
MEMBER 2012

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Dyer Library
How may we assist you?
Reserve, Circulation questions
Contact: Kat Goodwill-Brown,
Adult Circulation Coordinator
Children's room questions?
Contact: Brooke Palmer, Children's Room Coordinator
Interlibrary Loan, Have a question? Ask
"Reference"
Contact: Chris Rounds,
Public Access/Automation Librarian Interested in Elder Outreach
Program
Contact Leslie Rounds,
Executive Director.
Want to know what's
happening at the Saco Museum
Contact: Tara Raiselis,
Museum Director A Brief History About the Dyer Library
Funded by a generous bequest from Olive Dyer in the
name of her husband Oliver, the first home of the Dyer Library was
created in the basement of Saco City Hall. A dirt floor was covered over
in “hard pine”, a furnace was added, black walnut bookcases and tables
were constructed, books, (many from other non-public library
collections,) were moved in and Sarah W. Tucker was hired as the first
librarian at a salary of $400 a year. The library opened for business in
the spring of 1881
In 1893, the building just north of City Hall was
constructed as the second home of the library. As originally designed by
Horace G. Wadlin, the interior was largely one open space, divided
visually by a broad wooden double arch. The front space was the reading
room, which featured an oak common table and a large open fireplace. The
rear space housed shelf stacks that could only be accessed by the
librarian. Funds for construction of the building were provided by
bequests from Mrs. John C. Bradbury and George E. Means, and
philanthropist Cornelius Sweetser who left the Dyer Library a $10,000
maintenance fund.
After more than a half century in that building, the
Dyer Library moved north in 1955 to the former home of board president
Frank Cutter Deering, next to the York Institute. In 1974, a new wing
was added adjacent to Deering’s huge flat-roofed parlor. This broad
corridor and gallery connected to the carriage house, providing new
offices, the Deering Room and Board Room and what is now the Reed's
Children's Room, created with a bequest from former children’s librarian
Lillian Reed.
In 1976, the Dyer Library and York Institute joined
together as the Dyer Library Association. Later, the York Institute was
renamed as the Saco Museum. In keeping with the idea that the museum and
library are a single cultural institution serving the Saco Community,
the Dyer Library Association is now referred to as Dyer Library/Saco
Museum.
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