roundings Miss Madge Atkinson and her pupils gave us sheer beauty in classical dances of a grace that is rarely seen. It was an altogether memorable affair.

THURSDAY.

To the credit of all concerned, let it be said that even on Thursday there was a good attendance at the morning meeting. After we had, as the "Manchester Guardian," a little unjustly, put it, "listened with interest and then with patience to a detailed and technical account of the library of the Labour Office at Geneva, we were plunged into a welter of technical and works-library papers. Candidly, I think it was unfair to describe this item on the pro

gramme as

THREE SHORT PAPERS,

not that they were uninteresting. Nevertheless it was well that Mr. Swann should follow with a delightful paper on modern poetry in libraries. Our perspective was righted. Moreover, Mr. Swann was the only speaker that morning who even partially succeeded in making his voice heard.

But we weren't finished with "works." The afternoon found us journeying by special car to Trafford Park, where the warehouses and the works of the Ford and Metropolitan Vickers Companies were visited.

The Annual Dinner was held that evening in the rose and white banqueting hall of the Midland Hotel, the President, Alderman T. C. Abbott, J.P., being in the chair. The toast list included "The King," "The Corporation of the City of Manchester," "The Library Association," "The Reception Committee "The Press."

A FILM AND THE USUAL ANNUAL.

and

Our last morning was provided with a novelty in the shape of a film portraying the work of the American Committee in the devastated areas of France. Library work ran before our eyes in living motion, in which pretty buildings skilfully planned, young and old Leaders engrossed in books, and motor travelling libraries all figured. The film was prefaced with a brief introduction, and was accompanied by comments, by the Librarian who is supervising this work of redemption, Miss Jessie Carson. What we saw probably marks the beginning in France of the public library movement as we know it here. It was a pleasant experience. There are great possibilities in similar work here; which may serve as a hint to the new Publicity Committee.

Then came the Annual Meeting, when all those who are silent throughout the year become as vocal as chaffinches on the 21st of February. It was a rather sad affair; our finances are not exactly in a muddle, but they are almost uncompromisingly bad. have, apparently, estimated for a deficit at the lowest computation of £250, and we have a liability running to four figures on the Subject Inder. It is time that expert advice on all such matters was secured. Not much else happened, except wailings about this. But Mr. W. A. Briscoe got his Publicity Committee approved of, and if this works with judgment and good English it may do much to speed up our movement.

A Garden Party at Heaton Park followed the interesting journey down the Ship Canal, and a visit to the Palace Music Hall was arranged for the last evening of the Conference.

The firm of Messrs. W. & R. HOLMES, Library Specialists, of Glasgow and Rochdale, execute contracts and orders for Books and Apparatus in all parts of the Kingdom.

Messrs. W. & R. HOLMES have had fifty years' experience in supplying to libraries of every kind, and have served many education authorities in England and Scotland.

Messrs. W. & R. HOLMES are in a firstclass position to execute book orders, as they are wholesale booksellers, have a large secondhand book department, and do a large trade in remainders.

The firm have been honoured by letters of thanks from many authorities for services received. Their Library Department is highly organised to give service with promptitude and efficiency. Lists of "wants" attended to.

Catalogues supplied.

Keenest quotations.

Head Office:

3-11, Dunlop St., GLASGOW,

And at 95, Yorkshire St., ROCHDALE.

ODDMENTS.

We came away with our portmanteaux bursting with literature. Papers on the Manchester Libraries by Mr. Jast, and by Mr. Axon, a paper on the Music Library by Mr. Russell, a history of John Rylands, by Dr. Guppy, and scores of publishers' catalogues, library appliance catalogues, guides to the Manchester Canal, programmes, invitations, and I know not what else; all most interesting; all worth while. The exhibitions at the School of Technology were well done, placed in the right position, and were of great interest to us, and I hope not without profit to the

exhibitors.

