The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-15

AnssiFAA HsVsry Association Starts
0DPaiesa to supply Books anil

~ La0rory ASSOCIATION campaign TO
furnlsh books and magazines and lib
rariss for cantonments will address
meeting Of sumter men and women at
Sumter Chamber OF Commerce. to-
morrow. Friday. September 14th. at
fi.so o'clock A. NJ.
Mrs. I, A. Ryttenbcrg. chairman of
the Library Department of the South
Carolina Federation OF women's Clubs
rsQussfs . large attendance of Sum-
tsr's citissns at the reeting tomorrow
morning.
The citizens of Sumter should be in
terestsd in doing everything within
their power to contribute to the COM
fort. pleasures. and educational ad-
vantages Of the brave men. hundreds
Of whom are our own boys. our own
hesh and blood. from Sumter county.
In the meantime every household in
Sumter county which has magazines
that are to be contributed are re-
quested to send same Immediately II
convenient. II not, at their leisure to
the Red Cross chapter headquarters,
Y. n. @. A. building.
Thee magazines and libraries will
prove q great source OF recreation
and mental benefit to our soldiers.
The people of our city and county
are urged to co-ol Ste In the fol-
lowing:
TO Librarians In South Carolina,
You are doubtless aware that the
American Library Association has
been entrusted by the government
with the vastly important task of
providing books and magazines for all
our soldiers In cantonments and other
gr,ups.
The association proposes establish
ints library OF about 10000 volumes
In each Of the 80 canton,nents. and.
TO this end. fund OF 1000. 900 IL to
be raised by popular subscription dur
Ing tho week beginning September
seth. ~-~
Meantime each state Is asked to
organize It's library forces for the pur-
pose OF securing gifts OF good reading
matter for immediate use, as well as
20 assist In the whirlwind campaign
20 raise funds have been appointed
state agent OF the War Service Com
mittee OF the A. L. A. to get books and
magazines at once. to meet the de-
mand OF troops now Cor soon to bel
I'm cantonments. and to assist with the
raising Of tho 100000 fund.
I therefore appeal to the librarians
Of the State to undertake this work
In the respective counties. In towns
whore there are no libraries. some
other provision must be made.
Use the local newspapers. organize
personal appeals. II necessary house
to house canvass, and collect all the
readable books and magazines (the
latter not over two months old) at
your libraries. notifying me when you
are ready TO ship.
Do not be afraid OF getting too
much or Of duplication. as there will
be demand much greater than we
can hope to supply. with the thou
sandsg Of young men in the camps.
Make clear, however. that poorly
printed. uninteresting or OUT date
books are not worth shipping to the
men, Type should be good and clear
and the books In fair condition.
Donors might. II they choose. write
their names In their books for the per-
sonai touch. but do not attach strings.
Leave to the A. L. A. the best meth
od Of distribution.
A committee in Columbia headed nv
DIR. Thornton Whaling is collecting
In this city for Camp jackson. and
similar committees are doubtless nj
work In Greenville and spartanburg
Tor their respective cantonments. Our
state camps will be looked after pri-
mariiy you may rest assured.
Owing to lack OF clerical force and
as this Is a patriotic service without
remuneration will you not consider
this. please. personal letter and le,
ms have an Immediate response ac-
cepting service? IL thero be two or
moro librarians In any county act to-
gether.
This is tho finest war service that
We can render the boys that will do
the fighting for US and a self-sacri-
ncing donation OF patriotism Is asked
Of you.
AZ at oncei Books are needed
now.