College and Research Libraries By CHARLES HARVEY BROWN / What Do the M.embers of A.C.R.L. Want? l T HE Asso«:iation of College and Refer- questions were intended to ascertain the ence Libraries, at its Buffalo meeting, opinions of members in regard ·to the 'loca- June I946, instructed its Committee on the tion of A.C.R.L. headquarters. The re- Relations of the A.C.R.L. to the A.L.A. turns indicated the expense in maintaining to send to all A.C.R.L. members a re- . A.C.R.L. headquarters was · the most in- quest for a statement of preferences in re- gard to the activities which might well be performed by a national professional li- brary association. The committee also at- tempted to obtain the opinion of members in regard to . the location of a possible A. C.R.L. headquarters. The responses to the requests indicated that a majority of the members of A.C.R.L. did not have enough information or enough interest to fill out the blanks. About one- third of the membership responded, and many statements were returned with a note that the signer had not sufficient informa- tion to fill out all answers intelligently. The returns, however, are worthy of study. The requests were prepared after care- ful study and consideration by several mem- bers. Two comments almo~t immedi_ately received were contradictory: the first, that_ the questionnaire was "loaded" from the standpoint of A.C.R.L.; the second, that the questionnaire was ~0 worded as to favor ·A.L.A. Obviously, the reaction to the wording of the statement of preferences de- pended upon the point of view of the in- dividual reader. The . committee strove earnestly to make the questions as factual, as p~ssible. Location of A .C.R.L. Headquarters The answers to the questions in C- I of the request were the most clear-cut. These fluential factor in determining opinions. In answering the question whether · A.C.R.L. headquarters should be located at A.L.A . . Headquarters or at some library apart from A.L.A. Headquarters provided the cost were the same, 273 members felt that it should be located at A.L.A.- Head- quarters and 2 70 expressed the opinion that it should be located elsewhere. · Certainly this vote indicated no decided opinion on the part of th~ association. Ten members filing returns expressed no opinion. The next question inquired whether A.C.R.L. headquarters should be located at A.L.A. Headquarters if the cost for maintenance were greater at A.L.A. Head- 1 quarters. The vote was as follows: 395 -felt the office should be located elsewhere as against I 36 members 'favoring A. L.A. 3 Headquarters; 22 did .riot vote, . . On the other hand, if the co~t were greater - at a headquarters . aparr from A.L.A. than at A.L.A. Headquart.ers, 334 favored locatiori at A'.L.A. H ·eadquarters and I 86 apart fro~ A. L.A. Heacfquarters; 33 did not vote. The expression of opinion in regard to the site of location of A.C.R.L. hea-dquart- ers if it should be placed apart fro~ ·A.L.A. was as follows : 360 at some university library center 102 independent of any educational insti- tution 23 at some reference library 20 at some college library 48 not voting Three hundred two members of the as- sociation felt that headquarters should be located in Chicago; I 67, close to Chicago ; 28, New York; I9, Washington; I2, at some other city; 25 indicated no preference. A .L.A. Bulletin or College and Research Libraries? To the next question, Section C-2, the answers were decisive. The committee in- quired whether members would prefer to receive as a partial return for their mem- bership dues the A .L.A. Bulletin or College and Research Libraries. Four ·hundred twenty-two members stated they would pre- fer to receive . College and Research Li- brariesJ while one hundred three preferred to continue to receive the A .L.A. Bulletin. Nineteen voted that they wanted both publi- cations; nine did not vote. Obviously a gr~at majority of members of A.C.R.L. would prefer to have College and Research Libraries sent to them without additional payment rather than the A .L.A. Bulletin. What Type ·of Executive Office Do Mem- bers Want? The committee, at its June meeting, had some argument as to the kind of executive secretary A.C.R.L. needed. Since we wanted to work in a democratic; fashion, we submitted the question to the members. In Sectiorr D we asked members to check one of the two following statements: 1. In theory I would prefer a high-powered executive secretary with as large a force as feasible to carry on the business of the as- sociation·, OR 2. I would prefer to . see within the A.C.R.L. decentralization with more empha- sis on the work to be done by officers and committees and with less work concentrated ' in headquarters, although a full-time paid executive secretary would be necessary to stimulate and coordinate the activities of com- mittees. The first question was checked by I 4 7 and the second question by 392. Fourteen did not vote. In view of discussions with individual members, correspondence, and statements. submitted with the