The Library World Volume 43 Issue 3

IN a period of intense air activity against this country it would be idle to deny that substantial damage has occurred to libraries. In the vicinity of Chaucer House, which itself at the date of writing has suffered no worse than to the extent of a few windows smashed, there has been damage which will cost time and much expense to remedy. University College appears to have suffered heavily, although that part of it devoted to the School of Librarianship remains intact. Libraries at Stepney, Chelsea and Camberwell have suffered to greater or less extent; in some towns delayed action bombs have caused the suspension of the library service. In most cases, however, central and other main libraries have escaped, although librarians have had an anxious time. The National Central Library has had remarkable escapes, and although windows and ceilings have been damaged very few books have been damaged and the Structure as a whole has escaped.