This article puts forward a credo of librarianship, particularly public librarianship. The writer addresses the differences between academic and public librarianship and suggests that there is little actual difference, and that apparent differences are differences in how librarians react to the environment in which they operate. The effects of the professional reaction to the academic environment on the public librarian are examined. The future of the public library is examined, the practise of librarianship as an ancient and honourable profession is described, and a call is made for the defence of librarianship as a profession. The article was originally given as an address to the Queensland Branch on December 8, 1987.