returns, the following interpretation may be justified. Apparently a majority of the members of the assoc'iation believed much of the work of the association should be done through committees; they did not want a high-pow- ered executive secretary who, as some ex- pressed it, might be the "boss" of the asso- ciation rather than its servant. Comments indicated that many members felt that the organization of the executive office should follow the example of S.L.A. and that the A.C.R.L. should rely chiefly on work of committees. Indeed, 'many members ex- pressed the opinion that the S.L.A., as a functioning organization, had been much more successful than the A.L.A. in arousing interest and support. Some, especially those in scientific and technical libraries, 'thought that A.C.R.L. should combine with the col- lege section of S.L.A. The executive secre- tary of A.C.R.L. should assist in the work of committees and should be able to recom- mend members who are able and willing to assist in .performing some of the duties which devolve upon a national association. This assignment of work to committees im- plies an allocation ~f funds to committees which function. The .office of the executive secretary should be in part a clearing house for the work of ~ections, boards, and com- mittees. Activities of aN ational Organization Probably more important was the at- tempt of the committee to obtain the state- ment of the fields of professional activity 4 COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES which members felt were the most needed. Members were requested to rank ten dif- ferent proposals in the order of their pref- erences. In the computation of the returns of Section B we have allowed ten points for each· vote for first place, nine points for second place, etc. One point was allowed for tenth place. By this method of tabula- tion, the following results were obtained : Nor Points Voting perform certain functions. The table on the following page represents the opinions of members. Seven members left this entire group blank. At least two conclusions ~an be drawn from that table. The members believed that there are many fields with which· A.C.R.L. is primarily concerned and which require far-reaching efforts of an Activity 3648 3198 20 33 Publications directly and chiefly concerning college and university libraries. Research studies on the functions of college and u'niversity libraries, on college library personnel, etc. 3051 24 Development of relations with educational associations in the field of higher education and development of contacts with college presidents, library committees, and professors. 2771 2684 2647 29 45 40 Compilation of statistics on college, university, and reference libraries. Studies in the field of professional education for college library personnel. Placement of college and university library personnel. 2246 48 Build up membership of A.C.R'.L. by ·a publicity campaign and by work with A.C.R.L. committee. · 2214 37 Work with and stimulate committees of A.C.R,.L. and A.L.A., insofar as college activities are concerned, and with section leaders of A.C.R.L. to increase their functioning. Coordinate the work of such committees. 2113 43 Expand College and Research Libraries and issue the periodical monthly instead of quarterly. 1727 43 Arrange for the executive secretary of A.C.R.L. to attend as many state and regional meetings as reasonable and attempt to build up strong state and regional organizations. Forty members left this entire group blank. The members regarded as the fore- most important activities: publications, re- search studies on the functions of college libraries, development of relations with educational associations, and statistics. Sev- eral comments were received expressing the belief that placement, ranked sixth, should be performed, not by national associations, but by personnel departments of library schools. It should be noted that activities ranked low on the list were not regarded necessarily as unimportant. Should A .L.A. or A .C.R.L. Function tn Certain Described Areas? Finally, the committee attempted to · as- certain whether A.L.A. or A.C.R.L. should JANUARY~ 1947 executive secretary and · committees of the associatiOn. Many members also believed that certain activities relating, at least in part, to college, univetsity, and reference ' libraries must be performed jointly by A.L.A. and A.C.R.L. since · many of these activities affect groups other than college and reference librarians. The writer would interpret the returns on this question as re- quiring close relations between A.C.R.L. and A.L.A., possibly even to location, on a trial basis, of headquarters of A.C.R.L. at A.L.A. Headquarters, unless other factors appear which may cause difficulties. Conclusions Certain conclusions may be summarized. First, the rank and file of members of 5 A.C.R.L. A.L.A. 487 7 5 274 41 193 77 2 397 20 410 15 422 4 158 II 204 6o Both 50 260 79 34 121 112 109 349 272 Not Voting .2 7 3 9 3 8 .9 II 10 Function Publications