What lurks in the Everett library’s vault?

Published 2:24 pm Monday, September 28, 2009

A bloody nightshirt belonging to a man whose wife attempted to murder him. Memorabilia from bygone Everett High School days. Early library circulation records that reveal the answer to this question: What were people reading back in 1917?

All these rarely seen treasures and more will be revealed from the library vault when the main branch of the Everett Public Library holds a party to celebrate 75 years at the corner of Hoyt and Everett avenues.

In addition to the presentation and discussion of these treasures by historian Melinda Van Wingen, visitors will be given a guided tour of the library’s art collection by historian David Dilgard.

The event, “Everett &Its Library: A Celebration of a Remarkable History” is also a fundraiser to help pay for the library’s new teen room and an expanded story time room for infants and toddlers.

“We have a great children’s library and wonderful stuff for adults, but for teens we’ve got a couple of bookshelves, a table and two chairs,” said library director Eileen Simmons, who said about 8,000 teens have library cards.

The library also needs the teen room for 16 new computers bought through a grant and due to arrive next year.

The main library was built in 1934 during the Great Depression with money raised, in part, by the community. Simmons sees the parallel with today’s bad economic times and is banking on the community to come through again.

So far, $80,000 has been raised for the teen room through donations and trust money.

“Everett &Its Library: A Remarkable History,” begins at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Everett Public Library, 2702 Hoyt Ave., Everett. Tickets are $75 and include complimentary wines selected by Wicked Cellars and hors d’oeuvres and desserts served by Savory Table.

Reserve tickets by Thursday. Call 800-838-3006 or go to www.brownpapertickets.com, or visit www.epls.org/75.asp.