A 'brief and schematic view of the ways in which the exploration of book use has evolved must precede a characterisation of the various approaches adopted by the author of Poems (1913) in dealing with material in his own library or in others' collections' (229). Brennan's books are discussed as well as his annotations and marginalia with the argument that 'Brennan's margins are the necessary extension of his intellectual and literary work' (238) and therefore indispensable to all who study him seriously. Finally, Kirsop emphasises the necessity to compile a checklist of all the attested titles in Brennan's library, as well as an edition of his correspondence.