The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-12-26

Wars and rumors of war are rec sponsihle fC 6 decrease In the ila- tons reading and for drastic changes in the types of books read during ie41, according to the an- nual December survey of reading interests by the American Library association. The report is based on summaries by nbrarians in repre- sentative communities all over the country.
 The association finds that readers have been thinking seriously about world conditions and the war, if their choice of library books proves anything; md that they have been thinkirg in terms of what might happen to them as the war pro. greeses. Shirer's Berlin Diary was voted the most popular book of the year in all libraries responding.
 The Norfolk (Va) Public library reported that books on the war abroad and happenings in the world ct large were greatly in demand bee fore December 8. Since then le- quests have been numerous for books on home defense, particularly bleckouts, shelters and flresfiehting. Before December 6 no libraries ex- cepting those in c few coastal cities reported Gny appreciabie interest in defense measures.
 World Conditions
 Next in demand to books about the war and world conditions come requests for books and material on joES and defense industry. While there Is some decrease in clrcula- ton in almost all libraries due to increase in employment and work hours, training and industrial cen. ters report m all-tirne peak circu- lation of technical books. Reference and reading rooms everywhere rec port an increase in use and In the number of questions asked.
 The Science and Engineering dc. partment of the Denver Puhlic li- brary B swannped with requests for books en defense industry from those who have jobs or expect to get them. Approximately 7b per cent of their book circulation is in this field. Similar reports come from San Diego (CalO, Portland (Ore.1. Cleveland and other iIlanu- facturing cities. Emphasis just now is on machine shop practice, radio and aeronautics, with special de. inand iil certain localities for books on industries of local importance, such as mining and shipbuilding.
 While people in Cleveland have been reading fewer books than for- nerly, the Cleveland Public library indicates that there is "aii unprece- dented increase in demands for Spanish and Portuguese gramnarS and books on Latin America. Also there has been a noticeable demand by refugees for American history. Books on handicraft and hobbies have fallen of greatly. Readers either haven't the time or can af. ford to buy the things they've been making for themselves. There iS great interest in reading about practical farming and the back to the lanG movement, showing c fea- lization and interest in preparing for the post-war years"
 Serious Reading
 The Cincinnati Public library sums tip the situation by pointing out that although the public is reading less, an analysis of circula- ton statistics shows . continuing trend along more serious lines. "In. creased employment" 1t states, "haS always brought about Q correspond- ing decrea, in the circulation of fiction and the lighter types of read- ing and an emphasis on books deal. ing with practical problems and in- formation"
 Librarians were asked what trends ih fiction tastes are conspicu- ous when compared with those of the last ten years. Most libraries reported that historical fiction was by far the most popular. Novels with American history background were particularly in demand in every region of the nation. Sophis- ticated sex novels treating of tri- angles, vicious circles and smart decadence are not the sure-fire sllc- cesses they were ten years ago. Amricans also seem to have lost bklClE ta8DS TOT pAUA0t@k Aah 4ASktous Along with the ever popular nlys- teries and westerns, people today want spiritual themes and meaty novels about personal relationships familiar to everybody. Family chronicles are perennial favorites.
 Libraries in all parts of the coul- try agreed that people were not read- inn novels with war background. Even good adventure stories like "Above susplcon" by Helen Mac- Innes, on the best seller lists for several months. win not move of because the plotA hinge on espionage library shelves An some communities or conflict. The cost and weat coasts cannot supply demand for uonAilc- ten e1 fhe WaHs hut NNepla #Ant