The founding of the Friends of the Jamestown Library in Mary McGaughan's own words.

Now that the handsomely renovated library and its consort, The Friends, have become such stimulating forces in our society, they inspire great civic pride among island residents. However, just 29 years ago, in 1967, there was every bit as much enthusiasm over the far simpler building which was the first “made to order” library” Jamestown ever had.

Since no one seems to know how that first one came about, nearly 30 years ago it is time to set the record straight. Clearly, it didn’t spring from the ground unbidden. Like all radical innovations, it had to be nudged into place with a combination of caution and confidence.  There was no hindsight vision to guide us, no nucleus to expand. In addition, most Jamestowners were content with the ancient facility* which had served them reasonably well for 74 years.  This service was considerably sided by the very active Jamestown Women’s club, whose members continually sorted and repaired torn volumes and otherwise assisted the two librarians in their heroic struggle to operate in incredibly cramped and badly-lit quarters.  In the fall of 1968, the Women’s Club’s President, Mrs. Rivhall J.  Perry, appointed me as her project chairman. This required evaluating suggestions and presenting them to the membership for approval. Almost at the same time, I was invited to serve as a trustee of the Philomenian Library Board along with Rivahall J.  Perry, Richard J. Waters and Edgar Tebbets. There was no “Friends of the Library” in existence at that time.

The four Trustees met on Sunday mornings at the Library, when it was closed to the public. Even though empty of people, there was scarcely room for the four of us to sit down.  Since space was given to height rather than breadth, the stacks nearly reached the ceiling and were successful in blocking out almost al daylight. To reach the top shelves required a ladder; to find a book at the bottom necessitated kneeling on the floor. It didn’t take a Master of Library Science to see that improvements were badly needed.

To make the shoe pinch tighter, the R.I. Development Council had just projected a startling doubling of the island population within 20 years.

Ideas about a new library began to creep into my head. Let’s examine for a moment the ancient wooden structure across the street from the Town Hall, which housed Jamestown’s collection of books. It was about 100 years old, a former primary school, condemned for use as such in 1896. It had only one door and absolutely no privacy.  Its interior consisting two small rooms, contained 12,500 books, with only 23 inches between the stacks. A little arithmetic indicated that the increased population was going to need twice as many volumes plus a place to sit down and read them.

Clearly there was a monumental need for action. Our first impulse was to urge the Women’s Club to participate in some way. But how?  Presenting the ladies with the job of constructing a new library” would have sent shock waves through the membership. They were not geared for that strenuous an operation. Such a Herculean task required people with far more expertise and experience.  What to do? Where to turn?

Somewhere in the past, mention had been made of an organization called “Friends of the Library.” That sounding promising. Why not start one of those on Jamestown? Maybe the Women’s Club could provide seed money for such a venture.

Chapter II

By far the most knowledgeable and experienced library professional on the island was Richard Waters. His mind was a virtual encyclopedia of library information and related laws enacted by Congress. Not only that, he was Chief of the entire East Providence Public Library system. We asked him where the nearest “Friends” organization was located and he replied Newport. He thoroughly agreed that Jamestown could well use a similar group.  With that encouragement, I contacted the Newport organization and contacted two obliging members who agreed to come to a meeting at Stearn Farm and explain their work.

Next, a few friends who were clearly opinion leaders in the town were invited to this gathering, explaining briefly what its purpose was. Although a couple of them demurred, suggesting that the island already had enough organizations, they all agreed to come and at least talk it over.

So in early December 1961, there assembled at Stearns Farm at the North Point, 11 individuals: Mrs. Lenore MacLiesh, Miss Elizabeth Clarke, Dr. Wheeler Sweeney, Richard Queern, Karl Smith, Terrence F.  McGaughan, Ed Olsen, Richard Waters, the two Representatives from the Newport “Friends” and myself.

The Newport visitors spoke of their activities and gave Dick Waters a sample copy of Bylaws for us to use in formulating our own.  Guided by our Newport visitors, we talked over the many contributions a “Friends” association could make to our own community. Before the afternoon was over, a unanimous group had agreed to participate in establishing a “Friends of the Philomenian Library” here in Jamestown.

A slate of officers was selected, sample By-laws were drawn up and plans were made for letters to be sent out seeking support. I was chosen to approach the Women’s Club for funds to geL our new venture off the ground, a suggestion to which the ladies readily agreed.

Our first mailing, over Karl Smith’s name, brought in $2,000 and 350 members. The Friends of the Philomenian Library had been established.

Chapter III

Encouraged by this show of support, the time seemed ripe to bring up the Big Deal, a new library. Mrs. Theodore Waterburg was invited to be President and Mrs. MacLeish to be V.P. My husband Terrence McGaughan agreed to be Treasurer and Mrs. Fred Clarke became Secretary. Other charter directors were Richard Queern, Karl B. Smith, Jr., who became membership chairmen, Edgar Olsen, and Mrs. Robert McMaster. * All the Directors had met regularly since its inception.  Although the subject of a new library had occasionally surfaced, nothing specific ever came of it. Then one stormy evening a few directors were gathered at Elizabeth Clarke’s house.  It was then I screwed my courage to the striking point. “Lets decide tonight to go for a new library,” I proposed “Most all the Friends’ Board likes the idea.”