directly and chiefly concerning college and university libraries. Publications more general but with some relation to college, univer-sity, and reference libraries; as, for example, a ' book on general library administra- tion. Compilation of statistics on college, university, and reference libraries. (It is presupposed that the U.S. Office of Education will not be able to publish these statistics satisfactorily.) Placement of college and university library per- sonnel. (If you think placement service for college librarians should be combined with placement service for all types of librarians, answer this question by "A. L.A." or "Both".) Research studies on the functions of college and university libraries, on college library personnel, etc. Studies in the field of professional. education for college library personnel. Development of relations with educational asso- ciations in the field of higher education and develop- ment of contacts with college presidents, library committees, and professors. Build up membership of A.C.R.L. by a publicity campaign and by work with A.C.R.L. committee. Work with and stimulate committees of A.C.R.L. and A.L.A., insofar as college activities are con- cerned, and with section leaders of A.C.R.L. to increase their functioning. Coordinate the work of such committees. International relations, as affecting colleges and university libraries. A.C.R.L. either were not interested in filling out the statemc;nt or did not have sufficient facts on which to base their opinions. scientiously the statement of preferences and especially to those who sent in letters and comments and also to those who have spent considerable time in discussing with the chairman and other members of the com- mittee the possible development of profes- sional associations of librarians. The 553 members replying to the request have ren- dered a great service in giving a picture of their opinions. The number of replies was certainly sufficient to justify the conclusion that they represent the opinions of A.C.R.L. members. Ther~ is now no reason why the questions considered should be raised agam for debate. . Second, a great majority would prefer to receive College and Research Libraries rather than the A.L.A. Bulletin as a partial return for their payment of dues. Third, the functioning of a placement agency was not regarded as important as many of us had thought. On the other hand, publications, · research studies, and statistics were rated high. Fourth, the association prefers to work chiefly through committees with an executive office to serve as a clearing house. . The committee is grateful to the mem- bers of the association who filled out con- 6 COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES Action by A.C.R.L. and A.L.A. Committees and by the A.L.A. Bud~et Com- mittee and Executive Board at Their September-October Meettngs The resolutions adopted by the Commit- tee on the Relations of the A.C.R.L. to the A.L.A. but not presented to the association in June, the action by A.L.A. Council, by the Executive Board, and by A.C.R.L. at their June meetings were published in full in the Library lournal.1 At meetings held in September 1946 the special Committee on Relations of Divisions to the A. L.A. voted as follows : r. That the A.L.A. should try to achieve such participation by all subject groups and geographic units as will enable each member to have, and to feel that he has, a share of responsibility for A.L.A. support, polic~es, and activities. 2. That the autonomy in matters affecting primarily their own members and institutions, provided by the Constitution and By-Laws to divisions and, so far as possible to sections, . should be made effective; and that additional efforts should be made to give divisions a proportionate share of responsibility for policy making and activities, including special proj- ects which affect them as well as other groups. 3.' That machinery be provided which will enable the chapters, while retaining the autonomy they have always enjoyed, to have a large share in policy making and activities primarily in order that due consideration may be given to regional and state differences in library needs and possibilities. 4· That decisions as to what matters are of concern to the A.L.A., even while affecting interests of subject groups and chapters, must often be made by the A.L.A. Council for policy and the Executive Board for adminis- tration; and that these bodies should, there- fore, be made as fully representative of all groups as possible. 