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cashire Independent College; the Municipal School of Technology (10.000); the R.C. Collegiate Institute; St. Mary's Hospital (5,000); the United Methodist Free Churches' Theological Library; and the Y.M.C.A. (5,000). Altogether there are about one and a quarter million volumes and library pieces available to the people in various ways in the Manchester libraries. The library idea gained ground early in Manchester, and has retained it. We could not go to a more appropriate centre for a library conference.

THE LIBRARIES AND THE ANTIQUARIAN BOOK TRADE.

Every Reference Library should have at least one Incunable on its shelves as well as specimens of such important and beautiful presses as those of Stephanus, Aldus, Plantin, and Giunta, to name but a few. Questions are always arising about these printers, and it is necessary for a Librarian to have such books before him to show to his readers and students when discussing the art of printing in olden times. Then, again, questions arise as to the early history of technical subjects. The sixteenth century books on Glass by Neri and on Ink by Camerarius are typical of a whole host of sixteenth century technical books which give the beginnings of

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POETS' CORNER, A BIT OF OLD MANCHESTER. (Reproduced by kind permission of Messrs. Cassell & Co., Ltd.)

the great technical literature which exists to-day. They are always interesting to the student, and open a wide field for research and education. On the historical side there will be found in every Antiquarian Bookseller's catalogue material of importance on the history of this and other European countries. The discriminating Librarian will always find time to read Booksellers Catalogues, and in this connection attention may be drawn to that of our Publishers, which is issued as a supplement to this number of "The Library World."

During the Conference week Librarians will no doubt take the opportunity of visiting the Antiquarian Booksellers of Manchester. Among them may be mentioned such well-known firms as Messrs. J. E. CORNISH, Ltd., Agents by Appointment for the Ordnance Survey Maps, who have their place of business at 16, St. Ann's Square. The firm was established over one hundred years ago by Mr. Simms; and afterwards was carried on for a considerable period by Mr. Edwin Slater. Forty years ago the business was taken over by Mr. Jas. Edward Cornish, and incorporated as a private Limited Company in 1904. The Managing Director is Mr. Wm. Sherwood. The Company conducts an extensive business as Booksellers, Publishers and Stationers. Messrs. SIMPSON & DICKENS have been established at their present address, 49, Cross Street, for sixty years, the business having passed successively through the hands of Mr. Hayes, Mr. W. A. Pitcher, and the present firm, which carries on the business as new and second-hand booksellers. Messrs. Simpson & Dickens have extended their premises, and it is interesting to note that Mr. J. D. Dickens. partner of the firm, was for thirty years in the Library of the Manchester Athenæum, eleven years of which period he was Chief Librarian.

Mr. JAMES ROBINSON, of 24, Bridge Street, deals mainly in Theological works, though he has a Special Department for Miscellaneous Literature and Fiction. His business was established in 1894.

Mr. C. CLARKE commenced his present business in Salford in 1907, but removed to the premises he now occupies, 4a Blue Boar Court, in 1911. His book-shop lies between the Exchange and the Cathedral. Librarians will do well to pay him a visit, and inspect the stock of about 30,000 volumes, chiefly classified, which are housed in this "Book Nook" and Curio Cavern."

We have not received details of the business of Messrs. SHERRATT & HUCHES, but the firm is well known to every Librarian.

We hear from Mr. CHARLES H. BARBER, of 5, St. Ann St., that his business was established in 1904, and that he specialises in Historical, Philosophical and Early Printed English Literature. Of interest also is the catalogue Mr. C. RICHARDSON has sent us, but owing to the fact that he is at present removing to new premises, librarians are asked to keep a note of the firm for future reference.

F.

Visits should also be paid to the book-shops of Mr. MITCHELL, 30 Long Millgate, and Mr. A. SUTTON, 43 Bridge St., whose names, we believe, practically complete the list of the antiquarian booksellers of Manchester.

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The Daily Telegraph

VICTORY ATLAS

OF THE WORLD

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It is the most complete and up-to-date Atlas published.

Prepared under the direction of
ALEXANDER GROSS, F.R.G.S.

No Library, Business House, School or Home can afford to be without this important publication, as it embodies the changes resulting from the Great War; which changes, in view of their comprehensive nature, have rendered all pre-war Atlases obsolete.

Detailed Prospectus on application to the Producers:

" Ltd.,

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Producers of Atlases, Maps, Guides, Globes, Picture and Painting Books, and Albums of every description.

BRITISH LIBRARIES, THE POLICY OF THE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION AND THE REPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMITTEE.

SOME CRITICISMS AND SUGGESTIONS.

If

British librarianship owes a heavy debt of gratitude to the scholar librarians of last generation who founded the Library Association, and guided the public library movement at a time when it had few friends, and most needed direction. Apart from Sir J. Y. W. MacAlister and Mr. Frank Pacy (both of whom had experience over a long period, and rival Peter Pan in youthfulness of mental outlook!), there were in those days few in the public library service competent to formulate a policy of public library development. But probably then, as now, both Sir John and Mr. Pacy found that they had to give place to older-minded men! The British Museum type of library was in many cases considered the ideal to which public town libraries should aspire in their limited capacities, and even Edward Edwards, our first great public librarian, was under its spell. Others might well be silent in the company of men like Garnett, Nicholson, Bradshaw, Thomas. we of a later day, with the public library field in possession,more or less; and ploughed and sown,-more or less; with vision broadened by the light of new opportunities; if we sometimes think that the tradition of the academic policy as suggested by the pioneers of the public library movement hangs too heavily over the movement, here and there, the fault is ours for not generally pursuing a better policy. Let it be admitted frankly that in many places the movement has lagged behind; while in others it has advanced to the honour of the service in ways that have called forth praise from the highest quarters. Traditional ways of doing things are nearly always bad ways; they constantly require to be revised in the light of new experience. We need hardly refer to the yeoman service of the late James Duff Brown in this connexion. As editor of this magazine he was a constant critic of traditional methods and policy. He believed in his public and

in keeping in touch with it.

Shall we say that the library world, as represented by the Library Association, has swung much to the left in the past twenty-five years? It is undoubtedly the Association's loss that in many instances the successors of the old scholar librarians should so seldom be actively associated with professional gatherings. It is rather a reflection on the statesmanship of the library movement. But it is never too late to mend, and perhaps the greatest work the Library Association could now undertake, in the interest of library work in all its phases, would be to endeavour to parade under its banner all connected with the library service and with bibliographical activities. Many of the successors of the university and other librarians who formerly helped the Association are connected with the various societies dedicated to the cult of the book. The number of such societies, engaged in essen

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