The British Librarian

"This handsome volume tells the story of the Bristish Library and considers its treasures not just individually but as landmarks in the history of Britain's national library, from its origins in some of the great royal, noble and monastic collections of the Middle Ages to present day"--Book jacket.

"Dispersed along the shelves of the British Library today are many volumes that once stood side by side in private libraries. These essays explore some of the most important printed collections which were brought together to form the British Museum Library and cast new light on the individuals whose personal interests and taste they reflect.--Dust jacket.

This book, first published in 1937, examines the principles and practicalities of inter-library loans of books – making available to readers elsewhere otherwise idle books. Initially done on an ad-hoc basis, modern ideas and developments have led to a modern generation of librarians whose first aim is to see that their readers get the books they need.