Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1917-09-12
BOOKS FOR TROOPS
ARE BADLY NEEDED
6OvernOrs Are Invited to Is
sist Library War Council.
TRAINED men DIRECT WORK

Plans Are Under Way to Provide Suf-
hcisns Reading Matter Of the Proper
Kind For Each Of the Thirty two
Cantonments - Prominent Bankers
Lend Support to Nation Wide Plea.
Governors of the various states have
been invited to assist the Library War
Council, appointed by the secretary OF
war, to establish libraries for our SOL
diers In the field and our sailors on
shipboard. kilograms and letters re-
ceived at the headquarters OF the Ii
brary War Council In Washington show
that Secretary Bakers action In ap-
pointing a national body to provide IL
braries for our troops has met with
popular approval throughout the coun-
try.
The fact that the work is being done
under the expert direction Of the War
Service Committee of the American Ii
brary association has brought into serv-
ice the assistance Of trained librarians
In all parts Of the United States. who
are acting as sponsors and collectors
for the movement In their respective To-
calities.
The council comprises Frank A. VAN
derlip. chairman. president Of the Ma
tional City bank. New York city; Asa
G.. Gambler, banker. Atlanta. Ga; P. T.
Claxton, United States commissioner OF
education: j. Randolph Coolidge, archi-
tect, Boston. Mrs. Josiah f. Cowles.
president general Federation OF Wo-
mems clubs. Los Angeles, Cal; John Fl.
Finley, New York state commissioner
of education: James A. Flaherty, su-
prerne knight, Knights Of Columbus; F.
T. Stotesbury Of J. P. Morgan & Co.,
New York city: Colonel Theodore n.
Vail. president American Telephone and
Telegraph company, New York. and
Harry A. Wheeler. vice president Union
Trust company. Chicago.
Librarians on the Committee.
A campaign for the raising OF the
necessary funds is in charge OF Harold
Braddock of Montclair. n. j.. with Of
fees In Washington. The war service
committee is headed by J. l. wyer. Jr..
Of the New York State library. The
other members are Edwin r. Ander-
son. New York Public library: Arthur
E. Bostwick. St Louis Public library:
Gratia Countryman, Minneapolis Pub
lie library. Electra C. Doren. Dayton
(Ol Public library: Matthew s. Dud-
geon. Wisconsin Free library commits
sion. and Frank p Hill. Brooklyn Pub
lie library.
Already several governors have ap-
pointed state library war counc lis, and
cities are organizing local councils to
carry on the work
The appeal is for 100000 for the
purchase Of regularly constituted H.
braries of 10000 volumes each, one for
zach Of the thirty-two environments.
These libraries. the experts say, will
be equal If not superior to the average
library In cities of from 1900 to 5000
population. The same system OF selec-
ton and circulation which governs city
libraries will prevail In the camps
A 81 contribution. library experts
say. will place book In the camps and
will keep 1t In good condition and cir
culation for three years The re-
sponses from officers and soldiers and
sailors themselves reveal that they are
eager for the plan to be put into effect
as soon as possible. Give us libra
ries. is their appeal. Authors are giving
their royalties. and the publishers are
giving a liberal discount on volumes
purchased.
The appeal is not only for 81 popular
subscriptions. but for corporaie sub
scriptions. large individual cont-ibu-
lions and requests of money by libra
~ boards.
The Y. NJ. c. A. and the Knights of
Columbus are working closely with the
war service committee of the Ameri-
can Library association In making the
appeal.