Page:The library a magazine of bibliography and library literature, Volume 6.djvu/430

 41 8 The Library. At a time when librarianship is still in its infancy, and much is expected from the next generation of librarians, would it not be more to the point if the Association endeavoured to procure better treatment and shorter working hours for those on whom the hopes of the profession are based ? Yours truly, ASSISTANT. CATALOGUE CRITICISM. To the Editor of " THE LIBRARY." SIR, Without pretending to hold a brief for the poor librarians who are included in the rather sweeping assertions made by your correspon- dent " W. A." in the October issue of THE LIBRARY, I should like, with your permission, to say a word or two on one very material point in connection with the question of a more extended system of cataloguing. On reading his letter one is almost at once struck with the idea that your correspondent is not a public librarian who is compelled to pinch and scrape to make the usually meagre income at the disposal of his commissioners render maximum returns for a minimum outlay. My point is a very simple one, and it is this : Who is to pay ? A catalogue of a library of 10,000 vols., compiled on the " grocer's price list " plan costs a matter of ^150 for a comparatively small edition. What would it cost if the elaborate arrangement suggested by your correspondent were put in force ? The work would be a question of years, even if the necessary expenses were forthcoming, and would be impossible in these days when library commissioners expect that with the arrival of their librarian on the scene the little details of purchase, arrangement and cataloguing of the books are merely a matter of a few weeks. No, Sir, I say, and I know my brother librarians will agree with me, the idea of your correspondent is all right theoretically ; practically it is in most cases almost impossible. It would answer, and does answer, in a reference library possessing a MS. catalogue, but not in a lending library, and that brings me back to my starting point, that apparently your correspondent is not a public librarian. Who is "W. A."? What has he done in the way of catalogues ? Let us see his literary offspring, and we can see if it is a question of do as I say but not as I do. I respectfully beg to protest against anonymous attacks like this on public librarians. If a man has anything to say, let him, unless he is a coward at heart, have the courage of his convictions, and sign his name to his communica- tions. As regards the question of catalogue criticism, I hope you will not give up your custom of criticising these publications. I know when mine is finished, as it will be in the course of a week or two, a copy will be sent to you for review, and I hope you will honour me by giving your opinion of the work. I am, Sir, Yours faithfully, St. Saviour's Public Library, H. D. ROBERTS. Southwark Bridge Road, London, S.E.