Hours & Information
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 10 - 6 |
| Tuesday | 10 - 6 |
| Wednesday | 10 - 6 |
| Thursday | 10 - 6 |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9 - 1 |
Phone: 978-425-2620
The library strives to be as flexible as possible, operating as community resource for the town of Shirley and Massachusetts. In order to maintain a fair and open environment, we ask all patrons to read and be aware of the following policies:
Here is a listing of the annual reports for the Hazen Memorial Library:
The Children's room is a warm and welcoming place for children from infancy to fifth grade. However, the Children's room captivates, inspires and challenges kids of all ages.
Be sure to get a library card! We provide a rich children's collection including picture books, board books, beginning reader books, fiction books, non-fiction books, magazines, music, movies, audio books on CD, resources for parents and child care providers, reference books, databases and computer stations with internet access.
Many children especially enjoy the play and reading area with puzzles, building blocks, a train set, and a dollhouse. Our “Goodnight Moon” story time room is brightly painted with scenes from Margaret Wise Brown's classic children's story.
There are also many programs and services available for children of all ages. Check out our Event Calendar to see our full list of events at the library. In addition, you can examine our Youth Services area to find out more information about these exciting programs and services.
The Children's Room serves children of all ages as well as parents, caregivers, educators, librarians and other children's literature enthusiasts. We hope to see you soon!
The Library offers many programs and services that encourage children to develop a love of the library, books, reading and learning. We offer music and story programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers; activities and book discussion groups for school-aged kids; special events for all ages; programs for parents and caregivers; homework help; summer reading program; and much more. Please check our calendar for a schedule of our upcoming events.
Miss Kathleen, the Youth Services Librarian is happy to provide support for school assignments as well as encouragement of unique and individual interests and inquiries. For those who need a recommendation, reader’s advisory is also available.
Call and arrange a group visit to the library--or have the library come to you! Miss Kathleen is willing to visit classes, preschools and youth groups to provide information, library cards, book sharing, summer reading, storytelling and more!
About this collection
Turner's Public Spirit, a local newspaper first published in 1868 in the part of Groton, Massachusetts, that was soon to become Ayer, by John H. Turner. It covered the Massachusetts towns of Ayer, Groton, Westford, Townsend, Shirley, Harvard, Pepperell, Lunenburg, Boxborough, and West Acton, as well as Hollis, Brookline, and Mason in New Hampshire. The newspaper was published in 8-page weekly editions until 1952, then continued as The Public Spirit until 1989. This digital collection of Turner's Public Spirit covers the period 4 January 1908 through 31 December 1921 (vol. 40, no. 16 – vol. 54, no. 18). Two issues are missing from the set (25 May 1915 and 24 June 1916). Pages from other issues may be missing or damaged.
About the publisher
John H. Turner was the founder and long-time publisher of Turner's Public Spirit. Born in Montreal, Canada, in 1835, Turner first learned the printing trade there. As an adult he immigrated to the United States, working in various positions in the printing business in different states before finally settling in the community that was to become Ayer, Massachusetts. At the time of the Civil War, Turner married Helen Mitchell Brown whose father was a printer in Groton.
In 1865, Turner started his own printing business. Just three years later he started to publish a newspaper called The Groton Public Spirit. The name was later changed to Turner's Public Spirit and Turner continued as its publisher and editor until the time of his death in 1917. Turner's son, George H. B. Turner, gradually assumed more responsibilities with the paper, becoming manager in 1911 and later editor after his father's death.
Viewing
Please use the navigational aids to browse through the Spirit by year or by volume of print.
Rights
These newspapers are in the public domain.