College and Research Libraries The Program of the Association of College and Reference Libraries A Report by the Policies Committee SOON A F T E R ITS O R G A N I Z A T I O N , the Association of College and Reference Libraries established a Policies Committee headed by D r . Carl M . W h i t e . T h i s com- mittee for the past two years has devoted much study to the Association's organization, scope, and growth. It has also sought and benefited from the advice of numerous interested members. T h e final report of the committee, published herewith, was pre- sented to the Association's Board of Directors at Boston. In the belief that this docu- ment is of fundamental importance in guiding the f u t u r e development of the Associa- tion, the board voted for its publication in College and Research Libraries. T h e object of the A . C . R . L . as stated in its constitution is to promote library service and librarianship in college and re- search libraries. Accordingly, it is the policy of the Association to "direct and carry on a program of activities to ad- vance ( a ) the standards of library service, in the broadest sense, in these kinds of libraries, and ( b ) the continued profes- sional and scholarly growth of those en- gaged in the work of these libraries." T h e purpose of this report is to outline briefly a program which will make this statement of aim and policy more definite. I. Build an effective organization. Experience with the College and Ref- erence Section had shown by 1936 that something was lacking. It was concluded that college and research libraries needed a stronger organization—one that would promote more control, unity, and self- direction in the activities with which they are concerned. T h e Association of College and Reference Libraries came into existence in answer to this need. It is an expression of a desire to accomplish through united effort the objectives stated in the A.L.A. Constitution and in the Constitution and By-laws of the A . C . R . L . Subsequent experience may reveal ways in which the form of organization can be adapted better to the ends served by the A . C . R . L . But though this means change, the aim should remain the same—to have an organization that is as effective as pos- sible. T h e present organization is a division of the A.L.A. For conducting its work the division receives 20 per cent of the dues paid to the A.L.A. by each personal mem- ber (except class A members and A.L.A. life memberships in force before July 1, !939)* It has complete autonomy over and responsibility for the conduct of its own affairs and the expenditure of al- lotted funds subject to the restrictions im- posed by the A.L.A. Constitution and By- laws. These restrictions are liberal, being aimed at the coordination of all interests and activities of the A.L.A. T h u s A.L.A. committees dealing wholly or chiefly with the activities of the A . C . R . L . are ap- pointed by the Executive Board of the 291 A.L.A., but the Board of Directors of the A . C . R . L . is given opportunity to present nominations. Similarly in the case of im- portant A.L.A. boards and committees, which concern to a considerable extent the chief activities of the A.C.R.L., the Board of Directors may either ( i ) submit two or more nominations for each board or committee (if not more than two other groups are concerned with the work of the committee or if the A . L . A . By-laws defi- nitely provide for such nominations) or ( 2 ) nominate an advisory subcommittee to the A.L.A. committee (in case the work of the A.L.A. board or committee con- cerns more than three groups). W i t h i n the A . C . R . L . any group of twenty or more members may organize a separate section upon securing the ap- proval of the Board of Directors. A t present there are six sections representing respectively agricultural libraries, college libraries, junior college libraries, reference librarians, libraries of teacher training in- stitutions, and university libraries. T h e r e is a point, difficult to define, beyond which f u r t h e r subdivision into sections will be h a r m f u l rather than beneficial to the A . C . R . L . Probably few additional ap- plications for separate sections are to be expected, but it would seem to be sound policy for the Board of Directors hence- forth to ask any who present such applica- tions to show that the requested action will not carry the Association past the danger mark of decentralization. 