College and Research Libraries


Membership Distribution 
Becomes a Reality 

It is with a sense of great satisfaction that 
this issue is sent to all members of ACRL 
except those in the $3.00 ALA member-
ship bracket. Former subscribers to our offi-
cial journal, who now receive it as a 
membership prerequisite, will appreciate the 
personal saving as well as the usefulness of 
this long discussed step. Those who receive 
their own copies for the first time will benefit 
from the leisurely study and reference use 
which come with personal ownership. Non-
member subscribers nutnber more than six 
hundred. Their support is important, and 
they are counted informally in the ACRL 
family. Also significant in another way are 
85 libraries in 35 foreign countries which 
have complimentary subscriptions. At one 
stroke College and Research Libraries cir-
culation is doubled. I hope its usefulness is 
doubled as well. 

Membership distribution of the journal 
has been a chief Association goal for many 
years, and it is hoped that the distribution 
beginning with this issue is not a temporary 
achievement. Let no one think his increased 
ALA dues have made this possible. While 
the divisions hope that increased ALA in-
come will be shared, the dues increases have 
complicated ; he problem by cutting.into di-
visional income. In short, the ACRL 
Board of Directors decided to go ahead with 
this project in spite of the rise in ALA 
dues. 

Advertising income is important, and Col-
lege and Research Libraries charges have 
been nearly doubled because of circulation 
mcreases. In spite of this many of our ad-

vertising supporters of long standing are 
represented m this issue, particularly 
Stechert-Hafner, Virginia Metal Products 

rporation, Remington Rand, Hertzberg 
aftsmen, Funk and W agnalls, and the 

New York Times. Former advertisers in-
clude the H. W. Wilson Co., Edwards 
Brothers, Columbia University Press, the 
Encyclopedia Americana, Abrahams Maga-
zine Service, and Scarecrow Press, that use-
ful part time activity of our own Ralph 
Shaw. Among those new to these pages are 
University Microfilms, F. W. Faxon and 
A. N. Marquis, honored and familiar names 
to all librarians. The advertisements re-
flect interest in problems and needs of col-
lege libraries and a desire to cooperate in 
professional activities. A little thoughtful-
ness on the part of readers in showing a re-
ciprocal inter st will do a world of good. 

This larger distribution of the journal is 
only one of several major steps whereby this 
Association expects to reach directly the pro-
fessional life and activity of all its individual 
members. The establishment of ACRL 
chapters and our new system of state repre-
sentatives are directed toward this same 
goal. In all plans a key factor is the eco-
nomical distribution of a high quality jour-
nal. The interest and support of all 
librarians of good will are important. Only 
that interest and support, and no vote of 
any board , will determine whether member-
ship distribution of Co'llege and Research 
Libraries becomes permanent as an activity 
of ACRL.-Arthur T. Hamlin, Executiv e 
Secretary. 

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