UC-NRLF IC SERIES B M am lEE LIBRARY ADVERTISING WALTER A, BRISCOE B e R • • Up. p - V S Y "i UHW5P-S1TV Of LIBRARY ADVERTISING LIBRARY ""^ ADVERTISING "PUBLICITY" METHODS FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES, LIBRARY-WORK WITH CHILDREN, RURAL LIBRARY SCHEMES, &c. WITH A CHAPTER ON THE CINEMA AND LIBRARY BY WALTER A. BRISCOE, F.L.A. CITY LIBRARIAN, NOTTINGHAM 180976 GRAFTON & CO. COPTIC HOUSE, LONDON, W.C.I THE H. W. WILSON GO. NEW YORK 1921 C/97/7?'^ xc 8 LoL Articles by the writer on " The Uses of Advertisement " and " Library PubHcity Methods " have appeared in The Library Association Record and The Library World respectively. This handbook contains the matter included in these articles, consider- ably amplified, with numerous examples, and with new chapters on other phases of Library advertising. THE LONDON AND NORWICH PRESS, LIMITED, LONDON AND NORWICH, ENGLAND TO The Rt. Hon. J. HERBERT LEWIS, P.C, M.P. {Parliamentary Secretary, Board of Education) PRESIDENT OF THE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, 1920-1 WHO, IN CARRYING THE LIBRARY ACT THROUGH PARLIAMENT, HAS MADE PROGRESS POSSIBLE CONTENTS - PAGE I. Publicity is the Best Policy ! . 9 The necessity for Public Libraries — and the necessity to advertise them. II. " The Uses of Advertisement " . 16 Posters to advertise Library facilities. III. " The Power of the Press " . 41 The influence of newspapers on public opinion. IV. " Publicity " Articles ... 58 specially contributed " leaders " on Library service. V. Library Publications . . -77 The Public Library magazine, " newspaper," etc. VI. " Publicity " Work for the Chil- 94 DREN ...... A juvenile publication experiment, etc. VII. The Cinema and Library . . 106 How the " Pictures " can advertise the Library. VIII. Rural Libraries and " Publicity " 115 Methods ..... Propaganda in the rural areas. LIBRARY ADVERTISING ** PUBLICITY IS THE BEST POLICY!" " Public Libraries are necessary for the education and betterment of the People." — Sir James Matthew Barrie. Sir James Barrie — at the request of the writer — contributed a phrase summing up the work of the PubHc Libraries. His opinion, given above, to the effect that " PubUc Libraries are necessary for the education and betterment of the People " is of the greatest value. The above truism being accepted, the rest is merely a matter of simple deduction. Whatever is necessary must be upheld. The People, however, do not yet fully appreciate the value of PubHc Libraries. There are important facts which they must be helped to realize. Before Public Libraries can come into their just place in the considered scheme of education, before the Public can appreciate to the full the extent of the usefulness of PubHc Libraries, before the People imderstand that Public Libraries exist to do the 9 10 LIBRARY ADVERTISING greatest good to the greatest number — systematic propaganda is obviously necessary. The Value of Publicity. Too much importance and publicity cannot be given to such statements as the following — the words of the Rt. Hon. H. A. L. Fisher, M.P. :— " The Library service is always important from an educational and social point of view, and its import- ance grows with the development of Education and the improvement of the social conditions of the country. Its success must, in large measure, depend on the interest taken hy the public, and it is gratifying to think that in this country the value of Libraries is becoming more and more widely recognized and appreciated.** We want this statement repeated in every way possible — (British and American papers please copy). It should be inserted in every local periodical for the good of the cause, both nationally and locally. The People's University. Speaking at Leeds, at a later date, Mr. Fisher said in the course of an address : — " // the public library was valuable to the citizens before the war, it has become far more valuable now. This increase in the cost of books has laid an additional burden and additional responsibility upon those who are entrusted with the charge of libraries. It must be their business to see that the community as a whole do not suffer by reason of this economic revolution. PUBLICITY IS THE BEST POLICY! ii After all, education cannot proceed without books. The library is the People's University, and it has the great advantage over educational institutions that it costs nothing for admission ; it is accessible to men and women of every age and station, and the intelligent use of it is unfettered by the officious directions of a pedagogue. Nothing makes a greater difference to a community, and has greater influence in stimulating the ambitions of the younger members of the com- munity, than free, untrammelled access to all the best sources of knowledge. Wherever a public library is open, careers are open, not merely to a defined number of mill-hands, but to any boy or girl who has a mind to profit by the resources made accessible, and is ready to escape through the library from city life into the sun- shine of literature. A youth or maiden in a bookless city will experience a handicap almost as great as that of poverty. A city without books is a city without light.'' If all librarians will see to it that the above is reprinted in their local newspapers it will be valuable propaganda, both locally and generally. Libraries and Education. The Rt. Hon. Herbert Lewis, P.C, M.P. (Parlia- mentary Secretary, Board of Education) — President of the Library Association, 1920-1 — said in the course of his Presidential Address at the Library Association Conference : — " The demand for social reform comes just after the greatest of all wars . . . when the cost of all local 12 LIBRARY ADVERTISING services has been doubled. . . . But we shall all agree that money spent on libraries will be money well spent, and to do nothing to develop Library facilities might easily prove a very false form of economy. Never was there a time when it was so essential that the people of this country should be enlightened. It is very necessary that the electors of this country, whose number has recently more than doubled, should have such contact with books as will enable them to form sound and enlightened opinions about the many pressing problems that confront them, both political and economic. . . . The Public Libraries are one of the most influential factors in adult education. ..." By the reprinting of these statements the Public may be helped to realize that " Public Libraries are one of the most influential factors in adult educa- tion " — and that " money spent on libraries is money well spent. ..." All engaged in Public Library administration must aim to obtain " publicity " in every way open — to get the desired views before all classes through- out the country. There must be a national as well as a local campaign. Appeal must be made to the Public through the newspapers. The Press guides public opinion : often creates it. The power of the " Press " cannot be over-estimated. The nation must be " educated " to appreciate what is there for its education ! The People must be influenced to take advantage of that which is theirs to use by right. PUBLICITY IS THE BEST POLICY! 13 Propagandists must influence the ideas of the People — taxpayers, ratepayers, and citizens gener- ally — to the understanding that Public Libraries can be helpful to every trade, every science, every art, and every recreation. They form a link with every phase of thought in a town — in the world of school, music, theatre, workshop, and home. Every endeavour is made to assist the workers, to help the children, and to serve in the widest sense in the scheme of public education. The Democracy. The Rt. Hon. J. R. Clynes, M.P., recently emphas- ized the great need of Libraries and newsrooms throughout the country, and the education to be derived from books. " The man who reads hooks is a better man than the man who does not bother his head about books at all'' he said. " We want to see an educated working class. It is dangerous to have a democracy which is not educated. We must all wish for an electorate as fully educated as possible. I attach the greatest im- portance to the success of the Library movement.'* The above statement should also be reprinted in every newspaper where possible. " SUMMUM BONUM." Public Libraries are the most democratic institu- tions in existence — they cater for all : " the greatest good to the greatest number " is their motto. These ideas must be inculcated into the minds of the masses. 14 LIBRARY ADVERTISING Mr. W. J. Locke, the popular novelist, speaking upon " The place of Literature in Education," averred that Uterature was the ideal basis of educa- tion, because it satisfied the three aims of education, which were to teach boys and girls how to think, act, and enjoy. Neither the utilitarian nor the scientific basis of education satisfied those three aims, and he proceeded to demonstrate the manner in which Uterature did. "If," said Mr. Locke, " the study of the approaches to Literature trains the thinking powers, what of the subject matter, the infinite groves of golden fruit ripe with the wisdom of the centuries — the garden of the Hesperides — fruit to your hand for the plucking ? " "And the garden is there for everyone to enter — in the wonderful great Public Libraries of the country.'* This, again, is fruitful propaganda, and under the heading of " The Garden of Literature " should readily find a place in the columns of our enlightened Press. The Library " Idea." The removal of the rate-limit as far as Public Libraries are concerned has proved a great blessing, but the action has not automatically unloaded un- told wealth upon the Public Libraries Committees. The decreased spending power of the pound has handicapped the various authorities, and consider- ably more money is required to run an even pre-war- service. Development is hindered. The People have not yet emerged from the rut of thinking in PUBLICITY IS THE BEST POLICY! 15 multiples of pennies : they have not yet visioned Public Libraries as other than the Cinderellas of the municipal services. The People have not yet acquired the habit of thinking " big " about Libraries — and until the populace get the Library idea progress cannot be spelt with a capital P. Public Libraries must be hfted out of the rut of tradition. We often refer to the Public Library " Move- ment/' Let us, therefore, move ! It behoves all concerned in Public Library administration to get it firmly planted in the minds of everyone that Public Libraries are " necessary for the education and betterment of the People." • • • • • Various " publicity " methods are outlined — some detailed — in this volume. The ideas contained herein are presented with the object that they will suggest something better to the practical mind. Out of the many suggestions offered one at least may be thought worthy of adoption. There are numerous methods of Library advertising advanced, some of them " unorthodox " ; but they are all devised to one end — to bring the activities of the Libraries and the value of books more prominently to the notice of the People, and to keep the service constantly before the public. • • • • • " Ut sementem feceris, ita metes.'' — Cicero. II **THE USES OF ADVERTISEMENT'' " Give us bold advertisement " wrote Shakespeare in Henry IV, and his well-known phrase in ^s You Like It, to the effect that " Sweet are the uses of adversity," has, in these days of competition and matter-of-fact times, been even paraphrased to read as " Sweet are the uses of advertisement ! " Since the immortal bard's days, almost everything has been advertised, from aircraft to the minutest of household requisites. Books may or may not be admitted under the general heading of " household requisites " : never- theless, they are requisite in every household ; and it is the duty of those who have pubhc libraries under their charge to see that the greatest possible use is made of them. It is not sufficient for the general pubhc to be merely aware that a public hbrary exists ; in many cases the people entitled to use it must be drawn thereto, must be convinced of its usefulness — to them personally. The People must be made to appreciate the value of Public Libraries so that the Library Movement will move forward and never go back ! i6 "THE USES OF ADVERTISEMENT" 17 It is no use hiding its light under a bushel. We must proclaim our libraries from the hills, so to speak, — from the advertisement hoardings, if neces- sary. These may be new ideas not acceptable to the conservative mind. Obscurantist methods are out of date, however. Public Libraries have what the People want. The People may not know, perhaps. It is their right to know. It is someone's business to tell them. Publicity Posters. There is no reason why every Public Library should not issue a poster on the lines of the one reproduced, which has served a very useful purpose in the city wherein it was issued. This particular poster was first printed in red, the next issue being in blue ink, and its size, 2^ feet by ij feet. This was displayed throughout the city, and is still being used to call attention to the facihties afforded at the local Libraries. It is interesting to note that re- quests for copies have been received from America ! The wording of the poster is a plain statement of fact, dignified, without any " boosting," to use an Americanism. If it is not infra dig. for Government Departments — during the war and after — to advertise by means of posters, it cannot be urged that municipal depart- ments are doing anything undignified by thus giving pubHcity to their multifarious activities. The poster is reproduced in general form, the local particulars being omitted. W o w I— I ^ o 1^ T^ ^ 4) 03 bo >, ^ boW 0) C (D «^ '-' bc o N 4J o3 £3 ^ bX) 3 o3 o Vh c o §03< •2Q o P. - ^ Ph >^ tn O J-" H ■ 3 en .2 l3 - en '^ jh r; en .Jii ~ o T5 M QJ ^< »-i :> R en ^ 3 -M PQ CL,T3 5^ o-T c3 C! <1^ H 03 O c^ -t-> en en pit] o o -Q ei5 en '^ (1) 03 O Vh o5 en I I.I ^ O o "^ _ £X)T3 OJ *^ i3 b o ^ o 1-1 H <«! . s O rt g •"■SO < p en Z tn P O ■• -t-» tn o <^ 4) ■§ P. 05 P o O tn .iiS o c3 tn cnPQ C u O rt pj en W O W cS W H « e rt o a 5 o i> Q flO P-l VH I— I H P O Q 12; O ^ "1 o :s o rd -TS 3 Q r^ a < );" Q pq o rt O 4) H O 3 o u o J2; « O o 03 Cu few ^ C/5 o o PQ & -t-> t3 O '^ e« P il (U OJ O Cx!;::^ O O -M fl, ?. W tn a ^03 p cn'5 tn o 0) H u p P ^ 03 O P5 t/l o o o o Q PS n < — < pq » iz: < PQ «U) in W --r- Oi <1 «« h-1 CO V • a 55 Q ^ . ^ W t/) w « h-) l-l rn « >J < * pli A >-t n h-1 Q 55 ?; •< hH ^ Q CO :z; >« M hJ p:^ bn o3 a en •c o o o3 en O O hJ 2 HH w z -M <: < Qm 03 — P O o -. l-l o u bo O P ^1 M 0) .2 " in < Oh C/) Pi < D H < H Di D o 19 20 LIBRARY ADVERTISING Copy of a war-time poster issued : THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES, in addition to continuing their usual functions, are endeavour- ing to serve not only a local need but to render A NATIONAL SERVICE by the provision of BOOKS DEALING WITH THE WAR AND THE COUNTRIES CONCERNED IN THE WAR. The above was the heading of a poster issued during the war. In addition to outhning the facihties afforded at the Pubhc Libraries referred to, attention was directed to the fact that books on Mihtary Science, Munition-making, Languages and Food production were provided. The above was revised at the termination of the war to read as under : THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES, in addition to continuing their usual functions, are endeavour- ing to serve not only a local need but to render . A NATIONAL SERVICE by the provision of Special Books on THE WAR AND AFTER THE WAR. Attention was specially directed to the coming Trade War, National Economics and Commerce generally, principally as concerning foreign markets. Can anyone deny that during the war and the aftermath Public Libraries served not only a local need but rendered a National service ? Suggestions for other Posters : THE PUBLIC • • •■ • • •• LIBRARY • • •• • • •• EXISTS FOE. THE PUBLIC SERVICE. It contains Books on General Literature, Philosophy, Religion, Political & Social Science Industrial Science, Fine Arts, Languages, History, Biography, Travel, Fiction, &c. ALL RESIDENTS AND RATEPAYERS ARE ENTITLED TO BORROW BOOKS: Particulars free on application at the ^ Public Library, Street. PRO BONO 8, PUBLICO E EVERYONE'S UNIVERSITY THE PUBLIC LIBRARY contains Books for Every Trade Every Phase of Thought Every Taste Every Age Every Class Every Home Every Day. Public Library, Street. 22 " I'he object of true education is to make people not merely do the right things, but enjoy the right things."— i^ws^w. • • • THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES ARE A POTENT FACTOR IN THE TRUE EDUCATION OF TO-DAY. Public Library, Street. 23 THE EDUCATION OF LIFE only begins when people are old enough to teach themselves . . . The teaching of school and school- master breaks the ice only, and lays the foundations, but the real knowledge, which is permanent, and is of importance in our after life, is what we learn by our own ex- perience, and what we get from books .... tfjl The essential books may by borrowed •^ from the Public Library. 