Conference of Eastern College Librarians

THE TWENTY-SEVENTH annual Conference of Eastern College Librarians met at Columbia University on Saturday, November 25. More than 300 college and university librarians were present from an area as far south as Tennessee and as far west as Chicago. This conference has long since established itself as one of the highlights of the year for college librarians, particularly those of the middle Atlantic states. The morning session was largely given over to technical library matters. Papers included an examination of reclassification questions, serials procedures, and library equipment. These several talks are scheduled for publication in College and Research Libraries, hence will be summarized here only briefly. Dr. Harriet D. MacPherson, of the Columbia School of Library Service faculty, discussed "The Reclassification of Libraries with Some Reference to Special Collections." Out of her extensive experience, supplemented by interviews and correspondence with librarians whose institutions have undertaken partial or complete reclassification, she summed up the case for and against switching from obsolescent or unsatisfactory classification schemes to more scientific systems. Emphasis was placed on the administrative aspects of reclassification and their effects on normal routines, rather than on the technical problems likely to be encountered. On the basis of a survey of serials procedures prepared for the A .L .A . Serials Section, Fred B. Rothman, supervisor of the Serials Division, Washington Square Library, New York University, reported "Prevailing Practices in the Handling and Care of Serials." Approximately 150 libraries replied to a questionnaire on the subject. So widely do existing methods vary for serials work that few generalizations are possible. In some instances virtually everything relating to serials is concentrated in a single department; in others, a high degree of decentralization is found, with acquisition, binding, exchanges, cataloging, reference, and other activities scattered among many divisions of the library. The speaker noted a trend in the direction of centralization and cited evidence to show that consolidation of serials functions makes for greater economy and efficiency. " N e w Devices and Equipment for Libraries" were described by Ethel M . Fair, director of the New Jersey College for Women Library School. Her discussion covered recent "gadgets" and mechanical innovations for library lighting, exhibitions, shelving, floors, book conveyors, recording and duplicating work, and various