College and Research Libraries 111 Cellese 6: Iesearch Libraries braries. It is always suggestive, always worth thinking about.-Daniel Traister, Van Pelt Library, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Slavens, Thomas P. Theological Libraries at Oxford. New York: K. G. Saur, 1984. 197p. $43.50 (ISBN 3-598-10563-0). ___ . A Great Library through Gifts. New York: K. G. Saur, 1986. 355p. $40 (ISBN 3-598-10621-1). Both Slavens' study of Oxford's theo- logical collections and his lengthier treat- ment of the library at Union Theological Seminary (New York) were undertaken in the belief they might ''provide guidelines for the development of other libraries" (p.v, Theological Libraries; p.ix, Great Li- brary). The work treating Oxford briefly examines the accumulation of theological and church history collections held in the Bodleian, the History and Theology Fac- ulty libraries, and thirty-one other Oxford libraries. The reproduction of the double- spaced typescript is marred by a number of typographical errors, and poor punctu- ation hampers clear reading. Several fac- tual errors also detract. For example, Archbishop Laud was executed in 1645 and could not have donated manuscripts to the Bodleian up until 1650 as suggested (p.51). The marvelous, early seventeenth- century frieze in the upper reading room of the Bodleian is turned into evidence of the first librarian's narrow religion and collecting (p.49). However, the frieze in- cluded not only church fathers and Protes- tant reformers but also featured Wyclif, Hus, Savonarola, and scientists such as Copernicus, Brahe, Mercator, and Orte- lius. More fundamentai faults prevent the work from fulfilling its stated purpose . In the absence of any conclusion, we are left with "two themes" briefly noted in the preface: the importance of starting early- in the case of Oxford, eight centuries ago-and the important development role played by gifts as well as copyright de- posits and endowment funding (p.v). For obvious reasons the first "theme" does not advance academic librarianship. The second "theme" is important and dis- March 1987 tinctly relevant, but its promise is unreal- ized. In recounting the development of the various libraries' theological holdings, Slavens offers a compilation of notable ac- quisitions accumulated over centuries. Many ·are gifts of splendid rarities invalu- able to theological scholarship, but he does not ascribe the origins of all the im- portant holdings. Furthermore, the over- all importance of gifts to the building of Oxford's fine collections is not well dem- onstrated. The single numerical indication of the importance of gifts is for 1978-79. In that year, only 22 percent(£ 520,000) of the Bodleian budget was available for materi- als purchases (p.92). A total of 79,000 books and pamphlets were accessioned, 43,000 of which were obtained through copyright deposit and 25,000 through pur- chase (p.74), leaving 11,000 unaccounted. How many were in theology? Were they gifts? If so, how could that year be consid- ered representative of the relative impor- tance in past centuries of donations and copyright deposits? A serious omission is the failure to ex- plain the motivations and mechanisms of donation. We can readily deduce the moti- , vations of alumni and faculty donors, but . why do apparently unaffiliated donors give? Is there now or has there ever been a plan for systematic development and do- nor cultivation such as a number of lead- ing academic libraries have instituted in recent years? A Friends group is men- tioned only once as playing an unspecified role in an acquisition during the 1940s (p.67). The listing of many collections and sin- gle items of scholarly interest, coupled with the inclusion of the Bodleian's 1980 reading regulations, points to possible use of the work as a very selective guide to theological research at Oxford. However, the lack of indexing and inadequate dis- cussion of present access tools prevent ready use even in this manner. Slavens' effort to describe the impor- tance of gifts to the development of the li- brary at Union Theological Seminary is more successful. Listed again are notable acquisitions, including many significant gifts of materials and funds. However, by using a wider range of sources, including budgetary and other annual reports, Slavens is able to indicate the vital impor- tance of gifts relative to purchases in Union's collection development since its 1836 foundation. As late as 1939-40, half the volumes acquired were gifts (p.267). Although comprehensive supporting sta- tistics are not offered, the numbers and importance of gifts are convincing for an age when acquisitions budgets were quite modest. Building upon loyalties of fac- ulty, alumni, and others, Union assem- bled major research collections through gifts of books, manuscripts, and archival materials. Especially successful were named collections honoring or initially as- sembled by members of the faculty or board of directors, such as David McAlpin. While some donors' relation- ships to the seminary are explained and their motivations implied, more is wanted in this area. Slavens frequently only al- ludes to fund-raising activities among wealthy New Yorkers and alumni. For ex- Recent Publications 181 ample, an Alumni Library Endowment Fund attracted $10,000 shortly after its 1906 announcement by the Alumni Club, but we do not learn what prompted this or how the successful drive was conducted (p.181). In Slavens' account, too many major benefactors, such as Willis James, suddenly appear proferring