History of Fairlee Public Library - Page 1 · » 2

(Most of the following information was excerpted from "The Town under the cliff: a history of Fairlee, Vermont" by Philip G. Robinson, c1957)

During the Town Meeting of 1898, the voters of the town of Fairlee allotted the sum of $15.00 to maintain a free public library. Please note that this was for full maintenance, not just for the purchase of books.

Mr. Herbert Warren, one of Fairlee's leading merchants of the time, was to become our first library commissioner, and on September 28, 1898 the Fairlee Public Library opened its doors with a collection of 179 titles -- 103 that were donated by the Vermont Department of Libraries as part of the State's 1894 initiative to establish public libraries, and 76 given by individuals. The total number of books was unquestionably few, and initial interest limited, but it was a seed that in a few years was to bloom into a very big tree in the forest of public activities.

By the end of 1901, not quite five years later, the library had 362 volumes on its shelves and had an annual circulation of 461 items. What did the people of Fairlee read? The average home library was confined to the Bible, an Almanac, and perhaps a few stories of adventure or scientific interest. For a book of a lighter vein, patrons turned to the library, and the list of books purchased or given in 1901 shows the novel, or escape reading, in predominance. Among those bought were: "He fell in love with his wife" by E.P. Roe, "In the palace of the king" by F. Marion Crawford, "The Right of way" by Gilbert Parker, and one of more serious vein by an author of greater fame in years to come, "Crisis" by Winston Churchill. It is also interesting to find that during this same year, two books were presented by the Anti-Saloon League. They were "Ten nights in the bar room" and "Black rock".

Our first librarian, Mrs. B.W. Abbott, served the town from 1898 to 1908. From its opening until 1907 the library's collection was housed in her home, where she also assisted in her husband's drugstore. This building is now Chapman's Store. As our first librarian, Mrs. Abbott was known as a true friend to all. Her interest in the town and its welfare was paramount and she also had an intense interest in the children of the community. The ideas she planted in the early days of the library have proved their worth.

Continuing growth of the library was such that by 1907 it was felt necessary to have our library in its own building. At a special meeting held in April 1907, the town voted to move the abandoned McIndoe School building, from its location on upper Main Street beyond the cemetery, to the site of the hearse house, next to the Town Meeting House/Church, and use it for a library. So, on September 6, 1907, Allie Adams, Selah George, and others hitched up their teams of horses and moved the old school building to its new site, next to the Church and the Opera House.

By November 1908, Mrs. Abbott felt unable to continue her library duties and assist in her husband's drugstore, and her place was taken by Mrs. F.J. (Gertrude) Campbell. An increase in books loaned and interest in the library was to be evident during her stewardship, which lasted until 1920.

History of Fairlee Public Library - Page 1 · » 2