The Library World Volume 28 Issue 8

AT the last meeting of the London Branch of the Library Association Mr. James D. Stewart dealt in a suggestive manner with the problems of co‐operation as they affect the metropolitan area. There is some hope that the Council of the Branch may now give definite attention to the one thing in modern library administration that really calls for it. The problem is by no means limited to London, but London ought to be able to show the way. For twenty‐five years at least the subject of co‐operation has been discussed, but rather fitfully, and never with sufficient force to convince librarians generally. To take one instance only: there always has been a fear that if we have a co‐operative catalogue some library assistant somewhere or other will find his occupation gone. This is typical of the bogeys that have hindered progress. The London area can promote co‐operation on lines which have all the advantages, and none of the disadvantages, of central control. Central control stifles almost every form of local initiative, especially such control as we are wont to get in this country.