“A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.”
~ Andrew Carnegie ~
“ENRICHING THE LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITY”
Prior to a formally organized and town funded library, the first known reference to a library of sorts in Hartland was made in the 1896-1897 Maine State Yearbook and Legislative Manual listed as; “Library – Albert W. Miller, Librarian, 200 Volumes; Circulating Only.”
Circulating Library’s were private business ventures intended to profit from lending books to the public for a fee. Also known as Lending Libraries or Rental Libraries, they offered an alternative to readers who could not afford the price of new books but desired new reading material. Circulating Libraries were very popular and were the first to serve women and actively seek out their patronage so it was no coincidence that many of these libraries were located in millinery stores, stationery stores and drug stores. Their decline in part began with the introduction of cheaper paperback books in the early 1900s and the establishment of new public libraries. (Compiled from Wikipedia)
Miller maintained this private book collection for several years at his A. W. Miller Drug Store, then located at the Hartland Drug Store building on Commercial Street , until 1902 when he returned to his original store building on Main Street with no mention of any type of library in the 1901-1902 Maine State Yearbook upon his relocation.
Although the specific details are unknown, Miller’s return to his former (and smaller) building along with the decline in popularity of Circulating Libraries may have in part prompted concerned citizens and the town to consider establishing and funding a formal public library in Hartland. Mr. Miller was also a Town Selectman at the time and later became the Secretary and Treasurer of the Hartland Public Library.
A. W. Miller Drug Store, Linn Block & Linn Woolen Mill Main Office – Commercial Street – c1901
The first known reference to a Public Library in Hartland comes from the 1902-1903 Hartland Town Report:
“Article 32 – To see what sum of money the town will vote to give to the Hartland Free Library and to accept any contributions that any parties may desire to make for the same.” ($50 was appropriated)
On December 30, 1903, it officially incorporated as the Hartland Free Library with its first temporary location at Library Trustee George Merrill Lancey’s Store on Commercial Street for a couple of years. Trustees reported at the end of the first year it had 523 books and 320 borrowers.
G. M. Lancey Dry Goods & Groceries – Commercial Street – c1901
The new library and its rapidly growing collection of books & magazines were soon moved to a space at the Opera House-Town Hall and as later noted by Library Trustees in 1910, “The Hartland Town Hall Association has charge of the Library”. The Library Trustees ultimate goal of building or purchasing a dedicated facility is noted throughout early library reports however it would remain at the Opera House until 1935.
Hartland Opera House ~ Town Hall – Academy Street
As it was funded in part by the town, its inventory, financial reports and a general summary of the library became a regular part of Hartland Town Meeting Reports. They were originally created for town reports by Library Trustees until 1917 when they were submitted by the Librarian and Library Treasurer. Several of these reports are presented below from decade to decade showing the library’s progress over the years.
Additional Annual Library Reports in Hartland Town Reports may be found on the link below to Folger Library – University of Maine at Orono
Hartland Town Report Collection
Library Report 1905-1906
No. Volumes in Library as of March 1, 1905…..1,200
No. Volumes added during the year…………………194
Total No. Volumes as of March 1, 1906……….1,594
No. of Borrowers during the year…………………….570
No. of Volumes loaned………………………………….4,464
From July 15th to September 1st, the library was closed. Every book was accounted for and 65 books were rebound. Several years of magazine subscriptions have been given to the library and as they were considered especially helpful reading, they were bound. We realize that the books of today, especially fiction, are bound cheaply and therefore we urge patrons to be careful in handling them.
It is very gratifying to see so many children coming to the library. A taste for good reading acquired in youth is a great factor in forming the characters of our citizens. The teachers in our schools are doing much to instill into their pupils a taste for good reading by reading during the session from the books on the children’s stack. This method interests them in the books and they then want to read more books. We would urge those having the care of children to be very particular and place good reading before them. The reading table is supplied with good reading for old and young.
The library is open every Wednesday from 2 to 5pm and every Friday from 2 to 5pm and 7 to 9pm.
