Three acronyms, two opportunities, one millenium: ruminations on the present and future states of art Librarianship in Britain, occasioned by the 25th birthday of ARLIS/UK & Ireland

Abstract

ARLIS/UK & Ireland can be proud of the achievements of its first 25 years, but might benefit both from re-examining its objectives and by broadening its constituency. The fact that the National Art Library (NAL) is now fulfilling a role commensurate with that title is welcome indeed, but art libraries should be wary of depending too much on the leadership of a national library. The Visual Arts Library and Information Plan (VALIP) offers a not-to-be-missed opportunity for ARLIS and the NAL together to ensure the continuing development of art librarianship in Britain into the foreseeable future; the absence of a national bibliographic database, however, must be a handicap to future progress, while the state of art provision in public libraries is a matter of concern. ARLIS is working too exclusively for specialists; as it approaches the year 2000 its biggest challenge may be the needs of people at large. (The text of a paper presented at the ARLIS/UK & Ireland Members’ Day at the Tate Gallery, London, on the 8th November 1994).