USA > Connecticut > Windham County > A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I > Part 98
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In 1860 the ladies were admitted as honorary members and a report of com- mittee of that year stated that there were 100 volumes, many very valuable.
During the Civil war and until 1872 the interest was somewhat abated and no record was kept. In January, 1872, the association was reorganized with the following officers :
President, Dr. John Witter; vice president, Carlo May; secretary and treas- urer, N. E. Morse ; librarian, Geo. O. Robbins.
Lectures and debates were continued during the winters of 1872, 1873, and 1874, and much benefit was derived.
It is difficult to mention all who took an interest in the Library Association but nearly every family in this section of the town was helping maintain it. January 29, 1875, the words Library Association were changed to Library (Assoc.) and the volumes were removed to the postoffice, the postmaster chosen for the librarian. The following officers were elected: President, Geo. W. Child; vice president, Carlo May; secretary and treasurer, N. E. Morse; li- brarian, Geo. O. Robbins; directors, Rev. E. H. Pratt, Geo. W Child, Norman 0. Chaffee, Munroe W Ide. Mr. Child served as president until his death in 1909, and always maintained a deep interest in the association and was a loyal friend and supporter. Geo. O. Robbins served as secretary and treasurer from
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December, 1875, to 1880, and from 1904 up to the present time (1920). From 1887-1904 Chas. H. Killam held the office of secretary-treasurer.
In 1880 Geo. Johnson was appointed librarian and the books were removed to his home. The circulation was not extensive and no new books were added until 1887 when the association met and reorganized. There were at this time about two hundred volumes in the library.
Entertainments of a high order were presented by local and out of town talent for a period of years, consisting of dramas, lectures, concerts, and op- perettas, the proceeds being for the benefit of the library, and in this way many books were added, from twenty-five to fifty volumes each year.
Miss Nellie Pratt was chosen librarian in 1887 and books removed to her home. This plan was followed for several years, and the librarians were Miss Julia May (1889-93), Mrs. Benjamin Robbins (1893-94), Mrs. Susan Adams (1894-96). Owing to the growth of the library, it was thought best to have a room fitted up and Mr. Geo. Johnson was engaged to make the necessary change in the house of R. Coombs. There the library has remained up to the present date (1920) and numbers today 1,550 volumes.
Mrs. Geo. Johnson was librarian from 1896 to 1906, with the exception of one year; Miss Mary Gifford from 1906-1907, and from 1908 to the present time (1920) ; Mrs. Lillian A. May has served.
President A. G. Morse succeeded Mr. Child and served seven years. M. B. Morse was chosen president in 1917 and still holds the office.
Various book and entertainment committees have served and much interest has been manifested. Many standard works are included and a good class of fiction, historical novels, travels, biographies, books for children, who are very enthusiastic booktakers. The booktakers average one hundred to one hundred fifteen-families represented, forty. From eight hundred to one thousand one hundred and twenty volumes per year are circulated, the adults taking about two-thirds. About two hundred volumes are gifts of friends. An illustrated history of the Civil war was the gift of Mrs. J. M. Paine in memory of her husband.
Other generous donors are the Misses Constance and Sylvia Holt, one hun- dred or more volumes; Mrs. Olah Whelpley, forty volumes; Miss Fanny Phipps, $10.00.
The librarians for many years gave their services one afternoon a week, but were exempt from annual dues. In 1898 it was voted to pay the librarian $5.00 per year. Since 1907 the Library Association has received a town or state grant of $25.00, and books to that value have been received each year. Since 1907 it has been a free library. Money for its maintenance is raised by sub- scription and fines and entertainments.
HAMPTON PUBLIC LIBRARY By Austin Fletcher
The Hampton Public Library was established in 1856.
For many years the number of books was very small and they were moved from place to place often to private houses, some public spirited woman, usually, giving space in her house as well as her services as librarian free of charge. Several years ago the books were removed to a large room in the upper part of a school building which was also used for town meetings, etc. The books were
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arranged around the walls in shelves which became closets as solid wooden doors were used and these were locked, and once a week for a short time books were received and given out.
In 1919, Austin B. Fletcher, LL. D., of New York City, bought a corner lot with buildings on the Main street and in the center of the village and altered the main building to suit the needs of the town.
