By ordering that shipping space in the amount of 50 tons per month be set aside by the army transport service for the shipment to France of American Library Association books for soldiers, General Pershing has given unmistakable recognition of the need of reading matter for the use of our men in France.

Shipping space is extremely valuable, and General Pershing would never have alloted so much of it to the American Library Association if he did not thoroughly believe in the value of books to fighting men. By setting aside 50 tons of shipping space per month, he has made it possible for the American Library Association to send to France a monthly average of 100,000 volumes. This task the American Library Association has cheerfully undertaken.

Already it has in operation large shipping stations at two Atlantic ports of embarkation. To these stations books will be shipped from public libraries in all sections of the country for transportation overseas. Asa Don Dickinson is in charge of one of these shipping stations, while William H. Brett, of Cleveland, is in charge of the other. Representing the American Library Association in France is Dr. M. L. Raney, librarian of Johns Hopkins University, to oversee the handling and prompt distribution of the books when they arrive.

The actual work of issuing the books is being done by army chaplains, the Y. M. C. A., the K. of C., the Red Cross and the Y. W. C. A. From base hospitals to billets as near the front-line trenches as possible books are being placed in the hands of our fighting men.

To maintain an adequate supply, the collection of hundreds of thousands of books will be necessary. The American Library Association is buying by the hundreds of thousands text-books and other serious books, for which there is enormous demand, but it is looking to the public to supply by gift the millions of volumes of lighter literature--fiction, poetry, travel, etc.--which our men must have.

In addition to the overseas service, the American Library Association must keep its camp libraries at cantonments supplied and must also supply small camps, naval stations, naval vessels and transports with books. Already nearly 300 of these are receiving the American Library Association service.

To meet these needs a nation-wide book-drive will start on March 18, directed by the American Library War Service, and with every public library cooperating: Churches, schools and patriotic societies of all kinds have signified their willingness to help. Thousands of girls and boys are being mobilized to collect books from householders who are too busy to take them to public libraries, and every other means will be used to make the giving of books easy. Two million books is the goal set, but with public interest really aroused, it should be far exceeded.--A. L. A. WAR SERVICE.