History of Fairlee Public Library - Page 1 « · 2

A devastating fire took a hand in the library's future at almost midnight on December 5, 1912. Members of the Silver Leaf Grange were about to wend their way home from the Town Meeting House, all thinking of the festive days ahead or perhaps of a play to be given showing the spirit of Christmas and the sanctity of the Church. With horror they noticed flames breaking out from Mr. Stebbins' harness shop next door to the Opera House. Their first thought was the well-liked harness maker and his safety. Then the alarm of fire was given, but it was a losing fight--the fierceness of fire against only a few hand extinguishers. The flames spread too rapidly and, although aid was summoned from Orford and Bradford, in about two hours the Opera House, Meeting House, and Library were destroyed.

Fortunately, many of the library's books were saved and moved into Mr. Albee's home south of Mr. Thurber's store. This building is now the "Third Rail" restaurant. Two years later in 1914, the library was moved to a room on the ground floor of the new Town Hall, where it remained until Fall 2002.

In 1920 Mrs. Vien Denis took the helm of the library and served the town unstintingly for a quarter of a century. The library budget was increased to some extent, school programs were developed with the library, and this became a period of decided growth and value.

In 1945, Mrs. Bernice (Isabel) Titus took her familiar (to many of us) place at the head librarian's desk for a period of 38 years. Under her guidance the growth of the library continued on its way. The report of 1948, for example, is quite informative in this respect and we find that circulation increased 25% that year over the previous one. Much of the growth of 1948 was attributed to the close cooperation of the library and the school department with a substantial portion of the library's purchase funds being devoted to children's books.

An added impetus was given to this program with the cooperation of the R.H. Macy Company of New York. It was the feeling of the principals of Macy's that books should be properly presented as to what was available, and consequently, they several times arranged a display of new and standard books representing the best in the publishing field, at the Fairlee Public Library during special "Teas" held to arouse increased interest in the library. This experiment, for that is what it was, was so satisfactory that it was later referred to as "The Fairlee Experiment" and publicity of it went around the world in newspapers and on the "Voice of America" radio program. The 1949 conference of the Vermont Library Association was held at Lake Morey Inn and featured a talk by Mrs. Eleanor Brent, a Consultant on Children's Books from Macy's. (There is more information about the "Fairlee Experiment" as well as a photo of Mrs. Brent in the Library's scrapbook that was compiled by Mrs. Titus and is on display in the library's reference section.)

In 1954, the Town approved $1000.00, contingent on the raising of a like amount by private subscription, to erect an addition on the south end of the original Library room in the Town Hall. This was done and the new addition was ready by that Fall. Shortly thereafter, between 1957 and 1958, the Windsor chairs and natural finish maple tables that still grace the library were purchased through the Vermont Prison Industries System. (Letters relating to this purchase are also in the scrapbook.)

The ongoing problem of overcrowding and insufficient space was again dealt with in 1972, when the Select Board gave permission for the library to have non-exclusive use of the room directly behind the original Library room, to house the collection of books for children and young people.

On September 30, 1983 Mrs. Titus resigned due to failing health. Her many hours and loyalty to her job made the library the place of merit it holds in the minds of its users, both summer vacationers and year-round residents. A reception was scheduled to honor her 38 years of outstanding service and personal devotion to the goal of making this library one of the best small-town libraries in the State. The Board of Trustees also planned a surprise portfolio of letters from her friends to be given to her at the reception. This portfolio was recently given to the library by Mrs. Winston Titus and is on display in the library's reference section.

After Mrs. Titus resignation, Ms. Jean Clark served as librarian until July 1984, when Debra Edmands came to the librarian's position. It is Debra's hope that she is continuing the fine example set by her predecessors. In October 2002, with the help of many community volunteers, the library was moved to its new home in the renovated Potlach Restaurant building on the corner of Main and School Streets.

The New Libary Winter 2003

History of Fairlee Public Library - Page 1 « · 2