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The function of metallic pigments may be protective or decorative, sometimes both at the same time. The ultimate use of the pigments will determine the most suitable particle structure, whether the product is a paint or a plastic or an elastic composition. Protection may be provided against atmospheric or marine corrosion on the one hand, or against radiation — light or heat — on the other. In the former, metallic pigments of various particle structures are suitable, while in the latter the optical effect desired can only be obtained, as a rule, through the use of flaky or lamellar pigments. This is also the case when the metallic pigment is intended for decorative uses.

The new design of Faraday cup for the Sheen Electrostatic Powder Coating Diagnostic Kit has resulted in a two‐thirds reduction in weight whilst retaining the large area receiver which has proven so successful for testing the performance of powder coating plant.

Despite the problems of energy, pollution, and toxicity which occupy the attention of paint companies these days, new products are motivated by the three factors just mentioned. Thus, there is particular emphasis on industrial products which cure at low temperatures and thus are energy‐saving. Non‐polluting compositions are of course welcome, particularly in those states where air and water pollution regulations are stringent. Many of the new compositions are those formulated to avoid toxic pigments and driers. All together, these motivations make for a spate of new materials.

As with several other useful books for the coatings industry produced by Noyes Data, this is also based on U.S. Patents. A data‐based publication, it serves a double purpose in that it supplies detailed technical information and can also be used as a guide to the U.S. patent literature in this field. By indicating all the information that is significant, and eliminating legal jargon and juristic phraseology, this book presents an advanced commercially‐orientated review of recent developments in the field of additives for paint.

There is currently an ever increasing demand, particularly in the United States and Europe for paints and inks made from this powder. A very strong appeal for this powder, from its earliest use, whether in paint or ink applications has been due to the close resemblance it bears to gold. Its rich deep colour conveys a feeling of security and stability in an ever changing society. Bronze powder is in reality powdered brass and appears to have been used for the first time in Germany during the eighteenth century and was later introduced into Britain by Bessemer.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way hospitals work. Strategies that were detached from the boundaries of departments and responsibilities in the COVID-19 pandemic have proven themselves under extreme conditions and show a beneficial influence on patient flow and resource management as well as on the communication culture. The continuation of closer interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral co-operation in a “new clinical routine” could have a positive impact on personnel concepts, communication strategies, and the management of acute care capacities and patient pathways.

The aim of the paper is to critically discuss the knowledge gained in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic from the various approaches in patient flow and capacity management as well as interdisciplinary co-operation. More recent research has evaluated patient pathway management, personnel planning and communication measures with regard to their effect and practicability for continuation in everyday clinical practice.

Patient flows and acute care capacities can be more efficiently managed by continuing a culture change towards closer interdisciplinary and intersectoral co-operation and technologies that support this with telemedicine functionalities and regional healthcare data interoperability. Together with a bi-directional, more frequent and open communication and feedback culture, it could form a “new clinical routine”.

This paper discusses a holistic approach on the way away from silo thinking towards cross-departmental collaboration.

Winter meetings will be held at 5.30 for 6 p.m. on Tuesday 23rd January and Wednesday 21st February at Aslib. On 23rd January Mr Clifford Hatts, a Senior Designer in the BBC Television Design Department, will speak about his work, with special reference to transmission of information by visual means. On 21st February Mr C. W. Hanson, Head of Research Department, Aslib, will report on work in progress in information and library research, other than that being carried out by Aslib.

AFTER more than thirty‐three years THE LIBRARY WORLD appears in a new and, we hope our readers will agree, more attractive form. In making such a change the oldest of the independent British library journals is only following the precedent of practically all its contemporaries. The new age is impatient with long‐standing patterns in typography and in page sizes, and all crafts progress by such experiments as we are making. Our new form lends itself better than the old to illustration; we have selected a paper designed for that purpose, and illustrated articles will therefore be a feature of our issues. We shall continue as in the past to urge progress in every department of the library field by the admission of any matter which seems to have living interest for the body of librarians.

THERE was a rather remarkable statement made at the Royal Institute of British Architects by Mr. Berwick Sayers last month. He affirmed that so far as the recorded issues of the reference libraries in the municipal libraries of London were concerned, only 8,880 books were consulted daily. This, as the statistical account of twenty‐nine public libraries, shows an average of a fraction over 302 books daily. To some this may seem not an inadequate issue, if all the books recorded are books which the student and the searcher for information have used. The point of the meeting at which the remark was made was that the reference libraries of London should do more in co‐operation with industry, and it was argued by the representatives of ASLIB who took part in the conference that our London reference libraries should be strengthened in the science and technology departments, even at the expense of the lending libraries. The experience of the public librarian seemed to be that few people lived in London near their work; and that they had command of the special libraries in London in a way that provincial industrialists had not, and therefore they did not make any use that mattered of London reference libraries. The Chambers of Commerce in the various boroughs of London consist of small traders as a rule whose main purpose is “to keep down the rates,” and who have very little connection with industry on the scale in the minds of the ASLIB representatives. In short, the chief function of the London public libraries is mainly that of home reading. Ultimately the solution of the reference problem may be the establishment of one or two great regional reference libraries supported by the co‐operation of the boroughs. Co‐operation, however, is in its initial stages yet, and it will probably be some time before such an ideal, if it be an ideal, is achieved.

FROM everywhere there are reports of increased issues of books from libraries. The famine in copies no doubt accounts in part for it and, probably, there is also what is almost a resurgence of effort after knowledge amongst young men and women who are endeavouring in many fields of work to recover some of the losses of the war years. We cannot recall at any time when so much hard grinding study was being done as now. Pessimists about youth and juvenile delinquency (which however is incidental to a much younger age than that we are contemplating) would do well to reflect upon this fact. Whatever the cause, the immediate prospects for libraries in universities, works, and social institutions of every sort were never brighter. We know that certain types of “economist” of the faded “retrenchment and reform” type say the situation is temporary and artificial but, even if it is, and we are by no means acquiescent in this opinion, much ground may be won and held from any temporary good period. We think librarianship, under the present leadership of the Library Association, may be able to consolidate the position both for public and for other kinds of libraries. The Association was never better led than since the war; it has had remarkably statesmenlike presidents, an active council and an Honorary Secretary who for constructive capacity, vision, literary skill and fearlessness, combined with an energy and industry that leaves most of his contemporaries breathless, has not been surpassed; and he is backed by a Staff that rises to the ever‐increasing demands of the service. We are glad to write this last sentence, for Secretary Welsford has to cover many duties and serve many causes: receive and entertain the Association's guests from overseas; look after meetings; the educational services which now are very great; attend to the troubles of librarians everywhere and advise in them about matters ranging from salaries to ethics; our publications, accounts, catering, interviewing, negotiating with public departments and other bodies. As for the meetings of the Council and its committees, we are told, not by Mr. Welsford who knows nothing of this note, that its reports and papers ran in March alone to 200 foolscap typed pages! Of course Mr. Welsford has an excellent staff which assists him with real live interest. The time has come, however, as our readers now know, when special senior officers to deal with Membership and Education respectively are to be appointed to work side by side with the Librarian, the excellent Mr. Henrik Jones (who never fails the searcher, even the youngest, and seems to know what we are all doing) to carry “at a high level” some of the burdens. Annual Reports are not always read but we were drawn to these reflections by the recently issued Report of the Library Association for the year. We commend it to those who are inclined to leave it unread.