Evening star., 1939-06-21
Urges Trained Men
For Library Posts
MucLeish Nomination Termed
Not in Best Interests
Of Institution
To the Editor of The Star.

To the Editor of The Star:
should like the opportunity to answer
the letter of David R. Wahl, printed in
the issue of this date.
Mr.. Wahl has set forth the following
arguments regarding the appointment
OF Archibald MacLeish to be librarian
OF Congress: THAT the rank and file of
library workers are we'll aware that the
selection OF Mr. MacLeish by the Presi-
dent is welcomed as promising the in
fusion of much-needed progressive and
soclal-minded spirit into the administra-
ton of our national Library" that the
Library Of Congress does not need a
librarian as its head, but one who will
relate 1T to the social forces of our
time and country" that thousands of
librarians" approve of the MacLeish
appointment, that his appointment will
be "a powerful force for the preservation
OF democracy" and above all, he urges
that President Ferguson of the American
Library Association has no authority or
right to object to the appointment in
the name of the American Library AS
Sociation.
Mr.. Wahl claims that the rank and
file of library workers knows the selec-
ton ''is welcomed" as progressive one.
1 should like to know how he can show
that the average library worker ever
heard OF Mr.. MacLeish before the ap-
polntment, for don't believe the aver
age librarian reads regularly the New
Masses, in which MacLeishS name has
been most frequently. I will agree that
MacLeish is progressive, but does not
Mr.. Wahl know that there are dozens
OF highly trained and efficiently sue
cessful library executives who are pro-
gressive?
After the experience of 9 years on
the staff of the Library of Congress, 1
can say, with some knowledge, that our
national Library needs the best trained
library executive it can possibly get. To
Librarians of experience, those executives
who are the best-trained librarians are
the best administrators, and vice versa.
one has only to think of such capable
men as John Adams Lowe of Rochester.
keyes Metcalf of Harvard, Joseph
Wheeler OF Baltimore, or John Vance,
here In Washington, to realize the truth
Of this. There has been so much talk
IN the Library of Congress about the
need Tor administrators. We already
have an administrator as assistant Ii
brarian, we have many administrators
as division chiefs, even our assistant di-
vision chiefs are administrators-not Ii
brarlanS by technical training. Then
under these officials we have political
appointees who stay until they finish law
school, medical school, or some other
school. Now, may ask, where do those
really trained in library science come in?
Are they not desirable in the worlds
greatest library? Although the Library
OF Congress would not inform the District
OF Columbia Library Association on the
percentage, it is probable that 30 per
cent of the staff members have not
had training in library science.
Speaking of administrators, what about
other Government officials, such as the
Public Printer? He was printer. The
head of the United States Bureau of
Health was doctor. The chief of the
Office of Education was an educator, and
III wager that the chaplain of the
the same logic the librarian of Congress
should be an experienced librarian.
Now as to the thousands of librari-
ans who, he says, approve. Does Mr..
Wahl know that the District of Columbia
Library Association has recently studied
the adviSabilty of applying a certifica-
tion-of- librarians plan here? And does
he know that QUESTIONABLE was circu-
lated among all members of the associa-
ton to find out the consensus of opin-
ion? Well they did, and it was, and the
result showed that so per cent favored
a plan to certify the qualifications of Ii
brsrians and have certi6cation as pre-
District of Columbia. Further, it might
be well to remind Mr.. Wahl that 81
States now have such plans in force, and
that under those plans Mr.. MacLeish
would not qualify for the lowest library
position in any of those 81 States.
Now in regard to DR.. Ferguson. He
has been one of the outstanding leaders
of the profession since 1917. His profess
sional views have been expressed in doz-
ems, if not hundreds, of articles. 1t is
very reasonable to think that he was
made the head of the American Library
Association because of his views and not
in spite of them. 1t certainly is his right
to express the professional views of his
profession as he sees them, and as he is
advised by his council. Librarians are
not articulate enough, usually, so when
we find one among us like DR.. Ferguson,
to fight our battles for us, we are indeed
grateful. He has just as much authority
to speak for the A. L. A. as do the presi-
dents of the A. M. A., the A. B. A. or the
N. E. A. for their associations In few
days we shall see that the $4,000 men,
bers do support DR.. Ferguson.
Mr.. Wahls letter indicates, I think,
that he is more interested in saving
democracy, and in social progress, than
he is in the appointment of a qualified
librarian. An efficient Library of Con-
/gress cannot be developed without real
librarian as its head, especially if the
librarian is to be an active one.
LAURENCE E. TOMLINSON,
Chairman, Committee on Certif1cation,
District of Columbia Library Association.
June II.
Americans Urged to Study
DIT &;~I> t.