TABLE OF CONTENTS


Collection Summary

Historical Note

Scope and Content

Organization of the Records

Arrangement of the Records

Restrictions

Index Terms

Related Material

Administrative Information

Detailed Description of the Records

Series 1: Annual Reports, 1868-present.

Series 2: Minutes, 1970-1982, 2000-2001.

Series 3: Reports, 1857-1866.

Series 4: Library Building Committee Progress Reports, 1970-1972.

Series 5: Receipts, 1864-1872.

Guide to the Records of the Public Library, Burlington, Mass. 1857-present (gaps)An InventoryInventory prepared by Lisa A. Plato

Guide to the Records of the Public Library, Burlington, Mass. 1857-present (gaps)

An Inventory



Collection Summary

Creator:Burlington (Mass.) Public Library.
Title:Records,
Dates:1857-present (gaps)
Abstract: This record group documents the activities of the Library Committee, Library Trustees, Librarian, and Library Building Committee and contains annual reports, minutes, reports, and receipts. The annual reports provide the most complete documentation of the library's history from 1868 to the present. The annual reports represent the Library Committee or Trustees and after 1881, the Librarian, as well as the Library Committee/Trustees. The other record series have numerous gaps and cover a very narrow time period. The period between 1857--when the library was established--and 1868 is not well documented. See the 1868 annual report and the reports in series 3 for information on the period between 1857 and 1868; note that the March 2, 1857 report is the library's earliest record. For more information, see the series description.
Quantity: Approximately 0.5 cubic ft.
Identification: RG028

Historical Note

The Board of Library Trustees consists of six elected positions; each position is for a term of three years (general bylaw, article III: section 1.2). For more information, see MGL c78: 7-13.

The following information was compiled from the annual reports of the Library Committee, Library Trustees and Librarian, unless otherwise noted. The chronological list is focused on major events between 1868-1975; the period 1975-present should be reviewed and supplemented.

