FOREWORD
This purchase list could well be considered a supplement to the Prison Library Handbook. It was begun at the same time and by the same individuals, although to expedite matters the final responsibility for its form and content was placed in the hands of one member of that group. Full recognition of assistance should be given to those whose names appear as contributors to the Handbook, and in addition, to such others as Mr. W. B. Gamble, chief of the Science-Technology Division of the New York Public Library, Miss Harriet Sewall, librarian of the College of Agriculture of the University of Minnesota, Mr. F. M. Eliot of Unity Church of St. Paul, to name only a few, for their personal comments and advice; to the Library Division of the Minnesota Department of Education, the Hill Reference Library of St. Paul, and to many others whom lack of space makes it impossible to enumerate. A final word of indebtedness goes to Mr. Austin H. MacCormick, assistant director of the U. S. Bureau of Prisons, for his staunch support, and to the American Association of Adult Education, the Bureau of Social Hygiene, and the American Library Association, whose grants have made possible this publication.
In selecting these titles the stern limitations of the budget have been held in mind. However, in no case has a book been included merely because it has been reprinted at a popular price. It is obviously impossible in a selection of 2500 books to make an arbitrary pronouncement of what is the best book in all subjects, especially when the group in mind is as varied and uneven as this which the list in hand aims to satisfy. All we can say is that great personal care has been taken by individuals experienced in books, people, and prisons, and the list is offered with the earnest hope that it may be useful in bringing to our prison population more stimulating and satisfactory employment and recreation for the mind.
NOTES:
The Handbook referred to in the following pages is the Prison Library Handbook, E. K. Jones, ed., A. L. A., Chicago, 1932.
Addresses of publishers, business houses, and government departments not given in this list are to be found in the U. S. Catalog.
