As World War I came to a close, rations were lifted and the men began to return home, the learning centers of the US began calling for help. People had no money to give to help Libraries begin expanding their collections again so the American Library Associations Army Libraries put out a call on the streets of NYC. Donate your books.

Given the pile of books this woman is standing upon to make her call, the donation drive was fairly successful. Her chosen standing space however is not preservationally sound.

See a brief history of librarians and archivists during WWI at the Bentley Historical Library of the University of Michigan.

- via Retronaut