DateEvent
1759 April 13Woburn Social Library established.
1851Massachusetts accepted the Acts of 1851, chapter 305, sections 1, 3, which provided for towns establishing and maintaining public libraries (now MGL chapter 78, section 7).
1855-1862Silas Cutler (1806-1896) was the first librarian with a documented salary (RG009, 1855-1862 annual statement of receipts and expenditures).
1856Woburn's first public library opened in a room in the Municipal Building.
1857 April 6George Gleason (1809-1858) "of the committee chosen to establish the Town Library" reported to Town Meeting. There was an initial motion to dismiss the article, but it was negatived [sic.]
George Gleason and James Campbell served on this first committee; the March 2, 1857 report in series 3 is their original report, which was transcribed in the March 1857 Town Meeting records and presented at the April 6, 1857 Town Meeting (RG002, volume 3, pp. 1, 12, 13, article 15). The committee reported that they "found so many desirable books, some of which we so much wished to add immediately, that a paper was started to which were soon subscribed $59.00 by the following named persons: James Campbell, $5; Silas Cutler [1806-1896], $5; George Gleason [1809-1858], $5; Marshall Wood [1827-1898], $5; Susan W[alker Gleason] Cutler [1807-1865], $2.50; Richard J[enks] Alley (1821-1890], $1.50; Ward B[rooks] Frothingham [b. 1828], $5; Samuel Sewall jun. [1819-1903], $1.50; Samuel Walker [1830-1891], $3; John E[beneazer] Marion [1831-1914], $3; [Deacon] Otis Cutler [1809-1874], $1.50; William H[enry] Walker [1832-1891], $2; Alfred B. Shaws, $1; Henry S[kelton] Marion [1833-1913], $2; Abner Marion [1809-1858], $5; Abner P[rescott] Marion [b. 1836], $1; John W. Hutchinson [1835-1902], $1; John Wood [b. 1819?], $2.50; George Skelton [1825-1891?], $1; Stephen Skelton jun. [1818-1873], $2.50, Horace R. Hosmer, $3...The expenses arising from purchase of paper for covering said books, for printing regulations, for Librarian's record book and for [expressman's?] charges, to the amount of $6.70 were defrayed by the Committee...In view of the interest already manifested in the Library, and the incalcuable permanent benefit which promises to be derived from a well furnish Town Library, we think that a further appropriation by the Town would be profitable, and do heartily recommend the same..."
The result was that Town Meeting voted to choose a Library Committee, "voting that this committee consist of three, and that they be chosen by nomination. Chose James Campbell, George Gleason (1809-1858), and John F. Snow for Library Committee. Voted that the Library Committee appoint a Librarian" (RG002, volume 3, p. 13).
The library was housed in the Wood Tavern, Richard J. Alley's house, Silas Cutler's general store, and George Bennett's store, per Burlington Historian John Edward Fogelberg. According to early annual reports, it appears that the library was moved to a new location, based on who the librarian was at that point in time.
1863-1865Harriet Ellen Carter Alley (ca. 1832-1905), served as the town's second librarian. HECA was the wife of the town's blacksmith, Richard Jenks Alley (1821-1890).
1866-1868Sylvinia Hart Wood served as the town's third paid librarian. She resigned when her family moved from Burlington. SHW was the wife of John Wood (b. 1819); JW was the son of Sylvanus Wood (1787-1843) and the grandson of Captain John Wood (1740-1809).
It was possible that the library was located at the Captain John Wood Tavern or Sylvanus Wood house during this period. The Wood Tavern stood where the Burlington Fire Station now stands and was built prior to the American Revolution by Captain John Wood, Jr. (1740-1809), a Revolutionary War captain under the command of Col. Loammi Baldwin (1745-1807). The tavern was a community gathering place; the upper hall was celebrated as the place where the new town toasted incorporation in 1799. Sylvanus Wood's (1787-1843) house stood across from the location of Dale Pharmacy (232 Cambridge St., as of 2001). For more information, see the Image Guide (RG123): Historic Homes and Farms, item 74.
1868Library Committee printed their first narrative annual report for 1867-1868. Prior to that, the expenses were listed in the town's annual printed report of receipts and expenditures.
1867Mr. A. E. Brown appointed as the town's fourth paid librarian. It appears that Silas Cutler (1806-1896) served as the librarian during 1868; the 1869 printed report of receipts and expenditures listed SC's salary, but A. E. Brown's salary.
It is probable that the library was housed at Silas Cutler's (1806- 1896) general store during SC's tenure as librarian. The general store was located where the town hall annex is now located. After SC married Susan Walker Gleason (1807-1865) in 1832, SC bought her father's store and operated it until at least 1879. The store also held the town's post office ca. 1832-1879, when it moved to the expanded town hall. For more information, see the Image Guide (RG123): Buildings: item 149.
