Excerpt from Bibliography of Library Economy: A Classified Index to the Professional Periodical Literature, Relating to Library Economy, Printing, Methods of Publishing, Copyright, Bibliography, Etc One of the most striking features of the Twentieth Century Librarian's work is its diversity. The Library field is so large and the different branches so intricately connected, that it is no easy task for him to keep in touch with the latest developments in library science, the necessity and importance of which cannot be over-estimated. To the modern Librarian economy of time and concentration of resources are vital. The most important medium for the dissemination of technical information concerning Librarianship is undoubtedly the professional press and associated with it, the Transactions of the various Bibliographical Societies, the two enabling the Librarian to acquire that intimate knowledge of current progress so essential to effective and efficient administration. Certain it is that the remarkable advance in Library work which has been made during the past thirty-three years would not have been possible but for these channels of intercommunication for the exchange of new ideas or the recording of fresh experience. Students of special subjects constantly require to collect all available information concerning the question in which they are interested. Reference to past work is indispensable, for it not only serves to indicate what has already been accomplished and thus prevents much waste of time and energy in reinvestigating already explored paths, but what is more important, the failure of others, frequently suggests improvements, that without such knowledge would never be realized. The enormous and constantly increasing stream of professional periodical literature renders it impossible for any one individual to keep in touch with all that is likely to be of service to him. Even with the annual indexes and other aids, hours of wearying search are often required to unearth an article, the general subject or the most valuable details of which, are more strongly impressed upon the memory than the title under which it is indexed. It is indeed difficult for the student of library economy to obtain the full value of the professional literature - Firstly, because at present he has no means of ascertaining expeditiously what work has been done or what articles published which may be of value to him; and secondly because he cannot readily find again what he may have already consulted. Mr. Frederick Teggart states in a note attached to his article on "Library literature in England and the United States during the Nineteenth Century," Library Journal, Vol. 26, 1891, pp. 257-261. "It is to be regretted that with all the facilities of College courses and Library Schools, the elementary necessity of a Bibliography of Library Economy has not been supplied - There have been various attempts - The 'Report on Libraries' (1876) pp. 733-744, and Mr. E. R. Nicholson's 'List of some leading subjects connected with Library formation and management, published in the Transactions of the First Conference of Librarians (1877) pp- 208-211, 248-249, and also in the Library Journal, Vol. i, pp. 399-401 are now very inadequate." Mr. Teggart in concluding his valuable resume of the Literature of Library Economy, says: - "At the conclusion of the first half century of modern democratic Library movement, we find the profession with a very much enlarged experience, with a great body of valuable but undigested literature, and awaiting three important pieces of work: (1) A Bibliography of Library Science; (2) A Descriptive appraisal of our Library resources: (3) A Systematic summing up of our professional experience and knowledge." About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com