Charles Larned: Black and white portrait of an older man with a beard and mustache, wearing glasses, a bow tie, and a suit jacket, facing slightly to the right.

In 1902, The Town of Oxford was granted cash from former Oxford resident, Charles Larned, in hopes of building a Free Public Library in memory of his mother, Clarissa Larned. Thus, building began of the Charles Larned Memorial Library on the former Hyde lot, a piece of land voted on by the citizen’s of Oxford. Construction of the building was completed in 1903, and the Library was open to the public.

Black and white photo of a large, two-story brick building with a central entrance, wide steps, and surrounding trees.

Perhaps the most notable piece of architecture in the early part of the building would be its stained glass window at the top of the stairs in the front foyer. The image depicts the arrival of the Pilgrim’s in Plymouth from Holland, and the caption reads “Let there be light.” In the original design of the building, there was a “stack” area beyond the former circulation desk, now the reference desk. This area is well known among Oxford citizens whom used the library prior to 2000, mostly because of it’s unique glass floor and dumbwaiter.

Small stone building with a peaked roof and steps leading to the entrance, surrounded by trees and a lawn, at dusk.

In 1985, librarian, Timothy Kelley was appointed. It wasn’t long afterwards when in 1995, it was proposed that the library receive a refurbishing and an addition. Thus, the expansion of the Oxford Library began. The original stack area with it’s glass floor was razed to make room for the current circulation and stack areas. The children’s room was also completely overhauled, with a bay window and brand new toys – a project headed by former Children’s librarian and now retired Charlton Public Library Director, Cheryl Hansen. The grand opening of the new addition to the library took place in April 2000.

Black and white sketch of a large, historic-looking house with pitched roofs and chimneys, surrounded by trees.

The library has approximately 8,274 current patrons, with about 3,000-4,000 circulations a month in the adult circulation department alone.


Directors:

Stella Bullock: A black-and-white oval portrait of a young woman with dark hair pulled back, wearing a high-collared dress and a brooch.

Stella Bullock
1882-1891

Clara A. Fuller: Sepia-toned portrait of a woman with an updo hairstyle, wearing a high-necked, lace-trimmed Victorian-style dress, facing left.

Clara A. Fuller
1891-1920

Harriet B. Kilton: Sepia-toned portrait of a woman in profile, wearing an updo hairstyle and a high-necked dress, standing with hands resting on a book or surface.

Harriet B. Kilton
1920-1956

John Tucker: A black and white portrait of a man wearing glasses, a suit, and a tie, facing slightly to the left.

John Tucker
1956-1962

Francis G. Howarth: Black and white photo of an older man in a suit sitting at a desk beside a rotary telephone, looking toward the camera.

Francis G. Howarth
1962-1976

Larry C. Spongberg: A middle-aged man with short dark hair wearing glasses, a light-colored suit, a white shirt, and a patterned tie, facing the camera with a neutral expression.

Larry C. Spongberg
1976-1980

Gloria Edinburg-George: A woman with short dark hair and a white turtleneck shirt looks at the camera with a neutral expression.

Gloria Edinburg-George 
1980-1985

Timothy A. Kelley: A man in a light blue shirt and dark tie is smiling, seated in front of shelves filled with books.

Timothy A. Kelley
1985- 2016

Morgan Manzella: A woman wearing glasses and a blue shirt sits outdoors, holding her hand near her face, with trees and greenery in the background.

Morgan Manzella
2016

Brittany McDougal Bialy: A woman with long brown hair, wearing a burgundy blazer and black top, smiles at the camera indoors with glasses resting on her head.

Brittany McDougal Bialy
2017-Present

Children’s Librarians:

  • Lida Larkin: 1904-1966
  • Barbara Bressler: ?-1978
  • Elaine Wellwood: 1978-1994
  • Cheryl Hansen: 1994-2003
  • Catherine Livingstone: 2003-2011
  • Amanda Thornton: 2011-2012
  • Deborah Bilis: 2012 – Present

​**Please note, our Children’s Librarian list is incomplete due to lack of records. If you know the names of any of the Children’s librarian’s prior to Ms. Bressler, please let us know!