We Want Books: Books for the Troops in World War Two

Books were critical in maintaining morale among American troops during World War Two, and millions of books were distributed to servicemen all over the world. Giving books to the troops helped keep them occupied – but also served as a symbolic contrast to the book burning of the Nazis.

This exhibit explores three of the best-known programs: The Victory Books Campaign, the Armed Services Editions, and the publications of the Armed Forces Institute.

Selected images from the exhibition:

Exhibit Opening and Reception
Monday, September 21, @ 1:00 p.m.

Featuring Molly Manning, author of When Books Went to War: The Stories that Helped Us Win World War Two.

Molly Manning will be the featured speaker at the Common Curriculum Convocation, Monday, September 21, 2015, @ 6:00 p.m., at the Nott Memorial.

An easy and effective way to help our men in the armed forces of the nation is to give books they need - the histories, biographies, books on current events, and fiction - adventure, mysteries, westerns - thrillers of all kinds. Especially needs are up-to-date technical books, all kinds of mathematics, and other recent trade school, high school, and college textbooks.

Banner: Victory Book Campaign pamphlet, c. 1943; Oregon State Library Records, Oregon State Archives.