USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at the end of the century : a history, Volume 2 > Part 61
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East Providence Free Library .- In what is now East Providence (then in the town of Seekonk), Sept. 1, 1819, a library was founded by the Ladies' Reading and Library Society, composed largely of members of the Baptist and Congregational churches. Beginning with twenty- four books, which were kept in a small trunk and carried from house to house every two weeks, the number gradually increased until it reached 800 volumes. Meetings of the early members were held every two weeks and paid into the treasury three cents, or braided straw valued at that sum; while the members worked in these meetings, one of them read aloud. This society subsequently bore the title, the Female Benevolent Library Society, and still later, the Female Library Society. Again, upon reorganization in 1883, it took the name, the Scekonk and East Providence Library Association. In 1885 the books were divided, the Seekonk division taking its share of them, while the other section took its present name, the East Providence Free Library Association. The association was incorporated in 1886. At the time of the division there were on hand 1,014 volumes, which has
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since increased to 4,000. The books and property arc kept in rooms in the old town hall in East Providence, but a special building is in contemplation.
The Edgewood Free Public Library was an outgrowth of public sen- timent that had long existed in the place, which finally crystallized in action in 1896. The necessary measures were adopted for organiza- tion and securing State and town aid. The institution was opened March 13, 1897, in a school house. The association promptly erected a suitable building, and in November of that year the books and prop- erty were removed thither. At the time of the opening there were on hand about 800 volumes, which number has increased to about 1,700.
Greenville Public Library (town of Smithfield) was chartered by act of the Assembly in January, 1882, and a suitable building was pur- chased in the center of the village and fitted up for its purpose. About 500 books were donated by the people of the town, with $300 in money. In the following year the library was greatly benefited by receiving through William Winsor (who has been treasurer of the institution from the first) the entire library of the Lapham Institute. A reading room is connected with the library, both being wholly free; and from the situation of Greenville, near the south line of the town, its field includes parts of Johnston, Scituate, and Glocester.
Harris Institute Library .- Library measures were adopted in Cum- berland before the last century. A so-called Social Library was established in the northern part of Cumberland in 1792, and during about a quarter of a century a small library was maintained at Woon- socket, which developed into the Carrington Library. Its final estab- lishment was duc to repeated agitation in the public press, until in 1853 the late Edward Harris, George S. Wardwell and others took an active interest in the movement. Mr. Harris gave $500 upon condi- tion that a like amount should be contributed by other citizens; this was soon done. George S. Wardwell, then manager of the Hamlet Mills of the Carrington cstate, now came forward with a proposition to donate another $1,000, provided the library was given the name of Carrington ; this proposition was accepted. With this fund was established the Carrington Library Association, of which Edward Harris was the first president. In the year 1855 the library contained 3,000 volumes, which were free to those who were members of the association upon payment of two dollars each per year. This library eventually became the property of the Harris Institute. As prelimi- nary to his new plans for the good of the community, Edward Harris, in 1856-7, erected the Harris Institute building, and in 1863 obtained an act of Legislature incorporating Ariel Ballou, Oscar J. Rathbun, Joseph E. Cole, Samuel S. Foss, and Reuben G. Randall as The Harris Institute. In June of that year he presented these trustees with a deed of the building and property mentioned, which was valued at
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$70,000. In September, 1863, Dr. Ariel Ballou was elected president ; R. J. Randall, secretary ; O. J. Rathbun, treasurer. In 1865 Mr. Harris added to his original gift the sum of $2,500 with which to purchase books, and about 4,000 volumes were added to the library. The library was formally opened in October, 1868, and was the first wholly free library in the State of Rhode Island. The absorption of the Carrington Library raised the number of volumes, and in 1878 there were 9,166, which number was increased nearly 3,000 during the next ten years. In 1873 a large reading room was opened in con- nection with the library, and both are well patronized. The first librarian was Miss Anna Ballou, who was succeeded by her sister. They occupied the position until 1873, when Mrs. Ellen M. Bosworth was appointed, and was succeeded in 1884 by Miss Anna Metcalf, the present librarian. The number of volumes is about 16,000.
