Catalogers in the Widener Library, Harvard University1
In 1953: "A fire of undetermined origin destroyed the Boxborough Public Library on January 9 during a storm. Firemen were unable to save either the building, a former Universalist church, or most of the 6500 volumes. According to Miss Pauline Steels, Librarian, only a pewter communion service and some old histories of the town were saved."2
TODAY: The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program offers grants for towns that suffer the catastrophic loss of a library building.
What else happened in 1953?
References:
1. Image from Harvard University Archives [link].
2. Division of Library Extension newsletter, Winter 1953.
3. news.bbc.co.uk [link].
4. Division of Library Extension newsletter, June 1953.
5. www.infoplease.com [link].
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