A nucleus could be a collection of twenty films; four dealing with
classics; four with the surrounding things of everyday life, forming
general knowledge; four dealing with foreign countries, their social
life, games, customs, etc.; four dealing with entomology, zoology,
etc.; four depicting the commercial life, showing shipbuilding yards,
steel works, cotton and woollen factories, pottery manufacture, etc.
These films would broaden the views and strengthen the imagination of
children.
The nucleus thus being formed, the films could be circulated throughout
the surrounding counties, boroughs and towns; being exhibited at the
local library once a week. In conjunction with these films, “reading
lists” could be prepared of books for home-reading, and widely
distributed. A change of film could be made once a week, which means
that before the stock of films had completed one round, five months
would elapse, giving ample time in which to procure future additions.
By bringing the cinema within his scope of activities, the librarian
adds materially to the usefulness of the library to the community at
large, proving the sterling worth of such an institution to the town.
How this financial venture is to be met and supported will be the
inevitable question, the answer to which is by co-operation; each town
or borough taking a share of the burden and contributing financially
towards their maintenance. An endeavour must be made to get the local
Education Authority interested, and the battle is partly won. Submit to
them a practical scheme, on a sound business footing, attractive and
definite, and they will, after careful consideration, give unstintingly
their financial support.
The whole of the country could be divided into areas, such as
North-Eastern, North-Western, South-Eastern, South-Western, etc.,
where towns, etc., like Stretford, Manchester, Stockport, Bolton,
Wigan, Liverpool, Southport and Chester could all produce a repertoire
of film subjects. Each Authority could be responsible for the
production of films relative to their own manufacture, which could be
mapped out as follows:--
(1) Denton and Stockport, for hat manufacture, showing the whole of
the process felt goes through, from the raw material to the
finished “Sandringham.”
(2) Bradford could give a tour of the woollen mills.
(3) Nottingham the lace trade.
(4) Hanley the pottery trade.
(5) Oldham and Leigh the cotton trade.
(6) Atherton, etc., coal mining.
(7) Liverpool, the docks and shipping.
(8) Kent, for the strawberry and hop-growing industries.
(9) Devonport, the dockyards, etc., etc.
There is ample scope for the treatment of such subjects.
As described elsewhere, a Central Bureau could be established, every
film classified according to subject, and from this Bureau would
emanate a steady flow of purely educational films--teaching or
imparting knowledge in a popular manner.
Again, where space does not permit, either in the schools or the local
library, the allied sympathy of the managers of the local cinemas
could be obtained, and one film could be inserted as part of their
programme, securing for them the necessary audience, and at the same
time advertising the Education Authority and the Library.
The aim of all libraries is to preserve knowledge for succeeding
generations, and films such as those described in the preceding
chapter--that portion dealing with history taught by the film--would be
of permanent value for reference.
The general idea of providing a permanent record of historical events
in the nation’s history is worthy of universal encouragement, and also
of making these records easily accessible for public enlightenment.
It has been said that the public library should reflect every phase
of mental activity, not only the high and educational kind, but
also of the recreative, the social side of life. A vast amount of
enlightenment and instruction, with remarkable force and rapidity, can
be conveyed by the aid of the cinematograph. “Every picture tells a
story,” whether it be of wonder or beauty, or of travels and national
customs; some enlightenment may be gained from the exhibition. The
seed sown by the pictures of this or that city, whether abroad or at
home, may, eventually, be reaped in improved conditions of life and its
surroundings. A clearer conception, a more sensible interpretation of
the wonderful things around us, is shown than could ever be conveyed by
a professor’s treatise, or an artist’s impressions.