1. THE BRITISH NATIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY

I greatly appreciate the privilege of being able to talk this evening to Aslib on the subject of the British National Bibliography—an enterprise in which we are extremely glad to be able to count on the support of Aslib, and in the formation of which Aslib, in the person of Miss Ditmas, played a prominent part. It is, of course, early days to be speaking of this venture: it is a bare nine weeks old this very day, having been safely delivered, a rather slender child, on 4th January. It has put on weight since then, and we hope it can be safely described as a lusty infant. But it is still really growing up and its character is still being formed and we hope that its godparents will not hesitate to fulfil all of the functions of a godparent in helping to mould its upbringing, by tactful comments and suggestions.