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One of the hidden casualties of the introduction of book security systems is the demise of those wonderful collections of X Certificate material which used to masquerade under euphemisms like Restricted Access or Please ask at the desk. These reluctantly tolerated assemblages were traditionally kept well out of reach of public fondling and frequently well hidden from prurient gaze. My own Borough's endearing version of this category was called Controlled Issue, a term which gave rise to some interesting neologisms such as Can I have a Controlled Issue please? The ambiguity of this label has long been a source of delight, opening up as it does a vision of the public library actively promoting family planning by keeping from its users those books likely to give rise to lascivious thoughts which we all know lead to carnal deeds and greater staffing demands on the Children's Services.

… Strange but true facts, number 7: Wandsworth is famous for more than its blue halo.

Edwin Fleming should not be allowed to get away with his statement that “Much of the local government reputation for inefficiency is well deserved” (NLW, November 1990). Where is his evidence of this?

I went to the Booksellers' Conference Exhibition (persona ELM Publications, Educational Books and Resources) hoping to alert booksellers to our new Factpacks series [Jackdaw look‐alikes, but with interesting differences].

The beginnings of provision of public access computing facilities are noted. Some of the issues to be addressed in taking a decision to provide such facilities and the pitfalls in implementing such a decision are examined. Consideration is given to both microcomputer and mainframe computer provision.

Question: When is a Librarian not a Librarian?

With its traditional good timing and aplomb the Library Association will ensure that next year's subscription demands arrive with this year's Christmas cards. As I gently spar with my conscience over whether to maintain my record of unbroken membership I feel that it is quite in order to question whether the LA is a cost‐effective, efficiently‐run, value for money organisation.

THE MIDLAND county borough of Dudley has produced two post‐war chief librarians who have gone on to become national librarians. Alex Wilson told me this with some pride, when we met at the beginning of February to discuss his new appointment, which takes effect this month, as Director‐General of the British Library Reference Division. A couple of decades ago, Alex took over at Dudley, at one remove, from George Chandler, who has just retired as Australia's National Librarian.

PROVIDING PRACTICAL work for student librarians is now an accepted part of library work. We undertake it because of a sense of responsibility to the profession, but there seems to have been little research into the question whether libraries gain or lose by accepting students for periods of practical work, looking at the question selfishly and without regard to the important issues involved.

THE Department of Library Science at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria was founded in 1968. Its foundation is regarded as an offspring of the Sharr report of 1963. The department was formerly known as the Department of Librarianship until the 1971/72 session when the name was changed to the present one. Its objective is the training of professional librarians at all levels.