Winona Franklin Walker Collection

Army Special Services librarian garrison cap
Army Special Services librarian light blue garrison cap with the Army Hostess and Librarian Service half-moon patch on left front side. Patch is a half-moon shape with radiating rays in maroon, red, orange, green, white, dark blue, yellow, buff, and crimson, the army branch of service colors. Worn by Winona Franklin Walker from 1945 to 1946.
Oral history interview with Winona Franklin Walker
Primary documents Winona Franklin Walker's career as a librarian, especially her service in Germany with the Army Special Services in 1945-1946. Walker briefly describes her family, undergraduate education, decision to attend library school at The University of North Carolina, first school library job in Shelby, North Carolina, and work as a civilian librarian at Fort Bragg. She discusses her decision to accept an overseas appointment with the Special Services, being assigned to Europe, and training in Paris and Oberammergau, Germany, to set up military libraries. " Walker describes her experiences as a librarian in Germany at length. Topics include: acquiring furniture and supplies, staffing and organization, her typical workday, German civilians, housing, typical library contents, benefits of civil service with the army, traveling in Europe, social life, her decision to return stateside, and her decision to leave the Special Service. " Walker also details her post-service employment, including jobs at the High Point Public Library and at four schools in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Winona Franklin Walker
Winona Franklin Walker poses beside a building, circa 1945. She wears the Army Special Services light blue uniform and cap with half-moon Army Hostess and Librarian service patch.
Winona Franklin Walker
Winona Franklin Walker poses beside a building, circa 1945. She wears the Army Special Services light blue dress uniform and cap with half-moon Army Hostess and Librarian service patch.
Winona Franklin Walker
Winona Franklin Walker poses on an army base, circa 1945. She wears the Army Special Services light blue dress uniform and cap with half-moon Army Hostess and Librarian service patch.