books, pp. 161-2. 4 Mrrinn~.Lewis. Pirbl~cStx~cr aiid Sbt'c~d Trniil- 1926 111!1. PI> 4;-8, 1936. SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 29, No. 2

to service needs. It also means that a highly subjects briefed or analyzed in a manner aiding flexible organization must be sought in order to quick reading and constructive thinking. adapt the library closely to the changing needs Since much of the reading that has been here and demands of a research staff. described is a matter of daily praftice, and the If these points are well taken, can a definition executive probably must read daily a number of or a statement of special libraries be formulated reports covering operations of his company, the which recognizes these d~stinctions? question may be asked - How can he find time ~OHEM. DORITY, to do all that reading? Of course he does not, Committee on Training adRecruiting. every day, read everything mentioned, but he schedules hie time so that he does read a surpris- A Government Publication ingly large number of treatments and comments every businesa day. T is possible that some members of the Spe- Most executives have developd to a high I cial Libraries Association may be interested degree, the facility for "rapid" reading, the to know that commencing with the year 1935 the abdity to read at a glance whole sentencee, even "Annual Statement of the Trade of Southern whole paragraphs, and through quick disccrn- Rhodesia with British Countries and Foreign ment, separate the wheat from the chaff. That Countries" will be on file at the British Library of capacity for rapid reading is, of course, no new Information and can be consulted or borrowed on discovery, -its value has been known to all inter-library loan. executives for years past. Though possessed of ANGUSFLETCEIER, that desirable quality, they sought an additional British Library of Information. aid to wide reading. Many executives delegated to some member of the staff, the duties of a Some Observations On What Business "reader." A chart, or index of subjects of imme- Executives Read diate interest to the executive was furnished the VER a period of many years, the writer's reader, who checked reading matter for articles or 0 duties have brought him in close contact comments on those subjects, -these were then with busineas executives in various fielde. What marked in color, or clipped and pasted on sheets, those executives read has always been a matter and passed on for executive attention. that stirred curiosity, and some discoveries are What kind of books do executives read? Obvi- here presented. ously they read many different books treating Metropolitan newspapers naturally appear in on business performance or methods. Among the foreground of what the executive reads. these, the popular type are those written from Weekly and monthly business and trade maga- experience, rather than theory. Boob describing zines are on his list for constant reading. In practical applications of effort or ingenuity and these, the executive discovers comprehensive stating results are eagerly sought by executives. information concerning his field of operations and Biographies and business histories are favorite related activ~ties.He seeks news of production reading with many, and books on economics, and distribution; marketing, transportation, social welfare, and labor studies, written around product research, improved processes, improved experience abroad as well as in this country are designs in plant buildings, and improved methods receiving increasing attention. and materials for building them. Few executives have any sympathy for a too- Then there are many different publications often expressed philosophy that - "what hap- issued from Governmental departments such as pened in the past is water over the dam"; they the Bureau of Commerce, Bureau of Mines, know that much is to be learned from earlier Bureau of Labor, and others, which contain mis- periods and are keen to use that knowledge. ceUaneous inlormation relating to business on a No time to read much? Executives would national scale. While an executive may not read laugh at that, -they find time, through many all of these, he does read some of them, and usu- opportunities that others frequently overlook. ally has sonle one on his staff read others, make Books, or reading matter are a regular part of a digest of the contents and bring such comments their equipment on any trip; on the boat, train, to his attention. or plane, there are moments, often hours that can To further insure that his reading may be be devoted to reading. When an executive find8 comprehensive, that he may not miss something himself with some time on his hands, he has important, the executive usually subscribes for something to read, or he quickly finds it. the services of one or more agencies which furnish P. W. COMBS,SR., daily or weekly digests of business, statistical Advertising Managcr, and legislative information: in these, he finds Pennsylvania-Dixie Cement Corporation. February, 1938 SPECIAL LIBRARIES Publications of Special Interest

