PREFACE

THESE courses of study have been compiled mainly for the use of Library Assistants all over the world who wish to make themselves more efficient in the technical side of their profession, and to aid them in securing the professional certificates awarded by the examining bodies for proficiency in Library Science. They make no pretence to satisfy the needs of the specialist in any of the selected subjects, but the author assures students that each course covers sufficient ground to enable them to pass the examinations if they will work diligently and well throughout the course.

The first edition of this work was out of print within eighteen months of publication. This is sufficient testimony that the work has been well received, and has proved very popular with the student members of the profession. This edition has been completely revised and brought up to date.

The amount of time to be devoted to each lesson will depend on the individual, but it is essential that the prescribed reading lists should be read carefully before attempting any answers. These lists could easily be amplified, but the difficulty has been to keep them within reasonable length and at the same time representative. A large number of American journals are included at the special request of American and Colonial students.

Correspondence Tuition for LIBRARY ASSOCIATION EXAMINATIONS by Experienced Librarians.

Fees moderate.

The Courses will cover the whole of the syllabus of the Examination. Studies can be started at any time and spread over the period until the date of the examination.

A special discount is allowed to members of N.A.L.G.O. Fees can be paid by instalments if desired—a small extra percentage is charged for this method of payment.

For further particulars and enrolment form send stamped addressed envelope to the General Secretary, N.C.I., Caxton Hall, Westminster, S.W.1.

Most students will find the practice of taking notes, and representing in their own words a summary of what has been read, to be most helpful. These notes should be compared with the text to ensure that essential points have not been missed. The questions and tests should be answered without the aid of text books or notes.

I gladly avail myself of the opportunity to express my gratitude to my wife for her help and valuable suggestions, my indebtedness to Mr. James Cranshaw, for his contribution on English Literary History; to the large number of Librarians and Assistants who have written appreciative letters to me, and to Mr. H. Hamer, F.L.A., for looking over the manuscript and proof, but responsibility for any mistakes is mine.

REGINALD G. WILLIAMS.

Astley Bridge, Bolton. 23rd January, 1926.

Grafton Books for Librarians

SUPPLEMENTARY TO THE GENERAL CATALOGUE.

A Manual of Classification

A Handbook of the Rules and methods of applying classification to Books, Shelves, Files and other matters, by W. C. Berwick Sayers. Demy 8vo. Cloth. Illustrated

Price £1 10s. 0d. net.

The Theory of Book Selection for Public Libraries

By Lionel R. McColvin. Cr. 8vo. Cloth, pp. 190.

Price 7s. 6d. net.

The Public Library

By Ernest A. Baker, D.Litt. Demy 8vo. Cloth. Illustrated, pp. 246.

Price 10s. 6d. net.

County Library Service

By Harriet Catherine Long. Demy 8vo. Cloth. Illustrated, pp. 206. Chicago: American Library Association. London: Grafton & Co.

Price 10s. 0d. net.

The Library and the Community

Increased Book Service through Library Publicity based on Community Studies. By Joseph L. Wheeler. Illustrated. Demy 8vo. Cloth. pp. 418. Chicago: American Library Association. London: Grafton & Co.

Price 17s. 6d. net.

Library Buildings

Notes and Plans. By Chalmers Hadley. Demy 8vo. Cloth. pp. 154. Chicago: American Library Association. London: Grafton & Co.

Price 17s. 6d. net.

Wynkyn de Worde and his contemporaries

From the death of Caxton to 1535. A chapter in English Printing. By Henry R. Plomer. Cr. 4to. Buckram, Gilt Top. pp. 250. Illustrated. Limited to 1,000 copies.

Price £1 1s. 0d. net.

GRAFTON & CO. Coptic House, 51 Gt. Russell Street LONDON, W.C. 1.

COURSES OF STUDY IN LIBRARY SCIENCE