The Republican journal., 1917-03-15
PROFITABLE PUBLICITY.

Advertising pays There can be no
doubt as to that we'll established fact. 1t
has been demonstrated over and over
again that, in addition to purely business
enterprises, there are few lines of hui
man endeavor in which publicity is not
essential to success. It had not been
customary to advertise the banking bust
ness, but some years ago the banks of
far western State began an advertising
campaign. We published the statistics
then, but can only recall them now as
showing that within one year the banks
had largely increased their business, and
their deposits bad more than doubled. A
little later our three Belfast banks began
advertising, with like results, and today
their aggregate deposits amount to four
and half million dollars. The increased
business and deposits of these banks
is due to their having, through advertising
in various ways impressed upon the pub
lie the advantages of having checking
or savings account Their depositors
are not confined to this city but are found
all over the county, in the State at large,
and outside the State. In adding to their
deposits these banks are at the same
time beneTitting the community. The
starting of bank account in most cases
creates desire to increase it that is
check upon extravaganza. There is
reluctance to draw money from the bank,
when if in the pocket it might be spent
for something not really needed. Then,
it is comfortable feeling to have some
thing put by for rainy day-to meet
an emergency, in case of long sickness,
to buy desirable piece of property,
etc.
1t is not the banks alone which profit
by advertising. In fact, this article was
suggested by an editorial in the Satur-
day Evening Post on advertising the
Library" in which mention is made of
eet of attractive placards designed to
make the people of Seattle, WASH,
aware of their public library. One plac-
Public Library! Borrow the brains of
the best writers in your line of work.
For information on any subject try the
Reference Department. Another says:
when you want information, statistics
or facts, come to your Public Library or
telephone. This service is yours for the
asking" Skilled workmen and those
who wish technical information are re-
minded that the latest and best books
are to be found IN the library. Parents
are reminded that "Your chiIdren's read
ing may bring happiness, success, charac-
ter, and they are referred to the library
for information as to the best books for
boys and girls. This" says the Post,
sis real public library service. Every
days mail shows us how much public H.
brares need to be advertised. Follow
Seattle's example in intoxicating public
library habit. -
Miss Barr, the very efficient librarian
of the Belfast Free Library, does not is
sue placards but uses no less effective
methods of advertising-in her annual
reports, lists of new books, and in spe
cial lists when the schools or clubs take
up certain subjects for study; and it may
be said here that our library is specially
strong in books of reference, ranking
we'll among larger libraries in that re
spect. And now We propose to take this
opportunity to do little advertising for
the library itself. 1t has outgrown the
present building and there is urgent need
for an addition, not only to properly care
Cor and make available for use the in.
creasing number of books, but to pro-
vide a reading room and children's
room. We should also like to see the
library made the depository for heir
looms and curios, and if is not feasible