2. Make the present affiliation with the American Library Association a fruitful relationship. N o w that the A . C . R . L . has been voted its independence, two courses are open to us. W e may make the present affiliation with A.L.A. a formal but somewhat empty relationship, or we may make it con- siderably more meaningful. T h e intent of the scheme of organization which took shape as a result of the T h i r d Activities Committee report was to provide at once a maximum of autonomy in the manage- ment of affairs of the different divisions and a maximum of coordination in the work of the A.L.A. as a whole. T h e two principles of autonomy and coordination face in opposite directions, but neither can be sacrificed without costs which Ameri- can librarians need not and should not pay. Changes in the pattern of activities within the A.L.A. are already evident as a result of reorganization. T h e r e will be other changes, necessary changes. Never- theless, American libraries have much in common; and freedom, though a heady potion, should not make us insensible of the mutual advantages of a common f r o n t in dealing with our common problems. T h e basic framework of our present or- ganization seems to make ample provision for effective coordination. H o w f r u i t f u l it will be in actual practice, however, will depend very materially upon American library leadership—its capacity for team- work and the limits of its horizon. T h e spirit of professional comradeship thus envisaged has been expressed by one university librarian as follows: " W h e n a problem is identified as belonging pri- marily to college and reference libraries the A . C . R . L . should accept chief respon- sibility for studying and finding a solution for it. W h e n a problem concerns the A . C . R . L . but belongs primarily to an or- ganization established to cope with it, the A.C.R.L., though leaving the chief re- sponsibility with the other organization, should always be willing to join with that organization in its efforts to solve that problem." In general, the A . C . R . L . 292 COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES should leave problems relating to func- tional or other special activities of college and reference libraries to special divisions, boards, or committees of the A.L.A. which are set up to deal with such ac- tivities. T h e r e is nothing rigid about this natural division of labor, and the empha- sis is intended to be positive. In other words, any worthwhile contribution should be welcome regardless of the source. 3. Provide for continuity of leadership. T h e governing body of the A . C . R . L . — the Board of Directors—is composed of a president, vice president, retiring president, secretary, treasurer, three directors-at- large, six directors from the respective sec- tions, and the chairmen of the sections as ex officio members. T h e advantage that results from this scheme of control is the responsiveness of the government of the Association to th'e will of the membership. But there are disadvantages. T h e presi- dent and the chairmen of sections, who hold the key positions of leadership, are elected for one year only, although the new constitution makes the vice president the president-elect. Moreover, the very concentration of authority and responsi- bility in the hands of the Board of Directors means that it must handle con- siderable routine business in the course of the year and at the same time supply the imagination and the initiative in planning the activities of the Association. Finally, the size of the board and the infrequency of meetings slow down the pace of its work. T h e basic need is more continuity in the leadership. A n ancillary need is a division of labor which will disengage at least one person from routine business and push him prominently into the foreground of leadership. T h e r e are at least three ways of attaining these ends. One method would be to have at A.L.A. Headquarters a consultant, who, whatever the formal relation to the A.C.R.L., would be capa- ble of making for himself a prominent place in all councils and activities relat- ing to college and research libraries. T h i s is the most favored course to pursue, but it is not open to us at present. T h e A.L.A. Constitution empowers the Board of Directors to appoint, if it so desires, "a special board or committee which is to be recognized as the body to consider general or specific matters relat- ing to the general activities of the group." Such a special board or committee could hold office as long, and perform such func- tions, as the Board of Directors would specify in creating it. A third course would be to elect an executive secretary whose relation to the A . C . R . L . would be analogous to that of the Executive Secretary of the A . L . A . Such an office seems to have been contemplated by the T h i r d Activities Committee, the final re- port of which reads in part as follows: "Each division is to be organized . . . with an executive secretary elected for not less than three years . . ." T h i s course seems to offer the most promising course for immediate action. Unless funds are found, no salary1 could be offered and hence the responsibilities of the position would have to be carried in addition to other work. However, the opportunities for statesmanly service and achievement would be sufficiently challenging to entitle the post to serious consideration by the person invited to accept it. I t is recom- mended that the position be created and 1 A suggestion has come to the committee t h a t the B o a r d of D i r e c t o r s of t h e A . C . R . L . might consider t h e possibility of p a y i n g an h o n o r a r i u m o f — s a y — $ 2 0 0 a year in addition to clerical assistance. T h i s would of c o u r s e m e a n less of a sacrifice on t h