The Ladies Library Association which managed the Library held art exhibits to present the wonderful paintings that were being created in Old Lyme to its citizens and visitors and to raise money for their beloved library. The Phoebe Griffin Noyes Trust, whose members were all male, administered the funds that kept the building in good repair.
In 1913, the Town of Old Lyme began a long tradition of financial support by contributing $100 to the Library budget so that it could receive matching funds from the
State of Connecticut. During the early 1900's the belief grew that libraries were necessary for the
well being of all citizens and their communities and as such should be eligible for public funds. This belief in
free and open access to all citizens remains strong today. The Town of Old Lyme reflects that belief by its continued
increased financial support of the Library.In 1925, a new room was added so that the Library could house more books. The wall space once used for art exhibits was now taken over by book shelves. In 1938 a children's wing was added.
In 1940, three years after the children's wing was completed, the Library served a town population of 1,500. The Library was open 35 hours a week and it had 17,458 books for the reading public to borrow.
In 1960, 20 years after the last addition was completed, the Library had to reduce its hours to 28 per week. It was now serving 3,200 Old Lyme residents and the books available to those residents numbered 25,577.
The 1970, the Ladies library Association and the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Trust merged their groups to become the Old Lyme-Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library Association, Inc. This merger preceded the steady growth of the past 28 years and its subsequent demands upon the board for careful and diligent management of the Library's resources.
In 1973, renovations were started that included carpeting, insulation, heating and erecting an office for the director and a staff work room on the second floor. In 1979, staff work space and reference areas were enlarged. The parking lot was enlarged as well.
In October 1986, the Library joined LION, Inc., a computerized library network. Accessibility to other libraries' collections became easier and retrieval was made much quicker. In combination with ConnectiCar, the Library became a gateway to resources throughout Connecticut.
In 1992, the Board of Managers applied for State and Federal funding for a new building project, the most ambitious yet. Residents of the Town of Old Lyme approved a bond issue, a capital campaign was launched, plans were approved and construction began in the Fall of 1994. The new addition opened October, 1995, with more than double the square footage of the previous building. In addition, personal computers were available for public use and there was finally room to house the entire materials collection in the public area. A Community Room became available for the patrons' use and the entire building was designed to be ADA compliant--now ALL citizens are able to take full advantage of the treasure that is the Old Lyme-Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library.
As the town of Old Lyme has grown and matured, its local institutions have developed a specialization of interests. Art is now exhibited by the Lyme Art Academy and the Lyme Art Association. The Lyme Historical Society and the Florence Grisowld Museum focus on the glories of the past in Old Lyme. The Library, past its hundredth year, celebrates the past, and looks toward the future.