Title: Victory Book Campaign Records
Inclusive Dates: 1940-1946

Creator:

• Victory Book Campaign

Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 331

Quantity:

• 0.6 cubic ft. (2 boxes)
• 1 oversize folder

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

The Victory Book Campaign collected books for the war effort from 1941-1943 and Milwaukee Public Library Director Richard E. Krug acted as Wisconsin’s state director of the campaign. Records include publicity for the campaign, correspondence, operational documents, and newspaper clippings.

Note:

To request materials from this collection, create/login to your Special Collections Account.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0331

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The Victory Book Campaign (VBC) was a national drive to collect books for the Army and Navy, led by the American Library Association and The Red Cross. The program lasted two years with drives from November 25, 1941 to March 26, 1942 and again January 5, 1943 to March 5, 1943. Originally called the National Defense Book Campaign, the name was changed to VBC a week after Pearl Harbor. Despite many books being deemed unfit due to condition or subject matter, the campaign distributed 10 million books to the U.S. military.

A board made up of members from the U.S.O., A.R.C., and A.L.A., led the VBC, appointing Althea H. Warren, librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library as the first director. Warren organized each state, directed publicity, and oversaw book collection and distribution. Richard E. Krug, Milwaukee Public Library’s Director, was selected as Wisconsin’s State Director for the VBC.

This collection consists of correspondence, working documents of the Wisconsin executive committee, manuals, and multiple types of publicity including; articles, news releases and clippings, pamphlets, radio scripts, flyers, photos, and a poster.

Subjects are arranged alphabetically and then chronologically within each folder.

Victory Book Campaign Records, 1940-1946, Collection 331. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Archival Collections

• Carl F. Zeidler Mayoral Records. City of Milwaukee Archival Collection 44.

• Historic Photo Collection. Milwaukee Historic Photo Collection 6.

• War Information Center Collection. Local History Manuscript Collection 256.

Publications and Other Items

Books and Libraries in Wartime.

Final reports, Victory Book Campaign, 1942-1943

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all in accordance with state law. The public may view Local History Manuscript Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

Materials were collected by individual Milwaukee Public Library staff who actively participated in this organization. Accessioned as a Local History Manuscripts Collection.

Processing Information

Processed by Tobias Fudge, 2023.

Box   1 Folder   1	Articles and bulletins, 1941-1943
	Correspondence
Box   1 Folder   2	General, 1941-1942
Box   1 Folder   3	Caffery, Gerald, 1942-1943
Box   1 Folder   4	Krug, Richard, 1942-1946
Box   1 Folder   5	Shapiro, Ruth, 1942-1944
Box   2 Folder   1	Executive committee, 1940-1944
Box   1 Folder   6	Flyers, 1941-1942
Box   2 Folder   2	News releases, 1941-1943
Box   1 Folder   7	Newspaper clippings, 1942-1944
Box   2 Folder   3	Operations, 1942-1944
Box   1 Folder   8	Pamphlets & manuals, 1942-1943
Box   1 Folder   9	Photographs, circa 1940
Oversize Folder   1	Posters, 1943, undated
Box   1 Folder   10	Publications, 1941-1943
Box   1 Folder   11	Radio spots & scripts, 1942
Box   2	Scrapbook, 1942
Box   1 Folder   12	State & local directors, 1940-1943
Box   1 Folder   13	Volunteer hours, 1942-1943