Millinocket Memorial Library, 1920-1922

            For many years, the local librarian wrote a summary of the library’s collection usage and other activities for the past year to be published in the newest Millinocket Town Report. A report for the period September 1920 through February 1921 was written by Kathleen Snow, the new librarian. When Snow took over, her report stated that the collection had already been “carefully cataloged.” At that time, the library had only existed for a short time…dedicated Nov. 11, 1919. The site was a small building on Central St. in what was referred to as the Stearns Building.  (currently a small building to the rear of the current “moose horns” building)...the library faced Central St.

            Here are items from Snow’s report in her words. “Thirteen borrowers are now registered. However, that is one-third less than the population of the town.” Snow commented that statistic might be “due to the large foreign population” and it would be the “duty of the librarian to start a collection of foreign literature which these citizens may read.” The report continues, “the children are the most avid readers. It is not uncommon for a boy age 10-15 to read a book every other day and often one a day.” It was hard to keep enough new books to keep up with the demand.

            At that time, the library had “subscriptions to twenty-five magazines.” The magazines could be borrowed, but the newspapers were to be read at the library (only one copy). The report continues, “The number of non-fiction books loaned in the last five months is most encouraging.” In fact, Snow stated, a limit had to be placed on how many could be taken out by a borrower at one time. The Teachers Club of Millinocket had been helpful teaching children “proper care and regard for a book” and with a list of etiquette suggestions posted in each classroom. Snow also planned to visit classrooms in “certain grades and high school” to discuss “proper use of reference books and general use of literature.”

            The Millinocket Memorial Library (dedicated to WWI Millinocket military personnel) had been dedicated and opened on Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1919. A plaque honoring these men was placed in the library.

            The previous town report, 1920, tells that this first library was established at “low rental and of the latest and best adapted design.” The furnishings were thanks to the Great Northern Paper Company who donated $1000 for that purpose. The first three months of the library’s existence saw 12,000 volumes being checked out, free of charge. The population at that time was about 5,000 with a large portion being school age. The 1920 library report was from Sidney Stevens and Alice B. Lewis, the MML Committee, as there was no librarian until Kathleen Snow came aboard a few months later.

            By the late 1940’s-early 1950’s, the need became apparent that a larger library space was needed. Mary Kiely, librarian, stated in the town report, “The library’s quarters are inadequate to provide the service we want to render the people. We need more floor space, more shelf space and we need cataloging space. And we need space for the repair of books. All this we need urgently!”

            The new Millinocket Memorial Library opened (and was dedicated) at its current location on Maine Avenue on Dec. 11, 1951.