Chronology of Significant Historical Events and Innovations in the History of Memorial Hall Library

1866, April

The town of Andover voted to raise a sum of $4500 for a soldiers' monument for Civil War veterans.

1870, July

John Smith, head of Smith and Dove, a linen thread company in Andover, proposed to donate $25,000 providing the town would raise an equal amount to establish a library and reading room. The site suggested by Mr. Smith was the corner lot where Joseph Abbott's furniture shop stood which burned in 1866.

1870

Subscriptions from town fell short and the decision was made to use the $4500 put aside for a Civil War Memorial. An additional $3000 for the purchase of books was given by Mr. John Byers in memory of Peter Smith Byers, first principal of the Punchard Free School.

1871, May

It was voted to employ J.F. Eaton as architect and the contract was awarded to Abbott and Jenkins for $27,750. Cornerstone laid Sept. 19, 1871 was a list of all the Andover men enrolled in the Army & Navy during the "War of the Rebellion" and of the 46 who gave their lives.

1872

Town meeting appointed first board of trustees. During the summer, the Trustees purchased 2700 books for the foundation of the library.

1873, May

Mr. Ballard Holt, 2nd, was appointed librarian and janitor. He served until Sept. 1, 1906.

1873, May 30

Memorial Hall formally opened with a dinner, parade, and address by the orator Phillips Brooks. (See description in The Founding of the Memorial Hall by Mary Byers Smith. R027.4744 Andover Room)

1906

Edna A. Brown became head librarian and Mr. Holt continued as janitor. Miss Brown was the author of numerous children's books.

1914

A branch library was established in Ballardvale.

1926/27

The building was remodeled. The Victorian roof line was modified to a more Georgian design and a Children's Room was added.

1939

Miss Miriam Putnam was appointed Librarian director in 1939 and served until 1967.

1961

Children's Room was enlarged and the work area increased. Architects: Coolidge and Carlson.

1966

Reading room addition completed.

1967

Miriam Putnam retired. A.J. Anderson became director, 1967-69. Memorial Hall named the Eastern Massachusetts Regional Center, one of seven subregions in the state. (June 11, 1967)

1969

Fines eliminated 3/31/69 under A.J. Anderson. Frances Bold served as director, 1969-70.

1971

Harry Sagris became director, 1971-74.

1974

Nancy Jacobson was appointed director, 1974-1993.

1975

Town purchased the Theater building behind the Library for land & parking.

1978

Library received federal grant to start I&R program called ANSWERS.

1981

Computer system installed/ Libs 100

1982

MHL became the central site for the new Merrimack Valley Library Consortium. (25 members/11 dial-ups)

1984

Old theater building torn down for new addition

1985, May

Ground broken for new addition. Architects: Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson and Abbott. Contractor: Eastern Contractors, Inc.-Newton $5.2 million project

1988, October 30

Rededication of Memorial Hall Library included addition of rear wing and the renovation of the original building. Doubled the size to approx. 55,000 sq. ft.

1991

Ballardvale branch library closed 6/91.
Sunday hours saved, library closes Friday nights at 5:30.

1992

Videocassettes offered for public checkout.

1993

Nancy Jacobson retired, 5/93
CLCAT (menu-based computer upgrade) installed
Historic Footprints project started to landscape front of building to 1910 look. Bricks sold with donors' names.
Jim Sutton appointed Director, 9/93

1994

Front foyer dedicated to Nancy Jacobson. Stenciling artist, Merilyn Markham Estenceler.
EBSCO donated 10 computers with our purchase of subscriptions to their CD-ROM indexes.

1995

Library opens on Saturdays in the summer. Closed on Sunday July thru Labor day. Closed July 4th and Labor Day weekends.

1996

Web based Internet for the public offered. MHL new homepage and web address announced www.mhl.org.
For the 350th Anniversary of Andover, Maribeth Edmonds produced a library video, The Life of the Library, with Jay Leno narrating. The staff created monthly historical displays and entered a float in the September parade. (Garden of Knowledge)

1997

Massachusetts Regional Library System created to encompass 6 regions. Andover became Reference and Research Center for the Northeast Region (NMRLS) and ILL Center along with NOBLE headquarters.
CD-ROMs available for circulation.
MHL received a federal grant to establish a collection and programs for the Chinese and Russian communities.
Trustees purchase Pat Keck's sculpture Gargoyle.

1998

12 new PCs installed in reference area with a menu front end.
Entire building rewired to support 10/100 Base T networking.
MediaOne internet access available in entire building.
Worked with Senior Center to bring new computers with internet access to the Senior Drop-In Center.
MVLC headquarters moved to a new location, 6/98 (123 Tewksbury St. Andover 01810)
Preliminary planning begins for expansion of Children's Room and YA area.
Trustees purchase David Sullivan's painting After Cezanne.