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THANK YOU From start to finish, the building of the Norton Public Library- L G. and Mildred BalfourMemorial hasbeen athirteen yearproject. Duringthosethirteen years, countless individuals and groups have worked for the day when the finished library would become a reality. Throughout those years loyal patrons and friends never lost sight of the fact that one day the library holdingswould have a new home. That day has finally arrived. Itcould never have happenedwithoutthe hardworkofso many people: people who served on committees; people who held coffee hours; people whowrote letters orcalled friends; people who voted to supply the funds necessary to construct the building; people who drew the plans and completed the work; peoplewho neverlostsightofthefinalgoal; peoplejust likeyou. To every person who helped in anyway at all,thankyou very much. September 22, 1991 Dear Friends, Neighbors and Guests: It is my tremendous pleasure, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Norton Public Library, to welcome you today to share in the joy of dedicating our new library facility. The endurance ofall concerned andthe ability of manyto pull together and support the goal of providing a modern library facility, complete with a Community Room, is a tribute to the spirit that lives in our Community. The building reflectsthe hopes,aspirationsand hardwork of so many - Patrons, Staff, Friends, the Building Committee, and the Board of Directors. However, the true value of this facilitywill be intheopportunityforgrowthitofferstoeveryone, young and old, individually and as a community drawn closer through the sharing of ideals. Itiswiththesegoalsin ourmindsand heartsthaton behalf of the Board of Directors, present to you the I NORTON PUBLIC LIBRARY L. G. AND MILDRED BALFOUR MEMORIAL and dedicate it to all citizens of the Town of Norton, present and future. May it be enjoyed to its fullest extent. Sincerely, Anne T. Hiltz, President Board of Directors Norton Public Library NORTON PUBLIC LIBRARY DEDICATION PROGRAM SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1991 Invocation Rev. Lynn Carman Bodden Trinitarian Congregational Church "America the Beautiful" Norton High School Chorus directed by William MacMullen, Jr. Presentation of the American Flag Boy Scout Troop 61 "Star Spangled Banner" Norton High School Chorus & Ensemble Introduction of Guests Herbert R. Ellison, Vice-President, Library Board of Directors SPEAKERS Greetings from the State Representative of Governor William Weld Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Patience K. Jackson Norton Public Library Head Librarian Robin Glasser Keynote Speaker Elizabeth Farquar Free Lance Writer, Boston Globe Presentation of the Keys John N. Schneider, Jr., Chairman Building and Design Selection Committee Anne T. Hiltz, President Norton Public Library Board of Directors RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY Benediction Rev. John Pegnam, St. Mary's Church Tour of the Norton Public Library - L G. and Mildred Balfour Memorial TO THE CITIZENS OF NORTON AND GUESTS Without doubt, most librarians have embarked on their library careers, stemming in part, from fond memories of childhood days spent in town libraries. am no different. I I grewupin Hollywood, Florida, andthe public librarytherewas my haven. recall attending story hours. When grew older, I I wasthe self-appointedchiefhelpertothechildren's librarian. I recall hours of study and research-hours of ferreting out I hundreds of books to read. Since those days, have lived and worked in South I America and Eastern Europe, and was sure to visit libraries I wherever I went. It didn'ttake long to discoverwhat a unique and valuable resource we have in the American concept of public lending libraries Othercountries have large reposito- . riesofbooks,which insomecases maybeborrowed, but most often, may be used only within the building, and then only under the watchful eye of a stern curator. The public library is an integral part of every American community. Theinstitutionofapubliclending library has been a part of our culture that spans several centuries. In orderto meet the needs of an ever-changing society, public libraries have had to grow and change with the times. Traditionally, a library isa placewhere people goto obtain information. In the times of our forefathers, the word "library" was synonymous with the word "books"; indeed, many libraries were called "reading rooms". As the format ofcommunicating information changes, so too must libraries change. Now it is commonplace to find records, cassettes, CDs, books-on-tape, video tapes, and a