Wakeman Community Public Library

History

The first meeting of the local women in the community to discuss the possibility of a library in Wakeman, was held in 1948, with the state library representative. Money was raised for books, supplies and shelving. Mrs. Earl Peabody, an accredited librarian, was asked to organize the library. In 1950, the group met again with the state library, and in January, 1951, the library received the first financial aid through the Willard Memorial Library, thus becoming a branch of the Willard Library. The collection was housed in the Town Hall.

Mrs. Peabody would become our first librarian. In 1958, Mrs. Alice Watson tookover the job. Books purchased as gifts or memorials soon filled the shelves and volunteers aided in the services provided. At this time, school classes from the nearby elementary school began to visit the library each week.

In 1961, the library moved to a new building provided by Mrs. Calvert C. Canfield, Sr. in memory of her husband. By the mid 1970's, the small building was becoming over-crowded. A new addition financed by the Canfield family in memory of Mrs. Calvert C. Canfield, was dedicated in 1977. Funds raised by the Friends group allowed the addition to be furnished and the older section of the
library to be redecorated.

In 1982, the Friends received a bequest from Grace and Ethel Elmes, long-time local school teachers, which allowed the purchase of the property to the south of the existing building, paving the way for our newest addition in 1997. Generous donations from the community enabled the Friends to add a new community room, children's area, librarian's office, workroom, restrooms, lobby, vestibule and patio to the existing building.