College and Research Libraries


Until 1920 , Squire processed materials, 
campaigned to have some staff assigned to 
him, and urged the printing of a music 
catalog (which finally appeared in 1912). He 
gained the support of the administration and 
built the framework that his distinguished 
followers , W. C. Smith and King , would 
use in shaping the world's finest music li-
brary. 

We may hope that Alec Hyatt King will 
complement the present volume with one 
that describes the work of Smith, as well as 
the major events and achievements of his 
own tenure.-Guy A. Marco , Library De-
velopment Consultants, Washington, D.C. 

Lushington , Nolan, and Mills , Willis N., Jr . 
Libraries Designed for Users: A Planning 
Handbook. Syracuse , N.Y.: Gaylord Pro-
fessional Publications , 1979. 289p. $22.50 
plus postage and handling . LC 78-27114. 
ISBN 0-915794-29-2. 
This book is a definite contribution to the 

literature on library buildings. It is a book 
for all library plann e rs , for academic and 
public librarians , and for special librarians , 
as well as for architects, engineers, and de-
signers. The authors state early in the book 
that it is primarily for the design and plan-
ning of small to medium-size public libraries 
serving from 200 to 2,000 people per day. 
However, the information in the book is 
prepared in such an enlightening manner 
that it is beneficial to those planning large 
urban central library buildings , academic li-
brary buildings, or even school and special 
library rooms . 

The authors declare what th ey believe to 
be the performance objectives for the 
readers of their book, which are that the 
reader should be able to "prepare a library 
improvement program /' "recognize library 
functional relationships ," "critique an exist-
ing library building," " interview and select 
an architect and consultant," "evaluate the 
work of a library design team ," "evaluate 
propose d library sites," "critique schematic 
designs for libraries, " and "improve energy 
conservation, graphics, seating, and lighting 
in existing libraries as well as in library 
plans. " 

From there the authors proceed in a sim-
ple , straightforward, factual arrangement of 
their information. For example, lists are 

Recent Publications I 261 

often used, such as , where to purchase ma-
terials, information on suppliers and man-
ufacturers , and twenty-five energy conserva-
tion tips. Further, the whole work is liber-
ally supplied with photographs and line 
drawings to express design features. Th e 
book ends with a selection of case studies of 
actual library space programs . 

The book is clearly not an intellectual ef-
fort on the theory of library construction or 
space planning. On the other hand, it is a 
straightforward handbook on how to plan for 
library space utilization and how to design 
for functional use of space. 

While generally the work consists of prac-
tical information , it is noted , however , that 
if not directly in the te xt , then generally 
through illustration and photographs , un-
usually high priced or expensive furniture is 
specified. On the other hand , general prac-
titioners using this book should be able to 
discern this for themselves. 

The book could have been more 
efficiently produced. Unusually wide mar-
gins are used (%-inch inner margin and 
2V2-inch outer margin). Also as an example 
of waste space, page 264 contains a simple 
two-line caption for a drawing on the facing 
page 265. Thus , through some economy of 
space in the layout of the book , the informa-
tion could have been presented in about 25 
percent less space than was used. On the 
other hand , the format that was employed 
does add to the attractiveness of the book 
and its simple use. 

On the whole this book is valuable to all 
library planners and should be added to the 
collection of any practicing librarian or li-
brary collecting information on librar y 
buildings.-Hal B . Sch ell , University of 
Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Ohio. 

Woods , L. B. A Decade of Censorship in 
America: The Threat to Classrooms and 
Libraries, 1966-1975. Metuchen , N .J.: 
Scarecrow , 1979. 183p . $10. LC 79-
20960. ISBN 0-8108-1260-6. 
In this book , which covers censorship at-

tempts in the United States over a ten-year 
period , the author, L . B. Woods , presents 
evidence showing that censorship is on the 
increase. Woods gives the following reasons 
for having done the study. The principal 
reason , he says, was that empirical knowl-