variety of other materials. Libraries are no longer the place where children are "shushed" by the stereotypical librarian with a bun. Rather, they are a vital component of the community; they are an adult's informal educational center; they are achild'sgatewaytothewondersofreading. Whether for education, personal growth or simple pleasure, the library is available to all. On the brink of the twenty-first century, the age of technology, librarians mustagain changewiththetimes. New technology, which allows faster access to an infinite array of information, isconstantly being developed. Libraries must be on the cutting edge-ready, willing, and able to deliver these new resources to their communities. The fine building that we are dedicating today gives the Norton Librarydirectors and staffthe spacethat is essential in orderto provide accessto information, programs and ideas. I look forward to the challenge of keeping pace with the ever- changing technology and formulating a comprehensive plan which will provide the framework to develop the library as an integral source of expanded knowledge and culture. On behalfofthe entire library staff, invite each and every I citizen of Norton to avail him/herself of the marvelous facility that you so wisely voted to build. Sincerely, Robin A. Glasser Head Librarian SOME THOUGHTS ABOUTTHE NEW LIBRARY When was a boy, growing up in Foxboro, spent many I I hours exploring the stacks of the old Boyden Library. The library was alwaysthere; always a part of my life. It seemed, then,totallyappropriatethat itshould be housed in amemorial to our Civil War dead. It was a place where the culture and traditions we inherited were guarded by the ghosts of those who gave their all to defend that way of life. In October of 1985, came to Norton as the new Head I Librarian. The old building profoundly reminded me of my childhood experiences as a library user. Although the build- ings have little in common architecturally, they are both imbued withthe spiritofthe nineteenth century. Builtto bethe cultural hearts of their communities, they are monuments to ourpast. It always struck me as ironicthat my primary charge as librarian was to assist the library's Directors in realizing their hopes for a new facility because to secure the new, the old would necessarily be left behind. This is how it has always been; the age-old sequence of the passing of generations. know too, that many in this I community feltthe coming ofchange as an irreparable loss. I heard countless comments from people about how terrible it was to lose such a beautiful old building. The Directors and I heard and we understood. But, even as young families out- growtheirfirst houses, sotoodo institutionsgrowbeyondtheir homes. first Letitbeasourceofpridetothepeople ofNortonthatgreat carewent intothe design ofthe newbuilding. Additionally,the questions surrounding the disposition of the old facility were handled with equal care. The building you sit in today was designed to honor the heritage and traditions of our past. It was designed to fit into the community as though had grown there; to compliment it and complete a municipal center; to be a recognizable public building without calling attention to itself. It was designed to house notonlythe library'scollection butalsoaproud heritage ofmemories, ofawayoflife, ofservice. It is notaccidentalthat the Community Room, where Eliza Wheaton's portrait now hangs, isalmost exactlythe same size asthe library's original home. The generous gift of a farseeing benefactress is incorporated into the new. But, this building is more than a monumentto the past. It is agateway. Asthe nineteenth centurycherished allthat had been, the twentieth century celebrates all that can be. This library building is here for the future. Let mecall yourattentiontothedesign ofthe entry. There isan interestingbalanceatworkinthatdoorway. Functionally, theextensiveglassfacade servesto bring natural lightintothe building while minimizing the risk ofdamage to light sensitive paper. Its almost monumental scale marks the building as a public facility. Aesthetically, its curvilinear design serves to soften the visual impact of a wall ofglass and harmonizesthe doorwaywiththe nineteenthcenturyovertonesofthebuilding's overall design. But, in a hundred years, this building will also be a heritage from the past. Generations of citizens will have fond memories of pleasant hours spent within its walls. We will rememberthegenerousgiftofthe BalfourFoundation andthe farseeing wisdom of the citizens who voted to make the building a reality. My congratulations on the dedication ofthis wonderful new library building. Sincerely, Jay Scherma