Old Alberton library board leaves literacy legacy
After more than half a century of overseeing the provision of a public library service on Alberton’s Main Street, the board of directors of Alberton Library Ltd. is leaving a legacy. The Alberton Library board, which had operated since 1953, sold its building and, with all business wrapped up, recently dissolved. “Their main mandate was to provide a place for a library,” explained Alan Curtis, the board’s last president. With the Town of Alberton taking over responsibility for library services for Alberton, Curtis said the board was no longer required. As a final act prior to dissolution, the board decided to distribute its assets among three town organizations. The Alberton Elementary School library, the Rev. W.J. Phillips Residence and the Alberton Museum have received equal shares – just over $13,600 each ¬– of the more than $41,000 in assets left over following the sale of the building. Prior to closing the books, the board sought recommendations from an independent committee on how to disburse its assets. The board subsequently approached the organizations on the short list and requested a description of how they could use the donations to promote literacy. The elementary school will use its share to cover the cost of new shelving for books, the Phillips Residence will apply theirs to completion of a reading/quiet room, and the museum’s donation will be used for the acquisition and preservation of Island literature. The building last operated as a library in June 2015, when air quality issues relating to a water problem in the basement resurfaced. The town of Alberton then took over responsibility for library services and, since January 2016, has been providing the service out of the Old Stone Station.