WHAT SOLDIERS READ A. L. A. WAR SE RVICE Press Bulletin January 26, 1918. Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. Records kept of reading matter furnished to the en- listed men by the camp libraries established by the American library Association are not only interesting as answering the question, what soldiers read, but significant of purposes animat i ng Ame r i ca 1 s army of demo era cy . In one day’s issue of books by the American Library Association camp library at Camp Heads , the following sub- jects were reported: French history, mechanics, topography, and strategy in war, self-propelled vehicles, hand grenades, field entrenchments, bridges, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology, hydraulics, electricity, mediaeval history, calculus, civil engineering, geography, American history, surveying, materials of construction, general history, masonry, concrete. About three-quarters of the books taken out were non-fiction. Titles picked at random from one page of a report from the American Library Association camp, library at Camp Sherman include: George Ade»s "The Girl Proposition”, Jack London’s "Burning Daylight", Tolstoi’s "Anna Karenina”, H. G. Wells’ "The Soul of a Bishop", Ellis’ "Plattsburg llanual” , ileadoweroft *s ”A. B. C. of Electricity”, Zerbe’s "Aeroplanes”, t! I •b. 'i ... 1 2 Haweis* "Ilusic and Lorals", Guizot’s n History of Civilization in Europe", Carlyle’s "French Revolution", Wells’ "Italy, France and Britain at War", and Gerard's "Four Years in Ger- many" . Some of the men coming to the camp libraries seem to be having their first experience of the possibilities of the world of books . Others of the men apparently are taking ad- vantage of the opportunity of catching up on some of the read- ing that, postponed until non, is made possible to them. Bos well’s "Life of Johnson", Bergson’s "Creative Evolution", and Gibbon’s "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire", are among titles noted in the soldiers’ reading. Among the men a num- ber are following various branches of English literature under the direction of the camp librarian. Two general classes of reading are shown by the re- ports from the camp librarians. One of them is recreational, and causes demand for fiction, poetry", and drama. The otner is informational and causes demand for books dealing with the numerous aspects of military science, including artillery, aviation, signaling, technique of drilling, electricity, me- chanical and civil engineering, transportation, diet, food- stuffs, roadmaking, care of horses, making and repairing equipment, and other topics relating to the present business of the men, namely, war. In addition, there is much reading b 5.3234 ; i < 3 dealing with farming, trades, occupations, and the forms of activity which engaged the men before they went into camp. There is much interest in the study of French, and particu- larly so in histories and descriptions of France. Books deal- ing with the war, its causes, and the issues involved, and narratives of personal experiences in the war, are greatly in demand. "Camp Library Service has been established for just one purpose," said Burton E. Stevenson, at Camp Sherman re- cently, "that is to help win the war, and there sere three ways in which it can help.: first, by helping to maintain the morale of the men by providing them with interesting and en- tertaining reading matter to help tide over the moments of loneliness and depression which come to everyone; second, by helping to educate them as to the causes and purposes of the war, and make them realize that they are no g fighting France’s fight, England’s fight, or Italy’s fight, but America’s fight- that it is net Belgium or France or England that Germany is seeking to destroy, but the ideals and principles which form the very foundation stones of this Republic; and third, by providing the men with special technical books along their several lines, and so making them better and mere efficient soldiers * ' r t , A , L. A, WAR SERVICE press /BUHg tin Library of Congress, February 2,1918 Washington, D. C. "War Service Libraries" are being sent to all military camps, forts, and posts, to naval bases, stations, and vessels, and to marine corps stations and barracks, by the Library War Service of the American Library Association, Library buildings and trained librarians are provided only for the large camps but collections of books and magazines are available for every group of soldiers and sailors no matter how small, and regardless of where they are quartered. Circular letters have been sent out recently by the A. L. A. War Service headquarters in Washington, to Y. M, C. A. secretaries, offering this service. The Naval Commission on Training Camp Activities has a man in the field all hie time making investigations and reporting needs. Chaplain John B. Frazier, of the Navy, has re- cently sent out letters to the men cn board U« S. vessels asking them what they want in the way of reading matter. As a result, thousands of books are being requested every week, and the requests are always filled, if reasonable. Miscell- aneous books, fiction, poetry, travel, history and general liter- ature are supplied from the gift books that have been collected from the public in all the public and college libraries through- t , t '• I-' Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alternates https://archive.org/details/pressbulletinsjaOOamer These are supplemented "by purchases of hooks on the war, on automobiles, aeroplanes, electricity, engineering, navi- gation, military subjects, mathematics, the sciences, French lan- guage, etc. A fund for this purpose was collected let Si September by the Association with the cooperation of a Library War Council appointed by the Secretary of War. Dr. Herbert Putnam, librarian of Congress, and general director of the Library War Service, says that he wants every soldier and sailor of the T J„ S. to know that books will be provided for his entertainment and for serious study, as soon as the needs are made known. There is no red tape and there is no expense . The Association, he says, is willing to work through a public library, a Y. K. C. A., K. of C., or Y. M. H, A. secretary, a chaplain or any other officer. t c; ’ n:r. t‘'oS r \ *v * V1SV9 ?