The Library World Volume 61 Issue 1

Abstract

“STUDENT” is one of the most abused words in the vocabulary of the library profession. Not only is it used very loosely with regard to those employed in library work—we are not concerned with that aspect at the moment—but it is often used in public libraries to mean anybody who is reading any book other than a novel or the current best‐selling biography or travelogue. This attitude that it is a waste of public money, and bad librarianship to buy books, even for the medium sized or small library, which are only occasionally borrowed is too prevalent. It is deplorable that all too often these books, when they are bought, are stored away in hidden stock rooms not open to the public. An effective request service is not a substitute for the provision of adequate stocks on the shelves at the branches. These books, frequently numbering some thousands, are only available on such request, but naturally they are underused and provide ammunition for the gnat‐minded librarians who cry that “there is no demand for serious books in my area”.

Citation

(1959), "The Library World Volume 61 Issue 1", New Library World, Vol. 61 No. 1, pp. 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb009434