Latham Memorial Library Bylaws
Latham Library Board Meeting Minutes

Latham Memorial Library
PO Box 240
16 Library Rd
Thetford, VT 05074
802-785-4361
librarian@thetfordlibrary.org

Latham Memorial Library Bylaws, Agendas and Minutes

Trustees

Megan Campbell (exp. Jan 2029, non-renewable), Chair
Amy VanderKooi (exp. Jan 2029, non-renewable), Vice Chair
Peter Tannini (exp. Jan 2028, renewable), Treasurer
Ashley Jamele (exp. Jan 2028, non-renewable), Secretary
Leah Boch (exp. Jan 2028, renewable)
Kathleen Grady (exp. Jan 2028, non-renewable)
Tara Tomlinson (exp. Jan 2029, non-renewable)
Vacancy (exp. Jan 2027)
Vacancy (exp. Jan 2028)

History

In 1876, Azuba Latham Barney bequeathed $5,000 to the First Congregational Church of Thetford to establish a library in her father’s memory. It was housed in a Thetford Academy building until 1942 when the building was destroyed by a fire, although most of the collection was saved. Emma Coombs gifted a nearby home that was remodeled and served as the library until the Bicentennial Building was constructed in partnership with the Thetford Historical Society, officially opening in 1976.

Collaboration has been a theme throughout Latham’s history. In 1908, it was designated as the Town Library and began receiving state and local funds. The town paid rent to Latham and for a time two distinct collections were housed together – new books bought with public funds, and the older collection already owned by Latham.

When the elementary school was built in 1961, a partnership formed, with Latham serving for a time as the school’s library, hosting regular class visits and a robust children’s collection.

Latham was one of the founding members of the Thetford Library Federation.

A longstanding partnership with the Peabody Library continues to this day, with a memorandum of understanding in place between the two boards establishing a shared staffing agreement, and dedicated librarians ensuring that the community can enjoy library services at both locations.

Curious to learn more? Come and check out these sources:

Hughes, Charles W. Beloved Village: Reminiscences of Thetford Hill, Vermont 1921-1983. Thetford Historical Society, White River Junction, VT, 1985. Catalog record – Beloved Village

Latham, Jr., Charles. A Short History of Thetford Vermont 1761-1870. Thetford Historical Society, Fourth Printing, Lebanon, NH, 1999. Catalog record – Short History of Thetford

Thetford Library Federation Records 1961-2016. Collection M66, Thetford Historical Society Archives, Thetford, VT.