As we weather the Covid-19 pandemic, we all consider what could have been done before the crisis to better prepare for a possibility of a future pandemic. Libraries and archives have a history of disaster planning. During World War ll college and university libraries as well as special libraries and museums planned to safeguard their most valuable holdings against possible bombings from the enemy. In The American Library Association Bulletin of January 1942, a suggested activity for wartime library service was:  “In cooperation with other librarians of the region, take immediate steps to protect the culturally valuable resources in the library’s custody.” [1]

The next issue of the American Library Association Bulletin reported that: “A Committee on Conservation of Cultural Resources, representing both the custodians of cultural, scientific, and historical possessions of the Federal government and the principal interested professional organizations, has been established.” [2]

In this crisis the President of the United States took a strong stand and recognized the possible threat of aerial attacks on American libraries. President Franklin Roosevelt’s concern about the nation’s libraries goes back to 1936 when he read a warning speech given by the president of the Society of American Archivists. In 1941, the Committee on the Conservation of Cultural Resources started planning for the protection of library and archives, as well as gallery and museum collections from aerial attacks. [3]

The committee suggested evacuating collections to safer areas either around the country or within the library. In addition, they recommended forming “in-house squads that could combat the effects of bombs” and also the filming of important items. [4]

Many college and university libraries relocated their valuable collections. The New York Public Library evacuated $20 million worth of rare holdings to bank safes as well as a facility in Saratoga. The Frick Museum in New York constructed a protective vault and the Metropolitan Museum of Art also relocated some of its collections. [5]

In the Annual Report of the Librarian of Congress for the 1942 it was reported that:

“Actual removal [of selected materials] took place shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Approximately five thousand boxes were transported in twenty-nine van loads under convoy by Library personnel to nine (subsequently eight) appropriate buildings in three localities of relative security.” [6]

Did the College of the City of New York join other libraries in protecting their most valuable holdings? A front page article of The Campus, February 18, 1942 titled, “Library Stores Books in Vault For the Duration” answers that question.  “With an eye toward any possible emergency, the College library has installed an air-raid precaution system replete with double doors, dial locks, and hidden vaults.” It went on to say: “All valuable books and papers at the College are now being stored in a vault 12 feet square, 4 feet high, and walls 3 feet thick–and that steel door.” The article speculated on the value of the materials, and Professor Goodrich, chief librarian said, “If you say $50,000 you won’t be exaggerating.”

It is interesting to see what was considered vital to be preserved. College publications were thought of as irreplaceable including copies of the Microcosm, the Mercury and old editions of The Campus. In addition there were some valuable rare books and a set of The Original Letters and Journals of Townsend Harris, founder of the Free Academy (later City College of New York). [7]

Disaster planning is important whether it is for libraries, museums, or for the general public. Fortunately during World War ll the precautions taken were not necessary, but history has proven that prepare for the worse, and hope for the best.

Notes:

[1] “Libraries and the War,” American Library Association Bulletin, Vol.36, no.1, January 1942, P.8.

[2] “The Protection of America’s Cultural Heritage,” American Library Association Bulletin,  Vol.36,  no.2, February 1942, p. 153.

[3] Brett Spencer, “Preparing for an Air Attack: Libraries and American Air Raid Defense During World War ll,” Libraries and the Cultural Record, Vol 43, no.2 (2008): p.128.

[4] Ibid, p.128-129.

[5] Ibid, p.130-131.

[6] Annual Report of the Librarian of Congress for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1942. Washington, 1943, p.16.

[7] “Library Stores Books in Vault for the Duration,” The Campus, Vol.70, no.2, February 18, 1942: p.1.