LIBRARY HISTORY

History of the Walter T.A. Hansen Memorial Library

We were incorporated in April 1938 and the following persons became the first elected to the Board of Trustees: A. O. Nutter, Pauline C. Hunter, E. A. Welch, Mary C. Grant, E. L. Morris and Cecil Irvine.

The library was located in a room upstairs in the Hussey block in the town of Mars Hill. We opened our doors on October 1, 1938 with approximately 1,100 books. Some of the books were new, some were gifts from friends and over 400 were a gift from the Newark Public Library of New Jersey. Pauline C. Hunter was the first librarian; Vera Knowles and Mary Grant were her assistants.

Many more volumes were added each year and borrowers increased, making it necessary to expand. Two rooms were leased that adjoined the first library and books and equipment were moved to larger quarters. In July of the fourth year, the library was moved down to the ground floor of the same building. Pauline C. Hunter was still head librarian and remained so for the first ten years of service. In 1948 Mrs. Hope Dunn was elected to be librarian.

One of Mars Hill€™s leading businessmen, Walter T.A. Hansen, passed away in 1948, leaving the town a sum of money to build and help maintain a new library building. This was to be known as the Walter T. A. Hansen Memorial Library. The town€™s people voted on one of several locations for this new building and the Board of Trustees was elected. They were Ernest J. Smith, Perley E. Ford, and E. A. Welch.

Construction of the modern and very attractive library was completed over the next four years. The books and inventory from the old library were moved in and arranged, ready for public visits and borrowers on February 2, 1952. Mrs. Hope Dunn was still the librarian and remained with the library for four more years.

The library is run by a Board of Trustees that are elected by vote from the town of Mars Hill. The representatives from the towns of Blaine and Bridgewater are appointed by their selectmen.

The Walter T. A. Hansen Memorial library has seen some upgrades in the past few years but the main building has remained the same. We serve the communities of Mars Hill, Blaine, Bridgewater, Robinson, and D & E Plantations. Seeing the children enjoying the books, and seeking more knowledge from them, makes one glad that the citizens had foresight enough in 1938 to start a Free Public Library in their growing community.

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