-p« no or ^ l f r ; r — - /T rij - r y, \ A. L. A. WAR SERVICE Pr-ss Bulletin Library of Congress February 9/1913 Washington, D. C. •Note to Librarian: This is not complete, nor very comprehen- sive. Please add names, (especially those that will be of local interest), from Page 13, War Library Bulletin No. 4, and from your o wn knov; le dge . Behind the American Library Association War Service has been put the entire strength of all the libraries of the country. Pub- lic libraries, state library commissions and all other organizations in any way connected with the library affairs have mobilized their forces to bring books tc the soldiers and sailors during the war. This work, which is being done under the War Service Committee of the A. L„ A„ has brought together in a common cause the leading men and women of the library world nearly all of whom have been lent by their organizations for war service. The A. L. A. War Service Committee comprises J. I a Wyer, Jr. , Director of the New York State Library, Chairman; Edwin H. Anderson, Director of the New York Public Library; Dr. Frank P. Kill , Director of the Brook- lyn Public Library; Hiss Gratia A. Countryman, Librarian of the Minneapolis, Minn. Public Library; Miss Eleotra C. Boren, Librarian of the Dayton, 0. Public Library; Charles F. B. Belden, Librarian of the Boston Public Library and W» H. Brett, Librarian of the C lev e land Pub lie Lib r ary . In every state the members of library commissions and officers and employees of public libraries are sparing no effort in helping the A* L. A e War Service. These workers serve without publicity and in most instances without pay. They receive no public recog- nition but the valuable service they’ arc rendering is appreciated by the A. L. A. and by the soldiers and sailors who benefit by their labor. J- ^ ,-y,, y • *• . *• • i . c C : .. .. tet; vacant" r / ' c J ; a 1 ;• 50' . . . . : ; • T ; ; Many of the most prominent librarians in the country have been and are engaged in active duty at camp libraries. All of them have been lent to the A. L< A 0 War Service by their respective organiza- tions . W# H. Brett, Librarian of the Cleveland Public Library, and former President of the A. L. A t , has just been assigned to take charge of the dispatch office at Newport News, Va. , one of the most important posts in the service a Not only does the Newport News station contribute to the overseas service which is growing in mag- nitude every day, but it serves thousands of soldiers and sailors in the Norfolk district* The A* L„ A 0 has been requested to send books to all Naval emd Marine Corps stations, and the sailors and marines on foreign service now have equal opportunities with the soldiers in America or Prance. Burton E. Stevenson, noted author of boys* books and books on travel, is one of the most active workers in the A c L. A. War Ser- vice. Mr. Stevenson is Librarian of the Public Library at Chilli- cothe , 0. He organized the A. L. A* Camp Library at Camp Sherman and is still in charge of it. Mr. Stevenson, however, has been called to the A. L 3 A 0 War Service Headquarters at Washington for several weeks of special work. The Camp Library at Camp Gordon, near Atlanta, Ga., is in charge of Adam Strohm, Librarian of the Detroit Public Library. Mr. Strohm is a native of Sweden and a graduate of the University of Upsala. He came to America after graduation from the Univer- sity, knowing no English. In spite of this handicap he has develop- ed into one of the country's leading librarians. Other prominent librarians engaged in War Service work are W* E, Henry, Librarian of the University of Washington, at Seattle, who is organizing the Camp Library at Camp Fremont, at Palo Alto, Cal., Louis J. Bailey, Public Librarian at Gary, Ind. , in charge at- Camp Sheridan, Ala., George T. Settle, Librarian of the Louis- ville Public Library, who organized the Library at Camp Taylor, Ky,, Lloyd W. Josselyn, of the Jacksonville Public Library, who has charge at Camp Joins ton, Florida, the school for reserve offi- cers in the Quartermaster Corps; and Charles D. Johnston, cf the Cossitt Library of Memphis, Tenn. , at Forr Oglethorpe, Chickamauga Park, Ga* All of these men are working without compensation from the A. L. A. War Service, y "PLEASE SEBD US SOME BOOKS" 0 . 3 ' Pi5\Z-i A. L. A, WAR SERVICE Press Bulletin February 16, 1918. Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. "Please send ns some books. We ain't got no books at all. We are regulars and get just as lonesome as National Guards . " Thus wrote a private soldier to a public librarian in one of the eastern states. The soldier was in a small camp - if he had been in a large one, he would have been able to take advantage of the library service which the American Library Association has established in all of the national can- tonments. The books he asked for were sent promptly, and others have followed with regularity. But, in the first shipment, the thoughtful librarian included a supply of tobacco and candy. Just where he got them, deponent sayeth not, but at any rate they went forward. The response was immediate l "If you ever done good to a man you done good to me" , wrote the soldier, "but please don't waste no more space for eats. Just send the books." This is merely one incidental bit of evidence as to the keen desire on the part of the men in the camps for read- ing matter - evidence which is accumulating daily at the Hoad- quarters of the A. L. A. War Service. Letters are coming in from every camp containing expressions of appreciation for the work that is being done. ' r ’ - ■ • r f -V I s ■ "7 - 2 - And this appreciation is not on the part of the men alone. Older army officers, who were at first inclined to think the men would not have time for reading, nor inclination for it, have changed their minds and are cordially supporting the work of the A. L. A. In some of the camps the Commanding General has issued a special order calling attention to the ad- vantages of the Camp Library Service and urging the men to take advantage of it. Others have written direct to Headquarters expressing their appreciation and willingness to be of service. They have come to realize that the reading the men are doing is not merely to help pass a leisure hour, but is in great part undertaken with a direct desire for improvement . The technical books, which the A. L. A, is furnishing in large quantities, are designed to make the men better and more effi- cient soldiers, and their officers are quick to realize the ad- vantages they derive from them; in fact in one organization the Commanding Officer is keeping tab on the men who use the library as a basis for selection for promotion. What the A. L. A. is trying to do is not only to furnish these technical books, as well as the service necessary to make them available , but to see that private book owners who wish to help out by donating books, can get their books to the camps promptly and surely . It is only necessary for the donor to deliver his gift to the public library nearest at hand - the library will do the rest. W' H. • • • - : ' ■ ' ■ . i : : : l'c ~ r .f l- 1 V - C ~ - -- i ' . r • Cl r '*■ ' , • ■ - • [1* 1 4T / " • ■ "• • • ” ‘ ■ ■ ■ J? ■ I •• ’ ■ ' ' y 'sj ~1 - 3 - The library service in the larger camps is now well organized, although many more books are needed, and this need is growing greater as the service is extended overseas and to the smallest camps and naval stations here. Books are now being delivered wherever men are engaged in the war service of their country, and naturally the supply of books to meet this tremendous demand must be very great. # So the public is urged to give