Hospital Library
Production date
1919-1966
Description
Administrative papers relating to the establishment and running of the Hospital Library service, including resolutions of the Joint Committee, lease for the headquarters of the department, reports and correspondence.
Collection Type
Archives
Level of Current Record
sub-fonds
History
The first Red Cross War Library started in August 1914, aiming to supply books and papers to the Navy and Army. Donations of books came from the public and from publishers. They went to all of the hospital units treating the sick and wounded.
In peacetime, known as the Hospital Library Service, it continued to supply books to hospitals and sanatoria at home, as well as to military hospitals overseas – in 1935 over half a million items were sent out.
During the Second World War the Red Cross and St John Hospital Library Service provided books, magazines and illustrated papers for Service patients in hospitals and convalescent homes at home and overseas. Almost all of these were gifts from the public.
The scheme was re-organised as a department of the Joint Committee of the Order of St John and British Red Cross in 1945 and continued its work within the National Health Service and with the armed forces.
In 1970, approximately 1300 hospitals were being supplied and over 3 million books were issued. There were 4,000 volunteers working in hospitals and at the 46 county depots around the country.
Rising costs and changing priorities meant that in 1996 full responsibility for the service was transferred from the Joint Committee to St John Ambulance.
In peacetime, known as the Hospital Library Service, it continued to supply books to hospitals and sanatoria at home, as well as to military hospitals overseas – in 1935 over half a million items were sent out.
During the Second World War the Red Cross and St John Hospital Library Service provided books, magazines and illustrated papers for Service patients in hospitals and convalescent homes at home and overseas. Almost all of these were gifts from the public.
The scheme was re-organised as a department of the Joint Committee of the Order of St John and British Red Cross in 1945 and continued its work within the National Health Service and with the armed forces.
In 1970, approximately 1300 hospitals were being supplied and over 3 million books were issued. There were 4,000 volunteers working in hospitals and at the 46 county depots around the country.
Rising costs and changing priorities meant that in 1996 full responsibility for the service was transferred from the Joint Committee to St John Ambulance.
Catalogue Number
JCO/6