History of the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library
1899
The Women’s Library Club of Lovell is organized by Mrs. Frank Swett and Miss Susan Walker to take advantage of the trunks of books sent from the Maine State Library as ‘traveling libraries.’
1901
Women’s Library Club of Lovell officially incorporates.
1902
Charlotte Hobbs graduates from Wellesley College and returns to Lovell.
Born in 1879 in Lovell, Charlotte Hobbs dedicated herself to the people of her village. After graduating from Wellesley College in 1902, she returned to Lovell to teach school, tutor students, and collect historical materials, all the while committed to creating a library for the town. She was the driving force behind the drama productions that raised money to construct our library building. For more than 50 years, Charlotte Hobbs served as our librarian. She was also the village historian and her papers are now in the Lovell Historical Society. After her death in 1969, the Women’s Library Club changed the library’s name to the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library as a lasting tribute to this remarkable woman.
1903
First of many fundraising dramas put on at The American House, the main hotel in town and the center of 19th century Lovell social life.
1906
Fire destroys The American House; Library Club buys lot for $450.
1906—1907
More dramas put on to raise money to construct our library building.
1908
Lovell Public Library opens its doors.
1940
Town of Lovell votes to raise $200 for library support for first time.
1951
Fiftieth Anniversary
1969
After Charlotte Hobbs’ death the Library Club changes the library’s name to The Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library as a lasting tribute to this remarkable woman.
1975
Renovation and Addition paid for by Charlotte Hobbs’s legacy.
1976
First Arts & Artisan Fair, will become biggest annual fundraiser since the drama series.
1986
All 250 local schoolchildren visit library once a week.
2001
100th Anniversary of incorporation.
2002
Writer Stephen King attracts many fans at reading. Proceeds become seed money for the Building Fund.
2004
Official public launch of ‘Building for our Next Century’ Campaign
2010 After an eight year campaign the library opened the doors to its expanded and renovated building.