USSVI Research Library Background In late 2001, a USSVI library was started at St. Marys Submarine Museum. The library was formed with the cooperation of John Crouse (St. Marys Museum Curator) and a committee of five USSVI members including: John Andersen; D10 Lon Schmidt; Gerald Menafee (LA-Pasadena member); John Trubee (who is Buffalo Base Commander) and Ron Martini of Lockwood Internet Base. Preserving the history of the submarine service is one method of "perpetuating the memory of our shipmates." With an ad placed in Polaris and American Submariner magazines, books began to flow in. The books are graded, catalogued in a database, and a bookplate is put in each specifying from whom the book was received. The duplicates beyond a set number, depending on the importance of the book, are pulled and are to be auctioned to help defray the expense of shipping books from the collection point to St. Marys. The Library currently has 335 USSVI books and 327 books that are the property of St. Mary’s for a total of 662 volumes. In addition there are some 60 other items including 6 binders of Polaris magazines, SVWWII calendars from the past, magazines, and journals. Books are not permitted to leave the building but researchers and students are allowed to view all books in the collection. The USSVI Library Committee is currently seeking more books from anyone interested in donating submarine materials or Naval history books. Books become the property of USSVI solely - and the right to determine which books are carried in the primary and the duplicate system are made by the committee. Contact More information on where the books are to be sent may be obtained by contacting: John Andersen or from Ron Martini 1723 Desmet Shipping Charges Shipping charges (by Book Rate in USPS system) can be reimbursed if desired. Taxes A tax deduction may be taken and a receipt will be issued if needed in the amount of $10/hardback and $2/paperback. If desired, and if the value can be proven, a receipt for a higher amount will be issued to the donor. Future plans Future plans included expanding the book collection, buying new releases, soliciting authors for copies, and perhaps selling USSVI authored books to raise funds for needed bookcases and shipping costs. If your Base would desire to assist, please forward your checks to John Andersen at the address listed above. |