1868-1871Silas Cutler (1806-1896) served as librarian.
1872C. W. Bennett served as librarian; it is very possible that this was Charles Wyman Bennett (1817-1872).
Circa 1872The library was moved, but the annual report does not specify the location. Based on the information in the 1874 annual report, it was probably William Edward Carter's (1843-1902) store; for more information, see the entry for April 1873. This store was possibly WEC's heel shop or shoe stock factory on Cambridge St., near the intersection of Bedford St. It appears that WEC's heel shop and horse barn operated between 1880 and 1904, thus it is also possible that WEC owned another business in the area. The heel shop stood where Mrs. MacInnis' red brick house stands at 137 Cambridge St. and the barn stood at what is 135 Cambridge St., as of 2001. For more information, see the Image Guide (RG123): Buildings: item 47.
1873Miss S. L. Bennett served as librarian for ten months and resigned on account of family bereavement. George Lewis Tebbetts (1844-1907) was appointed as her successor (RG009, 1873 printed report of receipts and expenditures).
This was probably the Bennett store housed in the former Gleason-Bennett-Simonds house. The house was located in center of town, on the sharp curve of Cambridge St. (near the intersection of Olympian Way). About 1920, Cambridge St. was straightened and widened, and the house was broken in two and moved. The building that survives at 2 Mill St. was first moved to Dearborn Rd., behind the second town hall; the other part of the building was moved to 13 Sears St. After 1950, the house on Dearborn Rd. was relocated to 2 Mill St. For more information, see the Image Guide (RG123): Historic Homes and Farms: item 52.
1873 AprilLibrary was moved from William Edward Carter's (1843-1902) store; WEC informed the Library Committee that he had relinquished the business and that it would be necessary for them to "procure another location." The committee decided to "engage one half of the store of Mr. G. Bennett for the accommodation of the library, and for the storage of the standard weights and measures, at an annual rent of thirty-five dollars" (annual report, 1874).
1874-1879 FebruaryE. A. Bennett paid 35 dollars annually for rent of library room; this was probably Edwin Alonzo Bennett (1843-1927).
1874Annie L. Foster (b. ca. 1858) was paid for caring for the library, and covering and repairing books (RG009, March 22, 1874 printed report of receipts and expenditures); Annie L. Foster also served as a school teacher from 1874-1875 (Dunham, p. 117). As noted in the entry for 1874-1879, the library remained in Bennett's store.
1875-1877Charles G. Foster (b. ca. 1820) served as librarian; CGF was Annie L. Foster's father and also served as a trustee.
1878-1882Sarah E. Foster (b. ca. 1842) served as librarian; SEF was Charles G. Foster's (b. ca. 1820) daughter and Annie L. Foster's (b. ca. 1858) sister.
1879-1898Library housed in the first town hall. Built in 1844, the building stood near the current location of the baseball field in Simonds Park. For more information, see the Image Guide (RG123): Buildings: item 16.
1881Librarian and Library Committee wrote separate annual reports. Prior to 1881, the Library Committee submitted the annual report.
1882-1883E. S. Foster served as librarian.
1884-1895Emma Florence Wood Dane (1856-1946) served as librarian; her father, Marshall Wood (1827-1898) was a member of the Library Committee. EFWD married Ai Thompson Dane (1859-1907) in 1895, which was the probable reason for her resignation.
1888Massachusetts accepted the Acts of 1888, chapter 304, sections 4, which defined the duties of the board of trustees (now MGL chapter 78, section 11).
1893 November 7Town Meeting "voted to comply with Chapter 347 of the Acts of 1890," thus creating the Board of Library Trustees. The Town Meeting records noted that the Library Committee resigned and that Town Meeting voted to choose three Trustees, one for one year, one for two years and one for three years. Charles G. Foster was selected for three years, Joseph F. Rice was selected for two years; and Marshall Wood was selected for one year. Acceptance of Chapter 347 of the Acts of 1890 also allowed the Town Library to receive a "gift of one hundred dollars from the State to which it is entitled under Chapter 255 of the Acts of 1892" (RG 002, volume, 6, pp. 76, 79).
1894David Simonds (1834-1889) bequeathed funds to the Burlington Public Library; the annual report for 1894 reports that the annual interest was $64.48, 44 percent of the annual income.
