HISTORY
This article originally appeared in The Piscataquis Observer on Thursday, December 3, 1908 announcing the dedication of Guilford Memorial Library. This article has been re-posted here with the generous permission of The Piscataquis Observer.
“The Guilford Memorial Library, which will be dedicated in January, is the outgrowth of many years of hard and diligent work by those most interested in behalf of literature in Guilford circles. Perhaps the first step toward this work was the forming of the circulating book club early in 1900. Between 40 and 50 members made up the club and enjoyed the rich benefits derived from good reading. New books were acquired as needed and soon the thought of a public library seemed indeed about to be realized.
While the circulating book club had had the public library idea in mind it seemed at the beginning to be far distant. This club had been in existence for three years when the large number of books acquired brought the library thought more clearly before the members. Accordingly on the evening of Jan. 26, 1903, 13 of the members met in the First National Bank to discuss the public library movement. The late D. R. Shaw Jr. was acting chairman and Mrs. R. H. Marsh was secretary. The matter was thoroughly talked over, and it was deemed best to work toward the institution of a Guilford free public library. H. W. Davis, John Houston, Mrs. M. R. Morgan and Mrs. E. W. Genthner were chosen as a committee to solicit financial aid from the business men of the town. Within a short time, $1,500 had been pledged.
Soon after this show of enthusiasm on behalf of the citizens, the circulating book club became a town institution, and accordingly received financial and other aid from the State. The first meeting of the Library Association was held March 30, 1903, at which time a constitution and by-laws were adopted. The first board of trustees, to whom the citizens largely owe their thanks for the library, were: D. R. Straw, Jr., president; Mrs. John Houston, vice-president; Mrs. R. H. Marsh, secretary; H. W. Davis, treasurer; Mrs. M. R. Morgan, Mrs. C. S. Bennett, and E. W. Genthner. The trustees brought up the standard of the library and through untiring efforts secured an appropriation of $300 from the town. From that time the town responded very liberally to the wants of the association.
The books were kept in a small stack room adjoining the selectman’s office in the John Scales block. The reading room was a part of the selectmen’s office, which for a time sufficiently met the demand. As the increased use of the books as well as the reading room necessitated larger quarters, an application was made by the trustees to Andrew Carnegie for a gift to aid in building a new library. A very favorable reply was received, and the plans were immediately laid before the board of trade. At the regular March election the town voted to accept $5,000 from Mr. Carnegie and to pay $500 yearly in support of the institution. At this time D. R. Straw, Jr. very kindly gave a beautiful lot to the town, in memory of his father, David R. Straw. Three thousand dollars more was raised among the business men and the new library was assured.
The library building in itself is a plain but impressive looking structure. It is situated on Water Street, near the residence of the late Frank R. Stevens. The building has a high elevation and commands an excellent view of the surroundings. It is build of red brick and has a slated roof. Beneath all of the large windows are set granite slabs, which increase the beauty of the building to a marked extent. It is a one story structure and is located about 40 feet from the street. Large granite steps lead up to the building. Over each window are light brick trimmings in the form of an arch while the upper part has colored plate glass. The interior will easily compare with any library in northern Maine. At the entrance is a large vestibule opening into the delivery room. This room is large and spacious and has easy access to both the general reading and stack rooms. On the left of the delivery room is the stack room, which will contain the books, in addition to the stack room which is directly beneath. The stack room is tinted with a beautiful cream color and is lighted by six large windows facing the west. The delivery desk is directly in the center and faces the general reading room. Adjoining the delivery room is the librarian’s room.
The general reading room is on the east side of the building and is well lighted on every side. In one end of the room is a large open fireplace while in the other are the tables for periodicals and papers. An arched doorway is between this and the delivery room. These rooms have a very soft coloring of green which is very effective.
Within the stack room is a book lift which will be used to carry the books from the basement to the ground floor. The building will be heated with hot air and lighted with electricity. It will be dedicated during January 1909 as the Guilford Memorial Library. Appropriate speeches will be made and the opening will be as impressive as possible. A bronze tablet bearing the inscription of David R. Straw will be placed within the building.
The building committee consists of M. Hudson, chairman; Frank Pease, who succeeded the late Manley R. Morgan as treasurer; M. L. Hussey, Mrs. John Houston and Mrs. R. H. Marsh. Too much praise cannot be given Miss Ernestine Hale, the librarian, for her effort in bringing the library to where it now stands. The building will be valued when completed at about $10,000.”
In the more recent past, Guilford Memorial Library was awarded star library status by the American Library Association. As we look to the future, we look forward to continuing to serve our community while promoting and furthering the cause of literacy!
Sources cited: (The Piscataquis Observer, 1908, Vol. LXXI, pg. 12)