This is a little late for Women’s History Month, but it’s a story worth telling, none the less. Abby B. Shute was Auburn’s first long term librarian, and she helped to develop the free public library in Auburn. 

Abby was born May 4, 1860, to Charles and Eliza Jane (Wellman) Shute. They lived on Malvern St. in Worcester where her father was listed as a carpenter on the 1860 census. At that time Abby had a sister, Mary, a brother, Charles Jr. and a stepsister, Elizabeth, whose mother had passed away about 1849. There was a brother, Arthur, who died at two and William Augusta who came along later.

Abby graduated from the State Normal School, which is now Worcester State University. Abby did one term of teaching in 1879 at the #2 School in Auburn during the summer for 10 weeks when she was 19 yrs. old.  It was the only time, according to the town reports, that she taught for the town. Then she taught in the Worcester public school system for 20 years. 

She was hired as head librarian in 1907 and held that position for 20 years before retiring in 1927. During that time, Abby worked diligently to make the Auburn Free Public Library the best it could be even though it was only open two days a week. She adopted the Dewey Decimal System of cataloging books and assisted with creating a branch at Stoneville School. In 1911, Leander Merriam donated the funds to have a separate building erected for the Merriam Library to honor his late parents and sister. This is the building that Abby helped to set up and where she worked for the majority of her career as head librarian.

Abby started many programs that carried on long after she retired.

She developed lectures and welcomed civic groups to hold meetings at the library, so it became a community gathering place. Reading programs for children were developed with certificates of achievement given out to those who exceed the expectations of the state library association for summer reading. 

During the First World War, Auburn’s public library was the place to get information about conserving fuel and food, and supporting the military. Additionally, in March 1918 a book drive was held and over 300 books were collected for the soldiers overseas. 

In 1900 there were 1,435 books were on the shelves of the Merriam Library, but when Abby retired more than two decades later, the library boasted over 6,300 volumes. The Merriam family is memorialized in the room that bears their name in the rebuilt Auburn Public Library.

Outside of the library, Abby was a staunch supporter of her family. The 1910 census had her living with her 88-year-old father, who was still listed as a carpenter, and widowed stepsister, Elizabeth Darling. By 1920 her dad had passed, but brother William was in the household. Between 1920 and 1930 Abby moved to 23 Pakachoag Street, which was originally built by John Elder Between 1799-1803 on land purchased from the Chapin family. In 1907 Abby was one of the charter members, along with her sisters, of the General Ebenezer Learned Oxford Chapter National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She also belonged to the Auburn’s Women’s Club and the Bay Path Library Club. She attended the Auburn Congregational Church.  Abby passed away in May 1933 at the age of 72 after a long illness.  

Throughout her life Abby and her family were avid supporters of the Auburn Free Public Library with donations of money and books. Abby set high standards for the library and with the help of the Library Trustees during her tenure, tried to impress upon the town’s people the importance of their library for the benefit of growth. 

Next month the history of the library from 1950 - 2000 (or present) will be featured. The facts in this article are from the Auburn Historical Society & Museum, 41 South Street. The museum is open Tuesday and Saturday mornings 9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. and may be reached at [email protected] or 508-832-6856.

Missed Parts 1 and 2? 

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