Warren Public Library

From the book "Where The Books Are"

Written by Patricia W. Belding,

Potash Book Publishing

Histories of Other Libraries In & Around Central Vermont

The Warren Public Library, located off VT Route 100B in the village, is housed in an addition to a former schoolhouse, built in 1867 and serving that purpose until the early 1970s. The building was converted for municipal use and now contains town offices as well as the library. In February 1974, after remodeling was completed, the library was opened to the public. At the March 1900 town meeting 75 years earlier, $25 was appropriated, five trustees were elected, and the first library was established under the law of 1894. In 1901, the state's 104 books arrived and in 1902, the library bought 54 more for $50.

For over 70 years, the library was housed in 10 private homes and in three buildings in the village. The Plyna Parker house was the first location, with wife Laura in charge. As the library was moved from home to home, parlors and hallways were used with one woman setting space aside in her front room where the books were stored in a single bookcase and in boxes. The small library was also located in the Downer hotel lobby and in the Oddfellows Hall. In 1957, it was relocated once again, this time to share a two-room building with the town clerk.

The move to the former school provided more space. The renovation retained historic details such as pilasters, lintels over the windows, and a circular louvre over the main entrance. In 1993, there was an added surprise--a sort of natural history lesson--appealing especially to younger patrons. A swallow had built a nest over the door and was feeding her hungry brood. This prompted librarian Lois Kaufmann to joke, "That bird will hate it during the book sale!"

The building has a ramp for physical accessibilty to the large open room with the large schoolhouse windows that provide natural light. Listed in Vermont, An Explorer's Guide, this busy library serves tourists in the area and about 1,200 local people.