Receipts:
Balance on Hand ……………………………….. 47. 67
Fines on Books ……………………………………… 12. 61
Dues Hartland Library Association…………… 1. 50
Supplies and Books sold………………………….. 5. 68
Received from Mrs. Anna F. Osborn…………. 6. 50
Received from Lend-A-Hand Society………. 72. 12
Received from W. Evans, Entertainment… 19. 00
Town Appropriation 100. 00
Total Receipts $265. 08
Expenses:
Freight and Express……………………………… 7. 42
Insurance …………………………………………….. 14. 05
Annual Salary of Librarian…………………….. 55. 25
Bills for Books…………………………………….. 148. 50
Supplies for Library ……………………………….. 5. 47
Bill for binding books……………………………. 51. 40
Bill for Wood …………………………………………. 6. 40
Stacks for books and Case …………………….. 8. 70
Cash on Hand 7. 89
Total Expenses $265. 08
Library Building Fund ………………………. 154. 01
Value Books & Magazines Donated …… 41. 75
Submitted by Hartland Free Library Directors; Anna F. Osborn, George M. Lancey & Fronia S. Trafton
Tribute was paid in 1911 to Mrs. Anna F. Osborn, an original Director of the Hartland Free Library, who moved away in 1910.
“The Library Association regrets the loss of Mrs. Osborn from the town. The success of the library has been largely due to her conscientious and untiring efforts. With your assistance we hope to continue the good work as it has been done in the past.”
Hartland Library Association Officers & Directors met annually to discuss library business.
Minutes of Hartland Library Association Officers & Directors Annual Meeting – March 1, 1913
“We wish especially to call the attention of the people of Hartland to a gift of $200 from the Hon. D. D. Stewart of St. Albans. This was given to the library to enlarge the shelf room, buy a stove, and give us more new books which were badly needed. This was attended to in the summer while the library was closed.” – 1914 Town Library Report
David Densmore Stewart was born in Corinna, the son of David Steward & Elizabeth Merrick, and graduated from Hartland Academy then studied law at Bowdoin College. He moved to St. Albans where he was a successful lawyer and state politician for the remainder of his life. He spent the last few years of his life disbursing his personal accumulated wealth and the vast fortune he inherited from his brother, Levi Merrick Stewart (1827-1910), who also attended Hartland Academy for a time. Among David’s other generous contributions to Hartland were funds for a new Athletic Field behind Hartland Academy in 1916 and remodeling the Academy gymnasium.
David Densmore Stewart (1823-1917)
The Outlook Club was first organized as a literary club in 1899 by a group of ladies from Hartland including Dr. Jennie Fuller, Mrs. Jennette Schwartz, Mrs. Abbie Moulton and Mrs. William Stewart. Along with their regular club programs for book readings, they became generous supporters of the Hartland Public Library through fund raising cash contributions and donated books. They also participated in several other local civic fund raising activities such as sponsoring a local girl to attend Maine Legislature Day and bestowed numerous scholarships funds.
Outlook Club Annual Program Cover for 1908-1909
Some of those mentioned by Library Trustees in early Town Reports who served as Librarian during the first years of operation included Miss Eunice Linn and Mrs. Dora (Hazelton) Libby. The first person to make a report as Head Librarian was Mrs. Nellie W. Haley in 1917.
The Spanish Flu Pandemic affected schools, Town Meetings and various other public gatherings including the Library as noted In 1918;
“The library was closed for its usual repair work in August and also on account of Influenza for two weeks in October and again in November.”
Library Report 1919-1920
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT OF HARTLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
No. State books in library March 1, 1919 474
No. State books added during the year 11
No. of other books in the library March 1, 1919 2,851
No. of other books added during the year 242
No. of books discarded 20
Total No. of books in the library March 1, 1920 3,551
Books delivered for home use 7,289
Magazines delivered for home use 438
We are grateful to the following friends who have given books this year; Mr. Walter Moore, Mrs. Lancey, Mrs. Grace Williams, Kit Kat Komedy Klub, Mrs. Robert Linn, Mr. Henry Getchell, Mrs. Annie Fuller, Mrs. Brann and Miss Elizabeth Linn.
Respectfully submitted, Mrs. Nellie Wade Haley – Librarian
TREASURER’S REPORT OF HARTLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Receipts
Cash on hand March 1, 1919 42.84
Received from town 150.00
Received from Kit Kat Komedy Klub 83.70
Received from State 15.00
Received from fines 22.21
Received from new books 6.70
Received from dues 2.25
Sale of one book .25
Total $322.95
Expenditures
Librarian salary 100.00
New books purchased 143.00
Magazines 15.25
Insurance 12.85
Supplies 6.40
New steps for door 2.37
Cleaning library 1.00
Shoveling path .50
Kindling .15
Total $281.52
Cash on hand 41.43
Building Fund 281.52
Total $322.95
Respectfully submitted, Mrs. Marguerite Burton – Secretary and Treasurer (Wife of Elmer Burton)
Around 1916, Hartland native Mrs. Addie Mary (Coston) Smith began working at the Library. Mary later succeeded Mrs. Nellie Haley in 1923 as Head Librarian and continued serving in the position until her retirement in 1966.
