Evening star., 1939-12-31
D. {. Reading Trend
Seen Affected by
European War
Demand for Books
Of Military Nature
Increases 40 Per Cent

The European war is having a
decided effect on the reading trend
in the District, according to a re-
port submitted by the Public LIZ
brary to the American Library AS
ISOLATION.
DR.. George F. Bowerman. librar-
ian. pointed out that the demand
for books on war, the Army and
Navy and military tactics showed a
10 per cent increase in 1899, and
that the juvenile department re-
ports:
War interest seems to be re-
f1ected only in school requests. al
though the children may be more
aware of history than we think.
Lord protect us from the pro-
tectors, was the reply of one g.
year -old when asked by the teach
er. What is protectorate?'
The report. submitted again this
year at request of the association,
reveals an increase in circulation
and registration over last year.
Gains were shown by fiction and
non-flction, the use of magazines
and the circulation of pictures and
sheet music. Sociology. economics
and church history, which lost in
1898, went steadily ahead in 1899
The only non fiction that registered
loss treated with legislation and
women. it was said.
Ten Most Reserved Titles.
The list of 10 most reserved titles
follows. six of which add further
proof of the desire to know more
about conditions abroad: Through
Embassy Eyes" by Dodd: Inside
Asia" by Gunther; With Malice
Toward Some" by Halsey; Horse
and Buggy Doctor" by Hertzler;
"Mein Kampf.' by Hitler: Listen.
the Wind" by Lindbergh: Not
Peace But a Sword" by Sheean;
Benjamin Franklin by Van Dor
en-: Days of Our Years." by Van
Paassen; Reaching for the Stars. -
by Vain; Autobiography With
Letters" by Phelps; Think and
Grow Rich" by Hill
Fiction titles most in demand
were: THE Rains Came" by Brom-
field; disputed Passage" by Doug
las; "Rebecca," by Du Maurier;
Drums Along the Mohawk" by
Edmonds; "All This and Heaven
Too" by Field; Gone With the
Wind" by Mitchell; THE Yearling," !"
by Rawlings; Northwest Passage"
by Roberts: MY Son! My Son!" by
Spring; Grapes of WRATH" by
Steinbeck: web and the Rock" by
Wolfe; Sword in the Stone" by
White.
Petworth Branch Cited.
DR.. Bowerman feels that the in
creased ,llse of the library is due
primarily to the opening of the
much needed Petworth branch in
that thickly populated area. Other
factors contributing to the gain have
been increased talks on the library
or book reviews by staff mem
bers increased visits of groups Of
adults and children to see what
the library has to offer; an extern
sion of work with young people; the
increased use of library rooms and
branch auditoriums by w. P. A.
classes, club meetings, and con-
certs of recorded music; library ex-
hibits arranged for conferences
and the ideal of the right book for
the right person being kept ever in
mind by the staff members in all
departments.
The summary of the reports sub
mitted by the libraries asked to
participate in this survey indicates
findings closely related to those in
this library. The Anal report of
the American Library Association
states "that almost Immediately
after the Austrian crisis in the
spring of 1898, libraries throughout
the country felt an increased
demand for books on the interna-
tional situation-a demand that has
been steadily increasing.
Books on the European War,
19l4-1918, are definitely more in
demand than for years according to
the librarians who answered the
QUESTIONABLE and there is marked
interest in the political philosopher
Of the warrinR countries"