General Info | History | Board of Trustees
Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Storytime at 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday: 2 p.m. to 6p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
78 Norwich Avenue, PO Box 1928
Wilder VT 05088
Telephone: 802-295-6341
Hall/Auditorium rental information: 295-6341
(To view/print rental agreement, click –> WCL Hall Rental Agreement)
About the Wilder Club and Library
This historic building contains an auditorium, with a preserved painted theater curtain from the 1940s, and a library among its five rooms. The Library is open 15 hours a week with library services administered by the Quechee Library. All patrons are invited to enjoy the resources of the larger Quechee Library by visiting there or by asking that materials be brought to the Wilder Clubhouse. Browsing the catalogs of both sites’ collections is easily done on the two public access computers. For rental information on the air conditioned auditorium , suitable for parties and meetings as well as performances, call 295-6341 or email info@quecheelibrary.org.
Cultural Facilities grants from the Vermont Arts Council. Vermont Division of Historic Preservation grants, Mascoma Savings Bank Foundation grants have led to improved accessibility (a lift), new front granite steps, a restored war memorial, and, most recently, energy efficient air conditioning systems for the library and the auditorium. Additional support has come from Byrne Foundation and the Rotary Club of White River, the Friends of the Quechee/Wilder Libraries and many individuals.
History
More than a century ago, the Wilder Club and Library was built to serve the community in a variety of ways. This historic building, containing an auditorium and other meeting areas, has been carefully tended by trustees and continues to undergo restorations. A fund drive for making the building fully accessible has also begun.
Since 1997 library services, supported by Town of Hartford tax dollars, have been administered by Quechee Library. New books are rotated in on a regular basis, and children’s programming is offered. With the aid of volunteers and a Vermont Incentive grant, the Wilder Library collection was integrated into the larger library’s database so that patrons of both libraries can search all titles and determine locations. Interlibrary loans as well as books from Quechee are delivered to Wilder for those requesting that service.
Resources include public computers, a fiber optic network and wireless access.
The Wilder Clubhouse is the meeting place for several boy and girl scout troops, as it has been for generations.
The auditorium may also be rented for large gatherings by organizations or individuals. Kitchen facilities are available.
Call 295-6341 for rental information and reservations.
Wilder Club and Library Board of Trustees
Peter Schaal
Jane Abbott Sweatt
Larry McKinney
Gail Schaal
Andrea McKinney
Nick Clemens
Bonnie Fields
Collections at the Quechee Library and the Wilder Library include Books, CDs, DVDs, Videos, Periodicals & Newspapers…
- Downloadable E- and Audio Books from the Green Mountain Consortium: Listen Up! Vermont with additional titles purchased only for QW Libraries patrons. Log in using your Quechee/Wilder Library patron card number. The PIN number by default is the last five digits of that same barcode number.
- Interlibrary Loans are readily available without charge. Contact librarians with requests.
- Wireless Access and High Speed Public Computers
- Fax, Copier, Tax forms
- Programs for adults and children: see Programs and Kids’ Page
- Daycare storytimes and book deliveries. Call or e-mail for information.
- Outreach book deliveries to shut-ins. Call or e-mail to request.
- Deliveries to the Bugbee Senior Centers, special requests and rotating items.
- Electronic resources and data-bases: see Digital Resources under Services
- Changing Nature of Art and Place, photographs by Collamer Abbott of Hartford in the 1950s are on exhibit as part of the permanent collection. Several photographs are available for travel. Partially funded through the Vermont Arts Council and the NEA.
