The Washburn Meeting Room in the Frank J. Basloe Library was established in 1974, at the same time the library building at 245 North Main Street was being converted into a library space.
Funding was provided by a local group of residents comprising the Washburn Corporation, which owned an older building on Court Street where women’s organizations met for many years. This building was closed at the same time the old Herkimer Library building closed, because of similar safety and maintenance concerns. The Washburn Corporation is no longer in existence.
The Washburn Meeting Room continues to be heavily used by the community. In 2010, the library trustees, the Friends of the Basloe Library, and several dedicated volunteers held a fundraiser to outfit the room with a digital video projector, a movie screen, and a sound system. The lighting in the Washburn Room was upgraded shortly afterward with new energy-efficient fixtures and recessed low-light fixtures to allow audience visibility during a presentation requiring the projector.
The Washburn Room may be used by individuals and community groups for no charge, although a donation is appreciated. Three advance bookings are allowed at a time. Complete Rules of Use may be viewed here. The reservation form may be downloaded and printed here.
