Building Funds are now at $163,072.86

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Library Building Survey and Public Forums:

Renovating a Library is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, so how we go about it is relevant to everyone at every age. That is why we are working so hard to get as much community input as we can in our new building program. So far, we have 158 responses to our survey, but we would like more--especially in a key demographic:

If you are 19-25, you probably don't use the Library a whole lot. You're either floating around between home and wherever your college town is, just getting started in your trade and figuring out how to adult, beginning a young family, or growing avocados to smear on your toast. Keep in mind, though, that time marches on, phases of life change, and you (and your future families) will be our core patrons in 5-10 years. You may not use the building much now, but you will! This is your last chance to have a voice in what that building looks like:

The Survey

If you have already taken the survey and would like to contribute even more, Thursday is the day! We have two public forums to which all Douglas residents are invited! Both are hybrid meetings, so join us in the Municipal Center Resource Room or on ZOOM to brainstorm with Mary Braney, ourbuilding consultant:

The morning session is at 10:00 am.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83968628622

The afternoon session is at 6:30 pm.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85624459814

Storywalk on the SNETT Update:

After two years of deploying storywalks on corrugated yard signs with velcro tape, the new Storywalk on the SNETT is amazing. It has parking. It is flat, graveled, shaded, and straight. Thanks to Ethan Chisholm and Troop 316, we have the Rolls Royce of storywalks. It now has a permanent page on our website so you can always check to see what we have on display: https://mysfpl.org/storywalk/

The current featured book is One Small Place in a Tree by Barbara Brenner. This will appeal to all the kiddos out there who wonder what is underneath. They’ll learn how things in the process of decomposition actually make important habitats, so there’s no need to be sad when trees fall down.

We did have to edit out two pages to make it fit, so place a copy on hold in the catalog if you want to find what’s missing!

Friends of the Library Seek Auction Donations:

The Friends of the Library are now accepting donations for our 4th annual online auction! We’re looking for local goods and services to populate this year’s catalog. Donations can include (but are not limited to) services, talents, household items, artsy items, attic treasures, historic memorabilia, rustic crafts, etc. If you have anything you would like to donate, please email pictures and descriptions of your donation to:

[email protected].

Helpful descriptions include what the item is, how big it is, how old it is, who made it, any special stories behind it, and approximate value. Our deadline for accepting donations is September 14th at 8pm, but sooner is better!

The auction itself will begin at noon on October 9 and bidding will wrap up at 8pm on October 23. It will be entirely online, and all proceeds will go to the Library’s capital campaign to renovate the building and make it accessible.

The Friends are also accepting sponsorships this year for the first time! If you or your company would like to sponsor this year’s auction, the following tiers of sponsorship are available. Email the Friends at the address above to inquire:

Bronze: $500

Silver: $1,000

Gold: $3,000

Platinum: $5,000

Legendary: $500,000 (comes with a room named after you at the Library)

Summer Reading & Storytime:

It isn't too late to register for Summer Storytime and Summer Reading Program! Miss Deb's letter for parents can be seen here, and the schedule of Wednesday morning programs is up on our calendar.

Upcoming Book Club

-July 18, 4:00pm -- Book Bunch: Framed by James Ponti

-July 18, 6:30pm -- SciFi Book Club: The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi

-August 8, 4:00pm -- Young Readers Club: A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris VanDusen

-August 8, 6:30pm -- Intrepid Readers: No Better Friend, Robert Weintraub

-August 22, 4:00pm -- Book Bunch: Outside Nowhere, by Adam Borba

-The Greatest Book Club Ever is on summer hiatus, but they will return on September 7 at 6:30pm to discuss The Stand, by Stephen King.

See our calendar for more events and more details!

Bits & Pieces with Rebecca Lavallee:

The Simon Fairfield Public Library

If you have visited the Simon Fairfield Public Library in the last month, there is a good chance that you have been asked to complete a survey and for everyone that you know to complete a survey. I promise, this survey is of great importance, as we once again forage into the deep waters of attempting to renovate and expand our almost 120 year old library. Today, our library is not large enough to house all our materials, it is not large enough to have dedicated study spaces and meeting rooms, and most important, it does not offer accessibility for all patrons. It is time for our building to leave the early 1900s and step into the 21st century.

That being said, back on January 28, 1904, with a grand dedication ceremony, these doors opened into one of the best small public libraries in the Commonwealth. Prior to 1904, the townspeople did have access to libraries, however there was never a dedicated library available. For decades, the books would be kept in various locations, such as homes, businesses and public buildings. In the late 1800s, the Douglas Free Public Library was housed in the “Long SchoolHouse” and held 500 volumes for the townspeople.

It wasn’t until a son of Douglas, James M. Fairfield, who had long left town to make his way out in the world, decided that he would build a lasting memorial to his parents, James M. Fairfield and Phoebe Churchill Fairfield. This lasting memorial became the Simon Fairfield Public Library:

To the Honorable Selectmen of the Town of Douglas, Gentlemen :

In accord with my letter to you dated November 20th, 1903, the conditions therein contained having been accepted by the Inhabitants of the Town of Douglas, in town meeting assembled, I herewith hand you the Deed of the Simon Fairfield Public Library, together with the Policy of Insurance covering the building. I hereby appoint as Permanent Trustees, Charles J. Batcheller, Winfield S. Schuster, Walter B. Fairfield, Aaron F. Jones, James W. Wixtead.

Very truly yours, James M. Fairfield. December 4th, 1903.

The town of Douglas now had a dedicated Public Library, completely furnished and home to over 5,000 volumes. “Now it will be used by the citizens, irrespective of class, color or creed, so long as it remains intact. Its stability indicates that this will probably be several generations.”

I could attempt to describe the wonder of the library as the townspeople first entered it on January 28, 1904, but I don’t believe I could do it justice. Instead, I am going to share with you an excerpt from the Telegram’s January 28, 1904 article “Rich Gift to Douglas. Fairfield Library is Dedicated by Town : Modest Donor Declines to Hear Praises. Speaker of Day a Douglas Product.”

The Simon Fairfield Public Library is an ornamental structure of brick,with freestone trimmings. The depth of the building is 38 feet, and the frontage 64 feet on Main St., opposite the Congregational church. Leading to the front entrance are seven granolithic steps, 16 feet long, and on either side of the loggia are large columns of freestone.

The front doors are of heavy oak with brass trimmings, which open into the vestibule finished in quartered oak, with mosaic floor. From the vestibule one enters the delivery room, one of the fine rooms on the main floor; either side of the entrance are large Florentine glass windows. To the right of the delivery room is the general reading room, and beyond is the reference room, in the rear of which is the stack room. In the rear of the delivery room are the stairways and the librarian and trustees’ room. All the windows are single pane plate glass and furnished with venetian blinds. The stack room has the steel adjustable fixtures for the shelves and the children’s room, reading room and reference room are all supplied with adjustable shelves, three feet high, surrounding each room. The finish throughout is quartered oak. The floors are of selected hand pine. The librarian’s counter and the card index cabinets are all arranged for the Brownie card system. The heating is from hot air and the lighting from an independent glass plant.

All the furnishings are of quartered oak, attractive in design and elegant in finish.

This grandiose building, donated by James M. Fairfield in memory of his parents, Simon Fairfield and Phoebe Churchill Fairfield, was intended to service the town for several generations, which by today’s definition would be approximately 100 years. This small town library has thoroughly served her townspeople, but now she is old and past her prime. It would be nice to breathe new life into her, making her once again a grandiose building that can serve all of the townspeople.