From out of the wreckage of the British Fantasy Society arose the British Fantasy Library, and for a year or two it was the only visible manifestation of fannish activity in the entire country. The Handbook lays out in detail how the BFL operated. So far as I'm aware, this was the only ever edition.

Ron Holmes
67 Lineside Road
Belle Vale, LIVERPOOL.

Nigel Lindsay
311, Babbacombe Road,
Babbacombe
Torquay
Devon.

PUBLICATIONS.
Fully subscribed members receive the quarterly publication of the Library 'Booklist' together with the yearly catalogue.

BOOKLIST.
Contains a list of items added to those printed in the yearly catalogue, news, reviews of books in the Library and other items of interest.

ADVERTISING.
Members may advertise in the 'Booklist' free of charge for items wanted, for sale or exchange.

PUBLISHING.
Members are encouraged to produce amateur magazines and leaflets, which are distributed with the official organs.

LIBRARY.
The Library contains exhaustive quantities of reading material for those interested in Fantasy. Among which are many rare and valuable items.

CURRENT ISSUES DEPARTMENT.
Through this department members may borrow current fantasy magazines as they are published. For full details, see page 9.

During the ten years before World War II there was much activity among those interested in Fantasy Fiction. The subject was a common ground upon which idealistic people with an interest in science and the future met. There can be little doubt as to the value of this interchange of thought between the members of the various societies, at meetings and through the post and periodicals.

As the need for news, criticism and other frms of expression grew, many ameteur magazines on the subject were printed regularly, Those of us who recall such titles as NOVAE TERRA, SATELLITE, NEW WORLDS, FIDO and GARGOYLE, do so with pleasure. Such magazines were milestones in the progress of the hobby, together with the annual Conventions in London, and the many local meetings and outings.

But at the height of keen activity the war called away the enthusiasts, many never to return; fan-mags struggled. for existence, then vanished from sight. Meetings were discontinued and the remaining fans fell into a lethargy.

When it seemed that the star of Fantasy was on the wane, a champion arose in Michael Rosenblum of Leeds, who formed THE BRITISH FANTASY SOCIETY. It's purpose was to hold together the rapidly diminishing remnants of Fandom - and succeeded. While handicapped by being a purely postal affair, it grew to an amazing size. It's activities included a Library and the circulating in a 'chain' of those magazines which were sent by friendly Americans.

Officially tho Society was wound up, but the two remaining enthusiasts combined the Library and 'chain' into what is now the B. F. L. It is perhaps, the last struggling effort of organised Fantasy Activity in this country; or the first brick of a now structure.

THE FUTURE.

The B. F. L. aims at keeping alive the interest in fan activities, to keep enthusiasts in touch with each other. We hope to create with your help a new and energetic band of enthusiasts who will reach new triumphs of activity, new fanmags and conventions.

The recent flowering of the professional field in this country has helped to revive the old spirit. Many Fantasy publications are appearing (albeit a poor crop), the regular publishing of NEW WORLDS and FANTASY show the awakening of public interest. While the printing of semi-fan publication FANTASY REVIEW lead the way to those who wish actively to follow their hobby and reap its reward, of fellowship and pleasure.

We have high hopes for the return of fandom and we aim to help it in every way we can.

The library is not run for profit, it only just keeps its head above water. We depend largely upon donations of books, magazines and cash from those who feel enthusiastic enough to help.

At the and of the year the accounts are made up and may be examined by any member who wishes to do so.

We depend upon mutual co-operation, you need the library, and the library needs you. Not only can you derive benefit from borrowing, but you can give pleasure to others by donating items; or, by donating cash, put us in a position to purchase those items which are beyond the reach of the individual.

The library contains items which the average fan could not obtain --- 'New Adam', 'Time Stream', 'Who Knocks', 'Hounds of Tindalos', and many other rare and valuable issues. Yet we may all share these and many others for a small outlay each--that is our principle--to put you in reach of the best of your favorite literature.

The work is done by two men, who, in their spare time, and for no other recompense than the pleasure of it, see to the general business of pleasing you. They do it beccuse they think it is worth while., but you can help if you so wish.

Can you write? We need reviews of books in the library, news, articles. Have you a duplicator? Why not produce a Maggette to he circulated with Booklist? If you can help, please do; it°s worth while.

RULES.

SUBSCRIPTION.
Membership of the library is obtained by a subscription of 2/6d per year, or 1/3d for six months. All subscriptions expire on the 31st December, or 30th June.

POSTAGE.
Borrowers must pay postage both ways on all loans, also on 'overdue notics'. Deposits may be made with the librarian for this purpose by extensive borrowers. All items must be posted by, Parcel Post, otherwise no claims can be made for items lost in the post. Certain rare items may only by Registered Post.

READING TIME.
Items loaned must be returned within One Month of issue unless permission has been obtained from the librarian to keep them longer. Borrowed items must be returned before further issues are made.

NUMBER OF ITEMS.
The limit to the number of items which may he borrowed at one time is three books or six magazines.

