Middleton has always been interested in
maintaining a library for its citizens. As early as 1772, a social library was
founded by the Reverend Elias Smith. In 1838, another library association was
established by Dr. E.S. Phelps with 46 members and 84 volumes, but it was
short-lived. The present Flint Library originated as an association formed in
1865 with John M. Peabody as President. This association flourished and was
turned over to the town in 1879 after the Honorable Charles L. Flint, the
Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture, wrote a letter to the
Selectmen of Middleton suggesting that notice be taken of the 150th anniversary
of incorporation of the Town by establishing a Public Town Library, free to
all. Mr. Flint offered $1,000.00 to help start a library provided the Town
would appropriate $400.00 for necessary expenses.
In 1891, $10,000 was bequeathed to the town under the will of the Honorable
Charles L. Flint for the purposes of erecting a permanent building for use as a
free public library. Located in Middleton Square, so that it could be centrally
sited, the library was built of brick with Nova Scotia sandstone trimmings and
a slate roof. The interior finish is of cypress, with birch floors and
furniture of highly polished oak. The entire book collection amounted to 5,000
volumes, representing accumulations from earlier private library associations
and the personal library and writings of Charles L. Flint.
Over the years, the library has remained architecturally unchanged, with a 1978
renovation of its basement for a Children's Department. Presently, the library
contains more than 40,000 books, 1300 videotapes, 1100 audiotapes, passes to
Boston's major museums and activities in the Boston area, and subscriptions to
more than 185 periodicals. Seven computers are available to the public for
Internet searching and MS Office products. Annually, the library hosts more
than 150 programs dedicated to cultural, recreational or educational subjects.
For children, story hour sessions and after-school programs are offered on a
weekly basis as the library is committed to promoting reading and literacy to
the community's youth. Maintaining a cooperative relationship with Middleton's
educational institutions, the Flint Public Library hosts school classes
visiting the library on a weekly basis for materials to support research and
leisure reading. Adults are taking part in the Flint's new roster of programs
for them, including the popular Book Discussion Series. The library also is
committed to delivering library material to the elderly and homebound via the
Outreach Program.
The library boasts healthy circulation and attendance statistics with more than
half of its nearly 8,000 residents owning library cards. The library
participates in a regional consortium wherein books at other libraries, both
public and academic, can be located and borrowed by Middleton residents at no
cost. The Flint Public Library makes its resources available to the community
51 hours per week.
The library is supported through the Town of Middleton and overseen by an
elected Board of five Library Trustees, elected for three-year terms and
responsible for overseeing policy decisions. The day-to-day operation of the
library is entrusted to the Library Director, who supervises four full-time
employees and five part-time employees.
_______________________________________________________________________ One South Main Street/ P.O. Box 98 Middleton, MA 01949-0198 978-774-8132