For generations, the Oxford Public Library has informed, inspired, educated and entertained residents of all ages.
This week, the library reaches quite the milestone in its history as the beloved local institution celebrates 90 years of continuous public service.
‘I think it speaks highly of this community and the library,? said Bryan Cloutier, who’s served as library director since 2007. ‘The library has (received) a lot of support from the community (without which) it certainly wouldn’t be here today, or at least in the capacity that it is. We do have a beautiful facility that is a nice asset to this community and is heavily used.?
Instead of throwing a lavish party, the institution has opted to quietly observe its 90th anniversary with an intimate fireside chat about its history, its legacy and how the library industry has evolved from decade to decade. It will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11.
Participating in the discussion will be Cloutier, Judy Doublestein, director from 1984 to 2007, and Duane Salswedel, longtime president of the library’s elected board.
‘We’re going to talk about a lot of things,? Cloutier said. ‘We’re going to talk a lot about technology and how it’s influenced the library industry as a whole over the years. We’ll talk about the role the library plays in developing education and life-long learning. We’ll talk about what the difference is between privacy and confidentiality, and how the (library’s) privacy policy has certainly had an impact on how we are able to serve our community.?
A ‘behind-the-scenes? perspective of the things that impact libraries and librarians will be offered, things the general public might not be aware of.
‘It will provide an opportunity for our residents to get an inside look at what it takes to operate a public library in today’s society,? Cloutier said.
Light refreshments will be served as part of the event.
Although the library’s been around since Calvin Coolidge occupied the White House, the institution has had only a handful of directors.
Cloutier is the fifth.
‘To have only five head librarians in 90 years is remarkable,? he said. ‘I see so many libraries throughout the nation that (have) administrators come and go on a regular basis . . . We are, I think, among the few that have the ability and the privilege and the pride to say we have (had) only five head librarians in 90 years.
‘That says something about this community. That says something about this library. It certainly speaks well of the people who have been the stewards of this library.?
Prior to Cloutier and Doublestein, the directors (or head librarians) for Oxford were Renwick Garypie (1976-84), Lillian Crawford (1942-76) and Margaret Duff (1925-42).
As can be expected, Cloutier is a fierce advocate for public libraries and extoller of their virtues.
‘I feel that libraries have always played a significant role in enhancing the quality of life of the people who live within the community,? he said. ‘It’s providing unrestricted access to information, regardless of socioeconomic status, regardless of educational background.?
‘I feel that the public library is certainly something that we often take for granted, but (it) shouldn’t be,? Cloutier continued. ‘In many ways, the library is a privilege. You look at how libraries are made readily available to the general population in America. Then look at how (people) have restricted access to libraries in many other countries around the globe.
‘Libraries are not the same in all countries and the fact that we have the level of library service that we have here and (it’s) readily available to all people is what, I think, makes this industry phenomenal and stronger (in the U.S).?
The Oxford Public Library’s 90th anniversary is another chapter in the institution’s history, but it’s by no means the final one.
‘We are seeing more and more people coming to our programs, or visiting the library in general, on a year-to-year basis. That’s steadily increasing,? Cloutier said. ‘I think the library certainly has a strong presence here and I see it remaining a significant part of the lives of the people who live here for many more years.?

A brief history of the Oxford Public Library
The library’s history began when Nellie Slayton, who died in 1901, donated a vacant lot on Hovey Street to the Christian Church. When the church disbanded, proceeds from the lot’s sale were set aside for the eventual purchase of a building to house a library.
In 1925, the Christian-Slayton Public Library was established in the Oxford Veterans Memorial Civic Center (28 N. Washington St.) in the heart of downtown.
Volunteers operated the library until 1927 when Oxford residents voted to fund the institution through a property tax. Shortly thereafter, a township library board was created to oversee it.
In 1939, the library purchased a white colonial farmhouse at 3 Mechanic Street for $1,000 and moved in. Built in the 1840s by Daniel Butterfield, it was believed to have been one of the first homes constructed in Oxford.
The library remained in the historic Butterfield home for nearly three decades until it was demolished to make way for progress.
The institution moved into the civic center complex on W. Burdick Street in 1967 and was renamed the Oxford Public Library. It remained there, situated between the township and village offices, for the next 30 years.
Seeing the need for a larger, modern facility to serve the rapidly-growing community, Oxford voters approved a $4.2 million bond issue in November 1995 to construct, furnish and equip a 23,400-square-foot library on Pontiac Rd.
The library we know today opened in December 1997.
It continues to grow and evolve with the community.