Rushden Asked for Books - 20,000 Wanted During Next Fortnight

Beginning to-morrow (Saturday), Rushden is to make a great round-up of all books which can be spared from shelves, racks, cases and cupboards in every house, office or other establishment.

This is not a random clearing-out drive for salvage purposes only. Most of the books will doubtless go to the paper mills and thence to the munition factories, but all will be sorted with care and many will be dispatched to the Forces at home and abroad or used to restock the country’s blitzed libraries. Hospitals and children’s institutions will also benefit from the National Book Recovery Drive, of which Rushden’s campaign in part.

The town target – fixed at a meeting in the Council Chamber on Thursday – is 20,000 books. However valuable or however insignificant, each book given by the townspeople will be used for its most suitable purpose.

Thursday’s meeting was called by the Urban Council, and Coun. Mrs. O. A. H. Muxlow, as chairman of the Health and Sanitary Committee, was appointed leader of the campaign, with Mr. J. W. Lloyd (Salvage Officer) as secretary. Mr. W. J. Stoddard, Campaign Officer of the Ministry of Supply, offered his services during the drive and described the great successes achieved by other towns.

Mrs. Muxlow expressed confidence that the town would do well, and that plenty of help would be forthcoming. Mr. Lloyd said the salvage stewards were enthusiastic and would canvass the houses.

Arrangements were made for opening a central depot using the schools as receiving depots, and securing expert help in scrutinising the books.