FARMINGTON – It was a sad day at Mantor Library as Frank Roberts, library director, watched a manuscript of the Magna Carta from about 1350 and 47 other rare documents be packed and loaded into an SUV and sent back to Indiana.
The documents – including a first edition printing of the “Emancipation Proclamation,” a first edition of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essays and a 1776 first edition copy of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” – have been on display at University of Maine at Farmington library since the beginning of the semester. They were there, not only to be seen, but also to be touched. Selected by the college’s professors from the Remnant Trust’s extensive collection of the most significant documents to have shaped America, it was the first time the books were exhibited in New England.
“Nearly 4,000 people, representing 23 states and 10 countries, have turned these pages in the last four months. That’s 40,000 fingers,” Roberts said in a written statement. “I watched an 18-year-old young man literally vibrate as he held the Magna Carta,” he continued. “This experience has, without a doubt, been the highlight of my career.”
Roberts wasn’t the only one profoundly affected by the collection. Two student docents spoke Monday of their experience as its overseers.
“It was absolutely amazing,” said Paige Barnett, a rehabilitation services major from Londonderry, N.H. “It was the coolest job I’ve ever had,” she said. She speculated that she and the other work-study docents were chosen because Roberts recognized their interest and because they “didn’t just look at it as just another job.”
“I was ecstatic,” said fellow docent Gillian Laidlaw, a secondary education major from Eustis. “I didn’t expect to get it.”
But when Roberts handed her the 1350 copy of the Magna Carta, she said she was “in shock.” Noting her reaction, Roberts hired her on the spot, she said.
“It was the oldest thing I’ve ever held in my life,” and holding it made her think of all the other people who’ve held it over time.
The two women said they loved the opportunity to read the books when it was quiet and to discuss the works with each other.
Barnett said if she could take one book home, it would be “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine because of its impact on history.
“I never thought in high school history that I’d ever hold a copy of it,” she said. “I’d probably put it in a frame and hang it on my wall,” she added. She plans to bring photos and other mementos back to show her high school history teachers when she’s home for the holidays, she said.
Both Laidlaw and Barnett were sad to see the books go. The group of docents gathered with Roberts at the library to compile a scrapbook, pack up the books and meet for the last time on Sunday evening.
“It’s like we’re a family,” Laidlaw said adding that she felt melancholy as she left Sunday’s meeting. “It was like the last family gathering,” she said. She said her respect for books grew as a result of working with the collection.
“I felt blessed to be trusted with them,” she said.
“Not many people my age can say they were able to do that,” Barnett agreed. “We had the keys to fancy stuff,” she added.
Comments are no longer available on this story