Edward Edwards being the first librarian. It is curious to note that although the Central Library has occupied some fairly large buildings it has never had a permanent home; and it is fair to say that it is the worst-housed great library in the world. There are schemes afoot for the building of a new central library, but the war has so changed economic values, and the circumstances of today are so difficult, that the time is not very near, we fear, when it will come into being. In spite of that, wonderful work is done in the hut, hurriedly built on the Piccadilly site. Near by is the Administration Department which should certainly be examined. It is a fragment of the old Infirmary with a central hall, and round it Mr. Jast has arranged a series of administrative rooms in a sequence which is convenient for library processes. The methods employed here demand the most careful examination. As for the branch libraries, an examination of these beginning with the earliest, the Rochdale Road and passing through them all to such buildings as that at Chorlton-cum-Hardy, is an experience in the development of library planning in the last 70 years. One approaches the John Rylands Library with a feeling of wonder that such an institution should have grown up, in a night as it were, in the heart of Cottonopolis. The beautiful modern Gothic building ought to be in a garden with level lawns set about with cedars, not here facing a roaring modern highway. So one feels on the first approach; but what a delight it is to pass its doors, and at a step find oneself in a successful reproduction of the quiet of the olden world. We will not repeat its history here, even in paragraph form, because Mr. Henry Guppy its revered and distinguished librarian, has written a well-known volume describing it as only he can. It has an atmosphere which somewhat resembles that of the Bodleian without the cramped feeling that one sometimes experiences in the more august library, which is remarkable when it is remembered that the library is only about twenty-three years old. One feels that in its planning, fittings and furnishings money has been a quite secondary consideration; and this is the highest economy for the John Rylands will remain when many pretentious buildings have crumbled. Its lectureroom, for instance, is a gem, and its staff 100ms fill other librarians with envy. Moreover, freedom of access is the note of the foundation; and I once overheard Mr. Guppy say, pointing to his office door: "That door is always open!" We shall enjoy our afternoon at the John Rylands. These are the three principal libraries, but there are others that deserve attention: the Portico, for example, in Mosley Street, which was founded in 1806 and has nearly 80,000 volumes and consists of lending and reference libraries; the Athenæum, in Princess Street, not so old, but still an old and quite considerable library; the Literary and Philosophical Society's Library with 32,000 and more volumes and pamphlets (it is in George Street); the Medical Society's Library, in the University; and the University Library itself, which with its 120.000 (or so) volumes ranks next after the Public Libraries and the John Rylands in size. Then there are mor e special libraries to be considered: the Northern Branch of the National Library for the Blind; the Geographical Society: the Geological Society; the Library of the Lan Works by Modern Scandinavian Authors? Readers will welcome the means whereby they can study the Life and Thought of Scandinavia. A selection from the GYLDENDAL List: KNUT HAMSUN (Norwegian, Nobel prize, 1920). "A beautiful work of genius . . . by a proved master." ΡΑΝ. 9/- net. -Westminster Gazette. 7/6 net. -Evening Standard. "A great novel . . . a book that has few equals in any literature." 6/- net. MOTHWISE. "A third masterpiece by this gifted Norwegian novelist."-Scotsman. LAURIDS BRUUN (Danish). “Clever, entertaining, and full of literary merit."-Court Journal. JOHANNES BUCHOLTZ (Danish). EGHOLM AND HIS GOD. 8/6 net. "Very perfect artistry, unforced, unflinching."-English Review. SELMA LAGERLOF (Swedish, Nobel Prize, 1909). THE OUTCAST. 8/6 net. "A beautiful conception. . . a remarkable novel."-Daily Telegraph. GUNNAR GUNNARSSON (Iceland). THE SWORN BROTHERS. Real poetic feeling . . . the thrill of real romance." 7/- net. -Aberdeen Free Press. GUEST, THE ONE-EYED. 'A romance of intense interest . . . amazingly and arrestively fine." 8/6 net. -Evening News. SVEND FLEURON (Danish). 66 GRIM: THE STORY OF A PIKE. 6/- net. 6/- net. JOHANNES LINNANKOSKI (Finnish). "A wonderful book, to be read with delight by all animal lovers." John o' London's Weekly. 7/- net. JENNY. 7/6 net. THE SONG OF THE BLOOD-RED FLOWER. "A great Scandinavian story."-Public Opinion. SIGRID UNDSET (Norwegian). "One of the most striking studies in feminine psychology that has appeared of late."-Englishwoman. BARBRA RING (Norwegian). INTO THE DARK. "A very human and pathetic story."-English Review. 8/- net. You can inspect all these books at your local Booksellers. Complete descriptive list on application. GYLDENDAL, Burleigh Street, Strand, W.C.2. Copenhagen (Est. 1770) and Christiania. Patented throughout the world a "Vernier" Shelving, the latest invention of Mr. A. W. Lambert, derives its name from the fact that the arrangement for adjusting the shelves functions after the manner of Vernier. a By this means, through the ingenuity of Mr. Lambert, shelves may be positively adjusted by -inch, which means in a stack of eight shelves a loss of only one inch as compared with eight inches in any other form of positive adjustment. In other words, the "Vernier "gives you -inch adjustment with an upright of 90 slots as compared with 625 slots that would be required otherwise. The importance of this to librarians is that they have practically all the advantages of the absolute adjustment added to a positive adjustment-the latter being essentially preferred for modern require ments. Another feature of the Vernier is that the shelf bracket slides within a guideway, making the adjustment of shelves comparatively easy. Combined with this easy adjustment is an arrangement by which the bracket when in position exerts a locking action upon the connector. Thus the shelves cannot accidentally be upset or even moved. IN EVERY LIBRARY ΤΟ WHICH THE LIBRACO Limited, 62, Library Department and Sh mbert-Fortune Shelving Co., Ltd. The "Vernier" Shelving is made in steel throughout, and is constructed in sheet metal in the form of Wall and Standard Bookcases, 7 feet high by 3 feet wide, which brings every shelf within easy reach of the staff and readers. It is built on the Unit principle, so that extension bays can be added as required. are : The features which commend it to the attention of every librarian The ease of Adjusting Shelves by the Staff. The positive adjustment. Shelves can be raised or lowered of an inch. The Locking of Shelves in position. No other Shelving on the market possesses these characteristics. It is claimed that the "Vernier" is the Full particulars can be obtained from Libraco, Limited, or other licensed agent of the Lambert Fortune Shelving Co., Ltd. LIBRARY ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE EXHIBITION. Libraco Limited will exhibit Vernier Shelving and other library fittings and supplies in a large room on the first floor of the Manchester College of Technology. Mr. W. W. Fortune and Mr. Carter will be in attendance and will be glad to be favoured with a call from every librarian attending the Conference. on Street, London, E.C.4. 2, Southwark Street, S.E.1. The firm of Messrs. W. & R. HOLMES, Library Specialists, of Glasgow and Rochdale, execute contracts and orders for Books and Apparatus in all parts of the kingdom. Messrs. W. & R. HOLMES have had fifty years' experience in supplying to libraries of every kind, and have served many education authorities in England and Scotland. Messrs. W. & R. HOLMES are in a firstclass position to execute book orders, as they are wholesale booksellers, have a large secondhand book department, and do a large trade in remainders. The firm have been honoured by letters of thanks from many authorities for services received. Their Library Department is highly organised to give service with promptitude and efficiency. Lists of "wants" attended to. Catalogues supplied. Keenest quotations. Head Office: 3-11, Dunlop St., GLASGOW, And at 95, Yorkshire St., ROCHDALE. |