1894The annual report for 1894 noteed that the Library Committee was now known as the Library Trustees; see the listing for 1893 November 7.
1896-1909Florence Isabel Foster (1878-1912) served as librarian.
1898 May 6First meeting of the Trustees for the Library held at the residence of Edward S. Barker. Although Barker did not appear in the 1880 or 1900 federal census, the Historic Resources Survey form for 56 Lexington St. lists him a possible owner of the Jotham Johnson house; further investigation is required. The 1898 annual report noted that ESB would not be moving within the year.
1898 June 16Mrs. Edward S. Barker served as the town's first assistant librarian, serving without pay.
1898 June 29Library opened at the former Center School (13 Bedford St., corner of Cambridge and Bedford St.), now the home of the Burlington Historical Museum.
1910-1912Mary Lena Foster Pollock (1881-1935) served as librarian. MLFP married William Pollock in 1911, which was the probable reason for her resignation.
1913-July 1921Ella I. Getchell (d. 1935) served as librarian. The 1922 annual report noted that EIG "served so faithfully for about ten years felt the need of a change from the cares and responsibilities of the work."
1913Electric lights installed in library.
1918Librarian's report notes that the federal Food Administration supplied the library with literature pertaining to food conservation and that the library collected and sent to Widener Library, Harvard University, two boxes of books for the [World War I] Camp Libraries.
1919Memorial Committee selected a position on the library lawn for a memorial "in honor of or boys who 'did their bit.'"
1921Crowding at the Union School prompted the second grade scholars to utilize the library reading room.
1922-1939Henrietta (Nettie) Richardson Foster (1859-1951) served as librarian.
1923Use of the library for school purposes was discontinued, after the 1923 addition to the Union School (45 Center St.), which now serves as the Burlington Police Department.
1937Burlington [Men's] Civic Club finished off a hall in the unused half of the basement, in order to hold meetings there. The club was organized in 1937 to promote civic betterment and the construction of the first Burlington high school (61 Center St., the Human Services Buildings as of 2001). For more information, see Image Guide (RG123): Events: item 30.
1940-1956Lotta Cavanagh Rice Dunham (b. 1891) served as librarian.
1957-1967Alphonsine B. Harvey served as librarian.
1960First mention of a bookmobile in the annual reports. Annual reports from the early 20th century mentioned traveling libraries, but they appeared to be lending libraries borrowed from other libraries.
1962 September 15Children's section opened on the lower level of the library.
1966Library Building Committee reported 37 meetings during the last year. The architectural firm of Henneberg and Henneberg (Cambridge, Mass.) was hired for the development of final plans, but objections ranging from "architectural and structural" by town departments and town offices prevented the completion of the plans. The town received a federal Library Construction Grant for $90,000 to assist with the cost of the new building. John Carr Associates (Natick, Mass.) was hired to prepare new plans. For an artist's rendering, see the cover of the 1967 annual report.
1967 Library trustees began search for a new library director, one with a master's degree in library science.
1967 JuneConstruction began; Donald M. Manzelli served as the contractor. The expected completion date was April 1, 1968.
1968-April 1973Lisa D. Dagdigian served as librarian.
1968 September 18Library moved to the new building (22 Sears St., as of 2001)
1969Inventory completed.
1969 springStory hours for pre-school children initiated.
1969 SeptemberProgram of monthly movies initiated, "an initial step in the library's plan of becoming more involved in offering the community programs of contemporary interest."
1971Librarian submitted the first five-year record of library circulation; prior to 1971, the statistics were provided for that particular year. Between 1967 and 1971, the circulation increased 60 percent.
1971Joan Saklad hired as the town's first full time cataloger.
1971 springFriends of the Library Group organized. The Library Trustees studied the idea for over a year.
1972 August-1974 AprilGeraldine C. Guentner served as assistant librarian. It appears that GCG was the town's first salaried assistant librarian.
1974 April-June 1991Geraldine C. Guentner served as librarian.
1991Funding for public access terminals approved at May 1991 Town meeting. The terminals were installed in July 1991 and provided access to the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium.
1991 August-2000 AprilMarcia A. Rich served as library director.
