By Kathryn Korostoff, Contributing Writer
Southborough – Southborough residents are invited to the library Saturday, Sept. 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a celebratory Open House. Although the library was started in 1852, it was in 1911 that it moved to 25 Main St. in Southborough. The building was constructed in 1911 and enlarged in 1989.
The town library has a rich history filled with deep community ties. Even its “birth” was auspicious. The Southborough Library was started with passion at an 1852 Town Meeting, held to see if the taxpayers would be favorable to the idea. While the initial reaction was reluctance due to financial concerns, Col. Francis Fay is reported to have enticed the crowd by shaking a bag of silver dollars and imploring residents to support the library. This and related Southborough historical facts can be found in the book, “Fences of Stone,” by Richard (Nick) Noble.
The library has a collection of documents from its own history. Annual library reports from the 1930s are filled with ads from local businesses, promoting a local corset shop, radio repair and other period services. An ad for Gulbankian's Vegetables and Fruits store shows the Gulbankian family's long town history and support for the library.
Of course, library operations have evolved notably over the past 100 years. When the library first opened, it was open just one day a week. Today, the library has hours six days per week during the school year and five days per week during summer. Extended hours are available until 9 p.m. three days a week, explained Library Director Jane Cain.
“We have people here all hours of the day… the later hours are especially popular with students working on homework projects,” she said.
Some of the library's book clubs also meet in the evenings.
The library has a history of impressively dedicated long-term staff. Fanny Buck was the librarian for over 30 years, starting around 1882. Former Library Director Sadie Stivers was with the library for 50 years, retiring in 1964. Another former library director, Judy Williams, was known for sharing her garden's harvest, bringing in tomatoes, zucchini and squash. She retired in 2005, and residents were saddened by the news of her passing in 2010. And more recently, Kim Ivers, the current children's librarian, has been with the library for 23 years.
Today, the library has several services and programs to engage residents of all ages. Librarians are available to help students with school projects, and Algonquin Regional High School students have a summer program to discuss their required summertime reading selections.
While physical books remain the staple, the library is no stranger to technology. In addition to having several PCs available for use – with Internet access, recent service additions include eBook readers loans – the library now has two Kindles and two Nooks available. These devices are already loaded with several titles, and are loaned for three weeks at a time.
Residents interested in volunteer opportunities should contact the Friends of the Southborough Library. Founded in 1972 as a nonprofit organization, the group supports the Southborough Library through volunteerism and fund-raising. The group also sponsors programs for people of all ages, including poetry and author readings, lectures, a film series, craft workshops, musical performers and more.
During the Open House Sept. 17, the winners of the Library Essay and Art Contest (for ages 3 to 18) will also be announced, with prizes in each age group. Refreshments will be provided.