Hospital Library Department
Production date
1914-2006
Collection Type
Archives
Level of Current Record
sub-fonds
History
The original War Library was formed privately in Aug 1914 by Mrs Gaskell and Mr Beresford Melville for the purpose of supplying books and papers to the Navy and Army and their hospitals. In the autumn of 1915 the Joint War Committee was asked and agreed to take over financial responsibility for the War Library and became known as the British Red Cross Society and The Order of St John War Library, for the free supply of books and magazines to sick and wounded soldiers and sailors in hospitals and hospital ships at home and abroad [see JWC/1/1/2 51st meeting minute IX].The JWC appointed one representative to sit on the Committee of the Library, the accounts being audited by the Society and Order, the personnel and practical working remained unaltered. A Deed of Trust was received and approved by the JWC [see JWC/1/1/3 meetings 128 minute XII and meeting 131 minute V]. It was agreed that the appointment of new Trustees should be with the new Joint Council of the Order and Society and that a small Committee of Management be set up to administer the working of the library. It was not until Dec 1945 that the library came under the full direction of the Joint Committee, and became known as the Red Cross and St John War and Peace Hospital Library.
Catalogue Number
JCM/7