The subject specialist in polytechnic libraries

ANALYSIS of the role of the subject specialist in polytechnic libraries must be first clarified by a definition of the term as used in this article. Humphreys, speaking in the mid 1960's about subject specialists in national and university libraries defined them as ‘members of the library staff appointed to develop one or more aspects of a library's technical or reference services in a particular subject field. Although he would normally already have some experience in this field and would have commonly obtained a first or research degree in the subject, it is not essential that he should have qualifications in the subject when he is appointed. Nor … would he necessarily spend all, or even the major portion, of his time on book selection duties. He could in fact have responsibilities other than those concerned with the acquisition of books …’