Other libraries that were founded in the town of Cumberland many years ago were the Cumberland Library in 1812, the act of incorpora- tion having been passed at the May session ; the Cumberland Literary Society and Union Library, founded in 1820; the Burrillville Library Society, incorporated in 1822; the Woonsocket Falls Library, incor- porated in 1830.
The Island Free Library, on Block Island, was established in the fall of 1875, through personal effort by several of the leading citizens. A small sum of money was obtained by solicitation, and many books were donated. In 1878 the library was placed under control of the town authorities and was made free to all town residents and to all public school teachers. Subsequently and several years ago the library was made wholly free, giving access to its shelves by many summer and transient residents. The number of volumes is about 3,000.
Jamestown Philomenian Library .- In 1849 was organized The Philo- menian Library Association, funds for its purposes having been raised by subscription. The association was organized by the election of Geo. C. Carr, president; William A. Weeden, vice-president; John E. Watson, secretary; John S. Cottrell, treasurer; Robert H. Watson, librarian. This library was reorganized in 1876 under its present name, and after various removals was, in 1883, placed in the town hall, where it remained until 1898; at this time the town purchased a build- ing for a permanent and exclusive library home. The library now contains 4,680 volumes.
Kingston Free Library-In the year 1825 a Rev. Mr. Brown, of Kingston (town of South Kingstown), gathered among his interested friends about 300 volumes, which were kept in dwellings of the differ- ent librarians and given out after the custom of book clubs. In 1836 Elisha R. Potter established a circulating library with what then re- mained of these books, with additions made by him. This library was kept in the Congregational Church. In 1873 this church held a meet-
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ing "to take into consideration the proposition to establish a reading room and library". This appears to have been consummated, and in 1877 its management was transferred to the church corporation, and the late Judge Potter made a trust deed to the society of sueh books as he had previously loaned the library. The library and reading room were incorporated in 1891 as the Kingston Free Library, and in 1893 Judge Potter's books were transferred to it. In 1895, the State having built a new court house near Kingston Station, a petition was presented to the General Assembly for the use of the old court house for the library. A perpetual lease was granted to the association and the people of the village expended $1,400 in putting the historic structure erected in 1776 in repair. The current expenses of the library are now provided for by a tax of one dollar and the proceeds of an annual fair.
Lakewood Free Library-In 1834 Dr. Rowland Green, a Quaker preaeher, induced a numberof women of Old Warwick to form a society with the title of Old Warwick Female Temperance Society. He then presented the organization with a number of books which became the nucleus of a library. A year later the name of the society was changed to the Old Warwiek Ladies' Library. Funds were raised by the Ladies' Circle of Industry, whose members met and knit hosiery, which was sold at a profit by loeal merchants. During this immediate period there was also a Gentlemen's Library in existence, and in 1857 an effort was made to consolidate the two; but it failed, the women insisting that as their library was free it would not be fair to give their books, acquired at the cost of so mueh labor, to a taxed library. This dissension led to a dissolution of the society and the books were distributed among the members.
The late Richard Greene was chiefly instrumental in gathering and preserving these volumes, enlarging the library, and in obtaining aid from the State under the law of 1875, and later from the town of War- wick, liberal appropriations for this and the other libraries of the town.1
In 1890 about thirty residents of Lakewood were elected to member- ship in the old Library Association, and half of the library was re- moved thither and opened to the public in a small room of the ehapel. About two years later, the town hall having meanwhile been ereeted, the upper story was seeured as permanent home for the library, and J. A. Whitman contributed $100 for its furnishing. Since that time the number of books has more than doubled.
Langworthy Free Library-After mueh consideration, prominent residents of the town of Hopkinton, particularly in the vieinity of Hope Valley, determined to found a free publie library and took up
1Address delivered by Henry L. Greene before the Providence Veterans' Historical Association, May 11, 1900.
.
