The Library World Volume 55 Issue 11

Abstract

JUNE, the month of blue skies and roses, is for librarians who teach the end of the teaching year and for younger ones the month of examinations. It is for these and others the real beginning of outdoor library work where it may exist. Unfortunately a few days of beautiful weather early in May were the only adequate evidences of summer warmth to come, and the north‐east winds persist as we write in Southern England. Those who contemplate the open air roof‐top libraries, library gardens with tables and chairs for reading, Story‐hours in the public parks and so many more hopeful activities find this handicap a persistent one. There are, in the average year, very few days that may be given wholly to sedentary outdoor activities and some librarians, we learn, have abandoned official provision for outdoor reading. Private and personal outdoor reading will always continue; there is nothing more delightful. We doubt, however, if nowadays much serious use is made of books outdoors, although we should welcome evidence to the contrary. We are thinking of the general reader. The light romance, the romantic approach to the outdoor world in the modern equivalents of Richard Jefferies and W. H. Hudson seem more to tune with this part of the year. This, like every general Statement, is subject to many exceptions and the good librarian is alert to every reading possibility of the months. This month sees the annual holidays really begin and with plans for their conclusion in the Annual Meeting of the Library Association in late September at Hastings which we hope will be free from the unpleasant features of the Business Meeting at Llandudno.

Citation

(1954), "The Library World Volume 55 Issue 11", New Library World, Vol. 55 No. 11, pp. 205-220. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb009380