Calling all history buffs and future historians in grades 1 - 5!

The Groton Public library is celebrating its 150th birthday. The GPL was the 8th free public library established in Massachusetts.  As part of our celebration, an essay contest for children will be held at the end of the summer. The topic is "Why did Groton establish a Public Library in 1854?"

Information, displays and events will be in the library, school newsletters, and newspapers.  Mark the date: October 2, 2004 for the Grand 150^th Celebration that will feature performers, food and fun.  For more information, contact Mary Lavallee at 978-448-3423 or call the library at 978-448-8000.

Groton Public Library, 1854-1867

In 1834, a local businessman, Caleb Butler, kept a few shelves of books for “recommended persons” who paid two or three cents a week were allowed the privilege of reading them.

But in 1854, the Honorable Abbott Lawrence challenged the town of Groton to match his generous donation of $500 to fund a public library, free to all.  The citizens of Groton came through with the funds despite the urgent need for roads, creating only the eighth public library in Massachusetts. 

Groton hired its first librarian, Mrs. Margaret Blake, and paid her the “handsome” salary of $50 per year for her work.  Mrs. Blake ran the library out of her store on the corner of Main and Station streets, where she also sold pins, needles, paper and pencils. The library contained an adequate - by 1855 standards - collection of 700-800 volumes.

In 1860 the Library moved to the Town Hall, and was set up in a small room to the right of the front door. Mr. Henry Woodcock was appointed librarian, and in addition to his library duties, repaired clocks and jewelry.  The library grew slowly, sometimes getting funding from the dog tax, but during the Civil War and several years after, it received little or no funding or attention.

The Full History of the Groton Public Library

Before the Groton Public Library existed, there was a small borrowing library in Groton. In 1834, there were a few shelves of books in a store owned by Charles Gerrish. Caleb Butler, who had an office in the store, would lend his books for two or three cents a week.

A free public library for Groton was first conceived by a Boston man who had been a Groton boy, the Honorable Abbott Lawrence. In 1854 (the same year that the Boston Public Library was established), he wrote the town of Groton and offered $500 to be matched by the town. He offered the money "in the confident belief that a good public library will be a blessing to the Inhabitants of the Town of Groton".

At first, the library was housed in Mrs. Margaret Blake's little store on the corner of Main Street and Station Avenue. Mrs. Blake sold small items like pins and needles, and she was the town's first Librarian at a salary of $50.00 a year. In 1860, the library moved to Town Hall and Mr. Henry Woodcock, who repaired clocks and jewelry, was appointed Librarian. In 1867, the library was moved again, this time to the Liberty Hall Building where Mr. Charles Woolley was named Librarian. In 1884, the library returned to the Town Hall and Miss Jennie Thayer was appointed Librarian. Miss Thayer resigned in 1891 to accept a position at the Boston Public Library. Miss Emma Blood was chosen as her successor. Miss Blood was the Librarian until 1948!

In 1884, Mr. Willard Dalrymple, resident of Charlestown and a native of Groton, generously remembered the town of his birth and bequeathed $2,500. Following that, Mr. Augustus Fletcher and Mr. Luther Blood each bequeathed $1,000 to the library.

Approximately 40 years after the Hon. Abbott Lawrence laid the financial foundation for the beginnings of our library, his grandson, noted Boston architect Mr. Arthur Rotch, designed the building that is still in use today. In keeping with the family tradition, he would not accept payment for designing the Groton Public Library.

The one individual most responsible for the existence of the library was Mrs. Charles Langdon Sibley (Charlotte Augusta Langdon Cook). She was born on October 5, 1819 in Boston, the daughter of merchant Samuel Cook. In 1866, at the age of 47, she married Harvard College Librarian Charles Sibley. After his death in 1885, Mrs. Sibley gave their house to the city of Cambridge for use as a hospital and moved to Groton. It is not known why she came to Groton, though it may have been through a friendship with Rev. Dr. Joshua Young, Unitarian minister, or Dr. Samuel A. Green, noted Groton historian and physician. Mrs. Sibley did not own a home in town, she rented Brazer House (now the Lawrence Academy Headmaster's House) for 15 years, until her death in 1902. A woman of extraordinary generosity, she was once quoted as saying "I do not wish any thanks. It is my pleasure to give and I am thankful to have the means to indulge my pleasure."

In 1891 Mrs. Sibley generously offered $4,000 and a parcel of land if the town would raise $15,000 and put up a building in two years. The record of the town meeting shows a heated debate over money for roads and "needed" items pitted against a library. Mrs. Sibley gradually increased her gift to $12,000. The gift was almost rejected at town meeting until Rev. Endicott Peabody rushed into the hall and gave a stirring speech which included these words: " . . .we need it more than roads, I am willing to drive through mud and clay rather than give up the library." The vote was 120 for, 53 against. The cornerstone was laid on April 30, 1892, with appropriate ceremonies, and the building was dedicated on May 18, 1893.

The library celebrated its Centennial with many events from Fall 1992 to Spring 1993, culminating with a rededication of the building on May 16, 1993. Recently, the library underwent a complete renovation and the building was greatly enlarged and improved. Learn more about the renovation here.