e p a r t of one who might c a r e to accept t h e responsibility. SEPTEMBER, 1941 293 that the appointment be made for a period of five years. Favorable action will en- tail an amendment to the By-laws of the A.C.R.L., which at present make no mention of such position. T h e President would continue to be the chief adminis- trative officer of the Association and the Secretary the officer who follows and keeps a record of its transactions. T h e Executive Secretary would be an execu- tive officer who would carry out the in- structions of the President and Board of Directors. In actual practice, it is sup- posed that the President and Board of Directors, of which the Executive Secre- tary would be a member, would develop a program of activities, part of which can- not be accomplished in a single year. T h e chief responsibility of the Executive Secre- tary would be the management, under the the President and Board of Directors, of this program of activities. A second means of providing more con- tinuity in leadership is to make the role of the directors from the sections a more responsible one. N o changes in constitu- tion or by-laws are necessary; it is largely a matter of making full use of our pres- ent organization. T h e sections can make little or considerable use of these directors, as they see fit. Since the directors are elected for a period of three years and since they participate in the work of their respective sections and in the councils of the governing board of the A.C.R.L., they are in a singularly advantageous position to keep the sections abreast of developments in which they are or should be interested, to steer sectional programs toward long-range objectives, and to help weld the A . C . R . L . into a cohesive unit.2 2 T h e committee h a s been invited to consider t h e desirability of a p l a n n i n g committee f o r each section. I t believes t h a t if such a scheme f o r p l a n n i n g is followed, c a r e should be t a k e n not to disperse ef- f o r t . If t h e B o a r d of D i r e c t o r s concludes t h a t time 4. Cultivate mutual understanding be- tween librarians and their colleagues in learned societies and other professional associations. It was emphasized above that all American librarians should continue to work side by side in close unity. T h e principle enunciated there of maintaining a common f r o n t in dealing with common problems should be applied to problems of higher education, as well as to problems of librarianship in the narrower sense of the term. T h e r e are a variety of ways in which college and research librarians can unite their efforts with colleagues in learned and professional bodies in dealing with matters of mutual interest. One way would be to send representatives of the Association of College and Reference Libraries to regular meetings of those bodies whose interests are the most closely linked with libraries and to designated meetings of other bodies. A second meth- od, not necessarily separate from the first, would be to encourage the use of librarians as speakers on programs where topics having a bearing on libraries are to be discussed. O n e librarian advocates the policy of "holding some of our meet- ings, perhaps alternate meetings, at col- leges and universities in conjunction with such organizations as the Association of American Colleges, the Association of American Universities, land-grant col- leges associations, the Association of American University Professors. T h i s seems to me one of the most important factors in making closer contact with col- lege administrators and faculties. T h i s should be devoted to p l a n n i n g which it is itself not p r e p a r e d to give a n d wishes to h a v e a committee a s s u m e this task, it could a p p r o p r i a t e l y be assigned to the sectional d i r e c t o r s collaborating with the Presi- d e n t or the proposed e x e c u t i v e s e c r e t a r y . I t is w o r t h emphasizing t h a t m o r e use can be made of these sectional d i r e c t o r s . 294 COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES should be to the good of all concerned." T h e Policies Committee prefers to leave specific steps to the Board of Directors, but favors action which will bring college and research librarians into closer associa- tion with their colleagues in learned socie- ties and other professional organizations within the academic world. W i t h partic- ular reference to joint meetings, as pro- posed above, the implications have not been fully studied, but the committee questions whether arranging two sets of programs for all sections each year, in- dependently of the work of other academic organizations, represents the most produc- tive use of time. 5. Enlist career members of college, uni- versity, and research library staffs. N o criticism of the old College and Reference Section was more disquieting than the fact that it reached only a frac- tion of those eligible for membership. W h e n the A . C . R . L . came into existence a membership campaign was launched. T h e present membership of approximately 2000 against 192 for the College and Reference Section