1992Funds allocated at January Town Meeting for architectural work to support an federal grant application. In May 1992, the library received a $200,000 grant for construction costs.
1993Library moved to temporary location at 23 Center St. According to the 1993 annual report, "a number of town residents were dismayed when the trees in front of the library were felled as part of the reconfiguring of parking and green space...further controversy arose when all of the old library walls were removed, leaving the foundation and the basement...The controversy over this issue led to a request by the Board of Selectmen and others that the Library Trustees grant supervision of the project to the Board of Selectmen." The Library Trustees focused their attention on fundraising in 1993, according to the annual report.
1995The building was finished in early 1995 and the ribbon cutting ceremony was held May 1995.
1999 February 28 Local history room dedicated to Stephen and Joan Miles.
2000 April-2000 AugustElizabeth (Betty) Owens served as acting library director. EO previously served as the assistant library directory.
2000 August-presentHilding Hedberg served as library director.
Years of Service (through 2000)Name
1988-1989Adler, Barbara. Resigned 5/1989.
1990-1993Arnold, Karen A. Appointed 11/1990, elected 1990-1993.
1979-1981Ashworth, James B. Appointed 1979-1981.
1983-1990Baer, Deborah Beth Clere. Resigned 4/1990.
1896-1897Barker, Edward S.
1929-1931Barnum, D. Leland, [b. 1884?]
1962-1963Belcher, Theora G.
1897, 1899, 1900-1902, 1904, 1906Bennett, Edwin Alonzo, 1843-1927
1988Berlet, John F.
1995-1998Binnall, Mary Lou
1858Blanchard, Nathan, 1801-1882
1990-1995Braceland, Timothy
1999-2000Brown, Elliot C., Jr.
1958-1969Bunton, Anna
1881Caldwell, Frank, [A., b. ca. 1861?]
1857-1858Campbell, James
2000-2003Chikofsky, Elliot J.
1982-1984Christiansen,William
1985-1988Comey, Janet. Appointed 1985, resigned 1988.
1866, 1868-1870Cutler, Otis, Deacon, 1809-1874
1859-1862, 1864-1865, 1867-1870Cutler, Silas, 1806-1896
1911-1913Dockendorf, Frank M.
1962-1963Downey, John F.
1953-1956Ellsworth, Donald K.
1996-2002Entwhistle, Edith F.
1962-1979Finlayson, Richard D. Resigned 9/12/1979.
1970-1977Fogelberg, John Edward (Ed)
1863-1867, 1869-1870, 1873-1879, 1881-1883, 1885-1893, 1895Foster, Charles G., 1819-1896
1878Foster, Duroy Salisbury, 1839-1894
1863, 1871-1872Foster, Edward, [Deacon, 1812-1905?]
1938-1952Foster, Joseph Linwood, 1875-1955
1952-1954Frederick, Walter W.
1971-1973French, Dean
1970Henry, Loretta S.
1924-1935Getchell, Ella I.
1857Gleason, George, 1809-1858
1914-1916Graham, William
1996-1999Hovey, Wendy Jo
1877Hutchinson, C. W.
1872-1873, 1879-1882, 1884, 1888Hutchinson, John, W., 1835-1902
1978-1995Janghorbani, Kristin. Resigned in 1995.
1859-1862Lawrence, William, 1799-1872
1989-1996Lewis, Richard S., DMD. Appointed 1989, elected 1990-1996.
1918-1923Manning, Henry A., b. 1882
1874-1875Marion, Nathan Henry, 1838-1917
1973-1979McCarthy, Alan
1955-1957McIntire, Carolyn F.
1908-1929McIntire, Walter Sweetser, 1872-1929
1917-1928McLaughlin, James
1932-1934McLaughlin, Robert P.
1935-1937Miller, Leslie
1988-1995Mitchutka, Julie. Appointed 1988, elected 1989-1995.
1863Munroe, John
1878-1879Nichols, Herbert
1977-1988Nisenson, Sarah
1987-1988Nyren, Nancy. Resigned 6/1988.
1896-1898, 1906-1910Parker, George W., b. 1855
1936-1944Pearsons, Hattie Mabel Withers, ca. 1874-1944
1999-2002Peters, Robert D.
1976Poulin, Karen A. Appointed 9/13/1976.
1894-1896Prouty, Augustus, b. 1828
1988-1989, 1990-1995Radke, Richard. Appointed 1988-1989, reappointed 4/1990.
1998-2003Reed, Clifton E. Appointed 12/1998, elected 4/1999.
1915-1917Reed, Guy Ellsworth, b. 1888
1880 Reed, Thomas I. (Isaiah), 1846-1933
1889-1893Rice, Joseph F., b. ca. 1834
1954-1969Rice, Stedman C.
1977-1982Rosco, Linda
1994-1998Rossi, Gene J. Resigned 10/1998.
1985-1986Ruping, Gary. Appointed 1985-1986.
1956-1966Rupprecht, George
1972-1976Scholl, Beverly J. Resigned 7/14/1976.
1969-1976Seminatore, Marie G.
1964-1974Sevigny, Barbara A.
1873Sewall, Samuel
1863Shedd, Abner, 1804-1893
1984-1990Short, Thomas K.
1945-1950Skelton, Jane
1898-1914Skelton, Lester Brown, 1867-1948
1930-1951Skelton, Orray Shedd, 1876-1963
1858-1861Skelton, Stephen, Junior, 1818-1873
1979-1981Sleeper, Alsace
1857Snow, John F.
1983-1985St. Aubin, Wendy. Resigned 1985.
1967-1969Stacio, Carl J.
1894-1895Stevenson, Mathew, Jr., b. 1868
1998-2001Sykes, Dorothy M. Appointed 2/1998, elected 4/1998.
1951-1953Symmes, Florence Pearsons
1877, 1884-1887Tebbetts, George Lewis, 1844-1907
1974-1976Tommasino, Blanche
1970-1971Uhrich, William J.
1871Walker, J. H.
1872Walker, Samuel, 1830-1891
1989-1994Warfield, Amy
1964-1968Weeden, James H.
1997-1998Wingrove, Georgia R.
1880Winn, William Henry, 1840-1898
1898-1904Wood, Arthur Sumner, 1866-1905
1863-1866, 1871, 1874-1875, 1882, 1884-1895Wood, Marshall, 1827-1898
1867Wood, John, b. 1819
1995-2001Yannetti, Ruth Ann

