Milwaukee's Experiment With 110 Selected Books

by Helen Terry
Wisconsin Library Bulletin, May 1958, pp. 172-174.

This three-page article describes the creation of a 110 great books list and its use to promote reading in the Milwaukee Public Library.

Meredith Boss and Helen Terry mulled over numerous lists created over the past century. They eventually dropped "ponderous" works to make room for more 20th Century books. Their list contain 52 novels (England 25, American 13, France 7). Three authors were still living.

The library placed a bookshelf containing the 110 books to the left of the elevator. The books were shelved alphabetically by author.

During the first two weeks 252 out of 532 copies (47%) checked out.