1905 - 6 .] Library Aids to Mathematical Research. 63 
mentioned is intended to be a specialist’s library : even the most 
rabid mathematical enthusiast could not expect a University 
library, or the library of a general scientific society, to care for his 
wants as a mathematical society of like standing might fairly be 
expected to do. 
But while carefully avoiding all hint of blame, one must be 
equally careful not to hide imperfections that stand in the way 
of the advancement of mathematical science. As a worker, I 
therefore crave liberty to express firmly my opinion that under 
existing circumstances mathematical research can only be pursued 
in Scotland with difficulty and uncertainty, and that research in 
mathematical history is practically an impossibility. 
Further, until a change is brought about the multiplication of 
bibliographies cannot be looked forward to with much cordiality : 
the gratitude which they stimulate is marred by discontent arising 
from their use. 
(7) A perfect library arrangement for Edinburgh is not difficult 
to think of, however hard it may be to bring about, the idea at 
the basis of it being co-operation between the libraries concerned. 
If the University library, instead of purchasing duplicates, devoted 
the money at present so spent to the purchase of serials not as yet 
available in the other libraries, and if the Mathematical Society, 
purchasing nothing, secured all the more elementary serials by 
exchange for its own Proceedings , the problem would be solved. 
This, of course, is too much to expect, and to press it would be 
futile and probably unkind. But is it unreasonable to hope that 
the libraries referred to will cease to add to the number of their 
duplicates, and that by inaugurating a scheme of co-operation they 
will gradually find it possible and to their interest to diminish 
considerably the number they at present possess ? 
Co-operation of this kind seems so natural that in the extreme 
case of specialists’ serials it might with advantage be extended to 
the libraries of neighbouring towns. In these days of rapid inter- 
communication, Edinburgh and Glasgow are almost as if contiguous; 
and if Edinburgh cannot of itself, and Glasgow cannot of itself, 
who would object to the two cities uniting in the pursuit of a 
common good 1 ? Certainly not the working mathematician. 
