Preparing for an air attack: Libraries and American air raid defense during World War II

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Abstract

Libraries vigorously participated in American air raid defense during World War II. Contemporary newspaper and trade journal reports as well as organizational and government documents attest to libraries' activities in air defense during the global conflict of the 1940s. Librarians safeguarded America's cultural treasures, built and organized collections of air raid survival materials, disseminated air defense information, and offered library buildings as civil defense meeting places and bomb shelters. In tailoring services to their patrons' needs, libraries strengthened their position in their communities, earned positive publicity for their work, and broadened the base of library support. Their work earned recognition for the profession and called attention to the value of community-based library services.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)125-147
Number of pages23
JournalLibraries and the Cultural Record
Volume43
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Conservation
  • History
  • Library and Information Sciences

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