The business man who keeps his librarian's nose on the grindstone of routine work, so that he never has an opportunity for outside fellowship and the stimulation that comes from it, soon loses more than he gains by such a policy.
4. The Business Man's Point of View
The business librarian must also have a genuine and intelligent interest in current political and economic events, and in the kind of information in which business men as a class are interested. He must know the contents of the daily newspaper as well as does the closest reader among business men, so that he will not do as one librarian did—endeavor to give an inquirer an item three weeks old when the latest news on the subject was in the yesterday morning's paper, or waste time looking up statistics on a South American town, which current news reports as having recently burnt down. He must be a constant and thoughtful reader on subjects which pertain to the business of his organization.
The business librarian must have the promoter spirit; he must see that the information which he has on hand is applied and working, and he must be alert enough to see in some measure the undeveloped sides of an industry, and endeavor to bring into the organization, information which may stimulate it to new activities.
To sum up all requirements for a successful business librarian: he (or she, as the case may be) must have a liberal education, plus a knowledge of library science, and a sympathetic understanding of business needs, together with the vision and personal power necessary to apply the field of print effectively in meeting these needs.
In conclusion, the business man must face fairly several facts, the chief of which is, that in only a limited number of cases have business libraries measured up to the standards which have been outlined in this handbook, because business firms have not engaged librarians who have the necessary qualifications for success. Some business men have not recognized that there are librarians and librarians, and that many so-called ones are not adequately equipped for business library work. Business men are at fault also because they often do not give personal attention to the selection of a librarian, but leave this selection to an employment manager or a welfare worker who very often does not know just what essential qualifications are necessary for such a position. Sometimes the business man does not want to pay the price for an efficient librarian, for no efficient librarian can be obtained for the average file clerk or stenographer salary. One high grade librarian will accomplish more work, both accurately and effectively, than two mediocre ones can possibly do, and is therefore a money-saver.
If there is any doubt in the business man's mind as to whether there is enough library work in his organization to keep a trained librarian continuously busy, it may be said, that in no instance which has come to the knowledge of the writer, has a trained librarian ever been employed by a business organization which has not found there was immediately developed a valuable library service which required the full time and energy of the librarian.
REFERENCES FOR ADDITIONAL READING
Bostwick, A. E.
Some principles of business-like conduct in libraries 1920 30 p. American library association, 78 East Washington Street, Chicago.