Addie Mary (Coston) Smith (1884-1971)
“We wish to express through this report our appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Hanson, who presented to Hartland Free Library 450 volumes of reference books from the home library of the late Hon. David D. Stuart containing books on History, Biography, and other subjects.” – 1927 Town Library Report
Library Report 1929-1930
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT OF HARTLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
No. State books in library March 1, 1929 593
No. State books added during year 9
No. fiction and non-fiction, March 1, 1929 5,744
No. fiction and non-fiction added 426
No. of books discarded 310
Total No. books in library 5,860
Books delivered for home use 12,263
Magazines delivered for home use 279
At this time we wish to thank the following list of patrons who have so kindly remembered the library with gifts of books and magazines the past year; Elizabeth Linn, Grace Williams, Annie Fuller Linn, Maud Carr, Sarah Fuller, Eunice Linn, Annie Lancey, Ada Wilbur, Annie Hersey, Nellie Haley, William Russell, Edison Goodrich, Harold Heath, Norman Huff, Vincent Goforth and Albert Ordway.
Respectfully submitted, Mrs. Mary Coston Smith – Librarian
TREASURER’S REPORT OF HARTLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Receipts
Balance on hand March 1, 1929 72. 61
Received from town 500. 00
Received from State 60. 00
Received for dues and fees 12. 85
Received from Outlook Club 28. 00
Total $673. 46
Expenditures
Insurance 39. 55
Books 188. 63
Magazines 31. 30
Librarians salary 250. 00
Supplies 30. 73
Expenses of librarian to library meeting 2. 83
Wood and labor, George Goodwin 15. 20
Kindling 1. 00
Library Association dues 4. 00
Maine State Library for traveling library 1. 25
Total $564. 49
Balance on hand March 1, 1930 108. 97
Building Fund Balance March 1, 1929 1,118. 43
Received from Outlook Club 42. 00
Interest 51. 88
Balance on hand March 1, 1930 $1,212. 31
Respectfully submitted, Miss Ina M. Moulton – Treasurer (Daughter of Dr. Charles A. Moulton)
In 1862, Archibald Linn had moved to Hartland and built the Linn Woolen Mill on Main Street. He also built a company office on Commercial Street which continued to serve as headquarters for the American Woolen Company when they took over the business in 1916.
Following the American Woolen Company’s bankruptcy in 1932, numerous real estate holdings they had obtained from the Linn Woolen Mill takeover were auctioned off, however several buildings were kept under control by Hartland Mills, Incorporated who had formed to find a suitor for the abandoned mill. One of several buildings Hartland Mills, Incorporated acquired was the former Linn Woolen Mill Main Office.
Hartland Drug Store, Linn Block & American Woolen Company Main Office – Commercial Street
Several unsuccessful attempts by Hartland Library Trustees to purchase the former woolen mill office building were made until a special Hartland Mills, Incorporated Stock Holders Meeting was held on September 25, 1935. Library Trustees Dr. Charles A. Moulton & George M. Lancey pleaded their case in detail for the building to be sold so it could be used as a permanent home for the library which was still operating out of the Opera House~Town Hall at the time. This time the proposal was accepted by a substantial majority of the stock holders and following a special Town Meeting to formally vote on the proposed sale, it became the first dedicated home of the Hartland Public Library in 1935.
First Dedicated Home of the Hartland Public Library – Commercial Street
“We wish to extend our appreciation to the many friends and patrons who responded so readily to our many calls for help while moving into our new library and for books and magazines donated the past year.” – 1936 Library Report
Library Report 1939-1940
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT OF HARTLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
No. State books in library Feb. 1, 1939 ………………………. 65
No. State books added………………………………………………… 6
No. fiction and non-fiction, Feb. 1, 1939 ………………… 6,616
No. fiction and non-fiction added …………………………….. 275
No. fiction and non-fiction discarded………………………….. 25
Total number books in library ……………………………… 6,866
Books delivered for home use……………………………….. 12,677
Magazines delivered for home use…………………………….. 396
No. books rented from rental library……………………….. 1,256
Rental books presented to library………………………………… 85
We wish to express our appreciation for books, magazines and money donated the past year.
