Page:The Library, volume 5, series 3.djvu/343

 THE PANIZZI CLUB. 329 between librarians. When we have all got to know each other, we may be able to work up gradually to the ideal of linking up the fortuitous collection of individual libraries in this or that district into something like a co-ordinated system. The advantage in respect to social intercourse of beginning with small groups or branches is fairly obvious. The advantages of the group or branch in respect to work are equally great. The last thing, I am sure, which your Executive desires is that year after year it should pick out some piece of corporate work, and that all the members should obediently lay aside their own work, or even their own hobbies, and co-operate in this prescribed task. If we can split ourselves up into small Branches, each with its own special interests, we shall pro- portionately multiply our originating power, and the work will go forward with the enthusiasm which the possession of the right of independent initiative usually begets. In some instances, in University Towns for instance, any group that is formed will be naturally homogeneous. Because of this homogeneity, and because of the personal intercourse, which is so much easier in small cities than in large ones, some of our British University towns are already carrying out in practice a good many things which we, in what I shall make bold to call the London group, are only just beginning to talk about as desirable. Thus at Oxford and Cambridge, where most College libraries are only kept open for a few hours a week, if an accredited student desires facilities for continuous study of a book or