I was once asked the question, “Why do not libraries give greater
publicity to their activities, means and resources, and not be
satisfied with the fact that they are merely performing an everyday
public function, expected of them as a municipal institution which
gives some sort of return to the ratepayers for the rate levied upon
them for its maintenance?”
True, some of the ratepayers are quite satisfied when they can go to
the local library and borrow one or two books to while away a few
leisure hours during a wet week-end. Herein lies a small conception of
what a public library is for.
The library at the present time, if it is to maintain its popularity,
must be aggressive and not passive. We must not be content to rest
on our oars and survey what we have done with a complacent smile of
satisfaction, and say, “I have done my best,” but we must think what
we can do next to keep the vision of usefulness of the public library
ever before the public. The library is like the tree in nature, once it
ceases to grow it commences to decay, and this food for further thought
must be provided by the initiative of the librarian, providing he is
an enthusiast. If cheap stories so often depicted could be replaced by
such films as “The Odyssey,” “Hamlet,” “Evangeline,” the cinematograph
would become a distinct influence for good.
It has been voiced at some of the conferences that systematized
propaganda work is needed. I am glad to see that the Library
Association has at last awakened to the fact that the educational value
of the Public Library is not known as it should be. The appointment of
a “Publicity Committee” shows that a determined effort is being made to
launch out into something original, and, I hope, something which will
demand world-wide attention.
Anyone interested in Library work cannot fail to see that such a
popular and powerful agent as the film must have an effect upon the
Public Libraries. Cinemas are not on the wane, but are considerably
on the increase. Now that the ban on “luxury building” has been
removed, these buildings--in some cases “super-cinemas” embodying every
convenience--will spring up everywhere. One very seldom, if ever,
hears of a cinema being “wound up” for bankruptcy; these picture-houses
are too popular, and this popularity will remain as long as one
generation succeeds another.
The film can arouse an enthusiasm in heretofore disinterested readers,
and expose to them the pleasures and joys of life they are missing, and
only the totally illiterate can ignore it.
Possibly it is not generally known by librarians that managers of
cinemas are genial individuals, willing to oblige in a little library
publicity, and where the library is in close proximity, so much the
better.
What I refer to is a “screened advertisement” on behalf of the library
authorities, calling attention to the fact that the book from which
the film is produced may be borrowed from the Central Library and its
branches, which medium has been advocated in Mr. Walter Briscoe’s book
on “Library Advertising.”
Here is the idea for a permanent local “publicity” campaign, and in due
course the Library Association, backed up by Government recognition,
may launch out into a national programme of recognition.
Some may advocate publicity by means of specially trained orators,
who would demonstrate from public platforms in forcible arguments
the advantages of the Public library; others may convene dinner-hour
meetings and deliver speeches to working men and women as during an
election; others may urge the use of public hoardings or electric signs
in public places, changing colour every few seconds.
It is admitted that the Press is a powerful organ, proclaiming to every
reading individual items of interest within its pages. This is good so
far as it goes. Possibly advertising in it would be repaid where the
paper has access to every home, and even then there is the possibility
of its being overlooked, unless the headline be emblazoned in red.
Some people when perusing their favourite papers look for one thing of
interest to them only. Some scan the stock and share markets; others
devour the racing news; some look at the advertisement columns in the
hope of finding a house to let; the gentler sex invariably peruse the
bargain sales--so there is a danger of library matters being overlooked.
Some new tactics must be tried; something which will yield better
results, something which will meet the gaze of young or old--and there
is that all-powerful national appealing projector, the cinematograph.
This will explain with greater efficiency than either the public Press,
the hoarse-voiced orator, or any other medium.
People who remain ignorant or illiterate need no longer remain in this
stage. If they do not know the alphabet, they can be taught it; if they
cannot write they can be shown how to wield a pen, and the various
styles of writing--backhand, roundhand, copper-plate or script, all by
means of text-books obtainable at the library.
The poorest man, without any visible means, living in a garret, has
this store of wealth at his disposal just for the asking. Anyone
wishing to become acquainted with a foreign language to aid him in his
business can learn by the “self-taught series.” Thousands of people in
these circumstances could be made acquainted with the treasures of the
library by means of the film.
“PUBLICITY FILMS.”
The Public Library “Lending Department” would make an admirable film,
showing, as it would, borrowers selecting their books and being
assisted by the library assistants. Continuing, the books themselves
could be shown in the process of opening. In the natural history
section the various phases of nature would be seen by the eye; the
philology section would disclose the people of the various ages,
dressed in keeping with the period, and the language they spoke; and
the literary section would open to view the poets of the various ages
and the poems they wrote.
A book-stack would revolve; a book would open in the historical section
on the history of England, showing early Britons in their prehistoric
dress, and these would change as the various periods in the nation’s
history was passed through.
Here is the chance of a lifetime for the exponents of the uses and
utility of the Library of which they should take every advantage. There
are some people who do not even know that public libraries actually
exist in their midst, and what facilities they freely offer. They have
yet to realize that the Library is in reality the People’s University,
instituted to enable everyone to acquire knowledge and enlightenment.
It would not be impossible to prepare a film on a much wider scale, the
production of which would probably run into similar figures to those
of the biggest “releases.” (I hope readers will not blame me for being
an idealist!) For national publicity purposes a film on “THE PUBLIC
LIBRARY: ITS EVOLUTION AND POSSIBILITIES” could be prepared, depicting
the remarkable modern growth of this valuable institution. The veil of
obscurity could be torn aside, and that erroneous impression dispelled
that the library is a very modern institution. The interested person
could retrace his steps in the annals of library history as far back as
it is possible to go.