200 years of Yes for Library in Shutesbury

1811 FIRST LIBRARY ESTABLISHED CALLED THE SOCIAL LIBRARY

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 From the 1860-1861 Annual Report Town of Shutesbury

PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

Information with respect to the Town Library has been sought, through the Committee, the current year, by the Secretary of the Board of Education. The Committee are sorry to say they could not give a very favorable account thereof, it being rather too old-fashioned and very much wanting in new, interesting and important works. It is desirable that this Library should be culled over, some of the books removed therefrom, and the rest, with suitable additions, placed in a convenienct and attractive place, for the benefit of the readers.

The several School District Libraries contain good and valuable works, sutiable for our youth, and although they may have been much read heretofore, yet they may be read again, to great advantage, and especially by those who have never read them.

To think well-write well-speak well- a copious fund of ideas is cecessary. It is not enough to learn to read, write and cipher. Expansion of mind is wanted. Books furnish ideas. A good range of reading, attended with proper reflection, is very important. Give a child, or youth, a fondness for reading good books, and the grand point is secured.”

APRIL 2. 1894 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

ARTICLE 10: VOTED TO ELECT A BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES AND APPROPRIATE THE MONEY NECESSARY TO SECURE THE GIFT OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS’ WORTH OF BOOKS FROM THE STATE FOR A FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Article 14: Voted to have thirty weeks schooling the ensuing year.

Article 15: Voted to enlarge the Cemetery near the Hearse House.

Article 16: Voted to paint the Town House.

Article 17: Voted to reset the stones in the several Cemeteries of the Town, and voted Newton Crossman as agent to see to the matter.

ARTICLE 18: VOTED TO ACCEPT THE LAW NECESSARY TO SECURE A FREE LIBRARY.

April 3, 1894, Fire recorded, occupants perished. Evi and Augusta Twichell.

JUNE 11, 1894: CERTIFICATE TO FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMISSION. BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES WILLIAM HEMENWAY, MOSES WOOD, CHARLES MATTHEWS. ROOM IN TOWNHOUSE TO HOLD BOOKS PRESENTED BY STATE AND LIBRARIAN CHOSEN.

1894 TOWN LIBRARY OPENS IN MEETING HOUSE

June 19, 1894: Fire destroys dwelling owned by Sylvester Haskins and occupied by Albert and Sidney Pratt

APRIL 27, 1895 TOWN MEETING APPROVED ACTIONS:

Article 3: Voted to dig a well in the cemetery.

NOVEMBER 5, 1895 STATE ELECTION RESULTS:

Is it expedient that municipal suffrage be granted to women? Men – yes 10, no 37, blanks 17. Women – yes 6. (6 women voted)

MARCH 11, 1896 TOWN MEETING APPROVED ACTIONS

Article 2: Selectmen instructed to use McTammany voting machine in the election of the town offices for the year 1896.

April 6, 1896 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:

ARTICLE 2: VOTERS EXPRESS IN A RISING VOTE THEIR THANKS TO MIRICK N. SPEAR OF AMHERST FOR THE LARGE GIFT OF BOOKS TO THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Article 14: Voted to choose a committee to build a tramp house.

ARTICLE 15: VOTED TO AUTHORIZE THE LIBRARY TRUSTEES TO MAKE SUCH PROVISIONS FOR SAFETY AND IMPROVEMENTS AS ARE NEEDED UPON THE PLATFORM ON WHICH THE NEW BOOKCASES ARE TO BE PLACED.

APRIL 5, 1897 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

Article 15: discontinue road leading from the main road near the residence of Joseph Haskins east to land of Marcus Morrison.

APRIL 2, 1900:

ARTICLE 14: ACCEPTED THE BEQUEST OF MIRICK N. SPEAR OF AMHERST WHOSE WILL BEQUEATHED THE SUM OF FIFTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR THE ERECTION OF A MEMORIAL LIBRARY BUILDING TO BE CALLED THE M.N. SPEAR MEMORIAL BUILDING.

*“To the town of Shutesbury…the sum of fifteen hundred dollars to be used for the erection of a memorial library building in said Shutesbury, to be called the MN Spear Memorial Building, provided that said bequest shall be accepted by said town at a legal meeting called for that purpose within one year from my decease: and provided further that if in the opinion off said town said sum shall be insufficient to erect such a building as ought to be erected of wood, brick or stone and metal or slate roof, then said sum of fifteen hundred dollars shall be placed at interest and so continue at interest until the principal and interest therone shall amount to a sum sufficient as in town meeting expressed to erect such library building.”

