1905-6.] Library Aids to Mathematical Research. 
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Library Aids to Mathematical Research. 
By Thomas Muir, LL.D. 
(Read December 18, 1905.) 
(1) The aids which may fairly be expected from a library 
towards the prosecution of research, mathematical or other, are of 
two kinds. First, there is the aid given by furnishing the names 
of previous workers in the same field, accompanied by the names 
of the publications in which the results of their labours have been 
preserved or entombed. Second, there is the help in the oppor- 
tunity given of consulting the said publications themselves and 
of borrowing certain of them for lengthened study. In other 
words, what the scientific investigator wants from libraries is 
boohs and books about books. One of the two is often obtainable 
without the other, but in that case its value is immensely lessened. 
To the so-called “ordinary” reader, a library is a labyrinth which 
probably would give him all he needs if only he had a guide 
through its intricacies : to the specialist, on the other hand, with 
his methodic bibliographies and booksellers’ lists, it not unseldom 
presents itself as a lucky-bag in which the blanks are ultimately 
more in evidence than the prizes. It is the reader of the latter 
kind that a scientific society naturally wishes to assist, and it is 
desirable therefore that his difficulties and aspirations be known. 
All that has been done of recent years for the “ ordinary ” reader 
one notices not merely without a grudge, but with admiration : it 
must never be forgotten, however, that no country can afford to 
neglect the wants of the working specialist. After all, he it is 
who is the original source of supply for all readers, and it is 
therefore bis output which ought to be of the deepest concern. 
My purpose on the present occasion is to show what the 
situation is in this matter as regards the single subject of mathe- 
matics. There can be little doubt, however, that other subjects 
are in as bad a plight, and that the whole question of library aid 
is worth serious and prompt attention from all scientific men. 
