Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-11-27
WAR ACTIVITIES OF
MAINE STATE LIBRARY

The State Library has rather a
peaceful sound. but State Librarian
Henry E. Dunnack will tell you that
while he has been to the front, lie
has been somewhat busy for the las:
several months and with war work.
Said he:
Listen. When you are told OF
what a soft snap Dunnack has been
having as leader" in all these various
campaigns and drives you whisper
to them that they don't know what
! they're talking about and I'll back
you up.
Here's an idea of some Of the war
work things that has been taking my
time and leading to as hard work as
I've ever had to do. 1t has all been
done with the full consent and APP
prevail of the Governor and has been
absolutely necessary for someone to
do. 1t fell to me. l did my best, but
honestly l am glad the war is over.
"They made me library director for
| the United States Food Administra-
ton for Maine. Sounds easy, but
means considerable time and work.
Then l was placed on the executive
committee for the selection of Y. NJ.
c. A. secretaries for over seas duty.
| This was a responsible and full Of
work job, taking lots Of time and
work.
Il drew the Craftsmanship Of tho
Augusta Four Minute speakers. and
with the live wire bunch Of men with
whom l had to deal had a real JOB.
although they each and every one did
their part and did it finely.
| "A little kind of side issue has been
officiating as campaign manager for
each and all of the campaigns AMI
drives that Augusta has had and You
know they've been thick enough.
Some job, that. did it at odd mo-
ments, when l had nothing else to &c,
| except other things. .l
'They wished onto me the State
! Craftsmanship Of the Red Cross
Speakers Bureau. Had nothing to no
but find and assign speakers for any
kind of a Red Cross affair anywhere
in the State. Got so / could do that
| in my sleep.
% /
was the representative Of the Amer
lean Library Association on the State
! Committee for the United War Work
drive. You will remember that it
was a pretty strenuous drive, coming
as it did with the announcement Of
| the armistice, but I lived through It.
"Oh. yes, l forgot one thing. l am
! a member of the local Liberty Loan
Committee and have spoken all over
the State in the interests of the sew
eral loans. I Travelled nights, ate on
the fly and attended to my own bust
ness when | had time. If catch ~
in the next five years, it will be al!
right.
Il was about to say that the armis-
tice sounded like peace to me and the
other workers, but no. Uncle Samuel
has somehow heard of Dunnack and
has appointed him supervisor of LIZ
brary War Service for Maine That
means that l am to have charge OF
securing and sending whatever is
wanted at the following forts, stations
or bases any kind of reading matter
that may be requested. They include:
Fort Baldwin at Popham Beach,
Forts Levett. Lyon. Mckinley AMI
Preble in Portland harbor; Fort Will
liams, Cape Elizabeth; Naval RADIO
Station, Cape Elizabeth: Naval Sec
ton Base at Portland; Naval Section
Base at Rockland; Naval Training
Station at Rockland and the Second
Naval Section Base at Bar Harbor.
you would be surprised to see the
requests for books. We send little.
very little fiction. for the demand IS
almost wholly for technical and edu-
cational works. Algebra. trigonomc-
try, etc. arc in demand-the boys
have little time and inclination for
light reading. They are making the
most CT the opportunity and with
something worth while to read.
Il am hopeful that this will be the
last Of the war activities given the
Maine State Library to handle. feel
that we have done our share-but l
am more than pleased that we have
been able to do it. Not a single re-
greet, only thankfulness that we could
do what was necessary. 1t is now
over and hope we can return to our
normal duties. Blame me: Thought
not"
Fish and Game