This was done in memory of his mother Harriet Durkee Fletcher who was born in Hampton.
The library is called The Fletcher Memorial Library.
The library has an endowment of $2,000 received in 1915 as a gift from Miss Eliza Durkee, an aunt of Doctor Fletcher, who made this gift to her, requesting her to give it to the library at her death.
With the new building, with rooms for children and societies and with a librarian in constant attendance, the interest and use has greatly increased.
Recent librarians have been W. H. Woodwell, 1904; Kate A. Thompson, 1905-13; W. H. Burnham, 1914-15; Kate A. Thompson, 1916-20.
ASHFORD-THE BABCOCK LIBRARY
The town of Ashford has been fortunate in having a son who bequeathed money for the establishment of a library. Archibald Babcock, who went after- wards to Charlestown, Mass., and became a wealthy brewer, left $6,000, the income of which was to be expended in two ways-one-half in establishing and maintaining a library and the other half in promotion of band music in the town. The Babcock Cornet Band, still a popular institution, is a result of the latter benefaction.
The library was opened in 1866 in the Warrenville Store with about one hundred volumes. There was no librarian at first but in 1873 the town ap- pointed Peter Platt librarian at a salary of $10.00 for the first year. He filled the office until 1913, forty years. In 1889 the library contained over twenty- two hundred volumes of history, biography, travel, science, and fiction and now contains about five thousand and fifty volumes. In 1885 Mr. Platt built an addition to his house for four rooms to accommodate the library. This room is about fourteen by eighteen feet and accommodates 5,600 volumes. The library is still in it, although after the death of Mr. Platt, the place was sold. Mr. O. P. Durkee has been librarian since 1913, but the actual tending of the library has been done by Miss Elizabeth Vostinak, who lives on the "Peter Platt" place.
HISTORY OF THE PUTNAM FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY By Emma J. Kinney
The public library at the present day is recognized as a powerful agent for fostering the development of an enlightened, social, civic and industrial life. Even the small towns can ill afford to be without a library.
The Putnam Free Public Library had its beginning in March, 1884, when Mr. R. S. Helmen, a representative of the Empire Library, New York, sug- gested to some of the citizens a plan to start a library in Putnam. The plan proposed was to secure 200 members who would subscribe $1.50 each for a life membership thus obtaining a library of 200 volumes.
The plan met with approval and in a short time the necessary names were secured. The books were received and a selection made.
THOMPSON PUBLIC LIBRARY
BROOKLYN PUBLIC
LIBRARY.
BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY Originally occupied by Brooklyn Savings Bank (right) and Windham County National Bank (left).
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
At a meeting of the subscribers March 21, in Union Hall, the library was organized and the following officers elected.
President, Dr. J. B. Kent; secretary and treasurer, L. O. Williams ; librarian, S. M. Hewitt.
At an adjourned meeting March 28 a draft of a constitution and by-laws was submitted, amended and adopted. It was voted that the first meeting under the constitution and by-laws be held the second Monday in April for the purpose of electing officers.
It was voted that in order to become a stockholder in the library, a fee of not less than $2.00 should be required.
At a meeting held April 16, 1884, the following officers were elected: Presi- dent, J. B. Kent; secretary and treasurer, E. H. Johnson; librarian, S. M. Hewitt; board of directors, W. B. Ferguson, A. W. MacDonald, G. A. Ham- mond, M. G. Leonard, E. H. Johnson.
The Citizen's Library Association was formally opened Saturday evening, April 25, with 270 books and 140 members.
Rules were adopted fixing Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and eve- nings as library hours.
During the first six months of the library's existence 1,900 books were taken out.
At a meeting October, 1884, it was voted to assess each member 50 cents in order to purchase new books. C. B. Johnson was appointed to collect the assess- ment. A concert was given in the fall to aid the library which netted $75.00.
With the funds in hand 128 new books were purchased in January, 1885, making a total of 428 volumes in the library.
The first home of the library was in the jewelry store of the Wright Brothers, one of whom acted as librarian, assisted by W. B. Ferguson. Later Mr. Fergu- son was chosen librarian.
