Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-08-03
LIBRARY SERVICE

An effort will be made to supply the
soldiers stationed in Ohio, and pos
slbly the Ohio regiments that leave
the state, with interesting, entertain
ing and instructive literature. The
busy days spent in camp still leave
some time for the reading of books.
Experience shows that, under intelli-
gent direction, inviting literature
may be made to render distinct edu-
cational service in military camps.
The Board of Library Commission
ers Of the Ohio State Library, realiz-
ing that there will soon be stationed
within the borders of the state about
$4,000 troops, have for the past two
months been considering ways and
means to provide for them an ade-
quate library service They have ask
ed the Emergency Board to authorize
the expenditure of money for the
purchase of books and boxes in which
to keep and transport the same to the
different military units. The Organi-
zation Department of the State Lii
brary would have immediate direction
of this work and assistance in the
| distribution and care of the books
would be provided by the Y M. C. A..
and other kindred organizations al
ready authorized to work in the camps
! In this movement the State Library
! Commissioners are acting in harmony
with the American Library Associa-
ton which is calling upon each of the
states to furnish a library service.
The State Emergency Board is Civ
ing careful consideration to the re-
Of +ho
mittee consisting of Hon. John Cowan,
chairman of the House Finance Com
mittee, Hon. E. G. Lloyd, chairman of
the Senate Finance Committee and
Mr.. W. T. Donaldson, State Budget
Commissioners, has been appointed to
consider this request and will probably
visit the cantonment at Chillicothe be-
fore making their report.
The Library Commissioners, Prof.
c. W. Park, Merritt C. Speidel and
Clayton A. McCleary, have been very
active in their efforts to meet the
peculiar opportunity that comes to the
state as a result of the present pre-
parations for war. In their petition,
among other things, they declare:
"Few things that could be done, we
venture to say, would more favorably
impress the soldiers soon to assemble
and their friends than a supply of
well-chosen books for the use of these
soldiers.
at would be an evidence of a
thoughtful and kindly interest in their
welfare on the part of the state and
a desire to keep alive in the midst of
preparation for war the interests
moral and educational, which will
make good soldiers better citizens
when the war is ended and our vast
armies return again to the pursuits
of peace"
In speaking Of the proposed service
State Librarian Galbreath drew at
tention to the fact that the sum re
quested, $4,000, is less than what i:
expended yearly for books and paper:
in some Of the larger libraries Of thu
state. "If Ohio should promptly taxi
action in this matter" he said, 81
would probably lead to similar actor
in many other states. Such an oppor
tunity rarely comes and it should b
met in a generous and patriotic spirit.
Military units are already askin,
for books. Their appeals will be NOR
frequent as winter approaches and tn
soldiers, away from home and friends
require reading material to tide owe
the lonesome hours in camp.