Pl;<#v» 
As a consequence of this the lecture program of the Academy 
gradually moved in the direction of providing each year a series 
of semipopular and semitechnical presentations of scientific lectures 
and demonstrations for the public in general. It was envisioned that 
such a program might serve several purposes: 
It would provide opportunity for many persons with intellectual 
and scientific interest to keep abreast of modern scientific 
developments. 
It would furnish opportimity for investigators to keep the 
public informed about developments in their fields of interest, 
for without pubhc understanding and pubhc support, science 
suffers. 
It would oflFer opportunity for the public to see, meet, and 
hear eminent scientists, thus rescuing scientists from a cloistered 
existence as well as building enthusiasm for scientific advance- 
ment in our community. 
It would give each scientist the opportunity to hear semi- 
technical lectures in scientific fields in which he is only partially 
specialized, for he, like the rest of us, requires simple explana- 
tions when outside the field of his intense specialization. 
Unfortunately, a program of lectures, to accomplish the above, 
and to attract audiences, must deal with subjects of popular interest. 
This leads to the neglect of fields that are of great scientific sig- 
nificance but of less popular appeal. 
The competition of radio and television has added to the difficulty 
of attracting large audiences. Likewise, parking difficulties and the 
unavailabihty of meeting places have become added obstacles. 
Jn spite of all these complications the officers of the Academy 
have been dogged in their persistence in working for a successful 
program of scientific lectures for the good of scientific advancement 
f the community. There is the conviction that there are many St. 
^ouisans interested in this sort of thing who would enjoy habituating 
Wiemselves to regular attendance at scientific lectures, if we can only 
^"^ceed in contacting and enlisting them in this activity of our 
organization. 
Charles H. Philpott 
THE LIBRARY AND PUBLICATIONS 
The 
1856. By the turn 
15 
