The New Hampshire library community was sadden to learn of the recent death of Helen Nye who died on March 14, 1999.

She served as librarian at the Newbury Public Library from 1950-1988. In 1983, Mrs. Nye, reflecting on her career, wrote "I began patronizing the little library which was then in the King's Daughters' Hall [now the Vet's Hall, located across the street from the present library]. The librarian was then Mrs. Etta Spaulding. The library was just a small room at the left of the doorway. During the real cold weather, Mrs. Spaulding closed the library and took a closet full of the more popular books home and the readers went there for them...I heard that Mrs. Spaulding received 2 cents for each book she loaned as her pay so she was always urging people to take out books. The room was heated at first with a wood stove, then an oil stove was put in. A neighbor started the heat Wednesday mornings so it was warn when I got there...." During her years as librarian, Mrs. Nye would routinely walk to the library from her house located around the corner on Route 103A.

In 1963, the town constructed the library building at its present location, next to the Newbury Center School. Mrs. Nye coordinated activities with the school so classes came to the library at regular times, and she often showed films, obtained from the State Library, to the children.

On May 25, 1986, the town honored Mrs. Nye for her long and faithful service with an open house at the library. The selectmen proclaimed the day, "Helen Nye Day." In 1988, George Beal began working alongside Helen, he ultimately succeeded her as librarian.

Helen was born in Sutton, VT, December 6, 1905. She was a graduate of Lyndonville College and taught elementary school in Warner, N.H., before her marriage to Harley Nye of Newbury. Graveside services were held at the Lakeside Cemetery on Newbury on May 17, 1999.