Adams, J. R. More power to advertising. current affairs. Alphabeticnlly arranged with some crow Harper, N. Y. 1937. 179 p. $2.50. references. Dates given as needed. A useful hondlmk as wcll as entertaming for the idle moment. Clur, concise articles on different phases of adver- tising, stressing the few fundamental rules and cutting Cheney, Sheldon. World history of art. away many of the deluaiona of grandeur. Viking Press, N. Y. 1937. 960 p. $5.00. Almanac of office equipment. Edward H. World history of art from the modern point of new. Harris Organization, Chicago. 1937. 384 well arranged for qu~ckreference to certain pin& ad adapted to a more leisurely study of ap~ialphran Tk p. $2.50. atyle is fresh and stimulating. Profusely illustntcd. In- A careful descr~ption of oflice machines, their uses, cludca note an major epochs of art history, chart of con- make-up and care, covering standard makes of type- current development. Delightful bibliographical mka. writers, dictat~ng, duphcatmg, adding, calculatmg, ad- A satisfactory hok for both reading and reference. dressing, bookkeepmg and accounting machines, givmg practical chapters on busmess helps and wme hlstory of Crofut, F. M. Guide to the history and his- buaincss machine development toric sites of Connecticut. Yale Univ. Arms, J. T. and D. N. Design in flower ar- Press, New Haven. 1937. 2 vole. 973 p. rangement. Macmillan, N. Y. 1937. 117 p. $10.00. A carefully documented, uhauativc atudy beginning 02.75. with a general history of Connecticut, and continning An artist d~scussesthe fundan~entalsof dceign and with descriptions and historic records of the vrriws color in flower arrangement and the part played by the towns, arranged nccording to county divisions. Many setting, the eontalner and the flowers. A number of illustrations. Each description of a place or incldcnt is lovely examples are illustrated and their design analyzed. followed by exact referencu to the origianl aourcar. Helpful in a field of growing interest. Thirty-four pages of b~bliography. Banning, Kendall. West Point today. Funk Etnier, Elizabeth. bn Gilbert Head. Little, & Wagnalls, N. Y. 1937. 312 p. $2.50. Brown, Boston. 1937. 272 p. $2.50. A complete guide to the modes and manners of West The rescue from disintegration of an old Maine home Polnt, its h~storyand ita trad~t~ons.Vigorolis and well and its rebuilding described with notes of bird and plant balanced in style. Includea mny records of collections, l~feand sunset and water effects an this b~tof mat. a number of mdillustrat~ons, a chronology and glossary of cadet lingo, as well as the words for the many Fitzgerald, N. J., Hoffman, C. A, and Academy aonga, including "The Corp." Bayston, J. R. Drive and live. Johnson Barton, F. B. How to sell in chain stores. Pub. Co., Richmond, Va. 1937.288 p. $1.28. Harper, N. Y. 1937. 104 p. $1.50. A well arranged, clear and arresting achool text bad on motor trflc problems. Discusses the problems of the Another amiable, gossipy, well-intentioned bmk of tips dr~ver, the car, the pul~licand acc~denta. Gives many on how to make your customers and your organization problems for discussion and includes effective illusha- like you. Good commonsense in a different presentation. tion% Many references for further reading included- Charts and statist~caldata glven. Lists of supplmmtuT Brewster, William. Concord River. Harvard material such as visual aids, ilriv~ngexaminations, traffic Univ. Press, Cambridge. 1937.259 p. $3.50. rulea and hibliogrnphy included, ns wdl as estcnsim Selections from the diary of a great oraitholog~st,giv- glossary. A fine book on a vital problem. in^ his clear and accurate observations on h~rdhabits, deliph$ful In the loving description of the country and in Foster, W. Z. From Bryan to Stdin. Inter- their simpl~city.Benut~fully illustrated w~thetchings and national Publiahers, N. Y. 1937. 352 p. watercolors by Frank W. Benson. Altogether one of the $3.00. noteworthy contributions to the nature lover's library. One of the lahr leaders writes of his growth in the Brookes, R. 8. R. When labor organizes. labor strrrgglc and the transition in his beliefs and eon- Yale Univ. Prees, New Haven. 1937. 361 tacts from Bryan's pollc~eathrough the Socialist Part% the I.W.W., the Trade Urion Educational Lugue, b p. $3.00. the Comman~stParty. Shows him great Lbillty far work A fair, mnstructive consideration of the many aspects and creative effort. Gives much of the labar permditia of the labor problem remarkably up-to.date in content and h~storyof last forty years. Important in i~.pict~m and including sufficient historical background Unbiased of a momentous development. and skillful in prcscnting strong and weak palnta. In- cludea statiatica of union membersh~psand good blbliog- Funk, W. J. So you think it's new. Funk dL raphy. Probably one of the beat bks avadable on sub Wagnalls, N. Y. 1937. 198 P. $2.00. jnt. Entertaining notes from ancient and mtdlad his- tory, showing that inflation, nudism, aamctiu nnd Bray, F. C. Headlines in American history. polit~cnl skullduggery were as rampant then aa now. Crowell, N. Y. 1937. 311 p. $2.00. Many anecdotes illustrathg paints. Amusing pen and An enlightening, succinct, hut vivid series of explana- ink nketches are Included. Clvcs bibliography af abut tions of catch words and phrases in U. S. hidory and 80 titles. SPECIAL LIBRARIES Vol. 29, No. 2 Farms, C. C. Man. bread and destiny. Rey- Thach, S. D. Finger painting as a hobby. nal & Hitchcock, N. Y. 1937. 364 p. 13.00. Harper, N. Y. 1937. 