Lawrence.com

For centuries, libraries have been doing their best to bring a spirit of culture and education to the public, through distribution of literature and other forms of the written word.

For several years, the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt., has attempted to do that not just with books, but with movies, through its tri-annual Film Series program.

Bruce Flanders, director of the Lawrence Public Library, formed the program.

"(Flanders) started the series a few years ago when he saw it was something that other libraries were beginning to try," says Maria Butler, the library's community relations coordinator.

Free of charge and open to the public, the features are shown on either VHS or DVD format and are screened in the library's auditorium, which can seat 100 people.

"Generally, it's really good," Butler says of the program turnout. "We averaged about 75 people a week last year in the summer."

The series runs four thematically linked movies in a month. Past screenings have included westerns, Katharine Hepburn's films and a series based on John Steinbeck's novels.

"They're usually older films, so it's an opportunity to see a movie on the big screen that you might only get to see on television," she says. "The sociability factor of it works, too, because we have a regular crowd. They always have a good time."

The current installment of the Film Series (7 p.m. today) features selections directed by Hollywood legend Billy Wilder. A master of the comedic arts, Wilder is perhaps best known for "Some Like It Hot," starring Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis as two men who cross-dress to hide from mobsters.

Butler believes comedies reach out to the younger audience, perhaps more than some other genres.

"We did the Marx Brothers last summer and we had several kids come and see those films," she says. "In that respect, we're introducing these old films to a new generation."

The varied audience and quality turnouts are even more impressive considering the only advertising the library uses to promote the Film Series is through their newsletter, a few fliers and word of mouth. (According to Butler, names of the films are not allowed to be seen in print ads because it violates licensing laws.)

"The people who have been before always bring friends and are sure to tell other people," she says. "So yeah, the word of mouth has been great."