The “Healing Power of Print” Comes to Norwood Hospital
Move Made After Tests Show Books Have Therapeutic Value
It’s often said that laughter is the best medicine, but in 1940s Norwood, local officials decided that a good novel might be a close second.
Eighty-one years ago this week, the Morrill Memorial Library officially extended its reach beyond its stone walls and into the wards of Norwood Hospital. On a Monday afternoon between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM, the first “book truck” made its rounds, marking the birth of a professional Hospital Library Service that had been years in the making.
A Prescription for Reading
The initiative wasn’t just about curing boredom; it was backed by the medical science of the day. Following consultations between Librarian Edna Phillips, Hospital Administrator Robert Brown, and Superintendent Dorcas Clark, the service was launched based on the recommendations of doctors and psychologists who recognized the “positive therapeutic value” of reading.
To ensure the “treatment” was effective, the library didn’t just dump old leftovers onto the cart. The 54 books circulated on that first day were:
- Professionally vetted: Selected using the Hospital Book Guide from the American Library Association.
- Diverse in scope: Ranging from current best-sellers for adults to colorful picture books for the younger patients.
- Curated for recovery: New books were scheduled to be purchased monthly, specifically for the hospital collection.
The Team Behind the Truck
Navigating a hospital with a heavy cart requires more than just a library card. Miss Barbara A. Jordan, who headed the service, was assisted by Junior Assistant Mrs. Eleanor Probert Johnson and volunteer Miss Phyllis Draper.
Preparation for this launch was rigorous. Miss Jordan and Mrs. Johnson had spent the previous autumn attending lectures on “Institution Library Service” at Massachusetts General Hospital, ensuring they were as prepared for the hospital environment as the medical staff themselves.
By the Numbers: Launch Day
| Metric | Detail |
| Initial Circulation | 54 Books |
| Hours of Service | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Frequency | Weekly (Monday afternoons) |
| Equipment | Specialized wheeling truck with sloping shelves |
“This popular and humanly-appealing service… fills a need, long felt locally, for professional library service in Norwood institutions.”
Today, we take for granted the digital entertainment available at our bedsides, but in 1945, the arrival of the “book truck” was a vital link to the outside world—and a key part of the road to recovery for many Norwood residents.
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