source

request that they indicate which of the books There have been other important develop-
would be of especial value to them, and a ments during the year which need be referred
most interesting dossier has been assembled to only briefly: the establishment of a
as to the needs of the smaller places. The students' library of American law, sponsored
educational authorities of the various coun- by the leading American lawyers practicing
tries have cooperated most heartily in collect- in Paris; the setting up of a union catalog of
ing this information, and their embassies have American books and periodicals in the other
arranged to send the books forward through libraries of Paris; the growth of the exten-
diplomatic channels, so that there will be no sion service, which, during the month of July,
delays or complications at the frontiers. for example, sent 405 books out of town; the

It is hoped that this will prove to be only development of closer contacts with related
the first step toward the systematic distribu- activities in Europe; the regular monthly pub-
tion of American books to those European lication of accession lists, which have become
educational centers where they are most more and more important—these are a few
needed, and that a fund will ultimately be set of the things which mark the library's
up which will permit it to be carried out progress.
regularly from year to year.

Special mention should be made of the de-
In fact, the American Library in Paris velopment of the work of the Reference
should be the center for a system covering

Service on International Affairs. The publi-
the whole of Europe, with a branch in every

cation of the first volume of the European
capital, to serve directly the scholars and Political and Economic Survey has been com-
teachers of that country. It is that ideal pleted, and it is certain to become increasingly
toward which the Library is working, and it valuable as a work of reference as the years
is by no means so impossible of realization pass. The Survey now appears twice a month,
as it may appear. The far-reaching value of and is winning wide recognition as an invalu-
such a system is self-evident, and if it is ever able

of information on European
built up, the American Library in Paris is affairs. In addition to this, a very real service
unquestionably the proper agent to carry it has been rendered many American libraries
forward.

in keeping them informed as to European
For the Library has passed the experimental

official publications, and in securing these
stage, and there can no longer be any ques-

publications when desired. It is hoped that
tion as to its usefulness. It has made itself

this side of the work will be developed more
indispensable to the residents of Paris inter-

and more, as American libraries realize the
ested in English and American literature, or

unique character of the service which is
engaged in research work on any American

offered. The recent compilation of a bibliog-
subject. The trustees have felt, very prop-

raphy of the official publications of all the
erly, that its service as a circulating library

governments of Europe is a work of unusual
should be self-supporting, in order that such

importance to all libraries.
support as it may receive from America could There are still, of course, many problems
be devoted to building up its international to solve. Chief of these is the question of a
side-in other words, its service to students new building—not an old building done over,
and teachers throughout the continent of but a modern American library building,
Europe—and this is now in a fair way of where the Library can develop its work eco-
realization. During the past year, more than nomically and efficiently, in adequate and dig-
half of its revenue -certainly all that could nified surroundings. No tangible progress has
properly be charged against the circulation yet been made toward the solution of this
department—has come directly from the peo- problem, but that the solution will eventually
ple of Paris, and there is every reason to come seems certain to everyone familiar with
believe that this amount will increase steadily. the work of the Library, and with the possi-
In this respect, the Library stands on its own bilities before it.
feet. It is ready for the larger task outlined

BURTON E. STEVENSON, Director,
above.

American Library in Paris.

COMMITTEE REPORTS, 1925-26
AFFILIATION OF CHAPTERS WITH and a list of special collections in American
THE A. L. A.

libraries. The effort is to increase the located
No report.

copies in the Union Catalog as far as possible
A. L. A. HEADQUARTERS BUILDING

and organize the increase of this stock by
No report.

purchasing agreement of libraries on the basis

of the list of special collections. It is follow-
ARCHITECTURAL CONTEST

ing the line approved by the Council at the
No report.

Atlantic City meeting. The work on Union
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Catalog and special collections is international
International cooperation. The effort to

cooperation in the sense that the League com-
cooperate with the Brussels Institute as in- mittee urges each nation to cooperate by car-
structed by the Council is necessarily at a

rying out its own share in such matters and
standstill on account of the still disorganized specifically includes the Union Catalog in its
state of the Institute. The Institute has re-

recommendations.
cently taken a long step forward in securing

Bibliographies in process.

