Page:The library a magazine of bibliography and library literature, Volume 6.djvu/429

 Correspondence. 417 yet in the eyes of the examiners, supposing the above named to be in the position of candidates, their failure to do so would be one black mark against their competency to hold the certificate of the Library Associa- tion. In the same section of the paper the real names of Holme Lee and Max Adeler are also required. Of what importance, Sir, is the name of Max Adeler when he is at home? The prescribed text-book, NichoPs American Literature, does not seem to think it worth mentioning. I do not wish to question the erudition of the Association's examiners, but I do contend that they would turn their vast learning to better account if they used it to set papers which were more a tax on the reason- ing powers and less on the memory of candidates. The papers in English literature for the London B.A. Pass Examination are far more of the nature I would venture to suggest as desirable for the gracious con- templation of the L.A.U.K. examiners, if they require any models the next time they frame the questions. Whether they care for this sug- gestion or no, I cannot but hope that they will remember that their candidates are intelligent human beings and not so many parrots on a perch. Yours, &c., VlGILANS. OPEN LIBRARIES. DEAR SIR, In answer to "Country Librarian's" protest, will you allow me to say that the " commercial sharpness," " dodges," " tricks," " fooling of librarians," and other merits with which he endows me are simply evolved from his own vivid imagination and lack of good taste and manners, though I may congratulate him upon his aptness in the use of such terms, which is as creditable to him as the " dodges," " tricks," &c., would be to me were they true. However, I deny them in toto, and assert that any action I may have taken in the question of " Free Access " has been in the interests of librarians as a body. Yours faithfully, A. COTGREAVE. West Ham Public Libraries, (Temporary Offices) Rokeby House, Broadway, Stratford, E. A PLEA FOR ASSISTANTS. To the Editor of " THE LIBRARY. " DEAR SIR, Without attempting to disparage the worthy efforts of the Association to raise the status of the librarian by instituting examina- tions, I would numbly suggest that they take into their consideration the practical question of " How an assistant with scanty leisure can best pre- pare for them." There can be no doubt as to the benefit to be derived by pursuing tt required course of study, but what leisure has an assistant for e study or recreation when he has to work from nine o'clock in the morning until nine o'clock at night, with two short intervals of an hour for meal Perhaps he is expected to feast on the treasures of literature, and eschew good English beef and mutton, or to burn the " midnight oil " and forge that "much study is a weariness of the flesh." If he would pass the examinations of the Association, he must, at any rate, scorn delights, at live laborious days."