Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-09-14
Why $1,000, 900 For Library War
Fund
WAR DEPARTMENTS PLANS ANSWER IMPoR-
TANT QUEsTIoN-"WLL 100000 Be
ENOUGH 7" ASKS EMINENT LIBRARIAN.

TANr QuEsrIoN-"WILL 100000 Be
ENOUGH y ASKS EMINENT LIBRARIAN.
thousands of American troops are being
made ready to 60 to France. In few
weeks our new army will be quartered in
thirty-two environments and numerous
training camps, Hundreds of thousands of
vigorous, active, earnest Americans have
been suddenly snatched from life of civil
liberty. and as suddenly plunged into a
new life of military restraint without any
of the pleasures or diversions of their form
er surroundings
The environments and training camps are
to a great extent isolated, and in nearly
every instance they are far removed from
the home States of the troops to be assem-
bled. The Government will see that moth
ing is lacking in equipment and material
to make the new soldiers efficient fighting
men. But all of their time will not be re-
quired for training and drill Some pro-
vision must be made for their hours of
leisure.
In establishing these environments and
training camps, the War Department has
taken careful precaution to remove every
dangerous influence common to military
camps of the past. But this is not enough
The War Department recognized the dan
ger which would arise from suddenly deny
ing these young men practically every
pleasure that had entered into their civil
lives and thus leaving them with nothing
to fill in their leisure hours. Therefore,
the United States Government asks those
who stay at home to help make the life of
these boys little brighter by supplying
the means to furnish them good books for
their dull and lonesome periods.
According to the plans of the War De-
partment, each camp or cantonment is to
be a real city, the average population be-
ing 10000 to $4,000 men. Provision has
been made for the postoffices. churches.
office buildings. and even banks. Only
libraries are needed, and these the rela-
tives and other friends of the soldiers are
asked to provide.
EVERY SOLDIER AND SAILOR To HAVE Books.
The field to be covered by the libraries
embraces the widest range including ser
vice for recruits. for men in training, for
men being modified, for men in garrisons,
for men in their rest periods while on the
march. and even for the men at the front.
The libraries will serve the crippled and
MANNED men returned from service,
wounded soldiers. interned groups and
prisoners of war, men awaiting the muster
out, sailors on shipboard, and sailors at the
various naval stations. Not man in any
branch of Uncle Sans war service must
be neglected.
A careful survey of the entire field has
determined that one dollar is the amount
necessary for the purchase, maintenance
and circulation Of one book. One dollar,
it is figured, will furnish book, keep it in
circulation until it is worn out, replace it
when retired for physical disability, and
all the tim r. share of the expense
of prope.., nC.- and caring for these
libraries in the various camps. One dollar
apiece from the stay Themes will give
to those who are fighting our battles a
mite of the pleasure they crave. relieve the
pangs of inconsistencies and lonesomeness,
keep them in touch with the life they have
vacated. and bring to them inspiration and
encouragement.
WILL 100000 Be ENOUGH
A million dollars will provide for this
great worthless than a dollar for each
soldier and sailor in the service. This
money will be expended for books. equip
ment and service as follows
Books There must be provided at once
$4,000 books to start work in the largest
environments. This initial collection will
be supplemented and enlarged as fast as
the books can be handled. Collections must
be sent to camps, hospitals. and wher-
ever else soldiers and sailors are stationed
Funds must be available to permit dupli-
cation and replacement necessary to keep
each library at a high state of efficiency.
Librarians know what it will mean to sup
ply books to one million eager readers
scattered throughout the United States and
France.
Equipment Each Of these libraries must
be equipped with tables, chairs, and book
cases in order that the reading-rOoms for
the snIdiera NAV he comfortable and At
tractive.
Service II good librarian is necessary
to make library effective under ordinary
conditions, he will be many times more
necessary under the demands Of the men
and boys at the cantonments. The very
best men in the library profession are
needed for this service. When 1t comes
to consideration of our soldiers and sailors
it is not what q service costs, but what the
best is worth, that counts. In view Of the
great service to be rendered. the question
is not What are we going to do with so
much money!" but rather. as one eminent
librarian asked, "Will a million dollars be
enough to enable this program to be
carried out in the broad way which the
present opportunity for service demands ?"
Margaret DeVereux Sets New
no,o.d For Ti,,loaaa