Watertown Library's Historical Collection May Shrink

The Library Board of Trustees voted to remove old material that is seldom used, but members of the Historical Society of Watertown say the books and papers are part of Watertown’s rich history that goes back to 1630.

Part of the reason for the culling of the collection in the History Room at the Watertown Free Public library is to make room for paperwork relating to the clean up of the Watertown Arsenal.

Part of the controversy is what counts as “Watertown” and what does not.

Historical Society member Joyce Kelly said that books related to Waltham, Weston and Belmont are part of the collection that was the Trustees voted to remove on June 4. These areas, however, used to be part of Watertown, Kelly said.

Trustee Raya Stern said the items are not being used, and there is not enough room for them, according to a story in the Boston Globe.

The Arsenal clean up materials were “dumped” on Watertown by the federal government as part of the clean up, Stern told the Globe. Newer historical volumes will also be added.

In a letter to the Board of Library Trustees, the Historical Society asks the board to reverse its decision. The letter says that the resources could not be replicated and some come from far to use them.

“The current collection, the fruit of many generations, not only has proven its continuing usefulness, but includes many rare, irreplaceable volumes,” the letter reads. “It is consulted by locals, people from a distance researching their Watertown connections, and even people from other nations (France, Scotland, etc.) studying New England life.”

The next Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. at the library.