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Looking back at the nationwide support for American troops in the two world wars, we see Americans of all stripes making patriotic contributions and sacrifices — including farmers, factory workers and librarians.

Wait. What? How did librarians fit in to national security in the 20th century? In an array of ways, says Cara Bertram, an archivist for the American Library Association. Libraries were established at hospitals and military bases.

“In both wars, librarians back at home or on the front were key in collecting and distributing books to soldiers,” Bertram says. “During World War I, librarians maintained camp and hospital libraries,” and in both world wars, “librarians promoted books drives and encouraged donations.”

When America’s Librarians Went To War

Photo: Courtesy of the University of Illinois Archives