The spirit of Dotha Stone Pinneo, strong but gentle, sympathetic but not sentimental, gracious, generous; a spirit as steady and deep seated as her own principles, created and sustained the Norwalk public library which we know today. A circulating library, with a membership fee of $2 was incorporated May 7, 1879, to satisfy the desires of the reading public of Norwalk. For many years the people were served by the circulating library which gradually grew larger and larger until it could no longer be confined in such a limited institution. The Library was taken over by the city of Norwalk and on July 18, 1896, was formally opened as the City of Norwalk Public Library. Miss Pinneo at that time took up the duties of librarian, being the first to head the new city institution. The librarian, not a Norwalker, came here in 1890 full of enthusiasm and the zest of life and determined to do her part in the community. It was not long before she became well known all through the east. She was the originator of the Story Teller's hour in libraries, was and excellent lecturer, in fact, had been lecturer on history for the New York board of education for ten years; and was for 12 years secretary of the Connecticut state Federation of Women's Clubs.
The Norwalk public library was first located next to the old Boston store, which stood on the northwest corner of Wall and Main sts., where a new business block was recently completed. Later it moved to the Norwalk club building, 67 Wall st. When the 20th century opened, a concerted effort began to gain for the Norwalk library a home of its own. Miss Pinneo was a leading figure in this movement, and one of those who sought out Andrew Carnegie to enlist his interest in the cause. Through the efforts of Miss Pinneo, the Hon. E.J. Hill and Dr. James G. Gregory, the first president of the board of directors, the main floor of the present structure on the corner of Mott and Belden Aves., was erected in 1903. Mr. Carnegie gave $20,000 for the building. Hubert Bishop of this city donated the grounds on which it stands.
The lower floor was finished in 1912 through the efforts of Miss Pinneo, the Civic League and a bequest from Mrs. Marie P. James of $1,000. Citizens contributed about $5,000 for furniture and fittings, and at that time the whole plant was valued at about $39,000. The present value would be more than $75,000. Under Miss Pinneo's direction, the Norwalk public library prospered. The circle of readers grew broader and broader; likewise the usefulness of the institution constantly widened.
But fate did not intend that the energetic librarian should enjoy for long the fruit of her labors. One pouring wet Saturday night, November 1, 1919, Miss Pinneo and her co-worker, Miss Margaret Wilson, were knocked down by a speeding automobile, just outside the library. Miss Pinneo was the more seriously injured, her injuries later causing her death, February 7, 1924. All Norwalk mourned this friend of all friends and a memorial fund was immediately commenced. Among those who sent donations was little Jean Chandler of Park st. who had earned $.25 expressly for the fund. After the fund was raised, the committee in charge discovered that it had sufficient money on hand, not only to place on the walls of the library a fitting mural tablet honoring the woman who for 28 years had served the city as librarian, but also to refit the library auditorium, a long unfulfilled dream of Dotha Stone Pinneo's.
The Norwalk library today is ably carrying on its work under the direction of Miss Margaret Wilson, fit follower in the footsteps of Miss Pinneo. Miss Wilson has gone far toward bringing the library up to the high standard it enjoys today. She has given much time along lines outside her regular library work; talked before schools and clubs; given explanatory talks to groups of boys and girls at the library and made the children's book week started by Miss Pinneo in 1918, one of the most successful of the library undertakings.
(From The Romance of Norwalk by Elsie Nicholas Danenberg, 1929)
The Norwalk Club at 63 Wall St. was the first reading room in Norwalk before the Public Carnegie Library opened in 1901. Today, 2022, the building (and some of the original tables) still sit on the corner of Belden Ave. and Mott St.
In 1904 the Remington Standard Typewriter No. 6 was the height of writing technology. The Norwalk Public Library was lucky enough to have one for Miss Pinneo's use, but the noise it created caused countless complaints. Today the library offers a computer lab for the public as well as many computers and laptops for the staff.
Miss Pinneo wanted an auditorium in order to provide a series of educational lectures. In 1913 monies raised by the civic league funded the project and an auditorium was completed. Now, the Norwalk Public Library auditorium on the 2nd floor seats 175 people and the library is known for hosting programs of educational, social, and entertainment value for the community.
In 1911 the Norwalk Historical and Library Association (the historical society) moved into the library basement. Now the Norwalk History Room at the Norwalk Public Library resides on the lower level.
In 1915 Dotha and her close friend Miss Margaret Stevens created a library exposition that highlighted Norwalk's "Our Own Authors". Today in 2022 we still celebrate and highlight our local, independent authors with our Local Author's Corner and our yearly celebration of Indie Author Day.
The Children's Market created by Dotha has grown into our Current Seed Library
