Chapter VI: Conclusion

Upon reflection, the effect produced by the cinematograph upon our lives and thoughts, nay, upon the nation as a whole, must be considerable--morally, physically, spiritually, mentally and psychologically, for this form of amusement absorbs part of the daily thoughts of a considerable percentage of the British public. The reaction upon the mind becomes apparent from the quality of the subject-matter shown. There are certain members of the community who stand apart from this form of occupation of their leisure moments. This lack of moral courage, of the possibility of becoming tainted with the lower tone of some of the pictures, is to be deplored. Let social workers and educationists view the films and judge for themselves; and decry those films which, in their opinion, are unfit for mental consumption.

The greatest service can be rendered to humanity if the cinematograph be used in the right direction. There is a crying need for more educational films. This progression is retarded because production, at the present time, is centralized. This centralization, as we all well know, takes place in America, but before long there will be a breakaway, and British producers will think for themselves and not be influenced by Americanism.

The population of England and America is widely different. The American population is self-supporting, providing vast fields for opportunities, and these opportunities are considerably helped by prevailing climatic conditions. In England, production is periodical, governed by climatic conditions; in America, in California, the weather conditions are ideal and consistent. The two governing factors are at hand--financial support, and the weather.

British productions have soared above the fourth-raters, and the standard has undoubtedly risen during the last few years. The recent cry of one British Colony to the producers in this country was--“Send us more British films.”

As stated before, and voiced by the powerful press, a more discriminating censorship is required. If these duties were carried out more rigidly by an authorised person capable of giving an unbiassed judgment, not only on questionable films, but from the standpoint of national character, such discretion would exercise the necessary restraining guidance.

The Government subsidizes the dye industry, and why should not the educational side of the film industry receive the same consideration? This would produce “standardized educational films,” and might lead to good results.

* * * * *

The cinema question is uppermost in the mind of the public, and every phase is looked to with interest, every new invention eagerly investigated, and every suggestion for the raising of the masses, both morally and mentally, is given a whole-hearted support. It is hoped that although there may be passages in this volume with which readers will not “see eye to eye,” these pages will have been read with interest; and will help educationists to realize more fully the great power that the film may become in the education of the people.

THE LONDON AND NORWICH PRESS, LIMITED, LONDON AND NORWICH, ENGLAND

“LIBRARY ADVERTISING”

By WALTER A. BRISCOE (Grafton & Co.).

Some excerpts from Press notices are appended:

GENERAL NOTICES.

“Public Libraries and their uses certainly need to be forced on the attention of the public a great deal more than they are, and these very practical chapters on methods of advertisement by the Nottingham City Librarian ought to be of great service. Posters, articles, leaflets, pamphlets, announcements thrown on the Cinema screen, and other methods are discussed with many facsimile examples and designs, specimen paragraphs and articles, etc.”--_Times Literary Supplement._

“‘Publicity is the best policy,’ says Mr. Walter A. Briscoe in his book entitled ‘Library Advertising,’ a work designed to advance the Library Movement by every means possible. Sections deal with Publicity methods for Public Libraries, Rural library schemes, Library work with children, the Cinema and Library, etc., and the author discusses the problem of bringing home to the public the need for an efficient Library Service from an entirely new standpoint.”--_The Publishers’ Circular._

“I am inclined to think that Mr. Walter A. Briscoe is right in holding that the best and fullest use is not made of such institutions, because ‘the people have not yet acquired the idea of thinking _big_ about libraries--and until the populace get the Library idea progress cannot be spelt with a capital P.’ Mr. Briscoe suggests the remedy for this in ‘Library Advertising’: ‘We must proclaim our libraries from the hills, so to speak,’ he writes, ‘from the advertisement hoardings, if necessary. These may be new ideas not acceptable to the conservative mind. Obscurantist methods are out of date, however.’ And so he offers specimens of posters, hints for ‘publicity’ campaigns, etc. Hitherto, I am afraid, Mr. Carnegie and Sir Henry Tate have become better known and appreciated than the libraries they founded, but Mr. Briscoe’s plans would certainly do something to alter this....”--_The Westminster Gazette._

PROFESSIONAL PAPERS.

“This timely volume has for its motto: ‘We often refer to the Public Library Movement. Let us therefore MOVE.’ Mr. Briscoe designs the book to furnish suggestions to his readers, most of whom must be half convinced of the necessity for this propaganda which is here so stoutly advocated. The stimulating powers of this work should be great; every activity of the ordinary man furnishes an excuse for reminding him that there is a book in the public library about it. The volume is dedicated to the President of the Library Association, who says: ‘I have no doubt at all that the book will fill a very useful function in the work of public libraries.’ We also learn that French libraries are preparing for a public discussion of the book, a very gratifying tribute to its ‘stimulating’ properties.”--_Library Association Record._

“The comprehensive title of this book by the fertile and vigorous chief librarian of Nottingham is almost sufficiently descriptive of its contents. For many years past Mr. Briscoe has advocated advertisement on a bold and persistent scale, and in his book proceeds to show us methods of locomotion which I believe will be suggestive to most librarians. As a fervent believer in the necessity for wide and persistent advertising for libraries, I recommend this book to my fellow-librarians. They ought to read it.”--_The Library World._

“We are convinced that in advertising is to be found the future success of public libraries. Nowhere are libraries used as they should be and in very few places their value and uses appreciated as they might be. Mr. Briscoe has dealt with one of the two classes of library advertising, and has dealt with it in a practical manner. The book is full of hints and suggestions for the librarian, who must necessarily be his own publicity agent. We heartily congratulate Mr. Briscoe on what he has done....”--_The Librarian._

“LIBRARY ADVERTISING,” Grafton & Co., 7s. 6d.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:

Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_.

Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.

Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.

Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.