Comment

TWICE WITHIN THREE days recently I was asked to give my opinion on the character and suitability of candidates applying for professional posts in children's libraries. In one instance only was I asked to mention the candidate's interest in and knowledge of children's literature. At first this occasioned a mild surprise, but then, on reflection, I could recall no instance ever of my being asked whether a candidate knew anything at all about adult literature. Why is it that librarians working in children's libraries are expected to have taken a course in children's literature, when those who are concerned with library services for their parents are rarely questioned about their knowledge of adult books, apart from a perfunctory enquiry or two at interview on the books they themselves have read lately?