On initiative
from the Belgian government the permanent

of a member of this Committee the Library
housing which desired. It has further, in

of Congress has undertaken to open a single
conference with the League committee, defined

cumulative registration file of bibliographies
the matters which it will take up in the first in process or in manuscript. This is a natural
line of operation. The affair now stands that supplement to the Library of Congress exten-
if and when the League committee and the sive special card file of bibliographies. Co-
Institute come to an agreement as to opera-

operation is desired from all who know of
tions so that the League committee is prepared

noteworthy bibliographies existing in manu-
to recommend, through the American commit- script in libraries or in active preparation by
tee of the League, definite solicitation of individuals. Information is desired wherever
funds for definite operations, the Committee possible as to the approximate number of titles
on Bibliography will endorse the recommen-

at date of the communication.
dations after examination. It stands ready

E. C. RICHARDSON, Chairman.
also to encourage direct practical cooperation

BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR
by American libraries as soon as operating

LIBRARIANSHIP
organization is assured.

The report of the Board of Education for
The Committee is glad to endorse the rec-

Librarianship with appendixes was printed
ommendation of the League committee as to

separately for distribution at the Fiftieth
the establishment of an International Infor-

Anniversary Conference. (Printed in full
mation Service at all national libraries. The

pages 405-473.)
Committee has ventured to suggest to the

ADAM STROHM, Chairman.
American League committee that various in-
formation services of the Library of Congress

BOOKBINDING
are already such that they can very easily be An unusual number of inquiries during the
unified for international service with little year relative to library binding or repair indi-
more staff than a competent chief and a cates a growing and intelligent interest in the
stenographer, and that effort to secure the physical condition of the books in libraries.
means for these might well engage the activi- Among these inquiries were several regarding
ties of that committee.

the status of library binders in various sections
Research books. The main attention of of the country, indicating that some libra-
the Committee has been given to the problem rians are looking to this Committee for relia-
of our national stock of research books and ble information and advice in the selection of
its solution by cooperation, using the Library binders. The Library Binders Group of the
of Congress machinery and the facilities Employing Bookbinders of America has been
accorded by the librarian. It has been directly appealed to for assistance in supplying as full
occupied with the matter of Union Catalog a list as possible of creditable library binders
covering the entire country, in anticipation of in the second half of April, and the report further similar inquiries.

has been published. The American Library The two bookbinding exhibits were thor- Association appeared twice in opposition, suboughly overhauled early in the year before mitting a formal brief in answer, paragraph being sent out on their usual itineraries among by paragraph, to the publishers' printed statelibrary schools. Revision of some publications ment, and introducing the following organizaof the Bookbinding Committee, including Care tions, which appointed spokesmen to particiof books in libraries, Specifications for strong pate: American Association of University edition work for large books of the reference Professors, American Chemical Society, type, and Preparation of periodicals for bind- American Council on Education, American ing, is in process.

Historical Association, American PhilologA rather carefully planned exhibit was pre- ical Association, American Physical Society, pared under supervision of the chairman for Archæological Institute of America, Associathe Sesquicentennial at Philadelphia, to be tion of American Colleges, Association of included in the A. L. A. exhibit there.

Urban Universities, College Art Association, The question of better paper for the more Geological Society of America, Linguistic worthy books has demanded some attention, Society of America, Modern Language Assothe ideal paper for such books of permanent ciation of America, and the National Educaimportance being obviously one hundred per tion Association. The Register of Copyrights, cent rag quality, although this ideal is still far endorsed by the Committee on Copyright of from being realized. The issue in February the American Bar Association, presented an of the special autographed rag paper edition extended comparison between the two bills, of Carl Sandburg's Abraham Lincoln came as highly unfavorable to H. R. 10434. recognition by its publishers, Harcourt, Brace The libraries are chiefly affected by the proand Company, of the need of preservation of

visions regarding the importation of foreign the real literature of the present day. The publications. Under existing law, they may fact that the demand early exceeded the limits

bring in any legitimate issue. The Perkins of this special edition gives assurance of the

bill allows the publisher of an American book support of such efforts towards better paper to forbid the entrance of a foreign (though for high class books of permanent value, not authorized) reprint. The Vestal bill repeats only by libraries but by the more discrim

this, but goes further and requires that orders inating book buyers among the general trade. for the original edition of a foreign work in MARY E. WHEELOCK, Chairman,

English reprinted here be sent to the AmerJOHN ARCHER,

J. R. GULLEDGE,

ican publisher, and the provision is retroactJOSEPH FULTON,

GERTRUDE STILES.