Return to the Table of Contents


Scope and Content

This record group documents the activities of the Library Committee, Library Trustees, Librarian, and Library Building Committee and contains annual reports, minutes, reports, and receipts. Due to the small volume of information, the records were organized as the records of the Burlington Public Library. A separate series was created for the Library Building Committee progress reports, which document the two-year period after the move to the first building at 22 Sears St.; this building was completed in 1968. The reports were submitted to the Burlington Town Meeting Moderator as part of the final report process. The final report is dated March 13, 1972.

The annual reports provide the most complete documentation of the library's history from 1868 to the present. The annual reports represent the Library Committee or Trustees and after 1881, the Librarian, as well as the Library Committee/Trustees. The other record series have numerous gaps and cover a very narrow time period. The period between 1857--when the library was established--and 1868 is not well documented. See the 1868 annual report and the reports in series 3 for information on the period between 1857 and 1868; note that the March 2, 1857 report is the library's earliest record.

Prior to 1998, the 20th century records were held by the Town Clerk and the 19th century receipts and reports were held by the Burlington Historical Museum. The latter were part of 1.25 cubic ft. (1 box) collection of 19th century receipts and miscellaneous documents; these items were of mixed provenance and organized chronologically. The record group was formed in June 2001, in order to promote better access. Original meeting minutes are held by the Burlington Public Library and will be transferred to the archives in the near future. For more information, see the custodial history section.

See the related records section for more information on information in other record groups.

Return to the Table of Contents


Organization of the Records

The records are organized into five series.
Series 1: Annual Reports, 1868-present
Series 2: Minutes, 1970-1982, 2000-2001 (gaps)
Series 3: Reports, 1857-1866 (gaps)
Series 4: Library Building Committee Progress Reports, 1970-1972
Series 5: Receipts, 1864-1872 (gaps)

Return to the Table of Contents


Arrangement of the Records

All series are arranged chronologically, unless otherwise noted.

Return to the Table of Contents


Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

No access restrictions.

Access Restrictions

No access restrictions.

Restrictions on Use

Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Town of Burlington as the owner of the collection. To obtain duplicates or to request publication permission, see the main collections page. Permission to publish is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright permission from the copyright owner. For more information on when works pass into the public domain, see Cornell Institute for Digital Collections http://cidc.library.cornell.edu/copyright.

