Deborah Rawson Memorial Library

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History

The towns of Jericho and Underhill have been home to five libraries over the past three centuries. These libraries were housed in everything from a private home to a town hall and finally in to a new building which opened in 1998. Throughout the history of library services in these towns volunteers and residents played and continue to play a crucial supportive role.

The Deborah Rawson Memorial Library

In 1995 the residents of Jericho and Underhill approved a plan to create the Jericho-Underhill Library District (JULD), Vermont’s first library municipal district. The trustees who were appointed to JULD began to research and develop plans to replace the Waters Memorial Library, which since its dedication in 1933, had a long history of support by both communities. The trustees also acknowledged the other two libraries in the community; Delaporte Library housed in the Underhill Town Hall and the Jericho Town Library in Jericho Center. All three libraries were not handicapped accessible, had no public meeting space, and were low on space for their services and collections. In addition, the Waters Library, the only library among the three libraries that had financial support from both towns, had no room for expansion nor could it easily be made handicapped accessible. Because of these limitations and through the support of the residents of the two towns the trustees decided to develop plans to design and build a new library.

waters libraryWaters Memorial Library

Black River Design, an architectural firm in Montpelier, designed the 5,000 square foot building. It is located on a two-schooled campus, near the town line separating Jericho and Underhill. During the planning period, the Waters Library Board received a generous donation from Dr. and Mrs. Rawson, whose family came from the Jericho/ Underhill area, and who were seeking a memorial for their daughter Deborah. This donation combined with fundraising efforts and support of a local bond provided the money needed to build the new library. The Deborah Rawson Memorial Library was dedicated on January 24, 1998. The Waters Memorial Library had merged with the Jericho-Underhill Library District in 1997 and the Delaporte Library merged with the new library district in 1998 when the new library opened. The Jericho Town Library remains open and is a cooperating library.

A History of Library Services in Jericho and Underhill

The first record of library services in the towns of Jericho and Underhill is the library association formed in Underhill Center in 1800. The Delaporte Memorial Library was established in 1903. The Delaporte family donated property and a building to the association in 1917, providing a home for library services in the Underhill Center area. This building was sold to the U.S. Postal Service. The Delaporte Memorial Library was then housed in a room in the Underhill Town Hall. The Delaporte Library merged with the new library district in 1998.

delaporteDelaporte Memorial Library

Library services were provided to residents of the town of Jericho through the efforts of the Brown’s River Study Club and of the Social Service Club in Jericho Center. The Jericho Library, located in the “village” section of the town, was supported by the Brown’s River Study Club. The Social Service Club supported the Jericho Town Library, located in the “center” section of the town.

“For many years, the Jericho Library consisted of a small number of books in a spare room of a private home whose owner was so inclined to recognize the need of available reading material” writes Elinor Merle in the History of Jericho, Vermont, Volume II. Elinor describes further how the Brown’s River Study Club was formed in 1937, and, in 1938, decided to sponsor the Jericho Library and “provide a home for the books.” Through the years, the library’s “home” moved from place to place but the women continued to staff and maintain the library. This library was in service until the late 1970s.

In the same volume, Pauline Dustin details the development of the Jericho Town Library, stating that, “Since 1915, the Town Library has been housed in the old Academy building, later called the Parish House at Jericho Center.” When Brown’s Trace was widened at the curve in Jericho Center in 1955, the building was moved to its present location on the Green. The Congregational Church owns the building and donated its use to the library. Originally, the Social Service Club provided financial support. Today, the library’s services are supported through taxes and the enthusiastic fundraising efforts of its many devoted patrons. The Jericho Town Library is a cooperating library with the Deborah Rawson Memorial Library. The two libraries support each other by offering joint programs and services.

jericholibJericho Town Library

In 1924, the Mansfield Women’s Club started the Waters Memorial Library in Underhill Flats. Its first location was in the house that is now the home of Donald Langlois. In the History of Jericho Vermont, Volume II, Etta Woodward writes, “August Waters, a young clerk in a general store, saw the interest taken by the women to provide a Library. Even though circumstances intervened he kept this project in mind. Years later he contributed a substantial sum of money toward the erecting of this building.” The Waters Memorial Library was dedicated on August 9, 1933 and served residents of both Jericho and Underhill for 65 years. The Waters Memorial Library closed when the Deborah Rawson Memorial Library opened in 1998.

