Plumb Library celebrates its 50th anniversary
Library Director Kristen Cardoso accepts a plaque from the Rochester Historical Commission on Saturday, Aug. 22. Photo by Tanvi Kulkarni
Senator Michael Rodrigues presents a certificate to Cardoso from the state senate. Photo by Tanvi Kulkarni
Plumb library celebrates its 50th anniversary with cupcakes, each one with its own miniature book. Photo by Tanvi Kulkarni
A photo of the Plumb Library when it opened in 1976. Photo source: Kristen Cardoso
Library Director Kristen Cardoso accepts a plaque from the Rochester Historical Commission on Saturday, Aug. 22. Photo by Tanvi Kulkarni
Senator Michael Rodrigues presents a certificate to Cardoso from the state senate. Photo by Tanvi Kulkarni
Plumb library celebrates its 50th anniversary with cupcakes, each one with its own miniature book. Photo by Tanvi Kulkarni
A photo of the Plumb Library when it opened in 1976. Photo source: Kristen Cardoso
ROCHESTER — Plumb Library opened its doors to Rochester residents and state lawmakers Aug. 22 in celebration of its golden jubilee.
The library turned 50 on Aug. 18 , and Library Director Kristen Cardoso and Chairperson of the Rochester Historical Commission Connie Eshbach shared the history of libraries in Rochester to commemorate the anniversary on Saturday.
The First Congregational Church started as an academy and “put Rochester on the map as a town that was interested in learning,” Eshbach said at the commission’s event that morning. The academy’s men supplied a small library with their own books, which people could read inside the building.
In 1876, Elizabeth Leonard funded the Rochester Free Public Library, the town’s first lending library, within a room at the academy. She donated more money toward the town hall in 1891, with the stipulation that the hall have a dedicated section for the library.
Plumb Library was created in 1976, when Dorothy Plumb donated land and money for it to be built in memory of her late husband. Volunteers carried 10,000 books from the Rochester Free Public Library to the new building.
Today, the library has over 19,000 books, DVDs, audio books and other items for residents to borrow. It also preserves Rochester’s history through its archives.
“The library may be small in size, but there is so much here to love,” Cardoso said.
On behalf of the library, Cardoso accepted a plaque from the Rochester Historical Commission, designating the library as a historical town building. Town Administrator Cameron Durant and state Sen. Michael Rodrigues, who financially supported the library in some recent upgrades, spoke at the event.
“Our libraries are without a doubt the heart and soul of every community,” Rodrigues said when presenting an official certificate of recognition from the Massachusetts senate.
State rep. Alan Silvia offered a similar certificate from the Massachusetts House of Representatives for “five decades of enriching the community through shared knowledge, lifelong learning and providing a welcoming space for all,” he said.
“This year’s summer reading program theme was ‘Plant a Seed, Read,’ which is exactly what almost 200 participants did this summer,” Cardoso said. “Our library today is thriving, and the future is bright. I hope everyone will join us on the magic carpet ride that is Plumb Library.”