Return to the Table of Contents


Index Terms

The records were indexed with Getty Institute's Art and Architecture Thesaurus terms and Library of Congress subject headings. When appropriate, a local thesaurus was used.
Names:
Adler, Barbara
Alley, Harriet Ellen Carter, ca. 1832-1905
Alley, Richard Jenks, 1821-1890
Arnold, Karen A.
Ashworth, James B.
Baer, Deborah Beth Clere
Barker, Edward S.
Barker, Edward S., Mrs.
Barnum, D. Leland, b. 1884
Belcher, Theora G.
Bennett, Charles Wyman, 1817-1872
Bennett, Edwin Alonzo, 1843-1927
Bennett, S. L., Miss
Berlet, John F.
Binnall, Mary Lou
Blanchard, Nathan, 1801-1882
Board of Selectmen (Burlington, Mass.)
Braceland, Timothy
Brown, A. E.
Brown, Elliot C., Jr.
Bunton, Anna
Caldwell, Frank, A., b. ca. 1861
Campbell, James
Carter, William Edward, 1843-1902
Chikofsky, Elliot J.
Christiansen,William
Comey, Janet
Cutler, Otis, Deacon, 1809-1874
Cutler, Silas, 1806-1896
Cutler, Susan Walker Gleason, 1807-1865
Dagdigian, Lisa D.
Dane, Ai Thompson, 1859-1907
Dane, Emma Florence Wood, 1856-1946
Dockendorf, Frank M.
Downey, John F.
Dunham, Lotta Cavanagh Rice, b. 1891
Ellsworth, Donald K.
Entwhistle, Edith F.
Finlayson, Richard D.
Fogelberg, John Edward (Ed)
Foster, Annie L., b. ca. 1858
Foster, Charles G., 1819-1896
Foster, Duroy Salisbury, 1839-1894
Foster, E. S.
Foster, Edward, Deacon, 1812-1905
Foster, Florence Isabel, 1878-1912
Foster, Henrietta (Nettie) Richardson, 1859-1951
Foster, Joseph Linwood, 1875-1955
Foster, Sarah E., b. ca. 1842
Frederick, Walter W.
French, Dean
Frothingham, Ward Brooks, b. 1828
Getchell, Ella I., d. 1935
Gleason, George, 1809-1858
Gleason, Susan Walker, 1807-1865
Graham, William
Harvey, Alphonsine B.
Henry, Loretta S.
Hovey, Wendy Jo
Hutchinson, C. W.
Hutchinson, John W., 1835-1902
Janghorbani, Kristin
Lawrence, William, 1799-1872
Lewis, Richard S.
Library (Burlington, Mass.)
Library Building Committee (Burlington, Mass.)
Library Committee (Burlington, Mass.)
Library Trustees (Burlington, Mass.)
Manning, Henry A., b. 1882
Marion, Abner, 1809-1858
Marion, Abner Prescott, b. 1836
Marion, Henry Skelton, 1833-1913
Marion, John Ebeanezer, 1831-1914
Marion, Nathan Henry, 1838-1917
McCarthy, Alan
McIntire, Carolyn F.
McIntire, Walter Sweetser, 1872-1929
McLaughlin, James
McLaughlin, Robert P.
Miles, Joan
Miles, Stephen
Miller, Leslie
Mitchutka, Julie
Munroe, John
Nichols, Herbert
Nisenson, Sarah
Nyren, Nancy
Owens, Elizabeth (Betty)
Parker, George W., b. 1855
Pearsons, Hattie Mabel Withers, ca. 1874-1944
Peters, Robert D.
Pollock, Mary Lena Foster, 1881-1935
Pollock, William
Poulin, Karen A.
Prouty, Augustus, b. 1828
Radke, Richard
Reed, Clifton E.
Reed, Guy Ellsworth, b. 1888
Reed, Thomas I. (Isaiah), 1846-1933
Rice, Joseph F., b. ca. 1834
Rice, Stedman C.
Rich, Marcia A.
Rosco, Linda
Rossi, Gene J.
Ruping, Gary
Rupprecht, George
Scholl, Beverly J.
Seminatore, Marie G.
Sevigny, Barbara A.
Sewall, Samuel
Sewall, Samuel, Junior, 1819-1903
Shaws, Alfred B.
Shedd, Abner, 1804-1893
Short, Thomas K.
Simonds, David, 1834-1889
Skelton, Jane
Skelton, Lester Brown, 1867-1948
Skelton, Orray Shedd, 1876-1963
Skelton, Stephen, 1818-1873
Sleeper, Alsace
Snow, John F.
St. Aubin, Wendy
Stacio, Carl J.
Stevenson, Mathew, Jr., b. 1868
Sykes, Dorothy M.
Symmes, Florence Pearsons
Tebbetts, George Lewis, 1844-1907
Tommasino, Blanche
Uhrich, William J.
Walker, J. H.
Walker, Samuel, 1830-1891
Walker, William Henry, 1832-1891
Warfield, Amy
Weeden, James H.
Wingrove, Georgia R.
Winn, William Henry, 1840-1898
Wood, Albert Sumner, 1866-1905
Wood, John, b. 1819
Wood, John, Captain, 1740-1809
Wood, Marshall, 1827-1898
Wood, Marshall, 1827-1898
Wood, Sylvanus, 1787-1843
Wood, Sylvinia Hart
Yannetti, Ruth Ann
Subjects:
Burlington (Mass.)--Politics and government
Librarians
Libraries (buildings)
Literacy
Memorials
Public records--Massachusetts--Burlington
Shoemakers
United States--History--World War, 1914-1918. See World War, 1914-1918
Urbanization and real estate development--Massachusetts
Urban redevelopment. See Urbanization and real estate development--Massachusetts
Veterans--United States--Massachusetts--Burlington
War memorials
World War, 1914-1918
Places/Organizations/Businesses
Alley house (Burlington, Mass.)
Bennett's store (Burlington, Mass.)
Burlington (Mass.) Library Committee
Burlington (Mass.) Library Trustees
Burlington (Mass.) Public Library
Burlington Men's Civic Club (Burlington, Mass.)
Carter's heel shop (Burlington, Mass.)
Carter's store (Burlington, Mass.)
Cutler's Tavern (Burlington, Mass.)
Donald M. Manzelli Contracting
Henneberg and Henneberg (Cambridge, Mass.)
James Campbell Antiquarian Bookstore (Boston, Mass.)
John Carr Associates (Natick, Mass.)
Union School (Burlington, Mass.)
Wood house (Burlington, Mass.)
Wood Tavern (Burlington, Mass.)
Document Types:
Annual reports
Minutes
Receipts
Reports

