Special References

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There are shelves of 4-H books – state and county 4-H histories – at least three published official national 4-H history books. There are biographies and autobiographies relating to 4-H pioneers and leaders; even a string of 4-H novels for boys and girls. The list seems to go on without end.

Perhaps one of the more intriguing books is one that apparently had at least two editions and was advertised heavily in National 4-H News, yet the National 4-H History Preservation team has yet to actually see a copy. Reference is to "World Book Encyclopedia at Work with 4-H." It is believed to have been produced in 1956 by Field Enterprises, Inc. in Chicago and was still being offered through full-page advertisements in the magazine in the late 1960s. The ad states that "the book contains OVER 170 MAJOR 4-H Club projects listed alphabetically... under each heading are World Book articles helpful in work on particular projects or activities." It goes on to explain, by example, that "Conservation" lists 43 pertinent articles. While this is not a history book, it is, indeed, an interesting special reference with high visibility. Just being published by World Book Encyclopedia, which during these two decades was probably the "go to" reference of choice in many American homes, lends great prestige.

Naturally the Internet now provides a ready resource for looking up nearly any subject pertaining to 4-H. Interestingly, as the National 4-H History Preservation website continues to grow, covering 4-H history in one place perhaps better than any other resource in the past, more and more Internet searches will lead you directly to the history preservation website as the resource.