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the matter in earnest in 1887. Articles incorporating an association were adopted and organization was effected on February 18, 1888, under the title, the Langworthy Public Library, in honor of Joseph Langworthy, who contributed substantial aid to the institution. The library was opened and in its early years its privileges were extended to residents of the adjacent part of the town of Richmond. Rooms were fitted up in Odd Fellows' block and the opening took place on July 7, 1888, with 794 volumes on the shelves; to this number 510 were added during the first year, and since that date the number has increased to 5,041 volumes. In January, 1901, a juvenile department was added, allowing children of from nine to fourteen years to take books. The library is maintained by an annual appropriation of $100 from the town and by voluntary contributions, with the State aid of about $150 a year.
The League Library, in the town of Warwick, was founded in 1886, under the auspices of the Old Warwick League, an association of benevolent men formed for social and intellectual improvement in 1882. What is known as League Hall was erected in 1885. Books were purchased at the expense of $368.68, and many others were received from friends of the association, with donations from various individuals. O. Perry Sarle, jr., was appointed librarian and the rooms were opened to the public February 25, 1886. At the close of the first year there were reported on hand 1,117 volumes, all cata- logued. On March 11, 1889, Mr. Sarle resigned as librarian and Miss Mary A. Sarle was appointed. There are now in the library 3,480 volumes.
Little Compton Free Public Library Association was organized about 1845 by a number of shareholders who supplied the needed funds. Upon receiving $100 from Amasa Manton the institution took the name of the Manton Social Library. At the time of the passage of the act granting State aid to libraries, this one had about 500 volumes, which were in storage and without benefit to the community. Frederick Brownell then called a meeting of stockholders, who were readily induced to give it to the town to aid in establishing a free public library. The gift was accepted and a committee appointed to purchase additional books. The town clerk acts as librarian and the books are kept in apartments adjoining his office. There are now 1,000 volumes on hand.
The Manton Library Association (Exeter) -One of the first towns to avail themselves of the generosity of the late Amasa Manton to establish libraries throughout the State was Exeter, where the Manton Library Association was established soon after his offer of aid was made. The collection of books was selected by Henry Barnard and Judge Elisha R. Potter, and with additions reached about 700 volumes. In course of time interest in the work declined, many books were lost and the
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institution was neglected. On May 3, 1881, a few of the old members of the association met and voted to give the books to the town, under the law granting State aid. In annual town meeting, June 7, 1881, the gift was accepted and the library was placed in charge of the school committee. A librarian was appointed and the books removed to the town clerk's office on Pine Hill; only about 500 volumes could be found, but additions were made and now the number is a little more than 3,000. When the clerk's office was removed to its present loca- tion the library was taken with it. The library is rich in history, biography and has an abundance of fiction.
The Manville Library was incorporated in March, 1873, as a result of efforts made by Samuel Austin, of Providence, who had urged the subject upon the people of the village, while visiting there in 1872, and offered to donate about one hundred valu- able books as a nucleus of a library. Soon afterward the association purchased a quantity of books from the Harris Institute Library, at Woonsocket, incurring considerable debt. The purchased books num- bered 1,000 volumes. The debt was finally liquidated by the public- spirited citizens, and by their energy and State aid the institution now has about 2,500 volumes. The library is largely patronized by the English-speaking people, and to some extent by others.
Middletown Free Library was founded in January, 1848, as one of the many due to the labors of Henry Barnard. Associated with him in this town were Richard K. Randolph, Rev. Dr. Wayland, Rev. Charles T. Brooks, Rev. J. O. Chowles, and others. A number of donations of books were received and in 1851 the organiza- tion was changed into a stock company. In 1856 it was incorporated as The Miantonomi Circulating Library. The library was maintained until 1875, when the corporation transferred its property to Middle- town Free Library Association. Donations and purchases of books were made from time to time until there are now 1,600 volumes in the library. The institution is about to benefit through the generosity of William E. Bailey and his sister, who have offered $2,500 for the erection of a building for its permanent home.
