Function of the library; Additions to the Library, Febraury, 1918;

              4 HASKINS & SELLS March
The Function of the Library
A N institution as ancient as a library, and
as firmly fixed in the affections of men,
needs no urging on our consideration. The
value of books can be measured only by
what they bring to us—pleasure, refresh­ment,
information, or inspiration. To an
accountant of to-day who divines the role
which his profession will be called upon to
fill in the development of the industries and
finance of the country, the use of books will
prove ah indispensable tool, opening up to
him new avenues of information and oppor­tunities
for service.
This is primarily the purpose of our
library. Into the hands of each accountant
are put the aids he may need in carrying on
his work. He will find a collection of books
and periodicals on accounting and auditing,
and such allied subjects as economics, busi­ness
organization, commercial law, banking
and finance. To make this information
readily accessible, a catalogue will list all
the resources of the library, bringing out its
full content and value. As new books an
added, a notice on the bulletin board each
month will call attention to the most recent
material available.
The books may be consulted freely, with­out
formalities or restrictions of any kind,
in the library rooms. They may also be
withdrawn for home reading or outside use
by registering them with the librarian.
There has never been a time when eco-nomic
conditions were changing so swiftly
and so markedly. In these circumstances, a
man necessarily feels the limitations of his
individual experience. If the accountant of
the future is to be equal to the problems
which await him, he must meet them with
an alert and informed mind. He must not
only be familiar with traditional methods
and precedents, but must train his faculties
to respond to the stimulus of new enter­prise.
Here the function of the library is
clear. It is not merely a working tool, but a
challenge to the mind; and a man's grasp
of affairs is a measure of his reading and
study.