in 1937 indicates the progress that has been made.3 In the belief that a clear declaration of purpose is an aid to organized effort, the committee has given some thought as to what the en- listment goal should be. O u r conclusion is that membership officers of the A . C . R . L . and the A.L.A. should, with the aid of local libraries, seek to enlist all career members of the staff of the libraries that are represented. In the last analysis the term 'career member' cannot be defined except in terms of the intentions of the 3 T h e a p p r o x i m a t e figure given f o r p r e s e n t mem- bership was secured at the Boston meeting. I n Aug- ust, 1940, the m e m b e r s h i p stood at 1003. T h e rapid i n c r e a s e is d u e to an i n t e n s i v e campaign t h a t has been waged in r e c e n t months. I n all, some 3200 l e t t e r s h a v e been sent out to aid in e n l i s t m e n t . librarian concerned, and this limitation is a disadvantage; but it has the merit of focusing attention upon that large and fairly stable group of librarians who are now working and who, barring accidents of health, losses to other professions, and the unpredictable inroads of matrimony, will continue to work in the college and research libraries of the United States and Canada. Perhaps the chief value of a rather clearly defined membership goal would be the more active use that could be made of representatives of the local library staff by the proper membership officers. "Every career member of the staff a mem- ber of the A.C.R.L."—here is something definite to aim at. T h e task implied is one that can be delegated at long range with a few carefully stated directions and one which many of our staff members will doubtless readily assist in handling. It is hardly necessary to add that assistance should be sought from the rank and file of the staff. N o healthy membership cam- paign can be sponsored by the chief librar- ian, although there is of course no reason why his or her attitude should not be known. 6. Plan stimulating meetings. A conscious distinction needs to be drawn between two purposes of the annual and midwinter meetings of the A . C . R . L . One purpose is to transact business. T h e other is to present a program that will f u r t h e r the professional growth of the membership. These are not the only pur- poses served by the meetings of the Asso- ciation, but they are probably the most important ones. T h e Policies Committee is convinced that the second purpose is entitled to more consideration than it has received heretofore. T h e r e are several SEPTEMBER, 1941 295 reasons for this conviction. One has to do with enlistment. N o t much lasting good will be done if large numbers of librarians join the A . C . R . L . and are en- couraged to attend its meetings if the benefits to the individual do not measure up to expectations. These benefits do not have to be interpreted in terms that are too narrow. As an example, perhaps an extreme one, a competent, well-delivered address on an interesting phase of the his- tory of Boston would probably be as wel- come to the circulation assistant who comes to the H u b city for the first time as the same amount of time spent in dis- cussing methods of handling fines. His colleague in the catalog department would probably welcome an introduction to mem- bers of the Boston Public Library catalog staff as readily as an introduction to forms used at the University of A in a cost study of cataloging. T h e second reason is that the encourage- ment of individual growth through well- planned meetings is a proper aim of pro- fessional association. M a n y who have watched the library profession from with- in the walls of library schools believe that there is now too much dependence on these schools. A t the meetings, the same as on the job, the thing that has seemed to matter unreasonably much is getting things done. T h e professional develop- ment of the rank and file has too often not been consciously recognized as a proper purpose of a meeting; or if recog- nized, something has gone w r o n g with the execution of the idea. W e have con- centrated too much on activities of special interest to chief librarians and other ad- ministrators. Prior to its recent reorgani- zation, the American Library Association was possibly better organized than at pres- ent to deal swiftly and efficiently with such activities. T h e greater democracy of the present organization is thus pur- chased with a price, and the cost will be dear indeed unless the opportunity thus created of benefiting the rank and file is effectively utilized. T h e relation of the A . C . R . L . to the Association of Research Libraries should be mentioned in this connection. Some have raised a question whether there is a place both for it and for the University Section of the A . C . R . L . T h e Association of Research Libraries is an organization composed entirely of institutional mem- bers. T h e viewpoint is that of the library administrator; no meetings are held for the benefit of the staffs of the libraries rep- resented. O n the other hand, the Univer- sity Section of the A . C . R . L . offers no opportunity for the intimate discussion of common institutional problems such as that provided by the Association of Research Libraries. It is true that a problem is created by virtue of the fact that the A.L.A. as well as the Association of Re- search Libraries offers institutional mem- bership. But there is no reason why the work of the University Section of the A . C . R . L . and that of the Association of Research Libraries cannot be comple- mentary.4 Before turning to another topic the easily neglected axiom ought to be stressed that stimulating meetings are the result of careful program planning—not of 4 A c o m m e n t on t h i s p a r t of t h e r e p o r t f r o m one u n i v e r s i t y l i b r a r i a n , a r e g u l a r a t t e n d a n t of _ meet- ings of the Association of R e s e a r c h L i b r a r i e s , is worth quoting. T h e Association of R e s e a r c h L i b r a r - ies, he says, " i s c o n c e r n e d with r e s e a r c h f r o m t h e s t a n d p o i n t of t h e i n s t i t u t i o n r a t h e r t h a n f r o m the s t a n d p o i n t of t h e l i b r a r y . I t c e r t a i n l y could not replace the U n i v e r s i t y Section of the A . C . R . L . F o r example, the U n i v e r s i t y Section of the A . C . R . L . o u g h t to c o n s i d e r the question of service to t h e g r e a t n u m b e r of u n d e r g r a d u a t e s in o u r big u n i v e r - sities. T h i s s u b j e c t is not in the province of the A . R . L . T h e t r a i n i n g of staff m e m b e r s in the l a r g e u n i v e r s i t y l i b r a r i e s is a n o t h e r point. T h e A . R . L . is n o t i n t e r e s t e d in r e s e a r c h q u e s t i o n s so m u c h f r o m t h e s t a n d p o i n t of t h e staff as f r o m t h e s t a n d p o i n t of the u n i v e r s i t y . " 296 COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES formal organization. Separate divisions and sections are useful means of promot- ing projects of interest to the separate groups represented, but this separateness can easily disperse effective effort when it comes to planning stimulating programs, particularly if they come twice a year. All officers of the Association are urged to bear in mind this fact and to cooperate with each other in developing strong pro- grams of wide popular appeal. One sug- gestion that has reached the committee is to have the President of the A . C . R . L . present an annual address, developing some topic of interest to all of his clientele. T h e committee approves the suggestion with the understanding that the address should represent original thought on some vital issue, that it should not be simply a glorified summary of the minutes of busi- ness meetings, important as these meetings are, and that it should be open to other librarians. 7. Encourage study and research by librarians. T h e r e is a fine intellectual ferment in the professional life of college, university, and research libraries today. I n our pro- fessional literature, on the floor of con- ferences, in the management of libraries, we meet an attitude of critical inquiry, a willingness to experiment with ideas— however new—that offer real promise of improvement. T h e A . C . R . L . should as- sist in diffusing this spirit in every way possible. Its conference programs should reflect, not hasty preparation, but the re- sults of patient study and careful in- vestigation. T h i s means that programs on a whole should be better conceived, and that more time should be allowed those who participate to work through the prob- lems assigned them. These programs should also provide a forum for the pres- entation of results of significant studies of wide interest to librarians. W h i l e the programs of the A . C . R . L . will thus be enriched by planned effort to promote study and research, more than the annual and midwinter programs are involved. T h e A . C . R . L . should take advantage of the best research abilities in the profession in developing its program of activities. T h e important thing is full utilization of intelligence in the solution of our prob- lems, and to such a form of progress, librarians are by circumstance of their call- ing dedicated. Library problems will naturally be the subject of most of the study and research sponsored by the A . C . R . L . ; but it should be emphasized that the committee, while recognizing fully the importance of these problems, is also looking beyond them to something that is antecedent to their solu- tion. In encouraging study and research, we must, in other words, encourage the development of what for lack of a better term we may call research power—the capacity for penetrating analysis, the atti- tude of impartiality, the habit of reflective judgment, which are among the products and evidences of disciplined intelligence. In developing such power on library staffs, no subject limitations need be imposed, al- though some subjects are closer to the center of professional interest than others. T h e extent to which scholarly interests within a staff can be encouraged will of course vary from one library to another. T h i s is not a misguided plea for libraries to attempt the impossible; books still have to be charged and discharged, windows still have to be raised and lowered; but it is a plea for more attention on the part of the profession to the gifted librarian SEPTEMBER, 1941 297 who demonstrates his ability to earn scholarly recognition. 