129 p. $1.75. A fascinating study of food values in the llves of Another text that suggests a release for the creative primitive man and in the present day. The work of grut lnstlnct and gwes clear suggestions as to procedure The students in the field of nutrition is noted. The part fascinating results of finger paintlng arc effectively dc. played by the various fwd constituents is made plaln. scribed and instructions for the development of craft Am interesting and valuable book. Full hlbliographical work so decorated are glven. A number of goad half rrfcsence in appendu. tones included and a 11st of stores handling the speclal paints. Jayson, L. M. Mania. Funk & Wagnalls, N. Y. 1937. 263 p. $2.00. Vizetelly, F. H. and Funk, C. E. New com- The detallcd, straightforward and veracious account prehensive standard dictionary for Amer- of a dementia praecox seizure and the struggle back to ican youth. Funk & Wagnalls, N. Y. 1937. sanity. Helpful In ~tsplcturc of the phases of insanlty and of the patients' reaction to surroundings and to each 1008 p. $1.75. other. Illruninatlng for thow touched by this problun. An excellent school dictionary with good definitions in slmple lang'uage of the words encountered in general Kaye-Smith, Sheila. Three ways home. readlng Proper names are lncluded and identified in one Harper, N. Y. 1937. 258 p. $2.50. general alphabet. Inexpensive and with all round value Autobiographical sketches by one of the htter Enghsh for the young student mvcliata, showing how a sheltered childhood in a loved cnuntr~.sidcand a transition through religious phases Weiss, E. B. and Larabee, C. B. How to sell rntaed into the fibre of her hfe and work. Honest and through wholesalers. Harper, N. Y. 1937. intmspective. 253 p. $2.75. Lebenthal, L. S. A.B.C. of municipal bonds. A practical, snappy analysis of the rclatlons betwccn Harper, N. Y. 1937. 166 p. $1.50. manufacturers and jobbers, showlng the weaknesses and thelr cause. Constructive suggestions glven for im~roving An unusuaI treatment of financial information that the selllng plans. Interesting and loglcal in presentation 8honld help the novlce to understand the fundamentals but wlthout mdcx and including terms without definitions. of municipal finance. An individual bond lssue 1s de- Append~xgives form8 for consignment agreements scnkd in its relatlon to a c~ty'sproblems and the ad. ventures of onc band of tbat lssue arc treated as fiction Wittenberg, Philip. Protection and market- but so that the different sales and transfers arc clarified ing of literary property. Julian Messner, for the average reader. A good job N. Y. 1937. 395 p. $3.75. Lippincott, Lillian. ~ibliogiaphyof the An exhaustive but clear study of the author's rights writings and criticisms of Edwin Arling- in the disposal of literary property and the varioua laws ton Robinson. Faxon, Boston. ,1937. 86 p. of copjright, and ltbel affecting it. Prolkms of Ilhl, 51.50. indecency, contracts for book, dramatic, radio and mo- tlon plcture production are discussed. Relations with An excellent, in fact indispensable tool in any study of agents are conszdered. All in all it is an invaluable ally the work, and its effect, of a great Amer~canpoet. Well for the author In protecting his works. arranged for easy usc and helpful in its ~nclns~onof a chronology and much quoted comment Stimulating as well as serviceable as a research tool. Wood, Clement. Carelessness: public enemy No. 1. Hillman-Curl, N. Y. 1937. 93 p. Masters, David. What men will do for $1.00. money. Holt, N. Y.1937. 286 p. $2.50. A halr-raising bwk in which staggering statistics and A scries of accounts of crimes involving money, in. data back up the author's effort to drive home the dan- hling tho insurance frauds In Paterson, and the fire gers inherent in carelessness w~thfire, with automobiles, innuranee frauds in Great Brltaln. Based on actual with firearms, with med~cine,wtih household equipment mrdsand completely reported. and in every other way. Meredith, C. M., Jr. Country weekly. Bruce Humphries, Boston. 1937. 186 p. $3.00. Young, A. B. Recurring cycles of fashion, 1760-1937. Harper, N. Y. 1937. 216 p. A simple, direct description of the work of the coun- try newspaper ~oingInto much detail on news sources, $3.00. make-up schedules, supply house for bollcr plate, etc. A serious study of trends in fashlon based on the Much that is glven 1s obvlous, but the complete coverage rrallzat~onthat the skirt wlth three basic phases is the and the extent of the detail make ~t a useful guide. keystone In a fashlon and developing the theme that the N. Y. Herald-Tribune Home Study Insti- three phases dommate successive cycles. Year by year illustrations of costumes from 1760-1937 substantlate tute. America's cook book. Scribner, N. Y. the theory. Charts of trends are also included Blbliog- 1937. 1006 p. $2.50. raphy of illustration included Well selected and extensive assortment of recipes ex. pressed in logical style and wlth specific instructions. Suited to all pocketbooks Includes much useful data on This department, the product of contributors, meal planning, food analysis, forelgn recipes, special does not appear in this issue smce no material has types of service, check lists for equlpmcnt, etc. A truly been feceived. With the heavy season, this is not satisfactory type of cook baok. surprlsmg.

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