One of the first groups ever organized in the town was the Library Association. It existed for a number of years but, eventually, expired and the books were scattered. In 1868 a new Library Association was formed which remained active until the 1940’s. The members of the Association paid annual dues (50 cents in 1940), sponsored money-raising activities, and selected books. Money was usually appropriated at town meetings for the support of the library, and other organizations and individuals contributed to it. For a number of years, including 1883 and 1912, the Ladies Sewing Circle donated $20.00.

In the early part of the 20th century several descendants of Theodore Lincoln, represented by Alice Tinkham, offered financing for the construction of a library building as a Lincoln Memorial. At an adjourned town meeting, held during the evening of April 22, 1912, it was voted to accept Miss Tinkham’s proposition. By June the construction was well under way with considerable progress having been made with hollow tile walls.

By December, the building was completed on the lot near the schoolhouse, which was originally the location of Capt. John Smith’s home, and gravel was being hauled to level the grounds around it. The books, which had previously been kept in a back room at Gardner’s store and later in the vestry, now had a home of their own. The attractive building not only was a convenient repository for the various volumes, but provided ample space and pleasant surroundings for townspeople who wished to study, read for pleasure or sign out books for home use.

The Dedication Exercises of the Lincoln Memorial Library were held June 19, 1913 partly in the new building followed in the Town Hall in the evening in honor of Miss Alice S. Tinkham who represented the donors.