In the years 1850 and 1851, the idea of a library for Brewster began with two young girls, Sarah Augusta Mayo and Mary Louise Cobb, who often “lamented the scanty supply of books.” Out of this need came the idea for a library in Brewster. Members of the girls’ history class were called together, Pastor Frederick Newell of the First Parish Church was consulted, and twelve girls became the founders of the future Brewster Ladies’ Library Association.

Each girl gave two books and earned $1.00 toward the purchase of other books. To earn money one drew pictures, another did needlework, and still another blackened her brother’s boots. Additional contributions were solicited from the townspeople, and on December 27, 1852, the fund totaled $100.00. A small bookscase was set up in Capt. Mayo’s house, books were purchased, and Augusta volunteered to act as librarian on Saturdays.

On January 19, 1853, the “Girls’ Library” was opened to the public. A membership fee of $1.00 was required of all patrons, and the first book to circulate was Wing and Wing by James Fenimore Cooper. When the library’s collection outgrew the Mayo’s house, Rev. Thomas Brown offered the library the use of a front room in the parsonage.

In 1864, Joseph Nickerson donated $1,000 to build a library, and Dr. S. H. Gould and Capt. Tully Crosby donated a building site on Main Street. Additional funds were raised by the community, and on January 24, 1868, the community of Brewster celebrated the dedication of the new library building

An additional to the original building was made in 1877, als a gift of Capt. Joseph Nickerson, and on July 10, 1879, the Brewster Ladies’ Library Association was incorporated. The 1877 addition was followed by two more additions, one in 1977 and another in 1997.

On September 27, 1997, the community gathered to celebrate the dedication of the Brewster Ladies’ Library, “a building for all ages.” In the words of Cheryl Bryan, then Library Director, the successful expansion was the result of the “combined vision, support, and industry of many citizens” and fulfilled the dream of two young girls who wanted a “circulating library” for their town.

(Excerpted from History of the Brewster Ladies’ Library by Caro Atherton Dugan and The First Hundred Years by Hettie Dunklee.)