The Narragansett Library Association-The first actual movement towards establishing a library at Peacedale, South Kingstown, was made by the Sons of Temperance in 1853. At Rocky Brook, February 11, a resolution was adopted by them that "whenever the inhabitants of this village and vicinity shall raise the sum of $1,000 for the pur- pose of building a lecture hall or room, and establishing a public library for the use of the said inhabitants, that this division will and do hereby appropriate all funds which it has now, or may have in- vested up to the time of building said room or hall, and establishing said library, to be applied conjointly with said sum raised by the inhabitants for the purpose aforesaid". It was also resolved "that
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the building or hall, and said Library shall be within one-half mile of the Peacedale post-office". A committee headed by the late Gen. Isaac P. Rodman was appointed to act under these resolutions. The Sons of Temperance then disbanded. A meeting was held May 25, 1855, in the Baptist church, which was addressed by Rowland G. Hazard, and a committee was appointed to ascertain how much money could be raised for building purposes. On June 9 the committee re- ported unfavorably on the building project, but recommended the establishment of a library. On October 25 a society was organized, a constitution adopted, and books ordered purchased. In 1856 there were in the library 900 volumes; this number was increased by 1875 to 1,569 volumes, when it became a free public library under the State law. In the winter of 1856-7 a hall was completed by the Peacedale Manufacturing Company for a lyceum, lectures, etc., in which library apartments were also provided. Here the books have since remained. The number of volumes is now more than 6,000. The title of the corporation is The Narragansett Library Association, and it receives, besides the income from the gift of the Sons of Temperance, the income from a bequest of $3,000 made by Isaac Peace Hazard in 1879. In 1890, upon retirement of Rowland Hazard from the presidency, he made a like trust gift to the institution of $3,000. It was always the wish of Rowland G. Hazard that this library should have an appro- priate and permanent home. He died June 24, 1888, and in 1890 his sons, Rowland and John N., proceeded to carry the wish of their late father to consummation, by erecting the handsome Hazard Memorial Building, which was dedicated October 9, 1891. In 1892 the library received a gift of $5,000 from Miss Anna Hazard, of Newport, and in 1898, by the will of the late Rowland Hazard, the institution received a bequest of $20,000. There are about 8,000 volumes on the shelves.
The Natick Free Library was organized May 6, 1887, in ac- cordance with its articles, and officers were elected. A suitable building was fitted up and given free of rent by the Natick Mills Company. A fund of money was raised by subscription and enter- tainments, and a first purchase of 500 volumes was made. In July, 1887, the library was opened to the public, with Stephen W. Thornton librarian. The number of volumes has since increased to 2,500. Dur- ing recent years the library was kept open several evenings each week as a reading room.
North Kingstown Free Library-For some time prior to 1890 the guild connected with St. Paul's Church at Wickford had maintained a small library. In the early part of that year a number of the members determined upon an effort to enlarge its scope and obtain aid from the State. To this end a series of resolutions was adopted making it a free library, and soon afterward it was named the Wick- ford Free Library. Its management was placed in charge of a com-
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mittee of cight members. At that time there were 1,145 volumes, which had increased in 1898 to about 2,000. Upon the death of C. Allen Chadscy, of the village of Wickford, it was found that he had bequeathed to the town $10,000 for the purpose of erecting a free library building and aiding in maintaining the institution. In 1898-9 the trustees clected by the Council under the provisions of chapter 43 of the general laws caused a building to be erected, arranged for the transfer to it of the books of the guild library, and the North Kings- town Free Library was opened to the public in the early part of 1899. The building is in the colonial style, and contains all the usual library accommodations, with two halls on the upper floor, one of which is devoted to the use of the North Kingstown Historical Society. The library now has 2,673 volumes.
