Vienna’s late Mayor M. Jane Seeman’s daughter, Linda Colbert, now a Town Council member, and granddaughters, Hannah and Heather Colbert, cut the yellow ribbon tied around the mini-library perched birdhouse-height. Colbert reflected on her mother’s love of reading in her remarks. Photo by Donna Manz.
Vienna’s late mayor, M. Jane Seeman, loved books, loved reading, loved Patrick Henry Library where she volunteered more than 3,000 hours. She sat on the Fairfax Country library board for eight years. On Tuesday, Sept. 23, Seeman’s family, friends and supporters gathered on the grounds of the Vienna Town Green to honor Seeman’s dedication to books and Vienna’s library.
The Town of Vienna, Friends of Patrick Henry Library, Green Hedges School, and Historic Vienna, Inc. unveiled and dedicated a fitting memorial to Seeman, a wood miniature reproduction of the original Little Library, identifying it as the Little Free Library in memory of Jane Seeman. The public service model of the Little Free Library is, “take a book, return a book.” Seeman’s daughter, Linda Colbert, now a Town Council woman, and granddaughters Hannah and Heather, cut the ribbon after the birdhouse-high enclosure was unveiled to approximately 50 spectators.
The Friends of Patrick Henry Library stocked the grand opening “library.”
“She was a super library supporter,” said Sam Clay, Director, Fairfax County Public Libraries, who delivered opening remarks. “Jane would be proud and enjoy this day.”
Seeman’s daughter and granddaughters stood together to cut the yellow ribbon tied around the mini-library. Colbert reflected on her mother’s love of reading, and how mother and daughter shared books together over tea. Patrick Henry Library was like family to Seeman, Colbert said.
“Grammy used to play library when my kids were little,” Colbert said. “She set out a table with books on it, and stamps for due dates.”
THE ORIGINAL VIENNA LIBRARY was built circa 1897 in a different area of downtown Vienna. It was moved to its present location in 1970 and opens to the public the first Sunday of every month, 1-4 p.m.
Vienna schools — Green Hedges, whose headmaster made initial overtures to the Town; Thoreau Middle School Chamber Chorus and James Madison High School Madrigals — sang a diversity of songs to mark the tribute. HVI offered a children’s craft table and the Cat in the Hat made an appearance. Refreshments were provided by Caffe Amouri and Whole Foods Vienna.
“It’s a wonderful remembrance of Jane’s service to the community,” Mayor Laurie DiRocoo said.
The Little Free Library faces Mill Street on the Town Green, fronting the original Little Library. Learn more at www.littlefreelibrary.org.