Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-24
Furnish Books for
Soldiers in Camp
Dr.. Mclluainc, Stale Librarian.
Describes War Work Of
Library Association.

The librarians of the country have
| placed themselves in line with other
bodies of, professional men who are
putting their expert knowledge and ex
perience at the disposal Of their coun-
try according to DR.. Henry r. Nell
waine' State Librarian. 4 committee
on war service for Libraries was ap-
pointed by the American Library AS
ISOLATION at its recent annual meeting
at Louisville. This COMMITTEES is about
to launch 4 campaign to raise $500, 900
Tor the service in which 1t is Interested
One of its immediate aims is to pro-
vide we'll equipped and properly admin
istered public library buildings for
each one Of the sixteen environments
OF the national army, soon to be formed
1t has been recognized by the COM
mission on camp activities, a govern
ment body. as the principal agency
through which books are to be dis
tributed to the soldiers Other dis
tributing agencies located in the build
ings Of the Young Mems Christian AS
ISOLATION. the Knights of Columbus, the
Red Cross. and possibly others. will
De related to the main building OF
the camp somewhat as deposit sta
tions in schools and Industrial houses
are related to the central public Ii
brary of a city. 1t Is expected that
these main libraries will be in charge
OF thoroughly trained. competent
Librarians. The assistants will be gath
cred from the most convenient sources;
some will doubtless be enlisted men
with library experience. who will be
assigned to the work: others will be
he ihrn AL
whose services the committee already
has gratifying number of offers. and
others will be salaried helpers
The library buildings Will be Of wood,
but a single story in height. contain
ing one large openshelf room. sur
smaller reference and studyrooms,
workrooms for the staff and possibly
living quarters.
The assumption of this work by the
national association of trained profess
sional librarians insures that it will be
done thoroughly and Systematically,
and not in haphazard, disorganized
way by smaller bodies of enthusiastic,
but ill-inStructed amateurs.
The business of furnishing books to
camps. although the iirst object of the
committee, is Of course, not the only
KIND or war service that 1t will or
ganize among librarians and libraries.
1t has already appointed a subcommit-
tee on the dissemination of knowledge
regarding the food situation. consist
ing of experts in the United States
Agricultural Department. and in vari-
Gus State universities. and also a sub
committee to arrange for nation
wide library war service week, to be
held probably about the first of Oc-
tober, with the intention of Impress
ing on the public the willingness and
ability of Libraries to serve in any pos
sible way in the present emergency.
Vigorous campaign to raise funds
and to ask for donations Of books
VIII be launched as soon as the plans
OF the committee admit Local Ii
braries will be given the principal ma IT
in the collection and culling Of books.
and 1t is expected that many of the
railroads will offer to transport books
free to the public libraries at the can
comments.