Introduced By: Senators Fogarty, Flynn and Breene
Date Introduced : May 5, 1998
Referred To: Senate Read and Passed
WHEREAS, In January of 1847, Amasa Manton, Providence businessman and native of Glocester, offered to give $100 to the people of any town in Rhode Island who would raise an equal or greater sum to purchase books. Under like conditions, the first Commissioner of Public Schools, Henry Barnard, also offered $25 for the purchase of books; and
WHEREAS, The people of Glocester raised the necessary funds and formed an association for the establishment of a library. On September 9, 1847, the association formed a body corporate under the name of the Manton Library Association in accordance with the provisions of the "act providing for the Voluntary Incorporation of Library Academy and School Associations" passed at the June session of the General Assembly, 1847; and
WHEREAS, The Manton Library was given use of a room in the newly constructed Chepachet District School. When the library opened it contained 600 volumes. The first librarian was Alvin A. Meader; and
WHEREAS, Later in 1847, Amasa Manton offered another $100 to the Manton Library Association under the same conditions as the original offer. Again, the people of Glocester raised the necessary amount; and
WHEREAS, In 1886, the Manton Library moved to the Walter A. Read's store on Putnam Pike in Chepachet. Mr. Read, future State Treasurer, allowed the library association free use of his store until the new library was built in 1930; and
WHEREAS, Through private donations, including land from Maude Farnum, the architectural services of Everett W. Higson and the fundraising activities of the Needle Book Club, the present library building was built in 1930; and
WHEREAS, For almost sixty years, the library was leased by the Town of Glocester for its offices, including the police department. In addition, the library's community room was used by a variety of local organizations: the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Dance Classes, political organizations, and local churches; and
WHEREAS, The library has been served by many librarians: Alvin A. Meader, Zeke Phetteplace, Walter A. Read, Martha R. Fitch, Flora Stott, Ruth B. Wright, Diane Weaver, Donna Loxley, and Mary Gallagher. The longest serving librarian was Minnie Brown. She became librarian in 1920 after telling the Board of Trustees "until you find somebody else." Minnie Brown retired 43 years later at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, The Library's Board of Trustees continues to be served by members who are highly dedicated to providing library services to the residents of Glocester. For many of the members of the Board their dedication has spanned decades. Those members with forty years or more of service are: Maude Farnum, James Greenhalgh, George Greenhalgh, Cora Kent, Henry Lewin, and James Chase. The member with thirty years or more of service is: William Hopkins. Those members with twenty years or more of service are: Frank Davis, Fred Greenhalgh, Warren Sayward, and Robert Wright. Those members with ten years or more of service are: Charles Potter, Bertha Potter, George Adams, Leon Chase, Milton Theone, Mary Ladefian, C. Glenn Bolwell, and Phyllis Steger; and
WHEREAS, In 1992, after Glocester's town offices moved to a larger facility, the Champlin Foundations, the June Rockwell Levy Foundation, and other private donations made it possible to renovate the entire building for library services. Today, the Glocester Manton Free Public Library offers over 20,000 titles, literature-based and educational programs for all ages, use of the community and conference rooms, and computers for public use. The library's membership in the Cooperating Library automated Network allows every patron access to and delivery of materials from over 40 public libraries in the State of Rhode Island. Library services are made possible by aid from the Town of Glocester, the State of Rhode Island, funds from Friends of the Library, private donations and over 700 hours of volunteer service, annually; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby congratulates the Manton Free Public Library on its 150th Anniversary and wishes everybody involved with this fine institution the very best wishes for continued success; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Manton Free Public Library.
