History of the Dublin Libraries & Literary Societies
Dublin had several local libraries and literary societies. However, they were not free; one had to pay dues to be members/subscribers to be able to read the books.
1793 October 29: Dublin Social Library was established. Isaac Appleton was chosen clerk and a committee was formed to purchase books. The price was $2 for a share in the library. Librarians were paid $4 per year for their services.
1797: The Dublin Social Library was incorporated.
1798: The library had 93 books. They paid $11.25 to have them covered in sheepskin. In 1920 some of these books were still available to read.
1799: There was a Dublin Ladies' library. By 1851 there were 161 volumes in the Ladies' Library. Mrs. Lucy Marshall was the librarian.
1822: The Dublin Juvenile Library was instituted. This was free to all persons in town, and was the oldest free juvenile library in America.
1824: A society was formed called The Dublin Literary Society. Meetings were held in the winter months. The fee for admission was $2 and there was an annual assessment of 25 cents.
1835: The Social library and the Literary Society were united under one name: Dublin Union Library. "Any Person in Dublin has the privilege of reading books in the Union library for 1 year by paying 37 and a half cents." By 1851 there were 431 volumes. (Information from "The History of Dublin N.H." published in 1920.)
1793 October 29: Dublin Social Library was established. Isaac Appleton was chosen clerk and a committee was formed to purchase books. The price was $2 for a share in the library. Librarians were paid $4 per year for their services.
1797: The Dublin Social Library was incorporated.
1798: The library had 93 books. They paid $11.25 to have them covered in sheepskin. In 1920 some of these books were still available to read.
1799: There was a Dublin Ladies' library. By 1851 there were 161 volumes in the Ladies' Library. Mrs. Lucy Marshall was the librarian.
1822: The Dublin Juvenile Library was instituted. This was free to all persons in town, and was the oldest free juvenile library in America.
1824: A society was formed called The Dublin Literary Society. Meetings were held in the winter months. The fee for admission was $2 and there was an annual assessment of 25 cents.
1835: The Social library and the Literary Society were united under one name: Dublin Union Library. "Any Person in Dublin has the privilege of reading books in the Union library for 1 year by paying 37 and a half cents." By 1851 there were 431 volumes. (Information from "The History of Dublin N.H." published in 1920.)
The First Free Public Library in America: The Dublin Juvenile Library
1822: The Dublin Juvenile Library was formed as a joint effort of the Rev. Dr. Levi Leonard and David Carter, MD. This was the first free public library, supported by voluntary contributions. Initially the books were in a room at Chamberlain's Tavern (the former parsonage of the Dublin Community Church) and Dr. Leonard was the acting librarian. The Books were eventually moved to Dr. Leonard's house on Old Common Road.
This was privately funded and "free to all persons in the Town." Because it was open to all citizens, the Juvenile Library can be considered one of the first free public libraries in the United States.
By 1852 there were 990 volumes, though some were lost or worn out. This library is considered the precursor of today's Dublin Public Library. Note: Peterborough Town Library was founded in 1833 and is the first free tax-supported public library.
1884: The Town of Dublin at its annual meeting voted to establish a town public library by a vote of 54-21. One hundred dollars was appropriated and a room at the Town Hall was to be known as the Library Room. There was a need "to establish a committee of three to oversee the above and report back their doings at the next annual meeting." The first three on the committee were Walter J. Greenwood, Henry H. Piper, and George W. Gleason.
By 1889 the library had 947 volumes and in 1890 the books from The Dublin Juvenile and Dublin Union Library were moved to the Library Room at the Town Hall.
(From Town Records 1822-1922 and information from Dublin Historical Society Newsletter No.48, February 2000. Research by John W. Harris and Nancy E. Campbell.)
This was privately funded and "free to all persons in the Town." Because it was open to all citizens, the Juvenile Library can be considered one of the first free public libraries in the United States.
By 1852 there were 990 volumes, though some were lost or worn out. This library is considered the precursor of today's Dublin Public Library. Note: Peterborough Town Library was founded in 1833 and is the first free tax-supported public library.
1884: The Town of Dublin at its annual meeting voted to establish a town public library by a vote of 54-21. One hundred dollars was appropriated and a room at the Town Hall was to be known as the Library Room. There was a need "to establish a committee of three to oversee the above and report back their doings at the next annual meeting." The first three on the committee were Walter J. Greenwood, Henry H. Piper, and George W. Gleason.
By 1889 the library had 947 volumes and in 1890 the books from The Dublin Juvenile and Dublin Union Library were moved to the Library Room at the Town Hall.
(From Town Records 1822-1922 and information from Dublin Historical Society Newsletter No.48, February 2000. Research by John W. Harris and Nancy E. Campbell.)
The Dublin Public Library
1900: Mrs. Eliza Farnum generously gave the present building to the town and the collection had a permanent home. It was dedicated to the memory of her husband, Horace Farnham, MD, who died in 1886.
The cornerstone was laid in 1901 and the library opened in 1902. The building, which still has its original roof and windows, is an architectural treasure designed by John Laurence Mauran. (A profile of the building appeared in the April 1982 issue of Antiques Magazine.) The lower level was remodeled in 1968 to include the Gowing Meeting Room, shelving for antique books, and a small kitchen. 1999: The town voted to build a library addition at a cost of $684,885; at least $214,885 was to be raised privately. The addition to the present library was completed by 2000. 2022: The Dublin Public Library Board of Trustees was awarded a $9600 grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. The funds were used for the reproduction of copper catch basins and downspouts that were on the front of the original Library building back in 1902. Reproductions were constructed by The Tin Shop of Beverly MA, by artists Ed and Peter Packard. |