and give and give, not only the books they don’t want, but those they do, for no book is too good*. And every book thus given makes avail- able just so much more of the A. L. A. book fund to be used in the purchase of text books and technical literature unob- tainable by gift. In almost every home there are some books of lighter literature - fiction, essays, poetry - which can well be devoted to the needs of our men in khaki, and plans are under way for a national campaign which will direct pub- lic attention to the magnitude of this need, and make sure that every suitable book so given is placed promptly at the * * * * * # service of our men. ■ \ ... >i . - t r c :'.T * ' ■ n 'cvcxeri - £o\i' 7.; L? •> • i l % .. ylno tfcn surf* i/-oocT f>nA . - ' - - 1 . ; .ic ..c ■ - A'-y^rry . oric ni 1 - ••• . •v * - - . • . ■ . - . i ■ •. . - . . i. : • \ • . . ons\ ^ 5 \£-^ WAFTED ~ BAEDEKER* S GUIDEBOOKS TO FRANCE. A. L A. TAR SERVICE Press Bulletin February 23, 1918 Library of Congress, Washington, D. C, American travelers of other days, on whose book shelves repose copies of the famous red-bound publication which was their monitor and friend during their European wanderings, have an opportunity to be of great service to their fellow Americans who are soon also to go to France, though on a tour of duty, rather than of pleasure. The men of our national army who are no?; in France, or who are soon to be there, ere naturally eager to learn all they can about French life, French customs and France in general Nov;here is this information to be found in clearer or more con- densed form than in the compact volumes compiled by the indefat- igable Herr Karl Baedeker, of Leipsig, and turned out in many languages in his printing office there. But the war, which worked such havoc in other ?;ays in Germany, also stopped Herr Karl*s presses, and even had they kept revolving at their ac- customed speed, their product could not have got beyond the German border. So it came to pass that the demand for these guide-books during the early years of the war used up the entire stock avail- able in America, and the French titles, at least, have passed •; . . .a . r .a ;10T1 - entirely out of the market and are nc longer procurable. Consequently it is up to the thousands of people who have Baedekers of their own, to supply the needs of our men. The War Service of the American Library Association is making a specie,! appeal for copies of these guide-books, especially those for northern France and for Belgium, although those for southern France, for Italy, and for other European countries, are very welcome. There should be ap ironical pleasure in making these gifts, since it. will be in a certain sense, turning Germany’s own guns against her- At least it will, be turning to the serv- ice of the American Army, German effort and research* It is the simplest thing in the world to get these books into the hands of the men. All that is necessary is that they should be taken to the nearest public library, and the librarian will do the rest. Of course, other books of travel will be welcome — any books that will give our men an insight into the history, cus- toms, traditions, and points of View cf the gallant people with whom they are coon to be shoulder-to-shoulder , or descriptive of their love 1 y count ry . ‘ - ' ‘ ... • Wt ,8 "JiOO &2Srf^ Si- ■■> 0& . . tBL X . $ Qb XI 1. 7 t -rcstxb.zi & t c.iot o* near si.: y®^ wedw Q l\*> \ SCHOOLGIRLS CO LLECT BOOKS . A. L. A. WAR SERVICE Press Bulletin Ilarch 2, 1918. Library of Congress, Wa shi on, D . C . A most effective Poole collecting system has / "been started in Washington by Frederick WA Asliley > Superintendent of the reading room of the Congressional Library, a system which seems certain to produce excel- lent results when tried in other cities in connection with the American Library Association drive for boohs for soldiers and sailors. 4 As an experiment Hr. Ashley fitted out his twelve - year-old daughter, Rachel, with a small stock 01 4 page leaflets telling about the drive and an erual number of typewritten slips, reading: I shall be glad to call on Saturday, February 25rd, for any boohs that you may. wish to give to the soldiers and sailers through the American Library Association. Please see the leaflet "Boohs for the soldiers and sailors". Rachel Ashley Telephone, Cleveland 150-5912 horrison Sr., Those she distributed on Thursday afternoon H.U. to the neighboring homes in her block and tine two adjoining blocks and those on the other side. Within 4 responses began to come in. Rachel s morning with a child* s "express wagon” pals to collect the boolzs. At noon an hour the telephone t anted out Saturday and two of her small she had brought in 2 . 121 volumes, almost all of tliom clo sire all c . They included a new sot of Richard Harding Davis (6 volumes), a new set of "Seeing Europe with famous authors", (10 volumes), the poems of Tennyson, Lowell and Whittier, novels by Jach tit / * London, Meredith Nicholson, A. E. 17. Mason, S. R. Crochott, i E. Philips Oppenheim; French texts for language study; and some recent elementary science. Little Miss Ashley* s example is to to followed / / / hundreds of ether schoolgirls in Washington and at the A.L.A. War Service headquarters, it is felt that a house to house campaign by enthusiastic young people cannot fail to bring in a heavy- harvest Cf books . The churches of 'Washington also are lending valuable aid by sending out notices to their congregations to assist i in the drive. Clerks in the various Government departments have been called upon as well. Thojr bring books to their i offices whore they are collected by team captains. The date for the nation-wide campaign in most cities are March 18 - 25, but Washington has started early. f oil .91 A- S’/ ay GEN. PERSHING CALLS FOR BOOKS. A. L. A. WAR SERVICE Press Bulletin March 9, 1918. Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. By ordering that shipping space in the amount of fifty tons per month be set aside by the army transport service for the ship- ment to France of American Library Association books for soldiers. *C-en. Pershing has given unmistakable recognition to the need of reading matter for the use of our men in France. Shipping space is extremely valuable and Gen. Pershing would never have alloted so much of it to the American Library As- sociation if he did not thoroughly believe in the value of books to fighting men. By setting aside fifty tons of shipping space per month, he has made it possible for the American Library Asso- ciation to send to France a monthly average of 100,000 volumes. This task the A, L. A. has cheerfully undertaken. Already it has in operation large shipping stations at two Atlantic ports of embarkation. To these stations books will be shipped from public libraries in all sections of the country for transportation overseas. Asa Don Dickinson is in charge of one of these shipping stations, while William K. Brett, of Cleve- land, is in charge