PML's 100th Anniversary (2000)
The Patchogue Library received its state charter on December 20, 1900, effective at 3:30 P.M. One hundred years later, and over the course of the year 2000, the Patchogue-Medford Library (renamed in 1973) celebrated 100 years of continuous public service to its growing communities, through original research, creation of a library documentary history, publication of three historical brochures on the early years of library history, creation of a children’s book about the Library, and three library history illustrated Question & Answer bookmarks (representative of 3 eras of library history), several websites (below), a major exhibit in the Local History Room, community volunteers' creation of 3 centennial quilts, the painting and dedication of the Elaine Phipps Plaza, a summer strawberry festival, special programs for adults, young, adults, and children throughout the year, celebrations in music, song, public poetry and prose readings, senior discounts, special prizes, Library book bags bearing the new centennial (later the new Library) logo, drawn by hand, and a prize-winning 4th of July float, creation of electronic resources, reorganization of our vertical files on Patchogue-Medford area history, and the creation reorganization of archival materials relating to community history, among other things.
Introduction to the Patchogue-Medford Library’s 100th birthday celebration
Capsule biography of the rather colorful founding President of the Patchogue Library Association, in 5 clickable sections.
Rev. Benjamin Franklin Reeve’s parable, celebrating the Library’s first year of operation, in 1884.
After reading this, you'll better appreciate the 21st century’s comparative laxness of library policies.
Between these years, Medford had a public library. This is a brief account of its meteoric rise and fall.