Brooks Memorial Library is a public library in the municipality of Brattleboro, Vermont. The library was founded in 1887. It is part of the Catamount Library Network, which provides a unified library system for over a dozen Vermont libraries. The current head librarian is Starr LaTronica, who joined the library in December 2015.[1]

History

The library was founded in 1887, when the Brattleboro Library Association's "Free Library" was moved to George J. Brooks Free Library.[2] Brooks was a successful paper wholesale entrepreneur, and upon his return to his hometown founded the library.[2] The library was designed by New England architect Alexander Curtis Currier.[3]

The original property was torn down in 1971, when the Brattleboro post office expanded, and the new library was completed in 1967 at its current location.[2] Since then, the library has been funded by a mix of the annual town budget and gifts to the Friends of the Brooks Memorial Library.[2]

The library received national press attention in 2014 when a reclusive and frugal millionaire, Ronald Read, died and left $1.2 million to the library alongside an additional 4.8 million to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital.[4][5]

References

  1. ^ "Brattleboro move 'a dream come true' for new library director". www.reformer.com. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  2. ^ "History - Brooks Memorial Library". brookslibraryvt.org. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  3. ^ "The Old Brooks Library - Brattleboro History". brattleborohistory.com. Archived from the original on 2018-02-11. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  4. ^ Weiss-Tisman, Howard (2015-02-05). "Frugal benefactor leaves millions to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and Brooks Memorial Library". Brattleboro Reformer. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  5. ^ "Frugal Vermonter donates estate worth $8M". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2015-12-20.