of the other. Representing the A # L. A. in France is Dr. M. L. Raney, librarian of Johns Hopkins University, to oversee the handling and prompt distribution of the books when they arrive. The actual work of issuing the books is being done by army ' ■ ■ • •• • ,■■■:< • . ■ . v . * ■ ... " r • * •• ‘ . *'•' • , •• • •> • ;• ; • . ' . . .. . •. ; . • - - it. - b ■ . .. ■ • ■ '■.... ‘ . ; • . ... ••• .. • ' - ■ . ‘ ; ' : i. • . . .. /-•; . T- ' .... • v . • 34 t . '[1 . astisTccfll oildjtfq ffioxl dd . ■ . . .. * • ill; • . ; . . r *o ot ■ v s d & . the Red. Cross and the - 2 - chaplains, the Y. M. C. A., the K. of C Y. W. C. A. From base hospitals to billets as near the front-line trenches as possible books are being placed in the hands of our fighting men. To maintain an adequate supply, the collection of hundreds of thousands of books will be necessary. The American Library As- sociation is buying by the hundreds of thousands text-books and other serious books, for which there is enormous demand, but it is looking to the public to supply by gift the millions of volumes of lighter literature — fiction, poetry, travel, etc. — which our men must have. In addition to the overseas service, the American Library Association must keep its camp libraries at cantonments supplied and must also supply small camps, naval stations, naval vessels and transports with books. Already nearly three hundred of these are receiving the A. L. A. service. To meet these needs a nation-wide book-drive will start on March 18, directed by the A. L. A. Library War Service, and with every Public Library co-operating. Churches, schools and patriotic societies of all kinds have signified their willingness to help. Thousands of girls and boys are being mobilized to collect books from householders who are too busy to take them to public libraries and every other means will be used to make the giving of books easy. Two million books is the goal set, but with public interest really aroused, it should be far exceeded. ■c t ■ * * ** : i ' .. - r + rf -r- r > . .. ' ;• , ■ ,• -i - \ • . . .. .... ; ‘ rxi.t&iooa x ex c . ...... ... . . . — O ■ V . .... , . , . . .V. . 8TJS ill . ... . . " ’. - • ; -y ■ r. go- I o f' • <\ • • r - ' - ! ; ... ~ i: * Id?.' -j so XI i f •: u.* . j; . '• - . ■ '.r „ i sc Jbl.' on'c; fi , . . - £>£7. 91 A tri 2/ WHAT BOOKS HEM TO OUR FIGHTING MEN. Library War Service, Library of Congress, Press Bulletin, Washington, D. C. March 16, 1918. Do soldiers and sailors have tine to read books? This question is answered emphatically in the affirmative by Raymond B. Fos- dick, Chairman of the War and Navy. Departments Commission on Training Camp Activities, in a statement commenting on the work of the American Library Association War Service. Working in’ conjunction with the Commission of which Mr. Fosdick is the head, the A, L. A. War Service already has sent 700,000 books to soldiers and sailors in camps and cantonments, in France and on the seas. It is operating its own libraries in 37'Camps» Donors of’books' have only to turn them over to the nearest public library and the A. L« A, sees that they are placed in the hands of soldiers and sailors. "People have so long disassociated the fighting man from his brother who finds pleasure in sheltered adventure between the cover of books" says Mr, Fosdick, "that it comes rather as a new conception to realize the unmistakable amount which reading ’matter contributes to the comfort and content of the soldier and sail or, " "During the summer of 1916, I was traveling through New Mexico where our troops were then stationed. The need for somethin-;, anyr thing to read had become so acute '.that at every stop the train was boarded by throngs of soldiers who went up and dorm the aisles begging the passen- gers for magazines and books. Again, immediately after our entrance into the war, when there were no books on transports because of the limit on equipment the men could carry, one of our transports was held up two weeks off the coast of Europe .The hunger of the men for reading matter was keen and no relief was possible." •. "These conditions are now being done away with through the activity of the American Library Association, It is placing books, magazines, and papers on transports and at all points where men in uniform gather. Special attention is of course being given to cantonments and naval stations where the men have a certain amoun t of time to themselves each day and where Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and Sundays are usually holidays'.’ The men read every kind of writing, from scientific books to joke papers, and, judging from the largo and various demands made on the carp libraries, an appreciable part of the soldiers' and sailors' leisure ’tine is being spent with some old or new found friend among the authors," I ■ • . ■ oivifc'^ \ " '■ 1 ,T ,er \noO ‘ ■> . \J1 T . , C t ::$■ if ; . " I ■ • • - j I \ ■ • . . . -T ,i '• '' : ".. . ■ f • 1 ' r . ; ' n^oi-iosA arfJ lo iiw . * .O 'iv'>o 8 '£ •' . \ raioc’.a/' •. .1 u f 1 f vx 1 ? ( - ■■ *V . .£ " ' . ' ' ... c 1 : • . ■ "• i.; ; -j • A .J .A sdl b «6 yiBTdj:£ oj nQ 3VXJf { * tic . . r . ; . " . • ■ > vari • i ' - • • ’ * 3 | ■ | : : •. . •• too 1 • • . ! 'i 1 - ire it I? . (+ lo *.<• Vo-.» UtB . ' • . - - • ' ' • ' ■ pi ■ . coc ‘ 8. ■ t ■ n :\nibr ^ /iv .;+! i -vjri '7. • ot; t :o oo '« ; no M Q • ■ "■ . . " . " ' r. c (T'j ■ ■ . " . ‘X. A 0 L. A« War Service , Library cf Congress, Wa ahingt on, D, C « Press Bulletin April 6, 1918. Books collected for soldiers and sailors during the intensive book campaign of the American Library Association now nunber one million three hundred thousand volumes according to re- ports made by the State Agencies. Many states have not reported and none of the reports is complete e It is estimated that the total col- lection v/sll be at least 2 5 500,000 when the reports are all in c The collection in this city has reached the total of volume So Word has gone out that the campaign is to continue in- definitely. People are being asked to get the habit of turning in to the public libraries, for the soldiers and sailors, the new books as scon as they have beeh read c -■ v i •’ . i'j .. ■'/ • q ■ - ; u.