Hooray for libraries! April 8-14 is National Library Week!

Two hundred twelve years ago this month, and 6 months before the actual founding of Middlebury College, 34 shares of stock were sold at $25 per share in order to purchase the initial collection of books for the Middlebury College library.  Here is a scan of the 1st page of the constitution of the College library, from the original held in Middlebury College’s Special Collections and Archives.Middlebury College library constitution from April, 1800Although as a librarian I’m obviously biased, I believe that, in a society in which nearly everything has become commoditized, libraries represent certain “higher” ideals.  They remind us that there is such as thing as the “public (or community) good,” and that ideas, knowledge, learning, and even pleasure should not necessarily be parceled out depending upon one’s ability to pay, but rather should be accessible to anyone and everyone with the desire and curiosity to learn new things, to explore new ideas, and to wallow in art.

I hope this week you will take some time out to support your favorite library, whether it’s your hometown public library, Ilsley Public Library in downtown Middlebury, Armstrong LIbrary in BiHall, Davison Library up at Bread Loaf, Coleman Library across the continent in Monterey, or, of course, Davis Family Library here at Middlebury College.  So give us a shout in the comment box if you love libraries!

3 thoughts on “Hooray for libraries! April 8-14 is National Library Week!

  1. Shannon Bohler-Small

    I absolutely love libraries! My town library in Shoreham, the Platt Memorial Library, is over 100 years old and we just spent the last 10 years raising money to put an addition on it. We’re actually having a big party to celebrate the Grand Opening this Saturday. I am so proud of my board and community for supporting such a great project. You belong at your library!

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  2. Arabella Holzapfel

    The Bixby Library in Vergennes is 100 years old this year. It’s a beautiful building! And it’s right across the street from the Black Sheep Bistro! Come visit!

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