Return to the Table of Contents


Related Material

Board of Selectmen (RG009) for records related to the construction of the building at 22 Sears St., completed in 1995.

Town Clerk (RG002) for vote that established the Library Committee (Town Meeting records, volume 3, pp. 1, 12-13, March 1, 1857). The report in the March 1857 Town Meeting records is the same report that appears in series 3.

Image Collection (RG123) for building images.

Return to the Table of Contents


Administrative Information

Custodial History

Series 1 (annual reports) are printed by the Board of Selectmen (RG009) and bound by the Town Clerk.

Series 2 (minutes) were maintained in the town hall vault and were part of the Town Clerk's collection of board minutes. Accession 2001.20 transferred 14 December 2000-10 May 2001 minutes.

Series 3 (reports) and series 5 (receipts) were held by the Historical Commission prior to 1998. The records were organized chronologically, with mixed provenance.

Series 4 (Library Building Committee Progress Reports) were located in the Town Clerk's office prior to 1998.

Preferred Citation

Cite as: Records of the Public Library, Burlington Archives, Burlington, Mass.

Acquisition Information

Transfer; Town Clerk's office; 1998.04.

Transfer; Historical Commission; 1998.05.

Transfer; Board of Library Trustees; 2001.20.

Return to the Table of Contents


Detailed Description of the Records

Series 1: Annual Reports, 1868-present. Approximately 0.2 cubic ft.

The annual reports are printed and bound with other town reports; the town reports typically provide a printed account of summary expenses. Per MGL ch. 40, sec. 49, the Board of Selectmen are charged with printing the annual report and making it available at the annual town meeting.
Early annual reports include lists of new acquisitions and circulation statistics. During the early-mid 20th century, the Burlington Public Library received donations of non-textual items, which are documented in the annual reports.
To access annual town reports, see the records of the Board of Selectmen (RG009).

Return to the Table of Contents



Series 2: Minutes, 1970-1982, 2000-2001. 3 folders.

Missing 1974-1978, 1982-2000 December. Records were transferred to archival-quality folders, but some of the early records are on clay-coated paper. A few notices of appointments and resignations were interfiled; these were transferred to the Town Clerk's Appointed Officials series (2.093).

Return to the Table of Contents



Series 3: Reports, 1857-1866. 1 folder (5 items).

Missing 1859-1862, 1865.

Return to the Table of Contents



Series 4: Library Building Committee Progress Reports, 1970-1972. 1 folder.

Missing 1971. Records were interfiled with the Town Clerk's copy of the Board of Trustee minutes.

Return to the Table of Contents



Series 5: Receipts, 1864-1872. 1 folder (7 items).

Missing 1865-1866, 1869, 1871. Includes receipt from James Campbell Antiquarian Bookstore (Boston, Mass.), which includes a list of books purchased.

Return to the Table of Contents