Preparing for an Air Attack: Libraries and American Air Raid Defense During World War II

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.

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