Scholars the world over generally agree that U.S. library methods are the most efficient in the world. Last week the Rockefeller Foundation, plus U.S. Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs Nelson A. Rockefeller, were putting more than $240,000 into the spreading of U.S. library techniques (for microfilm work, preservation of treasures, cataloguing, etc.) throughout Latin America. Projects:
> In Mexico City a U.S. librarian is installing a “Union Catalogue” of the capital’s library resources, including the 4,700 U.S. books in the new Biblioteca Benjamin Franklin (pronounced “Beng-ha-meen Fronk-leen”)
> In Brazil, the city of Sao Paulo is organizing South America’s first full-blown library school. Teachers will include three U.S. -trained Brazilians (Louisiana State, 2; Columbia University, 1).
> In Argentina, Buenos Aires is using the U.S. Library of Congress cataloguing system to coordinate its scattered libraries, is planning a library school.
> In Nicaragua, an American Library has been organized at Managua.
> In Uruguay, Montevideo’s Biblioteca Artigas-Washington will give U.S. -style library training.
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