Educational screen & audio-visual guide (c1956-1971])

editorial Wiio's SuRiM THE Librarians? We don't know who these people are, but if they are among our readers we hope they will desist. Remarks made in jest can be taken seriously and can cause needless fears. Apparently some librarians have been made to fear that books are becoming obsolete. They have had to be reassured. Several pages in a recent issue of the eminent Library Journal had to be used up to reassure librarians that books and librarians are not becoming obsolete, that they have a "brilliant future ahead of them, and are here to stay." We were amazed at the necessity for such an article. Who has caused this uneasiness and tear? There is reference in the article to "audio-visual fanatics." Who are they? You? Me? Are people who believe that ideas can be communicated by means other than the printed page fairly labeled when they're called "audio-visual fanatics?" Or did the author mean just some of us? And if so, which ones? The truth is, we think, that these "fanatics" are but straw men— spooks and ghosts without substance. The facts and arguments that were marshalled in this Library Journal article (Vol. 79, No. 21, page 2269) to do battle with the straw men were expertly recruited and lined up for action. There's no doubt about it— more words are printed per person today than ever before. There's more reading today — and more reading with understanding— than ever before. But these facts do not add up to the victory that is claimed. There never really was a battle! "Librarians know, and have known for years, that books are in competition with radio, television, and motion pictures." That's what the man said! And lue say that audio-visual specialists— those who know and imderstand the function and power of newer media of communication— know that radio and television and motion pictures are allies with books in fighting ignorance and boredom. Books are not in competition with other means of learning. They are not something apart from the other media of commimication. We believe and believe strongly that the great increase in word publication and in reading is in some degree because of and not in spite of the uses that have been made of still and motion pictures, of radio and television. We learned of these fundamental and inevitable interrelationships partially from the pages of books— the audio-visual texts of Hoban and of Dale. People read because they want to read and are able to read. Radio and television programs, motion pictines, filmstrips, records, and other audio-visual media are constantly in use today— in school and out of school— motivating people to want to know more and pioviding them with the concrete and realistic experiences that make the abstract words of the printed page meaningful. Now, if there are any practical jokesters among our readers who are going aroimd starting rumors that books are becoming obsolete, cut it out. You're scaring people. They take you seriously. It's better that you be serious and tell the truth. Show them and prove to them that books and libraries are for sure here to stay— and that you are helping to bring that about. Paul C Kee^ picture of the month A FILMSTRIP HELPED Last spring 600,000 boys and girls were inoculated with the trial polio vaccine developed by Dr. Jonas Salk. Among them were the "Polio Pioneers" pictured here: Thomas Moran, Margaret McGrath, and Bryan Conroy Finnerty of the St. Joan of Arc School, Jackson Heights, New York. The story of how a filmstrip helped prepare these youngsters for their testing experience is told in words and pictures on pages 22-23. Educational Screen chose this smiling trio for picture-of-the-month prominence to honor them for their pioneering role in polio prevention and to focus attention on the March of Dimes, doubly important this year because the National Foundation's 195.5 obligations are twofold. Completion of the Salk polio vaccine trials must be financially superimposed on the patient care program for those born too soon to benefit from any jiolio preventive. JOIN THE MARCH OF DIMES. 18 Educational Screen