Clear thinking on the “unity” of the information professions

Purpose – As part of a series to mark the 60th anniversary of the Journal of Documentation , the aim is to review a 1956 article by Barbara Kyle. Design/methodology/approach – Literature review and analysis. Findings – The theme of Barbara Kyle's 1956 Journal of Documentation article “Privilege and public provision in the intellectual welfare state” retains its professional resonance in the 21st century. Her distinction between the mission of the library for the general public and that of the private sector library for a restricted clientele, draws attention to the broad educational and leisure mission of the former and the contribution to the commercial advantage of the organisation of the latter. The current professional focus on public rights to information, as expressed in freedom of information legislation, threatens to obscure the private sector's concern with the protection of intellectual property and the acquisition of business intelligence for the benefit of the organisation, but the distinct missions of library and information services in the two sector remain as significant as ever. Originality/value – Provides a review of historical information still of value today.