The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1914-12-03
HANDSOME LIBRARY
BUILDING
Well Equipped and Up
to-Date at No. Anson
Association Organization In 1899. Has
Some Rare Documents and CuriOs

NORTH ANSON, Dec NORTH An
son is proud to own a handsome Ii
brary building, we'll equipped and up
to-date The North Arson Library
Association was organized in June
1899 and the library was opened to
the public in the October following
The collection of books consisted of
donations from 1he home libraries of
the citizens, and a fund was raised
by subscription for purchasing new
books The library was housed in
a small building belonging to the Ma
sons, and they gave the rent. Among
other contributors were the Foster
brothers and they were very helpful
in establishing the library and giving
books, so it was called %oster Public
Library Meanwhile, new additions
were being made to the shelves and
many donations of books came in.
The borrowers were not confined 10
the town limits but came from the
adjoining towns and for nominal
sum were allowed to borrow books
At that time there were no public Ii
braries in any of the towns around
about, thus North Anson was the dis
tributing center and sent its messen-
gers up and down the kennebec and
Carrabassett valleys. AS the years
went on, books were purchased by
annual subscriptions solicited from
the citizens, and the work of librarian
was given, different ones acting IN
that capacity. Thus the maintenance
of the library was largely the WORK
of a number of individuals until
within a few years when the town,
at their annual meeting, voted fifty
dollars to the library, and this amount
has since been voted every year. Two
years ago the little library building
was congested with the large amount
of books and documents and the ques-
ton of larger quarters arose. Through
the generous donations of the late
Mrs. Mark Emery fund had been
started, but it was not possible for
the faithful few to raise enough more
money to buy or build a new library.
1t was then that Mrs. Virgil D. Hilton
opened correspondence with Hon. d.
D. Stewart of ST Adams, stating the
urgent needs of larger library build
ing In May 1913, the generous gift
of fifteen hundred dollars came from
Mr.. Stewart, which made it possible
for the library Association to purchase
the office of the Carrabassett Com
pany, a building comparatively new,
and in every way suitable for a Ii
brary. In gratitude to Hon. d. d.
and Levi Stewart, the library was re-
named Stewart Public Library. This
building is centrally located on Elm
street, has been newly painted i'll
harmonious colors of brown and green
and has a new iron roof. A spacious
lawn surrounds the building and a
wide grayelled walk leads up from
the street. The name Stewart Pub
lie Library in gilt letters upon the
glass in the door is plainly seen from
the street. The building inside is
handsomely finished throughout with
cypress and red cedar, the walls be-
ing tinted pale green. The front
room is 20x24 feet and is finely light
ed by six windows. Unit wood
stacks in quartered oak occupy three
of the walls, and the space beneath
the windows is also utilized by the
same wood stacks, the whole being
made for the building by the Library
Bureau of Boston. These stacks are
filled with fiction, biography, travel
poetry, philosophy, theology sociology,
natural science and fine arts The
north wall has fireplace in the CEN
ter with handsome mantel and to one
side is a fireproof vault, the interior
being four by five feet. This is fitted
with shelves, drawers and pigeon
holes and contains many valuable