Nearby Historic Library Experiences a Renaissance

A century ago the tiny South Britain Library used a cart to carry books from house to house allowing residents to borrow the book of their choice. It was the hub of a small, insular community.

Today, the library, which sits only a couple miles from the Newtown border, is seeing a revival of sorts as members of the Southbury Historical Society refurbish book covers, update the labeling and card catalogues, and prepare to begin a popular 21st century activity — the book club.

Their first choice — To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee — will be discussed on Tuesday, Sept 21 at 7 p.m. That date marks the anniversary of the little library being replaced by a bigger collection on South Main in Southbury.

"Some of the books have wonderful prints," Southbury Historical Society member Nancy Metcalf said of the South Britain Library. "And some are rare enough that they have to be used in the library. The collection ended in 1965 and many of the volumes go way back."

Southbury Historical Society member, Jane Hummel, initiated the project to preserve the library, Metcalf said.

"She felt strongly that the library should be preserved as a time capsule," said Metcalf.

Old-fashioned card catalogues occupy a central place in the building despite their usual displacement by modern library systems and computers. Each volume contains a small card with a record of borrowers, including the names of early residents, Hummel said.

Information from those records led to the discovery that mysteries were most popular at the turn of the 20th century.

There is an "old and fragile" corner with books that will never be loaned out but that contain valuable history of the region. A set of school records, complete with everyone's names and grades, are included in the genealogy section. Cemetery records offer more valuable insight into this early community.

The library has not been opened in the past few years but now members of the Historical Society work from 6 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday diligently checking that every book was in the file card, and that the card catalogue corresponds to a computerized listing that is held at the Southbury Library.

Anyone who may find the South Britain Library difficult to access can request a book to be delivered to the main library. Most of the expense for this project — supplies, labels and glue — has been assumed by the Southbury Historical Society, according to member Leigh Graham.

"We're always looking for donations," said Graham.

South Britain's Library was the town's only library from 1904 to about 1969 when it was moved to a building now occupied by The Senior Center.

"They took a couple thousand books," Hummel said. "But everything else remained the same in the old library."

That library was moved into spacious new quarters on 100 Poverty Road over four years ago and now has a collection of 90,000 volumes.

Starting in the early 1970's a Wednesday night bridge game was held in South Britain, and during that time visitors could browse, visit the genealogy section, and check out a book. The bridge game came to an end about five years ago and for the past two years the little library has been quiet and unused.

The building features a cozy reading corner on the right as you enter, and a big library table on the left. Four niches that are 5 feet deep and three sides contain most of the collection along the back of the room.

"A lot of the books were donated in people's names," Metcalf said.  "John Ballantine, a teacher before he went into the service, left all his books and records and $5,000 to the South Britain Library in 1942."

"When we come across a book and we're amazed by it, we all lose a lot of time,"  Metcalf said.   "Now we're getting some regulars on Tuesday evenings, plus visitors from out of town. This library has an atmosphere that is all its own. It's a cute little place."

The South Britain Library is located on the corner of South Britain Road and Library Road. People who join the South Britain Library Book Club are also asked to become members of the Southbury Historical Society.

Participation will be limited and to save your place, call 203-264-8825. Checks for membership or to support this preservation effort can be mailed to the Southbury Historical Society at P.O., Box 124, Southbury, CT. 06488.