The Erving Library is a member of CW MARS and the Massachusetts Library System which provides access to most libraries in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, databases, and many services. If you are looking for more information about the Erving Library, please visit https://www.erving-ma.gov/erving-public-library . For more information about Town of Erving, Massachusetts please visit https://www.er
ving-ma.org. The purpose of the Library's page is to provide general public information only. Should you require a response from the Library, call 413-423-3348 or write to [email protected]. Should you require a response from the Town or wish to request town services, you must go to www.erving-ma.gov
if appropriate or contact the Town by calling 413-422-2800 or via email at [email protected]
More about the Library:
The Erving Public Libraries (Center Library and Erving Library at Millers Falls) merged in 2003 to become the Erving Public Library under the direction of trustees: Elizabeth Bazler, Marcia Bernard, and Marion Overgaard. Current trustees are: Daniel Hammock (Chair); MacKensey Bailey; and Patricia Semb. Since 2003, circulation, visits to the library, hours of operation, and services have grown. Current information about staff and hours of the library are available at: http://mblc.state.ma.us/libraries/directory/library.php?user=public&searchroot=libkey%3DPU-ERVING-PUBLIC%2Cou%3DWestern%2Co%3Dmlin.lib.ma.us
History of the Erving Public Libraries from Chapter 25 of The History of Erving Massachusetts, 1838-1988
In 1882, the citizens voted to accept books from the Library Association and to establish the main library at Erving Center, with a branch at Millers Falls. The books were to be divided equally between the two. No provision was made for a public place to keep the books. Albert Briggs was paid three dollars for his services as librarian and room rent, while at Millers Falls, S. Buckman received the same amount. Users paid a fee of .50 for residents, payable quarterly, but $1.00 a year in advance, for non-residents. This fee system continued until 1885, when it became the Free Public Library. A $50.00 appropriation for books stood for many years, 1883-1912. In 1889, 62 books were purchased for $50.00. In 1988, a similar number of books was purchased for $400. Sarah Holton Ballou, a former resident then living in Detroit, Michigan, offered the town a gift of 250 volumes of current and classic literature, if the town would accept them with this condition, that it establish and maintain a free public library. The town accepted the gift, and rescinded the 1883 vote about fees. Ballou suggested that the original committee should include the selectmen, the town clerk, and the Congregational minister. The first committee in 1885 was made up of three leading citizens, but did not include the Congregational minister: Noah Rankin, Alphaeus B. Parker, and Henry Burnett.
