Books and Periodicals for Medical Libraries in Hospital

a Sub-Committee of the Medical Section of the Library Association with the advice of leading authorities in the various departments of medicine. Its purpose is to provide a select list of books in the English language which are in steady demand, giving alternative titles under each of the main divisions or specialities of medicine. If any list of this type is to help in the selection of books, the number of titles must be strictly limited : at the same time it must be emphasized that while the inclusion of any book necessarily signifies approval, omission does not imply the contrary. Encyclopaidic works and highly specialized monographs have been excluded deliberately as it is assumed that they will be available in the large central libraries. In making their selection the Committee has been guided by considerations of authority, demand, size, date, cost and availability at the present time. Hospital authorities are being encouraged to provide adequate facilities for all kinds of readers?doctors, nurses, medical auxiliaries and patients?and it is already apparent that they are faced with many problems. Medical librarianship is a highly specialized calling.