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With preceding chapters setting the stage, this one will provide a view of Brian C. Vickery's accomplishments from the vantage point of several thousand miles. His career in information science has been an impressive one. What has made it so? To answer that question, it is first necessary to examine his research accomplishments, then their impact, which has spread farther than might have been anticipated at the time of their publication.

The review, which covers the past, present and future of library automation, begins with the establishment of networks, describing the role of OCLC and the adoption of MARC. The second step is seen as the growth of online databases, with particular reference to Lockheed, SDC and BRS. Costs, however, have deterred full use of these. A case is made for standardisation of formats. The effect of online systems on retrieval is related to the increasing interest in document delivery systems. The contribution of mini‐ and microcomputers to this area is noted. Centralised shared systems have allowed automation to progress. All this needs paralleling in the library schools which have difficulty in providing the facilities. The real problem is still that of making systems user friendly. Perhaps librarians need to cultivate self‐sufficiency in programming using easy high‐level languages like FORTH and SPEAK‐EASY. Wordprocessors also will need to be a standard part of library equipment. The future must lie in achieving access to all information from a terminal.

All items listed may be borrowed from the Aslib Library, except those marked, which may be consulted in the Library.

All items listed may be borrowed from the Aslib Library, except those marked, which may be consulted in the library.

This was compiled as a special report by Edwin Castagna, president of the ALA, 1964–5, and a one‐day workshop on the findings was presented in Detroit. It is a ‘first effort’ to assess what is needed in dollars to bring the national level of library service up to the standards set by ALA divisions in the areas of stock, professional staff, and operating expenditures. Six thousand dollars was used as an average beginning salary for new librarians. The coverage is restricted to school libraries, academic libraries, and public libraries. The state of graduate library education is also shown. Some conclusions drawn from the findings included the need for re‐examination and re‐evaluation of the standards of various types of libraries: the need to gather more uniform statistics and clearer definitions of roles and responsibilities. Tables are given, including details of expenditure grouped by state, and also a breakdown of the stock and numbers of professional staff with comparison against required standards.

Books and Pamphlets. *AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. Committee on Professional Training.

This survey is not comprehensive. It is highly selective and intended to keep the reader informed of significant new ideas and developments. All unsigned abstracts are prepared by members of Aslib's staff. We should be grateful to any reader who would notify us of worth‐while articles in the field of documentation from unlikely sources.

Computer‐aided systems for all four of the conventional divisions of the field of library housekeeping are now operational in libraries. In Great Britain the only activity not yet operational is that of periodicals control, although two libraries have already used a computer to produce lists of periodicals holdings. The aim of this paper is to describe simply how computer‐aided housekeeping systems work, from the point of view of the librarian, and to mention briefly some typical applications of each type of system.

Librarians at Virginia Commonwealth University teach a course in Health Informatics as part of a distance learning Doctoral program for allied health professionals. This paper discusses the experience of developing and delivering a Web‐based course for the curriculum. Lessons learned fall into the categories of communication, technology, and resources.

We issue a double Souvenir number of The Library World in connection with the Library Association Conference at Birmingham, in which we have pleasure in including a special article, “Libraries in Birmingham,” by Mr. Walter Powell, Chief Librarian of Birmingham Public Libraries. He has endeavoured to combine in it the subject of Special Library collections, and libraries other than the Municipal Libraries in the City. Another article entitled “Some Memories of Birmingham” is by Mr. Richard W. Mould, Chief Librarian and Curator of Southwark Public Libraries and Cuming Museum. We understand that a very full programme has been arranged for the Conference, and we have already published such details as are now available in our July number.