-; f - •, o ■ . ; • . . . • ' ' ■ • • ' •• •• . ft O'kn.q ) M n ;u. APR 2 THE VQLU¥" FERS By Rupert Hughes (Pell known American Author and playwright) Captain of Infantry, U* S* N. A. Everything that has been said or that could be said in praise of the value, the comfort and the charm of books may be safe- ly multiplied to represent their importance to soldiers. Soldiers have long hours of fatigue, loneliness and discom- fort. Books enable them to take distant journeys without leaving their posts; Books rest and refresh their souls while their bodies repose; books make music fcr them without noise, tell them stories and give them new horizons. A book is that most useful kind of friend who talks only on request ancl be made to shut up without hurting his feeling s. Almost any kind of book is better than no book at all. The soldiers in Libby Prison read two old grammars until they were worn to shreds. Some men want detective stories and some men want tragedies. Anybody who has ever waited for a railroad train in a railroad station and has read the advertisements and even the time tables over and over, can understand the help of the printed word. Soldiers ar~ generally waiting for a late train. They wait not hours, but days, nights, weeks, months. Thero are so many soldiers that there is no danger of an over- supp ly of reading matter. Each book will be read by a dozen or a hun- dred men, and each man will need a hundred books to while away his time. Books are letters from home and from strange countries written by the best letter writers You may not be able to serve in the firing line, but you can go thero a3 a volunteer. Send the books you like best. They will re- present you at the front. Books '.re reinforcement s. Press Bulletin, April 20, 1918. Library V/ar Service, Libr-.ry of Congress, P-.shingt on, D.C. , eclair . rl ' j ■ ' . ■ : • - . ' • ■ . ' ' •-£ • O’ f' >X *3 I'.-.j : o. iX&ri •• ; f v b v iv » ■ : - • 07 , 1.41 A'i’/Sx THREE MILLION BOCKS FOR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS. The American people gave over three million books to the soldiers and sailors in the recent book drive conducted by the American Library Association . The returns are not complete, Increasing totals are being reported from every state* The campaign refuses to stop. The total figure far exceeds all expectat ions of all librarians, Ano. the high quality of the gift book's is likewise a surprise. Apparently the read- ing public has awakened to the desirability ah need of supplying good reading matter to our men in training. The State of Mew York reports 587,292 books collected; Ohio 22/6,260; New Jersey 198,403; Pennsylvania 188,760; Massachusetts 154,763; and Illi- nois 145,005. Among the cities New York (including Brooklyn and boroughs) led with 354,733 followed by Chicago and Cleveland with 80 5 00 v each, and Pittsburgh 76,070 volumes. Several of the western states and many southern cities'exceededtheir quotas, Wyoming reports 14,396 and Nashvxlle, Tenn., 48,794. An indefatigable statistician figures that the total collection will furnish over 900,000,000 pages of printed matter, 27,000,000,000 lines oi type, and 270,000,0^0,000 words for the men in the camp, naval station and hospital libraries. (No estimate upon the total number of bright ideas and restful hours to be gained). These gift books comprise a library one third larger than the Library of Congress and more than twice the size of the New York Public Library. If placed end to end they would mab a continuous line of good literature from London across the charnel through Paris to the front line trenches; or, if piled together in a single column, they would reach a height 625 times that of the Washington Monument, But colu mns and monuments of books cannot long withstand army and navy usage. Books soon wear out in camp or on deck. The American public still has an opportunity t a "help make better soldiers out of the men and make bet- ter men out of the so!diers> "bj/ giving good bocks. A. L. A. Far Service Library of C-ongres3 Washington, D, C. Press Bulletin May 4, 1918. • ... t ( ; OJ ' o r 7 *bd'. 'i: - . ' : ■ , ' : ' \ • - ~ •> •>. “*• * ■ ■ . . I • - f' .tfi ' u I . . _ XjX 4ua f 0^'M/ Ar/fc* IMPERATIVE HEEL OP MAGAZINES, Telegrams from camps are constantly received at A. L. A . . Library War Service Headquarters, stating, "Imperative need of magazines. Can’t we get more Burleson Magazines here?" The American people are essentially magazine read- ers. Thousands of periodicals are read every week in American homes, on trains, in offices, and street-dars, and. then thrown away. Soldiers and sailors have many leisure hours waiting for trains, after mess at night, on transports, Behind the front lines, when magazines which are easily read, would relieve loneliness, fatigue and anxiety. The magazines specially needed are Punch, Judge, Life, Popular Mechanics, Popular Science Monthly, Scientific Am- erican, Atlantic Monthly, Harper’s Magazine, Scribner's, Cenvr n. - . Century, and others of this character, not more than two months old. Monthly story magazines, of more than transient interest, are especially desired. The U. S .Post office Department has made it easy to send them to the boys. All that is necessary is to put a one cent stamp on the magazines- no address - no wrapping - end. mail it. Uncle Sam will do the rest. A.L.A. War Service Library of Congress Washington, T . C . B. Press Bulletin May 18,191ft. - \ r >L 1 I ’ • . . ' J 1 ' . :r >q* 8 i!. .* ..•rfi.' ■ , i - ’ • . BOOKS IN FOREIGH LANGUAGES NEEDED ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO BUY THEM. The soldiers need books in foreign languages, and such books are becoming scarce in America. It is almost impossible to buy them since the War has held up shipments from Europe. Thousands of the men in training in U.S. camps are foreigners,", with little or no ability to read English, and the A.L.A. Camp librarians wish to supply them with books they can read. A recent census of Camp Devens, at Ayer, Mass., given in the Arne r i c an Le ade r magazine, shows 40 different lan- guages in use, ranging from French and Italian in the majority, to Maltese, Egyptian, and Gaelic. Americanization of these men is taking place through their camp training and classes in Eng- lish, and is simplified if their confidence can be gained through the pleasure given them in books of their own language. Foreign books or papers, in good condition, will be welcomed at the nearest public library and reported to Washing- ton headquarters. A.L.A. War Service Library of Congress Washington, D. C . C. Press Bulletin May 18, 1918. e .i ,'i rrsn^i^Tol nF ' ' ~ ' . ■ . . " YOUR BAEDEKER ’ S GUIDEBOOKS ARE NEEDED EVERY TRANSPORT MUST BE SUPPLIED. A complete set of Baedeker&s guidebooks to the countries of western Europe should, be placed on every transport sailing from this country, , according to the request received by the A. L. A, Library War Service. No longer can these guidebooks be used as kino.ly conductors to the best hotels and pens ions, art galleries and cathedials, or as suggestions for si^ht- seeing trips and soj ournings , They are needed now TO HEIR WT N TnE WAR, BY giving officers and men detailed information that will enable them to adapt themselves most readily to their new environ- ments, "Americans should withhold none of their possessions that will help . our boys" said one woman, when bringing to the library her treasured and well travelled volumes. Now t o is the time commandeer these idle books and give them a chance for service never anticipated when they were purchased. Many of these are not for sale in this country now and they must be obtained from private owners, or the needs of the boys on the transports will not be met. The guidebooks should be taken to the nearest public 1 library at once. They will be sent to an A.L.A. Dispatch office and placed on a transport or sent to a camp, a,nd will help to win the war. A.L.A. War Service Library of Congress Washington, D. C . A. Press Bulletin May 18. 