24 ^*A MAN^S MIND may be likened to a Garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. ... If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed -seeds will fall thereon, and will continue to produce their kind."— /^m^s Allen. THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES PROVIDE BOOKS TO CULTIVATE THE MINDS OF MEN, V/OMEN, AND CHILDREN —BOOKS FOR EDUCATION AND .... RECREATION 35 "THE PUBLIC LIBRARY IS MEANT FOR • • ALL . • How many are there in any place who can afford to buy Books — even a small proportion of the Books they wish to read? Already the ' Better Class ' in all the towns, the class of those who read, are crowding into the Public Libraries, which give the whole Literature of the country free to every rank and social standing,'' — Sir Walter Besant. Public Library, Street, 26 PUBLIC WELFARE. " A love of books will save us from fever, from fretful- ness, from fear, from envy, from the baser and malig- nant passions." —Sir Wm. Robertson Nicoll. BOOKS TO SUIT ALL BOOK -LOVERS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY 27 "EDUCATION IS MAN-MAKING" Gladstone. B H H There is little excuse for con- tinued ignorance in these days. Instruction is within reach of all. By the blessing of good literature intellectual light has become almost as accessible as daylight. El B El ''The Foundation of Know- ledge MUST BE LAID BY Reading." — Dr. Johnson. THE PUBLIC LIBRARY PROVIDES GOOD LITERATURE FOR EVERY CLASS OF READER 28 BOOKS ** BOOKS, we know, are a substantial world, both pure and good. Round these with tendrils strong as flesh and blood, our pastime and happiness may grow." — Wordsworth. * * * * " He who has once known the satisfaction of BOOKS is provided with a source against calamity." — -Emerson. ♦ « 4c * " BOOKS leave us heirs to ample heritages. Of all the best thoughts of the greatest sages." — Longfellow. * * * * " I would rather be a poor man in a garret with plenty of BOOKS than a king who did not love reading." — Macaiday. ifi Uti If. if " Worthy BOOKS are . . . solitudes : we lose ourselves in them and all our cares." — P. /. Bailey. THERE ARE 00,000 BOOKS TO SELECT FROM IN THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES 29 A Shakespearean poster suggestion : What are you Reading ? {Troihis and Cressida], The following Shakespcrean phrases are applicable to the facilities afforded in the way of educational literature provided. The Public Libraries contain books dealing : — " Fully in those Sciences " {Taming of the Shrew). " To INVEST THEIR SoNS WITH Arts " (2 Henry IV). " Towards the Education of your Daughters " {Taming of the Shrew). Showing "The Dearest Design of Industry" {Love's Labour's Lost). To make " A Rare Engineer " {Troilns and Cressida). To assist the " Poor Mechanic " {Henry V). To produce " Better Commerce " {Hamlet). *' A Snack of all Neighbouring Languages" {All's Well). "Leave to Read Philosophy" {Taming of the Shrew) . Works "In any Religion" {Measure for Measure). Borrowers may "Read Politic Authors" {Twelfth Night) . Journey by book " To Unknown Travels " {Pericles) . Learn " By Tale or History " {Midsummer Night's Dream) . " Literature in the Wars " {Henry V). " Poetry, and other Books, good ones " {Taming of the Shrew) . " Read the Thoughts of People " {Othello). "TAKE CHOICE OF ALL MY LIBRARY." (Titus Andronicus). Full parliculars on application at the Public Libraries. 30 SCIENCE & ART SCIENCE CLASSES Chemistry and Metallurgy Physics Geology and Geography Biology Mathematics ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY ART CLASSES Drawing Design Draughting Painting and Decorating Modelling Architecture ALL CLASSES may borrow Books to assist them in their studies from :: :: THE PUBLIC LIBRARY 31 BUSINESS MEN AND WOMEN are directed to the COMMERCIAL SECTION in the Public Reference Library. 03 QD CD TRADE DIRECTORIES, COMMERCIAL HANDBOOKS, BUSINESS ENCYCLOPAEDIAS, TRADE JOURNALS, COMMERCIAL ATLASES, TRADE MAPS & GAZETTEERS, BOOKS ON ECONOMICS, BUSINESS ORGANISATION, ACCOUNTANCY, COMMERCIAL CORRESPONDENCE (British & Foreign), LANGUAGE. EVERYTHING OF SERVICE TO BUSINESS PEOPLE. Public Library. 32 PUBLIC NECESSITIES. The necessity for books was never greater than at the present time, and people are finding in them more than ever the matter they need for their EDUCATION, INFORMATION, & RECREATION. Application should be made at THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. 33 -r^ -^ i^ " We want to see an educated working class. The man who reads books is a better man than the man who does not bother his head about books at all." The Rt. Hon. J. R. Clynes. THE PUBLIC LIBRARY IS AT THE SERVICE OF THE WORKING MAN AND HIS FAMILY Books for Home, School & Workshop. Public Library, Street. 34 TRUE DEMOCRACY Public Libraries are not the luxuries of the privileged class, but the necessary corollary of our national educational system. The most democratic institution in existence is the Public Library. It gives equal rights and privileges to all. It is representative of every phase of thought. It exists for the benefit of everyone. Its motto is : " PRO BONO PUBLICO " Public Library, .... Street, To the Public Library. New residents in the City who are not aware of the facilities afforded at the Public Library are informed that all persons residing herein are entitled to borrow books. To the Public Library. ALL ROADS LEAD TO The Public Library, Street. 36 "THE USES OF ADVERTISEMENT" zi The " Soul " of Business. " Advertisement is the soul of modern business/' said Colonel Burn, M.P., in the House of Commons, during the debate on the Health Resorts and Watering Places Bill — introduced to empower local authorities to levy a penny rate to advertise the advantages of a health resort. When Library administrators realize that for many years numerous Public Library systems throughout the country have had to exist on the proceeds of a penny rate — a restriction now re- moved, thanks to the framing of an Act carried through Parliament by Mr. Herbert Lewis, P.C., M.P. (ParHamentary Secretary to the Board of Edu- cation), the proposition is all the more interesting. But that penny-rate mind has not yet enlarged itself generally : there is still in many quarters that cheese-paring spirit — that " economy " idea which does not go for efficiency — and we may yet have to " boom " our case from the hoardings (on War Loan hues) : THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES - - SUPPLY THE BEST READING TO THE GREATEST NUMBER AT THE LEAST COST. 38 LIBRARY ADVERTISING The Public should be led to reaUze, if possible, that the greater the amount voted for the Libraries' maintenance the greater will be the extent of the pubHc service locally. Public Libraries may yet come into hne with the Health Resorts Bill ! The time has not yet arrived, however, when we shall advertise : THE IDEAL • • HEALTH RESORT HEALTHY LITERATURE IS PROVIDED AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES. " For your best health and recreation.''— Richard III. Advertising the existence of the Public Library and its many advantages in the same manner as Someone's Celebrated Cleansing Commodity, or Someone else's Cerise Capsules for Chronic Cases is not suggested at present ; but we may yet find it necessary to adopt even more unorthodox methods to catch the public eye. The Food Controller's Department may have suggested to some mind the example given below, for instance : THE USES OF ADVERTISEMENT" 39 THE PEOPLE'S FOOD, The Public Libraries . . . Contains 00,000 Volumes of FOOD for Thought. "Reading maketh a full man." — Bacon. Such ideas are somewhat in " advance " of British methods — certainly for the acceptance of the " anti- conservative " (to invent a hyphen combination) — and will only be tolerated as the " brain-waves " of an extremist (who may, after all, be only a prophet !). American Ideas. These ideas may be acceptable to the American mind, however : the fact that they are unorthodox being considered perhaps to be their greatest merit. Their object is to induce the public to " get acquainted " and for the " ad." to get ** right there " (to use Americanisms). One can even imagine our American cousins adopting a notion like this (linking in the " Pussy- foot " theme) : DRINK FOR ALL! " Drink in the words," wrote Shakespeare in Cymheline. . . YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY . . PROVIDES THE BOOKS FOR YOU. 40 LIBRARY ADVERTISING " We are apt to overlook the actual cash divi- dends which the Library yields," says an American writer. " The Public Library to-day endeavours to supply the books that will aid every trade and every calHng that exists in the city. It is eager to meet every demand, but it goes further — it en- deavours to create the demand. It advertises. It uses every legitimate means of making its resources known. Again and again people express the utmost astonishment on discovering for the first time that the Library affords books on their trade or business." • • • • ' 9 " The great art in writing advertisements," said Addison, " is the finding out a proper method to catch the reader's eye ; without, a good thing may pass over unobserved." . . . We must see to it that in our case this " good thing" is not passed ** over unobserved." Ill ** THE POWER OF THE PRESS " The " power of the Press " is infinite. The Press guides pubhc opinion : often creates it. Just as some thousands of people are guided in their politics — international, national and local — so their views are " directed " in everyday matters. A section of the " Press," for instance, that can convince the People that the only matters of national importance at varying periods were such things as *' Standard bread," sweet peas, and exclusive head- gear can in turn surely convince the People that Public Libraries are also of paramount importance to the nation ! The Press can instil into the minds of the People that Public Libraries exist for their welfare, that they are there for their education and social better- ment, that they serve not only for their education but for their recreation, that they are established not only for the benefit of adults but for the educa- tion and pleasure of their children, that they belong to every class, that they cater for every taste — and that, with adequate support, they can be made one of the most vital factors in national welfare. By their wide-spread influence they can help to make a 41 42 LIBRARY ADVERTISING " better England " — a " land fit for heroes to live in," etc. . . . Some time ago one London daily paper gave its readers an entirely erroneous impression of a Public Library, implying that it existed for the issue of novels and for perpetually-tired habitues — ignoring entirely its educational side and its social value to the nation. It can only be assumed that the con- tributor of that article was young and ill-informed. Library " News-Service." We must educate a section of the Press, if needs be ! We must have a " news service " of our own ! In any case the idea of supplying the matter we desire to see in print is worthy of general considera- tion. In addition to notices of important accessions to the Library, reports of library lectures, paragraphs on every happening — with the object of keeping the institution constantly in the pubhc eye — the idea of contributing special " pubhcity " articles to the local newspapers may be worthy of general consideration. The Uterary columns may be used with advantage to give publicity to the facilities afforded at the pubhc libraries. By forethought, discretion, and originahty — coupled with the ability to make the matter interesting — it is possible to secure regularly the insertion of " contributed articles " to the Press — library, literary, local, historical, biographical, scientific, and topical — in which the Public Library "THE POWER OF THE PRESS" 43 is named as the fountain of knowledge on all points. A brief article, for instance, on Mesopotamia, gives one the opportunity of naming the books available at the public library on the subject ; a " Home Rule " article may introduce readers to books on Ireland and government ; a travel article may open out this field of pleasure in book-land ; and so on. Contributed articles on topical subjects — the general as well as the local aspect must be considered — and items of general interest may supply the ingredients for the " confectionery " in which the " currants " (otherwise advts.) may be carefully added. Labelled advertisements do not always serve the purpose intended, but references inter alia often attain the desired end. A few examples of " pubhcity " paragraphs and articles, gratuitously contributed to the Press, with the specific object of popularising and increasing the usefulness of Pubhc Libraries, are given. " Publicity " Pars. The following are some examples of publicity paragraphs on the lines indicated : FOREIGN TRADE. Every effort must be made to re-establish ourselves in the markets throughout the world. British commerce is threatened more than ever by competition. Attention is directed to the Commercial 44 LIBRARY ADVERTISING Section formed in the Public Library, where are available trade and general directories, commer- cial handbooks, business encyclopaedias, trade journals and publications, commercial atlases and gazetteers ; books on business organization accountancy, national economics ; handbooks on foreign commercial correspondence, etc., in addition to numerous technical works dealing specially with after-war commerce and in- dustries. ENGINEERING. The Engineering trades will be fully occupied during the years immediately following the War. With munitions of war no longer required our war-workshops will resume their usual output of work for construction instead of destruction. The Public Library contains a large collection of books of service to engineers — electrical, mechanical, mining, and motor. HOUSING. " Help me into some house," wrote Shakes- peare in " Romeo and Juliet," and this is the cry to-day of thousands of homeless ex-service men. Anything that can be done to advance this, to stir up interest in any way is to be encouraged. The Public Libraries are en- deavouring to take a part by the provision of special books, and there has just been issued a comprehensive list of books on " Housing, Town-planning and Garden Cities." "THE POWER OF THE PRESS" 45 GARDENING. Gardening is admittedly not only a healthy occupation but a generally beneficial one. The nation still requires all the food that can be grown, and gardeners are doing work of national importance by continuing to cultivate their plots. Gardeners, professional and amateur, and allotment-holders will be interested to know that there is a comprehensive collection of books on vegetable-culture and fruit-growing at their service at the Public Library. SUMMER-TIME. The Summer holidays, long looked for and much needed by many jaded people, will soon be here. Readers are reminded that the Public Library contains a good selection of guide-books and various volumes of topographical interest. The " Walking gentleman " — to use James Prior's title — will better enjoy his walking tours if he knows something of the highways and byways of the locaHty. Those who endeavour to make the most of the Summer by being out-of-doors as much as possible will find books on Nature study and outdoor recreations to add to their pleasure and instruction. MORE LEISURE FOR WORKERS. Addressing a gathering of working-men re- 46 LIBRARY ADVERTISING cently, a speaker dealt with the agitation of the workers for more leisure, and suggested that they should use their leisure profitably. He urged them to derive all the benefit possible from the facilities afforded by the Pubhc Libraries. ART, " As the Art of Life is learned it wiU be found that all lovely things are necessary," wrote Ruskin. Books on design and craftsman- ship are published, volumes of immense service to the craftsman at a time when applied art is one of the " things " we are striving to en- courage in Great Britain, so that we may strongly compete with foreigners. The Public Libraries do not trespass upon the pre- serves of the School of Art, but their collection of art books will be found to be invaluable to all students, designers, and craftsmen. WELFARE WORK. At a time when public houses and places of amusement are growing, it is surely right to cater for the working-man who desires other forms of recreation. Sir Home Gordon, Bart., said recently : "A man reads either to benefit or to amuse himself. If he reads to benefit himself, he will soon pass on the benefit to others, either directly or in- directly." Reading is within the reach of all. The "THE POWER OF THE PRESS" 47 Public Libraries are doing excellent " Welfare " work in providing the best literature. LOVE OF BOOKS. Speaking upon the general aspects of litera- ture, the Baroness Orczy said : "I think all of us who have to do with the literary profession must feel very proud and happy that although this awful war has brought into being countless evils and horrors of which we