SOME THOUGHTS ON THE BRITISH LIBRARY

It is now over six years since I retired from the post of Director‐General of the Lending Division of the British Library. Before this I was involved in some of the discussions which led to the formation of the British Library (BL) and I knew something of the hopes which were behind the creation of the new organization. Subsequently I was in the British Library long enough to realize some of the difficulties it faced. Looking backwards the question arises whether the creation of the BL was a sound idea and whether the BL has lived up to the expectations of its originators.