Accessible Archives Inc.

The books found in our American County Histories collections are a wonderful source of information about local issues prior to the 1920s. This story — How Yakima Helped Distribute Books to Soldiers and Sailors was prepared by librarian Miss Eleanor S. Stephens for The Honor Roll 1917–1918–1919 in the Washington (State) collection.

How Yakima Helped Distribute Books to Soldiers and Sailors

As early as June, 1917, the American Library Association decided, at its annual meeting at Louisville, Kentucky, to take an active part in supplying reading matter to soldiers and sailors. In August, 1917, the Association received the official request from the Secretary of War asking that the A. L. A. undertake the work in cooperation with the Fosdick Commission. The A. L. A. then began to collect books and magazines throughout the nation with the assistance of the Public Libraries. Portland was the first distributing center for the Northwest and in the summer of 1917, some 200 books and magazines were collected by the Yakima Public Library and forwarded to Portland for distribution.

The Camp Library is Yours (1917)

Although there were many gifts of fine books, the volumes donated were largely fiction. The workers realized that they needed funds with which to purchase specialized technical books, and the work had grown so that buildings for the Camp libraries and money to pay salaries of the librarians were wanted. The A. L. A. decided that it would institute a nation-wide campaign for one million dollars, which money would be used to carry on the work they planned. If every community in which there was a public library would raise five cents per capita the fund was certain to be raised in full. To this end the Library Board of the Yakima Public Library asked the following persons to serve as leaders in the local campaign: Wilbur Crocker, W. S. Bronson, F. F. W. Jackson, James Leslie, Mrs. C. E. Keeler, Miss Anna Whitney, Mrs. F. J. Mynard, W. L. Steinweg and Charles Lombard, with Robert Rundstrom as campaign manager and Eleanor Stephens as publicity manager. Through the efforts of these workers 781 people donated $900 toward the $1,500,000 that was raised October, 1917, for war library work.

(more…)

Please join us at the American Libraries Association 2015 Midwinter Meeting and Exhibits in Chicago later this month.

We will be in booth 3626 with our exclusive sales and marketing agent, Unlimited Priorities.

At ALA Midwinter we would love the chance to share our latest news: new collections, expanded content, exciting collaboration.  Contact us to set up an appointment or just stop by Booth 3626.  Hope to see you there!

Exhibit Hall Hours

• Friday, January 30 – 5:30pm to 7:00pm
• Saturday, January 31  – 9:00am to 5:00pm
• Sunday, February 1 – 9:00am to 5:00pm
• Monday, February 2 – 9:00am to 2:00pm

Contacts

Is it not a Riddle, that a Man who is a Bankrupt, and has delivered up upon Oath all his Effects to his Creditors, shall within a Year, perhaps, be a greater Man than ever, and may be ride his Coach?

Is it not a Riddle, how young People at first setting out in Life, without a Halfpeny (comparative speaking) shall live as if they had ever so large a Fortune, keep Country Houses, Houses, Dogs, &c.

Is it not a Riddle, that a Sovereign, possessed of every Virtue, and does all he can to promote the Happiness of his Subjects, should be insulted, abused, and affronted as he has been?

Is it not a Riddle, how Numbers of our Clergy can answer to their Consciences to neglect their Parishioners in the Manner they do, whose Souls are Committed to their Care, and for whom they must be answerable at the Day of Judgment?

Is it not a Riddle, that when one Man has injured another, it should be looked upon as a Point of Honour, and the Way to retrieve his Character by sending him out of the World, or by making him his Murderer?

Is it not a Riddle, that J. Wilkes should have so much Influence in the City of London as he has?

Is it not a Riddle, how a Man can how and cringe to any great Man, say, do, and swear any Thin he bids him, right or wrong, and yet this Man is looked upon as an honest Man, and all to procure a Place or a Pension?

Is it not a Riddle, when a Man who has been all his Life the greatest Villain, robbed, Cheated, and lived the most debauched Life, and at last executed, yet a Clergyman shall very departed, thank God for taking to himself the Soul of our dear Brother here departed, in sure and certain Hope of Resurrection to eternal Life?

Is it not a Riddle, that a Man who will lie, swear, and commit every Kind of Wickedness, yet if another Man should tell him he lies (when be really does) he must run the Riske of being run through the Body?

Is it not a Riddle, that many of our Ladies, who are modest, sober Women, should admit into their Company Men of the vilest Principles, and worst of Characters, and should prefer the greatest Rakes, for Husbands, to Men of Virtue and Sobriety?

Is it not a Riddle, that a Man should live the most wicked and debauched Life upon Earth, and yet expect to go to Heaven when he dies?

Is it not a Riddle, that Provisions of every Kind should be so excessively dear, when Providence always blesses us with Plenty, and we have more than we can consume fairly and honestly?

Is it not a Riddle, that we should encourage sovereign Manufactures to the Prejudice of our own, so as to oblige our Poor to sly to distant Parts for Support?

Is it not a Riddle, that so many of our Clergy, who profess to be Teachers and Disciples of the blessed Jesus, should live so contrary to his Laws and precepts?

Is it not a Riddle, that in a late Middlesex Election 200and odd should be more than 1100 and odd?

Is it not a Riddle, that Tradesmen who can give their Daughters little or nothing should breed them up at Boarding Schools, where they learn nothing but Insolence and Extravagance of every Kind, Love of Pleasure, Dress, and Intrigue, and yet expect that honest young Tradesmen should marry them in Expectation of having notable Wives?

Source: The Virginia Gazette, August 25, 1774

The Battle of Mill Springs, also known as the Battle of Fishing Creek to the Confederates, was fought in Wayne and Pulaski counties, near current Nancy, Kentucky, on January 19, 1862. The Union victory ended an early Confederate offensive campaign in eastern Kentucky.

This report on the battle appeared in The New York Herald on January 25, 1862. The New York Herald’s war coverage is available as part of our collections as The Civil War: A Newspaper Perspective.

The Battle of Mill Spring

From Our Special Army Correspondence.

SOMERSET, Ky., Jan. 21, 1862

The long inaction of the army in this State has at length been ended, and a glorious and complete victory has awakened the troops from their lethargy. The late movements of Gen. Thomas, of which, though not ignorant, I have been heretofore silent, have achieved the aim proposed, and I hasten to send you all details at hand. The telegraph has sent you many particulars, and perhaps much I now write will have reached you ere this account, which is made up in the confusion of the camp.

(more…)

Perry County, Alabama
December 24, 1840

There has been considerable excitement in this State, in reference to disturbances among the black population. The impression is general among them that they are to be free, either after Christmas, or the 4th of March, at farthest.  Great numbers have been examined, but it is evident there is no organization among them—no concerted plans. Some say one thing, some another. One fellow testifies that Van Buren is in the region of Mongomery with 200,000 men to effect their deliverance. Another says, Queen Victoria is coming to Alabama with a British army to deliver them! So you see it is all “moonshine.”

(more…)