Our History
Serving the community since 1892
The library is owned and administered by the Bethel Library Association, open to any Bethel resident. In 1892, a group of interested citizens called a meeting, drew up the Bylaws, and selected officers, trustees, and a librarian for the first year.
The library was to be financed almost wholly by all kinds of money-raising activities in its early years, and later, by gifts and bequests from many Bethel people. It is considered a public library because it provides services for all.
The first annual meeting was held on November 11, 1892.
Officers were elected:
Chairman - Mr. Blaisdell
President - Mr. Fred Arnold
Vice Pres. - Rev. J. Wesley Miller
Vice Pres. - Mr. Carl Cushing
Secretary - Miss N.A. Adams
Treasurer - Mr. Guy Wilson
Librarian - Miss Clara A. Barrows
From 1893 to 1909, the library was set up in the rear basement of the new Town Hall. It was dark, damp, and cold in the winter. "Librarian and patrons had to walk down a hall past two "town lock-ups" which were filled Saturday evenings, mostly from drinking. And at first the library was only open on Saturday night, which was the "big night in town." As a child, Dorothy Sturk, daughter of an early librarian, Mrs. Lee Cady, recalled that she had to accompany her mother past the lock-up tanks, as she was afraid to go alone.
In 1909, the Library was moved from the Town Hall to a large airy room on the upper floor of the old movie theatre on Main Street, now the site of Spaulding Press. The main problem was that the entrance was a long outside stairway. This was difficult for older people and was often covered with ice and snow in winter.
The library moved to its new quarters in the old bank building in 1910. The addition was completed in 1970.
From the Bethel Courier
Nov. 16, 1891
"The people of Bethel were very generous in contributing. The bank left the original partners' desk which is still used as the librarian's desk. This new building, one sizable room, was a great improvement over the two earlier rooms. The price of the old bank building was $2,000.00. This was paid off to the bank in approximately 10-11 years.”
Dorothy Sturk
The number of books checked out in 1943 was almost 1,000 less than the recent past years due to the influence of WWII.
June 30th, 1965
Upon her death, Mary Branliere, a long-time president of the Library Association, who was first elected in 1929, left a handsome donation to the library. In order to ensure that the building would be enlarged compatibly with the existing structure, she had chosen an architect and made financial arrangements for the building addition.
In order to support the Library, trustees actively seek grants and other sources of revenue. It continues to be a thriving part of the community.
The present-day library is home to books, computers, and WiFi access. The library of things has useful items. Interlibrary loan is available. The old card catalog still resides behind the Librarian's desk.
