In Memoriam-Jane Atherton Hewitt

Miss Jane A. Hewett died on February 28, 1947. Miss Hewett was born in Canton, from whence she came to be the Librarian of the Morrill Memorial Library, Norwood, on the day the present building was opened in 1898. She filled this position until her retirement in 1939; and following that, she was Librarian Emérita until her death.

Miss Hewett was highly esteemed as a librarian, and she had the affection and admiration not only of those who worked with her but of all who knew her. The town and the library grew during her librarianship — as typified by its being a one-assistant library when she came, and having seven assistants at the time of her retirement. While she was librarian, the second floor was remodeled as an attractive Children’s Room; the Plimpton Wing — which more than doubled the book capacity — was built, as a gift from Mrs. Alice Morrill Plimpton, daughter of the donor of the library. In this Wing is an Intermediate Room for junior high school age, which is considered outstanding.

In addition to local memberships, Miss Hewett belonged to the American Library Association; the Massachusetts Library Association (of which she was a vice-president); the Boston Book Review Committee; and in 1935 she was president of the Old Colony Library Club.