The History of Thrall

In 1927 a branch library was established. Actually two
branch 11braries had been established, but one lasted only a few
months. The second branch in the north end of town (unnamed location) loaned 6,387 books. Written in this Annual Library
Report of 1929 was the comment that it had quite outgrown its current location and needed to find larger quarters. 60
Interestingly, no one I contacted in Middletown for information
on this history, including past and present library staff members
or Ann Vail or long-time, elderly residents, had ever heard of a
branch library in the 1920's and 1930's.
By the end of 1930 the North Street Branch had been in its
larger quarters for more than one year. Rent was $300 for this
space. The city's population was listed as 18,831. Thrall
housed 23,806 volumes and circulation stood at 151,498.*But
the Annual Library Report for 1932 painted a different picture as
the Great Depression deepened its hold on Middletown. The North
Street branch which was established in 1927 was discontinued in
June 1932. The library budget was $19,361.45 but $3,625 was
returned to the city as a voluntary reduction. Miss LeFevre
requested a one year leave of absence. (No reason was given, and
she never returned.) Grace Winslow signed the 1932 Annual
Library Report as acting librarian and would later be named head
11brarian. 62