Oaklawn Free Public Library-For the purpose of organizing a free library, a meeting was held Jan. 23, 1889, and on Feb. 27 follow- ing fourteen charter members signed the constitution of the Oaklawn Free Public Library Association. A small money contribution was made at the preliminary meeting, and a little later the first donation of books was received from Rev. W. A. Briggs. By January, 1896, there had been collected about 250 volumes and there was a small fund in the treasury; in the month named a book social was held, which resulted in gifts of 150 volumes. Other donations followed and the library was opened to the public May 20, 1896, with 850 volumes. The old school house is used as a library building.
Pawtucket Free Library-In Pawtucket was a library early in the last century. An act of incorporation was granted to the Pawtucket Library Society in 1809, but little further is known of it. The inception of the present Pawtucket Library was a suggestion made informally at a meeting of a debating club, which led to an application for a charter, which was granted by the Legislature in January, 1852. The first meeting of the corporators and subscribers for stock was held on February 3, 1852, and Thomas K. King was elected the first presi- dent. A little more than $1,000 were raised by the sale of about 200 shares, and the library of the Masonic Society was purchased as a foundation. The Central Falls library was then bought and added, the two associations thus becoming amalgamated. More than 200 volumes were donated from the library of Rev. George Taft, and about 200 more were donated by various persons. All this gave the library at the date of the first annual meeting (April 6, 1852) about 1,200 volumes. Suitable rooms were leased in the John B. Read block, which were occupied until 1876, when Gideon L. Spencer offered the association a five year lease of a large room in the Spencer block, then just erected, and the library was removed to it in April. This library was the first public library to inaugurate the open shelf system, and was introduced under the administra-
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tion of Mrs. Minerva A. Sanders, its librarian. Meanwhile the association voted to transfer the library to the town for a publie institution ; the offer was accepted, the lease was also transferred and the present Pawtucket Free Public Library was established by charter. William F. Sayles was elected president, remaining in the office until his death, May 7, 1894. In January, 1888, the library was again re- moved, taking apartments in the Sheldon building, where it will re- main until it occupies the handsome structure in course of ereetion for it. On June 1, 1898, Frederiek Clark Sayles offered to the eity a library building, to be ealled the Deborah Cook Sayles Library, as a memorial to his wife, with land sufficient for a site; the gift was with- out conditions and was aeeepted. The building is a beautiful example of pure Greek Ionie architceture and the material white granite. It contains the book room, reference room, periodieal room, children's room, and newspaper room, all of which are large and well adapted to
PAWTUCKET PUBLIC LIBRARY.
their several purposes. There is also room for the publie sehool teachers in which they ean follow special lines of study, a large hall for lectures, and an antiquarian room.
Pawtuxet Valley Free Library (The Howard Lyeeum) - About 1850 some young men organized a debating club ealled the Howard Lyeeum. Among them were many who beeame prominent eitizens- George F. Wilson, Calvert B. Cottrell, David S. Harris, William S. Harris, Thomas P. Lamphear, Dr. John MeGregor, Horaee Clarke, Rev. George Uhler, Rev. E. H. Hatfield, and Henry L. and William R. Greene. There was then no publie library in the vieinity of Phenix and the need of one was frequently diseussed in the lyceum. Finally a meeting was called for September 7, 1851, where a committee was appointed to solieit subseriptions for the purchase of books. The Union Library Association was then formed and its library made a proprietary one, 270 shares being sold at one dollar eaeh; from other
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sourees about $125 were raised. One hundred books were donated by Benjamin C. Harris and Simon Henry Greene. A large number of lecturers were employed at different times down as late as 1859, and the library was largely maintained from their proceeds. The poliey of keeping the library in a business block, without expense, proved an unfortunate one, for the building was three times burned, the last time March 3, 1873, when all of the library property was destroyed, and closing career of the institution for a period of eleven years.
In April, 1884, the association was re-organized and with the aid of town and State appropriations it entered again upon a carcer of use- fulness. A year after its doors were opened fire destroyed a portion of its collection, but steps were at onee taken to equip and start it again. The library was removed from the half burned building, and suitable quarters obtained in Lawton's block, Phenix, where it is now located. There are at present 5,437 volumes in the library.
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