The mixed fortunes of art, and of subject specialisation, in British public libraries in recent years is compared to the situation in Denmark where librarianship in the service of art has as its main focus the good of the people. The principles which give art librarianship its own integrity are reiterated and the gradual invasion of public library services by the commercial ethic is rejected. Art librarianship can still achieve new successes, and some of these are noted. The scope for new initiatives which the public library service offers is recognised and new areas for development are suggested, modelled on the international network of Music Information Centres.