At a meeting of the directors March, 1886, the librarian reported 500 volumes in the library. Books were eagerly read and the supply did not equal the de- mand. Mr. Ferguson resigning as librarian; Mr. J. R. Cogswell was appointed to fill the vacancy which position he held for a year.
As more funds were needed J. W. Manning offered to be one of ten persons to make up $50.00 to pay current expenses provided the members would con- sent to pay $1.00 each for the purchase of new books. G. W. Holt moved to make the amount $75.00 instead of $50.00, which was adopted. About twelve pledges were given toward the amount and the rest guaranteed.
In the spring of 1888 the directors made arrangement with the ladies of the Women's Christian Temperance Union Society to have the library located in their room in Union Block. About this time Miss Alice Johnson was apointed librarian. For the purchase of new books $15.00 was raised at a social. '$60.00 was added to this from a lunch served on election day November 6.
In March, 1889, the question of placing the Citizen's Library Association under the proposed state charter was discussed. Senator L. H. Fuller was re- quested to secure the passage through the Legislature. The charter having been procured a meeting was held May 6 and important steps taken toward merging the Citizen's Library Association into a new chartered Putnam Library Association. It was voted that the Citizen's Library Association transfer all its property to the Putnam Library Association and that members of the former
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may become members of the latter without paying the first annual member- ship fee.
L. H. Fuller was elected president of the new organization. At the town election October, 1894, it was voted to accept the library when properly trans- ferred by the association. The transfer was made and the Putnam Library Association became the Putnam Free Public Library. $200 a year was ap- propriated for use of the library.
During August, 1898, the library was closed and recatalogued by Miss Mary Daniels under the Dewey-Cutler System. On September 3, 1898, the library was reopened with Miss Emma J. Kinney as librarian.
The quarters in Union Block being inadequate for the growth of the library, in June, 1903, a new location was secured in the Court House Block. Messrs. Kent, Bowen and Shaw of the library board were appointed to make arrange- ments for fitting up the room suitable for library purposes. The new room modeled from plans made by Mr. Joseph Gay of Boston, with convenient ar- rangement, suitable decoration and attractive appearance was opened and dedi- cated March 8, 1904.
The large number of people present at the dedication indicated a live inter- est in the advance step the library had taken. An interesting program was given, including readings by Mrs. Frances Robinson of the Otis Library, Nor- wich, and an address by Mr. Charles D. Hine of Hartford. A year or two before this time, through the generosity of Mrs. Addison Porter, a reading room had been opened under the control of the Elizabeth Porter Putnam Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Through the strenuous efforts of the ladies the reading room had been kept open two evenings in the week. The ladies, having made arrangements for joining the reading room with the library, shared in the dedication making the occasion one to raise funds for the support of the reading room-$100 was the result of the effort. The periodicals for the reading tables were furnished by the ladies for several years, when the support was assumed by the town.
The new home of the library and reading room, appropriately designed, complete in appointment was now admirably equipped to give the reading pub- lic good service. Its doors opened with a broader spirit of hospitality. The ladies fitted up a cosey corner in an attractive manner where people could meet their friends, read or write. Ladies from neighboring towns found this rest room an inviting place in which to spend a little time after a busy day of shopping.
One evening Rev. Peter McQueen gave us a lecture at the library on the Russo-Japanese war.
The library of the Daughters of the American Revolution found a convenient home with the public library.
The library's activities extended to the missionary societies, boys' and girls' clubs and women's clubs by furnishing books to meet their various needs. Since the library was open six days in the week and was centrally located, the circu- Iation of books increased rapidly. Removing the age limit for drawing books opened the door wide to little children.
In June, 1907, by invitation of the public library the Connecticut Library Association held its spring meeting in Putnam. A good number of librarians and others interested in library work were present and an interesting and help- ful program presented.
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For economic reasons the town voted in the fall of 1912 to change the loca- tion of the library from the Court House Block to the Municipal Building on Church Street. Although not so centrally located for the reading public, the change in location offered an opportunity for work among the large population of French people. Some one has said that "the library has the largest power of any institution to interpret the spirit of democracy to the foreign born." Realizing that the library has a large field of service in this line, an effort is being made to reach more effectually the French people by the addition of French books to the library. A recent vote of the library board will place Polish books on the library shelves. Calls are coming for books in the Hebrew language. These will probably be added in the near future. In order to reach the working class, books have been added which deal with the industries and interests of the community.
