Timeline of the Levi Heywood Memorial Library
1841
A subscription library starts in South Gardner.
1859
Meeting to discuss establishment of free library service.
1872
A circulating library in old Town Hall is started by Dr. James Emerson.
1877
A circulating library in Stevens` Block is established by A.E. Robbins.
1881
Under the leadership of Levi Heywood, the library movement gains ground and subscriptions taken.
1884
First library association meeting. Officers are elected and gifts from Heywood and Greenwood families are received for library construction. Association by-laws are approved with governance of the library to be jurisdiction of ten trustees elected from the Association; Clerk and Treasurer to also serve on the Board.
1885
Emerson’s store is used as an interim site during library construction.
1886
February 4 –Levi Heywood Memorial Library is opened to the public.
1887
Mrs. Helen R. Greenwood establishes the first endowment of $25,000 for support of the library, and the corporation by act of the legislature becomes “The Levi Heywood Memorial Library Association.”
1909
Juvenile Reading Room is opened at Pearl Street Library.
1923
Gardner becomes a City and the Mayor and President of City Council serve as ex-officio
1963
Mezzanine is added to the original library building, nearly doubling stack area; the following year the Children’s Room is moved to renovated basement quarters.
1966
Richard N. Greenwood steps down after serving as Association President for 32 years.
1975
Former First National Store is purchased for use as Gardner’s first consolidated library.
1976
First full time children‘s librarian hired and a full-service children‘s department is created.
l978
On February 4th, the new Library facility on City Hall Avenue is dedicated on 92nd anniversary of dedication of original Levi Heywood Memorial Library.
1978
By-laws are amended to expand membership in the Association to 100 members.
1982
Yearly circulation reaches 150,000 for the first time.
1983
Leo A. Cohen celebrates 50th anniversary as a Library Trustee, a record.
1985
1,000,000th item is borrowed from the new library.
l986
On February 4th Levi Heywood Memorial Library celebrates its 100th anniversary.
1986/87
Library joins C/W MARS to enable computerized, regional service.
1995
Public Access Computers (PACS) are added for searching books.
1996
Subject card catalog is eliminated.
1998/99
“Friends of the Levi Heywood Memorial Library” is formed and responsibility for library book sale is assumed; planning and seeking funding for a new library building begins in earnest.
2001
City receives grants of $2.58 million for construction of new library; fund raising begins to match grant for new library; in March the card catalog is removed; patrons can renew items from home computers; online access to full text databases available at home.
2002
December 11, ground breaking at corner of W. Lynde and Pine St. takes place.
2004
On October 24th, the new $7.8 million, 32,000 sq. ft. library opens on W. Lynde St.
2006
On April 30th the Donor Recognition Reception for the new library is held; on October 11th, the Dedication of the Meeting Room to long-time Trustee President, Richard H. Greenwood is celebrated.
