287.46(M1)
Figure 8-1.— Shipboard library on USS MASSACHUSETTS in 1898.
chaplain of that era. Chaplains were instru-
mental in the establishment of the Navy’s first
shipboard libraries. Contrast the view of the
shipboard general library found on USS
Massachusetts in 1898 with that found on board
a modern warship of today’s Navy (see figure 8-
2). Despite their differences, the purpose of the
shipboard library of yesteryear and today re-
main very much the same.
Shore libraries were added as wooden ships
gave way to steel ships which required an exten-
sive shore establishment. During and since
World War I, the General Library Program has
been professionally directed. Naval regional
librarians are stationed at major fleet activities
to assist in the development and maintenance of
ship and shore libraries.
The primary mission of naval general
libraries afloat is to assemble, organize,
preserve, and make easily available to all naval
personnel afloat balanced, unbiased, and
uncensored collections of library materials, print
and nonprint, and accompanying library
services specifically adapted to the interests and
requirements of naval personnel and to the
missions and tasks of commands so that naval
personnel may:
Educate themselves continuously
8-2
