The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-07-29
Carl Bernhardt Advises a.
Closer Cooperation With .
Newspapers.
FAVOR SMOKING ROOM
Mrs. Nj. F. Johnston Speaks
on Relation of Art TO the
Libraries.

Talks upon the socialiZation of the
libraries in the state were given at to-
days session OF the summer school for
librarians now being held at Earlham
college. Among the speakers were
Mrs. NJ, F. Johnston. president of the
Richmond Art association, Edward Ii.
Harris. manager of the Palladium.
Carl Bernhardt. of the Bobbs-Merril
company. of Indianapolis, and former
ly of this city. Miss Ada NJ. McCor-
mick. of Fort Wayne, John A Lapp. OF
Indianapolis. William NJ. Hepburn.
librarian of Purdue university. and L.
J. Bailey. of Gary.
Mrs. Johnston. who is also chairman
of the art department of the General
Federation of Women's clubs. spoke
on Art Exhibits" as means of the
specialization of the library.
To illustrate Ideals.
There are many beautiful ideals
that cannot be expressed in words and
books but must be set forth in the
language of form and color illustrat-
ing poetry. music and painting" said
Mrs. Johnston. The speaker told about
exhibits for libraries and practical sug-
gestions for displaying them artisti-
cally. She also told of many exhibits
in libraries that had aroused great
community interest and increased the
social values of the library among the
people.
In speaking of what a medium sized
library can do in the municipal refer
F1lr
declared that such departments should
be welcomed by students of municipal
affairs.
Taking Richmond as an example.
John a. Lapp in his talk upon collect
| ing material and help from the out
side" declared that this city should
profit by all the experience of other
cities in the country with municipal
government and begin where the 9TH
ers leave off.
What Library Needs.
Carl Bernhardt. of the Bobbs- Merrill
company. OF Indianapolis. spoke on
The Relation of the Public Library to
the Municipality" He showed how
the library could be of great value to
the city through the cooperation of
the newspapers. lie cited instances
where the library had furnished data
to newspapers and city officials by.
which important changes had been
brought about in city government He
advocated more democracy in the ad-
ministration of the public libraries and
said that he thought libraries would be
better patronized If a smoking room
was provided for men who desired to-
spend their evenings as they would at
their homes or at the clubs, pointing
out that the library should be made
more attractive than the saloon in Or.
der TO attract men.
Mr.. Bernhardt closed his remarks
by saying that If the Librarians would
take the time to cooperate with the
newspapers in preparation OF articles
and advertisements which would boost
the library. il could be made a practi.
cal benefit to the municipality. The
newspapers. he said, are the greatest
means of distribution OF ideas. A booh
may be read by four or FIVE people in
the course of a year, but a newspaper
reaches everybody in the community
and by advertising the library through
the newspapers the library can be
made most useful to the community.
Would Aid Efficiency.
f. II. Harris, of the Palladium, led
the discussion on the subject by point.
I ing out how library could be used to
advantage in the government OF a city
il the information on file at the library
would be used by city officials He
/ said that he did not think the library
was appreciated in most communities,
/ but that this could be remedied by a
| systematic campaign of publicity
through the newspapers. He said that
the library should be made the most
valuable institution TO city by show
/ ing the people that through its assist
ance il is possible to obtain informa-
+ ton which would tend to increase the
efficiency Of every department of life.