APRIL 7, 1902 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APPROVED ACTIONS:

ARTICLE 8: EXTRACT FROM COPY FROM WILL OF MIRICK N. SPEAR, AT THE PROBATE OFFICE, NORTHAMPTON, MA COPIED DEC 12, 1901. VOTED THE SUM IS SUFFICIENT, VOTED TO BUILD A LIBRARY BUILDING UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SAID WILL, VOTED TO CHOOSE A COMMITTEE TO SELECT AND PROCURE A SITE, AND VOTED TO BUILD SUCH BUILDING.

1902 SPEAR LIBRARY BUILDING COMPLETED.

NINTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY

William H Hemenway Chairman term expires 1903

Fred L Morrison, Secretary, term expires 1904

Newton D. Crossman term expires 1905

Mary L. Clark, Librarian.

To the People of the Town of Shutesbury:

The Trustees of the Shutesbury Free Public Library herewith present their annual report. First of all they desire to call attention to the M. N. Spear Memorial Library building. It is a gift to the town under the provisions of the will of Mirick N. Spear late of Amherst, deceased. He was born in this town and on arriving at manhood established himself in business in Amherst and for nearly half a century kept a book and periodical store in the college town, and was a well known and marked figure in that community.

Books were his daily associates and in his lifetime he presented to the town many of the solid works of literature in well pressed twelves as well as a large number of volumes of fiction and the lighter range of reading and also many valuable books of reference, and under his will, he supplemented these lesser gifts by the provisions of a fund for a Library Building in which to store the treasures of knowledge.

The building was erected during the autumn of the past year and it stands on the summit of his native hills as a fitting memorial, and also as a more impressive monument to his memory than costly granite’s voiceless woe which tells only of the hours which never can return, this holds the lettered wisdom of the past in a form that will recreate itself in the lives of future generations.

The books have been removed from the Town House where they have been kept since the establishment of the library in 1894 into the new building and later it is hoped to have them arranged in systemic order. We desire to call attention to the need of a new catalogue which shall contain the entire list to date, and we recommend a larger appropriation to cover this additional outlay.

The State has made a grant of books which it is expected will be received some time during the coming year; these will doubtless cover a large range of topics and with such additions as the town will secure by purchase will give to the library an increasing power for usefulness.

Books have been received by gift as follows:

From the State 12

From a Friend in Amherst 3

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FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

Balance in Treasure, March 24, 1902 $8.04

Town Appropriation 25.00

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$33.04

EXPENDITURES.

W.N. Spear, Books $16.25

Wood, 3.00

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$19.25

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Balance in Treasury, $13.79

Respectfully submitted,

WILLIAM H. HEMENWAY,

FRED L. MORRISON,

NEWTON D. CROSSMAN

 EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF

THE TRUSTEES OF THE M. N. SPEAR MEMORIAL LIBRARY.

It is with regret that we announce the death of a member of the Board of Trustees. .Wm. H. Hemenway, who had served on the board since the Library was founded, died April 5th, 1911.

 Hemenway was deeply interested in the work of the Library and contributed freely and generously to its support.

The modern book racks that adorn our Library were a gift from him and he was also contemplating more extensive work in the near future.

Mary L. Clark, who had served as librarian without compensation since the Library was built, tendered her resignation early in the spring, and the Library was closed through the summer months.

In November we received a visit from Miss Zaidee Brown, Agent of the Free Public Library Commission. The Trustees and others interested met and conferred with her in the library building, spending a most interesting and profitable hour. She made many good suggestions, most of which have been carried out. The books have been classified under the heads of Fiction, History, Biography, Religion, Reference, etc.

The work was done by Edith T. Haskell and Mrs. B. F. Tenney, they at the same time making a complete catalogue. Traveling Library No. 32, consisting of forty volumes, was then secured through Miss Alice G. Chandler of the Woman's Education Association of Boston.

The readers' early attention is called to these books as they stay only until November 1st, 1912.

Worcester Free Public Library has also given us a good supply of magazines, such as Review of Reviews, The Columbian, Munsey, etc.

Miss Elizabeth P. Sohier of Boston, a friend of the Commission, has kindly presented us with a table, of which we were very much in need.

Since Jan. 1, 1912, the Library has been open regularly every Saturday afternoon. Miss Edith Haskell has acted as Librarian.

Little interest was shown at first, but at the present time thirty to thirty-five books are taken out weekly.

Twelve new subscribers have been added, making a total of twenty-one families now using the Library.

