| 1848
- Middlebury Reading Association was organized. This group of men
subscribed to most of the available periodicals of the era (e.g.
The Wig and Democratic Reviews, Electic Magazine,
etc.). Later known as the Middlebury Lyceum.
1866, March 29 - Organizational
meeting in the home of Mrs. Rufus Wainwright. 60 women signed
the articles of association to form the Ladies Library Association.
The purpose of the Association was to establish and maintain a
library for their membership. Each paid $2.00 in dues and elected
Mrs. Abby Beckwith president and Mrs. Sophia Stewart, vice-president.
Miss Emma Parker was the first librarian.
1867 - A committee was appointed
to procure a suitable room for library purposes. Honorary membership
was given to the wives of local ministers. Men were admitted to
the organization. Eleven young women were designated as assistant
librarians.
1868 - The collection consisted
of 345 volumes. Social gatherings were held to raise money and
membership grew.
1870 - A room “comfortable
and convenient of access” was rented for $40 a year in a
rented room in Buttolph Block on the current site of the Battell
Block. The room was on the third floor and reached by an outside
set of stairs. The collection increased to 673 books.
1871 - The annual report showed
the library was “most decidedly a success and deserving
of patronage.”
1885 - Membership declined due
to the fact that women had “so much reading of papers, periodicals,
etc. that they find no time for reading books!”
1887 - The collection was moved
to the second floor of the building which is now the Hubbard Agency
adjoining the Middlebury Inn
1893 - The library was opened
two days a week. Miss Start bequeathed $5,000 to the Ladies Library
Association which used the interest for library expenses
1894 - Six electric lights were
installed.
1895 - The electric bill for
the first year was $4.18. A man was hired to sweep the stairway
of snow for 15 cents an hour a notice was posted in the library
asking members not to mark the books
1898 - The librarian asked if
some sort of renumeration could be given for her services; if
not, she would have to resign. The Association declared that while
it extended its heartfelt thanks for her labors, no funds were
available for pay. The librarian resigned and others volunteered.
1899 - Due to popular demand,
a particular title was purchased, “David Harun.”
Otherwise, titles were selected by a committee of the Association.
School children were voted library privileges from June to September
on payment of 25 cents
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