had not even dreamed before now, it has brought one boon which, I venture to think, will endure through more than one generation. It has brought about the ever-increasing love of books of all kinds — serious and Hght, poetry, history, bio- graphy, fiction — everything is devoured." In addition to the serious hterature provided, there is a need for recreative reading. The Public Libraries have endeavoured to cater for all requirements — books about commerce, food production, industrial science, biography, history, miscellaneous hterature, and works of fiction. GOD AND MAN. In these days of national upheaval, the following words of Ruskin are of interest : " No dynamite will ever be invented that can rule ; it can but dissolve and destroy. Only the word of God and the heart of man can govern." The works of Ruskin are, of course, " borrowable " from our Pubhc Library, where 48 LIBRARY ADVERTISING books on all phases of sociology are available. To understand each other better, all classes must read more. There are books provided to assist us to understand the problems besetting us to-day ; books on national pohtics, industrial reconstruction, the economic situation, the most important changes produced by the world- war, the tendency towards " trustification," and the question of wages, prices, and profits. No party or class can " rule " with equity unless it understands the other side's view. These paragraphs are only printed with the idea that they will at once suggest something better to the practical mind. Library " Leaders." Short articles may be contributed from time to time. The following is a selection from some that have been printed in various local papers : THE PUBLIC-HOUSE. To many men possessing more leisure than thoughtfulness the public-house is the one source of inspiration ; but the result is, admittedly, not edifying. Many men, when they have done their day's work, drift instinctively into their favourite public-house and there quaff freely of the fluid which is noted for its abihty to create heated discussions upon very minor topics, bad heads, and financial loss. It is to the working "THE POWER OF THE PRESS" 49 man that these few remarks are personally directed, and the few suggestions hopefully offered. " Where shall a man go when he wants a bit of change, after his day's work ? " is queried. The suggestion is tendered herewith that the various public reading-rooms about the city are suitable places wherein to spend a profitable evening. A man wants companionship, how- ever, it is probably averred. Each reading- room contains a stock of books for use in the room, and what better companions could a man have than Dickens, Scott, Kingsley, and company ? He will find better thoughts there, too, than he would hear in the bar parlour, and couched in far better language ! It is asserted, probably, that the man in the street wants " something more exciting." Surely the " adventures " written by such pen- masters as Ballantyne, Cooper, Doyle, Fenn, Grant, Henty, and scores of others, are exciting enough — and are healthy excitement at that. He must assuredly be all the better fitted for his work on the morrow than if he thought- lessly sat drinking at the nearest " public." Moreover, the reading itself opens out a new world to him, and immediately broadens his views — for, after all, the master-minds en- countered in the average tap-room must be limited in many ways. There are branch reading-rooms — free for the use of all. Let our D 50 LIBRARY ADVERTISING working man friend look upon each reading- room as a " free public," where he can " drink in " aU the events of the week from the news- papers, and have his " fill " of good reading. " Drink in the words," says Shakespeare, in his " Cymbehne " — and, after all, isn't it the better plan ? " Platitudinal essays " or " sermonizing " may be inferred by the critic. In this instance it may be misquoted that " necessity is the mother of adver- tisement." Other ideas may, however, appeal more strongly, and there are all varieties submitted. PEOPLE'S INFORMATION BUREAU. It has been truly said that a Public Library caters for all classes and all opinions. There is scarcely a subject but what information is sought thereon from the various departments ; scarcely a matter but what some work treating thereon is to be found upon the shelves ; and hardly a trade or profession but what is dealt with in one way or another. From the point of view of a " General Information Bureau " the following recent inquiries at our Public Refer- ence Library are convincing : — The manufacture of cartridges for rifles. Thickness of armour-plate. Rehcs of the Reformation. The expansion and contraction of gases — under explosion. The protection and dispersal of seeds. "THE POWER OF THE PRESS" 51 The protective covering of animals. Uses of canals and waterways. Making of thread. Was torture illegal in the Tudor period ? How to work the spinning wheel. What is a barn gallon (measure) ? In whose reign were silver pennies and two- penny pieces used ? Political ideas of the early Christians. A plan of an old English village. What is school organization ? The opium traffic between India and China. The effect of water on iron pipes. The origin of the meridian. Rise of the Power of the Crown. The commercial value of the Panama Canal. A short account of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Mothering Sunday. Colour of a page's dress in the 12th century. Feeding centres. Definition of manual labour from a legal point of view. Structure and feeding of bone. Compare the institutions in an Indian com- munity (i8th century) with those of an Enghsh community at the time of the Enghsh Conquest of Britain. Whence does the eldest son derive his im- portance in Enghsh Law ? Compare this with the Irish Law. 52 LIBRARY ADVERTISING Dates of wheat harvest in various countries. Chemistry and Physics in correlation to Domestic science. . . . Diversified in all conscience, and showing the wide range of inquiries dealt with daily. The Pubhc Library may rightly style itself " The People's Information Bureau." TRADE AND COMMERCE. The coming trade war will, it is hoped, find us prepared, and whatever assistance the Public Libraries can render by the provision of helpful books will be done, and is being done. To develop British trade throughout the world it is necessary that our " ambassadors of commerce " should be proficient in languages. With the object of aiding the city's young men, employed in the commercial connections with other countries, a large number of works of in- struction, in nearly forty languages, are avail- able in the Central Lending Library. The importance of Spain in the world of com- merce, and the necessity for the study of books on the country and language was emphasized recently. Those who have carefully studied the conditions and prospects of British trade in that country are convinced that there is an excep- tional opportunity of undermining all future prospects of German business influence. One of the present drawbacks to the success of British commerce is that our firms supply catalogues "THE POWER OF THE PRESS" 53 printed in English, whereas the German cata- logues are printed in the Spanish language and give Spanish measures, weights, etc. Knowledge of the language is essential if our commercial houses are to grasp the opportunities open to them. The Public Libraries have books on Spain — dealing with the history, geography, description, and people — and these are specially serviceable to the business man. Attention is directed to the commercial sec- tion in the Reference Library, where are avail- able trade dictionaries, commercial handbooks, business encyclopaedias, trade journals and pubhcations ; commercial atlases, maps, and gazetteers ; and books on business organization, &c. TRAVEL. Shakespeare spoke of one who " took himself to unknown travels," and there are various ways of doing this. A certain Professor used to say, on returning books to the Public Libraries, " I have been a glorious trip since I saw you last " — two days previously — " and Fve had a delightful time in Egypt." Another time it would be South America, India, and so on. Travels in this case by book instead of by Cook ! Another reader would decide to " make a journey " to a certain country. He read up all there was about that portion of the world — its geography, topography, history, literature, and 54 LIBRARY ADVERTISING language even to guide-books ; and the result was that he enjoyed his " intellectual trip " thoroughly, and was, consequently, all the better informed as the result. Possibly, nowa- days, when he is in conversation regarding Russia his hearers will wonder how many years he had Hved there, or how many journeys he had made there ! As a matter of fact, he had never been further away in this instance than to the nearest Public Library. Therefore, to those readers who are not able to go abroad the idea is put forward — a journey by book instead of by Cook, or any other travel agency. Why not decide to " enjoy " the beauties of sunny Spain or Italy, delight in the " sights " of Switzerland, " journey " to Nor- mandy and Brittany ? Go further afield and marvel at the features of Japan, for instance. Visit our colonies by reading about them in books borrowed from your Pubhc Library. On country after country thus one looks ; and as for trains — your " trains of thought " in books ! It is even possible to prevail upon an editor to occasionally accept " verses " for publication — although this may be considered a risky under- taking ! The following has, however, actually appeared : ENLIGHTENMENT. While we in England value our Public Libraries greatly, yet, compared to the Hght in "THE POWER OF THE PRESS" 55 which our American cousin view theirs, we are lacking in appreciation of the stupendous useful- ness of these institutions, it is averred. In the entrance-hall of the PubUc Library at Boston, Mass., there is a magnificent painting of " the Muses welcoming the genius of enlighten- ment " — which suggest the following hues : — If sage philosopher I'd be Immersed in ethics, quite profound. Or well versed in theology. Enlightenment's there to be found. If social science is my choice, Of government my study be. In politics I'd raise my voice, Or delve in etymology ; Whate'er my phase of thought would be, The Library enlightens me ! If Science, with its wondrous strides. Should be my subject, I am free To seek the knowledge of the guides, From stars to anthropology. If of biology I'd learn. Of heat and light, magnetic rays, Or to mechanics I would turn, Or industries in divers ways ; Whatever my desires may be The Library enlightens me ! If of the arts, of any class, I'd study — Architecture, say. With Sculpture, Painting, and the mass Of other sections — here I may. If voyage and travel be my thought. Biography be what I need Here need I be set fast at naught ; The whole world's at my feet ; indeed, Whate'er my phase of thought would be, The Library enlightens me. 56 LIBRARY ADVERTISING The following appeared during the War, showing how PubHc Libraries were endeavouring to serve not only a local need but to render a national service. NATIONAL SERVICE. Pubhc Libraries are specially valuable in war time. In addition to continuing their usual functions in the public service they are bearing a definite part in the great war. With various educational institutions not fully available owing to war causes, the facihties afforded by Hbraries in supplying special books on mihtary matters, munitions-making, engineering gener- ally, new industries, nursing, and a hundred other things, public hbraries have shown their specific usefulness ; certainly if our own Library is any criterion of what is being done in other towns. Where colleges and schools are closed, owing to the buildings being required for mih- tary hospitals and other purposes, libraries supply the " felt want " in the provision of educational works. The uses of the pubhc reading rooms, where the leading newspapers and periodicals may be studied, are, of course, obvious ; but the variety of functions of the public hbraries cannot be fully estimated, certainly not over-estimated. Books supply the necessary education and recreation. Without books hfe nowadays would be intolerable. Without pubhc libraries books would be unobtainable by hundreds of people. "THE POWER OF THE PRESS" 57 Thus, public libraries are more than ever neces- sary in war time. They are endeavouring to do their utmost both for workers and readers gener- ally, for the grown-up citizens and for the children of the men who have gone forth to fight for their homes. From the foregoing it will be seen that PubHc Libraries endeavoured to play their part during the War. Now that the war is over — and Reconstruc- tion is a word of the moment — the present work of the Libraries must be set before the Public in every way possible. IV *' PUBLICITY '' ARTICLES It may be that some Public Library administrators will urge that if such ideas as those outHned in the foregoing chapter are to be generally adopted, they — with their multifarious responsibilities, admitted — will have to press for another member on their staff as a " publicity expert." It may come to that some day ! Just as the theatrical enterprises have a " Press representative," so may the Public Libraries — an assistant, with a journalistic tendency, specially deputed to "write up." Government departments, commercial houses and entertainment enterprises all have their advertising specialists. The Pubhc Libraries " publicity expert " is coming ! • • • • • Further ideas for Library " leaders " are given for the benefit of those who may feel disposed to pursue the idea further. Those who do not — for various reasons — will, of course, turn to the following chapter. Local " Leaders." Articles of local interest such as " Our Public Parks " may give the opportunity to call attention to " the fairest flowers o' the season," in the words 58 "PUBLICITY" ARTICLES 59 of Shakespeare ; treating of their beauty and suggesting that added pleasure may be derived if some of the many books obtainable on botany and gardening are consulted — not omitting to call atten- tion to the poetry of such nature-lovers as Words- worth. Where there is an aviary it may be sug- gested that the " beautiful birds " — as the poet Wm. H. Thompson sings — may be even better appreciated if one is acquainted with the study of ornithology. Our Public Parks. Many citizens there are who find pleasure in fre- quenting these beautifully kept grounds, deriving delight from the sight of the " fairest flowers o' the season," in the words of Shakespeare, and, further- more, in admiring the feathered inmates of the aviary and pond. It is suggested that more lasting benefit and pleasure could be obtained from these visits if one possessed more knowledge of the various things to be seen herein. Let the individual v/ho loves to linger 'mid the flowers study some of the books which treat in such an interesting manner upon the various varieties ; the study of botany is a fascinating one, too. It is not a far distance from the Park to the PubUc Library. The Public Lending Libraries are well stocked with works, from elementary to ultra-scientific, and the study of the origin, forma- tion, and growth of flowers and plants may be pursued therefrom to one's heart's content. The first-sight 6o LIBRARY ADVERTISING pleasure derived from the flowers and plants is increased tenfold by the possession of knowledge as to the peculiarities of each specimen. Wordsworth on " The Study of Nature " wrote : Nature never did betray The heart that loved her ; 'tis her privilege Through all the years of this our life, to lead From joy to joy. . . . The reader need not delve into the scholarly tomes of science straight away to glean the facts he would know ; there are many interesting books on botany for beginners and on nature-study generally. To enjoy intellectually as weU as visually is an added pleasure. " A man's mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelHgently cultivated or allowed to run wild," wrote James Allen ; " but whether cultivated or neglected, it must and will bring forth. If no useful seeds are put in it, then an abundance of useless weed seeds will fall therein, and will con- tinue to produce their kind." Then of the greensward itself, lovers of verse will recall Mary Hewitt's " The Voice of the Grass " : Here I come creeping, creeping everywhere ; You cannot see me coming. Nor hear my low sweet humming ; For in the starry night And the glad morning light, I come creeping, creeping everywhere. This is the case in our Arboretum. The Arboretum has further delights for young and old in the aviary. "PUBLICITY" ARTICLES 6i We all admire those feathered songsters. The beautiful birds in the aviary can, however, be even better appreciated if one is conversant with the study of ornithology. The habits and place of nativity of the charming feathered inhabitants of the aviary cannot be anything but interesting ; and illustrated books containing everything per- taining to birds and bird-life are there for the asking at our various public libraries. Let us enjoy our privileges as citizens to the full ! " A visit to the Art Museum " will give an oppor- tunity to link up the two institutions by pointing out the books on art generally " borrowable " at the Public Libraries. Local institutions should be " linked up " with the facilities afforded in their direction in every way possible. The Wonderful Year. Specimens of a monthly article, under the title of the month itself, are here reprinted as '* samples " — wherein it will be noticed that the mention of the Libraries and their availableness is evident, with a reference towards literature wherever possible. There is no need as regards the following examples to italicize the intended advertisement ! JUNE ! Who would scorn the month of June, Because December, with its breath so hoary, Must come ? Much rather should we court the ray To hoard up warmth against a wintry day. 62 LIBRARY ADVERTISING Thus wrote Byron in " Don Juan " with true philosophy. Bobbie Burns has a reference to the sixth month in one of his highland sonnets, in which he compares his loved one to a red, red rose That's newly sprung in June. Of this season Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that it was a luxury to draw the breath of life. ** The grass grows, the buds burst, the meadow is spotted with fire and gold in the tint of flow^ers. . . . One is constrained to respect the perfec- tion of this world, in which our senses converse. ... In its fruitful soils ; in its forests of aU woods ; in the powers and path of light, heat, attraction and Hfe, it is well worth the pith and heart of great men to subdue and enjoy it." June is blessed for the fact that it is the har- binger of summer, when, as Sir Walter Scott wrote : To mute and to material things New life revolving summer brings ; The genial call dead Nature hears And in her glory reappears. Mrs. Hemans penned some nice descriptive verses on the beauties of summer, beginning The Summer ! the Summer ! the exquisite time Of the red rose's blush, and the nightingale's chime ... Barry Cornwall and Dr. Isaac Watts chant of the " Summer Evening," and many other poets " PUBLICITY " ARTICLES 63 have chosen the season as their subject for verse. That June is the " beginning of all good things " is apparent, according to the writers. So we sing with the poets to June — as the herald of the " refulgent summer," as Emerson calls it. June is noted in the realms of literature as the birth-month of Charles Kingsley, Thomas Hardy, Sydney Smith, Charles Reade, Mortimer Collins, and Harriet Beecher Stowe ; and as the " passing hence " month of Charles Lever, Douglas Jerrold, Charles Dickens, Sir Walter Besant, Robert Buchanan, James BosweU, and Joseph Addison. The works of the foregoing are, of course, available in our Public Libraries, so there is no need to dwell further upon them here. It was Joseph Addison who said that " Books are the legacies that genius leaves to mankind, to be deUvered down from generation to genera- tion, as presents to the posterity of those who are yet unborn." On the first day of the next month appeared the following " leader " : JULY! First, April, she with mellow showers Opens the way for early flowers ; Then after her comes smiling May, In a more rich and sweet array ; Next enters June, and brings us more Gems than those two that went before ; Then (lastly) July comes, and she More wealth brings in than all those three. 64 LIBRARY ADVERTISING Thus wrote Robert Herrick, whose poems on women, love, and flowers are so well-known. July is considered the most glorious month of the season. Sir Walter Scott speaks of " her glory," when " new Hfe revolving summer brings." Shakespeare wrote of the clear " founts in July " in " Henry VIII.," and re- gretfully of one who " makes a July's day short." " July is a large part of that portion of the year which is made * glorious summer by the sun,' " to make an excerpt from William Hone's " Year Book," pubhshed in 1838. July is noted in the world of hterature as the birth-month of William Makepeace Thackeray, Alex. Dumas, Captain Marryat, " George Sand " (Mme. Duvenant), Thomas Campbell, Dr. Isaac Watts, Gilbert White, and Henry Hallam. Thackeray's word-pictures and caricatures of his period, Dumas' famous historical narratives, and Marryat' s stirring tales of adventure are, of course, well known to borrowers at our Public Libraries. Thomas Campbell first gained fame with " Ye Mariners of England." His " Plea- sures of Hope," in which appears the following descriptive couplet : At Summer eve, when Heaven's ethereal bow- Spans with bright arch the ghttering hills below — met with great success and established his repu- tation. The historical works of Henry Hallam are familiar to all students : and White's " Sel- " PUBLICITY " ARTICLES 65 borne," if not a classic, is a standard work in the sphere of science. Dr. Isaac Watts, another July celebrity, wrote of " A Summer Evening " : How fine has the day been, how bright was the sun. How lovely and joyful the course that he run, Though he rose in a mist when his race he begun, And there followed some droppings of rain ! But now the fair traveller's come to the West, His rays are all gold, and his beauties are best : He paints the sky gay as he sinks to his rest. And foretells a bright rising again. The " month of glory " is the " passing hence " month of such literary celebrities as Jane Austen, Samuel Lover, Jean Ingelow, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Thomas Gray, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Robert Burns. The two first named are of the old school of noveUsts, little read nowadays compared to formerly, when older readers assert that books were fewer but better. Gray's " Elegy " is known to everyone, while Shelley and Burns are house- hold names. There is no need to dwell further upon the works of any of the afore-mentioned as they are all, of course, available at our Public Library, and the names of their writers revered wherever the English language is spoken. AUGUST! August is the month when the majority of people are " playing holidays," as Shakespeare expresses it ; when in the " immortal bard's " words the posters are crying out to the rest of us E 66 LIBRARY ADVERTISING to " Come unto these yellow sands " — to " re- vive with the kiss of the sea," in the words of Lewis Morris. Thomas Hood wrote some very inviting verses — lines in which one may almost catch the breath of the tide : Now lay thine ear against this golden sand, And thou shalt hear the music of the sea ; These hollow tunes it plays against the land — Is't not a rich and wondrous melody ? I have lain hours, and fancied in its tone I heard the languages of ages gone. Many poets have given us dehghtful sea pictures in verse. Lord Byron's " By the sea- shore " will come to the mind of many readers : There is a rapture on the lonely shore. There is society, where none intrudes By the deep sea, and music in its roar : I love not Man the less, but Nature more, From these our interviews, in which I steal From all I may be, or have been before. To mingle with the Universe, and feel What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal. Roll on, thou deep and dark blue ocean, roll . . . Time writes no wrinkles on thine azure brow. The image of Eternity — the throne Of the invisible ! And I have loved thee. Ocean ! and my joy Of youthful sports was on thy breast to be. Borne, like thy bubbles, onward ; from a boy I wanton'd with thy breakers — they to me Were a delight ; and if the freshening sea Made them a terror — 'twas a pleasing fear. For I was, as it were, a child of thee. And trusted to thy billows far and near. "PUBLICITY" ARTICLES 67 Christina Rossetti's poem entitled " By the sea " asks why the sea moans evermore, and speaks of " Sheer miracles of loveliness." August is the birth-month of many poets, in- cluding Lord Tennyson, Robert Southey, Percy Bysshe Shelley, John Dryden, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Herrick, and Oliver Wendell Holmes (all of whose pubhshed works are, of course, available for borrowing from the Public Libraries) . Many thousands of people are saying just now after Walt Whitman : " Pour down your warmth, great sun ! " — especially those who are desirous of enjoying to the full " the surging murmurs of the lovely sea," as Keats says. The foregoing monthly articles not only draw attention to the Pubhc Libraries but to " poetry and other books, good ones," as Shakespeare says in The Taming of the Shrew — essays, literary criti- cism, and biography. Where it is not possible to secure space for long or medium length articles, " Letters to the Editor " is a useful medium, and it is possible to " drag in " the usefulness of your particular library by this means. The fact that some correspondent has written on some phase of a burning question gives an opportunity for a reply to the effect that the writer of the same might possibly moderate his views if he read more on the subject ; suggesting that he should read some of the following books 68 LIBRARY ADVERTISING (authors and titles given) which you " can inform him from personal knowledge " are obtainable at the PubHc Library in this town " ! Such methods have been used. " Library Notes." A weekly column under the heading of " Library Notes and Literary Gossip " — dealt with from the Public Libraries standpoint — is serviceable, if the feature can be arranged for. General and topical Hterary matter, deaUng always with the books obtainable at the public hbraries, with notes of interest on everything that happens at your central hbrary and branches, cannot help but be beneficial, especially if one can get occasional portrait-blocks of authors, book illustrations, and library buildings inserted among the letterpress to increase the interest. A column of this nature was contributed by the writer to a local paper for a year and a half, by the way, and it amply served its purpose as in keeping the Public Libraries constantly before the pubHc. The " sample " given is not printed as a ** model " but as an idea which may be adopted elsewhere in improved form. "PUBLICITY" ARTICLES 69 Library Notes and Literary Gossip " I loved my books." — Shakespeare {Tempest). Books as Friends. My friends of childhood, friends of age — My books. How I recall A message from the wit, the sage ; A breath of friendship in each page : The truest friends of all. Sweet words of comfort they impart To one when shadows fall Across Life's path. When sad at heart. Oh, friends of mine, to me thou art The truest friends of all. No day can be complete to me Without them : each extends A comrade's love, a welcome free ; And friendless can I ever be Among my books, my friends ? W. A. B. " The Aims of Fiction.*' " In these days novels play an important part in the common round of hfe," says a writer. " The aims of fiction," according to the late 70 LIBRARY ADVERTISING George Brimley, essayist and critic, " are to make us wiser and larger hearted ; to conduct us through a wider range of experience than the actual life of each generally permits ; to make us live in the types of other types of character than our own, or than those of our daily acquaintance ; to enable us to pass by sympathy into other minds and other circumstances, and especially to train the moral nature by sympathy with noble characters and noble actions." Fiction is entitled to a place on the " menu." If educational works are considered to be solid food, then novel-reading must be classed among the " sweets " — to be enjoyed as an additional course, but not to form the staple food of our lives. The Public Libraries of to-day endeavour to supply the best recreative reading as well as to serve the needs of every phase of educational thought. Everyman's University. Included in the latest additions to the shelves of the Central Public Lending Library are new works on literary criticism, various volumes of miscel- laneous essays, philosophy and psychology, religion, and sociology. There are books to interest students of economics, international diplomacy, industrial administration, finance, and education. The lan- guage section includes works on the French and Spanish languages, and also on colloquial Japanese. The science student is catered for by new works on general science ; organic and inorganic chemistry. "PUBLICITY" ARTICLES 71 volumetric analysis, trigonometry, physics, and electro-technics ; and the new works on technology are many, ranging from hosiery and weaving to engineering, aluminium, stones and quarries, and butter-making. In the Fine Arts section various treatises upon drawing and painting will be noted, one a work translated from the French. Some of the illustrations will be found to be exquisite. '* As the Art of Life is learned it will be found that all lovely things are also necessary," wrote Ruskin. Life-Stories. " We all want to know details regarding the men who have achieved famous feats, whether of war, of wit, or eloquence, or endurance, or knowledge," wrote Thackeray. " We want to see this man who has amused and charmed us, and given us hours of pleasant companionship and kindly thought." There are numerous biographies in the Public Library, the life-stories of almost every famous man and woman, and included in the recent additions are various biographical works of special interest. Readers are recommended to take up the reading of biography more. They will assuredly find much to interest as well as instruct in the lives of the great men of the past and present. *' The True Poetry." " History makes men wise," wrote Bacon ; and the study of history is a fascinating one. A speaker at a recent meeting of the local Historical Associa- 72 LIBRARY ADVERTISING tion said that history stood among the subjects of general education in a position of marked pecuHarity. Its presence accorded with the transformation which time had wrought in the government of Western nations. The child entered the school a mere creature of the present, knowing nothing of the past and recking little of the future ; within a few years he left school, and was soon called upon to exercise his vote in the government of a vast empire. Un- educated, man was lacking in that feeling of soli- darity and in that historical sense without which he soon became the easy prey to Utopian ideas. Of all subjects, history deserved most a study prolonged after school, through adolescence into maturity. The reader desirous of pursuing the study of history — which Carlyle describes as " the true poetry " — has the Public Libraries always at his service. The Central Library has numerous historical works of value, and each branch is well provided with works of this class. Travel. Whereas the favoured few are privileged to be able to leave the country at certain seasons of the year to avoid the vagaries of the EngHsh climate, the great majority have perforce to stay at home. These latter are, however, enabled to " travel " — if not in body, in spirit — to any country on the globe, by means of books. There are so many splendid books of travel published nowadays (and some most interesting "PUBLICITY" ARTICLES 73 volumes have just been obtained), finely illustrated, that the perusal of one or more must compel the mind to wander from the land of fogs to where the hilltops are " crowned with the glorious sun," as Shakespeare says in " Henry V." The Bard of Avon wrote in his " Pericles" of one who " took himself to unknown travels." The Public Library was not at his service then as it is at yours to-day, and, on second thoughts, per- haps it is just as well to sit by the fireside and take our " journeys " thuswise, with book in hand, than to be " oppressed with travel," as Shakespeare refers to in the " Tempest." [Note. — By adopting the following idea of dealing with the literary celebrities of the month, as far as anni- versaries are concerned, opportunity is afforded of commenting upon the works of these authors ; and often the names and books of out-of-date and " neg- lected " writers are thus brought to the reader's notice.] Literary January. The month of January is noted in literary history for the following happenings : Jan. 3rd, 1882, Harrison Ainsworth died. Jan. i8th, 1873, Lord Lytton died. Jan. 19th, 1809, Edgar Allan Poe born. Jan. 20th, 1900, John Ruskin died. Jan. 24th, 1875, Charles Kingsley died. 74 LIBRARY ADVERTISING Their best monuments are their books, which are, of course, available to all at the Public Libraries. • • • • • Harrison Ainsworth's historical novels are still popular, but are not as widely read as they might be. Probably the most read works at the Libraries here are " The Tower of London," " Windsor Castle," and " Guy Fawkes." Whether you read the foregoing or borrow " Auriol," " Boscobel," " Crichton," " Flitch of Bacon," " Miser's daughter," " Manchester Rebels " or '' Old St. Paul's "—all avail- able at our branch libraries also — you are bound to be carried away with the stirring scenes described within their covers. • • • • • Lord Lytton should need no introduction, but nevertheless it is a fact that his works are not in such demand to-day as they were a dozen years ago. ** The Last Days of Pompeii " is still in general demand, however, and there are still many readers who prefer Lytton to many of the pubhshed pot- boilers of the present time. Let the reader " take a course " of Lytton. Starting alphabetically with " Alice " he may even get to " Zanoni." Ruskin's works w^ll live long in the minds of readers who study art, particularly his " Lectures on Architecture and Painting," " Seven Lamps of Architecture," " The PoUtical Economy of Art " and, the series of " Modern Painters." Then, of course, there are his miscellaneous writings which many "PUBLICITY" ARTICLES 75 readers will be acquainted with. If they are not it is not the fault of the PubUc Library, where his complete works are obtainable. Art. The Art section has had various useful additions made to it of late. To an already large collection of books on lace-design has recently been added " Camerino's Dentelles de Style, et pieces d'Ameuble- ment." This is a portfolio containing thirty plates of exquisite designs. A list of works in this class will be found in the " Fine and Industrial Arts " catalogue, on sale in the Lending department. • • • • • The Public Library caters for all tastes and re- quirements — books on art, science and industry are provided to help the man or woman who is desirous of improving his or her knowledge of any art or craft. There is scarcely a trade but what the Public Libraries cater for in one way or another ; and readers are urged to take full advantage of the facilities afforded. And so on, ad libitum. . . . The critic will see how easy it will be to improve upon the actual text, but he will concede that the " pubHcity " note is there all right. The foregoing will serve as an example, to show what is possible in the way of topical references. Additions of books to the Libraries may also be noted. Some PubUc Libraries arrange for a column " List of Additions " 76 LIBRARY ADVERTISING to be inserted in their local newspapers, by the way, and this, of course, is valuable advertisement. In a *' Library Notes " feature, however, one may elaborate upon the accessions, if desired, and call attention to special collections. It is thuswise possible to keep the activities of the " People's University " constantly before the local pubHc. Announcements of Lectures and " Talks " may be here made. In one instance where such a feature was contributed the column was enlivened by the insertion of various portraits of authors and repro- ductions of book illustrations. Everything written dealing with good literature is helpful. It assists to improve the people's taste, calls their attention to authors and books unknown or forgotten by them, and makes them think about the Libraries from which the books may be obtained. There may be difficulties in the way of getting the space one desires, but there are some pubHc-spirited editors who appreciate the fact that Public Libraries are public benefactors, and whose motto is " Vincit amor patricB." *' The noblest motive is the public good " {Virgil), V LIBRARY PUBLICATIONS The Reader's Guide. Some Public Libraries consider it to their advantage to issue a periodical publication — a " Bulletin," " Reader's Guide," " Record," or a similarly- styled brochure. This not only serves the purpose of keeping borrowers up to date as regards addi- tions of books, and special topical lists, but also gives pubUcity to the general facilities afforded. This publication (issued monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly) advertises the work of the libraries concerned, and keeps the activities of the institu- tion regularly before the public. Special literary and local articles, book-notes, and other items are regular features, and the issue is often enlivened by illustrations of authors and reproductions from books. One Public Library " Bulletin " has been in existence since 1896, by the way, and, hke the relative of a certain Charles, is " still running." Others have lengthy records also. These pubhca- tions are invariably appreciated by regular borrowers as guides to reading ; they increase interest in the Hbraries, and take a valuable part in the scheme of " publicity " advocated in this volume. 77 Illustrations from books will add to the attractiveness of the publication MEASURING HEIGHTS. (From The Vicar of Wa'kefield.) " National Service " Leaflets. The compilation of topical lists for the " Bulletin " — or whatever the title selected — gives the oppor- tunity to print off special leaflets from the standing type, for free distribution or for sale at a small sum. Examples of three " National Service Leaflets," printed from standing type, issued during the period of food scarcity, are displayed : 78 CiUj Arms PUBLIC LIBRARIES. OUR PI FOOD SUPPLY. GS, POULTRY, ] RABBITS, Etc. PUBLIC NOTICE. THE KEEPING OF PIGS, POULTRY, AND RABBITS. npHE President of the Board of Agriculture and the President of the -*- Local Government Board, recently issued to the Press a joint Notice calling attention to the very great importance of Householders undertaking the Keeping of Pigs, Poultry, and tame Rabbits, in the neighbourhood of Towns and Villages, in order to add to the Nation's Food Supply in the present crisis. The City Council has been asked to encourage individuals or groups of people to take up or resume pig-keeping, and they trust the requests of the Government will be complied with wherever possible. Applications for permission to keep Pigs within the City should be made to The Medical Officer of Health. By Order, , Town Clerk. SPECIAL LIST OF BOOKS. Allen, Thos. Profitable Pig-breeding and feeding. Hand- book of general management. Broomhead, Wm. H. Poultry for the many. Brown, Edward. Poultry husbandry. Combining Poul- try-keeper's Companion and Races of domestic poultry. Brougham, W. Progressive Poultry-culture. Davies, C. J. Management of Rabbits. Garratt, R. D. Practical Pig-keeping. Green, F. E. Everyman's Land and Allotment book. Extra copies Poultry, Pigs, Bees, etc. Jasper, Madame. Flemish system of Poultry rearing. Flemish and English methods, Incubators, Food, Hens and egg production, different systems. {Continued overleaf.) Published by the PUBLIC LIBRARIES COMxMITTEE. [National Service Leaflet"! for gratis distribution. J 79 PUBLIC LIBRARIES. SPECIAL LIST OF BOOKS ON VEGETABLE CULTIVATION, The following new works on Vegetable-growing have just been added to the Central Lending Library : — Rowles, W. F. Food garden. Manual showing how to produce food in abundance from a small garden, how to organise the greenhouse and frame for food supply, and how to preserve food products from the garden. 80 illustrations, coloured plates. Sanders, T. W. Vegetables and their cultivation. Forma- tion of the vegetable garden, management of soils, manures, eradication of injurious insect and fungoid pests. — Book of the Potato. Practical handbook dealing with the cultivation of the potato in allotment, garden, and field, for home consumption ; pests and diseases ; most productive, best cooking, and disease-resisting varieties. Extra copies. — Encyclopaedia of Gardening. Culture, propagation, and description of fruit, flowers, vegetables. Sutton & Sons. Culture of vegetables and flowers from seeds and roots. New edition. Year's work in a vegetable garden, rotation of crops, chemistry of garden crops, pests, etc. Wright, Walter P. New gardening. Guide to most recent developments in the culture of fruit, vege- tables, etc. For selected list of books on vegetable-growing, and general works containing chapters on the subject, contained in the Central Lending Library . . . P.T.O. Published by the PUBLIC LIBRARIES COMMITTEE. [National Service Leaflefl for gratis distribution. J 80 PUBLIC LIBRARIES. AGRICULTURE. A list of books in the Central Lending Library on Agriculture will be found in the Fine and Industrial Arts catalogue, price 2d. The following have since been added : — Addyman, F. T. Agricultural analysis. Manual of quantitative analysis for students of agriculture. Wrightson, J., and J. C. Newsham. Agriculture, theo- retical and practical. Text-book of mixed farming for large and small farmers and for agricultural students. Two new works, dealing with present and future developments, have been recently obtained : — Hall, A. D. Agriculture after the war. The special value of this book consists in the reasoned and lucid propositions it contains for the direction of future developments. Strutt, Hon. E. G., Leslie Scott, and G. H. Roberts. British Agriculture : the Nation's opportunity. This Report of the Departmental Committee on the em- ployment of sailors and soldiers on the land is avail- able in the Reference Library. There is a preface on the Reclamation of land by A. D. Hall, F.R.S. Board of Agriculture leaflets are available in the Reference Library. These include publications dealing with farm and garden crops, manures and feeding-stuffs, insect and other pests, small holdings and allotments, etc. Application has been made to the Board of Agriculture for extra copies of special leaflets Nos. 26, 56, and 296, which deal respectively with suggestions to allotment holders for general cropping during the spring and summer months ; the manuring of cottage gardens and allot- ments ; and potato-growing in allotments and small gardens. Copies of these three leaflets may be had gratis on applicatioft to the Reference Library. For list of useful periodicals available in the Reference Library P.T.O. Published by the PUBLIC LIBRARIES COiMMITTEE. [National Service Lc.iflet"! for gratis distribution. J 82 LIBRARY ADVERTISING Later issues included special lists of books on Housing, Town-planning, and Garden cities. Library Hand-books. The publication of a Hand-book, giving particulars of all the facilities afforded in connection with the PubHc Library, is to be commended. r V. PUBLIC LIBRARIES READER^S HANDBOOK CONTAINING INFORMATION OF SERVICE TO EVERYONE RESIDING IN THE CITY :: Published Inj the Public Libraries Committee ^ y LIBRARY PUBLICATIONS 83 This brochure (a small-sized publication is suggested) would be issued annually, or could remain in existence until it was necessary to revise the same, or until the stock ran out. This hand- book would, of course, contain a general statement of the local Libraries system, with detailed parti- culars of each department — Lending, Reference, Children's, Blind library, Branches, Lectures, etc. ; and the special facilities afforded to various sections of the community, such as science and art students, educationists generally, literary societies, etc. If illustrated by half-tone or line blocks of the various libraries (exterior and interior), it gives more *' life " to the handbook. The cost of the same is, of course, a matter for consideration, but the expense of publication may, by means of local advertisers (other than Public Libraries !), be con- siderably lessened, and, in some cases, the whole cost is borne by advertisers. Often it is possible to get advertisement contractors to present the necessary thousand or so of copies in return for the advertisement spaces. The " ads " should, of course, be submitted to the librarian, prior to acceptance. From the advertisers' point of view, advertising in official publications is sound business, these being an admirable medium, whether in handbooks, on bookmarks, periodical covers or volumes of music presented. The Handbook idea is worth general consideration as a permanent advertisement for the Library. 84 LIBRARY ADVERTISING Circulars. There are other ways of caUing public attention to public possessions. If it is beneficial to pur- veyors of food for the body to distribute " litera- ture " to commend their goods, it should not be infra dig. for guardians of " food for the mind " to appeal to the same pubhc by the same methods. In the case of district hbraries particularly, where a branch from one cause or another requires " work- ing up " — there are periods, — house-to-house distri- bution may be found distinctly advantageous, and considered legitimate expenditure. Neatly printed circulars calling attention to the existence of a branch library close at hand, giving the neces- sary particulars, have met with gratifying results in various districts. The fact that many new houses are being built in the vicinity is an excuse, if one be needed, for issuing a " folder " to call attention to the fact that the nearest lending library is situated in Street, etc. etc. The circular has the city or town arms at the top of the first page, with a paragraph to the effect that " the accompanying information is given for the benefit of the many new residents in the district " ; with an illustration, if possible, of the branch building. Though designed essentially to call the attention of the new-comers to the district, the old district should not be forgotten — '' lest they forget," to adapt Kipling — and all houses should be included in the distribution. Example of a "Publicity" Circulay issued: Cilij Arms. PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND READING ROOMS. The accompanying information is given for the benefit of the many new residents in the District 2 DISTRICT PUBLIC LIBRARY AND READING ROOMS. . . . [P.T.O.] 85 The Second Page of the Circular: THE DISTRICT LENDING LIBRARY AND READING ROOMS are open daily for the use of Residents in this locahty, and all are INVITED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FACILITIES AFFORDED. THE READING ROOMS are open daily from 10 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. THE LENDING LIBRARY has a stock of over 10,000 volumes to select from : comprising works on Travel, History, Science, Useful and Fine Arts, Music, Theology, Sociology, &c., and a goodly stock of Fiction ; and additions are being constantly made. The Library is open for the issue of books ON Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. A LIBRARY FOR BOYS AND GIRLS is attached to the above, and those between the ages of seven and fourteen years are entitled to borrow special books therefrom. Schools are supplied with books also from this centre. APPLICATION FORMS FOR MEMBERSHIP may be obtained gratis at the Library, and all that is required is for these to be filled in and duly signed by anyone entitled to vote at a Municipal Election. Any further particulars will be given on applica- tion. Catalogues may he obtained at the Library. On the third page a list of available newspapers and periodicals was printed. 86 LIBRARY PUBLICATIONS 87 Library " Newspapers." There has been introduced in connexion with certain branch libraries an innovation, it is beheved, as regards " library advertising." This is a " pseudo- newspaper " (size 10 X 8 in.) — described by a local daily newspaper as a " novel method of popularizing a public library " — devised exclusively to " boom " the branch library in this particular locality. In this instance an entirely new suburb had sprung up some short distance from the old district, and this, and several other minor reasons, was thought to be a favourable opportunity to introduce | the scheme here first. Every house in the district had a copy of the " News " delivered at its door, and the cost of printing was borne by a local firm of advertising contractors in return for the adver- tisement spaces therein The whole of the reading matter contained in the sheets was issued with the '* Censorship " of the Chief Librarian — written, in fact, by him ! — so that the paper had the word " official " practically " writ large " thereon. There is no fear by this method of having anything other than " favourable comment " pubhshed ! This " newspaper " (illustrated, by the way) contained a short " leader " on education in the district, pointing out the share the branch library had in such matters ; local notes, bringing in the uses of the library in every paragraph ; an article on the district " University " — which does not exist except in the form of the library, which is " Everyone's University," inasmuch, as Carlyle said, that " the 88 LIBRARY ADVERTISING true University in these days is a collection of books," etc. Omitting the advertisement columns, a general idea of the publication is given opposite. The other pages included notes on topography — as it specially concerned this particular locality, with several half-tone illustrations of local views to increase local interest This gave an opportunity to direct attention to various volumes in this branch library dealing generally with local history and topography This part of the town produced a famous All-England cricketer, and brief bio- graphical particulars were given, drifting on to the statement that the library contained volumes on Cricket and almost every other form of recrea- tion. " Local colour " was given wherever possible ; and other notes on the following lines were included : The naturalist, the student of botany, and the outdoor man generally will find something to interest him and make him enjoy his pursuit all the better in the books at his call. " In these days novels play an important part in the common round of life," says an essayist, and readers of fiction have a goodly stock of this class to select from. The standard authors are available, and borrowers will see by perusing the catalogue just issued that many of the latest novels are included. There are books to suit all tastes. Example of Library "Neivspaper" circulated: LENTQN NEWS A NEWSPAPER FOR EVERY HOME IN THE DISTRICT. EDUCATION IN LENTON. WHEN the history of Education in Lenton comes to be chronicled it will be found that the Lenton Dis- trict Public Library, established in 1888, has played no small part therein, " The foundation of every State is the education of its youth," vrrote Dionysius, and the Lenton Library has contributed in no mean measure as regards the spread of knowledge in the district. The excellent schools in Lenton have sown the seeds of knowledge, but even in this sphere the Public Library has a part, providing as it does each of the schools with a goodly supply of literature of all classes, from general science and nature-study to history and travel, in addition to purely recreative reading of a suitable character. The education of life only really begins, however, when people are old enough to teach themselves. The teaching at school is the beginning only, but the real knowledge, which is permanent, and is of importance in our after life, is what we learn from our experience and what we get from books. " The foundation of knowledge must be made by reading," wrote Dr. Johnson. With a Public Library so close at hand knowledge is within reach of one and alL Lenton has grown so rapidly of late years, and its population has increased so considerably, that it may be that there are many who are as yet un- acquainted with the fact that there is a Public Library and Reading Room at their service. * • « THE LENTON "UNIVERSITY." " The true University of these days is a collection of books," wrote Carlyle. Lentonians are reminded that there is a collection of books at their Lend- ing Library exceeding 8,oon, to which additions are being constantly made. The litterateur will find volumes of essays, literary history, criticisms and selections ; and the general reader will perceive numerous bound maga- zines for home reading. The " philoso- phic mind " will discover works on logic, ethics, philosophy, rhetoric, etc. ; while the theological student will find available many helpful publications on religion and ecclesias- tical history. Politicians and students of social problems generally will be interested in the works obtainable oa political economy, commerce, educa- tion, social reform, law, and govern- ment ; and students of language will find some useful treatises and diction- aries on the shelves. Science is such a comprehensive subject that most readers are inter- ested in one phase or another of it. Be the borrower a student of astro- nomy, botany, chemistry, geology and physical geography, physics, physiology and anatomy, microscopy or zoology, he or she is, in a measure, catered for at this library close at hand. The " Industrial Science " section comprises works on agricul- ture, applied electricity, applied mechanics, building, engineering, gardening, hosiery, leather and metal work, and other lines of interest and service to the handy man. " As the Art of Life is learned it will be found at last that all lovely things are also necessary," said Ruskin. In the Fine Arts section here, art, painting, architecture, and photography are included. The stu- dent of history will find many useful British and Foreign histories, and there are books of biography, topo- graphy, geography, and travel. The Library is open for the use of the residents in the district, and all are entitled to avail themselves of the facilities aSorded. [p.T.o. ADVT. 89 An example of the type of local illustration is here given [The Castle as it appeared in the i6th Century. See books on local history in your Library.] Another example of a Library " newspaper " is reproduced. This was entitled " The Eastern Herald." It was not of the East of which Kipling writes : " East is East and West is West," but published to " herald " the opening of a new lending department in the eastern district of a certain city. 90 The Eastern Herald. CIRCULATION 5,000. A Publication intended for every Home in the district. THE WAR. The War has emphasized the value of Public Libraries and Reading Rooms — certainly as far as this city is concerned, where the attendances at the various Reading Rooms have been considerably above the average compared to previous years. The lending libraries in the city have been extensively used, and it is considered to be an opportune time to extend facilities in the Eastern district. IN THE EAST. For some years this fine building has had a Book-delivery Station in connection therewith, but now a per- manent Lending library has been formed, and will be available for public service early in the New year. It is anticipated that the extended facilities for home reading — inaugur- ated to " supply a long-felt want " in the locality — will be appreciated in this populous and ever-growing locality. The new Lending Library has been designed on|the ";open]access system," whereby each borrower will be enabled to select his or her books direct from the shelves. By this means borrowers should become better acquainted with various classes of books not hitherto in their " course " of reading. CULTURE. A wide range of thought is repre- sented in the commencing stock of volumes available — in toto something about almost everything, from philo- sophy to fiction. The litterateur will find volumes of essays, literary history, criticisms and selections ; and the general reader will perceive numerous bound magazines for home reading. The " Philosophic mind " will dis- cover works on logic, ethics, philoso- phy and rhetoric — from Spencer to Nietzsche ; while the theological student will find available many help- ful publications on religion and church history. Politicians and stu- dents of social problems generally will be interested in the works obtainable on political economy, commerce, education, social reform and govern- ment. Students of language will find some useful treatises and dictionaries on the shelves. * « « SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. Science is such a comprehensive subject that most readers are inter- ested in one phase or another of it. Be the borrower a student of astro- nomy, botany, chemistry, physics, physiology and anatomy, microscopy, or zoology, he or she is, in a measure, catered for at this library close at hand. The " Industrial Arts " sec- tion comprises works on aeronautics, agriculture, electricity, applied mechanics, building, engineering, gardening, hosiery, and other lines of interest and service to the handy man. « « * ART AND MUSIC. " As the art of life is learned it will be found that all lovely things are necessary," said Ruskin. In the Fine Arts section here. Art, Painting and Architecture are included. Music is obtainable, and volumes of both theory and practice will be available. A varied selection of standard and popular works will be found on the shelves. Sports and pastimes are also represented. ♦ * ♦ ANTARCTIC via THE LIBRARY. Shakespeare wrote in Pericles of one who " took himself to imkncwu travels." Every one is not able to travel far and wide in reality, but everyone is able to widen his own view of life by reading books of travel, to take mind -journeys to almost any country on the globe via this Lending Library. « * « Students of local history will find much to interest them. {Illustration of local historical interest reproduced) . . . P.T.O. 91 Another column is reproduced. THE EASTERN HERALD. [2] FOR FICTION READERS. " In these days novels play an important part in the common round of life," says an essayist, and readers of fiction have a varied stock of this class to select from. The Standard authors are available — Dickens, Scott, Lytton, and such word-masters — and borrowers will see by perusing the catalogue that many of the latest novels are included, and that twentieth-century writers are well represented. There will be volumes of fiction for the pleasure of the novel reader, to say nothing of volumes of magazines, containing romances and tales. Fiction is entitled to a place in the Public Library to be enjoyed as an additional course, but not to form the staple food of our lives, however. To encourage the reading of works other than fiction, and to assist students, borrowers may now have an extra card, which will enable them to borrow any class of book except novels. This is termed the Student's (or non-fiction) ticket, for which a special form may be had on application. The ordinary member- ship ticket enables borrowers to take out any class of book, the extra card entitles readers to borrow any except fiction. WOMEN'S WORLD. Needlework and other art crafts beloved by women, and cookery and household management gener- ally, are dealt with in the books available, and much else " towards the education of your daughters " (Shakespeare.) There is a goodly selection of feminine fiction, from the old-established women writers down to the novels of present day favourites. * * » * The selection of books has been carefully made to suit all tastes and all classes, and it is hoped that the public will take full advantage of the facilities here afforded. * * * « * Application forms for membership may be obtained gratis at the Library. The parallel colurnn was placed at the service of advertisers. 92 LIBRARY PUBLICATIONS 93 By various other devices " publicity " may be obtainable for our Public Libraries, but the fore- going will serve to illustrate that particular phase of advertising. U.S.A. AND Us. The following emanates from an American Public Library : Caesar was quite a busy man, but found time to write a book. Don't you think you can find time to read one ? You own about two hundred thousand. And the one you've been looking for, the one that will tell you something new about your business, is among them. You have " business reading matter enough," you say, and want a change ? Thousands of your books are just waiting to give you a change. Thone 320 B.B., or drop a postal, or send a boy, and your public library will serve you. It holds your books in trust for you to use. They are useless on the shelves. The Public Library. America may or may not be able to teach Great Britain much in the advertising of Public Libraries, but an exchange of ideas may be mutually beneficial. Great Britain and the U.S.A. are " allies " for the furtherance of this Cause ! VI *' PUBLICITY " WORK FOR THE CHILDREN ** Take care of the young : the old should be able to take care of themselves " may or may not be a generally accepted dictum, but the necessity of taking care of the young is a national duty which no individual will wish to see shirked. The Public Libraries play their part towards the welfare and education of our boys and girls. Sir John Kirk, some time ago, said : " Children are learning the news of the War from soulless cinemas, drink-inspired gossip, and music-hall ditties." There were Public Libraries, however, which provided special books on the war and the countries engaged therein so that our young folks could take an intelligent interest in the fight in Freedom's Cause. During the War a "newspaper" was pubhshed in one case, calling attention to the facilities afforded in the way of reading. This publicity issue, styled ** The Boys' and Girls' Companion," was illustrated. The pictures were dehberately designed on popular lines to attract the " human boy," and the demand for copies exceeded all expectations. A facsimile of the production is given on the next page. 94 Reduced facsimile nf a children's " news paper," compiled and disiribiiicd for Library publicity purposes : THE BOYS' & GIRLS' Companion. Cifculation 5,000. For Pra»«btmtla ifAoul Ch* Cn OUR BOYS AND GIRLS. Uihi Tills It • li.iit >t»M •linoil arei; h.mt ii (•rliii|)lb< t1 n**a k ipeci.il ihou^ht ftaA* Milt •iti«>IHltli«i. It n • ;,itr Oban L:|! br»lhaa b -aka aaa a.i4Hpl^fo1l«. aud «a int'tst cbaeaa our bvoha juai aa «t b'.:at ofaaoaa «.if fntf^da, kaciaMtviharfc*!^ good aad b.%d beoki ti' va l»>c booka t>> ad.l<.ra-xl6rtoi cil Ibnlllr; drada ou la. (1 and aea. ai.d «a lauil aa Itiar ai<;..r lalaa ol bealtl'V ad'anliiie 14'^> »il. 8a NO biint T>la>l4 II. aa aaill fgron up all'lba manl.ar Im 11 Iba fMulitig »t .Dck advaiitliraa ai tbota i>rllta.< bl (• A. klcKtt. ;.l'(.ir Iba.i uiK yaalh I.. Nnlt.hg ta.t. t.aa p..i)a aacr.«; itxjAigb fauiii.^ tl.ota *'pai.Bf drendfi.la ' ai.d 'hill peoi.t h.rtibjo*. ■ OI <.«urp». i( a bcj aiinaal Jrl kijltl.i adrri.tuie baoU kg aiill gal iha otbar tui I. Il.ara la ic eC'-iiaa in NottlM;;baHi, Laaevel. b"*a and giria rnaj bo.ia.r kaallli; r.idi.g If..., II. e aanatai I'libi.c Lai.dii.g Libtariea. aid It..: Ud aiao iha n.p|.i!ft •hirh atbirn.K golabua tlsa ir«>b lal.lcb (l.'ala a^er criu.a ai ri ..»t!£l. ba.da . .iliiir. up a'a a bcto OUR BOY SCOUTS. Boj ScoilU are ftame.l to Le inJependent — sn il iliey ftiay-tJ9 t>eltei .vD.e tn lake ilie places ol i oldtf onej in yearj to come, either " .it tlie (rout " in Hie wotkiliop. Tlieic motto li " Be prepared " M°2 - TH£ BOY SCOUT There me many volumes o( interes.) to Bot Seoul in i>ie Public l.ibidiie> anJ Lxnik'. ihal uill l>e t.elpfui ti. them Ml the (uli.re Ha oai uol> a •aldKi'a U^Vjic. but hit l.r.itl aaat as tkt •< ..'.k> . Had bun laadin- M itrf nl bjllles and liii iiiiad >»a1 full al aaik I I.I vn.ncrvl aan a( a Ixra. ar.d pi..u(l ol I .a gsllani vJad. t a«io:l.it ritar nUI daddy rat il.< be-l Ibc rc.mlrv l» ffl.-THE rCOTBALLER What he "is gninjj to be '— ll^t is (he question Many boys' lives are ofcctfil by the books they re.uL Mvi It should be the du!/ of all olio'can to cuide the jroimg niinJ m the ch. ur of reading;. vv.* i>. {Local Advertisement here.) The actual size of the publication was loY x 8" 95 96 LIBRARY ADVERTISING As the minuteness of the type may be unreadable some of the matter is here " set up." OUR BOYS AND GIRLS This is a time, when almost every home is feeling the effects of the War, when boys and girls need a special thought and a little extra attention. It is a year when big brothers — and fathers, too, in many cases — are bravely fighting for the sake of the dear ones at home. The companionship of brothers and sisters may be no longer possible. When some boys are losing their older comrades, too, and girls their older friends, some gone to train for nurses, there comes the need for other friends and companions. Companions ! — There are good companions and bad ones. Books are companions, and we must choose our books just as we must choose our friends, because there are good and bad books. Boys love books of adventure — stories of thrilling deeds on land and sea, and as long as they enjoy tales of healthy adventure they will do no harm. Maybe they will grow up all the manlier for it. The reading of such adventures as those written by G. A. Henty, Manville Fenn, Gordon Stables, Ballantyne, Kingston, Captain Brereton — to name but a few — should provide enough daring deeds for any lad. There are the other sort, however — those " blood and thunder " pennyworths, still so eagerly read "PUBLICITY" WORK 97 by some youngsters. Stories of this kind are no good to any lad. More than one youth in England has gone astray through reading those " penny dreadfuls " and " half -penny horribles." Of course, if a boy cannot get healthy adventure books he will get the other sort. There is no excuse here, how- ever. Boys and girls may borrow healthy reading from the various PubUc Lending Libraries, and the lad saves the coppers which otherwise go to buy the trash which gloats over crime, and wrongly holds a villain up as a hero. OUR BOY SCOUTS Boy Scouts are trained to be independent — so that they may be better able to take the places of the older ones in years to come, either " at the front " or in the workshop. Their motto is " Be prepared ! '* There are many volumes of interest to Boy Scouts in the Public Libraries, and books that will be helpful to them in the future. He was only a soldier's laddie, but his heart was as big as yours ; He'd been reading of recent battles, and his mind was full of wars. The youngest son of a hero, and proud of his gallant dad, Vowing his dear old daddy was the best the country had ! He was drilling his dummy soldiers — standing as stiff as starch, Doing the same when they " halted " as when they were told to march ! 98 LIBRARY ADVERTISING He was only * ' playing at soldiers, ' ' as his dad explained to me : " It's not so much what he is," he said ; " it's what he is going to be ! " What he "is going to be " — that is the question. Many boys' lives are affected by the books they read, and it should be the duty of aU who can to guide the young mind in the choice of reading. Particulars were given of the various libraries and where situated. Other columns are here printed : SPORTS AND PASTIMES Every lad has a liking for games. General Baden Powell considers that games, such as football and cricket, teach lads the sense of duty. " You do your duty not by playing to show your- selves off to an onlooker, but to obey the orders of the captain of the team and to buck up so that your side wins the game. If you get in the way of thinking only of doing your duty while you are yet boys, it will come naturaUy to you when you grow up, and to continue to do your duty for your King and country," says ** B. P." • • • • • The Duke of Portland gives advice to boys as foUows : ** Above all, always be straight, no matter what happens, and be bold and noble in whatever you do in life. Think of others and their PUBLICITY" WORK 99 needs. You will then have a good chance of becom- ing a creditable citizen of this great country, and be of some use not only to yourselves but to others." Every father looks to his boy to uphold the credit of the family ; every mother wants her lad to run straight through life. Good books help. HOBBIES Every boy and girl should have some hobby, whether it be pet keeping, carpentry, fretwork, gardening, coin or stamp collecting, or one of a dozen other things. Hobbies besides bringing pleasures are instructive. Stamp collecting teaches geography, history, and makes the collector obser- vant. There are books on every subject, books for busy young workers as well as for playmates. Captain Scott was very desirous that his son Peter should be interested in Nature study, on which subject there are many beautiful books specially written for children. For full particulars as to our six Lending Libraries for boys and girls see back page. There is no reason whatever why every boy and girl in this city should ^'not be connected with one Library or another, either as a counter borrower 100 LIBRARY ADVERTISING or through his or her school. By such means the boys and girls will cultivate a taste for reading which will serve them in good stead after they leave school. *' WONDERLAND " There are, of course, plenty of story-books to read — adventure stories, school tales, and other interesting yarns — but, besides enjoying stories, boys and girls should borrow some of the books other than tales and read for themselves of the wonders of the world in ■\[f which they live. By read- ' y[ ing books of travel they get to know more of other lands and the boys and 1i^4''S'''* girls who live across the sea. Books telling of the Uves of great and heroic men and women are surely always interesting. There are history tales, stories of wars, and other books for young patriots in the Public Libraries. OUR GIRLS' CORNER There are many special books for girls, and among their favourite authors are Mrs. L. T. Meade, May Baldwin, Amy Le Feuvre, Susan Coolidge, and Mrs. Molesworth, all writers of interesting girls' stories. 180976 "PUBLICITY" WORK loi Girls are interested in many of the subjects loved by boys, and often enjoy their brothers' books. They find pleasure in good school stories, books in which the girl bears her part bravely and in which she shows the spirit that is within her. She does not deUght so much in the simple stories of her grandmother's days, because times have changed and girls with them. There were no " Girl-Guides " in grandmother's time, for instance. Girl-Guides naturally take a special interest in Nature Study and other subjects beloved by the outdoor girl. The woods and fields are far merrier when one knows something about the birds, trees, flowers, insects, and four-footed inhabitants of the country. Thej'o "are many chatty booKs o-n all these subjects,' besides specially written^ work's 0}i thebeauiies of NaiuT-e generally. Girls "s-s well as 'Boys silctlM take an interest in hobbies. It is their duty to learn to be generally useful. Books often guide the way. " Young Visiters." Pupils from schools, having been shown over a Library, were asked to write their impressions. The following were among those which were selected 102 LIBRARY ADVERTISING to be printed in the local newspapers (more adver- tisement !) : *' One of the most useful buildings in a town is a Public Lending Library. Anyone who wishes may obtain books of different kinds for home reading, or go into the Library and sit there and read them. There are books of reference, such as dictionaries, encyclopaedias, books on different studies, etc. One of the great benefits of a Public Library is that through reading the books one may expand his know- ledge, for one of the very best ways of becoming well-informed is to do a great deal of reading. . . . The money for the building of most libraries comes out of the rates, but now and again we hear of the generosity of a rich man who has presented to his town a Public Library, which is one of the best presents a tov/n could receive." Another " thesis " ran : " Ail kjnds of people qan qe^ j^een looking over the newspaper, reading the daily news. Enter- ing another room, one may see all kinds of interesting magazines, which are useful and instructive to both young and old. Boys may join the library and secure for themselves books of adventure, or any other hterature they Uke. A person stud3dng a certain thing may go to the reference Hbrary and choose a book that wiD greatly help him. These libraries are a great "PUBLICITY'' WORK 103 source of value and interest to the whole community. There is an opportunity to get budding Daisy Ashfords and Opal Whiteleys to assist in our pub- licity efforts. We may thus make young adver- tisers out of our " Young Visiters," to quote the title of a book by another juvenile authoress. For the Children's Sake. Articles in the newspapers may help on the Cause of the Children, and one " leader " — contri- buted to a local paper — is reprinted : "THE SINS OF THE FATHERS." Pernicious " Hterature " has been the direct cause of scores of young people going astray from the " path of righteousness." In a case which has been occupying a certain amount of attention of late it was suggested that the crime was probably the outcome of the sus- pected youth's love of the type of publication known as the " penny dreadful " or " ha'penny shocker." More than one lad has drifted astray as the result of reading this harmful " litera- ture." One youth shot another some time ago as the direct outcome of his mind being affected by the constant reading of this highly sensa- tional and suggestive matter ! The reading of ** hterature " of the lurid and ultra-dramatic type brought another lad to the dock. He robbed his employer, and, when arrested, ad- 104 LIBRARY ADVERTISING mitted " It's all through reading rotten books." A bank clerk was " held up " with pistols some time ago by two youths, and at the trial the mother of one of the young culprits attributed the offence to the reading of " penny dreadfuls." The reading of such unwholesome matter is liable to unhinge the mind of any lad. The " Black Hand " hoax, which startled one town some short time back, was associated with some hare-brained youths who had been devouring these ruinous pennyworths. Three Shrewsbury boys had been reading some of the highly exciting stories deahng with the wild deeds of pirates and brigands — in which virtue is not necessarily triumphant — and then committed burglaries, one of the lads holding a pistol up to a man's head ! Judge DarHng sent them to hard labour, and regretted that such " hterature " was permitted to exist. The fact remains, however, that it does exist, and it is the duty of parents to encourage their boys and girls to read books of a healthy char- acter. If a father knowingly allows his son to read the " Dead wood Dick " type of narrative he is, colloquially speaking, " asking for trouble." The lad does not know, maybe, that the stuff he is reading is detrimental to his character, to his sense of right and wrong. The father does, and it is his duty to guide his son in the right way. Wholesome books put in the way of the "PUBLICITY" WORK 105 youngsters will make them all the better for it. Wholesome books are not necessarily " namby pamby " books. Let a lad have access to healthy books of adventure, and he will do no harm : probably he will grow up all the manher for it. The fact that there are pubhc lending libraries with special juvenile literature contained therein, makes it all the easier for the father nowadays. The majority of parents are admittedly very much adverse to their children reading such " trash " as " Dare Devil Dick the Scalper," for instance, yet what do they do as a counter-balance ? And thus the " sins of the fathers " — the sins of omission — are visited upon the children ! It is the parents' duty to see that they are connected with some Library. If a lad or girl cannot get good wholesome literature he or she will get the other sort ! We must do all we can to give " publicity " to the existence of our Boys' and Girls' Libraries — not only for the good of the Libraries but for the children's sake. VII THE CINEMA AND LIBRARY It has been suggested that the popularity of Cine- matograph palaces must surely affect Public Libraries. Because cinematograph houses are on the increase everywhere it does not necessarily imply that the popularity of Public Libraries has diminished in any way. There are some people who never did read, who are not intellectually capable of appreciating books, who under no cir- cumstances would avail themselves of the many facihties offered in the way of reading. There are others who still need to be aroused to the fact that they are missing many of the joys of life through not reading what is provided for them. As regards cinemas having a deleterious effect — it is a question, in fact, whether they have not, in some cases, been the means of directly introducing people to the pleasures to be derived from literature ! Books and Films. When film versions of certain of Dickens' novels have been " screened," it has had the effect of increasing the demand for the works of this " most io6 THE CINEMA AND LIBRARY 107 beneficent genie that ever wielded a pen." The " Christmas Carol " film, and " OHver Twist " were cases in point ; and " A Tale of Two Cities " caused the famous story of the French Revolution to be specially called for at many libraries. When " Les Miserables " was filmed, Victor Hugo's masterpiece was much in request, and ** The Count of Monte Christo " emptied the Public Library shelves of this magnum opus of Dumas'. " Jane Eyre " upon the screen called the attention of many readers to the books of Charlotte Bronte. The fact of " Quo Vadis " being shown at a local picture palace increased the demand for Sien- kiewicz's tale of the time of Nero, from which the film was adapted ; and so one might go on. The film-version of old or modern books has the same effect in increasing the demand for the same. Alderman Foulds, Chairman of the Nottingham Public Libraries Committee, recently recommended those who liked to see Shakespeare acted to care- fully read the play before seeing it. By this means they obtained a better conception of the dialogue, and the interest throughout was intensi- fied. The same is the case of certain famous books being shown upon the screen, specially adapted for moving picture representation — the reading of the book itself either before or after must give added pleasure. The gist of the story only can be given on the screen ; the charm of style and detail can only be obtained by reading the book. It is quite impossible for the film to take the io8 LIBRARY ADVERTISING place of the book itself. The " literature " is lacking : one misses the language and style con- tained in the printed book, whether it be a " standard " work or one of more modern produc- tion. To extract the " movement " out of certain books is not to necessarily take the best out of the story ; and the staccato-like and pithy connecting- sentences " screened " are obviously not intended to rival the picturesque English of our old masters of literature. Sir Walter Scott's descriptive writing cannot be " screened," although an interesting film may be made from any of his novels. Turning to present-day books, taking one for example, the " screened " version of " Stella Maris " is a case in point. The dual role played by Miss Mary Pickford in this film is admirably done, and the screen version is effective and enjoyable — but it does not contain the exquisite writing of Mr. W. J. Locke, nevertheless. The film can never take the place of any book, therefore. That it is the means of increasing interest in literature, however, is generally admitted — so we must hail the Cinema as a means of making books more popular, and thereby increasing the demand for the same from Public Libraries. Thus Cinemas are advertising mediums for Public Libraries. " Screened " Advertisement. It is possible to obtain direct advertisement in certain Picture-houses, and arrangements may often be made with the local management to " screen " a THE CINEMA AND LIBRARY 109 lantern slide calling attention to the books in the Public Library. The above is an idea for use after a film adaptation of a book has been shown upon the screen. " Great Literary Revival." Mr. G. A. Atkinson, the Sunday Express cinema correspondent, recently wrote, under the side- heading of " Great Literary Revival " : " The film is not only making those read who never read before, but it is making read more those who already read. Apart from this, it has given an entirely new orientation to hterature, as practically all modern authors now write their books with one eye on future adaptation for the film. This interesting process has lately been carried a step further by the fact that film producers arrange for novels no LIBRARY ADVERTISING to be written around their new photo-plays^ assuming that such novels do not already exist — and booming them in conjunction with the exhibition of the film." This shows that even modern authors realize that there is a Hmit to what may be " screened," and that the printed word can never be entirely supplanted. The Educational Force. The Cinema must be reckoned as an educational force also — in a primary way. Pictures of " Interest," so described on the Cinema notices and programmes, often cause young people to want to know more about certain industries and places, and the Pubhc Libraries again supply the need by the provision of books on all subjects. Some of these films are admirable " object lessons " for young and old. We see the evolu- tion of a butterfly, the habits of birds, the haunts of animals, and all phases of nature-study, and these are all introductions to the books dealing in a popular way with the various phases of Zoology or Botany. A lantern-slide of a general nature may be supplied for " release " on the following lines : THE CINEMA AND LIBRARY III Or, if you wish to be more direct, the following is offered as an alternative suggestion : Other " wording " will suggest itself to the reader, according to circumstances. 112 LIBRARY ADVERTISING Travel Films and Books. The " Travel " films, exhibited have induced many people to read certain books of voyage and travel where otherwise they would not have done so. One film corporation " announces " its travel pictures by stating : " The Pathe Pictorial puts the world before you. To see much is to learn much." True ; and to read much is to learn even more ! These admirable travel films enable one to enjoy the beauties of foreign lands — and books enable one to know more about the people, their characteristics, industries, and a thousand other things. The following sHde might be shown upon the screen in this case : If this is too " famihar," so to speak — (although we are endeavouring to maintain the present chatty THE CINEMA AND LIBRARY 113 atmosphere of the screen announcements) a state- ment could be made to the effect that " Books of Travel are available at the Public Library " — and so on. " Film " Libraries. Whether the idea will be generally adopted or not is a matter for conjecture, but certain Public Libraries and Museums are including in their " local collections," or as a separate section, films of local and historic interest. These may be films of local " happenings " or where in any way a local scene is introduced. The Fox Film Corporation has pro- mised to forward to one library any films taken by the company which are likely to be of local interest. Of course, various Public Libraries have their " Photographic Record and Survey " — prints of local and historical interest, from the earliest days to the present time, and the film idea is, to some extent, an extension of this scheme. Whether PubHc Libraries will decide to call this a " Film Library " or regard it as a section of their Local Collection or Photographic Record does not signify — the fact remains that Public Libraries and Cinemas are in touch with each other in various ways. Word-Pictures. An article in the Press on " The Cinema and Public Library," showing how frequenters of these palaces may enjoy the films better by reading the H 114 LIBRARY ADVERTISING books " screened," and studying the scientific subjects briefly shown on the cloth, may appeal to a large audience. If the " movies " are giving the people an insight into bookland, then they are doing good, instead of otherwise, to the Public Libraries ! The Cinema is a " hve " feature " of present-day life, and its popularity can be taken advantage of in one way or another to link up the two " institu- tions," by using the " Pictures " to direct the public to the greater " word-pictures " in the Public Libraries. VIII RURAL LIBRARIES AND ** PUBLICITY '» METHODS The Rt. Hon. J. R. Clynes, M.P., speaking at the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust Rural Libraries Conference, held in London, emphasized the fact that the need for libraries and books was never greater than it is to-day. He specially welcomed the work of which the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust was doing for the villages. He was anxious to see created in the individual the sense of book- hunger, that knowledge of the larger world in which it was desired to interest him. Miss E. S. Haldane, J. P., one of the Carnegie Trustees, said that the real problem was how to interest the population in the best sort of Hterature. The missionary spirit was required. Propaganda. A suggestion was offered, by the writer, at the Conference, and this is now followed up in practical shape. It was suggested that the propaganda side might be furthered by the issue of a four-page pamphlet, setting forth in popular form the value of books, the pleasure to be derived from reading, " sample " lists of recommended works, and the manner in which books could be obtained. ii6 LIBRARY ADVERTISING The proposed publication is in no sense designed to be a rival to such invaluable periodicals as the publications of the National Home-Reading Union, for instance, — such a thought is not to be entertained for a moment ; nor as an attempt to supplant The Times Literary Supplement, John o' London's Weekly — or The Athenaeum. These admirable pub- lications do not reach the " backwoods " in any quantities worth considering. They are seen only by the administrators of the various rural schemes, and the helpful guidance given in the choice of reading is doubtless beneficial in the work being undertaken. But it is not always possible to pass on the knowledge — to get into personal touch with everyone in the villages. This suggested publication is intended for free distribution to every home in the rural areas ! It is a one-issue publication only (although revised editions may follow, of course, in due time), an advertisement- pamphlet on the Hues of a news-sheet in abbrevi- ated form. Such a " publicity " issue might help in the " missionary work " considered by Miss Haldane to be so needful ; help to create that " book-hunger " so ardently desired by Mr. Clynes for the villagers ; and bring added success to the great scheme being so ably administered by Lieut. - Col. Mitchell, D.S.O., the esteemed Secretary to the Trust. The idea of a pubhcation — styled " Everyone's Compaction " (for a book should be everyone's companion) — is here sketched out : EVERYONE^S COMPANION. COMPANIONSHIP Companionship ! What better friends than books To cheer one up when days are darl< and dull? One quickly on a brighter picture looks. Companionship one finds thus to the full. One sits at home— yet travels far afield When in the realm of books ; and on each page The reader finds some beauty spot revealed Of time the present or some bygone age. The world of science is thus in his hand : He reads and learns what emincnts have done ; Of home things, and of many a distant land ; Of everything in toto 'ueath the sun. Companionship! What characters appear In printed pages, loved by scores to-day I Can one be lonely when at hand so near _^ Are friends just waiting for the welcome j Nay VV. A. B. CONTENTS : The Best Books. Books lor Men. Women's World. Books for Young People How to obtain Books. THERE IS A BOOK FOR YOU! For particulars see within. SIR WALTER SCOTT 117 ii8 LIBRARY ADVERTISING The second page might possibly include as a " leader " a " plea " on the following lines : ''GOOD company:' To many men possessing more leisure than the ability to use it wisely the tavern is the one source of inspiration ; but the outcome is, admittedly, not edifying. After they have concluded their day's work many there are who drift instinctively into their favourite drinking saloon, and there quaff freely of the fluid which is noted for its ability to create heated discussions on very minor topics, and which also, temper- ance advocates tell us, produces bad heads and financial loss. It is averred that these fre- quenters drift into the public-houses because they want " good company " . . What better could a man desire than the companionship of such writers as Charles Dickens, Sir Walter Scott, Victor Hugo, Charles Kingsley and company ? Readers will find better thoughts, too, in the pages of these books than they will hear in the bar parlour, and couched in far better language. It may be asserted that the man in the street requires " something more exciting," but surely the " adventures " of such writers as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Fenimore Cooper, Manville Fenn, Henty, Sir H. Rider Haggard, Joseph Conrad, Phillips Oppenheim, Baroness Orczy, — and a hundred others — are exciting enough, and healthy excitement at that. RURAL LIBRARIES 119 The man must be all the better fitted for his work on the morrow than if he thoughtlessly sat drinking at the village inn. Moreover, the reading itself opens out a new world to him, and broadens his views. A general article on the following lines (in improved form and style, of course) might be acceptable : THE BEST BOOKS It has been suggested that some readers would welcome guidance in their choice of literature. Questions often asked are : " What ought I to read ? " " Which are considered to be the best books ? " . . . • • • • • Lord Avebury — known better as Sir John Lub- bock by many people — deals with the choice of books in his " Pleasures of Life." A Ust of 100 books is therein given, although it should be noted that works by living authors are not included. This list is often quoted as ** The 100 Best Books." The selection gives a representative selection from the " classics," and readers will find works varying from the " Meditations of Marcus Aurehus " to Darwin's " Origin of Species," and from Mill's " Logic " to " Pickwick " and " David Copperfield." . • • • • " Literary taste " is a useful handbook by 120 LIBRARY ADVERTISING Arnold Bennett ; and a helpful volume to those who wish to be " introduced " to some of the best writers is " Through the Magic Door " by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The door is of the popular author's study, and he talks of his favourite vol- umes on the shelves. He refers to his Macaulay, Carlyle, and Scott, his Johnson and Gibbon, Pepys and Darwin, and Robert Louis Stevenson, the last- named with " his own natural God-given style.'* There is a recent selection known as the " World's Best " Library, works of fiction only. The choice is varied enough, for it includes such old-time writers as Thackeray and Scott, and finds a place for such present-day favourites as Ralph Connor and John Oxenham. It is interesting to record that the following named works are in this selection and in Lord Avebury's also : Thackeray's " Vanity Fair " and " Pendennis " ; Scott's " Ivanhoe," " Talisman " and " Guy Mannering " ; Lytton's " Last days of Pompeii," George Eliot's " Adam Bede " and Kingsley's " Westward Ho ! " The others selected, not noted in " The Pleasures of Life," include various living writers. Among the old favourites Sir Walter Besant is represented by " All in a Garden fair," " Ivory Gate," " Amorel of Lyonesse," and " The World went very well then," and his collaboration with James Rice, " Ready-money Mortiboy," is noted. David Christie Murray's " Bob Martin's httle Girl," Charles Reade's *' Cloister on the Hearth," Robert Buchanan's RURAL LIBRARIES 121 " Andromeda " and " Shadow of the Sword," James Payn's " Burnt MilUon," Clark Russell's " My Shipmate Louise," Grant Allen's " Scallywag " and " Tents of Shem " are selected. Of the writers of to-day. Hall Caine has " The Deemster " and " Son of Hagar " preferred, Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler's " Concerning Isabel Carnaby " is listed, and others are B. M. Croker's " Pretty Miss Neville " and " Spanish Necklace," John Oxenham's " Hearts in Exile " and " Barbe of Grand Bayou," Ralph Connor's " Black Rock," and Harold Bindloss's " Sower of Wheat." • • • • • Some interesting opinions have been given in a London newspaper as to which is the best love story every written. The immortal true story of Socrates* love for Truth, and how, in prison, he died for her, is one choice ; others are " Adam Bede," " Jane Eyre," " John Halifax, Gentleman," and " Wuthering Heights." In more recent fiction the following are named : Hardy's " Tess," Marion Crawford's " Saracinesca," and its sequel " Sant' Ilario " ; Rudyard KipUng's " Light that failed " ; Stanley Weyman's " Gentleman of France " and Robert Louis Stevenson's " Catriona." [Alternative suggestions for the third page of the proposed publication are given overleaf.'] Another suggested page set-out, with illustration. EVERYONE'S COMPANION Page 3 BOOKS FOR MEN . There are books available to suit every taste at the service of every man in this district — adventure, travel science : books to help in his work or his hobby. WOMEN'S WORLD . "Home, sweet home" may be made even sweeter by the influence of good books. There are scores of books for mothers and daughters now at their service. "/^< ■^—7^ From "The Vicar of Wakefield," By Oliver Goldsmith. (One of the sweetest stories ever told.) [For particulars of how to obtain Books free on loan see back page.] 122 An alternative suggestion, without illustration. EVERYONE'S COMPANION Pages BOOKS FOR MEN. There are scores of books to suit every taste — books of adventure, travel, and romance. These are at the service of every man in this district. Whether he wishes to enjoy a thriUing narrative, some historical novel, a sea yarn, or whatever be his taste, the book is at his service. He may wish to read of the daring deeds of great men, of the experiences of our famous explorers, of expeditions to the North or South Poles, or journey by book to China or South Africa. All this is possible. He may wish to know more of gardening or other hobbies. There are many volumes of popular Science, too, which he will find of interest not only to himself but to his family. But whether he wants a book on Science or a yarn he can get it for the asking. How ? . . . [See back page.] WOMEN'S WORLD. " Home, sweet home " may be made even sweeter by the influence of good books. There are hundreds of volumes to select from nowadays : books for mothers and books for daughters. Some of the old stories still appeal to the mind — such as "The Vicar of Wakefield" and "Jane Eyre " for instance — and many new writers will appeal to the heart of the woman. The best of these are available to every woman in the dis- trict. The mother who finds herself unable to get far from home — for the bairns need all her atten- tion — can know some- thing of distant lands by reading books of travel. Mothers and children of other countries are interesting to read about. Then there are books on needlework and other art crafts beloved by women, and many other volumes to interest and instruct. "Woman's rights" are just as great as men's in this scheme of book-supply. [For particulars see over.] 123 The hack page might he set-out as under : Page 4. EVERYONE'S COMPANION. BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE HOW TO OBTAIN BOOKS Books for Boys & Girls are many. There are ad- venture tales, school yarns, life -stories 'of famous boys and men, and all kinds of joy- books for their enjoyment. Among the travel books are series, such as "Peeps at Many Lands. " The picture here is a " peep" at Holland, showing a Dutchman (not forgetting the little Dutch maiden in the background.) Then there are natiure -study volumes, and books on hobbies for both boys and girls, all provided for their pleasure. Books are pro- vided for the benefit of every man, woman, and child in this district. These may be borrowed free, under the scheme now in operation. Full particulars may be had on application to the under named : THIS SPACE MAY BE LET FOR A LOCAL ADVERTISEMENT 124 RURAL LIBRARIES 125 The plan as sketched out is, obviously, capable of much improvement, but the germ of the idea is there. (Nearly every " invention " has been im- proved upon !) The pages are designed to en- deavour to get the " interest " of the recipient, and space on the back page is reserved for local particulars (which could be inserted by a local printer, or added by a rubber stamp). Space is also left on this page for a local advertisement to help defray the cost. If such a " newspaper " could be issued from one centre (as the same propaganda will do for all) it could be printed off in thousands, and expense would be lessened in each individual county, which could order the number of hundreds or thousands required for distribution to the various villages in that particular area. If house-to-house distribu- tion is not practicable then circulation could be assured through the medium of the schools, insti- tutes, clubs, Y.M.C.A.'s, Y.W.C.A.'s, and in other ways. This idea is offered to " all whom it may concern " — and especially is it intended to be an aid in giving pubHcity to the valuable service now being rendered by the various county Education Authorities, and to advertise the facihties afforded by the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust in its great work for the rural areas. ADVERTISE ! ! ! At the International Advertisers' Exhibition, held in London, Publicity schemes were discussed by Government officials, clergymen, representa- tives of countries, towns, railways, charitable institutions, and various other bodies — but not by Library authorities. PubHc Libraries must do their share in advertis- ing ! The motto must be : " Advertise, Advertise, and Advertise ! " Raison d'etre. The raison d'etre of this publication on " Library Advertising " may be summed up in one phrase — it is designed to advance the Library Movement by every means possible. The thoughts submitted in the foregoing pages will suggest hundreds of ideas to the initiated — from advertising in 'bus and tramcar to such extreme ideas as sky-signs, captive balloons and the distribution of Library circulars by aeroplane ! . . . The obscurantist may cynically suggest the latter methods in his criticism of the others, which he may describe as " ultra-modern " or even 136 LIBRARY ADVERTISING 127 '* futurist " ; but the practical mind may, neverthe- less, find some idea in these pages to help along his part of the Movement. The suggestions brought forward in this volume are not published with the view that they are necessarily worthy of adoption as they stand, but with the hope that the ideas may be found of some service, adapted to local requirements ; and are submitted to those many experts in library admini- stration with all consciousness of possible defects, in the same manner that Oliver Wendell Holmes speaks of a book that the best of it is " not the thought which it contains, but the thought which it suggests." W. A. B. A Book for all Public Libraries, School Libraries, & Rural Libraries. "THE BOY HERO OF THE AIR" By Walter A. Briscoe, F.L.A. (Joint author of " Captain Ball, V.C") The Story of the wonderful career of Captain Ball, the famous air-fighter, from schoolboy to V.C. — a school siory, an adventure tale, and an air- story in one — and a true one at that. This life-story of " the Peter Pan of the R.F.C. " is written specially for boys, and is illustrated by a coloured plate and numerous drawings. " The narrative is in a vivid and moving style which will at once rivet the attention of young readers." " A graphic book . . by a writer who wields a ready pen." — Children's Newspaper. H.R.H. The Duke of York, who takes great interest in airmanship and aeronautics, has " read the volume with great interest and thoroughly en- joyed it." His secretary writes that " the Duke hopes that the funds for the memorial to Captain Ball will be greatly helped by the sale of this most engrossing booh." Published by Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, London. Popular Edition, price 2/6, from all booksellers. Library Edition (Cloth), price 3/9, to be obtained only from the Woolston Book Co., Nottingham. LIBRARY BOOKSELLERS. Specialising in Library Work with the Largest Stock of Library Replacements in the Country. FOR PROMPT ATTEN TION AND EFFICIENT SERVICE. The Woolston Book Co., Ltd., NOTTINGHAM. THE LONDON AND NORWICH PRESS, LIMITED, LONDON ANDj^NORWICH, ENGLAND AUG? 1978 RETURN LIBRARY SCHOOL LIBRARY TO^^ 2 South Ha 642-2253 LOAN PERIOD 1 2 3 4 5 6 ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS DUE AS STAMPED BELOW nr^ 1 R 19R7 ■ -1 MAY ?S> i988 FORM NO. DD 18, 45m, 6-76 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKE BERKELEY, CA 94720 GENERAL LIBRARY U.C. BERKELEY B0DQES0171