1918. .-;a 3 n . ■ i,vv . :.l ■ /a ' 0 r It >?’•! 00 A ' • ' : C : ■ : od r : ;• ■ • - U ■■ ■ . j - . j j o - _ . .. xy .. • o It ; ' : : " : • ; ■' i • y; 1 e: . o y.ocf ■ iXj o , .d oi r a *io t' qs :-j i. no £oo/yo : ns -> 0 x 1:10 • \ IMPERATIVE MEED OP MAGAZINES. Teleprams from camps are constantly received at A. L, A , . Library War Service Headquarters, stating, - "Imperative need of magazines. Can't we get more Burleson Magazines here?" The American people are essentially magazine read- ers. Thousands of periodicals are read every week in American homes, on trains, in offices, and street -bars, and then thrown away. Soldiers and sailors have many leisure hours waiting for trains, after mess at night, on transports, "behind the front lines, when magazines which are easily read, would relieve loneliness, fatigue and anxiety. The magazines specially needed, are Punch, Judge, Life, Popular Mechanics, Popular Science Monthly, Scientific Am- erican, Atlantic Monthly, Harper's Magazine, Scribner's, Cent Century, and others of ' this character, not more than two months old. Monthly story magazines, of more than transient interest, are especially desired. The U. S .Post office Department has made it easy to send them to the boys. All that is necessary is to put a one cent stamp on the magazines- no address - no wrapping - and mail it. Uncle Sam will do the rest. A.L.A. War Service Library of Congress Washington, P. C . 3 . Press Bulletin May 18, 19 IS. ( T' ' .• ;7 ■ "• ' : ■ < • ■ • • . ■ ? ;■ noaoltijti ' . T .319 . :-s z j r ^ t :ne ' p3 • • - • • _ ■' • . ; V ‘ ■ ; . . ... ■ ... •. : . . J . ’ . . ■ ' ' .^OOKS IN FOREIGH LANGUAGES NEEDED I ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO BUY THEM . The soldiers need "books in foreign languages, and such books are becoming scarce in America. It is almost impossible to buy them since the War has held up shipments from Europe. Thousands of the men in training in U.S. camps • -• > v - ■ * * ■ are foreigners*, with little or no ability to read English, and the A.L.A. Camp librarians wish to supply them with books they can read. A recent census of Camp Devens, at Ayer, Mass., given in the Arne r i car. Le a d e r magazine, shows 4b different lan- guages in use, ranging from French and Italian in the majority, to Maltese, Egyptian, and Gaelic. Americanization of these men is taking place through their camp training and classes in Eng- lish, and is simplified if their confidence can be gained through the pleasure given them in books of their own language. Foreign books or papers, in good condition, will be welcomed at the nearest public library and reported to Washing- ton headquarters. A.L.A. War Service Library of Congress Press Bulletin Washington, D. 0 . 0. May 18, 1918. tz: - ■ . K; ; ! racn ,:o' .ci .V «i ni r or! Ip ^im^auorfT {r ■■ - ■ . ' ■ ■ o 1 o T,r, i-ixfiii o . l r .) *x i . ; J c . \u o t * o o f, ; q -a n i h r f. 3 p .2 ': w'p r -.r 01. J jt V h c ! fro i ' 90Jt' 193 O' 7 ./-.J.A 0 ' 1 1 ’ I I JUM 3 *»» E & 011.11 A- - ' ' y MEN IN UNIFORM ASK FOR NEW FICTION. ’’The soldiers persistently ask for new novels, which never seem to be part of the gift shipments," writes one camp librarian to the Library War Service Headquarters of the American Library Association. "I find a special need among the patients for up-to-date reading matter," writes the chaplain of a base hospital. And from a hospital librarian comes an appeal for new fiction. In the three million books given by the American people for camp library use, there are few 1918 novels. It is true that old books, like old friends, are always welcome, but the new ones are wanted too. With vacation days at hand, many people will be buying recent*:’ ly published novels to read during summer hours on boats, in camp, or at home. As soon as these novels have been enjoyed by the buyer, it would be a kindness to pass them on to the soldiers, sailors and marines who are eager for "that new book I saw advertised". Books taken to any public library will be forwarded promptly to camps and T stations where they are needed. A.L.A. War Service Library of Congress Washington, D.C. -a- Press Bulletin June 1,1918, .... - . - - y ■ ■ -'1 : b~r -t-o . 1C ' : . r :s j ■ - "■ - ~.f -• 2 ■ ir .. . : ; " . , - ' • : if, • ;T " • ' • ox m - ■ . . . v. - .. oiv ;oc if: vx ; to :J . .• 1 6* : ' . • • : .i ' .'i'l '. . ” i ’XO$$SVB. ^Xti&J 53 T ■ 23 . 1 xx .* r j j ■ ■: ■ ■ ... I • .... : *: . * e\ . . ' c- >- '• : .• ■ ■ • t •: , c „ 0 ■: : oivx v: :• s\ 7 .A. • . . ■ ;‘i ; , ) ; "KEEPING OUR FIGHTERS FTT" NEW BOOK AEOUT CAMP ACTIVITIES The " semi -military" activities of camp life - the classes, athletics, music, libraries, theaters in which all military men share - are described and illustrated in a new book, ''Keeping Our Fighters Fit- For War and After," by Edward F, Allen, The book is written in coopera- tion with Raymond B.Fosdick, Chairman cf the Commissions on Training Camp Activities, and is authorized by the government. In a special statement in the book President Wilson says: "I do not believe it an exaggeration to say that no army ever before assembled has had more conscientious and painstaking thought given to the protection and stimulation of its mental, moral and phys- ical manhood. Every endeavor has been made tc surround the men. both here and abroad, with the kind of environment which a democracy owes to those who fight in its behalf. In this bock the Commissions on Training Camp Activities have represented the government and the gover- nment’s solicitude that the moral and spiritual resources of the nation should be mobilized behind the troops," One chapter is devoted to "What the Men Read - and Why," In this a thorough descr j pti oniaiesgirven of the work of the Library War Service in the camp libraries, in their separate buildings and in branches throughout, the camps. The camp library is described as a place where the men feel at home, where "they can get a good story, a book of poetry, or any bock they need. Their dependence on books for study, in preparation for their new tasks, and for current events, is mentioned. A brief account is given cf the method of shipping books overseas, of the campaigns that have made Library War Service possible, and of the cooperation of the A.L.A, with other camp organizations, This book will be of interest to civilians and to men in uni- form and will make all our work and campaigns for camp welfare more intelligent. A.L.A, Library War Service Library of Congress Washington, D.C. Press Bulletin J une 1 , 1918 . • . . ! ■ ocf hi . • ' . r.fr- 1" . ( . i. ‘ ' t Vr *,* s>x t t ■ . ' ■■ ' ?. ill ,A.j AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION LIBRARY WAR SERVICL Headquar t ers Wash:’. ngt on, D . C . Special Inf ormati onal Circular i June 8,1918. To the Camp Librarians ; Arrangements have just been made with the Y.M. C .A. , where- by Camp Librarians are to place on board departing troop trains books put'upin boxes similar to those which the American Library Association is now using in its overseas service. The Y.M.C.A. sends a representative on each troop train, and he will take charge of the A.L.A. book boxes on the train, open them up, and arrange for their reading en route. Arrangements will be made for the transportation at the terminus, and delivery to our representatives at the ports of embarkation. Informational Circular No. 12 will contain further information and a diagram, showing the construction of these book boxes. Without awaiting the arrival of Circule.r 12, however, the foregoing information should be in your hands, to meet any inquiries from your Camp Y.M.C.A. men. For the General Director Joseph L. Wheeler, Assistant to the Director, . . ■ • . ■ ■ ■ . ■ ■ ' • . * • . . . • • - ■ = • ? i i . ij.'