College and Research Libraries


time study; and an interesting explanation 
of how break-even analysis can be used to 
compare costs of different library proce­
dures. 

In addition to suggested readings taken 
from the literature of both libraries and in­
dustry, the chapters are followed by a se­
ries of related problems. Better organized 
and more readable than its predecessor, 
the new edition also contains figures, 
charts, and illustrations that are clear and 
understandable. Since more than 25 per­
cent of the volume is in tabular, graphic, 
or chart format, this clarity is essential. 
The only error detected was a mix-up in 
the explanation of the symbols used in op­
erations analysis. 

Scientific Management of Library Opera­
tions was a valuable primer on work analy­
sis in libraries when it was first published. 
The second edition is much improved and 
even more deserving of attention by man­
agers, library system analysts, and 
students.-Jordan M. Scepanski, Vanderbilt 
University . 

Neill, S. D. Canadian Libraries in 2010. 
Vancouver, B.C., Canada: Parabola, 
1980. 144p. ISBN 0-920758-10-X. 
This publication is essentially three es­

says held together by a methodology. An 
annotated, personalized bibliography 
constitutes 60 percent of the pages, but 
probably 90 percent of the content. The ti­
tle is misleading. I can find no evidence 
that statements are confined to Canadian 
libraries since Neill discusses libraries ex­
isting only in an open society. Libraries 
and librarians stand ''for freedom of good 
thinking, in the sense of individuals being 
well-informed, equally informed, and in 
time" (p.42). Statements made are suffi­
ciently broad to apply to any nation with 
such aspirations. The predictions, if that is 
what they are, have little nationalistic base 
except that Canadians will still be publish­
ing in 2010, and there probably will be a 
union catalog of the publications . 

Although Neill wanted to be objective, 
he admits his predictions arise out of the 
"matrix of ideas and facts" from his read­
ings, from which he produced his 140­
item bibliography with "Quotations and 
Comments . .. to Allow You to Make 

Recent Publications 299 

Your Own Argument" (p.61). Selecting 
quotations from the twelve volumes of 
Toynbee's A Study of History for this pur­
pose may be a bit presumptuous. In any 
event, the reader can be envious of the 
quantity and quality of the literature that 
was reviewed to glean the quotes. There is 
an index that covers the broad topics of the 
predictions and the bibliography. Often it 
is difficult to see the relationships this 
historian-philosopher-librarian -educator 
makes between his selected quotations 
with annotations and his predictions cov­
ering such subjects as status of women, 
community participation, community in­
formation, censorship, automated infor­
mation, etc . Nevertheless, it is a noble ef­
fort of the author to reveal his sources and 
method of putting his statements to­
gether. . 

To describe institutional functions thirty 
years hence results in a spirit of negativ­
ism. To offset this negativism, Neill added 
a second part on "what ought to be done 
to meet the predictions made in the first 
part" (p.6) .· This readable addition leads 
to the conclusion that "We must make the 
profession a unity above the collection of 
institutions which it inhabits or uses" 
(p.46). The changes in philosophic atti­
tude we accept now will make differences 
in our future. 

To bolster his arguments, and presum­
ably to make the content more Canadian, 
a previously published review (in part 
from the Annual Review of Canadian Li­
braries) of the major studies commissioned 
by the Canadian provinces between 1933 
and 1976 is included. Since few in the 

. United States, and perhaps also in Can­
ada, have had access to these studies, it is 
professionally gratifying to find reassur­
ance that librarians have been and con­
tinue to search for the means to keep our 
civilization open and free. 

In summary, Neill has produced a view 
of our complex institutional base in very 
readable language. The publication's 
value lies in its philosophical insight 
rather than the logic of the predictions. 
The latter may be the subject of amuse­
ment thirty years from now, but the 
former will still be part of our existence.­
Vern M . Pings, Wayne State University.