The Library is a research library for the Gallery’s staff and subject coverage is related to the two collections, Historic British and Modem. Some indication of the categories of material in the Library is given. Stock selection is on a co-operative basis with the staff readership and an exchange scheme with other museums is operated. The Library provides a direct service to Gallery staff but restricts outside use owing to limitations of accommodation and staffing. New premises on the Millbank Hospital Site are needed before any national role could be undertaken. (Based on a paper submitted to the National Co-ordination of Art Library Resources Committee).

The problems encountered in trying to answer queries on local artists of the past prompt an experimental attempt to find out what material by and about one of Newcastle’s better-known artists. Thomas Bewick, exists within the bounds of Newcastle upon Tyne itself. The results are not particularly encouraging. Printed catalogues of holdings are rare, although check-lists of material held by the institution concerned are rather more frequent. Some holdings are not catalogued at all. The long-term desideratum is for the compilation of a union-catalogue of all the public collections of Newcastle.

Rather than present a commentary on the business of the Round Table of Art Librarians at Manila, this article is an attempt to provide a picture of the way in which the event is organised, and perhaps encourage others to participate actively in future meetings.

The first point to be made is that anyone may attend an IFLA Congress, whether or not they represent an institution or association. The only requirement is the payment in advance of the requisite registration fee. The meeting point for national discussion on IFLA matters in this country is the British National IFLA Committee (BNIC). This holds regular meetings throughout the year at the Library Association in Store Street. Part of the work of the Committee is to ensure that there is adequate representation at all meetings held during the Congress. The BNIC also provides details on the availability of charter travel for those wishing to attend.

The study of art history in Japan, and its documentation, have developed since the end of the 19th century, very largely (especially prior to World War II) as a national project dependent on national institutions, development of a kind which, while making considerable achievements possible, has been subject to certain limitations and which has failed to produce co-operative networks involving museums and art libraries which now exist in greater variety. In particular, some categories of material tend not to be acquired by either museums or libraries. These are problems which must be resolved if art history scholarship is to continue to flourish in Japan, and if Japan is to contribute as fully as it might to scholarship worldwide.

A paper presented to the Art Libraries Round Table at the IFLA General Conference, Manila, 1980.