CARE.
The greatest care must be taken in the handling of borrowed items and in return posting. Items lost or mutilated must be replaced by the person responsible.

NEGLIGENCE.
of the rules will result in expulsion from the library, subscriptions will not be refunded.

The library subscribes to all the current American. S.F. and Fantasy magazines. You can place an advance for current issues and receive them regularly, before they become part of the library stock. An extra charge of 2d per issue is made for this service - though it should he noted that postage is paid one way only.

TITLES

RULES

CIRCULATION.
Mags are circulated on a chain system. Each member should enter the dates of receipt and despatch against his name on the rota sheet before sending a mag to the next member. The last member on each chain returns it to the C. I. D. Please pass mags on in the strong paper covers provided.

READING TIME.
Mags should be put in the post within a week of receipt. If, however, you receive more than one mag within a week you should use your discretion to stagger their despatch to the rest of the chain. If your order exceeds 52 issues per year your maximum reading time will be less than a week. But in any case, the sooner you can pass the mags on the better.

SUBSCRIPTIONS.
2d per issue payable in advance. No fixed amount is asked for --- you can subscribe as much as you like, to suit your pocket. A note will be made on the rota sheet of the mag with which your sub expires, and meanwhile mags will be sent to you, assuming that you will renew it.

TO NEW APPLICANTS
Each current issue is limited to 18 recipients, and most titles have already reached their maximum bookings. For available titles see the current Library Bulletin. Applications should be made to the C. I. D. stating which mags you would like to receive; whether reugularly or one trial issue, and enclosing an . advance subscription.

PLEASE NOTE.
The C. I. D. is open to fully subscribed members only, and that the greatest care must be taken of the magazines, as they are destined to become Library stock

Nigel Lindsay,
311. Babbacombe Road,
Torquay, Devon.

Ashfield S.G.R.	27, Woodland Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey.
Boyd M.A. F/Lt.	Combined Ops. Signal School, Fremington, Barnstaple Devon.
Charity M.	29, Maybury Drive, Maybury Road, Hull.
Clay J.	17, Fludyer Street, Lewisham, S.E.13
Clay-Jones I.	10, Snowdon Street Portmadoc, Caerns.
Dalton S.R.	9, Artillery Street, Leed 7.
Duncombe C.	82 Albert Square, Stratford.
Evans D.W.	1, Oxford Street Weston-Super-Mare Somerset.
Gardner D.	96, Lavington Road, Worthing, Sussex.
Gibson Dr., W.A.	'Rowbank', Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland.
Gourley N.C.	3 Thorntree Drive, Denton Burn, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Grimes F.J.	Silcocks Cottage, Little Thornton Lancs.
Hetherington P.S.	78, Preston Road, Chorley, Lancs.
James E.R.	31 Castle Street, Skipton, Yorks.
Johnson K.	69 Warrington Street, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent.
Longton A.	2, Field Street, Cowling Lane, Leyland Lancs.
McNaught D.	'Solway', St. John's Road, E. Oakley, Hants.
Manson H.K.	52, Harbour Street, Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland
C'Trollope T.	6, Brewer Street, Pontloftyn Bargoed, Glamorgan.
Pepper C.H.	23, Hardwicke Way, Hamble.
Rayer F.G.	Langdon, Gloucestershire.
Roberts S.	55, Wallis Street, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent.
Roberts E.W.	30, Highland Road, Erdington, Birmingham.
Rosenblum J.M.	4, Grange Terrace, Leeds 7.

Slater Capt. W.F.	'Riverside', South Brink, Wisbech, Cambs.
Smith D.R.	13, Church Road, Hartshill, Nuneaton, Warwickshire.
Smith E.F.	1, Boswells Drive, Chelmsford, Essex.
Street L.G.	20, Vine Road, Coxford, Southampton, Hants.
Walker C.	40, William Morris Terrace, Shotton, Co.Durham.
Wilson F.D.	148, Belmont Road, Hereford.

A few statistics for the year June 1946 - June 1947.

Dear Friends,

This HANDBOOK should reach you through Forry Ackerman. It is largely through him that you have been aware that there has been some sort of activity over here during the war.

I, as the only remaining articulate voice of fan-activity in this country, wish to thank Forry and you all for the help you have been to us during the lean years. The BRITISH FANTASY SOCIETY is the proof of your kindness and thoughtfulness - for it has been built up from those odd bricks that all of you have contributed from time to time.

The fact that the Library, combined with the Chain, are the only organised activities which have endured proves your zeal; for, as the Library came from you, so we owe our very existence to you.

In thanking you, I must not allow those English fans who have recently responded generously by donations of books and magazines to think that they are being ignored. To them I am most grateful, but to you who have supplied the nucleus, the backbone, I offer my sincere thanks and the thanks of the British fandom.

May I conclude by reminding you that it is still almost impossible to obtain Fantasy over here in spite of the recent improvements; and there is still need for good work by good hearts.

Again, let me say for British Fandom, 'Thanx, Boys, you've been swell.

Sincerely,

Ron Holmes.