POLICY, MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS AT THE BRITISH LIBRARY LENDING DIVISION

After outlining the unique functions of the Lending Division, the paper explains the interaction between it and the British Library as a whole. Policy‐making in such an organisation is complex and this is achieved by a series of meetings ranging from the British Library Board, which deals with major decisions for the whole Library, through senior management at the Lending Division holding regular meetings to discuss all aspects of its work to meetings between junior management with their staff, where minor and major problems can be ironed out. The staff structure of the Lending Division emphasises the low ratio of senior to junior staff. Because of its size and uniqueness the Lending Division pays particular attention to communications both within and without; internally this is achieved by meetings between various grades of staff and a Newsletter, externally by a number of publications, participation in conferences, extensive advisory machinery and the publication of its own journal.