Respectfully submitted, Mary Coston Smith – Librarian
Hartland Public Library Book Mark
“We wish to express at this time our appreciation to the Misses Margaret and Marion Morrison for their kindly and thoughtful gift of money for a Children’s Room.” – 1948 Library Report
Margaret Morrison (1876-1948) and her sister Marion Morrison (1881-1967) were born in Hartland while their father was working at the Linn Woolen Mill. They spent some of their childhood in Hartland before the family moved in the early 1890s and eventually resided in Dexter. Their sister, Tina Morrison, passed away at just under 2 years old in 1880 while the family was living in Hartland and is interred at Ireland Cemetery.
In 1947, they made a $1,500 donation to the Hartland Public Library to build a Children’s Room with the balance to be held in a trust fund. Margaret had been ill at the time as noted in her obituary and passed away on December 23, 1948 at 72 years old. She and Marion are interred with their parents at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Dexter. Marion continued making additional cash donations to the library over the years and The Morrison Children’s Fund and its earned interest would be perpetuated for decades by the library as an important source of their funding.
Library Report 1949-1950
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT OF HARTLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Number of State Books in Library Feb. 1, 1949 ………… 692
Number of State Books added ……………………………………. 2
Number of Fiction – Non-Fiction ……………………………. 9,965
Number of Fiction – Non-Fiction added ……………………. 100
Total number of Books in Library ……………………… 10,065
Number Books delivered for home use ……………….. 10,350
Number Magazines delivered for home use……………… 170
Number Books rented from Rental Shelf …………………. 960
We wish to express at this time our appreciation for the Books and Money donated this year.
Respectfully submitted, Mary Coston Smith – Librarian
MORRISON CHILDREN’S FUND (From Treasurer’s Report)
Cash on hand February 1, 1949 $ 401.66
Loaned Regular Fund 51.01
Balance on February 1, 1950 $ 350.65
Respectfully submitted, Miss Ina M. Moulton – Treasurer
Meanwhile in 1956, Donald Shorey added to his original funeral home business in Pittsfield with a new location in Hartland on Mill Street. Although the event was unrelated to the library at the time, it would later play a significant role in the library’s future.
Construction of Donald Shorey Funeral Home – Mill Street – 1956
Library Report 1959-1960
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT OF HARTLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Number of State Books – January 1, 1959 801
Number of State Books Added 1
Number of Fiction – Non-fiction 12,424
Number of Fiction – Non-fiction Added 272
Total Number of Books 12,696
Number of Books Delivered for Home Use 8,361
Number of Magazines 191
Number of Books Rented from Rental Shelf 75
Many more books were donated this past year. We are grateful to all the townspeople, The Outlook Club, and people from other towns for their gifts of books and money.
Respectfully submitted, Mary Coston Smith – Librarian
TREASURER’S REPORT OF HARTLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Receipts
Cash on hand February 1, 1959 588.44
Received from Town 1,500.00
State Stipend 84.00
Outlook Club 50.00
Marion Morrison 50.00
Outlook Club Meetings 16.00
Dues 6.05
Insurance Dividend 3.90
DONATED IN MEMORY OF MRS. ALBERTA HANSON;
From Mr. and Mrs. Rae Randlett
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hollister
Mrs. Lillian Towle 10.00_
Total $2,308.39
Expenditures
Librarian’s Salary 611.52
Social Security 31.20
Central Maine Oil Co. 358.78
Central Maine Power Co. 35.51
Maine Library Association Dues 1.00
Books and Magazines 183.68
Supplies 26.85
Floor Tile 161.05
Bank Charge 2.40
Postage 2.47
Labor 19.50_
1,501.22
Cash on hand February 1, 1960 514.27
Morrison Fund – Cash on hand 292.90_
Total $2,308.39
Respectfully submitted, Bertha G. Moore – Treasurer (Wife of Merrill A. Moore)
“We respectfully dedicate this 1966-1967 Annual Report to MARY COSTON SMITH in appreciation of her many years of unselfish service as Librarian of the Hartland Free Library. We will ever be grateful to her for instilling in many generations of our school children, a love of good reading.” – Municipal Officers ~ Town of Hartland
Upon Mary’s retirement, Mrs. Ethel (Webster) Fox (1895-1994) began her tenure as Librarian at the Hartland Public Library.