8. Initiate publication. T w o classes of publication require the attention of the A . C . R . L . O n e class in- cludes publications which are as a rule conceived by librarians and are published largely for libraries or librarians. One example is the Union List of Serials; an- other the second Shaw supplement now under discussion. T h e publications of the last quarter of a century have included a steadily increasing number of works in this class—some of them expensive, some of them inexpensive. Alongside these works have been appearing others which, whoever the author or publisher, have been aimed primarily at the library mar- ket. Examples of such extensive works of reference are the Dictionary of Ameri- can Biography and Biological Abstracts. As private libraries decrease in importance and as increasing dependence is placed on institutional libraries, the library market will doubtless move even f u r t h e r from the periphery to the center of attention. If we are to avoid poor coordination and a certain amount of exploitation in the pub- lication of works intended for libraries, the A . L . A . may need to consider expand- ing its publishing program. T h e Association of College and Reference Li- braries should lend assistance, even if it means having a sort of H . W . Wilson Company, i.e., an agency publishing a wide range of books aimed at reaching the li- brary market—under A.L.A. control. 9. Sponsor a program of activities in be- half of college, university, and research libraries. T h i s program will be shaped from time to time by the Board of Directors. T h e following is not an outline of a full- fledged program of activities but rather a brief statement of aims that should be embodied in such a program. a. Further the educational uses of li- braries. College libraries have too often operated as adjuncts rather than as im- plements to the instruction program. T h e situation is improving. T h e better col- leges have made noteworthy progress in the productive use of their libraries. In most of our colleges, however, there is still room for improvement and librarians should assist their colleagues in making of their libraries the most effective imple- ments possible. It should not be necessary for us to leave the initiative in developing significant activities in this field to other national organizations. b. Broaden the basis of cooperation among libraries. Cooperation among li- braries serving higher education cannot be considered purely from the standpoint of library policj^ alone. T w o libraries can- not cooperate very f r u i t f u l l y if the institu- tions they serve are competing with each other in every field of endeavor in which they can get students. T h e present dupli- cation of educational effort—sometimes a needless and wasteful duplication—limits the effectiveness of library cooperation and is likely to continue to limit it for some time to come. In the meantime, op- portunities for cooperation are not want- ing and should be utilized. W e have not yet exhausted the possibilities of exchanges, although some indeed are a bit weary of the subject. A recent Carnegie experi- ment suggests advantages of cooperative buying which the individualistic traditions of American colleges should not prevent us from exploring. A visitor from M a r s would possibly question, upon discovering so many copies of the same title being 298 COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES cataloged by so many different catalogers in different libraries at about the same time, whether we have exercised the most brilliant imagination in perfecting cen- tralized cataloging. A Division of Li- brary Cooperation at the Library of Con- gress, recently announced, will presumably provide leadership in dealing with this and numerous other library problems. O t h e r agencies which can be expected to assist in dealing with matters of common inter- est include the A.L.A. Board on Resources and the Library Division of the Office of Education. T h e Association of College and Reference Libraries should work closely with all of these agencies in an endeavor to promote cooperation and there- by to strengthen the resources and im- prove the services of American libraries. c. Aid the scholar. In a letter to the committee, one librarian deplores the "un- fortunate divorce between scholarship and its demands and the librarians of most of the colleges. It is only here and there that I have encountered a college librarian or a junior college librarian who seems to grasp the point of view of college fac- ulties." T h i s observer notes the disposi- tion on the part of far too many libraries to confine their interests "more closely to technical processes than to the use of books entrusted to their care." T h e view- point here expressed is essentially the same as that found in another letter, in which it was stated that the development of a program of research and publication in the field of college, university, and re- search libraries which will enable these institutions more effectively to play their important role in higher education "calls for a college and university library per- sonnel of a high order . . ."5 These B W i l s o n , L o u i s R . " T h e C h a l l e n g e of t h e 1930's to t h e 1940's." College and Research Libraries 1 : 3 1 , M a r . 