The Kennedy free Library is committed to meeting the recreational reading
needs of the residents of the community.In addition, the library will provide essential current reference materials for the local students. Through active communication, the library will encourage broader participation of offering additional services.
History Of Library
The Mary Martha Circle of the Kennedy United Methodist Church were the "young " ladies of the church. One evening in the year 1954 while meeting at the home of Beth Leege Crandall, the statement was made. " Can't we do something for the Town? Rhea Shuart said " What the Town needs is a Library."
The next weekend while visiting parents in Gerry, New York, Jan Rublee told her mother Mrs. Ayling. She knew Mrs. Sullivan the Librarian at Stockton, and arranged a meeting with her. So Bea Cobb, Rhea Shuart and Jan Rublee went to the Stockton Library. Mrs. Sullivan was wonderful! She showed us all and gave lots of information. She said " Oh it's easy, all you need is $25.00 and a book drive."
Lots of notices and information was sent out. After 3 bake sales at the Kennedy Store, we had our $25.00. Then a night in January was set for the book drive. The ladies of the Mary Martha Circle canvassed the Town in the worst blizzard of the year. Bea Cobb, Jan Rublee, Beth Crandall, Helen Bunce, Bonnie Foulk, Wilma Newman, and Marge Roth collected lots of books, some attics were cleaned.
The American Legion of Kennedy owned a big building that had been a church, then the Printing Company. They told us we could have the building. They fixed what had been the clock room in front of the building. It was about 12' by 12' filled with shelves and a desk. Mrs. Sullivan from Stockton came over and helped us start. She helped us catalog the books and the card system used then
Mrs. Louise Anderson a dear lady from our church who lived across the the street from the Library offered to serve as Librarian. and her husband Percy was the janitor. Both without pay at that time. It was a Success!
When the Legion bought the old school they moved us into the gym that was in the basement. We were growing and we were told that we needed a "Board" just as a formality. So we asked the Citizens of the Town. When Jan Rublee asked Earl Cross, he owned and operated the Kennedy Store, an officer in the Fire Company, treasurer of the church and so busy. He wanted to know if it took much time....." Oh no! 4 meetings a year is all" Years later after band concerts, ice cream socials and many more meetings and serving as President to the board for many years at a public meeting he said " Don't believe anything Jan Rublee says"
Kennedy Free Library is not affiliated with AmericanTowns Media