Hartland Public Library – Commercial Street – 1988
Library Report 1969-1970
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT OF HARTLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
No. of Books in Library Jan. 1, 1969 Fiction and Non-fiction 15,052
New books added 396
Total number of books January 1, 1970 15,448
Delivered for home use 1,608
Circulation of magazines and records 381
Our sincere thanks to Mrs. Ernestine Carson for the many books brought to the Library and also to Mrs. Ardis Stewart for books.
Respectfully submitted, Ethel W. Fox – Librarian
TREASURER’S REPORT OF HARTLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Cash on hand February 1, 1969 592.66
Received:
Town of Hartland 5,000.00
State Stipend 99.70
Outlook Club 50.00
Outlook Club Meetings 12.00
Dues and fines 26.12
Donations 2.00
Interest from Morrison Trust Fund 4,058.98
Total $7,841.46
Paid:
Librarian’s Salary 1,300.00
Insurance 67.75
Social Security 129.60
Staples Oil Company 431.40
Central Maine Power Co. 59.46
Hartland Water Company 34.76
Bank Service Charges 3.80
Check Book 3.85
Books and Magazines 338.95
Rebuilding Cellar Wall 616.50
Labor, Cellar Wall 96.00
Materials, Cellar Wall 61.35
Mowing Grass 8.00
Supplies 6.00
Total $3,157.42
Cash on hand February 1, 1970
Checking Account Balance 625.06
Savings Account Balance 4,058.98
Total $7,841.46
(Treasurer not noted in report)
Mrs. Ethel Fox retired in 1976 and was replaced by Mrs. Grace Woodman as Librarian.
Library Report 1979-1980
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT OF HARTLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Books on hand January 1979 16,986
Books Added 370
Books Discarded 59
Total Books on hand January 1980 17,297
Circulation Books 3,959
Magazines Circulated 342
Magazines Available 23
Respectfully submitted, Grace D. Woodman – Librarian
TREASURER’S REPORT OF HARTLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Receipts
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1978 2,154.59
Received from Town 3,500.00
Dividends 207.08
Petty Cash 87.00
Outlook Club 59.08
Morrison Fund 1,400.00
Sale of Book 10.00
State Stipend 281.00
Total $7,698.75
Expenditures
Edith Weitzki 92.80
Beulah Stromback 60.00
Librarian Salary 2,320.00
Books 1,000.32
Magazines 212.99
Hartland & St. Albans Telephone Co. 86.94
Hartland Post Office; Stamps 13.20
Randlett & Son; Cleaning Materials 18.40
Edgar Woodman; Bulbs 9.46
Gaylord Bros.; Labels, Guide 7.65
Beulah Stromback; Envelopes 1.00
Leslie R. Goodridge; Insulation 1,400.00
Charge for printed checks 12.42
Grace Woodman; Postage, Travel 51.72
Shari Vigue; Children’s Party 6.45
Hartland Water Company 46.83
McNichol Oil Company 837.50
Central Maine Power Company 117.58
Total Expenditures 6,295.27
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1979 1,403.48
Total $7,698.75
MORRISON TRUST FUND
Balance Forward 1979 21,543.27
Interest 1,216.92
Morrison Fund 3,740.46
26,500.65
Paid Hartland Library 1,400.00
Balance 1980 $25,100.60
(Treasurer not noted in report)
Following its closure, Donald Shorey’s former building at 16 Mill Street was purchased by the Town of Hartland in 1990 and converted into the new home of the Hartland Public Library moving in 1991 from its former location at the original Linn Woolen Mill Office on Commercial Street.
Hartland Public Library Sign – Mill Street – 2017
Funds raised through numerous private and local business donations along with a large donation from the Irving Tanning Company enabled a 2,880 square foot addition to be built in 1995 providing additional space for a new Children’s Activity Room and Community Meeting Room.
Hartland Public Library with Addition – Mill Street – 2017
A tribute to long time Hartland Consolidated School Teacher Ernestine A. Carson in the new Children’s Activity Room.
Mrs. Ernestine A. Carson Tribute Plaque
At present, the Hartland Public Library has approximately 35,000 items and 7 public computers. The library continues its stated ongoing mission as an important learning and research venue for its citizens as well as serving as the temporary “home” of the Hartland Historical Society.
Click below to access their website sponsored by The Friends of Hartland Public Library:
Hartland Public Library
Hartland Public Library – Mill Street – 2019 (Photo courtesy of Will Bunker Photography)