We have received a gift of one volume from Mrs. H. C. Tavener.

Respectfully submitted,

MARCUS M. MORRISON,}           Board of MINOR A. HASKELL,      Trustees.

FEBRUARY 1, 1926: ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APPROVED ACTIONS:

Article 16: Voted to close the road leading from the New Boston Road northwesterly to a point near the John Reynolds place. (Freeman Road)

ARTICLE 17: VOTED TO ACCEPT REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES IN RELATION TO THE PLACING OF A TABLET ON THE M.N. SPEAR MEMORIAL LIBRARY - $15.

SEPTEMBER 14, 1929: SPECIAL TOWN MEETING APPROVED ACTIONS:

Article 2: Voted to contract with New Salem Electric Company for 15 street lights

ARTICLE 4: VOTED TO WIRE THE TOWN HALL AND LIBRARY AND CENTER SCHOOL FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTS. APPROPRIATED $200.

4/4/1996 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APPROVED ACTIONS

ARTICLE 5: PLANNING AND DESIGN GRANT FOR LIBRARY

12/16/1997 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING APPROVED ACTIONS

Article 1: $470 free cash to Arts Lottery Grant to purchase sound system for town events

ARTICLE 2: $300 FREE CASH TO PURCHASE COMPUTER DESK MATERIALS FOR LIBRARY

5/1/1999 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APPROVED ACTIONS

ARTICLE 4: RE-OPEN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE FORMER TOWN COMMON ROAD TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO AND CREATE PARKING AREA FOR THE LIBRARY.

MAY 3, 2003 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APPROVED ACTIONS:

Article 5: delete “Martin Luther King Holiday” bylaw

Article 6: delete “Paid Holiday” bylaw.

Article 7: delete “Truancy” bylaw.

Article 8: delete “Signs” bylaw.

Article 9: reorganize by-laws

Article 10: Amend Motor Boat and Persons Using Lake Wyola Bylaw.

ARTICLE 19: DIRECT OFFICIALS TO CONSIDER BEHIND TOWN HALL FOR NEW LIBRARY.

Article 25: Dissolve FCCIP and contract with FRCOG

ARTICLE 27: AUTHORIZE LIBRARY REVOLVING FUND.

FEBRUARY 7, 2006 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING ACTIONS APPROVED:

Articles 1-9: Chapter 90 funds to eminent domain acquisition of property for LCP road.

Article 10: $12,000 Free Cash to Wyola Dam Project

May 6 Annual Town Meeting actions approved:

Article 4: Longevity Pay Bonus to non-school employees.

Article 12: 250th Anniversary Celebration committee.

Article 13: Name Lake Wyola Dam the Raymond “Red” Moriarty Dam at Lake Wyola.

Article 15: Resolution Concerning Genetically Engineered Crops.

ARTICLE 18: $75,000 FOR LIBRARY HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY.

ARTICLE 19: TAKE 31,000 SQUARE FEET FROM TOWN COMMON FOR LIBRARY ACCESSIBILITY PROJECT.

August 22, 2006 Special Town Meeting:

Article 1: Repeal Oct.8, 1974 bylaw prohibiting above ground storage of gasoline.

October 17, 2006 Special Town Meeting actions approved:

Article 3: $18,100.22 Free Cash to Hazardous Waste Clean-up Site account.

Article 4: $24,800 Free Cash for above ground Fuel Tank installation.

Article 5; $15,000 Free Cash for Alternative Energy Account – Wind Turbine.

Article 7: $2000 Free Cash to Emergency Management.

ARTICLE 8: FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR EXPANDING/RENOVATING LIBRARY BUILDING.

Question 4: Resolution to end war in Iraq – yes.

2007 Approved at Town Meeting

MAY 1, 2010 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APPROVED ACTIONS:

ARTICLE 6: APPROVE LIBRARY BUILDING PROJECT BY ACCEPTING THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND AUTHORIZE BOARD OF SELECTMEN AND/OR LIBRARY TRUSTEES TO APPLY FOR ANY STATE FUNDS

Article 6:  To see if the Town of Shutesbury will vote to approve the library building project by accepting the preliminary design for the new Shutesbury Library building and authorize the Board of Selectmen and/or the Library Trustees to apply for any state funds which might be available to defray all or part of the cost of the design, construction and equipping of the library project and to authorize the Library Building Committee and/or Board of Selectmen and/or Library Trustees to accept and expend any such funds when received without further appropriation.

Selectboard and Finance Committee Recommends.