The Proper status and functions of librarians in academic institutions. (An update on the original article by Geoff Allen, 'The Proper status and functions of librarians in academic institutions'. The Australian Library Journal 33 no. 4: 5-12, 1984.)

The invitation to write an updating commentary on my 1984 paper came as a considerable surprise. As I have been retired for nineteen years during which time I have consciously distanced myself from my profession, partly in the interests of my successors who have had no need for intrusions by an echo of the past, and partly because I have been able to occupy myself in absorbing pursuits in another area of particular interest to me, I was singularly unprepared to make meaningful comments on issues from the past which may well be less than compelling for the librarians of today. I have therefore taken advantage of the wisdom of the current librarians of Curtin, Edith Cowan and Murdoch Universities, and some of their staff, and I am indebted to their patience in responding to my questioning. However I accept responsibility for the comments that follow.