The Library World Volume 23 Issue 11

We predicted last month that some effort would soon be made, honestly or otherwise, to reduce municipal salaries. Newcastle has made a commencement. The Municipal Journal tells us that with only nine dissentients the Council has decided to reduce salaries by £44,067 by 3rd December, “if the new scale of salaries is not then in vogue.” The reductions are to be made in three instalments, the first of which (£14,975) took place on 21st May, and the second and third (of similar amounts) are to take place on 3rd September and 3rd December respectively. Other towns will endeavour to imitate this example, and we have already seen newspaper references to the drastic action of Newcastle from various towns. It is not always remembered that the Newcastle salaries include the latest war bonus, and the precedent is being quoted even in towns where war bonus is no longer paid. We hope librarians and their association will keep a keen eye upon this matter, as the attempt is sure to be made to reduce salaries in relation to pre‐war salaries, and no heed will be taken of the fact that library salaries were usually not much above the level of mere existence.