by Dr. Radut

Library History - Patchogue Library Assn., 1883-1900

Brochures:

Articles:

  • Palmer, Rev. S. Fielder.  "Mental and Social Culture."  Patchogue Advance, May 19, 1883: p. 1 (Courtesy of the Long Island Advance; Patchogue-Medford Library.  Celia M. Hastings Local History Room.  PML Centennial Collection) - First call for a public library in Patchogue; Note:  click on image to enlarge the print. 
  •  Dr. J.J. Craven and the Origin of the Patchogue Library Association, 1883-1893, 2nd ed., by Mark Rothenberg  (Patchogue-Medford Library.  Celia M. Hastings Local History Room.  PML Centennial Collection), 1999, rev. and exp. 2010 -- How a man with connections to Samuel F.B. Morse, the California Gold Rush, Abraham Lincoln, William T. Sherman, the Civil War Medical Corps (of whom he was a very senior member), Jefferson Davis, Nelson Miles, Andrew Johnson, and author of an international best seller, holder of 3 U.S. patents, helped found a L.I. Library in Patchogue, NY, and served as its first president. 
  •  Minutes of the Organizational Meeting of Patchogue Library Association (June 12, 1883)  (Patchogue-Medford Library. Celia M. Hastings Local History Room.  PML Centennial Collection) -- Click here for a Transcription.  -- The meeting was held at J.J. Craven's house, then at the corner of East Main St. & Medford Avenue.   
  • First Catalogue of the Patchogue Library (August 1883)  (Patchogue-Medford Library.  Celia M. Hastings Local History Room.  PML Centennial Collection
  • PML Revolutionary War Connections [1775-1783] (Patchogue-Medfotd Library.  Celia M. Hastings Local History Room. Post-Centennial Collection) - originally intended as PML centennial bookmarks

 

[A Short Library Parable], by Rev. Benjamin Franklin Reeve, from "First Anniversary of the Patchogue Library" [excerpt]. Patchogue Advance, September 20,1884:  p. 3.  (Courtesy Long Island Advance; Patchogue-Medford Library.  Celia M. Hastings Local History Room.  PML Centennial Collection): 

“Seven years have passed since I left you. In that time the village has enlarged as to territory, and many new buildings have been [erected] within its [limits]; and some of them of an imposing character. You have also added to the attractions of the village by establishing a public library, the anniversary of which we now celebrate. Some years ago, the crew of a vessel were suffering from thirst; and they hailed a passing ship and begged that they would send them some water. They sent back the response ‘You are in the mouth of the Amazon; throw your bucket overboard and draw it in.’ So we may say tonight: You have the library; but in order to be benefitted you must dive into it. You must master its contents. You might have a library on every corner, and unless you used them they would be of no service to you; and the manner in which you read deserves consideration.”