Olivia Briggs Jaquith
Character: Unforgettable People of Woodstock > Olivia Briggs Jaquith
“Woodstock’s First Librarian”
(1833-1931)
Olivia Van Lora Briggs Jaquith was the first librarian of the Norman Williams Public Library. She grew up on Rose Hill with her father, Luther Briggs, who was a horticulturalist. With his first wife, Luther Briggs had one daughter, Marenda, who became a doctor. After his first wife passed away, Luther Briggs remarried and had two more daughters, one of whom was Olivia.
It appears that Olivia was a talented child. In the Woodstock History Center’s collection is a portrait of George Washington that she drew when she was thirteen years old. The elaborate frame around the portrait was also made by Olivia. It was constructed of glove leather that was fashioned into a floral pattern.
Such skills in handiwork ran in the family, as Olivia notes that her mother would make both her own clothes and Olivia’s by creating her own patterns, while Olivia helped with the sewing and housework.
Advertisement from Rose Hill Nursery, which was owned by Olivia’s father.
Drawing of George Washington and frame decorated with leather accents, both created by Olivia
Photograph of Olivia Briggs Jaquith
In a portrait of Olivia, Olivia is depicted with a book in her hand. It was, undoubtedly, her love of books that led her to become the first librarian of the Norman Williams Public Library and to hold that position from 1884-1912. She was described as being “eminently efficient,” running the library and taking care of the needs of its 3,500 patrons with the aid of just one assistant. Margaret Johnson, who grew up in Woodstock, remembered Olivia as running a tight ship. Margaret Johnson states: “Woe to the careless person who brought back a book that was not carefully wrapped in paper. Books were sacred and not to be exposed to any danger or injury. I remember being in the Library one day when Mrs. Jaquith took a book from someone’s hands and said, “This book looks as if it had been dropped. I don’t see how anyone COULD drop a book.”
Anecdotal evidence also suggests that Olivia was a woman with strong views on propriety. Greek Slave was an iconic 19th-century sculpture by Hiram Powers, who was born in Woodstock. When Norman Williams suggested putting a miniature of Hiram Powers’ Greek Slave in the library, Olivia expressed concern because the statue portrayed a woman who was unclothed. Supposedly Mr. Williams attempted to assuage her concerns by telling her he’d put some form of raincoat on the statue if the patrons were offended.
Norman Williams Public Library
Reading Room at the library as it appeared during Olivia Briggs Jaquith’s reign.
Hiram Powers’ Greek Slave