Dr. Fanny M. McGee (1874-1949) was Waban’s first branch librarian, a role she filled for nearly 30 years with great dedication, including keeping handwritten records of the rising number of books in circulation each month.

Unusual for a woman at the time, Fanny McGee qualified as a registered physician, graduating with the class of 1897 from Tufts Medical School. Afterwards, she engaged in clinical work at the New England Hospital for Women and Children in Roxbury. However, she left the hospital in order to focus on taking care of her father, Chauncy McGee, and her grandmother in their house at 765 Chestnut Street. Although this took her off the track of her potential medical career, she ultimately used her academic qualifications to foster literacy and intellectual growth in the community.

As families started to settle in Waban after the 1886 opening of the rail station, there was an increased demand for books. Starting in 1892, a basket was delivered three times a week from Newton's main library to the grocery store in Waban Hall on Wyman Street. Residents put requests for books in the basket, which went back to the library.

Starting in 1902, books were delivered to a desk in the back of Conant’s store in the Strong Block. In October 1911, a reading room was set up in Mr. Rhode’s drugstore, and Dr. McGee officially became a branch librarian. The next year the circulation was 7,400 books.

There was a surge of interest in public libraries throughout the country in the early 20^th century. In Newton 10 branch libraries opened in this period. Waban opened its own dedicated building in 1930, on land given by the Waban Land Trust. Architects Densmore, LeClear and Robbins designed the Tudor Revival building. Support came from the Waban Improvement Society and the Woman’s Club. Dr. McGee’s continued service and advocacy was essential to the success of this initiative.

[Image: Waban Branch Library]