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MBLC Celebrates 125 Years

2004

The line of library patrons stretched for several miles

The line of library patrons stretched for several miles as part of the Reading Public Library's 20th Anniversary celebrations.1


Reading Breaks a World Record
"On Saturday, March 13, 2004, the Reading Public Library and more than 2,000 supporters broke the Guinness Book of World Records record for the 'longest human conveyor belt' by passing a book on the history of Reading (At Wood End). The participants were celebrating the 20th anniversary of the library's move from an old Carnegie building to its current location.

Twenty years ago, the move was done in large part by a human chain, and the library won the John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award for the accomplishment. MBLC Commissioner Elia Marnik and State Representatives Brad Jones (R-North Reading) and Carol Donovan (D-Woburn) were among the dignitaries lining the route."1

What else happened in 2004?

  • It was a goodbye watched by more than 52 million TV viewers. "The last episode of Friends was the fourth most-watched television series finale in U.S. history when it aired May 6, 2004, bringing an end to Central Perk and the TV lives of Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey, and Phoebe.”2

  • Red Sox win the World Series! On October 27, "the Boston Red Sox ended an 86-year drought and buried 'the Curse of the Bambino...' The pivotal battle had taken place in the American League championship against their nemesis, the New York Yankees. Jubilant Red Sox fans around the world celebrated. Three days later, an estimated 3,000,000 of them lined the parade route in Boston and cheered themselves hoarse as the victorious team passed by."3

References:
1. MBLC Notes, May/June 2004.
2. abcnews.go.com [link].
3. www.massmoments.org [link].