cash (p.174). We know they were rewarded by named alcoves, buildings, and collections, but again, how were they identified and culti- vated? Fund-raising was a major compo- nent of the seminary presidency, but how active were the librarians in this arena? Union's experience with named collec- tions illustrates the benefit of "sharing bibliographical achievements" (p.341), as well as the wisdom of obtaining endowed funds to continue active collecting and processing of these materials. These en- dowments should not be over restricted; in the late nineteenth century Union found itself embarrassed by well- endowed special collections and insuffi- cient funds for much-needed current and reference materials (p.160-61). WHEN. THE QUESTION IS SERVICE THE ANSWER IS AMBASSADOR • FIRM ORDERS • CONTINUATIONS • APPROVAL PLANS • BINDING SERVICES • ON-LINE ORDERING 11 Serving college and university libraries for over 12 years" AMBASSADOR BooK SERVICE, INC. 42 CHASNER STREET • HEMPSTEAD, NEW YORK 11550 toll free 800 - 431-891 3 in New York call collect (516) 489-4011 182 College & Research Libraries There is no substitute for general, unre- stricted institutional support. Slavens hints that Union librarians have subse- quently experienced difficulty handling numerous special collections encumbered with names and conditions (p.337), but the collections would clearly not be the fine resources they are today without the support of both the donors and the parent institution. The critical role of the faculty in building a fine collection for teaching March 1987 and research is also emphasized through- out this work. They actively recom- mended particular acquisitions (although ·t this is too often asserted without docu- mentation), promoted theological bibliog- raphy, and donated their own working collections. Their partnership with Union's librarians is worthy of emulation.-Jonathan LeBreton, Albin 0. Kuhn Library & Gallery, University of Mary- ~ land, Baltimore County, Catonsville. OTHER PUBLICATIONS Acronyms, Initialisms, and Abbreviations Dictio- nary: A Guide to More Than 400,000 Alphabetic Designations, Contractions, Acronyms, Initial- isms, Abbreviations, and Similar Condensed Ap- pellations. 11th ed. Ed. by Julie E. Towell and Helen E. Sheppard. Detroit: Gale, 1986. 2,928p. set, $180 (ISBN0-8103-4317-7). LC84- 643188. Agricultural Research Centres: A World Directory of Organizations and Programmes. London: Longman (dist. by Gale), 1986. 2v. 1,138p. set, $395 (ISBN 0-582-90033-6). American Literary Publishing Houses, 1638-1899. Ed. by Peter Dzwonkoski. Detroit: Gale, 1986. 2v. 715p. $176 (ISBN 0-8103-1727-3). LC 86-2210. American Men and Women of Science: Physical and Biological Sciences. 16th ed. Ed. by Jaques Cat- tell Pr. New York: Bowker, 1986. 8v. 7,685p. set, $595 (ISBN 0-8352-2221-7). LC 6-7326. American Poets, 1880-1945: Third Series. Ed. by Peter Quartermain. Dictionary of Literary Bi- ography, v.54. Detroit: Gale, 1986. 2v. 743p. $180 (ISBN 0-8103-1732-X). LC 86-19562. Ballou, Patricia K. Women: A Bibliography of Bibli- ographies. 2d ed. Boston: G . K. Hall, 1986. 268p. $30 (ISBN 0-8161-8729-0). LC 86-18475. Baseball: A Comprehensive Bibliography. Comp. by Myron J. Smith, Jr. Jefferson, N.C.: Mc- Farland, 1986. 864p. $55 (ISBN 0-89950-222- 9). LC 85-43592. Best Places to Stay in America's Cities: Unique Ho- tels, City Inns, and Bed & Breakfasts. Ed. by Kenneth Hale. Boston: Harvard Common Pr., 1986. 400p. paper, $9.95 (ISBN 0-916782- 81-6). LC 86-19369. Book Review Index: Periodical Reviews 1976-1984. Ed. by Barbara Beach. Detroit: Gale, 1986. 295p. $75 (ISBN 0-8103-4364-9). LC 86-22846. Canadian Writers since 1960: First Series. Ed. by W. H. New. Dictionary of Literary Biogra- phy, v.53. Detroit: Gale, 1986. 445p. $88. Cheng, Peter P. Chronology of The People's Re- public of China: 1970-1979. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow, 1986. 629p. $55 (ISBN 0-8108- "" 1751-9). LC 84-20231. Children's Authors and lllustrators: An Index to Bi- ographical Dictionaries. 4th ed. Ed. by Joyce Nakamura. Gale Biographical Index Series, no. 2. Detroit: Gale, 1986. 799p. $140 (ISBN 0- 8103-2525-X). Children's Literature Review: Excerpts from Re- views, Criticism, and Commentary on Books for ~ Children: V.11 . Ed. by Gerard J. Senick. De- troit: Gale, 1986. 293p. $78 (.ISBN 0-8103- 0343-4). LC 75-3495.3. Cimbala, Diane J., Jennifer Cargill, and Brian Alley. Biographical Sources: A Guide to Dictio- naries and Reference Works. Phoenix, Ariz.: Oryx, 1986. 146p. $35 (ISBN 0-89774-136-:6). LC 86-12805. The Complete Directory of Japan 1986-87. Hong Kong: International Culture Institute (dist. - by Gale), 1986. 1,074p. $200. Contemporary Theatre, Film, and Television. V.3. Ed. by Monica M. O'Donnell. Detroit: Gale, 1986. 450p. $92 (ISBN 0-8103-2066-5). LC 84- 649371. Contemporary Authors. V.118. Ed. by Hal May. Detroit: Gale, 1986. 844p. $88 (ISBN 0-8103- 1918-7). LC 62-52046. Directory of European Industrial and Trade Associa- tions. 4th ed. Ed. by Richard Leigh. Detroit: Gale, 1986. 406p. $195 (ISBN 0-900246-46-4). LC 74-175919. The Europa Year Book 1986: A World Survey. 27th ed. London: Europa (dist. by Gale), 1986. 2v. 3,089p. set, $235 (ISBN 0-946653-14-3). LC59- 2942. Freris, A. F. The Greek Economy in the Twentieth Century. New York: St. Martin's, 1986. 226p. $29.95 (ISBN 0-312-34724-3). LC 86-6669. Gillespie, Michael Patrick. James Joyce's Trieste Library: A Catalogue of Materials at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, the Uni- versity of Texas at Austin. Austin: Univ. of