History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog

Places of Interest 247
respected townsman, Mr. Valentine Mason; and was dedicated
Sept. 19, 1900.
The executors and those to whom Mr. Stevens was most
dear, have labored lovingly, faithfully, and, they hope, well, to
fulfill the trust and erect a fitting memorial. How well, time
and those who may for years to come use the library, can best
tell.
The library building is the result of a bequest of $10,000
for the purpose contained in the will of Frank S. Stevens. It
is understood that Mrs. Stevens, in order to better carry out
the wishes of her husband had he lived, has given in addition
a sum equal to the original amount. Mr. Steven's will also
contained provision for a fund of $2500 which has been
increased by Mrs. Stevens to $5000 for the purchase of new
books. The structure is handsomely and substantially built of
granite, with brown stone trimmings and slated roof. It
stands back some 50 feet from the street, on which it has a
frontage of 70 feet. The interior is finely finished and furnished
in complete detail in solid oak. The reading room is
27x16 feet and has an inviting looking fireplace with antique
andirons of wrought iron. There is another such fireplace in
the librarian's and binding room. There is also a room for the
trustees of the library, a delivery room and a stack room, the
latter having a capacity for 10,000 volumes. There is also
ample room on the upper floor for the storing of magazines,etc.
The town voted, in March, 1896, to establish a free
public library, and under the library act of Massachusetts
received books valued at $100 from the State Library Commission
and in May, 1897, the library association gave its
property to the public library. Delivery stations were
established at North Swansea, Swansea Centre and Hortonville.
In January, 1900, the Hbrary possessed 2,451 volumes;
there were 561 holders of cards and the circulation was 8686.
The institution received at that time, an annual appropriation
of $350 from the town, and the interest from the hbrary fund,
$200.
Miss Julia R. Wellington, after many years of faithful
service as librarian retired, and Oct. 1, 1912, Otis 0. Wright
became librarian. In 1913, a card-catalogue was made; in
1914, the building was lighted by electricity.
At the present date (1916) the town appropriates $600
per year for current expenses; and maintains four stations
where the people receive books: Touisset, Swansea Centre,
Hortonville, and North Swansea. At last report, (1917) the
number of volumes catalogued was 8,000, the number of cards
in force 500 and the circulation was 11,486.