History books in libraries

Abstract

I wonder what is happening to the “standard” history books in the libraries of Britain ? Do they go in and out, as good library books should; or are they permanently “at home,” dust‐enshrouded, on the library shelves ? I have an uneasy feeling that they are not in very great demand. For nowadays the cry is for “useful” subjects, and it is hard to persuade people that there is any use in “1066 and all that.” The public readily commends modern languages, mathematics, and, above all, science; a world which is suffering from a surfeit of science still pathetically believes that a little more science will put everything right.

Citation

Mackie, J.D. (1943), "History books in libraries", Library Review, Vol. 9 No. 2, pp. 30-34. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb060414