The Library World Volume 27 Issue 4 Available to Purchase

PERHAPS the outstanding current event in the library world is the appointment by the President of the Board of Education of a Departmental Committee “To inquire into the adequacy of library provision already made under the Public Libraries Acts, and the means of extending and completing such provision throughout England and Wales, regard being had to the relation of the libraries conducted under those Acts to other public libraries and to the general system of national education.” In looking over the names of the gentlemen constituting this committee it is apparent that official educationists dominate the committee and that the library side is inadequately (in point of number) represented. Only two names representing public libraries, out of 14, are to be found. This is manifestly inadequate, notwithstanding the fact that there is still one additional member to appoint which may, or may not, be a public librarian. Is the Library Association alive in the matter, and may we suggest the name of Mr. L. Stanley Jast, whose outstanding work and knowledge of library affairs should be drawn upon in an enquiry of this nature?