Lending Libraries During the Civil War

Donna, one of our staff members, recently visited the Civil War Re-enactment held on July 9-10 at Genesee Country Village & Museum. There she took a pictures of Jessica, one of our clerks, and Jenn, our children's librarian who play the part of delegates from the United States Christian Commission. The USCC was an important agency of the Union during the American Civil War. It was designed to offer religious support, but also provided numerous social services and recreation to the soldiers of the U.S. Army.

If you look closely, you can see Jessica ready to lend soldiers books (dated from the 1800's).