“If they do, why aren’t they all here?” came the response.  “I don’t know,” I replied, “but I’ll find out.” With that I stepped to the phone and contacted every missing Director. Each one gave his assent to go ahead. Then and there, that stormy 1968 winter night, we resolved to shoot for a new library in Jamestown.  Our Rubicon had been crossed!

Chapter IV

Now that we were committed, what next? We turned for advise to Fran Costa, an experienced Jamestown legislator. Over his lunch counter at the Jamestown country club, which he owned, he patiently gave counsel.

“Go to the Planning Board first. You must have their okay before you can do anything. When you get that go to the Town Council with your plans for location and fund raising and get their approval, then you’re on your own.”

So began a hectic Spring and Summer in 1968, assembling facts, writing petitions and seeking support.

Reenter Dick Waters on the scene. He was to be indispensable in providing information. From how many square feet were needed per number of volumes, to the probable cost, he knew it all.  Before we could even think of approaching the Planning Board of the town, we had to determine what and where the new library was to be located, a converted old building or a totally new one?  Many hours of research were involved in coming to a decision. The possibility of converting existing buildings was explored, but rejected as impractical on account of location, requirements or availability.  The present Town Hall ranked highest, but since there were no plans to vacate it, that choice had to be abandoned. ..  Next a survey of places for a new building had to be made. It fell to me to find a suitable town property, and make a recommendation. I spent the Spring of ‘68 reading authorities on the subject of library locations. No longer should the building be an imposing, hallowed temple of learning in some lofty, inaccessible place. Rather it should be plunk in the center of pedestrian traffic, quickly and easily approached with a full view of interior available to passers-by.  The R.I. Development Council’s Survey provided a clear picture of Jamestown’s future community center. It would be at the intersection of Southwest and Narragansett Aves., and North Road.  The Post Office, the churches, the school and Town Hall assured heavy traffic there.

With all this in mind my proposal was the site formerly occupied by the Lana Clarke School as the logical place for the new library, and the Friends’ Directors approved that proposal. I was then asked to draw up petitions to both the Planning Board of which my son David S. Martin was Chairman, and to the Town Council, requesting the latter to set aside the chosen parcel of land for a two year period during which time the Friends would endeavor to raise the required funds.

Both of these petitions were granted. We were now free to forge ahead with specific plans. That summer, to focus attention on our project, the Friends held a huge subscription dinner at the Country Club, with Rod MacLeish as the featured speaker. It was an astounding success.

Long ago we had concluded that there were three prerequisites essential to providing a new library for our town: the need, community interest, and money. God knows we had the need. Now that the public had clearly demonstrated its support, all that remained was to acquire the money.

Gordon Neale, Vice President of the Hospital Trust Company, and Jamestown resident became the projects Finance Chairman. Through his services, it was determined that the cost of a new building would be about $100,000.* One half of this amount would come from Federal and State aid. The Friends planned to seek $25,000 from the Rhode Island Foundation, leaving $25,000 to be raised by public subscription. They never even considered professional fundraising.  Gordon Neale was advised by Bancroft Littlefield of the R.I.  Foundation, that a staple library plan, supplied by the Federal Government Library Services would qualify for our purposes and satisfy the R.I. Foundation’s requirements for funds.  Another island resident, Max Allen, engineer and owner of a successful contracting firm, graciously volunteered to provide at cost a building which would meet all necessary specification.  It fell to me to supply the Rhode Island Foundation with the following detailed information they required about the new enterprise.

1 ) A list of Library Trustees.

2)   The financial statements of the Friends of the Library.

3)   Report of Library activity.

4)   Descriptions of the facilities of the present library.

5)   Proposal for new library with reasons for such a proposal.

6)   Estimated cost of the new facilities.

7)   Request for the necessary contributions.

 

Preparing this material was my final endeavor for the new library.

Chapter V

By late Spring of 1969, all the Friend’s ducks were in order. The Federal and State Governments had come through with their funding and the R.I. Foundation had agreed to give us the $25,000 as requested.

For the job of raising the remaining $25,000, the Friends. turned to Elwood Leonard, a fabulous R.I. Fundraiser and businessman. Woody, one of our closest friends, asked me to help him, but for the first time, I said no. I had worked hard for a year and a half for the new library and now wanted to go in other directions. A fine leader, Neal Murphy, had taken over the Friends’ helm.

With the “Friends” established, and Elwood Leonard in charge of running a highly successful campaign for funds, all signals were go.  Contributions came pouring in and Jamestown’s first made-to-order library became a reality.

Mary S. McGaughan