Hatfield Polytechnic's new library

ON 24TH APRIL 1971, a new library building was opened by the Rt Hon Lord Snow cbe. Taken by itself, that bald news items does not seem particularly surprising; new libraries are not uncommon and C P Snow a most appropriate choice as a distinguished guest for such a function. However, the significance lay in the fact that this was a polytechnic library, and may well be the first of many as the polytechnics receive building funds to allow them to expand in their official role as a distinctive sector of higher education.