Ellington Field was constructed in 1917 and was used as a flight training base during World War I.  Once the war was over, the military abandoned the site and eventually leased the land to local ranchers.  In 1940, local politicians pushed to rebuild Ellington Field.  Officials contacted Harris County the following spring to provide books for education and pleasure to the men stationed there.   

In the spring of 1941, the library organized a book drive to collect materials to send to "the boys at Ellington Field."  Donations included books and magazines.  Many churches got involved in the book drive, reminding their congregations to "bring a book to church" on Sunday with them.

 

 

Ellington Field Librarian Lt. E. E. Aldredge, Jr., second man from the right

 

 

Bookmobile service started in July 1941, with stops at the hospital, the headquarters for recruit detachments, and the recreation hall.  In September, HCPL installed a small collection of around 200 books.  Ellington Field reported a circulation of 2,380 books for 1941, showing that the men appreciated and used the library service on the base.  The following year, the base reported a circulation of 8,607 books.

 

Ellington Field was an important donation site during the Victory Book Campaigns of 1942 and 1943.  The base received the first shipment of donated books in March 1942.  The library put much effort into ensuring that Ellington Field received the books needed to train the men stationed there.  The County Librarian reallocated book funds to purchase non-fiction books on shipbuilding, business, and science.  During this time, the library did not buy new fiction books for the library system.  In July 1942, the La Porte community donated a 1941 edition of Janes Fighting Ships of the World.  The book was "considered the only complete and authentic encyclopedias of all navies of the world."  County Librarian Reba Anderson noted to the Houston Chronicle, "Officers at Ellington Field told me that the book is needed for study of naval craft identification."

 

The station at Ellington Field closed in April 1943 when the Gray Ladies of the Houston Red Cross started a recreation program for the hospital.  The program provided library service, making HCPL's small collection redundant.  Circulation for January through April of 1943  was 2,165 books. 

 

1941 Annual Report, Harris County Public Library

(1941, March). Little bird, From HCPL Scrapbook (1941-1948)

(1941, May 2). Books will be collected for soldiers Sunday, From HCPL Scrapbook (1941-1948)

(1941, May 3). Books for soldiers, From HCPL Scrapbook (1941-1948)

1942 Annual Report, Harris County Public Library

(1942, March 1). Books collected here hauled to Ellington Field, From HCPL Scrapbook (1941-1948)

(1942, February 3). Gift books piling up, From HCPL Scrapbook (1941-1948)

(1942, May 25). Role of libraries in war effort is studied, From HCPL Scrapbook (1941-1948)

(1942, July 25). Ellington Field library is given warship manual, From HCPL Scrapbook (1941-1948)

1943 Annual Report, Harris County Public Library

Further Reading on the History of Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base

Carlson, Erik. (1999, February). Ellington Field: a short history, 1917-1963. National Aeronautics and Spac Administration. (Accessed October 24, 2024)

Explore more about the World War II efforts 

(2024). Victory Book Campaigns, 1942-1943. From the Harris County Public Library Digital Archive.

(2021, June 10). 140 years of service: women an important part of American Red Cross history. American Red Cross. (Accessed October 24, 2024)