ive, though used copies, foreign newspapers

and magazines, foreign language books, collecBOOK BUYING

tions en bloc, travelers' books, motion pictures Copyright continued to claim major atten- and motion-picture photoplays, raised print, tion this year, and some ameliorative legisla- and works for the United States are made tion resulted, though no general measure exempt—none explains why. passed in the first session of the 69th Con- If such restrictions, which have no countergress. The Perkins bill, prepared in the Copy- part the world over, were enacted into law, right Office, was reintroduced as H. R. 5841, and could be enforced (which seems problemon December 17, 1925, though its sponsor did atical), no one could safely order an English not press for further consideration. But ex

book from abroad, if published within the past actly three months later, Chairman Albert H. fifty-six years or until the author is a half Vestal, of the House Committee on Patents, century dead, without first ascertaining (from offered in H. R. 10434 a substitute, prepared the Copyright Office) whether there be an by commercial interests, especially the motion American edition and then asking the reprinter picture industry and the book publishers, who if his edition is in stock. Otherwise, he might had succeeded in pressing the Authors' League find himself a smuggler and his consignment to compromise.

confiscated. Then upon arrival the Custom This was brought to hearing for four days Houses must make the same inquiries. The design is to discourage importation and foster released and it is hoped that no other will be reprinting, with the public paying the double put to such annoyance. bill.

The price maintenance bill appeared once The outstanding result of these hearings more in this Congress, under its familiar numwas the compromise struck between the music

ber H. R. 11, introduced by Rep. Clyde Kelly, composers on the one hand, and on the other of Pennsylvania. It provided, “That in conthe mechanical reproducers—the phonograph, tracts relating to the sale or resale of an artimotion picture and radio groups, so that in the cle of commerce, the genuineness of which is next session the representatives of the buying attested by the trade mark or special brand public will find themselves confronted, as of any grower, producer, manufacturer or usual, with a solid phalanx of those with other trade mark proprietor ... it shall be something to sell, but our entrance into the lawful for ... vendees (i. e retailers) to International Copyright Union seems measur- agree to sell such articles at the prices preably nearer.

scribed by such vendor and such agreements The inch of progress actually attained in

shall not be construed as against public policy legislation was copyright protection to works or in restraint of trade or in violation of the produced by processes other than typesetting,

Act of Congress of July 2, 1890, or of any of photo-engraving or lithography, which are the Acts supplemental thereto.” This covers alone recognized in the present law. This trade-marked articles. The publishers, who concerns mimeographed issues especially. This did not participate in the hearings of April amendment, which we actively pressed through 22 and 23, are seeking to have the bill amended the Senate in its closing hours, will particu

so as to cover copyrighted books. The booklarly aid teachers who use this method of try- sellers appeared in advocacy and found theming out their texts before committing them selves opposed by the counsel who had sucto type.

cessfully fought the celebrated Macy cases,

which led to the dissolution of the old AmerThe old marking law controversy broke out anew this year. It will be recalled that every

ican Publishers' Association, with assessment tariff act since 1890 has had a provision requir

of $140,000 damages. Librarians will do well ing that imported goods be conspicuously

to keep their eyes on this regularly recurring marked to show country of origin. Till 1922, bill, for there lies in it the threatened cancel

lation of discounts, which the publishers' so far as books were concerned, the imprint was accounted compliance. But it was then

organ is steadily urging. alleged that certain American publishers had

The Committee this year continued to issue been printing abroad and concealing the fact.

bulletins in the library periodicals—six of So the Treasury rendered a decision that the

them. As at present organized, it has put out title-page should be the place of record. The

a total of forty-four. unexpected result of this was that the New

M. LLEWELLYN RANEY, Chairman, York Custom House ruled against admitting

Carl L. CANNON, HILLER C. WELLMAN, books unless they carried such a phrase as

Asa Don DICKINSON, PURD B. WRIGHT. "Printed in England,” etc., and library shipments were held up. Protests steadily repeated

BOOK PRODUCTION brought a new instruction exempting “public

The purpose of this Committee is admirably libraries or library associations" when im

stated in the resolution of the Council directporting “for their own use and not for sale.”

ing its appointment as a standing committee All library shipments were accordingly re- of the A. L. A. The resolution (adopted July leased at once and importations have moved 10, 1925) reads: smoothly ever since, till, of a sudden, some

"That the Council request the Executive Philadelphia official made the discovery that

Board to appoint a standing committee on college and university libraries are not "pub- Book Production whose duties shall be to prolic," and so assessed a fine against two impor

mote the use of better paper and better typog. tant institutions, but since it could be readily

raphy for books of permanent importance, the

Committee to cooperate with the Bookbinding proven that their reference collections were

Committee, other committees and organizasubject to any citizen's use, the shipments were tions and to report to the Council annually."