.i j . - 3 A ■ ' ■ ■ ; no v t ... ■ ■ noq > , TL '%> v ' A >J v< Ago • <- • A A, j Hi v bli I ’£ -TtA , G T • T) - ' S T ,qu i \'r ' mia n ■ 1 .r n ■ •; ' ' ' to *i g/>« ..i •' ►11 cTiiro Sr . cr edS .-j . .Tq^T rr- rj r: sri n , - ' T . Tjjo X . . ' nl ’• j : . :■ o i j V . *■; ■ iwoxfs , u* - r- ;if) /* nr ■ r, - • « • TlO y 1 r Ti j ~niJi " •: ■ . M wi -L aij'i't •’ ' ■ ; ; ■? •' ' ‘ ■ - TUG X «■ 1 cf biu« ' ; i tin* . * . ' n . • v * ixjoy; ■: ‘ : ' ' ' • . , . j . ’ ” ■ ; ■ ■ A i r ~ - i' A. L. A. LIBRARY AT QUARTERMASTER'S CAMP. The American Library Association camp library at the big Quartermaster Corps camp, Camp Johnston, Fla., is like a tech- nical college reference library in many ways. Its collection of books supplies not only the fiction which men need for recreation but, first of all, the latest information on the industrial and business occupations which are necessary in present day warfare. Its staff of workers must be equipped to supply information not only to the thousands of students, but also to the three or four hundred instructors getting up lectures, organizing courses, and writing and publishing text books. There are from twenty to thirty schools at Camp Johnston, in which are taught such practical subjects as ocean and rail transportati on, reclamation, baking, accounting, plumbing, boot making, cleaning and dyeing of textiles, blacksmi thing, con- crete work, canvas work and tent making. A glance through the special book orders received from Camp Johnston at A.L.A. Library War Service Headquarters gives a suggestion of some of the intensive work the library is doing to supplement class work in camp. Among books ordered and supplied are MOTOR TRANSPORTATION IN WAR; METHOD OP FEEDING TROOPS IN WAR; SECRETS OF BREAD MAKING; ELEMENTS OF ACCOUNTING: TEXTBOOK OF MEAT HYGIENE; LAUNDRY INFORMATION TEXTBOOKS; HOTEL MEAT COOKING; PATHO- LOGICAL HORSESHOEING; PRACTICAL BLACKSMI THING and other books spec- ially requested by instructors in the blacksmi thing and remount schools; 100 sets of the MANUAL FOR THE U. S, QUARTERMASTER CORPS, new edition; MILITARY SKETCHING AND MAP READING. That the library at Camp Johnston?! and Lloyd Josselyn camp librarian, are "on the job" is proved by the words of the Camp Educational Director: "With out '-’the library the schools could not do their work effectively or efficiently." Charles R. Green, librarian of the Massachusetts Agri- culture College, Amherst, Mass, has recently joined the staff as - special technical refer ence librar i an. A. L. A. Library War Service Press Bulletin Library of Congress June 8, 1918. Washington, D.C. «. ‘i • - . . : . so: - ; ■ • ■ x " . ' % i • . : 0 •• ■- ... . 03 ;T , II. • I '>in ■ i' ' - > : i i . r J o • i. • . ’ - • . at . y. .. . '. r . . ‘ , i. • ii i noj snf: . . : • ' • • • ■ • ' ■ ' ; r . r 0 J • ip> ' ' ' • ■ • ’ • • . *; • • :• Jj •' . 1 ■ - • 1 • ... . > f ■ . *01 ; : - * ' * '• • •••-'’ ■ ' ' • ■ - • ■ ; ■ ■ 1 • : . Ell • ' >o j ' ; t • i*x ...... ■ f , •_ tss. cr ■ f ' - . i . - . -• • i % -ojIJoty *• • . r M yi .i rrbra on'j J d;; v/jrtf j sftf si -^no it do II o > ' . r fce it not ' i ' *.•< :. increase in the use of the main collection by the men of . that reg- iment . " In this way, many men who have not been readers in civilian life, have books attractively placed before them, so that they read for recreation, and later, for information too. The military police stations afford an interesting example of this service. At isolated edges of a camp, perhaps three or four miles from other men, a handful of men are stationed for a week at a time, on guard duty. They prepare their own meals and care for their shacks, do some gardening, but have much enforced leisure. They are usually men who previously have not had time or inclina- tion to read. The books delivered to them weekly by the A. L. A. library truck include fiction, books on scouting and military pa» trob, gardening, cooking, cavalry rules and regulations- because the men go from police duty to cavalry troops. During their hours of loneliness and leisure the men learn to depend on books. After the war, the reading habit" throughout the country will surely show results of this generally increasing use of books by men in camps. A. L. A. Service Library of Congress Washington, D.C. Press Bulletin June 15, 1918. ' . ‘ v ' ' ' ' • ' • # •, > l £ tc • ' ■ I : ■ • • ' ' ' ' ' ' • • ’ ' • ■ ■ :• - ie> : ■ ■■ ' e XX .. 1 . ' : . •>' • f : • I 0 1 • RECENT A. L. A. LIBRARY SERVICE IN THE NAVY. June 10, 1918, At the Naval Training Station at Newport,.. R. I., the "House That Jack Built" is being equipped as a regular library, by the Training Station and the American Library Association in cooperation.. The work is under the direct supervision of LI*. Edwin "Wiley, , librarian of the Naval War College, This building will hold about 10,000 books. At Pelham Bay Naval Training Stati on, , Mi ss Blanche Galloway is in charge of the library work. Further developments in the service at this point are expected in the next month or two. The Mare Island Navy Ybrd will have an Ai LI A. librarian with- in the next few weeks. Mr. ViT, Bv Reese, at one time Post Librarian at Presidio, in San Francisco, will be in charge. A small library head- quarters building has been authorized. Mr. Paul M. Paine, Librarian at Syracuse Public Library, is organizing the library work in the Naval, Marine and Military sta- tions and camps in the vicinity of Charleston. He will have general supervision also over the library work at Paris Island. At Pdnsacola Na’val Station, Mr. F. W. Jenkins, Librarian cf the Russell Sage Foundation, New York City, is in charge of the li- brary. American Library Association Library War Service Library of Congress Washington, D". C r .' ,01 3 m/L j t .I .:■! . t 57 ; j r. nc . 'll ' / f ; . ■ ; . - j . ton'r.i ■ : ■ : t ii - , I r. oi on:i-£‘i ’’ c' ! i t n. "-.rirr: c~*r? Xji /.s: •:■ • . >r£J T JA ■ • . 