Historical note:

            The Narragansett Library Association was established in 1853 by a vote of the Sons of Temperance. It was initially housed in the Bank of South County, in Wakefield, R.I. It was removed to the Peace Dale Office Building in 1857. In 1891, it found a permanent home in the newly constructed Hazard Memorial Hall, in Peace Dale.

            For at least the first one hundred of the Association's existence, the presidency was held by members of the Hazard family: Rowland Hazard II, Rowland G. Hazard II, Rowland Hazard III, and Thomas P. Hazard.

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Scope and content:

            This collection consists largely of receipts for books purchased from 1917 through 1928. Also included are a librarian's report from 1895, an original stock certificate from 1856, a stockholder list from 1861, an address by Rowland Hazard II (1829-1898) and miscellaneous other records from 1862 through 1962. This collection is very far from representing the complete records of the Association.

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Provenance:

            These papers were donated by the Hazard family as part of the Hazard Family Papers in 1985. They had been deposited in 1975 and 1983. They probably became interfiled with the Hazard family papers through the family's ongoing involvement with the Hazard Memorial Building, and through Thomas P. Hazard's term as president of the Association from 1927 to 1962.

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Processing note:

            This collection is part of the Hazard Family Papers, which were processed with support from the Rhode Island Committee for the Humanities, the Beinecke Foundation, and the extended Hazard Family.  Box 2 of this collection shares space with the small sub-groups 33 and 38.

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Inventory:

Series 1: Correspondence. Mostly files kept by Thomas P. Hazard as president. Includes miscellaneous reports and other records.

Box 1, folder 1. 1892-1931

Box 1, folder 2. 1948-1954

Box 1, folder 3. 1955

Box 1, folder 4. 1956

Box 1, folder 5. 1957-1962

Series 2: Paid bills. Mostly for books purchased and wages paid.

Box 1, folder 6. 1917-1918

Box 1, folder 7. 1919

Box 1, folder 8. 1920

Box 1, folder 9. 1921-1922

Box 1, folder 10. 1923

Box 1, folder 11. 1924

Box 1, folder 12. 1925

Box 1, folder 13. 1926

Box 1, folder 14. 1927-1928

Series 3: Miscellaneous.

Box 2, folder 1. Circulars #1 - #4, 1892-1904

Box 2, folder 2. Corporate papers:

                                    Extract from minutes of Sons of Temperance, 1853

                                    Trust agreement, 1890

Box 2, folder 3. Memoranda on books, 1862 and undated

Box 2, folder 4. "Public Library Service in Rural Areas" reports, 1955-1962 (state-wide)

Box 2, folder 5. Stockholder lists, 1861 and undated; stock certificate, 1856

Box 2, folder 6. Miscellaneous:

                                    Act of General Assembly re libraries, 1875

                                    Stock transfer of Rowland Hazard, 1890

                                    Address of Rowland Hazard, 1890

                                    Report of Librarian, 1895

                                    Rowland Hazard memorial tablet subscription, undated

                                    Resolution re children's room, undated

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Subjects:

Hazard, Rowland II (1829-1898)

Hazard, Thomas P. (1892-1968)

Libraries - Rhode Island - South Kingstown

"Public Library Service in Rural Areas"

South Kingstown, R.I. - Library resources

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RIHS1822