UNIVERSITIES' LIBRARY FOR CENTRAL . EUROPE [To the Editor of
the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—The " Universities' Library for Central Europe " was established towards the end of 1920 in order to co-ordinate and consolidate the securing by gifts, exchange and purchase, British books, journals, &c., for students, teachers and libraries in the Universities of Central Europe. These Univer- sities had grievously suffered first through the War, and later through the depreciation of the European currencies. Since that time this Library has been instrumental in sending more than 120,000 scientific books and periodicals to various European countries, including Austria, Czechoslovakia, Fin- land, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Rumania and Russia. The last year or two has seen a change in the character of our work owing to the fact that the urgency for the distinctly charitable aspect of our work has somewhat relaxed, and our task, while less serious from this point of view, in other directions has been considerably extended.
We have administered the book-funds of various Universi- ties in Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany and Poland ; we have established small select libraries in six different places, on the subject of international problems, for the use of discussion- groups of University students ; and at the request of the Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign Office we have assisted the Parish Pnblic Library at Malines, Belgium, with works of English literature. We have also arranged for regular and direct exchange of publications between Russian scientific institutions on the one hand and similar institutions 'n England, India and Egypt on the other. Last year books Ar, the value of £60 were given to institutions in Russia, and five colleges in Austria were presented with books valued at £20, while £5 for books was granted to Russian refugee students in Czechoslovakia, and libraries in Cracow, Moscow and Budapest were also helped with books.
At the request of Sir Austen Chamberlain we have supplied selected English books to the Bishop of Nish for the Anglo- Jugoslav Club in Belgrade, the University of Cluj in Rumania, and the Workman's Athenaeum in Gijon, Spain. Acting in conjunction with the League of Nations Committee on Intel- lectual Co-operation, we have undertaken to distribute litera- ture received from other European countries under the Con- vention for International Exchange of Scientific Literature, for any place in the United Kingdom, and similarly the Library has distributed all over Central Europe scientific books and periodicals received from Universities and learned institutions in the United Kingdom. On an urgent application from the Economic Department of Kaunas University, Lithuania, supported by a letter from their Legation in London, for the supply of certain essential books, my Com mittee made a grant of £10, purchased the books, and handed them over to the University's representative.
A copy of the last Annual Report of the " Universities'
Library " will gladly be sent to any applicant. There is a certain demand for English books in every country in Europe, and letters are often received indicative of the desire for a knowledge of English culture and ideals, language, literature and method of government. Given adequate financial means (an enormous sum would not be required) a great work might be accomplished along these lines, with possibly far- reaching beneficial, civilizing and stabilizing effects. The gifts themselves, and the manner of gi %mg. must awaken and stimulate only a spirit of toleration and common intellectual advancement. Any gift, however small, will be gratefully acknowledged.—I am, Sir, &c.,
B. M. HEADICAR, Hon. Secretary.
London School of Economics, Houghton Street, Alchvych, London, MC% 2.
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