ALA Bulletin Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 Excerpt: ...object to having their works classified with medicine at all. But whatever the attitude as to the desirability or undesirability of having medical books in a goneral public library, there is no question of the fact that as a rule such collections in the libraries, where statistics are at all available, are used very little unless they are in our largest cities or towns where there are one or more strong medical colleges. For the needs of the student in the medical college, however, the medical college itself ought tc make some adequate provision--something, by the way, that few of them do. In the preparation of this paper a circular letter was sent for certain information with reference to the library conditions and practice as to medical books in a number of representative libraries. It was hoped that it would be possible to include some data with reference to the use of several independent medical libraries, but this has not been possible, inasmuch as the data which was sought from them has not been received. It should be remembered, of course, that a large proportion of the bocks which are included in most of these records of circulation from public libraries, are works on public health, hygiene, physiology, etc.. rather than for the professional student exclusively. Boston public library. This library contains 26,500 medical books, but no separate record is kept of their use. There is in Boston an institution known as the Boston medical library which has a new building and this library and the public library are cooperating with each other in the purchase of books. The public library has ceased to buy strictly professional works and upon authorization of the trustees, an arrangement has been made with the medical library to make it a deposit station of ...