The activity of the modern library comes in very close touch with that of the public school. While some work has been done along this line in past years, the work recently has taken a firmer hold and a higher place. Teachers are invited to cooperate with the library in selecting books which will supple- ment school work. Books for supplementary reading and material for debates and graduation work are furnished the high school. Help is given in holiday and anniversary celebration by means of lists, bulletins and collections of books. In order to enlarge and extend the library's usefulness books have recently been sent to nine schools, two of which are in the outlying districts. At present 300 public library books are in circulation in the schools. Not only does the library wish to supplement the work of schools by loaning books to teachers and pupils, but it desires more to capture the child in the formative stage, introduce him to the children's department and make him a life-long user of the library. Here lies the library's greatest opportunity. There can be no more hopeful feature in developing the children's work than the story hour.
While only a beginning has been made in conducting a story hour in our library, arrangements are being made to develop this line of children's work. Teachers and pupils have access to a collection of mounted pictures, also three sets of Underwood and Underwood's pictures-Germany, the Rhine and Bel- gium-which are used in the library and loaned to schools and clubs. In recent years the library has received gifts of three pictures. Through the will of Mrs. Marquis Green the library received a gift of $1,000.
The library had a larger circulation when it was more centrally located. Possibly it has a more healthy circulation today than formerly when more books were given out. Since four books, two fiction and two non-fiction, are allowed on one card, books best worth while have found their way into homes where heretofore they have been unknown.
The practical value of the library lies in the sources of information it opens up to its readers. One means to this end is the use of the bulletin board. Here are posted lists of new books, announcements of important town and state affairs, pictures illustrating special events, lists of books on special topics. At present books on food, preparation of food and gardening are timely subjects. Lists of books in the library on these subjects are provided and the books placed together in an accessible place.
The Brown charging system has recently been installed.
In the nation-wide campaign for books for soldiers and sailors, March 18-25, 1918, 712 books were collected in Putnam and vicinity. The merchants cooper-
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ated in the movement by placing posters in their store windows and allowing their stores to be used as stations for receiving books.
Since the library is so universal in its appeal in order to reach those living at a distance, it is hoped that in the near future several branch libraries will be established at convenient centers so that the influence of the public library will be felt in every home in the community.
EASTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY By Alice C. Bosworth
In May, 1887, Frederick A. Sumner, who is now president of Talladega College, but then as an Eastford lad acting as agent in Eastford for Messrs. Porter and Coates, publishers, sold to this community one of their "Circulating Libraries" comprising fifty volumes, price $50 which he raised by obtaining fifty subscribers at $1 each.
When the books arrived, it occurred to some of the subscribers that they might serve as a nucleus for a more extensive and permanent library. The attention of others was called to the subject and it was decided to call a meet- ing of the subscribers to consider it more fully.
The meeting was held in the chapel June 8, 1887, when the subscribers formed themselves into a society to be called "The Eastford Circulating Library Association." The officers chosen were the following: Stephen Bowen, presi- dent; Charles O. Warren, vice president; Mrs. S. J. Walker, secretary, treas- urer and librarian.
Additions continued to be made from year to year, as fast as the society obtained the means for purchasing books. A number of persons became mem- bers by the payment of $1 each. Gifts were received from former residents and friends, till the year 1896 the library contained 340 volumes. In May of that year a communication was received from Judge Jairns H. Carpenter of Madison, Wis., a native of Eastford, offering to give the Town of Eastford the sum of $500 as a permanent fund, the income to be used for the purchase of books, provided the town would establish a public library; the fund to be known as "the Alfred P. Carpenter Memorial Fund" in memory of Lieutenant Carpenter, who was born October 29, 1835 in that part of Ashford which in 1847 became a town by itself under the name of Eastford. At the annual town meeting, held October 5, 1896, it was voted to accept the gift offered by Judge Carpenter and to establish a town library.