5· That the Headquarters staff (wherever located) is to be considered . as a secretariat for the Association as a whole; that its in- terests should be as wide as those of the whole Association including divisions, sections, round tables, chapters, boards, and committees; that, although perfect balance in emphasis in any one year is not to be expected, there should be 1 Library Journal 71 :roos -ro, Augu st 1946. JANUARY~ 1947 reasonable distribution of emphasis in a dec- , a de. 6. That large divisions and other major interests should be represented by specialists; that each specialist should be responsible pri- marily to a board of directors of a division or, if there is no division in the special field, to an appropriate board or committee; that the work of each specialist should be so tied with the work of other specialists and with other activities of the Association as to enable all parts of the organization to derive some benefit and the Association as a whole to gain strength from the work of the specialist. 7. That efforts should be made continuously to increase the representative character of committees and boards as a means of facili- tating participation of all groups in activities in which they are interested. . 8. That A.L.A. and its constitue?t groups and other library organizations should pro- vide for continuous study of their relations to each other, to the end that autonomy for special groups may be attained and solidarity achieved for the profession as a whole. It was voted: That this committee recom- mends that the Fourth Activities Committee consider the possibility of a universal mem- bership in local, state, ahd regional associ- ations and the A.L.A. Th~t, in view of the above recommendation and having in mind Recommendation I of the A.C.R.L. committee (Exhibit B), this com- mittee further recommends that the Fourth Activities Committee consider the division of membership dues between the A.L.A. and the divisions. That, with reference to A.C.R.L. resolu- tions two and four (Exhibit B), this com- mittee recommends to the Budget Committee, the Executive Board, and the Council, subject to approval by A.C.R.L.: · a. That funds be appropriated for a full- time professional librarian to serve as execu- tive secretary to the A.C.R.L. with secretarial assistance. b. That the committee believes further study should be given to the question of al- locating to certain divisions income from the endowment funds of the Association. c. That the work of the A.C.R.L. executive secretary be supervised and controlled by 7 A.C.R.L.; that he also serve as the college and reference specialist for the profession; , that the Executive Board invite and urge A.C.R.L. to establish its office at A.L.A. Headquarters. d. That this committee believes that further consideration should be given to the proposals regarding divisional control of dues, the allo- cation of endowment income to divisions, a possible Jederation of library associations, and related matters. It believes, however, that these matters are of such fundamental im- portance that they should receive longer-term consideration by the Fourth Activities Com- mittee and, therefore, should not be considered at this time. It recommends, however, that this special committee on relations be con- tinued and especially charged with the re- sponsibility of reviewing the question of divisional relations with respect to such mat- ters as must have immediate attention. The Executive Board approved Recom- mendations 1 to 8 as presented by the special Committee on Relations of Divisions of the A.L.A. as noted above. Also, in substance, the resolutions in regard to universal mem- bership and the reference to the Fourth Activities Committee of the resolutions in regard to distribution of dues were approved by the E~ecutive Board. Resolutions b, c, and d of the special Committee on Relations of Divisions to the A.L.A. were app-roved. Recommendation by the Budget Committee providing for an allotment to A.C.R.L. for the office of executive secretary at an annual rate of $ro,'ooo was approv~d. The allot- ment of $6,667 was made to take effect Jan. r, 1947, since A.C.R.L. could not ar- range for the establishment of its office earlier. The budgetary year of A.L.A. commences September r and hence only two-thirds of the allotment would be needed for the first year. The Executive Board also endorsed the recommendation of the special Committee on Relations of Divisions to the A.L.A. that A.C.R.L. be invited and urged to locate its headquarters at A.L.A. Headquarters. The action by the Executive· Board at its October meeting, together with action by Council and by the Budget Committee and special committee, indicated an under- standing of the needs of A.C.R.L. The various resolutions endorse the principle of autonomy for divisions in the management of activities within their own fields. It was agreed that the final decision on the question of location of A.C.R.L. headquarters rested with A.C.R.L. No conditions were at- tached to the allotment of $6,667 for the office of executive secretary of A.C.~.L. The response of A.C.R.L. to this action cannot be immediately forthcoming. The writer believes that the proposals made by the Executive Board will satisfy the im- mediate needs of A.C.R.L. and that addi- tional questions can be studied more at leisure. Naturally, the next year or two will be a period of experimentation. Certainly g~eat progress has been made in finding a solution to such questions as the aut