SUPPORT THE NEW LIBRARY

Learn from the Past, Cherish the Present, And plan for the Future

1820 – Subscription Library opened at Seabury Store, Tiverton, RI

1888 – Converted into Free Library

1914- Templars sell building to Union Public Library

1923 – Union Public Library moves to its current location

All at Tiverton Four Corners Area.

1846 – Whitbridge Hall Library opened on Lawton Avenue

1937 – 1939 – Lydia B. Essex Library built on Highland Road

1971 – North Union and Essex Libraries consolidated to meet state standards

All located in the Stone Bridge area

1881 – Garfield Hall Library opens at Main Road and Conanicous Street

1929 – North Tiverton Library opens at Hooper Street and Main Road

1967 – Library relocated to Hilton Street

1974 – Fire damages the Library building

All located in North Tiverton

1900 – Rev. Charles Gordelier founder of Library on Crandall Road to serve

East Tiverton residents

2003 – The Economic Development Plan prepared by Edwards & Kelsey mentioned that the Library Trustees had formed a Building Committee to design and construct a new Library “Tiverton is on the Move!” Let’s make that statement a reality!

2006 – The Comprehensive Community Plan states that “The Essex and the Union Libraries together provide less than 5,000 square feet of library space to a community that has grown considerably. Due to fire regulations the Essex Library is currently restricted to serving no more than thirty patrons at one time. In accordance with state standards which take into account

present and future needs of the community, a new Library would require an area of approximately 32,000 square feet. (The proposed new Library will be 23,886 square feet.)

This historical account shows that our Town of Tiverton has always exhibited the legacy of learning and supported equal access to the pursuit of knowledge and intellectual and social growth in each and every corner of our town. This Library has been years in the making well developed and well vetted for Tiverton.

November 8, 2011 - will now be our turn. On this day we will be asked to continue our support for our Public Library. It is this new Library or NO Library. The current one can only accommodate 17 patrons upstairs and 13 patrons downstairs in the Children’s Section, and that includes staff, and is not handicapped accessible. This is absolutely unacceptable in a Town of 15,780 (highest growth in Newport County – 520 new residents since the last census). Tiverton is an amazing place to live and raise a family or retire.

“Rhode Island Constitution – Section 1. Duty of general assembly to promote schools and libraries. -- The diffusion of knowledge, as well as of virtue among the people, being essential to the preservation of their rights and liberties, it shall be the duty of the general assembly to promote public schools and public libraries, and to adopt all means which it may deem necessary and proper to secure to the people the advantages and opportunities of education and public library services.”

Please find it in your hearts and in your budgets to support the building of our new library, which will provide much needed construction jobs in our area! It will be our legacy for generations to come. A living breathing space that will adapt to the future needs of our community…a place where our citizens of all ages can gather and truly be lifelong learners in our “Knowledge Based Economy”.

Sincerely,

Sally A. Black
Tiverton, RI