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The development of the moving automobile final assembly line was a major milestone in manufacturing. The techniques required to make it work are demanding, but the resulting increase in productivity is phenomenal. Consequently, and not surprisingly, some people have claimed a major role in its development. The initial date for this innovation is either July 1908, or August 1913 and credit is given to Henry Ford, Charles Sorensen, Clarence Avery, or W.C. Klann, depending on whom one reads. This paper tries to clarify what happened on these dates and who was responsible. Investigation reveals that each of these men did play a role in development of the moving automobile assembly line.

I MUST THANK David Gerard for responding so warmly to my review of Mr Murison's The public library in Human world 13; and I must thank Mr Murison for responding to the double onslaught (in NLW March) so effectively. (It was not, by the way, a concerted attack, though Mr Murison might be excused for thinking so, especially in view of his other trials.) And if I gave the impression of thinking of him as rather dim and unquestioning, I must simply apologise; this was not my intention. I chose to review his book because it typifies some of our vast social problems in an exceptionally clear‐cut way; because it demonstrates, through the clarity of its presentation, both the virtues and the limitations of socialised thought. This is not, I think, an insult.

THE Reference Department of Paisley Central Library today occupies the room which was the original Public Library built in 1870 and opened to the public in April 1871. Since that date two extensions to the building have taken place. The first, in 1882, provided a separate room for both Reference and Lending libraries; the second, opened in 1938, provided a new Children's Department. Together with the original cost of the building, these extensions were entirely financed by Sir Peter Coats, James Coats of Auchendrane and Daniel Coats respectively. The people of Paisley indeed owe much to this one family, whose generosity was great. They not only provided the capital required but continued to donate many useful and often extremely valuable works of reference over the many years that followed. In 1975 Paisley Library was incorporated in the new Renfrew District library service.

WHAT WITH the new LA Record apparently determined at least to set off down the runway—layouts and plans are due to be unveiled at SPEX 75, the day after this issue of NLW appears—we thought we'd better stir ourselves from summer somnolence and do a little gentle tinkering with NLW to reawaken your interest, and to show the LA that we, too, can move with the times, ha‐ha, even if not very far.

SINCE THEY ARE now in possession of a modest amount of my own money each year, it was with more attention than I have devoted in the past to its predecessors that I studied the Library Association's balance‐sheet as at December 31 1979, which is printed in the June issue of the Record.

THE EDITORIAL in New society for June 23 last was headed ‘The attack on libraries’—and a robust piece of pleading it was, as well as heartening support for a public library system under pressure.

Accountancy glossary Differences in technical jargon almost invariably occur on the two sides of the Atlantic—and accountancy is no exception to the rule.

THE British Library has appointed a Press Officer, Denys Parsons, who is based at BL HQ in Store Street, London WC1, telephone 636 0755 ext 26.