1 9 4 0 . comments raise questions about recruiting and training for librarianship which are all the more pointed in view of the number of prominent posts which have recently drawn gifted men from outside the ranks of trained librarians. T h i s trend does not seem to be especially difficult to under- stand. It is an expression of an insistent claim that the scholar is entitled to under- standing aid from his library. T h e in- jured cries of a disappointed profession will not modify that claim. Its implica- tions should be carefully studied by the Association of College and Reference Li- braries in making plans for the service to be given by it and by our libraries. d. Cultivate international understand- ing. Meeting in one of the twilight hours of history, we cannot pretend to see very clearly the full meaning of all that has been taking place. But we are agreed that our world has been rather sadly out of joint of late. O n the one hand, we have seen national interests cultivated with an intensity bordering on the fanatical, while on the other hand, learning has made national boundaries for literate men of goodwill progressively artificial. Searching among the uncertainties of these times for solid principles on which to build the good society, librarians place a good deal of faith in cultivating inter- national understanding. It is a principle which, for the time being, will perhaps not find very wide application outside our own hemisphere, but it should not be over- looked by the A.C.R.L., now or later, in planning its activity program. O u r li- braries should continue to be reflections of the international character of scholar- ship, and should therefore aid in overcom- ing the barriers to mutual understanding imposed by language, distance, and inter- ests that are purely national. SEPTEMBER, 1941 299 io. Support College and Research Li- braries. Members of the A . C . R . L . have sup- ported their new journal loyally from the beginning. T h e y have subscribed for it personally, they have written substantial articles for it, they have promoted it energetically. W e must not flag nor fail as the novelty of the undertaking wears off. T h e journal is needed. Only time, editorial vigilance, and experimentation will define its place and character, but its general purpose is clear. I t is not pri- marily a current bibliography or an organ for book reviews but a medium for expres- sion and communication. In it should be found the results of the best thought in the library world and in the learned world as thought there relates to libraries. As the official organ of the A.C.R.L., College and Research Libraries should be put on a sound basis of financial support, its articles should be selected on the basis of merit, and it should be committed to no policy except the furtherance of the interests, broadly conceived, of college and research libraries. M A B E L C O N A T M A R G I E H E L M B . L A M A R J O H N S O N E V E L Y N S T E E L L I T T L E C L A R A V A N S A N T C A R L M . W H I T E , Chairman Checklist of Short-Title Catalog Books CO N T I N U E D cooperation from librar-ians and bibliographers is earnestly solicited by William W . Bishop, librarian emeritus, University of Michigan, in checking the Preliminary Checklist of Copies in American Libraries of Short- Title Catalogue Books. I t is necessary that holdings be reported accurately and it is hoped that additional checking will reveal copies not yet located in any Ameri- can library. T h e checklist is the result of an effort to locate in this country copies of books listed in the Short-Title Catalogue for the purpose of filming the title pages, colo- phons (if a n y ) , and tables of contents. " F o r several years," D r . Bishop says in the Preface to the Preliminary Checklist, "a group of American ^scholars interested in the English Renaissance has been con- sidering ways and means for providing more effective clues to the contents of books published in Great Britain in the fifteenth, sixteenth, and early seventeenth centuries." T h e original plan was to do the filming in England, but the outbreak of the w a r rendered this plan impossible, hence the shift to American resources. T h e response to this project has been encouraging and D r . Bishop reports that he has already received notes of a con- siderable number of books previously not known to be in an American library. All libraries owning a considerable collection of British printing before 1641, whose holdings have not been checked, are urged to write to D r . Bishop for a copy of the Preliminary Checklist. 300 COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES