The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-07-09
1 LIBRARIES NEED
GOOD ADVERTISING
'Gertrude E. Andrus Delivers
Interesting Lecture to
Library Students.


tendent of the Children's department
lof the Seattle, Washington, Public Lii
ibrary, delivered her first address yes
lterday afternoon before a number of
Estudents who are attending the Earl
ham College Library summer school.
miss Andrus had for her subject "Ad-
.vertising Public Library" She said
Ethe up to date library is library
militant" 1t wants to be known as
lforce in the community. The old me-
Idieval library with its scholarly exclu-
tsiveness, it's strict rules has no place
I'm modern life.
Advertising is accepted as necessary
lin business. 1t is equally so in literary
jaffairs, Some people think advertis-
t1ng undignified for library. That de-
tpends on the kind of Advertising she
lsaid.
+ Every advertisement must have a
personal appeal Simple information is
snot enough. This point was illustrat-
Led with the story of two bootblacks,
lone of whom cried, "Shine your boots,
Sir" the other "Get,your Sunday shine
here" The second boy got the bust
mess
Advertising must be systematic.
ISpasmodic appeals are not sufficient.
Follow up each advertisement with an
sother. Plan regular campaign and
Icarry it out. An attractive building
mot too formal-is a good advertise
lment So are good looks. But the best
lad is live librarian, The advice of
ISam Walter Foss, the deceased poet
librarian of Somervile, Mass, In
Icrease the circulation of the books
ttwofold-the circulation, of the librar-
lian threefold." observation-disclosures are
la necessary foundations for all adver-
stising.
In Seattle every man.and woman is
fentitled to borrow two novels and as
many other books as he wants at one
thine and keep them four weeks; after
(which he may return them for another
-four weeks-excessive demands being
isubject always to other requests.
EChildren may take two books of any
tkind. There is no sense, said Miss
tAndrus, in this idea of making chill
fdren take on non.f1ction along with ev-
|ery good story.
These remarks illustrated the point
ethat library rules are a means of ad-
fvertising.
The definite methods of advertising
suggested included putting special COL
Elections of books on prominent shell
ives; story telling in libraries; schools
land Fairgrounds; literary clubs, tele-
Ephone service for quick reference
work. especially for newspapers, IL
brary bulletins, printed and mimic
graphed lists on special subjects at ap-
jpropriate times; exhibits-artistic, in
ldustrial, and historical in the library;
Christmas book exhibits for the bene-
At of parents and others who don't
know what book to give as a Chrisa-
bmas present, auditoriums, that are in
public places for all sorts of meetings,
lectures. etc; Placards in public pla-
Ices; little folders about the library
What are put in pay-envelopes sent out
with gas and water bills and city de-
Epartment correspondence; travelling
libraries for people who live a few
miles from the library, ETC.; literary
lsermons, etc. Last, and most import
liant of all, is newspaper advertising,
lshe said. The newspaper reaches a
imuch larger public than any other
medium. Newspaper editors are liberal
lin giving space to libraries. Many
lhave regular library columns, One IL
library has had literary column every
tsingle week for thirty years. Newspa-
Spers are glad to get news items, not
tonly local but about literary work in
general. In one sense newspapers and
libraries are working for a common
Eend and they should cooperate.
/ Many people are in Richmond at
Intending the course. They have come
kfrom all parts of the state and from
NEARBY towns in Ohio.