CELEBRATE the 125th Birthday of the Lynnfield Public Library on Saturday, July 22 at 10 a.m. All ages are welcome! (Maureen Doherty Photo)
Published in the July 21, 2017 edition
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Saturday is going to be a very special day for the Lynnfield Public Library.
The library will be celebrating its 125th birthday on Saturday, July 22 and the entire community is invited to attend. The birthday bash will take place at 10 a.m. on the Town Common, weather permitting.
The birthday party extravaganza will include cake, crafts and an update on the building project. Additionally, the Blue Notes, a smaller group of the R&R 2000 band, will perform at the birthday bash.
Library Director Holly Mercer said she is looking forward to celebrating the library’s 125th birthday on Saturday.
“The Lynnfield Public Library has a rich history of providing excellent library service,” said Mercer in an email sent to the Villager. “Along with the progression and growth of the town, the library has expanded, adding more services and collections. In 1892, the collection consisted of 554 books. Today, the library has 73,000 items in the collection. We have an average of 300 individuals use the library each day and our programming attendance continues to increase, with attendance of 11,000 at programs over the last 12 months, compared to an attendance of 3,500 at programs in 2000. During this milestone birthday, we celebrate our past, present and future.”
In last week’s “Between the Lines” column published in the Villager, Mercer said “many people have used the library’s services, including borrowing books, coming to programs, researching lineage, meeting with neighbors, and using library spaces to study and learn.”
“As a safe community place, the library is welcoming to all and enhances the quality of life in Lynnfield by supporting and advancing the educational interests and endeavors of residents,” stated Mercer. “Throughout the years, the library has been a public knowledge space supporting community interests, catering collections and services to the unique attributes of the town, and above all, working to create possibilities for everyone to pursue their dreams.”
The Lynnfield Public Library first opened in Town Hall on July 22, 1892, and contained just 554 books. The library moved to its current location, the former Central School House, in 1905.
Mercer said a 700 square foot addition was completed in 1959, and the Friends of the Lynnfield Library was formed the following year. Due to the library growing in popularity, a second addition was built in 1967. She said the second addition brought “the library to its current size.”
According to Mercer, the library started its local history collection in 1974. The first computer installed for the public took place in 1985.
The library was renovated once again in 1992. Mercer said the renovation included constructing an entrance ramp and installing air conditioning. She also said a portion of the basement was converted into a collection space.
Mercer said the Internet became available at the library in 1993. She noted Wi-Fi was installed at the library in 2006, and eBooks and eAudiobooks were added to the library’s collection in 2010.
The library started providing services to the public 64 hours per week in 2012. Since 2016, Mercer said an average of 300 people per day have been using the library. She said the library’s circulation totals 126,000 items during the year, and nearly 9,000 people attend library programs.
Additionally, Mercer said library officials submitted a grant to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to “cover nearly half of the costs for a new library building.”
“The aspiration for the library is to serve the entire community in a vibrant facility that fits the current needs of residents,” said Mercer. “This goal led to the submission of the building grant application in January for a new building. Located at Reedy Meadow, the proposed new building will be 25,874 square feet and include abundant parking, meeting and program spaces, expanded youth services and additional patron seating. The space has been created with the user in mind, with flexible and adaptive spaces taking advantage of the scenic golf course view designed to inspire, stimulate creativity, encourage collaboration and communication, as well as reflect both the goals and values of the community.”
Moving forward, she said the “library remains committed to cultivating an interest in reading and learning, (and) partnering with community groups and organizations.” She also said the library will continue “connecting to the community and the world through meeting personal, professional, information, education, recreation and cultural needs by providing both current technological and traditional means of access to materials, programs and services.”
In addition to celebrating the library’s 125th birthday, Mercer encouraged all townspeople to “utilize the many services the library has to offer.”
For additional details on the library’s 125th birthday bash, visit the special website library staff put together for this special event:
https://www.lynnfieldlibrary.org/125th-anniversary/
The site includes a PowerPoint with details on the library’s history:
