Mrs. Smith has served faithfully for Librarian for 45 years, guiding the reading habits of many of Washburn's citizens from childhood through adult life. Prior to this she taught in many of the schools in the Washburn area. She is a graduate of Presque Isle Normal School.
The Washburn Rotary Club has chosen Mrs. Smith to receive their second annual "Outstanding Citizenship Award" and presented her with a plaque inscribed as follows: "Washburn Rotary Club Outstanding Citizenship Award 1968, presented to Mrs. Myrtle Smith in recognition of her deep sense of responsibility and service to the community as librarian for the past forty-five years."
Mrs. Smith Graduated from high school in 1909, after whcih she taught school and graduated from normal school. She lived in Providence, R. I., for a time.
Her first teaching job was at the Wade School, which is the Donald Thompson residence now. She taught in Crouseville, where Wayne Humphrey now lives, for a year and rode the trolley to school. Mrs. Smith taught school in what is now Bert Turner's house and drove her horse to and from school each day. She also taught a term at the Dunntown school which is on the Basil Fox farm.
In 1923 she taught at the grade schools and was librarian substitute at the school.
Mrs. Smith has served as librarian since 1923 when the library was in the corner a Woodman's grocery store (now Easler's hardware store). From building next to Easler's which was torn down in 1966. In 1950 the library was moved into the present building, which was constructed as a memorial to Washburn men and women who served in World War I and II.
She has worked for 43 years alone, doing all the work of the library. Mrs. Myrtle Jardine is now Mrs. Smith's assistant the library is open every day but Monday in the winter and every day but Saturday in the summer.
Mrs. Smith is active in community affairs, holding the office of clerk of the Conservative Baptist Church. She teaches a Sunday School class of first and second graders. She attend the monthly trustee meeting of the local library and also regional library meetings sponsored by the Maine State Library in the area. She is a past worthy matron of Coldvale Chapter Order, Order of Eastern Star, of which she was also secretary for a number of years. She has been organist at the First Baptist Church for many years and was a former correspondent for the Presque Isle Star-Herald. She is president of the Women's Mission Society of the Conservative Baptist Church.
Mrs. Smith was presented with a book of 60 letters and several bouquets of flowers.
Among out of town guests attending the tea were Mrs. Clifford Stimpson, librarian of Presque Isle, Mrs. Alvin Weinberg, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Reck of Presque Isle; Mrs. Adeline Brewer Clark of Hartland, N.B., Mrs. Mavis Churchill of New Hampshire and Mr. Walter Morrison of Mapleton.
Mrs. Myrtle Smith, who has been librarian at Washburn Memorial Library for 45 years, was honored at a tea at the library, which was also observing National Library Week. Carleton L. Barnes, president of the Washburn Rotary Club, presents Mrs. Smith with a plaque from the club.
[April 1968]