TO THE GIVERS

of this feast we must offer our thanks. The labours of the local committee, of Mr. Jast and Mr. Mullen, not to mention those members of their staffs who entertained us- Miss K. Bailey, Miss Sullivan, Mr. Staley, are a few I remember--I have overlooked dozens—must have been very great. They have the satisfaction of knowing that they were completely successful.

ARISTONYMOUS CALLIMACHUS. [The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions of the writers of "LETTERS ON OUR AFFAIRS."]

LIBRARY PUBLICITY.

A great deal has recently been heard about "Library Publicity," without, however, any very clear definition as to the exact meaning of the term. Obviously two main forms of publicity are possible, firstly the advertising of the existence of the Library from the outside, by means of the display of posters in prominent places, on hoardings, in tram-cars, omnibuses, and so forth, secondly the advertising of the special resources of the library from within, and also by means of posters of a somewhat different character.

The recent Conference at Manchester has conclusively proved that the art of advertising the facilities of the library and creating in the mind of the reader a real interest in literary treasures is as yet in its infancy and that at the present time there is much room for development. Useful and practical work is now being done both here and in America in devising suitable advertising matter in the shape of posters of every class, from the pithy catchphrase to those which set forth the advantages offered by the library in a dignified yet impressive manner.

Librarians had ample opportunity at Manchester of contrasting the newest posters issued both on this side and on the other side of the Atlantic. The posters produced in England* are designed to appeal to all classes, and are admirable for the purpose of awakening interest in the possibilities of the Library. They are printed in good clear type, artistically set out, on thin durable boards, and the ink used is in each case chosen to tone well with the colour of the poster. The wording of the posters is designed with the inMessrs. The Woolston Book Co., Ltd., Nottingham. Publicity Posters designed by Mr. Walter A. Briscoe, F.L.A. 10 sorts, size 14in. by 9ĝin.

tention of persuading the individual to look upon the library as the source of information on all subjects, and as the means of broadening his mental outlook in every direction. Every branch of knowledge may be extended by reading and every class of literature is represented at the Public Library. The posters have been drawn up with the greatest possible care, bearing in mind that they are intended to be suitable for use in educational institutions, and must therefore be of a very high standard, being distinctive whilst yet applying to all classes. If these English posters have any fault at all it is that they are all designed on similar lines and do not vary much in style. Some of them contain too much reading matter. Here are two good specimens, however: :

The ideal poster should have the simplest wording, so simple that even a child can grasp its meaning: the colour and design should be arresting yet artistic, and the idea should be strictly to the point.

The posters which originate in the United States* are printed in pastel shades of blue, green, buff and gold, in clear, easily read type, the wording of these posters is simple and effective and chosen with a view to making a vivid impression on the mind of the reader. Such legends as the following cannot pass unnoticed :

KEEP ON LEARNING.

If you are learning more you are
becoming more valuable in your business.

If you are not learning more, you

are becoming less valuable.

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

will help you.

* Messrs. Gaylord Bros. (U.S.A.) (London: Grafton & Co.). Publicity

Posters, 50 sorts, size 14in. by 11in.

The above posters draw attention to the practical utility of the Public Library. Other posters are designed to assist in the harmonious working of the library iteslf. An example of this class is

Please do not pull These Books About
Nor Place them facing Wrong Side Out
But Range Them Neatly in a Row

So that Their Names will plainly Show.

Whilst American posters are in some cases worded in a manner that would not find favour in English libraries, they are often exceedingly pithy, and can be utilised with good results in this country.

The method of displaying the posters can safely be left to the librarian, as they may be fastened to a wall, on the bulletin boards, or displayed in special wooden holders that may be obtained for the purpose.

A further development of the Library Publicity movement may be expected in conjunction with the cinema. Posters in the form of cinema slides constitute one of the most effective mediums for library publicity, as it is impossible to ignore what is shown in a picture theatre, since all eyes are fixed on the screen and the darkness of the hall prevents spectators from turning their attention elsewhere. This co-operation between the cinema and the library is widespread in America, and the introduction of the idea in this country will do much to further the Library publicity movement.