PROBLEMS OF AN INDUSTRIAL LIBRARIAN

Abstract

Perhaps the first problem is how to define an industrial librarian; and I am not satisfied that I can do so. However, I know several people who, like myself, have charge of libraries that serve the staffs of industrial concerns, and who, although formally unqualified in library science, have more or less practical experience of the art. Most of our problems arise when we try to adapt fundamental library procedure to the needs of an industrial staff; others arise out of the special activities peculiar to the firm that are most conveniently operated by the library staff. Problems of the first sort have to be considered at the earliest stage, when the library is being set up; and the more carefully and thoroughly they are considered, the more effective the final organization will be. Problems of the second sort, on the other hand, are continually arising; and to deal with them effectively the library must be organized, not rigidly, but so that the few and simple essential principles of its work may be applied with flexibility and alacrity.

Citation

BROWN, D.G. (1950), "PROBLEMS OF AN INDUSTRIAL LIBRARIAN", Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 2 No. 2, pp. 87-90. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb049356