6                                     Luther H. Evans

great range of difficult languages, in space so limited that only a
fraction (substantial, it is true) of each area's material can be on
the premises, raises thorn\- problems as to the books which should
be there, which should remain in Butler Library, and which
should be held in both places.

Likewise, there are difficult decisions to be made as to the
duplication of catalogs, in card or other form, and of other refer¬
ence tools. We will be required to make many decisions on some
kind of doctrine, others on the basis of priorities in terms of
available and prospective funds.

.My experience is that one sees anv current situation in terms
of one's stubborn prejudices, and sees wavs to act upon them
even if they are not very relevant. Thus it is that I see my present
job in terms of one of my most deep-seated convictions, namely,
that conflicting human demands can be made into a satisfactory
amalgam only by having some bureaucrat suitably placed act as
a maker of the amalgam. That is what I conceive myself to be in
the little area in my charge. My conviction includes the element
which requires that the amalgam maker himself exert a very
special kind of force, that is, different from the other parties. His
force is exerted bv arranging for confrontation in groups of the
elemental demanders (those who want the last shred of available
evidence concerning Chinese archaeology or Bolivian village life
or A'lr. K's relations with the Albanian Communist Party) in an
atmosphere which permits the maximum of achievement of each
demander's priorities within the present and possible framework,
then allows the development of rational proposals for changing
the framework (funds, space, etc.). The amalgam maker must
not only keep his mind on the pot that is boiling at his feet but
also on the cookery (of budgets, etc.) simultaneously going on
at the higher echelons, without either pot calling the other black.

My main confession must be that this amalgam making has not
advanced as rapidly as I could wish. But it is moving, and I ex-