Concord Social Library (Concord, Mass.)

Proprietary library (library owned jointly and used by shareholders) in Concord, Mass. Formed 1821. Absorbed membership and collection of earlier Charitable Library Society. Proprietors over the years included Nathan Barrett, Josiah Bartlett, Nathan Brooks, Reuben Brown (Sr. and Jr.), Ralph Waldo Emerson, Barzillai Frost, Hersey B. Goodwin, Francis Gourgas, Abiel Heywood, Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar, Samuel Hoar (Jr.), Nathan S. Hosmer, Phineas How, Isaac Hurd, Edward Jarvis, Francis Jarvis (Sr. and Jr.), Tilly Merrick, Abel Moore, William Munroe, Moses Prichard, Reuben N. Rice, Ezra Ripley.

(Cont.) Daniel Shattuck, Lemuel Shattuck, Albert Stacy, John Stacy, Cyrus Stow, John White, and William Whiting. Ralph Waldo Emerson served one term as president of the library. Bookseller John Stacy served as librarian for most of the library's existence; his son Albert succeeded him during its final two years. The library was housed in the Stacy store in Concord's Mill Dam business district. Many volumes in the collection were purchased through John Stacy. At a meeting held by the Concord Social Library on Oct. 11, 1851, it was voted "To give the Library to the town on condition they shall.

(Cont.) establish a public library on the plan contemplated by the Act passed May 24, 1851, entitled 'An Act to authorise cities and towns to establish and maintain public libraries'." At a Town Meeting on Nov. 10, 1851, it was voted to accept the Concord Town Library, and to house it in the Court House.