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History | Board of Trustees | Borrowing Policies | Mission | Donating

The Gibbs Free Library was originally established in 1915 as the result of a gift of books by a Town of Washington native, Locero Jackson Gibbs, who left home for the Civil War and later became a prominent physician in Chicopee, Massachusetts.

Like many libraries, it migrated from front parlors to the backs of stores or to any other place willing to house it. When a new school was built in the 1950s, the old village schoolhouse became its permanent home. This building burned in 1961 and the Gibbs Free Library died.

From this smoldering ash — the residual of Dr. Gibbs will, a small insurance payment,
and a bequest from John and Marcia Bryant — came a total of just over $4,000. This money was invested in 1971 “for future library use” and by the early 1990s had grown to more than $30,000. This was used as seed money to bring in a $380,000 Community Development Block Grant to build the beautiful new Gibbs Library which opened in 1993.

The building consists of 2,500 square feet of library space, the 900 square foot Bryant Community Room, and the 900 square foot Washington Town Office. The Washington Library Association was formed to oversee and manage the library as well as to finance its operation. Except for heat and lights, the library is self-sustaining, financed by its own fundraising efforts and manned 21 hours a week entirely by volunteers. About 70% of its $6,000+ budget goes towards purchasing books.

The Gibbs Library book collection has grown to over 10,000 volumes, all catalogued in the conventional manner. Two online computers are available to the public. The library is comfortably furnished with soft furniture and work tables, and the children’s wing is an area of particular pride. Gibbs prides itself on its growing collection, including the most current publications and best-sellers, books on tape and CDs, videos and DVDs, Maine books, and, especially, its children’s and juvenile books.

Not only is Gibbs meeting the needs of a conventional library, but it has brought a new dimension to the community with a series of programs featuring Maine authors, performers, and others of local interest and the more than 50 different art exhibits by area artists. The library is free and open to residents of Washington and surrounding communities.

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President Cheryl McKeary
Vice President Paulette Oboyski
Treasurer Susan D'Amore
Secretary Joan Freiman
Librarian Madelon Kelly
Asst. Librarian Liane Chapman
Trustees:
Helen Birk, Teen Trustee
Leann Diehl
Deborah Hill
Alma Jones
Hazel Kopishke
Bo Marks
Beverly Moody
Paulette Oboyski
Kathy Ocean
Susan Richardson
Barbara Sager
Dorothy Sainio
Erica Street, Teen Trustee
Maria Street, Teen Trustee

The Board of Trustees meets the first Monday of each month
(unless a holiday) 7 pm at the Library

Washington Library Association is a non-profit community organization
dedicated to diverse reading interests and community service.

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Residents of Washington and neighboring communities are eligible for library cards at no cost.

Books, audio tapes, compact discs, DVDs and videos may be checked out for two weeks. Please ask about extended loans if you have vacation plans or special circumstances. Borrowers who have overdue books out may not check out any new materials until the overdue items have been returned.

Late Fees are calculated from the due date at .05 cents for each day the library is open. This calculates to .25 cents a week or $1.00 a month. For your convenience, a book return is provided by the front entrance of the library for easy drop-off. It is preferred that fragile materials such as videos and tapes be returned inside at the desk.

Renewal. Library materials may be renewed for a two-week period unless the item has been reserved by another patron. If it is overdue, the fine must be paid before renewal. You may renew an item in person or by phone 845-2663. When renewing by phone, please record the new due date on the card pocket. You may reserve material by phone or in person.

Interlibrary loans are available for books not owned by our library. You can see if the desired material is available in the Maine Library system by researching on URSUS. Request may be by phone or in person. There is a $2.00 charge to cover postage. The borrower is responsible for returning books in good condition. Damaged or lost books may be charged back to the borrower.


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To provide:

  • the public with current reading materials, programs and materials for continuing education, self-improvement, enjoyment and education.
  • a location for the dissemination of Federal, state and local documents, history, and information pertinent to awareness of governmental, cultural, recreational and business activities in the local area and to preserve these records for future generations.
  • the children of Washington with recreational materials and information sources which stimulate and help improve reading skills and encourage the formation of well rounded individuals. To communicate and cooperate with the Prescott School to encourage reading and to aid students in learning research skills which will be valuable to them in later life.
  • the social, governmental, cultural and recreational organizations of Washington with information which will meet their currents needs.
  • timely, accurate and useful information for community residents in their pursuit of job-related or personal interests. To participate in interlibrary loan and cooperative reference services to meet needs for material not available locally.

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The Gibbs Library has an all volunteer library staff and welcomes your donations to continue to meet the need of the local community.

If you would like to Become a Friend of the Gibbs Library, please stop by and talk with one of our volunteers or download the Friend of the Gibbs Library Donation Form and mail to Gibbs Library. (Acrobat Reader required for viewing.)