From the intimation that in case the town should establish a public library the "Circulating Library Association" would present its library to the town if acceptable, it was voted, in order to save the calling of a special town meet- ing to accept the gift if offered. A meeting of the "Circulating Library Asso- ciation" was at once called, December 3, 1896, at which it was voted to present to the town their library, together with funds on hand amounting to $43.07 and with that the association ceased to exist and thereafter to be called "The Eastford Public Library." The officers chosen in 1887 were the following: president, Stephen O. Bowen; vice president, Charles O. Warren ; secretary- treasurer and librarian, Mrs. S. J. Walker. The president and vice president were retained until 1896 (October 5th) when a board of directors was appointed for the supervision of the library consisting of six persons, two of whom were to retire annually and the vacant offices to be filled by the town at the town
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meetings ; a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer to be chosen from this number.
The books of the Library Association were kept at the residence of Mrs. S. J. Walker, who served as librarian until 1900. Then the books were moved into a small building owned by Mr. S. O. Bowen. Mrs. S. O. Bowen served as librarian from 1900-1902; Mrs. C. M. Jones from 1902-1904.
The books were again moved in 1904 to the small building near the post- office, owned by A. M. Bowen, where they were kept until March 16, 1920, when they were transferred to a room over the Center school.
The library now contains nearly 4,000 volumes, consisting of history, travel, biography, sociology, books of reference, fiction, juvenile and adult. The greatest need is a suitable library building.
THE WINDHAM FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY, WINDHAM, CONN.
The Windham Free Public Library Association was organized in 1897. The building secured for library use was the old Bank Building, formerly occupied by the Windham National Bank, but unused for many years except at the time of the bi-centennial, in 1892, when it housed a very interesting collection of articles of. historic value. A campaign to raise the funds required to start a library was begun by the young men and women of the village, who presented several plays and who did much of the necessary work of soliciting money and securing members. The successful formation of the organization was due to them and to the generosity and public spirit of a large number of the people of Windham, and to former residents who retained a whole-hearted interest in the place and its prosperity.
The work of organizing was started by a dozen or more charter members and through the generous cooperation of contractor, lumber dealers and painters the work of renovating the old bank for library use was carried through at a figure much below the actual cost, and in September, 1897, the institution was open to the public with a nucleus of 250 books, which in five years was increased to over 1,000, and a reading room for general use. Miss Julia Swift assumed the duties of librarian and continued to hold that position until her death in 1915, and to her able and willing service is due in a large measure the growth and prosperity of the library. To the late Rev. Frederick H. Means, then pastor of the Congregational Church, is due much credit for starting the library on a sound basis and for standing behind the organization and rendering invaluable aid in countless ways.
Bequests have been left to the library by Mrs. Delia Hibbard, Mrs. Lucy Colcord, and Mrs. Guilford Smith, the income from which helps to meet the annual expenses.
New books have been added from year to year as the state of the treasury allowed, until in March, 1920, the number has reached 3,000 volumes.
In the fall of 1917 steps were taken by which state aid was secured for the library, as a result of which $100 worth of books is assured each year, the gift of the State of Connecticut, subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions.
As is the case in many rural communities, books of fiction are most in demand but the library contains many valuable and interesting books of history, travel, biography, and the World war.
Since the death of Miss Swift, Miss Grace Bates, a former assistant, has acted as librarian.
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One of the important features of the library, from the very beginning, has been the collection and preservation of articles of historic value connected with the history of the town, and some of the acquisitions are of considerable value. Among these may be mentioned the portrait of Col. Eliphalet Dyer, the gift of a direct descendant, and renovated and restored under the direction of J. Alden Weir. Companion to this is one of Colonel Elderkin who, together with Colonel Dyer, through song and story has preserved the frog as a symbol of Old Wind- ham. There is a picture of Windham Green as it appeared in 1815 and a map of the original layout of the town. To some, one of the most interesting features is the wooden image of Bacchus, said to have been carved with jackknives from a solid block of wood by British prisoners confined in the Windham jail. The image was for a time used as the sign of the Windham Inn, and later was pre- sented to the library by the late A. E. Brooks, a Hartford collector, who felt that the figure rightfully belonged in Windham. A cabinet contains many interesting documents, letters and old sermons, a file of the Windham Herald, published in Windham in 1795, and various other articles which cannot be enumerated here, but which may be seen if desired by anyone touring that sec- tion of the country.
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