Libraries might just be the most perfect places on earth. Stepping into a library, with the world's knowledge and creativity at our fingertips, fills us with a sense of limitless potential.
     Unsurprisingly, women have been at the forefront of making these beacons of possibility available for all to enjoy. From teachers to librarians to philanthropists, women have founded or inspired the founding of libraries across the country, and their contributions have not gone unappreciated.
     Here is the second half (click here for the first half) of our list of public libraries in the U.S. that are named after women -- and this STILL isn't all of them! If you don't see your local library anywhere on this list, that means I couldn't find any info about the library's namesake. But I'd love to add it, so feel free to drop me a line with some deets!

In 1965, the Whitman Square Women's Club began lobbying for the construction of a public library. The original building was opened a year later, growing and relocating over the decades until it found its current home in 2011. The library was renamed in 1983 in honor of Margaret Heggan, a well known community member who volunteered not only 20,000+ hours at the library, but also with the town's very first Girl Scout troop, the PTA, Kennedy Memorial Hospital, the Historical Society, and more. Oh -- and did I mention she was also the first female mayor of Washington Township?
Photos via wtps.org and hegganlibrary.org

     Libraries might just be the most perfect places on earth. Stepping into a library, with the world's knowledge and creativity at our fingertips, fills us with a sense of limitless potential.
     After scouring the list of public libraries at librarytechnology.org and losing myself down several fascinating rabbit holes, I am happy to announce that, unsurprisingly, women have been at the forefront of making these beacons of possibility available for all to enjoy. From teachers to librarians to philanthropists, women have founded or inspired the founding of libraries across the country, and their contributions have not gone unappreciated. In fact, there are so many public libraries in the U.S. named after women that I'm splitting this post into two bite-sized parts -- and this isn't even all of them!

In 1911, Williamstown, VT was in a strange way when it came to libraries. Not only did the two existing library groups operate out of stores, homes, and the Town Hall, but there weren't really enough books to go around. So every quarter the men who ran the two groups would hold an auction, bidding for inventory to circulate among its members. (Sounds like the kind of system a bunch of dudes would come up with!) Enter Laura Ainsworth. She offered both property and funds to build a library, with the condition that all the books be housed under one roof. Share!
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