5 . • • o ■ • i r ■ • • ■ ;i • !.X %rfX I ' ■ . t - ... . : : ' \n i.bl ~ i j x wp _ i I ' ''I... . • . ' ■ ■■ - • ■ . . . t . 119? t A '[ i *i j , J I c.i • J . icT i. ’ -■ i ' : . ' J T Vj- > 3 1 V 1 -i T f V? Y ~t r.ld ill 3 S3T T rtCJ. It . 0 , .d n ? .riiXn;'" K'i O a 1. 3 l LIBRARY WAR SERVICE i » ' ' * AT THE A. L. A. CONFERENCE, SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., JULY E-6* The past year has seen the reaching out of library service to all points where U.S. men in uniform are in service, and to all war activities under- taken by the government and by civilians * The nation is occupied wit/i a new science and industry - warfare* The accumulation and distribution to men in uniforr and to civilians of all the printed facts contributing to this science constitute the new and most important service of the ration v s libraries* At the fortieth annual conference c£ the American Library Association at Saratoga Springs, N,Y» July i'-6, reports of this work of uhe past year will be presented, and plans for the future made* Library war service in the army and navy, in the U,3. and overseas, and the war work of libraries with the U.S* Food Administration and other gov- ernment organizations will be described* Seme of the important library war service features of the program are the report of Dr* Herbert Putnam, librarian of Congress and general director of the Library War Service; a camp library symposium conducted by Carl F. Milan, assistant to the director; an address by William Orr, Educational Director of the Y.I!*C*A.j a report by Dr* M.L. Raney of the overseas work* Dr* Putnam will describe the development of the service during the year, and the resources and equipment now assembled and giving book service at over 600 distributing points. Librarians and assistants from 41 large camps will oe present at the camp library symposium, at which M.S. Dudgeon, formerly librarian at Great Lakes Training Station, now field representative of Head- quarters, will discuss "WHat Hen Read"; Miss Miriam E, Carey, supervising 100 *A .J .A 3HT TJl .C.'i o£ oaH^ . .1 Cli a-:’". »c, T J hi.'"-: . Tn io tri i : i vl 0 OS . a 1 o :);■ .* .r dicx- -lit t \ , I r . f*U , ’ .C'rqp'’ c 'C»i ' " - ; .? vu : "If: ^ ; ' ' •. iaJiJ'.es io • v X - • J.' ♦i" \ f $*to/x e i • *\« ‘ '» ••• ^ *•> ■ - :y '• . f. , - ae • !-.<• ' rofn-tu^ *tJ - r - f •. t • . . hospital librarian, "'ll! toll cf service in hospitals and Red Cross convales- cent houses;: W. H. Brett, in charge of the M.ewport News Dispatch Office, and A. D. Dickinson, in charge cf the Hoboken Dispatch Office, will tell hoiv 300,000 becks have been sent overseas; Joy RsMorgan, librarian at Carp McArthur and Frederick Gocdell, librarian at Carp Wheeler, will describe the intensive rT ork in the large carps where bocks are available fer ev er/ ran; Llcyd VI. Jcsselyn, librarian at Carp Johnston and John A« Lowe, librarian at Canp Devens "’ill tell of typical days in carp; Ad an Strchr, librarian at Carp Gordon, will surra rize the ideals and accorplishrents of carp library service and lead a discussion cn the topic "Is It Worth While?" Discussions will fellow all the talks, and round tables cf carp librarians I and hospital librarians will provide opportunity for further discussion and plans « Other features on the pregrar are talks by Edith Guerrier, director cf the Li 'rary Section of the Food Adrinistration; a syrpcsiur on 'That Our Li- brary is Doing to Help Win the War"; an address "What Canadian Librarians are Doing to Help Win the War"' by George H. Locke, librarian, Toronto Public Lir b ra ry . A Conference "Sing" will be led by Chrystal Brown, Y.M.C.A, Song Leader, Cbrp L'ee; Carl Sandburg will read poors cf the -nr; "The Sbirit of r: nr Litera- May ture, Poetry and Prose," -ill be discussed by Masses, editor of The Booklist, and George Bowerran, librarian, District of Columbia Public Library* Arthur Bcstwick, librarian, St . Louis, Mo. will give an address on "The Future of Library Work." A* L. A. War Service Li. rary of Congress Washington, D. C* Press Bulletin. June 22, 1918» •j . • ■ ' ' ■ . / ' . ’ . . . . I : It h . • V ‘ • '• .a , v JUL3 I A Ar 67 The SOLDIERS IK FRANCE NEED MORE BOOKS U n X -Public?- Library has received today a request from the American Library Association's Headquarters in Washington for more books from this community for the men overseas. The appeal from Washington states that new novels ana good Western stories, whether new or old, are most needed. Books by Zane Grey, Rex Beach, Jack London, Ralph Connor, Owen Wister and 0. Henry are very popular. The Public Library announces that it will receive and forward all suitable books that are turned in. It urges the friends of the soldiers and sailors, many of whom have already responded most generously, to give more books. The communication received by the Library from the Washington Head- quarters states that over 600,000 books have been sent overseas. The supply is nearly exhausted, and several hundred thousand more will be needed soon by the six dispatch offices which are now shipping books to France. The books are packed at thess dispatch offices in strong cases, so built that they serve as a bookcase. They go on the decks of transports, in cargo vessels and in naval vessels. Those that go on the decks of transports are open so that the men may have reading matter for use on the voyage. All these books are gathered together again, however, replaced in the cases and delivered to the proper officials in France. In France, the books are distributed by an experienced Librarian, / representing the American Library Association. Most of them go to Y.M.C.A./ Red Cross and Salvation Army huts, hospitals and canteens.. Others go direct to chaplains arid officers. ooOoo A.L ^ brary War Service, Lii 5»f Congress, Bn, D. C. HU Press Bulletin, July 24, 1918. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION Library War Service Headquarters The Library of Congress Washington, D.C. July 24, 1918 To the Librarian: We enclose a press bulletin for immediate release through your local newspapers. It is ready for your city editors, when you have filled in the blank. As you will see, this bulletin tells of the urgent demand for gift books for overseas shipments. The March campaign resulted in collection of 3,000,000 books, but more are needed. If you have books on hand, please report them immediately to your State Agency, or to Headquarters. In any case, please do- your utmost to collect more books. Ask local newspaper and magazine editors not only for space for your appeal, but also for their re- view copies of new books. Ask local booksellers to cooperate in every way possible. Report gifts promptly to State Agencies or to Headquarters (in accordance with previous instructions). Prepare them for circu- lation if possible - no shelf cards needed. Shipping instructions will be sent you. Remember: ♦ Our men overse as need more books and we past supply them . / Very truly yours. HERBERT PUTNAM / General Director