rainbow1

Deborah Rawson Memorial Library

Information about Deborah Rawson

Works Consulted and Cited:
Dwyer, Loraine S. The History of Underhill, Vermont: The Town Under the Mountain. Underhill Historical Society, 1976.
Merle, Elinor, ed.. History of Jericho Vermont, Volume II. Burlington, VT: Queen City Printers, 1963.
Library Services in Jericho and Underhill: Past, Present and Future. Compiled by Dee Dee Jameson. Spring 1997.

HOURS

Tues/Thurs: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Wed/Fri: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sat: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Sun: 1 - 4 p.m. (Sept - May)
Mon: Closed
Phone: 802-899-4962

Upcoming Events

Jun
13
Fri
3:00 pm LEGO Club [Ages 6+]  [Registrati...
LEGO Club [Ages 6+]  [Registrati...
Jun 13 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
LEGO Club [Ages 6+]  [Registration required] Fridays, June 13 and 27, from 3 to 4 p.m.   Build a rainbow, a space-pirate ship, or a fairy-tale kingdom. Imagination is the only limit at LEGO Club. To[...]
Jun
17
Tue
10:30 am Community Story Time
Community Story Time
Jun 17 @ 10:30 am
Community Story Time Tuesdays (except June 24) at 10:30 a.m. Join Mz. Abbey on the back lawn of the library when it is nice, or in the story corner when it is not.  This baby[...]
3:00 pm Pride Pins [All ages]
Pride Pins [All ages]
Jun 17 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Pride Pins [All ages] Tuesday, June 17, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Drop in and use our button machine to make magnets, key chains, or pins to show your pride, joy, and allyship.
4:00 pm Magic, the Gathering Club [Ages 8+]
Magic, the Gathering Club [Ages 8+]
Jun 17 @ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Magic, the Gathering Club [Ages 8+] Tuesday, June 17, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Parent volunteers and kids who love the game are here to get you playing, whether you know the game well or[...]
7:00 pm French Conversation Chez Henry
French Conversation Chez Henry
Jun 17 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
French Conversation Chez Henry Tuesdays, June 3 and 17, from 7 to 8 p.m. All levels of French speakers, as well as the French curious, are welcome to this informal conversation group.
Jun
18
Wed
2:00 pm Sewing and Quilting Group
Sewing and Quilting Group
Jun 18 @ 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Sewing and Quilting Group Wednesdays, June 4 and 18, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Volunteer Mary Stephenson hosts this twice-monthly gathering of people who sew and/or quilt. Bring a project you’re working on. Sewing machines[...]
Jun
19
Thu
3:00 pm Cricut Stickers [Ages 8+] [Regis...
Cricut Stickers [Ages 8+] [Regis...
Jun 19 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Cricut Stickers [Ages 8+] [Registration required] Thursday, June 19, from 3 to 4 p.m. We’re busting out the Cricut machine to make simple vinyl stickers to go on your water bottle, laptop, or wherever you[...]
7:00 pm Library Board of Trustees Meeting
Library Board of Trustees Meeting
Jun 19 @ 7:00 pm
The Library Board of Trustees meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the library’s meeting room. The meeting is open to all.  Those who wish to attend remotely may email[...]
Jun
20
Fri
3:00 pm Color a World: Maps! [Kids of al...
Color a World: Maps! [Kids of al...
Jun 20 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Color a World: Maps! [Kids of all ages] Friday, June 20, from 3 to 4 p.m. Create your own world with some dried pasta, a paper bag, colored pencils and markers, and your imagination.
Jun
21
Sat
11:00 am Summer Program Kick Off with VIN...
Summer Program Kick Off with VIN...
Jun 21 @ 11:00 am
Summer Program Kick Off with VINS, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science [All ages] Saturday, June 21, at 11 a.m. Our friends from VINS are coming for a visit with some very special animal friends.[...]
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Deborah Rawson Memorial Library
8 River Road
Jericho, VT 05465

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