Search results

DURING a period when business comes easily, and at any price, the advantages to be derived from efficient lubrication may not always be properly appreciated, But we live in a changing world; the seller's market is passing as competition grows. If, as we are told, it is essential to retain our present share of the world's trade and, even to increase it, costs must be constantly scrutinised and all avoidable waste eliminated. Where plant of any type is concerned the adoption of improved methods of lubrication is an effective means for cutting production costs.

It is an indisputable fact that much of the plant in the ferrous and non‐ferrous rolling industries—mills, tables, cranes and so on—is, from modern standards, far from efficient.

SEPTEMBER sees most librarians again at the daily round, although some, including those of the universities and schools, are still scattered on mountains, golf‐courses, beaches and oceans for a short while yet. To older men there is a curious feeling aroused by the knowledge that there is no Library Association Conference this month. They may, in a measure, find compensation in attending the annual meeting of the London and Home Counties Branch of the Association, which will be at St. Albans, or that of A.S.L.I.B., which has Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, as its venue. Both, by some lack of care which might have been avoided, occur on the same week‐end, September 24–26. Quite clearly the special problems of librarianship technique, such as processes, book‐selection and purchase, classification, catalogues, fines, publicity, salaries, hours, and so on almost infinitely, can no longer be discussed profitably at the Annual Meeting of the Library Association; smaller gatherings, such as these, are their fitting place. We make a suggestion to the L.A. Council, for what it is worth and without pretence to being original. It is that it should indicate to all its branches and sections the main questions to which they should devote attention, and that in due course they should produce their conclusions on them. These, being pooled, would form the basis of the L.A. Annual Meeting. This would make a purposeful programme for all, and the results of the Conference might then be considered definite and practical.

EARLY IN 1962 I was asked by Unesco to serve as consultant for a new library building to be erected in Kuwait, Arabia. A librarian consultant was required, who should be versed in the problems of library planning, and should draw up the programme for the building.